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
What’s next for renewable energy in San Juan County: Part 3 of 3
The Bailer Hill Microgrid project on San Juan Island is a future Community Solar and battery storage site ||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| In “Part 1: Why Local, Renewable Power Generation,” OPALCO outlined the critical point we are at as an essential service that
Bellingham Chamber Music Society announces inaugural Harmony Chamber Music Festival for youth
||| FROM JENNIFER WEEKS for BELLINGHAM CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY ||| All events will be held in Heiner Hall at Whatcom Community College. Harmony Chamber Music Weekend March 29th & 30th. Application Deadline: February 15th Who can apply to these festival events? Students aged ~13-18 from Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, or
Guest Opinion | Chaos, cruelty of a wannabe king
||| FROM JANET ALDERTON ||| We are all being affected by the chaos and cruelty of a wannabe king. We must speak out and ACT when the Trump administration violates our values. I am a member of LIFT, a group of women supporting immigrants on Orcas Island with Free Immigration Legal
Aida – Met Opera at Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Don’t miss your chance to see Aida, Verdi’s epic tale of love, power, and jealousy at Orcas Center Tuesday, February 4 at 12pm. Filmed live in HD, these on-screen events from the Metropolitan Opera offer a diverse sampling of the world’s best
Reservations available for new spring sailing season
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Vehicle reservations for the spring 2025 schedule (March. 23 through June 14) will be available today, Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. To ensure a smooth and fair experience during this high-demand period, we will also continue using a virtual waiting room during the reservations
San Juan County Sheriff’s Office statement on immigration issues
||| FROM SHERIFF ERIC PETER for SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office (SJCSO) continues to prioritize public safety, fairness, and trust within the community while upholding state law, county code, and ensuring that every member of the community feels secure. In line with RCW
Exciting News: PlayFest is returning
||| FROM MELINDA MILLIGAN for ACTORS THEATER OF ORCAS ISLAND ||| After a few years on hold, we are thrilled to announce the revival of PlayFest, the beloved Actors Theater of Orcas Island production that celebrates our community's creative talent. This year, we are reviving some of the best plays
Larsen, Sykes lead T&I democrats letter on Trump infrastructure freeze
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| Washington, D.C.—Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA), Vice Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Emilia Sykes (D-OH) and the remaining 29 Democratic Committee Members sent a letter to U.S. Department
LWVWA endorses SB 5400 supporting local news journalism
||| FROM AMY PELOFF FOR LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| The League of Women Voters of Washington announced today its strong endorsement for Senate Bill 5400 in support of local journalism. This bill will enable grants to support news journalists covering civic affairs in underserved communities. Funding will come from a surcharge
Permit review times, long-range planning, & recruitments
DCD Leadership Provides Winter Update ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| During this month’s Council retreat, staff from the Department of Community Development (DCD) provided a winter progress update since the October and July check-ins. DCD leadership reviewed permit review times, the status of long-term planning projects, and recruitment efforts for open positions.
Canada sued over delay in protecting endangered killer whales
An 'imminent threat' assessment in November 2024 set a ticking legal clock that requires two ministers to recommend an emergency order to Cabinet — but they have yet to do so. ||| FROM BURNABY NOW ||| Six environmental groups are suing two federal ministers over a delay in issuing an
Local contractors gather to foster resilient, vibrant shorelines in San Juan County
||| FROM ELISE COPE for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| On Friday, January 17, 38 contractors—excavators, general contractors, arborists, landscapers, and gardeners—from five different islands came together at the Mullis Center on San Juan Island for a Shore Friendly workshop hosted by Friends of the San Juans, in partnership
Council sets public hearing for agricultural leases on Conservation Land Bank properties
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The County’s Conservation Land Bank has been working to develop agricultural leases for portions of the Beaverton Marsh and Frazer Homestead Preserves on San Juan Island. During today’s Council meeting, additional lease details were reviewed in advance of a public hearing set for
Kick off the new year with a new role
Multiple County Advisory Board & Committee Seats Open ||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is seeking volunteers to serve on various boards and committees that help shape daily life in the San Juan Islands. Key positions on the Ferry Advisory Committee, Lodging Tax Advisory Committee, and
New WSF sailing schedule for spring
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Vehicle reservations for the spring 2025 schedule (March. 23 through June 14) will be available tomorrow, Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. To ensure a smooth and fair experience during this high-demand period, we will also continue using a virtual waiting room during the reservations
Letter to Editor | Meaning of searing words still relevant to today
||| FROM SAN OLSON ||| With sincere apology to Pastor Martin Niemölle, I am rewriting his searing words to be relevant to today’s political and cultural environment. He made his historic and present statement in 1946 as an indictment of passivity and indifference of the German people during the Nazi Regime and subsequent Holocaust. First then they came for the immigrants, and I
