CTWS Employee Benefits Deadline Today; Winter Readiness; 509J Band & Choir; Election Day Nov. 3rd
Warm Springs Tribal Council will not meet today, Thursday, October 29, and did not meet Wednesday. Meetings were canceled due to losses in the community.
Today is the deadline for Warm Springs Tribal employees to submit open enrollment documents for 2027 insurance coverage. Employees must complete enrollment in the EASE online portal by 5 p.m. Unsigned or unfinished documents will be denied. Employees adding dependents must upload supporting documents, and some life insurance or short-term disability elections may require additional medical information. For assistance, email COMP-BENEFITS@WSTRIBES.ORG or call Human Resources at 541-553-3262.
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs is reviewing its emergency notification system after a test message sent Tuesday apparently reached people who had not signed up for the service. The system previously provided employees and community members with email and text alerts about closures, delays and weather or emergency impacts. KWSO will share available updates on 91.9 FM, kwso.org and its social media platforms. The station can also be reached at 541-553-1968.
Residents are encouraged to prepare for winter storms and potential power outages. Pacific Power recommends updating contact information to receive alerts and keeping an emergency kit with shelf-stable food, water, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, phone chargers, blankets, first-aid supplies and medications. People who rely on electricity for medical equipment should have a plan for extended outages. Generators and alternate heating devices should be used safely. Jefferson County 509J typically makes school delay and cancellation decisions by 5:30 a.m. and notifies families through ParentSquare, its website and social media. Families should make sure their children's schools have current contact information.
Music students in Jefferson County schools have several upcoming performances. KWSO's Jewls Williams spoke with Adam Thompson, band and choir director at Madras High School and Jefferson County Middle School, following the recent Autumn Showcase.
Thompson said the high school choir is scheduled to perform at North Marion High School today, Thursday, October 29. A band showcase is planned in The Dalles on November 5, followed by a winter concert expected on the second Wednesday of December. Looking ahead, Thompson said competition season runs from March through May. He hopes to continue developing the high school band's skills and the choir's sound, while giving students opportunities to see other groups perform. Middle school band and choir students are also expected to attend competitions later in the school year.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Oregon voters should return completed, signed ballots to an official drop box or their county elections office by 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Oregon voters will decide several statewide races. Democratic incumbent Jeff Merkley faces Republican David Brock Smith, Libertarian Gary Lyndon Dye and Progressive and Pacific Green candidate Chris Henry in the U.S. Senate race. In Oregon's Second Congressional District, Republican incumbent Cliff Bentz faces Chris Beck, running on the Democratic and Independent party lines. The governor's race features incumbent Democrat Tina Kotek, Republican and Libertarian nominee Christine Drazan, and Pacific Green candidate Brett Smith.
State legislative races include Republican incumbent Vikki Breese-Iverson and Democrat Lawrence Jones in House District 59, and Republican Greg Smith and Pacific Green candidate Josiah Dean in House District 57. Jefferson County voters will choose a sheriff between Jason Pollock and Tyler Anderson and decide on a five-year levy renewal for jail operations and maintenance. Madras voters will also consider races for mayor and three city council seats.
Jefferson County Clerk Kate Zemke says local election results will be posted on the county website after 8 p.m. Election Day, with results also available through the state. A virtual viewing of the Election Board at work is scheduled for Friday at 9 a.m., with a link to be posted on the county website.
Official ballot drop boxes are located at the Jefferson County Clerk's Office on D Street in Madras, Culver City Hall, Metolius City Hall, Crooked River Ranch's administrative area, Black Butte School in Camp Sherman, and the Warm Springs campus near Fire and Safety. Additional locations include the Wasco County Courthouse and Elections Office in The Dalles, Dufur City Hall, Maupin Civic Center, Mosier City Hall and 3 Warriors Market in Simnasho. More information is available at Jefferson County Elections. KWSO plans to provide election-night coverage with national, regional, Native and local results.
Ranchers across the Northwest could face tighter hay supplies this winter and early spring following drought across much of the West. Northwest Public Broadcasting senior correspondent Anna King reports that alfalfa prices have risen by more than $50 a ton as drought reduced hay production and wildfires forced some cattle off rangelands, increasing demand for feed. Oregon rancher Martin Thompson says higher hay costs are difficult to justify given the price of diesel fuel needed to grow and harvest crops.
KWSO Weather for Central Oregon will be partly sunny today with a high near 54, then mostly cloudy tonight with a low near 31. Friday will become mostly sunny with a high near 54, while showers are possible Saturday evening for Halloween.
