From Washington State Department of Commerce Washington state’s economy is challenged by persistent gaps in the availability of affordable child care. According to the Washington Child Care Collaborative Task Force, lack of access to affordable child care keeps over 133,000 potential workers out of Washington’s labor force. The effects ripple through Washington’s economy, resulting in  Continue Reading

From San Juan County The San Juan County Charter Review Committee will hold its next meeting at 4 p.m., today, Thursday, Jan. 28, online. The committee will consider amendments to the County Home Rule Charter. The meeting is expected to last about two hours. Join the Zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87303483778. Meeting ID: 873 0348 3778  Continue Reading

By Jennifer Swanson, [email protected]; Anne Wysocki, [email protected]; Learner Limbach, [email protected], Save the Shaw Store Board of Directors Save the Shaw Store has gotten off to a terrific start. Within just a few days of the first public announcement, enthusiastic responses have come from across the islands, as well as from the rest of Washington state,  Continue Reading

From San Juan County Economic Development Center The San Juan County Economic Development Council has created a survey to assess existing and potential negative economic impacts from recent events. Responses to the survey are confidential and will be anonymized, aggregated and used to determine programs and resources intended to mitigate economic impacts. Business owners and  Continue Reading

From San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 will hold a meeting at 5:30 p.m., today, Wednesday, Jan. 27. The meeting will be held remotely due to COVID-19. Call 509-473-0276 and enter 637 502 786#. The draft agenda includes discussions on the integration of EMS and  Continue Reading

From the Port of Friday Harbor The Port of Friday Harbor Board will meet at noon, Wednesday, Jan. 27 online. Join the Zoom meeting here and enter the meeting ID 379 684 7063 and password 7063. The agenda includes discussions on a new hangar at the airport and replacing the restaurant at the airport. 

By Hayley Day, San Juan Update UPDATE: On Jan. 29, San Juan County officials said some can also get the vaccine at the Lopez Island Pharmacy. Learn more on the pharmacy’s website and Facebook page. In San Juan County, the only COVID-19 vaccine supplier as of Jan. 26 is the San Juan County Health and  Continue Reading

From the Washington State Department of Health The Washington State Department of Health, with assistance from the Washington National Guard and local and private sector partners, will launch four mass vaccination sites throughout the state this week. Announced by Gov. Jay Inslee on Jan. 18, the sites are located in Kennewick, Ridgefield, Spokane and Wenatchee.  Continue Reading

From San Juan County Economic Development Council The U.S. Small Business Administration and Small Business Development Centers have scheduled upcoming webinars on the new Paycheck Protection Program and Emergency Injury Disaster Loan programs. The PPP provides loans to help businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus crisis. The EIDL program is designed to provide  Continue Reading

From San Juan Island School District On Wednesday, Jan. 27, the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold a regular open school board meeting at 5 p.m. as a Zoom meeting. View the agenda here. The agenda includes voting on possibly opening bids on the district’s surplus busses.  The board will also  Continue Reading