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Historic Barns Presentation ThursdaySandy Strehlou and Boyd Pratt from 100 Friends of Old Island Barns will share results of the county-wide historic barn inventory at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 18 at Port Stanley Schoolhouse, 2970 Port Stanley Rd, Lopez Island. Everyone is welcome. For more information call the Lopez Island Historical Society 468-2049 or the San Juan County Land Bank office 360-378-4402. Minimum fee at transfer station set at $12posted 03/17/2010 Minimum fee at transfer station set at $12posted 03/16/2010 The goal of a minimum fee is to reduce the number of trips made to the transfer station. Presumably people will wait until they have at least two cans of garbage. Councilmember Bob Myhr wanted to add a similar charge for San Juan Sanitation's trucks. The trucks haul the equivalent of 200 households-worth of garbage. Councilmember Richard Fralick said, "I fail to see the logic in that." The minimum fee increase is part of the 14 percent across the board increase which will be adopted by ordinance. It will go into effect for self-haulers 10 days after it is adopted. It takes a 75 day process to increase the rates for San Juan Sanitation and the Town of Friday Harbor under state law. North Shore house burns, Orcas Fire Dept able to save two other structures
Photo Laura Trevellyan posted 03/16/2010 Council decides not to send NEV letter to GovIndividual members may posted 03/16/2010
Contact info for Gov. Gregoireposted 03/17/2010
The bill is not yet set for bill action. The governor's signature is all that is necessary for the bill to become law. While the county Council decided yesterday not to send a letter - as a council - urging her to sign the bill, they did not withdraw their support of the legislation. Councilmembers Howie Rosenfeld and Bob Myhr are writing individual letters supporting SB6346 to the Governor. National Weather Service Spotter Training April 10Roche Harbor and Westsound posted 03/17/2010 New boat towing and mechanical serviceFriday Harbor Marine and Towline Marine Assist are now working jointly to meet the boating community's on the water towing and mechanical needs throughout the local cruising area. MORE... EDITORIAL: Say No to NEVs, Yes to SafetyBy Sharon Kivisto posted 03/12/2010
Fundraiser April 9 for Sophia Grace
A Spaghetti Feed and Auction is set for 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 9 at Roche Harbor Pavilion to raise funds to help with the costs not covered by insurance for six-month old Sophia Grace Krieg's heart transplant. It is only fitting that islanders band together to help. Sophia has strong island ties. Her mom, Lacen Potter, graduated from Friday Harbor High School in 2002. The family - Ben, Lacen and Sophia - live in Mount Vernon. Most islanders probably know at least one of her relatives - her grandmother, Bonnie Potter; her grandfather former San Juan Island Fire Chief Glen Potter; great-aunt Debbie Sandwith...MORE INFORMATION (APRIL 9) Events addedDetails are on the THINGS TO DO PAGE
New last few days
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| 6TH ANNUAL FRANK WILSON DERBY Top Ten Complete Standings |
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| PLACE | NAME | WEIGHT | DATE CAUGHT | WEEKLY WINNER |
| 1 | Mike Hogan | 17.30 lbs | 2/9/10 | Week #2 Winner |
| 2 | Jim Lawson | 14.74 lbs | 2/28/10 | Week #5 Winner |
| 3 | Donovan Wilson | 13.14 lbs | Rch. Hbr. Derby | |
| 4 | Jim Lawson | 13.72 lbs | 2/21/10 | Week #4 Winner |
| 5 | Jerry Greene | 13.10 lbs | 2/2/10 | Week #1 Winner |
| 6 | Carter Whalen | 12.74 lbs | 2/4/10 | |
| 7 | Chuck Payne | 12.56 lbs | 2/2/10 | |
| 8 | Mike Hogan | 12.47 lbs | 3/4/10 | |
| 9 | Carter Whalen | 12.02 lbs | 2/8/10 | |
| 10 | Mike Hogan | 11.56 lbs | 3/4/10 | |
posted 03/15/2010
On Tuesday, March 16 citizens won't be privy to any discussion by the council as to why San Juan County should be the only county in the country allowing low speed electric vehicles to drive on 45 mph roads. The letter they intend to send to Governor Gregoire urging her to sign the legislation has been placed on their consent agenda which is adopted without any discussion. MORE...
By Sharon Kivisto
posted 03/12/2010
A refrain often heard in San Juan County is: "We should be able to do 'X' because we are unique." It may be a compelling argument for lower ferry fares or jet ski regulations. But as "unique" as we say we are, the laws of physics still hold true. Proponents of using Neighborhood Electric Vehicles on 45 mph are ignoring basic safety. When one of these "enhanced golf carts" is hit by a 6,000 pound SUV going 45 mph, it won't matter how special we said we were. EDITORIAL
A Spaghetti Feed and Auction is set for 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 9 at Roche Harbor Pavilion to raise funds to help with the costs not covered by insurance for six-month old Sophia Grace Krieg's heart transplant. It is only fitting that islanders band together to help. Sophia has strong island ties. Her mom, Lacen Potter, graduated from Friday Harbor High School in 2002. The family - Ben, Lacen and Sophia - live in Mount Vernon. Most islanders probably know at least one of her relatives - her grandmother, Bonnie Potter; her grandfather former San Juan Island Fire Chief Glen Potter; great-aunt Debbie Sandwith...MORE INFORMATION (APRIL 9)
Details are on the THINGS TO DO PAGE
More layers of regs than
anywhere else in county
CLARIFICATION ADDED:
posted 03/15/2010
The area around Country Corner outside of Eastsound will be a LAMIRD - in planning terms (Limited Area of More Intensive Rural Development). The area has different densities, development standards and land use regulations than other areas. And something no other area has, an extra layer of regulations. STORY and CLARIFICATION...
posted 03/15/2010
In February, WSF launched a real-time version of Vessel Watch.. Improvements suggested by the public have been implemented since the launch. On March 11, the version of Vessel Watch for mobile devices - Blackberries, I-Phones, etc. was updated. It uses the same modernized map as the Web site. Please send comments to webfeedback@wsdot.wa.gov.
posted 03/15/2010
On Tuesday, March 16 citizens won't be privy to any discussion by the council as to why San Juan County should be the only county in the country allowing low speed electric vehicles to drive on 45 mph roads. The letter they intend to send to Governor Gregoire urging her to sign the legislation has been placed on their consent agenda which is adopted without any discussion. MORE...
March 15-21, 2010
posted 03/14/2010
Download the original attachment
We begin with the New Moon in late degrees of Pisces; it conjoins chaotic Uranus, and anything goes. Since Pisces is a water sign and rules oceans and incidents of flooding, don't be surprised to see more flooding and the other things that have been occurring this year in terms of earthquakes, storms and other earth changes that the Mayans predicted so long ago. HOROSCOPES...
Deadline to confirm you will enter- April 1
In San Juan County we see historic rural and small town views becoming suburban. The Island Scenes project is an effort to record images of what we have now which represent "old island" and what we hope will be here in the future. Artists of all ages and skills are asked to portray a scene (one image/person) which strikes them as "old island":MORE INFORMATION
By Sharon Kivisto
posted 03/12/2010
A refrain often heard in San Juan County is: "We should be able to do 'X' because we are unique." It may be a compelling argument for lower ferry fares or jet ski regulations. But as "unique" as we say we are, the laws of physics still hold true. Proponents of using Neighborhood Electric Vehicles on 45 mph are ignoring basic safety. When one of these "enhanced golf carts" is hit by a 6,000 pound SUV going 45 mph, it won't matter how special we said we were. EDITORIAL
posted 03/14/2010
I have come to the conclusion that complaining doesn't get a person anywhere, unless the person you are complaining to can do something about your complaints. And no one can make my broken back heal any faster!
COLUMN...
By Mary Elford
posted 03/12/2010
It's not too late to let Governor Gregoire know how you feel about allowing NEVs (neighborhood electric vehicles) on our main roads with speed limits above 35 mph. COLUMN...
posted 03/15/2010
The state Transportation Commission is seeking proposals from the citizens for the name of the second Kwa-di Tabil (64-Car) Class ferry. Under the Commission's guidelines, proposed ferry names should represent state-adopted symbols, tribal names, bodies of water, geographical locations, cities, counties, or relate to nautical heritage.
Proposals are due to the Commission by Friday, April 30. The first Kwa-di Tabil Class Ferry, Chetzemoka, is currently under construction at Todd Pacific Shipyards in Seattle. Additional information on ferry naming can be found on the at: Commission's Web site.
By Chris Thomas
posted 03/12/2010
Washington lawmakers get the weekend off, but then the real work begins, as the House and Senate General Fund budget plans are cobbled together in a special session that begins on Monday. Both chambers want to raise revenue - the Senate through a temporary sales tax hike; the House with a series of smaller, targeted taxes on things like bottled water and cigarettes. MORE...
August 23, 1972 - March 9, 2010
Aaron Thornton Dunlap, 37, of Decatur Island passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 on Decatur Island. Aaron was born on August 23, 1972 in Bellflower, California, the son of James and Linda (Miller) Dunlap. He was a devoted husband, father and friend. OBITUARY
posted 03/13/2010
I recently heard on the radio that, on average, 12 newborns are given to
the wrong parents daily. Although I've long suspected that I might have
been one of those babies, I still found the statistic intriguing. So I
began searching the internet. Sure enough, I discovered this statistic on
on a web site that listed some useless information in 2008. However I
noticed that the same statistic showed up on numerous web sites, but they
were worded slightly differently. How curious! COLUMN...
posted 03/12/2010
More than $152,600 was raised during United Way of San Juan County's 2009 campaign. As a result of the generous support of Islanders, thirty-one local programs providing essential services for individuals and families were funded. United Way was able to give grants to agencies focusing on education, health and wellness, recreation, mentoring programs and services for seniors, just to name a few. These programs benefit a wide array of island residents; from toddlers to seniors. MORE...
posted 03/12/2010
San Juan County recognized 79 persons as homeless in 2010.
The state-required count was conducted by the County Health &: Community Services on Thursday, January 28, 2010.
Twenty-nine people 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.); and 50 people, including many children, were staying in temporary, unstable living arrangements either with friends or family members – a situation commonly referred to as "couch surfing". MORE...
Meeting 5 p.m. March 14 at Eastsound Fire Hall
We're on Fire! We want Broadband Now! is the rallying cry of a group of citizens who want Google Broadband Internet in the islands. Bring Google Fiber to the San Juan Islands is the Facebook page with more information. A meeting has been set up for Sunday, March 14 at Eastsound Fire Hall.
Google plans to install between 50,000 and 500,000 individuals with Gigabit Internet access. That is over 1,000 times faster than the typical Island connection.
The discussion will include other options as well Broadbandusa.com. Organizers say, several billion dollars in Federal funding will help the Islands, if we move quickly for example. We might be able to do it ourselves. At the meeting, which will be set up for video testimony, everyone will have a chance to tell their story. For more information contact Orcas Island resident Alex Huppenthal at 425.296.7718.
posted 03/10/2010
Legislation State Sen. Kevin Ranker, (D-San Juan Island) made his top priority in his freshman year cleared the legislature is headed to the governor's desk. Marine area spatial planning, farm internships, dairy nutrients, greenhouse gases, copper in brakepad linings were four of the topics. The most noticeable to San Juan County residents will be the legalization of 25-mph electric vehicles on all county roads. MORE...
posted 03/11/2010
I had a lot of time to think while I was in Mexico this last time. You can't really credit Mexico for that, since most of the Mexicans seemed pretty busy. It's more about the unstructured time, of course. Doing a little soul-searching behind my eyelids between trips to the fridge for another Montejo and trips into the amazingly warm turquoise water, I think I figured it out. COLUMN...
posted 03/10/2010
Closing two of its three transfer stations to reduce costs for its Solid Waste Division was taken off the table for now. Instead the San Juan County Council will raise cash by disposing of 22.6 acres of Lopez Landfill property and 12 acres on Beaverton Valley Road. They will be sold to the county's ER&R fund.
The infusion of cash will buy the county a little time to come up with a permanent solution to the lack of sustainable funding for the solid waste infrastructure. Currently both operations and capital costs are funded through tipping fees. The council agreed to increase tipping fees by 14 percent. A $15 minimum fee was also approved for disposal of garbage at the transfer stations.
Someone taking one can of garbage will be charged $15 (a 87.5 percent increase). If they bring two cans they will be charged $9.12 per can for a total of $18.24. STORY...
posted 03/10/2010
"A sustainable funding source for ferries" has been the refrain councilmembers have been drumming in the state legislators' ears for years. Its been either at or near the top of the council's much discussed legislative priority list. In a March 2, 2010 conference call, Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Anacortes, asked for the council's help in getting legislation passed which would provide for sustainable funding for ferries. Anacortes City government was in favor of it. But the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce had mounted a full-court press against the legislation and help was needed.
There were two bills, which Morris explained, some people were getting mixed up. The Chamber was concerned about one of the bills which they thought would adversely affect the refinery. That was not Morris' bill.
The council discussed writing the letter of support Morris requested. As the discussion proceeded, the council started to grow confused. Councilmember Rich Peterson asked how Anacortes felt about the bills. "We don't want to get cross-wise with Anacortes again," he said. "Remember what happened last time."
The council decided to wait a week and write a letter to the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce. Councilmember Howie Rosenfeld went to the Town Council on March 4 and apprised them of the situation. He reported back to the county council on March 9.
He said the town council felt the Anacortes Chamber had been so helpful ensuring the Sidney run was kept "that we owe them one." Rosenfeld told the council the Town Council won't be writing a letter and he didn't think the county council should either.
Council Chair Richard Fralick pointed out to Rosenfeld the council had written a letter in February in support of the bill.
In the end the council decided to take no action on Rep. Morris' request.
posted 03/08/2010
There is a $1500 reward being offered for the information leading to the arrest of Colton Harris Moore. Please note we are seeking information only for the arrest and that any information that leads to this arrest will be strictly confidential. Call the san Juan County Sheriff's office at 360.378.4151. PREVIOUS STORIES...
-An Introduction through Immersion-
posted 03/09/2010
Skagit Valley College is launching a new course Spring Quarter: Poetry! Professor Robin Meyer-Tate has designed this unique opportunity for the curious who love language, music, beauty, truth, and touching mystery.
Meyer-Tate says her focus during the course will be to "nurture freedom and self-expression, while setting aside fear, literary criticism, and formulaics". MORE INFORMATION
posted 03/08/2010
Islands Museum of Art (IMA), opens Art Wolfe's Travels to
the Edge an exhibition of photographs from the award winning American Public
Broadcasting series of the same name. A lecture by the artist Between Heaven
and Earth will be held between 6 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March
13 at San Juan Community Theatre. MORE...
April 20, 1938 - February 8, 2010
Cameron Hull Avery, Jr., longtime Island resident, passed away in Seattle on February 8, 2010 due to complications from a stroke he suffered on Christmas Eve. Known to his family and many friends as "Cam" or "Butch," Cameron was born on April 20, 1938 in Santa Monica and grew up in the San Fernando Valley, where he graduated from Van Nuys High School and Los Angeles Trade Technical School. OBITUARY
Scorpio (October 23 - November 22):
Powerful Venus moves into your sector of work/health this week; this is also the sector governing pets. You may be adding a member to the family soon! Passionate Mars comes out of a months long retrograde in your sector of Career, and this will shift the energy at work, bringing a better sense of teamwork and fresh energy to ease boredom or ego trips. No time for egos, you want to just keep on keeping on, so go!
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SJC's would be 2015
posted 03/08/2010
Counties staff across the state may soon share the same feeling as a student whose term paper isn't finished and teacher puts off the due date. The state legislature adopted legislation to extend the deadline for updates to Comprehensive Plans by three years. For San Juan County the due date for the update would be 2015.
The bill, which passed the Senate 47-0 and the House 94-2, awaits the Governor's signature to become law. MORE...
posted 03/02/2010
Words matter. Something the SJC Council will find out once they realize what the motion they adopted Tuesday, March 2 really means. "Our goal is to have a Transportation Authority in place by the end of the year," San Juan Economic Development Council Board member Patty Miller told the council. The council passed a motion endorsing the goal leaving off the deadline.
So what is a Transportation Authority - it is an entity which operates a transportation system. It can take control of existing transit businesses or contract out to them. It must hire a general manager. It must operate parking facilities, terminals and other such facilities. STORY...
posted 03/08/2010
The town of Friday Harbor received an Early Notice Letter Feb. 26, 2010 from the state Dept. of Ecology that its Sutton Road property is a site known to be contaminated by hazardous substances. Halogenated Organic Compounds, EPA Pollutants -metals and cyanide-, Conventional Contaminants, (organic and inorganic) and Arsenic have been confirmed in groundwater. Pollutants in the same categories are suspected in the soil. MORE...
posted 03/06/2010
A beta version of Washington State Ferries real-time Vessel Watch program is now available on the WSF WEB SITE. The images refresh every 15 seconds. Click on a ferry for details about that ferry and a link to a page with even more information.
Wednesday, March 17: 
Clare Kelm, Neil Smith BE KIND TO: Patrick
Chance and Frank Earle 
Sheila and Darren Olshefsky
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