Whidbey Health board member Kurt Blankenship is facing off against James Golder for the Board’s position #2. Former Idaho state rep. Golder talked about addressing underpaid hospital workers and overpaid administrative staff. Golder said “increasing staff wages would boost their currently low morale and help restore islanders’ trust in the...
Gov. Jay Inslee has conditionally commuted Rogelio Vasquez’s 46-year sentence after he has already served 22 years. Vasquez was convicted and sentenced following a 1998 crime spree in Coupeville. Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks, who prosecuted Vasquez, recommended approval of the commutation in a statement to the Clemency and Pardons...
State Rep. Dave Paul addressed the Langley City Council’s concerns over the recent cuts to the Clinton-Mukilteo ferry service. Paul “encouraged the council to write a letter to Gov. Jay Inslee and Washington State Ferries demonstrating how perturbed we are with the draconian cuts.” Councilmember Craig Cyr mentioned he was...
Editor Jessie Stensland wrote an In Our Opinion column in the Oct. 19 edition of the Whidbey News-Times endorsing several candidates for Oak Harbor City Council. They Said It Jessie Stensland: …ultimately Shane Hoffmire and Fe Mischo are the best candidates because they are independent thinkers who want to make...
Rep Dave Paul has secured funding for a pilot program that will focus on improving mental health outcomes for young people. Rep. Paul secured a $750k carve-out from the state’s operating budget for a two-year pilot program that will allow Island County to address the mental health needs of youths...
Dan Evans, a local business owner and past president of the Oak Harbor Main Street Association is competing with Fe Mischo, a community advocate and worker at the Spin Cafe, for the seat on the Oak Harbor City Council being vacated by Erica Wasinger who is not seeking re-election. Mischo...
Coupeville’s town council has opted to follow the Island County Commissioners example and have voted to use some of their American Rescue Plan Act funds on premium pay for town employees. Mayor Hughes said the premium pay is meant to compensate “employees who have continued to do their jobs above...
Editor Jessie Stensland wrote an In Our Opinion column in the Oct. 16 edition of the Whidbey News-Times endorsing several candidates for school boards. They Said It Jessie Stensland: Voters should support the incumbents islandwide. They are open and proud about their records, as they should be. For the Oak...
