San Juan County’s 2020 Point in Time Homeless Count will be conducted on Thursday, January 23. Count organizers and volunteers work with local family resource centers, food banks, emergency cold weather shelters, churches, healthcare providers, senior centers, libraries, the sheriff’s office, and many other community support service providers to conduct the count. The count, initiated  Continue Reading

Here’s a letter to you from County Council member Bill Watson… I am announcing today that I will retire at the end of 2020 and not seek re-election for a second term as County Council member for District #1 in November of 2020.  In the final year of my term, I will continue to do  Continue Reading

This just in from the Washington State Recreation & Conservation Office… Executive Summary OLYMPIA–Trails contribute more than $8.2 billion to the state’s economy, according to companion studies released today by the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. Done in collaboration with Washington Trails Association, Washington Bikes, and the University of Washington, the studies look at  Continue Reading

San Juan County Parks Camping Reservation Information for Year-Round Residents San Juan County Parks & Fair is again offering advance camping reservations for people who reside in our county year ‘round! Choose from San Juan County Park, San Juan County Fairgrounds (RVs only), Odlin County Park, and Shaw County Park for any dates in 2020.  Continue Reading

The U.S. Census Bureau is kicking off peak hiring efforts for the 2020 Census. A representative from the Census Bureau will be available at Skagit Valley College – San Juan Center 221 Weber Way Friday Harbor, WA on Tuesday, Jan 14th from 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM. Get information on how to become a Census  Continue Reading

The Town is now accepting applications for the AWC Center for Quality Communities Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is available through a statewide competitive process for students who are actively engaged in their city government and/or community and plan to attend post-secondary school in fall 2020. Up to six $1500 scholarships will be awarded. As a  Continue Reading

The Town will collect Christmas trees for residents inside Town limits on Thursday, January 9, 2020. Trees must be placed at the curb no later than 9:00 a.m. and must be separate from other unbundled trash and woody waste. To ensure the success of the tree recycling program, please remove the tree stand and all  Continue Reading

San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD) is now accepting eligibility applications for detached ADU permits proposed outside of urban growth areas and activity centers. ADU eligibility applications must be received no later than 4:30 pm February 10, 2020.   In 2020, six eligibility slots are allowed for the construction of new ADUs and  Continue Reading

This new program series begins Monday, January 27 at 7:00 pm at the San Juan Island Library and it’s free. The Library is pleased to announce a new series based on the Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions program. Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs and highlights eight critical foreign policy challenges  Continue Reading

Dwight Ware, President of Community Treasures Recycling (formerly Consignment Treasures), writes to invite you to a CT meeting this Sunday… Community Treasures at a Crossroad If you value CT services, please attend the meeting, Sunday, December 29th, 2019 at 5:00 pm at Grange Hall in Friday Harbor. See the 2019 Final CT Petition for rezone  Continue Reading

Friends of the San Juans Ensures Added Protections for Southern Resident Killer Whales in Regard to Phillips 66 Refinery Expansion On August 29, 2019, Friends of the San Juans appealed Whatcom County’s conditional approval of a 300,000-barrel external floating roof crude oil storage tank and an 80,000-barrel external floating roof fuel oil storage tank in  Continue Reading

San Juan County residents responded enthusiastically to the Friday Harbor Arts Commission’s call for submissions for its first Poetry Garden Contest. The Town received 271 poems composed by 89 adult and student poets. Those entering the contest were required to reside within the county but otherwise were limited only by the number of lines that  Continue Reading

The Cattle Point Estates Owners Association opposes BLM’s proposed changes to the San Juan Islands Monument. See their letter to the BLM below… To: Bureau of Land Management Director Re: San Juan Island National Monument RMP for Cattle Point , San Juan Island, WA From: Cattle Point Estates Owners Association PO Box 644 San Juan  Continue Reading

Vote counting equipment testing January 7 at 11:00 am A “Logic and Accuracy” test of ballot tabulating equipment used in San Juan County for the February 11, 2020 Special Election is scheduled for January 7 at 11:00 am. The test works by tallying the results of a prepared set of ballots to see if the  Continue Reading

While flood impacts in the islands are much less than for our mainland neighbors, every few years the islands get enough rain to cause localized flooding- especially in our more “urban” areas. With a chance of heavy rain in the forecast for later this week, now is a good opportunity for home and business owners  Continue Reading

San Juan County is seeking volunteers to create opposing statements to place in the online Voter’s Guide for the upcoming February 2020 Special Election. San Juan County Council approved sending Resolution No. 49-2019 to voters. If approved, the measure would authorize a countywide sales and use tax of 0.20% for a period of 60 months,  Continue Reading

Story by Louise Dustrude… After 23 years heading County Parks, and nearly half that long running the County Fair as well, Dona Wuthnow has decided she’s ready to start a new chapter. She’ll definitely stay on the island, she said, and she hopes to work in something natural resource conservation-related. She is passionate about parks  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag today we find this letter from Louise Dustrude… I worked on the 2010 U.S. Census, as did more than half a dozen other island residents, and I found it interesting and rewarding. I’m retired, and the paycheck was welcome. Some of my colleagues were unemployed or just “between jobs,” and  Continue Reading

The Town of Friday Harbor Refuse Department provides one day of pickup for Yard Waste during the month of December. This month that day would normally fall on December 26th. However, because the employees of the Town will have Christmas Day as a holiday, the Refuse workers will have to pick up two separate routes  Continue Reading

How often does the mayor proclaim a day in your name? Ask Mike Cohen, who will turn 90 this week! Here’s what the Town had to say: “Michael J. Cohen” Our friend and fellow Island resident Mike Cohen will turn 90 on Saturday, December 14th. This is a noteworthy life event for anyone, and we  Continue Reading

The dog licensing season was kicked off in grand fashion at the courthouse last week, when the first dog tag of 2020 was issued to a special “celebrity” canine. Mia, an 8-year old Standard Poodle, escorted by her owner Barbara Wright, received tag #1 at the Auditor’s office. Dog licenses are now available for all  Continue Reading

Here’s an important reminder for residents of San Juan County from Jim Corenman, Chair of the county Ferry Advisory Committee… San Juan County FAC here, with a request for assistance: WSF is holding two online public meetings, this Saturday at 9am and Tuesday evening at 6pm. This is a new format for WSF, and is  Continue Reading