KWSO News 6/27/19

AAA is projecting a record-breaking 48.9 million Americans will travel this Fourth of July holiday. The Independence Day holiday travel period is defined as Wednesday, July 3 to Sunday, July 7. In Oregon, roughly 583,000 people are expected to take an Independence Day getaway. The 4th of July is traditionally the busiest travel holiday of the summer and this is the sixth year in a row there has been a jump in the number of travelers for the holiday, according the AAA Oregon/Idaho.

The Supreme Court is forbidding President Donald Trump’s administration from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census for now. The court says the Trump administration’s explanation for wanting to add the question was “more of a distraction” than an explanation. It’s unclear whether the administration would have time to provide a fuller account. Census forms are supposed to be printed beginning next week. The court ruled 5-4 today, with Chief Justice John Roberts joining the four liberals in the relevant part of the outcome.

Recent repairs to the Warm Springs water system restored water to homes and businesses on the reservation, but people the community is being reminded that water conservation is still necessary. The Branch of Public Utilities is experiencing difficulties with maintaining fire protection levels in the reservoirs. Please help to conserve water by refraining from watering lawns or washing cars.

At the Oregon District 5 All-Stars Tournament Wednesday, Warm Springs Nation Little League major’s softball won their game. Today they face Redmond at 2:00 at Juniper Hills Park. Let’s cheer on our Warm Springs Nation Little Leaguers!

Firefighters have been responding to several new incidents on Prineville District Bureau of Land Management managed lands from the hundreds of lightning strikes that blanketed Central Oregon.  The largest incident, the Cottonwood Fire, near Dayville was contained at 50 acres. Heavy rain over burn areas helped with the fires. The public is reminded to be careful with any ignitions on public lands. Central Oregon recently moved to HIGH fire danger, meaning fuels are very receptive to ignitions.