News - Journal of the San Juans

Friday Harbor fire chief suspended, goes on medical leave; five firefighters resign, cite 'no confidence'

Friday Harbor Fire Chief Vern Long was suspended for two days by Town Administrator King Fitch, after photos posted on SanJuanJournal.com showed a firefighter battling a car fire without proper apparatus. Long was suspended without pay Aug. 16-17. He went on medical leave Aug. 18; Fitch said Long indicated at their disciplinary meeting that he had medical appointments scheduled.

San Juan County Council adopts $5 fee for recycling; takes effect Oct. 1

The days of free recycling are numbered, unless you've got a knack for consolidation. On Tuesday, the San Juan County Council approved a fee for disposing of recycled materials at the county's solid-waste facilities. The $5 fee is $2 more than that proposed by the Department of Public Works, which operates the solid waste utility.

Fewer cuts, more art in San Juan Island public schools this year

School begins Sept. 1. There are some new things in store. A partnership with Islands Museum of Art will result in an artist in residence at Friday Harbor Elementary School this year. Leisha Holmes, a local artist who operates the popular summer program "Club Mud," will work part-time to provide arts education in grades 1-5. Kindergarten children will also have arts exposure. Holmes will be responsible for coordinating arts docents to visit the school and demonstrate their work.

San Juan Island School Board adopts policy regulating student cell phone use, texting during school hours

The San Juan Island School Board has adopted a policy regulating student use of personal telecommunication devices during school hours. The policy was adopted Aug. 25.

OPALCO rates go up in September for barns, gates and other outbuildings

The OPALCO Board of Directors has approved the first of two planned increases in the Limited Service Tariff. The increase will affect about 140 OPALCO members. The Limited Service Tariff applies to small loads for barns, gates and other outbuildings (less than 5kVa). The increase will take effect with the September 2010 billing.

Prayer service Monday, funeral Tuesday for Chester Cayou; had deep roots in the San Juan Islands

Chester Cayou, a long-time Swinomish leader whose family ties to the San Juan Islands dated back centuries, has died. Mr. Cayou, who was of Lummi, Mitchell Bay and Saanich ancestry, died Friday at his Swinomish home. He was in his 80s and had been in declining health since suffering a stroke.

Seattle-based Watershed Company tapped as consultant for critical areas and shoreline updates

The Watershed Company has been selected as consultant for the pending update of San Juan County's critical areas ordinance and shoreline master program. The Watershed Company, a Seattle-based environmental consultant, was one of three firms vying to undertake those two long-range planning projects. It was chosen unanimously by the County Council Aug. 24.

Madsen: Ag Guild will try to raise $400K to buy 150 Nichols St.

San Juan County Council members Rich Peterson and Richard Fralick voted Tuesday to reject the deed for historic preservation and open space easements at 150 Nichols St., site of a proposed farmers market and events center. Voting to accept the deed: Council members Gene Knapp, Orcas East; Bob Myhr, Lopez/Shaw; and Howard Rosenfeld, Friday Harbor. Under the county charter, at least four votes are needed for a new law or resolution, such as acceptance of a property deed, to be approved. Councilwoman Lovel Pratt, a former director of the project's proponent, the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild, recused herself on the advice of the prosecuting attorney.

Plan approved for construction of Victoria, B.C.'s first wastewater treatment plant

The head of British Columbia's environmental agency on Wednesday approved a wastewater management strategy that calls for construction of a primary treatment facility near the city of Victoria and that will for the first time treat up to 40 billion liters of sewage a year before it is discharged into the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

'It’s another tool in the tool box': Orcas Island doctors weigh in on San Juan Island’s PeaceHealth hospital

When PeaceHealth cuts the ribbon on its San Juan Island hospital in the summer of 2012, county residents will have a new option for health care. “It’s not the same kind of hospital as Skagit, Island or St. Joe’s. So, for some patients it will be very appropriate to send them, but some will need hospitalization on the mainland,” said Dr. Anthony Giefer of Orcas Medical Center.