KWSO News 5/31/19

A major water main break in Shitike Creek is impacting water users in Warm Springs.  This is causing a loss of pressure in the Agency Water System which triggered the issuing of a Boil Water Notice. This is impacting the Wolfe Point, Sunnyside, Upper Dry Creek, & Agency areas in Warm Springs that are on the Agency Water System.  The Warm Springs K-8 Academy is closed again today. Warm Springs Early Childhood Education Center will be closed through at least Monday. Drinking water distribution will be open today at the old Warm Springs Elementary School until 6pm.  There will also be water available to put in to your own containers, that is not for consumption but that should be used for things like flushing toilets.  Everyone is encouraged to be prepared for a complete water shut off.  The Branch of Public Utilities is coordinating the repair. Equipment and parts are being gathered and plans are being made for how to create a coffer dam to divert Shitike Creek so repairs can be made.  The break appears to be in a water main buried underground in the creek so this is a complicated fix.  Once the work begins, water will be shut off.  This water main connects all of the Agency Water System. There is no estimate for how long it will be until the water is turned off or how long repairs will take but we will update information as new details become available.

The Columbia River Inter Tribal Fish Commission said Thursday that the spring chinook run size forecast was downgraded again – from 75,000 to 68,000. The Zone 6 platform and Hook & Line fishery will remain closed. The summer chinook platform and hook & line subsistence fishery opens June 16^th.

Police suspect arson in a fire that caused heavy damage to a Madras law firm office this past weekend. Glenn, Reeder & Gassner erupted in flames Saturday. “An investigation determined the fire was a result of arson,” according to a statement from Madras Police Department. An arson investigator with Oregon State Police was called in after local police determined the fire was suspicious. There were no injuries, but property was lost in the fire, according to Madras Police.

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon will ban restaurants from offering single-use plastic straws under a measure on its way to the governor. The House voted 48-12 this week to prohibit restaurants from providing single-use plastic straws unless a customer asks. Drive-thrus could still offer straws. The World Economic Forum projects that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050.