The 2010 San Juan County Fair held its own in terms of attendance. Roughly 160 fewer people came through the gates over the four-day run of this year’s edition of the annual event compared to a year ago. Not bad in tough economic times. Still, according to Fair and Events Manager Rev Shannon, the fair’s financial forecast — or, more specifically, the forecast for the fairgrounds itself — remains cloudy at best.
“It’s been a struggle for us so far, but we’re going in the right direction,” said senior Rachel Hay just one week ago after the Wolverines took three straight games from Shoreline Christian to tally their second win of the season. Going in the right direction? Indeed. The 2010 Friday Harbor volleyball team catapulted itself into unfamiliar territory with a stunning and dramatic — and some might say improbable — three-game sweep over Orcas Tuesday night in Turnbull Gym.
The Friday Harbor volleyball team hasn’t had much to celebrate this season. Then Shoreline Christian came along. The Wolverines busted loose with pent-up delight and some sense of relief after burying a young and inexperienced Crusaders squad in three straight game to seal their second win of the year, Oct. 12 in Turnbull Gym.
Friday Harbor finally hit pay dirt in the fourth quarter as quarterback Don Galt and running back Roy Taylor hooked up on a 30-yard touchdown pass. But a lone TD pass proved too little and much too late as the Wolverines fell 41-7 Oct. 15 at Nooksack Valley in a clash between Division 1A regional rivals.
San Juan County will bank on more than a half-million dollars in payroll savings to help keep the books balanced in 2011 — and to keep its workforce largely intact. On Oct. 12, the County Council approved an amendment to the collective bargaining agreement with Local 1849 in which union members agreed to forego any cost-of-living increase in 2011. Members of Local 1849, which represents about 150 county employees, were slated to receive a 3 percent pay increase next year as part of a four-year contract that went into effect in 2009.
For the second time in two years, San Juan County voters will be asked to decide whether to ban the use of all personal fireworks, specifically those considered “safe and sane,” which include fountains, pinwheels and sparklers. If you’re among those who thought this issue had already been put to rest, that’s understandable. After all, voters in 2008 upheld a ban by a 535-vote margin which made safe and sane fireworks as illegal to use as the more explosive kinds, and subject to a $250 fine for a first offense.
The League of Women Voters of the San Juans will host forums this week for candidates for Congress, state House of Representatives, San Juan County Council, and Sheriff. Here’s what sheriff candidates had to say at a forum held exclusively for them Sept. 28.
The Friday Harbor Wolverines suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in a 49-7 runaway loss Oct. 1 at Lynden Christian. Friday Harbor, trailing by 21 midway near the end of the second quarter, tallied its only touchdown of the game on a 8-yard run by sophomore quarterback Donny Galt. That’s as close, however, as the Wolverines would come to clawing their way back into the contest.
San Juan County’s financial team wants to borrow money from the Land Bank to bail out the Public Works Department’s Solid Waste Division. County officials are also banking on a loan for up to $800,000 from Public Works’ Equipment Rental and Revolving Fund to keep the Road Fund in the black and to help pay for whatever construction or maintenance projects the Road Fund would be unable to finance over the next 15 months.
The Wolverines started off with a bang. But a flurry of miscues and mistakes — a fumble here, an interception there — added up to a second-half shutout as Friday Harbor fell 37-14 at home Sept. 24 in its first of two regular-season meetings against Nooksack Valley.
San Juan County Council District 2 voters will experience something new when the Nov. 2 general election comes. For the first time since the county charter divided the islands into six council districts, District 2 voters will choose between two candidates seeking to represent them on the San Juan County Council. And the charter, which is up for review beginning next year, is a good place to start in gaining some insight into the difference between the two candidates.
The Friday Harbor football team suffered its worst loss in school history in a 64-7 blowout Friday at Meridian. It’s the most points ever allowed by the Wolverines — they gave up 59 to Sultan in 1995 — and the 57-point margin of defeat ties the team’s previous negative point spread, a 57-0 shutout by Orcas in 1998.
Sheriff Bill Cumming said Ryan J. Ritter was charged with two burglaries at the time of his arrest and will likely be charged with several others once officers complete their investigation.
