Here’s a thought…
“No protracted war can fail to endanger the freedom of a democratic country.”
ALEXIS DE TOCQUEVILLE
Letter to Editor | I vigorously oppose relaxing Phase 2 lodging standards
-- from Joe Symons -- I write to vigorously oppose relaxing the phase 2 standard toward lodging facilities as proposed by the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau Board of Directors and Lodging Recovery/Reopening Committee. Missing from the Governor’s Safe Start metrics is the asymmetric impact of travelers to the San Juan
Inslee issues guidance for higher education and workforce training in Phases 1 and 2
-- from Governor Jay Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee today issued higher education and workforce training requirements in Phase 1 and Phase 2. These guidelines do not apply generally to higher education institutions; they apply only to workforce training programs that require in-classroom/lab practicums only. Through the Washington "Safe
Kruse Reviews | The Great Influenza
The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History -- by Jens Kruse -- John Barry, the author of, among other books, Rising Tide: the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 and How it Changed America, first published The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History in 2004. I
Land Bank, OPALCO collaborate on Turtleback powerline improvements
Tailgater session June 10 – Come chat -- from Suzanne Olson for Orcas Power & Light Cooperative -- OPALCO will soon be undertaking a project on Turtleback Mountain to remove Douglas fir along the powerline corridor and replace power poles. This project, in collaboration with the San Juan County Land
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
