KWSO News for Mon., Aug, 23, 2021

The Bull Complex burning north of Detroit has grown this week, reaching 6,588 acres as of Sunday. The fire, burning in a remote part of the Bull of the Woods Wilderness, is about five miles from Brighten-bush and 10 miles from Detroit. Ignited by lightning in early August, several separate fires have now merged into one larger blaze known simply as the Bull Complex. The fire is still smoldering, moving along the ground and burning in low brushes and small trees.  But it did not show any measurable growth yesterday. There are 393 personnel currently on the containment effort, as well as two helicopters, eight engines and two dozers. The fire is currently o% contained.

The Confederated tribes of Warm Springs tribal council held an event last week to celebrate the nullification of the fraudulent treaty of 1865.  A Bill was introduced by Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden in 2019 to formally and finally nullify the fraudulent treaty and clearly validate the 1855 treaty. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown shared her remarks surrounding the 1865 treaty, ”One of the highlights of my time as Governor occurred in January 2019, when I visited with Tribal Council at Warm Springs, so I could declare it the policy of the Office of the Governor that the fraudulent 1865 Treaty was a nullity, with no legal effect whatsoever.  And then, the following year, the moment happened that we all have been waiting for, for so long:  Action by Congress to officially nullify the fraudulent Treaty.  That was an incredible moment that I was excited to celebrate with all of you”

Oregon’s hospitals continue to fill up amid the current COVID-19 surge, and now hundreds of National Guard members are activated and filling roles to help out frontline health care workers. The guard is positioned to provide support to more than 20 hospitals around the state if needed. This initial deployment puts 500 soldiers on the ground, but Governor Kate Brown has authorized up to 1,500 to be utilized. Their orders extend to Sept. 30, 2021, but that could change depending on the need.

COVID-19 and 31 close contacts receiving daily monitoring.

The Oregon school activities association announced Friday updates to the mask mandate for Oregon athletes and spectators at sporting events.  The update comes as COVID-19 surges across the state and with vaccines not yet approved for children under the age of 12. OSAA is requiring coaches wear masks during sporting events and spectators, regardless of vaccination status are required to wear masks. Students are not required to wear masks indoors while practicing or playing in a competitive sport at any levels. Students not actively participating during indoor competition are required to wear a mask.

Across the U.S., some public officials and other community leaders are trying to help people come up with ways to get exempted from having to wear masks or get vaccinated against COVID-19. They’re offering exemption letters and other strategies for skirting such requirements. An Oregon school superintendent, for example, is telling parents they can get their children out of wearing masks by citing federal disability law. Some experts and political leaders say these attempted workarounds are dishonest and irresponsible and could undermine efforts to beat back the highly contagious delta variant.

As the start of the new school year is right around corner teachers and staff at the Warm springs k8 academy are preparing for your return to in person learning. COVID-19 has kept our daily lives changing and the way your eagles receive their education. With that in mind, Families and eagles that may not be ready to return to in person learning can move eagles to CASA online learning. You will need to fill out intent to enroll form online at Jefferson county school district website. J-C-S-D-Dot-K12.OR.US.. That form must be submitted by Friday, August 27^th. If you would like your student to remain in in-person learning no action is required. Students that were enrolled in the CASA online learning and want to remain in CASA will need to fill out the intent to enroll form as well. If you have any questions call 541-553-1128.