Island News
OICF supports new program bridging indigenous, islander communities
||| FROM THE ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) is excited to announce its fiscal sponsorship and support of a new community program, Island Allies of Indigenous Lifeways – a grassroots organization that fosters decolonization, Indigenous sovereignty and adaptive culture through Tribally-led education and participatory practices. Through the lens of Food as Lifeway, Island Allies chooses to step into this work as a responsibility to Place and to mo
Letter to Editor | Vote YES for county levy: save the services we value most
||| FROM JAMIE STEPHENS ||| I am writing to point out the importance of voting YES on Proposition No.1, the County’s regular property tax levy lid lift. This levy is to continue funding valued community services that are not mandated by law. These services include foundational public health, senior services, parks and fair, emergency management, the Islands Oil Spill Association, and environmental stewardship. We have come to rely on these programs and services as part of our everyday lives. As
WSF Weekly Report | Celebrating women in workforce; Wenatchee shifting to normal operations
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve One of the questions I hear most often is: how can one ferry being out of service cause so much disruption? It’s a fair question, so I want to explain it in plain terms. Our system runs on a set number of boats assigned to specific routes each day. Unlike some transportation systems, we don’t have a large number of spare vessels sitting ready to step in […]
Pick up the book TILT and be a part of AIR (All Islands Read) on April 11
||| FROM SAM GAIEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Join your fellow islanders in this group event. The All Islands Read (AIR) annual community book event returns on Saturday, April 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Parish Hall with an in-person event with the author! This year’s shared read features acclaimed debut author Emma Pattee and her electrifying novel, TILT. Set over the course of a single day, TILT is a striking debut from “a powerful new literary voice” […]
Las lecturas comunes fomentan la empatía y comunidad
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Consigue el libro TILT y sé parte de AIR (All Islands Read) el 11 de abril. Únete a tus compañeros isleños en este evento grupal. El evento anual comunitario de libros All Islands Read (AIR) regresa el sábado 11 de abril a las 11:00 a.m. en el Salón Parroquial Emmanuel Episcopal, con un evento presencial con la autora. La lectura compartida de este año presenta a la aclamada autora debut Emma […]
Bringing it Home | Sea level rise impact, response planning for Orcas
A Climate Solutions Workshop ||| FROM EARTH DAY ORCAS ||| The Orcas Island community is invited to participate in a sea level rise impact workshop with presentations by Tyler Davis of San Juan County Environmental Stewardship and Tina Whitman of Friends of the San Juans. They will share San Juan County and Orcas Island visual forecast tools, outcomes of previous community input, and discuss response scenarios. Their presentations will be followed by a hands-on design charette to help Orcas parti
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Dotys celebrate 70 years of marriage
Submitted by the Doty family.
Films at Odd Fellows: Love and community
On Saturday, March 28, there will be two movies shown at the Odd Fellows Hall about the love between people and the uniting of communities during uncertain times that give us warmth and hope.
Enroll for kindergarten now
Orcas Island Elementary School is registering kindergarten students now for the 2026-27 school year!
Public hearing set for April 21 about proposed ordinance addressing human interference with wildlife
LWVSJ Observer Corps: San Juan County Council Regular Meeting March 24, 2026 in Eastsound. Deputy County Manager made a presentation on the Wildlife Protection Working Groups’ discussions and recommendations. This group was formed because residents sought county intervention to address human interference with wildlife, especially foxes on San Juan Island. The group has been meeting […]
Planning for expansion and upgrades to the Frank Wilson EMS building underway
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the San Juan County Public Hospital District #1 Regular Board Meeting, March 25, 2026. EMS 1-5 year Work Session: Assistant Chief Bishop noted that the Medical Program Director has submitted protocol revisions for state approval. There will be continued submission of cardiac arrest data to CARES registry, as well as […]
Bill Cumming: Vote yes on the April 29 county levy lid lift
In Support of Public Safety I am writing to express my strong support for voting YES on the levy lid lift that will be on the April 28th special election ballot. As the former Sheriff of San Juan County for 24 years, I have witnessed firsthand the vital role our law enforcement officials and staff […]
Concerned members launch candidate questionnaire to aid OPALCO voters
Multi-Island initiative aims to differentiate record field of nine candidates ahead of board election ||| FROM CHOM GREACEN ||| In response to an unprecedented surge in members running for the Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) board election, a group of concerned members from across the Islands has launched a focused candidate questionnaire. With nine candidates vying for just two positions, the questionnaire seeks to provide voters with the additional insights based on the various per
Pile Burning and Hazard Fuels Work to Begin at San Juan Island National Historical Park
San Juan Island National Historical Park will begin controlled pile burning and hazardous fuels removal the week of April 6 in two areas of the park to reduce wildfire risk. Operations will be led by Olympic Interagency Fire Management personnel. Work will include pile burning of woody debris at Mitchell Hill in the English Camp […]
Multi-Island Initiative Aims to Differentiate Record Field of Nine Candidates Ahead of OPALCO Board Election
In response to an unprecedented surge in members running for the Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) board election, a group of concerned members from across the Islands has launched a focused candidate questionnaire. With nine candidates vying for just two positions, the questionnaire seeks to provide voters with the additional insights based on the […]
April 1: Town Council hosts County Council for special joint meeting
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council and San Juan County Council will hold a special joint meeting on April 1, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. The special meeting will take place in Council Chambers located at 60 Second Street. For more information, contact the Town Clerk at clerk@fridayharbor.org.
Films at Odd Fellows | Love and community
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ODD FELLOWS ||| A one day film festival showcasing two films about the love between people and the uniting of communities during uncertain times that give us warmth and hope. Attendees are welcome to hang out after the screenings to participate in informal discussions about the films. We encourage people to join for both screenings. You can bring popcorn. Saturday, March 28 3:00pm–The Other Side of Hope by Aki Kaurismäki (2017, 98 min, Finland) 6:30pm– […]
Orcas Senior Center | April highlights
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Orcas Senior Center offers a variety of ongoing classes, social groups, wellness activities, and creative programs throughout the month. All programs are open to everyone, regardless of age, and new participants are always welcome. A full calendar with dates and times is available at www.orcasseniors.org/calendar-of-events. This Month at the Senior Center: Fitness & Wellness: Chair yoga, Feldenkrais, Arts & Creativity: Art classes, quilting, needle
Letter to Editor | Vote YES for county levy, save the services we value most
||| FROM JAMIE STEPHENS ||| I am writing to point out the importance of voting YES on Proposition No.1, the County’s regular property tax levy lid lift. This levy is to continue funding valued community services that are not mandated by law. These services include foundational public health, senior services, parks and fair, emergency management, the Islands Oil Spill Association, and environmental stewardship. We have come to rely on these programs and services as part of our everyday lives. As
County pursues new state grant, congressional funding to support public safety, infrastructure
Applying for these new funding sources is just one of several ways the County is continuing to manage budget shortfalls in 2026 and 2027 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| As San Juan County continues to manage budget constraints in 2026 and 2027, pursuing new State grants and congressional funding are key tools to help maintain public services and infrastructure. This spring, the County is seeking grant funding from a new source – a Local Law Enforcement Grant Program administered by
Vikings show heart and grit as Orcas Island Middle School girls basketball season shines
||| FROM ALICIA WIGFIELD for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTICT ||| The Orcas Island Middle School Girls Viking Basketball Team wrapped up a memorable season defined not just by wins and losses, but by resilience, growth, and unwavering team spirit. The season began with an impressive turnout of 23 players, a testament to the enthusiasm and dedication surrounding the program. As the weeks progressed, the team faced its share of challenges. Injuries and illness tested the roster, and by season’s end, […
Letter to Editor | In support of public safety
||| FROM BILL CUMMING ||| I am writing to express my strong support for voting YES on the levy lid lift that will be on the April 28 special election ballot. As the former Sheriff of San Juan County for 24 years, I have witnessed firsthand the vital role our law enforcement officials and staff play in keeping our community safe. Public safety is a basic component of any community that cares about its residents. We all need safe streets, […]
Town Council funds 3rd Friday Harbor Poetry, Contest, Poetry Gardens and Booklet with Lodging tax funds
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the Friday Harbor Town Council, March 19, 2026 meeting. Sophia Ramierz, Ellen Cohen, and August Ambrose of the Friday Harbor High School Eco Club presented a report on club activities. The club provides education and outreach to the high school and elementary school. For the past few years they have […]