Here’s a thought…
Letter to Editor | Incredible show “Indivisible” at the Orcas Center
||| FROM JAMES MOST ||| Wow. I just went and saw "Indivisible" at the Orcas Center today, and I was blown away. It is a wildly creative and powerful show blending dance, animation, giant puppets,
Guest Opinion | The wrong question … and a suggestion
||| FROM BILL APPEL ||| Over the past few years (who’s counting?) we have participated in, been treated to, or studiously ignored a fierce debate around the following question: “Should OPALCO be permitted to construct
Guest Opinion | The issues surrounding our National Parks
||| FROM JOSLIN BROETJS BAIRSTOW ||| As a resident of Orcas Island, I have the privilege of being surrounded by natural landscapes and beautiful parks. Theodore Roosevelt, commonly known as the conservation president, believed that
Midnight Mutterings | Kilkenny
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| One of our favorite Orcasites sent a message from Kilkenny, Ireland, where she was passing through on an extensive trip. Her note made me think of a Kilkenny
Letter to Editor | Eastsound Water’s “The Source” raises more questions than it answers
||| FROM CORY HARRINGTON ||| Eastsound Water recently introduced a new member newsletter, The Source, presented as a step toward improved transparency and communication. Clear communication is welcome—but it is not the same as accountability.
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Letter to Editor | OPALCO the elephant in the room
||| FROM RIKKI SWAN ||| OPALCO (YOU) purchased 2 million dollars worth of solar panels for the Bailer Hill microgrid. Those panels? Still sitting outside the Friday Harbor office under tarps, gathering moss and questions.
Guest Opinion | Regarding the stand-off between OPALCO and the people who actually live on Decatur
||| FROM SHANNON MATTILA ||| I just read that Clara Park, OPALCO’s attorney, stated that "Decatur Island residents are for the solar expansion” ..that is completely false. Someone is creating a false narrative to support their
There’s No Place Like Loam | Summer pruning
||| THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE LOAM by ALEX TAMAYO-WOLF ||| The Thirty Percent Rule There’s a number that floats around pruning advice. Thirty percent. If you prune, you know exactly what it means. It’s the
Letter to Editor | Just say no!
||| FROM PHIL PETERSON ||| A no vote on Proposition 1 will force needed change in the way we the people, our elected representatives and our essential public servants do our business. At issue is
Midnight Mutterings | Lights out
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I hadn’t planned to write about the power outage April 15, 2026, three days ago, because you already know about it, especially your own experience. However one thing
Guest Opinion | Board responsibility and credibility in the Decatur matter
||| FROM ALAN MIZUTA, et. al ||| What Happened Before This Was Published On April 14, 2026, thirty individuals and one community organization from the Decatur community formally asked the OPALCO Board to defer the
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Letter to Editor | Support for San Juan County levy lid lift
||| FROM CLINTON and KATHRYN GAUTHIER ||| As a lifelong Friday Harbor resident and third-generation islander, I have seen many levy asks. I feel compelled to speak on the current proposal because my wife, Kathryn,
