Lucas Wright

The contingent of Oregon firefighters who had been dispatching their services to the beleaguered state of California have at last returned to their homeland, following a concerted battle against the wildfires that continue to ravage Los Angeles. Having spent upwards of two weeks on grueling shifts amidst an inferno, these firefighters carry back with them not only soot and the stench of char but the heavy knowledge of a terrain forever altered by nature's indifferent hand.

The National Weather Service in Portland has detailed a cool, clear forecast for the upcoming days, with widespread frost expected to greet the city most mornings. Today, local residents can anticipate a sunny sky following the chilly start, with temperatures peaking near 49 degrees Fahrenheit and a light Northeastern breeze offering a gentle reminder of winter’s presence.

In a recent push against the bounds of federal policies, Oregon advocates and lawmakers have rallied behind legislation that seeks to expand nutrition assistance to a group historically excluded from such aid – undocumented immigrants. Senate Bill 611, dubbed the Food for All Oregonians bill, is gaining traction as it seeks to address rampant hunger issues head-on, particularly among those living on the margins of society.

The somber reality of gun violence has once again touched the community of Gresham, as local law enforcement reported a tragic shooting at Vance Park. Gresham police have identified the victim as 17-year-old Jorge Ovidio Mateo Vasquez. According to KOIN, the fatal incident occurred at the Southeast Portland park last Thursday.

In yet another update that raises questions about the safety of Portland's drinking water, the Portland Water Bureau disclosed the detection of a single Cryptosporidium oocyst in a recent water sample from the Bull Run Watershed, the primary source for the city's drinking water. This detection occurred in a 50-liter sample collected on January 20, 2025, according to results shared by the bureau; samples from January 19, January 21, and January 22 came back clean. The latest findings follow a similar detection from January 14 and continue to generate concern even though the bureau is yet to initiate treatment for the parasite, which is known to cause the illness cryptosporidiosis. The bureau reaffirmed that it plans to fully start to treat water for Cryptosporidium by September 30, 2027, in alignment with the compliance requirements set by the Oregon Health Authority.

Knife River's construction team is paving the way for the next stage of the Foothill Road project, entering Phase 3 from Normil Terrace to Cedar Links Drive, as drivers must brace for more detours and delays. According to the City of Medford's official announcement, Foothill Road continues to be off-limits for through traffic at both McAndrews Road and Cedar Links Drive, with only local Normil Terrace inhabitants having access to the newly paved section off McAndrews Road.

The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) has announced that it will be necessary for the Better Naito bike and pedestrian path under Burnside Bridge to take a brief hiatus. Delaying the installation of the new concrete separators is to accommodate county work on the Burnside Bridge.

A tragic incident unfolded in North Bend yesterday afternoon when a house fire on Sherman Avenue claimed the life of local resident Kayla Pagent, aged 40. According to City of North Bend's city officials, the fire department received a distress call at 1:47 p.m. and responded to the 2555 Sherman Ave. residence, arriving just two minutes later to witness smoke emerging from the upper story of the dwelling.

After months of progress updates, the Clackamas County's tunnel boring machine (TBM) dubbed "Clack-A-Mole" has finally completed its journey, according to an official update from the project's website. On December 2nd, Clack-A-Mole achieved a significant milestone as it finished the ½-mile excavation required for the new outfall pipeline, which will safely carry treated water from the Tri-City Water Resource Recovery Facility to the Willamette River. This complex engineering feat was closely followed by both officials and residents, marking a new chapter in the region's infrastructure development.

The Eugene City Council recently greenlighted five Low-Income Rental Housing Property Tax Exemptions (LIRHPTEs) on Monday, catalyzing the development and upkeep of at least 291 affordable housing units within the city's territory. Celebrating 35 years since its establishment in 1990, the LIRHPTE program is a collaborative endeavor between the City of Eugene and the 4J and Bethel school districts, according to the