Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
County Council and Board of Health to meet on Friday
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter – The County Council and the San Juan County Board of Health will be meeting on Friday morning, May 22, at 9 a.m. The meeting agenda that has been released includes a review of the criteria for requesting a variance from the Governor’s
Protect what you love: Green boating in the San Juan Islands
-- from Tina Whitman, Friends of the San Juans -- Mark Gardner photo The 2020 boating season is officially upon us, and soon our anchorages will begin to fill with local and visiting private boats. Our amazing group of islands, where boaters find wonder and relaxation, are also where fish
WSF recommendations for Memorial Day weekend travel
-- from Washington State Ferries -- We typically welcome about half a million riders over the long Memorial Day weekend, but nothing’s typical right now. As we are still under the governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” emergency order, I continue to encourage everyone to ride our ferries for essential purposes only. We want
Turtleback Mountain Preserve parking areas to be closed for maintenance next week
-- from Tanja Williamson for San Juan County Land Bank -- Please excuse our dust while your Conservation Land Bank completes maintenance on the Turtleback Mountain Preserve parking areas and access roads on Orcas Island. Work is anticipated to begin Tuesday, May 26 at the North Entrance and to conclude
Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates
Statewide Response Updates -- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers. As of May 19, there are 18,971 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of 160 cases from the previous day. Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Hospitalization data update. On May 20,
WSF reminder, ferry travel limited to essential only
-- from Washington State Ferries -- As a reminder, the Governor’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” emergency order is still in effect. Customers are advised to limit travel on ferries to essential purposes only, and to observe physical distancing by remaining in their vehicles whenever possible. Customers who must travel on ferries are
District 2 commissioner candidates speak out on a post-pandemic county
-- by Orcas Issues reporter Matthew Gilbert -- With unprecedented speed, the current pandemic hit the pause button on normal life, taking thousands of lives while disrupting many millions more, and the world has been scrambling to adjust (while the earth breathes a temporary sigh of relief). The big question
Plans being developed for oil spill response base in Friday Harbor
In a joint effort between the Port of Friday Harbor, the Islands’ Oil Spill Association (IOSA), and San Juan County, plans are underway for construction of an oil spill response operations base in Friday Harbor, Washington. The intent of the project is to provide office space, maintenance bays for upkeep
Commerce, EDC announce local recipients of Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant
-- from Victoria Compton for Economic Development Council -- The Washington State Department of Commerce and the Governor’s office, in partnership with the EDC, have announced the recipients of the Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant (WWSBEG) in San Juan County. The program was created to provide small grants to
Washington state expands capacity to track and prevent spread of COVID-19
-- from WA Department of Health -- OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health is rapidly training personnel to support case investigations and contact tracing. As of May 19, 723 National Guard personnel and 769 Department of Licensing personnel have been trained to help local health jurisdictions with this work as
Tuning out the pandemic | Another Rondeau from Marianne Lewis
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. ANOTHER RONDEAU BY JACQUES DUPHLY | Marianne Lewis If you have local music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com. Keep ’em coming!
Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers As of May 18, there are 18,811 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of 200 cases in the past 24 hours. Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Statewide Response Updates Briefing schedule Regular briefing will
Inslee issues additional guidance for real estate and fitness operations in Phase 2
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee today issued guidance for resuming real estate and fitness operations in Phase 2. Through the Washington "Safe Start" plan, more businesses and activities will re-open in phases, with adequate safety and health standards in place. Each phase will be at least three
Inslee letter affirms support for Cascade Care, Washington’s public option
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- In case you missed it: Gov. Jay Inslee reiterated his support for Cascade Care today in a letter to Washington State Health Care Authority Director Sue Birch and Washington State Health Benefit Exchange CEO Pam MacEwan. The letter reads, in part: “Today we are in the
Chamber Music Festival announces online performances
Complete cycle of Beethoven string quartets -- from Linda Slone for Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival -- OICMF Artistic Director Aloysia Friedmann, in consultation with Executive Director Anita Orne and Board President Sam Coleman, is thrilled to announce a major online initiative to feature the Miró Quartet performing the complete
SJC 2036 Comprehensive Plan update | Drafts available for review
-- from San Juan County News -- New draft documents are available for review and comment. Comment deadlines are provided in the transmittal memo attached to the document. Draft Utilities Element and Utility InventoryDraft Capital Facilities Element and Capital Facilities Plan (Inventory and Assessment): Draft Historic and Archaeological ElementDraft Section A Plan IntroductionCombined
