Here’s a thought…
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.”
MARK TWAIN
Inslee appoints Sen. Steve Hobbs Washington’s next secretary of state
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Steve Hobbs appointed as new Secretary of State Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday named state Sen. Steve Hobbs as Washington's next secretary of state. Hobbs replaces Kim Wyman, who is vacating the position to take a role with the
Governor declares state of emergency
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Today, Gov. Jay Inslee declared a severe weather state of emergency in Clallam, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, Lewis, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Mason, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, and Whatcom counties. Events leading up to this emergency include a severe wind and
Update on current road conditions
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Public Works crews from both the County and the Town of Friday Harbor have been responding since late last night. Orcas Island in particular has experienced a number of significant impacts, most notably a complete washout of Pt. Lawrence Road just past the
Whidbey SAR conducts rescues from Skagit River area
||| FROM NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND ||| A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island rescued three people caught in flood waters during a wind and rain storm impacting large swaths of Western Wash. November 15, 2021. The SAR crew was originally notified about
Council calls special meeting to consider state of emergency declaration
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Council will hold a special meeting on Tuesday, November 16, 2021, at 8 am, to consider a Resolution declaring a State of Emergency. The severe weather system that passed over San Juan County on November 14 and 15, 2021,
Reminder to use caution even though heavy rains are tapering off
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY ALERT SENSE ||| Recent heavy rains have caused considerable impacts to roads in San Juan County, and on Orcas Island in particular. With rain tapering off, waters should recede over next 24 hours. Islands are urged to use extreme caution while driving. Most concerning is
Heavy rain impacts island roadways, including Doe Bay washout
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Heavy rain is causing challenging conditions on island roads. Drive with extreme caution and expect water and/or debris in roads. Point Lawrence Road on Orcas is washed out just past Doe Bay Resort. Public Works, Emergency Management, and Orcas Island
Inslee leads subnational governments reducing emissions at U.N. climate summit
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| GLASGOW, Scotland – Gov. Jay Inslee highlighted Washington state's progress in the fight against climate change and challenged other national and subnational governments to commit to aggressive actions to slash carbon emissions as the disastrous effects of climate change become increasingly
Point Lawrence Road washes out, stranding residents
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR ||| This is a developing story as we await word from Public Works Dept.
Editorial | In the meantime, Orcas islanders still rely on you, OIFR, so do the right thing
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR ||| There's definitely something awry at Orcas Island Fire & Rescue. My email recently has been beset with messages that reveal unsettling, internal strife, and personal angst with increasingly serious contention within the ranks. I could recite (print) any number of potentially serious issues
Fire Commission to meet Monday evening | Postponed
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS FIRE COMMISSION ||| The Board of Fire Commissioners will hold a regular public meeting on Monday, November 15 at 5:30 p.m. - see attached agenda. Meeting access information can be found on the agenda and below my signature. Public comment will be held, if
This was a big part of Olga Symphony’s journey to Orcas Center stage
||| FROM ANITA ORNE for THE OLGA SYMPHONY ||| Shortly after Orcas Center opened in the 1980s, the Center’s Everything But Classical Music Committee began producing its annual gift to the community – Holiday Magic. It was a fun and music filled evening with all performers donating their time. Admission
PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical nationally recognized with an ‘A’ for Fall 2021 Leapfrog hospital safety grade
||| FROM ANNE WILLIAMS for PEACEHEALTH ST JOSEPH MEDICAL CENTER ||| Bellingham, Wash. – PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center was awarded an ‘A’ in the fall 2021 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a distinction recognizing the hospital’s achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer health care. The Leapfrog Group
Youth For Change: Environmental Leadership Club is looking for participants
||| FROM JESS NEWLEY for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| Calling all high school students on Orcas and San Juan Islands interested in environmental action! Are you passionate about the environment? Do you wish to see positive change in your community? Join the Youth for Change Environmental Leadership Club, a
Sun Days on Orcas | Festivity inventory
||| SUN DAYS ON ORCAS BY EDEE KULPER ||| Take a look at the following festivities that we islanders have grown so accustomed to celebrating together throughout the year, every year... Seniors Have Talent show at the Senior Center (November) Hops on the Rock in Eastsound (November) Clay Cafe in
Local, on-island COVID vaccine appointments filling quickly
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| More than 2,500 islanders have made appointments to receive their COVID booster shots this coming week, and hundreds of island children are signed up for upcoming Pfizer pediatric vaccine clinics. While some offerings are filled completely, there is still room
