KWSO News 3/21/19

Central Oregon Community College plans to celebrate National Poetry Month in April with a reading event featuring two Oregon poets laureate and a Madras poet. On April 10^th at the Madras COCC campus, the three poets will participate in the evening of poetry readings – they are Kim Stafford, the current poet laureate and director of Lewis & Clark College’s Northwest Writing Institute, past Oregon poet laureate Elizabeth Woody and Madras poet Jarold Ramsey. The free event will take place April 10^th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It’s free to attend.

Madras will be running several street sweepers on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week between the hours of 7am and 3:30pm. They are cleaning up after the large amount of cinder that was put down in February due to the snow. The city is asking folks to avoid street parking during this time.

The fire that was sparked on Tuesday near the North Santiam State Recreational Area is a reminder of threats posed by wildfires to homes and property. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports that 42 homes and 30 outbuildings initially were threatened by the fire. The fire impacted 189 acres of brush and timber. As of Wednesday afternoon, evacuation levels in Linn and Marion counties were lifted. The Office of State Fire Marshal wants to remind residents to make sure their homes are protected from wildfire. The start of spring is a good time to take these steps: Keep roofs, gutters, and eaves clear of all leaves and other flammable debris. Remove dead vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around your house. And, prune trees and have grass kept short and green to keep fire on the ground and more manageable by firecrews. Remember, call before you burn yard debris. Residents should check with their local fire agency or air protection authority to learn if there are any burning restrictions and if a permit is required. Homeowners have a responsibility to protect their homes by building defensible space.

The Tribal Council was notified this week that two individuals had formally withdrawn their candidacy for the 28^th Tribal Council Election. These candidates are Lee Tom from the Seekseequa District and Dustin Seyler, a candidate for the Agency District. Tribal Council Election Day is just two weeks away. All eligible tribal member voters are encouraged vote on April 4^th.

The 2019 Warm Springs Student Summer Work Program is gearing up for high school and college students and the deadlines will soon be here. Any Native American students between 14 and 24 and who are enrolled in a public school, boarding school, an alternative education program or GED are eligible. College students of any age can also apply. Workshops are being offered during Spring Break next week on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. There is a morning session from 9 to noon and afternoon 1 to 4:00 at the Education Building.  Information will be provided for first-time workers, for students who have previously worked in the youth work programs, and for college students. The last day for high school students to apply is May 23rd, for college students the deadline is June 27^th.