Here’s a thought…
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.”
MARK TWAIN
Inslee announces upcoming rescission of twelve proclamations related to COVID-19
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the rescission of 12 proclamations under his COVID-19 emergency authority that are no longer needed to respond to the pandemic. All relate to certain health care facilities, including hospitals, long term care facilities, and health care professionals.
Sheriff’s Report | July 20 – 26, 2022
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 22-004915 Burglary - Residential 05:53:34 07/20/22 No evidence of crime at this time and RP was advised to install camera inside residence. 22-004916 Accident-HitRun 06:59:24 07/20/22 A San Juan Deputy responded to a report of a hit and run
Chamber Music Festival returns for 25th anniversary, with something for everyone
||| FROM MARY TAYLOR for ORCAS CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| Music lovers of every stripe will no doubt delight in the repertoire and performers at Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s 25th Season. Founder and Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann has programmed two FREE concerts on the Village Green in Eastsound, plus
Prune Alley construction update
||| FROM ERIN WYGANT for SJC PUBLIC WORKS ||| Progress Update: Crews have made significant progress bedding, cutting, and placing brick pavers throughout the project. Early next week crews are scheduled to bind these pavers together with a high strength grout. Mid-week, we expect to be able to open up
Notary service available at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Notary Service by Lisa Spesard: Monday, August 8, and September 9, 9:30am-1pm at Orcas Senior Center Do you need some documents notarized? Drop by Orcas Senior Center (OSC) on Monday, August 8, and September 9, 9:30am-1pm for notary services provided by notary
Recap of recent COVID-19 news and updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 1,729,949 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on July 26. There have been 13,462 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent number of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
Mackaye Harbor shoreline restoration project about to be underway
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| San Juan County is pleased to announce the beginning of the Mackaye Harbor Boat Ramp and Shoreline Restoration Project. The month of work is slated to remove all shoreline armor from the beach in an effort to restore spawning habitat for surf smelt
‘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.
WSF weekly report: Hard landing, dump trucks on ferry, green marine certification
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Hard landing at Fauntleroy dock damages Cathlamet and offshore terminal structure We're assessing the damage to Cathlamet and an offshore terminal structure at Fauntleroy dock following a hard landing of the vessel there this morning. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt. Fauntleroy terminal
New discussion series coming to SJIMA: Looking inside Afghanistan
||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART ||| The San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) announces a very special discussion series beginning on August 3. The talks will provide opportunities to learn about the culture of Afghanistan, Islam, advocacy for women and children and James
Island Health receives 5-star honors from CMS
||| FROM LAURA MORONEY for ISLAND HEALTH ||| ANACORTES, Washington — Island Health has earned an overall five-star hospital rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)—the highest distinction awarded by the federal agency. Of the 3,093 hospitals rated by CMS in 2022, 13.81% earned a five-star rating.
Speech-language pathology healthcare at Orcas Senior Center on Thursday, August 11
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Libby Lewis Speech-Language Pathologist Libby Lewis will offer free cognition and swallow screenings at Orcas Senior Center (OSC) on Thursday, August 11, between 12:30 and 3:00 p.m. Screenings involve a review of concerns, a brief one-page assessment of cognition
Health Care District receives clinical services update
||| FROM TOM EVERSOLE for ORCAS HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| At its July 26 Board meeting, OI Health Care District Commissioners received an update on clinical services from Island Health (IH) administrative staff. Slides from the PowerPoint presentation are posted on the District’s website HERE. The update presentation addressed questions
Unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison detected in Orcas Island shellfish
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is urging people to avoid eating oysters and clams harvested from Buck Bay on Orcas Island in San Juan County on July 26-27, following the detection of high levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poison (PSP) in the shellfish.
Statement from Inslee regarding agreement on climate package in U.S. Senate
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee [last night] issued the following statement regarding news that Democratic leaders in Washington, D.C. have reached agreement on an Inflation Reduction Act that includes major climate and clean energy provisions. "The nation, and the world, can rightfully feel
Senior Council Districts | Update on transfer of functions
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| At its April 21 meeting the Board of Directors of the Senior Services Council of San Juan County (SSCSJC) voted to transfer the operational functions of its three District Committees to three stand-alone nonprofit organizations. This change is designed to simplify
