Deschutes County to end drug treatment court amid staffing woes
“The Deschutes County Circuit Court plans to end its drug treatment court, possibly as soon as this summer and is no longer admitting people. The decision drew concern from those who say the program helped. Officials say staffing shortages and other changes prompted the program to be discontinued. “It would be an incredible tragedy,” Joel Wirtz, a defense attorney and the executive director of the public defense nonprofit Deschutes Defenders, said. (Bryce Dole/The Bend Bulletin)
Recovery plan drafted for threatened Oregon spotted frog
The Oregon spotted frog, federally listed as a threatened species in 2014, has suffered a significant population decrease. However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hopes to remedy this with a new draft recovery plan. The Oregon spotted frog has lost over 76% of its former range. “A lot of folks wonder why it’s important to recover a frog,” U.S. Fish and Wildlife biologist Jennifer O’Reilly said. “By restoring these habitats for spotted frogs, we’re providing a lot of benefits for other species. And also for humans.” (Jasmine Lewin/KLCC)
Clark County to help homebuyers with down payment program
The Clark County Council reached an agreement with the Washington State Housing Finance Commission to establish the area’s first homebuyer down payment program. The council approved $2 million for an assistance program that provides more homeownership opportunities for moderate to low-income people. “The biggest opportunity for folks getting a home is having the funding saved in order to put down a down payment. But for many low-income households — especially our neighbors of color — you just don’t have an ability with cost of living to save up enough money because you are taking care of everyday expenses,” Clark County Treasurer Alishia Topper said. (Mia Ryder-Marks/The Columbian)
Oregon state employees file second lawsuit over incorrect paychecks
Three months after the state of Oregon implemented a new payroll system, thousands of employees are still receiving incorrect paychecks. It has prompted yet another lawsuit that demands the state immediately fix the errors and provide an accurate accounting of pay. An initial lawsuit was filed in late January. Elena Martinez, the president of the Association of Oregon Corrections Employees, is one of eight plaintiffs in the newest lawsuit, filed on Feb. 28 in Marion County Circuit Court. “I’ve had nurses quit because they didn’t get paid and they were so frustrated. Nobody’s ever going to trust the state again,” Martinez said. (Tracy Loew/Salem Statesman Journal)
Trail Blazers to host Bill Schonely celebration of life in Rose Quarter
The Portland Trail Blazers will be hosting a celebration of life Monday to honor longtime Blazers announcer Bill Schonely. Schonely was only the sixth person hired by the Blazers, and he went on to be the voice of the team for more than 30 years. He coined the term “Rip City” during a Blazers game in 1971. He ended up calling the play-by-play for more than 2,500 games, including Portland’s championship run in 1977. He died in January at the age of 93. Monday’s celebration will be held at Veterans Memorial Coliseum. It starts at 4 p.m. (OPB staff)
