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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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.  

Zakes: Support Jennifer Swanson for county Council

We support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council Position 3. Jennifer has shown great leadership and the ability to bring people together to create creative and workable solutions to many of the challenges of those living in San Juan County in a variety of roles over many years. Jennifer’s ability to work tirelessly and […]

October 23: Join the SJPT and walk the Beecher Preserve on Lopez

Ward and Doris Beecher’s gift protects 35 acres of Lopez forest, and years of care from partners and volunteers are helping it grow healthier every season. Join Dean Dougherty, San Juan Preservation Trust Senior Director of Stewardship, on Friday, October 23, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm to see it up close. We still have […]

San Juan Island Fire Dept. will issue $500 fine if property owner has 3 false alarms in one year

LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Fire District #3 Commissioners Meeting summary of the October 20, 2026 meeting. Robin Garcia, Finance Officer, received a special parking space sign in recognition of her service and her upcoming retirement in June of 2027.  Andy Guiterrez of the Fire Preservation Board gave a presentation on a Fire Museum that will be […]

Town to flush main water transmission line overnight November 3-4

The Town of Friday Harbor will flush the water transmission line from the treatment plant on Wold Road to town Tuesday, November 3 through Wednesday, November 4, 2026.  Per state Department of Health regulations, lines require occasional flushing to remove accumulated minerals, sediment, and organic materials.  Crews will perform the work at night when water […]

Town to match $7,500 in November donations to the food bank

Donations made in November to the Town of Friday Harbor’s “Harbor Life Ring” utility assistance fund will again be matched up to a total of $7,500 and forwarded to the Friday Harbor Food Bank.  Anyone may donate at Town Hall.  Utility customers may also donate by marking the Harbor Life Ring line item on their […]

Help Rotary and Its PolioPlus Partners Deliver More Than Vaccines

World Polio Day, October 24, is an opportunity to unite in support of Rotary International’s longstanding mission to eradicate polio. That effort goes beyond vaccines: polio cases can reveal gaps in health systems, and contaminated water can spread the virus and other diseases. Alongside vaccination, access to safe drinking water is a vital part of […]

Emilio Santiago: Enthusiastically endorses Katherine for county Council

This is a rallying cry to my fellow San Juan Islanders! I enthusiastically support Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council, and I hope you will too. District 3 covers Lopez, Shaw, and Decatur, but we all know that our County Council’s decisions affect the entire archipelago. When I think about the future of the […]

Suden: Endorses Katherine for District 3 county council member

Join Me in Voting for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council Katherine is a leader who listens & collaborates to find solutions that work for the wellbeing of the community.  Please join me & vote Katherine Bryant Ingman for Council position #3. Elizabeth Suden Lopez Island