Here’s a thought…
“Don’t ask me who’s influenced me. A lion is made up of the lambs he’s digested, and I’ve been reading all my life.”
GIORGOS SEFERIS
Orcas Library, students explore banned books
||| FROM ANGIE REED for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Orcas Island Library was fortunate to receive a grant from Brooklyn’s Books Unbanned group this spring, and we’ve been thrilled to put it to work
Letter to Editor | Every penny counts
||| FROM BILL APPEL ||| ESHB2442 passed by the 2026 Legislature provides that [quoting from the legislature’s final report] “Beginning January 1, 2027, the legislative authority of a county or city may impose a new
County Council passes 2027 budget, plans for additional budget work leading into 2028-2029
With the 2027 budget now set, Council must shift its focus to the 2028-2029 budget, which presents many of the same fiscal challenges seen in the last few years due mainly to stagnated revenues, increased
Announcing 6th Annual Island Market / Funhouse Commons gingerbread house contest
||| FROM SARAH DAVIS for FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| Get ready for the 6th Annual Gingerbread House Contest sponsored by the Funhouse Commons & Island Market , a holiday Gingerbread House Contest for ALL AGES with
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson has our wholehearted support for Council position
||| FROM ALICE AND PETER NELSEN ||| We are writing to offer our wholehearted support for Jennifer Swanson for County Council. We’ve known Jennifer since she and her husband Chad moved to Shaw Island in
Letter to Editor | Endorsement for Katherine Bryant Ingman, County Council, District 3
||| FROM TOM COWAN ||| I was talking with a friend from San Juan Island and asked what he would think about someone from Stuart Island as the San Juan Island representative on the County
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson is a proven leader
||| FROM JIM AND KATE SCHUMAN ||| We’ve known Jennifer Swanson for over 20 years and worked with her on numerous community events on Shaw. She’s empathetic, smart, and seemingly tireless. On issues that impact
Letter to Editor | We need Jennifer Swanson’s calm and even temperament for County Council
||| FROM GIGI BERARDI ||| I write to highlight the profound actions SJC Council candidate longtime-islander Jennifer Swanson’s taken in our community, which are easily applied to the larger islands. Most notably, she has served
Enter OPALCO’s co-op member photo contest or grand prize giveaway
October is National Co-op Month ||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| Every year in October, cooperatives around the nation celebrate National Cooperative Month. OPALCO, San Juan County’s local not-for-profit cooperative
Katherine Bryant Ingman on ferries & transportation
||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL ||| Transportation is essential to daily life in San Juan County. Ferry service remains our most critical link, but residents also rely on roads, transit,
Washington lawmakers, colleagues demand transparency after U.S. Forest Service coordinates with ICE on public lands
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D, WA-08), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Jared Huffman (D, CA-02),
Governor Ferguson statement on disruptions in Washington State Ferries service
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BOB FERGUSON ||| OLYMPIA — Governor Bob Ferguson offered the following statement regarding disruptions today in Washington State Ferries service: “As a regular rider on our state ferries, I know
Islands’ Oil Spill Association utilizes eyes in the sky
||| FROM BILL SYMES and ELAINA THOMPSON || Wednesday morning, September 16, was glorious in Deer Harbor: bright sunshine glinting on the water, color from early-turning leaves, light breeze out of the north, pleasant temperatures.
WSF experiencing lack of crew affecting San Juan routes
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| For Monday, October 5, Vessel #1 Chelan and #2 Yakima will be out of service due to the lack of crew. The #3 Samish will sail all-stops from Anacortes
Guest Opinion | Open letter to County Council
Beheading the Department of Environmental Stewardship ||| FROM CINDY WOLF ||| In the State of Washington, responsibility falls on the local and Tribal governments to execute Salmon habitat conservation and restoration projects, which is a
Burn permits now local on Orcas Island
||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (OIFR) will begin issuing burn permits for Orcas Island. Permits will be available starting October 12, 2026, if weather
