News-Times Whidbey
ISLAND LIVING
Ballot snafu shakes up homecoming Page A11
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013 | Vol. 114, No. 84 | www.whidbeynewstimes.com | 75¢
Audit shows city pool aswim in controversy
Report: Fund was tapped by fired staff By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
A fraud investigation by the state Auditor’s Office into the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District found a
long list of problems, including missing money, in a nowdefunct fund set up for the aquatics club. The Auditor’s Office forwarded the report to the
Island County Prosecutor’s Office. Prosecutor Greg Banks said he contacted the Oak Harbor Police Department for a follow-up.
Whidbey News-Times photo by Sara Hansen
North Whidbey Park and Recreation Commissioner Sean Merrill, at left, discusses the results of an audit with fellow Commissioner Allan McDougall during Thursday’s meeting. The auditors recommend that the district go after both a former Aquajets coach and former administrative assis-
tant, or possibly an insurance bonding company, for $7,818 in investigative costs. The findings, which fol-
lowed a year-long investigation, offers some vindication See pool audit, A15
‘Pet’ coyote may land OH family in the doghouse By RON NEWBERRY Staff reporter
Life won’t be the same around Jennifer Horn’s house any time soon. When she steps onto her back porch and stares at the dense woods on her property in rural Oak Harbor, she’ll no longer see a familiar creature emerge when she calls his name. Whenever Horn would shout, “Come to mama,” a coyote she named Kota would eventually arrive at her feet. Sometimes, it took 5 minutes, other times 10, but he’d always find his way back to her. Horn would tickle his belly, scratch his mane and put out some dog food.
Above, Jennifer Horn, with her children Grace, 4, and Gavin, 7, in their backyard in rural Oak Harbor. At left, Jennifer gets a kiss from Kota, a coyote she bottle fed and raised after it was found alone in the woods.
FOR NINE months, things went on this way, starting with the day he was found alone in the woods, just weeks old, then taken to Horn to be cared for. See doghouse, A12
Second Amendment debate leads to challenge for council pos. 4 By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
Very distinct paths in life led the two men to challenging each other for position 4 on the Oak Harbor City Council. Lucas Yonkman grew up in Oak Harbor
in a well-known family that owns a successful construction company. After graduating from Oak Harbor High School, he enlisted in the Army, learned Arabic and ended up in Afghanistan, where he was seriously injured by a rocket-propelled grenade. After being medically discharged, he
returned home to Oak Harbor and joined with a fellow “wounded warrior” to start a new construction company. “I’m just a regular guy running for public office in his hometown and trying to make a difference,” he said. Bob Severns, the incumbent, earned a
bachelor’s degree in administrative management and came to Oak Harbor in 1974 after accepting the position of vice president of Island Title Company. He didn’t plan on staying for more than a few years, but ended up See Position 4, A15