Here’s a thought…
“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about the answers.”
THOMAS PYNCHON
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
Letter to Editor | Huge kudos to the vaccination team
||| FROM BILL GINCIG ||| I received a phone call informing me that I would be receiving my vaccination shot on Friday, Feb 5. As is normal with anything new, I was nervous, worried and having a little bit of fear I was told to go to Orcas Center and
Sheriff’s Report | January 27 – February 1, 2021
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 21-000800 Domestic Dispute or Assault 22:58:11 01/27/21 Deputies responded to a Lopez Island residence on 1/27/21 and investigated a possible domestic violence incident. No crime could be substantiated and a report was completed. THURSDAY, JANUARY 28 21-000802 Disorderly Conduct
Statewide recap of recent COVID-19 news, updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 302,782 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on February 3. There have been 4,416 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. Thursday, February 4, 2021, data note: Total case counts may include up to 660 duplicates. Negative test
Vaccine appointment registration delayed until 9 a.m., Monday Feb. 8
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| IMPORTANT UPDATE: The release of vaccine appointments for San Juan County Health & Community Services events has been delayed until 9 a.m. on Monday February 8. WA Department of Health (DOH) has delayed their regularly scheduled Friday release of vaccine
Update on vaccine registration as County switches to new system
Next registration opportunity is Friday, Feb. 5, at 5 p.m. ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Please visit the San Juan County COVID Vaccine Page for critical details. Continue reading below for more in-depth information. As San Juan County Health & Community Services continues to provide
Letter to Editor | Doctors abandoned their commitment to community
||| FROM DALE HEISINGER ||| I was troubled when I learned that Drs. Russell and Alperin have chosen not to pursue employment with Island Hospital when it assumes administrative responsibilities on April 1. Clearly, they have every right to define their personal directions, but it is unclear what they intend
Weekly COVID-19 new cases update: Orcas 4, Lopez 3, San Juan 2
||| 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 | A gigantic MLK Day of Service thank you
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| A great, big, gigantic thank you to YMCA Camp Orkila, Funhouse Commons, and all of the fabulous volunteers who helped nine seniors on MLK Day of Service! Volunteers across Orcas helped clean up storm debris, clean gutters, and stack firewood. Terri
Upcoming Island Hospital classes, screening
||| FROM RACHEL LAMBERT for ISLAND HOSPITAL ||| Swallow Screening at Island Hospital Concerned about your swallow? Determine if you might have a swallowing disorder at a free screening on Tuesday, February 16 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Clinic at Island Hospital, 1015
Letter to Editor | Extraordinary talent on Orcas
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Seniors Have Talent went virtual, if not viral, on Saturday, January 30, thanks to the heartfelt collaboration of Orcas Senior Center, Orcas Center, and our incredibly talented community! We were reminded not only how much talent resides on this small island
