KWSO News for 12/11/19

With conditions slick and foggy yesterday, Jefferson County emergency services received a report of a rear-end collision on Highway 26 near Boise Drive. As reported by the Bend Bulletin, a multi-vehicle accident involving eight vehicles and a tanker truck full of jet fuel closed U.S. Highway 26 for several hours yesterday. The tractor trailer hauling 10,000 gallons of Avgas, or jet fuel, crashed into stopped vehicles and began leaking. An Officer was able to free the driver as the semi caught fire. Crews used fire extinguishers to keep the fire in check until additional units arrived. Two and a half hours after the crash was reported, emergency workers cleared the scene and reopened the highway.

The Timber Committee of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is keeping with the spirit of Christmas and have authorized the cutting of a Christmas tree by the following: Bureau of Indian Affairs Employees, Tribal Employees, Indian Health Service Employees, Warm Springs Churches and Postal Employees. Cutting is limited to ONE tree per family or church, cut on tribal land only and should be cut along numbered roads and close to the ground. Topping of trees and cutting trees larger than 12 feet in height is not permitted. Trees should not be cut that do not have another tree growing within 12 feet of the tree to be cut. If you have questions call 553-2416.

During this time of year, most anglers at Lake Billy Chinook are fishing for kokanee. According to the Bulletin, fishing Lake Billy Chinook this time of year is a lot like fishing in the Spring-only about 30 degrees cooler. The Metolius Arm contains the highest population of bull trout of the three river arms of Lake Billy Chinook, but it is closed to angling until March 1 of next year and a Warm Springs Indian Reservation Tribal Permit is required to fish there when it opens. The Crooked River arm holds its share of bull trout and offers anglers a chance to land rainbow trout as well.

In Local Sports: The Madras High School Lady Buffs basketball hosted Crook County last night and came out with the victory 71-40. Lady Buffs leading scorers were Jiana Smith-Francis with 24 points and DaRia White with 10. The Buff Boys Basketball traveled to Crook County last night and fell to the Cowboys 88-43. Leading Scorers for the Buffs were Jesse McDonald with 12 points and Donnie Bagley with 10. The Warm Springs K-8 Boys basketball will be in action today hosting Obsidian Middle school, games starting at 3:45pm.