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Dry lightning outbreak could spark Northwest wildfires during critical fire conditions
Rounds of thunderstorms moving across the Northwest may trigger a dry lightning outbreak across parts of Oregon, California and Nevada, which could quickly spark fires in those regions recently facing record-breaking temperatures and dry conditions.
Ashland-based author awarded Oregon Arts Commission grant for novel ‘Honey’
Award will assist the author with travel costs and his upcoming tour. Novelist Victor Lodato will receive a financial boost to continue touring and participating in author talks for his latest book, “Honey,” after being one of 29 artists to receive Career Opportunity Program grant awards from the Oregon Arts Commission.
Readers Respond to the Latest Contortions in Oregon Homelessness Policy
The clearing of homeless camps from Portland’s streets is often and crudely described as a game of Whac-A-Mole. But another frivolous analogy comes to mind after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled cities could enforce strict camping bans: Homelessness policy on the West Coast has been written with an Etch A Sketch, which the courts shake every few years, sending cities and states back to the drawing board. Oregon, which structured its camping laws around previous court rulings, now must decide whether to draw them again (“Breaking Camp,” WW, July 10). The law-and-order candidates running for Portland City Hall this November certainly want a do-over. Here’s what our readers had to say:
Oregon’s workforce is aging. Here are the industries with the oldest workers
Nearly 1 in 4 Oregon workers is over 55, nearing or beyond the typical retirement age. The share of older workers in the state’s labor force has more than doubled since 1990, according to a new report from the Oregon Employment Department. If there’s a big wave of retirements in the offing, that could limit future economic growth — especially in those industries with the highest share of older workers.
Oregon paid his companies $70 million. Personal tax, business debts are piling up
The head of an Oregon-based real estate enterprise that’s received more than $70 million in taxpayer funding to house or feed wildfire survivors, asylum seekers and others is one of the state’s largest tax delinquents. Sean Keys, founder of real estate investment company Fortify Holdings, is delinquent on...
Boaters reminded of duties after an incident
The Oregon State Marine Board wants to remind boaters that it’s state law to help and render aid in cases where another boat is swamped, capsizes or is involved in another incident with property damage or personal injury. It’s also about being a “good neighbor” on the water. Failure to fulfill the duties of the boat operator (ORS 830.475) could result in a Class A misdemeanor citation. In cases where the boat operator leaves the scene of a boat accident where there is personal injury...
‘An existential moment’ as Oregon’s public schools struggle with budget shortfalls
In a big, bright conference room in Medford’s Oakdale Middle School in May, residents, teachers and parents gathered to talk about the Medford School District's proposed 2024-25 school budget. Many were upset. “The one constant in my time at [Medford School District] has been a decrease in the services...
Volunteers sought for Selective Service boards, a key role if the draft returns in a national emergency
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — As global tensions rise and military recruitment faces challenges, the Oregon National Guard is playing a vital role in supporting the Selective Service System, ensuring the state remains prepared for potential national emergencies. The Selective Service System, an independent agency within the executive branch, is...
Kotek proposes changing State School Fund calculations: Eugene/Springfield districts react
Gov. Tina Kotek on Wednesday released a proposal to increase the State School Fund’s current service level estimate for the 2025-27 biennium by $515 million. The State School Fund provides the majority of funding for K-12 public schools. In 2023, the state budgeted $10.2 billion for Oregon schools. The current service level is the state’s...
Tri-City Kitty Rescue celebrates adoptions, addresses feral colonies
The Tri-City Kitty Rescue is holding adoption events this weekend and next, leaders tell us they've already had multiple adoptions at Sunday's event. Dan Smith, Board Member of Tri-City Kitty Rescue, tells us. "It's really exciting. We've had four adoptions today, I'm quite sure we'll have some more as time goes on. Anytime one of our kittens gets adopted and gets to go to its forever home, it makes us happy. So even if we just had one adoption today, we would have been happy to be here."
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