KWSO Thursday Morning News: Local Updates and Regional Headlines
The Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals sent Deschutes County’s approval of the Thornburgh Resort fish and wildlife mitigation plan back to the county but ruled the county did not have to accept new evidence on remand from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. In a 2-1 decision, LUBA ruled the county is not required to accept new evidence from the Tribes regarding species protected under their 1855 federal treaty. Natural Resources General Manager Austin Smith Jr. warned that planned groundwater pumping directly threatens local streams and salmon, stating, "We have fished the Deschutes and its tributaries since time immemorial... This ruling cuts that knowledge out of a decision that will shape the Deschutes Basin for generations." One board member dissented, writing that the county should be required to consider Indigenous expertise, and the Tribes are currently reviewing their legal options.
Families in Warm Springs gathered Wednesday at the Family Resource Center grounds for Preventionfest, enjoying a massive pumpkin patch, food, and games hosted by the Prevention Team and Warm Springs Branch of Health and Human Services. Earlier in the week, the Recreation Department held its Halloween parade, and they are now looking ahead to the Christmas Lights Parade on December 10th, featuring a nostalgic theme based on "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" and "Bumble" the Abominable Snowman.
The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Branch of Natural Resources has announced an administrative closure for areas impacted by the Bench Fire to ensure safety while post-fire recovery, road repairs, and salvage operations continue. Access is restricted to residential traffic, recovery personnel, and local grazing group members, with the closure footprint scheduled for reassessment in the spring of 2027.
Several community construction projects are underway in Warm Springs, including a new fire hall set for completion next spring to house on-duty firefighters. A new heating and cooling shelter next to the homeless shelter and a multi-purpose facility with wrestling mats and a batting cage near the old school gym are both expected to open by the end of the year, while construction will begin soon on a larger, north-to-south oriented pavilion behind the Community Center.
Local residents seeking guidance on wildfire coverage can attend an upcoming Oregon Division of Financial Regulation open house at the Redmond Library on Friday, October 30th from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. State regulators will offer one-on-one assistance for homeowners dealing with policy non-renewals and limited coverage options in high-risk wildfire zones.
Vision Maker Media is celebrating Native American Heritage Month this November with five new public television documentaries and two new short films focused on resilience, land reclamation, and Indigenous culture. The nationwide broadcasts begin November 2nd and will cover topics ranging from sovereign land return movements to basketball as a tool for healing at a former boarding school site.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers reveals that invasive walleye in the Snake River are thriving by preying on salmon and steelhead in the spring before shifting their diet to invasive American shad. OSU researcher Jonny Armstrong noted that the abundant shad population provides a unique year-round food supply that actively supports growing walleye numbers at the expense of native fish.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the U.S. Forest Service’s plan to close nearly two dozen research facilities and move its headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City following a lawsuit from labor unions and conservation groups. U.S. District Court Judge Vince Chhabria issued the hold, though Congress will have the opportunity to decide whether to extend the restrictions in about two months.
Sunny skies and warm temperatures will continue across Central Oregon, with a high near 74 degrees today and a low around 39 tonight. Friday will be warmer and mostly sunny, reaching a high near 81 degrees.
