State launches access and speed test survey to document service gaps, prioritize expansion needs and investments…   OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Broadband Office and state Public Works Board have launched a mapping initiative to identify gaps in high-speed internet service and areas of broadband infrastructure needs in order to advance the state’s goal  Continue Reading

We hear from Merri Ann Simonson…   Corner stakes are one of the most important components of purchasing real estate, I have learned this over 25 years of selling real estate on San Juan. For the properties that transacted years ago, corner stakes were not a big issue; of course, nor was a water source,  Continue Reading

San Juan County residents! There is still time to make the fair entry deadline of August 8th! Visit the SJC Fair web page for information on how to participate in this year’s virtual Fair. Check out Online Entry by Department rules and to upload photos of all the awesome things you have made, created, grown, or  Continue Reading

We hear from Miles Crossen, San Juan County Fair Photography Co-Superintendent… Attention all you photographers out there! You have about 10 days left to enter your pictures in the First Ever San Juan County Virtual Fair. Link to: Virtual Fair Online Entry

Be sure to get your ballot in the mail by August 4. You can also pop it in the ballot box by the courthouse by 8 pm August 4. Better yet, get your ballot in early. No postage is necessary. Need help? Link to the online Voters pamphlet (see link below) or to register go  Continue Reading

Below are Washington State guidelines for safely recreating outdoors…

OLYMPIA–Communities wanting to conserve forestlands now have a state grant program to help, the Recreation and Conservation Office announced today. Beginning September 1, communities can apply for grants of up to $3 million in the newly created Community Forests Program. The grants must be used to buy at least 5 acres of forestland and the  Continue Reading

Editor: Something shameful happened Tuesday afternoon.  The San Juan County Public Hospital District Commissioners (PHD) and the San Juan County Fire District 3 (FD3) Commissioners held a virtual joint public meeting to discuss the possibility of resuming discussion of integrating San Juan Island Emergency Medical Service (EMS) and FD3. The meeting was progressing with some  Continue Reading

This Know Your islanders Talk will be available via ZOOM on August 3, 2020 at 7:00 pm Brady Ryan will be discussing the science and practice of sea salt production along with some interesting things he has learned about running a small business–San Juan Sea Salt–for the last nine years.  Bring your curiosity! Join Zoom  Continue Reading

Olympia—Throughout August, the Washington Invasive Species Council and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are asking the public to take 10 minutes to check trees in their communities for invasive insects. August is the peak time of year that wood-boring insects are most often spotted outside of trees. “State and federal agencies do a  Continue Reading

The ‘RoundTowner has been on the road for more than 7 years, and provided over 25,000 free or low-cost rides! With service throughout San Juan Island via the grey Nissan Leaf, the service’s name needs to reflect more than Town service. And, there are plans in progress to create a similar door-to-door ride service on  Continue Reading

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… With the pressure and stress of opening up our destination vacation island only to then slow the opening back down, the arrival of visitors with and without masks, spiking COVID numbers across the nation, not to mention prolonged isolation,  Continue Reading

Island Senior is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… It’s June and gardens on the island are burgeoning with new life. At the Mullis Center more than foliage and flowers has sprung up. Among the greenery on the east side of the building you will now find poems  Continue Reading

Our virtual Wiggle, Wiggle, and Stretch class was designed in collaboration with Katerina Wen, M.Ed to bring a smart, fun and somatic experience for young children over Zoom on a weekly basis. Parents are encouraged to join us for this class that will guide children through songs, verses, and movements that will stimulate them physically  Continue Reading

Join former college coach and CEO & Founder of Triple Impact Coaching Arvin Mosley Jr. for a 5-week program to keep basketball on the mind! Run virtually, this program is designed to introduce basketball skills to children in Kindergarten-4th grade with a weekly emphasis on basketball skills and social emotional development. This program is ideal  Continue Reading

San Juan County Real Estate Market Summary The first quarter results for San Juan County maintained the momentum that was present during the last quarter of 2019. As compared to the first quarter in 2019; the data for San Juan Island, Orcas and Lopez all reflected an increase in volume and transaction numbers for the  Continue Reading

A list of San Juan County Government Departments, their status during the COVID-19 crisis, and info on how to access services has been posted online at:  https://www.sanjuanco.com/Department-Service-Status   This resource will be updated going forward, and is intended to help citizens utilize vital San Juan County functions in a safe and accessible way. If you have  Continue Reading

Are you missing your morning fitness class routine? Try a safe, heart healthy exercise class to energize your active lifestyle from the comfort of your own home with Jacquelyn Reiff. This class will use easy to follow low-impact movements, increase core and muscular strength, while working on balance and stretching to enhance your daily living.  Continue Reading

A message from F. Milene Henley, County Auditor… On March 17, Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman formally asked Governor Jay Inslee to cancel the April special election.  On March 26, the Governor made the decision not to cancel the election. The only measure on San Juan County’s ballot was the annexation of the Town  Continue Reading

San Juan County Health and Community Services is monitoring the spread of COVID-19 in the islands. The health and safety of our Land Bank staff, volunteers, supporters and partners is paramount, as is the public health of our community, particularly those most vulnerable to this illness. Following the guidance of our county public health staff,  Continue Reading

Today, Wednesday March 25, 2020, San Juan County Health Officer, Dr. Frank James, MD, issued an immediate order to restrict non-essential travel to San Juan County, control contact with playgrounds and playground equipment, and limit transient accommodations and camping. Travel and lodging for individuals engaged in essential activities or providing essential services may continue. The  Continue Reading

Here’s this month’s history column from the San Juan Historical Society and Museum… Here’s a little trivia question for you: When did farming first begin on San Juan Island? If you said “about 1850” or “with Hudson Bay Company’s Belle Vue Sheep Farm” you would not be alone, but that’s not quite early enough.  Too  Continue Reading