Island News

Katherine Bryant Ingman on San Juan County budget

San Juan County is set to spend more than it takes in for 2027. To legally balance the budget, it needs to cut $3.7 million. This didn’t happen overnight. In April 2026, a levy lift failed, with over 60% voting no, forcing difficult decisions. Costs the county can’t control have kept climbing: state mandated programs,insurance, and inflation have all grown faster than revenue. Some revenue tools haven’t kept up. Permit […]

Letter to Editor | Civic engagement beyond ballot box

This week, I had the pleasure of experiencing community engagement, up close on both Waldron and Lopez Islands. Last Sunday, I visited the Waldron community and had several informative conversations. I heard their concerns about receiving county services on a remote island, along with basic infrastructure issues. I was able to share my priorities as a candidate for council, especially around the complex budget challenges our county is f

Letter to Editor | Why I support Swanson for Council

I’m voting for Jennifer Swanson for County Council, District 3 position, and I hope you will too. I have known Jennifer for more than 20 years and have seen her in numerous community service roles, including school board, Ferry Advisory Committee, The Shaw Community Land Trust board, the teacher housing committee, and more.  Of all Jennifer’s volunteer roles, none could have been more challenging or meaningful to the community than the seven years she served as […]

Midnight Mutterings | About lying

Have been thinking about lying lately and why it’s so disturbing. My conclusion is that part of why it is so confusing to me is that it makes me question my own perceptions. Can I really have been so wrong about what I observed, what I saw and heard and the conclusions I reached? Does another person think I can be convinced that what I recall is in error. (I mean, beyond just […]

Preparing for a resilient future

As Orcas Islanders prepare for fall, shorter days, harvesting buckets upon buckets of apples, and unpredictable weather, many nonprofit organizations are launching fall programs and events, and are working to raise awareness and support for the needs of the community.  Fall is a perfect time to get engaged, meet new people, and take part in shaping the future of the organizations you care about. If you’re considering joining a b

Call to Artists | Community show: Six X Six

Art intake on October 22; Art Opening on October 23 The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center announces a new community show — “Six x Six” – to open on October 23. For this show, we will be filling the Madrona Room with a multitude of small works of art, each measuring approximately six inches by six inches. Space permitting, up to six pieces per artist will be accepted. […]

Community budget with county council chair Justin Paulsen scheduled Sept. 23 on San Juan

The San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 Representative will hold a meeting with the community to discuss the County budget and related fiscal challenges at the San Juan Island Library Meeting Room from 6:00-7:30 p.m. San Juan County Council Chair and District 2 representative Justin Paulsen is hosting “Community Budget with County Council Chair Justin Paulsen” – an opportunity to hear the outline of how the County budget works, ask questions,

Build Financial Confidence | Space still available in Orcas Money Smart

There is still time to register for Orcas Money Smart, a practical 7-month financial education program from Orcas Community Resource Center that helps community members build financial confidence and make informed decisions about saving, spending, borrowing, and protecting their money. Now in its fifth year, Orcas Money Smart offers a welcoming space for participants to strengthen everyday financial skills and better understand the choices tha

Kwiaht launches arsenic testing and action project

Islands conservation laboratory Kwiaht is seeking participants in a study of the extent of arsenic contamination in island wells, and actions to reduce adverse health effects Islanders may be at increased risk of colon cancer due to the widespread presence of small amounts of arsenic in the islands’ well water. Although the regulatory ceiling for arsenic in drinking water is 10 parts per billion (ppb) in Washington State, concentrations as low as one […]

Call to artists | ‘Of the Water’ community show at Orcas Center

Art intake on September 23; Art Opening on September 25 The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center announces a new community show — “Of the Water” – to open on September 25. For this show, the VAC welcomes artists to contribute pieces that reflect their own interpretation of the theme. Space permitting, up to three pieces per artist will be accepted and all art mediums will be considered for display. Community shows […]

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is most qualified candidate

I was very pleased to learn that Jennifer Swanson was running for our county council. I cannot imagine a more qualified candidate. I have known Jennifer for more than 20 years. She is smart, informed, well organized, articulate, and responsible. She has a wonderful way of bringing people together, making people feel heard, and diffusing conflict and tension. She has years of experience leading community forms, addressing ferry issues and participating in educational pol

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

The Clinic and Beyond | How OIHCD supports care across Orcas Island

The Health Care District’s financial support of Island Primary Care – Orcas ensures that more than 3,800 residents access primary, same-day, after-hours, and visiting specialty care right here on Orcas. The clinic is staffed by doctors, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, medical assistants, a patient liaison, front desk staff, and our long-time clinic manager — all Islanders except for one staff member. To learn more about the clinic

Portraits in Pencil | An exhibition by Mick Stevens at Senior Center

Every pencil stroke tells a story. This September and October, Orcas Senior Center hosts Portraits in Pencil, a captivating exhibition featuring the work of longtime Orcas Island resident and accomplished artist Mick Stevens. Creating art since 1973, Mick brings decades of skill to these remarkable portraits, each one rich in detail and quiet depth. His expressive drawings go beyond likeness, capturing the personality and spirit of each subject wit

Letter to Editor | In support of candidate Jennifer Swanson

  Taking time to listen and asking thoughtful questions are the two superpowers of County Council candidate Jennifer Swanson. I am writing to support Jennifer’s candidacy for the district 3 County Council position. I have known Jennifer for over 20 years—first as a parent and school board member at Shaw Island School, then as the school superintendent, and most recently as a colleague in the San Juan County CLT Alliance.   Jennifer shares many of my […]

Letter to Editor | Why we’re voting for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council District 3

We proudly endorse Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council District 3 this November. Katherine has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to our island communities through her work in healthcare, food security, ferry advocacy, and countless volunteer efforts. For example, as president of the Catherine Washburn Medical Association, she helped make sure Lopez Island didn’t lose access to healthcare when the clinic changed hands to Sea Mar Community Healt

The Exchange Update | September 2026

Secure Your Load for Safer Roads As we head into the Fall Great Islands Cleanup, we’d like to remind everyone to properly secure trash in or on your vehicles, prior to transporting. Washington state law RCW 46.61.655 requires every vehicle driven or moved on any public road to be constructed or loaded in a way that secures the load and any covering used. TIPS: SECURING YOUR LOAD A Busman’s Holiday “I came […]

Great Islands Cleanup and Hazardous Waste events

Meet at the Eastsound Village Green at 10am for the 2026 Fall Great Islands Cleanup on Saturday, September 26th. (Additional opportunities starting September 19th (visit www.exchangeorcas.org/next-gicu for more info). Bags, vests and grabbers can be picked up starting Monday, September 21st at The Exchange or on Saturday, September 26th (day of event) at the Village Green starting at 10am. Collected trash can be dropped off the day of the event any

Play for pride, pleasure, prizes at upcoming Library event

Calling all book lovers, trivia buffs, and literary know-it-alls! Put all those hours spent with your nose in a book to good use at Literary Trivia, Thursday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Orcas Island Public Library. Gather a team of 2–4 and get ready for four rounds of ten questions covering everything from beloved classics and literary genres to books-to-film, famous quotes, banned books, and a few surprises along […]

Meeting tonight | EWUA’s recurring governance problem

EWUA’s Board meets tonight, September 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. at the Orcas Fire Hall  EWUA’s Board meets tonight, September 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. at the Orcas Fire Hall. As of this morning, EWUA has not emailed or posted an agenda or formal notice containing the meeting details and anticipated business. The most recent posted minutes are from June; the July entry says no meeting occurred. EWUA website That is not an isolated oversight. […]

‘Coffee with Kari’ offers islanders on San Juan time with Councilmember Kari McVeigh

The fourth ‘Coffee with Kari’ of the year will take place on San Juan on September 19 from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Skagit Valley College San Juan Center in Friday Harbor District 1 Council representative Kari McVeigh is hosting another ‘Coffee with Kari’ event on San Juan 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 […]

Paws, pedals, and people this weekend at Orcas airport

Orcas Island airport has been part of our community since the 1940s. Most of us have stood at the fence, watched from Mt Baker Road, or picked someone up at our small terminal more times than we can remember. But almost nobody has ever actually stood on the runway. That’s always been for pilots and staff — and that makes sense, it’s a working runway, not a walking path. But with […]

Land Bank to hold monthly meeting

The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting Friday, September 18. The meeting is scheduled from 8:30am – 11:10am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the Orcas Island Fire Hall, 45 Lavender Lane, Eastsound, WA. The public is invited to attend. Click HERE to download the agenda (includes Zoom meeting link) and meeting materials.  

District Court and Prosecuting Attorney to relocate during courthouse renovations

Both offices are temporarily relocating from the historic courthouse to 545 Park Street to allow for structural renovations being funded through a matching grant from the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation District Court and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office are moving out of the historic courthouse to allow for structural renovations. The “seismic retrofit” will improve the safety of the building in case of an earthquake, a