Kira Erickson

Dan Neumeyer peers out the window of his Hummingbird Yurt. (David Welton)

Otherworldly structures constructed on Whidbey Island

The small buildings — yurts, with a Western twist — were built by Earth dweller Dan Neumeyer.

Dan Neumeyer peers out the window of his Hummingbird Yurt. (David Welton)
Tim Leonard, owner of the Machine Shop, is closing the arcade this fall. (Photo by David Welton)

Arcade owner to pull plug on beloved Whidbey Island business

Tim Leonard, owner of the Machine Shop in Langley, recently decided he’ll call it quits this fall.

Tim Leonard, owner of the Machine Shop, is closing the arcade this fall. (Photo by David Welton)
Jennifer Sadinsky is the owner of Grayhorse Mercantile, one of Langley’s newest stores. (David Welton)

Shopkeeper brings taste of Europe to Whidbey Island

A first-time business owner’s dream of opening a cheese shop became a reality this year.

Jennifer Sadinsky is the owner of Grayhorse Mercantile, one of Langley’s newest stores. (David Welton)
Tavier Wasser officiated the wedding ceremony of Julie and Peter Williams. (Photo by Bare Bones Co.)

Whidbey’s love enforcement officer offers the right to say, ‘I do’

When he’s not out stopping crime, Tavier Wasser is helping couples get hitched. He’s a certified wedding officiant.

Tavier Wasser officiated the wedding ceremony of Julie and Peter Williams. (Photo by Bare Bones Co.)
Photo by David Welton

Whidbey Island’s oldest winery is closing

After three decades in operation, the owners of Whidbey Island Winery have announced their retirement.

Photo by David Welton
A pod of transient orcas, known as T124As, surfacing near Tacoma. (Craig Craker/Orca Network)

Sightings of mammal-eating orcas increasing in Puget Sound

The killer whales enjoy a diet of harbor seals, sea lions, porpoises and the occasional bird or squid.

A pod of transient orcas, known as T124As, surfacing near Tacoma. (Craig Craker/Orca Network)
Ferries pass on a crossing between Mukilteo and Whidbey Island. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Island County officials decry subpar ferry service

The Mukilteo-Clinton route has mostly been operating with one boat instead of two since last fall.

Ferries pass on a crossing between Mukilteo and Whidbey Island. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Langley building moratorium not making comeback

Councilmember Rhonda Salerno withdrew her motion for a moratorium for new development proposals.

A ferry worker gazes back at the Mukilteo ferry terminal as the vessel departs the dock. (Photo by David Welton)

Mukilteo-Clinton ferry a high priority for restored service

Each route has to go through several stages before service is restored to pre-pandemic levels.

A ferry worker gazes back at the Mukilteo ferry terminal as the vessel departs the dock. (Photo by David Welton)
A construction crew prepares to install a window at a South Whidbey site. Photo by Dave Welton

At long last, Island County building permits hastened

A year ago, it was not unusual for a building permit request to take six to eight months to be fulfilled.

A construction crew prepares to install a window at a South Whidbey site. Photo by Dave Welton
Bruiser, photographed here in November 2021, is Whidbey Island’s lone elk. Over the years he has gained quite the following. Fans were concerned for his welfare Wednesday when a rumor circulated social media about his supposed death. A confirmed sighting of him was made Wednesday evening after the false post. (Jay Londo )

Whidbey’s cherished iconic elk is alive and well

The island’s lone elk was sighted a few hours after an online rumor posited that “Bruiser” had died.

Bruiser, photographed here in November 2021, is Whidbey Island’s lone elk. Over the years he has gained quite the following. Fans were concerned for his welfare Wednesday when a rumor circulated social media about his supposed death. A confirmed sighting of him was made Wednesday evening after the false post. (Jay Londo )
Alexandra Morosco works on a relief carving in her studio. The art piece is a thank-you gift to the kennel where she found her faithful canine companion, a Tibetan mastiff. (Kira Erickson / South Whidbey Record)

Whidbey Art Market returns Nov. 26 and 27

The market creator hopes that shoppers will see the value in buying locally this holiday season.

Alexandra Morosco works on a relief carving in her studio. The art piece is a thank-you gift to the kennel where she found her faithful canine companion, a Tibetan mastiff. (Kira Erickson / South Whidbey Record)
In this 2018 photo, Kyle Flack of Bell’s Farm harvests beans from the garden. (Laura Guido / Whidbey News Group file)

Whidbey farmers take stand against public health permitting

Local farmers are asking county commissioners to support a cherished Whidbey staple — the farmstand.

In this 2018 photo, Kyle Flack of Bell’s Farm harvests beans from the garden. (Laura Guido / Whidbey News Group file)
Flemish giant rabbit Sir Lancelot is held by Debbie Wilkie, owner of Critters & Co. Pet Center in Clinton. (Kira Erickson / South Whidbey Record)

Community launches effort to rescue beloved Clinton pet store

Debbie Wilkie has rescued thousands of creatures, but saving little lives can be expensive.

Flemish giant rabbit Sir Lancelot is held by Debbie Wilkie, owner of Critters & Co. Pet Center in Clinton. (Kira Erickson / South Whidbey Record)
A southern view of the Gabelein Family Trust farmland with cattle visible in foreground. (Photo provided)

County grant may protect farmland on South Whidbey’s Lone Lake

The land would be exclusively used for agricultural purposes with no public access created.

A southern view of the Gabelein Family Trust farmland with cattle visible in foreground. (Photo provided)
Downtown Coupeville on Whidbey Island, March 2021. (Harry Anderson)

Whidbey Island real estate prices continue to climb

Despite a slight lull in August and September, it continues to be a seller’s market on Whidbey.

Downtown Coupeville on Whidbey Island, March 2021. (Harry Anderson)
A photo circulated widely on social media shows a black bear in the backyard of a South Whidbey residence. (Screenshot)

Rare sighting: Black bear spotted on South Whidbey Island

A photo on Facebook convinced an expert, and it could be the first black bear on the island in 50 years.

A photo circulated widely on social media shows a black bear in the backyard of a South Whidbey residence. (Screenshot)
Photo by Heather Mayhugh
Stuart Peeples demonstrates how to enter Heather Mayhugh's wheelchair van. In recent months, while navigating the new Mukilteo ferry terminal, Mayhugh has struggled to unload her clients who need access to the restroom.

People with mobility issues find new ferry terminal lacking

Some disabled folks say not enough thought went into improving the Mukilteo facility’s accessibility.

Photo by Heather Mayhugh
Stuart Peeples demonstrates how to enter Heather Mayhugh's wheelchair van. In recent months, while navigating the new Mukilteo ferry terminal, Mayhugh has struggled to unload her clients who need access to the restroom.
Photo by Kira Erickson/South Whidbey Record
Freeland resident Kevin Lungren has been commuting to the office using his paddleboard. It's a commute he can do in all seasons and just about any type of weather, except wind.

Whidbey commuter paddleboards his way to work in all seasons

The financial advisor says he’s only fallen off his board twice in the past five years.

Photo by Kira Erickson/South Whidbey Record
Freeland resident Kevin Lungren has been commuting to the office using his paddleboard. It's a commute he can do in all seasons and just about any type of weather, except wind.
Photo provided
Mason Slattum, left, and his cousin Blake Ogden saved a 3-year-old from drowning in Deer Lake thanks to their quick thinking.

Boys save 3-year-old from drowning in lake on Whidbey Island

The cousins, ages 9 and 7, raced to rescue the toddler after seeing him fall off a dock on Deer Lake.

Photo provided
Mason Slattum, left, and his cousin Blake Ogden saved a 3-year-old from drowning in Deer Lake thanks to their quick thinking.