Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
‘Occam’s Razor’ | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our new weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Datapalooza 2020: Stark realities and a Summer 2021 of uncertainty
||| BY theORCASONIAN OPD-ED REPORTER MATTHEW GILBERT ||| On December 9, the San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) hosted what has become a year-end round-up of economic data from the prior year for a virtual audience of approximately 35 people. As expected, the numbers were a grim reminder of
COVID-19 trends uncertain following increased activity before Thanksgiving
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19 transmission. Because people’s decisions about whether to get tested or seek healthcare tend to change around holidays, case and hospitalization data over the week of Thanksgiving may not
Next Meeting of the Minds to explore our national monument
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| MEETING OF THE MINDS – The Bureau of Land Management and the San Juan Islands National Monument – Past, Present, and Future @ ORCAS SENIOR CENTER BY ZOOM (Wednesday, December 16 at 1:00-2:00pm) Did you know there is a national monument
This year do your holiday shopping at the Orcas Library
||| FROM FRIENDS OF ORCAS LIBRARY ||| As with many of the wonderful activities which take place here on Orcas every year, Friends of the Orcas Island Library (FOIL) very reluctantly canceled last Winter’s Book Sale. That was early in the course of the pandemic. As conditions worsened both within
Doe Bay Wine, Senior Center putting together a virtual, festive vineyard
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Join Orcas Senior Center and Doe Bay Wine Company’s Cole Sisson in the virtual vineyard for a fun, festive and informative hour of wine tasting and food pairing on Sunday, December 20 at 5 p.m. You will learn how to pair
Introducing ‘Care Connect Washington’ – A new way to get COVID-19 relief
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Department of Health is announcing a new service to help people who have to isolate or quarantine at home after testing positive for COVID-19 or being exposed. Care Connect Washington, working with local health jurisdictions and their partners, will provide
Inslee extends 26 proclamations relating to COVID-19
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of 26 proclamations today in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. A December 7 letter from the Legislature extended the following proclamations. Extended through December 21, 2020. 20-21.10: Unemployment Benefit – 1 Week Waiver (20-21.9) 20-58.6: Shared Work (20-58.5) 20-63.5: Department
Meet Brent Lyles, new Executive Director at Friends of the San Juans
||| KATIE FLEMING for FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| You are invited to a virtual town hall on Wednesday, December 16 at 5:30 p.m. The town hall meeting will be led by Brent Lyles, Friends of the San Juans’ new Executive Director. Brent will introduce himself, share some highlights
Recap of recent COVID-19 news, updates
||| FROM STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 187,327 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on December 7. There have been 2,967 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 the
County holding board, commission vacancies for you to fill
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The County Council is searching for San Juan County citizens to fill current and upcoming vacancies on various boards and commissions. Additional information about each committee is available on the County's website at: http://sanjuanco.com/641/Board-Committee-Vacancies. Persons interested in serving on a board or advisory committee
Working Washington adds $50 million to small business grants. Apply by Dec. 11
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ||| Don't delay in reviewing the details from Washington State's Department of Commerce. $100 million allocated for grants. Click here to visit the Commerce website; the link to apply is found on the website. Be sure to review the checklist of items you will need to apply.
Inslee: State’s COVID restrictions remain in place until Jan. 4
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today announced additional economic supports for workers and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Inslee also announced a three-week extension of the state’s current restrictions which will now be in place until January 4, 2021. The three-week extension of statewide
Orcas East Precinct ballot recount to proceed at request of SJC Republican Party
||| BY LIN MCNULTY, EDITOR ||| As first reported in the Dec. 4 Orcasonian, a manual recount of ballots cast for Governor in the Orcas East Precinct has been requested by San Juan County Republicans. San Juan County has therefore been directed by the Secretary of State to recount the
Letter to Editor | Montessori School wreaths sold out in record time
||| FROM MEGAN JONES for ORCAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL ||| Orcas Montessori School has SOLD OUT of wreaths this year in record time!! While we have been so sorry to disappoint some of our supporters with the news of being out-of-stock, we have been blessed with so many of you that
UW study: Navy jet noise endangers humans, wildlife on Olympic Peninsula
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| SEATTLE — Increased noise pollution from more powerful Navy military jets is threatening the health of both humans and wildlife in what once was the quietest place in the continental U.S. – the Olympic Peninsula, according to a newly released study by the University of Washington.
