Center for Whale Research posted October 7, 2026 on Facebook: Our team is saddened to report that Southern Resident killer whale J31 has been observed with a deceased newborn calf. CWR researcher Mark Malleson encountered J31 and her immediate family on October 3rd…

Orcas Island, WA – Orcas Island Fire and Rescue (OIFR) will begin issuing burn permits for Orcas Island. Permits will be available starting  October 12, 2026 , if weather and conditions allow. The process is online. Apply and pay at  orcasfire.org . The site also has…

Of Washington’s 39 counties, San Juan County is the only one made up entirely of islands, reachable  only by boat or plane. Most residents rely on Washington State Ferries (WSF), and for the past eight  years I have served on our county’s Ferry Advisory…

Submitted by: Caitlin Leck, on behalf of the Food System Team of San Juan County: The Food System Team of San Juan County, in partnership with the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild and local data scientist, Adam Martin, is excited to announce the launch of an…

MacKaye Harbor Rd and the Agate Beach County Park on Lopez Island are scheduled for infrastructure updates in 2027. Reconstruction of MacKaye Harbor Road and the Agate Beach County Park parking area will help protect access to public, private, and tribal lands, while…

Rally | October 17 | 12 noon to 2 pm | Courthouse Lawn | Friday Harbor Hello to all who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of your ballot! Good news. Our Indivisible group on San Juan Island is holding a No Kings – Vote Early! rally on October 17th on the…

Dear Editor, I write to highlight the excellent work of SJC Council candidate longtime-islander Jennifer Swanson in our community, which is easily applied to the larger islands. Most notably, she has served as an elected official for repeated terms as a school…

I hired Heather Lee to work in the Auditor’s Office, initially as an administrative assistant.  It immediately became apparent to me that she was capable of so much more.  Since then, she has gained experience in all areas of the Auditor’s office, including payroll,…

We are writing to offer our wholehearted support for Jennifer Swanson for county council. We’ve known Jennifer since she and her husband Chad moved to Shaw Island in 2003. Jennifer is someone who is thoughtful, trustworthy, and deeply committed to serving our…

To the Editors I have known Jennifer since 2013 soon after I moved to Shaw Island. Since then she has served as a Shaw School board member and the superintendent, a Ferry Advisory Board member, the founder of the Shaw Island Brown Bag Lunch monthly community meeting,…

I believe elected officials should understand what it means to walk in the shoes of the people they represent. That means knowing what it’s like to work multiple jobs to pay the bills, and to worry about affording healthcare and keeping a roof over their heads….

OPALCO does not comment on active legal matters, but some misinformation in a recent King 5 article needs to be addressed. The pole site in question was on the property mentioned, with the previous owner’s permission, prior to the current owners’ purchase of the…

Petition calls on Governor Ferguson and state agencies to fight the Canadian pipeline and supertanker project and secure enforceable, fully funded protections for Washington state. Friday Harbor, WA—October 7, 2026—A new petition being circulated by Friends of the San…

To the Editor: We are writing in support of Katherine Bryant-Ingman’s candidacy, for the District 3 seat on the San Juan County Council, representing residents of Lopez, Shaw and Decatur islands. We quickly endorsed Katherine for the District 3 seat of the SJC…

Katherine Bryant Ingman is the breath of fresh air San Juan County needs right now.  We are struggling to find our footing between financial troubles and a growing mountain of needs. The old ways have not worked. New ways, new ideas, new leadership are needed….

Washington State Transportation Commission is inviting ferry riders and the public to join the Ferry Riders’ Opinion Group , or FROG. This group gives you a chance to share your ferry experiences and provide feedback that directly helps shape our service, operations,…

PRESS RELEASE: At its October 5 meeting, the San Juan County Council adopted the 2027 budget after hearing from residents across the county. This adopted budget includes organizational restructuring and over $3.8 million dollars in reductions to staffing and critical…

LWVSJ Observer Corps*: San Juan Island School Board September 30, 2026. Public Comment: Parent Eliza Habegger is concerned about the use of AI in the classroom. She made three recommendations: 1. Remove Google Gemini in all Chrome books. 2. Consider Los Angeles…

LWVSJ Observer Corps: Friday Harbor Port Commission, September 25, 2026 A new lease was approved for San Juan Canvas with all terms remaining identical with the previous agreement and with a five-year extension. A new lease was approved for San Juan Air’s Hangar 80…

Enter OPALCO’s co-op member photo contest or grand prize giveaway Every year in October, cooperatives around the nation celebrate National Cooperative Month. OPALCO, San Juan County’s local not-for-profit cooperative utility, is spending this month  celebrating co-op…

As the 2026 season comes to a close, San Juan County Parks Dept is  actively recruiting camp hosts for 2027. Interested in waking up each day in some of the most beautiful parks the San Juan Islands have to offer? Love interacting with and educating a variety of…

Dear Editor, We’ve known Jennifer Swanson for over 20 years and worked with her on numerous community events on Shaw. She’s empathetic, smart, and seemingly tireless. On issues that impact our islands’ way of life, she’s purposely well-informed and open to hearing all…

SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. October 1, 2026 – Mark your calendars for the upcoming General Election on November 3! Races for important Federal, State, and County positions will appear on the ballot, as well as vital ballot measures for the State, the San Juan County Fire…

SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. October 1, 2026 – Protect your family this fall and winter by bringing your child to one of our upcoming school-based walk-up immunization clinics. We will have vaccines to protect children against flu and it is anticipated that there will be…

PROCLAMATION Hope to Live Free of Abuse WHEREAS, October is recognized nationally as Domestic Violence Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, domestic violence is a complex and pervasive public health crisis that affects individuals without regard to age, race, gender,…

Rally | October 17 | 12 noon to 2 pm | Courthouse Lawn | Friday Harbor Hello to all who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of your ballot! Good news. Our Indivisible group on San Juan Island is holding a No Kings – Vote Early! rally on October 17th on the…

Sunday, October 11 | 1 to 4 pm |  Lopez Museum | 28 Washburn Pl Lopez Museum is co-hosting its fourth annual Heritage Apple Day and Community Press on Sunday, October 11, 1-4 PM alongside Kwiaht and the LIFRC Gleaning Program. Once known as the Fruit Basket of…

October 13  |  6 pm  |  Parish Hall  |  Eastsound A BETTER WORLD IS POSSIBLE. What does it take to imagine a better future—and what can the next generation teach us about making it happen? Join award-winning journalist Meera Subramanian and beloved poet and author…

Wednesday October 14 |  6 to 8 pm |  San Juan Island Grange | First Street | Friday Harbor The Herbal Mutual Aid Group, an offshoot of San Juan Island Grange’s Mutual Aid Committee, is hosting a free fire cider workshop on Wednesday October 14th from 6:00pm…

OCTOBER 14 – 18, 2026  The Orcas Island Film Festival is a film lovers’ dream with buzz-worthy, brand new films screened in one of the most beautiful places in the world. The Orcas Island Film 12th annual festival takes place Oct. 14-18, bringing five days…

While earthquakes in the islands are rare, San Juan County is smack in the middle of some of the highest risk quake country anywhere. Being prepared for the eventual catastrophic earthquake is a basic responsibility of every resident, business, and organization. A…

Curious what’s been happening with the Land Bank’s recent acquisition along Orcas Island’s Dolphin Bay Road? A guided tour will take place October 15  from 5 to 6 pm. Tour the future preserve with Land Bank Preserve Steward, Peter Guillozet, and learn about proposed…

Friday, October 16 |  11:20 am to 12:30 pm |  FHES Playground  | Free School’s out early, so grab your pals and come explore rigs of all shapes and sizes. All Ages. FREE

Canine Kids 4-H Dog Club is kicking off a new year, and we’d love to welcome some new faces! Our next meeting is Friday, October 16th at 12:00 PM at the Marie Boe Building. If you have a child who loves dogs and is interested in learning more about dog care and…

October 16, 17 and 23, 24 and 30, 31  | sunset to 10 pm |  Roche Harbor Cemetery Tours |  193 Afterglow Dr |  Friday Harbor,

October 17  |  11 am to 6 pm |  Goose Hollow Farm  |   Sugar Pea Ln  |  Friday Harbor Bring the whole family out to Goose Hollow Farm (at the end of Sugar Pea Lane) for a weekend of pumpkins, flowers, and flying gourds. Wander the patch to pick the perfect pumpkin,…

October 17 | 10 a.m. OR 3 pm | Gathering Place in the Senior Hamlet | Lopez Island Ever wanted to know what it really means to be a volunteer with Home Support? Now is your chance! October 17 we will be hosting an open orientation for volunteers. If at the end…

Ferment Fest 26 A Taste Tour of Tiny Allies Free and Open to the Public October 18 | 1 to 4 pm | San Juan Island Grange Hall Community kraut making! We will continue to be the healthiest county in the state when we are all eating fermented foods this winter. Remember…

October 22-25 Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Film Guide, Festival Schedule, and official 60-page Program Guide are all live at FHFF.org. All passholders can now reserve their seats for the films they don’t want to miss! This year we’re also welcoming…

Farmers, ranchers and agricultural landowners thinking about the future of their land or business are invited to Planning for the Future of Your Farm and Ranch: Land and Business Transfer Workshop, a free workshop on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at…

October 31 | 2 to 10 pm | San Juan Vineyard | 3136 Roche Harbor Rd | Friday Harbor Join us for our first ever Halloween Bash! The ghostly fun is from 2:00-10:00 pm. Come for part of the event or stay for the whole bash! Live music all day with three local bands, food…

Legend says a ship vanished off this harbor on Halloween night more than a century ago. Its crew was never found, but every October 31st the docks come alive with music no one can explain. This year, you’re invited aboard! DJ Michael Duncan + guests spinning…

Sunday, November 1  |  1 to 4 pm |  San Juan Island Grange Hall  |  Friday Harbor The next Repair Fair on Nov 1 will feature a new DIY table: Cleaning and Conditioning Leather by Drew Loura. Our usual crew of amazing volunteers will be back – Tinkering,…