Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
County Council completes series of September budget meetings; Oct. 5 public hearing to follow
Submitted by San Juan County.
Orcas Senior Center – October highlights
Submitted by the Orcas Senior Center.
Patrick Vincent Stolmeier | Passages
March 16, 1948 – August 18, 2026
ORS/The Exchange and SJC Department of Environmental Stewardship host hazardous waste roundup event
Submitted by San Juan County.
Leadership for our future: Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
Katherine 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.
A grateful thank you after a Moran Park rescue | Letter
My husband and I greatly appreciate the Emergency Response Teams on Orcas and others who responded to my dramatic fall and rescue while walking a path in Moran State Park. First a thank you to the woman who alerted the Ranger on duty who in turn alerted emergency response teams. Another special thank you to Jordan, an OSHU nurse with experience in Emergency Response who was next on the scene assessing my injuries and providing much needed comfort until local teams arrived. And hats off to the gr
Swanson for County Council | Letter
Your vote for Jennifer Swanson for the San Juan County Council will be a vote for the right person. She recognizes that the tough issues facing the County demand leadership to bring islanders together to sustain and honor our values. She understands there are no easy answers to address the challenges of affordable housing, reliable ferry service, a balanced budget of prioritized countywide needs, and a healthy environment. The path forward will require a proven record of personal strength and re
Support for Jennifer Swanson for Council | Letter
There are many reasons I support Jennifer Swanson in her bid for Council Position #3. I’d like to focus on two of her strengths: Jennifer is hard working and displays equanimity when leading.
Tibetan star Yungchen Lhamo brings a global voice to Orcas Center with local icon Rafe Pearlman opening
On Saturday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m., in a rare event, Orcas Center will host internationally acclaimed Tibetan-born singer Yungchen Lhamo and Orcas Islander Rafe Pearlman, who will open the show with his own improvisational, nature-inspired vocal music.
Leadership San Juan Islands to host open house
Leadership San Juan Islands invites you to an Alumni & Applicant Open House on Thursday, October 8, at 285 Geneste Street, Friday Harbor, between 3:30 and 7:00 PM. Join us for savories, sweets, libations and lively conversation. Hosted by our LSJI board, at the home of Steve Hushebeck, we look forward to reconnecting with members of prior cohorts and invite you to bring along an interested colleague/friend/family member as we […]
Letter to Editor | Ingman has our full support
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. We first met Katherine when we began to volunteer at the Lopez Food Share in 2020, during the Covid epidemic. Lopez has a long history of food generosity but as the impact of the epidemic hit the island like a tidal wave, the need […]
Kwiaht launches arsenic testing and action project
By Russel Barsh
Washington, multistate coalition victory protects social services for low-income families
Submitted by the Washington State Office of Attorney General Nick Brown.
Guest Column: Katherine on San Juan County Healthcare Access
From Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council 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 […]
30 county residents’ poems selected in Friday Harbor’s 3rd Annual Poetry Gardens contest
Washington State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield selected the 30 winning poems from the 162 entries in the Town of Friday Harbor’s third Poetry Gardens Contest. He noted they make “a really strong, evocative selection” for the Poetry Gardens. Winning poems will be published in a limited-edition booklet and e-book as well as engraved for display […]
OISD Strategic Planning | Building our future together
The Orcas Island School District is beginning a new Strategic Planning process to help shape the future of our schools. The goal is to celebrate what’s working, identify opportunities for growth, and establish clear priorities that improve experiences and outcomes for students. Your voice matters! Listening sessions are being held for students, staff, families, caregivers, and community members to share their ideas, experiences, and hopes for the future.
David B. Williams comes to Orcas Library for ‘In the Range of Fire and Ice’
What stories can a mountain range tell? On Wednesday, October 7 at 6:00 p.m., the Orcas Island Public Library welcomes award-winning author and naturalist David B. Williams for a special conversation about his book, In the Range of Fire and Ice: A Human and Natural History of Washington’s Cascades. Williams will be joined in conversation by Amy Frost, Executive Director of the Lopez Island Historical Society. Blending human and natural history, […
Friday Harbor Poetry Gardens contest winners announced
The Town of Friday Harbor and Friday Harbor Arts Commission have announced the winners of their third Poetry Gardens Contest. A blind judging process was used to review 162 entries submitted by San Juan County residents. Selection of the 30 winning poems was made by current Washington State Poet Laureate Derek Sheffield who noted they make “a really strong, evocative selection” for the Poetry Gardens. Winning poems will be published […]
Sue Roundy: Leadership for Our Future: Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council
Leadership for Our Future: Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council Katherine 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 […]
Island House Dental now offers anesthesia services | Sponsored content
Submitted by Island House Dental.
Orcas Island Film Festival announces 2026 lineup
By Clare Garvin
Echeverria: Unconditionally endorses Swanson for county council
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 […]
Paynter: Ingman will make a great county council member
To the Editor 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 We first met Katherine when we began to volunteer at the Lopez Food Share in 2020, during the Covid epidemic. Lopez has a long […]
SJI Fire Chief: The Future of Local Fire Protection Depends on Community Volunteers
Volunteer firefighters remain the backbone of the American fire service. According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately 65% of the nation’s firefighters are volunteers, and more than 80% of U.S. fire departments rely on volunteer or combination staffing models. Unfortunately, the number of volunteer firefighters nationwide has steadily declined while emergency service demands continue […]