OIFR to host three community town halls on upcoming bond measure
||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR) will host three public town hall meetings to discuss Proposition 1, the $18.5 million general obligation bond measure appearing on the November ballot. These meetings provide community members with opportunities to learn about
Ongoing classes at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Monthly Hearing Services Stacie Nordrum, Au.D., CCC-A, from Island Hearing Healthcare, provides hearing care at Orcas Senior Center every first Thursday of the month. To secure your slot, it is advisable to schedule your appointment well in advance, as availability
Orcas Island Film Festival to reopen beloved Sea View Theatre
||| FROM DONNA LASLO for ORCAS FILM FESTIVAL ||| The Sea View Theatre will once again light up the heart of Eastsound, reopening after months of closure following the passing of beloved longtime owner Ingrid McClinton—a loss that left a profound void in the island community. The Orcas Island Film
Port Commissioners meeting scheduled for Monday
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, September 22nd at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.
Timely new book released from John Geyman, M.D.
||| FROM EMILY GEYMAN ||| The current Congress continues to threaten Medicaid and Medicare and it is vital to look to the future and opportunities for change. Growing Costs of U.S. Health Care Corporate Power vs. Human Rights Is Reform Finally Within Reach by John Geyman, M.D. traces the
Get Ready | Grannie’s Holiday Sale at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Mark your calendars—Grannie’s Holiday Sale is back at Orcas Senior Center on Saturday, November 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.! Browse a wide array of festive décor, holiday treasures, and unique creations from local artisans. It’s the perfect place to find
News Brief | ‘Lights Out’ they say, as 12.3M birds to migrate over Washington state
||| FROM KING TV NEWS||| "During the spring and fall months, billions of birds migrate across the United States, mainly at night. In Washington state, the fall migration season typically peaks around late September to early October." ORIGINALLY FROM KING TV NEWS "Researchers found that one of the biggest threats
F WORD !! ICE agent raids captured on camera across the country
Are these masked marauders among those who refused to cover their faces during COVID? ||| FROM THE MIDAS TOUCH |||
Kinship Program coming to Orcas Senior Center
Resources for grandparents and relatives raising children ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join us at Orcas Senior Center on Friday, September 26 at 1 p.m. for a presentation by the Opportunity Council’s Kinship Programs. Kinship care occurs when children are raised by grandparents, relatives, or close
Free course for friend and family caregivers on San Juan Island
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County and Northwest Regional Council are offering a free six-week course for unpaid family and friend caregivers on San Juan Island. This course, Powerful Tools for Caregivers: Taking Care of You, is an evidenced-based, self-care educational program for family caregivers. Classes
Midnight Mutterings | Losing
|||MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| There are lots of ways of losing. We can lose an election, respect, direction, our way, speed, motivation, interest, energy, faith, love, and friendships. We can lose our patience and our tempers, among other sad states. Even worse, we can lose our minds. Less
Community Foundation announces open application period for GiveOrcas grants
||| FROM KIM WEST ACTKINSON for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION }}} Calling all Orcas Island nonprofits! Applications for 2025 Holiday GiveOrcas grants are now being accepted. OICF is inviting all Orcas Island nonprofit organizations to submit grant proposals by October 7, 2025. The application is open to 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6)
All WSF routes | Systemwide community meetings, Thursday, Oct. 2
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| We’re hosting two virtual community meetings on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. WSF staff will answer questions and provide updates on the latest at Washington State Ferries. Registration is required. To learn more and register, visit: https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries/about-us/community-participation
Senior Center | Take charge of your health today
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Life Line Screening will be at the Orcas Island Senior Center on Thursday, October 9, 2025, offering safe, painless, and non-invasive preventive health screenings—services not typically included in a routine physical. By participating, you can take a proactive step toward protecting
Sheriff’s Report | September 10 – 16, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 25-006257 Wanted Person 14:46:29 09/10/25 A San Juan Deputy located a wanted person at the end of Haven Rd on Orcas Island. The man was taken into custody and booked into jail for two warrants. 25-006262 Threats 20:44:16 09/10/25
Town launches “Be Seen” safety campaign
||| FROM JENNIFER KREMBS for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| To promote safety during shorter fall and winter days, the Town has launched a safety campaign for residents to “Be Seen”. The Town encourages everyone, but particularly pedestrians and cyclists, to wear visible clothing to increase their visibility to others.
