Island News
July 17: Tara Craig Trio Benefit for Salish Wildlife Rescue
Spend an evening where music and compassion come together for a meaningful cause. This lively benefit concert supports the care of injured and orphaned wildlife at Salish Wildlife Rescue. Enjoy delicious, handcrafted nibbles, a cash bar, and an outstanding live performance by the Tara Craig Band. Meet the inspiring women behind the rescue efforts and […]
July 23: The Wild Side with Salish Wildlife Rescue
July 23 | 6 to 8 pm | San Juan Island Library Join us for a special presentation by Salish Wildlife Rescue (formerly Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center) about a day in the life of a wildlife rehabber! Learn more about the important work they do for the animals who share our home. Wolf Hollow […]
Margaret Irene Brown July 12, 1938 – May 3, 2026
Margaret Irene Brown, 87, of Woodinville, WA died Sunday morning 3 May 2026 peacefully at home. She was born 12 July 1938 in Redlands, CA, the daughter of Harold Chandler Brown and Wilma Ruth Bonner. She married Edward Harold Durbin 26 Sep 1956 and had three sons, Edward Michael, Daniel Andrew, and Patrick Allen Durbin. […]
Survey about waste tires may result in amnesty collection event
Old tires aren’t just an eyesore. They’re a fire hazard, and they can leach pollutants into the same waters our salmon depend on. Getting them out of yards and ditches is a small step that adds up to a real difference for our islands. The Dept of Environmental Stewardship is considering a waste tire amnesty […]
July 11: Go Take A Hike – Circumnavigating Lopez Hill
From the preserve parking lot we will go counterclockwise on the trails around Lopez Hill, taking a rest and snack break at the top. While there aren’t any distant views, the trails pass through a range of environments from alder bogs to rocky outcrops, a very peaceful hike through a second-growth forest. Start time: 9:30am at […]
New Paramedic Will Serve San Juan Island Following Graduation from One of the Nation’s Premier EMS Programs
Seattle, WA – July 9, 2026 – This weekend, Maddy Harmon will graduate from the nationally recognized Medic One Paramedic Training Program, joining the next generation of highly trained paramedics serving communities throughout Western Washington. Following graduation, Maddy will begin serving with San Juan Island EMS, providing advanced life-saving care to residents on San Juan Island. […]
Jeremy Nash: Listening to the Voters
According to a recent County press release, officials are working to close roughly a $4 million shortfall. Among the possibilities are holding positions vacant, eliminating management positions, reducing park maintenance, decreasing Meals on Wheels service, reducing funding for the Islands Oil Spill Association, reducing Guardian ad Litem funding, cutting the WSU Extension Forestry program, and […]
People watching at the parade
It’s not quite a week after the 2026 Friday Harbor 4th of July parade, we’re posting a slideshow of photos of the spectators. To start the slideshow, just click on any photo. Matt Pranger photos.
July 15: Music on the Lawn presents Joel Astley
July 15 | 6:30 to 8:15 pm | San Juan Historical Museum | 405 Price St. | Friday Harbor July 8 – Flipside July 15 – Joel Astley Since forming his first band in 2014, Joel Astley quickly established himself as a world-class bandleader, harmonica player, singer, songwriter, and entertainer. In the past year he […]
Patricia Pickering Benton January 31, 1947 – March 4, 2026
Patricia Pickering Benton passed away in Peoria, Arizona on March 4, 2026, at the age of 79. Born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on January 31, 1947, she was known by her family and friends as a woman of great spirit, fierce determination, and strong passions. Patricia’s signature laugh and spunk will be fondly remembered […]
July 18: Friday Harbor to host UW football team scavenger hunt
All 104 members of the University of Washington football team will arrive in Friday Harbor Saturday, July 18, 2026, for a town-wide scavenger hunt. The community is invited to join the Mayor and Town Council at 10:30 a.m. in Sunken Park to meet players and kick off this team-building event with a basketball 3-point contest […]
Update. End of the Sheriff’s Log?
Monday, July 6, San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter informed the media that “Effective immediately, the Sheriff’s Office will no longer prepare or distribute the weekly media line report to local newspapers.” Local media publish the reports weekly. Prior to the creation of the line report, copies of individual incident reports were available for reporters […]
What Percentage Does San Juan County Real Estate Appreciate?
In the course of my real estate business, I am often asked by clients what percentage of appreciation they should expect if they invest here. It is a very difficult question to answer because, in my opinion, our market is not large enough to accurately calculate appreciation. On an individual property, you could calculate average […]
August 8: Walk the OPAL neighborhoods with Rusty
OPAL Community Land Trust invites community members to lace up their walking shoes and join longtime OPAL homeowner, historian, and storyteller Rusty Diggs for a guided tour of OPAL neighborhoods this summer. The 2 to 3 hours tours take place at 1 pm July 11, 2026 and 1 p.m. August 8. Meet at the Village […]
July 18: Olga Daze on Orcas Island
Olga Daze, a beloved annual celebration that captures the laid-back charm and artistic spirit of the tiny hamlet of Olga, begins at 10 am July 18 on Orcas Island. This annual event features live music, local art displays, delicious food, yard sale and a quilt raffle. At 12 noon, the parade begins complete with an […]
July 25: Summer Social: 20 Years of Turtleback Mountain
July 25 | 1 to 3:30 pm | Coffelt Farm Preserve | 1071 Crow Valley Rd | Eastsound | Free | REGISTER Join San Juan Preservation Trust for Summer Social: 20 Years of Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island to celebrate two decades of protecting one of the most beloved landscapes in the San Juan Islands. […]
Chamber send thanks for parade support
Dear Editor, On behalf of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, I extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this 4th of July celebration so memorable! Our 2026 Parade theme, Cheers to 250 years!, featured 62 outstanding entries, many beautifully decorated. The route was packed, red, white and blue adorned the streets, and […]
Coalition Seeks $150 Million for State’s Premier Washington Wildlife and Recreation Grant Programs
TACOMA, WA – The Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition (the Coalition) is launching its advocacy and outreach campaign to secure $150 million for the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program (WWRP) in the 2027–29 state capital budget, calling the investment essential to meeting growing demand for, and protection of, parks, trails, wildlife habitat, and working lands […]
San Juan County Council considers funding cuts to Meals on Wheels, IOSA, parks maintenance, and potential closure of Eastsound Village Green
San Juan County press release: Over a series of regularly scheduled and special meetings throughout the month of June, the San Juan County Council heard from County department leaders and elected officials on potential cuts to staffing and service levels. Council held meetings on June 9, 15, 16, 24, 29 and 30 to accommodate these […]
And the winners are….
San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce released the list of winners of the Friday Harbor 4th of July parade. Best use of THEME – Non-Float: The Cutthroat Pirates Best Use of Theme – float: Soroptimist of Friday Harbor Best use of THEME – Children/Youth – 4H 4-H members San Juan County 4-H Judges Special Choice – […]
Love to sing – Join Master Chorale and Nova Stella
Love to sing? Join the Master Chorale or NovaStella. Master Chorale begins rehearsals begin September 1. 2026. Rehearsals take place every Tuesday from 3 to 4:30 pm. NovaStella, the youth group, rehearsals beginning August 23. Rehearsals take place every Sunday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. For more information contact sjmasterchorale@gmail.com
July 14: Island Verse Literary Collective seek to name Poet Laureates
Island Verse Literary Collective is hosting a weekly series of workshops from July 7 to September 8 at San Juan Island Library. These writing workshops will be a series of sessions focused on craft, style, and recitation/performance, with an emphasis on community engagement. As part of the program, IVLC is seeking the first Poet Laureates […]
100 UW football players will be in town July 18; Grover Street improvement project set for 2027
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of Friday Harbor Town Council, July 2, 2026 meeting. A Town resident from the Finnegan Ridge neighborhood thanked the council for paying attention to their community needs and the progress being made with the neighborhood improvements. More than 100 University of Washington Football players will be in Friday Harbor on July 18, participating […]
