When asked whether his newest symphony was borne of a desire to bring back a positive association for the massive, scenic Malheur National Wildlife Refuge of southeastern Oregon, Chris Thomas is quick to respond in the affirmative. “That was the entire point,” he confirms. While hiking in Wisconsin, the Central Oregon Symphony cellist and composer […]
Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Posted inNews
Sides Notes 9/14-9/21
Two-Year-Old Killed in Hwy 20 Crash A crash involving three vehicles on Highway 20 Sunday left a two-year-old child dead and several others hurt. According to the Oregon State Police, Sherwood resident David Fincher was driving his Toyota Tacoma eastbound west of Tumalo Sunday morning when he lost control on a corner and crossed the […]
Posted inSpecial Issues & Guides
2016 Woman of the Year: Alice Elshoff
Educator and conservationist protecting Oregon’s natural treasures
As co-founder of Friends of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, Alice Elshoff’s patience with the armed occupation near Burns unraveled on Jan. 9. She had patiently watched the armed takeover of the 188,000-acre preserve, admitting that she didn’t take it seriously at first. On that early Saturday in January, however, all that changed. She fired […]
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Side Notes 2/17-2/24
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia found dead Gov. Kate Brown ordered all flags at Oregon public institutions to be flown at half-staff immediately until the day of interment in honor of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who died on Feb. 13. “Justice Scalia provided many years of dedicated service to one of the most […]
Posted inOpinion
Letters 2/3-2/10
Phony Walden As events unfolded on the Malheur Wildlife Refuge, Congressman Greg Walden alternately tried to duck for cover over his position by espousing a peaceful end to the standoff, while at the same time making it clear that he supports dismantling of the federal protections of public lands (as the terrorists did). Yes, he […]
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Bullies Go Home!
Great Old Broads for Wilderness rally for public lands
Local members of the group Great Old Broads for Wilderness joined to send a strong message to the armed occupiers of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, south of Burns in Harney County on Friday. They called them bullies and demanded that they leave the refuge. They also demanded prosecution of the occupiers for confiscation of […]
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Anarchy In Eastern Oregon – Don’t Tread On Me
Militia stand-off continues
A group of armed men occupying the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge outside of Burns, Oregon, bears testimony to long-running anti-government sentiment held by its members. The militia, led by Ammon Bundy, called by turn domestic terrorists and patriots, declare they will stay for years if necessary, to win their demands. The Source discovered another side […]
Posted inOpinion
The Boot 1/7-1/13
This is Not Your Land “This land is your land, this land is my land.” The self-styled “militia” that initiated an armed occupation of a federal wildlife refuge near Burns seems to be misinterpreting the meaning of Woody Guthrie’s classic American folk song, “This Land (Was Made for You & Me).” Rather than suggesting that […]
Posted inNews
Side Notes 1/6-1/13
On Jan. 2, armed men and women took over the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, according to a statement from the Oregon State Police. No employees were on site when the refuge was broken into, according to an update released by the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The Guardian and the Associated Press reported […]