Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Interactive Food System Plan now live on San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild website
By Caitlin Leck
Easements keep the co-op running
Submitted by the Orcas Power & Light Cooperative.
Michael T. Bosworth | Passages
1947–2026
County moves forward with belonging, equity and inclusion efforts
San Juan County will continue diversifying its workforce and building a more inclusive workplace, building on efforts started in 2023. Goals include all underrepresented groups, including the county’s growing Hispanic and Latino community, which was the most underrepresented demographic in county employment.
Meet Bethany Hansen, OPAL’s new expense accountant and CRM specialist
We’re excited to welcome Bethany Hansen to the OPAL team as our new expense accountant and CRM specialist!
Odd Fellows annual Firewood Raffle
Submitted by the Odd Fellows.
Decatur Island residents demand halt to OPALCO solar expansion project at board meeting
Co-op members cite costs, fire safety and a strained relationship
Auditor race: Heather Lee versus Natasha Warmenhoven
Heather Lee was chief deputy auditor to current auditor Natasha Warmenhoven until March.
Meta’s new commercial terms will allow the scraping of news sites, legal experts say
By Andrew Deck and Hanaa’ Tameez
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue bonds available to local investors | Sponsored content
Submitted by Orcas Island Fire & Rescue.
October is National Co-op Month
Enter OPALCO’s co-op member photo contest or grand prize giveaway
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.
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
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
How recent ferry disruptions affected islanders
San Juan County Council praised Washington State Ferries during Tuesday’s regular Council meeting for dedicating two of the five operating ferries during the “sick-out” to the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route. The council also directed Council member Kari McVeigh to send a letter of appreciation to WSF Deputy Secretary Steve Nevey. The gratitude, however, was sharply tempered by criticism during the Council meeting of how WSF handled the shutdown and who is paying for it.
Resource Center presents October Orcas Talks Money workshops
Submitted by the Orcas Community Resource Center Communications Team.
Emmanuel’s summer Market Day helps Orcas Islanders all year round
Submitted by the Emmanuel Episcopal Church.
Is it really just about beer? Or is there a deeper meaning? | Column
By Jacob Linnes