Here’s a thought…
“The belief in the possibility of a short decisive war appears to be one of the most ancient and dangerous of human illusions.”
ROBERT LYND
Guest Opinion | Our non-partisan local governance is a blessing in these times
||| FROM JUSTIN PAULSEN ||| If 2020 has highlighted nothing else within our country it is that political division has seeped into every function of our society. As our current generation navigates social, health and economic waters which have never before been explored, one factor continually crops up, which although
Letter to Editor | Minney brings critical skills, commitment to public service
||| FROM MARK MADSEN ||| I am writing in strong support for Christine Minney for San Juan County council. Christine is deeply committed to seeing and hearing all sides of the issues we face, and to me it is this quality — not the lack of “D” or “R” on
What’s up with Growlers? Join Quiet Skies, Sound Defense Alliance in ZOOM meet
||| FROM ANNE HARVEY FOR SOUND DEFENSE ALLIANCE ||| This will be a great opportunity to meet more San Juan Island residents who share your concerns about Growler jet noise, and learn more about Growler training increase and impacts, sound monitoring, an update on lawsuits and legislative action, and noise
Local goods auctions raising funds for farm programs
||| FROM STEPH COFFEY FOR SAN JUAN ISLANDS AGRICULTURAL GUILD ||| San Juan County has discovered a community super power and is applying it to strengthen access to locally grown farm fresh foods. Springing to action early in the pandemic, the San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild focused on a fundraising
A hidden treasure, Sunrise Volunteers is at work in the shadows on Orcas
||| FROM STEVE SCHAEFER, PAST PRESIDENT, ORCAS ISLAND LIONS CLUB ||| About four years or so ago, several Lions Club members were discussing club membership. One of the discussion points was, “What do members enjoy most?” And the conclusion was that they enjoy working together on things that do good. Either directly
Full agenda on slate for tomorrow’s Port meeting
||| FROM KIM KIMPLE FOR PORT OF ORCAS ||| REGULAR MEETING AGENDA SEPT 28, 2020, 5 p.m. Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82225466583?pwd=T3VXYi9oNDA2Ynh1QUFITXFvSERkZz09 Meeting ID: 822 2546 6583 Passcode: 482803 One tap mobile +12532158782,,82225466583#,,,,,,0#,,482803# US (Tacoma) CALL TO ORDER – 5:00 p.m. AGENDA AMENDMENTS PUBLIC ACCESS EXECUTIVE SESSION 1. To receive and evaluate
COVID-19 transmission at a crossroads in Washington state going into fall
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – [Friday] the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report. The report shows COVID-19 case counts continue to decrease overall in both eastern and western Washington, though some counties are experiencing plateaus or increases in disease activity.
Inslee on climate crisis: ‘We cannot give in to defeat and pessimism’
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Rolling Stone published an op-ed this week from the governor in recognition of Climate Week and the many challenges that lay ahead in guaranteeing a sustainable future for Washingtonians. The op-ed reads, in part: "While we know this administration would be wise to
Strawberry Council seeks a facility maintenance manager
||| FROM MADIE MURRAY FOR OLGA STRAWBERRY COUNCIL ||| The Olga Strawberry Council is seeking to employ a facility maintenance manager to perform routine maintenance tasks at Olga’s historic Strawberry Barreling Plant, home of the Artworks and Catkin Café. Fixed monthly pay at 8-hour rate, negotiable based on experience. If
Sheriff’s Report | September 16-22, 2020
||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| Wednesday, September 16, 2020 20-007941 Burglary,NonRes 02:22:12 09/16/20 San Juan Deputies responded to a report of a burglary in Friday Harbor. During the investigation, Deputies located two buildings which had been vandalized as well as multiple vehicle prowls. The suspects were later
COVID-19 news and updates recap
||| FROM STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 84,238 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on September 23. There have been 2,080 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 the
WSF Weekly Report | Fall reservations up 63% on release day
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Ferry riders made more than 20,000 vehicle reservations on Sept. 10, the day they became available for fall sailings (Sept. 27 to Jan. 2). That’s up from roughly 12,000 a year ago, despite a modified schedule that includes no international service due to COVID-19!
Eat, shop, stay, play locally: Here’s the third in a series of stories about small business survival
Small businesses are relying more than ever on your support as they creatively cope with COVID. ||| FROM VISITORS BUREAU, EDC, LOPEZ, ORCAS, SAN JUAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ||| It's been six long and challenging months since Governor Inslee issued his stay at home order. Are you starting to crave
A second brand new calf born just yesterday into J-pod
||| FROM CENTER FOR WHALE RESEARCH ||| The Center for Whale Research confirms that another calf has been born into the Southern Resident killer whale community, and the mother is J41. CWR will eagerly await the whales' return to evaluate the calf's condition and hopefully determine its sex. J41's new
Planning Commission discusses limits on vacation rentals
||| BY MATTHEW GILBERT, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| As part of the Comprehensive Plan Update, the Department of Community Development (DCD) was directed by the County Council and the Planning Commission to “evaluate vacation rental saturation and answer the question, ‘How many vacation rentals is too many?’” The first step in
WSF: Reservation no-show fees resume Oct. 1
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| On October 1, Washington State Ferries will resume charging no-show fees to customers who do not cancel their reservations by 5 p.m. the day before travel. As a courtesy, these fees were suspended in March at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic while travel
