The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees discussed on Wednesday updates concerning a budget shortfall for the 2019-20 fiscal year and strategies for the 2020-21 university budget that address several universal higher education hurdles. President Rex Fuller reiterated his intention that the university remain affordable to Oregonians seeking a four-year degree.

“WOU is not immune to the challenges facing universities and colleges across the nation. Our enrollment is down at the same time state appropriations are not covering key, mandatory cost drivers,” Fuller said. “Despite those obstacles and our current budget shortfall, we will not be deterred from our goal to be the most affordable public university in Oregon.”

For the 2019-20 academic year, WOU had the lowest increase in tuition rates at 2.33%. It has not increased its housing rates for students in two years. Funding from the state came in at a lower level than anticipated. The FY20 shortfall is $1.3 million.

The university and its employees are collaborating to make budget reductions for FY20 that directly affect students as little as possible. Looking forward to fiscal year 2020-21, trustees on Wednesday discussed the university’s desire that neither tuition nor incidental fees should rise by no more than 5%. The board will finalize the FY21 budget at its June 10 meeting.

At the meeting, the board also:

• Approved a new undergraduate minor in sustainability
• Received a report on the 2019 Annual External Audit Report
• Heard an update on legislative progress on several bills being addressed in the current short session. One of these is the statute that could allow Western, Eastern and Southern Oregon universities to offer professional doctorates
• Received a report on recommendations for the procurement card program, including updates on policies, additional training and annual review

For additional information via the board docket, visit wou.edu/board

About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, founded in 1856 and located in Monmouth, is the state’s oldest public university. Serving approximately 5,000 students, WOU is a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution with about 70 percent of the student population being from Oregon. A significant portion of attendees are members of under-represented groups, veterans or non-traditional students. WOU is Oregon’s campus of choice for those seeking a transformative education in a supportive, student-centered learning community where classes are taught by faculty. Together we succeed.

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The Oregon Department of Transportation is in the process of lifting all vehicle restrictions that were in place for travelers on OR204 (Weston-Elgin/Tollgate Highway). A single-lane work zone along the flood-damaged section between MP 26.7 at Andes Prairie and MP 37.4 at Summerville Road prompted the restrictions. Pilot cars are escorting traffic through this area with anticipated delays of 30 minutes to two hours, depending on weather conditions and construction activities.

Commercial truck restrictions will be lifted today at 3:00 p.m. Pilot car operations will continue with extended delays.

If chain requirements are in effect in the work zone, vehicles will be required to install chains prior to entering the 11-mile-long work zone and will be required to keep their chains on through the entire zone (there is no room in this area for chain install or removal).  If drivers in the pilot line were to stop to install or remove chains within the work zone it will cause extremely long wait times at each end of the work zone.

Motorists are reminded to plan extra travel time and be prepared for long delays as crews work to stabilize the road and prevent further damage. The pilot car operation is complicated by snow removal activities, contractor repair work, and a steep highway grade adjacent to Little Phillips Creek. Road rebuilding efforts will take place as soon as weather conditions improve. Due to heavy snow and other challenges along this highway mountain pass, the impacted section is not expected to open to normal two-lane travel until late spring or early summer.

Check TripCheck.com for update conditions or call 511 / 800-977-6368. Outside Oregon call 503-588-2941.

On February 6, 2020, the Street Crimes Response Team (SCRT) along with Lincoln City Police, Toledo Police, and McMinnville Police executed a search warrant at the residence located at 2333 NE 29th Street in Lincoln City. One of the residents, 60-year-old Daryl Donat, of Lincoln City, was arrested after many months of compiling evidence regarding his involvement in buying and selling illegal narcotics. Also arrested at the residence during the warrant service was 59-year-old Melody Goodmanson, also of Lincoln City.

During the warrant execution the SCRT seized quantities of suspected methamphetamine as well as other items including narcotics paraphernalia such as digital scales and plastic baggies. There were also two children living in Donat’s residence.

Donat was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail for, Delivery / Possession / Manufacturing of Methamphetamine and two counts of First Degree Child Neglect. His bail was set at $500,000.00.

Goodmanson was lodged at the Lincoln County Jail for Possession of Methamphetamine. Her bail was set at $15,000.00.

The Street Crimes Response Unit (SCRT) is a county-wide team designed to augment the Patrol Division.  This team specializes in the handling of community impact crimes, such as narcotics investigations, burglaries, and repeat offenders and does so by investigating these crimes thoroughly.

The SCRT is made up of members of the Newport Police and the Lincoln City Police Departments and routinely obtains assistance from the Toledo Police Department and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.

LCPD would like to express our thanks to McMinnville Police drug-detection K9 Tucker and his handler, who assisted in this investigation.

The Lincoln City Police Department encourages citizens to report any suspicious activity they witness, as it may assist law enforcement. The LCPD Drug Tip Line is available at 541-994-9800.

Submitted By:   Sergeant Jeffrey Winn

Salem, Ore. – Using the arts as a means of addressing community need is at the heart of 36 projects awarded $205,386 by the Oregon Arts Commission’s Arts Build Communities grant program for FY2020. The Arts Build Communities program targets broad geographic impact and arts access for underserved audiences in Oregon.

Projects funded include “Anna & Abby’s Yard in Forest Grove,” an accessible playground with a culturally responsive design that supports inclusion for children with disabilities by Harper’s Playground; Cameras for Change, an Outside the Frame project offering film training and equipment access for youth experiencing homelessness in Portland; and “What I Know for Sure,” a writing/performance project featuring seniors from both the Klamath Basin Senior Citizens’ Center and EagleRidge High School in Klamath Falls.

“This program provides financial support to arts and other community-based organizations for projects that address a local community problem, issue or need through an arts-based solution," said Arts Commission Vice Chair Jenny Green, who led the review panel. “Local citizens employ creative thinking and collective response to identify a local need and provide an arts-based solution.”

The grants also spark and leverage many other investments and resources, serving as a catalyst for greater economic and civic impact, said Green.

In recent years Arts Build Communities projects attracted more than $600,000 in additional investment, much of it representing salaries paid to artists and others as well as products and services purchased in the funded communities.

Arts Build Communities grants are made possible through a funding partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

The FY2020 recipients are:

Applegate Regional Theatre Inc, Veneta: $3,276

To support a local history writing competition for youth in two local school districts resulting in a show celebrating seven winners. The award will fund printing flyers, performance advertising and a videographer as well as props, sets and costumes for the production.

Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, Portland: $5,832           

To create a cultural event series at the Orchards of 82nd (O82), a multi-use development comprising 48 units of affordable housing and APANO’s new community space. The series will include four to six events and be grounded in the recently-completed Orchards of 82nd Art Plan. Funds will be used for programmatic expenses such as artist fees and supplies. The primary audience will be O82 residents and neighbors in East Portland.

Bay City Arts Center, Bay City: $5,158   

To support the 2019-20 Youth Art Education Integration Project. Arts instructors provide art education at K-8 Central Tillamook schools with emphasis on math, science, social studies and humanities themed art projects. The grant award will support art instructor labor, art supplies and tools.

Boom Arts, Portland : $4,973         

To support the Acting Out Festival, a three-day festival with a mix of contemporary outdoor theatre, promenade and circus performances plus try-it-yourself workshops in partnership with The Circus Project and Portland Parks and Recreation. Funds will support artist fees and travel.

Cascade School of Music, Bend: $6,079

To support the continuation and expansion of the CSM Outreach Program. Funds will support the Awesome After School Orchestra program at three elementary schools, a Youth Enrichment class at Boys & Girls Club Bend, an intergenerational Kindermusik (ages 1-5) class at Mt. Bachelor Assisted Living & Memory Care and a bi-lingual Kindermusik class for the Latino Community.

Central Oregon LandWatch, Bend: $6,450

To support the second phase of #ProjectUnderpass to co-design and install a mural with Latinx students for the south pedestrian railroad tunnel of the Franklin underpass in Bend. Funds will support artist fees, paint and supplies, safety equipment, interpretation and/or translation services, facilitation and participant incentives.

Chinese Friendship Association of Portland, Tigard: $5,195

To support the 2020 Lunar New Year celebration Gala in Portland 5 (Keller Auditorium). The celebration included traditional Chinese arts and crafts typical of Chinese New Year, performances that demonstrate Chinese dance, song, martial arts and traditional Chinese instruments, Chinese fashion show, Chinese Opera singing and a magic show. The funds support artist fees, facility and equipment rental.

Delgani String Quartet, Eugene: $7,000

To support "Body of Sound," a statewide tour and collaboration with DanceAbility International, the world’s leading organization for mixed ability dance. “Body of Sound” will feature both classical and contemporary works for string quartet all choreographed for mixed ability dance; performances will take place April 3-7 in Portland, Bend, Ashland and Eugene. Grant award funds will support artist fees.

Deschutes Public Library Foundation, Bend: $4,293  

To support the Library’s community read program, “A Novel Idea.” Residents are encouraged to read, discuss, create and explore the selected book together. “A Novel Idea” broadens cultural, social, educational and economic areas of community life by ensuring wide access through partnerships with local artists, organizations and businesses. Grant award funds will be used to purchase books and to assist in paying the author’s honorarium.

Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestras, Eugene: $6,003

To support the Orchestras’ String Academy project, which brings free and low-cost beginning strings classes (violin, viola, cello and string bass) to nine low-income schools in the Eugene 4J School district, giving children of all backgrounds the benefits of learning an instrument. Grant award funds will support project management and artistic staff, scholarships, instrument purchases and repairs.

Eugene Symphony Association, Inc., Eugene: $6,741

To launch “Vets Connect.” Through an enhanced partnership with the national nonprofit Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix), the Symphony will double its current offering of free tickets to 40 for every subscription concert for veterans and their family members, supplemented by opportunities for participation, music enrichment and social bonding. Grant award funds will help defray costs of free concert tickets, the Symphony Connect ensemble and a contracted music therapist.

Fishtrap Inc, Enterprise: $7,000

To support The Big Read, an annual event designed to bring communities together to celebrate one work of literature. This year's selection is "When the Emperor Was Divine" by Julie Otsuka, which tells the story of a Japanese-American family separated and incarcerated after the outbreak of World War II. Grant award funds will support free books for schools, libraries and community members in addition to guest lecturer fees, supplies, promotion and personnel.

Harper's Playground, Portland: $5,977

To support “Anna & Abby’s Yard in Forest Grove,” an accessible playground in Rogers Park, Forest Grove, with a culturally responsive design that supports inclusion for children with disabilities and benefits all children through access to outdoor activities, nature, and open-ended play. Grant award funds will support artist fees, signage and installation.

Hollywood Senior Center, Portland: $6,541

To support one year of Poetry Power, a therapeutic poetry writing program for older adult survivors of elder abuse. Poetry Power supports healing and growth through compassionate listening and facilitating creative expression in a safe and supportive environment. Grant award funds will support wages for key personnel, recruiting/training volunteer writing mentors, outreach to participants and materials for Poetry Power sessions.

Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, Joseph: $5,868

To support “Women Celebrate 100 Years of Voting & Art,” a multi-disciplinary six-week celebration of women through art, theatrical performances, music, history, current affairs and more. Grant award funds will support musical and theatrical performances; an historical exhibit that will be printed on special panels and an open call for the women’s art exhibit.

Klamath Basin Senior Citizens' Center, Inc., Klamath Falls: $3,000

To support “What I Know For Sure,” a writing/performance series featuring seniors from both the Senior Citizens’ Center and EagleRidge High School aimed at demonstrating the value of intergenerational relationships. Grant award funds will support fees for a project facilitator, a director and a videographer, as well as a facility rental fee and stipends for four senior citizen participants and seven high school seniors.

Lane Arts Council, Eugene: $7,000

To support “Celebrating Latinx arts and culture in Springfield and rural Lane County.” Grant award funds will support artist fees for community cultural events; promoting cultural events and expanding our community outreach; and connecting Latinx artists and organizations to much-needed resources, such as professional development opportunities, potential event venues and more.

Literary Arts Inc, Portland: $5,459

To support the Oregon Book Awards Author Tour, which will connect Oregon authors with small communities across the state. Grant award funds will support author travel and expenses.

Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts, Eugene: $4,382

To support the Object Afterlife Art Challenge, which uses the arts to solve an environmental problem. Artists receive a mystery material and two months to create fine art out of scraps; the event culminates in a public exhibition at Oregon Supported Living Center’s Lincoln Gallery in conjunction with Eugene’s First Friday ArtWalk. Grant award funds will provide scholarships and a venue rental while offsetting marketing, supply and reception expenses.

Miracle Theatre Group, Portland: $6,922           

To support a UNIDAD environmental arts residency for the Nixya’awii School and community in Pendleton. Grant award funds will support artist fees, transportation and curriculum development.

My Voice Music, Portland: $6,568

To support a 2020 Transition Age Artist Mentorship Program. The program will provide 25 young musicians (ages 18-24) with musical mentorship, teaching-artist training, paid internships and career counseling to help them realize their musical visions and successfully navigate independence. Grant award funds will support staff and artist fees, youth participant teaching wages and performance stipends.

Northwest Classical Theatre Collaborative, Portland: $7,000

To support the tour and West Coast premiere of Canadian poet and classicist Anne Carson’s modern language translation of “Antigone,” accompanied by live cello music, to culturally under-served populations in Multnomah, Clackamas, Umatilla, Marion, Coos, Washington, Wallowa, Yamhill and Lake counties. Grant award funds will support artist fees, transportation and lodging.

Open Hearts Open Minds, Portland: $5,083

To support “Theatre at Coffee Creek” at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Two theater professionals will meet twice weekly with approximately 18 women inmates for dialogue groups and creative exercises. The women will adapt a play and write an original play to be performed in front of live audiences.

Oregon Children's Theatre Company, Portland: $6,827

To support production of “The Journal of Ben Uchida: Citizen 13559,” which tells the story of the imprisonment of Japanese American citizens during World War II. The show will run at Portland’s Winningstad Theater from Feb. 29 to March 20. Grant award funds will support wrap-around community engagement activities (including panel discussions, performances and historical/artistic displays).

Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport: $4,973

To support artist commission fees for scientific illustration and graphic production of murals for three indoor galleries. The murals will provide a visual narrative connecting Oregon’s coastal shores to ocean depths and will depict marine life for interpretation.

Oregon Coast Youth Symphony Festival Association, Newport: $4,268

To support Festival activities and expand the size and scope of its statewide music community. Grant award funds will support expenses (food, housing, etc.) for visiting high school students and teachers to ensure access for participants.

Outside the Frame, Portland: $7,000

To support Cameras for Change, an expansion of film training and equipment access for youth experiencing homelessness. Grant award funds will support film instructor fees, film supplies, youth meals, youth transportation and post-production expenses.

PlayWrite, Portland: $6,541

To support PlayWrite Youth Workshops. Grant award funds will support fees for coaches, actors and staff for four playwriting workshops as well as supplies, facility rental.

Portland Community College Foundation, Portland: $4,729

To support the 30th Annual Cascade Festival of African Films, the longest continuously running annual African film festival in the U.S. The Festival runs for five weeks around Black History Month, brining films from every region of the African continent to approximately 5,000 attendees free of charge. Grant award funds will support community outreach, community master classes with visiting filmmakers, speaker fees, and film screening fees.

Portland Lesbian Choir, Portland: $5,535

To support an open rehearsal for the Choir’s June concert: “A Roof and a Bed.” The June 7 concert will features two new commissions and three new arrangements and will be presented with video footage and narration relating the experience of being homeless with hope for change. Community partners will invite 200 homeless clients and 200 friends and donors to the event. The open rehearsal will take place on June 5.

Portland Taiko, Portland: $3,623

To support the "People of the Drum" concert featuring four percussion-based music and dance groups representing different ethnic and cultural traditions. Grant award funds will support artist fees, venue costs, project management and promotional materials.

Rogue Valley Chorale Association, Medford: $4,019

To support “Spring Sing,” three concerts performed by students for their peers to motivate them to seek out musical opportunities. Grant award funds will be support transportation, stipends for conductors and accompanists, and promotional materials.

The Circus Project, Portland: $6,670

To support the second year of the Voice Project, a recurring year-long program for youth from marginalized identities who create and perform an original ensemble circus performance focused on a social justice theme of their choosing. Grant award funds support classes and private lessons, production opportunities, participant stipends, athletic wear, food, bus tickets and access to showers and hygiene items.

The High Desert Museum, Bend: $7,000           

To support the “Natural Wanderment: Stewardship. Sovereignty. Sacredness” exhibition and an accompanying Native youth workshop series. Grant award funds will support the exhibition, which will explore Native identity through contemporary art, as well as artist fees and supplies for the workshop series, which will connect Native youth to professional Native artists and enable them to apply Indigenous methodology to contemporary art forms to construct positive self-identities.

University of Oregon Foundation, Eugene: $5,497

To support a Community Music Institute pilot outreach program in partnership with Chamber Music Amici. "Violin Instruction for Pre-K Students at Whiteaker Head Start" will provide chamber music performances and developmentally appropriate instruction to students and their families. Grant award funds will support the purchase of string instruments for in-class instruction.

Write Around Portland, Portland: $6,904

To support “Respect, Writing and Community: Empowering Youth Voices,” eight free 10-week writing workshops for 70 to 100 underserved youth in partnership with social service agencies. Following the workshops the youths' writing will be published in two anthologies and showcased during free public readings. Grant award funds will help expand the workshops’ reach, build new partnerships, train volunteers, provide materials and support the publications and readings.

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.  

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at:  www.oregonartscommission.org.

The Rule Advisory Committee—formed earlier this year by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) to review the agency’s proposed changes to Oregon Administrative Rules governing Oregon’s administration of the federal National Register of Historic Places

Program—will hold their final meeting 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. March 10 in the Dye House of the Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill Street SE, Salem. The meeting is open to the public.

On the agenda: reviewing and commenting on staff edits; fiscal impact of proposed changes; discuss outreach plan should the OPRD Commission open rulemaking.

The March meeting will be the third and final in a series of meetings held by the Committee. There were originally four public meetings planned—Jan. 28, Feb. 10, Feb. 25 and March 10—however the Feb. 25 meeting has been canceled.

Ian Johnson, associate deputy state historic preservation officer, says the Committee’s strong progress prompted the Feb. 25 cancellation.

“The Committee has been immensely helpful with their recommendations to refine our proposed rule changes,” said Johnson. “We need more time to consider their input, so we’ve decided to cancel the second February meeting and will present our updated changes March 10.”

Audio of the Jan. 28 and Feb. 10 meetings is on the ORPD administrative rules webpage: oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx.

The Committee has considered several topics when reviewing OPRD’s proposed rule changes, including counting property owners and objections; how Tribal governments, state agencies and local jurisdictions participate in the nomination process; administrative functions like staff duties, public notices and hearing procedures; and determining circumstances that would exempt nominations from public disclosure, e.g., protecting culturally-sensitive information.

Committee members were appointed by OPRD and drawn from Tribal, state, county and local governments, preservation and natural resource organizations, and citizens with an interest in the National Register program.

After the March 10 meeting, OPRD will consider the committee’s final recommendations and present the proposed rule changes to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission. If the Commission approves the proposal, OPRD will begin the public rulemaking process later this year.

More information about rulemaking is available on the OPRD administrative rules webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx

The National Register of Historic Places was established as part of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and is maintained by the National Parks Service.

Individuals who require special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Tracy Collis, OPRD executive support specialist, at least three days in advance by calling (503) 986-0690.

(Salem) – Oregon OSHA has fined an Albany foundry $27,500 for violating job safety rules designed to protect workers from serious harm or death. The citation against Selmet Inc. follows an investigation of a furnace explosion that injured two workers, one of whom suffered second- and third-degree burns to his body.

The division’s investigation of the Aug. 15, 2019, accident identified three serious violations by Selmet. Those violations included failing to account for employee safety in the layout and design of the foundry, and overlooking proper work clothing and equipment.

“There are concrete steps employers can take to make safety a meaningful part of the operation of a work site,” said Michael Wood, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “Neglecting such steps, as this case demonstrates, serves only to invite more risk and the severe consequences that frequently come with it.”

The worker who suffered severe burns was operating a furnace – powered by high-voltage electricity – to melt titanium. He was doing so in a part of the foundry that contains older furnaces and where employees use control panels that are near each furnace. The furnace experienced a system failure that leaked water used for cooling into a vacuum chamber. The reaction of molten titanium with water triggered the explosion. 

The blast, which blew the roof off part of the building, left the worker with multiple burns to his head, neck, arms, and chest. The force of the blast threw another worker, stationed at the operating panel of another furnace, into a parts table.

Oregon OSHA cited Selmet for failing to account for safety measures in the design, layout, and operation of the older furnaces. Such measures could include blast walls to protect against explosions, isolated control rooms, or removal of employees from the risk zone during operations. The company had installed such measures for newer furnaces, according to Oregon OSHA’s investigation.

That serious violation carries a $13,750 penalty. Oregon OSHA also fined Selmet $13,750 for two related serious violations involving a lack of appropriate work clothing and personal protective equipment for furnace operators.

The total proposed fine of $27,500 reflects a 10 percent increase in the base penalties assigned to the violations. The increase reflects Selmet’s negative history of nine reportable accidents in the last three years.

In addition to its enforcement activities, Oregon OSHA offers employers resources to help improve workplace safety and health.

Contact Oregon OSHA’s no-cost consultation services for help with safety and health programs:

Phone: 503-378-3272

Toll-free in Oregon: 800-922-2689

Field office locations and phone numbers: https://osha.oregon.gov/Pages/maps.aspx

Email: consult.web@oregon.gov

The agency’s technical staff members can answer questions about rules and how to apply them:

Phone: 503-378-3272

Toll-free in Oregon: 800-922-2689

Email: tech.web@oregon.gov

Online contact form: https://osha.oregon.gov/Pages/Contact-Technical.aspx

Visit Oregon OSHA’s A-to-Z topic page for more information about on-the-job safety and health: https://osha.oregon.gov/Pages/az-index.aspx

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Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, visit www.osha.oregon.gov.

The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, go to www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

Marion County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the following information pursuant to ORS163A.215, which authorizes Community Corrections to inform the public when the release of information will enhance public safety and protection.
The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense that requires registration with the Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, this person’s criminal history places them in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. This notification is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.

NAME: Thorpe, Brian Michael
SID#: 15033331
DOB: 05/02/1985
CURRENT AGE: 034

RACE: W                                SEX: M
HEIGHT: 6' 02''                       WEIGHT: 225lbs
HAIR: BRO                             EYES: GRN

RESIDENCE: 3950 AUMSVILLE HWY (BOARDER), SALEM, OR 97317

Brian Michael Thorpe is on Post Prison Supervision for the crimes of: SEX ABUSE II X2
This person was granted supervision on: 1/24/2020
Supervision expiration date is: 1/23/2023
Special restrictions include: [X] No contact with minor males or females
                                             [X] Sex offender treatment
                                             [X] Submit to polygraph
                                             [X] No places where minors congregate
Other: Thorpe’s victim pool includes adult and minor females known to him, as well as an adult stranger.

Benton County Sheriff's Office would like to announce a test of the Linn-Benton ALERT system on March 7th 2020 at 2PM. The test will cover all of Benton County. All traditional land phone lines in our 911 database will receive the message. Those who have registered other devices, with the system, will also receive the test message. Recipients will be given the option to confirm receipt of the message on each phone or device.

The Linn-Benton ALERT Emergency Notification System is a mass notification system that allows public safety officials to provide rapid notifications to Linn and Benton County residents of emergencies, evacuations, and other urgent events. There will be no reason to call our office once you receive the message.
If you haven't signed up for Linn-Benton Alerts, we would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to do so to receive any emergency related notifications pertinent to your location.

If you would like to sign up for the Linn-Benton Alert System, please visit our website at
https://co.benton.or.us/preparedness/page/emergency-alert

Additional documentation highlights robust analysis
 

The Bureau of Land Management will publish six draft supplemental environmental impact statements (SEISs) on Friday for management of Greater Sage-Grouse habitat on public lands in seven Western states, highlighting the collaborative process undergone in 2019 to develop plans that reflected the needs of Western communities and Greater Sage Grouse habitat.  

The draft SEISs address issues identified in an October 16, 2019, order issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, which placed a preliminary injunction on the implementation of 2019 BLM sage-grouse plans in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada/northeastern California and Oregon.

"In March of last year, the Greater Sage-Grouse conservation plans were adopted with strong bipartisan support by the Western states, as the plans made important modifications that matched the input provided by the states and Western communities," said Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Casey Hammond. "The draft SEISs illustrate the hard look and robust analysis we performed in this collaborative process to balance our habitat conservation and enhancement goals in response to recent litigation."

The draft SEISs explain how the range of alternatives analyzed in the 2019 EISs was developed, the incorporation by reference of the effects analysis from the 2015 EISs, and how best available science was used. Reports by the National Technical Team and Conservation Objective Team were critical in developing the plans. The current draft SEISs also clarify the BLM’s approach to compensatory mitigation in authorizing various uses of lands that also provide habitat for the sage-grouse.

Suspending implementation of the 2019 plans has affected programs and projects across the BLM and in Western states from authorizations of renewable energy projects and oil and gas leases to grazing permit renewals and wildfire management. For example, in northeastern California, adaptive management measures to respond to changes in sage-grouse populations cannot currently be used because the data-model used in the 2015 plan is no longer the best available information.

In Wyoming, a land exchange that would increase public access and improve resource management cannot proceed and in Utah, court-ordered travel management planning has been slowed while routes are re-evaluated for conformance with the earlier sage-grouse plans. The impact to the states goes on, but the BLM is complying with the court’s order by conforming its actions to the 2015 plans while the draft SEISs undergo public review and comment.  

States primarily manage wildlife species, and federal agencies like the BLM manage wildlife habitat. The 2019 plans were adopted after months of close coordination and cooperation with state governments in the affected states. The goal was to better align BLM plans for managing habitat with state plans for conserving the species, including state plans for compensatory mitigation, while addressing the circumstances and needs of each individual state. 

The 2019 plans received bipartisan support from the governors who sought changes to the 2015 plans for their respective states.

The draft SEISs are now available online. The BLM will accept comments on the documents starting Friday, February 21, 2020, through April 6, 2020.

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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals. 

Linn County Undersheriff Paul Timm reports on Saturday March 7, between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00p.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting a semi-annual test of the Linn-Benton Alert system. 

Linn-Benton Alert is a system that can push out emergency notifications to Linn and Benton County residents of emergencies, evacuations or other emergency events.  Residents can sign up for the notifications by clicking on “Linn-Benton Alert” at the bottom right-hand corner of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office website at linnsheriff.org.  Residents can choose how and where they receive alerts including cell, home, and/or work phone, by text message or TTY (hearing impaired devices) and more.

What: SAIF will be presenting a free, half-day seminar on agriculture safety and health on Wednesday, March 4 in English and on Thursday, March 5 in Spanish.

Who should attend: The seminars are designed primarily for people working in agriculture, but are open to anyone interested in ag safety and health—they don't have to be insured by SAIF. Registration is required.

When: Wednesday, March 4 and Thursday, March 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch is included.

Where: The Lane Events Center, located at 796 West 13th Avenue.

More information: Below and at www.saif.com/agseminars. SAIF safety management consultants are available for interviews on the seminars and ag safety. Photos from last year’s seminars are available by request.

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Free farm safety seminars held in 17 cities across Oregon

Summary: SAIF’s annual ag seminars will be held in 17 cities across the state and online in English and Spanish.

Farm work is a whole lot safer than it used to be. But as far as SAIF is concerned, even one injury or illness is too many.

That’s why SAIF is offering 29 free ag safety seminars in 17 cities across Oregon. The first was held in La Grande on October 28, and they’ll continue through March 2020. Nine of the seminars will be presented entirely in Spanish. Last year, more than 2,180 workers and employers attended SAIF’s seminars.

“We purposely hold these in the off-season to encourage attendance,” said Courtney Merriott, senior safety management consultant at SAIF and presenter at this year’s seminars. “Our goal is to provide the latest safety content for the industry, so that every ag worker goes home safe and healthy each night.”

This year’s seminars will focus on four topics: respiratory personal protective equipment, working at elevation, safety leadership for anyone, and incident analysis—a structured process for identifying what happened and reducing recurrence of injuries moving forward.

In March, SAIF will also offer webinars online in English and, new this year, Spanish.

The seminars are designed primarily for people working in agriculture but are open to anyone interested in ag safety and health—they don’t have to be insured by SAIF.

In-person seminars will be held in Bandon, Central Point, Clackamas, Corvallis, Eugene, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, Klamath Falls, La Grande, Madras, Milton-Freewater, Ontario, Salem, The Dalles, Wilsonville, and Woodburn.

Spanish seminars will be held in Central Point, Eugene, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, Salem, The Dalles, Wilsonville, and Woodburn.

All will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and lunch will be provided.

Employers with small ag businesses who attend the seminar, or watch the webinars, will meet OSHA’s instructional requirement—one of four requirements that exempt small agricultural operations from random OSHA inspections.

Three hours of technical and one hour of business continuing education credits will be offered if approved by the Landscape Contractors Board. Producer continuing education credit hours for licensed insurance agents have been requested and are pending approval by the Department of Consumer and Business Services.

More information—including registration details—can be found at www.saif.com/agseminars.

About SAIF

SAIF is Oregon's not-for-profit workers' compensation insurance company. Since 1914, we've been taking care of injured workers, helping people get back to work, and striving to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work. For more information, visit the About SAIF page on saif.com.

The Oregon Lottery is one of three United States lotteries to receive the “Sustaining Level,” the highest responsible gaming verification standard in the U.S. Presented by the National Council on Problem Gambling and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, the Oregon Lottery earned that level of certification for its responsible gaming program.

To accomplish this designation, the Oregon Lottery’s responsible gaming program was reviewed by a panel of independent assessors with expertise in the field of responsible gaming.  As part of the review process, the Oregon Lottery was found to have demonstrated strong programs are in place that focus on employee training, retailer training, public education and awareness, product oversight, research and marketing and advertising programs.

“The Oregon Lottery was selected as a pilot lottery for the NASPL verification program in 2016 and achieved the highest level available at that time,” said Oregon Lottery Director Barry Pack. “Achieving the ‘Sustaining Level’ demonstrates the Oregon Lottery’s deep commitment to continuous improvement of responsible gaming programming.”

The new certification comes after the Oregon Lottery achieved a Level 4 certification distinction from the World Lottery Association in 2018.  This also is the highest level of certification achievable through WLA.

Additional information about the Oregon Lottery’s responsible gaming program can be found at https://oregonlottery.org/play-responsibly/

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On Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. EST, Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Casey Hammond will hold a media teleconference to discuss the availability of supplemental environmental impact statements to the 2019 Greater Sage-Grouse conservation plans.  The SEISs respond to a 2019 preliminary injunction suspending implementation of the plans.

Who:  Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Casey Hammond
What:  Media teleconference to discuss the Greater Sage-Grouse plans
When:  3:00 p.m. EST, Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Call details:  All credentialed news media are invited to participate. You must RSVP at BLM_press@blm.gov prior to the call to receive the call-in number and passcode for today’s teleconference.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.

February 18, 2020

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

Program contact: Daphne Peck, 503-373-1985, c.info@dhsoha.state.or.us">herc.info@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Health Evidence Review Commission and Value-based Benefits Subcommittee meet March 12

What: Public meetings of the Health Evidence Review Commission (HERC) and its Value-based Benefits Subcommittee.

When: Thursday, March 12. Value-based Benefits Subcommittee meets 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the HERC meeting 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Where: Clackamas Community College Wilsonville Training Center, Rooms 111-112, 29353 SW Town Center Loop E, Wilsonville. The public also may attend via a listen-only conference line at 888-204-5984, access code 801373; or by webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/3701763579796023053.

Value-based Benefits Subcommittee agenda: Items scheduled for discussion could include, but may not be limited to: biennial review 2022: reprioritization of foreign body in the ear and nose, reprioritization of surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis, reprioritization of Meniere’s disease; external cardiac monitoring; bone marrow transplant for sickle cell disease; compression garments; peripheral nerve ablation; bone grafts; cranial electrical stimulation guideline entry update; acupuncture for cancer related pain; peer support for physical health conditions; guideline revision for telehealth, telemedicine, teleconsultation and online services; MRI of the knee; MRI of the shoulder; female genital mutilation repair; modify psoriasis guideline; various straightforward coding and guideline changes and corrections.

Topics that remain unresolved at the conclusion of the morning's VbBS meeting will not be heard by HERC until a later date. Public notice of tabled topics will be announced 28 days before the next scheduled discussion.

HERC agenda: The full committee will consider the following topics: Value-based Benefits Subcommittee Report from this day's meeting; subcommittee appointment to VBBS; conflict of interest requirements, forms and discussion: updates and Q&A. For more information about the meetings, visit the committee’s website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/DSI-HERC/Pages/Meetings-Public.aspx.

The meeting agenda and materials will be available one week before the meeting.

# # #

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 Daphne Peck at 503-373-1985, 711 TTY or c.info@dhsoha.state.or.us">herc.info@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the event. Written comments are also welcome at c.info@dhsoha.state.or.us">herc.info@dhsoha.state.or.us.

February 18, 2020

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

Program contact: Pete Edlund, 503-931-8873, .m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us">peter.m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

CCO Metrics and Scoring Committee meets February 21

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

When: February 21, 9 a.m. to noon.

Where: Five Oak Building, Suite 775, Transformation Training Room, 421 SW Oak St., Portland. The public also may join remotely through a webinar at ttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/6785343942173754125 and listen-only conference line at 888-204-5984, access code 1277166.

Agenda: Welcome, consent agenda, and general updates; chair and vice-chair vote; public testimony (9:20-9:35); follow-up from January meeting: current and developmental measures against framework for health equity, quality improvement summary, review current measure selection criteria; finalize recommendations to HPQMC regarding 2021 aligned measures menu: program and measure history, discuss equity and obesity measures presented last month; adjourn.

For more information, please visit the committee's website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/ANALYTICS/Pages/Metrics-Scoring-Committee.aspx.

# # #

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 at 503-931-8873, 711 TTY, .m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us">peter.m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

PORTLAND, Ore. – On Mar. 7, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will host the Pacific Northwest debut of Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life, a new presentation of the groundbreaking anatomical exhibition series BODY WORLDS that has been seen by more than 50 million people globally. 

The opening in March will mark the third time a BODY WORLDS exhibit has been featured at OMSI. In 2006, BODY WORLDS 3: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies became the most popular exhibit in the museum’s history. 

The 10,000-square-foot exhibit, designed by BODY WORLDS’ creative and conceptual designer Dr. Angelina Whalley, is different from the two previous BODY WORLDS exhibits at OMSI. It focuses on the human life cycle, capturing the body at every stage—at its most healthy, as it changes, grows, matures, and finally wanes. 

“We are thrilled to once again bring BODY WORLDS to the Pacific Northwest. This extraordinary exhibit will offer our visitors a unique experience and spark conversations about the many changes experienced during each phase of life and highlight the steps we can all take to remain fit, healthy, and active,” said Nancy Stueber, OMSI president. 

In addition to showcasing the wonders of human development, the exhibit’s numerous specimens demonstrate the complexity, resilience, and vulnerability of the human body when in distress, when stricken by disease and when in optimal health. All specimens presented in the BODY WORLDS exhibitions are preserved through plastination, a scientific process invented by pioneering anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens.

Highlights of BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life include:
    More than 100 specimens specially curated for this exhibition. Visitors will see individual organs and systems, as well as full-body plastinates in various poses including football players, gymnasts and more.
    A stunning look at conception and prenatal development, which features a multimedia display on cell division and a remarkable collection of plastinates acquired from historical anatomical collections. 
    The Artists’ Gaze – an exploration of the sight and vision of artists Claude Monet and Edgar Degas, who suffered from cataracts and retinal eye disease. 
    Centennial Village – a feature on findings from geographic clusters around the world that are home to the longest living people on earth, from Okinawa, Japan, to Ovodda, Sardinia, to the Hunza region of Pakistan. These people, who defy what longevity means, have been found to share common traits and lifestyle practices that are worthy of attention.

The BODY WORLDS series was originally conceived to educate the public about the inner workings of the human body and to reveal the long-term effects of both healthy and unhealthy lifestyles. BODY WORLDS is the first exhibition of its kind to inform the visitor about anatomy, physiology and health by viewing real human bodies donated to the Institute for Plastination, established by Dr. von Hagens in 1977. 

"Dr. von Hagens originally developed plastination as a way to teach people about the human body and show its full potential,” said Dr. Angelina Whalley, director of the Institute for Plastination. “Today, BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life is the perfect way to use this science to showcase the beauty of the human body and reveal the secrets of vitality, longevity and well-being."  

BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life opens at OMSI on Mar. 7 and will remain on exhibit through Sep. 13. Tickets to this exhibit, which include general museum admission, are $26 for adults, $18 for youth (ages 3-13), and $22 for seniors (ages 63+). Prices for OMSI Members are $12 for adults, $10 for youth, and $11 for seniors. Guests can purchase tickets online at omsi.edu, via phone at 503.797.4000, or in person at the museum starting Feb. 17. Due to tremendous public interest, advance ticket purchase is recommended. 

About BODY WORLDS 
Invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977, the plastination process replaces the natural fluids in the specimen with liquid reactive plastics that are hardened and cured with gas, light, or heat. Before hardening the plastic in the specimens, the plastinates are fixed into extraordinary, lifelike poses, illustrating how our bodies internally respond to everyday movements and activities. Plastination provides the flexibility and strength needed to display and preserve the specimens in their true-to-life form, without the use of glass barriers or formaldehyde. Dr. von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS exhibitions stem from an established body donation program that relies on donor consent. The specimens on display, excluding a small number of acquisitions from anatomical collections and anatomy programs, stem from a body donation program that was begun in the early 1980s by Dr. von Hagens.

About OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI operates the largest museum-based outdoor science education program in the country and provides traveling and community outreach programs that bring science learning opportunities to schools and community organizations in every county in Oregon and throughout the region. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit omsi.edu. 

(Springfield, Oregon) Feb. 18, 2020—PacificSource Community Solutions, the Medicaid division of PacificSource Health Plans, has announced the directors who will lead the Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) that provide Medicaid services in Lane County, Marion and Polk Counties, the Columbia Gorge, and Central Oregon. Additionally, PacificSource and its partner Legacy Health will provide support as an Integrated Delivery System within Health Share of Oregon, which manages the Portland CCO.

“The directors serve as a critical link between the health plan, the community, and the CCO governing boards,” said Lindsey Hopper, vice president of Medicaid for PacificSource. “Their commitment to supporting the communities where they live and work will serve our members well.”

Elke Towey will serve as the director of the Columbia Gorge CCO, serving Hood River and Wasco Counties. She most recently served as PacificSource’s Columbia Gorge CCO program manager.

Alexa Galluzzo will serve as the director for Legacy Medicaid Portland, serving Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Galluzzo most recently served as a managing consultant for The Partners Group, and prior to that as the director for PacificSource’s Healthy Life program.

Brian Laing will serve as the director for the Lane County CCO. He most recently served as health plan planning and execution manager for Cambia Health Solutions.

Josie Silverman-Méndez will serve as director for the Marion County and Polk County CCO. She most recently served as the implementation lead for the Cover All Kids program for the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

Leslie Neugebauer will remain in her current role as director for Central Oregon’s CCO, serving Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, and Northern Klamath Counties.

PacificSource Community Solutions has served as the Columbia Gorge’s and Central Oregon’s CCO since 2012. In 2019, the OHA renewed those contracts and awarded PacificSource Community Solutions additional contracts to provide CCO services in Lane, Marion, and Polk Counties, beginning in January 2020. Trillium Community Health Plan also provides CCO services for members in Lane County.

About PacificSource Community Solutions:

PacificSource Community Solutions is part of the PacificSource family of companies serving Oregon’s Medicaid population. PacificSource Health Plans is an independent, not-for-profit community health plan serving the Northwest. Founded in 1933, PacificSource has local offices in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. The PacificSource family of companies employs more than 1200 people, serves more than 490,000 individuals, and has 3,900 employer clients throughout the Northwest. For more information visit PacificSource.com.

PORTLAND, Ore. February 18, 2020—OnPoint Community Credit Union today announced the kickoff of its 11th annual OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education. The campaign will award up to $100,000 this year to outstanding public or private K-12 teachers and schools, including paying the mortgage of the two winning teachers for one full year. The nomination period opens today, February 18, and concludes on April 14. Click here to nominate an individual or special project.

“OnPoint was founded in 1932 by 16 schoolteachers and we honor their legacy today through our continued investment in quality education for the communities we serve,” said Rob Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “We recognize our region’s talented educators each year to not only celebrate our roots, but also to showcase the impact of a great education.” 

OnPoint has awarded more than $370,000 in prizes to 260 local educators and schools since it began the Prize for Excellence in Education in 2009. Winners will be announced on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at a reception with live KGW coverage. This year’s prizes include: 

• Educators of the Year:
  • Grand Prize: Two teachers (one K–8 and one 9–12) will have their mortgages paid for one full year and $2,500 donated to their schools.
  • Finalists: Two teachers (one K–8 and one 9–12) will each receive a $5,000 cash award and $1,500 for their schools.
• Circle of Excellence: Six additional teachers will be named to the Circle of Excellence and will each receive a $1,500 cash award and $1,000 for their schools.
• Community Builder Awards:
  • Four schools will receive $2,000 for a special project of their choice.
  • A fifth school, selected by community votes, will receive $5,000.

Last year’s winners of Educators of the Year were Francesca Aultman, 5th grade teacher at Gilbert Heights Elementary School in the Portland Public School District, and Tori Sharpe, English, AVID and ELL teacher at Skyview High School in the Vancouver School District.  

Aultman is described as a “beacon of equity” for her students. She was recognized by OnPoint last year for helping students overcome their struggles, build confidence and achieve their goals.  

“Winning the OnPoint Prize has alleviated so much financial pressure on my husband and me; he is also a teacher,” said Aultman. “This award has made everything a little bit more manageable and has allowed us to make real progress on our financial goals – a huge gift. Thank you OnPoint for your support of my family and the region’s education community.”

Sharpe inspires learning and creativity in her class and her entire community. She engages her students in the way that is best for them, whether it be through pop culture, stories, music or other creative teaching tools.    

“The OnPoint Prize has changed my life,” said Sharpe. “It freed me up to do some of the charity work I’ve been wanting to do for quite some time. Courts for Kids is an organization that builds courts for kids in underprivileged areas around the world that eventually become community spaces. Because they’re international trips, they’re quite expensive. When I won the OnPoint Prize, it became a real possibility.”

Bridger Elementary School’s Scholars Program was selected by the community last year to receive OnPoint’s $2,000 Community Builder award. In addition, OnPoint selected four additional schools to receive the $1,000 Community Builder award. Last year’s winners include Molalla High School for its Friendship Courtyard, Prescott Elementary School for its SUN School Homework project, Tucker Maxon School for its Special Needs Projector and Sound System, and Vose Elementary for its Ballet Folklorico After School Club.

Information about the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education and nomination forms are now available at www.onpointprize.com. Anyone can nominate an educator, and educators may also nominate themselves. Applicants must be a full-time or job-share classroom teacher, counselor or librarian of grades K-12 in an accredited public, private or charter school located within any county that OnPoint serves (Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill counties in Oregon, and Clark and Skamania counties in Washington). For information about the campaign, additional qualifications and contest rules, please see www.onpointprize.com.

In addition to the Prize for Excellence in Education, OnPoint supports regional education in many other ways, including:

• Helping De La Salle North Catholic High School students gain valuable real-life work experience
• Collecting school supplies and cash donations at branch locations for Schoolhouse Supplies; and
• Supporting Babies With Books, where student leaders to give out books and share the value of reading in Randall Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

OnPoint also partners with Financial Beginnings, Junior Achievement, and Portland Workforce Alliance to provide financial literacy and workforce development education. In 2019, OnPoint employees used 485 paid volunteer hours for financial education efforts, impacting 3,500 students.

ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 392,000 members and with assets of $6.3 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union's membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 13 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.

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The FBI has launched the “Protected Voices” initiative to help 2020 political campaigns and American voters protect against online foreign influence operations and cyber security threats. The Protected Voices campaign includes information and guidance from the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

This FBI Portland Tech Tuesday report is adapted from the Protected Voices initiative with a focus on providing cyber security information to political campaigns as well as businesses and individuals in Oregon. More information on all aspects of the initiative, including video downloads, can be found at www.FBI.gov/ProtectedVoices.

(Audio)

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. This week: building a digital defense with passwords… or rather passphrases.

We all use passwords. We use them for our phones, our computers, our email, and just about every other kind of personal account.

Unfortunately, many of us use simple passwords, such as Password1 or 1234, because they’re easier to remember. Some of us even reuse the same simple password for multiple accounts. 

If you use a simple password or pattern of characters, it’s considerably easier for an adversary to crack. Many businesses and sites require that passwords include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. However, recent guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST, advises that password length is much more important than password complexity. 

Instead of using a short, complex password that is hard to remember… consider using a longer passphrase. This involves combining multiple words into a long string of at least 15 characters. The extra length of a passphrase makes it harder to crack while also making it easier for you to remember.

For example, a phrase such as VoicesProtected2020WeAre is a strong passphrase. Even better – a passphrase that combines multiple unrelated words such as “director month learn truck.”

Here are the recommendations from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for your organization:

• Require everyone to use longer passwords or passphrases of 15 or more characters without requiring uppercase, lowercase, or special characters.
• Only require password changes when there’s a reason to believe your network has been compromised.
• Have your network administrators screen everyone’s passwords against lists of dictionary words and passwords known to have been compromised.
• To help prevent a denial of service attack against your email service, don’t lock a user’s account after a certain number of incorrect login attempts. That way, even if an adversary floods your network with purposefully incorrect login information, your users won’t be locked out of their accounts.
• Don’t allow password “hints.”

Finally, some people use password keeper programs. These programs store all of your passwords in one place, sometimes called a vault. Some programs can even make strong passwords for you and keep track of them all in one location, so then the only password or passphrase you have to remember is the one for your vault.

The downside of using a password keeper program is that if an attacker cracks your vault password, then he or she knows all of your passwords for all of your accounts. But many IT professionals agree, the benefit of a password keeper program far outweighs this risk. A little research should help you get started. 

Remember your voice matters, so protect it. Go to www.FBI.gov/ProtectedVoices for more information.

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Today (2/17/2020) at 4:35 PM Marion County Fire District#1 (MCFD1) was dispatched to report of an apartment fire at 2500 Lancaster Drive NE in Salem.  Initial crews arrived and reported heavy smoke and fire in a two story apartment building with four units.  Fire was extending to two floors and into the attic. A second alarm was called to bring additional resources to assist. Crews made an aggressive attack on the fire while beginning to search each apartment for occupants. One occupant located in a ground floor apartment was rescued by firefighters. The occupant was unconscious and was transported to Salem Hospital and remains there in critical condition. The name of the occupant will not be released at this time. The remainder of the apartments had been evacuated prior to arrival of the fire department and no other occupants were located by crews assigned to search. MCFD1 responded to the fire with three engines, one rescue unit, 2 medic units, one Fire Marshal and a Battalion Chief.  The second alarm brought equipment from our neighboring departments including Salem Fire with one Engine, one Ladder and a Battalion Chief, Keizer Fire District with one engine, Woodburn Fire District with one engine and a Falck Ambulance . Aumsville Fire District and Silverton Fire District assisted with coverage for our stations during the fire. The fire severely damaged the apartment building and nine occupants of the four apartments were displaced. Red Cross is on scene assisting.  Fire Investigators were on scene this afternoon and evening and will return to do follow up investigation tomorrow. The fire remains under investigation and there is no cause determined at this time.  Other than the one occupant who was rescued there were no additional injuries to the public or to Firefighters.

On Monday, February 17, 2020 at approximately 3:00 P.M., Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a vehicle crash on Hwy 101 near milepost 323.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a red Ford Ranger pickup, operated by Jerry Vanhoosen (70) of Kerman, CA. had been northbound on Hwy 101 when it left the roadway, impacted a tree, and came to rest in a ravine.  

Vanhoosen was pronounced deceased. 

Vanhoosen had been reported missing to the Brookings Police Department on February 11 and it is believed the last known contact with Vanhoosen was on February 8.

Brookings Police Department had been actively looking for Vanhoosen with assistance from the Curry County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue.

UPDATE 021720 at 1730 hours Case #20-3046

White City Shooting Investigation

CENTRAL POINT, Or-  The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has announced charges have been filed regarding the shooting investigation on 021620 on Lakeview Dr. at Merry Ln in White City, Oregon.

On the night of the incident two subjects were detained after leaving the scene of the shooting in the victim’s car.

Devon James Wright, dob 110494, last known address 3200 block of Britt Ave, Medford, Or. was originally lodged on a Parole Violation charge.

Tylar Jordan Rossiter, dob 031391, last known address 8200 block of 24th St. White City, Or. was lodged on a charge of Probation Violation.

After further investigation of the incident, on 021720 JCSO detectives charged Wright with additional charges of Assault First Degree, Assault Second Degree, Robbery First Degree and Attempted Murder Second Degree. He is being held on a total of $400,000 bail at Jackson County Jail.

No additional charges have been filed at this time against Rossiter.

The victim has been identified as Juan Robert Leach, 27 years old. He remains hospitalized for treatment of his injuries.

Investigation into the case is continuing. Detectives are asking anyone who may have more information about this case  to contact Detective Steve Bohn at the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 541-774-6168

JCSO Case 20-3046

WHITE CITY, Or.  On 021620 at 1719 hours Jackson County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a report of an adult male who was bleeding from his arm, requesting an ambulance in the area of Lakeview Dr. and Merry Lane in White City, Oregon. Deputies arriving at the scene found the injuries were bullet wounds. Shortly after the initial report, deputies were advised that a suspicious vehicle had left the scene at a high speed driving recklessly. The two events were believed to be related.

The investigation revealed that the victim of the shooting and two subjects were inside the victim’s vehicle when he was shot. The vehicle was parked at the intersection of Lakeview and Merry. After the victim was shot, the victim fled from the car on foot and the two subjects fled in the victim's vehicle.

At about 1740 hours, the suspicious vehicle was located off of Gramercy Rd. Subsequently, two persons of interest were detained. There is no on-going threat to the community.

The victim was transported by Mercy to Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening wounds.

At this time the case remains under investigation. Additional details are expected to be available later today.

By Ian Rollins
Contributing writer

It takes 15 seconds to check a child’s vision, to determine if the child needs glasses or further eye care.

That 15 seconds can change a child’s life. Without the screening, a child with vision problems will likely struggle in school, possibly becoming one of the nearly 20 percent of high school students across Oregon who don’t graduate. In fact, a student who can’t read at grade level by the end of third grade is 13 times less likely to graduate from high school.

With the screening, the child has a much greater chance to get the vision help that he or she needs, which can lead to success in school. That can lead the child beyond high school graduation to advanced degrees and successful careers, and it can set the child up to become one of your community’s future leaders.

The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation can do this screening in 15 seconds with vision-testing equipment. In fact, the foundation and its partners can screen an elementary school with 450 students in two hours. But the foundation needs help to screen every student across the state.

The Oregon Legislature has mandated that every elementary school student through age 7 across the state have a documented vision screening. The Legislature has incorporated funds within the Oregon Department of Education budget to cover screening for students up to their senior year in high school, with funding priority given to students pre-kindergarten through third grade.

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has $2 million per year for the 2019-2020 and 2020-21 fiscal years for the screenings. The funds cover almost half of Oregon’s students through 12th grade, which means the Foundation needs further support from the communities it serves across Oregon.

Colt Gill, ODE Director, participated in a recent vision screening in Salem and noted, “Based on the results, some of the students will be heading to the eye doctor. That will set them on a path to learning and being successful in school so I really appreciate the work.”

"Support for vision screening of Oregon students is basically joining the alliance of those working to improve our high school graduation rate here in Oregon,” said Doug Thompson, executive director of the foundation. “This is our future workforce so let's equip them now with the tools needed to be successful in life."

The recent Foundation screening at Liberty Elementary School in Salem showcased what the Foundation can do for elementary school students. Each class took their turns getting screened, with five Health Career students from Sprague High School using the hand-held screening machines to check the kids’ vision. Members of the South Salem Lions Club directed traffic, which moved quickly between the 15-second screenings.

The Foundation will report the results back to the Salem-Keizer school district which will work with the parents to get eye care to the students who need it.

Lynn Oehler, lead nurse for the district, said the machines can detect with 13 measures up to 8 conditions in each eye.

“We have a pretty high rate of referrals for further care, but it’s mainly for conditions like astigmatism and other conditions that can be easily corrected,” Oehler said. “When we catch these conditions at a younger age, it absolutely helps the student’s learning process.”

“And it’s so much more efficient with the new technology,” said Eric Richards, director of student services for the Salem-Keizer School District. Prior to the handheld machines, the foundation used eye charts, which don’t allow for testing of nearly as many conditions.

“This is a wonderful service and an important partnership with the Foundation,” Richards said.

Brad King, one of the Foundation’s screening coordinators, said the Foundation is planning to screen an entire Portland-area high school with more than 2,800 students. He anticipated it will take an entire day but will be worth it to make sure any students with vision problems are identified.

With local financial support and partnership, the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation can reach every student in the state. The Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit, with a four-star ranking from Charity Navigator, and due to all administrative expenses being covered by its own long term investment fund every dollar raised by the organization directly supports its sight and hearing services.

OLSHF maintains a yearly review with the Better Business Bureau. The organization meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability and is a BBB Accredited Charity. 

The Foundation can screen a child for $3.20, which is about 10 percent of the cost in an optometric office. The Department of Education’s budget for screenings is enough to cover more than 281,000 students per year, kindergarten through 12th grade, not enough to cover all of Oregon’s 582,000 students.

“Your support of the screenings would be used to offset any costs not covered by the state for screenings in your community,” Thompson said. “It would also assist with the costs associated with helping the students referred as needing a follow-up exam and new eyeglasses, to receive them.”

For more information, please contact Doug Thompson at DougT@olshf.org or call the Foundation at (503) 413-7399.

The Oregon State Police is continuing the investigation into the OIS in Silverton.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that William Bluestone was in possession of a handgun at the time of the shooting.

The Silverton Officer was wearing a body worn camera and the incident was recorded.  It is unable to be released at this time as this is an open/active investigation.

The Oregon State Police and Marion County DA’s office understands the public’s desire to know immediate information when an officer is involved in a deadly use of force.  However in an effort to complete a fair and thorough investigation information needs to be withheld until after a Grand Jury can be convened to hear the facts of the case, as is Marion County District Attorneys standard practice.

No more information is available to be released at this time.

On February 14, 2020 at approximately 12:40 P.M., Silverton Police Department personnel responded to a reported domestic violence disturbance at 911 Reserve St. Apt.#3, in Silverton.

Shortly after arriving, officers located the involved man, William Bluestone (21) of Bend/Silverton, concealed in the bedroom of the apartment. Bluestone told officers he was armed with a handgun and barricaded himself.

Officers attempted to negotiate his surrender for more than an hour when shots were fired. Bluestone was pronounced deceased by medical personnel who arrived shortly thereafter.

This investigation is being led by the Oregon State Police with the assistance of the Salem Police Department, Marion County Sheriff's Office and Keizer Police Department. The Marion County District Attorney’s Office is overseeing the investigation and will release additional details when appropriate.

The involved officer was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation as per protocol.

MEDFORD, Or.   The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office reports that a County Jail  inmate died after being transported to a local hospital in Medford on February 15, 2020. Carl George Sullivant, age 46, passed away at Rogue Regional Medical Center Saturday afternoon following a medical emergency which occurred while he was in custody at the Jackson County Jail.

 Sullivant, who was in custody following a conviction for drug related charges, was alone in a jail cell when deputies found him unresponsive at about 0745 hours. Medical staff and EMS were notified and he was transported to RRMC. Sullivant was awake and responsive when he left the Jackson County Jail but passed away a few hours later at approximately 1620 hours.

Information from the preliminary investigation revealed Sullivant tripped in his cell, fell and struck his head. It is unknown if a pre-existing medical condition was present prior to the fall but he had indicated he was not feeling well and was moved from general housing to an area where medical staff could observe him more closely.

The Ashland Police Department along with the Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit are investigating the incident, standard procedure for any death which occurs while in custody. As part of the investigation an autopsy will be scheduled.

More details will be released following completion of the investigation.

More than 200 career and volunteer firefighters from more than 75 fire agencies (city and tribal fire departments, fire districts, and wildland) throughout the state are at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem this weekend for the State's annual Winter Fire School.

This two-day event began with the posting of the colors by the Oregon Fire Service Honor Guard after which all military service members in attendance were recognized for protecting our nation.  Those attending the training made a $500 donation to help support the state's Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial which is located on the grounds of the Academy and honors more than 150 men and women from diverse backgrounds who died in the line of duty while protecting our communities, airports and natural resources.

This is the 17th annual Winter Fire School hosted by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) and is held at the Oregon Public Safety Academy 4190 Aumsville Highway in Salem.

Nine classes are being offered by the National Fire Academy, DPSST, and the City of Dallas Fire & EMS Department.

Classes range from leadership topics such as Incident Safety Officer, Leadership in Supervision: Creating Environments for Professional Growth, Instructor Development, Fire Service Culture: Who Protects Firefighters from Firefighters?, Leadership in Supervision: Frameworks to Success, Wildland Urban Interface: Fire Adapted Communities-Introduction and Leadership.  Hands-on training classes include Vehicle Extrication, Emergency Vehicle Operations, and Live-Fire Training.

DPSST Director Eriks Gabliks said "DPSST is proud to offer this weekend training event each year.  This event is held in a weekend setting because over 80% of the firefighters in Oregon are volunteers. This two-day event is the largest two-day fire training experience in the Pacific Northwest that is offered free of charge.  The hands-on classes being offered are using training props which DPSST recently received thanks to a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant."

While many people are aware of DPSST's law enforcement training programs, they may not realize that DPSST is also the state fire training organization for Oregon and provides hundreds of training opportunities to more than 7,000 firefighters each year at the Academy and at regional locations statewide free of charge with funds provided by the Oregon Legislative Assembly from the state's Fire Insurance Premium Tax.

DPSST appreciates the red carpet hospitality local businesses, and the Salem community as a whole, roll-out for the career and volunteer firefighters attending this weekend training opportunity.

## 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 serves as the Chair of the Board. The department implements minimum standards established by the Board for the training and certification of more than 45,000 city, tribal, county and state law enforcement officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, fire service personnel, 9-1-1 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.

Western Oregon University (WOU) is offering the opportunity for current and incoming Concordia University-Portland students to be instantly admitted to WOU at a Portland open house on Friday, Feb. 21. There will be numerous representatives from WOU's student services and academic programs on site to answer questions and offer advising. The open house will be in the McMenamins Kennedy School Gymnasium from noon to 3 p.m. at 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave.

To be admitted on-site, current Concordia students looking to transfer to WOU should bring a copy of their Concordia transcript (official copy preferred). Those admitted for fall 2020 should bring a copy of their high school or prior institution transcript (official copy preferred). Admissions applications will be available to complete at the open house and the application fee will be waived.

Any undergraduate or graduate student transferring from Concordia or who had been accepted for fall 2020 admission to Concordia will receive at least $1,000 toward WOU tuition. Students must add WOU’s school code (003209) to their FAFSA/ORSA and/or scholarship application and may be eligible for more financial assistance.

WOU is striving to be the most affordable transfer opportunity for Concordia students and offers personalized support to help students find pathways to graduation. WOU has created a dedicated team to support Concordia students interested in attending Western Oregon and contact information for those individuals can be found at wou.edu/WelcomeCavs.

Students can register for the open house here: http://bit.ly/2PcA2tN.

About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, founded in 1856 and located in Monmouth, is the state’s oldest public university. Serving approximately 5,000 students, WOU is a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution with nearly 75 percent of the student population being from Oregon. A significant portion of attendees are members of under-represented groups, veterans or non-traditional students. WOU is Oregon’s campus of choice for those seeking a transformative education in a supportive, student-centered learning community where classes are taught by faculty. Together we succeed.

# # #

On February 14th, 2020 at 4 PM, Lincoln County Sheriff's Deputies were dispatched to an armed juvenile outside the Siletz Valley School.  The caller to dispatch was a staff member at the school.  The staff member told dispatch the areas of the school near the subject had been evacuated and school staff were trying to speak with her.  The subject, a 12-year-old student, was despondent and threatening to harm herself with a knife.

On-shift members of Lincoln County's Tactical Response Team (TRT) were the first to arrive. TRT members deployed with concealed less-lethal force options to ensure the area was safe and keep the juvenile's behavior from escalating until additional personnel could be summoned.  Trained negotiators from the newly-formed Crisis Negotiations Team arrived and began communicating with the juvenile.  The juvenile agreed to surrender the knife after about 45 minutes of negotiations.  She was taken into protective custody by members of the TRT without further incident.  Neither the juvenile or any responders sustained injury after law enforcement arrived.

Members of the Siletz Valley Fire District and Pacific West Ambulance assisted at the scene.  The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office thanks the staff members of the Siletz Valley School for their quick reaction and compassionate response to a student in crisis.

MEDIA HOTLINE: 1-800-570-5838

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 14, 2020

Pacific Power rate filings reflect low-cost, clean energy transformation

Company’s first general rate filing in seven years and 2021 power costs forecast propose a 1.6 percent overall increase along with noteworthy investments in renewables, grid reliability,
and customer service enhancements

PORTLAND, Ore. (Feb. 14, 2020) — How the West generates, delivers and consumes electricity is undergoing a rapid change with customer preferences at its center. Today Pacific Power filed requests with the Public Utility Commission of Oregon that updates its costs and represents a major rethinking of how the company produces, transports and delivers electricity to power Oregon’s future.

After seven years of investment without raising prices, the new proposals include a 1.6 percent average increase reflecting the implementation of Pacific Power’s Energy Vision 2020 renewable energy and transmission initiative, multiple customer service enhancements, investments in wildfire mitigation, cyber security, and innovative rate design proposals to increase transparency and opportunity for customers to better manage their energy use. The company has also focused on expanding its renewable resources and improving how customers receive information through improved outage notification, online tools and apps, and advanced energy-management capabilities.

Innovative and efficient improvements for Pacific Power customers over the last seven years have resulted in lowering the company’s fixed operating costs by more than $60 million. The rate case also reflects additional operational savings associated with the early retirement of Cholla 4, a 395 MW coal unit located in Arizona. By pioneering a new western energy market that is simultaneously decarbonizing the grid, customers are receiving more than $60 million per year in savings.

In the last three years, the company has made historic multi-billion dollar investments in renewable energy and grid upgrades that nearly double the amount of renewable energy capacity available to serve customers. These long-term investments are also projected to save customers several hundred million dollars.

“Pacific Power’s top priority is to deliver affordable, safe, reliable and increasingly clean electricity to our customers and communities so they can thrive,” said Stefan Bird, president and CEO of Pacific Power. “These filings reflect significant progress to-date and we are committed to continue to innovate and provide our customers with industry-leading, sustainable energy solutions.”

The requests include new rate designs for customers that will more fairly reflect costs across different usage levels and remove disincentives for customers who choose an electric vehicle. A new time-of-use pilot will help customers save money when they adjust their usage times and a bill credit will be available for all customers who choose paperless billing.

Bill impacts from Pacific Power’s proposed increase would vary for different customers depending upon their particular situation and energy usage preferences. Even with the proposed changes, Pacific Power’s energy price changes since 2014 are well below inflation and rates will continue to be well below the national average.

What’s next?

The Oregon Commission will examine Pacific Power’s requests and will determine whether the schedule should be accepted as filed, modified, or rejected. If accepted as filed, the rate change would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2021. The Commission has the authority to set final rates that may be lower or higher than the company’s request, depending on the outcome of its examination.

How it works

The requested rate change would be an increase of $21.6 million, or 1.6 percent, effective on January 1, 2021. The impact on an average residential customer using 900 kWh per month would be $4.03, if the filings are approved by the Public Utility Commission of Oregon. This represents the combination of two filings for Pacific Power customers, the first of which requested an overall rate change of $70.8 million, or 5.4 percent, to become effective on January 1, 2021. The expected impact of this filing by itself on an average residential customer using 900 kWh per month would be $6.98 per month. However, along with the overall rate change request, Pacific Power also filed its annual power cost adjustment on February 14, 2020, forecasting a reduction of $49.2 million in costs for 2021.

About Pacific Power

Pacific Power provides electric service to customers in Oregon, Washington and California. It is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, providing more than 1.9 million customers with value for their energy dollar and safe, reliable electricity. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net.

# # #

Umatilla County Flooding Events Update- Friday, February 14, 2020

As officials in Umatilla County continue to work with residents and landowners in the recovery effort from the recent flooding event, Governor Kate Brown is touring the region today to get a first-hand look at damages and express her appreciation to responders.

Damage Assessment Resources

As damage reports and assessments are completed, the numbers continue to climb.  As of Thursday, about 500 self-reported damage reported damage assessments have been received.  Disaster assessment continues throughout the county. These reports are used by Umatilla County to document the financial impacts and resource needs in the county.  Residents are encouraged to continue self-reporting these damages.  

The disaster reporting forms are available online www.umatillacounty.net

Damage assessments can also be reported to Umatilla County through the damage assessment hotline at 541-966-3671.  This hotline will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. through February 17th.

American Red Cross Shelter

The American Red Cross continues to host a shelter for victims of the flood.  This shelter is now located at the Pendleton Armory. This shelter has housed 144 overnight guests since they opened.  There are 30 Red Cross volunteers supporting this effort. CTUIR is providing additional sheltering services on the Reservation.

Numerous resources are still available for those impacted by the flood.  

Umatilla County Extension Office:  The Umatilla County Extension Office in Milton-Freewater is open today until 5 p.m. for north county residents to receive assistance on damage reporting and connect with various resources.

Hotline- A hotline was established to help connect residents to reputable and vetted relief organizations to help assist in debris clean-up services.  Response times will vary due to overwhelming need, so patience is appreciated. Please call 844-965-1386 for information.

Clean-up Safety-The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued information to ensure the safety of our residents as clean-up efforts begin.  Link to information at https://deqblog.com/2020/02/13/tips-for-safely-managing-debris-from-flood-damaged-buildings/

Take photos-for insurance purposes, make sure to document all damages prior to beginning clean-up efforts.  Take photos of all damage.

Permitting required-Umatilla County would like to remind property owners that permits are required prior to replacing or making repairs to flood damaged structures.  There are permitting requirements for homes located within a flood plain. To learn if you home is located within a flood plain, visit www.msc.fema.gov

Dumpster availability-Umatilla County has placed dumpsters for cleaning up flood waste.  These dumpsters are distributed through various locations in the community.  Reminder, the dumpsters are ONLY for flood debris. As dumpster locations are added, they will be posted at www.umatillacounty.net

This will be the last daily update for this event, unless conditions change.  Information will continue to be updated at www.umatillacounty.net

###

(Salem) – Valliscor LLC, a chemical manufacturing firm in Corvallis, has stepped up its commitment to on-the-job safety and health by completing its first year in Oregon OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).

SHARP, primarily set up to help small- and mid-sized businesses, coaches companies on how to effectively manage workplace safety and health. It empowers employers to continuously improve. In turn, companies are recognized for their success in reaching specific benchmarks. An employer becomes a graduate when it completes five years of SHARP.

Valliscor is known for its innovation, so it’s no surprise it embraced SHARP. Located within the Advanced Technology and Manufacturing Institute, Valliscor is an Oregon State University-licensed spinoff company. Its unique process allows customers in the pharmaceutical, agricultural, polymer, and electronics industries to easily add fluorine to other molecules.

In joining SHARP, Valliscor assessed and tackled a variety of safety and health issues. Pedro Molina Sanchez, safety and regulatory affairs lead for the company, said the process was “extremely valuable” in helping improve “almost every aspect of our health and safety practices and policies.”

Noting the “expertise and extensive support” of Oregon OSHA consultants, Sanchez said SHARP “accelerated our transition from a reactive to a proactive approach” to workplace safety and health. That includes increasing the company’s capacity “to identify, analyze, and communicate hazards derived from our operations more efficiently,” Sanchez said.

SHARP encourages Oregon employers to work with their employees to identify and correct hazards, and develop and implement effective safety and health programs. The benefits of the program, which is part of Oregon OSHA’s consultation services, include lower injury and illness rates, decreased workers’ compensation costs, increased employee morale, and lower product losses.

Oregon employers that have been in business for more than one year are eligible to apply for SHARP. Get more information about the program. Lean more about Oregon OSHA's no-cost consultation services.  

###

Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, visit www.osha.oregon.gov.

The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, go to www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

SALEM, Ore. – The Committee for Family Forestlands will meet Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Salem. The meeting will be in the Clatsop Room of Building C on the campus of the Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State Street. The committee’s agenda includes: 

• Private Forest Division update
• Legislative update
• Review charter
• Work plan review and future meeting topics
• Woodland owner facts
• Committee vacancies

The meeting is open to the public. Public comments will be accepted near the start of the meeting after approval of the minutes. The meeting space is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting by calling Susan Dominique at 503-945-7502.

The 13-member committee researches policies that affect family forests, natural resources and forestry benefits. Based on its findings, the committee recommends actions to the Oregon Board of Forestry and the State Forester. You can find more information at https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/CFF.aspx.

SALEM-- Oregon Governor Kate Brown visited with Oregon Army National Guard service members involved in the search and rescue efforts in Umatilla County over the past week. Gov. Kate Brown declared a state of emergency Friday afternoon for Umatilla, Union, and Wallowa counties because of flooding in those areas. Three Oregon Army National Guard helicopters were initially called out by the county to support search and rescue operations. Two Pendleton based CH-47 Chinooks provided aerial reconnaissance and an HH-60M MEDEVAC Black Hawk based out of Salem arrived on scene supporting a rescue of five civilians the first evening.

Thanks to the efforts of the Oregon Army National Guard flight crews 54 people, 10 dogs, one cat and one rabbit were rescued and transported from the flooded areas via helicopter.

"I couldn't be more proud of your Oregon National Guard members and their efforts supporting flooding this month," said Major General Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon, "They truly embody our core values of Character, Competence, Courage and Commitment, while demonstrating that we truly are part of our communities."

Gov. Brown presented the flight crews in both Salem and Pendleton with recognition and awards for their efforts.

"These Oregon National Guard Members took part in the largest search and rescue operation in Oregon's history," said Stephen Bomar, Director of Public Affairs, Oregon Military Department, "They did an amazing job supporting the community and saving lives."

In Salem, members of G. Company, 1-189 Aviation, Capt. David Sous, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brian Roche, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Corey Wadsworth, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Newgard, Staff Sgt. Dan Cleveland, Sgt. Joey Brixey, Sgt. James Gale and Sgt. Johnny Kilroy were presented Oregon Meritorious Service Medals.

In Pendleton, members of Detachment 1 B., 1-168 Aviation, Capt. Taylor Frye, Chief Warrant Officer 3 Ray Talkington, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jeremiah Williams, Staff Sgt. Steven Kirkpatrick, Sgt. Joseph Ford, Sgt. Marcus Hickman and Sgt. Skylar Leasy were presented with the Oregon Meritorious Service Medal.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Steven McDaniel, Staff Sgt. Matthew Taylor and Sgt. Katelyn Shurts, also members of Detachment 1 B., 1-168 Aviation, were presented with Oregon Commendation Medals.

The Oregon Army National Guard has six CH-47 Chinooks and 12 HH-60M Black Hawks. We also have four UH-72 Lakota's, which are often used in search and rescue operations.

Elements from the 1st Battalion, 168 Aviation Regiment, CH-47 Chinooks are scheduled to mobilize and support overseas this spring.

The Oregon Office of Emergency Management was essential with search and rescue coordination efforts as well as providing inter-agency coordination to support sustained operations throughout.

0003- Oregon Governor Kate Brown presented Oregon National Service Members with G. Company 1-189 Aviation, based out of Salem, with medals and recognition for their service during Oregon's largest search and rescue operation, Feb. 14. Thanks to the efforts of the Oregon Army National Guard flight crews 54 people, 10 dogs, one cat and one rabbit were rescued and transported from the flooded areas via helicopter during the search and rescue efforts in Umatilla County over the past week. (Photo by Paul Rushing, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs

0002- Capt. David Sous, a pilot with G. Company 1-189 Aviation, Oregon Army National Guard, stands with fellow service members as Oregon Governor Kate Brown presents them with medals and recognition for their service during Oregon's largest search and rescue operation, Feb. 14. Thanks to the efforts of the Oregon Army National Guard flight crews 54 people, 10 dogs, one cat and one rabbit were rescued and transported from the flooded areas via helicopter during the search and rescue efforts in Umatilla County over the past week. (Photo by Paul Rushing, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs

0001- Oregon Governor Kate Brown presented Oregon National Service Members with G. Company 1-189 Aviation, based out of Salem, with medals and recognition for their service during Oregon's largest search and rescue operation, Feb. 14. Thanks to the efforts of the Oregon Army National Guard flight crews 54 people, 10 dogs, one cat and one rabbit were rescued and transported from the flooded areas via helicopter during the search and rescue efforts in Umatilla County over the past week. (Photo by Paul Rushing, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

0236- Oregon Governor Kate Brown presented Oregon National Service Members with 1st Battalion, 168 Aviation Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard, based out of Pendleton, with medals and recognition for their service during Oregon's largest search and rescue operation, Feb. 14. Thanks to the efforts of the Oregon Army National Guard flight crews 54 people, 10 dogs, one cat and one rabbit were rescued and transported from the flooded areas via helicopter during the search and rescue efforts in Umatilla County over the past week. (Photo by Paula Negle, Oregon Office of emergency Management Public Affairs)

0237- Capt. Taylor Frye, a pilot with 1st Battalion, 168 Aviation Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard, based out of Pendleton, stands with fellow service members as Oregon Governor Kate Brown presents them with medals and recognition for their service during Oregon's largest search and rescue operation, Feb. 14. Thanks to the efforts of the Oregon Army National Guard flight crews 54 people, 10 dogs, one cat and one rabbit were rescued and transported from the flooded areas via helicopter during the search and rescue efforts in Umatilla County over the past week. (Photo by Paula Negle, Oregon Office of emergency Management Public Affairs)

0238- Oregon Governor Kate Brown presented Oregon National Service Members with 1st Battalion, 168 Aviation Regiment, Oregon Army National Guard, based out of Pendleton, with medals and recognition for their service during Oregon's largest search and rescue operation, Feb. 14. Thanks to the efforts of the Oregon Army National Guard flight crews 54 people, 10 dogs, one cat and one rabbit were rescued and transported from the flooded areas via helicopter during the search and rescue efforts in Umatilla County over the past week. (Photo by Paula Negle, Oregon Office of emergency Management Public Affairs)

WINCHESTER BAY, Ore. - On Thursday, February 13, 2020, at approximately 9:17 pm, deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 73000-block of Highway 101 in Winchester Bay for a report of a 17 year-old male who was shooting a gun inside a home following a disturbance.

Deputies, along with multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the residence. The teen was taken into custody at 9:56 pm, without further incident. 

Deputies learned that the teen became upset with his mother over his cell phone and then proceeded to assault her, before being stopped by his father. 

Following the assault, the teen retrieved an AR-15 rifle and began to fire it multiple times inside the home causing a significant amount of damage. At one point, he pointed the firearm at his father, but did not fire it. 

No one was injured during the incident.

The teen was transported to and lodged at the Douglas County Juvenile Detention Facility on the following charges: 

Unlawful Use of a Weapon
Pointing a Firearm at Another
1st Degree Criminal Mischief
Menacing x2
4th Degree Assault

Strategically placed fuel breaks in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada and Utah will help firefighters control wildfires

BOISE, Idaho – Today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Fuel Breaks in the Great Basin. This Final PEIS provides for the construction and maintenance of a system of up to 11,000 miles of strategically placed fuel breaks to control wildfires within a 223 million acre area that includes portions of Idaho, Oregon, Washington, California, Nevada and Utah.

The Preferred Alternative outlined in the PEIS analyzes a full suite of manual, chemical and mechanical treatments, including prescribed fire, seeding, and targeted grazing to construct and maintain a system of fuel breaks. These treatments would be implemented along roads and rights-of-way on BLM-administered lands to minimize new disturbance and wildlife habitat fragmentation and to maximize accessibility for wildland firefighters.

“Recovering from the devastating effects of wildlfires can take decades in the rugged, high-desert climate of the Great Basin. These tools will help firefighters contain fires when they break out,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management Casey Hammond. “That’s why creating fuel breaks is incredibly important to the entire basin, the people who live in these communities, and our wildland firefighters.”

“Wildfires pose an enormous threat to rangelands in the Great Basin – rangelands that people depend on for both recreational opportunities and their livelihoods, and that wildlife rely on for habitat,” said BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Programs William Perry Pendley. “Fuel breaks are one of the most important tools we have to give wildland firefighters a chance to safely and effectively contain rapidly moving wildfires and potentially reduce wildfire size.” 

Wildfires in sagebrush communities in the Great Basin states are becoming more frequent and larger, fueled by large, unbroken swaths of grasses, brush and other vegetation. Over 13.5 million acres of historically sagebrush communities on BLM land burned within the project area between 2009 and 2018. Wildfires that consume sagebrush provide the opportunity for invasive annual grasses to increase, making future large and severe wildfires more likely.

The concept behind fuel breaks is to break up or fragment continuous fuels by reducing vegetation in key locations. When a wildfire burns into a fuel break, the flame lengths decrease and its progress slows, making it safer and easier for firefighters to control.

“All of wildland firefighting is centered around constructing fuel breaks,” said BLM Idaho State Director John Ruhs. “Every time we construct a fireline around a wildfire using hand tools on the ground, every time we drop fire retardant, and every time we herd a wildfire into a previously burned area, we are using fuel breaks. Through this PEIS we’ll be able to proactively construct fuel breaks where we know we will need them, instead of creating them reactively in responding to wildfires.”

The BLM has extensively documented that fuel breaks, and other types of fuel treatments, are effective. Since 2002, the agency has assessed more than 1,200 fuel breaks and other types of fuel treatments that intersected with wildfires and has found that 78% of them were effective in helping to control wildfires and that 84% of them were effective in helping change fire behavior. 

An electronic copy of the Final PEIS and associated documents is available for public review for 30 days on the BLM Land Use Planning and NEPA register at https://go.usa.gov/xnQcG The BLM will issue a Record of Decision after the end of the public review period.

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals. 

Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Troopers are asking for the public’s assistance in locating and apprehending the person(s) responsible for shooting a bighorn sheep ram in Wallowa County near the town of Troy sometime during the week of January 27.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the ram was shot on the Wenaha Wildlife Area along the road leading to the feed sight.  The ram was fitted with a telemetry collar and an ear tag.  The collar and severed ear were the only items left at the scene.

Anyone who may have information that will help identify the suspect(s), is asked to call the Turn In Poachers (TIP) line at (800) 452-7888, OSP(677) or Sergeant Chris Hawkins (541) 963-7575 ext. 4670.

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators 

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators 

The TIP program offers preference point rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of big game mammals.

Preference Point Rewards:

5 Points-Bighorn Sheep

5 Points-Rocky Mountain goat

5 Points-Moose

5 Points-Wolf

4 Points-Elk

4 Points-Deer

4 Points-Antelope

4 Points-Bear

4 Points-Cougar

Or the TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, Moose, Elk, Deer, Antelope, Bear, Cougar, Wolf, Upland Birds, Waterfowl, and Furbearers. Cash rewards can also be awarded for the unlawful take of Game Fish and Shellfish and for Habitat Destruction.

CASH REWARDS:
$1,000 Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat and Moose 
$500 Elk, Deer and Antelope 
$300 Bear, Cougar and Wolf 
$300 Habitat Destruction 
$100 Upland Birds and Waterfowl 
$100 Furbearers 

$100 Game Fish and Shellfish 

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity: 

TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP(677)

TIP E-Mail: TIP@state.or.us (Monitored M-F 8:00AM - 5:00PM)

On February 13, 2020, an Indictment was filed in Marion County Circuit Court charging Martin Steven Kirk-Varela, 26, with Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm, Attempted Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm, Assault in the First Degree with a Firearm, Assault in the Second Degree with a Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm with a Firearm, Felon in Possession of Body Armor and Possession of Methamphetamine stemming from a shooting that occurred on Snoopy Lane NE in Salem on January 21, 2020. 

The Indictment alleges that Martin Steven Kirk-Varela intentionally caused the death of another human being, namely Eduardo Flores-Rodriguez, who died of a gunshot wound on January 23, 2020.  The Indictment further alleges that Martin Steven Kirk-Varela attempted to cause the death of other victims and caused them injury.

Martin Steven Kirk-Varela is currently incarcerated at the Marion County Correctional Facility serving a parole sanction.  He will appear for arraignment on February 14, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at the Marion County Court Annex, 4000 Aumsville Highway, Salem. 

This incident was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.  Any person with information concerning the January 21, 2020 shooting is encouraged to contact Detective Nancy Serrano at 503-316-6635.  As this is a pending criminal case, no additional comments will be issued by the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. 

Umatilla County Flooding Event Updates - Thursday, February 13, 2020

Damage assessment and clean-up continued today in Umatilla County in response to the flooding experienced in the area since February 6. Additional resources have been made available for residents to assist in the clean-up process.  Below is updated resources and information for residents.

Structural Losses and Damage Self Reporting – Form still available for submission by residents
Umatilla County still needs critical information from residents and businesses impacted by the flood who have not already reported their losses and damage. To date, 387 structures have been reported as damaged in some way through the self-reporting system. These reports will be used by the county to document the financial impacts and resource needs of our community. Some may need to fill out multiple forms, which are available in both English and Spanish, depending on the nature of losses:

1. Damage to structures and property from homeowners, renters and businesses
2. Business economic losses
3. Agricultural losses

Forms are available online at www.umatillacounty.net.

Multi Agency Resource Center
Is open today until 8 p.m. at the Pendleton Convention Center located at 1601 Westgate. Those impacted by the flood will have face-to-face assistance on damage reporting and access to information about health, clothing, insurance, pets, among other related services. Those interested in volunteering to help with clean up can visit the Red Cross booth at this event for more information.

Umatilla County Extension Office in Milton-Freewater/Walla Walla River Area
Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and tomorrow (Friday, February 14) for north county residents to receive assistance on damage reporting and connect to various resources.

Resources for After-Flood Clean-Up

• Hotline Established - A hotline has been established through February 28, to help connect residents to reputable and vetted relief agencies that will assist in debris clean-up and muck-out services. Response times will vary due to overwhelming need, so please be patient. Please call 844-965-1386 for information.
• Clean-up Safety – The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued information to ensure the safety of our residents as clean-up efforts begin. Link to information at https://deqblog.com/2020/02/13/tips-for-safely-managing-debris-from-flood-damaged-buildings/.
• Take photos of your damage before clean-up begins for insurance purposes.
• Permitting Required - Umatilla County urges property owners impacted by recent flooding to be aware that permits are required prior to replacing or making repairs to damaged structures. There are certain permitting requirements for homes located within a flood plain. Learn if your home is in a flood plain at www.msc.fema.gov.
• Dumpsters Available
  Umatilla County has placed dumpsters for cleaning up flood waste in various locations throughout community. These dumpsters are ONLY for people affected by recent flooding. As dumpster locations are added, they will be posted at www.umatillacounty.net for convenience.

Information will continue to be updated at www.umatillacounty.net.

VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday)

VINE – Victim Information and Notification Everyday is the nation’s leading automated victim notification solution and is available in Oregon. VINE allows crime victims across the country to obtain timely, reliable information about criminal cases and the custody status of offenders.

Victims often wish to know the status of an offender that is in the system.  Until VINE, it was difficult for officers to provide accurate information to victims. 

VINE makes information about the booking and release of inmates housed in county jails and state prisons available to victims at no cost either by telephone or the web. Offender information is collected automatically in near real-time from jail and prison booking systems.

Crime victims can access offender information, any time of the day or night simply by making a telephone call at 1-877-OR-4-VINE (1-877-674-8463) or by accessing the web at www.vinelink.com. Victims can call to inquire whether an offender is held in jail as well as the facility’s location. 

Users also can register to be notified immediately of a change in the inmate’s status, such as a release or escape. When a notification is triggered, VINE automatically calls the number or numbers the victim has provided. Calls continue until the victim acknowledges the call by entering a PIN.

VINE supports multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Mandarin Chinese, and others, so victims from many ethnicities have access to the system.

A free smartphone app is available to iPhone and Droid users called “MobilePatrol”.  One of the features of this app is access to the VINE service so you can be notified on your smartphone or ipad.  The app is available from the Droid “Play Store” and Apple “App Store”.  Once the app is downloaded, select Oregon as your state and then select Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.  The VINE feature and other features will appear as you scan through the pages of the app.

For more information and tips, visit our web site at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and on your Smartphone via the “MobilePatrol” app and Like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

EDITORS: A video of Cate Wilcox, manager of the Maternal and Child Health Section at the OHA Public Health Division, discussing Family Connects Oregon is available at https://youtu.be/KRUhg3g5VOs.

Feb. 13, 2020

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, phd.communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon launches Family Connects, a universally offered home visiting program to support health of newborns, families

Statewide initiative is result of Senate Bill 526, passed by 2019 Oregon Legislature

PORTLAND, Ore. — Families in eight Oregon communities will be among the first in the state to have the option of receiving nurse home visits after the birth of a child.

These early-adopter communities are part of the Oregon Health Authority’s debut of a national model, Family Connects, under which the state’s new universally offered nurse home visiting initiative will be rolled out. Family Connects is a voluntary, evidence-based model that supports children and families at a critical time: a child’s birth.

The state’s program, to be called Family Connects Oregon, identifies what families want from local resources, and then provides an individualized pathway into a community system of care, the array of services that are coordinated to work for families. This system includes referrals to other, more established home visiting programs in the community that are eligibility-based rather than universally offered to all, as the comprehensive Family Connects program will be.

Health and social supports available to nurse home visiting users around the state include access to obstetricians and primary care providers, pediatricians and family practice physicians, as well as mental health services, housing agencies and lactation support organizations.

Services are intended to improve outcomes in one or more of the following areas: child health; child development and school readiness; family economic self-sufficiency; maternal health; positive parenting; reducing child mistreatment; reducing juvenile delinquency; reducing family violence; and reducing crime.

The Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 526 during the 2019 session, directing OHA to design, implement and maintain a voluntary statewide program to provide universal nurse home visiting services to all families with newborns living in the state. Family Connects meets criteria established by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for an evidence-based early childhood home visiting service delivery model. Services will be offered to families caring for newborns up to age 6 months, including foster and adoptive newborns, in the families’ homes by state-licensed registered nurses.

“Creating a lifetime of physical and mental well-being and healthy relationships relies upon a safe and healthy environment provided during early childhood,” said Lillian Shirley, director of the OHA Public Health Division. “That’s the goal of Family Connects Oregon: Give children and their families a jump-start at health during the most important period of their lives.”

Family Connects Oregon does not replace any home visiting programs that are already operating throughout the state. Instead, the program enhances Oregon’s current home visiting programs and will contribute to aligning a home visiting service system that connects all families with services and supports of their choice.

Under the Family Connects Oregon model, every new Oregon parent of a newborn will be contacted by a health care provider shortly after birth, ideally face to face, to schedule a home visit. If families choose to accept this service, they then receive one to three visits by a registered nurse in their homes to help them get off to a good start and get connected to services they want.

A group of single- and multi-county communities led by local public health and/or Early Learning Hubs has been selected to participate in an early adoption phase of Family Connects Oregon. This group represents a diverse mix of geography, implementation approach, strengths and opportunities across Oregon.

The following agencies and communities are designated as the lead agency for planning and implementation:

• Clatsop County Department of Public Health.
• Eastern Oregon Early Learning Hub, a consortium covering three counties — Baker, Malheur and Wallowa — with members representing health, K-12 education, social services, early learning programs and businesses.
• The Early Learning Hub of Central Oregon, a partnership between Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties’ public health departments, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Health & Human Services, and regional early care and education stakeholders.
• Four Rivers Early Learning Hub, including Gilliam, Hood River, Sherman, Wasco and Wheeler counties.
• Lane County Health and Human Services Department, Public Health Division.
• The Early Learning Hub of Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties.
• Marion & Polk Early Learning Hub, including Marion County Public Health, Polk County Public Health, Family Building Blocks/Healthy Families, Lancaster Family Medical, and Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
• Washington County Public Health Maternal Child & Reproductive Health.

These early adopters will provide lessons learned and best practices for subsequent cohorts as the program rolls out statewide.

“We want Oregon to be the best place in the country to have and raise a child,” said Cate Wilcox, manager of the Maternal and Child Health Section at the OHA Public Health Division.

For more information, visit healthoregon.org/homevisiting.

At approximately 0357 hours on February 13th, 2020 Roseburg Police Officers observed a suspicious vehicle parked in the vicinity of the Roseburg Municipal Airport.  Officers contacted a male, Maurice Pierre Hurth, 41 years old of Suisun City, CA and 3 minor females, in the rental vehicle.  During the contact it was discovered that Hurth had multiple warrants for his arrest out of San Francisco, Fairfield, and Solano, California.  After a brief resistance, Hurth was arrested on those warrants.

During further investigation it was discovered the three minor females were recently reported missing from a youth group home in the Seattle, Washington area.  They were all taken into protective custody and were later transferred to the Douglas County Juvenile Shelter.

Evidence learned from this investigation led to Hurth being charged with the following crimes:  

• Trafficking in Persons (ORS 163.266) X 3
• Compelling Prostitution (ORS 167.017) X 3
• Custodial Interference in the First Degree X 3
• Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the First Degree

Hurth remains lodged at Douglas County Corrections as the investigation continues.

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at 4:21 p.m., Albany Police responded to a male reporting to have been shot.  The incident occurred at an apartment in the 2100 block of SE Geary Street, Albany.  The initial investigation revealed the victim and suspect are roommates.  The two men were identified as 24-year old Bailey Christopher Samuel ( previously reported as Christopher Samuel Bailey) and 21-year old Garrett Stephen Byrnes. 

Prior to the shooting, Samuel and Byrnes were involved in a physical fight inside their apartment.  Sometime after the physical fight, Byrnes obtained a firearm and shot Samuel one time with a .22 caliber handgun.   Both Samuel and Byrnes called 911 to report the shooting, and both men were located at the scene.

Samuel was transported to Good Samaritan Regional Hospital in Corvallis for treatment of his gunshot wound.  Byrnes was arrested without incident and taken to the Linn County Jail on the following charges:

• Assault in the First Degree
• Unlawful Use of a Weapon  

Albany Police Detectives are continuting the investigation.  Anyone with information is asked to call the Albany Police Detectives at 541-917-7686.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—Timothy Ray Vance, 54, of Salem, Oregon, was sentenced to 90 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release for distributing large quantities of methamphetamine throughout Marion County.

Vance has a long criminal history dating back to 1983. Vance served more than 20 years in prison after being convicted in Marion County Circuit Court in 1994 on two counts of robbery, two counts of burglary, and one count each of kidnapping and theft.

Two months after completing post-prison supervision, in August 2018, Vance was found to be involved in a large methamphetamine distribution network. By October 2018, investigators discovered the network’s source of supply and at least one informant who revealed they had purchased methamphetamine from Vance on ten different occasions.  A different informant told investigators that on one occasion, Vance sold them one pound of methamphetamine for $3,200.

In February 2019, Salem Police Department executed a search warrant on Vance’s residence. Investigators located 62.7 grams of methamphetamine, $2,780 in cash, drug packaging materials, and two handguns. Vance was placed under arrest and later released.

In March 2019, investigators learned that Vance was dealing methamphetamine out of a Salem hotel room. Officers conducted a traffic stop of Vance after obtaining a search warrant on his vehicle. During the search, they found 443 grams of methamphetamine, $1,500 in cash, and two additional firearms.

On November 11, 2019, Vance pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. As part of his plea agreement, Vance agreed to abandon four firearms used to facilitate his crime.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Salem Police Department. It was prosecuted by Lewis S. Burkhart, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The case was brought as 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.

# # #

At approximately 0547 hours on February 13th, 2020 a citizen called to report a black angus steer got out of their trailer while they were near milepost #124 on Interstate 5 in Roseburg.  The owner of the steer said he was trying to locate it and keep it from getting on the freeway, and he believed it would need to be put down.

The steer made its way to the Roseburg High School parking lot where it was put down.

The owner of the steer was able to remove it and load it back in the trailer afterward.  There were no students on the campus at the time of this incident.

The Roseburg Police Department later received calls of a large pool of blood on the ground near the visitor's center on SE Spruce in Roseburg.  It was determined this also was from the steer, as the owner pulled to the side of the road in that area after leaving Roseburg High School. 

PORTLAND, Ore., February 13, 2020 — OnPoint Community Credit Union announced today it will relocate its Lloyd Center branch on March 9, 2020 to enhance members’ experience.

“Delivering a great experience for OnPoint members is so important to us,” said Rob Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “Relocating to a new, more modern facility is an investment we make to ensure we offer members the latest in financial technology, convenient access, and a comfortable environment to conduct their business. We look forward to welcoming the community to the new location of our oldest branch.”  

As OnPoint’s first branch, the Lloyd Center location is an iconic part of the credit union’s history and serves many members. It will relocate from its original Irvington District location (1720 NE 9th Ave. Portland OR, 97212) to its new location at Lloyd Center Mall (1100 NE Weidler St., Portland, OR 97232).  The final day of operations at the old branch will be March 7, 2020.

OnPoint’s new Lloyd Center Branch will include a modernized branch design, better accessibility, larger restrooms, improved member seating, a new training center for member and staff seminars, and more onsite parking. Members visiting the new Lloyd Center Branch will be able to open an account, apply for a loan, speak with a Mortgage or Investment specialist, make ATM deposits, and use the coin machine and notary Services. Lloyd Center continues to be managed by Elaine Pratt who has 45 years of experience in the banking industry. She has been at OnPoint since 2006 as the Vice President and Lloyd Center Branch Manager. 

“Members will notice a difference from the moment they pull into our new parking lot,” said Pratt. “Having spent my entire OnPoint career managing this branch, I have gotten to know our members very well. I know they will enjoy the many new resources and conveniences this new location will provide. I look forward to sharing our new location with our members.”

OnPoint will host a grand opening celebration for the new Lloyd Center Branch on Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Members and the community will be invited to enjoy refreshments, entertainment and promotions. At the event, OnPoint will present a $5,000 donation to The Children’s Book Bank, which works to increase the chances for children to succeed as future readers, learners, and citizens by filling their homes and lives with quality books.
 
“In the words of Christian Robinson, illustrator of the children’s book Last Stop on Market Street, ‘When children see themselves and their experiences reflected in books, they are being sent a message that their story matters and that they matter,” said Danielle Swope, Founder and Executive Director, The Children’s Book Bank. “OnPoint’s $5,000 donation to The Children’s Book Bank adds 1,650 culturally diverse and inclusive books to our shelves and ensures 825 students in Portland (that’s every student at two schools!) will have the affirming, validating experience of seeing themselves and their friends reflected in the books they get to choose at our free pre-summer book fairs. We truly appreciate OnPoint’s commitment to children and families in our community and for their continued volunteer and financial support of our mission.” 

ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 392,000 members and with assets of $6.3 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 13 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. More information is available at: 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.

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The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will be participating in the Connect to Disconnect event from April 6-13, 2020. April 9th will be the main day for this event. Funding for this event is provided by ODOT. 

DISTRACTED DRIVING IN OREGON 
 
“Distracted Driving” is a dangerous behavior for drivers, passengers, and non-occupants alike. Distraction is a specific type of inattention that occurs when drivers divert their attention from the driving task to focus on some other activity instead (per NHTSA). 

From 2013-2017 There were 12,031 fatal and injury crashes resulting in 95 fatalities and 11,946 injuries caused by crashes involving a distracted driver in Oregon (all ages).

2013-2017 There were 1,089 fatal and injury crashes involving a driver (all ages) reported to have been using a cell phone at the time of the crash: 20 fatalities and 1,557 people injured.

2013-2017 There were 112 fatal and injury crashes involving a driver age 16-18 reported to have been using a cell phone at the time of the crash: 0 fatalities and 158 people injured.

2013-2017 There were 72,032 convictions for this offense. 

Convictions for using a mobile electronic device 2013-2017
2013 -   21,520
2014 -   17,723
2015 -   15,264
2016 -   10,317
2017 -     7,208
Total –  72,032

2013-2017 There were 32 crashes involving, but not limited to a Pedestrian, using a cell phone: 2 fatalities and 30 injuries.

2013-2017 There were 10 crashes involving, but not limited to a Pedal-cyclist, using a cell phone: 0 fatalities and 10 people injured.

2013-2017 There were 224 work zone distracted driving crashes: 4 fatalities and 381 people injured. 

WHAT IS DISTRACTED DRIVING?

Distraction occurs when a driver voluntarily diverts attention to something not related to driving that uses the driver's eyes, ears, or hands. There are four types of driver distraction:

Visual -- looking at something other than the road
Auditory -- hearing something not related to driving
Manual -- manipulating something other than the wheel
Cognitive -- thinking about something other than driving

Most distractions involve more than one of these types, with both a sensory -- eyes, ears, or touch -- and a mental component.

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Scenic Bikeways Program is celebrating 11 years of beautiful bike routes 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Capitol Galleria. The free event is open to the public and will feature cookies, videos, guest speakers and information on the 17 scenic bikeway routes throughout Oregon.

“We’re proud of the work we’ve done and look forward to collaborating with our partners to promote more routes that inspire people to experience Oregon’s natural and cultural beauty by bicycle,” said MG Devereux, deputy director for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD).

Guest remarks will begin at noon. Speakers this year include Devereux, Stephen Hatfield, outdoor recreation manager for Travel Oregon, and a member of the Scenic Bikeways Committee.

The Scenic Bikeways Program launched in 2009 and is a partnership between OPRD, Oregon Department of Transportation, Travel Oregon and Cycle Oregon. It is the first and only program of its kind in the United States.

Since 2009, OPRD has designated 17 Scenic Bikeways throughout Oregon, covering 1,253 miles. The newest route, Crooked River Canyon Scenic Bikeway, was designated in 2018.

Scenic Bikeways are nominated by local communities and designated based on scenic quality, road conditions and general riding enjoyment. Route difficulties vary—some are beginner friendly while others will challenge veteran riders—and each passes a through a distinct Oregon landscape.

Over the last decade, Scenic Bikeways have proven to be a boon for local communities: a study published by Travel Oregon found that in 2014, Scenic Bikeway cyclists spent $6.9 million on accommodations and food services, and $5.3 million on retail. The spending supported over 150 local community jobs with earnings of approximately $3.4 million.

Explore the various routes and learn more about the program on the Travel Oregon Scenic Bikeways webpage.

SALEM, Ore. - Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s (OPRD) All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Grant Subcommittee will meet at 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Feb. 26 and 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Feb. 27 in the Mill Creek Meeting Room, Best Western-Mill Creek Inn 3125 Ryan Drive SE, Salem. The meetings are open to the public.  

On Feb. 26, the Subcommittee will review program updates in the morning, then hear grant request presentations beginning 12:20 p.m. Presentations will continue Feb. 27, beginning 8 a.m. and concluding later that morning. The Subcommittee will then tally final presentation scores and prepare their recommendations.

View the full two-day meeting agenda online on the state ATV website.

The Subcommittee will provide recommendations on grant funding to the OPRD director, who will then refer the recommendations to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission for final approval.

Grant requests for 2020 include projects related to: ATV operation and maintenance, law enforcement, development, and emergency medical services.

The ATV Grant Program provides funding statewide for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation. Grant funds come from ATV user permit sales and a percentage of gasoline tax money.

The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals who require special accommodations to attend should contact Ian Caldwell, OPRD ATV program coordinator, at least three days in advance: Ian.Caldwell@oregon.gov or 541-410-5512.