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Prism Local News

Island County, Washington
"Your Local News, Powered by AI Journalism"

About Island, WA

Population
Approximately 87,000 residents
County Seat
Coupeville, Washington
Coverage Area
209 square miles on Whidbey and Camano Islands

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Newsroom monitoring local Island, WA developments. Next update cycle in 42 minutes.

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Education

Oak Harbor High removes bathroom mirrors to curb vaping and vandalism

Oak Harbor High removes bathroom mirrors to curb vaping and vandalism

Oak Harbor High removed mirrors from student restrooms over winter break to curb vaping, vandalism and congestion; stude...

Lisa Park3m read
Community

Whidbey agent pleads guilty after trees damaged to restore view

Whidbey agent pleads guilty after trees damaged to restore view

A local real estate agent admitted hiring people to girdle trees on neighboring lots, risking habitat and slope stabilit...

Lisa Park3m read
Government

Oak Harbor loses longtime council anchor as Jim Woessner retires

Oak Harbor loses longtime council anchor as Jim Woessner retires

Jim Woessner retired from the Oak Harbor City Council and was honored by colleagues. His departure removes a longtime lo...

James Thompson3m read
Community

Habitat dedicates Holmes Harbor home, expands Island County housing work

Habitat dedicates Holmes Harbor home, expands Island County housing work

Habitat for Humanity of Island County will dedicate a new Freeland home Saturday, advancing affordable homeownership acr...

Lisa Park2m read
Community

Whidbey Island Activities Guide Highlights Outdoor Recreation and Local Economy

Whidbey Island Activities Guide Highlights Outdoor Recreation and Local Economy

A concise guide to Whidbey Island's top outdoor and cultural destinations maps activities across Oak Harbor, Coupeville,...

Sarah Chen2m read
Government

Island County commissioner Jill Johnson takes monthlong medical leave after hospitalization

Island County commissioner Jill Johnson takes monthlong medical leave after hospitalization

Commissioner Jill Johnson will be on medical leave for the next month after a holiday hospitalization; county business w...

Marcus Williams2m read
Community

Oak Harbor Winter Stroll brings warmth and shoppers back downtown

Oak Harbor Winter Stroll brings warmth and shoppers back downtown

Oak Harbor’s Winter Stroll returned to downtown Jan. 13 with hot drinks, cookies and activities to boost slow January sa...

Lisa Park2m read
Government

Washington sets 2026 residential rent increase cap at 9.683%

Washington sets 2026 residential rent increase cap at 9.683%

Washington Department of Commerce set the 2026 residential rent increase limit at 9.683%, effective Jan. 1; this affects...

Marcus Williams2m read
Community

Naval aircrew's owl photos spotlight Whidbey Island wildlife

Naval aircrew's owl photos spotlight Whidbey Island wildlife

A Whidbey aircrewman shared owl photos online last week, drawing local attention. The images highlight island parks and ...

Sarah Chen2m read
Education

Coupeville educators protest state cuts, call for full funding

Coupeville educators protest state cuts, call for full funding

Teachers in Coupeville protested state education funding cuts that caused furlough days and program reductions. They urg...

Lisa Park2m read
Community

Nancy Nordhoff’s Philanthropy Leaves Lasting Impact on Whidbey Island

Nancy Nordhoff’s Philanthropy Leaves Lasting Impact on Whidbey Island

Nancy Skinner Nordhoff, a noted philanthropist and environmentalist, died Jan. 7 at age 93, leaving a legacy of local no...

Marcus Williams2m read
Government

Langley Swears In Three New Council Members Focused on Housing

Langley Swears In Three New Council Members Focused on Housing

On Jan. 9 the Langley City Council seated Savannah Erickson, Dominique Emerson and Thomas Gill, replacing three incumben...

James Thompson2m read
Community

Whidbey deer wearing metal band prompts Fish and Wildlife alert

Whidbey deer wearing metal band prompts Fish and Wildlife alert

A deer on Whidbey Island was spotted with a metal band around its abdomen. Residents should report sightings to Fish and...

Marcus Williams2m read
Education

Oak Harbor schools form task force to boost inclusive learning

Oak Harbor schools form task force to boost inclusive learning

Oak Harbor Public Schools is recruiting staff and residents for a new inclusion task force to shape policies, training, ...

Sarah Chen2m read
Community

Jeopardy mention puts Whidbey Island in national spotlight

Jeopardy mention puts Whidbey Island in national spotlight

Whidbey Island was named on Jeopardy during a $1,200 clue; a local video clip drew hundreds of reactions and highlighted...

Lisa Park2m read
Government

Navy delays PFAS cleanup at NAS Whidbey until 2028

Navy delays PFAS cleanup at NAS Whidbey until 2028

An interim cleanup of PFAS contamination at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island won't be operational until fiscal year 2028...

James Thompson2m read
Healthcare

WhidbeyHealth Implements Indefinite Mask Mandate Amid Respiratory Surge

WhidbeyHealth Implements Indefinite Mask Mandate Amid Respiratory Surge

WhidbeyHealth began requiring masks for patients, visitors and staff in all clinics and hospital settings on Jan. 7 to c...

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read
Government

Coupeville to Pay $285,000 to Settle Former Clerk's Lawsuit

Coupeville to Pay $285,000 to Settle Former Clerk's Lawsuit

Documents show the Town of Coupeville and Mayor Molly Hughes agreed to a $285,000 settlement with former clerk treasurer...

James Thompson2m read
Community

Island County updates parks resources to boost access and planning

Island County updates parks resources to boost access and planning

Island County Parks & Trails maintains 54 park facilities across Whidbey and Camano islands and has consolidated maps, p...

Lisa Park2m read
Government

Whidbey P-8 circled off Tijuana, raising regional security concerns

Whidbey P-8 circled off Tijuana, raising regional security concerns

A P-8 Poseidon from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island flew near Tijuana and returned to base; the patrol highlights regio...

James Thompson2m read
Healthcare

Island County Warns of Measles Exposure on Clinton-Mukilteo Ferry

Island County Warns of Measles Exposure on Clinton-Mukilteo Ferry

Island County Public Health cautioned residents who rode the Clinton-Mukilteo ferry on Dec. 30 after health departments ...

Dr. Elena Rodriguez2m read
Healthcare

Man in his 40s seriously injured in Oak Harbor fireworks explosion

Man in his 40s seriously injured in Oak Harbor fireworks explosion

An Oak Harbor man in his 40s suffered serious chest, arm and facial injuries after a fireworks mishap near Northwest Dor...

Lisa Park2m read
Community

Propane Explosion Destroys Greenhouse Near Penn Cove; No Injuries

Propane Explosion Destroys Greenhouse Near Penn Cove; No Injuries

A propane-related blast on Jan. 6 destroyed a roughly 10-by-20-foot greenhouse on Glencairn Road north of Penn Cove afte...

Lisa Park2m read
Government

Oak Harbor Moves Quickly to Repair Marina After Storm Damage

Oak Harbor Moves Quickly to Repair Marina After Storm Damage

City staff and council authorized emergency repairs after a Dec. 16 wind storm left significant damage at Oak Harbor Mar...

James Thompson2m read
Business

Oak Harbor Chamber Apologizes After New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cancellation

Oak Harbor Chamber Apologizes After New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cancellation

The Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce canceled its New Year’s Eve fireworks show, citing rising production costs, dwindling...

Sarah Chen2m read
Community

Local Fire Crews Rescue Puppy Entangled Near Coupeville Boat Launch

Local Fire Crews Rescue Puppy Entangled Near Coupeville Boat Launch

Central Whidbey Island Fire & Rescue crews and community members rescued an 11-month-old Corgi named Blueberry after she...

Marcus Williams2m read
Community

Volunteer Pet Detectives Reunite Lost Animals Across Island County

Volunteer Pet Detectives Reunite Lost Animals Across Island County

A volunteer group of "pet detectives" led coordinated searches on January 6, 2026, helping to reunite multiple lost dogs...

Lisa Park2m read
Education

Lone Salmon Sighting in Maxwelton Creek Sparks Local Interest

Lone Salmon Sighting in Maxwelton Creek Sparks Local Interest

A lone adult salmon was seen swimming upstream in Maxwelton Creek on Dec. 7, the first confirmed adult sighting in the s...

Marcus Williams2m read
Government

Judge Keeps Prosecutor on Election Case, Orders Records Review

Judge Keeps Prosecutor on Election Case, Orders Records Review

An Island County Superior Court judge denied a defense motion to disqualify County Prosecutor Greg Banks from the crimin...

James Thompson2m read