Governor Inslee extends his Stay at Home Order through at least May 31
-- from Brendan Cowan for Department of Emergency Management -- The devil is in the details of course, and the next few days will provide more info on what exactly this plan may mean for San Juan County. We, like you, have questions that require clarification. We'll work hard to
Pandemic poetry | Everyone Sang by Siegfried Sassoon
Everyone Sang Siegfried Sassoon Everyone suddenly burst out singing;And I was filled with such delightAs prisoned birds must find in freedom,Winging wildly across the whiteOrchards and dark-green fields; on--on--and out of sight.Everyone's voice was suddenly lifted;And beauty came like the setting sun:My heart was shaken with tears; and horrorDrifted away
ICYMI: Inslee requests federal waiver of COVID-19 cost-share requirements
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- In case you missed it: Gov. Jay Inslee sent a letter today requesting that President Trump authorize the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide 100 percent federal assistance under the Stafford Act for the COVID-19 pandemic in Washington state. "While our state enjoyed a period
Parks announces limited opening for day use
Ocean beach and Columbia River Gorge parks to remain closed -- from Washington State Parks -- Today, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announced the list of state parks that will open on Tuesday, May 5, for day use only. The list of more than 100 parks and properties is
Recap of COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of 11:59 p.m. on April 30, there are 14,327 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of 257 cases in the last 24 hours. Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Statewide response updates Washington’s phased approach: Today Gov. Jay Inslee
Congressman Rick Larsen to speak at EDC business recovery call
Wednesday, May 6, 10-11 a.m. via Zoom. -- from Victoria Compton for Economic Development Council -- The San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC) invites community leaders and businesspeople to join in a conversation with Congressman Rick Larsen on the economy, recovery and the news from Washington DC. The meeting will
Mayor Luna: No invitation needed to respond to Census
-- from Luna, Honorary Mayor of Eastsound -- Luna, new mayor Before we get to how to reply to the U.S. 2020 Census questionnaire if the Census Bureau failed to send your Census ID #, let’s talk about why it’s important to be counted (even though they don’t count dogs). Census
Sheriff’s Report | April 22-28, 2020
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- Wednesday, April 22, 202020-002860 Welfare Check 09:21:10 04/22/20An Orcas Deputy was dispatched to a welfare check in Eastsound. The woman was found and everything was fine. She was given a courtesy ride back to her residence. 20-002863 Traffic Hazard 13:00:27 04/22/20A Lopez
Ag Guild, EDC, WSU, ARC coordinate local farms directory for San Juan Islands farms
-- from Victoria Compton for Economic Development Council -- The San Juan Islands Agricultural Guild (Ag Guild), the San Juan County Economic Development Council (EDC), WSU San Juan County Extension and the San Juan County Agricultural Resources Committee have coordinated an initiative to connect local farms with consumers. As part
This week’s virtual cinema is for fine art and book lovers
-- from Orcas Island Film Festival -- This week we have added two enchanting and rich documentaries that will take you into the depths of timeless artworks that are gifts that keep on giving. THE BOOKSELLERS is described as "a documentary for anyone who can still look at a book and see a dream,
Health District prepares to seek potential partners for medical services
-- from Anne Presson for Orcas Island Health Care District -- As we reported for much of 2019, the Orcas Island Health Care District (OIHCD) spent most of last year assessing the existing health care model. This included gaining an understanding of the complex health care reimbursement system and the
We are the ones: Letters from Orcas Island
-- from Suzanne Olson -- How are you getting along during this historic shut down of society? Curious (and caring) minds want to know--and not just your current island friends and neighbors, but also the generations to come. There is a weekly broadcast, Letters from Orcas Island, that is sharing our
Cemetery District schedules Zoom meeting
-- from Scott Miller for Orcas Cemetery District -- The May General Meeting for the San Juan County Cemetery District #3 (Orcas Island), scheduled for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, will be held as a virtual Zoom meeting. The agenda is available online at the Orcas Cemetery website.
Tuning out the pandemic | Fields of Gold by Melinda Milligan and Z
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. FIELDS OF GOLD | Melinda Milligan and Z If you have local music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com. Keep ’em coming!
‘Tis the season: Watch out for fawns
-- from Shona Aitken for Wolf Hollow -- This is the time of year when you might come across a tiny fawn curled up in the grass in your yard or in the woods near your house. It will probably be all on its own with no Mom in sight,
Inslee announces infusion of federal testing supplies to support COVID-19 response
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement today in response to the news that the federal government will be invoking the Defense Production Act in order to increase available testing supplies for states. "I am pleased to announce that following our state’s advocacy for a strong national testing system for COVID-19,
