Gov. Inslee Proposes Public Health Care Option
-- from Washington Governor's office -- Gov. Jay Inslee announced today [Jan. 8] that he and Democratic lawmakers will introduce legislation that would provide a public health care option in Washington through the state’s Health Benefit Exchange. Inslee was joined by Sen. David Frockt, Rep. Eileen Cody, Insurance Commissioner Mike
County Council Retreat Next Friday
-- from Ingrid Gabriel, San Juan County Council Clerk -- Notice is hereby given that the San Juan County Council will conduct a Special Meeting on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 in the Parks & Fair Conference Room, 849 Argyle Avenue, Friday Harbor beginning at 9 a.m. The Special Meeting is
Sheriff’s Report | January 2 – 8, 2019
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- Wednesday, January 2, 201919-000038 Trespassing 10:45:33 01/02/19 A Deputy was dispatched to a Trespassing in the San Juan area. The reporting Deputy contacted the involved person. Report taken. 19-000039 Citizen Assist 11:24:04 01/02/19 A Lopez Island Deputy was called to check on
Orcas L-Pod Has a New Baby — L124 — But Gender Unknown
-- from Center for Whale Research -- On January 10, 2019, TV stations in Seattle aired live aerial footage of several groups of killer whales in Puget Sound near Seattle, and discerning viewers were able to see a very small whale among them. CWR researcher, Melisa Pinnow, was able to
Guest Opinion | WSF: Electrify the San Juan Islands Ferry Routes FIRST
Don’t delay protection of the Salish Sea -- from Suzanne Olson for OPALCO -- The current WS Ferries Long range plan for deploying electric ferries puts the San Juan routes last on the list. Why lose decades in our efforts to protect the Salish Sea – and all of the
Letter to Editor | Big Thank You to Rosario Resort and Spa
-- from Orcas Island Education Foundation Board -- The Orcas Island Education Foundation would like to give a huge thank you to Rosario Resort and Spa for its tremendous donation through the “2018 Festival of Trees.” We were just one of many local non-profits who benefited from their generosity. Rosario
Library Looks to Fill Local Small Works Roster
-- from Janet Marlow for Orcas Library District -- Orcas Island Library District has entered into an agreement with the Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington (MRSC) for the creation of a small works roster and is currently seeking local vendors to add to the roster for 2019. Service
Year in Review with Councilman Hughes
-- by Kimberley Kimple, Orcas Issues reporter, reprinted upon request -- Orcas Island residents gathered at the Senior Center Monday night [Dec 17, 2018] where San Juan County Councilman Rick Hughes reported on a successful year in 2018 along with anticipations for next year and beyond. The presentation began with
Friends of Moran is Co-op’s January Hero
-- from Susannah Weaver for Orcas Food Co-op -- Orcas Food Co-op’s Community Hero Program includes 3% Thursday, Register Round Up and Coins for Community. On the third Thursday of each month 3% of the gross receipts of Orcas Food Co-op are donated to pre-selected community organizations. Last month, the
Celebration of Life: MaryAnn Carpenter
Sunday, January 13, 3 p.m., American Legion -- from Kimberley Kimple -- In loving memory of MaryAnn Carpenter, please join us in a potluck Celebration of Life this Sunday, January 13t at 3:00 p.m. at the Legion on Orcas Island.
Letter to the Editor: County Kicks the Can on Comprehensive Buildout Analysis
-- by Joe Symons -- A year ago, in Feb 2018, I submitted a formal docket application (https://doebay.net/sunshine/PCDocketsubmission.pdf) requesting that San Juan County do a comprehensive buildout/impact analysis as part of the comp plan update process. Many residents joined the application as co-applicants.I am very discouraged that a decision to take no
Food Co-op Gears Up for Co-op Election Season
-- from Susannah Weaver for Orcas Food Co-op -- Co-op election season is almost here. In March we will have our Annual Member Meeting and Board Election and we want you to participate. The Board of Directors has several open positions available for enthusiastic Owners who want to engage with their co-op community. Voting for the
UU Chalice Group to Explore “Forgiveness”
Sunday, January 13, 11:30 a.m., Benson Hall -- from Suzanne Olson -- Please join us for a Chalice Group to explore the topic "Forgiveness" led by Kathy Hendrickson. Some food for thought: "Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.” ― Oscar Wilde Plan to stay after for a potluck coffee
Soroptimists Expand Women’s Emergency Fund to All of San Juan County
-- from Heather Spaulding -- To broaden our actions in the Soroptimist mission of improving the lives of women and girls, Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor has expanded it Women’s Emergency Fund from San Juan Island to San Juan County. The Women’s Emergency Fund provides emergency assistance to any woman whose
Learner Limbach Explores Run to Serve in U.S. Congress as WA’s 2nd District Representative
-- by Margie Doyle -- Learner Limbach of Orcas Island explores run for US Representative Learner Limbach is considering embarking on a new venture in his young career serving the public. He is “seriously considering a run to represent Washington's 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.” Limbach emphasizes that
Letter to Editor | This Non-profit Needs Our Help — Now
-- from Miguel Villarreal -- The 11 Million Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, imposed on the Pacific NW coast Island Oil Spill Association (IOSA ) has been responding to spills in the San Juan Islands since 1985, when an oil spill was spotted at Wasp Pass and a group of
