North Powder
LATEST NEWS
Smoke and ash from wildfires chokes Baker County, air quality worst in state
BAKER COUNTY – Smoke from wildfires, particularly the raging Durkee Fire, is severely impacting Baker City and Baker County, with the air quality level reaching an unhealthy 203 — the worst in Oregon. As the Durkee Fire continues to burn in the south part of the county, residents...
State officials report disturbing death toll amid heat wave: 'We are looking at the potential for breaking more records'
Studies show that our warming world increases the frequency and intensity of deadly heat waves. Heat waves have hit the Pacific Northwest this summer and are suspected of causing at least 16 deaths in Oregon alone, the Guardian reported. The actual number of heat-related deaths might be higher since experts say heat-related deaths are undercounted, as USA Today has noted.
Durkee Fire balloons to 182 square miles, Gov. Kotek invokes Conflagration
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for Durkee Fire in Baker County as officials say it has ballooned to 116,431 acres, or about 182 square miles, Sunday morning, with 0% containment.
Two comedians bring the laughs to Baker City
BAKER CITY — Brent Lowery is returning to Churchill School, but this time as a headliner with his stand-up comedy. “That venue is pretty awesome,” he said. Lowery opened for comedian Andrew Rivers in August 2023. Then he won the Seattle International Comedy Competition in November. He said...
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:
Check out the HUDL films of all 16 of Oregon's 2025 commitments
Oregon's 2025 class ranks fifth nationally with room for even more movement in the coming weeks and months. The class is headlined by five-star wide receiver Dakorien Moore and consists of 16 total verbal pledges. Of those 16 prospects, 13 rank within the Top 247 rankings. Simply put, this class is talented at the top and also very deep.
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.
Governor Kotek unveils $515M proposal to boost State School Fund
Governor Tina Kotek has unveiled a proposal to boost the current service level (CSL) for the State School Fund by an estimated $515 million above the original CSL calculation for the 2025-27 biennium. The State School Fund (SSF) is the primary source of state funding for K-12 public education. Current service level is the amount of money needed in the upcoming biennium to continue existing authorized programs. “Across the country,...
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...
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...
Irrigon Watermelon Festival ignites 40th year with fireworks
IRRIGON — The Irrigon Watermelon Festival will blast into its 40th year with a massive fireworks show on Saturday, July 27. Charlene Cooley said the committee approached the Morrow County Unified Recreation District two years ago to request funding. The district, she said, provided $30,000. “They sponsor our entertainment...
Heppner Ranger District is temporarily closed
PENDLETON – (News release from the Umatilla National Forest) Due to active wildfires on Heppner Ranger District, compounded by extremely unfavorable weather conditions, limited firefighting resources and concern for public safety, forest officials on the Umatilla National Forest are Temporarily closing the Heppner Ranger District. The objective of the...
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.