Eastern Oregon
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US Forest Service starts revision to Blue Mountains Forest Plan — again
The Malheur, Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman national forests, collectively known as the Blue Mountains, have been operating under a forest management plan developed more than 30 years ago. The most recent effort to revise the plan failed in 2019. Now, the U.S. Forest Service is restarting the process.

Greater Idaho vote sits at edge of Wallowa County recount ahead of ballot deadline
Approval of the ballot measure has remained tight since Election Day, with the yes vote holding an eight-vote lead as of Monday.

Blue Mountain Community College laid them off. Now they could be back as elected board members
The results of last week’s election are the latest turn in an ongoing fight at the community college between its budget writers and staff.

Political opposition to Greater Idaho grows, as the effort holds narrow election lead
Oregon's Wallowa County was one of the first to vote against the idea, but a second referendum put to voters this week showed a 21-vote lead for proponents of the bid to join Idaho.
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Eastern Oregon University taps Indiana administrator as new president
Kelly Ryan succeeds Tom Insko, who left EOU last year to run a wood products company.

Controversial mega-dairy and farm under fresh scrutiny by Oregon officials
At issue are fertilizer leaks at the former Lost Valley Farm. The Easterdays, who now own the site, say they’re not responsible.

Ontario BottleDrop takes steps to block Idaho cans and bottles
Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative says it checks license plates and IDs to verify if recycling comes from Oregon.

Eastern Oregon community college to end prisoner education program, cut 17 jobs
Two years ago, Blue Mountain Community College teamed up with other colleges across the state to convince the Oregon Department of Corrections to continue the colleges’ adult education and GED programs in state prisons. At a special meeting last week, the BMCC Board of Education voted to end their programs at the direction of the college president.

Oregonians with polluted wells demand state of emergency
Residents from Eastern Oregon affected by ongoing groundwater pollution demand Gov. Tina Kotek to declare state of emergency
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An Eastern Oregon district does the math and finds way to give teachers ‘life changing’ raises
The new salary scale makes Baker among the best paying districts in a state where the average starting salary is $39,000, according to the Oregon Education Association. The move is making waves as the Legislature mulls a statewide salary floor.