Sheriff talks about crime

Island County Sheriff Mark Brown will be discussing his request for more deputies and other issues surrounding the future of his department at a special community outreach meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8 at the Heller Road Fire Station.

Specifically, Brown will be talking about manpower, crime statistics and budget requests for the coming year. He will address the needs of the community in terms of categorizing the calls coming into the 911 center and how this translates into priority law enforcement response.

Brown urges the community members to attend, offer suggestions, ask questions and give input on what they think is important in terms of public safety concerns for Central and North Whidbey.

“I recognize the challenges we face in government with a struggling economy…” he said. “I firmly believe, however, it is my duty to maintain the level of service expected by the citizens of Island County.”

Garudas finally make it home

The four Prowlers from Electronic Attack Squadron 134 will return to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station today, Oct. 4, after a six-month combat tour in Afghanistan.

VAQ-134 is a land-based expeditionary squadron with three Air Force aircrew assigned from the 388th Electronic Combat Squadron at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island. Almost 200 sailors and support personnel from the “Garudas” of VAQ-134 came home in mid-September.

The fly-in for the squadron’s four EA-6B Prowlers was originally planned for Sept. 26. The communication- and radar-jamming jets are now expected to arrive in Oak Harbor on Saturday afternoon.

Teachers meet the parents

Parent-teacher conferences at all Oak Harbor schools take place next week. Conferences for parents of kindergartners begin Wednesday, Oct. 8, with all other grades hosting conferences Oct. 9 and 10.

At the middle schools and high school, teachers will be available throughout the day as parents drop in on a first-come, first-served basis. At the elementary school level, conferences are scheduled individually between parents and teachers.

High school teachers will be available for conferences Thursday, Oct. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m., noon to 3 p.m. and from 4 to 7 p.m.; and on Friday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to noon. High school conferences take place at the main campus.

Oak Harbor Middle School conferences are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 1 to 4 p.m.; and 5 to 7 p.m.; and Friday from 8 to 11 a.m.

North Whidbey Middle School conferences take place Thursday, Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 10, from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.