Island News
Local headlines from around the San Juans
Vote no on ballot initiatives | Letter
We strongly encourage you to vote “no” on ballot initiatives IP26-645, IL26-001, and IL26-638.
Support for Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
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 sense, and humanity. She is a uniter, not a divider, and I enthusiastically support her for county council.
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.
Orcas Island girls soccer celebrates first win since program’s return with 7-1 victory over Forest Ridge
By Declan O’Malley
Sail Orcas sailors conquer Bellingham
By Yotam Zohar
Orcas youth soccer teams bring the game home
By Kevin Smith
Summer intern Mona Evans digs into Orcas Island’s past
Submitted by the Orcas Island Historical Museums.
OIHM starts reading club: ‘Cabin on the Island’
Submitted by the Orcas Island Historical Museums.
Katherine Bryant Ingman gets things done | Letter
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.
Jennifer builds community through service and hard work | Letter
I have known Jennifer for 20 years. She is a thoughtful, inclusive leader who brings people with diverse opinions together to find solutions.
C Street Brass returns to the islands for two free community concerts
Submitted by the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival.
Library received grant from Brooklyn’s Books Unbanned
Submitted by the Orcas Island Public Library.
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.
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
If the shoe fits | Annual drive matches kids with footwear for the year
For decades, Sons of the American Legion has been ensuring island kids have proper footwear at the start of fall.
Orcas Vikings roll through busy fall sports schedule
By Declan O’Malley
Free immunization clinics for children: Protect your child against influenza and COVID
Submitted by San Juan County.
In support of Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
I have been a voter in San Juan County for more than 50 years and am writing to enthusiastically endorse Jennifer Swanson for County Commissioner. Jennifer and I worked together on the Shaw Island school board for several years. During her term as chairman she was called upon to steer the board through the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a challenging time but Jennifer based her leadership on the facts and the science. Her calm demeanor and ability to listen have made her a valuable member of our isla
Expert speakers highlight sustainable gardening at October workshop series
Submitted by the Master Gardeners.
Orcas Christian School brings generations together for ‘Grandparents Lunch’
The lunch at Orcas Christian School was filled with conversation, laughter and familiar faces as students welcomed grandparents and other special guests for the school’s first Grandparents Lunch.
OCS students develop leadership skills at Sunset Lake Camp
Orcas Christian School high school and middle school students returned Thursday from a week at Sunset Lake Camp in Wilkeson, Washington, where they joined students from several small Adventist schools for activities focused on leadership, worship, teamwork and personal growth.
What seeds have you sown?: A harvest festival rooted in reflection
Orcas Islanders gathered at the fifth annual Family Tides Farm & Northwest Indian College Fall Festival on Sept. 20 to celebrate with friends and contemplate their own harvest over the past year.