Here’s a thought…
“Neither the evil nor the good in our history determines who we are. It is what we do now. If we do not say something ourselves about this horror, we allow ourselves to be changed.”
TIMOTHY SNYDER
Sheriff’s Report | November 30 – December 6, 2022
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 22-008538 Threats 07:35:54 11/30/22 A San Juan Deputy was dispatched to a report of threats. A student had been struck by another and advised they had a knife that was later seized by faculty. The school enacted safety protocols
Omicron-targeted COVID-19 boosters now authorized for children ages 6 months and older
Both Pfizer-BioNTech's and Moderna's bivalent vaccines have received authorization ||| FROM STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ||| OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and other healthcare providers will soon begin offering omicron variant-targeted bivalent booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 6 months and older. This follows guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Food and
Bring the family to Celebrate! this weekend
||| FROM LYNN BAKER for ORCAS CHORAL SOCIETY ||| It’s time to Celebrate! the season with song. Tickets are available now at the Orcas Center www.orcascenter.org for Orcas Choral Society’s holiday concert this Saturday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 11, at 2 p.m. New Artistic Director Bruce
San Juan County’s Auditor, Milene Henley, retires
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Milene Henley is retiring after 16 years of public service as San J in Friday Harbor with light refreshments, well wishes, and more. Henley has led the County through a recession, a worldwide pandemic, and countless elections. She provided outstanding financial guidance and
‘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.
Larsen introduces bill to boost federal response to flu
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) introduced the Protecting America from Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza Act (“The Influenza Act”) to bolster the federal response to seasonal and pandemic influenza as seasonal flu rates continue to rise in the Pacific Northwest and across
Weekly check-in with Washington State Ferries
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Presentations to state legislators Chief of Staff Nicole McIntosh and I provided state legislators with an update on WSF last week. My presentation to the Senate Transportation Committee Work Session included information on workforce development, current staffing levels, Service Restoration Plan (PDF 794KB), Diversity
Larsen’s bipartisan bill to protect Southern Resident Killer Whales, marine mammals passes House
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) celebrated House passage of his bipartisan legislation to protect marine mammals, including Southern Resident killer whales. “In the Pacific Northwest, Southern Resident killer whales are an important cultural symbol and environmental linchpin,” said Larsen. “I am
SJC accepting applications for Marine Resources Committee
||| FROM SAM WHITRIDGE for SJC MARINE RESOURCES COMMITTEE ||| San Juan County is currently seeking qualified applicants for positions on the Marine Resources Committee (MRC). The MRC is a voluntary citizen advisory group to San Juan County Council and is managed through the County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship. The
‘Just astounding’: Orca swims through Victoria Inner Harbour
||| FROM CTV NEWS ||| An exciting visit from an orca delighted onlookers near Victoria's Inner Harbour on Monday. For Steve Sinclair, it was an experience he’ll never forget and it could be a sign that the harbour is healthier than it has been in a century. "There he is
Airbnb Is running riot in small-town America
The company sent cities scrambling to clamp down on short-term rentals. Now resort towns are feeling the pinch. ||| FROM WIRED.COM ||| Posted at request of Orcasonian reader KAITLIN HAD BEEN living in the Village of Oak Creek for over two years when she received the notice. It was June 2022
Project Update | Lopez Village stormwater improvement project
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County Public Works is pleased to provide the public with updates on the Lopez Village Stormwater Improvement Project. The Public Works crew has completed the new stormwater channel which is currently in-use and performing well - especially during recent rains. This
Health Care District invites your support during GiveOrcas Campaign
||| FROM CHRIS CHORD for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island Health Care District is participating in the 2022 GiveOrcas Campaign organized by the Orcas Island Community Foundation. For our funding request this season, we are looking for support of our new pediatric physician, Dr. Evan Buxbaum,
Reminder | Emmanuel’s santa brigade is on its way
||| FROM STEVE JUNG for EMMANUEL SANTA BRIGADE ||| It’s another year of Christmas holidays on Orcas Island and the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Santa Brigade is on its way. We don’t want to disappoint, and we are hoping to hear from a few more wee folks this year. Won’t you
Port Townsend proclaims support for legal recognition of rights of Southern Resident Orcas
||| FROM KRISS KEVORKIAN for LEGAL RIGHTS FOR THE SALISH SEA ||| Port Townsend, WA —Yesterday evening, Port Townsend’s Mayor David J. Faber signed a Proclamation describing the City of Port Townsend’s support for action by local, state, federal and tribal governments that secure and effectuate the rights of the
‘Tis the season for Actors Theater to present their Christmas radio show
||| FROM DOUG BECHTEL for ACTORS THEATER OF ORCAS ISLAND ||| It’s that time of the year, islanders, when carols fill the air! Time to dig out your Christmas sweaters and your blinking light necklaces and embrace the holiday spirit. To help put you in the mood, The Actors Theater
