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
Guest Opinion | Thoughts on these turbulent times…
||| FROM JANE FULLER, SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER ||| During these particularly challenging and sensitive times, I want to share my perspective on recent violent events across the country – the impacts of which
‘Tis the season for annual apple tasting, including fresh-pressed cider
||| FROM MICHELLE HASSEBROCK for ORCAS ISLAND. HISTORICAL MUSEUMS ||| Kwiaht will be joining the Museum on Saturday, October 4th from 12:30-2:30pm. Come and sample dozens of varieties of local apples, enjoy fresh-pressed cider (courtesy
Larsen fights to expand health care access, lower costs
Republicans’ proposed government funding bill will drive up health care costs for all ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) is fighting for
Fall sailing schedule in San Juan Islands starts Sept. 21 thru June 13, 2026
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| For the first time in over 20 years, the fall sailing schedule for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route will stay in place through winter and spring, providing additional service
Guest Opinion | Request by OPALCO for essential public facilities
||| FROM JOE SYMONS ||| I write to the SJC Planning Commission (PC) and if the email address so directs, to County Council (CC). I urge the PC to disallow OPALCO’s request for an EPF
OIFR Open House | Explore your community EMS, Fire & Rescue Team
Discover Volunteer Opportunities While Learning About Island Emergency Services ||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire & Rescue invites the community to Station 21 on Saturday, October 4th
Fall back together: Join the Great Islands Clean-Up on October 4
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| “I can’t think of a more rewarding way to spend a Saturday afternoon,” said Katie Johnson, San Juan County Marine Project Coordinator. She’s referring to the Great Islands
Interested in learning about the sheriff substation move on Lopez? Join us for a brown bag lunch
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Sheriff’s Office is planning to move the Lopez Island substation to a new site. This move is planned to bring in a new building to
County calls for bids for extraction of surplus gravel on Waldron; public bid begins Oct. 1
The County will also negotiate a Gravel Extraction Lease with the successful bidder for the purchase of the gravel ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is holding a bid opening for
Now Available | Best available science & GAP analysis for critical areas ordinance update
The County's goal is to adopt an updated CAO by March of 2026. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is updating its critical areas protections, also referred to as the Critical
Center for Whale Research | An update on J36
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| On September 12, 2025, researchers at CWR, along with our colleagues at SR3 and SeaDoc Society, documented 26-year-old female southern resident J36 carrying a dead female calf. Sadly,
Robust year ahead for Orcas Center
Role Out to preview 2025-26 season ||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Meet the staff of the Orcas Center, pictured above, during the Role Out. As the leaves turn and kids return
OCS students launch discount card fundraiser for Hawaii mission trip
||| FROM STAFF AT ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Orcas Christian School will serve others abroad this school year with a trip to Hawaii during spring break, and students are taking a unique approach to raising
2025 Orcas Island pickleball tournament results
$10,000 raised and winners all around ||| FROM SUZANNE OLSON for ROTARY PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT ||| In its eighth year at Buck Park, the Orcas Island Rotary Pickleball Tournament raised $10,000 for the Orcas community. Tournament
Letter to Editor | Waldron cats in need of home
||| FROM MILES BATTLES ||| I’m a high school volunteer at Orcas APS. There are seven cats up for adoption rescued from a feral colony on Waldron Island: Thistle, Poppy, Bramble, Foxglove, Anise, Hazel, and
No jurors needed for September 22 – October 3
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: SEPTEMBER 22 - OCTOBER 3, 2025 All jurors summoned for the two week jury period beginning Monday September 22nd through Friday October 3rd are excused. Jurors
