Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Fire District 3 introduces new fee structure for false alarms
San Juan Island Fire & Rescue hopes a new fee structure governing fire alarms will reduce the number of false alarms they respond to each year. Effective November 1, 2026, alarm system users with multiple false alarms within one year may be assessed a false alarm fee. The District responds to automatic fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide alarm activations as potential emergencies to protect life and property, i.e. […]
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is genuine, helpful, generous
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 communicator, and remains kind and calm through intensity. Her care shines in every aspect of her hard work. Her patience, […]
County budget analyst casts a spell on Q3 numbers
“September’s spell has closed this year. On October 27, a spirit draws near, and Halloween whispers on the frontier. I bring forth on this bewitched debut the third sort of review I’ve summoned for you, drawn from the ledgers old and true.” — Dr. Molly Foote.
Ready for the work | Letter
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.
Vote for Jennifer Swanson | Letter
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 communicator, and remains kind and calm through intensity. Her care shines in every aspect of her hard work. Her patience, understanding, finely tuned moral compass and deep care for all the earth’s i
In support of Jeff Asher for sheriff | Letter
My name is Ray Clever. I was a SJCSO deputy and detective for 27 years, 20 of those with Jeff Asher. I am proud to say I helped train him. I’m even prouder of how he has grown his skills and served his community. He is the epitome of community service.
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 […]
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is the clearly superior Council candidate
Jennifer Swanson is clearly the superior candidate in the San Juan County Council election. Her experience is directly relevant to the goals of the SJC Council. The school district budgets she developed and managed as superintendent and oversaw as a school board member are similar to the county budget in complexity and in their mix of local, state and federal funds. That work also included discussion with the other school districts and a greater understanding of
Wild Fish Conservancy serves notice of intent to sue over Alaska fisheries catching threatened, endangered Pacific Northwest Chinook without federal oversight
SEATTLE, Washington—Nearly nine out of ten Chinook salmon caught in commercial fisheries along the South Alaska Peninsula in 2024 and 2025 originated outside Alaska, according to research from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). Yet these fisheries operate without federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) oversight of their impacts on threatened and endangered Pacific Northwest Chinook, even as communities where these fish return face
County Marine Facility Update | Council reviews aging infrastructure
Marine facilities are part of the County’s essential public transportation system, and the County anticipates significant challenges maintaining these facilities in the coming years During this week’s meeting, the San Juan County Council reviewed the conditions of the County’s marine facilities and the extensive repairs and maintenance they require. Most County operated marine sites are more than 30 years old, and many now need major upgrades. These fa
Jennifer Swanson is 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 thrive, even when we have different perspectives on the challenges we face. I’ve often heard, “Thank […]
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 […]
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 […]
LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Council, October 27, 2026
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 Property at 520 Spring Street on San Juan Island to Compass Health, extending the sale deadlines. Trillium Swanson, the Community Health Network (CHN) Project Manager for […]
Council approves ‘home fund’ funding for three affordable housing projects
In total, the Council awarded $3,734,596 in REET funding and $310,000 in sales tax funding. The County has now awarded approximately $19 million in grants for affordable housing projects across the islands through the Home Fund since 2019 This week, San Juan County supported three significant affordable housing projects on San Juan, Orcas, and Waldron Islands using the Home Fund and the Affordable Housing Sales Tax. In total, the Council awarded $3,734
Letter to Editor | Why I changed my vote to Sean O’Donnell
At a recent community lunch, the conversation turned, as it does this time of year, to the election. Doug McDonald mentioned that his nephew is Judge Sean O’Donnell, a candidate for Position 4 on the Washington State Supreme Court. I admitted I’d already marked Ian Birk on my ballot. That evening I went home and I read deeper into their positions and asked myself why I’d chosen one candidate over the other. The answer changed […]
County deliberates pausing essential public facility siting on Shaw Island, reevaluates path forward
Given current budget constraints, staff is evaluating how to prioritize time and resources across the county During this week’s Council meeting, the siting process for an Essential Public Facility (EPF) for Public Works on Shaw Island was reviewed. The County may choose to pause the process following the November 24 Public Hearing to allow the organization time to reassess the best path forward. Given current budget constraints, staff is evaluating how
Join the Orcas Island School Board
Are you passionate about our schools and the future of Orcas Island students? We invite you to consider serving as the next Orcas Island School District Board Director for District #2! Our schools are at the heart of our island community, and strong school leadership begins with engaged community members who care about the success and well-being of every student. Serving on the Orcas Island School Board is an opportunity to share your […]
Larsen urges voters to return ballots to drop boxes and pushes back on new USPS policy
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) expressed concerns to the United States Postal Service (USPS) about delays in postmarking ballots delivered in Northwest Washington. “Between August and October 2026, I visited local election offices in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island and San Juan counties,” said Rep. Larsen. “During these visits, local election officials raised concern that changes to USPS policy may delay p
Multiple county advisory board & committee seats open
Key positions on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Clean Water Advisory Committee, Agricultural Resources Committee, and other boards are open San Juan County is seeking volunteers to serve on various boards and committees that help shape daily life in the San Juan Islands. Key positions on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Clean Water Advisory Committee, Agricultural Resources
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman is full of energy, optimism, determination
I got to know Katherine Bryant Ingman when UW Medicine announced it was no longer going to operate the Lopez Island clinic, leaving islanders scrambling to keep the clinic open. That crucial moment for Lopez showed me Katherine’s grit and determination. As President of the Catherine Washburn Medical Association, owner of the clinic building, Katherine dug in and worked hard to ensure that Lopez had quality health care that matched our needs, at an affordable […]
County DEM seeks public input on disaster preparedness
Complete a short survey The 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