Warm Springs Celebrates Independence Day with Drone Show; Local News, Weather, and Regional Updates

Community Gathers for Weekly Thursday Market in Warm Springs

The weekly Warm Springs Thursday Market, coordinated by KWSO radio station, was held yesterday at the Campus Pavilion, providing an active venue for local vendors to sell crafts, jewelry, and baked goods alongside essential community public outreach. Among the participating programs was Jefferson County Public Health, where clinic intern Vanessa Young noted they offer health supplies, blood glucose, blood pressure, and STI screenings, as well as hygiene products. Other agencies on-site included Best Care Prevention, Warm Springs Prevention, NeighborImpact, Emergency Management water distribution, Choosh for All, Head Start, IMCE, and the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance.

Sarah Olson with the OSU Extension 4-H program also participated, hosting youth activities and promoting upcoming educational opportunities. Olson highlighted an upcoming “Kitchen to Market” class on July 11th for home-based vendors, as well as a Summer Fruit Loop Tour to the Hood River Valley on July 8th to harvest local seasonal berries and cherries. The Thursday Market runs weekly from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM at the Pavilion, and interested vendors are invited to contact KWSO or arrive on Thursdays to claim available tables and chairs on a first-come, first-served basis.

Drone Light Show to Highlight Independence Day Celebrations

A synchronized drone light show produced by entertainment company Sky Lites will mark a first-of-its-kind spectacle for Warm Springs this Saturday, July 4th, as part of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs’ Independence Day celebration. Presented in partnership with Indian Head Casino and Plateau Travel Plaza, the 15-minute show will feature hundreds of specialized “IFO” drones flying unique formations up to 400 feet over the baseball fields starting at 10:00 PM. Community organizers advise that all personal fireworks must stop during the 15-minute aerial performance for safety. The drone spectacular caps off a full day of free community events at the Warm Springs Community Wellness Center, which will also feature a traditional fireworks display starting at dusk.

Global Hydropanel Facility Closes Permanently

The SOURCE Global hydropanel system located at the Warm Springs Industrial Park has closed permanently, bringing an immediate end to the weekly free water days previously held on Mondays. The specialized system cannot function without the company’s off-reservation monitoring network and technical staff. Because SOURCE Global has dissolved as a company, there are no remaining personnel to operate or maintain the facility, prompting officials to cancel all future water distribution events at the site effective immediately.

Warm Springs Man Sentenced for Minor Exploitation

A 20-year-old Warm Springs man, Odysseus Japeth Tewee, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison followed by 10 years of supervised release for the sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a Monday announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Tewee pleaded guilty in January following a 2024 investigation initiated by a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The multi-agency investigation was conducted by the Warm Springs Police Department, Portland Police, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide Department of Justice initiative designed to combat child exploitation.

Intertribal Agriculture Council Reopens Project LEAP Applications

The Intertribal Agriculture Council has opened applications for Project LEAP, an initiative supported by the Native American Agriculture Fund and the Newman’s Own Foundation to bolster tribal food sovereignty by investing in youth. The program offers $500 grants to enrolled members or direct descendants of federally recognized tribes between the ages of 14 and 26 to ease financial hardships on agricultural projects. Funding is awarded on a rolling basis and can cover expenses such as livestock feed, existing youth farm loans, garden tools, and workshop registration fees.

Oregon Lawmakers Demand Restoration of Salmon Funding

Oregon’s congressional delegation, led by Senator Jeff Merkley, is demanding answers from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) after the federal agency abruptly ended its funding participation in the Safe Area Fisheries Enhancement (SAFE) program. Operating since 1993 to boost fishing and protect wild stocks, the sudden cutoff leaves a $2.4 million budget shortfall that threatens the potential culling of more than seven million hatchery salmon and eggs currently in production. In a joint letter, lawmakers urged the BPA to reverse its decision, warning that the short notice jeopardizes decades of regional conservation efforts and the local fishing economy.

Governor Kotek Calls for Stricter Data Center Regulations

Governor Tina Kotek announced that Oregon needs to implement more rigorous rules to ensure that data center expansions occur responsibly across the state’s 120 existing facilities. Speaking at a press event, Kotek emphasized that the state needs to adjust its laws amid the national AI boom, stating, “Oregon needs to stop being a cheap date and making it too easy for them.” While Kotek did not offer specific proposals for the upcoming legislative session, her comments coincided with a newly passed regulation enabling Portland General Electric to propose raising power rates on data centers by nearly 30 percent while slightly lowering residential rates.

Animal Rights Initiative Seeks State Ballot Spot

Animal rights activists have submitted their final batch of signatures for Initiative Petition 28, a measure that would remove traditional exceptions for hunting, fishing, and livestock production from Oregon’s animal abuse laws. Though virtually all state elected officials, agricultural groups, and recreational organizations oppose the measure, lead organizer David Michelson noted that initiating the conversation now is necessary for future success. The Oregon Secretary of State’s Office has until August 2nd to verify the signatures and determine if the petition qualifies for the fall statewide ballot.

Health Officials Issue West Nile Virus Warning

The Oregon Health Authority is urging residents to protect themselves against West Nile virus as summer mosquito activity rises, particularly in southern and eastern Oregon. State public health veterinarian Emilio DeBess recommends wearing long sleeves, utilizing EPA-approved insect repellent, and eliminating standing water on private property to prevent severe complications, which primarily threaten adults over 50 and individuals with weakened immune systems.

Three-Day Weather Forecast

Expect sunny and hot conditions through the weekend, with daytime highs reaching 91°F today and rising to 93°F for the Fourth of July. Clear evening skies will see lows around 53°F, accompanied by breezy Saturday night northwest winds gusting up to 30 mph.