Here’s a thought…
“No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country.”
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE
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
Letter to Editor | Ingman is forward‑thinking, consensus‑building leader we need right now
||| FROM CLARK CUNDY ||| Katherine Bryant Ingman is a nonprofit leader with a decade of hands‑on community service on Lopez Island, running for County Council District 3 to deliver collaborative solutions on housing, transportation, and healthcare: Future‑Focused, Funding‑Savvy, Consensus‑Driven San Juan County is ready for a new type of
Larsen demands answers on oil spill preparedness
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sent a letter to Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, to insist that the Coast Guard review and update
Letter to Editor | Ingman has vision, leadership skills
||| FROM CINDY WOLF ||| Katherine Bryant Ingman has the vision, strength of leadership and proven negotiating skills to take care of business for the people of San Juan County. She has a way of letting you know she is listening and clearly would rather put effort into finding a
Steps looking for provider to serve, support SJ families
Steps supports children & families on Orcas, and we’re looking for the right person to join us ||| FROM HEATHER TENORE for STEPS ||| For more than 40 years, Steps has partnered with families to meet the developmental needs of young children on Whidbey Island. We began serving families in
Letter to Editor | Why we support Katherine Bryant Ingman for Council
||| FROM LOVEL and BOYD PRATT ||| We heartily endorse Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council District 3. Katherine has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to our island communities through her work in healthcare, food security, ferry advocacy, and countless volunteer efforts. She is an exceptional listener who brings
Coming Up | Celebrating 70 Years of Library Fair
||| FROM INGRID MATTSON for ORCAS LIBRARY FAIR ||| This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Library Fair & Book Sale! Friends of Orcas Island Library (FOIL) work diligently all year to accept, sort, and box thousands of donated books dropped off by islanders over the year. If you
Orcas Artist Studio Tour opens July 3
||| FROM MARJORIE TAYLOR for ORCAS VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE ||| The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center and the Orcas Artist Studio Tour are excited to present the Studio Tour Art Opening on Friday, July 31st, from 5:30-7 p.m. Join us in the Madrona Room and Orcas Center Lobby to
