KWSO News Thursday 6/6/19

UPDATE: WATER OUTAGE NOTICE – WEST CAMPUS AREA

Due to circumstances related to the Shitike Creek water mainline break, water will be shut off in the west Campus area to address a needed repair. The water outage will impact campus tribal buildings and residences from Paiute Street west to Teachers Row. Tribal buildings and programs impacted include: Youth Center, Boys & Girls Club, Culture & Heritage, Child Protective Services, Behavioral Health Center, Family Resource Center, Warm Springs Community Action and Presbyterian Church. It expected that the water will be shut off in this area through Friday, June 7th.

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The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is coordinating with Indian Health Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs and other agencies to make a plan for repair on the broken 14 inch water main.  That plan is still being developed and so the boil water order and water outages will continue until after the fix.  Notice will be given when that is scheduled.

The water main break continues to impact Warm Springs – with the  Tribes following their Emergency Operation Plan to coordinate repairs and provide services to the public.  Water shortages continue in neighborhoods served by the Greeley Heights, West Hills and South East water reservoirs.  Public Utilities staff are alternating the refilling of these three reservoirs to lessen the impact of water shortages in those areas.

Portable Toilets have been set up in affected areas and there are now showers set up at the Old Warm Springs Elementary School for folks who need to use them.  The showers will be open 6am – 9pm today.

Due to the water main break – a boil water order in effect for the Warm Springs Agency Water System. That means you should boil water for drinking or cooking, washing dishes, brushing teeth & making ice OR else use bottled water.

This is affecting everyone in Greeley Heights, Elliot Heights, Trailer Courts, Senior Housing, Tenino Apartments, Tenino Valley, West Hills, Campus Area, Miller Heights, Upper Dry Creek, Sunnyside, Wolfe Point and Kah-nee-ta.

Water Distribution will be taking place again today from 8am – 6pm.  Bottled water is available at the Old Elementary School Library and you can also bring your own containers to fill up with drinking water.

High Desert Ice will be distributing 10 pound bags of ice today at noon at the old elementary school.

A Reservation Wide BURN BAN is in effect for Warm Springs due to dry fuel conditions and lack of water for fire suppression, it is critical we all take precautions to keep the community safe.  The Burn Ban is for all outside burning including camp fires and any ‘hot work” that involves heat, sparks or flame.  Fireworks are prohibited as well.

The Warm Springs Early Childhood Education Center is a state licensed child care facility and as such must be closed when a Boil Water Order is issued.  The decision has been made for ECE to remain closed through July 6^th and is expected to re-open on Monday, July 8th.

The Oregon Department of Transportation has informed motorists who use U.S. Highway 97 south of Madras of a paving project starting Sunday night. Paving from Colfax to Ford lanes, from mileposts 97 – 101, starting Sunday night at 7 p.m will be completed each morning by 7 a.m. This will go through June 26^th. During the hours of construction, motorists can expect delays of up to 20 minutes.

The Native Arts & Cultures Foundation announced its first five Community Inspiration Program Native Nation Partnerships award projects. The projects are artist-driven and designed to engage Native peoples in community efforts that address social and cultural concerns, according to the news release. A Warm Springs project was selected – it is the Language Arts & Culture Movement – Culture, Language & Identity Project. Two other awardees are Oregon Tribes – the Burns Paiute Tribe for an oral history project and the Klamath Tribes’ traditional song project. The NACF says, “beyond financial support, it will help to connect each awardee to resources and other Native artists and organizations.

Today’s Highlight in History:  On June 6, 1944, during World War II, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France, on “D-Day” as they began the liberation of German-occupied Western Europe.