Candidates for the Island County Commissioner District 3 seat fielded questions from the remaining two commissioners Tuesday.
The District 3 seat became vacant in early May when then commissioner Kelly Emerson resigned suddenly giving a seven-day notice. Per state law, Emerson’s party, the Island County Republican Party, put forward three names from which commissioners can select a temporary appointee.
Island County is wrapping up plans for a South Whidbey bike route that will circle through scenic areas between Clinton to Bayview Corner to Langley and back again.
“The idea is that people on the mainland can bring their bikes over on the ferry and see South Whidbey,” Transportation Planner Doug Cox said. “It will be one of those things we think will go a long way.”
Island County’s Public Health Department is feeling a financial pinch that appears to be a statewide issue.
A Coupeville-based group took over a campaign kickoff event for Congressman Rick Larsen Tuesday by demanding he address the topic of jet noise.
The Washington State Public Disclosure Commission has cleared Island County commissioner candidate Karla Jacks of violating fundraising requirements.
The lawyer for former Coupeville deputy marshal Hodges Gowdey says a “ruse” was used to get his client to make self-incriminating statements.
County offices will be open to the public on Fridays starting the third week of June.
Island County Republicans have selected three possible candidates to replace former commissioner Kelly Emerson for the District 3 seat.
Republican commissioner candidate Marc Hennemann filed a complaint Wednesday against Democrat Karla Jacks about her fundraising tactics.
Island County offices will soon be open to the public on Fridays.
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.
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.
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.
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.
