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

On July 23, Governor Inslee issued new requirements for all of Washington State in response to increasing infections. In addition, Washington Secretary of Health Wiesman added additional requirements to the existing face covering order. Below is some preliminary information on what the new requirements mean for San Juan County. This summary is based on initial  Continue Reading

The San Juan Island Lions Club is pleased to announce that it has just approved and donated $10,000 ( Ten Thousand Dollars) to deserving organizations that provided programs and services to the residents of San Juan Island. The grants committee of the San Juan Island Lions Club, Tom Starr, Brian Brown, Bruce Galton, Jim Carroll  Continue Reading

One new positive COVID-19 case has been reported on San Juan Island, which brings the total number of cases in San Juan County to date to 26. The initial case investigation is complete. A small number of close contacts have been identified and are in quarantine and the patient is isolating. The findings from the  Continue Reading

One new positive COVID-19 case has been reported on Orcas Island, which brings the total number of cases in San Juan County to date to 25. The initial case investigation is complete. Close contacts are in quarantine and the patient is isolating. The findings from the case investigation suggest the transmission source was a large  Continue Reading

Spring Street Asphalt Repairs Causing Traffic Disruption Monday, July 27th through Wednesday, July 29th Traffic will be disrupted while Contractors replace asphalt on Spring Street between Marguerite Place to Franklin Drive this Monday, July 27th through Wednesday, July 29th. This work is intended to repair potholing on Spring Street South Bound Lane and restore the  Continue Reading

By Louise Dustrude When the new Visitor Center opens at American Camp next summer there will be some familiar features — the curved-trunk Douglas fir at the entrance, the small clump of black locust trees within the parking lot, and the friendly, knowledgeable National Park Service staff and volunteers to answer questions. There will also  Continue Reading

In the San Juan Update mailbag this morning we find this letter from Karin Agosta… A friend asked me yesterday about Ryan Palmateer’s strengths as a candidate for San Juan County Council District 1. This is a great question in today’s confusing, demanding world. Here’s what I wrote her: First, his work in sustainable construction  Continue Reading

The Port of Friday Harbor will hold a Port Commission Meeting (Call in Information Below) Wednesday July 22, 2020 at 12pm Special Meeting Agenda The public is prohibited from attending in person due to COVID-19 restrictions but may dial into the meeting via the link listed below. Comments can be e-mailed to the Port or  Continue Reading

Although 2020 has been an incredibly challenging school year, the San Juan Island Community Foundation carried on its tradition of awarding annual scholarships to local students. Over the last few months, SJICF has awarded just under $150k in college scholarships and awards to 39 local students for the 2020-2021 school year. 9 graduating seniors from Friday Harbor High  Continue Reading

Beginning on July 23rd – When Covid-19 made it necessary to cancel this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Extravaganza, Friday Harbor Soroptimists moved on to the next best thing for our biggest fundraiser of the year. Women and girls of San Juan County need our assistance more than ever before, so we have moved our exciting  Continue Reading

The Scent Keeper & House Lessons: Renovating a Life Many of you enjoyed Erica Bauermeister’s first visit to San Juan Island for her debut novel, The School Of Essential Ingredients, that went on to become a New York Times bestseller. July 22, at 7:00 p.m. – via Zoom – she is returning to the San  Continue Reading

In the San Juan Update mailbag this afternoon we have this letter from Tanja at the Land Bank… Hello San Juan Update! I’ve been posting our weekly “nature notes” on our facebook and Instagram accounts since April, and today’s posting features a pilot project to help the Island Marble butterfly thrive. I think it’s a  Continue Reading

High School Juniors and Seniors can earn tuition-free college credit at Skagit Valley College through the Running Start program Did you know that High School Juniors and Seniors can earn tuition-free college credit at SVC while still in high school through the Running Start program? Students and families are invited to attend a virtual info  Continue Reading

FREEZER BURNED: Tales of Interior Alaska is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Steve Ulvi… The days of subarctic summer blend together and can unsettle internal rhythms. This is both a blessing and a curse, in having so many outdoor activities and a greatly expanded opportunity to overdo it. The reality  Continue Reading

Do Not Drive on Wet Fog Seal. Second Street will be fog sealed starting the week of July 27th. The exact date depends on the weather and County’s ability to complete other sections of roadway on San Juan Island that week. Work is estimated to last one day. Second Street will then be re-striped with  Continue Reading

Skagit Valley College to talk about Marine Trades training at virtual info night July 22 Skagit Valley College will be talking about Marine Trades training and employment at a Zoom info session on Wed., July 22, 6-7pm. Learn how SVC’s Marine Maintenance Technology program can power up your new career! To register please visit https://sforce.co/3fHmwJS  Continue Reading

By Louise Dustrude Two living spaces intended as vacation rentals have become year-round residences instead because of Covid 19, and two others have become commercial spaces, according to Lynn Danaher, the owner. Ryan Bennett, Lynn’s son and co-owner, has been remodeling and upgrading the four units at the corner of Argyle Avenue and Web Street,  Continue Reading

San Juan County Fair staff are preparing to launch the San Juan County Fair virtually this year. The fair is an opportunity to showcase all the talents and resources of our islands, and we are working to host exhibits online, and offer virtual entertainment. Local businesses and non-profit organizations are encouraged to participate as “virtual  Continue Reading

The North Pacific Right Whale: Why You Should Care about the World’s Rarest Whale Join Friends of the San Juans and Kevin Campion of Deep Green Wilderness on July 23 at 6:30 pm to hear about Kevin and his team’s expeditions to film the North Pacific right whale.  You’ll learn about what right whales mean for modern  Continue Reading

Two new positive COVID-19 cases have been reported on San Juan Island. These cases were identified through testing of close contacts of a previous case. All three individuals are self-isolating at home. Total number of cases in San Juan County to date is now 24. This is a good opportunity to emphasize the following critical  Continue Reading