Here’s a thought…
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time and the government when it deserves it.”
MARK TWAIN
Letter to Editor | Jewett is the Superior Candidate
-- from Richard Grout -- At the recent League of Women Voters candidates forum on Orcas one of the most disturbing statements emerged in the race for District Court Judge, between Carolyn Jewett and Steve Brandli. Brandli admitted that if elected he would keep open his private law practice “for
Letter to Editor | Steve Brandli Has What Our Court Needs
-- from Shawn Alexander -- I have known and worked with Steve Brandli since he moved here. I have worked with and against Steve many times over the years and I have seen first-hand the respect with which he treats others, even opposing parties. Steve’s depth of knowledge and experience
County Comp Plan Update: Time for Citizens to Weigh In
--by Matthew Gilbert, Orcas Issues reporter-- Eastsound Planning Review Committee members, county staff and Orcas Island residents confer at Eastsound Planning Review Committee Meeting in 2016. For all you policy wonks out there – as well as for anyone who cares about the future of our island paradise
Public Notice | Hospital District Public Hearing
Tuesday, November 6, 4 p.m., Eastsound Fire Station -- from Board of Commissioners, San Juan County Public Hospital District #3 -- PUBLIC NOTICE SAN JUAN COUNTY PUBLIC HOSPITAL DISTRICT #3 dba ORCAS ISLAND HEALTH CARE DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING 2019 BUDGET AND 2019 LEVY Notice is hereby given
Reminder: Power Outage Tonight
Tuesday, October 23, 12:30 - 4:30 a.m. All of San Juan County will be affected by a series of two planned outages necessary for BPA to replace a section of one of the two main power lines that feeds the San Juan Islands from Fidalgo Island. These maintenance outages will
State Supreme Court Decides Permit Fee Case
--- from the SJ County Prosecutor's Office -- The Supreme Court [on Oct 11] ruled that challenges to the reasonableness of land use permit fees are allowed, provided the 21-day time limit in state law that applies to the permit is met. The decision ends a lawsuit filed in which
Book Review | The Man Who Walked Backward
-- Book review by Jens Kruse -- Why would anyone want to read a book with a title suggesting that it is about a celebrity-seeking stunt artist, that it tells a story too frivolous for our serious times? And yet, in this review, I will urge you to read Ben
Letter to U.S. Senator and the Public: Buy Back Port Land
--by Walter Corbin -- To: Senator Maria Cantwell Over the years both you and Murray generally have never responded to my emails or letters. Perhaps because I do not send you thousands for your campaigns. I limit myself to sending you and the several dozens of Democrats running in State
Green Home Tour to Include Electric Vehicle Transport
Sunday, October 28, 11 a.m., Island Market Lot -- from Ryan Palmateer for San Juan Islands Conservation District -- Join the San Juan Islands Conservation District and the San Juan Islands Electric Vehicle Assocation for the 3rd Annual Green Home Tour throughout San Juan County. Take a ride in a
Orcas Family Health 10th Annual Fundraiser Just Around the Corner
Saturday, November 3, 6:30 p.m., Orcas Center -- from Karen Key Speck -- Orcas Family Health Center and Dr. Shinstrom is proud to present its tenth annual fund raiser to benefit the OFHC's "Care For All" program. Despite the Orcas Hospital Taxing District's hard work toward laying the groundwork as
Letter to Editor | Victim Advocates Support Gaylord for Prosecutor
-- from Sandra Burt, et. al (see below) -- We are former Victim Advocates who worked closely with Randy Gaylord in the Victim Services Program, and we write to support his re-election. Randy Gaylord has proved his commitment to victims in the criminal justice system. Randy applied for grant funding
Letter to Editor | Initiative 1639: Please Vote “No”
-- from Steve Henigson -- The last time I wrote about a gun-control initiative, showing that trucks and bombs have also been used to kill lots of people, the most interesting response I got was, “It’s the gun, stupid.” No. It’s not. Orcas Island’s only brush with mass murder was
Long Term Care Community Meeting Scheduled
Thursday, November 1, 6:30 - 8 p.m., Orcas Senior Center -- from Sara Boyle for Orcas Senior Center -- Are you concerned about the elder care options of the future? Are you a caregiver not satisfied with current employment options? Do you have ideas about the kinds of in-home care
Countywide Varicella (Chickenpox) ALERT!
-- from San Juan County Dept. of Health -- Nine school- and preschool-aged children have CONFIRMED cases of varicella (chickenpox) on Lopez, Orcas and Shaw islands, with additional possible cases awaiting evaluation from health care providers within the county. Schools have been alerted of the current outbreak. Parents are encouraged
Flotsam and Jetsam: Growing Pangs and Local Pitchforks
-- by Maurice Austin -- It was a quiet, placid day on Orcas Island, like so many other recent days. Deer munched at foliage along the roadside. Tourists idled about, taking selfies in front of every stump or bit of log somebody’d spilled some paint on. Kids complained about the
Redefining Prosperity — Can Beauty Save the World?
Tuesday October 23, 6pm at the Orcas Island Library Can beauty save the world? Filmmaker John de Graaf will present his latest documentary "Redefining Prosperity," the story of Nevada City’s fight to keep dams off the Yuba River. Born in the California Gold Rush, Nevada City was once the scene
