Here’s a thought…
“It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.”
MARK TWAIN
Larsen applauds $4.2 Million for local salmon passage restoration
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) is awarding $4.2 million to the Skagit River System Cooperative (Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community) for restoring fish passage to
‘Coffee with Kari’ offers islanders on San Juan time with Councilmember Kari McVeigh
The fourth ‘Coffee with Kari’ of the year will take place on San Juan on September 19 from 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Skagit Valley College San Juan Center in Friday Harbor ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| District 1 Council representative Kari McVeigh is hosting another ‘Coffee with Kari’
Paws, pedals, and people this weekend at Orcas airport
||| FROM CHIP LONG for ORCAS ISLAND AIRPORT ||| Orcas Island airport has been part of our community since the 1940s. Most of us have stood at the fence, watched from Mt Baker Road, or picked someone up at our small terminal more times than we can remember. But almost
Land Bank to hold monthly meeting
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY CONSERVATION LAND BANK COMMISSION ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting Friday, September 18. The meeting is scheduled from 8:30am – 11:10am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the Orcas Island Fire Hall, 45
Larsen statement on joint U.S.-Canada oil spill response exercise
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released the following statement: “On September 1, my staff observed a joint exercise between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard designed to simulate response
District Court and Prosecuting Attorney to relocate during courthouse renovations
Both offices are temporarily relocating from the historic courthouse to 545 Park Street to allow for structural renovations being funded through a matching grant from the Washington Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| District Court and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office are moving out
OIHCD thanks Island Health CEO as leadership transition is announced
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| On September 10th, Island Health notified the Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) and announced to the larger community that their current Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Elise Cutter, would be stepping down in the coming months. OIHCD Superintendent Chord and the Board of
Orcas Christian School students take learning outdoors at annual campout and lake day
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Orcas Christian School students take learning outdoors at annual campout and lake day Orcas Christian School (OCS) high school students took their annual campout to Moran State Park this week, spending two nights outdoors while participating in activities designed to build community, encourage learning
Expert speakers highlight sustainable gardening at October workshop series
The San Juan County WSU Master Gardeners' online Garden Workshop series includes four live lunchtime Zoom presentations this October ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| As climate conditions continue to challenge gardeners across the Pacific Northwest, the 2026 San Juan County WSU Master Gardeners' Garden Workshop Series offers practical
I’m Not the Church Lady | Don’t start with me, Arne
||| I'M NOT THE CHURCH LADY by ROSIE KUHN ||| What happens when all our efforts to change what is have been exhausted—and presence is the only thing left? Even presence turns out not to look the way we imagine it will. Because sometimes presence is a paper bag, a
Fall sailing schedule begins Sunday, September 20
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Our fall sailing schedule starts Sunday, Sept. 20 and lasts through Dec. 26. Port Townsend/Coupeville: The route will continue two-boat service until Oct. 5, when it returns to one-boat service until next spring. This is one week earlier than planned, due to vessel maintenance. Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: From early October through early November, the
A local landmark retires from service
||| FROM PARKER PAVITT for ORCAS ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUMS ||| The historic “Fire Barn” located behind the Orcas Island Historical Museums on the Village Green served many purposes during its 90-year lifespan. From garage to residence to garage again, the Fire Barn was most recently used as auxiliary storage for
Getting to Know Katherine | Why I’m running
This is the first of a five-part series to introduce myself, Katherine Bryant Ingman, to the voters of San Juan County so that you can learn more and vote in November for me as San Juan County Councilperson, District 3 ||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL
Letter to Editor | Drop box is best to ensure your ballot is counted
||| FROM JENNIFER SWANSON ||| I’ve been hearing a lot of discussion and confusion about the threats to mail-in voting. People were especially disturbed to hear about the number of ballots that were rejected in Washington’s recent primary because they were “late,” even though they were mailed days before election
Voter registration day next week at the Library
||| FROM KAREN MENG for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Orcas Island Public Library will host a voter registration day activity on Tuesday September 15th 3:30 - 5pm. Join us to write letters to newly registered voters and postcards aimed at increasing turnout for key elections. This is strictly non-partisan;
Critical Areas Ordinance and Shoreline Master Program update process
San Juan County is seeking your comments on its proposed updates to the Critical Area Ordinance (CAO) protections and the Shoreline Master Program (SMP). The goal is to complete the regulation updates before the end of the year. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is seeking
