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Saturday, July 14, 2012 • Whidbey News-Times
Sailor found in wilderness remains in intensive care By JUSTIN BURNETT Staff reporter
William “Billy” Wolf, the sailor from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station who spent two nights alone in the wilderness after being injured in a motorcycle accident, remains in serious condition at Harborview Medical Center. According to Officer Tom Moliter, chief deputy of the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office, Wolf, 43, was found Saturday morning on a forest service road in the FinneyCumberland area, south of the South Skagit Highway. That was two days after he
went on a motorcycle ride on Thursday, July 5. Wolf was immediately airlifted to Harborview in Seattle by the Navy’s Search and Rescue unit. Hospital officials said Thursday he remains in intensive care and is in serious condition. “His injuries were intensive and his recovery will be long,” said Tony Popp, a base public affairs officer. Wolf is a senior chief aviation machinist’s mate with Electronic Attack Squadron 136, “The Gauntlets.” He was reported missing Friday morning by members of his squadron when he failed to
your government ●● Island County Commissioners: Monday, July 16, 10 a.m., Commissioners’ Hearing Room, County Annex Building. ●● Coupeville School Board: Monday, July 23, 6:30 p.m. Coupeville Elementary School library. ●● Coupeville Town Council: Tuesday, July 24, 6:30 p.m., Commissioners’ Hearing Room County Annex Building. ●● Oak Harbor School Board: Monday, July 30, 6:30 p.m., Administrative Service Center, 350 S. Oak Harbor St. ●● Oak Harbor City Council Special Meeting: Tuesday, July 31, 6:30 p.m., Elk’s Lodge, 155 NE Ernst St., Oak Harbor.
●● Coupeville Planning Commission: Tuesday, Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m., Commissioners’ Hearing Room, Courthouse Annex Building. ●● Port of Coupeville: Wednesday, Aug. 8, 9 a.m., Coupeville Public Library. ●● Oak Harbor Finance Standing Committee: Wednesday, Aug. 8, 3:30 p.m., City Hall, 865 SE Barrington Dr. ●● Oak Harbor Arts Commission: Monday, Aug. 13, 6 p.m., City Hall, 865 SE Barrington Dr. ●● Whidbey General Hospital Board: Monday, Aug. 13, 6 p.m., Conference Room A, Whidbey General Hospital, Coupeville.
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show up for work. The Naval Criminal Investigative Service, working collaboratively with AT&T, used cellular telephone records to pinpoint his last known position and a search ensued of forested areas south of Highway 20, Popp said. Multiple search and rescue and law enforcement agencies looked for the missing sailor but no trace of the man was found. Searchers got a break when one of Wolf’s friends learned of his disappearance via a Facebook posting and pointed out a specific area where
William “Billy” Wolf remains in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center. they had ridden together in the past.
between the Navy and the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office. “We have a mantra that shipmates take care of shipmates,” Popp said. And that’s what happened here, he said. They worked together and were able to find Wolf before it was too late. A website site has been established for Wolf and anyone wishing to pass on well wishes can do so at www. caringbridge.org/visit/ billywolf.
Attorney’s advice dashes hopes of kayak event owner By NATHAN WHALEN Staff reporter
The North Whidbey Park and Recreation District commissioners have decided not to move forward with purchasing the Deception Pass Dash, a kayak race that takes place every December. Bill Walker, who is both the executive director of the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District and owner of the business that organized the challenging kayak race, consulted with the district’s attorney, Nathan Manni, about the district purchasing his race. While he said he was advised the proposal was perfectly legal, the lawyer reportedly was mystified by
the financial aspects of the proposal. Walker said the attorney pointed out that there was “no intrinsic value of a park and recreation district owning the event.” “He felt it wasn’t in the best interest of the district when we could create it for free,” Walker said. The Deception Pass Dash takes place every December and attracts approximately 200 kayakers and needs around 50 volunteers. The Dash is composed of a sixmile course through the difficult waters of Deception and Canoe passes. The race starts in Bowman Bay, over to Strawberry Island and back to Bowman Bay, which
is located on Fidalgo Island. Walker said several people expressed concerns about the park district owning such an event. Some were concerned about a Whidbeybased entity holding an event in Skagit County while a resident attended Thursday’s commissioner meeting to argue that the park district doesn’t need the additional liability of the kayak race. Walker agreed with people’s concerns. He added that he was uncomfortable broaching the possible purchase with the commissioners. The idea apparently came up when he was interviewing for the position. As for the race, which has been held every year since
2006, Walker said he hopes to find an entity to organize the race in 2012. He is in the process of closing down his business, Ruby Creek Boathouse. He said he isn’t sure what kind of financial arrangement could be set up for another business to operate the dash, but he’s had interest from other businesses. The commissioners initially seemed open to the idea of the district taking over the Dash. “That’s the kind of thing the park district should be involved in,” Commissioner Harvey Prosser said during Thursday’s district meeting. However, the board heeded the attorney’s concerns and declined to pursue the matter.
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According to the Washington State Patrol, Wolf was found at about 10:45 a.m. Saturday near a ditch along Forest Service Road 1755. His bike, a 2000 Honda Enduro, was found nearby. The agency is reporting that Wolf was driving too fast to negotiate a turn, left the shoulder of the road and drove into a ditch where he was ejected. Drugs or alcohol are not believed to have been involved. Both Popp and Moliter commented that Wolf was found via a cooperative effort
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When she’s not out calling on her clients, Gail writes poetry, makes collages and enjoys walks in the park with her dog, Spark. She’s also a college professor of Sociology. Call Gail to set up advertising for your Oak Harbor area business.
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