January 5, 2021
Their first baby is McMinnville s, too
Rusty Rae/ News-Register ##
Chasey and Scott Branton of McMinnville prepare to take Conner home from Willamette Valley Medical Center Sunday afternoon. The couple s first child was born at 9:03 a.m. New Year s Day.
Chasey and Scott Branton of McMinnville were expecting their first born to arrive several days into 2021. Her due date was not until Saturday, Jan. 9.
But it was decided labor would be induced last Wednesday; with the Willamette Valley Medical Center Birthing Center as busy as it was, the procedure was moved to Thursday.
So, Scott drove his wife to the hospital about 3:45 p.m. New Year’s Eve. At 9:03 a.m. Friday, they welcomed Connor into the world and their family, giving the hospital its first baby of 2021. The baby boy was born 20 1/2 inches and weighed 8 pounds and 9 ounces
Gov. Jay Inslee Wednesday extended the most recent restrictions for businesses by a week, as health officials report flattening COVID-19 cases statewide and in Cowlitz County.
The orders prohibiting indoor dining, fitness facilities, movie theaters, bowling alleys and museums, as well as limiting retail capacity to 25%, will remain through Jan. 11. Inslee said in a statement he will announce more details next week on a new plan for businesses and workers affected by the order to safely reopen. Inslee first issued the orders Nov. 15.
State Secretary of Health Umair Shah said the state has seen improvements in case numbers but is not out of the woods. The one-week extension gives people some information going into the new year and allows time for virus numbers to continue to come down, he said.