From Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council I know the struggle of housing in the islands, firsthand. We have regularly housed friends and essential workers in the summers because we know that it takes the entire community to seek practical housing…

I’ve been fortunate to benefit from, and contribute to, impressive and impactful volunteer work throughout my life. From an early age, I’ve looked for ways to bring people together with integrity, care, and joy, and to create the kind of culture and environment that…

In the State of Washington, responsibility falls on the local and Tribal governments to execute Salmon habitat conservation and restoration projects, which is a focused way of saying projects addressing marine health in general.  This mission dovetails nicely with the…

From Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council: Excellent council members bring neighbors together, build on community strengths, identify solutions by focusing on shared goals, and lead through change and crisis with empathy and compassion. I have a proven,…

During the course of my campaign for County Council, I have had countless conversations with people across the islands and have learned a great deal about their concerns. These conversations have given form to how I will, as councilmember, approach the budget. In…

From Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council San Juan County faces real access to healthcare challenges. We’re rural and remote. Our population is aging, and Medicare reimbursement brings in less revenue than private or marketplace insurance. This…

San Juan County is set to spend more than it takes in for 2027. To legally balance the budget, it needs to cut $3.7 million. This didn’t happen overnight. In April 2026, a levy lift failed, with over 60% voting no, forcing difficult decisions. Costs the county…

Dear Editor, This week, I had the pleasure of experiencing community engagement, up close on both Waldron and Lopez Islands. Last Sunday, I visited the Waldron community and had several informative conversations. I heard their concerns about receiving county services…

In response to recent concerns about this project, I wanted to provide clarity to the community on the specific details involved. The Land Bank is currently under contract to purchase this 122-acre property, with closing scheduled for late January 2027. While the Land…

Three months after my office burned down in the Friday Harbor arson fire that took the Windermere offices, the Crow’s Nest, and a handful of other business back in 2022, I voluntarily left a senior GIS role with the geospatial giant ESRI in order to accept my first…

A “yes” vote on the levy lid lift is a vote to protect the core services that make island life possible: public safety, public health, senior services, and the basic infrastructure of local government. San Juan County faces a projected $3.7 million shortfall in 2027,…

Four years ago, the League of Women Voters of San Juans stood up a local Observer Corps. Many local Leagues have one; members attend local public meetings to follow what is happening in local government and to ensure that public business is conducted with public…

Solar power works well in many places — but NOT HERE  The San Juan Islands have some of the lowest solar potential in the continental U.S. due to latitude, persistent clouds, fog, and rain — among the most difficult and lowest output in the lower 48.  For…

I’d like to respond to the OPALCO criticism of my column regarding our high rates:   Quoting OPALCO: ” Krista from OPALCO here. This article is so rife with misinformation it’s hard to know where to start. You can disagree with OPALCO and some of our…