1/27 Deer mouse, reservoir management, historic tree, north coast electrification, Garry Oak seeds, democracy watch.

Deer mouse [USDA]

 
Deer mouse is a North American species. It is distributed from the northern tree line in Alaska and Canada southward to central Mexico. It occupies many different ecological zones throughout its range. In captivity, deer mice can live as long as eight years. However, in the wild, life expectancy is much shorter, usually less than a year. Finally, deer mouse is a host for strain of hantavirus called Sin Nombre virus, which can be contracted by humans and causes an often fatal disease termed hantavirus pulmonary syndrome.

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Community Voices / AltaGas poses high risk

Climate change poses challenges for reservoir management
Snohomish PUD discusses how recent weather patterns narrow the margins of error for Spada Lake. Eliza Aronson reports. (Everett Herald) 

Tumwater’s historic oak tree protected by court order 
Community activists worked for more than a year and a half to protect a Garry oak tree in Tumwater, Washington, that the city estimates is 400 years old. A superior court judge ruled in late December that the city’s Historic Preservation Commission has the final word on what happens to the tree, not the city. Bellamy Paithorp reports. (KNKX) 

Who will pay to electrify North Coast LNG and mining projects? All of us, it turns out
Energy minister’s order could exempt North Coast transmission line customers from paying millions — and shift the cost to the rest of us. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal) 

Native plant seeds from critically endangered Garry Oak ecosystems to be preserved
Seeds from the meadowlands will be preserved in the event of an environmental disaster. Hope Lompe reports. (Gabriola Sounder) 

Democracy Watch

• In their words: An examination of statements Trump officials made about what led to Pretti’s death (AP) 
• A 250-year echo: ‘We’ve seen this before’ (ICT) 
• Trump administration threatens to block funds to Minnesota over trans athletes (Washington Post) 

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Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  253 PM PST Mon Jan 26 2026    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH  TUESDAY EVENING    
TUE  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, with gusts to 25 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft.  Wave Detail: E 3 ft at 4 seconds, SW 2 ft at 8 seconds and W 2 ft  at 13 seconds. Rain in the afternoon.  
TUE NIGHT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E  3 ft at 4 seconds, SW 4 ft at 11 seconds and W 2 ft at  15 seconds. Rain.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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