50 years ago

Editor: Lana Townsend

Developers announce future ‘Whidbey City’

“Whidbey City may become a reality long before its first planners expected when they began drawing plans for a Bayview business center two years ago. The new center will be located on a 60-acre site in the heart of Bayview which the owners and developers believe is destined to become the commercial center and eventually the next town on the south end.”

“The site was chosen because of its distance from the three other business centers and the increasing number of residential land developments nearby.”

25 years ago

Editor: Jim Larsen

‘Welcome to Whidbey’ sign ready for visitors

“Visitors to the island will be greeting by a huge colorful and impressive ‘Welcome to Whidbey’ sign beginning this Wednesday. For the past week a passel of wood carvers and painters has been publicly creating the sign in Clinton at the intersection of Highway 525 and Galbreath Road.

“The ‘Wood Sculpture Festival,’ sponsored by the Clinton Chamber of Commerce, has been a total success, according to all involved.”

“ ‘I couldn’t be more pleased,’ said Chamber President Rufus Rose on Sunday as he was watching the paint dry on the huge overall sign.”

15 years ago

Editor: Jim Larsen

Sewer bond could leave residents a $20 million tab

“Two hundred homeowners living in the Holmes Harbor Sewer District may have to repay investors for $20 million in assessment bonds allegedly sold illegally by the district late last year.”

“The 20-year bonds were issued on behalf of a Snohomish County developer last October to purchase property and build infrastructure for a 40-acre, 535,000-square-foot Everett office park called the Silver Sound Corporate Center.”

“The Washington state Auditor’s office and the state Attorney general’s office declared the deal illegal in January and began an audit of the district in March.”