Island News

Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman is a leader who has lived it

I believe elected officials should understand what it means to walk in the shoes of the people they represent. That means knowing what it's like to work multiple jobs to pay the bills, and to worry about affording healthcare and keeping a roof over their heads. For many people in this county, a steady paycheck, affordable healthcare, and a secure home are not givens. Worrying about them keeps families up at night. I want a […]

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

Public Statement | Access & overall clinic care at Island Primary Care – Orcas

Over the last several months, community members have provided various forms of public feedback regarding the termination of Dr. Jennifer Simpson-Manske from employment at Island Primary Care – Orcas. As previously addressed in public statements from both the Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) and Island Health, the District and Island will continue to listen, but will not comment any further on the personnel issue of Dr. Simpson-Manske’s term

Easements keep the OPALCO co-op running

OPALCO does not comment on active legal matters, but some misinformation in a recent King 5 article needs to be addressed. The pole site in question was on the property mentioned, with the previous owner’s permission, prior to the current owners’ purchase of the land. The pole was upgraded in 2023 and is 103 feet – approximately 20 feet higher than the one that was there when the property […]

Resource Center will present October Orcas Talks Money workshops

The Orcas Community Resource Center will host several upcoming Orcas Talks Money workshops in October focused on emergency preparedness, winter planning, and financial resilience for community members and small business owners. The workshops are free and open to the community. No registration is required. On Wednesday, October 14 at 1:15 p.m., the Resource Center will offer Ready, Set, Prepare! Emergency Preparedness for Older Adults at the Or

Letter to Editor | My endorsement of Katherine Bryant Ingman

Katherine Bryant Ingman is the breath of fresh air San Juan County needs right now.  We are struggling to find our footing between financial troubles and a growing mountain of needs. The old ways have not worked. New ways, new ideas, new leadership are needed. Katherine is a proven leader, as shown by her work with Lopez Food Share and with Leadership San Juans. She is also an active community volunteer, as a mentor, an […]

Library event | A better world is possible

What does it take to imagine a better future—and what can the next generation teach us about making it happen? Join award-winning journalist Meera Subramanian and beloved poet and author Maleea Acker for an inspiring conversation about our changing planet, the power of young voices, and the places we call home. Meera’s new graphic nonfiction book, A Better World Is Possible: Global Youth Confront the Climate Crisis, illustrated by Danica Novgorodo

Guest Opinion | Covenant-smuvadent – the deforestation of Decatur Island

  It’s a funny thing about islands. They tend to stay put. The trees stay put, too—quiet, hardworking citizens who ask for nothing except a little rain and the chance to stand upright for a century or two. On Decatur Island, where I grew up and now live, those trees have been doing their job faithfully, keeping the hillside from wandering off, shading the deer, and sheltering the owls. Did I mention they’re holding the soil […]

Light the Night coming up at Community Church on October 31

Join us at Orcas Island Community Church on October 31st for Light the Night, a fun-filled community celebration for all ages! Bring your family, invite your friends and neighbors, and come enjoy an evening of fun, fellowship, treats, activities, and community. You do not need to attend OICC to participate—this event is for our entire Orcas Island community! Come as you are, bring a friend, and help us LIGHT THE […]

Timothy Snyder | What if we’re paying attention to the wrong things?

Sign-ups open for 2026 Battle of the Bands at Orcas Center

Sign-ups are now open for the 2026 Battle of the Bands, Orcas Island’s local music event of the year, returning to Orcas Center on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. Hosted by Pedro LopezDeVictoria and Jamey Moriarty, the night pits original music by Orcas Island artists head-to-head across a range of categories, with audiences dancing along and cheering on their favorites. Organizers promise a night of laughs, a few tears, and […]

Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens to visit Orcas Garden Club

Please join the Orcas Island Garden Club on Wednesday, October 21,2026 as we welcome Barb Faville, from Meerkerk Gardens to learn all things rhododendron. Meerkerk Rhododendron Gardens is a 53-acre peaceful woodland oasis located on Whidbey Island. During this talk you will Learn about Meerkerk’s history and the distinguishing characteristics of rhododendrons which will increase your appreciation of the vast variety of these plants. You’ll

Letter to Editor | Swanson has valuable community background

I have known Jennifer since 2013, soon after I moved to Shaw Island. Since then she has served as a Shaw School board member and the superintendent, a Ferry Advisory Board member, the founder of the Shaw Island Brown Bag Lunch monthly community meeting, a Shaw Islanders Inc board member and the chair of the Shaw Library and Historical Society Education Committee.     All of her community building activities have been very affective, long term […]

Orcas Library, students explore banned books

The Orcas Island Library was fortunate to receive a grant from Brooklyn’s Books Unbanned group this spring, and we’ve been thrilled to put it to work with our local teens. With the grant, we’ve now run two teen cohorts exploring censorship, challenged books, and the role young people can play in the conversation. Our first cohort of three teens planned three of our monthly Teen Book Boxes, each featuring a challenged […]

Letter to Editor | Every penny counts

ESHB2442 passed by the 2026 Legislature provides that [quoting from the legislature’s final report] “Beginning January 1, 2027, the legislative authority of a county or city may impose a new sales and use tax at a rate of up to 0.01 percent. Revenue from this tax may only be used for the purpose of providing services that assist children and their families, including child care, before- and after-school care that addresses health, social, and behavioral […]

County Council passes 2027 budget, plans for additional budget work leading into 2028-2029

With the 2027 budget now set, Council must shift its focus to the 2028-2029 budget, which presents many of the same fiscal challenges seen in the last few years due mainly to stagnated revenues, increased inflation, and increased operating costs At its October 5 meeting, the San Juan County Council adopted the 2027 budget after hearing from residents across the county. This adopted budget includes organizational restructuring and over $3.8 milli

Larsen | I will not let them stick you with the bill for data centers

Data centers are expanding across the country, including here in the Pacific Northwest. This growth carries real consequences for our communities. Data centers require enormous amounts of electricity and water to operate. Without strong guardrails, the costs of building and running these facilities can be passed on to ordinary ratepayers through higher electricity bills and increased strain on local water systems. At the same time, the public infr

Announcing 6th Annual Island Market / Funhouse Commons gingerbread house contest

Get ready for the 6th Annual Gingerbread House Contest sponsored by the Funhouse Commons & Island Market , a holiday Gingerbread House Contest for ALL AGES with cash prizes! Registration to participate in the gingerbread house competition opens on Monday, October 12th through the Funhouse Commons website. There are no entry fees to participate but you must register by Monday, November 30th in order to participate! Only one (1) entry per person, […]

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson has our wholehearted support for Council position

We are writing to offer our wholehearted support for Jennifer Swanson for County Council. We’ve known Jennifer since she and her husband Chad moved to Shaw Island in 2003. Jennifer is someone who is thoughtful, trustworthy, and deeply committed to serving our community. Her dedication is demonstrated through action and looking for practical ways to make a difference. She helped lead the effort to create and secure funding for a teacher housing project. […]

Letter to Editor | Endorsement for Katherine Bryant Ingman, County Council, District 3

I was talking with a friend from San Juan Island and asked what he would think about someone from Stuart Island as the San Juan Island representative on the County Council. His response was that it would be a problem; different culture, different issues and the likely inability to understand San Juan Island’s people and priorities. I then sought out a friend from Orcas Island and asked what she would think about their Council representative […]

Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is a proven leader

We’ve known Jennifer Swanson for over 20 years and worked with her on numerous community events on Shaw. She’s empathetic, smart, and seemingly tireless. On issues that impact our islands’ way of life, she’s purposely well-informed and open to hearing all views. Jennifer’s a proven leader, having served on the Ferry Advisory Committee, Shaw School Board, and as Shaw School Superintendent, all jobs that require thoughtful diplomatic skills. Jen’s strong and stead

Letter to Editor | We need Jennifer Swanson’s calm and even temperament for County Council

I write to highlight the profound actions SJC Council candidate longtime-islander Jennifer Swanson’s taken in our community, which are easily applied to the larger islands. Most notably, she has served as an elected official for repeated terms as a school district board member (and board chair for part of that), and then as appointed superintendent. School board member and superintendent duties are the same for small districts as for larger ones. The requirements includ

Enter OPALCO’s co-op member photo contest or grand prize giveaway

October is National Co-op Month Every year in October, cooperatives around the nation celebrate National Cooperative Month. OPALCO, San Juan County’s local not-for-profit cooperative utility, is spending this month celebrating co-op members. Throughout October, check the OPALCO social media accounts (@orcaspower) to learn more about what it means to be a co-op and benefits of the cooperative model. This year OPALCO is holding the fi

Katherine Bryant Ingman on ferries & transportation

Transportation is essential to daily life in San Juan County. Ferry service remains our most critical link, but residents also rely on roads, transit, freight movement, and regional connections to get to work, healthcare, school, and the essentials of daily life. It’s important to acknowledge that San Juan County doesn’t control the ferries, but we’re starting to get real traction. While we were all excited when Governor Inslee fas