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Floating a plan for the paralyzed See ...A12
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2014 | Vol. 90, No. 49 | www.SOUTHWHIDBEYRECORD.com | 75¢
County OKs some fair group building expenses By BEN WATANABE South Whidbey Record
“We’re targeting the 24th of June,” Capacci said. The delay is largely the result of the vessel’s later than expected delivery. The state was expected to take possession of the craft last month, but a rudder problem pushed it back until June 2, Capacci said. “Two weeks just wasn’t enough time [for crew training],” Capacci said. While not overly impactful, the setback was disappointing for many
State required electrical upgrades at the Island County Fairgrounds will be covered by Island County. The $8,789 payment was seen as a victory for the Island County Fair Association, the nonprofit that produces the annual Whidbey Island Area Fair in exchange for the use and management of the 12.8 acres, even if the bulk of their request — $18,840.98 — to expose the ceiling of the Pole Building’s dining room was not reimbursed. “We were glad to get what we got, but it is an illustration that it’s an uphill battle,” said Diane Divelbess, president of the fair association, in a phone interview after the county work session June 11. Though the work was already complete and paid for by the fair association, Island County has a lease agreement with the association in which the county is only responsible for capital improvements as funding becomes available. The association’s leadership recently asked the Island County commissioners for new terms for its lease of the property. Essentially, the association said that unless the county agreed to provide additional funding it would not renew its existing contract to maintain the fairgrounds, instead focusing its efforts on running the four-day annual event. “We’re not one of these agencies that has tax support built into it, therefore
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Photo courtesy of South Whidbey Fire/EMS
South Whidbey Fire/EMS volunteers stand back from the mostly doused two-story barn north of Goss Lake that was engulfed in flames early Tuesday morning.
Nighttime blaze claims Goss Lake barn By BEN WATANABE South Whidbey Record A fire destroyed a two-story, 3,300-square-foot barn near Goss Lake early Tuesday morning. Neither of the property owners were injured, but the blaze engulfed the entire barn and the structure was a total loss, according to South Whidbey Fire/EMS officials. The cause was
unknown, and because of the way firefighters battled the flames, it may never be discovered. “It was a totally defensive fire. Unfortunately we had to dissect the building with a trackhoe, so we weren’t able to determine the cause,” said Chief Rusty Palmer. “But nothing indicated a suspicious origin.” Palmer estimated the value of the loss, includ-
ing the structure and what was stored inside, at nearly $500,000. At about 1:15 a.m., owners Ron Swenson and his wife awoke to the sound of the barn burning. “It must have just been the noise of it,” Swenson said. “It was well in flames when we SEE BARN, A24
Tokitae service entry delayed By JUSTIN BURNETT South Whidbey Record
Justin Burnett / The Record
The Tokitae, Washington’s new 144-car ferry, will enter service a little later than expected. Instead of this past Sunday, it’s now expected to begin working Tuesday, June 24.
It will be at least a week before Clinton’s new floating pride and joy, the MV Tokitae, enters service, ferry officials said this week. The boat was expected to begin shuttling travelers on and off the South End on Father’s Day, June 15, but crews need a bit more time familiarizing themselves with the new Olympic-class vessel, according to Capt. George Capacci, interim chief of the state Department of Transportation, Ferries Division.