Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Guest Column by Jennifer Swanson
During the course of my campaign for County Council, I have had countless conversations with people across the islands and have learned a great deal about their concerns. These conversations have given form to how I will, as councilmember, approach the budget. In April, 60.67% of San Juan County voters rejected the county’s levy lid […]
Due to high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison, all San Juan County beaches are closed until further notice.
Due to high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison, all beaches are closed until further notice.As of Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has closed recreational shellfish harvesting in San Juan County due to unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP). This closure includes all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, […]
Oil spill at Friday Harbor Marina parking lot
Port of Friday Harbor Press Release : Tuesday September 29, 2026, at approximately 1:00 PM, the Port of Friday Harbor staff was transferring used motor oil and bilge water mix from a double hulled storage vessel to a transfer tote for recycling. During movement of the tote, the drain valve broke off and released approximately […]
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 […]
Vehicle Auction
Abandoned Vehicle Auction Monday, October 5, 2026 at 10 am Preview from 7 am to 10 am 2001 Honda Accord Wa. Lic.# BKV4087 2000 Chevrolet Astro Van Wa. Lic.# BQP0822 2009 Mercury Milan Sedan Wa. Lic.# CEW9372 1966 Chris Craft Cavalier 30 Ft. Boat Wa. Lic.# WN6886LH 2001 QLTY Boat Trailer Wa. Lic# 89708AG Island […]
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 […]
Coast Guard rescues kayaker near Sucia Island
US Coast Guard Northwest crews rescued a kayaker off Parker Reef near Sucia Island, WA, Friday September 25, 2026 morning after his kayak capsized in 54-degree water. His kayaking partner was able to remain afloat and upright. Proper safety gear made all the difference in ensuring a positive outcome. Because the kayakers were wearing life […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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% […]
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 […]
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 […]