By San Juan County Since the last update on Friday, Dec. 18, the total cases in San Juan County have increased from 75 to 78. All of the three new cases are on San Juan Island. Current positive case numbers are available online at the county case count page. As indicated on that page, these  Continue Reading

By Town of Friday Harbor The Town of Friday Harbor will collect Christmas trees for residents inside town limits on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021.  Trees must be placed at the curb no later than 9 a.m. and must be separate from other unbundled trash and woody waste.  To ensure the success of the tree recycling  Continue Reading

By San Juan County Recent San Juan County COVID-19 case investigations have revealed a trend of lax COVID safety protocols on various construction and building sites across the islands. As in any workplace, consistent masking is a critical tool for preventing disease transmission. Work done alone or outside with greater than six feet of separation  Continue Reading

By Helen Machin-Smith and Daniel Mayes, Island Stage Left Founders With the season of goodwill and hope upon us, we at Island Stage Left are ready to do our bit to brighten your spirits and celebrate hope. With that in mind, our gift to you is this professionally recorded audio version of “Christmas Memories” (the  Continue Reading

Even during a pandemic, San Juan Island School District students still put on a holiday concert. Listen to Friday Harbor Middle and High School students play holiday songs in their virtual concert below.   

Wolf Hollow staff (and critters) wish everyone a happy holiday. They also thank the community for its continued support. Wolf Hollow’s mission is “to promote the well-being of wildlife and their habitats through rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife, public education and non-invasive research.” For more information, visit wolfhollowwildlife.org.

In his post on Facebook on Wednesday, December 23rd, Washington State Congressman Rick Larsen has said that he received a positive test result for COVID-19. Here’s what he said: Yesterday, I received a positive test result for the COVID-19 virus. I am quarantining in accordance with CDC guidelines and am not experiencing any symptoms. I  Continue Reading

High-risk Health Workers, First Responders First In Line By San Juan County San Juan County Department of Health and Community Services has just received a shipment of 600 doses of the recently approved Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from the Washington State Department of Health. Department staff is actively completing the recently released vaccine-specific training, and these  Continue Reading

By San Juan Island Library The San Juan Island Library District has completed the purchase of 660 Spring St. in Friday Harbor for the future library building site. The site is the location of the former Life Care Center. The district considered alternative locations for a library for several years given the limitations of the  Continue Reading

By Animal Protection Society Of Friday Harbor Age: Approximatly 3 years Sex: Female Breed: Chihuahua/Dachshund mix Application: https://www.apsfh.com/adoption-program/canine-application/ Penny is ready and waiting for her forever human!  It’s been a tough year for her…sadly, her previous owner passed away and she is in desperate need of a warm lap and loving home. Penny really enjoys  Continue Reading

By Governor Inslee’s Office On Dec. 23, Gov. Jay Inslee announced he will extend the eviction moratorium to March 31, 2021. The current eviction moratorium was set to expire on Dec. 31. “COVID-19 has had a significant financial impact on Washingtonians over the last nine months,” Inslee said. “I know this moratorium has been critical  Continue Reading

By Island Rec Start your year off right! Join Island Rec for the 6th annual Resolution Run/Walk 5K. This year, the event is virtual. We are sprinting into the new year with enthusiasm and health and fitness as our goal. How does a virtual race work?  You still have to go all 5K (3.1 miles);  Continue Reading

By San Juan County Public Hospital District No. 1 Thank you to all the advocates raising their voices. At the Skagit Valley Hospital District board meeting on Dec. 18, the hospital districts that jointly own Hospice of the Northwest announced that they would not sell to Bristol Hospice. San Juan County Public Hospital District No.  Continue Reading

By Donna Sandstrom, Whale Trail director and former member of Governor Inslee’s Orca Recovery Task Force Last Friday, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Commissioners approved rules for commercial whale-watching that will make it easier for the endangered southern residents to forage and rear their young in these next few critical years. Commercial whale-watching on  Continue Reading

By Rep. Rick Larsen’s Office On Dec. 21, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted to deliver much-needed relief to families and small businesses in Northwest Washington who continue to struggle from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “With a third wave of COVID-19 spreading across the country, this long-overdue pandemic relief package addresses the continued public  Continue Reading

Commercial Whale Watching Season Reduced to Three Months  By Washington Fish and Wildlife The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission approved rules establishing requirements for commercial whale watching operators and for the commercial viewing of Southern Resident killer whales and approved changes to spring bear special permits during its Dec. 18 meeting. The commission also heard  Continue Reading

Jeff and Dana Altman are the owners of the new island restaurant The Top of the Town Lounge. The Altmans shared their holiday takeout menu, below, with the Update. The restaurant, located at 669 Mullis St., Suite 101 in Friday Harbor, has “a speakeasy feel,” according to its website. Their goal, states www.topofthetownlounge.com, is to  Continue Reading

Shop Local; Reuse Gift Wrappings; Swap Decorations with Friends By Plastic Free Salish Sea What do fish sing during the holidays? Christmas corals! Have you resolved to be more eco-conscious this holiday season? Transition San Juan Island and Plastic Free Salish Sea can help. Check out the ideas below to reduce waste and lighten your  Continue Reading

By San Juan Building Association Join the San Juan Builders Association in celebrating the holiday season by entering or just viewing the entries to its first annual gingerbread competition. Today, Sunday, Dec. 20, is the last day to drop off your gingerbread creations between 11 a.m.-1 p.m at Sundries Court at 260 Spring St. Register  Continue Reading

By Cynthia Burke Starting at 9 a.m., this Tuesday, Dec. 22, winter coats will be hung on a fence in Friday Harbor for those who need them. Anyone can take the coats; no questions asked and nothing in return. Cynthia Burke has offered the fence on her property, left of Cynthia’s Bistro, located on Nicholas  Continue Reading

“Freezer Burned: Tales of Interior Alaska” is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Steve Ulvi. The Mail Will Be Delivered: Part I On a dazzling autumn day, sometime in the mid-1930s, Eddie Hindermann tipped his hat back pausing in his labors, leaning on a shovel, catching a blow.  He squinted while  Continue Reading

By event organizers An online class to train family caregivers will be offered from 1:30-3 p.m., Wednesdays, Jan. 20-Feb. 24. The instructors for the class titled “Powerful Tools for Caregivers,” are Jami Mitchell, senior services specialist, and Gail Leschine-Seitz, aging and family case coordinator. The family caregiver training is supported by the San Juan County  Continue Reading