Landfill employee, acclaimed artist receive recognition
Updated
County worker receives state Lifesaving Award
TACOMA — A Grant County employee is among 15 workers from around the state who were honored Wednesday for their lifesaving efforts while on the job.
Raul Ramirez, a scale house attendant at the Ephrata solid-waste landfill, was recognized as a “workplace hero” during the opening ceremonies of the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference in Tacoma.
On April 14, Ramirez observed a man at the landfill who had collapsed from cardiac arrest, was unresponsive, and had no pulse. Ramirez directed another customer to call 911 while he began performing CPR chest compressions. His site foreman, Jacky Tuetken Jr., assisted by monitoring the fallen man’s condition while Ramirez continued the compressions for seven minutes until emergency medical responders arrived.
During that time, other landfill staff retrieved an automated external defibrillator, but it was not applied immediately because the man’s heartbeat briefly returned twice before stopping again. The first responders then used the AED to revive the man, who was transported to the hospital for further medical care.
After surviving the episode, the man was later able to connect with Ramirez and thank him for saving his life.
Raul Ramirez
Ramirez and Tuetken were initially honored by Grant County commissioners and public works director Andy Booth for their “dedication, professionalism, and excellence in responding to a person in need.”
The state Lifesaving Awards recognize “everyday workers, not professional first responders, who took extraordinary action to save someone’s life while on the job.” Recipients are selected by a committee of industry and labor representatives.
Wednesday’s ceremony was hosted by former KOMO-TV news anchor Eric Johnson at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, part of a two-day conference sponsored by the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Advisory Board and Washington Department of Labor and Industries.
GC commissioners honor Coulee City artist
EPHRATA — Grant County commissioners have honored Don Nutt of Coulee City for his acclaimed artwork and paintings which showcase the people and places of Eastern Washington.
Commissioners Kevin Burgess, Cindy Carter, and Rob Jones issued a proclamation declaring Tuesday, Sept. 22 as “Don Nutt Appreciation Day.”
“Mr. Nutt’s detailed and original work depicting the people, places, and scenic wonders of Grant County has touched countless lives,” stated the commissioners, calling his artistic contributions “many, unique, and far-reaching, displayed in countless public spaces and homes, and are timeless masterpieces …."
His work has also helped “promote Grant County as a beautiful and unique place to live, work, and play; his art work has helped make (the county) a place of pride for its residents,” they wrote.
In addition to operating his studio and gallery in Coulee City, Nutt serves as president of the Grant County Historical Society.
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Landfill employee, acclaimed artist receive recognition
County worker receives state Lifesaving Award
TACOMA — A Grant County employee is among 15 workers from around the state who were honored Wednesday for their lifesaving efforts while on the job.
Raul Ramirez, a scale house attendant at the Ephrata solid-waste landfill, was recognized as a “workplace hero” during the opening ceremonies of the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Conference in Tacoma.
On April 14, Ramirez observed a man at the landfill who had collapsed from cardiac arrest, was unresponsive, and had no pulse. Ramirez directed another customer to call 911 while he began performing CPR chest compressions. His site foreman, Jacky Tuetken Jr., assisted by monitoring the fallen man’s condition while Ramirez continued the compressions for seven minutes until emergency medical responders arrived.
During that time, other landfill staff retrieved an automated external defibrillator, but it was not applied immediately because the man’s heartbeat briefly returned twice before stopping again. The first responders then used the AED to revive the man, who was transported to the hospital for further medical care.
After surviving the episode, the man was later able to connect with Ramirez and thank him for saving his life.
Ramirez and Tuetken were initially honored by Grant County commissioners and public works director Andy Booth for their “dedication, professionalism, and excellence in responding to a person in need.”
The state Lifesaving Awards recognize “everyday workers, not professional first responders, who took extraordinary action to save someone’s life while on the job.” Recipients are selected by a committee of industry and labor representatives.
Wednesday’s ceremony was hosted by former KOMO-TV news anchor Eric Johnson at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center, part of a two-day conference sponsored by the Governor’s Industrial Safety and Health Advisory Board and Washington Department of Labor and Industries.
GC commissioners honor Coulee City artist
EPHRATA — Grant County commissioners have honored Don Nutt of Coulee City for his acclaimed artwork and paintings which showcase the people and places of Eastern Washington.
Commissioners Kevin Burgess, Cindy Carter, and Rob Jones issued a proclamation declaring Tuesday, Sept. 22 as “Don Nutt Appreciation Day.”
“Mr. Nutt’s detailed and original work depicting the people, places, and scenic wonders of Grant County has touched countless lives,” stated the commissioners, calling his artistic contributions “many, unique, and far-reaching, displayed in countless public spaces and homes, and are timeless masterpieces …."
His work has also helped “promote Grant County as a beautiful and unique place to live, work, and play; his art work has helped make (the county) a place of pride for its residents,” they wrote.
In addition to operating his studio and gallery in Coulee City, Nutt serves as president of the Grant County Historical Society.