Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
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
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 […]
November General Election ballots mailed to all eligible voters by Oct. 16
OLYMPIA — County elections offices statewide will mail ballots to every eligible voter for the Nov. 3 General Election by Friday, Oct. 16. Over 5.1 million registered voters will be mailed a ballot for the midterm elections. Voters will decide on local, state, and federal contests, as well as three statewide ballot measures. Voters participating in […]
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 […]
Meehan-McNeill: Endorses Jennifer Swanson for county council
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
Meta’s new commercial terms will allow the scraping of news sites, legal experts say
By Andrew Deck and Hanaa’ Tameez
Orcas Island Fire and 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 […]
Guest Column by Ron Krebs: Understands the challenges facing the Sheriff’s Office
To the Citizens of San Juan County, As we approach the upcoming election, I want to share my priorities for the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and my commitment to the community we serve.Having served as your Sheriff from 2015 to 2022, and with 19 years of experience in the Sheriff’s Office, I understand the […]
Jamie Stephens: 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 […]
Eames: Endorses Katherine Bryant Ingman for county Council
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 […]
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 […]
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