Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
WSF Weekly Report | $900M from state budget; Wenatchee goes electric; WSF 74th anniversary
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the 2025-2027 state budgets last week. I’m excited to share that nearly $900 million from the transportation budget will go to capital projects for our ferry system. More than half of that money
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.
Orcas Island Health Care District – Board of Commissioner Seat 5 vacancy
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Following the voluntary resignation of District Commissioner Dave Zoeller effective 05/28/2025, The Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) has formally nominated Trey Holland for the appointment to fill that vacancy at a special board meeting held on 05/28/2025. The OIHCD Board of
Thank you, Orcas Island, for celebrating community
||| FROM LYNN WHITE for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The community came together for a beautiful day at Parish Hall and the Labyrinth to celebrate the nonprofits that make a difference on Orcas Island every day. With strong local participation and support from the Orcas Island Community Foundation’s Partners
Present Laughter from National Theatre Live at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center brings Noël Coward’s classic comedy, Present Laughter, to the big screen on Wednesday, June 4 at 7pm, as part of National Theatre Live’s digital programming, providing an unparalleled cinematic and theatrical experience recorded live from London. This sparkling production featuring
Jurors beginning June 2 are excused
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: BEGINNING JUNE 2 2025 Jurors summonsed for jury duty beginning on Monday, June 2nd are excused. This includes jurors summonsed for the two week jury period beginning Monday, June 2nd through Friday June 13th, and those rescheduled to the week of
Town Council reschedules regular business meeting on June 19 to June 18, 2025
||| FROM JENNIFER M. KREMBS for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| Due the Juneteenth holiday, the Town Council regular business meeting scheduled for June 19, 2025 is rescheduled to 12 noon on June 18, 2025. Regular business meetings take place at Town Hall Council Chambers located at 290 West Street.
OPALCO explores solar expansion on Decatur Island
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| OPALCO is looking to build local renewable power generation to offset potential power shortfalls due to the lack of needed energy supply from the mainland. Blackouts or very expensive carbon-based fuels will likely be our energy future if we
Rep. Larsen announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge
Challenge open to all Middle and High School students who live or attend school in Washington State’s 2nd District ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| EVERETT, WA – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen announced the launch of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge (CAC). The annual competition, which
Washington Gov. Ferguson signs packaging EPR law
Washington is now the seventh U.S. state with a packaging EPR law. ||| FROM WASTE DIVE ||| Gov. Bob Ferguson signed SB 5284 into law on Saturday, the culmination of years of advocacy to get a bill across the finish line. He called it the “biggest overhaul of our recycling
Kindergarten Transition | A special start for new students
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center recently hosted their annual Kindergarten Transition event, welcoming over 30 families as their children prepare to begin school this fall. Children from across the island engaged in hands-on learning stations focused on reading, math, art, and motor
Cargo ship crashed into man’s yard after crewman fell asleep, police say
A retiree living along a Norwegian fjord woke up on Thursday morning because his neighbor was pounding on his door, telling him to look outside. The ship just missed his house. ||| FROM NEW YORK TIMES ||| Johan Helberg woke up on Thursday morning to find his backyard view of
Online open house for feedback to WSF ticket price increase
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) sets our ticket prices every two years. Now through Monday, June 9, WSTC is hosting an online open house for the public to learn more about its 2025-2027 ferry fare setting process and give feedback before the commission
Hawaiʻi makes history as first state to charge tourists to save environment
A Hawaiʻi vacation will cost you more in the near future thanks to a new “green fee” that the governor signed into law today. ||| FROM HONOLULU CIVIL BEAT ||| Hawaiʻi has officially become the first U.S. state to enact a so-called “green fee” — a charge added onto hotel
Health Care District regular & special board meetings tomorrow
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island Health Care District Board will hold a regularly scheduled board meeting on Wednesday, May 28th from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Orcas Island Library, 500 Rose Street, Eastsound. A Special Board Meeting will follow from 7:15
San Juan Islands Sculpture Park summer art series returns
Saturdays from 2-4pm June 22 - September 14 (excepting August 17) ||| FROM KRISTEN ARNIM for SAN JUAN ISLANDS SCULPTURE PARK ||| Save your Sunday afternoons for some fun, free art at the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park! We are returning for a fourth year of hands-on, collaborative sculpture creation.
