Bills would provide $1 million to finish coastal trail
The 382-mile Oregon Coast Trail is one of the state’s most beautiful hiking trails, and it has become an increasingly popular tourist destination that lures people from around the world. There’s just one problem: The trail isn’t completely finished. That’s something state lawmakers want to remedy this year with two separate bills aimed at providing $1 million to address some gaps in the trail. The gaps range from a half-mile in length to dozens of miles, forcing hikers to seek alternate routes that can involve walking along the shoulder of Highway 101. (Zach Urness/Salem Statesman Journal)
Clark County residents can get help with rent
Clark County residents behind on rent are eligible for financial relief as the county kick-starts applications for a rental assistance program. To qualify, tenants must be behind on rent for at least one month or more, and their household income must be 80% lower than Clark County’s area median income. The program is aimed specifically at helping renters with a one-time financial boost. Homeowners behind on their mortgage payments cannot receive financial assistance through the program, and no aid can be given to landlords. Applicants will be screened on the 6th and 20th of each month. If either day falls on a holiday, the screening will take place the subsequent business day. (Mia Ryder-Marks/The Columbian)
Petition seeks further protection for southern resident orcas
Southern resident orcas are listed as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act, but are not on Oregon’s own list of protected species. The Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife and Whale and Dolphin Conservation want to change that, and have filed a petition aiming to protect the orcas under the Oregon Endangered Species Act. A state listing would require the development of a state endangered species management plan, which proponents say would spur coordination among state agencies and lead to the development of concrete actions to address threats to orcas in Oregon. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission has 90 days to decide whether the petition provides substantial scientific information to warrant listing. (Makenzie Elliott/Eugene Register-Guard)
Oregon farmers blast machinery taxes meant to fund Portland truck upgrades
Oregon farm groups are criticizing newly proposed taxes on off-road machinery, saying they’ll burden rural businesses with the cost of retrofitting trucks in the state’s largest metropolitan area. Under House Bill 3158, sales and rentals of off-road machinery would be taxed, as would tires and the dyed diesel fuel used to power such equipment. Revenues would help pay for upgrading older medium- and heavy-duty trucks in and around Portland that would otherwise be phased out under a law targeting diesel emissions in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties. Until now, such improvements have been covered by $73 million from Volkswagen, which agreed to pay state governments $2.9 billion to resolve litigation over the auto company’s emissions violations. But the amount requested for truck upgrades now surpasses the money Oregon has remaining from the auto company. (Mateusz Perkowski/Capital Press)
Vancouver school district plans to hire mental health providers with federal grant
With the help of a $1.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Vancouver Public Schools plans to hire mental health providers for each of its secondary schools. Catherine MacCallum-Ceballos, the district’s director of community schools, said VPS hopes to start hiring next week, bringing 14 providers on board to help students and work with families. She said the district plans to be intentional about hiring providers of color and who speak Spanish. “Our goal,” she said, “is to increase mental health literacy and destigmatize mental health.” (Nika Bartoo-Smith/The Columbian)
Construction starts soon to modernize Medford’s Foothill Road
One of the Rogue Valley’s major thoroughfares will soon get a $62 million upgrade. Medford plans to begin construction Friday on a project to improve Foothill Road, expanding the two-lane road to five lanes in most places while adding a center turn lane, sidewalks, gutters, curbs and bike lanes. The project, from Delta Walters Road south to Hillcrest Road, includes five phases and concludes at the end of 2026. John Vial, the Medford Public Works Director, said the renovations are sorely needed. “Foothill Road was built back basically from Model Ts,” he said. “I mean, it was built 100 years ago. And it’s a windy and narrow two-lane road that is completely insufficient for today’s traffic.” (Jane Vaughan/Jefferson Public Radio)