News Stories - San Juan Islands

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

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:34 PDT

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.

County installing constructed wetland stormwater treatment in Eastsound

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:34 PDT

Canadian bicyclist dies of heart attack on Orcas

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:34 PDT

August school bond rejected by voters – again

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:34 PDT

County Council to hear Solid Waste Survey report Aug. 30

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:34 PDT

The San Juan County Solid Waste Survey received responses from 26 percent of the recipients of the questionnaires mailed in late July. Survey Consultant Nina Rook of Marketing Resources termed the response rate “Outstanding.”

School board will hold retreat to discuss plans after failed bond

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:34 PDT

Gaylord says hauling trash off-island is illegal

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:34 PDT

Purse snatcher gets 90 days in jail

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:34 PDT

An Orcas Island man who confessed to swiping one woman's purse and a check from another's mailbox, and to using those stolen belongings to buy $80 worth of cigarettes and $50 of cell-phone service, was ordered to serve three months in jail, or three months on work crew.

Lopez Island Prevention Coalition awarded $625k 'Drug-free Communities' grant

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:34 PDT

EMT response time hampered by poor cell service

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:34 PDT

Tourist’s death illustrates need for better cell coverage, says fire chief.

Comment sought on plan for wildlife refuges

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking the public to comment on its draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Wilderness Stewardship Plan, and Environmental Assessment for the future management of the Protection Island and San Juan Islands National Wildlife Refuges.

Nou, Johnson win primary

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

Deputy Rob Nou and Detective Brent Johnson won the primary for sheriff Aug. 17.

FLIP swimmers celebrate the Salish Sea Sept. 5

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

Would you swim around Lopez Island? Would you do it twice?

New Waldorf teachers hired

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

For the second year running, the Waldorf community of Orcas Island is running a pre-school/kindergarten program at the School of the Salish Sea.

Sheriff: Nou is top finisher in primary; Myhr and Stephens lead in County Council race

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

San Juan County Sheriff's Deputy Rob Nou held a commanding lead in the race for sheriff Tuesday, leading the five-candidate field with 1,495 votes to advance to the Nov. 2 general election. The two top vote-getters in the primary advance to the general election. But who that second candidate will be was not clear Tuesday night when polls closed at 8 p.m.; Auditor Milene Henley said the race is "too close to call" between Sheriff's Detective Brent Johnson, 1,066 votes; Adult Probation Officer Brad Fincher, 956 votes; and Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Asher, 945.

Sheriff: Nou's lead secure; Johnson's lead for second spot on ballot holds

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

San Juan County Sheriff's Detective Brent Johnson's hold on a general election ballot spot continued to hold as ballots were counted Wednesday. With 400 ballots to be counted Thursday, Johnson was still the second-place finisher in the race for sheriff. He had 1,247 votes, Probation Officer Brad Fincher has 1,151, Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Asher had 1,121, and Sheriff's Deputy Felix Menjivar had 735. Sheriff's Deputy Rob Nou held a commanding lead, leading the five-candidate field with 2,086. The two top vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 2 general election.

Sheriff: Nou is top finisher in primary, second candidate 'too close to call'; links to other results here

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

San Juan County Sheriff's Deputy Rob Nou held a commanding lead in the race for sheriff Tuesday, leading the five-candidate field with 1,495 votes to advance to the Nov. 2 general election. The two top vote-getters in the primary advance to the general election. But who that second candidate would be was not clear Tuesday night when polls closed at 8 p.m.; Auditor Milene Henley said the race was "too close to call" between Sheriff's Detective Brent Johnson, 1,066 votes; Adult Probation Officer Brad Fincher, 956 votes; and Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Asher, 945.

Today is Election Day; ballots must be postmarked or placed in drop boxes by 8 p.m.

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

Today is Election Day. The top two vote-getters — regardless of party affiliation or preference — advance to the Nov. 2 general election. If you're going to mail in your ballot, it must be postmarked today. Ballot drop boxes in Friday Harbor, Eastsound and Lopez Village close at 8 p.m. Ballots can be dropped off at the Elections Office until 8 p.m.

Lopez man dies while snowboarding with sons at Mount Baker

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

Lopez resident David Fisher died while snowboarding with his two sons at the Mount Baker ski area on Wednesday, Feb. 18 in the early afternoon.

Islanders will rally for ferry funding Feb. 18; signatures sought for online petition

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

Residents of the San Juans and Anacortes will rally Feb. 18 in Olympia to persuade legislators to preserve ferry funding. They hope to go armed with vox populi, in the form of a petition. The petition is online at www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?plancfcp&101. To sign, CLICK HERE

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

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

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

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

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

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

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

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

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

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

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

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

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

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

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.

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

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

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

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

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 17:08:35 PDT

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.