Island News
Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Update: San Juan County Real Estate Market Summary
The second quarter results, which complete the first half of the year, in San Juan County and on San Juan Island reflect stable dollar volume with a fewer number of sales. Per the NWMLS, the dollar volume for the first half of the year in San Juan County was $159,961,071 which is an increase […]
2026 Poetry Garden entries due July 31
San Juan County residents of all ages are encouraged to submit your best original poems to the 2026 POETRY GARDENS CONTEST. Winning entries will be displayed in the town’s four Poetry Gardens! Deadline for submission: July 31, 2026. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION Author must be a resident of San Juan County, WA. Poems must be your […]
July 15: Music on the Lawn presents Joel Astley
July 15 | 6:30 to 8:15 pm | San Juan Historical Museum | 405 Price St. | Friday Harbor July 8 – Flipside July 15 – Joel Astley Since forming his first band in 2014, Joel Astley quickly established himself as a world-class bandleader, harmonica player, singer, songwriter, and entertainer. In the past year he […]
July 23: Friends of the San Juans: The Song of the Orca: An Evening of Art, Music, and Community to Benefit Southern Resident Killer Whales
Friday Harbor, WA — Friends of the San Juans invites the community to The Song of the Orca, a special benefit event celebrating the creativity, collaboration, and collective action helping protect the San Juan Islands and Salish Sea for endangered Southern Resident killer whales. The event will take place Thursday, July 23, from 5:30 to […]
Backers of Washington’s Millionaire Tax launch effort to keep it
Washington News Service: A coalition of more than 100 groups, including labor unions and community organizations, has launched the “No on 645” campaign to defend Washington’s Millionaire Tax, which will be on the November ballot. The new law applies a nearly 10% income tax on household earnings above $1 million. Sam Hatzenbeler, legislative director for […]
Lopez wildland fire extinguished with help from DNR, Orcas and San Juan fire departments
On Monday July 13th at 12:57pm, Lopez Island Fire and EMS responded to a wildland fire in the area of Shark Reef and Meadow Lane. While enroute to the scene assistance was requested from the San Juan Fire District 3 fire boat due to the nature of the report. Personnel arrived on scene at an […]
Go fly a kite
Looking for something to do that doesn’t involve a screen? How about something that gets you out of the house, let’s you zone out and provides a joyful and meditative experience. How about kite flying. Kite enthusiasts Max Gilbertson and Katherine Hales opened Quite Alright Kites (QUARK) in Friday Harbor June 1, 2026. Their mission […]
Suzie Lefever retires after keeping islanders moving for 30 years
Celebration slated Sunday, July 19th Growing up in a Friday Harbor-size town in western Pennsylvania Suzie Lefever preferred to be active. As a young girl she played pickup sports with the neighborhood kids and also enjoyed helping her father in his workshop. She learned about the various tools that he would ask her for and […]
SeaDoc Society invests $270,000 in 6 research grants
SeaDoc Society will fund six new science projects in 2026, investing nearly $270,000 in research to better understand and protect the Salish Sea..These projects tackle some of the region’s most important conservation challenges. From tracking tidal beaver populations in the Snohomish Delta and mapping juvenile salmon movement in the Roberts Bank Estuary to improving kelp […]
Mary Ruth Frazee October 7, 1943 -June 20, 2026
It is with heavy hearts and profound love that we announce the peaceful passing of Mary Ruth Frazee on June 20, 2026, at her home in Oak Harbor, WA. Born on October 7, 1943, in Yreka, California, Ruth graced this world with her compassion, warmth, and an unyielding spirit that inspired all who knew her. […]
Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Update: Market Update
For both Days on Market and Percentage off List Price Negotiations at the time of sale, some sellers are doing much better than others. Merri Ann Simonson
August 1: Summer Book Fair – Friends of San Juan Island Library fundraiser
It’s time once again for our annual Friends of the Library Summer Book Sale – a fun-filled community event for the whole family! Browse and choose from thousands of books, Treasure Cove items, and flowers. Enjoy face painting and story reading, and don’t miss the ever-popular Fortune Teller! Please support the San Juan Island Public […]
Five warmest years on record compound Washington’s water crisis
Washington News service: Washington residents will continue to feel the heat, as high temperatures and drought conditions are likely to persist into the fall, according to climate and weather experts. The entire state has been under a formal state of emergency because of drought since April, fueling wildfire risk and straining water supplies. Jason Gerlich, regional drought […]
Candidate Forums: 5:30 pm – July 13 on Orcas; July 14 in Friday Harbor; July 15 on Lopez
Meet the candidates for District 3. The League of Women Voters of San Juan County will be hosting candidate forums on three islands for local voters to hear from the candidates for the County Council District #3 position. Monday, July 13 at 5 :30 pm at the Orcas Senior Center Tuesday, July 14 at 5:30 […]
July 17: Tara Craig Trio Benefit for Salish Wildlife Rescue
Spend an evening where music and compassion come together for a meaningful cause. This lively benefit concert supports the care of injured and orphaned wildlife at Salish Wildlife Rescue. Enjoy delicious, handcrafted nibbles, a cash bar, and an outstanding live performance by the Tara Craig Band. Meet the inspiring women behind the rescue efforts and […]
July 23: The Wild Side with Salish Wildlife Rescue
July 23 | 6 to 8 pm | San Juan Island Library Join us for a special presentation by Salish Wildlife Rescue (formerly Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center) about a day in the life of a wildlife rehabber! Learn more about the important work they do for the animals who share our home. Wolf Hollow […]
Margaret Irene Brown July 12, 1938 – May 3, 2026
Margaret Irene Brown, 87, of Woodinville, WA died Sunday morning 3 May 2026 peacefully at home. She was born 12 July 1938 in Redlands, CA, the daughter of Harold Chandler Brown and Wilma Ruth Bonner. She married Edward Harold Durbin 26 Sep 1956 and had three sons, Edward Michael, Daniel Andrew, and Patrick Allen Durbin. […]
Survey about waste tires may result in amnesty collection event
Old tires aren’t just an eyesore. They’re a fire hazard, and they can leach pollutants into the same waters our salmon depend on. Getting them out of yards and ditches is a small step that adds up to a real difference for our islands. The Dept of Environmental Stewardship is considering a waste tire amnesty […]
July 11: Go Take A Hike – Circumnavigating Lopez Hill
From the preserve parking lot we will go counterclockwise on the trails around Lopez Hill, taking a rest and snack break at the top. While there aren’t any distant views, the trails pass through a range of environments from alder bogs to rocky outcrops, a very peaceful hike through a second-growth forest. Start time: 9:30am at […]
New Paramedic Will Serve San Juan Island Following Graduation from One of the Nation’s Premier EMS Programs
Seattle, WA – July 9, 2026 – This weekend, Maddy Harmon will graduate from the nationally recognized Medic One Paramedic Training Program, joining the next generation of highly trained paramedics serving communities throughout Western Washington. Following graduation, Maddy will begin serving with San Juan Island EMS, providing advanced life-saving care to residents on San Juan Island. […]
Jeremy Nash: Listening to the Voters
According to a recent County press release, officials are working to close roughly a $4 million shortfall. Among the possibilities are holding positions vacant, eliminating management positions, reducing park maintenance, decreasing Meals on Wheels service, reducing funding for the Islands Oil Spill Association, reducing Guardian ad Litem funding, cutting the WSU Extension Forestry program, and […]
People-watching at the parade
It’s not quite a week after the 2026 Friday Harbor 4th of July parade, we’re posting a slideshow of photos of the spectators. To start the slideshow, just click on any photo. Matt Pranger photos.
Patricia Pickering Benton January 31, 1947 – March 4, 2026
Patricia Pickering Benton passed away in Peoria, Arizona on March 4, 2026, at the age of 79. Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on January 31, 1947, she was known by her family and friends as a woman of great spirit, fierce determination, and strong passions. Patricia’s signature laugh and spunk will be fondly remembered […]
July 18: Friday Harbor to host UW football team scavenger hunt
All 104 members of the University of Washington football team will arrive in Friday Harbor Saturday, July 18, 2026, for a town-wide scavenger hunt. The community is invited to join the Mayor and Town Council at 10:30 a.m. in Sunken Park to meet players and kick off this team-building event with a basketball 3-point contest […]