Island News
CWR logs encounter with Biggs whales
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 02:40 PM ObservEnd: 03:27 PM Vessel: Mike 1 Staff: Mark Malleson Pods: Bigg’s killer whales IDsEncountered: T019, T019B, T019C, T49B, T049B3, T049B4, T049B5, T117A, T117B, T117B1, T172 LocationDescr: Freshwater Bay EncSummary: Mark left Victoria on Mike 1 at 1355 to catch up with a large group of Bigg’s killer whales socializing in the central Juan de Fuca. Earlier in the day, the T049Bs, T117A, T117B, T117B1, and T172 had
Friday Harbor Film Festival will host an inspiring double feature
||| FROM ELLEN ROBERTS for FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Best of the Fest returns on Friday, April 24 at 7 PM with a special double feature — two inspiring documentary films from the 2025 FHFF program, screening simultaneously and free of charge at the San Juan Island Library and Lopez Center for Community and the Arts. Following the screening of From Sea to Shining Sea, director John de Graaf will join audiences at the San […]
Letter to Editor | Just say no!
||| FROM PHIL PETERSON ||| A no vote on Proposition 1 will force needed change in the way we the people, our elected representatives and our essential public servants do our business. At issue is AFFORDABILITY for all of us. Inflation resonating through our economy continues to effect each and every one of us and we the people must have an INFORMED VOTE on adjustments to our taxes based on comprehensive, consolidated and accurate information as we go forward. […]
Midnight Mutterings | Lights out
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I hadn’t planned to write about the power outage April 15, 2026, three days ago, because you already know about it, especially your own experience. However one thing I found out checking the internet is that I misunderstood a major factor: that not all of Orcas Island was affected. I saw a map that showed that only part of Orcas Island was without power. Most of the west side of Orcas as well […]
Sheriff’s Report | April 8 – 14, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 26-001936 Attempted Suicide 10:10:52 04/08/26 An Orcas Island Deputy and Orcas Island Fire and Rescue responded to a medical emergency in the Olga area. The Deputy learned that a citizen was experiencing a mental health crisis. The citizen was flown off island to a hospital for evaluation and treatment. 26-001945 Weapons Noise 14:55:45 04/08/26 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a weapons noise on Shaw Island. The Deputy conducted
Earth Day | Loving this place is not enough. We must protect it, too.
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY ||| This Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22nd at 6 pm, Orcas Island Public Library, sponsored by Friends of the San Juans, welcomes the community to Salish Sea Dome, a breathtaking 360° projection experience that invites viewers into the hidden underwater world of the Salish Sea. Designed to inspire wonder in families, children, and nature lovers alike, this immersive program reveals the dazzling marine life and delicate ecosystems that thrive b
News Brief | A mysterious new pod of killer whales is making waves near Seattle
||| FROM PEOPLE ||| Three previously unrecorded orcas have been spotted near Seattle multiple times in recent weeks Researchers believe the transient pod may have traveled from Alaska The rare sightings have delighted whale watchers and also sparked questions about the animals’ journey READ FULL ARTICLE
Letter to Editor | Regarding that county levy
||| FROM RICHARD GROUT ||| If you haven’t returned your ballot yet, please read this carefully. The mini–voters pamphlet that came with your ballot says the proposed county levy is 85 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. That’s technically true—but it’s also misleading. This is not an 85-cent increase. 54 cents of that amount is simply a renewal of what we’re already paying. The actual increase is 31 cents per thousand. That distinction matters. I keep hearing, “The county should live […]
Guest Opinion | Board responsibility and credibility in the Decatur matter
||| FROM ALAN MIZUTA, et. al ||| What Happened Before This Was Published On April 14, 2026, thirty individuals and one community organization from the Decatur community formally asked the OPALCO Board to defer the April 21 vote on the Decatur solar expansion. That letter is linked here: https://tinyurl.com/5a8627bn It took significant effort to deliver it at all. OPALCO does not publish email addresses for its elected board members. There is no direct, accessible way for member-owners to contac
News Brief | Panic in East Coast town as families fear LOSING their homes over massive 50% tax hike
||| FROM THE DAILY MAIL ||| In South Hadley, a leafy East Coast community, residents will vote tonight on whether to approve a dramatic increase that could send bills soaring by as much as 50 percent. Town officials say the measure is needed to save the school district, which faces deep cuts from a budget deficit that could eliminate sports programs and high-paying positions. Town leaders say the tax hike would be phased in over five years and is unavoidable as […]
Orcas Center unveils Spring Gala
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Join Orcas Center for a special evening of food, fun, and fundraising during its Spring Gala: Indivisible Through Art on Saturday, May 9 at 5 p.m. in the Madrona Room. Attendees will be treated to dinner from award-winning chef Avery Adams of Matia. Please join us to support the arts in our community. Tickets are $150 and include a gourmet meal and beverages. After dinner, consider joining us for the closing […]
No jurors needed for April 20-24
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: APRIL 20-24, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday April 20th through Friday April 24th, 2026, are excused. Thank you.
WSF Weekly Report | Summer reservations available; partnership with USCG; work zone awareness week
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Today we released our updated Service Contingency Plan. The plan explains our operations and how we’ll adjust when service is unexpectedly disrupted. This could happen because of mechanical problems with a ferry or a terminal. The plan shows how we decide which routes to prioritize, how we assign boats and crews and how we adjust service to keep as many sailings running as possible. Our goal is […]
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Move It On Over: Songs and Stories of Hank Williams coming to Odd Fellows
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ODD FELLOWS HALL ||| “Move it On Over: Stories and Songs of Hank Williams” will be presented by music historian, folksinger, story-teller, Joel Underwood on Sunday, April 19 at 2:00pm at the Orcas Island Odd Fellows Hall. Joel Underwood weaves story and sing along with favorites including “Your Cheatin’ Heart”, “Hey Good Lookin’”, and “So Lonesome I Could Cry”. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes tragic, Underwood and his guitar bring to bright life the story of one […]
Island Primary Care – Orcas welcomes Fralick, PA-C, back to Orcas
||| FROM LAURA MORONEY for ISLAND HEALTH ||| Cameron Fralick, PA-C, recently joined the team at Island Primary Care – Orcas after six years working emergency medicine at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. There he served as adult and pediatric physician assistant at the Level I Trauma and academic medical center. Prior to that, he worked as a remote EMT and instructor while also serving as an EMT and volunteer firefighter for Orcas Island Fire […]
OCS to host open house April 26 ahead of May test drive day
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Orcas Christian School (OCS) will welcome families to campus for an open house Sunday, April 26, from 2-6 p.m., offering a chance to tour the school, meet staff and learn more about programs and student life. The event is designed as an informal opportunity for prospective families to get a firsthand look at the school community before the upcoming test drive day scheduled for May 8. Visitors will be able to explore classrooms, ask […]
Feast your eyes and ears upon Orcas Center’s spring production, INDIVISIBLE
A show unlike any other is gracing the Orcas Center stage ||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| INDIVISIBLE is an original multimedia dance experience about divisions in our culture. The show is running for the first two weekends in May. Created and performed by the very best of Orcas Island and Orcas Dance Collective, and directed by Jake Perrine, this tech-forward exploration will move your heart, mind, and body. Performance dates are May 1, 2, 7, 8, […]
Letter to Editor | Thank you for making MAG’s school music benefit a success
||| FROM MUSIC ADVOCACY GROUP || 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 […]
Salish Sea Early Music Festival returns with Bach, Handel
||| FROM JEFFREY COHAN for SALISH SEA EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| WHAT: BACH & HANDEL WHEN: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 5:00 PM WHERE: Orcas Adventist Fellowship Chapel at 107 Enchanted Forest Road in Eastsound ADMISSION: suggested donation: $20 to $30 (a free will offering), 18 & under free. Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel are to be celebrated in this sixth program of the 2026 Salish Sea Early Music Festival featuring soprano Maike Albrecht and harpsichordist Hans-Jürgen Schnoor, bo
Guided bird walk May 6th 8-10am at San Juan Islands Sculpture Park
||| FROM MARITA HOLDAWAY for SAN JUAN ISLANDS SCULPTURE PARK ||| As we step into the migratory season don’t miss this opportunity to walk with our knowledgeable bird guide and advocate Tyler Davis. Bring your binoculars and good walking shoes so you can explore the park’s 20 acres to seek out our local and migrating birds. If you arrive late no problem, just look for the people with binoculars peering into trees. The San Juan Islands Sculpture Park hosts monthly bird walks every […]
‘Coffee with Kari’ offers islanders on San Juan time with Councilmember Kari McVeigh
District 1 Council representative Kari McVeigh is hosting another ‘Coffee With Kari’ event this spring – an opportunity to ask questions, hear the latest County news, and chat about what matters to locals ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| District 1 Council representative Kari McVeigh is hosting another ‘Coffee With Kari’ event this spring – an opportunity to ask questions, hear the latest County news, and chat about what matters to locals. McVeigh hosted these open-house style meeting
Grannie’s Attic | A treasure hunt awaits
||| FROM LENA KASA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Mark your calendar for the exciting return of Grannie’s Attic at Orcas Senior Center on Saturday, April 18! This community-favorite event is better than ever, featuring artisan booths alongside household items, vintage finds, tools, collectibles, and more.
Larsen honored with Henry M. Jackson Award
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF. U .S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| EVERETT, WA – Today, 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 Rep. Larsen. “Scoop Jackson set an example for me in public service. We both had the privilege of representing […]