Topic: Community

San Juan Island EMS Signs Agreement with Fire District Regarding Integration

Written on August 8, 2021 at 5:58 am, by

The hospital district is happy to announce that it has reached agreement with San Juan Island Fire and Rescue to take over Emergency Medical Services on our behalf in 2023, pending voter approval. “It’s been a long process, but we’re ready to support the Fire District taking this to the public,” said hospital district commissioner  Continue Reading

Doe Bay Water Users Association Joins Forces with Eastsound Water to Operate and Maintain the Doe Bay Water System in 2022

Written on August 8, 2021 at 5:45 am, by

On August 6, 2021, Eastsound Water Users Association (EWUA) and the Doe Bay Water Users Association (DBWUA) signed an agreement to work in partnership to manage the Doe Bay Water system. Eastsound Water will take over operations in Q2 of 2022 and perform all daily tasks including testing, monitoring and maintaining the Doe Bay Water  Continue Reading

Resiliency Fair

Written on August 5, 2021 at 5:42 am, by

In March of 2019 Transition San Juan Island left the radar as COVID 19 halted in-person meetings. Now, more than ever, it is time to revitalize our movement with a Resiliency Fair. Bring your ideas and enthusiasm as we reactivate our mission: To “create conditions for community resilience and regeneration in a rapidly changing world.”

Friday Harbor RV Dump Station Re-opens with Limited Access

Written on July 28, 2021 at 5:30 am, by

From the town of Friday Harbor The RV dump station located in Friday Harbor on Harbor Street (across from the wastewater treatment plant) has been reopened with limited, secured access.   The station has been closed due to a deposit of unknown chemicals in the sewage that proved harmful to treatment processes at the wastewater  Continue Reading

Orcas Island Teams Up to Create New Playground

Written on July 27, 2021 at 4:30 am, by

From San Juan County Parks and Fair A new playground will be dedicated to residents and visiting children noon Saturday, Aug. 14 at the Village Green on Orcas Island. The Playground-on-the-Green is a product of Orcas Island’s imagination, energy and funding, and was constructed by Orcas artists Chuck Greening and Zackarya Leck. The playground design,  Continue Reading

Larsen Secures nearly $700K to Fix Eroding Agate Beach Lane on Lopez Island

Written on July 26, 2021 at 5:30 am, by

From Rep. Rick Larsen’s Office July 21, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced he has secured $10,662,665 for ten Second District projects in the Fiscal Year 2022 House appropriations bills, including nearly $700,000 to repair an eroding Lopez Island road.  “My priority in shaping spending bills is to invest in local communities to create well-paying jobs  Continue Reading

Friends of the Library Hosts Book Sale at Library’s New Location in Old Life Care Center

Written on July 25, 2021 at 5:00 am, by

From the San Juan Island Friends of the Library The San Juan Island Friends of the Library will host its annual in-person book sale Saturday, Aug. 14 at the library’s new location, the former Life Care Center at 660 Spring St. in Friday Harbor.  Friends of the Library members can shop from 9-10 a.m. and  Continue Reading

Virtual San Juan County Fair is about a Month Away; Register Exhibits Online Today

Written on July 21, 2021 at 5:00 am, by

From San Juan County Fair The countdown to 2021 “Lettuce Entertain Ewe,” the virtual fair, is underway. While staff has worked hard to host some recent, smaller in-person activities, the Aug. 18-21 event will remain online.  There are two more weeks for exhibitors to register online. The goal for this year is to beat the  Continue Reading

Island Senior: Are We There Yet? The Mullis Center Cautiously Reopens

Written on July 18, 2021 at 5:30 am, by

“Island Senior” is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae.  UPDATE – We are monitoring developments with Delta and other COVID variants that may affect our Mullis Center onsite community meal re-opening. Everyone’s health safety is our top priority. Please stay tuned for more information via our newsletter, website, Facebook page  Continue Reading

First San Juan Drug Court Graduate Leaves with ‘Tools to Maintain Sobriety’

Written on July 14, 2021 at 5:30 am, by

From San Juan County Adult Drug Court The San Juan County Adult Drug Court awarded its first certificate of graduation to Jordan Lynn-Jefferson of Orcas Island July 7. After 697 days or almost 24 months in the county’s therapeutic program, Jordan emerges a more self-confident and mature young man with goals for his life and  Continue Reading

Friday Harbor Administrator Duncan Wilson to Retire in 2022

Written on July 14, 2021 at 5:00 am, by

By Hayley Day, San Juan Island Update After nearly a decade at the helm, town of Friday Harbor Administrator Duncan Wilson is hanging up his hat. Wilson retires Jan. 4, 2022. Current San Juan County Manager Mike Thomas takes over Dec. 13, so Wilson can train his successor and “smooth the transition,” he said.   “Mike  Continue Reading

Friday Harbor to Replace Three Downtown Trees to Prevent Tripping Over Roots

Written on July 10, 2021 at 5:00 am, by

From the town of Friday Harbor The Town of Friday Harbor will replace three sidewalk trees on Spring Street at First and Second Streets due to significant sidewalk upheaval caused by overgrown root systems. Installation of new shade trees appropriate for downtown sidewalk areas will eliminate the potential for root intrusion and the resulting trip  Continue Reading

When Pandemic Hit, County Braced for Recession-era Finances; the Opposite Occurred

Written on July 6, 2021 at 5:30 am, by

Negative Lodging Tax Funds in 2020, to the Best Year in Land Bank History in 2021 By F. Milene Henley, San Juan County Auditor I have always been amazed by four-way stops. Drivers learn as teens to negotiate these tricky, cooperative intersections, and most of us never forget. It’s a marvel of social engineering. This  Continue Reading

Donate to Food Bank, Family Resource Center During Fourth of July Parade

Written on June 30, 2021 at 5:00 am, by

By Gay Graham, Spontaneous Disorganization of Yankee Doodlers Our island’s Fourth of July parade may be small, but it will be mighty — especially if you all can lend a helping hand! A few of us crazy islanders will be pushing shopping carts — lent by Browne’s Home Center — to collect food for the  Continue Reading

Friday Harbor Fourth of July Parade to be ‘Small but Mighty’

Written on June 28, 2021 at 5:30 am, by

From San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce is excited to bring back our beloved Fourth of July celebration! Our chamber and community are working behind the scenes, getting ready for the big day. The parade entries are trickling in, more bunting is going up every day, the fireworks  Continue Reading

UPDATE: Second Vacation Rental Forum Suggests 24-hour Complaint Hotline

Written on June 24, 2021 at 8:56 am, by

From San Juan Islands Community Network San Juan Islands Community Network’s second forum on vacation rentals was held June 17 to a Zoom audience of about 45. The forum, entitled “Common Ground” focused on areas of agreement and the best next steps to take. Watch it at sjicn.org/forums. Common Ground brought back the same panelists  Continue Reading