Here’s a thought…
“The things we admire in men — kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling — are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest — sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest — are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first, they love the produce of the second.”
JOHN STEINBECK
The Orcas Grange welcomes you
Grow Together with Our Community Arts & Agriculture Hub ||| FROM PARKER PAVITT for ORCAS ISLAND GRANGE ||| The Orcas Grange #964, an island institution since 1931, is excited to celebrate another year of community togetherness, learning, and sharing. The Orcas Grange strengthens individuals, families, and communities through grassroots action,
The story of the 2025 Legislative Session
Advancing good things. Preventing harm. Holding the line. Walking forward, together. ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| This year, our work in Olympia called on every ounce of wisdom, courage, and commitment we had. The 2025 legislative session was one of challenge and complexity—but also of resilience,
Trump administration publishes list of sanctuary cities and counties to target
||| FROM WALL STREET JOURNAL ||| The Trump administration on Thursday named counties and cities in more than 30 states, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and Seattle, as sanctuary jurisdictions it could go after for not complying with federal immigration laws. President Trump has threatened to pull federal
Un-bee-lievable | 250 million bees escape after semi spills load in Whatcom County
||| FROM KOMO-TV SEATTLE ||| A buzzworthy story is unfolding in Whatcom County, where 250 million bees have escaped after a semi-truck carrying boxes of the insects lost part of its load. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) first reported a closure on Weidkamp Road around 8:40 a.m. Friday. About
WSF Weekly Report | $900M from state budget; Wenatchee goes electric; WSF 74th anniversary
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the 2025-2027 state budgets last week. I’m excited to share that nearly $900 million from the transportation budget will go to capital projects for our ferry system. More than half of that money
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.
Orcas Island Health Care District – Board of Commissioner Seat 5 vacancy
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Following the voluntary resignation of District Commissioner Dave Zoeller effective 05/28/2025, The Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) has formally nominated Trey Holland for the appointment to fill that vacancy at a special board meeting held on 05/28/2025. The OIHCD Board of
Thank you, Orcas Island, for celebrating community
||| FROM LYNN WHITE for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The community came together for a beautiful day at Parish Hall and the Labyrinth to celebrate the nonprofits that make a difference on Orcas Island every day. With strong local participation and support from the Orcas Island Community Foundation’s Partners
Present Laughter from National Theatre Live at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center brings Noël Coward’s classic comedy, Present Laughter, to the big screen on Wednesday, June 4 at 7pm, as part of National Theatre Live’s digital programming, providing an unparalleled cinematic and theatrical experience recorded live from London. This sparkling production featuring
Jurors beginning June 2 are excused
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: BEGINNING JUNE 2 2025 Jurors summonsed for jury duty beginning on Monday, June 2nd are excused. This includes jurors summonsed for the two week jury period beginning Monday, June 2nd through Friday June 13th, and those rescheduled to the week of
Town Council reschedules regular business meeting on June 19 to June 18, 2025
||| FROM JENNIFER M. KREMBS for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| Due the Juneteenth holiday, the Town Council regular business meeting scheduled for June 19, 2025 is rescheduled to 12 noon on June 18, 2025. Regular business meetings take place at Town Hall Council Chambers located at 290 West Street.
OPALCO explores solar expansion on Decatur Island
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| OPALCO is looking to build local renewable power generation to offset potential power shortfalls due to the lack of needed energy supply from the mainland. Blackouts or very expensive carbon-based fuels will likely be our energy future if we
Rep. Larsen announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge
Challenge open to all Middle and High School students who live or attend school in Washington State’s 2nd District ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| EVERETT, WA – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen announced the launch of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge (CAC). The annual competition, which
Washington Gov. Ferguson signs packaging EPR law
Washington is now the seventh U.S. state with a packaging EPR law. ||| FROM WASTE DIVE ||| Gov. Bob Ferguson signed SB 5284 into law on Saturday, the culmination of years of advocacy to get a bill across the finish line. He called it the “biggest overhaul of our recycling
Kindergarten Transition | A special start for new students
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center recently hosted their annual Kindergarten Transition event, welcoming over 30 families as their children prepare to begin school this fall. Children from across the island engaged in hands-on learning stations focused on reading, math, art, and motor
Cargo ship crashed into man’s yard after crewman fell asleep, police say
A retiree living along a Norwegian fjord woke up on Thursday morning because his neighbor was pounding on his door, telling him to look outside. The ship just missed his house. ||| FROM NEW YORK TIMES ||| Johan Helberg woke up on Thursday morning to find his backyard view of
