Island News

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

Guest Opinion | Covenant-smuvadent – the deforestation of Decatur Island

  It’s a funny thing about islands. They tend to stay put. The trees stay put, too—quiet, hardworking citizens who ask for nothing except a little rain and the chance to stand upright for a century or two. On Decatur Island, where I grew up and now live, those trees have been doing their job faithfully, keeping the hillside from wandering off, shading the deer, and sheltering the owls. Did I mention they’re holding the soil […]

Light the Night coming up at Community Church on October 31

Join us at Orcas Island Community Church on October 31st for Light the Night, a fun-filled community celebration for all ages! Bring your family, invite your friends and neighbors, and come enjoy an evening of fun, fellowship, treats, activities, and community. You do not need to attend OICC to participate—this event is for our entire Orcas Island community! Come as you are, bring a friend, and help us LIGHT THE […]

Medicare open enrollment: Review your coverage for 2027

Between Oct. 15 and Dec. 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 worth exploring other options.

If the shoe fits | Annual drive matches kids with footwear for the year

For decades, Sons of the American Legion has been ensuring island kids have proper footwear at the start of fall.

Easements Keep the 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 […]

Timothy Snyder | What if we’re paying attention to the wrong things?

Sluis: Katherine will bring youthful spirit and perspective to county Council

To the Editor: We are writing in support of Katherine Bryant-Ingman’s candidacy, for the District 3 seat on the San Juan County Council, representing residents of Lopez, Shaw and Decatur islands. We quickly endorsed Katherine for the District 3 seat of the SJC Council. District 3 is the district that represents the county residents that […]

Sign-ups open for 2026 Battle of the Bands at Orcas Center

Sign-ups are now open for the 2026 Battle of the Bands, Orcas Island’s local music event of the year, returning to Orcas Center on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. Hosted by Pedro LopezDeVictoria and Jamey Moriarty, the night pits original music by Orcas Island artists head-to-head across a range of categories, with audiences dancing along and cheering on their favorites. Organizers promise a night of laughs, a few tears, and […]

Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens to visit Orcas Garden Club

Please join the Orcas Island Garden Club on Wednesday, October 21,2026 as we welcome Barb Faville, from Meerkerk Gardens to learn all things rhododendron. Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens is a 53-acre peaceful woodland oasis located on Whidbey Island. During this talk you will Learn about Meerkerk’s history and the distinguishing characteristics of rhododendrons which will increase your appreciation of the vast variety of these plants. You’ll

Letter to Editor | Swanson has valuable community background

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 chair of the Shaw Library and Historical Society Education Committee.     All of her community building activities have been very affective, long term […]

Orcas Library, students explore banned books

The Orcas Island Library was fortunate to receive a grant from Brooklyn’s Books Unbanned group this spring, and we’ve been thrilled to put it to work with our local teens. With the grant, we’ve now run two teen cohorts exploring censorship, challenged books, and the role young people can play in the conversation. Our first cohort of three teens planned three of our monthly Teen Book Boxes, each featuring a challenged […]

Letter to Editor | Every penny counts

ESHB2442 passed by the 2026 Legislature provides that [quoting from the legislature’s final report] “Beginning January 1, 2027, the legislative authority of a county or city may impose a new sales and use tax at a rate of up to 0.01 percent. Revenue from this tax may only be used for the purpose of providing services that assist children and their families, including child care, before- and after-school care that addresses health, social, and behavioral […]

County Council passes 2027 budget, plans for additional budget work leading into 2028-2029

With the 2027 budget now set, Council must shift its focus to the 2028-2029 budget, which presents many of the same fiscal challenges seen in the last few years due mainly to stagnated revenues, increased inflation, and increased operating costs At its October 5 meeting, the San Juan County Council adopted the 2027 budget after hearing from residents across the county. This adopted budget includes organizational restructuring and over $3.8 milli

Larsen | I will not let them stick you with the bill for data centers

Data centers are expanding across the country, including here in the Pacific Northwest. This growth carries real consequences for our communities. Data centers require enormous amounts of electricity and water to operate. Without strong guardrails, the costs of building and running these facilities can be passed on to ordinary ratepayers through higher electricity bills and increased strain on local water systems. At the same time, the public infr

Henley: Katherine Bryant Ingman Endorsement

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 […]

Announcing 6th Annual Island Market / Funhouse Commons gingerbread house contest

Get ready for the 6th Annual Gingerbread House Contest sponsored by the Funhouse Commons & Island Market , a holiday Gingerbread House Contest for ALL AGES with cash prizes! Registration to participate in the gingerbread house competition opens on Monday, October 12th through the Funhouse Commons website. There are no entry fees to participate but you must register by Monday, November 30th in order to participate! Only one (1) entry per person, […]

Join the Ferry Riders Opinion Group

Washington State Transportation Commission is inviting ferry riders and the public to join the Ferry Riders’ Opinion Group, or FROG. This group gives you a chance to share your ferry experiences and provide feedback that directly helps shape our service, operations, and fares. The commission uses FROG to conduct periodic online surveys to gather input. Sign up […]

Washington authors speak out against censorship in honor of Banned Books Week 

OLYMPIA — In honor of Banned Books Week (Oct. 4-10, 2026), Washington authors speak out against censorship and share what reading freely means to them. The Washington Center for the Book, a program of the Office of the Secretary of State, partnered with the Washington chapter of Authors Against Book Bans to curate a collection of short videos about what […]

County Council Passes 2027 Budget and Plans for Additional Budget Work Leading into 2028-2029

PRESS RELEASE: At its October 5 meeting, the San Juan County Council adopted the 2027 budget after hearing from residents across the county. This adopted budget includes organizational restructuring and over $3.8 million dollars in reductions to staffing and critical programs across all departments and elected offices. As part of the annual budget adopted on […]

San Juan Island School District: Cost of full-size electric bus too high

LWVSJ Observer Corps*: San Juan Island School Board September 30, 2026. Public Comment: Parent Eliza Habegger is concerned about the use of AI in the classroom. She made three recommendations: 1. Remove Google Gemini in all Chrome books. 2. Consider Los Angeles Unified School District AI use policy. 3. Gather community input on using AI […]

Tom Cowan: Lopez has large support for Katherine Bryant Ingman

I was talking with a friend from San Juan Island and asked what he would think about someone from Stuart Island as the San Juan Island representative on the County Council. His response was that it would be a problem; different culture, different issues and the likely inability to understand San Juan Island’s people and […]

Nov. 3 General Election ballots: Vote! Sign! Ballot Box it!

Submitted by San Juan County.

Orcas Island Clothing Bank returns this fall

The Orcas Island Clothing Bank will return this fall, offering community members an opportunity to find clothing and other household items while giving gently used goods a second life.