Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Letter to Editor | My endorsement for Ron Krebs for Sheriff
I am writing to publicly and wholeheartedly support Ron Krebs for San Juan County Sheriff. I had the privilege of working for Ron during his tenure as Sheriff, and I witnessed firsthand the leadership, professionalism, and integrity he brought to the office every day. Ron always leads by example. He commands the respect of his peers as well as his team members and is not afraid to allow his […]
Letter to Editor | Why I’m voting for Katherine Bryant Ingman
Join me in voting for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council. 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.
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council
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 t
Update on Orcas School drinking water
Improvements Continue Our commitment to improving school drinking water continues through our partnership with the Washington State Department of Health. Fixtures replaced The district replaced fixtures identified for corrective action. Follow-up testing has returned those meeting the state’s lead-testing threshold to normal service. Filtration underway The next phase of improvements is in progress, with elementary school fixtures prioritized f
Sheriff’s Guild endorses Ron Krebs for election as Sheriff
We, the Members of the San Juan County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild, by majority vote endorse Ron Krebs for election as Sheriff. The Sheriff’s Office is at critically low staffing levels and being the only 24/7 department in San Juan County has caused burn-out and low morale. We believe Ron Krebs will meet our expectations of community policing, responsiveness, communication and will improve morale and recruitment within the San Juan County […]
Assessor’s Office presents a ‘Levy Transparency Tool’
Estimate property tax amounts for levies on the 2026 November 3 ballot The Assessor’s Office created a “Levy Transparency Tool” to help voters understand how levy propositions affect taxes. The tool includes summaries of levy propositions on the upcoming ballot and a comparison of the current tax amount and the estimated new tax amount if the proposition passes. Find the tool on the Assessor’s website: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/2433/Levy-Transpa
Why I’m a candidate for 40th Legislative District representative
My name is Joseph Segault, and I am proud to announce that I am running for Washington State Representative, 40th Legislative District, Position 2, representing all of San Juan County and portions of Whatcom and Skagit counties. I was raised on Orcas Island and have had the incredible privilege of raising my own children here as well. There is something truly special about this place— its natural beauty, its history, its independence, and, most importantly, […]
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman is my first choice
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. I could not be happier to vote for Katherine or more pleased for our county that she has stepped up.
EWUA members petition to explore public ownership
More than 50 EWUA memberships have signed a petition supporting a formal, non binding evaluation of whether Eastsound’s water utility should be transferred to public ownership through the Eastsound Sewer and Water District (ESWD). Bringing water and sewer together could offer important community benefits: Shared operators, equipment, facilities, administration, emergency response, and long-term planning. Access to public grants, loans, and inf
No jurors required for Oct. 26 – Nov. 6
JURY DUTY: OCTOBER 26 – NOVEMBER 6, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning October 26th, are excused. Jurors with summonses for the week beginning November 2nd, need to check beginning next Thursday, October 27th to see if they are needed. Thank you.
CWR encounters new baby orca
The Center for Whale Research is happy to report that a new calf has been born in the Southern Resident killer whale population. On October 19, 2026, CWR researchers observed a very young whale traveling with J35. The calf, designated J65, is very young, less than a week old based on its appearance and J35’s previous sightings. CWR researchers again encountered the calf the next day, still traveling with J35. The team was […]
EWUA Board Meeting | Public utility petition, Clark Well costs, Board election
The Eastsound Water Users Association (EWUA) Board met Tuesday evening, October 20, 2026 with several notable developments involving public ownership, capital expenditures, and the upcoming Board election. Members Preparing Petition to Explore Public Ownership During the meeting’s only public comment, an EWUA member informed the Board that a group of members is preparing a petition requesting a feasibility study of transitioning EWUA to public ownership through a pot
How about a night of improv with island friends?
Orcas Improv: Last Thursday Night is the place for improvised comedy on the island, held on the last Thursday of every month. The next event is Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Black Box. Improv groups and players borne from the classes and Monday evening Improv Jams (Whalewreck) at Orcas Center perform fully improvised bits, made up, on-the-spot, based on audience suggestions and stories and transformed right before your eyes […]
Larsen, colleagues succeed in delaying new CBP rule harming access to lower-cost medications
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “In the past few months, my office has received dozens of messages from constituents worried about how they are going to afford prescription medications if the Trump administration’s new CBP rule goes into effect on October 22. I urged the Administration to delay the rule and stop health care from getting even more expensive, and last week, the […]
The Art of Stillness | Christian Carlson at Crow Valley Gallery
“Place has become a pendulum swing for me between life in the Skagit Valley and life on Orcas Island — one busy showing artists at Perry + Carlson Gallery [in Mt. Vernon] and one very quiet. Always between them is the Sea and I spend time there too, usually alone. Often there is a sense for me that words don’t easily capture and this is what I try to paint.” For painter, former architect, […]
Local fire districts now issue burn permits; Available as of Oct. 12
Residents can apply for burn permits via their local fire district. There is no change in cost, and permits can be obtained quickly and easily online Beginning this 2026-2027 burn season, the local fire districts will be processing all burn permits for residents. Formerly accessed through the County website, burn permits are now managed through each island’s fire district and are available on their respective websites. Why is the County no longer issu
Letter to Editor | We support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council
For many years Jennifer has been at the center of making the Shaw community run smoothly. She serves effectively as a leader on local and county boards, a careful and patient listener, respectful of others’ opinions. We are eager to see her courtesy, wisdom and energy at work serving the entire county, and support her for San Juan County Council position 3.
Getting to Know Katherine | What I bring to the table
First and most importantly, I bring to the County Council a deep love for these islands and the people who live here. I’m running for County Council to improve the lives of everyone who lives here — especially those of us most impacted by the challenges and uncertainties that we face. I know how knowledgeable, creative, resourceful, and resilient we are. I’ve seen first-hand the power of coalition-building in […]
‘The Poet’s Pier’ short film in FHFF has local interest
I’m excited to let you know that Michael and I (and my fiddle tune “Olga and Buck Bay) are featured in a short film that will be shown in the Friday Harbor Film Festival at 10:30 am on Sunday, Oct. 25. I hope you can come see it! The film was made by our friend Mara Miksch and it focuses on the Olga dock on Orcas Island. We will be at the screening and of […]
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
San Juan County resident camping reservations open early January
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 their favorite sites before the reservation website opens to the public on Wednesday, January 13 at 9:00 […]
Jon Stewart interviews former Anthropic, OpenAI researcher
Jacob Coxon, a former Anthropic and OpenAI researcher who spoke out about the dangers of artificial intelligence, opens up to Jon Stewart about the grim reality of the tech industry— from malicious hacks to potential biological attacks. The two discuss the future, AI-led utopia that tech companies are trying to sell us, the megalomania and riskiness that underlie the industry, and the terrifying capabilities Coxon witnessed while training AI models at Anthropic and Op
Letter to Editor | Wholehearted support for Jennifer Swanson
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. Living in the islands comes with unique challenges. Jennifer i
County employee union endorses Katherine Bryant Ingman
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. AFSCME Local 1849 represents approximately 55% of San Juan County’s workers. Our members provide a vast array of critical services across the islands—rangi