Oregon
Weekday Wrap: Oregon drought no longer ‘exceptional,’ but it’s still bad
![Weekday Wrap: Oregon drought no longer ‘exceptional,’ but it’s still bad](https://opb-opb-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/5aeHG5HZxD7JC9SU5hzq48HJbTw=/1200x675/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/opb/YUGOEG2CC5HYJM25CO32LAAVGY.jpg)
Moisture helps Central Oregon escape worst drought class
No a part of Oregon is within the worst drought class for the primary time in two years, in keeping with the U.S. Drought Monitor. Final yr, all of Criminal County in Central Oregon was within the “distinctive” drought class — essentially the most extreme underneath the monitor’s score system. However a number of winter storms have boosted snowpack within the Cascades and introduced water yr precipitation near regular, downgrading Criminal County’s drought class to “excessive.” Whereas the added moisture is a slight enchancment for wildlife, farmers and fireplace resistance, drought circumstances are more likely to worsen as climate will get hotter and warmer. (Michael Kohn/The Bend Bulletin)
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What we’re speaking about after we discuss drought
C-Tran could improve fares
Clark County public transit company C-Tran this week proposed growing fares by 25 cents to 50 cents, relying on the service. The company permitted momentary fare reductions in the beginning of final yr because the COVID-19 pandemic wore on. C-Tran administrators will vote on the proposed worth improve at their June 13 board assembly. If permitted, the brand new fares would take impact on Jan. 1, 2024. (William Seekamp/The Columbian)
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Grant County residents converse out in opposition to becoming a member of Idaho
A bunch of 10 residents in matching inexperienced T-shirts attended a public assembly on the Grant County Courtroom this week to voice opposition to becoming a member of Idaho. It could be the primary organized opposition to the motion that proposes combining a number of Japanese Oregon counties with the Gem State subsequent door. Members of the group, whose shirts learn “Simply Say No to Idaho,” voiced issues about Idaho’s low minimal wage, training funding and environmental laws, amongst different points. Voters in 11 Oregon counties, together with Grant County, have permitted poll measures endorsing the concept of becoming a member of Idaho. (Neil Nisperos/Blue Mountain Eagle)
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Renovations underway at Fort Clatsop Customer Heart
The Fort Clatsop Customer Heart at Lewis and Clark Nationwide Historic Park will endure inside and exterior upgrades throughout a transform. Enhancements will embrace an enhanced entrance, a revamped heating and cooling system, new home windows, modernized bogs and extra. A lot of the customer middle, together with the bogs and home windows, was constructed in 1963, 5 years after the park was established. The ability underwent a significant growth in 1991 — including a theater and exhibit corridor — by way of a private and non-private partnership with supporters of the park. The brand new facade is impressed by Chinook and Clatsop tradition. (Ethan Myers/The Astorian)
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Meet the electrician-turned-beekeeper at Willamette Valley Vineyards
Mason bees, to fanatics like Stephen Paisley, are the underappreciated underdog of the bee household. Pollinators are essential members of any ecosystem. They assist vegetation reproduce. “You lose pollinators, you lose a big portion of your meals supply,” Paisley mentioned on a current morning at Willamette Valley Winery. That’s why Paisley has devoted his retired life to mason bees. The winery’s former electrician is now its resident volunteer beekeeper. His job is to create an atmosphere for the bees to thrive. (Shannon Sollitt/Salem Statesman Journal)
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Why the magical, mysterious mason bee is a gardener’s greatest buddy 🐝
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Oregon
Oregon ranks middle among states for child well-being in new report
FILE – Students sitting inside a classroom at David Douglas High School in Portland on Sept. 6, 2023. A new report Oregon ranks middle among states for child well-being.
Caden Perry / OPB
Oregon kids are healthier than average but lag behind their peers nationwide when it comes to education, according to a new report.
The Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation releases annually a report called KIDS COUNT that ranks how well states support kids using state and federal data. The latest report, the foundation’s 35th, was released last week and includes data collected in 2021 and 2022. It shows Oregon is in the middle among states for overall child well-being.
Although Oregon is in the top 25% of states for supporting child health — as measured by health insurance coverage, birth weight, childhood death and obesity rates — the state ranks near the bottom in education, at 43rd among the 50 states.
In Oregon, nearly three-quarters of fourth graders were not considered proficient readers in 2022, up 6% from pre-COVID pandemic levels in 2019, according to the report. Nearly 80% of eighth graders were not considered proficient in math, a 10% increase from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The pandemic also drove a 10% increase in chronic absenteeism since 2020. According to the report, about 40% of Oregon students were chronically absent in 2022, meaning they missed 10%, or 16 or more days, of school during the year.
Declining proficiency in key subject areas and increases in student absenteeism are troubling trends in most states, researchers found.
“This lack of readiness will result in major harm to the nation’s economy and to our youth as they join the workforce. Up to $31 trillion in U.S. economic activity hinges on helping young people overcome learning loss caused by the pandemic,” a news release from the foundation read.
Oregon Department of Education Director Charlene Williams said she and the agency are focused on improving outcomes for students and schools still feeling the impacts of the pandemic.
“The data clearly shows that this is still a challenge. We’re in an important moment where we have to get really clear about our existing resources, how do we strategically invest and maximize what we have, and any additional resources to accelerate the lift in our scholars’ learning and achievement,” she said in an email.
Researchers pointed to unreliable transportation, unstable housing, food insecurity, large class sizes and decaying school infrastructure in Oregon as issues that exacerbate learning and school attendance issues.
Other challenges include low-economic prosperity in the state. Oregon ranked 29th among states for economic well-being. This is because 14% of kids live in poverty and 30% of kids live in households with a high housing cost burden.
The report recommended increased investment from the state Legislature and schools to ensure universal and reliable internet access, as well as low-cost or free meals and staff and space for students to get help with studying and tutoring at school. Authors criticized Oregon schools and the Oregon Department of Education for not more closely regulating and ensuring $1.6 billion in federal COVID relief money was used to improve educational outcomes for kids. Schools have spent nearly all of the money.
“This disheartening fact ties to Oregon’s overall lack of oversight and accountability for data driven results in how the 197 school districts chose to utilize this vital resource,” they wrote.
Oregon
Central Oregon fire burns 700 acres near Madras
![Central Oregon fire burns 700 acres near Madras](https://www.oregonlive.com/resizer/v2/SVRPJHYT5FFATMHDQ5O7EGAJYA.jpg?auth=45cfa3b9240b8d93876e8809bd025020a63905db727a08201caa6e4f7c948003&width=1280&quality=90)
A wildfire along Highway 97 near Madras erupted Saturday, grew to 700 acres and is now 50% contained, officials said.
The fire started on ground owned by the Bureau of Land Management, roughly 6 miles northwest of Willowdale, and is being fueled by grass, brush and juniper. Officials say the cause of the fire is still being investigated.
Oregon
28 riders left hanging upside down on stalled amusement park ride in Oregon, US for about 30 minutes
![28 riders left hanging upside down on stalled amusement park ride in Oregon, US for about 30 minutes](https://static.mothership.sg/1/2024/06/Copy-of-Untitled-Design-19.png)
The AtmosFEAR ride at Oaks Park in Portland, Oregon more than lived up to its name for 28 riders on Jun. 14, 2024, when they found themselves hanging upside down for half an hour as the ride stalled due to a malfunction, KGW8 reported:
Photo from KGW8.
The AtmosFear ride opened in 2021, and involves a pendulum that swings from side to side.
The ride stops upside down as a regular part of the ride, though typically only for a moment.
“We were just freaking out”
Riders realised that things were not going according to plan when the ride stayed at the top at about 2:55pm (U.S. time) and did not resume falling.
Many on the ride started panicking, and were stuck in an upside-down position with their legs pointing upwards.
One, a teenager who was interviewed by KGW8 said: “We were just freaking out. People were crying. They were just putting into the universe what they wanted to say for their last words.”
Soon after, park officials called 911, and the ride was manually lowered at about 3:25pm.
One person with a pre-existing medical condition was evacuated to an area hospital, though no injuries or casualties were reported.
The ride is closed until further notice. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the malfunction.
Top photo from KGW8.
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