The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Travel

Three Beacons: Take a tour of three Everett-area lighthouses

These beacons guided mariners to safety for many years — since 1861, in one case. Here are their…

A ferry heads out from Mukilteo towards Clinton during the evening commute Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Local News

$1 billion to fund 5 new hybrid ferries, but who wants to build them?

The state is seeking bids for a shipbuilder. The first ferry will serve the Mukilteo-Clinton route. It already…

The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Life

Take a tour of our three local lighthouses

These beacons guided mariners to safety for many years — since 1861, in one case. Here are their…

The A.J. Eisenberg Airport in Oak Harbor. (Karina Andrew / Whidbey News-Times)

Local News

Local pilot plans to buy Whidbey Island airport

Robert DeLaurentis, known as the “Zen Pilot,” submitted a letter of intent to purchase the A.J. Eisenberg Airport.

Basil Hassoun gives a speech at the "Conan Can" trash can dedication ceremony by City Hall in Langley, Washington, on June 10, 2022. (Submitted photo)

Local News

To honor Conan O’Brien’s visit, Langley names a trash can after him

The famous talk show host was on Whidbey Island for his playwright wife’s show at WICA.

A puzzle is back on a ferry table on the Mukilteo-Clinton route. Community jigsaw puzzles, a passenger pastime on most routes, were removed during COVID. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

Local News

Your chance to quiz those who are running the ferry system

Washington State Ferries is holding another round of virtual meetings for updates and questions.

Photo by David Welton

Food & Drink

Whidbey Island’s oldest winery is closing

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

From left, Rachael Carrigan, Nate Hanson, Erin Hanson, Jeff Hanson and Kacie Hanson pose for a group photo at Thirsty Crab Brewing in Clinton. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Food & Drink

‘Quite a leap of faith’: Family’s taproom opens in Clinton

The Hanson family has weathered the COVID storm and has at last opened their taproom in Clinton.

Local News

Brace for Memorial Day weekend traffic and long ferry lines

Leave at non-peak hours to avoid road congestion and ferry backups. The passes will be busy, too.

Photos by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times 

The Jacob and Sarah Ebey House will open to public visitors Memorial Day weekend.

Life

A landmark steeped in 19th century history reopens on Whidbey

Beginning May 28, you can venture inside one of the state’s oldest buildings: The Jacob and Sarah Ebey…

A fatal accident the afternoon of Dec. 18 near Clinton ended with one of the cars involved bursting into flames. The driver of the fully engulfed car was outside of the vehicle by the time first responders arrived at the scene. (Whidbey News-Times/Submitted photo)

Local News

Lynnwood woman accused of killing 2 in 2021 Whidbey crash

A judge found probable cause existed to believe Danielle C. Cruz committed vehicular homicide in December.

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

Local News

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.

Dwight Henline (San Juan County Sheriff’s Office)

Local News

Whidbey man accused of setting fire to Friday Harbor stores

The April 6 fire caused millions of dollars in damage and destroyed multiple businesses.

Randy Tharp and his 6-year-old son hang by the railing of a dock and count ducks at Lake Goodwin Community Park on Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Local News

‘Whole new demon’: Fentanyl deaths soar, and recovery is harder

“I don’t think society realizes how big a problem it is,” said Randy Tharp, an ex-dealer in Snohomish…

Deborah Palmer

Local News

Oak Harbor girl’s murder remains unsolved after 25 years

Police hope advances in forensic science can help break case of the 7-year-old’s killing.

Renee Boyce
Boyce uses a technique called dotillism to create elaborate and colorful patterns on flat rocks.

Life

Hundreds upon thousands of dots add up to dazzling works of art

Creating intricate mandalas on flat rocks is an emotional process for this Whidbey Island artist.

An EA-18G Growler taxis down the airstrip on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island during the squadron’s welcome home ceremony in August 2017. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Wood/U.S. Navy)

Local News

Whidbey Growlers fly to Germany to ‘bolster’ NATO against Russia

Six EA-18G Growler jets and 240 Navy personnel from NAS Whidbey headed to Europe on Monday.

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

Local News

Island County officials decry subpar ferry service

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

Local News

Langley building moratorium not making comeback

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

Chieko and John Durham’s Oak Harbor home was foreclosed and sold at auction after a reverse mortgage company mistakenly assumed neither person still lived at the house. (Karina Andrew / Whidbey News-Times)

Local News

Elderly Oak Harbor woman loses house in mortgage confusion

A lender foreclosed and sold the home after mistakenly assuming the occupants no longer lived there.