Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
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Jeremy Nash: San Juan County by the Numbers
San Juan County recently put out a press release announcing that the Council had adopted the 2027 budget. After all the kerfuffle over the budget this year, I wanted to see what they had actually come up with and try to put the whole thing into perspective for myself. That led me into the County’s […]
Governor Ferguson Commits to Addressing WSF Engine Room Crew Workforce Crisis
The Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) represents 417 licensed and unlicensed engineers who operate, repair, and maintain the fleet of vessels at Washington State Ferries (WSF). A growing workforce crisis boiled over this week when crew call-outs resulted in major service disruptions. Eric Winge, the MEBA representative for WSF, shared developments today: “Our union leadership […]
Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Update: 2026 Market Snap Shot
Here is our September 2026 Market Snap Shot. The report indicates that 2026 is trending very similar to 2025, even with international turmoil. It feels as if year-ending 2026 will close out very similar to 2025 as well.
Easements Keep the Co-op Running
OPALCO does not comment on active legal matters, but some misinformation in a recent King 5 article needs to be addressed. The pole site in question was on the property mentioned, with the previous owner’s permission, prior to the current owners’ purchase of the land. The pole was upgraded in 2023 and is 103 feet […]
Port to use $650k grant to pave Jensen’s and Shipyard Cove’s driveways
LWVSJ Observer Corps: Friday Harbor Port Commission, September 25, 2026 A new lease was approved for San Juan Canvas with all terms remaining identical with the previous agreement and with a five-year extension. A new lease was approved for San Juan Air’s Hangar 80 (Units A & B) with all terms remaining the same except […]
October is National Co-op Month
Enter OPALCO’s co-op member photo contest or grand prize giveaway Every year in October, cooperatives around the nation celebrate National Cooperative Month. OPALCO, San Juan County’s local not-for-profit cooperative utility, is spending this month celebrating co-op members. Throughout October, check the OPALCO social media accounts (@orcaspower) to learn more about what it means to be […]
October 1: Final public hearing for Little Project’s requested variances
LWVSJ Observer Corps* summary of the: Friday Harbor Town Council, September 17, 2026 meeting. The Town Council approved the driveway variance requested on the Little Project at 240 First Street. The Council did not approve the roof pitch or landscaping variances requested. The Council requested the Community Development Director to present more information on the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]