Here’s a thought…
“That confidence — that the law cannot reach you because you are the one wielding it — is the oldest and most dangerous delusion in Washington.”
MILES TAYLOR
Orcas Library Bookmobile coming to Deer Harbor
Sunday, August 22 from 12-3pm ||| FROM CAROL DAPOGNY for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The library is coming to you! Stop by and browse new kid and adult books, games, DVDs, and magazines and then check out the ones you like! Don't have a library card? You can get one
Iceland has been a vaccination success. Why is it seeing a coronavirus surge?
What happened to Iceland? The island nation that has been praised for its coronavirus response and its world-leading vaccination rate is now seeing its highest levels of infection since the start of the pandemic. Just one month after the government scrapped all covid-19 restrictions, masks, social distancing and capacity limits have returned. And
San Juan County to vote on climate, environment, equity, justice amendments to county charter
||| FROM KEVIN RANKER via SALISH CURRENT ||| Once in a decade the voters of San Juan County have an opportunity to review and, more importantly, improve their own government. This unusual self-governing opportunity exists in only seven of 39 Washington state counties who possess the power to periodically elect
Lions Club makes donation to Sail Orcas
||| FROM STEVE SCHAEFER for SAIL ORCAS ||| Sail Orcas (sailorcas.org) is a local non-profit organization that promotes sailing and provides instruction for youth and adults. On Wednesday, August 11, Sail Orcas Director, Julia Soes, delivered an informative and entertaining presentation to the Orcas Island Lions Club at their regularly
Fire Commissioners scheduled to meet Monday evening
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS ||| Regular Meeting Agenda San Juan County Fire Protection District #2 Monday – August 16th, 2021 5:30 p.m. Online / by phone via ZOOM: Dial # (253) 215-8782 / Meeting ID: 825 0278 3843/ Passcode: 030480 Call to Order / Welcome
WSF weekly update includes an approval of fare increase
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| “Global shortage of experienced mariners” We’re not the only marine transportation system dealing with a lack of crewmembers. Following BC Ferries’ cancellation of a couple sailings last week due to a staffing shortfall, the company’s president and CEO said the service disruptions were caused
EDC has some recommended help for your business
||| FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| 5 Steps for Success You know you should put together a business plan, make a financial plan to ensure you’re going to make money, and find out what you don’t know. It seems overwhelming, but the process can be broken down into
First live ‘murder hornet’ of 2021 spotted attacking a wasp nest in Washington
||| FROM CNN ||| Entomologists in Washington state are setting up traps and urging people to be on the lookout after a "murder hornet" was spotted attacking a paper wasp nest this week near the US-Canadian border. It's the first confirmed sighting of a live "murder hornet," or Asian giant
Sheriff’s Report | August 4 – 10, 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4 21-006928 Information Report 13:34:59 08/04/21 Orcas Island Deputies responded to a call of several men with guns near Guthrie Cove. Deputies checked the area but were unable to locate the subjects. No crime was committed, and an incident report
Delta variant drives dramatic spike in cases, further exhausting hospital capacity across the state
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are accelerating across the state of Washington, demonstrating the delta variant’s potential to unravel our hard-fought progress toward recovery. Unvaccinated people are being hit hardest, and public health officials continue to urge everyone who has not gotten fully
Call to Action: Planning Commission to discuss caps on Vacation Rental Permits
Public Hearing Friday, August 20, 2021 ||| FROM GERI TURNOY, JOE SYMONS, DAVID TURNOY for KEEP THE SAN JUANS WILD ||| We write you about the current status of the process by which your county decision-makers are engaged with crafting new regulations regarding Vacation Rental Permits. Click here for a
Recent statewide COVID response updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 457,647 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 11. There have been 6,215 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
County expected to be impacted by wildfire smoke through the weekend
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Wildfire smoke from fires in British Columbia and Eastern Washington has settled over the County and is expected to be here through the weekend. Limit your time and activity level outdoors to limit your exposure to harmful particulate matter. Some air quality monitors
SJC COVID cases are on the rise
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Note: Current positive case numbers are available online at the County Case Data Dashboard. Since the last update on Thursday August 5, total cases in San Juan County have increased from 213 to 237. Of these 24 new cases, nine
WSF decides reinstating Sidney route not a good idea right now
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| WSF will delay the resumption of service to Sidney, British Columbia until 2022 due to the uncertainty of the reopening of the maritime border between the United States and Canada, along with continued significant crewing and vessel availability challenges. Adding international service at this
Island Hospital urges precautions due to wildfire smoke & COVID-19
||| FROM LAURA MORONEY for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Due to wildfire smoke, heat and rising COVID-19 cases, Island Hospital is asking community members to take extra precautions with their health this weekend. Per the CDC, wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs, cause inflammation, affect your immune system, and make you
