Heating Breakdown Changes High School Schedule; Milk Testing; Hoyle Joins DOGE Caucus

Heating Breakdown Changes High School Schedule

Siuslaw High School is open for in-person attendance today, but students are advised to dress warmly due to the failure of the main circulation pump that provides heat to much of the school. Principal Michael Harklerode explained that the issue began on Wednesday morning and was confirmed by early afternoon to be a multi-day problem. He emphasized that students should come prepared with jackets, hats, and gloves, as parts of the building, including elective hallways and the gym, will remain cold. Bridge and Life Skills classrooms, which are unaffected, will continue in-person learning as usual. Other district schools are also operating on their regular schedules. Looking ahead, there will be no school for Siuslaw High School students tomorrow, as teachers will use the day for in-service preparation to transition to digital learning. Starting Monday, December 16, through Wednesday, December 18, all high school classes will shift to remote instruction. Students are expected to attend virtually during regular school hours, logging into Google Classroom or Google Meets for each period. Principal Harklerode noted that this is a temporary solution, leveraging strategies learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, and assured families that it is not a return to long-term distance learning. Repairs to the heating system are expected by Wednesday, December 18, at the earliest.

Milk Testing

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has launched a milk testing and monitoring program to protect farms, workers, and communities from H5N1 avian influenza. Beginning this week, select dairy processors will collect raw milk samples, with more joining by January 2025, covering over 75% of Oregon’s milk. The Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at OSU will handle testing, sharing results with the USDA. ODA State Veterinarian Ryan Scholz credits strong collaboration with the dairy industry and OSU for the swift implementation of weekly testing, just days after a federal order. While pasteurized dairy products remain safe, the FDA advises against consuming raw milk due to potential health risks. USDA emphasizes biosecurity as key to preventing disease spread.

Hoyle Joins DOGE Caucus

Congresswoman Val Hoyle has joined the Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, focused on making government more effective while protecting programs like Social Security, Medicare, and veterans’ services. Hoyle rejected false claims about her record, reaffirming her opposition to Social Security cuts and highlighting her first bill, the Social Security Expansion Act, to strengthen and secure the program. She stressed that the DOGE Caucus seeks savings in areas like Medicare drug price negotiations and defense contractor overcharges, not slashing vital services. Hoyle emphasized the need for tough conversations to protect working families and ensure efficient government without compromising core values.