Here’s a thought…
Letter to Editor | Healthcare Coalition Role Clarified
-- from Dale Heisinger for Coalition for Orcas Healthcare -- When Island Hospital departed Orcas Island, a coalition of citizen volunteers organized an election to allow voters to establish a Public Hospital District (PHD). The goal
Guest Column: Groups Appeal Anacortes Petrochemical Expansion
-- from Alex Ramel of Stand.earth -- A December 2013 view of the Tesoro refinery across Fidalgo Bay from March Point. (Photo by Dana via Creative Commons License) On Tuesday, February 27, the
Legislature Votes to Protect Net Neutrality
-- from Dave Pringle for Senate Democratic Communications -- "Corporations should not control how Washingtonians use the internet or what information they seek. We value free and open access to information," said Sen. Kevin Ranker,
Auditor To Conduct Logic, Accuracy Test of Election Equipment
Wednesday, March 14, 11 a.m., County Elections Office -- from Milene Henley, County Auditor -- In the upcoming April 24 Special Election, voters on Orcas Island will decide whether to approve a proposed hospital district.
Senate Democratic Legislation Protects Schools, Strengthens Gun Purchase Regulations
-- from Dave Pringle, Senate Democratic Caucus -- The Washington state Senate Ways & Means Committee heard testimony in a public hearing on a new proposal, Senate Bill 6620, which would enhance school safety and
Guest Opinion | What Are They Hiding?
-- by Michael Riordan -- In a brazen attempt to suppress public access to any existing records of legislators’ activities, the Washington state Senate and House overwhelmingly passed Senate Bill 6617 on Friday, hardly two
Candidates Speak Out at Public Hospital District Town Hall
--by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues reporter -- Candidates in the election for Public Hospital District Commissioners, from left, Patty Miller, Richard Fralick, Leif, Art Lange, Diane Boteler, Bill Bangs. Candidates John Dann, Pegi Groundwater
School Board Will Hold Special Meeting
Thursday, March 1, 5 p.m., Orcas School Library -- from Orcas Island School District -- Notice of a Special (Monthly) Meeting Thursday, March 1, 2018 AGENDA 5:00PM CALL TO ORDER - SPECIAL MEETING- School Library
EPRC to Meet March 1
Thursday, March 1, 3 p.m., Eastsound Fire Station Agenda prepared by Colin Maycock, San Juan County Senior Planner -- 3 pm Welcome and Introductions 3:10 pm Additions or Agenda modifications 3:15 pm Approval of Minutes
Follow-up to Unintended Consequences of McCleary “Fix”
-- from Tom Baldwin for the Orcas Island School District Budget Advisory Committee-- We have had several comments and questions from the opinion piece we submitted (see https://theorcasonian.com/McClearyFix ) regarding the unintended consequences of the state’s
State Lawmakers Say Only Pay Partial Taxes in April
-- from KOMOTV4 -- It’s a plan you might never think would be endorsed by state lawmakers: don’t pay your entire property tax bill in full, at least for now. Sen. Mark Mullet (D-Issaquah) and
Sheriff’s Report | February 14 – 20, 2018
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- February 14, 2018 18-001056 Theft 09:00:22 02/14/18 A Friday Harbor Deputy responded to a delayed report of a suspected Theft on San Juan Island. The Deputy gathered
County Will Discuss Visitor Study Results
Monday, February 26, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Orcas Senior Center -- from San Juan Communications -- Local, state, and federal agencies that manage lands or recreation facilities in the San Juan Islands sponsored a study
State Senate Honors San Juan Islander Joyce Sobel
-- from Dave Pringle, Senate Democratic Caucus -- The Washington state Senate passed Sen. Kevin Ranker's resolution honoring the life of Joyce Sobel as a champion for the children and families of San Juan County
High School Killings: the Story by Student Journalists
(Editor's note: We are publishing this story in Orcas Issues because, there but for the grace of God and hopefully future actions by legislators, it could happen here. It could happen anywhere and tragically, does
County Seeks New Civic Campus
-- from San Juan County Communications -- Over the years, the County has been looking towards a new Civic Campus to bring specific departments together in an effort to increase efficiencies, reduce operating costs, and
