INSIDE: Grave cleaning ... Island Life, A14
Record South Whidbey
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2013 | Vol. 89, No. 19 | www.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.com | 75¢
Tobacco thieves caught on tape By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter Detectives with the Island County Sheriff’s Office are trying to identify three suspects who stole $10,000 worth of tobacco products from a Freeland gas station last month. Detective Ed Wallace said the three masked men — or possibly women — entered the Freeland Shell station, commonly known as the Shell Shack, by forcing open the drive-through window at about 3 a.m. Feb. 19. Wallace released images from the store’s surveillance video Monday in hopes someone will be able to help identify them. A series of photos can be viewed on the Island County Sheriff’s Facebook site. Anyone with information can contact the sheriff’s office at 360-679-9567 or by email at tips@co.island.wa.us Wallace said two of the burglars wore bandanas over their faces and the third wore a gorilla mask. The mask was left at the scene. Detectives sent it to the state crime lab for DNA analysis. Wallace said the crime lab normally doesn’t conduct DNA testing for theft cases. But, in this case, the dollar amount of the theft is so high that the test is warranted, Wallace said. The burglars absconded with 110 cartons of cigarettes and 120 cartons of chewing tobacco, according to Wallace. He said he suspects the thieves will try to sell the tobacco products on the black market.
Photo courtesy of the Island County Sheriff’s Office
Island County Sheriff’s Office released this image of one of three masked burglars who stole cigarettes and chewing tobacco from the Freeland Shell station last month.
Nonprofits vital to Whidbey Island life By MICHAELA MARX WHEATLEY Staff Reporter
When it comes to circulating a buck in the local economy, nonprofits are not only on the receiving end. With a whopping 473 registered nonprofit organizations — roughly five per 1,000 people in Island County — one may think that’s a lot to support by a county with a relatively low population, a fact particularly true on South Whidbey. “I firmly believe that South Whidbey has more nonprofits per capita than any place on Earth,” said Langley business owner Lynn Willeford. “Maybe it’s because we live on an island and can easily identify … our community, the people we are willing to care for.” Whatever the reason be for the large number of nonprofits, the nonprofit sector has a significant impact on the local economy. “Our nonprofits provide jobs, every kind of family support and the opportunity to volunteer,” Willeford said.
“I firmly believe that South Whidbey has more nonprofits per capita than any place on earth.” Lynn Willeford
Ben Watanabe / The Record
Alex Beust inspects a few pieces of clothing while working the register at the Good Cheer Thrift Store. “They help smooth out the rough times when a large employer needs
to lay people off, or when seasonal work is slow — important in an
economy based a lot on tourism.” Willeford should know. Over the
past two decades she was a founding member or served on the boards of a number of South Whidbey service organizations. In this community, nonprofits cover everything from health and human services to arts and cultural education. The profiles of these organizations couldn’t be more diverse. Among the highest revenue generating groups in Island County are Good Cheer, Habitat for Humanity and WAIF, but also the Hedgebrook writers retreat and the Elizabeth George Foundation. See Nonprofits, A12