Here’s a thought…
“ There is one tradition in America I am proud to inherit. It is our first freedom and the truest expression of our Americanism: the ability to dissent without fear. It is our right to utter the words, “I disagree.” We must feel at liberty to speak those words to our neighbors, our clergy, our educators, our news media, our lawmakers and, above all, to the one among us we elect president.”
NATALIE MERCHANT
What makes me different | Katherine’s closing statement
||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN for SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL ||| What makes me different, and why should you vote for me? I think it comes down to perspective and experience. I’m part of the next generation trying to build a life here. I’ve rented here in a difficult housing
Mercy Flights | Neighbors helping neighbors take flight
A community service announcement from the Orcas Aviation Association ||| FROM ALLAN TONE for ORCAS AVIATION - MERCY FLIGHTS ||| Living on Orcas Island is a privilege, but our island's beauty and isolation can also present challenges, particularly when it comes to accessing medical care on the mainland. For island
Letter to Editor | Who is being represented?
||| FROM JOHN BERRY for SOULARTSPACEORCAS ||| I would like to know whom the selection committee for the artisans holiday fare would have been for this year. Why? Could you please advise. Yes, your letter said and I paraphrase: "received 45 entrants, and please try again and maybe you will
It’s time to vote
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND PRIDE ||| I filled my ballot out this morning, and it reminded me of how many of you showed up to see the candidates for council and learn about the awful initiatives on the ballot this year. We so appreciate every one of you. Couldn’t
Orcas Christian School launches gym activity nights to bring community together
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orcas Christian School (OCS) is expanding its gymnasium programming with movie nights, open gyms and other activities designed to bring students, families and staff together while strengthening the school community. The school hosted its first movie night Oct. 9, drawing approximately 25 to 30 children
Letter to Editor | I’m voting for our future
||| FROM LILY STOVALL ||| I am 21 years old, raised on Lopez. I moved back while pregnant and have been living here since with my fiancé and daughter who is now 9 months old. I’ve known Katherine since I was little and have seen how she’s always been there
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson brings people together
||| FROM BRAD & NANCY ZAKES ||| We support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council Position 3. Jennifer has shown great leadership and the ability to bring people together to create creative and workable solutions to many of the challenges of those living in San Juan County in a
The Pacific Salmon Treaty isn’t working for salmon, orcas, or salmon-dependent communities, coastwide movement tells US and Canadian leaders
As the Pacific Salmon Commission discusses the treaty’s future behind closed doors, salmon advocates rally in Sequim and call on both countries to Let Our Salmon Come Home ||| FROM ADRIAN TUOHY for LET OUR SALMON COME HOME ||| SEQUIM, Washington—Salmon advocates from across the coast rallied in Sequim, where the
CWR Encounter #90 with Bigg’s Killer Whales
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 11:18 AM ObservEnd: 12:50 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Rachel John, Taylor Redmond, Rachel Carbary Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T35A, T35A1, T35A1A, T35A2, T35A3, T35A5, T49A, T49A3, T49A4, T49A5, T49A6, T49A7, T50D,
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman on environment, conservation
||| FROM KATHRINE BRYANT FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL ||| Protecting the environment is essential to preserving San Juan County's way of life, economy, and natural beauty. Clean water, healthy forests, productive farmland, thriving marine ecosystems, and access to our shorelines are central to what makes these islands such a special
LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Board of Health Oct 21, 2026
||| FROM BARBARA SHARP for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS SAN JUAN ||| Community Collaboration Council: Approved funding for Safe San Juans ($20K); and San Juan Island Winter Shelter ($15K), with a full time shelter at the fairgrounds’ Marie Boe Building. Behavioral Health ASO: A temporary agreement will maintain the Intensive
Larsen, Dexter introduce bill to stop Trump admin from rolling back veterans’ benefits
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) introduced the Veteran Breast Cancer Fairness Act to restore male breast cancer as a presumptive illness under the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act). October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month,
Questions about San Juan County’s new Generative AI Use Policy
||| FROM ELISABETH ROBSON ||| San Juan County has adopted a policy governing the use of generative AI by County employees. It lists approved AI tools, including Microsoft Copilot, Claude, Grammarly, and Canva, and also includes tools such as Verkada security cameras with facial recognition and KnowBe4 AIDA that could
CWR encounter #89 with Bigg’s Killer Whales T60D+T60E
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:04 AM ObservEnd: 11:32 AM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Pods: J IDsEncountered: All of J Pod LocationDescr: Otter Point EncSummary: Mark left Victoria harbour at 0830 to take advantage of the perfect weather and survey the western Juan
Washington, Denmark establish formal ties around maritime and industrial expertise
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BOB FERGUSON ||| SEATTLE — Governor Bob Ferguson and Ambassador Karen Eva Abrahamsen, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Denmark in the United States established a new era in trade and partnership between Washington and Denmark with the signing of the first cooperative agreement
Guitar virtuosos Frank Vignola and Pasquale Grasso at Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH-SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Two of today's most acclaimed jazz guitarists will share the stage at Orcas Center on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m. Frank Vignola has been the go-to guitarist for an extraordinary range of artists, including Ringo Starr, Madonna, Donald Fagen, Tommy Emmanuel,
