The Whidbey News-Times will once again serve as the primary publisher of Island County legal notices, which will also be published in the South Whidbey Record.

The Island County commissioners recently approved a contract with Whidbey News Group that makes the Whidbey News-Times the legal newspaper of record. The contract was previously held by The Whidbey Examiner.

The Island County Auditor’s Office sought bids but Whidbey News Group, which owns all three publications, was the only bidder.

The notices will be published in the twice-weekly Whidbey News-Times and its sister paper, the South Whidbey Record, and on their respective websites.

The two newspapers enjoy a combined circulation of more than 9,400 and their websites receive more than 80,000 unique visitors per month.

By comparison, the Whidbey Examiner is a weekly publication with a readership based on Central Whidbey. The newspaper was awarded the contract last year under its previous owner.

The new agreement with Whidbey News Group goes into effect July 1.