WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Prosecutor Greg Banks asked Judge Christon Skinner to step aside from Tracy Abuhl’s mask‑mandate election case over party and conflict concerns, but Skinner rejected the motion and set the case for jury trial.
Jessie Stensland
WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Commissioner Jill Johnson (R-Oak Harbor) is on month‑long medical leave after a health scare, aiming to recover fully while staying engaged remotely with key county issues and meetings.
WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Judge declines to remove Prosecutor Greg Banks from Tracy Abuhl’s criminal case over alleged mask‑mandate violations at the 2024 ballot count but orders better discovery, independent legal advice for Auditor Sheilah Crider on privilege issues, and a new trial date.
WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Investigator Jeffrey James found hostile‑environment allegations against Island County Commissioner Jill Johnson unsubstantiated, noting her confrontational but improving style, no pending complaints, and political tensions with Democratic colleagues over the investigation.
WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Ex-school board candidate David Mahaffy is challenging Coupeville levy ballot language as biased for calling the levies “necessary,” while the school district supports the levies but does not oppose changing that word.
WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Commissioner Melanie Bacon, citing ongoing animosity between Janet St. Clair and Jill Johnson, rejected supporting either as 2026 chair; both later agreed to back her continuing in the role.
WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: After passing the 2026 budget and justice sales tax, Island County commissioners froze five new law-and-justice positions until June, citing concerns about unfunded 2027 cost increases.
WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES: Island County narrowly approved a 0.1% sales tax hike and 2026 budget, boosting justice funding but prompting warnings about affordability, future cost increases, and a looming 2027 budget shortfall.