News Briefs for March 12, 2020

Covid-19 case confirmed in Clark County

On March 6, the Clark County Public Health Department confirmed a case of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in a patient being treated in isolation at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.

This is the first confirmed case at a PeaceHealth facility.

According to a PeaceHealth news release, the caregivers and providers involved in this case followed recommended protocols in an effort to keep patients, families and fellow caregivers safe from the virus that has killed more than 4,000 people throughout the world since being discovered in China in early December 2019.

PeaceHealth stated in the news release that it is prepared to meet the needs of Clark County communities.

“We have already implemented a number of processes in all our hospitals and clinics to ensure the safety of our patients and caregivers, including screening protocols to identify patients who may be at risk for Covid-19 infection, and health department-recommended isolation processes and testing procedures,” PeaceHeath stated in the news release.

PeaceHealth is working closely with Clark County Public Health.

Anyone with questions about the coronavirus should call their primary care provider or Clark County Public Health at 800-525-0127.

The hospital is asking that visitors who are feeling ill or visitors under the age of 16 not visit PeaceHealth at this time.

In the news release, PeaceHealth offered the following facts about the Covid-19 virus:

o According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, symptoms often include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.

o Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure.

o There is currently no vaccine to prevent Covid-19.

To help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, PeaceHealth recommends:

o Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

o Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

o Staying home when sick.

o Covering your mouth and nose with your elbow when coughing or sneezing.

o Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

o Calling ahead to a healthcare professional if you develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing and have been in close contact with a person known to have Covid-19 or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread of the virus.

For more information, visit peacehealth.org/coro navirus.

Two Rivers Heritage Museum opens for 2020 season

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum reopened its doors Thursday, March 5, to welcome visitors after its annual four-month closure for maintenance and display enhancements.

“Winter closure was busy for the display committee, with significant changes in both the museum main building and the Carriage House,” said display committee member Karen Johnson.

The museum’s reception area is now home to the “Gorge” display, created in 2019 by Discovery High School students. This 9-foot-by-4-foot scale model presenting 90 miles of the Columbia River Gorge with landmarks that light up is more accessible with better viewing opportunities. The room also received a new coat of paint and the museum gift store has been reorganized and has a fresh new look.

Museum interior work was made possible by volunteer Walt Eby, who worked out a plan for rearranging the spaces and made sure all the pieces would come together in a cohesive design. “There was a lot of measuring, right down to tape strips on the floor where cabinets would be placed,” Johnson said.

Big Al’s Movers was hired to help move the large display pieces into place.

The 4-year-old “School Days” exhibit in the rotating display room was taken apart with some artifacts sent back to storage while others were moved to displays in other parts of the museum.

“That room has now been turned into an impressive Native American exhibit with woven baskets and stone bowls and tools,” Johnson said.

The Carriage House, built in 2009, is also being transformed with new displays to make the area more interesting for visitors. A vintage buggy was moved from the floor to a high ledge which provides much better viewing of buggy details and make room for more items.

A new display in the Carriage House, “All Boxed Up,” is located on the corner ledge over the doorway. It features vintage folding wooden grocery boxes branded with names of local stores. The addition of large banner pictures of local markets from the past adds a special touch and informative signage helps tell the story.

A collection of surveying and mineral artifacts can be found in another new Carriage House display, “From Here to There.”

“It describes how the survey tools and the Donation Land Act of 1851 are related to the history of our community,” Johnson said.

Another display still in the works will tell the story of mining in this area.

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum is located at 1 Durgan Street in Washougal and open March through October. Regular hours are Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission costs are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children younger than 5 and all CWHS members. Group tours are available any day of the week (by appointment only). Call 360-835-8742 for scheduling.

Washougal preschools to hold open house events March 24

The Washougal School District/Washougal Community Education preschools will host open house events from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at Cape Horn-Skye, Gause, Hathaway and Columbia River Gorge elementary schools.

Morning classes are held Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for younger students (3 and 4 years-old) with busing available to school within the school boundary.

Afternoon pre-kindergarten classes are held Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for older students (4 and 5 years old) that will be attending kindergarten the following school year. Busing is available after school within the school boundary.

Curriculum supports “whole child” instruction with purposeful play, structured activities and hands-on teaching of math, science, literacy, physical education, music and social/emotional skills. Highly qualified teachers provide a depth of experience and commitment to “kindergarten readiness” in a safe and nurturing environment for each of the students they serve.

Contact Lisa Young for registration and fee information at 360-954-3895 or lisa.young@washougalsd.org. Tuition assistance may be available based on need. Space is limited so early registration is recommended. Students are “waitlisted” when classes are full.

Clark County Sheriff’s Office warns of warrant scam

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office would like to inform and educate the public to scams that are currently being proliferated throughout the area.

If someone calls and states that you or a family member has a warrant and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office will take payment with prepaid gift cards, regardless of the name or title the caller uses, it is a scam.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies do not take payment with gift cards.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office will not ask for cash in-person or to meet at a location to pay cash to alleviate your arrest warrant. A deputy may call and ask you to meet face-to-face to facilitate an interview or arrest, but they will never ask for cash.

If you have questions or concerns about having a warrant, money owed for fines or judgments, call the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Department at 564-397-2397 or West Precinct at 564-397-6079.

If you receive a call from someone stating that they have your job application to a job you did not apply for and they want your personal information or want you to send you a check to cash to buy some equipment, it is a scam.

The Sheriff’s Office would like people to remember the old adage: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”