Island News

Resource Center invites islanders to help identify unmet legal needs

A housing dispute, a confusing medical bill, a family breakup, or questions about a parenting plan can leave someone unsure where to turn. On Orcas Island, the cost of legal help – and the challenge of traveling off island to get it – can make a difficult situation even harder. The Orcas Community Resource Center is inviting island residents to complete a short civil legal needs survey to help identify where legal […]

Fire District 3 introduces new fee structure for false alarms

San Juan Island Fire & Rescue hopes a new fee structure governing fire alarms will reduce the number of false alarms they respond to each year. Effective November 1, 2026, alarm system users with multiple false alarms within one year may be assessed a false alarm fee. The District responds to automatic fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide alarm activations as potential emergencies to protect life and property, i.e. […]

The Creeks Beneath the Fields | Part 1 of 5

First of a five part journalism series by the San Juan Islands Conservation District on steams and wetlands in the islands, and what people can do to restore them On summer mornings in the San Juan Islands, the freshwater world can feel almost imaginary. Streams are often hidden behind pastures or culverts, wetlands tucked into folds of land that most people drive past without noticing. The islands appear governed by stone, saltwater light, Garr

Montessori launches holiday bazaar and wreath sale

The Orcas Montessori Annual Wreath Sale is officially open! We’re excited to help you fulfill all your holiday greenery needs with beautiful, handcrafted wreaths, garlands, and centerpieces, perfect for bringing festive cheer to your home. Orders are open now, and wreaths will be available for pickup just after Thanksgiving. You can place your order by calling 360-376-5350, emailing info@orcasmontessori.org, or visiting www.orcasmontessori.

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is genuine, helpful, generous

I have known Jennifer Swanson for the better part of two decades. When I think of her, I think of her generosity and helpfulness the most. I have worked with her in several capacities and also consider her a dear friend— I admire her immensely. She is a notably active listener, a direct and caring communicator, and remains kind and calm through intensity. Her care shines in every aspect of her hard work. Her patience, […]

WSF Weekly Report | WSF receives national recognition; end of DST; winter schedule Nov 1

A message from Steve I’m proud to share that Washington State Ferries has been named a 2026 Center of Excellence for Domestic Maritime Workforce Training and Education by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration. This national recognition highlights the work our Training Team and employees across the system do to build the next generation of maritime professionals. Since 2022, we’ve hired and trained 324 ordinary seafar

Library features photos by Andrea Cohen

For the month of November, The Orcas Island Library’s ‘Art in the Library’ series will feature photographs by Andrea Cohen. Andrea’s background is as an artist, art therapist and art teacher, but this exhibit, entitled The Lives of Mannequins is a group of color photographs taken during recent travels. “Artists see with artist’s eyes, even when they’re not making art,” she comments. “In the markets and bazaars of Morocco, Bulgaria and […]

Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson

San Juan Fire employment opportunity as Logistics Director

San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 3 is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Logistics Director, a full-time exempt administrative leadership position reporting directly to the Fire Chief. Position Details • Position: Logistics Director • Department: Administration • Reports To: Fire Chief • FLSA Status: Exempt • Work Schedule: 40-hour work week • Anticipated Start Date: January 2027 Salary and Benefits • Starting Salary: $114,000 a

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is the clearly superior Council candidate

  Jennifer Swanson is clearly the superior candidate in the San Juan County Council election. Her experience is directly relevant to the goals of the SJC Council. The school district budgets she developed and managed as superintendent and oversaw as a school board member are similar to the county budget in complexity and in their mix of local, state and federal funds. That work also included discussion with the other school districts and a greater understanding of

Orcas Garden Club presents ‘why plant names change’

Botanical nomenclature, biology, the beauty of plants Wednesday, November 11th, 10 am (at the Orcas Center or by Zoom) COME AT 9:30 AM (just before the program) for social time, and remember to bring something for the Sharing Table! Please join the Orcas Island Garden Club on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, as we welcome Linda Ann Vorobik. In this presentation, Linda Ann includes beautiful landscapes, wildflower closeups, and botanical watercolors of the plant

Wild Fish Conservancy serves notice of intent to sue over Alaska fisheries catching threatened, endangered Pacific Northwest Chinook without federal oversight

SEATTLE, Washington—Nearly nine out of ten Chinook salmon caught in commercial fisheries along the South Alaska Peninsula in 2024 and 2025 originated outside Alaska, according to research from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). Yet these fisheries operate without federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) oversight of their impacts on threatened and endangered Pacific Northwest Chinook, even as communities where these fish return face

County Marine Facility Update | Council reviews aging infrastructure

Marine facilities are part of the County’s essential public transportation system, and the County anticipates significant challenges maintaining these facilities in the coming years During this week’s meeting, the San Juan County Council reviewed the conditions of the County’s marine facilities and the extensive repairs and maintenance they require. Most County operated marine sites are more than 30 years old, and many now need major upgrades. These fa

Grannie’s Holiday Sale coming to Orcas Senior Center

Mark your calendars—Grannie’s Holiday Sale is back at Orcas Senior Center on Saturday, November 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! Browse a wide array of festive décor, holiday treasures, and unique creations from local artisans. It’s the perfect place to find special gifts and seasonal inspiration. Get Involved Sign up to volunteer by contacting Edy Hansen at 206-413-6157 or edy@orcasseniors.org.

Jennifer Swanson is ready for the work

Since February, I’ve been on the campaign trail, meeting people across our island county. I’ve been blown away by the passion residents have for this place and their commitment to its future. In conversation after conversation, I’ve been reminded of how much we share: a deep love for our community and a desire to see it thrive, even when we have different perspectives on the challenges we face. I’ve often heard, “Thank […]

Jury Duty: Excused for November 2-6

JURY DUTY: NOVEMBER 2-6, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning November 2nd, are excused.   Thank you.  

LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Council, October 27, 2026

The San Juan County Council convened at the Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Center. After presentation by Facilities Director Greg Sawyer, the Council voted to set a public hearing for November 24, 2026, at 9:15 a.m., to consider a Resolution Authorizing Direct Sale of Real Property at 520 Spring Street on San Juan Island to Compass Health, extending the sale deadlines. Trillium Swanson, the Community Health Network (CHN) Project Manager for […]

CWR encounter with J Pod

Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 12:06 PM ObservEnd: 01:41 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Pods: J IDsEncountered: J27, J31, J39, J56 LocationDescr: Sombrio Point EncSummary: Mark left Victoria on Mike 1 at 0830 and headed west out on the Juan de Fuca Strait, favouring the Vancouver Island shoreline. He came across a large aggregation of humpbacks near Sombrio Point and spent close to an hour collecting tail fluke identification photographs of them

Council approves ‘home fund’ funding for three affordable housing projects

In total, the Council awarded $3,734,596 in REET funding and $310,000 in sales tax funding. The County has now awarded approximately $19 million in grants for affordable housing projects across the islands through the Home Fund since 2019 This week, San Juan County supported three significant affordable housing projects on San Juan, Orcas, and Waldron Islands using the Home Fund and the Affordable Housing Sales Tax. In total, the Council awarded $3,734

Letter to Editor | Why I changed my vote to Sean O’Donnell

At a recent community lunch, the conversation turned, as it does this time of year, to the election. Doug McDonald mentioned that his nephew is Judge Sean O’Donnell, a candidate for Position 4 on the Washington State Supreme Court. I admitted I’d already marked Ian Birk on my ballot. That evening I went home and I read deeper into their positions and asked myself why I’d chosen one candidate over the other. The answer changed […]

County deliberates pausing essential public facility siting on Shaw Island, reevaluates path forward

Given current budget constraints, staff is evaluating how to prioritize time and resources across the county During this week’s Council meeting, the siting process for an Essential Public Facility (EPF) for Public Works on Shaw Island was reviewed. The County may choose to pause the process following the November 24 Public Hearing to allow the organization time to reassess the best path forward. Given current budget constraints, staff is evaluating how

Sportsmen Club invites you to win a Thanksgiving turkey

The Orcas Island Sportsmen Club invites the public to come out and win their Thanksgiving Turkey at the 71ST annual fall Turkey-Time Family Fun Shooting Contests. The shoot is on Saturday November 14th from l0 am to 4 pm at the clubhouse and ranges at  1906 Enchanted Forest Road. Adults and young shooters will compete in separate events. Shooters at the small bore range will shoot 22 rifles at paper […]

Join the Orcas Island School Board

Are you passionate about our schools and the future of Orcas Island students? We invite you to consider serving as the next Orcas Island School District Board Director for District #2! Our schools are at the heart of our island community, and strong school leadership begins with engaged community members who care about the success and well-being of every student. Serving on the Orcas Island School Board is an opportunity to share your […]

Larsen urges voters to return ballots to drop boxes and pushes back on new USPS policy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) expressed concerns to the United States Postal Service (USPS) about delays in postmarking ballots delivered in Northwest Washington. “Between August and October 2026, I visited local election offices in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island and San Juan counties,” said Rep. Larsen. “During these visits, local election officials raised concern that changes to USPS policy may delay p