Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley
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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
OLYMPIA—If they had boots, murder hornets, apple maggots, and African clawed frogs would be shaking in them from an announcement on April 12 from the state Legislature. In a unanimous vote, the House of Representatives approved Sen. Jim Honeyford’s bill to extend the Washington State Invasive Species Council’s life and its mission to protect the state’s environment and economy from harmful nonnative plants, insects, and animals. “In addition to being one of the most ‘2020’ of all 2020 stories, the arrival of murder hornets in Whatcom Count...
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to celebrate the spring season and Earth Day with two free days at state parks in April. On free days, visitors do not need a Discover Pass for day-use parking. The first free day is Saturday, April 3 —a springtime free day. The next free day is Thursday, April 22, in honor of Earth Day. The free days are in keeping with legislation that created the Discover Pass. The pass costs $30 for an annual pass or $10 for a one-day permit. It is required for vehicle acc...
OLYMPIA—Phase Finder, the state’s online vaccine eligibility tool, will no longer be required to verify COVID-19 vaccine eligibility starting March 31. That means that people who want a vaccine should check DOH’s prioritization guidance webpage to see when they are eligible to get vaccinated. Those who are eligible can then use the Vaccine Locator to find an appointment. After March 30, those who visit the Phase Finder site will be directed to Vaccine Locator. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has informed vaccine providers of th...
OLYMPIA—The Washington State Parks Winter Recreation Program announced the price of Sno-Park permits would increase when they go on sale on Nov. 1. This will be the first increase since 2009. The price increases reflect rising costs of Sno-Park operations, including trail grooming, plowing, clearing lots and roads, bathroom maintenance, fuel, and staffing. The program had to replace aging equipment, including snowcats. Over the last 12 years, the program opened several new permanent and temporary Sno-Parks to meet customer demand. The S...
Olympia—On Friday, February 19, Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1368, which appropriates $2.2 billion in federal funding that has been allocated to states in response to the ongoing COVID-19 emergency. The legislation takes effect immediately. “Our focus this year is relief, recovery and resilience, and this legislation will help us make tremendous progress in all of those areas. Washingtonians have been exemplary in helping limit the spread of COVID-19, but it has not come without its economic and emotional costs,” Inslee said. “The process...
