The San Juan Update

05/18/2022

"The final permit cap number for San Juan Island matches the number of existing permits that had been issued as of Friday, May 6. It reflects a compromise between the recommendations proposed by the County Planning Commission earlier this year and the guidance that the Council originally provided to the Planning Commission in June 2021.

'I believe that I live on an island that does not feel the impact [of vacation rentals] in the same way that Orcas does,' said Councilmember Christine Minney of San Juan Island, who proposed the 337-permit limit for San Juan. 'However, without a doubt, there are many people who are also in support of not allowing vacation rentals to continue unchecked into the future.'"

On Tues­day, more than 16 months after enact­ing a mora­to­ri­um on new vaca­tion rental per­mits, the San Juan Coun­ty Coun­cil put into place a long-term cap on the num­ber of per­mits allowed with­in the county. Under the amend­ed ordi­nance passed unan­i­mous­ly by the Coun­cil...

01/20/2022

Hey everyone - Please welcome Jeff Arnim - new owner of San Juan Update!
https://sanjuanupdate.com/2022/01/meet-the-new-owner/

The San Juan Update has a new owner! I am very happy to introduce the new Owner/Editor of the San Juan Update to you – Jeff Arnim. Jeff is currently working on a post to introduce himself and…

09/28/2021

Due to state and local requirements, we will be requiring masks in our store. We realize not everyone likes to wear masks for one reason or another. Once the requirements change, we will update our policies accordingly. It truly pains us to see our community so divided and we really hope that everyone can bear with this for a little longer.

We respect the right to protest, just ask that those activities take place in a location other than the grocery store property.

We will be reintroducing a greeter to check for masks at Marketplace.

If for nothing else, please wear your mask for our incredible employees who showed up to work when we knew next to nothing about COVID other than it was spreading rapidly - the same time when so many others were safe at home. These same employees have battled supply chain shortage after supply chain shortage, a long power outage that destroyed a bunch of product, ferry cancellations, ever changing government guidelines and so much more to ensure that this island continues to be well stocked and fed. They have a lot on their plates right now and forcing them to arbitrate disagreements over a state policy should not be in their job description. Please, out of respect to them and their families, be kind and courteous. If coming into the store given the current requirements doesn't work for you, please use our online pick up service at Kings Market.

09/28/2021

A note to the community from Angie Morrison: https://sanjuanupdate.com/2021/09/fundraiser-for-maleka-morrison/

Hello everyone… My grandson Sean recently suffered 2 gran mal seizures, urgently needs brain neurosurgery, and their insurance is not contracted with the hospital, nor the surgeon with the mo…

07/25/2021

One is about ’s camps.

Viewers Picked the List, Won Prizes From the Friday Harbor Film Festival Friday Harbor Film Festival congratulates San Juan Island’s Eliza Habegger, winner of the organization’s crowdsourcing…

07/24/2021

There are two options on San Juan this : Tommy Dale & the Dangerfields Saturday (https://bit.ly/2WikOtu) and The Talbott Brothers Sunday (https://bit.ly/36VXmUS).

Folk-Rock Duo The Talbott Brothers and Local Band Sway Wild Perform Live For San Juan Community Theatre’s Summer Season The San Juan Community Theatre Outdoor Summer Season continues with folk-rock…

07/23/2021

The nearby dump station temporarily closed as a result.

Nearby RV Dump Station Temporarily Closed as a Result From the town of Friday Harbor The town of Friday Harbor urgently requests that all users of its sewer system refrain from adding toxic fluids …

07/19/2021

Harmful algal blooms can have serious health consequences for humans and other animals.

By Doug McCutchen, Preserve Steward, San Juan County Land Bank This is the first in a series of articles describing the background of Zylstra Lake Preserve and the work that is going on to develop …

07/16/2021

You can watch the recorded forum online.

By Hayley Day, San Juan Island Update Three candidates are vying to be the next Friday Harbor mayor.  Ray Jackson, Phil Carvalho and incumbent Farhad Ghatan spoke in an online forum hosted by …

07/15/2021

Duncan may be , but you'll still see his smiling face around the .

By Hayley Day, San Juan Island Update After nearly a decade at the helm, town of Friday Harbor Administrator Duncan Wilson is hanging up his hat. Wilson retires Jan. 4, 2022. Current San Juan Count…

07/13/2021

According to a simulation, if a large occurred in the San Juans, MacKaye Harbor on Lopez and Eastsound on Orcas would be the most threatened.

By Audra Adelberger, League of Women Voters of the San Juans The June 14 League of Women Voters membership program on Emergency Preparedness was presented by Brendan Cowan, San Juan County director…

07/12/2021

"Listen to born of both and ."

From San Juan Islands Museum of Art Join the San Juan Islands Museum of Art while nationally known educator, author and counselor Dr. Kellie Kirksey shares her stories and poetry. With passion and …

07/11/2021

and new contributed in unexpected ways – solid waste , for example, doubled compared to the previous year.

Negative Lodging Tax Funds in 2020, to the Best Year in Land Bank History in 2021 By F. Milene Henley, San Juan County Auditor I have always been amazed by four-way stops. Drivers learn as teens to…

07/10/2021

Bays can be rented for up to 14 or 28 days.

From the Port of Friday Harbor The Port of Friday Harbor is happy to announce its newly constructed covered self-work spaces for boats, cars and RVs at Shipyard Cove Marina. There are two separate …

07/09/2021

What are you doing this ?

From the San Juan County Fairgrounds  Join the fun this weekend, as the San Juan County Fairgrounds hosts a variety of activities. Saturday, July 10: 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Fair Market and Plant Sale …

07/07/2021

The San Juan Islands haven't seen a new positive COVID-19 case in more than a month.

From San Juan County Since the last update on Friday, June 25, total cases in San Juan County have not increased, and remain at 191. There are no close contacts of positive cases currently in activ…

07/04/2021

!

Visit the post for more.

07/01/2021

You won't be able to watch the from the labs this year.

From Friday Harbor Labs For many islanders, it is a long-standing tradition to come to the University of Washington Friday Harbor Labs on the Fourth of July to sit on the breakwater or bluffs to wa…

06/30/2021

Where does San Juan Islands end up? Find out during an discussion July 1.

From Transition San Juan Island  Join Transition San Juan Island, Plastic Free Salish Sea and millions of other people worldwide in reducing your plastic waste in July. Plastic Free July is a …

06/27/2021

call for “dangerously conditions with high in the 90s, especially areas inland and away from the .”

San Juan Islands Sunrise – Aaron Shepard photo By Hayley Day, San Juan Update The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for the San Juan Islands through 9 p.m. Monday. Met…

06/26/2021

Close curtains when the is on to keep the inside .

might provide some comfort but won’t prevent -related illness when are very hot.

Westside Sunset, Contributed Editor’s Note: According to the National Weather Service, the high temperature in Friday Harbor is expected to reach 86 degrees Saturday, 88 degrees Sunday and 91…

06/25/2021

Peggy Sue McRae discusses how to avoid .

“Island Senior” is a regular column on the San Juan Update written by Peggy Sue McRae. WC Fields once said, “Never give a sucker an even break” and there are legions of scoundrels out there operati…

06/23/2021

Stephanie Goudelock works for for Parent — a new local program to guardians navigate the dependency system.

Stephanie was united with her in 2017 and wants other parents to know “reunification is possible.”

June is Family Reunification Month By Linnea Anderson, San Juan County Juvenile Court Administrator During the month of June, San Juan County joins Washington state in celebrating Family Reunificat…

06/22/2021

No one filed to run for seven local positions, so another special filing period for the vacant spots starts this week, June 23-25.

From San Juan County You almost missed your chance to run for office. Fortunately, you’ll get a second chance. During the candidate filing period in May, several of the offices open for filing had …

06/19/2021

Organizers are still looking for , and participants.

From the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce 4th of July parade and fireworks show will take place this year. We are going along with Washington State Gov. J…

06/18/2021

The will no longer require to be worn inside .

From San Juan County The San Juan County Health Officer Order requiring the wearing of masks by customers indoors in businesses and other public spaces will end on June 27. “Thanks to the high vacc…

06/17/2021

The is a to purchase a van for San Juan Island users and others with specialized needs.

From the San Juan County Fair The San Juan County Fair’s in-person Summer Music Series starts Saturday, June 19. The fairgrounds will host Tommy Dale and the Dangerfields and The Chameleons f…

06/14/2021

Check out and Wi-Fi .

Community Foundation Funds Computers   By Beth Helstien, volunteer/outreach coordinator, San Juan Island Library People without computer access will want to give a huge shout-out to the San Ju…

06/13/2021

who have plans in place will not be .

From OPALCO Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee is expected to lift the moratorium on all utility disconnects July 31. Since the beginning of the pandemic, OPALCO has worked with its members to offer …