Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
To tricksters young and old: No Bonnie Brae Halloween this year
||| FROM LAURIE MICHAEL FOR BONNIE BRAE ||| Dear Orcas Community and Tricksters Young and Old, due to COVID-19, the Bonnie Brae Neighborhood has voted to cancel Halloween this year for safety concerns. Be Safe, Wear a Mask, and Social Distance so we can have a Super Goulish Time next
Back in the news | Prune Alley road plan hits a snag
||| BY MATTHEW GILBERT, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| Toward the end of a presentation on approving the county’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) at Tuesday’s weekly County Council meeting, County Manager Mike Thomas addressed new developments affecting the plan to redevelop Prune Alley. It has to do with the main sewer line
COVID-19 transmission increasing in western Washington, rates flat but higher in eastern Washington
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19 transmission. Report findings include: Transmission is increasing in western Washington and recently plateauing in eastern Washington. The best estimates of the reproductive number (how many new people each COVID-19
Inslee announces new state group for COVID-19 economic recovery
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today introduced a new state effort to help communities recover from the social and economic damage wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the state continues to battle the deadly virus, the Washington Recovery Group will help strengthen the state’s recovery
Organizations of color blast Supreme Court ruling cutting Census short
||| FROM ELLIE PROBUS FOR WASHINGTON CENSUS ALLIANCE ||| SEATTLE—Today, the Supreme Court allowed the Trump Administration to conclude the 2020 Census count immediately, two weeks ahead of schedule. Community organizations and civil rights watchdogs have warned that an accurate census count is essential for low-income and underrepresented communities to
There’s a couple of housekeeping issues involving your upcoming ballot
||| FROM DAVID TURNOY, SAN JUAN COUNTY DEMOCRATS ||| You should be receiving your ballot any day now, and you should have also received the postcard from the County Democrats recommending or endorsing candidates. Unfortunately, there is an error on the postcard. While you vote for county council candidates in
Library is seeking a new trustee for 5-year term in 2021
||| FROM PHIL HEIKKINEN FOR ORCAS PUBLIC LIBRARY ||| The Orcas Island Public Library is seeking a new trustee to begin serving a five-year term on Jan. 1, 2021. Review of applications will begin on October 30, 2020. The board comprises five members who plan the direction of library services,
New COVID-19 case attributed to San Juan County
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN, DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| One new positive COVID-19 case has been attributed to San Juan County, which brings the total number of cases in San Juan County to date to 33. This new case was reported in a part-time resident of a non-ferry served island.
Guest Opinion | Donald Trump is a clear and present danger
||| FROM HEDRICK SMITH, RECLAIM THE AMERICAN DREAM.ORG ||| Hedrick Smith, who conceived Reclaim the American Dream website and is its principal writer and architect, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning former New York Times reporter and Emmy award-winning documentary producer for PBS and PBS FRONTLINE. Washington – We have
Edmonds route down to one-boat after thunder bolt strikes ferry
||| FROM KOMO NEWS ||| EDMONDS, Wash. -- The busy Edmonds-Kingston ferry run remains down to one boat service Monday as crews continue to repair the M/V Puyallup after it was struck by lightning on Saturday afternoon, leaving travelers stuck with delays into a third days. The bolt hit during a thunderstorm
Letter to Editor | Why I am voting for Rick Hughes
||| FROM PETE MOE ||| I will be voting for Rick Hughes for San Juan County Council in November. Without Rick’s support, Orcas might not have The Exchange. From the beginning he recognized the importance of The Exchange, and Orcas Recycling Service’s vision to create a model solid waste management
Governor loosens limits on indoor dining
||| FROM BARBARA MARRETT FOR VISITORS BUREAU ||| As many local restaurants are losing their outside seating options due to inclement weather, they received good news from Governor Jay Inslee's office last week; table occupancy has been expanded from allowing 5 individuals from the same household per table, to 6 individuals per
Reprint | As general election approaches, County Elections office prepares
||| BY MINOR LILE, REPORTER ||| With [just three] weeks remaining until the November 3 general election, there are many significant issues confronting a fair and safe voting process around the country. Many States are having to implement alternative voting procedures in response to the COVID-19 epidemic. There has also
Smithsonian women’s suffrage posters to go on display in Library’s south windows
||| FROM PHIL HEIKKINEN FOR ORCAS PUBLIC LIBRARY ||| October is the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the United States. Thanks to a donation from Valerie Anders, the Library is able to share a Smithsonian Institute poster exhibit in the south windows of our new library wing. More information
Letter to Editor | A strong recommendation to retain Rick Hughes on county council
||| FROM RICHARD FRALICK ||| I strongly recommend retaining Rick Hughes as the District 2 representative on the San Juan County Council. Rick has demonstrated a thoughtful, pragmatic and balanced approach to County government and with his experience, I can confidently say that Rick Hughes is the most qualified person
View League of Women Voters recorded online candidate forums
||| FROM HAYLEY DAY FOR LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ||| Watch recordings of online forums featuring candidates that will be on San Juan County ballots this November. Below are links to the recordings of the League of Women Voters of the San Juans forums held from Oct. 6-8. To view
