Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
County barge will be landing at Griffin Bay and MacKaye Harbor this week
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS || San Juan County Public Works will be unloading several thousand tons of material onto San Juan and Lopez Island Wednesday, August 17 through Friday, August 19. The barge landing area will be closed to the public during these operations. Walrath Marine, a Tacoma-based
Near Portugal, Orcas sink a sailboat and ram another on the same morning
Scientists look for answers, reports say ||| FROM BUSINESS INSIDER ||| A pod of orcas attacked a sailboat off the coast of Portugal on July 31 and, just hours later, targeted another vessel in the same area, according to reports. The first incident, which local media described as "very much worse than
Sun Days on Orcas | Family life with the Carters
||| SUN DAYS ON ORCAS by EDEE KULPER ||| Denny & Cindy Carter Meet Denny and Cindy Carter's four children and there is no doubt that their parents have done more than a few things right in raising them. Matthew, Nathan, and twins Emy and Lisa are kind-hearted,
Guest Opinion | Charter Amendments should be put back on the SJC ballot
||| FROM SHARON ABREU & MAUREEN SEE ||| This week, two San Juan County citizens filed in court to defend our democratic rights against the actions of the San Juan County government. They did not make this decision lightly and are gravely disappointed that they were forced to do so because
Rare white orca from California spotted taking a big family trip to B.C.
||| FROM EMINETRA CANADA ||| Frosty and his family ventured over 2,000 kilometres north of home A rare white orca was spotted off the waters of Telegraph Cove. In a news release, the Pacific Whale Watch Association said the whale, named Frosty, was 2,000 kilometres north of California of its
Midnight Mutterings | Minding our pronouns: Part one
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| About a half century ago, I became interested in gender development. I hadn’t had any personal experience of difficulties or complications (family or people I knew) before that time. I did have a high school friend, a girl whose brother I met later
Youth acting classes returning to Orcas Center
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Youth Acting classes return to Orcas Center this fall! Acting classes provide children with more than just fun – although that’s certainly a big part of it! Acting teaches kids to adapt to changing situations, work within a group, gain self-confidence, and
Master Gardeners to again diagnose plant disease problems
||| FROM DIANE MACONDRAY for SJC MASTER GARDENERS ||| Gardeners of the San Juans! If you are having disease problems in your gardens as the summer winds down, you are welcome to bring samples to the San Juan County Master Gardeners on August 17 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Monkeypox now has its own state-level hotline
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| The Washington State Department of Health launched a hotline to provide information and answer questions on the Monkeypox virus (MPV) in response to the growing number of cases in the state. All Washingtonians can now call 1-833-829-HELP to discuss MPV risk factors, vaccine
Sheriff’s Report | August 3 – 9, 2022
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3 22-005441 Boating Problem 11:05:15 08/03/22 A Deputy responded to a complaint of two boats moored without a permit at the Roche Harbor County Dock. Infractions were issued for moorage without a permit. 22-005442 Vehicle Prowl 13:15:03 08/03/22 A Deputy
Larsen votes to lower costs for PNW families and seniors, make historic investment to combat climate change
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted to lower the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs for working families and seniors, make a historic down payment to combat climate change and cut the deficit by $300 billion. The Inflation Reduction
Latest State Health Department COVID update
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 1,756,800 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 9. There have been 13,637 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent number of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
Inslee issues directive for monkeypox virus (MPV) plan of action
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today issued Directive 22-18 to expand upon the Washington State Department of Health’s (DOH) ongoing efforts to prevent and control the spread of the monkeypox virus (MPV). MPV has spread across several countries, and the U.S. has been tracking MPV
Prune Alley work continues. Might re-open on Labor Day weekend?
||| FROM COLIN HUNTAMER for SJC PUBLIC WORKS ||| Progress Update: Along with roadway paving, concrete work is essentially complete. Next week work will continue on the remaining pedestrian ramps and intersection pavers. The contractor is also beginning to prepare landscaping areas for additional street trees. Big Picture: A road
WSF Weekly Update | Wedding, transportation tour, and another kudo
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Transportation officials tour Colman Dock, Tacoma We hosted 78 members from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) on a tour of our Seattle terminal and aboard Tacoma yesterday. The group is in town for the 2022 AASHTO Committee on Construction Meeting. They began
Fire Commission looking to fill unexpired term on board
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS ISLAND BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS ||| The Orcas Island Board of Fire Commissioners is seeking candidates to fill an unexpired term for Seat #2. The Board will conduct a public process to select a candidate to fill the seat by September 19, 2022. The
