Island News

Midnight Mutterings | Hand II

I’m calling this ‘Hand II because I think I wrote a column years earlier called ‘Hand’ about my brother’s serious injury to his right hand when he was eight years old that put him into an six+ hour surgery followed by months in hospital in a ward filled with adult male soldiers with war injuries. My brother’s hand and life were saved by penicillin newly added to wound treatment. Shots every three hours […]

Plain talk on the budget

  During the course of my campaign for County Council, I have had countless conversations with people across the islands and have learned a great deal about their concerns. These conversations have given form to how I will, as councilmember, approach the budget. In April, 60.67% of San Juan County voters rejected the county’s levy lid lift. The message was clear: residents are not looking to pay more in property […]

Town of Friday Harbor Proclamation | Hope to live free of abuse

PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, October is recognized nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, domestic violence is a complex and pervasive public health crisis that affects individuals without regard to age, race, gender, education, religious, economic, or societal lines; and WHEREAS, domestic violence is not just physical violence; it often presents as sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, or technological abuse; and WHEREAS, domestic violen

Supporting our strong community

Strong communities are built by people who choose to engage, learn, and lead, and this fall we have several ways to support that work on Orcas. In August, Eric Liu visited Orcas Island for our National Nonprofit Day program, Beyond the Echo Chamber: Strengthening Civic Culture on Orcas Island. His message about listening across differences and taking part in civic life resonated with everyone in the room. If you missed […]

Getting to Know Katherine | People-first leadership & proven results

Excellent council members bring neighbors together, build on community strengths, identify solutions by focusing on shared goals, and lead through change and crisis with empathy and compassion. I have a proven, professional track record of effective community facilitation, mediation, and equitable outcomes — even in circumstances where diverse viewpoints seemed irreconcilable. With the Lopez Island Prevention Coalition, I helped bu

Joint statement of Governor Bob Ferguson and Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller on west coast oil pipeline

OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson and Washington Department of Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller offer the folllowing joint statement regarding the Oct. 1 decision by the Canadian Major Projects Office to list the West Coast Oil Pipeline as a “Project of National Interest”: “We are disappointed in the decision today by the Government of Canada to list the proposed oil pipeline as a project of national interest. The classification puts the project on a [

November 3, 2026, General Election Ballots | Vote! Sign! Ballot Box it!

All registered San Juan County voters will receive a ballot for the 2026 General Election. Ballots will be mailed on October 9 Mark your calendars for the upcoming General Election on November 3! Races for important Federal, State, and County positions will appear on the ballot, as well as vital ballot measures for the State, the San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 4, the Port of Lopez, the Orcas Island Park & […]

In Memoriam | Doug Marshall

It is difficult to find the words to say goodbye to someone who has been an important part of my life. My beloved husband, Doug Marshall, passed away on September 15 with me by his side. Doug loved this island, and in 1995 made a decision to purchase property in West Sound and to build our retirement home. He loved the beauty of the island, the quiet moments, the familiar places, and most of […]

WSF Weekly Report | Reducing fleet age; week without driving challenge; Nevey’s 5-year anniversary

A message from Steve Today marks my five-year anniversary at Washington State Ferries. I joined WSF in 2021 as operations director and stepped into my current role in the spring of 2024. When I arrived, we were facing unprecedented crew shortages and struggling to put 11 or 12 of our 18 scheduled ferries into service on any given day. Drawing on my private sector experience developing maritime crews, we worked with […]

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

Orcas Airport is now open – two days early

A few moments ago the A2,A3 and A4 barricades were removed as well as all midfield and east side hangar barriers, ORS is 100% open, two days early! A huge thanks for your flexibility, understanding, safe ops and professionalism throughout the project. There’s still work to do, but we have arguably the nicest GA airport in Washington, your continued safe attention to all things air and ground related at ORS is […]

Free immunization clinics for children to protect against influenza and COVID

Free influenza and COVID-19 immunizations for all children 6 months through 18 years old this October! Please note, while we hope to have sufficient COVID-19 vaccine availability, there may be shortages and delays in the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine. Protect your family this fall and winter by bringing your child to one of our upcoming school-based walk-up immunization clinics. We will have vaccines to protect children against flu and it is anticip

Experience a night of fingerstyle guitar with Calum Graham

Fingerstyle guitarist Calum Graham will bring his intricate, genre-bending playing to the Orcas Center stage on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at www.orcascenter.org. Born in British Columbia and now based in Victoria, Graham has spent nearly two decades building an international following with original music that is both technically dazzling and deeply felt. Acoustic Guitar magazine named him one of the world’s top 30 guitari

Learn to fly in 2027

Three OAA scholarships now open Have you ever watched a small plane lift off Runway 34 at Orcas Island Airport and thought, “That could be me”? This year, it really could — and the island needs you up there. The Orcas Aviation Association (OAA) is now accepting applications for our 2027 Adult Private Pilot Scholarships, and we’ve expanded the program: three scholarships will be awarded this cycle, up from two in […]

Take charge of your health at upcoming Senior Center screening

Life Line Screening will be at Orcas Senior Center on Thursday, October 22 offering safe, painless, and non-invasive preventive health screenings—services not typically included in a routine physical. By participating, you can take a proactive step toward protecting your health and supporting your well-being, as well as that of your family and community. You can register online at llsa.social/HABC or call toll-free: 1-800-324-9458.

All San Juan County beaches closed to recreational shellfish harvesting

Due to high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison, all beaches are closed until further notice As of Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has closed recreational shellfish harvesting in San Juan County due to unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP). This closure includes all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters, and snails. PSP and other biotoxins are pois

No jurors required, October 5-9

JURY DUTY: OCTOBER 5-9, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning October 5th, 2026 are excused. Thank you.  

Letter to Editor | Swanson will be a great addition to county council

I endorse Jennifer Swanson for County Council. She is a great listener, and strives for communication, not conflict, to resolve issues. She has worked to better our community through communication and respectful dialog. She considers all sides of an issue before making a decision, and will make a great addition to county council.  

Orcas Youth Chorus is back

Don’t miss this fabulous opportunity to work with local musician, Stormy Hildreth, for a reboot of the Orcas Youth Chorus!  Middle and High School Students are welcome to attend this weekly class on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 in the Black Box to expand their musical theory and knowledge, rehearse using healthy vocal techniques, practice standing with poise and posture, and confidently sing rich harmonies with friends. Performance opportunities w

Shoe Drive provides shoes for 60 island children

The Orcas Community Resource Center is grateful to continue its long-time partnership with the Sons of the American Legion through the annual Shoe Drive, which provided shoes for 60 island children this year. This ongoing effort helps ensure local children have comfortable, properly fitting shoes for school, play, and everyday activities. For families, support like this can ease household expenses while helping children feel prepared for the months ah

Weather delays work at Port of Orcas

Due to weather conditions, the crew at Port of Orcas is shutting down operations, and we are taking a weather day. This delay will push the runway opening and extend the remaining soil placement and hydroseeding work through Thursday. Our current plan is to remove the BMPs and open the taxiway on Thursday evening. However, depending on field conditions and production, there is a possibility we may need until Friday morning […]

Letter to Editor | My enthusiastic endorsement of Jennifer Swanson

I have been a voter in San Juan County for more than 50 years and am writing to enthusiastically endorse Jennifer Swanson for County Commissioner.   Jennifer and I worked together on the Shaw Island school board for several years. During her term as chairman she was called upon to  steer the board through the  Covid-19 pandemic.  It was a challenging time but Jennifer based her leadership on the facts and the science.   […]

Japanese music masters Také to Ito perform at Odd Fellows

The sounds of traditional and contemporary Japanese music come to Orcas Island when Také to Ito, featuring koto master Curtis Patterson and shakuhachi master Bruce Huebner, perform at Odd Fellows Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 8. Také to Ito – a name evoking také (bamboo) and ito (string), brings together two musicians who have devoted much of their lives to the study and performance of Japanese music. Their […]

Letter to Editor | Candidate’s dreams are spendy

I read Katherine Ingman Bryant’s goals to improve health care services in San Juan County and was struck by one glaring omission: How much will all of this cost—and where will the money come from? San Juan County is facing a serious budget crisis. Health Services have already been cut to the bone, and 2028 is expected to bring even deeper cuts. Against that backdrop, promising expanded health care services without explaining the price tag isn’t a plan. […]