OLYMPIA–The Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board today announced the award of $21 million in grants across the state to aid in salmon recovery. The grants, given annually, went to 105 projects in 29 of the state’s 39 counties. The grants will pay for work to restore salmon habitat, including repairing degraded habitat in rivers,  Continue Reading

The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce and the Friends of the Library are sponsoring the 2nd annual Scarecrow Contest for the month of October. The scarecrows are to be registered with the Chamber and in place between October 8th and 15th. Please click here for the registration form. The scarecrows will be displayed around  Continue Reading

At their September 21, 2021 meeting the San Juan County Council officially released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to purchase 5 acres of land on Lopez Island for the development of affordable housing. San Juan County seeks an experienced developer to purchase the parcel located on Fisherman Bay Road just outside of Lopez Village. The  Continue Reading

People who want to make a living working with trees or forests are invited to a free, hands-on, outdoor course offered by the Economic Development Council of San Juan County (EDC).  The course will be taught by Carson Sprenger, proprietor of Rain Shadow Consulting at their Orcas Island facilities, Saturdays Oct. 30th – Nov. 20th,  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update Mailbag today we have this letter from the SJC Republican Party Chair, Daniel Schwartz… Statement on Vaccine Mandates San Juan County Republican PartyThe Republican Party is not anti-vaccine:  it is for the right of a free and informed citizenry to make its own health choices.Never in our 245-year history have federal,  Continue Reading

Local fisherman and fish-seller, Matt Marinkovich, is once again offering a pound-to-pound match of fish to the food bank. On Saturday, September 25, 10am to 1pm, Marinkovich will be selling fish through his business, Matt’s Fresh Fish, at the Port property next to the Bakery San Juan parking lot. “We did this last year and  Continue Reading

Friday Harbor, WA – On September 4, 2021 unknown individuals damaged public lands and destroyed public property at the American Camp Unit of San Juan Island National Historical Park. The park needs your help to identify and apprehend these lawbreakers. Any tips will be treated as confidential. The damage to the park was extensive including  Continue Reading

From the beginning to the end… always Momo. Momo was a unique kitty. Momo was born wearing a tuxedo, raised on San Juan Island, and was lucky enough to be loved by multiple families. Although a little aloof and arrogant some adjectives to describe him would include dapper, confident, and well-dressed. His first owners, Rina  Continue Reading

FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. — PeaceHealth hospitals, clinics, doctors and nurses in Northwest Washington need the community’s help to make sure they can continue to safely provide care – not only to those suffering from severe illness from COVID-19 but to those requiring care for the full range of illness and injuries that its doctors and  Continue Reading

Local shoreline habitat restoration actions support marine food webs It was an exciting week for local forage fish and out-migrating juvenile salmon as Friends of the San Juans and the Salmon Point Community have successfully restored priority shoreline habitat along their local beach. At the south end of Lopez Island, two areas of failed rock  Continue Reading