Here’s a thought…
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.”
MARK TWAIN
Latest report on COVID-19 outbreaks in schools
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has released the latest report on COVID-19 outbreaks in K-12 schools across the state, which covers the start of the 2021/2022 school year. The report includes data on both public and private schools that experienced a COVID-19
These on-screen performances are coming to Orcas Center in November
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Orcas Center brings the world’s best performers to Center Stage in their On-Screen Offerings from The Metropolitan Opera, Bolshoi Ballet, and National Theatre Live. Join us for these great events coming up in November: Saturday, November 6 at 1 p.m.: Cyrano de
Whidbey SAR conducts two MEDEVACs from Lopez Island
||| FROM NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND ||| NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island conducted two medical evacuations (MEDEVAC) with three patients from Lopez Island October 28, 2021 when civilian helicopter MEDEVAC assets were unable to
Letter to Editor | Shepler, simply, is best person for fire commissioner
||| FROM PERRY PRUETT ||| It was with great joy I learned that Patrick Shepler has put himself forward for fire commissioner of Orcas Fire Dept. And from what I have been hearing around the island, we need a man of Patrick's exceptional skill set. In years gone by, I
Weekly case update | Once again, Orcas in the lead on COVID case count
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Since the last update on Friday October 22, there have been nine new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current case count is now 353. Of these 9 new cases, initial investigations indicate that three appear to have
Sheriff’s Report | October 20 – 26, 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20 21-009314 Traffic Hazard 10:23:30 10/20/21 A Lopez Island Deputy was sent to euthanize a road struck deer with broken legs. 21-009316 Agency Assistance 11:00:01 10/20/21 A San Juan Deputy responded to a report of a dog that was sold
WSF Weekly Check-In | Ramel hears Lopezians ferry concerns, new apprenticeship program, Colman Dock work, hold on new reservations
||| FROM NICOLE MCINTOSH for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Work begins on next phase of Colman Dock project More than a million pounds of steel is arriving at our Seattle Multimodal Terminal at Colman Dock Project site. This allows crews to begin work on steel framing for the entry building along Alaskan
Don’t miss this presentation by Island Air Ambulance at Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join Island Air Ambulance to learn about this important service and get all your questions answered on Wednesday, November 3 at 10 a.m. by Zoom. Island Air Ambulance is a critical care air ambulance service located in Friday Harbor and serves
Letter to Editor | Let’s all vote YES on Park & Rec levy
||| FROM GEORGETTE WONG ||| Please vote YES on Proposition 1 for the Orcas Island Park and Recreation District (OIPRD) levy. Parks and Rec enriches the lives of so many of us on island. Adults and kids play sports, take their dogs to the dog park, walk through the park
New FAQ on Moderna and J&J booster doses, pediatric doses, and more…
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| There are lots of developments around both vaccine boosters and vaccines for younger kids. This Hot Topic will attempt to summarize the current situation and discuss plans for upcoming vaccine clinics in the islands. Q: Who is eligible for booster
Orcas Community Church will host reVAMPed Fall Festival
||| FROM STEPHANIE MOSS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| The Community Church will be hosting a reVAMPed Fall Festival on October 31, 4:30-6 p.m. Children and adults are all welcome, and costumes are encouraged. Games, activities, and prizes for kids of all ages will be available at each door,
‘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. Celebrating one year!
County’s preliminary 2022-2023 budget now available for perusal
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The County Auditor has published the County's Preliminary 2022-2023 Budget. The County budget sets spending and hiring limits for the County by fund, by department, and by program. Adopting it is the greatest responsibility of the County Council. The preliminary budget is developed
Grannie’s Closet is back at Orcas Senior Center
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Grannie’s Closet offers household décor, kitchen and vintage items, crafting supplies, and much, much more. Located in the lobby at the Orcas Senior Center, Grannie’s Closet occupies only a few shelves. But with a constantly changing array of items, it’s worth
IslandRidesOrcas freely delivers goods, rides to islanders
||| FROM SANDY PLAYA for ISLAND RIDES ORCAS ||| IslandRidesOrcas gives rides and delivers essential goods to islanders who don’t drive or have access to transportation. We schedule rides and deliveries for essential needs 7 days a week 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Rides are free, donations are accepted, but
New research to be funded to determine what is killing shellfish
||| FROM WASHINGTON SEA GRANT ||| With funding from the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, researchers from Washington Sea Grant, the Northwest Indian College and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will study shellfish-killing toxins Over the last few decades, shellfish farms and natural shellfish populations in Washington
