Island News
UPDATED | Art Show opening on Friday, July 3 | “The Ones That Made It”
Note date change ||| FROM MARJORIE TAYLOR for ORCAS CENTER VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE ||| The Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center announces the opening of “The Ones That Made It,” a curated show of wood-fired ceramics by local artists Michael Rozzi, Mathew Haeuser, Yuriko, Sam and Ayame Bullock, Sharon Ho, Sean Roberts, Penny Sharp and Mary Jane Elgin on July 3, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Intrigued by the traditional craft of firing pottery using wood as fuel, they custom-built a […]
The Snake and the Whale screening, finale to Orca Action Month on June 26
||| FROM FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| On Friday, June 26 at 7 PM Friday Harbor Film Festival presents The Snake and the Whale at the San Juan Island Library in Friday Harbor and the Lopez Center for Community and the Arts on Lopez Island. Following the film, audiences at both venues will watch a recorded conversation between Executive Producer Scott Levy and FHFF Producer and Host Norris Palmer, featuring updates on the film and dam removal efforts. The Snake […]
Celebrate this July weekend concert at Village Green
||| FROM CINDY CARTER ||| Start off your 4th of July Weekend on Thursday at the Eastsound Village Green by listening to a concert as violinist Emy and keyboard/harpist Lisa Carter bring their latest music to the stage at the Village Green along with guitarist Stephen Baker, flute players Kara and James and many others to perform their “almost classical” style of music. Concert begins at 12 noon on Thursday, July 2nd on the Eastsound Village Green stage.
Walking tours scheduled for OPAL neighborhoods
||| FROM QASIM ALI DINO for OPAL COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ||| OPAL Community Land Trust invites community members to lace up their walking shoes and join longtime OPAL homeowner, storyteller – and current OPAL Board President – Rusty Diggs for a guided tour of OPAL neighborhoods this summer. The tours, scheduled for Saturday, July 11 and Saturday, August 8, will provide participants with an opportunity to explore affordable housing neighborhoods, learn about OPAL's history and impact on Orcas
Improv class showcase coming to Orcas Center
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER || Come enjoy a fun-filled evening of theatre, created before your very eyes during Orcas Center’s Improv Class showcase on Thursday, June 25, 7 p.m., in the Black Box. A series of one-act plays will be made, right on the spot, from nothing more than an audience suggestion. Fans of “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” and “Middleditch and Schwartz” will marvel at this student showcase of improvisational theatre. There is a $10 […]
Port to meet on Monday, June 22
||| FROM CHIP LONG for PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas Board of Commissioners will hold a Regular Meeting on Monday, June 22nd at 4:00 p.m. online via Zoom and in-person at the airport terminal conference room. Access and agenda information can be found at portoforcas.com.
Sheriff’s Report | June 10 – 16, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10 26-003367 Malicious Mischief 08:53:09 06/10/26 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a vandalism incident in the Eastsound area. The Deputy learned that the victim’s vehicle was vandalized and would require a substantial amount of money to fix. The Deputy was unable to determine the culprit. The incident was documented. 26-003376 Controlled Substance Problem 13:04:38 06/10/26 A Lopez Deputy responded when a Lopez beachgoer found a sm
SJC sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
Reconnect as Turtleback reaches 20 years
Join us on June 24 for a presentation about this remarkable story ||| FROM BARBARA ROSENKOTTER for SAN JUAN PRESERVATION TRUST ||| Did you know the largest fundraising campaign in the San Juans was on Orcas? More than 2,000 individuals and families and several organizations raised more than $18.5 million. Twenty years ago, the community rallied to save Turtleback for future generations. But the Turtleback story started even earlier and continues today. San Juan Preservation Trust board member
Larsen cheers Trump administration backing off plan to end key ocean monitoring initiative
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement: “Monitoring our oceans is crucial to protect Northwest Washington’s coastlines, marine ecosystems and maritime economy. “The Trump administration’s attempt to remove hundreds of underwater instruments that help scientists understand ecosystem threats and natural disasters like El Niño was shortsighted and dangerous. I am glad that the Administration
Letter to Editor | Easy to be ‘hard’
||| FROM ROBERT AUSTIN ||| I’ve noticed that over the past couple months, water at our Timber Lane house seems to have grown harder than normal: rinsing my car off left behind hundreds of little white edged circles, evaporated mineral deposits. As you probably know, this is due to dissolved calcium and magnesium salts from our aquifer—the so-called “hardness.” I ordered a titration (drop by drop) test kit—these are more accurate than test strips—and found that our water had a […]
Celebrating Juneteenth
||| FROM MINOR LILE ||| Last year I happened to be in Washington DC, for an affordable housing conference that began in late May, just after the Memorial Day weekend. On the Friday after the conference, I got together with a college friend who is a docent and exhibit designer at Arlington House, which is located in the center of Arlington National Cemetery. Arlington House was the former home of Confederate General Robert E Lee and is sometimes referred to as the Custis/Lee mansion. The […]
WSF Weekly Report | Sunflower lanyards; onboard dance parties; Suquamish Colman Dock celebration
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve I’m pleased to share that we have joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program to better support people with non-apparent disabilities as they travel through our system. Through this program, we will offer complementary Sunflower lanyards. People who choose to wear them can quietly signal that they may need extra time, understanding or help while traveling. We are now finishing employee training and plan to officially
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
June 20: Annual Orca Sing
Join your friends and neighbors at Lime Kiln Point State Park on Saturday, June 20 at 7 PM for Orca Sing 2026! Bring your friends, family, and a picnic to enjoy the beauty of the park and the Salish Sea while listening to thoughtful speeches and local musicians. First Nations naturalists Odin Lonning and Orca […]
San Juan Islands WA Sheriff’s Log June 10-16: Fatal car accident starts fire; vandalism; upset passengers on wrong ferry
San Juan County Deputies responded to 195 calls from June 10-16, 2026 including: Lopez Fire & EMS responded to a wildland fire. Upon investigation, the fire was caused by a single vehicle fatality collision. The Sheriff’s Office, State Patrol, Orcas Island Fire, and the Coroner’s Office all responded. The matter is under investigation. .An Orcas […]
Islands rise to the challenge: Early childhood education fights for its future
As state and federal funding shrinks, San Juan County school districts and nonprofits are finding creative ways to ensure every child has a chance to learn before kindergarten — but advocates warn the clock is ticking.
Candidate Forums: July 13 on Orcas; July 14 in Friday Harbor; July 15 on Lopez
Meet the candidates for District 3. The League of Women Voters of San Juan County will be hosting candidate forums on three islands for local voters to hear from the candidates for the County Council District #3 position. Monday, July 13 at 8 :30 pm at the Orcas Senior Center Tuesday, July 14 at 8:30 […]
Larsen Cheers Trump Administration Backing Off Plan to End Key Ocean Monitoring Initiative
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement June 18, 2026.: “Monitoring our oceans is crucial to protect Northwest Washington’s coastlines, marine ecosystems and maritime economy. “The Trump administration’s attempt to remove hundreds of underwater instruments that help scientists understand ecosystem threats and natural disasters like El Niño was shortsighted and […]
I simply could NOT share this
Oh, those were the days, eh? Doesn’t mean we can’t do it again. ||| From LIN MCNULTY, Editor ||| Also, almost as good.
News Brief | Why mailing a paper check has become so risky
||| FROM THE WASHINGTON POST ||| According to a joint warning from the FBI and the U.S. Postal Service, check fraud is skyrocketing. Federal data shows that reports of check fraud nearly doubled from 350,000 in 2021 to 680,000 in 2022. This isn’t limited to personal checkbooks. Fraudsters are going after business payments, tax refunds and checks related to government assistance programs, such as Social Security and unemployment benefits, according to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. If
A new calf joins L Pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR ORCA RESEARCH ||| Our scientists observed the calf, designated L130 on June 14th and 15th as members of J and L pods traveled through the Salish Sea. Based on the calf’s size, behavior, and physical characteristics, we estimate it to be between 1 and 3 months old. L130 was primarily seen swimming alongside L91, though it was also observed with reproductive females L83, L86, and L118. Our research team will need a few more sightings to […]
LEADing into Summer
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| Orcas Island is abuzz with activity as the summer season picks up, and it’s a jam-packed month at the Foundation as well, reflected in the news we share today. Last week, I had the honor of helping the Orcas Island High School senior class present the annual Youth Philanthropy Awards at the Celebration of Success ceremony. For 20 years, this program has empowered the senior class to award grants to […]
First detections of highly invasive European green crab on Orcas Island
Orcas Island, WA — Evidence of invasive European green crab was detected for the first time on Orcas Island in May, when a Washington Sea Grant (WSG) Crab Team volunteer monitor and science teacher Amy Sprenger reported one of the distinctive five-pointed shells on Crescent Beach in Eastsound. Last week, follow up trapping efforts by Washington Department […]