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
Port of Friday Harbor announces intent to assume operations of shipyard
||| FROM PORT OF FRIDAY HARBOR ||| NOTICE OF INTENT TO OPERATE A BOATYARD PERMIT The Port of Friday Harbor intends to assume operations of the Albert Jensen and Sons Shipyard at 1293 Turn Point Road, Friday Harbor WA as of November 1, 2021. Boats currently in the boatyard will
At least it’s not just the San Juans on the WSF chopping block for tomorrow
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| In an effort to provide more reliable, predictable service in light of severe crewing shortages, Washington State Ferries will be operating on an alternate service schedule on Sunday, October 10. Service across the system will be reduced as outlined below. Please visit our website
Guest Opinion | A haunting visual honors our COVID dead
||| FROM HEDRICK SMITH, RECLAIM THE AMERICAN DREAM ||| Washington – The ravaging of America by Covid-19 is so immense that most of us have trouble fathoming the depth of our national trauma. Corona has so engulfed our lives that we have become numb to our upward spiraling death toll.
Letter to Editor | Tourism does not contribute to actual neighborhoods
||| FROM SHEILA GAQUIN ||| The vacation rental debate rages on. People argue about housing affordability, water usage, and traffic, but sadly, little attention is paid to the long-term damage being done to residential neighborhoods. I’ve lived in a neighborhood where the homes were occupied by owners and long-term renters,
Sheriff’s Report | September 29 – October 5
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 21-008773 Fraud 07:10:42 09/29/21 A Lopez Island resident reported receiving two “robocalls" that were believed to be a fraud scam. The resident wisely did not respond to the calls, despite the threat of "legal action." 21-008776 Trespassing 10:33:18 09/29/21
About half of Orcas Island residents qualify for food assistance
||| FROM RICK RHOADS for ORCAS ISLAND FOOD BANK ||| In response to the pandemic, The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) —a federal program that provides food to low-income Americans at no cost — raised its maximum income limit from 185% of the federal poverty level to 400%. The resulting
Fall 2021 Great Islands Clean-up was a great islands success
||| FROM KATIE FLEMING for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| Our islands became much cleaner during the Great islands Clean-up on September 25 thanks to dedicated volunteers on Orcas, San Juan, Shaw, and Lopez Islands. Over 100 Islanders participated. Total garbage picked up was 2,318 pounds (plus 11 garbage
Midnight Mutterings | Kitty death with dignity
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS by JACKIE BATES ||| My son and I spent Christmas 2018 in my cabin at Obstruction Pass in the company of Sybil-the-Cat. During the holiday she developed a serious swelling under her chin, which pulled her lip down and exposed her lower teeth. The swelling gave her
WSF weekly check-in: Water rescue, conference in Spain, ferry playground on Bainbridge, nothing about SJ ferries (or lack thereof)
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Chimacum crew helps rescue 11 people in Elliott Bay Capt. Erik Hohl and the Chimacum crew assisted the Seattle Fire Department in rescuing 11 people out of the water near Colman Dock Saturday night. The group was squid fishing in Elliott Bay when
SJC COVID case count up by three this week
||| FROM KYRA KINNAMAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Since the last update on Friday October 1, there have been three new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current total case count is now 312. Of these three new cases, initial investigations indicate that two appear to
Announcing San Juan Islands Orca Recovery Day 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLAND CONSERVATION DISTRICT ||| San Juan Island Conservation District, in partnership with San Juan County Land Bank, are joining conservation districts and partner organizations across the Pacific Northwest on October 16 for Orca Recovery Day. This day of action is aimed at improving conditions for critically
Current COVID case counts for the state
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 598,823 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 6. There have been 7,972 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
‘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!
WSF latest approach to resolution is to reduce total number of reservations
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Washington State Ferries will reduce the total number of reservations available during the two-week and two-day releases for the rest of the current season beginning tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 8. Starting Friday, only 20% of a sailing’s total capacity will open for each release rather
Orcas Senior Center Socrates Cafe continues their philosophical discussions
Orcas Socrates Café @ Orcas Senior Center (Sunday, October 10, 4-6pm) ||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Orcas Senior Center continues to virtually host the Orcas Socrates Café from 4-6pm on the second Sunday of each month. It’s an opportunity to engage in an open discussion on
Individual tickets now available for this weekend’s Orcas Island Film Festival
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL ||| With our pass sales better than we imagined and with the social distancing created in the theatre, there are a limited number of seats available for single ticket sales. Individual ticket sales start Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. https://oiff2021.eventive.org/films *online ticket sales
