Former OHA director saw agency as ‘toxic place,’ texts show
As he left his post in early March, Gov. Tina Kotek’s pick to lead the Oregon Health Authority called the agency, which oversees health care for one in three Oregonians, a “toxic place” that resisted positive change, according to text messages The Lund Report obtained. The messages, other records and interviews shed light on the circumstances that led James Schroeder to resign unexpectedly after just seven weeks on the job. They provide a different view than he and Kotek presented at the time. (Nick Budnick/The Lund Report)
Wyden promises action on nitrate pollution in Eastern Oregon communities
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, at a town hall Sunday afternoon in Boardman, promised action on the nitrate-contaminated wells and surface water in the area. “People are right to be frustrated,” he said during the public meeting at the SAGE Center theater. “It’s just not OK that so many have to fight so hard for the basic right to turn on a tap and get drinkable fresh water. There’s plenty of blame to go around. It will take all levels of government to fix the situation. The more levers of power being pulled, the faster will the problems be solved.” State agencies noted high nitrate levels in Umatilla and Morrow county groundwater three decades ago, but little has been done to fix it. Wyden said the federal government would do all it could to provide clean water. (John Tillman/East Oregonian)
Ashlanders rebuild ‘Say Their Names’ memorial — again
With little sunshine and intermittent showers Sunday, the streets of Ashland were nearly empty. But inside Studio Z on Hersey Street, a small group of people worked to recreate the T-shirts that form the Say Their Names memorial, following a third vandalism attack. The Say Their Names memorial was created in response to the murder of George Floyd in 2020 when local filmmaker Joanne Feinberg and others created T-shirts listing the names of Black lives lost to racial — and especially police — violence. (Morgan Rothborne/Rogue Valley Times)
La Grande laundromat, service groups provide free laundry for unhoused people
A new program in La Grande will provide free laundry vouchers for people experiencing homelessness in the area. The program is a collaboration of the La Grande United Methodist Church, Community Connection of Northeast Oregon and Blue Mountain Coin-Op Laundry. “We are very excited about this and thankful for the support we are receiving from the community,” said Sandy Ryman, a member of the La Grande United Methodist Church. Community Connection will issue the vouchers, which can be used between 10 a.m. and noon on Wednesdays. (Dick Mason/La Grande Observer)
Permits for popular Oregon wilderness trails go on sale Tuesday
A system that limits entry into three of Oregon’s most popular wilderness areas returns for its third season when permits go on sale Tuesday. The permits, which are required to camp at certain sites and hike particular trails in the Mount Jefferson, Three Sisters and Mount Washington wilderness areas, will see only slight tweaks this year. Most notably: Recreators can’t book day-use permits before the season starts. Permit season lasts from June 15 through Oct. 15 and permits are purchased on Recreation.gov. (Zach Urness/Salem Statesman Journal)
