Clatsop County Health Department Urges Vaccination And Prevention For Flu Season!

Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011

CLATSOP COUNTY HEALTH SUPPORTS VACCINATION, PREVENTION FOR FLU SEASON

Flu season is here again, and the Clatsop County Public Health Department urges the public to protect itself from this preventable illness.

Influenza is caused by a virus spread person-to-person, through the air and on hard surfaces in droplets from sneezes and coughs. Illness from the flu can last up to 10 days and include such symptoms as sneezing, coughing, runny nose, congestion, fever, muscle aches and headache. For some people, the flu can be a very serious, even deadly disease, which could lead to secondary infections such as pneumonia. Every flu season is different, and influenza can affect people differently. Even healthy children and adults can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others.

Each year, scientists determine the three flu strains that are likely to cause the most disease and include them in the flu vaccination for that season. The 2011-12 seasonal flu shot protects against the same strains as last year, but people who had a flu vaccination last year should also get a seasonal flu shot this year; as immunity may have worn off. Seasonal flu vaccine is manufactured by strict federal standards and thoroughly tested before it is offered to the public.

Vaccination is the most effective way to avoid catching the flu virus, and the best way to protect yourself and your community from illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone aged 6 months and older receive an annual influenza vaccination. Children 6 months through 8 years may need two doses depending on previous flu vaccine history, so it is important to talk to your provider. A seasonal flu vaccination is especially recommended for people with chronic medical conditions, pregnant women, people living or caring for babies six months and younger or people who are unable to be vaccinated because of health reasons, and all health care workers.

These preventive measures can help stop flu and other diseases from circulating:

· Cover your cough and sneeze.

· Wash your hands often. Use soap and warm water.

· Stay home when you’re sick. Protect others at school and work by staying home at least 24 hours after a fever (100+ degrees) subsides.

· Clean surfaces. Flu germs can live for hours on hard surfaces. Make sure your home and workspace is wiped down frequently, especially where children are playing.

Clatsop County Public Health has flu vaccine available by appointment for children 6 months and older and adults. Shots are $30 for regular vaccine and $44 for high-dose vaccine; some insurance can billed, and vaccine can be made available at reduced or no cost for those without insurance or who otherwise cannot afford it. For more information and to set up an appointment, call (503) 325-8500.

To locate other flu shot clinics near you, visit www.flu.oregon.gov or call the Oregon Flu Hotline at 1-800-978-3040.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 338-3622

Clatsop County Invites Grant Requests For Non-Profits

Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011

COUNTY INVITES REQUESTS FOR NONPROFIT GRANTS

The Clatsop County Commission on Children and Families and the Board of Commissioners will once again distribute grants to local nonprofits that assist people in need.

This year, in the effort to increase available funding and efficiency, the board and CCF have combined their funding processes, providing grants of up to $25,000 to high quality programs that can demonstrate viable collaboration to integrate and align services to as many children, youth, families and citizens of Clatsop County as possible.

Programs must demonstrate that they:

· Provide services to all county residents, as opposed to residents of a specific geographic area, with a demonstrated ability to effectively assist citizens in need;

· Work collaboratively with other groups and actively seek and receive significant portions of their funding from sources other than the county;

· Address a need not now being addressed by other groups or agencies;

· Have missions that are consistent with the Board’s and Commission on Children and Families priorities.

· Contribute to the Governor’s goals of preparing children for school readiness.

There are seven sections listed as part of the policy and criteria for applicants to answer. The policy and criteria are available online at www.co.clatsop.or.us.

Applications must be submitted to the Clatsop County Commission on Children and Families Office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 200, Astoria, no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14.

The Commission on Children and Families will review all proposals and make funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for approval at one of its regularly scheduled meetings.

Recipients will be required to sign a grant agreement obligating the agency(ies) to carry out the program as described in the application.

For more information contact the Clatsop County Juvenile Department at (503) 325-8601.

Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 338-3622

Clatsop District Attorney Files Suit Against City Of Astoria

Well, we've quoted ORS 8.660 and accompanying text over and over and still some of the key players, it seems, continue to ignore it or better yet, just simply deny it exists.

Now, the citizens of Astoria, as of Monday, the 26th of September, are under a law suit by the Oregon Department of justice on behalf of Clatsop County District Attorney to ensure all parties comply with ORS 8.660 in the prosecution, at the least, of all DUII's cited in the City of Astoria.

You can read the full text of the suit by clicking on the text below.

Read Details Of Law Suit

Clatsop County Residents Urged To Register For ClatsopAlerts!!!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

PUBLIC URGED TO REGISTER FOR CLATSOPALERTS! NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

In the event of an emergency, local authorities want to reach you.

But they can’t unless they have your number.

Clatsop County’s Emergency Management Division is bringing its new “ClatsopALERTS!” emergency notification system online. The ENS, also known as a “reverse-9-1-1” system, enables local governments to directly alert citizens to severe weather, water contamination, missing persons and other emergencies through voice calls and text messages on their phones, computers and other devices.

Read Full Press Release

Liquefied Natural Gas Export Attempt Re-Ignites Fossil Fuel Battle

From: Read The Dirt

By: Columbia Riverkeeper: Dan Serres

Posted on: September 9, 2011

By Dan Serres, a born-and-raised Oregonian. As the Conservation Director for Columbia Riverkeeper, Dan has worked to protect Oregon and Washington farms, forests, and rivers from LNG pipelines, coal terminals, and toxic pollution. He holds a B.S. and Master’s degree from Stanford University in Earth Systems science.

Editor’s Note: This Piece by Dan Serres, Conservation Director for Columbia Riverkeeper, addresses a growing threat to the Pacific Northwest: being used to export fossil fuels. With high-bidding Asian markets willing to pay top dollar for U.S.A. fuels we run the risk of destroying our lands in the process of mining/hydrofracking and exporting fuels to be burnt is Asia. If the Pacific Northwest refuses to export we will discourage mining/hydrofracking on our neighbors’ lands, protect our land from pipelines, and help keep our fuel in the ground and out of our air. This piece concerns all 6 Essentials and is placed in our air section for this reason.

Read CRK's Dan Serres Full Article