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
‘Occam’s Razor’ | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Sigh . . . West Nile virus found in mosquitoes in Walla Walla County
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA -- The Department of Health reminds residents to avoid mosquito bites and eliminate standing water where mosquitoes may breed, now that West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes from Burbank, Washington in Walla Walla County. This is the first confirmed detection in the state
Land Bank partners with local student for community discussion
Discussion participants’ opinions help shape the direction around controversial land conservation topics in real time ||| FROM TANYA WILLIAMSON for SAN JUAN COUNTY LAND BANK||| Kaj Litch. Kaj Litch, a Spring Street International School Junior recently approached the Land Bank to collaborate with him on an internship project
Wolf pushes Council to expand scope of VR moratorium
||| BY MATTHEW GILBERT, theORCASONIAN OP-ED REPORTER ||| The six-month moratorium on VR rental permits, put in place in January and then limited to urban growth areas and hamlets on Orcas and Lopez, is set to expire on July 13. Council members took up the issue at their June 29
OK. WSF has more to say about this upcoming holiday weekend
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Customers should be prepared if their travels this holiday weekend include riding aboard a ferry. Some routes will be sailing on their holiday sailing schedules. Customers can note specific holiday sailings as they are marked on the timetables for each route. However, all customers should
We know about first responders, but these are our critical first, first responders — and they are hiring
In this job, you get paid to tell cops where to go ||| BY LIN MCNULTY, theORCASONIAN EDITOR ||| If all hell breaks loose at your home or in your neighborhood and you call 911 for help, before the first fire engine departs the equipment bay, before a patrol vehicle
Ferry changes ahead of Fourth of July weekend travel
Some schedules modified; COVID-19 guidelines adjusted; San Juans look normal ||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| SEATTLE – If your Independence Day weekend travel plans include a Washington State Ferries ride, be prepared for several recent changes. Sailing schedules on some routes are altered and COVID-19 safety rules are revised. Schedule changes
Just Announced! Additional car spots, walk-up tickets added to July 4th laser show
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| Due to popular demand, an additional 50 car spots AND Walk-Up tickets have been added to the 4th of July Laser Light Show at Mount Baker Farm! If you have a car reservation, you'll be able to drive into the venue and
Sheriff’s Office investigates after PeaceIsland Medical Center goes into lockdown
||| FROM SHERIFF RON KREBS ||| On Wednesday, June 30, the Peace Island Medical Center (PIMC) in Friday Harbor went into lockdown and alerted the Sheriff’s Office of a concerning voicemail left on the hospital administrations phone. The caller was upset and left threatening remarks. The Sheriff’s Office responded and
Tick Talk | Kwiaht launches two-year study of ticks on island
Specimens? Bag ‘em, and contact Kwiaht for pickup ||| FROM RUSSEL BARSH for KWIAHT ||| Lopez-based conservation biology laboratory Kwiaht has launched a two-year study of the distribution and hosts of local ticks, and of the diseases they may spread to island wildlife as well as people. The San Juan
State Health Dept.: Reopening does not mean pandemic is over or risk of COVID-19 is gone
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – As Washington state reopens for business and recreation today, the Department of Health (DOH) is encouraging people to keep doing their part to stop the spread of COVID-19. Reopening does not mean the pandemic is over or that the risk of COVID-19 is gone.
Newest numbers, news bits from State Health Dept.
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 414,509 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on June 28. There have been 5,920 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
Inslee issues housing stability “bridge” proclamation
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee [on Tuesday, June 29] issued a housing stability ‘bridge’ emergency order, Proclamation 21-09, intended to bridge the operational gap between the eviction moratorium (which will expire at 11:59 PM on June 30) enacted by prior proclamations and the protections
Inslee statement on today’s economic reopening
“Let’s keep it up, Washington – get vaccinated and stay safe.” ||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement [Tuesday, june 29] ahead of Washington’s upcoming June 30 reopening for individuals and businesses preparing to return to normal capacity and operations. “Washington has come a
As summer Park & Rec programs prepare to open, ready for registration, instructors, volunteers
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS PARK & RECREATION ||| Thank you for your patience as we worked to identify programs, volunteers instructors and facility availability. While we were able to provide beautiful park space and limited programming through the pandemic, we are so excited to have restrictions lifting and
Asian giant hornet trapping starts July 1; you are invited to participate
||| FROM CASSIE CICHORZ for STATE AGRICULTURE DEPT. ||| Citizen scientist trapping for Asian giant hornets is starting in just days, and we wanted to invite you to participate in trapping again this year! Detailing instructions for 2021 trapping can be found on our website, but here are a few
