Here’s a thought…
“Before we work on artificial intelligence, why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?”
READER BOARD
Look at what’s coming up at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Experience the Joy of Drumming Discover the joy of drumming with the Spirit of Drumming Group at Orcas Senior Center Thursdays at 1:30 p.m.! This beginner-friendly group focuses on exploring the elements of drumming. There’s no cost to participate—just bring a
Join the Ferry Riders Opinion Group
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| The Washington State Transportation Commission is inviting ferry riders and the public to join the Ferry Riders’ Opinion Group, or FROG. This group gives you a chance to share your ferry experiences and provide feedback that directly helps shape our service, operations, and fares. The commission uses
CWR | A sunny encounter with Bigg’s
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:50 AM ObservEnd: 11:30 AM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Katie Jones Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T34A, T34A2, T34B, T37, T37B, T37B1, and T37B3 LocationDescr: Satellite Channel EncSummary: After receiving a report of a large
Letter to Editor | Renewable energy done right
Powering our future without sacrificing our lands ||| FROM EVA SCHULTE for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| The Town of Friday Harbor approved an important proposal from the Port of Friday Harbor last week for a Marina Solar Parking Canopy project, which has the dual benefit of soaking up
In Memoriam | David Schmillen, 1947-2025
||| FROM INGRID MATTSON ||| David Schmillen, born September 14, 1947, passed away December 29, 2025. He was a member of our Orcas Island community beginning in the early 1970s and was always a character, literally. In 1971 he performed in the Orcas Players Man Who Came to Dinner and
As the Paradigm Shifts | There’s a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on
||| AS THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE KUHN ||| I don’t know about you, but there’s a whole lot of shaking going on inside me. Sure, the world around us is quaking with change — political, environmental, social — but there’s also an inner tremor, a visceral, emotional, mental, even
Sheriff’s Report | January 21 – 27, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 26-000405 Attempted Suicide 07:39:54 01/21/26 An Orcas Island Deputy and Orcas Island Fire and Rescue responded to a mental health crisis. The subject of the incident was transported to a hospital for an evaluation. The Deputy contacted the Mobile
Letter to Editor | Make your voice heard
||| FROM SHARON NELSON ||| I’m a resident of Orcas Island, and like you, I’ve watched as ICE and CBP have terrorized communities and ripped immigrant families apart targeting the most vulnerable rather than those engaging in criminal behavior. It’s been hard to know what to do. But, following the
Reminder | SJC Master Gardeners native plant sale still open for online orders
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ||| The San Juan County Master Gardeners remind island residents that the 2026 Native Plant Sale is in full swing, with online ordering open now through March 9, 2026, or until stock sells out. Many favorites are still available, but several species are
WSF Weekly Report |
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Our engine crews and vessel maintenance employees did outstanding work last weekend. Our three largest boats were sidelined for unexpected mechanical issues. They responded with urgency, skill and professionalism to get each Jumbo Mark II ferry back
Adrift | They both bring me to tears
||| ADRIFT BY LIN MCNULTY ||| Two recent contradictory events are sweeping across computer screens. One is beautiful, the other horrifying. They both are an accurate reflection of our current life in America. And that hurts mightily. The ongoing Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington, D.C., by Buddhist monks
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.
SJC Monthly News Digest – January 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Council Reviews Major Initiatives and Priorities for 2026 at Two-Day Retreat This January, the San Juan County Council completed a two-day retreat where they reviewed significant projects from 2025 and began setting priorities for 2026. Main topics included ongoing budget discussions, lobbying efforts
Shut it down! Friday, January 30
No work, no school, and no shopping ||| FROM WOMENS COALITION ||| This Friday, January 30, activists and communities across the United States are calling for a National Shutdown — a day of no work, no school, and no shopping — to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations
Community celebrates Pea Patch ground turning
Rep. Debra Lekanoff shares her support and belief in the project ||| FROM SUZANNE OLSON for PEA PATCH COMMUNITY CAMPUS ||| The sun was bright and the Orcas Island community came out in droves to help celebrate the Pea Patch Community Campus as the project prepares for site work to
Larsen supports impeaching Secretary Kristi Noem
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| EVERETT, WA – Today, Representative Rick Larsen released the following statement: “On Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem’s watch, federal agents killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Led by Secretary Noem, President Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda has brutalized families and children here in Northwest Washington and across
