Inslee issues emergency proclamation that limits large events to minimize public health risk during COVID-19
-- from Office of the Governor -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced new community strategies and social distancing plans Wednesday at a news conference in Seattle to minimize COVID-19 exposure, particularly in counties hit hardest by the virus. Starting today, events that take place in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties with more than
Growth issues get real in Eastsound, but new VR regs in limbo
||| BY MATTHEW GILBERT, ORCASONIAN OP/ED REPORTER |||| Last week’s monthly EPRC meeting headlined Department of Community Development (DCD) planner Adam Zack, along with DCD Director Erika Shook, who updated the commissioners on the county’s recently completed Land Capacity Analysis (LCA). The results, and assumptions supporting it, are critical to
March Turtleback March
Sunday, March 21, 1 p.m., Turtleback Mountain Preserve -- from Tanja Williams for San Juan County Land Bank -- MARCH TURTLEBACK MARCH turns five! The San Juan County Land Bank and San Juan Preservation Trust invite you to welcome spring with a 5 mile “Up and Over” hike of Turtleback
Open letter from Eric Webb outlines decision process regarding school virus safety
-- from Eric Webb, Orcas Schools Superintendent -- Dear Students, Families, and Community Members, Information on COVID-19 can at times be daunting and even confusing as we receive conflicting information from multiple sources daily. In an attempt to keep you informed, I have summarized the most relevant information that pertains
First count of local primary ballots favors Sanders
-- by Lin McNulty | Editor, Orcas Issues -- The first count of ballots locally in the Presidential Primary, show Bernie Sanders with a tally of 1,409 votes (25.7%) currently leading Joe Biden's 1,082 (30.8%) count. Number of Precincts19Number of Registered Voters13,583Total Ballots Counted5,063Estimated Ballots Left to Count1,500Next Ballot Count
School Board calls special meeting to address coronavirus exposure risk
Thursday, March 12, 5 p.m., School Library -- from Orcas Island School Board -- 5:00 pm. CALL TO ORDER - SPECIAL Mtg.- School Library Approve AgendaDiscussion and possible adoption of Resolution 2020-04 Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19.2020-21 Budget Worksession. ADJOURN
Skagit Valley College announces precautionary operations update due to COVID-19
-- from Arden Ainley for Skagit Valley College -- Earlier today, March 9, Skagit Valley College was notified that the Snohomish County Health District is investigating a presumptive positive test for the COVID-19 virus involving a resident of the Josephine Sunset Home in Stanwood. Nine SVC students and two faculty
See what’s cooking at Children’s House
Share your favorite recipes -- from Ady Walker for Children's House -- We love to eat at Children's House and that love has inspired many community cooking classes, family dinners, bake sales and cookbooks over the years. Some of you may have copies of these cookbooks, Island Style and Taste
COVID cancellation | Meeting of the minds
-- from Lena Kassa for Orcas Senior Center -- Meeting of the Minds—San Juan Islands National Monument: Past, Present, and Future at Orcas Senior Center Nonprofit scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 1 p.m. has been cancelled.
COVID cancellation | Olga Potluck
-- from Lorna Rhodes -- Due to an over abundance of caution, we've chosen to cancel next Saturday's Potluck in Olga.
Covid cancellation | Eastsound Water special bylaws meetings canceled
-- from Paul Kamin for Eastsound Water -- Following the COVID 19 recommendations of San Juan County Health, Eastsound Water is cancelling our previously announced Monday March 16 and Wednesday March 18 public meetings. The purpose of the meetings was to answer questions related to the proposed changes to the
Senior Center taking steps to remain open during coronavirus threat
-- from Lynnette Wood for Orcas Senior Center -- At the Orcas Senior Center, we're working to make a safe, proactive, and appropriately scaled response to the spread of the novel coronavirus. The Orcas Senior Center non-profit, San Juan County and the Whatcom Council on Aging (which oversees the nutrition
Tune in today to learn about County’s COVID-19 response
-- from San Juan County Communications -- San Juan County is hosting a livestream update on COVID-19 and the County's preparations today, March 9, at 3 pm. For more information, please see the County's page on COVID-19 updates. Their page has a link for the live stream, a link to a
Presidential primary ballots due
-- from Congressman Rick Larsen -- Washington's Presidential Primary is tomorrow, March 10! As a reminder: Mailed ballots must have a March 10 postmark to count.All returned ballots must have a valid signature.Ballot boxes and voting centers close at 8:00 p.m. Haven't received a ballot? The last opportunity to register
Island Makers Guild holding Spring Fair
Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Orcas Center -- from San Juan Makers Guild -- Creativity and ingenuity are a valued part of island life and Island Makers are busy in their shops and studios breathing life into great ideas and wonderful works. Come meet Island Makers at
Wolf Hollow to offer guided tours of facility
Saturday, March 28, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Wolf Hollow -- from Shona Aitken for Wolf Hollow Wildlife Rehabilitation Center -- Have you ever wondered how big an enclosure you need to get a Bald Eagle conditioned for release, or how we can care for Harbor Seal pups when we’re
