This Wednesday, July 2, the summer recreational crabbing season opens in San Juan County. Simultaneously, volunteers from the local office of the WSU Beach Watchers Program will begin visiting selected docks throughout the county to hand out information about crab pot escape cords, and free samples of the cord.
On Friday, June 20, the teaching schooner Adventuress, out of Port Townsend, ran aground in Wasp Pass about noon and floated again just before 4:30 p.m., according to Lee Brown, resident of Double Island and owner of the Double Time. Brown’s boat was taking guests to the Orcas ferry landing when she diverted to assist the Adventuress.
Items discussed at the San Juan County Council’s June 24 meeting on Orcas Island included employment of a lobbyist at Olympia, the achievements and mission of the Eastsound Plan Review Committee (EPRC), and Eastsound Urban Growth Area (UGA) compliance with the Growth Management Act (GMA).
Orcas Island Fire Department responded to a reported wildland fire threatening a home on Thursday, June 24. Brush Engine 21, Engine 21 and Tender 26 responded to Sedum Hill Road around noon. Lt. Jeff Jones arrived first on scene to report a growing grass fire being battled by residents on scene. Firefighters arrived and quickly got the fire under control. It was determined that a burn pile of scotch broom got out of control, charring approximately an 140 by 80 foot area near two residences.
New Washington State Vessel Laws became effective June 12, 2008. Materials to inform boaters on the new laws for Southern Resident Orcas are now available, outlining the state laws as well as an overview of the Endangered Listing Status and State and Federal Laws in the latest edition of the Washington State Parks Adventures in Boating Handbook. In Washington State, it is unlawful to:
Washington State Ferries announced extra sailings for the July the Fourth holiday as follows:
When Tom Cowan served on the San Juan County Commission from 1982-94, the county had two code enforcement officers to make sure projects were developed as approved in the permits. “If a crisis came up, we had more employee capacity,” Cowan said.
On Thursday June 12, Democratic Party Nominee for the 40th District Senate, Kevin Ranker, won 74 percent of popular vote across all three counties ensuring that he gained the endorsement of the 40th LD Democrats.
Martha Sharon, Public Health Nurse and San Juan County Tobacco Prevention Coordinator recently issued the following release:
On June 24, the Orcas Island Fire Department Commissioners met with six members of the Strategic Plan Review committee to review plans for building wildland attack and structural engines (WAASP), for the permit process for the new Deer Harbor Fire Station, for a five-member Board, and to hear a proposal from the Fire/Medics for filling the Assistant Chief position left vacant when Buddy Wright resigned in March.
To make it easier to get to and from the Lopez Village activities, the Lopez Island Chamber of Commerce will offer free shuttle bus service from the ferry to Lopez Village and the South end from July 3-7. The bus will do extra duty on July 4th and late-night transportation to the ferry from the Village after the fireworks display is planned. For more information, call the Lopez Chamber at 468-4664 or visit www.lopezisland.com.
Everyone knows that summer officially begins with the fireworks, barbecues, fairs and parades that mark the national Day of Independence, July 4.
At the Orcas Island School District (OISD) Board meeting on June 26 various reports on funding and staffing were given:
