Island News
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
Orcas Senior Center renovation update
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Orcas Senior Center continues to make steady progress on its building renovation following last year’s acquisition of San Juan County’s 49% ownership share. The Center has fully expanded into the north wing, adding a Wellness Room for foot care and other health services, a dedicated Lions Club mobility room, an expanded SHIBA office, a second conference room, and new game and living rooms. Thanks to generous community support, including a Holiday [
August 3-7, 2026 | No jurors required
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: AUGUST 3-7, 2026 Jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday August 3rd through Friday August 7th, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
CWR | First encounter of the 2026 outer coast research trip
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:38 AM ObservEnd: 01:01 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Taylor Redmond Pods: J IDsEncountered: J16, J22, J26, J27, J37, J44, J47, J49, J53, and J59 LocationDescr: Clo-oose grounds EncSummary: The team left McKay Bay Lodge in Bamfield in both boats, “KCB3” and “Mike 1”, at 0655. We headed southwest out of Barkley Sound before turning southeast towards Swiftsure Bank. “KCB3” took the
County Council will travel to Shaw Island for upcoming August 4 meeting
The meeting will be held at the Shaw Community Center ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Council will hold its regularly scheduled August 4 meeting on Shaw Island. The public is invited to join the three councilmembers and County staff at the meeting being held at the Shaw Community Center, located at 42 Reef Net Bay Road beginning at 10:30 a.m. What: San Juan County Council Meeting Where: Shaw Community Center, 42 Reef Net […]
New Study Offers Largest-Ever Dataset of Elemental Concentrations in Killer Whales
From mercury and cadmium to selenium and zinc, the elements that accumulate in an animal’s body can offer valuable clues about its health and the environment it inhabits. A newly published study in the international journal PLOS ONE is helping scientists better understand what those clues look like in one of the Pacific Northwest’s most iconic marine […]
Health Dept holding immunization clinics on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan islands
SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. July 27, 2026 – San Juan County Health & Community Services (HCS) is making it easier for families to get their children up to date on required vaccines before next school year starts. This August, HCS is holding immunization clinics on Lopez, Orcas, and San Juan Islands. See our back-to-school clinic dates and details below! […]
July 29: Learn how to trace your heritage through Ancestry.com
Patrons of San Juan Island library have access to Ancestry.com while in the library. It contains a wealth of information including lists of passengers on ships arriving at Ellis Island, military service, census information and much more. Wednesday, July 29 from 6 to 8 pm in the library’s Main Salon the San Juan Island FamilySearch […]
August 6, 7, & 9, 2026: Alice Di Micele “Reverse the Flow” Album Release Tour
Oregon-based Americana/folk artist will perform a string of intimate shows in Washington’s San Juan Islands in support of her brand-new album “Reverse the Flow”. Alice will bring the emotionally resonant songs from “Reverse the Flow”, along with deeply felt classics and fan favorites, to a handful of warm, community-oriented venues. What to Expect • Soulful […]
Vehicle Auction
Abandoned Vehicle Auction Monday, August 3, 2026 at 10 am Preview from 9 to 10 am 1997 Mazda PU WA Lic #C59543Z Island Towing Impound Yard 600 Mullis St, Friday Harbor WA 98250 Must remove day of auction All Sales Final, as is, where is 360-378-7000
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.