Island News
FHHS Student Named Regional Art Show Finalist
Congratulations to FHHS art student Kristina Girvan, one of fifteen students selected as winners in the Regional High School Art Show. Her exceptional ceramic sculpture of an octopus, titled “Octavius,” will represent NWESD 189, a region encompassing five counties and 35 school districts, serving approximately 16% of Washington State’s K–12 public school students. Regional winners […]
Larsen asking for $4 million to repair and improve Orcas Landing Marine Facility
San Juan County submitted a request for $4 million Community Project Funding to Representative Rick Larsen’s (WA-2) Office to fund repairs and improvements to the Orcas Landing Marine Facility. Rep. Larsen has submitted a request for the full amount to the federal appropriations committee. Though not yet officially funded, this is an exciting step toward updating […]
Island Allies of Indigenous Lifeways supports Tribally Managed Hunting at North Shore Preserve
In recent public discourse around the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank’s proposal to open up hunting at Turtleback Preserve and North Shore Preserve, there have been opinions articulating the unfair nature of having a two week period for Tribal only hunting, or of having Tribal hunting occur at all. The proposal – sponsored and […]
April 6: ONLINE Community meeting about Critical Areas Ordinance Update –
The first draft of the update to San Juan County’s Critical Areas Ordinance or CAO is ready for public comment. County staff will be available at a community meeting Monday, April 6 from 6 to 8 pm. Attendees will be able to ask questions and learn more about the CAO. The CAO serves as key […]
8 eligibility slots available in county’s ADU lottery open April 1-May 30, 2026
Between April 1 and May 30, 2026 San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD) will be accepting Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) applications for detached ADU permits proposed outside of urban growth areas and activity centers. ADU lottery applications for determining eligibility must be received no later than May 30, 2026. A total of eight […]
April 11: Vegetable Gardening Workshop with Dr. Carol Miles
Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 11:30 to 1 pm | Marie Boe Building | San Juan County Fairgrounds | Friday Harbor | Free and open to the public Friday Harbor, WA — The WSU Extension San Juan County Master Gardeners invite the community to kick off the 2026 gardening season at a special Vegetable Gardening Workshop […]
Town and County Councils discuss ferries, affordable housing, tourism, economic development
PRESS RELEASE: Friday Harbor Town Council and San Juan County Council met for a joint meeting April 1, 2026. They discussed tourism and economic development in the islands, ferries and significant legislation, affordable housing projects, and opportunities for collaboration. The meeting lasted approximately three hours, and a recording is available on the Town’s website. “I appreciated the […]
Re-flowering Cattle Point
Kwiaht and the Coast Salish cultural association PKOLS began fundraising this week through the San Juan Island Community Foundation for experimental restoration of part of the Cattle Point meadow at the lighthouse trailhead. The goal is not just to replace sheep grass and weeds with wildflowers, but something closer to what this landscape was like […]
Larsen Requests $77 Million for Local Job-Creating Infrastructure, Public Safety
Larsen Submits Requests for Federal Funding for 20 Projects in FY27 Spending Bills WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) has requested $77,113,331 for 20 local projects in the Fiscal Year 2027 spending bills. “This funding will create good-paying local jobs and improve infrastructure, public safety and education in Northwest Washington,” said Rep. Larsen. “I will keep […]
Town Parking Lot Closure April 7 and 8
Residents are advised of a temporary closure of the Town parking lot located at 330 Spring Street across from Wells Fargo Bank, April 7 th through mid-day on April 8, 2026, for parking lot improvements. The Streets and Parks Department will scrape vegetation and install new gravel. This will be the first phase of improvements […]
WSF: Summer Vehicle reservations available April 14
Vehicle reservations for the summer 2026 sailing season (June 14 through Sept. 19) will be available at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14. For the Anacortes/San Juan Islands, the two-week and two-day reservation releases will remain at 7 a.m. The summer 2026 sailing schedules are now online: Anacortes/San Juan Islands Port Townsend/Coupeville To ensure a smooth and fair experience during this high-demand period, […]
San Juan County WA Sheriff’s Log: March 25-31, 2026: Pants on fire, vehicle prowls, physical altercations
San Juan County Deputies responded to 130 calls from March 25- 31, 2026 including: An Orcas Island deputy responded to trauma incident at the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue, Headquarters, Station #21. The deputy learned that the subject was involved in a physical altercation needing medical assistance. The circumstances of the altercation is still be […]
Take a hike it’s National Walking Day
Public News Service: Engaging in at least 75 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, including brisk walking, lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease by 17%, according to recent data. (Adobe Stock) Today is National Walking Day and the American Heart Association is calling on Washingtonians to hit the ground walking for heart health and stress reduction. Research […]
Cantwell Statement on “God Squad” Allowing Oil Companies to Ignore Protections for Endangered Species in Gulf of Mexico
EDMONDS, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released this statement regarding the decision of the Trump administration’s Endangered Species Committee, commonly known as “The God Squad,” to exempt Gulf of Mexico oil and gas drilling from laws that protect endangered animal species: “Gulf Coast communities have already paid the price for offshore drilling with polluted waters, […]
Board Candidate Questionnaire Results Released: Eight Candidates Provide Detailed Perspectives on Cooperative Future
SAN JUAN ISLANDS, WA — To help members differentiate among an unusually large field of candidates in the upcoming Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) board election, a group of concerned members has released the results of a candidate questionnaire. Of the nine candidates vying for two positions on the board, eight have provided detailed […]
Vote in OPALCO’s Election – Voters eligible to win prizes
OPALCO Board Candidate election season is in full swing! OPALCO members should have received a ballot. Get to know the candidates this year and vote in the election to help guide the energy future of San Juan County. There are 9 candidates for 2 open positions in District 1 (San Juan, et al) and District […]
Kiwanis Trade School Scholarship available, apply now
Share your ferry experiences with WSTC
The Washington State Transportation Commission wants to hear about your experience riding our ferries. They just released a new Ferry Riders’ Opinion Group, (FROG) survey, open through April 15. Join FROG to receive a link to the latest survey. Everyone is encouraged to take part – whether you ride often or just once in a while. Your feedback helps the […]
Tell WA Transportation Commission about your ferry experiences by April 15
The Washington State Transportation Commission wants to hear about your experience riding our ferries. They just released a new Ferry Riders’ Opinion Group, (FROG) survey, open through April 15. Join FROG to receive a link to the latest survey. Everyone is encouraged to take part – whether you ride often or just once in a while. Your feedback helps the […]
March 31 @ 11:00 am Tuesday, March 31 | 11 am to 12:30 pm | Emmanuel Episcopal Parish meeting hall | 218 Main TUE31 March 31: Humanities Washington Hosts Program Marking 50th Anniversaryof End of the Orca Capture Era March 31 @ 7:00 pm March 31 | 7 pm | VIRTUAL They were chased with speedboats, corralled by […]
Coach Jack RIce: Friday Harbor Golf — Week 2
The 2026 high school golf season has opened with more challenges than rain. The weather gods haven’t been on our side, and our players have become very familiar with a new term: the mud ball. It doesn’t fly quite like a clean golf shot, and our first three opponents were all in the early stages […]
Joan M. Whiting April 4, 1944 – March 15th, 2026
Joan M. Whiting was born in Bismark, ND to Alvin and Doris Molvig on April 4th, 1944 and passed away March 15th, 2026 in Longmont, CO. She married the love of her life, Ralph S. Whiting, on October 9th, 1973. Joan was the most caring, loving soul to everyone she encountered throughout life. She was […]
Public hearing set for April 21 about proposed ordinance addressing human interference with wildlife
LWVSJ Observer Corps: San Juan County Council Regular Meeting March 24, 2026 in Eastsound. Deputy County Manager made a presentation on the Wildlife Protection Working Groups’ discussions and recommendations. This group was formed because residents sought county intervention to address human interference with wildlife, especially foxes on San Juan Island. The group has been meeting […]
Planning for expansion and upgrades to the Frank Wilson EMS building underway
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 Regular Board Meeting, March 25, 2026. EMS 1-5 year Work Session: Assistant Chief Bishop noted that the Medical Program Director has submitted protocol revisions for state approval. There will be continued submission of cardiac arrest data to CARES registry, as well as […]