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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 15, 2020)
8 FEBRUARY 15, 2020 Smoke Signals ‘Coyote’ on display Plans to reconstruct Grand Ronde Road likley to begin in 2023 POTHOLES continued from front page Photos by Kamiah Koch “Coyote,” a 14-foot sculpture built by Grand Ronde Tribal artist Travis Stewart, now keeps a watchful eye on traffic in the roundabout at Baker Creek and Hill roads in McMinnville. The Corten steel and carved cedar sculpture was installed on Monday, Feb. 3. “It’s a nod to the area and Coyote myths of the valley and red hills,” Stewart says. Stewart was commissioned to build the sculpture by the McMinnville Downtown Association Committee for Public Art. Committee member Steve Rupp says the committee has been trying to have a Grand Ronde artist’s work in the city for more than five years. Stewart’s work was paid for by a Oregon Community Foundation grant, the city of McMinnville and private donations. “We are very pleased to have such a wonderful sculpture in our city,” says Rupp. structed in 2009 and completed in 2010 for $4.8 million using a mix of Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service and Polk County funds. And the two main culprits of con- tinuing potholes? A combination of moisture issues with Grand Ronde soil and heavy trucks using road as a shortcut to Highway 18. “There are moisture problems continually, no matter how much we try it sneaks in and opens up the road,” Mercier says. There are plans to reconstruct Grand Ronde Road, but the project likely won’t begin until 2023 due to other needed road work, Mercier says. “The McPherson Road improve- ment is a priority if we want to build more housing,” he says. “It’s not even in our transportation plan, but more housing is something the Tribe really needs now.” The Grand Ronde Road recon- struction will likely take a month to complete and will be done in phases so that the effect on traffic is minimal. “Until then, I will work with the county on areas that have reached a critical repair point,” Mercier says. Some of the more notable pot- holes are near the Tribal Ceme- tery and the intersection of Grand Ronde Road and Highway 18. When the road is overhauled, it will entail removing the asphalt, digging out the subgrade below, filling it up again, adding rock and including a fabric that creates a barrier to keep moisture out. Then, asphalt will be poured. Mercier estimates the project will cost approximately $6 million and include funding from BIA and Polk County. He is hoping that the planned re-alignment of Highway 22 near the Kissing Rock curves and future Oregon Department of Transportation improvements near Spirit Mountain Casino will keep semi-trucks off Grand Ronde Road so that repairs will not be as extensive. Currently, many truck drivers use Grand Ronde Road to access High- way 18 because of the difficulty nav- igating Highway 22 near the Kissing Rock curves, and the challenges with being able to turn left onto Highway 18 near Spirit Mountain Casino. ODOT’s long-term plan is to install a barrier between the east and westbound lanes, and widen the highway to two lanes. Mercier says that anyone with pothole concerns can call him at 503-879-2400. “I know it’s getting worse,” he says, adding that the potholes were patched again on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Fee assistance Enrolled Tribal members can request assistance with test fees (i.e. GRE, SAT, LSAT, ACT) and admissions application fees. Contact Higher Education for more information at 1-800-422-0232, ext. 2275. Khof i Haws February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month Love Rocks Monday - Friday PRIZES 7:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m Rock Painting At CTGR Campus, near building C FEB 16 th 2020 11 a.m.-1 p.m. At the Community Center “Like us on Facebook at CTGR Khofi Haws” Ad by Samuel Briggs III Pizza Punch 1 in 3 American teens are affected by Teen Dating Violence. Let’s come together to discuss the facts, and paint Love Rocks to promote awareness and healthy relationships within our community! All are welcome; however, we ask that guardians use discretion with children under 10 years of age. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult or guardian for the duration of the event. Discussion topics include: Forms of Teen Dating Violence, Sex, Healthy Relationship Traits, and available resources. **While supplies last.