Island News
Rhea Miller: Supports Jennifer Swanson for county council
Dear Editor—Over the years Jennifer Swanson has made relationship with a wide spectrum of citizens, community leaders, County department heads, legislators, and Council members. She is indeed a seasoned leader who can hit the road running on behalf of her constituents. Lately I have had the opportunity to accompany Jennifer as she shares with members of the […]
San Juan County Clerk Lisa Henderson named WSACC clerk of the year
Lisa Henderson, San Juan County Clerk Lisa Henderson is the recipient of Washington State Association of County Clerks 2026 Clerk of the Year award recipient. WSACC presents the Clerk of the Year award to a member who has demonstrated exceptional representation, service, training, and willingness to assist beyond the call of duty in support of […]
America 250 Special Events taking place July 2
Town of Friday Harbor Council members will attend the America 250 Special Events taking place on July 2, 2026. Activities will include planting new plants as part of the Town Beautification Project located at the Front Street garden beds from 10 to 11 a.m. Following the garden bed planting, Council will attend the Flag Retirement […]
Health Dept holding immunization clinics on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands
San Juan County Health & Community Services (HCS) is making it easier for families to get their children up to date on required vaccines. Throughout the summer, HCS is holding immunization clinics on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. See our clinic dates and details below. Immunizations are a safe and proven way to prevent […]
John Dustrude 1930-2026
John Dustrude was born in the small town of Hartland, Wisconsin in January of 1930. The youngest of 3 kids, he had an older brother Robert and and older sister Shirley. He lived in Hartland all the way through primary and secondary school until he went to college at the University of Wisconsin where he […]
It took a village to bring missing rescue dog back home on Shaw Island
After nearly a week on the run across Shaw Island, Naylor, a gentle poodle mix recently adopted from Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor, is finally safe at home thanks to the determination of animal care staff, the Sisters who never gave up on him, the compassionate support of island residents, and one very persuasive […]
SJICF appoints Victoria Compton as Chief Development Officer
The San Juan Island Community Foundation (SJICF) has appointed Victoria Compton as Chief Development Officer, effective August 2026. This strategic addition to the leadership team is made possible through a generous grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and advances SJICF’s vision of expanding its impact across the island community by growing philanthropy, strengthening civic […]
Two talks about sea slugs by marine biologist – July 6 and July 7
Marine biologist Dr. Patrick Krug, the 2026 Illg distinguished lecturer will be presenting two talks in July in Friday Harbor. .One, a scientific lecture on July 6 and the other a public talk on July 7. Find out how sea slugs can help improve clear energy technology and wound healing. Learn how bad-tasting chemicals have yielded […]
PHD approves letter of intent and sales agreement for employee housing
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of Public Hospital District # 1 May 27, 2026 meeting. Village at the Harbor: Director Tina Levasheff introduced the new Assistant Director, Elise Johnson, who started work June 17. Ms. Johnson is an RN with experience in long term care and has family ties on San Juan Island. She will oversee […]
Car goes over cliff in nat’l forest, NAS Whidbey assists in rescue
NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island assisted in the rescue of four individuals involved in a vehicular accident near T-Rex Falls in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest near Wilkeson, Wash., on June 26,2025. Early this morning, Station SAR Whidbey was notified by […]
WA Secretary of State: Statement on federal ruling striking down Trump’s Executive Order on mail-in voting
OLYMPIA — Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs applauded a federal ruling Thursday that blocks President Trump’s unconstitutional March 2026 Executive Order on mail-in voting for the November General Election. The order and a proposed rule by the U.S. Postal Service would require states to submit lists of voters who are eligible to receive ballots to the USPS. This would give the federal government control over who can and […]
Connie Erickson Redling July 10, 1941 – June 13, 2026
Connie Erickson Redling, age 84, peacefully entered into the arms of Jesus on June 13, 2026, while residing at Sherwood Assisted Living in Sequim, Washington. Her best friend and some of her family were by her side. She is now free from her battle with cancer and many other health challenges. Connie was born on […]
July 13: Environmental Comedy Show Comes to Friday Harbor
The Whale Museum and Friends of the San Juans are partnering to host an ocean-themed comedy show with Forrest Shaw at Brickworks on Monday, July 13 at 7 PM! Forrest Shaw, former marine biologist turned comedian, gives a voice to the ocean—and trust me, it has some things to say. “The Ocean Hates You!” dives […]
Town needs Spring street clear for street cleaning before the parade
No parade seating allowed in the street before 8 a.m. July 4 The Spring Street roadway must remain clear the morning of Saturday, July 4 to allow the Town’s street sweeper to clean the road in preparation for the holiday parade. Items may be placed on the sidewalk, but the public is not permitted to […]
Friday Harbor’s Northbound Nutters finish first in Race to Alaska
Five days, eight hours and four minutes after sailing out of Port Townsend in their Farrier F-32SR trimaran, the Northbound Nutters team arrived in Ketchikan Alaska. The Friday Harbor team – Nigel Oswald, Gavin Brackett, Michael Holt, Rob Woelfel -finished one day ahead of Celerity the second place team and two days ahead of Pas […]
California Lutheran University Confers Honorary Doctorate to Celebrated Composer Morten Lauridsen
THOUSAND OAKS, CALIF., June 23, 2026 —For the last five decades, Morten Lauridsen has been regarded as one of the country’s top living vocal composers. His beautifully melodic works, which express myriad emotions and symbolism, have been nominated for five Grammy Awards and recorded for listeners worldwide. In reverence for Lauridsen’s lifetime of achievement in […]
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue seeks to fill immediate Commissioner vacancy
ORCAS ISLAND, WA — The Board of Fire Commissioners of San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2 is immediately seeking candidates to fill the unexpired term for Seat #5. The seat must be filled within 90 days; however, the Board desires to fill this position soon, as a full Board is essential to the […]
Sheriff’s Log San Juan County, WA June 17-24, 2026: Dog owner arrested; bag of keys found
San Juan County Deputies responded to 208 calls from June 17 to 23, 2026 including: A Deputy received a report of an alarm. The Deputy discovered a homeless person that had unlawfully entered a county vehicle. That person was booked into the San Juan County Jail. A deputy on Orcas Island responded to an animal […]
Lopez Island student senior project’s goal to refurbish Keaton’s Basketball Court
Hi, my name is Saskia. For my senior project, I am refurbishing Keaton’s Basketball Court. I have played basketball there almost every day for the past 4 years. My mission with this project is to preserve Keaton’s Court for future generations. This will involve adding concrete, repainting the lines, building a basketball storage shed, supplying […]
June 27 and 28: Orcas Island Garden tour
2026 Orcas Island Garden Tour | Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28 | from 11 am to 5 pm.| Orcas Island Buy Tickets at https://www.orcasislandgardenclub.org/2026gardentour.html Explore seven unique landscapes where breathtaking beauty meets practical food production. Discover tranquil retreats and elegant entertaining spaces while mastering resilient gardening techniques for drought and deer. Experience a multi-generational friendship […]
Orcas and San Juan Firefighters help fight fire in Columbia County
Firefighters from San Juan Island Fire and Rescue Department and Orcas Island Fire and Rescue mobilized June 16, 2026 to join one of the five strike teams, 3 hand crews and air resources fighting the Tucannon Fire at Columbia County near Dayton, WA. The Tucannon Fire started on June 16, 2026, at approximately 4:15 p.m. […]
Town boundaries expanding to include Fire District Station #31
LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Fire District #3 Commissioners June 16, 2026 meeting Chief Monin met with the County Manager regarding the current Burn Permit Program. The Fire District believes the Burn Permit Program is important and should be continued. However, the County should not be issuing permits when it cannot provide services to monitor the program. […]
Town of Friday Harbor installing backup cameras in vehicles
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of Friday Harbor Town Council, June 18, 2026 meeting Council passed Resolution No. 3029 Authorizing a Town Driving and Vehicle Policy. It consolidates several policies regarding vehicles, which should eliminate the duplication of overlapping policies. Jessica Hudson, San Juan County Manager, reported that the County is continuing budget deliberations and […]
July 27: Pardessus de Viole, Flute and Guitar
—PARDESSUS DE VIOLE, FLUTE & GUITAR · Annalisa Pappano, pardessus de viol and treble viol · William Simms, baroque guitar and theorbo · Jeffrey Cohan, baroque flute — Suggested donation $20 to $30 — (a free will offering; pay as you wish) • 18 and under free Salish Sea Early Music Festival‘s final program in 2026 illuminates an […]