Island News
From strategy to service: Meet the women powering the Resource Center’s mission
Submitted by the Orcas Community Resource Communications Team.
Citizens ask Washington court to restore the long-serving Sidney-Anacortes ferry service
Submitted by Duncan Chalmers.
March Turtleback March returns
Submitted by San Juan County.
March 19: Volunteer Bluebird Blitz 1 on San Juan Island
March 19 | 7 a.m. | Red Mill Farm Preserve | San Juan Island Become an independent community scientist during our first Bluebird Blitz of the year, led by SJPT’s Special Projects Director, Kathleen Lewis. After registering, we will email you further details. All participants should plan to meet at Red Mill Farm Preserve, at […]
USPS issues Sunflowers Forever Stamp
The U.S. Postal Service is celebrating a beloved native flower with the release of the Sunflowers Forever stamp, issued March 17, 2026 at the Garfield-Perry Stamp Club’s 136th annual March Party in Strongsville, Ohio. The stamp highlights the sunflower’s beauty and positive symbolism as well as its nutritional and ecological importance. Stamp Artwork Designed by Greg […]
Multiple county advisory board and committee seats seeking volunteers
Press release: San Juan County is seeking volunteers to serve on various boards and committees that help shape daily life in the San Juan Islands. Key positions on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Agricultural Resources Committee, Ferry Advisory Committee, Parks and Rec Commission, and other boards are open. Are you interested in participating in local […]
March 28: :No Kings Rally and March in Friday Harbor
This coming week is all about the NO KINGS mobilization on March 28 across the nation. On San Juan Island the following events are scheduled: “Singing Resistance” Saturday, March 21, from 3 to 4 pm St. David’s Church on Park Street in Friday Harbor – “Singing Resistance” All welcome to join this peacemaker’s activity. Sign-Making event! […]
March 25: DOL mobile licensing unit on San Juan Island
March 25 | 9 am to 3 pm | San Juan Island Grange Hall DOL2Go focuses on helping under-resourced Washington residents get the services they need to live, work, drive and thrive. The mobile unit offers the same services as our traditional offices, including:
The Island Gardener for March 2026
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| March in the garden is always a bit of a tug-of-war between patience and pure excitement. Even after all these years, I still find myself getting swept up in the “spring fever” that hits right after a trip to the NW Flower and Garden Show. It’s so easy to let a few sunny days lull you into planting early, only to have a sudden chilly night remind you Mother Nature’s in charge! But […]
No Kings update
||| FROM INDIVISIBLE SAN JUAN ISLANDS ||| Hello Indivisible San Juan Islands Community! We hope everyone is doing well, despite how this administration would like us to be doing or feeling. Let’s lead with joy for another opportunity to meet up and support one another as we defend our democracy from this authoritarian regime. This coming week is all about the NO KINGS mobilization on March 28 across the nation! Join us: Thursday, March 19, at 5pm (PST), Kick-Off […]
This March, ‘spring’ into a new role
Multiple County Advisory Board & Committee Seats Open ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is seeking volunteers to serve on various boards and committees that help shape daily life in the San Juan Islands. Key positions on the Solid Waste Advisory Committee, Agricultural Resources Committee, Ferry Advisory Committee, Parks and Rec Commission, and other boards are open. Are you interested in participating in local government and sharing your skills? See if one of the vacan
April 3: Teen Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt at Jacksons Beach
Island Rec’s Annual Teen Easter Egg Hunt takes place from 8 to 9 pm April 3 at Jacksons Beach on San Juan Island. Bring your flashlight and your bag for a challenging nighttime Easter egg hunt amongst the driftwood. Afterwards you can hang out around the bonfire and enjoy your treats! Keep an eye out […]
UPDATE: Eastsound water main break | Repair resolved
||| FROM DAN BURKE for EASTSOUND WATER ||| Eastsound Main Break – Repair Resolved UPDATE: The leak has been repaired and everyone is back in service. As of roughly 6:30 PM this evening – all water service was restored to the approximately 28 parcels on Main Street that were affected by today’s main break. The break was located in about 6 feet of water pipe right under the drive entering the frontage park coming off Main Street in front of […]
Seasonal opening of Orcas Island Historical Museums
Submitted by the Orcas Island Historical Museums.
Report: Data center boom puts WA’s climate goals at risk
Public News Service: A new report argued the spread of data centers is threatening Washington and Oregon’s shift to renewable energy. The report, released by the environmental advocacy group Columbia Riverkeeper, identifies more than 100 data centers either completed or in progress across 12 counties bordering the Columbia River. Kelly Campbell, policy director for the group, […]
Earth Day Orcas News | Join in the 4th annual celebration
||| FROM MARCY MONTGOMERY for EYE OF THE WHALE ARTS ||| 2026 marks the 4th year of engaging Earth Day learning experiences on Orcas Island and adds new features during this month-long series of Science, Art, Poetry, Music and Ecology Explorations. Open to all islanders and guests, activities launch on April 10th and conclude on April 30th with something for all ages and interests. If you love the San Juan Islands and care to see this unique bioregion protected, mark […]
Orcas Island’s Music Advocacy Group invites all to the March 29 concert
||| FROM SHARON HO for MUSIC ADVOCACY GROUP ||| Did you know that 292 students participate in music programs at Orcas Island public schools? The Orcas Island community is invited to fill the Orcas High School gym on Sunday, March 29, at 4 p.m. for a family-friendly benefit concert presented by Music Advocacy Group (MAG). There will be performances by Orcas Choral Society, Orcas Public School Strings, Wind Ensemble, Mariachi, and special guests. Proceeds support public school music programs for [
No Place Like Loam | The pruning mistake creating water sprouts
(and costing you fruit, time, and money) ||| NO PLACE LIKE LOAM by ALEX TAMAYO WOLF ||| The Problem Made Visible I walk the same roads through Eastsound most mornings. It’s an old habit now. After enough years, a walk like that becomes a way of orienting yourself. Collar up against whatever the strait is sending inland that day, moving slowly through the town before it fully wakes. Thin light. Air thick with brine. Over time you begin to notice […]
Letter to Editor | Congratulations to OPALCO … but
||| FROM RIKKI SWIN ||| I extend my sincere congratulations to OPALCO’s subsidiary, Rock Island Communications, on securing the $16.5 million BEAD grant to expand broadband connectivity across the San Juan Islands. This funding represents an important step forward for internet access in our community. That said, OPALCO and Rock Island Communications have incurred substantial costs for members, resulting in elevated electricity rates that will persist for years. The following facts warrant attent
Bill would change sentencing for unlawful firearm possession
By Cassie Diamond
Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Update: Market Snapshot
Below is a Market Snap Shot for the number of Active and Pending listings for February from the Simonson & Zambrovitz Team at Coldwell Banker SJI. They thought you would find the information interesting. If you have any questions about this information, be sure to contact one of them.
Town hires Robbie Roe as Town Inspector
LWVSJ Observer Corps summary of the Friday Harbor Town Council, March 4, 2026 meeting. Mayor Perrollaz appointed Mary McCullogh to the Arts Council. The Town Clerk updated the Council on a new agenda procedure that begins next week. This new procedure will make it easier for the public to access. The Council held a retreat […]
March 18: Western Bluebird Info Session for New Volunteers at Red Mill Farm
The Western Bluebirds are back, marking two decades that volunteers, San Juan Preservation Trust staff, and their partners in British Columbia have worked together to return these vibrant songbirds to our skies. If you’re “bluebird-curious” and interested in volunteering for this species recovery project, join Kathleen Foley Lewis tomorrow night at Red Mill Farm on […]
Decatur solar debate sparks conversation
By Darrell Kirk