Island News
Orcas Island Fire recruits brave rain, hail and heavy winds to pass live fire training
by Darrell Kirk
Chanda Stone — bringing people and wildlife together
At the tender age of 8 years old, Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center’s Executive Director, Chanda Stone, was already taking steps toward a career in animal rehab work when she rescued a baby house finch.
A new generations takes the helm at Washington’s oldest solar installer
From off-grid cabins to the regional grid, one island company is redifining what solar can do
At the food bank, multitasking is a way of life | Women in Business profile
Submitted by the Orcas Island Food Bank Communications Committee.
A musical journey across the globe | Rafe Pearlman to open film showing
“SAMA: To Listen” follows filmmaker Darek Mazzone, composer Peter Culshaw and entrepreneur musician John Goodfellow as they journey through Turkey, Morocco and Malaysia, engaging with musicians, instrument makers, spiritual leaders and community elders rooted in Sufi traditions.
Eco Club champion conservation and the environment
Submitted by Friends of the San Juans.
Preparing for the next avian flu outbreak
Submitted by Russell Barsh, director of Kwiaht.
Orcas nutritionist brings healthy eating home | Women in Business profile
Submitted by Holistic Nutrition In Your Home LLC.
Capitol celebration marks Declaration of Independence, America’s 250th birthday
By Annika Hauer
Local 4-H members attend 2026 San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit
By Aurora Miller
Ellie Wright among four WWU student journalists selected for Seattle Times ‘Best of the Pacific Northwest’ Symposium
by Betsy O’Donovan
Ladies of Laughter brings national women’s comedy tour to Orcas Island
By Darrell Kirk
Q&A with Asya Eberle and Deborah Jones, owners of Orcas Island Realty | Women in Business
How/why/when did you both choose real estate as a career?
Lawless logging; found fugitive | SJC sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
Coming soon: Five new OPAL homes on Lydia Lane | OPAL’s first new single-family home construction in 16 years
By Rusty Diggs
OISHA completes 2025-2026 middle school-aged sexual health program
Submitted by the Orcas Island Sexual Health Alliance.
Rock Island Communications reaches nearly 7,000 subscribers and secures $16.5M grant for broadband expansion
Submitted by the Orcas Power & Light Cooperative.
Did you know? SJC processes passport applications at the courthouse
Submitted by San Juan County.
Orcas Christian School kicks off Reading Month with schoolwide activity
By Declan O’Malley
The timeless power of working with gold | Women in Business profile
Since she was a child, Leah Pearce Altman has been creating art with her hands.
Legislators consider bills on low-income housing
By Ayeda Masood
Spinner makes hole in one
Junior Joshua Spinner aced the 203-yard ninth hole on the first day of high school golf practice — only the second hole-in-one ever recorded on the hole. The reigning Club Champion and two-time State Championship team member made it a season opener to remember.
Financial literacy for students | Letter
My name is Emmett Beadnall, and I’m a high school junior at Spring Street International School who has studied the effects of taking a financial literacy course in high school. I write to urge you, the people of our island community, to advocate for accessible and quality financial literacy courses at our island schools.
Council member Fuller not seeking re-election
by Jane Fuller