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
Midnight Mutterings | Crafting a life (at 72)
Muttered years ago ||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I might have started earlier but I have not been one for goals, rather preferring to see what unfolds, then massaging it into something I
Sheriff’s Report | January 14 – 20, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14 26-000265 Welfare Check 08:54:53 01/14/26 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a welfare check near the downtown Eastsound area. The Deputy learned that the
Larsen joins entire WA delegation in supporting governor’s request for major disaster declaration to unlock individual assistance for WA flooding victims
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for a
Conor Anderson announces OPALCO candidacy
||| FROM CONOR ANDERSON ||| Conor Anderson Conor Anderson (see candidate bio below) is running for OPALCO’s open District 2 Board seat, and he has scheduled time to hear Coop Members’ concerns and
WSF Weekly Report | Seahawks flag to fly; Wenatchee pulled from service
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve This week, a second large ferry had to be removed from service, leaving us with just 15 boats when we need 17
Assessor’s Office supports HB 1004 to reduce small business tax burden, urges local participation
House Bill 1004 proposes raising the threshold for paying personal property tax on business assets, which will reduce paperwork, save time and money, and allow businesses to focus on what matters most: serving our community.
Here’s your opportunity to take State Basic Boater course
||| FROM U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY ||| The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Bellingham and San Juan Islands Flotilla offers boaters four opportunities to take an online, Washington State Basic Boater Education Course. The course is
Marking the 53rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Today marks the 53rd anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. In 1973, the Supreme Court established the legal right to
Louis XIV to visit Orcas Island on January 26
||| FROM JEFFREY COHEN for SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| Louis XIV joins us on Monday, January 26 at at 5:00 PM as we journey to a musical soirée in 1713, designed to conjure
Port Commission meeting scheduled
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, January 26th at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport
Feeling a ‘holiday debt hangover?’ Start the year with a clean slate
||| FROM RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The holidays are a wonderful time for connection and celebration, but they can often leave us with a financial hangover once the decorations come down. If you're feeling
No jurors needed January 26-30
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JANUARY 26-30, 2026 For the jury term beginning Monday, January 26 through Friday January 30th, 2026 all jurors are excused. Thank you!
Larsen releases statement on Trump’s announcement of Greenland framework
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after Presidents Trump announced a “framework of a future deal” on Greenland with NATO
Free tooth extraction clinic coming up
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF DR. TRIPLETT ||| Dr. Triplett’s dental office at 445 Madrona Street in Eastsound has reserved Wednesday February 4 for free tooth extractions for our Orcas, Shaw, and Waldron residents in
Free virtual book launch event for ‘The Evolution of Cetacean Societies’
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| We’re excited to invite you to a FREE virtual event for the book launch of The Evolution of Cetacean Societies: Uncovering the Social Complexity of Whales and Dolphins.
County discusses upcoming road maintenance on Shaw Island
The County plans to undertake standard road maintenance throughout the spring of 2026, including clearing ditches, cleaning and replacing culverts, and managing roadside vegetation. This will set the stage for chip sealing Shaw roads in