Island News

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.

SJICF to Offer Workshop, Understanding Nonprofit 990s, for Donors, Board Members, and  Organizational Leaders 

As the first of a new workshop series, the San Juan Island Community Foundation (SJICF) invites nonprofit  donors, board members, and leadership to a workshop entitled Understanding Nonprofit 990s on  Wednesday, November 18, 2026, from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the San Juan Island Community Foundation offices  at 640 Mullis Steet in Friday Harbor.  Each year, most […]

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

2025 Friday Harbor Elementary School Halloween parade

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 […]

Vote no on ballot initiatives | Letter

We strongly encourage you to vote “no” on ballot initiatives IP26-645, IL26-001, and IL26-638.

Support for Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter

I have known Jennifer for over 20 years. We served on the Shaw Island School Board together for many years and I have admired her quiet and effective leadership. She is one of the best listeners I know and she has an innate ability to carefully process all sides of an issue with empathy, common sense, and humanity. She is a uniter, not a divider, and I enthusiastically support her for county council.

Guest Opinion | San Juan Islands need an AI skills test for small businesses

Washington is receiving a new federal industry-driven workforce training grant. The state’s listed industries include AI and data-center infrastructure, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. But people working in small island businesses also deserve the skills to assess automated decisions. Consider an inn whose AI reservation assistant promises a ferry connection that cannot work, or a shop whose automated inventory tool suggests buyin

October 29: MOMster Mash in Friday Harbor

Calling all tiny monsters and the grown-ups who love them! Get ready for some spooky, silly fun at MOMster, a Halloween-themed event hosted by the San Juan Island Childcare Cooperative moms! Dress up your little monsters and join us for an afternoon of wiggling, giggling, and Halloween fun, all while supporting island children and families. […]

October 30: ES Halloween Parade in downtown Friday Harbor

Friday Harbor Elementary School students, teachers and staff will march from the school on Grover Street to Spring Street in Downtown Friday Harbor at 9 am Friday, October 30  for their annual Halloween Parade. The costumed parade marches through the core streets of downtown Friday Harbor, led by the school principal and staff. PHOTOS OF […]

Orcas Christian School students give back during Annual Service Day

Orcas Christian School embraces several longstanding traditions, including an annual service day that connects students with the community.

It’s time to vote

I filled my ballot out this morning, and it reminded me of how many of you showed up to see the candidates for council and learn about the awful initiatives on the ballot this year. We so appreciate every one of you.     Couldn’t make it? That’s okay! That’s what this email is for. We break down the initiatives and the harm they’re causing below.   We strongly encourage you to vote “no” on […]

Orcas Christian School launches gym activity nights to bring community together

||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orcas Christian School (OCS) is expanding its gymnasium programming with movie nights, open gyms and other activities designed to bring students, families and staff together while strengthening the school community. The school hosted its first movie night Oct. 9, drawing approximately 25 to 30 children for an evening of entertainment and community engagement. Students gathered to watch a movie while enjoying popcorn and lemonade. The event also provided an opportu

Orcas Island girls soccer celebrates first win since program’s return with 7-1 victory over Forest Ridge

By Declan O’Malley

Sail Orcas sailors conquer Bellingham

By Yotam Zohar

Guest Column: Jennifer Swanson – Why I am running for county council

The reason I am running goes back much further than this campaign. For as long as I can remember, I have felt a call to serve. Winding my way through college, I served children in need at the Summer Sack Lunch program and the Boys & Girls Club, then became a teacher. When we moved […]

Key Club fundraiser was a big hit; Turkey Trot coming up

Thanks to each and every islander (and visitor) who supported Key Club in our bake sale last month. We successfully raised funds for The Peach Pit, and gratitude is due to volunteers as well as community members.  Key Club currently has a Turkey Trot fundraiser in the works…get your *Gobble Gobble* costume dusted off and ready to go!

Letter to Editor | Excited to support Jennifer Swanson

I’m excited to support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council Position 3.  When I read the following excerpt  from Jennifer herself, my decision became very clear.  From Jennifer:  “The reason I am running goes back much further than this campaign. For as long as I can remember, I have felt a call to serve. Winding my way through college, I served children in need at the Summer Sack Lunch program and the Boys & […]

Orcas youth soccer teams bring the game home

By Kevin Smith

Summer intern Mona Evans digs into Orcas Island’s past

Submitted by the Orcas Island Historical Museums.

Update on Orcas School drinking water

Improvements Continue Our commitment to improving school drinking water continues through our partnership with the Washington State Department of Health. Fixtures replaced The district replaced fixtures identified for corrective action. Follow-up testing has returned those meeting the state’s lead-testing threshold to normal service.  Filtration underway The next phase of improvements is in progress, with elementary school fixtures prioritized f

OIHM starts reading club: ‘Cabin on the Island’

Submitted by the Orcas Island Historical Museums.

Katherine Bryant Ingman gets things done | Letter

District Three deserves a Councilmember who District Three voters chose. That’s Katherine Bryant Ingman. Between Katherine and Jennifer Swanson, primary voters of District Three voted 61% to 39% for Katherine. There are differences between the two candidates.