Here’s a thought…
School Board Sets Conservative Enrollment Numbers
-- by Margie Doyle -- The Orcas Island School District set a conservative enrollment number of 730 students for the 2018-19 school year at its monthly board meeting on Thursday, March 1. The full board
Guest Column: Choosing
-- by Joe Symons -- The Comprehensive Plan is the roadmap for the future of this set of islands we call home. Many may reasonably and appropriately imagine that the vision crafted by fellow residents
Come to the School Garden for Seed Swap
Saturday, March 10, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Orcas School Garden -- from Ashley Randall -- Everyone is welcome to gather in the public school garden on Saturday, March 10 for a community seed swap.
Guest Column: Bills to Protect from Oil Spills and Farmed Fish Spills
-- by Stephanie Buffum, Friends of the San Juans, Executive Director -- The passage of SB 6269 marks another critical step forward to increase Washington state oil transportation safety. Similarly, the phase out Atlantic salmon
Ranker: Busy, Productive Legislative Session
-- from Senator Kevin Ranker (D-40, Orcas Island) -- With Democrats controlling both the Senate and House for the first time in five years, the Legislature finished on time and passed a budget plan that
Senate Passes Orca Whale Protection Act, Oil Transportation Safety Act
-- from Dave Pringle, Senate Democratic Caucus -- The Senate on Saturday passed significant legislation to protect Washington state’s orcas and the marine waters they call home. The two measures are part of the Salish
Property Tax Relief Bill Passes Senate, Goes to State House
-- from Washington Senate Democrats -- [On Wednesday, March 7] Senate Democrats passed Senate Bill 6614 to reduce property taxes by nearly $400 million. The state’s revenues are healthy, and middle class families deserve a
OIFR Responds to Fire at Eastsound Business
-- from Marla Johns for Orcas Fire & Rescue -- At 1:44 p.m., crews from Orcas Island Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a structure fire at 109 North Beach Road. First crews
Letter to the Editor: Bangs on Required Financial Assistance
by Bill Bangs, Orcas PHD Commissioner Candidate A number of people have, quite properly, raised the question of what an Orcas Public Hospital District (PHD) would do to ensure care for all islanders, including the
Transcripts of Public Hospital Commissioner Candidates Available
-- from JoEllen Moldoff for COHC -- The Coalition for Orcas Health Care (COHC) has posted a transcript of the Candidates for PHD Commissioners' statements, and the Q & A from the Town Hall meeting
Ranker Salish Sea Protection Bill Heads to House
-- from Senator Kevin Ranker -- The Senate on Saturday passed significant legislation to protect Washington state’s orcas and the marine waters they call home.The two measures are part of my Salish Sea Protection package. The
Inslee Signs Bill to Ban Bump Stock Devices
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- Bump stocks, the devices that essentially turn a semiautomatic gun into a machine gun, will soon be outlawed in the state of Washington. Gov. Jay Inslee signed a bill
County Board Vacancies Announced
-- from San Juan County Communications -- The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Additional information about each committee is available
Hundreds of State Legislators Oppose Offshore Oil Drilling
-- from Dave Pringle, Senate Democratic Caucus -- In response to the Trump administration’s proposal to open nearly all offshore waters to oil and gas drilling, 227 state legislators from 17 coastal states signed a letter
Planning Commission to be Briefed on Vision Statement
-- from San Juan County Communications -- On March 16, 2018 Community Development Staff will brief the Planning Commission on the second draft of proposed Vision amendments. The meeting will take place in the County
Ranker: Senate Passes Net Pen Ban
-- from Senator Kevin Ranker -- After a lengthy debate on the Senate floor, the state will permanently ban commercial net pens used for farming invasive Atlantic salmon in Washington state waters, following [Friday's] passage
