Vol. 125, No. 54
News-Times Whidbey
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2015
WWW.WHIDBEYNEWSTIMES.COM | 75 CENTS
North Whidbey vs. Central Whidbey
Your hometown newspaper for 125 years
FBI reviewing investigation of jailhouse death
Boats run aground off North Whidbey North Whidbey Fire and Rescue responded to two boats that ran aground Monday afternoon on the north end of Whidbey Island. A 40-foot boat ran aground on rocks near Deception Pass and later that afternoon, another craft got stuck north of Strawberry Point. Rescuers waited near the boats to make sure everyone on board was OK and neither vessel was taking on water, said Deputy Chief Mike Brown. U.S. Coast Guard had issued a warning to boats in the Deception Pass area to keeps speed low so the boat hung up on the rocks wasn’t damaged. Both boats were freed by the high tide. Brown didn’t know the particular plans of these boat owners but he noted that there are more boats in local waters because it’s crabbing season. “There may be people out there who don’t know the area as well and are running into shallow waters,” he said.
By JESSIE STENSLAND Co-editor
The FBI is reviewing the investigation into an inmate’s dehydration death at Island County jail. Sheriff Mark Brown said he met with an FBI agent from the Bellingham office last Thursday to discuss the death of 25-yearold Keaton Farris. “I told her I would cooperate fully and do whatever I can to help,” he said, adding that he welcomes an independent
Staff reporter
Long-time local leader Mike Milat, known for his warmth, sharp wit and selfless service to the community, died Friday at his Oak Harbor home. He was 85.
review of the tragedy. He said the agent is going to evaluate Detective Ed Wallace’s report on the series of failures in the jail that led to the April 7 death of Farris. AYN DIETRICH-WILLIAMS, a media coordinator for the FBI, said the agency routinely gets involved in such cases to determine if a federal crime was committed. “Unless it is determined that a federal crime was committed, SEE FBI, A5
IT’s Skagit connector may get $2.3-million reprieve By JESSIE STENSLAND Co-editor
Photo by Debra Vaughn/Whidbey News-Times
City celebrates America
About 4,000 people turned out to enjoy Oak Harbor’s annual Fourth of July parade Saturday. Re/MAX Properties continued its long tradition of handing out thousands of flags at the start of the parade. See story and more photos on page 10.
Longtime councilman dies By DEBRA VAUGHN
page 9
It seems there was no part of the community Milat didn’t touch. He served as a city councilman for 24 years and worked as a principal at both Crescent SEE MILAT, A5
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The only bus route connecting Whidbey Island to Skagit County may not be cancelled after all. The state transportation bill includes $2.3 million for Island Transit’s tri-county connector service. Oak Harbor City Councilman Rick Almberg, chairman of the
Woman, animal control want pesky pigs penned BY DEBRA VAUGHN Staff reporter
Two pigs have been paying Diane Rusher’s house a visit, and they’ve been behaving like … well, pigs.
Island Transit board, said he confirmed the funding with state Sen. Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor. She said there are no strings attached to the funds. A previous state allocation required Island Transit to charge fares, which doesn’t currently occur. It would take the agency many months to change SEE TRANSIT, A3
The Oak Harbor woman said she first spotted the porky pair about three weeks ago outside her Silver Lake area home. Since then they’ve made her property their personal piggy party pad. The rogue swine chomped plants in flower pots, knocked over outdoor lights and lolled around in the yard. “I’ve tried to shoo them away,” Rusher said. “They’ll SEE PIGS, A5
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