Wednesday, January 22, 2014 • Whidbey News-Times
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LEDGEWOOD HOME BURNS CONTINUED FROM A1 the edge of a mound. Firefighters faced a number of challenges before they could extinguish the fire. With a portion of the road wiped out by the landslide, the only access to the lower part of the neighborhood is via a small, barely one-lane wide road. Because of the road’s width and a hairpin turn, the large fire trucks weren’t able to maneuver down to the neighborhood. Three smaller brush trucks responded to the Sunday evening conflagration, said Chad Michael, deputy chief for Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue. The fire was reported by Ralph Young, who lives in a house atop of the bluff overlooking the manufactured home. Young said he was just getting ready for bed after celebrating the Seahawks victory when he spotted the fire. “It was quite an inferno,” Young said. Michael said the home was engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived, which was approximately 10 minutes after getting the report. Firefighters had to access the fire from a neighboring residence. Fire hoses were lowered approximately 500 feet down a ravine created by last year’s landslide and up the mound where the abandoned house sat. A brush apparatus holds 250 gallons of water. While one was used to fight the
blaze, the other two were used to ferry water to the site, Michael said. A total 20 firefighters from Central Whidbey Fire and Rescue, North Whidbey Fire and Rescue, Naval Air Station Whidbey and South Whidbey Fire/EMS assisted in dousing the blaze. The blaze was extinguished around 1:50 a.m. Monday morning and a small number of firefighters remained on scene throughout Monday extinguishing any flare ups. A fire investigator combed through the wreckage Tuesday to try and determine a cause of the blaze, Michael said. The house was supposed to be unoccupied and didn’t have any electrical service. Island County Sheriff Mark Brown said the fact that there wasn’t electricity to the house makes the fire suspicious. Brown said the the sheriff’s office is also conducting an investigation. Young said neighbors saw evidence in the months since the landslide that people were breaking into the house. People tried to board up the residence only to find the board later removed, he said. “It’s a continual thing,” Young said. n If anyone has information about the fire, call the Island County Sheriff’s Office at 360-678-4422 or ICOM at 360-6799567.
Whidbey man earns Oscar nomination Photo by Justin Burnett/Whidbey News-Times
Rep. Dave Hayes, who represents Camano Island, discusses his congressional initiatives at a recent meeting with Whidbey News-Times editors. He has been honored by the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs.
HAYES HONORED CONTINUED FROM A1 Hayes is also a sergeant with the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office and a former president and executive board member of WACOPS. “I believe one of the highest priorities of government must be to protect citizens and keep our streets and neighborhoods safe,” Hayes said. “WACOPS is made up of men and women in law enforcement who are dedicated to protecting and serving our communities.” “It is a great honor to be recognized by this statewide group and my peers in law enforcement.” Island County Commissioner Kelly Emerson, who represents Camano Island and North Whidbey Island, said that the feedback she has received from her constituency about Hayes is positive. “Since he took office he has been very responsive to our requests,” Emerson said. “I’m very pleased that he’s been honored. Most folks on Camano are really happy with all their representatives.” Sheriff Mark Brown, who oversees public safety on both Whidbey and Camano Islands, said that Hayes is a “very honest, very straightforward” kind of legislator. “He brings a common sense approach
to the legislative process that I think we need,” Brown said. “He thinks things through and he’s very genuine and insightful.” The award was issued during WACOPS’ Winter Membership Meeting last week in Olympia. Hayes was joined by several law enforcement officers from the Camano Island and Stanwood area, including Dave Osman, Jim Phillips, Rich Phillips and Joe Uhrich. “As a law enforcement officer and former president of the Washington Council of Police and Sheriff’s, representative Hayes understands the interests of our members and is a great advocate of our issues in the Legislature,” said WACOPS President Craig Bulkley. “This award is to show our appreciation for his work to help law enforcement officers across the state of Washington in their efforts to protect and serve the public.” In addition to Hayes, WACOPS also recognized Sen. Kirk Pearson of the Senate Republican Caucus, Sen. Jeannie Darnielle of the Senate Democratic Caucus, and Rep. Marcus Riccelli of the House Democratic Caucus.
Freeland resident Bob Nelson has one more nomination behind his name this awards season. Nelson was nominated for an Oscar in the best original screenplay category for his screenplay, “Nebraska.” Nelson is up against screenplays
from “American Hustle,” “Blue Jasmine,” “Her” and “Dallas Buyers Club.” Nelson and the film was earlier nominated for categories in the Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Independent Spirit Awards and several others. “Nebraska” has also been
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nominated for five other categories in the Oscars including best motion picture, best director, best actor, best supporting actress and best achievement in cinematography. The 86th Oscars will air 5:30 p.m. Sunday, March 2.
Charles S. Blackadar MD CDR MC USN (ret.)
Your family’s physician should be able to relate to, and be trusted by each family member. My goal is to help improve the quality of life for your entire family.
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