News Brief | Farmer’s Alamanc just published its last issue
||| FROM CBS NEWS ||| A 208-year-old publication that farmers, gardeners and others keen to predict the weather have relied on for guidance has published for the final time. For centuries, the Farmers Almanac has used a secret formula based on sunspots, planetary positions and lunar cycles to generate long-range weather
Olga Symphony readies their holiday concert
Friday and Saturday, 11/28 and 29 at 7pm ||| FROM DAVE ZOELLER for OLGA SYMPHONY ||| It’s that time of year when everything turns pumpkin-spiced and ads for gifting start to appear everywhere. It can be overwhelming, but have no fear: the Olga Symphony is back for an evening of
As the Paradigm Shifts | Letting go and letting the universe be the alchemist
||| AS THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE. KUHN ||| I seem to be passing through something—like being threaded through the eye of a needle. YEOWEE!!! Sometimes the passage feels like grace itself. Other times, it feels more like I’m being dragged through by the sinews of my being—raw and unrelenting—as
Sheriff’s Report | October 29 – November 4, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 25-007477 Lost Property 15:07:32 10/29/25 A laptop computer was reported as lost property in Friday Harbor. A Deputy took a statement from the reporting party and an informational report was generated. 25-007484 Fraud 16:23:55 10/29/25 An Orcas Island Deputy
News Brief | Drilling frenzy arrives in Canada’s pristine wilderness
||| FROM ENERGY NOW.COM ||| As countries around the world scramble to secure fuel to run their power plants, natural gas has attracted energy producers to Canada’s westernmost province. ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN ENERGY NOW These days, the tourists driving deep into northeastern British Columbia are often sharing the road with
Kick off the season at Orcas Senior Center’s beloved Grannie’s Holiday Sale
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Get ready to shop, mingle, and celebrate the season at Grannie’s Holiday Sale on Saturday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Orcas Senior Center! Discover festive décor, holiday treasures, handcrafted goods, and one-of-a-kind gifts created by local artisans.
It’s November and Thanksgiving is coming right up
||| FROM DEBRA LEE BABCOCK for ODD FELLOWS ||| Don’t forget that you can join the Odd Fellows and friends at a Community Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner that they’re hosting again this year, and everyone is welcome! Turkey and some sides will be provided but this is potluck, so you are
British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon sign agreement to renew, strengthen their collaboration
||| FROM SHORELINE AREA NEWS ||| Under the Memorandum, the three jurisdictions pledge to build on the 2016 and 2018 agreements between British Columbia and Washington, expanding cooperation across all three governments, ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN SHORELINE AREA NEWS The renewed partnership focuses on strengthening collaboration in fields such as data
Democrats introduce legislation to block harmful red tape in Medicare
||| 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), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Ami Bera, MD (CA-06) and Mark Pocan (WI-02) introduced legislation to protect seniors from new red tape the Trump administration is implementing in
Jurors excused for November 10-14
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: November 10-14, 2025 All Jurors summoned for the jury period beginning Monday, November 10th through Friday, November 14th, are excused. Thank you.
WSF Weekly Update | Honoring veterans; orca encounter; new souvenirs
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Veterans Day is a time to honor those who have served our country with courage and dedication. I’m proud that so many veterans work here at Washington State Ferries. Throughout our organization – from our boats, terminals,
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.
Sportsmen Club hold 70th Annual Turkey Shoot
||| FROM PAT MUFFETT for ORCAS ISLAND SPORTSMEN CLUB |||
News Brief | Federal judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits in November
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a court filing late Wednesday that it caught an error in its earlier plan to reduce the maximum benefit by half and said that beneficiaries would instead get up to 65% of their usual assistance. ORIGINALLY POSTED
Medicare open enrollment | Review your coverage before December 7
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Your once-a-year chance to change your Medicare Drug Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan has begun. You have until December 7 to make changes, which take effect January 1, 2026. Plan costs and coverage can change every year, so it’s worth reviewing
2025 Winter Flea & Craft Market returns to the fairgrounds December 6 & 7
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Each year, the San Juan County Fairgrounds hosts the Winter Flea & Craft Market in the Main Exhibit Hall. Local vendors showcase a variety of handmade gifts and unique second-hand items for sale, making this the perfect event to find gifts for all
