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
Heavy rainfall this week increases threat of landslides
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Seattle WA 619 AM PST Thu Dec 11 2025 San Juan County-Cascades of Whatcom and Skagit Counties- Cascades of Snohomish and Northern King
News Brief | Every U.S. state along Canadian border is hurting financially due to decline in tourists from Canada: new report
||| FROM THE NATIONAL POST ||| Declining Canadian tourism is adversely affecting American businesses in every state along the U.S.-Canada border. The decline has arisen from President Donald Trump’s threats to annex Canada, as well
LWVSJ Observer Corps Notes | San Juan County Council December 9, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| The Council convened as the governing body of the Lopez Solid Waste District and approved the 2026 budget up 4.8% from 2025. The budget included
Holiday Magic at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Step into the season at Orcas Senior Center, where a charming selection of holiday decor is available for free or by donation until December 25. Stop
Committed to health care stability for Orcas islanders | OIHCD update
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| In April of this year, voters approved Proposition 1, a temporary 10-year levy lid lift proposed by the Orcas Island Health Care District board. During our levy
In Memoriam | Steven Edward Henigson, 1938 – 2025
||| FROM JEAN HENIGSON ||| Steve Henigson, 1938-2025 Steve Henigson cared deeply about justice, examined issues critically, and was unhesitant in speaking up to defend his beliefs. He had a keen sense of
WA delegation requests expedited emergency declaration for devastating storms, atmospheric rivers hitting WA
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson’s request last night
County Council adopts 2025 Comp Plan update | Leaves several items for further discussion in 2026
The County undertook this project as part of its 2025 Growth Management Act Periodic Update ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During the December 9 meeting and public hearing, the San Juan County Council
Regional flooding / travel advisory for islanders
The flooding forecast for Skagit County may impact both Highway 20 and I-5. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Island residents and businesses who are planning on mainland travel this week should be aware
All jurors excused December 15-19
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: December 15-19, 2025 All jurors summonsed for the week beginning Monday, December 15th through Friday, December 19th 2025, are excused. Thank you.
Holiday tips from The Exchange
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING/THE EXCHANGE ||| Grinding for Good Learn More Our next big goal? Repurposing food waste and organic material here on the island! We’ve got big plans for continuing to turn waste into
Potential flood impacts to I-5 and Hwy 20
Important update for islanders. Please help spread the word. ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for SJC DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Island residents and businesses who are planning on mainland travel this week should be aware
It’s time for the Holiday Jammie Jam
||| FROM ANITA ORNE for FLOATING UKULELE JAM ||| It’s December, and the Floating Ukulele Jam is slightly different…still bring your uke, your voice, and maybe a song (holiday or otherwise) to share, but for
3 days left to give gifts that make an impact in our community
||| FROM KIM WEST ACTKINSON for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| We are more than halfway through the Holiday GiveOrcas campaign and our community has already shown incredible generosity - but there is still more
Holiday greetings from Garden Club
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| I will begin with the Nice List, knowing that this must be a very long list because gardens and gardeners bring so much joy to so many people!
Larsen introduces legislation to improve veterans’ access to transportation, health care
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced the introduction of the Veterans Access to Transit Act (H.R. 6451), legislation to establish a Department of
