Cali Bagby will be taking over as interim editor of the Journal. She will continue to publish the Islands’ Weekly on Lopez in addition to her new position. Bagby originally came to the islands in 2011 as a reporter at the Journal and the editor of the Weekly. She then moved on to become the assistant editor of the Sounder on Orcas in 2012.

Prior to coming to the islands, Bagby worked for nearly two years as an embedded journalist with a Medevac unit in Iraq and a Marine unit in Afghanistan. She also cut her reporting “teeth” on humanitarian issues in Bangladesh and Vietnam. In 2010 she co-documented a 2,000-mile bike trip from Colorado to Oregon for a Portland magazine.

“People often ask me how I found myself on the islands and there is no short story for that answer. I traveled for many years and experienced a lot of different situations, but at some point I felt compelled to stop moving and find a community.

“I love so many aspects of the island from the richness of our parks and wildlife to the tight-knit community to the great arts surrounding us.

“I am excited to return to Friday Harbor and become more involved with events, news and more. If you have any news stories, ideas or comments please don’t hesitate to call me at 378-5696 or email me at editor@sanjuanjournal.com.

“I am also happy to come work at the Journal and the great staff we have there including our new reporter Anna V. Smith who has already reported on a wealth of important island news. You can contact her at asmith@sanjuanjournal.com.”