Friday Harbor House has appointed Michael O’Dell as general manager. In his new position, O’Dell will manage all employees, hotel operations and overall guest experience at the 23-room waterfront inn.
Bigger might not necessarily be better when it comes to the size of a home. But it won’t cost any extra when you pay for a permit to build one in San Juan County. The County Council on Tuesday reversed an earlier decision and eliminated a so-called surcharge on building permits for homes of more than 3,500 square feet. That surcharge would also have applied to an addition of an existing home that bumped its size beyond that 3,500-square-foot mark.
News that San Juan County has the lowest jobless rate in the state may come as small comfort to the 500 or so islanders who are collecting unemployment checks. San Juan County’s jobless rate was 5.4 percent in June, far better than the U.S. rate of 9.5 percent — the nation’s highest in 26 years — and the state rate of 9 percent, according to the state Employment Security Department. It was also far better than in neighboring counties: Island County, 8.7 percent; Whatcom, 8.4; Skagit, 9.9; Snohomish, 10.1, King, 8.8. The worst unemployment rate was in Lewis County, where almost 13 of every 100 working-age residents is out of a job.
It’s not too late for teens to nail down that summer job. The Workforce Development Council matches students between the ages of 16 and 20 with internships at various businesses and non-profits in the community and pays for the students to work these positions that are usually only available to volunteers.
Membership grows from 168 to 350 businesses and merchants during Pigman’s nine-year tenure as chamber director.
Ten businesses that have refused to pay fire inspection fees – saying they shouldn’t have to pay for inspections by the county fire marshal or that the fee is burdensome – have been sent to collections. The San Juan Island Fire Department Board of Commissioners voted May 12 to send the delinquent accounts to AllianceOne, a collection agency. Any money collected by AllianceOne would be posted to the fire department’s budget.
Westcott Bay Sea Farm, at the end of Westcott Drive, will reopen on weekends for the season beginning Friday. The sea farm, known worldwide for its oysters and other shellfish, will be open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Beginning June 22, the sea farm will be open week-long through the summer.
Village at the Harbour assisted-living apartments is offering a furnished studio apartment for short-stay respite care. “We have had several requests for these services from folks in the community,” administrator Seanene Kennedy said. “We all know how important it is for caregivers to get a break from around-the-clock care for a loved lone. We can provide that break by caring for the loved one in a safe, comfortable environment. The minimum stay is one week and maximum, 30 days.”
San Juan Colors, a local paint store approaching its 20th year of business, has a new location. San Juan Colors has moved from Airport Center Road to the Surina Business Park, 50 Malcolm St., No. 504, Friday Harbor. Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call for service, 378-2806, other times.
The Washington Employment Security Department has released the preliminary employment data for March and the data show that the unemployment rate for San Juan County rose during the month to 7.7 percent. The March rate was three-tenths of a percentage points above the revised February rate of 7.4 percent.
Discovery Sea Kayaks is moving from Front and Spring streets to the former Blue Dolphin space at 185 First St. Owner Richard Swanson said he expects to move into the space in two or three weeks. Jennifer Rigg of Loea Design is designing graphics for the window. Where a large blue dolphin once enticed passers-by in for breakfast, a pod of orcas will entice passers-by to go kayaking.
In the wrestling ring, Lisa Moretti was known for such moves as the facebuster, the snap suplex and the scoop slam. Today, she’s traded in the smackdown for shampoo and shears. Moretti, a former pro football cheerleader and World Wrestling Entertainment wrestler, has opened a cat and dog grooming service on San Juan Island. Her number is 378-8468.
Skagit Valley College San Juan Center has developed a three-day erosion and sediment control instruction program that will provide participants with the required 18 hours necessary to become a Certified Erosion and Sediment Control Lead.
