Here’s a thought…
“We are so vain that we even care for the opinion of those we don’t care for.”
MARIE VON EBNER-ESCHENBACH
District Court and Prosecuting Attorney to relocate during courthouse renovations
Both offices are temporarily relocating from the historic courthouse to 545 Park Street to allow for structural renovations being funded through a matching grant from the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| District Court and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office are moving out
OIHCD thanks Island Health CEO as leadership transition is announced
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| On September 10th, Island Health notified the Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) and announced to the larger community that their current Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Elise Cutter, would be stepping down in the coming months. OIHCD Superintendent Chord and the Board of
Orcas Christian School students take learning outdoors at annual campout and lake day
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Orcas Christian School students take learning outdoors at annual campout and lake day Orcas Christian School (OCS) high school students took their annual campout to Moran State Park this week, spending two nights outdoors while participating in activities designed to build community, encourage learning
Expert speakers highlight sustainable gardening at October workshop series
The San Juan County WSU Master Gardeners' online Garden Workshop series includes four live lunchtime Zoom presentations this October ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| As climate conditions continue to challenge gardeners across the Pacific Northwest, the 2026 San Juan County WSU Master Gardeners' Garden Workshop Series offers practical
I’m Not the Church Lady | Don’t start with me, Arne
||| I'M NOT THE CHURCH LADY by ROSIE KUHN ||| What happens when all our efforts to change what is have been exhausted—and presence is the only thing left? Even presence turns out not to look the way we imagine it will. Because sometimes presence is a paper bag, a
Fall sailing schedule begins Sunday, September 20
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Our fall sailing schedule starts Sunday, Sept. 20 and lasts through Dec. 26. Port Townsend/Coupeville: The route will continue two-boat service until Oct. 5, when it returns to one-boat service until next spring. This is one week earlier than planned, due to vessel maintenance. Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: From early October through early November, the
A local landmark retires from service
||| FROM PARKER PAVITT for ORCAS ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUMS ||| The historic “Fire Barn” located behind the Orcas Island Historical Museums on the Village Green served many purposes during its 90-year lifespan. From garage to residence to garage again, the Fire Barn was most recently used as auxiliary storage for
Getting to Know Katherine | Why I’m running
This is the first of a five-part series to introduce myself, Katherine Bryant Ingman, to the voters of San Juan County so that you can learn more and vote in November for me as San Juan County Councilperson, District 3 ||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL
Letter to Editor | Drop box is best to ensure your ballot is counted
||| FROM JENNIFER SWANSON ||| I’ve been hearing a lot of discussion and confusion about the threats to mail-in voting. People were especially disturbed to hear about the number of ballots that were rejected in Washington’s recent primary because they were “late,” even though they were mailed days before election
Voter registration day next week at the Library
||| FROM KAREN MENG for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Orcas Island Public Library will host a voter registration day activity on Tuesday September 15th 3:30 - 5pm. Join us to write letters to newly registered voters and postcards aimed at increasing turnout for key elections. This is strictly non-partisan;
Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Program update process
San Juan County is seeking your comments on its proposed updates to the Critical Area Ordinance (CAO) protections and the Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The goal is to complete the regulation updates before the end of the year. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is seeking
WSF Weekly Report | 378,000 Labor Day riders | One more community meeting coming up
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve While many of us took some time off over Labor Day weekend, hundreds of people across our system were hard at work safely moving more than 378,000 riders from Thursday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 7. As the unofficial end
No jurors needed Sept 14-18
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: SEPTEMBER 14-18, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning September 14th, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
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.
Have a garden question? Last Orcas Master Gardener event for 2026
Saturday September 12th at the Market Garden Nursery! Last “Ask a Master Gardener“ for 2026 ||| FROM JULIA TURNEY and JAY LUCAS for ORCAS MASTER GARDENERS ||| Do you have a question about your soil, have a problem with your fruit tree, or are thinking about starting a garden? Is something
Madrona Institute announces 2026 Request for Proposals for SJI Stewardship Fund Grants
||| FROM EDEN LIGHT for THE MADRONA INSTITUTE ||| The Madrona Institute is pleased to announce the opening of its 2026 Request for Proposals for the San Juan Islands Stewardship Fund, supported by proceeds from the sales of the San Juan Islands Special License Plate. The Stewardship Fund provides small
