By Patty Rubstello, Assistant Secretary, Washington State Department of Transportation Ferries Division The 144-vehicle capacity Yakima replaced the 124-vehicle capacity Cathlamet on the Anacortes and San Juan Islands route Friday, June 11. Systemwide, we’re working to build back service to pre-pandemic levels. However, this will continue to be a gradual process as we deal with  Continue Reading

By Deb Langhans, holistic life coach, Journeys to Healing Journeys to Healings presents “Processing the Pandemic” Inner Journey Collage© Workshop from 10 a.m.-noon and 3-5 p.m. Sunday, June 27 online for $50.  The scourge of COVID-19 has upended our lives as the most horrific pandemic since 1918. While vaccines provide hope for eventually defeating the  Continue Reading

From the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor Lori Haugen is the Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor volunteer of the month for June 2021. Lori started volunteering for the shelter in February 2021 as a Treasure Hounds retail associate. Lori also volunteers her time helping at the shelter, in the APS-FH Low-Cost Spay and Neuter  Continue Reading

From San Juan County Since the last update on Friday, June 4, total cases in San Juan County have not increased, and remain at 191. There are no close contacts of positive cases currently in active quarantine in San Juan County, and no confirmed positive cases in San Juan County at this time. The best  Continue Reading

By Fred Woods, superintendent, San Juan Island School District It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of the school year, my first as the San Juan Island School District Superintendent. I doubt any of us thought the pandemic that shook this world in March of 2020 would last this long. After a  Continue Reading

By Merri Ann Simonson, Managing Broker, Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands Inc. Here is another real estate market snapshot for June 1. Our sellers are benefiting in every category in this market.

Community Foundation Funds Computers   By Beth Helstien, volunteer/outreach coordinator, San Juan Island Library People without computer access will want to give a huge shout-out to the San Juan Island Community Foundation for supporting the Tech-to-Go pilot program. The San Juan Island Library now loans kits that include a Windows laptop computer with current Microsoft  Continue Reading

Attached Guest Houses Temporarily Allowed in Residential Zone   From the Town of Friday Harbor On June 3, the Town Council adopted interim regulations allowing attached accessory dwelling units in the single-family residential zone. The ordinance intends to create a pathway to turn existing structures into livable spaces. “This is a historic moment for the  Continue Reading

Sunrise over Roche Harbor by Kevin Holmes From the Roche Harbor Neighborhood Association The Roche Harbor Neighborhood Association, a charity serving northern San Juan Island, is expanding its traditional programs to help residents prepare for emergencies. The project launched June 1 and runs through December 2021. Natural disasters – earthquakes, wildfires, tsunamis, pandemics, winter storms  Continue Reading

  By Cere Demuth, San Juan Island    So many of you want to gather to mourn and celebrate Vida Wight, to support and uplift me and my family.   But Vida was not a lover of large groups or attention. She liked her space, to say the least.   As a little girl, she  Continue Reading