Here’s a thought…
Sealth Ferry Out: No Anacortes-San Juans Sailings Tonight
Update, Thursday, Dec. 15: the Sealth is back in service. From Washington State Ferries The Sealth is out of service for the remainder of the evening. This will cancel the 6 pm from Anacortes, the
Grim Budget Picture from State Ferry Chief
By Lance Evans, Executive Director, Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce The financial picture for the Washington State Ferry (WSF) system is not good, and Governor Gregoire's budget (due today) may make matters worse. That was
Noneman Selected to Port Commission
The commissioners of the Port of Orcas wish to announce that after interviews during the regular public meeting of December 9, an Executive Session to discuss the qualifications of each candidate, and voting during open
State Cuts $588 Million from Current Budget in Special Session
By Chris Grygiel From the Seattle Post-Intelligencer [In a special session of the State Legislature last Saturday, state representatives] addressed $588 million of the $1.1 billion deficit. The cuts they did make - including $50
Ranker Votes Against Cuts to Public Service at Special Session
By Senator Kevin Ranker Today [Saturday, Dec. 11] was the first of several incredibly difficult days that we will face in the coming months. I fully recognize that we face many hard choices, but we
This Year’s Flu Vaccine “An Excellent Match”
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The San Juan County Health Department is re-emphasizing its call for all County residents to get flu vaccinations soon – and it is asking for a special effort
Point Blank Gives Out “Reminder” Ribbons
The students from Point Blank, a high school prevention leadership club, will again be at Island Market next weekend, December 18th and 19th to pass out Red Ribbons with a message to "Have a Safe
Letter to the Editor: Stop Delaying, Pass the CAO
In the early 1940's I lived across the street from Charles Countryman, the owner-operator of the mail and freight vessel, the "Osage", which departed from Quackenbush dock in Bellingham at 7:00 a.m. daily. He often invited my
Washington State Ferries Public Meeting in Friday Harbor Dec. 14
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager Washington State Ferries and the San Juan County Ferry Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting in Friday Harbor on Tuesday, December 14 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Letter to the Editor: Question on State Budget Cuts
I have a nagging question and maybe you could find the answer. I have never heard from the Governor's office or the legislative branch that they are first willing to take some cuts within their
Co-op Members Receive Capital Credit Checks from OPALCO
It’s that time of year again! More than 3,500 people who were co-op members in 1985 will get a check from OPALCO later this month as their capital credits are distributed. This is one of
Guest Opinion: Increased Cell Phone Service Access Dangerous
By Steve Ludwig of Lopez Island A few of our County Council Members are determined to help out the enormous US wireless industry by drafting a new ordinance that makes it easier to locate cell
School District Awarded Energy Grant: How to Match?
School Board Debates Options for Raising Match Funds Orcas Island School District (OISD) Superintendent Barbara Kline announced to the school board last week that the district has been awarded a grant of $460,000 from the
Power Outage Caused by BPA Equipment Failure
The power went out for most of San Juan County on Monday, December 6th at 11:27 am. OPALCO engineers used their SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system to pinpoint possible faults and
Ranker Elected to Chair Natural Resources & Marine Waters Committee
From the Office of the Senate Democrats Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan, has been elected by majority Democrats to chair the recently rechristened Natural Resources and Marine Waters Committee and to serve as assistant whip
The week ahead: Music, Art and Crafts and Some Business Too
Note: all events are on Orcas Island unless their locations are highlighted. Monday, Dec. 6 Orcas Island Public Library Board of Trustees Meeting 9 a.m. “Birth Works!” a free monthly birth class for expecting women