Here’s a thought…
“The competition between Nature and the economy is deep and broad.
In the short term, the economy usually wins. In the long term …?”
BILL APPEL
News Brief | Is the Pacific Northwest ready for an influx of climate refugees?
||| FROM KUOW RADIO ||| Climate migration is difficult to study, and even harder to predict. But some researchers say a historic population shift has already begun. But we may see an even bigger population
An invitation to our community | Join the conversation on Public Transit
||| FROM COLIN WILLIAMS for FRIENDS OF RURAL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ||| Friends of Rural Public Transportation (FORPT) (https://forpt.org/) continues to advocate for a public transit pilot in the San Juan Islands. As we move forward,
Garden Club | Time to think about fire safety
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| With rainy day weather and long nights, fire safety might be the last thing on the minds of the Orcas community. But, with winter’s slower pace, it might
Letter to Editor | Support our EWUA operators
||| FROM SARA PELFREY ||| This article (https://kingcountywtd.com/2025/12/12/stranded-but-steady-operator-keeps-carnation-treatment-plant-running-during-atmospheric-river/) was recently published on King County's site, highlighting the importance of our water operators, especially when we have unexpected events like the historic flooding that happened during
Larsen | Washington delegation demands answers on BP pipeline leak
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Emily Randall (WA-06), Adam Smith (WA-09), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07),
K47 | New calf reported in K Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| On December 10, the Center for Whale Research team received reports and images from Orca Network and Orca Conservancy of a small calf accompanying K pod in Puget
Letter to Editor | What’s going on at Eastsound Water Users Association?
||| FROM CORY HARRINGTON ||| I am an ex-employee at EWUA. I worked there for 4 years in the role of Billing & Membership Specialist. All statements below reflect my personal views and consist of
News Brief | Are killer whales and dolphins helping each other hunt off B.C. coast?
||| FROM WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ||| HALIFAX – Scientists have found evidence that two unlikely collaborators — killer whales and dolphins — may be helping each other find and feast on salmon off the coast
Gathering our bearings | Island Stewards end-of-year update
|||FROM ISLAND STEWARDS ||| As we close out 2025, I keep returning to the rhythm of the islands and how they reveal it to anyone patient enough to listen. This has been a year of
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
PeaceHealth United General responding to flood risk
||| FROM ANNE WILLIAMS for PEACEHEALTH UNITED GENERAL ||| SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. – With direction from Sedro-Woolley officials, United General Medical Center is in the process of transitioning inpatients to home or other healthcare facilities due
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
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
