Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
The Art of Stillness | Christian Carlson at Crow Valley Gallery
“Place has become a pendulum swing for me between life in the Skagit Valley and life on Orcas Island — one busy showing artists at Perry + Carlson Gallery [in Mt. Vernon] and one very quiet. Always between them is the Sea and I spend time there too, usually alone. Often there is a sense for me that words don’t easily capture and this is what I try to paint.” For painter, former architect, […]
Local fire districts now issue burn permits; Available as of Oct. 12
Residents can apply for burn permits via their local fire district. There is no change in cost, and permits can be obtained quickly and easily online Beginning this 2026-2027 burn season, the local fire districts will be processing all burn permits for residents. Formerly accessed through the County website, burn permits are now managed through each island’s fire district and are available on their respective websites. Why is the County no longer issu
Letter to Editor | We support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council
For many years Jennifer has been at the center of making the Shaw community run smoothly. She serves effectively as a leader on local and county boards, a careful and patient listener, respectful of others’ opinions. We are eager to see her courtesy, wisdom and energy at work serving the entire county, and support her for San Juan County Council position 3.
Getting to Know Katherine | What I bring to the table
First and most importantly, I bring to the County Council a deep love for these islands and the people who live here. I’m running for County Council to improve the lives of everyone who lives here — especially those of us most impacted by the challenges and uncertainties that we face. I know how knowledgeable, creative, resourceful, and resilient we are. I’ve seen first-hand the power of coalition-building in […]
‘The Poet’s Pier’ short film in FHFF has local interest
I’m excited to let you know that Michael and I (and my fiddle tune “Olga and Buck Bay) are featured in a short film that will be shown in the Friday Harbor Film Festival at 10:30 am on Sunday, Oct. 25. I hope you can come see it! The film was made by our friend Mara Miksch and it focuses on the Olga dock on Orcas Island. We will be at the screening and of […]
How to help the Sears family after fire destroys home
GoFundMe set up by Marianne A Bryan for the Sears Family of San Juan Island. For the Sears family, this fundraiser is one way for our community to come alongside them after a fire destroyed their home. The Sears family are my husband’s cousins, and they live on the same small peninsula on San Juan Island. […]
Jeremy Nash: Heads Up Friday Harbor, Utility Rates!
The Town of Friday Harbor is getting ready to raise utility rates again. At Thursday’s Town Council meeting, staff proposed 2027 increases of 7.5 percent for water, 3 percent for sewer, 4.5 percent for refuse and 25 percent for stormwater. For an in-town single family residence, the Town’s example would take the basic monthly charges […]
October 25: Sharon Abreu’s Olga and Buck Bay featured in short film at Friday Harbor Film Fest
Michael and I (and my fiddle tune “Olga and Buck Bay) are featured in a short film that will be shown in the Friday Harbor Film Festival at 10:30 am on Sunday, Oct. 25. I hope you can come see it! The film was made by our friend Mara Miksch and it focuses on the […]
January 6-8: San Juan County Resident Camping Reservations Open
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 […]
Woodbridge: Swanson has a proven track record
To the Editor: Jennifer Swanson has my wholehearted support for the San Juan County Council, District 3. Jennifer brings an exceptional and effective combination of thoroughness, thoughtfulness, practicality and kindness. She has the rare ability to bring together people with divergent points of view. She’s a pleasure to work with and to know, and her […]
Shannon: Swanson is a uniter
I have known Jennifer for over 20 years. We served on the Shaw Island School Board together for many years and I have admired her quiet and effective leadership. She is one of the best listeners I know and she has an innate ability to carefully process all sides of an issue with empathy, common […]
Ekstrom: Supports Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council Position 3
To the editor, We support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council Position 3. For many years Jennifer has been at the center of making the Shaw community run smoothly. She serves effectively as a leader on local and county boards, a careful and patient listener, respectful of others’ opinions. We are eager to see her courtesy, […]
October 20: Community Meeting: Agate Beach County Park Updates & Road Relocation on Lopez Island
MacKaye Harbor Rd and the Agate Beach County Park on Lopez Island are scheduled for infrastructure updates in 2027. Reconstruction of MacKaye Harbor Road and the Agate Beach County Park parking area will help protect access to public, private, and tribal lands, while navigating the impacts of coastal erosion. Nearby property owners and Lopez Islanders […]
Guest Opinion: Getting to Know Katherine: What I Bring to the Table
First and most importantly, I bring to the County Council a deep love for these islands and the people who live here. I’m running for County Council to improve the lives of everyone who lives here — especially those of us most impacted by the challenges and uncertainties that we face. I know how knowledgeable, […]
Orcas Christian School students give back during annual service day
Orcas Christian School embraces several longstanding traditions, including an annual service day that connects students with the community. On Friday, Oct. 9, students participated in several service projects around Eastsound, putting their Christian values into action by serving others. The school’s vision is to foster a community-connected culture where students embrace Christian values. Service is a core component of Christian education. “We don’t want serv
San Juan County resident camping reservations open early January
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 their favorite sites before the reservation website opens to the public on Wednesday, January 13 at 9:00 […]
Moreno family’s Day of the Dead celebration returns to the Village Green Nov. 1
The Moreno family continues its tradition with its fourth annual Day of the Dead celebration on Sunday, Nov. 1, at the Village Green.
Can you spell f-u-n? The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns
Submitted by the Orcas Island Public Library.
Jon Stewart interviews former Anthropic, OpenAI researcher
Jacob Coxon, a former Anthropic and OpenAI researcher who spoke out about the dangers of artificial intelligence, opens up to Jon Stewart about the grim reality of the tech industry— from malicious hacks to potential biological attacks. The two discuss the future, AI-led utopia that tech companies are trying to sell us, the megalomania and riskiness that underlie the industry, and the terrifying capabilities Coxon witnessed while training AI models at Anthropic and Op
Letter to Editor | Wholehearted support for Jennifer Swanson
Jennifer Swanson has my wholehearted support for the San Juan County Council, District 3. Jennifer brings an exceptional and effective combination of thoroughness, thoughtfulness, practicality and kindness. She has the rare ability to bring together people with divergent points of view. She’s a pleasure to work with and to know, and her actions inspire trust while helping bring out the best in others. Living in the islands comes with unique challenges. Jennifer i
County employee union endorses Katherine Bryant Ingman
Members of AFSCME Local 1849, the union representing San Juan County employees, have endorsed Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council and Heather Lee for County Auditor. The endorsements follow the candidates’ clear commitments to transparent leadership and to the workforce that keep county services running. AFSCME Local 1849 represents approximately 55% of San Juan County’s workers. Our members provide a vast array of critical services across the islands—rangi
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 […]