BANKS, Ore. - The Salmonberry Trail Intergovernmental Agency (STIA) will meet to discuss the proposed Salmonberry Trail corridor 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Banks Fire District, 13430 NW Main St., Banks. The meeting is open to the public.

On the agenda: an update about the development of a new nonprofit dedicated to the development of the Salmonberry Trail, the board’s adoption of the completed strategic plan, and a discussion of next steps for implementing the plan.

The proposed Salmonberry Trail is an 84-mile corridor that follows the Port of Tillamook Bay Railway and terminates in Banks. The proposed route connects eight cities and two counties, passing by the Oregon coastline, fisheries, farmland and the Oregon Coast Range.

STIA was established to promote and facilitate coordinated direction and guidance in the planning, development and maintenance of the multi-use trail.

For more information contact Dennis Wiley, Salmonberry Trail project manager, at 503-986-0723 or dennis.wiley@oregon.gov. Individuals who need special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Dennis Wiley at least three days in advance of the meeting.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Billy Henry, Founder, President/CEO Director
Northwest Association for Blind Athletes
703 Broadway St, Ste 600
Vancouver, Washington 98660
Local Phone: 1-360-718-2826

Toll Free: 1-800-880-9837
http://www.nwaba.org
henry@nwaba.org">bhenry@nwaba.org

Northwest Association for Blind Athletes Hosts Camp Spark for Children with Visual Impairments in Oregon

Vancouver, Washington—July 22, 2019—Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) is excited to announce that as of today, July 22, 2019, NWABA has officially started Camp Spark in Oregon. Camp Spark offers a variety of sports and recreational activities including goalball (a sport specifically developed for individuals with visual impairments), 5-a-side soccer, judo, tandem cycling, kayaking, track & field, and numerous others.

Camp Spark in Oregon will be hosted at the Linfield College campus in McMinnville, OR from July 21 to July 26, 2019. Oregon’s camp will impact 36 campers from across the state ages 8-15 years old. This is the fourth year that NWABA has offered summer camp for children with visual impairments across the state. This one-week summer session provides 1:2 sport instruction for each camper.  Children vary in socioeconomic status, ethnic background, and level of skills and abilities.  

"Our Board of Directors is extremely excited to offer these truly transformational programs to children and youth with visual impairments. Camp reaches far beyond participating in sports, and acts as a catalyst to help campers gain the confidence, self-esteem, friendships, and independence they need to achieve success in all areas of life.” said Founder, President/CEO, Billy Henry.

Camp Spark 's Oregon session is partially funded by the Oregon Blind and Visually Impaired Student Fund, additional support is critically needed to deliver a successful camp. Donations to support Camp Spark are accepted by mailing a check to PO BOX 65265, Vancouver, WA, 98665 or making an online gift at www.nwaba.org. Please indicate that your donation is to support camp programs. For more information on Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, please contact Billy Henry at 1-360-718-2826, or visit www.nwaba.org

About NWABA:
The mission of Northwest Association for Blind Athletes (NWABA) is to provide life-changing opportunities through sports and physical activity to individuals who are blind and visually impaired. A group of students who were visually impaired formed the association in 2007 to ensure that people who are blind were participating in sports and physical activity. Today, NWABA is a rapidly expanding 501(c)(3) charitable organization that provides more than 1,500 children, youth, adults and military veterans with visual impairments tailored programming which improves self-confidence and self-esteem, promotes independence, creates an inclusive community of supporters, and builds the skills necessary to succeed in all areas of life including school and employment.

For information: http://www.nwaba.org  or
Contact: henry@nwaba.org">bhenry@nwaba.org
Phone:  1-360-718-2826

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Colette S. Peters, Director of the Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC), announced the appointment of Nichole Brown as the Superintendent of Columbia River Correctional Institution (CRCI) in Portland and the South Fork Forest Camp in Tillamook. The appointment is effective August 1, 2019.

“When asked to reflect on what it means to be the first African American woman to run a prison in the State of Oregon, I must acknowledge law enforcement and the African American community, traditionally, have not always had a symbiotic relationship. My decision to apply for the position was easy, as I know the leadership of the agency has made a commitment to diversify the workforce with highly trained staff and to normalize and humanize the corrections setting. I bring a diverse perspective – not only in ethnicity and culture – but diversity of opinion, thoughts, and abilities. I will role model to staff and to adults in custody that our diversity can be our greatest strength as we share and grow with one another as corrections professionals,” said Ms. Brown.

Brown started her career in 1997 at the Powder River Correctional Facility in the Inmate Work Programs section. From 2004 to 2012, she served as the Workforce Development Administrator responsible for Education Training and Alcohol and Drug Treatment programs. Brown currently oversees the Programs and Social Support Services Unit within the Correctional Services Division which includes Inmate Services, Volunteer Services, Victim Services, and Family Advocacy. Brown grew up and attended school in Northeast Portland. She earned her degree in Planning Public Policy and Management from the University of Oregon in Eugene.

Director Peters stated, “Nichole is a strong-minded thoughtful leader with heart and passion for our work, and I am confident she will serve our agency well in her new role. She brings a love of people, meaningful community partnerships, and a fundamental belief that people can change when given the opportunity and motivation. As the first woman Director of ODOC, I am proud to have the first African American woman selected as Superintendent on my watch.” 

CRCI is a minimum-security prison that houses approximately 595 adults in custody who are within four years of release. Located in the largest metropolitan area of the state, this facility is focused on cognitive programming, work programs, and preparing for return to the community. CRCI is home to a 50-bed cognitive restructuring Alternative Incarceration Program (AIP). Individuals who successfully complete this 180-day in-prison program are released to the community for a 90-day transitional leave period. Individuals who successfully complete the transitional leave period are granted a reduction in their sentence and move to post-prison supervision. CRCI is located on a 26-acre site in northeast Portland and officially in opened in September 1990.

SFFC is minimum-security work camp that houses approximately 200 adults in custody who are within four years of release. Part of SFFC's mission is to supply a ready work force to combat forest or wild fires throughout the state. Crews provide critical support for statewide fire operations, recreation, and reforestation; as well as provide support for special projects such as sign making, metal fabrication, and tool or equipment repair. SFFC was established in 1951 and is a satellite facility to CRCI and managed jointly with the Oregon Department of Forestry. It is located approximately 28 miles east of Tillamook, just off Highway 6 along the Wilson River in the Tillamook Forest.

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SALEM, OR – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is pleased to announce that the Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative (OHSI) is re-opening a mortgage payment assistance program for Oregon homeowners receiving unemployment benefits.

The Mortgage Payment Assistance Unemployment program (MPAU) is designed to help unemployed homeowners avoid foreclosure while they seek new employment. Eligible homeowners may receive assistance to cover up to 12 months of mortgage payments, up to a maximum of $20,000.

Basic eligibility requirements of the MPAU program include:

• Applicant is receiving unemployment insurance at the time of application
• Applicant does not own other residential property
• Applicant is not in active bankruptcy

Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2019. Interested homeowners should visit www.oregonhomeownerhelp.org for information on the application process including an eligibility checklist, application document checklist, and FAQs.

To date, OHSI programs have provided over $265 million to help over 15,000 Oregon homeowners stay in their homes. OHSI offers several other programs to help struggling homeowners including:

• Help for those on a fixed income struggling to pay their mortgage
• Help with property tax payments, including those with a reverse mortgage
• Help with past due mortgage payments for those who can demonstrate they can pay their mortgage post-assistance.

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On Sunday, July 21, 2019 at approximately 4:48 P.M.. Oregon State Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 224 near milepost 15.

Preliminary investigation revealed a Buick Lesabre, operated by Violet Sullivan (88) of Estacada, was traveling westbound on Hwy 224 and turned left in front of a Harley Davidson Motorcycle operated by Russell Nelson (65) of Portland.

Nelson was flown by Life Flight to OHSU where he was pronounced deceased.

OSP was assisted by Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Clackamas County Fire, and ODOT.

On Sunday, July 21, 2019, at approximately 11:33 AM, Oregon State Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash, involving a motorcycle, on Hwy 97 near mile post 15, approximately two miles north of Moro, Oregon. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2005 Kawasaki motorcycle, operated by Vanesa Gunther (55) of Junction City, Oregon, was traveling southbound on Hwy 97 when a wild turkey collided with her after flying into a northbound commercial motor vehicle. After being struck by the turkey, Gunther traveled across the northbound lane and collided with a guardrail.

Gunther sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The northbound lane of Hwy 97 was closed for several hours following the crash.

OSP was assisted by the Sherman County Sheriff's Office, North Sherman Fire, Moro Fire and Rescue, and ODOT. 

There are plenty of great places in Oregon to celebrate National Ice Cream Day on Sunday, July 21. Starting today, 10 of those places became the first stops on the new Oregon Ice Cream Trail.

These are quintessential destinations for acquiring frozen happiness (aka ice cream) by the cone or cup. The list was curated by the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council, and it includes:

1. Salt & Straw (2035 NE Alberta St., Portland) – Characterized by inventive flavors, this small batch shop began in 2011 as a food cart not far from this first brick and mortar location.
2. Ruby Jewel (3713 N Mississippi Ave., Portland) – Known for distinctly original, artisanal ice cream sandwiches, since 2004. This location was their first shop, which opened in 2010.
3. Fifty Licks (2021 SE Clinton St #101, Portland) – You may have seen the truck around town. The owner loves food science and making ice cream from scratch with local ingredients.
4. Cloud City Ice Cream (4525 SE Woodstock Blvd, Portland) – Flavors based on family recipes, made on the premise that ice cream makes an ordinary day into something special.
5. Tillamook Cheese Factory Visitors Center (4165 Highway 101 North, Tillamook) – With more than 1.3 million guests annually, this is consistently one of Oregon’s top tourist attractions, and many go straight for the ice cream.
6. Serendipity (502 NE Third Street, McMinnville) – This shop gives job experience and training for adults with developmental disabilities, in addition to great ice cream and a player piano.
7. Prince Pückler’s (1605 E 19th Ave, Eugene) – With more than 40 flavors, this gourmet ice cream has been made with quality local ingredients since 1975.
8. K & R Drive Inn, (201 John Long Rd, Oakland) – Located just off of I-5 at Rice Hill, and a favorite pit stop for Umpqua ice cream on road trips since 1970.
9. Goody’s (57100 Beaver Dr., Sunriver) – The ice cream counter at this store continues to be a visitors’ favorite during busy vacation times and a locals tradition year round.
10. Sno Cap (1053 NW 6th St., Redmond) – Originally Peden’s Ice Cream back in the 60s, Sno Cap is an institution and a locals favorite serving Eberhard’s Ice Cream.

Knowing everybody has their own favorite shops, brands and flavors, the trail is being crowdsourced to include additional stops. For the rest of the month, you can vote and comment on odncouncil.org and social media accounts with the hashtag #OregonIceCreamTrail.

“Oregon is already well-known for wines, microbrews and gourmet doughnuts, but we think it’s high time that Oregon is put on the map for its great ice cream,” said Josh Thomas, Senior Director of Communications for the Oregon Dairy and Nutrition Council. “This trail will showcase some of the best ice cream you’ll find anywhere in the world.”

# # #

A failed bearing in a baler sparked a two-alarm grass fire outside of Lebanon on Saturday evening. The Lebanon Fire District was dispatched for a car fire near Highway 34 and Red Bridge Road at 5:35 p.m. While en route to the scene the Lebanon Battalion Chief could see that the fire was not on the highway but deep in a farmer’s field and he immediately upgraded the call to a first alarm to bring more firefighting resources from all Lebanon stations.

Upon arrival crews found a large tractor and baler surrounded by fire in a wind rowed field. The fire was approximately half an acre in size, but gusty winds and a large amount of unburned fuel around the fire led to the Incident Commander to call for a second alarm to bring additional resources from neighboring departments. Firefighters from Tangent, Albany, and Scio responded to the scene while mutual aid crews from Scio, Brownsville, and Sweet Home responded to Lebanon to cover the district.

Crews quickly worked to attack the flanks of the fire as it moved south towards Highway 20, pushed by 10-15 mph winds. Once the fire was flanked, the head of the fire was extinguished and an extensive mop-up and overhaul operation began. Fire crews limited the damage to just 1.2 acres of burn and were able to protect the tractor from any major damage. The baler received more fire damage and will likely need to be rebuilt. The property is owned by Mike Hayes and Chris Horton was farming it with his crews and equipment. Horton estimated the combined value of the tractor and baler at $270,000.

Crews were on scene for close to 3 hours mopping up hot spots and ensuring that the baler fire was completely extinguished. There were no civilian injuries and one firefighter suffered mild heat exhaustion but was treated on scene and returned to duty.

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For HD Video of this and other LFD incidents, please subscribe to the Lebanon Fire District YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjTxDBuPbD3DPAybCkCgEvg

For HD photos of this and other LFD incidents, please follow the Lebanon Fire District Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LebanonFireDistrict/?ref=bookmarks

For updates on large scale incidents within the Lebanon Fire District, follow us on Twitter: @LebanonFD

Update

The deceased has been identified as 19 year old female Bend area resident Lauren Cantrell. 

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On Thursday July 18, 2019 at about 7:30 p.m., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle head on fatal crash on Highway 97 near milepost 197 in Klamath County. 

The investigation revealed that a white 2005 Jeep Liberty was traveling southbound on Highway 97 and for unknown reasons, drifted onto the southbound shoulder.  The operator of the Jeep reportedly overcorrected, and spun into the oncoming lane colliding with a 2014 grey Dodge Ram truck that was towing a travel trailer.  The 2014 Dodge Ram was operated by 57 year old Janesville, California resident, Clarence Noblet and his passenger and spouse, identified as 55 year old Laraine Noblet.

The driver of the Jeep Liberty was pronounced deceased at the scene as a result of the crash.  Identity of the deceased will be withheld until a notification to the family can be conducted.  Clarence and Laraine Noblet were transported to a Bend area hospital where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

Distracted driving and speed are believed to be factors in this crash. 

Highway 97 was closed for approximately 4 hours as a result and OSP was assisted at the scene by ODOT, Chemult Rural Fire District and Crescent Fire District.

(Salem, Ore.) — Public notice is provided by the Department of Human Services, Office of Developmental Disabilities Services, on a rate change.

The Oregon Legislature provided the Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) with $30 million General Fund (approximately $92 million total funds) for provider rate increases. The funding is to bring direct support professionals’ wages as close as possible to $15 per hour by the end of the 2019-21 biennium and implement new rate models over the course of the biennium.

Per legislative direction in Senate Bill 5026 and the related Budget Note ODDS will implement the following actions related to provider rates:

• Effective August 1, 2019, ODDS will implement a 4 percent increase in provider rates. This increase will total approximately $6.4 million General Fund (about $19.5 million total fund). This rate increase will go to: Adult 24-Hour Residential Services; Agency Attendant Care; Day Support Activities, Community and Facility; Employment Path, Community and Facility; Small Group Employment and Supported Living.
• Effective September 1, 2019, approximately $4.6 million General Fund (approximately $15.5 million total fund) will go to implement new rate models for Children’s Residential Services (group homes).

Details about the change are available at http://www.dhs.state.or.us/spd/tools/dd/cm/ODDS-Expenditure-Guidelines.pdf

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July 19, 2019

The Oregon Health Authority issued three recreational use health advisories today due to the presence of cyanobacterial (harmful algae) blooms and cyanotoxins (harmful algae toxins) above recreational guideline values for human exposure. The lakes are in Clatsop, Klamath, and Coos counties.

Recreational use advisory issued for Cullaby Lake July 19

Recreational use advisory issued for Klamath Lake July 19

Recreational use advisory issued for South Lake at Tenmile Lakes July 19

Video: Dr. Dave Farrer, Toxicologist, gives freshwater advisory safety tips

Media contact: Delia Hernández, 503-422-7179, PHD.Communications@state.or.us

(Salem, Oregon) July 19, 2019:   Athletes and sports enthusiasts of all levels can run, bike, and swim at the Salem Rotary Multi-sport Riverfest, Sept. 15. Experience a course like no other, featuring three parks, two bridges, and the Willamette River. 

Salem Riverfest has four multi-sport events, available for individuals or teams.  There will be Olympic and sprint distance triathlons (swim/bike/run) and duathlons (run/bike/run). 

 Runners of all levels can enjoy some of the most scenic trails in Minto-Brown Island Park with the 5K or 10K events. For families and pets (on a leash), the Family Fun Run/Walk in Riverfront Park will take everyone on a 1K  journey past the Peter Courtney Bridge and around the Eco-earth Globe. 

“I’m signing up for the 5K with a bunch of friends,” said Salem resident Jill Tucker. “We’re going to call our group The Strollers!”

 Event organizers also hope people use this event to challenge themselves.  “Swimming in the Willamette River can be demanding yet it is a great opportunity to have a unique athletic experience,” said Race Chair Robert Chandler.  He encourages swimmers to give it a try first. Mediterra Swim and Run is offering practice swim clinics in the Willamette. The schedule can be found at www.MediterraSwim.com.

 Registration fees vary and increase after July 31.

 Triathlon and duathlon: $95 for individuals/$55 per person for team members. 

• 10K run: $40 ($20/18 and under)

• 5K run: $30 ($15/18 and under)

• 1K Family Fun Run: $15. 

The event is presented as a community service by the Rotary Clubs of Salem and South Salem. Proceeds will be used to support Rotary’s community and international service projects that promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, support education and grow local economies.

 For more information about the event or to register, go to www.rotaryriverfestsalem.org.

(Salem, Ore.) — The Governor’s Commission on Senior Services (GCSS) Executive Committee will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, 2019, at the Department of Human Services’ Office, 500 Summer St. NE, Room 164, Salem, Oregon, 97301.

The meeting is open to the public. Agenda items include regular GCSS business, updates from legislative committee and recruitment efforts, review of applicants, meeting planning and setting the agenda for the full commission meeting on Aug. 8, 2019. Those who can’t attend in person may call into the meeting using this conference line and access code: (503) 934-1400, 6910 1240#.

The meeting location is accessible to people with disabilities. For questions about accessibility or to request an accommodation, please contact Lori Watt at i.C.Watt@state.or.us">Lori.C.Watt@state.or.us. Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. For questions about the meeting, please contact: Deb McCuin, program analyst at Debbie.Mccuin@state.or.us.

About the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services

The Governor’s Commission on Senior Services is dedicated to enhancing and protecting the quality of life for all older Oregonians. Through cooperation with other organizations, and advocacy, the commission works to ensure that seniors have access to services that provide, choice, independence, and dignity.

# # #

(Salem, Ore.) – The Oregon Disabilities Commission will host a day-long informational event on July 23 in Salem in recognition of the 29th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The free event, which is open to the public, will feature presentations, panel discussions and other learning opportunities from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Human Services Building, 500 Summer St. NE, Salem. Among the presenters will be members of the Portland Pounders Wheelchair Rugby Team as well as advocates Sherrin Coleman and Gabrielle Guedon.

The day will start with a welcome ceremony followed by concurrent workshop sessions that begin at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Workshop topics will include:

• The history of the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• Day-to-day challenges for individuals living with disabilities;
• Living with a hidden disability;
• Dealing with behavioral health and disability problems; and,
• A motivational talk on living with a disability.

Featured event speeches will be from noon to 1 p.m. with speakers from the Oregon Disabilities Commission, Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Health Authority and the Oregon Governor’s Office. Cake and refreshments will follow the speeches.   

Along with the speeches and informational sessions, there will be several showings of the documentary, Lives Worth Living, about the disability rights movement. Screening times are: 9:45 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Groups who will be hosting informational booths include:

• Employment First;
• Vocational Rehabilitation;
• Disability Rights Oregon;
• Employed Persons with Disabilities;
• Oregon ABLE Savings;
• Oregon Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services Advisory Council; and,
• Veteran’s Employee Resource Group & Oregon Disabled Veterans Association.

The meeting location is accessible to people with disabilities. For questions about accessibility or to request an accommodation, please contact Lori Watt at Lori.C.Watt@state.or.us  Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the event. There will be American Sign Language interpreters at the event.

If you have questions about the celebration and program, contact: OregonDisabilities.Commission@state.or.us.

About the Oregon Disabilities Commission:

The Oregon Disabilities Commission is charged by state statute to advise the Department of Human Services, the Governor, the Legislative Assembly and appropriate state agency administrators on issues related to achieving the full economic, social, legal and political equity of individuals with disabilities. ODC also acts as a coordinating link between and among public and private organizations services individuals with disabilities.

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(Salem, Oregon)  July 19, 2019 - While tiny home living continues to grow in popularity, Oregon regulations have failed to adopt new square feet standards and regulations, which vary from city to city.  Tiny living advocates hope to educate citizens and policymakers at a symposium Friday, Aug. 16, from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. at the Polk County Fairgrounds.

Featured speakers include filmmakers and co-founders of Tiny House Expedition, Alexis Stephens and Christian Parsons. Their highly acclaimed docu-series Tiny Living Legally explores the potential benefits tiny houses can bring to a community, the legal obstacles and how these are being overcome in a growing number of cities.

Other state’s regulations are amenable to tiny homes, but Oregon’s are not. While tiny living is both economically and environmentally friendly, many jurisdictions have restrictions about home size and placement that keep tiny home living legally out of reach.

Renee McLaughlin, tiny house owner and organizer of TinyFest NorthWest, is hoping the symposium inspires real dialog with rule-makers about tiny living.

“The rules and regulations regarding tiny living are murky at best,” said McLaughlin. “Currently there are standards for manufactured homes, modular homes and recreational vehicles, but not tiny houses. Regulations are not standardized throughout the region and they’re up to interpretation by local officials. This makes it hard to relocate a tiny house that may have met standards in one location but not in another.”

This lack of consistency is confusing to both consumers and regulators.  People want to do things the correct way, but right now, that is not clear, she said.

“For me, it’s about choice,” continued McLaughlin. “People want the choice to live in an environmentally friendly and economically responsible way. The movement isn’t going away and we have to address the rules around it.”

Additional speakers include local tiny house builder and regulations advocate, Nathan Watson, owner of Tiny Smart House, and Kevin Polk, executive director of the American Tiny House Association. 

The symposium precedes TinyFest NorthWest, Aug. 17-18, a two-day event that celebrates tiny living with tiny home showcases, speaker presentations, and workshops also at the Polk County Fairgrounds.

Policymakers are especially encouraged to attend. Registration is free, yet event organizers request an RSVP by Aug. 2 at symposium@tinyfest.events.

Learn more at www.TinyFest.events.

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About the Tiny House Symposium:  Designed for those involved in community planning, zoning and building codes, city managers and community advocates to learn about zoning, building codes, and regulations that affect tiny living.  Counties covered: Lane, Linn, Benton, Lincoln, Polk, Marion, Clackamas, Yamhill, Tillamook, Washington, Multnomah, Columbia, Clatsop. RSVP requested at symposium@tinyfest.events

About TinyFest NorthWest: Come celebrate tiny living at TinyFest NorthWest! Aug 17-18 at the Polk County Fairgrounds. Explore a variety of tiny houses from pro-builders and DIYers. Tour tiny houses on wheels, backyard cottages, shipping container homes, vans, bus conversions and more! Enjoy the Simple Living Marketplace, meet the builders, hear live music and eat good food. Soak in all the knowledge and spark new ideas! TinyFest NorthWest will feature a full line-up of speakers and workshops to inspire and inform. Plus, builders and DIYers love to share their expertise and experiences. www.Tinyfestnorthwest.com.

It’s rodeo time in the Santiam Canyon!  As rodeo fans gather in Sublimity this weekend for the Santiam Canyon Stampede the Sheriff’s Office will be out on the roadways promoting traffic safety.  As a part of this effort, the Traffic Safety Team will have additional deputies working Friday and Saturday nights looking for drunk drivers.

The additional patrols during summer events such as the Santiam Canyon Stampede are funded by grants obtained from our partner agencies at the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Remember, as you make your rodeo plans, don’t forget the designated driver!

This afternoon at approximately 2:09 pm, emergency services were dispatched for a water rescue at North Fork Park along the Little North Fork of the Santiam River in Marion County.  It was reported a swimmer had gone underwater and did not resurface. 

Prior to emergency services arriving on scene, bystanders were able to get the adult swimmer out of the water.  Emergency responders from Lyons Fire District and Stayton Fire District took extensive efforts to attempt to resuscitate the male; tragically he was pronounced as deceased at the scene.

The deceased swimmer has been identified as Baltazar Tellovelasco, 29, of Oxnard, California. 

Deputies learned Tellovelasco had gone into the water to assist his 12-year-old daughter who appeared to be in distress.  She was able to make it out safely; however, Tellovelasco was not able to return to shore. 

The Little North Fork of the Santiam River is a popular recreational area in the Santiam Canyon.  Even on warm days, the water remains very cold, swift, and can be deeper than anticipated by swimmers.  The Marion County Sheriff’s Office suggests swimmers exercise caution by following some simple steps:

• Never swim alone
• Avoid alcohol and marijuana around the water
• Wear a lifejacket
• Know how to perform CPR
• Know how and where you can call 911

The Sheriff’s Office reminds visitors there is very little to no cell phone reception in the North Fork area of the Santiam River.  There are two 911 call boxes located on the outside wall of the Elk Horn Fire Station and at the entrance to Salmon Falls Park.

July 18, 2019

Media contact: Saerom England, 971-239-6483, om.y.england@dhsoha.state.or.us">saerom.y.england@dhsoha.state.or.us

Tri-County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative Communities of Color Workgroup meets July 25 in Portland

What: A meeting of the Tri-County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative Communities of Color Workgroup

Agenda: Review and discuss community survey results; plan for community engagement; explore strategies and identify activities to further goals.

When: Thursday, July 25, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Where: Portland State Office Building, Room 1E, 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland, OR, 97232

Details:The Tri-County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative brings together multiple sectors across the Portland metro area to collectively address and prevent behavioral health challenges. Its focus is on peer-delivered services and substance use disorder activities that can make an impact in 12-to-24 months.

For more information, please visit the RBHC website.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Summer Boslaugh, 503-753-9688, 711 TTY, or .h.boslaugh@dhsoha.state.or.us">summer.h.boslaugh@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

The Oregon State Marine Board, in partnership with 32 county sheriff’s offices and the Oregon State Police, will be out in force August 3-4, looking for expired boat registrations as part of “Operation Ship Shape.” 

“We want boaters to look at their boat’s decals, the registration numbers, and their registration card and make sure they’re up-to-date,” says Randy Henry, Boating Safety Program Manager for the Marine Board.  “Make sure you’ve renewed your registration, and make sure you’ve put the decal on your boat, or you could face a $265 citation.” 

The Marine Board is funded by registration, title fees and marine fuel taxes paid by motorized boaters.  No lottery, general fund tax dollars or local facility parking fees are used to fund agency programs.  These fees go back to boaters in the form of boat ramps, docks, trailered parking spaces, restrooms, construction and maintenance, and for boating safety -marine law enforcement services.

“Any boat that is powered by a motor – electric, gas, diesel or steam, and all sailboats 12 feet and longer -must be currently registered when on the water, even when docked or moored,” said Henry.  This includes inflatable rafts with an electric motor, even a standup paddleboard or float tube with an electric motor.  Henry added, “Each boat registration brings in additional funds from motorboat fuel tax and federal boating dollars.  Registering a 16-foot boat provides $77 of funding, but results in additional matching funds of nearly $190, so that $77 registration fee results in $267 of revenue available to fund facilities and marine enforcement.”

Motorboat registrations are $4.50 per foot, rounded up, plus $5 which fund invasive species inspection stations.  Registration fees will increase to $5.95 per foot, plus $5 in 2020, so Henry suggests that if your boat registration lapsed, register now at the current fee, which is valid for two calendar years.

Boaters can renew their boat registration online at www.boatoregon.com/store, or can visit their local registration agent.  Boaters can print off a temporary permit after successfully completing their transaction online or will be issued a temporary permit through an agent for an additional fee.  If you need assistance renewing online, please contact the Marine Board at ine.board@oregon.gov">marine.board@oregon.gov or 503-378-8587.

For a list of registration agents, visit http://www.oregon.gov/osmb/title-registration/Pages/Where-to-Register.aspx.

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Lincoln City Police arrest 30-year-old Glenn L. Thompson of Salem, Oregon after he led them on a high speed vehicle pursuit.

On Wednesday, July 17, 2019 at about 10:45 PM, an LCPD Officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a black BMW on Hwy 101 near the clover-leaf of Hwy 18 for an observed traffic violation. The suspect vehicle failed to stop for the officer and sped away, which led to a pursuit. A Lincoln County Sheriff Deputy, who was in the area, began assisting in the pursuit. The fleeing vehicle turned onto North Bank Road and eventually made its way back to HWY 18 at the Rose Lodge Store. It then turned westbound on Hwy 18 heading towards Lincoln City. While on Hwy 18 the driver of the BMW drove into the on-coming lane of traffic causing other vehicles to take evasive action and at times was driving over 100 miles per hour. Additional Lincoln City Police Officers and an Oregon State Police Trooper responded to assist, with one Lincoln City officer stopping in the area of HWY 101 near the Neotsu Post Office to set up for Stop Stick deployment. As the suspect vehicle traveled through that area the officer was able to successfully deploy the Stop Stick tire deflation system, resulting in three of the four tires on the suspect vehicle hitting the sticks. After hitting the Stop Sticks, the pursuit continued into Lincoln City as the tires on the suspect vehicle where deflating. With three flat tires on the suspect vehicle the driver finely stopped his vehicle on Highway 101 directly in front of TLC Credit Union, ending the pursuit.

A felony traffic stop was conducted and the driver, and only occupant of the vehicle, was taken into custody. The driver, identified as 30-year-old Glenn L. Thompson, was initially transported to the Lincoln City Police Department and later transported to the Lincoln County Jail where he was lodged on charges of Felony Elude, Reckless Driving and Reckless Endangering. Thompson was also subsequently cited for Driving While Suspended-Violation. The vehicle was towed from the location.

The Lincoln City Police would like to thank the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police for their assistance with this incident and we are thankful there were no injuries or other property damage sustained as a result of the pursuit.   

Submitted by:  Sergeant Jeffrey Winn

The fifth annual Veteran Benefit Expo, the state’s largest veteran benefit resource event, will be held in Pendleton next week, July 27th at the Pendleton Convention Center.  Doors open at 9 a.m.

Organized by the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs and in partnership with Oregon Lottery, the Expo is a one-stop shop for Oregon veterans to learn about and access the full range of their earned benefits and local resources, in areas such as health care, disability claims assistance, finance, home loans, long-term care, mental health, education, business, recreation and more.

Over 65 benefit agencies, nonprofits, service providers and benefit experts will be on hand to assist veterans and their families in learning about the resources available to them.

“One thing we hear from veterans year after year with this event is that they’re blown away by all the benefits and resources they never knew existed,” ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick said. “Most come to the Expo with some idea of a few areas they want information in, but they always walk away with a whole lot more.”

The event moves to a new location each year, and has previously been hosted in Salem, Portland, Redmond and Medford. This year’s event will be its first time visiting eastern Oregon.

The Veteran Benefit Expo is free and open to all. Doors close at 3:00 p.m.

On Friday evening, July 26th at 6 to 7 p.m., ODVA is hosting a veteran’s town hall meeting at the same location. Director Kelly Fitzpatrick will provide a brief update about new veteran services and programs, as well as be available to answer questions and hear concerns from veterans living in Eastern Oregon.

For more information about the Expo, visit www.expo.oregondva.com. 

# # #

For Immediate Release                                        

July 25, 2019

Contact:                Linsay Hale  
                             503-378-2427

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Public Safety Memorial Fund Board will hold a regular meeting at 10:00 a.m. on July 25, 2019. The meeting will be held in the Boardroom The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the deaf or hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made before the meeting by calling the contact listed above. 

Teleconference Information:

Dial-In: 888-273-3658

Participant Code: 4711910

If you dial-in for the meeting, please mute your phone unless you are addressing the group.  Doing so will enable you to hear the meeting more effectively.

Agenda Items:

 1. Minutes for January 24, 2019

Approve minutes

2. David Blann (DPSST #32676) – Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; Application for PSMF

Benefits

Presented by Linsay Hale

3. Malcus Williams (DPSST #33171) – Ashland Police Department; Supplemental

Application for Discretionary PSMF Benefits

Presented by Linsay Hale

3. Next meeting – TBD

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Public Safety Memorial Fund Board members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office pretrial justice program, started in October 2018, is showing high success rates.  

The pretrial process begins when an inmate is interviewed by a pretrial specialist, a release recommendation is then provided to the Judge during arraignment.  This recommendation includes a risk assessment. The information obtained and the risk assessment are entered into the case management system.

The pretrial specialists are also verifying the information they gather during the interview by making contact with family, friends and employer of the client.   

If the client isn’t initially released at arraignment, the pretrial specialists take a second look at the situation, identify barriers that are keeping them in custody and make additional attempts to provide information to the court in a release hearing. 

The pretrial specialists are also meeting with clients who have a criminal case but are not lodged in the jail. These clients are generally given a citation in the field to appear in court. When the client appears for arraignment they are ordered by the court to be booked and released from the jail. The pretrial specialists will gather additional information from them, and go over the conditions of their release.

The pretrial specialists currently have 441 clients on their caseload. Clients can be placed on phone or office check ins with varying degrees of frequency. They can also be ordered to participate in urinalysis testing, GPS monitoring and/or alcohol monitoring.

The case management system has a robo-call feature that will call or text the client on their phone to remind them of their next scheduled court appearance. The pretrial specialists maintain this system and enter updated court information.  

Since the pretrial program began October 15, 2018 we have had a total of 1627 clients.  There have been 889 cases closed with a successful outcome and 141 closed as unsuccessful. 

A successful closure is defined as a defendant successfully making it through all court appearances with no incident of failure to appear.

An example of an unsuccessful closure would be if a defendant did not follow through with their court ordered obligations or failed to appear for court.

We also had 129 cases closed for other reasons such as the District Attorney’s office did not file charges or the case was dismissed.

Since the pretrial transition and programming services (TAPS) house on Cottage Street opened in March we have assisted 16 individuals with housing while on pretrial release. 

We have partnered with C.H.A.N.C.E. (Communities Helping Addicts Negotiate Change Effectively) who provide peer mentors to work one on one with our clients in the pretrial TAPS house. They provide a variety of recovery-oriented services and promote greater independence, community integration and recovery from drug, alcohol and mental health related issues. 

The jail has also received overcrowding relief since the pretrial program was integrated. The pretrial specialists are available to provide feedback to the supervisors making release decisions when the jail is overcrowded. The number of inmates released early from jail due to overcrowding while their case was still pending from January of 2018 to June of 2018 was 155, during this same time period in 2019 the jail released 83.

Pretrial efforts are often measured by data, statistics and evidence based best practices. In the short time since our pretrial services program has begun working with clients we have analyzed the different areas we can provide assistance and positively impact the jail, courts and our community. 

In the future, we would like to expand our pretrial housing opportunities to the women we work with. It is our hope we can identify and open a second pretrial TAPS house for females.

Sheriff Landers stated "in just a short amount of time, the amazing success of this program has far exceeded my expectations".  The continued success of this program would not be possible without the partnership and continued support from our local courts, District Attorney's staff and defense counsel.  

###

Prepared by

Marie Gainer

Sergeant

541-265-0717

mgainer@co.lincoln.or.us

Hwy 20  is open now in Lebanon from gas leak at Starbucks.  Thank you for your patience.

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs has announced lower interest rates for its home loan products, effective this week.

The rates for Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bond (QVMB) loan products were lowered by 0.125 percent, while the rates for Unrestricted loan products dropped 0.250 percent. Please see the attached rate sheet for a complete list of pricing options. The rates took effect July 17.

The Oregon Veteran Home Loan Program, which provides the state’s veterans with one of the most unique veteran benefits, has been one of ODVA’s core veteran services since the agency’s inception nearly 75 years ago.

ODVA is a lender and servicer of home loans exclusively for veterans in Oregon and has helped nearly 340,000 veterans secure more than $8 billion in home loans since 1945.  A recent lending limit increase allows veterans to borrow up to $484,350 for a single family, owner-occupied residence in Oregon.

The Oregon Veteran Home Loan is a separate and distinct loan product from the federal VA Home Loan Guarantee benefit.  If you have a federal VA guaranteed mortgage and have any questions regarding potential refunds, please contact your loan servicer or the Regional VA Loan Center at 1-877-827-3702.

To be eligible for this Oregon benefit, a veteran must have served on active duty with the U.S. Armed Forces, as documented on discharge documents (DD-214), and must meet one of the service criteria outlined on ODVA’s website.

For more information about the Oregon Veteran Home Loan and other eligibility requirements, please visit orvethomeloans.com or call the ODVA Home Loan department at 1-888-673-8387.

EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMI PREPAREDNESS

Previously, we’ve covered ways you can prepare your family in case of disasters.  This week we want to help you be prepared for two specific disasters that can occur on the Oregon Coast.

Prepare for the Next Quake or Tsunami.  Some people think it is not worth preparing for an earthquake or tsunami because whether you survive or not is up to chance. NOT SO! Most Oregon buildings will survive even a large earthquake, and so will you, especially if you follow these simple response guidelines and start preparing today.

If you know how to recognize the warning signs of a tsunami and understand what to do, you will survive that too, but you need to know what to do ahead of time. Government agencies and other emergency organizations cannot protect you from the next earthquake or tsunami. Even under the best of circumstances, medical aid or fire and law enforcement officials may not be able to reach you for many hours or even days. It is our responsibility as individuals, neighborhoods and communities to reduce risks, to prepare for the critical period immediately after the earthquake, and to make sure that planning for earthquakes and tsunamis has the high priority it deserves. By becoming informed, we can take actions to protect ourselves, reduce losses, and recover quickly.

Earthquake Preparation – Cascadia Subduction Zone or On-Shore Earthquakes

• Anchor and secure heavy appliances, furniture and glass objects to wall studs and/or other furniture items.
• Know how to turn off water, gas and electricity and have the tools needed to do so.
• Tie a bag next to your bed with shoes, extra glasses, gloves, poncho, flashlight or headlamp so you are ready to evacuate once the shaking stops.
• Have a 3-5 day kit in your car in case you need to use it as a place of shelter until the aftershocks subside.

Earthquake Response – If you feel an earthquake

• Drop, cover and hold on until after the shaking stops, then evacuate outside to survey damages to the building.
• If indoors, get under a sturdy table, hold on and be prepared to move with the table.  
• If in bed, stay in the bed and protect your head with a pillow.
• If outdoors, find a clear spot away from buildings and trees and stay until the shaking stops.
• If in a vehicle, pull over to a clear location until shaking stops.
• Expect and be ready for aftershocks that could last for days after the main shock.

Tsunami Preparedness and Response

A tsunami is a series of sea waves, usually caused by a displacement of ocean floor by an undersea earthquake. As tsunamis enter shallow water near land, they increase in height and can cause great loss of life and property damage.

• When at the coast, know the distant and local tsunami evacuation routes for low lying areas; look for educational signs at beach entry areas and tsunami assembly area points.
• A Distant Tsunami will take 4 or more hours to come on shore and you will feel no earthquake. The tsunami will generally be smaller than that from a local earthquake. Typically, there is time for an official warning from our Lincoln County Lincoln Alerts and the National Warning Center to evacuate to safety.
• A Local Tsunami can come on shore within 15-20 minutes after the earthquake before there is time for an official warning from the national warning system. Ground shaking may be the only warning you have, so evacuate quickly to high ground out of the local tsunami zone.
• Do not return until the alert has been canceled and emergency officials have advised that it’s safe to return.

For more information and tips, visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and Like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

We are excited to announce the latest additions to our training equipment! Thanks to generous grants from The Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund and Country Financial we have purchased some new CPR training equipment and an Advanced Life Support Manikin with a machine that simulates heart rhythms. The ALS manikin is the first of its kind that Sweet Home Fire has ever owned, and it will allow us to practice a multitude of advanced skills. The CPR manikins and AED trainers will help to make our CPR classes more efficient and ensure that our students have the skills that they need. We are so grateful for the support of both of these generous donors!

RUCH, Ore. – A Tuesday evening crash near Ruch sent one man to the hospital.  Upper Applegate Road was closed for a few hours while deputies investigated the crash and crews worked to clear the wreckage. 

On July 16, 2019, at 5:07 p.m., dispatch received a 911 call reporting two vehicles had collided between mile markers 4 and 5 on Upper Applegate Road.  The caller reported that one person was injured and trapped in a vehicle.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies and personnel from Jacksonville Police, Applegate Fire, and Mercy Flights responded to the scene.  Deputies say a southbound Chevrolet Impala sedan operated by Thomas Dew, Jr., 32, of Jacksonville, crossed the center line and collided head-on with a Jackson County roads department dump truck. 

The crash caused heavy damage to the Impala, which rolled over and caught fire.  Bystanders helped to put out the fire, with assistance from Oregon Department of Forestry personnel who arrived a short time later.  The dump truck had overturned in the roadway, blocking both lanes. 

Dew was extricated from the vehicle by fire personnel.  He was transported to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center by Mercy Flights helicopter with serious injuries.  The passenger in Dew’s vehicle and the driver of the dump truck reported minor injuries and declined to be transported.

Deputies say excessive speed was a factor in the crash; no impairment was detected.  Dew was cited for careless driving, driving while suspended, and driving uninsured.

Case #19-14723

###

Oregon is served by more than 13,000 career and volunteer firefighters who are members of more than 300 fire departments and fire protection districts across the state. Approximately 80% of Oregon's firefighters are volunteers.

The Fire Training Program at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) helps support local fire agencies, in every corner of the state, by supporting a variety of training classes.  DPSST also has more than a dozen mobile props that enable firefighters to receive realistic hands-on training. 

One of the most difficult tasks in the fire service is to provide personnel with realistic training to prepare them for field operations. Certainly, providing live-fire training is an important component. For combination and volunteer organizations, especially those in rural areas, the ability to provide live-fire training can be an extremely complex problem.  In the past many fire agencies had access to homes and buildings in their local communities that were going to be demolished that provided excellent hands-on training opportunities for firefighters.  Environmental concerns, neighborhood concerns, building materials, and a variety of other safety considerations have limited this.

This morning, at the City of Salem Fire Department, DPSST unveiled its newest addition of props available to local fire agencies, a 53 foot Mobile Fire Training Unit (MFTU).  The MFTU cost $500,000 and was funded by a Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This unit contains a permanent propane-fired bed prop and rollover simulator. Portable propane-fired pans can be relocated in the unit and covered with other simulated props to provide a variety of live-fire exercises. The unit’s onboard generator makes it totally self-contained and portable, though an optional shore power connection is available.  

Movable interior wall panels enable instructors to change the layout of the unit to present participants with different scenarios. Several panels have mock doors or other moveable components. The integrated smoke generator creates a dark smoke that forces members to crawl and search in realistic type conditions. The collapsible second story provides the means for performing other essential skills like laddering, vertical ventilation, and multistory fire attack. A few individuals can easily erect the second story in approximately 30 minutes

The MFTU contains numerous safety features to minimize participant risk. For propane fires to function, the operator must step on a control pedal while another instructor engages the portable safety pendant. Release of either immediately shuts the unit down. Temperature and propane sensors force operations to occur within safe limits. Should either exceed the allowable range, the unit automatically shuts down, sounds an alarm, and activates ventilation fans.

On an annual basis DPSST provides training to approximately 6,000 career and volunteer firefighters around the state free of charge thanks to the state's Fire Insurance Premium Tax.

The MFTU will remain at Salem Fire for two additional weeks which will allow Salem firefighters to train use it for training and also enable DPSST staff to run the new unit through its paces before scheduling it for travel to fire stations around the state.

## Background Information on the DPSST ##

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) operates the Oregon Public Safety Academy which spans more than 235 acres in Salem. The Academy is nationally recognized for its innovative training programs and active stakeholder involvement.  Eriks Gabliks serves as the Director, and Patricia Patrick-Joling, public citizen representative, serves as the Chair of the Board. The department implements minimum standards established by the Board for the training and certification of more than 40,000 city, tribal, county and state law enforcement officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, fire service personnel, telecommunicators, emergency medical dispatchers and private security providers.

DPSST provides training to more than 25,000 students each year throughout Oregon and at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem: certifies qualified officers at various levels from basic through executive; certifies qualified instructors; and reviews and accredits training programs throughout the state based on standards established by the Board.

                                            BBB TEAMS UP WITH EXPEDIA GROUP TO WARN CONSUMERS

EUGENE, OR – JULY 17, 2019 A network of scammers is using Expedia Group’s name to take consumers for thousands of dollars. Better Business Bureau serving the Northwest and Pacific has received several reports in just the past several days from consumers who’ve lost as much as $3,700.

Expedia is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating. In a statement, the Bellevue, Washington-based company said, “We are happy to team up with the BBB to educate people about this scam and share tips on how they can protect themselves.”

The scam begins when consumers search online, then call customer service numbers purporting to be Expedia. Customers ask the representative to confirm or change existing reservations they’ve made through the Expedia travel site. But instead of legitimate Expedia reps, they are calling phone numbers used by impostors. The impostors say their refund site isn’t working properly and the consumer needs to purchase gift cards in order to receive a refund or change bookings.

Consumers reporting this scam hail from 17 different states and Canada, and, together, report losing nearly $10,000.  One woman told BBB that the scammer kept telling her to, “purchase (additional) gift cards saying that he had to merge the cards together,” but not to worry as she, “was going to be well reimbursed.” Several customers say the fake customer service rep stayed with them on their cell phones while they purchased the gift cards.

That’s what happened when BBBNW+P contacted one of the phony numbers and listened as the impostor tried to convince us we needed to buy gift cards, giving us a convoluted explanation of how we would get a refund.

Expedia Group’s statement continues, “Our goal is always to ensure travelers have a seamless and trouble-free booking experience with us, and it’s incredibly unfortunate that scammers have disrupted our customers’ well-deserved vacations and travel plans. Rest assured that we are also working hard to identify ways to prevent this from happening in the future.”  

Expedia Group is taking steps to counteract these impostors, including working with popular search engines to reduce the occurrence of fake ads, making its customer service contact number more visible, and adding info about these scams to its customer service portal.

BBBNW+P offers the following tips for consumers to protect themselves:

• Most trustworthy companies will never demand a gift card as any form of payment and consumers should never have to pay to get money back.
• Using a search engine does not guarantee getting the correct number. Always go directly to a website to find contact information. Large companies often have a ‘Contact Us’ button or a help hotline number directly on their webpage.
• Protect personal information. Be cautious when connecting to public Wi-Fi and never use it for online banking or entering personal or financial information.

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that Robert Arnold Koester, 52, a photographer from Yamhill County, Oregon, has been charged with six counts of production of child pornography.

According to the indictment, beginning in January 2015, Koester is alleged to have knowingly coerced six minor victims in Oregon to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct.

Koester is a suspected serial sexual predator who took nude photos of models and is alleged to have sexually assaulted many of these models, some of whom are minors. Koester, also known as Bert Kay, Rhake Winter, and Qitooly, has potentially been engaging in these criminal acts since 1994, continuing until his initial arrest in Carlsbad, California, on November 13, 2018.

Koester faces dozens of additional state and federal charges for related criminal conduct in Yamhill County and Carlsbad. On November 15, 2018, Koester was charged in San Diego County Superior Court with six felony counts involving sex crimes against minors. A week later, 35 additional related state charges were added. On February 6, 2019, Koester was charged with 32 related felony charges in Yamhill County Circuit Court. And finally, on March 7, 2019, Koester was charged in a two-count criminal information with production of child pornography by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of California.

Federal law enforcement officials across the country have been working closely with local law enforcement in Carlsbad, Yamhill County and elsewhere to identify potential victims in this case. The FBI has created an online system to collect victim information.

If you have information about this ongoing investigation or believe you or someone you know may have been victimized by Koester, the FBI requests that you complete this secure, confidential online questionnaire. Information and tips from the public may also be submitted confidentially via email to modelcase@fbi.gov.

Identified victims may be eligible for certain services and rights under federal and/or state law. More information is available at fbi.gov/modelcase.

This case was investigated by the FBI in Portland and San Diego, the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office and the Carlsbad Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Ravi Sinha, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

# # #

NEWS RELEASE – for immediate release

Media Contact:

Ken Armstrong, Communications Manager, 503-881-2623, ken.armstrong@state.or.us                      

July 17, 2019

Oregon DSL installs signage at Swan Island beaches announcing public use restrictions for camping, campfires

SALEM, Ore. – In response to the State Land Board’s direction last month to initiate a rulemaking imposing permanent use restrictions at certain beaches in the Portland area, the Oregon Department of State Lands on July 1 implemented temporary restrictions, which include placing signs on the subject properties advising the public about the restrictions.

On June 11, the State Land Board directed the Oregon Department of State Lands to pursue permanent use restrictions on the easterly banks of the Willamette River at Swan Island within the city of Portland.

The action comes as a result of a request from the Port of Portland and Daimler Trucks North America (a tenant of the port) that DSL enact restrictions on public use due to illegal and nuisance activity. The port is an upland owner adjacent to state property, which extends to Ordinary High Water. The department and the port have documented illegal and nuisance activities on state-owned lands, and which include:

• Littering and dumping
• Reckless burning and open fires
• Damage to property

Temporary restrictions prohibit all activity between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and prohibit campsites and campfires at all times on the east bank of the Willamette River between river miles 9 and 10 in Multnomah County.

In the meantime, DSL will begin the process of initiating permanent restrictions by convening a Rulemaking Advisory Committee to review and provide input on the proposed rules. A public comment period will be part of that process. More information on the rulemaking process will be available at: https://www.oregon.gov/dsl/Laws/Pages/Rulemaking.aspx

###

www.oregon.gov/dsl

JOHN DAY, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is working with CO Fire Aviation, an aerial resource vendor, to test the effectiveness and safety of nighttime use of Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) to fight wildfires in Oregon.

Exploratory testing started Monday night, July 15, at the John Day Airport, and continued Tuesday night. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, testing will transition from the airport to private lands protected by ODF’s John Day Unit in Grant County. ODF and CO Fire Aviation are coordinating with local emergency personnel and dispatch centers to provide current information on the operation.

This testing evaluates the feasibility of using advanced night vision technology to identify firefighters  and any hazards on the ground. Testing operations include on-the-ground firefighters communicating with the pilot via radio, using lights and lasers to identify drop areas. Information gathered during the testing will be used to determine whether night SEAT operations would be a viable tool.

“ODF consistently evaluates advances in technology to support our mission to safely suppress wildfires at the smallest size possible,” ODF State Aviation Manager Neal Laugle said. “Safety is first and foremost, which is why exploratory testing like this is so important. Using SEATs at night would allow firefighters to take advantage of the reduced fire activity typical in the evening hours. These aviation resources could support ground firefighters by slowing the fire’s spread and intensity.” 

Outcomes of this testing phase will determine the next steps in evaluating the potential use of this innovative technology.

###

LEBANON, Ore. – The Oregon Recreational Trails Advisory Council (ORTAC) will meet 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Samaritan Community Hospital, Health Career and Training Center, Conference Room 3, 525 N Santiam Hwy, Lebanon. The meeting is open to the public.

The agenda includes presentations from local trail advocates and land managers about trail projects and initiatives.

View the agenda online: oregon.gov/oprd/Trail_Programs_Services/Documents/082019ORTACAgenda.pdf.

ORTAC was established by the Legislature in 1971 to advise Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and its partners in the development and promotion of high quality non-motorized trail systems throughout Oregon.

The council is made up of seven volunteer members representing the five congressional districts and two coastal representatives. Members are appointed by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission. The council holds quarterly meetings in different locations across the state.

For more information about ORTAC, visit oregon.gov/OPRD/Trail_Programs_Services/Pages/Advisory-Committees.aspx

The meeting location is ADA accessible. Individuals who need special accommodations to attend should contact Jodi Bellefeuille at 503-986-0716 or ellefeuille@oregon.gov">jodi.bellefeuille@oregon.gov at least three days in advance.

                                                  BBB TEAMS UP WITH EXPEDIA GROUP TO WARN CONSUMERS

A network of scammers is using Expedia Group’s name to take consumers for thousands of dollars. Better Business Bureau serving the Northwest and Pacific has received several reports in just the past several days from consumers who’ve lost as much as $3,700.

Expedia is a BBB Accredited Business with an A+ rating. In a statement, the Bellevue, Washington-based company said, “We are happy to team up with the BBB to educate people about this scam and share tips on how they can protect themselves.”

The scam begins when consumers search online, then call customer service numbers purporting to be Expedia. Customers ask the representative to confirm or change existing reservations they’ve made through the Expedia travel site. But instead of legitimate Expedia reps, they are calling phone numbers used by impostors. The impostors say their refund site isn’t working properly and the consumer needs to purchase gift cards in order to receive a refund or change bookings.

Consumers reporting this scam hail from 17 different states and Canada, and, together, report losing nearly $10,000.  One woman told BBB that the scammer kept telling her to, “purchase (additional) gift cards saying that he had to merge the cards together,” but not to worry as she, “was going to be well reimbursed.” Several customers say the fake customer service rep stayed with them on their cell phones while they purchased the gift cards.

That’s what happened when BBBNW+P contacted one of the phony numbers and listened as the impostor tried to convince us we needed to buy gift cards, giving us a convoluted explanation of how we would get a refund.

Expedia Group’s statement continues, “Our goal is always to ensure travelers have a seamless and trouble-free booking experience with us, and it’s incredibly unfortunate that scammers have disrupted our customers’ well-deserved vacations and travel plans. Rest assured that we are also working hard to identify ways to prevent this from happening in the future.”  

Expedia Group is taking steps to counteract these impostors, including working with popular search engines to reduce the occurrence of fake ads, making its customer service contact number more visible, and adding info about these scams to its customer service portal.

BBBNW+P offers the following tips for consumers to protect themselves:

• Most trustworthy companies will never demand a gift card as any form of payment and consumers should never have to pay to get money back.
• Using a search engine does not guarantee getting the correct number. Always go directly to a website to find contact information. Large companies often have a ‘Contact Us’ button or a help hotline number directly on their webpage.
• Protect personal information. Be cautious when connecting to public Wi-Fi and never use it for online banking or entering personal or financial information.

###?? 

ABOUT BBB:?For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands,?and?charities they can trust. In 2017, people turned to BBB more than 160 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.2 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at?bbb.org. There are local, independent BBBs across the United States, Canada,?and?Mexico, including BBB Northwest & Pacific, which serves more than 15 million consumers in Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana, Hawaii and Western Wyoming.??? 

PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE: 

ROSEBURG, Ore. - The Douglas County Dog Control Board will hold a meeting on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 310 of the Douglas County Courthouse, located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue, Roseburg, Oregon 97470.

The agenda meeting packet can be found at http://www.dcso.com/advisory_dog.asp 

###

On July 16th, at approximately 1:23 pm emergency personnel were dispatched to a single engine plane reported to have crashed into a farm field.  When deputies arrived, the plane was fully engulfed in flames.

The pilot told deputies while flying from the Albany area to the Aurora Airport he experienced mechanical issues which led to the plane catching fire mid-flight.  The pilot made an emergency landing into the farm field and was able to walk away from the crash with non-life threatening injuries.

The pilot has been identified as Eugene Mitchell, 73, of Portland.  Mr. Mitchell is a military veteran, with flying experience dating back to Vietnam.  Mr. Mitchell was taken to a local hospital for his injuries where he was treated and released.

Emergency services from Aumsville Fire District, Marion County Fire District #1 and an ambulance from Santiam Hospital all responded to the scene to provide assistance.

The Sheriff's Office does not anticipate releasing any additional information regarding this incident.

This afternoon at approximately 1:23 pm, emergency services were dispatched to an air craft crash into a field in the area of Jordan St SE and Howell Prairie Rd SE in Marion County.  When deputies arrived on scene, the single engine plane was fully engulfed in flames.  The pilot was able to get out of the plane after making an emergency landing into a farm field.

The pilot told deputies he was forced to make an emergency landing in the field after his plane caught fire in the air after experiencing mechanical issues.  The pilot was taken to an area hospital by ambulance for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. 

The pilot was the sole occupant of the plane and there are no other reported injuries as a result of the crash.  The Federal Aviation Administration and National Traffic Safety Board have been notified of the crash.

SALEM, OR - Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is excited to announce funding awards of $45,569,423 to build and preserve 636 homes through the awards of federal 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME, and National Housing Trust Fund resources, which leverage local, state, and private investments. Eleven developments were approved by the Oregon Housing Stability Council to receive funding.

“No Oregonian should worry about having a safe, stable place to sleep,” said Governor Kate Brown. “Families need homes that are more than just four walls and a roof, with rents that don’t mean choosing which bill to pay or what to do without this month. I am grateful that these resources will allow 636 families to rest easy in an affordable home.”

This latest round of awards brings OHCS to a record number of homes in the development pipeline – more than 9,800 affordable homes are in progress across the state. Oregon’s Statewide Housing Plan (oregon.gov/ohcs/pages/oshp.aspx) set a five-year goal to triple the development pipeline of affordable rental housing up to 25,000 homes.

“This is a big step toward meeting the ambitious goals of the Statewide Housing Plan,” said OHCS Director Margaret Salazar. “These developments bring us that much closer to closing the affordable rental housing gap and reducing housing cost burden for Oregonians.”

The developments that received awards are listed below, with full details available online: www.oregon.gov/ohcs/DO/docs/07-12-2019-Affordable-Housing-Awards.pdf.

• Applegate Landing in Lebanon, 36 homes
• Bridge Meadows in Redmond, 40 homes
• Carnelian Place & Phoenix Crossing in Bend, 71 homes
• Colonia Paz I in Lebanon, 24 homes
• Going 42 in Portland, 55 homes
• The Mary Ann in Beaverton, 54 homes
• Oregon City Terrace in Oregon City, 48 homes
• Patriot Heights in Stanfield, 53 homes
• River Road Affordable Housing in Eugene, 60 homes
• Rogue Valley Apartments in White City and Eagle Point, 76 homes
• Rose Bowl in Portland, 71 homes
• Snowberry Brook II in Ashland, 71 homes
   

This afternoon Marion County Sheriff Joe Kast hosted the summer swearing in ceremony for new Sheriff’s Office employees.  During today’s ceremony, 14 employees were sworn in as deputy sheriffs and four more were recognized as they joined the Sheriff’s Office in non-sworn roles.  Community Corrections Commander Jeff Wood was promoted and sworn in as Undersheriff.

Undersheriff Wood began his career in 1994 as a Corrections Specialist with the Marion County Department of Corrections and has over 25 years of experience in the juvenile and adult correctional fields.  Appointed by the Marion County Sheriff as a division commander in March 2009, Wood holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Oregon and has earned his Executive Certification from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.

During his tenure with the Sheriff’s Office, Undersheriff Wood has received extensive training in evidence-based practices and has implemented a number of programs within the Community Corrections Division.  Undersheriff Wood has regularly provided legislative testimony on issues pertaining to sex offender supervision, registration, electronic monitoring, transition and reentry, and community corrections funding.  Wood just completed a two-year term as President of the Oregon Community Corrections Director’s Association, currently serves as Chair of the Marion County Justice Reinvestment Council, sits on the Governor’s Reentry Council, and Oregon’s Corrections Forecast Committee.

Sheriff Kast thanked the family and friends who were in attendance to support their loved ones, stating “This job is challenging and rewarding.  However, this can’t be done without the love and support shown by the family and friends behind each of these new members of our office.”

On July 16th at 12:30 AM Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a report of a one vehicle traffic crash on Drift Creek Road at Gorton Road, just east of Lincoln City.  Deputies discovered the vehicle, a silver 2011 Jeep Patriot bearing Oregon plate 164 FJW, was completely submerged in the water.  The North Lincoln Fire Department Rescue Swim Team was able to confirm there were no occupants in the car and no one was found at the scene.  The investigation revealed that the vehicle was eastbound when it left the roadway and sheared off a utility pole knocking out power and other utilities to the area.   The lines could not be cleared nor the vehicle removed from the river until about 8:00 AM this morning then power and utilities were restored.

Deputies continue to investigate the crash to identify the driver.

###

Respectfully Submitted by:

Mark Meister, Administrative Patrol Sergeant

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office

225 W. Olive St.

Newport, Oregon 97365

Phone: 541-265-0684

Fax: 541-265-4917

mmeister@co.lincoln.or.us

July 16, 2019

Media contact: Allyson Hagen, 503-449-6457, allyson.hagen@dhsoha.state.or.us

CCO Metrics and Scoring Committee to meet July 19

What: The regular public meeting of the Oregon Health Authority’s CCO Metrics and Scoring Committee.

Agenda: Welcome, consent agenda, and general updates; public testimony; follow-up to questions from June meeting; select 2020 measure set; adjourn.

When: July 19, 9 a.m. to noon.

Where: Five Oak Building (formerly Lincoln) (421 SW Oak St, Portland, OR, 97204) Suite 775, Transformation Training Room. The public also may join remotely via webinar and listen-only conference line at 888-204-5984, access code 1277166.

For more information, please visit the committee's website.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Pete Edlund, 503-931-8873, 711 TTY, or .m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us">peter.m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet in Salem on July 24 at 9 a.m. This month’s meeting agenda includes:

• A presentation on activities of the Committee for Family Forestlands and discussion of key issues and future policy needs.
• An update on the 2019 fire season.
• Testimony from the Forest Trust Lands Advisory Committee.
• Consideration of and determination on the petition for Forest Practices Act rulemaking on protection requirements for coho salmon resource sites.
• An update on the department’s current fiscal and budgetary status.

The meeting will be held in the Tillamook Room, Administration Building C, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, located at 2600 State St., in Salem. The meeting is open to the public, with the exception of the executive session scheduled from 11 a.m. until noon.

Public comment will be accepted on agenda topics and at the start of the meeting for topics not on the agenda. Written comments may be submitted to oardofforestry@oregon.gov">Boardofforestry@oregon.gov in advance of the meeting. A livestream option and meeting materials are available online at https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/BOFMeetings.aspx.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling ODF’s Public Affairs Office at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200.

###

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include appointing the State Forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30 million-acre forestland base. More information about the Board is available at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/AboutBOF.aspx.

For Immediate Release                                        

July 15th, 2019

Contact:                Chris Enquist
                             503-378-2309

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Parole & Probation Officer Firearms Training Revision Workgroup will hold a regular meeting on July 30th, 2019 from 11:00a-2:00p.  The meeting will be held in room A235 at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem, Oregon. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the deaf or hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made before the meeting by calling the contact listed above. 

Agenda Items:

1. Welcome
2. Review of History of Firearms Training for Parole Officers
3. Discussion of Scope of Revision
4. Review of Staff Recommendations
5. Discussion and Decision on September Pilot Program
6. Workgroup Goals and Future Tasks
7. Conclusion

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Parole & Probation Officer Field Training Manual Revision Workgroup members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

Linn County Sheriff Jim Yon reports his deputies are investigating a single vehicle crash that occurred July 15, at about 11:37 p.m., on Three Lakes Road south of Grand Prairie Road near Albany.

The sole occupant of a 1986 Toyota Supra was a 15- year- old male from Albany.  The driver, who did not have a driver’s license, was north bound on Three Lakes Road south of Grand Prairie Road and failed to negotiate a curve.  The driver was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Evidence at the scene and witness statements indicate speed was a factor in the crash.  It does not appear alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.     

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Albany Fire Department.

The case remains under investigation.

Kelly Fitzpatrick, director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, will hold her first veterans’ town hall meeting in Pendleton next week.

“I really look forward to this opportunity to meet members of the eastern Oregon veteran community and learn about the concerns, issues and challenges facing veterans and their families in this part of the state,” Fitzpatrick said.

She will also answer questions and share the latest updates regarding ODVA programs and initiatives, as well as veteran-related developments from the 2019 legislative session.

The Veterans’ Town Hall event will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, July 26, at the Pendleton Convention Center. It will also be recorded and livestreamed on the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ Facebook page for the benefit of those who are not able to attend in person.

The following day, and in the same location, ODVA and over 60 partnering organizations and agencies will be joining together for the Fifth Annual Veteran Benefit Expo, the state’s largest veteran resource event, which is being held in eastern Oregon for the first time.

The purpose of the Expo is to provide a one-stop shop for Oregon veterans of all eras and walks of life to learn about and access the full range of their earned benefits. The event will offer resources from many different benefit areas, including health care, claims assistance, finance, home loans, long-term care, mental health, education, business and recreation.

The Expo is free and requires no pre-registration. The event will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 27 at the Pendleton Convention Center.

For more information about the Expo, visit www.expo.oregondva.com. 

Due to unsafe mold levels found at the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, the building has been closed to the public indefinitely.

Results from mold testing were submitted on Monday, July 15 showing toxic levels of dangerous mold in all areas of the shelter. While the building has been in disrepair for some time, it has reached a state where it is unsafe for people and animals. Remediation efforts have already begun. Staff are caring for animals utilizing personal protective equipment, and they are also working out of the emergency trailer parked in front of the Animal Shelter.

At this time, Lincoln County Animal Shelter staff are coordinating with regional shelters to transfer animals to different locations. The shelter will continue to rely on foster homes to help care for animals and encourages anyone interested in fostering to submit an application through their website at LincolnCountyAnimalShelter.org.

 “We know how important the Animal Shelter is to our community, and it is a priority for us to identify the best solution for a new shelter. It is our goal to continue to provide as many services as possible, give the animals the best standard of care, and ensure the safety of our community's people and animals,” shared Sheriff Landers.

Discussions have taken place over the past few years about where to best locate a new animal shelter building. Planning for emergency short-term and long-term solutions are taking place, and the county is open to ideas from the community. While plans are still unfolding about how to best provide services while keeping staff, animals, and the public safe, Animal Shelter Director Laura Braxling is available to answer questions regarding the closure and future plans at 541-265-0725 and raxling@co.lincoln.or.us" target="_blank">lbraxling@co.lincoln.or.us.

Respectfully Submitted,

Laura Braxling

Director, Lincoln County Animal Shelter

EUGENE, Ore.—Dannie Kay Alston, 67, was sentenced today to 110 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for robbing four Oregon and Southwest Washington banks in a four-week period beginning in August 2017. Alston has no known permanent residence.

On February 21, 2019, Alston pleaded guilty in federal court to the following bank robberies:

1. August 7, 2017; Chase Bank in Vancouver, Washington; collecting $2,300
2. August 15, 2017; Wells Fargo Bank in Medford, Oregon; collecting $4,690
3. August 24, 2017; Wells Fargo Bank in Salem, Oregon; collecting $1,317
4. September 9, 2017; First Interstate Bank in Roseburg, Oregon; collecting $3,441

In each of his robberies, Alston attempted to disguise his identity by wearing sunglasses and some type of ball or ski cap. He communicated with the targeted bank tellers primarily through handwritten notes or signs. At his last robbery, in Roseburg, witnesses were able to provide a description of Alston’s getaway vehicle, leading to his quick arrest by the Oregon State Police. Police recovered the note used in the Roseburg robbery, a starter’s pistol with loaded caps, a Taser, sunglasses, wig and $3,441 cash from Alston’s person and vehicle.

Alston is a career offender with a criminal history spanning five decades and four states. He has previous burglary convictions in California and Texas, robbery convictions in California, Florida and Oregon, as well as assault, theft and narcotics convictions.

During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Michael J. McShane ordered Alston to pay $11,748 in restitution.

This case was investigated by the FBI, Clark County Washington Sheriff’s Office, Medford Police Department, Oregon State Police and Roseburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Pamela Paaso, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN is the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

# # #

SALEM, Ore. – With relatively favorable early fire season conditions, last week the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) sent personnel to Alaska to assist with wildfire suppression. ODF leadership selected personnel from areas where current conditions and available resources allow for the opportunity to send help to our Alaskan partners while ensuring capacity to respond to any local fires on the home front.

As partners in the Northwest Compact — an agreement allowing quick and cost-effective resources sharing across state and international lines — Oregon and Alaska have helped one another in years past. Most recently, crews from Alaska provided assistance on both the Klondike and Taylor fires during the 2018 fire season.

The Alaska deployment offers unique firefighting challenges and training opportunities, such as working on the permafrost, avoiding conflicts with local wildlife, and the need for helicopter rides for personnel to remote fire camps. While this experience may differ from typical fires in Oregon, the objective is familiar for ODF crews: safely put fires out while they are small. Given ODF strives to safely put fires out at 10 acres or less 98 percent of the time, the focus on initial attack is a familiar one for these skilled firefighters.

“These ODF crews were selected from across the state for their skill and experience with initial attack, as well as the availability and conditions back home. Our folks are not assigned to a large fire up here, but are relieving exhausted personnel engaged in continuing efforts to catch new fire starts while they are small. As part of Oregon’s complete and coordinated system, and the Northwest Compact, this is what ODF is all about,” said ODF’s Jamie Paul, serving as the Agency Representative for ODF resources in Alaska. “We are happy the timing allows us to assist our interagency Alaskan partners in their time of need.”

With 8 overhead positions and 20 initial attack crew members, ODF has a total of 28 personnel currently engaged in Alaska. As crews prioritize initial attack efforts and minimize the long-term impact on resources, overhead positions are helping oversee operations.  A maximum duration of the standard 14-day assignment is expected, while some resources will head home as early as next week.

Consisting of 5 U.S. states; Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, the NW Compact also includes the 5 Canadian Provinces/Territories of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Yukon, and the Northwest Territories.

###

Girl Scouts of the USA Launches 42 New Badges to Mobilize Girls to Change the World

By exploring topics like high adventure in the outdoors, coding, space science, and more, girls take control of their own leadership experiences. 

July 16, 2019—Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) today reveals 42 new badges exclusively for girls in grades K–12 that allow them to make their own choices about how they want to experience and influence the world. The badges enhance the organization’s existing girl-led programming, offering girls everything from adventuring in the snow or mountains to learning how to use coding to solve problems they care about. Girl Scout programming has long promoted independent decision making, which helps girls develop agency, challenge themselves to move beyond their comfort zones, and build confidence in their leadership abilities.

Among the 42 new offerings are Outdoor High Adventure badges that feature, for the first time in Girl Scouts’ history, two distinct activity options, letting girls choose how they want to earn each badge. Giving girls choices is important for developing their sense of self, their own voice, and gender equality—research from the World Bank Group shows that increasing women’s agency and decision-making abilities is key to improving their lives, communities, and the world. And research shows that Girl Scouts are more likely than other girls to take an active role in decision making (80% vs. 51%).

In addition to existing badge offerings, girls in grades 6–12 can now pursue:

• Nine Cybersecurity badges, through which girls learn about the inner workings of computer technology and cybersecurity and apply concepts of safety and protection to the technology they use every day. Activities range from decrypting and encrypting messages, to learning proper protection methods for devices, to exploring real-world hacking scenarios (funded by Palo Alto Networks).
   
• Three Space Science badges, through which girls explore topics such as the universe and their place in it, properties of light, and inspiring careers in space science (funded by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate and led by the SETI Institute).
   
• Think Like a Citizen Scientist, a Girl Scout Leadership Journey during which girls participate in interactive activities to practice observation techniques; collect data; and share their findings with real-world scientists through an online network. As with all of Girl Scouts’ Leadership Journeys, girls use their newly honed skills to take action on a community issue of their choosing (funded by Johnson & Johnson and The Coca-Cola Foundation).
   
• To prepare girls in grades 6–12 to pursue computer science careers, Girl Scouts will launch the organization’s first Cyber Challenge events in select areas this fall. At these events, which will take place October 19, girls will learn crucial cybersecurity skills by completing challenges such as running traceroutes and identifying phishing schemes (funded by Raytheon).

The new programming for girls in grades K–12 includes:

• 12 Outdoor High Adventure badges, designed for girls to explore nature and experience exciting outdoor adventures like backpacking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, rock climbing, and tree climbing—giving them the confidence to support one another, take healthy risks, and spend dedicated time in nature. These are the first Girl Scout badges that members can earn by choosing one of two self-directed paths (funded by The North Face). 
   
• 18 Coding for Good badges, which not only teach girls the basics of coding but also detail how every stage of the coding process provides girls with opportunities to use their skills for good. Girls will learn about algorithms through age-appropriate, creative activities, such as coding positive memes to spread a message about a cause they care about, designing a digital game to educate people about an issue, and developing an app to promote healthy habits. Every Coding for Good badge includes a plugged-in and unplugged version, so that all girls can learn the foundations of coding, regardless of their access to technology (funded by AT&T and Dell Technologies).

“Girl Scouts has ignited the power and potential of girls for over a century, and we are committed to ensuring that today’s girls are the future of American leadership,” said GSUSA CEO Sylvia Acevedo. “Girl Scouts is where girls can explore new subjects, discover their passions, learn to take smart risks, and become their best, most confident selves—whether they want to become a NASA astronaut, an entrepreneur, a rock climber, a coder, or a cybersecurity agent.” 

GSUSA works with top organizations in fields that interest today’s girls. Combined with Girl Scouts’ expertise in girl leadership, these organizations and specialists advise and weigh in on content to provide the most cutting-edge programming available to girls. Content collaborators include codeSpark, the National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center (NICERC), SciStarter, and Vidcode. In true girl-led fashion, girls also tested the new offerings.

At Girl Scouts she’ll discover who she is, what she’s passionate about, and what she wants to achieve—both today and in the future. Join or volunteer at www.girlscouts.org/join.

###

We're Girl Scouts of the USA
We're 2.5 million strong—more than 1.7 million girls and 750,000 adults who believe in the power of every G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ to change the world. Our extraordinary journey began more than 100 years ago with the original G.I.R.L., Juliette Gordon “Daisy” Low. On March 12, 1912, in Savannah, Georgia, she organized the very first Girl Scout troop, and every year since, we’ve honored her vision and legacy, building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. We’re the preeminent leadership development organization for girls. And with programs from coast to coast and across the globe, Girl Scouts offers every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of leadership, adventure, and success. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscouts.org.

“Reaching for the Stars: NASA Science for Girl Scouts” is based upon work supported by NASA Science under cooperative agreement No. NNX16AB90A. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

About Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington

In partnership with more than 8,000 adult members, Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington prepares 14,500 girls in grades K-12 for a lifetime of leadership, adventure and success. GSOSW’s programs in civic engagement, financial literacy, the outdoors and STEM serve girls in 37 counties in Oregon, and Clark, Klickitat and Skamania counties in Southwest Washington. The Girl Scout mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. For more information, please visit girlscoutsosw.org.

Oregon State Police is investigating the theft of an enclosed utility trailer which contained about $30,000 worth of striping equipment and materials. 

On July 2, 2019 the victim was driving south on I-5 in south Douglas County when he experienced a flat tire.  He left the trailer and returned on July 3 and the trailer was missing.  It appears the trailer was driven with a flat tire and the tire marks lead to the Glendale area.

Three paint stripers, similar to one in picture, were in the trailer.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Senior Trooper Dave Stone at OSP Roseburg office 541-440-3334

CENTRAL POINT – A Medford man died Sunday evening after crashing his car into a pole.  Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies believe alcohol use likely contributed to the incident.  

On July 14, 2019, at 8:23 p.m., dispatch received a 911 call reporting a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Table Rock Road and East Gregory Road.  The caller reported a gold Ford Escape had crashed into a pole; the driver and sole occupant was unconscious and bleeding.  

Bystanders trained in CPR attempted to resuscitate the driver.  Deputies and personnel from Fire District 3 and Mercy Flights responded to the scene.  The driver, identified as 68-year-old Jud Allen Dikes of Medford, died at the scene. 

Deputies determined Dikes had been driving southbound on Table Rock Road when his vehicle veered across the oncoming lanes for unknown reasons.  The small SUV struck a traffic signal pole at the southeast corner of the intersection with East Gregory Road.  Deputies say Dikes was not wearing a seatbelt. 

Deputies found evidence of alcohol use at the scene.  Toxicology tests will be completed by the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office.  Dikes’ family has been notified of his death.

Case #19-14570

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Oregon’s Unemployment Rate 4.1 Percent in June 

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in June, essentially unchanged from 4.2 percent in May. Oregon’s unemployment rate has been between 4.0 percent and 4.4 percent for 32 months, dating back to November 2016. The U.S. unemployment rate was little changed at 3.7 percent in June.

Oregon’s unemployment rate has been at or near record low levels for nearly three years. Of those unemployed in June, nearly half were either new or returning to the labor force. At 46.9 percent, the share of unemployed who were entrants was the highest since May 1999. Another 38.5 percent were unemployed due to a job loss. The remaining 14.7 percent had voluntarily left their previous job and were looking for work.

In June, Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 900 jobs. The jobs gain in June followed a revised loss of 200 jobs in May. Monthly gains for June were strongest in professional and business services, which added 1,200 jobs, and in manufacturing, which added 900 jobs. Two industries with large losses in June were leisure and hospitality (-1,000 jobs) and retail trade (-900 jobs). Other sectors were close to their usual seasonal pattern of job gains or losses for June.

Looking at longer-term trends, Oregon’s economy continued to grow rapidly. Since June 2018, total nonfarm payroll employment was up 46,100 jobs, or 2.4 percent. Oregon’s job growth rate over the past 12 months was faster than the U.S. job growth rate of 1.5 percent.

The most rapid gains over the past year were in transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+4,500 jobs, or 6.9%) and construction (+7,100 jobs, or 6.8%). Job gains were widespread, with three other major industries each adding between 2.6 percent and 3.7 percent to their jobs base in the past 12 months. These industries were manufacturing (+7,100 jobs, or 3.7%), professional and business services (+8,800 jobs, or 3.5%), and health care and social assistance (+6,800 jobs, or 2.6%). During that time, none of the major industries cut a substantial number of jobs, although three industries showed little change: retail trade; financial activities; and mining and logging.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the June county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, July 23rd, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for July on Tuesday, August 13th.

Notes:
All numbers in the above narrative are seasonally adjusted.

The Oregon Employment Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) work cooperatively to develop and publish monthly Oregon payroll employment and labor force data. The estimates of monthly job gains and losses are based on a survey of businesses. The estimates of unemployment are based on a survey of households and other sources.

The Oregon Employment Department publishes payroll employment estimates that are revised quarterly by using employment counts from employer unemployment insurance tax records. All department publications use this Official Oregon Series data unless noted otherwise. This month’s release incorporates the October, November and December 2018 tax records data. The department continues to make the original nonfarm payroll employment series available; these data are produced by the BLS.

The PDF version of the news release, including tables and graphs, can be found at www.QualityInfo.org/press-release. To obtain the data in other formats such as in Excel, visit www.QualityInfo.org, then within the top banner, select Economic Data, then choose LAUS or CES. To request the press release as a Word document, contact the person shown at the top of this press release.

For help finding jobs and training resources, visit one of the state's WorkSource Oregon centers or go to: www.WorkSourceOregon.org.

Equal Opportunity program — auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Contact: (503) 947-1794. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call 711 Telecommunications Relay Services.

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment.  This week: building a digital defense against the “one-ring” telephone scam.

It seems like most of us get those annoying calls from telemarketers and scammers these days. Your phone rings and rings and rings. Often, these are calls come from a lovely robotic voice informing you that you “missed an important payment.” Or, perhaps, the voice on the other end of the line is congratulating you on that “expense-free vacation” that you just won. In both scenarios, the scammer will try to get you to pay money to settle the non-existent debt or to pay for a small processing fee for that free trip. Later you discover later that you were taken.

While these kinds of telephone scams are not new, our friends at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) are warning the public about a new variation that is popping up across the nation. It’s called the “one-ring” scam. Here’s how it works: you get a phone call from a number you do not recognize, and then the call drops after only one or two rings. The fraudster is counting on your curiosity – and maybe fear that the call you missed is really important. The goal is to get you to call the number back because, in reality, the scammer is calling from an international toll number. If you call back, you will likely receive per-minute toll charges ... and who do you think collects those funds? You are right if you guessed the scam artist.

So what can you do to avoid being a victim of this scam?

• Do NOT call back numbers that you do not recognize, especially those that appear to come from overseas.
• If you have received these calls, report the number to the FTC at www.donotcall.gov
• Frequently check your phone bill for unusual or suspicious charges

As always, if you have been a victim of an online scam, report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or call your local FBI office.

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On Monday, July 15, 2019 at approximately 10:30 P.M. Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 101 near milepost 279.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 2003 Yamaha Motorcycle, operated by Robert Killough (52) of Bandon, OR. was traveling south on Hwy 101 when it left the roadway and crashed.

Killough sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Oregon State Police was assisted by the Coos County Sheriff's Department, Bandon Police Department, Bandon Fire Department, Bay Cities Ambulance, and ODOT.

On Monday, July 15, 2019 at approximately 5:05 A.M. Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to the report of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle on I-205 near mile post 12.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian was headed east crossing the northbound lanes of I-205. The pedestrian was struck by a 2019 Ford Cargo Van operated by Steven Stewart (56) of Donald, OR.

The pedestrian sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. He will not be identified until next of kin can be notified.

Stewart remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

OSP was assisted by Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Clackamas County Fire Department, and ODOT