Whidbey Island

NO CAPTION. Logo to accompany news of Seattle.

San Diego business owner died in plane crash near Whidbey Island

Joanne Mera, a 60-year-old business owner from San Diego, was in the Seattle area visiting family.

NO CAPTION. Logo to accompany news of Seattle.
NO CAPTION. Logo to accompany news of Washington state.

Spokane civil rights activist was aboard plane that crashed

Sandy Williams, who founded a community center and Black newspaper, was on the plane that crashed Sunday near Whidbey Island.

NO CAPTION. Logo to accompany news of Washington state.
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)
A Coast Guard cutter searches for a crashed chartered floatplane near Mutiny Bay Monday afternoon in Freeland, Washington on August 5, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Search suspended: 1 dead, 9 missing in Whidbey Island seaplane crash

One person was found dead Sunday. The U.S. Coast Guard searched overnight. Air crews launched Monday morning.

A Coast Guard cutter searches for a crashed chartered floatplane near Mutiny Bay Monday afternoon in Freeland, Washington on August 5, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

1 dead, 9 unaccounted for in seaplane crash off Whidbey Island

The search was expected to continue until 10 p.m. Sunday.

Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118
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)
Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

Teenager dies Tuesday in Whidbey Island shooting

An Oak Harbor High School student died as a result of a shooting Tuesday afternoon.

Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118
People line up outside of the Clyde for the premier showing of Elvis on Friday, July 8, 2022 in Langley, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

It’s showtime! Get in line for a seat at The Clyde Theater in Whidbey

The Langley movie house has served up butterless popcorn, iceless drinks and priceless memories since 1937.

People line up outside of the Clyde for the premier showing of Elvis on Friday, July 8, 2022 in Langley, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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.)
Compressed Cube Tensegrity Sculpture is one of the first sculptures seen from the east parking lot Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Earth Sanctuary in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

For $7, take a walk on the spiritual side of Whidbey Island

The 72-acre nature preserve has sculptures and sacred spaces. “It is contemplative, peaceful and magical.”

Compressed Cube Tensegrity Sculpture is one of the first sculptures seen from the east parking lot Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Earth Sanctuary in Clinton, Washington. (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 rejects Navy environmental review of Whidbey Island Growler jet expansion

A judge ruled the Navy violated federal law in an environmental study of expanded Whidbey Island jet 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)
Passengers aboard the MV Suquamish ferry watch as a motorboat passes in front of the vessel as it approaches Clinton on Thursday, July 21, 2022, in the Possession Sound between Mukilteo and Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Boaters behaving badly, boldly are making ferry crews crabby

Crab pots are another hazard on ferry routes. An entangled encounter can put a ferry out of service.

Passengers aboard the MV Suquamish ferry watch as a motorboat passes in front of the vessel as it approaches Clinton on Thursday, July 21, 2022, in the Possession Sound between Mukilteo and Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
People sit in lawn chairs and watch a Looney Tunes short on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at the Blue Fox Drive-In Theatre in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Get off the couch, or bring it, for a night at Blue Fox Drive-In

Kids get in for $1 at the Whidbey Island outdoor theater, one of few still standing in the state.

People sit in lawn chairs and watch a Looney Tunes short on Thursday, July 14, 2022, at the Blue Fox Drive-In Theatre in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Compressed Cube Tensegrity Sculpture is one of the first sculptures seen from the east parking lot Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Earth Sanctuary in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

For $7, take a walk on the spiritual side of Whidbey Island

The 72-acre nature preserve has sculptures and sacred spaces. “It is contemplative, peaceful and magical.”

Compressed Cube Tensegrity Sculpture is one of the first sculptures seen from the east parking lot Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Earth Sanctuary in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

Everett man dies after being hit by car in Island County

Jacob Weigert was running across State Route 20 toward a bus stop when he was hit Wednesday morning.

Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

Washington’s most beloved state park turns 100

Deception Pass State Park, which draws as many visitors as the best-known national parks in the U.S., celebrates a century of recreation and conservation

Andy Bronson / The Herald 

Pedaling his legs as he holds onto hand rails, Jim Freeman shows off the rare railroad caboose he calls home on Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2016 in Freeland, Wa. Freeman, 68, calls himself the Conductor of Fun.

‘End of an era’ with death of Whidbey celebrity Jim Freeman

Freeman, 74, lived in a train caboose and was the Conductor of Fun. “His sneakers will never be filled.”

Andy Bronson / The Herald 

Pedaling his legs as he holds onto hand rails, Jim Freeman shows off the rare railroad caboose he calls home on Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2016 in Freeland, Wa. Freeman, 68, calls himself the Conductor of Fun.
Ryan Elting, conservation director at the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, talks about the important ecosystem the shoreline provides Friday, June 10, 2022, at the site of the Keystone Preserve near Coupeville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

In ‘emergency acquisition,’ 226 acres of Whidbey Island’s farmland, forest saved

The beachside Keystone Preserve, south of Coupeville, is the Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s largest purchase at $9.1 million.

Ryan Elting, conservation director at the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, talks about the important ecosystem the shoreline provides Friday, June 10, 2022, at the site of the Keystone Preserve near Coupeville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

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 stories.

The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A ferry heads out from Mukilteo towards Clinton during the evening commute Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

$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 has a name.

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