Island News

Jennifer builds community through service and hard work | Letter

I have known Jennifer for 20 years. She is a thoughtful, inclusive leader who brings people with diverse opinions together to find solutions.

Shannon: Swanson is a uniter

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 […]

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. On Friday, Oct. 9, students participated in several service projects around Eastsound, putting their Christian values into action by serving others. The school’s vision is to foster a community-connected culture where students embrace Christian values. Service is a core component of Christian education. “We don’t want serv

Letter to Editor | My endorsement for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council, District 3

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 Juan and Orcas communities throughout her campaign, that Katherine has demonstrated her energy, interest, and willingness to do that very thing. […]

Letter to Editor | 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 all are bigger on the more populated islands. She knows what islands comprise her district. Her opponent repeated e

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 […]

C Street Brass returns to the islands for two free community concerts

Submitted by the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival.

C Street Brass returns to the islands for two free community concerts

C Street Brass will return to the San Juan Islands October 26 and 27 as part of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s Musicians-in-Residence program. Known for their energetic performances and wide-ranging musical style, the ensemble moves comfortably between traditional chamber music, jazz, and popular music, creating concerts that are engaging and accessible to audiences of all ages. During their island visit, C Stree

October 17: Orca Recovery Day Open House in Friday Harbor

Library received grant from Brooklyn’s Books Unbanned

Submitted by the Orcas Island Public Library.

Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter

I write to highlight the profound actions SJC Council candidate longtime-islander Jennifer Swanson’s taken in our community, which are easily applied to the larger islands. Most notably, she has served as an elected official for repeated terms as a school district board member (and also board chair), and then as appointed superintendent.

Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter

We are writing to offer our wholehearted support for Jennifer Swanson for county council.

Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter

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.

Islands’ Sounder and Journal of the San Juans receive General Excellence in 2026 WNPA Better Newspaper Contest

San Juan Group newspapers combine for 24 awards, including a sweep of Crime & Court Story reporting

October 17: Orca Recovery Day Open House in Friday Harbor

Letter to Editor | In support of Jennifer Swanson, my mom, for County Council

I believe that my mom’s candidacy for county council is both unexpected and a long time coming; that is to say, it’s such a natural role for her to step into. The depth to which she cares for our community is obvious: she served on the Shaw Island School Board for eleven years while my sister and I attended, as well as seven years as superintendent; alongside fellow Shaw Islanders, she’s dreamed and planned the […]

Sophia Swanson: In Support of Jennifer Swanson, My Mom, for County Council

I believe that my mom’s candidacy for county council is both unexpected and a long time coming; that is to say, it’s such a natural role for her to step into. The depth to which she cares for our community is obvious: she served on the Shaw Island School Board for eleven years while my […]

Former Starbucks CEO encourages Orcas Christian School students to ‘Be More Human’

Orcas Christian School (OCS) is embracing experiential education, providing students with opportunities to learn from leaders with real-world experience. “We pride ourselves on offering powerful experiences for our students. On October 8, students were able to meet and hear from Jim Donald, a former CEO of Starbucks,” said Principal Joel Shetler. Donald spoke to OCS students and parents about artificial intelligence (AI), discussing how the technology can help

Native pollinator presentation by Russel Barsh coming to Orcas Library

More than 200 wild bees and flies are native to the San Juan Islands, but many are threatened by pesticides, loss of nesting habitat, competition with introduced non-native bee species, and the spread of parasitic flies, mites, and viruses. Learn to identify, protect, and provide appropriate habitat for the most important native pollinators of island gardens and wildlands, including bumblebees, wild solitary bees, and hover flies, from Kwiah

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson builds community through service and hard work

I have known Jennifer for 20 years. She is a thoughtful, inclusive leader who brings people with diverse opinions together to find solutions. Jennifer has a proven record of public service and strong relationships throughout the county. She served 11 years on the school board and later led as superintendent through COVID. During that challenging time, she balanced the needs of students, teachers, staff, families, and the broader community, making difficult decisions ami

Getting to know Katherine | Leadership in action

I’ve been fortunate to benefit from, and contribute to, impressive and impactful volunteer work throughout my life. From an early age, I’ve looked for ways to bring people together with integrity, care, and joy, and to create the kind of culture and environment that we want to live in, born of the priorities and values we share. San Juan County is run by volunteers caring for our neighbors. Volunteering is an […]

County’s first mid-block crosswalk connects Lopez Island schools to new pool

This new crossing includes a rapid flashing beacon with a push-button, pedestrian signage, and crosswalk striping Lopez Island’s long-anticipated Swim Center opened this summer, and the County’s Public Works Department is working to safely connect the community to this exciting new resource. This month, Public Works crews installed a mid-block pedestrian crossing on Lopez – the first of its kind by the County. The crosswalk bridges School Road, facilit

Borner: Jennifer builds community through service and hard work.

I have known Jennifer for 20 years. She is a thoughtful, inclusive leader who brings people with diverse opinions together to find solutions. Jennifer has a proven record of public service and strong relationships throughout the county. She served 11 years on the school board and later led as superintendent through COVID. During that challenging […]