News Stories for Tue., Sep. 26, 2017

Smith Rock State Park will host its 15th annual Oregon Archaeology Celebration lecture series in October. The Friday evening presentations will all take place at the Smith Rock State Park Welcome Center in Terrebonne. The free talks are open to the public. The first presentation will be October 6th and will be about Two Columbia River Rock Art Locations. The final lecture will be on October 27th and feature Wilson Wewa, Northern Paiute historian and Warm Springs Tribal member who will present “Archaeological Preservation Issues Along the Owyhee River.” The OAC program was established in 1993 when Gov. Barbara Roberts made a proclamation that set aside one month each year to celebrate and promote Oregon’s archaeology, cultural heritage, and history.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has formally announced her run for re-election. She is casting herself as a counterweight to Trump. Brown made the announcement via a statement, social media and a YouTube video. Her campaign has raised at least $1.25 million in cash from more than 10,000 contributions since Jan. 1. State lawmaker Knute Buehler is running for the GOP nomination for governor. He has raised at least $1.13 million since announcing his candidacy on April 3.

The Western States Indian Regional Finals Rodeo comes to town this Saturday and Sunday.  Delford Johnson says the event typically happens in Klamath Falls but this year – is in Jefferson County. Winners at the Regional Finals get a spot in the National Finals in November in Las Vegas.

Several Columbia River Gorge parks that were closed because of a wildfire have reopened. The parks include Dabney State Recreation Area, Portland Women’s Forum State Scenic Viewpoint, Rooster Rock State Park and Starvation Creek State Park. The state Parks Department says 11 parks remain closed because of the human-caused blaze that began Labor Day weekend and is about 50 percent contained