OLYMPIA – The application period is now open for a new Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) grant program to support small meat processing operations around the state.
https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=33708
Information about the WSDA Local Meat Processing Capacity Grants, including how to apply, can be found by visiting agr.wa.gov/grants.
The Washington State Legislature has provided $3.6 million for these grants. The purpose of the grant program is to increase access to livestock and poultry processing for small to midsize farmers and ranchers so they can better serve people in Washington State. The COVID-19 pandemic made it clear that there is a need for more meat processing services in Washington, to strengthen food supply chains and local food economies.
The WSDA Local Meat Processing Capacity Grants program will provide grants of up to $150,000 for small projects, and fund large projects between $150,000 and $750,000. To be eligible, small projects must be completed by June 30, 2022, while large projects must be completed by June 30, 2023.
The grants are meant to help small and midsize meat processors expand their capacity to serve small and midsize Washington farmers and ranchers selling meat and poultry products directly to consumers, stores, food hubs, restaurants, schools and other local buyers.
The deadline to apply for a small project grant is Feb. 28, while applicants for the large project grants have until March 7. WSDA will host a webinar on the application process at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 9. Please visit the link to the WSDA Local Meat Processing Capacity Grants – Info Session to register and receive a Zoom link to participate.
To be eligible for the grants, the business applying must be owned and operated in Washington, with 75 employees or fewer. Non-profit or government entities providing access to meat processing services or equipment for livestock producers are also eligible.
The grant funds can be used for equipment, facility improvements, planning, and workforce development costs. An application guide with more details on eligibility requirements and examples of the types of expenses covered is available.
For more information, visit agr.wa.gov/grants or email smallfarmbiz@agr.wa.gov. The grant program is part of WSDA’s Focus on Food Initiative, ensuring safe, nutritious food is effectively produced and distributed throughout our state.
In other state headline news:
House passes AG Ferguson, Rep. Simmons bill to ensure that 4 million Washingtonians get help with their hospital bills.
OLYMPIA — The Washington state House has passed Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s bill to increase access to affordable health care for millions of Washingtonians by a bipartisan 63-33 vote. The measure now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Commerce awards nearly $19 million in infrastructure funding to boost affordable housing development in seven counties.
Workers affected by November floods might qualify for retroactive Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
OLYMPIA – Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has been activated to help workers impacted by the floods in specific counties and tribal lands from Nov. 5 to Dec. 2, 2021. The federal declaration for the November storm events occurred on Jan. 5, 2022, and DUA benefits can be paid retroactively for weeks you were unemployed as a direct result of the disaster.
WDFW approves 5 days of razor clam digging during evening low tides beginning Feb. 14
OLYMPIA – More razor clam digs are planned on coastal beaches as shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today confirmed the next round of digging can proceed as planned from Feb. 14-18.
WDFW to use drone to assess conditions at two North Puget Sound Region wildlife areas.
WDFW staff will conduct drone surveys at the Spencer Island Unit of the Snoqualmie Wildlife Area near Everett and the Island Unit of the Skagit Wildlife Area near Conway.
Inslee statement condemns RNC position on Capitol Insurrection.
Gov. Jay Inslee released a statement today on the Republican National Committee's decision to censure two of its own members of Congress for investigating the violent Jan. 6 insurrection at our nation's Capitol.
https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/inslee-statement-condemns-rnc-position-capitol-insurrection
Boots on the ground: Environmental service in partnership with Washington Tribes.
Partnerships are key to our Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) mission to restore the environment while providing service opportunities to young adults and military veterans. Our many partners include state and federal agencies and non-profit organizations. We also have a longstanding record teaming up with Washington Tribes.
https://ecology.wa.gov/Blog/Posts/February-2022/Boots-on-the-ground-Environmental-service-in-partn
From our congressional delegation to DC:
Empire Builder’s Facelift Revealed Today
Cantwell: “Rail passengers will enjoy cleaner, more reliable service.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, released the following statement after Amtrak began service of its new ALC-42 locomotives on the westbound Empire Builder line from Chicago to Seattle.
https://www.cantwell.senate.gov/news/press-releases/empire-builders-facelift-revealed-today
Senators Cantwell, Murray Announce $138 Million for Washington State Transit Agencies
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray announce that $138 million in federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is now available for transit agencies in Washington state.
Kilmer Votes to Strengthen U.S. Postal Service
Washington, DC – On Tuesday, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) voted to support the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022, bipartisan legislation aimed at helping the U.S. Postal Service remain financially viable and ensuring it provides the high quality of service Americans expect and deserve. By saving billions in funding and increasing performance transparency the bipartisan legislation aims to continue reliable, on-time mail service to Washingtonians who rely on the Postal Service to receive paychecks, lifesaving prescriptions, tax returns and more. Rep. Kilmer spoke on the House floor in support of the legislation.
https://kilmer.house.gov/news/press-releases/kilmer-votes-to-strengthen-us-postal-service
Senator Murray Announces Bipartisan Effort to Strengthen Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Programs
(Washington, D.C.) – Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), announced she and Ranking Member, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) are working in a bipartisan way to reauthorize, improve, and expand federal mental health and substance use disorder programs.
Senator Murray Hails Opening of EU Markets for Washington Shellfish Industry
(Seattle, WA) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) celebrated an announcement by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) that the United States and European Union (EU) have concluded negotiations to allow for resumption of bilateral trade in bivalve molluscan shellfish.
WORLD NEWS HEADLINES:
Africa on track to control pandemic this year but vigilance is key: WHO.
Africa is on track to control the COVID-19 pandemic this year if current trends continue, but vigilance will remain key, the head of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) regional office said on Thursday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1111662
Battle against Da’esh, a ‘long-term game’, Voronkov tells Security Council
The global fight against the shadowy, ever-morphing threat posed by the ISIL terrorist group - known officially as Da’esh - and its affiliates, remains a “long-term game” for which there are “no quick fixes,” the UN counter-terrorism chief told the Security Council on Wednesday.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1111602
World Pulses Day empowers youth, for sustainable ‘agrifood’ systems.
The UN marks World Pulses Day on Thursday, this year celebrating how these nutritious beans, grains and seeds, crucial to so many cuisines worldwide, can empower youth to help achieve sustainable commercial farming (agrifood) systems.
https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1111642
Remarks in Response to China and Russia at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Secretary-General’s Report on the Threat Posed by ISIS.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield’s Interview with Bianna Golodryga on “CNN Newsroom”
NATIONAL HEADLINES:
PRICES WEEK FACT SHEET: The Biden-Harris Plan to Boost the Capacity of the Economy and Lower Costs for Working Families--WH
FDA Takes Steps Aimed at Fostering Development of Non-Addictive Alternatives to Opioids for Acute Pain Management
Federal Register Notice: CDC’s updated Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids is now open for public comment
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/s0210-prescribing-opioids.html
EPA Announces $23 Million in Pollution Prevention Grant Opportunities, including $14 Million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding
Grants include emphasis on projects that address environmental justice and climate change.
HUD APPROVES AGREEMENT WITH LAS VEGAS HOUSING PROVIDERS RESOLVING CLAIMS OF DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced today that it has approved a Conciliation Agreement with Las Vegas landlord, Anwar Malik, and Malik’s property manager, Ahmad Sharif-Yazdi, to resolve allegations of discrimination brought by a prospective tenant with a disability. The Agreement resolves allegations that Malik and the property manager discriminated against the prospective tenant by refusing to rent a property to her because she had an assistance animal. Read the Agreement.
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_22_023
HEADINES FROM OTHER SOURCES:
Freedom Protesters Defy Trudeau, Continue Blockade On Ambassador Bridge--Daily Wire
Fight Back Against the Woke Bullies Trying to Silence Conservatives.--PJ MEDIA
As US Goes Bankrupt, How Many Foreign Crises Can It Afford?
It will cost almost $1 trillion per year to service the U.S. debt by 2031.--American Spectator
https://spectator.org/as-us-goes-bankrupt-how-many-foreign-crises-can-it-afford/
Freedom of Speech Protects Joe Rogan's Free Speech--NEWS MAX
Republicans Introduce Brutal 'HUNTER' Act After Biden Moves for Taxpayer-Funded Crack Pipes--WJ
LOCAL MEETINGS:
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission work session for 2/14/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=1302
Clallam County regular board meeting for 2/15/22
https://clallam.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=7304
Clallam board of health meeting for 2/15/22
Clallam County Housing Authority meeting 2/16/22
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 2/15/22
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/11186/CC-Agenda-Packet-02152022-
City of Sequim Council meeting for 2/14/22
https://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2545
City of Forks Council meeting for 2/14/22
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Agenda-20220214.pdf
Clallam County PUD meeting for 2/14/22
https://clallampud.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/2-14-22-BOC-Packet.pdf
OMC BOARD MEETING FOR 2/16/22
https://www.olympicmedical.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/AGENDA-February-16-2022.pdf
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 2/14/22
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/55f6cb85-7707-4f93-b2bf-84cb259efe88
Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, Port Townsend City Council, Port of
Port Townsend, and Jefferson County Public Utility District #1
Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: 1 Corinthians 13: 6-7 (New International Version)
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Weekly Bible Study: Anything to Make a Point. by Jeffrey W. Hamilton
http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVarticles/AnythingToMakeAPoint.htm
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)
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The Chosen: About the life of Christ
https://studios.vidangel.com/the-chosen
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
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