Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
Port aims to retain trophy in second annual Fly Washington food drive
||| FROM JEANNIE SHARPE for PORT OF ORCAS ||| Starting October 1st - November 19th the Orcas airport will once again be collecting food for the Orcas Island Food Bank during the Second Annual Fly Washington Passport Food Drive. Last year our airport collected 500 Lbs of food and we
Washington Community Economic Revitalization Board invests over $10 million in nine rural county projects
||| FROM STATE COMMUNITY ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION BOARD ||| OLYMPIA, WA – The Washington State Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) yesterday approved $8,272,040 million in grants and $1,975,000 in low-interest loans for planning, economic development and rural broadband infrastructure construction projects. Five rural broadband projects were approved for nearly $8 million
Reminder | Road work ahead near West Sound bridge
||| FROM COLIN HUNTAMEYER for SAN JUAN PUBLIC WORKS DEPT. ||| Deer Harbor Road near West Sound Bridge Who: Public Works Department working with Mike Carlson Enterprises Inc. Onsite construction supervisor: Jeff Sharp, (360) 298-4710, jeffs@sanjuanco.com What: Deer Harbor Road will be closed to thru traffic and will also be
Sun Days on Orcas | A letter to my children about hardship
||| BY EDEE KULPER ||| We live here on beautiful Orcas Island where the air is perfect. Forested hills reflect off of the calm ocean, and not even the buzz of a mosquito disturbs the lovely peace and quiet. Birds sing outside, and apples, plums, and berries hang heavily off
County Planning Commission has scheduled a special meeting on Comp Plan
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION ||| NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the San Juan County Planning Commission will conduct a virtual special meeting on October 8, 2021 using Microsoft Teams, beginning at 8:30 a.m. The special meeting is called to present additional briefings on Comprehensive Plan update topics.
JP und die OK Rhythm Boys to play the Orcas Hotel Oktoberfest Biergarten
||| FROM ANITA ORNE for JP UND DIE RHYTHM BOYS ||| Oktoberfest is coming to Orcas! The annual autumn festival traditionally begins two weeks before the first Sunday in October. In celebration, The Orcas Hotel is going to be having a lot of fun, and you’re invited! Saturday, September 25,
Fire Commissioners will meet on Monday
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS ||| The Board of Fire Commissioners will hold a regular public meeting on Monday, September 20 at 5:30 p.m. -- see attached agenda. Meeting access information can be found on the agenda. Public comment will be held. If you would like
Census Bureau delivers 2020 Census redistricting data in easier-to-use format
||| FROM U.S. CENSUS BUREAU ||| The U.S. Census Bureau today released the 2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File to states and the public in an easier-to-use format. These data are now available on data.census.gov. They are identical to those released Aug. 12 on the Census Bureau’s FTP site and in various
Library sets deadline for art submissions
||| FROM DAVE KOSIUR for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY || Reminder: The deadline for art submissions in the Orcas Library in 2022 is October 1. Interested Orcas Island artists of any age should submit, either online to the Committee Chair, Dave Kosiur (dkosiur@gmail.com), or in-person to Library Director Phil Heikkinen, an
Midnight Mutterings | Hummers
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS BY JACKIE BATES ||| On a day when the wind is howling and the rain drums on the skylights, I am reminded of a summery day about six weeks ago when I sat in this same room with doors and windows wide open when I heard the
The traveling Flamingos are on their way; if you’re lucky, you will get Flocked
||| FROM VELMA DOTY for KIWANIS CLUB OF ORCAS ||| The Flocking donations is raising money for our annual scholarship fund for our graduating seniors. The opportunity to do fundraisers has been severely impacted this past year. Graduation keeps happening and we want to keep giving scholarships along with other
Sheriff’s Report | September 8 – 14, 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 21-008177 Civil Problem 10:56:31 09/08/21 An Orcas Island Deputy took a documentation report regarding a civil matter over firewood on Shaw Island. 21-008181 Vehicle Prowl 11:43:31 09/08/21 An Orcas Island Deputy took a documentation report regarding an unknown subject
WSF Weekly Update | New Fall schedule for SJIs, visit from Norwegians, loss of an employee to COVID
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Norwegian delegation visits to discuss electrification With Norwegian Ambassador to the U.S. Anniken Ramberg Krutnes and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen at Seattle's Colman Dock. WSDOT Deputy Secretary Amy Scarton and I had the honor of hosting Norwegian Ambassador to
Latest from Lekanoff | Fixing our tax code, redistricting, COVID (of course), and WA Cares Fund
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| It’s time to rebalance & modernize our tax code – come find out how! Washington state’s tax structure places a heavier burden on working families and small businesses than those at the very top of the income bracket and relies on
Recap of recent statewide COVID-19 news and updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 550,093 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 15. There have been 7,145 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
Commerce awards $11.4 million for vital infrastructure projects in 20 rural communities, including in SJC
Community Development Block Grants fund wide range of high-priority local projects, including public water, sewer, emergency and fire protection systems, streets, housing, food pantries and more. ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ||| OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State Department of Commerce today announced 20 rural cities, towns and counties will receive
