Here’s a thought…
“America is and always has been an argument — it’s an experiment.”
DAVID W. BLIGHT
Plans underway for celebrating OHS graduation night in COVID-19 era
-- from Kate Long -- Photo credit: Islands' Sounder In collaboration with the Orcas Island High School, we wanted to update the community on plans for the beloved annual graduation celebration for the OIHS class of 2020. We are heartbroken to not be helping our seniors through the traditional events
Board of Health and County Council meet again to attempt to address reopening
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter -- The May 15 special meeting of the San Juan County Board of Health was called so that the Board of Health and County Council could review the letter of request for a variance from the Governor’s phased opening approach that Public Health
Kruse Reviews | Nemesis
-- Book review by Jens Kruse -- Philip Roth published Nemesis in the fall of 2010. In 2012 he announced that he would stop writing novels. In 2018 he died. So this is Roth’s last novel, and we are fortunate to have it, especially in our currentsituation, because it tells
Pandemic poetry | In perpetual spring by Amy Gerstler
In Perpetual Springby Amy Gerstler Gardens are also good placesto sulk. You pass beds ofspiky voodoo liliesand trip over the rootsof a sweet gum tree,in search of medievalplants whose leaves,when they drop offturn into birdsif they fall on land,and colored carp if theyplop into water. Suddenly the archetypalhuman desire for
Aging Like a Guru | You are here in no-man’s land
-- by Rosie Kuhn -- One of the greatest challenges for anyone immersed in their aging process is being with whatis. What is may not feel normal -- as in the way life used to feel; as in there doesn’t seem to be any particular trajectory of your life, in this moment. There
Port seeks dependable, organized administrative professional
-- from Mia Kartiganer for Port of Orcas -- The Port of Orcas is seeking an administrative professional with extensiveexperience in special taxing district operations, budget and reporting,accounts payable/receivable, and payroll using SJC EDEN. Must prepareand distribute agendas, reports, resolutions, and supporting documents;transcribe and post minutes; maintain all district records,
Tuning out the pandemic | A String of Pearls, Orcatrazz
— from your community — Our musical community reaches out during an unscheduled pandemic to share their tunes. Because music soothes, centers, distracts us. A STRING OF PEARLS | Orcatrazz If you have music you wish to share, send us an MP3 file to editor@theorcasonian.com.
Fire Commission to meet via Zoom for Monday’s session
-- from Kim Kimple for Orcas Island Fire & Rescue -- Regular Meeting Agenda San Juan County Fire Protection District #2 Monday – May 18, 2020 5:30 p.m.Online / by phone via ZOOM: Dial # (253) 215-8782 / Meeting ID: 893 3722 7211 / Passcode: 434680 NOTE: WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES IN
Recap of today’s COVID-19 news and updates
-- from Emergency Operations Center, Camp Murray -- Numbers: As of May 14, there are 17,951 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Washington state, an increase of 178 cases in the last 24 hours.Visit the Department of Health's website for cases by county, demographics, and more. Statewide Response Updates Briefing schedule: Washington State COVID-19 Joint Information Center telebriefings will continue to happen on
Inslee extends COVID-19 proclamation aimed at protecting domestic violence victims
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced the extension of Proclamation 20-45 today, strengthening emergency protection for domestic violence victims amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The proclamation extension was previously denied by Republicans, with House Republican Leader Wilcox only agreeing to extend the proclamation by a day,
San Juan County seeks “Con” committee members for Voters’ Guide statements
-- from Milene Henley, Auditor, and Camolyn Armstrong, Elections Supervisor -- San Juan County is seeking volunteers to create opposing statements to place in the online Voters’ Guide for the upcoming August 2020 Primary Election. Lopez Island School District No. 144 approved sending Resolution No. 7 to voters. If approved,
Inslee statement on voluntary contact information as part of phased reopening
-- from the Office of Governor Jay Inslee -- Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statement today on voluntary contact information for patrons as part of phased reopening. "We are asking visitors to voluntarily provide contact information in case of COVID-19 exposure. We only need information for one person per household.
Statement on misinformation circulating about quarantine orders and facilities in Washington state
Statement from John Wiesman, Secretary of Health and Dr. Kathy Lofy, State Health Officer The Department of Health is aware of rumors and misinformation circulating about quarantine orders and specialized quarantine facilities. Public health officials regularly ask people who are sick with an infectious disease or may have been exposed to
Help for Orcas islanders from OPAL mortgage and rental assistance
-- from Crystal Mossman for OPAL Community Land Trust -- As of May 14, OPAL had received 182 requests to help pay rent or mortgage from islanders who had lost income due to COVID-19. Using donations made to both the Orcas Island Community Foundation’s Emergency Response Fund and directly to
Sheriff’s Report | May 6 – 12, 2002
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- Wednesday, May 6, 202020-003224 Weapons Offense 08:20:28 05/06/20An Orcas Deputy was dispatched to a weapons noise near Eastsound. A bullet was found to have gone through a window and then a wall. An investigation was completed and a report taken. 20-003228 Fraud
Editorial | Yikes, wow, phew, and words like that
-- by Lin McNulty, Editor -- It was January 21, 2020 that Orcas Issues published our first corona virus story reporting on the first known case in the state. At that point, it was typical for us to post 3 - 5 stories per day. That was a comfortable workload
