Island News
The San Juan Islands Museum of Art Summer 2026 Exhibitions include Photography, etching, glass sculpture and feather sculpture
Three exceptional exhibitions will fill the San Juan Islands Museum of Art’s galleries June 11, 2026 – September 14, 2026 this summer, featuring renowned artists whose work is focused on the natural and cultural environments of Washington State and beyond. Photography, etching, glass sculpture and feather sculpture will be showcased. The Museum is located at 540 […]
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue welcomes 21 new firefighters, one of largest academies in department’s history
ORCAS ISLAND, WA — Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR) held its 2026 Fire Academy Graduation Ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Station 21 in Eastsound. The ceremony was standing room only, with more than 150 friends and family members in attendance. Families traveled from across the country to witness the milestone, including Deputy […]
Public Hospital District #1 told Family Resource Center has acquired additional space in Friday Harbor
LWVSJ Observer Corps*: summary of the San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 April 22, 2026 Board Meeting Karl Eastlund, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater WA and North Idaho was present on zoom. Planned Parenthood has 14 sites across Washington. The organization has a special focus on rural communities. Planned Parenthood provides […]
San Juan County Council tells Parks Director to consult more with Lopez Community
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the San Juan County Council, May 12, 2026 meeting held on Lopez Island. The San Juan County Council met on Lopez Island at 10:30 am. The Council approved a letter commending Transport Canada for its consideration of proposed regulations that could increase marine emergency services in the Salish Sea. For […]
$535 million in COVID reimbursement released to Washington state
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement May 15, 2026 “During the COVID-19 pandemic, federal emergency funding helped support an unprecedented public health response in Washington state. FEMA finally releasing these reimbursements helps replenish coffers and strengthen health care systems, which protects affordable health care options for local families. “I will […]
Wolverines Weather the Storm at Bi-District; Hess and Hollingsworth Punch Tickets to State
Tulalip, WA — The road to State always has a few bumps, but this year’s 1B/2B Bi-District Tournament at Battle Creek Golf Course came with two hours of heavy rain just to make sure everyone earned their spot. Four Friday Harbor golfers—Jack Hess, Sam Herda, Dylan Lawson, and James Hollingsworth—took on the elements May 13 […]
Real Estate Updates by Merri Ann Simonson: Buyer Agency Agreements
As buyers and sellers in the real estate market know, effective 2024 the Law of Agency was revised in our state. The result was much more transparency and disclosure upfront on the amount of compensation paid to buyer’s and seller’s agents, and who the compensation is paid by. Further refinement occurred this year and agents […]
July 4- August 31: Port of Friday Harbor’s Summer Music Concert Series
Each summer the Port hosts the “Summer Music Concert Series”. This free series of concerts in our waterfront park features local musicians from the islands & surrounding areas. Make sure to include this great music experience in your weekend activities on the island. The 2026 series kicks off on the Fourth of July. JULY 4 […]
The newly named Whale Response team training sessions on Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands
San Juan County since the early 1980s. Each decade has brought changes in how animals and people use this region, but our mission has remained the same: advance the protection and understanding of marine mammals and the Salish Sea through research and education. Our team responds to reports of marine mammals in distress, conducts necropsies, […]
OPALCO receives Conditional Use Permit for the Decatur Island Solar Expansion Project
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 OPALCO was notified that they were granted the Conditional Use Permit for the Decatur Island Solar Expansion Project. The Decatur Island Solar Expansion project is a proposed ~1.6 MW AC Community Solar project. It’s adjacent to OPALCO’s substation and the current Community Solar project that was installed in 2017. In March 2025, OPALCO acquired […]
Sheriff’s Report San Juan County, WA May 6-12, 2026: TikTok harassment video; two men produced weapons while arguing, DV
San Juan County Deputies responded to 153 calls from May 6 – 12, 2026 including: A San Juan deputy responded to a report of harassment involving a TikTok video made by one student, of another. All parties were contacted and the incident was documented. Lopez Deputies, Fire & EMS responded to a cell phone that […]
Cantwell Grills USFS Chief on Trump Admin Withholding Wildfire Funds Crucial for WA Preparedness Ahead of Peak Fire Season
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture unexpectedly changed the terms for states to receive federal dollars, effectively cutting off their funding as the West heads into peak wildfire season WA communities are waiting on $49 million to help with wildfire response and forest management WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, May 13, 2026 U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), […]
Orcas Island Kindergarten registration underway
May 14: Kindergarten Kick-Off at Friday Harbor Elementary School
Incoming kindergarteners and their parents or guardians are invited to the Friday Harbor Elementary Kindergarten Kick-Off on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Families can meet school staff, tour classrooms, ride the bus, and connect with others in the community.
Fundraisers to help families of car crash victims
Orcas Island is still reeling after the tragic deaths of two beloved young community members. David Klein, 22, and Ella Weaver, 20, were killed in a car crash on US-97 north of Chelan Falls on April 30. A driver headed the wrong way caused the 3-vehicle crash. Two Go Fund Me fundraisers are posted. One […]
18 miles of roads on Lopez and San Juan Islands to be chip sealed this summer
San Juan County’s Public Works Department’s annual summer road resurfacing schedule includes chip sealing of approximately 18 miles of roads on Lopez and San Juan Islands. Chip sealing is a pavement treatment that extends the life of the road surface and is fully funded by the Road Fund. Learn more by visiting the County Roads […]
May 24: Orcas Island Fire & Rescue urges community action on wildfire prevention
In recognition of Wildfire Awareness Month, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR) is encouraging residents to take proactive steps now to reduce wildfire risk and protect homes, neighborhoods, and the island as a whole ahead of the summer fire season. Wildfire prevention starts at home. OIFR is asking all community members to assess their properties […]
Derevensky and Stern Win Seats in OPALCO 2026 Board Election
On Thursday, May 7, OPALCO held their virtual Annual Business Meeting, where the meeting minutes from the 2025 Annual Meeting were approved and the election results were announced. Ray Glaze of the OPALCO Election and Governance Committee announced the results of the 2026 Board Election. In District 1 (San Juan et al), Laura Derevensky was elected with 764 votes. […]
August 9: Rotary Car Show at San Juan Vineyard
Now in its 18th year, the Rotary Car Show is known for its relaxed, friendly atmosphere and stunning setting at San Juan Vineyard, 3136 Roche Harbor Road. Held August 9th, 11 am – 3 pm, the show welcomes custom, classic, agricultural vehicles and alternative-fuel vehicles. It’s also a great excuse for a ferry ride to the […]
BLM, Wildland fire service announces fire restrictions for Oregon and Washington
On May 14, 2026 fire restrictions will go into effect for all Bureau of Land Management administered lands throughout Oregon and Washington. The BLM and U.S. Wildland Fire Service leaders encourage all visitors to be aware of active restrictions and closures as warmer, drier weather sets in around the Pacific Northwest. These fire restrictions help […]
June 11, 2026 – September 14, 2026: Convergence & Divergence: The Family Aesthetic at San Juan Islands Museum of Art
Two Parents, One Son. A Century of Vision. In a San Francisco darkroom in the 1920s, five-year-old Rondal stood on a wooden box to reach the darkroom sink, learning to rock developing trays as he watched the images appear like magic on the silver gelatin paper. His mother, Imogen Cunningham, taught him how light and […]
5 incumbents running unopposed in 2026 county elections
Filing week for the 2026 General Election candidates ran May 4-8. There will be a primary election on August 4, 2026 since one race has more than two candidates. Three candidates, Renee J Koplan, Jennifer Swanson, Katherine Bryant Ingman, are vying for the seat on San Juan County Council representing Lopez residency district. San Juan […]
Friday Harbor Golf Shines at Districts as March to State Gains Momentum
Just days after the Friday Harbor Invitational served as a full-dress rehearsal for postseason play, the Wolverines delivered one of their strongest collective performances of the year at the 2026 Boys and Girls District Tournament, held May 6 at the Gallery Golf Club in Oak Harbor. The district event is the first true elimination stage […]
EDC relaunches economic survey to assess business, workforce needs
The EDC, a nonprofit organization, has relaunched their periodic survey to assess business and workforce needs in San Juan County. Responses to the survey are confidential and will be anonymized, aggregated, and used to determine programs and resources intended to help the EDC understand the economic landscape of our region’s economic impacts. Community insights are crucial […]