Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
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 […]
SJI Fire Chief: The Future of Local Fire Protection Depends on Community Volunteers
Volunteer firefighters remain the backbone of the American fire service. According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 65% of the nation’s firefighters are volunteers, and more than 80% of U.S. fire departments rely on volunteer or combination staffing models. Unfortunately, the number of volunteer firefighters nationwide has steadily declined while emergency service demands continue […]
Scarecrow contest returns, sign up by October 19
Celebrate fall and participate in the7th annual SCARECROW CONTEST! This year we are again expanding the contest to the Town of Friday Harbor neighborhoods as well! It’s a fantastic opportunity for Town residents and businesses to showcase their creativity while celebrating the season. Plus, decorating the Town and neighborhoods for trick-or-treating adds an extra layer […]
OCS students develop leadership skills at Sunset Lake Camp
Orcas Christian School high school and middle school students returned Thursday from a week at Sunset Lake Camp in Wilkeson, Washington, where they joined students from several small Adventist schools for activities focused on leadership, worship, teamwork and personal growth. OCS high school students arrived Sunday and helped prepare the camp before welcoming middle school students from OCS, Skagit Adventist School, Cypress Adventist School and Lewis County A
Orcas Center presents “No Time To Waste” + Jaeger & Reid
Friday, October 2 at 7 p.m. | Center Stage, Orcas Center Orcas Center will present an evening of documentary film and live music on Friday, October 2 at 7 p.m. on Center Stage. The program opens with “No Time To Waste,” a documentary about the late Betty Reid Soskin, the National Park Service ranger who retired from the Park Service at 100 years old. Soskin died at home at the end of […]
Larsen | What we accomplished this September
September has been another busy month working on the issues that matter to people across Northwest Washington. Here are a few highlights from the month: Supporting Washington’s maritime economy: I joined maritime leaders at the Port of Everett for a discussion about funding needs, workforce development, domestic shipbuilding, and supporting maritime jobs across our region. Investing in Northwest Washington infrastructure: The House passed my bipar
Soroptimists launch Live Your Dream award
Soroptimists International of Friday Harbor is now accepting applications for its annual Live Your Dream Award. The deadline is Nov. 15. This award of up to $4,000 is for a woman in San Juan County who is the primary support for her family; who is enrolled in a vocational training or other undergraduate educational program; and who has financial need. It can be used for any expenses incurred while […]
Your 2026 Friday Harbor Film Festival experience starts now
Plan your festival, reserve your seats The 2026 Film Guide and Festival Schedule are live, and passholders can now start building their Festival experience! With 34 feature documentaries and 20 shorts to choose from, plus a full rundown of the Program Guide, filmmakers, and everything else new this year, we’ve got the details in our latest blog post — read it before you start building your festival weekend. READ THE FULL ANNOUNCEMENT The […]
I’m Not the Church Lady | I’m really tired of this
The other night, I was lying in bed ruminating about a conflict with a friend. You know how that goes—the conversation that isn’t actually happening is happening brilliantly in my head. What I could say. What I’m afraid to say. What I might say. What he might say if I say what I might say. Round and round. Then something in me said, “I’m really tired of this.” It wasn’t […]
Community budget with Council Chair Justin Paulsen event scheduled Sept. 30 on Lopez
The San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 Representative will hold a meeting with the community to discuss the County budget and related fiscal challenges at the Lopez Island Library Community Room from 5:30-7:00 p.m. San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 representative Justin Paulsen is hosting “Community Budget with County Council Chair Justin Paulsen” – an opportunity to hear the outline of how the County budget works, ask questions, a
A local landmark retires from service
Submitted by the Orcas Island Historical Museums.
Coast Guard rescues kayaker near Sucia Island
US Coast Guard Northwest crews rescued a kayaker off Parker Reef near Sucia Island, WA, Friday September 25, 2026 morning after his kayak capsized in 54-degree water. His kayaking partner was able to remain afloat and upright. Proper safety gear made all the difference in ensuring a positive outcome. Because the kayakers were wearing life […]
South Whidbey held scoreless at Friday Harbor Homecoming football game
Friday Harbor Wolverines hosted the South Whidbey Falcons on Sept 25, 2026 for the homecoming game. The Wolverines quickly scored. Wolverine quarterback Jackson Feliz’s long passes connected frequently with wide receiver Channing Kleine. Wolverine scoring touch downs included Duncan Bogart, Henry Pope, Jackson Feliz, and Channing Kleine. The Falcons were held scoreless all four quarters. […]
CWR encounter with Biggs Killer Whales
Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 07:48 AM ObservEnd: 08:40 AM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Other Observers: Gary Sutton, Tasli Shaw, Mollie Alexandra Pods: Bigg’s killer whales IDsEncountered: T060D, T060E, T069, T069C, T069F, T109B, T109B3, T109B4, T109B5, T109B6 LocationDescr: Christopher Point EncSummary: Mark, Gary, Tasli, and Mollie got what friend and colleague Joe called a “respectable start” as they pushed off the dock just after 7:00 AM, w
LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Council 9/22/26
The County Council approved a Joint Letter to Washington State Ferries supporting the System’s long-range planning. The council appointed applicants to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District. After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a lease to the San Juan Island School District for school bus parking. Human Resources director Matthew Bullock updated council members on the county’s efforts t
Port Commission will hold regular meeting on Monday
The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, September 28th at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.
Orcas Island Pride shares important information about ballots this November
So much of what we do as a Pride organization is centered around joy – but even we must sometimes contend with the reality that our rights are being threatened and actively being repealed in parts of the country. Many people like to think that Washington, and our little idyllic islands, are immune from the horrifying things happening in other states. Unfortunately, even here, in Washington state, which is considered a “sanctuary state” by […]
Ingman on San Juan County healthcare access
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 primary care can offer. This means that if we need to see a specialist, spending a half or full day traveling off
San Juan County sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
San Juan County Council set budget public hearing for October 5
LWVSJ Observer Corps* summary of the San Juan County Council September 22, 2026 meeting. The County Council approved a Joint Letter to Washington State Ferries supporting the System’s long-range planning. The council appointed applicants to the Solid Waste Advisory Committee and Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District. After a public hearing, the council unanimously approved a […]
September 30: Community Budget with County Council Chair Justin Paulsen
San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 Representative Justin Paulsen will hold a meeting with the community to discuss the County budget and related fiscal challenges Wednesday, September 30 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at the Lopez Island Library Community Room located at 2225 Fisherman Bay Road. The “Community Budget with County Council Chair Justin Paulsen” […]
It was a soggy but spirited Friday Harbor HS Homecoming parade
Friday Harbor High School students kept their spirits up despite a downpour Friday, September 25, 2026. The homecoming parade proceeded despite the wet weather. Ironically, the skies cleared about half an hour after the parade. The football game kicks off at 6:30 p.m. Friday Harbor is hosting South Whidbey. […]
ORS/The Exchange and SJC Environmental Stewardship host upcoming hazardous waste roundup event
Residents are invited to safely dispose of household chemicals at October 3rd collection event on Orcas San Juan County Department of Environmental Stewardship and ORS/The Exchange are hosting a hazardous waste round-up collection event, giving island residents the chance to legally and responsibly dispose of poisonous, flammable, corrosive, or otherwise hazardous materials. The event will take place October 3rd from 10 am – 2 pm at The Exchange, 3398
‘Coffee with Kari’ offers islanders on Lopez time with Councilmember Kari McVeigh
The fifth ‘Coffee with Kari’ of the year will take place on September 26 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the Lopez Library District 1 Council representative Kari McVeigh is hosting another ‘Coffee with Kari’ event on Lopez Island – an opportunity to ask questions, hear the latest County news, and chat about what matters to locals. McVeigh began hosting these open-house style meetings last year and has continued the tradition into 2026. The upcoming […]