A new year means new laws in Oregon
Twenty new Oregon state laws will go into effect starting Jan. 1. One allows cities to appoint traffic enforcement agents that can issue citations — without becoming police officers — from evidence collected by traffic cameras. Another will update the language in state rules and regulations to reference people who are not U.S. citizens as “non-citizens” rather than “aliens.” From paid leave to school boards to fishing licenses, here’s a look at what’s new in 2023. (Dakota Castets-Didier/East Oregonian)
Study suggests Portland tree planting may have saved lives
Urban tree planting by the Portland-based nonprofit Friends of Trees over the course of three decades was linked to significant reductions in cardiovascular-related deaths and non-accidental mortality in the city, a recent study led by the U.S. Forest Service shows. According to Friend of Trees’ records of its tree-planting efforts, more than 49,000 trees were planted in Portland between 1990 and 2019. Thanks to those additions to the city’s tree canopy, the study found, the mortality rate across Portland neighborhoods was lower. Specifically, planting roughly a dozen trees in each neighborhood — the average number of trees planted in a neighborhood each of the 30 years — was associated with 15.6 fewer non-accidental deaths and five fewer cardiovascular deaths on average annually. (Max Egener/Portland Tribune)
Impaired driving arrests increased this year in Central and Eastern Oregon
Arrests of people suspected of driving under the influence of intoxicants in Bend rose for the second consecutive year, as officers focused on cracking down on intoxicated driving in the Central Oregon city. Bend police officers made 677 DUII arrests through Christmas Day, far more than the 509 arrests last year. In Eastern Oregon, Lisa Reddington of the La Grande Police Department provided DUII arrest statistics for the LGPD and Union County Sheriff’s Office. La Grande officers and Union County deputies made 106 DUII arrests in 2021, compared with 105 through Dec. 22 of this year. In Morrow County, the sheriff’s office has made 10% more arrests for impaired driving so far this year compared to 2021. (Bryce Dole/The Bulletin and John Tillman/East Oregonian)
Read more from The East Oregonian.
2023 drop dates for Lincoln City hidden glass floats announced
An Oregon Coast tradition, a treasure hunt of sorts, will be back for another year: The Lincoln City Glass Floats. The floats, which are colorful glass-blown orbs made by local artists, are placed along the city’s 7-mile shoreline. If you spot a float, it’s “finder keepers” rules. For those interested in searching, the special drop dates for 2023 have been released, from opening weekend next Friday to the middle of next December. On any given scheduled “drop,” 28 to 200 floats will be hidden on the beach. (OPB Staff)
Crater Lake is going cashless in 2023
Crater Lake, Oregon’s only national park, is phasing out cash payments for entrance and permit fees, starting on Jan. 1. The park will accept credit and debit cards, as well as payment apps on mobile devices. Visitors can also buy passes in advance at recreation.gov. The park fees are used for repairs, maintenance, and improvements to roads, trails and facilities. Officials say moving to a cashless system will help stretch those dollars, as park staff will no longer spend time managing cash payments. The policy goes into effect Sunday, but visitors should also keep in mind that Rim Drive and the North Entrance Road are still closed for the season. The Road to Rim Village is temporarily closed due to winter weather, and traction tires or snow chains are required elsewhere in the park. (OPB Staff)
