Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The independent. (Vernonia, Or.) 1986-current | View Entire Issue (June 3, 2010)
Page 8 The INDEPENDENT, June 3, 2010 OSU Extension Service to offer canning classes starting in June Have you thought about learning to can fruits, vegeta- bles, jams, jellies or fish or game this summer? Are you an experienced canner who would like an update on the latest USDA recommendations? Then plan to attend one or more of the canning classes of- fered by the Columbia County Extension Service. Classes will be held at the First Lutheran Church, 360 Wyeth St., St. He- lens (on the corner of N. 4th St. and Wyeth St.). Each class will cost $20.00 or $70.00 for all four. A small number of scholar- ships are available. Payment must be made in advance to hold your spot. Class size is limited. Classes offered will be: Tuesday, June 15, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Canning Hospital idea gets another review The Oregon Public Health Division has begun a review of an amended application for a new hospital in St. Helens, which was submitted by the Columbia Health District. A pro- posed decision on whether or not to issue a certificate of need to approve the hospital will be issued no later than Aug. 25, 2010. The decision is called a “pro- posed” decision because an af- fected party or the applicant may request a hearing if that party is dissatisfied with the de- cision. The application is for a 12- bed hospital to be located at 35311 Millard Road in St. He- lens, near the intersection of Millard Road and U.S. Highway 30. Columbia Health District was issued a proposed order on October 22, 2009, denying its previous application be- cause the applicant failed to justify the need for and viability of the hospital. The proposed order has been withdrawn while the amended application is under review. A public meeting on the ap- plication will be announced within the next few weeks. Anyone who has a vested interest in the outcome of the decision may request to have an affected party status. Any- one designated as an affected person under the legal guide- lines will receive copies of rele- vant correspondence, may tes- tify at or request a public meet- ing on the issue prior to a deci- sion if the request is made at a reasonable time, and may be a party to any future contested case hearing. State law charges Oregon Public Health officials with re- viewing proposals for new hos- pitals and nursing facilities to ensure health care consumers don’t pay for facilities not justi- fied by community needs. Oregon Public Health will make a copy of the application available for inspection during normal business hours at 800 NE Oregon St., Suite 930, Port- land. For more information, or for information about becoming an affected person, please contact Jana Fussell at 971- 673-1108. Jams and Jellies. Tuesday, July 20, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Canning Fruits and Pie Fillings. Tuesday, August 10, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Pressure Canning Vegetables and Meats. Tuesday, August 31, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Canning Tomatoes and Salsa Oregon State University Ex- tension Service offers educa- tional programs, activities and materials without discrimination based on age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual ori- entation, or veteran’s status. Oregon State University Exten- sion Service is an Equal Oppor- tunity Employer. For more information and to register for classes, please vis- it the OSU Extension Service office at 505 N. Columbia River Highway in St. Helens, or call 503-397-3462. Algae blooms can be a health hazard “As folks head out for the summer, we want people who use Oregon’s lakes, reservoirs and other fresh waters for recreation to enjoy these areas, but to take precautions if they see an algae bloom,” said Jen- nifer Ketterman, coordinator of the Oregon Public Health Harmful Algae Bloom Surveil- lance (HABS) program. “We advise people to avoid swal- lowing or inhaling water droplets from algae-affected water and to avoid skin con- tact.” Last year Oregon Public Health issued 21 health advi- sories due to cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, because of the potential for exposure to toxins. This was an increase over 2008, when 14 health ad- visories were issued for harm- ful algae blooms. Also, in 2009 Oregon recorded its first con- firmed dog death due to algae toxin in water near the conflu- ence of Elk Creek and the Umpqua River in Douglas County. Not all algae are dangerous, but some species can produce toxins that pose a health threat to people and animals that come in contact with them, ac- cording to Ketterman. Skin irritation or rash is the most commonly reported health effect. Symptoms could also include diarrhea, cramps, vomiting, fainting, numbness, dizziness and paralysis. Children and pets are most vulnerable, and dogs can fall ill almost immediately after in- gesting waters affected by toxic algae. The HABS program relies on agencies that manage water bodies – such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Forest Service, along with oth- er federal and state agencies – to alert it when a potentially tox- ic bloom has been detected. When water tests confirm that a toxic species is present in a lake at a magnitude that consti- tutes a health threat, Oregon Public Health issues a health advisory and various communi- ty and state partners post signs at the affected water body. “Because only a fraction of Oregon’s waters are routinely monitored for algae blooms, we advise people to be watchful when they are exploring the great outdoors,” Ketterman said. “If waters are scummy or cloudy and blue-green, bright green, white or brownish-col- ored, treat them as potentially contaminated and stay out. It is especially important to keep children and pets from going into questionable water.” Ketterman reminds people that if they arrive at a lake and find an algae bloom in progress, they can still enjoy activities that don’t involve wa- ter contact, such as camping, picnicking, hiking and bird watching. Blooms are most prevalent during the summer months, but they can occur any time of the year. In 2009, Oregon Public Health issued the first algae bloom health advisory of the season on May 21 and lifted the final advisory on Nov. 30. The HABS program is fund- ed through a federal grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Program ob- jectives include collecting re- ports of harmful algae bloom occurrences, as well as human and animal sickness; notifying the public when a harmful bloom is underway; and in- creasing public awareness through education and out- reach activities. More information on harmful algae blooms can be found at www.oregon.gov/DHS or by calling 971-673-0440. Columbia County Mental Health 800-294-5211 ----------------- Suicide Hotline 1-800- 784-2433 or 1-800-273- TALK(8255) ----------------- Domestic Abuse Hotline 503-397-6161 or 866-397-6161 State Farm ® Providing Insurance and Financial Services Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710 Bunny Girt, Agent 503-901-1705 1229 N. Adair PO Box 543 Cornelius, OR 97113-0543 Bus 503-357-3131 Fax 503-357-9667 bunny.girt.b71g@statefarm.com