Here’s a thought…
“Peace is not something we ask for — it’s something we practice, together.”
WALK FOR PEACE
Critical school levy on the August ballot
-- from Orcas Island School Board -- The August 4 Election Day is just a few days away. On the ballot will be the replacement EP&O levy for the Orcas Island School District. The current levy is set to expire at the end of December. The replacement levy has a fixed tax rate
Letter to Editor | Palmateer has my support for County Council
-- from Katie Fleming -- I support Ryan Palmateer for the County Council District 1 position. I have worked with Ryan for 3 years on energy conservation, renewable energy promotion, and climate action programs in the San Juan Islands. Ryan is very committed to the resiliency and health of both
Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported a total of 40,656 cases as of July 11 at 11:59 p.m. The total number of deaths are at 1,438. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's dashboard and
EDC provides analysis of PPP loan data for San Juan County businesses
-- from John Gomez for Economic Development Council -- On Monday July 6 ,2020, the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) announced the release of detailed loan-level data regarding the loans made under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). This program was launched as a way to retain workers by providing funding to
Three new positive COVID-19 cases identified on San Juan
-- from Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management -- Over the weekend of July 11-12, three new positive COVID cases were reported on San Juan Island. Two of these cases were close contacts of each other. In total, over 20 close contacts of those two positive individuals have been identified
Inslee requests extension of National Guard mission for COVID-19 pandemic response
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee sent a letter today to the Trump administration requesting an extension of federal authority and funding for Washington National Guard employment in support of COVID-19 pandemic emergency response operations through December 31, 2020. The letter reads, in part: "As the number of positive
Letter to Editor | Upcoming school levy is critical
-- from Janet Brownell, Tony Ghazel, Scott Lancaster, and Chris Sutton -- In the past, the four of us have all been on the Orcas Island School Board. Collectively, we have decades of service to our public schools. We have served together, and separately. There are times we did not
Library welcomes multi-award-winning author via Zoom
-- from Mary Pugh for Orcas Island Library -- Join us as we talk with multiple award-winning author Kij Johnson, in her own words a “writer, dreamer, fritterer.” She did not start writing until she was twenty-five, yet still has an impressive lineup: novels, short stories, essays, poetry, script, and
No EPRC walkabout meeting tomorrow
-- from Leith Templin -- EPRC meeting scheduled for tomorrow with a walkabout has been cancelled. We are unable to legally walk about so that has been cancelled. The meeting on 13 has been postponed until July 30. Time and zoom link to be announced later.
Two proposals leave many Health District questions still to be answered
-- by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues reporter -- One thing became very clear at both the Orcas Island Health Care District’s regular meeting on July 7 and its public Town Hall on July 9: The commissioners still need many detailed answers from both groupsproposing to open a consolidated medical clinic
Michael Durland announces his candidacy for County Council
-- from Michael Durland -- I moved to Orcas Island in 1977 and raised a family here. I have served as a member of the Marine Resources Committee and a member of Island Oil Spill Association. I started and continue to run two local businesses. I ran for County Council in 2016
Southern Resident Orca – long absences punctuated by sporadic sightings
A closer look at July 4 Encounter #33 with J Pod -- from Katie Jones, CWR Orca Survey Outreach & Education Center Manager -- J31 and J56 during Encounter #33 (Photograph by Dave Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research) If you aren’t already a CWR Member, you may want to consider becoming
Fire Commission to meet in special session
-- from Kim Kimple for Orcas Island Fire & Rescue -- Special Meeting Agenda San Juan County Fire Protection District #2 Tuesday – July 14th, 2020 1:00 p.m. Online / by phone via ZOOM: Dial # (253) 215-8782 / Meeting ID: 894 0124 0038/ Passcode: 371639 Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89401240038?pwd=SFR5bHQwbWZmeGZUY1lYTVhhVGJoUT09 ______________________________________________________________________________
OISD Education Programs and Operations Levy will be on August ballot
-- from Eric Webb, Orcas Schools Superintendent -- At the primary election on August 4, 2020, voters in the Orcas Island School District will be asked to consider reauthorizing the Education Programs and Operations Levy (formerly the Maintenance and Operations Levy) for the years 2021-2024. This levy provides nearly 20%
Tuning out the pandemic | Veni Sancte Spiritus from Orcas Choral Society
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. Orcas Choral Society singing Veni Sancte Spiritus from Lux Aterna by Morten Lauridsen. This is live from the Spring concert 2018. Provided by Marianne Lewis. If
Letter to Editor | Being black on Orcas Island
-- from Tim Webster black man, father, veteran (USMC) -- My name is Tim Webster and I have lived on Orcas for 12 years. I am a Black man and known by many. People assume many things ( usually negative or violent) based on my skin color. It’s time to grow
