Dec. 15: An Orcas Island woman escaped a single-car collision without serious injury following a surprise encounter with a deer near the intersection of McNalley Lane and Orcas Road. The 53-year-old reportedly was able to avoid striking the deer by swerving her vehicle just before impact, but ran off the road and into a fence as a result. The vehicle sustained $700 damage.

Dec. 18: A late-evening beach party, complete with bonfire, let to the arrest of a 19-year-old Lopez woman at Watmough Bay on an alcohol-related offense. The woman, taken into custody shortly before 9 p.m., was among five individuals who reportedly had been drinking during a gathering at the day-use park, where fires are prohibited. Her four companions, all male, were all 21 years of age or older.

Dec. 27: An Orcas Island man who apparently overstayed his welcome was arrested for DUI following a pre-dawn call about an unwanted person at a home in the 400 block of Cedar Hill Road. The 32-year-old, taken into custody at about 5 a.m., was reportedly parked in the driveway and sitting behind the wheel of a pickup when a deputy arrived at the home.