Here’s a thought…
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”
ANNIE DILLARD
Entire island profits from car raffle: Driving the future to celebrate the past
||| FROM ANTOINETTE BOTSFORD for ORCAS HISTORICAL MUSEUMS ||| What promises cleaner air, smaller carbon footprints, support for educational goals, and a good ride with great music and a warm bottom in winter? The Orcas Island Historical Museums are once again offering a choice, gently used electric car, complete with
Midnight Mutterings | Barbie redux
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| No doubt you have heard of two new movies: Oppenheimer and Barbie. I’ve talked to someone who saw them both. On the same day. I also know someone who read the book: Oppenheimer. Both people who saw or read Oppenheimer said it’s very
The “Blackfish” Legacy | Hopeful news as captive marine mammal industry continues to decline
||| FROM WORLD ANIMAL NEWS ||| A decade after the award-winning documentary “Blackfish” examined the ethics and consequences of keeping orcas in captivity, marine theme parks and aquariums that feature cetaceans are struggling to remain relevant. According to a new report co-produced by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and World
Sheriff’s Report | July 19 – 26, 2023
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JULY 19 23-005687 Unwanted Person 06:13:01 07/19/23 A San Juan Deputy took a report of an unwanted person at Peace Island Medical Center. The person had been discharged and was refusing to leave without speaking to a Deputy. On contact, the
Ferry Advisory Committee to hold special community outreach meeting
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County’s Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) is holding a special community outreach meeting on August 2 to share information about its advocacy efforts with Washington State Ferries (WSF), answer questions from the public, and engage in open discussions related to ferry service.
Community Foundation, Health Care District work to bring dental care to more islanders
||| FROM HILARY CANTY for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| Access to Dental Care continues to be a Nationwide problem in part due to the very low rates of Medicaid reimbursement and the challenges of the billing system. This is a challenge for many island residents and while OICF is
Letter to Editor | Open letter from Assessor John Kulseth to Leith Templin
||| FROM LEITH TEMPLIN ||| Hi Leith, The Orcas Fire levy for collection in 2023 was $2,384,531.23, with a levy rate of 0.5883604965 per $1,000 of assessed value based on a total assessed value of $4,052,840,468 for the district. There is one year remaining on the 10 year levy approved
Rogue killer whale attacks: How the US Navy responds
||| FROM THE AMERICAN MILITARY NEWS ||| With the arrival of summer, rumored orca attacks on vessels navigating the Strait of Gibraltar generated concern, prompting questions regarding how the U.S. Navy responds to increased whale attacks. According to Military Times, while reports of these majestic marine mammals causing damage and even
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.
OIFR personnel respond to scene of airplane crash
||| FROM KAT BARNARD for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| An airplane traveling a few miles away from Orcas Airport made an emergency landing Wednesday evening. The landing resulted in the airplane flipping over as it hit a fence in a field. OIFR first responders were enroute within 15
Letter to Editor | My 2 cents on the fire levy lid lifting, and running candidates
||| FROM CLARK CUNDY ||| Many of us have probably voted already but it took me some time to get more up to speed. After attending the League of Women voters Fire and Port Candidates meeting at the Firehouse the other evening, I came away more confused about the reasons
WSF Weekly Report | Cat saved at Clinton terminal, photos w/crews in the field
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Out in the fleet on our Point Defiance/Tahlequah route My coworkers on the boats and at our terminals have the most interaction with our customers and are our most visible public-facing employees. That’s one reason Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole McIntosh and
Orcas Island Fly-In is back, including pancake breakfast
||| FROM DWIGHT GUSS for ORCAS ISLAND FLY-IN ||| The annual Orcas Island Fly-In will be held Friday through Sunday, August 4 through 6, 2023 at the Eastsound Airport. Sponsored by the local Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 937. Pilots fly in from all around the Pacific Northwest and Canada filling
Experts say decades of recycling hype has backfired dramatically
||| FROM THE CONVERSATION ||| You've just finished a cup of coffee at your favorite cafe. Now you're facing a trash bin, a recycling bin and a compost bin. What's the most planet-friendly thing to do with your cup? Many of us would opt for the recycling bin – but that's
Letter to Editor | There’s nothing favorable about our ferry system
||| FROM ERIC GOURLEY ||| My daughter-in-law had a reservation for the 10:40 a.m. ferry to Orcas this morning. After driving for three hours from South Seattle to make the 30 minute window, which she did, she was in line only to be pre-empted by three large tour buses "requiring"
Dance with the Steers at this year’s County Fair Aug. 16-19
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The 2023 San Juan County Fair is almost here, and with it comes new and exciting events, games, and local flavors! This year’s theme is “Dancing with the Steers,” which fairgoers will find easy to do with over 20 bands slated to bring toe-tappin'
