Whidbey News-Times, November 16, 2013

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News-Times Whidbey

Living

Open house a look back at Oak Harbor’s history A13

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2013 | Vol. 114, No. 92 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢

Woman and father accused of evidence tampering in Mont. By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter

An Oak Harbor woman and her father are accused of trying to conceal evidence after they ran over the body of a pedestrian who was hit and killed by a semi truck in Montana, according to court documents. Wryan V. Young, 31, and her father, Westley L. Young, 50, were both charged in Park County with tampering with

physical evidence for allegedly washing blood and human remains off their truck at a car wash, according to Park County Attorney Brett Linneweber. Wryan Young was also charged in Sweet Grass County with failure to remain at the scene of a fatal accident. Linneweber said Wryan Young is not accused of striking and killing the pedestrian, just See Montana, A12

Photo by Janis Reid/Whidbey News-Times

Island County Commissioner Kelly Emerson’s chair sits empty during a regular meeting of the board. Commissioners Jill Johnson, left, and Helen Price Johnson say Emerson’s frequent absences are a concern.

Emerson absences ‘strain’ commission By JANIS REID Staff reporter Photo by Janis Reid/Whidbey News-Times

Cmdr. Dan Worra, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station operations officer discusses the proposed new P-8A squadrons with residents.

Support broad for P-8A move to NAS Whidbey By JANIS REID Staff reporter

Despite an ongoing debate about jet noise, particularly at Outlying Field Coupeville, residents expressed broad support at a forum on the possible installation of several additional P-8A squadrons at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

The squadrons would be in place by 2016. Even members of the Coupeville-based group Citizen’s of Ebeys Reserve, which filed a federal lawsuit over jet noise at OLF Coupeville, expressed support for relocation of the P-8A squadrons to Whidbey. See Forum, A12

When the Island County Board of Commissioners approved a moratorium on recreational marijuana this week, Commissioner Kelly Emerson said she would make herself available by phone to vote on the controversial issue. That phone call never came, and the action passed 2-0. Emerson, who represents Camano Island, has been increasingly absent or non-participatory at public meetings in recent months. Throughout her term, she has been criticized for her work ethic, has missed meetings, abstained from votes and simply remained silent. During a brief telephone interview Thursday, Emerson said she attends many regional meetings and serves on boards off island, which keeps her from spending time in Coupeville. Emerson added she considers it to

be unfair to characterize her as not fulfilling requirements of her job. Since Jan. 1, Emerson has missed at least seven regular meetings and work sessions, according to meeting minutes. In comparison, during that time, Commissioner Helen Price Johnson missed one regular meeting and one work session, and Commissioner Jill Johnson missed one regular meeting. Emerson attended a couple meetings via speakerphone, and every meeting since Oct. 1 Emerson has either been absent or attended via teleconferencing from Camano Island. Using the teleconferencing technology seems to be problematic, however. Several times Emerson has complained of not being able to hear the meeting. The result at times has been a lack of response to promptings for a comment or vote. See emerson, A24

Moratorium imposed on recreational businesses By JANIS REID Staff reporter

A moratorium on new recreational marijuana businesses was passed Wednesday despite residents concerns that the action would put them strategically behind other counties. Commissioners Helen Price Johnson and Jill Johnson voted 2-0 to approve the six-month moratorium while they take additional public comment and review potential policies and ordinances. Commissioner Kelly Emerson was absent. The moratorium is a response to state law created last year by Initiative 502, which legalized See moratorium, A24

MEMORY CARE COMMUNITY 1045 SW Kimball Drive Oak Harbor, WA. 98277

(360) 279-0933 | (360) 279-2224


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