Island News
2026 fire fighter awards ceremony on San Juan Island
||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| San Juan Island Fire & Rescue hosted their annual awards ceremony on Friday, April 10, 2026. The event celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of 2025 and a transformative year. “The annual event is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our team,” said Fire Chief Noel Monin. “Our awards ceremony allows us an opportunity to recognize the hard work of our district staff and many volunteers who wish to protect our […]
Local couple buys Sea View Theatre | OIFF to operate
An Eastsound treasure has been saved for generations to come thanks to an island couple.
EDC and Washington Lawyers for the Arts to host free workshop: Protecting Artists in the Modern World
Submitted by the Economic Development Council.
Vikings baseball continues play during Spring Break
By Declan O’Malley
Town and County councils discuss ferries, affordable housing and more at joint meeting
Submitted by San Juan County.
TEDxOrcasIslandLive: ‘All of Us’
Join Orcas Center for a screening of a set of the latest TED Talks from TED2026, Saturday, April 17, 7-9 p.m. on Center Stage. We’ll be sharing the videos and hosting a brief conversation afterward. Come enjoy this evening of learning with the latest ideas worth spreading from speakers you may recognize or may not have heard of before. Free tickets are available at www.orcascenter.org.
OIHS track meet on April 29
Submitted by Amy Carlson and The Booster Team.
OIFR Responds to Three Simultaneous Calls Including Fatal MVA and Structure Fire on April 13
ORCAS ISLAND, WA — On the afternoon of April 13, 2026, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR) was dispatched to three separate incidents simultaneously, requiring the department to divide personnel and resources across multiple scenes. Medical Aid At 3:29 pm OIFR units responded to an aid call at the medical center and required air transportation utilizing Island […]
Pacific Fishery Management Council adopts 2026 West Coast Ocean Salmon seasons
Portland, Oregon—The Pacific Fishery Management Council has adopted recommendations for ocean salmon fishing along the Pacific west coast in 2026. The seasons provide coastwide recreational and commercial opportunities while also achieving conservation goals for salmon stocks. The recommendations will be forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for approval by May 16, 2026. Forecasts […]
2026 Candidate Filing Week: May 4 Through May 8
SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. April 14, 2026 – If you have ever wanted to be an elected official, now is your opportunity. Candidates who wish to run for office this year can submit their names for the ballot during the upcoming candidate filing period from May 4 to May 8, 2026. The following offices are […]
2026 Fire Fighter Awards Ceremony
San Juan Island Fire & Rescue hosted their annual awards ceremony on Friday, April 10, 2026. The event celebrated the outstanding accomplishments of 2025 and a transformative year. “The annual event is a testament to the dedication and professionalism of our team,”; said Fire Chief Noel Monin. “Our awards ceremony allows us an opportunity to […]
Larsen Honored with Henry M. Jackson Award
EVERETT, WA – Today, April 14, 2026 the Economic Alliance of Snohomish County (EASC) and Herald Media named Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) the recipient of the 2026 Henry M. Jackson Award. “It is an honor to represent my friends and neighbors in Northwest Washington in Congress, and it is a responsibility I never take for granted,” said […]
April 14: Sealth and Tillikum Ferries back in service Sealth and Tillikum
WSF Update, the #2 Sealth returned to service for the 4:20 p.m. Anacortes to Lopez & Friday Harbor sailings on April 14, 2026. The Tillikum returned to service for the 5:40 p.m. Friday Harbor departure. Both ferries were out of service in the morning. New reservations have been blocked for the day. If you have […]
Clinton and Kathryn Gauthier: Vote yes on county levy and support 4-H
To the Editor, As a lifelong Friday Harbor resident and third-generation islander, I have seen many levy asks. I feel compelled to speak on the current proposal because my wife, Kathryn, and I share a combined 45 years of experience with 4-H. We are not just supporters; we are products of its mission. Our story […]
Letter to Editor | Support for San Juan County levy lid lift
||| FROM CLINTON and KATHRYN GAUTHIER ||| As a lifelong Friday Harbor resident and third-generation islander, I have seen many levy asks. I feel compelled to speak on the current proposal because my wife, Kathryn, and I share a combined 45 years of experience with 4-H. We are not just supporters; we are products of its mission. Our story began through 4-H leadership opportunities on Orcas Island. Between my 25 years of 4-H experience locally and Kathryn’s 20 years in […]
Our Blue Marble | Film fest, arts, nature & climate events
||| FROM SAN JUAN MAKERS GUILD ||| Earth Day Orcas Film Fest, Art, Poetry, Science Workshops this Week include contemplation, inspiration, and stewardship. Film Fest Registration is Open! Stewardship themes for land and sea touch key topics of our time. Register for password access. Streaming begins Apr 17th and runs through the 26th. Big Thanks to Friday Harbor Film Festival. Earth Day Film Fest Registration https://www.fhff.org/earthweek2026 April 15th: Climate Resilience and Solutions. Commu
Letter to Editor | In support of San Juan County levy lift
||| FROM ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| On behalf of the Orcas Community Resource Center, we are writing to share our perspective on the proposed Levy Lid Lift. As a social service agency on Orcas Island, we work every day with individuals and families who are doing everything they can to stay afloat—yet are often one unexpected event away from losing their footing. We are deeply concerned about the potential loss of county-funded programs that many of our neighbors rely […]
Youth Fishing Derby welcomes families back to Cascade Lake on April 25
||| FROM FIONA J. STONE for ORCAS ADVENTURES ||| A favorite island tradition returns this spring as the Bill Yarlott Annual Youth Fishing Derby takes place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, inviting young anglers and their families to spend the day outdoors at Cascade Lake. Timed with the opening of fishing season, the derby offers kids under 16 the chance to cast their lines starting at daybreak and take part in a relaxed, community-centered event that has been bringing families […]
2026 candidate filing week is May 4 – 8
During filing week, candidates may submit their filings online, by email, by fax, or in person at the San Juan County Elections Office at 55 Second Street, Suite A, Friday Harbor ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| If you have ever wanted to be an elected official, now is your opportunity. Candidates who wish to run for office this year can submit their names for the ballot during the upcoming candidate filing period from May 4 to May 8, […]
OIFR responds to three simultaneous calls including fatal accident, structure fire
||| FROM BEN LUNA for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| On the afternoon of April 13, 2026, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue (OIFR) was dispatched to three separate incidents simultaneously, requiring the department to divide personnel and resources across multiple scenes. Medical Aid At 3:29 pm OIFR units responded to an aid call at the medical center and required air transportation utilizing Island Air. Motor Vehicle Accident — At 3:57 pm, OIFR EMS and Rescue divisions responded to a […]
SJC sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
Thank you for making MAG’s school music benefit a success! | Letter
We are grateful to the Orcas Island community for joining us on Sunday, March 29, at our benefit concert for school music, and for sharing in a standing ovation for the OISD music teacher and Strings Director, Mrs. Pamela Wright, in tribute to her 24 years of teaching in the public school. During her tenure, Mrs. Wright taught many classes of K-3 General Music and built an award-winning strings program for middle and high school musicians from scratch. She plans to retire at the end of this year
Teagan August earns his CDL with help from a Kiwanis scholarship
FRIDAY HARBOR, WA — Teagan August has successfully completed a one-month Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program in Bellingham, opening new doors in his career and highlighting a growing shift in how community organizations support workforce development. With the assistance of the Kiwanis Club and funding support from the Dave and Nancy Honeywell Foundation, […]
Fraud expert: AI is ‘supercharging’ scams in WA
Public News Service: April is Fraud Prevention Month and new data show fraud continues to be a big concern for people of all ages, with nearly four in 10 people saying they have already experienced it. The data from AARP found growing confusion and overconfidence around artificial intelligence‑driven scams. Kay Tomlinson, volunteer fraud watch specialist for […]