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12.11.2019 Wednesday Column

12/11/2019

0 Comments

 
In today’s column: 
  • Lewis County Water Alliance: No Opposition To Bottled Water Amendment  * 
  • National Weather Service: Wednesday Breezy, Mountain Snow  * 
  • FTC: FTC Obtains Record $191 Million Settlement from University of Phoenix * 
  • USDA: Ruiz Food Products, Inc. Recalls Frozen Sausage Breakfast Burritos *
  • FDA: J. M. Smucker Issues Recall of Special Kitty Wet Food *
  • WA State ATG: CENTURYLINK To Pay $6.1Mil To 650,000 WA Customers *
  • Not Strictly Toledo: Mt St Helens Club Hike * 
  • Today: Mighty Fine Seniors Mtg, Cowlitz Prairie Grange Mtg  * 
  • Thursday: Toledo Thursday Market, Library Hosts Art Class * 
  • Future-Tripping: Feeds, Fundraisers, Forms, Fun & More *
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Toledo School District: Pre-Bid Meeting Draws Local Firms
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Image credits Toledo School District
 
Great to see so many of our local firms turn out for today’s pre-bid meeting for the new high school. We had several general contractors represented as well as subcontractors. Strong interest in our project.

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Toledo Middle School: Band Concert Rescheduled
Band Concert has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 17th at 7 pm at TMS.

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Lewis County Water Alliance: No Opposition To Bottled Water Amendment 
It’s been 6 months since we learned that Crystal Geyser purchased 80 acres across the street. Here is the latest update on the situation:
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Photo taken 12/8/19 on final approach for Randle Kiona Airpark

12/10/19 - Lewis County Planning Commission public hearing on banning bottled water:

There was no opposition present. Thank you to everyone who attended, and to those of you who submitted your written comments. OUTSTANDING WORK!! The Planning Commission voted unanimously to transmit the proposed amendment to the Board of County Commissioners. Thank you to the Planning Commission for doing the right thing, and helping save our beautiful Big Bottom Valley!

NEXT STEPS: Now it is up to your elected officials to decide. A notice of public hearing in front of the BOCC will be published soon. This will occur at one of the 10am Monday BOCC meetings in the next few weeks (stay tuned for the date). The BOCC is expected to vote on the amendment at the conclusion of the hearing. If the vote passes, it will be adopted into the Lewis County Code, and bottled water plants will be prohibited in Lewis County.

*Note - Downriver dwellers owe a huge debt of gratitude to Randle, WA & Lewis County Water Alliance for all their hard work. Humbling & inspiring.

***

National Weather Service: Wednesday Breezy, Mountain Snow
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Caption: Breezy conditions Wednesday night as a frontal system moves through.  
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Caption: Mountain snow will bring hazardous travel conditions across the Cascade passes at times Wednesday through Friday as wet and unsettled weather impacts Western Washington.

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Seattle WA
217 PM PST Tue Dec 10 2019

WAZ569-111215-/O.NEW.KSEW.WS.A.0007.191211T2000Z-191213T1800Z/ 
Cascades of Pierce and Lewis Counties - including Paradise
217 PM PST Tue Dec 10 2019

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
FRIDAY MORNING ABOVE 4000 FEET...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Accumulations of 3 to 6 inches between 3500 and 4000 feet, 1 to 2 feet between 4000 and 4500 feet, and 2 to 4 feet above 4500 feet. Locally higher amounts possible in the highest terrain.

* WHERE...Cascade mountains and valleys of Pierce and Lewis Counties, including the Crystal Mountain Ski Area, Paradise on Mount Rainier, and White Pass.

* WHEN...From Wednesday afternoon through Friday morning.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult over the mountain passes. Backcountry conditions may become dangerous.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels will hover between 4500 to 5000 feet Wednesday afternoon through Thursday before lowering to 3000 to 3500 feet Thursday night and Friday morning.

***

FTC: FTC Obtains Record $191 Million Settlement from University of Phoenix to Resolve FTC Charges It Used Deceptive Advertising to Attract Prospective Students
Settlement provides a mix of cash and debt cancellation to students harmed by deceptive ads 
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Full post...
…

 Operators of Tech Support Scam Settle FTC Allegations they Tricked Consumers into Buying Computer Repair Services
Settlement includes permanent tech support ban

A Utah-based company and its owner are permanently banned from offering tech support products and services to consumers as part of a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission resolving allegations that their scheme tricked consumers into believing their computers were infected with viruses in order to sell them costly computer repair services.

In a complaint filed in February, the FTC alleged that Elite IT Partners, Inc., and its President and CEO, James Martinos, used Internet ads targeting consumers looking for help to recover their email passwords. Once they reached consumers, Elite IT’s telemarketers often claimed to be associated with well-known companies like Microsoft and Yahoo!, and pressured consumers to provide access to their computers. The telemarketers then ran bogus “diagnostic” tests, claimed consumers’ computers and personal information were in imminent danger, and pitched consumers costly and unnecessary repair services and antivirus software. 

More… 

***

FCC: FCC STREAMLINES ENROLLMENT PROCESS IN LIFELINE PROGRAM
New Interface Allows Carriers to Submit Consumer Information Directly to the National Eligibility Verifier

WASHINGTON, December 10, 2019 - The Federal Communications Commission today took an important step toward streamlining consumer enrollment into the Lifeline program by launching an electronic interface that participating carriers can use when verifying a potential subscriber’s eligibility for the program. The application programming interface, or API, connects carriers’ systems to the Lifeline program’s National Eligibility Verifier. The API will enable carriers to send applicant information directly to the National Verifier for an eligibility check, thereby reducing the paperwork required from potential subscribers.

Lifeline is an important program for closing the digital divide for low-income Americans,”
said FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. “By enabling carriers’ systems and the National Verifier to
interact through this interface, we’ll make it easier for eligible consumers to enroll in the
program. I’d like to thank the hardworking staff of the FCC and the Universal Service
Administrative Company, which administers Lifeline, for making this improvement to the
National Verifier. Because of their efforts, Lifeline will be a more efficient tool for connecting some of our most vulnerable citizens to broadband.”

The FCC’s Lifeline program plays an important role in ensuring that low-income Americans have access to affordable communication services by providing a monthly discount of up to $9.25 on broadband and voice services to qualifying consumers. However, the program has been plagued by fraudulent or wasteful practices, including the enrollment of ineligible subscribers. The FCC has been working to combat this waste, fraud, and abuse by rolling out an independent system, the National Eligibility Verifier, to confirm subscriber eligibility for the program in all fifty states and territories. As the FCC’s Inspector General has observed, the “[c]ontinued, expeditious implementation of the National Verifier in all jurisdictions is essential to ensure it effectively serves to safeguard the integrity of the Lifeline Program.”

In addition to enrolling through a participating carrier, consumers can continue to apply for the Lifeline program through the National Verifier’s online consumer portal, which is available at www.checklifeline.org,  or by using a paper application form.

***

USDA: News Release - Ruiz Food Products, Inc. Recalls Frozen Sausage Breakfast Burrito Products due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Class I Recall - Health Risk: High

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 2019 – Ruiz Food Products Inc., a Florence, S.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 55,013 pounds of frozen, not ready-to-eat (NRTE) breakfast burrito products containing eggs, sausage, and cheese that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

The frozen, NRTE breakfast burrito products were produced on October 15, 2019. The following products are subject to recall: 
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3.38-lb. Value Pack, containing 12 individually wrapped, 4.5-oz. “EL MONTEREY Signature BURRITO EGG, SAUSAGE & CHEESE” with a “Best if Used By” date of 01/15/2021 and a lot code of 19288.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST 45694” printed on the value pack bag and the individual wrappings, next to the lot code. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide. 

More...

***

FDA: The J. M. Smucker Company Issues Voluntary Recall of Specific Lots of Special Kitty® Wet, Canned Cat Food Due to Health Concerns

December 5, 2019 - Company Announcement
The J. M. Smucker Company today announced a voluntary recall of specific lots of Special Kitty® wet, canned cat food due to health concerns potentially associated with ingredients believed to not meet the Company’s quality and safety standards.

The specific product is Special Kitty® Mixed Grill Dinner Pate. In addition to being sold individually this product is also sold as part of variety packs.

These products are sold in grocery stores nationwide and online. 

More...

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WA State ATG: CENTURYLINK WILL PAY $6.1 MILLION OVER HIDDEN FEES AFFECTING 650,000 WASHINGTONIANS 

AG Ferguson launches “Honest Fees Initiative,” asks Washingtonians to help him uncover hidden fees

December 10, 2019 - OLYMPIA - Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today the first major action of his office’s Honest Fees Initiative. Global technology company CenturyLink will pay $6.1 million to the State of Washington according to a court order to resolve the Attorney General’s lawsuit regarding a range of unfair and deceptive conduct. CenturyLink added additional charges to customer bills without accurately disclosing those fees, impacting 650,000 Washingtonians. CenturyLink also failed to provide discounts that their sales agents had promised to about 16,000 Washingtonians.
...
CenturyLink sales agents would offer “closer discounts” ranging from $5 to $10 per month, with an average yearly discount of $55. However, between 2013 and 2016, about 16,000 Washingtonians never received the discount they were promised. As part of today’s resolution, CenturyLink has or will refund a total of $887,530 to those consumers directly. The refunds must be completed by March 31, 2020. 

More...

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WA State RCO: ISO Advisory Committee Volunteers

We're looking for 50 volunteers to join our 17 advisory committees that evaluate grants and help applicants design better projects. 
Want to make a difference? Learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/2qPZ0WH 

***

Toledotel: Customer Pick It Bowl Challenge
ToledoTel is excited to announce a Customer Pick It Bowl Challenge. To enter sign up with your email address at https://toledotel.pickitchallenge.com/.

Here's How it Works
Fill out your picks, once Bowl Challenge match ups are announced Sunday, December 8, 2019. Watch the NCAA football bowl games Friday, December 20, 2019 - Monday, January 13, 2020. See how your picks compare with others!
Come out in the top 3 of the leaderboard and win a great prize!

PRIZES
Grand Prize:Two tickets to Blake Shelton's Friends & Heroes 2020 concert at the Tacoma Dome on February 14
Runner up: $100 McMenamin's Gift Card
3rd Place: $50 Amazon Gift Card

December 19th is the last day to make your picks. Good Luck!
Sign up at: https://toledotel.pickitchallenge.com/ 

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Not Strictly Toledo: Mt St Helens Club Hike - Coweeman Dike (E)
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9 AM - 2 PM December 11

Drive 5 mi. r.t. Hike 3+ mi. r.t. on the dike. Leader: John 360-431-1122
* Mt. St. Helens Club requires all guests and members to call the hike leader to sign up and confirm carpool / meeting location(s). 
* Event details sometimes change due to weather or other factors. Event end times are estimates. 
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Participants in activities should:
• Check with leader before activity to confirm details and any changes
• Arrive a little early at rendezvous point
• Come prepared with the day hike essentials 
• Follow instructions of the leader
• Inform the leader of any medical issues which might surface
• Obey club and trail rules
• Try to leave the trail better than it was found

Hike Difficulty:
(E) – Easier — usually on relatively flat ground (up to 5 miles and/or less than 500 ft. e.g.) 
(M) – Moderate — longer and more elevation gain (over 5 miles and/or over 500 ft. e.g.) 
(S) – Strenuous — long hikes and/or elevation gain (over 8 miles and/or over 1,200 ft. e.g.)
(SS) – Snowshoe; (XC) – Cross Country Ski

***

Today: Yoga at St Marys - Dancing Moon Yoga has room for a few more yoga enthusiasts 10 - 11 AM on Mondays and Wednesdays at Tribal Housing, St Mary’s. These are gentle sessions aimed toward seniors/elders, donations accepted but not required as The Cowlitz Tribe is sponsoring the class for the community. What a great share!

***

Today: Toledo Senior Center Mighty Fine Seniors meet 1 PM monthly on second Wednesdays to tend to the business side of things. Get on board & map your future.
Some people watch things happen.
Some people make things happen.
And some people wonder what happened.
Which one will you be?

***

Tonight: Cowlitz Prairie Grange 6:30 p.m. meeting is a cake-and-ice-cream affair fourth Wednesdays, potluck second Wednesdays. Grange Hall at 5180 Jackson Highway. Contact Lewis Rohrig (360)864-2744 OR Tom Boone (360)266-7055

***

Thursday: Toledo Community Library hosts: Zendoodle

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Toledo High School SPORTS: 

Boys Basketball
Dec 12th vs. Toutle Lake 5:45/7:00
Dec 18th vs. Adna 5:45/7:00
Dec. 20 @ St. Martin vs. Hoquiam 12:30 bus @ 10:30
Dec. 21 @ St.Martins vs. Forks 12:30 bus @ 10:30
Dec 27th @ Castle Rock 5:45/7:00 bus @4:45
Dec 28th vs. Ilwaco 5:45/7:00
Jan 3 @ Rainier 5:45/7:00
Jan 4th vs. Concrete @ 3:15
Jan 4th vs. Darrington 6:30

Girls Basketball 
Dec 13th vs, Rainier 5:45/7:00
Dec 17th @ Mark Morris 5:45/7:00 bus @4:15
Dec 20th @ St.Martins vs. Graham-Kaposin 10:45am bus @ 9:15
Dec 21st vs. Seattle Lutheran 4:00/5:45
Dec 28th vs. Ilwaco 12:00/3:30
Dec 30th vs. Yakima Tribal 3:00/4:00
Jan 7th vs. Winlock 5:45/7:00

Wrestling
        
Dec 12th @ Napavine Mix & Match  4:00/5:30 bus @ 3:00
Dec 14th @ WF West JV Boys 7:00/9:00am bus 6:00am
Dec 21st @ Tumwater Boys Tournament 7:00/9:00am bus 5:30 am
Dec.27-28 Pac Coast Tournament(boys) @ Mt View HS,Vancouver 
bus 12/27 @7:15am
Jan 4th @ Castle Rock(boys) Tournament 8:00/10:00 bus @ 7:15 am

***

Future-Tripping: Feeds, Fundraisers, Fun & More 

***

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. 
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. 

***

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.

***

TES PTO invited: ISO Girl Scout Leaders 
Toledo is looking for Girl Scout leaders. One person doesn’t need to be in charge, multiple people can lead a troop and split responsibilities. Let myself (Tina Lyon) or Kelly Schey know if you are interested or have questions.

*** 

The Cat's Meow Spay, Neuter & Adoption Project: Drive For New Clinic 
We want to do more for the community!
Fixing 120 cats a month is not enough...we want to do 120 a week!
We NEED a spay/neuter facility in Lewis County.
If every person whose life we've touched would donate just $5 a month...or sign up with smile.Amazon and igive.com, we could have one up and running by this time next year!
Here's how: www.catsmeowsnap.org/join-us 

Thank you for helping us help kittens & cats of SW Washington and the people who care for and love them! 
Q: Is the Cat's Meow a 501(c)(3)? 
A: yes, since 2011! 

*** 

Visiting Hooves Miniature Therapy Horses & Bunnies: 
*GoFundMe: Therapy animal Nonprofit devastated by hardships 

*** 

Dancing Moon Yoga posted: Yoga Sessions Expanding In Toledo  
Hello, friends! I have a couple of offerings to share with you all:

WOMEN’S GROUP: I am currently facilitating a weekly women’s yoga session in Toledo. Our focus is on feminine embodiment through a sensual fusion of vinyasa and kundalini. Our Friday morning group is currently full, but we are going to be adding a second weekly session! The new group will meet on Tuesday evenings starting in December. Interested? You can sign up for the Tuesday evening session or be added to the waitlist for Friday mornings by sending me a DM. Please feel free to ask me any questions regarding these sessions! I have been pouring my heart and soul into them and I am beyond excited to expand this work and continue sharing it with the amazing women in our community.

GENTLE YOGA: Every Monday and Wednesday morning I offer very gentle yoga at the Cowlitz Tribal Housing facility (aka The Mission or St. Mary’s) out on Jackson Hwy from 10am - 11am. These classes are sponsored by the Cowlitz Tribe and are FREE to the community! The class content has been designed with elders in mind, as this is an elders housing facility. But community members of all ages and backgrounds are welcome! I have had students in this particular class ranging in age from 7 to 92. Please DM me with any questions.

***

Thru December 20: Fundraising for Foster Kids in Crisis @ Donna’s Place 

December 26 - January 12: Styrofoam + Christmas Tree Recycling @ LC Transfer

***

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 lifted 09.18.2019. 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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Send news and events to: toledo.columnist@gmail.com  
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