Island News

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

Larsen fights for guardrails on data centers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined 110 House Democrats in a letter to tech industry leaders last Friday demanding that all data center construction follow strict guardrails to protect consumers from electricity and water price hikes.   “Data center projects and the energy systems and infrastructure that support them must be built and operated responsibly with a commitment to high-quality construction, good jobs, str

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

New analysis reveals major increase in vessel traffic through the Salish Sea

A new analysis by Friends of the San Juans shows that ocean-going vessel traffic in the Salish Sea is projected to increase by nearly 2,000 additional shipping transits annually, including a dramatic increase in tanker traffic going to and from Canada that could more than quadruple historic tanker traffic levels. The 2026 Salish Sea Vessel Traffic Projections identifies 1,980 additional annual vessel transits associated with proposed, permitt

Port of Orcas to meet on Sept. 28

The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, September 28th at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.  

No jurors required for Sept. 28 – Oct. 2

JURY DUTY: SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 2, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning September 28th, 2026 are excused. Thank you. View it on website

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 […]

AI developments necessitate moratorium on data centers

Almost every day the warnings are becoming more ominous. The looming threats posed by artificial general intelligence — an advanced version of AI also known as superintelligence, which exceeds any human capabilities — are potentially catastrophic. Knowledgeable insiders and practitioners are warning that the future of humanity itself may well be at risk. AI agents are becoming so powerful that evil actors could conceivably use them to inst

County Council completes series of September budget meetings; October 5th public hearing to follow

San Juan County Council recently completed a series of budget conversations in September 2026, following the August 25th release of the 2027 preliminary budget At its meeting on Tuesday, Council wrapped up its last budget related discussion scheduled for the month of September and is now preparing for a public hearing on October 5 – its first opportunity to adopt the proposed 2027 budget. The public hearing is the next critical step after […]

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 […]

No jurors needed for Sept. 28 – Nov. 2

JURY DUTY: SEPTEMBER 28 – NOVEMBER 2, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning September 28th, 2026 are excused. Thank you. View it on website

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 […]

Health Care Board to meet Sept. 23

The Orcas Island Health Care District will hold a regularly scheduled board meeting on Wednesday, September 23rd from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Orcas Island Library, 500 Rose Street, Eastsound. The public packet is available below. 01. 2026_09_23 Agenda_Regular_Board.pdf 02. 2026_09_08 OIHCD Claims Payment Request.pdf 03. 2026_09_22 OIHCD Claims Payment Request.pdf 04. 2026-08 MIH Report.pdf 05. Interlocal Funding Agreement V3_09

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 […]