Latest Curated Headlines from Oak Harbor and North Whidbey

Jessie Stensland reports: Demand hasn’t been as high as anticipated for what Oak Harbor staff call “Poo-Cheetos.” Mick Monken, the city’s interim public works director, told city council members last week that he wanted to move forward with creating a “biosolids sustainability plan” that would offer several specific options for...

Jessie Stensland reports: An Oak Harbor subcommittee charged with reviewing ideas for spending federal stimulus money came up with a $2 million list of expenses, from iPads for council members to new city employees. They Said It Councilmember Tara Hizon, a member of the subcommittee, said the list is for...

Tying into the controversy surrounding the Oak Harbor City Councils vote of no-confidence in City Administrator Blaine Oborn and Mayor Bob Severns subsequent defense of Oborn, the mayor asked city employees for anonymous comments. In the results, there were shots taken at both sides of the issue. The comments covered...

The Oak Harbor School Board approved a 22 year bond that will be on the ballot in February 2022. The bond funds will be used to build three new elementary schools, a new transportation center, and a new HomeConnection/Hand-in-Hand early Childhood Learning Center. For more details on exactly what this...

Oak Harbor Mayor Bob Severns went through a PowerPoint presentation at the City Council meeting that addressed the City Council’s no-confidence vote in City Administrator Blain Oborn. Mayor Severns went through each point raised by the council’s motion of no-confidence to explain the reasons why the complaints were either misleading...

Oak Harbor City Councilmember Joel Servatius and 4 candidates who are running for seats on the City Council discussed several issues including affordable housing, public art and constituent communication at a forum hosted by the League of Women Voters last week. Each person had much to say about their positions...

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...

Dan Evans, a local business owner and past president of the Oak Harbor Main Street Association is competing with Fe Mischo, a community advocate and worker at the Spin Cafe, for the seat on the Oak Harbor City Council being vacated by Erica Wasinger who is not seeking re-election. Mischo...

Editor Jessie Stensland wrote an In Our Opinion column in the Oct. 16 edition of the Whidbey News-Times endorsing several candidates for school boards. They Said It Jessie Stensland: Voters should support the incumbents islandwide. They are open and proud about their records, as they should be. For the Oak...

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....