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
Library stepping outside normal boundaries to try something new
||| FROM CAROL DAPOGNY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| WE'RE TRYING SOMETHING NEW AT THE ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY THIS THURSDAY AT 5 P.M.! It may be a little chilly (but hopefully dry!) so bring your warm clothes, lawn chairs, blankets, snacks, and hot drinks to the Library South Lawn for
Letter to Editor | La Porte Road residents thank all who put our road back in service
||| FROM JESSICA JAMES ||| On December 1, at dusk, twenty feet of La Porte Road fell fifteen feet into the ravine and stream below. Up to that time, the road crossed above the ravine. In the two days before, neighbor David Densmore noticed that a sink hole had developed
Fire Commission is meeting tomorrow morning for executive session
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE COMMISSION ||| Attached you will find the agenda for the Board of Fire Commissioners special meeting being held this Tuesday, December 14th at 10:00 a.m. online via Zoom. Meeting access information can be found on the agenda. Members of the public are
Inslee announces his climate package for 2022
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today announced his climate proposals for the 2022 legislative session, which will bolster Washington’s leadership in clean energy and economic growth. The governor put forward a $626 million investment in a climate strategy that will: Decarbonize the building sector
Ruby the Elf, in interview, discusses the Santa Mailbox at Emmanuel Episcopal
||| FROM STEPHIE MAC for EMMANUEL EPISCOPAL CHURCH ||| JASPER, the roving Eastsound Associated Press reporter interviews Ruby the Elf on the Santa Mailbox in Eastsound. Jasper: Hi, Ruby. We’ve gotten wind about a Christmas activity that the kids can get involved in. We hear that there is a mailbox
Federal Magistrate declares Navy’s 2019 decision authorizing the EA-18G “Growler” expansion at NAS Whidbey violated National Environmental Policy Act
||| FROM CITIZENS OF EBY'S RESERVE ||| Coupeville, WA – Friday, December 10, 2021, Federal Magistrate J. Richard Creatura filed his Report and Recommendation in State of Washington, et al., v. United States Department of the Navy, et al., Case No. 2:19-cv-01059-RAJ-JRC. Judge Creatura determined that the Navy’s 2019 decision
Letter to Editor | Thank you from Orcas Island Park and Recreation District
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT ||| It took until the final counting of the ballots, but the voters of Orcas Island came through for the Orcas island Park and Recreation District! Your approval of the recent six-year levy proposition will not only allow us to begin moving
Sun Days on Orcas | The festivities continue
||| SUN DAYS ON ORCAS by EDEE KULPER ||| What another lovely week it’s been in this Christmas season. Last Sunday, the library hosted the 8th Annual Children’s Christmas Market. This is one of the events that makes Orcas Island so special and unique. Any child can enter by paying
So far, WSF reservations to open up next week for travel after New Year
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Vehicle reservations for travel on the San Juan Islands and Port Townsend/Coupeville routes after New Year’s Day are scheduled to open next week should the current four-boat service remain sustainable. Winter season reservations will be available at 7 a.m. PST on Friday, Dec. 17.
Eldercare crisis inspires ‘life-changing’ innovation on San Juan Island
||| FROM SALISH CURRENT ||| Faced with a looming crisis in long-term eldercare, San Juan Island voters approved a tax increase levy on Nov. 2 for San Juan Island Hospital District 1 to buy the Village at the Harbor, a privately owned assisted living center in Friday Harbor. “It is very
No Christmas Ship again this year, but what a history it has
||| FROM LYNN WEBER/ROOCHVARG ||| Child looking for Santa, Christmas Ship visit, Deer Harbor, Orcas Island, 1983 Journal of the San Juan Islands, December 14, 1983, p. B-7, Courtesy San Juan Historical Museum On December 23, 1951, children in the San Juan Islands, who have little opportunity
OPALCO Board nominations are open
||| FROM ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE ||| OPALCO nominations for board candidates are now open. You can help shape our energy future! There are three positions open: one position in District 1 (San Juan, Brown, Henry, Pearl and Spieden islands), one position in District 3 (Lopez, Decatur, Center and Charles
Guest Opinion | How to understand the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution
||| FROM DAVID KOBRIN ||| As a historian I’m interested in how the basic meaning of words important in our nation’s history have changed over time. The Declaration of Independence provides an example. It says: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” (Emphasis added)
Over 16? Y’all better be getting your COVID booster shot
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine are now available for teens ages 16 and 17. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) expanded booster dose eligibility to include everyone 16 and older following guidance and recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug
Letter to Editor | Heartfelt thanks to all who are helping in aftermath of Sunday’s house fire
||| FROM ELLEN WICKHAM ||| On behalf of myself, and my son Thomas Bredahl, I want to give deep and heart-felt thanks to all the organizations and individuals who have helped in the aftermath of Sunday's fire on Teal Lane. For those who may not know, in the early morning
Sheriff’s Report | December 1 – 7, 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1 21-010328 Malicious Mischief 09:15:36 12/01/21 A Lopez Island Deputy was called about vandalism to a watercraft. A report was taken. 21-010331 Fraud 09:52:38 12/01/21 A San Juan Deputy responded to a report of fraud. The incident was documented. There
