Whidbey Island

Mona Newbauer, 62, pours caramel into a machine inside her store Sweet Mona's Chocolates on March 21, 2024 in Langley, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Sweet Mona’s Chocolates in Langley stirs up treats for all tastes

Chocolate slugs, whales, truffles and caramels are among sweets in the shop Mona Newbauer founded in 2006.

 

Trees and foliage grow at the Rockport State Park on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 in Rockport, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

When you get lost in WA, what’s the cost to get rescued? Surprisingly little

Washington’s volunteer search and rescue teams save lives without costly bills.

 

Homeowner Ryan Anderson sits on the bunk beds in the ferry quarters at Ferry Cove, the latest feature in the 5-bedroom waterfront vacation rental in Clinton. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

This Whidbey rental is like walking onto a state ferry

This 5-bedroom beachfront Airbnb has rooms patterned after “The Parent Trap,” “The African Queen” and the ferry Tokitae.

 

Aurora Echo, owner of Wildly Beloved Foods, begins making cavatelli pasta with one of her Bottene pasta machine on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Clinton, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Whidbey artisanal pasta maker shares her secrets

For Aurora Echo of Wildly Beloved Foods in Clinton, “sharing food is so ancient; it feels so good.”

Aurora Echo, owner of Wildly Beloved Foods, begins making cavatelli pasta with one of her Bottene pasta machine on Thursday, June 27, 2024 in Clinton, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Matt Nichols stands overlooking the National Geographic Venture, a 238-foot cruise boat built at NBBB’s Freeland facility, on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in Langley, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Matt Nichols, last of the Nichols Brothers, retires from Whidbey shipyard

Over the decades, his six brothers, two sisters and two sons have worked at the boat-building company started by his dad in 1964.

Nichols Brothers Boat Builders Matt Nichols stands overlooking the National Geographic Venture, a 238-foot cruise boat built at NBBB’s Freeland facility, on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018, in Langley, Washington. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

On Mukilteo-Clinton route, small boat means continued long ferry lines

The 144-car Suquamish was scheduled to replace the 90-car Sealth, which has been temporarily serving the route.

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A person wears a pride flag in their hat during the second annual Arlington Pride at Legion memorial Park in Arlington, Washington, on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Judge blocks parts of Washington’s new parental rights law

The South Whidbey School District is among the plaintiffs in a lawsuit over the law giving parents access to counseling records for their children.

A person wears a pride flag in their hat during the second annual Arlington Pride at Legion memorial Park in Arlington, Washington, on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Homeowners Jim and Chris Hall stand beneath their new heat pump, at right, inside their Whidbey Island home on Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. The couple, who are from Alaska, have decreased their use of their wood burning stove to reduce their carbon footprint. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Snohomish County to start ‘kicking gas’ in push for all-electric homes

Last year, 118 Whidbey Island homes installed energy-efficient heat pumps. A new campaign aims to make the case for induction stoves now, too.

Homeowners Jim and Chris Hall stand beneath their new heat pump, at right, inside their Whidbey Island home on Thursday, Sep. 7, 2023, near Langley, Washington. The couple, who are from Alaska, have decreased their use of their wood burning stove to reduce their carbon footprint. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Pride flag vandalism raises concerns on Whidbey Island

Reports of theft involving LGBTQ+ pride-themed displays have increased around South Whidbey.

Coupeville Beekeeper Bruce Eckholm collects a swarm of bees in Oak Harbor (Photo courtesy of Gary Gillespie)

Coupeville beekeeper wards off large swarm

Oak Harbor residents were at home on Thursday when buzzing thundered from outside.

Coupeville Beekeeper Bruce Eckholm collects a swarm of bees in Oak Harbor (Photo courtesy of Gary Gillespie)
Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Finally! State goes out to bid for new hybrid-electric ferries

Deliveries will begin in 2028, if all goes well. The ferries will serve the Mukilteo-Clinton and Seattle-Bremerton routes.

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Stephen Chavez, owner of Crossed Arrows Brewery, speaks about the future of his brewery. (Photo by Caitlyn Anderson)

Army veteran right at home with Crossed Arrows Brewery on Whidbey Island

At his home-based brewery, Stephen Chavez makes the beer he likes, with flavors like root beer, creamsicle and jalapeño.

Stephen Chavez, owner of Crossed Arrows Brewery, speaks about the future of his brewery. (Photo by Caitlyn Anderson)
Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

Freeland massage therapist charged with sex crimes

The judge set bail at $7,500 for the health care provider, who was accused of sexually assaulting two clients last year.

Logo for news use featuring Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. 220118
Greenbank resident Kristi O’Donnell admires a patch of rhododendrons at the side of Highway 525 that she helped save nearly 20 years ago. (Photo by David Welton)

Whidbey Island woman watches the fruits of her labor blossom each spring

Motorists on Highway 525 get to see rhododendrons bloom each year because of Kristi O’Donnell’s efforts 20 years ago.

Greenbank resident Kristi O’Donnell admires a patch of rhododendrons at the side of Highway 525 that she helped save nearly 20 years ago. (Photo by David Welton)
Tony Cladusbid, co-owner of the Beaver Tales Coffee franchise, watches over the canoe racing at the Penn Cove Water Festival on Saturday. (Photo by Sam Fletcher)

More than coffee: Swinomish Native shares family history and wisdom

Tony Cladusbid is the co-owner of Beaver Tales Coffee in Coupeville. He recently changed his name to honor his heritage.

Tony Cladusbid, co-owner of the Beaver Tales Coffee franchise, watches over the canoe racing at the Penn Cove Water Festival on Saturday. (Photo by Sam Fletcher)
Photo by Gina Shields of GM Photography

Whidbey Island to salute the fallen for Memorial Day

All are invited to honor those who have fallen at three events on Whidbey Island.

Photo by Gina Shields of GM Photography
Some of the crew involved with the Whidbey Renaissance Faire. (Photo by Bill Huls)
Some of the crew involved with the Whidbey Renaissance Faire. (Photo by Bill Huls)
Whidbey Renaissance Faire volunteers pose in their costumes. (Photo by Bree Eaton)

Faire thee well: Renaissance is coming to Whidbey Island

The volunteer-run fair May 25 and 26 will feature dancers, a juggler, ‘Fakespeare,’ various live music shows and lots of food.

Whidbey Renaissance Faire volunteers pose in their costumes. (Photo by Bree Eaton)
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)

Navy jet noise could mean long-term health impacts for Whidbey Island

For everyone living in Oak Harbor and Coupeville, the noise was as loud as a rock concert, researchers said.

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)
Bruiser, photographed here in November 2021, is Whidbey Island’s lone elk. Over the years he has gained quite the following. Fans were concerned for his welfare Wednesday when a rumor circulated social media about his supposed death. A confirmed sighting of him was made Wednesday evening after the false post. (Jay Londo )

Whidbey Island’s elk-in-residence Bruiser not guilty of rumored assault

Recent rumors of the elk’s alleged aggression have been greatly exaggerated, according to state Fish and Wildlife.

Bruiser, photographed here in November 2021, is Whidbey Island’s lone elk. Over the years he has gained quite the following. Fans were concerned for his welfare Wednesday when a rumor circulated social media about his supposed death. A confirmed sighting of him was made Wednesday evening after the false post. (Jay Londo )