Deadly plant pathogen found on Oregon Coast
An invasive pathogen that causes the plant disease known as sudden oak death was found in Lincoln City, the Oregon Department of Agriculture says. The pathogen, called Phytophthora ramorum, was found at a botanical garden and private residence. Officials are working to find out if it spread beyond the affected properties. The pathogen can infect over 100 different plant species. It was first found in Oregon in a forest outside of Brookings, where a quarantine was put in place to keep it from spreading. Anyone who visits the quarantined area of Curry County is asked not to remove plants or soil, and to clean and disinfect vehicles, equipment and clothing after leaving the area. Federal officials say the public can also help stop the spread of this and other pathogens by buying healthy plants from reputable nurseries, and by not purchasing plants online. (OPB Staff)
Find out more about Phytophthora ramorum, including symptoms, impacted species and quarantine maps.
Minimum income needed to buy home in Portland metro area
If you’re looking to buy an affordable home in the Portland metro area and several other parts of Oregon these days, you’ll need to earn a six-figure paycheck. In the 97210 ZIP code in Northwest Portland, which includes Forest Park, the median-valued home at $868,928 requires an annual income of $212,041. That is, if buyers abide by the real estate industry standard of keeping one’s mortgage payment within 30% of pretax monthly income. On the other end of the spectrum, though, the median home in the 97233 ZIP code in Southeast Portland costs about $412,236, lowering the income threshold to $107,931. (Christopher Bjorke/Portland Business Journal)
Coastal marine study gets federal funding
Researchers along the West Coast recently received $4.2 million in federal funds to investigate how multiple stressors from climate change are impacting Dungeness crab, as well as krill, another much smaller crustacean. Crab is considered the single most valuable single-species fishery in Oregon, and krill play a vital role in the ocean’s food web. The study will look at such stressors as ocean acidification, low oxygen conditions, marine heatwaves and algal blooms. (Michelle Klampe/OSU)
Cowlitz Indian Tribe seeks lower public safety payments to Clark County
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe wants to lower the amount it’s paying Clark County for public safety services at its ilani casino near La Center. The tribe’s 2017 contract with the county required $400,000 a year in payments with a 2% annual increase, according to Clark County Chief Civil Deputy Prosecutor Leslie Lopez. That contract is up for renewal in December, and Lopez told the County Council Wednesday that the tribe has “greatly increased the number of officers” in its public safety force at the casino. The council reviewed a revised contract but has yet to vote on it. (Shari Phiel/The Columbian)
Freezing forecast prompts opening of cold-weather shelter in Portland
The temperature in Portland could drop below freezing overnight, so the Joint Office of Homeless Services will open a cold-weather shelter. The overnight temperature is expected to be at or below 32 degrees for at least four hours. That doesn’t quite meet the severe weather threshold for the city or Multnomah County, but the Joint Office of Homeless Services has issued a cold weather advisory. That means the office will activate cold weather outreach protocols, and it will open an overnight shelter at the Central Church of Nazarene on Southeast Powell Boulevard. More than a dozen year-round overnight shelters are also available. Anyone who needs help finding a shelter, or getting to one, should call 211 or visit 211info.org. The National Weather Service forecast predicts overnight temperatures will stay just above freezing for the rest of the week. (Jeff Thompson/OPB)
