Here’s a thought…
“Donald Trump’s name appears in the Epstein files more than Jesus Christ’s name appears in the Bible.”
JACK COCCHIARELLA
Trump administration set to revoke basis of US climate regulation
||| FROM REUTERS ||| The administration of President Donald Trump on Thursday plans to announce the repeal of a scientific finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health, removing the legal basis for federal climate regulations. Its repeal would remove the regulatory requirements to measure, report, certify, and comply with
WSF card payment fee begins March 1
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Starting Sunday, March 1, 2026, a card payment fee of 3% will be applied to all card transactions. Fares, no-show fees, and carpool and vanpool permits will be subject to the 3% fee. This fee was directed by the Washington State Legislature (RCW 47.60.860) to help
Larsen fights to fund FEMA, U.S. Coast Guard, TSA and hold ICE accountable
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after cosponsoring legislation to fully fund the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and every other agency under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) except Immigration and
Orcas Island Artworks Gallery is reopening
||| FROM B.J ARNOLD for ORCAS ISLAND ARTWORKS ||| Orcas Island Artworks is pleased to announce the reopening of its gallery on February 12, following a brief closure for cleaning and updates. The gallery will be open to the public from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The refreshed space marks
Letter to Editor | Did OPALCO think we wouldn’t read the report?
||| FROM DAWNI CUNNINGTON ||| OPALCO is currently attempting to overturn recorded deed restrictions that were already in place when it purchased the Decatur Island property. OPALCO used our money to purchase a 20-acre parcel without even a feasibility period. At the time of purchase, the property was already encumbered
Letter to Editor | New issue before Council: Post-purchase revision of recorded protective covenants
||| FROM DAWNI CUNNINGTON ||| There is an old saying: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. In 2018, OPALCO secured approval for its Decatur solar installation under a Provisional Permit when a Conditional Use Permit should have been required. That procedural path avoided the
Oh, Canada! Larsen leads charge to end Canada tariffs, lower costs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after voting to terminate President Trump’s abuse of “emergency” authorities to impose sweeping tariffs on U.S. imports from Canada. The resolution passed the House 219-211 with bipartisan support: “The people I represent need immediate relief from President Trump’s stupid tariffs and high prices. That is why I helped
Queer Valentine Day Dance is today
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND PRIDE |||
Orcas Christian School students give back during Community Service Day
||| FROM LILIANNA STANFORD for ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| On Jan. 23, 2026, Orcas Christian School students participated in a campuswide “Service Day,”dedicating their time to community improvement projects across Eastsound. Kindergarten through second-grade students worked at Buck Park, where they assisted the youth soccer program by inflating deflated soccer
Building the Team | San Juan County welcomes a new public defender
Garth McCardle stepped into the role the first week of February ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is pleased to welcome a new Public Defender, Garth McCardle, to the team. McCardle stepped into the role the first week of February. Public Defender Garth McCardle is the
Guest Opinion | A thousand days of chaos
||| FROM TOM OWENS ||| The Members, Board of Directors, and Staff of the Eastsound Water Users Association have endured a thousand days of chaos. The origins of this chaos are well-documented in our island publications and need not be revisited. However, the ongoing consequences of the chaos must be
Library friends seeks volunteers and board growth
||| FROM MICHAEL ARMENIA for FRIENDS OF ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Friends of the Orcas Island Library is having a meet and greet this Friday, 12-2 PM in the Library’s Community Meeting Room. Did you know this is the 70th Anniversary of the Orcas Island Library Fair? We think
SJC seeks pro & con committee members for Voter’s Guide levy lid lift statements
If interested in serving on one of the committees, please contact the County before February 19, 2026 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is seeking volunteers to write supporting and opposing statements regarding the proposed regular property tax levy lid lift, which will be placed on
Jurors excused for February 17 – 20
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: FEBRUARY 17-20, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the jury term beginning Tuesday, February 17th through Friday, February 20th, 2026, are excused. Thank you!
News Brief | ICE begins buying ‘mega’ warehouse detention centers across US
||| FROM BLOOMBERG NEWS ||| Despite protests in small towns and cities across the US, the Trump administration is pushing ahead with the purchase of warehouses it plans to convert into immigration jails in what could be the largest expansion of such detention capacity in US history. The cost for
Letter to Editor | Awash in water bills
||| FROM MICHAEL RIORDAN ||| Is anyone else aghast at their January water bills? Ours came in at just over $100, despite using a piddling (puddling?) 2927 gallons — less than 100 gallons per day for just two people, or 3.4 cents per gallon. That included a whopping base rate
