KWSO News Sep. 21, 2018

The U.S. Justice Department on Thursday announced the award of more than $4.8 million in grants to six American Indian tribes in Oregon and one tribal commission. The money coming to Oregon tribal communities is part of $113 million in grant funding being awarded to tribes nationwide to improve public safety, serve crime victims, combat violence against women and support youth programs. Of the $113 million, more than $53 million comes from the federal Office of Justice Programs; more than $35 million from the Office on Violence Against Women; and nearly $25 million from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. The tribal communities in Oregon set to receive grant funding include the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians; Coquille Indian Tribe; Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians; Klamath Tribes; Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation; and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, which gets nearly $1.2 million, is receiving the largest award among Oregon’s grant recipients.

PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) — U.S. Rep. Greg Walden has agreed to a televised debate against his challenger, Jamie McLeod-Skinner. The East Oregonian reports the two could face off at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 on Bend television station KTVZ. But first they need to agree to terms. McLeod-Skinner, a democrat from Terrebonne, first challenged the 10-term Republican incumbent to a debate two months ago. McLeod-Skinner, in a letter Wednesday to Walden, took issue with the debate’s duration, format and sponsor. Instead of the debate being 30 minutes and in a closed TV studio, McLeod-Skinner seeks a 90-minute debate that is hosted by the City Club of Central Oregon and is open to the public. She also suggests two more debates in eastern and southern Oregon. Ballots will begin being mailed out to voters in mid-October. Election Day is Nov. 6.

Repair work will continue today on a broken water main in Warm Springs. The campus and the areas by the Community Center remain without water this morning.  Waters levels are already low from the water main break so everyone conserving water today is necessary.

Every three days, an Oregon veteran takes his or her life. According to the latest data from the VA, Oregon veterans commit suicide at a rate that is significantly higher than the state’s general suicide rate. In Oregon, veterans represent only 8 percent of the population, but account for 16 percent of the suicides. Veteran advocates need the community’s help to raise awareness of veteran suicide and the resources that exist. Oregon veterans need to know that regardless of the life circumstances, there is an entire community behind them who understands and has the best expert help and resources available to help them address the very real life issues they are experiencing. This Saturday, the Jefferson County Veteran Service Office is having a Suicide Prevention Expo from 9-3:00 at the Fairgrounds. It’s an opportunity for community members and service providers who support veterans and active duty service members to address the “why” of Military suicide here in Central Oregon and what we can all do to end suicide. It’s free to attend, but they are requesting a canned food donation for to benefit homeless veterans. They are also having a classic car show at that time, breakfast and lunch and other activities.