Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens to visit Orcas Garden Club
Please join the Orcas Island Garden Club on Wednesday, October 21,2026 as we welcome Barb Faville, from Meerkerk Gardens to learn all things rhododendron. Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens is a 53-acre peaceful woodland oasis located on Whidbey Island. During this talk you will Learn about Meerkerk’s history and the distinguishing characteristics of rhododendrons which will increase your appreciation of the vast variety of these plants. You’ll
Letter to Editor | Swanson has valuable community background
I have known Jennifer since 2013, soon after I moved to Shaw Island. Since then she has served as a Shaw School board member and the superintendent, a Ferry Advisory Board member, the founder of the Shaw Island Brown Bag Lunch monthly community meeting, a Shaw Islanders Inc board member and the chair of the Shaw Library and Historical Society Education Committee. All of her community building activities have been very affective, long term […]
Orcas Library, students explore banned books
The Orcas Island Library was fortunate to receive a grant from Brooklyn’s Books Unbanned group this spring, and we’ve been thrilled to put it to work with our local teens. With the grant, we’ve now run two teen cohorts exploring censorship, challenged books, and the role young people can play in the conversation. Our first cohort of three teens planned three of our monthly Teen Book Boxes, each featuring a challenged […]
Letter to Editor | Every penny counts
ESHB2442 passed by the 2026 Legislature provides that [quoting from the legislature’s final report] “Beginning January 1, 2027, the legislative authority of a county or city may impose a new sales and use tax at a rate of up to 0.01 percent. Revenue from this tax may only be used for the purpose of providing services that assist children and their families, including child care, before- and after-school care that addresses health, social, and behavioral […]
County Council passes 2027 budget, plans for additional budget work leading into 2028-2029
With the 2027 budget now set, Council must shift its focus to the 2028-2029 budget, which presents many of the same fiscal challenges seen in the last few years due mainly to stagnated revenues, increased inflation, and increased operating costs At its October 5 meeting, the San Juan County Council adopted the 2027 budget after hearing from residents across the county. This adopted budget includes organizational restructuring and over $3.8 milli
Larsen | I will not let them stick you with the bill for data centers
Data centers are expanding across the country, including here in the Pacific Northwest. This growth carries real consequences for our communities. Data centers require enormous amounts of electricity and water to operate. Without strong guardrails, the costs of building and running these facilities can be passed on to ordinary ratepayers through higher electricity bills and increased strain on local water systems. At the same time, the public infr
Henley: Katherine Bryant Ingman Endorsement
Katherine Bryant Ingman is the breath of fresh air San Juan County needs right now. We are struggling to find our footing between financial troubles and a growing mountain of needs. The old ways have not worked. New ways, new ideas, new leadership are needed. Katherine is a proven leader, as shown by her work […]
Announcing 6th Annual Island Market / Funhouse Commons gingerbread house contest
Get ready for the 6th Annual Gingerbread House Contest sponsored by the Funhouse Commons & Island Market , a holiday Gingerbread House Contest for ALL AGES with cash prizes! Registration to participate in the gingerbread house competition opens on Monday, October 12th through the Funhouse Commons website. There are no entry fees to participate but you must register by Monday, November 30th in order to participate! Only one (1) entry per person, […]
Join the Ferry Riders Opinion Group
Washington State Transportation Commission is inviting ferry riders and the public to join the Ferry Riders’ Opinion Group, or FROG. This group gives you a chance to share your ferry experiences and provide feedback that directly helps shape our service, operations, and fares. The commission uses FROG to conduct periodic online surveys to gather input. Sign up […]
Washington authors speak out against censorship in honor of Banned Books Week
OLYMPIA — In honor of Banned Books Week (Oct. 4-10, 2026), Washington authors speak out against censorship and share what reading freely means to them. The Washington Center for the Book, a program of the Office of the Secretary of State, partnered with the Washington chapter of Authors Against Book Bans to curate a collection of short videos about what […]
County Council Passes 2027 Budget and Plans for Additional Budget Work Leading into 2028-2029
PRESS RELEASE: At its October 5 meeting, the San Juan County Council adopted the 2027 budget after hearing from residents across the county. This adopted budget includes organizational restructuring and over $3.8 million dollars in reductions to staffing and critical programs across all departments and elected offices. As part of the annual budget adopted on […]
San Juan Island School District: Cost of full-size electric bus too high
LWVSJ Observer Corps*: San Juan Island School Board September 30, 2026. Public Comment: Parent Eliza Habegger is concerned about the use of AI in the classroom. She made three recommendations: 1. Remove Google Gemini in all Chrome books. 2. Consider Los Angeles Unified School District AI use policy. 3. Gather community input on using AI […]
Tom Cowan: Lopez has large support for Katherine Bryant Ingman
I was talking with a friend from San Juan Island and asked what he would think about someone from Stuart Island as the San Juan Island representative on the County Council. His response was that it would be a problem; different culture, different issues and the likely inability to understand San Juan Island’s people and […]
After hung jury, Friday Harbor man pleads guilty to assault in the fourth degree
A 44-year-old Friday Harbor man charged with first-degree child molestation pleaded guilty on Sept. 21 to lesser charges after his August trial ended in a hung jury.
Japanese music masters Také to Ito perform at Odd Fellows
Submitted by the Odd Fellows Hall.
OCS students develop leadership skills at Sunset Lake Camp
Orcas Christian School high school and middle school students returned Thursday from a week at Sunset Lake Camp in Wilkeson, Washington, where they joined students from several small Adventist schools for activities focused on leadership, worship, teamwork and personal growth.
Orcas Christian School brings generations together for ‘Grandparents Lunch’
The lunch at Orcas Christian School was filled with conversation, laughter and familiar faces as students welcomed grandparents and other special guests for the school’s first Grandparents Lunch.
Expert speakers highlight sustainable gardening at October workshop series
Submitted by the Master Gardeners.
David B. Williams comes to Orcas Island for ‘In the Range of Fire and Ice’
Submitted by the Orcas Island Public Library.
Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
I have known Jennifer since she moved to Shaw Island with her family over 20 years ago. If I were to describe her in a few words they would be; fully engaged with family and community. She is deeply involved with both.
In support of Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
I have been a voter in San Juan County for more than 50 years and am writing to enthusiastically endorse Jennifer Swanson for County Commissioner. Jennifer and I worked together on the Shaw Island school board for several years. During her term as chairman she was called upon to steer the board through the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a challenging time but Jennifer based her leadership on the facts and the science. Her calm demeanor and ability to listen have made her a valuable member of our isla
Vote Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
This is to share how my husband and I know Katherine Bryant Ingman candidate for San Juan County Council District 3, and why she has our full support
The 6th Annual Island Market and Funhouse Commons Gingerbread House Contest
Submitted by the Funhouse Commons.
Remembering Doug Marshall and his love for Orcas Island | Column
Submitted by Michell (Mitch) Marshall.