‘COVER OREGON’ HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE HOSTS MEETINGS JAN. 24

   Cover Oregon will host two community meetings in Clatsop County in January. Residents will have the opportunity to learn about the development of Oregon’s health insurance exchange and provide input on its progress.

Both meetings are Thursday, Jan. 24 at:

·   10 a.m.-noon – Providence Seaside Hospital, 725 S. Wahanna Rd., Seaside

·   5:30-7:30 p.m. – Judge Guy Boyington Building, 857 Commercial St., Astoria

CLATSOP COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER ASKING FOR INFORMATION

On 12/24/12 a dog was dropped off at the Clatsop County Animal Shelter. At approx. 3:42pm Warrenton Police received a report of a dog at large at the shelter. When they arrived they found a dog running loose and were able to contain it in a play yard. Animal Control was contacted and found that the dog had a collar that was cutting into its neck. The dog was taken to a local vet and the collar was removed and the wounds treated. The dog referred to as "Lil Bear" is recovering and still receiving medical care. We are looking for any information on who dropped the dog off and/or who the dog belonged to. The dog is approx. 4 year old Lab/chow mix, chocolate brown and red. Please contact Deputy Stephen Hildreth at the Clatsop County Animal Control Services, 503-861-7387 if you have any information regarding this case.

CLATSOP COMMISSIONERS OPPOSE GENETICALLY-MODIFIED SALMON

The Clatsop County Board of Commissioners is urging federal regulators to block approval for a new genetically-modified salmon.

On Wednesday the board unanimously approved a resolution asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to reject an application from the Massachusetts-based company AquaBounty Technologies for its genetically-engineered AquAdvantage salmon.

On Dec. 21 the FDA released an environmental assessment that deemed the new salmon safe for the environment. A 60-day comment period follows before the agency issues a final ruling.

FLU VACCINATIONS SATURDAY IN TILLAMOOK

The Tillamook County Health Department will be holding a clinic for influenza vaccinations on Saturday, January 12, 2013 from 10 AM 2 PM.  People of all ages are strongly urged to receive this vaccine due to the significant health risks from influenza, including death with this current influenza activity.  There are adequate supplies of influenza vaccination available.   

There has been a spike of cases locally in recent weeks and of the cases that have tested positive for the current strain, none are known to have received the influenza vaccine.

The Immunization Clinic will be held Saturday, January 12, 2013 from 10AM 2 PM at the Tillamook County Health DDepartment central clinic, 801 Pacific St. in Tillamook, OR.  Vaccinations will be given on a walk-in basis. There is not available staff to answer phones and schedule appointments at this special clinic.  Be sure to bring insurance information if you have it. 

Warming Center open overnight Friday and Saturday in Tillamook

The CARE Tillamook Warming Center will be open tonight  January 11 and Saturday January 12th.  The center is located at 5th and Miller streets in Tillamook.  The open hours are overnight from 8pm to 9am.  The center offers shelter only.  No food is served.

Pacific County Preparedness Drive

AmeriCorps Member Kirsten Harvill, in coordination with the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency (PCEMA), is organizing a disaster preparedness supply drive for low income families throughout Pacific County. Items will be collected from January 7th to February 8th.
Items that can be donated include:
 Bottles of water, water filters
 Non-perishable food items

Petition for Judicial Review of Gillnet Ban Filed in Oregon Appeals Court

On Friday, January 4, attorney Ben Miller of Harrang Long Gary Rudnick P.C. in Eugene filed a Petition for Judicial Review with the Oregon Court of Appeals, seeking to have the radical reallocation plan and gillnet ban adopted by the Oregon Fish & Wildlife Commission on December 7, 2012 ruled invalid. Attorney Miller cites five separate instances of rules violations committed by the Commission and the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife during the foreshortened process leading up to the Commission’s decision, any one of which would invalidate the entire process. Steve Fick, James Wells, and Fishhawk Fisheries are the Petitioners in the case. Attorney Miller indicated he will seek a stay of enforcement of the rule changes adopted by the Commission pending judicial review.