For the third time in three years, the Washington State House of Representatives has  unanimously approved a bill authored by 14th District Rep. Gina Mosbrucker that would create a task force on domestic violence and workplace resources.   House Bill 1315 passed the House on Monday with a vote of 97-0.   Under the bill, the Department of Commerce is required to convene a task force on domestic violence and workplace resources.  The measure passed the House in 2019, but died in the Senate in the first year.   In 2020, it passed both chambers of the Legislature, but was one of 147 bills to be vetoed last year by Gov. Jay Inslee in an effort to save money as the COVID-19 pandemic was just beginning to spread across Washington.  This bill is now headed to the Senate.

Oregon OSHA is proposing to extend protective measures against COVID-19 for workers who rely on housing provided by employers, including as part of farming operations.  The risk-reducing measures – which include new options and updates – cover everything from physical distancing and ventilation to face coverings and sanitation.  The proposed rule would replace the current labor-housing requirements established through Gov. Kate Brown’s executive order, issued in October 2020.  That order lasts through April 30, 2021.  It effectively maintained COVID-19 safety measures that Oregon OSHA adopted on a temporary basis in April 2020.  The proposed permanent rule will receive three virtual public hearings later this month at 5 p.m. on March 25 and 30 and at 10 a.m. on March 26, and a comment period through April 16. Information on how to take part is available at osha.oregon.gov.  The agency says it expects to repeal the rule once it is no longer needed to address the coronavirus pandemic in the context of labor housing.

North Central Public Health District sent emails Monday to those 70 and older who have signed up for the district’s vaccine eligibility notification system.  Phone outreach is also ongoing to senior citizens.  The 250 available openings for next week filled quickly, but new openings are added each week.  Booking emails contain a link and password to seek an appointment in the online scheduling system, but demand far exceeds supply and appointments fill quickly, so people are asked to keep the booking email and check back regularly.  A booking email will go out later this week to those 65 and older who have signed up for eligibility notifications.  The plan is to open more appointments at that time.  That group became eligible for the vaccine this week.  It is not determined yet what day those emails will go out.

Hood River County health officials continue to wait for vaccine supplies to increase so they can increase the pace of immunizations.  County Health Department Director Trish Elliott told County Commissioners on Monday that providers have been using more than simply age to determine who gets shots, but also prioritizing based on need.  Elliott said the County would be capable of administering 1,000 shots in a single day if they had the vaccine supply.  Commissioners discussed sending a letter to Oregon Health Authority officials to emphasize what they are ready to do once the vaccine becomes available.  Elliott noted the approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine for use, but added she did not expect the local area to receive it anytime soon.

A man was arrested in the Portland area late last week in connection with a January 22 armed robbery in The Dalles that resulted in the resident being severely assaulted and immobilized by intruders with a gun.  The Dalles Police Chief Patrick Ashmore says 42-year-old Marshall Allen McFarlane is currently lodged in the Clackamas County Jail awaiting a transfer to NORCOR.  A Grand Jury indictment accuses McFarlane of numerous robbery, assault, abduction, and illegal use of a weapon charges, many of which fall under Measure 11 guidelines.  Ashmore said The Dalles Police detectives were assisted by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office during the arrest, which occurred without incident.  The crime occurred at a home on 3021 West 7th Street on January 22.  The investigation continues, and anyone with information is asked to contact The Dalles Police Department at 541-296-2613.

A 45-year-old man described by the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office as a transient is now facing murder charges in the death of a Carson man in an incident originally reported as a fall from a seizure.  The Sheriff’s Office says 50-year-old Damon Vlietstra died at Peace Health Southwest Medical Center in Vancouver on Wednesday.  Skamania County EMS was called to the man’s home on February 20 on a report of an unconscious male experiencing continual seizure type symptoms, and took Vliestra by ambulance to Peace Health.  Two days later Vlietstra’s son called the Sheriff’s Office to report a man had come to his residence and said he had assaulted his father.  Last Tuesday Nathan Goncalves came to the Sheriff’s Office to give a statement, and was arrested at that time on felony assault charges.  After Vlietstra died, second degree murder and first and second degree manslaughter charges were added.

A Forest Grove man was arrested in Hood River last week after a high speed chase and attempt to flee on foot.  The Hood River Police Department says officers went to Columbia State Bank on 2650 Cascade late last Tuesday night after a member of the bank’s security team observed a man removing a Federal Express box from the ATM, and then drove an SUV into the nearby Walmart parking lot.  An Oregon State Police trooper was almost hit be the SUV accelerating at a high rate of speed, and the vehicle went onto Westcliff Drive and then came back toward officers, who deployed spike strips to flatten the SUV’s tires.  The suspect tried to run near Bradley Drive, but was taken into custody by the OSP a short time later.  22-year-old Matthew Hodgson was booked and lodged at NORCOR on several charges including DUII, attempting to elude, and possession of methamphetamine.

The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says a Willard man died in a one-vehicle accident in the Underwood area.  According to the Sheriff’s Office, a citizen reported last Monday a vehicle over a cliff off of Cook-Underwood Road.  Deputies found 67-year-old David Graham deceased inside the SUV.  Graham had been reported missing a day earlier by family members after not returning from a drive.  An initial investigation indicates Graham’s vehicle left the roadway at milepost 11.2 on Cook-Underwood Road around 11:30 a.m. on February 21 and traveled down the bluff about 550 feet before coming to rest on a small outcropping.

26th District Oregon State Republican Senator Chuck Thomsen is introducing legislation that would assist families and students who have been dealing with school closures.  Under the legislation, a Restorative Equity Education Fund would be created and dedicate $3 million to give low-income students access to financial assistance to pay for summer tutoring.  To make up for lost learning, families could qualify for up to $2,000 to pay for tutoring.  Hours spent in tutoring would count towards graduation for high school students.  Others would qualify for a tax credit to put the cost of tutoring within reach for middle-class families.  Thomsen is the vice-chair of the Senate Education Committee.

North Central Public Health District says it has had a number of people coming to COVID-19 vaccine clinics who do not meet any current eligibility criteria.  The health district is asking people who have made appointments for their first dose but do not meet current eligibility guidelines to cancel their appointments.  The health district will begin checking eligibility for those coming to the clinics and will turn away anyone who does not meet criteria.  In a statement, the district said it is getting relatively few vaccines each week and a growing number of senior citizens who are currently eligible and seeking the vaccine, so in fairness to them, ineligible people will be turned away.   Currently eligible groups include first responders, healthcare workers, educators, childcare providers and, as of Monday, those 65 and older.