Here’s a thought…
County Emergency Responders Finalize Boat Plans
From the San Juan County Sheriff's Office As part of a continuing effort to develop a cooperative multi-agency marine emergency response program, plans have been finalized for construction of a new vessel that will replace
State Budget: Democrats Compromise; Cut School Funding
By John Stang Crosscut.com Democrats will give up roughly 78 percent of the new tax revenue that they originally wanted in order to reach a budget compromise with the Republican-oriented Senate. It's hard to say
Eastsound Planning Looks at New Development and Allowing Kiosks
Thursday, June 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall By Margie Doyle At tomorrow’s Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC) meeting the county advisory committee members will review plans to clear
Mindy Kayl Earns Land Development Expertise
On May 9th of 2013, Mindy Kayl completed the Department of Ecology training for determining Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM). Currently, shoreline regulations base development setbacks on the OHWM. The OHWM is different from "high
Council Agenda for Tomorrow: Bridges, Boats and Waste-Recycling
The morning session of the County Council meeting for Tuesday, June 4, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Council Chambers in Friday Harbor, calls for: Discussion of the Mt. Vernon-Burlington I-5 Bridge Response & Impact
Sleek New Van for Orcas Island Senior Center
By Hawley Roddick The Orcas Island Senior Center has a handsome new van to transport members. This $60,085 Chevrolet Aerolite mini-bus, which is ADA certified, carries eight passengers, and has a lift for wheelchairs as
Help The Exchange to Rise Again from the Ashes
Join the team to rebuild the Exchange from its ashes -- come to the Redesign meetings, starting on Sunday, June 2. Also, The Exchange Phoenix Fund has been established at the Community Foundation to
Guest Column: Tar Sand Drilling Equipment Truck Took Out the Skagit River I-5 Bridge
By Chom Graecen The Alberta Tar Sands are directly connected to the I-5 Skagit River bridge disaster. Calgary-based Mullen Trucking was hauling housing (a huge box) for oil drilling equipment to Vancouver, Washington. This is
Statement from Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Special Session Progress
From Governor Jay Inslee's Office “I asked lawmakers to make real progress this week on a key budget issue — making a technical fix to our estate tax law to keep existing revenues for the
Editorial: Want Civility? Get Involved!
By Margie Doyle I heard from many islanders, and I too felt, that the innuendos, exaggerations and half-truths of the last County Council election discouraged them from engaging in the government's political process. Government is
Letter to the Editor: Mt. Baker Road Project a “Disgrace”
Dear Commissioners, A few weeks ago I called Frank Mulcahy your head of the Public Works Department to express my concern and outrage over the surface being torn off of the Mt Baker and North
Islands’ Ferry Meeting in June
From David Moseley, Secretary for Ferries, Washington State Department of Transportation Twice annually, WSF hosts a series of community meetings throughout our service area to discuss current ferry system issues. Input can also be given
Letter to the Editor: Come Help Design the New Exchange
On behalf of the Exchange Board I would like to thank Fred Klein, David Kau, and everyone else who has agreed to participate in the "Create A New Exchange" project. We are thrilled that the
Island Businesses: Report Major Economic Impacts due to I-5 Bridge Closure
From Brendan Cowan San Juan County Emergency Management Director At the request of the WA Governor's office, [see previous story orcasissues.com/gov-taps-fund-for-bridge-affected-businesses] any island business who feels [it has] suffered impacts to [its] revenue as a
Gov. Taps Fund for Bridge-Affected Businesses
From Governor Jay Inslee’s Office On May 28, Governor Jay Inslee directed the state Department of Commerce to release $150,000 from its Economic Development Strategic Reserve Account to support local economies affected by the
Walk and Run for Healthy Energy
Fifth Annual DVSAS 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, June 8 at 9 a.m. at Orcas High School DVSAS is excited to host a fun activity which allows individuals and families to focus healthy energy on ending
