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
Latest COVID guidance from State Health Department
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 416,532 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on June 5. There have been 5,960 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
Richard Donner dies: ‘Superman’, ‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘The Goonies’ director was 91
||| FROM DEADLINE.COM ||| Richard Donner, the prolific Hollywood director and producer whose helming credits include some of the most iconic movies of the 1970s and ’80s including the Christopher Reeve-starring Superman, The Goonies and the Mel Gibson-Danny Glover buddy cop series Lethal Weapon, has died. He was 91. Donner passed away Monday, according to
Learn how to operate and rent the Conservation District no-till drill
||| FROM KATE MIKULAK for SJC WSU EXTENSION ||| Interested in reseeding your pastures or hayfields? Planting cover crops or grains? The SanJuan Islands Conservation District is implementing a program to rent out their Great Plains606NT No-Till Seed Drill for use by San Juan County farmers. Join the Conservation District,
Fair winds, farewell | Departing NAS Whidbey commander shares some words about noise complaint system
||| FROM CAPT MATT ARNY, COMMANDING OFFICER, NAS WHIDBEY ||| NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. – I’m filled with conflicting emotions as I prepare to “depart the pattern” and embark on a new journey. I’m excited for what lies ahead, yet grateful for what I have experienced here. The
Council pre-empts Charter Review Commission with climate re-organization
||| BY MATTHEW GILBERT, theORCASONIAN OP-ED REPORTER ||| Last month, the Charter Review Committee released the outcomes of its lengthy deliberations, and among its proposed amendments was an independently-elected position to run a new Climate and Environment Office while adding an advisory “commission” – a group with more influence than
Climate Eyes | Tennis, anyone?
||| BY STEVE BERNHEIM, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| To limit global warming to 1.5°C / 2.7°F above pre-industrial levels requires rapid transitions in energy and infrastructure (including transport and buildings), and requires deep emissions reductions in all sectors, says a U.N. panel. Rapid transitions in energy, transport and buildings? Deep emission
Guest Opinion | Zero emissions EV charger project on Orcas Island
||| FROM BRUCE BENTON ||| Shortly after my wife and I moved permanently to Orcas Island in June 2020, I launched an EV charger project for the Island. It was clear through discussions with people concerned about the local environment as well as OPALCO that vehicle emissions were by far
Orcas community to usher long-time, local doctor into retirement at upcoming celebration
||| FROM AAIMEE JOHNSON ||| Join us to celebrate nearly 30 years of commitment to healthcare on Orcas Island as Dr. David C. Shinstrom, Dr. Dave to most, hangs up his stethoscope in retirement. Dr. Dave is hoping many of you can attend so he can express his appreciation for the
Inslee declares wildfire state of emergency, limited burn ban
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today declared a statewide state of emergency relating to the growing risk of wildfires, including a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30, 2021. "Washington is facing a historic drought and we have already experienced record-breaking
Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms with The Horsenecks to perform live on Village Green
Summer Concerts on The Village Green continue July 10 with Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms, and The Horsenecks ||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Summer Concerts on The Village Green, a joint venture between Orcas Center and Doe Bay, continue July 10 with Caleb Klauder and Reeb Willms,
Funhouse virtual fundraiser looks through rose-colored glasses to brighter future
||| FROM FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| Join us in looking through rose-colored glasses to the brighter future we know we are capable of creating for our island youth. While this past year has been full of ups and downs and new adjustments, we have been so thankful to be able to
Trades info and how to get your business back on track
||| FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| Sustainable Youth Trades Kids can do fun, free, real-world projects and learn how trades careers support sustainability. Projects are geared towards middle school ages. Register soon! Deadline for the first two projects is July 5th, 2021. We thank the Conservation District, OPALCO, and Rainshadow Solar
CWR encounters K Pod in Rosario Strait/Haro Strait
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| On June 29th, Jared Towers forwarded a photo to us that he had received of a group of killer whales heading east in Johnstone Strait around 1400. One whale had an open saddle and looked like it was probably K22. This, of course,
As American as apple pie? Can America save its national dish?
Americans invented the dessert we call pie. Why are we letting it die? ||| FROM WASHINGTON POST ||| I grew up in a home in which pie was spoken fluently. As a child, I assumed that pie appeared on everyone’s table, as it did year-round on mine. Looking back, I
Inslee issues final utility moratorium extension
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee [Friday] issued an extension of the utility moratorium proclamation, which will now expire on September 30, 2021. This will be the final extension of the proclamation and the extension will align with the end date of the tenancy preservation
First-ever Latinx Youth Leadership Summit met recently on Lopez Island
||| FROM TRILLIUM SWANSON for FUNHOUSE COMMONS ||| On Saturday, June 26, 23 youth 12-18 years old from Lopez, Orcas and San Juan Islands joined together outside at Lopez Public School for a day of boisterous activities, discussion, and friendship. Participants were engaged in activities that stretched their teamwork and
