Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson brings people together
We support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council Position 3. Jennifer has shown great leadership and the ability to bring people together to create creative and workable solutions to many of the challenges of those living in San Juan County in a variety of roles over many years. Jennifer’s ability to work tirelessly and her dedication to improving island life is admirable, and she will make an excellent representative on the county […]
The Pacific Salmon Treaty isn’t working for salmon, orcas, or salmon-dependent communities, coastwide movement tells US and Canadian leaders
As the Pacific Salmon Commission discusses the treaty’s future behind closed doors, salmon advocates rally in Sequim and call on both countries to Let Our Salmon Come Home SEQUIM, Washington—Salmon advocates from across the coast rallied in Sequim, where the Pacific Salmon Commission is meeting as the United States and Canada negotiate the future of the Pacific Salmon Treaty—an international agreement governing marine fisheries that intercep
CWR Encounter #90 with Bigg’s Killer Whales
Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 11:18 AM ObservEnd: 12:50 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Rachel John, Taylor Redmond, Rachel Carbary Pods: Bigg’s killer whales IDsEncountered: T35A, T35A1, T35A1A, T35A2, T35A3, T35A5, T49A, T49A3, T49A4, T49A5, T49A6, T49A7, T50D, and T50B1 LocationDescr: Boundary Pass and Swanson Channel EncSummary: The team had been working in the office while keeping tabs on a couple of groups
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman on environment, conservation
Protecting the environment is essential to preserving San Juan County’s way of life, economy, and natural beauty. Clean water, healthy forests, productive farmland, thriving marine ecosystems, and access to our shorelines are central to what makes these islands such a special place to live, work, and raise a family. One of my top priorities is protecting our finite water resources. As island communities, we depend on healthy aquifers, lake
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue conducts second multi-agency drill with Coast Guard
Orcas Island Fire &Rescue, along with the San Juan County Sheriff and Washington State Parks, participated in a Coast Guard helicopter drill north of Patos Island on Tuesday, Oct. 13. OIFR coordinated the drill, the second in the last 30 days, with the Coast Guard; the first training session was held on land near the airport and provided critical preparation for the water-based drill.
Zakes: Support Jennifer Swanson for county Council
We support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council Position 3. Jennifer has shown great leadership and the ability to bring people together to create creative and workable solutions to many of the challenges of those living in San Juan County in a variety of roles over many years. Jennifer’s ability to work tirelessly and […]
October 26: Port of Orcas Budget Hearing
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.
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
Larsen, Dexter introduce bill to stop Trump admin from rolling back veterans’ benefits
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) introduced the Veteran Breast Cancer Fairness Act to restore male breast cancer as a presumptive illness under the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act). October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and October 17 to 23 is Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week. In September 2025, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) r
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
CWR encounter #89 with Bigg’s Killer Whales T60D+T60E
Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:04 AM ObservEnd: 11:32 AM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Pods: J IDsEncountered: All of J Pod LocationDescr: Otter Point EncSummary: Mark left Victoria harbour at 0830 to take advantage of the perfect weather and survey the western Juan de Fuca Strait. He stopped in Race Passage for several minutes to watch numerous juvenile humpback whales lunge-feeding amongst the common murres and gulls before continuing west al
Washington, Denmark establish formal ties around maritime and industrial expertise
SEATTLE — Governor Bob Ferguson and Ambassador Karen Eva Abrahamsen, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Denmark in the United States established a new era in trade and partnership between Washington and Denmark with the signing of the first cooperative agreement between the two regions. Photos from the event are available here. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the State of Washington and the Royal Danish Embassy to ad
Guitar virtuosos Frank Vignola and Pasquale Grasso at Orcas Center
Two of today’s most acclaimed jazz guitarists will share the stage at Orcas Center on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. Frank Vignola has been the go-to guitarist for an extraordinary range of artists, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Tommy Emmanuel, Lionel Hampton, and both the Boston Pops and New York Pops. Guitar legend Les Paul named him one of his five most admired guitarists for the Wall Street Journal. Vignola […]
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