Here’s a thought…
“We must believe in luck. For how else can we explain the success of those we don’t like?”
County issues a Declaration of State of Emergency due to WSF disruption at Orcas Island
The ongoing marine transportation service disruption to and from Orcas Island demands immediate action to preserve public health and protect life and safety on Orcas Island by ensuring that essential services are available ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During the November 10 meeting, the San Juan County Council
Bigg’s whales encountered by CWR
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 03:11 PM ObservEnd: 04:56 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Rachel John, Taylor Redmond Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T49A, T49A3, T49A4, T49A5, T49A6, T49A7, T50D, and T50B1 LocationDescr: Spieden Channel and Stuart Island
Living with Wetlands | Part 3 of 5
Third of a five part journalism series by the San Juan Islands Conservation District on streams and wetlands in the islands, and what people can do to restore them ||| FROM KAI HOFFMAN-KRULL for SAN JUAN CONSERVATION DISTRICT ||| This article is part three of a five part series from
Partner Spotlight | Orcas Community Resource Center
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| For many Orcas Island residents, the hardest part of getting care isn’t the diagnosis. It’s getting to the appointment, paying for it, or finding a place to stay overnight on the mainland. The Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC) helps neighbors through those
Eric Morris’ 24-foot Terra visits Seattle Cathedral
||| FROM GRETCHEN KRAMPF ||| People reach out to touch the bottom of Terra, a 24-foot-wide globe by artist Eric Morris of Orbis World Globes during a Coast Salish evening of songs and stories at Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle.
Explore loss, grief at Mullis Senior Center
||| FROM ANNA COFFELT-KUETZING for MULLIS COMMUNITY SENIOR CENTER ||| Loss and Grief seem to surround so many of us. Losing a loved one and holding space for the range of emotions that occur can be overwhelming and may create feelings of isolation and loneliness, especially during the holidays. The
County celebrates Native American Heritage Month and reaffirms tribal engagement efforts
Native American Heritage Month and Day celebrate the cultures, history, traditions, art, and contributions Native peoples bring to our communities ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Building on recognition from previous years, the San Juan County Council celebrated National Native American Heritage Month and Day with a proclamation. This
Medicare help Is here
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Have you received a letter telling you your medical plan is ending? Learned your premiums are going up? Has your health changed this year? Between October 15 and December 7, you can choose the plan that provides your best coverage for
Senior Center | Recognizing our community partnerships
||| FROM ORCAS SENIOR CENTER and ORCAS ISLAND LIONS CLUB ||| As the season of giving approaches, Orcas Senior Center and Orcas Island Lions Club want to recognize the partnerships that support our community and clarify how donations help. OSC’s recent holiday gift catalog highlighted caregiver respite without crediting the
With ferry service compromised, The Exchange asks community to hold on to trash
||| FROM PETE MOE for ORCAS RECYCLING SERVICES ||| With heavy trucks temporarily prohibited from using the Orcas Island ferry terminal, The Exchange is asking island residents to hold on to their household trash for as long as possible to help reduce pressure on the island’s waste disposal system. The
Washington residents call on Gov. Ferguson, Director Sixkiller, and state agencies to oppose Pacific Link Pipeline and supertankers
Friends of the San Juans submits petition urging Washington leaders to use every available tool to protect the Salish Sea ||| FROM LOVEL PRATT for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| Between October 5 and November 4, 2026, 1,240 people, including 1,052 residents of Washington State, signed Friends of the
Health Care District in special budget, levy hearing
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island Health Care District will hold a Special Board Meeting on Thursday, November 12th from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Orcas Island Community Foundation, Conference Room - 33 Urner Street, Suite 4, Eastsound. The meeting will include the Public
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.
Honoring veterans through community connection
||| FROM ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| As our community observes Veterans Day, the Orcas Community Resource Center team extends our gratitude to the veterans of Orcas Island and San Juan County, as well as to their families. This day of recognition is also a reminder of our shared
OIFR monitoring ferry ramp disruption; Emergency medical transport plans in place
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR) has protocols in place with multiple options for transporting patients off island. OIFR is aware of the ferry ramp disruption affecting Orcas Island and is following the situation closely. Washington State Ferries found structural issues at
No Place Like Loam | The way to here
||| NO PLACE LIKE LOAM by ALEX TAMAYO WOLF ||| I felt immortal well into my forties. Long past the age when a man should know better. My daughter was born when I was 43. In the NICU, looking into her deep purple eyes, I saw myself. Something moved in
