Here’s a thought…
Letter to Editor | Please vote in uncontested elections
||| FROM BILL APPEL ||| Some complain that they should be asked to vote without a named opponent (of course you can always write in your own). But there are two good reasons for voting
County Council to travel to Orcas Island for upcoming November 4 meeting
||| FrOM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Council will hold its regularly scheduled November 4 meeting on Orcas Island. The public is invited to join the three councilmembers and County staff at
2025 vacation rental (VR) certification cycle Is now open
||| FROMM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| If you operate a vacation rental, it’s time to certify your compliance with County code to maintain your permit through the end of 2026. The 2025 vacation rental
Guest Opinion | Fire Commissioner breaks down reasons to support levy
||| FROM ELISABETH BRITT ||| A bond ensures accountability, long-term funding for critical equipment, and respects the community’s history of rejecting permanent levies. As commissioners for Orcas Island Fire & Rescue, we are responsible for ensuring
Ferry Alert | Vehicle reservations for the winter season open Oct 28 at 10am
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Reminder: Vehicle reservations for the winter 2025 schedule (Dec. 28, 2025, through March 21, 2026) will be available tomorrow at 10 a.m. To ensure a smooth and fair experience
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council October 21, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| The Council appointed DCD Director Seb Jones as the certifying officer for HUD Environmental documents. During public comment Friends of the San Juans proposed steps
Sheriff’s Report | October 15 – 21, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15 25-007088 Fraud 10:03:17 10/15/25 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a fraud attempt. The savvy citizen received a phone call that appeared to be
Port Commission will meet on Monday
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, October 27th at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport
WSF Weekly Report | Crew rescues kayakers; winter reservations start 10-28; new policy for transporting damaged EVs
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve One of the things that makes me proudest to lead Washington State Ferries is the extraordinary dedication and swift response of our
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council October 20, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| Friends of the San Juans made public comment on the Transportation Element of the Comprehensive Plan asking for clarifications on multimodal corridors and for revisions
Jury Duty for 10/27 – 10/31? You’re excused
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: OCTOBER 27-31, 2025 All jurors summonsed for the week beginning Monday, October 27th through Friday, October 31st are excused. Thank you. View it on website
Letter to Editor | Why I’m picking which races to vote for
||| FROM BEA VONTOBEL ||| When my Voters’ Pamphlet arrived in the mail, I sat down to acquaint myself with its contents. I was surprised to see 18 uncontested nonpartisan races for office. I was
Deadline Approaching | Pay your property taxes before Oct 31
The second half of property taxes and personal property taxes are due Friday, October 31, 2025 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The deadline is approaching to pay the second half of property and
Guest Opinion | No Kings?
||| FROM MISHA RAUCHWERGER ||| I come from immigrant families: fleeing the pogroms where the Czar was burning Jewish villages, and the holocaust. Situations far worse that what we are experiencing today. I became fascinated
WSF ferry terminals will close for 48 hours in Spring of 2027 | What timing is best for you?
Please take this quick survey to provide your input to WSF! ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY FERRY INFORMATION ||| Washington State Ferries (WSF) will upgrade equipment at the Lopez and Orcas Island ferry terminals in spring
News Briefs | Russia plans for 70-mile ‘Trump-Putin’ rail tunnel linking Russia and US
||| FROM THE MIRROR ||| A Kremlin envoy has suggested a 70-mile tunnel would be built under the Bering Strait and link the US and Russia. ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE MIRROR The proposal suggests using