Mushrooms! The Orcas Island Health Care District has reached an agreement with Island Hospital to manage a unified clinic for the community. It is anticipated that the savings realized by combining the two clinics will allow expanded services. Hopefully, the...

Each year, the Opportunity Council does a point in time count of unsheltered community members. The most recent survey put our Orcas homeless population at 52. This number includes folks living in vehicles, tents, sheds, and those who may be couch surfing.  It...

To plant a tree is to plant hope. This week a few trees were planted in the Village Green at the site of the new play area.  These were donated by OICF in honor of our 25th anniversary and in the spirit of hope and enthusiasm about the next 25!  We are looking forward...

A foggy smoky sunrise in Olga. Photo by Coleen O'Brien As we head into Fall, San Juan County is leading the State in a couple of ways. We have one of the lowest per capita coronavirus infection rates. Good news. We also have the highest year-over-year job loss. Not so...

Cascade Lake Early this year, our community began experiencing the impacts of the pandemic and consequent economic slide. While national unemployment rose to 14%, our local Economic Development Council estimated the rate in San Juan County was 28%. For many families...

It is a bit eerie that the smoke from the wildfires moved in overnight, on the 19th anniversary of 9-11, setting a somber tone. Locally, all outdoor burning (including charcoal bbq’s and campfires) is banned and the health department is recommending staying indoors....

There is plenty to celebrate this week as the first 10 households moved into April’s Grove. The plan is to have all 45 units filled by the end of November. Thank you to OPAL and all those who supported this effort. It could not have come at a better time. It feels...

Labor Day is just around the corner, marking the traditional start of a new school year.  The Orcas Island School District is ready to launch, but this year will be like no other.  After months of preparing a plan for in-person classes, the district received the...