Here’s a thought…
“The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.”
ROBERT M. PIRSIG
Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported 679 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases to 49,247 as of July 21 at 11:59 p.m. The total number of deaths are at 1,468. For the most
Letter to Editor | Where is our vacation rental permit moratorium?
-- from Joe Symons for Vacation Rental Work Group -- This month is the one-year anniversary of the Vacation Rental Work Group’s (VRWG) Community Conversation about vacation rental regulations in the San Juan Islands. An overwhelming conclusion of the three community conversations that took place in 2019 was the public’s
Federal Court throws out lawsuit against county by teacher once charged with statutory rape
-- by Steve Bernheim, Orcas Issues reporter -- In a complete victory for San Juan County, Sheriff Krebs, and former Deputy Stephen Parker, Gerald Tinner’s federal court lawsuit alleging violations of his federal rights and outrageous conduct was dismissed Tuesday by a senior federal judge in Seattle, Marsha Pechman. Here
New case on Orcas Island, update on recent San Juan cases
-- from Brendan Cowan for Department of Emergency Management -- One new positive COVID-19 case has been reported on Orcas Island, which brings the total number of cases in San Juan County to date to 25. The initial case investigation is complete. Close contacts are in quarantine and the patient
Amazing Grandmothers of the Southern Resident orca community
-- from Center for Whale Research -- These matriarchs teach the other orcas how to fish and where to find Chinook salmon; they also give up to 90% of the salmon they catch to the younger whales in their pod, K12 and family (photograph by Dave Ellifrit, CWR) The blog content
Letter to Editor | Time for yellow ribbons?
-- from Stephanie Rosenblatt -- Last night my daughter was on the front line with the other PDX MOMs and DADs peacefully supporting her and our nation's constitutional right to protest. They were tear gassed for standing up for democracy. These people are NOT anarchists; they are displaying courage and
Letter to Editor | More on plans for Prune Alley
-- from Chris Bean-Hearne -- I took a long look at the recently detailed and lengthy proposed plans published by EPRC for the improvements on Prune Alley. It comes down to this -- the gentrification and tarting-up of a nice, old village street with the final effect (at a cost
USDA seeks feedback to launch program to create high-wage jobs in rural communities
-- from U.S. Department of Agriculture -- WASHINGTON, July 22, 2020 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Bette Brand today announced that USDA is seeking feedback to launch a new program to help create high-wage jobs in rural communities and strengthen regional economies. Under the Rural
Recapping today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Muray -- Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported 838 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases to 48,575 as of July 19 at 11:59 p.m. The total number of deaths are at 1,465. For the most
Letter to Editor | Ryan Palmateer has strong background we need
-- from Karin Agosta -- A friend asked me yesterday about Ryan Palmateer's strengths as a candidate for San Juan County Council District 1. This is a great question in today's confusing, demanding world. Here's what I wrote her. First, his work in sustainable construction plus information
Letter to Editor | Isn’t selecting Island Hospital a step backwards?
-- from Spirit Eagle -- It appears that the board is attempting to reinvent the wheel by considering bringing in Island Hospital again. Didn’t we have them running the clinic for two different five year periods, already? UW was another disaster. We need a locally run-clinic that offers a
Orcas Island’s new Sunspice is first ‘not-coffee’ shop to open in Washington
-- from Nicole Miller for Sunspice -- Celebrating the summer sun in the San Juan Islands is something special. A beautiful release after a dark winter. This year is a bit different for obvious reasons. Orcas Island in particular is a magical place usually filled with all kinds of festivities,
Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported 797 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases to 47,743 as of July 19 at 11:59 p.m. The total number of deaths are at 1,453. For the most
School Board calls public hearing for 2020-21 budget adoption
-- from Orcas Island School Board -- Notice of aREGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGandPUBLIC HEARING #2 for the possibleAdoption of the 2020-21 BUDGETThursday, July 23, 2020 AGENDA Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7661783771 5:00 PM CALL TO ORDER – REGULAR MEETING. Approve Agenda Approve Consent Agenda ADMINISTRATORS’ REPORT Project Manager- Liz LeRoy Business Report
Letter to Editor | Does the emperor wear no clothes?
-- from Michael Johnson -- In a recent online conversation about the legitimacy of both non-essential travel, and people not staying local during SJCs current Phase 2 re-opening under Gov. Inslee's Stay Safe Stay Local Plan, the following was said, Comment: "...the repeal (by Dr. Frank James) of the orders
State returns Safe Start applications to seven counties
San Juan County remains in Phase 2 -- from Washington Department of Health -- OLYMPIA -- Today, Washington State Secretary of Health John Wiesman announced that he is returning all COVID-19 Safe Start applications from counties whose applications were put on pause or pending review before Governor Jay Inslee implemented a statewide pause
