Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]