The South Willamette Valley is experiencing very high pollen counts with the sunny windy weather Sunday and today.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced plans to drop recommendations for pregnant women and healthy children to get COVID-19 vaccines. The decision has Lane County’s Senior Public Health Officer noting some discrepancies.

Oregon Coast Community College in Newport has been approved to offer its own four-year accredited degree in nursing. The opportunity comes at a time when demand for nurses is high, particularly in rural places.

The city is hoping to be prepared for water-related emergencies and learn from 2018 when cyanotoxins entered Salem’s water system.

The Oregon Health Authority is cautioning people to watch out for algae blooms when visiting bodies of water this summer.

Samaritan Health Services is considering closing a birthing center in Lebanon and maternity ward in Lincoln City over rising costs and sagging revenue.

McKenzie-Willamette plans to develop a site in west Eugene as a free-standing Emergency Department.

The proposed ordinance would primarily affect the nonprofit HIV Alliance, which provides a needle exchange program for drug users in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV and hepatitis C.

The imminent departure of two Rite Aid pharmacies in Newport and Lincoln City has added some urgency to potential plans by Samaritan Health Services to open its second pharmacy in Lincoln County.

As summer draws near, blood banks tend to see a significant drop in donations. It’s a serious problem as we head into the time of year when the demand for medical blood is at its peak.