Category Archives: Public Health
Japanese Beetle update
After another successful year conducting our Japanese Beetle Eradication project, it’s our pleasure to share with you how our 2021 season went.
Mighty oaks
Has a towering tree standing alone caught your eye? It’s likely to be an Oregon White Oak, Quercus garryana, the only oak native to this part of Oregon. Some of these slow-growing oaks may live to be 500 years old and can eventually command a space over 100 feet tall and sixty feet wide, with roots growing far beyond the boundaries of its massive branches.
Smoke in the air—not just in the summer!
A crackling fire may make you feel snug and homey, but it’s a significant health threat. Many Washington County households use wood burning stoves for heating in winter and others enjoy fires just for their coziness and ambiance. What many people don’t realize is that, when a lot of people are burning wood in their homes, the cumulative effect on air quality can be similar to a wildfire. It’s time to rethink how—and whether—we burn wood.
Love trees? Be a Treekeeper!
It’s easy to appreciate trees when they are in the glory of their fall colors, but at Treekeepers of Washington County we celebrate trees all year around. Besides being beautiful, trees provide environmental, economic, and social benefits—including fighting climate change—by absorbing carbon dioxide and airborne pollutants, storing the carbon, and emitting pure oxygen.
Community News October 2021
• Cedar Hills Ready: Home Fire Safety
• Older Adult Meals in Washington County
• Ask WCSO: What are some things I can do to make my home less attractive to crime?
• Sunset HS Marching Band Can and Bottle Drive
• Special Age Cafe: Celebration of the International Day of Older Persons
• Tualatin Valley Creates offers ArtPass
• Inside Washington County Radio
• Free lacrosse skills clinics offered this Fall
• Cultural Coalition of Washington County 2022 grant applications open
• West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District is hosting their annual meeting
• Viva Village events
• Free N95 and KN95 masks for the AG community!
WCSO and homeless population in Washington County
We asked James M. Coley, Lieutenant – Patrol Division, Washington County Sheriff’s Office to help us understand how the Sheriff’s Office responds to homeless folks in the county, and what residents should do if they encounter campers.
Japanese Beetle eradication update
The Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is a serious invasive insect pest that threatens Oregon and the western United States. The largest infestation of Japanese beetles ever found in the state was detected in 2016 around Cedar Mill, Bonny Slope, Oak Hills, and Bethany.
Let’s hear it for these teams!
To the people of our community, my Cedar Mill neighbors and I hope that other residents of the area—and around our region—will find a way to express our gratitude to the caregivers of Oregon.
Gardening in the drought
Looking around my garden, I am noticing the plants that are damaged from the heat event that we all endured recently. My water bill increased several times the last few months since I turned on my sprinkling system.
WashCo News August 2021
• BCC gives green light to develop comprehensive substance use treatment center
• What is Middle Housing?
Seniors speak out!
There seems to be a universal human drive to make connections with each other and find meaning in our daily experiences and challenges. In the days before the pandemic, people met in coffee houses, meeting rooms, and living rooms to share ideas and learn from each other. But even though COVID-19 changed the location of those gatherings, it didn’t stop people from coming together.
Public Safety News August 2021
• FEMA Grant-funds safety gear
• Mental Health Response Team expanding
Meet Jess Fong
We have been publicizing recycling events at Sunset High School for several months, and we got curious to learn more about one of the students behind this great community service.
Updated vaccination access for Washington County
For the latest information on how and where to get your COVID vaccination, visit the Washington County page here. See below if you don’t use a computer or need other help in scheduling your vaccination.
Earth Month editorial
With some effects of climate change already upon us, we challenge Washington County to view all their actions through the lens of climate.
If we don’t stop contributing to the problem, our efforts at achieving equity will be meaningless. The powerful will find ways to avoid the consequences, and the rest of us will have to adapt to a planet that may not support the life we want for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.
Washington County should establish a Climate Challenge Task Force to advise all county divisions on how to establish goals, make climate friendly decisions, and implement sustainable practices. The Task Force needs to include representatives from commerce, industry, development, science, and community organizations.
We understand that it will take time and effort, but we must begin now. If you agree, send a message to your Washington County Commissioner and to the Chair.
Why get vaccinated? Here’s what our neighbors say
The head of the CDC challenged us all to do our part to make sure we conquer COVID by getting folks vaccinated. I’ve included updated vaccination information above, but I’d also like to share some reasons to do it. Sometimes we’re motivated by knowing what our neighbors care about.
Dining out safely in Washington County
• What is the county’s responsibility in restaurant safety?
• How is HHS getting the updated guidance to county restaurants?
• Does it need to be translated? How many languages? Or are restaurant owners responsible for making sure all employees understand?
• Are there any regulations or guidance about ventilation in the indoor dining spaces?
• About mask wearing while dining and drinking?
• What enforcement powers does HHS have?
• How many staff can do that work?
• What’s the public’s role in reporting? Best practices?
• Aside from you and the state websites, are there other resources for restaurant owners that you know about? Professional groups, unions, etc?
Continuing the “Beetle Battle”
The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is continuing its multi-year effort to eradicate the Japanese beetle, an invasive and destructive insect pest in your neighborhood in 2021. Thanks to your support and cooperation, we have had success in reducing the Japanese beetle populations in Oregon, but more efforts are required.
Cedar Mill News Pandemic Resource Guide
• General Information
• Food Resources & Places to Donate
• Rental & Housing
•Jobs & Unemployment
• Health Care
• Mental Health
• Veterans’ Assistance
• Childcare
• Education
• Fitness & Exercise
• Shopping Help
• Internet & Computer Resources
• Social Connections
• Community
• Entertainment & Arts
Mental Health Support
Undoubtedly our lives have changed over the past year. It can be overwhelming to think about addressing mental health issues that may have cropped up or intensified during the pandemic. In this article, I’m sharing some tips to consider implementing, as well as resources for further support.
Getting the COVID vaccine in Washington County
• What is Washington County’s role in COVID-19 vaccination?
• Can I get on a list to get vaccinated?
• How long will Phase 1A last? (visit website for details on phases)
• Current Prioritized Phases
How clean is our air?
Portland Clean Air is a nonprofit that has been working for seven years to study and promote public understanding of government agency industrial air pollution data, and advocate for prevention. We asked them to give us a snapshot of the current situation in the Cedar Mill area, along with some ways to take action if you are concerned.
Oregon recycles! and plans to lead into the future
Starting with our famous “Bottle Bill” in 1971, Oregon was the first in the nation to create a system of waste management that allowed glass and aluminum containers to be recovered from the trash.
Sunset students tackle climate change
Climate change has been a looming threat to us for many years. With the short amount of time we have left to make a change, we need to buy more time for permanent, systemic solutions. Though climate change is a difficult problem to solve, there are simple ways for us as a community to delay its destructive progress.
State Legislative Update
Governor Brown called for a special legislative session on December 15 with the primary goal of providing additional wildfire and COVID relief. The session successfully began and concluded on December 21.
August 2020 COVID-19 update
At the July meeting of the CPO Leadership group, CCI, we had a valuable presentation by Adrienne Donner, Washington County Public Health Branch Director, on the current state of things in the county and its response. We have permission to share the PDF version of her PowerPoint presentation here. The links should be active.
Local artist working as contact tracer
Chris Kondrat is a popular local artist and long-time member of Village Gallery. We learned that she joined the team of contact tracers working to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the county, and wanted to bring you her story.
June 2020: COVID-19 in Washington County
• State approves Washington County for Phase I starting June 1
• House cleaners and other home services
• Face coverings guidance for businesses and transit
• Reporting violations
• FAQs now available on OHA website
• Safety advice from WCSO
• Bonnie Hays Animal Shelter update
COVID-19 in Washington County
According to Wendy Gordon, Lead Public Information Officer, Washington County Emergency Operations Center, Washington County will follow the governor’s plan on when and how to reopen. On April 14, Brown’s office introduced a “Framework for Reopening Oregon” that outlines the prerequisites for the safe way to move forward.
COVID-19 in Washington County
Most of us are aware that Washington County is leading the state in the number of confirmed cases of the virus. People have been speculating on the reason, so we have included what seem to be some good clues. We have compiled this article from a variety of sources, and links to them are in each section. We’ve also included information about Washington County response and resources…
A closer look at Zoom
Yearning for more than FaceTime for visiting with your family and friends? Craving a platform more cohesive than Skype? With Oregon public schools closed until at least April 28, students are at a loss of their daily communication with peers and teachers…
Getting your dose of nature
While being stuck at home is a current necessity for the health and well-being of our community, it can be extremely stressful and boring for many people. Nature lovers everywhere who are now forced to stay inside are restless and getting creative in how they feed their passion…
Pharmacies and other shopping
Most patients can get their prescriptions by mail order, although this may be less flexible and take longer than using a local source. The following local pharmacies offer free prescription delivery or have drive through prescription windows…
Grocery shopping in the virus era
COVID-19 has pushed us to find our new normal. Unfortunately, that means our local grocery stores must accommodate our dramatically changing circumstances as well. Health and safety of shoppers is most important to our grocery stores…
Hungry for something different?
Many of our local restaurants are still open for business. Just place your order, pay with a credit card, pick up your meal and enjoy at home. Most of them also offer delivery, either with their own people or through one of the meal delivery services…
