Here’s a thought…
“Before we work on artificial intelligence, why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?”
READER BOARD
CWR logs encounter with inbound J Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:55 AM ObservEnd: 03:00 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Katie Jones Pods: J IDsEncountered: J16, J19, J22, J26, J27, J31, J35, J36, J37, J38, J39, J40, J41, J42, J44, J45, J46, J47, J49, J51, J53,
Did you know? San Juan County processes passport applications at the Courthouse
Weekly appointments and online tools make it easy to update your information here in San Juan County ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Clerk’s Office is a sub-agent for the Seattle Passport Agency. This means that your local Clerk’s Office can process applications for new
Jurors excused March 16-20
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: MARCH 16-20, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the jury term beginning Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th, 2026, are excused. Thank you!
Kwiaht: Preparing for the next avian flu outbreak
||| FROM RUSSEL BARSH for KWIAHT ||| The San Juan Islands experienced an outbreak of highly-pathogenic avian flu (H5N1) from mid-November to mid-January. It probably began in lower San Juan Channel, between Cape San Juan and Davis Head, most likely introduced by southward-migrating Cackling Geese. The geese shared it with
Rock Island Communications reaches nearly 7,000 subscribers and secures $16.5 Million grant for broadband expansion
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for OPALCO ||| Rock Island Communications (RIC), OPALCO’s locally owned internet subsidiary, is celebrating a decade of remarkable growth. Rock Island now has almost 7,000 subscribers across San Juan County. Now the company is gearing up for its next major expansion with a $16.5 million Broadband
As Alaskan Chinook crisis deepens, Federal Court imposes deadline on overdue endangered species act decision
||| FROM EMMA HELVERSON for WILD FISH CONSERVANCY ||| Today we’re sharing an update on Wild Fish Conservancy’s effort to secure a timely federal decision on the status of Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon under the Endangered Species Act. After NOAA Fisheries missed its statutory deadline, a federal court has
Wind advisory in effect Wednesday afternoon through Thursday morning
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Seattle WA 216 PM PDT Tue Mar 10 2026 San Juan County-Foothills and Valleys of the North Cascades- Foothills and Valleys of Snohomish and Northern King Counties- Foothills and Valleys of Central King County-Foothills and Valleys of
Ferry Alert | High winds expected to impact service through Wednesday night
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| All ferry passengers should be prepared for possible service disruptions starting this afternoon through late Wednesday night due to high winds. Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes: With stronger winds in the north, we expect these routes to be most impacted by severe
America has been rejecting Kings since 1776 | Join us
||| FROM INDIVISIBLE SAN JUAN ISLANDS ||| Indivisible San Juan Islands (ISJI) participates in the third NO KINGS national protest. **We, the people, have the power and are claiming it together. No Thrones. No Crowns. No Kings.** America has been rejecting Kings since 1776! What began in 2025 as a
Urgent need for advocates for long-term care residents in NW Washington counties
||| FROM KRISTIN HYDE for LONG TERM CARE OMBUDS ||| An estimated 4,000 Washingtonians live in 103 long-term care homes in Northwest Washington, including nursing homes, assisted living and adult family homes. Many residents don’t have frequent visits from family or friends who can ensure their rights are respected and
Public Meeting | Limited deer hunting considered for two Orcas Island preserves
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The public is invited to join the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank (Land Bank), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and representatives of area treaty tribes on March 23, 2026, to learn about a collaborative proposal for allowing limited opportunities
Resource Center offers free credit education workshop
||| FROM MEGAN METCALF for ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center is hosting a free financial literacy workshop, "Raise Your Score," on Tuesday, March 17th at 5:30pm at the Orcas Library. The seminar is designed to help community members understand and improve their credit scores. Credit
The Whale Museum announces new virtual art class
||| FROM CONOR AGNEW for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum is hosting a new, virtual art class on Saturday, April 4th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The class, “Drawing Inspiration From the Salish Sea”, centers on nature journaling. Through expertly guided exercises, participants will practice noticing patterns,
Orcas Island Market named 2026 IGA USA Centennial Retailer of the Year
||| FROM JESSICA VICIAN for IGA ||| Orcas Island Market has been named a 2026 IGA USA Centennial Retailer of the Year, an honor recognizing independent grocery retailers who demonstrate excellence in operations, innovation, employee development, and community leadership. Presented by the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA), the Retailer of the Year award recognizes independently owned
A message from Council Member Fuller | ‘An honor and a privilege’
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| "After much deliberation I have decided I will not be seeking re-election this year," writes Councilmember Fuller. "In the meantime, I will continue working in service to the residents of the County through December as has been my privilege throughout." To my San
Guest Opinion | Four long-term EWUA employees have left in six months
||| FROM CORY HARRINGTON ||| EWUA Turnover: 13 Staff and 6 Board Members gone since 2021 13 staff members have left Eastsound Water Users Association (EWUA) 7 resigned 5 terminated 1 retired 6 board members have left the EWUA Board of Directors prior to the end of their term 1
