Island News

Getting to Know Katherine | People-first leadership & proven results

Excellent council members bring neighbors together, build on community strengths, identify solutions by focusing on shared goals, and lead through change and crisis with empathy and compassion. I have a proven, professional track record of effective community facilitation, mediation, and equitable outcomes — even in circumstances where diverse viewpoints seemed irreconcilable. With the Lopez Island Prevention Coalition, I helped bu

Joint statement of Governor Bob Ferguson and Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller on west coast oil pipeline

OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson and Washington Department of Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller offer the folllowing joint statement regarding the Oct. 1 decision by the Canadian Major Projects Office to list the West Coast Oil Pipeline as a “Project of National Interest”: “We are disappointed in the decision today by the Government of Canada to list the proposed oil pipeline as a project of national interest. The classification puts the project on a [

November 3, 2026, General Election Ballots | Vote! Sign! Ballot Box it!

All registered San Juan County voters will receive a ballot for the 2026 General Election. Ballots will be mailed on October 9 Mark your calendars for the upcoming General Election on November 3! Races for important Federal, State, and County positions will appear on the ballot, as well as vital ballot measures for the State, the San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 4, the Port of Lopez, the Orcas Island Park & […]

In Memoriam | Doug Marshall

It is difficult to find the words to say goodbye to someone who has been an important part of my life. My beloved husband, Doug Marshall, passed away on September 15 with me by his side. Doug loved this island, and in 1995 made a decision to purchase property in West Sound and to build our retirement home. He loved the beauty of the island, the quiet moments, the familiar places, and most of […]

WSF Weekly Report | Reducing fleet age; week without driving challenge; Nevey’s 5-year anniversary

A message from Steve Today marks my five-year anniversary at Washington State Ferries. I joined WSF in 2021 as operations director and stepped into my current role in the spring of 2024. When I arrived, we were facing unprecedented crew shortages and struggling to put 11 or 12 of our 18 scheduled ferries into service on any given day. Drawing on my private sector experience developing maritime crews, we worked with […]

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

What seeds have you sown?: A harvest festival rooted in reflection

Orcas Islanders gathered at the fifth annual Family Tides Farm & Northwest Indian College Fall Festival on Sept. 20 to celebrate with friends and contemplate their own harvest over the past year.

November 3, 2026 General Election Ballots: Vote – Sign It -Ballot Box it

SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. October 1, 2026 – Mark your calendars for the upcoming General Election on November 3! Races for important Federal, State, and County positions will appear on the ballot, as well as vital ballot measures for the State, the San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 4, the Port of Lopez, the […]

Free Immunization Clinics for Children: Protect Your Child Against Influenza and COVID

SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. October 1, 2026 – Protect your family this fall and winter by bringing your child to one of our upcoming school-based walk-up immunization clinics. We will have vaccines to protect children against flu and it is anticipated that there will be COVID-19 vaccines available for all children 6 months through 18 years old. […]

Guest Column: Getting to Know Katherine: People-First Leadership & Proven Results

From Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council: Excellent council members bring neighbors together, build on community strengths, identify solutions by focusing on shared goals, and lead through change and crisis with empathy and compassion. I have a proven, professional track record of effective community facilitation, mediation, and equitable outcomes — even in circumstances […]

Town of Friday Harbor issues proclamation about Domestic Violence Awareness month

PROCLAMATION Hope to Live Free of Abuse WHEREAS, October is recognized nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, domestic violence is a complex and pervasive public health crisis that affects individuals without regard to age, race, gender, education, religious, economic, or societal lines; and WHEREAS, domestic violence is not just physical violence; it often […]

Orcas Airport is now open – two days early

A few moments ago the A2,A3 and A4 barricades were removed as well as all midfield and east side hangar barriers, ORS is 100% open, two days early! A huge thanks for your flexibility, understanding, safe ops and professionalism throughout the project. There’s still work to do, but we have arguably the nicest GA airport in Washington, your continued safe attention to all things air and ground related at ORS is […]

Free immunization clinics for children to protect against influenza and COVID

Free influenza and COVID-19 immunizations for all children 6 months through 18 years old this October! Please note, while we hope to have sufficient COVID-19 vaccine availability, there may be shortages and delays in the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine. Protect your family this fall and winter by bringing your child to one of our upcoming school-based walk-up immunization clinics. We will have vaccines to protect children against flu and it is anticip

Experience a night of fingerstyle guitar with Calum Graham

Fingerstyle guitarist Calum Graham will bring his intricate, genre-bending playing to the Orcas Center stage on Sunday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at www.orcascenter.org. Born in British Columbia and now based in Victoria, Graham has spent nearly two decades building an international following with original music that is both technically dazzling and deeply felt. Acoustic Guitar magazine named him one of the world’s top 30 guitari

Learn to fly in 2027

Three OAA scholarships now open Have you ever watched a small plane lift off Runway 34 at Orcas Island Airport and thought, “That could be me”? This year, it really could — and the island needs you up there. The Orcas Aviation Association (OAA) is now accepting applications for our 2027 Adult Private Pilot Scholarships, and we’ve expanded the program: three scholarships will be awarded this cycle, up from two in […]

Take charge of your health at upcoming Senior Center screening

Life Line Screening will be at Orcas Senior Center on Thursday, October 22 offering safe, painless, and non-invasive preventive health screenings—services not typically included in a routine physical. By participating, you can take a proactive step toward protecting your health and supporting your well-being, as well as that of your family and community. You can register online at llsa.social/HABC or call toll-free: 1-800-324-9458.

All San Juan County beaches closed to recreational shellfish harvesting

Due to high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison, all beaches are closed until further notice As of Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has closed recreational shellfish harvesting in San Juan County due to unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP). This closure includes all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, geoduck, scallops, mussels, oysters, and snails. PSP and other biotoxins are pois

Guest Column by Jennifer Swanson

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. In April, 60.67% of San Juan County voters rejected the county’s levy lid […]

Is it really just about beer? Or is there a deeper meaning? | Column

By Jacob Linnes

October artist at the Orcas Library

Submitted by the Orcas Public Library.

Mount Constitution volunteers recognized with statewide award

By Hilary Clark

Due to high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison, all San Juan County beaches are closed until further notice.

Due to high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison, all beaches are closed until further notice.As of Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has closed recreational shellfish harvesting in San Juan County due to unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP). This closure includes all species of molluscan shellfish including clams, […]

Week 5:  FRIDAY HARBOR WOLVERINE FOOTBALL Trivia, numbers, history, ramblings and stuff by Bruce Bennett

 Friday, October 2, 6:00 p.m., Friday Harbor (3-1) at Coupeville (0-3)      This goes back to the beginning.  The Wolverines played six games in their initial season in 1973 and Coupeville was the fourth of those (CHS won 20-14).      The Wolves suffered losses in their first three games – to Klahowya 34-12, Raymond-South Bend 45-7 and […]

No jurors required, October 5-9

JURY DUTY: OCTOBER 5-9, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning October 5th, 2026 are excused. Thank you.