Top stories of 2025: Part 1

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 one. We selected the top stories from our most-read online articles and events that we believe had the most significant impact on our communities. Watch for part two in our next edition.

1. Masked ICE agents take two islanders

On July 11, masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrived on San Juan Island without informing local law enforcement. They removed two community members, Guilherme Silva and Pedro Moreno, detaining them without warning or criminal warrants. Both men were ultimately detained at the Tacoma ICE detention center. Online and local fundraising campaigns raised $20K for Moreno and more than $50K for Silva, whose pregnant wife was very vocal on social media about the situation.

Moreno was in the country illegally, and after a failed attempt at obtaining a visa while detained, decided to self-deport in September.

Silva was ordered to be released on bond in immigration court, but was instead arrested by Homeland Security on charges of possession of depictions of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct and sexual exploitation of a minor. He was held at Whatcom County Jail starting on July 29. On Oct. 6, his case was dismissed with prejudice. Silva’s son was born four days after the dismissal.

The prosecutor who submitted the motion for dismissal stated, “The State believes additional time is needed for the investigation to be completed. Based on the investigation, the state may elect to refile charges in the future.”

Silva’s immigration case has been transferred to California, where he now resides with his family. His next hearing is scheduled for early 2026.

2. New Council

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, covering 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.

3. New town mayor

The Town of Friday Harbor welcomed in a new mayor. Evan Perrollaz became the mayor-elect after winning the Nov. 4 general election. He was sworn in Dec. 8 at noon by County Council Chair Kari McVeigh. Perrollaz has been heavily involved in senior care on the island and is currently deputy superintendent of the San Juan County Public Hospital District 1, and is the founder and president of the San Juan Islands Healthcare Foundation. This nonprofit organization strives to assist vulnerable islanders with their health care needs. He and his wife are also business owners in Friday Harbor, running San Juan Island Roasters and Dockside Treasures at Cannery Landing.

“I’m still feeling deeply humbled by the moment,” Perrollaz said in a statement after being sworn in, and explained that it was in the spirit of collaboration and healing past tensions that he asked County Council Chair Kari McVeigh to do the honors of swearing him in. “It was a symbolic gesture meant to show my commitment to working with our county partners as we move forward together. I’m grateful to Kari for graciously taking part in such an important moment.”

Perrollaz thanked those who supported and encouraged him. “I’m excited to get started, honored to serve, and truly humbled by the privilege of this position. Here’s to a new chapter for our community — one built on cooperation, respect and shared purpose.” The first Town Council meeting was Dec. 18; the first Town Council meeting of the year will be Friday, Jan. 2.

4. San Juan County confronted a historic health care crisis in 2025

San Juan County residents faced an unprecedented health care crisis throughout 2025 as insurance options collapsed and access to care deteriorated.

The crisis brought a stark reality when LifeWise Health Plan of Washington departed the market, leaving San Juan County as the only one in Washington state with just a single insurance provider. Ambetter Health remained the sole option for self-insured individuals and small business owners.

The crisis deepened when Medicare eliminated telehealth services for most medical appointments, forcing elderly islanders into costly mainland trips for routine care. San Juan Islander, Ellen Roberts, and other residents described spending entire days traveling by ferry just to receive test results.

Premium increases of 25-30% hit hard, with some residents facing monthly costs exceeding $2,800. Network concerns mounted as Ambetter offered no in-network services on Lopez or Orcas islands, and no bronze plans were available for 2026.

Lopez Island faced additional uncertainty when UW Medicine announced it would end its clinic contract in June 2026 without a replacement provider identified.

County officials contacted federal and state legislators throughout the year, with councilman Justin Paulsen warning that the potential elimination of ACA subsidies would magnify the crisis exponentially. The situation left many island families choosing between financial survival and health coverage.

5. Orcas Islander detained in Israel during Gaza flotilla mission

Jasmine Ikeda, an Orcas Island resident, was detained by Israeli forces in October after participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international effort to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla in international waters on Oct. 1, detaining Ikeda and approximately 460 other activists from over 40 countries. The group was transported to Ketziot Detention Center, located 30 kilometers from the Egyptian border. Around 20 Americans were among those held.

The flotilla aimed to create a humanitarian corridor and deliver aid, including baby formula and wound dressings, directly to Gaza. Organizers maintained their action was legal under international law, arguing that Israel’s blockade constituted collective punishment and violated the Geneva Conventions.

Rep. Rick Larsen issued a statement on Oct. 3, confirming he had contacted the State Department and requested consular services for Ikeda. Forty participants, including Ikeda, conducted a hunger strike during their detention.

The U.S. Embassy visited the detainees on Oct. 5, and by Oct. 6, three Americans had been released. The flotilla faced escalating challenges, including threats from Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who had threatened to designate activists as “terrorists” in early September.