KWSO News for Mon., Mar., 8, 2021

In Warm Springs, individuals can sign up for a COVID-19 Vaccine by calling 541-553-2610.  You must be 18 or older, be I.H.S. eligible OR live OR work  in Warm Springs.  Coming up this Thursday – it’s a Mass Vaccination Clinic following up on 2^nd dose shots for those who got their first vaccination on February 11^th at the Community Center.  Another clinic for 2^nd dose shots is scheduled for Friday March 19^th for those who got their first shot at the Community Center on February 19^th.  Please bring your vaccination card so your 2^nd dose can be documented.

Anyone interested in the one dose Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is asked to call the clinic to let them know.  They are in the process of estimating the amount of Johnson and Johnson vaccine to request.

The Jefferson County School District 509J Board of Directors announced last week that they have chosen Dr. Jay Mathisen to serve as the district’s next superintendent.  Currently Mathisen, serves as Director of Educational Leadership at George Fox University.   He has also worked as an administrator in the Bend/Lapine school district and served as Lapine High School Principal.  Mathisen will begin work on July 1^st, taking over for current superintendent Ken Parshall, who announced his intention to resign at the end of this school year.

Indian Affairs, Warm Springs Agency Superintendent, is Brenda Bremner.  Bremner is an enrolled member of the Siletz Tribe and most recently has served as General Manager of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.  She served in that position for over 20 years.  In that role she led and managed tribal government operations by directing management teams and oversight of operations that included budgets and service provision for the tribe.  More specifically, she was responsible for programmatic oversight of Administration, Maintenance, Education, Culture, Social Services, ICWA Planning, Natural Resources, Housing, Community Health Clinic and 3 satellite tribal offices.  In addition to her role as GM – Bremner has taught physical education and health to grades 9th-12th and was also a volunteer coach in the community for youth basketball for over 15 years.   Brenda has been a foster parent for over 30 years, has 8 children ages 27 to 4 and a partner of 30 years.

Warm Springs Tribal Council was in session on February 16^th.  The March agenda and travel delegations were approved.  During the Federal Legislative update call – a motion was approved to submit a letter to the acting solicitor of the department of the interior to Treat Tribal Revenue from Carbon Projects as Trust Revenue. There was also a State Legislative Update Call.  An update was given by the local COVID-19 response team as well as by 509J.  The afternoon session was cancelled.  You can read the full 2/16/21 summary HERE

Warm Springs Tribal Council was in session on February 17^th.  There was a Human Services Update with Cheryl Tom.  Tribal Council approved the Transfer between Categories of the Annual Budget, for $137,000 of the Challenge Fund to support the park and ball field rehabilitation and development project.  A Finance Update was given by Alfred Estimo, Jr.  Updates were also presented Louie Pitt for Governmental Affairs and Michael Collins for Managed Care.  Tribal Council approved the reallocation of funds to purchase a new ambulance.  Other updates were given on Administrative Services + Procurement + Tribal Court + the Veterans Office and Public Utilities.  You can read the full 2/17/21 summary HERE

Warm Springs Tribal Council was in session on February 23^rd. There was a cannabis discussion with Wakinyan.  Also present were staff and board members from Ventures.  A Kah-Nee-Ta Update was also considered.  You can read the full 2/23/21 summary HERE

Redistricting is the once-a-decade process of redrawing United State House of Representatives (Congressional) and Oregon State Senate and State House of Representatives (Legislative) district boundaries to account for changes in population.  This year’s process is complicated because the 2020 Census results are not expected to be ready on the legislatures timeline.  In the mean time – they are holding public input hearings from the public.  This Wednesday is the first meeting for Oregon District 2 residents.  Another meeting will be on March 20s.  You can find the agenda and other details on today’s news posted at KWSO dot ORG.  https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/redistricting

In Prep football – Molalla took a 21 – 0 lead Friday Night in Madras and held it throughout the opening game of the season against the White Buffalo.  This year’s season is a challenge as teams have been limited in practice and prep due to COVID-19.  For Madras there will be 5 regular season games in their 4A Special District 2 league.  Coach Kurt Taylor talks about the postseason in this odd prep sports year.

Friday Night Estacada lost to Gladstone 22 to 35 and Crook County downed North Marion 18 – 7.  Madras travels to Estacada this Friday and KWSO will again broadcast the game live.

White Buffalo Boys Soccer plays at Estacada today in Tri Valley League Play.  The Girls team hosts the Rangers.  Both teams play Estacada a second time this week.  The Boys are home on Wednesday and the girls travel to Estacada on Thursday.  And of course at this point – no spectators are allowed in Jefferson County for the home games due to COVID-19 risk levels.