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Air quality alert affecting 3 Oregon counties early Wednesday morning
On Wednesday at 4:24 a.m. an air quality alert was issued valid until 4:30 a.m. for Grant, Morrow and Umatilla counties. "Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has cancelld the Air Quality Advisory due to improving conditions," according to the National Weather Service. Guidance for air quality alerts: Insights from the...
Thunderstorms elevate the fire threat as impending heat wave builds
Thunderstorms will affect parts of our area until around sunset thus increasing the threat of new fire starts. Thursday, any storms will be focused towards Southern parts of the Magic Valley. Any moisture leftover will form a few clouds over the Valley floors. Otherwise, it will be mostly hazy and hot by the afternoon.
US VA Secretary Speaks In Oregon On Preventing Veteran Suicide
PORTLAND, OR -- The U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary is in Oregon this week, for a national VA and Department of Defense Suicide Prevention Conference. Around 2400 mental health experts and veterans advocates are meeting through Thursday at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. This is the first time the biennial conference has come to Oregon. "This is the largest ever gathering of VA and Department of Defense mental health professionals to focus on this crisis of active duty and veteran suicide," says VA Secretary Denis McDonough. "
She Leads Oregon Announces 2024 Honorees: Celebrating Inspirational Women and Organizations
She Leads Oregon recognizing women and organizations for their outstanding contributions and positive impact on the community August 16 at The Reed Salem, OR. We are thrilled to honor these incredible leaders who inspire us all with their dedication and service, their efforts have made a lasting impact, and we look forward to celebrating their achievements.”
4 Oregon Cities Rank Among the Most Dangerous Cities in America
A new study says that some cities in Oregon are some of the most dangerous in the whole country. Based on FBI crime data, the study found that Ontario, Portland, Roseburg, and Coos Bay were some of the state’s most dangerous places to live. Ontario: The Most Dangerous City...
Marine Board holds advanced on-water jet boat training
The Oregon State Marine Board will conduct its week-long jet boat training on the Rogue River during the week of July 15 – July 19. This intensive course focuses on boat operation, marine law, swift water rescue, and boat trailering. Students who attend the Marine Board’s Whitewater Jet Boat Training bring a range of skills from the novice operator to advanced operator. “We’re aiming to have a minimal impact on other waterway users by operating in different stretches each day,” says Eddie Persichetti, Marine Law...
Federal officials allow Oregon to offer Medicaid services to those behind bars
Federal officials have approved Oregon’s request to offer free Medicaid services for addiction and some other services to people who are on the verge of being released from jail or prison, something that’s prohibited by federal law. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services said Oregon will offer the new program, along with Illinois, Kentucky, Utah and Vermont. They’re joining California, Massachusetts, Montana and Washington state which first piloted programs offering some Medicaid services to people about to be released. ...
Statement released managing invasive barred owls to protect at-risk spotted owls
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing its final environmental impact statement analyzing proposed barred owl management alternatives to protect northern and California spotted owls in Washington, Oregon and California from invasive barred owls. The Service’s preferred alternative is the implementation of a proposed Barred Owl Management Strategy, which would result in the annual removal of less than one-half of 1% of the current North American barred owl population. Northern spotted owl populations are rapidly declining due to competition with invasive barred owls and...
2024 Tribal Stewards participants get to work in eastern Oregon
Hands-on natural resources and restoration education program serving inter-tribal young adults. Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) and Lomakatsi Restoration Project have announced the launch of the 2024 Tribal Stewards program, which brings together a nine-member inter-tribal crew to work on ecological restoration projects in Oregon’s high desert. Serving members of the Burns Paiute Tribe, Klamath Tribes, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes of Duck Valley Indian Reservation, and Pit River Tribe, the Tribal Stewards program is providing valuable natural resource field experience to support the growing restoration workforce in eastern Oregon.
Oregon Department of Forestry hires two new specialists in battle with beetles
The battle against invasive beetles has gained two new champions. The Oregon Department of Forestry hired two support specialists to aid communities in responding to the infamous emerald ash borer, which are spreading across the state and pose a devastating threat to native ash trees. The hope is Matt Mills and Kat Bethea will help mitigate the threat the green beetles pose. ...
Readers Respond: “Phones are a distraction in the classroom”
Your Oregon News asked readers whether phones should be allowed at schools. Many readers said phones are distracting in schools; others said kids need them for safety in case of an emergency like a school shooting or anxiety attack. Some readers pointed to cell phones as factor in kids' mental health. Nearly 60% of respondents said cell phones should not be allowed in schools at all. About 31% said there should be limited cell phone use allowed. About 7% said phones should be allowed everywhere...
5 FIRE STARTS CONFIRMED IN THE DOUGLAS DISTRICT
5 fire starts have been confirmed in the Douglas District following late afternoon lightning storms on Tuesday. A release from the Douglas Forest Protective Association said the storms swept across the district at around 5:00 p.m. Public Information Officer Rachel Pope said strikes were recorded from Glendale to Elkton on the west side of the district and from Tiller to the north of Glide on the east side. Pope said DFPA immediately initiated aerial and ground lightning reconnaissance.
Supports available for migrant workers' families during peak harvest in OR
A program in the Columbia River Gorge helps migrant farmworkers' families during harvest season. The Resources Available for Migrant Access to Services group is led by the Oregon Child Development Coalition in Hood River and Wasco Counties. It provides support during a four-week period of peak harvest time, including food boxes to families.
Preorders open for new Oregon license plate design
OREGON – Oregon is set to get what might be its cutest license plate design yet … a Puffin Plate. The Oregon Coast Aquarium opened voucher sales for a new license plate that it says should “fit the bill.”. The Puffin Plate was designed by Cam Mullins...
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