GOODING – Among a box full of American flags tucked away at the Gooding County Historical Museum, a mystery from World War II is unfolding. The 2-foot-by-2-foot piece of cloth is made of silk. Two small leather attachments with string – perhaps used to secure to a flagpole – are stitched[Read More…]
Special Reports
Confusion and improper spending cloud the Nyssa migrant ed program
State officials reported that the Nyssa School District showed a “lack of a consistent understanding” of the region’s migrant education program it has been tasked to oversee for more than 40 years.
County leaves requests for financial help for organizations and agencies in limbo
Malheur County elected leaders recently chose to declare a moratorium regarding distributing any more federal relief funds. The county will make no decisions on funding requests until after it finishes framing its own budget.
Smith says under oath he had contract for reload project – but ‘no records exist’
Greg Smith repeatedly said under oath that his company had a contract for his work on the Treasure Valley Reload Center. But no such contract exists and Malheur County Development Corp. may have violated state contracting laws in its dealings with Smith.
SPECIAL REPORT: Another state bailout for Nyssa rail project in the works
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.
SPECIAL REPORT: Smith pledges scrutiny of rail project budget, can’t produce one
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.
SPECIAL REPORT: State suspends payments for Nyssa rail project
As bills flow in, the county’s development company learns the state is stopping payments for the Treasure Valley Reload Center. Contrract issues are tying up millions needed to finish the project.
State’s fund for rail center nearly exhausted but millions in costs remain, records show
Managers of the Treasure Valley Reload Center project haven’t released a budget since October and an analysis shows the financial circumstances have worsened. A recent board meeting was canceled because project leaders weren’t ready with update cost figures.
SPECIAL REPORT: DEQ steps up oversight after discovery of ‘reckless’ reporting by company
DEQ officials say the agency is more closely monitoring companies in its carbon credit Clean Fuels Program after TTS Charging sold $1.8 million in credits linked to false data.
SPECIAL REPORT: How startup took advantage of DEQ program with lax oversight to net $1.8 million
A Lincoln City entrepreneur reported false data to the DEQ’s Clean Fuels Program, sold invalid carbon credits and went on a spending spree. An Oregon Capital Chronicle Special Report details what happened.
