Camano News

Voters in Island County will soon vote on a proposed sales tax hike to pay for public transit.

The Whidbey Island Conservation District needs a special tax assessment next year to stabilize its operations and continue its programs, officials say.

Edmonds: Transit plan to be discussed Edmonds is hosting a public open house from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Brackett Room on the third floor of City Hall, 121 Fifth Ave.

In an attempt to break its dependency on grant funding, the Whidbey Island Conservation District is looking to county property owners to foot the bill.

Coming soon: The Camano Island Home Tour will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 11 at five private homes with the following themes: "Everything Grand Scale," "Peaceful Oasis," "Quilter's Dream," "Ideal Beach House" and "Wow, Great Ideas." Tickets will be for sale for $10 at Snow Goose Bookstore and Marcy's Boutique in Stanwood and Camano Island Coffee ...

Some Camano Island residents believe a notorious teen burglar is behind a string of recent break-ins. On Saturday morning, someone broke into a deputy's car, stealing a rifle, ammo and a laptop Yesterday someone targeted a firefighter's truck and used a crowbar to break in - or attempt to break in - Mabana Fire Station.

For Alex Lemke, the highlight of Saturday's soap box derby was the big hug from his grandma, who came running as he held up his race trophy.

A sheriff's deputy Saturday morning found his rifle and electronic equipment stolen from his patrol car.

Arlington: Drawing class offered to kids Arlington High School art teacher Bev Schatz plans to teach elementary school-age children the basics of drawing.

Fugitive Colton Harris-Moore probably didn't commit a new round of burglaries, police say.

Arlington: Grow your own groceries Master gardener Bea Randall plans to offer a free class on growing the ingredients for salsa.

The Oak Harbor City Council will consider a recommendation by its Lodging Tax Advisory Committee to decrease the citya s contribution to the Island County Joint Tourism program.

Dan Bates / The Herald Darla Rosebrook's son, Darius, plays with an otoscope as Dr.

Camano Island Fire and Rescue officials are hoping to break ground in early July on the fire district's new Madrona Fire Station, the remodel of the Country Club Fire Station and the new water tank at the Mabana Fire Station.

Discuss Guantanamo Bay and torture with a board member of the Washington State chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Stanwood schools made a wonderful choice for their 2008-09 Teacher of the Year. Utsalady Elementary Reading Specialist Julie Knight received the honor.

Long-time Stanwood/Camano News Publisher and Editor Dave Pinkham said this week that he is retiring and will entrust his weekly newspaper to Mount Vernon-based Skagit Publishing.

Money too tight to give to others? Don't tell that to Stanwood and Camano Island.

Workers removed nearly 30 tons of creosote-covered wood and other debris Thursday at Iverson Spit and other beaches along Livingston Bay, an important estuarine habitat that supports fish, shorebirds and marine mammals.

Skagit Publishing of Mount Vernon is assuming management and partial ownership of the weekly Stanwood/Camano News.