Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
October 20: Community Meeting: Agate Beach County Park Updates & Road Relocation on Lopez Island
MacKaye Harbor Rd and the Agate Beach County Park on Lopez Island are scheduled for infrastructure updates in 2027. Reconstruction of MacKaye Harbor Road and the Agate Beach County Park parking area will help protect access to public, private, and tribal lands, while navigating the impacts of coastal erosion. Nearby property owners and Lopez Islanders […]
Structure fire destroys home on Yacht Haven Rd
A structure fire at 1423 Yacht Haven Road on San Juan Island destroyed a home. The fire about 12:30 p.m. Saturday, October 17, 2026 was extinguished by San Juan Island Fire and Rescue Dept firefighters.
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Bonds Available to Local Investors
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2), San Juan County, Washington (the “District”) is in the process of issuing phase 1 of voter approved Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds (the “Bonds”) to provide $14,000,000 to construct, acquire, equip, renovate and make capital improvements to apparatus and facilities of the […]
Guest Column by Ron Krebs: Understands the challenges facing the Sheriff’s Office
To the Citizens of San Juan County, As we approach the upcoming election, I want to share my priorities for the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and my commitment to the community we serve.Having served as your Sheriff from 2015 to 2022, and with 19 years of experience in the Sheriff’s Office, I understand the […]
San Juan County receives $660k Public Safety Grant
SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA – October 14, 2026 – San Juan County has received a $660,000 grant from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) to increase staffing in the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. On September 29, CJTC notified the County of its grant award funded by the state’s relatively new Public Safety […]
Jeff Asher is write-in candidate for San Juan County Sheriff
Wow! I am truly taken aback by the outpouring of support encouraging me to run for Sheriff. Thank you all for the calls and texts requesting my participation in the upcoming Sheriff’s election. When I was first asked to consider this opportunity, I was hesitant, as it is not something I take lightly. As many […]
Burn Permits Now Local on Orcas Island
Orcas Island, WA – Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (OIFR) will begin issuing burn permits for Orcas Island. Permits will be available starting October 12, 2026, if weather and conditions allow. The process is online. Apply and pay at orcasfire.org. The site also has burn safety rules and requirements. You may also come to Station 21 at […]
Washington residents urged to oppose Pacific Link Pipeline and supertankers in the Salish Sea
Petition calls on Governor Ferguson and state agencies to fight the Canadian pipeline and supertanker project and secure enforceable, fully funded protections for Washington state. Friday Harbor, WA—October 7, 2026—A new petition being circulated by Friends of the San Juans is calling on Washington state to oppose Canada’s proposed Pacific Link pipeline (formerly called the […]
WSF: Regular ferry service for San Juan Islands Tuesday, Oct. 6
Most routes are operating regular service Tuesday, Oct. 6. Current service status is as follows: Anacortes/San Juan Islands, including interisland: Regular service. Port Townsend/Coupeville: Regular service. Mukilteo/Clinton: Regular service. Edmonds/Kingston: Regular service. Seattle/Bainbridge Island: Service will begin with the 6:20 a.m. departure from Bainbridge Island. Seattle/Bremerton: Regular service. Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: Operating the two-boat schedule. The third, […]
October 5: Lack of crew leads to disruption of ferry service system-wide
WSF BULLETIN: ALL ROUTES Service disruptions on all routes are likely Sunday, October 4, 2026 due to the lack of qualified crew. Customers are requested to only make essential travel. More information is posted at https://wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/bulletin.aspx as it becomes available. As of 5:38 pm #1 Chelan is in service. #2 Yakima goes out of service after […]
Heather Lee: Protecting your Vote
Many people have shared their concerns about election security with me and how election officials can address those concerns. I believe the biggest issues are cybersecurity, ballot security, chain of custody, staffing, and misinformation. My approach would be to be proactive – review our security procedures, make sure ballots are properly tracked and secured, maintain […]
Town of Friday Harbor issues proclamation about Domestic Violence Awareness month
PROCLAMATION Hope to Live Free of Abuse WHEREAS, October is recognized nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, domestic violence is a complex and pervasive public health crisis that affects individuals without regard to age, race, gender, education, religious, economic, or societal lines; and WHEREAS, domestic violence is not just physical violence; it often […]