by Anne Scheck
COUNTY COVID CASES RISE, LEGISLATORS MULL ACTION
COVID-19’s tally in Polk County reached 11 cases this week, with two hospitalizations – a jump that health authorities say reflects the results of increased testing. “It’s expected,” said Dawn Mautner MD, senior health advisor to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
In an OHA video update yesterday, Dr. Mautner explained that the numbers will keep rising “because we are expanding the testing as we can” to reach more broadly into the population. For example, Salem Health -- with three locations in Polk County -- was forced to suspend coronavirus testing at some sites after reportedly running out of detection kits.
Meanwhile, a legislative committee on the coronavirus crisis is mulling measures for stay-at-home life as efforts to identify viral outbreaks continue. Guidelines for distance-learning in the event that that more tools for online public education are needed and a temporary rule that would allow medical professionals such as physician assistants and dentists to have enhanced roles for meeting emergency conditions are under review by the legislative Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response.
A special legislative session is predicted soon, though it hasn’t been scheduled yet. “We are currently working to figure out the best way to bring legislators back to the Capitol to convene in a safe way,” said Rep. Paul Evans, in a statement sent this week in his newsletter. Rep. Evans, who represents Independence in the Oregon House of Representatives, is a member of the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response.
Polk County Fire District No. 1, along with the City of Independence and other agencies, is distributing signs that state “Stay Home, Save Lives,” to support this safety measure amid the threat of COVID-19 to the community, according to Fire Chief Ben Stange. Fire District No. 1 is expected to bear the brunt of local pressure from the pandemic—firefighters and paramedics all across the state have faced a surge in 911 calls over the past week.
GAME CHANGER: EASIER RULES ON CURB PICK-UP
As Independence downtown favorites like Arena Sports Bar & Grill go on hiatus during the coronavirus crisis, some establishments – those that sell alcohol and marijuana as “take-out” – are showing a sharp increase in sales, according to state figures.
There’s been a 25% increase in transactions for curbside marijuana and about the same rise for purchases of beer and wine-to-go deliveries – both now permitted under temporary rule changes by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC). The OLCC has charted the rising sales of marijuana since the March 8 emergency declaration by Gov. Kate Brown; Alcoholic beverages by home delivery, which were extended from a 9 pm curfew to 2:30 am, have accounted for much of the revenue boost in liquor, according to data-tracking by Nielsen Corp. The robust sales have prompted some reports that over-use may be on the rise.
“Every single decision that this agency (OLCC) is making, both for the liquor and marijuana industries, are for the consideration of helping people make a living and to continue to make a living,” said Paul Rosenbaum, OLLC’s commission chair, at its meeting last week.
However, the growth of wine, beer and marijuana businesses has been a topic of discussion by the Polk County Board of Commissioners, who in the past have noted there are increasing opportunities for impaired driving. At the last meeting of the board, Commissioner Craig Pope reiterated this point. Mr. Pope voted, along with the other two commissioners, to modify restrictions on county definitions of farm sites and vineyards that could offer craft-beer and wine-tasting. However, “it does trouble me that we are continuing to (promote) alcohol for major tourism without consideration” of the needs for added oversight, such as law enforcement, he said.
CITY BOND REFINANCE
At the last meeting of the Independence City Council, councilors approved the city’s recommendation to seek re-financing for both bond debt and a previous loan for repairs to Hoffman Road. The refinancing, which will need to be voted on by the city council once it is structured, is likely to be undertaken when the city can get the best deal possible, according to city manager Tom Pessemier.
COUNTY COVID CASES RISE, LEGISLATORS MULL ACTION
COVID-19’s tally in Polk County reached 11 cases this week, with two hospitalizations – a jump that health authorities say reflects the results of increased testing. “It’s expected,” said Dawn Mautner MD, senior health advisor to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
In an OHA video update yesterday, Dr. Mautner explained that the numbers will keep rising “because we are expanding the testing as we can” to reach more broadly into the population. For example, Salem Health -- with three locations in Polk County -- was forced to suspend coronavirus testing at some sites after reportedly running out of detection kits.
Meanwhile, a legislative committee on the coronavirus crisis is mulling measures for stay-at-home life as efforts to identify viral outbreaks continue. Guidelines for distance-learning in the event that that more tools for online public education are needed and a temporary rule that would allow medical professionals such as physician assistants and dentists to have enhanced roles for meeting emergency conditions are under review by the legislative Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response.
A special legislative session is predicted soon, though it hasn’t been scheduled yet. “We are currently working to figure out the best way to bring legislators back to the Capitol to convene in a safe way,” said Rep. Paul Evans, in a statement sent this week in his newsletter. Rep. Evans, who represents Independence in the Oregon House of Representatives, is a member of the Joint Special Committee on Coronavirus Response.
Polk County Fire District No. 1, along with the City of Independence and other agencies, is distributing signs that state “Stay Home, Save Lives,” to support this safety measure amid the threat of COVID-19 to the community, according to Fire Chief Ben Stange. Fire District No. 1 is expected to bear the brunt of local pressure from the pandemic—firefighters and paramedics all across the state have faced a surge in 911 calls over the past week.
GAME CHANGER: EASIER RULES ON CURB PICK-UP
As Independence downtown favorites like Arena Sports Bar & Grill go on hiatus during the coronavirus crisis, some establishments – those that sell alcohol and marijuana as “take-out” – are showing a sharp increase in sales, according to state figures.
There’s been a 25% increase in transactions for curbside marijuana and about the same rise for purchases of beer and wine-to-go deliveries – both now permitted under temporary rule changes by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC). The OLCC has charted the rising sales of marijuana since the March 8 emergency declaration by Gov. Kate Brown; Alcoholic beverages by home delivery, which were extended from a 9 pm curfew to 2:30 am, have accounted for much of the revenue boost in liquor, according to data-tracking by Nielsen Corp. The robust sales have prompted some reports that over-use may be on the rise.
“Every single decision that this agency (OLCC) is making, both for the liquor and marijuana industries, are for the consideration of helping people make a living and to continue to make a living,” said Paul Rosenbaum, OLLC’s commission chair, at its meeting last week.
However, the growth of wine, beer and marijuana businesses has been a topic of discussion by the Polk County Board of Commissioners, who in the past have noted there are increasing opportunities for impaired driving. At the last meeting of the board, Commissioner Craig Pope reiterated this point. Mr. Pope voted, along with the other two commissioners, to modify restrictions on county definitions of farm sites and vineyards that could offer craft-beer and wine-tasting. However, “it does trouble me that we are continuing to (promote) alcohol for major tourism without consideration” of the needs for added oversight, such as law enforcement, he said.
CITY BOND REFINANCE
At the last meeting of the Independence City Council, councilors approved the city’s recommendation to seek re-financing for both bond debt and a previous loan for repairs to Hoffman Road. The refinancing, which will need to be voted on by the city council once it is structured, is likely to be undertaken when the city can get the best deal possible, according to city manager Tom Pessemier.
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