Sixes
LATEST NEWS
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. ...
Oregonians should be aware of power companies’ potential safety measures
The Public Safety Power Shutoff is a little-used method meant to keep electrical equipment from sparking a wildfire, but it’s one Oregonians should prepare for. Pacific Power spokesperson Simon Gutierrez said such shutoffs are rare, and the company has only implemented it once in Oregon, in 2022. Utilities have to weigh the risks of cutting power for vital services such as communication and fueling, with the possible risks to lives and structures from a wildfire.
Feds award $1.5 billion toward replacement Interstate 5 bridge
Federal transportation officials on Friday awarded $1.5 billion toward a replacement for the Interstate 5 bridge across the Columbia River. The grant, awarded from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s fund for major bridge projects, brings the total federal allocation to $2.1 billion, and could put the project within reach of its expected price tag — if bridge crossings are tolled to cover the remaining cost. Oregon and Washington have each pledged $1 billion in state funds.
Local high school student gains national recognition for his scooter skills
MEDFORD, Ore. – A local high school student is gaining national recognition for his scooter skills. Ashland High School senior-to-be Bodhi Sol has been riding his scooter for about 7 years. Last weekend he competed in the U.S. National Sport Scooter Competition in Utah. Sol placed first in the junior “Park division” and third in the “Street division”.
Peter Courtney, Oregon’s longest-serving state lawmaker, dies at 81
SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Peter Courtney, Oregon’s longest-serving lawmaker and a politician who was known for his bipartisanship and skills as a dealmaker, died Tuesday, officials said. He was 81. Courtney died of complications from cancer at his home in Salem, Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement.
Award-winning Oregon chef Naomi Pomeroy drowns in river accident
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Naomi Pomeroy, an award-winning chef who helped put Portland on the map as a culinary destination, has drowned in an inner tubing accident, authorities said. She was 49 years old. Pomeroy drowned Saturday evening in the Willamette River near Corvallis after the group she was tubing with got caught on an exposed snag in the water, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Pomeroy was pulled under the water and trapped by a paddle board leash attached to her, Captain Chris Duffitt said. The group had tied their inner tubes and paddle board together. Authorities said they safely recovered the other two people on the shore and transported them to a boat launch. The sheriff’s office said it is still working to recover Pomeroy’s body. It searched the area using sonar, underwater cameras and drones but was unable to find it due to heavy debris.
Oregon Lower Treasure Valley and Malheur County under an excessive heat watch from Thursday to Tuesday
On Tuesday at 1:02 p.m. the National Weather Service issued an excessive heat watch valid from Thursday 11 a.m. until Tuesday 11 p.m. for Oregon Lower Treasure Valley and Malheur County. The weather service describes, "Dangerously hot conditions with high temperatures up to 110 degrees possible at low elevations. Hottest...
Firefighters rescue 160-pound dog on Saddle Mountain trail in Oregon
A 160-pound Great Pyrenees was rescued from a trail at Saddle Mountain State Natural Area in Oregon on Thursday, July 12. The dog was hiking Saddle Mountain with human companions when he injured his paws on welded wire fencing that had been placed on the trail to improve traction and stability.
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...
30,000 children in low-income Oregon families missing out on extra food benefits
Thousands of low-income Oregon families are leaving food money on the table this summer. The Department of Human Services said Monday, July 15, that families with 320,000 children have received extra food assistance for the summer but families with another 30,000 children who qualify need to apply. The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children, or Summer EBT, provides a one-time payment of $120 per child to help low-income families...
Around the Northwest, hot, dry, windy weather fuels fires
Dry, hot and windy conditions have communities on alert for wildfire danger across the Pacific Northwest. Those conditions propelled fire growth over the weekend, and more of the same weather is expected this week. In eastern Oregon, two large fires are burning. The Falls Fire that started on Wednesday is...
Oregon's Coastal Ports: Pillars of our tourism ecosystem
On the Oregon Coast, ports are the heartbeat of our economy. The ocean is our greatest natural resource, supporting both the fishing and tourism industries. Ports serve as entry points to the water, centers of community activity, access points for locally caught seafood, and more. The seafood and tourism industries utilize these shared spaces to nourish communities and stimulate the local economy, while providing launch points for recreational activities that attract families year after year. The 2023 Oregon Coastal Ports: A Biennial Snapshot report, funded...
Oregon college launches remote program to address shortage of school psychologists in rural communities
Portland based higher education institution Lewis & Clark will launch a hybrid option within its school psychology program this fall aimed at training rural Oregonians to work as mental health professionals in their local schools. The private liberal arts college currently offers one of two graduate programs for school psychology...
17 deaths in Oregon now considered heat-related
At least one more person has died in Oregon’s July heat wave, bringing the number of suspected heat-related deaths to 17 across seven counties, public health officials said Monday. The latest reported death was that of an 81-year-old man who died in Sherwood on Saturday, according to Washington County’s...
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.