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
Art dancing with wind, sky is new Orcas Center exhibit
-- from Kathy Youngren -- The art of 21 local artists will be dancing in the wind in front of Orcas Center for the next few months in the ORCAS STRONG banner exhibit starting August 8. Each artist was provided a 3’x 5’ nylon banner and asked to create an
Larsen secures key win with Water Resources Development Act
-- from Rep. Rick Larsen's Office -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, helped secure passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2020, bipartisan legislation that invests in U.S. ports, channels, waterways, flood control and ecosystem restoration. The
Health Care District community conversation with Island Hospital Thursday
-- from Anne Presson for Orcas Island Health Care District -- The next phase of the Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) Medical Clinic Operator Request for Proposal (RFP) is a Special Board Meeting/Community Conversation with the leadership of Island Hospital. This is the chance for the new CEO and
High-risk employee proclamation extended
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the extension of proclamation 20-46.1, first issued in April, which relates to protections for high-risk employees and workers' rights. As a result of new CDC guidance regarding people at increased risk for severe illness, the extension will provide a clarifying guidance memo. The guidance memo
Inslee releases updated reopening guidance
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee today released an additional guidance document following last week's announcement of guidance updates in Washington's Safe Start phased reopening plan following the extension of the proclamation. The memo outlines the updates to gatherings, live entertainment, restaurants and taverns, entertainment and recreational centers, card rooms, movie theaters,
Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported 875 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases to 54,205 as of July 28 at 11:59 p.m. The total number of deaths are at 1,548. For the most
How do independents get more clout in our politics?
Washington – How about a pop quiz about American politics? -- from Hedrick Smith -- You’ll like this poll, especially if you’re in your 20s, 30s, and 40s, because it deals a lot with Millennials and Gen Xers. But it does include everyone, even retirees over 65. Here’s the question: What’s been
COVID-19 activity continues to grow in Washington state as hospitalizations and deaths rise
Our actions matter: stay home, keep distance and wear a face covering -- from Washington Department of Health -- OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report, which outlines concerning trends in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths, as well as mixed trends in case counts in
State and local leaders issue joint response to the demobilization of federal agents in Seattle
-- from Office of Governor Inslee -- Today, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan received confirmation that the Department of Homeland Security’s Border Patrol Tactical Unit has demobilized and left the Seattle area. Last week, Gov. Jay Inslee and local officials expressed significant concerns regarding the deployment of an undetermined number of
State Department of Health launches CORONA Survey
-- from Washington Department of Health -- OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) launched the Community Recovery-Oriented Needs Assessment, or the CORONA survey. The survey is an effort to assess the behavioral, economic, social, and emotional impacts and the needs of communities across the state as a result
Guest Opinion | Single-use plastic use is up during pandemic; it doesn’t have to be
-- from Kaia, Friends of the San Juans’ Summer Intern -- My name is Kaia and I’m a high school sophomore currently interning at Friends of the San Juans. My grandpa, San Olson, is a longtime resident of Lopez Island. From a young age, I saw my grandpa working alongside other members
SJIMA prepares for virtual artist talk
-- from Diane Martindale for San Juan Islands Museum of Art -- Don't miss our first virtual Artist Talk on Sunday, August 9, 11 a.m., featuring Holly Ballard Martz (DOMESTIC BLISS) and June Sekiguchi (THE PULSE OF WATER). Holly and June will be walking you through their exhibitions and answering
Today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported 685 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases to 53,321 as of July 26 at 11:59 p.m. The total number of deaths are at 1,518. For the most
Editorial | Paving the way for tourism
-- by Lin McNulty, Editor -- It's a stunning late-July Monday morning with not a cloud in the sky and all the makings of an ideal day to, let's say, sail to the San Juan Islands. East Sound has been dotted throughout the weekend with anchored pleasure craft and weekend
Happy 30th birthday, L83!
-- from Center for Whale Research -- Thirty years ago today, the Center for Whale Research was fortunate to see and document L83 on the day she was born. The encounter with Southern Residents on July 27, 1990, turned into a memorable day: L83’s birth, followed by a Superpod. L83
Letter to Editor | We need an economy that survives without tourism
-- from Naomi Aldort -- I have written before with strong conviction to the need to eliminate industry based vacation homes on the islands and the importance of keeping the rural nature of our county as declared in the vision statement, and of supporting local affordable housing. Now I am
