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Island County, Washington

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About Island, WA

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Comprehensive local news coverage for Island County, Washington. Stay informed about government decisions, community events, business developments, and civic matters affecting residents of Coupeville, Oak Harbor, Langley, Freeland, and communities across Whidbey and Camano Islands.
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Coupeville, Oak Harbor, Langley, Freeland and 209 square miles on whidbey and camano islands

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Langley welcomes gray whales with parade, ceremony and family events
Community

Langley welcomes gray whales with parade, ceremony and family events

Whale costumes, a downtown parade and Seawall Park ceremony turned Langley into a spring gathering place as about a dozen Sounders returned to Puget Sound.

Lisa Park2m read
Woman gets 23 years for killing Langley man in 2021
Community

Woman gets 23 years for killing Langley man in 2021

Thomas Flood, a longtime Langley handyman, was buried by uncertainty after his 2021 death; a Whatcom County jury convicted Lynda Clare Mercy and a judge sentenced her to 280 months on April 7, 2026.

Lisa Park2m read
Oak Harbor Prepares to Release 30,000 Coho Salmon Into Regional Waters
Community

Oak Harbor Prepares to Release 30,000 Coho Salmon Into Regional Waters

Oak Harbor's marina is weeks from releasing 30,000 Coho salmon, the fifth consecutive year the city has raised the fish since volunteers rebuilt the program from scratch.

Marcus Williams2m read
Clinton woman identified in fatal RV fire, blaze accidental
Community

Clinton woman identified in fatal RV fire, blaze accidental

Investigators say the Clinton RV fire likely started when a propane heater was lit inside a cramped camper; check heaters, ventilation and carbon monoxide detectors tonight.

Sarah Chen2m read
Oak Harbor Council Approves $1 Million for 96-Unit Affordable Housing Project
Government

Oak Harbor Council Approves $1 Million for 96-Unit Affordable Housing Project

Oak Harbor's city council unanimously approved $1M for Mulberry Village, bringing 96 affordable units to Whidbey Island with rents locked in for up to 40 years.

James Thompson2m read
Whidbey Island Clinic to Receive Lead Screening Machine, Boosting Low Testing Rates
Healthcare

Whidbey Island Clinic to Receive Lead Screening Machine, Boosting Low Testing Rates

Island County tests fewer than 3 in 100 children for lead, far below state and national rates. A free rapid-testing machine is headed to Pediatric Associates clinics in Oak Harbor and Freeland.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read
Oak Harbor nonprofit showcases affordable housing pilot for employees
Community

Oak Harbor nonprofit showcases affordable housing pilot for employees

Steve Jacobs led Rep. Rick Larsen through seven renovated Oak Harbor units where New Leaf has housed six employees since 2025 at rents of $900–$1,026, about $600 below local market rates.

Lisa Park2m read
Langley's Island Dance Earns Top Overall Awards at Seattle Regional Competition
Community

Langley's Island Dance Earns Top Overall Awards at Seattle Regional Competition

Senior dancer Madison Guzman won First Overall and a Dancerpalooza scholarship as Langley's Island Dance claimed multiple top awards, including a Golden Ticket to nationals, in Seattle.

Lisa Park2m read
Oak Harbor Marina Dredging Pushed to 2027 Due to Federal Permit Backlog
Government

Oak Harbor Marina Dredging Pushed to 2027 Due to Federal Permit Backlog

A 45-day federal shutdown last fall created a 45-week permit backlog, pushing Oak Harbor's marina dredging to 2027 with higher costs expected.

Marcus Williams2m read
Oak Harbor Artist's Painting Lands Cover of Bestselling Novel Whidbey
Community

Oak Harbor Artist's Painting Lands Cover of Bestselling Novel Whidbey

A 9-by-12-inch oil Katy Holley painted at Ala Spit on a gloomy day became the cover of T. Kira Madden's bestselling novel, putting an Oak Harbor artist on a national stage.

Sarah Chen2m read
Dead Dog Found Wrapped in Sleeping Bag Near Libbey Road on Whidbey
Government

Dead Dog Found Wrapped in Sleeping Bag Near Libbey Road on Whidbey

A chocolate Labrador wrapped in a sleeping bag was found near Libbey Road and Highway 20; investigators are asking anyone with camera footage to call 360-679-9567.

Marcus Williams2m read
10th District lawmakers host bipartisan virtual town hall for constituents
Government

10th District lawmakers host bipartisan virtual town hall for constituents

Sen. Ron Muzzall, Rep. Dave Paul and Rep. Clyde Shavers held a one-hour Zoom town hall April 8 to field constituent questions on ferries, housing, higher education and county budgets.

Marcus Williams3m read
Volunteers Repair Homes Island-Wide, Helping Neighbors Who Need It Most
Community

Volunteers Repair Homes Island-Wide, Helping Neighbors Who Need It Most

When North Whidbey homeowners heard their repairs were approved, some broke into tears. 150 volunteers made that happen — and the May 16 workday needs more.

Lisa Park6m read
Island Transit Launches First 20-Year Plan, Seeks Public Input on Future Routes
Government

Island Transit Launches First 20-Year Plan, Seeks Public Input on Future Routes

Island Transit launched Roadmap 2047, its first-ever 20-year plan, asking Whidbey and Camano residents to shape future routes and services through surveys and public meetings.

James Thompson2m read
Penn Cove Water Festival Seeks 190 Volunteers for May Coupeville Celebration
Community

Penn Cove Water Festival Seeks 190 Volunteers for May Coupeville Celebration

The Penn Cove Water Festival needs 190 volunteers to open May 9 in Coupeville; without them, a Coast Salish tradition rooted in the 1930s is at risk.

Lisa Park2m read
Appeals Court to Hear WEAN Challenge to Oak Harbor Parkland Ordinance in April
Government

Appeals Court to Hear WEAN Challenge to Oak Harbor Parkland Ordinance in April

A 2,600-square-foot slice of Hal Ramaley Memorial Park could determine whether Oak Harbor residents ever vote on parkland swaps again. Appeals court hears arguments April 21.

Marcus Williams2m read
Seattle Folk-Rock Band Jessie Thoreson Brings New Album Tour to Freeland Vineyard
Community

Seattle Folk-Rock Band Jessie Thoreson Brings New Album Tour to Freeland Vineyard

Jessie Thoreson & The Crown Fire, whose new album was written in wildfire country, play Dancing Fish Vineyard on May 1, one of just five Washington stops.

Marcus Williams1m read
Issaquah Runner Uses Whidbey Marathon to Honor Late Cousin's Legacy
Community

Issaquah Runner Uses Whidbey Marathon to Honor Late Cousin's Legacy

Emma Smith, a self-described 'fake runner' who barely logged two miles before December, will cross the Deception Pass Bridge on April 26 for her Forbes 30 Under 30 cousin Pava LaPere.

Lisa Park2m read
Whidbey Fourth Grader Competes for National Junior Ranger Title — A $20,000 Prize and Wildlife Adventure on the Line
Education

Whidbey Fourth Grader Competes for National Junior Ranger Title — A $20,000 Prize and Wildlife Adventure on the Line

Whidbey fourth grader Landon Hutcherson competes for $20,000 as a national Jr. Ranger champion, with the first voting round closing April 9.

Marcus Williams2m read
Whidbey Island April Events Guide Highlights Theater, Markets, and Earth Day
Community

Whidbey Island April Events Guide Highlights Theater, Markets, and Earth Day

April on Whidbey Island packs theater, Earth Day festivals, whale watching, and a Dutch heritage parade into one of the island's most event-dense months of the year.

Sarah Chen6m read
Oak Harbor Seeks Resident Input on Recreation Center Feasibility Study
Government

Oak Harbor Seeks Resident Input on Recreation Center Feasibility Study

Jim Woessner waited 64 years for a rec center in Oak Harbor. The city's wish-list survey is now live, and answers will shape whether a pool, gym, or pickleball courts get built.

James Thompson3m read
Whidbey Island Earth Day Festival Returns to Camp Casey in April 2026
Community

Whidbey Island Earth Day Festival Returns to Camp Casey in April 2026

Camp Casey's free Earth Day Fair returns April 18 with 20-plus island organizations, guided Crockett Lake bird walks, and shoreline ecology tours running 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lisa Park2m read
Whidbey Telecom wins $9.5M grant to expand BiG GiG fiber islandwide
Business

Whidbey Telecom wins $9.5M grant to expand BiG GiG fiber islandwide

Whidbey Telecom received $9.5 million to extend BiG GiG fiber to underserved south and south-central Whidbey neighborhoods, improving internet access for homes and businesses.

Sarah Chen2m read
Oak Harbor School District to Review and Potentially Redraw Elementary Boundaries
Education

Oak Harbor School District to Review and Potentially Redraw Elementary Boundaries

Apply by Wednesday, Feb. 25 to join the Boundary Review Community Partners Team as Oak Harbor Public Schools begins a formal review of attendance zones for its five elementary schools.

Sarah Chen2m read
Ebey’s Landing Reserve Offers Trails, History and Access Challenges
Community

Ebey’s Landing Reserve Offers Trails, History and Access Challenges

Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve preserves a working cultural landscape on Central Whidbey with bluff top trails, historic downtowns and seasonal wildlife viewing, and it remains a vital outdoor resource for Island County residents. As visitation grows, access limitations, safety and equity concerns matter to local health, transportation and agricultural systems.

Lisa Park2m read
Oak Harbor Main Street Association Changes Leadership, Cites Finances
Business

Oak Harbor Main Street Association Changes Leadership, Cites Finances

The Oak Harbor Main Street Association announced it has parted ways with Executive Director Cheryl Grehan, naming former director Margaret Livermore as interim while the board searches for a permanent replacement. The move follows a shortfall in 2025 revenues that threatens the association's capacity to pay staff and sustain programs that support downtown businesses.

Sarah Chen2m read
Good Cheer Thrift Store Wins $50,000 Grant for Community Hub Renovation
Community

Good Cheer Thrift Store Wins $50,000 Grant for Community Hub Renovation

Good Cheer lands a $50,000 T-Mobile grant, one of just 25 awarded nationally, to turn the Langley thrift store's second floor into a community hub on South Whidbey.

Sarah Chen2m read
Oak Harbor NJROTC Cadets Rank 19th Nationally in First Championship Appearance
Education

Oak Harbor NJROTC Cadets Rank 19th Nationally in First Championship Appearance

On a couple hours of sleep, Oak Harbor's NJROTC cadets finished 19th nationally in their first championship, one of just 25 schools selected from more than 600 units across the country.

Sarah Chen3m read
Your Guide to Washington State Ferries Routes, Schedules, and Whidbey Island Destinations
Community

Your Guide to Washington State Ferries Routes, Schedules, and Whidbey Island Destinations

Skip the two-boat wait at Mukilteo: the five ferry decisions that separate a smooth Whidbey day from a two-hour hold lane.

Sarah Chen6m read