June 3, 2020

Media contact: OHA External Relations 971-673-2097, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 65 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 159, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 65 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 4,399. The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (1), Clackamas (7), Deschutes (1), Douglas (1), Hood River (6), Jackson (1), Jefferson (1), Lincoln (1), Linn (1), Marion (18), Multnomah (13), Polk (1), Umatilla (2), Wasco (2), Washington (5), Yamhill (4).

Oregon’s 158th COVID-19 death is a 68-year-old male in Clackamas County, who tested positive on May 21 and died on June 2 at Providence Portland Medical Center. He had underlying medical conditions.

Oregon’s 159th COVID-19 death is a 60-year-old male in Multnomah County, who tested positive on April 17 and died on May 30 at Providence Portland Medical Center. He had underlying medical conditions.

Notes:

• Due to data reconciliation, one case originally reported as hospitalized in the 40–49 age group was determined not to have been hospitalized.
• One case previously reported in Josephine County was determined not to be a case; the county case count has been adjusted to reflect this.

OHA Posts Weekly Report; Now Includes Active Workplace Outbreaks

OHA today released its COVID-19 Weekly Report, which includes data about the pandemic in Oregon. This week’s report shows increased testing and a continued low percentage positive rate (1.9 percent).

Of note in today’s report is the inclusion of COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces of more than 30 employees with five or more reported cases. This is being done to keep the public fully informed about COVID-19 in the community.

The number of cases cited in a workplace outbreak will include cases among employees as well as cases among close contacts of employee cases, such as family members, customers and visitors. An active outbreak means that fewer than 28 days have passed since the onset of the most recent case. State and local health officials work intensively with workplaces to help them take steps that protect the health and safety of workers and the public.

Identification of an outbreak in a workplace does not imply a general risk either to all the employees there, or to the customers. When an outbreak is reported or discovered, public health officials investigate to determine who has been exposed and notify those persons directly. Such persons are generally quarantined for 14 days following exposure.

In the June 10 Weekly Report, past COVID-19 outbreaks – those considered closed – will be published. OHA is in the process of compiling those data.

Oregonians encouraged to “Answer the Call” to stop the spread of COVID-19

As Oregon begins to reopen, one key strategy to help stop the spread of COVID-19 is contact tracing. Contact tracers call people who may have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 to provide them with guidance and support and help prevent further spread of the virus. OHA is working closely with local public and Tribal health departments on a statewide coordinated contact tracing effort.

To demystify the process of contact tracing, OHA has developed a webpage with downloadable resources, videos and social media cards. Oregonians can learn more about who will get a contact tracing call, what happens on a contact tracing call and how their privacy will be protected.

If you get a call from a contact tracer, we encourage you to answer the call. Together, we can stop the spread of COVID-19.

Go to: healthoregon.org/contacttracing or healthoregon.org/rastreodecontacto to learn more and download resources.

OHA is now including a link to the Oregon COVID-19 Daily Update in the daily news release. The Daily Update is a detailed look at COVID-19 in Oregon, including testing data, hospital capacity, and cases broken down by demographic information such as age groups, gender, race and ethnicity.

To see more case and county-level data, please visit the Oregon Health Authority website, which OHA updates once a day: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is pleased to announce the graduation of its 397th Basic Police Class.

The Basic Police Class is 16-weeks in length and includes dozens of training areas including survival skills, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, ethics, cultural diversity, problem solving, community policing, elder abuse, drug recognition, and dozens of other subjects.

Basic Police Class 397 will graduate during a private ceremony at the Oregon Public Safety Academy at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE in Salem, Oregon on Thursday, June 4, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training, while open for business, is currently closed to the public due to the COVID-19 health crisis and will not hold a public graduation ceremony but would like to congratulate these men and women from diverse backgrounds entering the law enforcement profession.

Graduating members of BP397:

Police Officer Tracy Alioth   

Portland Police Bureau

Police Officer Ivan Alvarez   

Portland Police Bureau

Trooper Aaron Barichio         

Oregon State Police

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Barnes  

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

Deputy Sheriff Darrin Breshears       

Linn County Sheriff's Office

Police Officer Cotter Butler   

Umatilla Police Department

Police Officer Antonea Carson          

Portland Police Bureau

Police Officer David Coan    

Oregon City Police Department

Police Officer Derrick Daley 

Portland Police Bureau

Police Officer Miguel Diaz   

Portland Police Bureau

Police Officer Brian DiCarlo 

Portland Police Bureau

Deputy Sheriff Katheryn Fowlds      

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office

Deputy Sheriff Kayla Franck 

Gilliam County Sheriff's Office

Deputy Sheriff Andrew Franklin       

Yamhill County Sheriff's Office

Police Officer Jonah Gellman

Portland Police Bureau

Deputy Sheriff Maria Gray    

Klamath County Sheriff's Office

Police Officer Dustin Kittel   

Newport Police Department

Deputy Sheriff Todd Lake     

Gilliam County Sheriff's Office

Police Officer Jason Lasota   

Medford Police Department

Police Officer Davor Lukic   

Portland Police Bureau

Police Officer Daniel McEvoy          

Corvallis Police Department

Police Officer Preston Neumann       

Woodburn Police Department

Police Officer Sean Nieto      

Newport Police Department

Police Officer Cooper Noack

Keizer Police Department

Police Officer Emma Paranto

Sunriver Police Department

Police Officer Justin Prevo    

Baker City Police Department

Police Officer Daniel Reynolds         

Stayton Police Department

Deputy Sheriff Jared Riehl    

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

Deputy Sheriff Harrison Ross

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

Police Officer Michael Sanchez        

Grants Pass Dept of Public Safety

Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Schwab         

Marion County Sheriff's Office

Police Officer JuliAnna Scusa           

Portland Police Bureau

Police Officer Austin Shouman         

Portland Police Bureau

Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Skeels

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office

Police Officer Michael Smith

Portland Police Bureau

Deputy Sheriff Michael Thran           

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office

Police Officer Kenneth Wigham       

Toledo Police Department

Police Officer David Wohlers

Canby Police Department

## Background Information on the DPSST ##
 

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

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

DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - DAILY LOCAL UPDATE

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 3, 2020

Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT

(Douglas County, Ore.)  The Governor held a press conference today with Oregon Health Authority Director, Patrick Allen and the State Epidemiologist, Dr. Dean Sidelinger to discuss her framework for her Phase Two Reopening process.  Click here to view the June 3, 2020 press conference.  The Governor opened the press conference talking about the fact that it has been 10 weeks since she executed her Stay Home, Saves Lives Order; that this detour from our normal lives has taken longer than expected; and that Oregonians have had to adapt their lives to a new normal. The Governor went on to say that when you compare Oregon to the rest of the United States, we have been quite successful in flattening the curve for transmissions of the coronavirus.  But, she said we will continue to live with the threat of the virus until a widely available treatment is found, which according to her will unfortunately will take months and months, not weeks and days.

Now, about Phase Two: The Governor announced that after a minimum of 21 days in Phase One, Oregon Counties that meet specific prerequisites may be able to enter Phase Two as soon as Friday, June 5, 2020.  So far, 28 Oregon Counties have submitted request letters to enter Phase Two, including Douglas County.  Of the 36 Counties in Oregon; 35 are in Phase One, Multnomah County has yet to begin Phase One and seven counties have not applied for Phase Two. Approval to advance to the next phase will be subject to OHA’s public health guidelines, physical distancing, gathering size limits and sanitization guidelines.  She said that counties who will be allowed to enter Phase Two will be announced tomorrow, Thursday, June 4.  Our Douglas County Board of Commissioners are hopeful we will be approved to enter Phase Two on Friday, June 5.

State Officials also said that Phase Two will include expanded opportunities for recreational sports, public pools, movie theaters, bowling alleys, arcades and some additional in-office work.  Bars and restaurants will now be able to stay open until midnight and social clubs, civic organizations and faith-based gatherings can meet in larger, physically-distanced groups.  Larger venues would be able to offer events for up to 250 guests, if they can comply by the 35 square feet per person distancing guidelines. 

In addition to Phase Two guidelines, State Officials discussed that they are planning on reopening public and private schools in September.  But, how that will look remains to be seen, as each school district is unique and will have to work individually with the State to develop safe and responsible reopening plans.  Further, they announced that college athletes in Oregon could resume training as of mid-June on a limited capacity.  The most recent list of her Phase Two guidelines were released today, and should be posted to her Reopening Oregon Website. 

Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results: It is Wednesday, June 3, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there are NO new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County.  The total number of positive cases in Douglas County is 28.  Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test.  Twenty-eight people have tested positive in the county and twenty-five of those twenty-eight have recovered.  DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19. 

DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, advising and supporting quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered.  The first positive COVID-19 case in Douglas County was announced on March 8, 2020.  Thanks to the great work that Douglas County has done social distancing and staying home, we’ve had 28 cases in 87 days.                                                       

Here are the current numbers for Douglas County:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management and will now include presumptive COVID-19 cases.  DPHN will also be reporting presumptive cases and will use the OHA’s definition of presumptive as having had close contact with a known, confirmed COVID-19 case, showing symptoms and not yet having a positive nasal swab/PCR test for COVID-19. 

Getting Tested & Testing Clinics

The next drive-through testing clinic will be Friday, June 5, 2020, in Roseburg. As a reminder, if you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.  Patients without a Primary Care Provider, that are looking for a COVID-19 test should contact the Sutherlin Aviva Health Clinic at (541) 459-3788. The first drive-through testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 576 people tested in the drive-through clinics alone, additional testing continues in hospitals, urgent cares and clinics simultaneously. The drive- through clinics are led by DPHN, in conjunction with partner agencies including; Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works, local volunteers and local health professionals.

Oregon COVID-19 Case Update

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. The Oregon Health Authority is also releasing the daily situation status report, which is produced jointly with Oregon Office of Emergency Management. It details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within the state and the response across government agencies. Click Here to Read More About the Oregon Daily Situation Status Report.

Umpqua National Forest Announced Reopening of Some of Their Campgrounds

The Umpqua National Forest announced they are reopening specific developed sites to recreational users. Beginning Friday, June 5, some campgrounds will be reopened to the general public. All campgrounds will be available by advance reservation only through www.recreation.gov. No payments will be accepted at the campground. Reservations can be made through Recreation.gov beginning Wednesday, June 3, and must be made two days in advance of your intended visit. Local District offices have no ability to make reservations for you. Unless you have been notified, all existing reservations are still valid.

UNF Opening campgrounds include:  Rujada - Cottage Grove Ranger District; Boulder Flat - Diamond Lake Ranger District; Toketee Lake - Diamond Lake Ranger District and Poole Creek - Diamond Lake Ranger District

To align with Governor Brown’s executive order directing people to Stay Home to Save Lives, the Umpqua National Forest will continue the closure of developed recreation sites not listed above, such as the Umpqua Hot Springs and its access trail, South Umpqua Falls, and all cabins rentals and fire lookouts.   Please see the current Forest Closure Order #06-15-00-20-415, located on our forest website, for the specific details.  This order is in effect until September 30, 2020 and may be modified or rescinded prior to that date.   Forest personnel are working to reopen other campgrounds on the forest in the upcoming weeks, but must first mitigate seasonal storm damage and remove trees which pose a safety risk to the public. Further announcements will be forthcoming.

"We are continuing the process of assessing the areas that remain closed and determining when we can safely open them again for the public,” said Alice Carlton, Umpqua National Forest Supervisor. “We are all keeping the health and safety of our employees and the public in the front of our minds as we continue to make other opportunities available.” 

They said some facilities, such as vault bathrooms, will remain open for public use. Members of the public wishing to utilize these facilities are doing so at their own discretion and must take all necessary precautions to ensure their own personal health and safety. They cannot guarantee a COVID-19 free facility. It is suggested that as you plan to recreate, you make preparations to provide for your own sanitation and be as self-contained as possible on your outing.  They encourage you to review current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and focus on protecting yourself, your family, and your community.?

State Once Again Extends the Emergency Order for Health Insurance Companies

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services extended its emergency order for health insurance companies through July 3, 2020.   The previous order expired today, June 3, 2020.  The order requires health insurance companies to do the following for their customers during the COVID-19 outbreak:

• Provide at least a 60-day grace period to pay any past-due premiums
• Pay claims for any covered services during the first 30 days of the grace period
• Extend all deadlines for reporting claims and other communications, and provide members with communication options that meet physical distancing standards

The order is in effect through July 3 and will be extended in 30-day increments during the course of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Read the complete health insurance order; Read the extension to the emergency order. Consumers and regulated business professionals can learn more about insurance and financial services issues related to COVID-19 by visiting dfr.oregon.gov. 

Stay Informed with the Accurate Information

Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information to Douglas County residents since March 8, 2020.  

Local COVID-19 Hotline: If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550 from 8:00 am-5:00 pm, 7 days a week.   

Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website.  Find additional information on state or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Douglas County Government, Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and by calling or logging onto 211Info.

Got Questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans?

If you have questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans found online here or Sector Specific Guidelines, you will need to go online, call, email or contact the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) or the Oregon State Office responsible for regulating your business or the business that you wish to visit.

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Contact Tamara Howell, Public Information Officer, Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, (541) 670-2804 cell/(541) 957-4896 tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network, (541) 817-6552 cell /(541 440-3571 vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

Summary: Policyholders will receive their dividend in October.

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Today, SAIF declared a $100 million dividend for policyholders. It comes at a difficult time for many Oregon businesses facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Oregon’s employers and their employees make dividends possible by working together to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses,” said Kerry Barnett, president and CEO. “Every business is being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and SAIF is no different. We are seeing declines in our premiums, investment returns, and overall capital. However, after careful consideration, we felt a dividend was the right thing to do to support our policyholders through this challenge.”

The dividend will be based on premium for policies whose annual term ended in 2019 and will be distributed in October. This is the eleventh year in a row SAIF has been able to offer a dividend, and the 23rd dividend in the past 30 years. More information will be available on saif.com in September.

During the pandemic, SAIF has remained open for business, serving Oregon’s employers and workers. This has included taking steps to help injured workers who faced challenges accessing care and working to reduce the financial burden on businesses.

SAIF also created the $25 million coronavirus worker safety fund, making more than 3,400 awards to businesses for expenses tied to making workplaces safer against the virus.

About SAIF

SAIF is Oregon's not-for-profit workers' compensation insurance company. For more than 100 years, 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.

Portland, Oregon – The Bonneville Power Administration has released a comprehensive wildfire mitigation plan that lays out how it will keep its lines and other equipment from starting fires as well as how it will safely operate and communicate with first responders and others as wildfires burn near its equipment or rights of way.

"Wildfires are increasing in frequency and severity," said Jeff Cook, BPA vice president of Transmission Planning and Asset Management. "This multi-pronged plan leverages our leading class vegetation management program and will help BPA consider wildfire mitigation in our asset planning strategy. The goal is not to have BPA equipment cause a wildfire and to continue to serve our customers safely and effectively when wildfires threaten BPA lines or substations."

The 2020 plan builds on and institutionalizes wildfire mitigation efforts BPA implemented in 2019. The plan addresses a simple industry standard equation: fire = fuel + ignition source. By appropriately managing brush, trees and other potential fuel sources around its transmission lines and substations, as well as by proactively monitoring, replacing and upgrading transmission line components such as insulators and other equipment that can be potential ignition sources when they fail, BPA believes this plan will mitigate the impact of wildfires on its system. In addition to its industry leading vegetation management practices, BPA crews routinely patrol lines to identify equipment that could possibly fail and start a wildfire. Issues identified during those patrols are repaired before wildfire season.

The plan goes beyond annual mitigation and applies risk management principles to analyze the criticality, health and risk of BPA assets as they relate to wildfires. The idea is that BPA can advance wildfire mitigation by considering hardware and equipment that performs better in fires. In this manner, BPA will consider replacing equipment in wildfire prone areas of its system sooner if it can further mitigation efforts.

"BPA is confident that our risk-informed methodology and focus on wildfire prevention will help us identify cost-effective and risk-based measures and deliver value to our customers," said Cook.

The plan also addresses how BPA will operate and communicate with other entities during wildfires. BPA crews and dispatchers who monitor the BPA transmission system in real-time work together to keep the lights on and protect first responders during wildfires.

"Bonneville crews and dispatchers have a lot of experience dealing with the challenges presented by wildfires that threaten BPA equipment, and work closely with first responders to protect safety around our lines," said Michelle Cathcart, vice president of BPA’s Transmission System Operations. "We don’t anticipate impacting customers by pre-emptively removing lines from service to prevent wildfires."

BPA’s wildfire mitigation plan is available at this link:https://www.bpa.gov/PublicInvolvement/Wildfire-Mitigation/Pages/Wildfire-Mitigation.aspx . 

About BPA

The Bonneville Power Administration, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a nonprofit federal power marketer that sells wholesale, carbon-free hydropower from 31 federal dams in the Columbia River Basin. It also markets the output of the region’s only nuclear plant. BPA delivers this power to more than 140 Northwest electric utilities, serving millions of consumers and businesses in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana and parts of California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. BPA also owns and operates more than 15,000 circuit miles of high-voltage power lines and 261 substations, and provides transmission service to more than 300 customers. In all, BPA provides nearly a third of the power generated in the Northwest. To mitigate the impacts of the federal dams, BPA implements a fish and wildlife program that includes working with its partners to make the federal dams safer for fish passage. It also pursues cost-effective energy savings and operational solutions that help maintain safe, affordable, reliable electric power for the Northwest. www.bpa.gov

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Oregon Hospitals to Patients: ‘Your Care Continues’

Clinicians say facilities are safe and urge patients not to delay care

Lake Oswego, Ore. -- June 3, 2020 -- Today, the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) launched its “Your Care Continues” campaign to encourage Oregonians to address health needs by accessing care at their local hospitals and clinics.

The effort will use the voices of Oregon’s clinicians and other health care professionals to reassure the public that hospitals and clinics have added additional safety precautions related to COVIC-19 for patients and staff, and that avoiding needed procedures and exams can bring serious consequences.

“There is no reason to put your health at risk in other ways in an attempt to avoid catching COVID,” said Heather Wall, Chief Nursing Officer at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart at Riverbend. Hospitals have put in place several extra safety measures including temperature checks at the entrance, masks, visitor restrictions and more.

According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 48 percent of respondents said they’ve skipped or postponed medical care because of COVID-19.

“People are delaying checkups and vital care because they fear hospitals are either unsafe or overwhelmed. Neither of those things are true here in Oregon,” said Becky Hultberg, President and CEO. “We want Oregonians to continue to embrace a culture of wellness and prevention, and that means maintaining health through continued care. Small issues when ignored can become life-threatening. Oregon’s hospitals and clinics are safe, open, and ready to take care of you, with extra safety precautions.”

“Your Care Continues” messages will show the range of services Oregonians can safely access, including checkups, screenings, treatments, surgeries, specialty care, pharmacy services, telehealth options, and emergency services.

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Oregon Hospitals to Patients: ‘Your Care Continues’

Clinicians say facilities are safe and urge patients not to delay care

Lake Oswego, Ore. -- June 3, 2020 -- Today, the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) launched its “Your Care Continues” campaign to encourage Oregonians to address health needs by accessing care at their local hospitals and clinics.

The effort will use the voices of Oregon’s clinicians and other health care professionals to reassure the public that hospitals and clinics have added additional safety precautions related to COVIC-19 for patients and staff, and that avoiding needed procedures and exams can bring serious consequences.

“There is no reason to put your health at risk in other ways in an attempt to avoid catching COVID,” said Heather Wall, Chief Nursing Officer at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart at Riverbend. Hospitals have put in place several extra safety measures including temperature checks at the entrance, masks, visitor restrictions and more.

According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 48 percent of respondents said they’ve skipped or postponed medical care because of COVID-19.

“People are delaying checkups and vital care because they fear hospitals are either unsafe or overwhelmed. Neither of those things are true here in Oregon,” said Becky Hultberg, President and CEO. “We want Oregonians to continue to embrace a culture of wellness and prevention, and that means maintaining health through continued care. Small issues when ignored can become life-threatening. Oregon’s hospitals and clinics are safe, open, and ready to take care of you, with extra safety precautions.”

“Your Care Continues” messages will show the range of services Oregonians can safely access, including checkups, screenings, treatments, surgeries, specialty care, pharmacy services, telehealth options, and emergency services.

###

Oregon Hospitals to Patients: ‘Your Care Continues’

Clinicians say facilities are safe and urge patients not to delay care

Lake Oswego, Ore. -- June 3, 2020 -- Today, the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) launched its “Your Care Continues” campaign to encourage Oregonians to address health needs by accessing care at their local hospitals and clinics.

The effort will use the voices of Oregon’s clinicians and other health care professionals to reassure the public that hospitals and clinics have added additional safety precautions related to COVIC-19 for patients and staff, and that avoiding needed procedures and exams can bring serious consequences.

“There is no reason to put your health at risk in other ways in an attempt to avoid catching COVID,” said Heather Wall, Chief Nursing Officer at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart at Riverbend. Hospitals have put in place several extra safety measures including temperature checks at the entrance, masks, visitor restrictions and more.

According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 48 percent of respondents said they’ve skipped or postponed medical care because of COVID-19.

“People are delaying checkups and vital care because they fear hospitals are either unsafe or overwhelmed. Neither of those things are true here in Oregon,” said Becky Hultberg, President and CEO. “We want Oregonians to continue to embrace a culture of wellness and prevention, and that means maintaining health through continued care. Small issues when ignored can become life-threatening. Oregon’s hospitals and clinics are safe, open, and ready to take care of you, with extra safety precautions.”

“Your Care Continues” messages will show the range of services Oregonians can safely access, including checkups, screenings, treatments, surgeries, specialty care, pharmacy services, telehealth options, and emergency services.

###

Oregon Hospitals to Patients: ‘Your Care Continues’

Clinicians say facilities are safe and urge patients not to delay care

Lake Oswego, Ore. -- June 3, 2020 -- Today, the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) launched its “Your Care Continues” campaign to encourage Oregonians to address health needs by accessing care at their local hospitals and clinics.

The effort will use the voices of Oregon’s clinicians and other health care professionals to reassure the public that hospitals and clinics have added additional safety precautions related to COVIC-19 for patients and staff, and that avoiding needed procedures and exams can bring serious consequences.

“There is no reason to put your health at risk in other ways in an attempt to avoid catching COVID,” said Heather Wall, Chief Nursing Officer at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart at Riverbend. Hospitals have put in place several extra safety measures including temperature checks at the entrance, masks, visitor restrictions and more.

According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 48 percent of respondents said they’ve skipped or postponed medical care because of COVID-19.

“People are delaying checkups and vital care because they fear hospitals are either unsafe or overwhelmed. Neither of those things are true here in Oregon,” said Becky Hultberg, President and CEO. “We want Oregonians to continue to embrace a culture of wellness and prevention, and that means maintaining health through continued care. Small issues when ignored can become life-threatening. Oregon’s hospitals and clinics are safe, open, and ready to take care of you, with extra safety precautions.”

“Your Care Continues” messages will show the range of services Oregonians can safely access, including checkups, screenings, treatments, surgeries, specialty care, pharmacy services, telehealth options, and emergency services.

###

Oregon Hospitals to Patients: ‘Your Care Continues’

Clinicians say facilities are safe and urge patients not to delay care

Lake Oswego, Ore. -- June 3, 2020 -- Today, the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS) launched its “Your Care Continues” campaign to encourage Oregonians to address health needs by accessing care at their local hospitals and clinics.

The effort will use the voices of Oregon’s clinicians and other health care professionals to reassure the public that hospitals and clinics have added additional safety precautions related to COVIC-19 for patients and staff, and that avoiding needed procedures and exams can bring serious consequences.

“There is no reason to put your health at risk in other ways in an attempt to avoid catching COVID,” said Heather Wall, Chief Nursing Officer at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart at Riverbend. Hospitals have put in place several extra safety measures including temperature checks at the entrance, masks, visitor restrictions and more.

According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation survey, 48 percent of respondents said they’ve skipped or postponed medical care because of COVID-19.

“People are delaying checkups and vital care because they fear hospitals are either unsafe or overwhelmed. Neither of those things are true here in Oregon,” said Becky Hultberg, President and CEO. “We want Oregonians to continue to embrace a culture of wellness and prevention, and that means maintaining health through continued care. Small issues when ignored can become life-threatening. Oregon’s hospitals and clinics are safe, open, and ready to take care of you, with extra safety precautions.”

“Your Care Continues” messages will show the range of services Oregonians can safely access, including checkups, screenings, treatments, surgeries, specialty care, pharmacy services, telehealth options, and emergency services.

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State Parks Day is Saturday, June 6 and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) invites visitors to their local state park for a day of free camping and parking.

Overnight camping is free at all tent and RV sites in open state park campgrounds for stays over the night of June 6. Day-use parking is free June 6 at the 25 parks that charge a day-use fee.

“State Parks Day is our annual ‘thank you’ to Oregonians for supporting their state parks,” said Lisa Sumption, OPRD director. “2020 has been a difficult year for many people, and we’re proud to be able to provide safe natural places for folks to de-stress and enjoy the outdoors.”

State Parks Day is organized by OPRD and has been held annually since 1997. In the past, State Parks Day included guided hikes, interagency activities with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Lottery, free food and interpretation activities. 

Reduced staff, budget and resources keep the agency from hosting events this year. COVID-19 precautions also limit interactive opportunities but the public is still encouraged to visit a state park local to them and enjoy the outdoors.

The majority of state park campgrounds still remain closed until June 9; however, a few are currently open to first-come, first-served guests:

• Goose Lake, south of Lakeview
• Jackson Kimball, northwest of Chiloquin
• Minam, north of La Grande
• Hilgard Junction, near La Grande
• Catherine Creek, near Union
• Clyde Holliday, near John Day
• Cottonwood Canyon, southeast of The Dalles
• More campgrounds could be added before June 6, please check online at stateparks.oregon.gov

Campers should expect reduced levels of service at the campgrounds, including fewer staff and limited access to facilities.

Oregon State Parks do not receive tax dollars and are primarily funded by Oregon Lottery revenue and user fees. Learn more on stateparks.oregon.gov.

DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - NOON CASE UPDATE

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 3, 2020

Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT

            (Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results: It is Wednesday, June 3, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there are NO new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County.  The total number of positive cases in Douglas County is 28.  Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test.  Twenty-eight people have tested positive in the county and twenty-five of those twenty-eight have recovered.  DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19. 

DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, advising and supporting quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered.  The first positive COVID-19 case in Douglas County was announced on March 8, 2020.  Thanks to the great work that Douglas County has done social distancing and staying home, we’ve had 28 cases in 87 days.                                                       

Here are the current numbers for Douglas County:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management and will now include presumptive COVID-19 cases.  DPHN will also be reporting presumptive cases and will use the OHA’s definition of presumptive as having had close contact with a known, confirmed COVID-19 case, showing symptoms and not yet having a positive nasal swab/PCR test for COVID-19. 

Getting Tested & Testing Clinics

The next drive-through testing clinic will be Friday, June 5, 2020, in Roseburg. As a reminder, if you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.  Patients without a Primary Care Provider, that are looking for a COVID-19 test should contact the Sutherlin Aviva Health Clinic at (541) 459-3788. The first drive-through testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 576 people tested in the drive-through clinics alone, additional testing continues in hospitals, urgent cares and clinics simultaneously. The drive- through clinics are led by DPHN, in conjunction with partner agencies including; Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works, local volunteers and local health professionals.

Oregon COVID-19 Case Update

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. The Oregon Health Authority is also releasing the daily situation status report, which is produced jointly with Oregon Office of Emergency Management. It details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within the state and the response across government agencies. Click Here to Read More About the Oregon Daily Situation Status Report.

Stay Informed with the Accurate Information

Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information to Douglas County residents since March 8, 2020. Local COVID-19 Hotline: If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week.  Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website.  Find additional information on state or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Douglas County Government, Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and by calling or logging onto 211Info.

Got Questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans?

If you have questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans, you will need to call, email or contact the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) or the Oregon State Office responsible for regulating your business or the business that you wish to visit, if you have questions about her Phased Reopening Plans or Sector Specific Guidelines.

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Contact Tamara Howell, Public Information Officer, Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, (541) 670-2804 cell/(541) 957-4896 tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network, (541) 817-6552 cell /(541 440-3571 vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

June 3, 2020 – Salem, Ore. – When Sabrina Welch gets off work at the Chevron on 170th in Aloha, she likes to buy a few Scratch-its to take home with her. One of her favorite ways to pick which Scratch-its she buys is to use the age-old method of choosing… Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

“I was deciding which games to play and was going ‘eeny, meeny, miny, moe,’” said Sabrina. “My co-worker behind the counter pointed to the Casino Royale Scratch-it and said, ‘Pick this one!’ So, I did.”

After taking her tickets home and scratching them, she soon discovered she had chosen the right ticket when her Casino Royale ticket revealed she had won the game’s $50,000 top prize! “I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I showed my son and asked him what he thought, and he agreed with me. I ended up taking the ticket back to work and used the Lottery ticket scanner and it said I’d won $50,000!”

To protect the health and safety of its employees and the public, the Oregon Lottery has temporarily closed the Salem and Wilsonville Lottery offices. Officials with the Lottery continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely. If players have a winning ticket, they can fill out a claim form on the Oregon Lottery website, https://oregonlottery.org/about/claim-prizes , and then mail in the signed ticket and claim form.

Players who have winning tickets of $50,000 or more, will need to make an appointment to come to the Oregon Lottery office in Salem. Call 503-540-1000 for assistance. As always, players should be certain to sign the back of their tickets.

Since 1985, Oregon Lottery players have won more than $38 billion in prizes.

The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $12 billion for economic development, public education, Outdoor School, state parks, Veterans services and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org

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June 3, 2020 – Salem, Ore. – When Sabrina Welch gets off work at the Chevron on 170th in Aloha, she likes to buy a few Scratch-its to take home with her. One of her favorite ways to pick which Scratch-its she buys is to use the age-old method of choosing… Eeny, meeny, miny, moe.

“I was deciding which games to play and was going ‘eeny, meeny, miny, moe,’” said Sabrina. “My co-worker behind the counter pointed to the Casino Royale Scratch-it and said, ‘Pick this one!’ So, I did.”

After taking her tickets home and scratching them, she soon discovered she had chosen the right ticket when her Casino Royale ticket revealed she had won the game’s $50,000 top prize! “I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I showed my son and asked him what he thought, and he agreed with me. I ended up taking the ticket back to work and used the Lottery ticket scanner and it said I’d won $50,000!”

To protect the health and safety of its employees and the public, the Oregon Lottery has temporarily closed the Salem and Wilsonville Lottery offices. Officials with the Lottery continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely. If players have a winning ticket, they can fill out a claim form on the Oregon Lottery website, https://oregonlottery.org/about/claim-prizes , and then mail in the signed ticket and claim form.

Players who have winning tickets of $50,000 or more, will need to make an appointment to come to the Oregon Lottery office in Salem. Call 503-540-1000 for assistance. As always, players should be certain to sign the back of their tickets.

Since 1985, Oregon Lottery players have won more than $38 billion in prizes.

The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $12 billion for economic development, public education, Outdoor School, state parks, Veterans services and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org

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Last week an adult in custody of the Lincoln County Jail attempted suicide by strangling herself with a shirt she had removed from her body.

The female appeared to be in a mental health crisis and was in a booking cell with a camera under observation. A deputy on duty observed her attempt to strangle herself with her shirt. The deputy called for assistance, entered the cell, and removed the shirt from her neck.

Medical and mental health staff in the jail were notified.

The adult in custody was placed on suicide watch and transported to the hospital for mental health crisis intervention.

She returned to the custody of the Lincoln County Jail several days later and will continue to receive the care, she needs from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office staff, which includes the medical team, a Pretrial Counselor, and a Jail Counselor.

Three days later an adult in custody of the Lincoln County Jail attempted suicide by hanging himself with jail issued clothing attached to the upper bunk in a cell by himself.

A supervisor doing a routine welfare check found the individual unresponsive and limp. The supervisor asked for assistance and the responding deputy lifted the individual up as a second deputy cut through the clothing.

The staff involved in this incident called for an AED and for an ambulance to respond to the jail. The adult in custody was awake and responsive prior to EMS arriving.

The adult in custody was transported by ambulance to a local hospital for medical and mental health care. He was discharged the next day and returned to the jail. While in custody he will continue to receive the care he needs from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office staff, which includes the medical team, a Pretrial Counselor, and a Jail Counselor.

The observations and quick actions of the staff working in the Lincoln County Jail on these days contributed to a positive outcome.

All Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office staff receive First Aid, AED, CPR and Narcan training from the two Registered Nurses employed in the jail.

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Marie Gainer
Sergeant

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
Jail Division

251 W Olive Newport, Oregon 97365
mgainer@co.lincoln.or.us

(541) 265-0717 Office

On May 31st, 2020, while monitoring activity in E pod, Deputy Read heard yelling and observed an adult in custody, Brian One Feather, age 38 of Siletz, OR strike another adult in custody. 

Deputy Read called for assistance and observed One Feather attempt to strike the adult in custody again. All adults in custody were ordered to separate and One Feather was removed from the housing unit. Medical staff on duty were notified of the incident.

The incident was investigated by Deputy Cloud who charged One Feather with Assault IV and Harassment.

One Feather was lodged in the Lincoln County Jail on a Probation Violation on May 13th, 2020 and is currently being held on both cases.

The Lincoln County Jail has several staff members who investigate crimes within the jail such as assaults. Incidents in the jail do not always rise to the level of criminal charges. The jail has internal procedures for holding adults in custody accountable in those cases, such as loss of privileges.

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Marie Gainer
Sergeant

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
Jail Division

251 W Olive Newport, Oregon 97365
mgainer@co.lincoln.or.us

(541) 265-0717 Office

Lane County Public Health (LCPH) was notified of two additional positive test results for COVID-19.  This makes a total of seventy-eight (78) positive tests, and one (1) presumptive case in Lane County.

The new cases are:

Individual in their  40s, Eug/Springfield, at home recovering. This case is EPI linked to an exiting case and was detected through disease investigation efforts.

A child under the age of 5, Eug/Springfield, stable at home. This case is an example of household transmission.

Individuals who had contact with these community members will be contacted by Lane County Public Health so they can work with their health care providers on next steps. Communicable disease investigations are underway. If a public contact exposure point is identified, that information will be shared with the public.

To see data related to COVID-19 in Lane County, please visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/data.

Presumptive cases are people without a positive PCR test who have COVID-19-like symptoms and had close contact with a confirmed case. Though not confirmed by a positive diagnostic test, presumptive cases have a high likelihood of having COVID-19 because of the specific nature of the symptoms and known exposure.

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Please note: Lane County will no longer provide proactive case updates on Saturday and Sunday as long as new case numbers remain low. New numbers will be published once per day on the weekends in the data table available atwww.LaneCountyOR.gov/data. Daily updates will still occur s://12">Monday–Friday.

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal office of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released energy assistance funding for income-qualified households. A total of $575,000 has been made available for Lane County residents.

This funding, known as LP20 CARES, is intended to assist households that have been impacted by COVID19, either financially or due to health. This funding is separate from the pre-existing Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and households that have already received LIHEAP funding between October 1, 2019 and the present are encouraged to apply for LP20 CARES.

The program provides qualifying households with a one-time payment toward their energy bill. It may be applied to electricity, natural gas, home heating oil, propane, wood pellets and wood. 

The LP20 CARES program will open in Lane County at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8.

To qualify for LP20 CARES, a household’s current gross monthly income must be at or below 60 percent of Oregon’s median income. A household of one person can have a gross monthly income as high as $2,165. A household of four can have a gross monthly income of $4,163.

The amount of assistance a household receives depends on a number of factors. The program pays the assistance directly into a household’s utility account as a one-time payment that ranges from $250-$550. Interested households may call one of the agencies listed below to be placed on a LP20 CARES waiting list.

Households may place themselves on the waiting list for funding by contacting a partner agency below, or visiting www.lanecounty.org/LIHEAPCares, starting at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 8.

Households that do have a senior citizen (60 and over), contact:             

Campbell Community Center in Eugene                    541-682-5354                         

Cottage Grove Senior Connections                            541-682-7810                         

Florence Senior Connections                                      541-902-9430, ext. 7835

Junction City Senior Connections                              541-998-8445                                     

Oakridge Senior Connections                                     541-782-4726                         

Veneta Senior Connections                                        541-682-7806

Springfield seniors may apply at:

Campbell Center in Eugene 541-682-5354    

Catholic Community Services in Springfield 541-935-2262 

Households that don’t have a senior citizen, contact:

Catholic Community Services in Eugene                   541-345-3642             

Catholic Community Services in Springfield             541-747-8349                         

Community Sharing in Cottage Grove                       541-942-6492                       

Siuslaw Outreach Services in Florence                       541-997-2816                         

Lane County Energy Oakridge                                  541-682-3314

There are additional energy assistance programs available in Lane County specific to utility companies.  Customers can call their utility company for information regarding these programs.        

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EMBARGO UNTIL: June 3, 2020, 10 a.m.

Salem, OR – Today the Oregon Secretary of State released an audit report of the statewide childcare background check practices. The Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), Background Check Unit (BCU) and the Office of Child Care (OCC) screen the backgrounds of thousands of childcare providers who participate in the Employment-Related Day Care subsidy program.

DHS agrees with and is moving forward on implementing most of the audit’s recommendations.

“DHS thanks the Audits Division for the opportunity to rigorously explore its background check systems, and for the advocacy in improving those systems and cross-agency communication,” said Director Fariborz Pakseresht. “Our background check system is critical to ensuring the safety and well-being of children in care, and there are many opportunities for improvement, as identified in the audit.”

The BCU and OCC screening process includes a thorough fitness determination of potential childcare providers that fully complies with federal and state statutes and is directly supported by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance. This fitness determination includes a consideration of all factors that could have an impact on child safety, as well as the employment rights of applicants and the value of lived experience. Among the many factors that are considered are evidence of rehabilitation and the passage of time since the crime or area of concern.

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SALEM, Ore. – The State Land Board will meet by teleconference on Tuesday, June 9 at 10 a.m. Agenda items include:

• An annual Common School Fund performance review by Oregon State Treasury
• An annual report on the financial performance of Common School Fund lands managed by the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL)
• The DSL 2021-23 budget request
• The Oregon Department of Forestry’s 2021-23 budget request for management of Common School Fund forestland
• A request from Coos County for two permanent easements to maintain bridge crossings on Bear Creek
   

The full meeting agenda and materials are available here.

Teleconference audio will be livestreamed to the DSL YouTube channel and public testimony will be accepted by email to support the public’s ability to attend and comment virtually. Testimony is accepted regarding consent and action agenda items and may be submitted before or during the meeting to oard.testimony@state.or.us">landboard.testimony@state.or.us. Guidelines for providing testimony are available here.

If you need assistance to participate in the meeting due to a disability, please notify Arin Smith at 503-986-5224 or in.n.smith@state.or.us">arin.n.smith@state.or.us at least two working days prior to the meeting.

About the State Land Board and the Department of State Lands: The State Land Board consists of Governor Kate Brown, Secretary of State Bev Clarno and State Treasurer Tobias Read. Established by the Oregon Constitution in 1859, the Land Board oversees the state’s Common School Fund. The Department of State Lands is the Land Board’s administrative agency, managing the lands and resources that help fund Oregon’s public schools and protecting the state’s waterways and wetlands for the many benefits they provide.

Grant applications are being accepted through July 1, 2020, for the 2019-2021 Cycle Two funding from the Marine Board. Grants are available to public bodies such as cities, counties, state and federal agencies, and Tribal governments for recreational boating facility improvements. All of the above parties, in addition to non-profit, non-governmental, and private entities are encouraged to apply for boating safety, education, equipment for underserved communities. 

“This is an exciting opportunity to partner with new parties to address waterway access needs for all recreational boaters,” said Janine Belleque, Boating Facilities Manager for the Marine Board. “It’s also exciting to be able to compliment access improvements with boating safety education grant dollars in underserved communities that enhance water recreation opportunities.”

In 2019, SB 47 was passed by the Oregon Legislature, creating an account for boating facility grants for the development or improvement of non-motorized boating access sites, or for boating safety education programs in underserved communities. Revenue for the grants comes from Waterway Access Permit sales, which are required to be purchased and carried on board non-motorized boats 10’ long and longer (including some sailboats). The Marine Board approved new grant rules during their June 2020, meeting, integrating the Waterway Access grant application and scoring criteria into the now 50-year old boating facility grant program in the agency. This simplifies the process for applicants: one application for five competitive grant funding sources. Roughly $250,000 is available in Waterway Access grants and $500,000 of other Boating Facility grants are available for eligible applicants.   

Boating facility grant applications are awarded three times during a two-year biennium based on available funding. The Cycle Two funding allocates 20% of the available boating facilities resources and focuses on projects that can be completed within 12 months remaining in the biennium.  This includes property acquisition, construction within the in-water windows, and permitting for replacing boat ramps, boarding docks, repaving, or redesigning parking lots or sanitation renovations.  The Marine Board’s Boating Facility staff provide technical assistance to grant applicants through every step of the project concept, design/engineering, permitting, surveying, and inspections of any given project, often saving time and money for the facility provider.

Cycle Three allocates 10% of the available funding to factor in previously awarded grants with unexpected cost increases, or emergency situations. This funding cycle is dependent upon the successful completion of other projects and available revenue.

The Marine Board awards more than $5 million biennially for boating facility improvements.  Since 2001, the agency has awarded $44 million in facility grants throughout Oregon. These grants are funded from motorboat title and registration fees, marine fuel tax revenue, and in 2020, Waterway Access Permit fees. 

More information on Waterway Access Permits and examples of facility projects are available at www.boatoregon.com.  

Grant applications, a boating facilities procedures guide, and sample application are also available on the agency’s website.

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The Marine Board is directly funded by boaters in the form of registration, title, and permit fees, as well as through marine fuel taxes. No lottery, general fund tax dollars, or local facility parking fees support the agency or its programs. Boater-paid fees support the boating public through boating safety services (on-the-water law enforcement, training, and equipment), boating safety education, grants for the construction and maintenance of boating access facilities, and environmental protection programs. For more information about the Marine Board and its programs, visit www.boatoregon.com.

WHO:              David Gerstenfeld, Acting Director, Oregon Employment Department

WHAT:            Acting Employment Department Director David Gerstenfeld will hold his first media briefing as the new leader of the organization on Wed., June 3 at 1:00 p.m. via teleconference. Gerstenfeld will share his vision for ensuring every Oregonian who qualifies for unemployment is able to get their payments, as well as urgent steps being taken to significantly increase claims processing and to improve communications with Oregonians whose claims are outstanding. He will also share new data of the number of claims processed to date, the number of outstanding claims and other helpful data.

WHEN:            Wed., June 3, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. PT

WHERE:         Via teleconference; Members of the media must RSVP for call-in information by emailing OED_Communications@oregon.gov by 12:00 p.m. PT on June 3; Teleconference information will be provided to all reporters who RSVP to participate remotely; Headshot of David Gerstenfeld available here.

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

The Lane County Public Health COVID-19 (Coronavirus) press conference held on Tuesday, June 2, is now available to view online at www.lanecountyor.gov/coronavirus or at https://vimeo.com/425282481.  

It is also available to view at http://www.facebook.com/LaneCountyGovernment.

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DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - DAILY LOCAL UPDATE

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 2, 2020

Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT

(Douglas County, Ore.)  As our Douglas County Board of Commissioners await a response from the Governor on the status of our request letter (sent on Friday, May 29, 2020) to advance to Phase Two of her Reopening Plan, we encourage our citizens to keep the faith that, while it might be a slow reopening process, we are moving forward.  While we do not know the extent of the Governor’s Phase Two guidelines, we are hopeful they will provide increased opportunities for businesses, recreation and possibly a few summer activities.  We look forward to hearing the news and as soon as we receive notice we will let our citizens, businesses and communities know. 

Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results: 

It is Tuesday, June 2, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there is one new case of COVID-19 in Douglas County.  The total number of positive cases in Douglas County is 28.  Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test.  Twenty-eight people have tested positive in the county and twenty-five of those twenty-eight have recovered.  DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19. 

DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, advising and supporting quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered.  The first positive COVID-19 case in Douglas County was announced on March 8, 2020.  Thanks to the great work that Douglas County has done social distancing and staying home, we’ve had 28 cases in 86 days.  

Here are the current numbers for Douglas County:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management and will now include presumptive COVID-19 cases.  DPHN will also be reporting presumptive cases and will use the OHA’s definition of presumptive as having had close contact with a known, confirmed COVID-19 case, showing symptoms and not yet having a positive nasal swab/PCR test for COVID-19. 

Getting Tested & Testing Clinics

The next drive-through testing clinic will be today, Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in Roseburg. As a reminder, if you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.  Patients without a Primary Care Provider, that are looking for a COVID-19 test should contact the Sutherlin Aviva Health Clinic at (541) 459-3788.

Special Thank You to all that have helped with the Drive-Through COVID Testing: Douglas County was one of the first in the state to stand up a drive-through COVID-19 testing clinic at the beginning of the pandemic.  Significant partnership and collaboration was key to the success of the 29 clinics that have been held so far in the county. The first drive-through testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 564 people tested in the drive-through clinics.  The drive-through clinics are led by DPHN, in conjunction with partner agencies including; Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works, local volunteers and local health professionals.  The clinics have been a model for many other counties around the state and plans are in place to continue the clinics for as long as they are needed.  

“We want to express our deep gratitude for all the work and energy that has been devoted to the almost thirty clinics that we’ve done since early March.  This type of effort is not something one single agency can do alone and the organizations and individuals who came together to increase accessibility to testing during a vital time are nothing short of amazing.”  Teresa Mutschler, Executive Director DPHN

Oregon COVID-19 Case Update

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. The Oregon Health Authority is also releasing the daily situation status report, which is produced jointly with Oregon Office of Emergency Management. It details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within the state and the response across government agencies. Click Here to Read More About the Oregon Daily Situation Status Report.

Navigating COVID-19 Resources for Small Businesses

Oregon has developed a Small Business Navigator website to help the state’s small-business owners connect to COVID-19-related resources.

The site contains links to information on the following topics:

• Financial assistance (federal, state and other loans)
• Workforce assistance (unemployment benefits and insurance coverage)
• Reopening guidance, including advice on securing or manufacturing PPE
• Other business guidance (connections, planning, counseling and more)

The website is a joint effort by Business Oregon, the Oregon Employment Department, the Oregon Secretary of State and the state Department of Consumer and Business Services. The Small Business Navigator Hotline is (833) 604-0880.

Resources for Those Struggling to Pay Rent or Mortgage

If you feel like you’re struggling to stay afloat in terms of paying your rent or mortgage, you’re not alone. Resources are available to assist you - here are a few:

• A good first step is to talk to your landlord or mortgage lender to see if there is any relief available in terms of rent reduction or deferred payments.
• Oregon Housing and Community Services has a COVID-19 Rent Relief Program for people who have experienced a loss of income and are at risk of homelessness due to COVID-19. To inquire about this assistance, contact United Community Action Network (UCAN) at (541) 672-5392
• Gov. Kate Brown in March issued a statewide moratorium on residential evictions related to nonpayment of rent due to wage loss resulting from COVID-19. In April, she issued an executive order preventing landlords from giving eviction notices or filing eviction lawsuits related to non-payment of rent or no-cause evictions.
• Here’s a tenant-rights fact sheet from Oregon Law Center and Legal Aid Services of Oregon.
• The Consumer Finance Protection Bureau created a guide to mortgage relief options related to COVID-19. The Department of Consumer and Business Services has provided guidance to Oregon lenders.
• Here is a video to help you determine whether suspending mortgage payments due to COVID-19 makes sense for you.
• If you need assistance in finding shelter or other resources, call 2-1-1 or visit 211info.org

State Parks Releases List of Open Campgrounds

Oregon State Parks has released a list of campgrounds that have reopened or are set to reopen soon. The list can be found on the State Parks website.   

Some campsites opened with limited services on Friday on a first-come, first-served basis. Another group of sites is set to reopen June 9 – including William M. Tugman south of Reedsport, Sunset Bay near Coos Bay, and Bullards Beach north of Bandon. Reservations are necessary at these sites, and can be made online. All cabins and yurts remain closed, and group camping is not allowed. 

Additionally, on Friday, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) opened some dispersed camping sites with limited services in the Tillamook, Clatsop, Santiam, Sun Pass and Gilchrist state forests and elsewhere. More information is available on the ODF website. Visitors are asked to pack out what they pack in and leave no trace.

Stay Informed with the Accurate Information

Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information to Douglas County residents since March 8, 2020.  

Local COVID-19 Hotline: If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550 from 8:00 am-5:00 pm, 7 days a week.   

Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website.  Find additional information on state or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Douglas County Government, Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and by calling or logging onto 211Info.

Got Questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans?

If you have questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans, you will need to call, email or contact the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) or the Oregon State Office responsible for regulating your business or the business that you wish to visit, if you have questions about her Phased Reopening Plans or Sector Specific Guidelines.

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Contact Tamara Howell, Public Information Officer, Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, (541) 670-2804 cell/(541) 957-4896 tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network, (541) 817-6552 cell /(541 440-3571 vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

BOISE, ID – As wildfire activity increases across the American West and Alaska, the Bureau of Land Management is responding. The BLM has mobilized wildland firefighters and aviation support to incidents in New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado and other states, with the goal of catching wildfires before they grow into large, problematic incidents.

“Every year, the BLM sends its wildland firefighters across borders for wildfire response, and this year is no different. We’ve planned carefully and strategically for wildfire suppression during the pandemic,” said BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Programs William Perry Pendley. “Now, we’re implementing safe, efficient fire suppression operations with our firefighters working as ‘family units’ to protect people, property and themselves.”

The BLM has sent smokejumpers to Colorado, Nevada, and Utah to respond to wildfires, and wildland firefighters in New Mexico and Arizona have responded to several incidents. Wildland fire engines have been sent from Montana to help suppress wildfires in Arizona, and BLM aviation resources are moving throughout the country to locations like Lake City, Florida and as far north as Fairbanks, Alaska.  

These efforts are part of a larger national wildfire reduction strategy guided by President Trump’s Executive Order 13855 – Promoting Active Management of America’s Forests, Rangelands, and Other Federal Lands to Improve Conditions and Reduce Wildfire Risk, as well as Secretary’s Order 3372 – Reducing Wildfire Risks on Department of the Interior Land through Active Management. The two orders direct Department of the Interior (DOI) to implement policies to improve forest and rangeland management practices by reducing hazardous fuel loads, mitigating fire risk and ensuring the safety and stability of local communities through active management on forests and rangelands.

Every year, the BLM works with its Federal, state, and local partners to suppress wildfires as soon as they ignite, a tactic known as “initial attack”. Aggressive initial attack is the single most important method to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public; it also limits suppression costs. During the COVID-19 outbreak, the wildland fire agencies will continue to work to suppress wildfires with the goal of reducing wildfire size and intensity. 

The BLM prepared for fire activity by working with its federal, state and local partners to develop specific COVID-19 wildfire response plans to provide for personnel and public safety. These plans outline best management practices to limit the spread of the virus and to provide a safe working environment for all wildland fire personnel.

“Overall, the BLM will use its wildfire response plans to ensure safe, efficient wildfire suppression operations during the pandemic,” said Pendley. “We will continue to send wildfire suppression resources wherever they are needed, because that is what our neighbors, stakeholders, and rural communities expect from the BLM, COVID-19 notwithstanding.” 

-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.

News release // Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release date: June 2, 2020
Media contact: Chris Havel, 503-986-0722 (desk), 503-931-2590 (cell)

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department restores some services, facing layoffs following drop in revenue

Salem, Ore – The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will face months, even years, of critical challenges due to the economic fallout from COVID-19. The agency does not receive state General Fund tax dollars to operate any service, including its popular, heavily visited state park system. A decline in its main revenue sources – Lottery Fund and park visitors – has left it offering reduced services and facing layoffs to fill an estimated $22 million dollar gap in its July 2019-June 2021 budget.

OPRD’s budget is 44% Lottery Fund dedicated by Oregon voters in 1999 and 2010; 50% “Other Fund” from park visitors, a portion of recreational vehicle registrations, and other sources; and 6% Federal Fund, mainly for heritage-related programs. The projected Lottery Fund allocation is down 30% from pre-coronavirus estimates. The state park system was closed for two months, and is just now starting to offer limited services to campers.

When it became clear in spring that revenues were going to be unstable, OPRD froze hiring, curtailed discretionary spending, and suspended large improvement and repair projects and other programs such as grants.  The current estimated $22 million gap could grow or shrink, but it has necessitated the decision to lay off 47 positions by June 30. The number of positions laid off could change. State park field operations have borne the lion’s share of the workforce reduction already. Most of the state park workforce is hired seasonally, and of the 415 positions allotted to operate parks, only 77 had been hired by the time the system closed in March. Some seasonal staff may be hired on a case-by-case basis to flesh out the current skeleton crew. The upcoming reductions will focus on other areas of the department.

Some state park camping has started at smaller parks, and more will begin June 9 (see May 29 news release). Typical services such as trash collection, restrooms, and showers are limited, both due to their expense and the limited staffing. Fewer staff and funds are available for landscape maintenance and cleanup, a point driven home by storm damage in central Oregon this past weekend.

Given the uncertainties of staffing and public health considerations reservation services will resume, but in a likewise limited manner. Reservations will be accepted online at https://oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com/ and by phone at 800-452-5687, beginning Wednesday, June 3 at noon Pacific time. New reservations will be accepted one day to two weeks in advance only, instead of one day to 9 months in advance, which had been in place for years. Not all sites at all parks are available, and many were already reserved before the system closed. No walk-in or first-come, first-served camping will be available on the coast until further notice. For more information on camping reservations, visit https://stateparks.oregon.gov

Visitors can help by treating park properties gently, using as little water and power as necessary, and packing out trash.

“This is a heartbreaking time for our agency family, both for those who face a heavy workload as we roll into summer and for the dedicated professionals we have to release from service,” says Lisa Sumption, OPRD Director. “We’ll do everything we can to help them land on their feet. With support from Oregonians, the agency will rise to this challenge and adapt.”

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June 2, 2020

Media contact: OHA External Relations 971-673-2097, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 33 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 3 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed three more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 157, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 33 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 4,335. The new cases are in the following counties: Benton (1), Hood River (4), Lincoln (2), Linn (1), Marion (8), Multnomah (10), Umatilla (1), Wasco (2), Washington (4).

Oregon’s 155th COVID-19 death is a 36-year-old woman in Multnomah County, who tested positive on May 31 and died the same day at Adventist Hospital. She had underlying medical conditions.

Oregon’s 156th COVID-19 death is a 66-year-old woman in Multnomah County, who tested positive on April 1 and died on May 22 at her residence. She had underlying medical conditions.

Oregon’s 157th COVID-19 death is an 81-year-old woman in Washington County, who tested positive on April 6 and died on May 26 at her residence. She had underlying medical conditions.

Outbreak Reported at Bob’s Red Mill

An outbreak of 13 COVID-19 cases has been reported at Bob’s Red Mill in Clackamas County. State and county public health officials are working to investigate the outbreak and protect the health of workers. The outbreak investigation started on May 27.

The risk to the general public from this outbreak is low. If you have questions or concerns about your risk of exposure, please contact your health care provider.

Additional information about this outbreak will be added to the COVID-19 Weekly Report published tomorrow.

Last week, OHA announced that it will begin reporting large COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces. This will include all past and future outbreaks that involve five or more COVID-19 cases in a workplace setting. OHA is in the process of compiling information on past outbreaks for public disclosure.

OHA is now including a link to the Oregon COVID-19 Daily Update in the daily news release. The Daily Update is a detailed look at COVID-19 in Oregon, including testing data, hospital capacity, and cases broken down by demographic information such as age groups, gender, race and ethnicity.

To see more case and county level data, please visit the Oregon Health Authority website, which OHA updates once a day: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - NOON CASE UPDATE

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 2, 2020

Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT

(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results: 

It is Tuesday, June 2, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there is one new case of COVID-19 in Douglas County.  The total number of positive cases in Douglas County is 28.  Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test.  Twenty-eight people have tested positive in the county and twenty-five of those twenty-eight have recovered.  DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19. 

DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, advising and supporting quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered.  The first positive COVID-19 case in Douglas County was announced on March 8, 2020.  Thanks to the great work that Douglas County has done social distancing and staying home, we’ve had 28 cases in 86 days.  

Here are the current numbers for Douglas County:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management and will now include presumptive COVID-19 cases.  DPHN will also be reporting presumptive cases and will use the OHA’s definition of presumptive as having had close contact with a known, confirmed COVID-19 case, showing symptoms and not yet having a positive nasal swab/PCR test for COVID-19. 

Getting Tested & Testing Clinics

The next drive-through testing clinic will be today, Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in Roseburg. As a reminder, if you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.  Patients without a Primary Care Provider that are looking for a COVID-19 test should contact the Sutherlin Aviva Health clinic at (541) 459-3788.

Oregon COVID-19 Case Update

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. The Oregon Health Authority is also releasing the daily situation status report, which is produced jointly with Oregon Office of Emergency Management. It details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within the state and the response across government agencies. Click Here to Read More About the Oregon Daily Situation Status Report.

Stay Informed with the Accurate Information

Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information to Douglas County residents since March 8, 2020.  

Local COVID-19 Hotline: If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week. 

Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website.  Find additional information on state or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Douglas County Government, Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and by calling or logging onto 211Info.

Got Questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans?

If you have questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans, you will need to call, email or contact the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) or the Oregon State Office responsible for regulating your business or the business that you wish to visit, if you have questions about her Phased Reopening Plans or Sector Specific Guidelines.

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Contact Tamara Howell, Public Information Officer, Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, (541) 670-2804 cell/(541) 957-4896 tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network, (541) 817-6552 cell /(541 440-3571 vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. This week: building a digital defense by recognizing signs of trouble. 

Indicators, or symptoms, that your computer or devices have been hacked can vary from nothing identifiable to the most obvious, like getting a ransomware message or having your financial accounts drained. 

Some of the more blatant indicators include:

• Your password not working. While this may be a temporary issue with an internet connection or a requested website having technical issues, it could be an instance in which an attacker has hijacked your account and changed the password. 

• People receive emails or social media invites from you that you did not send. 

• You get a large number of pop-up ads. 

• You get fake antivirus messages.

• You have unexplained online activity.

• You have new browser toolbars, applications, or software which you do not recognize or didn’t install. 

There are also indicators related to how your computer or device is behaving. For example: your device suddenly slows down, you see a marked increase in data usage, your device randomly restarts, or you are experiencing redirected Internet searches. 

Attackers will also use subtle ways to avoid detection. You may notice that your security or anti-virus software has somehow been turned off. The security settings on your device may have been changed, your logging or registry editor may have been disabled, or system settings may have been altered or disabled. 

Trying to identify if you have been hacked, and what may have been compromised, is a difficult task. Even large corporations with significant financial resources dedicated to cybersecurity fall victim. We hear or read about these incidents all of the time.

Organizations shouldn’t hesitate to hire professional cybersecurity experts, just as you would hire professional video services for an ad campaign or catering services for a fundraising event. Make sure you do your own research to identify a reputable firm. 

Strengthening your systems against attacks and making yourself less of a target for would-be cyber attackers is absolutely critical.  

As always, if you have been victimized by a cyber fraud, be sure to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov or call your local FBI office.

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EUGENE, Ore.—A Florida man pleaded guilty and was sentenced to federal supervised release today for falsely claiming to represent The Village People band and swindling $12,500 from The Mill Casino in North Bend, Oregon, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams.

Howard Harlib, 67, was sentenced to time served in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Harlib has been in state custody in Florida since 2016 after being convicted of unrelated charges.

According to court documents, in August 2015, The Mill Casino, owned and operated by the Coquille Indian Tribe, received a flier from Harlib advertising the opportunity to book The Village People for a show at the casino. Casino employees contacted Harlib, who spoke with them about dates, pricing, and other matters involved in the booking. The same day, Harlib sent the casino a brochure with information about his company, Premier Entertainment. Harlib claimed the band had a show in Las Vegas, Nevada the night before one of the dates discussed with the casino and, therefore, traveling to North Bend would not be an issue.

Later, Harlib emailed the casino an artistic engagement contract, which the casino signed and returned to Harlib with a check for $12,500. Harlib cashed the check two days later. In January 2016, the casino discovered that The Village People were scheduled to appear in Florida the same day they were booked to play in North Bend. After having difficulty reaching Harlib, the casino contacted another representative of the band. The representative confirmed that Harlib did not have any association with the band. Harlib later admitted he had no authority to book the band.

Harlib’s history of frauds and swindles dates back decades, to at least 1992. In 2004, he was convicted of third degree grand theft in Florida for the same exact scheme: contracting with two victims to have The Temptations, The Supremes, and Jimmie Walker perform at their venues. After spending five years in prison for that conviction, Harlib spent another five years in prison for impersonating a doctor and possessing a variety of prescription medications.

On April 29, 2019, Harlib was charged by federal criminal information with one count of wire fraud. He pleaded guilty today to the same charge.

During his sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Ann L. Aiken ordered Harlib to pay $12,500 in restitution to the Coquille Indian Tribe.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

# # #

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY

RICHARD L. WESENBERG JR., District Attorney for Douglas County

Justice Building · PO Box 1006 · Roseburg, OR 97470

(541) 440-4388 · FAX: (541) 440-4403

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 2, 2020

Douglas County D.A. and Sheriff’s Office to Hold Conference at 4:30 pm

            (Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County District Attorney’s Office and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will hold a joint press conference today, June 2, 2020 at 4:30 pm to discuss State v. Kevin Adams. This press conference will be held at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, located in the Justice Building of the Douglas County Courthouse, at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue, Roseburg, Oregon.

            Members of the media interested in attending the press conference are to contact, Steve Hoddle, Douglas County Senior Deputy District Attorney at (541) 440-4388 for specific instructions and attendance requirements.

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Tamara Howell, Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist

(541) 670-2804 cell - (541) 957-4896 office - tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene via conference call for their third meeting of the year June 16 and 17.

Commissioners will meet 1 – 2:30 p.m. June 16 for a work session which is closed to the public.

Commissioners will meet 8:30 - 9 a.m. June 17 for an executive session to discuss acquisition priorities and opportunities, and potential litigation. Executive sessions are closed to the public.

A business meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Members of the public will be able to listen to this call; instructions on how to join the call (Zoom meeting) will be available online prior to the meeting on the commission webpage on oregon.gov/oprd.

Notable requests on the business meeting agenda:

Land parcel transfer to Wallowa County
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking approval to transfer ownership of an undeveloped 35-acre land parcel to Wallowa County. County ownership of the parcel would allow for more consistent management, and include it in future public access plans for the area in accordance with the East Moraine project.

Approve funding for Land and Water Conservation Fund applicants
An agency committee is recommending 12 applicants receive federal grant funding for the 2020 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant cycle. If approved, awarded federal funds would total about $5 million.

State park development

• Adopt the updated master plan for Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint.
• Approve request to designate 236 acres of private land around Horseshoe Lake under the Oregon Natural Areas Plan.

Amend rules governing state administration of the National Register of Historic Places Program
OPRD is requesting permission to amend the Oregon Administrative Rules governing the historic register program to clarify language and streamline the process for program applicants. 

The full draft agenda and meeting packet are posted on the commission webpage on oregon.gov/oprd.

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules, and setting the budget for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The seven members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and meet several times a year at locations across the state.

YONCALLA, Ore. - A house fire in the 3700-block of Hayhurst Road in Yoncalla claimed the life of a 14 year-old.

On Monday, June 1, 2020, at 10:21 am, 911 dispatchers received a report of a structure fire in the 3700-block of Hayhurst Road. North Douglas Fire & EMS was dispatched to the scene along with the Sheriff's Office. It was later reported a 14 year-old female was unaccounted for and could possibly be inside the structure.

Firefighters located the victim, Gracey Weinhold, inside the home and were able to get her out of the home to a waiting ambulance. She was unresponsive and transported to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Hospital at RiverBend where she was later declared deceased.

The Sheriff's Office is conducting an investigation alongside the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office and Oregon State Police Arson Unit. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Assistance was also provided by the Oakland and Sutherlin Fire Departments and Douglas Electric.

Next of kin has been notified.

Correction 6/1/2020 5:40 pm:  The original release identified the infant victim's gender as female, the child is actually male.

On June 1st, 2020, at about 7:40 am, a 911 call was received reporting a serious motor vehicle crash on Howell Prairie Road NE, just north of State Street.  The crash involved two vehicles, a 1992 Honda Accord and a 2016 Ram 4500 work truck, which collided head on.  At the time of the crash, the Honda had three people inside, two adults and one infant.  The 2016 Ram was only occupied by the driver.

When emergency crews arrived at the scene the Honda was on fire.  Firefighters from Marion County Fire District # 1 were able to extinguish the vehicle fire.  The two adults in the Honda, Kelly Byrd, 33, and Joseph Dominick, 41, died at the scene of the crash.  Byrd’s one year-old daughter was transported from the scene by medics, but later died as a result of her injuries as well.  The driver of the 2016 Ram, Mark Kuenzi, 43, sustained only minor injuries during the crash.

The Marion County multi-agency Crash Team was called to the scene to investigate the crash.  Investigators determined Byrd had been driving the Honda southbound on Howell Prairie Road when she crossed into the oncoming lane of travel, striking the 2016 Ram.  Deputies have not determined why the Honda went into the oncoming lane; driver impairment has not been rule out as being a contributing factor to the crash. 

Howell Prairie Road was closed to traffic for several hours during the investigation, the roadway reopened to traffic at approximately 3:30 pm.  The Marion County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Marion County Fire District #1, Keizer Police Department, Marion County Public Works, Marion County District Attorney’s Office, and Marion County Medical Examiner’s Office during this incident.

June 1, 2020

Media contact: OHA External Relations 971-673-2097, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 59 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 1 new death

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed one more life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 154, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 59 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 4,302.

The new confirmed and presumptive cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (5), Deschutes (2), Jackson (1), Jefferson (11), Josephine (1), Lane (4), Lincoln (3), Linn (2), Marion (13), Morrow (1), Multnomah (6), Polk (2), Umatilla (4), Washington (4).

Oregon’s 154th COVID-19 death is a 59-year-old man in Marion County, who tested positive on May 29 and died the same day at Salem Hospital. He had underlying medical conditions.

Last week, OHA previously announced that it will begin reporting large COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces. This will include all past and future outbreaks that involve five or more COVID-19 cases in a workplace setting. OHA is in the process of compiling information on past outbreaks for public disclosure.

OHA is now including a link to the Oregon COVID-19 Daily Update in the daily news release. The Daily Update is a detailed look at COVID-19 in Oregon, including testing data, hospital capacity, and cases broken down by demographic information such as age groups, gender, race and ethnicity.

To see more case and county level data, please visit the Oregon Health Authority website, which OHA updates once a day: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

News release // Oregon Parks and Recreation Department

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release date: June 1, 2020

Media contact: Chris Havel, 503-931-2590

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department stands against racism; protests continue at State Capitol State Park

Salem, Ore – In troubling times, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) reminds every Oregonian that all people are welcome at a state park.

“There is no place for racism in any Oregon State Park,” says Lisa Sumption, OPRD Director. “Period.”

At 6 p.m. Monday, June 1, the State Capitol State Park in Salem, often used as a venue for demonstrations and a platform to address the state seat of political power, will be the site of protests related to the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.

# # #

As Oregon heads into the 2020 wildfire season, there are actions each of us can do to prepare ourselves, our families and our homes. 

Preparing your family in advance of an emergency is important.  Oregon Office of Emergency Management encourages individuals and families to be 2 Weeks Ready - a tangible action that creates self-sufficiency for at least 14 days in the midst or in the aftermath of an emergency or disaster. Have a “go kit,” make an action plan and communicate the plan with your family.  

In addition, be familiar with “Ready, Set, Go” emergency evacuation levels and sign up for emergency alerts in your county to receive evacuation notifications. 

“We can all do our part when it comes to prevention and knowing what to do when wildfire threatens our home and our community,” said OEM Director Andrew Phelps. “In spite of the countless ways COVID-19 has changed our lives, these steps can help heighten levels of certainty and empowerment when it comes to personal safety. 

The statewide evacuation system is used to notify communities facing a threat, or potential threat, to lives and property. Evacuation levels are as follows:

• Level 1 Evacuation means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, and in some cases, pets and livestock. 

• Level 2 Evacuation means “BE SET” to evacuate. You should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice as this level indicates there is significant danger to your area. Residents should be prepared to voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area. Residents may have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk.

• Level 3 Evacuation means “GO.” Leave immediately! Danger to your area is current or imminent. If you choose to ignore this advisement, emergency services may not be available to assist you further. Do not delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home.

Each year, OEM partners with the Department of Forestry, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Keep Oregon Green and other state agencies to promote wildfire awareness and preparedness. For more information on how to be 2 Weeks Ready, or other personal preparedness resources, visit www.oregon.gov/oem/2WeeksReady.

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DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - DAILY LOCAL UPDATE

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 1, 2020

Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT

(Douglas County, Ore.)  Last Friday, May 29, Douglas County Commissioner and Board Chair, Chris Boice worked closely with our Public Health Official, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer to promptly complete and submit our Phase Two reopening request letter to the Governor.  The Governor announced late Thursday night (May 28) that Oregon Counties that are in the no-less-than twenty-one-day Phase One Reopening trial-period can submit their Phase Two request letters starting, Friday, May 29.  Our request letter is the next-step in the process for the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plan that provides further relaxing of restrictions, as well as additional opportunities for businesses to open and offer expanded services in our County.  Douglas County has been in Phase One since Friday, May 15.  The Governor’s Phased Reopening Plan follows her mandated closures for specific sector businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 17, 2020.  The decision to grant Douglas County businesses permission to begin Phase Two Reopening now lies in the hands of the Governor.  According to the reopening plan guidelines, the submitted letters will be reviewed, and counties that receive approval from the Governor, could enter Phase Two as soon as June 5, 2020.

“Again, we are confident that our efforts to combat COVID-19 in our County will pay off with the Governor approving our request to enter Phase Two.  Our Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, under the direction of Commissioner Tim Freeman, along with the incredible work accomplished by our Public Health Official, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer and Douglas Public Health Network, have paved the way for Douglas County to be in the right position to advance to Phase Two in a safe and structured manner,” commented Commissioner Boice. 

Douglas County continues to be recognized as leader in Oregon for our COVID-19 response for our drive-through testing, coordinated planning, prevention messaging and hospital/care facility capacity preparedness.   As more information becomes available about our Phase Two Reopening approval, we will provide updates and guidance to our residents.  For more information about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans, click here.

Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results: 

It is Monday, June 1 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there are NO new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County.  The total number of positive cases in Douglas County is 27.  Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test.  Twenty-seven people have tested positive in the county and twenty-five of those twenty-seven have recovered.  DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19. 

DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, advising and supporting quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered.  The first positive COVID-19 case in Douglas County was announced on March 8, 2020.  Thanks to the great work that Douglas County has done social distancing and staying home, we’ve had 27 cases in over 80 days.  

Here are the current numbers for Douglas County:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management and will now include presumptive COVID-19 cases.  DPHN will also be reporting presumptive cases and will use the OHA’s definition of presumptive as having had close contact with a known, confirmed COVID-19 case, showing symptoms and not yet having a positive nasal swab/PCR test for COVID-19. 

Getting Tested & Testing Clinics

The next drive-through testing clinic will be Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in Roseburg. As a reminder, if you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.  Patients without a Primary Care Provider that are looking for a COVID-19 test should contact the Sutherlin Aviva Health clinic at (541) 459-3788.

The first drive-through testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 564 people tested in the drive-through clinics alone, additional testing continues in hospitals, urgent cares and clinics simultaneously. The drive- through clinics are led by DPHN, in conjunction with partner agencies including; Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works, local volunteers and local health professionals.

Oregon COVID-19 Case Update

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. The Oregon Health Authority is also releasing the daily situation status report, which is produced jointly with Oregon Office of Emergency Management. It details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within the state and the response across government agencies. Click Here to Read More About the Oregon Daily Situation Status Report.

Facebook Live with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer

Join us tonight, Monday, June 1, 2020 for the next virtual town hall Q&A with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, your Douglas County Public Health Officer at 6:00 pm, hosted by DPHN and found on the DPHN Facebook page.

Reminder: FISH Food Pantry Remains Open

Do you or someone you know need food?  The FISH Food Pantry is here to help.  The FISH Food Pantry would like to remind Douglas County residents that they are open and ready to provide food assistance to residents in need. The pantry, located at 405 Jerry’s Drive in Roseburg, is open to the public from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.  The FISH of Roseburg is a non-profit organization that provides emergency basic needs to our friends and neighbors during their difficult times. It was founded in 1971 by local churches in response to the need to provide emergency food to low-income families. Its mission is to reduce hunger in the community, and it currently assists over 1,000 Douglas County households per month. Nearly one-third of those served are children.  There have been some adjustments to pantry operations during COVID-19; only volunteers and staff are allowed inside, and food boxes are given out rather than clients doing their own food selection. More information is available on FISH’s website.

Mental Health Resources Are Available to Support You

It’s been a few months now since COVID-19 dramatically altered our daily lives, and if you’re feeling anxious or stressed, know that you’re not alone and that help is available.  Locally, Compass Behavioral Health operates a 24/7 crisis line at (800) 866-9780. Nationally, you can call SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline at (800) 985-5990, or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to speak to a trained crisis counselor.  If this is an emergency situation, call 911.

Help is also available from Lines for Life, a suicide prevention organization with specific resources for youth, militarily personnel and their families, and those affected by substance abuse issues.

Visit the Lines for Life website for information, or call one of its helplines:

• Suicide Lifeline: (800) 273-8255, or (888) 628-9454 for Spanish
• Alcohol and Drug Helpline (800) 923-4357
• Military Helpline (888) 457-4838
• Youthline (877) 968-8491 or text Teen2Teen to 839863

DMV Offices Reopening for Appointment Only Services

The Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles announced that forty offices throughout Oregon – including the Roseburg office - are reopening for appointment-only services this week. You can call to make an appointment starting today, June 1, and appointments will begin on Wednesday, June 3.

Appointments can be made for:

• Driver’s licenses and ID cards – originals, renewals and replacements – and instruction permits
• Driver knowledge tests
• Driving privilege reinstatements
• Disabled parking placards
• VIN inspections for new-to-Oregon vehicles previously titled elsewhere
• Farm endorsements

“Please be patient and expect longer-than-normal wait times on the phone and for an available appointment,” DMV Administrator Tom McClellan said. “If you can wait to renew until later in the summer, please consider waiting so that appointments are available for those who need them most.”

The Roseburg DMV can be reached at (541) 440-3395. DMV offices have been equipped with plastic shields at each work station, and lobby furniture has been rearranged to promote physical distancing. Extra cleanings have been scheduled. Visitors are encouraged to come alone unless another party is needed – such as a parent or guardian for a teen applying for driving privileges, or a translator for knowledge tests.

Stay Informed with the Accurate Information

Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information to Douglas County residents since March 8, 2020.  Local COVID-19 Hotline: If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550 from 8:00 am-5:00 pm, 7 days a week.   Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website.  Find additional information on state or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Douglas County Government, Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and by calling or logging onto 211Info.

Got Questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans?

If you have questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans, you will need to call, email or contact the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) or the Oregon State Office responsible for regulating your business or the business that you wish to visit, if you have questions about her Phased Reopening Plans or Sector Specific Guidelines.

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Contact Tamara Howell, Public Information Officer, Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, (541) 670-2804 cell/(541) 957-4896 tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network, (541) 817-6552 cell /(541 440-3571 vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

Public hearing to be held via Zoom on June 16, public comment period open until July 1

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Ocean Science Trust would be able to partner with private nonprofits for fundraising purposes under new proposed rules. 

The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is seeking public comment on rules resulting from the Oregon Legislature’s 2019 passage of Senate Bill 753. The rules aim to clarify the Trust’s role and responsibility in granting and distributing funds for ocean science research.

Temporary rules are currently in place and will expire on August 27, 2020.

Public comment sought via Zoom hearing, written comments
A public hearing on the proposed rules will be held June 16, 2020, from 4:30-5:30 p.m. via Zoom. Visit the DSL website for hearing details, to request the meeting link, or to review the draft rules.

The public comment period will be open until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Comments must be received by this date and time to be considered. Written comments may be submitted on the DSL website by online form, by email to ules@dsl.state.or.us">rules@dsl.state.or.us, or by mail to DSL Rules Coordinator, 775 Summer St. NE, Suite 100, Salem, Oregon 97301.

Once the public comment period closes, DSL will consider any comments received and revise the rule draft as needed. The earliest the permanent rules would go into effect is August 1, 2020.

About the Oregon Ocean Science Trust: In establishing the Oregon Ocean Science Trust, the 2013 Legislature created an opportunity for Oregon to understand how our ocean is changing, and take action to ensure a thriving coastal environment and economy for future generations.  The Oregon Department of State Lands is responsible for providing administrative support to the Trust.

DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - NOON CASE UPDATE

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 1, 2020

Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT

(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results:  It is Monday, June 1, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there are NO new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County.  The total number of positive cases in Douglas County is 27.  Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test.  Twenty-seven people have tested positive in the county and twenty-five of those twenty-seven have recovered.  DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19. 

DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, advising and supporting quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered.  The first positive COVID-19 case in Douglas County was announced on March 8, 2020.  Thanks to the great work that Douglas County has done social distancing and staying home, we’ve had 27 cases in over 80 days.  

Here are the current numbers for Douglas County:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management and will now include presumptive COVID-19 cases.  DPHN will also be reporting presumptive cases and will use the OHA’s definition of presumptive as having had close contact with a known, confirmed COVID-19 case, showing symptoms and not yet having a positive nasal swab/PCR test for COVID-19. 

Getting Tested & Testing Clinics

The next drive through testing clinic will be Tuesday, June 2, 2020, in Roseburg. As a reminder, if you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.  Patients without a Primary Care Provider that are looking for a COVID-19 test should contact the Sutherlin Aviva Health clinic at (541) 459-3788. The first drive thru testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 564 people tested in the drive through clinics alone, additional testing continues in hospitals, urgent cares and clinics simultaneously. The drive through clinics are led by DPHN, in conjunction with partner agencies including; Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works, local volunteers and local health professionals.

Oregon COVID-19 Case Update

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. The Oregon Health Authority is also releasing the daily situation status report, which is produced jointly with Oregon Office of Emergency Management. It details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within the state and the response across government agencies. Click Here to Read More About the Oregon Daily Situation Status Report.

Stay Informed with the Accurate Information

Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information to Douglas County residents since March 8, 2020.  Local COVID-19 Hotline: If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week.  Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website.  Find additional information on state or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Douglas County Government, Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and by calling or logging onto 211Info.

Got Questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans?

If you have questions about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plans, you will need to call, email or contact the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) or the Oregon State Office responsible for regulating your business or the business that you wish to visit, if you have questions about her Phased Reopening Plans or Sector Specific Guidelines.

###

Contact Tamara Howell, Public Information Officer, Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, (541) 670-2804 cell/(541) 957-4896 tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network, (541) 817-6552 cell /(541 440-3571 vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

Lane County Parks’ popular Hendricks Bridge boat ramp will see major improvements this summer thanks to a partnership with the Oregon State Marine Board (OSMB) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).

The current boat ramp has deteriorated and there is now a steep drop-off at the end of the ramp, which can damage boat trailers. The alignment of the boat ramp also creates strong currents across the ramp, which makes it difficult to launch and retrieve boats.

The improvements will reconstruct and realign the boat ramp, as well as expanding the parking area to reduce congestion and increase maneuverability. The construction work is extensive and will require closure of the park and boat ramp from Monday, June 8, until October 1, 2020. 

“This project has been in the works for several years and it wouldn’t be possible without the generous funding from the Oregon State Marine Board and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife,” said Lane County Parks Manager Brett Henry. “We know that our boating community has been looking forward to these improvements and we are excited that we can begin next week.”

The total estimated cost of the project is $858,000 with the bulk of the funding coming from the ODFW’s Sportfish Restoration Fund and OSMB.

Alternate boat ramps include the Bellinger and Hayden Bridge. Emmerich Landing, which is a pole slide ramp, is also an alternative.

About Hendricks Bridge:

Hendricks Bridge boat ramp is located on the McKenzie River below Leaburg Dam. It is part of the larger 18-acre Hendricks Bridge Park east of Springfield on Highway 126 (38870 Hendricks Park Road, Springfield). The ramp typically averages 8,000 users per year; however, those numbers have decreased as the ramp has deteriorated.

This section of river is popular with anglers, as well as floaters and paddlers and offers two popular river runs: Leaburg Dam to Hendricks Bridge, and Hendricks Bridge to Hayden Bridge.

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Lane County Public Health (LCPH) was notified of additional positive test results for COVID-19.  This makes a total of seventy-seven (76) positive tests, and one (1) presumptive case in Lane County. 

The new cases are:

Individual in their early  40s, Eug/Springfield, hospitalized but not on a ventilator 

Individual in their early 70s, Eug/Springfield, stable at home

Individual in their mid 20s, Eug/Springfield, stable at home, found doing sentinel testing for Latin X

Individual in their Mid-30s, Eug/Springfield, stable at home, sporadic, found doing sentinel testing for Latin X

Individual in their early 40s, Eug/Springfield, stable at home, found doing sentinel testing for Latin X, EPI link to another case

Individual in their mid 40s, Eug/Springfield, stable at home, found doing contact investigations related to sentinel testing for Latin X, EPI link to another case 

Individual in their mid 40s, Eug/Springfield, stable at home, found doing contact investigations related to sentinel testing for Latin X, EPI link to another case 

Individual in their early 50s, Eug/Springfield, stable at home, found doing contact investigations related to sentinel testing for Latin X, EPI link to another case 

Individual in their early 40s, Eug/Springfield, stable at home, found doing contact investigations related to sentinel testing for Latin X, EPI link to another case

1 new death was recorded in Lane County. A 62 year old male from the rural Lane County who passed on 5/4/2020. This individual had multiple preexisting conditions. They initially tested positive for COVID-19 during a screening using a rapid test. A second lab confirmed PCR test was consisted and yielded a negative test result. The individual passed away shortly thereafter and the death was not initially attributed as COVID-19 related due to the negative lab result. Last week, the Oregon Health Authority has assigned this death as COVID-19 related.

Individuals who had contact with these community members will be contacted by Lane County Public Health so they can work with their health care providers on next steps. Communicable disease investigations are underway. If a public contact exposure point is identified, that information will be shared with the public.

To see data related to COVID-19 in Lane County, please visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/data.

Presumptive cases are people without a positive PCR test who have COVID-19-like symptoms and had close contact with a confirmed case. Though not confirmed by a positive diagnostic test, presumptive cases have a high likelihood of having COVID-19 because of the specific nature of the symptoms and known exposure.

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Please note: Lane County will no longer provide proactive case updates on Saturday and Sunday as long as new case numbers remain low. New numbers will be published once per day on the weekends in the data table available atwww.LaneCountyOR.gov/data. Daily updates will still occur Monday–Friday.

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June 1, 2020 – Salem, Ore. – Peter Malone of Portland will always like Season 2 of the Blacklist on Netflix. He and his wife were watching that show when they played an Oregon Lottery Scratch-it and realized they’d won $200,000.

“I buy the tickets and then she plays them,” Malone said. “We were watching this show and she plays it and said she thought she won $200. She didn’t have her glasses on, then she thought we won $2,000. When I looked at it, I was pretty sure we’d won $200,000!”

Malone purchased the $20 Triple Golden Cherries Scratch-it at the Milwaukie Safeway while getting groceries. Malone said he downloaded the Oregon Lottery mobile app to check the ticket to make absolutely sure he won.

“It started flashing lights and said we were winners!” he said. “That’s when we realized it was real.”

Malone said the couple were looking for their first house, and with the prize they are going to be able to have enough for a down payment without having to pay mortgage insurance.

To protect the health and safety of its employees and the public, the Oregon Lottery has temporarily closed the Salem and Wilsonville Lottery offices. Officials with the Lottery continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely. If players have a winning ticket, they can fill out a claim form on the Oregon Lottery website, https://oregonlottery.org/about/claim-prizes , and then mail in the signed ticket and claim form.

Players who have winning tickets of $50,000 or more, will need to make an appointment to come to the Oregon Lottery office in Salem. Call 503-540-1000 for assistance. As always, players should be certain to sign the back of their tickets.

Since 1985, Oregon Lottery players have won more than $38 billion in prizes.

The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $12 billion for economic development, public education, Outdoor School, state parks, Veterans services and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org

Eligibility applications for rent assistance for Lane County renters open on Wednesday, June 3, at 10:00 a.m. The eligibility application is an online form that will be available at www.lanecounty.org/rent.

A total of $930,000 is available. The funding was provided by the State of Oregon’s COVID-19 Rent Relief Program.

Eligible households will be served on a first-come, first-served basis for expenses acquired from April 1, 2020 to the present.

To be eligible for rent relief, the applicant’s dwelling unit must be located in Lane County and there must be an active rental agreement or lease in the applicant’s name.

The applicant must be able to document:

1. A loss of income as a direct result of COVID-19;

OR

2) Have compromised health status or an elevated risk of infection and vulnerability to impacts to health as related to COVID-19 and that a loss of housing would cause a health jeopardy related to COVID-19 for the applicant.

The applicant’s household income must be at or below 50 percent of the Area Median Income Level (AMI).

Rent assistance can be used for rent payments and arrearages, manufactured home rental space (“lot rents”), housing relocation assistance and more.

Application Process

1. Applicants will complete the eligibility pre-screening application online at www.lanecounty.org/rent or by calling an access center to request alternative options (i.e. mailed paper copy or phone screening).
2. Lane County Human Services Division will determine presumptive eligibility.
3. If determined presumptively eligible, applications will be forwarded to the access agency requested by the applicant.
4. The access agency will follow up with the applicant, provide a full application, process the application, and distribute funds directly to landlords and/or utility companies for households determined to be fully eligible.

Applicants will need to provide documentation with their applications, including government-issued identification, income documentation, housing status documentation and, if needed, health status documentation. Applicants will also be asked to provide a written notice from their landlords showing their unpaid rent balance. The full list of needed documentation is available on the application webpage at www.lanecounty.org/rent.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Salem, Oregon –– The following details provide a timeline and account of the Salem Police Department response to protests occurring in the city of Salem on Saturday, May 30, 2020.

Rumors of demonstrations

On Friday, May 29 Salem Police began receiving information of possible demonstrations to take place on Saturday night, May 30. The information varied from plans for peaceful demonstrations to threats of looting, rioting and arson.

Planned and impromptu events are taken seriously, and the department makes every effort to communicate with organizers to help ensure demonstrations are peaceful and rights are protected.

As a result of the information received the Salem Police Department Mobile Response Team (MRT) was activated. The team consists of more than 20 officers trained in various levels of crowd control and the use of less-than-lethal crowd dispersal tools. They are outfitted in protective gear which includes a helmet, gas mask and protective padding. The MRT deployment was supported by numerous other officers to support the team or provide uninterrupted patrol response.

May 30, 8 p.m. – 9 p.m.

A group of approximately 50 young people gathered peacefully near the Capitol building. Just before 9 p.m., the group began a march into the streets without the required City of Salem permits. The group proceeded into the downtown business district. Although the march created some traffic congestion there were no signs of other criminal activity, and officers monitored the march without any intervention.

After approximately 45 minutes, officers closed intersections in order to guide the growing crowd of about 500 toward the Capitol and away from the downtown area. March organizers were contacted and assisted in directing the crowd back to the steps of the Capitol building. Once at their destination, speeches and chanting took place. At that time, some individuals in the crowd vandalized statues and areas on Capitol grounds with spray-paint.

11 p.m.

Shortly after 11 p.m., the organizer declared the event over and asked the participants to go home. Some participants departed, but a crowd of approximately 200 people remained at the Capitol steps. Eventually, the crowd of 200 splintered into smaller groups with approximately 100 people attempting to march again into the city center. Officers formed a line on Court and Church STS NE to block the groups progress toward downtown Salem.

People in the crowd began to throw items at officers including mortar fireworks, bricks, rocks, glass bottles, and water bottles. At 11:30 p.m. the crowd was warned of the City of Salem-imposed curfew and with the direction to disperse. A long-range acoustic device was used for the announcement to which the crowd responded by moving back to the east toward the Capitol but did not disperse. An additional large group of people began to gather behind officers at the intersection of Court and Church STS NE. Different factions in that crowd began to fight with each other and distraction devices were deployed toward the second large crowd to encourage dispersal.

After the curfew notifications and declaration of the of the group to be an unlawful assembly, the use of CS gas (commonly referred to as tear gas) was authorized to be deployed to disperse the crowd. The tear-inducing aerosol was deployed, and the crowd moved closer to the Capitol grounds, yet continued to throw objects at officers.

May 31, 12:30 a.m.

The crowd at Court and Church STS NE was dispersed and attention was directed to the group near the Capitol grounds. Officers deployed more gas and marched toward the crowd. Not until officers arrived back in front of the Capitol did the crowd fully disperse.

Reports of vandalism at the Salem Center Mall were received and officers arrived to find more than 100 people scattered along Liberty and Chemeketa STS NE. Resources were mustered including patrol personnel, MRT, and SWAT officers to act as arrest teams, if needed. Officers made announcements for the crowd to disperse but many refused remaining gathered on sidewalks and in the middle of Liberty ST. Individuals in the crowd threw bricks and fireworks. CS gas and other dispersal devices were deployed to move the crowd.

1:30 a.m.

The dwindling crowd moved to Liberty and State STS and dispersed enough that officers could leave the area. About the same time an uninvolved vehicle crash occurred at State St and High STS. A large crowd gathered at that location impeding officers’ ability to help the crash victims. Ultimately the crowd was moved onto the sidewalks and Salem Fire Department medics were able to treat the people involved in the crash.

Eventually the crowd near the crash deescalated and officers and fire personnel were able to safely deal with the crash. At approximately 1:50 a.m. people were voluntarily dispersing throughout downtown allowing MRT and other personnel to return to the police station.

Property damage

There was property damage done by people in the various crowds during the event. A complete listing of the damage has not yet been compiled, but what is known is there was graffiti applied to multiple buildings in the area including the Capitol building. Several glass doors were broken at the Salem Center Mall and the Capitol Mall. Roofing nails had been laid out on streets causing an unknown amount of damage to the tires of various law enforcement vehicles and the vehicles of private citizens.

No arrests were made. No injuries were reported.

First responder resources

To manage the events described involved law enforcement resources from multiple agencies and the Salem Fire Department. In total approximately 50 officers were needed.

The Salem Police Department extends thanks to the Salem community for their support and understanding during events such as these. We support citizen rights to freedom of speech and assembly and asks that those actions be done peacefully and without harm to others or damage to public and private property.

# # #

DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - NOON CASE UPDATE

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 31, 2020

Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT

(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results:  It is Sunday, May 31, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there are NO new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County.  The total number of positive cases in Douglas County is 27.  Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test.  Twenty-seven people have tested positive in the county and twenty-five of those twenty-seven have recovered.  DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19. 

DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, advising and supporting quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered.  The first positive COVID-19 case in Douglas County was announced on March 8, 2020.  Thanks to the great work that Douglas County has done social distancing and staying home, we’ve had 27 cases in over 80 days.  

Here are the current numbers for Douglas County:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management and will now include presumptive COVID-19 cases.  DPHN will also be reporting presumptive cases and will use the OHA’s definition of presumptive as having had close contact with a known, confirmed COVID-19 case, showing symptoms and not yet having a positive nasal swab/PCR test for COVID-19. 

Getting Tested & Testing Clinics

As a reminder, if you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.  Patients without a Primary Care Provider that are looking for a COVID-19 test should contact the Sutherlin Aviva Health clinic at (541) 459-3788. The first drive thru testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 555 people tested in the drive through clinics alone, additional testing continues in hospitals, urgent cares and clinics simultaneously. The drive through clinics are led by DPHN, in conjunction with partner agencies including; Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works, local volunteers and local health professionals.

Oregon COVID-19 Case Update

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. The Oregon Health Authority is also releasing the daily situation status report, which is produced jointly with Oregon Office of Emergency Management. It details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within the state and the response across government agencies. Read mor here about the daily situation status report.

Stay Informed with the Accurate Information

Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information to Douglas County residents since March 8, 2020.  Local COVID-19 Hotline: If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week.  Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website.  Find additional information on state or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Douglas County Government, Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and by calling or logging onto 211Info.

Got Questions about the Governor’s Phase One Reopening Plan?

If you have questions about the Governor’s Phase One Reopening Plan, you will need to call, email or contact the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) or the Oregon State Office responsible for regulating your business or the business that you wish to visit, if you have questions about her Phase One Reopening Plan.

###

Contact Tamara Howell, Public Information Officer, Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, (541) 670-2804 cell/(541) 957-4896 tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network, (541) 817-6552 cell /(541 440-3571 vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

PORTLAND, Ore. — The state’s death toll from COVID-19 is unchanged from yesterday and remains at 153, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 58 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 4,243.

The new confirmed and presumptive cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (6), Deschutes (1), Hood River (2), Jackson (1), Jefferson (3), Lane (4), Marion (11), Multnomah (23), Wasco (1), Washington (5), Yamhill (1).

The Oregon Health Authority is now including a link to the Oregon COVID-19 Daily Update in the daily news release. The Daily Update is a detailed look at COVID-19 in Oregon, including testing data, hospital capacity, and cases broken down by demographic information such as age groups, gender, race and ethnicity.

OHA last week announced that it will begin reporting large COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces. This will include all past and future outbreaks that involve five or more cases in a workplace setting. OHA is in the process of compiling information on past outbreaks.

To see more case and county level data, please visit the Oregon Health Authority website, which OHA updates once a day: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Office of Emergency Management lead the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

On Saturday, May 30, 2020 at approximately 1:33 P.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 101 near milepost 90.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a Buick Century, operated by Ruth Whittenberg (60) of Hammond, LA. was southbound when it crossed into the northbound lanes and struck a Toyota Tacoma operated by Lee Davis (27) of Tillamook.

Davis and passenger Nicole Gonzales (35) of Tillamook were transported to North Lincoln Hospital with non life threatening injuries.

Whittenberg was transported by ambulance to Tillamook Regional Medical Center where she was pronounced deceased.

OSP was assisted by the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office, ODOT, and Nestucca Rural Fire Department.

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 153, the Oregon Health Authority reported as of 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 55 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 4,185.

The new confirmed and presumptive cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (1), Deschutes (3), Douglas (1), Hood River (2), Jefferson (2), Klamath (2), Lane (1), Marion (7), Multnomah (21), Umatilla (2), Wasco (1), Washington (12).

Notes due to data reconciliation:

• One case previously reported in Morrow County was determined not to be a case; the county case count has been adjusted to reflect this.

Oregon’s 152nd COVID-19 death is a 62-year-old man in Lane County, who tested positive on May 4 and died on May 4; the location of death is awaiting confirmation. He had underlying medical conditions.

Oregon’s 153rd COVID-19 death is a 93-year-old woman in Polk County, who tested positive on May 2 and died on May 28 at her residence. She had underlying medical conditions.

Clarification: The investigation into the COVID-19 outbreak at Duckwall Fruit in Hood River County began May 28. The date was incorrectly reported in yesterday’s daily media release.

OHA previously announced that it will begin reporting large COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces. This will include all past and future outbreaks that involve five or more COVID-19 cases in a workplace setting. OHA is in the process of compiling information on past outbreaks.

The Oregon Health Authority is now including a link to the Oregon COVID-19 Daily Update in the daily news release. The Daily Update is a detailed look at COVID-19 in Oregon, including testing data, hospital capacity, and cases broken down by demographic information such as age groups, gender, race and ethnicity.

To see more case and county level data, please visit the Oregon Health Authority website, which OHA updates once a day: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

(Salem, Ore.) – Mataya Gearhart, a child who went missing from Portland, Ore. on the night of Monday, May 26 has been found. Mataya was found late on the night of Friday, May 29. DHS is thankful for the community support to find her.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. You can also report child abuse by calling a local police department, county sheriff, county juvenile department, or Oregon State Police.

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Case 20-9556 UPDATE 053020 at 1245

Drowning Victim Identified

On the evening of May 22, 2020 the Jackson County Sheriff's Office responded to a report that a man had fallen into the Rogue River at East Evans Creek near the City of Rogue River, Oregon. Since that time a search was conducted for Daryl Gene Johnson, 66, of Rogue River, Oregon.

On May 29, 2020, at 4pm, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a deceased person floating in the Rogue River near Schroeder Park. Deputies found a deceased male subject in the river and recovered him from the water.

On May 30, 2020 the subject was positively identified as Daryl Gene Johnson.

The case remains under investigation and will be referred to the Oregon State Deputy Medical Examiner, Dr. James N. Olson.

The local law enforcement leaders in Douglas County have issued the following joint statement: 

We stand together, as a unified body of local law enforcement leaders in Douglas County, to denounce the actions and improper tactics utilized in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  As criminal justice officers we, and those in our employ, are charged to serve humankind and to provide for the security of our communities. We take seriously the oaths we swore and the ethics that guide our profession. The incident in Minneapolis is not reflective of the values we regard and seek to uphold in our respective jurisdictions. It is our resolve to continue serving our communities with a strong ethical and moral compass while earning your trust and respect on a daily basis.

Yours in service,

Sheriff John Hanlin - Douglas County Sheriff

Chief Gary Klopfenstein - Roseburg Police Department

Chief Brandon Sarti - Winston Police Department

Chief Jonathan Brewster - Myrtle Creek Police Department

Chief Troy Mills - Sutherlin Police Department

Chief Matt Smart - Reedsport Police Department

You can view the signed statement in the attachment. 

The local law enforcement leaders in Douglas County have issued the following joint statement: 

We stand together, as a unified body of local law enforcement leaders in Douglas County, to denounce the actions and improper tactics utilized in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  As criminal justice officers we, and those in our employ, are charged to serve humankind and to provide for the security of our communities. We take seriously the oaths we swore and the ethics that guide our profession. The incident in Minneapolis is not reflective of the values we regard and seek to uphold in our respective jurisdictions. It is our resolve to continue serving our communities with a strong ethical and moral compass while earning your trust and respect on a daily basis.

Yours in service,

Sheriff John Hanlin - Douglas County Sheriff

Chief Gary Klopfenstein - Roseburg Police Department

Chief Brandon Sarti - Winston Police Department

Chief Jonathan Brewster - Myrtle Creek Police Department

Chief Troy Mills - Sutherlin Police Department

Chief Matt Smart - Reedsport Police Department

You can view the signed statement in the attachment. 

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DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - NOON CASE UPDATE

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 30, 2020

Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT

(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results:  It is Saturday, May 30, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there are NO new cases of COVID-19 in Douglas County.  The total number of positive cases in Douglas County is 27.  Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test.  Twenty-seven people have tested positive in the county and twenty-three of those twenty-seven have recovered.  DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19. 

DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, advising and supporting quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered.  The first positive COVID-19 case in Douglas County was announced on March 8, 2020.  Thanks to the great work that Douglas County has done social distancing and staying home, we’ve had 27 cases in over 80 days.  

Here are the current numbers for Douglas County:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management and will now include presumptive COVID-19 cases.  DPHN will also be reporting presumptive cases and will use the OHA’s definition of presumptive as having had close contact with a known, confirmed COVID-19 case, showing symptoms and not yet having a positive nasal swab/PCR test for COVID-19. 

Getting Tested & Testing Clinics

There is a drive-through COVID-19 test clinic, led by DPHN in Reedsport today, May 30.  As a reminder, if you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.  Patients without a Primary Care Provider that are looking for a COVID-19 test should contact the Sutherlin Aviva Health clinic at (541) 459-3788. The first drive thru testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 555 people tested in the drive through clinics alone, additional testing continues in hospitals, urgent cares and clinics simultaneously. The drive through clinics are led by DPHN, in conjunction with partner agencies including; Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works, local volunteers and local health professionals.

Oregon COVID-19 Case Update

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. The Oregon Health Authority is also releasing the daily situation status report, which is produced jointly with Oregon Office of Emergency Management. It details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within the state and the response across government agencies. Read more here about the daily situation status report.

Stay Informed with the Accurate Information

Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information to Douglas County residents since March 8, 2020.  Local COVID-19 Hotline: If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week.  Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website.  Find additional information on state or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Douglas County Government, Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and by calling or logging onto 211Info.

Got Questions about the Governor’s Phase One Reopening Plan?

If you have questions about the Governor’s Phase One Reopening Plan, you will need to call, email or contact the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) or the Oregon State Office responsible for regulating your business or the business that you wish to visit, if you have questions about her Phase One Reopening Plan.

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Contact Tamara Howell, Public Information Officer, Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, (541) 670-2804 cell/(541) 957-4896 tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network, (541) 817-6552 cell /(541 440-3571 vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

UPDATE 05/30/2020 10:00 AM

DIAMOND LAKE, Ore. - On Friday, May 29, 2020, at approximately 10:30 PM, Search and Rescue crews were still trying to locate Johnson when he called into the 911 center and reported he was at Diamond Lake. Deputies spoke with him on the phone and learned he was not in need of any assistance. He stated there was a misunderstanding of when he would be in communication with his family. Johnson spoke to his family and they were on their way to to pick him up. He is no longer considered missing. 

The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the public for the information they provided to aid in the search.  

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ORIGINAL RELEASE 05/29/2020 4:00 PM

DIAMOND LAKE, Ore. - Search and Rescue crews are actively searching for an overdue bicyclist who was traveling from Lake in the Woods to Diamond Lake. 

On Monday, May 25, 2020, 65 year-old Jared Leroy Johnson was dropped off at Lake in the Woods intending to ride his bicycle approximately 50 miles to Diamond Lake on forest roads. Johnson was due to arrive at his destination Thursday evening, but never arrived. 

Shortly before 2:00 pm on Friday, the Sheriff's Office was notified and Search and Rescue crews were dispatched to search the area. 

Johnson is described as 5'10'', 170 lbs with gray hair and blue eyes. He is associated with a bicycle equipped with a bike trailer. He left with survival gear and food/water.

Anyone who has seen Johnson or a bicycle equipped with a trailer in the Umpqua National Forest area is asked to contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 541-440-4471 referencing case #20-2364.
 

UPDATED RELEASE 05/29/2020 5:30 PM

ROSEBURG, Ore. - The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office has presumptively identified the pilot from Thursday's aircraft accident as 77-year-old Lee Pauling of Olympia, Washington. Pauling was operating a maroon Cavalon gyroplane when the aircraft crashed around 2:13 pm on private property Thursday in the 2300-block of Glengary Loop Road in Roseburg. Pauling was declared deceased at the scene. He was the only occupant on board at the time of the incident.

The Sheriff's Office is working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the investigation. No further information is expected to be released. 

Next of kin has been notified.

ORIGINAL RELEASE 05/28/2020 5:05 PM

ROSEBURG, Ore. - Deputies are investigating a fatal aircraft accident which occurred on Thursday afternoon. 

Around 2:13 pm, 9-1-1 dispatchers received reports of a small aircraft which crashed near the 2300-block of Glengary Loop Road. 

Deputies along with the Winston Police Department, Douglas County Fire District #2 responded and located a downed burning helicopter on private property. It was determined that at least one individual died in the crash. 

The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are working with the Sheriff's Office. 

No additional details are available at this time.  

Correcting link to the "Weekly Testing Summary"

May 29, 2020

Oregon reports 48 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, no new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — The state’s death toll from COVID-19 is unchanged from yesterday and remains at 151, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 48 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 4,131. The new confirmed and presumptive cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (1), Curry (1), Douglas (1), Hood River (1), Jefferson (3), Klamath (1), Lane (1), Lincoln (2), Marion (11), Multnomah (18), Wasco (1), Washington (7).

Notes due to data reconciliation:

• Two cases previously reported in Josephine County were determined not to be cases; the county case count has been appropriately adjusted.
• One case previously reported in Malheur County was determined not to be a case; the county case count has been appropriately adjusted.
• One case originally reported in the 70-79 age group was determined not to be a case.
• One case in the 60-69 age group originally reported to be hospitalized was determined not to have been hospitalized.

Oregon’s 151st COVID-19 death, which was reported Thursday without details, is a 72-year-old man in Polk County who tested positive on May 1 and died May 25 at his residence. He had underlying medical conditions.

An outbreak of six COVID-19 cases has been connected to Duckwall Fruit in Hood River County. The investigation started today, May 29. State and county public health officials are working with the business to address the outbreak and protect the health of workers.

The risk to the general public is considered low. If you have questions or concerns about your risk of exposure, please contact your health care provider. Additional information for this outbreak will be added to the COVID-19 Weekly Report published Wednesday, June 3.

Weekly report indicates steady testing, fewer positive cases

Today OHA released its Weekly Testing Summary, which showed that in the week ending May 29, 17,447 tests were performed in Oregon, with 304 positive results, for a positive rate of 1.7 percent.

The state’s weekly testing capacity remains at 37,702. Meanwhile, Oregon’s cumulative positive testing rate is 3.3 percent of tests performed, which is considerably lower than the national average of 12 percent.

Oregon’s decreasing weekly test positivity rate reflects fewer numbers of individuals with COVID-19 due to physical distancing and other preventive measures, as well as increasing testing statewide.

To see more case and county level data, please visit the Oregon Health Authority website, which OHA updates once a day: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

OHA modeling report shows steady testing, reduced transmission

Today, OHA released an update to its modeling report  produced jointly with the Institute for Disease Modeling. The new model simulations suggest that there have been approximately 20,000 cumulative infections in Oregon by May 22, of which about 4,000 have been diagnosed based on the local epidemiologic data.

The model continues to show that the “aggressive interventions in Oregon have been effective in dramatically reducing transmission rates.”

But the report also cautions that while hospitalization data suggest that infections have continued to decline in recent weeks, this trend may change as Oregon counties begin phased re-opening. The report further notes that moderate increases in transmission levels in the community could cause a much larger increase in infections.

For example, under the scenario with interventions reducing transmission by 50 percent (versus 70 percent), the model projects about 3,000 more cumulative infections, 155 additional infections per day, and four more new severe cases per day by July 3. The modeling will be updated again in two weeks.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Office of Emergency Management lead the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

# # #

UPDATED RELEASE 05/29/2020 - 4:45 PM

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Search and Rescue resumed their search this morning of the Thunder Mountain area southeast of Glide. A thorough search of the area has been conducted and has not revealed any signs of a vehicle crash. The search included a search by airplane by the Douglas Forest Protective Association in addition to the efforts on the ground. 

With the very limited information available, searchers have exhausted their efforts and are suspending the search at this time. The Sheriff's Office has not been notified of any missing or overdue subjects related to this incident. 

If additional information becomes available, it will be investigated. As we enter the weekend, the Sheriff's Office asks those recreating in the area to keep their eyes open and report any information to the Sheriff's Office at 541-440-4471 referencing case #20-2353.

The Sheriff's Office is being assisted by the Oregon State Police, BLM Law Enforcement and Douglas Forest Protective Association.

ORIGINAL RELEASE 05/28/2020 - 4:05 PM 

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Deputies and Search & Rescue crews are searching for a reported vehicle crash which was relayed via CB radio this morning. 

At 9:14 am, the 911 center received a report from an individual who overheard a distress call on CB radio channel 17 from a male who stated he and his wife had been involved in a vehicle crash on Thunder Mountain and were in need of medical help. The caller told dispatchers he was near Tyee when he received the call. There was no further information to assist responders. 

Deputies and Search & Rescue Crews are searching Thunder Mountain area southeast of Glide for signs of a vehicle crash and have yet to locate anything. There are no other known locations within Douglas County referred to as Thunder Mountain. 

Anyone who overheard the radio traffic or has concerns about missing or overdue individuals is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office at 541-440-4471.

The Sheriff's Office is being assisted by the Oregon State Police, BLM Law Enforcement and Douglas Forest Protective Association. 

Douglas County Board of Commissioners

Douglas County Submits Phase Two Request Letter

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 29, 2020

            (Douglas County, Ore.) Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, led by Board Chair, Commissioner Chris Boice, worked diligently in conjunction with our Public Health Official, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer to quickly complete and submit our Phase Two reopening request letter to the Governor earlier today.  The Governor announced late last night that Oregon Counties that are in the no-less-than twenty-one-day Phase One Reopening trial-period can submit their Phase Two request letters starting today, Friday, May 29, 2020.  Our request letter is the next-step in the process for the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plan that provides further relaxing of restrictions, as well as additional opportunities for businesses to reopen and offer expanded services in our County.  Douglas County has been in Phase One of Reopening since Friday, May 15, 2020.  The Governor’s Phased Reopening Plan comes after she issued mandatory closures and shutdowns for specific sector businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 17, 2020.  The decision to grant Douglas County businesses permission to begin Phase Two Reopening now lies in the hands of the Governor.  According to the reopening plan guidelines, the submitted letters will be reviewed, and counties that receive approval from the Governor, could enter Phase Two as soon as June 5, 2020.

            “Again, we are confident that our efforts to combat COVID-19 in our County will pay off with the Governor approving our request to enter Phase Two.  Our Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, under the direction of Commissioner Tim Freeman, along with the incredible work accomplished by our Public Health Official, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer and Douglas Public Health Network, have paved the way for Douglas County to be in the right position to advance to Phase Two in a safe and structured manner,” commented Commissioner Boice. 

            Douglas County continues to be recognized as leader in Oregon for our COVID-19 response for our drive-through testing, coordinated planning, prevention messaging and hospital/care facility capacity preparedness.   As more information becomes available about our Phase Two Reopening approval, we will provide updates and guidance to our residents.  For more information about the Governor’s Phased Reopening Plan, click here.

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Contact Tamara Howell, Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist (PIO)

(541) 670-2804 cell - (541) 957-4896 office - tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

About Douglas County

Douglas County Government employs approximately 800 full- and part-time employees in a wide variety of jobs. The Board of Commissioners, consisting of three full-time members, is the county’s governing body. They provide a direct link between the citizens of Douglas County and their county government. The Board of Commissioners is responsible for: approving ordinances (county laws); adopting the county budget; setting standards for the use of county property; appointing non-elected officials to boards, commissions, and committees; and oversees all operations of the county.

The next Housing Stability Council meeting will be on Friday, June 5, 2020.  The meeting will be held electronically due to the current COVID-19 health crisis.

Call-In: 1-253-215-8782 or Toll Free: 1-888-788-0099
Meeting ID: 950 5097 3569 Password: 822992

AGENDA:
9:00  Meeting Called to Order - Roll Call 
9:05  Public Comment 
9:15  Meeting Minutes for Review –May 1, 2020
9:20  Report for the Director

9:45  Homeownership Division Updates

- Oregon Bond Loan Approvals

10:00 Affordable Rental Housing Division Updates 

- Patton House
- Tigard Triangle

- Springtree Apartments

10:45 Chief Financial Officer

 - 2021-2023 Legislative Agenda Development: Final ARB Content Update

11:45 Affordable Rental Housing Division Update

 - Rent Increase Policy

12:30  Report of the Chair
12:45  Meeting Adjourned

DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - DAILY LOCAL UPDATE

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 29, 2020

Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT

(Douglas County, Ore.)  This weekend marks twelve weeks since our first positive COVID-19 case was reported in Douglas County, and also day fourteen of our no-less-than, twenty-one day Phase One Reopening trial-period from the Governor.  We are hopeful that the concerted efforts of our Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, our Douglas County Board of Commissioners, our Public Health Officer, Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, the staff at the Douglas Public Health Network and our proactive citizens, have proven successful in controlling the spread of the virus, and the Governor will allow our County to advance to Phase Two later next week.  Our Board of Commissioners are working on submitting our Phase Two request letter to the Governor.  As you know, we are not out of the woods yet, so stay vigilant in protecting you and your family’s health, as well as respecting the health and safety of others.  Please stay home if you are sick, keep your distance, respect others personal space, practice good hygiene and take care of your mental and physical health.  As always, if you are planning an outing, camping trip or hike, be sure to check your local weather forecast and prepare accordingly. 

Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results:  It is Friday, May 29, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there is ONE new case of COVID-19 in Douglas County.  The total number of positive cases in Douglas County is now at 27.  Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test.  Twenty-seven people have tested positive in the county and twenty-three of those twenty-seven have recovered.  DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19. 

DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, advising and supporting quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered.  The first positive COVID-19 case in Douglas County was announced on March 8, 2020.  Thanks to the great work that Douglas County has done social distancing and staying home, we’ve had 27 cases in over 80 days. 

Here are the current numbers for Douglas County:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management and will now include presumptive COVID-19 cases.  DPHN will also be reporting presumptive cases and will use the OHA’s definition of presumptive as having had close contact with a known, confirmed COVID-19 case, showing symptoms and not yet having a positive nasal swab/PCR test for COVID-19. 

Getting Tested & Testing Clinics

The next drive-through COVID-19 test clinic, led by DPHN is set for today, May 29 in Roseburg. There will also be a clinic in Reedsport tomorrow, May 30.  As a reminder, if you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.  Patients without a Primary Care Provider that are looking for a COVID-19 test should contact the Sutherlin Aviva Health clinic at (541) 459-3788.

The first drive thru testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 542 people tested in the drive through clinics alone, additional testing continues in hospitals, urgent cares and clinics simultaneously. The drive through clinics are led by DPHN, in conjunction with partner agencies including; Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works, local volunteers and local health professionals.

Oregon COVID-19 Case Update

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. The Oregon Health Authority is also releasing the daily situation status report, which is produced jointly with Oregon Office of Emergency Management. It details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within the state and the response across government agencies. Read more here about the daily situation status report.

Facebook Live with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer

Join us tonight, Friday, May 29, 2020 for the next virtual town hall Q&A with Dr. Bob Dannenhoffer, your Douglas County Public Health Officer at 6:00 pm, hosted by DPHN and found on the DPHN Facebook page.

DCCRT Partner Spotlight: U.S. Forest Service – Umpqua National Forest

The emergencies it typically handles are wildfire-related, but in recent months the U.S. Forest Service has jumped in to help guide the pandemic response locally by participating in the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team. When asked, USFS was pleased to join the DCCRT as one of 14 partner agencies.                              

“It was a lot of working in very close coordination between the state, federal and local governments in how we were reacting to this pandemic,” said Mark Turney, USFS Public Affairs Officer for the Umpqua National Forest. “By working together, sound decisions were made.”  Turney said the DCCRT provided stability and direction to county residents in a time of unsteadiness. “We came together as a largely untested group, and have put out some fantastic products and information,” he said. “Everybody has lent a hand. Without all of us being there together, working as diligently as we have, this wouldn’t have been nearly the success it was, and I think it really was a success for our county residents.”

In addition to its pandemic response efforts, the USFS is preparing for what could be a busy wildfire season in Southern Oregon. There will be some changes this season due to the pandemic – fire camps will be structured differently, and employees who can work remotely will do so – but the advice to the public remains the same as any other fire season: Community members should create defensible space around their homes, report any smoke they see, and be extremely cautious when building a campfire or any other fire.  “If you start a fire, make sure it’s out 100 percent,” Turney said. “Coals should be cool to the touch before leaving your site or going to sleep.”

State Issues Emergency Orders for Insurance Premiums and Payouts

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services’ Division of Financial Regulation issued an update to their original March 25 COVID-19 emergency orders that will extend the grace and pay periods for most consumer insurance policies. These orders transition the most common insurance policies, such as auto, home, term and whole life, disability and long-term care from rolling 30-day grace periods established by the original order, to longer minimum grace periods to pay premiums.  It also mandates how long claims must be paid for each type of insurance in order to protect consumers.  See this chart for details.  In addition to these orders, the department issued a similar order for health insurance earlier this month. This process provides two important protections for Oregon consumers: A sustainable way for insurance customers to keep up with premium payments without falling too far behind and insurance protection for a specific number of days for customers that are in a grace period.  “Grace periods are an important resource for people during this pandemic, and the assurance that claims will be paid provides critical peace of mind,” said Andrew Stolfi, insurance commissioner and acting DCBS director. “It is encouraging to see insurance companies provide grace periods and coverage while Oregonians work to keep their insurance premiums current and the state works to reopen.”  They encourage Oregonians to visit the division’s COVID-19 consumer page for more information on these orders and several other insurance and financial services topics.  If you have questions about your insurance coverage, contact your insurance provider. If you have questions about an insurance company or agent or need to file a complaint, contact the division’s advocacy team at 888-877-4894 (toll-free).

Update: Greater Douglas United Way – Local COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund

The Greater Douglas United Way (GDUW) set up a local COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund in March 2020. 100% of the donations will go to help local people in need as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. GDUW pledged that they will not be charging any administrative fees on the fund. To date, they have raised just over $78,000 for local COVID-19 efforts and have disbursed around $6o,000.  Local agencies that have received funds include: Meals On Wheels-Roseburg (Friendly Kitchen); Salvation Army; Battered Persons Advocacy; Family Development Center; Phoenix School; Douglas CARES; Glide Helping Hands and Fish Food Pantry.  They have also utilized funds to help with a community mobile shower trailer project and a local hand sanitizer project.  GDUW focuses the funding on basic needs through local nonprofits, childcare needs, and other basic needs for people affected by the pandemic. Deposits can be made at any Banner Bank location using the GDUW COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. More information at: GDUW website.

Red Cross Blood Shortage – Sign Up and Give Blood Today

During this uncertain time, the Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  If you are healthy, feeling well and eligible to give blood or platelets, you are urged to make an appointment to donate as soon as possible. Donate your blood and save a life. Appointments are required, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call (800) 733-2767 to schedule your appointment today.

Monday, June 1          12:30 pm - 5:30 pm      LDS Church - Roseburg , 2001 W Bertha Avenue                      

Tuesday, June 2          9:00 am - 3:00 pm        Roseburg Blood Donation Center, 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd

Thursday, June 4        12:00 pm - 5:30 pm      LDS Church – Winston, 340 NW Glenhart Avenue                   

Friday, June 5             11:00 am - 4:30 pm      Roseburg Blood Donation Center, 1176 NW Garden Valley Blvd

Friday, June 5             12:00 pm - 5:30 pm       Drain Church of Christ, 401 2nd Street

Stay Informed with the Accurate Information

Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information to Douglas County residents since March 8, 2020.  Local COVID-19 Hotline: If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week.   Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website.  Find additional information on state or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Douglas County Government, Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and by calling or logging onto 211Info.

Got Questions about the Governor’s Phase One Reopening Plan?

If you have questions about the Governor’s Phase One Reopening Plan, you will need to call, email or contact the Governor’s Office, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) or the Oregon State Office responsible for regulating your business or the business that you wish to visit, if you have questions about her Phase One Reopening Plan.

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Contact Tamara Howell, Public Information Officer, Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, (541) 670-2804 cell/(541) 957-4896 tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network, (541) 817-6552 cell /(541 440-3571 vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

Update 5/29/2020  2:07 p.m.:

Gregory Cross, a suspect in the fatal stabbing outside of Florence, was just located by an Oregon State Police Trooper.  We appreciate everyone keeping their eyes out for him!  This case is still being actively investigated.  More information will be released as it becomes available.

Original News Release sent 5/29/2020 at 10:30 a.m.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance locating the suspect in a stabbing south of Florence that was reported on 5/29/2020 shortly before 1:00 a.m.  The victim was transported to the hospital but did not survive the incident.  Deputies are working to identify next of kin before publicly identifying the victim.

The suspect, identified as 32 year old Gregory Domonic Cross of Florence, fled the area.  Deputies searched for Cross for multiple hours with the assistance of the Florence Police Department, the Oregon State Police, the Eugene Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Reedsport Police Department but have been unable to locate him.

Cross is described as a white male standing 6’0” tall and weighing approximately 190 pounds with short blond hair and brown eyes.  Community members are urged to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office if they have seen Cross or know his whereabouts. 

Please do not attempt to contact or apprehend Cross as he is considered to be armed and dangerous.

If you know where Gregory Cross is, please call 541-682-4150 then press 1.

On May 28th, 2020, approximately 11:40 pm, Jose Daniel Martinez-Flores, 26, walked away from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Transition Center.  Martinez-Flores is a Hispanic male, approximately 5’6”, 150 lbs, and has black hair with brown eyes.  He was last known to reside in the Salem area.

Martinez-Flores was serving a sentence for a probation revocation related to a prior menacing charge.  Martinez-Flores is currently on parole for Burglary 1.  He was scheduled for release on 2/9/2021.

Staffed around the clock, the Transition Center provides an intermediate sanction between Jail and Probation. Unlike the Jail, the Transition Center provides minimum-security supervision. Residents are expected to work, either at their own jobs, or by performing community services.

If you see, or know the location of, Jose Daniel Martinez-Flores, please call the Sheriff’s Office at 503-588-5032 or submit a tip at https://www.co.marion.or.us/SO/Pages/tip411.aspx.

DOUGLAS COUNTY COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM - NOON CASE UPDATE

JOINT INFORMATION CENTER PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 29, 2020

Our local COVID-19 updates represent the coordinated effort of the 14 agencies that make up the DCCRT

(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County COVID-19 Test Results:  It is Friday, May 29, 2020, and as of 12:00 pm today, there is ONE new case of COVID-19 in Douglas County.  The total number of positive cases in Douglas County is now at 27.  Testing continues, as DPHN has been holding 2-3 clinics a week and hospitals, urgent cares and clinics continue to test.  Twenty-seven people have tested positive in the county and twenty-three of those twenty-seven have recovered.  DPHN defines recovery as an end to all symptoms after a positive test for COVID-19. 

DPHN continues their epidemiologic investigations, identifying individuals who may have had close contact with individuals that have tested positive for COVID-19, advising and supporting quarantine. The majority of the individuals who have tested positive earlier have now recovered.  The first positive COVID-19 case in Douglas County was announced on March 8, 2020.  Thanks to the great work that Douglas County has done social distancing and staying home, we’ve had 26 cases in over 80 days.  

Here are the current numbers for Douglas County:

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has expanded their reporting for COVID-19 case management and will now include presumptive COVID-19 cases.  DPHN will also be reporting presumptive cases and will use the OHA’s definition of presumptive as having had close contact with a known, confirmed COVID-19 case, showing symptoms and not yet having a positive nasal swab/PCR test for COVID-19. 

Getting Tested & Testing Clinics

The next drive-through COVID-19 test clinic, led by DPHN is set for today, May 29 in Roseburg. There will also be a clinic in Reedsport tomorrow, May 30.  As a reminder, if you are having symptoms of COVID-19 including cough, fever, shortness of breath, muscle aches and pains, diarrhea, sore throat or decreased sense of smell and taste, talk to your health care provider about being tested for COVID-19.  Patients without a Primary Care Provider that are looking for a COVID-19 test should contact the Sutherlin Aviva Health clinic at (541) 459-3788.

The first drive thru testing site was piloted in the county on March 17, 2020, there have been 542 people tested in the drive through clinics alone, additional testing continues in hospitals, urgent cares and clinics simultaneously. The drive through clinics are led by DPHN, in conjunction with partner agencies including; Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Public Works, local volunteers and local health professionals.

Oregon COVID-19 Case Update

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website at www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus. The Oregon Health Authority is also releasing the daily situation status report, which is produced jointly with Oregon Office of Emergency Management. It details the overall picture of the COVID-19 outbreak within the state and the response across government agencies. Read more here about the daily situation status report.

Stay Informed with the Accurate Information

Your Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Douglas County Public Health Officer, Dr. Robert Dannenhoffer and the Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team have been working hard to cooperatively provide accurate and timely information to Douglas County residents since March 8, 2020.

Local COVID-19 Hotline: If you have questions about resources available, call the COVID-19 hotline, staffed by local volunteers at (541) 464-6550 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week. 

Stay up to date on COVID-19 in Douglas County on the DPHN website.  Find additional information on state or federal COVID-19 response from the following websites: Douglas County Government, Oregon Health Authority, Centers for Disease Control, and by calling or logging onto 211Info.

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Contact Tamara Howell, Public Information Officer, Douglas County COVID-19 Response Team, (541) 670-2804 cell/(541) 957-4896 tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Contact Vanessa Becker, Public Information Officer, Douglas Public Health Network, (541) 817-6552 cell /(541 440-3571 vanessa@douglaspublichealthnetwork.org

UPDATE, noon 5/29: The bivouac tent camping area at Smith Rock State Park remains closed until further notice.

Original release text below

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) today released a list of state park campgrounds that are scheduled to open with limited services within the coming days. 

OPRD Director Lisa Sumption said, “I am cautiously delighted. We are working hard to welcome campers wherever we can safely do so, as soon as we can.”

Sumption said that campgrounds will open only when the following conditions are met:

• Public health guidelines (OHA established) for the county are fulfilled.
• The local community agrees.
• The park has enough staff, supplies and equipment to safely open and operate at a basic level.

Sumption also noted that revenue loss, COVID-19 precautions and staff reductions will curtail services at most if not all campgrounds. Cabin and yurt camping, except in rare cases, will not be offered. Group camping remains closed across the state, due to distancing concerns.

RV and tent campers with existing reservations for a campground that opens will be honored beginning June 9. Not all sites or loops may be available at open campgrounds. For parks in the coastal region, there will be no walk-in or first come, first-served camping until further notice.

The online reservation system has been suspended since April 28. It will reopen for new reservations sometime next week, and will accept new reservations one day to two weeks in advance. OPRD will announce the reservation reopening date early next week through its website, stateparks.oregon.gov.

First come, first-served campgrounds in eastern Oregon lead the way. The following campgrounds open Friday, May 29. Others may be added to this list without a formal announcement. For updates, please check the website:

1. Goose Lake, south of Lakeview
2. Jackson Kimball, northwest of Chiloquin
3. Minam, north of La Grande
4. Hilgard Junction, near La Grande
5. Catherine Creek, near Union
6. Clyde Holliday, near John Day
7. Cottonwood Canyon, southeast of The Dalles

 Campgrounds scheduled to open June 9, 2020:

Coast
Note: All group camping, cabins and yurts closed. No walk-in or first come, first-served camping until further notice. Additional services or changes will be on park page. Please visit the link. 

• Fort Stevens, near Astoria
• Cape Lookout, near Tillamook (Loops A & B closed)
• Nehalem Bay, south of Cannon Beach 
• Beverly Beach, north of Newport
• South Beach, south of Newport
• Jessie M. Honeyman, south of Florence
• William M. Tugman, south of Reedsport  
• Sunset Bay, near Coos Bay (B Loop closed)
• Bullards Beach, north of Bandon: (Horse camp closed)
• Humbug Mountain, south of Port Orford 
• Harris Beach, in Brookings

Willamette Valley and Columbia River Gorge
Note: All group camping, cabins and yurts closed. Additional services or changes will be on park page. Please visit the link. 

• Silver Falls, east of Salem (sites A47, A50, A71 closed; Howard Creek Horse Campground open)
• Detroit Lake, east of Salem
• Champoeg, near Newberg
• Cascara Campground at Fall Creek State Recreation Area, east of Eugene
• Memaloose, near The Dalles

Southern, Central and Eastern Oregon
Note: All group camping, cabins and yurts closed unless otherwise noted. Additional services or changes will be on park page. Please visit the link. 

• The Cove Palisades, southwest of Madras
• Prineville Reservoir, southeast of Prineville
• Smith Rock, northeast of Redmond (bivouac tent camping only)
• Deschutes River, east of The Dalles
• LaPine, south of Bend (campground and rustic cabins open)
• Tumalo, north of Bend        
• Collier Memorial, north of Klamath Falls 
• Joseph Stewart, northeast of Medford      
• Wallowa Lake, southeast of Enterprise
• Farewell Bend, southeast of Huntington
• Clyde Holliday, near John Day

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The Office of State Fire Marshal, Oregon fire service, natural resource agencies, Oregon licensed fireworks wholesalers, and health and safety experts want to encourage Oregonians to “keep it legal and keep it safe” when using legal fireworks.

The 2020 Oregon fireworks retail sales season opens June 23 and runs through July 6.

“Oregonians can help each other and especially our first responders by keeping all fireworks use safe and legal, especially now with greater risks of wildfire this fire season and the stresses that COVID-19 it putting on our systems,” said Mark Johnston, assistant chief deputy fire marshal. “Our office’s fireworks safety and education materials reinforce these important messages to help prevent unwanted fires, wildfires, and calls to responders or visits to our medical facilities.”

The OSFM is providing downloadable items that help Oregonians understand the fireworks that are legal to use in Oregon without a permit, where they are permitted to be used, and the important safety steps to take when using fireworks. The OSFM is asking Oregonians to share this information with their friends, families, and neighbors.

OSFM’s fireworks materials can be found on its website.

The OSFM encourages everyone to use the four Bs of safe fireworks use:

• Be prepared before lighting fireworks: keep water available by using a garden hose or bucket.
• Be safe when lighting fireworks: keep children and pets away from fireworks.
• Be responsible after lighting fireworks: never relight a dud. Wait 15 to 20 minutes, then soak it in a bucket of water before disposal.
• Be aware: use only legal fireworks and use them only in legal places.

The OSFM website also provides FAQs for commonly answered questions about the sale and legal use of consumer fireworks, permits for the retail sale of fireworks, and state rules for their use and enforcement activities.

In Oregon, officials may seize illegal fireworks and charge offenders with a class B misdemeanor, which could result in a fine of up to $2,500 per violation and a civil penalty of up to $500. Those who misuse fireworks or allow fireworks to cause damage are liable and may be required to pay fire suppression costs or other damage. Parents are also liable for fireworks damage caused by their children. 

Despite their regulated sale and use, fireworks in Oregon continue to cause public safety and health threats every year. In 2020, the Oregon fire service faces additional burdens of protecting their personnel from exposure to COVID-19 and serving the public with the disease in circulation.

For the last reported five years through 2019, there were 1,173 reported fireworks-related fires in Oregon, resulting in more than $4.9 million in property loss and contents damage. During that same period, fires resulting from fireworks resulted one death and 37 injuries. 

For more information on fireworks in Oregon, visit the OSFM website.

On May 16th, 2020, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a disturbance outside a business in the 300 block of Hemlock Street in Waldport.  A witness reported the two people involved entered a single vehicle and left at a high rate of speed after driving over the curb and landscaping.  Deputies were familiar with the vehicle the witness described and attempted to contact the owner at his residence, however he fled from the location just prior to deputies arriving. 

The other person involved in the disturbance emerged from the residence and began describing what took place.  An investigation revealed 48-year-old Waldport resident Richard D. Leach had forced an unwilling victim into a vehicle at gunpoint. Leach then drove the victim to several places around the Waldport area before stopping at a location where the victim was able to escape.  Leach physically assaulted the victim multiple times during the encounter.

A firearm was recovered during the investigation.  Deputies searched for Leach extensively over the next several days.  The vehicle Leach used in the incident was found burned on a remote forest road during the search, but Leach could not be located.

On May 28th at about 4:45 PM, Leach was seen in a Toyota Corolla near milepost 3 on Highway 34 outside of Waldport.  Deputies attempted to initiate a traffic stop on Leach, but he failed to yield, and a pursuit ensued.  As the pursuit was initiated, the Corolla was reported stolen from a residence on Highway 34.

The pursuit lasted approximately 45 minutes over forest roads between East Canal Creek Road and East Eckman Creek Road.  During that time, Leach struck a vehicle passing by and attempted to hit the involved patrol vehicles.  Despite both rear tires failing, Leach continued to attempt to elude deputies.  To prevent the pursuit from going back into Waldport and heavier traffic, the vehicle’s front tires were deflated with spike strips near the intersection of E. Eckman Creek Rd and E. Lakeside Dr.

The vehicle mechanically failed in the 500 block of E. Eckman Creek Rd and rolled to a stop.  Leach refused to comply with repeated verbal commands to surrender.  Sheriff’s Office Patrol K9s Bonni and Nix were deployed.  K9 Nix entered the vehicle and successfully apprehended Leach.  Medics were summoned to the scene for injuries Leach sustained during the K9 apprehension.  While being treated at the scene, Leach spit blood on emergency medical personnel.  Leach was taken into custody and transported to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital. 

Leach was charged with Kidnapping in the First Degree, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Attempting to Elude Police, Aggravated Harassment, Coercion, Pointing a Firearm at Another, Reckless Driving (x2), Menacing, Assault in the Fourth Degree, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver (Misdemeanor), Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree, Offensive Littering (x3), and Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree.  His bail was set at $730,000.

An Oregon fishing guide had an envelope of cash and clients ready to fish when he was cited for illegal fishing activities on May 19 in Tillamook County. The citation concludes an ongoing investigation into his activities by Oregon State Police.  

Kyle Buschelman, 41, of Eugene, was on the Nestucca River boat ramp with clients ready to launch when Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife Senior Trooper Ryan Kehr approached him at about 7:40 a.m. Buschelman initially stated he was fishing with friends. However, after interviewing passengers in the boat, it became clear to Trooper Kehr that the trip was conducted as a matter of business. In addition, Buschelman had an envelope of cash comparable to standard guide fees for that number of passengers.

Buschelman eventually admitted to booking guided fishing trips online through his website, promoting himself as a licensed and registered guide. Trips were generally for the Willamette and McKenzie rivers, and recently in Tillamook County waterways as well. He said he had not gotten around to completing the licensing renewal process. He and his passengers did have valid fishing licenses and tags.

The Oregon State Marine Board registers outfitters and guides annually to certify that they carry the minimum liability insurance required by law, they have current First Aid and CPR training and if required, have a US Coast Guard (USCG) Operator License and/or Surety Bond. Under Oregon Statute, Failure to register as a Guide/Outfitter is a Class A Misdemeanor.

Buschelman was subsequently cited and released into the Tillamook County Circuit Court for Unlawful Compensation for Non-Licensed Guide/Outfitter. Guides who skirt regulations create unfair advantages for themselves.

“This maintains an even and fair playing field,” Trooper Kehr said, “This makes it fair for everyone else who is taking the time and paying the fees and following the rules.”

 All wildlife violations, including those of the outfitter and guide laws can be reported to the Oregon State Police Turn in Poacher (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888.

Poaching wildlife and damaging habitats affects present and future generations of wildlife, impacts communities and the economy, and creates enforcement challenges. The Oregon Hunters Association offers rewards to persons, through their T.I.P. fund,  for information leading to the issuance of a citation to a person(s), or an arrest made of a person(s) for illegal possession, killing, or taking of bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose, elk, deer, antelope, bear, cougar, wolf, furbearers and/or upland game birds and water fowl. T.I.P. rewards can also be paid for the illegal taking, netting, snagging, and/or dynamiting of game fish, and/or shell fish, and for the destruction of habitat.

In addition rewards may be paid for information leading to the issuance of a citation to a person(s), or an arrest made of a person(s) who have illegally obtained Oregon hunting/angling license or tags. People who “work” the system and falsely apply for resident license or tags are not legally hunting or angling and are considered poachers.

Rewards:

Bighorn sheep, mountain goat, moose                                                                 $1,000

Elk, deer, antelope                                                                                                       $500

Bear, cougar, wolf                                                                                                        $300

Habitat destruction                                                                                                      $300

Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags                              $200

Game fish, shell fish                                                                                                     $100

Upland birds, waterfowl, furbearers                                                                         $100

Preference Points:

5 Points-Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Goat, Moose, Wolf

4 Points-Elk, Deer, Antelope, Bear, Cougar

LINCOLN CITY-Oregon Department of Transportation maintenance crews will be repairing cracks in the pavement of U.S. 101 in Lincoln City starting this Sunday at 7 p.m.  The work will cover a 5-mile stretch of both northbound and southbound lanes (mileposts 112-118).

The work will take almost two weeks to complete and is scheduled during the evenings, Sunday to Thursday, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Travelers can expect periodic lane closures with flaggers controlling two way traffic.  Expect delays.

PORTLAND, Ore. May 29, 2020—As the COVID-19 crisis transforms and challenges the education system, teachers have worked hard to quickly adopt new ways to teach, support students and innovate with remote learning. In honor of this dedication through such unprecedented times, OnPoint Community Credit Union today announced the winners of the 2020 Prize for Excellence in Education Educator of the Year award. Carol Biskupic Knight, 4th Grade teacher at Sato Elementary in Beaverton, and Kerryn Henderson, AP Biology and AVID teacher at Parkrose High School in Portland, will have their mortgages paid for one full year and receive $2,500 for their schools. 

"Teachers have had to rapidly adjust to a new normal of teaching online, supporting students and parents remotely, and providing innovative teaching methods and ideas to families," said Rob Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. "OnPoint thanks the entire education community for their unwavering dedication in such unprecedented times, and we are thrilled to celebrate Carol and Kerryn for sparking passion in students, parents, peers and their community."

The OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education is an annual award that recognizes outstanding educators throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington for their work to positively impact students, their schools and communities. OnPoint has awarded more than $470,000 in prizes to 285 local educators and schools since launching the campaign 11 years ago.  

OnPoint's grand prize, Educator of the Year, is awarded to two teachers – one who teaches kindergarten – 8th grade and one who teaches 9th – 12th grade. This year's grand prize winners are:

K–8 Educator of the Year

Carol Biskupic Knight, 4th Grade, Sato Elementary

Carol has been key to changing the way science education is taught in her district and beyond. For the past 40 years, students have walked through the door of Carol’s classroom and are welcomed to a year of discovery where they are treated as professional scientists, technologists, engineers, artists, and mathematicians taking on new adventures in learning and innovation. She works to build on the natural curiosity in students, giving them the tools to explore and observe the world around them, work effectively with others and communicate their experiences. Units of study are language-rich, interdisciplinary, and designed to be relevant both locally and globally, in addition to being strategically planned out in order to develop students who solve problems and think critically. Whether they’re solving the energy challenge of a wearable power source without a battery, figuring out how to decrease the erosion on our playground, or identifying what nature’s artifacts are telling us about the impact humans are having on our planet, Carol’s students generate, evaluate and implement solutions to address problems of today and tomorrow. She has also worked to implement Sato’s STEAM night and district K-8 Science Expo, acted as Sato’s STEAM Coordinator, and conducted numerous professional development sessions for preservice and veteran teachers. 

9–12 Educator of the Year

Kerryn Henderson, AP Biology and AVID, Parkrose High School

Kerryn built the AP Biology program at Parkrose and has worked tirelessly to make it accessible for the school’s diverse student body and inspire students to pursue careers in the STEM field. As an educator she pushes her students to take the harder path, choose rigorous classes, strive for high grades, and take academic risks. In her classroom, failure is celebrated as an opportunity for growth. Unlike most AP teachers, Kerry doesn’t lecture – instead, students explore concepts through simulations, games, song writing, modeling, role-play and Socratic discussions. Through this method of teaching science becomes non-threatening, friendly, relevant, and thrilling. In her AVID classes, Kerryn works with future first generation college students to help them see the possibility of their dreams and how to reach them. As a leader at the school, Kerryn pioneered the use of assessment data to design and refine instruction, and guided changes in grading practices across the school and district. She also acts as the MESA Lead Teacher and AVID site coordinator, and leads the Middle and High School Science Departments through professional development sessions focusing on inquiry, equity and innovation. 

Educator of the Year Finalists

OnPoint will award a $5,000 cash prize to the following 2020 finalists and make a $1,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies:

K–8 Finalist

Ali Herron, Kindergarten, Marysville Elementary School, Portland Public Schools 

9–12 Finalist

Matt Sten, Modern World History and Government/Economics, Cleveland High School, Portland Public Schools

Circle of Excellence

Six additional teachers were named earlier this month to OnPoint's Circle of Excellence. These educators will each receive a $1,500 cash prize and $1,000 donation to their school:

• Alfonso Garcia Arriola, 7th & 8th Grade Science, ACCESS Academy, Portland Public Schools
• Jesse Gardner, Career and College Exploration and Hip-Hop Literature, Madison High School, Portland Public Schools
• Janelle Jackson, Alternative Education, Dayton High School, Dayton School District
• Hillary Marshall, Library Media Specialist, Washougal High School, Washougal School District
• Pauline Pham, Special Education and English, Springfield High School, Springfield Public Schools
• Erika Pollock, 1st Grade, Lake Grove Elementary, Lake Oswego School District

2020 Community Builder Award Recipients

OnPoint previously announced four recipients of their Community Builder awards. These schools will receive $2,000 for a special project:

• Atkinson Elementary’s Gardening and Cultural Cooking Project, which will provides K-5th grade classes with two garden work parties each year in the school's community garden.
• Clear Creek Middle School’s The Tomorrow Bus, a mobile STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) classroom that encourages K-8th grade students to create, collaborate, and innovate using hands-on learning materials.
• Sandy High School’s Pioneer Digital Media Broadcasting program, a live multi-camera broadcast that covers sports, news and events from the Sandy High School campus.
• Sifton Elementary’s After School Club, a free program for families designed to provide extra academic support and extracurricular activities.

In addition, Grout Elementary School was selected by community votes, and will receive $5,000 for their Ground Improvement Project. Click here to learn the impact the Community Builder award had on last year's winner, Bridger Elementary.

OnPoint was founded in 1932 by 16 school teachers. In addition to its annual Prize for Excellence in Education campaign, OnPoint continues its founders' mission today by supporting local education by:

• 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. 
• Supporting Babies With Books, which provides books to families in Randall Children's Neonatal Intensive Care Unity so they can bond with their babies and help with early literacy.
• Sponsoring Oregon Humane Society’s Humane Education Program, which brings OHS educators into public and private schools to teach concepts of respect, responsibility and compassion for animals.

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 395,000 members and with assets of $6.5 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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(Salem, OR) — Employment Department Director Kay Erickson will be holding a press availability to discuss the agency’s ongoing response for processing record levels of unemployment benefit claims in Oregon. She will be joined by unemployment policy expert and Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Division Director David Gerstenfeld.

The press availability will be held by teleconference today, Friday, May 29, at 11:00 AM Pacific Time.

Members of the media must RSVP for call-in information by emailing OED_Communications@oregon.gov by 10:45 AM.

Teleconference information will be provided to all reporters who RSVP to participate remotely. We will have an operator-assisted teleconference line available for this press conference. Thank you for working with us to ensure the health and safety of all participants.

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

This morning 5/29/2020 at 12:35 AM Marion County Fire District #1 (MCFD1) Engine 315 (E315) was dispatched to a non-structure low risk fire at 133 Stafford Lane NE.  Shortly after E315 was dispatched, 911 call takers began to receive multiple reports of an apartment complex on fire at the same address.  The alarm was upgraded and additional units were dispatched. E315 arrived first and found a six unit apartment complex with the exterior siding on fire and blocking exits of one ground floor, and one second floor apartment.  Occupants of the ground floor apartment were able to escape through windows on the rear of the building, E315’s crew was able to knock down the exterior fire and assist the upstairs occupant down the stairwell.  The fire did extend up the exterior siding and entered the attic space. Additional arriving crews were able to confirm no additional occupants in any of the adjoining apartments and extinguish the attic fire. There were no injuries to occupants or firefighters. Red Cross is assisting occupants of two apartments. The fire remains under investigation. MCFD1 responded to the incident with four engines, one rescue, one medic unit, one Battalion Chief and one Fire Marshal for a total of 18 personnel.

The Lane Education Service District Board of Directors will conduct a regular Board Meeting and Budget Hearing on Tuesday, June 2, 2020, beginning at 6:00 p.m.  Please visit www.lesd.k12.or.us for more information.

May 28, 2020

Media contact: Robb Cowie, 503-421-7684, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us" target="_blank">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will begin reporting large COVID-19 outbreaks in workplaces, based on a directive from agency head Patrick Allen. Effective immediately, OHA will publicly report all past and future outbreaks that involve five or more COVID-19 cases in a workplace setting, no matter where the outbreak is located.

The only exception to the new policy would be if the disclosure would identify an individual or a reporting source.

As a home rule state, Oregon’s public health system is a partnership between OHA and county health departments. Currently, responsibility for investigating and reporting any communicable disease outbreak rests with a lead public health agency, in most cases a local public department, if the outbreak is limited to a single county jurisdiction. OHA is the lead agency in public health investigations that involve multiple counties or the Oregon portion of a national outbreak.

Reporting on any public health investigation must balance public health and safety, the need to ensure full cooperation by people who are affected by the outbreak so health officials can best protect the public, and patient privacy. Oregon’s public health investigations statute limits the disclosure of information. Health officials are only permitted to report information when public health is at risk, or when the agency publishes the data.

Director Allen said, “The COVID-19 pandemic demands that we all rethink how we accomplish necessary tasks that are vital to our roles. OHA believes a consistent, transparent statewide approach to reporting COVID-19 cases in workplaces will give Oregonians more information to help people avoid the risks of COVID-19 infections. We want to ensure employers, workers and customers know the same criteria will apply, no matter where they work or what businesses they support, everywhere in Oregon.”

OHA will publish information about all workplace outbreaks involving 5 or more cases through news releases and other regular COVID-19 communications channels and publications, including its COVID-19 website.