Here’s a thought…
Letter to the Editor: An Orcas Island Response to the Tragedy at Newtown
Dear Fellow Orcas Islanders, I write this open letter as an individual, as a concerned citizen of Orcas whoʼs lived here for the past 26 years, and as a grandfather of three Orcas children whoʼve
Guest Column: Outline for an Orcas Island Response to the Tragedy at Newtown, CT
By Fred Klein Goal: To reach a consensus on what changes to local practices and attitudes we can make in order to lower the risk of such an event occurring on Orcas Island;and draft a
Letter to the Editor: Byers is Competent, Receptive & Committed
Dear Editor, For the past 6 ½ years, I have served on the board of OPAL Community Land Trust, the organization for which Lisa Byers has been Executive Director for 17 years. Based on those
Editorial: Predictions 2013 — Watch the Year Unfold!
By Margie Doyle 1) Orcas Islanders will continue their support of recycling resources by working with Orcas Recycling Services/The Exchange and local businesses to reduce waste and make a long-term disposal/recycle facilitywith compost building, metals
Letter to the Editor: County Needs “Bridge Builders” Between Islands
We islanders sometimes boast that having no bridges makes these real islands. We kind of like that. But there’s one case where bridges are good. It’s the collaborative kind we need between nonprofits and businesses,
Rick Hughes Signs In as Orcas West County Council Member
Rick Hughes is sworn in as County Council Member for Orcas West on Dec. 28 at the Eastsound Waterfront Park. At 1:10 p.m. on Friday, December 28, 2012, Rick Hughes officially took the
Help Sage MacLeod at Islanders Bank
Sage MacLeod (aka Sally Conley) has been helping island families in our community for many years, now she needs help. After being diagnosed with breast cancer in late August, Sage has undergone surgery and is
Flu Season is Here – Two Cases are Confirmed, More Suspected
By Stan Matthews County Website and Communications Manager Clinical tests have confirmed two cases of influenza in San Juan County County. One case, on San Juan Island, required hospitalization after the disease progressed to pneumonia.
Letter to the Editor: Byers Promotes Dynamic Sense of Community
When we first discovered the San Juan Islands, we – like many others – were primarily attracted to their natural beauty. But after living here for over 12 years, what keeps us so attached to
Guest Column: Fire Department Changes on the Horizon
By Fire Chief/CEO Kevin O’Brien Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is currently undergoing significant organizational change. The following article is written to explain our changes. OIFR is a contemporary and complex public business. Compliance with
Christmas Trees: A Renewable Resource
Helen Venada Waste Reduction and Hazardous Waste Coordinator San Juan County Solid Waste Division The County Public Works Department is again sponsoring a FREE Christmas tree collection program this year. Trees will be chipped for mulch for use
A Portrait of a Master Teacher: Lorena Stankevich
Lorena Stankevich in her combined 1-2nd grade classroom at Orcas Elementary School By Margie Doyle She always, “always!” wanted to be a teacher, says Orcas Elementary teacher Lorena Stankevich, and now she
Supreme Court: WA Legislature Failing at Education Funding
By Donna Gordon Blankinship, Associated Press The Washington Supreme Court ruled on Thursday [Dec. 20] that the state Legislature isn't making enough progress toward finding more money for K-12 education in answer to the court's
San Juan County Council: Looking Back at a Productive Year
San Juan County Council 2012. From left Rich Peterson, Patty Miller, Howie Rosenfeld, Jamie Stephens, Lovel Pratt, Richard Fralick. Council members Peterson, Miller, Rosenfeld and Fralick will not serve after the May 2013 elections
New Recycling Fees Will Increase Jan. 1, 2013
By Stan Matthews County Website and Communications Manger In response to a dramatic increase in hauling costs, the San Juan County Council has increased the fee for dropping off recycling at County Solid Waste facilities
Letter to the Editor: Legislators Face a Moral Obligation to Act
We must do something. Here is a copy of the letter I sent to all Washington’s representatives: In January 2011, I wrote you a letter conveying my deep concerns about the use of assault rifles
