Here’s a thought…
“The belief in the possibility of a short decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of human illusions.”
ROBERT LYND
Rep. Ramel | Strategic steps to fully restore ferry service
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. ALEX RAMEL ||| Restoring and maintaining reliable ferry service is crucial after years of underinvestment and disruptions. As a member of the Ferry Caucus and a frequent rider, I want to share updates on our progress and legislative efforts to strengthen our fleet. My
Sheriff’s Report | March 5 – 11, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ||| WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 25-001243 Citizen Assist 16:40:38 03/05/25 An Orcas Island Deputy was flagged down by a local citizen who reported someone was illegally camping on their property. The incident was documented, and the property owner plans to remove the illegal campsite
Indiana’s House of Representatives once voted unanimously to change the value of pi (π)
How an incorrect value of pi almost got codified into law ||| FROM SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN ||| An ancient problem known as “squaring the circle” stumped mathematicians for more than 2,000 years. During that time, professionals and amateurs alike unknowingly published thousands of false proofs claiming to resolve it. False proof
Please pass the pi(e)
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The problem with pie is sometimes there aren’t enough slices to go around. If friends and family are around, chances are someone brought another pie to the table. Can this be a metaphor for life - and community - sometimes
LWVSJ Observer Corps: Joint County and Friday Harbor Town Council Meeting March 12, 2025
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| In opening remarks, town and county council members welcomed regular consultation and improved coordination and stressed the need for a united front in the face of federal uncertainty and state budget challenges. The meeting then kicked off with a review
Join in ‘Food for Thought’ Salon
||| FROM GRETCHEN KRAMPF for FOOD FOR THOUGHT ||| "Food for Thought" brings islanders together for a Salon experience. A Salon is a gathering of friends and friends of friends. Mostly, a Salon is good times with humans coming together for conversation and to eat, drink, talk and listen. Salons
Beached bird training session
||| FROM COASTAL OBSERVATION AND SEABIRD SURVEY TEAM ||| Join the Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST), and make a difference for the environment! COASST participants collect monthly data on beached carcasses of marine birds to establish the pattern of bird mortality on North Pacific beaches. Data collected helps
WSF Weekly Update | Steve’s been here a year; focus on ferry fares; caught in the headlights
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve This week marks a year since I took over as head of Washington State Ferries – the honor of my professional career. If I had to sum up how I feel in just one word it would
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.
Letter to Editor | Chad Kimple offered Fire Chief position
||| FROM TONI KNUDSON ||| It was decided and announced at a Special Meeting for the Board of Fire Commissioners on March 12, 2025, that Acting Fire Chief Chad Kimple has been offered the position of Orcas Island Fire and Rescue Fire Chief. For me, this is exciting news and
Rent stabilization passes House; Senate hearing coming up
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. ALEX RAMEL ||| The urgency for rent stabilization in Washington State cannot be overstated. Skyrocketing rents continue to inflict a devastating impact on our communities, forcing many to make impossible choices between essential needs like food, healthcare, and maintaining stable housing. You’ve been generous
No jury duty March 17 – 21
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| JURY DUTY: MARCH 17-21, 2025 For the jury period beginning Monday, March 17th through Friday March 21st, all jurors are excused.
2025 ADU lottery application cycle opens April 1 – May 15
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Between April 1 and May 15, San Juan County Department of Community Development (DCD) will be accepting Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Lottery applications for detached ADU permits proposed outside of urban growth areas and activity centers. ADU lottery applications for determining eligibility must
Council will meet on Lopez March 25
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Council will hold its regularly scheduled March 25 meeting on Lopez Island. The public is invited to join the three councilmembers and County staff at the meeting at the Lopez Center for the Community beginning at 10:00am. What: San Juan
San Juan County Point in Time unhoused count results
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The 2025 San Juan County “Point-In Time” (PIT) Unhoused Count identified 69 unhoused people who have no stable place to live. This is up from the 59 unhouse people identified in 2024. The Washington State mandated count was conducted on Jan. 30, 2025,
Deer Harbor Charters expands to Brandt’s Landing Marina
||| FROM DEER HARBOR CHARTERS ||| Deer Harbor Charters has expanded their operations on Orcas Island, Wash. to include a new location at Brandt’s Landing Marina in Eastsound at Northbeach in addition to their existing location in Deer Harbor Marina. Since 1988, the locally owned company has offered whale watching,
