Preparation is underway for the Spring Street Pocket Park Project Construction Update February 21, 2017 This is a construction update on what to expect today through the remainder of the week. Staging for the Spring Street Pocket Park Project began Monday, February 20, 2017. The Contractor (Mike Carlson Enterprises) is preparing the site for installation of  Continue Reading

Public Hospital District Commissioner Bill Williams shares this letter… Earlier this week I forwarded a draft resolution to the commissioners of the San Juan County Public Hospital District #1. If approved, the resolution would authorize the drafting of a contract with Mount Baker Planned Parenthood for sexual health and reproductive health services. The issue will  Continue Reading

On Monday, February 13, 200 people from the San Juan Islands and greater Salish Sea region attended a rally at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia to show support for the Oil Transportation Safety Bills (House Bill 1611/Senate Bill 5462). A major oil spill would significantly impact Washington State’s maritime economy, which is worth $30  Continue Reading

Department of the Interior awards Town special designations for historic preservation The Town of Friday Harbor has received special designation as a Certified Local Government (CLG) by the National Park Service and the United States Department of the Interior. Certified Local Government (CLG) is a designation created as part of the National Historic Preservation Act  Continue Reading

Judy Chovan shares some thoughts and thanks for the gathering at American Camp last Thursday… On Thursday, 02 February 2017, 150+ people came together at American Camp, San Juan Island National Historical Park to create a human sign to spell out our commitment to RESIST the dangerous and misguided environmental policies of the current administration.  Continue Reading

This is the February edition of the history column by the San Juan Historical Museum… This month marks the 75th anniversary of President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, which he signed on February 19, 1942. In response to the World War II bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japan, it authorized the forced evacuation and relocation of  Continue Reading

There was a very large turnout for the Women’s March in Friday Harbor today. Men, women, children, babies and dogs marched in support of the Women’s March on Washington D.C. and hundreds of other similar marches across the country and around the world.  Estimates put the number of participants at 1,500 to 1,800 hundred. Pretty good for  Continue Reading

San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD) is accepting applications for detached ADU permits proposed outside of urban growth areas and activity centers until 4:30 pm February 13 2017.  There are 8 permits for the construction of new ADUs and 2 permits for the conversion of existing accessory structures, legally in existence for five  Continue Reading

San Juan County’s 2017 Point in Time Homeless Count will be conducted on Thursday, January 26th. Count organizers and volunteers work with local family resource centers, food banks, churches, healthcare providers, senior centers, libraries, the sheriff’s office, and many other community support service providers to conduct the count. The count, initiated by the State of  Continue Reading

San Juan County Health and Community Services Urges Public Action to Prevent Spread of Influenza Flu cases are on the rise in San Juan County, although we are not currently seeing the epidemic levels reported in other parts of Washington state.  San Juan County Health & Community Services urge flu vaccine as the first line  Continue Reading

The Land Bank shares more good news… We Won! We Won! Fun Fact: on January 5, 1933, construction of the Golden Gate Bridge began in the San Francisco bay. Fast forward to January 5, 2017: Zylstra Lake, on San Juan Island, was awarded a $1 million federal coastal wetlands grant from the US Fish and Wildlife  Continue Reading

Town of Friday Harbor launches local landmark program Owners of historic properties within the town limits are encouraged to consider landmarking their properties in a new landmark register program initiated by the Town of Friday Harbor. Historic landmark status is voluntary and may include eligibility for a growing number of preservation incentives, such as Special  Continue Reading

Port of Friday Harbor Executive Director, Ted Fitzgerald has tendered his resignation to the Port Commission as of Wednesday, January 11. Ted sailed into Friday Harbor six months ago to take the reins at the Port.  In a statement to the press, the port commissioners related, “we enjoyed working with Ted and are grateful to  Continue Reading

County’s Top Officials Affirm Existing Local Policies with Immigrants At the first meeting of the San Juan County Council in 2017, the County’s top law enforcement officers and the Council members talked about immigrants in the community without proper papers or who have overstayed their visa. Council Member Jamie Stephens kicked off the discussion by  Continue Reading

Pertussis Cases Continue in San Juan County San Juan County Health & Community Service continues to investigate new cases of pertussis (whooping cough) in the county. To date, six cases have been identified in children residing on San Juan Island. None of the children have been hospitalized. San Juan County Health & Community Services is  Continue Reading

Please help our island community gather in support of the nationwide Women’s March! On Saturday, January 21, 2017, the communities of the San Juan Islands, WA will gather in solidarity to honor human rights – united in support of our unique island community, and the greater communities of the world. For those living on San  Continue Reading