Today on Brewocracy Now co-hosts Missy Nielsen and City Manager John Mauro were joined by Chimacum School District Superintendent Dr. Scott Mauk. They discussed the district’s efforts to foster leadership and build trust.
For the seven days leading up to THING festival on August 26, KPTZ joins in welcoming Soundcheck, when Port Townsend will be bursting with performances, art and interactive events celebrating our local artists and cultural ecosystem. From Friday, August 19 to Thursday, August 25, Soundcheck lets you choose your own adventure from an incredible array of locally-focused events! Happenings include outdoor movie nights, a community dance, filmmaker’s showcase, poetry reading, burlesque show, tons of concerts, gallery walk and more. A Soundcheck bus will be available to all takers on Thursday afternoon for a craft beverage tour.
(Airdate: August 24, 2022) Birds molt – when and why? Join Mary Robson and guest Christie Lassen to explore the feathery mysteries of molting.
(Airdate: August 23, 2022) Maryanne McNellis interviews Thomas Olson, Port Townsend’s Police Chief. There’s been a spike in violent crimes nationally since the beginning of the Pandemic. Fortunately, Port Townsend has not seen a corresponding crime wave. But it’s been a challenging beginning for Chief Olson, who has been on the job for less than two years. Due to a combination of retirements and staff adjustments only three officers have stayed with the department since he took over. It’s part of a national trend — thousands of officers have left policing in the past few years. Chief Olson’s priorities have been recruitment and hiring. Now he’s refocusing the department to “community policing.” Each officer will have a specific geographic beat with a goal to get out there and meet the community. More bike patrols are on the horizon. PT has only 15 officers for its 10,000 population. But Olson’s ambitious plans also include a defined strategic plan and state accreditation.
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 and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.
Cases of Omicron are falling across the US and that’s true for Jefferson as well. Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry today said that our case rate is 463/100,000 with a 13% positivity are, down from last week. Our case ascertainment rate hovers around 40%. Two people who were hospitalized last week have been discharged, however one person is still a patient at Jefferson Healthcare. Dr. Berry said the Port Townsend sewer measurement for COVID-19 is also down by about 15% from last week. “COVID-19 can still be very dangerous and especially if you’re over 65 It’s really important to move forward and get your second booster at this point” she said. “The most important thing any of us can do to protect ourselves and others is to stay up to date in our vaccines, and then also to wear a high quality mask when we’re indoors around others.
Omicron-specific boosters are going to be available a bit earlier than originally scheduled – now as soon as mid-September. It is unknown how much vaccine will be delivered to Jefferson. Dr. Berry said the shot will be prioritized for those at highest risk, particularly those over 65. Public Health will again work with DEM and healthcare colleagues to gear up for vaccination clinics. Plans are currently in development. The vaccination should be available through Jefferson Healthcare and local pharmacies as well.
MPV is not circulating in Jefferson County, but there has been a diagnosed case In Clallam. Reports are that the man did not contract it through sex, but at a dance party through skin-to-skin contact. Contact tracing has taken place. “We know that this virus is disproportionately affecting the gay community but it can affect anyone,” Dr. Berry explained. “It’s just spread through prolonged skin-to-skin contact. If you have any rash that’s atypical for you, particularly a painful one, please do get tested right away.”
Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Allison Berry and 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 week’s BOCC meeting (on Tuesday, September 6 due to Labor Day).
KPTZ is happy to CoPresent Abakis as part of the Soundcheck festival! Join KPTZ on Monday, August 22 amidst the greenery of the Bishop Hotel courtyard ~ from 5-8pm, for a rich evening of outdoor music.
(Airdate: August 22, 2022) Host Steve Evans interviews Jefferson County’s Moderate Risk Waste Coordinator Jerry Mingo in situ at the Boat Haven’s hazardous waste handling facility – on the day before his retirement from a thirty-year career in something that was more a calling than a job.
