Island News
Seven meetings in, County Council charts a budget path to November
San Juan County Council members are entering the next phase of a monthslong budget process, following a wave of department presentations in late June that laid bare the scale of a shortfall triggered by the defeat of a levy lid lift earlier this year.
Washington Department of Transportation’s Division of Ferries and Washington’s attorney general combine to block legislative review of abandoned Anacortes-Friday Harbor-Sidney, British Columbia ferry route
Submitted by Restore Our Ferries.
San Juan County clerk named 2026 Clerk of the Year
Submitted by San Juan County.
The Dream Temple: Ambient Immersive
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Candidate forums
Submitted by the League of Women Voters.
Comments on EWUA article | Letter
The Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau (WSRB) report on October 1, 2024, reported that the community score for fire rating was raised to a 7 from 6, which contributed to higher insurance premiums for many reasons. The relevant categories were age and maintenance of equipment, lack of training programs, and lack of firefighter volunteers in some community areas.
Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
Over the years, Jennifer Swanson has made relationships with a wide spectrum of citizens, community leaders, County department heads, legislators, and Council members. She is indeed a seasoned leader who can hit the road running on behalf of her constituents. Lately I have had the opportunity to accompany Jennifer as she shares with members of the public. I appreciate how she enjoys working with people and is eager to listen and learn. She has no pretension and is grounded in navigating budgets.
Clayton Reed Parsons | Passages
November 22, 1946 – December 23, 2025
Surge in oil tanker traffic threatens Salish Sea, Southern Resident orcas and shoreline communities | Column
Submitted by the Friends of the San Juans.
Celebrating Orcas Center volunteers | Lawn party
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Mother-daughter duo release romance set on Orcas Island
It’s extra magical when romance blooms against the backdrop of Orcas Island.
Sheriff’s log discontinued
By Eric Peter
From the deep end to Skid Row: Orcas Center’s summer of comedy gets personal
This summer, Orcas Center’s Center Stage will host two touring comedians who have turned their own strangest, most vulnerable chapters into shows — and who both insist that the best comedy only works when it tells the truth.
SJC sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.