Island News
News Brief | Will an aging propane tank near Bellingham be the next disaster?
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| In Ferndale, near Bellingham, another industrial tank has come under scrutiny because of serious safety concerns. While catastrophic failures are rare, the consequences can be disastrous. When you consider where the Cherry Point tank is situated, its obsolete design becomes even more concerning. Risk is determined not only by the probability of a failure, but also by the consequences if a failure were to occur. The lesson from many industrial accidents is not that
I’m Not the Church Lady | When I’m about to disappear
||| I’M NOT THE CHURCH LADY by ROSIE KUHN ||| People often describe me as an introvert, reclusive, and someone who simply reaches her social limit long before everyone else. They’re not wrong. Even after only an hour or two of being with people, I get antsy and my mind races to find the most convenient exit. I always assumed that’s just how I’m wired. But with this weekend’s big 4th of July Holiday, I began wondering if there was something […]
Ska Island to play next Orcas Center summer concert on July 12
Submitted by event organizers.
Friday Harbor celebrates the nation’s Semiquincentennial
Please click on the headline to go to page. Sorry for the inconvenience. PHOTOS
Friday Harbor throws a 4th of July parade celebrating the nation’s Semiquincentennial
Click on any photo to view the photos as a slide show
2026 Friday Harbor 4th of July parade – a few images – more later
Early bird discounted passes to Friday Harbor Film Festival available now
||| FROM ELLEN ROBERTS & KAREN PALMER for FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Mark Your Calendars: The 14th Annual Friday Harbor Film Festival Returns October 22–25, 2026. The countdown is on. Friday Harbor Film Festival (FHFF) is thrilled to announce that the 14th annual festival will light up San Juan Island October 22–25, 2026 — an extended weekend built to entertain, inspire, and enlighten through powerful documentaries, filmmaker conversations, and island community. Lock in the best pricing of
Coincidence? Three of our five Founding Fathers died on July 4
||| FROM NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER ||| It is a fact of American history that three Founding Father Presidents—John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe—died on July 4, the Independence Day anniversary. But was it just a coincidence? On July 4, 1831, James Monroe, the fifth President, died at the age of 73 at his son-in-law’s home in New York City. Monroe had been ill for some time and newspapers had reported on Monroe’s illness before his passing. Local and national […]
IOSA letter to community about fundraising opportunity
Dearest Community, So this happened and we’re still kind of amazed by it: someone in our community stepped up with a $20,000 gift to IOSA. No conditions. Just real belief in our work. We looked at that and knew we had to rise to meet it as an organization. So we challenged ourselves to match […]
Sheriff’s Report | June 24 – 30, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24 26-003769 Unwanted Person 07:48:29 06/24/26 A Deputy on San Juan Island received a report of an unwanted person. The Deputy had the reporting party sign a trespass warning letter that was later given to the suspect. 26-003795 Accident-Injury, Traffic 23:52:44 06/24/26 San Juan Deputies responded to a report of a single vehicle collision. The 18 year old driver was transported to the hospital and was later arrested for their […]
Orcas Senior Center — July highlights
Submitted by the Orcas Senior Center.
CWR encounters ‘just another day’ with Southern Residents
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Full Encounter Report ObservBegin: 11:15 PM ObservEnd: 12:26 PM Vessel: KCB III Staff: Dave Ellifrit, Michael Weiss Other Observers: Rachel John, Taylor Redmond Pods: Southern Resident – J, L IDsEncountered: J16, J19, J26, J31, J35, J37, J38, J42, J47, J49, J53, J56, J57, and J59 L55, L72, L82, L83, L86, L90, L91, L105, L106, L109, L110, L115, L116, L118, L122, L125, and L130 LocationDescr: Haro Strait EncSummary: The day after J and part […]
All WSF routes operating normal Saturday schedules Saturday, July 4
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| About 400,000 people are expected to board Washington State Ferries from Thursday, July 2, through Monday, July 6. Please prepare for long lines and extended wait times if you are traveling this holiday weekend. On Saturday, July 4, all routes will operate on their normal Saturday schedules. Busy travel times Westbound (or onto an island) Thursday and Friday, July 2-3 Eastbound (or off island) Sunday and Monday, July 5-6 Online tools To help navigat
Creating lasting change together
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| America’s 250th anniversary is a natural moment to reflect, not just on national history or politics, but on what we value closest to home. This community has long embodied something that is easy to take for granted: a genuine culture of showing up for one another. Charitable giving, volunteerism, and civic participation are not abstract ideals here. They are visible every day in the neighbors who stock the shelves at […]
Anacortes | No parking available 7/3/26
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| There is currently no available parking at the Anacortes terminal. All parking lots are full. Updates will occur when more information is available. This alert was sent on 07/3/2026 at 11:48AM to subscribers of the following routes: Anacortes / San Juan Islands
WSF Weekly Report | Onboard dance party; travel rush underway; WSDOT at Pride Parade
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Our monthlong 75th anniversary celebration wrapped up on Tuesday with our fourth and final onboard dance party on our Seattle/Bremerton route. Throughout June, these live DJ events brought music, energy and fun to ferries across our system. They gave our riders another reason to enjoy their journeys with us. Combined with anniversary flags flying on our vessels, live performances, giveaways and community events, it has be
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
A ‘green wave’ in East Sound?
By Russel Barsh
July 3: Annual Lopez Center Concert
July 3 | 6 pm The Annual Lopez Center Concert on July 3rd brings the community together for a lively evening of music and celebration. Enjoy local bands, great company, and a festive atmosphere that sets the stage for Lopez Island’s Fourth of July festivities. Whether you’re a visitor or a longtime resident, this concert […]
July 3: Rock ‘n’ Roche Roche Harbor
Friday, July 3, 2026 T-Mobile partnered with Roche Harbor Resort throws its annual 4th of July weekend party. Headlining the free concert is PNW native, Mat Kearney. Preceding Mat are the Dusty 45s out of Seattle and Wheelie Fargo from right here on San Juan Island. Rock ‘n’ Roche Harbor will once again be held […]
July 3: Orcas Island Firecracker 5K Fun Run
July 3 @ 8:30 am Kick off your Fourth of July with a burst of energy and island spirit by joining the annual 5K Fun Run- whether you race, jog, or stroll, it’s a festive way to be part of the celebration from the very start. REGISTER HERE
July 3: Ms. Christina’s Cake Walk
July 3 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Participants dance in a circle similar to musical chairs with the chance of winning prized cakes at the famous cake walk,. Get ready to strut, spin, and snack your way to sugary glory at the most deliciously delightful event of the day — the internationally renowned Ms. Christina’s Cakewalk! It’s part […]
July 3: 4th Annual Orcas Island Community Picnic
July 3 | 1 pm Join the island as Orcasians come together to celebrate the weekend! Bring a blanket and join in the fun at the cakewalk, chili cook off and pie contest, and watch incredible live music, this year featuring Petty Fever, a Tom Petty tribute band! Vendors, beer & wine, food, and family […]
Auditor: proposed federal revisions about grants could impact the county
LWVSJ Observer Corps* summary of the San Juan County Council Regular Meeting June 30,2026 meeting Council has held several budget consideration meetings this month. Discussions of possible budget adjustments continue, as Council considers ways to reduce expenditures by $4 million. Council has requested budget adjustment and cost-saving proposals from all departments, and continues with discussions […]