Topic: Government
County Updates Shoreline Master Program
Written on January 22, 2021 at 4:00 am, by Hayley Day
From San Juan County The San Juan County Council adopted the Shoreline Master Program periodic review with Ordinance 08-2020 on Oct. 27, 2020. Ordinance 08-2020 is effective 14 days after the Washington State Department of Ecology approves the proposed amendments. They approved the proposed amendments on Jan. 19, 2021, so the ordinance will be effective Continue Reading
County Explains Expanded Eligibility for COVID-19 Vaccine
Written on January 18, 2021 at 8:18 pm, by Hayley Day
From San Juan County On Monday, Jan. 18, Governor Inslee and the Washington State Department of Health have opened vaccine eligibility to Phase 1b Tier 1. San Juan County will begin delivering Phase 1b Tier 1 immunization on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Q: Who is Eligible for 1b – Tier 1? Anyone over the age of Continue Reading
No New Vacation Rental Permits Until July
Written on January 15, 2021 at 6:52 am, by Hayley Day
By Hayley Day, San Juan Update The San Juan County Council approved a six-month moratorium on vacation rental permits from Jan. 13 through July 13. The resolution states that “while this moratorium is in effect, no new applications for a vacation rental permit shall be accepted as complete by any county department, and no currently Continue Reading
EDC Hosts Paycheck Protection Program Webinar
Written on January 12, 2021 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
From San Juan County Economic Development Council On Thursday, Jan. 14, the San Juan County Economic Development Council will host a Zoom webinar on the upcoming Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, loan application process. The event will be presented by Janie Sacco and Steve Burke from the Washington Small Business Development Center from 2-3:30 p.m. Continue Reading
County Council To Review Vacation Rental Moratorium on January 12
Written on January 11, 2021 at 8:44 pm, by Hayley Day
By Hayley Day, San Juan Update At the Tuesday, Jan. 12 San Juan County Council meeting, councilmembers will discuss a moratorium on vacation rental permit applications. The agenda for the meeting also states that the council may take action. Councilmembers will also review the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine; approve a resolution for their state Continue Reading
San Juan County Vaccine Q&A
Written on January 8, 2021 at 4:30 am, by Hayley Day
Who Is Eligible Now, Who Is Next In Line and Where Can You Get Vaccinated? From San Juan County This week, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee released details on a new two-phase plan for the limited reopening of some businesses and a return of some activities. The details are found here. All counties begin in Continue Reading
Apply For Lottery To Build Detached Guest Houses
Written on January 7, 2021 at 4:30 am, by Hayley Day
From San Juan County Community Development is now accepting Accessory Dwelling Unit eligibility applications. Applications are due Feb. 8. The drawing will be held on March 1. ADUs, commonly called guest houses, are defined in the San Juan County Code as: “Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) means a living area that is accessory to the Continue Reading
Town To Flush Fire Hydrants
Written on January 5, 2021 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
From Town Of Friday Harbor The Town of Friday Harbor will be flushing fire hydrants from Thursday, Jan. 7 through Friday, Jan. 8. Homes and businesses nearby may be affected with brief water discoloration, cloudiness or slight pressure fluctuations. The town crew will do everything in their power to keep these conditions to a minimum. Continue Reading
CARES Act Supports San Juan Islands Arts
Written on January 5, 2021 at 4:30 am, by Hayley Day
By Diane Martindale, ArtsWA Commissioner From San Juan County The CARES Act funding brings much-needed assistance to the state’s cultural sector and San Juan County organizations. Nearly 390 nonprofit arts and culture organizations serving 32 Washington counties received funding in recent rounds of CARES Act funding in Washington state. The state’s creative economy supports more Continue Reading
Join A San Juan County Board
Written on January 3, 2021 at 4:30 am, by Hayley Day
Openings with Ag Resources, Libraries, Fair and More From San Juan County The San County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Additional information about each committee is available at http://sanjuanco.com/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies. Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out Continue Reading
County Council To Hold Virtual Retreat
Written on January 2, 2021 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Hayley Day, San Juan Update The San Juan County Council will hold their virtual retreat at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 5. View the agenda and watch the live stream here. According to the agenda, “the January retreat is intended to accomplish several tasks necessary to establish structure and function and to complete a high-level Continue Reading
One New COVID Case On Orcas
Written on January 1, 2021 at 4:30 am, by Hayley Day
From San Juan County Since the last update on Friday, Dec. 25, the total cases in San Juan County have increased from 78 to 79. The new case is on Orcas Island. Current positive case numbers are available online at the San Juan County Case Count page. As indicated on that page, these numbers are Continue Reading
County Planning Commission To Review Land Use
Written on December 30, 2020 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By San Juan County The San Juan County Planning Commission will have an online meeting at 8:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 15. Learn how to join the meeting here. You can join on your computer or mobile app by clicking here. Use the phone number 360-726-3293 and conference ID 613 618 865#. The meeting will also Continue Reading
Larsen Votes to Override Trump’s Veto On Military Act
Written on December 29, 2020 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Rick Larsen’s Office On Dec. 28, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted to override President Trump’s veto of the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Larsen, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted by proxy after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus last week. “I voted to override the president’s veto to support Continue Reading
Councilwomen To Be Sworn In Tuesday
Written on December 28, 2020 at 6:50 pm, by Hayley Day
Two new San Juan County Councilwomen will be sworn in at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 29. Christine Minney and Cindy Wolf will both take the oath in person with San Juan County Superior Court Judge Katheryn Loring. However, guests must view the ceremony virtually thanks to COVID-19 restrictions. Wolf shared instructions to join, below. Join Continue Reading
State Provides Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Written on December 28, 2020 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Governor Inslee’s Office On Dec. 27, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the state will provide funding for almost 100,000 Washingtonians who will lose federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits following President Trump’s refusal to act on the federal coronavirus relief package. The president had until midnight on Dec. 26 to sign the sweeping relief bill to Continue Reading
New COVID Cases on San Juan Island
Written on December 27, 2020 at 9:53 am, by Hayley Day
By San Juan County Since the last update on Friday, Dec. 18, the total cases in San Juan County have increased from 75 to 78. All of the three new cases are on San Juan Island. Current positive case numbers are available online at the county case count page. As indicated on that page, these Continue Reading
Recycle Christmas Trees In Town
Written on December 26, 2020 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Town of Friday Harbor The Town of Friday Harbor will collect Christmas trees for residents inside town limits on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. Trees must be placed at the curb no later than 9 a.m. and must be separate from other unbundled trash and woody waste. To ensure the success of the tree recycling Continue Reading
County Finds Lax COVID Safety On Job Sites
Written on December 26, 2020 at 4:30 am, by Hayley Day
By San Juan County Recent San Juan County COVID-19 case investigations have revealed a trend of lax COVID safety protocols on various construction and building sites across the islands. As in any workplace, consistent masking is a critical tool for preventing disease transmission. Work done alone or outside with greater than six feet of separation Continue Reading
Congressman Rick Larsen Tests Positive for COVID-19
Written on December 24, 2020 at 8:14 pm, by Tim Dustrude
In his post on Facebook on Wednesday, December 23rd, Washington State Congressman Rick Larsen has said that he received a positive test result for COVID-19. Here’s what he said: Yesterday, I received a positive test result for the COVID-19 virus. I am quarantining in accordance with CDC guidelines and am not experiencing any symptoms. I Continue Reading
Moderna COVID Vaccine Arrives to San Juans
Written on December 24, 2020 at 2:30 pm, by Hayley Day
High-risk Health Workers, First Responders First In Line By San Juan County San Juan County Department of Health and Community Services has just received a shipment of 600 doses of the recently approved Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the Washington State Department of Health. Department staff is actively completing the recently released vaccine-specific training, and these Continue Reading
Library Plans Move to Former Life Care Site
Written on December 24, 2020 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
By San Juan Island Library The San Juan Island Library District has completed the purchase of 660 Spring St. in Friday Harbor for the future library building site. The site is the location of the former Life Care Center. The district considered alternative locations for a library for several years given the limitations of the Continue Reading

County Updates Shoreline Master Program
Written on January 22, 2021 at 4:00 am, by Hayley Day
From San Juan County The San Juan County Council adopted the Shoreline Master Program periodic review with Ordinance 08-2020 on Oct. 27, 2020. Ordinance 08-2020 is effective 14 days after the Washington State Department of Ecology approves the proposed amendments. They approved the proposed amendments on Jan. 19, 2021, so the ordinance will be effective Continue Reading

County Explains Expanded Eligibility for COVID-19 Vaccine
Written on January 18, 2021 at 8:18 pm, by Hayley Day
From San Juan County On Monday, Jan. 18, Governor Inslee and the Washington State Department of Health have opened vaccine eligibility to Phase 1b Tier 1. San Juan County will begin delivering Phase 1b Tier 1 immunization on Wednesday, Jan. 20. Q: Who is Eligible for 1b – Tier 1? Anyone over the age of Continue Reading

No New Vacation Rental Permits Until July
Written on January 15, 2021 at 6:52 am, by Hayley Day
By Hayley Day, San Juan Update The San Juan County Council approved a six-month moratorium on vacation rental permits from Jan. 13 through July 13. The resolution states that “while this moratorium is in effect, no new applications for a vacation rental permit shall be accepted as complete by any county department, and no currently Continue Reading

EDC Hosts Paycheck Protection Program Webinar
Written on January 12, 2021 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
From San Juan County Economic Development Council On Thursday, Jan. 14, the San Juan County Economic Development Council will host a Zoom webinar on the upcoming Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, loan application process. The event will be presented by Janie Sacco and Steve Burke from the Washington Small Business Development Center from 2-3:30 p.m. Continue Reading

County Council To Review Vacation Rental Moratorium on January 12
Written on January 11, 2021 at 8:44 pm, by Hayley Day
By Hayley Day, San Juan Update At the Tuesday, Jan. 12 San Juan County Council meeting, councilmembers will discuss a moratorium on vacation rental permit applications. The agenda for the meeting also states that the council may take action. Councilmembers will also review the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine; approve a resolution for their state Continue Reading

San Juan County Vaccine Q&A
Written on January 8, 2021 at 4:30 am, by Hayley Day
Who Is Eligible Now, Who Is Next In Line and Where Can You Get Vaccinated? From San Juan County This week, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee released details on a new two-phase plan for the limited reopening of some businesses and a return of some activities. The details are found here. All counties begin in Continue Reading

Apply For Lottery To Build Detached Guest Houses
Written on January 7, 2021 at 4:30 am, by Hayley Day
From San Juan County Community Development is now accepting Accessory Dwelling Unit eligibility applications. Applications are due Feb. 8. The drawing will be held on March 1. ADUs, commonly called guest houses, are defined in the San Juan County Code as: “Accessory dwelling unit (ADU) means a living area that is accessory to the Continue Reading

Town To Flush Fire Hydrants
Written on January 5, 2021 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
From Town Of Friday Harbor The Town of Friday Harbor will be flushing fire hydrants from Thursday, Jan. 7 through Friday, Jan. 8. Homes and businesses nearby may be affected with brief water discoloration, cloudiness or slight pressure fluctuations. The town crew will do everything in their power to keep these conditions to a minimum. Continue Reading

CARES Act Supports San Juan Islands Arts
Written on January 5, 2021 at 4:30 am, by Hayley Day
By Diane Martindale, ArtsWA Commissioner From San Juan County The CARES Act funding brings much-needed assistance to the state’s cultural sector and San Juan County organizations. Nearly 390 nonprofit arts and culture organizations serving 32 Washington counties received funding in recent rounds of CARES Act funding in Washington state. The state’s creative economy supports more Continue Reading

Join A San Juan County Board
Written on January 3, 2021 at 4:30 am, by Hayley Day
Openings with Ag Resources, Libraries, Fair and More From San Juan County The San County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Additional information about each committee is available at http://sanjuanco.com/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies. Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out Continue Reading

County Council To Hold Virtual Retreat
Written on January 2, 2021 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Hayley Day, San Juan Update The San Juan County Council will hold their virtual retreat at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 5. View the agenda and watch the live stream here. According to the agenda, “the January retreat is intended to accomplish several tasks necessary to establish structure and function and to complete a high-level Continue Reading

One New COVID Case On Orcas
Written on January 1, 2021 at 4:30 am, by Hayley Day
From San Juan County Since the last update on Friday, Dec. 25, the total cases in San Juan County have increased from 78 to 79. The new case is on Orcas Island. Current positive case numbers are available online at the San Juan County Case Count page. As indicated on that page, these numbers are Continue Reading

County Planning Commission To Review Land Use
Written on December 30, 2020 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By San Juan County The San Juan County Planning Commission will have an online meeting at 8:30 a.m., Friday, Jan. 15. Learn how to join the meeting here. You can join on your computer or mobile app by clicking here. Use the phone number 360-726-3293 and conference ID 613 618 865#. The meeting will also Continue Reading

Larsen Votes to Override Trump’s Veto On Military Act
Written on December 29, 2020 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Rick Larsen’s Office On Dec. 28, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted to override President Trump’s veto of the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Larsen, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, voted by proxy after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus last week. “I voted to override the president’s veto to support Continue Reading

Councilwomen To Be Sworn In Tuesday
Written on December 28, 2020 at 6:50 pm, by Hayley Day
Two new San Juan County Councilwomen will be sworn in at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 29. Christine Minney and Cindy Wolf will both take the oath in person with San Juan County Superior Court Judge Katheryn Loring. However, guests must view the ceremony virtually thanks to COVID-19 restrictions. Wolf shared instructions to join, below. Join Continue Reading

State Provides Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
Written on December 28, 2020 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Governor Inslee’s Office On Dec. 27, Gov. Jay Inslee announced the state will provide funding for almost 100,000 Washingtonians who will lose federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits following President Trump’s refusal to act on the federal coronavirus relief package. The president had until midnight on Dec. 26 to sign the sweeping relief bill to Continue Reading

New COVID Cases on San Juan Island
Written on December 27, 2020 at 9:53 am, by Hayley Day
By San Juan County Since the last update on Friday, Dec. 18, the total cases in San Juan County have increased from 75 to 78. All of the three new cases are on San Juan Island. Current positive case numbers are available online at the county case count page. As indicated on that page, these Continue Reading

Recycle Christmas Trees In Town
Written on December 26, 2020 at 5:00 am, by Hayley Day
By Town of Friday Harbor The Town of Friday Harbor will collect Christmas trees for residents inside town limits on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021. Trees must be placed at the curb no later than 9 a.m. and must be separate from other unbundled trash and woody waste. To ensure the success of the tree recycling Continue Reading

County Finds Lax COVID Safety On Job Sites
Written on December 26, 2020 at 4:30 am, by Hayley Day
By San Juan County Recent San Juan County COVID-19 case investigations have revealed a trend of lax COVID safety protocols on various construction and building sites across the islands. As in any workplace, consistent masking is a critical tool for preventing disease transmission. Work done alone or outside with greater than six feet of separation Continue Reading

Congressman Rick Larsen Tests Positive for COVID-19
Written on December 24, 2020 at 8:14 pm, by Tim Dustrude
In his post on Facebook on Wednesday, December 23rd, Washington State Congressman Rick Larsen has said that he received a positive test result for COVID-19. Here’s what he said: Yesterday, I received a positive test result for the COVID-19 virus. I am quarantining in accordance with CDC guidelines and am not experiencing any symptoms. I Continue Reading

Moderna COVID Vaccine Arrives to San Juans
Written on December 24, 2020 at 2:30 pm, by Hayley Day
High-risk Health Workers, First Responders First In Line By San Juan County San Juan County Department of Health and Community Services has just received a shipment of 600 doses of the recently approved Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the Washington State Department of Health. Department staff is actively completing the recently released vaccine-specific training, and these Continue Reading

Library Plans Move to Former Life Care Site
Written on December 24, 2020 at 5:30 am, by Hayley Day
By San Juan Island Library The San Juan Island Library District has completed the purchase of 660 Spring St. in Friday Harbor for the future library building site. The site is the location of the former Life Care Center. The district considered alternative locations for a library for several years given the limitations of the Continue Reading