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https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/General/News-Information/covid-19-testing-information

https://sou.edu/campus/local-covid-19-testing/

https://www.valley-ic.com/coronavirus/

Sand Bags and sand to fill them are available at the City Shop behind the School on Nork.  These are right next to the backhoe.  They can be tied with string or zip ties.  We have some scoops but shovels work better if you have one. Please use caution when attempting to cross over any flooded areas.

PLEASE ALSO REMEMBER!  If you redirect the flow of water and it goes onto a neighbor’s property, you may be liable for any damage.

For Immediate Release

September 2, 2021

Report Your Dry Wells to the Oregon Water Resources Department 

(Salem, OR) – The Oregon Water Resources Department is asking Oregonians who rely on wells for their water use to report their dry wells or low producing wells online.  Visit our Dry Well webpage at www.oregon.gov/owrd/drywell and click on the link to report your dry well.

Reported information helps the Department understand changes in aquifers across the state and how the drought is impacting groundwater supplies and those that rely on groundwater.  In addition, the reported information helps state and local agencies to identify where assistance may be needed.  The Department will utilize the information to understand the scope of people affected and distribute information to affected well owners if any assistance becomes available.

During drought, a combination of factors such as increased groundwater pumping and reduced groundwater recharge can lead to significantly reduced production or no production of water from wells.  Regardless of drought conditions, it is important for well owners to use water wisely and conserve groundwater in order to preserve it for future use.  Some groundwater reservoirs, called aquifers, only store small quantities of water and require annual rainfall or surface water for recharge, which can lead to annual seasonal water supply challenges.  Other aquifers may store greater quantities of water but do not recharge very quickly, which can lead to declining groundwater levels with time.

If you do rely on a domestic well and you are experiencing water supply shortages, it is important to conserve that water for essential household uses such as drinking, bathing, cooking, or sanitation.  Practice water conservation both inside and outside of the home and reduce or eliminate all outdoor water use.  For more tips on how to use water wisely, visit www.drought.oregon.gov.

If your well does go dry, or you begin to experience water supply shortages due to significantly lower production from the well, see our Water Wells and Drought handout and our Water Well Owner’s Handbook at www.oregon.gov/owrd/drywell.

The Oregon Water Resources Department is the state agency charged with studying, allocating, and distributing water in Oregon.  Visit us at www.oregon.gov/owrd.

If you are in need of masks, please stop by City Hall between the hours of 8 and 5 Monday through Friday.

MEDFORD, Ore. — Jackson County has rolled out a new feature of its emergency alert system, one that will allow residents to stay updated on evacuation levels even if their area is not the subject of emergency notifications.

Jackson County is still using the Everbridge system — locally known as Citizen Alert — which allows for targeted messages to registered residents in certain areas. These alerts go out automatically to anyone with a landline, as well as anyone who registers their email or cell phone.

Sign up for Jackson County’s evacuation notifications by:

• Texting JACKSONEVACS to 888777.
• Once opted in, individuals will receive any messages for all level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation notification sent by Jackson County Emergency Management and Cities.
• A Citizen Alert account is not needed to receive messages sent through the keyword.
• A Citizen Alert account is needed to receive emergency alerts that are specific to your personal address(es).

The new addition also operates through Everbridge, but allows people to stay apprised of evacuation notices with a simple text-in process that operates separately from the existing alert system. By opting in, residents can receive all Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation alerts issued by Jackson County and city jurisdictions.

“We are very excited to add this to our mix of alerts. This new keyword adds an option for those who prefer to be notified of any evacuation notification in Jackson County,” said Holly Powers, Jackson County Emergency Manager. “Residents are still encouraged to sign up through Citizen Alert first to receive emergency information specific to their address. These additional alerts will also help to lower the use of critical emergency touchpoints like our 911 system.”

To opt in for these evacuation alerts, you can text JACKSONEVACS to 888777. A Citizen Alert account is not needed to receive these messages.

In order to receive emergency alerts specific to your address, you do need to sign up for Citizen Alert.

The Everbridge system came under scrutiny in the wake of the Almeda Fire, when many people wondered why the broader Emergency Alert System (EAS) was not activated. An independent report issued at the beginning of June concluded that the County’s choice for alerts was a net positive in the Almeda Fire response, despite breakdowns in communication between different jurisdictions.

Governor Kate Brown released a statement on Monday advocating for OR-Alert, the state’s push to promote and unify county-level emergency alerts. According to Brown’s office, the system has been fully implemented in 26 counties and is in works for another eight counties.

Brown said that the roll-out is “timely” after a succession of severe weather events in Oregon — ice storms, extreme drought, record-breaking heat, and dangerous wildfire seasons.

“Last year’s historic fire season taught us that being prepared can truly be the difference between life and death,” said Governor Brown. “With Oregon facing increasing climate-related weather events, there’s never been a better time to make a plan with your family to be prepared. I’m urging all Oregonians to sign up for local alerts through OR-Alert and to take steps to ensure you and your family can be safe in the event of an emergency.”

OR-Alert compiles the various County alert systems, so a resident of Jackson County who visits the OR-Alert website will be directed to the Citizen Alert sign-up via Everbridge. Residents of other counties will be directed to their own systems.

Like with Jackson County, anyone in Oregon can sign up for some emergency alerts by texting their zip code to 888777, or visit www.oralert.gov to fully sign up. People can also download the Everbridge app to receive alerts.

“Between extreme weather, wildfires, and the pandemic, it became clear that our state needed a streamlined and customizable way to enable emergency managers at the local, county, Tribal, and state level to communicate with the populations they serve across the state and at a moment’s notice,” said William Chapman, Statewide Interoperability Coordinator. “OR-Alert has filled this need and is ready for Oregonians to sign up.”

LETTER FROM JACKSON COUNTY –

I am writing to inform you of the attached order passed by the Board of Commissioners yesterday that officially closes all off-pavement areas of county owned land along the Bear Creek Greenway during fire season, as set and defined by the Oregon Department of Forestry.  Coincidentally, the ODF declared fire season was effective yesterday in tandem with the passage of the order.  The order is now in effect and users must remain on paved surfaces while using the trail on county property.  County ordinance provides the Board the ability to close portions of the greenway to protect the health or safety of the public or the safety of the Greenway or its facilities, specifically including during fire hazards.

Our Sheriff’s office, along with our Parks program will manage the issue, beginning with initially educating users, then proceeding with enforcement of the issue for users that do not comply.  Violating the closure can lead to a 2^nd degree criminal trespass charge.  Please note that the closure applies to all users of the greenway and is not limited to camping.

It is important to clarify that the order does not apply to private, city, state or other non-county owned lands along the greenway.  I encourage you to consider similar measures to help prevent a repeat of recent events.

Sincerely,

Danny Jordan

Jackson County Administrator

Protect Your Forest From Fire

https://www.mailtribune.com/editorials/2021/01/31/preventing-fires-means-replacing-blackberries/#:~:text=Blackberries%20are%20highly%20flammable%2C%20and,leaping%20Interstate%205%2C%20which%20happened

http://cesutter.ucdavis.edu/files/102561.pdf

If someone in your household has electricity-dependent medical needs, please contact Pacific Power at 1-888-221-7070. Pacific Power relies on customers to self-identify medical needs dependent on electricity so they can provide additional outreach prior to a Public Safety Power Shutoff. Learn more at pacificpower.net/psps.

You are able to use the following website to gain more access in regard to getting vaccinations.

https://covidvaccine.oregon.gov/

It will include separate information and links to GetVaccinatedOregon.

Or: https://jacksoncountyor.org/hhs/COVID-19/Vaccine-Appointments

You will also be able to access information by either emailing

or by calling 211

or by calling 1-866-698-6155

or by texting ORCOVID to 898211

Please contact City Hall at 541-878-2225 if you need any masks or gloves.  We have a limited supply still after numerous businesses have taken advantage of this program.

News: Governor Brown Announces Free Masks and Gloves for Small Businesses