Western wildfire outlook mixed after wet winter
Heavy precipitation and abundant mountain snowpack could stave off the start of wildfire season for middle- to high-elevation areas throughout the Northwest. But forecasters at the National Interagency Coordinating Center are particularly worried about low-elevation grasslands and rangelands. All the moisture this winter could contribute to significant grass growth — including flammable invasives like cheatgrass — creating carpets of wildfire fuel in sagebrush country. (Brad Carlson/Capital Press)
Evictions spike in Oregon as pandemic renter protections expire
The expiration of pandemic-related renter protections combined with the state’s sputtering rent control law has caused trouble for renters. The latter allowed landlords to increase rent by the rate of inflation plus 7% annually, but soaring inflation led to rent increases of up to 14.6% this year. State lawmakers are working on a fix to bring annual rent increases back down, but the number of people being evicted in Oregon is higher than it was before the pandemic. (Zack Demars/Bend Bulletin)
Oregon seeks input on updates to water resources strategy
The Oregon Water Resources Department is updating its long-term plan to meet water needs statewide and is asking the public to weigh in. The agency will host a series of upcoming meetings to garner input on the state’s Integrated Water Resources Strategy, or IWRS, which provides recommendations for solving critical water quality, quantity and ecosystem challenges. A revised IWRS is adopted every five years. It was first approved in 2012 and most recently updated in 2017. (George Plaven/Capital Press)
ODOT offers a loan to help struggling Clatsop County transit agency
The Oregon Department of Transportation has extended a loan offer to the Sunset Empire Transportation District amid backlash to the agency’s decision to indefinitely suspend bus service and other operations because of a financial collapse. The transit district’s board has scheduled a special meeting Wednesday afternoon to weigh the state’s offer, Debbie Boothe-Schmidt, the board chairwoman, said. The agency last week voted unanimously to suspend service and furlough employees due to financial constraints. (Ethan Myers/The Astorian)
11 former St. Charles Health System employees file $2.5M lawsuit over COVID mandate
A $2.5 million lawsuit has been filed on behalf of 11 St. Charles Health System employees who say their rights to religious freedom were violated when the health system required them to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and who were subsequently placed on unpaid leave until some quit and others were outright fired. Each plaintiff is seeking damages for lost wages or costs incurred because of their terminations, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in Deschutes County Circuit Court. (Suzanne Roig/The Bend Bulletin)
