Here’s a thought…
“No one, I mean no one, has the right to sit in judgment of who’s American enough.”
MICHELLE OBAMA
‘Occam’s Razor’ | Our island, our world through the eyes, pen of S.C. Watson
Welcome to our new weekly feature, Occam's Razor, from local artist S.C. Watson.
Landline 911 phone lines are out; UPDATE: now back in service statewide
||| FROM ROBIN DELAZARDA for SAN JUAN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ||| There is currently an issue with 911. Calls are being routed to our back up 911 lines. This means they are coming in on a line with no ANI/ALI (Automatic Number/Location) information. If a caller gets disconnected while on
Future of Hospice of the Northwest threatened
||| FROM LENA KASSA for ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| For decades, Hospice of the Northwest has been a vital resource in San Juan County. Their dedicated staff and volunteers commit to providing exceptional care to people with life-limiting illnesses, their families, and circles of support. That care is now under
Letter to Editor | Ryan Palmateer is obvious choice for District 1
||| FROM ANDE & SCOTT FINLEY, LOPEZ ISLAND ||| Over the years, we have both worked with Ryan in various capacities - partnering with Conservation District projects and as colleagues on the Transition Lopez Island steering committee, the Islands Energy Roundtable, and the SJC Electric Vehicle Association. Ryan’s on-the-ground professional
In Memoriam | Harry Patton, June 09, 1922 – October 14, 2020
||| FROM MARGIE DOYLE ||| Harry Patton told a good story, and his life was full of them — from flying fighter planes in World War II, making missile defense films, escorting the Secretary of Defense as he decided to ax the Dyna-soar project, conducting bombing raids to Waldron and
Health Care District finalizes contract with Island Hospital
||| BY SUSAN MCBAIN, REPORTER ||| After several weeks of negotiations, the Orcas Island Health Care District approved a contract with Island Hospital (IH) on Oct. 15 to operate a single medical clinic on the island. March 1, 2021, is the planned opening date for the new practice. The current
Streaming live from Orcas Center: JP and the OK Rhythm Boys
||| FROM BETHANY MARIE for ORCAS CENTER ||| JP and the OK Rhythm Boys are thrilled to be teaming up with the technical wizards of Orcas Center to present a live stream concert on Saturday, November 7 at 7pm. JP, Gordon, and Anita will be playing live online, with all
Orcas Montessori School’s 26th annual holiday wreath sale fundraiser is an Island tradition
||| FROM MEGAN JONES FOR ORCAS MONTESSORI SCHOOL ||| The holidays are upon us, and now is a great time to deck the halls with wreaths aplenty! Check an item off your holiday to-do list while also sharing in a ‘noble’ island tradition. For 26 years running, Orcas Montessori School
Guest Opinion | Can we rebuild the political middle?
||| FROM HEDRICK SMITH ||| Hedrick Smith, NY Times reporter, Frontline producer and founder of Reclaim the American Dream (reclaimtheamericandream.org) Washington – With the election just days away, are you getting tired of the scaremongering and mud-slinging in the presidential campaign? How about some good news for a
WSF website gets a makeover
||| FROM WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES ||| Customers will notice that our website has a new look. Not only does it look better, but it is now easier to navigate. Check out the changes at www.wsdotferries.com. If you have questions or need help finding information on the website, please contact our
School Board calls special monthly meeting for Thursday
||| FROM ORCAS ISLAND SCHOOL BOARD ||| Notice of a SPECIAL (Monthly) SCHOOL BOARD MEETING Thursday, October 22, 2020 AGENDA *Revised 10/20/20 4:00 PM CALL TO ORDER – SPECIAL (Monthly) Mtg. Session for a Board Docs training via webex link. 5:00 PM SPECIAL (Monthly) Mtg. VIA ZOOM Approve Agenda
What? Technology and tides equal art?
||| FROM DIANE MARTINDALE FOR SAN JUAN ISLANDS MUSEUM OF ART ||| Creative people “look at the world differently; it’s part of the job,” observed artist-architect Sam Stubblefield. The glowing lights in the glass windows of the San Juan Islands Museum of Art (SJIMA) hint at the mystery of his
Rick Hughes appointed to National Broadband Task Force to bridge digital divide
||| FROM NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ||| WASHINGTON – National Association of Counties (NACo) President Gary Moore today announced the formation of a broadband task force. The task force, comprised of nearly three dozen county government officials from across America, including Rick Hughes, San Juan County Council Member, will study
Recapping recent COVID-19 news, updates from state Health Department
||| FROM DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES ||| Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 99,150 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on October 19. There have been 2,282 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
Panel discusses threats to the Salish Sea
||| BY MATTHEW GILBERT, REPORTER ||| On October 13, the Lopez Island Library hosted a panel of legislators and environmental advocates titled “Protecting the Salish Sea in the Time of Covid-19.” The event was put together by Community Rights San Juan Islands (CRSJI), a Lopez-based nonprofit exploring strategies for legally
Letter to Editor | Rick Hughes has my vote to re-elect him to county council
||| FROM BOB DISTLER ||| Over the past eight years on the council, Rick has taken a pragmatic, balanced and thoughtful approach to the issues we all care about. He has demonstrated a view of the council’s mission that actively represents and advocates for all members of our diverse island
