News-Times Whidbey
Couple’s growing enterprise
A10
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2014 | Vol.124, No. 102 | WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | 75¢
Town sells Navy development rights near OLF By Megan Hansen Co-Editor
The Navy paid the Town of Coupeville $800,000 last week in exchange for development rights to 54 acres of property near Whidbey Island Naval Air Station’s Outlying Field. The deal, facilitated through the Whidbey Camano Land
Trust, is one of three acquisitions completed with the Navy this year. The Navy now holds restrictive easements that halt further development of seven properties around Outlying Field Coupeville. Pat Powell, executive director for the Land Trust, said her
organization often works with other groups where there’s a property that meets the goals of all parties involved. In 2006 and 2011, two easements were acquired on properties in Smith Prairie along Parker Road. Earlier this year, the Land Trust helped facilitate the SEE PURCHASE, A22
Haggen acquires Safeway in OH
Friends aim to help man hurt in crash By JESSIE STENSLAND Co-Editor
A webpage is seeking donations to help an Oak Harbor man seriously injured in a Dec. 12 car accident. From his hospital bed Thursday, Jason Rice said that he suffered a broken pelvis, a broken left leg, a broken right wrist and fingers and broken ribs in the collision. “I’m in a lot of pain, but I guess that’s to be expected,” he said. His 16-year-old son, Devin Rice, was a passenger in the accident but only suffered bumps and bruises. Oak Harbor Police Chief Ed Green said the collision occurred just after 9 p.m. on Southwest Heller Street at Southwest Eighth Street. Green said California resident Maxine Caldera, 28, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer on Heller Street. Caldera started driving off the roadway, overcorrected and crossed the centerline into the path of Rice’s 2002 Toyota Prius, according to Green. Damage to the vehicles is very extensive, Green said. Caldera was cited by police for crossing the centerline. Rice was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for treatment. SEE FRIENDS, A23
WNT
Deal part of FTC-required divestiture By JESSIE STENSLAND Staff reporter
coming year as the agency struggles to rebuild its finances, restore routes, negotiate to continue bus connector services to other counties and deal with the possible unionization of drivers and dispatchers. Kenneth Graska, the interim director, attended his first board meeting Friday morning. He will replace Coupeville
Oak Harbor’s Safeway store will become a Haggen store as part of a larger deal involving 168 grocery stores across eight states. The nearby Albertson’s store in Oak Harbor will likely remain unchanged, according to a spokesman for the company. Haggen announced Friday that all Safeway employees, including those in Oak Harbor, will have the opportunity to work for the Haggen store once the transition is complete. The purchase is subject to final approval by the Federal Trade Commission. Albertson’s, LLC is currently in the process of acquiring Safeway through a merger.
SEE STORY, A23
SEE HAGGEN, A22
Photo by Jessie Stensland/Whidbey News-Times
New Island County Commissioner Rick Hannold, left, has been appointed to serve on the board of directors for Island Transit. Fellow commissioner Helen Price Johnson, at right, will be replaced by Commissioner Jill Johnson.
Island Transit shakeup
Price Johnson is out; Hannold, Johnson appointed to board By JESSIE STENSLAND Co-Editor
The leadership of Island Transit will look very different in the new year. The majority of board members have been replaced and will be working with a new interim director. The new group of leaders has a lot on their plate in the
Casino opens at 9 am. Must be 21 or older with valid ID. *Must be a Rewards Club Member. Visit Rewards Club Center for details. Management reserves all rights.