Tillamook County Wellness
Comedy Comes to Kitty’s
Online this week
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Headlight Herald
TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2021
VOL. 133, NO. 30 • $1.50
TILLAMOOK, OREGON • WWW.TILLAMOOKHEADLIGHTHERALD.COM
Health department gives COVID update Talks universal masking
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Hilary Dorsey Staff Writer
illamook County Health Department reported during a Tillamook County Board of Commissioners meeting Wednesday, July 28, 30 positive COVID-19 cases from July 11-24. The previous twoweek period had 42 cases. Administrator Marlene Putman reported 13 cases over the past week. “We’ve had nine, what I call, breakthrough cases,” Putman said. “Those are individuals who have been vaccinated and still test positive. Those occurred between midJune to July 28.” There have been 14 cases of the delta variant in region 1, which includes Tillamook, Clatsop, Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah and Washington counties. While there
is no current data for individual counties regarding the delta variant, Putman said the health department expects it to be in the county. “As 14,688 residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, this places us at 66.6 percent vaccination rate of those eligible to receive the vaccine have at least one dose,” Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Ed Colson said. Appointments for vaccines are available Tuesdays and Thursdays at the health center’s 8th Street annex. Vaccines are free. Call 503-8423914 to make an appointment. “The vaccines are also available at your local health care providers,” Colson said. “When you schedule an appointment at your doctor’s office, that’ll give you a great time to bring up any questions or concerns or information you might need regarding
receiving a vaccine.” Local pharmacies throughout the county also have vaccines available. Oregon Health Authority (OHA) released Tuesday, July 27, a recommendation of universal mask use in public indoor settings throughout the state to protect Oregonians from COVID-19. This is in response to an increase in cases and new national guidance calling for masking measures to prevent the spread of the delta variant. According to Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state epidemiologist and state health officer, the delta variant has increased tenfold in the past two weeks in Oregon and is estimated to be associated with 80 percent of the new cases in Oregon. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people who are vaccinated with currently available vaccines are better protected from the virus and
circulating variants, including the delta variant, OHA reported. “Oregon Health Authority has passed on the application of these rules to local public health authorities to address what the local response might be,” Putman said. “Our health officer Dr. Melissa Pualisen will be back on Monday and we will have further discussions about what the response might be.” Putman said the health department’s recommendation is to adhere to the recommendation and comply with universal masking in indoor public spaces. Putman said getting vaccinated helps prevent illness, hospitalizations and death. Data shows the delta variant is more contagious than other variants of the virus. Some vaccinated people can get a breakthrough case from the delta variant. In areas with high transmis-
sion, CDC recommends everyone wear a mask in indoor spaces. Commissioner Erin Skaar said it is up to each person to make a decision on what OHA is recommending. Vice-Chair David Yamamoto said he thinks the recommendation is a personal responsibility issue. He thinks the state has abdicated responsibility and he does not see how it is helpful to require everyone to wear a mask. Chair Mary Faith Bell said given the recommendation from the health department for universal masking, she is wearing a mask. The ownership is now on counties to develop a response. Send comments to: headlightreporter@countrymedia.net
Farmstand
Ray Rau and his wife Joelle at the swearing in. Photo courtesy of Nick Troxel
These enterprising home schoolers sell lettuce, kale and wood from their Farmstand on 12th St. near the High School in Tillamook every Friday. They grow all the produce they sell so it’s fresh and healthy. As more veggies and fruit become ready to harvest more offerings will be available. Photo by Joe Warren
Fair offers four days of fun for everyone T
he 2021 Tillamook County Fair runs Wednesday August 11 through Saturday August 14, from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Here’s what you can expect to see and do when visiting the Fair. Entertainment is free with your Fair admission. Daily Take a break to watch courtyard entertainment on our outside stage all day The carnival opens at noon with rides and games each day: Purchase your unlimited ride wristbands online through Tuesday August 10 at 8:00 pm: https://www.tillamookfair. com/p/tickets Starting Wednesday August 11, wristbands will be available for purchase onsite at the Fair for $40. Pari-Mutual Horse Racing starts at 1 p.m. in our grandstand arena. Check out the exhibits
throughout the grounds, from 4H and FFA animal projects to local residents showcasing their best art, photography, flowers, culinary delights, land products, crafts and hobbies, and textiles pieces. Try some Fair food (locals swear by elephant ears and Pronto Pups!) and visit the many vendors for some fun Fair memorabilia. Kids will love Brad’s World Reptiles, with his many live exotic animals on display to see, and some to touch. Courtyard Entertainment Courtyard Stage hosts a variety of performances throughout each day of Fair. These performances are free and include a variety of music and performing acts: Street Drum Corp (you will
also find them strolling around the Fair throughout the day) Godfrey the Magician Dr. Fun & Dr. Good, balloon artists Washboard Willy’s One Man Band Local dance performances Ice cream tasting contest Ronni Kay, vocalist Justin Lepard, cellist & violinst Robert Meade, musical enter-
tainment Perry Gerber Band Music by “The Shift” Best Beard Contest The Tillamook County Fair officially closes Saturday night at 11 pm. Check out next week’s Headlight Herald for a complete guide to this year’s fair.
New police chief brings servant mentality to job P
Hilary Dorsey Staff Writer
olice Chief Ray Rau was sworn in as police chief during a Tillamook City Council meeting Monday, June 21. He had been serving as interim chief since April 23, when Police Chief Terry Wright retired. Rau began his career in the Oregon Department of Corrections in the 1990s. He worked for a couple of police departments, including the Sandy Police Department for several years. He also worked for the Department of Public Safety Standards & Training (DPSST) as a sergeant and became captain. He was there for eight years. “I was the academy training supervisor,” Rau said. “I oversaw regional traffic safety, I oversaw all the basic curriculum for all the disciplines, scheduling for all the instructors.” Rau is also a member of the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police. “I’m a member of that, I’m on the board of directors for that,” Rau said. “I’m signed up as a linebacker. It’s an assistance program for agencies that are without a police chief.” Members will often go to police departments for short-term stints as chief and help an agency develop structure, help them recruit an applicant for police chief or find one internally. Rau has done this with the city of Lakeview. City manager Nathan George put a request out to the Chiefs of Police for an interim police chief. Rau came in April to serve as interim chief.
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