Whidbey News-Times, October 25, 2014

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News-Times Whidbey

Suspect in shooting held on $1 million bail

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SATURDAY, October 25, 2014 | Vol.124, No. 86 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | 75¢

Former transit chief getting $106,000 payout By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter

ROSE

Reports by the Washington State Auditor’s Office puts blame for financial problems at Island Transit squarely at the feet of its fivemember board of directors. But the real bombshell concerns Martha Rose, the former director, who took vacation without deducting it from her vacation balance. She will receive $106,000 in a severance package, including $88,000 in unused vacation.

Oak Harbor Mayor Scott Dudley, who’s back on the board, said the vacation payout amounts to theft and he’s seeking an injunction to prevent Rose from being paid. A team from the state Auditor’s Office announced three official findings in the exit conference Friday morning largely attributable to lack to oversight. No misappropriation of public funds were identified, they emphasized. Cause of the current financial crisis, which led to service cuts and layoff, was poor monitoring of finances by the the board, one report states.

The audits identified $100,000 in questionable costs associated with a federal grant — including the construction of gazebos — which could have financial consequences. “Noncompliance with the grant requirements may require the transit authority to return all or a portion of this money to the grantor,” audit supervisor Jenny Lofton said. The accountability audit largely focused on Rose. She received regular raises without board SEE AUDIT, A20

Prowlers returning from final mission By JANIS REID Staff reporter

A carrier with EA-18G Growlers from Whidbey Island Naval Air Station is en route to assist with air strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and

Staff reporter

Donna Sue Holly was voted in as the new commissioner for the North Whidbey Park and Recreation District Thursday night.

the Levant. The USS Carl Vinson strike group, which includes Electronic Attack Squadron 139, replaces the USS George H.W. Bush carrier strike

By JIM WALLER and MICHELLE BEAHM Staff reporters

SEE PROWLERS, A10

The vote was held during a regularly scheduled board of commissioners meeting, with two of three candidates present. The other candidate was Victoria Robinson, who was SEE APPOINTED, A10

Whidbey’s first marijuana store opens doors Friday By BEN WATANABE Whidbey News Group

Whidbey Island saw its first legal sale of recreational marijuana Friday. Tom Trimbath, a South

Whidbey blogger, was the third paying customer. His wait was a long one, as he was initially at the store in July when news came that Whidbey SEE POT STORE OPENS, A10

Field work

Photo by Michelle Beahm/Whidbey News-Times

Lance Bauer, a kindergartner at Crescent Harbor Elementary, picks out his pumpkin at the Case Farm pumpkin patch Friday morning. See full story on page A11.

The tragic shooting at Marysville Pilchuck High School Friday will have a greater impact than a postponed football game between the school and Oak Harbor. As of Friday afternoon, two persons were confirmed dead, including the shooter, according to The Herald in Everett, sister newspaper to the Whidbey News-Times. Four other victims were also taken to area hospitals. Oak Harbor High School Assistant Principal Jarrod Fleury said grievance counselors will be available next week for “those who might need them.” He said the incident caused the school administration to revisit plans on how to handle a similar crisis at Oak Harbor High School. “No. 1, we want to have all the steps in place.” The ASB is also in the stages of planning something for the Marysville Pilchuck students, SEE SHOOTING, A10

In Cash & prIzes

Up to

Final Drawings! October 30 WNT

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School shooting hits home

N. Whidbey Parks fills last vacancy on board By MICHELLE BEAHM

n Oak Harbor councilman Jim Campbell resigns seat on Island Transit board, says other board members should step down as well.

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