The San Juan County Health & Community Services surveillance and contact tracing team is actively investigating a positive COVID-19 case with ties to San Juan Island. The case technically belongs to another county due to both the patient’s residence and the testing location being on the mainland, however the patient had recently worked in San  Continue Reading

Over the last few days we have all witnessed the unfolding events in Minnesota, and around the country, spurred by a tragic death that occurred in Minneapolis involving the police and a black male who was in custody. The actions that resulted in the death of George Floyd are disturbing and saddening. When these events  Continue Reading

All permits issued for burning commercial or residential burns are expiring as the burn season has come to a close. Campfires, burning charcoal or firewood, remain allowed in contained campfire bowls, stoves, or rings remain allowed in sizes up to 3 foot in diameter.  Please check burning rules frequently for burn risk notifications and burn  Continue Reading

For those who have court-ordered fines and fees, San Juan County District Court and Superior Court are offering a new, easier way to ask the courts to reduce or forgive your debts – and many people qualify for relief. Over the past few years, the Washington Supreme Court and our state legislature have greatly changed  Continue Reading

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders San Juan County Health & Community Services wants to share three simple but incredibly important pieces of information about healthcare in our community. If You’re Experiencing Covid Symptoms, Talk to Your Medical Provider About Getting Tested Medical providers in the islands are  Continue Reading

Thursday, June 11, 2020 – Drivers and pedestrians are urged to exercise patience and safety. San Juan County Public Works (SJCPW) will chip seal Second Street in the Town of Friday Harbor starting the week of June 8th. The exact date for resurfacing depends on the County’s ability to complete other sections of roadway on  Continue Reading

This story has been updated since it was first published… The variance application submitted Friday afternoon was approved by the Secretary of Health mid-day on Saturday, allowing San Juan County to proceed to Phase 2 of the Governor’s four-phased Safe Start Washington plan effective immediately. San Juan County Council Chair Rick Hughes highlights the importance  Continue Reading

“I am pleased to see this Project come online,” said Friday Harbor Mayor Farhad Ghatan. “It is incumbent on us to do what we can to use renewable resources. It is not only environmentally beneficial but provides a benefit to our ratepayers.” Next week the Town of Friday Harbor will activate its first solar power  Continue Reading

At the request of San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James (link to recommendation letter), and with the support of both the San Juan County Board of Health and the County Council, public health staff are preparing a variance request that, if approved by the Secretary of Health, would allow the County to move  Continue Reading

On May 22nd, San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James extended his order limiting non-essential transient lodging operations. The order was previously set to expire on May 31st. In his extension (Order 2020-5), Dr. James ties the future ending of the order to the lifting of Governor’s Inslee’s ban on non-essential travel, currently scheduled  Continue Reading

COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders With roots dating back to the Civil War, Memorial Day is a time for our nation to remember and honor military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. In addition, Memorial Day weekend is the traditional kick-off to  Continue Reading

The Town of Friday Harbor would like to thank the community for their generous donations during the month of April to the Harbor Life Ring program. A total of $14,441 was donated which was then matched with a $5,000 grant from the Town and a second $5,000 from King’s Market. The total amount collected was  Continue Reading

As you may have heard, asian hornets (a.k.a: Murder Hornets) have found their way to the United States and have been detected in Washington. They are an invasive species and will decimate honey bee hives. If you would like to help the State of Washington, here is a project you can do on your property  Continue Reading

Supported by the San Juan County Council, the Board of Health, and the Department of Health and Community Services, San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James issued a Health Officer order over the weekend regarding the public use of face coverings to reduce the spread of COVID-19 illness. A Frequently Asked Questions addressing all aspects of the order,  Continue Reading

By Louise Dustrude Five candidates have filed for county council from District 1 (San Juan) and three from District 2 (Orcas). Filing from San Juan this week were: Sharon Kivisto, Daniel Miller, Christine Minney, Ryan Palmateer, and Steve Wehrly. Incumbent Bill Watson did not file for reelection. On Orcas incumbent Rick Hughes filed for reelection,  Continue Reading

This week “COVID-19 Community Conversations” continues with another set of videos highlighting specific efforts from organizations and people in our community that provide key services and crucial leadership around the county. You can find our entire collection of videos on our YouTube channel “San Juan County COVID-19 Response” at www.sjccovid.com/conversations. This week we have two  Continue Reading

> By Louise Dustrude The road adjoining the gravel pit and connecting Turn Point Road near the shipyard with Pear Point Road at the gravel pit will get its final chip-sealing this coming week, perhaps as soon as Tuesday according to county engineer Colin Huntemer. After that, and after any loose rocks are swept off,  Continue Reading

The Town of Friday Harbor sees the health of our trees as vital to our sense of well-being and as a defining characteristic of our community. Healthy trees provide us the daily benefit of cleaner air, shade and source of aesthetic beauty. The Tree City USA signs at the Town’s entrances tell visitors that this  Continue Reading

The Town of Friday Harbor helped its customers jump start their spring cleaning with free pickup of oversized refuse the week of April 27-May 1. This is the fifth year the Town has offered the Spring Cleanup service to its residential refuse customers. Refuse employees Dave Smith and Jon Munn picked up a total of  Continue Reading

This week in a Special Board Meeting the hospital district, in a unanimous vote, suspended the integration of San Juan Island EMS and San Juan Island Fire and Rescue. This project was initiated in 2018 with a Citizen’s Advisory Group, making this action a significant change for the district.  All interagency discussion, planning, or steering  Continue Reading

San Juan Island Fire and Rescue’s (SJIF&R) Commission Chairman Jarman and commissioners are disappointed by the actions taken last night by Public Hospital District’s (PHD) to cease the creation of a single all hazard emergency services agency. The timing and actions of the PHD Board’s unilateral decision in the middle of a global health pandemic  Continue Reading

In person meeting or call in?? Read on… San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 is giving public notice of a Special Meeting to be held on Tuesday May 5, 2020, 6:00 p.m. at the Hospital District Offices ( 849 Spring Street Unit B-5). Call-in information for the public follows: Call-In Number: 509-824-1884 Conference  Continue Reading