Island News

Antidote dance party gets wicked this Halloween at Orcas Center

On Friday, October 30, Orcas Center transforms for a night of dark beats, wild costumes and serious dancing. From 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., come lose yourself in the music and celebrate Halloween the Antidote way. Come dressed as your strangest, spookiest, most unhinged self. Expect a night of electronic music, dancing and Halloween mayhem. Details: $10 minimum donation; 18+; Cash bar available for guests 21+. Valid ID required. And if you’re […]

Levy Information | Orcas Island Park and Rec public info session

Orcas Island Park and Recreation District will hold a public information session about the upcoming levy on Monday, October 19th at 5:30 p.m.  at the Eastsound Fire Station, 45 Lavender Lane.  Join OIPRD staff for a presentation about the history of the district, services being offered today, and a breakdown of the levy. There will also be a Q&A session.  For more information, visit www.oiprd.org

I’m Not the Church Lady | Listening for where life is inviting us to participate

Some people’s presence just makes me giggle with delight The quality of presence speaks volumes about a person. That’s my experience of Pastor Justus Kubais, whom I met through a Zoom meeting about 18 months ago. It was like awakening to a deeper realization that people all over the world radiate something that goes far beyond the roles they fill. People like Justus make me want to be a better […]

Health Care District to hold special board meeting on Monday

The Orcas Island Health Care District will hold a Special Board Meeting on Monday, October 19th, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room at the Orcas Island Community Foundation, 33 Urner Street, Suite 4, Eastsound. The public meeting packet is available below. The meeting Zoom link can be found at the top of the agenda. 01. 2026_10_19 Agenda_Special_Board.pdf 02. 2026_10_13 OIHCD Claim Request_signed.pdf 03. CHN Update – October 2026.pdf 04. Pub

Letter to the Editor | Decatur’s open-space decision deserves countywide attention

  San Juan County’s October 1 approval relocating recorded open space for OPALCO’s proposed Decatur solar expansion raises questions that matter throughout our islands. The County acknowledges that portions of the replacement open space overlap land already protected by a Native Growth Area covenant. It maintains that those protections remain enforceable and that the revised configuration meets conservation requirements. County explanation But maintaining a perce

Letter to Editor | I want to recommend Jennifer Swanson for County Council District 3

I’ve worked with Jennifer through Shaw Islanders Inc, where she’s been the Recording Secretary for the Shaw Inc board for the last three years. She’s steady, organized and easy to work with.  She keeps things on track and communicates clearly, which makes a big difference when a group is trying to get things done.  She initiated the “Brown Bag” lunches once a month.  It’s informal open forum where residents can meet and discuss issues that are […]

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson will represent all of San Juan County

Having served eight years on the San Juan County Council, participated in the Ferry Advisory Committee, and spent much of my life operating small businesses on Orcas Island, I know firsthand 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. Jennifer brings something especially valuable to public service: kindness, honesty, independence, and a genuine willingness t

Larsen statement on Bend school shooting

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “I am horrified and heartbroken by the shooting in Bend. These sickening tragedies must end. I am thinking of the families of the victims, and the child and teacher who are fighting for their lives in the hospital.”  

The Master’s Delight, a poem from Wasakalobo

Well, after Trump’s umpteenth betrayal of Ukraine in less than a week, I can’t imagine what a Russian asset in his position would do differently. It’s pathetic, dangerous and shameful. It triggered this poem in me: The Master’s Delight By Wasakalobo His Kremlin master hardly could Believe his endless luck That callous Potus ever would Treat allies with such muck Decades of friendships smashed and wrecked Their added strength ignored Abuse of power […]

Midnight Mutterings | Friday ferry

For the first time in the thirty five years I’ve lived on Orcas Island, a ferry person yelled at me. It was this afternoon. I’m pretty sympathetic to ferry workers. It’s a hard job. Ferries are understaffed. Sometimes riders are rude, unthinking, and otherwise make things difficult for the workers. Apparently, today I was one of those people. I was not rude. I was not careless. I was not oblivious. And yet, I […]

Reminder! It’s No Kings Day on Saturday at Village Green

This Saturday, October 17, is the next national No King’s Day.  Both San Juan and Lopez Islands already have events scheduled, and we don’t want to be left out here on Orcas.  Therefore, please join us this Saturday at the Village Green at NOON.  Bring signs to protest the current administration and to encourage voting.  We will march around Eastsound at least once, maybe twice.  We will end at the Village Green, and […]

Letter to Editor | Homes we can afford, islands we must protect

Two of my four priorities as a candidate, affordable housing and protecting our environment, are really about the same thing: keeping these islands a healthy, desirable and affordable place where people can live, work and thrive for generations. Expanding access to the full spectrum of affordable housing starts with the people already doing the work. We have experienced housing experts and non-profits on each of our major islands, along with the Home Fund, a targete

Governor Ferguson sends video to Trump Administration to support Washington’s request for wildfire assistance

OLYMPIA – To support Washington’s request for federal assistance following this summer’s devastating wildfires, Governor Bob Ferguson is sending a video to the Trump Administration to help show the severity of the damage. The video is available for download here, and features interviews with impacted residents, and bipartisan leaders calling on the federal government to approve Washington’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration. The Governor’s

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. […]

Introducing mobile integrated healthcare on Orcas

A new pilot program from Orcas Island Fire and Rescue, supported by OIHCD On an island with no hospital, care often starts too late. Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is launching a Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) pilot to reach neighbors at home before small problems become emergencies. OIHCD is proud to support this project financially, alongside other funding partners. MIH brings care directly to residents in their homes. Rather than waiting for […

Letter to Editor | Questions every OPALCO member should ask

  Whether we live on Shaw, Orcas, Lopez, San Juan, or an outer island, we share an interest in OPALCO’s spending, reliable electricity, and accountable decisions. The proposed Decatur solar expansion raises questions that belong to every cooperative member. What will members pay over the project’s life, and what purchased-power costs will it actually avoid? OPALCO should publish an independent financial review, including financing, maintenance, equipment replacem

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

WSF Weekly Report | History behind service disruptions; terminal upgrades coming; winter schedule update

A message from Steve Last week, I shared some of the history behind the pay dispute that led to significant ferry service disruptions on Monday, October 5. I also acknowledged the impact those disruptions had on the thousands of people who depend on our ferries every day. I want to follow up with an update on what has happened since. Governor Ferguson met directly with the union representing our marine engineers […]

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

Letter to Editor | Jay and Trudi Inslee and former leaders endorse Katherine

Former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee and former First Lady Trudi Inslee have endorsed me for San Juan County Council, District 3. I am proud that the members of AFSCME Local 1849, the union representing San Juan County employees, voted to endorse me. They join Jane Fuller, the current District 3 Councilperson, who is not seeking another term, and former San Juan County Council members Tom Cowan, Lovel Pratt, […]

Letter to Editor | My vote is for Katherine

On November 3, you will vote for a councilmember to fill the District 3 seat I am vacating this year. We are fortunate to have two capable candidates, and I have worked with both. Jennifer Swanson and I served on the Ferry Advisory Committee (’23, ’24), and I engaged with her as a Shaw Island constituent on Shaw-specific issues. With Katherine Bryant Ingman, I worked on the WSF Schedule Re-write Task Force (’23-25) and I […]

Calling all community members: Neighbor to neighbor shelter needs you

The Neighbor to Neighbor Shelter is preparing for another winter season, and we need our community’s help! We are looking for caring individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors by helping provide a warm, safe place to sleep, hot meals, and a welcoming environment for those in need. Join us for our Volunteer Meeting on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 5:00pm in the basement […]

Orcas Island Fire & Rescue bonds available to local investors

Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2), San Juan County, Washington (the “District”) is in the process of issuing phase 1 of voter approved Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds (the “Bonds”) to provide $14,000,000 to construct, acquire, equip, renovate and make capital improvements to apparatus and facilities of the District, and to pay costs of issuing the Bonds. Pursuant to the Election Resolution, the improvement

Looking to camp in the San Juans as a resident?

A special benefit for San Juan County residents only, these reservations are available starting January 6, 2027 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 […]