Celebrated Canadian historian Barry Gough will discuss how Royal Navy policies kept the peace in the north Pacific while affirming British interests, in a lecture tonight at 7 in the San Juan Island Library.
The freeze on ferry fares is thawing. When the state transportation budget was approved this past spring, it called for a 2.5 percent fare increase for all routes, set to go into effect on Oct. 1. Since then, the Transportation Commission has proposed two new fare increases: a 5 percent additional increase for San Juan interisland fares, and a “super summer surcharge” which would be a 10 percent higher fare for single tickets (not a multi-ride book) in July and August.
Ed Tuck, who was assistant foreman of Roche Harbor Lime & Cement Co. in the 1930s and 1940s, has died. Mr. Tuck, who lived in Tacoma, died Aug. 17, his daughter, Cookie Tuck-Lowe, wrote in an e-mail received Saturday. “Dad sailed away Monday to join Mother,” Tuck-Lowe wrote.
Kenneth F. Groth, retired deputy chief of the Yakima Fire Department and father of Trish Harris of Friday Harbor, died Aug. 11, 2009 in Yakima.
San Juan Island’s community radio station, KSJU FM 91.9, is now certified by the IRS as a non-profit organization and, as such, can accept tax-deductible donations.
Ecology has provided training on wetland science to more than 1,500 people from local, state, federal and tribal governments and business. Over 100 local jurisdictions have already based their wetland ordinances on our guidance.
Styrofoam’s days are numbered in Friday Harbor — at least in the form of to-go food containers. The Friday Harbor Town Council today voted 5-0 to approve a ban on Styrofoam to-go food containers. The ban will take effect April 22. The council asked town staff to draft an ordinance after a presentation Aug. 6 by members of the San Juan Anti-Litter Initiative, which has long proposed a ban. Members say the ban fulfills the desires of more than 1,000 islanders and visitors who signed a petition supporting the ban. “I’m thrilled to death,” said Doris Estabrooks, who’s led a three-year campaign to rid the island of Styrofoam.
After each election since he’s served as town administrator, King Fitch has offered the incoming mayor his resignation. Because the town administrator serves at the pleasure of the mayor, Fitch’s offer gives the new chief executive the opportunity to make a change if he sees fit. Fitch made the offer to James Cahail, Bill LaPorte, Gary Boothman, David Jones. For the first time, Fitch may have a taker.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection marine interdiction agents on border security patrol in the San Juan Islands chain intercepted a 30-foot Canadian-registered Bayliner near Cattle Point, southeast of San Juan Island on Aug. 18 at 10:30 a.m.
I am honored to recommend and support Robert “Bob” Low for mayor of Friday Harbor. I have known Bob for seven years and worked under his direction for four of those years. During that time, Bob taught me that, above all else, the people of Friday Harbor are his top priority.
To his family, how blessed you have been and will continue to be, to have had known his angelic and giving spirit. May everyday grow a little easier with his passing, and may you always remember his quiet and giving acts of kindness will remain in the hearts of those he touched.
The San Juan County Council has scheduled a three-and-one-half hour workshop on the Critical Areas Ordinance and the Shoreline Master Plan, Aug. 25, 1 p.m., at the San Juan Community Theater. The workshop is open to the public. The Critical Areas Ordinance is being revised in compliance with provisions of the Growth Management Act. Work is also beginning on the updated Shoreline Master Plan, due in 2012.
The 30th annual Round Shaw Race for human powered boats went off without a hitch Aug. 8, thanks in large part to a huge effort by the San Juan Outrigger Canoe and Kayak Club, which hosted the event. Paddlers from as far away as Sausalito, Calif., came to test their skills on the 14-mile course around Shaw Island. The race is the oldest race in the Pacific Northwest for canoes, kayaks and rowing shells.
