Here’s a thought…
Transportation Commission's ferry fix: reinstatement of MVET for capital budget, increase tariffs for operations' overruns
Bob Distler, Orcas Island resident and member of the State Transportation Commission, will join his fellow Commissioners on Monday, March 2, to tell the Legislature of the Commission’s recommendations for resolving the
Orcas Island Town Hall illustrates: "No apathy in San Juan County"
Graphic, right, indicates distribution of funds in the County Budget. A packed house greeted County Councilmen Gene Knapp and Richard Fralick and County Administrator Pete Rose at the Orcas Island “Town Hall” meeting on
School meet on Thursday, Feb. 26: new staff, bond debates continue
When the Orcas Island School District Board meets this afternoon at 5:30, their consent agenda will include approval of a number of new employees and co-curricular staff. Cathy Ferran’s appointment as the full time
Senate passes San Juans Scenic Byways Bill
Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island, earned his first legislative victory today when the Senate passed Senate Bill 5289 to designate the Washington State Ferries Anacortes/San Juan Islands route as a State Scenic Byway. “I
Town Hall comes to Orcas today
A Town Hall meeting for Orcas Island residents will be held today, Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Eastsound Fire Hall, from 4 to 6 p.m. Orcas Island’s two County Council representatives, Gene Knapp for
Eastsound stormwater solutions addressed by Hearing Examiner
Last Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Hearing Examiner evaluated a project to install a new connecting line from the county-owned Mount Property (located southeast of the Orcas Athletic Club) to the existing stormwater outfall in front
Transportation Commission discusses ferries long-term funding in Olympia
The State Transportation Commission discussed the Long-term Ferry Funding Study final report last Wednesday when they met in Olympia. During Wednesday’s meeting, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Transportation Commission Boardroom at 310 Maple
Crab pots in Fisherman's Bay "likely legal tribal pots"
Contributed by Kit Rawson, Chair of the San Juan Marine Resources Committee (MRC) A rumor is circulating that there are illegal crab pots in Fisherman’s Bay on Lopez Island. This is probably not the case.
Olympia Ferry Rally Update: Representing Business to Government
By Lance Evans, Executive Director, Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce I visited Olympia on Wednesday to take part in the Save Our Ferries rally. Here’s a recap of the day’s activities. The steps of
Campbell advises Planning Commission: reject County's housing plans
John Campbell, affordable housing advocate and board member of the “sweat-equity” Homes for Islanders organization, has told the Planning Commission that the Housing Needs Assessment and Housing Element Plan before them tomorrow, Feb. 20
Thursday deadline for comments on hillside clearing
Thursday, Feb. 19 is the cut-off day for comments on the after-the-fact clearing and grading permit for logging operations done on a Vusario hillside last September. Any member of the public can comment on the
San Juan County Map Books for Sale
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager The San Juan County GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Team and E-911 recently completed map books for emergency responders. A map book is a detailed road atlas showing
FACS cut by Gregoire; Orcas Chair challenges the call
Yes, in our backyard -- Governor Gregoire's plan to cut advisory boards in an effort to reduce the state budget deficit includes San Juan County agencies, including the Ferry Advisory Committee. This local committee has
United Way helps school help kids
Earlier this month, United Way of San Juan County announced grants totaling $115,000 to county programs. Executive Director Bonnie Gilmore said, "our donors are important partners in our efforts to provide services to
Our Man in Olympia: Ranker’s Passions, Priorities and Practicalities
A month into his first legislative session in Olympia, State Senator Kevin Ranker tells of the best advice he’s gotten so far: don’t burn any bridges, because you’ll need to cross them later. Such
$41 million tax bill goes out to islanders
By Stan Matthews County Communications Program Manager On Thursday, Feb. 12, San Juan County Treasurer’s Office employees stacked 11,600 tax bills into 30 mail trays and drove them to the post office in a
