Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
Upcoming 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, January 20, 1 - 2 p.m. The San Juan Islands are a
NAS Whidbey Island SAR conducts two lifesaving missions — one on Orcas
||| FROM MICHAEL WELDING for NAS WHIDBEY ||| NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. - A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island conducted two life-saving missions on January 9, 2021. The first mission involved a morning medical evacuation from Orcas Island for a 62
Letter to Editor | Wow, that was a really long power outage
||| FROM TONY GHAZEL ||| In the 25 years we've lived in this community, today's power outage is one of the longest that I can remember. But this is not the reason for this note; I am just going to share, loudly, a heartfelt thank you to the OPALCO crew,
2021 docket for proposed amendments to SJC Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY NEWS ||| The deadline for proposed amendments to the San Juan County Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code (UDC) is 4:30 pm March 1, 2021. The “Annual Docket of Comprehensive Plan Amendments” or “Docket” process allows interested persons, citizens, hearing examiners, and staff of other
Chamber Music Fest to host island premiere of ‘The Bowmakers’ film
||| FROM LINDA SLONE for ORCAS CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival is thrilled to be hosting the Island Premiere of the fascinating and entertaining film The Bowmakers, available for viewing from January 15 through 24. Tickets are $15 to watch any time during these dates. The
SJC requests proposals for Salmon recovery project
||| FROM CAROLINA RAMOS for SJC SALMON RECOVERY ||| The San Juan County Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery is requesting salmon recovery project proposals for the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) 2021 grant funding cycle. Private citizens, non-profit organizations, local, state, and tribal governments, and special districts are invited to
Alex Ramel reflects on opening day at legislature, protecting our island school districts
||| FROM ALEX RAMEL, REP. 40TH DISTRICT LEGISLATURE ||| Like many of you, I watched last Wednesday as news came in about a series of events never before seen in America. I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the violence, lawlessness, and insurrection in Washington D.C. And I condemn and
Inslee extends security measures for 2021 legislative session
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today announcing the extension of actions taken by the state to ensure the safety and security of Washingtonians, legislators, state employees and the buildings of the Capitol Campus. "Based on the recommendation of the Washington
Hot Topic #40: Governor’s new two-phase plan and what it means for SJC
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Last week Governor Inslee released details on what is being called the “Roadmap to Recovery.” This initial piece is a two-phased approach to taking a first step
SJIMA: The pandemic can’t stop you from enjoying everything
If you can’t come into the museum to see the art; we will come to you. ||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART ||| Our team has been hard at work interviewing and photographing the artists and their creations so you can visit them online. As
Back to school plans have changed due to new Health Officer directive
||| FROM ERIC WEBB, ORCAS SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ||| Dear Students, Parents, Staff, & Community, You may recall my communication on December 22, 2020 (below); these plans have changed due to San Juan County Public Health Officer, Dr. Frank James’ directive issued today. OISD’s plan remains steadfast in the desire to transition students
Registration open for Whale Museum 2021 virtual workshop: Species in the Spotlight
||| FROM TRACIE MERRILL for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum is holding a virtual “Species in the Spotlight” workshop in partnership with NOAA. Taking place the weekend of February 10-12, 2021, the intent is to learn about the species highlighted by NOAA that are most likely going
Ferry ridership at lowest level in nearly 50 years. Annual riders down 10 million from 2019 due to pandemic
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| SEATTLE – Annual ridership aboard Washington State Ferries plunged by nearly 10 million customers in 2020 – a drop of 41% from the previous year – to roughly 14 million. Stay-at-home orders, remote work and decreased tourism because of COVID-19 are the main reasons for the
EDC will host a PPP webinar this Thursday
||| FROM JOHN GOMEZ for SJC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| On Thursday, January 14, 2021, the San Juan County Economic Development Council will host a Zoom webinar on the upcoming PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan application process, presented by Janie Sacco and Steve Burke from the Washington Small Business Development
Inslee statement on start of 2021 legislative session
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today on the first day of the 2021 legislative session: "Today convenes one of the most unique and challenging legislative sessions I can remember for our state. As the pandemic era has forced us all
Health District meeting focused on COVID, clinic transition plans
||| BY SUSAN MCBAIN, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| Two major topics occupied most of the Orcas Island Health Care District’s first meeting of 2021: combatting COVID-19, and planning for the transition to a single medical clinic at the beginning of April. Orcas Family Health Center (OFHC) staff members Aaimee Johnson and
