Island News
Signs on light poles subject to $125 fine per posting per day
It is illegal to post signs, posters, flyers, and any other objects on light poles, benches, or other public property within the town of Friday Harbor without a permit per municipal code (Chapter 12.28 Private Use of Public Property). Each posting constitutes a civil infraction subject to a fine of $125, and each day is […]
First detections of highly invasive European green crab discovered on Orcas Island
Students from Orcas Island Middle School discover green crab molt while on a field trip ||| FROM WASHINGTON SEA GRANT CRAB TEAM ||| 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 of Fish and Wildlife […]
Merri Ann Simonson Real Estate Updates: Real Estate is best when kept local
Using local real estate brokers and local real estate related service providers is very important when buying or selling real estate. Boots on the ground here brings the level of expertise required. Further, it is similar to buying locally sourced food and shopping to support local retailers and restaurants; any effort in this direction helps […]
Get Ready | First outdoor summer concert is June 28
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center’s annual Summer Concert Series is back in the Village Green. All performances are free to the community. Kicking off the season is James Charles Howard, Jr., with local group Minnow Creek opening on Sunday, June 28, starting at 5 p.m. Howard, Jr. performs original blues-rock, instrumental rock and acoustic singer-songwriter originals and covers. Drawing inspiration from legends like Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughan, B.B. King, Jeff Bec
Join Orcas Hotel for live music every Sunday
||| FROM MICHAEL ANTONIA for ORCAS HOTEL ||| Every Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Orcas Hotel is hosting live music with Ira Echo & Friends. This is something we started with our friends Caleb & Reeb who put on the Orcas Fest music festival. The idea is a mix of bluegrass, country, folk, old time string music alongside traditional music from South America, Ireland and more. The idea is to have guests of all ages both inside the […]
No jurors required for June 22-26
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JUNE 22-26, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday June 22nd through Friday June 26, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
The Exchange update
|||FROM THE EXCHANGE ||| Styrofoam Recycling Matures on Orcas The Exchange is taking the next step in Styrofoam recycling on Orcas Island. After three months of collecting Styrofoam at the Z-Wall, staff toured a commercial recycling operation in Kent and are exploring the purchase of a “densifier” to transform waste Styrofoam into a recyclable material and keep it out of the landfill. Read more about this fascinating process. Hazardous Waste Event This Saturday! Bring all your household hazardo
Guest Opinion | About that dirt on Shaw
||| FROM ALEX MACLEOD ||| One way to view voters’ overwhelming rejection of the recent property-tax levy lid lift sought by the County Council is a lack of confidence in the council’s ability to wisely manage our tax dollars. The council, as we know, is trying to find ways to make up for a $3.5-$4 million shortfall in next year’s budget. At the same time, it is sitting on an ill-advised $1 million purchase of Shaw land including a residence, […]
Bipartisan Protect College Sports Act Advances to Full Senate
Bill bars major colleges from dropping women’s and Olympic sports teams; U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee endorsed it on Tuesday. WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Protect College Sports Act of 2026 passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation with strong bipartisan support (19-9), sending the legislation to the full Senate for consideration. The landmark bill sets new rules and provides new tools to […]
Stand-up comedy night with acclaimed comic Adam Cayton-Holland
Nationally touring comic Adam Cayton-Holland will perform stand-up comedy on Orcas Center’s stage.
San Juan County Council proclaims June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day
The San Juan County Council approved a proclamation on Tuesday, June 9, recognizing June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth National Independence Day, calling on all residents, businesses and visitors to reflect on the meaning of freedom and celebrate the contributions of African Americans in the islands.
Request for written public comment for Orcas Island Health Care District meeting
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island Health Care District will be holding our regularly scheduled Board Meeting on Wednesday June 24th from 5-7 PM at the Orcas Island Public Library. The Health Care District expects that individuals will be in attendance to share public comment regarding the employment termination of Dr. Simpson-Manske. We are asking for your cooperation as we seek to provide a process to receive and hear your comments, while still allowing the board [
WSF engineers ask governor, lawmakers to address wage gap driving canceled and delayed sailings
Uncompetitive wages and reliance on overtime driving burnout, poor morale ||| FROM MARINE ENGINEERS BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION ||| Seattle, WA – At a press conference today at Colman Dock, Washington State Ferry engineers said a growing wage gap is driving burnout, poor morale, and hobbling the system’s ability to retain and recruit credentialed essential staff. Eric Winge, WSF representative for the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, the union for all engine room crew at WSF says: “The condi
Antidote Dance Party | Celebrate the sun in Orcas Center black box
||| FROM COLLEEN SMITH SUMMERS for ORCAS CENTER ||| After Orcas Center’s live comedy show at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 26, head over to the Black Box for Orcas Center’s next Antidote dance party, a celebration of the sun featuring live DJ sets from Clove4, Trybe, Schade Soundsystem, K!CEAG3, and abstract visual art. There is a $10 admission cost, a cash bar for those 21 and over, and admission is 18 and over. The dance runs from 8 p.m. […]
News Brief | Salmon extinction on the Middle Fork Salmon River in the heart of Idaho
The genius in salmon to persist and thrive through change means this heart attack is still treatable ||| FROM IDAHO CAPITAL SUN ||| The Middle Fork Salmon River is the largest wild watershed in the Northwest. And thus a magnet for we who live near – and for visitors from everywhere: 2,812 square miles, 1.8 million acres, an abiding joy to visit, and then again. The Middle Fork hosts heavy human use and certainly human impact. It also breathes without […]
Maximize your future | Essential estate planning workshop
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join us Wednesday, July 8 at 1 p.m. for a valuable estate planning session led by local attorney Barbara Nesbet, JD, MBA. This presentation will cover the essentials of estate planning, including Wills and Powers of Attorney. Discover how you can save time and money by avoiding or minimizing the need for a formal court probate process. We’ll explore the probate process, discuss when a Trust might be suitable for your […]
EWUA meeting marked by escalating calls for transparency, accountability, leadership change
||| FROM CORY HARRINGTON ||| The Eastsound Water Users Association Board meeting was attended by approximately 50 members and reflected a night of significant tension alongside moments of earnest, heartfelt concern from community members deeply invested in the future of the utility. Early in the meeting, the Board President referenced a prior request for a third-party investigation into workplace and governance concerns. She stated the Board had reviewed the request but would not initiate an inv
June 20: Six events in one day including- 13th Three Lakes Marathon
June 20 | 7 am to 2 pm | Lakedale Resort | 4313 Roche Harbor Road | San Juan Island Join our annual celebration that has developed a reputation for excellence in community, health, fitness, family and FUN! 13th Three Lakes Triathlons, Olympic, Sprint and Youth distances and 23rd KINGS Market Half Marathon, 10k and 5K. Triathlon details: Lakedale […]
Lopez’s Iceberg Point reimagined for film a storm of syndicates
22-year-old Seattle filmmaker James Brammer began A Storm of Syndicates as a high school passion project at age 17. The film has since grown into an international production that recently premiered in Hollywood at the Harmony Gold Theater. The film is coming home for its Seattle Premiere at Majestic Bay Theatres on June 18. A Storm of Syndicates was shot entirely […]
Vehicle Auction
Abandoned Vehicle Auction Monday, June 22, 2026 at 10 am Preview from 9 to 10 am 1997 Isuzu WA Lic # Unknown Island Towing Impound Yard 600 Mullis St, Friday Harbor WA 98250 Must remove day of auction All Sales Final, as is, where is 360-378-7000
Call to artists: Community Show ‘Color, Texture & Pattern’
Submitted by the Visual Arts Committee of Orcas Center.
Existing vacation rentals in Eastsound and Lopez Village need a provisional use permit by June 25
Submitted by San Juan County.
Islanders encouraged to participate in transportation survey
Submitted by San Juan County.
Hot dogs, ice cream and community thank you
Join us for hot dogs and ice cream on Thursday, July 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Orcas Senior Center.