Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
San Juan County fire departments announce launch of burn permit issuance
Submitted by Lopez Fire.
ORS/The Exchange and SJC Department of Environmental Stewardship host hazardous waste roundup event
Submitted by San Juan County.
Katherine Bryant Ingman’s budget spotlight | Letter
San Juan County is set to spend more than it takes in for 2027. To legally balance the budget, it needs to cut $3.7M.
Swanson for County Council | Letter
Your vote for Jennifer Swanson for the San Juan County Council will be a vote for the right person. She recognizes that the tough issues facing the County demand leadership to bring islanders together to sustain and honor our values. She understands there are no easy answers to address the challenges of affordable housing, reliable ferry service, a balanced budget of prioritized countywide needs, and a healthy environment. The path forward will require a proven record of personal strength and re
Kwiaht launches arsenic testing and action project
By Russel Barsh
Larsen fights for guardrails on data centers
Submitted by the Office of Rep. Rick Larsen.
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, […
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
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
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
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 […]
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
Community meeting to review and take comments on Draft Critical Areas Ordinance Update
The County encourages community members to join the conversation set for Wednesday, September 30 at 6:00 p.m. San Juan County is updating its critical areas protections, also referred to as the Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO), and the public is invited to comment on the final draft. The CAO serves as key regulation to ensure that development does not harm water quality, groundwater recharge, wetlands, and fish and wildlife habitats. The CAO includes regulation
September 26: Great Islands Cleanup – Lopez, Orcas, Shaw and San Juan Island
The Fall Great Islands Cleanup is happening Saturday, September 26, 2026. Join your friends and neighbors for a day of stewardship, taking care of island beaches and roadways. We had a successful outer islands pickup earlier this week and are looking forward to gathering more litter this weekend. Are you in? Find details by island […]
September 30: Community Meeting to Review and Take Comments on Draft Critical Areas Ordinance Update
Wednesday September 30 | 6 to 8 p.m. | Online via Microsoft Teams link | OR Dial in by phone +1 360-726-3293,685490900# United States Vancouver Find a local number Phone conference ID: 685 490 900# A community meeting to review the final draft of Critical Areas Ordinance Regulations and SMP amendments will be held online September […]
Larsen fights for guardrails on data centers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined 110 House Democrats in a letter to tech industry leaders last Friday demanding that all data center construction follow strict guardrails to protect consumers from electricity and water price hikes. “Data center projects and the energy systems and infrastructure that support them must be built and operated responsibly with a commitment to high-quality construction, good jobs, str
San Juan County Parks, Recreation & Fair Department thanks the Lopez Community Trails Network
After years of collaboration, the San Juan County Parks, Recreation & Fair Department wants to give thanks to the Lopez Community Trails Network as they disband As the Lopez Community Trails Network (LCTN) announces its closure, the San Juan County Parks, Recreation & Fair Department wishes to acknowledge and celebrate the collaboration between our organizations regarding both the construction and maintenance of trail projects in multiple Lopez Island
New analysis reveals major increase in vessel traffic through the Salish Sea
A new analysis by Friends of the San Juans shows that ocean-going vessel traffic in the Salish Sea is projected to increase by nearly 2,000 additional shipping transits annually, including a dramatic increase in tanker traffic going to and from Canada that could more than quadruple historic tanker traffic levels. The 2026 Salish Sea Vessel Traffic Projections identifies 1,980 additional annual vessel transits associated with proposed, permitt
Orcas Christian School students take learning outdoors at annual campout and lake day
Orcas Christian School high school students took their annual campout to Moran State Park last week, spending two nights outdoors while participating in activities designed to build community, encourage learning and create shared experiences.
New Analysis Reveals Major Increase in Vessel Traffic Through the Salish Sea
A new analysis by Friends of the San Juans shows that ocean-going vessel traffic in the Salish Sea is projected to increase by nearly 2,000 additional shipping transits annually, including a dramatic increase in tanker traffic going to and from Canada that could more than quadruple historic tanker traffic levels. The 2026 Salish Sea Vessel […]
AI developments necessitate moratorium on data centers
Almost every day the warnings are becoming more ominous. The looming threats posed by artificial general intelligence — an advanced version of AI also known as superintelligence, which exceeds any human capabilities — are potentially catastrophic. Knowledgeable insiders and practitioners are warning that the future of humanity itself may well be at risk. AI agents are becoming so powerful that evil actors could conceivably use them to inst
Getting to know Katherine | What makes San Juan County home?
We moved to Lopez in 2014 after Joe landed a job at Spencer Spit State Park. I must admit, I was hesitant at first. I wasn’t sure how life on Lopez would mix with my plans to go to grad school or pursue career opportunities I was excited about. But Lopez altered the course of my life. I was overcome by the island’s caring, grounded, and connected community. We […]
Jet noise report includes June, July, and August 2026 data
A report of jet noise disruption from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island has been posted by Quiet Skies. This report is compiled using reports by local residents and visitors and illustrates the volume of reports during June, July and August, 2026, as well as types of noise, days and times of noise, and comments. Reports […]
Expert speakers highlight sustainable gardening at October workshop series
Submitted by San Juan County.