Island News

LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Board of Health Oct 21, 2026

Community Collaboration Council: Approved funding for Safe San Juans ($20K); and San Juan Island Winter Shelter ($15K), with a full time shelter at the fairgrounds’ Marie Boe Building. Behavioral Health ASO: A temporary agreement will maintain the Intensive Treatment Act court operations for people needing involuntary treatment through year-end. A long term solution is expected under the incoming Skagit County prosecutor. Opioid Abat

Questions about San Juan County’s new Generative AI Use Policy

San Juan County has adopted a policy governing the use of generative AI by County employees. It lists approved AI tools, including Microsoft Copilot, Claude, Grammarly, and Canva, and also includes tools such as Verkada security cameras with facial recognition and KnowBe4 AIDA that could be used for profiling. Residents deserve to understand what this policy means in practice. Here are some questions to ask our candidates, County Council members, and other elected o

Port Commission will meet on Monday

The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting to include the 2027 Budget Hearing on Monday, October 26th at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal.  Access information as well as the Agenda, 2027 Budget and Budget Resolutions can be found at portoforcas.com.

Help our community thrive. Volunteer at the Food Bank

In 2025, 40% of island households (1,160 households) relied on the Orcas Island Food Bank to help meet their nutritional needs, freeing up money for other necessities, such as gas, heating fuel, medical care, and housing. As seasonal work winds down for the winter, even more neighbors turn to us. Our volunteers help make that possible, ensuring every donor dollar goes where it has the greatest impact: putting food on […]

Letter to Editor | Why I support Katherine Bryant Ingman for Council

This is a rallying cry to my fellow San Juan Islanders! I enthusiastically support Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council, and I hope you will too. District 3 covers Lopez, Shaw, and Decatur, but we all know that our County Council’s decisions affect the entire archipelago. When I think about the future of the Council and the future of the County, representation and decision making by Katherine feels crucial for our growth. And, […]

Sail Orcas sailors conquer Bellingham

By Yotam Zohar

Coming home to community

It’s Homecoming season, and not just for Orcas Island High School, but for all of us who feel that familiar pull back toward the people and places that make us feel a sense of purpose and belonging. Homecoming is about more than returning. It’s about reconnecting with what matters, remembering why we chose this place and root for each other. For many of us, that sense of purpose grows deepest […]

Neighbor to neighbor shelter seeking community volunteers

Neighbor to Neighbor Shelter opens November 8, and we’re looking for volunteers to help welcome and support our neighbors. There are lots of ways to pitch in—whether you can take a shift, help with laundry, or make a meal. Morning | 6:30–9:00 a.m. Help with breakfast, cleanup, and getting the shelter ready for the day. Mid shift | Dusk–7:00 p.m.  Support guests and help with daily tasks. Overnight | 7:00 […]

Notice of special meeting on land use

For elected and appointed officials NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council will hold a special meeting on October 26, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., to participate in an AWC/RMSA mandatory training on Land Use for elected and appointed officials. The training will take place in Council Chambers located at 60 Second Street in Friday Harbor. For more information, contact the Town Clerk at clerk@fridayharbor.gov.  

Annual Halloween Dance coming to Odd Fellows Hall

Get your costumes ready and join us for a Halloween night at Odd Fellows Hall! Our Annual Halloween Dance returns on October 31 from 8:30 PM to midnight, with live music from The Studs, dancing, costumes, and plenty of Halloween spirit. Come dressed to impress, amuse, frighten, bewilder, or delight! Costume prizes will be awarded at intermission, so creativity is highly encouraged. More than just a great night out, the Halloween Dance is […]

Help Rotary and Its PolioPlus partners deliver more than vaccines

World Polio Day, October 24, is an opportunity to unite in support of Rotary International’s longstanding mission to eradicate polio. That effort goes beyond vaccines: polio cases can reveal gaps in health systems, and contaminated water can spread the virus and other diseases. Alongside vaccination, access to safe drinking water is a vital part of the fight to end polio. The Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands supports […]

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson:  A Shaw islander for all of San Juan County

I’m voting for Jennifer Swanson and I hope you do too.  County Council members represent islanders county-wide and must serve them well.  Where the candidate lives helps define their character.  Swanson lives on Shaw Island.  With that, Swanson recognizes the central values we share of self-reliance, the ability to listen and understand concerns of others, and a willingness to travel talk to people in person. Swanson knows that in the next four years will require […]

BELONGING: Five writers, five perspectives, one universal question at Library

What does it mean to belong? To a place, a community, a family—or simply to ourselves? Join the Orcas Island Public Library on Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. for Belonging, an evening of readings and conversation exploring one of the most universal—and deeply personal—aspects of the human experience. Through five distinct voices and perspectives, writers A. Molotkov, Chrys Buckley, Gail Folkins, John Fadely, and Veronica Kornberg explore the m

Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson

Seven Orcas Island artists featured in Santa Monica exhibition

Seven Orcas Island artists are showing their work in Southern California this fall in “Orcas Island A|B Collective,” an exhibition at The Shala, the gallery and showroom of Tim Clarke Design in Santa Monica. The show opened Oct. 9 and runs through Nov. 9.

October 23: Join the SJPT and walk the Beecher Preserve on Lopez

Ward and Doris Beecher’s gift protects 35 acres of Lopez forest, and years of care from partners and volunteers are helping it grow healthier every season. Join Dean Dougherty, San Juan Preservation Trust Senior Director of Stewardship, on Friday, October 23, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm to see it up close. We still have […]

San Juan Island Fire Dept. will issue $500 fine if property owner has 3 false alarms in one year

LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Fire District #3 Commissioners Meeting summary of the October 20, 2026 meeting. Robin Garcia, Finance Officer, received a special parking space sign in recognition of her service and her upcoming retirement in June of 2027.  Andy Guiterrez of the Fire Preservation Board gave a presentation on a Fire Museum that will be […]

Town to flush main water transmission line overnight November 3-4

The Town of Friday Harbor will flush the water transmission line from the treatment plant on Wold Road to town Tuesday, November 3 through Wednesday, November 4, 2026.  Per state Department of Health regulations, lines require occasional flushing to remove accumulated minerals, sediment, and organic materials.  Crews will perform the work at night when water […]

Town to match $7,500 in November donations to the food bank

Donations made in November to the Town of Friday Harbor’s “Harbor Life Ring” utility assistance fund will again be matched up to a total of $7,500 and forwarded to the Friday Harbor Food Bank.  Anyone may donate at Town Hall.  Utility customers may also donate by marking the Harbor Life Ring line item on their […]

Help Rotary and Its PolioPlus Partners Deliver More Than Vaccines

World Polio Day, October 24, is an opportunity to unite in support of Rotary International’s longstanding mission to eradicate polio. That effort goes beyond vaccines: polio cases can reveal gaps in health systems, and contaminated water can spread the virus and other diseases. Alongside vaccination, access to safe drinking water is a vital part of […]

Emilio Santiago: Enthusiastically endorses Katherine for county Council

This is a rallying cry to my fellow San Juan Islanders! I enthusiastically support Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council, and I hope you will too. District 3 covers Lopez, Shaw, and Decatur, but we all know that our County Council’s decisions affect the entire archipelago. When I think about the future of the […]

Suden: Endorses Katherine for District 3 county council member

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. Elizabeth Suden Lopez Island

Reeves and Petterson: Katherine is the right person to represent District 3

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 […]

Bigelow: Katherine Brings Leadership and a Voice for Our Future

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 […]