Camano Island

Deborah Rumbaugh

‘Very hostile work environment’: Stanwood-Camano school supe resigns

Superintendent Deborah Rumbaugh said Tuesday she’ll be gone at the end of the school year.

 

Arlington

9K remain without power in Snohomish, Island counties

At one point Monday afternoon, over 20,000 had lost power. Winds were expected to subside.

 

Logo for news use featuring Camano Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

Camano man who killed father sentenced to over 20 years

Despite an argument he was criminally insane, Dominic Wagstaff pleaded guilty this month to murder.

 

Guests enjoy the sunset and wind Friday afternoon at Cama Beach Historical State Park on Camano Island on October 25, 2019. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Cama Beach cabins to remain closed permanently

State staff recommended Thursday’s move because of the park’s native history, sea level rise and the cost of fixing septic issues.

Guests enjoy the sunset and wind Friday afternoon at Cama Beach Historical State Park on Camano Island on October 25, 2019. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Logo for news use featuring Camano Island in Island County, Washington. 220118

Camano man dies after Skagit County crash

Paul Hopkins was driving near Highway 11 on Tuesday night. He was 65.

Logo for news use featuring Camano Island in Island County, Washington. 220118
Carrie R. Kennedy, left, and Clyde Shavers

Whidbey Island candidate: US Rep deserves ‘firing squad’

Carrie Kennedy, a Republican running in the purple 10th Legislative District, has a long history of problematic posts.

Carrie R. Kennedy, left, and Clyde Shavers

After 3 years in jail, Camano murder suspect’s trial delayed again

In February 2021, prosecutors allege, Dominic Wagstaff shot and killed his father, shot his brother’s girlfriend and tried to shoot his brother.

Sam Schrantz waves a transgender pride flag during the Stanwood-Camano Pride event at Freedom Park in Camano, Washington on Saturday, June 1, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

She was a ‘lone soul’ before starting a Pride event for rural Snohomish County

In recent years, groups have led celebrations in Stanwood, Arlington, Lake Stevens and elsewhere — cities where “we absolutely need to find each other.”

Sam Schrantz waves a transgender pride flag during the Stanwood-Camano Pride event at Freedom Park in Camano, Washington on Saturday, June 1, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
People gather for a color throw at Stanwood and Camano’s first-ever Pride celebration on Saturday, June 4, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Snohomish County Pride guide 2024

Celebrate love locally this June at one of the many Pride events happening across the county.

People gather for a color throw at Stanwood and Camano’s first-ever Pride celebration on Saturday, June 4, 2022. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Students work on cutting pieces of paper for a mural during the "Afternoon of the Arts" program, where students spend part of the day on an art project at Utsalady Elementary on March 22, 2024 in Camano, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

‘Afternoon of the Arts’ makes time for creativity in Camano school

Once a month, Utsalady Elementary shuts down for students to do nothing but make art for hours. Arts advocates want to expand the program.

Students work on cutting pieces of paper for a mural during the "Afternoon of the Arts" program, where students spend part of the day on an art project at Utsalady Elementary on March 22, 2024 in Camano, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
A student reaches put their hands to feel raindrops as it begins to pour on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Hollow gestures’ won’t allow Camano forest school to survive, founders say

Island County officials acknowledged they should have given Springwood Forest School families more time to prepare for an impending closure.

A student reaches put their hands to feel raindrops as it begins to pour on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island, Washington. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20191121

Cabins at Cama Beach State Park to close indefinitely

A septic system failure forced the popular cabins to close starting Feb. 26. Visitors who had planned a trip will get refunds.

Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island, Washington. (Chuck Taylor / The Herald) 20191121
Heather White smiles while students raise their hands to answer a question on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

In child care desert, Camano’s pioneering forest school faces shutdown

Island County Public Works abruptly banned a school from a nature preserve, its cofounders said. Parents are outraged and aghast.

Heather White smiles while students raise their hands to answer a question on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
(Getty Images)

Hops and Sips: Camano’s first-ever cider festival is this weekend

Taste some of what local cideries have to offer and find a new favorite — plus, sample dozens more at Cider Summit Seattle.

(Getty Images)
If tourism is to become a force for good, then we must find projects that help make that happen. To learn more, visit Transformational Travel - Whidbey and Camano Islands at whidbeycamanoislands.com

Why Embrace?

By Jack Penland Atop our new logo sits a single word. All at once, it’s an invitation, a request and a promise. It’s also figurative… Continue reading

If tourism is to become a force for good, then we must find projects that help make that happen. To learn more, visit Transformational Travel - Whidbey and Camano Islands at whidbeycamanoislands.com
A kayaker launches from the Maple Grove Boat Launch into the contaminated water on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

On Camano shore contaminated by feces, locals blame lack of oversight

Years of frustration led some Camano Island residents to build their own sewage system. It’s set to start pumping this month.

A kayaker launches from the Maple Grove Boat Launch into the contaminated water on Wednesday, June 28, 2023 in Camano Island, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Representatives from different government organizations listen to a Harrington Lagoon resident speak about PFAS found in their drinking water during a public forum on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall in Coupeville, Washington. From left are Claire Nitsche of the Department of Health, DOH Regional Manager Derek Pell, DOH toxicologist Barbara Morrissey, Department of Ecology’s Kim Wooten and Island County hydrogeologist Chris Kelley. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘Forever chemicals’ in drinking water found at Whidbey ‘slice of heaven’

PFAS can cause cancer, low birth weights and increased cholesterol. As a result, residents near Coupeville are drinking bottled water.

Representatives from different government organizations listen to a Harrington Lagoon resident speak about PFAS found in their drinking water during a public forum on Thursday, June 22, 2023, at the Coupeville Recreation Hall in Coupeville, Washington. From left are Claire Nitsche of the Department of Health, DOH Regional Manager Derek Pell, DOH toxicologist Barbara Morrissey, Department of Ecology’s Kim Wooten and Island County hydrogeologist Chris Kelley. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Michelle LeFevre and her Bernese mountain dog Kona sit in the shade in front of Kona’s Pond outside their home Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Camano, Washington. LeFevre, a retired teacher, wrote the children’s book “On Kona’s Pond” which centers on her pup and the other creatures that call the pond home. LeFevre’s sister, Susan Cousineau McGough, illustrated the book with watercolor renditions of Kona and the pond. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Life ain’t so ruff ‘On Kona’s Pond’

A retired Camano Island teacher’s new children’s book, “On Kona’s Pond,” tells the story of her dog and his wild friends.

Michelle LeFevre and her Bernese mountain dog Kona sit in the shade in front of Kona’s Pond outside their home Wednesday, May 10, 2023, in Camano, Washington. LeFevre, a retired teacher, wrote the children’s book “On Kona’s Pond” which centers on her pup and the other creatures that call the pond home. LeFevre’s sister, Susan Cousineau McGough, illustrated the book with watercolor renditions of Kona and the pond. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
A PUD vehicle drives along Lovers Road under newly-erected power poles that will eventually connect Stanwood and Camano Island on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

To keep Camano lights on, PUD builds a new power line

The new line establishes a second electrical connection to Camano Island, which will help maintain power in windstorms.

A PUD vehicle drives along Lovers Road under newly-erected power poles that will eventually connect Stanwood and Camano Island on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
David Dodge (Washington State Department of Corrections)

Early release approved for man who raped, killed Stanwood girl in 1997

David Dodge was 17 when he murdered Ashley Jones, 12, at random. He was sentenced to 50 years.

David Dodge (Washington State Department of Corrections)