Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens come to Orcas with Barb Faville
Submitted by the Orcas Island Garden Club.
Meta’s new commercial terms will allow the scraping of news sites, legal experts say
By Andrew Deck and Hanaa’ Tameez
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Bonds Available to Local Investors
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2), San Juan County, Washington (the “District”) is in the process of issuing phase 1 of voter approved Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds (the “Bonds”) to provide $14,000,000 to construct, acquire, equip, renovate and make capital improvements to apparatus and facilities of the […]
Guest Column by Ron Krebs: Understands the challenges facing the Sheriff’s Office
To the Citizens of San Juan County, As we approach the upcoming election, I want to share my priorities for the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and my commitment to the community we serve.Having served as your Sheriff from 2015 to 2022, and with 19 years of experience in the Sheriff’s Office, I understand the […]
Jamie Stephens: Katherine Bryant Ingman Gets Things Done
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. A graduate of Leadership San Juans, she is a leader that gets things done. Issues that affect us […]
Eames: Endorses Katherine Bryant Ingman for county Council
Katherine Bryant Ingman has my support to be our next San Juan County Council Representative for District 3 for many reasons: Every SJC District Representative is sworn to support the welfare of the entire San Juan County. I firmly believe, as shown by Katherine’s efforts to reach out to the Waldron, Shaw, Decatur, San […]
Letter to Editor | Jay and Trudi Inslee and former leaders endorse Katherine
Former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee and former First Lady Trudi Inslee have endorsed me for San Juan County Council, District 3. I am proud that the members of AFSCME Local 1849, the union representing San Juan County employees, voted to endorse me. They join Jane Fuller, the current District 3 Councilperson, who is not seeking another term, and former San Juan County Council members Tom Cowan, Lovel Pratt, […]
Letter to Editor | My vote is for Katherine
On November 3, you will vote for a councilmember to fill the District 3 seat I am vacating this year. We are fortunate to have two capable candidates, and I have worked with both. Jennifer Swanson and I served on the Ferry Advisory Committee (’23, ’24), and I engaged with her as a Shaw Island constituent on Shaw-specific issues. With Katherine Bryant Ingman, I worked on the WSF Schedule Re-write Task Force (’23-25) and I […]
Calling all community members: Neighbor to neighbor shelter needs you
The Neighbor to Neighbor Shelter is preparing for another winter season, and we need our community’s help! We are looking for caring individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors by helping provide a warm, safe place to sleep, hot meals, and a welcoming environment for those in need. Join us for our Volunteer Meeting on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 5:00pm in the basement […]
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue bonds available to local investors
Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2), San Juan County, Washington (the “District”) is in the process of issuing phase 1 of voter approved Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds (the “Bonds”) to provide $14,000,000 to construct, acquire, equip, renovate and make capital improvements to apparatus and facilities of the District, and to pay costs of issuing the Bonds. Pursuant to the Election Resolution, the improvement
Looking to camp in the San Juans as a resident?
A special benefit for San Juan County residents only, these reservations are available starting January 6, 2027 The San Juan County Resident camping reservation program will continue to be offered online in 2027 and will open in early January. On Wednesday, January 6, at 9:00 am through Friday, January 8 at 4:00 pm, reservations will be available online to San Juan County residents. These three days are an opportunity for residents to reserve […]
Land Bank October 2026 meeting and agenda
The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting October 16. The meeting is scheduled from 8:45am – 11:10am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the Mullis Community Senior Center, located at 589 Nash Street, Friday Harbor, WA. The public is invited to attend. Click HERE to download the agenda (includes Zoom meeting link) and meeting materials.
Orcas Center holding auditions for The Lightning Thief
Orcas Center will hold open auditions Nov. 4 and 5 for its spring production of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Auditions are free and open to teens ages 12 and up and adults. The show is directed by Katie Zwilling, with music direction by Johanna Lange and choreography by Tiffany Loney. It runs April 30 through May 9, 2027. To sign up, visit www.orcascenter.org. All auditions take place in the Black […]
Write in Jeff Asher for Sheriff
Wow! I am truly taken aback by the outpouring of support encouraging me to run for Sheriff. Thank you all for the calls and texts requesting my participation in the upcoming Sheriff’s election. When I was first asked to consider this opportunity, I was hesitant, as it is not something I take lightly. As many of you know, I have been commuting between San Juan Island and the Bay Area […]
No jurors needed for October 19-23
JURY DUTY: OCTOBER 19-23, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning October 19th, are excused. Thank you.
Advance care planning workshop at Senior Center
Your voice, your choice — but only if you speak up now. Join Orcas Senior Center for a free Advance Care Planning Workshop, presented by Hospice of the Northwest, on Wednesday, November 4 at 1 p.m. Life is unpredictable. Advance care planning is how you make sure your goals, values, and healthcare wishes are known and honored — even if illness or injury leaves you unable to speak for yourself. An […]
Orcas Vikings post wins in boys soccer and volleyball, compete in cross-country and girls soccer
By Declan O’Malley
C Street Brass returns to the islands for two free community concerts
Submitted by the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival.
Upcoming Viking games
Submitted by Amy Carlson and The Booster Team.
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue bonds available to local investors | Sponsored content
Submitted by Orcas Island Fire & Rescue.
San Juan County receives $660k Public Safety Grant
SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA – October 14, 2026 – San Juan County has received a $660,000 grant from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (CJTC) to increase staffing in the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. On September 29, CJTC notified the County of its grant award funded by the state’s relatively new Public Safety […]
Week 7: Game Cancelled – FRIDAY HARBOR WOLVERINE FOOTBALL Trivia, numbers, history, ramblings and stuff by Bruce Bennett
Saturday, October 17 Game Cancelled due to lack of players from Toutle Lake This may come as a surprise to some Friday Harbor folks, but this is not the first game with Toutle Lake…it’s the fourth. This “series” started over a half century ago in 1976. The Wolverines and Ducks played for three consecutive years […]
Construction begins on Orcas Landing Marine Facility Improvements ahead of Re-Opening in 2027
SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. October 14, 2026 – Repairs to the pilings at the public dock in Eastsound are expected to begin in November. This much-anticipated project will address key maintenance needs and restore seasonal use of the dock. With the project’s design, permitting, and bidding now complete, construction is being scheduled to take place this […]
Guest Column: Jay and Trudi Inslee and Former Leaders Endorse Katherine
From Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council To the voters of San Juan County, Former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee and former First Lady Trudi Inslee have endorsed me for San Juan County Council, District 3. I am proud that the members of AFSCME Local 1849, the union representing San Juan County employees, […]