Mayor Farhad Ghatan is seeking one youth representative for appointment to the Friday Harbor Arts Commission (FHAC). This appointee willl join seven other commissioners in representing the interests of the Town, community, and local artists as they advise the Town Council on the cultivation, selection, acquisition, and placement of public art. “This is an excellent  Continue Reading

Air monitors in our region today are reporting ‘unhealthy’ levels of particulate matter in the air due to wildfire smoke, largely from fires burning in British Columbia. San Juan County Health & Community Services is advising the public to limit time spent outdoors and avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Outdoor smoke contains very small particles and  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning… My thanks to those who voted in the primary election.  Shortly after the election, Team Gaylord removed most of the Re-Elect Gaylord for Prosecutor signs from our scenic roadways.  I believe residents and visitors deserve to finish the summer with a landscape without interruption. I hope voters will  Continue Reading

Voters in San Juan County will decide two local measures in the November election. (People who don’t vote won’t decide anything.) On Lopez, the annual one-year levy for the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District will be on the ballot. The district is once again asking for $105,000 to support operations of the district. Countywide, voters  Continue Reading

This is from Ron Krebs, SJ County Sheriff… There is understandable and significant concern throughout the islands following the discovery on Monday of an improvised explosive device (IED) on the San Juan County Land Bank Turtleback Mountain Preserve property on Orcas Island. The ongoing investigation is being led by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms,  Continue Reading

The following is from the Dam Sense news Room… This piece is in response to Governor Inslee’s Interview with Simone Del Rosario of Q13 Fox on July 26th.  It is meant to serve as a correction of mis-information due to lack of appropriate information. “We can’t wait for that study, we need to reduce 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: 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

To the Editor: We thank Representative Kris Lytton for her service to the 40th District and wish her well in her retirement. Kris Lytton did so much to support education in our state. We now need a leader who will work effectively to ensure the future for all of our children and grandchildren. Alex Ramel  Continue Reading

Further to what Sandy Strehlou just wrote about the other day, here is the county asking for your input… 2018 Fairgrounds Master Plan – Take the Survey! The San Juan County Fairgrounds Master Plan, which was last updated in 2012, provides a roadmap for developing and operating the fairgrounds in a manner that is responsive  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag this morning… I am Colleen Kenimond and I am the adult public defender for San Juan County. This is my sixth year in this position, and my 24th in criminal practice both as a defender and as a senior deputy prosecutor in other counties. Normally I would not broadcast my  Continue Reading

UPDATED – The SJ Update has just learned there will be another event here on San Juan Island as well. So – 2 events, One at the UW Labs on August 8, and one on Orcas in Eastsound on August 9th… This past March, Washington state successfully passed a law phasing out open-water Atlantic salmon  Continue Reading

The following was shared with you by the SJC Prosecutor’s Office… Former Teacher Gerald Grellet-Tinner’s petition for a citizen complaint for a misdemeanor charge against former Detective Stephen Parker was rejected today by District Court Judge Stewart Andrew.   Judge Stewart Andrew wrote that the “Prosecutor’s office has shown no bad faith or inappropriate reasons for  Continue Reading

SJC Auditor Milene Henley adds to her notice from yesterday… After my recent post about the “Primary Election – What’s New?” I was reminded by an astute Lopez reader that the long ballot has a very important second side. That long list of Senate candidates not only required special paper, it also pushed local issues  Continue Reading

We are writing in strong support of Alex Ramel as a candidate to represent us in the 40th district. Among his many strengths, he has a proven ability to bring people together to work for specific goals. As one example, he built a coalition to create the Community Energy Challenge, an energy upgrade program which  Continue Reading

Here’s SJC Auditor F. Milene Henley with some answers about this year’s election… This year’s primary election is generating a lot of questions. That’s not unusual; election cycles are long – four years between elections for most positions – and it’s easy to forget what a particular type of election looks like. But this year  Continue Reading

Here’s a letter from Nick Power regarding his candidacy for SJC Prosecuting Attorney… I’m running for San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney to bring meaningful change to the way the office performs its duties.   I have lived on San Juan Island with my wife Penelope Haskew and our two daughters Chiara and Alison for over ten  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag we have this letter about the upcoming election… Vote for Debra Lekanoff, Washington 40th Legislative District By Sandy Strehlou and David Meiland, San Juan Island Debra Lekanoff is running for the 40th Legislative District seat currently held by State Representative Kristine Lytton, who is stepping down. Lytton has been a  Continue Reading

July 20, 2018, Joint Planning Commission and County Council Meeting At 9:00 am on July 20, 2018, there will be a joint Planning Commission and County Council public hearing and special meeting.  The public hearing will be regarding a proposed amendment to the political sign code.  The Planning Commission and County Council will also be  Continue Reading

Tonight, from 8:00 to 10:00 PM, you are invited to a vigil at the courthouse to show support for immigrant families who are fleeing their war torn and gang ravaged homes seeking safety in the United States. Please bring a candle and also wear blue. Signage expressing sympathy for the families and calling for compassion,  Continue Reading

OLYMPIA – Governor Jay Inslee has appointed Jeromy Sullivan, chair of the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, to the Salmon Recovery Funding Board, a state board that awards grants for projects to help return salmon from the brink of extinction. Sullivan has extensive experience in conservation and salmon recovery issues. He has served on the Hood  Continue Reading

The Port of Friday Harbor would like to thank the many local businesses and community members who helped get the 2018 summer season kicked off with a BANG during the Port’s Pirate Festival over June 22-24 and Rock the Dock on the 4th of July! During Pirate Fest, Friday night’s Movie Night in Fairweather Park  Continue Reading

Are you looking for a way to serve your community? San Juan County Elections is looking for persons with disabilities, and providers of services to persons with disabilities, to serve on the Disability Advisory Committee.  Washington State Law requires every county to have a Disability Advisory Committee. The committee must include persons with disabilities, and  Continue Reading