Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
PeaceHealth United General responding to flood risk
||| FROM ANNE WILLIAMS for PEACEHEALTH UNITED GENERAL ||| SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. – With direction from Sedro-Woolley officials, United General Medical Center is in the process of transitioning inpatients to home or other healthcare facilities due to flood risks. The Emergency Department remains open. We are reaching out to patients with
In Memoriam | Steven Edward Henigson, 1938 – 2025
||| FROM JEAN HENIGSON ||| Steve Henigson, 1938-2025 Steve Henigson cared deeply about justice, examined issues critically, and was unhesitant in speaking up to defend his beliefs. He had a keen sense of humor, and his huge collection of books reflected a strong interest in history. His cousin,
WA delegation requests expedited emergency declaration for devastating storms, atmospheric rivers hitting WA
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation sent a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson’s request last night for an expedited Emergency Declaration for the devastating storms and severe flooding hitting Washington state
County Council adopts 2025 Comp Plan update | Leaves several items for further discussion in 2026
The County undertook this project as part of its 2025 Growth Management Act Periodic Update ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During the December 9 meeting and public hearing, the San Juan County Council adopted the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update (Comp Plan). The County undertook this project as part of its
Regional flooding / travel advisory for islanders
The flooding forecast for Skagit County may impact both Highway 20 and I-5. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Island residents and businesses who are planning on mainland travel this week should be aware that the flooding forecast for Skagit County may impact both Highway 20 and I-5. The
All jurors excused December 15-19
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: December 15-19, 2025 All jurors summonsed for the week beginning Monday, December 15th through Friday, December 19th 2025, are excused. Thank you.
Holiday tips from The Exchange
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING/THE EXCHANGE ||| Grinding for Good Learn More Our next big goal? Repurposing food waste and organic material here on the island! We’ve got big plans for continuing to turn waste into a valuable resource that supports healthy soil, local agriculture, and a more sustainable island. Give
Potential flood impacts to I-5 and Hwy 20
Important update for islanders. Please help spread the word. ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for SJC DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Island residents and businesses who are planning on mainland travel this week should be aware that the flooding forecast for Skagit County may impact both Highway 20 and I-5. The
It’s time for the Holiday Jammie Jam
||| FROM ANITA ORNE for FLOATING UKULELE JAM ||| It’s December, and the Floating Ukulele Jam is slightly different…still bring your uke, your voice, and maybe a song (holiday or otherwise) to share, but for this one – we wear pajamas! Not sure why, but we do…but grab your favorite
3 days left to give gifts that make an impact in our community
||| FROM KIM WEST ACTKINSON for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| We are more than halfway through the Holiday GiveOrcas campaign and our community has already shown incredible generosity - but there is still more we can accomplish together! Giving through GiveOrcas helps build strong community connections. When you support
Holiday greetings from Garden Club
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| I will begin with the Nice List, knowing that this must be a very long list because gardens and gardeners bring so much joy to so many people! At the top, of course, are our loyal garden heroes: the bees and butterflies, who
Larsen introduces legislation to improve veterans’ access to transportation, health care
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced the introduction of the Veterans Access to Transit Act (H.R. 6451), legislation to establish a Department of Transportation (DOT) pilot program to provide veterans with public transportation to Department of Veterans Affairs
Recovery in Community Director receives grant funds
||| FROM MADS HALL for RECOVERY IN COMMUNITY ||| Mads Hall Recovery in Community is happy to announce that Mads Hall, Recovery in Community’s Operations Director, has been selected to receive funds from the Orcas Island Community Foundation’s Leadership, Excellence, Advancement, and Development (LEAD) Grant Program to finish
Update | Improv class for seniors coming to Senior Center
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND PARKS & RECREATION ||| In this Improv Theatre for Seniors class, we will focus on the core tenets of improv: to say “yes!” to the action, to listen closely, to work as a group, to discover organically, and--most importantly--to have fun. Games and group work will
Community Band presents island-favorite Holiday Concert
||| FROM KAREN KEY SPECK for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY BAND ||| The Orcas Island Community Band favors the number 35. Averaging thirty-five musicians-strong each season, the Orcas Island Community Band is concluding its 35th year as a non-profit, (though the Band can actually trace its roots to 1978!) The Band's
Now, it’s just rain, rain, rain; and then flooding
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Seattle WA 131 AM PST Mon Dec 8 2025 San Juan County-Cascades of Whatcom and Skagit Counties- Cascades of Snohomish and Northern King Counties- Cascades of Southern King County- Cascades of Pierce and Lewis Counties- Foothills and Valleys
