Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
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
Guest Opinion | Protecting our democracy, Step 1
||| FROM HEDRICK SMITH for RECLAIM THE AMERICAN DREAM ||| Washington – You may have missed a hugely important story recently because the media soft-pedaled it. But Congress has just taken a major step toward hand-cuffing the unchecked presidential abuse of power that was a hallmark of the Trump Presidency.
Senior Center seeks home maintenance/repair coordinator
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Orcas Senior Center is recruiting for a part-time independent contractor as a coordinator for its Home Maintenance & Repair (HM&R) pilot program. The HM&R Coordinator will be responsible for receiving HM&R requests, facilitating agreements with contractors, and assuring that work is
Inslee announces new homeless proposals for 2022 legislative session
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today announced his homelessness proposals for the 2022 legislative session, which will bolster Washington’s leadership in finding solutions for individuals living without shelter and help those at risk of becoming homeless. The governor put forward a $800 million investment
So, how is the Elwha River salmon recovery doing?
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| ELWHA RIVER SALMON RECOVERY by Florian Graner/Sealife Productions Since the removal of the two Elwha [River] dams—to this date the largest dam removal in US history—the development of salmon runs in this pristine Olympic mountains’ river has been of great interest, not only
