Island News
SJC sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
Fourth of July event details posted
Getting ready for the Fourth of July celebrations in the San Juan Islands, we’ve posted numerous events for July 3 and July 4. Fun runs, cake walks, parades, fireworks shows, Pig War Picnic, Community Picnic, Chili Cook offs, Tractor Show, Car Show, pancake breakfasts, and a whole lot of music. Details are posted on InTheSanJuans.com. […]
Reconnect as Turtleback reaches 20 years
Join us on June 24 for a presentation about this remarkable story ||| FROM BARBARA ROSENKOTTER for SAN JUAN PRESERVATION TRUST ||| Did you know the largest fundraising campaign in the San Juans was on Orcas? More than 2,000 individuals and families and several organizations raised more than $18.5 million. Twenty years ago, the community rallied to save Turtleback for future generations. But the Turtleback story started even earlier and continues today. San Juan Preservation Trust board member
Larsen cheers Trump administration backing off plan to end key ocean monitoring initiative
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “Monitoring our oceans is crucial to protect Northwest Washington’s coastlines, marine ecosystems and maritime economy. “The Trump administration’s attempt to remove hundreds of underwater instruments that help scientists understand ecosystem threats and natural disasters like El Niño was shortsighted and dangerous. I am glad that the Administration
Letter to Editor | Easy to be ‘hard’
||| FROM ROBERT AUSTIN ||| I’ve noticed that over the past couple months, water at our Timber Lane house seems to have grown harder than normal: rinsing my car off left behind hundreds of little white edged circles, evaporated mineral deposits. As you probably know, this is due to dissolved calcium and magnesium salts from our aquifer—the so-called “hardness.” I ordered a titration (drop by drop) test kit—these are more accurate than test strips—and found that our water had a […]
Celebrating Juneteenth
||| FROM MINOR LILE ||| Last year I happened to be in Washington DC, for an affordable housing conference that began in late May, just after the Memorial Day weekend. On the Friday after the conference, I got together with a college friend who is a docent and exhibit designer at Arlington House, which is located in the center of Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington House was the former home of Confederate General Robert E Lee and is sometimes referred to as the Custis/Lee mansion. The […]
WSF Weekly Report | Sunflower lanyards; onboard dance parties; Suquamish Colman Dock celebration
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve I’m pleased to share that we have joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program to better support people with non-apparent disabilities as they travel through our system. Through this program, we will offer complementary Sunflower lanyards. People who choose to wear them can quietly signal that they may need extra time, understanding or help while traveling. We are now finishing employee training and plan to officially
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
June 20: Annual Orca Sing
Join your friends and neighbors at Lime Kiln Point State Park on Saturday, June 20 at 7 PM for Orca Sing 2026! Bring your friends, family, and a picnic to enjoy the beauty of the park and the Salish Sea while listening to thoughtful speeches and local musicians. First Nations naturalists Odin Lonning and Orca […]
San Juan Islands WA Sheriff’s Log June 10-16: Fatal car accident starts fire; vandalism; upset passengers on wrong ferry
San Juan County Deputies responded to 195 calls from June 10-16, 2026 including: Lopez Fire & EMS responded to a wildland fire. Upon investigation, the fire was caused by a single vehicle fatality collision. The Sheriff’s Office, State Patrol, Orcas Island Fire, and the Coroner’s Office all responded. The matter is under investigation. .An Orcas […]
Islands rise to the challenge: Early childhood education fights for its future
As state and federal funding shrinks, San Juan County school districts and nonprofits are finding creative ways to ensure every child has a chance to learn before kindergarten — but advocates warn the clock is ticking.
Candidate Forums: July 13 on Orcas; July 14 in Friday Harbor; July 15 on Lopez
Meet the candidates for District 3. The League of Women Voters of San Juan County will be hosting candidate forums on three islands for local voters to hear from the candidates for the County Council District #3 position. Monday, July 13 at 8 :30 pm at the Orcas Senior Center Tuesday, July 14 at 8:30 […]
Larsen Cheers Trump Administration Backing Off Plan to End Key Ocean Monitoring Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement June 18, 2026.: “Monitoring our oceans is crucial to protect Northwest Washington’s coastlines, marine ecosystems and maritime economy. “The Trump administration’s attempt to remove hundreds of underwater instruments that help scientists understand ecosystem threats and natural disasters like El Niño was shortsighted and […]
I simply could NOT share this
Oh, those were the days, eh? Doesn’t mean we can’t do it again. ||| From LIN MCNULTY, Editor ||| Also, almost as good.
News Brief | Why mailing a paper check has become so risky
||| FROM THE WASHINGTON POST ||| According to a joint warning from the FBI and the U.S. Postal Service, check fraud is skyrocketing. Federal data shows that reports of check fraud nearly doubled from 350,000 in 2021 to 680,000 in 2022. This isn’t limited to personal checkbooks. Fraudsters are going after business payments, tax refunds and checks related to government assistance programs, such as Social Security and unemployment benefits, according to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. If
A new calf joins L Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR ORCA RESEARCH ||| Our scientists observed the calf, designated L130 on June 14th and 15th as members of J and L pods traveled through the Salish Sea. Based on the calf’s size, behavior, and physical characteristics, we estimate it to be between 1 and 3 months old. L130 was primarily seen swimming alongside L91, though it was also observed with reproductive females L83, L86, and L118. Our research team will need a few more sightings to […]
LEADing into Summer
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| Orcas Island is abuzz with activity as the summer season picks up, and it’s a jam-packed month at the Foundation as well, reflected in the news we share today. Last week, I had the honor of helping the Orcas Island High School senior class present the annual Youth Philanthropy Awards at the Celebration of Success ceremony. For 20 years, this program has empowered the senior class to award grants to […]
First detections of highly invasive European green crab on Orcas Island
Orcas Island, WA — Evidence of invasive European green crab was detected for the first time on Orcas Island in May, when a Washington Sea Grant (WSG) Crab Team volunteer monitor and science teacher Amy Sprenger reported one of the distinctive five-pointed shells on Crescent Beach in Eastsound. Last week, follow up trapping efforts by Washington Department […]
Signs on light poles subject to $125 fine per posting per day
It is illegal to post signs, posters, flyers, and any other objects on light poles, benches, or other public property within the town of Friday Harbor without a permit per municipal code (Chapter 12.28 Private Use of Public Property). Each posting constitutes a civil infraction subject to a fine of $125, and each day is […]
First detections of highly invasive European green crab discovered on Orcas Island
Students from Orcas Island Middle School discover green crab molt while on a field trip ||| FROM WASHINGTON SEA GRANT CRAB TEAM ||| Evidence of invasive European green crab was detected for the first time on Orcas Island in May, when a Washington Sea Grant (WSG) Crab Team volunteer monitor and science teacher Amy Sprenger reported one of the distinctive five-pointed shells on Crescent Beach in Eastsound. Last week, follow up trapping efforts by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife […]
Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Updates: Real Estate is best when kept local
Using local real estate brokers and local real estate related service providers is very important when buying or selling real estate. Boots on the ground here brings the level of expertise required. Further, it is similar to buying locally sourced food and shopping to support local retailers and restaurants; any effort in this direction helps […]
Get Ready | First outdoor summer concert is June 28
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center’s annual Summer Concert Series is back in the Village Green. All performances are free to the community. Kicking off the season is James Charles Howard, Jr., with local group Minnow Creek opening on Sunday, June 28, starting at 5 p.m. Howard, Jr. performs original blues-rock, instrumental rock and acoustic singer-songwriter originals and covers. Drawing inspiration from legends like Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Jeff Bec
Join Orcas Hotel for live music every Sunday
||| FROM MICHAEL ANTONIA for ORCAS HOTEL ||| Every Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Orcas Hotel is hosting live music with Ira Echo & Friends. This is something we started with our friends Caleb & Reeb who put on the Orcas Fest music festival. The idea is a mix of bluegrass, country, folk, old time string music alongside traditional music from South America, Ireland and more. The idea is to have guests of all ages both inside the […]
No jurors required for June 22-26
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JUNE 22-26, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday June 22nd through Friday June 26, 2026 are excused. Thank you.