Island News

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

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 […]

Fall sailing schedule starts this Sunday, September 20

Our fall sailing schedule starts Sunday, Sept. 20 and lasts through Dec. 26.   Port Townsend/Coupeville: The route will continue two-boat service until Oct. 5, when it returns to one-boat service until next spring. This is one week earlier than planned, due to vessel maintenance.   Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: From early October through early November, the route will run a two-boat schedule with a third, unscheduled vessel while the Kittitas is out of servi

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

WSF Weekly Report | Classroom on the water; fall schedule starts Sunday

A message from Steve As our ferries age, I’m consistently impressed by the work of our chief engineers, assistant engineers, oilers and wipers. They work closely with our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility and Capital Planning and Construction teams to keep our boats operating at their best. This sometimes means repairing and maintaining parts that are no longer manufactured, covered by warranties or even able to be operated reliably. That is

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

No jury duty for you, Sept. 21-25

JURY DUTY: SEPTEMBER 21-25, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning September 21st, 2026 are excused. Thank you.  

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