The New Era - All about Sweet Home since 1929

Residents in Sweet Home may be feeling the climate's heat this week, but at least there's less heat coming from the government after Gov. Kate Brown announced on Friday the end of the state's safety protocols for COVID.

Oregon's risk-level framework for counties will be lifted today, or after 70 percent of adults are vaccinated, whichever comes first, Brown said.

"That means no more statewide mask mandates in most settings, no required capacity limits, and no required physical distancing," Brown said. "It means, effectively, Oregon is 100 percent open for business. This is a pivotal moment...