Humboldt  County  News
Thursday, November 16, 2006

 

Humboldt County School District Drug Task Force holds first meeting

The first meeting of the Humboldt County School District Drug Task Force was short, sweet, and productive.  Nearly 40 community members representing a very wide variety of groups have been asked to be on the Task Force, and at the first meeting yesterday a good number were in attendance.  Representation on the task force includes School District personnel, representation from Lowry and McDermitt High Schools, Winnemucca Jr. High School, and French Ford middle school.  Humboldt County School District's attorney is on the task force as is the District's head nurse, and athletic director.  There is representation from local Law enforcement, Juvenile Probation, media, city and county elected officials, the JOIN program, Winnemucca Mental Health, Fort McDermitt's Drug Counselor, Nevada Division of Investigation, Frontier Community Coalition, the Ministerial Board, Humboldt County Education Association and HCSD Support Staff Organization, the Chamber of Commerce, parents, Humboldt County's District Attorney, and adult Parole and Probation. 

Several organization representatives gave the committee information on the drug situation with Humboldt County youth from their perspective yesterday.  Ed Sampson from Juvenile Probation said from Jan. 2005 to this November, 119 drug and alcohol referrals for teens came through his agency.  He reported that a Juvenile Drug Court program was started in March and he said the Juvenile department works with children removed from homes due to abuse and neglect, and that at least 6 out of 10 of those situations include drug or alcohol problems in the home.  And he said they're seeing drug and alcohol problems with youth increase.

Jackie Kearns, director of both the job training programs through JOIN and also the GED and Adult Diploma education programs said they regularly see young people in their programs who are trying to improve their lives with education and job training, but who are severely hampered by drug and alcohol problems. 

Charlotte Roderique, Fort McDermitt Substance Abuse Counselor said that the Native American young people in McDermitt show a high incidence of drug and alcohol problems and that their screenings of those young people show the problem growing.  Roderique noted she has a long history working with the issue in McDermitt, saying of the young people she's currently working with, "These are kids who weren't even born when I started working with substance abuse in McDermitt."

School District Police Officer Jeff Dawson has has 40 cases involving alcohol and illegal drug use in teens in the last 18 months.

The Nevada Interscholastic Athletic Association dealt with 43 cases.  Winnemucca Police Department and Humboldt County Sheriff's Office reported 175 cases. 

School District Youth Risk Behavior Prevention Coordinator, Heather Morgan repeated very briefly the statistics she shared with the School Board when she and Superintendent Del Jarman talked with the Board about forming a task force, noting that according to what Humboldt County School District youth self-reported, in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Humboldt County's alcohol, and drug use is trending downward, but is still significantly higher than the state as a whole.

Superintendent Jarman outlined the goals for the Drug Awareness and Prevention Task Force - the first of which is to determine the severity of a drug and alcohol problem among the District's youth, and the second of which is to research and recommend a drug policy for the school district.

A sub-committee was immediately formed to gather information regarding the scope of the alcohol and drug program in Humboldt County youth.  The whole committee gave the sub-committee the authority to gather that information "by whatever means it deems necessary, as long as those means are legal and sensitive to the community's moral and ethical standards."  The committee may interview individuals who have been charged with the possession, use or sale of illegal drugs, and will include interviews and discussion (with parent permission) with school-aged children who have been identified as drug-users.  Information gathered by the committee will not be used for any law enforcement activity, only to help the District determine the best way to proceed.

The sub-committee will present its findings to the entire committee, then, if it is determined that the drug and alcohol problems are significant enough to warrant a District Drug Policy, seven other sub-committees will be formed, each tasked with researching at least one drug policy in another district and seeing what can be taken from it for use here - and what they might not want to include.  The reports from those sub-committees will be used to formulate a policy for recommendation to the School Board. 

Superintendent Jarman said, "Many school districts are instituting drug policies; it's not as if Humboldt County School District is doing something that's never been done before - it's being done all over the country."

Give a Gift to Your Community
This Holiday Season and Throughout the Year

The Winnemucca Ministerial Association and Food Bank would like to invite anyone with some time to spare Monday November 20 to help pack Thanksgiving food baskets. Volunteers may also help distribute the baskets on Tuesday, November 21.

Executive Director Deana Vaughn said, "There are no requirements for volunteers. They just have to show up and we’ll put them to work." She added that the group will meet at the Fairgrounds at 9 a.m. on Monday to begin assembling the baskets.

Those who do not have time to help pack or distribute baskets are encouraged to make donations to the food bank at any time.

Vaughn said, "If they don’t have time to go to the store, financial donations always come in handy." She explained that financial donations can always be used to fill in gaps. For example, if they are short on stuffing for the Christmas baskets, the donated funds can be used to purchase boxes of stuffing.

Of course, those who would prefer to shop are welcome to contribute holiday food items for the Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. Vaughn explained, "There’s a harvest poster at Raley’s and Albertson’s with a little list on it that people can take into the store." She added that shoppers who prefer to make their own list may bring in anything that’s served with a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, such as stuffing, chicken broth, cranberries, or even turkeys.

Vaughn said, " Raley’s always generously donates a certain number of turkeys, but anything we get, even if it winds up being extra, it goes to the food bank."

The food bank also gladly accepts foods to be distributed throughout the year. Filling foods such as pasta, beans, and rice are especially useful.

Vaughn added that those with special knowledge of dietary restrictions might wish to make a donation to help others who may live with the same health concerns. For example, if you are on a low salt diet, you might wish to add some extra low salt foods to your grocery list and drop them off at the food bank. Vaughn said, "We can say, ‘let us know about any special needs’ on the application, so if someone wants to make a special needs donation, that would be appreciated."

Vaughn reminded the public that the people served by the food bank are fellow residents of their own community. She said, "A huge number of our clients are the working poor. They do the jobs other people don’t want to do around here." Vaughn added, "Some of the people have huge medical bills. This year we have over a hundred applications for Thanksgiving baskets. I expect the number to double for Christmas."

If you know someone who might be in need of a basket at Christmas, they must submit their application by December 1. Vaughn explained, "We require proof of physical address, mailing address, and proof of income. They must also list whether or not they have an automobile and if it runs."

Vaughn stressed that anyone who needs help is welcome to apply, and that anyone who would like to help is welcome to donate or to volunteer. She said, "It is strictly non-denominational. You don’t even have to be a Christian to come here and get help, or to volunteer." She added, "The soup kitchen always needs help. Call here and we will put you in touch with them and we can always use help here at the food bank."

Donations to the local food bank are tax deductible. The staff can provide the proper form.

For more information, contact the Winnemucca Ministerial Association and Food Bank at 623-4447.

Humboldt Volunteer Hospice
second annual fundraising event tomorrow


Lynn Troike (left) and Monica Davis were on hand at the Boy Scout Craft Fair to sell admission
 and raffle tickets for Friday night's second annual fundraising event
 sponsored by Humboldt Volunteer Hospice (Courtesy Photo)

This Friday, a local non-profit organization is offering community residents an entertaining evening in exchange for a good cause. Humboldt Volunteer Hospice will host its second annual fundraising event beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, November 17, at the West Hall of the Winnemucca Convention Center. The evening will include a dessert extravaganza hosted by Raley’s, the chance to win some great prizes during a silent auction and entertainment courtesy of the Lifesaver Puppet Team and the Lowry High School Swing Choir.

Tickets are available at the door for $5 each; children under 6 may attend for free.

Humboldt Volunteer Hospice Coordinator Mary Orr said Friday’s fundraiser has a three-fold purpose. She said the group wishes to thank the many individuals who have helped the organization see success over the past year. "I have just been overwhelmed that when we have a special-needs patient, everyone comes to the table ready to go. People are just dedicated to this, and if I could stand up and scream it I would say that the people I work with are so beyond awesome."

Orr said she also wishes to recognize the many businesses and organizations which have reached out to provide support to the group. Friday evening offers several great cases in point. Orr said that she originally approached Raley’s to simply donate a few baked goods to the fundraising event. "And then I get a call from Chris [Betz] saying that Raley’s not only wanted to cater the evening but their people would be there to serve the desserts as well."

Other businesses have been equally generous. Computer Tamer donated a custom-designed computer for the evening’s raffle, while Sonoma Cycle donated a PW50 Yamaha Dirt Bike. Tickets for the raffle are $6 each or $10 for two; they will be available for sale the evening of the event.

"We just couldn’t pull off this kind of fundraising event without that kind of generosity," said Orr, noting that the evening’s silent auction includes at least 80 items—all donated by local businesses and organizations. "We are just very grateful to be operating in a community like Winnemucca where that kind of generosity is the norm and not the exception."

Orr said in addition to thanking the many people who have helped hospice this year, she hopes the evening also will help local residents become aware of hospice and the services it can provide.

Informational literature will be available during the event. Additionally, a "Memory Table" will include the names of every person the group has had the privilege of serving.

But the real focus behind the evening will be for families to have fun. Youngsters will enjoy a variety of games along with face-painting, and Orr promised that parents will be bowled over by the silent auction’s offerings. "This is a family event," she said. "We just want people to come out and have a great time while they support this important cause."

Anyone who needs more information on the second annual Humboldt Volunteer Hospice fundraising event set for 7 p.m. Friday, November 17, at the West Hall of the Winnemucca Convention Center, is invited to call (775) 625-4263 or (775) 625-4040.

'Poke & Peek' Thrift Shop closed before Thanksgiving;
 drawing coming soon

The Humboldt Hospital Auxiliary is gearing up for the holiday season in a big way.  The all-volunteer organization has announced that Christmas items are now available at the Poke & Peek Thrift Shop located at 3204 Bengochea Drive in Sage Heights. In addition, now through the end of the day Friday, December 1, shoppers may add their names to a drawing for a lovely Christmas tree decorated with a patriotic theme as well as a "Santa Bag" filled with new toys. That drawing will take place just prior to closing on Friday, December 1. The thrift shop will be closed on Wednesday, November 22, in order for Auxiliary members to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with their families. The Poke & Peek will reopen for business as usual on Friday and Saturday, November 24-25.

The Poke & Peek is the sole source of income for the Humboldt Hospital Auxiliary, an all-volunteer organization distinguished by members’ pink coats. The "pink ladies" and their gentlemen counterparts provide service in the various departments at Humboldt General Hospital as well as at the Poke & Peek where volunteers sort, mend, wash, price, display and sell clothing, toys, books and household items.  Income from the Poke & Peek is used to purchase equipment, furnishings, and other items needed by Humboldt General Hospital and the Humboldt County Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

The organization’s public relations chairman, Ruth Siegfried, said the Poke & Peek owes its success to local residents who generously donate to the thrift shop as well as do their shopping there. "We’d like to thank all of our loyal customers for their support with this effort over the years," she said. Siegfried said hosting occasional drawings for beautiful gift baskets and other prizes throughout the year is one way the organization likes to say thank you.

Bob Walker of Winnemucca was the winner of last year’s Christmas tree drawing. K.C. Robles of Battle Mountain was lucky enough to walk away with the beautiful Mother’s Day basket and Kyle Swensen of Winnemucca took home the Father’s Day basket.

The Poke & Peek Thrift Shop is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. Donations are gladly accepted during the store’s hours of operation. For more information, please call the Poke & Peek Thrift Shop during business hours at (775) 623-2076 or call Humboldt General Hospital at (775) 623-5222.

Obituary for Phyllis D. Gastelecutto

Phyllis D. Gastelecutto, age 70, died on November 4, 2006 at Renown Medical Center in Reno, Nevada.  A long-time resident of Golconda, Phyllis was born March 3, 1936 in Sugarville, Utah to Hans R. and Martha Gull Marshall.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Robert Marshall.  Phyllis is survived by her sisters, Bev Gregory, Audrey Paxton and Margie Marshall, brothers; John Marshall, Kurt Marshall, Lee Marshall and Dennis Paxton, daughters; Paula Wright, and son in law Mike, Tina Gastelecutto, Lisa Gastelecutto and Brenda Gastelecutto, Grandsons; Tucker and Randee Ugalde, Jeff Chambers, Matt and Zach Formby, great granddaughter Haylee Ugalde.

No services will be held per her request.

In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Golconda Fire District, c/o Golconda School House Renovation Project, P.O. Box 130, Valmy, Nevada 89438 or the Humboldt General Hospital Ambulance, 118 E. Haskell Street, Winnemucca, Nevada 89445. 

Albertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.