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
Larsen condemns Trump administration demolishing key climate regulations
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “Protecting Washington state's environment is a top priority of mine. The Trump administration’s decision to ignore established science about climate change is reckless, stupid and dangerous,” said Rep.
Spring already?
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| When the world feels loud, it can be hard to quiet the noise around us, be present in the current moment, and refocus on what’s important in the long term. To be clear, sometimes noise is necessary. Like when the
The Exchange Update | February 2026
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING (THE EXCHANGE) Change to Lightbulb Recycling Program Because of recent changes to a state-funded program, as of March 1, 2026 we will begin charging the public to recycle light bulbs. Tubes of any length will be $2.00, and CFL bulbs will cost $1.00. We will also
FHFF best explorers & adventures film, Girl Climber, screens free
||| FROM FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Best of the Fest Series continues with another powerful, audience-selected documentary, Girl Climber, that will be shown Friday, February 20 at 7 PM at the San Juan Island Library and Saturday, February 21 at 7 PM at the Lopez Island
Now Available for Comment | First draft of Critical Areas Ordinance regulations update
The County's goal is to adopt an updated CAO by May of 2026 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is updating its critical areas protections, also referred to as the Critical Areas Ordinance or CAO, and the public is invited to comment on the first draft.
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.
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
