By Colleen Smith Summers, Heather Spaulding, Kristina Stucki and Darrell Kirk
Staff report
At the end of the year, we take a look at the biggest headlines of the past 12 months. This is part two. We selected the top stories from our most-read online articles and events that we believe had the most significant impact on our communities.
7. Lopez Fire helps put out 7-acre wildfire on Orcas
What began as a 40-foot brush fire in the West Sound/Deer Harbor area on July 8 quickly escalated to a 7-acre wildland blaze that threatened six homes before being contained through an extraordinary display of interagency cooperation and community response. The fire’s rapid growth highlighted the volatile conditions that can turn a minor incident into a major emergency.
Multiple Department of Natural Resources helicopters were on scene, and Orcas Island Fire & Rescue was assisted by the San Juan and Lopez fire departments through the San Juan County Interagency Wildland Team. The successful containment showcased what emergency officials call mutual aid at its finest.
While the response demonstrated the effectiveness of interagency cooperation and community preparedness, it also highlighted the growing wildfire risk facing island communities and the reality that such a comprehensive response may not always be available.
8. San Juan County welcomed new Council members in late 2024
San Juan County swore in two newly elected officials on Dec. 30, 2024, marking a significant transition in local leadership.
Kari McVeigh and Justin Paulsen joined the County Council, with Court Commissioner Alan Hancock performing the ceremony in the Superior Court Courtroom. Council member Jane Fuller remained on the Council as she began her third year in office, while Superior Court Judge Kathryn Loring, who won reelection in 2024, was also sworn in again.
McVeigh became the County Council member representing District 1, which includes San Juan, Henry and Stuart islands. She brought a background in public education administration, having served as superintendent of both the San Juan Island School District and Shaw Island School District.
Paulsen took the position representing District 2, which covers Orcas and Waldron Islands. His experience included small business ownership and service on multiple local boards, including the Ferry Advisory Committee and Orcas Island Parks and Recreation Commission.
The County expressed gratitude to outgoing Council members Christine Minney and Cindy Wolf, acknowledging their dedicated service and lasting contributions to San Juan County’s growth and infrastructure development over their years in office.
9. Multiple unverified cougar sightings
Multiple unverified cougar sightings on San Juan Island in early August 2025 prompted local and state agencies to issue safety warnings to residents and hikers.
The first reported encounter occurred on Aug. 4 when Seattle visitor Leslie DeGasparis spotted what she believed was a mountain lion while running on White Point Road near Roche Harbor. DeGasparis described seeing a large animal with a face that approached within 10 feet before she backed away and fled to safety at a nearby home.
A second sighting was reported the same day in the same area by a local woman familiar with mountain lions from her time in Colorado. She encountered the animal at 20 yards while walking her dogs.
A third sighting near Snug Harbor was reported on Aug. 7. Because no photographs or videos were captured and the sightings weren’t witnessed by law enforcement or wildlife professionals, they remained unverified. The Sheriff’s office planned to install trail cameras in the area.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife noted that while cougars are native to the state, their presence alone didn’t warrant management action. Wolf Hollow’s wildlife expert suggested any cougar would likely pass through the island quickly. Warning signs were posted on trails by Roche Harbor Resort and San Juan Island National Historical Park.
10. Originally facing a $6 million shortfall, County Council adopts a balanced 2026 budget
Fully utilized COVID funding, instability of federal and state grants and plateauing revenue sources like sales tax and permits are just a few of the reasons for the shortfall, according to Auditor Natashia Warmenhoven. San Juan County is not alone with these issues. Counties across the nation have used up their COVID assistance funding and are struggling with other federal support either being dropped altogether or caught up in new requirements or being reviewed.
County governments have not been the only ones suffering as a result of federal upheaval either. Parks, farmers, nonprofits, schools, health services and libraries have all been impacted.
After months of deliberations and strategic cuts, the deficit was reduced to $1.5 million in December. Council determined that focusing on a one-year budget would allow the organization to maintain some additional personnel and services while allowing more time to address changes for 2027 and beyond.
Following a public hearing Dec. 9, a 2026 budget was adopted. With 2027 looking more dire than 2026, the Council intends to get to work right away on the 2027. “The budget is all we are going to be talking about for a very long time,” Council Chair Kari McVeigh said, prior to approving the 2026 budget, noting that the things that were on the table to be cut remain on the table for cuts in 2027.
11. K-pod has first baby since 2022
Southern Resident killer whales welcomed a new addition in December 2025 when an orca calf was spotted in Puget Sound on Dec. 9, marking the first birth in K Pod since 2022.
The calf, designated K47 and seen swimming near likely mother K36 (Yoda), represented a bittersweet moment for researchers. Dr. Deborah Giles of Wild Orca warned there was a high probability the baby would not survive to adulthood, noting K Pod had experienced an 11-year period without births and had the worst reproductive success among the three Southern Resident pods.
The endangered orca population stood at just 75 whales in 2025, down from 88 when they were listed as endangered in 2004-2005. K Pod numbered only 15 members. Scientists attributed the decline to severe food scarcity, particularly Chinook salmon from the Fraser River. Nutritionally deprived mothers frequently lost pregnancies or gave birth to stillborns. The year 2025 saw multiple calf deaths, including heartbreaking instances of mothers carrying their deceased babies.
Researchers emphasized that recovery required increased salmon abundance through fisheries reforms, habitat restoration, and potentially removing the lower four Snake River dams—efforts complicated by political opposition.
