Island News
Seasonal opening of Crow Valley School Museum
Beginning May 22nd, 11am-3pm at 1701 Crow Valley Rd ||| FROM PARKER PAVITT for ORCAS ISLAND HISTORICAL MUSEUMS ||| Welcome to another season at the Crow Valley School Museum! Our knowledgeable docents will be onsite for this fun and informative look at an island education. Located next to the North Trailhead of Turtleback Mountain Preserve; come out for a day of picnicking and learn something new. The Crow Valley School was built in 1888 and served as an educational and […]
Sheriff’s Report | May 13 – 19, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 26-002730 Controlled Substance Problem 08:06:13 05/13/26 A Lopez Deputy responded to a drug call. A small bag of Methamphetamine was found in the parking lot outside of a Lopez business. It is unknown who dropped the bag. 26-002739 Fraud 13:17:16 05/13/26 A Friday Harbor resident reported being a victim of a phone scam involving Banner Bank. She reports losing approximately $3800 via CASHAPP. 26-002741 Accident-HitRun 14:07:02 05/13
EWUA members call for third-party review amid workplace, leadership concerns
||| FROM SAM GAILEY, SPECIAL REPORT TO THE ORCASONIAN ||| The Eastsound Water Users Association held a listening session this week as the organization continues to face internal disputes, leadership concerns, labor-related tensions, and questions from members about transparency and governance. At the start of the meeting, the board stated that the session was intended for listening rather than debate, and that board members would not respond to public comments in real time. During the public com
Kindergarten transition brings joy, confidence, connection to Orcas families
||| FROM RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center welcomed more than 25 families to its annual Kindergarten Transition event — a warm and lively evening designed to help young islanders take their first big step into school with confidence, curiosity, and community behind them. Hosted this year at the Camp Orkila Main Lodge, the event offered hands-on learning stations led by enthusiastic preschool and kindergarten teachers. Children explored early reading, mat
Letter to Editor | Thanks to community partner during 2026 Firewise event
||| FROM CHIEF NOEL MONIN for SAN JUAN ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| San Juan Island Fire & Rescue wants to commend a Firewise Community partner – the Roche Harbor Neighborhood Association – and many volunteers for all their hard work in May to maintain Firewise USA status. Thank you for being such proactive leaders and for looking out for all of us! The recent cleanup was nothing short of impressive! The progress for this year’s event is posted on […]
Taking Action Together | Communitywide climate survey to guide climate action
Your input guided the first steps—now help us build the next phase of the Climate Action Plan. ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is developing a Climate Action Plan (CAP) to guide how we respond to climate change while protecting our community and environment. The County is inviting all residents to participate in its second communitywide climate survey to help shape a future that reflects community values and priorities. Given the current budget restraints and resource
Orcas is now blooming with gratitude
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| On Orcas Island, each and every one of us plays a role in providing the seeds, soil, water, and sunlight needed to grow and sustain a high quality of life for all. Thank you for digging deep and nurturing the community together during Spring GiveOrcas! The bounty of our collective efforts over the past 10 days was plentiful, with donations totalling $264,408. With an additional $97,174 from the Community Foundation’s […]
WSF Weekly Report | Pets on board; upcoming holiday travel; online community meetings afoot
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Pets become members of our families, providing comfort and unconditional love. Washingtonians rightly enjoy including them in family events and travel. To align with partner transit agencies and public feedback, we rolled out an updated pet policy this week. Pets on leashes are now allowed in all passenger areas, except: Indoor food service areas, including onboard galleys. On seats or tables. About half of the indoor pas
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
All 6 certified Eastsound Water operators speak out
||| FROM ALL SIX EASTSOUND WATER USER OPERATORS ||| First of all, we want to express to the membership how seriously we take our commitment to providing safe drinking water to our island community. One of us is available to you at every moment of every day. We want you to know that there has been nowhere for us to safely express workplace grievances without fear of retaliation-this is why we chose to Unionize. It has been very difficult to […]
San Juan Fire & Rescue swears in 6 new firefighters
||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| San Juan Island Fire & Rescue proudly welcomed 6 new firefighters into the ranks during a swearing-in ceremony held at Station 31 on Mullis Street. All of them are neighbors across San Juan Island. Fire Department leadership, firefighters, and family members attended the ceremony, celebrating a milestone moment in the recruits’ careers and marking an important investment in public safety for Friday Harbor residents. The following recruits were sworn in
An open letter to the EWUA board members
||| FROM EASTSOUND STEWARDSHIP ALLIANCE ||| At the recent Board meeting on May 19th, over 75 members attended and delivered a clear and urgent request through public comment and applause: We need a 3rd party investigation into the workplace environment at EWUA. This meeting was also attended by EWUA’s operators, who have had nowhere to go with their serious concerns about a deeply toxic workplace and grievances about the General Manager. Members were read a public letter written by all […]
Orcas Community Band to present music for America’s 250 anniversary
||| FROM KAREN KEY SPECK for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY BAND ||| The Orcas Island Community Band is proud to announce a special musical tribute to the United State’s 250th anniversary. Taking place on Friday, June 19 at 7:00pm at Orcas Center, the performance will celebrate the nation’s history through iconic American compositions, diverse musical genres and stirring patriotic favorites. Admission is by donation. The Concert, titled “250: The Music That Shaped Us” is part of the nationwide America25
Larsen fights to make housing more affordable in Northwest Washington
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U. S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to make housing more affordable across the United States (the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act). “Families in Northwest Washington are struggling to afford their skyrocketing rent and don’t know if they will ever be able to buy a house of their own,” said Rep. Larsen. “This bill is not a be-all-and-end-all fix to the housing […]
No jurors needed for May 26-29
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: MAY 26-29, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Tuesday May 20th through Friday May 29th, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
Orcas Island seniors urged to take action following Bank of America data breaches
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER FINANCIAL LITERACY TEAM ||| The Financial Literacy Team at the Orcas Community Resource Center is alerting Orcas Island residents — particularly seniors — to a series of data breaches affecting Bank of America customers and urging immediate protective action. Bank of America is formally warning customers about a surge in unauthorized credit-card charges and phishing attempts linked to breaches at multiple third-party vendors, including NCB Management Services, Ernst
Union responds to EWUA Board claims about staff communication
||| FROM CORY HARRINGTON ||| For months, EWUA members have repeatedly been told that the Board could not communicate directly with staff or move forward with an outside investigation because of the ongoing union negotiations. Today, I received a letter from IBEW Local 77 dated May 20, 2026 directly addressing that claim. According to the union representative: • Union negotiations do NOT prevent the Board from conducting a neutral third-party investigation into workplace concerns. • The Board is
WSF All Routes | Service during Memorial Day weekend
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of our busy season, and we expect 350,000 riders over the holiday weekend. Please prepare for long lines and extended wait times if you are traveling starting Thursday, May 21 through Monday, May 25. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 25, the following routes will have schedule changes: Anacortes/San Juan Islands, Edmonds/Kingston, Point Defiance/Tahlequah, and Port Townsend/Coupeville will have a few holiday schedul
In Memoriam | Larry Hughes: A life of service on Orcas Island
||| FROM RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM||| Our community has lost a treasured Orcas Island presence. Larry Hughes was a quiet, steady light for so many on Orcas—the ones who felt unseen, unheard, or already forgotten. Where others saw obstacles, Larry saw a person with a life worth living. He met people right where they were, on the streets and in the shadows, and walked with them toward safety, dignity, and hope. Larry moved to Orcas after spending much of his […]
Orcas Island Garden Club grows plants, friendships
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Over the years, our club has grown into something truly special by focusing on cultivating friendships and genuine connections. It’s amazing how much the club has grown, too. We are 267 members strong. Just like a garden, these relationships bloom when we look after them. Plus, hanging out with positive, supportive folks and spending time in nature is great for your health—it lowers stress, boosts your mood, and beats loneliness! Think of our […]
Reminder | WSF online meetings next Tuesday
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| We’re hosting two online community meetings on Tuesday, May 26. This is a great chance to share feedback and ask us questions. We’ll cover topics including the upcoming FIFA World Cup, an updated pet policy, new vessel construction, and our Service Contingency Plan. Both meetings will cover the same topics, and most of the time will be dedicated to answering questions. Registration is required. To learn more and register, visit our Community Participation we
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, […]