News Stories Mon., Jan. 15, 2018

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not just a federal holiday where some people get to take off work. It’s also meant to be a national day of service — a time for action. There are many ways you can help – you can have a person in your own house that needs help, your neighbor may need help.  There are a few coordinated volunteer efforts happening in Warm Springs today. There will be clean up done at the High Lookee Lodge, and work on housing units with the Housing Department. You can show up at either location this morning at 9:00 to find out what you can do to help. Otherwise, find some way you can make a difference today, and all year long. As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr said, “The time is always right to do what is right.”

Homeless count volunteer training for the Point In Time Survey and Count is being held this week in Warm springs. The training is on Friday at 5:30pm at the Family Resource Center Conference room. The training will cover how the information is used and why it is important to the Warm Springs reservation, the survey and developing a plan to conduct surveys in the Warm Springs agency, Simnasho, Sidwalter Flats and Seekseequa.

The governors of Oregon and Washington said Friday they spoke to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke about plans for offshore drilling in the Northwest. Earlier the week, the Trump administration agreed to exempt Florida from offshore drilling after the state’s Republican governor complained. Northwest leaders have lodged similar complaints. The Associated Press reports that Zinke has agreed to visit Oregon to consider risks associated with the drilling plan. But Washington Governor Jay Inslee says the administration has not backed down at this point. In a written statement, Inslee said Washington and other West Coast states have not received the same appreciation of their concerns as Florida.

Wellbriety recovery meetings are coming to Warm Springs on a regular basis starting next week. The Wellbriety movement seeks to break the cycle of hurt caused by addiction with an emphasis on Native spiritual traditions. The meetings are referred to as Wellbriety W.A.R., which stands for Warriors Accepting Recovery. A planning meeting is being held tomorrow evening from 6:30-8:30 at the Greeley Heights Community Building. All who are interested are welcome to offer input.  The Wellbriety WAR meetings will be open to anyone seeking sobriety, wellness, recovery, fellowship, support and positive community involvement.

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — Idaho and Washington have passed laws allowing people to salvage roadkill, provided they fill out a short form with the state wildlife agency to get a permit. The Spokesman-Review reports Washington’s law, which took effect July 1, 2016, allows for deer and elk only. Idaho’s law, which took effect six years ago, is much broader, listing nearly 50 species of mammals and birds as salvageable. Under a law passed last year, Oregon will begin allowing permit holders to salvage roadkill in 2019.