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
Sun Days on Orcas | Take care of yourself
||| SUN DAYS ON ORCAS by EDEE KULPER ||| I’ve been talking a lot about the festivities each week, but it’s really important not to gloss over the hardships. Some people are lonely and isolated from loved ones. Some people are surrounded by the same loved ones and are lonely
Fire Commission will meet in upcoming regular meeting
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| The Board of Fire Commissioners will hold a regular public meeting on Monday, December 20, at 5:30 p.m. online via Zoom. Access information can be found on 2021 12 20 Agenda Regular Meeting. Those wishing to submit public comment
Melting Arctic ice draws killer whales further north
||| FROM AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ||| In the pale winter darkness of northern Norway, a huge flock of seagulls circles above an Arctic fjord, signifying the presence of a group of unusual predators in the water below. With Arctic sea ice shrinking at record levels due to global warming, killer whales
Inslee, Billig, Jinkins statement on delaying WA Cares Fund premium assessment
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee, together with Senate Majority Leader Andy Billig and House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, released the following statements this morning on delaying the Washington Cares Fund premium assessment: “I have been in ongoing discussions with legislators about the long-term care [LTC] bill,
HS wrestling tourneys’ COVID outbreaks prompt new safety guidance from state
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), is updating the health and safety requirements for high contact indoor sports in the wake of a multi-school, multi-county outbreak. The outbreaks are linked to a series of wrestling tournaments held in early December and are linked
Sheriff’s Report | December 8 – 14, 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8 21-010502 Noise Complaint /not dogs 09:12:37 12/08/21 An Orcas Island Deputy took an incident report regarding a loud noise complaint. No crime was committed. 21-010509 Overdose 12:09:54 12/08/21 A San Juan Deputy responded to a report of an overdose
Omicron COVID variant is practically lapping at our shores
||| FROM ANNE PRESSON for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| This week, Skagit County Health Department received confirmation from the Washington State Department of Health that the Omicron variant has been identified in three Skagit County residents. Omicron is circulating in our surrounding community, and it is expected that
This weekend, Crow Valley String Band, et. al will be at Orcas Center, their annual “Home for the Holidays”
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| The Crow Valley String Band, Brograss and friends invite you to join them for their annual “Home for the Holidays” show. Although it was fun streaming from our living room last year, we are so excited, thanks to the vaccine, to return
Recap of recent COVID-19 news and updates from the State
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 701,158 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 15. There have been 9,653 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent number of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
Health Care District announces new interim superintendent
||| FROM ART LANGE for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Tom Eversole On behalf of the Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD), I am pleased to announce that Tom Eversole will become the interim Superintendent of OIHCD as of January 1, 2022. Tom has multiple graduate degrees
Twelve of sixteen new COVID cases this week are on Orcas
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Since the last update on Friday December 10, there have been 16 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 466. While the transmission source is not known for all these cases, a number
Milestone for Island Rides and the transition away from fossil fuels on island
||| FROM BRUCE BENTON, for ISLAND RIDES ||| The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) has installed two EV charging stations – one available for public use and the other serving as the permanent base for Island Rides which provides free transportation for islanders unable to drive, as well as Food
EDC launches Mariner Training Initiative for island workers
||| FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| In response to the critical lack of maritime and ferry transportation workers, and the continued need for high-wage careers for islanders, the EDC has launched a Mariner Training Initiative. Workers seeking a new career are invited to the EDC’s new program on mariner workforce development.
Washington Maritime Blue declared finalist for $1 billion Build Back Better regional challenge
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ||| Washington Maritime Blue was chosen from more than 500 nationwide applicants for initial funding and is the only finalist from Washington state to now compete for once-in-a-generation funding of up to $100 million of $1 billion in the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic
‘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.
Weekly WSF update | Preparations for the holidays
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Holiday season ferry travel A special thank you to our employees working over the holiday season. If you get the chance, please wish them “Happy holidays!” Anyone traveling with us this holiday season should regularly check our online sailing schedules. Due to
