Guest Opinion | The U.S. coronavirus outbreak and the Trump administration
-- from Michael Riordan via Seattle Times -- As the numbers of local coronavirus cases and deaths grow inexorably, Seattle-area citizens are paying the awful price of the US president’s disdain for science. Our sprawling metropolitan area has become the US epicenter of this new disease, which could have been
County to live-stream COVID-19 status update
Submit your questions in advance Live-Streamed | Monday, March 9, 3 p.m. -- from San Juan County Communications -- San Juan County will be hosting a live stream update on the status of COVID-19 and San Juan County's response on Monday March 9 at 3 p.m. The update will be
If we build it right, will the Orca endure?
-- from InvestigateWest.org -- In a move promoted by environmentalists and others as key to staving off the extinction of Puget Sound orcas, but opposed by the building industry, Washington may soon take a first, small step toward requiring that development benefit the environment. “It sets a standard of leaving [the
Health District investigating primary, urgent care delivery models
-- from Anne Presson for Orcas Island Health Care District -- The Commissioners of the OIHCD (Orcas Island Health Care District) have been working hard to identify the best primary and urgent care delivery model to serve the needs of our community. Throughout this process, we have been considering both
Letter to Editor | A minor public health matter
-- from Tony Suruda -- Orcas residents are currently facing uncertainty regarding a major disease outbreak. I'd like to call attention to a minor but annoying issue at the Orcas Island Off Leash area: The new poop bags from biodogradablebags.com are a pain in the butt to open, and not just
Frequently asked questions for the islands about COVID-19, with answers from the County
-- from Dr. Frank James, Health Officer, San Juan County Health and Community Services; Mark Tompkins, Director, San Juan County Health and Community Services; Brendan Cowan, Director, San Juan County/Friday Harbor Department of Emergency Management -- COVID-19, and the coronavirus that causes it, are dominating the news, our conversations and,
Skagit Valley College offers bachelor’s degree in health management
-- from Arden Ainley for Skagit Valley College -- Skagit Valley College (SVC) is pleased to announce that it has received approval from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the College’s regional accrediting body, to offer a new Healthcare Management track under SVC’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Applied Management
Public welcome at Orcas Center annual meeting
Sunday, March 15, 4 - 5:30 p.m., Madrona Room -- from Bethany Marie for Orcas Center -- The annual meeting of the Orcas Center membership will be held on Sunday, March 15 from 4 - 5:30 p.m. in the Madrona Room. There will be an election of officers, a report
Super Tuesday is over; so now it’s our turn at the ballot box
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues Reporter -- Now it’s our turn. Super Tuesday has come and gone, and the Washington Presidential Primary is coming up next Tuesday, March 10. Every election season there are questions about the security and confidentiality of the electoral process. Especially so, it seems, in
DHPRC will meet next week
Wednesday, March 11, 4 - 5:30 p.m., Deer Harbor Fire Station -- from Sheila Gaquin for Deer Harbor Plan Review Committee -- Public Meeting Agenda for March 11, 2020Deer Harbor Plan Review Committee (DHPRC)Deer Harbor Fire Station #24 Chair:Call to Order; Establish a quorum; Approval of the minutes from January
Leadership change at Friends of the San Juans
-- from Katie Fleming for Friends of the San Juans -- Friends of the San Juans announces that Executive Director Stephanie Buffum has submitted her letter of resignation and retired as of March 1, 2020. Under Stephanie’s 19 years of leadership, Friends has become central to the protection of what is
Seniors: Call for entertainers
-- from Lena Kasssa for Orcas Senior Center -- Seniors Have Talent is back again for more fun and entertainment on Sunday, April 26! Are you a senior? Do you dance, sing, act, play an instrument, or have a talent meant for the stage? If you can answer yes to
San Juan County Drug Court celebrates first anniversary
-- from Jane Severin for San Juan County Superior Court -- San Juan County Superior Court launched a pilot Drug Court in January 2019 with the support of the local law and justice community. According to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, approximately one in ten American adults has
Washington State Ferries’ response to coronavirus
-- from Washington State Ferries -- As the third largest transit provider in the State of Washington, Washington State Ferries is taking a number of steps to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus) and keep our facilities as safe as possible. Safety is WSF’s number one priority,
Library’s winter book sale cancelled
Check out book sales in lobby area of library -- from David Kosiur for Friends of Orcas Library -- The Friends of the Orcas Island Library (FOIL) have decided to cancel this year’s Winter Book Sale, originally scheduled for Saturday, March 7. This is largely due to current concerns in
More from Inslee’s COVID-19 press conference
-- by Steve Bernheim, Orcas Issues Reporter -- Washington Governor Jay Inslee said [Monday] his priority is "to slow the speed of this dangerous virus" known as COVID-19, which has killed six in King and Snohomish counties where 18 total cases have been reported. No cases are yet reported elsewhere
