Lincoln County changes racist name of road west of Waldport
A rural road with a racist moniker on the Oregon coast has a new name. It now honors an early Black settler, Louis Southworth, who came to Oregon as a slave, then bought his freedom and became a prominent local civic leader. Lincoln County Commissioners voted unanimously Dec. 21 to change the name of the road near Waldport to Southworth Road. During a public comment period earlier in the month, some residents pointed out that “Southworth” was the name of the man who enslaved him, and suggested using his birth name of “Hunter” instead. But Commissioner Claire Hall pointed out that several other local landmarks already bear the Southworth name. (Chris M. Lehman/KLCC)
Former state agriculture official now in key role with USDA
Oregon’s former Department of Agriculture director now holds a top federal agricultural post after being confirmed this week by the U.S. Senate. Alexis Taylor was approved as undersecretary for trade and foreign affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In her role, she will serve as an ambassador responsible for overseeing international trade negotiations, developing USDA’s trade policies, opening foreign markets to U.S. farm goods and promoting American agriculture. Taylor told senators she will work with the U.S. Trade Representative on a path toward country-of-origin labeling that is World Trade Organization-compliant, hold Canada and Mexico to their commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, try to expand export markets for dairy and other farm products within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and work to contain highly pathogenic bird flu cases without disrupting markets. (Sierra Dawn McClain/Capital Press)
Klamath Community College offers training for students to enter well drilling industry
Students at Klamath Community College will soon be able to get training needed to become licensed well drillers and well construction workers. The college recently launched its training program to help address a shortage of such workers in the Klamath Basin, where demand for water has increased in recent drought years. Partnered with KCC’s welding program, students can acquire a welding and pipe welding certificate, and be instructed in well construction — including 90 hours of hands-on training for vertical and horizontal drilling. (Kurt Liedtke/Herald and News)
Former Pendleton cowboy wins WCRA Triple Crown rodeo prize
A former Pendleton cowboy picked up $1 million last weekend after winning the bareback event at the Cowtown Christmas Championship Rodeo in Fort Worth, Texas. To win the prize, RC Landingham had to win an event in three consecutive World Champions Rodeo Alliance events, earning a so-called Triple Crown. He’s the third athlete to be in contention for the bonus prize, but the first to win it. “I had a feeling about halfway through the ride I had it won,” the 32-year-old said. “I wasn’t thinking about a million dollars. So much pressure for so long, to be on top was a huge relief.” (Annie Fowler/East Oregonian)
Court deals setback to company trying to develop a quarry near Oakridge
Environmental groups and others hailed a recent court ruling that sets back a proposal to build a gravel quarry near Oakridge, about 50 miles southeast of Eugene. The Oregon Court of Appeals overturned an earlier state Land Use Board of Appeals decision that appeared to pave the way for the project that had been rejected by both Lane County and city councils in Oakridge and nearby Westfir. “We’re talking about blasting a mountain apart right on the edge of Oakridge,” said Josh Laughlin, director of the environmental group Cascadia Wildlands. The company said the ruling doesn’t mean an end to the project, and that they “will continue the process towards approval and operation.” (Chris M. Lehman/KLCC)
