Here’s a thought…
“When is the time we all get to eat cake? I don’t want to miss it!”
ANONYMOUS
Governor Ferguson commits to addressing WSF engine room crew workforce crisis
||| FROM KRISTIN HYDE for MARINE ENGINEERS BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION ||| The Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) represents 417 licensed and unlicensed engineers who operate, repair, and maintain the fleet of vessels at Washington State Ferries (WSF). A growing workforce crisis boiled over this week when crew call-outs resulted in major
Register now for Annual Garden Workshop Series
||| FROM CAITIE BLETHEN,for WSU EXTENSION SAN JUAN COUNTY ||| Garden enthusiasts throughout the region are encouraged to register now for the 2026 Garden Workshop Series presented by the San Juan County WSU Extension Master Gardeners and San Juan County Master Gardener Foundation. Registration closes Thursday, October 15. Held over
Actors Theater’s new, old-time radio show coming to the Grange
||| FROM MELINDA MILLIGAN for ACTORS THEATER OF ORCAS ISLAND ||| Radio station KIXP and Actors Theater of Orcas Island announce the debut of "On the Rock", a new old-time radio show! In the style of "Prairie Home Companion" and similar shows, it features local musicians, Orcas-based sketches and other delights. Hosted
Larsen continues to hold ICE accountable at Ferndale HSI facility
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| FERNDALE, WA – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “I am committed to getting answers for the people I represent about immigration operations in Northwest Washington. Today, I went to ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) facility in Ferndale. This
CWR locates J Pod in Strait of Juan de Fuca
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 04:27 PM ObservEnd: 06:38 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Taylor Redmond, Astrid van Ginneken, Navi Zwart Pods: J IDsEncountered: J16, J19, J22, J26, J27, J31, J35, J36, J37, J38, J39, J40, J41, J42, J44,
Learn about mobile integrated health program on Orcas
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center, in partnership with the Orcas Community Health Care District, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue, and San Juan County, invites the community to a free public presentation on Thursday, October 22, from 6-7 pm at the Orcas Island
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman has my vote
||| FROM HILARY CANTY ||| I am grateful that we have two well-qualified candidates running for County Council in San Juan County. Thanks to both for making the effort. It is great to have options! I will be voting for Katherine Bryant Ingman. Her service in the nonprofit and philanthropic
Letter to Editor | Heather Lee is the right person for Auditor
||| FROM MILENE HENLEY ||| I hired Heather Lee to work in the Auditor’s Office, initially as an administrative assistant. It immediately became apparent to me that she was capable of so much more. Since then, she has gained experience in all areas of the Auditor’s office, including payroll, elections,
Community Meeting | Agate Beach county park updates & road relocation on Lopez Island
Join the conversation on Tuesday, October 20 at Agate Beach County Park ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| MacKaye Harbor Rd and the Agate Beach County Park on Lopez Island are scheduled for infrastructure updates in 2027. Reconstruction of MacKaye Harbor Road and the Agate Beach County Park parking
Interactive food system plan now live on San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild website
||| FROM CAITLIN LECK for FOOD SYSTEM TEAM OF SAN JUAN COUNTY ||| The Food System Team of San Juan County, in partnership with the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild and local data scientist, Adam Martin, is excited to announce the launch of an interactive online version of the Food
KIRO News reports WSF meltdown was years in the making
||| FROM KIRO NEWSRADIO ||| Washington's ferry meltdown didn't start with this week's sick-out. Charles Prestrud of the Washington Policy Center traces it back to Inslee's vaccine mandate, which pushed 132 experienced ferry workers — engineers, captains, essential crew — into termination or early retirement right when the staffing cliff
Swanson on Ferries | I’ll keep fighting for improvements
||| FROM JENNIFER SWANSON, CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 ||| Of Washington's 39 counties, San Juan County is the only one made up entirely of islands, reachable only by boat or plane. Most residents rely on Washington State Ferries (WSF), and for the past eight years I have served
Letter to Editor | Environmental stewardship is essential to our islands
||| FROM CHARLES GREENE for SJC CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ||| I have been a homeowner on San Juan Island since 1985 and have chosen to reside here because of its incredible natural environment. I am an environmental scientist by profession and therefore am painfully aware of the environmental
Neighbor to neighbor shelter volunteer meeting
||| FROM ALICIA WIGFIELD for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| Our community is stronger when we come together to support our neighbors. The Neighbor to Neighbor Shelter is preparing for another season of serving community members who are experiencing difficult circumstances, and we are looking for caring individuals who would
Medicare open enrollment | Review your coverage for 2027
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Between October 15 and December 7, you can review your Medicare coverage and choose the plan that best fits your needs for 2027. By now, you should have received information from your current prescription drug (Part D) or Advantage plan. Read
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman is a leader who has lived it
||| FROM ED ANDREWS ||| I believe elected officials should understand what it means to walk in the shoes of the people they represent. That means knowing what it's like to work multiple jobs to pay the bills, and to worry about affording healthcare and keeping a roof over their
