Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
Ferry-naming contest draws comically creative ideas — but let’s get real, Washington state says
||| FROM SEATTLE TIMES ||| It’s easy enough to tap out a 10-second comment and hit “send.” Sometimes it’s a thought that momentarily lands in your brain. Sometimes you can smile to yourself: Oh, I’m a clever boy! More than 330 of you took those 10 seconds when there was
EDC invites input from businesses, residents on WSF service disruptions
||| FROM VICTORIA COMPTON for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| Economic Development Council (EDC) invites island business owners, workers and residents to participate in a survey regarding Washington State Ferries service disruptions this past summer. Islanders are invited to participate in the survey here: forms.gle/uzXU6vy3tujUyuSR9 Anecdotal information and data derived from
USPS slowdown starts Oct. 1 | What to know about new delays and price hikes for mail
||| FROM MSN.COM ||| If you're like me, sending a letter or package across the country through the US Postal Service feels like a game of chance. Will it get there in a week -- or two? During the first quarter of this year, around 20% of first-class mail across
Upcoming classes from Island Hospital
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Island Hospital offers nutrition and exercise for osteoporosis class Dietary habits play an important role in your risk of developing osteoporosis. Join Registered Dietitian Amber Phillips, MS, RD and Island Hospital physical therapist Allison Blackwell, PT, DPT to learn what types of
Sun Days on Orcas | What you can’t get back
||| SUN DAYS ON ORCAS by EDEE KULPER ||| The blackberry’s time has passed - it no longer stains my hand or flavors my cereal. I know I have to let go of blackberry season when mid-September rolls around. It won't last no matter how much I wish it would. I
Hot Topic #55 | FAQ on COVID booster doses
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| The CDC and FDA recently granted approval for the delivery of booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine to certain fully vaccinated individuals. This Hot Topic will attempt to answer some of the most common questions about this new development. Q:
Medicare recipients will receive vaccine boosters at no cost
||| FROM PEGI GROUNDWATER for SHIBA ||| Following the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) recent action that authorized a booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for certain high-risk populations and a recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
When Orcas Island had a sea serpent
||| FROM JOHN TITUS ||| May 1909, off the North Shore of Orcas Island, Washington State: “As Baker ran he saw the water begin foaming out past the reef, and the head of a huge serpent rose from the roiling waters. Ten feet and more of the monster’s head
Library Director announces he will soon retire
||| FROM PHIL HEIKKINEN, SOON TO BE FORMER ORCAS LIBRARY DIRECTOR ||| I’m pleased to share that I am retiring as Director of the Orcas Island Public Library as of September 30. It’s been my favorite of five jobs in the profession (minus a few moments here and there!), almost
Sheriff’s Report | September 15 – 21, 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 15 21-008372 Boating Problem 09:24:36 09/15/21 A Lopez Island Deputy was sent to investigate a boat reportedly aground on a beach near Shark Reef Park. After searching the area on foot, no beached vessels were located in the area. 21-008378
Latest from Lekanoff | Redistricting, moratoriums, ferries, SJC Council, more…
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| Let State Redistricting Commission know what you think of their proposed legislative district maps On Tuesday, the Washington State Redistricting Commission released the four proposed legislative district maps from each of the voting commissioners. Those maps are now live on their website,
Letter to Editor | County Council, science is powerful
||| FROM JANET ALDERTON ||| Dear County Councilors Minney, Stephens, and Wolf, Recognizing that a problem exists is key to addressing the problem. This is what Joe Symons’ Docket Request 21-0003 is all about. Until you, the ultimate deciders of our County’s fate, decide to recognize that a problem exists
New week, new COVID case count in San Juan County
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Since the last update on Friday, September 17, there have been eight new confirmed or probable cases in San Juan County. Current total case count is now 300. Of these eight new cases, initial investigations indicate that three appear to
Latest COVID updates from the State
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Statewide Response Updates Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 567,011 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 22. There have been 7,434 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics,
OPALCO ‘team’ to hit the road with Electric Vehicle trek to Eastern Washington (and back)
||| FROM SUZANNE OLSON for ORCAS POWER & LIGHT CO-OPERATIVE ||| “Switch it up pup” Pepper Starting October 6, an exclusive team from OPALCO (Communication Specialist Krista Bouchey and the “Switch it up pup” Pepper) will be driving the Co-op's Kia Niro 100% electric vehicle (EV) to Eastern
Department of Agriculture destroys another Whatcom County ‘murder hornet’ nest
||| FROM THE BELLINGHAM HERALD ||| The Washington State Department of Agriculture announced that it has destroyed another nest built by Asian giant hornets — commonly referred to as “murder hornets” — in Whatcom County. The department announced the latest Asian giant hornet nest eradication, which would be its fourth
