Island News
Records, requests and rejections: Sheriff’s Log update
The Sheriff’s Log is back!
SJC sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
Seaplane emergency landing aftermath | Cleanup and investigation
In the midst of a thunder and lightning storm, a Kenmore seaplane heading from Lake Union to Roche Harbor headed north to avoid the storm, then took a 180-degree turn to Shallow Bay on Sucia Island to make an emergency landing on July 23. It was carrying 10 passengers and a pilot. After landing, the floatplane caught fire and came to rest against rocks.
World-class musicians return for 29th Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival
Submitted by the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival.
Celebrating 70 years of the Library Fair
Submitted by the Orcas Public Library.
Why we support Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council District 3 | Letter
We heartily endorse Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council District 3. Katherine has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to our island communities through her work in healthcare, food security, ferry advocacy, and countless volunteer efforts. She is an exceptional listener who brings people together, approaches challenges thoughtfully, and follows through on her commitments. We’re excited to see Katherine use these skills to improve programs and services in our county.
Support for County Council candidate Katherine Bryant Ingman | Letter
Katherine Bryant Ingman has the vision, strength of leadership and proven negotiating skills to take care of business for the people of San Juan County. She has a way of letting you know she is listening and clearly would rather put effort into finding a way to work shoulder to shoulder than waste time going toe to toe. She has a great capacity for absorbing information, a genuine desire to address the current issues facing San Juan County, and the skills set needed to lead people. I admire her
Katherine Bryant Ingman — Future‑focused, funding‑savvy, consensus‑driven | Letter
San Juan County is ready for a new type of leadership that brings fresh ideas, new funding strategies, and a collaborative approach to solving long‑term challenges. Katherine Bryant Ingman represents that future. She has the vision, strength of leadership, and proven negotiating skills to move this County forward.
Election 2026County Council candidate profiles
Writer’s note: These profiles are less formal than typical newswriting, where we strive for objective language. At a time when candidates are frequently boiled down into bullet-point beliefs and resume line items — which are still available on their campaign websites, in voters’ forum summaries and in the voters’ pamphlet — I wanted to offer voters a glimpse deeper. While it’s not possible for each constituent to sit down for a coffee and a conversation with each candidate, it is possible for me
JP and the OK Rhythm Boys fundraise for the Grange Aug. 7
Submitted by JP and the OK Rhythm Boys.
Dr. Dirty at Captain’s Taproom on Shaw Island Aug. 2
Submitted by event organizers.
Orcas Artist Studio Tour exhibit on display at Orcas Center July 31 through Aug. 25
Submitted by event organizers.
Orcas Senior Center — August highlights
Submitted by the Orcas Senior Center.
Katherine Bryant Ingman: Experience and a fresh perspective | Column
By Scott Sluis
Ida Rae (Bellingar) McDonald | Passages
August 11, 1938 – June 15, 2026
Community show ‘Light and Shadow’ at Orcas Center
Art intake on Aug. 26; Art opening on Aug. 28
Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
I strongly support Katherine Bryant Ingman for District 3 County Council representative. She is well known on Lopez Island as a hard-working advocate for improving our community. Over the past decade, she has taken on some of Lopez Island’s hardest issues, including her role as manager of the Lopez Island Family Resource Center’s Food Share to strengthen local food security, and as board president of the Catherine Washburn Medical Association to help protect access to healthcare on Lopez Island,
Jennifer Swanson for Council | Letter
Jennifer Swanson is a different kind of leader. She is the thoughtful listener sort and yet intrepid in her outreach. On the 4th of July, Jennifer drove her boat to Lopez, and despite the windy weather conditions after the parade, braved the white caps to return to Shaw for the 4th of July afternoon event she’d organized there. Yesterday, I rode with her to the Decatur Farmer’s Market. It was the opening of sports fishing, and every sports-fisher was out on the water. Jennifer navigated the wate
Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council | Letter
Katherine is a leader. As a former District 3 County Council Member, I’ve watched her work in this community over the years, and I know a leader when I see one.
Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
As longtime Orcas Islanders, we are writing to express our strong support of Jennifer Swanson for County Council. We have known Jennifer personally and professionally for many years. We have watched her as a leader both on Shaw and countywide, working for the community on a wide range of projects from schools to housing to ferries and beyond, always ready to pitch in where needed, to listen, to serve.
Jennifer Swanson — The experience, the grit and the heart to lead | Column
By Kerwin Johnson, Gordon Koenig, Trish Lehman, Terri Gudgell Mason, Rhea Miller, Anita Orne, Bill Watson and Ron Zee
Reposado to play next Orcas Center summer concert
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
New study: Largest-ever dataset of elemental concentrations in killer whales
New research suggests heavy metal intoxication is not a concern for endangered killer whales
A fleet of neighbors: Boaters from Orcas and San Juan Islands carry the Aqua Chautauqua across the Salish Sea
A flotilla of small boats from Orcas Island and San Juan Island has spent the summer ferrying performers and gear across the Canadian Gulf Islands, and pitching in with labor and supplies to help the Chautauqua and the island communities it visits, tying together communities on both sides of the border through a traveling circus, service project and family reunion known as the Aqua Chautauqua. Along the way, performers and hosts alike say the real story isn’t the juggling or the parades — it’s t