Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
ALL ROUTES | Fare changes begin Wednesday, Oct. 1
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Fare changes begin today, Wednesday, Oct. 1 Starting tomorrow Wednesday, Oct. 1, there will be new passenger and vehicle ticket prices. The Washington State Transportation Commission recently approved these changes to meet revenue targets set by the state Legislature. Oct. 1 is also the
Fall is Here | Let’s check your heat sources and smoke & CO detectors
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| With the changing of the seasons comes an opportunity to check in on our household heating units, wood stoves, and fireplaces. This is a great time to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, too. Use these helpful tips
All beaches in San Juan County closed to recreational shellfish harvesting
DOH has closed recreational shellfish harvesting at all beaches due to unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Washington State Department of Health has closed recreational shellfish harvesting at all beaches in San Juan County due to unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish
Letter to Editor | Will County Council stand by its proclamation on rights of southern residents?
||| FROM ELISABETH ROBSON ||| Dear Council Members, In 2023, this body took a forward-thinking step by passing the Proclamation of the Rights of the Southern Resident Orcas. In it, you recognized that these beings have the inherent right “to life, autonomy, culture, free and safe passage, adequate food supply from
News Brief | Marine experts save sea lion from plastic strap around neck
||| FROM KING-5 TV||| "A collaborative effort by marine experts saved this sea lion, but they say this is just one example of a big problem.” ORIGINALLY FROM KING-5 TV "The sea lion was spotted by a whale watcher between Lopez Island and San Juan Island in the Salish Sea."
Ladies of Airhawks Series | Mindy Nunez
||| FROM AIRHAWKS FLYING CLUB ||| As a youngster, Mindy Nunez initially thought of joining the Forest Service as a firefighter in Search and Rescue. She was inspired by her father who worked as a volunteer fire fighter county EMS and search and rescue. That dream faded but many other
CWR encounters J and L Pod off San Juan Island
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 09:43 AM ObservEnd: 04:01 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Other Observers: Rachel John, Taylor Redmond, Alex Smit Pods: Southern Resident: J, L Pod IDsEncountered: J16, J19, J22, J26, J27, J31, J35, J36, J37, J38, J39, J40,
Two Orcas Island Land Bank preserves are now re-open
Thank you for your patience during our temporary closures! ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Conservation Land Bank is glad to announce that Crescent Beach and Turtleback Mountain preserves are once again open to the public. The trail through Crescent Beach opened on Friday, September 26, 2025, and
Time to Batten Down the Hatches | Preparing your vessel for fall and winter
Have you prepared your boat for fall? ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| “We all want hold onto the last boating days of summer, but in doing so we get caught off guard when the heavy rains and winds hit. This can be hazardous to the marine environment, and
Larsen Op-Ed | Republicans in Congress are doubling down on a health care crisis of their own making
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) published an opinion piece in the Everett Herald about the Republican health care crisis and potential government shutdown. "At a time when families are already struggling with high prices and a weak job market, Republicans in Congress
News Brief | Oregon says ‘no’ to troop deployment, files suit
||| FROM SEATTLE TIMES ||| "So far, Hegseth had ordered 200 Oregon National Guard troops to be placed under federal control and mobilized in Portland, according to The Oregonian.” ORIGINALLY FROM SEATTLE TIMES "Our message today is very clear: Stay out of Seattle,” Harrell said at the City Hall news
Orcas Center commissions microgrid, securing community resilience
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center has completed commissioning of a landmark solar and battery storage microgrid, establishing the island’s performing arts and community hub as a long-term resilience center for emergencies and everyday life. Funded by the Washington State Department of Commerce under the
Lopez Island in need of financial health check, community conversation
Heavy reliance on grants and donations leaves Lopez Island’s dozens of nonprofit organizations providing much-needed services vulnerable. ||| BY CHOM GRAECEN, Originally posted by Salish Current ||| The U.S. economy faces growing challenges that impact Lopez Island. Tariffs and a weaker dollar raise costs, while Medicaid and SNAP face cuts.
No Place Like Loam | Growing figs in the Pacific Northwest
||| NO PLACE LIKE LOAM by ALEX TAMAYO WOLF ||| Why Figs Work Here Figs (Ficus carica) are among the most drought-tolerant fruit crops. In their native Mediterranean range they’re often dry-farmed—and while most cultivars crave heat, a handful have thrived in the Pacific Northwest since the late 1800s, now
Kids Got Talent is back for another year of joy and community
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Come cheer on your friends and neighbors as they sing, adance, twirl and shine across the stage during Orcas Center’s beloved youth talent show — by kids, for kids. There are two chances to catch this year’s incredible line up on
News Brief | Oregon says ‘no’ to troop deployment, files suit
||| FROM SEATTLE TIMES ||| "Oregon has filed a lawsuit to block Trump from deploying the National Guard to Portland a day after Trump authorized federal troops to protect what he dubbed “War ravaged Portland.” ORIGINALLY FROM SEATTLE TIMES "The facts cannot justify this overreach says the 41-page suit filed
