Here’s a thought…
“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.”
HEATHER FRENCH HENRY
News Brief | New report on economic implications of LSR dam removal
||| FROM IDAHO RIVERS UNITED ||| New research helps answer a question we've asked for years: what would removing the four Lower Snake River dams actually mean for the communities that host them? Here's what the research found: Dams aren’t driving the local economy The local economy is lagging Dam
News Brief | Will an aging propane tank near Bellingham be the next disaster?
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| In Ferndale, near Bellingham, another industrial tank has come under scrutiny because of serious safety concerns. While catastrophic failures are rare, the consequences can be disastrous. When you consider where the Cherry Point tank is situated, its obsolete design becomes even more concerning. Risk
I’m Not the Church Lady | When I’m about to disappear
||| I'M NOT THE CHURCH LADY by ROSIE KUHN ||| People often describe me as an introvert, reclusive, and someone who simply reaches her social limit long before everyone else. They’re not wrong. Even after only an hour or two of being with people, I get antsy and my mind
Early bird discounted passes to Friday Harbor Film Festival available now
||| FROM ELLEN ROBERTS & KAREN PALMER for FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Mark Your Calendars: The 14th Annual Friday Harbor Film Festival Returns October 22–25, 2026. The countdown is on. Friday Harbor Film Festival (FHFF) is thrilled to announce that the 14th annual festival will light up San Juan Island
Coincidence? Three of our five Founding Fathers died on July 4
||| FROM NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER ||| It is a fact of American history that three Founding Father Presidents—John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe—died on July 4, the Independence Day anniversary. But was it just a coincidence? On July 4, 1831, James Monroe, the fifth President, died at the age
Sheriff’s Report | June 24 – 30, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24 26-003769 Unwanted Person 07:48:29 06/24/26 A Deputy on San Juan Island received a report of an unwanted person. The Deputy had the reporting party sign a trespass warning letter that was later given to the suspect. 26-003795 Accident-Injury, Traffic
CWR encounters ‘just another day’ with Southern Residents
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 11:15 PM ObservEnd: 12:26 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Rachel John, Taylor Redmond Pods: Southern Resident - J, L IDsEncountered: J16, J19, J26, J31, J35, J37, J38, J42, J47, J49, J53, J56, J57,
All WSF routes operating normal Saturday schedules Saturday, July 4
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| About 400,000 people are expected to board Washington State Ferries from Thursday, July 2, through Monday, July 6. Please prepare for long lines and extended wait times if you are traveling this holiday weekend. On Saturday, July 4, all routes will operate on their normal Saturday schedules. Busy travel times Westbound (or onto an
Creating lasting change together
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| America's 250th anniversary is a natural moment to reflect, not just on national history or politics, but on what we value closest to home. This community has long embodied something that is easy to take for granted: a genuine culture
Anacortes | No parking available 7/3/26
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| There is currently no available parking at the Anacortes terminal. All parking lots are full. Updates will occur when more information is available. This alert was sent on 07/3/2026 at 11:48AM to subscribers of the following routes: Anacortes / San Juan Islands
WSF Weekly Report | Onboard dance party; travel rush underway; WSDOT at Pride Parade
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Our monthlong 75th anniversary celebration wrapped up on Tuesday with our fourth and final onboard dance party on our Seattle/Bremerton route. Throughout June, these live DJ events brought music, energy and fun to ferries across our system. They
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.
Strut your stuff this weekend with Garden Club
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Our annual Fourth of July parade float will be beautifully decorated and we'd love your support! Every year we add new decorations - creatures, flowers, and this year, a special guest sitting a top the truck. It's all so intriguing! 'Among The Wildflowers'
Resource Center expanding access to justice on Orcas Island
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| Access to justice should not depend on where you live or how much money you make. The Orcas Community Resource Center is proud to partner with Skagit Legal Aid to bring free civil legal services directly to Orcas Island every other month.
No jurors required for July 6-10
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JULY 6-10, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday July 6 through Friday July 10, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
Orcas Island to celebrate Independence Day weekend ‘Among the Wildflowers’
A weekend of community events include Firecracker 5K, Community Picnic, live music, fireworks, parade, antique car show, and more ||| FROM CAREY ESKRIDGE for ORCAS ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ||| The Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce invites residents and visitors alike to celebrate Independence Day Weekend with a full schedule
