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!

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:

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…