Latest Headlines from Coupeville and Central Whidbey

Four school districts and a parks district have submitted measures for the February 8, 2022 ballot in Island County. The Oak Harbor School District is asking voters to approve Capital Improvement and School Construction General Obligation Bonds in the amount of $184 million. According to the text of the measure:...

Karol Pulliam, Co-President of the League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island, conducted interviews with the three superintendents of the school districts on Whidbey Island: Oak Harbor Public Schools’ interim superintendent Karst Brandsma (along with school director Erik Mann); Coupeville School District Superintendent Steve King; and South Whidbey School District...

In a story by Karina Andrew, the Coupeville Town Council voted to send a letter to the Island County Commissioners in support of the Commissioners proposal for a sales tax increase of one-tenth of 1%. According to a provided fact sheet, the tax revenues would be used to fund affordable...

Karina Andrew reports: The Port of Coupeville was recently awarded almost $5 million from the Washington State Public Works Board to expand broadband internet access in Central Whidbey. Expansion of fiber optics infrastructure is expected to help level inequities in education, business and healthcare as households that have long been...

Karina Andrew writes in her story in the Whidbey News-Times that “more than 90% of employees in all Whidbey school districts are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to data from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.” Coupeville School District Superintendent Steve King said, “We are pleased that everyone in...

The Port of Coupeville has passed an industrial development tax levy that will tax assessed property values at 45 cents per thousand. The expectation is that the tax will generate approximately $1.25 million the first year. Commissioner David Day said “This money has to be spent on designated projects. It’s...

Patrick Kennedy successfully ran against Mike Seraphinoff for the vacant district 3 seat on the Port of Coupeville Board of Commissioners. In a statement, he said he would “earn your trust as a steward of our heritage sites and, as importantly, through activities to promote the economic well-being of our...

Jessie Stensland reports: Voters on Whidbey Island approved a measure in Tuesday’s election to increase the public hospital district’s property tax levy. At the same time, it appears that voters are replacing a hospital commissioner with a candidate new to health care administration. They Said It Candidate James Golder said...

The Port of Coupeville commissioners passed a motion to encourage Island County to purchase the Oak Harbor airport that came on the market this year with a price tag of $2.1 million. Port Commissioner John Mishasek said of the motion, “I think it leaves the door open to go any...

The Port of Coupeville commissioners unanimously voted to create an Industrial Development District that will allow the Port District to levy taxes without voter approval. This is the first step in a process of which there are several more steps to accomplish. The Port has identified more that $13 million...