Whidbey Island

A Sounder gray whale. (Cascadia Research)

Don’t be flummoxed: Help is needed to name 5 Puget Sound gray whales

The voting poll on the Sounders, as these whales are called, is until Sunday for the grays dining in our waters.

A Sounder gray whale. (Cascadia Research)
Manu Unni stands in the kitchen of his new restaurant, Unni’s Kitchen. (Rachel Rosen / Whidbey News-Times)

Navy vet strives for authenticity at new Indian eatery in Oak Harbor

Manu Unni recently opened Unni’s Kitchen as a way to share his native food and culture.

Manu Unni stands in the kitchen of his new restaurant, Unni’s Kitchen. (Rachel Rosen / Whidbey News-Times)
The former ferry holding lanes are repaved and getting ready for cars in Mukilteo, Washington on August 16, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Port parking at Mukilteo waterfront finally opens

The 99-stall lot on the former ferry holding lanes includes 63 spots for someone to leave a car for up to 72 hours.

The former ferry holding lanes are repaved and getting ready for cars in Mukilteo, Washington on August 16, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

Head-on crash on south Whidbey Island hospitalizes 3 people

Alcohol or drugs were involved, per the Washington State Patrol. Two victims are Lake Forest Park teens.

Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118
Mukilteo Coffee Roasters co-owners Beth and Gary Smith in 2017. (Kyle Jensen / South Whidbey Record)

Mukilteo coffee roaster, 69, had personality as big as ‘thunderstorm’

“I knew at the first sip that this is what I wanted to do,” Gary Smith said. The founder of Mukilteo Coffee Roasters died this month.

Mukilteo Coffee Roasters co-owners Beth and Gary Smith in 2017. (Kyle Jensen / South Whidbey Record)
Edmonds’ own The Gothard Sisters perform Oct. 17 at the Tim Noah Thumbnail Theater in Snohomish. From left to right: Greta, Solana and Willow Gothard. (Element Creative)

Where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Snohomish and Island counties

Irish pubs and beer gardens are not the only places serving up Irish charm this year.

Edmonds’ own The Gothard Sisters perform Oct. 17 at the Tim Noah Thumbnail Theater in Snohomish. From left to right: Greta, Solana and Willow Gothard. (Element Creative)
Photo by David Welton   Derrick Sutton — also known as Eldritch Black — is the author behind the “Weirdbey Island” books. The strange, eerie series for kids is ongoing and currently has five books.

This man pens tall tales from ‘Weirdbey’ Island

Derrick Sutton (aka Eldritch Black) publishes zany books for kids. Think pirates in Penn Cove and UFOs over Ebey’s Landing.

Photo by David Welton   Derrick Sutton — also known as Eldritch Black — is the author behind the “Weirdbey Island” books. The strange, eerie series for kids is ongoing and currently has five books.
During the 2018 Musselfest in Coupeville, Laura and Rawle Jefferds of Penn Cove Shellfish help fill cups for the mussel-eating contest.  This year’s festival is March 4-5. File photo by Patricia Guthrie/Whidbey News-Times

Penn Cove’s “blue beauties” star at Coupeville’s annual Musselfest

The two-day community event returns this weekend for its 37th year.

During the 2018 Musselfest in Coupeville, Laura and Rawle Jefferds of Penn Cove Shellfish help fill cups for the mussel-eating contest.  This year’s festival is March 4-5. File photo by Patricia Guthrie/Whidbey News-Times
Willow Mietus, 50, poses for a photo at her home in Coupeville, Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Mietus bought a former Frito-Lay truck to sell her dyed yarn out of. She calls it "The Wool Wagon." (Annie Barker / The Herald)

The Wool Wagon to hit the streets of Whidbey Island

A self-described “professional yarn temptress” from Coupeville is setting up shop in a modified truck.

Willow Mietus, 50, poses for a photo at her home in Coupeville, Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. Mietus bought a former Frito-Lay truck to sell her dyed yarn out of. She calls it "The Wool Wagon." (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Baby Sunlight is the cutest new addition at Ballydidean Farm Sanctuary. (Photo provided)

Oink! Porcine runaways find sanctuary

Thanks to Ballydidean Farm Sanctuary in Clinton, the ham is no longer on the lam.

Baby Sunlight is the cutest new addition at Ballydidean Farm Sanctuary. (Photo provided)
Steve Backus works on the details of a moon carving at his wood shop and home on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 in Clinton, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Carve or Starve!’: Whidbey’s godfather of chainsaw art rebounds from fire

New bears and gnomes now stand in the soot of their predecessors. Steve Backus credits firefighters and community support.

Steve Backus works on the details of a moon carving at his wood shop and home on Monday, Feb. 6, 2023 in Clinton, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Photo by David Welton
A federal grant will help pay for the cost of adding a charging station to the Clinton ferry terminal.

Federal money to help electrify Clinton ferry dock

The Federal Transit Administration awarded state ferries a $4.9 million grant to help electrify the Mukilteo-Clinton route.

Photo by David Welton
A federal grant will help pay for the cost of adding a charging station to the Clinton ferry terminal.
Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

Port of Coupeville to make offer on Oak Harbor airport

The Port of Coupeville continues to pursue ownership of the A.J. Eisenberg Airport near Oak Harbor.

Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118
Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times
Former VA-115 member Jack Keegan speaks at a presentation on base commemorating the last crew from NAS Whidbey Island shot down during the Vietnam War.

Whidbey Island air base honors crew lost in Vietnam War

NAS Whidbey Island will host several upcoming events commemorating the end of the Vietnam War.

Photo by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times
Former VA-115 member Jack Keegan speaks at a presentation on base commemorating the last crew from NAS Whidbey Island shot down during the Vietnam War.
Aurora Echo recently launched her new business, Wildly Beloved Foods, to sell her organic pasta, which also comes in a spinach variety. (Photo by David Welton)

Oh, the pasta-bilities: One-woman noodle factory starts up on Whidbey Island

To make her pasta, Aurora Echo uses Italian semolina flour, fresh baby spinach and whole eggs.

Aurora Echo recently launched her new business, Wildly Beloved Foods, to sell her organic pasta, which also comes in a spinach variety. (Photo by David Welton)
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Beard photo in Whidbey Island exhibit hits a snarl

A photography show has come under scrutiny due to an image of a man dressed as a female pirate.

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A photo of “M*A*S*H” character Corporal Walter "Radar" O’Reilly has mysteriously returned to the “Speed Checked by Radar” sign on Third Street coming into Langley on Whidbey Island on Jan. 2, 2023. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

In Langley, ‘Speed Checked by Radar’ — Cpl. ‘Radar’ O’Reilly that is

The random act of comedy on a traffic pole an is ongoing M*A*S*H-ed up mystery on Whidbey Island.

A photo of “M*A*S*H” character Corporal Walter "Radar" O’Reilly has mysteriously returned to the “Speed Checked by Radar” sign on Third Street coming into Langley on Whidbey Island on Jan. 2, 2023. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)
Kelly Cameron is the woodworker behind Clinton-based business Turnco Wood Goods. (David Welton)

Whidbey woodworkers turn local lumber into art

In the “Slab Room” at Madrona Supply Co., customers can find hunks of wood native to the south end of Whidbey Island.

Kelly Cameron is the woodworker behind Clinton-based business Turnco Wood Goods. (David Welton)
Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.

Shavers wins by narrow margin as Dems flip seat in 10th District

Democrat Clyde Shavers won by 211 votes against incumbent state Rep. Greg Gilday. It’s close enough for a recount.

Clyde Shavers, left, and Greg Gilday.
Screen printed dish towels available at Madrona Supply Company on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 in Clinton, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Do some good along with your Christmas shopping

Head across the Sound to Whidbey Island for gift-buying with a do-gooder spirit

Screen printed dish towels available at Madrona Supply Company on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 in Clinton, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)