Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
HOT TOPIC #16 | An insider’s look at the San Juan County COVID Response Team
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders -- from Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management -- The first thing you need to know is that there are abbreviations for everything. From EOC (Emergency Operations Center) to PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) to IC (Incident Commander),
These bees a good thing
-- from Dianne Macondray for Master Gardeners -- Screenshot Mason bees are now emerging at the Orcas School and will soon be emerging at the Friday Harbor Middle School, and on Shaw Island, thanks to bee cocoons and nesting materials donated by Master Gardeners. Activities related to food production are
What is COVID-19’s impact on Eastsound water useage?
-- from Paul Kamin for Eastsound Water -- During the first three weeks since Governor Inslee issued a Shelter in Place Order on March 25, there has been a noticeable impact on water use on the Eastsound Water system. The below chart compares 2019 and 2020 water use from March
Inslee announces strategies to reduce number of incarcerated to address COVID-19
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- As the COVID-19 outbreak continues in Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee announced ... steps to protect the health of incarcerated individuals by focusing on the early release of vulnerable populations, including nonviolent individuals who are due to be released within the coming weeks and months. “This
Pandemic poetry | Praise Song by Barbara Crooker
Praise Song Barbara Crooker Raise the light of late November, the thin sunlight that goes deep in the bones. Praise the crows chattering in the oak trees; though they are clothed in night, they do not despair. Praise what little there’s left: the small boats of milkweed pods, husks, hulls,
Inslee issues protection for high-risk workers
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation [Monday] giving high-risk workers the right to protect themselves from COVID-19 without jeopardizing their employment status or loss of income. The proclamation provides older workers and those with underlying health conditions a series of rights and protections,
Letter to Editor | Cutting a deal with COVID
-- from Tom Eversole -- Deal making is useless against Mother Nature. Threatening COVID19 with a premature return to business as usual is like bullying the weather not to rain, because you haven’t fixed your roof yet. You’re going to get wet. Although we lost valuable time in starting, physical
In Memoriam | James Hennessey, 1945 – 2020
-- from Evans Funeral Chapel -- It is with great sadness that the Hennessey family announces the death of Jim on April 6, 2020 following a battle with cancer. Jim was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather as well as an innovator, educator, musician, and passionate collector. 1969 was an
Uh-oh. Orcas Issues [editor] blew it
-- by Lin McNulty, Editor, Orcas Issues -- I could offer any number of seemingly valid explanations as to why yesterday's story about RockIsland's service interruption came to be posted on Orcas Issues. Each of those explanations can only end with "Lin blew it." I received email notification from RockIsland
Washington state airports to receive more than $310M in COVID-19 relief
-- from the Office of Congressman Rick Larsen -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Washington state airports will receive more than $310 million in critical COVID-19 relief funding provided under the CARES Act. The CARES Act, which the president signed into law on March 27, included $10
Washington, Oregon, California announce western states pact
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Today, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced an agreement on a shared vision for reopening their economies and controlling COVID-19 into the future. Joint statement from the governors: COVID-19 has preyed upon our
Tuning out the pandemic | That’s How I Got to Orcas by Ryan Page
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. THAT'S HOW I GOT TO ORCAS | Ryan Page If you have music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com. Keep ’em coming!
San Juan Islands strong: The Visitors Bureau is here for you
-- from San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau -- The San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau acknowledges and is concerned about the far-reaching impact the COVID-19 crisis has had on our small community. All around us we see acts of kindness and cohesiveness that make us grateful to be part of an
Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from State Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of 11:59 p.m. on April 12, there are 10,538 cases of COVID-19 in Washington state. Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Western States Pact: Today, Gov. Jay Inslee, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oregon Gov. Kate
RockIsland to have intermittent service disruptions next three days
-- from RockIsland Communications -- Beginning on Tuesday, April 14, maintenance work will be done to the LTE site that serves your area. This work will take several days to complete and will result in intermittent service disruptions. Expect intermittent outages between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., on April 14,
The scoop on San Juan County COVID-19 property tax relief
-- from San Juan County Communications -- In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, San Juan County Treasurer, Rhonda Pederson, has encouraged those who are able, to pay the full year in April to offset those who will have difficulty making the first half payment. If you have been financially impacted
