News Stories for Thu., Jul. 6, 2017

Fires continue to burn on old log landings around the old Warm Springs Mill Site.  Last night, winds increased smoke that reached Highway 26 prompting the placement of a “Smoke Ahead” sign to warn motorists.  The mill site burning is expected to continue for a while according to a message last week from Warm Springs Fire Management.

The Oregon Health Authority OHA announced yesterday that CareOregon will build a care coordination model for American Indian and Alaska Native members in the Oregon Health Plan fee-for-service program. It will do this in coordination with all nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon and the Native American Rehabilitation Association or NARA Northwest.  The news releases states that “In 2016 all nine Tribes asked OHA to coordinate with CareOregon to develop a culturally appropriate, statewide program of care coordination services for tribal members on OHP. This care coordination program would not only be specific to tribal member needs, but it would engage directly with each tribes’ own health care clinics and systems of care.” Care coordination is hands-on member engagement that helps OHP members with chronic or acute illnesses access health care services and navigate health care options. CareOregon will work with tribal health to help tribal members: Get timely appointments with a doctor, specialist, or other providers, Find a specialty provider, Get the equipment, supplies, or services they need through the Oregon Health Plan, Coordinate care among patients, doctors, other providers, community support agencies, tribal health center, and social service organizations and Connect users to other resources in their community.

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck in western Montana early this morning, waking people up more than 30 miles from its epicenter, and felt as far away as Spokane, Washington. A magnitude 4.5 quake rattled the same general area about a half-hour later.

The new Plateau Travel Plaza is coming along. The Spilyay Tymoo reports that underground fuel tanks have been installed, walls are going up  for the main building and steel frames are in place for the canopies over the gas and diesel pumps. Tribal Engineer Travis Wells says the work is on schedule. Completion is expected to be done by March 2018.

Warm Springs Nation Major &Junior Softball All-Star Teams will play in the State Little League Tournament staring this Saturday. Juniors play at 10am vs. Tillamook County at the Keizer Complex, Field K2, in Keizer. If they win, they will play at 2:00 Saturday.  Majors play the District 6 Champions at 5:30 Saturday at Lents Park at 88^th & SE Holgate Blvd. in Portland. If they win this game, they will play at 4pm on Sunday.