Whidbey News-Times News Briefs | July 19

Traffic goes

both ways

Officers for the Oak Harbor Police Department will be patrolling the area around Ely Street to educate motorists of a recent traffic change.

Ely Street between Barrington Drive and Pioneer Way opened Tuesday evening to traffic in both directions. Parking is also available on both sides of the street.

Oak Harbor Police Officer Tony Slowik said there are still motorists who are traveling on the wrong side of what used to be a one-way road. He said officers will pull motorists over and inform them about the traffic change.

“We’re trying to educate everybody,” Slowik said.

The city council approved the street change to improve egress in and out of downtown, Slowik said.

Election hits

on a dog day

It’s summertime, but forget about sand, suds, music and fun: There’s an election to which good citizens must pay attention.

This year’s Washington state primary election is set for one of the dog days of summer on Tuesday, Aug. 19, but it actually begins long before that. The Island County Auditor’s Office will send out ballots for the all-mail election the last week of July.

Meanwhile, to attune voters to the candidates and issues, The League of Women Voters of Whidbey Island is sponsoring two “Candidates and Issues” nights for North and Central Whidbey voters.

The first will be held Tuesday, July 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Oak Harbor Elks Club, 155 NE Ernst St., and the second is Thursday, July 31 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Coupeville Recreation Hall, 901 NW Alexander St.

It’s a chance for voters to meet the candidates in person and hear about the issues. For more information contact Mendy Mclean-Stone at 678-5567 or email at mmclean-

stone@hotmail.com.

Grinding work begins Monday

Callen Construction Company, Inc. and its sub contractor, Lakeside Industries, Inc, will be grinding existing asphalt and paving at the intersection of Ault Field Road and Oak Harbor Road early next week.

Joe Araucto, Island County construction engineer, said the night paving operation is necessary to limit impact to motorists. The intersection will be open to traffic; limited to one lane alternating controlled traffic during work activities.

Grinding is scheduled to start late afternoon on Monday, July 21, and paving will begin Tuesday, July 22, in the afternoon at around 4:30 p.m. All paving work is expected to be completed by 11 p.m. the same day.

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