Here’s a thought…
“I am so convinced of the advantages of looking at mankind instead of reading about them, and of the bitter effects of staying at home with all the narrow prejudices of an islander, that I think there should be a law amongst us to set our young men abroad for a term among the few allies our wars have left us.”
LORD BYRON
Council will again address moratorium in upcoming public hearing; pre-hearing on Sunday
Island Stewards to host pre-hearing Q&A Sunday, March 7 at 4 pm. via ZOOM || FROM ISLAND STEWARDS ||| Please Take Action! 2nd Public Hearing 9 March 2021 Opposition to Moratorium Grows! San Juan County (SJC) Council will be continuing an on-line public hearing to discuss whether the moratorium on the issuance of Vacation
Letter to Editor | Dear Council: We are opposed to recent vacation rental moratorium
||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLAND BUSINESSES (SEE BELOW) ||| Dear County Council, We are strongly opposed to the recent moratorium that you have recently enacted on New Vacation Rental Applications for the following reasons: Less than 3 years ago San Juan County Council adopted updated Vacation Rental standards with Ordinance
Rep. Lekanoff has an update from the halls of the Legislature
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| An Update on My Bills This was our second week on the virtual floor of the People’s House debating and passing bills! Now that we are getting closer to the House of Origin cutoff (the date by which bills have to
PPP deadlines approaching; free EDC technical assistance available
||| FROM VICTORIA COMPTON for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| The Economic Development Council (EDC) reminds business owners and managers that the deadline for the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is approaching. Small businesses with fewer than 20 employees can apply during an exclusive application period for micro-businesses, until March 9,
COVID update: No new cases anywhere this week in 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
Statewide response updates, recap of recent COVID-19 news
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 323,839 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on March 3. There have been 5,032 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more,
Here’s how the COVID vaccine rollout looks in San Juan County
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| As vaccine distribution efforts continue, it is worth looking at what vaccine has been received to date in San Juan County. These numbers are just a snapshot, please recognize that this is a constantly evolving situation. To date, seven vaccine
Island Primary Care-Orcas set to begin operations on April 1
||| FROM LAURA MORONEY for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| ANACORTES, Washington – Island Hospital has partnered with Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) to operate a primary care clinic on Orcas Island. As of April 1, 2021, Orcas Island residents can receive high-quality primary care and after-hours services at Island Primary
Larsen: George Floyd Justice In Policing Act is step toward ending police brutality, addressing systemic racism
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN (WA-02) ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – [Wednesday, March 3, 2020], Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for landmark legislation to increase police accountability, improve the culture of law enforcement, and build trust between law enforcement and local communities. The George Floyd Justice In Policing
‘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.
Latest class offerings from Island Hospital
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Island Hospital offers nutrition and osteoporosis class Dietary habits play an important role in your risk of developing osteoporosis. Join Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator Mary Beth Robinson, MS, RD/LD, CDE in a discussion on nutritional tips to help maintain good bone
Washington passes somber milestone: 5,000 COVID deaths
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) shares today that the state has marked a devastating milestone. Since the first COVID-related death here on Feb. 29, 2020, more than 5,000 people in Washington have died of COVID-19. The announcement coincides with another milestone
Larsen votes to break down barriers to democracy, expand voting rights
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN (WA-02) ||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – [Yesterday], Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) voted for the most significant voting rights and democracy reform legislation in more than half a century. The For The People Act passed the House of Representatives by a final vote of 220
Lovelett bill to expand mental health care clears senate
||| FROM WASHINGTON SENATE DEMOCRATS ||| OLYMPIA - A bill aimed at expanding community-based support systems for Washingtonians living with mental illnesses passed the Washington State Senate today. Engrossed Senate Bill 5328, sponsored by Sen. Liz Lovelett (D-Anacortes), would make funding available to establish Clubhouse services statewide. Clubhouses are voluntary
January 6, a poem by wasakalobo
||| FROM W. A. SCHMIDT ||| January 6 A poem by wasakalobo Humiliation comes in forms We often least expect When grounded way beyond the norms To which we pay respect January sixth was an event When hate came home to roost Feigning legitimate dissent By those in fact seduced
Reminders from State Health Dept. for safe building re-openings after COVID-19 closures to avoid risk of ‘Legionella’
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) wants to support the safe reopening of buildings that may have been closed for an extended period of time due to COVID-19 related restrictions. Low, or no water use in vacant or underused buildings increases
