Island News
Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union to open Orcas Island branch, bringing year-round financial services to the San Juan Islands
Submitted by the Puget Sound Cooperative Credit Union.
Orcas Island shines at state with golf title, track qualifiers and baseball postseason run
By Declan O’Malley
OIHS track and field at state championships
Submitted by Amy Carlson and The Booster Club.
Port Stanley Road wildland fire: Lopez brush fire renews call for preparedness
On Saturday, May 23, at 10:43 a.m., Lopez Island Fire and EMS responded to a wildland fire in the 1300 block of Port Stanley Road. According to the department’s press release, the first-in crew found “a wind driven fire, in the brush and driftwood along the beach, moving rapidly towards neighboring homes.” The cause was one Fire Chief Adam Bigby said he sees all too often — “as is the case with most wildland fires in the San Juan Islands, this was a human caused fire that started from an unatten
AG Brown joins coalition opposing KIDS Act, supports stronger online protections for children
Submitted by the Washington State Office of Attorney General Nick Brown.
Donate blood at upcoming drives
Submitted by Bloodworks Northwest.
OrcasFest May 28-30
Submitted by event organizers.
Public health hot topic: Hantavirus
Submitted by San Juan County.
Integrative Pain and Wellness opens on Orcas
Submitted by April Hinsberger, ARNP.
Open strings at Emmanuel: Community invited to ‘quiet listen’ during weekly rehearsals
Emmanuel Episcopal Parish is opening its red sanctuary doors to the community for a unique, behind-the-scenes musical experience. Starting the week of May 19, a local ensemble of string players called the “Orcas-tra” — featuring violins, viola and cello — will establish a regular rehearsal residency in the historic Emmanuel sanctuary every Tuesday evening from 6:30-8 p.m.
Ferry hopes adrift
The waters around San Juan County’s ferry future grew considerably choppier over the last few months, as three ferry-related developments converged to paint a sobering picture for island residents: the Mosquito Fleet Bill is dead, a major new federal ferry funding bill offers little near-term relief for San Juan County and skepticism is growing that the long-promised return of the Anacortes–Friday Harbor–Sidney route by 2030 is possible.
Council weighs new taxes and spending cuts
San Juan County is facing a mounting budget challenge. At the May 11 County Council work session, officials laid out a stark picture of the county’s fiscal health — a projected $2.1 million shortfall for 2027, compounded by the potential exhaustion of the County’s entire $4.459 million cash reserve. Taken together, the County faces a gap of roughly $6 million, and that figure may still grow.
Audio brunch workshops at Orcas Center
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Re-elect Natasha Warmenhoven for San Juan County auditor
Submitted by Natasha Warmenhoven.
From soccer tournaments to baby ballet, OIHS graduating seniors complete their final projects
The senior projects for this year’s graduating class are as unique and wholesome as the students themselves and focus on strengthening the Orcas community.
Community finds healing atop Mount Constitution
As the first pale light of last Thursday morning broke over the San Juan Islands, something ancient and alive stirred at the summit of Mt. Constitution.
Orcas sailing team wraps up 2026 spring season
Submitted by Burke Thomas.
SJC sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
Under pressure, EWUA board signals support for third-party workplace investigation
Facing a standing-room crowd of members, community advocates and its own operators, the Eastsound Water Users Association board signaled support Monday evening for a third-party workplace investigation — a shift that came only after sustained public pressure and a striking display of unity from the association’s certified operators.
Orcas Island seniors urged to take action following Bank of America data breaches
Submitted by the Orcas Community Resource Center Financial Literacy Team.
Larry Hughes: A life of service on Orcas Island
Submitted by the Orcas Community Resource Center Communications Team.
A place where creativity repairs more than things
By Asifa Pasin
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.