Headlines:

Frits building set to be demolished May 28 » The crumbling building across the street from the courthouse/theatre parking lot, last used as a paw...

Best routes, links to latest info on bridge and re... » Photos by Darryl SwensonDespite the collapse of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River betwee...

A bit of extra ferry service » Washington State Ferries advises customers to plan for heavy traffic and long wait times during the ...

FHHS football practice begins May 29 - CORRECTED I... » Message from FHHS Football Coach Richard Ledford: I invite you to come out for the Wolverines Footba...

Rep. Morris' and Lytton's statement on bridge coll... » MOUNT VERNON – State Representatives Jeff Morris (D-Mount Vernon) and Kristine Lytton (D-Anacortes) ...

Pet of the Week - May 20 » This little fella is Tyrone. He arrived with his buddy and possible litter mate, "Cleetus" at the...

I- 5 bridge collapses into Skagit river at Burlin... » #I5Bridgecollapse - Twitter Gov. Inslee: "We are all going to have to pull together in the ne...

Religious restrictions a factor in consequences of... » The short term consequences of the proposed affiliation between University of Washington Medical Cen...

Orcas Fire and Rescue seeks solutions to after hou... » When you call 9-1-1 or knock on our door, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is at your service.

Town Hall meeting June 13 in Eastsound on urgent c... » In response to questions about the delivery of urgent and emergency care on Orcas Island, a Town Ha...

Saturday, 25 May 2013

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Contact Information

editor@sanjuanislander.com or classifieds@sanjuanislander.com or ads@sanjuanislander.com phone: 360.378.3748 or 360.298.0711 fax: 360.378.9748 - San Juan Islander, P.O Box 1298, Friday Harbor, WA 98250

Photo of the Weekend

Photo of the Day

Saturday, 25 May 2013 09:23

historic-05-25

The top photo shows Spring Street as it looked before the construction of Memorial Park. The second photo, taken on Memorial Day n 2011, shows the view from the opposite direction. The 2013 Memorial Day parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Courthouse on Second and Court Streets, travels down Spring Street and ends at Memorial Park where a ceremony will take place.

Read the May 23, 1913 issue of the San Juan Islander newspaper to find out what was happening in the county a century ago.

Frits building set to be demolished May 28

San Juan County Public Works

Saturday, 25 May 2013 00:00

The crumbling building across the street from the courthouse/theatre parking lot, last used as a pawnshop, will be demolished Tuesday, May 28.

Best routes, links to latest info on bridge and remember Islands open for holiday visitors

Friday, 24 May 2013 12:38

210-3 Photos by Darryl Swenson
Despite the collapse of the Interstate 5 bridge over the Skagit River between Burlington and Mount Vernon (exits 229-227), Town of Friday Harbor Administrator Duncan Wilson wants people to know the town and the San Juan Islands are open for business and alternative travel routes are available. Visitors should plan for delays.

The best routes to the ferry terminal in Anacortes are shown on the two maps posted below.

PDF MAP Traveling SOUTH-BOUND

PDF MAP Traveling NORTH-BOUND

Washington State Dept. of Transportation (WSDOT) recommends keeping up with the latest info on Twitter:

#I5Bridgecollapse

#skagitriverbridge

Rep. Morris' and Lytton's statement on bridge collapse

State Government

Friday, 24 May 2013 00:00

MOUNT VERNON – State Representatives Jeff Morris (D-Mount Vernon) and Kristine Lytton (D-Anacortes) issued the following statement regarding the collapse of the Interstate 5 Skagit River Bridge:

A bit of extra ferry service

Friday, 24 May 2013 00:00

Washington State Ferries advises customers to plan for heavy traffic and long wait times during the Memorial Day weekend.

More and links to WSF INFO

Religious restrictions a factor in consequences of UW/PeaceHealth affiliation

PIMC - Hospital

Thursday, 23 May 2013 06:10

The short term consequences of the proposed affiliation between University of Washington Medical Center and Peace Health would benefit the local hospital on San Juan Island. The long-term consequences could have a negative effect on health care state-wide.

Orcas Fire and Rescue seeks solutions to after hours medical care

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

When you call 9-1-1 or knock on our door, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is at your service.

Meeker places 8th at state golf championship

Wednesday, 22 May 2013 16:41

210-golf-dsc_4348

Friday Harbor High School golfer Kendra Meeker finished eighth in the Class 1A State Golf Championship at Lake Stanaway Golf Course in Tacoma today, May 22.

Registration underway for summer and fall quarters at SVC

Wednesday, 22 May 2013 00:00

Registration for Summer and Fall quarter classes for new advised students, registration begins Thursday, May 30. Open enrollment begins on Thursday, June 6.

Aerial Photograph contract renegotiated

San Juan County Council

Tuesday, 21 May 2013 10:11

The oblique photographs have been eliminated from San Juan County's contract for aerial photographs with Pictometry. The renegotiated contract includes updated aerials and LIDAR.

UW Medicine and PeaceHealth plan to form new affiliation

PIMC - Hospital

Tuesday, 21 May 2013 06:00

PeaceHealth PRESS RELEASE: UW Medicine and PeaceHealth have signed a groundbreaking Letter of Intent to create a strategic affiliation that will provide patients throughout much of Washington and Alaska with access to the most comprehensive care available in the Pacific Northwest.

SJC files response to challenges to CAO

San Juan County Critical Areas Ordinance

Monday, 20 May 2013 11:19

At a prehearing conference the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board created seven categories of issues in the appeals of San Juan County's Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO).

Around the Web: Retro Reports

Monday, 20 May 2013 00:00

Retro Reports lives up to its name. "When news organizations fail to invest the time and money required to correct the record or provide context around what really happened, myth can replace truth. The results are policy decisions and cultural trends built on error, misunderstanding or flat-out lies."

SJI Fire district votes to continue fire boat service

Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00

San Juan Island Fire Department covers Brown Island, Pearl Island, the Port of Friday Harbor Marina, Roche Harbor Marina, Jensens Shipyard, Shipyard Cove, and the Friday Harbor Ferry Terminal in addition to San Juan Island with its numerous shoreline homes.

$789K grant awarded for boat, may not be fully utilized due to politics

San Juan County Sheriff

Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:30

A collaborative effort by San Juan County Sheriff Rob Nou, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, the Department of Homeland Security, the Captain of the U.S. Coast in Seattle resulted in a $789,000 grant to build a public safety boat for the county.

Lack of cooperation by the local fire and EMS agencies may result in an opportunity lost.

San Juan County “Sound Shoreline Science” Forums on June 4 in Eastsound

Monday, 13 May 2013 00:00

Experts will present up-to-date science about the islands' shorelines ecological health at free educational public forums about the importance of healthy shorelines.

Coast Guard reminds Northwest boaters to take proper precautions as air temps rise

Friday, 03 May 2013 15:22

SEATTLE ─ With recreational boaters preparing their boats to take to the waters of the Pacific Northwest, the 13th Coast Guard District reminds boaters and paddle sport enthusiasts to take the proper precautions.

Where are K and L pods?

Monday, 11 March 2013 00:00

Check out NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) web page for new maps showing the track of K25, an adult male Southern Resident killer whale that was tagged on Dec. 29, 2012.

Big weekend on Orcas and Memorial Day parade on San Juan Island

Saturday, 25 May 2013 00:00

Memorial Day weekend is filled with activities on Orcas Island. The Annual Bite of Orcas, The Pet Parade, History events, and more.

Things are much quieter on the other islands. Two walks on San Juan island and the opportunity to remember what this holiday is actually all about - the Memorial Day parade at 10 a.m. in Friday Harbor. Details on all these and more.. on the CALENDAR

FHHS football practice begins May 29 - CORRECTED IINFO

Friday, 24 May 2013 00:00

Message from FHHS Football Coach Richard Ledford: I invite you to come out for the Wolverines Football Team.

Pet of the Week - May 20

Pet of the Week

Friday, 24 May 2013 00:00

may

This little fella is Tyrone. He arrived with his buddy and possible litter mate, "Cleetus" at the Friday Harbor Animal Protection Society shelter from California last week.

I- 5 bridge collapses into Skagit river at Burlington/Mt. Vernon

Thursday, 23 May 2013 19:57

#I5Bridgecollapse - Twitter

Gov. Inslee: "We are all going to have to pull together in the next several months."

Three people were pulled from the water after the north and south bound lanes of the I-5 bridge spanning the Skagit River between Burlington and Mount Vernon collapsed just after 7 p.m. Thursday, May 23.

Town Hall meeting June 13 in Eastsound on urgent care

PIMC - Hospital

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

In response to questions about the delivery of urgent and emergency care on Orcas Island, a Town Hall meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, June 13 in the Eastsound Fire Hall.

List of Structurally Deficient Bridges

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

The I-5 Skagit Valley Bridge isn't on the WSDOT (Washington Dept. of Transportation) list of Structurally Deficient Bridges. Instead it was labeled "fracture-critical" due to its design. Damage in one area could take out the whole span.

More flooring sales and services in FH with Island Wholesale expansion

Wednesday, 22 May 2013 00:00

Island Wholesale now has two locations with its acquisition of the flooring showroom at 278 "A" Street in downtown Friday Harbor (formerly Island Port and Home Port).

Council chooses former city administrator/planner as new county manager

San Juan County Administration

Tuesday, 21 May 2013 10:24

San Juan County Council selected Michael Thomas for the position of county manager. Thomas' experience is as a city not county administrator, the same as former county Administrator Pete Rose.

Conflict of interest at PIMC Emergency Department?

PIMC - Hospital

Tuesday, 21 May 2013 08:16

Is it a conflict of interest to run the emergency department at the local hospital and also be the doctor in charge of deciding where emergency patients are sent?

How to help Oklahoma tornado victims

Tuesday, 21 May 2013 00:00

If you'd like to help the victims of the devastating tornado that hit Moore, Oklahoma. You can:

Donate online

Give $10: text REDCROSS to 90999

Call 1-800-RED CROSS.

FHHS Blackmon 300m 1A Tri-District Champ

Monday, 20 May 2013 06:49

Friday Harbor High School track team hurdler Willie Blackmon took a hard fall on the next to last hurdle in the preliminary race at 1A Tri-District Championship Meet last week. Before the crowd was even able to gasp, he was on his feet again at top speed and finished third place qualifying for the finals.

STORY and YOUTUBE

Community Design workshops for Exchange buildings begin June 2

San Juan County Solid Waste

Monday, 20 May 2013 00:00

All Orcas Islanders are invited and encouraged to attend the workshops for the Community Design of the New Building(s) to House The Exchange. The first one takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. June 2 in Eastsound Fire Hall.

Mulligan resigns from OPALCO Board

Friday, 17 May 2013 00:00

OPALCO is seeking a representative from District 1, which includes San Juan, Brown, Henry, Pearl, and Spieden Islands to serve on the Board of Directors after George Mulligan resigned.

PIMC gearing up for surgeries

PIMC - Hospital

Thursday, 16 May 2013 07:00

PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center, the critical access hospital that replaced Inter Island Medical Center on San Juan Island, will soon provide out-patient surgery. PIMC CEO Jim Barnhardt made the announcement yesterday at the Hospital District Commission meeting.

1st part of comparison of new and current SMP released

San Juan County Community Development and Planning

Monday, 06 May 2013 07:00

San Juan County's Shoreline Management Act, last updated in 1992, is in the process of being updated.

The first part of a comparison between the state requirements, the existing SMP and the proposed SMP update has been posted on the county's website. www.sanjuanco.com/CDP/docs/SMP/Staff_Report_and_Code_Comparison-final-2013-05-03.pdf

Property Owners Needed for Voluntary Tideland Creosote Removal Project

Wednesday, 17 April 2013 06:49

FRIENDS of the San Juans is partnering with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to remove unnecessary toxic creosote-treated pilings and old structures from tidelands in San Juan County at no cost to interested landowners.

Weather Forecast

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Happy Birthday to

Cameron Wilson, Hazel Leighton, Jack Cory,

Be Kind to: Jesus
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Community News

18th Annual Bite of Orcas May 25 supports Wolf Hollow Thursday, 23 May 2013 The 18th Annual Bite of Orcas, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 25 in Eastsound Village Green, offers a delicious menu of foods like seafood chowder, cupcakes, sushi rolls, steak fajitas, steamed clams, chicken chipotle salad and Chicago-style hot dogs. The wide sampling of flavorful and eclectic cuisine comes at a price that is hard to beat. Tickets are sold in…

Art & Entertainment

Local Author wins a 2013 Indie Excellence Award Wild Nights, San Juan Island author Mary Ellen Courtney’s debut novel, won the 2013 Indie Excellence Award in the New Fiction category. The award contest recognizes top-level self-published books that can stand next to those of the mainstream publishers. The NIEA organization is based in Los Angeles, California. Ellen Reid, President and CEO said, ”Never in…

Opinion

Coalition of HealthCare Advocates Raises Concerns about Proposed UW Medical Center and PeaceHealth Affiliation Health care advocates from around the state expressed concern that the news of the strategic "affiliation" between the University of Washington Medical Center and PeaceHealth, a Catholic health care organization. An affiliation of this size affecting the state’s major research, training and trauma care facilities – including the UW and Harborview Medical Centers,…

Obituaries

Barbara J. Figelski March 27, 1934 - May 17, 2013 Thursday, 23 May 2013 barbara-figelski

barbara-figelski

"No one promised me a smooth ride - what a boring life that would have been! I have had the most interesting bumps ever. I am grateful." -- Barbara Figelski Barbara led a very active and adventurous life. At various times in her career, she was a nurse, an airline stewardess, and the owner of a B & B. She traveled all over the world,…

Letters to the Editor

Credit Where Credit Is Due Saturday, 25 May 2013 Last Monday at lunchtime I passed out in a crowded downtown restaurant. Next thing I knew I was staring up at the face of an EMT who wanted to know my name, my birthday, and the day's date. I had been lucky because when I lost consciousness, I slumped against the wall on my left instead of falling to the right and bouncing on the concrete floor. I was seen at…

Latest Columns

JUST SAY OOPS Sunday, 19 May 2013 Avatar_DavidBentley

Avatar_DavidBentley

Have you heard the statement that anything worth doing is worth doing badly? It sounds really odd and seems to go against everything we've ever been taught. However, it makes good sense when you accept that it is important to allow yourself to make mistakes. Somewhere deep inside ourselves, no matter how much we strive to be perfect, we know that we learn from making…

INKLE

May 25

Directions: Beginning at the left and using the five clues, fill in the open spaces below with five overlapping words.

Total Squares: 26
Difficulty Level: 1 2 3 4 5

CLUES:

THE LAYOUT OF A DOCUMENT
ONE WHO ARRANGES MARRIAGES
A GROOVE OR NOTCH MADE BY A CUT...
INKLE | Sat, 25 May 2013

Announcements

Engagement Announcement: Ayanna Mancuso/Brian Sprawka ayanna-mancuso

ayanna-mancuso

Robert Mancuso and Yvonne Buijs-Mancuso of Friday Harbor wish to announce the engagement of their daughter Ayanna to Brian Sprawka, son of Gregory and Cheryl Sprawka of Austin, Texas. The happy couple met in Boston, Massachusetts, where they currently reside.

Editorial Cartoon by Matt Davies of remappingdebate.org

05-08-runner

Horoscopes

A New Stellium and Full Moon in Scorpio April 22 - 28, 2013 Avatar_trianaelan

Avatar_trianaelan

The Aries stellium went out with the expected violence and now we have the Sun, Venus and Mars in solid Taurus. This will be a month of seeking solidity, quality, security and loyalty. It will also be a month of stubbornness and unyielding mind sets for those so inclined. Taurus is the sign of the abundance of spring and the profusion of growth as well as fertility.…

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