From San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1

On Jan. 5, the San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 received a request from Eric Hood stating that “I learned that your organization was recently audited by the state auditor,” and “May I have all records it got from the auditor and all records of any response to the audit or to the audit report, including any changes or planned changes to policies or practices?”

This request did not identify a specific record and could have been denied.

Instead, the district released its three most recent audit reports, which include the district’s response to the audit, and asked the requestor to provide clarification on what was specifically desired.

The requestor responded it was audit 1023513, which we had provided. The District took this as confirmation that he had received the requested report. He did not ask for a more detailed response, set of records, or indicate dissatisfaction in any way.

During the last week before the statute of limitations on public records lawsuits ran out, the requestor filed a lawsuit against the district alleging that we did not comply with his request. The district has opted to settle this lawsuit for $15,000. Continue Reading

Contributed Photo/Megan Thomas

By Caitlin Leck, Food System Team Coordinator

For the last 10 months, the San Juan County Food System Team, comprised of representatives from WSU San Juan County Extension, San Juan County Health and Community Services, San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, San Juan County Agricultural Resource Committee and Orcas Food Co-op, has been assessing how food is produced, processed, distributed, consumed, and disposed of in San Juan County.

Our mission is to create a food system plan that provides a shared framework for collaborative decision-making in our county and region.

By fostering an equitable, localized food system, our vision is to create the conditions for social justice, environmental stewardship and a thriving economy.

Thanks to a private donation, the team hired Caitlin Leck as coordinator and took a deep dive into secondary data research, using the USDA’s AMS Economics of Local Food Systems Toolkit and the Whatcom Community Food Assessment as guides.

We pulled data from well over 100 sources and conducted interviews with key stakeholders from eight sectors: Land, Water, Farming, Fishing & Aquaculture, Economy & Labor, Processing & Distribution, Consumption and Waste.

Concurrently, many data collection efforts were coming into focus in the county: the Voluntary Stewardship Program’s Ag Viability survey, San Juan County Local Food survey, Lopez Food Center feasibility study, and San Juan Makers Guild assets and needs survey. Through financial support and engagement, the Food System Team made it possible for these efforts to ramp up in scale and implementation. 

Leveraging this cooperation and collaboration allowed us to gather the data we needed while sharing costs, eliminating redundant work and multiplying benefits across many organizations.

Collectively the data will give us a much clearer picture of the economic opportunities and challenges of agriculture, what drives food purchasing choices in the county, how important local production is to consumers and the desire for infrastructure investment. Continue Reading

From U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Course

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Bellingham and San Juan Islands Flotilla is offering three opportunities for boaters to take an online Washington State Basic Boater Education Course.

The course is for anyone wishing to learn safe boating skills and qualify for a Boater Education Card, issued by the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission.

All Washington state residents must carry a Boater Education Card while on the water operating a power-boat greater than 15 horsepower. This includes people over 12 years of age and applies to anyone who was born after Jan. 1, 1955.

The eight-hour course is provided over Zoom. The course fee is $20 and the online course handbook costs $5 to download. Upon successful completion of the eight-hour course, attendees may submit a copy of their individual “Certificate of Accomplishment” with a $10 fee to be issued a Washington State Boater Education Card.

There are three opportunities available for you to take this online class: Continue Reading

Contributed Image/CDC

From San Juan County

Since the last update on Friday, Feb. 19, total cases in San Juan County have remained steady at 129. There is one close contact of a positive case currently in active quarantine.

Orcas Island

There are no new cases on Orcas Island since the last update.
There are no positive cases under active monitoring on Orcas Island at this time.

Lopez Island

There are no new cases on Lopez Island. There are no positive cases on Lopez Island at this time.

San Juan Island

There are no new cases on San Juan Island. There are no positive cases under active monitoring on San Juan Island at this time.

Overall

First off, let’s take a moment to savor the fact that this is our first week with no new cases since early October, back when our case count was at a modest 32. Continue Reading

Sports Kicks Off February 22

Contributed photo/ SJISD. Superintendent Fred Woods.

By Fred Woods, San Juan Island School District Superintendent

It is hard to believe that it has been almost a year since schools were closed across Washington due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It has been difficult for all of us, but at this point, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Now that we are in “phase two,” I feel very optimistic that we are heading in the right direction.

I am proud of the work this school district did last March to quickly create a remote learning program to serve the public school students of our island. Since last year, vast improvements have been made to our teleschooling program, Griffin Bay School was reimagined to provide flexibility to families, and the Food for Thought food service program created healthy meals-to-go and found ways to get breakfasts and lunches to our community’s children, ages 0-18.

An argument could be made that this remote educational model is not as strong as a traditional one. However, our students have shown great fortitude in finding success under circumstances that none of us expected.

In late fall, the elementary school opened the doors to our youngest learners, kindergarten through 2nd grade in a hybrid form of in-person learning. In February, the rest of the elementary students joined them. On Thursday, Feb. 25, the middle school brought students back to campus.

It is now our pleasure to announce that on Monday, March 8, Friday Harbor High School will also begin in-person learning using the same hybrid format implemented in all the other schools. Specific information for families will be sent to them concerning this reopening by the end of this week. Continue Reading

By the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor

On Feb. 23, coinciding with World Spay Day, The Animal Protection Society Friday Harbor announced the launch of the APS-FH Spay/Neuter Clinic.

According to The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, “cost is the reason most often cited by owners for not having their dogs and cats spayed or neutered. People with low incomes are nearly as likely to own pets as are people with high incomes, indicating that many animals live in households that simply cannot afford full-service veterinary care.”

On San Juan Island, 10.2% of people live in poverty.

To address this need, APS-FH has historically provided vouchers, including $50 per dog and $25 per cat, to help low-income residents spay/neuter their pets. But even with this voucher, the additional cost of spaying or neutering a pet can be prohibitive for people living below the poverty line.

The APS-FH Spay/Neuter Clinic will expand its current services to provide in-house, high-quality spaying and neutering of dogs and cats to qualifying low-income residents. Continue Reading

From San Juan County Sheriff’s Office

We are currently experiencing a large number of scam phone calls where the caller is stating he is Sgt. Peter of the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.

After stating the victim has an arrest warrant, they are demanding money be transferred to their account to prevent an arrest. If you get a phone call like this, DO NOT send them money. If you have questions, please call the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office at 360-378-4151.

Rest assured, if you have an arrest warrant, we will be knocking on your door, not calling you on the phone.

Contributed Photo/Stefano Ferrario

From San Juan County Economic Development Council

The San Juan County Economic Development Council, in partnership with WSU Extension’s San Juan County 4-H program, is creating activities for children to introduce them to different trades in a fun and hands-on program that is offered remotely.

The first installment on fire preplanning will launch on March 19, via Zoom, and will be led by Lt. Gilbert Venegas, of San Juan Island Fire & Rescue.

Lt. Venegas brings over a decade of experience in emergency services.

This class will be the start of a series of hands-on trades projects for kids, including such topics as electronics, masonry, solar power, construction and marine repair.

To register a child, parents may contact Wendy Waxman Kern, the 4-H coordinator for San Juan County WSU Extension at [email protected]. Continue Reading

Contributed Image/CDC

From San Juan County

As the vaccine continues to roll out, an increasing number of islanders are receiving their second doses.

Below is some key information to keep in mind. 

1. When it is time to schedule your second dose, you’ll get an email from a sanjuanco.com email address with the link to register.

2. You may not receive your second dose in a different location from your first.

3. Side effects from your second dose may be worse than your first.

4. You must maintain all of your COVID precautions, even if you’re vaccinated.

Q: When should I receive my second dose of vaccine?

Continue Reading

From the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor

Age: Approximately 6 years
Sex: Male
Breed: Domestic Longhair
Application: www.apsfh.com/adoption-program/feline-application

Shadow is an awesome cat that is full of personality and has a real zest for life! He had a difficult start living on the streets of Yakima, but has made his way over to San Juan Island and has quite the story to tell if you give him the chance.

Shadow originally had a plethora of health issues when he first arrived, but he now has a clean bill of health and is ready for his forever home!

He’d probably do best as an indoor/outdoor cat as he loves to be outside in the fresh air. With time and a period of adjustment, Shadow would settle nicely into a loving home and make a great addition to any family. Continue Reading

From the Town of Friday Harbor

The Town of Friday Harbor has finalized engineering plans for the replacement of sewer and stormwater lines located in Spring Street between First and Second Streets in the downtown core.

The work is planned to begin mid-March with completion in late May. The high volume of traffic and number of businesses in this area mean there will never be an ideal time for repairs of this nature.

Winter months are not an option due to adverse weather and the inability to resurface with asphalt until the ground temperatures have risen sufficiently. The town will complete this work over the next several months to finish the project before our summer season.

To alleviate the traffic problems, work will take place during evening hours between 11:15 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. Spring Street will reopen during the day with a mostly gravel surface during construction. Continue Reading

Contributed Photo/Spring Street International School. Joshua Hoyt

From Spring Street International School

Join Joshua Hoyt for a discussion on foraging, a word emphasizing the act of searching for wild edibles, at 6 p.m., March 16.

While modern foraging is often about the search, indigenous people thought very differently about what it meant to get food from their environment.

Far from a passive, primitive activity, indigenous food gathering was based on a radical, ambitious notion; with generations of careful management, the whole landscape can be a food garden.

Joshua Hoyt (Turtle Mountain Band of the Chippewa) worked as a fisherman in Alaska during the summer of his freshman year in college. He has worked in the food system ever since. Continue Reading

From Leadership San Juan Islands

Join the Leadership San Juan Islands Board and staff as we host a conversation with local and county leaders on the current topic of leadership and governance at noon, Friday, Feb. 26.

Register here.

Featured speakers include San Juan County Court judges, the sheriff’s department, public defender, town, county and port council members, and community health leaders.

This is the second virtual community seminar that Leadership San Juan Islands is hosting in 2021. We hope to see you there.

From event organizers

The 2021 San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit will be held virtually from March 20-April 16. Registration closes March 14. 

Designed as a space for inspiration, education, and community building, the 2021 Summit is bringing together farmers, producers, and food system advocates to learn and discuss ways to build an equitable future for all involved in the San Juan County food system.

To provide ample space for contemplation and in hopes of preventing any Zoom burnout, 2021 Summit events will be offered over a period of four weeks in March and April. While it certainly won’t be the same as gathering in person, this online format opens the door to hearing from speakers across the country, and provides the opportunity to stay engaged over multiple weeks!

Events will include discussion panels, multi-week study groups, a roundtable talk, keynote addresses, and a movie screening, covering a range of topics at the intersection of social justice and agriculture, including: Continue Reading

By Hayley Day, San Juan Update

At 5 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24, the San Juan Island School District Board of Directors will hold a meeting on Zoom.

The board will vote on whether to approve the start dates for athletic seasons.  View the entire agenda here.

To access the meeting, visit https://sjisd.zoom.us/s/87220019428.

Or call to join: +1 253 215 8782 or +1 669 900 6833 or +1 346 248 7799 or +1 646 558 8656 or +1 301 715 8592 or +1 312 626 6799.

The webinar ID is 872 2001 9428.

If you need additional information, call 360-378-4133.

Submit public comments to [email protected] before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24. Comments will be read into the minutes during the meeting. 

Contribute Photo/San Juan Community Theatre

From San Juan Community Theatre

Set to premiere this week, it’s the latest episode of your favorite local web series, “Friday Harbor Happenings.”

To watch the next episode and catch up on our past episodes, click here.

This new, digital work is a satirical sketch comedy show with an ensemble cast, created by San Juan Community Theatre for our beloved local community. The writers hope the episodes will bring a smile and some laughter to everyone in these uncertain times.

“Friday Harbor Happenings” centers on a new (but fictional) social media page and the (also fictional) island inhabitants that join the page.