KWSO Warm Springs News Brief: After-School Programs, Local Events, and State Updates
The monthly Native Aspirations Community Prevention Meeting brought local partners together on Tuesday to highlight positive developments and share program updates. During the meeting, Warm Springs Recreation announced the return of its Snack Attack program, offering healthy after-school snacks at the Community Wellness Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:10 to 4:30 p.m. Running from September through December and resuming from January through June, the initiative provides students with nutritious food and a safe space after school. Additionally, local emergency management and the Warm Springs Community Action Team reported that collaborative efforts successfully furnished homes for wildfire victims, delivering the final load of furniture this week. Community services also reminded residents that energy assistance applications remain open until September 15, rent assistance is available for those facing eviction, and the emergency management water distribution program continues to supply drinking water and cleaning supplies.
Madras High School students residing in Warm Springs can now utilize the returning Activity Bus service, which officially resumed operations today. Operating Monday through Friday during the school year, the bus caters to students involved in athletics, clubs, and extracurricular activities. The vehicle arrives at the MHS Greenhouse on the south side of campus each afternoon at 6:15 p.m. and departs promptly at 6:30 p.m. to drop students off at the Warm Springs Community Center.
As National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month begins this September, regional health advocates are emphasizing that suicide is preventable through early intervention, strong connections, and community support. In observance of World Suicide Prevention Awareness Day, Warm Springs Suicide Prevention and Lines for Life of Warm Springs are hosting a public Glow Walk tomorrow evening from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Campus Pavilion. Community members are invited to gather to honor lost loved ones and learn critical warning signs, including mood or behavior shifts, expressions of hopelessness, social withdrawal, and severe stress transitions. Organizers also highlight secure firearm storage as a vital step during acute stress. Help remains available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 or contacting local support services.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued a directive on Tuesday ordering all state agencies to pause unapproved land requests for proposed data center developments on state-owned property through July 1, 2027. Speaking at an anti-data center rally at the State Capitol, Kotek voiced support for a statewide moratorium on new facilities, stating, “We must protect our air and water, our utility rates. We must protect Oregon”. While joining hundreds of demonstrators calling on lawmakers to pass a temporary ban next year, Kotek faces criticism from Republican opponent Christine Drazan, who claimed the governor previously “rolled out the red carpet” for data centers.
Voter Resources are available for residents seeking official drop box locations across the region. Oregon Secretary of State Tobias Read recommended on Tuesday that voters cast their ballots using official drop boxes rather than relying on the U.S. Postal Service, particularly near Election Day. Read cited data showing over 7,300 ballots were rejected in May’s primary due to late postmarks—a 26 percent increase from the 2024 primary. Although state law allows mailed ballots to arrive up to a week late if postmarked on or before Election Day, election officials advise utilizing physical drop locations to ensure votes are counted.
Weather conditions remain calm and warm across the area for the three-day period. Today will see sunny skies with a high near 89°F and clear night lows around 51°F, while Thursday brings increasing clouds with highs near 87°F and afternoon wind gusts reaching 29 mph.