Latest Curated Headlines from Oak Harbor and North Whidbey

WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES EDITORIAL: A tale of two road projects illustrates how things are amiss in Oak Harbor when it comes to spending priorities.

In a story by Jessie Stensland, Oak Harbor City Councilmember Jeff Mack has resigned from the Oak Harbor City Council effective 30 Dec 2021. “Mack cited personal issues and his decision to retire from his jewelry business as reasons for leaving office, according to a statement from the city.“ State...

Jessie Stensland reports that Councilmember Jim Woessner stated he was “absolutely shocked” to learn that the water bill to operate the city’s water park for two months last summer came to $100,000. Apparently, the high cost is due to the fact that the water park does not recirculate the water...

In a story by Jessie Stensland, the City of Oak Harbor is facing a tough decision concerning the funding of an access road for a U-Haul facility currently under construction on the north end of town. The proposed small section of a road off Fakkema Road, which would provide access...

Oak Harbor City Councilmembers have raised questions as to why the city is planning to pay an estimated $700,000 for the Fakkema Access Road project. The road is about 2,000 feet of a public road that will provide access to 7 different parcels that front Highway 20 and access to...

During last Wednesday’s City Council workshop, Mayor Bob Severns floated the idea of rebuilding the windmill that used to be in Windjammer Park. He commented that the city council said it would be rebuilt when it was torn down in 2017. Councilmember Jim Woessner reports being approached by a grassroots...

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...

Oak Harbor has reached an agreement with developer Pacific North Group, Inc., headed by Scott Thompson, that allows for flexibility in, among other things, adhering to city code concerning the filing of final plats for the development of a housing project on the hill above Walmart. The City Council approved...

The Whidbey News-Times published an In Our Opinion column in their Nov. 13 edition. The column, which was unsigned, urged the city to rebuild the windmill in Windjammer Park. The windmill, a symbol of the city’s Dutch heritage, was torn down four years ago.  WP to Hootsuite Log

Jessie Stensland reports: The city of Oak Harbor and the corporation that is building a 192-house development on the hill across from the Safeway store may enter into a unique agreement that could be a first in the state, according to city officials. City council members will consider the development...