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Thursday, SEPTEMBER 19, 2013
Two injured after SUV cause fourcar wreck
VOL. 19, NO. 7
Art of the Boat
By Nathan Whalen Staff Reporter
A multi-vehicle collision just before 11 a.m. Monday resulted in two people being sent to the hospital. Washington State Patrol reported that a line of cars had formed in the northbound lane of State Highway 20 as a result of utility work taking place in the San de Fuca area. As the backup approached Libbey Road, a Ford Explorer, driven by Coupeville resident Michael Sousa, 30, crashed into the lineup and caused the first of three collisions. The Explorer crashed into a Chevrolet Avalanche driven by 63-year-old Coupeville resident Raymond Vaughan. In turn, Vaughan’s Avalanche was pushed into a Saturn minivan driven by Edwin Kandal, 40, who was traveling with his wife, Jessica, 46, according to State Patrol reports. The couple’s minivan was pushed into a Suburu Impreza driven by Anacortes resident 67-year-old Jane Clark. Vaughan told investigators he saw the Explorer coming in his rearview mirror and turned his vehicle’s wheels to steer out of the way. The Explorer slammed into the Avalanche and pushed it onto an embankment; the vehicle slowly rolled over, said Trooper Kirk Francis with the Washington State Patrol. He added that the Explorer also hit the minivan, which was pushed into the Impreza. Jessica Kandal, the passenger in the minivan, and Vaughan, who was driving the Avalanche, were transported to Whidbey General Hospital. They were treated in the emergency room. Firefighters with North Whidbey Fire and Rescue and Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue responded to the accident because it occurred near the boundary of both fire districts. Northbound traffic was eventually detoured at Sherman Road and onto Madrona Way. Francis said Sousa was cited for speed too fast for conditions.
Nathan Whalen photo
Members of the Vancouver Morris Men dance on Front Street Saturday during the Art of the Boat Festival. In its first year, the Art of the Boat brought handmade vessels to Coupeville. The event included a performance by the Shifty Sailors, childrens activities and artist demonstrations throughout Coupeville. For photos about the festival, go to page 16 of The Whidbey Examiner.
Port of Coupeville hires new director By Nathan Whalen Staff Reporter
A new face will soon be running the day-today operations of the Port of Coupeville. After a round of interviews, the commissioners for the Port of Coupeville named Tim McDonald as executive McDonald director for the small port district that oversees operations at the Coupeville Wharf and Greenbank Farm. McDonald will start his position as executive director Dec. 1 and will work alongside current executive director Jim Patton for one month. That way McDonald can familiarize himself with the port’s operations before Patton’s contract expires at the end of the year. McDonald has a long history working in Island County government. He was the county director of health and human services from 1987-2008. He was most recently the director
of the division of communicable diseases and emergency preparedness for the Snohomish Health District. He finished working for the Snohomish Health District in March. “There were so many interesting projects the port is involved with,” McDonald said about his decision to apply for the position. He described the Coupeville Wharf and Greenbank Farm as “jewels.” “They’re just fantastic facilities,” McDonald said. He was one of three people who applied. Bill Larsen, who is a drug and alcohol counselor along with candidate for the commission for the Port of Coupeville, and Bruce Bottolfson applied for the position.
Commissioners interviewed the three candidates late Friday afternoon before unanimously selecting McDonald for the position. “Of all the candidates, he was the most knowledgeable,” said Marshall Bronson, president of the commissioners for the Port of Coupeville. McDonald will work under a two-year professional services contract. He is negotiating the terms of the contract and it will be presented at an upcoming meeting. He will spend a month working with Patton to learn about the day-to-day parts of the position. “Between now and then, I’m going to be learning a lot about the position,” McDonald said.