Here’s a thought…
“Old age is no joke, but it can feel like one.”
TAD TOMPKINS
Larsen: Sign petition for national vote-by-mail
-- from Congressman Rick Larsen -- Voting rights are critical to a functioning democracy. In 2016, I was a vice chair of the first congressional caucus dedicated to voting rights. We worked to educate folks about voter suppression tactics, inform them of their rights as voters, and draft legislation to
HOT TOPIC #15 | The current testing situation
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders. -- from Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management -- It has been nearly a month since the release of Hot Topic #1, which also focused on testing. Since then, a lot has changed, but some things remain
Pandemic poetry | Swallows by Jens Kruse
Swallows Jens Kruse This morning, as I open my eyes,I see them,a dozen or so of them,swallows,flying in front of my windowsas only swallows can:gliding, then fluttering,with rapid, sharp turns,hunting insects,showing off to their mates,flashing white belliesin the early morningsunlight. I stand by my windowgazing at them in awethinking thatspring
DOH adds additional data on confirmed COVID-19 cases
-- from State Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Camp Murray, WA — The Washington State Department of Health is now able to report COVID-19 data on hospitalization and race/ethnicity. Specifically, DOH has data on the number of persons currently hospitalized or in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with confirmed COVID-19 and the
Aging Like a Guru | What is divine will, and what’s it got to do with aging?
-- from Rosie Kuhn -- I don't know about you, but my will is to have things go my way according to my perceptions and interpretations of reality. However, that’s like allowing a five-year-old to drive a car in downtown LA! Nobody wins! Many of us are exposed to spiritual and religious
Food Bank staff, volunteers, suppliers brought smiles — and then some
-- from Orcas Island Food Bank --Last Friday was exceptional in so many ways. And amazing people made it happen.Our staff and volunteers:Amanda Sparks, Molly Donovan, Kelly Doty and Jeannie Doty.Those who made Friday special:Chocolates donated by Roses Bakery and The Island Skillet. Baskets donated by The Exchange. Plastic eggs
Defining an Era: Russ Harvey to retire from Public Works
-- from Colin Huntemer, County Engineer -- On April 23 2020, Russ Harvey will retire from the San Juan CountyPublic Works Department after 39 years of public service. Until thenyou can reach him at russh@sanjuanco.com. After that you canreach him as most of you already do, as a neighbor on
Announcing “COVID-19 Community Conversations” for San Juan County
-- from Brendan Cowan, County Department of Emergency Management -- During the COVID-19 crisis the San Juan County COVID Response Team have made a real effort to keep the public informed through our website (www.sjccovid.com), via local media, through Facebook (@sjcpublichealth), Twitter (@SanJuanCountyWA), through several video updates, and in bothSpanish
Tuning out the pandemic | Where Would We Be Without Fishermen? by Marc Cohen
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. WHERE WOULD WE BE WITHOUT FISHERMEN? | Marc Cohen If you have music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com. Keep 'em
Village Voices | At home edition
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter -- Several more responses have been received to last week’s Village Voices. We invite you to join in the conversation. Please send your answers to minorlile@theorcasonian.com, along with a picture of what you see out your favorite window. If there is enough interest,
An update from Orcas Island Library
-- from Julia Wrapp for Orcas Island Library -- As Orcas Island Library remains closed, we continue to focus on serving our patrons in every way possible, while also looking toward expanding our services as soon as we can do so safely. Employees continue to work mostly from home. We
Washington state PBS stations partner with OSPI to offer distance learning to teachers and families
In response to school closures throughout the state, all PBS affiliate stations are increasing daily educational programming for at-home learning SEATTLE—KCTS 9, KBTC, KSPS, and Northwest Public Broadcasting—all PBS member stations throughout Washington—are partnering with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to support educators and families
Inslee issues proclamations around nursing home transfers, protection orders and state employee leave and pay
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's office -- Gov. Jay Inslee signed new proclamations today in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The orders impact nursing home transfers and discharge waivers, provide flexibility for protection orders and remove restrictions from pay and leave procedures for state employees. “As society changes and evolves
Sheriff: We are responding to vacation rental complaints
-- from Sheriff Ron Krebs -- Over the last few days, we have been getting a lot of calls and complaints regarding the vacation rentals in San Juan County advertising their rentals. Everyone is concerned about a huge influx of visitors during this time of crisis, and rightfully so. We
State Parks will reschedule April free days
Parks postpones April 11, 22 free days due to coronavirus-related closures -- from Washington State Parks -- OLYMPIA – April 9, 2020 – Washington State Parks is postponing its two scheduled free days in April, due to coronavirus-related park closures. April 11 and 22, a spring free day and Earth
Sheriff’s Report | April 1 – 7, 2020
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- Wednesday, April 1, 202020-002261 Animal at Large 06:04:23 04/01/20An Orcas Deputy was dispatched to cows in the road near Swan Road. No cows were found to be out of the fenced area or in the road upon arrival. 20-002262 Animal at Large
