Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
Orcas Senior Center welcomes Tom Eversole to Orcas District Committee
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| The Orcas Senior Center non-profit welcomes Tom Eversole as the newest member of the Orcas District Committee (ODC), the operating committee of the center. Many of you will remember Tom from his time as Hearts and Hands Coordinator, or as the
Sheriff’s Report | December 20, 2020 – January 5, 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2020 20-010952 Traffic Hazard 12:20:52 12/30/20 A Lopez Island Deputy responded to a reported tree down, partially blocking Fisherman Bay Rd. An OPALCO crew assisted in clearing the roadway. 20-010956 Theft14:48:19 12/30/20 A Lopez Island Deputy took a report
Inslee extends proclamation related to COVID-19, two proclamations denied extension by Senate GOP
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today updated Proclamation 20-49, which generally prohibits garnishment for consumer debt in certain circumstances, by replacing the specific reference to CARES Act stimulus payments with ‘federal stimulus payments’. This is a technical update and will protect the new federal stimulus funding
Statewide COVID-19 news, response updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 253,401 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on January 6. There have been 3,634 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's dashboard and
Local COVID case update reveals eight new cases, 28 in quarantine
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Note: Current positive case numbers are available online at the County Case Count Page. 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
New year brings leadership transition at WSF
||| FROM AMY SCARTON for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Washington State Ferries will soon have a new leader. Last week, WSDOT Secretary Roger Millar announced an upcoming change in leadership that’s bittersweet for me. While it’s an honor to be chosen as the agency’s next Deputy Secretary – the first time that
‘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.
Hot Topic #39 | Vaccine FAQ 3.0
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| As the COVID immunization effort moves forward, it is time to provide updated information and answer common questions from the community. As with previous FAQs, some key reminders: Patience and flexibility are required. As with all things COVID, the details,
Rep. Larsen calls for immediate removal of the president from office
||| FROM CONGRESSMAN RICK LARSEN'S OFFICE ||| After yesterday's events in our nation's capital, I want you to hear directly from me. Let me say it as plainly as I can: the attack on the Capitol building was an assault on our democracy perpetrated by domestic terrorists. If this happened
COVID-19 vaccine distribution update from the Washington State Department of Health
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continues to make progress with our COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration efforts. As of Tuesday, 425,900 doses of vaccine have been delivered to Washington state, which includes allocations from both Moderna and Pfizer. Of that supply, providers
Who goes next? Washington releases next phase of vaccine prioritization
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released guidance for the next phase of COVID-19 vaccination. The department worked closely with the Governor’s Office to finalize prioritization for phase 1B, and we are pleased to be able to share eligible groups
Upcoming ZOOM talk | Bees & seeds: Common wonders of the garden
||| FROM ORCAS GARDEN CLUB ||| On Wednesday, January 20, at 10:30 am, the Orcas Island Garden Club will partner with the Orcas Library to host author and biologist Thor Hanson for a Zoom talk about bees and seeds. Join us in welcoming Thor Hanson for an exploration of pollination,
Inslee addresses Washingtonians following day of violence at both the state and nation’s capital
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee addressed the state today following a day of unrest and violence in both the state of Washington and Washington, D.C. Rioters broke in to the U.S. Capitol and breached the gates of the governor's Executive Residence in Olympia Wednesday in protest
Insurrection at the Capitol: It’s happened before, but not like this
||| FROM ASSOCIATED PRESS ||| In more than 220 years, the U.S. Capitol had seen nothing like it: a roiling mob, forcing its way past its majestic marble columns, disrupting the passage of power, desecrating the seat of the world’s greatest democracy. But this was far from the first time
Land Bank advisory committee seeks community input for Coffelt Farm Preserve
||| FROM KATE MIKULAK for WSU SAN JUAN COUNTY EXTENSION ||| The Conservation Agriculture Resource Team (CART-Coffelt) is holding an online public meeting, on January 14 2021 from 5:30-7pm, to gather input on their draft report of recommendations for future agricultural operations at the Land Bank’s Coffelt Farm Preserve. CART
Guest Opinion | Rebuilding the guard rails of our Republic
||| FROM HEDRICK SMITH ||| Hedrick Smith, NY Times reporter, Frontline producer and founder of Reclaim the American Dream (reclaimtheamericandream.org) Washington – Just when you think we are out of the woods and that, for all his histrionics, Donald Trump will surrender the White House on January 20,
