Island News
Bill Cumming: Vote yes on the April 29 county levy lid lift
In Support of Public Safety I am writing to express my strong support for voting YES on the levy lid lift that will be on the April 28th special election ballot. As the former Sheriff of San Juan County for 24 years, I have witnessed firsthand the vital role our law enforcement officials and staff […]
Pile Burning and Hazard Fuels Work to Begin at San Juan Island National Historical Park
San Juan Island National Historical Park will begin controlled pile burning and hazardous fuels removal the week of April 6 in two areas of the park to reduce wildfire risk. Operations will be led by Olympic Interagency Fire Management personnel. Work will include pile burning of woody debris at Mitchell Hill in the English Camp […]
Multi-Island Initiative Aims to Differentiate Record Field of Nine Candidates Ahead of OPALCO Board Election
In response to an unprecedented surge in members running for the Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) board election, a group of concerned members from across the Islands has launched a focused candidate questionnaire. With nine candidates vying for just two positions, the questionnaire seeks to provide voters with the additional insights based on the […]
April 1: Town Council hosts County Council for special joint meeting
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council and San Juan County Council will hold a special joint meeting on April 1, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. The special meeting will take place in Council Chambers located at 60 Second Street. For more information, contact the Town Clerk at clerk@fridayharbor.org.
Town Council funds 3rd Friday Harbor Poetry, Contest, Poetry Gardens and Booklet with Lodging tax funds
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the Friday Harbor Town Council, March 19, 2026 meeting. Sophia Ramierz, Ellen Cohen, and August Ambrose of the Friday Harbor High School Eco Club presented a report on club activities. The club provides education and outreach to the high school and elementary school. For the past few years they have […]
Friday Harbor Golf Team Opens Season with Record Turnout and Rising Talent
Golf Report by Coach Jack Rice: The Friday Harbor golf program kicked off its new season with an unexpected surge in participation and a promising group of young athletes. On the first day of practice, only five boys appeared on the putting green—small enough that every name was familiar. But by the end of the […]
New rules for drivers in Washington in 2026
Washington is rolling out a significant set of driver safety updates in 2026, from tougher DUI penalties and a new first responder safety training requirement to some of the strictest teen driving restrictions in the country. This is one of the key updates highlighted in a new report from Zutobi, the online driver education platform used […]
Katherine Bryant Ingman running for county council seat 3 – representing Lopez Island
Katherine Bryant Ingman is thrilled to announce she will be running for San Juan County Council seat #3 in 2026. “My goal as your council representative is to listen first — to essential workers and small business owners, farmers and working families, newcomers, seniors and longtime residents — as we tackle the issues that matter […]
Gay Wilmerding – Plea for Peace
Perhaps, the No Kings rallying cry Saturday could be, “No War!” As three thousand commercial ships with crews aboard await passage in the Persian Gulf and US Marines and troops steam toward Iran, potential for ecological and human catastrophe is imminent. If 75% of Israel depends on desalination, 60% for Iran and remaining Gulf countries in that […]
March 31: Humanities Washington Hosts Program Marking 50th Anniversary of End of the Orca Capture Era
April 18: The Great Islands Cleanup
The next Great Islands Cleanup will happen on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10am-2pm. Details for each island will be added when it becomes available. The first organized “Great Island Cleanup” in San Juan County happened on San Juan Island, organized by locals Lori Stokes and David Delendorf. In 2014, through their inspiration, Orcas resident Kira […]
Study: Pacific Northwest needs to prepare for extreme heat events
The June 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave caused unprecedented mortality for intertidal shellfish, with an estimated 1 billion mussels, clams and oysters dying in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. (Adobe Stock)” /> The June 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave caused unprecedented mortality for intertidal shellfish, with an estimated 1 billion mussels, clams and oysters dying […]
The Ramba Effect, FHFF’s Best Tales from the Heart Feature, Screens Free on March 27
Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Best of the Fest Series continues with another powerful, audience-chosen documentary, The Ramba Effect, that will be shown Friday, March 27 at 7 PM at the San Juan Island Library and Lopez Center for Community and the Arts. Following the film, director Claire Sandberg will join audiences at the San Juan […]
Existing Vacation Rentals in Eastsound & Lopez Village Need a Provisional Use Permit by June 25
Press Release– If you operate a vacation rental in Eastsound Village or Lopez Village, it is a requirement to apply for a provisional use permit to remain compliant with the County code. The permit process is open until June 25, 2026, and can be completed through the mail or in person. Background All pre-existing vacation […]
San Juan Island Library Reports on Latest State Audit Findings
The San Juan Island Library reports that it has received a clean audit from the Washington State Auditor’s Office. As stated in the Accountability Audit Report, “District operations complied, in all material respects, with applicable state laws, regulations, and its own policies, and provided adequate controls over the safeguarding of public resources.” This report, available […]
Board of Health: Orcas Island Healthcare District received funding to establish a CHN to address public health
Observer Corps summary of the San Juan County Board of Health March 18, 2026 meeting The Accountable Communities of Health (ACH) search for a CEO is ongoing. BSO (Behavioral Health Services Organization): receipt of over 2,800 questions on HB 1813 causing a resource drain. Public Comment: Dr. Dale Heisinger, former BOH member, submitted a letter […]
March 23: Community meeting for County Parks Operation facility on Lopez Island
San Juan County Parks, Recreation, & Fair Department is seeking feedback on plans to construct a new facility for the County Parks operation on Lopez Island. The facility is planned to serve as a visitor contact station, maintenance facility, and office for park rangers on Lopez Island. The facility seeks to replace the existing carport […]
Port of Friday Harbor soliciting ideas for Jacksons Beach Cannery building; tours can be arranged
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary Friday Harbor Port Commission, March 13, 2026 meeting. A motion was passed to approve the reassignment of the lease on Hangar K6A from Gossom to Howard. The new lease for the Oystertale Restaurant was approved. The Commission thanked Kyle Gropp for all of the work he and his staff put in. […]
March 26: Free presentation “Welcome to Medicare” – VIRTUAL
Your local SHIBA volunteers provide free, confidential assistance with applying for the Medicare Cost Savings Program. To schedule an appointment with a SHIBA volunteer, email shibasjco@yahoo.com or call one of the following numbers: Lopez Island: 404-259-6819 Orcas Island: 360-376-5892 San Juan Island: 360-375-0292
Friday Harbor softball players designing and building scoreboard, GoFundMe for funding
Emerald Hurley and Caylee Morton, juniors on the Friday Harbor High School varsity softball team, are leading an effort to get a new scoreboard at Linde Field. They are designing and building the scoreboard themselves. Meanwhile they’ve started a GoFundMe to ask the community to help them fund the project. As players, we’ve spent countless hours on this […]
Grow Your Own Food – Free Hands-On Gardening Series Launches This Spring
Community members interested in growing their own vegetables this spring are invited to register for Grow Your Own Food – A Hands-On Gardening Series, a free, four‑part lunchtime program designed to help new gardeners gain practical, ready-to-use skills. Hosted by Washington State University San Juan County Extension Master Gardeners, the series will feature live demonstrations, step‑by‑step […]
Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Update: Buying Property in the San Juans
Buying Property in the San Juans Select an Agent to Represent You As you may be aware, all of the brokerage firms on San Juan Island are members of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service; therefore, any of the agents can assist you with any of the properties listed with Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands or other […]
San Juan Island Fire District adopt 20-year Capital Plan
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of San Juan Island Fire District #3 Commissioners March 17 Meeting. Chief Monin reviewed changes to the 2026 budget, reflecting adjustments for an additional $100K for new fire hoses and outfitting of new engine purchases. Another large addition is $63K for Professional Service, mostly tech work. Chief Monin anticipates this amount […]
Daffodil Frolic at San Juan Islands Sculpture Park
Spring is arriving, and it’s time to get outside and San Juan Islands Sculpture Park is the perfect place to start. This year, we are celebrating our 25th Anniversary Mid-March to Mid-April with our Daffodil Frolic. David Jenkins, the board president, has planted 1,000 bulbs every year for the past 10 years, culminating in 10,000 […]