Here’s a thought…
“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.”
HEATHER FRENCH HENRY
Orcas & San Juan Island Farmers Markets now set up to accept SNAP food benefits
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Orcas and San Juan Island Farmers Markets are set up to accept SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) also known in Washington as Basic Food. SNAP helps people with low incomes make ends meet by providing monthly benefits to buy food. To find
New COVID statewide response updates from State Health Dept.
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 399,710 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on May 26. There have been 5,754 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit
Weekly SJC case update: Two more cases this week, with 21 in quarantine
||| 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
Boaters encouraged to ‘Be Whale Wise’ for Orca Action Month
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| After what felt like a very long winter, Puget Sound residents are excited to get out on the water and enjoy the beauty of our region. June is Orca Action Month, a time to celebrate and protect one of our region’s most iconic
‘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.
In time for big weekend, Dockside food kiosk at Anacortes landing will now re-open
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Starting Friday, May 28, the Dockside food kiosk located near the vehicle holding lanes in the Anacortes terminal will re-open after being closed due to COVID-19. The kiosk will be open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. daily and will offer a variety of
WSF issues usual Memorial Day alert, but most schedules not the same as normal
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Memorial Day weekend ferry travel If your holiday weekend plans include a ride on our ferries, double check our sailing schedules. Most routes will operate on timetables different from Memorial Day weekends prior to COVID-19. For people boarding a ferry in Seattle,
The Lundeen’s legacy lives on in our island community
||| FROM HILARY CANTY for ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| Bob and Betty Lundeen loved Orcas and worked to build a strong community. They were especially engaged in ensuring medical access, excellent public education, support for the aging population, and a robust library, as both were lifelong learners. In their
Orcas Fire quickly extinguishes brush fire on Turtleback
||| FROM TANJA WILLIAMSON for SAN JUAN COUNTY LAND BANK ||| Late afternoon Wednesday, May 26, 2021, the Orcas Island Fire & Rescue responded to an isolated brush fire that moved from a neighbor’s burn pile into the southeast corner of the Land Bank’s Turtleback Mountain Preserve. The fire charred
Inslee announces update to spectator event guidance
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today approved an update to the guidance documents for spectator events to help bring these events in line with other occupancy restrictions in Phase 3 of the Healthy Washington - Roadmap to Recovery plan. The changes are effective immediately. Under
Senior Center seeks programs, activities coordinator
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Are you creative? Are you good at coordinating events, programs, or activities? Orcas Senior Center has the perfect job for you! We are seeking applicants for our Programs and Activities Coordinator position. This position oversees and supports ongoing activities, events, and
Three islanders donate funds to OPAL for purchase of seven affordable rentals
||| FROM CRYSTAL MOSSMAN for OPAL COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ||| Motivated by their concern about the loss of affordable housing for local families, islanders Maia and John Vechey and Dave Roberts partnered with OPAL Community Land Trust in early May to buy seven apartments on Mt. Baker Road. “When these
Rep. Larsen to visit OPALCO, airport, Wildlife Cycles, primary care clinic and critical infrastructure projects
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RiCK LARSEN ||| SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA – On Thursday, May 27, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) will visit Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO) to meet with Executive Director Foster Hildreth. Larsen and Hildreth will discuss how the utility is working to improve broadband
Remaining opportunity for SJC single-shot J&J COVID vaccinations for month of June
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| The San Juan County Vaccine Team will be operating single-shot Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine clinics on Orcas, Lopez, and San Juan Islands through June. These clinics will be one of the best remaining opportunities for COVID vaccination in the
COVID-19 vaccine distribution update from 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 May 22, more than 6,749,266 doses of vaccine have been given across the state, which is nearly 86% of the 7,875,030 doses that
Public health funding will improve service, outcomes in Washington State
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Public health support and outcomes are set to improve for all people across Washington state now that Governor Jay Inslee has signed the budget recently passed by the Washington State Legislature. The budget for the current biennium, and future budgets, will allow
