Kira Erickson

Aja Stewart and her daughter Rainey, 4, search for bees in a tree in bloom. (Kira Erickson / South Whidbey Record)

Whidbey Island farmers alarmed over absence of native bees

Or, how the housing shortage and rising lumber prices may be driving pollinators away.

Aja Stewart and her daughter Rainey, 4, search for bees in a tree in bloom. (Kira Erickson / South Whidbey Record)

Students lead charge as Langley council takes climate action

The Whidbey Island city has declared a climate emergency and has pledged to involve United Student Leaders.

Owners Newton and Naomi Kellogg opened the Ulysses Coffee cafe on April 24. (Kira Erickson / South Whidbey Record)

South Whidbey’s abuzz over couple’s new coffee shop

The owners of Ulysses Coffee Co. drive-thru in Bayview have opened a sit-down cafe in Langley.

Owners Newton and Naomi Kellogg opened the Ulysses Coffee cafe on April 24. (Kira Erickson / South Whidbey Record)
(South Whidbey Fire/EMS)

Young seal rescued from stormwater vault on Whidbey Island

The six-week-old pup swam through a 50-foot pipe that led to a drainage system near Mutiny Bay.

(South Whidbey Fire/EMS)

Langley has become a passport hotspot for off-islanders

In Snohomish County, appointments are reportedly booked out months in advance.

Photo by Kira Erickson/South Whidbey Record
Ron Rois, left, and his partner, Stefen Bosworth, are transplants from the Chicago area with roots in the Pacific Northwest. They are the owners of Langley's newest restaurant, Savory.

New Whidbey Island restaurant serves ‘eclectic comfort food’

Owners Stefen Bosworth and Ron Rois offer cozy dining overlooking Saratoga Passage.

Photo by Kira Erickson/South Whidbey Record
Ron Rois, left, and his partner, Stefen Bosworth, are transplants from the Chicago area with roots in the Pacific Northwest. They are the owners of Langley's newest restaurant, Savory.
Photo provided
Dr. David Parent with the eagle he rescued near Lone Lake.

Whidbey veterinarian unable to save injured bald eagle

The female raptor had sustained a dislocated shoulder, likely during combat with another eagle.

Photo provided
Dr. David Parent with the eagle he rescued near Lone Lake.
The Whidbey Scenic Isle Way runs through Greenbank, with water views. (Sherrye Wyatt)

The Cascade Loop is designated a National Scenic Byway

The loop goes through Whidbey, Everett, Leavenworth, Wenatchee, Winthrop and other destinations.

The Whidbey Scenic Isle Way runs through Greenbank, with water views. (Sherrye Wyatt)

Online intruders disrupt Port of South Whidbey meeting

Videos of pornography and Confederate flags were shared on the screens of the new attendees.

Oak Harbor pharmacy receives extra vaccine doses in mistake

Instead of 200, Island Drug got 2,000 doses, and was instructed to use them all up, which it did.

Photo by Emily Gilbert
Chessie and Calamity of Missoula, Montana touched the ocean for the first time at Fort Ebey State Park, according to owner Bill Hoff. The park is one of 28 state parks the Navy has identified as a training site in its new proposal.

Coupeville opposes Navy plan for SEAL training in state parks

The Oak Harbor City Council has not expressed its view on the Navy’s training proposal.

Photo by Emily Gilbert
Chessie and Calamity of Missoula, Montana touched the ocean for the first time at Fort Ebey State Park, according to owner Bill Hoff. The park is one of 28 state parks the Navy has identified as a training site in its new proposal.
Gail Kronberg plays a Tibetan singing bowl. The practice of sound therapy can have healing and soothing effects for listeners. Kronberg is one of many holistic healers who call Whidbey home. Photo by Kira Erickson/Whidbey News Group

Whidbey becoming a haven for practitioners of holistic health

The island is flush with naturopaths, hypnotherapists, energy healers and new technologies.

Gail Kronberg plays a Tibetan singing bowl. The practice of sound therapy can have healing and soothing effects for listeners. Kronberg is one of many holistic healers who call Whidbey home. Photo by Kira Erickson/Whidbey News Group
Mead maker Jeremy Kyncl pours a tasting glass of Hawthorn Tulsi Mead, a blend of hawthorn berry and holy basil, in the new Whidbey tasting room of Hierophant Meadery. Photo by Kira Erickson/South Whidbey Record

Whidbey Island meadery off to a sweet start

Jeremy Kyncl and Michelle Scandalis of Hierophant Meadery in Freeland brew their mead with local honey.

Mead maker Jeremy Kyncl pours a tasting glass of Hawthorn Tulsi Mead, a blend of hawthorn berry and holy basil, in the new Whidbey tasting room of Hierophant Meadery. Photo by Kira Erickson/South Whidbey Record
Annabelle Richardson pours a latte at Langley Kitchen. (Kira Erickson / Whidbey News-Times)

New cafe on Whidbey Island is adapted to the COVID era

Langley Kitchen has a long list of to-go options, a pickup window and an outdoor patio.

Annabelle Richardson pours a latte at Langley Kitchen. (Kira Erickson / Whidbey News-Times)
Denise Perkins makes coasters out of Scrabble letters, as well as beeswax candles and crystal sun catchers. (Farage Photography)

New Clinton store serves as a collective for island’s creatives

The Whidbey Artists Collective showcases artists and artisans’ wares from all over the island.

Denise Perkins makes coasters out of Scrabble letters, as well as beeswax candles and crystal sun catchers. (Farage Photography)
Allen Fletcher (Contributed photo) DATE AND LOCATION UNKNOWN

An enduring mystery on Whidbey: A skipper missing 7 years

Allen Fletcher, then 30, disappeared in Langley after the boat he captained pulled into the harbor there.

Allen Fletcher (Contributed photo) DATE AND LOCATION UNKNOWN
Langley author Barb DeMartino’s Christmas-themed children’s book was recently published, just in time for the holidays. “Tooth Fairy’s Jolly Adventure” was inspired by DeMartino’s six-year-old grandson, who lost a tooth on Christmas Eve last year. Photo by Kira Erickson/South Whidbey Record

Tooth Fairy meets Santa Claus in Langley author’s children’s book

A retired school teacher, Barb DeMartino published “Tooth Fairy’s Jolly Adventure” just in time for Christmas.

Langley author Barb DeMartino’s Christmas-themed children’s book was recently published, just in time for the holidays. “Tooth Fairy’s Jolly Adventure” was inspired by DeMartino’s six-year-old grandson, who lost a tooth on Christmas Eve last year. Photo by Kira Erickson/South Whidbey Record
Misfit Island Cider Co.'s Sunny Days, Mahalo and Cider Hoppins dry ciders are available in bottles. (Kira Erickson / South Whidbey Record)

Dry British ciders inspire Whidbey deejay to create his own

After deejaying in London, a Langley cider maker is branching out with Misfit Island Cider Co.

Misfit Island Cider Co.'s Sunny Days, Mahalo and Cider Hoppins dry ciders are available in bottles. (Kira Erickson / South Whidbey Record)
14 residents and four staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 at Regency on Whidbey. (Regency on Whidbey)

Virus outbreak reported at Whidbey long-term care facility

Eighteen people have tested positive for COVID-19 at Regency in Oak Harbor.

14 residents and four staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 at Regency on Whidbey. (Regency on Whidbey)
Xiaomei, a recovered mother goat, is now in good health after a bad bout of mastitis earlier this year. (Kira Erickson / Whidbey News-Times)

Whidbey woman takes in two goats deemed lost cause

With snacks, cuddles, massages and Chinese medicine, she nurtured the animals back to health.

Xiaomei, a recovered mother goat, is now in good health after a bad bout of mastitis earlier this year. (Kira Erickson / Whidbey News-Times)