Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
New Analysis Reveals Major Increase in Vessel Traffic Through the Salish Sea
A new analysis by Friends of the San Juans shows that ocean-going vessel traffic in the Salish Sea is projected to increase by nearly 2,000 additional shipping transits annually, including a dramatic increase in tanker traffic going to and from Canada that could more than quadruple historic tanker traffic levels. The 2026 Salish Sea Vessel […]
Week Four: FRIDAY HARBOR WOLVERINE FOOTBALL Trivia, numbers, history, ramblings and stuff by Bruce Bennett
Friday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m., South Whidbey (0-3) at Friday Harbor (2-1) The Falcons of Whidbey visit the Wolverines of San Juan Friday evening in their annual gridiron get-together…this will be the ninth straight year these two have met. The Falcons dropped their first three games – to Centralia 42-0, Toutle Lake 16-6 and […]
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 […]
Jet noise report includes June, July, and August 2026 data
A report of jet noise disruption from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island has been posted by Quiet Skies. This report is compiled using reports by local residents and visitors and illustrates the volume of reports during June, July and August, 2026, as well as types of noise, days and times of noise, and comments. Reports […]
San Juan Island Library Celebrates Record Participation in 2026 Summer Reading Program
San Juan Island Library is celebrating record youth participation in its annual Summer Reading Program, with more than 450 registrants for the second consecutive year. In 2026, the program reached a record 496 registrations—the highest total to date. A cornerstone of the library’s commitment to lifelong learning and community engagement, the Summer Reading Program encourages […]
Test your earthquake preparedness on October 15
While earthquakes in the islands are rare, San Juan County is smack in the middle of some of the highest risk quake country anywhere. Being prepared for the eventual catastrophic earthquake is a basic responsibility of every resident, business, and organization. A great way to start is by participating in the Great WA ShakeOut earthquake […]
Issues with phone service at San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center is currently having issues with the business line (360-378-4151 and 360-378-4141) not working. This issue is affecting approximately 5,125 customers. 9-1-1 is still working for people who need to call for emergencies. Century Link and Call Works have been contacted to remedy the problem. The Sheriff’s Office […]
September 22: Lions guest speaker Dr. Richard Smith
Tuesday, September 22 12 noon to 1 pm | downstairs at American Legion Hall Dr Richard Smith recipient of Pioneer in Medicine Award & currently has two approved FDA patents for Lou Geurig Disease & Alzheimer. A third patent for his medicine is going through tests for another FDA approved patent. He will be the guest […]
Draft Environment Assessment of proposed development of 115 acres at Friday Harbor airport available; public comments due by October 18
The Port of Friday Harbor (Port), owner and operator of the Friday Harbor Regional Airport (FHR or the Airport), proposes to develop approximately 115 acres of airport property, known as the Southwest Development Area (SWDA), to accommodate current and forecasted demand for aircraft operations at the Airport and meet design standards established by the Federal […]
October 20 and November 17: San Juan Island Fire Dept to hold public hearings on 2027 budget
Public Hearing – 2027 Budget & Revenue Resources Monday, September 21, 2026 The Board of Fire Commissioners for SJC Fire Protection District 3 will be holding public hearings relating to its annual 2027 Budget on the following dates and times. Written and verbal testimony will be accepted from the public. Regular meetings are held […]
September 23: Community Budget discussion with County Council chair Justin Paulsen
San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 representative Justin Paulsen is hosting “Community Budget with County Council Chair Justin Paulsen” from 6 to 7:30 pm Wednesday, September 23 at the San Juan Island Library Meeting Room. Topics planned for discussion include: Pressures related to the General Fund; Various revenue options; and Details and changes […]
Guest Column by Katherine Bryant Ingman: Spotlight: San Juan County Budget.
San Juan County is set to spend more than it takes in for 2027. To legally balance the budget, it needs to cut $3.7 million. This didn’t happen overnight. In April 2026, a levy lift failed, with over 60% voting no, forcing difficult decisions. Costs the county can’t control have kept climbing: state mandated programs, […]
September 23: Two free performances benefitting Friday Harbor Food Bank
Free Concerts to Help the Food Bank will be held at 3 p.m. and 7 pm Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at San Juan Island Grange in Friday Harbor. Musical selections include Adele, Beatles, Cold Play, Elton John, John Legend, Tim McGraw, Pearl Jam, Duran Duran, Stevie Wonder, One Republic, U2 and many more tunes on piano. […]
Guest Column: Jennifer Swanson impressed by community participation
Dear Editor, This week, I had the pleasure of experiencing community engagement, up close on both Waldron and Lopez Islands. Last Sunday, I visited the Waldron community and had several informative conversations. I heard their concerns about receiving county services on a remote island, along with basic infrastructure issues. I was able to share my […]
Friday Harbor Wolverines beat Annie Wright Gators 45-7
Friday Harbor Wolverines traveled to Tacoma September 18, 2026 to play the Annie Wright Gators. The game began at 4 pm on the Stadium High School football field, a very picturesque location overlooking the Sound. The game started slow with neither team able to score. However the Wolverines got warmed up and scored two touch […]
Christine Hopkins: Supports Swanson for county Council
Dear Editor, There are many reasons I support Jennifer Swanson in her bid for Council Position #3. I’d like to focus on two of her strengths: Jennifer is hard working and displays equanimity when leading. Jennifer has stepped into a variety of community organizations on Shaw Island and throughout the San Juan Islands. You can […]
Carole Davis: Supports Swanson for county Council
I was very pleased to learn that Jennifer Swanson was running for our county council. I cannot imagine a more qualified candidate. I have known Jennifer for more than 20 years. She is smart, informed, well organized, articulate, and responsible. She has a wonderful way of bringing people together, making people feel heard, and diffusing […]
Sheila Gaugin: Supports Swanson for county Council
I’m voting for Jennifer Swanson for County Council, District 3 position, and I hope you will too. I have known Jennifer for more than 20 years and have seen her in numerous community service roles, including school board, Ferry Advisory Committee, The Shaw Community Land Trust board, the teacher housing committee, and more. Of all Jennifer’s […]
Board of Health to hold public hearing on fee increases; PM2.5 monitoring station installed
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the San Juan County Board of Health September 16, 2026 meeting. Arlesia Bailey is the new executive director of Accountable Communities of Health (ACH). Evergreen Recovery has posted two job positions, based in the county and in partnership with the SJC Sheriff’s Department. Northwest Regional Council (NWRC) approved a 3% […]
Port of Friday Harbor: Island Air moving into Hangar 80; Port staff working with county on Cannery property uses
LWVSJ Observer Corps: Friday Harbor Port Commission, September 11, 2026 meeting Michelle Herko, Friday Harbor Labs Program Director, reported on the program she oversees allowing fifth grade students to perform water testing at the Friday Harbor Marina. They share their results with the Port. She emphasized the program’s value and submitted a funding request to […]
September 20: Paws, Pedals and People at Eastsound airport
Paws, Pedals and People | Sunday, Sept 20 | 9 to 11 am | Orcas Island Airport | Free. Orcas Island Port Commission’s ‘Better, not Bigger’ project includes a major rehabilitation of the runway.. Before any aircraft touches it, they invite the Orcas community to come walk it, run it, bike it, bring the dog. […]
September 20: Writing Workshop Orcas Island Library
Sep 20, 2026 | 2 to 4 PM | Orcas Island Public Library | 500 Rose St | Eastsound | RSVP Join Island Verse founder Danny Sherrard for a free, in-depth writing workshop from 2–4 PM at the Orcas Island Library. We’ll spend the afternoon digging into the craft, generating new work, and making space to […]
September 27: Poetry Reading: Gary Thompson with Sam and Sally Green
Sunday, September 27, 2026 | 3 to 4:30 pm | San Juan Island Library Join us for a delightful afternoon of local poetry, with San Juan Islander Gary Thompson, and Waldron Islanders Sam and Sally Green, who are launching their newest collections of poetry. For half a century Sally Green has been the caretaker of words […]
September 21: Poetry of Place at Westside Preserve
September 21, 2026 | 5 to 7 PM | Westside Preserve | 296 West Side Rd #298 | Friday Harbor, WA Join land steward Shauna Barrows and Danny Sherrard at the West Side Preserve for a Poetry of Place writing workshop! Find nature in your nature and your nature in nature. Island Verse event