Island News

Neighbor to neighbor shelter volunteer meeting

Our community is stronger when we come together to support our neighbors. The Neighbor to Neighbor Shelter is preparing for another season of serving community members who are experiencing difficult circumstances, and we are looking for caring individuals who would like to be involved. You are invited to join us for an informational meeting on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Church Fellowship Hall. This meeting will […]

Medicare open enrollment | Review your coverage for 2027

Between October 15 and December 7, you can review your Medicare coverage and choose the plan that best fits your needs for 2027. By now, you should have received information from your current prescription drug (Part D) or Advantage plan. Read it carefully, since premiums, deductibles, or copays may increase and coverage may shift. Even if your plan looks the same, your health needs or prescriptions may have changed, making it […]

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. […]

Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson

SJC sheriff’s log

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.

J31 is carrying her dead calf

Center for Whale Research posted October 7, 2026 on Facebook: Our team is saddened to report that Southern Resident killer whale J31 has been observed with a deceased newborn calf. CWR researcher Mark Malleson encountered J31 and her immediate family on October 3rd near Sombrio Point in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It’s unclear […]

Burn Permits Now Local on Orcas Island

Orcas Island, WA – Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (OIFR) will begin issuing burn permits for Orcas Island. Permits will be available starting October 12, 2026, if weather and conditions allow. The process is online. Apply and pay at orcasfire.org. The site also has burn safety rules and requirements. You may also come to Station 21 at […]

Ferries: I’ll Keep Fighting for Improvements By Jennifer Swanson, Candidate for County Council District 3 

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 […]

Interactive Food System Plan is live on San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild website

Submitted by: Caitlin Leck, on behalf of the Food System Team of San Juan County: The Food System Team of San Juan County, in partnership with the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild and local data scientist, Adam Martin, is excited to announce the launch of an interactive online version of the Food System Plan for […]

October 20: Community Meeting: Agate Beach County Park Updates & Road Relocation on Lopez Island

MacKaye Harbor Rd and the Agate Beach County Park on Lopez Island are scheduled for infrastructure updates in 2027. Reconstruction of MacKaye Harbor Road and the Agate Beach County Park parking area will help protect access to public, private, and tribal lands, while navigating the impacts of coastal erosion. Nearby property owners and Lopez Islanders […]

October 17: No Kings: Vote Early Rally

Rally | October 17 | 12 noon to 2 pm | Courthouse Lawn | Friday Harbor Hello to all who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of your ballot! Good news. Our Indivisible group on San Juan Island is holding a No Kings – Vote Early! rally on October 17th on the Courthouse lawn in Friday Harbor from noon to 2pm. We […]

Gigi Allaway: Supports Swanson for county council

Dear Editor, I write to highlight the excellent work of SJC Council candidate longtime-islander Jennifer Swanson in our community, which is easily applied to the larger islands. Most notably, she has served as an elected official for repeated terms as a school district board member (I served a similar term, staggered to hers, during this […]

Henley: Heather Lee is the right person for auditor

I hired Heather Lee to work in the Auditor’s Office, initially as an administrative assistant.  It immediately became apparent to me that she was capable of so much more.  Since then, she has gained experience in all areas of the Auditor’s office, including payroll, elections, and customer service. For three years, she served as Chief […]

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

Nelsen: Wholehearted support for Swanson for county Council

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 […]

Doug Crosby: Swanson will be a valuable member of San Juan County council

To the Editors 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 […]

Andrews: 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, […]

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 […]

Resource Center will present October Orcas Talks Money workshops

The Orcas Community Resource Center will host several upcoming Orcas Talks Money workshops in October focused on emergency preparedness, winter planning, and financial resilience for community members and small business owners. The workshops are free and open to the community. No registration is required. On Wednesday, October 14 at 1:15 p.m., the Resource Center will offer Ready, Set, Prepare! Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults at the Or

Guest column: Getting to Know Katherine: Leadership in Action

I’ve been fortunate to benefit from, and contribute to, impressive and impactful volunteer work throughout my life. From an early age, I’ve looked for ways to bring people together with integrity, care, and joy, and to create the kind of culture and environment that we want to live in, born of the priorities and values […]

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 […]

Library event | A better world is possible

What does it take to imagine a better future—and what can the next generation teach us about making it happen? Join award-winning journalist Meera Subramanian and beloved poet and author Maleea Acker for an inspiring conversation about our changing planet, the power of young voices, and the places we call home. Meera’s new graphic nonfiction book, A Better World Is Possible: Global Youth Confront the Climate Crisis, illustrated by Danica Novgorodo