Here’s a thought…
“Before we work on artificial intelligence, why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?”
READER BOARD
Most recent statewide COVID-19 news and updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 386,903 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on May 12. There have been 5,626 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more,
State health officials link yogurt to multi-county E. coli outbreak
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – During the ongoing investigation into an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has identified a likely link to PCC Community Market brand yogurt produced by Pure Eire Dairy. Pure Eire Dairy is working with the state Department of Agriculture
New healthy eating website, Daniel’s Plate, launched by Orcas resident
||| FROM GIGI CARTER for DANIEL'S PLATE ||| Daniel's Plate is curated by Gigi Carter and Sersie Blue, two entrepreneurial Black women united by their devotion to healthy living who have committed themselves to change the way we see food. By sharing their knowledge of nutrition and faith, these friends who are
Inslee announces statewide reopening date of June 30 and short-term statewide move to Phase 3
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee ... announced that the state is moving toward a statewide June 30 reopening date and that all counties in Washington will move to Phase 3 of the Healthy WA: Roadmap to Recovery reopening plan effective May 18 until June
Health Care District announces upcoming regular Board meeting
||| FROM ANNE PRESSON for ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT ||| The next meeting of the Orcas Island Health Care District is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18, 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
Museum puts out a call for surveyor, navigator tools for upcoming exhibition
||| FROM ANTOINETTE BOTSFORD ||| The historical museum, under the direction of new Executive Director Nancy Stillger, is putting together a chronological exhibition of historical and artistic maps depicting the San Juan Islands, focusing on Orcas. Ancillary to the maps will be supportive displays of surveyor’s and navigator’s tools. Anyone
Midnight Mutterings | A little more on voter suppression
||| MIDNIGHT MUTTERINGS BY JACKIE BATES ||| World news has been discouraging of late with the Israel-Hamas conflict escalating and probable war crimes in Northern Ethiopia, so I decided to look a little closer to home for cheer. While I did find relief in reported progress against the pandemic, at
Sheriff’s Report | May 4 – 10, 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| TUESDAY, MAY 4 21-003610 Controlled Substance Problem 02:34:47 05/04/21 A San Juan Deputy responded to a complaint of drugging of a community member. The victim was interviewed and transported to the hospital for examination. The investigation is ongoing. 21-003611 Theft 08:55:19 05/04/21
OISD just discovered three secondary school students test positive for COVID
Further test results pending ||| FROM ERIC WEBB, ORCAS SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ||| Just this afternoon, OISD identified three secondary students in our district that tested positive for COVID-19 after OISD nursing staff administered the BinaxNow Rapid Test. Immediately after receiving the positive results, we followed with PCR tests. We hope
Quick note: Fuel is back at Orcas Island Airport
||| FROM JEANNIE SHARPE for PORT OF ORCAS ||| We now have 100LL fuel available at the pump. The new cost is $5.89 per gallon.
Masks still required on all public transportation including ferries
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Please be advised that while CDC and state guidance loosen some restrictions on wearing masks, wearing a mask is still a requirement for travel on all public transportation, including Washington State Ferries. This includes outdoor spaces on vessels. Passengers who refuse to wear masks
Sheriff requests to speak with former tenants of suspect in voyeurism case under investigation
||| FROM RON KREBS, SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF ||| On April 28, 2021, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office investigated a report of a hidden camera located in the bedroom of a Friday Harbor residence. The landlord, Ryan H. Bennett, has been charged by the Prosecuting Attorney with Residential Burglary
Here’s the latest on COVID case count for San Juan County
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Note: Current positive case numbers are available online at the County Case Data Dashboard. As indicated on that page, these numbers are only updated after case confirmation is complete, usually daily. It is possible that other information sources in community
Here we go: New CDC COVID masking guidance is fast-moving
Important community update ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| As many are no doubt aware, the CDC has recently released new guidance on wearing of masks for fully vaccinated individuals. That announcement has been followed by the Governor’s decision to more or less match the CDC
Reopening, vaccine update, bill signings, Native American mascots in latest Lekanoff news release
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| Happy Fantastic Friday! COVID-19 Updates Healthy Washington Reopening Yesterday, Gov. Inslee announced that Washington is moving toward a statewide June 30 reopening date! In addition, all counties will move to Phase 3 of the Healthy Washington: Roadmap to Recovery reopening plan effective May
Next Meeting of the Minds: Forage fishes and the beach
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Meeting of the Minds – “Forage Fishes and the Beach: The Role of Local Shorelines in Marine Ecosystem Recovery” brought to you on Zoom by Orcas Senior Center: Wednesday, May 19, 1 - 2 p.m. Tina Whitman The San
