Here’s a thought…
“It is horrifying that we have to fight our own government to save the environment.”
ANSEL ADAMS
Standing Up for Our Community | A legislative update from Alex Ramel
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. ALEX RAMEL ||| In this year’s short legislative session, we have passed our first major deadline this week: House of Origin Cutoff. By February 4th, bills not tied to the state budget must be voted out of committee to stay alive. After this date,
Jigsaw Puzzle event at the library
||| FROM WOODY CISKOWSKI for ORCAS LIBRARY ||| Do you love jigsaw puzzles? Put your skills to the test and join fellow puzzle fans for an afternoon of fast-paced, friendly, speed puzzling at the Orcas Island Library! Teams of four will race to complete a 500-piece puzzle. All teams will receive the same puzzle, but
Midnight Mutterings The best place on Orcas Island for fainting
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I don’t have permission to name the place specifically, and you might think you recognize it from my brief description, but your guess might be wrong. On the other hand you might be right, but not need a place to faint, but you might want
San Juan County brings mobile passport devices to Lopez
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| As a convenience to the Lopez Island community, the San Juan County Clerk’s Office is hosting a “Passport Day” to accept passport applications. Join County staff at the Lopez Island Library on February 11 from 10 am-4 pm to process applications for first-time
Medicare’s Preventive Benefits | Why they matter
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Taking care of your health before problems arise is essential—and Medicare helps make that possible. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers many preventive services to detect conditions early. Medicare Part B also includes an annual wellness visit, a yearly appointment
Sheriff’s Report | January 28 – February 3, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28 26-000569 Theft 10:34:49 01/28/26 A San Juan Deputy took a report of a cold theft. Items were taken within the prior 4 months. No suspect information was available, and a report was generated. 26-000577 Wanted Person 14:46:32 01/28/26 Orcas
Latest from Lekanoff | Legislative session is moving quickly
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| The session is moving quickly - we've already passed the Policy Committee Cutoff! I wanted to take a moment to share an update on the work I’ve been doing on your behalf, from advancing policies that support housing stability and community
Midterm mania as Trump summons state election officials to D.C.
||| FROM WHAT A DAY ||| Trump’s FBI summoned state election officials from across the country for an unusual briefing on “preparations” for the midterms, What A Day has learned. At least one top state official is deeply concerned. The FBI is organizing a mysterious conference call in late February
Local author releases new book, Superposition | Here’s an interview
||| FROM TAMAYO WOLF ||| Reality is narrowing—coming to an unexpected end. A gifted physicist discovers that probability itself is collapsing—that the universe is converging toward a single, irreversible outcome. Her attempt to escape that fate fractures more than space and time. It creates something else: a sentient force born
WSF Weekly Report | Still battling availability issues | Go Hawks!
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Feb. 5, 2026 This week brougaht another reminder of how fragile our ferry system is. We simply don’t have enough vessels available to cover unexpected issues. Tuesday night, Kitsap had to be removed from service because of an engine issue. That
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.
Ditch the screen and connect to birds, to nature, and with each other
Take part in The Great Backyard Bird Count of 2026 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank, in conjunction with the Joyce L. Sobel Family Resource Center (JLSRFC), invites nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers and families to join in The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)
OPALCO to hold virtual community town hall
||| FROM JO LANGE for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| OPALCO invites members to a virtual town hall with our leadership team to ask questions and share feedback. We've been seeing an increased level of concern around a variety of co-op topics. We would like to provide an opportunity
Learn from scientist/ecologist Peter Guillozet as he speaks about backyard ponds
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Please join the Orcas Island Garden Club on Wednesday, February 18th when we welcome Peter Guillozet to speak about Below the Surface of Backyard Ponds: Beneficial or Harmful? We are excited and grateful to Peter for accepting our invitation to speak on the pros and
Library After Dark | Writing night offers adults a quiet space to create
||| FROM SAM GAILEY fot ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Orcas Island Library invites adult writers to settle in after hours for Library After Dark: Writing Night on Monday, February 9, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. This welcoming evening is designed for adults seeking focused writing time and a supportive creative community. The event
County publishes guide for reviewing OPALCO’s proposed solar project on Decatur Island
Members of the public interested in engaging in the County’s review of OPALCO’s project can use this guide. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Department of Community Development (DCD) received an application from Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) for a conditional use permit (CUP) for
