Island News
How the islands’ climate is changing: Winds and tides
By Russel Barsh
Death notice: Catherine Pederson
Catherine Pederson, 93, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 12, at 3:15 a.m. Catherine was a beloved mother and friend whose impact will never be forgotten. A private burial ceremony will be held for the family. A date and time for a celebration of Catherine’s life will be announced later. The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this time.
Lynn Roberts | Passages
September 25, 1941 – March 16, 2026
Bill Yarlott Annual Youth Fishing Derby returns April 25
Hosted and sponsored by Orcas Adventures, the beloved Bill Yarlott Annual Youth Fishing Derby is back on Saturday, April 25, continuing a more than 30-year tradition of bringing island families together for a day filled with fresh air, laughter and lakeside memories.
Ferry reservation modernization project sinks after contract cancellation
Washington State Ferries has terminated its contract with Anchor Operating System, the vendor hired in January 2025 to modernize the agency’s ticketing and reservations platform — a costly and contentious end to a project already more than a year behind schedule, and one that raises serious questions about transparency, user testing and how a multimillion-dollar public technology project went so wrong so quietly.
Maddy Sonshine designs dance for choral concert
Submitted by the Orcas Choral Society.
The Annual Student Art Exhibit at Orcas Center
Submitted by the Orcas Island School District.
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 car accident and structure fire
Submitted by Orcas Island Fire &Rescue.
The moat and the ferry run: Imagining public transit for Orcas Island | Column
By Colin Williams
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
ROAM: Art and literary pop-ups
Submitted by HALO.
Edge of the Salish Sea | Art, poetry, science walk and workshop
Submitted by event organizers.
Solvitur ambulando: Orcas Island resident launches immersive walking tour
There is a Latin phrase that Rusty Diggs carries with her on every walk: solvitur ambulando — it is solved by walking. For Diggs, a 25-year resident of Orcas Island, those words are more than a motto. They are the philosophy behind a new venture she hopes will change the way visitors experience one of the Pacific Northwest’s most beloved destinations.
Mark Sawyer | Passages
Mark Andrew Sawyer, age 60, passed unexpectedly on April 2, 2026, due to a tragic boating accident.
Orcas resident dies in single-car collision in Eastsound
An Orcas resident has died after a single-car collision on Enchanted Forest Road on April 13, around 4 p.m. According to Sheriff Eric Peter, the other occupant of the car was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
A legacy in every note: Orcas Island honors retiring strings director Pamela Wright
What began as the 2026 Music Advocacy Group Community Concert, benefiting the Orcas Island School District music program, held in the gymnasium at Orcas Island High School, became something far more personal on this Sunday afternoon — a heartfelt, tearful send-off for strings director Pamela Wright, who will retire at the end of this school year after 24 extraordinary years at Orcas Island Schools.
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue brings Hollywood glamour to annual awards banquet
By Darrell Kirk