Island News
Update. End of the Sheriff’s Log?
Monday, July 6, San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter informed the media that “Effective immediately, the Sheriff’s Office will no longer prepare or distribute the weekly media line report to local newspapers.” Local media publish the reports weekly. Prior to the creation of the line report, copies of individual incident reports were available for reporters […]
San Juan County recognizes ‘America250’ with proclamation and local events
Submitted by San Juan County.
Three San Juan Island women detained by DHS
Three Hispanic women who live on San Juan Island were detained by the Department of Homeland Security on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 7, near Roche Harbor. They were returning from a cleaning job when their vessel was stopped by the US Coast Guard, who then called in DHS with concerns about immigration. The women are believed to be on their way to the immigration detention center in Tacoma.
Keeping Sheriff’s Log from the public is an alarming mistake | Editorial
I am deeply distressed by Sheriff Eric Peter’s decision to withdraw the Sheriff’s Log from local news outlets.
Expanding access to justice on Orcas Island
Submitted by the Orcas Community Resource Center Communications Team.
Friday Harbor to host UW football team scavenger hunt
||| FROM JENNIFER KREMBS for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| All 104 members of the University of Washington football team will arrive in Friday Harbor Saturday, July 18, 2026, for a town-wide scavenger hunt. The community is invited to join the Mayor and Town Council at 10:30 a.m. in Sunken Park to meet players and kick off this team-building event with a basketball 3-point contest with local players. “What an amazing opportunity to show off Friday Harbor to UW Football!“ […]
CWR encounter #46 • Bigg’s Killer Whales
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 04:35 PM ObservEnd: 05:10 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit Other Observers: TAR, AKC, NAZ, LLK Pods: Bigg’s killer whales IDsEncountered: T124A, T124A1A, T124A4, T124A4A, T124A6, T124A7 LocationDescr: North of Flattop Island EncSummary: After leaving the T46Bs and T49C, we headed for Flattop Island, where the T124As and T124A4s were reported. We got on scene at 16:35 as the whales appeared to be finishing up a hunt
What Percentage Does San Juan County Real Estate Appreciate?
In the course of my real estate business, I am often asked by clients what percentage of appreciation they should expect if they invest here. It is a very difficult question to answer because, in my opinion, our market is not large enough to accurately calculate appreciation. On an individual property, you could calculate average […]
No jury duty for July 13-17
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: JULY 13-17, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday July 13 through Friday July 17, 2026 are excused. Thank you.
August 8: Walk the OPAL neighborhoods with Rusty
OPAL Community Land Trust invites community members to lace up their walking shoes and join longtime OPAL homeowner, historian, and storyteller Rusty Diggs for a guided tour of OPAL neighborhoods this summer. The 2 to 3 hours tours take place at 1 pm July 11, 2026 and 1 p.m. August 8. Meet at the Village […]
July 18: Olga Daze on Orcas Island
Olga Daze, a beloved annual celebration that captures the laid-back charm and artistic spirit of the tiny hamlet of Olga, begins at 10 am July 18 on Orcas Island. This annual event features live music, local art displays, delicious food, yard sale and a quilt raffle. At 12 noon, the parade begins complete with an […]
July 25: Summer Social: 20 Years of Turtleback Mountain
July 25 | 1 to 3:30 pm | Coffelt Farm Preserve | 1071 Crow Valley Rd | Eastsound | Free | REGISTER Join San Juan Preservation Trust for Summer Social: 20 Years of Turtleback Mountain on Orcas Island to celebrate two decades of protecting one of the most beloved landscapes in the San Juan Islands. […]
Chamber send thanks for parade support
Dear Editor, On behalf of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, I extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this 4th of July celebration so memorable! Our 2026 Parade theme, Cheers to 250 years!, featured 62 outstanding entries, many beautifully decorated. The route was packed, red, white and blue adorned the streets, and […]
Coalition Seeks $150 Million for State’s Premier Washington Wildlife and Recreation Grant Programs
TACOMA, WA – The Washington Wildlife & Recreation Coalition (the Coalition) is launching its advocacy and outreach campaign to secure $150 million for the Washington Wildlife & Recreation Program (WWRP) in the 2027–29 state capital budget, calling the investment essential to meeting growing demand for, and protection of, parks, trails, wildlife habitat, and working lands […]
CWR encounter #45 • Bigg’s Killer Whales
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 03:20 PM ObservEnd: 04:10 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit Other Observers: TAR, AKC, NAZ, LLK Pods: Bigg’s killer whales IDsEncountered: T46B, T46B2, T46B2B, T46B3, T46B3A, T46B4, T46B6, T46B7, T46B8, T49C LocationDescr: Western Boundary Pass EncSummary: With a decent-sized group of Bigg’s killer whales reported near Turn Point and new interns to train, we decided to head out for an encounter. We departed Snug Harb
Sheriff’s log discontinued
By Eric Peter
Mother-daughter duo release romance set on Orcas Island
It’s extra magical when romance blooms against the backdrop of Orcas Island.
Celebrating Orcas Center volunteers | Lawn party
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Surge in oil tanker traffic threatens Salish Sea, Southern Resident orcas and shoreline communities | Column
Submitted by the Friends of the San Juans.
Clayton Reed Parsons | Passages
November 22, 1946 – December 23, 2025
Jennifer Swanson for County Council | Letter
Over the years, Jennifer Swanson has made relationships with a wide spectrum of citizens, community leaders, County department heads, legislators, and Council members. She is indeed a seasoned leader who can hit the road running on behalf of her constituents. Lately I have had the opportunity to accompany Jennifer as she shares with members of the public. I appreciate how she enjoys working with people and is eager to listen and learn. She has no pretension and is grounded in navigating budgets.
Comments on EWUA article | Letter
The Washington Surveying and Rating Bureau (WSRB) report on October 1, 2024, reported that the community score for fire rating was raised to a 7 from 6, which contributed to higher insurance premiums for many reasons. The relevant categories were age and maintenance of equipment, lack of training programs, and lack of firefighter volunteers in some community areas.
Candidate forums
Submitted by the League of Women Voters.
The Dream Temple: Ambient Immersive
Submitted by the Orcas Center.