Here’s a thought…
“I’m calling on Washingtonians – please, don’t be a spark this weekend. Your choices could literally save lives.”
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS DAVE UPTHEGROVE
Auditor Gives Update on Orcas School District Bond Measure
-- from County Auditor F. Milene Henley -- I’ve been asked why the San Juan County Elections Office is waiting to count 15 ballots in the Orcas School District Election. At this point, the measure is losing, with 59.73 percent of votes cast in favor, in an election which requires a
Fire Commission Addresses, Tables Hot Topic
-- by Lin McNulty -- Orcas Fire Commissioners met at Eastsound Fire Station on Tuesday evening in a regularly-scheduled session. Two topics were included under Old Business: (1) Public comment guidelines during Commission meetings and (2) increasing the number of Commissioners to five, following the recent passage of Proposition 1.
County Auditor Provides Quarterly Review of County Finances
-- from County Auditor Milene Henley -- I am a worrier. It’s not a fun job, but somebody has to do it. It’s the worriers of the world (WOW) who make sure the heat is turned off during vacation, that we have enough turkey for all our guests, and that
Education Funding Bill Passes House, Moves to Senate
-- from Tara Lee, Governor's Office -- Following passage in the state House of HB 1843: "Fulfilling the state's paramount duty for all children through equitable and responsible investments in the state's basic education program and reductions to local effort contributions," Governor Jay Inslee released the following statement: “I appreciate
Under New Bill, Veterans Could Use Post-9/11 Benefits to Cover Higher-Ed Application Fees
-- from Erin Schneider, Rep. Larsen's Office -- Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Republican Rep. Luke Messer (IN-06) are working to reduce the financial burden on veterans seeking higher education by making application fees eligible under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. “Veterans should not miss out on higher education because of
San Juan County Bond Rating Upgraded
-- from San Juan County Communications -- San Juan County Treasurer Rhonda Pederson was notified last week of an upgrade in the County’s bond rating, from Aa3 to Aa2. The upgrade followed an announcement in December that Moody’s Investors Service would be eliminating the distinction between ratings for non-voted Limited
Whidbey Airplane Noise Case Remanded Back to Trial Court
-- by Lin McNulty -- The Washington Court of Appeals, Division One, in a ruling on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 reversed a lower court ruling in Jonathan Deegan and Alice O'Grady v. Windermere, et. al and remanded the case back to the trial court. When Jonathan Deegan and Alice O'Grady purchased
Orcas Women’s Coalition Sets Initiatives for Action
-- from Paula Treneer -- The Orcas Women’s Coalition (OWC), formerly known as the CWOO, met on Sunday, February 19, continuing discussions and setting initiatives for the group to address specific issues that affect individuals, locally, at the state and federal level. These discussions and initiatives include education, climate change,
Senator Ranker Meets with the Orcas Community
-- by Margie Doyle -- Senator Kevin Ranker addresses the gathering at Orcas Center on Sunday afternoon Senator Kevin Ranker advocated "Hope and Action" to over 235 people at the Orcas Center on Sunday afternoon. The event drew county residents from Lopez, Shaw and San Juan Islands to
Islanders Get “First Dibs” on County Camps
-- from San Juan County Parks and Fair -- San Juan County Parks & Fair is again offering advance camping reservations for people who reside in our county year ‘round. Choose from: San Juan County Park San Juan County Fairgrounds (RVs only) Odlin County Park Shaw County Park for any
Students Treated to Private “Hidden Figures” Viewing
-- by Lin McNulty -- Orcas Middle and High School students were treated to a private showing of the new film "Hidden Figures" on Friday afternoon at Sea View Theatre. The movie reveals an incredible untold story of Katherine G. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson - brilliant African-American women working at
Help Make College Happen for Adriena
-- by Lin McNulty -- Local musician, high schooler Adriena Clifton of Shaw Island, has been accepted to Berklee School of Music in Boston. After applying for a number of scholarships, she has now made it as one of ten finalists, initially competing with 1,100 applicants nationally. Adriena and her sister,
Guest Opinion | Discovering Lincoln on Orcas Island
-- from Pamela Doerr -- Last summer a visit to the Country Corner laundromat became the setting for an unexpected historic moment. Usually a boring task, this conveniently-located complex turned into a lesson which revealed to me how close we really are to our Nation's presidents. As we celebrate President
Local Students Explore … Edible Insects
-- from Russel Barsh -- Are easily-grown insects such as crickets the sustainable food of the future? The United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO) thinks so, and promotes international research identifying edible insects and ways of raising them. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently granted hundreds of thousands
Stewardship Network Accepting Good Steward Award Nominations
-- from Amy M. Nesler -- The "Finnie" is awarded in honor of environmental stewardship. Nominate your candidates by March 1. Look out Oscar, the Finnie is coming! Its award season here in the San Juans. Know someone who deserves to walk the stewardship red carpet? Nominate them
Author Spagna to Read at Darvill’s on Living Lightly
Friday, February 24, 5:30 pm at Darvill's Bookstore -- from JoEllen Moldoff for Artsmith -- Ana Maria Spagna returns to read from her nonfiction book, Reclaimers, about removal of the White Salmon River dam, and her new middle-grade novel, The Luckiest Scar on Earth, about the adventures of a back-country,
