Here’s a thought…
“The United States, despite the fact that we are so big and powerful and militarily capable, we still need our allies and partners.”
JOHN BRENNAN, EX CIA DIRECTOR
Larsen releases statement on Trump administration raising costs by cancelling clean energy projects
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| EVERETT, WA – Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after the Trump administration announced the cancellation of funding for the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub and ten other projects in Washington state: “The Trump administration is raising the cost of
Sheriff’s Report | September 24 – 30, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 25-006604 Found Property 12:18:22 09/24/25 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a found property incident at a business in Eastsound. The found property was taken and submitted to the San Juan County Sheriff's Office Property division. The incident was
Power of Community | Orcas Island raises $65,000 in September for Resource Center services
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| Thanks to the generosity of Orcas Island residents and supporters, the Orcas Community Resource Center is celebrating the successful completion of its September fundraising match campaign, which raised a total of $65,000 to support vital community services. Throughout September, community donations were
Larsen releases statement on Israeli detention of Orcas resident, Jasmine Ikeda
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| EVERETT, WA – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement on the detention of Jasmine Ikeda, an Orcas Island resident detained by Israel on October 1st, 2025 following her participation in the Global Sumud Flotilla: Jasmine Ikeda
Looking into the horizon of OICF’s future
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| Next Wednesday, the OICF Board of Trustees will gather for a planning retreat to solidify our Foundation’s vision, mission, and values, and shape our strategic goals and priorities for the years ahead. We’re grateful for the input from more than
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue equips new EMTs with life-saving AEDs
Thanks to GiveOrcas Grant ||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR) is proud to announce the purchase of nine new automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for the department's newest EMTs. The equipment was funded by a $25,000 grant from the Orcas
Worm composting workshops coming up at The Exchange
||| FROM PETE MOE for ORCAS RECYCLING/THE EXCHANGE ||| The Exchange is sponsoring another round of workshops that will help you keep your household food waste out of the landfill and turn it into dark, rich compost for your garden! On October 10th and 11th , our resident composting expert
Letter to Editor | Chip, chip hooray
||| FROM EASE WILES ||| I wanted to write in after seeing your piece announcing Chip Long as the new Executive Port Director for the Port of Orcas Island, because I had the most amazing above-and-beyond customer service experience with him, and Orcas should know what kind of person they’ve
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.
Israeli military stops nearly all boats in aid flotilla, sparking global protests
||| FROM WHAT A DAY ||| Israeli forces raided ships carrying aid to the Gaza Strip. Moments before they detained crewmembers, an activist on board detailed the “fucking scary” situation in an exclusive interview with What A Day. Israeli soldiers donned night-vision goggles and helmets as they boarded dozens of
Orcas resident illegally detained by Israeli military
||| FROM MADS HALL and BAILEY QUISHENBERRY ||| Urgent! Jas Ikeda, Orcas resident, has been illegally detained by the Israeli military. Yesterday, October 1st at approximately noon Pacific Standard Time, Ikeda's vessel, the Sirius-Haifa, was intercepted and boarded in international waters. The crew has been detained and is being held
Coming to Grange | ATOI presents ‘Orcas Sings B’way’
||| FROM SARAH COOPER for ACTORS THEATER OF ORCAS ISLAND ||| Actors Theater of Orcas Island (ATOI) is excited to announce their first gala fundraiser – ORCAS SINGS B’WAY! – to be held at the Grange on Saturday, October 25th at 7 pm. Please join us for the show of
CWR documents fantastic encounter with J Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 09:29 AM ObservEnd: 16:28 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Michael Weiss, Darren Croft, Katie Jones Other Observers: Rachel John, Taylor Redmond Pods: Southern Resident: J Pod IDsEncountered: J16, J19, J22, J26, J27, J31, J36, J37, J38, J39, J40, J41,
Artworks October featured artist – Pam Jenkins
||| FROM B.J. ARNOLD for ORCAS ISLAND ARTWORKS ||| The Orcas Island Artworks will be featuring a new, large, pastel painting, “The Giving Tree,” by Pam Jenkins through the month of October. For over 20 years, Pam has been enjoying painting local landscapes, as well as small objects in them.
Council to review 2025 Comp Plan update at series of fall meetings
Council will review recommendations from the Planning Commission, accept public comments, and hold a public hearing, during a series of upcoming meetings. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is updating its Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) as part of its 2025 Growth Management Act Periodic Update. Throughout
Larsen releases statement on government shutdown
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| EVERETT, WA – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement about the government shutdown: “Prices are up, the economy is down, and now Republicans in Congress have shut down the government to double down on the health care crisis
