Whidbey Island

Jim Simpson leans on Blue Ray III, one of his designs, in his shop on Friday, August 25, 2023, in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Whidbey Island master mechanic building dream car from “Speed Racer”

Jim Simpson, 68, of Clinton, is using his knowledge of sports cars to assemble his own Mach Five.

Jim Simpson leans on Blue Ray III, one of his designs, in his shop on Friday, August 25, 2023, in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A Coast Guard cutter searches for a crashed chartered floatplane near Mutiny Bay Monday afternoon in Freeland, Washington on September 5, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Floatplane operator sued over Whidbey Island crash

Representatives for the nine passengers killed are suing Northwest Seaplanes and De Havilland Aircraft of Canada.

A Coast Guard cutter searches for a crashed chartered floatplane near Mutiny Bay Monday afternoon in Freeland, Washington on September 5, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
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
Ryan Jones handed off the kitten to Chrystyl Levee Zwink. (Photo provided by Washington State Ferries)

Lucky ‘Buoy’: Kitten rescued from waters at Clinton ferry dock

The kitty was saved from drowning by ferry workers and now has a new home on land.

Ryan Jones handed off the kitten to Chrystyl Levee Zwink. (Photo provided by Washington State Ferries)
Kate Burns guides her 89-year-old mother Lyn Murphy along a path at Meerkerk Gardens in Greenbank, Washington. Ryan Berry / The Herald photo

Plays, parks and perfect sundaes: Whidbey serves up summer island getaways

By Patricia Guthrie / Special to The Herald Whidbey Island offers lots of activities, events and places to stroll when the sun pops out and… Continue reading

Kate Burns guides her 89-year-old mother Lyn Murphy along a path at Meerkerk Gardens in Greenbank, Washington. Ryan Berry / The Herald photo
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)
Paul and Emily Grubb are the new owners of the Little Brown Church in Maxwelton Valley. (Photo by David Welton)

Something old, something new: Whidbey church’s second life

Paul and Emily Grubb transform the historic, beloved Little Brown Church in Maxwelton Valley into a wedding venue.

Paul and Emily Grubb are the new owners of the Little Brown Church in Maxwelton Valley. (Photo by David Welton)
Jim Freeman stands inside the 1928 Milwaukee Road railroad car, moved to the island by ferry from Kirkland in 1979, on Apr. 20, 2016 in Freeland. “I’ve got 625 square feet, counting everything,” he said. Freeman, 74, known as the Conductor of Fun, died June 19, 2022. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Celebrate the life of Jim Freeman, Whidbey Island’s ‘Conductor of Fun’

Saturday’s event will remember the man known for “comedic genius, community spirit, kindness and generosity.”

Jim Freeman stands inside the 1928 Milwaukee Road railroad car, moved to the island by ferry from Kirkland in 1979, on Apr. 20, 2016 in Freeland. “I’ve got 625 square feet, counting everything,” he said. Freeman, 74, known as the Conductor of Fun, died June 19, 2022. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Photo by Patricia Guthrie   This old medicine bottle from Lee’s Pharmacy in Seattle was found in the dirt outside the log cabin.

A long-hidden cabin emerges from the mists of time on Whidbey

Demolition of a dilapidated farmhouse in Langley reveals an entombed log cabin that might be 150 years old.

Photo by Patricia Guthrie   This old medicine bottle from Lee’s Pharmacy in Seattle was found in the dirt outside the log cabin.
Dave "Bronco" Erickson stands next to the pink-and-purple 1991 Subaru Justy hatchback “Pork Chop Express” car that he is seeking to re-home for $500. The car has been on Whidbey Island for years, mainly as yard art. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

For sale: Whidbey’s fabled ‘Pork Chop Express’ gets great smileage

Asking price is $500 for the 1991 Subaru Justy, a three-cylinder econobox with 65K miles and a transmission as rare as hen’s teeth.

Dave "Bronco" Erickson stands next to the pink-and-purple 1991 Subaru Justy hatchback “Pork Chop Express” car that he is seeking to re-home for $500. The car has been on Whidbey Island for years, mainly as yard art. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)
Carolyn Lhamon scoops together a bowl of ice cream for a customer while working her summer job at Kapaw’s Iskreme on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Greenbank, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Plays, parks and perfect sundaes: Whidbey serves up summer island getaways

It’s not tropical, but the island is full of family-friendly activities (and ice cream) for those long summer days

Carolyn Lhamon scoops together a bowl of ice cream for a customer while working her summer job at Kapaw’s Iskreme on Wednesday, April 5, 2023, in Greenbank, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Allen Fletcher

DNA identifies South Whidbey Harbor remains as Port Townsend man

A missing person case in Langley that is nearly a decade old has finally, it seems, come to a close.

Allen Fletcher
Shipfitter Wes Helseth installs windows into the pilothouse for a 100 foot tug at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 in Freeland, Washington. Another pilothouse sits in the shipyard at right. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Everett Ship Repair gets a $1.1 million federal grant for new crane

The facility was the prime contractor to fix the Cathlamet ferry that smashed into pilings in a $7.7 million crash in July.

Shipfitter Wes Helseth installs windows into the pilothouse for a 100 foot tug at Nichols Brothers Boat Builders on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 in Freeland, Washington. Another pilothouse sits in the shipyard at right. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
General manager and chef Allyss Taylor, 42, removes bread  from an oven at Seabiscuit Bakery in Langley, Washington on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Whidbey’s hidden treats

Off the beaten path, the island offers plenty of dining surprises

General manager and chef Allyss Taylor, 42, removes bread  from an oven at Seabiscuit Bakery in Langley, Washington on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.  (Annie Barker / The Herald)

South Whidbey parks and rec warns of aggressive owl

South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District released a warning on Monday about the owl.

A Sounder gray whale. (Cascadia Research)

Don’t be flummoxed: Help is needed to name 5 Puget Sound gray whales

The voting poll on the Sounders, as these whales are called, is until Sunday for the grays dining in our waters.

A Sounder gray whale. (Cascadia Research)
Manu Unni stands in the kitchen of his new restaurant, Unni’s Kitchen. (Rachel Rosen / Whidbey News-Times)

Navy vet strives for authenticity at new Indian eatery in Oak Harbor

Manu Unni recently opened Unni’s Kitchen as a way to share his native food and culture.

Manu Unni stands in the kitchen of his new restaurant, Unni’s Kitchen. (Rachel Rosen / Whidbey News-Times)
The former ferry holding lanes are repaved and getting ready for cars in Mukilteo, Washington on August 16, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Port parking at Mukilteo waterfront finally opens

The 99-stall lot on the former ferry holding lanes includes 63 spots for someone to leave a car for up to 72 hours.

The former ferry holding lanes are repaved and getting ready for cars in Mukilteo, Washington on August 16, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

Head-on crash on south Whidbey Island hospitalizes 3 people

Alcohol or drugs were involved, per the Washington State Patrol. Two victims are Lake Forest Park teens.

Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118
Mukilteo Coffee Roasters co-owners Beth and Gary Smith in 2017. (Kyle Jensen / South Whidbey Record)

Mukilteo coffee roaster, 69, had personality as big as ‘thunderstorm’

“I knew at the first sip that this is what I wanted to do,” Gary Smith said. The founder of Mukilteo Coffee Roasters died this month.

Mukilteo Coffee Roasters co-owners Beth and Gary Smith in 2017. (Kyle Jensen / South Whidbey Record)