The Washington State Democratic Party has endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders for the presidential nominee at its state convention in Tacoma. San Juan County delegate Learner Limbach, from Orcas Island, attended the event on June 18–19 and was chosen to serve on the Democratic National Convention Platform Committee. There are only 187 members on the committee in the nation and Limbach is one of two Sanders supporters chosen to serve from Washington. The platform is essentially a guide for the Democratic Party and will be recommended to the Democratic Party’s National Platform for approval by the convention delegates. Limbach will be traveling to Orlando, Flo., to work on the platform. The Journal asked Limbach a few questions about his new role.
The San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce, sponsor of the nationally recognized Friday Harbor Independence Day Parade, is proud to announce the return of ever popular Seattle Seahawk mascot Blitz for the 2016 event. This year Blitz will be joined by the driving energy of the Seahawks Blue Thunder Drumline whose creative rhythms and style are guaranteed to thrill parade fans of all ages.
Have you ever swallowed a bug? More than 80 percent of the world’s cultures eat insects – why don’t we? According to the United Nations, insects could very well be the food of the future. Raising grasshoppers as a food source could combat world hunger and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 60 percent. Please join us on Monday, June 27th at 7 p.m. at the San Juan Island Library as David Gordon, the author of The Eat-a-Bug Cookbook takes us on an adventure in entomophagy [eating bugs], and prepare yourself for the next big revolution in food production – using crickets, mealworms, and other eco-friendly alternatives to meat. The program concludes with free samples of edible insect snacks for everyone who attends.
By Colleen Armstrong
Marilyn O’Connor will retire on June 30 from the Port of Friday Harbor. She has been with the Port for 31 years. Since November 2007 she has served as Executive Director. Before then, she held the positions of Port Auditor and Deputy Director.
David and Nancy Honeywell, of the now-infamous waterfront clearcut at the former Mar Vista Resort, were denied their appeal over a shoreline penalty of $55,000 on June 1 in San Juan County Superior Court. The court did grant their appeal regarding a water quality violation penalty of $12,000.
He was an older man and Susan had just turned 18. After he started physically and sexually assaulting her, she was ashamed and afraid that the community would not stand by her if she left him. When she thought he would actually kill her – seven years into their relationship – she ran away with nothing but a few clothes. She was free from bodily harm, but she had to face another obstacle: the people who did not believe her.
In the last five years, crime stories we report on are indeed becoming more disturbing. In the last six months we have seen a slew of crime involving sexual assaults. The most upsetting story that has ever come across my desk was this week’s article involving the severe abuse of a toddler. (Read more about this story in this week’s edition). These stories beg the question, why is this happening?
An influx of sexual assault crimes involving minors in San Juan County has islanders wondering what is happening to their communities.
Last year DVSAS and The Stand Up Men reached out and asked for 100 men to donate $100 to honor a woman in their lives. It wasn’t just the money that mattered. It was the statement being made by the men both to their community and to the women who knew them. “Violence is not acceptable, and we will STAND UP against it” in 2015! Thanks to the many generous men, almost $12,000 was raised to support our work!
(Warning: This story contains disturbing details about alleged sexual assault against a child.)
At its regular semi-annual meeting yesterday, the Washington State Committee on Geographic Names approved proposals from Washington residents to officially designate two geographic features in the state. The committee’s selections will go before the Board of Natural Resources (acting as the Washington State Board on Geographic Names) for a final decision at one of its regular public meetings.
Albert Noel Miller, Jr., 45, of Lopez Island, has been charged with assault in the second degree domestic violence for strangulation and assault in the fourth degree. Bail has been reduced to $10,000. A omnibus hearing is scheduled for June 17 and the trial is set for July 18.
