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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 5, 2010)
area news january 5 2010 Staley’s Junction Inter [changes] Project Columbia Community By Jill Hult Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has, over the past couple of years, been developing a change to the intersection of Highway 47 and US Highway 26-- also known as Staley’s Junction. The project was initiated in an effort to address existing and fu- ture safety issues. ODOT, in a partnership with Wash- ington County and Oregon State Parks, are working to develop a new grade-separated interchange to safely facilitate turning move- ments at Staley’s Junction accommodating current and projected increased traffic flows, both turning eastbound onto Highway 26 from Highway 47, as well as northbound traffic turning onto Highway 47 to L.L. Stub Stewart State Park and Vernonia. The interchange improvements are planned in three separate phased projects be- ginning with the construction of an overpass from Highway 47 to Highway 26 and are cur- rently in the review process with no expected construction start date. According to Lou Torres, ODOT Pub- lic Information Officer, they are planning two smaller projects that will address safety issues for the more immediate future. The first project consists of installing four variable speed signs and some detection devices that will regulate the speed in that in- tersection. The detectors will determine when traffic is heavy and the variable speed signs will then lower the speed limit for eastbound traffic on Highway 26, making it easier for ve- hicles on Highway 47 to merge onto Highway 26 eastbound. ODOT stated there will be min- imal disruption of traffic for the installation of the signs and detectors, since they are not being installed in any traffic lanes. Construc- tion is scheduled to begin in March, 2010, and should be completed by September 1, 2010. The second smaller project consists of re-stripping Highway 26, allowing left turns from Highway 47 into the center median where vehicles can then wait for a gap in eastbound Highway 26 traffic and merge in. ODOT is currently conducting a feasibility study to de- termine the safety aspects of this type of oper- ation; therefore, there is no construction time frame set for this second project. When asked about the expected time frame for the original overpass proposal, Lou Torres responded, “We should know more about this within the next year.” 9 Mental Health Implementation Plan Columbia County has announced they will be holding a com- munity meeting. This is a unique opportunity for the community, to meet and talk about the alcohol and drug and mental health needs of our children, youth, adults and families. Information from this meeting will be used to guide Columbia Community Mental Health’s Imple- mentation Plan for the two years. The meeting will be held on January 14, 2010 from 4:00 PM TO 6:00 PM at the Columbia Community Mental Health (CCMH) building at 58646 McNulty Way in St. Helens. After a brief overview, attendees will choose one of the fol- lowing breakout groups. Each group will review strengths, weaknesses and list priorities for funding and activities. 1. Children’s Mental Health 2. Adult Mental Health 3. Alcohol and Drug Services The breakout groups will share their findings and choose pri- orities for Children’s Mental Health, Adult Mental Health, and the Al- cohol and Drug program. These findings will also be used in the de- velopment of the County’s Juvenile Crime Prevention and Community Comprehensive Plan. The planning session will begin promptly at 4:00 PM and end promptly at 6:00 PM. Questions? Please call Jan Spika Kenna at 503.397.7225 or email at Jan.Kennaj@co.columbia.or.us. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Training Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Into Action is a three-day training on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders and will be facilitated by Diane V. Malbin, MSW. The training will take place Feb- ruary 25-27, 2010 from 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM and is intended for parents and professionals who live and/ or work with children, adolescents, or adults with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders the training will be held at the Mark Spencer Hotel in Portland, Or- egon and the cost is $325 This session provides information about FASD and the effects of other drugs on behaviors of children, adolescents and adults. FASD is a brain- based condition. The training will educate you on the current status of research for identification and a “best practices” approach to treatment and accom- modations. Case examples of successful diagnosis, treatment and accommodation are central to this training. This is intended for professionals as well as parents of children with confirmed or suspected FASD. Our experience is that the training is en- riched by having parents of children with FASD in the same group as professionals. The Instructor, Diane V. Malbin, MSW, is an internationally recognized authority on FASD. She is the founder of the nonprofit organization, FA- SCETS (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Consultation, Ed- ucation and Training Services, Inc.). She is the au- thor of numerous papers and publications on FASD, and conducts trainings throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. Registration is required and seating is lim- ited - please register early. For more information contact:Wendy Temko, Office Administrator, FAS- CETS, 503-621-1271, wtemko@fascets.org Flex your right to earn rewards your way. Banks Christian Academy Open House January 21st & 22nd 11AM - 2PM Shuttle from Vernonia Available 22785 NW Fisher Road Buxton, OR 97109 503-324-4500 SATURDAY Saturday January 9th April 12th Texas Hold 'Em Tournament AT the Buckhorn Restaurant Registration Tournamant play play starts starts at at 6pm 6pm Registration at at 5:30pm, 5:30pm, Tournamant 50% Local Charities. Charities. 50% of of fees go to Local $40 buy-in with $20 re-buy. 35 Player Limit - Sign-up Now! Cash Card Prize Payouts! To information contact: contact: To register register or or for more information George Tice Tice 429-3751 or George or Aaron Aaron Miller Miller 429-6049. 429-6049. Presented by the Vernonia Lions Club Choose the FlexPerks SM Visa ® Credit or Check Card that’s right for you or your business. Flex your right to travel where and when you want to go, earn brand-name merchandise that suits you, or simply get cash back for the things you want. That’s U.S. Bank FlexPerks. 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