Island News

Chloe Mason: Praises Jennifer Swanson’s generosity and helpfulness

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 […]

Guitar virtuosos Frank Vignola and Pasquale Grasso at Orcas Center

Submitted by the Orcas Center.

San Juan County sheriff’s log

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.

2025 Friday Harbor Elementary School Halloween parade

Mike Vouri: Vietnam Journal 2003, Part One

Welcome to this five-part series. In earlier posts—most recently “The Ghost on My Shoulder: Remembering Larry Heinemann”—I refer to my return to Vietnam in 2003 with Don Macaluso, a life-long friend, and retired Air Force colonel, who, along with my sister, Denise, urged me to go. This sparked a long-ago ambition—to visit the country sometime […]

October 28: FRIDAY HARBOR WOLVERINE FOOTBALL Trivia, numbers, history, ramblings and stuff by Bruce Bennett

No game this week as the team awaits word on who, when and where regarding their state playoff game next week. Odds and Ends  The Wolverines through seven games are averaging 40.4 points per game. This is the most in 20 seasons (50.6 in 2005) and the second most in school history. Rankings: WIAA RPI […]

San Juan County Council presented with overview of county marine facilities

LWVSJ Observer Corps*: San Juan County Council, October 27, 2026 meeting. 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 […]

Guest Column by Jennifer Swanson: 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 […]

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

Multiple county advisory board & committee seats open

Key positions on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Clean Water Advisory Committee, Agricultural Resources Committee, and other boards are open San Juan County is seeking volunteers to serve on various boards and committees that help shape daily life in the San Juan Islands. Key positions on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Clean Water Advisory Committee, Agricultural Resources

Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman is full of energy, optimism, determination

I got to know Katherine Bryant Ingman when UW Medicine announced it was no longer going to operate the Lopez Island clinic, leaving islanders scrambling to keep the clinic open. That crucial moment for Lopez showed me Katherine’s grit and determination. As President of the Catherine Washburn Medical Association, owner of the clinic building, Katherine dug in and worked hard to ensure that Lopez had quality health care that matched our needs, at an affordable […]

County DEM seeks public input on disaster preparedness

Complete a short survey The San Juan County Department of Emergency Management (www.islandsready.org) is updating the County’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, which outlines local natural hazard risks and identifies strategies to reduce their impacts.    The current plan is available at: https://www.sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/21421/HazardMitigationPlan As part of this update, we’re asking San Juan County residents to complete a short survey. It

Siting of essential public facility on Shaw to be reassessed Nov. 24

The siting process for a Public Works Essential Public Facility (EPF)  on Shaw Island was reviewed at the October 27, 2026 San Juan County Council meeting.. A public hearing is set for  November 24 when the council will reassess the project. Prioritizing time and resources in light of budget constraints and considerable pushback from Shaw […]

Secretary of State Statement about Washington’s safe and secure elections

OLYMPIA — The Office of the Secretary of State has received a letter from the Department of Justice requesting information about individuals appearing on Washington’s voter rolls. We are carefully reviewing the request and assessing the information sought to ensure that our response complies with applicable state and federal laws. The United States Constitution is clear […]

Volunteer positions open on county committees

Several key positions on the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC), Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Clean Water Advisory Committee, Agricultural Resources Committee, and other boards are open. To see if one of the vacant positions is right for you view all board and committee vacancies here: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies. How to Apply Complete the application located on the County’s website: https://sanjuancountywa.gov/2287/Boards-and-Committee-Application. […]

Guest column: What Makes Me Different? Katherine’s Closing Statement

What makes me different, and why should you vote for me? I think it comes down to perspective and experience. I’m part of the next generation trying to build a life here. I’ve rented here in a difficult housing market, worked multiple jobs, and wondered whether my husband and I could afford to stay. We […]

Vote no on ballot initiatives | Letter

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