Here’s a thought…
“The belief in the possibility of a short decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of human illusions.”
ROBERT LYND
County awards $384,000 in cultural access funding to local non-profit arts & culture organizations
This year, funding was awarded to 19 entities to finance public facilities serving economic development purposes ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| This week, the County Council approved a series of Cultural Access funding awards to local Impact Grant applicants. Funded by local sales tax, this program allows for local
Orcas Senior Center | May highlights
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Orcas Senior Center offers a variety of ongoing classes, social groups, wellness activities, and creative programs throughout the month. All programs are open to everyone, regardless of age, and new participants are always welcome. A full calendar with dates and times
Community engagement continues for Odlin County Park facility upgrades
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Parks, Recreation, & Fair Department is seeking to construct a new facility to serve as a visitor contact station, maintenance facility, and office for park rangers on Lopez Island at Odlin County Park. The community is invited to provide
Port Commissioners schedule regular meeting
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS COMMISSIONERS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, April 27th at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.
Community dinner to bring food, music, connection
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| The community is invited to gather for a warm and welcoming evening at a community dinner on Thursday, April 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Orcas Christian School, 107 Enchanted Forest Road. Guests will enjoy a Mexican-inspired meal featuring enchiladas, offering an opportunity
Jennifer Krembs honored as Trailblazer Award recipient by Washington Municipal Clerks Association
||| FROM TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| The Washington Municipal Clerks Association (WMCA) proudly announces that Jennifer Krembs, Town Clerk for the Town of Friday Harbor, has been named the recipient of a 2026 WMCA Trailblazer Award. This award recognizes a member in the first four years of their career,
Be ‘Plastic Free in the Salish Sea’ this boating season
A FREE boat shrink wrap recycling program kicks off this summer in the San Juans ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Department of Environmental Stewardship and Plastic Free Salish Sea are piloting a recycling program to make it easy for people to recycle the plastic
Come meet the new pastor of OICC
||| FROM ALICIA WIGFIELD for ORCAS COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| We are truly delighted to welcome Pastor Scott Harris and his wife, Sandi, to our church family. Scott and Sandi come to us with full hearts and a deep love for the Pacific Northwest, a place that already holds special meaning
Letter to Editor | OPALCO the elephant in the room
||| FROM RIKKI SWAN ||| OPALCO (YOU) purchased 2 million dollars worth of solar panels for the Bailer Hill microgrid. Those panels? Still sitting outside the Friday Harbor office under tarps, gathering moss and questions. Over 5,200–5,700 panels, depending on who's counting. OPALCO didn't nail the due diligence on Bailer
Wildfire smoke still impacting local air quality, national report says
Skagit, Whatcom counties, Bellingham among cleanest areas for ozone ||| FROM NORTHWEST CLEAN AIR AGENCY ||| Harmful fine particles in wildfire smoke continue to show impacts on air quality in northwest Washington, according to the annual national “State of the Air” report. The American Lung Association’s 27th annual report includes
Council approves funding to 2026 senior & disabled rental subsidy program
The program provides funding to help extremely low-income seniors and people with disabilities keep their housing affordable ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During today’s April 21 Council meeting, the San Juan County Council voted to approve funding for all applicants to the 2026 Senior and Disabled Rental Subsidy Program, made
Decatur solar expansion project continues with modification to site plan
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| The OPALCO Board held a special board meeting on Tuesday, April 21 to discuss the Decatur Community Solar project and determine next steps. In a 5-2 vote, the OPALCO Board approved a motion to proceed with the project and
No jurors needed April 27 – May 1
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: APRIL 27 - MAY 1, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday April 27th through Friday May 1st, 2026, are excused. Thank you.
Orcas Christian School presents May Day play celebrating spring and faith
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Orcas Christian School (OCS) is inviting the community to a special May Day celebration on May 1st at 5:30 PM. The event will feature a heartfelt student performance centered on the beauty and meaning of the spring season. According to Vice Principal Kami Griffin, The May
News Brief | WSF making changes to handle thousands of FIFA World Cup riders
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| Hundreds of thousands of soccer fans from around the world are headed to Seattle for the FIFA World Cup in June and July - and many of those visitors will want to ride our state’s iconic ferries. This new crush of riders will come on
GoFundMe account for family of West Beach fatal crash victim
|||FROM JEFF PLATT ||| Antonia Valenzuela's family is identifying her as the woman who died the other day in the fatal crash in West Beach on Orcas Island. Her family is now asking for help transporting Antonia's body to Mexico for burial. They are also asking for help covering family travel
