Oregon Medicaid waiver approved, Owyhee monument officially shelved and snow continues to disrupt business.
Portland is still an icy mess, and freezing rain is (supposedly) en route. The good news is forecasters say a big melt is on the way. The bad news? The melt comes with flood warnings.
1. Oregon receives Medicaid extension, in the nick of time
Oregon’s Medicaid program can continue to operate under its own model for the next five years thanks to an extension from the federal government, the Portland Business Journal reports. Since the first federal waiver was approved in 2010, Oregon set up a Coordinated Care Organization system aimed at making care more efficient. The waiver application also asked for $1.25 billion in funding, which was denied. Officials say that denial was expected.
2. It’s official: Owyhee Canyonlands isn’t happening
Last week President Obama expanded the Cascade Siskiyou Monument. This raised doubt that the Canyonlands monument would also receive a designation from the outgoing president. Sen. Jeff Merkley says the monument is officially shelved, according to the Daily Astorian.
3. OB Original Blog: Snow disrupts car-sharing services
No business was untouched by last week’s epic storm. Research editor Kim Moore reports crews for Zipcar and Car2Go worked around the clock to dig out hundreds of vehicles from their white, fluffy blankets.
4. Temporary homeless shelter to remain open through May
The Washington Center temporary homeless shelter at 4th and Washington will remain open for another four months, the Portland Business Journal reports. The overnight shelter, opened by Menashe Properties, served up to 100 people per night during Portland’s recent spell of inclement weather. The announcement comes as other local warming centers are scheduled to close. The temporary shelter is a collaboration between Greystar, the City of Portland, Multnomah County and the non-profit Transition Projects.
5. Bend company sends its natural gas-compression engine to California
Onboard Dynamics signed its first contract for the machine last week with Southern California Gas Co., the Bend Bulletin reports. The technology was developed at OSU-Cascades to eliminate dependence on commercial fueling stations. The compressor allows natural gas fleets to refuel on site rather than sending vehicles to public fuel stations.
6. At least 3 Oregon Ducks football players hospitalized
The players were sent to the hospital after what’s described as a grueling workout last week at the University of Oregon, the Oregonian reports. At least one player was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, which causes blood to leak into soft muscle tissue breaking it down.
7. In lighter news, Margot Robbie spotted dressed as Tonya Harding
Oregon’s favorite disgraced ice skater Tonya Harding will soon be portrayed on screen by actress Margot Robbie, the Daily Mail reports. The movie dramatizes the 1994 Olympic skating scandal that gripped a nation: when Harding and a crew of thugs decided to break rival Nancy Kerrigan’s leg.
8. Reader Forum
Readers respond to articles about Zupan’s packing up shop, Portland’s grindingly slow response to snowpocalypse and the millennial workforce.
