During the 2014 budget process, Commissioner Kelly Emerson did not speak much.
Primarily, she said, because it has been tough to gain support for her initiatives that favor cutting taxes and what she deems non-essential services and programs.
“The reason I’m silent is there’s no support,” Emerson said. “Why spend taxpayer time arguing something that you’re not going to get support for.”
Approximately 1,000 pounds comprising several large barrels of wiring was stolen from the Oak Harbor Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 7392 last weekend.
It’s not the first time in recent history this has happened.
Last year, someone stole about $100 of wire that was left near the Conex recycling container located behind the VFW, according Myron Brundage, senior vice commander of the post.
An EA-18G Growler from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station made an emergency landing in Eastern Washington this past Wednesday.
“During a routine training flight, a caution light illuminated in the cockpit of the EA-18G signaling the pilot to make a precautionary landing as soon as possible,” said NAS Whidbey Public Affairs Officer Mike Welding.
For those gathered at the Oak Harbor Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7392 Friday, Sept. 20 it was all about…
While Ron Witherall was happy to return to work Monday at his Department of Defense job at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, he said he plans to take his opinions about the recent federal government shutdown straight to the polls.
“When I vote this time around, if there’s ‘incumbent’ behind your name, you’re out. I don’t care if you’re a Republican, Tea Party or Democrat,” Witherall said.
“If you can’t work together in Congress and pass a budget, then we need new people that can work together across lines in the sand and get the job done.”
Despite looming closures to Island County’s Women, Infants and Children program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has found funding to allow the national program to operate as usual through the end of October.
The possible halting of WIC services was the result of the federal governmental shutdown that began Monday, Oct. 1, because of Congress’s inability to agree on a national budget.
The news was a relief to Island County’s WIC programs and offices in Oak Harbor, Langley, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station and Camano Island.
Island County commissioners opted to delay the adoption of the 2014 budget Monday to allow the public to review and comment on the final presentation.
Budget Director Elaine Marlow showed a Powerpoint presentation to the board at Monday’s budget public hearing, and broke down the county’s revenues and expenditures in graphs and pie charts.
The presentation had not yet been posted on the county’s website at the time of the hearing and Commissioner Helen Price Johnson, who made the motion, said she felt the public might like a chance to review the Powerpoint prior to adoption.
Nearly 50 veterans rode bicycles throughout Whidbey Island to build camaraderie and promote better health. The Soldiers Ride, which is…
A finding this month by the Washington State auditor’s office pointed out what Island County already knows: the county is backlogged on processing property tax supplements.
The finding states that “Island County lacked adequate internal controls to ensure timely processing of property tax adjustments.”
However, the county started efforts last year to catch up on the backlog and estimates they should be caught up by June of next year, according to Island County Treasurer Ana Maria Nunez.
FORT LEE, Va. – Military commissaries worldwide are returning to normal operating schedules effective Oct. 7, said the director and…
North Whidbey skies could see unmanned Navy aircraft flying by 2016.
Four of the MQ-4C Tritons will be based out of Ventura County Naval Base in California, but the existing P3 tactical support center at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station will be expanded to support both the P8-A and the Triton, according Ted Brown, installations and environmental public affairs officer for U.S. Fleet Forces Command.
The Triton is expected to supplement the P-8A Poseidon in patrol missions, and is expected to be operational at NAS Whidbey by 2015-2016, Brown said.
A 45-day deadline has passed for Oak Harbor resident Bill Burnett who filed a lawsuit against Island County in July.
According to a letter from Chief Civil Deputy Dan Mitchell, Burnett had 45 days to prepare documents and file a brief of appellant with the Superior Court to accompany his lawsuit.
Mitchell said Monday that there has been no further action since the letter was sent to Burnett outlining his next steps.
A judge has awarded a stay on the lawsuit filed against the Navy by a Coupeville group seeking to stop touch-and-go operations at Outlying Field Coupeville.
The group received what they considered a victory when the Navy agreed to conduct the Environmental Impact Statement the lawsuit demanded, but they have additional plans, including a class-action lawsuit.
Controversy over OLF reached a fevered pitch earlier this year after increasing complaints about the noise associated with the Navy’s ongoing Field Landing Carrier Practice or touch-and-go operations. The Navy is in the process of transiting from the EA-6B Prowler to the EA-8G Growler, an aircraft some believe is louder.
