KWSO News for 11/7/19

A power outage in the Greeley Heights area of Warm Springs occurred early this morning with power restored shortly after 5am.  The outage is a good reminder to prepare for the winter months and possible cold weather, winter storms and power outages.

The Joint Health Commission meeting on Monday at the Warm Springs Health and Wellness Center saw a Great accomplishment in better coordination between the Tribes, Managed Care and the St. Charles Health System with a signing of the Care Coordination Agreement. In the Past when a patient was referred to an off reservation provider, Managed Care would not hear back from the provider as to the service provided, diagnosis, future treatment among many other recommendations. This new Care Coordination Agreement now allows Managed Care and the clinic to hear directly from the provider. The billing for the off reservation services will also be streamlined.

The Warm Springs Indian Health Service pharmacy staff wants to remind the community that the Clinic will be closed this Monday Nov 11^th in observance of Veteran’s Day. There is a planned Indian Health Service wide network outage tomorrow which could limit or delay the pharmacy’s ability to fill prescriptions as well. To avoid delays or problems in picking up your medication refills over the holiday weekend, check your medications and order your refills as soon as possible. If you have any questions, call the clinic at 541-553-1196.

The outbreak of lung illnesses and deaths related to flavored vape products, including two deaths in Oregon, is pushing lawmakers across the country to impose stricter regulations on tobacco alternatives. KGW, an NBC affiliate station in Portland, commissioned a Portland-based lab to test six different vaping cartridges. According to the station, the tests found 130 common chemicals, including pesticides and carcinogens, as well as Vitamin E acetate. KTVZ NewsChannel 21 spoke with Matthew Rock, the owner of Inhale Exhale Smoke and Vape in Redmond, who said he applauds Oregon for raising the age to buy e-cigarettes to 21.

Rock said the mission of his shop is to help people quit smoking tobacco and nicotine. In October, Gov. Kate Brown ordered a six-month ban on flavored vape products in Oregon, which has been granted a stay on the ban for nicotine which is through the Oregon Health Authority, but remains in effect for THC vaping, under the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.

In Local action: the Warm Springs K-8 academy will be hosting Sisters today, game starts at 3:30pm. This Saturday is the State Cross Country meet at Lane Community College, Madras High School will be represented by Hannah MacDuffee competing at the 4A level.