Here’s a thought…
“If you put fences around people, you get sheep. Give people the room they need.”
WILLIAM L. MCKNIGHT
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.
Uke Float on ferry
||| FROM ANITA ORNE for JP AND THE OK RHYTHM BOYS ||| It’s Floating Ukulele Jam time again! Grab your uke, your voice, a song or two to share, and your friends and relations and join us on the interisland ferry on the traditional Third Thursday of the month –
Boyd Pratt debuts new book that features our Pig War and more
||| FROM MICHELLE HASSEBROCK for ORCAS HISTORICAL MUSEUMS ||| Neither island newcomers nor old-timers will want to miss Boyd Pratt's upcoming presentation at the Historical Museums' log cabin campus on Friday, May 10 at 4:00 pm. A labor of love involving decades of research and much thoughtful writing, the Friday
County announces resurfacing of nearly 16 miles of roads this summer
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Public Works Department is announcing its annual summer road resurfacing schedule to chip seal nearly 16 miles of roads on San Juan and Orcas Islands. Chip sealing is a pavement treatment that extends the life of the road surface. Learn
Council to consider three finalists for County Manager position
|||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County nears the end of the County Manager hiring process after interviewing three finalists. The County Council will deliberate during a closed session at the May 14 Council meeting where they will select a County Manager or determine next steps for
Fueling Action: San Juan County gets prepared with Wildfire Ready Neighbors launch
New initiative connects residents with free resources, including experts and tools, to get prepared for fire season. ||| FROM DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ||| Representatives from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) joined San Juan County fire district partners, emergency management, the National Park Service, and San Juan
Free tooth extraction clinic
||| FROM TERRI TRIPLETT for ORCAS ISLAND DENTISTRY||| Dr. Triplett’s dental office at 445 Madrona Street in Eastsound has reserved Wednesday May 22 for free tooth extractions for our Orcas, Shaw, and Waldron residents in financial need. Services are limited to both routine and surgical extractions (including wisdom teeth). At
Update #3 on F/V CHIEF JOSEPH sinking on the west side of Henry Island
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| After a successful defueling of diesel tanks from the F/V Chief Joseph on May 4, the United States Coast Guard, the Washington Department of Ecology, and the San Juan County Department of Emergency Management are now overseeing preparations to raise
Environment Canada agrees to priority assessment for chemical linked to salmon deaths
||| FROM NANAIMO NEWS NOW ||| OTTAWA — The federal government has agreed to prioritize environmental assessment for a chemical used in tire rubber that has been linked to the deaths of Pacific salmon. The move follows a request by several environmental groups represented by Ecojustice, which shared a copy
Contribute to GiveOrcas for Odd Fellows Hall deck
||| FROM DIDIER GINCIG for ODD FELLOWS HALL ||| The Odd Fellows Hall, one of the beloved and most-used facilities on Orcas Island, is in need of repairs and renovations. Safety-wise and aesthetically, the deck needs work immediately. The plan is to replace the decking with a wood alternative, re-do
San Juan County Sheriff’s Office encourages seniors to learn about Fentanyl
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging senior citizens and aging adults to proactively learn about Fentanyl, the threat it poses, and how to have conversations with adult children and grandchildren. Fentanyl has become a growing concern in society, and it's crucial
Town is hiring seasonal & full-time positions for Streets & Parks
||| FROM AMY TAYLOR for TOWN OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| Available Position(s) - Streets Worker Seasonal Help Wanted - Seasonal Utility Worker 1 - Streets (PDF) Job Description - Streets and Parks - Seasonal Laborer (PDF) Available Position(s): Streets Worker Utility I Help Wanted - Utility Worker 1 - Streets
Auditor seeks writers of argument against SJI Library District and LI School District
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Auditor, Natasha Warmenhoven, is seeking people interested in writing arguments against the San Juan Island Library District and Lopez Island School District ballot measures for the voters’ guide. In order to ensure an informed electorate, and in accordance with state
You’re Invited: Community gathering of thanks for Dr. Frank James
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| A community gathering of thanks for former San Juan County Health Officer Dr. Frank James will be held Wednesday May 22, 2024. All San Juan County residents are invited to join San Juan County at the San Juan Islands Museum of Art to
County launches climate resilience planning with community survey
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Recognizing the pressing need to address climate change and its far-reaching impacts on the community, San Juan County is developing a dedicated Climate Element as part of the County’s Comprehensive Plan update and an accompanying Climate Action Plan (CAP). The Climate Element and CAP will
OCPA expanding Orcas community-grown food network
||| FROM SUE BAUER for ORCAS COMMUNITY PARTICIPATORY AGRICULTURE ||| Since 2014 Orcas Community Participatory Agriculture (“OCPA”) has empowered islanders to be the creators of their own good food no matter what their circumstance. OCPA works to educate islanders in sustainable and community-centric agricultural practices. We seek to deepen community
