Frustrations with a new payroll system for state employees lead to a class action lawsuit
A proposed class action lawsuit alleges that thousands of Oregon state employees have been incorrectly paid since the state implemented a payroll system in December. The suit alleges that the state should have known before implementing the new payroll system that employees would be systematically underpaid. That system, called Workday, went live Dec. 1, replacing a system built in the 1980s. The first payslips were issued on January 3. “It’s beyond frustrating, especially for our lower-wage workers who aren’t already earning a livable wage,” said Andrea Kennedy-Smith, state child services counsel and chair of SEIU Local 503, OPEU Local 200, which represents employees of the Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority. (Tracy Loew/Salem Statesman diary)
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The owner of the Goonies house engages in awareness initiatives
Behman Zakeri, an Overland Park, Kansas entrepreneur, closed in January on the $1.65 million home purchase made famous by the 1985 film “The Goonies.” His childhood best friend, Michael Eakin, bought the house next door. Since then, the neighborhood’s frustrations with traffic, illegal parking, and the bad behavior of some visitors have come to the surface. The two men and a lawyer told Astoria City Council Tuesday night that they have met with the community to address these concerns. Some residents have not been conquered. “This is not a home that needs a manager, an attorney and another community coordinator and a Goonies trash pick up day,” said Megan Hodges, who lives next door. “Astoria is fine.” (Nicole Bales/The Astorian)
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The Eugene company will resume production of electric vehicles
Arcimoto announced Tuesday that it will resume production of electric vehicles at its Eugene factory and offer a new model of its three-wheeled motorcycle this spring. The announcement came after The Oregonian/OregonLive reported last month that the company had halted production at its factory, claiming it was nearly out of money and at risk of bankruptcy. That news followed last year’s uproar when the company hired a new chief executive in the summer, and then in October laid off 49 employees and laid off 66 others. The new CEO, Jesse Fittipaldi, said the company was focusing on sales, improving quality, reducing production costs and increasing branding efforts. (Makenzie Elliott/Eugene Register-Guard)
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The new project aims to study sea level rise on the northern coast
The Oregon Department of Conservation and Land Development, along with Clatsop County and Cannon Beach, plans to host a series of public seminars in March to kick-start a two-year project that explores ways to address the impacts of uplift sea level in the region. The information gathered during the workshops will help identify what is at risk and priorities moving forward as communities develop action plans. While rates of sea level rise are slower in Oregon than in other parts of the country, according to the state, the coast is experiencing sea level rise every year. Sea level rise in Oregon is projected to lead to higher tide levels, more dramatic tides, increased flooding and coastal erosion, and increased tsunami risk. (Nicole Bales/The Astorian)
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Harney Basin groundwater restrictions have been considered, but are years away
The Oregon Department of Water Resources plans to convene an advisory committee on local rules, in which state water regulators are considering whether to impose restrictions on groundwater pumping in the Harney Basin, although any changes would still take years to come. are implemented on the ground. Critical groundwater areas can be established to address groundwater supply, quality, or thermal problems, according to the Oregon Department of Water Resources. (George Plaven/Capital Press)
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