Island News
San Juan County sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
Have a garden question? Ask an Orcas Master Gardener!
Orcas Master Gardeners will be at the Market Garden Nursery Saturday May 20, 2026 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm ||| FROM JULIA TURNEY and JAY LUCAS for ORCAS MASTER GARDENERS ||| Do you have a question about your soil, have a problem with your fruit tree, or are thinking about starting a garden? Is something bugging your plants, or you are curious about identifying a plant or insect? Master Gardeners will be staffing Ask A Master Gardener events on Orcas to help […]
Larsen honors law enforcement during National Police Week
Fights to expand funding to combat opioid epidemic ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to defend Northwest Washington communities every day. This week and every week, I honor their courage, sacrifice and dedication, and I remember those who have given their lives in the line of duty. “Local police officers on the front lines […]
I’m not the church lady | Always look on the bright side of life
But what if this is as good as it gets? A slightly irreverent inquiry into responsibility, acceptance, and what comes after that ||| I’M NOT THE CHURCH LADY by ROSIE KUHN ||| For most of my life, I insisted that my serenity depended on someone else doing things my way, on my health improving, my finances increasing, or my children behaving differently. I believed I was entitled to the life I wanted, and I assumed there was a person, place, […]
OPAL welcomes four new board members
Submitted by the OPAL Community Land Trust.
Coming soon: The Master Gardeners’ spring plant sales on San Juan and Orcas islands
Submitted by the Master Gardeners.
June 4: Friday Harbor Port Commission to hold first public meeting about cannery’s future
LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Friday Harbor Port Commission, April 24th, 2026 meeting Jim McLuen, a local metal artist, gave a presentation to the Commission in response to the RFP for artwork to be located on the outside wall of the showers in the marina. He outlined his proposal for a metal sculpture, and he drew attention […]
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 […]
Update | Gathering of the Eagles returning soon to Orcas
Orcas to Welcome Native American Canoe Journey May 20-21 ||| FROM CHE BLAINE for GATHERING OF THE EAGLES ||| For the last four years, we have had the honor of hosting a Native American Canoe Journey on Orcas, and we have this special opportunity again this year. There will be a welcoming ceremony when several Native American canoes arrive at the Olga dock on Wednesday, May 20th, between 1:00 and 2:00 PM. Please come to welcome them. Highlighting Orcas hospitality, […]
Midnight Mutterings | Radical acceptance
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I really look forward to Saturday Morning radio on NPR. First, there’s Scott Simon on Weekend Edition. It’s always interesting to me. Simon’s laugh, like a raucous crow, tickles me each time I hear it, and his enthusiasm when when he says, ‘Now, it’s time for sports!’ I’m thrilled even though I care not one whit about sports. It’s Simon’s enthusiasm about it that makes my day every Saturday. I can put aside […]
Renowned marine ecologist to speak at Orcas Island Public Library
Wednesday, May 20, 6 p.m., Orcas Island Public Library ||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY ||| How Salish Sea Stars are Faring in our Ocean’s Menagerie Join renowned marine ecologist Drew Harvell for a fascinating look beneath the surface of our local waters. Harvell and her research team have spent more than a decade investigating the mysterious disease devastating sea stars along the Pacific Coast. Now that the team has identified the killer in our waters, Harvell will […]
Watch your giving grow | Spring GiveOrcas update
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for GIVEORCAS CAMPAIGN ||| We’re a few days into the Spring GiveOrcas campaign, and together we’re growing something beautiful on Orcas Island by helping local nonprofits to cultivate and sustain important programs that serve our community. Every gift helps. Yesterday alone, on Unique Donor Day, 724 donors of all ages contributed nearly $35K towards 31 island nonprofits! Congratulations to our Unique Donor Day winners: 1st place, $1,000 prize: Early Childhood Education
Rep. Rick Larsen receives Henry M. Jackson award
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| It is a real honor to represent family, friends, and neighbors in Northwest Washington. It is a privilege I don’t take for granted. I am also honored that the Economic Alliance Snohomish County has awarded me with the Henry M. Jackson award. Scoop Jackson set an example for me in public service. We both had the privilege of representing Northwest Washington, and we both have Norwegian roots, but what stood […]
Sheriff’s Report | May 6 – 11, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 26-002588 Theft 13:33:40 05/06/26 A Deputy on Orcas Island received a report of a stolen backpack that had been left on a picnic table. There were no witnesses to the theft. A report was authored, and the missing items were entered as stolen. 26-002595 Trespassing 16:25:56 05/06/26 A Lopez Deputy responded to a trespassing call. An individual previously served a trespass warning letter entered onto the property of a […]
Sculpins rule Indian Island tidepools
By Russel Barsh
Invest in the next generation of island stewards
YCC featured in spring 2026 GiveOrcas Campaign ||| FROM JULIE CURTIS for YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS ||| The Orcas Island Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), a program of the San Juan Islands Conservation District, has been selected as a featured program in the Orcas Island Community Foundation's Spring 2026 GiveOrcas Campaign, running May 12–21. The program is aiming to raise $10,000 in 10 days, every penny of which will go directly toward making the 2026 YCC summer season possible. unds raised wi
WSF Weekly Report | Women in maritime; community meetings
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Monday, May 18 is International Day for Women in Maritime. This year’s theme is “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence.” The message is simple. Real progress takes action, not just promises. At Washington State Ferries, we are working to create more opportunities for women across our system. Women serve in every part of our organization – on our boats and at our terminals, […]
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Wool, community and tradition: Decatur Island’s Annual Gather returns
Every first Saturday in May, something quietly extraordinary happens on Decatur Island. Sheep that have roamed freely across 600 acres of rugged island terrain are rounded up, shorn and celebrated — and the whole community turns out to make it happen.
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 […]