Aberdeen, WA - The Grays Harbor County Public Health and Social Services Department has announced four public clinics where people in the priority groups established by the Centers for Disease Control can receive their H1N1 (swine) flu vaccination free of charge.

The priority groups include people over the age of 25 who have chronic heart, lung, immune, or metabolic conditions (including diabetes), as well as pregnant women, people caring for babies under the age of 6 months, all people aged 6 months through 24 years, and healthcare workers.

“These clinics are made available for people who don’t have a regular health care provider or are unable to pay an administration fee,” said Joan Brewster, the Public Health Director. “We are also getting vaccine to over 30 local medical clinics, so people in these groups should be able to get vaccine from their provider.”

School children who missed the clinic at their school may also wish to get their vaccination at these community clinics.

SEATTLE - It may be the Copenhagen climate summit of the Pacific Northwest. Today (Friday), business leaders from Washington and Oregon have been invited by the White House, to let top government policymakers know exactly what they will need in order to jumpstart more clean energy and green jobs efforts in the region.



The "Clean Energy Economy Forum" is being held at McKinstry Industries in Seattle, a company known for green building design and development of energy efficiency technology. McKinstry CEO Dean Allen says other companies would be making similar strides - except they've been waiting for clear state and federal initiatives and guidelines.

Shelton, WA - Mason County Sheriff’s Deputies located Loretta A. Purcell, 37, Shelton, Wednesday after an extensive six square mile search.  Purcell was contacted at about 11:00 AM today by Deputies after investigation disclosed she had walked out of the area and obtained a ride back into the Shelton area.  She told deputies she had been mushroom picking and became separated from her partner.  She was able to walk out of the wooded area and obtain a ride back to Shelton.

The 37 year old Shelton woman was reported on Sunday night at about 8:30 PM.  According to Investigators, Loretta A. Purcell was last seen Sunday afternoon in a wooded area off of the Lynch Road when she and her male companion became separated while mushroom picking.

The search operation began early yesterday and continued in to today.  The search involved over 30 searchers.  Included in the search operation are at least four dog teams, mobile searchers and ground searchers.

OLYMPIA ¾ When winter weather rolls around, people like to spend time indoors with family and friends. Frequently, that means enjoying a fire in the home fireplace — but the smoke from that fire may be a health hazard for some people.

Winter is also the home heating season. Often, November through January bring winter weather patterns that cause stagnant air. At these times, air pollution — especially from wood stoves and fireplaces — is trapped near the ground, where it collects. Smoke contains fine particles and gases that can be breathed deep into the lungs. Such pollutants can threaten the health of people with heart disease, asthma, and lung diseases, as well as children and older adults.

Breathing polluted air can cause short and long-term health problems. People with heart and lung diseases may have symptoms sooner than healthy adults. Older adults often have unrecognized heart or lung disease that puts them at risk. Children spend more time outdoors, where they can breathe air pollution. Children’s lungs are more easily damaged because they’re still developing.