Island News

Letter to Editor | My vote is for Jennifer Swanson

I have known Jennifer since she moved to Shaw Island with her family over 20 years ago. If I were to describe her in a few words they would be; fully engaged with family and community. She is deeply involved with both.  I have volunteered with her on several non-profit boards and she is always present, an active-listener and problem solver. The strength and vitality of our community rests in the involvement of its […]

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

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

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

Port of Orcas to meet on Sept. 28

The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, September 28th at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.  

Upcoming candidate forums in October

Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman is County Council leadership for our future

Katherine Bryant Ingman represents the future leaders that I want to see locally and nationally. Energetic young people dreaming of a better future who are ready to listen and eager to work. I met Katherine years ago when she led the wonderfully successful gleaning program through the newly founded Food Share at the Lopez Island Family Resource Center. Since then, I’ve observed her in other volunteer and work roles. Most recently Katherine impressed me as […]

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

County Council completes series of September budget meetings; October 5th public hearing to follow

San Juan County Council recently completed a series of budget conversations in September 2026, following the August 25th release of the 2027 preliminary budget At its meeting on Tuesday, Council wrapped up its last budget related discussion scheduled for the month of September and is now preparing for a public hearing on October 5 – its first opportunity to adopt the proposed 2027 budget. The public hearing is the next critical step after […]

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 […]

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

LWVSJ Observer Corps | SJC Board of Health September 16, 2026

Arlesia Bailey is the new executive director of Accountable Communities of Health (ACH). Evergreen Recovery has posted two job positions, based in the county and in partnership with the SJC Sheriff’s Department.  Northwest Regional Council (NWRC) approved a 3% budget increase ($210 for the county). The NWRC is part of a statewide consortium to lobby the state legislature to maintain funding streams for health homes and senior nutrition progra

Katherine Bryant Ingman on 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,insurance, and inflation have all grown faster than revenue. Some revenue tools haven’t kept up. Permit […]

Letter to Editor | Civic engagement beyond ballot box

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 priorities as a candidate for council, especially around the complex budget challenges our county is f

Letter to Editor | Why I support Swanson for 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 volunteer roles, none could have been more challenging or meaningful to the community than the seven years she served as […]

Community budget with county council chair Justin Paulsen scheduled Sept. 23 on San Juan

The San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 Representative will hold a meeting with the community to discuss the County budget and related fiscal challenges at the San Juan Island Library Meeting Room from 6:00-7:30 p.m. San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 representative Justin Paulsen is hosting “Community Budget with County Council Chair Justin Paulsen” – an opportunity to hear the outline of how the County budget works, ask questions,

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is most qualified candidate

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 conflict and tension. She has years of experience leading community forms, addressing ferry issues and participating in educational pol

Letter to Editor | In support of candidate Jennifer Swanson

  Taking time to listen and asking thoughtful questions are the two superpowers of County Council candidate Jennifer Swanson. I am writing to support Jennifer’s candidacy for the district 3 County Council position. I have known Jennifer for over 20 years—first as a parent and school board member at Shaw Island School, then as the school superintendent, and most recently as a colleague in the San Juan County CLT Alliance.   Jennifer shares many of my […]

Letter to Editor | Why we’re voting for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council District 3

We proudly endorse Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council District 3 this November. Katherine has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to our island communities through her work in healthcare, food security, ferry advocacy, and countless volunteer efforts. For example, as president of the Catherine Washburn Medical Association, she helped make sure Lopez Island didn’t lose access to healthcare when the clinic changed hands to Sea Mar Community Healt

Ongoing San Juan County search for next local health officer

The County is requesting statements of qualifications from licensed physicians experienced in public health/local Health Officer duties Last month, San Juan County opened a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for qualified candidates interested in serving as the County’s next Local Health Officer. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is extended to any qualified physician that meets the minimum qualifications and has the required experience: 1. Experienc

Meeting tonight | EWUA’s recurring governance problem

EWUA’s Board meets tonight, September 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. at the Orcas Fire Hall  EWUA’s Board meets tonight, September 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. at the Orcas Fire Hall. As of this morning, EWUA has not emailed or posted an agenda or formal notice containing the meeting details and anticipated business. The most recent posted minutes are from June; the July entry says no meeting occurred. EWUA website That is not an isolated oversight. […]

Larsen applauds $4.2 Million for local salmon passage restoration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) is awarding $4.2 million to the Skagit River System Cooperative (Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community) for restoring fish passage to support Similk Estuary Chinook salmon.  “This is great news for fish!” said Rep. Larsen. “This funding will give the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe and

‘Coffee with Kari’ offers islanders on San Juan time with Councilmember Kari McVeigh

The fourth ‘Coffee with Kari’ of the year will take place on San Juan on September 19 from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Skagit Valley College San Juan Center in Friday Harbor District 1 Council representative Kari McVeigh is hosting another ‘Coffee with Kari’ event on San Juan Island – an opportunity to ask questions, hear the latest County news, and chat about what matters to locals. McVeigh began hosting these open-house style meetings last […]

Land Bank to hold monthly meeting

The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting Friday, September 18. The meeting is scheduled from 8:30am – 11:10am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the Orcas Island Fire Hall, 45 Lavender Lane, Eastsound, WA. The public is invited to attend. Click HERE to download the agenda (includes Zoom meeting link) and meeting materials.