Weekday Wrap: Oregon’s new chief justice begins her term, portion of Interstate 84 closes this weekend

Oregon’s second feminine chief justice sworn in

The Oregon Supreme Courtroom’s forty fourth chief justice, Meagan Flynn, has begun her time period after serving as affiliate justice on the excessive courtroom since 2014. Flynn is the second lady to serve within the place, following the retirement final yr of the courtroom’s first feminine chief justice, Martha Walters. Flynn’s first order of enterprise was to swear in two new affiliate justices appointed by Gov. Kate Brown. Which means each justice at present on the Oregon Supreme Courtroom has been appointed by Brown. Flynn is now the pinnacle of the state courtroom system, which is going through a extreme scarcity of public defenders. Tons of of individuals charged with crimes in Oregon shouldn’t have attorneys to signify them. (OPB Workers)

Interstate 84 closes this weekend close to Interstate 205 interchange

Interstate 84 might be closed in each instructions for many of this weekend on the Interstate 205 interchange. Through the closure, TriMet might be engaged on a brand new gentle rail bridge close to the Gateway Transit Heart. The closure is scheduled to start at 10 p.m. Friday and the freeway is anticipated to open once more by 4 a.m. Sunday. Drivers ought to plan to make use of alternate routes and anticipate delays within the space. The development is a part of TriMet’s A Higher Purple mission, which is scheduled to be accomplished subsequent yr. (OPB Workers)

Southern Oregon’s lakes rising as winter storms proceed

The stream of precipitation over the vacations virtually doubled water ranges in japanese Jackson County reservoirs. It additionally bloated the world’s largest reservoir — Misplaced Creek Lake — to just some toes shy of its regular filling schedule, water knowledge exhibits. General, reservoir ranges within the Expertise Irrigation District have almost doubled since Christmas Eve, however they’re nonetheless solely about 11% full. The district and its three-headed water system of Hyatt, Howard Prairie and Emigrant reservoirs, are trying to recharge after final yr’s report low ranges. Whereas there’s nonetheless an extended technique to go, state biologist Pete Samarin mentioned, “it’s a wonderful begin to the water yr.” (Mark Freeman/Medford Tribune)

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Lane County will get funding enhance for brand spanking new disaster middle

Lane County’s plans for a brand new behavioral well being disaster stabilization middle will get a lift from the 2023 federal omnibus invoice. The county is receiving $1.5 million in federal funds, along with the $7 million already earmarked by the county to assist pay for amenities and tools. Officers say the brand new middle will assist relieve a few of the pressure felt by psychological well being service suppliers and emergency responders that spiked throughout the pandemic. Jason Davis, the general public info officer for the county’s Well being and Human Companies Division, mentioned the neighborhood has sorely wanted such amenities. (Brian Bull/KLCC)

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Vancouver seeks candidates for site visitors calming grants

Individuals in Vancouver, Washington, who wish to decelerate site visitors of their neighborhoods, can now apply to town’s 2023 Neighborhood Visitors Calming Program. Funded by town’s actual property excise tax and different sources, this system will present about $300,000 for enchancment initiatives that cut back residential rushing and enhance livability. Residents and associations can solely submit one software per yr, and every proposal should have somebody to champion it by the entire analysis and choice course of. Value estimates can’t exceed $150,000. Functions might be made on-line by Feb. 28. (Lauren Ellenbecker/The Columbian)

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World-renowned snow scientists are coming to Bend this fall

On the subject of snow, most individuals come to Bend to ski or snowboard on it. This fall, although, greater than a thousand folks will arrive to not recreate on snow, however to debate avalanches, snow science and the way a warming planet is impacting snow cowl. That’s as a result of town will host a few of the world’s foremost snow science consultants Oct. 8-18 on the bi-annual Worldwide Snow Science Workshop. The occasion started in 1976 in Banff, Canada, and has been held almost 20 occasions since. It was canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic. The occasion’s organizers reportedly selected Bend after a particular committee traveled to the final workshop to make a pitch to organizers. (Michael Kohn/The Bend Bulletin)

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