Island News
Leadership San Juan Islands celebrates graduation of Cohort XVII
April 24, 2026 | San Juan Islands, WA ||| FROM GRETCHEN KRAMPF for LEADERSHIP SAN JUAN ISLANDS ||| Leadership San Juan Islands proudly announces the graduation of Cohort XVII on April 24, 2026, marking another milestone in its mission to cultivate informed, connected, and engaged leaders across the islands. We invite community members, alumni, and partners to join us at NOON at the Friday Harbor Grange for a celebratory Potluck Luncheon, followed by a ceremony honoring Cohort XVII and their […]
Permitting with the County | How to use the SmartGov System
Using the online SmartGov portal, you can apply for, renew, and view the status of permits, as well as schedule inspections and make secure payments ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Department of Community Development (DCD) processes permits for building and land use projects, residential and commercial burning, addressing changes, and more. Using the online SmartGov portal, you can apply for, renew, and view the status of permits, as well as schedule inspections and
Bringing it home: Sea-level rise impact and response planning for Orcas | A climate solutions workshop
Submitted by Earth Day Orcas.
At Artworks | Rugs series brings textile traditions into focus
||| FROM B.J. ARNOLD for THE ARTWORKS ||| The Rugs series marks a natural evolution from Avi’s earlier Luli paintings, where patterned textiles first appeared as a backdrop. Now, the rugs themselves take center stage—rendered as 30-inch square paintings that invite close attention and reflection. Rooted in personal history, the work draws on Avi’s lifelong familiarity with Persian rugs, objects that once formed his earliest visual landscape. Today, inspired by Afghan and Turkish tribal patterns,
Maddy Sonshine designs dance for choral concert, senior project
||| FROM LYNN BAKER for ORCAS CHORAL SOCIETY ||| Where do dance, high school, and choral music come together? Orcas Island! This spring’s Orcas Choral Society concert will be enhanced by Maddy Sonshine, Orcas Island High School senior. Every Orcas Island High School senior does a senior project. For hers, Sonshine will choreograph, recruit and train dancers, and direct them in three very different numbers: classical, modern, and tap. For this budding artist, it’s a huge chance to grow. “I’ve […]
No jurors needed April 13-17
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: APRIL 13-17, 2026 All jurors summonsed for the Jury Period beginning Monday April 13th through Friday April 17th, 2026, are excused.
Earthrise | The Strait of Hormuz and San Juan County’s Energy Moment
Stopping the burn is a marathon, not a sprint ||| EARTHRISE BY JAY KIMBALL ||| As war rages in the Strait of Hormuz, one wonders if we are watching an important nail in the coffin of our collective global oil addiction. March record heat waves throughout the west and an El Niño cycle gaining momentum tell us this year is different. Records will be broken. Energy analyst Rory Johnston observed: “There is no better advertising for the clean energy transition […]
Update on proposal for limited deer hunting on Orcas Island
Submitted by San Juan Island.
SJC Department of Environmental Stewardship hosts 2026 hazardous waste roundup events across the islands
SJC Department of Environmental Stewardship is hosting hazardous waste collection events, giving residents and businesses the chance to legally dispose of poisonous, flammable, corrosive and hazardous materials.
Island Allies of Indigenous Lifeways supports tribally managed hunting at North Shore Preserve
By Jaime Beechum and Caitlin Leck
Judy Tepley’s work showcased
The work of Judy Tepley will be on display now through May 31 at the Orcas Healing Arts Center, featuring beaded paintings and embroidered spheres. Through May 30, beaded spheres and embroidered temari spheres are on display at the Orcas Island Library. Both shows include needlework in various forms using seed beads and thread.
Concerns over SAVE Act and voting access | Letter
At the Orcas Island No Kings Rally on March 28th, the most important issue in this country was absent—voting to change the majority party in the United States Congress.
In support of public safety | Letter
I am writing to express my strong support for voting YES on the levy lid lift that will be on the April 28th special election ballot. As the former Sheriff of San Juan County for 24 years, I have witnessed firsthand the vital role our law enforcement officials and staff play in keeping our community safe.
Vote YES for County levy: Save the services we value most | Letter
I am writing to point out the importance of voting YES on Proposition No.1, the County’s regular property tax levy lid lift. This levy is to continue funding valued community services that are not mandated by law. These services include foundational public health, senior services, parks and fair, emergency management, the Islands Oil Spill Association, and environmental stewardship. We have come to rely on these programs and services as part of our everyday lives.
The ClearWater Commitment: A framework for institutional integrity | Column
By Thomas Owens
Free workshop on the Washington Saves Program
Submitted by the Economic Development Council.
‘Women Who Step Up, Not Aside’ at Odd Fellows
“Women Who Step Up, Not Aside,” a presentation from the Washington Humanities Speakers Series, will take place at the Odd Fellows Hall on Sunday, April 12, at 1 p.m. Part music performance and part talk, the acoustic music trio Trillium-239 shares songs and stories of trail-breaking women like Marie Curie, Harriet Tubman, Malala Yousafzai, Annie Oakley and others. What drove them to step out of their expected roles to forge more difficult paths, knowing they’d face many challenges and barriers?
OPALCO board candidate questionnaire results released | Eight candidates provide detailed perspectives on cooperative future
Submitted by an independent non-partisan group of OPALCO members.
Larsen condemns Trump’s unhinged and violent comments
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Democratic Leadership in the following statement: “Donald Trump is completely unhinged. His statement threatening to eradicate an entire civilization shocks the conscience and requires a decisive congressional response. The House must come back into session immediately and vote to end this reckless war of choice in the Middle East before
Torched trousers; minor maneuvering motor vehicle | SJC sheriff’s log
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.
EDC and Business Impact NW to Host Two Free Workshop on Capital Readiness for Businesses – Lopez and Friday Harbor
The EDC will host a free workshop led by Business Impact NW, to help small business owners, and startup entrepreneurs better understand loans and capital readiness. The two identical sessions of the workshop, titled Capital Readiness, will take place in person. The first is Tuesday, May 5th, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Friday Harbor House, San […]
Sunny eggy fun at Roche Harbor Resort
A dozen gold and silver-colored prize eggs and dozens of dyed eggs decorated the gardens at Roche Harbor Resort for the annual Easter Egg Hunts. Divided into three age groups, the children scrambled to fill their Easter baskets with eggs and to find the gold and silver eggs which are turned in for prizes. Photos […]
April 7: Ferry Alert: Ana/SJs – Tillikum Out of Service Due to Mechanical Issue
WSF BULLETIN 8:57 am April 7: Due to a mechanical issue with the M/V Tillikum, the vessel has gone out of service. Technicians are currently troubleshooting the issue. This cancels the following sailings: 8:45 a.m. from Friday Harbor to Orcas, Shaw and Lopez 10:30 a.m. Lopez to Friday Harbor 11:30 a.m. from Friday Harbor to […]
OPAL Community Land Trust annual meeting coming up April 23
Guest Speaker: Raymond Faber on modular building ||| FROM QASIM ALI DINO for OPAL COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ||| OPAL Community Land Trust warmly invites all community members to attend its 2026 Annual Meeting on Thursday, April 23, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM at Emmanuel Episcopal Parish Hall. Light refreshments will be served. The annual gathering offers an opportunity to connect with neighbors, hear organizational updates, and celebrate milestones from the past year. OPAL staff and trustees will talk abo