Wildlife Fire Prevention and Response Funds Sought
Inslee, Goldmark urge Congress to address wildfire funding -- from the office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee and Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark sent a letter [on May 19, 2016] to congressional leaders urging Congress to end “fire borrowing" and provide the U.S. Forest
A Coincidental Click, Fate, Destiny, or…?
PERSON OF INTEREST | First in an ongoing series -- by Lin McNulty -- Cele Westlake, with one of the biggest smiles of her life. Growing up, Cele Westlake had always known she was adopted. Even though she knew she had been born in Walla Walla, she would
Sheriffs Report | May 11 – 17, 2016
May 11, 2016 16-002825 Traffic Stop 07:18:58 05/11/16 A deputy stopped a vehicle in the 90 block of Second Street for failing to wear his safety belt. Driver was given a Traffic Infraction. 16-002830 Traffic Stop 12:35:20 05/11/16 A Deputy initiated a traffic stop in Friday Harbor and the driver
Last Celebrity Chef of the School Year
Chef Raymond Southern -- from Ashley Randall -- The school year is coming to an end, but that does not mean amazing food from our school cafeteria has to also. On Wednesday, May 25, the Farm to Cafeteria Program will host its third, and final, Celebrity Chef event
Guest Opinion: A Better Place for Dogs and Their People
-- by Jeff Hanson -- When my wife Deb and I first arrived on Orcas to operate Pawki’s for Pets, one of our family members was a black lab, who we found a few years earlier at an Oregon shelter. A stray with no name, she had quite a fear
Library Board Decides on Expansion Contractor
-- by Margie Doyle -- Sketch of Library from Rose Street, looking south with expansion to the north and west of current building The Orcas Island Public LIbrary Board of Trustees approved a Letter of Intent to contract with HB Hansen Construction of Lynden to build the library
Click It or Ticket: Because It’s For Your Safety
-- from Sheriff Ron Krebs -- May 23 – June 5 is the national Click it or Ticket campaign. In 2014, 57 percent of all traffic-related deaths between the ages 18-34 were not wearing their seatbelts. In an effort to keep the residents and visitors of San Juan County safe, the Sheriff’s
Rep. Rick Larsen Files for Re-Election
-- from the office of Rep. Rick Larsen -- Orcas and Lopez citizens meet with Congressman Larsen at meeting in 2014 Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) this week filed paperwork with the Washington Secretary of State’s office for his re-election campaign for Congress. “I am proud to be a
EWUA Business Owners Meet to Discuss Water Use and Rate Hikes
-- by Margie Doyle, updated at 7 p.m. -- Business owners who are members of the Eastsound Water Users Association (EWUA) attended the EWUA board meeting on Tuesday night, May 17 to protest the increase in the tiered water rates that went into effect this April. The board, after hearing
Larsen Votes Against Defense Policy Bill
"This bill makes the wrong choices" -- from the office of Rep. Rick Larsen -- Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, issued the following statement after voting against the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017, the country’s annual defense policy bill. “Voting against the National Defense Authorization Act is a difficult decision,
Shoreline Habitat Protected with Conservation Easement
-- from San Juan County Land Bank -- An exceptional stretch of undeveloped coastline on Waldron Island’s north shore has been protected by the San Juan County Land Bank with a conservation easement funded through the Washington State Salmon Recovery Funding Board. The 34-acre property includes over 2,500 feet of
GiveOrcas Approaching Final Countdown for This Year
-- from Hilary Canty, Orcas Community Foundation -- GiveOrcas is in the final countdown. The annual grant program, run through the Orcas Island Community Foundation, will wrap up on May 27. So far, 120 donors have contributed nearly $30,000 towards the proposals in this year’s Grant Catalog. What amazing support for the
Superintendent Eric Webb to Speak to Sunrise Volunteers
Friday, May 20 at 7 a.m. a The Skillet -- from Chris White for the Orcas Lions -- Notice to all Sunrise Volunteers and community members: Mr. Eric Webb, Orcas Island School District Superintendent, will explain how the district will meet its responsibilities when the State of Washington fails to
Kindergarten Bus and School Preview
Tuesday, May 24 from 9 a.m. to noon --from the Orcas Community Resource Center -- Kindergarten teachers help students board the school bus All Kindergarten-bound children will have the opportunity to ride to the Public Elementary School in a big yellow school bus with their preschool teachers. The
Pets and Their People to Parade in Eastsound
Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m., Orcas School -- from Vala Ross -- Animals and their owners will be taking over the streets of Eastsound on Saturday, May 28. That’s right! It’s almost time for the 26th Annual Pet Parade to support Kaleidoscope Preschool and Child Care Center. In long-standing tradition,
Land Bank Welcomes New Commissioner, Marlis Sandwith
-- from San Juan County Land Bank -- The San Juan County Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Marlis Sandwith of Orcas Island to serve as a Land Bank Commissioner, effective immediately. Marlis replaces Matthew Wallrath, who served as the District 2, position 2 Commissioner for two years,
