Here’s a thought…
“There are many forms of patriotism and telling the truth is one of them.”
ANDERSON COOPER
News Brief | Southern Resident Killer Whales are running out of time
||| FROM IN DEFENSE OF ANIMALS ||| Southern Resident killer whales are a distinct, tightly bonded population of orcas who live and travel through the Salish Sea. With only about 74 individuals remaining, they are on the brink of extinction. These whales are still in crisis. In recent months, calves
Larsen announces winner of 2026 congressional art competition
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| MOUNT VERNON, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced Olivia Hamm of Oak Harbor High School as the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition in Washington state’s 2nd congressional district with her piece, “Sleepy.” “It takes courage to put yourself out there as a young artist, and I want to
I’m Not the Church Lady | What do I get by remaining unforgiving?
||| I'M NOT THE CHURCH LADY by ROSIE KUHN ||| Am I willing to relinquish the belief that anyone—including me—is denied forgiveness? I humbly admit that my initial intention in writing this post was to point a finger at religions and spiritual traditions because of their emphasis on sin. Honestly,
Cracks in the lower Snake River dams
||| FROM LINWOOD LAUGHY ||| Cracks in the four lower Snake River dams? Not literally, but metaphorically weakening and widening. Over the past five years, according to Army Corps of Engineers’ data, these dams combined generated an average of just 669 Megawatts (MW) each year, a decline of 29% compared
Seasonal opening of Crow Valley School Museum
Beginning May 22nd, 11am-3pm at 1701 Crow Valley Rd ||| FROM PARKER PAVITT for ORCAS ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUMS ||| Welcome to another season at the Crow Valley School Museum! Our knowledgeable docents will be onsite for this fun and informative look at an island education. Located next to the North
Sheriff’s Report | May 13 – 19, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 26-002730 Controlled Substance Problem 08:06:13 05/13/26 A Lopez Deputy responded to a drug call. A small bag of Methamphetamine was found in the parking lot outside of a Lopez business. It is unknown who dropped the bag. 26-002739 Fraud
EWUA members call for third-party review amid workplace, leadership concerns
||| FROM SAM GAILEY, SPECIAL REPORT TO THE ORCASONIAN ||| The Eastsound Water Users Association held a listening session this week as the organization continues to face internal disputes, leadership concerns, labor-related tensions, and questions from members about transparency and governance. At the start of the meeting, the board stated
Kindergarten transition brings joy, confidence, connection to Orcas families
||| FROM RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center welcomed more than 25 families to its annual Kindergarten Transition event — a warm and lively evening designed to help young islanders take their first big step into school with confidence, curiosity, and community behind them. Hosted this
Letter to Editor | Thanks to community partner during 2026 Firewise event
||| FROM CHIEF NOEL MONIN for SAN JUAN ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| San Juan Island Fire & Rescue wants to commend a Firewise Community partner - the Roche Harbor Neighborhood Association - and many volunteers for all their hard work in May to maintain Firewise USA status. Thank you
Taking Action Together | Communitywide climate survey to guide climate action
Your input guided the first steps—now help us build the next phase of the Climate Action Plan. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is developing a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to guide how we respond to climate change while protecting our community and environment. The County
Orcas is now blooming with gratitude
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| On Orcas Island, each and every one of us plays a role in providing the seeds, soil, water, and sunlight needed to grow and sustain a high quality of life for all. Thank you for digging deep and nurturing the
WSF Weekly Report | Pets on board; upcoming holiday travel; online community meetings afoot
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Pets become members of our families, providing comfort and unconditional love. Washingtonians rightly enjoy including them in family events and travel. To align with partner transit agencies and public feedback, we rolled out an updated pet policy
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.
All 6 certified Eastsound Water operators speak out
||| FROM ALL SIX EASTSOUND WATER USER OPERATORS ||| First of all, we want to express to the membership how seriously we take our commitment to providing safe drinking water to our island community. One of us is available to you at every moment of every day. We want you
San Juan Fire & Rescue swears in 6 new firefighters
||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| San Juan Island Fire & Rescue proudly welcomed 6 new firefighters into the ranks during a swearing-in ceremony held at Station 31 on Mullis Street. All of them are neighbors across San Juan Island. Fire Department leadership, firefighters, and family members attended the
An open letter to the EWUA board members
||| FROM EASTSOUND STEWARDSHIP ALLIANCE ||| At the recent Board meeting on May 19th, over 75 members attended and delivered a clear and urgent request through public comment and applause: We need a 3rd party investigation into the workplace environment at EWUA. This meeting was also attended by EWUA’s operators,
