An inspection last month forced the Ontario Fire & Rescue Department to take its ladder truck out of service. Now officials are researching an array of alternatives to bridge the emergency services gap.
Local leaders are watching a bill establishing minimum nurse-to-patient staff ratios for hospitals and imposing stiff fines for violating them. Backers of the bill say the legislation would ease the exodus of nurses from healthcare and make conditions more tolerable. But, at the same time, hospital administrators contend the law could increase the financial losses hospitals absorbed during the pandemic and lead to less care and services for patients.
Public Notices in the Malheur Enterprise for the week of Feb. 15, 2023.
A joint effort between local agencies and volunteers last month identified more than 200 people who are unsheltered in Malheur County.
The Ontario Recreation Center got a committee hearing at the Oregon State Legislature. The legislation would allocate $4.5 million to the Ontario Recreation District for the Ontario Community Recreation Center.
Project managers confirmed that the Treasure Valley Reload Center is so far over budget that contractors are "talked into" not submitting invoices. Those on the board managing the shipping center and Malheur County Judge Dan Joyce and Commissioner Ron Jacobs ignored questions about the practice.
Last month Lt. Rich Harriman, Malheur County Emergency Services director presented a plan to pay those who work overtime shifts in the dispatch center double time wages but county leaders are not sold on the plan.
Construction has been stopped since December on the Treasure Valley Reload Center in Nyssa while project organizers scramble for more money. Now, they will ask legislators for help covering the shortfall, according to public records obtained by the Enterprise.
The public board managing the Treasure Valley Reload Center hasn't seen budget numbers since October but keeps spending. Greg Smith, project manager, assured the board financial commitments would not be made in excess of available funds – a claim contradicted by recently-disclosed public records.