

On this day, May 5, 1903, James Beard, US culinary expert, author (Delights & Prejudices), was born in Portland, Ore.
Also on this day, May 5, 1945, A Japanese balloon bomb exploded on Gearhart Mountain in Oregon, killing Mrs. Elsie Mitchell, the pregnant wife of a minister, and five children after they attempted to drag it out the woods in Lakeview, Oregon. The balloon was armed, and exploded soon after they began tampering with it. They became the 1st and only known American civilians to be killed in the continental US during World War II.
Also on this day, May 5, 1945, Bly minister Archie Mitchell, his pregnant wife Elsie, and five children from Mitchell's Sunday school class were on a Saturday morning picnic. Thirteen miles northeast of Bly, or about sixty miles northeast of Klamath Falls, Mitchell parked the car, and Elsie and the children headed to Leonard Creek. Mitchell later remembered: "As I got out of the car to bring the lunch, the others were not far away and called to me they had found something that looked like a balloon. I heard of Japanese balloons so I shouted a warning not to touch it. But just then there was a big explosion. I ran up there--and they were all dead." It was a Japanese balloon bomb. They were 70 feet tall with a 33-foot diameter paper canopy connected to the main device by shroud lines. Balloons inflated with hydrogen followed the jet stream at an altitude of 30,000 feet.
“Boosting housing production by embracing bold solutions”
Vice-chairs of the Senate and House Committees on Housing Senator Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City) and Representative Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville) attended a ceremonial signing for a bipartisan housing package which came out of the 2024 Legislative Session:
SB 1530,
SB 1537,
SB 1564, and
HB 4134. The bills aim to boost housing production, fund critical infrastructure in communities across the state, develop an innovative revolving loan fund, and address workforce housing levels. The signing took place at the site of the Native American Youth and Family Center in Portland.
“We know Oregon is grappling with a severe housing crisis that affects individuals, families, and entire communities across the state. Because of it, many of my constituents experience skyrocketing rents and an acute shortage of inexpensive housing options every day. We must quickly build out of this crisis by unleashing builders, land, and resources for infrastructure. I am pleased with the bipartisan package we were able to pass earlier this year to begin increasing housing production, but my hope is that it remains a top priority for the Legislature in sessions to come,” said Senator Anderson.
“Rural Oregon faces unique challenges such as limited job opportunities, outmigration of young residents, and insufficient housing options. We have to get serious about expanding housing production so these communities can attract and retain a workforce, stimulate economic growth by supporting local businesses and services, and ensure families and individuals have safe and inexpensive housing options close to their workplaces,” said Representative Breese-Iverson. “From this housing package, I will be glad to see dollars flow to rural Oregon so communities with aging and at-capacity infrastructure can allow for growth.”
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
One of the key priorities for Senate Republicans is boosting housing production by embracing bold solutions rather than the failed policies that have handcuffed cities, overregulated builders, and stifled development for decades.
for some, this package is a case of a government created problem which begs a government solution. Celeste Walker of Grants Pass who provided testimony to the Senate Committee On Housing and Development said, "At the very least, [the bill summary] is referring to Oregon’s Climate Friendly Areas (also known as 15 minute cities) of which I am opposed to, as should everyone.
SB 1530 allots $15 million to this project. This is a way to corral people into a very small area and thus eventually control every aspect of our lives. Look up the city of Grants Pass 71 page report on Climate Friendly Areas. Be wary when they say "We're from the government and we're here to help"! It’s a hard no!
--Staff ReportsPost Date: 2024-05-06 19:14:12 | Last Update: 2024-05-06 19:35:26 |