Here’s a thought…
“It wasn’t a Blue Wave; it was an American Tsunami!”
Mentor Program Grows!
-- from Krista Bouchey -- The Funhouse Commons Mentor Program continues to provide Orcas Island youth with traditional one-on-one mentor matches and several types of project-based mentorships that link caring adults with small groups of children. The program is proud to announce its involvement in a statewide initiative for youth
Fire Chief’s Report: March 1 – March 31, 2014
-- from Chief Kevin O'Brien -- Fire Chief’s Goals and Priorities for 2014 Execute the mission of OIFR through direction of the Board of Commissioners Improve and maintain fiscal accountability for all OIFR operations Provide positive leadership for OIFR and our community Improve reliability and performance for OIFR Execute the
Letter to Editor: Why I Support OPALCO Board and Broadband
-- from Mark E. Madsen, San Juan Island -- Three years ago I ran for an OPALCO board seat, and lost. I ran because I understood that rural areas are not a winning proposition for our big national telecom and cable companies. The distances are large, the customers few, and
Land Bank Commission Welcomes Public to Orcas Meeting
Friday, April 18, 8:30 –11 a.m., Eastsound Fire Station -- from Jennifer Brennock -- The monthly San Juan County Land Bank Commission meeting will be held Friday, April 18 at 8:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the Eastsound Fire Hall. The public is encouraged to attend. Public comment time is
April Poetry: 51 Years of Evenings
In recognition of Poetry Month, and to celebrate our treasure trove of Orcas Island poets, Orcas Issues is pleased and honored to offer daily poetry during April. 51 YEARS OF EVENINGS -- by Carla Stanley -- On a crow black night dependency on doorknobs turn to shutting things out my
Celebrate 65 Years of Fire Service With the Volunteers
Sunday, April 13, 4–6:30 p.m., Random Howse -- by Lin McNulty -- On Sunday, the Volunteer Firefighters Association invites us all to come and celebrate their 65 years of service on Orcas Island. Random Howse, 365 North Beach Road, is hosting the celebration with free food and soft drinks. A
CenturyLink Releases 911 Outage Statement
-- from Jan Kampbell -- UPDATE: 5:40 p.m., April 11, 2014 The 911 outage which occurred in Washington on April 10 was not related to CenturyLink’s network, but due to a technical error by a third-party vendor. The vendor worked with our team to resolve the issue as quickly as
Spring Temperatures Bring What Appears to be a Red Tide
(Editor's Note: Orcas Issues has received updated information regarding Red Tides. See related story HERE.) -- from Alejandro R. Torres -- Red Tide observed on Crescent Beach. Photo: Alejandro Torres An early morning stroll along East Sound's Crescent Beach revealed a strange anomaly in the usual vista; the
Measles Update: Immunize – Mask Up – Watch for Symptoms
UPDATE: 11:42 a.m., April 11, 2014 New information confirms that anyone who was in the San Juan County Planning Department (Community Development and Planning) on April 4, 2014, between 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 pm., has been exposed to measles. Five Cases on San Juan Island and One Visitor Passing Through
Letter to Editor: Broadand and My OPALCO Candidacy
-- from Glenna Hall -- I am proud to be the San Juan Island District representative on the Board of Directors of Orcas Power and Light Cooperative. I am seeking another term because I want to make sure that this well-run and highly ethical company continues to move into the
Council Announces Historical Preservation Funds Available
Proposals for use of County Historical Preservation Funds -- Deadline May 30, 2014 -- from Ingrid Gabriel, County Council Clerk -- The San Juan County Council has discretionary funds, generated by recording fees intended to promote historical preservation or historical programs, which may include preservation of historic documents. The Council
April Poetry: Clouds Over Skagit Valley
In recognition of Poetry Month, and to celebrate our treasure trove of Orcas Island poets, Orcas Issues is pleased and honored to offer daily poetry during April. CLOUDS OVER SKAGIT VALLEY -- by Ingrid Karnikis -- Across the high bridge where Swinomish waters wind flat through flooded fields and April
More Time to Comment on County Economic Plan
-- from Lynda Guernsey, County Department of Community Development and Planning -- The Economic Development Element and Cattle Point Road Vacation hearings slated before the Planning Commission on April 21, 2014 will not be taking place. They are now slated to be heard by the Planning Commission on May 16.
County Democratic Convention Coming
-- from David Dehlendorf -- The San Juan County Democratic Party (SJCD) will hold its 2014 county convention at 11:30 am on Saturday, April 12 at the Grange Hall in Friday Harbor. All registered voters of San Juan County who consider themselves to be Democrats are invited to attend this
Volunteers Prepare Olga Strawberry Building for Reconstruction
-- by Susan Gordon Bentley -- Strawberry Council Volunteers bring about the restoration of the Orcas Artworks building We’ve heard several comments lately that the Olga Strawberry Building (Artworks and Café Olga) is looking a little neater and that finally something seems to be happening. Well it is
Hazardous Waste Round-up Free to Households
-- from Frank Mulcahy, County Public Works Director -- The Orcas Hazardous Waste Round-up will be at the Orcas Transfer Station on Saturday April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hazardous waste will be accepted separately from your regular garbage and recycling, and there will be a separate line from
