Here’s a thought…
“I am so convinced of the advantages of looking at mankind instead of reading about them, and of the bitter effects of staying at home with all the narrow prejudices of an islander, that I think there should be a law amongst us to set our young men abroad for a term among the few allies our wars have left us.”
LORD BYRON
In Review | County’s marine transport services pilot project
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| After 10 weeks of service, the County’s Marine Transportation Services Pilot Project is complete. These services included emergency barge and foot-passenger transportation during disruptions to Washington State Ferry (WSF) service as well as travel to and from the mainland (Anacortes) on a daily
Jurors excused, July 28 – August 1, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JULY 28 - AUGUST 1, 2025 All jurors summonsed for jury duty beginning Monday July 28th through Friday August 1st, are excused. Thank you.
Orcas Island Public Library secures state funding for renovation
||| FROM INGRID MATTSON for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Orcas Island Public Library has secured funding of $294,000 in the 2025-2027 Washington State budget for capital improvements via a Library Capital Improvement Program (LCIP) grant administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce. “We are incredibly grateful to our local
County Council to surplus gravel on Waldron Island
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| This spring, the County Council has been considering a plan to make gravel available for public sale from the County's gravel pit on Waldon Island. Councilmembers discussed the potential plan during the April 15, 2025 meeting along with the feedback received from Waldron
Port of Orcas to hold public meeting
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| PORT OF ORCAS NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will conduct a public hearing on Monday, July 28, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. at the airport terminal conference room, 147 Schoen Lane, Eastsound, WA 98245, to amend
Have a garden question? Ask an Orcas Master Gardener
Now at the Market Garden Nursery ||| FROM CAITIE BLETHEN for WSU EXTENSION SAN JUAN COUNTY ||| Do you have a question about your soil, have a problem with your fruit tree, or are thinking about starting a garden? Is something bugging your plants, or you are curious about identifying
Nantucket’s workers are living on the margins
Teachers, police officers, firefighters and other workers live in overcrowded and substandard housing, or even in their cars on the beach ||| FROM THE NY TIMES ||| As private jets and superyachts arrive on Nantucket for the summer season, full-time residents and government officials are warning that the Massachusetts island
Orcas Health Care District Board to meet
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT BOARD ||| The Orcas Island Health Care District Board will hold a regularly scheduled board meeting on Wednesday, July 23rd from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Orcas Island Library, 500 Rose Street, Eastsound. The Board Meeting Public Packet is available below:
San Juan County celebrates plastic free July
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| “Even just committing to one action helps,” urged Katie Johnson, Marine Project Coordinator for San Juan County. She’s referring to Plastic Free July, a challenge that encourages millions of people around the world to find ways to cut back on their plastic consumption
Isabeau Waia’u Walker and Lilo Sanchez in free summer concert
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center is delighted to announce a special performance featuring Isabeau Waia’u Walker and Lilo Sanchez on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at 5:00 PM on the Village Green. This free event is part of Summer Concert Series event presented by Orcas Center,
In Memoriam | Carole Ann (Weinel) Sygitowicz 1954-2025
||| FROM MARCIA SPEES ||| It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Carole Ann Sygitowicz (nee Cannon). Carole was born on December 24, 1954 in Bellingham, Washington to June and Jim Cannon. She grew her wings to be with the angels on July 10, 2025. Carole
Effective immediately, San Juan County’s fire danger is upgraded to VERY HIGH
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| At this level recreational, residential, or commercial fires are not allowed, including charcoal. This means that campfires, even in a fire ring or bowl that is no more than three feet in diameter, are no longer permitted. Residential fires of yard debris are
OIFR responds to two wildland fires on Sunday
||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| In the afternoon of Sunday, July 20 Orcas Fire and Rescue responded to an initial wildland fire happening off Point Lawrence Road in Doe Bay. This fire, which has been fully extinguished, was likely caused from an unattended campfire.
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council July 15, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| During public comment Friends of the San Juans and one Decatur resident raised concerns about the proposed property acquisition at the Decatur marine facility. The Roche Harbor general manager spoke in favor of their masterplan amendment. After a public hearing
6 subjects that are no longer taught in schools
||| FROM INTERESTING FACTS ||| Think back to your school days: Are you nostalgic for flipping through a dusty library card catalog or clacking away on a typewriter? Some subjects you remember from those days are probably things of the past, although the finer points of how schools have changed
Have a garden question? Ask an Orcas Master Gardener
Now at the Market Garden Nursery ||| FROM JULIA TURNEY for ORCAS MASTER GARDENERS ||| Do you have a question about your soil, have a problem with your fruit tree, or are thinking about starting a garden? Is something bugging your plants, or you are curious about identifying a plant
