50 years ago

Editor: Lana Kalman

Public to gain access to state owned tidelands

Editor’s note: This is no longer a public beach access. The state re-conveyed the property back to Hugh Taylor in a 1988 quitclaim deed and it remains in private hands.

“The state has at last gained an access to a two and one-half mile stretch of state-owned tideland on Useless Bay. Without an access for years, the public has been forced to travel over private property to reach the area, which is just north of Maxwelton.

On Monday, Hugh Taylor deeded the access to the Department of Natural Resources. He built the road as part of his Olympic View Tracts development and it stretches almost a quarter of a mile from Sills Road down to the tidelands.

‘These flats are excellent for clam digging and crabbing,’ said Taylor, ‘and during low tide they stretch out 800 feet from the bank.’

Dale Thompson, direct administrator for the department and Harold Strobel, supervisory management forester, came Monday to accept the deed from Taylor.”

25 years ago

Editor: Jim Larsen

4 teens arrested for burglary string

“Four teenagers were arrested last week following a string of about 10 home burglaries on South Whidbey. Sgt. Harry Uncapher, head of the South Whidbey detachment of the Island County Sheriff’s Dept., said Friday afternoon that the burglaries were ‘scattered out,’ with victims and homes located in Freeland, Langley and Clinton. Uncapher said most of the burglaries were reported on Tuesday, Aug. 6. A complete list of items taken was unavailable, but generally the thieves took silver coins, jewelry and guns. They also made off with one vehicle, which deputies were still looking for Friday.

It was the coins that led to the arrests. Uncapher said merchants were asked to keep a lookout for silver coins. ‘We got the lead from a store clerk,’ he said.”