It’s back to square one in the quest to find a stable source of funding for San Juan County’s struggling solid waste operation. The proposed combination of a 40 percent increase in tipping fees, a $2 fee for recycling, and a $1,000 fee on newly developed parcels is no longer on the table.
It’s a familiar story: You’re born and raised on the island, you spend some time on the mainland, you meet your life partner, you return to the islands to raise a family. A familiar story, even among birds. Western bluebirds have returned to the San Juan Islands, the San Juan Preservation Trust reports.
The San Juan Island School District will restore two periods of exploratory art instruction for grades 6-8 at Friday Harbor Middle School during second semester. Re-establishing these classes is the first step in a collaborative partnership between the Islands Museum of Art and the district to raise funds and create a community-based art program at Friday Harbor Elementary and Friday Harbor Middle schools.
Richard Lawson, a well-known contractor whose roots on the island date to 1856, died early today in a mainland hospital. He was 66, his daughter-in-law Leah Lawson said. Mr. Lawson died at 6 a.m. this morning in University of Washington Medical Center, Leah Lawson said. He died from thyroid cancer, she said.
San Juan Island School District could have a new superintendent picked, and possibly this week. In a special board meeting Jan. 15, the school board voted to invite Lynden Schools Superintendent Rick Thompson to apply for the position here. Thompson’s interest set off a flurry of special board meetings and a public meet-and-greet session with Thompson here Tuesday, 5-6 p.m., in the Friday Harbor Middle School Commons.
Let the Olympics coverage begin. “Passport to Vancouver,” Sound Publishing Co.’s 2010 Winter Olympics news page, is now live at http://blogs.pnwlocalnews.com/olympics.
The 2009 Island A La Carte coupon discount book has been discounted, from $29.95 to $19.95. Call Virginia Otto, 317-6728, or buy a book at Friday Harbor Drug or Mullis Center. There are about 50 books left.
“Spring Street International School Presents: South American Dinner and Concert” is Jan. 30 at Mullis Center. All proceeds go toward travel scholarships and to an orphanage in Cusco, Peru.
San Juan Island EMS members were acknowledged with special awards at the annual EMS Banquet on Jan. 16. The EMT of the Year Award and the Chief’s Award went to Herb Mason. Rebecca Smith was the Officer of the Year. The Rookie of the Year Award was presented to Humberto Orozco. The physicians of the Inter Island Medical Center gave the Frank Wilson Service Beyond Self Award to Emily Hallock.
The 17th annual Knowledge Bowl is Feb. 4 in the San Juan Community Theatre. The Friday Harbor Jazz Band will begin performing at 6:40 p.m., and the Friday Harbor Middle School PTA will offer bake sale treats.
The 2010 Friday Harbor Community Spelling Bee will be held in the San Juan Community Theater on Feb. 2, 3:30 p.m. The annual contest is sponsored by the Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands and features fourth- through eighth-grade classroom champions from local schools, including Friday Harbor Elementary School, Friday Harbor Middle School, Paideia Classical School, Griffin Bay School and Spring Street International School.
Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Bellingham, will have a challenge in the primary. Larry Kalb, 55, announced his candidacy Jan. 15 for the 2nd Congressional District seat, to which Larsen was elected in 2000. Kalb lives in Bellingham, works for the Whatcom Transportation Authority finance department, and is president of Health Care for All, a statewide organization advocating single-payer health care.
In a 5-1 decision, the council endorsed the combination of higher rates and new fees, and directed county staff to craft an ordinance for review at its Jan. 26 meeting, and for possible adoption at a public hearing on Feb. 9.
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