Here’s a thought…
“It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.”
MARK TWAIN
KIRO News reports WSF meltdown was years in the making
||| FROM KIRO NEWSRADIO ||| Washington's ferry meltdown didn't start with this week's sick-out. Charles Prestrud of the Washington Policy Center traces it back to Inslee's vaccine mandate, which pushed 132 experienced ferry workers — engineers, captains, essential crew — into termination or early retirement right when the staffing cliff
Governor Ferguson commits to addressing WSF engine room crew workforce crisis
||| FROM KRISTIN HYDE for MARINE ENGINEERS BENEFICIAL ASSOCIATION ||| The Marine Engineers Beneficial Association (MEBA) represents 417 licensed and unlicensed engineers who operate, repair, and maintain the fleet of vessels at Washington State Ferries (WSF). A growing workforce crisis boiled over this week when crew call-outs resulted in major
Swanson on Ferries | I’ll keep fighting for improvements
||| FROM JENNIFER SWANSON, CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3 ||| Of Washington's 39 counties, San Juan County is the only one made up entirely of islands, reachable only by boat or plane. Most residents rely on Washington State Ferries (WSF), and for the past eight years I have served
Letter to Editor | Environmental stewardship is essential to our islands
||| FROM CHARLES GREENE for SJC CLIMATE AND SUSTAINABILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ||| I have been a homeowner on San Juan Island since 1985 and have chosen to reside here because of its incredible natural environment. I am an environmental scientist by profession and therefore am painfully aware of the environmental
Neighbor to neighbor shelter volunteer meeting
||| FROM ALICIA WIGFIELD for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| Our community is stronger when we come together to support our neighbors. The Neighbor to Neighbor Shelter is preparing for another season of serving community members who are experiencing difficult circumstances, and we are looking for caring individuals who would
Medicare open enrollment | Review your coverage for 2027
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Between October 15 and December 7, you can review your Medicare coverage and choose the plan that best fits your needs for 2027. By now, you should have received information from your current prescription drug (Part D) or Advantage plan. Read
Letter to Editor | Katherine Bryant Ingman is a leader who has lived it
||| FROM ED ANDREWS ||| I believe elected officials should understand what it means to walk in the shoes of the people they represent. That means knowing what it's like to work multiple jobs to pay the bills, and to worry about affording healthcare and keeping a roof over their
WSF Weekly Report | Reviewing the history that brought us reduced service this week
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve Monday was an extremely difficult day for WSF’s customers and my 2,200 colleagues who work every day – during the pandemic, winter storms, and summer heat – to safely transit our customers to their destinations. Before addressing
Occam’s Razor | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Public Statement | Access & overall clinic care at Island Primary Care – Orcas
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Over the last several months, community members have provided various forms of public feedback regarding the termination of Dr. Jennifer Simpson-Manske from employment at Island Primary Care – Orcas. As previously addressed in public statements from both the Orcas Island Health Care
Easements keep the OPALCO co-op running
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| OPALCO does not comment on active legal matters, but some misinformation in a recent King 5 article needs to be addressed. The pole site in question was on the property mentioned, with the previous owner's permission, prior to the
Resource Center will present October Orcas Talks Money workshops
||| FROM THE RESOURCE CENTER COMMUNICATIONS TEAM ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center will host several upcoming Orcas Talks Money workshops in October focused on emergency preparedness, winter planning, and financial resilience for community members and small business owners. The workshops are free and open to the community. No registration
Washington residents urged to oppose Pacific Link pipeline and supertankers in Salish Sea
Petition calls on Governor Ferguson and state agencies to fight the Canadian pipeline and supertanker project and secure enforceable, fully funded protections for Washington state ||| FROM LOVEL PRATT for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| A new petition being circulated by Friends of the San Juans is calling on
Letter to Editor | My endorsement of Katherine Bryant Ingman
||| FROM MILENE HENLEY ||| Katherine Bryant Ingman is the breath of fresh air San Juan County needs right now. We are struggling to find our footing between financial troubles and a growing mountain of needs. The old ways have not worked. New ways, new ideas, new leadership are needed.
Library event | A better world is possible
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| What does it take to imagine a better future—and what can the next generation teach us about making it happen? Join award-winning journalist Meera Subramanian and beloved poet and author Maleea Acker for an inspiring conversation about our changing planet, the
Larsen | New B.C. oil pipeline is ‘not ready for prime time’
||| FROM THE OFFICE OR U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Last Friday, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) commented on the news that Canada is fast-tracking a new oil pipeline project that would increase oil tanker traffic in Larsen’s district: “This project is not ready for prime time, and speeding up
