Here’s a thought…
“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”
THOMAS PYNCHON
EDC has a virtual trove of training, grants available to islanders
||| FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| Join the EDC for a FREE course in Sustainability Management Join the EDC for a FREE course in Sustainability Management and receive certification as a Sustainability Professional. $549/person course cost has been covered by a generous grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce!
Upcoming Island Hospital classes, workshops
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Nutrition for Healthy Pregnancy with Island Hospital Learn essential tips for ensuring proper nutrition during each stage of your pregnancy, from conception to the first post-partum meal. Join a Registered Dietitian for this free, online event on Wednesday, May 26 from 6
Virtual Vineyard set to explore the taste of Mexico
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| “the virtual vineyard” by Zoom – Taste of Mexico by Orcas Senior Center and Doe Bay Wine Company: Sunday, May 23, 5:00pm Join Michel Vekved, Orcas Senior Center and Cole Sisson, Doe Bay Wine Company, as we traverse through regions of
Fire Commissioners are set to meet on Monday
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE for ORCAS FIRE & RESCUE ||| Regular Meeting Agenda San Juan County Fire Protection District #2 Monday – May 17th, 2021 5:30 p.m. Online / by phone via ZOOM: Dial # (253) 215-8782 / Meeting ID: 897 0629 0325/ Passcode: 402314 Call to Order / Welcome
Fabled yacht Norwester goes adrift in Salish Sea
||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLANDER.COM ||| The demise of the 89-year-old 70-ft wooden hulled Norwester is still playing out three weeks after she was grounded on a reef in the San Juan Islands. The yacht went aground near Stuart Island on the westerly side of Prevost Harbor on April 17, 2021.
WA governor, senators say ‘not so fast’ to Snake River dams removal plan
||| FROM SEATTLE TIMES ||| Washington state’s U.S. senators and its governor have joined forces against a proposal from U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Lower Snake River and replace their benefits as part of a multi-trillion dollar infrastructure bill being crafted by the
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.
