KPTZ 91.9 FM Radio Port Townsend

County Public Health Report ~ 12/02/24

This month, Dr. Allison Berry, Public Health Officer for Clallam and Jefferson Counties, issued the Public Health Report to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), and said there is very little COVID-19 in Jefferson County, but there is a slight uptick in surrounding areas, in ER admissions for COVID-19. Uptake of the vaccine booster is low, so she did encourage those who are at greatest risk to get the shot. Because Covid is no longer a national or state emergency, programs from Jefferson County Public Health to send people to homes and facilities where elderly populations live are not bringing the boosters directly to them. Avian infuenza has not seen a human to human transmission as of yet. There are some isolated cases in the US and in Canada of patients who have contracted the virus from other sources. Anyone with a domestic flock is encouraged to avoid interactions with wild birds, especially around water sources. Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management, was not in attendance this month. Next month’s BOCC Health Report will be broadcast January 6 at 9:45am on KPTZ, so listeners are encouraged to get their questions into Dr. Berry and Willie Bence by noon Friday, January 3 to [email protected].

December 1-15 KPTZ Programming Highlights

For a compendium of upcoming featured programs, check KPTZ Spotlight for December 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.

Best DJ Award Winner

KPTZ is proud to announce that Ron McElroy, “Your Good Rockin’ Daddy” has been voted Jefferson County’s Best DJ in the PT Leader‘s Readers Choice Awards. Tune In Fridays from 5-7pm to hear Freespin each week. Hats off to Ron and to the “Faithful Forty-Four” – his loyal Freespin listeners.

Local News for 11/29/24

November 29, 2024: Diane Walker – Repopulating oysters in Discovery Bay; Gatheringplace to get new home in 2025. (TRANSCRIPT)

Local News for 11/28/24

November 28, 2024: Jim Burke – Reasons to be thankful in PT. (TRANSCRIPT)

Local News for 11/27/24

November 27, 2024: Nhatt Nichols – Point Wilson Freznell light operates again; local turkey history. (TRANSCRIPT)

#699 Christmas Bird Count

(Airdate: November 27, 2024) Jackie Canterbury talks with Dr. Steve Hampton with the local Rainshadow Bird Alliance, formerly Admiralty Audubon, about the oldest citizen science program of its kind, the Audubon Christmas Bird Count or CBC. The CBC began on Christmas Day 1900 as a way to count birds rather than shoot them as people began to become visibly concerned about declining bird populations. The Port Townsend CBC occurs on December 14, relying on volunteer birders and encompasses much of the Quimper Peninsula. The Rainshadow Alliance administers our local CBC count and submits data to National Audubon where Audubon and other organizations use the data to guide conservation efforts for birds, including the greatest challenge of all, climate change. “There is nothing else like the CBC in terms of geographic coverage and time,” says Geoff LaBaron of National Audubon. And none of it would happen without dedicated volunteers.

#255 Josh Thompson: Young and Successful

(Airdate: November 26, 2024) Maryanne interviews Josh Thompson, a successful young PT entrepreneur. His company – Josh’s Window Cleaning – is growing briskly. Bookings are up 20% from a year ago. He started at the proverbial bottom when he was in high school. Josh worked for a window and gutter company for about seven years before deciding to strike out on his own. They don’t exactly teach you how to run a company in high school. So he turned to mentors to help him with business licenses, accounting and invoicing – all the behind the scenes organizational stuff. Now he’s about to turn 30-years-old and is a married homeowner. Hard work and gumption can pay off!