With 2023 resembling something close to pre-pandemic times, Whidbey residents had much to celebrate with a bevy of parades this year.
From the discovery of Joseph Whidbey’s will to the death of Tokitae the captive orca to controversy surrounding the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds, this past year was both lively and eventful.
The following are the top news stories from the front pages of the South Whidbey Record in 2023.
January
A total of 158 participants celebrated the new year by taking part in the annual Polar Bear Dive at Double Bluff Beach in Freeland.
Grethe Cammermeyer resigned from the WhidbeyHealth board of commissioners after 13 years.
Changes were on the horizon for the Langley Library, which prepared to undergo a $2 million renovation project to majorly update the library’s interior.
In the wake of a startling animal cruelty case, Whidbey residents raised concerns about county animal control operations, or lack thereof.
The city of Langley accidentally released sensitive bank account information. No fraudulent activity, however, was ever recorded. Scott Chaplin, the city’s then mayor, took full responsibility for the mistake.
The culinary producer of “The Bear” visited Whidbey and spent the weekend preparing meals at Captain Whidbey Inn in Coupeville.
One Freeland man’s photograph of a South Whidbey resident in drag as a bearded lady pirate caused a stir during an exhibit at the Oak Harbor Library.
A day of service at South Whidbey Elementary School honored Martin Luther King Jr.
A man was arrested for stealing the Pickles Deli sign. He was allegedly seen around several South Whidbey locations with the pickle-shaped sign.
A campaign dedicated to energy efficiency encouraged South Whidbey residents to “kick gas” and install a climate-friendly heat pump.
Island County commissioners awarded $7 million to three nonprofit organizations to build affordable housing.
King tides returned to Whidbey, prompting Island County commissioners to declare an emergency.
The man accused of stealing the Pickles Deli sign was arrested again for breaking the beloved Langley Whale Bell. A replacement bell was later donated.
Whidbey Island residents were advised to be on the lookout for a lost parrot that was last seen near the Goose Grocer in Bayview.
After a volatile year, the housing market on Whidbey rapidly cooled as interest rates soared.
A pair of divers recovered the bones of Allen Fletcher, who went missing in Langley in 2013. DNA testing later revealed they did indeed belong to him.
A pasta business opened in the commercial kitchen on the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds, later moving to a storefront location in Clinton.
A new community land trust focused on housing began on South Whidbey.
The new fire chief of South Whidbey Fire/EMS outlined his plans to increase fire safety in the community.
The federal government awarded Washington State Ferries a $4.9 million grant for the construction of a charging station at the Clinton ferry terminal for future hybrid-electric boats.
February
Elephant seal Ellison revealed his aggressive side when he dragged a harbor seal ashore a Central Whidbey beach after killing it.
A man was kicked off the Coupeville ferry and tased in a restaurant.
Island County’s Regional Transportation Organization received $403,200 from the federal government for road safety project planning.
Two judges made rulings in two separate Public Records Act lawsuits.
Deputies were on the lookout for a wanted man that was last seen in the Greenbank area with a gun and tactical vest. An eagle-eyed reader of the Whidbey News-Times later spotted him in Oak Harbor.
Curbside recycling became available for South Whidbey businesses.
A slew of runaway pigs found a home at Ballydidean Farm Sanctuary on South Whidbey.
An Illinois man discovered the will of Joseph Whidbey and donated it to the South Whidbey Historical Society.
Two Whidbey Island residents were injured in a car accident on South Whidbey.
A Clinton thrift shop owner planned a costumed trek across Whidbey.
The Whidbey Island Fairgrounds’ Pole Barn Auditorium recived a makeover.
WhidbeyHealth named a new CEO and appointed a new hospital board commissioner.
The city of Langley considered downsizing the number of its citizen-led commissions.
A cross-country totem pole journey led by the House of Tears Carvers of the Lummi Nation started on Whidbey.
March
Detectives scurried around downtown Langley to solve the 38th annual Mystery Weekend.
An economist forecasted a healthy housing market for Whidbey.
The Low Income Housing Institute, which has plans to open a shelter in Freeland, faced a tough crowd during a community meeting.
Citizens for Safe and Humane Fireworks formed to advocate for a ban on pyrotechnics in unincorporated areas.
The city of Langley began accepting applications for a city administrator, who was later hired.
A Clinton teenager was accused of stealing $15,000 worth of merchandise from a vape shop in Bayview and selling it to students of South Whidbey High School.
A new juice and wellness shop opened in Langley.
Three people were seriously injured in a head-on crash on South Whidbey.
The Langley City Council wondered if more could be done to fill empty storefronts.
April
The Miami Seaquarium announced that Tokitae, an orca also known as Lolita, may be returned to the Salish Sea. The orca was the last living orca taken into captivity during the 1970 round up in Penn Cove. Groups had been advocating for her release for decades. Sadly, the orca died later in the year.
Island County named a new public health director.
Juvenile vandals targeted buildings and bunnies on the Whidbey Island Fairgrounds during a spring break crime spree.
A sinking basalt column in the Langley Woodmen Cemetery was seen as a grave concern. Funds were raised to bring it back up.
A new makeup store opened in Langley.
Student athletes, coaches and parents spoke out against a South Whidbey School District rule for bus drivers prohibiting stops for food or bathroom breaks after sporting events.
The South Whidbey School District’s $80 million bond measure failed in a special election. It later passed in November.
May
The Port of South Whidbey created controversy by deciding not to ask tenants of buildings on the fairgrounds to vacate during the Whidbey Island Fair, which was the practice in the past. The decision left less room for fair exhibits and activities. Organizers of the fair later decided not to cancel it.
The Langley City Council approved a decrease in the mayor’s annual salary, from $55,000 to $12,000.
A South Whidbey underwater robotics team qualified for an international competition.
Hedgebrook, a nonprofit organization in Freeland supporting women writers, celebrated its 35th anniversary.
A historic log cabin was discovered inside a Langley home slated for demolition.
June
An EA-18G Growler aircraft from NAS Whidbey malfunctioned over Whidbey and was witnessed by several Coupeville residents, who reported unusual smoke and noise.
Langley Finance Director Wanda Grone resigned, but withdrew her resignation a week later.
Langley city officials advised residents to keep an eye out for teenage mischief in the Village by the Sea.
A highly contagious rabbit disease decimated Langley’s famous population of bunnies. Disposal sites were set for the bunny carcasses.
The state Department of Transporation was awarded a $7.5 million bus and facilities grant on behalf of Island Transit.
July
Island County commissioners discussed banning fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county, but the measure did not have enough support to pass.
In the wake of a deadly disease affecting Langley’s population of feral domestic rabbits, a subcommittee formed to address issues related to wildlife.
A sushi chef rolled out a new restaurant in Langley.
South Whidbey’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program announced its closure after more than two decades of operation.
Langley Mayor Scott Chaplin became embroiled in a dispute between two roommates when he covered up a Ring camera.
A meth smoker delayed the Clinton-Mukilteo ferry.
Ferry workers saved a kitten marooned on a wing wall of the ferry dock in Clinton. A pair of ferry workers later adopted the kitty, which they named “Buoy.”
August
Coupeville resident Eric Arnold won the grand prize in Ivar’s “Where’s the Ferry?” contest. To win the prize, Arnold composed a song wondering about the whereabouts of the ferry.
The Whidbey Homeless Coalition’s homeless shelter in Coupeville opened. The Haven offers overnight emergency shelter.
A naked and intoxicated Clinton man was arrested for allegedly pointing a gun at a deputy.
A Clinton pet store began collecting kennels for animals displaced by the fires on Maui.
Whidbey bade farewell to Tokitae the orca.
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell visited South Whidbey to tout a broadband project.
September
A federal judge ordered the Navy to redo an environmental study on the impact of expanded EA-18G Growler operations at NAS Whidbey. The judge, however, ruled that the Navy can continue operations at the current levels as the study is being done.
Tests results from untreated wastewater in Oak Harbor and Coupeville showed a spike in COVID-19.
A new store for kitchen essentials opened in Langely.
Enso House in Freeland celebrated its 20th anniversary and prepared to end its residential hospice services.
A fire on Langley Road destroyed an apartment.
Danielle Cruz was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for driving while impaired and causing a crash on South Whidbey two years prior that killed Sharon Gamble and Kenneth Weikle.
Washington State Ferries employees found a number of feline stowaways aboard the Clinton-Mukilteo boats.
Clinton resident Jeffrey Bryan was killed in a motorcycle accident on South Whidbey.
Bruiser, Whidbey’s sole elk, made national news after the News-Times reported an incident in which he attacked a car that stopped near him on the North End. Nobody was injured and the state wildlife agents have no plans to move the big guy.
October
A woman was accused of keying cars in Langley and fleeing from police.
A salvage crew removed a derelict vessel from a Clinton beach on behalf of the state Department of Natural Resources.
The newsroom of the Whidbey News-Times and South Whidbey Record won a record 25 awards in the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association’s Better Newspaper contest. Record reporter Kira Erickson won first place as Feature Writer of the Year. The News-Times won third place in general excellence. Erickson, Karina Andrew, David Welton and Jessie Stensland also garnered many other individual awards.
A Greenbank man was accused of selling stolen car parts on Facebook Marketplace.
A Clinton couple barged a recycled house over from Bainbridge Island. Workers had to take down power lines and signs for it to pass through the streets of South Whidbey.
Builders and developers aired grievances at a commissioners’ meeting with the county permitting process.
Island County commissioners adopted a new animal welfare code.
Whidbey resident Richard Martin was discovered naked while burglarizing a business for the second time. He acted unruly in court and had to be removed.
A man was accused of smashing ATMs around Freeland businesses.
A Goose Grocer courtesy clerk was chosen for a state bagging competition, which he placed second in.
November
A suspect in serial bathroom-related arson cases was arrested in Coupeville. Firefighters responded to seven reports of fires in restrooms and port-a-potties on Central Whidbey over the year. The Coupeville marshal staked out the restrooms in the town and allegedly caught Ryan Parish in the act. He was charged with two counts of arson.
Mobile Turkey Unit celebrated 25 years of preparing and providing Thanksgiving meals to community members in need.
The city of Langley received a $100,000 grant to study water resiliency.
Kennedy Horstman is elected as the mayor of Langley. Craig Cyr retains his seat on the Langley City Council, and Chris Carlson is also elected to the council.
Bonds for the South Whidbey Parks and Recreation District and the South Whidbey School District both pass in the general election.
A judge sided with the city of Langley in a 4-year-old public records lawsuit.
Freeland resident Justin Wiener was accused of murdering his mother, Brenda Wiener. He allegedly walked to Nichols Bros. Boat Builders with blood on his hands and confessed to committing a crime. Prosecutors charged him with murder in the first degree.
An elephant seal from California was spotted in Mutiny Bay on Thanksgiving Day. She didn’t stick around for long.
December
The Langley City Council approved modest increases for utility rates.
The Langley City Council approved a new ordinance with serious consequences for unpermitted tree removal in the Village by the Sea.
A Greenbank man was suspected of pointing a gun in his girlfriend’s face and throwing a boulder through a car window.
An Island County dog was diagnosed with a confounding respiratory disease that has been making national headlines.
Island Transit added 38 acres to its Coupeville campus.
The streets of Langley were teeming with mermaids, jellyfish, sea anemones, seals, sharks, shrimp and, of course, whales of all kinds as people in colorful costumes celebrated the return of the annual Welcome the Whales parade in April. (Photo by David Welton)
Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon applies a fresh coat of lipstick at Bandbox Beauty Supply, her new store in Langley that opened earlier this year. Customers can find cruelty-free and predominantly vegan cosmetics, fragrances, skin, body and nail care products that adhere to the European Union’s chemical safety standards for beauty products. (Photo by David Welton)
Tevon Dubois and Chanel Jost pose in front of their house as it is loaded onto a truck at a Possession Point dock. (Photo by David Welton)
