Island News
EWUA | Progress deserves recognition. Questions deserve answers
||| FROM CORY HARRINGTON ||| Progress deserves recognition. Over the past several months, Eastsound Water Users Association has made a noticeable effort to improve communication with its members. We’ve seen The Source newsletter, Deep Dive articles, the educational series on the New Clark Well & Treatment Plant, a new online dashboard, published financial summaries, and more frequent updates than we’ve received in years. Those are positive developments. Members have asked for better communicatio
News Brief | Suspected arsonist in custody in Spokane
||| FROM KING 5 SEATTLE |||
Expect WSF delays on Tuesday
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Several routes may experience sailing delays or cancellations Tuesday, Aug. 4, due to crew availability and vessel repairs. Impacts may vary throughout the day, and scheduled service will operate whenever possible. We will send route specific information as soon as impacts are confirmed. If you are traveling Tuesday, please check for updates before travelling for the latest information. We’re doing everything we can to keep vessels crewed and running, an
It’s time to fish out those face masks
Smoke from wildfires across the state will threaten air quality in Western Washington this week ||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| Amid harsh winds and hot, dry weather, wildfires sparked across Eastern and Central Washington this weekend. Over 700 structures were destroyed and more than 60,000 people were evacuated in Spokane. Large fires also burn near the Colville Reservation and Lake Chelan, among other places. Smoke from those wildfires could come for Western Washington as weather forecasters h
Second encounter of CWR 2026 outer coast research trip
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 06:55 AM ObservEnd: 01:34 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Taylor Redmond, Jess Schultz Pods: J, K, L IDsEncountered: J16, J19, J22, J26, J27, J31, J36, J37, J38, J39, J40, J41, J42, J44, J45, J46, J47, J49, J51, J53, J56, J58, J59, J62, and J63 K12, K14, K16, K20, K22, K27, K33, K35, K36, K37, K38, K42, K43, K45, and K47 L22, L25, L54, […]
News Brief | About those Spokane wildfires on Monday
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| Three wildfires are burning the edges of Spokane, the second-largest city in Washington, after they surged over the weekend. Hundreds of structures have been damaged and tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes. All three of the wildfires — the Old Trails, Autumn Lane and Fairview fires, known together as the Spokane Complex fires — were at 0% containment Monday morning. READ FULL ARTICLE
Larsen joins entire WA delegation in requesting expedited emergency declaration for devastating wildfires in Spokane
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson’s request last night for an expedited Emergency Declaration for the devastating wildfires sweeping through Central and Eastern Washington state. On Saturday, Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency and issued a
Oregon singer/songwriter Alice Di Micele in concert Odd Fellows Hall
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ORCAS ODD FELLOWS ||| Oregon singer/songwriter Alice Di Micele Concert brings her soulful blend of earthiness and groove to Orcas Island at the Odd Fellows Hall on Friday, August 7 at 7:00pm. Praised by Bonnie Raitt for her “earthiness & groove,” DiMicele delivers music that is heartfelt, funky, and deeply connected. Tickets are available on a sliding scale of $20–$50, with advance tickets recommended. For more information and tickets, visit AliceDiMicele.com or Human
Scam Alert! Fake emails seeking payment for permit fees
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Over the last several weeks, the San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD) has received reports of scammers sending fake invoices with San Juan County logos, specifically impersonating DCD and the County’s Hearing Examiner. Some of these scams are very sophisticated, using AI to pull permit data and impersonate County staff. We are taking cybersecurity steps on our end to try and stop these criminals. In the meantime, we ask that the p
Town Council in special meeting August 6
||| FROM JENNIFER KREMBS for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council and the Planning Commission will hold a joint special meeting after the regular business meeting on August 6, 2026, to participate in an AWC/RMSA mandatory training for elected and appointed officials regarding land use. The training will take place in Council Chambers located at 60 Second Street, and it is expected to last approximately two hours. For more information, contact the Town […]
15th Annual Orcas Artist Studio Tour this coming weekend
||| FROM ZOE OSENBACH for ORCAS ARTIST STUDIO TOUR ||| Explore beautiful Orcas Island on a 3-day studio tour with 35 island artists! August 7 through 9, 11am – 5pm. Follow the signs for a unique glimpse into the vibrant artist community on our beautiful island. This free, self-guided tour is a long-standing island tradition and grants visitors access to the intimate, creative, and inspiring spaces of talented local artists. See artists at work, discover new processes, and hear how […]
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council regular meeting July 28, 2026
||| FROM BARBARA SHARP for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| Council approved a letter to the community regarding recent hate speech and another to Governor Ferguson regarding increased risk of shipping accidents and spills from new oil transportation projects, with copies to be sent to other concerned parties. Council held a brief public hearing regarding the Land Bank Dolphin Bay Road Property on Orcas Island, followed by a public hearing regarding the siting of an Essential Public Facility on Shaw [
Orcas Island Artworks features new photography by Robert Dash
||| FROM B.J. ARNOLD for ORCAS ISLAND ARTWORKS ||| Robert Dash’s new work explores lives beneath the Salish Sea. He’ll showcase his underwater imagery of Salish Sea marine life. Dash’s work celebrates art and science, showing natural patterns and textures while exploring themes of conservation and biodiversity. His work has been shown and published nationally and overseas. Recently he has taken his photographic interest underwater, visiting Salish Sea coastlines with his partner, artist Ranna M
I’m Not the Church Lady | Becoming available
Why do I assume I haven’t been heard when I may be the one not listening? ||| I’M NOT THE CHURCH LADY from ROSIE KUHN ||| “I wish my guides would talk to me.” “They do.” “No they don’t.” “How do you know?” “Because they’re not telling me what I want to hear.” *** In a Blink of an Eye, Guidance—POOF! Marcy said to me, “Gee, I wish I could hear my angels and guides speak to me.” Then, within […]
Library’s exhibiting artist for the month of August is Ayn Gailey
||| FROM ANDREA COHAN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| This collection of Ayn’s work, entitled Roots and Remembrance, explores grief not as separation, but as an enduring bond. Layering heirloom photographs of the artist’s mother in Taiwan with contemporary photographs of the family and landscapes she left behind, the works weave together memory, ancestry and place. Hand-stitched threads become both physical marks and symbolic connections, suggesting the invisible ties between generations. Through t
Building community and connection
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| On Wednesday evening, as the sun set over Turtleback and the full moon rose over Mount Constitution, dozens of community members gathered in support of the Pea Patch Community Campus. We shared stories and cheese served atop a canoe, sang and danced. The magic of Orcas on full display. Several community members spoke to the crowd about the great need to address the affordability crisis on Orcas Island. I was […]
Larsen seeks answers at Ferndale ICE facility
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “The President’s cruel immigration agenda has angered many of my constituents and struck fear in families around the region. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has been at the top of this agenda. I came to the Ferndale ICE holding facility today to get answers about this facility for my community. “Where I was not able to get complete answers, […]
Voters urged to use ballot drop boxes as mail postmark delays put ballots at risk
||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN CAMPAIGN FOR SJC COUNCIL ||| With the August 4th primary just days away, Katherine Bryant Ingman’s campaign is urging San Juan County voters who haven’t yet returned their ballots to use an official ballot drop box rather than the mail. Recent changes in how USPS processes mail mean postmark dates are no longer reliably tied to when a ballot is dropped off. Under a new rule that took effect on December 24, 2025, postmarks may reflect the […]
Council to resume 2027 budget and organization discussions at August 3 meeting
Council will continue its 2027 budget discussions while focusing on potential revenue options and organizational restructuring to help erase a $4 million budget gap. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is preparing for one of its toughest budget years in recent memory. Rising costs, capped property tax levies, unfunded state mandates, and declining financial support from the state and federal governments has left the Council with a projected budget shortfall of $4 million
OPALCO hosts leadership chats
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| In July the OPALCO leadership team hosted an open house with co-op members. About 20 islanders gathered with some of the OPALCO board and leadership team to discuss a wide variety of topics. Members had thoughtful comments on OPALCO power rates, energy conservation, the Decatur Island Solar Expansion project, battery storage, virtual power plants, rising demand and alternative renewable energy sources. Members seemed to enjoy the op
WSF Weekly Report | Recovering from busy weekend; Navy band on board; paddleboarder rescue
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve You may have noticed an increase in crew-related sailing cancellations over the past few weeks after a relatively long period of improved stability. I know how frustrating these disruptions can be, especially during the busy summer travel season. Like many industries, we are still building back our workforce following the pandemic. With support from Gov. Bob Ferguson and the Legislature, we have made significant progress
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
News Brief | What goes into whale watching and what could put it at risk
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| Every time a tour boat, ferry or any of the other Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) members see a whale, they log it. Boats will put up a special flag, to let others know that there is a whale nearby, as the state has strict distance rules. “We have some of the most precautionary regulations when it comes to vessels and whales.” In our waters, we have more whales than we did a century ago, […]
Larsen introduces bill to study prison libraries
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Representative Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) introduced the Read for Reentry Act, legislation that would authorize a study into state and federal prison libraries in the United States to better understand and further the role of prison libraries in reducing the number of prisoners who return to prison. “Access to the world of books through libraries changes lives,” said Rep. Larsen.