Site Logo
Flyer

Life

Registration open for Marine Naturalist Training Program

Submitted by The Whale Museum.

Banner

Life

Top stories of 2025: Part 2

By Colleen Smith Summers, Heather Spaulding, Kristina Stucki and Darrell Kirk

Sarah Geist photo.
Gretchen lifts her pectoral fin while feeding in shallow water near the shoreline near Hidden Beach on Whidbey Island on Dec. 22.

News

First gray whales, or Sounders, return to Salish Sea as floods impact shorelines

Submitted by the Orca Network.

Darrell Kirk / staff photo
A ferry in the San Juans

News

Ferry reservation system faces delays, critics question lack of user testing

By Darrell Kirk

sheriff

News

SJC sheriff’s log

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.

Contributed photo.
The annual Polar Bear Plunge.

Life

Orcas Island Rowing Association presents the legendary New Year’s Day Polar Bear Plunge

Come to Cascade Lake, at the main beach and picnic shelter on Thursday, Jan. 1. Plunge at 11…

Banner

Life

Top stories of 2025: Part 1

By Colleen Smith Summers, Heather Spaulding, Kristina Stucki and Darrell Kirk

Heather Spaulding/staff photo.
Al Dente pops his head out of the water as he adjusts to his new world.

Life

Al Dente swims free

Al Dente’s round face and large watery eyes emerged from his cage, curious about his new surroundings and…

Contributed photo.
Lobo is available for adoption through APS-FH.

Life

2026 dog licenses now on sale

Submitted by San Juan County.

Joe Brotherton photo.
Navid Eliot in Hidden Valley Studios.

Life

Second Doe Bay Artist in Residence album released

When visiting musicians, island venues and top-notch studio engineers intersect, you get the Doe Bay All-Stars Band.

News

Two bodies found in San Juan County waters

San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter confirmed that two bodies, a male and a female, were pulled from…

sheriff

News

Misappropriated mail; fence friction | Sheriff’s log

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the following calls.

Contributed photo.
L-R: Chris Duty, Andrea Bearce, Elizabeth & Michael Antonia.

Business

Two island families unite to steward historic Orcas Hotel into next chapter

Two Orcas Island families are joining forces to write the next chapter in the beloved Orcas Hotel’s 120-year…