Central Oregon

A rural Oregon healthcare program could soon become the model for a nationwide pilot project.  Congresswoman Andrea Salinas is behind a bipartisan effort to expand access to medical specialists.   “We know that access to specialty care services is more limited for so many rural communities," Salinas said.  "And we’ve heard s...

Earlier this month, thousands of U.S. Forest Service employees were fired, as part of an effort to downsize the federal government.  Isabella Isaksen was among those let go… and says the positions lost support wildfire efforts and other important work across Oregon.   “Permit...

Unlike its neighbors across the west, Oregon’s snowpack is in very good shape for this time of year.  Matt Warbritton with NRCS said there are several states across the west, such as Washington, experiencing a snow drought.  The Beaver State he noted is on the opposite end of that spectrum.   “And especially ...

The Greater Idaho movement is applying more pressure on Oregon lawmakers this legislative session.  Matt McCaw, with the Greater Idaho Movement, said his group is working with lawmakers.   "We have a bill that’s already been introduced on the Senate side that invites the state of Idaho to begin border talks with the state of Oregon," McCaw noted.  "We have another b...

Oregon’s senators announced funding Monday for a trio of Central Oregon irrigation projects.  Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced $37.4 million from the Inflation Reduction Act for piping projects in Central Oregon that the two say will boost drought resiliency, conserve almost 5,000 acre-feet of water annually, and create stronger aquatic ecosystems in the Deschutes River Basin.   “Benef... Read

Taft Rice, the 2024-2025 Oregon Sentinel, says many may not appreciate the diversity of agriculture that can be found across Central Oregon.  He added that includes many of those living in Deschutes, Crook or Jefferson counties.   If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@to...

BLM is asking for the public's help regarding a fence that was vandalized on public lands in Central Oregon west of Redmond.  The fence served to mark the boundary between public and private land along Kingwood Avenue.   BLM said in September, vandals cut all four strands of the fence for almost a mile.  The fence no...

On Friday, the USDA confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a backyard flock in Central Oregon.  This is the first confirmed case of HPAI in Crook County.  According to the Oregon Department of Agriculture, the Crook County backyard flock included approximately 70 birds, and was a mix consisting of several different species of poultry and domestic waterfowl.   USDA, in p...

In this week's Future of Farming, Julie Amos, the Oregon FFA Reporter, talks how the differences between western Oregon Ag, and eastern Oregon Ag extend well beyond the commodities.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@to...

"But the final word over control of water does not have to be surrendered to agencies and judges," noted eastern Oregon’s Cliff Bentz, during a field hearing to address Central Oregon’s Water Supply last week.  "We are here because it's our belief that with your help and insight. We can develop legis...