On this day, July 9, 1921, during the boom times of the 1920s, the Montgomery Ward building opened in NW Portland. It has since been converted to office space and is now known as Montgomery Park.
Also on this day, July 9, 1945, a THIRD big Tillamook fire occurred near the Salmonberry River, and was joined two days later by a second blaze on the Wilson River, started by a discarded cigarette. This fire burned 180,000 acres before it was put out. The cause of the blaze on the Salmonberry River was mysterious, and many believed it had been set by an incendiary balloon launched by the Japanese, and brought to Oregon by the jet stream.
Also on this day, July 9, 1811, a party of the Montreal-based North West Company employees led by David Thompson in 1807, the British began land-based operations and opened trading posts throughout the region. Thompson extensively explored the Columbia River watershed. While at the junction of Columbia and Snake Rivers, he erected a pole on with a notice stating "Know hereby that this country is claimed by Great Britain as part of its territories"
Oregon Legislature passes bill in special session
During the 2021 second special session, the Oregon Legislature passed
Senate Bill 892 that directs the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to establish a disaster assistance program.
The Legislature awarded $40 million to this new, one-of-a-kind program to help mitigate economic losses farmers and ranchers sustained because of the compounding natural disasters in 2021, including the ice storm, heat dome, and drought.
“I commend the Oregon Legislature and Governor Kate Brown for their firm support of SB 892,†said Alexis Taylor, Director, ODA. “Over the last two years, Oregon has experienced one natural disaster after another, with the pandemic on top of all of that. I have heard from so many Oregon farmers and ranchers who are concerned how they will make it through next year. The funds provided by SB 892 will keep many operations afloat until the USDA develops its federal disaster program that is expected to be announced by mid-2022. All of us at ODA will work as fast as we can to develop an application and distribution process to get these dollars to those in need.â€
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack visited damaged berry farms in the Willamette Valley in August 2021, shortly after the heat dome event that brought temperatures of 117 degrees. During his visit, he and Oregon Governor Kate Brown heard from local farmers and ranchers about the limitation and delay in federal disaster delivery. SB 892 allows ODA to contract with regional lenders to provide localized access to disaster assistance. The intent is to meet the unique needs of Oregon producers, for whom disaster assistance has not typically worked for.
SB 892 gives ODA the authority to contract with lending institutions to administer the disaster assistance program locally.
The Legislature designed the loan program to act as a bridge loan or direct assistance while the upcoming federal program is developed. ODA says they intend to begin the implementation process immediately to serve Oregon’s agricultural community.
--Bruce Armstrong| Post Date: 2021-12-15 16:00:01 | Last Update: 2021-12-15 16:18:15 |
