South Whidbey’s Top 10 | The biggest news stories of 2009 on the South End

December 31, 2009 2:04 pm
The South Whidbey School Board voted to close Langley Middle School as part of a massive restructuring plan earlier this year. The historic community landmark once housed Langley High School.
The South Whidbey School Board voted to close Langley Middle School as part of a massive restructuring plan earlier this year. The historic community landmark once housed Langley High School.

LMS TO CLOSE:

School board passes radical restructuring plan, votes to shutter Langley Middle School and move students to the high school campus in light of $1.8 million budget gap.

GLENDALE FLOOD:

A break in a massive beaver dam sends a wall of water, mud and debris roaring down Glendale Creek overnight, swamping homes and washing out Glendale Road. Damage is later estimated at more than $5 million.

NO RESERVATIONS:

Whidbey residents slam a proposal for reservations on the state ferry system, an idea that would greatly impact how islanders use the ferry system. Ferry officials announce a rollout of the system, starting in spring 2011 on the Keystone-Port Townsend route.

DOWN ECONOMY:

Foreclosures rise in Island County as the sputtering economy fails to recover. Beloved local icons including the Dog House in Langley and Rockhoppers in Clinton close. Linds also closes its doors in Langley, and the Red Apple closed in Bayview.

HUNTING BAN AT DEER LAGOON:

County commissioners reject partial closure compromise and ban all shooting at popular duck-hunting area.

NICHOLS IS BACK:

Freeland shipyard rebounds from bankruptcy and sale with contracts for new ferries, expanded workforce and new CEO.

BELEAGUERED BUDGET:

Facing a $1.2 million budget deficit for 2010, Island County commissioners grapple with new budget cuts and potential layoffs.

DIKING DISPUTE:

The controversy over assessments for a new pump in Diking District 1 lead to multiple lawsuits against district officials, a review of the project by the Army Corps of Engineers, and a call by one diking commissioner for an attorney general investigation on alleged wrongdoing by longtime diking officials.

NO GROWTH:

Langley officials extend the ban on new subdivisions twice in 2009, leading some to say Langley is sending out a “no growth” message that is hurting local businesses.

THREE-PEAT:

South Whidbey High’s Lindsey Newman wins her third straight state 2A tennis title. Newman is the only athlete in school history to win back-to-back-to-back titles, in any sport.