Here’s a thought…
“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.”
HEATHER FRENCH HENRY
Rep. Larsen: Partial Government Shutdown Hurts Washington Communities
-- from Rep. Rick Larsen's office -- WASHINGTON, D.C. –Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) issued the below statement regarding the impacts a partial government shutdown will have on Washington state communities. “A partial government shutdown is bad for Washington state,” said Larsen. “The childish games played by President Trump and Republicans in
OICF Efforts Receive National Recognition
-- from Hilary Canty for Orcas Community Foundation -- The Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) received great national recognition recently in an article focused on the Foundation’s support of affordable housing posted on Inside Philanthropy. (You can read the article here). OICF’s efforts locally are helping to expand the role
State Investigating Catastrophic Salmon Deaths at Pierce County Hatchery
-- from KING5 News -- Investigators are examining whether the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife followed protocol before a power outage killed more than 6 million salmon at a Gig Harbor hatchery. The Minter Creek Hatchery is like a nursery for salmon. The fish are raised from eggs all
Sheriff’s Report | December 12 – 19, 2018
-- from San Juan County Sheriff's Office -- Wednesday, December 12, 201818-009340 Heart Problem 09:13:47 12/12/18 Assist on Aid call 18-009341 Animal at Large 09:37:13 12/12/18 Dog gone on arrival. Area checked, UTL. 18-009342 Accident-NonInj 10:01:58 12/12/18 A Deputy received a report of a traffic collision in the 100 block
Inslee Statement Regarding Trump Shutdown of Federal Government
-- from Governor Inslee's Office -- “The president has doubled down on a temper tantrum of epic proportions. The level of disruption and destruction he has wrought with his fixation on building a useless wall is staggering. He has divided families and traumatized children, sowed xenophobia and division throughout the
Larsen Calls on House Leadership to Permanently Reauthorize LWCF
-- from Rep. Rick Larsen's Office -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) sent a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi calling for Congress to pass legislation to permanently authorize and allocate mandatory funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) before
OPALCO Bills Going Up in January
-- from Suzanne Olson for OPALCO -- When OPALCO members open their bills in January, they will be, on average, $9.50 higher. OPALCO is raising rates as a necessary part of providing power to our 20-island archipelago. This increase is driven by the loan expense (capitalization) for the submarine cable
The Holy Dark: Thoughts on the Winter Solstice
–by Margie Doyle, reprinted upon request — Going through these wild and windy and sad days, it can be harder than usual to bear the slings and arrows of daily fortune (or misfortune). We feel tired and ineffectual and yet are in the season that pushes us to be
Letter to Editor | Music Room To Be Constructed in 2019
At the school board meeting on Tuesday evening, December 18, board members decisively elected to construct the long-awaited Multi-purpose/Music Room, which was on the Alternate list of the recent re-bid for the 2017 Bond Construction. The completion of the music wing has the support of many in our music-loving Orcas
Walk Out of Old Year, Into New at Emmanuel Labyrinth
Monday, December 31, 4 - 6 p.m., Emmanuel Parish Hall -- from Anita Holladay -- Emmanuel Episcopal Church will open its Parish Hall on Monday, December 31, from 4 until 6 p.m., for an indoor Labyrinth Walk. Though the outdoor stone labyrinth is open at all times, the indoor Labyrinth
School Approves Building of Music Room – Awards Construction Project
-- by Kimberley Kimple, Orcas Issues reporter -- The second opening of bids for the next phase of 2017 Bond and Levy Construction projects was the order of business in the first of two school board meetings Tuesday. When all bids came in over budget during the first submittal in
Conservation Groups May Sue Feds Over Endangered Orca
-- from KOMO-TV News -- SEATTLE (AP) — The federal government is violating the Endangered Species Act by failing to consider how salmon fishing off the West Coast is affecting endangered killer whales, two conservation groups said Tuesday as they threatened a lawsuit. The Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity and
Poem: Timber Monologue
-- by Margie Doyle -- Reprinted upon request for all the trees that have been felled this autumn. The trees are saying “Look — look at me The wind and rain And weight of winter Make me sturdy and spiny to touch I stand tall and watch All you human
Guest Opinion | There Are How Many Vacation Rental Permits?
-- from Joe Symons -- I’m starting a series of commentaries on the future of our archipelago given that San Juan County (SJC) is crafting an update to its Comprehensive Plan as required by the Growth Management Act. These commentaries complement a book of essays (free!) available at https://doebay.net/cpupdate/pathlessibook.pdf The commentary
Ferry Delayed 90 Minutes
-- from Washington State Ferries -- Due to a lack of qualified crew, the M/V Yakima's 4:30 pm sailing from Anacortes to Lopez and Friday Harbor is delayed an estimated 90 minutes. This also delays the Friday Harbor 6:25 pm return to Lopez and Anacortes and other departures. Updates will
Community Long-Term Care Options Task Force Forming
-- from Community Long-Term Care Options Task Force -- To address the crisis created by the closure of the Life Care Center of the San Juan Islands, the Community Long-Term Options Task Force was created. Immediate Need: We are asking for donations and looking for passionate people who have shared their
