Michael Watkins

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Blind student gets high-tech hat created by Robotics Team

Blind student gets high-tech hat created by Robotics Team

Top hats might seem a bit old fashioned, but Oak Harbor student Levi Gonzalez is bringing them back with a high-tech twist. On Thursday, Oak… Continue reading

 

Snow Day on Whidbey

Snow Day on Whidbey

Monday-morning snow was a welcome sight for many children and military members on Whidbey Island who got a unexpected three-day weekend. More than two inches… Continue reading

 

New group seeks to find balance between community, Navy

New group seeking balance between community, Navy, plans open house Monday

 

PBY Memorial Foundation to announce expansion plans

PBY Memorial Foundation to announce plans for future expansion

School bus slammed, nine students injured

School bus slammed

Aussies amongst us

Aussies amongst us

For now, Whidbey is home for members of the Royal Australian Air Force. To make the long-term guests feel at home on the island, “Welcome… Continue reading

Aussies amongst us
Rob Smith, a member of the National Parks Conservation Association holds up a dilapidated National Park Service sign and a broken shovel Monday, at Prairie Wayside in Coupeville, to show the condition of many things in need of repair or replacement in the National Park System. Smith and the NPCA were participating in a partner volunteer project along with Mission Continues, a veterans and active duty service members who spent their Martin Luther King holiday donating their time and work to the community. Photo by Michael Watkins/Whidbey News-Times

Veterans groups aid in prairie revitialization

More than 30 veteran and active duty personnel helped community members Monday work to revitalize the Prairie Wayside viewing area and trails in Coupeville. The… Continue reading

Rob Smith, a member of the National Parks Conservation Association holds up a dilapidated National Park Service sign and a broken shovel Monday, at Prairie Wayside in Coupeville, to show the condition of many things in need of repair or replacement in the National Park System. Smith and the NPCA were participating in a partner volunteer project along with Mission Continues, a veterans and active duty service members who spent their Martin Luther King holiday donating their time and work to the community. Photo by Michael Watkins/Whidbey News-Times
Pilots and aircrew from Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 130 return home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Dec. 30, 2016, from a six month deployment and were reunited with their families just in time for the new year. Photo by Michael Watkins/Whidbey News-Times

VAQ-130 returns home for the New Year

The “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron VAQ-130 returned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island after completing a seven-month deployment to support Operation Inherent Resolve Dec.… Continue reading

Pilots and aircrew from Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 130 return home to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Dec. 30, 2016, from a six month deployment and were reunited with their families just in time for the new year. Photo by Michael Watkins/Whidbey News-Times
Oak Harbor petition in support of NAS Whidbey Growlers takes off

Oak Harbor petition in support of NAS Whidbey Growlers takes off

To show solidarity and support for Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Oak Harbor leaders launched a “positive support petition.” Oak Harbor Mayor Bob Severns, three… Continue reading

Oak Harbor petition in support of NAS Whidbey Growlers takes off
Beginning band a testament to student dedication

Beginning band a testament to student dedication

More than 200 proud parents and other spectators watched the North Whidbey Middle School beginning band perform last Thursday at Oak Harbor High School. The… Continue reading

Beginning band a testament to student dedication
Park foundation trying to raise $10K for amphitheater stage

Park foundation trying to raise $10K for amphitheater stage

The Deception Pass Park Foundation, along with the state park, are trying to raise $10,000 to complete the park’s amphitheater stage by May 1, in… Continue reading

Park foundation trying to raise $10K for amphitheater stage
Members honored for School Board Recognition Month

Members honored for School Board Recognition Month

January is School Board Recognition Month, and the Oak Harbor Public Schools recognized its board members Jan. 9. The board was honored for its dedication… Continue reading

Members honored for School Board Recognition Month
Rob Smith, a member of the National Parks Conservation Association holds up a dilapidated National Park Service sign and a broken shovel Monday, at Prairie Wayside in Coupeville, to show the condition of many things in need of repair or replacement in the National Park System. Smith and the NPCA were participating in a partner volunteer project along with Mission Continues, a veterans and active duty service members who spent their Martin Luther King holiday donating their time and work to the community. Photo by Michael Watkins/Whidbey News-Times

Veterans groups aid in prairie revitialization

More than 30 veteran and active duty personnel helped community members Monday work to revitalize the Prairie Wayside viewing area and trails in Coupeville. The… Continue reading

Rob Smith, a member of the National Parks Conservation Association holds up a dilapidated National Park Service sign and a broken shovel Monday, at Prairie Wayside in Coupeville, to show the condition of many things in need of repair or replacement in the National Park System. Smith and the NPCA were participating in a partner volunteer project along with Mission Continues, a veterans and active duty service members who spent their Martin Luther King holiday donating their time and work to the community. Photo by Michael Watkins/Whidbey News-Times

Navy extends comment period on Growler study

Navy officials have extended the comment period for a draft Environmental Impact Statement by 30 days after requests from elected officials and community members. The… Continue reading

Oak Harbor School District levy request on Valentine’s Day ballot

Oak Harbor School District levy request on Valentine’s Day ballot

Just as student enrollment is rising in Oak Harbor, so is the need for additional funding for school programs, district officials say. On Feb. 14,… Continue reading

Oak Harbor School District levy request on Valentine’s Day ballot
Fire officials urge safety after two fires in one day

Fire officials urge safety after two fires in one day

Nobody was injured in back-to-back house fires on North Whidbey Thursday, but fire officials are again asking residents to be extra diligent about fire safety… Continue reading

Fire officials urge safety after two fires in one day
Oak Harbor cyclist donates hair for children’s organization

Oak Harbor cyclist donates hair for children’s organization

It’s been a while since Brad Nelson, co-manager of Skagit Cycle Store in Oak Harbor, had a haircut, but that changed last Wednesday. Nelson arrived… Continue reading

Oak Harbor cyclist donates hair for children’s organization
Island Ice is a hot event

Island Ice is a hot event

Hundreds of people were surprised to find Oak Harbor’s Island Ice was not as chilling as expected. It didn’t matter to skaters young and old… Continue reading

Island Ice is a hot event

Group requests longer comment period for draft EIS

Activist organizations from Whidbey and Puget Sound are pushing the Navy for an extension of the comment period deadline regarding the draft Environmental Impact Statement… Continue reading

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Caleb Cooper Petty Officer 3rd Class Victoria Henson, left, and Seaman Samantha Albert pick up trash during Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s Maylor Point Trail cleanup April 22 in Oak Harbor.

Navy base gets environmental award

Naval Air Station Whidbey Island was named winner of the 2016 Navy Community Service Environmental Stewardship Flagship Award in the “large shore command” category last… Continue reading

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Caleb Cooper Petty Officer 3rd Class Victoria Henson, left, and Seaman Samantha Albert pick up trash during Naval Air Station Whidbey Island’s Maylor Point Trail cleanup April 22 in Oak Harbor.