Ferry Peak Season Begins Today

Peak season schedule and fares begin Monday, May 20

Ferry Committee On Ticketing Meeting

Please come to the meeting, hear directly from PW, and bring your questions about the system to (hopefully) be answered. Meeting details and Zoom link. Read more

Help Protect Drinking Water on Guemes Island

The Skagit County Planning Commission is now considering code amendments to its well drilling policy, which if adopted, will close a loophole and protect Guemes Island’s Sole Source Aquifer. The Guemes Island Planning Advisory Committee (GIPAC) supports this change and we encourage Islanders to submit comments in support of the change as well. Read more

Comment On Amending The Seawater Intrusion Policy

The proposal would amend SCC 14.24.380 – Seawater Intrusion Areas within the Skagit County Critical Areas Ordinance. The amendment would require applicants to submit an application and supporting materials for review prior to drilling a well in a seawater intrusion area within a sole source aquifer. The new proposed language would require any applicant who wishes to drill a well in a sole source aquifer to submit an application, regardless of a development proposal. Read more

Guemes Island School District #21

1873 First log school was built, 3/4 mile east of the ferry landing.
First teacher was Laura O’Bryant, daughter of island settler, H.D. O’Bryant.
1885 Second log school built at the crossroads on land donated by William Eden
1910 A two classroom lumber framed schoolhouse was built at the crossroads.
Guemes Moms taught kindergarten at the Community Hall
1948 Guemes and Anacortes School Districts consolidate. Grades 4-12 attend school in Anacortes
1962 School closed, ‘due to dwindling student numbers, difficulty in finding good teachers and sanitary concerns.’
December 2,1962 Life jackets were installed above each seat on the school bus
1973 school was demolished
1974 School land was deeded to Skagit County and became School House Park.
According to GIHS Minutes, September 13, 2004, ‘At peak, there were maybe 20 kids at one time in the two room school. Older teachers were sent to teach on the island.’
1976 First School Reunion, 2000 Second Reunion Read more

Proposed Higher Garbage Rates

A public hearing on the proposed new solid waste rates on Tuesday, May 21, at 8:30 am in the Commissioner’s Hearing Room, 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon. The proposed rate structure would result in an average 30% increase in costs for customers. The public is encouraged to comment on the proposal by mail or email, in person or via Zoom. Read more

Shellfish Harvesting In Skagit County

The Washington State Department of Health has updated the Shellfish Safety Map to reflect the seasonal vibrio bacteria advisory for recreational shellfish harvesting in Samish Bay from May 1 through September 30, 2024. Read more

The Guemes Island Historical Society Is Creating A New Guemes Cookbook

Recipes for the Guemes Island Historical Society Community Cookbook are due Friday, May 31, 2024. The response has been amazing. I have already received over 95 recipes. We want to include all who want to be included, so please send in your recipe(s) by the due date.Recipes for the Guemes Island Historical Society Community Cookbook are due Friday, May 31, 2024. The response has been amazing. I have already received over 95 recipes. We want to include all who want to be included, so please send in your recipe(s) by the due date. Read more

Guemes Island Ferry Ticketing Meeting

Skagit County Public Works staff will host a Guemes Island ferry ticketing community meeting on Monday, May 20, from 5 pm to 6:15 pm at the Guemes Island Community Center, 7549 Guemes Island Road, Anacortes. The meeting will also be hosted over Zoom. Skagit County Public Works staff will provide brief updates about Guemes Island ferry projects then there will be a presentation of Skagit County’s transition to electronic ticketing and a demonstration of the new ticketing software. Read more