Island News
OIHS sends baseball team to state; softball season concludes; track has strong state showing
by Declan O’Malley
Art for Orcas Kids celebrates Arts Education Month with the Annual Student Art Exhibit at the Orcas Center
Dear families and community members,
‘The Source’ raises questions | Column
By Cory Harrington
San Juan Preservation Trust Completes ‘Sea-to-Summit’ Corridor with Protection of Mt. Ben West Preserve
Community raises $1.84 million in eight months to secure a final 30-acre nature preserve link on San Juan Island’s west side. FRIDAY HARBOR, WA — The 30-acre Mt. Ben West Preserve on San Juan Island was permanently protected on March 31, 2026, when San Juan Preservation Trust purchased the property. This milestone caps a decades-long […]
Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Update: Inventory is building
Below is a Market Snap Shot for San Juan Island for April 30, 2026 from the Simonson & Zambrovitz Team at Coldwell Banker SJI. Inventory is building which will offer buyers more selection. If you have any questions about this information, be sure to contact one of them. Merri Ann Simonson 360.318.8668 simonson@Sanjuanislands.com Terri Zambrovitz […]
May 20: Helping You Cover Your Tomorrows – WA Cares presentation
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 | 12 noon to 1 pm | San Juan Island Library meeting room Helping You Cover Your Tomorrows Ensuring all Washingtonians have access to affordable long-term care. How WA Cares Can Help WA Cares Fund gives you flexibility to choose whatever combination of covered services and supports best meets your care needs. […]
Applications open for WA Cares Fund long-term care benefits
Benefits become available in July OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washingtonians who have contributed to the WA Cares Fund can begin applying for benefits if they need long-term care. Getting started now will give applicants the opportunity to complete the process so they can start services as soon as benefits become available July 1. “We’re excited that […]
San Juan County sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
Have a garden question? Ask an Orcas Master Gardener!
Orcas Master Gardeners will be at the Market Garden Nursery Saturday May 20, 2026 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm ||| FROM JULIA TURNEY and JAY LUCAS for ORCAS MASTER GARDENERS ||| Do you have a question about your soil, have a problem with your fruit tree, or are thinking about starting a garden? Is something bugging your plants, or you are curious about identifying a plant or insect? Master Gardeners will be staffing Ask A Master Gardener events on Orcas to help […]
Larsen honors law enforcement during National Police Week
Fights to expand funding to combat opioid epidemic ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to defend Northwest Washington communities every day. This week and every week, I honor their courage, sacrifice and dedication, and I remember those who have given their lives in the line of duty. “Local police officers on the front lines […]
I’m not the church lady | Always look on the bright side of life
But what if this is as good as it gets? A slightly irreverent inquiry into responsibility, acceptance, and what comes after that ||| I’M NOT THE CHURCH LADY by ROSIE KUHN ||| For most of my life, I insisted that my serenity depended on someone else doing things my way, on my health improving, my finances increasing, or my children behaving differently. I believed I was entitled to the life I wanted, and I assumed there was a person, place, […]
OPAL welcomes four new board members
Submitted by the OPAL Community Land Trust.
Coming soon: The Master Gardeners’ spring plant sales on San Juan and Orcas islands
Submitted by the Master Gardeners.
June 4: Friday Harbor Port Commission to hold first public meeting about cannery’s future
LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Friday Harbor Port Commission, April 24th, 2026 meeting Jim McLuen, a local metal artist, gave a presentation to the Commission in response to the RFP for artwork to be located on the outside wall of the showers in the marina. He outlined his proposal for a metal sculpture, and he drew attention […]
Update | Gathering of the Eagles returning soon to Orcas
Orcas to Welcome Native American Canoe Journey May 20-21 ||| FROM CHE BLAINE for GATHERING OF THE EAGLES ||| For the last four years, we have had the honor of hosting a Native American Canoe Journey on Orcas, and we have this special opportunity again this year. There will be a welcoming ceremony when several Native American canoes arrive at the Olga dock on Wednesday, May 20th, between 1:00 and 2:00 PM. Please come to welcome them. Highlighting Orcas hospitality, […]
Midnight Mutterings | Radical acceptance
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I really look forward to Saturday Morning radio on NPR. First, there’s Scott Simon on Weekend Edition. It’s always interesting to me. Simon’s laugh, like a raucous crow, tickles me each time I hear it, and his enthusiasm when when he says, ‘Now, it’s time for sports!’ I’m thrilled even though I care not one whit about sports. It’s Simon’s enthusiasm about it that makes my day every Saturday. I can put aside […]
Renowned marine ecologist to speak at Orcas Island Public Library
Wednesday, May 20, 6 p.m., Orcas Island Public Library ||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY ||| How Salish Sea Stars are Faring in our Ocean’s Menagerie Join renowned marine ecologist Drew Harvell for a fascinating look beneath the surface of our local waters. Harvell and her research team have spent more than a decade investigating the mysterious disease devastating sea stars along the Pacific Coast. Now that the team has identified the killer in our waters, Harvell will […]
Watch your giving grow | Spring GiveOrcas update
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for GIVEORCAS CAMPAIGN ||| We’re a few days into the Spring GiveOrcas campaign, and together we’re growing something beautiful on Orcas Island by helping local nonprofits to cultivate and sustain important programs that serve our community. Every gift helps. Yesterday alone, on Unique Donor Day, 724 donors of all ages contributed nearly $35K towards 31 island nonprofits! Congratulations to our Unique Donor Day winners: 1st place, $1,000 prize: Early Childhood Education
Rep. Rick Larsen receives Henry M. Jackson award
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| It is a real honor to represent family, friends, and neighbors in Northwest Washington. It is a privilege I don’t take for granted. I am also honored that the Economic Alliance Snohomish County has awarded me with the Henry M. Jackson award. Scoop Jackson set an example for me in public service. We both had the privilege of representing Northwest Washington, and we both have Norwegian roots, but what stood […]
Sheriff’s Report | May 6 – 11, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 26-002588 Theft 13:33:40 05/06/26 A Deputy on Orcas Island received a report of a stolen backpack that had been left on a picnic table. There were no witnesses to the theft. A report was authored, and the missing items were entered as stolen. 26-002595 Trespassing 16:25:56 05/06/26 A Lopez Deputy responded to a trespassing call. An individual previously served a trespass warning letter entered onto the property of a […]
Sculpins rule Indian Island tidepools
By Russel Barsh