From San Juan County Economic Development Council Islanders seeking to make their construction businesses thrive are invited to an online class on contracts for contractors. The event is 3-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 23 over Zoom, with Jim McAdam, EA at Island Tax Service Inc. Builders will learn how to make sure everyone involved understands the  Continue Reading

From San Juan Island School District Wednesday the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors approved the hiring of Holly Wehner as the acting principal of Friday Harbor Elementary School for the 2021-22 school year. After graduating from Washington State University in 2000, Holly worked as a teacher in Salt Lake City, Utah, Issaquah  Continue Reading

From San Juan Islands Community Network The first of three forums addressing vacation rentals in the San Juan Islands was held June 9 to a Zoom audience of about 150 interested persons. Sponsored by the San Juan Islands Community Network, the forum “Discovery” was the first to address the much-discussed issue. Register for the second  Continue Reading

From San Juan Island Library San Juan Island Library’s Tails and Tales Summer Reading Program kicks off June 18 with in-person and online programs for children, tweens and teens. Starting June 18,  free Summer Reading Program Starter Kits will be ready for pick up during the library’s open service hours from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays,  Continue Reading

Class Intended to Create Jobs   From the San Juan County Economic Development Council Islanders seeking new careers are invited to learn woodworking basics in a free class offered by the San Juan County Economic Development Council. This course is intended to help people gain job skills and obtain economic stability. Jean Shearer and Nicholas  Continue Reading

From the San Juan County Economic Development Council Tradespeople seeking a second career are invited to an online seminar called Work as a Construction Trainer offered by the Economic Development Council. Rich Jones, co-owner and training director of South Sound Residential LLC, and Al Audette, education and workforce development director at the BIAW, will speak  Continue Reading

Unemployment Could Cover Worker Retraining   From Skagit Valley College Did you know you can register now for summer and fall quarters at Skagit Valley College? Summer classes begin July 6 and fall classes begin Sept. 21, offering online, hybrid and in-person options. Applied Bachelors Earn a bachelor of applied science in environmental conservation, and  Continue Reading

By Fred Woods, superintendent, San Juan Island School District It is hard to believe we are nearing the end of the school year, my first as the San Juan Island School District Superintendent. I doubt any of us thought the pandemic that shook this world in March of 2020 would last this long. After a  Continue Reading

Community Foundation Funds Computers   By Beth Helstien, volunteer/outreach coordinator, San Juan Island Library People without computer access will want to give a huge shout-out to the San Juan Island Community Foundation for supporting the Tech-to-Go pilot program. The San Juan Island Library now loans kits that include a Windows laptop computer with current Microsoft  Continue Reading

By Alexis Hauck, Primary Intervention Program Coordinator, Friday  Harbor Elementary School Thank you, United Way of San Juan County! The Primary Intervention Program, also known as “PIP” or “Special Pal Program” at Friday Harbor Elementary School, would like to thank the United Way of San Juan County for their continued support. The program works with  Continue Reading

The Award is the ‘Highest Honor’ in the Field   From San Juan Island School District Friday Harbor High School teacher Kevin Cullen has been nominated for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. The award is the highest honor for K-12 STEM teaching and bestowed through the U.S. government. STEM stands  Continue Reading

From San Juan Islands Community Network The number of vacation rentals in the San Juans has been a contentious issue in the county over the past few years. Letters to the Editor of local news outlets presented a divided community on the viability, use and number of vacation rentals throughout the islands. In an effort  Continue Reading

By Hayley Day, San Juan Update The Friday Harbor Elementary School principal resigned after being arrested for suspicion of indecent exposure. Caspar van Haalen was taken into custody by San Juan County deputies May 23 and released, according to San Juan County Sheriff Ron Krebs. No charges have been brought against him. San Juan Island  Continue Reading

From San Juan Preservation Trust The San Juan Preservation Trust is pleased to announce this year’s Climate Leadership Scholarship winners. Congratulations to Izabela Janecek of Friday Harbor High School and Ayla Ridwan of Orcas Island High School. A committee of Preservation Trust board members selected Izzie and Ayla from an impressive group of applicants from  Continue Reading

From San Juan School Island District Last September, San Juan Island School District’s Griffin Bay School grew from a handful of students to almost 100 students, K-12th grade. Griffin Bay School may now offer online access to anyone and everyone across Washington state. In May, Griffin Bay School was designated by the Office of the Superintendent  Continue Reading

From San Juan Island Library Starting Tuesday, June 8, the San Juan Island Library will reopen its doors for limited services and hours. The library will provide simultaneous indoor browsing and curbside services on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., with a 65+/high-risk population hour on Tuesdays from 10-11 a.m. Patrons are  Continue Reading