Here’s a thought…
“P H E W !!”
THE WORLD
Statewide COVID response updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 402,536 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on May 31. There have been 5,789 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
Montessori is busting some myths, misconceptions of pedagogy to highlight what they do
||| FROM TERESA CHOCANO for ORCAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL ||| Did you know that the Orcas Montessori School has been on Orcas for the past 33 years? The school was opened in a basement of a home in West Sound, moved to a double wide trailer across from the public school,
DOH launches mobile vaccination service to support community organizations and increase vaccine access
OLYMPIA – On June 1st, the Washington State Department of Health launched a new mobile vaccine service called “Care-A-Van” that will deliver vaccines to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. DOH is working closely to support community partners and local health jurisdictions to increase vaccine access for priority communities, which include: Counties
Orcas Center included in Capital Grants for the arts from the State
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| ArtsFund announced that with the passage of the 2021-2023 biennium state capital budget, the Building for the Arts program was awarded $16 million, a receipt of the full funding requested for 21 capital projects across the state - including our own Orcas Center. ArtsFund
Notice of Planning Commission hearing on 2021 Annual Docket
||| FROM LYNDA GUERNSEY for DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ||| NOTICE OF A SAN JUAN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE TESTIMONY ON THE 2021 ANNUAL DOCKET OF PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE SAN JUAN COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT CODE The San Juan County Planning Commission will
Inslee announces update to agriculture requirements
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee issued updates to the agriculture workplace requirements to coincide with changes to the emergency rules for temporary worker housing released by the departments of Health and Labor & Industries. The emergency rules are linked here. The new governor-issued requirements formalize CDC
Auditor seeks arguments against ballot measures
||| FROM MILENE HENLEY, SAN JUAN COUNTY AUDITOR ||| The San Juan County Auditor is seeking volunteers to write opposing arguments for measures on the ballot in the 2021 Primary Election. Two measures will be on the ballot. Both measures have “pro” committees, and both need “con” committees. Lopez Island
San Juan Co. Sheriff’s Office investigating fatality accident on San Juan
||| FROM SHERIFF RON KREBS, SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| On May 31, 2021 at approximately 5:15 p.m. a grey Subaru was travelling into town from the west end of San Juan Island when the car veered into the oncoming lane at Beaverton Valley and Lowe Lane and struck
Transportation Commission seeking feedback (from you) on ferry fares
Really! They want to hear from you ||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) is required to adjust ferry fares every two years and is seeking input from the public on fare increase alternatives. Please visit the WSTC’s website for more information about the alternatives
Washington State Ferries marks 70 years of service
New commemorative logo to be installed on ferries ||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| SEATTLE – Six years after the end of World War II, the State of Washington began operating the country’s largest ferry system. Today, Washington State Ferries marks seven decades with the unveiling of a commemorative logo that will
Creativity sparks innovative use of state’s energy emergency management tool for coronavirus response
New tool helped ensure cold storage for vials of vaccines during winter power outages ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE ||| The Washington Department of Commerce, home to the State Energy Office, plays a pivotal role behind the scenes in the state’s response to energy emergencies, such as major power
Doe Bay Musicians in Residence look forward to Eastsound Summer Concert Series
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Our neighbors at Doe Bay Resort & Retreat have kept a low profile and isolated their off-island guests for the last year as a health and safety protocol. Although they canceled Doe Bay Fest in '20 and '21, they have continued to
Health Care District has scheduled a meeting for tomorrow
||| FROM ANNE PRESSON for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The next meeting of the Orcas Island Health Care District is scheduled for Tuesday, June 1, from 5 – 7 p.m. The meeting will convene on ZOOM, as follows: Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84600470629?pwd=YS9ZeWpRM2lqeEMyZjBza2dlZUJBUT09 Dial by phone: +1 253 215 8782
As a thank you to parents: All Orcas kids K-12 are invited to Kite Day
Saturday, June 5, 10-11:30 am at Buck Park ||| FROM GEORGETTE WONG for ORCAS ISLAND PTSA ||| All Orcas kids K-12 are invited to Kite Day! This event is to honor the incredible job parents and families have done these last 15 months. Free kites will be provided and markers
We’re changing the habitat for our orca and salmon — and not for the better
||| FROM SEATTLE TIMES ||| ON A COLD, foggy morning in the summer of 2019, I made my way to a boat ramp, hard by homeless encampments and under the roaring traffic of a highway overpass in Seattle, to watch and talk with Muckleshoot tribal members bringing in their catch.
Eastsound Sewer & Water District is about to launch an independent income survey
Hoping for a high response rate ||| FROM EASTSOUND SEWER & WATER DISTRICT ||| The Eastsound Sewer & Water District (District) needs to address repair and replacement of an aging wastewater treatment plant and system components. This project will require the design and construction of system upgrades. We are investigating
