KWSO News Aug. 8, 2018

U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon on Friday issued his decision in a lawsuit filed in 2016 against Portland General Electric Company by the Deschutes River Alliance. The judge found that the undisputed evidence showed that the Pelton Round Butte Hydroelectric Project is operating consistently with the conditions of its water quality certification from DEQ. He denied a motion for partial summary judgement from the DRA and granted cross-motions for summary judgement filed by PGE and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, who co-own the project. With that action, Judge Simon dismissed the lawsuit. Natural Resources General Manager Bobby Brunoe said in a news release, “We understand the heartfelt concerns of the lawsuit’s supporters, yet we also understand that a lot of factors influence conditions on the river. We believe strongly that collaborative, science-based decision-making remains the best way we can help the fish, and we’re continuing this approach, working with our many partners in the basin. Together with PGE, we welcome good-faith participation from those who want to join in this effort.”

Central Oregon Veterans Outreach and Jefferson County Veterans’ Services are partnering to put on the first annual Classic Car Show and Suicide Prevention Expo next month in Madras. The expo will be an opportunity for community members and service providers who support veterans and active duty service member to address the “why” of military suicide here in Central Oregon and what can be done as a whole to end suicide. It’s coming up September 22^nd at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds and will be free, family-friendly and open to all. More details are available on the COVO website – COVO-us.org, including vehicle registration and volunteer opportunities.

Much of central Oregon is under an extreme heat advisory over the next few days. Jefferson County Public Health and Warm Springs Community Health remind folks that staying out of the sun, keeping cool and maintaining hydration are essential. These places in Madras have been identified as cooler air centers for people that need a place to get out of the heat for bit: Jefferson County Public Health, City Hall, Jefferson County Library, Safeway and Thriftway. In Warm Springs today and tomorrow, the Pod A waiting area at the clinic will be open between 1 and 5:00 with cool water available and education about heat exhaustion & heat stroke.