A glimpse of political happenings in the San Juan Islands.
The driver of the car that missed a curve at Cattle Point Road, launched into the air and crashed onto a field April 2 has been charged with reckless driving.
A baby orca was seen swimming with K-pod Tuesday, possibly bumping the endangered Southern resident killer whale population to 88. The bump in the population depends on the calf’s survival in its precarious first year, and on the appearance of K-7, possibly the oldest orca among the J, K and L pods. K-7 was not seen when the pod swam past Snug Harbor Tuesday.
Friends and family of Jim Fred Lehde will gather Friday at noon at the Jackson’s Beach boat launch. Participants can share memories and photographs and say goodbye. Lehde’s ashes will be scattered at sea. Lehde, who was editor of the Friday Harbor Journal in the 1970s, died June 2 in his Friday Harbor home. He was 77. He is survived by several children and grandchildren.
Today is a banner day for Kelley Balcomb-Bartok. The Friday Harbor Town Council member, who has resigned to take a communications job with the City of Renton, did a radio interview this morning regarding the birth of a new orca; he’s currently on the staff of the Center for Whale Research. At noon, he was presented with a proclamation by Mayor David Jones, recognizing his one year and five months on the council. Jones declared today “Kelley Balcomb-Bartok Day” in Friday Harbor.
Ron Zee had his hands full navigating unchartered territory for the San Juan Islands Conservation District the past two years. But with the district now on a steady course, he decided the time has come to chase down a dream. Following a two-year tenure as district manager, Zee recently handed in his resignation and on May 30 left behind the agency and the many hats he wore.
The San Juan Public Schools Foundation and the San Juan Island Community Foundation have raised more than $350,000 to preserve academic and athletic programs for the 2008-09 school year. However, school district officials say an additional $125,000 in matching funds must be raised to fully restore athletic programs, instructional programs and basic services. Superintendent Michael Soltman has called a special meeting of the school board on June 11, 6 p.m. to discuss options for raising dollars necessary to fully fund the athletic program.
With the deadline approaching for candidates to file for positions on the Aug. 19 and Nov. 4 elections, those who have announced their intentions to run are making it official. But many more positions await candidates. Islanders will vote in the Aug. 19 primary and the Nov. 4 general election for a number of positions, from president to governor to County Council and precinct committee officers.
Human remains recovered from the home of a Deer Harbor man nearly two years ago will be turned over to the state Department of Archeology, which is expected to repatriate them to the Canadian First Nation on whose territory the remains were found some 30 years ago.
Islanders will vote in the Aug. 19 primary and the Nov. 4 general election for a number of positions, from president to governor to County Council. The deadline for candidates to file for local and state offices is Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Last year, they sought the approval of the governor. This year, they’ll seek the approval of voters. Randy Gaylord, 51, and John Linde, 60, have filed candidacies for San Juan County Superior Court judge. The filing period ends Friday at 4:30 p.m. The primary election is Aug. 19.
Roy and Janie Burke of Friday Harbor are excited to announce the engagement of their daughter, Carrie Burke, to Juan Unpingco.
Carrie, 24, was born and raised in Leavenworth, Wash., where she graduated from Cascade High School. Carrie went on to attend Central Washington University, where she met Juan.
She graduated with a bachelor of science degree in community health. She now works here on San Juan Island at Inter Island Medical Center.
