Here’s a thought…
Planning Dept. Makes Personnel Changes, Increases Service Hours
from Stan Matthews San Juan County Manager Mike Thomas has announced a number of changes in the County’s Community Development and Planning Department, including new leadership, and longer operating hours. “For the past few
Port to Consider New Manager
Thursday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. at Port Offices from Bea vonTobel, Airport Manager The Port of Orcas commissioners, in open public session next Thursday, will take under consideration the hiring of an airport manager.
Letter to the Editor: Ghazel Best Qualified for School Board
Tony Ghazel should be re-elected to the Orcas Island School Board. Mr. Ghazel has served the children and taxpayers of our island with distinction and integrity during the past nine years. Considerable work remains to
Resolution of 2012 Orcas School District Audit
from Barbara Kline, Superintendent, Orcas Island School District Recently, there have been some questions about audit results of our 2010-2011 OASIS program. In the hopes of bringing clarity to the issue, I offer this timeline
EPRC Emphasizes Need for Public Input as It Plans Open House
by Lin McNulty Lots of Road Projects Ahead There are always lots of bits on the plate of the Eastsound Planning Review Committee (EPRC) as they continually work to provide thoughtful input to the County
Guest Column: Neighbors Serving Neighbors Shows Orcas Cares
by Kevin K. O'Brien “Neighbors Serving Neighbors Since 1948” has been the motto for Orcas Island Fire and Rescue for many years. When OIFR was established, its original purpose was to fight fires. Today, we
Gov’t Shutdown Cancels Weather Spotter Classes
from Dave Halloran San Juan Dept. of Emergency Management Due the the ongoing Federal government shut down the The National Weather Service has canceled the Weather Spotter classes scheduled for this Saturday on Lopez and
WA WIC Services Given 30-day Reprieve
from Tim Church, WA Department of Health Despite the federal government shutdown, Washington’s Women, Infants, and Children food and nutrition program has funding to continue service through October. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Orcas Schools and Parks Differ on Buck Park Contract
School holds out for priority scheduling; Park and Rec maintains “public” claim by Margie Doyle On Thursday, Sept. 26 the Orcas Island School District (“School”) Board adjourned its regular meeting for a public hearing on
Storm Caused Flooding, but Constructed Wetland Worked
from Stan Matthews County Public Works employees checking on progress during second rainstorm. Photo: Margie Doyle A heavy, early-season storm drenched Eastsound in the morning hours of Wednesday, September 25th. Stations in and
Letter to the Editor: Congress Must Act Quickly to Restore the Voting Rights Act
As the summer heat began to build in Washington DC, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a much anticipated decision which gutted key components of the monumental Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965. The decision in
Environmental Group Names Ranker Legislator of the Year
State Democrats announce Ranker honor. Washington Conservation Voters, the political voice for the environment, today awarded State Senator Kevin Ranker (D-40) its highest honor by naming him the 2013 “Legislator of the
Letter to the Editor: What Does the Gov’t. Shutdown Mean to You?
To the editor: I consider the government shutdown local news because it's about all of us here on Orcas. My daughter is a prime example. She is one of those furloughed as a result of
Public Library 2014 Budget Hearing Soon
Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 8:30 a.m. in the Public Library on Rose Street The Orcas Island Library District will hold a Public Hearing on the 2014 Budget on October 8, 2013 beginning at 8:30 A.M.
Critical Area Workshop on Wednesday
Wednesday, October 2, 8:45 a.m., County Council Hearing Room The Planning Commission will hold a workshop regarding amendments to Ordinance Nos. 26-2012, 28-2012 and 29-2012 related to general critical area regulations, and regulations for wetlands
Letter to the Editor: No Way to Prepare for Oil Spills
Yesterday [Saturday, Sept. 28] I went to a workshop on oil spills in the San Juan Islands - I learned a lot about the precautions, preparations, and the potential response. There is only so much floating boom
