Letter to Editor | Minney represents authenticity, island experience
||| FROM LINDSEY HOLLOWAY ||| I am a fulltime resident of Friday Harbor and an ardent supporter of Christine Minney for County Council. I believe that local government is not about politics; it is about public service, representation, authenticity, and island experience. Christine is island authentic. She has lived on
Letter to Editor | Cindy Wolf comes from a place of groundedness
||| FROM MARY WACHTER ||| I support Cindy Wolf for County Council, and here's why: I’ve known Cindy for ten years. In that time she’s been a helpful friend and ally. In both the personal and professional realms, she treats others with respect and consideration. She’s always honest and does
Hot Topic #32 | Guidance on symptoms of COVID and when to stay home from work or school
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN, DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| For most of us, one of the challenges of the COVID response has been trying to pull out useful details from the steady stream of complicated and ever-changing information. This Hot Topic will attempt to simplify the complex, but please know
COVID-19 activity intensifying across Washington state
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19 transmission, which shows a general rise in the intensity of the epidemic in both western and eastern Washington. Report findings include: Transmission is increasing in
Letter to Editor | Gratitude for Rick Hughes
||| FROM BARBARA SCHULTHEISS ||| Speaking as an individual Lopez citizen, I want to share my deep gratitude for Rick Hughes, County Council member from Orcas. Rick has been a strong advocate for the Lopez Island Family Resource Center, Housing Lopez and our food bank here. I believe that his
Recap of recent COVID-19 news and updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 104,027 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on October 26. There have been 2,337 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
Letter to Editor | Rick Hughes always working toward what’s best for community
||| FROM CARRIE LACHER ||| I am writing to express my support of Rick Hughes for San Juan County Council. From personal experience, I know that Rick works hard to support and listen to his constituency, including the residents of San Juan Island and the Town of Friday Harbor. During
Economic Development Council: Funding opportunities still available
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| New opportunities keep being created. Here are a few recent or ongoing ones for: 501(c)(3) non-profits. Grant program focusing on those led by and serving black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities. For more information see: Philanthropy Northwest's information page and WA Commerce's
Masks required for Chamber’s upcoming Eastsound trick or treat stroll
||| FROM CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ||| The Chamber of Commerce invites you to take part this Saturday, October 31 We are offering a safety-first Trick or Treating plan, inviting businesses or individuals to set up a small treat table on North Beach Road (A Street to Main Street) from 3
OICF to offer GiveOrcas 2020 Holiday Campaign
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ||| The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) will offer a slightly updated version of our GiveOrcas holiday campaign this December. This fun island tradition gives donors the opportunity to invest in nonprofits during the season of giving. Again, this year we’ll have a mascot
New COVID case on Orcas was not unexpected
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN FOR DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| One new positive COVID test result has been reported in San Juan County, for an Orcas Island resident who is a close household contact of the Orcas resident reported as positive on October 26. This is the 36th case reported
Inslee issues “Stay Safe – Vote Safe” proclamation
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation and guidance memo today clarifying application of COVID-19 requirements for voters and for voting service operations, including county elections offices, county voting centers and student engagement HUBs throughout the state. "The right to vote is one of the cornerstones of
Western states form workgroup to ensure safety and efficacy of COVID vaccines
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| In case you missed it: Gov. Jay Inslee announced today that Washington is joining other western states to review the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines when approved by the FDA. This is an added layer of independent expert review that will help
Today’s poem | Nikki-Rosa by Nikki Giovanni
Nikki-Rosa BY NIKKI GIOVANNI childhood remembrances are always a drag if you’re Black you always remember things like living in Woodlawn with no inside toilet and if you become famous or something they never talk about how happy you were to have your mother all to yourself and how good
Two new COVID-19 cases in San Juan County, one on Orcas
||| FROM DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Two new positive COVID test results have been reported in San Juan County, one for an Orcas Island resident, and one for a resident of San Juan Island. Both cases appear to have come from off-island contact with infected individuals. These are the
Letter to Editor | Huddle Lopez Island unanimously endorses Palmateer & Wolf
||| FROM HUDDLE LOPEZ ISLAND STEERING COMMITTEE ||| We are excited to endorse Ryan Palmateer and Cindy Wolf. Ryan would bring to the job his background in conservation, renewable energy, and telecommunications. Through his extensive experience as a volunteer in our community, he has promoted balanced solutions to environmental and
