Killebrew Lake Road closed to all traffic

Repairs underway, but may take a couple of weeks — from San Juan County Public Works — San Juan County Public Works closed Killebrew Lake Road (East of LaPorte Rd) this past Saturday (February 1) as a result of severe flooding damage. The road is currently impassable to ALL traffic, including emergency vehicles … Continue reading

Comp Plan draft transportation element and appendix now available

Briefings will be live-streamed — from San Juan County Communications — First drafts of the proposed Comprehensive Plan Transportation Element and Appendix have been posted to the comprehensive Plan Update Project website. The County Council will be briefed at their February 10 meeting. The Planning Commission will be briefed on … Continue reading

Emergency communications coverage: Less than half of Orcas, or 95%?

— by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues Reporter — “If you spent $10,000 on Orcas on taxable items, this tax would add $20 to your total.” So said Kimberley Kimple, Public Information Officer for Orcas Fire and Rescue, at the January 31 OIFR information session on Proposition 1, the sales tax … Continue reading

San Juan County Sheriff’s Guild supports Proposition 1

— from San Juan County Sheriff’s Guild — We, the membership of the San Juan County Sheriff’s Guild urge you to vote Yes on Proposition 1 to upgrade emergency communication systems county-wide. Our current system is approximately 50 years old, with large gaps in radio coverage, and with no built … Continue reading

SJC boards, committees with vacancies to fill

— from San Juan County Communications — Current Vacancies and Positions with Terms Ending within 30 Days. If you are interested in serving on a board or advisory committee fill out anAdvisory Committee Application or contact the Council Office at: (360) 378-2898 Email:[email protected] CommitteePositionTerm  Agricultural Resources CommitteePosition #6 At LargePt’lPosition #14 At … Continue reading

Legislative session weekly recap

— from Governor Inslee’s Office — The House this week passed a key piece of the governor’s 2020 legislative agenda: A clean fuel standard. A clean fuel standard would reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation fuels. If the bill passes the Senate, Washington will join California, Oregon and British Columbia as West Coast … Continue reading

2019 Novel Coronavirus declared a public health emergency

What you need to know locally — from San Juan County Communications — The World Health Organization declared a global emergency on Thursday, and Friday the White House declared a U.S. public health emergency as the coronavirus outbreak has spread worldwide. Human-to-human transmission of the virus was also confirmed in … Continue reading

School District passes resolution to ask Legislature to support small schools

CALL TO RESOLVE LEVY LID CRISIS — from Orcas Island School District — OISD Resolution 2020-01 Calling on Washington State House and Senate to Support Small Schools by Approving a Levy Lid that Allows Necessary Levels of Local Support WHEREAS, Washington State inadequately funds basic education for small school schools … Continue reading

Sheriff’s Report | January 22 - 28, 2020

— from San Juan County Sheriff’s Office — Wednesday, January 22, 202020-000490 Accident-HitRun 08:10:15 01/22/20 A San Juan Deputy responded to a report of a hit and run collision. The victim was able to obtain a license plate from the vehicle that hit them and the Deputy located the subject … Continue reading

Eastsound Plan Review Committee looking to hire a minutes taker

— from Colin Maycock, Department of Community Development — Eastsound Planning Review Committee, an advisory board of citizen volunteers to the County Council San Juan County Department of Community Development is looking for someone to take minutes at the monthly meetings of the Eastsound Plan Review Committee (EPRC) in 2020. … Continue reading

Health District facing uncertainties regarding costs, structure

— by Susan McBain, Orcas Issues Reporter — January was a month of uncertainties for the commissioners of the Orcas Island Health Care District, specifically about costs and about possible models for the island health care system. Final numbers concerning the costs of the recommended approach to the roofing and … Continue reading