Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
County and WSF complete Orcas Ferry Terminal Updates, paving the way for greater accessibility
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The latest phase of accessibility improvements at the Orcas Ferry Landing is now complete. The project added ADA-compliant parking spaces, updated stormwater infrastructure, provided additional sidewalks and pavement markings, and added a new retaining wall, among other key features that increase public safety
San Juan County celebrates 150 years as an official county
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| On October 31, 2023, San Juan County turns 150 years old – giving us all a reason to celebrate our community, our islands, and our County. After all, celebrating 150 years only happens once in a lifetime! Established as its own local government on October 31,
Feds OK natural gas pipeline in the Pacific Northwest
||| FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS ||| PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Federal regulators on Thursday approved the expansion of a natural gas pipeline in the Pacific Northwest over the protest of environmental groups and top officials in West Coast states, who said it goes against the region’s plans to address climate change and could
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.
Lead pollution from small planes threatens human health, EPA finds
Agency takes first step toward regulations aimed at reducing exposure to a dangerous neurotoxin, a potential health benefit for people who live near smaller airports ||| FROM THE WASHINGTON POST ||| The Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday announced it has determined that lead emitted from airplanes is a danger to
A Washington island county is trying a 32-hour workweek
||| FROM MARKETPLACE.ORG ||| AT REQUEST OF OCASONIAN READER From the driver’s seat of a yellow school bus with Orcas Island School District on the side, Matthew Steward is training for his newest side hustle: substitute bus driver in the San Juans, a series of lush, forested islands in Washington
Guest Opinion | We should work together in favor of OIFR
||| FROM SADIE BAILEY ||| The new Fire Chief and current BOFC are campaigning hard for the exact same permanent Levy Lid Lift that got rejected by the voters in the primary by at least 2/3 of us. There are signs up everywhere, mailed brochures, town hall meetings. There’s lots
Mariachi Herencia de Mexico coming to Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center is excited to welcome Mariachi Herencia de México on Thursday, October 26 at 7 p.m. with a fantastic evening celebrating Mexican music and culture. The historic tradition of mariachi music has its roots of origin in cities such as Guadalajara
Author to read from, discuss her remote British Columbia fishing lodge experience
||| FROM SAM GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The inspiring story of how an urban woman came to own and operate a remote fishing lodge nestled deep in the British Columbia wilderness. When Caroll Simpson fell in love with a cabin located on pristine Babine Lake in BC, many miles
Montessori holiday wreaths are coming back this season
||| FROM URSULA PAMATIAN for ORCAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL ||| After taking a break for a year due to some unexpected events, we are thrilled to announce that Orcas Montessori School is back and ready for our 29th annual holiday wreath sale! But wait, there's more! This sale is not just
Letter to Editor | My support for Fire Commission is with Kate Hansen
||| FROM TISH KNAPP ||| My husband, Gene Knapp, served as prosecutor, on the Land Bank, and councilman in this county. He was known for his integrity, his ability to listen and his adherence to the law. He was respected by even those who disagreed with him. I see these
Looking to the future with outgoing Health Commissioner Marie Michnich
||| FROM GRAY GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Marie Michnich. Photo Ayn Gailey. In 2012, Marie Michnich and her husband bought a piece of land on Judd Cove and spent the following years building their house and living part-time on Orcas. In 2019, they decided
Letter to Editor | I support Brian Ehrmantraut for Fire Commissioner
||| FROM JACK HART ||| I urge your vote for Brian Ehrmantraut for position 2 on the Orcas Island Fire Commission (SJC Fire Protection District No. 2). Brian would bring to the commission his experience with Orcas Fire both as an EMT and volunteer firefighter. But more important right now
Letter to Editor | I support Brian Ehrmantraut for Fire Commissioner
||| FROM DAVID TURNOY ||| I am writing to endorse Brian Ehrmantraut for Fire Commissioner. As Brian well knows from personal experience, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue is essential to the health and safety of our community. He says that he owes his own life to them rescuing him when
The oldest Puget Sound orca: L25 may be approaching 100
||| FROM THE SEATTLE TIMES ||| She is still out there: cruising miles uncounted, leading her family to fish. L25 is the world’s oldest known living wild orca, the uncontested reigning matriarch of the southern resident orcas that frequent Puget Sound. She ascended to that post after the death of J2,
In Memoriam | John Francis O’Brien III, 1943 -2023
||| FROM WENDY O'BRIEN ||| John Francis O’Brien III John Francis O’Brien III died peacefully in his sleep on September 6, 2023 at his home on Orcas Island, Washington. He was born February 14, 1943 in New London, Connecticut. He was an accomplished musician, cyclist, carpenter, storyteller, and
