NewsTalk 1450 KBKW

NWS Issues High Wind Warning for Pacific County

news@kbkw.com (Jodesha Broadcasting) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:01:24 -0100

South Bend, Washington – The National Weather Service, Portland Office notified the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency of a high wind warning effective until noon today for the headlands of the south Washington coast.

A brief period of strong winds 30 to 40 mph, with gusts to 60 mph are expected ahead of a strong Pacific cold front. The winds are expected to decrease by noon once the cold front moves onshore.

A high wind warning means that a hazardous high wind event is expected or occurring. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph or gusts of 58 mph or more can lead to property damage and residents are encouraged to be personally prepared for exacerbating events such as possible power outages or tree fall.

Lake Sylvia and Schafer State Parks to be Discussed

news@kbkw.com (Jodesha Broadcasting) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:12:31 -0100

Montesano, WA - A workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. November 19 will follow-up on issues previously identified. An “alternatives” report will be presented. If you cannot attend the workshop, please send comments. Comments received before November 30 will be considered at the planning team’s next meeting. Please check the webpage regularly, particularly before workshops.

Brian, Hovis, Parks Planner, said that at this stage, the planning team suggests potential alternative approaches to address the various issues and concerns raised by people in stage one. No preferred alternative is established; rather this is an opportunity to understand the range of possibilities.

Planned Power Outage for the North River and Artic Area

news@kbkw.com (Jodesha Broadcasting) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0100

Aberdeen, WA - Grays Harbor PUD will conduct a planned power outage Monday, November 9, 2009 from 10am until approximately 2pm in the Artic and North River Road area. The outage is necessary to replace aging and failing underground cable. The work will enhance the reliability of the system serving the area.

The outage will affect customers south of the intersection of Blue Slough Road and Highway 107 including the area along Highway 101, the Cosmopolis hill radio tower site, Lund Road and North River Road.

North Beach Area State Parks CAMP Public Meeting

news@kbkw.com (Jodesha Broadcasting) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:31:43 -0100

Centralia, WA - The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will meet at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at the Fox Theatre, 119 South Tower Avenue, Centralia, Washington.

At the meeting the Commission will consider adopting or approving the agenda item. The item does not have a specific time at the meeting. Members of the public are welcome to attend and will have an opportunity to provide comment. Written comments received by noon on Monday, November 30, will be provided to the Commission before the meeting.

If you wish to receive a copy of this agenda item or provide written comments, please contact Nata Hurst Hovis at:

Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission

P.O. Box 42650

Olympia, WA 98504-2650

Phone: (360) 902-8638

FAX: (360) 586-0207

E-mail: nata.hurst@parks.wa.gov

DNR to hold public meeting on Reiter Foothills Forest Recreation Plan

news@kbkw.com (Jodesha Broadcasting) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:59:58 -0100

Olympia, WA - The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public meeting to provide information and receive public comments on a draft recreation plan for the Reiter Foothills Forest.

Reiter Foothills Forest is a popular recreation area located in eastern Snohomish County near Gold Bar and Index.

When: Wednesday, November 18, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Where: The Commons, Monroe High School, 17001 Tester Rd., Monroe

High Surf Warning Through Saturday

news@kbkw.com (Jodesha Broadcasting) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:52:33 -0100

South Bend, Washington – The National Weather Service (NWS) in Portland notified the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency this morning that a high surf warning is in effect until 4 pm PST Saturday.

Large swell generated by a storm in the Gulf of Alaska will build today and continue through Saturday, bringing dangerous surf conditions to the coast. The largest seas are expected to arrive this afternoon when 25 to 30 foot swell will begin to impact the coast. These waves will be very energetic as they move in the surf zone, pummeling the coast with large breakers as they move onshore. Heavy debris, such as logs, will be thrown around by the large waves making the surf zone especially hazardous.

AARP Endorses Health Care Bill HR 3962

news@kbkw.com (Jodesha Broadcasting) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:23:09 -0100

Olympia, WA - The nation's leading senior's lobby, AARP, is using its considerable clout in the health care reform debate by endorsing the Affordable Health Care for America Act, set to be considered by the U.S. House of Representatives this weekend. This is the first time the group has endorsed a particular bill. Washington state is home to 935,000 of AARP's 40 million members; the group has determined most of them would benefit if the bill passed.

Ingrid McDonald, advocacy director for AARP Washington, says protecting Medicare for those 65 and older is one of the group's top priorities, and she feels this legislation does that.

"Unless we make some smart changes now to make the program more efficient and viable, it won't be around for people's children and grandchildren. This health reform package would secure the program for the future and improve it immediately for current beneficiaries, by closing the 'donut hole' and other measures."

H1N1 (swine flu) Information for Washington Residents

news@kbkw.com (Jodesha Broadcasting) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0100

Olympia, WA - H1N1 vaccine remains in short supply in most Washington communities, however, the amount available is growing. The state Department of Health is making it easier for people to find the latest information with a variety of easy access resources.

"We know there’s a lot of concern about flu this season, and we want Washington residents to have current, easy-to-find information that will help them protect themselves and their families," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "We’ve got useful guidance on how to avoid getting sick, and what to do if you get sick. Putting it all online and using social media makes it easy for most people to find quick answers."

Visit the Washington Department of Health Web site at http://www.doh.wa.gov for a healthy dose of information.

IRS Seeks to Return More Than $2.9 Million in Undeliverable Refunds

news@kbkw.com (Jodesha Broadcasting) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:39:21 -0100

The Internal Revenue Service is looking for Washington State taxpayers who are missing 2,652 refund checks totaling more than $2.9 million that were returned to the IRS by the U.S. Postal Service due to mailing address errors. The average refund is $1,099.

All a taxpayer has to do is update his or her address once. The IRS will then send out all checks due.

The vast majority of checks mailed out by the IRS reach their rightful owner every year. Only a very small percent are returned by the U.S. Postal Service as undeliverable.

Aberdeen School Teacher on Leave During Investigation

news@kbkw.com (Jodesha Broadcasting) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:50:00 -0100

Aberdeen, WA - A Second Grade Teacher at AJ West has been placed on leave while an investigation continues into allegations that she forcefully pushed a student's head into a desk recently, Aberdeen School Superintendent Marty Kay tells us "It is paid administrative leave, until we draw some conclusions following our investigation."

Apparently the incident occurred late last month but Kay tells us the exact date is not yet known, "when the incident occurred is really part of the investigation, because we're not exactly sure when the incident may have occurred."

The student mother tells KBKW that the teacher allegedly lost her temper with the child because he wouldn't put his head down at a time when other classmates had their heads down.

Kay said the child was not injured and that they have returned to school. "the child has returned to school and seems to be doing just fine" The teacher remains on administrative leave until the investigation is completed.