Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Interactive Food System Plan now live on San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild website
By Caitlin Leck
Easements keep the co-op running
Submitted by the Orcas Power & Light Cooperative.
San Juan County receives $660K public safety grant
Submitted by San Juan County.
Michael T. Bosworth | Passages
1947–2026
No more funding for war with Iran | Letter
The American public was told that war with Iran is necessary to eliminate the threat to U.S. security posed by a hostile and potentially nuclear-armed regime in that Middle East country. In fact, the conflict has had exactly the opposite effect. Our troops are endangered, the hardliners in Iran have been empowered, and global energy markets are disrupted. Inflation is skyrocketing, fuel prices are through the roof, and medical and nutrition programs have been slashed while billionaires are enjoy
Vote Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
92 percent of the people in Jennifer Swanson’s community voted for her for San Juan County Council in the primary elections. That’s how much she is loved, honored and appreciated by her neighbors. Jennifer also won 20-23 precincts in the primaries which illustrates how much she is respected on all of the islands.
Vote for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
Katherine is the right person to represent District 3. She’s qualified and experienced at leading this community through unprecedented challenges. She knows what it takes to advocate effectively at local and state levels, and most importantly, she’s lived the issues. She’s worked multiple jobs here to make ends meet, coached and mentored our youth, and led the effort to ensure our access to healthcare. We need her energy, vision, experience, and dedication on Council.
Jennifer Swanson will represent all of San Juan County | Letter
Having served eight years on the San Juan County Council, the Ferry Advisory Committee, and spent 20+ years operating small businesses on Orcas Island, I know the challenges of representing our island communities. That experience is why I am proud to support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council, District 3.
Vote for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
Among my favorite takeaways from attending Leadership San Juan Islands was my friendship with Katherine Bryant Ingman. She is immediately smart, capable, warm and friendly. Always a first choice for team projects. Rarely in life is someone’s trajectory so clear and so clearly aligned with their being.
Local 1849 endorses County Council and auditor candidates | Letter
Members of AFSCME Local 1849, the union representing San Juan County employees, have endorsed Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council and Heather Lee for County Auditor. The endorsements follow the candidates’ clear commitments to transparent leadership and to the workforce that keep county services running.
Ron Krebs is NOT the man he portrays himself to be | Letter
I have known Ron since he moved to the island and became a deputy. He made me believe he was a friend, a man of integrity and good intentions and someone who cared about the people in this community. It turns out that Ron is just another politician who smiles in your face and tells you what you want to hear and only wants to promote and serve himself.
Katherine brings leadership and a voice for our future | Letter
I wholeheartedly endorse Katherine. She brings the lived experience, leadership, and commitment needed to help guide our county through the important issues we face. She represents a generation whose voices and futures are vulnerable in our island communities, yet whose presence is essential to the long-term health and vitality of the county. Katherine is an exceptional community advocate who brings both the passion and the skills needed to turn her commitment into meaningful action for our comm
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.
Support for Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
Jennifer Swanson has my wholehearted support for the San Juan County Council, District 3. Jennifer brings an exceptional and effective combination of thoroughness, thoughtfulness, practicality and kindness. She has the rare ability to bring together people with divergent points of view. She’s a pleasure to work with and to know, and her actions inspire trust while helping bring out the best in others.
Join me in voting for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
Katherine is a leader who listens & collaborates to find solutions that work for the wellbeing of the community. Please join me & vote Katherine Bryant Ingman for Council position #3.
Support for Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
We support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council Position 3.
Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
Dear Islanders, our islands face complex challenges demanding practical solutions and fresh thinking, I am supporting Katherine Bryant Ingman for SJC Council. She’s a candidate whose record shows she knows how to get things done. Her experience comes from years of collaborating directly with islanders of all ages, families, elders, youth, and working people who depend on strong local services. This is the kind of intergenerational leadership SJC needs.
Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
Katherine is a thoughtful and intentional leader who is truly dedicated to serving our island communities. Whether volunteering as a high school track coach or leading the Catherine Washburn Medical Association when the Lopez Clinic sought a new provider, she brings professionalism and a deep care for others to her work. While serving on the WSF Schedule Rewrite Commission, Katherine sought solutions-based strategies to benefit all islanders. It is with deep pleasure that I endorse Katherine for
Support for Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
I want to recommend Jennifer Swanson for County Council District 3.
About my two hours observing SJC Elections Office this morning
Important Voter Information I served as an Election Observer at the San Juan County Elections Office in Friday Harbor for two hours this morning (Oct. 27), following sending a pile of questions about our elections process and security to County Elections Manager Camolyn Armstrong. Some of them were answered by Justin Paulsen a few days ago in her place, and some by Camolyn by phone last night. Some I will follow up with the Washington […]
Orcas Island Clothing Bank draws about 400 over two days
The Orcas Island Clothing Bank welcomed approximately 400 people over two days Oct. 24-25, offering community members an opportunity to find clothing and other household items while giving gently used goods a second life. The event was held at the Orcas Christian School (OCS) gymnasium, continuing a tradition that began in 1994 at the Odd Fellows Hall in town before later moving to the school. Organizers estimated that more than 3,500 pounds of gently […]
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
Larsen continues to press ICE for answers about local activity
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) wrote to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding Larsen’s visit to ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) suboffice in Ferndale on October 9th: “I support HSI’s mission to investigate and apprehend individuals involved in cross-border criminal activity, including human and drug trafficking,” said Rep. Larsen. “However, I am conc
Coming to Odd Fellows | The failed attempts to halt North Korea nuclear weapons program
What happens when diplomacy, nuclear science, and international security collide? Join nuclear safeguards and nonproliferation expert Mark Schanfein on Friday, November 7 at 7pm at Odd Fellows Hall for Assignment North Korea: The Failed Attempts to Halt Their Nuclear Weapons Program, an inside look at international efforts to address North Korea’s nuclear weapons program. Schanfein brings a rare firsthand perspective to the subject. During his nearly five de