
Local News for 10/18/22



(Airdate: October 18, 2022) Maryanne interviews Mitch Draper, aka “Mitch the Trapper.” Otters devastating your boat? Raccoons nesting under your deck, trying to make lunchmeat of your cat? There is now a licensed Wildlife Control Officer for Jefferson & Callam Counties. Contrary to popular belief it is ILLEGAL to capture a wild animal and drive it miles away. State research has determined that about 90% of such relocated animals starve a slow, painful death. Mitch is licensed and tries every humane method possible to get rid of the animals — loud music, strong smelling peppers, etc. Sometimes there is a “final solution.” but even that is tightly regulated by the state. Mitch is a local guy, grew up in Brinnon, and has hunted since he was a kid. Now his hunting has become professional. He can be contacted at [email protected].

(Airdate: October 18, 2022) Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can speaks with board member Nancy Budd Garvin about the support services that ECCHO provides to support independent living in our community, or for simply recovering from an illness. From transportation assistance to loaned medical equipment, this organization has volunteer opportunities that allows you to set your own schedule or conveniently dovetail your errands to a helping hand.

The following is a summary of the presentation during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting made by Jefferson and Clallam County Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry. Also Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report. The summary below was provided by Jim Burke, producer of KPTZ’s Tuesday’s Local News.
In Jefferson County, the two-week COVID-19 case-rate is 355 per hundred thousand, lower than last week, but still keeping us in the high category. No one is currently hospitalized. 47 new cases were added this week for a total of 6,074 cases. One more death was reported this week in Jefferson County, a woman who was in her 80s. She had received one booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and she suffered from multiple, chronic health conditions. So now the total count of COVID-19-related deaths is 32.
In Clallam County, the two-week COVID-19 case-rate is 136 per hundred thousand, still in the moderate category but continuing a downward trend. There are 38 new cases this week for a total of 15,735 cases since the pandemic began. One person is hospitalized at this time. One person has died, which puts the total count of COVID-19-related deaths now at 125.
Willie Bence said there are many slots open in a juvenile covalent booster clinic for kids 5 to 17 years of age, taking place this coming Saturday October 22 at Blue Heron School in Port Townsend. Sign up on the Jefferson County Public Health website. Also, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about getting a flu shot.
The Covid public health emergency declaration will end on October 31, so Dr. Berry’s Health Reports will go to once a month. If you have any lingering COVID-19, or monkeypox, or any other public health related questions, you might want to send them in over the next few weeks.
Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Allison Berry and to Willie Bence by emailing [email protected]. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.

(Airdate: October 17, 2022) In this edition of Attention Please!, the topic is the role of the Jefferson County Conservation Futures program in protecting precious lands in our county, with two case studies as illustrations: the preservation of Tamanowas Rock and of Tarboo Valley salmon habitat. Hosted by Phil Andrus.

For a compendium of upcoming featured programs, check out Spotlight for October 16-30. Many of our program hosts provide specifics about what’s planned for this half month. If you’re not already a Spotlight subscriber, you’re invited to join our Mailing List. See KPTZ’s current Weekly On-Air Schedule and Daily Program Schedule.


(Airdate: October 14, 2022) On alternate Fridays during the noon hour, KPTZ’s Chris Bricker and co-hosts Port Director Eron Berg and Port Commissioner Pam Petranek bring you an update on news, people, and issues surrounding our vibrant maritime community. Home from Alaska and currently moored at C Dock in the Boat Haven, fishing vessel Cape Cleare sits at rest. It’s another story for its Skipper, Rick Ottman, who at any given time can be found fixing, replacing, repairing and caring for this 80-foot schooner which has been re-fitted for trolling under sail power. Rick gives us a tour of the boat this week, and then in our next episode we’ll meet the unique crew that accompanied him this season.