This came in yesterday from Washington State Ferries… On August 22, the M/V Hyak was removed from service for urgent motor repairs. The M/V Chelan will replace the Hyak on domestic San Juan Islands routes beginning on August 23 through August 29. Please see below for information on cancelled sailings and added/modified sailings during this  Continue Reading

The Town of Friday Harbor has hired SFE Global to perform “smoke testing” of the sewer systems within your neighborhood beginning September 4, 2018 through September 6, 2018. The purpose of smoke testing is to identify areas of leaks and cross-connections where rainwater and other surface drainage may be entering the sanitary sewer system. The  Continue Reading

Yesterday’s Grand Opening of the new Center for Whale Research’s Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center was attended by a good sized crowd of about 25 – 30 people. Friday Harbor Mayor Farhad Ghatan, members of the SJI Chamber of Commerce and many CWR staff & volunteers attended as well. The Center is located next  Continue Reading

This year Friday Harbor High School students Ana Anderson and Mariah Daniher (class of 2018) were awarded first and second place, respectively, in the 37th annual Congressional Art Competition, sponsored by the Congressional Institute. It was the first time FHHS students have entered the competition. Ana’s piece Close Your Eyes and Fly Away was chosen  Continue Reading

Local photographer John Miller shares this photo… Hello SJ Update – I caught this fellow flying around the winery, in the gray! Fan powered motion! Nikon d500, f2, 200mm at f4 and 1/3000 sec. John

League of Women Voters hosts forum on affordable housing REET measure From noon-2 p.m., Monday, Sept. 10, at the San Juan Island Grange, the League of Women Voters of the San Juans is presenting a discussion on the affordable housing initiative that will be on the November ballot. The proposal would establish a real estate  Continue Reading

Application deadline September 5th for 2019 Town LTAC Grants The Town of Friday Harbor’s Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) is accepting 2019 grant applications until Wednesday, September 5th. LTAC grants will be awarded for tourism promotion of 2019 events and activities taking place within the town. Preference is given to those operations and activities that  Continue Reading

All of Orcas, Shaw, Blakely and some of Lopez island were without power for almost 10 hours after a car accident on Lopez took out a transmission pole at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, August 17th. Power was completely restored by 8:15 p.m. to Orcas, Shaw and Blakely and by 11:30 p.m. to all of Lopez.  Continue Reading

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) is offering a workshop to transform your art-and it is fun! This special workshop is for any one who wants to take advantage of the one of the hottest ways to show art today- no matter the medium, two-dimensional or three-dimensional art. Join Ray Pfortner on Sunday,  Continue Reading

San Juan County: A Burn Ban [began] Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at noon. Elevated temperatures for extended periods and our lack of precipitation has created a high fire danger in San Juan County, and across the region. San Juan County will be prohibiting all outdoor burning with the exception of propane barbecues. No outdoor fires  Continue Reading