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Millionaire’s Daughter Breaks Arm on Swing Set

  • By PJ Tancinco

    NEWS REPORTER

    The sound of children could always be heard from the Bassett Park playground. A chain fence now surrounds the playground, closing the premises to the public until further notice. Patricia Wellington, six-year old daughter of millionaire summer resident Thomas Wellington, broke her arm last week on the Bassett Park swing set. The young Wellington was taken to the park by her nanny Ann Walsh. While on the swing set, the chain connecting the seat to the metal frame broke sending Patricia to the ground. Dr. Joseph Bennett treated the Wellington girl at the clinic stating, “Patricia will be fine. She had two minor fractures in her forearm and should be in a cast for only about 3 to 4 weeks.”

    The Wellington family has summered on Harper’s Island for the past ten years. Thomas Wellington made his fortune in real estate founding one of the most successful real estate companies in Washington State. Thomas and his wife, Vanessa, did not return our inquiries. Simon Ramsey, the attorney for the family said, “We are currently investigating the incident to consider if any litigation is necessary.”

    Paul Fletcher, grounds keeper for the park, has maintained the playground for the past fifteen years. According to sources, Fletcher has been let go by park services. He was not available for comment.

Mystery Man Seen in the Woods

  • By Sparky Mackle

    EDITOR IN CHIEF

    It has long been rumored that there are mysterious, supernatural happenings on the island. Some people believe that aliens have landed here. Some say there is something in the water. And, some say there is a yeti that lives deep in our forests. Many are skeptical, but last week it was reported by four different people that they in fact did see a tall, shaggy, brown being moving in the woods, collecting sticks and eating berries.

    Along the jogger’s path, Jill Jones was going on her daily run through the woods when she heard a rustling behind her. She stopped and looked through the trees only to spot a large chocolate furry beast with piercing black eyes staring back at her. She screamed and took off running down the path to safety. She went straight to the police station, where Sheriff Mills accompanied her back to the scene. At first, he saw nothing. However, upon further inspection, he discovered large footprints leading deep into the forest and disappearing into a dark cave. Sheriff Mills walked back to his car, called in for back up, and waited until the Deputy showed up. The two of them returned to the cave and entered, armed with guns. After following the footprints in the cave for an hour, they arrived upon the carcasses of a deer and remnants of a High School Orcas football jersey.

    Since that day, Sheriff Mills has returned numerous times to the cave, but there have been no more signs of the mysterious creature. Regardless, many local residents still believe that he exists, following them along the jogger’s path and through the woods, waiting to make his move.

Music on the Sound

  • By Sparky Mackle

    EDITOR IN CHIEF

    The opening night of “Music on the Sound” will begin tomorrow evening, starting at 7:30 p.m. sharp.

    Get there early to grab a spot. Bring food, family, and friends to enjoy the beautiful reverberations of the Harper’s Island High School orchestra. What a wonderful way to kick off the summer and welcome all of the vacationers to Harper’s Island. The band will play classical music as well as some upbeat fun numbers to keep the night festive. So head down to the pier tomorrow for our first magical musical night!

    Throughout the summer, they will feature different styles of music, including big band, swing, rock, classical, and jazz. All performed by local musicians, young and old. What a great way to support our community and expose yourself to new music!

Jet Boat Returns To Record Ticket Sales

  • By Sparky Mackle

    EDITOR IN CHIEF

    Going 40 miles per hour may not seem fast, but going 40 mph on the open sea is an experience of a lifetime. The Hurricane Jet Boat Tour Company has been coming to Harper’s Island for the past three years. It has quickly turned into an annual event for many locals, and tickets this year are close to selling out.

    Ronald Harris, captain and co-owner, grew up on Harper’s Island and co-founded the company in Oregon. “At first, I would bring one of my boats back to Harper’s and show my friends and family a good time out on the water. Word of mouth soon spread, and I was giving friends of friends rides with the people willing to pay for it,” said Harris.

    The tour is around Harper’s Island and some surrounding islands, lasting about three hours. Two tours will be given daily from June 21st through the 25th. Harris warns, “We don’t go 40 mph the entire time, but you will get wet. So, wear a bathing suit and don’t forget to bring a towel.”

    People with heart conditions and any woman who is pregnant should not ride. Children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by a parent and must be 40 inches tall. A limited number of tickets are still available. $40 for adults and $30 for children.

Chopping Down The Past

  • By J.J. Whispers

    NEWS REPORTER

    Last night’s town hall meeting played host to the island’s most heated debate since Wendell’s Pharmacy started filling orders for medicinal Marijuana.  At the heart of the issue was the Tree of Woe; the tree that stands close to the Eastern Bluff, and was the site where John Wakefield hanged three of his victims.

    A motion was brought to cut down the tree that so many see as a dark reminder of the Wakefield atrocities that still haunt many Harper’s Island residents more than five years after the murders.  Before the motion could pass, Kelly Seaver, daughter of one of the victims who died on the tree, objected, insisting that, “We need the tree to serve as a reminder of what happened on this island.”  She went on to say, “We can never forget what John Wakefield did.”  Other attendees came to her support.

    The debate became heated and both sides were nearly shouting, when Sheriff Charlie Mills was asked to weigh in.  Sheriff Mills quieted the crowd by saying, “Before John Wakefield strung my wife up in that tree, she and I enjoyed a number of picnics under it.  When I see the tree now, those are all that I remember.”  With the crowd stunned to silence, he added, “But if it makes you feel better to cut down a perfectly good tree, then so be it.”

    The meeting concluded shortly thereafter, with no resolution on the matter.  The official minutes list the topic as “to be determined”.

Lost Youth or Youth Lost?

  • By Sparky Mackle

    EDITOR IN CHIEF

    Have you looked around lately?  Look closer and you’ll see what I’m seeing: the tattoos, the hair dye, the piercings.  Now do you see it?

    The youth of Harper’s Island has turned our town into a circus freak show.   Under the guise of free expression and just plain boredom, these kids look and dress like degenerates. It’s Halloween all year round. The summer tourists who visit our historic village want to get away from the rowdy teenagers and twentysomething punks that roam the streets in their town.  The Cannery was once a place where fisherman and other locals could enjoy a drink amongst friends in a friendly atmosphere.  Ever since Nikki Bolton inherited the establishment from her father five years ago, it has become the clubhouse for the young and directionless of Harper’s Island.

    Were we so different in our youth?  Yes.  The nineteen-sixties and seventies in America was a time of great social and political change.  The Civil Rights movement, the woman’s revolution, and the hippie culture changed the world for the better.  Peace and equal rights was the message of the day.

    Today’s youth craves a “me” culture.  Internet blogs and facebook pages may connect us but it keeps us at our computers, far away from human contact.  The Internet also perpetuates the culture of “me” by telling the world how special and unique you are through your personal page or blog.  I’m not here to censor and condemn our youth; rather I wish for them to find a direction or cause to better our society and world.

Antique Bear Trap Causes Deadly Accident

  • By J.J. Whispers

    NEWS REPORTER

    A car accident on State Route 530 outside of Arlington killed 3 people early yesterday morning. The cause of the accident was an antique bear leg trap left on the road. The victim’s names have not yet been released to the public. Sources say the victims were two males and one female in their early twenties. Police are investigating this as a possible manslaughter. The bear trap was set in the middle of the West bound lane on a blind corner of Route 530. Washington State Patrol Trooper, Duane Roberts said, “It would have been impossible for the driver to see or avoid the bear trap.” According to the police report, the car was moving at approximately 50 mph when it hit the trap, blowing out the front tire and forcing the vehicle to strike a nearby tree. The trap must have also hit the gas tank because it did not take long for a leak to lead to an inferno with the car exploding into flames.

    All animal traps have been outlawed in Washington State for the past 8 years and the one found has not been used in a hundred years. Authorities have no motive behind the possible manslaughter and some believe this could have been a prank that had gone horribly wrong. State Troopers will begin questioning people in the surrounding area as well as in Arlington. State police are asking the public for any information regarding the accident.


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