HERMISTON — The Maxwell Market kicks off the 2024 season on Thursday, May 30, 4-7 p.m. at the Maxwell Siding Event Center & Pavilion, 225 S. First Place, Hermiston.

In addition to locally grown produce, the weekly farmers market features arts and crafts vendors, beer, food and live music. The opening market features Tiphony Dames and Robin Barrett, who perform with the Coyote Kings.

The market will run each Thursday, except July 4 and Aug. 8, through Oct. 3. For more information, search www.maxwelleventcenter.com or www.facebook.com/theMaxHermiston. For questions, contact 541-561-1047 or maxwelleventcenter@gmail.com.

KENNEWICK — Two River Correctional Institution is holding an open house for people interested in working as corrections officers.

The event is 9 a.m. to noon, Wednesday, May 29, at WorkSource Columbia Basin, 815 N. Kellogg St., Suite D, Kennewick.

The recruitment team will be available to discuss the hiring process and assist with the online application process. Applicants will be provided with a voucher code to cover testing.

Applicants must meet the following qualifications to apply:

• Be at least 21 years old at the time of appointment.

• Have a high school diploma or General Educational Development diploma.

• Be a U.S. citizen or obtain citizenship within one year.

• Pass a criminal background check, health screening, drug screening and psychological evaluation.

Applicants need to bring a valid photo ID.

SALEM — Employers with fewer than 25 employees, on average, may be eligible to receive assistance grants when an employee goes on paid leave. To be eligible, employers must:

• Pay employer contributions for eight calendar quarters (two years) from the time they receive the assistance grant.

• Be current on contributions payments.

What are the types and amounts of assistance grants?

• $3,000 to hire a worker to replace an employee on paid leave.

• Up to $1,000 to cover significant additional wage-related costs, like paying additional wages to an existing employee or additional training costs.

• Up to $3,000 to cover a replacement worker when the employee taking paid leave extends the length of their leave beyond the initial expected time frame.

How does a small employer apply for an assistance grant?

A small employer may apply for an employer assistance grant after an employee’s paid leave benefits have been approved. The employer has up to four months after the end of the employee’s leave to apply for a grant. Applications are at shorturl.at/eamkN.

Will employers have to pay assistance grants back?

Employers do not have to repay assistance grants. The only time an employer might have to repay the grant is if OED later finds that the employer wasn’t actually eligible for the grant, if this happens, the employer has the right to appeal the decision through the appeal process.

How many assistance grants can an employer apply for each year?

A small employer may apply for up to 10 grants each year, one per employee.

What are the requirements to apply for a grant?

• When an employer applies for a grant, they must provide the following information:

• Business Identification Number and contact information.

• Information about the employee taking leave.

• The type of grant the employer is requesting and the amount requested.

• An explanation of how costs are related to the employee who is taking leave and documentation supporting the employer’s request.

For more information visit paidleave.oregon.gov.

— Hermiston Herald and Northeast Oregon Now

— Hermiston Herald