He’s just over a week old and already he’s making headlines.

Jacob William Wright was born to Amanda Murray Wright and Buddy Wright of Orcas Island on Jan. 5, 2009 at Island Hospital in Anacortes – the first baby born to San Juan County parents in 2009.

Jacob weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces. Among those welcoming him into the world are sister Ellie, age two and a half.

“He is doing great,” said Buddy. “Mom and baby are both at home. The delivery was textbook perfect. They’ve been sleeping for the last 24 hours.”

As winners of the San Juan Journal’s 18th annual Baby Derby, Jacob and his parents will receive more than $500 in gift certificates and prizes from 18 businesses on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez islands.

Jacob’s mother was raised on Orcas Island and is the daughter of Jim Murray, now living on Whidbey Island. Her father owned a service station in Friday Harbor for many years, but she was brought up by her mother on Orcas and briefly Lopez.

“She is a San Juan County baby,” said Buddy.

Buddy, the proud father, is a water systems contractor on Orcas, who was wrestling with many winter water problems during his wife’s last days of pregnancy. He was born in Tokyo, son of a retired U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. He moved to Orcas 12 years ago.

The Wrights are excited about the loot they’ve won – and a bit surprised.

“I didn’t know anything about this. I would have preferred to have him born in 2008, so we could get the tax write-off. But since we can’t have that, these great prizes will do,” laughed Buddy.