Here’s a thought…
“America is and always has been an argument — it’s an experiment.”
DAVID W. BLIGHT
County departments present potential cuts to staffing and services during series of June meetings
Current estimates for revenues and expenses in 2027 show that the County is facing a substantial budget deficit ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Over a series of regularly scheduled and special meetings throughout the month of June, the San Juan County Council heard from County department leaders and
Celebrate Orcas Center volunteers at upcoming lawn party
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Have you given your time to Orcas Center? If so, we want to celebrate you! Anyone who has lent a hand and helped our performing arts center thrive is invited to our Volunteer Appreciation Lawn Party on Saturday, July 18, from
Letter to Editor | Stop the madness, break the logjam
||| FROM JEFF STRUTHERS ||| Some years ago, the Friends of the San Juans worked to discourage the volume of coal-laden ships along the U.S.-Canadian border on their way to foreign ports. Each transiting vessel carried the risk of damage to the fragile ecology of our Islands. That risk may
Avoiding wildfires in the islands | A quick refresher
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Summer in the San Juans is beautiful—but dry weather and warm temperatures also raise wildfire risk. A little caution goes a long way. Here’s a simple refresher to help keep our islands safe. • Check fire regulations. Visit the San Juan County Fire
WSF routes to operate normal Saturday schedules on the 4th
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| About 400,000 people are expected to board Washington State Ferries from Thursday, July 2, through Monday, July 6. Please prepare for long lines and extended wait times if you are traveling this holiday weekend. On Saturday, July 4, all routes will operate on their normal Saturday schedules. Busy travel times Westbound (or onto an
Council Member Jane Fuller moving to new Lopez Village office location
Beginning July 1, Fuller's new office will be located at Lopez Island Family Resource building on Weeks Rd. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Please be advised that I am vacating my Lopez village office on 262 Weeks Road as of June 30th. From July 1 through the end
Mandy Troxel’s wool paintings featured at Orcas Artworks for July
||| FROM MANDY TROXEL for ORCAS ISLAND ARTWORKS ||| Mandy Troxel is the featured artist for the month of July at Orcas Island Artworks. For the occasion she has created “Goats on the Rock,” a wool-felted homage to agriculture in the San Juan Islands. Her largest piece to date, “Goats
Letter to Editor | Why I strongly support Jennifer Swanson for County Council
||| FROM RHEA MILLER ||| Over the years Jennifer Swanson has made relationship with a wide spectrum of citizens, community leaders, County department heads, legislators, and Council members. She is indeed a seasoned leader who can hit the road running on behalf of her constituents. Lately I have had the opportunity
Better, not bigger | Airport runway rehabilitation update, construction schedule
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| Last Fall we announced our "Better, Not Bigger" airport pavement rehabilitation project — a partnership between the FAA, WSDOT, and the Port to resurface and reseal the runway, taxiways, and apron, preserving the airport's current footprint for decades to come. Since
Larsen statement on birthright citizenship ruling
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “The Supreme Court today has affirmed what anyone who has read the Constitution knows: people born in the United States are U.S. citizens. Once again, the President’s attempt to shred the Constitution by Executive Order has failed. “Thanks to the 14th amendment, birthright citizenship is a
Sally O’Brien’s Living by Principal workshop comes to Parish Hall
Sally O’Brien’s transformative Seven Living Principles workshop will take place Saturday, July, 18 from 9a–12p at the Parish Hall ||| FROM NIK SCHULZ ||| What if you could walk with Gandhi, Jesus, or Chief Seattle to work out your life questions? What if you had a spiritual guide to help
Get immunized this summer with your local public health department
Sign up or stop by for one our clinics this summer to make sure you’re caught up before school starts ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Health & Community Services (HCS) is making it easier for families to get their children up to date on required
Town to have potential quorum for America 250 special events
||| FROM JENNIFER KREMBS for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Town Council will potentially have a quorum for America 250 Special Events taking place on July 2, 2026. Council will participate in America 250 Day of Service activities before the regular business meeting. Activities
Donations needed for Olga Daze yard sale
||| FROM SUSAN GORDON for OLGA DAZE ||| Olga Daze returns on Saturday, July 18th and in addition to the fun and games, the tradition of the Island’s biggest and best yard sale continues. The nonprofit Olga Community Club would be most grateful for your donations. The funds raised through
CWR encounter #43-2 • Js and Ls
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 06:47 PM ObservEnd: 08:50 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Rachel John, Taylor Redmond Pods: Southern Residents IDsEncountered: J16, J19, J22, J26, J31, J36, J37, J38, J39, J40, J41, J42, J44, J45, J46, J47,
Center for Whale Research shares a full day with Js and Ls
||| FROM THE CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 02:48 PM ObservEnd: 05:07 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson, Joe Zelwietro Pods: J, L IDsEncountered: All Js All Ls less L54s and L12s LocationDescr: Becher Bay - Victoria's waterfront EncSummary: Mark and Joe departed Victoria mid-afternoon,
