KPTZ 91.9 FM Radio Port Townsend

Booklovers’ Cafe – Rosemary McGuire, Rough Crossing

(Airdate: December 7, 2021) Rough Crossing introduces you to the intrepid Rosemary McGuire as she signs on to the crew of the Arctic Storm in Homer, Alaska looking for money and experience. Well, she got one of those! She writes with “a keen eye for essential detail with lean-forward moving sentences.” Join host Cris Wilson as she talks to the author and old time musician from her cabin near Murphy Dome in Fairbanks where she lives when not doing research in the Arctic or floating alone on a designated Wild and Scenic River.

Local News for 12/07/21

December 7, 2021: Lily Haight – Update on Omicron variant; one new COVID death. (TRANSCRIPT)

Rose Isler and Aeneas Valley Community Foundation

(Airdate: December 6, 2021) Attention Please! features holiday celebrations west and east. Historical Society Executive Director and Summer Band Brass Quintet member Robert Nathan discuss the upcoming Holiday Extravaganza and Rose and Doug Isler describe the the Aeneas Valley Country Store and the Community Foundation which they have founded. Phil Andrus hosts.

County Public Health Report ~ 12/06

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. The summary below was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.

Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry Monday updated the Commissioners on COVID-19 saying that there is a winter surge occurring, with cases up 50% over one month ago. Nationally, 100,000 people are diagnosed each day and 1,200 people die every day. Washington is bucking that trend. Dr. Berry said the number of cases is not rising due to the sheer number of people who are vaccinated. In Jefferson, we have had a total of 1,324 cases reported, with 214 per 100,000 – a 5% positivity rate. There has not been a large outbreak from Thanksgiving gatherings. However, there are clusters of small children who have been infected. Contact tracing is underway in the schools.

Dr. Berry said the biggest health news of the week is the rise of the Omicron variant. It has been detected in Washington state, not yet in Jefferson, but it is in King County. She said we are following King County by two weeks so she feels it is likely to be here soon. “We don’t know about the severity of this variant,” Dr. Berry said. She said public health officials are seeing early indications of reinfections, especially if your only immunity comes from prior infections. Omicron seems to be taking hold in under-vaccinated communities and is more transmissible than the Delta variant. She encouraged all to get their booster now before the holiday surge and winter season.

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.

Community Tides ~ 12/03

Twice a month during the noon hour on Fridays, KPTZ host Chris Bricker and co-host Siobhan Canty, President and CEO of Jefferson Community Foundation, meet to discuss new developments, new paradigms, and the new normal as we flow into the months ahead. This week, Siobhan and Chris talk about the landscape of good work being done here in Jefferson County and how exciting it is to see relationships develop as complementary non-profit organizations are able to find and work with one another. Chris and Siobhan emphasize the significance of general funds in the life of a non-profit organization, and also the importance of the ability of a non-profit to be able to pay a living wage to its employees. Our hosts also note that the “season of giving” to groups that do good work really needs to last year round.

Local News for 12/02/21

December 2, 2021: Simon Jaynes – Suspect Charged in Quilcene murder; Vaccine Clinic for Children to combat possible Covid surge. (TRANSCRIPT)

New on KPTZ: Intimacy in Under 10

KPTZ has added a new short feature to the station’s programming lineup! Under 10: A Mini Intimacy Podcast with Dr. Jessica Tartaro is the podcast now airing on 91.9FM, weekly on Thursdays from 5:20–5:30pm. Each episode includes an intimacy tool you can practice immediately to grow your feelings of connection across all your relationships. Click here for more about Under 10 and host Dr Jessica Tartaro.
“Healthy intimacy is not a given. It’s a practice. It asks you for discipline and consistency. And will reward you immeasurably with the kind of love and support you desire. When the resistance comes up, just imagine my voice cheering you on and saying, ‘just do it’, in support of you letting something soften, letting love in and trying again.” ~ Dr. Jessica Tartaro, from Under 10, Episode #45

Jefferson County November 2021 Case Numbers

After our peak of 305 cases in September, Jefferson County recorded 164 cases in October and 139 in November. The other good news is vaccines are now available locally for everyone 5 years old and older.

Unfortunately, we still have a high case rate. The very contagious and potentially more serious strain, Delta, is the dominate form of Covid-19 in Washington and the U.S. Scientists are currently assessing Omicron, the new strain discovered in South Africa with many mutations which may prove to be significant.

Currently, about three out of four new cases in our county are in unvaccinated people. Getting vaccinated makes it much less likely that you’ll be infected or get a serious case if you do get infected. Plus, vaccines and masks help all of us stay healthier during the holiday season.

Please note that Jefferson Healthcare Hospital’s workforce is down about 25%, which isn’t enough to operate its 25 regular beds and six ICU beds. On multiple occasions, it has been operating about 15 regular beds and four ICU beds, and they’ve been 100% full. By taking common sense actions to reduce your chances of getting Covid-19, you also make it more likely that people with heart attacks, car wreck injuries, or other emergencies can get the care they need with the limited resources we have for the foreseeable future.

JC MASH – Serving the Under Insured

(Airdate: November 30, 2021) JC MASH (Jefferson County Medical Advocacy and Services Headquarter) provides health and advocacy services for Jefferson County’s marginalized residents – from the underemployed to those who are unable to utilize the mainstream healthcare system. Missy Nielsen of Everybody Can speaks with founder and director Dr. Rotchford and Megan Claflin, UGN (United Good Neighbors) Campaign Manager, to better understand MASH’s impact in our community and how Jefferson County residents can participate in supporting JC M.A.S.H through the United Good Neighbors Jefferson Gives Annual Campaign.