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08.07.2019 Wednesday Column

8/7/2019

0 Comments

 
In today’s column: 
  • National Weather Service: Cooler Temps Wednesday, Thursday * 
  • LCPW: Chipseal Work Today Throughout Onalaska * 
  • DOJ: Conspiracy Leader Bribed Bothell AT&T Workers to Plant Malware, More * 
  • U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recall - Super Jump Trampolines * 
  • WA RCO: Deadline - Policy Change Comments Sought By August 12 *   
  • WA State Fire Wire: Do Not Fly Drones In Wildfire Areas * 
  • Public Service Announcement: My Son Drowned 3 Days Ago - Maribeth Leeson * 
  • Not Strictly Toledo: Hazo Hut & Swap Shack * 
  • Today: Toledo Community Library  *  
  • Thursday: Gallery 505 Opening Night, Toledo Thursday Market * 
  • Future-Tripping: Feeds, Fundraisers, Forms, Fun & More *
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Image credit Annie Jones 

MAP enrichment programs posted: Time for camp leaders to take a step back and observe children at work/play (same thing!)  We can schedule and plan all the program and curriculum we want but when it comes down to it - the overall favorite activity of choice at MAP day-camp this week is: MUD play! These campers informed their leaders they were designing and constructing a fish catchment facility. In moments like this what makes us leaders think we have anything more urgent or important to teach them than this work they are so wholeheartedly engaged in? On a related note - if anyone needs to study minnows there’s this great new research catchment facility…

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Toledo Washington FFA Chapter 
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George & Community First Auto Centers are the BEST!!! THANK YOU for the HUGE support given every year to the youth of Lewis County!

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Toledo School District shared: Cowlitz Prairie Academy Improvements
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Cowlitz Prairie Academy will get new siding to go with the new roof. Thank you voters!

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Toledo Middle School announced: Football, Cross Country Begin Soon

TMS Football helmet fitting on August 23rd at 3:00, followed by parent meeting at 4:30. First practice August 26th from 9:00-11:00 at TMS.
…

First Cross Country practice will be August 26th from 9-10:30! Meet at the rock in front of THS! Make sure all paperwork is completed with TMS office prior to first practice.

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National Weather Service Seattle Washington: Cooler Temps Wednesday, Thursday 
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Caption: It will still be warm in the Interior on Wednesday with highs in the mid 70s to lower 80s. The Coast will see 60s to lower 70s. On Thursday, the Interior will see cooler temperatures as well, with highs in the 60s to mid 70s throughout Western Washington.

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Lewis County Public Works: Chipseal Road Work Throughout Onalaska Today
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The chipseal crew will be working throughout the town of Onalaska tomorrow. Expect lane closures and delays. Please slow down and use caution when traveling through the work zone. 

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Department of Justice: Leader of Conspiracy to Illegally Unlock Cell Phones for Profit Extradited from Hong Kong 

Bribed Workers at AT&T’s Bothell Customer Service Center to Plant Malware and Illegally Unlock Cell Phones

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 - A 34-year-old citizen of Pakistan, who is alleged to have paid insiders at telecommunications giant AT&T to plant malware and otherwise misuse computer networks to unlock cellphones, was charged in a 14-count federal indictment unsealed yesterday following his extradition from Hong Kong to the Western District of Washington.

Muhammad Fahd was arrested in Hong Kong on Feb. 4, 2018, at the request of the United States, and was extradited to the United States on Aug. 2, 2019.  The second superseding indictment, filed in March 2018, alleges how Fahd recruited and paid AT&T insiders to use their computer credentials and access to disable AT&T’s proprietary locking software that prevented ineligible phones from being removed from AT&T’s network.  The scheme resulted in millions of phones being removed from AT&T service and/or payment plans, costing the company millions of dollars. Fahd allegedly paid the insiders tens of thousands of dollars – paying one co-conspirator $428,500 over the five-year scheme. 

More...

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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Recall - Super Jump Trampolines ​
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August 2, 2019 - #Recall: Super Jumper Inc 14 and 16-foot trampolines and combos; welds on the metal legs can fail; fall and injury hazards. Get free repair kit. 
CONTACT: 866-757-3636 or www.superjumperinc.com. 
Full recall notice: http://bit.ly/2YjkkDq 

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Washington State Fire Wire: Elevated Fire Danger Across Most Of WA State 
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Source: DNR

FIRE DANGER - WASHINGTON STATE: Virtually the entire state (with the exception of Grays Harbor County) is in elevated fire danger. Red indicates "Very High/Extreme", yellow indicates "High", blue indicates "Moderate" and green indicates "Low" fire danger levels. Please take appropriate caution and use due diligence. 
…

AVIATION SAFETY - FERRY COUNTY (WA): Do Not Fly Drones In Wildfire Areas
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Seeing a report that the safety of fire aviation and ground crews was in danger and yesterday when a civilian drone was flown over fire air space at the “Williams Flats Fire.” This incident resulted in the grounding of fire aviation assets for a period of time. This incident endangered cruise and delayed firefighting actions for a period of time. Do not fly civilian drones in wildfire areas! 
…

Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander: Doug Johnson 
Special Announcements: August 6, 2019 - 9:00 P.M. - Today, an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) or drone entered the established Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) designation which surrounds the Williams Flats and Lundstrom Butte Fires. The incursion caused all firefighting related aircraft – helicopters, Fire Bosses and large retardant planes to suspend operations and return to the airport. The suspension of aerial firefighting operations continued until a verification could be made that the drone had left the area. During the suspension, no aerial support was provided to the firefighters on the ground, and the fire was allowed to burn unchecked. Any person(s) identified flying a drone or UAS in a TFR could be subject to a $20,000 fine. Remember, “IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T.”
...

WILDFIRE ACTIVITY - UNITED STATES: Increasing wildfire activity across the United States has raised the national preparedness level to a Level 3.

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Washington State Department of Agriculture: Celebrate Farmers Markets! 
2019 National Farmers Market Week, August 4-10, 2019
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This is a great opportunity to show how much value markets bring to our communities. With fun events, specials, contests, and activities, the week helps to boost market attendance and visibility. 

Washington State Farmers Market Association is on Facebook. 

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Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office: Comments due Aug. 12! 
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Help shape the future of the outdoors in Washington state. Share your input on proposed policy changes around the riparian protection and urban wildlife habitat categories of our Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program grants.⠀
⠀
Learn more at https://bit.ly/2JAq8j4. To comment, email policychanges@rco.wa.gov.

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Lewis County Solid Waste Utility: Free Wood Chips 

Here's where the free wood chips at the Central Transfer Station in Centralia come from! Wood debris that customers bring in get ground up, so people can use it in their landscaping and compost projects. 
Call 360-740-1451 to schedule a time for one of our workers to load your pickup or trailer, or you can stop by between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to load your own containers.

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Toledo Youth Soccer posted: Free Coaching Clinic 
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Coach Noel Vazquez is our Club Keeper coach, Club U16 & U18 Girls coach, Clubs Assistant Coach of our Women's First team, and the Toledo HS Girls Varsity head coach.

***

Public Service Announcement: My Son Drowned 3 Days Ago - Maribeth Leeson 

July 23, 2019 - My son drowned 3 days ago. His limp, gray, lifeless body was pulled from the pool and it was every mother's worst nightmare. He was dead. I heard screaming, and after a minute realized the screaming was coming from me. I watched in slow motion as people rushed to him, as he was laid on the concrete, as CPR was started.

A million thoughts were flying through my head as I stumbled around, not knowing what I was doing, screaming. I saw my dead baby on the ground. I thought about his twin brother and how could his life go on without his twin. I saw my 10-year-old son, hysterically sobbing, in his bright blue swim trunks, his beautiful tan skin glistening with pool water still. His life ruined because he just watched his brother die, drowned in the same pool where he was playing. I saw my sassy little 3-year-old daughter, in her pink unicorn and rainbow suit, just watching me, confused. And how was I going to tell my husband that I let our perfect 5-year-old son drown?? It was exactly like I've read other people say in emergency situations: I thought this must be a dream, one of those dreams that you wake up sweating from, short of breath, because it was so real. Wake up! Wake up! But no, I was already awake. Then the screaming was worse. This is happening. My funny, silly, sweet, handsome, artistic, thoughtful little blondie was dead.

I finally was able to force myself to stop screaming, I ran over to where CPR continued on my precious baby. I have no idea how long it was. 10 seconds? 3 minutes? I don't know. But I ran to him and watched and cried and talked to him as my friend tirelessly and relentlessly continued CPR. He looked awful and perfect still at the same time. I watched as water and vomit poured out of his mouth, eyes swollen and rubbery looking. Then a miracle happened! I don't remember what it was first, but he showed some sign of life because several people at the same time exclaimed "there he is!" and encouraged me to keep talking to him. My friend kept working, I kept talking. He started to try to open his eyes and another round of exclamation occured. My friend said she could feel a pulse, they decided to move him off the concrete to the pool house. A million thoughts continued racing through my mind. I was sure even if he was saved, it was too late. I was sure machines were going to be doing his living for him. I was sure it had taken too long.

Everything that happened next seemed like an eternity. The ambulance took forever to get there. They tried to get an IV on the scene but couldn't. The ride to the hospital was painfully long. But my baby started coming around! He jerked his arm back with the IV needle stick! He cried! He was coughing! Somehow, my baby was still with me!

We have now been in ICU at Peyton Manning for the last 3 days. He is sitting beside me in bed right now playing with a stuffed puppy a friend brought to him and watching Captain Underpants for the 70th time. He's off all oxygen. He will very likely come home with me today. Home with me 3 days after drowning, home to live happily with his family instead of us burying him today.

The reason I'm sharing? This happened in a pool full of people. A pool full of ADULTS. I've read so many stories about kids slipping away from their parents and getting into a pool, to be found drowned shortly later. I've never considered the possibility that my child could drown right in front of people who were watching him bob up and down from the bottom of the pool to just below the surface, but didn't think he was struggling because he looked like he was PLAYING. When I found him myself, 2 feet from adults who were in the pool, my first thought was that it wasn't him, that it was someone else's kid who was seeing how long they could hold their breath. I can 100% understand why the adults who were RIGHT THERE didn't recognize that he was drowning because when I saw him, I too thought he was just a kid who was playing. What tipped me off was the kid I saw was wearing a shirt: Adam had gotten in the pool in his shirt. He doesn't know how to hold his breath. GET HIM OUT!!!! THAT'S ADAM!!!!

This was 100% preventable. The fault was MINE. He's a big 5-year-old. He has a very needy twin who makes it easy for me to forget that Adam is still 5 too and has needs that other 5-year-olds need. He's not self-sufficient even though sometimes I feel like he is because he's so capable. I didn't tell him to get in the pool without his Puddle-jumper on, but I was aware that he had. I simply told him to stay in the shallow end while I got his sister's swimsuit on, then I would be over. I thought it was fine for 5 minutes, as he could touch just fine in the shallow end, he wasn't alone because there were multiple adults IN the pool, and I'd be right next to the pool getting her suit on. Wrong. I have never ever been so wrong. He remembers what happened. He said he slipped off the edge. Based on where he was in the shallow end, and where we found him, he means the ledge from the shallow to the deep end. He said he kept going to the bottom then to the top and tried to yell "Mommy!" It kills me to hear that. It kills me to know that his last thoughts were that mommy didn't come for him. But God decided to give me another chance to do better. He gave my baby back to me. Now he knows I DID come for him.

Who knows what we'll face from here? Physically, it is beyond comprehension that he is suffering no consequences. He is asking to go back to my friend's to swim and says "this time, I'll wait for Mommy" before getting in the pool. But he yells for me every single time I'm out of his sight. He clearly has some anxiety that he didn't have before. I pray that some counseling and lots of reassurance will fix that.

I'm sharing this because I want to prevent this from happening to anyone else. Before going to any pool, first make sure your kids know not to get in until the adult who is responsible for them is ready to watch them. That sounds like common sense, but I was thinking because so many adults were present, he was fine, but those adults didn't know his swimming ability so they didn't question when he was under water. Second, KNOW THE SIGNS OF STRUGGLE! Adam didn't look like he was struggling! He wasn't splashing, thrashing, or screaming. He was simply underwater and couldn't get his head above water. Third, know CPR. I do know CPR. Could I have performed it in that moment? I like to believe I could have if I hadn't seen someone else taking charge. I like to think if I had been alone, my survival skills would have kicked in. Luckily, I don't know, because my amazing friend was busy saving him, but I do know that if I didn't know CPR, my helping him if we'd been alone wouldn't have even been a possiblity.

I said I wasn't going to share what happened. I feel so responsible (I am responsible!) because I let him get in without any sort of safety device on, and he was in before I personally was ready to watch him. But I decided to share because I see parents at pools doing these same things every single day! And I'm sharing to hopefully spread drowning awareness.

I'm also sharing to thank my friend for saving him, to thank her over and over and over. I am eternally grateful to her and will never ever be able to repay her. Ironically, I was there for her as her nurse when her son took his first breath after he was born, and now she was here for me as my son took his first breath after he died.

Please take water safety seriously. I never thought this would be me. It was me, but thanks to God and my dear friend Kristin, my son is still safely here. Learn from my mistakes so it's not you.

Adam Jeffrey Leeson, born 3/15/14
Adam Jeffrey Leeson, saved 7/20/19

I have no pictures of what he looked like when he drowned. Unfortunately I only have the image forever tattooed on my brain. I've shared a few images of him in the hospital and the most important one, the one with his guardian angel, Kristin Moon.

Please please please share this. I'm a nervous wreck to share what happened, sick to my stomach to hit "share" actually. But I feel this happened to save others. In my heart of hearts, I know other parents need to read this. 

*Special thanks to Maribeth Leeson for her courageous story.

***

Not Strictly Toledo: Lewis County Solid Waste Utility 
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Heads up for Wednesday! The Hazo Hut at the Central Transfer Station in Centralia will be undergoing repairs for the next six weeks. Customers will be redirected to the recycling area to drop off their unwanted household chemicals. 

Hazo Hut and the Swap Shack at the Central Transfer Station in Centralia are open today until 4 p.m. to accept your leftover or unwanted household hazardous waste and burned out fluorescent lights. The Swap Shack is the place you can pick up good re-usable paint or cleaning products. Both facilities are open every Wednesday and the first and third Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

***

Today: Toledo Community Library offers a quiet sanctuary amid the Back-To-School bustle. Enjoy a fresh-brewed cup of your favorite hot beverage and grab a comfortable chair, peruse the on-going Book (& DVD & game) Sale - now by donation - while appreciating WiFi access.  

ADULT PAGE TURNERS resumes 4th Wednesdays in September. 
Toledo Community Library open until 6 PM Wednesday, 5 PM Thursday & Saturday. 

And tell Charlie I sent you. 

***

Today: Toledo Lioness Week-Long Scholarship Fundraiser
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We will be at the Southbound rest area exit 54 fundraiser for scholarships from August 5th through August 9th. Thank you for your support.

***

Thursday: Around Town 
Toledo Thursday Market open 3 - 7 PM @ Toledo Boat Launch parking area 
Gallery 505 Opening Night - Exhibit: SPLASH

***

Future-Tripping: Feeds, Fundraisers, Fun & More 

***

TES PTO posted: 2019/2020 School Supply Lists!! 

***

Lewis County Water Alliance -  We are a citizens group in Randle, WA fighting to keep Crystal Geyser from bottling and exporting our water. Our goal is to protect our water and environment for our families, our farms, our fish, and our future. 

It is going to take some Big Change in order to keep Big Water corporations out of the Big Bottom and out of Washington State. 
Update: Lewis County Water Alliance has received so much support from other towns & regions seeking to halt commercial water interests that Washington Water Alliance has been created. 

*Special thanks to Deanna Busdieker, who condensed posts & threads into  a shared folder: Link here. 

Updated several times daily. The Other Toledo is committed to supporting our upriver neighbors in their challenge to preserve this precious natural resource. After all, we all live downstream. 

***

Joe Notch reminds everyone: Vessel Safety Checks 
You can request a free courtesy vessel exam by going to the Coast Guard Auxiliary website, the Coast Guard App or by calling our local vessel examiner, Bob Mccready at (360) 425-2468. More information at this Link: https://cgaux.org/vsc/ 
*PS They’ll come right to you for that courtesy vessel inspection. Joe Notch said so! 

***

Wendy Carolan: Lewis County Kinship Support Group 
There are many of us out here raising grandkids or other family members. 
Join us as we share support and resources.

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!!!NEW!!! 

Toledo Senior Center & Olequa-Winlock Senior Center: Annual Senior Picnic
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***

Thru August: Farmers Insurance: School Supply Drive 

Thru August: Cafe Aromaz: Back To School Drive for Toledo Students 

Thru August: Taco Tuesdays Cowlitz River Float in Toledo  
Go paddle down the Cowlitz River and after we exit the river in Toledo it’s Tacos and other great food at Chimi’s in Toledo, right at the boat ramp parking lot

More dates: August 13, August 20, August 27 

Plus: Kayak The Cowlitz 2019 Saturday Toledo Blue Creek to I-5 Rivers Edge RV 
August 31, 2019 

Hosted by Mike Hedges

***

August 5-9: Toledo Lioness Scholarship Fundraiser 
Monday, August 5th thru Friday, August 9th we will be at the south bound Toutle River Rest Area from 8am to 8pm offering treats, water and coffee for donations. All of our proceeds are used for our 2 scholarships. If you would like to help our club we are accepting cookies (without nuts/peanut butter), pretzels, popcorn and Graham crackers. All donations can be dropped off at Phillipps Insurance. 

August 9: Free Youth Coaching Clinic @ Fort Borst Park, Centralia 

August 9-11: Mt. St. Helens Bluegrass Festival @ Toledo HIgh School 
*Special pricing for Senior Citizens - contact General Cothren for details. 
**Special kids offer: instruments available for loan & lessons - contact General Cothren.  

August 10: Mt St Helens Institute Awesome Hike 

August 22: Our Closet Is Your Closet - Back To School Extravaganza

August 24: 4th Annual Sky And Star Party hosted by Mount St Helens Institute 

August 24-25: 55th Annual Gas Show & Threshing Bee hosted by Cowltiz Prairie Grange 

August 31: Mt St Helens Institute Awesome Hike 

August 31: Kayak The Cowlitz 2019 Saturday Toledo Blue Creek to I-5 Rivers Edge RV 

September 14: Down Home - A Toledo Shindig Benefitting Toledo Schoolchildren In Need 

September 14: Mt St Helens Institute Awesome Hike 

September 14, 2019: Fall Orchard & Nursery Tour @ Burnt Ridge Nursery, Onalaska 

September 20-22: Women of the Woods @ Camp Singing Wind 

September 21-29: ARTrails 2019 Studio Tour 

***

Toledo Builds a High School 
Information regarding the building of a new high school in Toledo, WA beginning in November, 2018. Regular updates. 
https://chris-rust.blogspot.com/     

***

Toledo Thursday Market 2019 TTM Vendor Application.
Toledo Thursday Market 2019 Application PDF link here. 
Tax-deductible GoFundMe page here. 

***

Check out Latest Earthquakes at USGS.   
Pacific Northwest Seismic Network has a new Tremor Map: https://tinyurl.com/y2pcbust 
Check out US Tsunami Warnings at NOAA/Weather. 
Air Quality Forecast at https://airquality.weather.gov  
Cliff Mass Weather & Climate Blog: https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/ 
Visualize wildfire smoke with NASAWorldview - https://go.nasa.gov/2T7olog   

Emergency Alerts: https://www.ready.gov/alerts (concise list with links) 

Lewis County Burn Restrictions in effect 06.17.2019. Check here for changes.  
Keep abreast of burn bans statewide: WA Burn Bans 

WDFW: Dangerous wildlife
To report poaching in progress and emergency dangerous wildlife complaints, dial 911.
For non-emergency poaching or violation reporting, or non-emergency dangerous wildlife complaints, call 877-933-9847, or submit an online report. You can also text your poaching/violation tip to 847411 (TIP411). 

Dangerous wildlife incident reports
Review wolf, cougar, and grizzly bear incidents in Washington state. 
Response to dangerous wildlife complaints
WDFW policy directs agency employees to respond appropriately to dangerous wildlife incidents.
Cougar Management Removal Permit Program
Cougar removals may be conducted if warranted by a human-cougar interactions or a livestock or pet depredation.
    
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    Arrived in The Other Toledo early 2011. 

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