MORE THAN $16 MILLION AWARDED TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM INFRASTRUCTURE.

 

Link Source: https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=35773

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has awarded more than $16 million in grants to help small farms and food businesses recover from ongoing economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislators designed the Local Food System Infrastructure Grants to improve the strength and resiliency Washington’s food systems.

Applicants offered proposals in record-breaking numbers, with requests totaling over $148 million dollars– more than nine times the available funding.  

“The remarkable level of interest in these grants demonstrates the clear need for investment in local food system infrastructure in Washington,” Laura Raymond, manager of the WSDA Regional Markets Program, said. “Each application represented an opportunity to build capacity and resilience into our food system; we really wish we could fund many more of these worthwhile activities.”

Applications were accepted from farmers, ranchers, food processors, food distributors, and other small businesses and organizations that aggregate, process, manufacture, transport, store, or sell foods that have been grown, caught, or raised in Washington state for Washington consumers.

Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $750,000. Award beneficiaries can use grant funds for costs to improve local food system post-harvest infrastructure and market access such as equipment, facility improvements, supply chain and market access coordination, food safety improvements, workforce development, and related operating costs.

The Washington State Legislature provided funds from the federal American Recovery Plan Act to improve local food system infrastructure, supply chains, and market access for farms, food processors, and food distributors. The legislature prioritized support for small business, including those owned by women and minorities.

“The COVID-19 pandemic affected small farms and food businesses,” Derek Sandison, Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture, said. “Recovery and support of small businesses engaged in the local food supply system is essential to enhancing resiliency and assuring that adequate food supplies are available to protect public health.”

For future grant opportunities, visit agr.wa.gov/grants. This grant program is part of WSDA’s Focus on Food Initiative, ensuring safe, nutritious food is effectively produced and distributed throughout Washington.

IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES

RULES FOR E-VEHICLE CHARGING PROPOSED, PUBLIC HEARING OCT. 11

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) last week filed the proposed rule aimed to regulate publicly available charging stations for electric vehicles. This action follows the passage of 2SSB 5192 in the 2021 legislative session. Officials scheduled the public hearing on the rule for Oct. 11, 10 a.m. Stakeholders, including owners and users (EV drivers) of charging stations, are encouraged to comment on the proposed rule.

Editorial note: * The insanity continues!

Ecology to improve hazardous waste planning fee rule.

Public invited to comment on proposed changes beginning in 2023

OLYMPIA – 

Washington state’s Department of Ecology wants to make its hazardous waste planning fee more equitable by clarifying how it will be calculated. The environmental agency is proposing a change to section 220 of Chapter 173-305 WAC that would increase transparency and prevent an inequitable financial impact to businesses that report a waste stream designated as both dangerous waste and extremely hazardous waste.

Sept. 28 webinar focuses on Skookumchuck Dam assessment.

About the webinar

Our Office of Chehalis Basin (OCB) will hold a virtual webinar at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, to share information and take questions about the Skookumchuck Dam in Thurston County. The webinar will focus on OCB’s ongoing evaluation of the dam, as well as options to reduce downstream flooding, improve fish passage, or both. This evaluation supports the Chehalis Basin Strategy to reduce damages from major floods, and restore and enhance aquatic habitat in the Chehalis River Basin.

Preventing litter is “Simple As That,” says new campaign in Washington.

Statewide effort encourages people to use a litter bag and talk to their family and friends about littering.

August 2022 Monthly Employment Report.

Payroll employment surges back in August

OLYMPIA – Washington’s economy gained an estimated 16,100 jobs (seasonally adjusted) in August. Job growth was highest in the following industries: government, education & health services, professional & business services and retail trade.

The back-to-school season is a critical time for our blood supply

OLYMPIA – As summer ends and the school year begins, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and Northwest Blood Coalition urge eligible blood donors to schedule donations.

Researchers use drone to measure habitat variables related to salmon spawning in Upper Wenatchee River watershed.

Portions of lower Columbia River to reopen for salmon fishing.

OLYMPIA – The popular Buoy 10 fishery at the mouth of the Columbia River will reopen for hatchery coho salmon fishing beginning Sept. 15, while another section of the lower river will reopen for Chinook and hatchery coho on the same day, fishery managers from Washington and Oregon announced Tuesday.

NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO DC:

KILMER RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR EFFORTS TO PROTECT & STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY

Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) has been recognized with a perfect score on Common Cause’s 2022 Democracy Scorecard – a nonpartisan accounting of actions of all Members of Congress on a range of democracy-related legislation, including campaign finance reform, the protection and expansion of voting rights, and putting an end to partisan gerrymandering.

KILMER PUSHES FOR FEDERAL FUNDING TO FIGHT INVASIVE SPECIES

Washington, DC – In August, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in urging the U.S. Department of the Interior to undertake a review of the efforts of the federal government to combat invasive species in the U.S., including the European Green Crab in Washington state. In a letter to the U.S. Secretary of the Interior, the lawmakers noted that the exponential growth of invasive pests, plants, animals, and pathogens in recent years poses a massive threat to the environment, infrastructure, outdoor recreation, and agriculture..

Statement From Senator Cantwell on Railroad Labor Agreement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released the following statement regarding the tentative agreement reached early this morning between freight railroads and unions:

“It's critical that we have a working freight system to move 95 million tons of goods in Washington annually, including grain and other products grown and manufactured in the state. I am glad that President Biden helped broker a deal between business and labor that will continue to invest in keeping and skilling a workforce for tomorrow with the right benefits,” said Senator Cantwell.

Cantwell’s Successful Advocacy for West Seattle Bridge Repair Project to Culminate in Grand Reopening Ceremony

SEATTLE, WA – This Sunday, the West Seattle Bridge will reopen after more than two years of closure for repairs. On Friday, Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) will join Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), leaders from the Seattle Department of Transportation, the Washington State Department of Transportation and other stakeholders at Terminal 18 at the Port of Seattle to celebrate the bridge’s opening – and the return of a crucial economic driver for the region’s commuters and freight haulers.

Following Push from Senator Murray, VA Announces Extension of Caregivers Program for Legacy Participants.

Senator Murray Applauds USDA’s $535 Million Investment in 15 Projects that will Boost Washington State Agricultural Sector.

WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:

Transforming Education Summit: Halt the crisis, or risk failing an entire generation.

Just a few hours before the start of the crucial Transforming Education Summit, UN Children’s Fund UNICEF on Friday, warned that globally, only a third of 10-year-olds are estimated to be able to read and understand a simple written story. This shocking statistic represents a 50 per cent decrease from pre-pandemic estimates.

South Sudan: Extended roadmap for lasting peace deal, a ‘way point, not an end point’ 

Since 2018, the Revitalized Agreement between the key players in South Sudan’s long-running civil war has provided a framework for peace, the Head of the UN mission there, UNMISS, told the Security Council on Friday – “despite continued outbreaks of intercommunal violence”. 

‘Violent civil unrest’ in Haiti hampers aid delivery.

An escalation in what the UN is calling “violent civil unrest” in Haiti, and the subsequent blockading of roads across the country, is making it “very challenging for humanitarian partners to provide assistance” according to the UN Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric.

INTERVIEW: New General Assembly President will seek every opportunity to build trust.

The incoming President of the UN General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, has said that the world is suffering mightily from a lack of trust, and while planning to do all he can to move the needle forward on a host of global challenges – from the climate crisis to the war in Ukraine and food shortages – he will also use his mandate leading the UN’s most representative body to help restore trust among nations and strengthen confidence in the international system.

‘Tsunami of hunger’ could trigger multiple famines, Security Council warned.

As risks of conflict-induced famine and widespread food insecurity continue to rise, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator urged the Security Council on Thursday to address the interlinked crises, and work towards establishing lasting peace in affected regions.

‘Don’t flood the world today; don’t drown it tomorrow’, UN chief implores leaders.

As hundreds of Heads of State and Government prepare to fly into New York for the General Debate of the new General Assembly, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on them to bring hope to a fractured world, and increase efforts to fight the climate crisis.

Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield during a UN Press Briefing Previewing the United States’ Participation and Priorities for UNGA77--USUN

Remarks by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at a UN Security Council Briefing on Hunger and Conflict--USUN

NATIONAL & BUSINESS NEWS HEADLINES:

Remarks by President Biden on the Cancer Moonshot Initiative---WH

Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi At a Joint Press Availability--US STATE DEPT.

U.S. Department of Education Announces 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools.

CDC opening applications for Monkeypox Vaccine Equity Pilot Program

Program developed to support innovative, non-traditional ways to address disparities in vaccination.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Delivers Remarks at the University of Texas Law School.

Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Antitrust Division Delivers Keynote at Fordham Competition Law Institute’s 49th Annual Conference on International Antitrust Law and Policy--DOJ

FDA and NIH Launch Public-Private Partnership for Rare Neurodegenerative Diseases.

HUD AWARDS MORE THAN $9 MILLION TO PROVIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today awarded 28 Tribal HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH) renewal awards, totaling more than $9 million, to provide rental assistance and supportive services to Native American Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

BUSINESS HEADLINES

New York Man Enters Guilty Plea to Laundering Monies Connected to Proceeds from Facilitating Fraudulent Robocalls.--DOJ

Treasury International Capital Data for July.

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Historic Investment in Partnerships for 70 Climate-Smart Commodities and Rural Projects

USDA to Triple Commitment with Initial $2.8 Billion Investment Piloting New Revenue Streams for America’s Climate-Smart Farmers, Ranchers and Forest Landowners, with Additional Projects to Come--USDA

IRS: Sept. 15 is the deadline for third quarter estimated tax payments.

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers who pay estimated taxes that the deadline to submit their third quarter payment is September 15, 2022.

US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR EXTENDS DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS FROM GRADUATING, RECENT LAW SCHOOL GRADUATES FOR FALL 2023 HONORS PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON.

What Should and Should Not Be Included in a National Privacy Bill

The American Data Privacy and Protection Act needs to provide certainty to businesses and consumers, not a confusing new patchwork.--US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

US DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO OSHA’S SEVERE VIOLATOR ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM TO STRENGTHEN ENFORCEMENT, IMPROVE COMPLIANCE.

FTC Report Shows Rise in Sophisticated Dark Patterns Designed to Trick and Trap Consumers

Tactics Include Disguised Ads, Difficult-to-Cancel Subscriptions, Buried Terms, and Tricks to Obtain Data.

IN FOCUS!

DOJ: Podiatrist Convicted of $1.8 Million Healthcare Fraud Scheme.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/podiatrist-convicted-18-million-healthcare-fraud-scheme

A federal jury convicted a Michigan man today for his role in devising and executing a $1.8 million scheme to defraud Medicare by billing for services under another doctor’s name after Medicare revoked his privileges to participate in the program.

The defendant, Dr. Kenneth Mitchell, 60, of Oakland County, Michigan, was also convicted for falsification of records designed to prevent detection of this fraud and aggravated identity theft for falsely corresponding with Medicare under the name of another physician.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Mitchell was revoked from participating in the Medicare program in January 2015. Shortly thereafter, he convinced his then-partner to enroll in Medicare and assist in opening a new clinic called Urban Health Care Group PLLC. Once the new business was set up, Mitchell continued to bill Medicare for services just as he had prior to his revocation, only now exclusively under the name of his partner. Upon law enforcement’s discovery of this scheme, Medicare suspended payments to Urban Health Care Group PLLC. Mitchell subsequently submitted false statements to Medicare regarding the fraud allegations (again, under his partner’s name) in an effort to undermine the government’s investigation and ensure the release of Medicare funds to the bank account he controlled.

Mitchell was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud; three counts of health care fraud; one count of falsification of records in a federal investigation; and one count of aggravated identity theft. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 26, 2023 and faces a maximum penalty of imprisonment of 20 years for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, 10 years for health care fraud, 20 years for falsification of records, and two years for aggravated identity theft (to be served consecutive to any other sentence). A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; Special Agent in Charge Mario Pinto and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Darren Bartnik of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG); and Special Agent in Charge Angie Salazar of the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) made the announcement.

The HHS-OIG and HSI investigated the case.

Trial Attorneys Kathleen Cooperstein and Shankar Ramamurthy of the Justice Department’s Fraud Section are prosecuting the case.

Any patients who believe they may have been treated by a doctor who billed improperly services should report this conduct to HHS-OIG at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.

LOCAL MEETINGS.

CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:

Clallam County Commission work session for 9/19/22

https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1333

Clallam County Commission board meeting for 9/20/22

https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7335

Peninsula Housing Authority meeting for 9/19/22

https://clallam.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=clallam_133f1e493184eb0743dc206031cda505.pdf&view=1

Clallam Board of health meeting for 9/20/22

https://clallam.granicus.com/DocumentViewer.php?file=clallam_1683204d636680126854ce8b2cdbed59.pdf&view=1

City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 9/20/22

https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/12037/CC-Agenda-Packet-09202022

OMC SPECIAL MEETING FOR 9/22/22

https://www.olympicmedical.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AGENDA-September-22-2022-Special-Meeting.pdf

 

 

PASD Board Meeting

When: Thu, September 22, 6pm – 8pm

Where: 905 W 9th St, Port Angeles, WA 98363, USA 

Description

Regular meetings are usually scheduled on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, beginning at 6:00 p.m. All meetings are open to the public. Call 360.565.3702 for information.

JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:

Jefferson County Commission meeting for 9/19/22

https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/0591124e-f99c-478b-aaf1-5cba18234591

City of Port Townsend meeting for 9/19/22

https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=1709

Weekly devotional

BIBLE VERSE: Ephesians 5:1 (New King James Version)

 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

 

Weekly Bible Study 

On Stoning Adulterers and Not Eating Shellfish.

Periodically — at least three or four times a year — someone feels compelled to demonstrate his or her lack of knowledge of the Bible by writing a letter to the editor of the local newspaper railing against Bible-believers who oppose homosexuality. --by Hugh Fulford

http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/OnStoningAdulterersAndNotEatingShellfish.html

  

Free bible studies (WBS)

https://www.worldbibleschool.org/

Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)

http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/

(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)

  1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362

 The Chosen: About the life of Christ

 https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen

 

The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley

Your donation is appreciated.

 This Week's Video:

 

 🔴 PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP RALLY LIVE IN YOUNGSTOWN, OH - 9/17/22

9,765 watching now  Started streaming 115 minutes ago  Watch full coverage on Rumble, this stream will end at 6:30 PM and the remainder of the broadcast, including President Trump, will be exclusively on Rumble, our App, or Website. https://rumble.com/v1iy869--president...

Saturday, September 17, 2022: Join the RSBN broadcast team LIVE from Youngstown, OH for all day coverage of President Donald J. Trump's Save America rally.

President Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America, will hold a rally in Youngstown, Ohio on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 7:00PM EDT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kL9xe12cNg

HEADLINES FROM OTHER SOURCES:

Time to hold Biden and Democrats accountable for defunding police

It's crime, stupid!--WT

Release Biden’s secret voter plan--WE

Another Polling Firm Moves Oregon Governor’s Race to ‘Toss-Up’--NR