Island News

Letter to Editor | I strongly support Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council District 3

I am pleased to share my strong support for Katherine Bryant Ingman. I worked closely with Katherine during the pandemic as we strengthened hunger relief systems across San Juan County. Throughout that challenging time, I witnessed her ability to balance immediate needs with long-term solutions. She brought clarity, creativity, and a steady hand to complex challenges, contributing to our community’s access to food with consistency and dignity. Katherine listens deeply,

Can you spell F-U-N? The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns

Calling all word nerds, spelling enthusiasts, and brave souls willing to face the dictionary! The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns on Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. at the Orcas Center, promising an evening of friendly competition, community spirit, plenty of laughs, and perhaps a few spectacular spelling mishaps! Hosted by the Orcas Island Public Library, this beloved annual event brings islanders together for a lively celebratio

Community comes together for fall ‘Great Islands Cleanup’

Islanders carry on the legacy of caring by clearing over 2,000 pounds of waste from our beaches Across the San Juan Islands this fall, community members came together to clean beaches, shorelines, roadsides, and favorite island places as part of the bi-annual Great Islands Cleanup. The fall cleanup brought volunteers together around a simple idea: caring for these islands is a legacy worth continuing. This year’s theme of ‘Caring for Our Island Home’ [

C Street Brass returns to the islands for two free community concerts

C Street Brass will return to the San Juan Islands October 26 and 27 as part of the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s Musicians-in-Residence program. Known for their energetic performances and wide-ranging musical style, the ensemble moves comfortably between traditional chamber music, jazz, and popular music, creating concerts that are engaging and accessible to audiences of all ages. During their island visit, C Stree

October 17: Orca Recovery Day Open House in Friday Harbor

Keith Busha January 18, 1951 – September 18, 2026

Keith David Granley, also known as Keith Busha, was born on January 18, 1951 in Queens New York, the second child and only son of David Granley, a half-Swedish mining engineer from Minnesota, and Irma Moisio Granley, a native New Yorker of Piedmontese Italian heritage.  He died from complications of lung cancer on September 18, […]

Great Islands Cleanup: 152 volunteers gathered up 2,382 pounds of trash

Across the San Juan Islands this fall, community members came together to clean beaches, shorelines, roadsides, and favorite island places as part of the bi-annual Great Islands Cleanup. The fall cleanup brought volunteers together around a simple idea: caring for these islands is a legacy worth continuing. This year’s theme of ‘Caring for Our Island […]

October is National Co-op Month

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

‘Grabbing the Hammer Lane: A Trucker Narrative’ | One-act play

Submitted by the Orcas Center.

Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter

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.

Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter

We are writing in support of Katherine Bryant-Ingman’s candidacy, for the District 3 seat on the San Juan County Council, representing residents of Lopez, Shaw and Decatur islands.

Thank you for trusting me with your pets | Letter

As I step into a “soft” retirement after almost 14 years at Orcas Veterinary Service, I want to express my gratitude to the entire community on Orcas Island. Caring for your pets over the years has been my greatest privilege of my professional life. Thank you for trusting me with their care and welcoming me into your lives over the years. Thank you for all the cards and well wishes I have received as well.

Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter

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 coming from Waldron. She responded “no way” for the sam

OPALCO brings member conversations to the community | Letter

OPALCO has established a great new member outreach effort that has been very successful. I just wanted to reach out to the members and community in-general and highlight the “Chat with the OPALCO team” informal community meetings that we have been hosting and to extend an invitation to participate. We have hosted three of these thus far over the last few months, one on Orcas, one in Friday Harbor and one on Lopez. We return to Orcas next week for one scheduled at the OPALCO office in Eastsound n

Library received grant from Brooklyn’s Books Unbanned

Submitted by the Orcas Island Public Library.

Learn about the Mobile Integrated Health program on Orcas

Submitted by the Orcas Community Resource Center Communications Team.

Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter

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 also board chair), and then as appointed superintendent.

Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter

We are writing to offer our wholehearted support for Jennifer Swanson for county council.

Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter

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.

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

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 leader who knows what our neighbors are dealing with, and the best way to

Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter

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.

Support for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter

A Letter to All Islanders

Islands’ Sounder and Journal of the San Juans receive General Excellence in 2026 WNPA Better Newspaper Contest

San Juan Group newspapers combine for 24 awards, including a sweep of Crime & Court Story reporting

Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter

Sometimes, in public life, people emerge who quietly hold the community together. Jennifer Swanson is one of them. In an archipelago where daily life depends on the weather, the ferry, and a willingness to listen, she has built her leadership with patience, steadiness, and attention to others.