Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
Larsen votes no on more money for ICE
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after voting no on the Homeland Security (DHS) Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) spending bill. The bill provides funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), passed the House 220-207, and now heads to the
Latest from Lekanoff | Immigration, tribal partnership, and investing in our people
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| As we move deeper into the 2026 legislative session, I want to take time to share what I am working on, what I am listening to, and why this moment matters so deeply for our district and for Washington State. This
Midnight Mutterings | Crafting a life (at 72)
Muttered years ago ||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I might have started earlier but I have not been one for goals, rather preferring to see what unfolds, then massaging it into something I could live withand, sometimes, love. Now, though, I think I would like to plan just
Sheriff’s Report | January 14 – 20, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14 26-000265 Welfare Check 08:54:53 01/14/26 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a welfare check near the downtown Eastsound area. The Deputy learned that the subject was a local male with a mental health disorder. The Deputy attempted to help
Hands Across the Water travels to Salt Spring Island
||| FROM NATALIE ZOHAR for HANDS ACROSS THE WATER ||| Organizers from Hands Across the Water attended the December Board Meeting for the Orcas Community Resource Center. Hands Across the Water celebrated the bonds of our Salish Sea islands through a fall cruise to Ganges on Salt Spring Island, bringing
Larsen joins entire WA delegation in supporting governor’s request for major disaster declaration to unlock individual assistance for WA flooding victims
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Bob Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Individual Assistance to unlock an estimated $21.3 million in federal FEMA
Conor Anderson announces OPALCO candidacy
||| FROM CONOR ANDERSON ||| Conor Anderson Conor Anderson (see candidate bio below) is running for OPALCO’s open District 2 Board seat, and he has scheduled time to hear Coop Members’ concerns and answer questions on his background, experience, and approach to nonprofit governance. He is very much
WSF Weekly Report | Seahawks flag to fly; Wenatchee pulled from service
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve This week, a second large ferry had to be removed from service, leaving us with just 15 boats when we need 17 to run our full winter schedule. Yesterday, Wenatchee hit a log while sailing from Bainbridge to
Assessor’s Office supports HB 1004 to reduce small business tax burden, urges local participation
House Bill 1004 proposes raising the threshold for paying personal property tax on business assets, which will reduce paperwork, save time and money, and allow businesses to focus on what matters most: serving our community. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Assessor’s Office is tracking
Two male killer whales encountered in the fog
Encounter #4 • Bigg's Killer Whales ||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 12:20 PM ObservEnd: 01:21 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Other Observers: Rachelle Hayden Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T049A2, T087 LocationDescr: Kelp Reef EncSummary: Mark and Rachelle left Victoria Harbour on
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.
Here’s your opportunity to take State Basic Boater course
||| FROM U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY ||| The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Bellingham and San Juan Islands Flotilla offers boaters four opportunities to take an online, Washington State Basic Boater Education Course. The course is for anyone wishing to learn safe boating skills and qualify for a Boater Education Card,
Support Bill HB 2395 — shared moorage
||| FROM THE ONBUOY CREW ||| An integral part of OnBuoy’s mission is to reduce anchor damage through shared moorage. We just received an update on a legislative proposal we have been spearheading, which aims to reduce anchor damage and encourage better stewardship of Washington’s nearshore environments. The bill, HB
Marking the 53rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Today marks the 53rd anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade. In 1973, the Supreme Court established the legal right to abortion. This decision marked a crucial moment in the fight for reproductive rights, recognizing autonomy
Louis XIV to visit Orcas Island on January 26
||| FROM JEFFREY COHEN for SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| Louis XIV joins us on Monday, January 26 at at 5:00 PM as we journey to a musical soirée in 1713, designed to conjure up a wealth of pleasant reminiscences of our favorite ballets, operas and chamber music from
Port Commission meeting scheduled
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, January 26th 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.
