Island News

Ingman on San Juan County healthcare access

San Juan County faces real access to healthcare challenges. We’re rural and remote. Our population is aging, and Medicare reimbursement brings in less revenue than private or marketplace insurance. This puts financial pressure on local providers. Many islanders also need specialty care that falls outside what primary care can offer. This means that if we need to see a specialist, spending a half or full day traveling off

ORS/The Exchange and SJC Environmental Stewardship host upcoming hazardous waste roundup event

Residents are invited to safely dispose of household chemicals at October 3rd collection event on Orcas San Juan County Department of Environmental Stewardship and ORS/The Exchange are hosting a hazardous waste round-up collection event, giving island residents the chance to legally and responsibly dispose of poisonous, flammable, corrosive, or otherwise hazardous materials. The event will take place October 3rd from 10 am – 2 pm at The Exchange, 3398

‘Coffee with Kari’ offers islanders on Lopez time with Councilmember Kari McVeigh

The fifth ‘Coffee with Kari’ of the year will take place on September 26 from 10:00-11:30 a.m. at the Lopez Library District 1 Council representative Kari McVeigh is hosting another ‘Coffee with Kari’ event on Lopez 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 year and has continued the tradition into 2026. The upcoming […]

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 […]

WSF Weekly Report | Record breaking summer ridership; peak season surcharge ends

A message from Steve We welcomed a record number of people on board this summer. More than seven million riders traveled with us from June 14 through this past Saturday. That’s our highest summer ridership since 2019, and nearly 130,000 more riders than last summer. Of our 16 days with 90,000 or more riders since the pandemic, half happened this year. None of this would be possible without my colleagues. I […]

Meeting of Friends of Orcas Library scheduled

The Friends of the Orcas Island Library will hold their annual meeting on Sunday, October 11th at the Orcas Island Library, from 4:30 pm – 6 pm. During the meeting, we will be electing new members to the Board of Directors and will pass on reports of the last fiscal year, including results from fundraising events. All current members are eligible and encouraged to vote. Doors open at 4pm. […]

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

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

San Juan County Parks, Recreation & Fair Department thanks the Lopez Community Trails Network

After years of collaboration, the San Juan County Parks, Recreation & Fair Department wants to give thanks to the Lopez Community Trails Network as they disband As the Lopez Community Trails Network (LCTN) announces its closure, the San Juan County Parks, Recreation & Fair Department wishes to acknowledge and celebrate the collaboration between our organizations regarding both the construction and maintenance of trail projects in multiple Lopez Island

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 […]

San Juan Islands Museum of Art presents Alison Stigora: Constellation

The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) is proud to present Alison Stigora: Constellation, an immersive, site-specific installation created for the museum’s dramatic glass atrium. Commissioned by SJIMA, the exhibition brings together more than one hundred suspended sculptures made from driftwood and reclaimed shattered glass with changing natural light and sound, transforming the atrium into a shimmering environment that shifts th

Island Voices | Come hear what your neighbors have to say

Ten island writers. Ten unique voices. One night of stories, poems, essays, and the unexpected. Join the Orcas Island Public Library for Island Voices on Friday, September 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Parish Hall, an evening celebrating the writers and storytellers who live right here in our community. Each writer gets just a few minutes at the microphone, so the evening will move quickly and offer a wonderful mix of […]

Getting to know Katherine | What makes San Juan County home?

We moved to Lopez in 2014 after Joe landed a job at Spencer Spit State Park. I must admit, I was hesitant at first. I wasn’t sure how life on Lopez would mix with my plans to go to grad school or pursue career opportunities I was excited about. But Lopez altered the course of my life. I was overcome by the island’s caring, grounded, and connected community.  We […]

October highlights from Orcas Senior Center

Orcas Senior Center offers a variety of ongoing classes, social groups, wellness activities, and creative programs throughout the month. All programs are open to everyone, regardless of age, and new participants are always welcome. A full calendar with dates and times is available at www.orcasseniors.org/calendar-of-events. This Month at the Senior Center: Fitness & Wellness: Chair yoga Arts & Creativity: Art with Carla, quilting, needlework, and w

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 […]

Orcas Island Food Bank announces new interim Executive Director

As the Orcas Island Food Bank continues to work to serve our clients and the community in the best way possible, the Food Bank Board has engaged Michele Bart of Purposeful Consulting Group, LLC as interim executive director while our Executive Director Amanda Sparks takes time away from her day-to-day responsibilities to focus on her family, and we appreciate everyone’s support. Bart brings 25-plus years of food bank management and […]

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 drill at 10:15am on Thursday, October 15th. Signing up AND participating is […]

New clinic providers meet & greet September 22, 2026

Island Primary Care – Orcas clinic has welcomed two new Providers over the past six months, Cameron Fralick, PA-C, and Paula Whitmire, MD. In order for community members to meet these new providers outside of clinic appointments, Orcas Island Health Care District will be hosting a meet & greet event for the providers. @ Emmanuel Episcopal Church Parish Hall 242 Main St, Eastsound, WA 98245 5:30 – 6:30 PM Light refreshments will be […]

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

Updated | Coming to Orcas Center | Kids Got Talent show

UPDATE: The time for Saturday’s show has been changed to 6 p.m. Orcas Center’s annual youth talent show will highlight the island’s youngest performers who will sing and dance, do skits or play an instrument. The show is on Saturday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m., and will be hosted by 12-year-old Agathe Elverum. Kids Got Talent is directed by Clint McCune. The show is […]

Yoga & Ukulele Thursday mornings at Orcas Center

Yogalele’s fall season is now in session! Join us Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 9:15am in the Madrona Room at Orcas Center to stretch and strum, pluck and smile, experience savasana, and possibly learn a few new moves and chords. All levels (yoga and ukulele) welcome, each class tailored to the attendees. Bring your mat and your ukulele if you have one (ukes are not required, non-players always welcome!) and get your […]

Coming to Orcas Center | Yungchen Lhamo in concert with Rafe Pearlman

Internationally acclaimed Tibetan singer Yungchen Lhamo, recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Artist Award from the City of Kingston Arts Commission and the Department of Arts & Cultural Affairs, will make her first-ever visit to Orcas Island this fall. She will perform in concert at Orcas Center on Saturday, Oct. 3, with Rafe Pearlman as the opening artist. Yungchen will sing some songs a cappella, others accompanied by guitarist John Alevi

Orcas Christian School brings generations together for Grandparents Lunch

The lunch at Orcas Christian School (OCS) was filled with conversation, laughter and familiar faces as students welcomed grandparents and other special guests for the school’s first Grandparents Lunch. Held in celebration of Grandparents Day, the event brought around 25 grandparents and guests to campus to share a meal and spend time with OCS students. For OCS Vice Principal Kammi Griffen, seeing the room filled with students and their loved ones was what made