Island News

There’s always something happening at the Exchange

Let’s Shred! The Exchange has partnered with Bellingham-based A-1 Shredding to offer secure document destruction. Customers can drop off documents in secure, locked bins located at The Exchange. A-1 Shredding will periodically bring its mobile shredding truck to Orcas Island to destroy the collected materials. The shredded paper will be transported to the mainland to be turned into new paper products. Learn More The GICU is About More Than Garbage This y

Letter to Editor | I strongly support Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council District 3

I am pleased to share my strong support for Katherine Bryant Ingman. I worked closely with Katherine during the pandemic as we strengthened hunger relief systems across San Juan County. Throughout that challenging time, I witnessed her ability to balance immediate needs with long-term solutions. She brought clarity, creativity, and a steady hand to complex challenges, contributing to our community’s access to food with consistency and dignity. Katherine listens deeply,

Can you spell F-U-N? The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns

Calling all word nerds, spelling enthusiasts, and brave souls willing to face the dictionary! The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns on Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. at the Orcas Center, promising an evening of friendly competition, community spirit, plenty of laughs, and perhaps a few spectacular spelling mishaps! Hosted by the Orcas Island Public Library, this beloved annual event brings islanders together for a lively celebratio

Community comes together for fall ‘Great Islands Cleanup’

Islanders carry on the legacy of caring by clearing over 2,000 pounds of waste from our beaches Across the San Juan Islands this fall, community members came together to clean beaches, shorelines, roadsides, and favorite island places as part of the bi-annual Great Islands Cleanup. The fall cleanup brought volunteers together around a simple idea: caring for these islands is a legacy worth continuing. This year’s theme of ‘Caring for Our Island Home’ [

C Street Brass returns to the islands for two free community concerts

C Street Brass will return to the San Juan Islands October 26 and 27 as part of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s Musicians-in-Residence program. Known for their energetic performances and wide-ranging musical style, the ensemble moves comfortably between traditional chamber music, jazz, and popular music, creating concerts that are engaging and accessible to audiences of all ages. During their island visit, C Stree

October 17: Orca Recovery Day Open House in Friday Harbor

Keith Busha January 18, 1951 – September 18, 2026

Keith David Granley, also known as Keith Busha, was born on January 18, 1951 in Queens New York, the second child and only son of David Granley, a half-Swedish mining engineer from Minnesota, and Irma Moisio Granley, a native New Yorker of Piedmontese Italian heritage.  He died from complications of lung cancer on September 18, […]

Great Islands Cleanup: 152 volunteers gathered up 2,382 pounds of trash

Across the San Juan Islands this fall, community members came together to clean beaches, shorelines, roadsides, and favorite island places as part of the bi-annual Great Islands Cleanup. The fall cleanup brought volunteers together around a simple idea: caring for these islands is a legacy worth continuing. This year’s theme of ‘Caring for Our Island […]

Radio show ‘On the Rock’ at the Grange

Submitted by Melinda Milligan.

October 17: Orca Recovery Day Open House in Friday Harbor

Letter to Editor | In support of Jennifer Swanson, my mom, for County Council

I believe that my mom’s candidacy for county council is both unexpected and a long time coming; that is to say, it’s such a natural role for her to step into. The depth to which she cares for our community is obvious: she served on the Shaw Island School Board for eleven years while my sister and I attended, as well as seven years as superintendent; alongside fellow Shaw Islanders, she’s dreamed and planned the […]

Letter to Editor | I support Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council

Although I acknowledge that we here in San Juan County are fortunate to have two strong candidates running for County Council District 3, I have decided to endorse Katherine Bryant Ingman for the position. I appreciate Katherine’s energy, and I see her as an independent thinker, which I believe is something we need in our County Council members. Katherine is young, but I think that is an advantage, and she has shown herself to be […]

It’s No Kings Day on Saturday at Village Green

This Saturday, October 17, is the next national No King’s Day.  Both San Juan and Lopez Islands already have events scheduled, and we don’t want to be left out here on Orcas.  Therefore, please join us this Saturday at the Village Green at NOON.  Bring signs to protest the current administration and to encourage voting.  We will march around Eastsound at least once, maybe twice.  We will end at the Village Green, and […]

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is best candidate for County Council District #3

Jennifer Swanson is the right person to tackle our problems. She is articulate and organized and qualified to do the job. She will listen to the community and respect their opinions. She will understand the role of the County Council in our government and in our neighborhoods. She will not engage in executive overreach. She will do the thing that is needed by all elected officials: she will collaborate and communicate with all sides to […]

Letter to Editor | Ingman on housing & affordability

I know the struggle of housing in the islands, firsthand. We have regularly housed friends and essential workers in the summers because we know that it takes the entire community to seek practical housing solutions. Before we bought our fixer-upper, we moved around to several rentals that were not suitable or sustainable. During my time working for Housing Lopez, I oversaw the process of leasing to the first residents […]

Orcas Center art show opening | “The Art of Expression”

The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center announces the opening of a new show on October 23 (5:30 to 7:00 pm) featuring works from “Art with Carla” – a weekly event at the Orcas Island Senior Center. Wonderful art is the result when community members come together to express themselves in an environment with no rules, no right or wrong. This show, entitled “The Art of Expression” is an exhibit of curated […]

A very special night of drumming with TAIKOPROJECT at Orcas Center

TAIKOPROJECT celebrates 25 years of taiko creativity and innovation with a new concert production entitled “25.” Featuring new compositions and choreography and stunning costumes by acclaimed designer Sueko Oshimoto, “25” will take audiences on a thundering roller coaster of the senses on Saturday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m. at Orcas Center. Taiko is a dynamic Japanese percussion art that uses large hollow wooden drums to create thunderous, earth-shaking

Letter to Editor | I am supporting Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County District 3

Decatur is a relatively small outer island in the archipelago, but we are a critical link in the energy chain serving the entire county! We need a fierce advocate on the Council, one who speaks truth to power and will represent not only our interests, but all islanders; Katherine IS that candidate. The first time I met her, I knew she was the right leader for the job! She truly listens to the folks she […]

SeaDoc Society’s Salish Sea Wild: Young Beachcomber Finds Giant Mystery Predator Egg

A mythical object long tied to mermaids turns out to be real. Its discovery on a local beach is the once-in-a-lifetime find for a young girl and leads SeaDoc scientists on a race for answers. Will Dr. Michelle Lino make it off the mountain in time? Will Dr. Joe Gaydos starve before he gets there? […]

October 14: Candidate Forums in Eastsound

The League of Women Voters of San Juans is presenting three candidate forums. All forums begin at 5:30 p.m.: Monday, October 12 — Grace Episcopal Church, Lopez Island Tuesday, October 13 — The Mullis Senior Center, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Wednesday, October 14 — Orcas Senior Center, Orcas Island The San Juan County Auditor oversees county elections, financial reporting, […]

Jeremy Nash: San Juan County by the Numbers

San Juan County recently put out a press release announcing that the Council had adopted the 2027 budget. After all the kerfuffle over the budget this year, I wanted to see what they had actually come up with and try to put the whole thing into perspective for myself. That led me into the County’s […]

Sophia Swanson: In Support of Jennifer Swanson, My Mom, for County Council

I believe that my mom’s candidacy for county council is both unexpected and a long time coming; that is to say, it’s such a natural role for her to step into. The depth to which she cares for our community is obvious: she served on the Shaw Island School Board for eleven years while my […]

Guest Column: Katherine on Housing & Affordability

From Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council I know the struggle of housing in the islands, firsthand. We have regularly housed friends and essential workers in the summers because we know that it takes the entire community to seek practical housing solutions. Before we bought our fixer-upper, we moved around to several rentals that were not suitable or […]

Wolf: Endorsement for KBI – Leadership with a stake in the future

Katherine Bryant Ingman has the vision, strength of leadership and proven negotiating skills to take care of business for the people of San Juan County. She has proven problem solving ability and a collaborative leadership style needed to address the current issues facing San Juan County. I admire her practical understanding for what resources are […]