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Log in here The Camano Arts Association is bringing back the Camano Island Studio Tour — an event where local artists invite visitors to peruse their working studios — for a 26th year from May 9–10 and May 17–18 The Camano Arts Association is bringing back the Camano Island Studio Tour — an event where local artists invite visitors to peruse their working studios — for a 26th year from May 9–10 and May 17–18 Studios from participating artists will be open from 10 a.m.–5 p.m Among those showcasing their work and studios are Jack Gunter and Karla Matzke — a trio that also happens to have been involved with the tour for more than 20 years find out how a Kirkland contestant fared on an episode of 'Wheel of Fortune' this week downtown Bellevue debuts its first head spa Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: CAMANO ISLAND, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A murder on Camano Island has been solved more than 20 years after it occurred but the killer will not be brought to trial.adButlerLazyLoad("550416728304417150",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); The Island County Sheriff’s Office announced the night of Jan 9 that it has closed its investigation into the 2003 murder of 39-year-old Tammy Mattson Prosecutors and police say they’re confident that the killer is 69-year-old Carl Schlobom who is currently serving a life sentence in Arizona for a separate murder in 2005 But the Sheriff’s Office says he cannot be prosecuted for Mattson’s murder because he suffers from advanced dementia Mattson’s body was found at Camano Island State Park in December 2003 and detectives spent the next six years investigating the case without a suspect DNA evidence found on a cigarette butt at the scene matched Schlobom detectives say he explained that he killed Mattson over a dispute about a drug deal Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks says Schlobom’s diminished mental condition now makes it impossible to prosecute him Banks hopes that resolving the case will bring some measure of closure to Mattson’s family.adButlerLazyLoad("378758371919205353",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); Jason Upton is a reporter and afternoon news anchor at KGMI Feel free to send any story ideas or news tips to jupton@pnwmediagroup.com Editor’s Note: Story updated at 11:35 a.m on 5/5/25 to correct details of the […] Some of the director’s new duties will include a multimillion-dollar runway project and air traffic control tower upgrades Gwyn Howat says she’s stepping back after finishing up her 34th year at the mountain WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – When Dave Vitt founded Kulshan Brewing Company in 2011 WWU will bring its 13-game win streak into the national softball tournament Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again — Two adults and a boy were rescued by a Coast Guard helicopter after their boat was grounded off Camano Island Saturday afternoon fire crews in Camano were unable to reach the stranded boaters due to the steep terrain A USCG helicopter was then requested to access them the aircrew hoisted the 12-year-old boy up first and took him to Paine Field Airport to be seen by local emergency medical services The rescue aircrew then headed back to the scene to hoist the remaining two adults they were taken to the airport and transferred to emergency medical care as well Day Trip Diaries is a Cascadia Daily News travel series profiling communities within two hours’ travel of Bellingham. Do you have a suggestion for where to cover next? Send tips to cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com.  Distance from Bellingham: 1 hour (50 miles) You may have heard Camano Island called “the island you can drive to,” or “the easy island.” That’s because the unincorporated community is accessible via a singular bridge on State Route 532 — so accessible you might not realize you left the mainland until you check a map Camano’s accessibility is intertwined with its history as a vacation destination the island was known as kol-lut-chen (“land jutting out into the bay”) by the Coast Salish People European settlers renamed it after Spanish explorer Jacinto Caamaño and loggers also dubbed it “Crow Island” during their 20th-century heyday.  These loggers cleared Camano of its old-growth forests by 1922, so developers pivoted to another economic opportunity: resorts and, eventually, private vacation homes. A whopping 26 fishing resorts opened and closed across the island’s 40 square miles between 1921 and 1990 Today’s Camano still has private beaches and bountiful snowbirds — but it’s also home to parks trails and winding roads are easily Camano’s main draw Camano isn’t a shopping or dining destination (though I met plenty of friendly islanders at the stores and restaurants at Terry’s Corner) Folks come to Camano to disconnect — at least for an afternoon Driving the length of Camano Island takes a mere half-hour You’d also be hard-pressed to find trails longer than 5 miles This means ambitious daytrippers can tackle multiple routes in a day — but if you ask me Camano is best experienced with a looser itinerary follow signs for farmstands and art galleries and get to know the backroads as best you can Camano Island Coffee also makes drinks with locally roasted beans they’re not affiliated with Camano Island Coffee Roasters) The coffee shop has three locations across the island including one at the island’s biggest grocery store If you worked up an appetite after your hike, stop by Cama Beach Cafe within Cama Beach State Park It’s one of the best eateries on the island offering fantastic outdoor seating and a hearty brunch menu (Tip: The biscuits and gravy are some of the best I’ve found outside the South.) midday is a good time to pick a spot by the green and people-watch adults chatting over beverages and an abundance of dogs.  The green is also within walking distance of Freedom Park, which features a playground and public art. For even more outdoor art, visit Matzke Fine Art and Sculpture Park which exhibits 150 works across 10 acres on the island’s southern side Visit Cactus + Co., an indoor plant store above Primal Barbeque, for one-of-a-kind souvenirs. The shop features gifts, a surprisingly wide selection of houseplants and a knowledgeable staff. Another go-to place for shopping is The Camano Shop a lifestyle boutique tucked away in a cozy historic farmhouse If you need an afternoon pick-me-up, Camano Scoopz serves Lopez Island Creamery ice cream in homemade waffle cones. Another sweet treat option is Shoebox Baking Company’s “cookie shack” in the Madrona Beach neighborhood This tiny pop-up stocks homemade cookies and cookie ice cream sandwiches on the honor system with proceeds benefiting the Camano Island Food Bank It’s located just a block away from owner Karen Lindsay’s home where she also operates her cottage baking business And if you’re hoping to grab a local brew, late afternoon is the time to do so: Ale Spike Camano Island Brewing the island’s sole brewery just north of Cama Beach State Park you can drive somewhat aimlessly without getting lost — and golden hour is the best time to do so There’s something magical about these winding especially when blind corners lead to unobstructed views of the Salish Sea You could make a loop around the island in just over an hour or use the opportunity to venture to Camano’s quieter notable for its sandy shores and idyllic sunset views don’t rush the journey and make stops along the way Drive down streets with interesting-sounding names If you see signs for flowers or fresh eggs go investigate: You might find yourself at one of Camano’s many honor-system farmstands Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext Email newstips@cascadiadaily.com or Call/Text 360-922-3092 Hospital allegedly “demonstrated an inability to correct numerous deficiencies” The defendant allegedly displayed a gun and pistol-whipped a 17-year-old boy Banks sent out his analysis of the evidence and the law in a memo Friday morning.