When talking about saving the environment, the classic three R’s — reduce, reuse, recycle — are the first solution many think of, and the suggestion to eliminate single-use plastics dominates the current conversation as well. But as forests are burning, CO2 levels in the atmosphere are hitting record highs, millions of species are at risk of extinction and glaciers are melting, there’s so much more to it than simply choosing to forgo a straw and drink out of a glass. Here is advice from two experts about where we should focus our efforts and how we can save this planet…
Author: Tony Cooper
Southern Oregon University is making use of the flexibility built into its reopening plan, pivoting to a fall academic schedule in which most – but not all – classes will be delivered remotely. The shift is due to the continued spread of COVID-19 in southern Oregon and statewide, and will benefit from the university’s growing familiarity with online and remote classes. “I shared some months ago that our reopening strategy would be flexible and allow for these kinds of adjustments,” SOU President Linda Schott said in a message to students. “I remain committed to delivering a customized and flexible ‘hybrid’…
COVID-19 has claimed 16 more lives, raising the state death toll to 1,138 as of Friday. An update from the Oregon Health Authority reported 1,610 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the state case total to 91,421. The new cases include: *289 in Multnomah County *198 in Washington County *185 in Clackamas County *175 in Marion County *108 in Deschutes County *85 in Lane County *82 in Jackson County *63 in Linn County *52 in Yamhill County *40 in Klamath County *38 in Umatilla County *36 in Josephine County *34 in Benton County *25 in Polk County *23…
A Medford man was arrested for burglary and other charges on Wednesday. Sergeant Brad O’Dell of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said around 6:00 a.m. dispatchers received a report that two Glide women had been awakened to find an intruder in their home. The caller said she found the suspect in her kitchen. She and another adult female in the home confronted the man who then left. O’Dell said deputies along with troopers from Oregon State Police responded and were able to identify the man from a photograph taken by the homeowner, as 30-year old Michael Gilligan. While searching the…
Government, industry, and nonprofit solid waste pros recently convened at a two-day Materials Recovery (MRF) Summit to discuss challenges and opportunities in recycling; to speak of strategies to fight contamination and capture more quality materials; and they told of how those strategies are working. The summit was hosted by the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), and the presenters were Peter Wright, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Land and Emergency Management; Sarah Peery from Ohio Senator Rob Portman’s office; Pete Keller, Republic Services; Adam Ortiz, Montgomery County Maryland’s Department…
The Council of Presidents of the Cascade Collegiate Conference voted today to delay the start of its fall sports seasons until the winter and spring of 2021. Southern Oregon University competes in the Cascade Conference fall sports of women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s cross-country, and men’s and women’s soccer. SOU’s football team competes in the Frontier Conference, which shortened its schedule to eight games last month and is likely to further modify the season based on today’s action from the Cascade Conference. “Our focus is on the safety of all students on our campus,” said SOU President Linda Schott, who participated in…
Health officials from Jackson County are reporting 86 new cases of the Coronavirus. This update brings the total reported COVID-19 cases in Jackson County to 4,288. Jackson County public health says right now there are 717 active cases. Saturday, the county reported no new deaths, leaving the total Coronavirus related deaths to 41. Health officials have these recommendations for preventing the spread of Covid-19: • Cover your mouth and nose with a mask. • Avoid close contact and keep 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who do not live in your household. The less people you are around, the…
Mosaic Medical, a nonprofit community health center providing quality care for all in Bend, Redmond, Prineville and Madras, was recently awarded $43,000 from the Central Oregon Health Council. The funds will be used to improve communication and language access services for Mosaic patients. The grant funds will be used to purchase video remote interpreting technology and simple communication aid tools at eight of Mosaic’s 15 primary care clinics. This investment will enhance communication and improve access to comprehensive primary care services for patients whose primary language is other than English, and for patients who are deaf, hard of hearing or…
A man was wounded in an officer-involved shooting last night in White City after neighbors complained of a party. Authorities are providing little information about the incident that took place just before 8 pm. According to a press release from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of “a disorderly loud party” in the 2500 block of Agate Meadows in White City at around 7:44 pm. According to the department, neighbors had reported a group of more than 25 subjects were inside the house and there were several speeding vehicles leaving the scene as well as other…
The holiday season is right around the corner and the Fremont-Winema National Forest will have Christmas tree permits available starting tomorrow, November 1. Permits cost $5 and are nonrefundable. A maximum of five permits can be purchased and can be used through December 25. The permits are available for purchase from several vendors in Lake and Klamath counties, online through www.Recreation.gov, and by mail from all Fremont-Winema National Forest offices. Each permit is valid to cut one tree and must be secured to the tree in a place visible during transport of the tree from the forest. Permits purchased in…