Here’s a thought…
“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.”
HEATHER FRENCH HENRY
Town of Friday Harbor publishes book of winning Poetry Garden poems
-- from Julie Greene for Town of Friday Harbor -- The Town and its Friday Harbor Arts Commission have published Friday Harbor Poetry Gardens--a book of the winning entries in its first poetry garden contest. Thirty of the 271 entries submitted by local poets were selected for publication and for
Letter to Editor | Should councilmembers with a conflict of interest recuse from voting on transient rentals?
-- from Kat Fennell -- During the Women’s League of Voter’s Candidate’s forum for District 2 Candidates, there was a question as to whether if Council Members owned or operated a transient rental should recuse themselves from voting on legislation related to transient rentals. Apparently, Council Members who own or
State Parks asks visitors to avoid crowded parks this summer
Visitors should be prepared to go somewhere else if park is full -- from Washington State Parks -- The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is asking the public to follow the Guidelines for Responsible Recreation when planning a trip to a state park this summer. When parks are crowded, and parking
Aging Like a Guru | I don’t like being told what to do
-- by Rosie Kuhn -- As we age, we don’t want to give up our freedom and independence, which often means that we make choices that perhaps are not in our best interest. I see a lot of people who are aging -- like all of us -- who resist
Inslee extends Safe Start proclamation, eviction moratorium
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee Thursday announced the extension of proclamation 20-25, Washington's Safe Start Phased Reopening plan. This extension changes guidance and regulations for activities shown to provide a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure, including restaurants, bars, and fitness centers, as well as weddings and funerals. The
Statement on statewide face covering order expansion
-- from Washington State Health Department -- Today, the secretary of health’s statewide face covering order will expand to require face coverings in any indoor setting outside of your home (not just public buildings) and expands the outdoor requirement to non-public settings when you can’t maintain 6 feet of distance from non-household
It’s sad, but official: There will be no Library Fair this year
-- from Dave Kosiur for Orcas Island Library -- In order to maintain the safety of the Orcas Island community, the Orcas Island Library and the Friends of the Library have decided to cancel this year's annual Summer Library Fair, which is usually held in August.
Recapping today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported 865 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases to 50,824 as of July 23 at 11:59 p.m. The state’s rolling average number of cases has been well over
Orcasional Musings | The five platonic solids…or is it six?
||| ORCASIONAL MUSINGS BY STEVE HENIGSON ||| In order to graduate, Orcasian high-school seniors must create, and then successfully complete, a project that results in an improvement to the student, and improvement also to the school, to the island, to the environment, or to humanity in general. Not least of
Sheriff’s Report | July 15 – 20, 2020
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- Wednesday, July 15, 202020-005671 Accident-HitRun 11:49:24 07/15/20A Deputy on Lopez received a report of a damaged mailbox. A local construction company contacted the reportee and agreed to pay for damage. 20-005677 Explosives Problem 15:02:32 07/15/20A Deputy on Lopez was dispatched to a
Health District prepares for Island Hospital community presentation
-- by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues reporter -- The Orcas Island Health Care District’s meeting on July 21 consisted of two parts: A commissioners’ meeting, where more information about Island Hospital’s (IH’s) proposal to operate a consolidated medical clinic on the island was discussed; andA Town Hall, at which community
The fate or future of Eastsound? | District 2 council candidates respond
-- by Matthew Gilbert, Orcas Issues reporter -- With time for one final question before the District 2 primary and the arrival of two significant projects that will change the nature and experience of “downtown” – and perhaps set the stage for development to come – we focus on the
County to update COVID case reporting process
-- from Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management -- As positive test results continue to occur in San Juan County, the County COVID-19 Response Team is going to adjust the reporting strategy and schedule. Going forward:-The Case Count Page will be updated when positive test results are received and initial investigation has
Alex Conrad returns to Orcas Fire following graduation from Harborview Paramedic Program
-- from Kim Kimple for Orcas Island Fire & Rescue -- After an intense 12-months immersed in the University of Washington Harborview Medical Center Paramedic training program, Alex Conrad has returned to serve the community with Orcas Island Fire and Rescue as a paramedic. The world-renowned program is known for
Today’s recap of COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Newest numbers. The state of Washington reported 766 new COVID-19 cases over the past 24 hours. This brings the total number of cases to a new, sobering milestone 50,009 as of July 22 at 11:59 p.m. The total number of deaths are at
Inslee announces rollbacks to some activities to slow COVID-19 exposure
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman today announced changes to “Safe Start,” Washington’s phased approach to reopening. The changes target activities that data have shown provide a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure. It has been four months since the governor
