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VIRUS OUTBREAK BUSINESS

Vancouver call center closed due to COVID-19 outbreak

VANCOUVER, Washington (AP) – According to health officials, a broadband call center in Vancouver, Washington has been temporarily closed due to a COVID-19 outbreak that has resulted in 29 confirmed cases and two possible cases. Colombian public health rapporteur Marissa Armstrong said in an email late Friday that the first case was reported to the Spectrum Communications office in mid-April, the most recent on Friday. Armstrong said the store will be closed on Wednesday, given a thorough clean, and consulted with Labor & Industries prior to reopening. The company hadn’t made a public statement related to the outbreak as of late Friday.

E-COLI OUTBREAK YOGURT

Health officials link the E. coli outbreak to the yogurt brand

OLYMPIA, Washington (AP) – Washington state health officials announced Saturday that they had detected an outbreak of E. coli in PCC Community Market-branded yogurt made by Pure Eire Dairy. The dairy is working with the Department of Agriculture to identify and recall all affected products. Health officials say anyone with this brand of yogurt should throw it away. The outbreak includes 11 confirmed cases, including six children under the age of 10. There have been eight cases in King County and one each in Benton, Snohomish, and Walla Walla counties. Seven people were hospitalized. Three people have developed a serious complication from E. coli infection.

RISKS OF VIOLENCE PORTLAND

The Portland Police and the FBI respond to the threat of gun violence

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Portland City Council announced that the police and the FBI for the United States will be on the city streets next days. The statement said the city learned “three alarming things” that led to this decision. Officials say the groups involved in the violence ordered someone to be shot or shot over the next 30 days for showing no loyalty. City officials say individuals and groups from Washington and California are in Portland to pursue gun violence. Officials say these actions are starting a cycle of retaliation that will only escalate.

WESTERN DROUGHT KLAMATH BASIN

The water crisis on the Oregon-California border couldn’t be worse

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A severe drought creates a water crisis that has not been seen for farmers and state-protected fish along the Oregon-California border for more than a century. The US Bureau of Reclamation says it will not release water into the main canal that feeds the massive Klamath Reclamation Project this summer. This is a first for the 114 year old irrigation system. The agency previously said that irrigation equipment would receive dramatically less water than usual, but a worsening drought picture means water is being turned off instead. It is also said that no additional water will be released to raise the level in the lower Klamath River. Tribes say the water is needed to save juvenile salmon that is dying of a bacterial disease.

VIRUS OUTBREAK OREGON MASKS

Oregon Asks Companies to Review COVID-19 Vaccine Status

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Companies are being asked to either enforce mask policies or see if customers have been vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the Oregon State Health Commissioner. Dr. Dean Sidelinger came on Friday when he said the state was still working on issuing more detailed guidance to businesses. Late Thursday, Governor Kate Brown said Oregon would immediately follow instructions from the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier in the day, making wearing inner masks and social distancing easier for fully vaccinated people. Brown said that Oregonians who are fully vaccinated will no longer have to wear masks or social distancing in most public spaces. Sidelinger said it is up to companies to determine a person’s vaccination status for the time being.

WILDFIRE UTILITIES sued

The lawsuit claims $ 103 million from public utilities over wildfire

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – In a lawsuit filed on behalf of 70 landowners in the McKenzie River Valley, Oregon, the Lane Electric Cooperative and Eugene Water and Electric Board are raising $ 103 million for damage related to one of the Labor Day fires demands that devastated communities across the state. The Oregonian / OregonLive reports that the Holiday Farm Fire killed one person and destroyed 430 homes. Plaintiffs say the two utilities did not shut down their power lines despite forecasts of extreme fire weather. Joe Harwood, spokesman for the Eugene Water & Electric Board, said the lawsuit “contains claims based on a material error of fact.” Lane Electric Cooperative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-TRIBES

Confederate tribes report COVID-19 outbreak at school age

MISSION, Ore. (AP) – The Confederate tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have seen a surge in COVID-19 cases among school children, leading officials to plan more vaccination clinics and cancel events. The Eastern Oregonian reports that the tribes reported Wednesday that 14 people had tested positive for COVID-19 on the reserve in the past two weeks. Officials say the outbreak came after six weeks with no reported case among tribal members and patients eligible for treatment at the Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center. Officials say the 12 children who have the disease reportedly had symptoms and one adult was hospitalized in the outbreak.

PRINCIPAL RESIGNS ALLEGATIONS

The Vancouver director resigns on racist charges

VANCOUVER, Washington (AP) – A Vancouver school principal accused of preferring and allowing racist language has resigned but is becoming principal for special assignments within the same district. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports Matt Johnson said in a statement this week that his resignation will come after “joint discussions with the district.” Johnson had run Mountain View High School since 2014 but had weeks of paid administrative leave. Gail Spolar, spokeswoman for the Evergreen Public Schools District, says Johnson will be in charge of special assignments starting July next school year. Documents submitted to the district school board indicate that Johnson will step down from that position next summer.