Whidbey Island

The L pod orcas surprised many on Whidbey Island when they returned to Penn Cove for the first time in over 50 years. (Photo provided by Sarah Geist)

Orca family returns to Penn Cove after 50 years

In 1970 and 1971, orcas were herded into the cove off Whidbey Island. This month, members of the L pod returned.

 

Mona Newbauer poses for a photo with caramels inside her store Sweet Mona’s Chocolates on March 21, 2024 in Langley. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Escape the City: Discover the Top Weekend Getaways in Snohomish County

Looking for the perfect spot to unwind just a short drive away? Herald readers have you covered

 

From left to right, Ron Muzzall and Janet St. Clair

Muzzall pulls ahead of St. Clair in tight WA Senate race

Incumbent state Sen. Ron Muzzall, a Republican, led by about 600 votes Thursday night.

 

A procession honors Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman, 31, as her remains were transported to Oak Harbor on Monday night. (Photo provided by Naval Air Station Whidbey Island)

Inslee orders flags flown at half-staff in honor of Whidbey pilots

Naval aviators Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman and Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay “Miley” Evans crashed on Oct. 15.

A procession honors Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman, 31, as her remains were transported to Oak Harbor on Monday night. (Photo provided by Naval Air Station Whidbey Island)
“I Voted” stickers cover a table at the entrance to the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Margin narrows between Muzzall and St. Clair in WA Senate race

Meanwhile, a Lake Stevens school bond remained short of the 60% threshold in Wednesday’s results.

“I Voted” stickers cover a table at the entrance to the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Victorian home sits on Whidbey Island. (Alyse Young for The Washington Post)

Whidbey couple thought they found their dream home — then came the bats

The couple had no recourse after unknowingly buying a home infested with thousands of bats.

The Victorian home sits on Whidbey Island. (Alyse Young for The Washington Post)
An aerial view of Camp Casey. The YMCA of Snohomish County has bought the property from Seattle Pacific University. (Photo provided by Seattle Pacific University via Whidbey News-Times)

Whidbey’s Camp Casey, campground and conference center, sold to YMCA

Seattle Pacific University owned the site for decades. The nonprofit plans to bring new programs to the site.

An aerial view of Camp Casey. The YMCA of Snohomish County has bought the property from Seattle Pacific University. (Photo provided by Seattle Pacific University via Whidbey News-Times)
From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)

Remains of Whidbey Island pilots to return this week

Lt. Cmdr Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman died in a crash on Oct. 15.

From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)
The Washington state Capitol building in February. (Bill Lucia / Washington State Standard)

Voters are about to remake WA Legislature. Here are 7 races to watch.

Democrats hope to grow their majorities in the state House and Senate. The path may be through a local race.

The Washington state Capitol building in February. (Bill Lucia / Washington State Standard)
From left to right, Ron Muzzall and Janet St. Clair.

Costly campaigns: Where money is flowing in WA’s elections

More than $100 million has been spent statewide, including nearly $3 million in a race covering Snohomish and Island counties.

From left to right, Ron Muzzall and Janet St. Clair.
From left to right, Ron Muzzall and Janet St. Clair

Muzzall, St. Clair face off in expensive state Senate race

Democrats hope to turn this purple district blue by ousting Republican state Sen. Ron Muzzall.

From left to right, Ron Muzzall and Janet St. Clair
From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lindsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)

Navy crash victims from Whidbey, both 31, identified

On Tuesday afternoon, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay “Miley” Evans and Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman crashed near Mount Rainier.

From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lindsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)
A Growler with VAQ-130 Zappers flies near Outlying Landing Field Coupeville. (Joe Kunzler / Simple Flying)

Aviators declared dead after crash of Navy jet from Whidbey

On Sunday, the Navy announced it had switched its mission from search and rescue to a recovery for the two crew members.

A Growler with VAQ-130 Zappers flies near Outlying Landing Field Coupeville. (Joe Kunzler / Simple Flying)
A Growler with VAQ-130 Zappers flies near Outlying Landing Field Coupeville. (Joe Kunzler / Simple Flying)

Searchers reach crash site of Navy Growler from Whidbey

Searchers on Friday continued looking for two unidentified crew members in a remote, steep and heavily-wooded area.

A Growler with VAQ-130 Zappers flies near Outlying Landing Field Coupeville. (Joe Kunzler / Simple Flying)
A Growler with VAQ-130 Zappers flies near Outlying Landing Field Coupeville. (Joe Kunzler / Simple Flying)

Wreckage of Navy jet from Whidbey found near Mount Rainier

The two crew members from the crash remained missing after the wreckage was found Wednesday afternoon.

A Growler with VAQ-130 Zappers flies near Outlying Landing Field Coupeville. (Joe Kunzler / Simple Flying)
The T46s travel between Whidbey and Camano while a team of scientists collects health data and refines remote health tools. (Photo courtesy of NOAA)

Whidbey Island floating clinic hopes to save orcas

Scientists have transformed a dinghy into a mobile health clinic to assess the health of orcas.

The T46s travel between Whidbey and Camano while a team of scientists collects health data and refines remote health tools. (Photo courtesy of NOAA)
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
Sea Life Response, Rehabilitation and Research staff release three seal pups off City Beach on Monday. (Sam Fletcher / Whidbey News-Times)

‘Keep them wild’: Rehabilitated pups reintroduced to Whidbey beach

Gnome from Ferndale, Kelpie from Blaine and Hippogriff from Whidbey returned to the seas Monday.

Sea Life Response, Rehabilitation and Research staff release three seal pups off City Beach on Monday. (Sam Fletcher / Whidbey News-Times)
From left to right, Planning & Outreach Manager Bill Windler, Acting Director Craig Cyr, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and Vice Chair Jenny Bright stand outside Island Transit’s electric van. (Selene Muldowney-Stratton / Island Transit)

Larsen tours Whidbey Island transit facility with eyes on expansion

Island Transit recently received a $14.96 million federal grant for 12 hydrogen fuel cell buses and infrastructure.

From left to right, Planning & Outreach Manager Bill Windler, Acting Director Craig Cyr, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen and Vice Chair Jenny Bright stand outside Island Transit’s electric van. (Selene Muldowney-Stratton / Island Transit)
A big brown bat. (Larry Meade)

Rabid bat bites Whidbey Island wildlife rehabilitator

This the fourth case of reported bat rabies in the state this year, officials said.

A big brown bat. (Larry Meade)