Guest Opinion | Death by 1000 cuts
||| FROM BOB THOMAS ||| I am the “against” advocate. My intent has been to bring up points that may not have been covered or add to those that have and encourage islanders to investigate for themselves. Over the past three or so weeks I have attended a number of
WA Reps. send open letter to ICE Director, DHS Secretary re: raid in Bellingham
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), along with Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06), Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) and Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08) have sent the following letter to
Why the big freak out over tariffs?
||| FROM SUBSTACK ||| President Trump insists that stiff tariffs on products from other countries will help U.S. manufacturers, despite the risk of higher prices for consumers and even a recession. Of far less interest in the news media is that increased domestic manufacturing and related activities, such as mining,
Letter to Editor | Question on Health Care initiative
||| FROM JOHN ERLY ||| You must have received your Voting Ballot today. It made me go to the County Assessor page and see what I am paying to support the "Island Health Care District", about .41 cents per thousand. The problem is the assessor says we are a "Hospital
Latest from Lekanoff | Approaching sine die; Heal One WA; Restoring salmon
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| In March, we said goodbye to a giant—a leader whose heart beat for the people of Washington. Speaker Frank Chopp was more than a legislator; he was a force of nature, a warrior for justice, and a man whose footsteps will
Papademetriou is Artworks featured artist for April.
||| FROM BJ ARNOLD for ORCAS ARTWORKS ||| We are pleased to announce that the Artworks Featured Artist for April is Maria Papademetriou. Her exhibition is entitled, "Little Miracles" and will display many intricate iconographic mixed media pieces as well as her noteworthy collage work. The gallery is open from
Kindergarten registration open for 2025-26 school year
||| FROM SUZANNA SMITH for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| Orcas Island Elementary School Kindergarten Registration is open for the 2025-26 School Year! Use this QR code to register: OR GO TO: https://www.q.wa-k12.net/orcasSTS/NewStudentEnrollment/NewGuardianLoginRequest ________________________________________________________________________ Escuela Primeria De La Isla De Orcas La Inscripción Para El Jardín de Niños está
Upcoming Salish Sea Early Music Festival postponed
||| FROM JEFFREY COHAN for SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| Ukrainian harpsichordist Olena Zhukova's visit has been postponed due to extended processing time and uncertainty regarding her visa. We'll be very excited to reschedule, hopefully in June, as soon as we receive approval from USCIS. We'll keep you posted!
WSF Weekly Report | Crew rescues person overboard; Summer reservations; Distracted driver awareness
|||FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve I had a great opportunity to connect with the Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society recently, an outstanding organization focused on preserving our region’s rich maritime history and supporting youth maritime training. It was a pleasure to share my
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
April 22, 2025, Special Election – Vote! Sign! Send!
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Registered voters on Orcas Island will receive a ballot for the 2025 April Special Election. The April Special includes a ballot measure for the San Juan County Hospital District No. 3, also known as Orcas Island Health Care. The measure is for a
Project Update: | Bayhead Creek Culvert project on Killebrew Lake Rd prepares for fall construction
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is pleased to share updates on the Bayhead Creek Culvert Repair Project on Killebrew Lake Rd on Orcas Island. This project seeks to address damage from a 2020 storm that overwhelmed the culvert under Killebrew Lake Road and required a
Letter to Editor | Why we should support Health District
||| FROM ALISON SANDERS ||| My name is Alison Sanders, and I grew up on Orcas Island, where I am now raising my three children. I serve as the Coalition Coordinator for the Coalition for Orcas Youth, which operates under the umbrella of the Funhouse Commons. I am also the
Spring 2025 Great Islands Clean-Up | Think global, act local
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Small actions make a world of difference! This spring, join your fellow islanders in the 2025 Spring Great Islands Clean-Up and take action to keep our beaches and roadways clean. The event takes place on Saturday, April 12 on Lopez Island and Saturday,
Resolutions of support for OIHCD Levy passed by Orcas Community Resource Center, Lopez Island Hospital District
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| As part of the mission of ensuring access for all islanders and visitors, the Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) collaborates with and supports local community-based organizations like the Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC). Additionally, our collaboration regionally with other public entities,
National IMLS funding cuts have impacts on island libraries
||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLANDS LIBRARIES ||| An executive order issued by the federal administration on March 14 calls for deep cuts to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). IMLS is an independent federal agency that supports libraries and museums in all 50 states and U.S. territories through