ODOT Says Be “Weather Prepared”
The Solar Eclipse is just around the corner and in addition to the warnings regarding the increased demand on services in the path of the eclipse and all roads leading to, are the concerns of what to do if there is extreme heat forecast for the timeframe. With longer lines, more traffic and shorter patience the Oregon Department of transportation is recommending that drivers consider options to avoid cars, people, and tempers from overheating. Heat exhaustion or heat stroke and the effects from the heat can be debilitating and in extreme cases fatal if proper planning is not put in effect. ODOT and the Oregon Health Authority say stay cool. Make sure you vehicles air-conditioning is working properly. Stay Hydrated. Keep an adequate supply of water for yourselves and pets. Stay informed about your preferred travel path. Know the road conditions and be familiar with slow-downs in traffic and be aware of weather conditions along your route. Authorities say treat this quickly passing event as if it were a 3 day weekend and not a 3 hour tailgating event. The crowds will be extremely large and traffic will be very slow. For more tips and information ODOT has set up an eclipse page at Oregon.gov/odot/pages/eclipse.
Hunger Hurts College Students
Hiding in plain sight on college campuses in Oregon are students who aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from. Surveys at the University of Oregon, Oregon State and Portland State University have found that more than half of students at all three schools are considered food insecure. Jessica Cole with the Center for Student Health and Counseling at Portland State says going hungry deeply affects a student’s life and hurts them academically, but is often accepted as normal.
“There’s sort of a expectation that university students, community college students, that it’s kind of a rite of passage to have to live off of ramen noodles or things like that. And that’s just not acceptable anymore.”
In response, many colleges have opened up food pantries. But the choices for University of Oregon students are more limited. A food pantry at Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church is open only one day a week for two hours. Unfortunately students are less likely to acknowledge a need when it comes to food. Cole says it’s important to reduce the stigma associated with seeking out food assistance.
“Trying to educate students on the realistic costs of being in college, what you really need to pay attention to, and then how to help reduce the stress level that comes with trying to make ends meet.”
Taylor West, an undergraduate at U of O says they are trying new ways to make food assistance more available to student by offering a ride share program that takes students to more affordable stores outside of the campus area.
Fire Burns Brush
A vegetation fire was reported Saturday afternoon in the area around the mouth of Sutton Creek. The slow moving fire was reported around 1:30 but was not located until 3 pm. Chief Jim Langborg with the Siuslaw Valley Fire and Rescue said that this fire was on federal land and that the Oregon Department of Forestry and the United States Forest Service responded and did not require the services of SVFR. The fire reportedly did not affect any structures and did not create any hazards for the local community.
