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
Letter to Editor | Renewable energy done right
Powering our future without sacrificing our lands ||| FROM EVA SCHULTE for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| The Town of Friday Harbor approved an important proposal from the Port of Friday Harbor last week
In Memoriam | David Schmillen, 1947-2025
||| FROM INGRID MATTSON ||| David Schmillen, born September 14, 1947, passed away December 29, 2025. He was a member of our Orcas Island community beginning in the early 1970s and was always a character,
As the Paradigm Shifts | There’s a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
||| AS THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE KUHN ||| I don’t know about you, but there’s a whole lot of shaking going on inside me. Sure, the world around us is quaking with change —
Sheriff’s Report | January 21 – 27, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 26-000405 Attempted Suicide 07:39:54 01/21/26 An Orcas Island Deputy and Orcas Island Fire and Rescue responded to a mental health crisis. The subject of
Letter to Editor | Make your voice heard
||| FROM SHARON NELSON ||| I’m a resident of Orcas Island, and like you, I’ve watched as ICE and CBP have terrorized communities and ripped immigrant families apart targeting the most vulnerable rather than those
Reminder | SJC Master Gardeners native plant sale still open for online orders
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ||| The San Juan County Master Gardeners remind island residents that the 2026 Native Plant Sale is in full swing, with online ordering open now through March 9,
WSF Weekly Report |
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Our engine crews and vessel maintenance employees did outstanding work last weekend. Our three largest boats were sidelined for unexpected mechanical issues.
SJC Monthly News Digest – January 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Council Reviews Major Initiatives and Priorities for 2026 at Two-Day Retreat This January, the San Juan County Council completed a two-day retreat where they reviewed significant projects from
Shut it down! Friday, January 30
No work, no school, and no shopping ||| FROM WOMENS COALITION ||| This Friday, January 30, activists and communities across the United States are calling for a National Shutdown — a day of no work,
Community celebrates Pea Patch ground turning
Rep. Debra Lekanoff shares her support and belief in the project ||| FROM SUZANNE OLSON for PEA PATCH COMMUNITY CAMPUS ||| The sun was bright and the Orcas Island community came out in droves to
Larsen supports impeaching Secretary Kristi Noem
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| EVERETT, WA – Today, Representative Rick Larsen released the following statement: “On Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s watch, federal agents killed Renee Good and
Letter to Editor | OPALCO bill too high? Here’s why…
||| FROM RIKKI SWIN ||| As a concerned OPALCO member, I am writing to highlight factors contributing to our high electricity rates and to encourage open discussion. These issues affect all members, and constructive dialogue
Orcas Community Resource Center closes on building purchase, strengthening our future on Orcas
||| SUBMITTED BY ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| After eight years of calling 374 North Beach Road home, we are thrilled to share that on January 29, 2026, the Orcas Community Resource Center closed on
San Juan County Sheriff’s Office statement | Two bills affecting voters and sheriffs
San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter releases a statement about two current bills being reviewed by the Washington State legislature. ||| FROM ERIC PETER, SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF ||| San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter
Upcoming jury terms are excused
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: FEBRUARY 2-13, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the jury term beginning Monday, February 2nd through Friday, February 13th, 2026 are excused. If you were summonsed
It’s time for ticks | A message from Kwiaht
||| FROM RUSSEL BARSH for KWIAHT ||| Tick season is here! In the San Juan Islands, ticks go “questing” for new hosts from January through June, usually peaking in March and April. While ticks are
