Latest Curated Headlines from Oak Harbor and North Whidbey

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...

Editor Jessie Stensland wrote an In Our Opinion column in the Nov. 10 edition of the Whidbey News-Times, urging the Oak Harbor City Council to consider changing from a mayor-council form of government to a council-manager system. They Said It Jessie Stensland: …Oak Harbor has had its share of political...

A week after the results of a staff morale survey were released, the Oak Harbor City council unanimously passed a resolution to give a retroactive 2% cost-of-living raise for this year and then another 2% raise for next year to all non-union staff. These raises also apply to to all...

Jessie Stensland reports: A relative newcomer to city politics says his apparent landslide victory over an experienced and established member of the Oak Harbor City Council points to a widespread dissatisfaction with city leadership. Shane Hoffmire predicts significant changes will occur once he and two other newly elected council members...

The Oak Harbor and South Whidbey School Board incumbents all retained their seats in the last election. South Whidbey School Board member Marnie Jackson said “I’m really pleased. I think that this is a resounding vote of confidence from the community for a safe, inclusive, equitable education that the incumbent...

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...