Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
SJC Land Bank has provided a summary of last Friday’s meeting
||| FROM TANJA WILLIAMSON for SAN JUAN COUNTY LAND BANK ||| The San Juan County Conservation Land Bank met on Zoom Friday, December 17, 2021, to discuss its agricultural program goals as well as specific goals for Coffelt Farm Preserve on Orcas Island. In addition to Conservation Land Bank staff
Odd Fellows provide outdoor sanctuary for April’s Grove residents
||| FROM ALYSHA SHERBURNE for OPAL COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ||| This is one of those stories that puts a smile on your face; a story of community members coming together to do something nice for one another. Plain, simple, yet in its own way extraordinary. To the untrained eye it
Our fire department has been busy in the field this month, as well as hiring new Asst. Chief
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| Point Lawrence Road - December 4, 2021 Crews were dispatched to reports of a structure fire in the 900-block of Point Lawrence Road shortly after 4 a.m. after neighbors reported smoke and flames from the residence. Arriving personnel confirmed
Auditor’s Office to be closed on Christmas, New Years Eve
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Auditor’s office will be closed on Friday, December 24, and Friday, December 31. The closures mean that there will be no documents recorded and no vehicle, vessel, marriage, or dog licenses issued on those dates. Please plan accordingly for
Aspiring artists invited to submit art for 2022 Fair poster
||| FROM JENNIFER ALLEN for SAN JUAN COUNTY FAIR ||| “Two Little Ducks: Quack, Quack” Yes, that is correct, the 2022 SJC Fair theme centers around bingo and feathered friends. The SJC Fair would like to invite all aspiring artists to submit art for the 2022 poster and declare Bingo!
Port Commissioners will meet on Monday
||| FROM JEANNIE SHARPE for PORT OF ORCAS ||| The Port of Orcas is scheduled to meet Monday, December 20 at 5 p.m. via ZOOM. Agenda and access info is available HERE.
Island Hospital’s latest slate of classes: Balance, diabetes, paperwork
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Balance Screening at Island Hospital Determine if you are at risk of falling due to balance issues at a free screening on Tuesday, January 11, between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy, 1015 25th St., Anacortes. Appointments are
A second court rejects Cooke Aquaculture’s challenge over termination of Port Angeles net pen lease
||| FROM EMMA HELVERSON for WILD FISH CONSERVANCY ||| DECEMBER 17, 2021—In another legal defeat for Cooke Aquaculture, a second Washington state court has rejected efforts by the seafood giant to sue Washington state over the termination of the company’s lease for their Port Angeles net pen operation. On Tuesday,
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
