Whidbey Island

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)

Wife of pilot killed in Whidbey Island floatplane crash files lawsuit

This is the lawsuit filed against companies associated with the aircraft’s operations and manufacturing.

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)
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)

Driver sentenced in 2021 crash that killed Everett couple

Danielle Cruz, formerly of Lynnwood, gets 17½ years in prison. She was impaired by drugs when she caused the crash that killed Sharon Gamble and Kenneth Weikle.

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)
A previous year's Djangofest NW ends in an all-instruments-on-deck jam session dedicated to its late festival founder, Nick Lehr. The first event in 2001 featured two bands over nights. It’s grown to a 5-day event attracting about 3,000 people and includes seven concerts, 20 workshops and spontaneous sparks of music around Langley’s outdoor venues. (Photo by Patricia Guthrie/South Whidbey Record)

At Langley’s annual DjangoFest Northwest, celebrate the granddaddy of Manouche jazz

Djoin a djam on a street corner or catch a performance in honor of Belgian jazz pioneer Django Reinhardt during the five-day festival.

A previous year's Djangofest NW ends in an all-instruments-on-deck jam session dedicated to its late festival founder, Nick Lehr. The first event in 2001 featured two bands over nights. It’s grown to a 5-day event attracting about 3,000 people and includes seven concerts, 20 workshops and spontaneous sparks of music around Langley’s outdoor venues. (Photo by Patricia Guthrie/South Whidbey Record)
Homeowners Jim and Chris Hall stand beneath their new heat pump, at right, inside their Whidbey Island home on Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. The couple, who are from Alaska, have decreased their use of their wood burning stove to reduce their carbon footprint. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Whidbey Island is ‘kicking gas’ in push for all-electric homes

In eight months, the Kicking Gas campaign helped 118 Whidbey Island homes install energy-efficient heat pumps. That’s just the first step.

Homeowners Jim and Chris Hall stand beneath their new heat pump, at right, inside their Whidbey Island home on Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. The couple, who are from Alaska, have decreased their use of their wood burning stove to reduce their carbon footprint. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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)

Judge orders new Growler jet study on Whidbey Island

The Navy must redo an environmental study on the impact of expanded EA-18G Growler operations.

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)
Scott Giard, Coast Guard spokesperson, addresses the media regarding the search for a crashed chartered floatplane Monday afternoon in Freeland, Washington on August 5, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

NTSB probe of Whidbey floatplane crash points to likely cause, fix

Documents released Friday reveal new details about the deadly floatplane crash that happened a year ago near Whidbey Island.

Scott Giard, Coast Guard spokesperson, addresses the media regarding the search for a crashed chartered floatplane Monday afternoon in Freeland, Washington on August 5, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
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)