Here’s a thought…
“It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.”
MARK TWAIN
Midnight Mutterings | Friday ferry
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| For the first time in the thirty five years I’ve lived on Orcas Island, a ferry person yelled at me. It was this afternoon. I’m pretty sympathetic to ferry workers. It’s a hard job. Ferries are understaffed. Sometimes riders are rude, unthinking, and
Reminder! It’s No Kings Day on Saturday at Village Green
||| FROM DAVID AND GERI TURNOY ||| This Saturday, October 17, is the next national No King's Day. Both San Juan and Lopez Islands already have events scheduled, and we don't want to be left out here on Orcas. Therefore, please join us this Saturday at the Village Green at
Letter to Editor | Homes we can afford, islands we must protect
||| FROM JENNIFER SWANSON ||| Two of my four priorities as a candidate, affordable housing and protecting our environment, are really about the same thing: keeping these islands a healthy, desirable and affordable place where people can live, work and thrive for generations. Expanding access to the full spectrum of
Governor Ferguson sends video to Trump Administration to support Washington’s request for wildfire assistance
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR BOB FERGUSON ||| OLYMPIA – To support Washington's request for federal assistance following this summer's devastating wildfires, Governor Bob Ferguson is sending a video to the Trump Administration to help show the severity of the damage. The video is available for download here, and
Letter to Editor | My endorsement for Katherine Bryant Ingman for County Council, District 3
||| FROM KAREN EAMES ||| Katherine Bryant Ingman has my support to be our next San Juan County Council Representative for District 3 for many reasons: Every SJC District Representative is sworn to support the welfare of the entire San Juan County. I firmly believe, as shown by Katherine’s efforts
Introducing mobile integrated healthcare on Orcas
A new pilot program from Orcas Island Fire and Rescue, supported by OIHCD ||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| On an island with no hospital, care often starts too late. Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is launching a Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) pilot to reach neighbors at home
Letter to Editor | Questions every OPALCO member should ask
||| FROM AMY LOVELESS-WHITNEY ||| Whether we live on Shaw, Orcas, Lopez, San Juan, or an outer island, we share an interest in OPALCO's spending, reliable electricity, and accountable decisions. The proposed Decatur solar expansion raises questions that belong to every cooperative member. What will members pay over the project's life,
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman gets things done
||| FROM JAMIE STEPHENS ||| District Three deserves a Councilmember who District Three voters chose. That's Katherine Bryant Ingman. Between Katherine and Jennifer Swanson, primary voters of District Three voted 61% to 39% for Katherine. There are differences between the two candidates. A graduate of Leadership San Juans, she is
WSF Weekly Report | History behind service disruptions; terminal upgrades coming; winter schedule update
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Last week, I shared some of the history behind the pay dispute that led to significant ferry service disruptions on Monday, October 5. I also acknowledged the impact those disruptions had on the thousands of people who
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.
Letter to Editor | Jay and Trudi Inslee and former leaders endorse Katherine
||| FROM KATHERINE BRYANT INGMAN FOR SAN JUAN COUNTY COUNCIL ||| Former Washington State Governor Jay Inslee and former First Lady Trudi Inslee have endorsed me for San Juan County Council, District 3. I am proud that the members of AFSCME Local 1849, the union representing San Juan County employees,
Letter to Editor | My vote is for Katherine
||| FROM JANE FULLER ||| On November 3, you will vote for a councilmember to fill the District 3 seat I am vacating this year. We are fortunate to have two capable candidates, and I have worked with both. Jennifer Swanson and I served on the Ferry Advisory Committee (’23,
Calling all community members: Neighbor to neighbor shelter needs you
||| FROM ALICIA WIGFIELD for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| The Neighbor to Neighbor Shelter is preparing for another winter season, and we need our community's help! We are looking for caring individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors by helping provide a warm,
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue bonds available to local investors
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (San Juan County Fire Protection District No. 2), San Juan County, Washington (the “District”) is in the process of issuing phase 1 of voter approved Unlimited Tax General Obligation Bonds (the “Bonds”) to provide $14,000,000 to construct, acquire, equip, renovate
Looking to camp in the San Juans as a resident?
A special benefit for San Juan County residents only, these reservations are available starting January 6, 2027 ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Resident camping reservation program will continue to be offered online in 2027 and will open in early January. On Wednesday, January 6,
Land Bank October 2026 meeting and agenda
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY CONSERVATION LAND BANK COMMISSION ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold its monthly meeting October 16. The meeting is scheduled from 8:45am – 11:10am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the Mullis Community Senior Center, located
