Record South Whidbey
INSIDE
South Whidbey
celebrates America See...A18
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2015 | Vol. 91, No. 53 | www.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.com | 75¢
FBI to review details of inmate’s death at Island County jail By JESSIE STENSLAND South Whidbey Record The FBI is reviewing the investigation into an inmate’s dehydration death at the Island County jail. Island County Sheriff Mark Brown said he met with an FBI agent from the Bellingham office last Thursday to discuss
the death of 25-year-old Keaton Farris. “I told her I would cooperate fully and do whatever I can to help,” he said, adding that he welcomes an independent review of the tragedy. He said the agent is going to evaluate Detective Ed Wallace’s report on the series of failures in the jail that led to the April 7 death of Farris.
Ayn Dietrich-Williams, a media coordinator for the FBI, said the agency routinely gets involved in cases such as this to determine if a federal crime was committed. “Unless it is determined that a federal crime was committed, the FBI will defer any possible criminal prosecution to the local prosecuting attorney’s office,” she wrote in an email.
Likewise, Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks said he is conducting a complete review of the case in order to determine if any crimes were committed. While he said many people have called on him to file charges immediately, he said
Brushfires deemed “suspicious” Sheriff’s Office opens investigation
SEE FBI, A17
Langley city council gives food truck green light, again By BEN WATANABE South Whidbey Record
Re-Arrangers and Janie Cribbs and the T.Rust Band — and far — Martinez and LeRoy Bell of South Africa.
Admitting it made an error and wanting to fix it, the Langley City Council approved a handful of changes that will allow the city’s first food truck to keep operating this year. “We are going to make mistakes, as is everyone in this goddamn room,” said Councilman Bruce Allen to a packed crowd at City Hall. “And we made one.” The food truck was issued a desist business order July 2 after operating for the previous two weekends and being licensed by the city. An emergency two-day stay of the desist order was approved by the city council July 3, allowing owner Joe Wierzbowski to sell food he’d purchased ahead of the Independence Day weekend. More than 40 people filled the seats of city hall with a handful of people standing along the walls and doorways of the city council’s regular meeting July 6. Ten people spoke in favor of the council doing whatever it could to allow The Big Wierzbowski food truck to keep cooking. They ranged from a simple request to allow
SEE CHOOCHOKAM, A10
SEE FOOD TRUCK, A17
Evan Thompson / The Record
Firefighters guard the Eagles Aerie on South Whidbey Friday after a series of brushfires combined to form what officials called the largest on the South End since the 1990s. Police are investigating the cause.
By JUSTIN BURNETT and EVAN THOMPSON South Whidbey Record A series of brushfires on South Whidbey last week have been officially deemed suspicious and are now under investigation by police. According to Island County Sheriff Mark
Brown, a cause remains unknown but factors have made it difficult to positively rule out foul play, particularly the number of fires involved. Investigators say as many as eight were started along a stretch of Highway 525 less than one mile in length. Several leads were eliminated early on but the
department has received no new information and has no suspects. “It is highly suspicious and I would urge anyone with information to call us,” Brown said. He credited firefighters with a stellar response, SEE FIRE, A17
Choochokam Arts Festival turns 40 this weekend By BEN WATANABE South Whidbey Record Choochokam Arts Festival, one of Langley’s premier weekend events and biggest crowd pleasers, is turning 40 this weekend.
The four decade-old festival is very much up to its old tricks: free music, fresh food, abundant art, and a view to boot. Tried and true to the format is keeping the music free for visitors. Plenty of big-time performers are
lined up for the little Village by the Sea, including Vicci Martinez of TV’s “The Voice” fame and 18 others between Saturday and Sunday. Peppered throughout both days are bands from near — locals such as Ranger and the