News Stories for Thu., Oct. 5, 2017

Yesterday an agreement was signed to move forward with having AV Northwest Ventures partner with Kah-Nee-Ta to assume operations of the resort.  A more formal lease agreement is still ahead.  The agreement outlines AV Northwest Venture’s commitment to investing in improvements at Kah-Nee-Ta.  Michael Gaskin of AV Northwest explains, “We’re in the middle now of raising the capital from different sources – some of our own and some outside capital to implement a fairly exhaustive upgrade plan for the physical plant, as well as to put money into marketing. And, really just develop the whole idea and the concept of Kah-Nee-Ta, to try to bring it back to what it once was.” CEO of AV northwest, Tom Hansen, believes Kah-Nee-Ta is a unique property with a profitable future. “The Kah-Nee-Ta name is of great value. Everywhere we go, when we discuss this project, people know Kah-Nee-Ta. It’s amazing how many places I have been and they say, ‘I’ve been to Kah-Nee-Ta.’” So, Kah-Nee-ta has a great value in the name. We just want to focus in on the other attributes of the adventures and the wellness aspects of the property,” Hansen said. Moving forward the plan is to begin Kah-Nee-Ta improvements throughout 2018.  Next week’s Spilyay Tymoo will have an article about this new partnership.

Today is the second and final day of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Benefits Fair. This is an opportunity for all permanent fulltime employees to learn more about benefit options, meet vendors face to face, and listen to benefits presentations. This is also the start of the open enrollment period which means that all permanent fulltime employees who qualify for benefits effective Jan. 1st, 2018 can sign up for coverage if they missed their opportunity during the new hire season. If you already have coverage this is also your opportunity to make any changes or renew your flexible spending pledge for 2018. Employees should attend one of the hour-long presentations during the fair – they are at 9 &11am, and 1 & 3pm, and will cover HealthComp benefits, prescriptions, flexible spending accounts, supplemental insurance, 401K and Investments.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation is in the midst of plans to open a new education facility. In a Tuesday press release, BBT Architects of Bend announced that it would provide planning, design, and construction administration services to the Umatilla Tribes for a new building in Mission. The facility will house the tribes’ early learning and Head Start programs, Nixyaawii Community School and its adult education and tribal language programs. Nixyaawii Principal Ryan Heinrich told the East Oregonian that it’s not a done deal yet — the CTUIR Board of Trustees will vote on the facility’s construction in November.

An audit says a state-funded program that aims to help elderly low-income people and those with disabilities get care to stay in their homes has failed to fully protect them from potential harm. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the audit by the Secretary of State’s Office was released Tuesday. The report said the Oregon Department of Human Services should take immediate action to improve oversight to guarantee “the safety and well-being” of those using the program. The multi-million dollar program pays workers, often relatives, to provide home health care. The audit says nearly 15,500 people use the program yet the state department has failed to ensure they’re getting the help they need.