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
Recapping today’s COVID-19 news and updates
Statewide Response Updates -- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- 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. As of June 28, the state’s total confirmed cases are 32,253 and total deaths are 1,320. Three counties
Health Care District shares what it’s like in the weeds
Second in OIHCD weekly series -- from Anne Presson for Orcas Island Health Care District -- As reported in the first article in our newly launched series that began last week, in early January 2020 the Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) communicated the decision that it was in the
Scam Alert! Don’t be fooled by calls claiming to be OPALCO
-- from Orcas Power & Light Company -- Members have reported getting calls from people claiming to be OPALCO. Don't be fooled! At OPALCO, we treat our members with fairness and respect: We always send members a written notice when an account is in arrears.We never disconnect members without notice.You
Letter to Editor | The pandemic may reshuffle US healthcare deck
-- from Tom Eversole -- The difference in charges for COVID-19 testing for self-pay versus insured patients can be huge. In our current business model, health systems need to inflate prices so that insured patient revenue compensates for not collecting from uninsured (self-pay) folks who often don’t/can’t pay. Some jurisdictions
Rick Hughes: Some thoughts on moving to Phase 3
-- from Rick Hughes, San Juan County Council -- I’ve had a few questions on why SJC has asked the state to allow the county to move forward on a modified phase 3, here are some of my thoughts. San Juan County has had the most strict rules in the
Letter to Editor | Love, not hate
What does it mean to be a human being on Orcas Island, Part 2 -- from Jari Brenner -- When I wrote, What Does It Mean To Be A Human Being on Orcas Island? A contemporary cultural perspective, last winter, I knew that the work that a small group of
State Parks urges Fourth of July revelers to recreate responsibly
Parks staff offer fireworks reminders and tips and rules for safe gatherings -- from Washington State Parks -- The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission encourages safe and responsible gatherings in state parks during the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. The Fourth of July falls on a Saturday this year,
Guest Opinion | Should the county move to Phase 3?
-- from Michael Riordan -- In view of the recent upsurge in coronavirus cases throughout the Western United States, it would be foolhardy for the County to proceed further with plans to reopen the San Juan Islands to visitors from the mainland. According to the official New York Times database
Keep your child safe by staying up to date on vaccinations during COVID-19
-- from San Juan County Communications -- While there isn’t a vaccine against COVID-19 yet, the good news is that vaccines can protect children from 14 other serious diseases. Delaying or missing vaccines could put your child, your family and your community at risk for these diseases. Vaccinating children on
Norm Stamper’s viewpoint on police reform more relevant than ever
-- by Lin McNulty, Orcas Issues Editor -- "For the first time in my life I honestly believe we are going to see actual institutional change in American policing," muses islander Norm Stamper. The author of two books on the topic (Breaking Rank and To Protect and Serve), Stamper has
Letter to Editor | Light posts on Prune Alley?
-- from Eleanor Hoague and Marc Cohen -- Although planning for the Prune Alley improvement project has already moved into its final stages, one important aspect of it has not, in our opinion, received adequate attention: lighting. And this is not just our opinion, as has been made clear by
Letter to Editor | Science is our friend
-- from Tom Eversole -- My public health coworkers used to quip that Primary Care was Public Health’s failure to prevent disease. Today, CDC fails us under a presidential choke hold, while the VP posits that free speech isn’t free if it comes through a mask. The governors of FL,
Public hearing upcoming on marijuana production, processing regulations
-- from San Juan County Communications -- NOTICE OF A SAN JUAN COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING ON FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020, AT THE COUNTY COUNCIL HEARING ROOM, LEGISLATIVE BUILDING, 55 SECOND STREET, FRIDAY HARBOR, SAN JUAN ISLAND BEGINNING AT OR AFTER 8:45 a.m. TO OBTAIN TESTIMONY ON AN ORDINANCE REGULATING MARIJUANA PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING
Chamber & Film Fest team up for July 4 laser show
-- from Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce -- There may not be a typical fireworks display on Orcas Island this year but get ready for a Fourth of July Laser Light Drive-In Show to take place at Mt. Baker Farm on Saturday, July 4. The event is co-sponsored by the
Keeping the San Juans safe: A partner pledge & visitor guidelines checklist
-- from Amy Nesler for San Juans Visitors Bureau -- Summer is here, and that normally means an increase in visitors to our Islands. While 2020 is redefining what ‘normal’ is, there are steps the tourism industry is taking to safely welcome visitors back to the Islands. One of our most important goals
No Building Advisory Council meeting this month
-- from Lisa Jolie DesJardins for Department of Community Development -- The Building Advisory Council will not be meeting this month. The next regularly scheduled meeting is July 31, 2020, at 11:45 a.m., in the Legislative Conference Room at 55 2nd St, Friday Harbor, WA.
