Island News
SJC Dept. of Environmental Stewardship hosts 2026 Hazardous Waste Roundup events across the islands
Residents and businesses invited to safely dispose of household chemicals, paints, and hazardous materials at collection events on Lopez, San Juan, and Orcas Islands ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Department of Environmental Stewardship is hosting a series of hazardous waste round-up collection events this spring and summer, giving island residents and businesses the chance to legally and responsibly dispose of poisonous, flammable, corrosive, or otherwise hazardous
OCS goes to Auburn Academy for arts fest
The Orcas Christian Middle School has recently visited its sister school, Auburn Adventist Academy, for an event called the Washington Conference Fine Arts Festival. At the festival, the OCS guitar and choir class was invited to give a performance. The guitar class started with opening the performance with songs that were accompanied by the choir singing, such as “Didn’t My Lord Deliver to Daniel,” “God in My Mind” and “Omnisterra.”
Spring sports preview: Baseball, softball, golf and track set for busy season
By Declan O’Malley
Queen Mother: A tribute to the music of Queen
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Friday Harbor Golf Team Opens Season with Record Turnout and Rising Talent
Golf Report by Coach Jack Rice: The Friday Harbor golf program kicked off its new season with an unexpected surge in participation and a promising group of young athletes. On the first day of practice, only five boys appeared on the putting green—small enough that every name was familiar. But by the end of the […]
New rules for drivers in Washington in 2026
Washington is rolling out a significant set of driver safety updates in 2026, from tougher DUI penalties and a new first responder safety training requirement to some of the strictest teen driving restrictions in the country. This is one of the key updates highlighted in a new report from Zutobi, the online driver education platform used […]
Katherine Bryant Ingman running for county council seat 3 – representing Lopez Island
Katherine Bryant Ingman is thrilled to announce she will be running for San Juan County Council seat #3 in 2026. “My goal as your council representative is to listen first — to essential workers and small business owners, farmers and working families, newcomers, seniors and longtime residents — as we tackle the issues that matter […]
Gay Wilmerding – Plea for Peace
Perhaps, the No Kings rallying cry Saturday could be, “No War!” As three thousand commercial ships with crews aboard await passage in the Persian Gulf and US Marines and troops steam toward Iran, potential for ecological and human catastrophe is imminent. If 75% of Israel depends on desalination, 60% for Iran and remaining Gulf countries in that […]
News Brief | Neighbors push back against PSE microgrid on Samish Island
||| FROM KING 5 SEATTLE ||| A PSE-commissioned noise study recommended building a 14-by-18-foot wall to block the sound. That recommendation was made in October, but construction has not begun. READ FULL ARTICLE
Funhouse Commons is hiring a Development Director
||| FROM NICOLE SPINOGATTI for FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| Development Director Children’s Discovery Foundation (Funhouse Commons) is seeking a dynamic and relationship-driven Development Director to lead fundraising and donor engagement efforts that sustain and grow programs serving young people from birth through age 18 on Orcas Island. Mission & Vision Our mission is to be a place of belonging and discovery. Our vision is a thriving community in which every young person is welcome, supported, and in
The Island Gardener for March ~ 2026
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| March in the garden is always a bit of a tug-of-war between patience and pure excitement. Even after all these years, I still find myself getting swept up in the “spring fever” that hits right after a trip to the NW Flower and Garden Show. It’s so easy to let a few sunny days lull you into planting early, only to have a sudden chilly night remind you Mother Nature’s in charge! But […]
Piano music and art together in concert at Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Pianist Marina Grozdanovic will be performing music composed in France from the Baroque to the Impressionist era, by composers Rameau, Couperin, Chopin, Debussy and Ravel at Orcas Center. Each piece will be accompanied by paintings or photographs on the big screen, which Grozdanovic personally chose to match the music. The concert is on Saturday, April 4, at 7 p.m. on Center Stage. Renowned for her insightful interpretations characterized by a
County to test vote counting equipment in April
Testing will take place on April 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Elections office will conduct a “Logic and Accuracy” test of ballot tabulating equipment used for the County’s April 28, 2026, Special Election. The test is scheduled for April 7, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Logic and accuracy testing is a standard procedure that occurs before elections. The San Juan County Elections Office performs this testing to ensure that both the […]
Lions Club Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 4
||| FROM MARY MEREDITH for ORCAS ISLAND LIONS CLUB ||| The Orcas Island Lions Club continues its long tradition of the Annual Easter Egg Hunt, to be held this year on Saturday, April 4th at Cascade Lake in Moran State Park. The Hunt will begin at 10am sharp. There will be a face-painting station for kids and the Easter Bunny will make a personal appearance! Event parking prepaid by the Lions Club, no Discovery Pass needed. Mark your calendars and […]
No jurors needed for March 30 – April 2
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: MARCH 30 – APRIL 3, 2026 For the Jury Period beginning Monday March 30th through April 3rd, 2026, all jurors are excused. Thank you.
Share Your Feedback | County & partners developing tools to manage human/wildlife interactions
The County is seeking to define common messaging, identify strategies to manage wildlife/human interactions, and ways to educate the public. Your experiences and feedback are welcome! ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| In an effort to manage interactions between island wildlife and the public, the County is seeking public feedback to develop tools and resources. Since September of 2025, the County has convened a group of stakeholders, including land managers, federal, state, and local a
Bird Walks are back at the SJI Sculpture Park
Join us April 1st 8-10am for the first walk of the season ||| FROM MARITA HOLDAWAY for SAN JUAN ISLANDS SCULPTURE PARK ||| Great news bird fans! The San Juan Islands Sculpture Park will start hosting its monthly Bird Walk series beginning Wednesday, April 1, from 8–10 a.m. Led by local birder Tyler Davis, the Bird Walks will take place on the first Wednesday of each month through October, offering participants an opportunity to observe and learn about the island’s […]
Youth Sailing Lessons from Sail Orcas
For the past 25 years, Orcas youth ages 8–15 have been introduced to the sport of sailing through this popular program. The program focuses on teaching sailing skills in a safe, fun environment. With a variety of boats including Optimist Prams, Bics, Lasers, and V-15s, the program can accommodate beginners and experienced sailors anxious to expand their skills. The venue is the protected waters of West Sound on Orcas Island — a great place for kids because there is little boat traffic and the wa
This March, ‘spring’ into a new role — Multiple County advisory board and committee seats open
Submitted by San Juan County.
Foster youth guaranteed full-ride college tuition
By Annika Hauer
Thank you for making Soda Shop Sock Hop a success | Letter
Orcas Center held Soda Shop Sock Hop fundraising events before the last two Saturday performances of Grease, which would not have been possible without the donation of time and food from the Lower Tavern. Thank you to Katie O’Rourke and her team for cooking and cleaning and doing it all with a smile.
‘Story Night’ is back
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Orcas Island Market receives 2026 IGA USA Centennial Retailer of the Year award
By Darrell Kirk
Orcas Island’s Music Advocacy Group invites all to the March 29 concert
Did you know that 292 students participate in music programs at Orcas Island public schools?