Olympia, WA - With the Labor Day holiday right around the corner, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has made it even easier for smart-phone users to “know before you go.” A new mobile application for iPhone and Android keeps real-time traffic conditions always at hand.

 “We know you can’t always be at your computer to check travel conditions, so we are bringing our most popular travel information to your phone,” said WSDOT’s Jeremy Bertrand. “We’re offering our most important information that allows travelers to make decisions about when and where to travel, before they go.  As always, we’re reminding motorists to check before they get behind the wheel - don’t text and drive.”

Aberdeen, WA - Dave Canterbury, co-star of the Discovery Channel’s survival series “Dual Survival,” will speak about “Surviving Disaster on the Twin Harbors” on September 8 at 7:00 p.m. at Grays Harbor College.  According to the Discovery Channel, Canterbury and co-star Cody Lundin shot the episode “Soaked” last spring somewhere “on the Olympic Peninsula.”  More information about Dual Survival and video from this episode can be found at the Discovery Channel’s website:  http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/dual-survival.

“This wild place is loaded with challenging survival situations.  This goes for the folks who live in town, too, because they’ll be camping real fast if disaster strikes.  I’m coming back to Grays Harbor to challenge myself and my students to survive in this rainforest,” Canterbury said while on the shoot last spring.  Like a survival scenario from Dual Survival, Canterbury will discuss techniques for surviving disasters such as “The Great Coastal Gale of 2007” that cut power and supplies to thousands of local residents.

Montesano, WA - September is National Preparedness Month. It is the perfect time to prepare or review your personal extreme weather and natural disaster plans for your family, pets, home and business. Do not hesitate to sign up for the Grays Harbor Notification System for a text message, a phone call and an e-mail in advance of any severe weather or natural disaster events expected to impact Grays Harbor County.    

   NOAA, the Washington State Emergency Management Division and Grays Harbor County Emergency Management are also promoting the Weather Radio Awareness Month Program. All Hazard Weather Radios are priced around $25 in many retail stores and are essential for all households and businesses. Impending severe weather, natural and manmade disaster events will be broadcast with important information on when the event will occur, what you should do to prepare and where you can receive more information.

For information on how to prepare for the fall and winter weather seasons, on how to sign up for the Grays Harbor Notification System or about any other Emergency Management issue , please visit our website at: http://www.co.grays-harbor.wa.us/info/DEM/Index.asp, e-mail us at ghcdem@co.grays-harbor.wa.us or call at (360) 249-3911.

Olympia, WA - New draft rules aimed at promoting patient safety by requiring nurses to show continuing competence and education are the subject of a public hearing to gather comments. The state nursing commission says the proposed requirements would enhance the nursing profession by helping nurses stay current on the knowledge and skills of their practice.

A hearing is scheduled for this discussion on September 10 in Tumwater.  The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission recognizes the public expects nurses to practice using safe and competent skill and current knowledge throughout their career.

Olympia, WA - The Olympic Peninsula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) met in Montesano last month to review FY2011 Title II project proposals and make recommendations for the expenditure of funds resulting from the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act.  All of the projects occur on, or to the benefit of, National Forest lands in Clallam, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, and Mason Counties.
 
Forest Supervisor Dale Hom recently signed a statement approving the RAC’s recommendations.