Island News
Friday Harbor Golf brings home 2 medals at State Championship; Orcas golfer captures State Title
Spokane, WA — Friday Harbor High School capped its postseason run with a standout showing at the WAII State Golf Championship, held May 19–20 at Liberty Lake Golf Club. Two Wolverines—senior Jack Hess and sophomore James Hollingsworth—earned their way into the elite state field and both returned home as medalists. The boys’ division was limited […]
Six new recruits sworn in as San Juan Island Fire and Rescue firefighters
Friday Harbor, WA – San Juan Island Fire & Rescue proudly welcomed six new firefighters into the ranks during a swearing-in ceremony held at Station 31 on Mullis Street. All of them are neighbors across San Juan Island. Fire Department leadership, firefighters, and family members attended the ceremony, celebrating a milestone moment in the recruits’ […]
Kiwanis Club partners with EDC to boost local trade-school opportunities
The Kiwanis Club of Friday Harbor has strengthened its commitment to supporting local youth pursuing careers in the trades through a new partnership with the San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC). Club members recently met with EDC Director Victoria Compton and staff member Liam Watson to explore ways to expand training access and encourage […]
Roche Harbor Neighborhood Association commended for maintaining Firewise USA status
Letter to Editor: San Juan Island Fire & Rescue wants to commend a Firewise Community partner – the Roche Harbor Neighborhood Association – and many volunteers for all their hard work in May to maintain Firewise USA status. Thank you for being such proactive leaders and for looking out for all of us! The recent […]
Is this your vessel adrift near Waldon Island?
United States Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received a report of an adrift vessel in the vicinity of Waldron Island. If this is your vessel, or if you have any information regarding the vessel or its owner, please contact the Sector Puget Sound Command Center at (206) 217-6001.
Robert Leroy (Bob) Wingate June 20, 1947 – April 16, 2026
Robert Leroy (Bob) Wingate was born on June 20, 1947, in Tacoma to parents, Elvera Mantifel and Rex Wingate. He was one of the five boys. His surviving brothers are Greg (Jan) and Doug (Laurie). Bob is predeceased by his parents and brothers Byron and Dennis. He loved his mom and dad, and his brothers […]
All 6 certified Eastsound Water operators speak out
||| FROM ALL SIX EASTSOUND WATER USER OPERATORS ||| First of all, we want to express to the membership how seriously we take our commitment to providing safe drinking water to our island community. One of us is available to you at every moment of every day. We want you to know that there has been nowhere for us to safely express workplace grievances without fear of retaliation-this is why we chose to Unionize. It has been very difficult to […]
San Juan Fire & Rescue swears in 6 new firefighters
||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| San Juan Island Fire & Rescue proudly welcomed 6 new firefighters into the ranks during a swearing-in ceremony held at Station 31 on Mullis Street. All of them are neighbors across San Juan Island. Fire Department leadership, firefighters, and family members attended the ceremony, celebrating a milestone moment in the recruits’ careers and marking an important investment in public safety for Friday Harbor residents. The following recruits were sworn in
An open letter to the EWUA board members
||| FROM EASTSOUND STEWARDSHIP ALLIANCE ||| At the recent Board meeting on May 19th, over 75 members attended and delivered a clear and urgent request through public comment and applause: We need a 3rd party investigation into the workplace environment at EWUA. This meeting was also attended by EWUA’s operators, who have had nowhere to go with their serious concerns about a deeply toxic workplace and grievances about the General Manager. Members were read a public letter written by all […]
Orcas Community Band to present music for America’s 250 anniversary
||| FROM KAREN KEY SPECK for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY BAND ||| The Orcas Island Community Band is proud to announce a special musical tribute to the United State’s 250th anniversary. Taking place on Friday, June 19 at 7:00pm at Orcas Center, the performance will celebrate the nation’s history through iconic American compositions, diverse musical genres and stirring patriotic favorites. Admission is by donation. The Concert, titled “250: The Music That Shaped Us” is part of the nationwide America25
Larsen fights to make housing more affordable in Northwest Washington
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U. S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to make housing more affordable across the United States (the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act). “Families in Northwest Washington are struggling to afford their skyrocketing rent and don’t know if they will ever be able to buy a house of their own,” said Rep. Larsen. “This bill is not a be-all-and-end-all fix to the housing […]
No jurors needed for May 26-29
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: MAY 26-29, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Tuesday May 20th through Friday May 29th, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
A place where creativity repairs more than things
By Asifa Pasin
Washington State Ferries rolling out new pet policy
Pets are welcome when traveling on Washington State Ferries, but there are a few rules to help keep everyone safe and comfortable. By law, service animals are allowed in all areas. Livestock must remain in proper enclosures. WSF is rolling out a new pet policy in time for the busy summer travel season. The policy […]
Sheriff’s Log San Juan County WA May 13-19, 2026: Missing person found, bag of meth found, theft of services on Orcas Island
San Juan County Deputies responded to 122 calls from May 13 – 19, 2026 including: Deputies on San Juan Island received a report of a missing person. The individual was located safe, evaluated by EMS, and was released to the care of a family member, A Lopez Deputy responded to a drug call. A small […]
Cantwell Bill To Restore Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Lands Passes Senate Committee
The Lower Elwha Kallam Tribe Project Lands Restoration Act is one of the last steps of the Elwha and Glines Canyon Dam removal project & will help restore fisheries WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 20, 2026, the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs unanimously passed a bill to transfer federal land back to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe […]
May 30: Lopez Island Grange Presents: Sage & Aera – Spare Organically Inspired Indie Folk
Saurday, May 30 | 7 pm | Lopez Island Grange | 452 Richardson Rd. | Lopez Island | tickets $20 (at the door) Sage & Aera is an indie folk duo combining the songs and instrumental prowess of Sage Cook (Elephant Revival) with the uniquely captivating voice and upright bass of Aera Fox. As a […]
Orcas Island seniors urged to take action following Bank of America data breaches
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER FINANCIAL LITERACY TEAM ||| The Financial Literacy Team at the Orcas Community Resource Center is alerting Orcas Island residents — particularly seniors — to a series of data breaches affecting Bank of America customers and urging immediate protective action. Bank of America is formally warning customers about a surge in unauthorized credit-card charges and phishing attempts linked to breaches at multiple third-party vendors, including NCB Management Services, Ernst
Union responds to EWUA Board claims about staff communication
||| FROM CORY HARRINGTON ||| For months, EWUA members have repeatedly been told that the Board could not communicate directly with staff or move forward with an outside investigation because of the ongoing union negotiations. Today, I received a letter from IBEW Local 77 dated May 20, 2026 directly addressing that claim. According to the union representative: • Union negotiations do NOT prevent the Board from conducting a neutral third-party investigation into workplace concerns. • The Board is
WSF All Routes | Service during Memorial Day weekend
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of our busy season, and we expect 350,000 riders over the holiday weekend. Please prepare for long lines and extended wait times if you are traveling starting Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, the following routes will have schedule changes: Anacortes/San Juan Islands, Edmonds/Kingston, Point Defiance/Tahlequah, and Port Townsend/Coupeville will have a few holiday schedul
Barbara Badgley Buck November 25, 1931 – March 29, 2026
It is with great sadness to announce the passing of our dear mom, grandma, GG, and aunt, Barbara Badgley Buck. Although we already miss her terribly, we are grateful she is no longer suffering from bronchiectasis, which ultimately took her life. Barbara was born to Pauline Howard Tennant and Ray Badgley, on November 25, 1931 […]
Student senior projects raising funds to support Viking athletics
Submitted by Amy Carlson and The Booster Team.
OPALCO receives conditional use permit for the Decatur Island Solar Expansion Project
Submitted by the Orcas Power &Light Cooperative.
OIFR urges community action on wildfire prevention
Submitted by Orcas Island Fire & Rescue.