Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
October 3: Sea Change Summit
October 3 | 5 pm | Brickworks | San Juan Island Friday Harbor UW Labs HL is hosting two amazing speakers on October 3, 2026 as part of a special, public event they’re calling the Sea Change Summit. At the event, Rick Spinrad, the NOAA administrator from 2021-2025, and UW professor Alex Gagnon about the […]
Timothy G. Parks Dec. 31, 1956-Sept. 26, 2026
Tim was born in Eugene, Oregon on December 31, 1956 to Jean Marie (McDowell) and Gary Parks. He lived in Eugene until age 6 when his family moved to Alaska. He attended school in Sitka and Ketchikan. As a teen he was always busy working on motorcycles, shellacking logs, building models or some other project. […]
San Juan Island Fire District considers false alarm fee
League of Women Voters summary of Fire District #3 Commissioners Meeting, September 22, 2026 meeting. Division Chief Jordan Pollack presented a report on the Outer Island Brigade Program. There are currently six brigades on Brown, Henry, Johns, and Stuart Islands. Brigades are trained in eight modules, wilderness first-aid, and in apparatus training. Stuart West will […]
October 3: America 250 Trivia Night in Friday Harbor
The Town of Friday Harbor and San Juan Island Brewing Company are hosting a trivia night Saturday, October 3, 2026, starting at 6 p.m. in celebration of America 250. No pre-registration or entry fee required. Teams are limited to six players and prizes will be awarded. “Join us in commemorating our country’s 250th anniversary with […]
Guest Column: Katherine on San Juan County Healthcare Access
From Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council San Juan County faces real access to healthcare challenges. We’re rural and remote. Our population is aging, and Medicare reimbursement brings in less revenue than private or marketplace insurance. This puts financial pressure on local providers. Many islanders also need specialty care that falls outside what […]
30 county residents’ poems selected in Friday Harbor’s 3rd Annual Poetry Gardens contest
Washington State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield selected the 30 winning poems from the 162 entries in the Town of Friday Harbor’s third Poetry Gardens Contest. He noted they make “a really strong, evocative selection” for the Poetry Gardens. Winning poems will be published in a limited-edition booklet and e-book as well as engraved for display […]
Sue Roundy: Leadership for Our Future: Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council
Leadership for Our Future: Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council Katherine represents the future leaders that I want to see locally and nationally. Energetic young people dreaming of a better future who are ready to listen and eager to work. I met Katherine years ago when she led the wonderfully successful gleaning program through the […]
Echeverria: Unconditionally endorses Swanson for county council
I have known Jennifer since she moved to Shaw Island with her family over 20 years ago. If I were to describe her in a few words they would be; fully engaged with family and community. She is deeply involved with both. I have volunteered with her on several non-profit boards and she is always […]
Paynter: Ingman will make a great county council member
To the Editor This is to share how my husband and I know Katherine Bryant Ingman candidate for San Juan County Council District 3, and why she has our full support We first met Katherine when we began to volunteer at the Lopez Food Share in 2020, during the Covid epidemic. Lopez has a long […]
SJI Fire Chief: The Future of Local Fire Protection Depends on Community Volunteers
Volunteer firefighters remain the backbone of the American fire service. According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 65% of the nation’s firefighters are volunteers, and more than 80% of U.S. fire departments rely on volunteer or combination staffing models. Unfortunately, the number of volunteer firefighters nationwide has steadily declined while emergency service demands continue […]
Scarecrow contest returns, sign up by October 19
Celebrate fall and participate in the7th annual SCARECROW CONTEST! This year we are again expanding the contest to the Town of Friday Harbor neighborhoods as well! It’s a fantastic opportunity for Town residents and businesses to showcase their creativity while celebrating the season. Plus, decorating the Town and neighborhoods for trick-or-treating adds an extra layer […]
South Whidbey held scoreless at Friday Harbor Homecoming football game
Friday Harbor Wolverines hosted the South Whidbey Falcons on Sept 25, 2026 for the homecoming game. The Wolverines quickly scored. Wolverine quarterback Jackson Feliz’s long passes connected frequently with wide receiver Channing Kleine. Wolverine scoring touch downs included Duncan Bogart, Henry Pope, Jackson Feliz, and Channing Kleine. The Falcons were held scoreless all four quarters. […]
September 30: Community Budget with County Council Chair Justin Paulsen
San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 Representative Justin Paulsen will hold a meeting with the community to discuss the County budget and related fiscal challenges Wednesday, September 30 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Lopez Island Library Community Room located at 2225 Fisherman Bay Road. The “Community Budget with County Council Chair Justin Paulsen” […]
It was a soggy but spirited Friday Harbor HS Homecoming parade
Friday Harbor High School students kept their spirits up despite a downpour Friday, September 25, 2026. The homecoming parade proceeded despite the wet weather. Ironically, the skies cleared about half an hour after the parade. The football game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Friday Harbor is hosting South Whidbey. […]
October 1: SJI Childcare Cooperative Open House
Thursday, October 1 | 5 to 6 PM | 425 Spring Street | in the Basement of the Presbyterian Church | Friday Harbor Families are invited to join us for an open house to see the space, meet current families, and ask questions. At SJICC, we believe play is how babies and toddlers do their […]
September 25-27: San Juan Island Farm Tours
BROCHURE (PDF) San Juan Island – September 25- 27 Download the 2026 San Juan Brochure with event details, schedule, and map.. All events are free and require no registration, unless otherwise noted. Alchemy Art Center’s Field Campus, 45 Hawthorne Lane Saturday & Sunday, 11am- 6pmWalkthrough tours at 11am and 3pm each day. Enjoy over […]
September 26: Great Islands Cleanup – Lopez, Orcas, Shaw and San Juan Island
The Fall Great Islands Cleanup is happening Saturday, September 26, 2026. Join your friends and neighbors for a day of stewardship, taking care of island beaches and roadways. We had a successful outer islands pickup earlier this week and are looking forward to gathering more litter this weekend. Are you in? Find details by island […]
September 30: Community Meeting to Review and Take Comments on Draft Critical Areas Ordinance Update
Wednesday September 30 | 6 to 8 p.m. | Online via Microsoft Teams link | OR Dial in by phone +1 360-726-3293,685490900# United States Vancouver Find a local number Phone conference ID: 685 490 900# A community meeting to review the final draft of Critical Areas Ordinance Regulations and SMP amendments will be held online September […]
September 26: Book Release and Reading: Poems for Grandmom
Sept 26, 2026 | 6:30 to 9:30 PM | Brickworks | 150 Nichols St | Friday Harbor Join us in celebrating the release of local islander Nick Benavides’ first book, Poems for Grandmom!
September 25: Island Voices in Eastsound
Ten island writers. Ten unique voices. One night of stories, poems, essays, and the unexpected. Join the Orcas Island Public Library for Island Voices on Friday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Parish Hall, an evening celebrating the writers and storytellers who live right here in our community. Each writer gets just a few […]
September 27: Learn about Cub Scouts
September 27 | 1 to 3 pm | Linde Community Park Join us at Linde Park this Sunday to learn about modern day Cub Scouts. We’ll have games and crafts along with the famous pinewood derby track. All genders and ages welcome. .Hosted by San Juan Island Cub Scout Pack 4090.
September 27: 2nd annual Harvest Festival at Madrone
September 27 | 12 noon to 8 pm | Madrone Bar and Kitchen | 40 First Street | All ages welcome | $15 cover. Join us for our second annual Harvest Festival at Madrone. It is officially our favorite time of year again, and we are excited to throw a party to celebrate. There will […]
County Council Completes Series of September Budget Meetings; October 5 Public Hearing to Follow
The San Juan County Council recently completed a series of budget conversations in September 2026, following the August 25th release of the 2027 preliminary budget. At its meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 Council wrapped up its last budget related discussion scheduled for the month of September and is now preparing for a public hearing […]
Rep Larsen’s recommendations about voting by mail in Washington state
Washington has one of the strongest vote-by-mail systems in the country. But recent changes to U.S. Postal Service transportation operations mean some mail may not receive a postmark on the same day it is mailed, raising concerns for ballots returned close to Election Day. That matters because under Washington law, a ballot returned by mail […]