Here’s a thought…
“Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some, and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.”
ROBERT FULGHUM
Building community and connection
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| On Wednesday evening, as the sun set over Turtleback and the full moon rose over Mount Constitution, dozens of community members gathered in support of the Pea Patch Community Campus. We shared stories and cheese served atop a canoe, sang
Larsen seeks answers at Ferndale ICE facility
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “The President’s cruel immigration agenda has angered many of my constituents and struck fear in families around the region. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has been at the top
Voters urged to use ballot drop boxes as mail postmark delays put ballots at risk
||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN CAMPAIGN FOR SJC COUNCIL ||| With the August 4th primary just days away, Katherine Bryant Ingman's campaign is urging San Juan County voters who haven't yet returned their ballots to use an official ballot drop box rather than the mail. Recent changes in how USPS processes mail
Council to resume 2027 budget and organization discussions at August 3 meeting
Council will continue its 2027 budget discussions while focusing on potential revenue options and organizational restructuring to help erase a $4 million budget gap. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is preparing for one of its toughest budget years in recent memory. Rising costs, capped property
OPALCO hosts leadership chats
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| In July the OPALCO leadership team hosted an open house with co-op members. About 20 islanders gathered with some of the OPALCO board and leadership team to discuss a wide variety of topics. Members had thoughtful comments on OPALCO
WSF Weekly Report | Recovering from busy weekend; Navy band on board; paddleboarder rescue
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve You may have noticed an increase in crew-related sailing cancellations over the past few weeks after a relatively long period of improved stability. I know how frustrating these disruptions can be, especially during the busy summer travel
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
News Brief | What goes into whale watching and what could put it at risk
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| Every time a tour boat, ferry or any of the other Pacific Whale Watch Association (PWWA) members see a whale, they log it. Boats will put up a special flag, to let others know that there is a whale nearby, as the state has strict
Larsen introduces bill to study prison libraries
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Representative Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) introduced the Read for Reentry Act, legislation that would authorize a study into state and federal prison libraries in the United States to better understand and further the
A letter from San Juan County Council to community regarding recent hate speech
Council issues letter condemning hate and discrimination in response to the recent tagging of a local LGBTQ+ pride display ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| This past June, during Pride month, which was acknowledged by the county council through Proclamation, unknown individuals painted over a local LGBTQ+ Pride display.
JP & OK Rhythm Boys to support Grange in forthcoming concert
||| FROM ANITA ORNE for JP AND THE OK RHYTHM BOYS ||| On Friday, August 7, you can enjoy great tunes while helping out a great island institution! JP and the OK Rhythm Boys will be playing at the Orcas Island Grange at 7pm that evening and all profits will
Orcas Senior Center renovation update
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Orcas Senior Center continues to make steady progress on its building renovation following last year's acquisition of San Juan County's 49% ownership share. The Center has fully expanded into the north wing, adding a Wellness Room for foot care and other
August 3-7, 2026 | No jurors required
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: AUGUST 3-7, 2026 Jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday August 3rd through Friday August 7th, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
CWR | First encounter of the 2026 outer coast research trip
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:38 AM ObservEnd: 01:01 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Taylor Redmond Pods: J IDsEncountered: J16, J22, J26, J27, J37, J44, J47, J49, J53, and J59 LocationDescr: Clo-oose grounds EncSummary: The team left McKay
County Council will travel to Shaw Island for upcoming August 4 meeting
The meeting will be held at the Shaw Community Center ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Council will hold its regularly scheduled August 4 meeting on Shaw Island. The public is invited to join the three councilmembers and County staff at the meeting being held at
August 6 is Pollinator Day at Orcas Island Library
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Orcas Island Library will host Pollinator Day on Thursday, August 6, featuring Russel Barsh and biologists from Kwiáht. The free, all-ages program will include outdoor pollinator observations on the Library’s south lawn from noon to 3 p.m., with a presentation beginning at 1 p.m. Participants will
