Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Letter to Editor | Swanson will be a great addition to county council
I endorse Jennifer Swanson for County Council. She is a great listener, and strives for communication, not conflict, to resolve issues. She has worked to better our community through communication and respectful dialog. She considers all sides of an issue before making a decision, and will make a great addition to county council.
Orcas Youth Chorus is back
Don’t miss this fabulous opportunity to work with local musician, Stormy Hildreth, for a reboot of the Orcas Youth Chorus! Middle and High School Students are welcome to attend this weekly class on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 in the Black Box to expand their musical theory and knowledge, rehearse using healthy vocal techniques, practice standing with poise and posture, and confidently sing rich harmonies with friends. Performance opportunities w
Shoe Drive provides shoes for 60 island children
The Orcas Community Resource Center is grateful to continue its long-time partnership with the Sons of the American Legion through the annual Shoe Drive, which provided shoes for 60 island children this year. This ongoing effort helps ensure local children have comfortable, properly fitting shoes for school, play, and everyday activities. For families, support like this can ease household expenses while helping children feel prepared for the months ah
Weather delays work at Port of Orcas
Due to weather conditions, the crew at Port of Orcas is shutting down operations, and we are taking a weather day. This delay will push the runway opening and extend the remaining soil placement and hydroseeding work through Thursday. Our current plan is to remove the BMPs and open the taxiway on Thursday evening. However, depending on field conditions and production, there is a possibility we may need until Friday morning […]
October 3: Sea Change Summit
October 3 | 5 pm | Brickworks | San Juan Island Friday Harbor UW Labs HL is hosting two amazing speakers on October 3, 2026 as part of a special, public event they’re calling the Sea Change Summit. At the event, Rick Spinrad, the NOAA administrator from 2021-2025, and UW professor Alex Gagnon about the […]
Letter to Editor | My enthusiastic endorsement of Jennifer Swanson
I have been a voter in San Juan County for more than 50 years and am writing to enthusiastically endorse Jennifer Swanson for County Commissioner. Jennifer and I worked together on the Shaw Island school board for several years. During her term as chairman she was called upon to steer the board through the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a challenging time but Jennifer based her leadership on the facts and the science. […]
Oil spill at Friday Harbor Marina parking lot
Port of Friday Harbor Press Release : Tuesday September 29, 2026, at approximately 1:00 PM, the Port of Friday Harbor staff was transferring used motor oil and bilge water mix from a double hulled storage vessel to a transfer tote for recycling. During movement of the tote, the drain valve broke off and released approximately […]
Japanese music masters Také to Ito perform at Odd Fellows
The sounds of traditional and contemporary Japanese music come to Orcas Island when Také to Ito, featuring koto master Curtis Patterson and shakuhachi master Bruce Huebner, perform at Odd Fellows Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8. Také to Ito – a name evoking také (bamboo) and ito (string), brings together two musicians who have devoted much of their lives to the study and performance of Japanese music. Their […]
Timothy G. Parks Dec. 31, 1956-Sept. 26, 2026
Tim was born in Eugene, Oregon on December 31, 1956 to Jean Marie (McDowell) and Gary Parks. He lived in Eugene until age 6 when his family moved to Alaska. He attended school in Sitka and Ketchikan. As a teen he was always busy working on motorcycles, shellacking logs, building models or some other project. […]
San Juan Island Fire District considers false alarm fee
League of Women Voters summary of Fire District #3 Commissioners Meeting, September 22, 2026 meeting. Division Chief Jordan Pollack presented a report on the Outer Island Brigade Program. There are currently six brigades on Brown, Henry, Johns, and Stuart Islands. Brigades are trained in eight modules, wilderness first-aid, and in apparatus training. Stuart West will […]
October 3: America 250 Trivia Night in Friday Harbor
The Town of Friday Harbor and San Juan Island Brewing Company are hosting a trivia night Saturday, October 3, 2026, starting at 6 p.m. in celebration of America 250. No pre-registration or entry fee required. Teams are limited to six players and prizes will be awarded. “Join us in commemorating our country’s 250th anniversary with […]
Test your earthquake preparedness on Oct. 15
Submitted by the Department of Emergency Management.
Call for artists and artisans: Odd Fellows 2026 Winter Artisans Faire
Submitted by event organizers.
San Juan County fire departments announce launch of burn permit issuance
Submitted by Lopez Fire.
County Council completes series of September budget meetings; Oct. 5 public hearing to follow
Submitted by San Juan County.
Orcas Senior Center – October highlights
Submitted by the Orcas Senior Center.
Patrick Vincent Stolmeier | Passages
March 16, 1948 – August 18, 2026
ORS/The Exchange and SJC Department of Environmental Stewardship host hazardous waste roundup event
Submitted by San Juan County.
Leadership for our future: Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
Katherine represents the future leaders that I want to see locally and nationally. Energetic young people dreaming of a better future who are ready to listen and eager to work.
Katherine Bryant Ingman’s budget spotlight | Letter
San Juan County is set to spend more than it takes in for 2027. To legally balance the budget, it needs to cut $3.7M.
A grateful thank you after a Moran Park rescue | Letter
My husband and I greatly appreciate the Emergency Response Teams on Orcas and others who responded to my dramatic fall and rescue while walking a path in Moran State Park. First a thank you to the woman who alerted the Ranger on duty who in turn alerted emergency response teams. Another special thank you to Jordan, an OSHU nurse with experience in Emergency Response who was next on the scene assessing my injuries and providing much needed comfort until local teams arrived. And hats off to the gr
Swanson for County Council | Letter
Your vote for Jennifer Swanson for the San Juan County Council will be a vote for the right person. She recognizes that the tough issues facing the County demand leadership to bring islanders together to sustain and honor our values. She understands there are no easy answers to address the challenges of affordable housing, reliable ferry service, a balanced budget of prioritized countywide needs, and a healthy environment. The path forward will require a proven record of personal strength and re
Support for Jennifer Swanson for Council | Letter
There are many reasons I support Jennifer Swanson in her bid for Council Position #3. I’d like to focus on two of her strengths: Jennifer is hard working and displays equanimity when leading.
‘One More Stop’ emphasis patrol honors fallen WSP Trooper Christopher Gadd
Submitted by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission.