Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Expert speakers highlight sustainable gardening at October workshop series
Submitted by San Juan County.
Fall sports are underway at OIHS
By Declan O’Malley
Empty Bowls: Sunday Supper returns to Orcas Center Oct. 4
Submitted by the Orcas Island Food Bank.
Ferry Advisory Committee members push for clearer public guidance on ferry medical loading policy
At its Sept. 14 meeting, the San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee pressed Washington State Ferries for clearer, plain-language public guidance on medical priority boarding — two distinct programs that riders, and sometimes even first responders, confuse in the middle of a crisis.
Island newspapers win top awards in state contest
The Islands’ Sounder and the Journal of the San Juan Islands earned recognition in 19 categories in the 2026 Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Better Newspaper Contest, and both papers received General Excellence, one of the contest’s top honors.
Kids Got Talent show this weekend
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Finding their voice: Orcas Youth Chorus reboots with acclaimed local vocalist Stormy Hildreth
By Laura Jean Miller
Imagine Music & Arts Festival: Room for grief, room for joy, no questions asked
At Doe Bay, ancient ritual, radical kindness and collective catharsis turn a weekend gathering into a laboratory for personal and communal transformation — though not everyone who shows up needs, or wants, to be transformed.
County tsunami preparation in the face of new model
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has released a new report modeling a tsunami scenario for an Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone earthquake. The San Juan Islands are shown to have a 3- to 10-foot wave amplitude within five hours, depending on location. Eastsound, notably, has some of the highest measurements in the model.
Orcas Island cross-country opens season at Sehome, eyes fresh strategy and a changing roster
Kai Park sprinted across the finish line in second place out of a race that contained more than 200 runners at Sehome, giving the Orcas Island cross country team an electric start to a season its coaches say will look nothing like the ones before it.
Two worlds, one song: Betty Reid Soskin’s legacy comes to Orcas Island
Orcas Center will host a rare pairing: a live concert by folk duo Bob Reid and Judi Jaeger, followed by a screening of “No Time to Waste: The Urgent Mission of Betty Reid Soskin,” the documentary about Bob’s remarkable mother.
New interim executive director of Orcas Island Food Bank
Submitted by the Orcas Island Food Bank.
Sheriff’s Office Dispatch is currently having issues with their business lines
Submitted by the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
Build financial confidence: Space still available in Orcas Money Smart
Submitted by the Orcas Community Resource Center Communications Team.
End of an era: Beach Haven managers Shayne and Justin retire
Tucked in amongst an old-growth forest of cedar trees, Beach Haven Resort’s rustic, technology-free cabins on the northwest shore of Orcas have been adored by generations of families.
Terry Turner leaves lasting legacy on Orcas soccer
By Declan O’Malley
A message from Peggy Bill, SJC Conservation Land Bank Commission chair
Submitted by San Juan County.
Leadership San Juan Islands invites applications for Cohort XVIII
Submitted by Leadership San Juan Islands.
September at the library: More art
The display case at the Orcas Island Library this September features art by Christina (Chris) Frausto. Frausto is a renowned artist, curator and educator whose book-related art spans over 30 years. She has served as curator of art for Ontario International Airport, been a featured artist for the Smithsonian Maloof Foundation, been a board member for several arts organizations and been a teacher helping folks learn book binding skills. Frausto’s goals include sharing her unusual hand-bound books
The Madrona Institute announces 2026 Request for Proposals for San Juan Islands Stewardship Fund grants
Submitted by The Madrona Institute.
Getting ready for Medicare
Is 2026 your year for joining Medicare? Medicare enrollment is not automatic for most people, so you’ll probably need to enroll with Social Security. Then you’ll have to decide what type of Medicare coverage you want. To make an informed decision about your coverage choices, you’ll need to understand a lot of new information.
OCS students explore ‘Love in Action’ through service
Middle and high school students at Orcas Christian School recently heard from guest speakers about serving others and putting their faith into action. Lauren Lombard, who coordinates service mission work abroad with the nonprofit education group EducareNow, spoke with students about serving communities through practical acts of compassion. Following her presentation, students worked in breakout groups to develop ways they could serve and show love to the Orcas Island community.
Meet Alexis Annis, OPAL’s new director of finance and operations
Submitted by OPAL Community Land Trust.
Budget updates from Sept. 8 meeting
The San Juan County Council continued discussing the budget at the County Council Regular Session on Sept. 8, projecting a challenging budget through 2030. County Manager Jessica Hudson and Council Chair Justin Paulsen reflected on a past Council meeting where Paulsen declared 2026 “The year of the budget,” with 2027 demanding the same attention as 2026, and Hudson alluded to further work on future budget years. Paulsen agreed with Hudson: “They turned ‘The Lord of the Rings’ into a trilogy. We’