Here’s a thought…
“Before we work on artificial intelligence, why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?”
READER BOARD
Happy fantastic Friday weekly update from Rep. Lekanoff
||| FROM REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| As of last weekend, the entire state has moved to Phase 2 of the Healthy Washington reopening plan. This is great news for families and businesses across the state! Learn more about what Phase 2 means for you and your family. Even as we progress through the phases
Three new COVID cases in the county this week; none on Orcas
||| 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 | After recent snow, tow truck operator says, “well done, Orcas”
||| FROM UZEK SUSOL (ORCAS TOWING) ||| I had many “I’m stuck in the ditch” calls. Going through my incoming phone records I had an average of 25-35 per day starting last Friday through Wednesday, most of them were from out of State phone numbers. Many times they say they
County Fair theme, “Lettuce Entertain You,” is now accepting submissions for poster art
||| FROM JENNIFER ALLEN for SAN JUAN COUNTY FAIR ||| After a flurry of flakes, it now feels as if spring is just around the corner. Crocus are sending up shoots, gardens are being planned, the sun is shining (today) and birds are chirping! This year’s Fair theme “Lettuce Entertain
‘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.
Shout out to WSF staff, crews for navigating winter weather to keep system functioning
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Keeping our system running through winter weather What a weekend of winter weather! Shout out to our terminal staffs and vessel crews for navigating the snow to get to work. Many of our employees put forth great effort, braving the winter weather to shovel
SJ Emergency Management makes plea to community regarding vaccine eligibility
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Though the number of vaccine doses available is slowly increasing, it is still important that our community members do all they can to follow vaccine eligibility guidance. While the system isn’t perfect, it is a necessary tool that helps ensure
Scam Alert | Scammers calling to sign folks up for vaccine appointments in Skagit County
||| FROM SKAGIT PUBLIC HEALTH ||| Today, Skagit Public Health was notified of a scam circulating in the community. Scammers are calling individuals posing as a ‘Skagit County Representative’ to sign individuals up for a vaccine appointment- then asking for personal information such as mother’s maiden name or social security
SVC spring quarter registration for new students is now open
||| FROM ARDEN AINLEY for SKAGIT VALLEY COLLEGE ||| Yes! Skagit Valley College will be open for Spring Quarter! While classes will be offered mostly online, we will offer in-person opportunities in select courses and Workforce programs. Our Basic Education for Adults program will also include limited in-person classes. Classes
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 Feb. 15, more than 1,201,120 doses of vaccine have been given across the state, which is nearly 83% of the 1,453,425 doses that
Salmonberry students held Walk for Water fundraiser
||| FROM LAURA BLACK for SALMONBERRY SCHOOL ||| On February 8, Salmonberry’s Cedars class of 6-9 year-olds spent their school day participating in a Walk for Water fundraiser in which they raised over $4,000 through pledges by walking 1/2 mile laps, all in the name of raising funds to supply
Local vaccine shipments still delayed due to winter weather across country
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Due to east coast weather delaying vaccine shipments, San Juan Island vaccine clinics on Thursday 2/18 and Friday 2/19 are postponed. These are in addition to the postponed Orcas Island clinic from Wednesday 2/17. Those who have registered for these
Canada makes border exemption for Point Roberts residents
||| FROM GOV. JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that Canada will not require COVID-19 testing for Point Roberts residents who travel through Canada for essential services. Land access to Point Roberts, located south of Vancouver, B.C., on the Tsawwassen Peninsula, is only possible via a 25-mile
Salish Sea declared a Hope Spot in celebration of new marine animal hospital
||| FROM SEALIFE RESPONSE, REHABILITATION, AND RESEARCH (SR3) ||| SEATTLE – February 17 – The Salish Sea has been declared a Hope Spot by international nonprofit Mission Blue in recognition of SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research (SR³) and their partners’ conservation goals to protect the local marine biodiversity. SR³ is kicking off their
Severe weather continues to impact SJC vaccine supply chain
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Severe winter weather across the United States has disrupted the overnight delivery of vaccine and vaccine supplies from manufacturers to local health districts across the United States, including San Juan County. The recent snow in WA is not the culprit
There’s a new baby in L-pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| The Center for Whale Research (CWR) is thrilled to confirm that a new calf, L125, has been born into the Southern Resident killer whale (SRKW) community. Following word that J, K, and L pod were in Haro Strait, CWR dispatched two boats with
