Community Corner

🌱 How security cameras led Oak Harbor police to a hiding burglary suspect

Also check out Adopt a Toy Soldier on the Oak Harbor Patch calendar

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Hey there, Oak Harbor! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How security cameras led Oak Harbor police to a hiding burglary suspect
  • Why a DeGraff Road dispute ended with a rock and felony charge
  • How vacation homes are squeezing Island County renters and Oak Harbor locals

Also on today's calendar: Mat Pilates Level 2 and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What do you call a belt that is made of watches? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 59 and low of 48 degrees.
  • Friday: Low clouds may break, temps: high: 63, low: 50.
  • Saturday: Sunshine and a few clouds, with a high of 61 and low of 48 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Oak Harbor police find man hiding as tub overflows (southwhidbeyrecord.com) — Oak Harbor police say they found a suspected burglar hiding in a garage while a bathtub overflowed and security cameras were disabled inside a vacant southeast-side home. A 67-year-old man, known to officers from prior contacts, was arrested after the homeowner's son reported suspicious activity on the cameras and later identified jewelry and electronics allegedly taken from the house.
   

2. Oak Harbor man accused of death threat with rock (whidbeynewstimes.com) — Island County authorities say an Oak Harbor man threatened to kill another man with a softball-sized rock during a dispute tied to an eviction on DeGraff Road. A judge found probable cause for felony harassment, set bail at $10,000, and ordered a mental health evaluation before any release, underscoring how tense landlord-tenant conflicts can become locally.
   

3. Vacation homes add pressure to Island County housing market (whidbeynewstimes.com) — Island County's growing number of vacation homes and short-term rentals is tightening the housing market for Oak Harbor-area residents, with more than half of renters now considered cost-burdened. County officials are planning new short-term rental regulations in 2027 but say state tax limits and strong demand for second homes make it hard to ease prices for local workers and families.
   

4. North Whidbey murder trial delayed until January - Whidbey News-Times (whidbeynewstimes.com) — A North Whidbey man's trial in the 2024 shooting death of his roommate at a Cerullo Drive residence north of Oak Harbor has been pushed from October to January. Prosecutors allege he used an AR-15 after earlier threats, while the defense has hired an emergency medicine expert to review his injuries, signaling a complex, closely watched case for local residents.
   

📸 Around Oak Harbor

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • #Medicare Open Enrollment starts Oct.
    15, but it's not too soon to get ready. We can walk you through everything you need to know! Click here to get started: https://direc.to/p4Vc (Nextdoor )
  • Did you feel the earth move under your feet today?
    It's a good reminder to double check your earthquake insurance coverage! If you have any questions about how earthquake insurance works, check out:… (Nextdoor )
  • Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Team Member in Oak Harbor. Apply here.
  • Maurices posted a job opening for Temporary Retail Sales Support in Oak Harbor. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Oak Harbor here.

Ok Oak Harbor! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A waist of time. (Thank you Martin L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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