With the COVID-19 pandemic finally loosening its grip, many events on Whidbey Island were held this year for the first time since 2019.
South Whidbey had its fair share of ups and downs this year, with beloved small businesses opening and closing, a celebrity visit and a catastrophic seaplane crash, among other things.
At the same time, 2022 was a wonderfully vibrant year, with plenty of stories to tell about animals, from lovelorn swans to rescued horses to a pet turkey.
The following are the top news stories from the front pages of the South Whidbey Record in 2022.
January
On New Year’s Day, 128 Whidbey residents had a frigid start to 2022 when they ran into the icy waters at Double Bluff Beach for South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District’s Polar Bear Dive.
Pop-up blood drives were held in Langley in response to the critical condition of the region’s blood supply.
The COVID-19 case rate soared among Island County teens as the omicron variant made its way through the county.
The omicron variant also affected state ferry system staff.
Island County commissioners set a $20-an-hour minimum wage for county employees.
The omicron variant made more gains in the county, with one harrowing projection showing that as many as 100 county residents could die from it.
South Whidbey’s lone trumpeter swan was joined by a partner. Tragically, this new swan flew away a few months later, leaving behind a lovelorn swan in the Cultus Bay wetlands that ended up dying unexpectedly.
An island-wide change in solid waste service had some challenges, including multiple weeks of trash not being picked up, missing cans and dismal customer service.
A Langley man was sentenced to jail for driving intoxicated, crashing a car into road construction machinery and seriously injuring a passenger.
Following the lead of Island County commissioners, the Port of South Whidbey’s executive director decided to set a $20-an-hour minimum wage for staff members.
Island County Public Health expanded COVID-19 testing hours to accommodate an increased demand as cases rocketed upward.
A tsunami warning issued for Whidbey Island turned out to be a non-issue.
Despite ongoing staffing challenges, ferry ridership numbers approached pre-pandemic numbers.
Island County commissioners delayed a vote on a housing sales tax in order to get more public input. They ended up unanimously approving the tax at a later meeting.
The Island County jail had its first COVID-19 outbreak since the pandemic began.
President Joe Biden appointed former Island County Commissioner Helen Price Johnson to the position of Washington state director of rural development in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Even with the low unemployment rate on Whidbey Island, employers continued to struggle to find employees.
Suspects were arrested in a daytime burglary on South Whidbey.
Mystery Weekend was set to return to Langley after a two-year hiatus.
February
Dave and Jill Campbell retired as the owners of Freeland-based Island Recycling. The business is now managed by DTG Enterprises.
Owners of the Dog House, a restaurant undergoing renovation in downtown Langley, asked for waterfront access to a garage on the back of the building. The city council later nixed the request.
Medical staff for the Whidbey Island Hospital District held a vote of no confidence in CEO Ronald Telles and two other members of the administration. A few days later, the three hospital administrators who were the target of the “no-confidence” vote still had their jobs, but four other members of the executive team did not.
The omicron variant loosened its grip on Whidbey Island, as COVID-19 case rates dropped.
South Whidbey voters showed strong support for schools and parks levies, which passed by a significant margin.
Passenger-only ferry service running between Langley, Hat Island and Everett was pondered by officials.
A South Whidbey man with three outstanding lawsuits against the city of Langley for alleged Public Records Act violations turned down a proposed $50,000 settlement.
Following stark reports of financial distress and mismanagement at WhidbeyHealth, the elected board of hospital commissioners fired CEO Ron Telles without cause. The board later chose a management services firm, HealthTechS3, to help run the hospital district, provide an interim CEO and help find a permanent CEO and CFO.
The Langley City Council discussed the removal of a pair of imitation totem poles from Seawall Park over concerns that they represented inappropriate cultural appropriation.
A fire caused by a generator damaged the exterior of a Clinton home.
March
The first cottage in a tiny home development, Tiny Houses in the Name of Christ, neared completion in Langley.
The Island County Point in Time Count returned.
Island County commissioners declined to co-sign a loan for financially struggling WhidbeyHealth.
The board of commissioners for South Whidbey Fire/EMS selected Nicholas Walsh to be the new fire chief.
Improvements were planned and funded for Freeland Park, including new playground equipment.
Lolita, the second oldest killer whale in captivity, retired from the Miami Seaquarium spotlight. Efforts to bring her home to the Pacific Northwest, where she was captured from over 50 years ago, are ongoing.
WhidbeyHealth was turned down for a loan again.
A proposed moratorium on certain types of building within the city of Langley elicited strong feelings from city council members and citizens alike. The moratorium proposal was rescinded at a later council meeting.
A Black-led organization leased South Whidbey land for an “agroecology farm village.”
The Whidbey Island real estate market showed no signs of slowing after months of sky-high prices for home sales.
The state ferry system floated a plan to restore service on the Clinton-Mukilteo route.
A Langley business owner filed a tort claim against the city of Langley to recover damages from flooding in a downtown building that happened during a storm in 2019.
The city of Langley considered increasing the minimum wage for city staff.
Island County commissioners, city leaders and port commissioners sent a letter to state and federal legislators regarding Whidbey Island’s subpar ferry service.
The South Whidbey School Board received a letter urging the board to reclaim its “rightful authority” by distancing itself from state and federal agencies.
April
Island County COVID-19 cases hit 10,000.
A soup soiree in Langley supported Ukrainian families.
In a win for the Whidbey Environmental Action Network, a judge in Thurston County Superior Court ruled that the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission’s decision to allow the Navy to use 22 Puget Sound parks for military training was outside its authority and violated state environmental law.
The city of Langley named Tavier Wasser as the new chief of police.
A Clinton woman died after being pinned by an electric vehicle.
Corrections deputies who work in the Island County jail got a contract with wage increases.
A former Oak Harbor man who was wanted for a Friday Harbor arson was arrested at the Star Store in Langley.
The Whidbey Island Waldorf School received a $50,000 grant to help expand its facilities.
WhidbeyHealth nurses secured important gains in a three-year contract, including pay hikes.
Affordability requirements were recommended for the proposed Coles Valley development, a project in Langley.
The Welcome the Whales parade made a triumphant return to the downtown streets of Langley after a two-year hiatus induced by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Island County officials pondered giving Freeland Hall to the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District. The Holmes Harbor Activity Club, which manages the historic hall, later found out about the discussion between the county and parks and rec district and successfully fought to maintain control of the building.
Habitat for Humanity of Island County launched a new project in Langley, which involves the construction of seven townhomes.
Firefighters on South Whidbey rescued three animals from precarious situations in the span of a couple of weeks.
May
Michael Layfield, interim CEO of WhidbeyHealth, launched a strategic plan to cut millions and stabilize the public hospital district.
The South Whidbey School Board voted to name the board room in memory of former board member Julie Hadden.
The Whidbey Camano Land Trust turned its efforts towards preserving a heavily forested area in the Lagoon Point area of Greenbank. It later received a $650,000 grant from the county for the project.
Around 30 Whidbey residents gathered in front of the Island County Courthouse in Coupeville to protest a leaked Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that guaranteed abortion rights in the U.S. for nearly 50 years.
The Orca Network reported 100 more sightings of transient orcas in the Salish Sea compared to the previous year.
Hearts & Hammers returned to South Whidbey.
A Lynnwood woman accused of causing a crash that killed two people on South Whidbey Dec. 18, 2021 appeared in Island County Superior Court.
Island County commissioners took a first step in deciding to direct department heads to prepare proposals for a climate emergency declaration and a climate action plan.
Car thefts increased on Whidbey Island.
An unseasonably cold spring stymied Whidbey Island crops.
The Langley City Council considered more serious consequences for the unpermitted removal of trees.
Island County commissioners approved funding for South Whidbey’s first ever roundabout, to be built in Freeland.
June
Households all around South Whidbey showed support for Ukrainians by flying the flag of Ukraine.
Island County named its first county administrator, Michael Jones.
The city of Langley drew ire from the county over an unpaid bill for a street project. The county commissioners agreed to reduce the $60,000 balance.
A new school farm manager, Emily Koller, joined South Whidbey School District.
Island County and the Holmes Harbor Activity Club negotiated a contract for Freeland Hall.
South Whidbey students advocated for a zero waste ordinance, which was approved by the Langley City Council.
The city of Langley received an extension for an infrastructure grant from Island County.
Comedian Conan O’Brien made an appearance in Langley and dedicated a trash can.
Nancy Fey, a member of the board of commissioners for WhidbeyHealth, announced her plans to resign.
A large landslide occurred in Langley, caused by a sliding bluff.
A proposed Low Income Housing Institute project in Freeland caused quite the buzz, as citizens worried about losing the Harbor Inn, the area’s only motel. Island County commissioners later voted to turn the Harbor Inn into transitional and bridge housing for homeless individuals.
A snapping turtle was rescued by a Clinton pet store owner.
July
A new program paired mental health providers with police officers in Island County.
After 50 years of laughter, Deano the Clown, a Freeland resident, retired.
An Island County deputy filed a sexual harassment lawsuit, alleging that he was repeatedly touched inappropriately by a superior officer and that the sheriff’s administration retaliated against him for making complaints.
A new concessions business opened at the Clinton ferry terminal.
The Blue Heron Canoe Family, a group composed of members from a number of Native American tribes, made its first ever voyage to Langley.
Three kayakers were rescued from the waters of Honeymoon Bay during windy weather.
A newly formed limited liability company filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against Island County and the Low Income Housing Institute just three days after county commissioners voted to provide matching funds for a low-income housing project in Freeland at the former Harbor Inn. A judge later denied a motion related to the project.
County commissioners considered a moratorium on current restrictions for people living in RVs.
A city council member’s proclamation limiting the number of units for the proposed Coles Valley housing development in Langley was met with varied reactions. The proclamation was later recalled.
August
Concerns were raised over the future of Ken’s Korner, a strip mall in Clinton.
A worker shortage closed Whidbey Island Bagel Factory’s Clinton location to retail. It later reopened on weekends.
A crowd-funded wireless code earned support from the Langley City Council.
A Langley dog went viral by taking a swim with a gray whale.
A new year-long study was planned to determine the health impacts caused by Growler noise.
Tim Leonard, owner of the Machine Shop, announced his plans to close the beloved Langley arcade.
Island County commissioners finalized a draft resolution declaring the county’s intent to work to mitigate climate change.
September
The Coast Guard responded to an overturned boat near Hat Island that had no passengers. The boat’s owner was found safely at home in Lake Stevens.
Pat Powell, longtime director of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, retired.
A seaplane crash in Mutiny Bay killed 10 people onboard.
Freeland Concerned Citizens LLC dismissed a lawsuit that challenged Island County’s award of $1.5 million to the Low Income Housing Institute, which plans to convert Harbor Inn in Freeland into transitional and bridge housing.
A convicted cop shooter on South Whidbey was wanted on a domestic violence warrant.
Island County commissioners passed a climate resolution.
The WhidbeyHealth board of commissioners chose Greg Richardson to replace the vacancy left by Nancy Fey. However, the selection was initially done secretively and may have violated the Open Public Meetings Act. The hospital district commissioners later re-did the vote in public, in alignment with OPMA.
The South Whidbey School Board considered downsizing campuses to save money. The board later voted to dissolve the Elementary School South Campus.
The Mr. South Whidbey pageant returned to Freeland Hall.
Monkeypox was detected in Island County.
October
The city of Langley faced a new lawsuit for trying to charge a fee in violation of the state Public Records Act.
Good Cheer Food Bank opened its new 1,500-square-foot building addition.
Divers found an old bone deep underwater in Langley, near the South Whidbey Harbor.
Nearly 100 South Whidbey students left school early to rally for climate action.
The Low Income Housing Institute sought sanctions against Freeland Concerned Citizens LLC and the group’s attorney over an alleged frivolous lawsuit.
A South Whidbey man was accused of crashing a car into a patrol car while fleeing from deputies.
Staff at the South Whidbey Record and the Whidbey News-Times took home a total of 11 awards in the statewide Washington Newspaper Publishers Association’s Better Newspaper Contest.
A deputy with the Island County Sheriff’s Office with a history of sexual harassment was arrested for allegedly raping two people while he was off duty.
Ed Halloran, who represented the Langley district, resigned from the Port of South Whidbey’s board of commissioners.
A Langley man was accused of entering his ex-girlfriend’s home without permission and attacking her with a knife and “bear Mace.”
A federal grant saved property owners located within the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District from having to continue to pay a property tax to finance a bond for a new park.
The city of Langley considered changing its organizational structure by hiring a city administrator.
The state Attorney General’s Office and Citizens of Ebey’s Reserve, a Whidbey Island anti-noise group, asked a federal judge to require the Navy to cut the number of training flights back to the level allowed prior to an environmental assessment process that authorized an additional 33 EA-18G Growlers at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
A South Whidbey High School student met U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris during an event celebrating the school district’s acceptance of a new electric school bus.
An accessibility project seven years in the making that involves interwoven mats finally celebrated its completion at Robinson Beach in Freeland.
November
Midwife Cynthia Jaffe retired and closed the Greenbank Birth Center, which she operated for 30 years.
Island County commissioners approved rate increases for solid waste disposal at county dump sites.
Goosefoot convened a new housing organization in response to the growing housing crisis in Island County.
The first major wind storm of the season knocked out power for nearly 35,000 Island County residents and felled trees and power lines up and down Whidbey Island.
More than one fire on South Whidbey was sparked by unsafe generator use during the power outage.
Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair was re-elected in the general election.
The Langley City Council approved an ordinance establishing the new Lodging Tax Advisory Commission, making it the city’s twelfth citizen-led committee.
A judge ordered an attorney representing Freeland Concerned Citizens LLC to pay a $10,000 sanction for violating a civil court rule by claiming that the Low Income Housing Institute was accountable for a man’s death.
The parent of a student at South Whidbey Elementary School South Campus was accused of threatening to shoot a teacher.
The flu, COVID-19 and RSV caused high rates of sickness in Island County, putting the stress on health care providers.
The job market in Island County exceeded pre-pandemic levels, despite the state’s layoffs in the tech sector, inflation and fear of recession.
December
The Langley City Council approved significant pay raises for city employees.
A renowned South Whidbey chainsaw carver lost his entire woodshop and belongings to a fire that started in his shed.
Former Island County Treasurer Wanda Grone was selected to be Langley’s new finance director.
A small coalition of Whidbey residents formed to bring a family of Ukrainian refugees to the island.
Island County commissioners discussed the pros and cons of banning fireworks in unincorporated Island County.
The South Whidbey School District considered asking voters to pass an $80 million bond in 2023.
A state settlement with distribution of opioid medication will pay nearly $1.5 million over a period of 17 years to Island County.
Online intruders disrupted a Langley City Council meeting held over Zoom and began sharing a video of pornography.
Snow and ice blanketed Whidbey Island shortly before Christmas.
A man died in a Greenbank garage fire.
The Blue Heron Canoe Family made its first ever voyage to visit Langley in July. (Photo by David Welton)
South Whidbey’s lone swan finally got a partner in 2022. Alas, their love was not to be — the new swan left the Cultus Bay wetlands and a few months later, Whidbey’s swan was found deceased. (Photo by David Welton)
South Whidbey resident Dan Weehunt with pet turkey Gertie in July. Gertie passed away in October. (Photo by David Welton)
Perhaps one of South Whidbey’s most anticipated events, the Langley Welcome the Whales parade returned in April with more creative costumes than ever. (Photo by David Welton)
