As the holidays and cold weather approaches, people spend more time indoors visiting with family, friends and in crowded places, like airports. Their exposure to germs increases. Some germs are viruses that cause a mild illness and are mildly challenging to the immune system, like the sniffles or the common cold. Other germs, like the influenza virus, can lead to severe illness — even hospitalization and death.
Feb. 9, 2009 will mark the 100th anniversary of the Town of Friday Harbor’s incorporation. Festivities began at the San Juan County Fair 2008 and will conclude in August at the 2009 County Fair. As you are doing your Christmas shopping this year, consider gifting your loved ones with Centennial Friday Harbor memorabilia.
A local whale watch operator photographed a Steller sea lion on Whale Rocks last week with some type of plastic embedded in its neck, according to the San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
A strong Pacific storm will bring potentially gale-force winds and snow to the San Juan Islands and western Whatcom County, the National Weather Service reported today at 5:02 a.m. The National Weather Service issued the following storm warning …
Because of her name, strangers have asked if she’s a nun. Others have mistaken her for the crossword puzzle editor of the local newspaper. But there’s no mistaking this: Mary Frances McElfresh has a personality that’s as colorful as her name. And on Dec. 9, she joined the ranks of island octogenarians. Well-wishers phoned in these birthday greetings to her.
The San Juan Island School District may reduce staff and programs beginning as early as the 2009-10 school year because of a decline in enrollment and reduction in state funding. A special board meeting is scheduled today at 6 p.m. in the Friday Harbor High School library. The meeting will address long-range planning options needed to address an anticipated $717,200 budget shortfall. The meeting is open to the public.
Inspectors from the state Department of Ecology are now using ticket books during site visits to facilities covered by the state’s Construction Stormwater, Industrial Stormwater,
and Sand & Gravel General Permits. The tickets can carry fines of $500 to $3,000 for water-quality violations.
Wireless Internet service became available Sunday on the Washington State Ferries. The service is available through Boingo, the world’s largest network of Wi-Fi hotspots. Becoming a Boingo customer means you can access Wi-Fi on the ferries, as well as thousands of other Boingo hotspots worldwide. Popular Wi-Fi hotspots include Starbucks®, cafes, restaurants, bookstores, hotels, Sea-Tac and hundreds of other airports.
Bonita C. Morrow passed away Dec. 8 in Pendleton, Ore. She was 79. She was born in Friday Harbor, Wash., on Aug. 20, 1929 to Logan and Juanita Crosby. She married John Theodore (Ted) Schuman on July 3, 1949. They had five children together: John Theodore (Jack), Daniel Robert, David Thomas (Tom), James Paul, and Marna Lynn.
Senator-elect Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island, on Dec. 5 was elected vice-chairman of two standing committees in the State Senate, and was named to the Transportation Committee and the Environment, Water & Energy Committee for the 2009 Legislative Session.
The categories and winners of the 2008 Island Lights Fest Decorating contest …
A statue of baby Jesus, reported stolen Nov. 30 from the nativity scene in front of Second Act, was returned Sunday. Employees found the statue at the store, wrapped in a bag, with a note that read, “Sorry, I just needed a little Jesus in my life. Merry Christmas.”
Jill Peacock lost her red iPod shuffle Sunday morning on Turn Point Road, within two miles of Shipyard Cove. Her name is engraved on the back. If found, please call 298-0376.
