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
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.
Larsen fights to expand health care access, lower costs
Republicans’ proposed government funding bill will drive up health care costs for all ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) is fighting for legislation that drastically lowers health care costs for working families in Northwest Washington state. “More
News Brief | Fast ferry service proposed for down-sound travel ahead of World Cup
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| "The one-year pilot program is estimated to cost $4 million, with half of the funding already secured from local tourism dollars." ORIGINALLY FROM KOMO NEWS "While the vision for the fast ferry service is clear, it remains uncertain whether it will become a reality in
Fall sailing schedule in San Juan Islands starts Sept. 21 thru June 13, 2026
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| For the first time in over 20 years, the fall sailing schedule for the Anacortes/San Juan Islands route will stay in place through winter and spring, providing additional service for island communities. The schedule will start this Sunday, Sept. 21 and go through Saturday,
Guest Opinion | Request by OPALCO for essential public facilities
||| FROM JOE SYMONS ||| I write to the SJC Planning Commission (PC) and if the email address so directs, to County Council (CC). I urge the PC to disallow OPALCO’s request for an EPF designation. I feel strongly that such a designation would not be in the best interests
News Brief | Once rare and seasonal, wildfires are now a year-long trauma
||| FROM SPOKESMAN REVIEW ||| "As of today, the overwhelming majority of Washington is experiencing drought, and our state is bracing for another devastating wildfire season." OrIginally reported by SPOKESMAN REVIEW, by Jay Inslee "Families who have spent their lives building homes and businesses now face the terrifying reality that,
OIFR Open House | Explore your community EMS, Fire & Rescue Team
Discover Volunteer Opportunities While Learning About Island Emergency Services ||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire & Rescue invites the community to Station 21 on Saturday, October 4th from 12 PM to 2 PM for an open house and recruitment event. Located at
Fall back together: Join the Great Islands Clean-Up on October 4
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| “I can’t think of a more rewarding way to spend a Saturday afternoon,” said Katie Johnson, San Juan County Marine Project Coordinator. She’s referring to the Great Islands Clean-Up (GICU); an organized event for anyone who wants to make a difference in the
Interested in learning about the sheriff substation move on Lopez? Join us for a brown bag lunch
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Sheriff’s Office is planning to move the Lopez Island substation to a new site. This move is planned to bring in a new building to the County’s parcel at its Public Works site along Fisherman Bay Road. During the June
County calls for bids for extraction of surplus gravel on Waldron; public bid begins Oct. 1
The County will also negotiate a Gravel Extraction Lease with the successful bidder for the purchase of the gravel ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is holding a bid opening for the extraction of surplus gravel from the Waldron Island Gravel Pit. The awarded bidder will
News Brief | We now have the highest gasoline cost in the country
And that doesn't account for the higher cost in the islands ||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| "The national average for a regular gallon of gas is approximately $3.20, while Washington drivers are paying $1.65 more on average." ORIGINALLY REPORTED BY KOMO NEWS "State lawmakers agree, there are likely a few
Now Available | Best available science & GAP analysis for critical areas ordinance update
The County's goal is to adopt an updated CAO by March of 2026. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is updating its critical areas protections, also referred to as the Critical Areas Ordinance or CAO. The Department of Community Development (DCD) is in the process of
Center for Whale Research | An update on J36
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| On September 12, 2025, researchers at CWR, along with our colleagues at SR3 and SeaDoc Society, documented 26-year-old female southern resident J36 carrying a dead female calf. Sadly, reproductive failure, either due to miscarriage or death shortly after birth, is the rule rather
Robust year ahead for Orcas Center
Role Out to preview 2025-26 season ||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Meet the staff of the Orcas Center, pictured above, during the Role Out. As the leaves turn and kids return to school, so begins the launch of Orcas Center’s 2025-26 season. Anyone interested in the
OCS students launch discount card fundraiser for Hawaii mission trip
||| FROM STAFF AT ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Orcas Christian School will serve others abroad this school year with a trip to Hawaii during spring break, and students are taking a unique approach to raising money for the cause while also encouraging islanders to support local businesses. Participating businesses include
2025 Orcas Island pickleball tournament results
$10,000 raised and winners all around ||| FROM SUZANNE OLSON for ROTARY PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT ||| In its eighth year at Buck Park, the Orcas Island Rotary Pickleball Tournament raised $10,000 for the Orcas community. Tournament Director Keith Light said, “Pickleball is more than sport – it’s about community. Our Orcas
