Here’s a thought…
“I don’t know why we are here, but I’m pretty sure that it is not in order to enjoy ourselves.”
LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN
Eastsound Water cited for repeated safety violations
Total penalties exceed $24,000 ||| FROM CORY HARRINGTON ||| Eastsound Water Users Association has received multiple safety and health citations from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) following workplace inspections conducted in 2025 and early 2026. The most recent inspection (March 2026) resulted in several violations—many classified
Letter to Editor | Tightening our belts, for real
The conflict has triggered the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market. — International Energy Agency (IEA), March 20, 2026 ||| FROM ELISABETH ROBSON ||| In my previous op-ed on "tightening our belts", I wrote about the need to prepare for harder times; to “tighten our
Community Lunch celebrates a year of connection
||| SUBMITTED BY THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The Resource Center is excited to share that the Community Lunch program has completed its first year as a thriving weekly gathering that strengthens food access and social connection for island residents. What began as a simple meal has grown into
4th Annual Earth Day Month – Update
Poet Laureate Rena Priest is joining the 4/25 Concert ||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLANDS MAKERS GUILD ||| 2026 marks the 4th year of engaging Earth Day learning experiences on Orcas Island and adds new features. This month-long series of Science, Art, Poetry, Music and Ecology Explorations are offered at no
Update | Anacortes to honor 50 veterans for free day of fishing
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | Anacortes, WA ||| FROM CARRIE KING for ANACORTES HONOR FISHING EVENT ||| What Anacortes Honor — a Puget Sound Anglers & Salmon for Soldiers event welcoming 50 military veterans and active-duty service members for a fully sponsored day of bottom dwelling fishing, fellowship, and appreciation.
Orcas Christian students serve, connect during Spring mission trip
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Students from Orcas Christian School are turning a spring trip into an opportunity to serve, connect and grow during their recent visit to Hilo, Hawaii. The group departed Orcas Island on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, beginning a long journey that took them
Letter to Editor | Springing forward
||| FROM SUZETTE LAMB ||| Having recently gone through the sometimes jarring reset of moving our clocks ahead, I’ve been thinking about the concept of “springing forward.” As I look around our property and drive to and from town, there are signs of nature moving into the next season everywhere:
Spring ferry schedule begins March 22
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Reminder - Our spring sailing schedule starts on Sunday, March. 22 and lasts through Saturday, June 13. All routes will operate on their regular spring schedule. Highlights of the spring schedule: Port Townsend/Coupeville: A second vessel will operate every Friday through Monday starting May 10. Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: Three-boat service
Midnight Mutterings | Radio
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| The news today is that CBS Radio News, which was founded in 1928, is now kaput. Really? Is that even possible? As I am writing this on Friday night, 3/20/2026, I am also reading this news. All staff will be laid off as
Sheriff’s Report | March 11 – 17, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11 26-001410 Citizen Assist 12:57:55 03/11/26 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a citizen needing assistance with trespassing individuals from their property. The individuals were trespassed, and the incident was documented. 26-001413 Found Property 16:41:23 03/11/26 An Orcas Island Deputy
Latest from Lekanoff | Reflecting on the Legislative session
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| As the legislative session comes to a close, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on the work we’ve done together, and looking ahead to the season before us. Spring is arriving here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, bringing longer days,
Bernie vs. Claude | A couple of revealing AI chats
||| FROM YOUTUBE ||| Also see: But, wait! There's more
Grow Your Own Food | Free basic gardening class series
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Community members interested in growing their own vegetables this spring are invited to register for Grow Your Own Food – A Hands-On Gardening Series, a free, four‑part lunchtime program designed to help new gardeners gain practical, ready-to-use skills. Hosted by Washington State University
Letter to Editor | Thank you for making Soda Shop Sock Hop a success
||| FROM JAKE PERRINE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center held Soda Shop Sock Hop fundraising events before the last two Saturday performances of Grease, which would not have been possible without the donation of time and food from the Lower Tavern. Thank you to Katie O'Rourke and her team
Port to meet on Monday
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, March 23rd at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.
WSF Weekly Report | 4th Annual Career Day; Walla Walla crew makes rescue
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| For several years now, it’s been a priority to grow and stabilize our workforce. One way we are doing that is by partnering with local schools to get young adults interested in maritime. Today, we hosted nearly 200 students at our
