The U.S. Agriculture Department is accepting applications for grants to help low- and very-low-income rural residents repair their homes. Housing preservation grants are provided to town or county governments, public agencies, federally recognized tribes, and non-profit and faith-based organizations. The grants are distributed to homeowners or owners of multi-family rental properties or cooperative dwellings who rent to low- and very-low-income people.
Marc Vermeire, for 10 years a teacher — and recently vice principal and athletic director — at Friday Harbor High School, is leaving the district to become principal of Lopez Middle and High schools.
At the same time, the San Juan Island School Board has hired Walt Wegener of Toppenish School District as interim superintendent.
Memorial service is May 23, noon, at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church for Allen Martin Mason of Friday Harbor. Mr. Mason was born July 22, 1945. He died May 17, 2009.
Friday Harbor senior Jordyn Taylor won his third consecutive Tri-District Tournament Tuesday at Eagles Pride Golf Course at Fort Lewis. Taylor shot 74 — par on Eagles Pride’s red course — to win the day and advance to the State Tournament. Megan Cuomo shot 98 to finish second among women and advance to State.
Hospital Corpsman Senior Chief Paul McFadden, Friday Harbor High School Class of 1981, had even more people than normal seeking him out recently at Naval Hospital Bremerton. But instead of McFadden’s daily routine of dispensing wisdom, solving problems and sharing professional knowledge, it was staff members giving back to him in a steady stream of well-wishes upon his promotion to hospital corpsman master chief.
Are you planning a public event for the islands? San Juan County’s Solid Waste Division has portable recycling set-ups to lend to organizations who want to increase recycling at public events. Empty aluminum cans, glass and plastic beverage containers, paper and cardboard can all be collected together in the ClearStream bags. (No liquids, food or garbage, please!)
On May 27, the town Historic Preservation Review Board will recognize the Friday Harbor Jehovah’s Witnesses with a Partner’s in Preservation Award for the exterior renovation to the Kingdom Hall, a project completed last November.
More than 150 avid supporters turned out at Mullis Community Senior Center Saturday night for The Whale Museum’s third annual Celebration of the Orca Greeting Ceremony. By the end of the evening, the museum had raised more than $16,000 to support its education and research projects.
On May 6, Del and Marjorie Webb were lawfully wed in the chapel at Islands Convalescent Center. Del has lovingly attended Marjorie, age 81, following a recent stroke. They decided it was time to let the world know how they truly felt.
The San Juan Dragons’ season ended Saturday in a 13-6 first-round playoff loss to Stadium. It was a season to remember.
Friday Harbor Wolverines track coach Darrin Scheffer can’t remember the last time nine of his athletes advanced to the Tri-District meet. “I am very pleased with every team member’s efforts throughout this season,” he said. Individually and collectively, the Wolverines have given him and their fans a lot to be pleased with.
More information and tournament brackets can be found at www.wiaa.com/Dist1
Chalk up another victory for pedestrians of the town. And history buffs as well. Not only did the Friday Harbor Town Council unanimously embrace the proposed Beach Court Trail, it upped the ante May 7 by designating the trail a Centennial project and dipping into the town’s birthday account — $1,000 — to help fund its construction.
