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
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