OHA Encourages Residents to Get Kids' Immunizations Updated by February 19th
With the February 19th deadline fast approaching for updating children's vaccinations, the Oregon Immunization Program at the Oregon Health Authority reminds parents and caregivers that their children may miss out on school or child care if their records on file show missing immunizations. Under state law, by the third Wednesday in February all children in public and private schools, preschools, Head Start and certified child care facilities must submit documentation showing they are up-to-date on required immunizations or have an exemption. This year, if a child's vaccination records do not show up-to-date immunizations by next Wednesday, the child's school or certified care center will send them home. Leading up to the school immunization deadline last year, local health departments in Oregon sent 24,306 letters to parents and caregivers informing them that they needed to submit records showing up-to-date immunizations for their children. This year, public health authorities mailed letters to families on or before February 5th. Parents and caregivers seeking immunizations for their children should contact their health care provider or local health department. No one can be turned away from a local health department because of their inability to pay for required vaccines. Many pharmacists also immunize children ages 7 and older.
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Demolition Now Underway at Southern Oregon University's Obsolete Cascade Complex
Southern Oregon University's Cascade Complex is being demolished over the next two months to make room for the anticipated development of a senior living center. SOU's Cascade Complex is an obsolete cluster of nine residence halls and a cafeteria on the southwest corner of campus that have been largely unused since 2013. Staton Companies, a Eugene-based contractor, was awarded a contract to demolish the Cascade Complex following a competitive bidding process. The demolition portion of the job started last month and is being done for just under $1.7 million. That and all other aspects of the project -- including abatement and disposal of asbestos and other hazardous materials, and preparation of the site for future use -- are being covered by a $3.5 million allocation from the 2021 Oregon Legislature to responsibly raze the facility. The facility's demolition will eliminate ongoing upkeep costs for the university, and also removes an estimated $12 million in "deferred maintenance" projects that would have been necessary to rehabilitate the complex's failing infrastructure. The current demolition work is expected to be completed by the end of March.
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Josephine County Search & Rescue Academy Seeks to Train Local Volunteers
The Josephine County Sheriff's Office is preparing to host its annual Search and Rescue (SAR) Academy later this month. The Search & Rescue Division will be holding its annual Academy to train new SAR volunteers from February 18th through March 15th at 250 Tech Way in the North Valley Industrial Park. The Academy covers Basic Survival Skills, First Aid/CPR, Land Navigation and more. Course completion qualifies attendees as Search and Rescue volunteers. Cost for the Academy is $55. Additional requirements include a background check, criminal history check and personal equipment purchase. The Academy runs Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-9 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.. The application deadline is Monday, February 17th. For registration and details, visit "bit.ly/4hjCVDU." For more information, e-mail "sar@josephinecounty.gov."
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