Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Sheriff’s Report | June 4 – 10, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4 25-003338 Theft 10:18:02 06/04/25 A Friday Harbor resident reported his mail being taken. This is an ongoing issue and a report was made. 25-003356 Suspicious Person/Circumstance 22:36:36 06/04/25 San Juan Island Deputies observed suspicious activity at the Friday Harbor
Focus on the good stuff
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The school year is coming to a close, marking a shift in seasons and exciting transitions ahead. On behalf of the OICF Board of Trustees, I’d like to congratulate the Orcas Island graduating Class of 2025! It's been quite remarkable
Larsen releases statement on Israel striking Iran
|||. FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen released the following statement: "The recent targeted Israeli attack on Iran was not indiscriminate or random. Israel has a right to self-defense and, with Trump administration's faltering efforts at negotiations with Iran, the country
Washington ferries to restore full domestic service by July
The Wenatchee, one of the system’s largest vessels, has completed its long-delayed hybrid-electric conversion and is undergoing final sea trials. ||| FROM KING-TV SEATTLE ||| SEATTLE — Washington State Ferries announced Thursday the state is on track to restore full domestic service for the first time since 2019, thanks to
Larsen releases statement on Republican rescission package
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen released the following statement on the Republican rescission package, which passed the House of Representatives 214-212: “I voted no on the package of funding cuts the Trump administration put forward because it is bad
Recycling Reform Act passes—with big impacts for San Juan County
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship is celebrating an environmental milestone with the passage of Washington’s new Recycling Reform Act, signed into law this spring by Governor Bob Ferguson. The new law will reduce packaging waste, expand access to curbside recycling, and
WSF Weekly Update | Summer schedule starts Sunday; meeting on fare changes
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve This week, we had the honor of welcoming a U.S. Department of Transportation leader. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs Connor Torossian toured Colman Dock and Walla Walla on a sailing to Bremerton. He was in Seattle
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.
Trump cancels landmark Columbia River agreement with tribes, WA, OR
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| A sweeping Biden-era initiative to restore Columbia Basin salmon runs, boost tribal energy development and provide a pathway for dam removal on the Lower Snake River has been canceled by President Donald Trump. A presidential memorandum issued Thursday revoked the 2023 Resilient Columbia Basin
Spirit of Peace Celebration
||| FROM NIK SCHULZ ||| The Orcas community and guests are invited to join in witnessing a historic celebration of peace between Lummi and Haida tribal leaders. The community will witness song, dance, celebration and culture in an embodiment of what it means to move forward from historical atrocities and
OPAL pursues purchase of rental housing on Crosswind Lane
||| FROM QASIM ALI DINO for OPAL ||| OPAL recently entered into a purchase and sale agreement to acquire eight two-bedroom rental homes on Crosswind Lane in Eastsound. The current owners of the property, Tom Keel, his son Luke Keel and Tom’s partner Tina Leavitt, approached OPAL because they
Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers is next in FHFF Best of the Fest series
||| FROM FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Join the Friday Harbor Film Festival for a captivating Best of the Fest screening of Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers, followed by a special live-streamed Q&A with award-winning producer Phil Grabsky. The screening begins at 7 pm on Friday, June 20 at the
Update from The Exchange
||| FROM ORCAS RECYCLING/THE EXCHANGE ||| This Saturday: Hazardous Waste Roundup Clean Harbors professionals will be on site at The Exchange this Saturday, June 14th from 10am - 2pm for the summer Hazardous Waste Roundup. Learn what you can and cannot bring to the event. Businesses must register in advance.
Jurors for Jun 16-20 are excused
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JUNE 16-20, 2025 All jurors summonsed for jury duty beginning Monday June 16th through Friday June 20th, are excused. Thank you.
OIHCD Community Partner Request | 2025 Coalition for Orcas Youth Community Survey
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| What are the Orcas Island community norms around drug and alcohol use for both youth and adults? Please consider taking the Community Survey to share your perspective! Orcas Island Health Care District has been a partner with the Coalition for Orcas Youth for several years. COY,
Medicare Fraud Awareness Month | Fight back against fraud
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| When 73-year-old Eleanor Simmons received a call from someone claiming to be from Medicare offering "free" genetic testing kits, something didn't feel right. The caller knew her name and address and just wanted to “verify” her Medicare number. He insisted that
