Here’s a thought…
“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”
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
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.
A serious fundraising request from theOrcasonian
||| FROM LIN MCNULTY, EDITOR ||| I am beginning to panic as the webhost for theOrcasonian is constantly reminding me that we are in need of an expensive (by Orcasonian standards) website uprade in order to remain accessible for readers. While monthly donations are appreciated from subscribers, along with
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
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
WSF updates vehicle restrictions at Orcas Island terminal
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| During a recent inspection, engineers found cracks in the steel under the transfer span, the part of the slip that raises and lowers to meet up with the ferry to allow vehicles to drive on and off. Repairs are expected to take up to
CWR comes across J Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 09:35 AM ObservEnd: 12:26 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Pods: J IDsEncountered: J19, J26, J36, J38, J39, J40, J41, J42, J44, J47, J51, J53, J62, J63 LocationDescr: Sherigham Point EncSummary: Mark left Victoria harbour at 0830 to take advantage of great weather in the Juan de Fuca and complete a
The Island Gardener for November ~ 2026
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Leadership Smoothie Welcome to another flavorful smoothie! You'll hear not only from the presidents but also other leaders within the club. They'll share their personal stories, values, perspectives or updates. We don't know what to expect but like a smoothie, these messages will
San Juan County’s Linnea Anderson recognized nationally for juvenile justice
As Superior Court Services Director for San Juan County, Linnea has championed approaches that emphasize early intervention, diversion, youth and family engagement, community partnerships, and opportunities for young people to grow and succeed. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Director of Superior Court Services, Linnea Anderson,
Orcas Island ferry service disruption | Oversized vehicles currently prohibited
Vehicle restrictions are now in place at the Orcas Island ferry terminal. Washington State Ferries does not yet have a definitive timeline for completing repairs or lifting the restrictions ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County has been notified by Washington State Ferries (WSF) that a routine
Community Dodgeball is back
||| FROM SUSAN STOLTZ ||| The Orcas Island Education Foundation and Orcas Park and Rec invite the whole community to an evening of all-ages Dodgeball at the High School Gym. Friday November 27th from 7 - 9:30ish. Holiday attire STRONGLY encouraged — there will be a PRIZES for the
Vehicle restrictions implemented at Orcas Island Ferry Terminal following structural inspection
||| FROM CAREY ESKRIDGE for ORCAS ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ||| Washington State Ferries (WSF) has implemented immediate vehicle restrictions at the Orcas Island ferry terminal following the discovery of cracks in the steel beneath the terminal's transfer span during an engineering inspection. Effective immediately and until further notice, only
Guest Opinion | What is ‘sport?’
||| FROM TENAR HALL ||| While we are debating the right of Trans People to exist as themselves in sports, we should ask ourselves, “What is Sport?” To illustrate what Sport is to me, I’m going to share a speech I wrote years ago for my rowing team, Martha’s Moms
