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A secured five-year commitment to state’s western wildfire response is announced
Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Val Hoyle—along with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden and U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, and Lori Chavez-DeRemer—and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announce today the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), and Forest Protective Agencies (FPAs) reached a renewed five-year commitment to the Western Oregon Operating Plan (WOOP). The WOOP serves as the long-term agreement that governs fire response for the BLM, ODF, and FPAs all over western Oregon. As the previous...
Rep. Blumenauer honored for decades supporting end-of-life care
More honors are being showered upon a longtime Oregon elected during what has been a celebratory final year of public service. Congressman Earl Blumenauer, D-Oregon, was awarded for his “exceptional and vital contributions to the end-of-life care movement” during his nearly three decades in Congress. The award was presented Wednesday, July 10, by Compassion & Choices. “It is an honor to receive this award from a group which for decades...
Appeals court hears arguments in Oregon lawsuit on Department of Human Services protections for LGBTQ kids
A federal appeals panel heard arguments Tuesday, July 9, in a Malheur County woman’s lawsuit that challenges state adoption rules intended to protect LGBTQ children on the basis of religious and free speech rights. Jessica Bates, who lives in Vale, sued the state in U.S. District Court in Portland in April 2023 after the Oregon Department of Human Services blocked her from qualifying as an adoptive parent. The state requires adoptive parents to support LGBTQ children they adopt — something that goes against Bates’ Christian...
How do firefighters beat the heat?
EAGLE POINT, Ore. – Keeping firefighters safe and hydrated in this heat, on their long 12 hour shifts, is no easy task. For firefighters fighting the Salt Creek Fire, they are facing many challenges like steep terrain, fallen trees, and poison oak. On top of that, the temperatures were 111 degrees when the fire broke out and continue to remain hot.
Officials alerts patients of potential HIV, hepatitis exposure after physician misconduct
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Malpractices from a former Providence and Legacy anesthesiologist exposed 2,200 patients to possible infections including hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Providence's Communications Director Gary Walker says the patients are at low risk of exposure, but patients who were exposed will receive...
Grants Pass holds listening session for new regulations on public camping
GRANTS PASS, Ore.- The City of Grants Pass held a listening session on Wednesday to discuss new regulations related to resting in public spaces. Last month the Supreme Court ruled in Grants Pass’ favor regarding the city’s controversial homeless laws. The city is now deciding the way it wants to structure its new regulations regarding the time, place, and manner in which people can rest in public spaces, and the city council wants the public’s help in deciding that.
Thousands evacuate in face of emergency as monstrous fire surges out of control: 'It's going to be a challenge both day and night'
The Thompson Fire in northern California destroyed over a dozen homes and burned almost 4,000 acres before being recently contained. Firefighters fought the blaze since it erupted in early July and forced as many as 28,000 people to evacuate. What's happening?. More than 1,400 firefighters and personnel from across California...
Philomath connection continues at Oregon State Grange
The Philomath connection continues at the Oregon State Grange. Sonny Hays-Eberts, who is a member of Marys River Grange No. 685, was installed last month during the 151st annual Oregon State Grange Convention as the organization’s 31st president. Hays-Eberts succeeds Jay Sexton, another Philomath-area resident who has a long history with the local grange and in recent years has led Willamette Grange No. 52 southeast of town on Greenberry Road and Highway 99W.
100 human-caused wildfires since June; lightning in forecast for record dry forests
Since June, there have been 100 human-caused wildfires on national forests and grasslands in Oregon and Washington. While firefighters have been largely successful in putting out these preventable fires, the extremely hot and dry conditions are significantly ramping up fire danger across the region. “We’re entering a very dangerous time period in the Pacific Northwest wildfire season,” said Ed Hiatt, Pacific Northwest Assistant Fire Director for Operations. “Mother Nature turned on the oven for a week in local forests and now we’re preparing for the...
Oregon State Police team hazed trooper with homophobic mock trial. No one faced discipline
Oregon State Police initiated an investigation of a notorious episode of homophobic harassment by supervisors and members of its crowd control team only after prodding more than a decade later. The inquiry began after another trooper, who faced discipline after he made a separate homophobic remark in June 2019, asked...
Kerby's Historic Belt Building Transforms into Lifeline Cooling Center Amidst Oregon Heatwave
As temperatures soar to record-breaking highs in Kerby, Oregon, a cooling center established by the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) is providing a much-needed reprieve for the local community. According to a report from ODHS, the center, housed in the historic Belt Building along Highway 199, is offering shelter and relief from the oppressive heat that is expected to persist for several days.
Anti Abortionists Suing Grants Pass City for Violation of Freedom of Speech
GRANTS PASS, Ore. — An anti-abortion street preacher lawsuit against Grants Pass City that began in 2020 finally went to trial this week. The anti-abortion group, known as Abolish Abortion Oregon (AAO), is suing the city for violating their freedom of speech, and what they claim is ‘years of harassment.’
Update: Eastern Oregon fire threatens Brogan residents, U.S. Highway 26 remains closed
BOISE, Idaho — Multiple fire crews are battling two fires near U.S. Highway 26 in Eastern Oregon, which started Early Thursday morning. The fires are called the Cow Valley Fire and the Bonita Road Fire. Cow Valley Fire. At 8:45 p.m., the Vale District Dispatch Center told KTVB that...
Over 2,200 people without power in parts of Jackson County
JACKSON COUNTY, Ore. – Over 2,200 Jackson County residents and business owners are without power as of Wednesday morning. According to an outages map by Pacific Power, 2,263 customers in west Medford, Central Point, and Jacksonville have lost power. The outage was first reported just before 10:30 a.m. Crews...
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