Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Expert speakers highlight sustainable gardening at October workshop series
Submitted by San Juan County.
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.
Ferry Advisory Committee members push for clearer public guidance on ferry medical loading policy
At its Sept. 14 meeting, the San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee pressed Washington State Ferries for clearer, plain-language public guidance on medical priority boarding — two distinct programs that riders, and sometimes even first responders, confuse in the middle of a crisis.
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 […]
Health Care Board to meet Sept. 23
The Orcas Island Health Care District will hold a regularly scheduled board meeting on Wednesday, September 23rd from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Orcas Island Library, 500 Rose Street, Eastsound. The public packet is available below. 01. 2026_09_23 Agenda_Regular_Board.pdf 02. 2026_09_08 OIHCD Claims Payment Request.pdf 03. 2026_09_22 OIHCD Claims Payment Request.pdf 04. 2026-08 MIH Report.pdf 05. Interlocal Funding Agreement V3_09
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.
Sheriff’s Office Dispatch is currently having issues with their business lines
Submitted by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
Build financial confidence: Space still available in Orcas Money Smart
Submitted by the Orcas Community Resource Center Communications Team.
Issues with phone service at San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center is currently having issues with the business line (360-378-4151 and 360-378-4141) not working. This issue is affecting approximately 5,125 customers. 9-1-1 is still working for people who need to call for emergencies. Century Link and Call Works have been contacted to remedy the problem. The Sheriff’s Office […]
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 […]
Draft Environment Assessment of proposed development of 115 acres at Friday Harbor airport available; public comments due by October 18
The Port of Friday Harbor (Port), owner and operator of the Friday Harbor Regional Airport (FHR or the Airport), proposes to develop approximately 115 acres of airport property, known as the Southwest Development Area (SWDA), to accommodate current and forecasted demand for aircraft operations at the Airport and meet design standards established by the Federal […]
October 20 and November 17: San Juan Island Fire Dept to hold public hearings on 2027 budget
Public Hearing – 2027 Budget & Revenue Resources Monday, September 21, 2026 The Board of Fire Commissioners for SJC Fire Protection District 3 will be holding public hearings relating to its annual 2027 Budget on the following dates and times. Written and verbal testimony will be accepted from the public. Regular meetings are held […]
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 […]
Guest Column by Katherine Bryant Ingman: Spotlight: San Juan County Budget.
San Juan County is set to spend more than it takes in for 2027. To legally balance the budget, it needs to cut $3.7 million. This didn’t happen overnight. In April 2026, a levy lift failed, with over 60% voting no, forcing difficult decisions. Costs the county can’t control have kept climbing: state mandated programs, […]