Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council January 14, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| The council continued its retreat with an update from the Department of Community Development (DCD). On permitting, the permit reviewing contractor has increased speed/efficiency as they get familiar with SJC code and will add a fifth staffer. The average time to process a
Land Bank to meet
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY LAND BANK COMMISSION ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank Commission will hold a regular monthly meeting on January 17, 2025 from 8:30am – 11:15am via Zoom. The meeting will also be available for in person public attendance at the San Juan Island Grange, located
Council reviews major initiatives and priorities for 2025 at two-day retreat
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| This week, San Juan County Council completed a two-day retreat where they reviewed significant projects from 2024 and began setting priorities for 2025. Main topics included preparing for the new biennium budget process, re-engaging in lobbying efforts in Olympia, and moving key infrastructure
Local Power Generation | Why the Bailer Hill Microgrid: Part 2 of 3
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| The Bailer Hill Microgrid project on San Juan Island is a future Community Solar and battery storage site. Community Solar is a local solution to offset expensive mainland power and offer renewable power to co-op members who do not
Celebrate the life, legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
||| FROM SHARON ABREU for IRTHLINGZ ||| “A nation that continues year after year to spend more money on military defense than on programs of social uplift is approaching spiritual death.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. A Community Event Celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
JURY DUTY: JANUARY 21-24, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| All Jurors summoned for jury duty the week of January 21 - 24th are excused. Thank you.
Suspect successfully extradited for residential burglary charges
||| FROM ERIC PETER, SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF ||| On October 28, 2022, a deputy with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office (SJC) initiated an investigation into a potential felony crime on Orcas Island. The investigation revealed that the suspect had left Washington State. After thorough investigation, the deputy determined
Final Leaping Fool
||| FROM NIK SCHULZ for THE LEAPING FOOL ||| “THE LEAPING FOOL” winter writers’ series wraps up its final season February 20th at 6pm at the Orcas Island Winery. Submissions for pieces to be read at the final event are now open and due by February 6th. THE LEAPING FOOL
FH Film Festival | Free Best of the Fest Documentary series
||| FROM FRIDAY HARBOR FILM FESTIVAL ||| Join us for a powerful evening of documentary film and conversation! Friday Harbor Film Festival’s Best of the Fest Series kicks off the 2025 series with a free screening of ALL WE CARRY, winner of the 2024 FHFF Audience Choice Award for Best
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council January 13, 2025
||| FROM NECI QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| With two new council members, the first day of a two-day council retreat focused on setting key elements of the coming year and getting a view of where things stand on county administrative matters. Reviewing last year’s accomplishments, the council flagged
Reservations recommended on Anacortes/San Juan Islands route
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| With the new winter schedule, we’ve noticed vehicle capacity can be limited on westbound sailings out of Anacortes in the afternoons and evenings, Monday through Friday. To make sure you get on your preferred sailing, we strongly recommend booking a reservation. Reservations are also now
Washington State Ferries 2024 Year in Review
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| In 2024, Washington State Ferries worked to sail together in our first year under Assistant Secretary Steve Nevey. Join us in a look back at our year in workforce development, community participation, making our ferries more reliable and much more. 2024 was a year
Reflecting on wildfire risk in the islands in wake of devastating So. California fires
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Lea este documento en español: https://www.sanjuancountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/31654/250109-Wildland-Fire-Awareness-ESP Fellow Islanders, The news of the catastrophic fires near Los Angeles is heart-wrenching. As we witness from afar the magnitude of the loss, the relentless winds, and the extreme fire behavior, it prompts us to
County School Districts join together in advocacy efforts
||| FROM BRADY SMITH, LOPEZ SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT, ET AL. ||| Washington State is chronically underfunding education, despite a lawsuit and mandate that the legislature increase education funding. Just as San Juan County is geographically unique, it also has the ability to bring important invested parties, such as labor and management,
Orcas HS Chess Team – Champions!
||| FROM RANDY KAECH, TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR ||| The first Island - San Juan - Skagit Regional Chess Championships is in the books! Congrats to all 35 players who were fortunate enough to participate, make history and enjoy wild adventures in the 64-square jungle. And a special congrats to: Lamai Hons of
The ‘new’ OCS teacher you may already have met: Anna Vedder
||| FROM ORCAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ||| Although she has been a familiar presence on the campus of Orcas Christian School [OCS) for more than 20 years, this school year marks the first time Anna Vedder has had a classroom of her own. Over the years, she has served as a
