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
Sheriff’s Report | October 27 – November 2, 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27 21-009488 Animal at Large 12:30:38 10/27/21 A Lopez Island Deputy was called to check for a dog running at large. The dog had returned home before the Deputy arrived in the area. 21-009498 Vehicle Prowl 16:22:45 10/27/21 A Deputy
Larsen: Bold investment in nation’s infrastructure creates jobs, builds greener transportation network
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, DC – Tonight, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) supported passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, bipartisan legislation that makes bold, long-term investments in the nation’s infrastructure to create well-paying jobs, keep the economy moving and fight climate change. The Infrastructure Investment and
Latest COVID update from State Health Dept.
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 648,779 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 3. There have been 8,767 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent number of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
New local case count indicates we are not done with this COVID thing BUT SEE UPDATED REPORT
SEE UPDATED REPORT ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Since the last update on Friday October 29, there have been 12 new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 356. This means that approximately one of every 48 island residents
Permaculture, resiliency is next Garden Club presentation
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND GARDEN CLUB ||| On Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at 10:30 a.m., the Orcas Island and Lopez Island Garden Clubs present Jessi Bloom’s virtual (Zoom) presentation Permaculture and Resiliency. This presentation will be not be recorded. The link to the live meeting provided by the Orcas Island
OISD wraps up strategic planning process
||| FROM SUZANNA SMITH for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| My name is Suzanna Smith, and I just started working at the Orcas Island School District as the Student Support Specialist. Part of my job will be to write a regular community newsletter, so this will be the first of
WSF Weekly Report | Focus on recruitment, hiring, training to restore service, and a new website coming
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Building back our staffing and service To provide more predictable travel, we made the difficult decision last month to temporarily move to reduced service schedules on most routes. Understanding the importance of our sailings to thousands of Washingtonians who ride for work, medical
New Library program on conflict management: What do you say when…?
||| FROM CAROL DAPOGNY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Has the pandemic increased conflicts in your life? Orcas Island Public Library is offering a new program to help with such challenges. Adapted from a seminar, “What Do You Say When….Conflict Management as You Interact,” Dr. Jeanne McPherson will facilitate two,
With time change, be sure to change your smoke alarm batteries
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Sunday, November 7 is the end of daylight savings time and it is also a good time to change your smoke alarm batteries and check any hard-wired detectors to verify they are in good working condition. It is good practice to
‘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.
New growth management grants help Washington communities design a future with housing choices affordable to all income levels
Funding for housing action plans and transit-oriented development helps communities address years of underbuilding that left middle and lower-income residents priced out of housing as state’s population boomed. ||| FROM STATE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT ||| A 2020 report tagged Washington state with one of the 10 worst housing shortages in the nation, underbuilding
COVID-19 infections among children and youth slowing after months of steady growth
Pediatric vaccine availability highly anticipated to slow spread of virus in kids ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA -- With the arrival of vaccines for children ages 5-11, a new report from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) shows the level of COVID-19 spread among the state’s youngest residents.
School District seeks to hire for these positions
||| FROM VICKI VANDERMAY for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT || Position: Title 1 Reading Specialist Description: 3.5 hours/day beginning December 1, 2021 to June 17, 2022. Must have appropriate Washington State certification/endorsements. Position: Speech Language Pathologist Assistant Description: One day per week at 6.5 hours per week. Must have an Associates degree in
Fire Commission to gather in special meeting on Friday
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE ||| The Board of Fire Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting on Friday, November 5 at 2 p.m. 2021-11-05 AGENDA Special Meeting Agenda .
EDC offers free Introduction to Masonry class
||| FROM MICHELANGELO (MICKEY) VON DASSOW for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| People seeking new job skills or career inspiration are invited to a free, hands-on introduction to masonry, offered by the Economic Development Council of San Juan County (EDC). The one-day course will be taught by Dave Koch, retired masonry
Senior Center looking to re-activate Hearts & Hands program
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Among the Orcas Senior Center’s Companion Services, two programs stand out: Hearts and Hands and Buddy Check-In. While Buddy Check-In has grown and thrived during the pandemic, the Hearts and Hand home visit program has not. Hearts and Hands matches vetted
