A state-required update to a section of Island County’s critical areas ordinances is seven years past due and a South Whidbey-based environmental watchdog group says that’s too long.
A community supported grant program is giving one of Central Whidbey’s most recognizable and historic structures a new lease on life.
Workers recently began installing a new metal roof on the Smith Barn at Willowood Farm, which is located about one mile south of town in the heart of Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve
Holding to tradition, members of the Coupeville Garden Club worked to keep the ho-ho-ho spirit alive and well in Coupeville last week.
Gathering at the group’s greenhouse at the middle school Monday and Tuesday, members crafted nearly 20 festive wreaths for the decoration of two public facilities around town.
Times are still tough and with uncertainty about state funding next year, town staff are going to have to forego an immediate pay raise in 2013, the Coupeville Town Council decided last week.
On Tuesday, Nov. 27, the five-member council unanimously approved the 2013 budget in a 4-0 decision. Councilwoman Dianne Binder was the only person not to vote as she was out of town on a pre-excused absence.
As noted by Mayor Nancy Conard, the $5.8 million budget is largely “status quo” as it’s only slightly larger than the $5.7 million plan that was adopted this time last year for 2012.
An online petition last week aims to shut down the U.S. Navy’s flight practice airstrip in Central Whidbey.
Launched Saturday, the petition seeks to end all Navy flight operations at the Coupeville Outlying Field, particularly touch-and-go maneuvers that are often conducted at night and require repeated approaches.
Mandatory curbside recycling was ushered into Coupeville Tuesday to the tune of “yeahs” and clapping from town council members.
In what has chalked up as one of the friendliest races of the year, 10th Legislative District incumbent Norma Smith is defending the Position 1 seat from challenger Aaron Simpson.
Smith, R-Clinton, has held the seat since her appointment in late 2007. A former writer and operations manager for a communications firm, Smith’s political achievements include terms on the South Whidbey School Board and six years as special assistant to the late Congressman Jack Metcalf.
By comparison, Simpson, a Democrat from Langley, is a political newcomer with no experience in public office.
There are a lot of smiling faces at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders.
Company officials last week announced the signing of the firm’s second $17-million contract this year with Seattle’s Vigor Industrial to build the superstructure of a new 144-car state ferry.
The Freeland shipyard began work on the first boat earlier this year.
Although it was unlikely that Nichols Brothers would not be working on the second ferry as well, there were no guarantees and CEO Matt Nichols was happy to confirm that the deal was finalized early last week.
“Signed, sealed and delivered,” a smiling Nichols said in an interview Sept. 13.
The two jobs combined, totaling $34 million for the small Whidbey firm, has allowed the company to hire an additional 100 workers and means steady work until the end of 2013, Nichols said.
Last week marked the conclusion of a series of meetings in which department heads and elected officials presented their proposed 2013 budgets to the board.
A state expert has reviewed Island County Commissioner Kelly Emerson’s allegations that the board has run afoul of open public meeting laws and believes further investigation is warranted.
It appears voters in Island County Commissioner District 1 are satisfied with the status quo.
William “Billy” Wolf, the sailor from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station who spent two nights alone in the wilderness after…
Local and federal legislators aren’t declaring outright victory, but efforts to insure the new P-8A Poseidon aircraft come to Whidbey…
