Whidbey Island

Thomas Litrenta, known as the Chef in the Black Bandana, makes pasta from scratch on June 30, 2023, in Oak Harbor. Litrenta and co-owner Crystal Madrigal are among dozens of Whidbey Island restaurateurs who complained to the Island County about its food inspector’s alleged behavior. (Karina Andrew / Whidbey News-Times file)

Island County suspends food inspections amid complaints

The decision came after about 30 restaurateurs complained about the food inspector. Inspections are expected to fully resume next week.

 

Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam, left, and Clyde Shaver

Arlington council member to run for state rep against Shavers

Yvonne Gallardo-Van Ornam called it a “little embarrassing” to have Oak Harbor Rep. Clyde Shavers “representing veterans.”

 

Penn Cover Brewery owners, Mitch and Mark Aparicio, at their new Freeland location on Thursday, July 22, 2021. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Penn Cove Brewing closes doors in Lake Stevens, on Whidbey Island

The brewery with taprooms in Coupeville, Freeland and Lake Stevens announced Saturday it would close all three locations.

 

Hierophant Meadery owners and operators Michelle Scandalis and Jeremy Kyncl sit in the tasting room on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Freeland, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

All the buzz: For Whidbey’s Hierophant Meadery, sustainability is sweet

Jeremy Kyncl and Michelle Scandalis strive to influence culture around environmental issues through their business.

Hierophant Meadery owners and operators Michelle Scandalis and Jeremy Kyncl sit in the tasting room on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Freeland, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
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Island County pays $2.75M to former Navy chief shot after standoff

A lawsuit alleged the Island County Sheriff’s Office was responsible for “state-created danger.”

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Narissa Jackson holds a sevilla isopod, one of the bigger critters in her collection. (Photo by Luisa Loi)

Whidbey woman makes pets out of not-so-creepy crawlies

On top of being “cute” and entertaining, Narissa Jackson’s isopods help her with some house chores.

Narissa Jackson holds a sevilla isopod, one of the bigger critters in her collection. (Photo by Luisa Loi)
West Beach Road was closed and residents were evacuated during the wind storm Tuesday. (John Fisken / Whidbey News Times)

Whidbey homes damaged, road closed, ferry rocked in wild wind storm

A wind storm toppled a tree onto a house, canceled ferry trips and prompted evacuations Tuesday.

West Beach Road was closed and residents were evacuated during the wind storm Tuesday. (John Fisken / Whidbey News Times)
Paul Sarkis presents a finished pizza. He and his wife Lila Sarkis recently started a take-and-bake pizza business. (Photo by David Welton)

Slice of life: Whidbey Island pizza business offers redemption

A Freeland couple is accepting orders for Feral Slice Pizza, its take-and-bake pizza biz in Clinton.

Paul Sarkis presents a finished pizza. He and his wife Lila Sarkis recently started a take-and-bake pizza business. (Photo by David Welton)
Everett

Man and woman identified in suspected murder-suicide in Everett

Jason Hadnot, 47, and Samantha Zeine, 42, were found deceased Friday in the 2500 block of Euclid Avenue.

Everett
Beaches and hiking trails at Deception Pass State Park are a 20-minute walk from the Island Transit bus stop near the park entrance on Highway 20 on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

From Mukilteo to Deception Pass on $6, bagel not included

Newsflash: In Island County, bus rides are free. Traveling the length of Whidbey Island can be an ideal winter day-trip.

Beaches and hiking trails at Deception Pass State Park are a 20-minute walk from the Island Transit bus stop near the park entrance on Highway 20 on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, in Oak Harbor, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Good Cheer’s two thrift stores are great places to find Christmas decorations and other knick-knacks. (File photo by David Welton)

A guide to gift buying on Whidbey Island

Consider these unique gift idea suggestions from the South Whidbey Record and the Whidbey News-Times

Good Cheer’s two thrift stores are great places to find Christmas decorations and other knick-knacks. (File photo by David Welton)
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Whidbey Island has one of highest wildlife-vehicle crash rates

Most of the reported vehicle-wildlife collisions involve deer, according to WSDOT.

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Kelly Cameron of Turnco Wood Goods created a bevy of giant wooden doll sculptures as part of a grant that was awarded to the Clinton Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by David Welton)

Whidbey Island comes alive with wooden sculptures

Clinton gained a few new residents recently, courtesy Kelly Cameron of Turnco Wood Goods.

Kelly Cameron of Turnco Wood Goods created a bevy of giant wooden doll sculptures as part of a grant that was awarded to the Clinton Chamber of Commerce. (Photo by David Welton)
Ferry workers wait for cars to start loading onto the M/V Kitsap on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Longtime state ferry commuters: ‘This is the worst it’s been’

Thousands of commuters rely on the Edmonds-Kingston and Mukilteo-Clinton ferries. But delays and cancellations have piled up.

Ferry workers wait for cars to start loading onto the M/V Kitsap on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A person and child watch seagulls on the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry in Washington on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Mukilteo-Clinton ferry on 1-boat service as outage sparks delays

Ferry commuters also dealt with a fare processing problem that slowed transactions Thursday morning.

A person and child watch seagulls on the Mukilteo-Clinton ferry in Washington on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Mackensie Bennett holds a piece that reminds some people of the Eye of Sauron, and others of an alligator. (Photo by David Welton)

Eye for glass: Whidbey artist creates ‘Gypsy Gems’

Much of what Mackensie Bennett creates is inspired by the natural world.

Mackensie Bennett holds a piece that reminds some people of the Eye of Sauron, and others of an alligator. (Photo by David Welton)
Mr. Pumpkin

Mike Case-Smith remembered as ‘Mr. Pumpkin’

A man remembered as “Mr. Pumpkin” by generations of Oak Harbor families recently passed away.

Mr. Pumpkin
A man walks through the M/V Kitsap on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mukilteo-Clinton ferry gets grant for renovations focused on walk-ons

The $4.8 million grant from the feds will be split between six aging Washington ferries, to improve the vessels’ interiors.

A man walks through the M/V Kitsap on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A Freeland woman was killed in a trailer home. Her son is accused of her murder. (Photo by David Welton)

Whidbey Island man accused of murdering mother, held on $1M bail

Justin Wiener, 32, of Freeland, is accused of murdering Brenda Wiener, 53. The motive for the crime is unclear.

A Freeland woman was killed in a trailer home. Her son is accused of her murder. (Photo by David Welton)
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Island County man arrested in mother’s killing

On Friday, a Freeland man, 32, called authorities to report he’d assaulted his mother, according to police.

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