Letter to Editor | Navy unresponsive to Washingtonians sheltering in place
-- from Mark Lundsten, Chair, Sound Defense Alliance (SDA) -- Right now, the number one priority for our state and nation is to defeat COVID19. Gov. Jay Inslee announced Friday he would extend Washington’s stay-home order through May 31, as he and state officials try to keep the new coronavirus
Legislative session & COVID-19 update
-- from Rep. Alex Ramel's Office -- Dear friends and neighbors, The COVID-19 pandemic is unlike any public health emergency we’ve experienced in over a century. I am proud of the bipartisan work our Legislature has done to address this crisis so far, including passage of several policies and investment
Letter to Editor | Waiting to exhale
-- from Tom Eversole -- China implemented strict countermeasures to stop COVID-19 to save people. Americans are reopening businesses to manage COVID-19 to save capital. It is a false choice. Saving both is possible as per New York’s smart reopening plan. Soon 3,000 Americans may die from COVID-19 daily, yet those deaths are largely invisible
Inslee signs new COVID-19 order for phased re-opening of Washington’s economy
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Some businesses could re-open as early as this week under the new COVID-19 order signed by Gov. Jay Inslee today. The state’s “Safe Start” plan is a phased approach to re-opening Washington’s economy. Under the plan, smaller counties can apply for a variance
San Juan County state parks to open for day use on May 5th
-- from Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management -- On April 27, Governor Inslee announced a May 5 partial opening of some outdoor recreation activities. Included in his action was a opening of many State Parks across Washington for day use activities. However, he held off on announcing any opening
Hot Topic #21 | Antibody testing: No shortcuts to success
COVID-19 updates from San Juan County around subjects on the minds of islanders -- from Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management -- There is nothing anyone of us wants more right now than to put the COVID-19 crisis behind us and get down to the work of reopening and restoring
Checking in on Community Emergency Response Fund
Now and into the future -- from Hilary Canty for Community Foundation -- As we near the end of our second month in the Covid 19 crisis, it is an opportunity to reflect on how Orcas Island has responded and what the next steps will be for this community. Very
Recap of COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of 11:59 p.m. on May 2, there are 15,185 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of 182 cases in the last 24 hours. Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Statewide Response Updates DOH COVID-19 visualizations get an upgrade: Visitors
County board and advisory committee vacancies
-- from San Juan County Communications -- CommitteePositionExpiresTerm LengthMember NameAgricultural Resources CommitteePosition #6 At LargeAug 31 2021 12:00AMPt'lAgricultural Resources CommitteePosition #6 At LargeAug 31 2021 12:00AMPt'lAgricultural Resources CommitteePosition #14 At Large4 YearAgricultural Resources CommitteePosition #8 At Large4 YearAgricultural Resources CommitteePosition #10 At Large4 YearBoard of Equalization#3 At LargeMay 31 2021
Pandemic poetry | Pandemic by Lynn Ungar
Pandemic What if you thought of it as the Jews consider the Sabbath — the most sacred of times? Cease from travel. Cease from buying and selling. Give up, just for now, on trying to make the world different than it is. Sing. Pray. Touch only those to whom you
A huge thank you to Jeannie Doty upon retirement from Food Bank
-- from Madie Murray for Orcas Island Food Bank -- An era is ending. After 14 years as manager of the Orcas Island Food Bank, Jeannie Doty will officially turn over the reins to its new manager, Amanda Sparks, on May 31. Her loving dedication to the Food Bank and
COVID-19 Community Conversations continue
-- from Brendan Cowan for Department of Emergency Management -- The “COVID-19 Community Conversations” series continues this week with three short videos that highlight efforts from organizations and people providing key services and crucial leadership in our community. You can find these videos on our YouTube channel “San Juan County
Inslee extends six proclamations relating to COVID-19
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of six proclamations today in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The extensions, approved by the Legislature, apply to health care, nursing assistant training and testing, post retirement employment, and license renewals and suspensions. The
Port releases upcoming agenda, along with sad news
-- from Tony Simpson, Airport Manager -- As the attached agenda reveals sad news, I feel it appropriate to address it first: It is with a tremendously heavy heart that I write of the passing of Commissioner William S. (Steve) Hopkins. I’m sorry to do so by email, but the
Recap of COVID-19 News and Updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of 11:59 p.m. on May 1, there are 15,003 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state [14 in San Juan County], an increase of 366 cases in the last 24 hours. Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and
Tuning out the pandemic | Orcas Choral Society, Faure Requiem
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. Introit & Kyrie from Gabriel Fauré's Requiem | Orcas Island Choral Society If you have local music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com.
