Arcturus COVID variant may put more people in the hospital
Hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients are down, according to the latest report from Oregon Health and Science University economist Peter Graven. He’s been forecasting COVID trends since the early days of the pandemic. Graven says a new wave of hospitalizations is on the horizon as the Arcturus variant spreads throughout the state. Arcturus may be the most transmissible COVID variant yet, but its symptoms are not expected to be worse than other recent variants. (Nick Budnick/The Lund Report)
Study finds harmful emissions from gas stoves in Eugene
A new report from an environmental nonprofit found harfmul levels of pollution released from gas ranges and stoves in Eugene-area homes. Eugene-based Beyond Toxics found “harmful” and “hazardous” levels of nitrogen dioxide as well as elevated levels of other pollutants. The report comes as city voters consider whether to ban fossil fuel infrastructure such as gas stove hookups in new residential construction. The Eugene City Council approved the ban in February, but a successful referendum petition will put the measure on a future ballot. (Miranda Cyr/Eugene Register-Guard)
Klamath water users ‘disappointed’ in this year’s allotments
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced last week that 215,000 acre-feet of water will be available to the Klamath Project water users this year. A group representing farmers, ranchers and other water users in the Klamath Project on Monday said the allotment is barely more than half of what’s needed for farms and wildlife refuges — and that thousands of acres will go dry. The Klamath River flows through Southern Oregon and Northern California to the Pacific Ocean. Its water helps sustain several vulnerable fish populations, tribes, farms and ranches, and wetlands. (Klamath Falls Herald and News staff)
Tiny home village planned for Cave Junction
A nonprofit in Southern Oregon is moving forward with plans to build 15 tiny houses in Cave Junction to serve as transitional housing. The I.V. Hope Village would feature 100-square-foot structures that could fit beds and belongings for residents as well as a communal building with a kitchen, laundry, showers and workspaces. The goal of the project is to transition people from the street and into permanent housing elsewhere. Residents could stay up to two years, paying rent and helping with grounds and facility upkeep. (Shaun Hall/The Grants Pass Daily Courier)
Heavy snow increases risk for Mt. Bachelor skiers and snowboarders
The Mt. Bachelor ski area west of Bend saw nearly 11 feet of fresh snow in March, which is more than double the average amount. While piles of fresh, late-season powder have lured skiers and snowboarders to the mountain, it’s also made for safety hazards. One woman nearly died when she fell into a deep tree well, and another man was injured in an avalanche three days later. “The risk is heightened on days that we get an exorbitant amount of snow … but the risks are never gone,” said Dustin Smith, the director of mountain operations. “It is challenging to be able to control every single hazard that’s on the resort. Ultimately accidents can happen in all conditions.” (Joe Siess/The Bend Bulletin)