Island News

October 17: Orca Recovery Day Open House in Friday Harbor

Keith Busha January 18, 1951 – September 18, 2026

Keith David Granley, also known as Keith Busha, was born on January 18, 1951 in Queens New York, the second child and only son of David Granley, a half-Swedish mining engineer from Minnesota, and Irma Moisio Granley, a native New Yorker of Piedmontese Italian heritage.  He died from complications of lung cancer on September 18, […]

Jeff Asher is write-in candidate for San Juan County Sheriff

Wow! I am truly taken aback by the outpouring of support encouraging me to run for Sheriff. Thank you all for the calls and texts requesting my participation in the upcoming Sheriff’s election. When I was first asked to consider this opportunity, I was hesitant, as it is not something I take lightly. As many […]

Great Islands Cleanup: 152 volunteers gathered up 2,382 pounds of trash

Across the San Juan Islands this fall, community members came together to clean beaches, shorelines, roadsides, and favorite island places as part of the bi-annual Great Islands Cleanup. The fall cleanup brought volunteers together around a simple idea: caring for these islands is a legacy worth continuing. This year’s theme of ‘Caring for Our Island […]

October 17: Orca Recovery Day Open House in Friday Harbor

Advertising Rates

SAN JUAN ISLANDER ADVERTISING RATES  Example of Premium Ad Premium Ads  600 pixels wide by 400 pixels $100 a week | $360 a month Posted above or below photo of the day Large Tile Ad  200 pixels wide by 400 pixels $50 a week |  $160 a month Posted in the middle of the  home […]

SeaDoc Society’s Salish Sea Wild: Young Beachcomber Finds Giant Mystery Predator Egg

A mythical object long tied to mermaids turns out to be real. Its discovery on a local beach is the once-in-a-lifetime find for a young girl and leads SeaDoc scientists on a race for answers. Will Dr. Michelle Lino make it off the mountain in time? Will Dr. Joe Gaydos starve before he gets there? […]

October 14: Candidate Forums in Eastsound

The League of Women Voters of San Juans is presenting three candidate forums. All forums begin at 5:30 p.m.: Monday, October 12 — Grace Episcopal Church, Lopez Island Tuesday, October 13 — The Mullis Senior Center, Friday Harbor, San Juan Island Wednesday, October 14 — Orcas Senior Center, Orcas Island The San Juan County Auditor oversees county elections, financial reporting, […]

Jeremy Nash: San Juan County by the Numbers

San Juan County recently put out a press release announcing that the Council had adopted the 2027 budget. After all the kerfuffle over the budget this year, I wanted to see what they had actually come up with and try to put the whole thing into perspective for myself. That led me into the County’s […]

Sophia Swanson: In Support of Jennifer Swanson, My Mom, for County Council

I believe that my mom’s candidacy for county council is both unexpected and a long time coming; that is to say, it’s such a natural role for her to step into. The depth to which she cares for our community is obvious: she served on the Shaw Island School Board for eleven years while my […]

Guest Column: Katherine on Housing & Affordability

From Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council I know the struggle of housing in the islands, firsthand. We have regularly housed friends and essential workers in the summers because we know that it takes the entire community to seek practical housing solutions. Before we bought our fixer-upper, we moved around to several rentals that were not suitable or […]

Wolf: Endorsement for KBI – Leadership with a stake in the future

Katherine Bryant Ingman has the vision, strength of leadership and proven negotiating skills to take care of business for the people of San Juan County. She has proven problem solving ability and a collaborative leadership style needed to address the current issues facing San Juan County. I admire her practical understanding for what resources are […]

Janet Brownell: Supports Katherine | She Gets It

A few months ago, I received a phone call. “Hi, I’m Katherine. I’m running for county council, and so-and-so suggested I reach out to you for advice.” My sage advice? Don’t do it. The county is at an inflection point. Budget tightening is coming, hard decisions lie ahead, and it’s not going to be fun. […]

Rob Grant: Endorses of Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council District 3

I am supporting Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County District 3! Decatur is a relatively small outer island in the archipelago, but we are a critical link in the energy chain serving the entire county! We need a fierce advocate on the Council, one who speaks truth to power and will represent not only […]

Sharon Abreu: Endorses Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council

Support for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council Although I acknowledge that we here in San Juan County are fortunate to have two strong candidates running for County Council District 3, I have decided to endorse Katherine Bryant Ingman for the position. I appreciate Katherine’s energy, and I see her as an independent thinker, which […]

Maureen See: Jennifer Swanson is the best candidate for County Council District #3.

Jennifer Swanson is the right person to tackle our problems.   She is articulate and organized and qualified to do the job.   She will listen to the community and respect their opinions.    She will understand the role of the County Council in our government and in our neighborhoods.   She will not engage […]

October 12: Indigenous Peoples Day

Columbus Day which is on October 12, 2026 is recognized as a federal holiday meaning federal offices, banks,  and the Post Office will be closed.  Indigenous Peoples Day has replaced Columbus Day in many states but is not a federal holiday. Washington state recognizes Indigenous Peoples Day but not as an official state holiday.  Washington […]

Governor Ferguson Commits to Addressing WSF Engine Room Crew Workforce Crisis

The Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) represents  417 licensed and unlicensed engineers who operate, repair, and maintain the fleet of vessels at Washington State Ferries (WSF). A growing workforce crisis boiled over this week when crew call-outs resulted in major service disruptions. Eric Winge, the MEBA representative for WSF, shared developments today: “Our union leadership […]

Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Update: 2026 Market Snap Shot

Here is our September 2026 Market Snap Shot. The report indicates that 2026 is trending very similar to 2025, even with international turmoil. It feels as if year-ending 2026 will close out very similar to 2025 as well.

Borner: Jennifer builds community through service and hard work.

I have known Jennifer for 20 years. She is a thoughtful, inclusive leader who brings people with diverse opinions together to find solutions. Jennifer has a proven record of public service and strong relationships throughout the county. She served 11 years on the school board and later led as superintendent through COVID. During that challenging […]

Long-time Lopez Pharmacists Endorse Katherine for County Council

We would like to endorse Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council. During our 30-plus years owning the Lopez Island Pharmacy, we’ve been fortunate to know and work closely with many of the former council representatives from Lopez. Katherine has served in many island and county-wide positions. When management of our clinic transitioned from the University […]

J31 is carrying her dead calf

Center for Whale Research posted October 7, 2026 on Facebook: Our team is saddened to report that Southern Resident killer whale J31 has been observed with a deceased newborn calf. CWR researcher Mark Malleson encountered J31 and her immediate family on October 3rd near Sombrio Point in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It’s unclear […]

Burn Permits Now Local on Orcas Island

Orcas Island, WA – Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (OIFR) will begin issuing burn permits for Orcas Island. Permits will be available starting October 12, 2026, if weather and conditions allow. The process is online. Apply and pay at orcasfire.org. The site also has burn safety rules and requirements. You may also come to Station 21 at […]

Ferries: I’ll Keep Fighting for Improvements By Jennifer Swanson, Candidate for County Council District 3 

Of Washington’s 39 counties, San Juan County is the only one made up entirely of islands, reachable  only by boat or plane. Most residents rely on Washington State Ferries (WSF), and for the past eight  years I have served on our county’s Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC), currently as chair, acting as a link  between WSF […]