MEDFORD, Ore. – The feeling of community has changed a lot during the pandemic, but despite the challenges of gathering during COVID-19 one local organization is working to strengthen its community for the future success of students. That organization is the Black Southern Oregon Alliance, where it creates an environment black families in the Rogue Valley feel represented.
“It’s so important that students see themselves reflected in the community and their schools, in their curriculum,” said Becca Laroi is the Assistant Principal of Ashland High School.
She said in a primarily white area, research shows it’s crucial for black, indigenous, people of color or BIPOC students’ success to see themselves represented. A John Hopkins study suggests that if a black student has one black teacher in their K-12 experience they are 18% more likely to pursue higher education. Now, the same study said if a black student has two black teachers in their educational career they are 32%
SALEM, Ore. – A timber tax is under discussion in Salem this legislative session.
House Bill 2379 would impose a severance tax on timber owners at the time of harvest. That money would go into a statewide Emergency Wildfire Fund.
However, politicians have varying viewpoints on how this would impact the timber industry.
“[The timber industry are] the ones not causing catastrophic wildfires. You can’t ignore the decades of environmental neglect on the public landscape, where the fires are burning. [Then] attack the private timber owners that are managing that resource, in a way, that fires don’t burn,” said Republican State Representative David Brock Smith.
Proposed Oregon bill could reimbursed taxed stimulus checks - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2 kobi5.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kobi5.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Fire survivors desperate for answers as they try to rebuild after the horrific Almeda Fire.
“We just want to go home,” said Michael Biggs.
Dawn Mellon and Michael Biggs lived in their Talent home for over 20 years.
“I never imagined it would come down I-5, come through town. We just never imagined that could be possible,” said Mellon.
The fire burned their home. They said their insurance company gave them a year to rebuild.
“We have until September 1, 2021, to have a place to move back into. We decided not to wait for FEMA to clean-up because don’t have that much time. The people who are waiting [for] their properties are sitting untouched,” said Mellon.
MEDFORD, Ore. – Medford Police said the suspected homicide happened near the Medford Railroad Park earlier Friday afternoon. Police do not have a suspect in custody, but they are actively searching the area.
Police told NBC5 News a man was shot and killed on the Greenway, near the Railroad Park, around 1 pm Friday. They believe he was homeless and possibly new to the area. No other information about the man who died has been released.
Police said it all happened in broad daylight and are questioning nearby homeless camps about the case.
The suspect or suspects got away either on foot or by bike.