File photo: Chas Hundley Oregon is facing a surge from the Omicron variant of the coronavirus that by early February could put twice as many people in the hospital as the Delta variant, state officials announced Friday. That forecast, by Oregon Health & Science University, comes as infections and hospitalization[Read More…]
OREGON
ODOT urges caution for travelers over Thanksgiving weekend
The junction of Highways 6 and 8 in Gales Creek on February 24, 2021. Photo: Chas Hundley Thanksgiving weekend is upon the United States, and the Oregon Department of Transportation is urging travelers to use caution during what is traditionally among the busiest travel weekends of the year. AAA Oregon/Idaho[Read More…]
Parking free at dozens of state parks day after Thanksgiving
The entrance to Stub Stewart State Park. Photo: Chas Hundley Parking will be free at 25 state parks throughout Oregon Friday, November 26, the day after Thanksgiving Day. It’s a tradition the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) said arose recently and has been dubbed “Green Friday,” which OPRD described[Read More…]
Brown greenlights COVID-19 booster shots for all adults
Face masks. Photo: Chas Hundley Following recommendations from the FDA, CDC, and the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, Oregon Governor Kate Brown gave the go-ahead to open eligibility for booster shots to all adults. People ages . . . You have reached content available exclusively to Gales Creek Journal[Read More…]
CDC approves COVID-19 booster shots for all adults
File photo: Chas Hundley The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave their stamp of approval to opening COVID-19 booster shot eligibility to every adult in the U.S. Frida, and shots could soon be available in Oregon. A CDC advisory panel recommended the vaccine booster program be expanded to[Read More…]
With revenues up $725 million, Oregon taxpayers should expect kicker in 2024, forecast says
The Oregon Capitol building in Salem. Photo: Chas Hundley The Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) issued this week a quarterly economic forecast predicting higher wages increasing projected tax revenue will allow the state to recover more quickly from the recession, triggered by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic than it did[Read More…]
Statewide vehicle title, registration fees to increase by three percent January 1
A vehicle drives near Gales Creek on Highway 6. Photo: Brenda Schaffer The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced a “historic transportation investment” that beginning January 1, 2022 increases by 3 percent fees for renewing vehicle license plates, getting new trip permits, and applying for vehicle titles. The 3 percent[Read More…]
Free Fishing Weekend returns Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving Day
Hagg Lake on August 3, 2020. Photo: Chas Hundley Free Fishing Weekend will return to Oregon on Friday and Saturday, November 26 and 27, the last of three such “Free Fishing Weekends” to be held in 2021. On those days, fishing, crabbing, and clamming is free to all residents and[Read More…]
CDC approves Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for ages 5 through 11
File photo: Chas Hundley A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention panel voted to authorize the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine for children ages 5 through 11 Tuesday afternoon, followed by an approval from the agency’s director, Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky. “Together, with science leading the charge, we have taken another important step forward in our[Read More…]
It’s studded tire season, but consider alternatives, ODOT says
A studded tire. File photo: Chas Hundley Today marks the first day you can legally use studded tires on Oregon roads. The Oregon Department of Transportation would rather you didn’t. “Our latest study concluded studded tires cause about $8.5 million in damage each year on state highways,” ODOT said in[Read More…]
