Here’s a thought…
“Before we work on artificial intelligence, why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?”
READER BOARD
Upcoming events at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Chair Yoga: Enhancing Balance and Wellbeing for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Join us for Chair Yoga, a soothing practice tailored for seniors and those with disabilities, held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. This gentle technique incorporates the
Jury Duty | FEBRUARY 10-14, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| For the jury period beginning Monday, February 10th through Friday February 14th, jurors in groups 1 through 9 are required to appear for jury service on Tuesday, February 11th. Jurors in Groups 10 and 11 are excused. Jurors are to report to the main
Orcas Center Art Opening | Fiber and Textile Arts
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center’s Visual Arts Committee (VAC) is pleased to present the first community show of the year: Textile and Fiber Arts on Friday, February 14 from 5:30-7pm in the Madrona Room. Textile art uses plant, animal, or man-made fibers to make practical
Systemwide WSF virtual meetings coming up
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Next week on Wednesday, Feb. 12 and Thursday, Feb. 13, we’re hosting systemwide virtual public meetings to take questions and update community members on the latest at Washington State Ferries. Registration is required. To learn more and register, visit: https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries/about-us/community-participation
Midnight Mutterings | Vaccines
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| The US Senate is currently conducting hearings that will lead to the confirmations (or not) of the selections Donald Trump has chosen for his Cabinet, his closest advisors (other than Elon Musk) for his second term as President of the United States. One
Working Families Tax Credit | Get money back this tax season
||| FROM MEGAN METCALF for ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| Great news for Washington residents! The Working Families Tax Credit (WFTC) is here to put money back in your pocket. If you worked in 2024, you may qualify for a refund of up to $1,290—helping to ease financial burdens. This
Sheriff’s Report | January 29 – February 4, 2025
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29 25-000533 Suspicious Person/Circumstance 09:25:35 01/29/25 An Orcas Island Deputy arrested a subject for reckless driving, assault in the 3rd degree on a peace officer and resisting arrest. The subject was booked in jail in Friday Harbor. 25-000537 Found Property
Latest from Lekanoff
Happy Fantastic Friday! ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| As we move forward in this legislative session, I want to take a moment to update you on the critical work we are doing to strengthen our communities, protect our environment, and ensure that Washington continues to lead
Showing up on Snow Days
||| FROM LINDSAY JENNINGS for ORCAS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| Snow arrived on Orcas this week, highlighting the sparkling, quiet beauty of our isle and also of our community. We’re a community of neighbors who show up to help neighbors – by sharing updates on road conditions, pulling each other out
2025 Comp Plan elements for review
Housing, Capital Facilities, Utilities, and Economic Development ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is in the process of updating its Comprehensive Plan (Comp Plan) as part of its 2025 Growth Management Act Periodic Update – and your input is welcome! Today, the draft documents for elements
We the People
||| FROM SUSAN SLAPIN |||
Legal action targets feds delay on Endangered Species Act protections for Alaska Chinook amid worst returns in history
||| FROM EMMA HALVORSEN for WILD FISH CONSERVANCY ||| ANCHORAGE, AK — Yesterday, Wild Fish Conservancy notified NOAA Fisheries of its intent to sue for failing to meet legal deadlines under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and delaying federal protections to at-risk Alaskan Chinook salmon. Once abundant, wild Chinook—also known
Larsen supports Taxpayer Data Protection Act to stop Musk from invading Americans’ privacy
Larsen: “Join me in fighting back against the Republican Rip-Off” ||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined House Democrats to introduce the Taxpayer Data Protection Act, which will stop people with conflicts of interest or without a security clearance from accessing
WSF Weekly Report | Winter weather; 24/7 support staff; USCG K-9 honored
||| FROM STEVE NEVEY for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| A message from Steve As a 24/7 operation, we have staff working nonstop to support our customers every day of the year. We have dispatchers working from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Our web agents send out rider alerts from 4:30 a.m. to
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.
National monuments under review for drilling, mining potential
||| FROM THE DESERT SUN ||| All of America's national monuments must be reviewed for potential oil and gas drilling and mining reserves, critics say, per bureaucratic language tucked deep in a sweeping order issued on Monday by newly sworn-in Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. His order 3418, “Unleashing American Energy,”
