News Stories for Mon., Nov. 20, 2017

The U.S. Forest Service says it expects to re-open the Multnomah Falls Lodge before the end of the year. Visitors will not be able to walk to the base or top of the waterfall located in the Columbia River Gorge. The lodge closed in September because of the Eagle Creek Fire. Rachel Pawlitz with the Forest Service told OPB that “The lodge is one of the most visited natural areas in Oregon” and they “wanted to get people back in there as soon as its safe to do so.” Pawlitz says personnel are continuing to clear out rocks loosened by the fire. The Forest Service is installing fences and barriers to keep debris from falling.

President Donald Trump nominated Interim U.S. Attorney Billy Williams on Friday to be Oregon’s top federal law enforcement official in the state. In announcing Williams’ nomination, along with other U.S. attorneys, the White House said: “These candidates share the president’s vision for ‘Making America Safe Again.’” Williams is required to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

PORTLAND, Oregon – Oregon’s population has topped 4.1 million people. Portland State University’s Population Research Center reports the population grew by nearly 65,000 people between July 1, 2016 and July 1, 2017. Eighty eight percent of the newcomers moved in from out of state. Crook County experienced the most dramatic growth rate at 2.4 percent with 524 new residents.

An estimated 647,000 Oregonians are expected to be traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday. The vast majority of those folks, nearly 86 percent, will reach their destination by automobile, according to AAA Oregon. They are predicting the busiest Thanksgiving travel week since 2005. Tuesday’s traffic will be heavy in the late afternoon, with Wednesday forecast to be the worst day on the road.