Local Norovirus Cases Prompt Call For Health Precautions

Friday, March 16, 2012

The Clatsop County Public Health Department has been investigating several outbreaks of acute vomiting and diarrhea in local elder care facilities believed to be linked to a contagious infection.

Two of the cases have been identified as caused by the norovirus. This is an extremely contagious gastrointestinal infection spread most often by hands that have been contaminated with feces or vomit or aerosolized vomit of infected people.

To prevent the spread of norovirus and other gastrointestinal infections, the Public Health Department urges people to practice frequent hand-washing or sanitizing, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers, before preparing meals or feeding an infant, and before and after providing care to another.

People with acute vomiting and diarrhea should not return to school, daycare, residential care or food service until they have been symptom-free for 72 hours. Those people should also inform their employers of their illness, and continue to practice scrupulous hand-washing.

For more information contact the Public Health Department at (503) 325-8500.

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

Clatsop County Health Department Tracking Higher-Than-Normal Resperatory Illness

Friday, March 16, 2012

The Clatsop County Public Health Department is urging the public to observe basic preventative health steps as a result of an increase in reports of upper respiratory tract infections across the county.

Surveillance of local hospital emergency departments and urgent care and walk-in clinics has revealed bronchitis, sinus infections, strep throat and a small number of positive influenza tests. One local school district reported that its absenteeism rate peaked at 19 percent, versus a normal rate of 6 to 8 percent.

Predominant symptoms found in school cases are fever, sore throat, body aches, headaches and nasal and chest congestion.

Neither Columbia Memorial Hospital in Astoria nor Providence Seaside Hospital in Seaside is reporting any increased hospitalization as a result of these infections. However, people with fever and sore throat should be medically evaluated, as untreated strep throat can lead to complications including heart and kidney problems.

The Public Health Department reminds citizens to help prevent the spread of respiratory illness by:

· Covering your mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throwing the tissue away

· Washing your hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing

· Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth

· Trying to avoid close contact with sick people

· Getting a flu shot (for those age 6 months and older)

Those who do contract a flu-like illness are urged to remain home at least 24 hours after the fever is gone (if no fever-reducing medicine is used), to reduce the risk of spreading the illness at work or school.

For more information, go to the Public Health page on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us or call (503) 325-8500.

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

Oregon's March GOP Candidate Debate Cancelled By ORP's Alley

Read Full OCN Report

Clatsop County Sheriff's Office Week In Review - March 4th thru 11th

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The following are weekly reports from the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Division, Parole and Probation Division and Corrections Division.

Criminal Division

The Criminal Division had 199 calls for service for the period of March 4 through March 11. They include 10 alarms, 13 agency assists, two animal/dog complaints, seven disturbances, two Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII) arrests, four property crimes, eight traffic citations, 71 traffic stops and 15 arrest warrants served. Crimes of note are as follows:

· Theft of two yards of ¾ minus gravel from the Knappa Water District on Allen Road;

· Disturbance on Walluski Loop that resulted in the arrest of Bjorn Vaugh of Astoria on a charge of Strangulation – released after six hours in Clatsop County Jail;

· Criminal Mischief on Kylester Lane in Knappa where a storage unit was broken into, nothing of value taken;

· Arrest of Torae Shufelt of Wheeler on a charge of DUII on Hwy 101 and Tolovana – released after one hour in jail.

· Arrest of Donald Baker of Seaside on charges of Menacing and Harassment on Elm Road in Jewell after a neighborhood disturbance involving the firing of guns – released after 15 hours in jail.

· Theft of two metal tent poles owned by the Commercial Fisherman’s Festival from Tongue Point property;

· Arrest of Jessica Slaughter of Warrenton for a restraining order violation – in custody as of March 13 for previous probation violations;

· Arrest of Kristopher French of Longview on a charge of DUII on Hwy 105 and Wireless Road – released after two hours in jail

· Arrest of John Bard of Beaverton on a charge of Public Indecency on Lewis and Clark Road near Crown Camp (milepost 10) – released after 20 minutes in jail.

If you have any information regarding the crimes listed above please call the Sheriff’s Office at 503-325-8635.



Parole and Probation Division

Currently Parole and Probation supervises 419 offenders – 319 men and 100 women. More than half, 51%, are 30 years of age or younger. Of that total, 259 offenders are being supervised for a C felony crime, 89 for a B felony crime and 49 for an A felony crime. Plus, 23 offenders are on supervision for misdemeanor offenses.

More than half of the offenders are either currently entered into treatment programs (41 percent) or have been referred to treatment programs (12 percent). Twenty-five percent of our offenders have completed treatment programs.

The Parole and Probation Division is in charge of:

· Direct supervision of state-funded felony offenders on probation, post-prison supervision and parole, as well as a limited number of misdemeanor offenders;

· Provision of programming and services to assist the offender in overcoming criminal thinking/behavior patterns and/or learning the skills necessary to appropriately function in the community;

· Imposition of a continuum of sanctions for noncompliance with conditions of supervision.

Corrections Division

The Corrections Division reports that from March 4 through March 11, 20 people were released early from the Clatsop County Jail. Of those 20, eight were forced Matrix releases that included crimes of: First-Degree Burglary, Attempt to Elude, Possession of Controlled Substance-Methemphetamine, Possession of Controlled Substance-Heroin, Failure to Appear on a Violation of Release Agreement, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, Probation Violation-Interfering with a Police Officer.

The 12 that were released prior to completing their sentences involve crimes of: Post-Prison Supervision Violation-Sex Abuse I, Post-Prison Supervision Violation-Attempt to Rape I, Post-Prison Supervision Violation-Possession of Controlled Substance-Heroin, Post-Prison Supervision Violation-Possession of Controlled Substance-Meth, Probation Violation-Theft II, Probation Violation-Possession of Controlled Substance, Menacing, Domestic Assault, Probation Violation-Harassment, Probation Violation-Resisting Arrest/Reckless Driving, Driving While License Suspended, and Contempt.

The releases for the period March 4-11 resulted in a total of 88 days not served in jail for sentenced offenders.

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

March 14, 2012 Highlights For Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Regular Meeting

Ambulance plan update approved

The board adopted an update to the county’s Ambulance Service Area Plan, the first such revision since the plan was originally adopted in 1996.

The ASA Plan spells out the scope of work requirements for the local ambulance service provider, including staff training and licensing, equipment, communications, response times and mutual aid agreements with other agencies.

The ASA Plan is a separate document from the franchise agreement between the county and the current ambulance service provider, Medix Ambulance Service Inc., which was renewed for a 15-year term in 2001.

Land sale approved

The board approved the sale of a 4.57-acre parcel on Highway 202 south of Astoria to the Walluski Western Ltd. Company. The company approached the county last year about purchasing the site, which adjoins Walluski Western’s current operations. The property formerly housed the county animal shelter and currently provides space for the Sheriff’s Office inmate work crew program, including storage for firewood cut by the work crew and provided to local residents in need.

Walluski Western will pay $135,000 for the property and use the buildings on the site to house milling and machining equipment that will employ four people. The county plans to construct a new facility for the work crew at the Clatsop County Fairgrounds, using the proceeds of the land sale to fund the project.

Manager criteria approved

The board adopted standards and criteria for the hiring of a new county manager. They include minimum educational and professional requirements, as well as broad management and financial knowledge in the public sector, leadership abilities and communications skills, among others.

The county is recruiting a replacement for County Manager Duane Cole, who is retiring from service May 31. The standards and criteria will guide the recruitment and selection of the new manager, whom the board hopes to select by the end of May.

Ocean energy discussed

The board heard a presentation from Belinda Batten and Meleah Ashford from Northwest Marine Renewable Energy Center on issues surrounding proposed offshore wave-energy development and the organization’s plan to establish a wave-energy research facility on the Oregon Coast. Clatsop County is one of four areas currently under consideration for the site, which would provide space for in-ocean testing of energy devices, as well as research into environmental impacts. In Clatsop County the center’s attention has focused on Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center in Warrenton, which is pursuing a renewable energy initiative.

Board Chair Peter Huhtala urged Batten to seek the input of local fishermen as part of the process.

Employment numbers reviewed

The board heard a presentation from Shawna Sykes and Eric Knoder of the Oregon Employment Department on jobless numbers for Clatsop County. The local seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is currently 7.8 percent, lower than the statewide figure, and the past three months have seen a strong rate of job growth, they noted. But the rebound has been uneven, with manufacturing and retail trade positions returning but leisure and hospitality jobs lagging. Real wages in the county are at 2002 levels, they said.

Dredging comment endorsed

The board voted to send a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asking that the agency withdraw a draft environmental assessment on dredge disposal plans for the Lower Columbia River. The vote came after comments from Dale Beasley, president of the Columbia River Crab Fishermen’s Association, who told the board that the draft document lacks data on the impact of dredge disposal at the mouth of the Columbia River on wave amplification and crab mortality.

Other Business

In other business the board:

-Approved an amendment to the 2011-12 Public Health agreement with the Oregon Health Authority to account for increased grant revenue of $4,900 for the Tobacco Prevention and Education and $16,200 for Women, Infant and Child (WIC) programs.

-Approved adjustments, effective April 1, to service fees for the Public Health Department to reflect statutory and regulatory changes to the Environmental Health Program and changes to Community Health and Family Planning services.

-re-appointed Russ Farmer to the Clatsop County Budget Committee

-appointed Terri Coulombe and David Hablewitz to the Clatsop County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

Tom Bennett

Community Relations Coordinator

(503) 325-1000 ext. 1312

Astoria Police Conclude Sex Abuse Investigation

Suspect Arrested

On March 14, 2012 Astoria Police arrested Earnest Aiken, Age 80 of Astoria.

The incident leading to his arrest began on December 28, 2011 with a mandatory reporter who viewed a Facebook post by the teenage victim in the case. The mandatory reporter, a teacher, reported the possible abuse to Department of Human Services - Child Protective Services (CPS).

Astoria Police assigned the case to the School Resource Officer Ken Hansen who investigated in conjunction with CPS. The victim disclosed that Aiken touched her on the clothed buttocks and vagina.

On March 14 Officer Hansen served a warrant that was a result of a Grand Jury indictment taking Aiken into custody. Aiken had made arrangements to turn him self in.

Public Meetings At Astoria & Ilwaco Scheduled, March 15 To Explain Lower Columbia Dredged Material Placement Assessment

March 13, 2012

Dredging News Online

Based on early feedback on a recent public notice regarding a draft environmental assessment, the US Army Corps of Engineers is clarifying a portion of a recent draft environmental assessment.

The purpose of the draft environmental assessment is to identify three locations that may be used for dredged material placement.

Read Full Article

Conservative Party Affiliate Chair, Tea Party Patriot, Lisa Michaels, Defeated By Cornilles In Primary, Plans To Run As A Republican Against Bonamici

This is touted on a Lisa Michaels website: “Conservative Party (Oregon) affiliate Chairman, Lisa Michaels, is running for the 2012 Republican nomination for Oregon's 1st Congressional District. Lisa has produced many cable TV and youtube videos exposing BIG Government injustices and malfeasance. Lisa is a Conservative 1st! As the Chairman of the Conservative Party (Oregon)Lisa has been working to find and elect truly conservative candidates to serve in Oregon“.http://www.lisamichaels.org/2011/10/time-for-another-tea-party-sign-waving.html

Lisa Michaels,Tea Party Patriot, who lost the GOP primary, against Rob Cornilles, in the special election race for Oregon's 1st Congressional District plans to run as a Republican against incumbent, Suzanne Bonamici for 1st District Congressional seat.

Michaels filed Wednesday to run in the Republican primary for the seat now held by newly elected Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore. Michaels is the first Republican to file for the seat, and she might be the only once since the filing deadline is on Tuesday and no one else has publicly expressed interest in taking on Bonamici.

Coast Guard Searches For Four At Debris Field 17 Miles West Of Leadbetter Point

News Release: Coast Guard searching for four near Seaview, Wash.
ASTORIA, Ore. — The Coast Guard is searching for four people in the water near Seaview, Wash., Saturday.

Sector Columbia River in Astoria is responding to an EPIRB signal, which led Coast Guard personnel to a debris field approximately 17 miles west of Leadbetter Point near Willapa Bay.

An MH-60 helicopter crew from Sector Columbia River along with two 47-foot motor lifeboat crews from Station Grays Harbor, Wash., and Station Cape Dissapointment, Wash., respectively, were dispatched to the scene after Sector Columbie River recieved an EPIRB distresss signal from the 62-foot fising vessel Lady Cecelia, homeported in Warrenton, Ore., at 3:47 a.m. Coast Guard crews found the debris field when they arrived to the signal's source. Since then, the Coast Guard Cutter Cuttyhunk and an HH-65 helicopter crew from Port Angeles, Wash., a 52-foot motor lifeboat from Station Cape Disappointment and a second MH-60 helicopter crew from Astoria have joined the search along with a C-130 search plane crew from Air Station Sacramento, Calif.

For more information regarding this case, please contact the Coast Guard Public Affairs office at 206-819-9154.

The Astoria DUII Prosecutions Issue Continues - Did You Know Astoria Municipal Court Is A Court Of "No Record"? Curious To Know What That Means?

A "Court of No Record" versus "Court of Record" may be the key reason for City of Astoria's apparent resistance to complying with State Law.

This fellow gives a very good and enlightening explanation of the two.

Oceania Cruises Returns To Alaska In 2013. Astoria Included in Tour Stopover

Oceania Cruises Returns to Alaska in 2013
Friday, 9 March 2012
eTravelBlackboard.com

Oceania Cruises will return to the great state of Alaska from May through mid-August 2013 after a one-year hiatus.

For the first time Seattle will provide the point of departure for many northern voyages.

In celebration, Oceania Cruises is offering two-for-one savings on its new Unlimited Passport Collection package. The special tour package promotion, which has a value of up to US$999, will be available for those guests who book an Alaska cruise by June 30, 2012......Read Information On Cruise

U.S. Senate Blocks XL Pipeline!

(Earthtimes.org Photo)
Published On Thursday Mar 8, 2012

Roberta Rampton and Jeff Mason - Reuters News Agency

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Democrats on Thursday defeated a Republican proposal to take quick action on the Keystone XL crude oil pipeline from Canada to Texas, in a vote that will give Republicans more ammunition to criticize President Barack Obama’s energy policies on the campaign trail.

TransCanada’s $7 billion project has been supported by some Democrats in the past, but Obama took the unusual step of calling some senators personally and asking them to vote against the proposal, drawing immediate fire from Republican leaders....Read Full Toronto Star/Reuters Article

March 14 Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Regular Meeting Preceeded At 9:00 AM By Work Session

Read Full Agenda Packet

Clatsop Interagency Narcotics Team Arrests 3 Following Drug Investigation

Edgar

Poulsen

Morrisette

Clatsop County Sheriff's Office - 03/07/2012

Three people were arrested by the Clatsop County Interagency Narcotic Team on Saturday following a drug investigation.

The investigation started approximately one month ago with reports of drug activity. As part of the investigation, Detectives were able to purchase heroin from Ryan Morrissette at his residence 59 W Bond Street in Astoria.

On Saturday March 3, 2012 Detectives received an anonymous report that Ryan Morrissette was traveling to Portland to purchase a large quantity of heroin. Detectives from the Clatsop County Interagency Narcotic Team were able to locate the vehicle on Hwy 30 as it returned from Portland.

A Deputy from the Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office was able to stop the vehicle on Hwy 30 at milepost 82 in Knappa. Detectives served a search warrant on Ryan Morrissette and located 16.2 grams of heroin.

Lyndsay Poulsen of Astoria was a passenger in the vehicle; she had a felony drug warrant for her arrest and was found to have 3.1 grams of heroin in her possession.

Brooklyn Edgar of Warrenton was also arrested after possessing 6.7 grams of heroin.

Sheriff’s Deputies then assisted with a search of Ryan Morrissette’s residence at 59 W. Bond Street where an SKS assault rifle was located along with drug paraphernalia, digital scales and packaging materials.

Ryan Morrissette is a felon and is facing possible charges of Ex-con in possession of a weapon and commercial drug offenses.

Please report any suspected drug activity to the Clatsop County Interagency Narcotic Team, 503-861-3051. The team is made up of local law enforcement officers with the primary objective of investigating drug crimes in Clatsop County. The Seaside Police Department and Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office currently have officers on the team.

Business Plan For Healthcare Exchange Passes Out Of Oregon Legislature

March 6, 2012
By SARAH ROSS - Oregon Capital News

SALEM, Ore.- With final legislative approval from the Oregon state Senate, a proposed business plan to set up a health care exchange for the state now moves to the governor for his signature.

Read Full OCN Article

Thinking About Getting Off The Grid? Here Are Some Solar Electricity Tie-In Basic Layouts To Your Home.

Click Here For Full Access To Information

National Weather Service Special Weather Statement

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PORTLAND OR

NORTH OREGON COAST-CENTRAL OREGON COAST-

COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON-

CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-LOWER COLUMBIA-


509 AM PST SUN MAR 4 2012

...COLDER WEATHER AND LOW ELEVATION SNOW POSSIBLE MONDAY THROUGH

TUESDAY MORNING...

AFTER THIS WEEKEND BREAK FROM COLD AND SNOW OF LAST WEEK...ANOTHER

COLD SYSTEM WILL MOVE INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST BEGINNING

MONDAY. A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL MOVE DOWN FROM THE NORTH WITH A

SHARP DROP IN TEMPERATURES AND LOWERING SNOW LEVELS. PRECIPITATION

WILL BEGIN AS RAIN ON THE SOUTH WASHINGTON COAST...NORTH OREGON

COAST AND WILLAPA HILLS MONDAY MORNING. SNOW LEVELS WILL DROP

DURING THE AFTERNOON OVER THE REMAINDER OF THE AREA WITH SNOW

SHOWERS AT TIMES AT THE PASS LEVELS IN THE COAST RANGE BY EVENING.

THE FRONT WILL CONTINUE INLAND MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

COLD AIR WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE IN MONDAY NIGHT AND EARLY TUESDAY

WITH SCATTERED SHOWERS AND LOW SNOW LEVELS...POSSIBLY DOWN TO THE

VALLEY FLOOR. AT THIS TIME NO SIGNIFICANT SNOW ACCUMULATIONS ARE

EXPECTED BELOW 500 FEET...WITH A CHANCE OF LIGHT ACCUMULATIONS ABOVE

500 FEET AND IN ISOLATED HEAVIER SHOWERS.

From Upper Left Edge:Columbia Riverkeeper Letter To Oregon LNG Financial Backers, Leucadia National Corp.

The basic message here?
Pull the plug on the project now!

Read Full Letter From Columbia Riverkeeper

Clatsop County Women, Infants & Children Program Honored For Its Work In Promoting Breastfeeding

PHOTO: Clatsop County
Public Health Department staff (l. to r.) administrative assistant Sarah Kuhl,
public health nurse Patsy Lee Horecny, WIC nutrition aides Yami Garcia and Tory
Sutherland, and Oregon WIC breastfeeding coordinator Kelly
Sibley.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Clatsop County’s Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program was honored Tuesday by the State of Oregon for its successful efforts promoting breastfeeding among local mothers.

Kelly Sibley, state nutritionist and breastfeeding coordinator for Oregon WIC, presented the certificate of recognition at the county Public Health Department.

“Clatsop County WIC is where women go to get the encouragement, help and support to breastfeed,” Sibley said. “Every day, your consistent support helps moms know that they can breastfeed, that breastfeeding is the routing way, the normal way to feed and nurture infants.”

Along with the award comes a $50,000 grant that the county will use to build a local coalition, involving local hospitals and other partners, to further promote breastfeeding. The local award and funding is part of the Breastfeeding Performance Bonus awarded to the Oregon Nutrition and Screening Program for WIC.

Oregon is one of just six states recognized with the award by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for its efforts to promote breastfeeding. The state ranks first in the United States with 93 percent of new mothers initiating breastfeeding, versus 75 percent nationwide. In Clatsop County, the rate is 96 percent.

According to U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, breastfeeding is one of the most highly effective measures a mother can take to protect the health of the infant and herself. Breastfeeding, which has been a primary focus of WIC for more than 15 years, is known to reduce the incidence of infections, asthma and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and is also associated with lower rates of childhood obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancers later in life.

Clatsop County Public Health provides WIC services through two WIC certifiers, a public health nurse and a contracted nutritionist who works with high-risk clients. In 2010 the program served 1,508 infants and children under 5 and 578 pregnant and postpartum women.

“Our program does a lot,” said Public Health Director Margo Lalich. “We have a highly trained staff with a lot of knowledge.”

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

Clatsop County Board Of Commissioners Strategic Plan Draft Review...Sees P.U.D. Talks Stricken For Possible Later Discussion

Thursday, March 1, 2012

COMMISSIONERS REVIEW DRAFT STRATEGIC PLAN

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners signed off on a list ranking the projects in the county’s draft Strategic Plan.

At a retreat Wednesday, Feb. 29, the board made few changes to the rankings first proposed last month by the county Planning Commission, which reviewed the plan and weighed each project under a variety of criteria. The board has scheduled a public hearing and final adoption of the document for March 28.

Development of the plan, a key goal of the board, is intended to provide a framework for planning and pursuing the various major projects proposed by the county. The document lists projects already underway, including the Ensign Lane extension at the North Coast Business Park, Highway 101 flooding solution and Emergency Operations Center addition, as well as future initiatives such as the county comprehensive plan update and Clatsop Plains wastewater solution. The plan also includes the projects’ cost, potential funding sources and estimated time for completion.

The strategic plan contains 42 total projects – the planning commission was asked to prioritize 23 items yet to be launched or scheduled. Each panel member scored the 11 planning projects, eight infrastructure projects and four facilities projects based on several criteria, including public need, revenue availability, cost/benefit analysis and support from other agencies.

On Wednesday the board of commissioners changed the rankings of a handful of projects but largely left the planning commission lists intact. Topping the planning project list is a proposed county technology plan update, followed in order of ranking by a historic preservation program, the comprehensive land-use plan update, transmission line standards, re-establishment of citizen advisory committees, renewable energy plan, estuary planning, sustainability plan, housing quality plan and criminal management evaluation.

The infrastructure projects were ranked, in order: Westport Slough dredging, fire station access development, Westport pedestrian improvements, county-wide bypass/evacuation route, Department of State Lands permitting by the county, Clatsop Plains wastewater improvements, Columbia River sediment clean-up and East County dock expansion.

Facilities plans ranking are: Incubator light industrial building at North Coast Business park, household hazardous waste recycling center, and joint public works location.

Consideration of a people’s utility district for Clatsop County, which was ranked last by the planning commission, was eliminated from the strategic plan by the board. The commissioners left open the option of addressing the idea separately sometime in the future.

The complete draft strategic plan can be viewed on the “Land Use Planning” page on the Clatsop County website, www.co.clatsop.or.us.

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