Here’s a thought…
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Drop-In Peer Grief Support Group
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join us for a supportive, non-judgmental space to process grief and mourning with the Drop-In Peer Grief Support Group at Orcas Senior Center, Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 am beginning October 16. This group is designed to help normalize your feelings,
Animal Justice calls for immediate action to end Marineland’s cycle of neglect and death
||| FROM ANIMAL JUSTICE ||| TORONTO—Animal Justice is calling for prompt action and accountability following the news of yet another whale death at Marineland. As reported by the Canadian Press, a fourth beluga whale has died this year, with provincial records showing 16 beluga deaths and one killer whale death since 2019. “It is
Earth’s wildlife populations have disappeared at a ‘catastrophic’ rate in the past half-century
||| FROM WASHINGTON POST ||| Earth’s wildlife populations have fallen on average by a “catastrophic” rate of 73 percent in the past half-century, according to a new analysis the World Wildlife Fund released Wednesday. The WWF and the Zoological Society of London track 5,495 species of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals
Clean Water Advisory Committee response to Zylstra Lake dam removal rumors
||| FROM KIMBAL SUNDBERG for SJC CLEAN WATER ADVISORY COMMITTEE ||| I am writing as Chair of the county Clean Water Advisory Committee (CWAC) in response to misinformation on social media purporting Conservation Land Bank (CLB) “plans” to remove the dam creating Zylstra Lake. In summary, CWAC has taken no
Meeting Recap | Public safety in the islands during hunting season
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| This week, San Juan County Council Chair Jane Fuller hosted a community meeting on Lopez Island to discuss public safety measures during the hunting season with Federal, State, and County officials. During the meeting, speakers from the WA Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW),
Letter to Editor | Rick Hughes is truly non-partisan
||| FROM F. MILENE HENLEY ||| Rick Hughes can be a really annoying guy. In my tenure as County Auditor and his as County Council, he had the habit of dropping in on me for a “quick chat,” sometimes at the most inopportune times. But when he was on the
Sheriff’s Report | October 2 – 8, 2024
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2 24-006407 Fraud 10:02:17 10/02/24 An Orcas Island Deputy was dispatched to a report of fraudulent activity occurring on Blakely Island. The incident is currently under investigation. 24-006409 Welfare Check 10:37:21 10/02/24 An Orcas Island Deputy was dispatched to a
Researchers concerned after new orca calf observed skinny, struggling to breathe
||| FROM THE CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| L128 Update: New calf L128 was documented by researchers from CWR, SR3, OBI, Wild Orca, NOAA, and SeaDoc Society over multiple days starting on 9/15/2024. CWR did not note anything obviously wrong with either mother or calf based on behavior and gross
Bright lights
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| Lindsay Jennings, Orcas Island Community Foundation Wow, what a shining display of auroras last night - I hope you stepped outside to see the northern lights! What a treat! I brought some treats to the public school 6th-grade
Election Security FAQs | Vote early, vote safely
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Elections Office continues participation in National Voter Education Week (October 7-11) by answering common questions about election security. With the 2024 General Election just around the corner, and the heightened focus on the electoral process, your elections team is taking a moment
Update on Conservation Land Bank preserves
||| FROM PETER GUILLOZET, ORCAS PRESERVE STEWARD ||| On behalf of your Conservation Land Bank, I wanted to share some updates about several Orcas preserves. First, we are thrilled to see friends and neighbors enjoying North Shore Preserve. After two years of preparing the property for use, it was a
Letter to Editor | Why vote against the islands?
||| FROM MARNI ZIMLIN ||| I am new to San Juan Island and am happy to be joining this incredible community. One of the many things I value about the San Juan Islands is the communities overwhelming support of the environment, land, shores, and sea are all protected. I don’t
Community Clothing Bank accepting donations
||| FROM JERREMY FOSS for ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| With mounds of clothes already building up, this year’s Community Clothing Bank is bound to be epic! Doors will open Saturday, October 26th from 2-5:00 PM and Sunday, October 27th from 10:30-5:00 PM. Hosted in the Orcas Christian School’s Gym (107
Letter to Editor | O’Day has integrity, compassion, capability, effectiveness
||| FROM LINDA GORING ||| I am writing in support of Stephanie O'Day for County Council District 1. I have known Stephanie for decades and have a lot of respect for her integrity, compassion, capability and effectiveness. As a lawyer she works to bring understanding to both parties' positions and
Your Vote, Our Island: Shaping Orcas’ future together
||| FROM MEGAN METCALF for ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| At the Orcas Community Resource Center, their mission is to support and strengthen our island community. As an organization dedicated to providing essential services and fostering community well-being, they understand firsthand the impact of local policies on our residents' lives.
Letter to Editor | Rick Hughes builds bridges
||| FROM GREG WHITE ||| Don’t worry, he is not going to build a bridge from the mainland, it is a metaphor. I support Rick Hughes for County council because he is the best person for the job. There is a reason that Rick is supported by all our legislatures
