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Island County, Washington

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About Island, WA

Local News
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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Newsroom monitoring local Island, WA developments. Next update cycle in 20 minutes.

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Crescent Harbor Elementary says farewell before demolition, new school nears completion
Education

Crescent Harbor Elementary says farewell before demolition, new school nears completion

Crescent Harbor Elementary said goodbye inside its 1961 building as demolition nears, while a new 500-student school prepares to open in October.

Lisa Park2m read
Oak Harbor High School spotlights 10 top seniors before graduation
Education

Oak Harbor High School spotlights 10 top seniors before graduation

Oak Harbor’s top seniors are headed for the Naval Academy, WSU, animation and college credit, a spread that says as much about Whidbey’s future as their GPAs.

Sarah Chen3m read
Oak Harbor teen builds GSA, faces backlash over student safety
Education

Oak Harbor teen builds GSA, faces backlash over student safety

Olive Walker's GSA fight exposed how a student safety request turned into backlash in Oak Harbor. The cost landed on one teen, and on the district's duty to protect LGBTQ+ students.

Lisa Park5m read
Oak Harbor mourns former Mayor Bob Severns after June 4 death
Government

Oak Harbor mourns former Mayor Bob Severns after June 4 death

Bob Severns spent 16 years shaping Oak Harbor city government, leaving a legacy tied to sewer decisions, housing policy and business advocacy.

James Thompson2m read
Volunteers build new Star Barn chapel at Freeland ranch
Community

Volunteers build new Star Barn chapel at Freeland ranch

A 140-square-foot chapel rose at M-Bar-C Ranch after volunteers rebuilt the aging structure they feared could blow down. Dozens came to cut the ribbon in Freeland.

Sarah Chen2m read
New ferry connects Whidbey and Everett for World Cup watch parties
Community

New ferry connects Whidbey and Everett for World Cup watch parties

A 45-seat foot ferry now links Langley and Everett, giving Whidbey residents a car-free way to reach free World Cup watch parties at Boxcar Park.

Lisa Park2m read
Oak Harbor flight club aims to make flying more accessible
Community

Oak Harbor flight club aims to make flying more accessible

A new Oak Harbor flight club is offering two planes at DeLaurentis International Airport, aiming to lower the cost of flying for North Whidbey residents.

Marcus Williams2m read
Oak Harbor sets new limits on oversized vehicle parking
Government

Oak Harbor sets new limits on oversized vehicle parking

Oak Harbor could force oversized vehicles off streets after 12 hours, with 24-hour notice before removal and a five-day residential exception.

James Thompson2m read
South Whidbey schools hire Becky Bell to lead special education
Education

South Whidbey schools hire Becky Bell to lead special education

South Whidbey restored a full-time special education director after a nine-month review, naming Becky Bell to start July 1.

Lisa Park2m read
Court records show alleged abuse before Oak Harbor woman's death
Community

Court records show alleged abuse before Oak Harbor woman's death

Medical records now trace Chanell Saddler’s injuries before her death, sharpening questions about what Oak Harbor authorities and health providers saw first.

Sarah Chen2m read
Oak Harbor council reopens Pride flag policy debate
Government

Oak Harbor council reopens Pride flag policy debate

Oak Harbor is reopening a flag policy fight that could decide whether Pride and other commemorative banners can fly at city facilities.

James Thompson2m read
Whidbey scientist documents hidden habits of river otters
Community

Whidbey scientist documents hidden habits of river otters

River otters are becoming a live test of Whidbey’s water health, and Heide Island’s long-running fieldwork shows why their habits matter far beyond the shoreline.

Sarah Chen6m read
Coupeville weighs new density-bonus code for future development
Government

Coupeville weighs new density-bonus code for future development

Coupeville is drafting rules that could let some builders add units for affordable housing, reshaping where growth goes and what neighbors get back.

James Thompson5m read
Island County council tables Coles Valley land-use agreement
Government

Island County council tables Coles Valley land-use agreement

Langley has put off a Coles Valley deal that could unlock 65 lots and two cottage tracts on a 40-acre Coles Road parcel. The delay keeps a major affordable-housing site in limbo.

Marcus Williams2m read
Island County urges residents to stock two weeks of disaster supplies
Government

Island County urges residents to stock two weeks of disaster supplies

Island County says a two-week supply is the right baseline when ferries stall, roads close or a Cascadia quake cuts off help.

Marcus Williams5m read
Flooding forces Queen-Bee Community Pantry to close in Langley
Community

Flooding forces Queen-Bee Community Pantry to close in Langley

A burst upstairs hose flooded Queen-Bee Community Pantry with 4 inches of water, shutting Langley’s food lifeline and leaving island families waiting.

Marcus Williams2m read
Little Gemme brings queer-owned secondhand fashion pop-up to Langley
Business

Little Gemme brings queer-owned secondhand fashion pop-up to Langley

Little Gemme is set to open with nearly 1,200 secondhand pieces, offering Langley shoppers affordable style, queer-owned retail and a stronger reuse ethic.

Sarah Chen2m read
Island County to open 2027 tourism grant applications July 1
Government

Island County to open 2027 tourism grant applications July 1

Island County’s 2% hotel-motel grant cycle opens July 1, with online-only applications for tourism projects, events and visitor marketing tied to lodging-tax dollars.

Marcus Williams2m read
Oak Harbor schools pack year-end events, early playground opening, honors
Education

Oak Harbor schools pack year-end events, early playground opening, honors

Oak Harbor schools are racing to the finish with a crowded event calendar, an early-opened playground, and a school year now stretching to June 17.

Sarah Chen2m read
When to use the ER, urgent care or virtual care in Island County
Healthcare

When to use the ER, urgent care or virtual care in Island County

A missed choice can mean a ferry ride, a bigger bill, or a dangerous delay. In Island County, the right first stop depends on the symptom, the time, and the distance.

Dr. Elena Rodriguez6m read
Whidbey Island Pride events span June from Oak Harbor to Langley
Community

Whidbey Island Pride events span June from Oak Harbor to Langley

Pride on Whidbey now stretches from Oak Harbor to Langley, with a June calendar that includes a family parade, a drag brunch, and a 600-plus festival legacy.

Marcus Williams5m read
Oak Harbor opens new public safety training facility on Whidbey Island
Government

Oak Harbor opens new public safety training facility on Whidbey Island

Oak Harbor turned a former shooting range into a 13,000-square-foot training hub, a move city leaders say boosts readiness without raising local taxes.

James Thompson2m read
Holmes Harbor Golf Course closes after sewer district wins court fight
Business

Holmes Harbor Golf Course closes after sewer district wins court fight

Holmes Harbor Golf Course is shut down, leaving South Whidbey golfers, workers and nearby businesses facing an immediate hit after a judge sided with the sewer district.

Sarah Chen2m read
North Whidbey Fire and Rescue staffing crunch strains ambulance coverage
Healthcare

North Whidbey Fire and Rescue staffing crunch strains ambulance coverage

North Whidbey Fire and Rescue missed ambulance staffing on 13 shifts and 23 more hours in six months, leaving more of North Whidbey exposed when 911 calls come in.

Lisa Park2m read
Oak Harbor schools face $3 million budget cuts amid enrollment decline
Education

Oak Harbor schools face $3 million budget cuts amid enrollment decline

Families could see slimmer libraries, special education support and student supplies as Oak Harbor moves into its fourth year of cuts.

Sarah Chen2m read
Bail revoked for Arlington officer accused in Camano Island child porn case
Government

Bail revoked for Arlington officer accused in Camano Island child porn case

A judge sent Arlington officer Dustin Bartlett back to jail after he was found hiding at his Camano Island home in violation of a court order.

James Thompson2m read
Oak Harbor marks Memorial Day with annual service of remembrance
Community

Oak Harbor marks Memorial Day with annual service of remembrance

Oak Harbor’s 8th annual Memorial Day service brought lawmakers, a base commander and families to Maple Leaf Cemetery for remembrance.

Marcus Williams2m read
Oak Harbor vintage shop blends bold style with sustainability
Business

Oak Harbor vintage shop blends bold style with sustainability

Yon Bureau opened downtown with picnic-basket bags, patterned dresses and vintage wedding gowns that sold fast, hinting at a bigger shift in island shopping.

Sarah Chen2m read
Freeland sculptor Lane Tompkins marks retirement with studio sale
Community

Freeland sculptor Lane Tompkins marks retirement with studio sale

Lane Tompkins is putting his bronze camels, bishops, jesters and "Ed Head" portrait on sale as he retires from the Freeland studio that helped shape Whidbey's arts identity.

Lisa Park2m read