Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
US promises $240M to improve fish hatcheries, protect tribal rights in Pacific Northwest
||| FROM KOMO-TV SEATTLE ||| he U.S. government will invest $240 million in salmon and steelhead hatcheries in the Pacific Northwest to boost declining fish populations and support the treaty-protected fishing rights of Native American tribes, officials announced Thursday. The departments of Commerce and the Interior said there will be
Letter to Editor | My full support goes to Justin Paulsen
||| FROM CLARK CUNDY ||| I am pleased to offer my full support for Justin Paulsen for County Council seat #2. As a small business owner, community member, and parent, Justin's dedication to our island community is unmatched. His involvement in various committees, community initiatives and volunteering in numerous organizations
Rotary Car Show is back — Bigger and better than ever
||| FROM BARBARA MERRETT for ROTARY CLUB OF SAN JUAN ISLAND ||| Now in its 16th year, the Rotary Car Show is known for its relaxed, friendly atmosphere and stunning setting at San Juan Vineyard, 3136 Roche Harbor Road. Held August 11th, 11 am -3 pm, the show welcomes custom,
Community Water Taxi releases interIsland survey results
||| FROM ED ANDREWS for COMMUNITY WATER TAXI ||| In mid-February of 2024, the Community Water Taxi (CWT) released a survey meant to capture the community impacts of unreliable Washington State Ferries (WSF) interisland service on San Juan County (SJC) residents and offer a more complete picture of the current
First weeks of new sailings, King County Water Taxi sees jump in ridership
||| FROM KING-TV||| Seattle's Pier 50 starts bustling just before 5:30 a.m. ahead of the first sailing on the King County Water Taxi. The “fast ferry” takes 278 passengers on each sailing from Seattle to Vashon Island, and Seattle to West Seattle. The Seattle-Vashon route runs 22 minutes one way and
Midnight Mutterings | Bird in the house, again
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| I’ve had several hummingbirds in the house in the last year, and all but one survived. But it’s stressful when a tiny bird enters the house and becomes trapped. Because there are few biting insects here, I don’t have screens and I open
‘Something’s gotta give’ | Mukilteo ferry captain asks boaters to steer clear
||| FROM THE EVERETT HERALD ||| On Puget Sound, five short blasts of a ship’s horn blare across the water. The source? Capt. Russell Fee, behind the wheel of the state ferry Spokane. This is a danger signal from the ferries, a warning to the many small boats peppering the
LWVSJ Observer Corps | County Council July 23, 2024
||| FROM NECIA QUAST for LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| The meeting was on Shaw Island and began with county staff members introducing themselves. The chair said several Shaw residents had requested Item #2 on a Shaw Island sub-area plan standing committee be removed from the agenda, but it would remain as
Sheriff’s Report | July 17 – 23, 2024
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 24-004472 Found Property 09:50:08 07/17/24 A Lopez Island Deputy was approached by an individual who had located Found Property. The incident was documented. 24-004476 Vehicle Prowl 11:34:39 07/17/24 A San Juan Deputy took a report of a vehicle prowl
We have two newly appointed Fire Commissioners
||| FROM CHAD KIMPLE, ACTING CHIEF ORCAS FIRE & RESCUE ||| Karen Guice, M.D., M.P.P. was appointed to Fire Commissioner Seat #5 at the July 8 board meeting. The selected candidate for Seat #5 will serve as an appointed commissioner on the Board, with a public election taking place on
REET renewal
||| FROM HILARY CANTY ||| The Land Bank real estate excise tax (REET) is up for renewal and will be on the ballot this Fall. The Orcas Island Community Foundation Board is endorsing continuing this REET, as it provides funding to the Land Bank for preservation and conservation of land throughout the
OIFR responds to morning structure fire
||| FROM CHAD KIMPLE, ACTING CHIEF, ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Orcas Island Fire & Rescue was called for a structure fire Friday morning in the Orcas Road area near the Golf Course. OIFR Battalion Chief Greg Sawyer was first on the scene and confirmed a working fire and
Letter to Editor | Wake up, Orcas Islanders
||| FROM LEITH TEMPLIN ||| Wake up people especially current Eastsound Water members. Orcas Community you need to wake up and stand up to all this mean-spirited behavior that is ruining the very fabric of our community and our island institutions. With our freedom of free speech, it is our
Wildfire smoke safety tips
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Wildfire smoke made its way to the islands this week from Canada. It’s a good reminder to brush up on smoke safety tips. Here are a few tips to keep you and your loved ones safe in the event the islands experience unsafe
Letter to Editor | Clarifying Farmers Market policy
||| FROM STEVE DIEPENBROCK for ORCAS ISLAND FARMERS MARKET ||| As the current President of the Orcas Island Farmers Market I would like to take this opportunity to respond to Carol Ann Anderson’s letter from July 23. In that Letter to the Editor Carol Ann expressed her frustration with her
Letter to Editor | Bring Rick Hughes back to Council
||| FROM AMANDA AZOUS ||| District 2 is lucky to have three well intentioned candidates for County Council. However, what has been missing for a number of years are council members with governing experience. Most recently this resulted in a council agenda driven by the county manager instead of the
