News-Times Whidbey
INSIDE: Birders count down to event
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2014 | Vol. 124, No. 100 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | 75¢
Fed budget ups EA-18G buy to 15
A golden legacy
By JANIS REID Staff reporter
The number of EA-18G Growlers funded in the 2015 national budget increased from five to 15 in $1.1 trillion bill that passed the House this week. An outspoken supporter of the Growler and its basing at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, Congressman Rick Larsen voted against the spending bill Thursday “for reasons related to problematic changes to campaign finance laws, Pell grants and pensions,” according to Larsen’s SEE BUDGET, A5
Top Sailors, Marine honored By JANIS REID Staff reporter
Photo by Ron Newberry/Whidbey News-Times
Dave Fikse, right, owner of Gerald’s Diamond Jewelers, said the community’s support over his dad’s passing has been incredible.
Local jewelry store founder remembered By RON NEWBERRY Staff reporter
M
att Fikse wasn’t old enough to work at Gerald’s Jewelry during the days when his grandfather was still behind the counter interacting with customers. Over the years, though, he’s heard countless stories of how Gerald Fikse conducted business with a certain charm and passion that resonated throughout his jewelry store. This week, those stories continued as longtime customers stopped into the store on Midway Boulevard in Oak
Harbor to offer condolences to the family of a man who made a lasting impression in his community. Gerald Fikse died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 83 Saturday night following a period of declining health. Part of his legacy is one of Oak Harbor’s longest-operating businesses, which opened in 1958 and is still being run by two younger generations in his family. “He just had an aura about him of professionalism in work and away from work,” said Matt Fikse, who followed his grandfather and father, Dave, in
Gerald Fikse, left, in the 1950s working at the Tick Tock Shop in downtown Oak Harbor, and later, working at his own jewelry store on Midway Boulevard.
The Navy celebrated their elite at the annual Sailor and Marine of the Year awards Friday. The Friday event, sponsored by the Oak Harbor Area Council of the Navy League and the Oak Harbor Rotary, chooses a sea sailor, a shore sailor and a marine each year to honor. The award winners are chosen for sustained superior performance, leadership and meritorious achievement well beyond the call of duty. SEE HONORED, A5
Subpoenas fly in alleged assault at Whidbey General By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
Whidbey General Hospital is fighting a subpoena from the Island County prosecutor seeking an internal investigation report into allegations that the chief nursing officer assaulted a restrained patient. The prosecution is simultaneously fighting the chief nursing officer’s subpoena of all
SEE FIKSE, A20
SEE SUBPOENAS, A5
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