Photo from the Whidbey Island Conservation District’s Instagram page. The Whidbey Island Conservation District’s mission is to lead local, voluntary conservation efforts across Whidbey to build a more sustainable ecosystem.

News

Conservation District seeks candidate

The Whidbey Island Conservation District is seeking board candidates for its mid-term elected position.

Photo provided. A $1,500 scholarship itself arrives at a pivotal moment in Aysah Bosch’s academic planning, easing her concerns about long-term educational costs and reinforcing a sense of support from her community.

Life

Scholarship brings future into focus

A college pathway in vision care has already sharpened into view for an Oak Harbor High senior.

McColl

News

District loses popular principal

Eric McColl resigned as principal of Coupeville Elementary School.

Photo provided

News

Local blood situation is Type O Negative

Western Washington’s blood supply has fallen to emergency levels.

(Photo provided) Genelia Lai, a rising 13-year-old artist selected for the Oak Harbor Music Festival’s Teen Talent Showcase, is searching for backup dancers to join her on stage during the highly anticipated event this September.

Life

Got moves? Teen performer wants dancers

The countdown to one of Whidbey Island’s biggest music weekends is underway.

Photos by David Welton. Catherine Anderson is a signature member of the American Watercolor Society, has authored an instructional book and has earned recognition from major watercolor organizations nationwide.

Life

From Disney to Whidbey: Renowned painter teaches in Langley studio

Walking into her gallery is like stepping into Catherine Anderson’s brain.

Photo provided. A June 13 Facebook post by Whidbey resident Chelsea McDonald drew significant attention when she shared a photo of what she suspected might be a fossilized whale ear bone.

Life

Beach find puzzles whale experts

A Whidbey resident drew significant attention online when she shared a photo of a strange object.

Photo by Marina Blatt. The falcon presentation was a first for Karen Bollinger during her time at the community. “Oh, it’s out of this world,” Bollinger said. “It really is, because otherwise, you don’t see them this close.”

Life

Raptors take center stage in Freeland

Gasps and wide-eyed wonder filled the courtyard as birds of prey became the stars in Freeland.

(Photo provided) The celebration will feature music and praise dancing, but Dean said those traditions carry a deeper meaning than entertainment alone. For many Black families, she said, music has long been tied to stories of perseverance and faith.

Life

Honoring history, building community

Oak Harbor residents are invited to celebrate with the Unity Fellowship.

(Photo provided) Inspired by kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken objects in a way that highlights their history, Shank and Rausch incorporated gold thread into the saddle patch to commemorate the calves associated with J35.

Life

Art for orcas: Whidbey artists join awareness project

The project is a monthlong effort to draw attention to the endangered southern resident orcas.

Photo provided

Life

Frozen flowers take center stage

There will be an intriguing new guest artist at the Artists of South Whidbey Art Show and Sale.

Photo provided. Mia Saenz, a spiritual psychology coach and publisher, recently released “Cancer the Gift: A Breast Cancer Survivor’s Companion to Defiant Joy and Grace,” a memoir-inspired collection that explores life beyond a cancer diagnosis.

Life

After dire diagnosis, Freeland author lives to write a new chapter

A new book explores the stories of women who have survived breast cancer and rebuilt their lives.

Photos by David Welton
The group began by raking and pulling bones from the manure pile before shifting to scrubbing away the remaining tissue. Unlike nine months ago, the bones did not reek; instead, they had a faint earthy and musky scent to them.

Life

From manure pile to museum piece: Whale bones begin new journey

A group of volunteers dug whale bones out of horse poop on Tuesday.