Here’s a thought…
“Before we work on artificial intelligence, why don’t we do something about natural stupidity?”
READER BOARD
Recent news, updates for COVID-19 from state Dept. of Health
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health (DOH) reported a total of 307,867 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on February 8. There have been 4,558 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's
Island Hospital & Orcas Island Health Care District will hold a community briefing next week
||| FROM LAURA MORONEY for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Orcas Island Community Briefing Thursday, February 18 from 5 – 6 p.m. Please join leaders from Orcas Island Health Care District and Island Hospital as we share the latest transition plans for the primary care clinic opening Apr. 1, 2021. The virtual
Artsmith and Darvill’s announces upcoming 2021 salon series
||| FROM JILL MCCABE JOHNSON for ARTSMITH ||| Please join us this winter and spring for three online readings with an impressive slate of local, regional, and nationally-recognized authors. During the "Happy Hour" series, authors will share new works, followed by Q&A led by host Jill McCabe Johnson, so Zoom
Inslee statement on U.S. Rep. Simpson’s proposed Columbia Basin legislation
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today regarding a proposal to recover salmon in the Pacific Northwest from U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, an Idaho Republican. “Washington welcomes Rep. Simpson’s willingness to think boldly about how to recover Columbia and Snake River salmon in
WA National Guard sending vaccine support (1900 doses) to San Juan County next week
REGISTRATION OPENS 5 P.M., WEDNESDAY, FEB 10 ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| In the good news department, a joint effort between San Juan County, the Washington National Guard, and the WA Department of Health is planning to deliver 1900 first doses of the COVID vaccine
Local COVID case numbers spike, prompting reminder to wear masks
||| 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
2021 San Juan Islands Ag Summit goes virtual
||| FROM KATE MIKULAK for WSU EXTENSION SAN JUAN COUNTY ||| The 2021 San Juan Islands Agricultural Summit, an annual gathering of farmers, producers, and all those involved in our local and regional food system, will be hosted virtually Saturday, March 20, through Friday, April 16. Designed as a space
Take a look at OCRC’s new client reception/Coates’ Cabinet office
||| FROM ZANETHA AMANI MATISSE for ORCAS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER ||| The Orcas Community Resource Center (OCRC) is now open for limited in-office hours in their newly established client reception/Coates’ Cabinet space facing North Beach Road. OCRC moved into the previously occupied Apothecary space when it became available during the
State ferries to host February virtual community meetings this week
Topics include hybrid-electric vessels, service and COVID-19 response ||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| SEATTLE – Riders, commuters and terminal neighbors of Washington State Ferries are invited to attend upcoming virtual community meetings designed to provide updates and answer questions about the ferry system. At 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9,
Inslee signs bipartisan bill to support business and workers
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today signed legislation providing relief for businesses and workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. SB 5061 will increase minimum unemployment benefits for workers and provide significant tax relief for businesses over the next five years, to support recovery from
Health District: Pace of vaccinations expected to pick up
||| BY SUSAN MCBAIN, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| The outlook for increasing the pace of COVID vaccinations on Orcas in the near future is good, according to presenters at the Feb. 2 meeting of the Orcas Island Health Care District. Orcas Family Health Center (OFHC) began its vaccination program last Friday,
Rep. Larsen co-sponsors Aviation Preparedness Plan Act for public health emergencies in the future
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. RICK LARSEN ||| WASHINGTON D.C. – [Friday], Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Chair of the House Aviation Subcommittee, and Rep. Don Beyer (VA-08) reintroduced the National Aviation Preparedness Plan Act, legislation to require the development of a national aviation preparedness plan for future public health
Spread Valentine’s love San Juan Islands style
||| FROM AMY NESLER for SAN JUAN VISITORS BUREAU ||| “You always gain by giving love.” – Reese Witherspoon This Valentine’s Day, give some love to our island communities and support your favorite shops, restaurants, and lodgings. This last year has been tough on business owners keeping up with changing
WSF weekly report includes a performance award for The Yakima
||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Behind-the-scenes staff keeping our system running and safe during pandemic Anytime you ride a ferry, you see our vessel crews and terminal staff. But riders often don’t see our maintenance employees tasked with keeping our vessels and facilities in safe, working
Week 4 legislative update from Rep. Lekanoff
||| FROM REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF ||| Black History Month This Black History Month, I’m reflecting on the words of Ms. Amanda Gorman. The Legislature is working to create a Washington that is inclusive, fair, and representative for Black Americans. We’re considering bills to ensure safer police tactics, to restore voting rights
COVID-19 vaccine distribution update from State Health Dept.
||| 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. 1, 773,346 people have received the COVID-19 vaccine, which is more than 60% of the 1,160,850 doses delivered to providers and long-term
