KWSO News for 10/21/19

Beginning today the Water and Wastewater Division of the Public Utilities Branch will be working alongside the GELCO contractor to finish the replacement and upgrade of the pressure reducing valves on the agency water system main lines. The work is anticipated to take about three to four days which is an allowance of a day for each vault. The Water department intends to have the reservoirs filled so as to minimize any outages of water. Please be aware that a handful of users may experience outages for short periods of time while the PRV work progresses. If the situation calls for it, the water department will issue a boil water notice in compliance with EPA requirements. If you have any questions or concerns please direct those to the Public Utilities Department at (541) 553-3246.

The Loss of a contract will be “Devastating” to the Jefferson County community as The Madras Pioneer reports that the State Office of Public Defense Services abruptly informed the local consortium for Jefferson County, Madras Indigent Defense Consortium, that the longtime contract, which ends Dec. 31, would not be renewed. From 1987 until today, if you were charged with a crime in Jefferson County and couldn’t afford to pay for an attorney, chances were that a local attorney from the Consortium would be appointed to take on your case. Retired Judge Dan Ahern wrote to the commission to ask it to reconsider, stating that the loss of revenue and as a result the almost certain loss of attorneys, will have a ripple effect on our small community much greater than I believe your commission can appreciate. Local Attorney Tim Gassner said that they were informed that the entire contract would be awarded to the 22^nd Circuit Defenders, none of whom lives in Jeff County.

The Deschutes Basin Habitat Conservation Plan will set new flow targets in the Deschutes River and its tributaries to address effects on the Oregon Spotted Frog, Steelhead Trout and other fish species. From the Bend Bulletin, According to the plan, irrigation districts in Central Oregon plan to conserve water through the use of piping projects so that more water can stay in the Deschutes River to benefit the aquatic species. The conservation plan is undergoing a public comment period set to expire Nov 18^th after which time the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service will review the comments and evaluate potential changes to the plan.

A jury has convicted a Redmond couple of starving their 5-year-old adopted daughter to death. The Bulletin reports by unanimous jury verdicts Friday after a weekslong trial, Sacora Horn-Garcia and Estevan Garcia were found guilty of murder by abuse and criminal mistreatment. Garcia and Horn-Garcia were charged for the death of Maliyha Hope Garcia. She weighed 24 pounds at the time of her death. They both faced two counts each of first-degree criminal mistreatment under the theory they intentionally withheld food and medical care. Instead of murder, the jury could have opted to convict the couple of manslaughter. Maliyha was adopted by the father shortly after the girl was born and tested positive for methamphetamines.

College Football action saw the now 11^th ranked Ducks overcome an early deficit in Seattle as they rallied to beat the previously 25^th ranked Washington Huskies 35-31. Oregon will host the Cougars of Washington State this Saturday. Down in Cal, the Golden Bears hosted the Oregon State Beavers. The Beavers jumped out to an early 14-3 halftime lead, went down 17-14 after the 3^rd quarter before coming back and winning 21-17.

Locally: The Madras White Buffaloes traveled to Scio on Friday night and came out with narrow victory 20-18. This coming Friday the Buffs will host the Corbett Cardinals in League action as they try to finish off the season strong. The cardinals are 2^nd in the League while the Buffs are currently at 3^rd.