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    Articles by Kelley Balcomb-Bartok
    Ken Balcomb photo
Under her stage name of Lolita (aka Tokitae, aka Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut), a young female orca performs for an audience of adoring fans in a small tank at the Miami Seaquarium in this archive photo from the mid 1990s.
    Tokitae’s death ends dream to return her home
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • August 21, 2023 1:30 am

    The last remaining Southern Resident Killer whale taken from the Salish Sea during the captures in the late 1960s and…

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    Contributed photo
County Clerks from across the state converged in Friday Harbor last week for the 117th Annual WSACC Conference.
    Washington Clerks gather in Friday Harbor
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • July 3, 2023 1:30 am

    San Juan Island hosted the annual summer conference of the Washington State Association of County Clerks last week.

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    Contributed photo by the Washington State Transportation Commission
The Washington State Transportation Commission met in Friday Harbor June 21-22. Their monthly meeting included presentations by the Town of Friday Harbor, San Juan County Council and Staff, the Port of Friday Harbor, Lopez Port Authority, Island Air Ambulances, Kenmore Air, and public comment from concerned citizens.
    Washington State Transportation Commission met in Friday Harbor
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • July 1, 2023 1:30 am

    The Washington State Transportation Commission held its monthly meeting in Friday Harbor on June 21, and their timing couldn’t have…

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    Contributed photo
San Juan County has three newly trained Animal Control Officers now stationed on three of the ferry-served islands. From left to right, Deputy Jason Gross (Orcas), Deputy Walker Vandenhazel (Lopez), and Deputy Nicholas Wainwright (San Juan) all were recently certified at the Criminal Justice Training Academy in Burien.
    Three San Juan County deputies trained as animal...
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • May 18, 2023 1:30 am

    Animal cruelty is a crime.

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    Kelley Balcomb-Bartok / Staff photo
San Juan County Sheriff Deputy and FAA-certified drone pilot Isaac Norton prepares to land the department’s new drone as members of the San Juan County Sheriff’s office, County Council and county staff look on. Watching the demonstration are left to right: Chief Civil Deputy Kim Ott, Deputy Ron Krebs, Council member Christine Minney, Sergeant Zac Reimer, Pilot/Deputy Isaac Norton, Chief Deputy David Alexander, Council member Jane Fuller, Undersheriff Michael Hairston, and County Manager Mike Thomas.
    Sheriff’s Office demonstrates new drone technology to County...
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • April 3, 2023 1:30 am

    Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane!

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    Kelley Balcomb-Bartok/Staff photo
J38, a male Southern Resident Killer whale (SRKW) born in 2003, passes Reuben Tarte County Park along the eastern shore of San Juan Island.
    Council acknowledge inherent rights of SRKW
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • February 27, 2023 1:30 am

    The San Juan County Council joined a growing number of cities and counties throughout the Puget Sound region to acknowledge…

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    Contributed photo.
A 45’ tug boat carrying approximately 400 gallons of diesel fuel partially sank off the Lopez ferry terminal Wednesday morning.
    Tugboat partially sinks off Lopez ferry terminal
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • February 24, 2023 1:30 am

    A 45-foot tugboat partially sank off the Lopez ferry terminal on Feb. 22, with an estimated 400 gallons of diesel…

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    Kelley Balcomb-Bartok Staff photo
Newly Elected Sheriff Eric Peter poses with Friday Harbor Mayor Ray Jackson following his official swearing in ceremony Dec. 30 at the Superior Court courtroom.
    Sheriff Eric Peter hits the ground running
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • January 17, 2023 1:30 am

    Newly elected Sheriff Eric Peter took the oath of office on Dec. 30, in front of a standing-room-only crowd in…

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    Contributed photo.
Milene Henley in 2018.
    Retiring Auditor Milene Henley shares insights
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • December 31, 2022 1:30 am

    After sixteen years of public service as San Juan County’s Auditor, Milene Henley sat down with the Journal to discuss…

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    Adventurer and outdoor enthusiast Karl Kruger takes to the water aboard his human-powered paddleboard.
    Journey to the edge of the world: Orcas...
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • December 1, 2022 1:30 am

    Orcas Island resident Karl Kruger single-handedly paddled 420 miles of the frigid Northwest Passage this past summer on his customized…

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    Public hearing is scheduled for Comp Plan
    Public hearing is scheduled for Comp Plan
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • November 21, 2022 1:30 am

    Islanders have the chance to voice their opinions about the 2036 Comprehensive Plane at the public hearing scheduled for Tuesday,…

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    County logo.
    Court orders county to place Charter Review Commission...
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • August 20, 2022 1:30 am

    Island County Superior Court Judge Christon C. Skinner ordered San Juan County, the San Juan County Council and the San…

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    Editorial
    When the news we cover hits home |...
    By Kelley Balcomb-Bartok • August 18, 2022 1:30 am

    Covering local news is an important part of being a member of this community, and as reporters we are often…

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    • 1
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    • Experience Brazilian dance at Orcas Center
    • San Juan County observes Indigenous People’s Day, offices closed
    • New name and owner for Rainbow Services
    • Night nuisance, menacing machinery, burgled business | San Juan County Sheriff’s Log
    • Have we had enough? | Guest column

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