Here’s a thought…
“Neither the evil nor the good in our history determines who we are. It is what we do now. If we do not say something ourselves about this horror, we allow ourselves to be changed.”
TIMOTHY SNYDER
EDC presents Datapalooza 2020! – a statistics and demographics event for San Juan County
||| FROM JOHN GOMEZ for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| This year, more than ever, business owners and community leaders and legislators need data and information to make knowledgeable decisions. Join the Economic Development Council (EDC) for our fifth annual Datapalooza! event on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 from 11 a.m. to
Department of Health urges people to limit Thanksgiving gatherings, not seek screening tests
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| The Department of Health (DOH) strongly urges everyone to limit their holiday celebrations to only members of their immediate households. We also encourage anyone with symptoms or close contact with someone who is infected (or suspected to be infected) with COVID-19 to get
Island Hardware reduces hours following staff member’s positive COVID-19 test
||| FROM BOB PHALAN for ISLAND HARDWARE ||| We at Island Hardware take the health and safety of our loyal customers and staff seriously. Island Hardware has experienced its first positive test for Covid 19. This person has been in isolation since November 11. We are in close contact with
Orcasional Musings | Hey! What about Thanksgiving dinner?
||| ORCASIONAL MUSINGS by STEVE HENIGSON ||| Governor Inslee's prohibition against family Thanksgiving dinners, the result of this winter's resurgence of COVID complications, has caught us with our collective aprons untied. For instance, in recent, more normal years, my wife and I have been invited to our cousin's home for
Sheriff’s Report | November 11 – 17, 2020
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11 20-009644 Trouble Unknown 10:07:30 11/11/20 A Lopez Island Deputy was sent to check on a 911 hang up call. The call was inadvertently "pocket dialed" while stacking firewood. 20-009647 Abandoned Vehicle 12:30:27 11/11/20 A Deputy was contacted in
Planning Commission recommends moratorium on new vacation rental applications
||| FROM STEVE BERNHEIM, ORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| The San Juan County Planning Commission has recommended a moratorium on applications for vacation rental permits. The recommendation was adopted at the Commission’s monthly meeting on Friday, November 20 convened for the purpose of further pondering revisions to the Land Use Element of
Health District and clinics confront COVID surge
||| BY SUSAN MCBAIN, ORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| The surge in COVID-19 cases, and its effects on medical services on Orcas Island, were the main topics of the Orcas Island Health Care District’s meeting on Nov. 17. Managers of the two existing clinics gave reports on what they’re doing, and senior
Inslee letter urges Congress to immediately resume COVID-19 relief negotiations
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| In case you missed it: Gov. Jay Inslee sent a letter [yesterday] to congressional leadership and the Trump administration, urging an immediate restart to negotiations on another coronavirus relief package that can be passed and signed into law before the end of the
State recap of recent COVID-19 news and updates
||| FROM STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 137,411 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on November 18. There have been 2,603 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
OISD COVID-19 Update | 33 tests: 31 negatives, one inadequate test, one positive
||| FROM ERIC WEBB for ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL DISTRICT ||| Dear Students, Parents, Staff, & Community, I want to take a moment to update you on the current COVID-19 situation in the district that I first wrote you about this last Saturday, November 14. We received news today that we
Friday Update | COVID-19 case count rises on Orcas, San Juan
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Note: Current positive case numbers are available online at the County Case Count Page. 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
‘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.
Alaska OKs reforms to break partisan gridlock
||| FROM HEDRICK SMITH for RECLAIM THE AMERICAN DREAM ||| Washington – Given the constantly grim news about the coronavirus overwhelming America and the interminable imbroglio over Donald Trump’s inability to accept defeat, how about some good news for a change? Good news about a grassroots citizen coalition winning a
San Juan County, Commerce, EDC grants provide relief to island businesses, organizations
||| FROM JOHN GOMEZ for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| San Juan County, the Washington State Department of Commerce, and the Economic Development Council (EDC) have awarded over $300,000 in COVID-19 relief grant funds directly to locally-owned and -operated small businesses, community nonprofit organizations and childcare facilities in San Juan County.
WSF: Thanksgiving weekend ferry travel will not be normal
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| With statewide restrictions in place to help slow the spread of COVID-19, this will not be a normal Thanksgiving for ferry travel. If you absolutely must ride our ferries, please wear a mask anytime outside of your vehicle as one is required aboard our vessels and
COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan update from Washington State Department of Health
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) continues to make progress with our COVID-19 vaccine distribution planning efforts, and are hopeful a safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 will be available before the end of the year. Update on vaccine candidates This week we
