Here’s a thought…
We return to normal four-boat ferry schedule tomorrow
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| The Anacortes/San Juan Islands route will return to four-boat service and operate on its usual Fall Schedule starting Friday, Nov. 19. Customers are encouraged to check the four-boat “Anacortes/San Juan
Crow Valley Road will be closed westbound at least a week
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Due to erosion having caused cavities beneath the roadbed, Crow Valley Road will be closed to west-bound traffic (traffic heading away from Eastsound towards Island
Letter to Editor | Open letter to community from Fire Chief Williams
||| FROM SCOTT WILLIAMS, CHIEF, ORCAS FIRE & RESCUE ||| To the Orcas Island community: First and foremost, I will say the members of Orcas Island Fire & Rescue appreciate all of you and your
Bipartisan legislation introduced to protect Southern Resident Killer Whales, marine mammals
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), Derek Kilmer (WA-06), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) introduced
Letter to Editor | I’m leaving the fire department with heavy heart
||| FROM HILARY CANTY ||| It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation from Orcas Fire and Rescue, through which I have had the pleasure to serve this community as a volunteer
Now the recovery, repairs begin following our deluge
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Some island roads still have isolated spots with water or small debris over the roadway. Drivers should continue to use caution, especially while driving at
Inslee appoints Sen. Steve Hobbs Washington’s next secretary of state
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Steve Hobbs appointed as new Secretary of State Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday named state Sen. Steve Hobbs as Washington's next secretary of state.
Governor declares state of emergency
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Today, Gov. Jay Inslee declared a severe weather state of emergency in Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Lewis, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Mason, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish,
Update on current road conditions
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Public Works crews from both the County and the Town of Friday Harbor have been responding since late last night. Orcas Island in particular has experienced a number
Whidbey SAR conducts rescues from Skagit River area
||| FROM NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND ||| A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island rescued three people caught in flood waters during a wind and rain storm impacting
Council calls special meeting to consider state of emergency declaration
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 8 am, to consider a Resolution declaring a State of Emergency. The
Reminder to use caution even though heavy rains are tapering off
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY ALERT SENSE ||| Recent heavy rains have caused considerable impacts to roads in San Juan County, and on Orcas Island in particular. With rain tapering off, waters should recede over
Heavy rain impacts island roadways, including Doe Bay washout
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Heavy rain is causing challenging conditions on island roads. Drive with extreme caution and expect water and/or debris in roads. Point Lawrence Road on Orcas
Inslee leads subnational governments reducing emissions at U.N. climate summit
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| GLASGOW, Scotland – Gov. Jay Inslee highlighted Washington state's progress in the fight against climate change and challenged other national and subnational governments to commit to
Point Lawrence Road washes out, stranding residents
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR ||| This is a developing story as we await word from Public Works Dept.
Editorial | In the meantime, Orcas islanders still rely on you, OIFR, so do the right thing
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR ||| There's definitely something awry at Orcas Island Fire & Rescue. My email recently has been beset with messages that reveal unsettling, internal strife, and personal angst with increasingly