News Stories Tue., Nov. 14, 2017

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is partnering with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board in conducting an anonymous survey of Tribal Members this fall and winter. Called the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Systems, the survey will help the Tribe collect health-related information so services and programs can be adapted to meet needs, and be useful in grant writing efforts. Interviewers will attempt to contact all Tribal Members over age 18 to schedule a time for the survey, which takes about an hour to complete. Those who choose to participate will receive a $30 gift card.  Tribal Council Chairman Austin Greene has sent letters to members with details of the project.

Five Democratic candidates hoping to take the 2nd Congressional District seat of Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., in next year’s election spoke at a forum in Bend Monday evening. Michael Byrne of Parkdale, Jamie McLeod-Skinner from Terrebonne, Tim White is from Bend, Jim Crary, who ran in 2016 and Hood River resident Eric Burnette talked about their platforms which ranged from helping working families and health care to climate change and jobs.

Each year in the second week of November, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) makes the shift to winter operations. Taking care of Central Oregon highways in icy and snowy conditions cost ODOT a record $4.5 million last winter, the Bend Bulletin reported. The three previous years, winter expenses averaged $2.4 million per year. New this year is a camera located on Highway 97 at the Cow Canyon area a few miles north of Madras. Tripcheck.com is where folks can find road cams for all around Oregon. Also new, existing TripCheck cameras are being modified to operate in the infrared spectrum, ODOT says, allowing viewers to monitor road conditions at night.