In announcing spending more federal funds for additional business grants, Washington Governor Jay Inslee said more needs to be done for workers, and action by Congress is needed.  Inslee says a critical piece of plans to defeat COVID-19 is for individuals to have financial resources while staying at home, adding Congress has more tools at its disposal but he is prepared to have the state step in.  He said if Congress doesn’t act by Christmas, the state will step up to help workers and their families who are not covered by pre-pandemic unemployment insurance benefits.  The Governor went on to say relief would be provided to those on the pandemic unemployment system as of the week of November 21 by the end of December.  Inslee added loss of the benefits would push 100,000 Washington households closer to poverty.

A week after the launch of WA Notify, the Washington Department of Health reported Monday that 1.2 million users have signed up for it by enabling the notifications or downloading the app that uses Bluetooth technology to alert people they may have had close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.  Klickitat County Public Health Director Erinn Quinn says the app can help as case numbers make it difficult for health departments to keep up with contact tracing.  If a smartphone user does test positive, they can submit their code and others with the app will be notified if they’ve been in contact with someone who is COVID-positive.  

Hood River County Commissioners on Monday authorized moving forward with an agreement with the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District to administer state funded grants to help businesses impacted by COVID-19.  The County has $705,000 in state funds to distribute, and the potential for another $145,000 in CARES Act funding could be added in.  County Administrator David Hecksel has been given authority to sign an agreement once it is finalized.  Hecksel says qualification requirements are still being finalized, and MCEDD will handle the administration.  The County is on a tight timeline, as they are required to disburse the funds by December 31.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday that he is extending current restrictions on businesses and social gatherings through Jan. 4 due to a continued spike in new coronavirus cases that is straining the state’s hospital system.  Inslee said the issue isn’t just hospital space, but the number of people available to provide care is strained because of a lack of available reserve personnel available.  He noted in the spring personnel could be sent to virus hotspots, but that’s not available with the entire state dealing with increased COVID numbers.  The current set of restrictions that took effect last month — including limiting restaurants and bars to to-go service and outdoor dining — were set to expire this coming Monday, but will now be extended an additional three weeks.  Indoor social gatherings with people from more than one household are also prohibited unless attendees have either quarantined for 14 days before the gathering or tested negative for COVID-19 and quarantined for seven days.  Inslee also announced $50 million in additional grants for businesses, on top of the $135 million in grants, loans and other assistance he announced two weeks ago to help businesses and workers impacted by the restrictions.

Oregon Food Bank has purchased a warehouse building in The Dalles to be the permanent home for the Columbia Gorge Food Bank.  The building at 3525 Crates Way has five times more space than the organization’s current leased facility.  This purchase was funded by what the Columbia Gorge Food Bank called a “generous donor.”  The building does require renovation and additional equipment to be an effective food bank, including freezer and cooler capacity and other food handling and storage equipment.   Oregon Food Bank plans to raise additional funds for the renovation process and equipment, and a formal assessment and buildout planning is currently underway.  A grand opening will be held when renovations are complete and gatherings are no longer a risk to public health.

Hood River County Health Department Director Trish Elliott says they have instituted their surge protocol for contact tracing of COVID-19 cases, telling County Commissioners on Monday that they have more cases than they can keep up with right now.  Elliott explains that means they are limiting the phone calls they make to low-risk COVID cases and contacts, while still continuing with initial assessments and making sure people’s needs are met.  Like other areas, Elliott says Hood River County’s increase in COVID cases that can be traced back to family gatherings along with workplace outbreaks.  She does not expect to see a big decrease in cases until after the holiday season.

The Oregon School Activities Association Executive Board has revised the organizations calendar for high school athletics, pushing back the start of competition to the beginning of March and changing its plans to now start with fall sports and move primarily indoor winter sports to late spring.  Fall sports would begin practice in February with multiple activities permitted by state guidance in the hope that COVID-19 case counts decrease in the new year.  Cross country and soccer, as outdoor sports, are permitted by the state in all counties, while as an indoor activity volleyball is tied to the Governor’s County Risk Level, and football remains on the Governor’s prohibited list of activities at this time.  Traditional Spring activities that are all permitted by state guidance as outdoor activities would begin April 5 and extend into the third week in May.  The calendar would wrap up with traditional winter sports including swimming, basketball and wrestling beginning in mid-May and extending into late June.  The board reasons the shift of wrestling and basketball to the end of the calendar provides the most runway for their prohibition to be lifted by the state.  Activities like choir and band/orchestra have been pushed back to the end of the school year to provide their programs the opportunity to rehearse in person if school district policy allows.  Cheerleading and dance/drill culminating weeks have also been adjusted to allow more time for facilities to open or have weather improve enough to move outdoors.

The Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s assistance with identifying whoever was responsible for the unlawful taking of a buck deer in the White River Unit.  The OSP says citizen reported finding a fresh deer on Sunday that had been dumped near a fence line off of Highway 30 on United States Forest Service property about five miles east of Mosier near Marsh Cut-off Road.  An Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Trooper responded and found a freshly killed buck deer with the antlers removed from the skull along with the hide, legs and a fresh gut pile.  Due to the condition of the head and gut pile left at the dump site it is believed that the buck was taken sometime this past weekend.  Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to the Turn in Poachers hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or *OSP on mobile devices.

Klickitat County is currently at record highs for COVID-19 active cases and hospitalizations.  County Public Health Director Erinn Quinn says they have 38 active COVID cases and four are hospitalized.  Quinn says four hospitalizations may not sound like a lot…but for a small county it is a big problem, adding while their COVID hospitalizations usually go to the Portland area, medical facilities are taxed there, and the impact is felt in other areas.  Quinn said last week’s number of new COVID cases was higher in Klickitat County than for September and October combined, and she anticipates this week will be just as busy if not more so.

Businesses in Hood River and Wasco counties have the opportunity to acquire free personal protective equipment from Business Oregon next week.  In Hood River County, the County’s Emergency Management office will have a drive-thru distribution center set up at Hood River Alliance Church on Rand and Montello giving out masks, hand sanitizer, and alcohol wipes.  Hours of operation will be from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.  You must bring basic proof of Hood River business ownership, such as wearing your uniform, bring a business card or checkbook or a cell phone photo of your business license.  In Wasco County, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce has request forms available to businesses that need PPE supplies.  Forms need to be filled out by Tuesday at 9 a.m.  For information call The Dalles Chamber at 541-296-2231 or email info@thedalleschamber.com.