Tourism in the San Juans – A Survey of Residents and Businesses Tourism helps support the San Juan Islands’ economy, but it may also create some challenges. County, state, and federal agencies have been working together to manage visitors and their impacts. Recent studies reported visitors’ opinions toward tourism issues and possible solutions. Many people  Continue Reading

Town streets are being restriped with fresh paint on the week of May 20, 2019. Work will include centerlines, lane/edge lines and curb markings. The goal is to complete restriping of most major streets, as well as some of the secondary streets. The work schedule is weather dependent. Motorists should use caution when they encounter  Continue Reading

Dear Editor, Friends of the San Juans has been committed to protecting our environment since 1979. Throughout those forty years, Friends’ dedication to that mission has never wavered. This is why I support the Friends and serve on the board. A major issue still facing the San Juans is the seven-fold increase in tanker traffic  Continue Reading

The San Juan County Canvassing Board will hold a special meeting to review and adopt the Canvassing Board manual for San Juan County on Tuesday, June 4. The County Canvassing Board provides oversight of elections in the county. Its duties include canvassing ballots, ruling on the validity of questioned or challenged ballots, verifying all unofficial  Continue Reading

Lopez Island, Wash. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced it is seeking public nominations for four open positions on the San Juan Islands National Monument Advisory Committee (MAC). The nomination period is open until June 13, 2019. The BLM’s Resource Advisory Councils (RACs), of which the MAC is one, help the Bureau carry  Continue Reading

San Juan County Sheriff Ron Krebs recently swore in the newest member of his team. Guss, an 18-month-old sable German shepherd, was welcomed to the Sheriff’s staff this week. Guss’s handler, Jay Holt, has been a Deputy in the islands for the past year. Holt worked previously with the Burlington Police Department. Sheriff Krebs indicated  Continue Reading

San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 will be having a Special Board Meeting on Thursday May 9, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. to be held at the Frank Wilson Memorial EMS Building (1079 Spring Street). Items Include an EMS Open House and a Prospective candidate forum for those who wish to learn more about  Continue Reading

It’s that time of year again. Burning Season is coming to a close in San Juan County. All Commercial Permits will be closing on May 15th at sundown. Residential permits will close on May 31st at midnight. Recreational fires remain open for the time being. Please burn with caution and check back with the Fire  Continue Reading

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

If you have ever wanted to be an elected official, now is your chance.  Candidate filing for positions open for election in 2019 is about to begin. During filing week, candidates may submit their filings online, by email, by fax, or in person at the San Juan County Elections Office at 55 Second Street Ste.  Continue Reading

The Threat of a Large Oil Spill — At What Cost to San Juan County What would a large oil spill cost all of us? How long would it affect our communities, property values, businesses, and way of life? Our County’s Environmental Resources Division and the Marine Resources Committee together with specialty consultants have completed  Continue Reading

Town’s Business License Program is Online With The State Effective April 29, 2019. Starting this week, the Town of Friday Harbor is online with the Washington Business Licensing Service’s (BLS) to administer its business licensing program. Businesses that are currently not licensed and doing business in Friday Harbor or expecting to renew their existing licenses  Continue Reading

At the San Juan Chamber of Commerce Quarterly Luncheon on Tuesday, in addition to regular chamber business, three speakers announced some things happening around here – First was County Councilman Bill Watson, some news on things coming up on the island. Next, Friday Harbor Administrator Duncan Wilson announced a few projects in the works for  Continue Reading

Washington State Active Transportation Plan Survey Now Online The Washington State Active Transportation Plan update needs you to connect people with the process. Tell your friends and neighbors, share links in social media, forward this notice to your contacts. The public opinion survey is now available online in English, with other languages to be added as  Continue Reading

Want to make a difference? San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 (SJCPHD#1) has four of its five commissioner seats open for election this fall. This is almost unprecedented. Prospective candidates must file between May 13-17 and community leaders are needed to provide a new generation of strong leadership. SJCPHD#1 provides oversight for San  Continue Reading

Salmon habitat recovery, oil spill prevention, vessel noise and disturbance, reducing toxic pollution are all now expected to reach Governor Inslee’s desk. Bills passed: Protecting habitat (HB 1579) Lead sponsor Representative Joe Fitzgibbon (D-West Seattle) Supports chinook salmon and forage fish populations by protecting habitat and reducing invasive predatory species Preventing oil spills (HB 1578)  Continue Reading