South Whidbey Record, November 02, 2011

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RECORD SOUTH WHIDBEY

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2011 | Vol. 87, No. 88 | WWW.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.COM | 75¢

INSIDE: Humdinger folk singers, Island Life, A10

Thomas enters plea of not guilty in 2003 murder BY BRIAN KELLY South Whidbey Record

COUPEVILLE — The former hairdresser and beauty queen who has been charged as an accomplice in the 2003 murder of a Langley man entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of first-degree murder Monday in Island County Superior Court. Detectives claim that Peggy Sue Thomas, 46, lured Russel Douglas to his death the day after Christmas in 2003 with a promise of a gift for his estranged wife, Brenna. Authorities allege that Douglas was shot once in the head by James “Jim” Huden, who remains in Island County jail on $5 million bond after his arrest this summer in Mexico. The arraignment lasted less than

five minutes, and Thomas did not speak. Her plea was entered by her attorney, Craig Platt of Coupeville. Thomas entered the courtroom flanked by her mother, Doris Matz. Thomas has been living at Matz’s home in Langley since making bail in September. Thomas returned last week from a controversial, 3,500-mile road trip, where she visited five other states while running errands and getting her affairs in order. Platt said the trip was necessary so Thomas could retrieve items from her former home in New Mexico that would help her defense. Thomas sat with her mother in the second row of the courtroom benches before her hearing, chewing gum and appearing relaxed and

slightly tan. A trial date has been set for Jan. 24. Douglas was found in the front seat of his Chevrolet Tracker by a couple walking their dog near Wahl Road on Dec. 27, 2003. Authorities claim that Huden, the accused gunman, had never met Douglas before his Christmastime visit to Whidbey Island with Thomas, his mistress, in 2003. Thomas knew the murder victim through his wife, Brenna Douglas. Thomas and Douglas worked together at her Langley hair salon, called Just B’s, and detectives have investigated Douglas as a possible third suspect in the killing. She has SEE MURDER, A2

Brian Kelly / The Record

Peggy Sue Thomas and her attorney, Craig Platt, listen to Island County Superior Court Judge Alan Hancock during Thomas’ arraignment on a charge of first-degree murder Monday.

Candidates differ on road ahead for Freeland sewers

I am Iron Man

BY BRIAN KELLY South Whidbey Record

Ben Watanabe / The Record

Ray Nichols, dressed as Iron Man, shows nerves of steel during a staring contest at the South Whidbey Children’s Center on Monday. The youngsters at the center walked from the school on Sixth Street through downtown Langley on Halloween, collecting treats from merchants while singing “Witches on a broomstick.”

It may be the difference between a “Stop” and a “Yield” sign. Lou Malzone is challenging incumbent Nolen “Rocky” Knickerbocker for his seat on the board of commissioners for the Freeland Water and Sewer District. Although the district, which serves 440 customers and works primarily as a water provider to homes and businesses in Freeland, the focus in this election is on sewers. Specifically, the plan for a $40 million sewer system that went down the drain after the district’s consultants said the project wouldn’t pencil out. Malzone has been one of a growing group of Freelanders who opposed the $40 million plan as too expensive, saying it would place an unfair financial burden on property owners in the Freeland area. Knickerbocker, by contrast, has been an eager advocate for a sewer system to serve the South End’s commercial hub. A district commissioner since 1997 and a resident since 1984, he said sewers are essential in the further development of Freeland. The area won’t have much of a future without them, Knickerbocker said. “We’ll be a no-growth area,” he said. Sewers will help keep development compact, and that will mean more area preserved for open space and opportunities SEE SEWERS, A2


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