A2 THE BULLETIN • TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2021 The Bulletin How to reach us LOCAL, STATE & REGION DESCHUTES COUNTY CIRCULATION Didn’t receive your paper? Start or stop subscription? 541-385-5800 6 a.m.-noon Tuesday-Friday 7 a.m.-noon Saturday-Sunday and holidays Deschutes County cases: 5,956 (4 new cases) Deschutes County deaths: 59 (zero new deaths) Jefferson County cases: 1,960 (2 new cases) Jefferson County deaths: 28 (zero new deaths) Oregon cases: 155,794 (197 new cases) Oregon deaths: 2,212 (4 new deaths) GENERAL INFORMATION BULLETIN GRAPHIC 129 new cases COVID-19 data for Monday, March 1: Crook County cases: 775 (zero new cases) Crook County deaths: 18 (zero new deaths) PHONE HOURS SOURCES: OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY, DESCHUTES COUNTY HEALTH SERVICES New COVID-19 cases per day 130 (Dec. 4) What is COVID-19? It’s an infection caused by a new coronavirus. Coronavi- ruses are a group of viruses that can cause a range of symptoms. Some usually cause mild illness. Some, like this one, can cause more severe symptoms and can be fatal. Symptoms include fever, coughing and shortness of breath. 108 new cases 120 (Jan. 1) 90 new cases 110 *No data available on Jan. 31 due to state computer maintenence (Nov. 27) 7 ways to help limit its spread: 1. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. 2. Avoid touching your face. 3. Avoid close contact with sick people. 4. Stay home. 5. In public, stay 6 feet from others and wear a cloth face covering or mask. 6. Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or cough into your elbow. 7. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 100 90 80 70 60 47 new cases 50 (Nov. 14) 541-382-1811 7-day average 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri. (Oct. 31) ONLINE 30 16 new cases (July 16) (Sept. 19) 9 new cases www.bendbulletin.com 40 31 new cases 28 new cases 20 (May 20) 1st case 10 (March 11) EMAIL bulletin@bendbulletin.com March April May June July October September August November December February Mar. 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Box 6020 Bend, OR 97708 B Senate still a hurdle for LGBTQ protections BY PETER WONG Oregon Capital Bureau 541-385-5804 MERKLEY’S EFFORTS IN CONGRESS ADMINISTRATION Publisher Heidi Wright ..............................541-383-0341 Editor Gerry O’Brien .............................541-633-2166 DEPARTMENT HEADS Advertising Steve Rosen ................................541-383-0370 Circulation/Operations Jeremy Feldman ......................541-617-7830 Finance Anthony Georger ....................541-383-0324 Human Resources ................541-383-0340 TALK TO AN EDITOR City Julie Johnson ...................541-383-0367 Business, Features, GO! Magazine Jody Lawrence-Turner ............541-383-0308 Editorials Richard Coe ...........541-383-0353 News Tim Doran .......................541-383-0360 Photos .........................................541-383-0366 Sports ..........................................541-383-0359 TALK TO A REPORTER Bend/Deschutes Government Brenna Visser .............................541-633-2160 Business Suzanne Roig ............................541-633-2117 Calendar .....................................541-383-0304 Crook County ..........................541-617-7829 Deschutes County ................541-617-7818 Education Jackson Hogan ...........................541-617-7854 Fine Arts/Features David Jasper .................................541-383-0349 General Assignment Kyle Spurr ...................................541-617-7820 Health Suzanne Roig ............................541-633-2117 Jefferson County ..................541-617-7829 La Pine ........................................541-383-0367 Music Brian McElhiney .......................541-617-7814 Public Lands/Environment Michael Kohn ............................541-617-7818 Public Safety Garrett Andrews ......................541-383-0325 Redmond Jackson Hogan ...........................541-617-7854 Salem/State Government .. 541-617-7829 Sisters .........................................541-383-0367 Sunriver .....................................541-383-0367 REDMOND BUREAU Mailing address ..................P.O. Box 6020 Bend, OR 97708 Phone ......................................... 541-617-7829 CORRECTIONS The Bulletin’s primary concern is that all stories are accurate. If you know of an error in a story, call us at 541-383-0367. TO SUBSCRIBE Call us ......................541-385-5800 • Home delivery and E-Edition ..........................$7 per week • By mail .................................$9.50 per week • E-Edition only ...................$4.50 per week To sign up for our e-Editions, visit www.bendbulletin.com to register. TO PLACE AN AD Classified ......................................541-385-5809 Advertising fax ..........................541-385-5802 Other information ....................541-382-1811 Even as the U.S. House passed legislation for the sec- ond time in two years, the Sen- ate remains the question mark for federal efforts to shield gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgen- der people against discrimi- nation. The House voted 224-206 on Thursday for legislation, House Resolution 5, to bar dis- crimination in housing, credit and other matters. A similar bill with the same designation passed 236-173 in 2019, but died without a vote in the Re- publican-controlled Senate. The Senate now has a ten- uous Democratic majority — Vice President Kamala Har- ris holds the tie-breaker in a chamber split 50-50 — but it is uncertain at best whether ad- vocates can muster at least 10 Republicans for a 60-vote ma- jority to avert a filibuster. “Today’s House passage of the Equality Act is an import- ant step forward and a shining source of hope for every Amer- ican who values freedom and equality for all,” Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat and one of the longtime leaders of the congressional effort, said with Senate sponsors at a news conference after the House vote. OTHER SERVICES Back issues ................................541-385-5800 Photo reprints .........................541-383-0366 Apply for a job ........................541-383-0340 All Bulletin payments are accepted at the drop box at City Hall or at The Bulletin, P.O. Box 6020, Bend, OR 97708. Check payments may be converted to an electronic funds transfer. The Bulletin, USPS #552-520, is published daily by Central Oregon Media Group, 320 SW Upper Terrace Drive, Bend, OR 97702. Periodicals postage paid at Bend, OR. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Bulletin circulation department, P.O. Box 6020, Bend, OR 97708. The Bulletin retains ownership and copyright protection of all staff-prepared news copy, advertising copy and news or ad illustrations. They may not be reproduced without explicit prior approval. ý Lottery results can now be found on the second page of Sports. — U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Oregon, pictured speaking in Portland in 2018. Jaime Valdez/Pamplin file photo “So let’s celebrate this ma- jor milestone, and also use this day to recommit ourselves to bringing the fight to ban LGBTQ discrimination to the Senate. Let’s make 2021 the year that we end discrimina- tion that remains legal in the majority of American states. Let’s make 2021 the year that we ring the bells of freedom for every American.” The latest bill won support from all four Oregon Demo- crats, but opposition from the lone Republican, Cliff Bentz of Ontario. Bentz’s Republi- can predecessor, Greg Walden, voted for the 2019 version along with the Democrats. A month after the 2019 House vote, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, “based on sex,” barred employment dis- crimination based on sexual orientation and gender iden- tity. Oregon is among 21 states with a wide range of legal protections — the 2020 State Equality Index compiled by the Human Rights Campaign says Oregon lacks a few improve- ments — but 27 states have no protections in their laws. Merkley was the speaker of the Oregon House in 2007, be- fore he was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2008. Since Demo- cratic Sen. Ted Kennedy asked him to assume leadership of that cause in 2009, before Ken- nedy died of cancer, Merkley has been a vocal advocate of federal anti-discrimination legislation. He has teamed up with two other Democrats, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Cory Booker of New Jer- sey, to sponsor the latest Senate effort. The Senate passed a non- discrimination law affecting employment only by a 64-32 vote in 2013. But that bill died without a vote in the Republi- can-controlled House. “In the land of the free, the doors of opportunity should not be slammed shut because of who Americans are or whom they love,” Merkley said. “It is way past time to end the dark history of discrimination and begin a new era of equal- ity and justice for our fellow LGBTQ Americans.” ý pwong@pamplinmedia.com Have you noticed a change in your ability to remember? “The more hearing loss you have, the greater likelihood of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Hearing aids could delay or prevent dementia by improving the patient’s hearing.” -2011 Study by John Hopkins University School of Medicine and the National Institute on Aging IS IT TIME FOR A HEARING TEST? Y N LOCAL BRIEFING Sheriff’s office investigates William E. Miller Elementary School’s parent organization. shooting near Alfalfa A person was shot near Al- falfa on Saturday, and the De- schutes County Sheriff ’s Of- fice is investigating. Deputies were called to a report of a shooting in the 25000 block of Alfalfa Market Road at around 3:24 p.m. Sat- urday. The person was trans- ported by air ambulance to St. Charles Bend. The person was expected to recover. The call involved a 70-year- old man and a 55-year-old woman. “Deputies and detectives are still actively investigating this incident, so no further details can be released at this time,” Sheriff ’s Office spokes- man Sgt. Jayson Janes wrote in a news release. There is no perceived threat to the public, Janes wrote. OBITUARIES No death notices or obituaries are published Mondays. When submitting, please include your name, address and contact number. Call to ask about deadlines, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Phone ..........................................541-385-5809 Fax .................................................541-598-3150 Email .......................obits@bendbulletin.com “Let’s make 2021 the year that we end discrimination that remains legal in the majority of American states.” Bend-area parent groups raise money for nonprofit Parent groups representing various Bend-La Pine schools are fundraising for local non- profit Family Access Network throughout the month of March. Family Access Network, commonly referred to as FAN, has staff located at schools throughout Central Oregon who connect impov- erished students with cloth- ing, school supplies and social services. “Parents have seen first- hand the way advocates help and inspire the Central Ore- gon community, which is why FAN was selected as the ben- eficiary of these unique fund- raising efforts in this difficult year,” said a press release from “Access to the essentials FAN provides is access to hope.” Donations to Family Access Network can be made at its website, or by mailing checks to: FAN 2125 NE Daggett Lane Bend, OR 97701 Prescribed burns planned for south of Madras Piles of downed juniper on 450 acres of land near Juniper Butte will be ignited Thurs- day, provided conditions re- main favorable. The pile burns will occur in areas parallel to U.S. High- way 97 near Culver, accord- ing to a news release from the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grasslands. Smoke from the pile burns will be visible in areas south of Madras near Highway 97, King and Morris lanes, and Haystack Drive. Wood to be burned is de- bris from a thinning project in the Willow Creek Water- shed. The project removed thousands of junipers to re- store range conditions and water availability. Smoke impacts could affect areas around Madras. The public is advised to close win- dows at night and if smoke is on the roadway, drivers should turn on their head- lights and slow down while driving through smoky areas. The Oregon Health Au- thority advises that people who suffer from respiratory ailments or a heart condition remain indoors in smoke-im- pacted areas. — Bulletin staff report ñ ñ ñ ñ TAKE THIS QUIZ AND FIND OUT ... ñ ñ ñ ñ Do you feel that people mumble or do not speak clearly? Do you turn the TV up louder than others need to? Do family or friends get frustrated when you ask them to repeat themselves? 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