Island News

Full funding awarded to SJI Home Trust’s Lee’s Landing

Lee’s Landing now has the County’s full support. In a unanimous vote on Monday, October 26, 2026  San Juan County Council committed an additional $3,709,596 from the County’s Home Fund to the San Juan Community Home Trust’s Lee’s Landing project, bringing the County’s total investment to $5.5 million, the full amount requested.  Lee’s Landing will […]

Home fund and affordable housing sales tax supports Pea Patch Townhomes and Lee’s Landing

San Juan County Council approved using  $3,734,596 in REET funding and $310,000 in the Affordable Housing sales tax to support three significant affordable housing projects on San Juan, Orcas, and Waldron Islands. Affordable Housing Projects  This year marks the sixth funding round conducted by the Home Fund. $3,700,000 was made available to qualifying affordable housing […]

SJICF to Offer Workshop, Understanding Nonprofit 990s, for Donors, Board Members, and  Organizational Leaders 

As the first of a new workshop series, the San Juan Island Community Foundation (SJICF) invites nonprofit  donors, board members, and leadership to a workshop entitled Understanding Nonprofit 990s on  Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the San Juan Island Community Foundation offices  at 640 Mullis Steet in Friday Harbor.  Each year, most […]

Chloe Mason: Praises Jennifer Swanson’s generosity and helpfulness

I have known Jennifer Swanson for the better part of two decades. When I think of her, I think of her generosity and helpfulness the most. I have worked with her in several capacities and also consider her a dear friend— I admire her immensely. She is a notably active listener, a direct and caring […]

2025 Friday Harbor Elementary School Halloween parade

Mike Vouri: Vietnam Journal 2003, Part One

Welcome to this five-part series. In earlier posts—most recently “The Ghost on My Shoulder: Remembering Larry Heinemann”—I refer to my return to Vietnam in 2003 with Don Macaluso, a life-long friend, and retired Air Force colonel, who, along with my sister, Denise, urged me to go. This sparked a long-ago ambition—to visit the country sometime […]

October 28: FRIDAY HARBOR WOLVERINE FOOTBALL Trivia, numbers, history, ramblings and stuff by Bruce Bennett

No game this week as the team awaits word on who, when and where regarding their state playoff game next week. Odds and Ends  The Wolverines through seven games are averaging 40.4 points per game. This is the most in 20 seasons (50.6 in 2005) and the second most in school history. Rankings: WIAA RPI […]

San Juan County Council presented with overview of county marine facilities

LWVSJ Observer Corps*: San Juan County Council, October 27, 2026 meeting. The San Juan County Council convened at the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Center. After presentation by Facilities Director Greg Sawyer, the Council voted to set a public hearing for November 24, 2026, at 9:15 a.m., to consider a Resolution Authorizing Direct Sale of Real […]

Guest Column by Jennifer Swanson: Ready for the Work

Since February, I’ve been on the campaign trail, meeting people across our island county. I’ve been blown away by the passion residents have for this place and their commitment to its future..In conversation after conversation, I’ve been reminded of how much we share: a deep love for our community and a desire to see it […]

Siting of essential public facility on Shaw to be reassessed Nov. 24

The siting process for a Public Works Essential Public Facility (EPF)  on Shaw Island was reviewed at the October 27, 2026 San Juan County Council meeting.. A public hearing is set for  November 24 when the council will reassess the project. Prioritizing time and resources in light of budget constraints and considerable pushback from Shaw […]

Secretary of State Statement about Washington’s safe and secure elections

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State has received a letter from the Department of Justice requesting information about individuals appearing on Washington’s voter rolls. We are carefully reviewing the request and assessing the information sought to ensure that our response complies with applicable state and federal laws. The United States Constitution is clear […]

Volunteer positions open on county committees

Several key positions on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Clean Water Advisory Committee, Agricultural Resources Committee, and other boards are open. To see if one of the vacant positions is right for you view all board and committee vacancies here: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies. How to Apply Complete the application located on the County’s website: https://sanjuancountywa.gov/2287/Boards-and-Committee-Application. […]

Guest column: What Makes Me Different? Katherine’s Closing Statement

What makes me different, and why should you vote for me? I think it comes down to perspective and experience. I’m part of the next generation trying to build a life here. I’ve rented here in a difficult housing market, worked multiple jobs, and wondered whether my husband and I could afford to stay. We […]

Winter ferry reservations release date postponed to November 10

Washington State Ferries is postponing the two-month vehicle reservations release for our winter sailing season (Dec. 27 through March 20, 2027). The delay is needed while we work to adjust reservation availability around upcoming terminal construction.  The new reservations release date is Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. To ensure a smooth and fair experience […]

October 29: MOMster Mash in Friday Harbor

Calling all tiny monsters and the grown-ups who love them! Get ready for some spooky, silly fun at MOMster, a Halloween-themed event hosted by the San Juan Island Childcare Cooperative moms! Dress up your little monsters and join us for an afternoon of wiggling, giggling, and Halloween fun, all while supporting island children and families. […]

Hiker rescued near UW FH Labs

An injured hiker on the coastal trail at University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories  was carried out by San Juan Island EMS and San Juan Island Fire and Rescue last week. Rescuers said it is one of the more difficult and treacherous trails on the island. According to SJ EMS Facebook post: The hiker had hurt […]

County DEM posts survey about Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan

San Juan County Department of Emergency Management (www.islandsready.org) is updating the County’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, which outlines local natural hazard risks and identifies strategies to reduce their impacts. The current plan is available at: https://www.sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/21421/HazardMitigationPlan As part of this update, we’re asking San Juan County residents to complete a short survey. It takes about […]

October 30: ES Halloween Parade in downtown Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor Elementary School students, teachers and staff will march from the school on Grover Street to Spring Street in Downtown Friday Harbor at 9 am Friday, October 30  for their annual Halloween Parade. The costumed parade marches through the core streets of downtown Friday Harbor, led by the school principal and staff. PHOTOS OF […]

October 30: Halloween Hip-Hop

Board of Health approves 10 percent increase in environmental health fees

LWVSJ Observer Corps*:  San Juan County Board of Health Oct 21, 2026 meeting.  Community Collaboration Council: Approved funding for Safe San Juans ($20K); and San Juan Island Winter Shelter ($15K), with a full time shelter at the fairgrounds’ Marie Boe Building.  Behavioral Health ASO: A temporary agreement will maintain the Intensive Treatment Act court operations […]

J35 gives birth to a male orca

Monday, Oct. 19, 2026 a new orca calf (named J65) was spotted  travelling with J35. The birth brings the total population of the three pods that make up the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales to 76. Crews were able to get drone footage of the pair, and confirmed the new calf is male. “The team […]

2026 Halloween Scarecrow Contest in Friday Harbor

    The Flying Monkey at Brickworks is not part of the Scarecrow Contest Thirteen scarecrows decorate storefronts in Friday Harbor in the 2026 Halloween Scarecrow Contest.  Click on image to view as slideshow. A map and a ballot can be downloaded here.  Be sure   to vote for your favorite scarecrow by October 28.  

Brennan: Ron Krebs is NOT the man he portrays himself to be

I have known Ron since he moved to the island and became a deputy. He made me believe he was a friend, a man of integrity and good intentions and someone who cared about the people in this community. It turns out that Ron is just another politician who smiles in your face and tells […]

Guest column: Katherine on Environment & Conservation

Protecting the environment is essential to preserving San Juan County’s way of life, economy, and natural beauty. Clean water, healthy forests, productive farmland, thriving marine ecosystems, and access to our shorelines are central to what makes these islands such a special place to live, work, and raise a family. One of my top priorities is […]