Topic: Government

March Commemorates Passage of the 19th Amendment

Written on August 26, 2020 at 4:31 pm, by

The League of Women Voters of the San Juans and Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor joined together for a short Covid-compliant march to mark 100 years since the certification of the 19th amendment to the Constitution of the United States giving women the right to vote. Meeting at Linde Park, also known as the ball  Continue Reading

How Are We Doing: The Economics of a Pandemic

Written on August 25, 2020 at 5:08 am, by

County Auditor F. Milene Henley on the County’s economic condition through the 2nd quarter of 2020… I like horror films. I enjoy them, knowing that they’re not real.  Monsters can’t really hurt you, and zombies don’t really exist. Right now, I feel like I’m living in a real-life horror film, one about a global pandemic with  Continue Reading

Sunday Morning Protest Supports United States Post Office

Written on August 23, 2020 at 9:26 pm, by

Thanks to Sandy Strehlou for this report from Sunday morning’s protest at the Post Office… “This morning, Sunday, August 23rd, 2020, Friday Harbor residents turned out to show support for funding for the USPS, and to protest any attempt by the Trump administration to rig the 2020 elections through mail and election tampering.   Yesterday  Continue Reading

Getting Ready to Vote

Written on August 21, 2020 at 9:52 pm, by

Local election information can be found on the San Juan County Elections webpage… Washington State votes by mail. Your ballot is mailed to you at least 18 days before each election. For the November 3, 2020 General Election, military and overseas ballots will be mailed on September 18. Domestic ballots will be mailed October 13.      Continue Reading

Rally On Shaw For The United States Postal Service

Written on August 18, 2020 at 1:41 pm, by

We hear from our friend Kate Schuman on Shaw… You don’t hear much about Shaw Island in the daily buzz of the San Juans, but the recent barrage of changes being implemented nationwide at the U.S. Postal Service has many Shaw residents alarmed and wanting to do something about it. Shaw Islander John Peinert organized  Continue Reading

Have You Answered The 2020 Census?

Written on August 18, 2020 at 5:05 am, by

Have you answered the 2020 Census yet? Census workers will be available to help you answer the census: Dates: Wednesday August 19 & August 26 Time: 11AM – 2PM Location: Friday Harbor Food Bank, 500 Market St. Can’t stop by? You can also self-respond Online at www.2020census.gov Call toll-free 844-330-2020 (English) or 844-468-2020 (Spanish) Return  Continue Reading

San Juan County Seeks “Con” Committee Members for Voters’ Guide Statements

Written on August 15, 2020 at 5:01 am, by

San Juan County is seeking volunteers to create opposing statements to place in the Voters’ Pamphlet for two measures on the ballot in the upcoming November 2020 General Election. San Juan County Fire Protection District #3 approved sending Resolution 2020-08 to voters. If approved, the measure would authorize the annexation of Henry, Johns, and Stuart  Continue Reading

Upcoming Webinar Features Passenger-Only Ferry Study Update

Written on August 8, 2020 at 5:05 am, by

The Regional POF Study launched early in 2020 assesses POF service across the 12-counties bordering Puget Sound and on Lake Washington and Lake Union. The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) hosted a webinar on April 15 to kick-off the study. Since the webinar, PSRC has gathered feedback through a 12-county online survey exploring potential routes  Continue Reading

Primary Election Results – This Story Has Been Updated.

Written on August 6, 2020 at 12:36 am, by

Election results thanks to Louise Dustrude… The five-person county council primary race on San Juan produced two clear leaders for the November general election: Christine Minney with 1978 votes and Ryan Palmateer with 1458. Others in that race were Sharon Kivisto, 812, Steve Wehrly, 295, and Daniel Miller, 289. The incumbent, Bill Watson, chose not  Continue Reading

San Juan County Courts Prepare to Resume Jury Trials Come Fall

Written on August 5, 2020 at 10:43 am, by

San Juan County Courts prepare to resume jury trials come fall – you will start seeing juror summonses again soon. The San Juan County Superior Court and District Court are taking steps to resume conducting jury trials for the first time since early March, when the COVID-19 global pandemic hit Washington State. Although it is  Continue Reading

State Broadband Survey Requests Your Participation

Written on August 4, 2020 at 12:23 pm, by

State launches access and speed test survey to document service gaps, prioritize expansion needs and investments…   OLYMPIA, WA — The Washington State Broadband Office and state Public Works Board have launched a mapping initiative to identify gaps in high-speed internet service and areas of broadband infrastructure needs in order to advance the state’s goal  Continue Reading

County Council Seeks Board Members

Written on August 2, 2020 at 1:42 pm, by

The 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 on the County’s website at: http://sanjuanco.com/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies. Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or Contact the Council  Continue Reading

Interview with County Public Health Office Dr. Frank James

Written on August 1, 2020 at 11:57 am, by

The San Juan Update is pleased to reprint this interview by Minor Lile with San Juan County Public Health Officer Dr. Frank James as published 7.30.2020 in Orcas Issues News & Views… As Public Health Officer for San Juan County, Dr. Frank James has played a prominent role in the community response to the Coronavirus  Continue Reading

Vote! Washington Primary Election August 4

Written on August 1, 2020 at 5:15 am, by

Be sure to get your ballot in the mail by August 4. You can also pop it in the ballot box by the courthouse by 8 pm August 4. Better yet, get your ballot in early. No postage is necessary. Need help? Link to the online Voters pamphlet (see link below) or to register go  Continue Reading

State Launches New Grant Program to Conserve Community Forests

Written on July 30, 2020 at 5:30 am, by

OLYMPIA–Communities wanting to conserve forestlands now have a state grant program to help, the Recreation and Conservation Office announced today. Beginning September 1, communities can apply for grants of up to $3 million in the newly created Community Forests Program. The grants must be used to buy at least 5 acres of forestland and the  Continue Reading

Town Publishes Book of Winning Poems

Written on July 25, 2020 at 7:05 am, by

The Town and its Friday Harbor Arts Commission have published Friday Harbor Poetry Gardens–a book of the winning entries in its first poetry garden contest. Thirty of the 271 entries submitted by local poets were selected for publication and for display at four outdoor poetry gardens within the town. The limited edition book is available  Continue Reading