KWSO Wednesday Morning News: Walk-In Benefits Outreach, Ballot Drop Locations, COCC Expansion, and Regional Updates
Warm Springs residents now have direct, walk-in access to state benefits assistance at the Family Resource Center. Starting today, an Oregon Department of Human Services eligibility worker is stationed at the center on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., pausing during the lunch hour, with upcoming outreach days on November 4, 18, and 25. Clients can walk in on a first-come, first-served basis for intake appointments, annual renewals, change reports, and general benefit questions. EBT card replacements are not available at this site; those needing new cards or standard in-office services must continue to contact the Warm Springs ODHS branch on Holliday Street directly or call 541-553-1626.
Oregon election officials are reminding voters that official drop boxes are available as Election Day nears. Regional drop sites include the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office on D Street in Madras, the Warm Springs Fire & Safety building, Three Warriors Market in Simnasho, Culver City Hall, Metolius City Hall, Crooked River Ranch Admin Area, and Black Butte School in Camp Sherman. In Wasco County, boxes are located at the Courthouse in The Dalles, Maupin Civic Center, Dufur City Hall, and Mosier City Hall.
Central Oregon Community College will break ground this Monday on an $8 million expansion of its manufacturing center on the Redmond campus. The project revamps the college's existing 34,000-square-foot facility and adds a 6,500-square-foot wing for welding and fabrication labs. College officials noted the facility will train students on industry-standard equipment for fields like machining and quality control, responding to state labor forecasts predicting a 15 percent increase in Oregon’s welding workforce over the coming decade.
Over $17 million in federal conservation funding is headed to Washington state tribes to restore vital salmon habitats. According to Tribal Business News, the package includes more than $9 million for the Yakama Nation to restore wetlands and reconnect floodplains along the Toppenish Creek watershed, as well as nearly $8.3 million for the Lummi Nation and Nooksack Indian Tribe for restoration projects across the Nooksack River watershed. Nationally, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the Pacific Northwest tribal fishery grants are part of a wider $36 million national initiative supporting tribal-led conservation and habitat restoration. Federal officials confirmed roughly 75 percent of the national funds will go directly to on-the-ground restoration efforts.
Oregon election officials report voter turnout is outpacing the 2022 midterms, with more than 700,000 ballots—over 23 percent—already returned, OPB's Bryce Dole reports. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read noted the strong early participation and advised voters to use secure local drop boxes before 8:00 p.m. on November 3 rather than the mail to ensure their votes are counted.
Private landowners are increasingly turning to Prescribed Burn Associations to manage fire risks and invasive grasses, reporter Isobel Charle reports. Oregon State University fire specialist Micah Schmidt noted the groups build community ownership to "put fire back into the hands of the people," while Wallowa County landowner Peter Ferre cautioned that burns require careful planning and a certified manager rather than simply throwing a match on the grass.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek attended the opening of the New Season Treatment Center in Gresham this week, an outpatient addiction clinic funded by a $1.8 million state opioid settlement grant to expand methadone and buprenorphine treatment in East Multnomah County and nearby rural areas.
The Portland Trail Blazers improved to 3-0 on the season following a 136-129 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, led by key contributions from Toumani Camara and Robert Williams III.
Lingering morning showers will give way to partly sunny skies and breezy conditions today with a high near 53, followed by a chilly overnight low near 28. Thursday and Friday remain calm and partly sunny with afternoon highs reaching the low 50s.
