Emily Gilbert

Whidbey Island preschool quarantines after COVID-19 outbreak

Across the school district, 26 students and eight staff have tested positive for the virus this year.

 

Letter

Oak Harbor legal staff quits over ‘compromised’ relationships

The city attorney and the senior assistant city attorney, who is also the public records officer, both resigned.

 

Several audience members refused to wear a mask or leave the building after Oak Harbor School Board President John Diamond asked them to comply with Gov. Inslee’s indoor mask mandate during the Aug. 30 meeting. (Jason Uemoto, file)

Oak Harbor school board disrupted a 2nd time by anti-maskers

Future meetings will be virtual “for the safety of staff, students and community,” the district said.

 

Native American remains found at Oak Harbor construction site

Archaeologists are working with Tulalip, Samish, Swinomish and Stillaguamish tribes.

Deception Pass Bridge (Emily Gilbert / Whidbey News file)

Suicides from Deception Pass Bridge renew calls for barriers

Meanwhile, an emergency phone that calls 911 was installed on the west side of the bridge in 2018.

Deception Pass Bridge (Emily Gilbert / Whidbey News file)
Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times
Karen Achabel holds up a piece of kelp at Fort Ebey State Park on April 24. Seaweed harvesting at state parks is limited to April 15-May 15, although seaweed can be harvested from non-state park land at other times during the year.

Seaweed Smorgasbord: Greens from the sea the next power food?

Whidbey has seaweed on its shores and there are many ways an adventurous eater can try a bite.

Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times
Karen Achabel holds up a piece of kelp at Fort Ebey State Park on April 24. Seaweed harvesting at state parks is limited to April 15-May 15, although seaweed can be harvested from non-state park land at other times during the year.

A pandemic side effect? Whidbey Island expected a baby boom

WhidbeyHealth Family Birthplace officials said some mothers would be referred to other hospitals.

Photo courtesy Laura Thompson 

Madison Thompson and her dog Stella.

Whidbey teen, golden retriever make top 8 in NY kennel show

Madison Thompson was one of the youngest competitors in her division of 80 kids.

Photo courtesy Laura Thompson 

Madison Thompson and her dog Stella.
Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times
Caraleigh Hernandez, 10, left, and her sister Denelle, 14, play on the beach at Deception Pass State Park.

Whidbey sees an influx of tourists — almost as many as in 2019

Ferry passenger volume indicates a rebound in the island’s popularity as a destination.

Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times
Caraleigh Hernandez, 10, left, and her sister Denelle, 14, play on the beach at Deception Pass State Park.
The Coupeville-Port Townsend ferry route will only have one vessel until late June, Washington State Ferries announced after an engine fire on one vessel and ongoing crew shortages. (Emily Gilbert / Whidbey News-Times)

Coupeville ferry route down to one boat through June 27

Another delay in two-boat service means Coupeville ferry riders should expect long waits until June.

The Coupeville-Port Townsend ferry route will only have one vessel until late June, Washington State Ferries announced after an engine fire on one vessel and ongoing crew shortages. (Emily Gilbert / Whidbey News-Times)
Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times
Rishi Sharma checks levels in his camera before interviewing WWII combat veteran Frank Burns of Freeland last Saturday. Sharma travels the country interviewing WWII combat veterans for his oral history project and nonprofit, Heros of the Second World War.

Traveling interviewer records WWII vets on Whidbey Island

Rishi Sharma has met more than 1,100 World War II combat veterans to document their stories.

Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times
Rishi Sharma checks levels in his camera before interviewing WWII combat veteran Frank Burns of Freeland last Saturday. Sharma travels the country interviewing WWII combat veterans for his oral history project and nonprofit, Heros of the Second World War.
Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times
Judy Thorpe, left, Tracy Weissel, Sarah Westcott and Michael Thorpe listen to the audience during a community meeting at the Central Whidbey Sportsmen's Association in Coupeville last Friday, March 19. About 40 people came to the meeting to discuss their concerns about the Whidbey Homeless Coalition's proposed emergency overnight shelter on Morris Road in the former Jehovah's Witness building.

325 people sign petition opposing new shelter near Coupeville

Many expressed concerns over the location, lack of nearby services and safety issues.

Photo by Emily Gilbert/Whidbey News-Times
Judy Thorpe, left, Tracy Weissel, Sarah Westcott and Michael Thorpe listen to the audience during a community meeting at the Central Whidbey Sportsmen's Association in Coupeville last Friday, March 19. About 40 people came to the meeting to discuss their concerns about the Whidbey Homeless Coalition's proposed emergency overnight shelter on Morris Road in the former Jehovah's Witness building.
Blake Lewis, 7, at Bush Point where he threw a message in a bottle out to sea. Ruth Smethers later picked it up in Port Townsend. Photo provided by Jessie Lewis

Marysville woman finds message in bottle and its young sender

The 7-year-old sent the message from Whidbey Island. The woman found it while visiting Port Townsend.

Blake Lewis, 7, at Bush Point where he threw a message in a bottle out to sea. Ruth Smethers later picked it up in Port Townsend. Photo provided by Jessie Lewis
First lady Jill Biden (left) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Tuesday. (Emily Gilbert / Whidbey News-Times) 20210309

First lady visits Whidbey to meet with military families

Jill Biden was on a West Coast listening tour of bases to learn of their challenges and obstacles.

First lady Jill Biden (left) at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island on Tuesday. (Emily Gilbert / Whidbey News-Times) 20210309
Photo by Bob VonDrachek
Shot this morning (3/8/21) from the public parking lot at Hidden Beach in Greenbank.  The whales were pretty far off shore at the time in mid channel.

Homecoming: Gray whales return to Whidbey waters

The gentle giants include a well-known gray that has been coming back each year for 30 years.

Photo by Bob VonDrachek
Shot this morning (3/8/21) from the public parking lot at Hidden Beach in Greenbank.  The whales were pretty far off shore at the time in mid channel.

With tide rising, girl, 10, rescued from mud on Whidbey

The water was up to the girl’s shoulders by the time rescuers were able to free her.

Sue and Jim Riney watch the actresses on stage during a filmed rehearsal at Whidbey Playhouse in Oak Harbor. (Emily Gilbert / Whidbey News-Times)

Play brings history to life through Delany sisters’ memories

Whidbey Playhouse’s filmed production of “Having our Say: The Delany Sisters’ First 100 Years” can be streamed online Feb. 26-27.

Sue and Jim Riney watch the actresses on stage during a filmed rehearsal at Whidbey Playhouse in Oak Harbor. (Emily Gilbert / Whidbey News-Times)

Letter claims Oak Harbor students are being ‘indoctrinated’

80 people expressed concern over the dictrict’s perceived ideology and public health restrictions.

submitted by Peg Tennant

Oak Harbor Farmers Market closes after more than 20 years

A new group is already planning for a new market this spring at Windjammer Park.

submitted by Peg Tennant
Metal scuptor Wayne Kangas made this fish-shaped weather vane out of 600 leftover stainless steel letters. (Langley Arts Fund)

This artful flying fish tells the weather in Langley

The Langley Arts Fund commissioned “Weather Vane II” by Wayne Kangas for public art in Clyde Alley.

Metal scuptor Wayne Kangas made this fish-shaped weather vane out of 600 leftover stainless steel letters. (Langley Arts Fund)