Here’s a thought…
“It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.”
MARK TWAIN
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman is full of energy, optimism, determination
||| FROM ROSE KAPOLCZYNSKI ||| I got to know Katherine Bryant Ingman when UW Medicine announced it was no longer going to operate the Lopez Island clinic, leaving islanders scrambling to keep the clinic open. That crucial moment for Lopez showed me Katherine’s grit and determination. As President of the
County DEM seeks public input on disaster preparedness
Complete a short survey ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Department of Emergency Management (www.islandsready.org) is updating the County’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, which outlines local natural hazard risks and identifies strategies to reduce their impacts. The current plan is available at: https://www.sanjuanco.com/DocumentCenter/View/21421/HazardMitigationPlan As
About my two hours observing SJC Elections Office this morning
||| FROM ALEXANDRA GAYEK ||| Important Voter Information I served as an Election Observer at the San Juan County Elections Office in Friday Harbor for two hours this morning (Oct. 27), following sending a pile of questions about our elections process and security to County Elections Manager Camolyn Armstrong. Some
Orcas Island Clothing Bank draws about 400 over two days
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| The Orcas Island Clothing Bank welcomed approximately 400 people over two days Oct. 24-25, offering community members an opportunity to find clothing and other household items while giving gently used goods a second life. The event was held at the Orcas Christian School (OCS)
Guest Opinion | San Juan Islands need an AI skills test for small businesses
||| FROM GLEB TSIPURSKY for DISASTER AVOIDANCE EXPERTS ||| Washington is receiving a new federal industry-driven workforce training grant. The state’s listed industries include AI and data-center infrastructure, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing. But people working in small island businesses also deserve the skills to assess automated decisions. Consider an inn
Larsen continues to press ICE for answers about local activity
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) wrote to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding Larsen’s visit to ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) suboffice in Ferndale on October 9th: “I support HSI’s mission to
Coming to Odd Fellows | The failed attempts to halt North Korea nuclear weapons program
What happens when diplomacy, nuclear science, and international security collide? ||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND ODD FELLOWS ||| Join nuclear safeguards and nonproliferation expert Mark Schanfein on Friday, November 7 at 7pm at Odd Fellows Hall for Assignment North Korea: The Failed Attempts to Halt Their Nuclear Weapons Program, an inside
Ferry Alert | SR 536 bridge closure in Mount Vernon begins Nov. 1
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Beginning Sunday, Nov. 1, the SR 536 Skagit River/Division Street Bridge in Mount Vernon will close in both directions to vehicles for at least two weeks for painting and preservation work. Weather could extend the closure. Travelers using SR 536 to go to and
Winter vehicle reservations release postponed two weeks to Nov. 10
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| We’re postponing the two-month vehicle reservations release for our winter sailing season (Dec. 27 through March 20, 2027). The delay is needed while we work to adjust reservation availability around upcoming terminal construction. The new reservations release date is Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 10
What makes me different | Katherine’s closing statement
||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN for SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL ||| What makes me different, and why should you vote for me? I think it comes down to perspective and experience. I’m part of the next generation trying to build a life here. I’ve rented here in a difficult housing
Mercy Flights | Neighbors helping neighbors take flight
A community service announcement from the Orcas Aviation Association ||| FROM ALLAN TONE for ORCAS AVIATION - MERCY FLIGHTS ||| Living on Orcas Island is a privilege, but our island's beauty and isolation can also present challenges, particularly when it comes to accessing medical care on the mainland. For island
Letter to Editor | Who is being represented?
||| FROM JOHN BERRY for SOULARTSPACEORCAS ||| I would like to know whom the selection committee for the artisans holiday fare would have been for this year. Why? Could you please advise. Yes, your letter said and I paraphrase: "received 45 entrants, and please try again and maybe you will
It’s time to vote
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND PRIDE ||| I filled my ballot out this morning, and it reminded me of how many of you showed up to see the candidates for council and learn about the awful initiatives on the ballot this year. We so appreciate every one of you. Couldn’t
Orcas Christian School launches gym activity nights to bring community together
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Orcas Christian School (OCS) is expanding its gymnasium programming with movie nights, open gyms and other activities designed to bring students, families and staff together while strengthening the school community. The school hosted its first movie night Oct. 9, drawing approximately 25 to 30 children
Letter to Editor | I’m voting for our future
||| FROM LILY STOVALL ||| I am 21 years old, raised on Lopez. I moved back while pregnant and have been living here since with my fiancé and daughter who is now 9 months old. I’ve known Katherine since I was little and have seen how she’s always been there
Letter to Editor | Jennifer Swanson brings people together
||| FROM BRAD & NANCY ZAKES ||| We support Jennifer Swanson for San Juan County Council Position 3. Jennifer has shown great leadership and the ability to bring people together to create creative and workable solutions to many of the challenges of those living in San Juan County in a
