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Firefighters responded to a 20-acre wildfire called the 407 Det Fire on Oct.

16 near Three Fingered Jack in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, and no closures or evacuations were issued while hikers, backpackers and hunters were advised to avoid the area.

Longtime Chemawa teacher Nancy Aiken received a $95,000 settlement plus interest in September after a judge ruled that the Department of the Interior discriminated against her by denying her sick leave request & terminating her in March 2021.

Chemeketa Cellars (Chemeketa Community College's teaching winery a 10-minute drive west of downtown) pressed pinot noir on Oct.

14 during the fall harvest. Winemaking instructor Johnny Brose explained the wine press process for students.

To the Ceiling Entertainment dissolved in August after canceling events and removing signs from the historic Grand Theatre in downtown Salem; the management is now selling assets to repay creditors while local and national acts have moved to alternative venues.

Oregon congressional leaders asked USDA to buy surplus hazelnuts for food banks after prices dropped sharply last year — the Oct.13 letter cited market imbalances threatening Willamette Valley growers.

Gov. Tina Kotek and Sen. Christine Drazan urged local school officials in Salem-Keizer and Portland to delay closing up to 20 schools amid community calls for more time and clearer data.

Salem-Keizer board members plan additional feedback sessions before a meeting (Dec. 8) decides the future of the schools.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools officials recommended that six elementary schools—Brush College, Candalaria, Cummings, Englewood, Liberty and Richmond—be closed due to building condition, age and enrollment considerations, with deferred maintenance costs near $15 million.

The decision was based on recent presentations and documents.

Gov. Tina Kotek ordered flags at Oregon public buildings to be flown at half staff tomorrow to honor firefighter David Taylor, who died Aug.

29 while aiding evacuations in Oklahoma. His memorial service will be held in Salem on the same day.