KWSO News 6/10/19

The Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistance office in Warm springs has made some changes to its hours. Effective immediately, the G.A. office will only give out and accept applications from 9am-11am Monday-Friday.  After applications are returned, an intake appointment will need to be made.  Any missed appointment you will need to reschedule.  The General Assistance office is closed and will not see anyone for the lunch hour of 12-1pm.  After 1pm the office is only open for scheduled appointments, and to drop off monthly activity logs.

For the first time in Oregon history, Gov. Kate Brown has declared a state holiday recognizing women veterans. Women Veterans Day will take place on June 12. That date also marks the 71st anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which acknowledged the great contributions made by women in the military and finally enabled them to serve as regular members of the United States Armed Forces and Reserves. Today, women comprise more than 16 percent of the country’s military forces, with more than 25,000 women veterans currently living in Oregon. They are also the fastest growing segment of the veteran population. Oregon joins three other states — California, New York and Texas — that have officially designated June 12 as Women Veterans Day.

The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation issued a press release this morning relating to the capture of the last suspect wanted in the questioning of five people murdered on the Yakama Indian Reservation on Saturday. James Cloud has been captured the release states. His identity has been confirmed by two different law enforcement agencies. Currently there are no other suspects wanted in connection with the murders that were committed on the Yakama Reservation on Saturday. Details of the five homicides have not yet been released.

Madras High School has been in headlines across the state for its graduation rates for Native American. 45 Native American students graduated from Madras high on June 1. That’s 19 more than last year. The school has 214 Native American students — the most of any other high school in Oregon. Madras schools added targeted programs, including a tribal dance class and counseling for at-risk students, to boost graduation rates from 39 percent in 2016 to 81 percent in 2018. Official graduation numbers for this year aren’t calculated yet. That’s much higher than the statewide graduation rate for Native American students of 65 percent. Oregon has struggled to boost its overall high school graduation rate, which ranks one of the lowest in the nation.

The repair schedule for the broken 14 inch water main in the Shitike Creek is being created as materials and equipment, needed for the repair, are being gathered. Notice will be given when work is scheduled to begin.  During the repair – there will be a complete water outage for the Agency Area including –  Campus, West Hills, Tenino Valley, Tenino Apartments, Elliott Heights, Senior Housing, Trailer Courts, and Greeley Heights. Water outages will also affect businesses located along Highway 26. Please continue to conserve water. Portable toilets are placed throughout the community for use and there are showers with hot water set up at the Old Warm Springs Elementary School for those who need these.   The boil water order remains in place and will continue until after the broken water main is fixed.  Drinking water distribution is taking place at the Old Elementary School Library.  There is bottled water and you can also bring your own containers to fill up. And, the Reservation Wide BURN BAN remains in effect for Warm Springs.