The Island Digest - News from San Juan County, Washington

Headlines from the week of July 8, 2026     - Mother-daughter duo release romance set on Orcas Island      - County Council member Paulsen on budget debate misunderstanding      - The impact of a single photo - an apology for erasure     - Sea Mar Lopez Clinic announces staffing plan     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of July 1, 2026     - Dr Simpson-Manske speaks at heated public meeting      - County and Port of Friday Harbor consider plan for all-electric interisland ferries     - Not your traditional fireworks - Lopez Island volunteers continue to produce world-renowned show     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of June 24, 2026     - Eastsound Village Green could close amid budget cuts      - Pride 2026 on San Juan Island     - Newborn orca spotted     - Lopez Island author’s Orca novel wins national award     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of June 17, 2026     - Graduates: Live the life you imagine      - Dad of four, Clint McCune’s greatest song is the life he’s built     - San Juan County `Council proclaims June 19 as Juneteenth National Independence Day      - Seven awards, $48k: Community support breaks scholarship foundation record     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log    

Headlines from the week of June 10, 2026     - Students bring back Orcas High School Culture Travel Club      - Congratulations class of 2026!      - June is Pride Month; Community leaders call for action     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of June 3, 2026     - Salmonberry earns ethics award at State Championship       - State cuts, soaring insurance and a rejected levy leave County Council to face its most difficult budget yet     - Port Stanley Road wild land fire     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of May 27, 2026     - From soccer to baby ballet, OIHS graduating seniors complete their final projects       - Myth busted: SJI recycling     - Lopez Island School advances solar project 

Headlines from the week of May 20, 2026     - Orcas Fire graduates largest class in department history      - San Juan County joins a statewide push to stop wildlife feeding - One sign at a time     - A packed room, an apology and a path forward: Lopez civic engagement at its bestOIFR responds to fully involved structure fire      - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of May 13, 2026     - ‘All we need is love’: Pastor Scott Harris returns to Orcas      - Two Orcas residents killed in car accident     - Gathering of the Eagles: Indigenous Leaders from around the world to converge in the San Juans     - Lopez Rec levy fails: School sports future hangs in the balance      - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of May 6, 2026     - Hard choices ahead as SJC levy fails      - Blending an ancient and modern perspective on motherhood     - Lopez clinic transition hits new milestone     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of April 29, 2026     - A lifetime in the making: Lopez boat-builder     - Ensminger resigns from Orcas Island Elementary     - Time to unplug during Screen Free Week      - Sheriff’s Office moves into new substation on Lopez Island     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of April 22, 2026     - Orcas Center debuts original spring production ‘Indivisible’     - OIFR responds to three calls at once: medical aid, fatal car accident and structure fire      - How a free app is uniting San Juan County in the fight against marine debris      - Islands’ Weekly to be included inside the Islands’ Sounder     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Lo...

Headlines from the week of April 8, 2026     - Kulper launches Uber business on Orcas      - A legacy in every note - Strings director Pamela Wright to retire       - Can swimming, barges and forage fish coexist?      -  Lopez High basketball players earn league recognition     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of April 1, 2026     - Middle School b-ball shows growth, grit     - Conservation donor fills funding gap       - Cancer patients fly free with the San Juan Eagles      - Lobos spring sports     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of March 18, 2026     - Wright among four college journalists selected for Seattle Times ‘Best of the Pacific Northwest’     - Citizens ask Washington court to restore long-serving Sidney-Anacortes ferry       - Tending the garden: San Juan Islanders choose community over chaos      - Councilperson Fuller not seeking re-election      - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's...

Headlines from the week of March 11, 2026     - Orcas High School chess team wins 2B state championship again     - Exploring a world far away from home       - Mosquito Fleet bill passes House 84-11, faces uncertain fate in Senate      - 2026 San Juan County Point-in-Time Unhoused Count     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of March 4, 2026     - OIFR responds to fully involved structure fire     - Girls basketball caps memorable season with state tournament      - Housing and waste disposal costs spill into code enforcement      - Coming home to Decatur     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of February 25, 2026     - Landlines are back for the kids of SJI     - Sheriff Eric Peter not seeking re-election     - Red foxes on San Juan test positive for avian influenza     - All-Islands Club Volleyball team launches     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of February 11, 2026     - A perfect match from the start - Valentine’s profile with Carey and Christina     - The Obregons - love, family, and community     - An undeniable love     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of January 28, 2026     - Exchange starts multiyear effort to bring composting to Orcas     - Orcas turns out for Jan 20 march     - First baby of the year: Callahan Hargrove     - Islanders walk out with noise     - SAFE San Juans launches support group for survivors of intimate partner violence     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of January 14, 2026     - Local food heroes: David and Geri Turnoy     - Locals voice concern over Venezuela     - Lopez couple charged with land use violations     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of January 7, 2026     - Update on Con’s - call for proposals     - Islanders brace for decade of ferry uncertainty with aging vessels despite billion-dollar investment     - Natural history essay for January 2026 - Iridescent dancers     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of December 31, 2025     - First gray whales return to Salish Sea as floods impact shorelines     - Juvenile Court - supporting island youth     - Lobos win at home     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of December 24, 2025     - Two families to steward Orcas hotel into next chapter     - Two bodies found in San Juan County waters     - 250 pieces of stolen mail to be returned     - Council passes budget but prepares for ongoing financial discussions     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log  

Headlines from the week of December 17, 2025     - Orcas athletes excel at Iron Wood Throwers Camp      - First baby in K Pod since 2022     - Volleyball season closes     - SJC’s 32-hour work week pilot project brings fiscal savings and workforce gains     - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log