Here’s a thought…
“What are we doing, and why?”
AMANDA CARPENTER
Sheriff’s Report | September 3 – 9, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 25-006062 Lost Property 13:55:34 09/03/25 The Sheriff's Office took a report of lost property. The incident was documented. 25-006065 Wildland Fire 15:48:02 09/03/25 A Lopez Deputy and Lopez Fire responded to a wildland fire near Hummel Lake. The fire
Oriental rugs now on sale at Odd Fellows Hall
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ODD FELLOWS HALL ||| Huge Oriental Rug Sale at the Odd Fellows Hall Friday, September 12 (11:00-6:00); Saturday, September 13 (10:00-6:00); Sunday, September 14 (10:00-4:00). New inventory; new low prices. All reasonable offers accepted. The hall looks beautiful decorated with colorful rugs.
News Brief | Wenatchee return to service faces temporary setback
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| "It's not clear when the Wentachee ferry will be back in service." Originally reported by KOMO NEWS "The issue is not related to the ferry's hybrid-electric nature." Read the full article
WSF Weekly Report | Checking in with Maritime HS; Wenatchee update
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Yesterday, I had the privilege of spending time out in the fleet on our Seattle/Bremerton route. I met with our engine room and deck employees. I also talked to students in our Classroom on the Water program.
Encounter #54 • Bigg’s Killer Whales
||| FROM THE CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 02:20 PM ObservEnd: 03:55 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Michael Weiss Other Observers: Taylor Redmond Pods: Bigg's killer whales IDsEncountered: T75B, T75B2, T75B3, T75B4, T75B5 LocationDescr: Lime Kiln EncSummary: With reports of whales coming up the west side
County to test vote counting equipment in September
Testing will take place on September 23, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Elections office will be holding a “Logic and Accuracy” test of ballot tabulating equipment used for the County’s November 4, 2025, General election. The test is scheduled for September
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.
Getting ready for Medicare
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Is 2025 your year for joining Medicare? Medicare enrollment is not automatic for most people, so you’ll probably need to enroll with Social Security. Then you’ll have to decide what type of Medicare coverage you want. To make an informed decision
Notice | Request for art submissions for library
||| FROM INGRID MATTSON for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The Orcas Island Public Library seeks to include exhibits of visual arts in its mission to support all learners. Art will be shown for a month, to be scheduled by the Library Art Committee. To be considered for 2026, please email
Land managers convene for shoreline resiliency
||| FROM ELISE COPE for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| With more miles of marine shoreline than any other county in the lower 48, San Juan County’s land managers are well-positioned to lead in effective shoreline management that benefits both people and nature. To support this, Friends of the
Larsen statement on House-passed defense policy bill
Larsen continues to advocate for Northwest Washington state priorities ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) advocated for provisions in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to protect families and businesses Northwest Washington state. He
2025 Comp Plan Update | Eastsound UGA map amendments meeting & Planning Commission public hearing
There will be an informational meeting regarding proposed Official Map Amendments in Eastsound on September 16 from 5-6pm at the Orcas Island Library prior to the September 19 Planning Commission Public Hearing on the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Update. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is in
News Brief | Reinsurers are taking new steps to shield themselves against financial fallout
||| FROM BLOOMBERG NEWS ||| "The situation has sent powerful tremors through the American homeowners market" Originally reported by Bloomberg News "Americans keep building in risky areas. As home values in these locations rise, so will insurance rates. After all, it’s the industry’s job to signal risk, not subsidize it."
Learn about this infamous Northwest UFO sighting at Orcas Library
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| On August 1, 1947, the tragic crash of a B-25 bomber in Washington State triggered an FBI investigation of “The Maury Island Incident”—an infamous Northwest UFO sighting, and history’s first alleged encounter with the so-called “Men in Black.” The FBI’s records
Killer whales make their own tools
||| FROM INTERESTING FACTS ||| When they aren’t busy attacking yachts or starring in beloved children’s movies, killer whales have an even more impressive hobby: making their own tools. Scientists were initially unfazed by footage of the imposing creatures rubbing against one another for up to 15 minutes at a
Vacation Rental Permits now required in Eastsound & Lopez Village commercial designations
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Property owners within Eastsound Village Commercial and Lopez Village Commercial land use designations must now obtain a provisional use permit through the Department of Community Development (DCD) to operate a vacation rental. Property owners with a vacation rental existing prior to June 25,
