Here’s a thought…
“Every government has as much of a duty to avoid war as a ship’s captain has to avoid a shipwreck.”
GUY DE MAUPASSANT
Platters went with pastries by mistake at Market Day bake sale
||| FROM EMMANUEL'S ST. AGNES GUILD ||| If you bought pastries at Emmanuel's Market Day bake sale last week and have either of the platters pictured, please call the church office at 360-376-2352 or, email parishoffice@orcasepiscopal.org or, drop by the church office at 242 Main St., T-F, 9-noon. Or contact
Guest Opinion | Open letter to State Board of Education
||| FROM DR. KARI LYNN SCHUH ||| Dear Chair Fertakis and Members of the Washington State Board of Education, I am unable to attend your August 12 meeting in person, but as you consider adopting the FutureReady resolution, I hope you will allow me to put one very important request—and
4H members talk with livestock market auctioneer
||| FROM KATHLEEN MORRIS for SAN JUAN COUNTY 4H ||| Recently members of San Juan County 4H interviewed long time auctioneer for the 4H Livestock Market Auction, Tom Pasma. Aurora Miller (club reporter), Louie Averna and Geo Averna from Orcas Fur & Feathers and Skyler Capps club reporter from Lopez
WSF Weekly Report | Construction underway for new boats
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Yesterday in Florida, we celebrated the start of construction on our newest vessel, Wishkah. The steel cutting ceremony is an exciting milestone. It marks the beginning of something many Washingtonians have been waiting a long time to
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.
These preventive services are free under Medicare
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Many Medicare beneficiaries don't realize Medicare covers a range of free preventive services. When received from a Medicare-enrolled provider, there's no deductible or copay. Covered services include vaccines for those over 65, annual wellness exams, mammograms, prostate cancer screenings, depression screening,
News Brief | The state of whale watching in Washington
||| FROM KOMO-TV ||| When you go out on a whale watching tour and actually spot one, part of it is surely luck, but there is also a lot going on behind the scenes. Every time a tour boat, ferry or any of the other Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA)
Actors Theater creating ongoing old-time radio shows
Wanna write one!? ||| FROM MELINDA MILLIGAN for ACTORS THEATER OF ORCAS ISLAND ||| Local radio station KIXP and Actors Theater of Orcas Island are working together to create a live radio show that features local musical talent and comedy sketches, short plays, poetry, historical trivia and other possible delights, a la "Prairie
No jurors required August 10-14
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: AUGUST 10-14, 2026 Jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday August 10th through Friday August 14th, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Council, August 4, 2026
||| FROM BARBARA SHARP for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| The San Juan County Council convened on August 4, at 10:33 am at the Shaw Community Center on Shaw Island. Councilmember Fuller’s absence was excused. The Council resumed a public hearing continued from last week on whether to develop a
Dolphin Bay Road property stewardship, draft management plan now open for public comment
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank is seeking public input on its recently completed Draft Stewardship and Management Plan (SMP) for a new preserve located on Dolphin Bay Road on Orcas Island. The SMP describes the Land Bank’s overarching goals and management objectives
Resource Center opens registration for Orcas Money Smart
||| FROM ORCAS RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center is inviting community members to take part in the next cohort of Orcas Money Smart, a seven-month financial wellness program designed to help participants build financial confidence, strengthen decision-making skills, and work toward greater financial stability. Classes
CWR encounter #53 • Northern Resident Killer Whales C and G Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 11:45 AM ObservEnd: 12:55 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson, Joe Zelwietro Pods: Northern Resident IDsEncountered: C6 matriline: C8, C22, C27 G31 matriline: G31, G54, G103, G84, G96, G131 G34 matriline: G70, G71, G89, G98 with calf G62
Rick Larsen advances to November
Larsen moves forward, fighting to lower costs ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “While the results are not final, I am confident that I will advance to the general election in November. Tens of thousands of voters have
School District update on Aspen Memorial Garden during parking lot improvements
||| FROM SUZANNA SMITH for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island School District would like to provide an update regarding ongoing construction associated with the Orcas Island High School Parking Lot Project and work adjacent to the Aspen Memorial Garden. The Aspen Memorial Garden is a valued part
Yogalele-curious? There’s no better time to try it out
||| FROM ANITA ORNE ||| What is Yogalele? It is a unique practice that combines stretching and live music, and you are the heart of it! Both the yoga and ukulele aspects work for every body, every experience level. All poses and chords are taught and can be modified to
