News-Times Whidbey
LIVING: Birders zoom in on loons at state park Page A10
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2014 | Vol. 115, No. 9 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | 75¢
Study reveals groundwater contributed to massive slide By NATHAN WHALEN Staff Reporter
Homeowners still living near the massive landslide area in Ledgewood are wary as more pieces of the bluff continue to slough off. Ralph Young, a resident living near the landslide site, said a large piece of the bluff broke away last month. “We were concerned it’ll slide again,” Young said. Island County Public Works Director Bill Oakes said officials anticipated that more parts of the bluff would break off and that the debris field from the springtime
landslide would remain unstable. The massive landslide occurred in March 2013, destroying a portion of Driftwood Way and prompted the evacuation of several nearby houses. Oakes said a final geology report concerning the landslide was completed in late 2013. That report described the incident as “unprecedented in recent history” and said it “represents one of the largest landslide events in the recorded history of the Puget Sound area.” The report, which was compiled by GeoEngineers, SEE STUDY, A8
Photo by Nathan Whalen/Whidbey News-Times
A home pushed 400 feet after a massive landslide last year burned down last week. Fire crews had trouble getting to the home.
OH levy dollars put into action
Coupeville schools seeking support for levies
By RON NEWBERRY
Coupeville School District has two proposals on the Feb. 11 ballot. The first request is for renewal of the maintenance and operations levy, which will bring in $2.24 million each year for four years. That money accounts for nearly one quarter of the school district’s revenue, according to school district officials. It helps pay the salaries for teachers, paraeducators, a school nurse, counseling and library services. It also helps fund student transportation, sports and
By NATHAN WHALEN Staff Reporter
Staff reporter
Inside Che Edoga’s classroom, all eyes are locked to a crude-looking device navigating through a tabletop maze. Students surround the table, watching as the unit rolls slowly and turns, collecting cardboard tubes along the way with two prongs that catch them. The route is all pre-programmed by Edoga’s students at Oak Harbor Middle School. No remote controls are allowed. This particular mission seemed perfect until one tube teetered at the last moment, SEE OAK HARBOR, A5
Photo by Ron Newberry/Whidbey News-Times
Gabe Salinger, center, and other students at Oak Harbor Middle School watch robots at work in Che Edoga’s robotics class. The class was one of two new career-tech courses offered for Oak Harbor middle schoolers this school year as a result of voters approving the levy last February.
SEE COUPEVILLE, A5
YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER
YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER
• YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER • YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER • YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER • YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER • YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER • • Diamonds & Bridal Jewelry 830 SE Pioneer Way • Gold, Silver & Fine Jewelry Oak Harbor • Vintage & Estate Jewelry 360-679-3700 • Buy & Trade Jewelry 2013 Tues-Fri 11-5:30 • Sat 10-5 • Repairs & Consignments Est 1991 22 years at the same location • Layaway for the Holidays • YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER • YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER • YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER • YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER • YOUR LOCAL GOLD BUYER •