I would like to thank The News-Review for running the recent Feb. 21 article, “Polluted water pours daily from mine sites,” which mentioned our own Formosa Mine near Riddle.
Having been involved with the Oregon carbon conversation for a number of years, attending all of the workgroups during the ’17 interim and as a member of the House Energy and Environment Committee during the ’17 and ’18 Legislative Session, I believe we all can agree that there are changing …
As administrators of county government, it is the job of the Board of Commissioners to appoint, supervise and provide policy direction to department directors. In turn, these directors have the responsibility of implementing policy and ensuring their departments are good stewards of the publ…
The fight against fake news just won’t end — but it seems like it’s going to be much harder to kill than we thought.
“We are seeing the things we said would be happening, happening now, in real life. It’s almost surreal,” said Dr. Kathryn Hayhoe, climate scientist and co-author of the National Climate Assessment.
Democrats have been calling what is happening on our southern border a “manufactured crisis.” Environmentalists have been saying the same thing about the mega-wildfires that have been raging in our national forests recently. The definition of a crisis is “a decisive moment,” or “a time of gr…
If you are the mother or father of a high school athlete here in Oregon, this message is primarily for you.
When the Roseburg Library opens its doors, get your hands on “The Worst Hard Time” by Timothy Egan. It is page-turner nonfiction that follows some tough, hard-luck people through the Dust Bowl. It is a story with surprising resonance today.
It was with great sadness that I learned last week of the passing of our 41st President of the United States, George Herbert Walker Bush. For me, President Bush was more than just my President, he was also my Commander in Chief when I served in the Army from 1989 to 1992. While stationed at …
My first visit to the Roseburg VA was in 1991. I have seen many directors come and go, and with each new director there has been hope that things would get better. In that time there have been many changes, some good, most not so good.
A proclamation for the future has been declared by school boards across the country, and Roseburg Public Schools has joined the fanfare by proclaiming November 12-16, 2018, American Education Week.
Douglas County has a proud tradition of having more than its fair share of citizens who have or are currently serving in the military. Nationwide, less than 7 percent of people are currently serving or previously served, but in Douglas County it’s more than double that at 15 percent, accordi…
I am writing to rebut the opinion column “No, he cannot end birthright citizenship” by Marc Thiessen, and all other off-the-cuff remarks pertaining to President Trump’s proposed executive order.
What comes to mind when you think about the essentials for life? Food? Clothing? Education? How about shelter? I think we can all agree that these are necessities for all people, globally and in our county. Without access to these, life itself is put in jeopardy. When you look at the informa…
In response to the Oct. 21 article, “How fire burned Forest Service budget,” I’d like to add a component rarely spoken of regarding the utilization of private contractors in wildland fire suppression. The element I speak of is arson for profit.
Public transportation services are about to see major changes in service provisions along with a boost in funds from the state. My name is Vince Portulano, and I’m seeking a seat on the new Douglas County Transportation District, and am seeking your support because I believe I can work with …
It appears that the massive tax cut at the federal level is not producing offsetting revenues through growth that was expected. Now the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell, is talking about cutting entitlements. Namely Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
In our county and across the state, people with disabilities, seniors and low-income families are struggling to secure safe, stable and affordable housing. For people who experience a disability, as well as seniors, income is often fixed and very limited, leaving adequate and affordable hous…
Every morning since that fateful day begins the same way. It was the most intense heartache imaginable, the middle of a bad dream, drifting in a small boat on that mighty sea of sorrows. And when she awakened, nothing changed. The nightmare was still there.
After purchasing our home, we spent the first two years bending over and picking up trash. It was as if someone loaded a plane with garbage, flew over and randomly dumped it out. For the past eighteen years we have carefully restored much of the wildlife habitat, planting thousands of trees …
I understand from the articles on the League of Women Voters of Umpqua Valley forum that Senator Heard is not attending the forum on Tuesday due to a scheduling conflict with a tour of wildfire lands. I respect that. Our legislators must be informed and connected to the issues and people of …
Now that we are nearing the end of an extremely active fire season in Southwest Oregon — the second in a row — the conversation surrounding the management of federally controlled forests is starting to heat up.
Being a county commissioner is a big job. It is both a joy and a curse of sorts at times. It is very humbling to consider that you need more votes than a host of other candidates to be gifted the opportunity to serve in this capacity. Let me say that again, “given the opportunity to serve.” …
The Douglas County Second Amendment Protection Ordinance on the ballot this November is a fraud.
“What we call extreme heat today, we will call summer in a matter of decades.” — Michael Mann, climate scientist.
My journey of officiating began in Douglas County in 1977. This is my 37th year officiating basketball, 35th year in fast pitch softball and 5th year in volleyball. This journey has provided me the means to identify the characteristics of a healthy organization. I have belonged to three diff…
Here in Glendale, we know lumber. It’s powered towns like ours across the Pacific Northwest for over 165 years. Like many businesses in small towns and communities throughout Oregon and Washington, we at the Swanson Group are a family-owned business in the business of supporting families — w…
Southwest Oregon communities today are facing an annual cycle of more frequent and severe wildfires, more losses of lives and property and more toxic smoke that fills our valleys and stretches our public health resources. As a county commissioner, I’m concerned about the trauma our citizens …
This week, the lawsuit against a transgender boy who used his preferred bathroom in the Sutherlin School District was dropped due to precedent cases ruling in favor of the defendant. To this, I can only say:
This week is World Breastfeeding Week. Breastfeeding is a great gift for babies and their families. As a pediatrician caring for thousands of babies over the past 40 years, I have seen the great nutritional, immunologic and bonding advantages of breastfeeding. As I have assumed public health…
Do you believe every Federal law is perfectly written and perfectly implemented? Do you believe flawed Federal regulations should be updated and improved when better information, processes and science are available?
For centuries, mental illness — from mild, temporary depression, to severe, persistent schizophrenia — has been stigmatized. In recent years, however, mental health services increasingly are recognized as being just as important as physical health services. These days, many people are comfor…
I am sometimes faced with the question: What does an Education Service District do? I can understand the confusion. After all, we here at Douglas ESD have a superintendent — me — but we don’t have principals. We have teachers, but they work in schools all over the county. And our Stephens St…
