Here’s a thought…
“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”
THOMAS PYNCHON
News Brief | Targeted hunts were supposed to curb ‘Zombie Deer Disease.’ Now what?
||| FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES ||| Over two decades, Illinois has been one of a number of states that have set up culling campaigns to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease, a strange illness that one expert likened to a “disease from outer space.” First discovered in wild
A collaborative conservation with Land Bank, Conservation District
Lessons from five years of habitat restoration at Mount Grant—and what’s next ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Join the San Juan County Conservation Land Bank and the San Juan Islands Conservation District on May 6th for a conversation on collaborative, landscape-scale restoration at Mount Grant Preserve on San
Yellow Island lecture coming up April 29
Limited seating so arrive early ||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB |||
Don’t touch bats | Tips to prevent rabies exposure
Spring environmental health tips from your local public health department ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Your local public health team wants to remind you of a few tips to help make your spring season as fun and healthy as possible. Bats are highly beneficial to people, as
Center for Whale Research encounters J Pod in Haro Strait
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 10:05 AM ObservEnd: 01:05 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss, Katie Jones Pods: J IDsEncountered: J16, J19, J26, J27, J36, J38, J39, J40, J41, J42, J44, J45, J46, J47, J49, J51, J53, J56, J58, J62, and J63
Early Childhood Education Initiative launches new website
||| FROM ED ANDREWS for EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION INITIATIVE ||| The Early Childhood Education Initiative is excited to announce the launch of its new website at theecei.org. The redesigned site offers a new look with an easier way for families, donors, educators, and the community to learn about the mission,
Disposing of unwanted prescription medication
||| FROM INGRID MATTSON for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| You may know the Orcas Island Library provides notary services, wi-fi hotspots, and board games, but did you know we also distribute envelopes for prescription drug returns/take-backs? In partnership with the Coalition for Orcas Youth (COY), you can grab a mail-back bag
The Whale Museum announces open house event
||| FROM CONOR AGNEW for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum will be hosting an Open House event on Friday, May 1, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This is a great opportunity for the community to meet the new faces at The Whale Museum and learn more about
Center for Whale Research honors L25 with new logo
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| As we celebrate our 50th year, we’re proud to share our new logo for the Center for Whale Research. Our new logo features L25, the oldest living matriarch in the Southern Resident orca community. She is not just an individual whale, but a
WSF fare changes begin Friday, May 1
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Starting Friday, May 1, there will be changes to our fares and multi-ride pass expiration: Passenger and vehicle ticket prices will increase by an average of 3%. The Washington State Transportation Commission approved these changes last summer. A 35% peak season surcharge for
We’ve been busy at Orcas Island Pride
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND PRIDE ||| We hope the month of April has passed by well for you! We at Pride have been busy tinkering away on the details for our annual Pride Fest this June. We think you’ll love this year’s theme (here’s a hint: the colors match the
Larsen releases statement on attack at White House Correspondents’ Dinner
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “I condemn the attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner and all politically motivated violence. I am grateful to the first responders and law enforcement who acted quickly to prevent
Free magic workshop for all ages coming to Odd Fellows
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ODD FELLOWS HALL ORCAS ||| This May 2 at 4:00 pm, the Orcas community gets to particiate in an inspiring magic workshop at the Odd Fellows Hall led by second generation award-winning performer/magician, Phina Pipia. “This is a program that’s as fun as it is educational, with an impact
Larsen statement on Trump administration denying flood mitigation funds following December floods
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “This is an unacceptable decision for the families and businesses that I represent," said Rep. Larsen. “The disaster declaration helps people recover from the last flood, but hazard mitigation helps people survive the
Sheriff’s Report | April 15 – 20, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 26-002080 DUI 13:55:08 04/15/26 Deputies responded to a report of a DUI at the Orcas Landing. The driver was arrested for physical control of a vehicle while under the influence. 26-002089 Civil Problem 17:39:36 04/15/26 A Deputy on Orcas
Spring GiveOrcas kicks off with party at Orcas Center
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| Spring GiveOrcas is a few weeks away! Please mark your calendars for our GiveOrcas Kick-Off Party at Orcas Center on Tuesday, May 12 from 4-6pm. All ages are welcome to celebrate spring and meet the 31 nonprofits taking part in
