Here’s a thought…
“No one, I mean no one, has the right to sit in judgment of who’s American enough.”
MICHELLE OBAMA
Letter to Editor | Are we on the right track?
||| FROM ED SUIJ ||| In February 2020 the CO2 content of the atmosphere reached a new high of 416 parts per million (ppm). The last time it was that high was in the Pliocene epoch, between 3-5 million years ago. Temperatures were 5 to 7 degrees F higher and
‘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.
Letter to Editor | Times they are a-changing; I’m voting for Cindy Wolf
||| FROM ROBERT AUSTIN ||| Rick Hughes has worked tirelessly on behalf of our local business interests for the past eight years, and has helped make Orcas Island a favorite tourist destination. I’ve voted for him twice, have conversed and shaken hands with him on a number of occasions, and
Letter to Editor | Having observed him at work, Rick Hughes has my vote
||| FROM JEFF OTIS ||| I didn’t vote for Rick the first time he ran for County Council. I thought he’d be too business oriented. I was wrong. As a planner with San Juan County and, for the last 20 years, a land use consultant, I’ve known and worked with
Letter to Editor | Remember that quick hand sanitizer availability?
||| FROM MORGAN WEST ||| It's been several months since our family distillery produced hand sanitizer during the early days of the COVID pandemic and quarantine, but it's a good little story, and it shows how much Rick cares for this community. In mid-March, when the risks of the virus
Flu vaccine availability in San Juan County
||| FROM BRENDAN COWAN FOR DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ||| In the time of COVID, being vaccinated against flu is especially critical. Depending on COVID and influenza case activity, access to advanced medical care or testing may become more limited, and could cause additional strain on our health care systems.
Inslee, state leaders warn U.S. Senators of pending ACA lawsuit amid Supreme Court nomination
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE ||| As the U.S. Senate rushes through the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett, the lawsuit deciding the fate of Affordable Care Act (California v. Texas) will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in less than a month — putting the
Letter to Editor | Rep. Lekanoff endorses Cindy Wolf for SJC Council
||| FROM REP. DEBRA LEKANOFF, 40TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT ||| In 2018, Cindy Wolf invested in me as a candidate, and today I am investing in her as a candidate for San Juan County Council. A solid community leader, Cindy listens with a keen ear to the issues around her and
Record number served at mobile mammography event
||| FROM LENA KASSA FOR ORCAS SENIOR CENTER ||| The mobile mammogram screening event at Orcas Senior Center was another resounding success this year. Assured Imaging’s team served a record 94 patients, 15 more than last year’s record! Their Washington Operations Administrator, John Hayner, said they see their biggest attendance
Letter to Editor | Why bet on the come when we have an ace in the hand?
||| FROM PATTY MILLER ||| I am often perplexed when people say they voted for a particular candidate because of their affiliation with a party, their gender, or because they would just like to try a change. When did we stop voting for the best qualified candidates? Rick Hughes has
Makerspaces in the San Juans: A conversation with EDC, Port of Friday Harbor
||| FROM VICTORIA COMPTON FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL ||| The Economic Development Council (EDC) of San Juan County invites the public to attend a discussion on the creation of a makerspace system in the islands, on Friday, October 23, 2020 from noon-1 p.m., in partnership with the Port of Friday
Recap of recent COVID-19 news and updates
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| Statewide Response Updates Newest numbers. The Department of Health reported a total of 94,775 confirmed cases as of 11:59 pm on October 12. There have been 2,211 COVID-19 deaths in Washington. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department
To tricksters young and old: No Bonnie Brae Halloween this year
||| FROM LAURIE MICHAEL FOR BONNIE BRAE ||| Dear Orcas Community and Tricksters Young and Old, due to COVID-19, the Bonnie Brae Neighborhood has voted to cancel Halloween this year for safety concerns. Be Safe, Wear a Mask, and Social Distance so we can have a Super Goulish Time next
Back in the news | Prune Alley road plan hits a snag
||| BY MATTHEW GILBERT, theORCASONIAN REPORTER ||| Toward the end of a presentation on approving the county’s Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) at Tuesday’s weekly County Council meeting, County Manager Mike Thomas addressed new developments affecting the plan to redevelop Prune Alley. It has to do with the main sewer line
COVID-19 transmission increasing in western Washington, rates flat but higher in eastern Washington
||| FROM STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ||| OLYMPIA – Today the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) released the latest statewide situation report on COVID-19 transmission. Report findings include: Transmission is increasing in western Washington and recently plateauing in eastern Washington. The best estimates of the reproductive number (how many new people each COVID-19
Inslee announces new state group for COVID-19 economic recovery
||| FROM GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE'S OFFICE ||| Gov. Jay Inslee today introduced a new state effort to help communities recover from the social and economic damage wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the state continues to battle the deadly virus, the Washington Recovery Group will help strengthen the state’s recovery
