Here’s a thought…
“The future is already here. It’s just not evenly distributed yet.”
WILLIAM GIBSON
COVID-19 data shows high activity and signs of a recent uptick
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – [Yesterday] the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19. Report findings include: Case counts rebounded after Christmas and appear to be increasing steeply in the most recent data, which is still incomplete. The flat and declining
Inslee extends security measures for 2021 legislative session
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement [yesterday ]announcing the extension of actions taken by the state to ensure the safety and security of Washingtonians, legislators, state employees and the buildings of the Capitol Campus. "Based on the recommendation of the Washington State Patrol,
Guest Opinion | Neil Sheehan: What makes great reporting?
||| FROM HEDRICK SMITH ||| SAIGON, January 1964 – “It looks like a coup,” Neil Sheehan said. “I’ll call Mordecai. He’ll know whose tanks those are.” I had just told Neil that I had seen tanks in the streets surrounding the home of Gen. Duong Van Minh, then the South Vietnamese
Recapping recent COVID-19 news, updates from Tuesday
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 266,701 confirmed cases as of 11:59 p.m. on January 11. There have been 3,789 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
Upcoming Meeting of the Minds: Forage fishes and the beach
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| Meeting of the Minds – “Forage Fishes and the Beach: The Role of Local Shorelines in Marine Ecosystem Recovery” brought to you on Zoom by Orcas Senior Center: Wednesday, January 20, 1 - 2 p.m. The San Juan Islands are a
NAS Whidbey Island SAR conducts two lifesaving missions — one on Orcas
||| FROM MICHAEL WELDING for NAS WHIDBEY ||| NAVAL AIR STATION WHIDBEY ISLAND, Wash. - A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island conducted two life-saving missions on January 9, 2021. The first mission involved a morning medical evacuation from Orcas Island for a 62
Letter to Editor | Wow, that was a really long power outage
||| FROM TONY GHAZEL ||| In the 25 years we've lived in this community, today's power outage is one of the longest that I can remember. But this is not the reason for this note; I am just going to share, loudly, a heartfelt thank you to the OPALCO crew,
2021 docket for proposed amendments to SJC Comprehensive Plan and Development Regulations
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY NEWS ||| The deadline for proposed amendments to the San Juan County Comprehensive Plan and Unified Development Code (UDC) is 4:30 pm March 1, 2021. The “Annual Docket of Comprehensive Plan Amendments” or “Docket” process allows interested persons, citizens, hearing examiners, and staff of other
Chamber Music Fest to host island premiere of ‘The Bowmakers’ film
||| FROM LINDA SLONE for ORCAS CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL ||| Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival is thrilled to be hosting the Island Premiere of the fascinating and entertaining film The Bowmakers, available for viewing from January 15 through 24. Tickets are $15 to watch any time during these dates. The
SJC requests proposals for Salmon recovery project
||| FROM CAROLINA RAMOS for SJC SALMON RECOVERY ||| The San Juan County Lead Entity for Salmon Recovery is requesting salmon recovery project proposals for the Salmon Recovery Funding Board (SRFB) 2021 grant funding cycle. Private citizens, non-profit organizations, local, state, and tribal governments, and special districts are invited to
Alex Ramel reflects on opening day at legislature, protecting our island school districts
||| FROM ALEX RAMEL, REP. 40TH DISTRICT LEGISLATURE ||| Like many of you, I watched last Wednesday as news came in about a series of events never before seen in America. I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the violence, lawlessness, and insurrection in Washington D.C. And I condemn and
Inslee extends security measures for 2021 legislative session
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today announcing the extension of actions taken by the state to ensure the safety and security of Washingtonians, legislators, state employees and the buildings of the Capitol Campus. "Based on the recommendation of the Washington
Hot Topic #40: Governor’s new two-phase plan and what it means for SJC
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders ||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN for DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| Last week Governor Inslee released details on what is being called the “Roadmap to Recovery.” This initial piece is a two-phased approach to taking a first step
SJIMA: The pandemic can’t stop you from enjoying everything
If you can’t come into the museum to see the art; we will come to you. ||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE for SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART ||| Our team has been hard at work interviewing and photographing the artists and their creations so you can visit them online. As
Back to school plans have changed due to new Health Officer directive
||| FROM ERIC WEBB, ORCAS SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ||| Dear Students, Parents, Staff, & Community, You may recall my communication on December 22, 2020 (below); these plans have changed due to San Juan County Public Health Officer, Dr. Frank James’ directive issued today. OISD’s plan remains steadfast in the desire to transition students
Registration open for Whale Museum 2021 virtual workshop: Species in the Spotlight
||| FROM TRACIE MERRILL for THE WHALE MUSEUM ||| The Whale Museum is holding a virtual “Species in the Spotlight” workshop in partnership with NOAA. Taking place the weekend of February 10-12, 2021, the intent is to learn about the species highlighted by NOAA that are most likely going
