Island News

Swanson on Ferries | I’ll keep fighting for improvements

Of Washington’s 39 counties, San Juan County is the only one made up entirely of islands, reachable only by boat or plane. Most residents rely on Washington State Ferries (WSF), and for the past eight years I have served on our county’s Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC), currently as chair, acting as a link between WSF and the community. We advocate for local riders, track transit challenges, and give WSF […]

Letter to Editor | Environmental stewardship is essential to our islands

I have been a homeowner on San Juan Island since 1985 and have chosen to reside here because of its incredible natural environment. I am an environmental scientist by profession and therefore am painfully aware of the environmental challenges we face locally and globally. While most of my professional work addresses problems nationally and internationally, I volunteer my time to serve on San Juan County’s Climate a

Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman is a leader who has lived it

I believe elected officials should understand what it means to walk in the shoes of the people they represent. That means knowing what it's like to work multiple jobs to pay the bills, and to worry about affording healthcare and keeping a roof over their heads. For many people in this county, a steady paycheck, affordable healthcare, and a secure home are not givens. Worrying about them keeps families up at night. I want a […]

WSF Weekly Report | Reviewing the history that brought us reduced service this week

A message from Steve Monday was an extremely difficult day for WSF’s customers and my 2,200 colleagues who work every day – during the pandemic, winter storms, and summer heat – to safely transit our customers to their destinations. Before addressing that further, it is important to explain some of the history that brought us to where we are today. Coming out of the pandemic, WSF faced an extreme crewing shortage. […]

Public Statement | Access & overall clinic care at Island Primary Care – Orcas

Over the last several months, community members have provided various forms of public feedback regarding the termination of Dr. Jennifer Simpson-Manske from employment at Island Primary Care – Orcas. As previously addressed in public statements from both the Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) and Island Health, the District and Island will continue to listen, but will not comment any further on the personnel issue of Dr. Simpson-Manske’s term

Easements keep the OPALCO co-op running

OPALCO does not comment on active legal matters, but some misinformation in a recent King 5 article needs to be addressed. The pole site in question was on the property mentioned, with the previous owner’s permission, prior to the current owners’ purchase of the land. The pole was upgraded in 2023 and is 103 feet – approximately 20 feet higher than the one that was there when the property […]

Washington residents urged to oppose Pacific Link pipeline and supertankers in Salish Sea

Petition calls on Governor Ferguson and state agencies to fight the Canadian pipeline and supertanker project and secure enforceable, fully funded protections for Washington state A new petition being circulated by Friends of the San Juans is calling on Washington state to oppose Canada’s proposed Pacific Link pipeline (formerly called the West Coast Oil Pipeline) and the supertanker traffic it would bring to the Salish Sea. The pipeline woul

Letter to Editor | My endorsement of Katherine Bryant Ingman

Katherine Bryant Ingman is the breath of fresh air San Juan County needs right now.  We are struggling to find our footing between financial troubles and a growing mountain of needs. The old ways have not worked. New ways, new ideas, new leadership are needed. Katherine is a proven leader, as shown by her work with Lopez Food Share and with Leadership San Juans. She is also an active community volunteer, as a mentor, an […]

Larsen | New B.C. oil pipeline is ‘not ready for prime time’

Last Friday, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) commented on the news that Canada is fast-tracking a new oil pipeline project that would increase oil tanker traffic in Larsen’s district:  “This project is not ready for prime time, and speeding up the review process will only make that worse,” said Rep. Larsen in the Washington State Standard. “Canada’s plan to fast track this new oil pipeline project puts sensitive marine habitats […]

Guest Opinion | Covenant-smuvadent – the deforestation of Decatur Island

  It’s a funny thing about islands. They tend to stay put. The trees stay put, too—quiet, hardworking citizens who ask for nothing except a little rain and the chance to stand upright for a century or two. On Decatur Island, where I grew up and now live, those trees have been doing their job faithfully, keeping the hillside from wandering off, shading the deer, and sheltering the owls. Did I mention they’re holding the soil […]

Jurors required to report for October 13 duty

JURY DUTY: OCTOBER 13-23, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning October 13th, are required to report to the San Juan County Courthouse for Jury Duty on Wednesday, October 14th at 8:30 AM. Jurors should check here or call the Jury Hotline at 360-378-9407 to see if there are any changes prior to travelling on Wednesday morning. Please note: if you are summonsed for jury duty beginning October 19th, you need to […]

Timothy Snyder | What if we’re paying attention to the wrong things?

Jurors to report for duty beginning October 18

JURY DUTY: OCTOBER 13-23, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning October 13th, are required to report to the San Juan County Courthouse for Jury Duty on Wednesday, October 18 at 8:30 AM. Jurors should check here or call the Jury Hotline at 360-378-9407 to see if there are any changes prior to travelling on Wednesday morning. Thank you.  

Letter to Editor | Swanson has valuable community background

I have known Jennifer since 2013, soon after I moved to Shaw Island. Since then she has served as a Shaw School board member and the superintendent, a Ferry Advisory Board member, the founder of the Shaw Island Brown Bag Lunch monthly community meeting, a Shaw Islanders Inc board member and the chair of the Shaw Library and Historical Society Education Committee.     All of her community building activities have been very affective, long term […]

Letter to Editor | Every penny counts

ESHB2442 passed by the 2026 Legislature provides that [quoting from the legislature’s final report] “Beginning January 1, 2027, the legislative authority of a county or city may impose a new sales and use tax at a rate of up to 0.01 percent. Revenue from this tax may only be used for the purpose of providing services that assist children and their families, including child care, before- and after-school care that addresses health, social, and behavioral […]

County Council passes 2027 budget, plans for additional budget work leading into 2028-2029

With the 2027 budget now set, Council must shift its focus to the 2028-2029 budget, which presents many of the same fiscal challenges seen in the last few years due mainly to stagnated revenues, increased inflation, and increased operating costs At its October 5 meeting, the San Juan County Council adopted the 2027 budget after hearing from residents across the county. This adopted budget includes organizational restructuring and over $3.8 milli

Larsen | I will not let them stick you with the bill for data centers

Data centers are expanding across the country, including here in the Pacific Northwest. This growth carries real consequences for our communities. Data centers require enormous amounts of electricity and water to operate. Without strong guardrails, the costs of building and running these facilities can be passed on to ordinary ratepayers through higher electricity bills and increased strain on local water systems. At the same time, the public infr

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson has our wholehearted support for Council position

We are writing to offer our wholehearted support for Jennifer Swanson for County Council. We’ve known Jennifer since she and her husband Chad moved to Shaw Island in 2003. Jennifer is someone who is thoughtful, trustworthy, and deeply committed to serving our community. Her dedication is demonstrated through action and looking for practical ways to make a difference. She helped lead the effort to create and secure funding for a teacher housing project. […]

Letter to Editor | Endorsement for Katherine Bryant Ingman, County Council, District 3

I was talking with a friend from San Juan Island and asked what he would think about someone from Stuart Island as the San Juan Island representative on the County Council. His response was that it would be a problem; different culture, different issues and the likely inability to understand San Juan Island’s people and priorities. I then sought out a friend from Orcas Island and asked what she would think about their Council representative […]

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is a proven leader

We’ve known Jennifer Swanson for over 20 years and worked with her on numerous community events on Shaw. She’s empathetic, smart, and seemingly tireless. On issues that impact our islands’ way of life, she’s purposely well-informed and open to hearing all views. Jennifer’s a proven leader, having served on the Ferry Advisory Committee, Shaw School Board, and as Shaw School Superintendent, all jobs that require thoughtful diplomatic skills. Jen’s strong and stead

Letter to Editor | We need Jennifer Swanson’s calm and even temperament for County Council

I write to highlight the profound actions SJC Council candidate longtime-islander Jennifer Swanson’s taken in our community, which are easily applied to the larger islands. Most notably, she has served as an elected official for repeated terms as a school district board member (and board chair for part of that), and then as appointed superintendent. School board member and superintendent duties are the same for small districts as for larger ones. The requirements includ

Katherine Bryant Ingman on ferries & transportation

Transportation is essential to daily life in San Juan County. Ferry service remains our most critical link, but residents also rely on roads, transit, freight movement, and regional connections to get to work, healthcare, school, and the essentials of daily life. It’s important to acknowledge that San Juan County doesn’t control the ferries, but we’re starting to get real traction. While we were all excited when Governor Inslee fas

Washington lawmakers, colleagues demand transparency after U.S. Forest Service coordinates with ICE on public lands

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D, WA-08), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Jared Huffman (D, CA-02), Ranking Member of the House Natural Resources Committee, Adriano Espaillat (D, NY-13), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Andrea Salinas (D, OR-06), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), Val Hoyle (D, OR-04), Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10), Suzanne Bonamici (D, OR-01), and P

Governor Ferguson statement on disruptions in Washington State Ferries service

OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson offered the following statement regarding disruptions today in Washington State Ferries service: “As a regular rider on our state ferries, I know how important our ferry service is to Washingtonians. Restoring our ferry service has been one of my top priorities since taking office, and we’ve made significant progress on that front, due in large part to the efforts of our workers. “I met this morning with […]