Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 112
THE DALLES, OR - The Fish and Wildlife Commission has adopted 2025 Big Game Hunting Regulations at their meeting in The Dalles. The Commission first heard staff testimony regarding the population status of Oregon's game mammals, most of which are stable to increasing. No major changes were proposed or made to 2025 big game regulations beyond season date changes reflecting calendar date shifts and minor changes to tag numbers. Beginning in 2025, it will be more convenient to...
SALEM, OR - House Republican Leader Jeff Helfrich (R-Hood River) and state Representatives Ed Diehl (R-Stayton) and E. Werner Reschke (R-Klamath Falls) are calling for legislative action to improve wildfire prevention and suppression efforts next session. Oregon has recently experienced severe wildfires, covering over 1.5 million acres - the largest area in the United States. "Lives, property, and livestock are lost when fires ravage our state. This is the direct consequence...
Washington, D.C. - Oregon's U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that $16,100,000 is coming to Baker and Union counties to support communities located near a proposed new transmission line in Eastern Oregon. The funds will support job training programs, as well as economic development projects for housing, business development, and improved regional infrastructure. "This critical funding will help ensure that Eastern Oregon's electricity needs are met for...
Oregon City, OR - On Sunday, Oregon will take a significant step in addressing its drug crisis with the launch of the Oregon Drug Intervention Program (ODIP) following the passage of House Bill 4002 earlier this year. This new law, championed by Rep. Annessa Hartman (D-Oregon City and Gladstone), represents a balanced approach to combating substance abuse by recriminalizing small drug possession while prioritizing treatment and recovery over incarceration. "I've spoken with...
The Wheeler County Court held its regular session meeting on August 21 at the Jeannie Birch Building in Fossil. The court approved the hiring of Brandy Hornbrook for the Victim of Crime Advocate (VOCA) position. The Victim of Crime Advocate supports victims through the criminal justice system. They assist victims of all age ranges, including victims of child abuse, stalking, elder abuse, sexual assault, domestic violence, and even homicide. Carol MacInnis has held that...
On Sunday, Oregon once again made hard drugs illegal with the enactment of House Bill 4002, a law designed to reform the controversial Measure 110 that decriminalized drug possession in 2021. This shift marks a significant policy reversal as the state seeks to address the spiraling overdose crisis, homelessness, and safety concerns that have plagued Oregon since Measure 110's implementation. HB 4002 gives law enforcement the authority to detain individuals using hard drugs,...
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for funding that will help rural businesses create and save jobs in their communities. USDA is making loans and grants available under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) programs for fiscal year 2025. Through the programs, USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they then provide to local businesses for projects to create and retain employment in rural areas....
Dr. Kathleen Wilder has become North Central Public Health District's (NCPHD) Public Health Officer, replacing Dr. Christopher Van Tilburg, who has served as the Health Officer of Hood River County Health Department (HRCHD) since 2018 and both HRCHD and NCPHD since May 2023. Van Tilburg remains in the Hood River County position, where he will continue regional work with Wilder and NCPHD. Wilder has been Deputy Health Officer at NCPHD since last summer and will take the lead...
As we work towards managing the valuable resource of water, the Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) may be working in your area and/or on your property. OWRD is the state agency that monitors and regulates legal water use. Under Oregon law, all water belongs to the public and in general landowners with water flowing past, through, or under their property do not automatically have the right to use that water without authorization from the Department. This authorization is...
"Harvesting 115 Years of Memories at the Sherman County Fair" was the theme for the 2024 Sherman County Fair, with Sherman County Educators as Grand Marshalls and Queen Addison Smith. Sherman County 4-H and FFA members entered a variety of competitions, with Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion winners listed below: 4-H RECORD BOOKS: Grand Champion Record Book: Emma Goodenough Reserve Grand Champion: Leah Goodenough PHOTOGRAPHY: Jacob Lanthorn FOOD PREPARATION: Grand...
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) authorized the lethal removal of one wolf from the Logan Valley Pack in Grant County on August 23, 2024. This decision comes after the pack was linked to four separate depredation incidents over the past four months, resulting in four injured cattle and two dead calves. In response to the depredations, local livestock producers implemented numerous non-lethal measures to mitigate the conflict. These included increased human pre...
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they are urging the Department of the Interior to support Governor Kotek's request for emergency authorizations to allow flexibility in grazing schedules and use alternative grazing areas in response to the current wildfire disaster in Oregon. "The grazing flexibility requested by Governor Kotek will be an incredibly important lifeline to our rural communities that have been devastated by these wildfire...
The next Wild Horse Casino trip is scheduled for September 17th. If you would like to join the "Fun Bus" please contact the Transportation Department at 541-970-4149. We are also starting a once-a-month trip to Wal-Mart in Hermiston, with the first trip scheduled for September 11th. Please contact the Transportation Department at 541-970-4149 if you are interested in shopping with us. The Gilliam County Transportation Department provides for the transportation needs of the...
LA GRANDE, OR - Eastern Oregon University named 591 students, including several local students, to the dean's list for the 2024 spring term. Qualifying students achieve and maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale while completing a minimum of 12 hours of graded coursework for the term. Local kids named to the dean's list are: Tyler Longacre of Arlington, studying Health Science and Chemistry-Biochemistry; Megan Aamodt of Condon, studying Health Science...
OSU Extension is coordinating with local response efforts to help farmers, ranchers and communities deal with the consequences of the wildfires currently affecting Oregon. Their role includes sharing information and resources, supporting producers to access disaster relief programs, coordinating hay/grain needs and donation pledges and N95 mask distribution. Current Ask: OSU Extension has a donor in Mulino who has pledged ~20 tons of grass blend hay (55#, 2 sting bales), and...
Tualatin, OR - Agricultural operations in Oregon have been significantly impacted by recent wildfires. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from these adverse weather events. Impacted producers should contact their local USDA Service Center to report losses and learn more about program options available to assist in their recovery from crop, land, infrastructure, and...
From superheroes to traveling around the world, OSU Sherman County Extension hosted local youth for two STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, math) day camps this summer. These camps were held using STEMfinity kits purchased in 2022 with grant funding from the Gorge STEM Hub and the Sherman County Cultural Coalitions. The "Science of Super Powers" camp was held July 15-19 for youth ages 6-9, with a focus on learning about super heroes and their powers, how those powers...
THE DALLES – A group of eight middle and high school educators from the Gorge region recently delved into the world of Advanced Manufacturing and Electro-Mechanics during the 3rd annual Educator Externship organized by the Columbia Gorge STEM Hub, a program of the Columbia Gorge Education Service District (CGESD). Educators from five local school districts, Hood River, North Wasco, South Wasco, Spray, and Condon, engaged in a 3-day, immersive learning experience. The p...
Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) is seeking interested candidates for openings on the MCEDD Board of Directors, particularly those involved with Agriculture, or the Food and Beverage Industry. MCEDD promotes the creation of family-wage jobs, the diversification of the economic base, and the growth, development and retention of business and industry. MCEDD was established in 1969 by Klickitat, Skamania, Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties to benefit from b...
Do you have comments about local healthcare and medical services? What do you think is working well, and what is lacking? Asher Community Health Center (ACHC) invites you to share your comments in the 2024 ACHC Community Healthcare Needs Survey. The submission deadline is August 15, 2024. The residents of Wheeler County (along with the communities of Condon, Monument and Kimberly) have begun receiving the survey in the mail, and the survey can also be taken online at:...
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT Rufus City Council Meeting Cancelled The August 15, 2024 Rufus City Council meeting has been cancelled. The agenda items including Land Use Action On a proposed RV Park have been rescheduled for the September 11, 2024 City Council Date. Please watch for a Public Notice for more information on the September Hearing....
CONDON – Planning for "Harvest the Memories!" is well underway. The County Fair will feature exhibits, animals, a Children's Fair, and fun activities in the arena for everyone. The fair will be held August 29th through August 31, 2024, Labor Day weekend, at the Gilliam County Fairgrounds in Condon, Oregon. Registration for the 2024 Gilliam County Fair is now open. Go to the Gilliam County website, click on "Government Directory" then "Fairgrounds." Scroll down to 2024 Fair R...
THE DALLES, OR - The popular Lower Deschutes River will remain open by permanent rule for steelhead fishing. More than 21,000 unmarked summer steelhead have passed Bonneville Dam since July 1. The run to date is the highest in nearly 10 years, though still well below the 20-year average as the upriver summer steelhead run has been at historically low levels for much of the last decade. The John Day, Umatilla, Grand Ronde and Imnaha Rivers are also on track to be open under...
Do you pressure can low acid foods like vegetables, meat, fish, poultry or wild game? Testing pressure canner dial gauges for accuracy annually or when they are dropped or bumped is recommended to help prevent under-processing of low acid foods that could cause serious illness. Weighted gauges do not need testing. OSU Extension Master Food Preservers will be available to test dial gauges on Saturday, August 10 at the Wheeler County Fair. The staffed display will be in the...
With the recent wildfires in Oregon, many livestock owners do not have enough feed to provide for their animals throughout this crisis. Oregon State University Extension is partnering with state and local emergency operations, county fairgrounds, and individuals across the state to solicit hay, livestock feed, and monetary donations. We are also helping to coordinate the transportation of donations to the affected areas in partnership with Oregon Cattleman Association. Hay...
