Whidbey Island

Washington’s most beloved state park turns 100

Deception Pass State Park, which draws as many visitors as the best-known national parks in the U.S., celebrates a century of recreation and conservation

 

Andy Bronson / The Herald Pedaling his legs as he holds onto hand rails, Jim Freeman shows off the rare railroad caboose he calls home on Wednesday, Apr. 20, 2016 in Freeland, Wa. Freeman, 68, calls himself the Conductor of Fun.

‘End of an era’ with death of Whidbey celebrity Jim Freeman

Freeman, 74, lived in a train caboose and was the Conductor of Fun. “His sneakers will never be filled.”

 

Ryan Elting, conservation director at the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, talks about the important ecosystem the shoreline provides Friday, June 10, 2022, at the site of the Keystone Preserve near Coupeville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

In ‘emergency acquisition,’ 226 acres of Whidbey Island’s farmland, forest saved

The beachside Keystone Preserve, south of Coupeville, is the Whidbey Camano Land Trust’s largest purchase at $9.1 million.

 

An early photo of the Mukilteo Lighthouse, which was automated in 1979. (Mukilteo Historical Society)

Three Beacons: Take a tour of three Everett-area lighthouses

These beacons guided mariners to safety for many years — since 1861, in one case. Here are their stories.

An early photo of the Mukilteo Lighthouse, which was automated in 1979. (Mukilteo Historical Society)
A ferry heads out from Mukilteo towards Clinton during the evening commute Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

$1 billion to fund 5 new hybrid ferries, but who wants to build them?

The state is seeking bids for a shipbuilder. The first ferry will serve the Mukilteo-Clinton route. It already has a name.

A ferry heads out from Mukilteo towards Clinton during the evening commute Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Take a tour of our three local lighthouses

These beacons guided mariners to safety for many years — since 1861, in one case. Here are their stories.

The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it's one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The A.J. Eisenberg Airport in Oak Harbor. (Karina Andrew / Whidbey News-Times)

Local pilot plans to buy Whidbey Island airport

Robert DeLaurentis, known as the “Zen Pilot,” submitted a letter of intent to purchase the A.J. Eisenberg Airport.

The A.J. Eisenberg Airport in Oak Harbor. (Karina Andrew / Whidbey News-Times)
Basil Hassoun gives a speech at the "Conan Can" trash can dedication ceremony by City Hall in Langley, Washington, on June 10, 2022. (Submitted photo)

To honor Conan O’Brien’s visit, Langley names a trash can after him

The famous talk show host was on Whidbey Island for his playwright wife’s show at WICA.

Basil Hassoun gives a speech at the "Conan Can" trash can dedication ceremony by City Hall in Langley, Washington, on June 10, 2022. (Submitted photo)
A puzzle is back on a ferry table on the Mukilteo-Clinton route. Community jigsaw puzzles, a passenger pastime on most routes, were removed during COVID. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)

Your chance to quiz those who are running the ferry system

Washington State Ferries is holding another round of virtual meetings for updates and questions.

A puzzle is back on a ferry table on the Mukilteo-Clinton route. Community jigsaw puzzles, a passenger pastime on most routes, were removed during COVID. (Andrea Brown / The Herald)
Photo by David Welton

Whidbey Island’s oldest winery is closing

After three decades in operation, the owners of Whidbey Island Winery have announced their retirement.

Photo by David Welton
From left, Rachael Carrigan, Nate Hanson, Erin Hanson, Jeff Hanson and Kacie Hanson pose for a group photo at Thirsty Crab Brewing in Clinton. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Quite a leap of faith’: Family’s taproom opens in Clinton

The Hanson family has weathered the COVID storm and has at last opened their taproom in Clinton.

From left, Rachael Carrigan, Nate Hanson, Erin Hanson, Jeff Hanson and Kacie Hanson pose for a group photo at Thirsty Crab Brewing in Clinton. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Brace for Memorial Day weekend traffic and long ferry lines

Leave at non-peak hours to avoid road congestion and ferry backups. The passes will be busy, too.

Photos by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times The Jacob and Sarah Ebey House will open to public visitors Memorial Day weekend.

A landmark steeped in 19th century history reopens on Whidbey

Beginning May 28, you can venture inside one of the state’s oldest buildings: The Jacob and Sarah Ebey House, which dates from the 1850s.

Photos by Karina Andrew/Whidbey News-Times The Jacob and Sarah Ebey House will open to public visitors Memorial Day weekend.
A fatal accident the afternoon of Dec. 18 near Clinton ended with one of the cars involved bursting into flames. The driver of the fully engulfed car was outside of the vehicle by the time first responders arrived at the scene. (Whidbey News-Times/Submitted photo)

Lynnwood woman accused of killing 2 in 2021 Whidbey crash

A judge found probable cause existed to believe Danielle C. Cruz committed vehicular homicide in December.

A fatal accident the afternoon of Dec. 18 near Clinton ended with one of the cars involved bursting into flames. The driver of the fully engulfed car was outside of the vehicle by the time first responders arrived at the scene. (Whidbey News-Times/Submitted photo)
A pod of transient orcas, known as T124As, surfacing near Tacoma. (Craig Craker/Orca Network)

Sightings of mammal-eating orcas increasing in Puget Sound

The killer whales enjoy a diet of harbor seals, sea lions, porpoises and the occasional bird or squid.

A pod of transient orcas, known as T124As, surfacing near Tacoma. (Craig Craker/Orca Network)
Dwight Henline (San Juan County Sheriff’s Office)

Whidbey man accused of setting fire to Friday Harbor stores

The April 6 fire caused millions of dollars in damage and destroyed multiple businesses.

Dwight Henline (San Juan County Sheriff’s Office)
Randy Tharp and his 6-year-old son hang by the railing of a dock and count ducks at Lake Goodwin Community Park on Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Whole new demon’: Fentanyl deaths soar, and recovery is harder

“I don’t think society realizes how big a problem it is,” said Randy Tharp, an ex-dealer in Snohomish County. Doctors agree.

Randy Tharp and his 6-year-old son hang by the railing of a dock and count ducks at Lake Goodwin Community Park on Saturday, April 9, 2022, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Deborah Palmer

Oak Harbor girl’s murder remains unsolved after 25 years

Police hope advances in forensic science can help break case of the 7-year-old’s killing.

Deborah Palmer
Renee Boyce Boyce uses a technique called dotillism to create elaborate and colorful patterns on flat rocks.

Hundreds upon thousands of dots add up to dazzling works of art

Creating intricate mandalas on flat rocks is an emotional process for this Whidbey Island artist.

Renee Boyce Boyce uses a technique called dotillism to create elaborate and colorful patterns on flat rocks.
An EA-18G Growler taxis down the airstrip on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island during the squadron’s welcome home ceremony in August 2017. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Wood/U.S. Navy)

Whidbey Growlers fly to Germany to ‘bolster’ NATO against Russia

Six EA-18G Growler jets and 240 Navy personnel from NAS Whidbey headed to Europe on Monday.

An EA-18G Growler taxis down the airstrip on Naval Air Station Whidbey Island during the squadron’s welcome home ceremony in August 2017. (Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Wood/U.S. Navy)