In the headlines:
► Americans who have direct deposit set up through the Internal Revenue Service could be receiving their stimulus payment as early as Tuesday night, according to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. Paper checks will begin to be mailed Wednesday, according to a press release from the Treasury Department. The new round of stimulus includes $600 direct payment to qualifying individual Americans, or $1,200 for couples.
► California extended its regional stay-at-home order for Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley, where there is 0% ICU capacity. Dr. Mark Ghaly, the state s health and human services secretary, said the order is in effect for the time being with no set expiration date for the restrictions, the Los Angeles Times reported. Ghaly said ICU projections will determine when the orders will be lifted.
Shaena Montanari and Natalie Walters
Howard Center for Investigative Journalism
Winter in the Columbia River Gorge is wet and freezing, a life-threatening situation for the area’s homeless residents even without a pandemic. Darcy Long-Curtiss understands that better than most.
The area s regular homeless shelter, like many around Oregon, was closed because of COVID-19. The federal aid money meant to help protect homeless people from the pandemic came late and with confusing restrictions.
By the time The Dalles councilwoman got permission to erect temporary shelters purchased with her community’s share of the funding, temperatures already were dipping below freezing.