Here’s a thought…
“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
5-year study: West Coast orca population falls to lowest level in almost 50 years
||| FROM NEWSWEEK ||| A population of orca that resides off the West Coast is at its lowest level in almost 50 years, with just 73 individuals now remaining. The Southern Resident killer whale population has not fallen below this number since 1974, when the first complete count was undertaken.
Emergency declared by governor due to winter weather
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee issued an emergency proclamation [yesterday] around winter weather and flooding due to a series of severe winter storms that have produced extensive rain and snow. The storms have caused hazardous driving conditions, flooding and extended road closures. State agencies
Midnight Mutterings | David and me
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS BY JACKIE BATES ||| David Sedaris. I don’t have a much in common with David Sedaris, but we do share a couple of things. Notably, while Sedaris was born in New York state, he and I both grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and both
Sheriff’s Report | December 29, 2021 – January 4, 2022
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29 21-010986 Accident-NonInj 10:32:42 12/29/21 A San Juan Deputy responded to a 2-car, non-injury, reportable collision in Friday Harbor. Investigation revealed it was caused by icy conditions. Information was exchanged and a collision report was generated. 21-010987 Welfare Check 12:16:54
Current COVID case count may seem alarming at first
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Since the last update on Friday December 31, there have been 127 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 657. LOPEZ ISLAND: There are seventeen new cases on Lopez Island since the last
Important COVID-19 message from Island Hospital Chief Medical Officer
||| FROM ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Island Hospital Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Jason Hogge As we fight the steepest peak of the pandemic, it will take the collective efforts of the entire community to get through this. Our medical team and support staff are working tirelessly, dealing with a
Recap of recent statewide COVID-19 news and updates
||| FROM STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 805,459 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 5. There have been 9,974 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent number of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department
WSF looks back at 2021’s stormy seas
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| My first year at the helm of Washington State Ferries felt like navigating a series of stormy seas. I know it’s been a challenging time for the millions of customers who rely on our ferry system, day in and day out. We are
When dance and paint collide – Orcas artist offers a new perspective
||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART ||| With the busy holidays behind us, now is the perfect time to visit the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) in Friday Harbor. The museum opened its current exhibit, the annual Artists’ Registry Show in mid-December. The
New report tracks risk of COVID-19 reinfection in Washington state
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA -- Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has published a new, weekly report that provides an insight into COVID-19 reinfections. This report includes information on hospitalizations and deaths, demographics, trends over time, and vaccination status of people with a reinfection where DOH has information about both infection events. Reinfection
Inslee statement on efforts to stop violence fueled by election lies
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee released the following statement today announcing his support for legislation currently being written that would outlaw attempts by candidates and elected officials to spread lies about free and fair elections when it has the likelihood to stoke violence.
‘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.
COVID-19 booster recommendation expands to everyone age 12 and older
Eligibility expansion will further increase protection as omicron variant spreads ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Youth ages 12 to 17 should receive a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at least 5 months after completing their primary vaccination series. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH)
Inslee announces additional resources for Omicron variant
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| As Washington state is experiencing a dramatic rise in COVID cases due to the Omicron variant, Gov. Jay Inslee announced steps today to contain the spread. Inslee did not announce any rollbacks, restrictions or closures. Inslee also talked about his strong
County issues request for salmon recovery project proposals
||| FROM SAM WHITRIDGE, SJC LEAD ENTITY FOR SALMON RECOVERY ||| The San Juan County Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery is requesting salmon recovery project proposals for the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) 2022 grant funding cycle. Private citizens, non-profit organizations, local, state, and tribal governments, and special districts are
Island organizations among beneficiaries of $1 million humanities grant
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| EVERETT, WA – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) commended Humanities Washington, the state’s National Endowment for the Humanities affiliate, for awarding more than $1 million in grants to aid Washington state cultural and educational organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Awards totaled $102,212
