Local News
KWSO News for Mon. 9/21/26
Sep
An investigation is underway following the discovery of human remains in the Warm Springs Agency Area. Warm Springs Police received a report Saturday morning near Kot-Num Road. Tribal police and FBI agents responded and confirmed the remains. The FBI is leading the scene investigation with assistance from WSPD.
Oregon State Police have identified the two people killed in a September 14 crash on Highway 26 in Wasco County. Police say 31-year-old Dagoberto Moreno-Prada of Eugene lost control of his eastbound semi near milepost 74 and struck a westbound Jeep driven by 35-year-old J. Natividad Martinez-Colin of Vancouver. Both drivers died, and the highway was closed for about eight hours; the investigation remains ongoing.
Drivers should expect nighttime construction activity this week along U.S. 97 in Madras and Terrebonne. ODOT says crews near Terrebonne will work overnight between Lower Bridge Way and Northwest 10th Street, with single-lane closures, flaggers and pilot cars; in Madras, crews are working along U.S. 97 and U.S. 26, including pipe installation on B Street.
Oregon will hold a statewide general election on November 3rd and October 13th is the last day to register to vote. You can register to vote online at the Oregon Secretary of State Website (https://sos.oregon.gov/elections/pages/default.aspx)or stop by your County Clerk’s Office. On the ballot will be candidates for:
US Senate
- David Brock Smith
- incumbent Jeff Merkley
- Gary Lyndon Dye
- Chris Henry
US representative of 2nd District
- Chris Beck
- Incumbent Cliff Bentz
Oregon Governor
- Bett Smith
- Incumbent Tina Kotek
- Christine Drazan
Oregon House District 59
- Vikki Breese-Iverson
- Lawrence Jones
House District 57
- Greg Smith
- Josiah Dean.
Vote by Mail Ballots already have gone out to military and overseas voters. October 14th is when most vote by mail ballots to be sent out.
About 600,000 Oregon Health Plan members are receiving informational notices this month as the state prepares for federal Medicaid changes. The Oregon Health Authority says some adults ages 19 through 64 will need to meet work or activity requirements beginning in 2027, while exemptions will apply to many members; OHA is asking members to keep their contact information current so they receive renewal and eligibility notices.
People helping others apply for SNAP in Oregon and Washington report confusion surrounding new federal work requirements and eligibility changes. Oregon Department of Human Services says some adults ages 18 through 64 must meet work or activity requirements, generally involving 80 hours a month, or face a three-month benefit limit over three years if no exemption applies.
Pacific Power is also reminding eligible Oregon customers about backup-power rebates ahead of winter storm season, with up to $1,000 available for income-qualified residential customers who rely on medical equipment and up to $4,000 for eligible care facilities.
Yakama Nation elder and educator Patricia “Patsy” Whitefoot was honored Saturday in Vancouver as Confluence’s 2026 Legacy Maker. Confluence recognized Whitefoot for more than 40 years of work in Native education, language revitalization, cultural continuity and advocacy for Native communities. Confluence Executive Director Leah Altman said Whitefoot represents Native-led, place-based education that connects youth with language, culture and history.
Oregon ArtsWatch recently featured the Museum at Warm Springs as part of a Central Oregon road trip. The article notes the museum opened in 1993 as Oregon’s first tribal museum and was built to Smithsonian standards. The Museum is currently featuring “Lillian Pitt: Art, Memory, Home,” the renowned Warm Springs artist’s final collection exhibition, through October 10th. Museum Director Elizabeth Woody says the museum is also working to raise 1.5 million dollars for permanent exhibit upgrades. Full article: Oregon ArtsWatch — Museum at Warm Springs
