Here’s a thought…
“Nothing limits intelligence more than ignorance; nothing fosters ignorance more than one’s own opinions; nothing strengthens opinions more than refusing to look at reality.”
SHERI S. TEPPER
Fall food gardening on Orcas
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Welcome to another flavorful smoothie! You'll hear not only from the presidents but also other leaders within the club. They'll share their personal stories, values, perspectives or updates. We don't know what to expect but like a smoothie, these messages will be a
News Brief | One-quarter of data centers are located in water-stressed areas, study shows
||| FROM SCIENCE ALERT ||| Data centers need water to stay cool and functional, and lots of it: The larger facilities can consume as much water a day as a town of 50,000 people, and because much of the cooling involves evaporation, freshwater is often preferred. That raises serious questions
Trump wanted the power to make arrests without providing a reason
The Trump White House seriously studied how to "cancel" habeas corpus, your right to know why the government has arrested you ||| FROM DEFIANCE.ORG ||| Last year, the White House considered a proposal that could’ve enabled the president to arrest anyone, without a stated reason. A bombshell report from two
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman brings leadership and a voice for our future
||| FROM LAUREN BIGELOW ||| I wholeheartedly endorse Katherine Bryant Ingman. She brings the lived experience, leadership, and commitment needed to help guide our county through the important issues we face. She represents a generation whose voices and futures are vulnerable in our island communities, yet whose presence is essential to
November highlights from Orcas Senior Center
||| 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
2026 Winter Flea & Craft Market returns December 5th & 6th
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Each year the San Juan County Fairgrounds hosts the Winter Flea & Craft Market in the Main Exhibit Hall. Local vendors showcase a variety of handmade gifts and unique second-hand items for sale making this the perfect event to find gifts for all
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman has what it takes
||| FROM SARAH REEVES & CARL PETTERSON ||| Katherine Bryant Ingman is the right person to represent District 3. She's qualified and experienced at leading this community through unprecedented challenges. She knows what it takes to advocate effectively at local and state levels, and most importantly, she's lived the issues.
Letter to Editor | Swanson is professional, organized, honest
||| FROM TERRI GUDGELL MASON ||| 92 percent of the people in Jennifer Swanson's community voted for her for San Juan County Council in the primary elections. That's how much she is loved, honored and appreciated by her neighbors. Jennifer also won 20 out of 23 precincts in the primaries,
Key Club fundraiser was a big hit; Turkey Trot coming up
||| FROM MAURICE AUSTIN for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| Thanks to each and every islander (and visitor) who supported Key Club in our bake sale last month. We successfully raised funds for The Peach Pit, and gratitude is due to volunteers as well as community members. Key Club currently
Letter to Editor | Excited to support Jennifer Swanson
||| FROM BILL WATSON ||| I'm excited to support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council Position 3. When I read the following excerpt from Jennifer herself, my decision became very clear. From Jennifer: "The reason I am running goes back much further than this campaign. For as long as
Letter to Editor | My endorsement for Ron Krebs for Sheriff
||| FROM DAVID ALEXANDER, WASHINGTON STATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING COMMISSION ||| I am writing to publicly and wholeheartedly support Ron Krebs for San Juan County Sheriff. I had the privilege of working for Ron during his tenure as Sheriff, and I witnessed firsthand the leadership, professionalism, and integrity he brought
Letter to Editor | Why I’m voting for Katherine Bryant Ingman
||| FROM ELIZABETH SUDEN ||| Join me in voting for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council. Katherine is a leader who listens & collaborates to find solutions that work for the wellbeing of the community. Please join me & vote Katherine Bryant Ingman for Council position #3.
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council
||| FROM BRETON CARTER ||| Katherine is a thoughtful and intentional leader who is truly dedicated to serving our island communities. Whether volunteering as a high school track coach or leading the Catherine Washburn Medical Association when the Lopez Clinic sought a new provider, she brings professionalism and a deep
Update on Orcas School drinking water
||| FROM ORCAS SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATIONS TEAM ||| Improvements Continue Our commitment to improving school drinking water continues through our partnership with the Washington State Department of Health. Fixtures replaced The district replaced fixtures identified for corrective action. Follow-up testing has returned those meeting the state's lead-testing threshold to normal service. Filtration
Sheriff’s Guild endorses Ron Krebs for election as Sheriff
||| FROM ISAAC NORTON for SJC DEPUTY SHERIFF'S GUILD ||| We, the Members of the San Juan County Deputy Sheriff’s Guild, by majority vote endorse Ron Krebs for election as Sheriff. The Sheriff’s Office is at critically low staffing levels and being the only 24/7 department in San Juan County
Assessor’s Office presents a ‘Levy Transparency Tool’
Estimate property tax amounts for levies on the 2026 November 3 ballot ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Assessor’s Office created a “Levy Transparency Tool” to help voters understand how levy propositions affect taxes. The tool includes summaries of levy propositions on the upcoming ballot and a comparison
