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
New positive COVID-19 test result reported on San Juan Island
-- from Brendan Cowan for Department of Emergency Management -- San Juan County Health and Community Services staff have been notified of a new positive COVID-19 test result in San Juan County, on San Juan Island. This brings the total number of cases in San Juan County to 17. This
Prune Alley makeover seeks final public input
Updated -- by Matthew Gilbert, Orcas Issues reporter -- Although the recent release of the Prune Alley Street Improvement Project “conceptual design” took many Orcas Islanders by surprise – and triggered a torrent of negative comments – the project has been on the books since 2003 when, according to Public
Sheriff’s report | June 10-16, 2020
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's office -- Wednesday, June 10, 202020-004390 Malicious Mischief 09:42:10 06/10/20A case of vandalism was reported on Lopez Island. No property was damaged, and it was determined to be a civil property line dispute. 20-004391 Malicious Mischief 09:57:42 06/10/20A Supervisor on San Juan Island responded
Summer | Yakima on half capacity, Kitsap has no crew
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Please be advised that due to the service disruptions on the route, the M/V Yakima will sail at half capacity for the remainder of the day, and the galley is now also closed. This affects the following sailings: 3:55 p.m. from Lopez to Shaw
Actors Theater’s ‘stay at home’ version of annual PlayFest now available for viewing
PlagueFest, anyone? -- from Doug Bechtel for Actors Theater of Orcas Island -- The Actors Theater of Orcas Island has announced a "Stay At Home"version of their well known PlayFest. After nearly fifteen years of successful PlayFests a number of issuesresulted in the 2019 PlayFest being cancelled. Rather than let theCovid
Ferry Kitsap is done for the day due to crew shortage
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Due to a shortage of Coast Guard Documented Crew, the M/V Kitsap's remaining sailings of the day are cancelled. This affects the 2:10 p.m. from Anacortes to Friday Harbor, the 3:40 p.m. from Friday Harbor to Lopez and Anacortes, the 5:20 p.m. from Anacortes
Following reporting glitch, more deaths from COVID-19 now added to statewide total
-- from Jamie Nixon for State Department of Health -- OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health is working on a two-phased change in death reporting that will provide more information on whether COVID-19 caused or contributed to a particular death. As part of this process, we are continually improving how we
Visitors Bureau awards $3000 in scholarships
-- from Barbara Marrett for San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau -- The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau is pleased to announce the recipients of its 3rd Annual Tourism/Business/Communications Scholarships, awarded to four members of the Class of 2020 who are graduating from island high schools. Congratulations to Tyler Sovelove (Lopez Island
Today’s COVID-19 news and updates recap
-- 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. Long-term Care Facility data. As of June 16th, a total of 4,210 COVID-19 cases (16% of total cases) and 751 deaths (61%
Town installs four Poetry Gardens
The Town and its Friday Harbor Arts Commission invite the public to enjoy the newly installed Poetry Gardens located at San Juan Community Theatre and the Mullis Center, in the waterfront viewing area below Downriggers, and next to the Post Office. The 30 poems on display were selected in the
Ferry ridership slowly increasing, still down 55% from 2019
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Now that we’re into what’s normally our busy travel season and business is reopening following the COVID-19 shutdown, it’s no surprise our ridership is increasing after bottoming off at historic lows in late March. But it’s going up slowly, and we’re still 55% below
Some ferry-served counties implementing mask requirements
Masks not required on ferries, but ... -- from Washington State Ferries -- Please be advised that some counties now require face masks or coverings to be worn while in public or upon entering businesses. Requirements may vary county by county. Customers are advised to learn what policies may be
Pandemic Poetry | Great Blue Herons by Jens Kruse
GREAT BLUE HERONS By Jens Kruse I am driving to townto go to the grocery store:mask and hand sanitizerare in the seat next to me,shopping lists arein my shirt pocket.As I move alongCrescent Beach DriveI see six Great Blue heronslined up in the shallowwaters of East Sound:six to eight feet
Museum at Home: Island neighbors helping neighbors in the early homesteading period
Free Online History Talk, Wednesday, June 24 at 7 p.m. -- from Carol Kulminski for Orcas Museums -- Join historian and San Juan Islander, Boyd Pratt, for a talk on the history of island homesteaders, and the ways in which they came together to be self-sufficient, inspired by the following
Updated religious and faith-based services guidance announced
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced updated health guidance for religious and faith-based services today as more counties move forward under Washington’s Safe Start recovery plan. Phase 3 would permit indoor capacity of 50% or 400 people, whichever is less. Health requirements for social distancing and facial coverings will
Recapping today’s COVID-19 news and 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. State Department of Health corrects error in reported negative test results. A mistake in reporting negative rest results was discovered and corrected by DOH.
