Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Swanson for Council | Letter
Taking time to listen and asking thoughtful questions are the two superpowers of County Council candidate Jennifer Swanson. I am writing to support Jennifer’s candidacy for the District 3 County Council position. I have known Jennifer for over 20 years — first as a parent and school board member at Shaw Island School, then as the school superintendent, and most recently as a colleague in the San Juan County CLT Alliance. Jennifer shares many of my priorities — affordable housing, fiscal accounta
Why we’re voting for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council District 3 | Letter
We proudly endorse Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council District 3 this November. Katherine has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to our island communities through her work in healthcare, food security, ferry advocacy, and countless volunteer efforts. For example, as president of the Catherine Washburn Medical Association, she helped make sure Lopez Island didn’t lose access to healthcare when the clinic changed hands to Sea Mar Community Health Centers. She is an exceptional l
Swanson for County Council | Letter
I’m voting for Jennifer Swanson for County Council, District 3 position, and I hope you will too.
Coast Guard and Orcas Island Fire & Rescue conduct multi-agency training
A Coast Guard MH-65 helicopter touched down at Orcas Island Airport Thursday, Sept. 17, kicking off the first of what officials say will be a multipart training series designed to prepare local first responders for the high-stakes rescues that outer-island geography makes uniquely difficult.
District Court and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to relocate during courthouse renovations
Submitted by San Juan County.
Call to artists | Community Show: ‘Six x Six’
Art intake on Oct. 22; Art opening on Oct. 23
Fall sports are underway at OIHS
By Declan O’Malley
Empty Bowls: Sunday Supper returns to Orcas Center Oct. 4
Submitted by the Orcas Island Food Bank.
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.
Kids Got Talent show this weekend
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Finding their voice: Orcas Youth Chorus reboots with acclaimed local vocalist Stormy Hildreth
By Laura Jean Miller
Rick Larsen | Before you return your ballot, read this
Encourage your friends and neighbors to do the same 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 must be postmarked by Election Day […]
Orcas Island Food Bank announces new interim Executive Director
As the Orcas Island Food Bank continues to work to serve our clients and the community in the best way possible, the Food Bank Board has engaged Michele Bart of Purposeful Consulting Group, LLC as interim executive director while our Executive Director Amanda Sparks takes time away from her day-to-day responsibilities to focus on her family, and we appreciate everyone’s support. Bart brings 25-plus years of food bank management and […]
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 drill at 10:15am on Thursday, October 15th. Signing up AND participating is […]
Imagine Music & Arts Festival: Room for grief, room for joy, no questions asked
At Doe Bay, ancient ritual, radical kindness and collective catharsis turn a weekend gathering into a laboratory for personal and communal transformation — though not everyone who shows up needs, or wants, to be transformed.
County tsunami preparation in the face of new model
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has released a new report modeling a tsunami scenario for an Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone earthquake. The San Juan Islands are shown to have a 3- to 10-foot wave amplitude within five hours, depending on location. Eastsound, notably, has some of the highest measurements in the model.
Orcas Island cross-country opens season at Sehome, eyes fresh strategy and a changing roster
Kai Park sprinted across the finish line in second place out of a race that contained more than 200 runners at Sehome, giving the Orcas Island cross country team an electric start to a season its coaches say will look nothing like the ones before it.
Two worlds, one song: Betty Reid Soskin’s legacy comes to Orcas Island
Orcas Center will host a rare pairing: a live concert by folk duo Bob Reid and Judi Jaeger, followed by a screening of “No Time to Waste: The Urgent Mission of Betty Reid Soskin,” the documentary about Bob’s remarkable mother.
New interim executive director of Orcas Island Food Bank
Submitted by the Orcas Island Food Bank.
Build financial confidence: Space still available in Orcas Money Smart
Submitted by the Orcas Community Resource Center Communications Team.
September 22: Lions guest speaker Dr. Richard Smith
Tuesday, September 22 12 noon to 1 pm | downstairs at American Legion Hall Dr Richard Smith recipient of Pioneer in Medicine Award & currently has two approved FDA patents for Lou Geurig Disease & Alzheimer. A third patent for his medicine is going through tests for another FDA approved patent. He will be the guest […]
September 23: Community Budget discussion with County Council chair Justin Paulsen
San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 representative Justin Paulsen is hosting “Community Budget with County Council Chair Justin Paulsen” from 6 to 7:30 pm Wednesday, September 23 at the San Juan Island Library Meeting Room. Topics planned for discussion include: Pressures related to the General Fund; Various revenue options; and Details and changes […]
September 23: Two free performances benefitting Friday Harbor Food Bank
Free Concerts to Help the Food Bank will be held at 3 p.m. and 7 pm Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at San Juan Island Grange in Friday Harbor. Musical selections include Adele, Beatles, Cold Play, Elton John, John Legend, Tim McGraw, Pearl Jam, Duran Duran, Stevie Wonder, One Republic, U2 and many more tunes on piano. […]
New clinic providers meet & greet September 22, 2026
Island Primary Care – Orcas clinic has welcomed two new Providers over the past six months, Cameron Fralick, PA-C, and Paula Whitmire, MD. In order for community members to meet these new providers outside of clinic appointments, Orcas Island Health Care District will be hosting a meet & greet event for the providers. @ Emmanuel Episcopal Church Parish Hall 242 Main St, Eastsound, WA 98245 5:30 – 6:30 PM Light refreshments will be […]