Here’s a thought…
“When the last tree is cut, the last fish is caught, and the last river is polluted; when to breathe the air is sickening, you will realize, too late, that wealth is not in bank accounts and that you can’t eat money.”
ALANIS OBOMSAWIN
Letter to Editor | Jay and Trudi Inslee and former leaders endorse Katherine
||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL ||| Former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee and former First Lady Trudi Inslee have endorsed me for San Juan County Council, District 3. I am proud that the members of AFSCME Local 1849, the union representing San Juan County employees,
Letter to Editor | My vote is for Katherine
||| FROM JANE FULLER ||| On November 3, you will vote for a councilmember to fill the District 3 seat I am vacating this year. We are fortunate to have two capable candidates, and I have worked with both. Jennifer Swanson and I served on the Ferry Advisory Committee (’23,
Calling all community members: Neighbor to neighbor shelter needs you
||| FROM ALICIA WIGFIELD for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| The Neighbor to Neighbor Shelter is preparing for another winter season, and we need our community's help! We are looking for caring individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors by helping provide a warm,
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue bonds available to local investors
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2), San Juan County, Washington (the “District”) is in the process of issuing phase 1 of voter approved Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds (the “Bonds”) to provide $14,000,000 to construct, acquire, equip, renovate
Looking to camp in the San Juans as a resident?
A special benefit for San Juan County residents only, these reservations are available starting January 6, 2027 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Resident camping reservation program will continue to be offered online in 2027 and will open in early January. On Wednesday, January 6,
Land Bank October 2026 meeting and agenda
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY CONSERVATION LAND BANK COMMISSION ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting October 16. The meeting is scheduled from 8:45am – 11:10am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the Mullis Community Senior Center, located
Orcas Center holding auditions for The Lightning Thief
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center will hold open auditions Nov. 4 and 5 for its spring production of The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Auditions are free and open to teens ages 12 and up and adults. The show is directed by Katie Zwilling,
Write in Jeff Asher for Sheriff
||| FROM JEFF ASHER, CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY SHERIFF ||| Wow! I am truly taken aback by the outpouring of support encouraging me to run for Sheriff. Thank you all for the calls and texts requesting my participation in the upcoming Sheriff's election. When I was first asked to consider this
No jurors needed for October 19-23
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: OCTOBER 19-23, 2026 All jurors summonsed for Jury Duty beginning October 19th, are excused. Thank you.
Advance care planning workshop at Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Your voice, your choice — but only if you speak up now. Join Orcas Senior Center for a free Advance Care Planning Workshop, presented by Hospice of the Northwest, on Wednesday, November 4 at 1 p.m. Life is unpredictable. Advance care
San Juan County receives $660k public safety grant
The grant program, administered by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, was introduced into state law in 2025 as part of an effort to increase public safety funding across the state ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County has received a $660,000 grant from the Washington
Construction begins on Eastsound public float ahead of 2027 re-opening
Crews expect to finish the in‑water work—including pilings and anchorage—and return the dock to its pre‑closure condition before year’s end ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Repairs to the pilings at the public dock in Eastsound are expected to begin in November. This much-anticipated project will address key maintenance
NEWS BRIEF | Hostile Waters: Orcas in peril
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| The Seattle Times will continue to explore and expose the plight of the southern resident killer whales, among the most-enduring symbols of our region. We’ll examine the role we have played in their decline, what we can do about it and why it matters.
There’s always something happening at the Exchange
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING/THE EXCHANGE ||| Let’s Shred! The Exchange has partnered with Bellingham-based A-1 Shredding to offer secure document destruction. Customers can drop off documents in secure, locked bins located at The Exchange. A-1 Shredding will periodically bring its mobile shredding truck to Orcas Island to destroy the collected
Letter to Editor | I strongly support Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council District 3
||| FROM AMANDA SPARKS ||| I am pleased to share my strong support for Katherine Bryant Ingman. I worked closely with Katherine during the pandemic as we strengthened hunger relief systems across San Juan County. Throughout that challenging time, I witnessed her ability to balance immediate needs with long-term solutions.
Can you spell F-U-N? The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Calling all word nerds, spelling enthusiasts, and brave souls willing to face the dictionary! The 4th Annual Orcas Island Adult Spelling Bee returns on Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m. at the Orcas Center, promising an evening of friendly competition, community
