Recap of recent COVID-19 news and updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 91,918 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on October 7. There have been 2,183 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 the
Letter to Editor | Orcas Woman’s Coalition endorsement of candidates
||| FROM SHEILA GAQUIN ||| The Orcas Women’s Coalition (OWC) are pleased to announce their endorsements for the upcoming general election. After the OWC Steering Committee interviewed candidates seeking an OWC endorsement, the full membership was invited to hear the candidates speak and to ask questions prior to a voting
County Lodging Tax Committee statement on funding proposals
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The San Juan County Lodging Tax Committee is not requesting lodging tax funding proposals this year. The pandemic has severely reduced lodging tax revenue, and funds are not sufficient for new tourism-related projects in the coming year. However, available funds will be distributed
EDC, Town, Anacortes study economic impacts from Sidney ferry
||| FROM VICTORIA COMPTON FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| The Economic Development Council (EDC) of San Juan County recently partnered with the Town of Friday Harbor, the City of Anacortes, the Port of Anacortes and the Anacortes Chamber of Commerce, on a study regarding the economic impacts of the Anacortes-Sidney
Over 62,796 people, 41 organizations ask Governor Inslee to oppose new shipping terminal at Canadian border
||| FROM KATIE FLEMING FOR FRIENDS OF THE SAN JUANS ||| Canada’s largest port, the Port of Vancouver, has proposed building a massive, new container- ship terminal, called Roberts Bank Terminal 2 (RBT2). The terminal will be located in the Fraser River Delta, less than a mile from Washington State.
‘Occam’s Razor’ | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our new weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Best of the San Juans Harvest Celebration goes live on Saturday
||| FROM SAN JUAN ISLANDS AGRICULTURAL GUILD ||| Come join in the auction fun with music, art, food, and live/virtual experiences. You’ll find wonderful clothing, premium art, delicious foods – all bringing the joys of the San Juans to you! Online auction opens 10/10 at 9am so get your bids
New San Juan County Council will have eyes on vacation rental reforms
Vacation Rental Work Group sees promise, hope, and healthy skepticism in ’21 Council agenda ||| FROM TOBY COOPER FOR VACATION RENTAL WORK GROUP ||| After conducting interviews with all four candidates running for District 1 & 2 San Juan County Council seats, the Vacation Rental Work Group (VRWG) is cautiously
Update on vaccine planning from Washington State Department of Health
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is making steady progress making plans around an expected COVID-19 vaccine. The department is encouraged by the information the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released on Tuesday clarifying the process for FDA review
Letter to Editor | Vote for Cindy Wolf
||| FROM ANTOINETTE BOTSFORD, LYNN BAKER, CATHERINE ELLIS, JUDY TURKSEL ||| We’re voting for Cindy Wolf for County Council, and you should, too. Here’s why: Caring for our people, community and environment: Cindy has a big heart. Her priorities are our people, all people, keeping our community healthy and strong,
Deer Harbor Plan Review schedules monthly meeting
||| FROM SHEILA GAQUIN FOR DEER HARBOR PLAN REVIEW COMMITTEE ||| Public Meeting Agenda for October 14, 2020, 4:00-5:30 Deer Harbor Plan Review Committee Monthly Meeting (DHPRC) VIA Zoom MEETING ID 834 1015 6669 PASSCODE 063737 Chair: Barry Madan Call to Order at: Establish a quorum: Chair: Recognize public attendees.
San Juan County awards $1.7 Million from Home Fund Program to five affordable housing projects on three islands
||| FROM RYAN PAGE FOR SJC HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES ||| UPDATED RELEASE The San Juan County Council met and discussed applications received during the 2020 Home Fund affordable housing project funding round at their Tuesday September 29 meeting. Following the staff presentation and discussion, the Council approved Home Fund
Ayurveda on Orcas | In midst of seasonal change, healthy diet, lifestyle = balance
||| FROM JULE ERON, WOWFarmOrcas.com ||| Ayurveda teaches that everything, humans included, is composed of the five great elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether. Our unique combination of elements, our constitution, established at conception, cannot be altered, but can be thrown out of balance by outside influences. The cells,
SmileMobile Dental Clinic announces Orcas Island dates
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ||| The Arcora Foundation - SmileMobile, a brightly painted 39 - foot dental clinic on wheels, will return to Orcas Island on October 21-23 and 26-28 and will park at the Orcas Island Community Church, 176 Madrona St. SmileMobile dentist – Paul Phillips and dental team will provide
Salish Current: Council candidates outline positions on vacation rentals, COVID rules, more
||| FROM SALISH CURRENT ||| With issues ranging from strengthening the county’s economic base to balancing vacation rental inventory in an area inhabited year-round by tourists and second-home owners — not to mention year-round residents — two of three seats on the San Juan County Council are up for election
Letter to Editor | Read up on local, state ballot issues
||| FROM MARGIE DOYLE ||| What are we voting for besides President? well in San Juan County there are a couple of commissioner races and ballot measure representatives to find out more to inform your votes, consider going to the 2020-General-Voters-Pamphlet published through the county elections office. The PDF version
