Here’s a thought…
“Before we work on artificial intelligence, why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?”
READER BOARD
Gov. Inslee releases statement on Pres. Biden’s American Jobs Plan
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Governor Jay Inslee released a statement today regarding the announcement of President Joe Biden's "American Jobs Plan," the first part of his "Build Back Better" agenda. "I applaud President Biden for laying out a vision to spur America’s economic recovery with
April 15 is date for all Washingtonians over 16 will be eligible to receive COVID vaccination
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today announced that effective April 15, all Washingtonians over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Over the past four months since Washington began administering doses of the vaccination, the state has followed
Who can resist this unique offer open to Orcasonian readers?
||| BY MARILYN PERATIVE, BEHIND THE SCENES EDITOR ||| Only a sample of the thousands of images available in this one-time exclusive offer to Orcasonian readers. They are called "Non-Fungible Tokens (NFT)," or simply, cryptoart. And when one sold recently at Christie's auction for a staggering $69M, it
Orcas resident group sues County, seeks incorporation
||| BY theORCASONIAN REPORTER WALTER ZUSTOVICH ||| On March 31, a group of Orcas island citizens calling themselves Liberate Orcas filed a suit against the county demanding that the island be free to incorporate. In a statement to the County’s Prosecuting Attorney’s office, the group noted that “ . .
Studies shed light on why dams matter to salmon and orca
||| FROM KITSAP SUN ||| There is something inexplicable that draws us to orcas. The large dolphins — often referred to as killer whales — inhabit every ocean on Earth and have captured the attention of humans for thousands of years. The Southern Resident population that frequents the Puget Sound
Letter to Editor | Another thank you from the Food Bank
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND FOOD BANK ||| This time we are focusing on the many businesses, nonprofits, and organizations who have supported the Orcas Island Food Bank over our COVID year. The list is too long to put in a letter to the editor—way over 100. Some might surprise you!
Recapping recent statewide COVID-19 news, updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 340,371 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on March 29. There have been 5,237 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's
Reality check on vacation rental moratorium
||| BY MATTHEW GILBERT, theORCASONIAN OP-ED REPORTER ||| Five weeks after the County Council approved a moratorium on new vacation rental permits in activity centers, hamlets, and the Eastsound and Lopez UGAs, the Department of Community Development’s (DCD) Erika Shook gave a status report. In a memo to council members,
Cases of COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough confirmed in Washington state
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is investigating reports of people in the state who tested positive for COVID-19 more than two weeks after being fully vaccinated. Scientists call these “vaccine breakthrough” cases, which are expected with any vaccine. Large-scale
Pre-register for this Chamber Music Festival cooking event with Miro Quartet violist
||| FROM LINDA SLONE for ORCAS ISLAND CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| On Sunday, April 11, at 1 p.m., you won’t want to miss Miró Quartet violist and chef extraordinaire John Largess as he entertains Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival’s online audience with a free livestream cooking class, where he will
Orcas Community Church invites you to celebrate Holy Week with them, in-person or online
||| FROM BRIAN MOSS for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY CHURCH ||| You are invited to join us at Orcas Island Community Church as we celebrate Holy Week. Everyone is welcome as we gather both in-person and online. MAUNDY THURSDAY We will have a communion service starting at 6:30 pm. This in-person
Mobile Dental Clinic announces 2021 service dates for San Juan County
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| Residents of San Juan County who don’t have dental insurance or who are covered by Apple Health (Medicaid) can get free or reduced-cost dental care at upcoming mobile clinics on each of the islands. The public-private partnership making the dental care available includes
State’s online eligibility tool no longer required starting March 31
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Phase Finder, the state’s online vaccine eligibility tool, will no longer be required to verify COVID-19 vaccine eligibility starting March 31. That means that people who want a vaccine should check DOH’s prioritization guidance webpage to see when they are eligible to get vaccinated.
Letter to Editor | In support of Proposition 2 for our schools
||| FROM LESLIE HUTCHINSON ||| I write in support of Proposition 2. This is a renewal request for an expiring technology levy for our schools. It is not a new tax but instead is the 2021 Replacement Capital Projects/Technology Levy which was previously approved by voters. Its purpose is to replace outdated equipment,
Washington partnership leverages AmeriCorps to address unprecedented food insecurity efforts across state
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Last year, Serve Washington, the state’s service commission, the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the Schultz Family Foundation created the Response Corps to respond to unprecedented levels of food insecurity across the state. New findings reveal just how successful the partnership was to help make the AmeriCorps
Working Washington small business emergency funding grants are available
Round 4: Working Washington Small Business Grants Applications for up to $25,000 in emergency funding Apply now. Portal closes Friday, April 9! Don't delay in reviewing the details from Washington State's Department of Commerce. $240 million has been allocated for grants. Applications portal opened today and continues for two weeks. Click here to visit
