Here’s a thought…
“America is and always has been an argument — it’s an experiment.”
DAVID W. BLIGHT
Masking requirement reinstated by SJC Health Officer beginning Friday the 13th forward
Masks required to enter all businesses in San Juan County. Vaccinated or not. ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| As per a recent Health Officer order, all customers entering businesses in San Juan County will be required to mask up beginning at 5pm on Friday August
State high temperature warnings may not impact San Juans
Another extreme heat event expected over the weekend. Cooling centers considered a key tool in preventing illness for people without air conditioning ||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA -- Hot weather is back again and is expected to impact the entire state starting on Friday, with temps expected
Rising statewide case count being fueled by highly-transmissible Delta variant
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| The number of coronavirus cases in Washington state has surpassed 500,000, with a new surge in cases fueled by the highly transmissible Delta variant. The state Department of Health (DOH) confirmed the grim milestone Wednesday afternoon, more than a year and a half after
Hot Topic #54 | Surging cases is the islands’ new reality
It is time to rethink our understanding of COVID in the islands and beyond. ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Fourteen new COVID cases were reported in San Juan County on August 10. While 11 of these cases were tied to two household clusters, this is
How about coffee, cocktails, Q&A with Friends of the San Juans at Virtual County Fair?
||| FROM KATIE FINCHER for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| We are all ready for some new connections and opportunities. Through the Virtual Fair, you have an opportunity to connect with Friends of the San Juans’ staff, ask questions, and hear the passion that drives their mission. Join the
In Hawaii, talk of reducing tourism is still just talk
Despite the many problems the massive summer surge of tourism has brought to Hawaii, plans to manage the tourism industry lack seriousness and urgency. ||| FROM CIVIL BEAT ||| For decades, the state and the visitor industry have seduced would-be tourists to buy plane tickets to Hawaii, book hotel rooms
Latest from the State Health Department
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 450,748 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 9. There have been 6,187 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more,
Letter to Editor | WSF boo-boo: There are no San Juans service reductions scheduled
||| FROM BOB DISTLER ||| It turns out that Washington State Ferries has no plans to send the 90-car Sealth to the San Juans, confirming its position stated in the June public meeting. As I had found, the reservations system was incorrectly showing a series of vessel changes and service reductions
Larsen, McMorris Rodgers, Tester, Moran: Bipartisan bill will improve rural veterans’ access to healthcare
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) and Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to help veterans who live in rural communities get to and from their medical appointments. The Rural Veterans
Health Care District offers tips for accessing health care when needed
||| FROM ANNE PRESSON for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| Island Primary Care – Orcas is committed to meeting the health care needs of our community. This means providing access when you have a health care concern that can be scheduled into the future, as well as accommodating times
WA DOL boo-boo: Your personalized license plate has not been cancelled.
||| FROM MILENE HENLEY, SAN JUAN COUNTY AUDITOR ||| County Auditor Milene Henley is warning San Juan County residents about letters incorrectly generated on August 4 by the Washington State Department of Licensing. The letters tell vehicle owners that their personalized plates have been cancelled. The Department of Licensing sent
Upcoming Library Fair promises to be one for the books
Saturday, August 14, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. ||| FROM DAVE KOSIUR for FRIENDS OF THE ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| The annual Summer Book Sale sponsored by the Friends of the Orcas Island Library is scheduled for this Saturday, August 14 in the parking lot of the Orcas Library. We’ll
In Memoriam | Michael “Mike” Wiley
||| FROM EVANS CHAPEL ||| On the evening of July 3, Michael “Mike” Wiley of Orcas Island, WA died peacefully at home, overlooking his yard and with his dog by his side. Mike was born to T. Wayne and Esther V Wiley in Kingsburg CA where he graduated from high
Orcas Veterinary Service announces limited schedule, staff, and services
||| FROM ELIZABETH GUERY for ORCAS VETERINARY SERVICE ||| Important Updates from Orcas Veterinary Service Beginning August 10th, Orcas Veterinary Service will be providing limited service from our new facility located at 9 Hope Lane. Due to many unforeseen events and delays, we are currently operating on a very limited
Inslee issues proclamation requiring vaccination for most state employees, health and long-term care workers
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today issued an emergency proclamation mandating that most state executive branch employees and on-site contractors and volunteers, along with public and private health care and long-term care workers, must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by October 18. Inslee announced the
Guest Opinion | VRs & housing: My house has to earn its keep
||| FROM JAN SCILIPOTI ||| I am a 20-year Lopez resident and represent a vacation rental owner’s group called Hosting on the Rock. The conversation about Vacation Rentals (VRs) in the San Juan Islands seems to distill down to three main topics: housing, neighborhood concerns, and environmental impact. Each topic
