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
EDC analysis of PPP loan data for San Juan County businesses
-- from San Juan County 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
Orcasional Musings | The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men…
||| ORCASIONAL MUSINGS BY STEVE HENIGSON ||| I was all set to write about the wild turkeys of Raccoon Point, this week, when, as Robert Burns once pointed out, "the best-laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley." A medical issue took up Thursday, my entire writing day, because
Sheriff’s Report | July 1 – 7, 2020
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- Wednesday, July 1, 2020 20-005093 Accident-NonInj 07:01:54 07/01/20San Juan Deputies were dispatched to a report of a single-vehicle, non-injury collision. A collision report was generated. 20-005105 Theft 12:59:54 07/01/20A sailboat was reported stolen from Fisherman Bay. The alleged suspect is known, as
Inslee issues proclamation related to Family Emergency Assistance Program
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee today issued a proclamation related to the Department of Social and Health Services' Family Emergency Assistance Program. The proclamation will help more people who are financially impacted by COVID-19. DSHS – Family Emergency Assistance Program – 20-63 This proclamation addresses the Family Emergency Assistance Program (FEAP), and
Waiver extension: WIC will continue to provide remote services
-- from State Department of Health -- Congress recently extended waivers that permit Washington WIC to offer remote services through September 30, 2020. WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children. While the rules normally require in-person meetings, the waivers allow WIC to enroll new applicants, provide
Replacement of OISD Education Programs and Operations Levy
-- from Orcas Island School Board -- The August 4th 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
Today’s recap of COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Newest numbers. For the most recent tally of cases by county, demographics, and more, visit the Department of Health's dashboard and the state’s COVID-19 risk assessment dashboard. Warning about methanol-based hand sanitizers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning
Center for Whale Research posts another encounter with J-pod
-- from Center for Whale Research -- Throughout the late morning and early afternoon, Dave received multiple calls from Jane Cogan, Ken, Katie, and John Durban relaying reports on the progress of J pod as they travelled east in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. When we heard that the
Letter to Editor | Now is the time to think forward
-- from Christopher Evans -- The County Council’s application to move into Phase 3 has been put on hold by Governor Inslee in his state wide pause on advancing phases at this time. For the moment, we have a reprieve. The County should now withdraw its application for advancing to
Letter to Editor | Big thanks for garage sale support from AOK
An upcoming free day has been added -- from Jane Heisinger -- The Art Teachers and Volunteers for AOK want to thank everyone who came out on a very rainy day to support Art for Orcas Kids(AOK). As you know, Art in the schools is so very important and almost
Fair staff will visit local Food Banks to assist with donations and Fair entries
-- from Adrienne Bourne for San Juan County Fair -- Love to garden? Want to enter in the Fair this year? The Fair's Fruits & Vegetables Department is encouraging gardeners and farmers to donate food to the Orcas Island Food Bank, the San Juan Island Food Bank, and for the
Sea level rise data now available to assist coastal planners
-- from Washington Sea Grant -- A new guide from the Washington Coastal Resilience Project helps coastal planners use the latest sea level rise data. IN BRIEF: The Washington Coastal Resilience Project team – a collaboration between the state’s Department of Ecology, the University of Washington Climate Impacts Group and
Safe Start proclamation extended, along with facial coverings guidance
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of the Safe Start proclamation until August 6. This extension clarifies the interaction between Safe Start and Department of Health Secretary John Wiesman's facial coverings order. It includes: The Yakima County business prohibition is extended statewide: No business may operate,
Proclamations related to COVID-19 issued, extended
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee today issued a new proclamation in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Inslee also announced the extension of the Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act proclamation and the DOH Health Care Facilities and Hand Sanitizer proclamation. A July 7 letter from the Legislature extends proclamation 20-28.6 and 20-36.2 until
Hedrick Smith’s Democracy Rebellion is coming back to PBS
-- from Hedrick Smith -- Do you sometimes feel as if our democracy is coming apart at the seams? Gridlock, hate speech, dark money, negative ads, political parties at each other's throats instead of working together for our common good? It’s almost enough to make you give up on American
Letter to Editor | I’ll be taking photos of those who risk my health
-- from Stephen Shrader -- I visit the dog park in Eastsound once or twice a day; it is a social nexus for vulnerable populations, like myself. Yesterday, young people were congregating, hugging, and being children at the adjacent skate park. From now on, I will photograph those who risk
