Latest Curated Headlines from Oak Harbor and North Whidbey

CITY OF OAK HARBOR: This meeting of the Oak Harbor Marina Advisory Commission focused on bylaw authority, marina policy documents, pumpout service, moorage rules, and planning for a tenant meeting.​

CITY OF OAK HARBOR: Oak Harbor’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission tackled a mix of policy questions and user conflicts at its December 8 meeting, weighing how to manage everything from pickleball‑tennis tensions to metal detecting in city parks.​

WHIDBEY ISLAND PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT: WhidbeyHealth has partnered with Island County Department of Emergency Management to support their Emergency Preparedness and Hazard Mitigation Survey.

WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Oak Harbor rejected annexing Valley High Mobile Home Park, keeping responsibility for its failing sewage system with the owners and county despite concerns for long‑time residents living with serious infrastructure problems.

WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Oak Harbor adopted a court‑driven stay‑out‑of‑designated‑area ordinance letting judges bar certain drug offenders from a south‑side business zone to reduce concentrated drug activity and related crime.

CITY OF OAK HARBOR: The City Council’s Dec. 2, 2025 meeting centered on approving a mid‑biennial budget amendment, adopting a stay‑out‑of‑designated‑area (SODA) ordinance targeting drug‑related activity, and considering the Mangat annexation request.

CITY OF OAK HARBOR: “The goals of the SODA (Stay Out of Designated Area Ordinance) are to reduce repeat criminal behavior, increase public and business safety, provide an enforceable tool for courts and police, and encourage rehabilitation outside the target zone,” Police Chief Tony Slowik.

WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: WhidbeyHealth’s board replaced president James Golder with Marion Jouas after a disputed closed session over “personnel and legal” issues, while publicly affirming confidence in Jouas and the hospital’s direction.

WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Officials are studying new Highway 20 speed limits in Oak Harbor, proposing lower speeds near urban areas and roundabouts, with final decisions expected in 2026 after public notification.

BRYAN STUCKY: Hwy 20 is a state highway and the state secretary of transportation is the one with ultimate authority to set speed limits.