Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Fall ferry schedule starts Sunday, September 20
Washington State Ferries fall sailing schedule starts Sunday, Sept. 20 and lasts through Dec. 26. San Juan/Anacortes regular fall schedule Port Townsend/Coupeville: The route will continue two-boat service until Oct. 5, when it returns to one-boat service until next spring. This is one week earlier than planned, due to vessel maintenance. Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: From early October through early November, the route will run a […]
New transformer on Orcas replaces one installed in 1970
This summer, OPALCO replaced a transformer installed in 1970 . The new transformer includes more capacity for the expected growth in electricity use in the coming decades. This equipment takes high-voltage electricity and steps it down to a smaller voltage to deliver electricity to homes and businesses on Orcas. The Orcas Power & Light Cooperative […]
Kwiaht launches arsenic testing and action project
Islands conservation laboratory Kwiaht is seeking participants in a study of the extent of arsenic contamination in island wells, and actions to reduce adverse health effects Islanders may be at increased risk of colon cancer due to the widespread presence of small amounts of arsenic in the islands’ well water. Although the regulatory ceiling for […]
Week 3: FRIDAY HARBOR WOLVERINE FOOTBALL Trivia, numbers, history, ramblings and stuff by Bruce Bennett
Friday, September 18 at 4:00 p.m. Friday Harbor (1-1) vs Annie Wright (0-2) at Stadium For the second week in a row the Wolverines will take on a member of the 1A Nisqually League…last Friday Bellevue Christian here at home and this Friday Annie Wright in Tacoma. This will be the first time the […]
September 17: Public hearing on 3 variances for proposed project at 240 First St
A continued public hearing for variances for a proposed three-story, eleven-unit mixed-use building (six transient, five residential) with 21 off-street parking stalls at 240 First St N. will be held during Friday Harbor Town Council’s September 17, 2026 12 noon hearing. The site (Tax Parcels 351150001000 and 351150003000) are zoned CO. The site’s slope (25%-85%, […]
PA’s office and District Court move to termporary offices while courthouse has seismic retrofit
San Juan County District Court and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office are moving out of the historic courthouse to allow for structural renovations. The “seismic retrofit” will improve the safety of the building in case of an earthquake, and it is funded through a matching grant from the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Construction […]
Larsen Statement on Joint U.S.-Canada Oil Spill Response Exercise
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 15, 2026 U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released the following statement: “On September 1, my staff observed a joint exercise between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard designed to simulate response efforts and coordination between our two countries in […]
Larsen Applauds $4.2 Million for Local Salmon Passage Restoration
WASHINGTON, D.C. – September 15, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) is awarding $4.2 million to the Skagit River System Cooperative (Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community) for restoring fish passage to support Similk Estuary Chinook salmon. “This is great news for fish!” said Rep. Larsen. “This […]
Injunction Upheld: federal administration can’t interfere with mid-term elections
OLYMPIA – Monday, September 14, 2026, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the U.S. Postal Service cannot place new restrictions on ballot mail before the Nov. 3 General Election. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs issued the following statement: “Today’s decision reaffirms what we already know: the USPS rule would create unnecessary disruption and put our voters at risk. Washington’s election workers are already hard at work […]
Comments about proposed updates to the CAO and SMP due by October 9
San Juan County is seeking your comments on its proposed updates to the Critical Area Ordinance (CAO) protections and the Shoreline Master Program (SMP). As we consider protections for natural resources and systems, we are interested to learn of any questions and feedback you may have. San Juan County is updating its critical areas protections. […]
Grants for Farmers – deadlines October 12 and October 28
For Farmers Movement Grants for small and mid-sized American farmers to support needs defined by the farmers themselves, including infrastructure, equipment, supplies, innovation, land stewardship, and transformational projects. Foundational Grants: $500–$1,000 Land Stewardship Grant: $5,000 Transformational Grant: $10,000 Deadline: October 12 at 9 p.m. PST Learn more or apply: here Western SARE Farmer/Rancher Research & Education […]
Letter to the Editor: Concerned about delays in postmarking ballots
Editor: I’ve been hearing a lot of discussion and confusion about the threats to mail-in voting. People were especially disturbed to hear about the number of ballots that were rejected in Washington’s recent primary because they were “late,” even though they were mailed days before election day. The problem is our mail is no longer […]
2026 Assessment Change of Value Notices mailed to property owners
San Juan County Assessor’s Office mailed the 2026 Change of Value Notices on September 8, 2026. Changes reflect market sales between January 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026 with an assessment date of January 1, 2026. Properties with new construction are valued for improvements made to the property up to July 31, 2026. If your value […]