Town of Friday Harbor Mayor, Farhad Ghatan, has sent a financial assistance package in support of the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center to the Town Council for their consideration at the August 5th council meeting. The Town recently received $357,589 as a first distribution from the federal American Rescue Plan Act. The monies allocated  Continue Reading

The Town Planning Commission is seeking public comment through August 12, 2021 regarding proposed regulations for attached accessory dwelling units. Visit www.fridayharbor.org or Town Hall for agendas, meeting information and contact information to forward comments. On June 3, 2021, the Town Council adopted interim regulations allowing attached accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in the single-family residential  Continue Reading

From the town of Friday Harbor The Town of Friday Harbor Planning Commission is seeking public comment through Aug. 12 regarding proposed regulations for attached accessory dwelling units. Visit www.fridayharbor.org or town hall for agendas, meeting information and contact information to forward comments. On June 3, the town council adopted interim regulations allowing attached accessory  Continue Reading

From Rep. Rick Larsen’s Office July 21, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced he has secured $10,662,665 for ten Second District projects in the Fiscal Year 2022 House appropriations bills, including nearly $700,000 to repair an eroding Lopez Island road.  “My priority in shaping spending bills is to invest in local communities to create well-paying jobs  Continue Reading

Nearby RV Dump Station Temporarily Closed as a Result From the town of Friday Harbor The town of Friday Harbor urgently requests that all users of its sewer system refrain from adding toxic fluids and nondegradable items into the waste stream. “A properly functioning sewer system is absolutely critical for the health of coastal communities,”  Continue Reading

From San Juan County The San Juan County Department of Community Development is now open to the public. Staff is available for walk-in questions from 8:30-10:30 a.m., weekdays. Staff will be available from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for appointments, excluding noon-1 p.m. for lunch.  Use this new scheduling app to book an appointment.

From the San Juan County Prosecutor’s Office Two lawsuits over the Orcas Road improvements brought by Jeff and Angie Johnson settled with a net payment of $140,000 to Jeff and Angie Johnson. The Johnsons, who own 38 acres at the corner of Nordstrom Lane and Orcas Road, first filed suit over alleged damages caused by  Continue Reading

From the San Juan County Elections Office San Juan County has three issues in this year’s primary election. Friday Harbor voters will vote in a runoff between three candidates for Mayor, with the top two vote-getters moving on to the general election in November. Lopez voters will vote on two measures: an EMS levy and  Continue Reading

By Hayley Day, San Juan Island Update Three candidates are vying to be the next Friday Harbor mayor.  Ray Jackson, Phil Carvalho and incumbent Farhad Ghatan spoke in an online forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of the San Juans on July 8. Watch the recorded forum here with the passcode ut^WHQ88. Ballots  Continue Reading

From the town of Friday Harbor The town of Friday Harbor has withdrawn its request that residents and businesses curtail water usage during a recent streak of extreme temperatures. The town anticipated excessive water demand during the recent heat wave that temporarily affected water tank reserves critical for firefighting. At no time was there a  Continue Reading

Negative Lodging Tax Funds in 2020, to the Best Year in Land Bank History in 2021 By F. Milene Henley, San Juan County Auditor I have always been amazed by four-way stops. Drivers learn as teens to negotiate these tricky, cooperative intersections, and most of us never forget. It’s a marvel of social engineering. This  Continue Reading

From San Juan County The San Juan County Community Development department will be open to the public beginning on July 6. The front counter will be open for walk-in traffic from 8:30-10:30 a.m. and by appointment from 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Traffic in the lobby will be limited to two parties — one at each counter.  Continue Reading

Three-person Race will go to the Primary From the League of Women Voters of the San Juans The League of Women Voters of the San Juan Islands will host a Zoom forum for the candidates for Mayor of the Town of Friday Harbor. Three candidates have registered to run for this position which requires we  Continue Reading

From the town of Friday Harbor Agendas for the following town meetings will be posted at town hall and on www.fridayharbor.org. Meeting times may be amended or canceled. All meetings are currently held via Go-To-Meeting web application. Visit www.fridayharbor.org/2202/Council-Meeting-Video for a video link. Town council, noon, Thursday, July 1 Historic preservation review board, 5 p.m.,  Continue Reading

From San Juan County Are you a San Juan County tenant who has fallen behind on rent as of March 2020? You may be eligible for assistance. Who can apply? Applications can be completed online for either the tenant or landlord: Tenant application: www.oppco.org/sanjuanrentalassistancetenant Landlord application: www.oppco.org/sanjuanrentalassistancelandlord Landlords should first encourage the tenant to apply.  Continue Reading

From the Washington State Department of Commerce ArtsFund, in partnership with the Washington State Department of Commerce, will begin distributing $10.78 million in recovery grants to 702 nonprofits in 34 counties throughout the state this week. In San Juan County, the following organizations were awarded: Friday Harbor Film Festival, San Juan, $22,500 Orcas Center, San  Continue Reading

June is Family Reunification Month By Linnea Anderson, San Juan County Juvenile Court Administrator During the month of June, San Juan County joins Washington state in celebrating Family Reunification Month, which honors the many families who have successfully reunified after having a child removed due to a child welfare action. San Juan County Council issued  Continue Reading

From the town of Friday Harbor Mayor Farhad Ghatan recently received a Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities. The certificate recognizes city and town elected officials for accomplishing training in four core areas: • Roles, responsibilities and legal requirements • Public sector resource management • Community planning and development • Effective  Continue Reading

From San Juan County You almost missed your chance to run for office. Fortunately, you’ll get a second chance. During the candidate filing period in May, several of the offices open for filing had no candidates file. When no one files for an open office, it’s called a “void in candidacy.” When a void in  Continue Reading

From San Juan County Since the last update on Friday, June 4, total cases in San Juan County have not increased, and remain at 191. There are no close contacts of positive cases currently in active quarantine in San Juan County, and no confirmed positive cases in San Juan County at this time. The best  Continue Reading

Attached Guest Houses Temporarily Allowed in Residential Zone   From the Town of Friday Harbor On June 3, the Town Council adopted interim regulations allowing attached accessory dwelling units in the single-family residential zone. The ordinance intends to create a pathway to turn existing structures into livable spaces. “This is a historic moment for the  Continue Reading

Auditor Seeks Pro and Con Statements for Voter’s Guide   By Milene Henley, San Juan County Auditor The San Juan County auditor is seeking volunteers to write opposing arguments for measures on the ballot in the 2021 Primary Election. Two measures will be on the ballot. Both measures have “pro” committees, and both need “con”  Continue Reading