Island Senior is a regular column on the SJ Update written by Peggy Sue McRae… There is a new face at the Mullis Center. Anna Coffelt-Kuetzing was hired in May to be the Mullis Center’s new facilitiy manager. Anna, who hails from a pioneer island family, grew up on Lopez and has called San Juan  Continue Reading

Tami Oldham Ashcraft was there at the Palace Theatre tonight to say a few words at the premiere of the movie Adrift, which is a major motion picture opening nationwide. The movie is based on her book “Red Sky in Mourning”, which tells the incredible and heartbreaking true story of her survival alone at sea  Continue Reading

Local photographer John Miller shares his photo of the Schooner Martha on Starboard Reach. Nikon Df, ISO 100, f7.1 @ 1/320 sec.

Nicholas (Nick) Power is pleased to announce his candidacy for the position of San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney. Nick hopes to provide voters with an opportunity to elect someone who is committed to honesty, transparency and accountability. Nick sees the position of Prosecuting Attorney as ultimately the citizens’ attorney – not simply the attorney for  Continue Reading

Dear Fellow Islanders, I was elected Sheriff of San Juan County three years ago and I am excited to announce that I’ll be running for re-election this November. As Sheriff, I’ve worked hard to promote and encourage a safer community. I’ve implemented the core beliefs of protect and serve, set higher standards of achievement throughout  Continue Reading

Dear San Juan Update, In a three days, the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) will be sending you and 30,000 other members of the Voice of Washington State (VOWS) a link to a short survey on your use and views of the Washington State Ferry System (WSF). We welcome your help in getting people involved.  Continue Reading

San Juan County Auditor F. Milene Henley shares these thoughts with you as election time nears… It’s election time, and with that comes the annual crop of political signs, popping up like pesky dandelions across the countryside. We’ve been fortunate in San Juan County. A well-meaning ordinance – now de-toothed by a recent court action  Continue Reading

From the San Juan County Fire Marshal’s Office: All residential burn permits will expire at noon on June 15th. Residential burning will be closing two weeks later than the scheduled date of May 31st. Residential burn permits are issued for the burning of brush and limbs in areas of the islands that are not within  Continue Reading

Here’s the latest update from WSDOT about the roundabout construction just east of Anacortes… Sharpes Corner roundabout construction starts Wednesday, May 30 Changes for travelers driving or on bikes during final stages of SR 20 and SR 20 Spur intersection improvements ANACORTES – Another roundabout is set to take shape on State Route 20 as  Continue Reading

Art for Fun is an art experience for everyone from the novice to the professional. Follow step-by-step instruction in a two hour session and go home with your own 16″ x 20″ painting. This time the painting is “Butterfly in Vogue” What: Art for Fun, paint pARTy When: June 15 Where: San Juan Islands Museum  Continue Reading

The San Juan County Democrats are pleased to host a conversation about defending our democracy from racism and the radical right with Friday Harbor author David Neiwert and Senator Kevin Ranker. The event will be at 5-7 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at Brickworks in Friday Harbor. Q&A will follow. David is the author  Continue Reading

Brandon Cadwell was a ranger for the National Park Service in southeast Arizona. Come hear about three small, but mighty treasures of our national heritage and his experience living on the southern border. These wild tales range from volcanic eruptions to Chiricahua Apache Wars to Spanish explorers. Refreshments are courtesy of the Friends of the  Continue Reading

During May 2018, also known as The Great March of Return, over 10,000 Palestinians of all ages sustained injury along the border fence between Israel and Gaza.  This is the most serious event in Palestine/Israel since 2014. At the same time, the United States moved its embassy  from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, an unprecedented action  Continue Reading

In the SJ Update mailbag we find this letter from Dawn Alger requesting your support for her upcoming mission to Guatemala… Dear Friends and Family, Some of you may know that last August, Mark and I , along with a 6 person (small but mighty) team of family members and friends, went on a trip  Continue Reading

Rock Island to benefit from another strong ally within T-Mobile Eastsound, WA – May 25, 2018: Three years ago, Rock Island Communications entered into an important partnership with T-Mobile US to deploy LTE Fixed Wireless to the home. Since then, Rock Island, the wholly-owned subsidiary of OPALCO, has experienced a tremendous period of growth. Rock  Continue Reading

What is the Produce Safety Rule and what does it mean for my farm? Join WSU Produce Safety Extension Specialist Faith Critzer to find out! You may have heard about a new federal regulation impacting produce farms that is focusing on food safety.  If you have questions, you’re not alone.  Come learn about the new  Continue Reading

Darlings, I am of the opinion that people who do not like cats will come back in their next life as mice. If you concur, please get in touch. My name is Helen and I am currently waiting to meet my new admirers at the animal shelter. Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor 111 Shelter  Continue Reading

National Trails Day Hike: Goldenback Trail Opens Saturday, June 2 at Westside Scenic Preserve, San Juan Island Thanks to the efforts of San Juan County Land Bank volunteers and staff, there is a new hiking trail at the Westside Scenic Preserve on San Juan Island. Join San Juan Island Preserve Steward, Doug McCutchen, and Field  Continue Reading

“Yes for Homes” Coalition Hails Passage of Affordable Housing Ordinance, Announces Campaign Local housing activists are hailing the passage of a San Juan County ordinance meant to tackle the County’s growing affordable housing crisis. On Tuesday, the San Juan County Council unanimously approved Ordinance 11-2018. The Ordinance authorizes the County to collect a one-half of  Continue Reading

Long time islander Becky Greenway has just recently opened a new nursery business, “Greenway Gardens” on San Juan Valley Road.  She offers assorted flowers, veggies, herbs and also yard art with more things coming along soon. This has long been a dream of hers and for the last 5 years she’s been putting a lot  Continue Reading

Groups Challenge Army Corps of Engineers’ Refusal to Protect Puget Sound Shorelines Corps’ Seattle District violates Clean Water Act, endangers Sound recovery SEATTLE – A lawsuit filed today against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (“Corps”) charges that the agency has refused to assert its Clean Water Act jurisdiction over most shoreline armoring in Puget  Continue Reading

Summer Family Arts Days At The San Juan Islands Museum Of Art Plan your summer with the family and mark your calendars now. Children and families create fun-tastic works with local artists at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art. Family Arts Days are a summertime island tradition, where local artists teach island crafts in  Continue Reading