Judge dismisses lawsuit challenging Oregon’s new heat and wildfire smoke rules
In an oral argument to Magistrate Mark D. Clarke, attorneys for Oregon Manufacturers and Commerce, Associated Oregon Loggers, and Oregon Forest and Industries Council contended air quality fluctuates due to a number of factors, not just wildfire smoke. Clarke wasn’t convinced. On Tuesday, he dismissed their lawsuit against the state’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, challenging the agency’s new heat and smoke rules protecting workers. Attorneys questioned the agency’s methods used to determine air quality, arguing many factors are at play. “Why is it that complicated?” Clarke asked. “[Oregonians] are very familiar with wildfire smoke. I’m not sure any of us have any trouble knowing when wildfire smoke rolls in.” (Shannon Sollitt/Salem Statesman Journal)
Klamath County OKs second investigator of developmentally disabled resident abuse
Klamath County commissioners approved an additional Developmental Disability Services investigator position on Tuesday. The county has seen at least 200 more residents seeking help from the Office of Developmental Disability Services over the last couple of years. Staff at the office believe those increases have resulted in more reports of abuse and exploitation. The new investigator will help the one other specialist on staff look into around 30 reports per month. At least five of those on average will turn into full-fledged, multi-week investigations. Those incidents range from minor disputes to criminal acts that require police involvement. (Roman Battaglia/JPR)
Vancouver makes progress on Main Street redesign
A plan to redesign the Main Street corridor in downtown Vancouver has been unfolding for years. But it didn’t take off until the city received about $10 million in federal funding aimed at helping local jurisdictions promote economic growth amid pandemic pressures. With that money, officials began the design process. They expect to finish it by 2024. So far, the plan calls for rebuilding Main Street between West Fifth and West 15th streets, with work beginning in 2024 and finishing by 2026. The street will be fitted with upgraded water and sewer mains, and repaved, restriped and adorned with art. It will also have wider sidewalks, improved crossings and new LED streetlights. All of that construction, however, has prompted recent discussions by city officials and business owners in the affected area about helping stores and restaurants survive. “We need to keep those businesses down there,” Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle said. (Lauren Ellenbecker/The Columbian)
Medford seeks fee hike to provide more police, fire funding
Medford City Council decided Thursday to more than double its public safety fee to help with response to a spike in homeless issues around the downtown. Over the next six years, the public safety fee that appears on monthly utility bills will have annual hikes to pay to add 29 more police and fire personnel. The fee hike also will help plug a large percentage of a $9.7 million general fund budget deficit caused by inflation. Over a six-year period, the fee increase will add 13 police officers, two community service officers, one property control specialist, six firefighters, one fire captain, two paramedics and two emergency medical technicians. (Damian Mann/Medford Tribune)
Joe Kent concedes Southwest Washington race to Marie Gluesenkamp Perez
More than a month after Election Day, a Republican candidate for Congress in Southwest Washington has conceded. Retired Green Beret Joe Kent Tweeted today that he called to congratulate Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez on her victory. Kent had been endorsed by Donald Trump and was considered the favorite to win. He entered the race to unseat incumbent Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler after she voted to impeach the former president. Kent lost to Gluesenkamp Perez in the general election by nearly 3,000 votes. In a statement, he said that his campaign is “not done yet.” (OPB Staff)
Sisters makes no changes to building height code
Last week, Sisters City Council approved some code changes to help produce more affordable housing in Sisters. The changes included increased building heights, but the code changes have been amended due to a lack of equipment needed to fight fires in taller buildings. Specifically, the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District may not be able to house a ladder truck equipped to reach 50 feet. In the interest of public safety, the increased height conditions were dropped. The updated housing plan includes a detailed list of strategies and timelines to help produce more affordable housing, including development incentives, cutting regulatory impediments, adjusting fees, and grants or waivers to increase housing availability. (Sue Stafford/The Nugget Newspaper)
