Medicare Fraud Strike Force Takes Down 91In $295 Million False Billings!!!

HHS.com
September 7, 2011
Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343
Medicare fraud strike force charges 91 individuals for approximately $295 million in false billing
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that a nationwide takedown by Medicare Fraud Strike Force operations in eight cities has resulted in charges against 91 defendants, including doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, for their alleged participation in Medicare fraud schemes involving approximately $295 million in false billing.
Attorney General Holder and Secretary Sebelius were joined in the announcement by FBI Executive Assistant Director Shawn Henry, Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and HHS Inspector General Daniel R. Levinson.

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Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners September 14, 2011 Regular Meeting Agenda Preceeded at 9:30 AM By Executive Session

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Clatsop County:Proposed Property Re-Appraisal - Frequently Asked Questions

Property Re-Appraisal

The Clatsop County Assessment and Taxation Department is conducting a full re-appraisal of the whole county over the next few years. The reappraisal is starting in the northeast corner of the county to include Westport towards East Astoria.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a re-appraisal? – This is when the appraisers physically inspect every property within a designated area to determine the physical condition and accuracy or county records of the land and all improvements on each parcel of property. This includes measuring buildings, notating type, class and condition of all improvements, and verifying quality and age (depreciation) of each improvement – both exterior and interior.

Why are you doing a re-appraisal? – Based on Oregon Revised Statutes and Department of Revenue Rules and guidelines, the Assessment and Taxation Department is required to properly assess the value of all land and improvements. Since the passage of Ballot Measure 50, this has been and continues to be primarily completed by sales ratio analysis or mass appraisal procedures. To ensure that the appraisal process is done correctly, the appraisal department needs to verify the addition and destruction/deletion of improvements as well as the condition of improvements, which can only be done by physical inspection. We want to make sure that every property has been properly valued by obtaining the Real Market Value (RMV). If your garage has not been maintained and is falling apart, but we show on record that it is in great condition, then we need to correct the value and condition.

Will my taxes change due to re-appraisal? – Your taxes are limited to change by an approved vote in 1997 on Measure 50, which was a constitutional amendment limiting tax increases to 3 percent, with certain exceptions pertaining to omitted property or remodeling (not general maintenance). The re-appraisal will generally not have any impact on your taxes unless your property has an exception. Please note that we are only appraisers and looking for the value of the property, we are not qualified to determine if there are building or code violations nor do we work in that capacity.

Do I have to let the appraiser in my home? – Actually, you do not have to let the appraiser in your home. In the event that the appraiser cannot obtain interior access or if not allowed interior access, the appraiser will ask for permission to complete an exterior appraisal. If denied then the appraisal will be completed from the closest public right of way. In the event there are children with no adult present, the appraiser will leave a door hanger or card and immediately leave the property. At this point the appraiser will complete the appraisal from the public right of way. Without the ability to measure or view the improvement, then the appraisal will be completed based on the appraiser’s best judgment. Without the ability to view the improvements, we do not give you the benefit of the doubt for condition or quality that cannot be verified.

What if I work during the day or no one is ever home? – Then the appraiser can either make an appointment during the county work hours to view the property or the appraiser will have to complete the appraisal based on the appraiser’s best judgment.

How do I know if the appraiser has already seen my home? – All appraisers use bright yellow door hangers that will be placed on what the appraiser deems as the front door. If the gate is locked and the appraiser can’t get to the front door, it will be placed on the gate. The door hangers specifically state if the appraiser does or does NOT need additional information.

How do I know it is a county appraiser and not someone claiming to be the county appraiser? – All county appraisers are driving county cars with the county logo on the doors. Each appraiser is required to carry visibly their county-issued identification badge. Additionally, the appraisers should have a business card and/or prepared yellow door hangers. Please ask to view these items if ever in doubt.

What if I disagree with the values? – In most cases the values will not change your taxes. If you still want to review the values, you are welcome to contact an appraiser during county hours in person or via phone to address your concerns of value. If you are still not satisfied, you always have the right to file an appeal with the Board of Property Tax Appeals.

Audio Transcript Of CCBofC Special Work Session August 25. 2011

Listen To Audio Transcript

Clatsop County Genealogical Society Presents Free Genealogy Fair, Saturday, September 10, 2011 At Seaside's Bob Chisholm Community Center

Free Genealogy Fair

Do you know your own history?You have a chance to attend a FREE Genealogy Fair scheduled for next Saturday, September 10th beginning at 10:30 AM in the Bob Chisholm Community Center in Seaside.Lots of wonderful opportunities!The featured speaker, Barbara Clark, speaking at 10:30, will discuss dating old family photographs: there will be a silver Tea following, information tables relating to Ancestry.com, the Family Tree Maker Program and the Legacy program, all designed to help you trace your family tree, plus a table with family heirlooms. The tables and information will be available all afternoon until 4 PM, so drop by or spend the day. If you like history, you'll learn how you can discover your own family history at this event sponsored by the Clatsop County Genealogical Society... Plus everyone attending will be get a ticket and a chance to win a subscription to Ancestry.com! Open and free to the public, bring friends who like history

From IBT: The Ten Reasons Rick Perry Is Too Extreme To Win

Ross Perot, A Rick Perry Friend/mentor/supporter

Rick Perry; The favorite candidate of, get this, "Republican Leaning Independents"? A new term for "Tea Partyers" perhaps?

So says Maggie Astor - International Business Times
September 5, 2011 - 9:18 AM

Here's The List:
10. He calls Social Security Un-American
9. He opposed raising the Debt Ceiling
8. He does not believe in Evolution or Climate Change
7. He has suggested repealing the 16th and 17th Amendments
6. He wants to set Judicial Term Limits and let Congress overide Supreme Decisions
5. He is the most Anti-Abortion Governor in Texas History
4. He supports Nullification and once suggested that Texas seced from the Union
3. He questions the Patriotism of top government officials
2. He mixes Religion and Politics openly and unapologetically
1. He contradicts himself
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Washington Post Opinion Writer, Harold Meyerson, 08/16/2011:"Rick Perry's Texas is Ross Perot's Mexico come north"

Cullaby Lake Health Advisory Lifted!

STATE, COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS LIFT CULLABY LAKE ADVISORY

A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in Cullaby Lake was lifted Thursday, Sept. 1 by Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division and Clatsop County Public Health Department officials.
The lake is again open to swimming, boating and other activities.
The advisory went into effect July 1. The public was warned against contact with the lake water, particularly activities that could result in swallowing or inhaling water.
Water monitoring has confirmed reduced levels of blue-green algae that can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals.
These reduced levels are not likely to be associated with dangerous toxin concentrations in the water, according to World Health Organization guidelines.
Oregon health officials advise people who recreate in Oregon water bodies to always be alert to signs of algae blooms. People and their pets should avoid water contact if there are visible clumps of algae in the water.
For health information, contact the Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance program at (971) 673-0400 or www.healthoregon.org/hab; also contact the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767 or Clatsop County Health Department at (503) 325-8500.

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

Scam Alert From Oregon Department Of Justice

WELLS FARGO PHISHING SCAM

The Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline has received a surge of complaints about telephone calls claiming to be from Wells Fargo Bank. The caller is telling consumers that their debit cards are locked and that they should provide their debit card number to bank security. This is a phishing scam.

Oregon Attorney General John Kroger reminds Oregonians that legitimate financial institutions will never ask you for debit card, bank account or social security numbers, or for sensitive information, like your username or password, over the phone or by email.
Never respond to phone calls or emails soliciting personal information. If you suspect it might be legitimate, pick-up the phone and call the company to confirm.
Do not click on any links embedded in phishing emails. They may contain viruses or malware designed to steal your personal information.
Make sure your computer has up to date anti-virus software.
The Attorney General's Consumer Hotline received nine complaints since late last week from the Portland area and the Willamette Valley about this scam. This is a significant number of calls for such a short period of time.

Anyone who believes they have been approached by a scammer should contact the Oregon Department of Justice at 1-877-877-9392 or http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=pfqm4edab&et=1107377716124&s=11311&e=001bzADFaHcNo5XFSOB_3HmBLSMbRDvDRZOg5cTfLh4_adtnccWenUzj1kBaZER6ejvO1fqFjfeEZgkjQQDl1CC2djTKxyLAjh-Z87VFYrnRlsQVO1HGfPG-NtJLtQ11YSw14OPsDJsDdE=

Audio Transcripts Of August 24, 2011 Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Meeting With Highlights

Work Session Audio Transcript
Regular Meeting Audio Transcript
Thursday, August 25, 2011

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AUG. 24, 2011 MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Official minutes available once approved by board

Board approves Parole and Probation plan, agreement
The board approved the Community Corrections 2011-13 Biennium Plan and an intergovernmental agreement with the State of Oregon for parole and probation services.
The Biennium Plan details the programs and services the county will provide to local offenders on parole, probation and post-prison supervision through its Parole and Probation Division.
The 2011-13 plan includes several changes reflecting the transfer of the Community Corrections Department to the authority of the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office earlier this year. The plan includes a new day-reporting system, increased treatment and misdemeanor services, an enhanced electronic monitoring program, rental of eight additional beds at the Tillamook County Jail, and addition of one parole and probation officer.
The expanded services are to be funded by revenue saved from last spring’s closure of the Transition Center. The Sheriff’s Office will evaluate the service changes over the next year to determine their effectiveness
The intergovernmental agreement authorizes state funding for Parole and Probation programs. Due to state budget cuts, the amount of revenue coming to Clatsop County under the 2011-12 agreement is expected to fall by $133,306. Sheriff Tom Bergin told the board that his department plans to make up the shortfall with targeted reductions and the use of carry-over funds.
The Sheriff’s Office will revisit the plan next year after the Oregon Legislature meets in February to address budgetary issues.

Land-use review process reviewed
The board held a joint work session with the Clatsop County Planning Commission to hear a presentation on local land-use review and approval processes from Tim Ramis of the law firm Jordan Ramis, one of the county’s legal counsels for planning issues. Ramis walked the participants through the history of Oregon zoning laws and the basics of application reviews, quasi-judicial hearings, conditions of approval, conflict of interest and other issues.

Resource-sharing pact renewed
The board voted to renew an intergovernmental agreement that enables the Clatsop County Roads Division and various other public agencies to share resources during emergencies. The agreement extends for five years the county’s involvement with the program, which it first joined in 2001. A total of 217 agencies in Oregon participate.
The agreement allows agencies to use equipment, personnel and materials of other agencies, and sets up a process for reimbursement and liability. It does not, however, obligate Clatsop County or any other participating entity to provide assistance.

Other Business
-Approved a letter of support for a grant application to the Oregon Land Conservation and Development Commission for a Clatsop Plains land-use study.
-Approved a $38,772 contract with Bergeron Construction for repairs to the Lewis and Clark Bridge.

Healthy Kids Program Targets Clatsop County's Uninsured Youth

Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011

HEALTHY KIDS PROGRAM TARGETS UNINSURED YOUTH

All uninsured children living in Clatsop County are eligible to apply for Oregon’s Healthy Kids health coverage program.
An early initiative of the Oregon Health Authority, Healthy Kids provides no-cost, low-cost or full-cost comprehensive health coverage for kids and teens until their 19th birthday. A family’s income and the number of family members determine whether a child or teen qualifies for no-cost, low-cost or full-cost health coverage. For example, a family of four who earns up to $44,900 per year would be able to receive coverage for their children at no cost.
Healthy Kids coverage offers comprehensive medical, dental and vision care including prescriptions, medical equipment, regular check-ups, preventive care and mental health and chemical dependency services.
Judi Mahoney, Clatsop County’s new Healthy Kids Outreach and Enrollment Worker, stated that the goal of the program is to insure 95 percent of the county’s kids and teens. Oregon has already seen the rate of uninsured children cut in half since the Healthy Kids program launched in 2009. “We have high hopes that we can do the same for Clatsop County,” said Mahoney.
Margo Lalich, Clatsop County Public Health director, added that “improved health is dependent upon access to quality health care and preventive services. With the expansion of health coverage to children in Clatsop County, more children will now have access to primary and preventive care, leading to healthier children who grow into healthier adults.”
Outreach and application assistance for the Healthy Kids program in Clatsop County is funded by a Targeted Outreach Grant from the Oregon Health Authority’s Office of Healthy Kids.
Due to the efforts of outreach workers and local agencies that assist families, more than 3,000 applications have been completed for kids and teens in Clatsop County since 2009. This represents more than a 38 percent increase in the number of children and teens ages 0-18 who now have access to the care they need.
For more information about Healthy Kids or to apply for Healthy Kids health coverage for your child, contact Healthy Kids Outreach and Enrollment Worker Judi Mahoney at (503) 358-2333 or via email at: judimahoney@yahoo.com (Hablamos español).

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

Westport, Oregon: Federal Grant To Fund Ferry Poject

Monday, Aug. 22, 2011

FEDERAL GRANT TO FUND FERRY LANDING PROJECT

Clatsop County has received a $1.88 million federal transportation grant for construction of an improved landing at Westport for the Wahkiakum Ferry.
The new, expanded landing will accommodate the larger vessel that Wahkiakum County, which operates the service, plans to put into operation in 2014.
The grant comes from the Ferry Boat Discretionary program, a special funding category of the federal Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991. Clatsop County will cover the remaining cost of the landing project, which has a total estimated price tag of $2.35 million.
The project will also alleviate a chronic problem at the existing 30-year-old landing, which has been plagued by siltation that hampers operations at low tides and at times has caused damage to the loading ramp. The new ramp will extend into deeper water.
Construction is expected to begin in Fall 2012.
The Wahkiakum Ferry, operating between Puget Island, Wash. and Westport, carries 11 vehicles. According to the Wahkiakum County Public Works Department, the new vessel will carry up to 23 vehicles, and will be designed to handle tour buses and chip trucks. Wahkiakum County learned last week that it will receive a $2.8 million federal grant to fund construction of the new ferry.
The ferry carried 50,763 vehicles in 2010.

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

Clatsop County Launches Comprehensive Property Reappraisal Process

Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011

COUNTY LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE PROPERTY REAPPRAISAL

The Clatsop County Assessment and Taxation Department has begun inspecting residential, farm and business properties as part of the first comprehensive reappraisal in the county in many years.
The appraisers physically inspect every property in a selected area to determine the condition of the land and all improvements on each property and to verify the accuracy of county records regarding those properties. The county uses on-site appraisals, coupled with real property sales data and other information, are used by the county to determine a property’s real market value.
The A&T Department performs on-site appraisals of new construction and improvements as they are completed. But it has not conducted a comprehensive lot-by-lot appraisal in most of Clatsop County since the 1990s. State law and Oregon Department of Revenue rules require all property to be valued at 100 percent of real market value.
During their inspections, the appraisals will take note of changes to buildings as well as depreciation or physical defects that could impact the value of the property.
Prior to 1997, counties conducted on-site appraisals on a six-year cycle. But ballot measures 47 and 50, the property tax-limiting initiatives passed by Oregon voters in 1996 and 1997, removed the requirement for regular reappraisal cycles by the county assessor. In place of physical inspections, the A&T Department has relied on sales data and other information to keep valuations current.
But Clatsop County has a very heterogeneous market area – with homes of widely varying quality and value existing side-by-side – that makes it difficult to establish market values without on-site inspections, according to Appraisal Supervisor Michael Grant.
To keep appraisal records more up-to-date, the department is returning to the six- to eight-year appraisal rotation. The first area targeted is the northeast portion of the county – appraisers are currently inspecting properties in Westport and will work their way west to Astoria.
Appraisers will visit neighborhoods in vehicles bearing the Clatsop County logo and will carry official county identification. They will go door-to-door to each property in the area – if the owner is home, the appraisers will identify themselves, explain the purpose of the visit and ask if they may view the inside the home or other structure. If an owner declines, the appraiser will conduct the appraisal from the exterior of the building and/or the nearest right-of-way.
If the owner is not home, the appraiser will leave a yellow door tag containing contact information if the owner wishes to schedule a visit at a future time, and will conduct the appraisal from the building exterior and/or off the property.
During their visits appraisers will look for improvements and additions not noted in current county records and note the quality and age of those changes, as well as look for signs of depreciation or problems such as leaky roofs. They may measure buildings and will take photos.
“We try to be as detailed as possible,” said Senior Appraiser Catherine Harper.
A key goal of the appraisal program is updating county records. An on-site appraisal may find that a home listed in the county’s property data base as being heated only by wood stove now has a new heating system. On the other hand, appraisals can also reveal that structures still included in the assessment inventory have been removed.
Property owners are not required to allow appraisers on their property. But the A&T Department notes that the more access an appraiser has to the property, the more accurate the valuation for that property will be.
The department also emphasizes that appraisers do not check properties for compliance with building codes or other regulations – they are solely evaluating properties for their real market value.
Even if an appraisal results in a change in a property’s valuation, this will likely not result in a change to the owner’s property tax bill. Taxes are calculated on the property’s assessed value, not real market value. Measure 50 limited the annual rise in assessed value to 3 percent, and as a result today most properties’ real market values are substantially higher than the assessed value.
But maintaining accurate real market values is still important, Grant said. Oregonians have voted to change their property tax system four times in the last 20 years, and market values may be again be the basis for assessing taxes in the future. In addition, insurance companies, banks and mortgage companies rely on accurate indicated real market values from the A&T Department.
For more information on the appraisal process and property taxes, go to “Property Records/Taxes” on the Clatsop County website, http://www.co.clatsop.or.us/

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PHOTO CAPTION: Clatsop County Appraiser Chris Leader measures the wall of a home. The county’s Assessment and Taxation Department is launching a county-wide appraisal program.


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

August 24, 2011 Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Meeting Agenda; 3:30 PM Work Session Precedes 6:00 PM Regular Meeting

Read Full Agenda Packet

Thirteen Vie For Wu's Congressional Seat

The Candidates:

Dan Strite - Democrat
Warrenton, Oregon
Retired Golf Pro and Business Man

Rob Cornilles - Republican/T.P.

Tualatin, Oregon
Sports Marketing Business Owner

Brad Witt - Democrat/WFP

Clatskanie, Oregon
Union Official/Organizer
Oregon State Representative

Brad Avakian - Democrat
Oregon Secretary of Labor

Suzanne Bonamici - Democrat
Oregon State Senator

Lisa Michaels - Republican/T.P.
Beaverton, Oregon
Former Legislative Candidate, G.O.P. Activist
Cable Access T.V. Show Host

Delinda Morgan - Republican
Gaston, Oregon
Union Employee

Jim Greenfield - Republican/T.P.
Tigard, Oregon
Real Estate Investment advisor

Pavel Goberman - Republican
Beaverton, Oregon
Retired Fitness Expert and Frequent Election Candidate

Saba Ahmed - Democrat
Beaverton, Oregon

Lobbyist/Muslim - Womens Causes Activist
Todd Ritter - Democrat

Tigard, Oregon

Dominick Hammon - Democrat
Brookings, Oregon
Former Contractor

Robert Lettin - Democrat
Sherwood, Oregon Investment Advisor

Lower Columbia All-Stars At Play-offs Can Be Seen On Live Stream

Season Ends For Lower Columbia All-Stars in a 6-0 Loss To Visalia, California

Live Stream Of Little League Play-Offs

An Afternoon With Reba And Phil

An Afternoon With Reba And Phil
By: K.C. McGee

August 14, 2011 6:00 PM

It was a perfect Sunday afternoon for an outdoor concert. The sun was shining and the wind calm. Surprisingly, so was the concert. No rowdy, obnoxious fans, no dancing at the stage ( it wasn’t allowed ). Fans sitting in assigned seats politely stayed put and sang along . Though the seating area was in no way sold out, we were packed in like sardines. General ticket holders sprawled on the grass, danced or mingled… quietly. It was definitely different from any other outdoor concert I’ve ever been to. Especially considering it was first Phil Vassar & then Reba that took center stage.
I almost missed Phil Vassar. If it hadn’t been for last minute media coverage, I wouldn’t have known he was starting at 2pm, not 3pm. He was great & the 5,000 or so fans seemed to know all of his songs as they sang along. I was slightly disappointed that he only performed for 1hr. But then came Rebba. I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of hers however, I have admired her talent for 30+ yrs. A true professional, she is gracious, superbly talented & it is obvious that she appreciates her fans.
All in all, I had a great time & I’m glad I got the chance to go. Though honestly, I think the $50.00 ticket holders got the best bang for their buck.

Hood To Coast Relay Route Change Announced

Friday, Aug. 12, 2011

HOOD TO COAST RELAY ROUTE CHANGED

Organizers of the Hood to Coast Relay event, scheduled for Aug. 26-27, have changed one leg of the race route south of Astoria due to a conflict at a traditional exchange site.
Leg #35 of the race will now go down Logan Road and Lewis and Clark Road, instead of the Lewis and Clark Mainline route used in prior years. The route was changed due to the renewed log-sorting activity at the Westerlund log handling facility at Fort Clatsop Road and Loukas Lane, which was used as a team exchange point in previous years.
The new exchange point for the leg will be the Netel Grange on Logan Road. From there runners and walkers and team vans will head south eight miles on Logan Road and Lewis and Clark Road to the next exchange near Crown Camp Road.
Clatsop County is sending letters to all affected property owners on Logan Road and Lewis and Clark Road to inform them of the route change.
The rest of the route through Clatsop County remains the same – Oregon Highway 202 from Birkenfeld to Olney; Youngs River Road from Olney to Miles Crossing; Lewis and Clark Road from Miles Crossing to Logan Road. The final leg runs from the Crown Camp Road exchange to the finish in Seaside.
The view the complete route, go the event website at www.hoodtocoast.com.
1,300 running teams and 400 walking teams will participate in this year’s event, an increase in 250 teams from 2010. Runners and walkers will be on the route through most of the day Saturday, Aug. 27. Motorists are reminded to watch for race participants and support vehicles along the route.

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

Astoria, Oregon Bicentennial Celebration Kicks-In To Full Gear Through Sunday With The Astoria Regatta

Official Bicentennial Program Book

Go To Bicentennial Site For Schedule

Two New E.Coli Cases Reported to Clatsop County Health Department!

Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011

TWO NEW E. COLI CASES REPORTED TO COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Two additional cases of E. coli infection possibly linked to tainted strawberries have been discovered in Clatsop County.
The Oregon Department of Health issued a warning Monday after 16 people in northwest Oregon, including four in Clatsop County, were sickened with the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria strain believed to have come from strawberries from a Newberg-area farm. One of the people infected, a woman in Washington County, died.
The two new suspected cases were reported to the Clatsop County Public Health Department on Wednesday. At least one of the people is known to have eaten strawberries traced to Jaquith Strawberry Farms, the source of the tainted berries. Specimens from the two people have been sent to a laboratory for confirmation.
Both people have been treated at a local clinic and did not require hospitalization. The four other local cases were also relatively mild.
E. coli is a common inhabitant of the gastrointestinal tract and is usually harmless, but E. coli O157:H7, a strain carried by some animals, often produces toxins that can cause mild to severe intestinal illness, including severe cramps and diarrhea. Severe cases can include complications such as kidney damage.
The suspect berries were sold at a variety of farmers markets and road-side stands throughout northwest Oregon and southwest Washington prior to Jul 29, when Jaquith farm ended its strawberry harvest.
Local and state health officials urge anyone who may have purchased strawberries from one of these vendors to dispose of the fruit, including berries stored in the freezer. Freezing does not kill the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture Food Safety Division has posted a listing of all the known outlets where berries from Jaquith farm were sold. To see the list go to www.oregon.gov/ODA/FSD/strawberries.shtml
The department notes that the list is not all-inclusive – Jaquith berries may have been sold by other vendors. As a result, consumers are still advised to dispose of any berries they purchased prior to July 29 at any farmers market or road-side stand.
Strawberries purchased after Aug. 1 or at supermarkets, or other types of berries, have not been implicated in the outbreak.

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

Audio Transcript For August 10, 2011 Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Meeting

Full Audio Meeting Transcript

Meeting Highlights

Arch Cape panel bylaws updated
The board of commissioners approved amendments to the bylaws of the Southwest Coastal Citizens Advisory Committee, which reviews land-use applications in the unincorporated community of Arch Cape. The revisions clarify the number and length of terms, and allow both permanent residents and property owners to serve on the committee.

Hood to Coast permit approved
The board approved an addendum to the special event permit granted last month to the Hood to Coast Relay to account for an increase in the number of participating teams at this year’s event. Founder Robert Foote explained that a clerical error resulted in the original permit application containing the incorrect number.
The number of teams in the event, scheduled for Aug. 26-27, will increase from 1,450 to 1,700. Foote told the board, however, that organizers have altered the start times for the running and walking events alleviate some of the congestion that occurs at the race’s finish in Seaside.

Other Business
In other business the board:
-Received the official StormReady and TsunamiReady designations from representatives of the National Weather Service. The designations signify that Clatsop County has taken a number of measures to increase readiness for tsunamis and severe weather events.
-Received recognition from top officials of SAIF Corporation for the county’s 97 years of business with the worker’s compensation insurance carrier.
-Took a straw poll of the commissioners’ stance on the gillnet ban ballot measure proposed for the November 2012 ballot. Most of the commissioners indicated they opposed the measure.