Here’s a thought…
“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Dozens of new WSF employees join the fleet
-- from Washington State Ferries -- I'd like to welcome several new crewmembers that will help us provide increased service in the weeks ahead. Because of COVID-19, we were unable to conduct mandatory face-to-face new deck employee training until late June. The first class of nine has graduated and is
Here’s a recap of today’s COVID-19 news, updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported 866 new cases in the past day for a total of 60,917 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on August 5. There have been 1,653 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. Note for August 6, 2020: DOH is continuing to experience issues
Update on San Juan County COVID-19 weekly case count
-- from Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management -- Total Tests Performed*Positive Test Results^Deaths2849300 We will update these data weekly on Thursday, but any positive test results will be reported the day the result was received. Last update of total tests on 8/6. Next update of total tests performed will
The latest primary election results
-- By Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter -- Challenger Cindy Wolf will face off with incumbent Rick Hughes for the District 2 County Council seat in the November general election. With approximately 87% of the primary vote counted, Wolf has received 2,768 votes. Hughes is currently in second place with
Letter to Editor | School District grateful to community
-- from Eric Webb, Orcas Schools Superintendent -- I would like to extend my gratitude to the Orcas Island community for their overwhelming support of our Education Programs & Operations Levy. Orcas Island residents have proven time and time again that they are dedicated to our children and our schools!
Inslee announces education recommendations for 2020–2021 school year
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee today announced new recommendations from the Washington State Department of Health for resuming in-person instruction in public and private K-12 education for the upcoming 2020–2021 school year. Inslee was joined by Chris Reykdal, state Superintendent of Public Instruction at a press conference. Similar
Another recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported 706 new cases in the past day for a total of 60,084 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on August 4. There have been 1,624 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases
EPRC explains its Prune Alley decision
-- from Leith Templin for Eastsound Plan Review Committee -- In response to the many comments about the Prune Alley Street Project, the EPRC would like to clarify some misunderstandings that some community members have expressed in the past week. As Fred Klein explained, the street improvement project has been
Another day, more COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Newest numbers. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's dashboard and the state’s COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard. Long-term care facility data. As of August 3, a total of 5,694 COVID-19 cases (10% of total cases) and 898 deaths
WA, CO, NV, OR announce coordination on telehealth
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Building on a previous announcement regarding COVID re-opening, Gov. Jay Inslee joined Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown to announce that their states will be working together on telehealth issues. Joint statement from the states: The coronavirus
Census takers will visit homes that haven’t responded to 2020 Census
-- from U.S. Census Bureau -- What To Expect Census takers will wear masks and follow local public health guidelines when they visit your home. All census takers complete a virtual COVID-19 training on social distancing and other health and safety protocols before beginning their work in neighborhoods. Census takers
About that killer whale named “Mike”
-- from Katie Jones, Center for Whale Research-- As an educator, I am always looking for ways to relay good stories to people while also delivering facts about this very special, very critically endangered population of killer whales. Stories are one of the best ways to help form an emotional
Preliminary primary results for county positions are in
Preliminary San Juan County primary results, last tabulated at 8 p.m. today, are now posted. There have been 4,270 ballots counted with an estimated 3,500 left to be counted. Currently, Cindy Wolf leads incumbent Rick Hughes by a sliver of 16 votes. The next ballot count is to be 8
Breaking News: Health District will proceed to negotiations with Island Hospital
-- by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues reporter -- At this evening's meeting of the Orcas Island Health Care District, the commissioners voted 5-0 to begin negotiations with Island Hospital (IH) to operate a consolidated medical clinic on Orcas Island. The decision opens the door to continuing discussion of the specific
School Board calls community virtual town hall to address plans for Fall
-- from Orcas Island School Board -- Notice of a Special School Board Meeting and Community Virtual Town Hall Wednesday, AUGUST 5, 2020 ZOOM LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5474235505 6:00pm - CALL TO ORDER – SPECIAL MEETING – via ZOOM Lisa Byers will be moderating a Town Hall and answering previously
New report highlights COVID-19 outbreak data across the state
-- from Washington State Department of Health -- OLYMPIA -- A new report from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) helps illustrate which types of businesses and facilities experience the most COVID-19 outbreak activity. These data are aggregated from all counties that report data to DOH, and the report contains both healthcare
