News Briefs | June 25 edition

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Singer is now on view at VCA

Singer the gray whale is now on view at Vashon Center for the Arts.

The 40-foot whale, whose bones were recovered after he washed ashore on Vashon in 2024, has been installed in VCA’s atrium as part of a sculptural work by island artist Ela Lamblin.

Islanders can see Singer during VCA’s regular gallery hours, noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday, at 19600 Vashon Highway SW.

A full story about Singer’s arrival at VCA is coming soon in The Beachcomber.

Thunderbird Treatment Center tours

The Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB) is offering tours of its nearly completed Thunderbird Treatment Center, slated to open later this summer. Tours — open to all islanders — will be held four times a day on the following seven dates: June 27, June 29, June 30, July 1, July 6, July 8, and July 9.

Up to 20 people will be able to sign up for each tour, providing more than 500 islanders a chance to see the newly remodeled facility.

The 92-bed treatment center, located at 15333 Vashon Highway SW, will provide a 45-day inpatient treatment program for substance use disorder to both Native and non-Native people, blending innovative therapies and traditional healing practices with personalized treatment plans, according to SIHB staff. Esther Lucero (Diné), President and CEO of SIHB, said she is pleased to give islanders the opportunity to see the new center and is thrilled SIHB will soon welcome its first clients.

“Our vision for Thunderbird as a state-of-the-art, cultural healing space is finally becoming a reality,” she said. “I think people are going to be stunned by its beauty and what it represents for our community’s future. We couldn’t be more excited to open our doors and begin serving the community later this summer.”

To sign up for a tour, visit this link: tinyurl.com/5n7a66nc.

Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association press conference

Speaking at a press conference Wednesday, June 17, Washington State Ferries engineers said low pay and reliance on overtime among engine room crew is driving burnout and staffing shortages, and are asking lawmakers to intervene.

Representatives from the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association —the union for WSF engine room crew — said that compared to deckhands, as well as similar positions in the private sector or in other ferry systems, WSF engine room staff’s salaries are uncompetitive and below market-rate.

Currently, engine room crew — who work below-deck to manage the engines, generators and mechanical systems — receive wages 20% behind those of deckhands, union representatives said in a press release.

In a June 2026 union survey of engine room crew, 60% said they were somewhat or very likely to retire or leave WSF, and 55% said they were unhappy with how things were for engine room crew at WSF.

“The conditions that cause crew shortages and canceled sailings remain unchanged,” union representative Eric Winge said in a press release. “We will see delays and missed sailings in the summer and unreliability will continue to be an issue if the wage gap between engineers and our deck counterparts is not closed.”

Pramila Jayapal 2026 campaign

United States Representative Pramila Jayapal commenced her 2026 campaign for re-election with a launch party Tuesday, June 16 in Seattle, marking her sixth bid for a congressional seat.

Jayapal has served Washington’s 7th Congressional District for five terms, and has voted in favor of policies like expanded and improved Medicare, immigrant detention reforms, transitioning to clean energy and the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

“We are at a critical moment in this country, where it has never been more important to have strong, bold, progressive voices in Congress to fight back against Trump and to fight for our future,” Jayapal said in a press release. “I have built a campaign that not only works for the people of Washington’s 7th District, but that also lifts those voices nationwide, supporting progressive candidates from Michigan to Montana.”

2026 midterm elections — where voters will decide who will control congress for the next congressional term — will take place on Nov. 3.

Unincorporated King County burn ban

A stage one burn ban for unincorporated King County — including Vashon — will take effect on Monday, June 22. The ban prohibits yard debris fires and fires set to clear land.

Officials encourage people who smoke to use extreme caution in extinguishing cigarettes, and to follow rules for campfires. The burn ban does not apply to recreational fires or gas and propane appliances, like grills.

The use and sale of consumer fireworks also remain prohibited in unincorporated King County, and illegal firework activity will be enforced by the Department of Local Services Permitting Division.

The burn ban was issued by the King County Fire Chiefs Association and the King County Fire Marshal association in preparation for above average temperatures this summer — creating drier conditions that increase the risk of fires.