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.
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.
A San Juan Island man who shot his girlfriend in the chest with a handgun at point-blank range was ordered to serve nine years in prison after pleading no contest in mid-July to first-degree assault, a class A felony. On Aug. 12, Douglas Paul Curnow, 36, was sentenced in San Juan County Superior Court to a total of 112 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,550 in fines and fees. The amount of restitution Curnow will be ordered to pay will be determined at a hearing slated for mid-October.
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.
Twelve cents for each $1,000 of assessed value. That’s how much more local landowners would pay in annual property taxes over the next six years to prevent an even deeper cut into county-run programs under a revenue-generating ballot measure which islanders will weigh-in on in November.
Styrofoam’s days are numbered in Friday Harbor — at least in the form of to-go food containers. The Friday Harbor Town Council is expected to approve Thursday a ban on Styrofoam to-go food containers. The council will consider the ordinance at its noon session.
The campaign for Friday Harbor mayor is leaning green. Mayoral candidates Carrie Lacher and Bob Low have committed to no-yard-sign campaigns.
