Here’s a thought…
“America is and always has been an argument — it’s an experiment.”
DAVID W. BLIGHT
Inslee orders statewide activation of National Guard
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee ordered a statewide activation of the Washington National Guard tonight in response to the spread of destructive protests and looting in Washington state. The activation will allow unarmed troops to be deployed in response to requests from local governments. The
Inslee activates additional National Guard at request of King County
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee today activated up to 200 more members of the Washington National Guard in response to a request from King County to help Bellevue respond to looting and to protect against property damage and manage crowds and traffic throughout the county
Letter to Editor | We the People deserve better
-- from Ed Andrews -- Last Tuesday, the County Council had a long discussion about what to do with the $943,250 Federal CARES Act funding they received. It seems they have already spent $147,000 although there has been confusion over who authorized the spending. In addition, the Council discussed taking
Aging Like a Guru | I am so alone or am I?
-- by Rosie Kuhn -- Experiencing moments of devastating aloneness is something that occurs for each and every one of us. It is an existential phenomenon: because we exist, aloneness exists. For me, the moments I feel most alone are the moments I begin any new project, and anytime I'm
Passenger-only ferry? Take the Puget Sound Regional Council survey
-- suggested by an Orcas Issues reader -- The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) is studying potential passenger-only ferry (POF) service around Puget Sound and would appreciate your input on potential POF terminal locations, routes, and priorities. Please help us by taking this brief 10-minute survey. A few notes about
As states start to reopen, here’s where people are going
Americans are getting a burger and a haircut — but not dinner and a movie -- from Washington Post -- Every state and most counties have loosened stay-at-home restrictions at least a little, and U.S. residents appear to be venturing out with varying degrees of caution. In and around the
Inslee announces Safe Start — Washington’s Phased Reopening by county
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced today the expansion of Safe Start — Washington’s Phased Reopening plan. The expansion comes as the current Stay Home, Stay Healthy order ends midnight Sunday. The expansion moves Washington through the phased reopening on a county-by-county basis.With this new approach, counties will have
Tuning out the pandemic | Drunk Drivers Killer Whales from Ryan Carpenter
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. DRUNK DRIVERS KILLER WHALES | Ryan Carpenter If you have local music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com. Keep ’em coming! …
County grapples with decline in tax revenue
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter -- For the last seven weeks the County Council has allotted time at each of their meetings to discuss the condition of the County budget in the wake of the Coronavirus impact on the local economy and a corresponding decline in anticipated sales
Inslee statement on Saturday protests
-- from Governor Jay Inslee -- As people gather today to protest the unjust death of George Floyd, I hope they do so peacefully and safely. Everyone has the freedom - and the right - to demonstrate and speak their mind. However, violence and destruction have no place in Washington
COVID-19 Community Conversations | Round Seven
-- from Brendan Cowan, Department of Emergency Management -- After taking a week off, COVID-19 Community Conversations continues with another set of videos highlighting specific efforts from organizations and people in our community that provide key services and crucial leadership around the county. You can find our entire collection of
County investigating COVID-19 case exposure on San Juan Island
Technically, the case belongs to another county, but ... -- from Brendan Cowan for Department of Emergency Management -- The San Juan County Health & Community Services surveillance and contact tracing team is actively investigating a positive COVID-19 case with ties to San Juan Island. The case technically belongs to
Inslee extends 23 COVID-19 proclamations
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of 23 proclamations today in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The extensions were approved by the state Legislature. The proclamations, which were set to expire on May 31, 2020, are extended to June 17, 2020. All
Face masks not required on ferries, but are ‘encouraged’
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Please be advised that San Juan County has moved into Phase 2 of the Governor’s plan for reopening Washington. Visitors to the San Juan Islands are required to wear masks/face coverings upon entering or remaining in any business in San Juan County. Travel should also
Governor announces state’s long term care testing plan and farmworker protections
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee today announced the state’s plan to begin broad testing within long term care facilities and laid out additional health and safety guidelines for the agriculture industry. Farmworker protections The governor issued a proclamation providing additional health and safety guidelines to
Sheriff Krebs expresses heartbreak as country reacts to George Floyd killing
-- from Sheriff Ron Krebs -- Over the last few days we have all witnessed the unfolding events in Minnesota, and around the country, spurred by a tragic death that occurred in Minneapolis involving the police and a black male who was in custody. The actions that resulted in the
