Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
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 26: Port of Orcas Budget Hearing
The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting to include the 2027 Budget Hearing on Monday, October 26th at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal. Access information as well as the Agenda, 2027 Budget and Budget Resolutions can be found at portoforcas.com.
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
Reeves and Petterson: Katherine is the right person to represent District 3
Katherine is the right person to represent District 3. She’s qualified and experienced at leading this community through unprecedented challenges. She knows what it takes to advocate effectively at local and state levels, and most importantly, she’s lived the issues. She’s worked multiple jobs here to make ends meet, coached and mentored our youth, and […]
Bigelow: Katherine Brings Leadership and a Voice for Our Future
I wholeheartedly endorse Katherine. She brings the lived experience, leadership, and commitment needed to help guide our county through the important issues we face. She represents a generation whose voices and futures are vulnerable in our island communities, yet whose presence is essential to the long-term health and vitality of the county. Katherine is an […]
Terri Gudgel Mason supports Swanson for county Council
92 percent of the people in Jennifer Swanson’s community voted for her for San Juan County Council in the primary elections. That’s how much she is loved, honored and appreciated by her neighbors.Jennifer also won 20 out of 23 precincts in the primaries, which illustrates how much she is respected on all the islands. Jennifer has run […]
Guest Column: Jennifer Swanson – Why I am running for county council
The reason I am running goes back much further than this campaign. For as long as I can remember, I have felt a call to serve. Winding my way through college, I served children in need at the Summer Sack Lunch program and the Boys & Girls Club, then became a teacher. When we moved […]
Gaylord: Swanson is a Shaw Islander for All of San Juan County
I’m voting for Jennifer Swanson and I hope you do too. County Council members represent islanders county-wide and must serve them well. Where the candidate lives helps define their character. Swanson lives on Shaw Island. With that, Swanson recognizes the central values we share of self-reliance, the ability to listen and understand concerns of others, […]
Week 8: FRIDAY HARBOR WOLVERINE FOOTBALL Trivia, numbers, history, ramblings and stuff by Bruce Bennett
Friday, October 23, 6:30 p.m., Coupeville (1-5) at Friday Harbor (4-2) The Wolverines will be going after their sixth straight victory over the Wolves when the two meet Friday evening here in town. The current 5-game streak ties for the longest run of wins either team has in the series – FH 1975-85 and 2024 […]
Levy Transparency tool available online
San Juan County Assessor’s Office created a “Levy Transparency Tool” to help voters understand how levy propositions affect taxes. The tool includes summaries of levy propositions on the upcoming ballot and a comparison of the current tax amount and the estimated new tax amount if the proposition passes. Find the tool on the Assessor’s website: […]
Sec. of State: When it comes to elections, start with a trusted source
An open letter by Steve Hobbs, Washington Secretary of State and President of the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), and Michael Howe, North Dakota Secretary of State and President-elect of NASS As Americans prepare to vote in elections across the country, they will have important questions, from how and where to vote to […]
Breton Carter: Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council
Katherine is a thoughtful and intentional leader who is truly dedicated to serving our island communities. Whether volunteering as a high school track coach or leading the Catherine Washburn Medical Association when the Lopez Clinic sought a new provider, she brings professionalism and a deep care for others to her work. While serving on the […]
Dec. 5 and 6: Winter Flea & Craft Market at county fairground
Each year the San Juan County Fairgrounds hosts the Winter Flea & Craft Market in the Main Exhibit Hall. Local vendors showcase a variety of handmade gifts and unique second-hand items for sale making this the perfect event to find gifts for all the special people on your list. Whether you’re seeking a venue to […]
As of October 12: Burn permits issued by local Fire Districts
Beginning this 2026-2027 burn season, the local fire districts will be processing all burn permits for residents. Formerly accessed through the County website, burn permits are now managed through each island’s fire district and are available on their respective websites. Why is the County no longer issuing burn permits? In order to streamline the response […]
Town seeking applicants for open positions on Friday Harbor Arts Commission.
The Town of Friday Harbor is accepting applications for open positions on the Friday Harbor Arts Commission (FHAC). Commissioners are volunteers who consider the interests of the Town Council, community, and local artists when advising the council on the selection and placement of public art. Meetings are held at 4 p.m. the second Tuesday of […]
Larsen, Colleagues Succeed in Delaying New CBP Rule Harming Access to Lower-Cost Medications
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today October 20 2026, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “In the past few months, my office has received dozens of messages from constituents worried about how they are going to afford prescription medications if the Trump administration’s new CBP rule goes into effect on October 22. I urged the […]
Local fire districts issue burn permits as of October 12
Beginning this 2026-2027 burn season, the local fire districts will be processing all burn permits for residents. Formerly accessed through the County website, burn permits are now managed through each island’s fire district and are available on their respective websites. Why is the County no longer issuing burn permits? In order to streamline the response […]
How to help the Sears family after fire destroys home
GoFundMe set up by Marianne A Bryan for the Sears Family of San Juan Island. For the Sears family, this fundraiser is one way for our community to come alongside them after a fire destroyed their home. The Sears family are my husband’s cousins, and they live on the same small peninsula on San Juan Island. […]