Here’s a thought…
“No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country.”
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE
Council to resume 2027 budget and organization discussions at August 3 meeting
Council will continue its 2027 budget discussions while focusing on potential revenue options and organizational restructuring to help erase a $4 million budget gap. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is preparing for one of its toughest budget years in recent memory. Rising costs, capped property
OPALCO hosts leadership chats
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| In July the OPALCO leadership team hosted an open house with co-op members. About 20 islanders gathered with some of the OPALCO board and leadership team to discuss a wide variety of topics. Members had thoughtful comments on OPALCO
WSF Weekly Report | Recovering from busy weekend; Navy band on board; paddleboarder rescue
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve You may have noticed an increase in crew-related sailing cancellations over the past few weeks after a relatively long period of improved stability. I know how frustrating these disruptions can be, especially during the busy summer travel
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.
News Brief | What goes into whale watching and what could put it at risk
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| Every time a tour boat, ferry or any of the other Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) members see a whale, they log it. Boats will put up a special flag, to let others know that there is a whale nearby, as the state has strict
Larsen introduces bill to study prison libraries
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Representative Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) introduced the Read for Reentry Act, legislation that would authorize a study into state and federal prison libraries in the United States to better understand and further the
A letter from San Juan County Council to community regarding recent hate speech
Council issues letter condemning hate and discrimination in response to the recent tagging of a local LGBTQ+ pride display ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| This past June, during Pride month, which was acknowledged by the county council through Proclamation, unknown individuals painted over a local LGBTQ+ Pride display.
JP & OK Rhythm Boys to support Grange in forthcoming concert
||| FROM ANITA ORNE for JP AND THE OK RHYTHM BOYS ||| On Friday, August 7, you can enjoy great tunes while helping out a great island institution! JP and the OK Rhythm Boys will be playing at the Orcas Island Grange at 7pm that evening and all profits will
Orcas Senior Center renovation update
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Orcas Senior Center continues to make steady progress on its building renovation following last year's acquisition of San Juan County's 49% ownership share. The Center has fully expanded into the north wing, adding a Wellness Room for foot care and other
August 3-7, 2026 | No jurors required
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: AUGUST 3-7, 2026 Jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday August 3rd through Friday August 7th, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
CWR | First encounter of the 2026 outer coast research trip
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:38 AM ObservEnd: 01:01 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Taylor Redmond Pods: J IDsEncountered: J16, J22, J26, J27, J37, J44, J47, J49, J53, and J59 LocationDescr: Clo-oose grounds EncSummary: The team left McKay
County Council will travel to Shaw Island for upcoming August 4 meeting
The meeting will be held at the Shaw Community Center ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Council will hold its regularly scheduled August 4 meeting on Shaw Island. The public is invited to join the three councilmembers and County staff at the meeting being held at
August 6 is Pollinator Day at Orcas Island Library
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Orcas Island Library will host Pollinator Day on Thursday, August 6, featuring Russel Barsh and biologists from Kwiáht. The free, all-ages program will include outdoor pollinator observations on the Library’s south lawn from noon to 3 p.m., with a presentation beginning at 1 p.m. Participants will
Letter to Editor | Ingman is forward‑thinking, consensus‑building leader we need right now
||| FROM CLARK CUNDY ||| Katherine Bryant Ingman is a nonprofit leader with a decade of hands‑on community service on Lopez Island, running for County Council District 3 to deliver collaborative solutions on housing, transportation, and healthcare: Future‑Focused, Funding‑Savvy, Consensus‑Driven San Juan County is ready for a new type of
Larsen demands answers on oil spill preparedness
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sent a letter to Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, to insist that the Coast Guard review and update
Letter to Editor | Ingman has vision, leadership skills
||| FROM CINDY WOLF ||| Katherine Bryant Ingman has the vision, strength of leadership and proven negotiating skills to take care of business for the people of San Juan County. She has a way of letting you know she is listening and clearly would rather put effort into finding a
