Josephine County commissioners yank tax dollars from agricultural programs
Josephine County commissioners voted 2-1 this week to end local tax funding for the Oregon State University Extension Service, including local 4-H programs. That leaves the agricultural programs short about $400,000 that they were set to receive from a tax levy. Commissioners earlier this month accused the extension service’s 4-H program of barring youths from displaying Christian symbols on their clothing. Leaders of the program disputed the commissioners’ stance. In addition to 4-H, the extension service runs agriculture, forestry and master gardener programs, among others. (Lisa Dunlap/Grants Pass Daily Courier)
How Oregon’s U.S. representatives voted on the House budget deal
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a debt ceiling and budget cuts package Wednesday in an attempt to avoid a default crisis. Oregon Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Cliff Bentz voted for the deal. But many Republicans said the budget cuts don’t go far enough. Seventy-one of them voted against it. Meanwhile, some Democrats are opposed to new work requirements for food aid and a fast-tracked gas pipeline included in the deal. Oregon Reps. Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle were among the 46 Democrats who voted against it. Reps. Andrea Salinas and Earl Blumenauer, both Democrats, voted for the package. Blumenauer said failure to pass the bill would’ve crashed the global economy. The Senate is expected to vote on the bill by the end of the week. Oregon Democratic Sen. Jeff Merkley has already said he would vote against it. (OPB Staff)
Central Oregon wildland firefighters are getting a pay raise
Salaries for wildland firefighters in Central Oregon have increased from a year ago as the federal government uses cash to attract more people to the front lines of fires. This year, wildland firefighters in Central Oregon are being paid 4.37% more, on average, compared to a year ago, according to a payment schedule provided by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Salaries vary depending on the job and experience level of the person filling it. (Michael Kohn/Bend Bulletin)
Hermiston will break ground on a new skate park next week
The city of Hermiston will begin construction on a new skate park next Tuesday. It’s the first phase of what will ultimately become the Hermiston Teen Adventure Park across from the police department. The 7,500-square-foot skate park will offer jumps, ramps, rails and more for skaters of all skill levels. The second phase of construction will include a climbing rock and a parkour park. The skate park is set to open this fall. (East Oregonian staff)
Related: A skate park becomes a community centerpiece in Warm Springs 🛹
The Warm Springs K-8 Academy is expanding
The Jefferson County School District broke ground this week on an addition to the Warm Springs K-8 Academy that will offer six new classrooms. Voters approved a bond measure in 2021 that’s helping pay for the expansion. Soon after it opened in 2014, the student population at the Warm Springs K-8 Academy shot up, forcing educators to use any available rooms for classrooms, including spaces that would have been used by the community. (Noemi Arellano-Summer/Bend Bulletin)