Driver airlifted to Harborview

Bobby Lehman, 22, of Clinton was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center late Saturday night after his Chevrolet Camaro crashed into a tree on Cultus Bay Road.

As of Tuesday morning, Lehman remained in an induced coma after doctors diagnosed two broken legs, some severed tendons, a broken finger and bruised lung.

It took a Fire District 3 emergency service team two hours to extricate him from the vehicle. He was alone in the car.

Island County Sheriff spokesman Lt. Evan Tingstad said speed was a definite factor in the accident.

“The driver was headed south when he swerved to avoid a vehicle stopped at Log Cabin Road,” Tingstad said. “He ran off the roadway and hit a tree which then fell on the car. At this time, there is no evidence of alcohol.”

Lehman’s aunt, Bonnie Nichols, said a donation fund for Lehman’s medical expenses has been established at Whidbey Island Bank.

Design board has vacancy

Langley is accepting applications to fill a volunteer position on the city’s Design Review Board.

Robin Adams served in this position until recently resigning from the board.

Applicants must be residents of Langley, and no specific technical expertise is required. The application deadline is Friday, Sept. 12.

The Design Review Board is a five-member volunteer body that is responsible for reviewing site design, architectural design and landscaping for all public and private development applications except single family residences. All commercial and non-commercial signage is also subject to review.

The Design Review Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in Langley City Hall.

More information and the volunteer application are available at click here.

Sheriff speaks to Democrats

Island County Sheriff Mark Brown will speak to the Whidbey Island Democratic Club at its general membership meeting next week.

The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 in Hayes Hall at the Skagit Valley College campus in Oak Harbor. Brown will speak about “The State of the Sheriff’s Office,” including his 2009 budget proposal and manpower issue, followed by questions and answers. Guests, visitors and interested citizens are encouraged to attend.

County burn ban partly lifted

Due to the increase in moisture levels and available fire resources, Island County has lifted the current ban on outdoor burning in the unincorporated areas of Island County.

Written burn permits are now available by appointment. A permanent ban on open burning remains in effect in the cities of Langley, Coupeville and Oak Harbor and the cities’ urban growth areas.

Anyone living in an area where open burning is allowed who wants to have a fire, must call

360-679-7378 to obtain a burn permit. Fires under 4 feet in diameter do not require a burn permit.

Fires larger than 4 feet in diameter require a written burn permit.

Sheriff Mark Brown warned that burning garbage and the use of burn barrels is illegal statewide and subject to fines up to $1,000.

Property owners falling under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources should call 360-856-3500 for burn permit information.

For information, contact the county fire warden’s office at 360-679-7378.

New council meeting started

Langley City Council meetings are now the first and third Mondays each month at 6:30 p.m. When Monday is a holiday, the council meeting will be on Tuesday.

The council met Tuesday to vote on an agreement with Nichols Brothers Boat Builders and to authorize the city to apply for a $5,000 grant for event shuttle services.

They also discussed the city’s current budget and amendments, demographic projections and a Council of Governments’ resolution promoting reduction in waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information and agendas, go to click here.

The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 15.

The council also holds an informal workshop session at 4 p.m. before each council meeting.