Here’s a thought…
“There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything; both ways save us from thinking.”
ALFRED KORZYBSKI
News Brief | Royal Caribbean ship arrives in Alaska with dead endangered fin whale on bow
||| FROM TRAVEL PULSE ||| A Royal Caribbean Group cruise ship arrived in Seward, Alaska, with a dead fin whale on its bow. A necropsy later revealed blunt force trauma consistent with a ship strike as the cause of death. “The examination revealed that the whale was pregnant, freshly dead,
Midnight Mutterings | Urban friends
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| About the photograph. I am in Bellingham visiting my son and Molly and Rose Cats. A few days ago Rose escaped the house and was hiding in the weeds of the uncared-for garden in the front yard of my son’s house. I am
Sheriff’s Report | June 17 – 23, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 26-003564 Found Property 09:19:26 06/17/26 A Deputy on San Juan Island received a report of found property. The Deputy was given a bag of keys. It is unknown who the keys belong to. The keys were booked into evidence
Library Youth Program | How about a free chess workshop?
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY ||| Please join local teen Lamai Hons for a free chess workshop at the Orcas Island Public Library. This chess workshop is an incredible opportunity to develop chess skills and have a great time! There will be snacks provided, and the Orcas
Orcas Christian School summer carnival set for community celebration
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Orcas Christian School will host its inaugural Summer Carnival on the school campus, inviting families from across the community for a day centered on faith, fun and family activities. The event is scheduled for July 3rd, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Orcas
Actors Theater to bring ‘Moon Over Buffalo’ to Grange stage
||| FROM ACTORS THEATER OF ORCAS ISLAND ||| In "Moon Over Buffalo," a delightful and hilarious backstage farce by Ken Ludwig, we meet Charlotte and George Hay, a struggling acting duo on tour in Buffalo in 1953. Their repertoire features a quirky rendition of "Cyrano de Bergerac" and Noel Coward's
Environmental comedy show comes to Friday Harbor
||| FROM TRACIE MERRILL and JESS NEWLEY for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum and Friends of the San Juans are partnering to host an ocean-themed comedy show with Forrest Shaw at Brickworks on Monday, July 13 at 7 PM! Forrest Shaw, former marine biologist turned comedian, gives a
Licensing and Recording office closure
San Juan County Auditor’s Office, Licensing and Recording counter closed July 2 & 3 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Auditor’s office, vehicle/vessel licensing and recording counter will be closed on Thursday, July 2 and Friday, July 3 in recognition of the Independence Day holiday.
WSF Weekly Report | Half way thru World Cup; 75th anniversary wrap-up
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve As we reach the midpoint of Seattle’s six FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches, I’m pleased to report our service has successfully managed demand. We have spent months, and in some ways years, preparing for higher ridership and
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.
Surge in oil tanker traffic threatens Salish Sea, Southern Resident Orcas, and shoreline communities
||| FROM LOVEL PRATT for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| Friends of the San Juans is raising urgent concerns over a dramatic increase in oil tanker traffic in the Salish Sea driven by expanding Canadian tar sands pipeline projects and new proposals to fast-track oil export infrastructure to Canada’s
Biggs encounter logged by Center for Whale Research
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 12:40 PM ObservEnd: 01:50 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson, Joe Zelwietro Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T049C LocationDescr: South of Sheringham Point EncSummary: Mark and Joe departed Victoria early in the day to complete a survey of
Here’s what’s happening at Senior Center in July
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Orcas Senior Center offers a variety of ongoing classes, social groups, wellness activities, and creative programs throughout the month. All programs are open to everyone, regardless of age, and new participants are always welcome. A full calendar with dates and times
Island Health issues community statement on physician transition
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HOSPITAL DISTRICT ||| As a Hospital District, we want to share appreciation of the community members and patients of Dr. Simpson-Manske who have shared comments in a variety of ways. During our Public Hospital District Board Meeting on Wednesday June 24th, we had 16 community members
No jurors needed June 29 – July 3
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JUNE 29 - JULY 3, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday June 29 through Friday July 3, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
Larsen votes to make housing more affordable in Northwest Washington
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to make housing more affordable in Northwest Washington and across the United States (the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act). “Too many families in Northwest Washington struggle to
