Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Support for Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
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.
Civic engagement goes beyond the ballot box | Letter
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.
Free immunization clinics for children: Protect your child against influenza and COVID
Submitted by San Juan County.
Remembering Doug Marshall and his love for Orcas Island | Column
Submitted by Michell (Mitch) Marshall.
The 6th Annual Island Market and Funhouse Commons Gingerbread House Contest
Submitted by the Funhouse Commons.
Vote Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
This is to share how my husband and I know Katherine Bryant Ingman candidate for San Juan County Council District 3, and why she has our full support
In support of Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
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. Her calm demeanor and ability to listen have made her a valuable member of our isla
Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
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.
David B. Williams comes to Orcas Island for ‘In the Range of Fire and Ice’
Submitted by the Orcas Island Public Library.
Expert speakers highlight sustainable gardening at October workshop series
Submitted by the Master Gardeners.
Orcas Christian School brings generations together for ‘Grandparents Lunch’
The lunch at Orcas Christian School was filled with conversation, laughter and familiar faces as students welcomed grandparents and other special guests for the school’s first Grandparents Lunch.
OCS students develop leadership skills at Sunset Lake Camp
Orcas Christian School high school and middle school students returned Thursday from a week at Sunset Lake Camp in Wilkeson, Washington, where they joined students from several small Adventist schools for activities focused on leadership, worship, teamwork and personal growth.
Japanese music masters Také to Ito perform at Odd Fellows
Submitted by the Odd Fellows Hall.
After hung jury, Friday Harbor man pleads guilty to assault in the fourth degree
A 44-year-old Friday Harbor man charged with first-degree child molestation pleaded guilty on Sept. 21 to lesser charges after his August trial ended in a hung jury.
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson has our wholehearted support for Council position
We are writing to offer our wholehearted support for Jennifer Swanson for County Council. We’ve known Jennifer since she and her husband Chad moved to Shaw Island in 2003. Jennifer is someone who is thoughtful, trustworthy, and deeply committed to serving our community. Her dedication is demonstrated through action and looking for practical ways to make a difference. She helped lead the effort to create and secure funding for a teacher housing project. […]
Letter to Editor | Endorsement for Katherine Bryant Ingman, County Council, District 3
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 priorities. I then sought out a friend from Orcas Island and asked what she would think about their Council representative […]
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is a proven leader
We’ve known Jennifer Swanson for over 20 years and worked with her on numerous community events on Shaw. She’s empathetic, smart, and seemingly tireless. On issues that impact our islands’ way of life, she’s purposely well-informed and open to hearing all views. Jennifer’s a proven leader, having served on the Ferry Advisory Committee, Shaw School Board, and as Shaw School Superintendent, all jobs that require thoughtful diplomatic skills. Jen’s strong and stead
Letter to Editor | We need Jennifer Swanson’s calm and even temperament for County Council
I write to highlight the profound actions SJC Council candidate longtime-islander Jennifer Swanson’s taken in our community, which are easily applied to the larger islands. Most notably, she has served as an elected official for repeated terms as a school district board member (and board chair for part of that), and then as appointed superintendent. School board member and superintendent duties are the same for small districts as for larger ones. The requirements includ
Enter OPALCO’s co-op member photo contest or grand prize giveaway
October is National Co-op Month Every year in October, cooperatives around the nation celebrate National Cooperative Month. OPALCO, San Juan County’s local not-for-profit cooperative utility, is spending this month celebrating co-op members. Throughout October, check the OPALCO social media accounts (@orcaspower) to learn more about what it means to be a co-op and benefits of the cooperative model. This year OPALCO is holding the fi
Katherine Bryant Ingman on ferries & transportation
Transportation is essential to daily life in San Juan County. Ferry service remains our most critical link, but residents also rely on roads, transit, freight movement, and regional connections to get to work, healthcare, school, and the essentials of daily life. It’s important to acknowledge that San Juan County doesn’t control the ferries, but we’re starting to get real traction. While we were all excited when Governor Inslee fas
Busy month for Vikings fans
Submitted by Amy Carlson and The Orcas Island Booster Team.
October 6: Genetic Population Structure of Harbor Seals in WA state
October 6 | 6 pm | The Whale Museum | Friday Harbor Learn about the genetics of harbor seals in Washington state with The Whale Museum’s Alexandrea Otto! Alexandrea is currently finishing her Master’s at Western Washington University studying harbor seal population genetics in the Pacific Northwest. Some of her past projects include studying heart […]
October is National Co-op Month
Enter OPALCO’s co-op member photo contest or grand prize giveaway Every year in October, cooperatives around the nation celebrate National Cooperative Month. OPALCO, San Juan County’s local not-for-profit cooperative utility, is spending this month celebrating co-op members. Throughout October, check the OPALCO social media accounts (@orcaspower) to learn more about what it means to be […]
Cindy Wolf – Guest Opinion: Beheading the Department of Environmental Stewardship
In the State of Washington, responsibility falls on the local and Tribal governments to execute Salmon habitat conservation and restoration projects, which is a focused way of saying projects addressing marine health in general. This mission dovetails nicely with the clean water utility function of keeping pollution out of the stormwater and surface water. The solid […]