Island News

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

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 […]

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 […]

Former Starbucks CEO encourages Orcas Christian School students to ‘Be More Human’

Orcas Christian School (OCS) is embracing experiential education, providing students with opportunities to learn from leaders with real-world experience. “We pride ourselves on offering powerful experiences for our students. On October 8, students were able to meet and hear from Jim Donald, a former CEO of Starbucks,” said Principal Joel Shetler. Donald spoke to OCS students and parents about artificial intelligence (AI), discussing how the technology can help

Native pollinator presentation by Russel Barsh coming to Orcas Library

More than 200 wild bees and flies are native to the San Juan Islands, but many are threatened by pesticides, loss of nesting habitat, competition with introduced non-native bee species, and the spread of parasitic flies, mites, and viruses. Learn to identify, protect, and provide appropriate habitat for the most important native pollinators of island gardens and wildlands, including bumblebees, wild solitary bees, and hover flies, from Kwiah

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson builds community through service and hard work

I have known Jennifer for 20 years. She is a thoughtful, inclusive leader who brings people with diverse opinions together to find solutions. Jennifer has a proven record of public service and strong relationships throughout the county. She served 11 years on the school board and later led as superintendent through COVID. During that challenging time, she balanced the needs of students, teachers, staff, families, and the broader community, making difficult decisions ami

Getting to know Katherine | Leadership in action

I’ve been fortunate to benefit from, and contribute to, impressive and impactful volunteer work throughout my life. From an early age, I’ve looked for ways to bring people together with integrity, care, and joy, and to create the kind of culture and environment that we want to live in, born of the priorities and values we share. San Juan County is run by volunteers caring for our neighbors. Volunteering is an […]

County’s first mid-block crosswalk connects Lopez Island schools to new pool

This new crossing includes a rapid flashing beacon with a push-button, pedestrian signage, and crosswalk striping Lopez Island’s long-anticipated Swim Center opened this summer, and the County’s Public Works Department is working to safely connect the community to this exciting new resource. This month, Public Works crews installed a mid-block pedestrian crossing on Lopez – the first of its kind by the County. The crosswalk bridges School Road, facilit

Borner: Jennifer builds community through service and hard work.

I have known Jennifer for 20 years. She is a thoughtful, inclusive leader who brings people with diverse opinions together to find solutions. Jennifer has a proven record of public service and strong relationships throughout the county. She served 11 years on the school board and later led as superintendent through COVID. During that challenging […]

Register now for Annual Garden Workshop Series

Garden enthusiasts throughout the region are encouraged to register now for the 2026 Garden Workshop Series presented by the San Juan County WSU Extension Master Gardeners and San Juan County Master Gardener Foundation. Registration closes Thursday, October 15. Held over two weeks in October, this popular annual series will be offered as live Zoom webinars, allowing participants to enjoy presentations from the comfort of home. The ser

Gigi Allaway: Supports Swanson for county council

Dear Editor, I write to highlight the excellent work of SJC Council candidate longtime-islander Jennifer Swanson in our community, which is easily applied to the larger islands. Most notably, she has served as an elected official for repeated terms as a school district board member (I served a similar term, staggered to hers, during this […]

Nelsen: Wholehearted support for Swanson for county Council

We are writing to offer our wholehearted support for Jennifer Swanson for county council. We’ve known Jennifer since she and her husband Chad moved to Shaw Island in 2003. Jennifer is someone who is thoughtful, trustworthy, and deeply committed to serving our community. Her dedication is demonstrated through action and looking for practical ways to […]

Doug Crosby: Swanson will be a valuable member of San Juan County council

To the Editors I have known Jennifer since 2013 soon after I moved to Shaw Island. Since then she has served as a Shaw School board member and the superintendent, a Ferry Advisory Board member, the founder of the Shaw Island Brown Bag Lunch monthly community meeting, a Shaw Islanders Inc board member and the […]

Guest column: Getting to Know Katherine: Leadership in Action

I’ve been fortunate to benefit from, and contribute to, impressive and impactful volunteer work throughout my life. From an early age, I’ve looked for ways to bring people together with integrity, care, and joy, and to create the kind of culture and environment that we want to live in, born of the priorities and values […]

Library event | A better world is possible

What does it take to imagine a better future—and what can the next generation teach us about making it happen? Join award-winning journalist Meera Subramanian and beloved poet and author Maleea Acker for an inspiring conversation about our changing planet, the power of young voices, and the places we call home. Meera’s new graphic nonfiction book, A Better World Is Possible: Global Youth Confront the Climate Crisis, illustrated by Danica Novgorodo

If the shoe fits | Annual drive matches kids with footwear for the year

For decades, Sons of the American Legion has been ensuring island kids have proper footwear at the start of fall.

Letter to Editor | Swanson has valuable community background

I have known Jennifer since 2013, soon after I moved to Shaw Island. Since then she has served as a Shaw School board member and the superintendent, a Ferry Advisory Board member, the founder of the Shaw Island Brown Bag Lunch monthly community meeting, a Shaw Islanders Inc board member and the chair of the Shaw Library and Historical Society Education Committee.     All of her community building activities have been very affective, long term […]

Orcas Library, students explore banned books

The Orcas Island Library was fortunate to receive a grant from Brooklyn’s Books Unbanned group this spring, and we’ve been thrilled to put it to work with our local teens. With the grant, we’ve now run two teen cohorts exploring censorship, challenged books, and the role young people can play in the conversation. Our first cohort of three teens planned three of our monthly Teen Book Boxes, each featuring a challenged […]

Washington authors speak out against censorship in honor of Banned Books Week 

OLYMPIA — In honor of Banned Books Week (Oct. 4-10, 2026), Washington authors speak out against censorship and share what reading freely means to them. The Washington Center for the Book, a program of the Office of the Secretary of State, partnered with the Washington chapter of Authors Against Book Bans to curate a collection of short videos about what […]

San Juan Island School District: Cost of full-size electric bus too high

LWVSJ Observer Corps*: San Juan Island School Board September 30, 2026. Public Comment: Parent Eliza Habegger is concerned about the use of AI in the classroom. She made three recommendations: 1. Remove Google Gemini in all Chrome books. 2. Consider Los Angeles Unified School District AI use policy. 3. Gather community input on using AI […]

Orcas Vikings roll through busy fall sports schedule

By Declan O’Malley

Free immunization clinics for children: Protect your child against influenza and COVID

Submitted by San Juan County.