Oregon Lottery re-opens at restaurants that are still closed to in-person dining
The state made the change for restaurants in Malheur County, which remains in the extreme risk category for COVID-19 transmission. Author: Joey Prechtl Updated: 10:32 PM MST February 4, 2021
MALHEUR COUNTY, Ore. Malheur County remains in Oregon s extreme risk category for the spread of COVID-19, meaning restaurants in the county can only offer outdoor dining.
However, under a new change ordered by Gov. Kate Brown, people can go inside those very same restaurants to play the Oregon Lottery video machines. They just can t eat inside.
“We were very surprised and very confused, which has changed over into anger,” said Sara Lynch, front of house manager at Brewsky’s Broiler in Ontario.
MALHEUR COUNTY
According to a news release Thursday afternoon from Malheur County Health Department, COVID-19 outbreaks are on the rise locally, with the most significant spikes in Vale and Ontario.
âWeâre very concerned with this trend of outbreaks, especially in the 97918 ZIP code, including Vale and Willowcreek areas,â said Sarah Poe, director of the health department, in a news release.
âWith a number of new infections linked in the last three weeks, there is the potential for a significant increase in cases when people donât follow precautions. This hurts schools and businesses and risks the health and safety of the elderly and most vulnerable. We need to act swiftly as a community to stop the spread.â
Ontario School District working on plan to bring students back for in-person learning
Mom Tess Osborn says trying to keep four children engaged in learning from home has been frustrating and exhausting. Author: Joey Prechtl Updated: 6:28 AM MST January 13, 2021
MALHEUR COUNTY, Ore. Students in the Ontario School District have been learning remotely for nearly a full year.
Malheur County has not met state COVID-19 metrics to qualify for in-person learning.
However, in December, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced the state would be handing control over to local communities when it comes to bringing students back for in-person learning.
Now the Ontario School District is working on a plan to get kids back inside the classroom as soon as next month.
ONTARIO
Public Health Administrators from six eastern and central Oregon counties have asked the Oregon Health Authority to relax some of the restrictions regarding COVID-19 impacting rural businesses, some which have gone out of business.
In a joint letter, heath administrators from Malheur, Baker, Grant, Harney, Klamath and Lake counties have submitted a joint letter to Rachel Banks, with Oregon Public Health Authority, proposed to change the top risk factor, as determined by the state from extreme risk to high risk and to allow the local health authorities to determine capacity and to put the âextreme riskâ framework in effect when appropriate.