Island News
Letter to Editor | Tightening our belts, for real
The conflict has triggered the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. — International Energy Agency (IEA), March 20, 2026 ||| FROM ELISABETH ROBSON ||| In my previous op-ed on “tightening our belts”, I wrote about the need to prepare for harder times; to “tighten our belts” as global instability begins to ripple outward into everyday life here at home. That moment is here. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has made something unmistakably clear: […]
Community Lunch celebrates a year of connection
||| SUBMITTED BY THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The Resource Center is excited to share that the Community Lunch program has completed its first year as a thriving weekly gathering that strengthens food access and social connection for island residents. What began as a simple meal has grown into a vibrant community tradition that brings together neighbors from all walks of life. Each week, approximately 125 community members gather to share a nutritious meal and meaningful conversat
4th Annual Earth Day Month – Update
Poet Laureate Rena Priest is joining the 4/25 Concert ||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLANDS MAKERS GUILD ||| 2026 marks the 4th year of engaging Earth Day learning experiences on Orcas Island and adds new features. This month-long series of Science, Art, Poetry, Music and Ecology Explorations are offered at no cost, but space may be limited so reserve your space at chosen events. Open to all islanders and guests, activities launch on April 10th and conclude on April 30thwith something […]
Update | Anacortes to honor 50 veterans for free day of fishing
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | Anacortes, WA ||| FROM CARRIE KING for ANACORTES HONOR FISHING EVENT ||| What Anacortes Honor — a Puget Sound Anglers & Salmon for Soldiers event welcoming 50 military veterans and active-duty service members for a fully sponsored day of bottom dwelling fishing, fellowship, and appreciation. Twenty volunteer fishing vessels will donate their boats, fuel, time, and expertise to ensure each veteran experiences a meaningful day on the water at no cost to the veterans. When [
Orcas Christian students serve, connect during Spring mission trip
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Students from Orcas Christian School are turning a spring trip into an opportunity to serve, connect and grow during their recent visit to Hilo, Hawaii. The group departed Orcas Island on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, beginning a long journey that took them first to Kona before continuing by road across the island to Hilo. After arriving in the early morning hours of March 19, students took a short rest before jumping straight […]
March 26: Free presentation “Welcome to Medicare” – VIRTUAL
Your local SHIBA volunteers provide free, confidential assistance with applying for the Medicare Cost Savings Program. To schedule an appointment with a SHIBA volunteer, email shibasjco@yahoo.com or call one of the following numbers: Lopez Island: 404-259-6819 Orcas Island: 360-376-5892 San Juan Island: 360-375-0292
Letter to Editor | Springing forward
||| FROM SUZETTE LAMB ||| Having recently gone through the sometimes jarring reset of moving our clocks ahead, I’ve been thinking about the concept of “springing forward.” As I look around our property and drive to and from town, there are signs of nature moving into the next season everywhere: daffodils, cherry blossoms, young green leaves on our blackberry and raspberry canes, and even some delightfully plump orange-bottomed bumblebees lazily feasting on bright yellow dandelions. They are all
Spring ferry schedule begins March 22
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Reminder – Our spring sailing schedule starts on Sunday, March. 22 and lasts through Saturday, June 13. All routes will operate on their regular spring schedule. Highlights of the spring schedule: Port Townsend/Coupeville: A second vessel will operate every Friday through Monday starting May 10. Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: Three-boat service returns on the weekends. Seattle/Bremerton: The route returns to its regular schedule after a revised winter s
Midnight Mutterings | Radio
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| The news today is that CBS Radio News, which was founded in 1928, is now kaput. Really? Is that even possible? As I am writing this on Friday night, 3/20/2026, I am also reading this news. All staff will be laid off as a result. I assume that CBS television will continue at least for now… Radio has always been important in my life. My natal family was later than most to come […]
Sheriff’s Report | March 11 – 17, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 26-001410 Citizen Assist 12:57:55 03/11/26 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a citizen needing assistance with trespassing individuals from their property. The individuals were trespassed, and the incident was documented. 26-001413 Found Property 16:41:23 03/11/26 An Orcas Island Deputy took possession of found property. A small backpack with multiple items within was found by public works along Orcas Rd near Eastsound. The item
At the food bank, multitasking is a way of life | Women in Business profile
Submitted by the Orcas Island Food Bank Communications Committee.
A musical journey across the globe | Rafe Pearlman to open film showing
“SAMA: To Listen” follows filmmaker Darek Mazzone, composer Peter Culshaw and entrepreneur musician John Goodfellow as they journey through Turkey, Morocco and Malaysia, engaging with musicians, instrument makers, spiritual leaders and community elders rooted in Sufi traditions.
Eco Club champion conservation and the environment
Submitted by Friends of the San Juans.
Latest from Lekanoff | Reflecting on the Legislative session
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| As the legislative session comes to a close, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on the work we’ve done together, and looking ahead to the season before us. Spring is arriving here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, bringing longer days, fresh air, and a sense of renewal. It’s a time to slow down, to ground ourselves, and to reconnect with the land, with one another, and with the communities we […]
Bernie vs. Claude | A couple of revealing AI chats
||| FROM YOUTUBE ||| Also see: But, wait! There’s more
Grow Your Own Food | Free basic gardening class series
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Community members interested in growing their own vegetables this spring are invited to register for Grow Your Own Food – A Hands-On Gardening Series, a free, four‑part lunchtime program designed to help new gardeners gain practical, ready-to-use skills. Hosted by Washington State University San Juan County Extension Master Gardeners, the series will feature live demonstrations, step‑by‑step instruction, and opportunities for participant questions. Wi
Letter to Editor | Thank you for making Soda Shop Sock Hop a success
||| FROM JAKE PERRINE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center held Soda Shop Sock Hop fundraising events before the last two Saturday performances of Grease, which would not have been possible without the donation of time and food from the Lower Tavern. Thank you to Katie O’Rourke and her team for cooking and cleaning and doing it all with a smile. We also received an ice cream donation from Clever Cow Creamery to make delicious ice cream sodas to go […]
Port to meet on Monday
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, March 23rd at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.
WSF Weekly Report | 4th Annual Career Day; Walla Walla crew makes rescue
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| For several years now, it’s been a priority to grow and stabilize our workforce. One way we are doing that is by partnering with local schools to get young adults interested in maritime. Today, we hosted nearly 200 students at our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility for our fourth annual Career Day. They learned about the many jobs we offer on our ferries, at our terminals and in our trades shops. The […]
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Friday Harbor softball players designing and building scoreboard, GoFundMe for funding
Emerald Hurley and Caylee Morton, juniors on the Friday Harbor High School varsity softball team, are leading an effort to get a new scoreboard at Linde Field. They are designing and building the scoreboard themselves. Meanwhile they’ve started a GoFundMe to ask the community to help them fund the project. As players, we’ve spent countless hours on this […]
Grow Your Own Food – Free Hands-On Gardening Series Launches This Spring
Community members interested in growing their own vegetables this spring are invited to register for Grow Your Own Food – A Hands-On Gardening Series, a free, four‑part lunchtime program designed to help new gardeners gain practical, ready-to-use skills. Hosted by Washington State University San Juan County Extension Master Gardeners, the series will feature live demonstrations, step‑by‑step […]
Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Update: Buying Property in the San Juans
Buying Property in the San Juans Select an Agent to Represent You As you may be aware, all of the brokerage firms on San Juan Island are members of the Northwest Multiple Listing Service; therefore, any of the agents can assist you with any of the properties listed with Coldwell Banker San Juan Islands or other […]
San Juan Island Fire District adopt 20-year Capital Plan
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of San Juan Island Fire District #3 Commissioners March 17 Meeting. Chief Monin reviewed changes to the 2026 budget, reflecting adjustments for an additional $100K for new fire hoses and outfitting of new engine purchases. Another large addition is $63K for Professional Service, mostly tech work. Chief Monin anticipates this amount […]