Whidbey General Hospital is 45 years old.
Staff gathered in front of the entrance March 25 to take a group photo commemorating “45 years of Neighbors Caring for Neighbors.”
The scenic acreage that surrounds Monroe Landing has been a home and refuge to many.
Initially one of three Salish villages located on the shores of Penn Cove, the beach made a perfect canoe landing area and temporary encampments cropped up around the cove.
Allowing wineries to become rural event centers has become a heated discussion among commissioners and South Whidbey residents alike.
Business owners have said the existing regulations are too restrictive and “problematic” while residents have complained that the events destroy the rural atmosphere of their neighborhoods. The Island County commissioners could not agree last week on how to approach these regulations for wineries and rural event centers, but agreed that the issue needed to be addressed at some point.
Saving old growth trees while still maximizing parking was one of the top concerns about Whidbey General Hospital’s expansion project, revealed for the first time this week.
The Island County commissioners don’t always agree on how to approach the comprehensive plan update due next year, but all believe it needs as much public participation as possible.
Whidbey General Hospital’s new CEO will assume her duties April 20.
Geri Forbes, currently an employee of Doctor’s Memorial Hospital in Florida, will replace Tom Tomasino who has served as Whidbey General’s chief for five years.
Early estimates show that the county’s sales tax revenues are down from last year despite more optimistic projections.
Whidbey Environmental Action Network renewed legal action this past Thursday after Island County commissioners passed this week on a settlement.
Getting people to inspect their septic systems has been an ongoing battle for Island County.
Beach access advocates have something to celebrate.
Island County has earmarked $175,000 to identify the county’s many beach access points and prioritize them for maintenance and signage. The lack of county-sanctioned beach access, along with clearly marked kayak access points have been an ongoing concern for groups supporting public access to the seashore.
County commissioners are planning to adopt a short-term critical areas ordinance to meet a court-ordered deadline.
The cacophony of honks rising from Dugualla Bay Farm is evidence that more trumpeter swans are wintering this year on Whidbey than ever before.
As the state combines mental health and chemical dependency services, small counties like Island County are doing some creative jockeying to remain at the table.
