Same-sex marriage bill advances to House Floor
A House committee approved a measure to legalize same-sex marriage in Washington state, setting the stage for final passage this week.
Council reinstates portion of sheriff and prosecutor budget
During its meeting on Orcas today, the county council voted 6-0 to reinstate $60,000 to the sheriff's department and $21,000 to the prosecuting attorney's office after a preliminary budget reduced funding to those departments.
Disaster assistance for small businesses
San Juan County is one of 35 Washington counties and eight neighboring Oregon counties, now eligible for small, nonfarm businesses to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Time exchange initiative ready for name and motto
The time exchange initiative is now ready to adopt a name and motto; this will be accomplished through an informal county-wide ballot. A temporary webpage has been set up with the ballot link at: www.VisionOnOrcas.com.
Love through acts of kindness
We all remember Valentine’s Day. We eat chocolates and heart-shaped candies, we watch sappy movies, we spend time with our loved ones; some of us eschew those traditions and instead celebrate Singles Awareness Day, eating chocolates and heart-shaped candies, watching sappy movies, and cynically declaring disdain for the commercial exploitation of this holiday.
New owners of The Bay Cafe
We are thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the Lopez Island community. Upon our first visit to “The Bay” we knew it was a special place and the perfect setting to fulfill a longtime dream of owning our own restaurant.
Coal Hard Truth forum panelists and their bios
Panelists to answer you questions include North Sound Baykeeper Matt Krogh, Fred Felleman with Friends of the Earth, and Dr. Frank James.
Critical Areas Ordinance wetlands forums
Friends of the San Juans’ is holding a public forum on the wetlands section of the Critical Areas Ordinance and how it might affect present and future property development, agricultural practices, and conservation of the islands.
Coal cargo terminal at Cherry Point raises concern
The San Juan Islands face a significant increase in large cargo ship traffic under a proposal to build the largest yet coal terminal in North America at Cherry Point, near Ferndale. Annually, ships measuring up to three football fields in length will make over 950 passages (nearly three per day) transporting tens of millions of tons of Wyoming coal to China.
Limits on Navy sonar?
‘Friends’ joins lawsuit to protect whales, dolphins and more
Tagging of orcas raises concern
Federal biologists plan to tag up to six southern resident orcas next month with tiny satellite devices to discover their range of habitat in winter months.
