Here’s a thought…
“We are not an endangered species ourselves yet, but this is not for lack of trying.”
DOUGLAS ADAMS
Latest from Lekanoff | First Fantastic Friday – Legislative Preview
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| Happy first Fantastic Friday of the new year! I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe, healthy, and grounded as we step into 2026 together. As we prepare for the upcoming legislative session, I want to be transparent
Protecting the environment and local law enforcement big winners in Larsen-backed bills
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after voting yes on a package of three Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) spending bills. The package passed the House with bipartisan support on a 397-28 vote and now heads to the Senate for consideration. “I am glad that this legislative
Community meeting on Shaw to discuss future of public works road maintenance
There will be an opportunity for questions, answers, and a discussion. All are welcome to join online ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| To kick off the new year, San Juan County officials will host a community meeting on Shaw Island to discuss upcoming Public Works Road Maintenance projects
Tonight | Stand in solidarity with Minneapolis
A candlelight vigil in memory of Renee Nicole Good ||| FROM INDIVISIBLE SAN JUANS ||| These are some dark and tumultuous times, accelerating under our current administration. Tonight, January 9, at 5:30pm, at the Courthouse Lawn, we stand in solidarity with Minneapolis and offer a candlelight vigil in memory of Renee Nicole
Orcas Senior Center renovation progress
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Changes are afoot at Orcas Senior Center! Our new Living Room is a cozy spot for reading, relaxing, and socializing, complete with a game table. A dedicated Game Room is now being considered. We’d love to hear what you think! Since
Center for Whale Research logs first encounter of the new year
Encounter #1 • Bigg's Killer Whales ||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:43 AM ObservEnd: 01:31 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Other Observers: George Hamilton Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T073A, T073A1, T073A2, T073A3, T075C, T075C3, T166A1 LocationDescr: Kelp Reef EncSummary: Mark received
WSF Weekly Report | Holiday traffic; broken boats; Governor’s plan for new boats
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve We’ve had an unfortunate start to the new year and thank our customers for bearing with us as we get things back on track. Unexpected mechanical issues sidelined three ferries over the first three days of January,
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.
Beached bird training sessions coming up
||| FROM COASTAL OBSERVATION AND SEABIRD SURVEY TEAM (COASST) |||
San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild announces $32,000 available for FARM fund grants
||| FROM JULIE BOTTJEN for SAN JUAN ISLANDS AGRICULTURAL GUILD ||| The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild Announces $32,000 Available for FARM Fund Grants. The application opens January 4, 2026! The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild (Ag Guild) is pleased to announce the 2026 FARM Fund grant cycle. Thanks to
Resolve common Medicare concerns with SHIBA assistance from January – March
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| January through March is your opportunity to correct many common Medicare problems. Your local Statewide Health Insurance Benefit Advisors (SHIBA) volunteers can help you with the following problems: You didn’t receive your new Drug or Advantage Plan Card. Your doctor or
County now accepting Salmon Recovery project proposals
A one-page letter of intent is due February 13, 2026. Private residents, non-profit organizations, local, state, and tribal governments, and special districts are invited to apply. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Environmental Stewardship Department is eager to accept Salmon Recovery project proposals for the Salmon
Be a changemaker | OPALCO is powered by you
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| It’s that time of year when OPALCO members step up to run for the Board of Directors. Nominations are now open for the 2025 election. There are two positions open: one in District 1 (San Juan, et al) and
The best protection against the flu
Getting a yearly flu vaccine is the best protection against flu infection for everyone age 6 months or older. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Each year, respiratory illnesses are responsible for millions of illnesses and thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States. In addition to the
Jurors for Jan. 12-16 are excused
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JANUARY 12-16, 2026 All jurors summonsed for jury service beginning Monday January 12th, through Friday January 16th, are excused.
County to test vote counting equipment in January
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Elections Office will conduct a “Logic and Accuracy” test of ballot tabulating equipment used for the County’s February 10, 2026, Special election. The test is scheduled for January 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Logic and accuracy testing is a standard
