Camano Island

A student reaches put their hands to feel raindrops as it begins to pour on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Hollow gestures’ won’t allow Camano forest school to survive, founders say

Island County officials acknowledged they should have given Springwood Forest School families more time to prepare for an impending closure.

 

Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island, Washington. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20191121

Cabins at Cama Beach State Park to close indefinitely

A septic system failure forced the popular cabins to close starting Feb. 26. Visitors who had planned a trip will get refunds.

 

Heather White smiles while students raise their hands to answer a question on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

In child care desert, Camano’s pioneering forest school faces shutdown

Island County Public Works abruptly banned a school from a nature preserve, its cofounders said. Parents are outraged and aghast.

 

(Getty Images)

Hops and Sips: Camano’s first-ever cider festival is this weekend

Taste some of what local cideries have to offer and find a new favorite — plus, sample dozens more at Cider Summit Seattle.

(Getty Images)
If tourism is to become a force for good, then we must find projects that help make that happen. To learn more, visit Transformational Travel - Whidbey and Camano Islands at whidbeycamanoislands.com

Why Embrace?

By Jack Penland Atop our new logo sits a single word. All at once, it’s an invitation, a request and a promise. It’s also figurative… Continue reading

If tourism is to become a force for good, then we must find projects that help make that happen. To learn more, visit Transformational Travel - Whidbey and Camano Islands at whidbeycamanoislands.com
A kayaker launches from the Maple Grove Boat Launch into the contaminated water on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

On Camano shore contaminated by feces, locals blame lack of oversight

Years of frustration led some Camano Island residents to build their own sewage system. It’s set to start pumping this month.

A kayaker launches from the Maple Grove Boat Launch into the contaminated water on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Representatives from different government organizations listen to a Harrington Lagoon resident speak about PFAS found in their drinking water during a public forum on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall in Coupeville, Washington. From left are Claire Nitsche of the Department of Health, DOH Regional Manager Derek Pell, DOH toxicologist Barbara Morrissey, Department of Ecology’s Kim Wooten and Island County hydrogeologist Chris Kelley. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Forever chemicals’ in drinking water found at Whidbey ‘slice of heaven’

PFAS can cause cancer, low birth weights and increased cholesterol. As a result, residents near Coupeville are drinking bottled water.

Representatives from different government organizations listen to a Harrington Lagoon resident speak about PFAS found in their drinking water during a public forum on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall in Coupeville, Washington. From left are Claire Nitsche of the Department of Health, DOH Regional Manager Derek Pell, DOH toxicologist Barbara Morrissey, Department of Ecology’s Kim Wooten and Island County hydrogeologist Chris Kelley. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Michelle LeFevre and her Bernese mountain dog Kona sit in the shade in front of Kona’s Pond outside their home Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Camano, Washington. LeFevre, a retired teacher, wrote the children’s book “On Kona’s Pond” which centers on her pup and the other creatures that call the pond home. LeFevre’s sister, Susan Cousineau McGough, illustrated the book with watercolor renditions of Kona and the pond. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Life ain’t so ruff ‘On Kona’s Pond’

A retired Camano Island teacher’s new children’s book, “On Kona’s Pond,” tells the story of her dog and his wild friends.

Michelle LeFevre and her Bernese mountain dog Kona sit in the shade in front of Kona’s Pond outside their home Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Camano, Washington. LeFevre, a retired teacher, wrote the children’s book “On Kona’s Pond” which centers on her pup and the other creatures that call the pond home. LeFevre’s sister, Susan Cousineau McGough, illustrated the book with watercolor renditions of Kona and the pond. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A PUD vehicle drives along Lovers Road under newly-erected power poles that will eventually connect Stanwood and Camano Island on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

To keep Camano lights on, PUD builds a new power line

The new line establishes a second electrical connection to Camano Island, which will help maintain power in windstorms.

A PUD vehicle drives along Lovers Road under newly-erected power poles that will eventually connect Stanwood and Camano Island on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
David Dodge (Washington State Department of Corrections)

Early release approved for man who raped, killed Stanwood girl in 1997

David Dodge was 17 when he murdered Ashley Jones, 12, at random. He was sentenced to 50 years.

David Dodge (Washington State Department of Corrections)
Kyle Caperoon walks into the courtroom before the reading of his verdict at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Camano man convicted of first-degree murder in Everett park shooting

Kyle Caperoon is the last of three defendants to be convicted in James Scannell’s death in 2020 at Langus Riverfront Park.

Kyle Caperoon walks into the courtroom before the reading of his verdict at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
NO CAPTION. Logo to accompany news of education.

Stanwood-Camano School Board seeks applicants for vacancy

Ken Christoferson, the district’s longest serving board member, resigned on Dec. 6.

NO CAPTION. Logo to accompany news of education.
Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.

Shavers wins by narrow margin as Dems flip seat in 10th District

Democrat Clyde Shavers won by 211 votes against incumbent state Rep. Greg Gilday. It’s close enough for a recount.

Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.
Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.

Shavers holds 189-vote lead on Gilday in race still too close to call

Shavers, a Democrat, is looking to unseat Gilday, a first-term GOP lawmaker. The outcome could be clear in Wednesday’s tally.

Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.
Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

Island County sheriff’s sergeant accused of drugging, raping women

Investigators believe Sgt. John Nieder mixed a date rape drug into drinks of two women before sexually assaulting them.

Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118
Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.

In Whidbey swing district, Democratic challenger aims to repeat primary win

Incumbent Greg Gilday and Clyde Shavers are in a tight, heated race for state House to serve Whidbey, Camano and the Stanwood area.

Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.
Logo for news use featuring Camano Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

Island County settles sexual harassment lawsuit with deputy

The county will pay Deputy Mike Adrian a total of $105,000.

Logo for news use featuring Camano Island in Island County, Washington. 220118
Biome Borneo, a conservation themed board game made out of shrooms and fishing net. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

A local board game made of mushrooms? Sure, sounds fungi

A Stanwood trio plans to launch their first board game, using fungi and recycled materials to teach about Borneo rainforests.

Biome Borneo, a conservation themed board game made out of shrooms and fishing net. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Ryan Elting, conservation director at the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, talks about the important ecosystem the shoreline provides Friday, June 10, 2022, at the site of the Keystone Preserve near Coupeville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

In ‘emergency acquisition,’ 226 acres of Whidbey Island’s farmland, forest saved

The beachside Keystone Preserve, south of Coupeville, is the Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s largest purchase at $9.1 million.

Ryan Elting, conservation director at the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, talks about the important ecosystem the shoreline provides Friday, June 10, 2022, at the site of the Keystone Preserve near Coupeville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Snohomish County PUD. (Sue Misao / Herald file)

Camano Island to get new transmission line — and fewer power outages

It’ll be the second transmission line on the island. It should help keep the lights on during windstorms.

Snohomish County PUD. (Sue Misao / Herald file)