Here’s a thought…
“That confidence — that the law cannot reach you because you are the one wielding it — is the oldest and most dangerous delusion in Washington.”
MILES TAYLOR
Washington State Ferries problem is a management problem
||| FROM ALEX MACLEOD for SALISH CURRENT ||| It was with certain bemusement that residents of the San Juan Islands greeted news last week that Congress was tossing $4.8 million to Washington State Ferries to upgrade the passenger cabins of ferries that otherwise should be retired and which too often fail to
Make your voice heard: Conservation Land Bank embarks on strategic planning efforts
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank is pleased to invite the community to participate in shaping its emerging Strategic Plan. This document will guide the Land Bank in conservation efforts, stewardship priorities, and community engagement for the next six years. With a goal
Local post offices across the country vs. Amazon
||| FROM THE WASHINGTON POST ||| A rural post office was told to prioritize Amazon packages. Chaos ensued. BEMIDJI, Minn. — When Delbert Mikelson’s mail started showing up late — and sometimes not showing up at all — he blamed it on the opening of deer season. “I thought my
“Kelp Series” on display at Orcas Artworks for month of December
||| FROM B.J. ARNOLD for ORCAS ISLAND ARTWORKS ||| The Orcas Island Artworks features “THE KELP SERIES” by Shawna Marie Franklin through the month of December. Internally motivated by the rapid degradation of the planet and in her life long study of the complexity of the natural world, Shawna’s ongoing
Eastsound Water board will be meeting tomorrow
||| FROM DAN BURKE for EASTSOUND WATER ||| Back by popular demand – our December 2023 Board Meeting will be held tomorrow, in person! That's right, you asked for it, now you get to attend – in person – live and direct at the Orcas Senior Center. Details are as follows:
Holiday Tea Party to follow Orcas Garden Club December meeting
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| Our December meeting is just around the corner on Wednesday, December 13. Please join us for our HOLIDAY TEA PARTY following the Zoom presentation. Following Garden Club tradition, Past President Marlyn Myers' silver tea service and antique tea cups will be in use. Plan to
OPALCO Board passes 2024 budget and rates
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT ||| The 2024 OPALCO annual budget was approved at the November 16 th board meeting including a 6% rate increase for all members. This works out to an increase of approximately $10/month for the average San Juan County residence. The budget
Larsen Op-Ed: NATO must continue to stand with Ukraine
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the below op-ed on why NATO countries, including the United States, must continue to stand with Ukraine. The op-ed was originally published in the Seattle Times. NATO Must Continue to Stand with Ukraine In
Orcas fire commissioners to meet tomorrow
||| FROM KAT BARNARD for BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS ||| The SJC Fire Protection District #2 Board of Fire Commissioners invites you to a Special Meeting on Tuesday, December 5th, at 3 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall or on Zoom (link below and in the attachment). Please review the agenda attached.
We’re under a Flood Watch through Thursday
||| FROM NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ||| Flood Watch National Weather Service Seattle WA 346 AM PST Sun Dec 3 2023 Heavy rain along with rising snow levels Monday into Tuesday will lead to rapidly rising rivers across the area. It is likely that many rivers will reach flood stage late
Socrates, jewelry, ornaments comprise Sr. Center presentations
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Socrates Café @ Orcas Senior Center – Wednesday, December 6, 1 pm Join us on the first Wednesday of the month at 1 pm after Senior Lunch for Socrates Café. A gathering of people with different perspectives open to sharing their
Letter to Editor | The solution to the Amazon problem on Orcas Island
||| FROM REBECCA MCDONOUGH ||| A few months ago we stopped receiving Amazon deliveries to our home on Buck Mountain, and all our orders were coming to the Eastsound PO. Once I realized this was not a fluke, but a trend, I contacted Amazon directly. I wrote to Jeff Bezos.
Midnight Mutterings | Without feathers
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| ‘Hope’ is the thing with Feathers By Emily Dickinson “Hope” is the thing with feathers - That perches in the soul - And sings the tune without the words - And never stops - at all - And sweetest - in the Gale
OIFR responds to Hazardous Material call at the Exchange
||| FROM CHIEF HOLLY VAN SCHAICK for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE |||| At approximately 9:20 a.m. on Friday, December 1st, 2023, OIFR personnel responded to a hazardous materials incident at the Orcas Island Exchange transfer station. Equipment operators were performing routine compaction of waste materials when a cloud of noxious
Derelict structures removed to make way for wildlife
||| FROM ELISE COPE for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| As part of ongoing efforts to safeguard critical eelgrass meadows and Pacific herring spawning grounds, Friends of the San Juans (Friends) recently spearheaded the removal of two derelict structures from local bays. Former sections of docks and floats located
Sheriff’s Report | November 21 – 28, 2023
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21 23-009088 Found Property 13:18:37 11/21/23 A solar panel, found on San Juan Island, was turned into the Sheriff's Office. The panel was checked into the property and evidence room. 23-009089 Parking Problem 13:37:45 11/21/23 A Lopez Island Deputy was
