Here’s a thought…
“We are not an endangered species ourselves yet, but this is not for lack of trying.”
DOUGLAS ADAMS
Ferry Alert | High winds expected to impact service through Wednesday night
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| All ferry passengers should be prepared for possible service disruptions starting this afternoon through late Wednesday night due to high winds. Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes: With stronger winds in the north, we expect these routes to be most impacted by severe
Kwiaht: Preparing for the next avian flu outbreak
||| FROM RUSSEL BARSH for KWIAHT ||| The San Juan Islands experienced an outbreak of highly-pathogenic avian flu (H5N1) from mid-November to mid-January. It probably began in lower San Juan Channel, between Cape San Juan and Davis Head, most likely introduced by southward-migrating Cackling Geese. The geese shared it with
Rock Island Communications reaches nearly 7,000 subscribers and secures $16.5 Million grant for broadband expansion
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for OPALCO ||| Rock Island Communications (RIC), OPALCO’s locally owned internet subsidiary, is celebrating a decade of remarkable growth. Rock Island now has almost 7,000 subscribers across San Juan County. Now the company is gearing up for its next major expansion with a $16.5 million Broadband
March Turtleback march returns
Celebrate the Equinox and 20 years of conservation hiking up and over Turtleback Mountain ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Turtleback Mountain Preserve turns 20 this year and we're celebrating with an “Up and Over” hike! Join staff for a walk, north to south, and learn about recent and
As Alaskan Chinook crisis deepens, Federal Court imposes deadline on overdue endangered species act decision
||| FROM EMMA HELVERSON for WILD FISH CONSERVANCY ||| Today we’re sharing an update on Wild Fish Conservancy’s effort to secure a timely federal decision on the status of Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon under the Endangered Species Act. After NOAA Fisheries missed its statutory deadline, a federal court has
Wind advisory in effect Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Seattle WA 216 PM PDT Tue Mar 10 2026 San Juan County-Foothills and Valleys of the North Cascades- Foothills and Valleys of Snohomish and Northern King Counties- Foothills and Valleys of Central King County-Foothills and Valleys of
America has been rejecting Kings since 1776 | Join us
||| FROM INDIVISIBLE SAN JUAN ISLANDS ||| Indivisible San Juan Islands (ISJI) participates in the third NO KINGS national protest. **We, the people, have the power and are claiming it together. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.** America has been rejecting Kings since 1776! What began in 2025 as a
Urgent need for advocates for long-term care residents in NW Washington counties
||| FROM KRISTIN HYDE for LONG TERM CARE OMBUDS ||| An estimated 4,000 Washingtonians live in 103 long-term care homes in Northwest Washington, including nursing homes, assisted living and adult family homes. Many residents don’t have frequent visits from family or friends who can ensure their rights are respected and
Public Meeting | Limited deer hunting considered for two Orcas Island preserves
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The public is invited to join the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank (Land Bank), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and representatives of area treaty tribes on March 23, 2026, to learn about a collaborative proposal for allowing limited opportunities
Resource Center offers free credit education workshop
||| FROM MEGAN METCALF for ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center is hosting a free financial literacy workshop, "Raise Your Score," on Tuesday, March 17th at 5:30pm at the Orcas Library. The seminar is designed to help community members understand and improve their credit scores. Credit
The Whale Museum announces new virtual art class
||| FROM CONOR AGNEW for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum is hosting a new, virtual art class on Saturday, April 4th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The class, “Drawing Inspiration From the Salish Sea”, centers on nature journaling. Through expertly guided exercises, participants will practice noticing patterns,
Orcas Island Market named 2026 IGA USA Centennial Retailer of the Year
||| FROM JESSICA VICIAN for IGA ||| Orcas Island Market has been named a 2026 IGA USA Centennial Retailer of the Year, an honor recognizing independent grocery retailers who demonstrate excellence in operations, innovation, employee development, and community leadership. Presented by the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA), the Retailer of the Year award recognizes independently owned
A message from Council Member Fuller | ‘An honor and a privilege’
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| "After much deliberation I have decided I will not be seeking re-election this year," writes Councilmember Fuller. "In the meantime, I will continue working in service to the residents of the County through December as has been my privilege throughout." To my San
Guest Opinion | Four long-term EWUA employees have left in six months
||| FROM CORY HARRINGTON ||| EWUA Turnover: 13 Staff and 6 Board Members gone since 2021 13 staff members have left Eastsound Water Users Association (EWUA) 7 resigned 5 terminated 1 retired 6 board members have left the EWUA Board of Directors prior to the end of their term 1
OPALCO candidates announced
Vote in OPALCO's election! Voters eligible to win prizes. ||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| The 2026 OPALCO election opens March 18th! To allow members to meet each candidate and hear about their vision for the co-op, OPALCO will be hosting two virtual candidate forums
No Place Like Loam | The myth of pruning
What abandoned orchards reveal about fruit trees, pruning, and the advice we repeat without questioning ||| NO PLACE LIKE LOAM by ALEX TAMAYO WOLF ||| The Argument Made Palatable A century ago our island wasn't the quiet pastoral place people imagine when they step off the ferry. It was working
