Weekday Wrap: Josephine County sales tax; Umatilla talks benefits of Amazon deal; and Clackamas County air quality relief centers

By OPB staff (OPB)
Oct. 20, 2022 10:28 p.m.

Stories you may have missed from staff reports and our news partners around the region.

A sales tax to fund law enforcement? Josephine County proposal has uncertain future

Josephine County residents will be wielding a lot of power when it comes to deciding on a 3% seasonal sales tax this November. If the new tax doesn’t pass, nearly all 18 sheriff’s office deputies will receive pink slips next year, according to Josephine County Sheriff Dave Daniel. Josephine County has, in the past, avoided tax increases, such as in 2012, when residents did not approve a $12 million levy, leading to deputies being laid off and jail inmates being released because of reduced jail bed capacity. If the tax passes, which Daniel estimates would raise about $18 million, he will be able to fund 41 deputy positions. (Jane Vaughan/Jefferson Public Radio)

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Enterprise zone deal with Amazon reduces cost of Umatilla school bond

The Umatilla School District and the city of Umatilla have announced that their partnerships with Amazon Data Services are helping lower the amount taxpayers would pay when supporting the school district’s proposal of a new construction bond. The district is asking voters to approve a $45 million bond on Nov. 8. The Amazon agreement reduces the estimated cost of the proposed bond from $1.19 for every $1,000 of assessed value to 71.2 cents per $1,000 of assessed value over time. (East Oregonian)

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Clackamas County opens air quality relief centers

Clackamas County opened three air-quality relief centers Thursday to give people a place to escape from continued heavy wildfire smoke in the air. The county is also urging people who are able to stay indoors to limit outdoor activity and to set vehicle air conditioning systems to “recirculate” when driving. Details about the shelters, their hours and their animal policies are online at www.Clackamas.us/relief (Courtney Sherwood/OPB)

Cannabis worth $77 million seized in Newberg

The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office seized nearly 77,000 pounds of marijuana worth $76.5 million in Newberg, Oregon, on Tuesday. A search warrant was served for the address located in the 1400 block of NE Stone Road. Approximately 76,930 pounds of processed marijuana was seized, according to the sheriff’s office. No licenses or permits for growing or processing marijuana were found for the address or individuals who were there. (Dejania Oliver/Statesman Journal)

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Temporary housing for people in custody

Incarcerated individuals at Larch Corrections Center are settling into temporary housing after being evacuated Sunday from the minimum security facility, near Yacolt, due to the Nakia Creek Fire. Corrections workers reportedly transported everyone on school buses to another minimum security facility in Southwest Washington. The location of the other facility is only being shared with families of the incarcerated. (Jessica Prokop/The Columbian)

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Weekday Wrap: Bad Oregon air quality; Oregon DEQ ponders dairy air pollution; Astoria camping ordinance and Salem’s mayor leaves

Columbia, Clackamas, Marion, Multnomah, Washington, Linn, Lane and Douglas counties are under an air quality advisory due to smoke from wildfires in the area. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality is asking if the state should begin regulating air pollution from large dairies. Astoria unveils new camping ordinance for those experiencing homelessness. Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett is resigning rather than serving out his third term.