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
In his memory, Ken Balcomb’s whale research work will go on
||| FROM HOWARD GARRETT for CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| Ken Balcomb, the Center for Whale Research founder, respected orca researcher, and my beloved brother passed on December 15, 2022. Ken and I shared a fascination and passion for whales, leading us to lifelong careers in the field. As a
Health Care District has a job opening for Administrative Assistant
||| FROM CHRIS CHORD for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) is seeking a half-time Administrative Assistant to work directly with the District Superintendent. Hours can be flexible. OIHCD provides financial support to the Island Primary Care-Orcas Clinic to ensure that high quality
It’s Boxing Day. What does that mean?
||| FROM ALMANAC.COM ||| Boxing Day is celebrated on December 26! This year, that’s a Monday. Why is it called Boxing Day? And what, if anything, does boxing have to do with it? Boxing Day, like a box, has many points of interest. Enjoy these Boxing Day recipes, a short history
Sun Days on Orcas | What you can’t find under the tree
||| SUN DAYS ON ORCAS by EDEE KULPER ||| What do you really need on this Christmas day? Even if you don't need it, what is it you long for? What do you want? If you could be given anything by anyone, tangible or intangible, what would it be? Do
Larsen secures $31,529,221 for 15 local projects in omnibus spending package
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| [On Friday, December 23], Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus spending package, which included funding Larsen secured for fifteen projects in the Second District that local leaders and stakeholders identified as critical to their communities. The package
As the Paradigm Shifts | Those gifts of Christmas that keep on giving
||| AS THE PARADIGM SHIFTS by ROSIE KUHN ||| In 1968, when I was about six years old, on a wintry Christmas Eve, my father was driving my five siblings and me home from an adventure in the City of Detroit. He was a doctor at Detroit Memorial Hospital. And,
Sheriff’s Report | December 14 – 20, 2022
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14 22-008794 Domestic Dispute or Assault 07:52:59 12/14/22 Deputies responded to a report of a Domestic in Friday Harbor. After gathering information from the parties involved, One person was arrested for Assault 4th Degree-Domestic Violence. The arrested person was taken
Our ferry schedule is currently discombobulated
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| For Friday, December 23, the #3 Samish & #4 Sealth are tied up for the rest of the evening which will cancel the remaining vessels' scheduled sailings. In order to accommodate traffic affected by this disruption, remaining vessels will make unscheduled stops throughout the
Extreme winter weather leads to countywide 10-hour power outage
||| FROM KRISTA BOUCHEY for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| Just before 5 pm on Thursday, December 22, as temperatures dipped into the low 20s, a mainland electrical feeder serving San Juan County lost power. Shortly after the power went out, the Bonneville Power (BPA) team helped identify the
Funhouse finds even more reason to celebrate: Peer mentors
||| FROM EMILIE GINCIG for FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| Orcas Peer Mentors Celebrate the Holidays With the holidays upon us Orcas teenagers have wasted no time in finding ways to celebrate. This year The Funhouse Commons partnered again with the Orcas Island School District to offer our peer mentoring program. Every
Last-minute college essay help to be available at Library next week
||| FROM SAMUEL GAILEY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Getting into college is more competitive than ever, with admission rates at an all-time low. The college essay is one powerful way Orcas Island students can stand out, and this program aims to help with that. The library will have volunteer
Winter weather, power outage(s). Be safe!
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for SAN JUAN COUNTY ||| Just some quick info and reminders to the islanders as we settle in for another cold and dark night: The latest updates on the outage will always come from OPALCO. The Outage Center is online at: https://www.opalco.com/outages-safety/outage-center/ Islanders are strongly encouraged to
WSF Weekly Report | It’s pretty much all about the weather
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Holiday season ferry travel Planning a ride with us this holiday season? Prepare for busy sailings and long waits if boarding in a vehicle. Riders are also encouraged to regularly check online sailing schedules, as timetables are dependent on staffing. Customers can sign up
Melting snow is stormwater – protect your property and drains
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| With high levels of expected snow melt (stormwater), San Juan County’s Public Works Department encourages residents to be proactive in monitoring and reporting potential blockages to culverts and drains. The public should notify Sheriff’s Dispatch of backed-up culverts and other flooding issues by
‘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.
Before feet hit the ground, Edee captures newly fallen snow
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, ORCASONIAN EDITOR / PHOTOS BY EDEE KULPER ||| Ever since I can remember, I've been distressed when newly fallen snow becomes victim to humanity. I don't even like snow people. There is nothing more beautiful to me than that quiet white blanket before anyone (little brothers,
