Here’s a thought…
“Don’t ask me who’s influenced me. A lion is made up of the lambs he’s digested, and I’ve been reading all my life.”
GIORGOS SEFERIS
News Brief | Scientists are using drones to sniff out deadly diseases in whales
||| FROM AZ ANIMALS US ||| Scientists used drones to collect whale blow, allowing them to test for diseases without harming or stressing the animals. The study detected cetacean morbillivirus in Arctic whales for the
Final report available for county’s Marine Transport Services pilot project
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During the Council retreat earlier this month, County staff discussed past and future efforts to support transportation initiatives throughout the islands. One of the most notable initiatives from
Skagit Valley College announces newly approved Bachelor of Science in Nursing program
||| FROM MARISA PIERCE for SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE ||| MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Skagit Valley College (SVC) has announced the approval of its new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program, following a
No Place Like Loam | Landscape as orientation: Inheritance
||| NO PLACE LIKE LOAM by ALEX TAMAYO-WOLF ||| We moved from Ohio when I was in fourth grade. 1978. I loved it there. A small town that knew itself. Friends who showed up without
League of Women Voters | SJC Board of Health January 21, 2026
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| The Accountable Communities for Health (ACH) began a second round for its CEO search and will hold a board retreat next week. They are seeking
Island Stewards | Grounded participation in a time of change
||| FROM ISLAND STEWARDS ||| Humans have been adapting to accelerated change for a long time, often without being given real choices about how that change unfolds. Since the industrial revolution, daily life has been
There is something for you at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Art with Carla Unleash your creativity at Art with Carla Fridays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Orcas Senior Center. Led by experienced artist Carla Stanley,
You are invited to a movie with Orcas Pride
This newsletter touches on mental health, the state of queer and specifically trans healthcare in the nation currently, and mentions death/suicide. Please read only if you are comfortable to. There is a TL;DR at the
LWVSJ Observer Corps Notes | San Juan County Council January 20, 2026
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| During public access time a resident raised concerns that the county recently issued a permit for a large hangar on a Tarte Rd. property which
Costs up for Washington families; Larsen fighting back
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen released the following statement after the Joint Economic Committee published a report outlining the higher costs Washington families paid in
Larsen calls for Secretary Noem to be fired or resign
||| FROM THE OFFICE OR U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined the New Democrat Coalition in mourning the killing of Alex Pretti carried out by federal agents in
CPB votes to shut down
||| FROM U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| This month, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) voted to shut itself down. Here is an excerpt from their press release: "CPB's Board determined that without the resources
Larsen votes no on more money for ICE
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after voting no on the Homeland Security (DHS) Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) spending bill.
Latest from Lekanoff | Immigration, tribal partnership, and investing in our people
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| As we move deeper into the 2026 legislative session, I want to take time to share what I am working on, what I am listening to,
Midnight Mutterings | Crafting a life (at 72)
Muttered years ago ||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I might have started earlier but I have not been one for goals, rather preferring to see what unfolds, then massaging it into something I
Sheriff’s Report | January 14 – 20, 2026
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14 26-000265 Welfare Check 08:54:53 01/14/26 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a welfare check near the downtown Eastsound area. The Deputy learned that the
