Latest Headlines from Coupeville and Central Whidbey

Three proposed levies totaling nearly $18.5 million passed a first reading by the Coupeville School Board. A second reading is scheduled for the November board meeting. The levies are for capital projects, school district technology and operations. For a breakdown of the proposed levies, and an estimate on how much...

Patrick Kennedy and Mike Seraphinoff have stepped forward to run for the Port of Coupeville Board Position 3 that will be vacant this year. Incumbent Mohammad Mostafavinassab is not seeking reelection. Kennedy says his priority would be to enhance the Port’s current assets. He said, “I understand several years back...

Two Coupeville Town Council incumbents are running unopposed to retain their seats in November’s upcoming election. Michael Moore and Pat Powell expressed their views during a recent League of Women Voters candidates forum. Councilmember Moore stated “as council members, we have our own concerns, but we always want to know,...

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...

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...

The Coupeville school board will undergo a significant change after this year’s elections as two incumbents are not running for re-election. Paul Rempa is running against Nancy Conard for Position 2 and Ward Sparacio is running against Morgan White for Position 5. Conard, Sparacio, and White all agreed that the...

The League of Women Voters Whildbey Island (LWVWI) hosted a forum for candidates in Central Whidbey from 6:30 to 8:30 PM on Thursday, October 14, 2021. The forum consisted of three segments: Port of Coupeville Commissioners, Public Hospital District (WhidbeyHealth) Commissioner, Coupeville Town Council members, and Coupeville School District Directors....

Editor Jessie Stensland wrote an In Our Opinion column in the Whidbey News-Times supporting the levy increase put forward by WhidbeyHealth. For more details on the proposal, see this story. They Said It Jessie Stensland: [V]oters should support an increase in a levy that helps fund operations at Whidbey Island...

Island County Public Hospital District No. 1, better known as WhidbeyHealth, is proposing an increase in their levy rate from $0.078 to $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed value. The proposition will appear on the ballot in this November’s election. The district, which has struggled financially particularly since the beginning of...

Coupeville schools Superintendent Steve King announced that Coupeville school board President Kathleen Anderson passed away on September 22. King said that Ms. Anderson was a woman of great integrity and grace who loved kids more than anyone else he has ever known. For more details, see the story by Karina...