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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 2021)
VOLUME 42, NO. 19 FEBRUARY 26, 2021 SECTION A $1.00 Navigating mental health during the pandemic SEE MAGAZINE INSERT Utility lineworkers fi nd respite at Hitchin’ Post BY MATT RAWLINGS Of the Keizertimes Keith Wright, owner of the Hitchin’ Post north of Keizer, always admired and appreciated the service of lineworkers. For the last three years, whenever he sees a lineworker eating at his restaurant in uniform after a long day, Wright will provide them with a free meal. After an unprecedented ice storm took out power in many homes in the area earlier this month, Portland General Electric (PGE) workers have been fl ooding Salem-Keizer to restore electricity in the community. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been rough on local restaurants and small businesses, Wright has remained thankful that he has been able to stay open over the last year. When Hitchin’ Post got their power restored on Tuesday, Feb. 16, Wright wanted to do something for the lineworkers to show his gratitude. “We have actually been very blessed during the pandemic, so we wanted to give back,” Wright said. Wright reached out to PGE and told the company that Hitchin’ Post would be providing free breakfast and dinner to any lineworker starting on Wednesday, Feb. 17. Since then, the restaurant KEIZERTIMES/Matt Rawlings ABOVE: Utility workers from as far away as Montana ware being treated to meals at Hitchin' Post. has been hosting dozens of lineworkers at a time on their back patio for a free meal. “This is something we wanted to do to show our thanks for what they have done to help our community,” Wright said. “Without these guys, we probably wouldn't Please see WARM, Page A10 Marion County moves to ‘high’ pandemic risk vaccinations ramping up, now is not the By ERIC A. HOWALD time to let down our guard. Continue Of the Keizertimes Marion County will move from ex- to wear your masks, keep physical dis- treme risk to high risk for spreading the tance, and avoid indoor gatherings." COVID-19 pandemic Friday, Feb. 26. The lowering of the risk level “For the sec- brings with it a ond time in a Oregon’s COVID-19 Risk Levels slew of changes. row, we are see- • The maxi- ing great prog- mum suggested EXTREME ress in stop- gathering size in- HIGH ping the spread creases from six of COVID-19 to eight people. MODERATE across Oregon • Restaurants and saving lives," will be allowed to LOWER said Gov. Kate use indoor dining Brown. "Orego- On Tuesday, Feb. 23, Gov. Kate Brown facilities, but will nians continue to be limited to 25% announced Marion County would be lowered from step up and make capacity or 50 ‘Extreme’ risk to ‘High’ risk, based smart choic- people, whichev- on data from Feb. 7–20. es. While these er is smaller. Take- county move- out is still recom- ments are welcome news, we must con- mended over in-person dining. tinue to take seriously health and safety • A closing time of 11 p.m. will re- measures, especially as more businesses main in effect. reopen and we start to get out more. As • Long-term care facilities can al- we see infection rates going down and low indoor visitation. • Churches and funeral homes will be able to open at 25% capacity or 150 people, whichever is lower. • Indoor and recreation and fi tness facilities will be able to operate at 25% capacity or 50 people, whichev- er is smaller. Indoor contact sports are still prohibited. • Entertainment business, such as theaters, concert venues, indoor aquariums and museums will also be able to open at 25% capacity or 50 people, whichever is lower. • Offi ces may be opened to the public, but remote work is still rec- ommended. • Outdoor full-contact sports will be permitted for all ages provided organizations abide by health guide- lines. • Outdoor entertainment, such as the Oregon Zoo, Oregon Aquarium and outdoor theaters will be able to increase capacity from 50 people to 75 people. Marion County remains among Soccer teams prepare for return to pitch PAGE A14 the top counties in the state for spread of COVID-19. As of Monday, Feb. 22, adults 70 and older are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. However, a rush to sign up overloaded the state’s website. To make a vaccination appointment visit, go to getvaccinated.oregon.gov or call 1-866-698-6155 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Oregon has now administered a total of 821,311 fi rst and second dos- es of COVID-19 vaccines. More than 920,000 doses of vaccine have been de- livered to sites across Oregon. More than 2,150 Oregonians have died as a result of COVID-19. Earlier this week, Brown ordered fl ags to fl y at half-mast to honored the passing of more than 500,000 Ameri- cans due to the coronavirus. The Unit- ed States has experienced more deaths than any other country in the world and half a million is more than the to- tal fatalities of World War I, World War II and the Vietnam War combined. The countdown begins KEIZERTIMES/Matt Rawlings McNary quarterback Jack McCarty prepares to throw a sideline route to one of his receivers. Read about the McNary football team's return to action on Page A14. Councilors debate rule changes Library gets new drop box PAGE A2 Talks linger on when to cut mics By ERIC A. HOWALD Of the Keizertimes It was no small irony that the Keizer city council mem- bers spent most of a work ses- sion discussing how long they should be allowed to talk. Members of the council met Monday, Feb. 22, to discuss po- tential revisions to the council’s rules and policies, the fi rst such update in more than a decade. The council rules and pol- icies set forth the standards of council conduct and defi ne the lines between different types of council rules. Coun- cil members discussed several points of the proposed revision, but lingered in a conversation about how long each council- or should be given to discuss the other activities they are in- volved in during regular coun- cil meetings. “This was a hot button for me,” said Elizabeth Smith. “I monitor the social media feed while we are meeting and as soon as council reports begin the numbers drop.” Please see RULES, Page A7 Area birds in danger, you can help PAGE A5