Island News
Celebrating revolution: 250 years of independence
by Suzanne Olson
Woolly bears in the Place of Peas
By Russel Barsh
Washington state leads lawsuit to prevent Department of Education’s cuts to school mental health grants
Attorney General Nick Brown led a lawsuit on Friday, July 10, with 14 other attorneys general to prevent the U.S. Department of Education from unlawfully terminating congressionally approved school-based mental health grants. In defiance of a court order, the administration plans to terminate these grants at the end of July, which is projected to cost Washington schools and universities over $20 million.
Hops on the Rock returns to Eastsound for its 10th anniversary celebration on Nov. 7
Submitted by event organizers.
Find treats and treasures July 25 at Market Day
Submitted by Emmanuel Church.
Compass Health recognized as a Quasquicentennial Corporation, marking 125 years of service in Northwest Washington
Submitted by Compass Health.
A message from Council member Justin Paulsen: 2027 San Juan County budget development process
By Justin Paulsen
Acting classes this summer at Orcas Center
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
‘Elements: A Celebration of Contemporary Art by Orcas Island Artists’
Submitted by Inese Westcott.
‘You Can’t Hide’ shows for two nights at Orcas Center
Comedian Casey Skinner performs and leads workshop
Planned Parenthood advocacy organizations in Washington announce Supreme Court endorsements
On Tuesday, July 7, Planned Parenthood’s two advocacy organizations in Washington announced their joint endorsements for the Washington State Supreme Court for the first time in over a decade.
New to Medicare? Here’s what you need to know
Will you be turning 65, retiring or qualifying for Social Security Disability Benefits for 24 months in the next year? Then you will be eligible to join Medicare. Enrollment is not automatic for most people, so you’ll probably need to enroll with Social Security. To avoid penalties and make an informed decision about your coverage choices, you’ll need to understand a lot of new information — including when to enroll, what Medicare covers and which type of coverage is right for you.
Despite federal financing shakeup, land trust model offers some protections to keep affordable housing secure
Federal changes to mortgage financing have forced San Juan County’s affordable housing partner, OPAL Community Land Trust, to adjust how some of its homes are financed, according to discussion at the Eastsound Planning Review Committee meeting held July 2. In an email reply to the Islands’ Sounder, OPAL Executive Director Lisa Byers confirmed several details and added context to other points brought up at the meeting. Byers did not participate in the meeting.
Engineer says root problem behind Ferndale propane tank isn’t the tank — it’s a patchwork of regulations
Wendy Hiester, a retired chemical engineer, Orcas Island resident and former engineering superintendent at the BP Cherry Point Refinery, said in an interview with the Islands’ Sounder that the real issue behind the aging propane storage tank at the AltaGas Cherry Point terminal is not the tank itself, but a gap in Washington state’s regulatory system that allows facilities handling refinery-scale volumes of hazardous chemicals to escape the oversight refineries receive.
San Juan County Council weighs four paths to ease housing crunch
San Juan County Council members spent part of their June 9 meeting on the county’s housing shortage, narrowing a list of possible code changes to four priorities: pre-approved building plans, updated accessory dwelling unit standards, legalization of temporary and mobile housing, and rural cluster development changes.
Waste tire disposal: San Juan County wants to hear from you
Submitted by San Juan County.
San Juan Preservation Trust to celebrate 20 years of Turtleback Mountain at Orcas Island Summer Social
Submitted by the San Juan Preservation Trust.
Eagles Roost fire
By Adam Bigby
JP and the OK Rhythm Boys at the Event Meadow on Saturday, July 18
Submitted by event organizers.
Thunderpussy to play next Orcas Center summer concert
Submitted by the Orcas Center.
Expanding access to justice on Orcas Island
Submitted by the Orcas Community Resource Center Communications Team.
Keeping Sheriff’s Log from the public is an alarming mistake | Editorial
I am deeply distressed by Sheriff Eric Peter’s decision to withdraw the Sheriff’s Log from local news outlets.
Three San Juan Island women detained by DHS
Three Hispanic women who live on San Juan Island were detained by the Department of Homeland Security on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 7, near Roche Harbor. They were returning from a cleaning job when their vessel was stopped by the U.S. Coast Guard, which then called in DHS with immigration concerns. Two of the women have already been deported to Mexico and one remains in the Tacoma Immigration Detention Center as her immigration case unfolds.
San Juan County recognizes ‘America250’ with proclamation and local events
Submitted by San Juan County.