Here’s a thought…
“Deep breath. Deep breath. The air is free. You can take as many as you want.”
BUDDHIST MONK
NAS Whidbey SAR Rescues Two Climbers in Cascade Mountains
-- from NAS Whidbey -- A Search and Rescue (SAR) team from Naval Air Station (NAS) Whidbey Island rescued two people on Forbidden Peak in the Cascade Mountains, Tuesday, June 19, 2018. The SAR team of five was notified of two climbers needing rescue on Forbidden Peak late that evening.
Who Owns the San Juans?
-- by Matthew Gilbert, Orcas Issues reporter, updated June 19 at 7:30 p.m.-- On May 22 the San Juan County Council unanimously approved an ordinance authorizing the County to collect a one-half of one percent (0.5%) real estate excise tax (REET) on property sales to help finance affordable housing. The
Meeting Tonight to Discuss Immigrant Crisis
Wednesday, June 20, 5 p.m., Emmanuel Parish Hall -- from Eleanor Hoague -- As everyone is no doubt aware, the Trump administration is taking children away from parents when they seek asylum in the US. For most of us, this is the most repulsive action our government has ever taken.
State Upholds San Juan County’s Shoreline Master Program
-- from San Juan County Communications -- San Juan County adopted a new Shoreline Master Program (SMP) in November 2017. Friends of the San Juans appealed the SMP to the Growth Management Hearings Board (Board) alleging seven issues Friends claimed did not meet the requirements of state law. Friends asked
Don’t Leave Your Dog in Your Car in Hot Weather
-- from Sheriff Ron Krebs -- The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office just wants to remind everyone that with the warmer temperatures, it is especially important to remember to not leave your animals in your cars. The temperature today hit 86 degrees but was listed as “feels like 90 degrees.”
Senior Center Looking for Programs and Activities Coordinator
-- from Sarah Boyle for Orcas Senior Center -- The Orcas Senior Center Nonprofit is hiring! We are looking for a new Programs and Activities Coordinator with a deep appreciation for our islands elders and a desire to help our members stay healthy, independent, and active in the community. This
Library Gathering Books for Library Fair
-- from Madeline Sheplor for Orcas Library -- Orcas, we want your books. Right now, The Friends of the Orcas Island Library (FOIL) is accepting books for the upcoming Library Fair. We want hardcover and paperbacks in good condition no matter the topic …. from Poetry to Pets, Cookbooks to Children’s
County Will Join National Opioid Lawsuit
r-- from Tamara Greene for SJC Prosecutor's Office -- News outlets nationwide have described the problems arising from the epidemic in the use of opioids. Whether it is the overuse of powerful addictive prescribed painkillers or the illegal use of a cheaper cousin, such as heroin, there is large human and
Letter to Editor | Hail From the Chief
-- from Orcas Fire Chief Scott Williams -- Responding to multiple incidents on Friday, June 15 was a powerful example of what long hours of training, effective communication, balanced coordination of resources, and invaluable medical direction can produce. Orcas Fire, SJC Dispatch, Island Air Ambulance, Airlift Northwest, and the Navy displayed
Funders Promote Locally Grown Foods for WIC, Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program
-- from San Juan Communications -- San Juan County Health and Community Services is partnering again with Soroptimist International of Friday Harbor, Orcas Island Community Foundation, and the Honeywell Foundation, to offer Market Bucks at Farmers Markets on Orcas and San Juan Islands. The Market Bucks Program provides additional dollars
Sing to the Orca at 19th Annual Event
Saturday, June 23, 7 p.m., Lime Kiln Point State Park -- from Katie Fleming -- Orca Sing is an annual event where people gather for an evening of music at Lime Kiln Point State Park to honor the Southern Resident orcas. This year’s event is the 19th annual and will
OPAL Nears Final Fundraising Goal for April’s Grove
-- by Margie Doyle -- OPAL's fundraising team celebrates reaching the 85 percent mark of money needed to break ground for the new April’s Grove rentals in Eastsound: (L to R) board president Tim Fuller, trustees Rusty Diggs and Margaret Mills, executive director Lisa Byers, and trustee and fundraising
Lori Wilson: August 30, 1957 to June 8, 2018
-- from Antoinette Botsford -- Lori Ann Wilson died peacefully on June 8, 2018 surrounded by loved ones in a flower-filled room at Skagit Valley Hospital. During her last days, many calls and visitors assured Lori of their gratitude for her many good works and shining example. Lori was born
Greening the Fleet: Green Marine and Southern Resident Killer Whale Task Force
-- from Amy Scarton for Washington State Ferries -- ECHO Program Manager Krista Trounce, WSF Environmental Program Manager Kevin Bartoy, and BC Ferries Environmental Manager Leslie James speaking at the 2018 GreenTech conference.. Earlier this month, Environmental Program Manager Kevin Bartoy attended the 2018 GreenTech annual conference hosted by Green Marine.
San Juan County Health & Community Services Issues Varicella Health Alert
-- from San Juan Communications -- Three cases of Varicella, or “chicken pox,” have been confirmed in the Orcas Island community. Two of the cases were in children attending schools on Orcas Island. San Juan County Health & Community Services has alerted medical providers, and is working closely with the
Plane Occupants Survive Rough Landing
-- by Lin McNulty, Managing Editor -- Orcas Issues staff photo Landing gear failure may be the cause of the rough touchdown of a fixed wing single engine aircraft on Saturday around 6 p.m. at Orcas Island Airport. One of the occupants described to a witness that as
