News - Journal of the San Juans

Fund-raiser April 9 for baby who needs heart transplant; staying at Children’s Hospital with her parents

A spaghetti feed and auction are planned April 9, 6-10 p.m., in the Roche Harbor Pavilion for Sophia Grace Krieg, a 6-month-old who needs a new heart. Sophia is the grand-niece of Debbie Sandwith.

Friday Harbor woman among female military pilots honored by Congress

A Friday Harbor woman who flew military planes in World War II was honored posthumously by the U.S. Congress March 10. Penelope Peirce Garrett, who graduated from the Women Airforce Service Pilots class on Nov. 8, 1944, received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress. U.S. Navy Midshipman Caitlin Ness of Friday Harbor received the medal on behalf of the family. Garrett is the mother of Gail Garrett of Friday Harbor.

Port of Friday Harbor plans a memorable 60th birthday; Jensen's Shipyard celebrates its 100th

The Port of Friday Harbor celebrates its 60th anniversary this spring and summer with tall ship visits, a fly-in, and a beach party. The celebration comes on the heels of the town's centennial.

County approves hike in minimum trash disposal fee, land ownership swap to ease solid waste's funding woes

Nearly twice as much: That's how much it could cost to dispose of a single can of garbage at San Juan County's solid waste transfer stations. On Tuesday, the County Council approved steps to help remedy the funding woes of its solid waste operation. Included is an 87 percent increase in the price to dispose of a single can of garbage.

Boat owner says sinking caused by driftwood wedged between hull and dock; surveyor's inspection expected soon

Richard Olin has a different theory on why his boat, the Eldorado, sank March 2 at the Friday Harbor Marina breakwater dock: A piece of driftwood wedged between his boat and the dock punctured his hull.

79 classified as homeless, 29 unsheltered, in San Juan County in latest count

Seventy-nine people were recognized as homeless in this year’s Count of Homeless Persons in San Juan County. Among the homeless, 29 were classified as unsheltered — living in tents, cars, boats (not equipped with facilities for living aboard) or staying in motels (with money from churches, etc.).

For farm owner, the loss of Missing Mountain Farm will take getting used to | Part 2

"I know every rock and bush here," said Jai Boreen, speaking of the 15 acres he and his family recently sold to the San Juan Community Home Trust. Boreen and his partner, Bequin, have lived on this land for over a decade and have, with their four sons, built a small paradise dubbed Missing Mountain Farm. This name refers to Bald Hill, which once loomed over the southern portion of the property. Boreen remembers it being "as steep as the gravel it was made of would allow."

Starting over: County struggles to find a way to adequately fund solid waste service

Prosecuting Attorney Randy Gaylord said parcel fees should be “taken off the table” as a potential source of revenue for the Public Works Department’s Solid Waste Division, a reverse of an earlier opinion by his office regarding the legality of such a fee. Unlike an excise tax, which Gaylord said can be used to generate solid waste revenue, there is no solid waste-related transaction on which such a parcel fee can be attached. Furthermore, he said, there’s no link between the impact a property owner has on the solid waste operation and the amount each would pay under that one-size-fits-all type of fee.

Snow in March? Winter is going out like a lion in the San Juans

Snow — sparse, and not enough to stick, but snow nonetheless — teased parts of San Juan Island Monday afternoon, as temperatures headed to below freezing.

The reason the Eldorado sank: 'It's just a weird one. It doesn't normally do that'

The Eldorado sank because of failed shaft packing on the starboard shaft, according to Les Soland of A1 Marine Services/Vessel Assist. The Eldorado, a 39-year-old, 50-foot Trojan wooden boat that sank Tuesday at the Friday Harbor Marina breakwater dock, was raised and towed Wednesday to Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes, where it is undergoing repair. "They're pickling the engine and the gen-set. It will need new appliances, new interior and new wiring, but it will be OK," Soland said.