Here’s a thought…
“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Legislative week in review; Session wraps up at midnight on Sunday
-- from Governor Jay Inslee -- The legislative session (currently on its 103rd day) is scheduled to end on Sunday. Legislators have reached a tentative budget agreement and they are scheduled to vote on it this weekend. Legislators have until midnight on Sunday (the 105th day) to pass the budget
Guest Opinion | Can we fix the electoral college?
-- from Hedrick Smith, ReclaimtheAmericanDream.org -- The populist revolt against the Electoral College burst into action after Al Gore won the nationwide popular vote for president in 2000 but George W. Bush won the Presidency. It gained new momentum after Hillary Clinton beat Donald Trump by 3 million votes in
Action plan for a sustainable ferry system released
-- from Amy Scarton for WSDOT/Ferries Division -- I’m excited to announce that in honor of Earth Day, we launched a two-year Sustainability Action Plan this week that outlines goals and actions for greener ferries and terminals. It includes initiatives to protect orca whales, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, reduce
WSDOT responds to islander’s letter re: Port of Orcas
Reader shares response from DOT Aviation Director -- from Tracey Levine -- WSDOT Aviation Division does play a role in providing technical assistance to airports as they go through the process of updating their airport master plans. I have tried to answer some of your questions below. Our office also
Upcoming Moldoff class: Memoir in May
Tuesdays, May 7-28, 1-3 p.m., Orcas Library -- from JoEllen Moldoff -- This class is for those who are interested in beginning a memoir, as well as those who have been engaged in memoir writing. It is both a continuation of previous classes and an introduction. We will explore memoir
Sheriff’s Report | April 17 – 23, 2019
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- Wednesday, April 17, 201919-002695 Theft 08:45:55 04/17/19 An Orcas Deputy responded to a theft call in Eastsound. The individual was caught on camera. The location of the suspect is unknown at this time. Continued efforts are being made to arrest him for
Comp Plan heating up: Build-Out, VRs, the defilement of Orcas Road
-- by Matthew Gilbert, Orcas Issues reporter -- Everyone was present (one by phone) for the SJC Planning Commission’s third meeting of 2019 which took place on Friday, April 19. As data accumulates, comments come in, and Plan elements get updated, the process itself and its intended objectives become incrementally
Nordstroms Lane is now open
No detours or delays on Saturday, Sunday -- from Shannon Wilbur, San Juan County Public Works -- Photo by Greg Sawyer Nordstroms Lane is now open with a new intersection. No more twisting your neck to look behind your shoulder to gauge if it is safe to pull onto Orcas
Health District receives UW proposal for after-hours care
-- by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues reporter -- The good news is that the Orcas Island Health Care District has for the first time received a detailed, written proposal from UW Neighborhood Clinics (UWNC) for after-hours (night and weekend) medical care, in the clinic if necessary. The bad news is
Larsen releases second ‘Share Your Story’ casework profile
-- from Congressman Rick Larsen's office -- Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the second in a recurring series of posts to highlight some of the people across Washington’s Second District that the office has assisted with casework. In this second post, you can read about how the office supported Zac, a former
Letter to Editor | Farewell To Marshal Bliss
-- from Spirit Eagle -- On the night of April 16, Marshal passed over to the next world. I played my Shaman's Drum and sang the Lakota Sacred Songs to guide your soul as you were leaving on the Path To The Stars. We had some laughs over the years,
This month’s Meeting of the Minds: “An Acre Shy of Eternity” by Bob Dash
Wednesday, May 1, 1 p.m., Orcas Senior Center -- from Lena Kassa for Orcas Senior Center -- Local writer, photographer, and educator Bob Dash will present his study on Orcas Island’s fascinating landscape from the wide and wonderful vistas to the microcosm of a single spore. His book, On An
A pod of orcas is starving to death. A tribe has a radical plan to feed them
The Lummi Nation is dropping live salmon into the sea in a last-ditch rescue effort: ‘We don’t have much time’ -- from Levi Pulkkinen (The Guardian) in San Juan Island, Washington -- Lawrence Solomon; Bill James; Jeremiah Julius, Lummi tribal chairman; Tony Hillaire; and Al Johnnie finish the ceremonial feeding
Letter to Editor | Thank you for Dr. Alperin’s visit to Senior Center
-- from Tom Eversole for Orcas Senior Center -- Dr. Mike Alperin, Chief of the UW Medicine Orcas Island Clinic discussed Medicare Annual Wellness Visits with seniors on April 24. These visits allow seniors to discuss health risks and prevention measures with a medical professional. Medicare covers the cost of
Judge issues national injunction ruling on Trump’s Title X ‘gag rule’
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- Update: The U.S. District Court in Yakima has issued a nationwide injunction on President Trump's proposed changes to the Title X program. The injunction was issued by Judge Stanley Bastian in the case brought forward by Attorney General Bob Ferguson's office on behalf of Governor Inslee’s Washington
April’s Grove construction begins in May; donations still needed
-- from Crystal Mossman for OPAL -- 45 affordable rentals in townhouses will be available through OPAL at April's Grove Thanks to the voters of San Juan County who adopted a new Real Estate Excise Tax last November, a legacy contribution from Bob Henigson, and to creative problem solving by
