Here’s a thought…
“There are two ways to slide easily through life: to believe everything or to doubt everything; both ways save us from thinking.”
ALFRED KORZYBSKI
School Board meeting to be held via Zoom
Thursday, March 26, 5 p.m., via Zoom -- from Orcas Island School District -- Please be advised that in keeping with efforts to remain socially distant, OISD School Board meetings will be held electronically until the public health emergency is over. At this time there will be no Public Comments
Food Bank announces new hours, procedures for anyone who needs food
Open TUESDAYS and FRIDAYS from 3 to 6 p.m. -- from Orcas Island Food Bank -- The Orcas Food Bank has changed its open hours. Starting March 30 we will be open TUESDAYS and FRIDAYS from 3 to 6 p.m. Islanders needing food assistance may come twice per week to
Inslee signs additional measures to help mitigate COVID impacts
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced new measures today to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19. They address impacts on public meetings and public records access; notary services; Liquor and Cannabis Board late payment waivers; and updates to Utilities and Transportation Commission Ratepayer Assistance. “As life
Moran State Park closed; still OK to drive through
-- by Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter – In accordance with the ‘stay at home’ order issued on Monday by Governor Jay Inslee, Moran State Park is closed until April 30. The closure began on Wednesday morning, March 25. The closure does not affect through traffic on Olga Road, according
Pandemic Poetry | Lockdown by Richard Hendrick
Lockdown by Richard Hendrick Yes there is fear. Yes there is isolation. Yes there is panic buying. Yes there is sickness. Yes there is even death. But, They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise You can hear the birds again. They say that after just a
Orcas residents put sewing machines to work in support of health care workers
-- from Heather Wallace for The Exchange -- The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is causing shortages of personal-protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers and hospice caregivers on Orcas Island. Some island residents have banded together and are actively working to help create solutions. When an email plea from Debra O’Conner of
COVID-19 update from San Juan County
-- from Brendan Cowan, SJC Department of Emergency Management -- Second confirmed positive case on Orcas Island: A close household contact of the first positive case has also tested positive for COVID-19. This positive result was anticipated by San Juan County Public Health Staff and close contact tracing was completed
WSF will refund tickets, travel passes
Submit requests online; will take weeks to process requests -- from Washington State Ferries -- While WSF is unable to extend the 90-day period for tickets and travel passes at this time, customers who are unable to use tickets or travel passes because of COVID-19 concerns may be eligible for
County Council meets to discuss ‘stay at home’ orders from Governor
-- from Minor Lile, Orcas Issues reporter -- Following yesterday’s decision by the County Council to request a closure through May 31 of transient facilities in San Juan County for public health reasons, this morning’s County Council meeting began with several updates on the status of the Council’s request. This
Pandemic Poetry | Pandemic by Lynn Ungar
PANDEMIC by Lynn Ungar What if you thought of itas the Jews consider the Sabbath—the most sacred of times? Cease from travel.Cease from buying and selling.Give up, just for now,on trying to make the worlddifferent than it is. Sing. Pray. Touch only thoseto whom you commit your life.Center down. And
Library looks to make book check-out available to patrons
-- from Phil Heikkinen for Orcas Library -- While we all struggle with the challenges involved with the virus outbreak, at the Orcas Island Library we’re working on every possible means of providing as many resources and services as we can, while still supporting the health of all community members.Please
Upcoming School Board meeting will be held electronically
Thursday, March 26, 5 p.m. -- from Orcas Island School District -- Please be advised that in keeping with efforts to remain socially distant, OISD School Board meetings will be held electronically until the public health emergency is over. At this time there will be no Public Comments on the
Reminder: WSF remains on winter schedule
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Reminder: Washington State Ferries will extend its current winter sailing schedule through the end of next month due to declines in ridership from COVID-19. The spring sailing schedule will now tentatively begin on April 26 rather than March 29. Customers should continue following the winter
How PeaceHealth prepares for pandemic onslaught
-- from Merry-Ann Keane, Chief Administrative Officer, PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center -- The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly changed the world around us. It’s disrupted our way of life and created new realities for each of us. It’s understandable to find it all unsettling and concerning. On behalf of PeaceHealth,
From the other coast: ‘Stay on the mainland’
-- from New York Times -- Coastal New England usually belongs to contractors, caretakers and fishermen this time of year. Towns that will be packed by the Fourth of July are silent except for the sound of distant hammering from construction projects that have to be finished before the first
Center for Whale Research makes WoW! photos available for community perusal
-- from Center for Whale Research -- Everyone needs a little WOW in their life these days. So we sorted through our Encounter photos and have selected some of our favorite images to showcase. We think this gallery is aptly named, "WOW - Memorable On-The-Water Moments." We will be adding photos to this gallery
