Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
San Juan Island Library Celebrates Record Participation in 2026 Summer Reading Program
San Juan Island Library is celebrating record youth participation in its annual Summer Reading Program, with more than 450 registrants for the second consecutive year. In 2026, the program reached a record 496 registrations—the highest total to date. A cornerstone of the library’s commitment to lifelong learning and community engagement, the Summer Reading Program encourages […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
September 23: Two free performances benefitting Friday Harbor Food Bank
Free Concerts to Help the Food Bank will be held at 3 p.m. and 7 pm Wednesday, September 23, 2026 at San Juan Island Grange in Friday Harbor. Musical selections include Adele, Beatles, Cold Play, Elton John, John Legend, Tim McGraw, Pearl Jam, Duran Duran, Stevie Wonder, One Republic, U2 and many more tunes on piano. […]
Guest Column: Jennifer Swanson impressed by community participation
Dear Editor, This week, I had the pleasure of experiencing community engagement, up close on both Waldron and Lopez Islands. Last Sunday, I visited the Waldron community and had several informative conversations. I heard their concerns about receiving county services on a remote island, along with basic infrastructure issues. I was able to share my […]
Christine Hopkins: Supports Swanson for county Council
Dear Editor, There are many reasons I support Jennifer Swanson in her bid for Council Position #3. I’d like to focus on two of her strengths: Jennifer is hard working and displays equanimity when leading. Jennifer has stepped into a variety of community organizations on Shaw Island and throughout the San Juan Islands. You can […]
Carole Davis: Supports Swanson for county Council
I was very pleased to learn that Jennifer Swanson was running for our county council. I cannot imagine a more qualified candidate. I have known Jennifer for more than 20 years. She is smart, informed, well organized, articulate, and responsible. She has a wonderful way of bringing people together, making people feel heard, and diffusing […]
Sheila Gaugin: Supports Swanson for county Council
I’m voting for Jennifer Swanson for County Council, District 3 position, and I hope you will too. I have known Jennifer for more than 20 years and have seen her in numerous community service roles, including school board, Ferry Advisory Committee, The Shaw Community Land Trust board, the teacher housing committee, and more. Of all Jennifer’s […]
Port of Friday Harbor: Island Air moving into Hangar 80; Port staff working with county on Cannery property uses
LWVSJ Observer Corps: Friday Harbor Port Commission, September 11, 2026 meeting Michelle Herko, Friday Harbor Labs Program Director, reported on the program she oversees allowing fifth grade students to perform water testing at the Friday Harbor Marina. They share their results with the Port. She emphasized the program’s value and submitted a funding request to […]
September 20: Paws, Pedals and People at Eastsound airport
Paws, Pedals and People | Sunday, Sept 20 | 9 to 11 am | Orcas Island Airport | Free. Orcas Island Port Commission’s ‘Better, not Bigger’ project includes a major rehabilitation of the runway.. Before any aircraft touches it, they invite the Orcas community to come walk it, run it, bike it, bring the dog. […]
September 20: Writing Workshop Orcas Island Library
Sep 20, 2026 | 2 to 4 PM | Orcas Island Public Library | 500 Rose St | Eastsound | RSVP Join Island Verse founder Danny Sherrard for a free, in-depth writing workshop from 2–4 PM at the Orcas Island Library. We’ll spend the afternoon digging into the craft, generating new work, and making space to […]
September 27: Poetry Reading: Gary Thompson with Sam and Sally Green
Sunday, September 27, 2026 | 3 to 4:30 pm | San Juan Island Library Join us for a delightful afternoon of local poetry, with San Juan Islander Gary Thompson, and Waldron Islanders Sam and Sally Green, who are launching their newest collections of poetry. For half a century Sally Green has been the caretaker of words […]
September 21: Poetry of Place at Westside Preserve
September 21, 2026 | 5 to 7 PM | Westside Preserve | 296 West Side Rd #298 | Friday Harbor, WA Join land steward Shauna Barrows and Danny Sherrard at the West Side Preserve for a Poetry of Place writing workshop! Find nature in your nature and your nature in nature. Island Verse event
New transformer on Orcas replaces one installed in 1970
This summer, OPALCO replaced a transformer installed in 1970 . The new transformer includes more capacity for the expected growth in electricity use in the coming decades. This equipment takes high-voltage electricity and steps it down to a smaller voltage to deliver electricity to homes and businesses on Orcas. The Orcas Power & Light Cooperative […]
Kwiaht launches arsenic testing and action project
Islands conservation laboratory Kwiaht is seeking participants in a study of the extent of arsenic contamination in island wells, and actions to reduce adverse health effects Islanders may be at increased risk of colon cancer due to the widespread presence of small amounts of arsenic in the islands’ well water. Although the regulatory ceiling for […]
PA’s office and District Court move to termporary offices while courthouse has seismic retrofit
San Juan County District Court and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office are moving out of the historic courthouse to allow for structural renovations. The “seismic retrofit” will improve the safety of the building in case of an earthquake, and it is funded through a matching grant from the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Construction […]
Letter to the Editor: Concerned about delays in postmarking ballots
Editor: I’ve been hearing a lot of discussion and confusion about the threats to mail-in voting. People were especially disturbed to hear about the number of ballots that were rejected in Washington’s recent primary because they were “late,” even though they were mailed days before election day. The problem is our mail is no longer […]