News Stories Mon., Jan. 22, 2018

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon voters decide Tuesday whether to fund the state’s expansion of Medicaid and other rising health care costs with taxes on hospitals and health insurers. Experts say it’s the only instance of voters _ instead of lawmakers _ deciding how to fund the expansion in 32 states and Washington, D.C. Oregon added more than 350,000 people in 2014 but now has a budget hole as federal matching funds are reduced. The unusual special election has significant consequences for low-income Oregonians.

ASTORIA, Ore. (AP) — The Coast Guard says contract crews are working to pull up an old 20-foot-long tank that may be the potential source of an oil sheen on the Columbia River near Astoria. Petty Officer Second Class Ali Flockerzi said Sunday that it could take a few days for workers to remove portions of the pier and access that tank located underneath the Cannery Pier.

Here are some of the things happening this week: There is a 509-J School Board meeting tonight at 7:00 at the Support Services Building. Ballots are due tomorrow night at 8:00 for the Oregon Special Election. Get those ballots turned in to an official drop box before 8:00 to be counted. The Museum at Warm Springs will hold the opening reception for the Tribal Youth Art Exhibit on Thursday 5:30-7:00. Friday is the end of the second quarter for 509-J schools and so there will be no school this Friday. All ECE programs will be closed that day – all Head Start and Day Care Programs are closed. Friday morning is the “Coffee With a Cop” event 8 until 10:00 am at the Greeley Heights Community Building.  The 2018 Point-In-Time Survey and Count is being done on Friday. Folks can stop by between 9:00 am and 7:00 pm at the Family Resource Center and take a one-page survey about their living situation. They’re serving meals at noon and 5:00 and will also have a free clothing giveaway, first come first serve. And, the Warm Springs Tribal Employment Rights Office or TERO provide info on 2018 construction projects and more at a community update meeting on Friday morning from 10 til noon at the Credit Enterprise conference room.

The Madras White Buffalo boys and girls varsity basketball teams are undefeated in league play, two games into the season. The boys took on Estacada at home Friday and handled the Rangers 85-50. The girls did just as well over in Estacada, walking away with a 57-28 win. Tomorrow night the Lady Buffs are playing at home, hosting Gladstone while the boys play at Gladstone. Wednesday, freshman girls teams play at Mountain View High School. On Friday night, it’s a double header when Corbett comes to the Buffalo Dome. The JV boys play at 4:00, Varsity Girls at 5:30 and Varsity Boys at 7. Wrestlers are a Cottage Grove on Saturday.

The Warm Springs Eagles Girls Basketball squads have games at Elton Gregory Middle School in Redmond today at 3:30 and 4:30. On Wednesday, games are Obsidian Middle School in Redmond. K8 wrestlers have a meet at Crook County Middle School on Wednesday at 4.