Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
September 26: Great Islands Cleanup – Lopez, Orcas, Shaw and San Juan Island
The Fall Great Islands Cleanup is happening Saturday, September 26, 2026. Join your friends and neighbors for a day of stewardship, taking care of island beaches and roadways. We had a successful outer islands pickup earlier this week and are looking forward to gathering more litter this weekend. Are you in? Find details by island […]
September 30: Community Meeting to Review and Take Comments on Draft Critical Areas Ordinance Update
Wednesday September 30 | 6 to 8 p.m. | Online via Microsoft Teams link | OR Dial in by phone +1 360-726-3293,685490900# United States Vancouver Find a local number Phone conference ID: 685 490 900# A community meeting to review the final draft of Critical Areas Ordinance Regulations and SMP amendments will be held online September […]
September 26: Book Release and Reading: Poems for Grandmom
Sept 26, 2026 | 6:30 to 9:30 PM | Brickworks | 150 Nichols St | Friday Harbor Join us in celebrating the release of local islander Nick Benavides’ first book, Poems for Grandmom!
San Juan County Parks, Recreation & Fair Department thanks the Lopez Community Trails Network
After years of collaboration, the San Juan County Parks, Recreation & Fair Department wants to give thanks to the Lopez Community Trails Network as they disband As the Lopez Community Trails Network (LCTN) announces its closure, the San Juan County Parks, Recreation & Fair Department wishes to acknowledge and celebrate the collaboration between our organizations regarding both the construction and maintenance of trail projects in multiple Lopez Island
Upcoming candidate forums in October
September 25: Island Voices in Eastsound
Ten island writers. Ten unique voices. One night of stories, poems, essays, and the unexpected. Join the Orcas Island Public Library for Island Voices on Friday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Parish Hall, an evening celebrating the writers and storytellers who live right here in our community. Each writer gets just a few […]
September 27: Learn about Cub Scouts
September 27 | 1 to 3 pm | Linde Community Park Join us at Linde Park this Sunday to learn about modern day Cub Scouts. We’ll have games and crafts along with the famous pinewood derby track. All genders and ages welcome. .Hosted by San Juan Island Cub Scout Pack 4090.
Emmanuel’s Monthly Dinner Kitchen
Submitted by event organizers.
Orcas Christian School students take learning outdoors at annual campout and lake day
Orcas Christian School high school students took their annual campout to Moran State Park last week, spending two nights outdoors while participating in activities designed to build community, encourage learning and create shared experiences.
When a cello recital meets a clown show | Karen Hall’s ‘Delusions and Grandeur’
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
September 27: 2nd annual Harvest Festival at Madrone
September 27 | 12 noon to 8 pm | Madrone Bar and Kitchen | 40 First Street | All ages welcome | $15 cover. Join us for our second annual Harvest Festival at Madrone. It is officially our favorite time of year again, and we are excited to throw a party to celebrate. There will […]
County Council Completes Series of September Budget Meetings; October 5 Public Hearing to Follow
The San Juan County Council recently completed a series of budget conversations in September 2026, following the August 25th release of the 2027 preliminary budget. At its meeting on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 Council wrapped up its last budget related discussion scheduled for the month of September and is now preparing for a public hearing […]
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman is County Council leadership for our future
Katherine Bryant Ingman 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. I met Katherine years ago when she led the wonderfully successful gleaning program through the newly founded Food Share at the Lopez Island Family Resource Center. Since then, I’ve observed her in other volunteer and work roles. Most recently Katherine impressed me as […]
San Juan Islands Museum of Art presents Alison Stigora: Constellation
The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) is proud to present Alison Stigora: Constellation, an immersive, site-specific installation created for the museum’s dramatic glass atrium. Commissioned by SJIMA, the exhibition brings together more than one hundred suspended sculptures made from driftwood and reclaimed shattered glass with changing natural light and sound, transforming the atrium into a shimmering environment that shifts th
Island Voices | Come hear what your neighbors have to say
Ten island writers. Ten unique voices. One night of stories, poems, essays, and the unexpected. Join the Orcas Island Public Library for Island Voices on Friday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Parish Hall, an evening celebrating the writers and storytellers who live right here in our community. Each writer gets just a few minutes at the microphone, so the evening will move quickly and offer a wonderful mix of […]
Getting to know Katherine | What makes San Juan County home?
We moved to Lopez in 2014 after Joe landed a job at Spencer Spit State Park. I must admit, I was hesitant at first. I wasn’t sure how life on Lopez would mix with my plans to go to grad school or pursue career opportunities I was excited about. But Lopez altered the course of my life. I was overcome by the island’s caring, grounded, and connected community. We […]
October highlights from Orcas Senior Center
Orcas Senior Center offers a variety of ongoing classes, social groups, wellness activities, and creative programs throughout the month. All programs are open to everyone, regardless of age, and new participants are always welcome. A full calendar with dates and times is available at www.orcasseniors.org/calendar-of-events. This Month at the Senior Center: Fitness & Wellness: Chair yoga Arts & Creativity: Art with Carla, quilting, needlework, and w
Rep Larsen’s recommendations about voting by mail in Washington state
Washington has one of the strongest vote-by-mail systems in the country. But recent changes to U.S. Postal Service transportation operations mean some mail may not receive a postmark on the same day it is mailed, raising concerns for ballots returned close to Election Day. That matters because under Washington law, a ballot returned by mail […]
San Juan Island Library Celebrates Record Participation in 2026 Summer Reading Program
San Juan Island Library is celebrating record youth participation in its annual Summer Reading Program, with more than 450 registrants for the second consecutive year. In 2026, the program reached a record 496 registrations—the highest total to date. A cornerstone of the library’s commitment to lifelong learning and community engagement, the Summer Reading Program encourages […]
Test your earthquake preparedness on October 15
While earthquakes in the islands are rare, San Juan County is smack in the middle of some of the highest risk quake country anywhere. Being prepared for the eventual catastrophic earthquake is a basic responsibility of every resident, business, and organization. A great way to start is by participating in the Great WA ShakeOut earthquake […]
Finding their voice: Orcas Youth Chorus reboots with acclaimed local vocalist Stormy Hildreth
By Laura Jean Miller
Kids Got Talent show this weekend
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Island newspapers win top awards in state contest
The Islands’ Sounder and the Journal of the San Juan Islands earned recognition in 19 categories in the 2026 Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Better Newspaper Contest, and both papers received General Excellence, one of the contest’s top honors.
Empty Bowls: Sunday Supper returns to Orcas Center Oct. 4
Submitted by the Orcas Island Food Bank.