It appeared that recreational marijuana would be banned in Island County for a brief period at Monday’s county commissioner meeting.
The board was considering approval of its new pot ordinance, which eventually passed 2-1.
But during prior discussion Commissioner Kelly Emerson announced a surprising reversal and called for a ban on marijuana in the county. Commissioner Jill Johnson quickly seconded the motion.
Island County is looking to revive a program that would recycle and repurpose debris from construction sites.
Fire districts will now perform fire inspections for Island County, a service that was provided infrequently following staffing cuts in 2009.
A Clinton man who maintains he is the chief of a Native American tribe that owns all of Whidbey Island recently lost his claim on a Central Whidbey property.
Reuel E. Cohn, however, said the case is not over and he plans to appeal to the federal courts.
Property owners facing flood risk will be under the county’s microscope in the coming months.
The Federal Emergency Management Administration, or FEMA, started its regular review of county flood-related regulations as part of the National Flood Insurance Program.
The Island County treasurer told county commissioners this month that the backlog of unprocessed property supplements will take at least another month to complete.
“It has created some very difficult situations, which is why I have as many people working on it and they are working overtime to get them done,” Treasurer Ana Maria Nuñez said at a recent work session.
Marijuana growers and processors will not have to be located on a county road to be eligible for a license.
Ryan Elting is as excited about his new job as his new home.
“I’m in love,” Elting said of moving to Whidbey Island this month to serve as conservation director for the Whidbey Camano Land Trust.
“My jaw drops every time I see the Olympic Mountains on my way to work. I’m so happy to be able to raise my daughter here.”
Top members of the Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve traveled to Washington D.C. last month to lobby against the Navy’s EA-18G Growlers.
Reversing a decision made last month, Island County commissioners moved forward Monday with grant applications to acquire beach access properties adjacent to Glendale.
Those struggling financially on the island can find a free meal or groceries almost every day of the week on Whidbey Island.
Those working closely with the island’s growing homeless population offer a resounding “yes” when asked if the island needs a homeless shelter.
They will also tell you that Whidbey Island will likely never have one. And that is forcing the county to think outside the box.
On the street, Ray Conger is known as “The Mailman.”
Someone driving by the Safeway parking lot entrance might recognize him as the guy who holds up signs with messages like, “I love you” and “smile.”
Conger is part of a homeless population that more than doubled around 2012 and stayed that way.
