Here’s a thought…
“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”
THOMAS PYNCHON
Orcas Library to host upcoming poetry reading
||| FROM RHETT ARISTON for ORCAS ISLAND LIBRARY ||| Join Orcas Island Library for a family-friendly poetry gathering! Read one of your poems or one from a favorite poet. Visit our Facebook or Website for updates. Time: Apr 15, 2021 6 p.m. Pacific Time.
Memory, mental health, sleep are Island Hospital upcoming class topics
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Island Hospital offers free improving memory class Join Island Hospital speech-language pathologist Libby Lewis, MA, MEd, CCC-SLP, to learn strategies and activities to improve your memory and keep your mind sharp. Wednesday, April 21, from 10:30 – 11:15 a.m. This is a free, online class.
COVID-19 data show concerning increases in disease activity
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – [Thursday] the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19, which shows increasing transmission and daily case counts. The trends highlight the need to continue prevention measures like wearing masks and maintaining physical distance while vaccination
Inslee’s week included a tour with Second Gentleman Emhoff
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Inslee tours FEMA vaccination site in Yakima with Second Gentleman Emhoff Gov. Jay Inslee visited Yakima Tuesday and joined Second Gentleman of the United States Doug Emhoff for a tour of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's community vaccination center. Inslee and
EDC, 4H offering hands-on masonry project kits to kids
||| FROM MICHELANGELO (MICKEY) VON DASSOW for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| Kids from all over San Juan County have a chance to do a free, fun masonry project put on by the Economic Development Council (EDC) and WSU Extension’s San Juan County 4-H Program. Dave Koch, retired stonemason, is very
Inslee updates Healthy Washington criteria for county phases
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee [on Friday] updated and clarified the criteria for counties to stay in Phase 3 of the state's Healthy Washington pandemic reopening plan. Under the plan that took effect March 22, counties are individually evaluated every three weeks. The first
Sheriff’s Report | March 31 – April 6, 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31 21-002633 Animal Noise 11:03:20 03/31/21 An Orcas Island Deputy responded to a noise complaint in Eastsound. An investigation was conducted and a report was written. 21-002634 Mental Health 11:28:07 03/31/21 San Juan Deputies responded to a report of a
Rep. Lekanoff’s Friday update highlights honoring of Billy Frank Jr.
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| Happy Fantastic Friday! A worthy honor for Billy Frank Jr. I am very excited to share that on April 14, Governor Inslee is scheduled to sign House Bill 1372, my bill to authorize putting a statue of Billy Frank Jr. in the National Statuary Hall collection in
Inslee signs bill restoring voting rights to Washingtonians with felonies upon release from prison
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday signed a bill restoring the right to vote for Washingtonians convicted of felonies automatically upon their release from incarceration. Under House Bill 1078, roughly 20,000 people would regain their right to vote, according to the state Department
Latest statewide Coronavirus status report points out increase in disease activity
Statewide Response Updates Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 348,431 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on April 7. There have been 5,316 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
Weekly COVID case update indicates concern with recent surge
||| 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
Letter to Editor | Now is the time to support technology in our schools
||| FROM KATE LONG and CHRIS SUTTON ||| If nothing else, this past year has exemplified the need for everyone to have access to reliable technology. Our public school partnered with community groups to provide Chromebooks and internet connections for students and staff so they could keep up with their
‘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.
Guest Opinion | This COVID vaccine is all about community
||| FROM IRIS GRAVILLE ||| Action. That’s what community looks like in the San Juan Islands. We make meals when there’s a health crisis or a new baby arrives. When a family’s house burns down, we give shelter and help construct a new one. Some of us mentor school kids,
Community Foundation seeks part-time administrative support person
||| FROM HILARY CANTY for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) is hiring. We are seeking a communication and administrative support person. This is a part time position. OICF is a small but mighty organization with a staff of four and a Board of 15.
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 April 5, more than 3,798,746 doses of vaccine have been given across the state, which is nearly 85% of the 4,477,920 doses that
