Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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OLYMPIA—The Washington State Board of Health (SBOH) will host a public, virtual meeting on January 12. The meeting has garnered much attention on social media from parents and caregivers of school-aged children. Rumors online suggest that the Board will be voting to require a COVID-19 vaccine for all school-aged children; however, that is not the case, according to a release that is available for viewing on www.sboh.wa.gov. The SBOH will not be voting to require a COVID-19 vaccine for c...
OLYMPIA‚—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is recommending people 18 and older choose to receive an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) instead of the single-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine. This update follows guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. Individuals who wish to receive the J&J vaccine are encouraged to reach out to their health care provi...
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH), is updating the health and safety requirements for high contact indoor sports in the wake of a multi-school, multi-county outbreak. The outbreaks are linked to a series of wrestling tournaments held in early December and are linked to an estimated 200 COVID-19 cases. Genomic sequencing recently confirmed at least three cases are omicron. DOH takes these outbreaks very seriously and is changing the existing guidance by adding the following health and safety measures for all indoor, h...
OLYMPIA—Vaccines remain the best public health tool available to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission, and preserve our healthcare system. The emergence of the omicron variant in Washington further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and booster doses for everyone who is eligible. Boosters ensure long-lasting protection against waning immunity. All adults should make an appointment to get their booster dose as soon as they are eligible: Six months after you receive the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine Two months after you receive t...
OLYMPIA—Across the state, more than 129,000 children ages 5 through 11 have received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine since eligibility expanded to include younger kids Nov. 3. Vaccinating children is a crucial step forward as we work to stop the spread of COVID-19 and end the pandemic. “While COVID-19 is often milder in children than adults, children can still get very sick and spread the disease to family and friends, which is an even bigger concern as people gather this holiday season,” said Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH,...
OLYMPIA— ’Tis the season for happy holidays, charitable giving…and scammers. The Office of the Secretary of State is encouraging people to “give smart” this holiday season to help them ensure their charitable donations go to their intended causes. GIVESMART!, a collaboration between the Office of the Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities division and the state’s Attorney General’s office, empowers people to make informed and educated giving decisions. GIVESMART! offers resources that can help Washingtonians, as well as senior cente... Full story
App use is helping to stop the spread of COVID-19 OLYMPIA— The Washington State Department of Health is celebrating a successful year of WA Notify, the state’s exposure notification app. More than 2.62 million people have enabled it- accounting for more than 43 percent of all smartphone users in the state. With disease transmission still high, it’s important that people continue adopting this key technology. “WA Notify has been a very successful innovation for our state, and we’re proud of the team at the Department of Health who helped create...
OLYMPIA—Booster doses of all three COVID-19 vaccine types are now available for everyone 18 and older. The expansion comes following recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices, and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. At least six months after receiving both doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine: Adults age 50 and older, or those 18 and older living in a long-term care facility, should receive a b... Full story
OLYMPIA—As the snow begins to build in the Washington Cascades range, the State Parks Winter Recreation Program joins members of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association and the snowmobile community nationwide in promoting responsible snowmobile etiquette. The national “Take the Pledge” campaign aims to protect riding areas and trail systems for current and future generations. The campaign also reminds motorized recreationists to respect the landowners who provide access to their properties. Those who take the pledge agree to the... Full story
OLYMPIA—The Department of Ecology has begun a process that will change plastics in Washington. On Monday, Ecology will begin a rulemaking required by the State Legislature that focuses on the recycled content portion of the 2021 plastics law and will establish how Ecology determines producer fees, oversight, and enforcement of the recycled content program. Rulemaking also ensures a transparent process, and gives regulated entities and the public time to understand the proposed regulations and offer input. Draft rule language will be a...
OLYMPIA—At its annual fall meeting, the WA529 Committee (GET’s governing body) voted to set the GET unit purchase price for the 2021-22 enrollment year at $114.01. This is the first time in GET’s history that the unit price matches the current payout value, based on the cost of tuition and state-mandated fees at Washington’s highest-priced public university (currently UW Tacoma, $11,401). While this year’s unit price happens to match the current payout value, this was coincidental and due primarily to changes in actuarial assumptions about fut...
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is expanding the use of COVID-19 vaccine booster doses for certain individuals following recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. Last month, health care providers began offering booster doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) booster, and third doses) have been given out across the state. Now, providers can... Full story
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health is urging the public to get a flu vaccine this year to keep themselves and others safe and out of the hospital. Flu activity may be more common this year compared to last year because the closures that were in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have been lifted. People are more active and mobile. Many adults have returned to in-person work and most children are back in school. “Preventing the spread of flu will be critical in the months to come because it will reduce additional strain on...
OLYMPIA —Soon, schools across Washington will be teeming with students for the first time in more than a year. Supporting the effort to get students back into schools, and formulating plans to help keep our schools open, has been a priority for the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) for months. This year, back-to-school occurs amid a COVID-19 surge in all regions of the state. So, the strategy for a healthy return includes layered protections: encouraging vaccines for all eligible students, requiring staff to be vaccinated, n...
.OLYMPIA—In recognition of National and Washington Public Lands Day, Washington State Parks, Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will offer free entrance to state lands on Saturday, Sept. 25. On this day, visitors to Washington state lands will not need a Discover Pass to park. Discover Pass free days apply to all visitor parking on DNR and WDFW lands and in day-use areas at Washington state parks. In 1994, National Public Lands Day was established as the fourth Saturday in S...
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Department of Health announced that a third dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are now being recommended to certain immunocompromised individuals, following recommendation front the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup. The third dose will not be considered a booster but an additional vaccine for immunocompromised individuals who may not have developed adequate immunities in the t... Full story
OLYMPIA—Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced on Monday, August 9, that most state workers in Washington, as well as private health care and long-term care employees, will be required to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination by Oct. 18, or lose their jobs. 16th District State Representatives Skyler Rude and Mark Klicker, both R-Walla Walla, issued the following statement on the governor’s mandate: “The governor’s recent proclamation ordering the termination of employment for those who choose not to be vaccinated is incredibly troubli...
OLYMPIA—Washington State Department of Health advises the public to take precautions while enjoying water recreation this summer. Harmful algae blooms have been found in some Washington lakes and rivers. Algae blooms can vary in appearance but commonly look like pea soup or are blue-green or turquoise in color. Harmful algae bloom occurs when algae with toxic strains start to grow in freshwater or saltwater. Freshwater algae blooms caused by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are most common in lakes but can occur in rivers and streams with w...
OLYMPIA—Governor Jay Inslee declared a statewide state of emergency on Tuesday relating to the growing risk of wildfires, including a statewide prohibition on most outdoor and agricultural burning through September 30. “Washington is facing a historic drought, and we have already experienced record-breaking heat. We must be vigilant in our efforts to prevent wildfires and the loss of life and destruction of land and property that comes with them,” Inslee said. “We don’t want a repeat of recent years with dangerous wildfires across the state...
OLYMPIA—The Recreation and Conservation Funding Board (RCFB) announced the award of 342 grants across the state to provide recreational amenities, conserve wildlife habitat, and protect working forests and farms. “These grants are fundamental to keeping Washington the beautiful state it is,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “The funding comes from state and federal sources and is invested in hundreds of projects to give our kids places to play, ensure our food is grown close to home, and keep our green spaces healthy for wildlife.” The grants total more t...
OLYMPIA—Washington State Library, a division of the Secretary of State’s Office, announced that more than $3.67 million would be made available to help public, academic, and tribal libraries and museums statewide. The funding is part of the $200 million allocated in the American Rescue Plan Act to the Institute of Museum and Library Services in response to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Washington State Library will award grants to help museums and libraries implement and sustain public health protocols and defray technology, personnel, tra...
OLYMPIA—On June 1st, the Washington State Department of Health launched a new mobile vaccine service called “Care-A-Van” that will deliver vaccines to communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. DOH is working closely to support community partners and local health jurisdictions to increase vaccine access for priority communities, which include: Counties with higher vaccine gaps by race and ethnicity. Communities with a high rank on the Social Vulnerability Index for COVID-19. Sectors with recent outbreaks. Communities overr...
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission announces Juneteenth will now be a Discover Pass free day. In addition to this new free day, June also has three established free days: Saturday, June 5, in recognition of National Trails Day. Saturday, June 12, in honor of National Get Outdoors Day. Sunday, June 13, for Free Fishing Weekend. (WDFW has designated both June 12 and 13 as Free Fishing Weekend.) June 19 honors one of the most important days in Black American history. On Juneteenth, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation w...
OLYMPIA—A program created by the state Department of Health (DOH) and partners to support people who have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19 has reached almost 13,500 people and played a role in saving lives. Working with local health jurisdictions and their partners, DOH launched Care Connect Washington in December to get services and support to people who need them to quarantine or isolate at home. Through the program, regional networks of community-based partners connect clients to services they are eligible for, including medic...
OLYMPIA—Freshman Senator Perry Dozier’s first bill was signed into law Wednesday afternoon by Governor Jay Inslee, a measure allowing mortgage loan originators to work from home. Inslee added his signature to Senate Bill 5077 at a bill-signing ceremony Wednesday. The measure is the first from Dozier to earn a place in the state’s law books. Dozier, R-Waitsburg, was elected to the Senate last fall from southeast Washington’s 16th Legislative District, and this is his first legislative session. “It’s great to see your first bill become law,...
