Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Orcas Island athletes shine at Mt. Vernon meet despite weather forecast surprise
||| FROM DARRELL KIRK for ORCAS ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL ||| Orcas Island High School's track and field team competed in their second meet of the season on Wednesday at Mt. Vernon High School, where athletes who had prepared for extreme weather were instead greeted by unexpected sunshine. The Vikings team,
Rep. Ramel | Keeping Washington strong. Proposed budgets are live
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. ALEX RAMEL ||| Thank you to everyone who joined our telephone town hall and our community town hall earlier this month! I appreciate you taking the time to attend, call in, listen, and engage in a meaningful discussion on the issues that matter most
OPALCO files draft license application with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| OPALCO filed a Draft License Application with the Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC) today for a 10-year pilot project license for OPALCO’s proposed Rosario Strait Tidal Energy Project. In June 2024, OPALCO was awarded a grant by the Department of
Sheriff’s Report | March 19 – 25, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ||| WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 25-001515 Fraud 12:16:50 03/19/25 An Orcas Island Deputy authored a report to help a local citizen with bank fraud. The citizen was a victim of check fraud and did receive their money back. The incident was documented. 25-001517 Trespassing
County 4-H teen delegates excel at Know Your Government Conference
||| SAN JUAN COUNTY 4-H PROGRAM ||| San Juan County 4-H teen delegates spent Presidents Day weekend in Olympia, WA, at the annual 4-H Know Your Government (KYG) Conference. KYG is a comprehensive civic education program with a four-year rotating curriculum: the Legislative System, the Judicial System, Elections and Party
Fun, free Rotary Spelling Bee is back
||| FROM BARBARA MARRETT for SJI ROTARY CLUB ||| The Rotary Club of the San Juan Islands invites the community to attend its 19th Annual Spelling Bee at 3 PM, April 3, at the Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church, 425 Spring Street. Watch the excitement as 3rd-8th graders from both the Orcas
What is the price of eggs at the Food Bank?
Eggs are always available at the Food Bank ||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND FOOD BANK COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE ||| According to the USDA, the national average price of a dozen large eggs was $8.15 on March 4, 2025, up from an average $4.95 per dozen in the month of January, largely because
Library exhibit | Remembering a talented photographer
||| FROM ANDREA COHEN for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Derk Jager was known to many photographers on the island through his participation in the Orcas Camera Club, photographing performances at the Orcas Center and working with other artists here and in Seattle. Sadly, Derk passed away in May 2024. Two
Spring conditions
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Community Foundation’s primary goal is to build and strengthen our community by encouraging and supporting local philanthropy. We strive to simplify charitable giving for individuals and simplify fundraising and management of reserves for nonprofits. Many community members
WSF Weekly Report | Career day; new ferry bid openings; puzzles
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve As more of our employees reach retirement age, we must make maritime jobs easier to access for our next generation of workers. Today, we hosted our third annual career day at our Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility. It
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.
League of Women Voters of Washington opposes Trump’s anti-voter executive order
||| FROM LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WASHINGTON ||| On Tuesday, President Trump issued an executive order on elections, which includes the following actions: Requires the Election Assistance Commission to add documentary proof of citizenship to the federal voter registration form. Requires states to access databases to verify eligibility. Instructs the
LWVSJ Observer Corps | San Juan County Council, March 25, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| Council members held a public hearing as the governing body of the Lopez Solid Waste Disposal District. A resident of Lopez, who was on the original LSWDD managing board said he thought the existing interlocal agreement between the district and
Health Care District public levy lift informational town hall
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| San Juan County Public Hospital District #3 dba Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) is proposing a Levy Lift Ballot Measure in the April 22nd, 2025 Special Election. In order to provide more details for community members, and to allow community members
County moves through essential public facility siting process on Shaw
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During this week’s Council meeting, staff briefed Council on a formal request to site an Essential Public Facility (EPF) for the Department of Public Works on Shaw Island. During the meeting, Council also set a public hearing for May 20 to allow for
Orcas Island School Board vacancy announcement
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD ||| The Orcas Island School District Board of Education is accepting applications for a School Director to fulfill an unexpired term for Position # 2 (click here for boundaries). This position expires on 11/30/2025. To be eligible for appointment, applicants must be registered
