Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Vehicle Auction
Abandoned Vehicle Auction Monday, October 5, 2026 at 10 am Preview from 7 am to 10 am 2001 Honda Accord Wa. Lic.# BKV4087 2000 Chevrolet Astro Van Wa. Lic.# BQP0822 2009 Mercury Milan Sedan Wa. Lic.# CEW9372 1966 Chris Craft Cavalier 30 Ft. Boat Wa. Lic.# WN6886LH 2001 QLTY Boat Trailer Wa. Lic# 89708AG Island […]
Tibetan star Yungchen Lhamo brings a global voice to Orcas Center with local icon Rafe Pearlman opening
On Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m., in a rare event, Orcas Center will host internationally acclaimed Tibetan-born singer Yungchen Lhamo and Orcas Islander Rafe Pearlman, who will open the show with his own improvisational, nature-inspired vocal music.
Letter to Editor | Candidate’s dreams are spendy
I read Katherine Ingman Bryant’s goals to improve health care services in San Juan County and was struck by one glaring omission: How much will all of this cost—and where will the money come from? San Juan County is facing a serious budget crisis. Health Services have already been cut to the bone, and 2028 is expected to bring even deeper cuts. Against that backdrop, promising expanded health care services without explaining the price tag isn’t a plan. […]
Leadership San Juan Islands to host open house
Leadership San Juan Islands invites you to an Alumni & Applicant Open House on Thursday, October 8, at 285 Geneste Street, Friday Harbor, between 3:30 and 7:00 PM. Join us for savories, sweets, libations and lively conversation. Hosted by our LSJI board, at the home of Steve Hushebeck, we look forward to reconnecting with members of prior cohorts and invite you to bring along an interested colleague/friend/family member as we […]
Letter to Editor | Ingman has our full support
This is to share how my husband and I know Katherine Bryant Ingman candidate for San Juan County Council District 3, and why she has our full support. We first met Katherine when we began to volunteer at the Lopez Food Share in 2020, during the Covid epidemic. Lopez has a long history of food generosity but as the impact of the epidemic hit the island like a tidal wave, the need […]
County to test vote counting equipment in October
Testing will take place on October 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. San Juan County’s Elections Office will be holding a “Logic and Accuracy” test of ballot tabulating equipment used for the County’s November 3, 2026, General election. The test is scheduled for October 6, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. and will take place in the Elections Office located at 55 Second Street, Suite A, in Friday Harbor. Logic and accuracy testing is a standard pre-election […]
Vikings find progress, momentum across fall sports
by Declan O’Malley
Larsen fights for guardrails on data centers
Submitted by the Office of Rep. Rick Larsen.
Washington, multistate coalition victory protects social services for low-income families
Submitted by the Washington State Office of Attorney General Nick Brown.
Kwiaht launches arsenic testing and action project
By Russel Barsh
Guest Column: Katherine on San Juan County Healthcare Access
From Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council San Juan County faces real access to healthcare challenges. We’re rural and remote. Our population is aging, and Medicare reimbursement brings in less revenue than private or marketplace insurance. This puts financial pressure on local providers. Many islanders also need specialty care that falls outside what […]
October 1: Final public hearing for Little Project’s requested variances
LWVSJ Observer Corps* summary of the: Friday Harbor Town Council, September 17, 2026 meeting. The Town Council approved the driveway variance requested on the Little Project at 240 First Street. The Council did not approve the roof pitch or landscaping variances requested. The Council requested the Community Development Director to present more information on the […]
Our first wind advisory of the season
Wind Advisory Tue 2:00 AM – Tue 2:00 PM WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM TO 2 PM PDT TUESDAY WHAT South wind 20 to 30 mph with gusts 40 to 45 mph expected. WHERE Lowlands of Western Whatcom County and San Juan County. WHEN From 2 AM to 2 PM PDT Tuesday. IMPACTS Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages […]
30 county residents’ poems selected in Friday Harbor’s 3rd Annual Poetry Gardens contest
Washington State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield selected the 30 winning poems from the 162 entries in the Town of Friday Harbor’s third Poetry Gardens Contest. He noted they make “a really strong, evocative selection” for the Poetry Gardens. Winning poems will be published in a limited-edition booklet and e-book as well as engraved for display […]
OISD Strategic Planning | Building our future together
The Orcas Island School District is beginning a new Strategic Planning process to help shape the future of our schools. The goal is to celebrate what’s working, identify opportunities for growth, and establish clear priorities that improve experiences and outcomes for students. Your voice matters! Listening sessions are being held for students, staff, families, caregivers, and community members to share their ideas, experiences, and hopes for the future.
David B. Williams comes to Orcas Library for ‘In the Range of Fire and Ice’
What stories can a mountain range tell? On Wednesday, October 7 at 6:00 p.m., the Orcas Island Public Library welcomes award-winning author and naturalist David B. Williams for a special conversation about his book, In the Range of Fire and Ice: A Human and Natural History of Washington’s Cascades. Williams will be joined in conversation by Amy Frost, Executive Director of the Lopez Island Historical Society. Blending human and natural history, […
LWV interviews WA Supreme Court candidates
All 10 Supreme Courts candidates, provide vital — nonpartisan — information for voters With a majority of state Supreme Court seats in play on the Nov. 3 ballot and controversial issues likely to come before the justices, the League of Women Voters of Washington has created an online tool that provides insights into the candidates’ thinking. “At our core, the League is about educating voters,” President Karen Crowley said Friday. […]
Guest Opinion | San Juan County has a spending problem…
and it’s got nothing to do with the Department of Environmental Stewardship The County Council is considering a budget that eliminates the Department of Environmental Stewardship as an independent department in order to “save money” – which history has shown means there is no independent advocate for the environment within our county government. What makes no sense is the Environmental Department actually brings in hundreds of thousands in grants and the Director’s posi
Friday Harbor Poetry Gardens contest winners announced
The Town of Friday Harbor and Friday Harbor Arts Commission have announced the winners of their third Poetry Gardens Contest. A blind judging process was used to review 162 entries submitted by San Juan County residents. Selection of the 30 winning poems was made by current Washington State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield who noted they make “a really strong, evocative selection” for the Poetry Gardens. Winning poems will be published […]
Sue Roundy: Leadership for Our Future: Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council
Leadership for Our Future: Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council 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. I met Katherine years ago when she led the wonderfully successful gleaning program through the […]
Orcas Island Film Festival announces 2026 lineup
By Clare Garvin
Island House Dental now offers anesthesia services | Sponsored content
Submitted by Island House Dental.
Echeverria: Unconditionally endorses Swanson for county council
I have known Jennifer since she moved to Shaw Island with her family over 20 years ago. If I were to describe her in a few words they would be; fully engaged with family and community. She is deeply involved with both. I have volunteered with her on several non-profit boards and she is always […]
Paynter: Ingman will make a great county council member
To the Editor This is to share how my husband and I know Katherine Bryant Ingman candidate for San Juan County Council District 3, and why she has our full support We first met Katherine when we began to volunteer at the Lopez Food Share in 2020, during the Covid epidemic. Lopez has a long […]