KWSO Wednesday Morning News: Community Belonging Focus Group, Free Pet Vaccine Clinic, U.S. 97 Safety Overhaul, and Regional Updates
OSU-Cascades and OHSU will host a Community Belonging focus group on Thursday, October 15th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the old school cafeteria in Warm Springs. Community Research Facilitator Kaitlin Green explained that the project aims to "uncover the conditions that foster belonging in the places that people live, work and play, and raise their families." The session seeks primary caregivers of children under 18 to complete a draft survey and provide feedback, with dinner and a $10 gift card provided to participants 18 and older.
Fences For Fido will host a free dog and cat vaccine clinic on Saturday, November 7th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Warm Springs Fire & Safety on Campus. Open to Warm Springs residents, the event offers free vaccinations along with flea and tick prevention for up to four pets per household on a first-come, first-served basis with check-in required by 3:30 p.m.
Local leaders, state officials, and elementary students gathered in Terrebonne on Monday to celebrate the completion of a $39 million safety overhaul along U.S. 97. The project introduces a double-roundabout interchange at Lower Bridge Way to eliminate dangerous left turns, along with new multi-use paths and upgraded sidewalks connecting Terrebonne Community School to surrounding neighborhoods. ODOT Project Manager Bill Martin stated that the project is focused on helping residents move safely through their community, with funding split between state transportation funds and Deschutes County.
With Election Day approaching, Oregon election officials report that mailing a ballot a week early ensures it arrives on time, though delivery can take up to four days depending on local post office processing. Ballots are being mailed out starting today, and Secretary of State Tobias Read is encouraging voters to plan ahead, stating, "Elections are decided by those who show up. Don't let someone else show up for you." Officials also suggest utilizing local ballot drop boxes where possible to prevent delivery delays.
The state of Oregon has settled one of seven lawsuits concerning alleged sexual abuse at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn. OPB's Joni Auden Land reports that dozens of men allege former doctor Edward Gary Edwards abused them while state officials ignored reports, though the settlement terms were not disclosed and remaining suits remain unsettled. In response, the Oregon Youth Authority noted it has implemented mandatory employee training reforms across its facilities.
Governor Tina Kotek directed the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to temporarily pause issuing air and water pollution permits to data centers, effectively halting major development projects through next summer. The directive drew sharp criticism from tech giant Amazon, which operates facilities in the state and warned that the decision will harm regional job growth.
The Warm Springs weather forecast calls for sunny skies today with a high near 73, dropping to a low around 39 under mostly clear skies tonight. Sunshine continues on Thursday with high temperatures reaching near 74 degrees.
