Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Grand re-opening of two Orcas Island preserves
Thank you for your patience during our temporary closures! ||| FROM CONSERVATION LAND BANK ||| The Conservation Land Bank is glad to announce the re-opening of Crescent Beach and Turtleback Mountain preserves this week, and to share our appreciation for your patience during these temporary closures. The trail through Crescent
Orcas Christian kicks off this year’s first Week of Worship
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN STUDENT LULA S. ||| Last week, Orcas Christian School (OCS) held its first Week of Worship of the year, an annual event where guest speakers share messages of faith with students. This year, a duo of college students from Walla Walla University spoke about their personal
Guest Opinion | Should Orcas Island (and SJC communities) have public transit?
||| FROM COLIN WILLIAMS ||| I believe we should explore creating a public transit system for our island community. I'd love to hear your thoughts and have a constructive discussion about this possibility. My Proposal: A Summer Transit Pilot I suggest we start with a pilot program during our busiest
Latest from Lekanoff | Strengthening schools, infrastructure, indigenous voices
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| As we welcome the turning of the seasons, I’m reminded how resilience lives in the everyday work of our communities. From harvest fields to salmon streams, from classrooms to council meetings, I see neighbors showing up for one another, adapting to
WSF Weekly Report | 500,000 more riders than last summer; online meetings rescheduled; system-wide kudo
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Our busy summer sailing season wrapped up Saturday. We carried almost 500,000 more riders than last summer, thanks in part to offering the most service during this peak travel period in years. We added sailings on three
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.
Grant funded Community Health Project Manager role – accepting applications until September 30
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) has received grant funds from the North Sound Accountable Community of Health to support the development of a San Juan County Community Health Network. As part of that grant funding, which ends September 30th, 2026, the Health
Check out this unique blend of literature and lore about the San Juan Islands
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Immerse yourself in a unique blend of literature and lore about the San Juan Islands this Saturday, September 27, at 6 pm at the Orcas Island Public Library. Curated story collections explore the rich and diverse legacies of the San Juan
Meeting Recap | Community discusses sheriff substation move on Lopez with officials, staff
The County will utilize a surplus building from Island County and extra space at the County’s existing Public Works property along Fisherman Bay Road to site the new substation. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The relocation of the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office Lopez Island substation was discussed
County issues Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation, supported by new language access plan
Hispanic Heritage Month spans from September 15-October 15 to coincide with national independence days in several Latin American countries. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The County Council issued a proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2025. The proclamation celebrates the valuable contributions of the Latino
Sounding ferry horns to salute Seattle Mariners, 5 p.m. today
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| At 5 p.m. today, all ferries underway will sound their horns to salute the Seattle Mariners on winning the American League West title — their first in 24 years! Congratulations to the team and fans as they head into the playoffs.
News Brief | Could Daylight Saving Time be harming our health?
||| FROM SCIENCE ALERT ||| "Previous studies have found that the "spring ahead" shift in DST can immediately increase the risk of heart attacks and car accidents, as well as cause temporary sleep disturbances. Meanwhile, the "fall back" shift to standard time is not linked to the same acute fallout." ORIGINALLY
Southern residents return to the Salish Sea
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 09:40 AM ObservEnd: 03:14 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Darren Croft Other Observers: Taylor Redmond, Rachel John Pods: L Pod IDsEncountered: L22, L25, L54, L77, L87, L88, L94, L108, L113, L117, L119, L121, L124, L126,
Keynote speaker Thor Hansen leads 2025 Annual Garden Workshop Series
||| PRESENTED BY SAN JUAN COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS ||| Celebrated local author Thor Hanson invites us to step outside into our ordinary and often overlooked back yards to discover extraordinary hidden wonders, contribute to science and improve the health of our planet. Thor will speak from his newest book, “Close
News Brief | Seattle PD targeted in ICE recruitment ads
||| FROM SEATTLE TIMES ||| "The federal government is airing commercials on cable television to entice Seattle law enforcement officers to join Immigration and Customs Enforcement." ORIGINALLY FROM SEATTLE TIMES "The ad touts that hired applicants could receive a signing bonus up to $50,000 and student loan repayment." Read full
PeaceHealth Family Medicine hosting flu shot clinics in October
||| FROM ANNE WILLIAMS for PEACEHEALTH PEACE ISLAND FAMILY PRACTICE ||| The PeaceHealth Peace Island Family Practice clinic has scheduled the first in a series of flu shot clinics this fall for individuals aged six months or older. Initially we are offering appointments for the vaccine to established PeaceHealth patients
