Here’s a thought…
“Neither the evil nor the good in our history determines who we are. It is what we do now. If we do not say something ourselves about this horror, we allow ourselves to be changed.”
TIMOTHY SNYDER
Fire Commission special meeting agenda
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE COMMISSIONERS ||| Special Meeting Agenda San Juan County Fire Protection District No 2, Board of Fire Commissioners Special Meeting | Monday, 09/29/2025, 5PM In person: 45 Lavender Lane, Eastsound, WA Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87199976630?pwd=vB785WflFSwcuW9Y21YYHEvrROF21a.1 Call to Order Welcome Special Agenda 1. Town Hall meeting on
Ladies of Airhawks Series | Bethany Carter
||| FROM AIRHAWKS FLYING CLUB ||| In 2022, a Flight Training Scholarship from the Airhawks Flying Club was awarded to Bethany Carter. Bethany was in her sophomore year at Orcas High School (OHS) where she was an outstanding student, leader, athlete and in 2024 graduated as Valedictorian of her class.
New retail sales taxes begin October 1
The 2025 Washington State Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5814, which added new business activities to the definition of retail sales. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMUNICATIONS ||| Beginning October 1, 2025, multiple Washington businesses will be subject to new retail sales taxes. The 2025 Washington State Legislature
News Brief | Scientists reveal why orca have been attacking boats, and they are not targeting humans
||| FROM INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES ||| "Researchers monitoring Iberian pods say younger whales appear to mimic older individuals, turning rudders into interactive objects/ " ORIGINALLY FROM INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS TIMES "Some scientists have suggested that food availability, such as changes in tuna stock, might play a role, but consensus points towards playful,
Bob Nutt publishes book by local author Barbara Humes
||| FROM EDEE KULPER ||| Bob Nutt, local farmer, shepherd, and long-time volunteer firefighter who runs Warm Valley Orchard with his wife, Maria, has just published a book in honor of their deceased neighbor and friend, Barbara Humes. Barbara and her husband, Bill, founded and ran Warm Valley Farm across
Upcoming free training for child advocates
San Juan County is seeking volunteer Child Advocates to represent the best interests of children facing dependency. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Superior Court Services announces the next free training for people interested in serving as Child Advocates. Child Advocates represent the best interests of
Find OPALCO back at their headquarters starting September 29
||| FROM JO LANGE for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| During the summer months, OPALCO worked on a critical maintenance project for the Eastsound headquarters. The roof of OPALCO’s 1970s built Eastsound headquarters office had reached the end of its life and needed to be replaced. Increasing structural issues
Hunter Bay portable toilet to be removed because of vandalism
Due to the unsustainable upkeep of managing the repeatedly abused facility, Public Works will be removing it from use, effective Wednesday, September 24. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Public Works Department maintains portable restroom facilities at some of our public shore access locations around the
Orcas Lit Fest turns a page, takes the show on the road
||| FROM THE ORCAS ISLAND LIT FEST TEAM ||| Since our founding in 2018, the Orcas Island Lit Fest has been driven by our mission to encourage, support, and promote San Juan County writers. We’re proud to share their voices with a wide and diverse audience. That’s why we’re excited
Lake Day brings fun and sun to OCS
||| FROM LILLIANNA S. for ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Recently, the high school at Orcas Christian School (OCS) went to Moran State Park for a campout, leaving the elementary students at school. Fortunately, they were still able to enjoy Lake Day on Thursday, participating in activities such as meeting new
Orcas Center Art Opening | Works of David Densmore
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Orcas Center’s Visual Arts Committee (VAC) invites you to the next Art Opening on Friday, September 26 from 5:30–7:00pm, featuring an Artist Talk with David Densmore at 6:00pm. This special evening will showcase Densmore’s work in the lobby gallery, alongside the
OIFR to host three community town halls on upcoming bond measure
||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR) will host three public town hall meetings to discuss Proposition 1, the $18.5 million general obligation bond measure appearing on the November ballot. These meetings provide community members with opportunities to learn about
Ongoing classes at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Monthly Hearing Services Stacie Nordrum, Au.D., CCC-A, from Island Hearing Healthcare, provides hearing care at Orcas Senior Center every first Thursday of the month. To secure your slot, it is advisable to schedule your appointment well in advance, as availability
Orcas Island Film Festival to reopen beloved Sea View Theatre
||| FROM DONNA LASLO for ORCAS FILM FESTIVAL ||| The Sea View Theatre will once again light up the heart of Eastsound, reopening after months of closure following the passing of beloved longtime owner Ingrid McClinton—a loss that left a profound void in the island community. The Orcas Island Film
Port Commissioners meeting scheduled for Monday
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, September 22nd at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.
Timely new book released from John Geyman, M.D.
||| FROM EMILY GEYMAN ||| The current Congress continues to threaten Medicaid and Medicare and it is vital to look to the future and opportunities for change. Growing Costs of U.S. Health Care Corporate Power vs. Human Rights Is Reform Finally Within Reach by John Geyman, M.D. traces the
