Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Resource Center presents October Orcas Talks Money workshops
Submitted by the Orcas Community Resource Center Communications Team.
SJC sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
Civic engagement goes beyond the ballot box | Letter
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.
Candidate’s dreams are spendy | Letter
I read Katherine Ingman Bryant’s goals to improve health care services in San Juan County and was struck by one glaring omission: How much will all of this cost—and where will the money come from?
After hung jury, Friday Harbor man pleads guilty to assault in the fourth degree
A 44-year-old Friday Harbor man charged with first-degree child molestation pleaded guilty on Sept. 21 to lesser charges after his August trial ended in a hung jury.
San Juan County sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
Test your earthquake preparedness on Oct. 15
Submitted by the Department of Emergency Management.
San Juan County fire departments announce launch of burn permit issuance
Submitted by Lopez Fire.
ORS/The Exchange and SJC Department of Environmental Stewardship host hazardous waste roundup event
Submitted by San Juan County.
A grateful thank you after a Moran Park rescue | Letter
My husband and I greatly appreciate the Emergency Response Teams on Orcas and others who responded to my dramatic fall and rescue while walking a path in Moran State Park. First a thank you to the woman who alerted the Ranger on duty who in turn alerted emergency response teams. Another special thank you to Jordan, an OSHU nurse with experience in Emergency Response who was next on the scene assessing my injuries and providing much needed comfort until local teams arrived. And hats off to the gr
‘One More Stop’ emphasis patrol honors fallen WSP Trooper Christopher Gadd
Submitted by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.
San Juan County sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
Ferry Advisory Committee members push for clearer public guidance on ferry medical loading policy
At its Sept. 14 meeting, the San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee pressed Washington State Ferries for clearer, plain-language public guidance on medical priority boarding — two distinct programs that riders, and sometimes even first responders, confuse in the middle of a crisis.
District Court and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to relocate during courthouse renovations
Submitted by San Juan County.
Coast Guard and Orcas Island Fire & Rescue conduct multi-agency training
A Coast Guard MH-65 helicopter touched down at Orcas Island Airport Thursday, Sept. 17, kicking off the first of what officials say will be a multipart training series designed to prepare local first responders for the high-stakes rescues that outer-island geography makes uniquely difficult.
Sheriff’s Office Dispatch is currently having issues with their business lines
Submitted by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
County tsunami preparation in the face of new model
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has released a new report modeling a tsunami scenario for an Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone earthquake. The San Juan Islands are shown to have a 3- to 10-foot wave amplitude within five hours, depending on location. Eastsound, notably, has some of the highest measurements in the model.