Here’s a thought…
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.”
MARK TWAIN
“We might have to shut down the Country”
Anthony Romero, the A.C.L.U.’s executive director, talks about what he thinks could happen if the Trump Administration defies the authority of the courts. ||| FROM THE NEW YORKER ||| In less than a month, Donald Trump has come through on his promise to exact retribution on his enemies and to
Trump and Musk are playing ‘Russian roulette’ with the Northwest power grid
||| FROM LATITUDE MEDIA ||| The Trump administration’s layoff spree at the Department of Energy is now hitting federal workers who keep the power grids running, posing serious reliability issues for large swaths of the country. Power dispatchers, transmission schedulers and planners, field workers, and realtime traders have been laid off from
Our country’s first American-born president
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, EDITOR, theORCASONIAN ||| There were seven presidents elected in the United State before we elected our first American-born executive, and English was not his first language. The first U.S. citizen to run for president and be elected was Martin Van Buren in 1836, 60 years after
Booing an anthem? Three fights in nine seconds? Welcome to USA-Canada hockey.
||| FROM THE WASHINGTON POST ||| There hadn’t been a fight in an international hockey tournament since the NHL hosted the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, but there hasn’t been an international hockey tournament at a time of such strained relations between the United States and Canada. Against the backdrop of
Upcoming Senior Center events
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Discover your Artistic Side: Art with Carla at Orcas Senior Center! Unleash your creativity at Art with Carla Fridays, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Orcas Senior Center. Led by experienced artist Carla Stanley, this lighthearted class focuses on the creative
Pay-per-mile? Proposed legislation could replace Washington’s gas tax
||| FROM KOMO-TV SEATTLE ||| Washington State House Transportation Committee Chair Jake Fey introduced legislation to phase in a road usage charge for drivers to lessen the state’s reliance on the gas tax. But Fey acknowledged that after years of stakeholder meetings and feedback, it would likely be a voluntary program to
Resolve common Medicare concerns with SHIBA assistance
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| January through March is your opportunity to correct many common Medicare problems. Your local Statewide Health Insurance Benefit Advisors (SHIBA) volunteers can help you with the following problems: You didn’t receive your new Drug or Advantage Plan Card. Your doctor or
PeaceHealth Peace Island nationally recognized for excellence in patient experience
||| FROM ANNE WILLIAMS for PEACEHEALTH PEACE ISLAND MEDICAL CENTER ||| The Emergency Department at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center has been recognized with a 2024 Human Experience Pinnacle of Excellence Award® by Press Ganey, the national leader in healthcare consumer and workforce engagement. This is the eighth consecutive year that PeaceHealth
Health Care District Board meeting
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island Health Care District Board will hold a Special Board Meeting on Monday, February 17th, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon in the Orcas Island Community Foundation Meeting Room, 33 Urner Street, Eastsound. The agenda is available below. Agenda
breaking news | CLIMATE CHANGE IS COMING FOR OUR CHOCOLATE!!
||| FROM SCIENCE ALERT ||| Climate change drove weeks of crop-withering temperatures last year in the West African countries that underpin the world's chocolate supply, hitting harvests and likely further stoking record prices, researchers said Wednesday. Farmers in the region – which account for some 70 percent of global cacao
Park & Recreation announces resignation of Commissioner Justin Paulsen
||| FROM KIM IHLENFELDT for ORCAS ISLAND PARK & RECREATION DISTRICT ||| Justin Paulsen Orcas Island Park and Recreation District announces the resignation of Commissioner Justin Paulsen, effective February 14, 2025. Paulsen has been a dedicated member of the Board since September 2014, contributing significantly to the growth
Muse Winter | A community art exhibition at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Visit Orcas Senior Center, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to experience Muse Winter! This vibrant art exhibition runs through the end of February, showcasing stunning winter-inspired creations from our talented Orcas community. Celebrate the beauty and spirit of
Call for candidates: 3-day special filing period for Lopez Metropolitan Park District Commissioners
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Elections Office is notifying the public of a special three-day filing period from February 24 through February 26, 2025 for candidates to file for the five-member board of the proposed Lopez Island Metropolitan Park District. On February 10, the
Rep. Ramel | Your survey results are in! What the 40th LD cares about…
||| FROM REP. ALEX RAMEL ||| Last month, I sent a survey asking about your legislative priorities. I appreciate everyone who participated. The results are in and your top priorities are affordable and accessible housing, K-12 education, tax reform, and climate action. I also asked you what specific policies, programs, or
Scientists have a new explanation for the last two years of record heat
Rising temperatures are fueled, in part, by declining cloud cover — which could be a potential climate feedback loop. ||| FROM WASHINGTON POST ||| For the past few years, scientists have watched, aghast, as global temperatures have surged — with both 2023 and 2024 reaching around 1.5 degrees Celsius above the preindustrial
Sheriff’s Report | February 5 – 11, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5 25-000680 Found Property 12:00:48 02/05/25 An Orcas Island Deputy located found property in Eastsound. It was later reunited with the controlling party. 25-000692 Traffic Violation 22:04:03 02/05/25 A San Juan Deputy observed a vehicle driving erratically passed the Sheriff's
