Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
CWR reports that SRKW L47 is missing, presumed dead
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| The Center for Whale Research (CWR) is sad to report that Southern Resident killer whale, L47, is missing from our 2021 census. CWR last encountered L47 on February 27 in Swanson Channel, where she did not appear to be in particularly poor condition.
Auditor is about to conduct logic & accuracy test of ballot tabulating equipment
Tuesday, September 28, 11 a.m. In person or via YouTube ||| FROM MILENE HENLEY, SAN JUAN COUNTY AUDITOR ||| A “Logic and Accuracy” test of ballot tabulating equipment used in San Juan County for the November 2, General Election is scheduled for Tuesday, September 28, at 11 a.m. The test
Sen. Murray meets with SVC students on legislation to make community college tuition free
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. SENATOR PATTY MURRAY ||| U.S Sen. Patty Murray recently visited Skagit Valley College to meet with students and staff to hear how tuition-free community college would help them and the local community. “As a former community college instructor at Shoreline Community College, I know how life-changing
San Juan Island’s American Camp hit with extensive vandalism
||| FROM BRANDON CADWELL for SAN JUAN ISLAND NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ||| On September 4, 2021 unknown individuals damaged public lands and destroyed public property at the American Camp Unit of San Juan Island National Historical Park. The park needs your help to identify and apprehend these lawbreakers. Any tips
Inslee letter requests medical staffing resources from the feds
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee sent a letter today to Jeff Zients, federal COVID-19 response coordinator, requesting federal staffing resources, including clinical and non-clinical staff, to support the Washington health care system in response to rising COVID-19 hospitalizations. The letter reads, in part: "In Washington
Planning Commission splits on revised VR permit cap
||| BY theORCASONIAN OP-ED REPORTER MATTHEW GILBERT ||| The most recent stop on the journey to establish caps on vacation rental permits was the Planning Commission’s Sept. 17 monthly meeting, where it heard a report from the DCD’s Adam Zack and revisited their recommendation from the August meeting. Prior to
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
