Local News for 3/17/22
Recycling Marine Debris
(Airdate: March 16, 2022) Yellow rope used for growing oysters in places like Willapa Bay often ends up as marine debris along Washington’s coastline. Host Aaron Barnett chats with Nicole Baker of Net Your Problem LLC who is in business to help solve the marine debris problem by collecting ropes, fishing nets and other plastics found on beaches for processing and eventually a new life as a raw material for new recycled plastics.
Nature Now #558
Landscaping for Wildlife, part 2
(Airdate: March 16, 2022) Ron & Rosemary Sikes invite Nature Now host Debaran Kelso & recorder Meg Amos to their backyard wildlife sanctuary in Port Townsend to discuss how to create and improve wildlife habitat in our own backyards (Part 2 of a two-part program).
Local News for 3/16/22
WordSongs/DJ WAS
Ward Serrill (DJ WAS) is a filmmaker and writer whose first love is radio. Imagine a radio show dedicated to good lyrics no matter the style. Tune in to WordSongs, every Friday afternoon from 1-3, where the poetics of song matters. Email Ward.
Spotlight on March 16-31 Programming Highlights
For a compendium of upcoming featured programs, check out Spotlight for March 16-31. Many of our program hosts provide specifics about what’s planned for the second half of March. If you’re not already a Spotlight subscriber, you’re invited to join our Mailing List. See KPTZ’s current Weekly On-Air Schedule and Daily Program Schedule.
Local News for 3/15/22
Joanne Shenandoah Tribute
Tuesday, March 15, 6-7pm
In honor of Women’s History Month, KPTZ presents a tribute to Oneida musician Joanne Shenandoah, who passed away in 2021. Shenandoah recorded various genres of music, including orchestral, country, spoken word, and more. She was a Native American Music Award and Grammy winner. This program comes to KPTZ from Gäenö and Native Voice One. Alternative Radio returns the following Tuesday at its usual time.
Flash Match Extended to Support the 91.9FM Local Airwaves!
Thanks to generous KPTZ listeners who donated in Thursday and Friday’s Flash Fundraising appeal, the $10K match to double all contributions was reached a minutes before 3pm on Friday. We are all so grateful! Since this happened before day end, our funder has added an additional $4000 to extend the match, to keep the ball rolling. If you haven’t already done so, please help KPTZ sustain and grow while your contribution is doubled! Make a Donation ~ either here on the website, or by mailed checks to KPTZ, PO Box 2091, Port Townsend, WA 98368. Listen in or watch here for updates ~ as of Tuesday, March 15, $13,500 has been raised, bringing us $27,000 in support! Stay tuned as we build our future together!
Photo by Chris Bricker: At Friday’s Flash Fundraiser, Team Jake Connecting with Community Collecting Contributions (Friendly Pup Jake & Our Favorite Mermaid Keri)
County Public Health Report ~ 3/14/22
The following is a summary of the presentation during the Public Health briefings at this week’s Board of County Commissioners meeting made by Jefferson and Clallam County Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry. Also Willie Bence, Director of Emergency Management, gave a report. The summary below was provided by and used with the permission of Jefferson County Government.
Public Health Officer Dr. Allison Berry said that COVID-19 cases continue to fall in Jefferson County. Total case numbers are 3,130, putting the case rate at 189/100,000, dipping below her desired threshold of 200/100,000, Our percent positivity is 7.4 which is also downtrending. Jefferson is no longer in the high risk category, moving to medium risk for COVID-19 transmission rates. Dr. Berry is recommending mask wearing in indoor settings until the case rate is below 100/100,000. This is especially important in crowded indoor spaces where vaccination status is unknown. Masking is also recommended for those who are in a high risk group or who are immunocompromised, on cancer treatments, or taking immunosuppressive medications. She anticipates a small surge in cases in a couple weeks because the mask mandate has been lifted. She does not anticipate a super-spreader event like the previous ones. For the long term, Dr. Berry believes COVID-19 will become a more severe version of the flu that moves in a seasonal pattern. She said that summer will be a time to enjoy the outdoors, but anticipates next fall/winter there could be a spike in case numbers as the population retreats back indoors.
Director of Emergency Management Willie Bence today said the EOC emergency response to COVID-19 has turned the corner and is now in an ongoing maintenance mode. Meetings with Public Health and informational briefings with leadership and partners will remain in place on a weekly basis until the end of this month. The large mass vaccination clinics have been scaled back. Stores are being supplied with masks for the public. He had high praise for the many volunteers who turned out to help with the response. “We had hundreds of people come forward over the past few years and come out with a response for my department, whether it be doctors or nurses who are actually administering shots,” Bence recalled. “We have logistics volunteers who help with putting up parking cones and helping with traffic control. They’re helping set up and clean up after clinic, things like that. So we are absolutely going to maintain those those volunteer resources.” Bence said he has plans to establish the “Medical Reserve Corps,” a volunteer program composed of doctors and nurses who can be called upon during a future pandemic or emergency event. The next few months will be a time for the EOC to conduct focus groups and hold conversations about what worked and didn’t during the response to the pandemic. A report to the Commissioners will be provided when the information becomes available.
Submit your Public Health questions to Dr. Allison Berry and to Willie Bence by emailing [email protected]. Note: The weekly deadline for these to be submitted is on Fridays at noon, to be answered at the following Monday’s BOCC meeting.
