Of the basic necessities, putting food on the table easily trumps the lot. And Dorothy Lawson has been on a mission for more than a quarter of a century to ensure the Friday Harbor Food Bank has the resources to fulfill that basic need for anyone on San Juan Island, regardless of their income.
Yellow Island, a preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy, is awash in color from the 50 species of wildflowers now in bloom. It is accessible only by kayak or skiff. Camping is not allowed.
President Obama’s budget includes $6 million to purchase Mitchell Hill and transfer it to the San Juan Island National Historical Park, according to Rep. Rick Larsen’s office. “Today’s announcement is great news for San Juan County, Northwest Washington and the over 250,000 people who visit the San Juan Island National Historical Park each year,” said Larsen, who has worked for more than six years to transfer ownership of Mitchell Hill to the National Park from the state Department of Natural Resources.
The state County Road Administration Board has awarded San Juan County the largest grant it has ever given the county. The board’s $2.5 million grant will fund the reconstruction of Mount Baker Road on Orcas Island, between mile posts 0 and 1.1, the county communications office reported.
San Juan County Fire Marshal Bob Low said Thursday he will run for mayor of Friday Harbor in November. Low, a former town fire chief, said he expected to make a formal announcement Friday. His candidacy means that for the first time since 1997, voters will have a choice of more than one candidate for mayor: Gary Boothman ran unopposed in 2001; David Jones ran unopposed in 2005.
Sharon led a modest life, had a positive, strong-willed spirit and was the rock of her family and friends. Her life on Lopez was full of days at the beach, gardening, keeping up with her kids’ musical endeavors, sporting events, making jewelry, knitting, baking and planning events. The smell of fresh baked bread, cookies and pies always seemed to fill her house.
State Sen. Kevin Ranker has faced a tough first several months in office. He just finished the state budget process, and says it was “one of the more difficult experiences” of his life.
Friday Harbor Town Council member Carrie Lacher announced today her candidacy for mayor of Friday Harbor. If elected, she would be the first female mayor since the town was incorporated in 1909. She is the first candidate to announce for the position this year; Mayor David Jones told The Journal April 22 that he will not seek a second term.
The county Health Department is prepared to close a school for a minimum of seven days if a student or staff member is confirmed to have the H1N1 virus, or swine flu. School district Superintendent Michael Soltman said today that the district has been working closely with the health department and the Department of Emergency Management to develop procedures for communicating information about response to student illness and potential school closures ordered by the health department.
Camp Orkila on Orcas Island is being closed and about 300 school children from King County and Richland are being sent home after six children and one adult exhibited flu-like symptoms Thursday night, the San Juan County Health Department reports. County Health and Human Services Director John Manning reported that 267 of the children arrived from the Tyee Middle School in Bellevue on Tuesday evening and another 36 of the children are from the Christ the King School in Richland. The children from the Richland area are leaving via the 10:20 a.m. ferry. At this point, health officials say none of the Richland-area children have exhibited symptoms.
Joseph Giuliano, the former deputy chief of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Northwest region, will be sentenced June 23 after pleading guilty to charges of child rape. On April 23, Giuliano, 55, pleaded guilty in Whatcom County Superior Court to three counts of child rape and, according to the Bellingham Herald, will likely be sentenced to one year in jail, on work release, and three years of sexual-deviancy treatment.
A take-off of the TV program that helps participants lose weight is coming to San Juan Island. San Juan Island Fitness is organizing the Community Weight Loss Challenge, a variation of TV’s “The Biggest Loser.” The 15-week challenge starts May 15 and ends Aug. 15 at the San Juan County Fair. The “biggest loser” individual and team will win cash prizes.
This week, three local restaurants are donating part of their proceeds to Dollars for Scholars.
