Cheers: To recovery. Clark County Superior Court’s Adult Drug Court is celebrating its 25th anniversary and nearly 800 graduates. The program consists of treatment sessions, skill-building classes, random drug testing and frequent court hearings, offering an alternative to incarceration. Graduates can have their drug-related court cases dismissed.
As one graduate said: “I had to learn how to ask for help, and I had to learn how to take accountability, and I had to learn to be patient and to love myself through every mistake and every bump in the road. My recovery didn’t happen overnight. It took a really long time, but I didn’t give up.” Clark County runs nine Therapeutic Specialty Courts with the mission of helping participants get reestablished in the community. The courts are a valuable use of public resources and balance accountability with opportunity for people facing drug charges.
Jeers: To a stench. Residents ranging from Chehalis to Portland reported a foul odor Tuesday night and into Wednesday. “In Ridgefield it smells like something between cabbage and a dirty garbage can,” one commenter wrote on social media. Another wrote, “It smells so bad in Salmon Creek area, I thought the septic tank blew on my house.” Some people reported nausea, headaches and burning lungs.
As of Thursday, officials had not identified a source, but they say it originated in Cowlitz County. We hope they can determine the cause and reassure residents that the air was not dangerous.
Cheers: To David and Patricia Nierenberg. The local philanthropists recently donated $10 million to the Healthcare Reimagined Campaign at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center Foundation. They have contributed $20 million to the campaign, which supports the expansion of the emergency department at the hospital. “As the son and brother to health care providers, this gift keeps alive our family tradition of supporting the health of our community,” David Nierenberg said.
The Nierenbergs have a long history of philanthropic endeavors. That includes the Patricia Nierenberg Child Care Center in the Vancouver Heights neighborhood and support for The Columbian’s Community Funded Journalism program. Their work and generosity have made a difference in the lives of countless Clark County residents.
Jeers: To a lack of food safety. Unpermitted food carts can pose a danger to customers, and Clark County Public Health has issued a warning about retailers outside the RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater. According to officials, the carts are transported in vans with out-of-state license plates, and vendors sell hot dogs as people leave the venue. Vendors have ignored guidance from Public Health’s Food Safety team.
The carts lack refrigeration, clean water and handwashing facilities, and officials say, “Storing foods at the appropriate temperatures — keeping cold foods cold and hot foods hot — is critical to prevent germs that cause foodborne illness from growing.”
Cheers: To free Blazers. Nearly all Portland Trail Blazers games next season will be available on free TV through Portland station KATU (Channel 2). This follows years of having cable outlets – which are not available to all fans – as the franchise’s broadcast home.
“We believe that being able to watch Blazers basketball creates lifelong fans, and that’s what we’re in the business of,” a team executive said. The move is overdue; with the team being uncompetitive in recent years and with games being difficult to access, interest in the Blazers has plummeted. The new TV deal is a win-win for the franchise and its fans.
