Effective September 10, San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James has signed Order No. 2020-9, lifting the 50% capacity restrictions on transient lodging. Operating at 100% capacity is allowed immediately. This order also immediately lifts the closure of all public playgrounds and playground equipment. Dr. James explains, “Island residents and visitors have done an  Continue Reading

Due to fire danger and stretched resources, the San Juan County is extending the current burn ban to prohibit all outdoor fires, effective immediately and until further notice. This change is prompted by several factors. Hot and dry weather has made conditions ripe for ignition and fast fire spread, and forecasts predict more of the  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: Board and Committee Vacancies. Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee should fill out an Advisory Committee Application or  Continue Reading

OLYMPIA–On Sept.1, eligible organizations may begin applying for grants to conserve community forests, the Recreation and Conservation Office announced today. The new state Community Forests Program will offer grants of up to $3 million. But organizations need to hurry. Applications are due Oct. 1. The grants must be used to buy at least 5 acres  Continue Reading

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

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

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

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

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 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 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

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

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 – 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 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

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

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

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

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

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

San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 is providing notice of a Special Meeting to be held jointly with San Juan Island Fire and Rescue on Tuesday July 28, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. This meeting will be online due to COVID-19: members of the public may call 509-824-1884 and enter 919 848 360# This  Continue Reading

As positive test results continue to occur in San Juan County, the County COVID-19 Response Team is going to adjust the reporting strategy and schedule. Going forward:   – The Case Count Page will be updated when positive test results are received and initial investigation has confirmed the result.  – A weekly summary of positive  Continue Reading