Local News for 2/18/22
Community Tides ~ 2/19
This week on Community Tides, hosts Siobhan Canty, President & CEO of Jefferson Community Foundation, and KPTZ’s Chris Bricker talk with special guest Cindy Brooks, North Beach resident, and the newly-minted Executive Director of EDC Team Jefferson (The Economic Development Council). Cindy worked most recently as the Economic Recovery Coordinator for the North Olympic Development Council. She holds a BA from Evergreen State College in Liberal arts and an MBA from Presidio Graduate School of San Francisco. We learn about her unique background in economic development, along with her thinking surrounding it. She has a holistic approach to leadership, based in relationship building, and she’s demonstrated a stellar knowledge of rural entrepreneurship and business ownership models that support community health and wealth. On this show we find out more about her vision and the role of the EDC.
Brewocracy Now with John Mauro ~ 2/17
Today on Brewocracy Now KPTZ host Tim Quackenbush and City Manager John Mauro were joined by the new City Engineer, Laura Parsons. Topics discussed included: the Local Roads Safety Plan, Discovery Road Infrastructure Project, Madrona Ridge Development Project, Thing Festival Return, and the Rhododendron Parade.
Local News for 2/17/22
Nature Now #554
Jamestown S’Klallam History, part 2
(Airdate: February 16, 2022) Jamestown S’Klallam leader Loni Greninger meets Mary Robson, discussing language and family history back to ancestor Chief Cicmahan. This is part 2 of a show that aired on February 2, 2022).
Washington Boating Policy
(Airdate: February 16, 2022) Since 1956, The Recreational Boating Association of Washington (RBAW) has been the voice of Washington boaters in Olympia on topics ranging from taxes to the acquisition of places like Sucia Island State Park. This week’s Coastal Café with host Aaron Barnett is a conversation with Bob Wise, the current president of RBAW who shares with us some of RBAW’s activities regarding current legislation in Olympia potentially impacting the recreational boating community. In addition to policy and legislative highlights, Mr. Wise talks about the acquisition of Lake Bay Marina and Pier through the RBAW Marine Parks Conservancy.
Local News for 2/16/22
Local News for 2/15/22
JCARF Asks for Community Commitment to Racial Equity
For the month of February, KPTZ now partners with Jefferson County Anti-Racist Fund (JCARF), the grassroots reparations and mutual aid project focused on the individual and collective wellness of Black people, Indigenous people, and all other People of Color (BIPOC) in our local community.
JCARF now seeks Jefferson County businesses that are ready to make a commitment to racial equity and mutual aid by contributing a “benefit” to members. The JCARF team is currently designing this rewards program for their members who are subscription donors. Their ask is for Jefferson County businesses to make the commitment to racial equity and mutual aid by contributing a benefit to members. For example, Finnriver Farm and Cidery will offer discounts on bottles and draft pours, to JCARF members. If you or someone you know may be interested, JCARF’s email is [email protected].
Since 2019, JCARF has distributed thousands of dollars in direct payments, gift certificates, locally grown food, handmade herbal medicine, and other wellness items to our BIPOC community members.
County Public Health Report ~ 2/14
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, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report. The summary below was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.
COVID-19 cases are falling nationwide, but 2,500 deaths are reported daily. County Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry said that different areas of the County are seeing the downturn in cases at different times, with the Northeast cities leading the way. In Washington, there is a 30% decrease in cases in the last week, in both the east and west sides of the mountains. However, cases are four times the height of any previous peak, with 2,500 cases per 100,000. In Jefferson county, current cases are 2,874, with a case rate of 743/100,000. One death was reported today for a total of 26 during the pandemic. Our percent positivity is 21%. Dr. Berry anticipates case rates to continue to decrease through February and March based on current mitigation measures. “I really want to encourage everybody to hang on a little longer,” Dr. Berry said. “There is light at the end of the tunnel and it’s closer than it has ever been. We are very likely to be able to remove many mitigation measures in March or April. So we’re going to be lifting the proof of vaccination order in March most likely, unless we see our cases drop significantly even before then. And likely we will see a lifting of mask mandates this spring as well. The exact timing of that is still being determined at the local and state level.”
Dr. Berry reported that Pfizer pulled out from FDA review of vaccines for those under 5 years old. They did not see enough efficacy with their very low-dose product. The next plan for the manufacturer is to move forward with trials of three doses for this age group to see if they get significant immune response. Moderna is also participating in clinical trials for this age group and results are expected later this spring/early summer.
The final decision on the state masking mandate is up to the governor but the State’s Health Officers will advise him. We have a local mandate for Jefferson and Clallam counties. Dr. Berry’s preference is to move with the state. “I think it will be very hard to maintain a local mask mandate alone if we if we are the only county left doing it,” she said. “Which is part of why it’s so important that when the governor picks a case threshold, that we be a part of making sure that that’s a safe case threshold.”
Dr. Berry said if you are on immunosuppressive medications, have active cancer, or have a genetic immunodeficiency, you qualify for a fourth dose of the vaccine, “and we recommend you get that fourth dose.”
With the advent of at-home test kits, Dr. Barry noted that “we are undercounting” because most cases are not being reported. She urged those who test positive to contact Public Health with this important information.
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 next Tuesday’s meeting (because February 21 is a holiday).
