Island News
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
April 10-30: Earth Day Orcas News – Join in the 4th Annual Celebration
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 10 and conclude on April 30 with something for all ages and interests. If you […]
22 tons of oversized refuse collected in Friday Harbor’s 10th successful Spring Cleanup
The Town of Friday Harbor helped its customers jump start their spring cleaning with free pickup of oversized refuse the week of March 9-13. This is the 10th year the Town has offered the Spring Cleanup service to its residential refuse customers. Public Works employee Mateo Blackmon assisted Refuse employees Dave Smith and Andrew Teasdale […]
Governor Ferguson signs HB 2632, Modernizing language in Washington State law
Olympia, WA – Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 2632 into law, updating outdated terminology in Washington State statutes and directing state and local entities to replace references to the term “alien” with “noncitizen” or other context-appropriate language, except where federal law requires otherwise. With the signing of this law, Washington state became the fourth […]
Bill would ban some school isolation, restraint
By Annika Hauer
40 acres of pollinator habitat at Scott Reynolds farm
Forty acres of farmland at Scott Reynold’s farm in San Juan Valley are dedicated to providing habitat for pollinators. Since bees ‘bubbles’ cover up to a three-mile radius, the location of the farm means the bees could range from American Camp to False Bay to Zylstra Lake to the Town of Friday Harbor. Brightly colored […]
Update from San Juan Island School District Superintendent
Dear Friday Harbor community, We haven’t seen any snow this winter, and while diehard winter enthusiasts might be disappointed, I enjoyed the reprieve. Waking up at 4:00 a.m. to scout island roads for school closures is a stress I am happy to skip. It’s still cold out there, and regardless of what the groundhog said, […]
Roots run deep: Orcas Food Co-op takes the helm of San Juan Islands Food Hub
By Darrell Kirk
March 21: Historical Museum Quilt Exhibition Open Saturday
Rock Island Communications Reaches Nearly 7,000 Subscribers and Secures $16.5 Million Grant for Broadband Expansion
March 22: WSF spring sailing schedule begins
WSF 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 […]