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Oak Harbor prepares for homecoming A13
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2013 | Vol. 114, No. 82 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢
Pizza man to jury: ‘I did not kill my wife’ By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
Shocking many in the courtroom, Robert “Al” Baker took the stand Thursday afternoon in his own defense and claimed his wife’s death is a mystery to him. The 62-year-old Antarctic physicist and pizza man is accused of brutally murdering Kathie Baker in the days before
his girlfriend came to visit the couple’s Greenbank home last June. Baker testified that he doesn’t know anything about the murder. “I swear on everything I hold sacred, my mother’s grave, I did not kill Kathie,” he told the jury. “I did not kill my wife.” Baker’s testimony was the first time See pizza man, A17
Photo by Jessie Stensland
Robert “Al” Baker testified at his murder trial Friday. He claims his did not kill his wife at their Greenbank home last year.
Orange you glad it’s pumpkin time? By RON NEWBERRY
T Staff reporter
his wasn’t just any old trip to a pumpkin patch for Sara Goss. And she knows, this month won’t mark just any old Halloween. Goss’ traditional family trip to Sherman’s Pioneer Farm in Coupeville included a new family member -- Goss’ first child, 3-month-old son Taylor Arnold. “What is all this fun stuff?” she said to her son, wearing a jacket that matched the bright orange surroundings. “This is your first pumpkin patch!” See ORANGE, A17
Whidbey Island’s rural landscape makes for some fun pumpkin pursuits for those who want to search for one on a farm. The hunting was extra special for Freeland’s Sara Goss and her 3-month-old son Taylor on Sherman’s Pioneer Farm in Coupeville. Another popular place to go pumpkin hunting is Dugualla Bay Farms on North Whidbey.
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Photos by Ron Newberry Whidbey News-Times
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Whidbey Growler makes an emergency landing By JANIS REID Staff reporter
An EA-18G Growler from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station made an emergency landing in Eastern Washington this past Wednesday. “During a routine training flight, a caution light illuminated in the cockpit of the EA-18G signaling the pilot to make a precautionary landing as soon as possible,” said NAS Whidbey Public Affairs Officer Mike Welding. “The pilot made a safe, normal landing at Grant County Airport in Moses Lake.” Greg Becken, port security manager, said the pilot called Moses Lake airport traffic controllers at about 1:03 p.m. and was cleared to make the emergency landing, according to Grant County news source iFiberone. com Becken said Moses Lake firefighters responded to the aircraft as soon as it landed but no fire was detected. “There is no apparent damage to the aircraft and no injuries to the flight crew,” Welding said. The source of the caution light is being investigated by Navy Maintenance personnel who will ensure the aircraft is fully ready before it is returned to its home station at NAS Whidbey Island, Welding said, but there is no specific timetable for the aircraft’s return. “The Navy appreciates the support of the staff at Grant County Airport for their assistance during the precautionary landing and the ongoing maintenance.”
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