POLICE POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Police Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting on November 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training will be live streaming all public meetings via YouTube. Meetings will no longer be streamed on Facebook. To view the Police Policy Committee's live-stream and other recorded videos, please visit DPSST’s official YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

1. Introductions

2. Approve August 22, 2024, Meeting Minutes

3. Administrative Closures Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote) 
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

    a) Kevin Bare; DPSST No. 57118
        Basic Police Certification

    b) Mark Chase; DPSST No. 21133
        Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, Management, and Executive Police Certifications

    c) Stephen Craig; DPSST No. 37427
        Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory Police Certifications

    d) Derek Domhoff; DPSST No. 55869
        Basic and Intermediate Police Certifications

    e) Christian Lopez; DPSST No. 59360
        Basic Police Certification

4. Joshua Boatner; DPSST No. 49403; Silverton Police Department 
   Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

5. Mark Chase; DPSST No. 21133; Gervais Police Department
   Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

6. Christopher Daugherty; DPSST No. 57782; Umatilla Tribal Police Department
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

7. Troy Gainer; DPSST No. 39919; Scappoose Police Department
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

8. Matthew McCandless; DPSST No. 55017; Toledo Police Department
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

9. Applicant Review Committee Nominations

10. Agency Update

11. Next Police Policy Committee Meeting – February 20, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

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

Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) is warning Oregonians about the prevalence of affinity fraud in the U.S. 

Generally, affinity fraud is a type of investment fraud and occurs when the fraudsters target victims based upon shared characteristics. These scammers often pose as or become members of the same group they intend to defraud, such as religious organizations, military organizations, ethnic groups, immigrant communities, or even professional organizations such as teachers’ unions. At its core, affinity fraud exploits the trust and friendship that exist in groups of people who have something in common. Fraudsters use a number of methods to get access to the group. A common way is by enlisting respected leaders from within the group to spread the word about the scheme. Those leaders may not realize it is actually a scam, and they may become unwitting victims of the fraud themselves. 

Due to the tight-knit nature of many groups, it can be difficult for regulators or law enforcement officials to detect an affinity scam. Victims often hesitate to report the fraud, and instead attempt to resolve the issue within the group. This is particularly true where the fraudsters have used respected community or religious leaders to convince others to join the investment.

In the area of investments, affinity fraud generally involves either a fake investment or an investment in which the fraudster lies about important details (such as the risk of loss, the track record of the investment, or the background of the promoter of the scheme). Many affinity frauds are Ponzi or pyramid schemes, in which money given to the promoter by new investors is paid to earlier investors to create the illusion of a successful investment. This tactic encourages new investors into investing in the scheme, and lulls existing investors into believing their investments are safe. 

While in many cases the invested funds are also used for the fraudster’s personal expenses and may fund lavish lifestyles, Ponzi schemes can evolve from what was originally legitimate investments. Often this occurs when the investment fails to perform as expected. In order to keep the investment going in hope that things will turn around, the perpetrator uses new investors’ money to pay off existing investors who may be growing suspicious. Eventually, when the supply of investor money dries up and current investors demand to be paid, the scheme collapses and investors discover that most or all of their money is gone. 

“The strength of affinity fraud lies in how it preys on trust within communities,” said DFR Administrator TK Keen. “We want Oregonians to ask tough questions about investment opportunities, especially if the offer sounds too good to be true. Unfortunately, these offers can sometimes come from familiar sources and have devastating consequences.” 

According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), here are a some tips to avoid becoming a victim of an affinity fraud scam: 

• Even if you know the person making the investment offer, be sure to research the person’s background, as well as the investment itself – no matter how trustworthy the person who brings the investment opportunity to your attention seems to be. Be aware that the person telling you about the investment may have been fooled into believing that the investment is legitimate when it is not.
• Never make an investment based solely on the recommendation of a member of an organization or group to which you belong. This is especially true if the recommendation is made online. An investment pitch made through an online group of which you are a member, or on a chat room or bulletin board catered to an interest you have, may be a fraud.
• Do not fall for investments that promise spectacular profits or “guaranteed” returns. Similarly, be extremely leery of any investment that is said to have no risks. Very few investments are risk-free. Promises of quick and high profits, with little or no risk, are classic warning signs of fraud.
• Be skeptical of any investment opportunity that you can’t get in writing. Fraudsters often avoid putting things in writing. Avoid an investment if you are told they do not have time to put in writing the particulars about the investment. You should also be suspicious if you are told to keep the investment opportunity confidential or a secret.
• Don’t be pressured or rushed into buying an investment before you have a chance to research the “opportunity.” Just because someone you know made money, or claims to have made money, doesn’t mean you will, too. Be especially skeptical of investments that are pitched as “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunities, particularly when the salesperson bases the recommendation on “inside” or confidential information.

Two recent cases the SEC prosecuted were one involving a CEO operating multimillion dollar Ponzi scheme that targeted Filipino-American community and another involves the SEC freezing assets of investment adviser charged with defrauding elderly clients.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of fraud can contact DFR’s consumer advocates at 1-888-877-4894 (toll-free) or .financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov">dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov. 

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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and www.dcbs.oregon.gov.​​

La División de Regulación Financiera de Oregon advierte sobre fraude de afinidad 

Salem - La División de Regulación Financiera (DFR) advierte a los habitantes de Oregon sobre la prevalencia de fraude por afinidad en los Estados Unidos. 

El fraude de inversión por afinidad es un tipo de fraude que ocurre cuando un estafador se aprovecha de los miembros de un grupo que tienen algo en común. Los estafadores se hacen miembros o se hacen pasar por miembros del mismo grupo con la intención de defraudar. A menudo son grupos religiosos, militares, o grupos de comunidades étnicas o inmigrantes, incluso organizaciones profesionales como sindicatos de maestros. El fraude por afinidad explota la confianza y la amistad que existe dentro de los grupos de personas que tienen algo en común. Los estafadores usan varios métodos para obtener acceso al grupo. Una forma común es reclutar a líderes respetados dentro del grupo para difundir el plan de la inversión fraudulenta. Muchas veces el líder se convierte en víctima del plan del estafador. 

Debido a que estas comunidades son muy unidas, puede resultar difícil para los reguladores o los funcionarios encargados de hacer cumplir la ley detectar una estafa de afinidad. Las víctimas a menudo no denuncian el fraude, en cambio, intentan resolver el problema dentro del grupo. Esto es especialmente cierto cuando los estafadores han utilizado líderes comunitarios o religiosos respetados para convencer a otros de unirse a la inversión.

En el ámbito de las inversiones, el fraude por afinidad implica una inversión falsa o una inversión en la que el estafador miente sobre detalles importantes (como el riesgo de pérdida, el historial de la inversión o el historial del promotor del plan). Muchos fraudes de afinidad son esquemas Ponzi o pirámides, en las que el dinero entregado al promotor por nuevos inversores se paga a inversores anteriores para crear la ilusión de una inversión exitosa. Esta táctica anima a nuevos inversores a invertir en el plan y adormece a los inversores existentes haciéndoles creer que sus inversiones son seguras. 

Los esquemas Ponzi pueden evolucionar a partir de lo que originalmente eran inversiones legítimas. A menudo, esto ocurre cuando la inversión no rinde como se esperaba. Para mantener la inversión con la esperanza de que las cosas mejoren, el estafador utiliza el dinero para crear una ilusión de ganancias pagando a los nuevos inversores con los fondos depositados por inversores existentes.  Con el tiempo los inversionistas empiezan a desconfiar o la oferta de dinero de los inversores se agota y los inversores actuales exigen que se les pague, el plan colapsa y los inversores descubren que la mayor parte o la totalidad de su dinero se ha desaparecido porque el estafador se ha quedado con la mayor parte para uso personal  financiando así  un estilo de vida lujosa para el estafador.

“La fuerza del fraude por afinidad radica en cómo se aprovecha de la confianza dentro de las comunidades,” dijo el administrador del DFR, TK Keen. “Queremos que los habitantes de Oregon hagan preguntas difíciles sobre las oportunidades de inversión, especialmente si la oferta parece demasiado buena para ser verdad. Desafortunadamente, estas ofertas a veces pueden llegar de fuentes conocidas y tienen consecuencias devastadoras.”

Según la Comisión de Bolsa y Valores de Estados Unidos (SEC), estos son algunos consejos para evitar ser víctima de una estafa de fraude de afinidad:

• Incluso si conoce a la persona que le ofrece la inversión, asegúrese de investigar sus antecedentes y también la inversión, sin importar que tan confiable parezca ser la persona que le presenta la oportunidad de inversión. Tenga en cuenta que la persona que le habla de la inversión puede haber sido engañada y haber creído que la inversión es legítima cuando no lo es.

• Nunca realice una inversión basándose únicamente en la recomendación de un miembro de una organización o grupo al que pertenece. Esto es especialmente cierto si la recomendación se hace en línea. Una propuesta de inversión realizada a través de un grupo en línea del que usted es miembro, o en una sala de chat o un tablero de anuncios sobre un interés que usted tiene, puede ser un fraude.

• No se deje engañar por inversiones que prometen ganancias espectaculares o retornos “garantizados”. Del mismo modo, desconfíe mucho de cualquier inversión que se diga que no tiene riesgos. Son muy pocas las inversiones que están libres de riesgos. Las promesas de ganancias rápidas y elevadas, con poco o ningún riesgo, son señales clásicas que advierten   fraude.

• Desconfíe de cualquier oportunidad de inversión que no pueda obtener por escrito o que no pueda obtener comprobantes de la inversión. Los estafadores a menudo evitan poner las cosas por escrito. Evite una inversión si le dicen que no tienen tiempo para poner por escrito los detalles sobre la inversión. También debe sospechar si le dicen que mantenga la oportunidad de inversión confidencial o en secreto.

• No se deje presionar ni apresurar a comprar una inversión antes de poder   investigar la “oportunidad”. El hecho de que alguien que usted conoce haya ganado dinero, o afirme haberlo hecho, no significa que usted también lo hará. Sea especialmente desconfiado con las inversiones que se presentan como oportunidades “únicas en la vida”, en particular cuando el vendedor basa su recomendación en información “privilegiada” o confidencial.

Cualquier persona que crea que puede haber sido víctima de fraude puede comunicarse con los representantes de servicio al  consumidor de DFR al 1-888-877-4894 (sin costo) o .financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov">dfr.financialserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.

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Acerca de Oregon DFR: La División de Regulación Financiera es parte del Departamento de Servicios al Consumidor y los Negocios , la mayor agencia de regulación de negocios y protección al consumidor de Oregon. Visite dfr.oregon.gov y www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

Pendleton, Oregon – The Oregon Heritage Commission will meet Nov. 3-4 in Pendleton and online. The agenda includes an update on Northwest Digital Heritage, discussion on recommendations from the draft 2024 Oregon Heritage Vitality Report, discussion on the 2026-2030 Oregon Heritage Plan process, and a presentation from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

This meeting is open to the public and there is an opportunity at the beginning of the meeting for public comment in person and online. For online attendance, registration is required. To view the full agenda and/or to register for the virtual meeting option visit here. 

Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986‐0690 or emailing y.Newcomb@oprd.oregon.gov">Mary.Newcomb@oprd.oregon.gov at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

The Heritage Commission’s nine Governor appointed members represent a diversity of cultural, geographic, and institutional interests. The Commission’s nine advisory members include representatives from the Oregon State Library, Oregon State Archives, State Historical Records Advisory Board, Higher Education Coordinating Committee, Travel Oregon, Oregon Historical Society, Department of Education, State Historic Preservation Office, and the Department of Land Conservation and Development. 

The Commission is the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in the state. This includes carrying out the Oregon Heritage Plan, increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication among interest groups, developing plans for coordination among agencies and organizations, encouraging tourism related to heritage resources, and coordinating statewide anniversary commemorations.

More information about the Oregon Heritage Commission is available online at www.oregonheritage.org and from Commission coordinator Katie Henry at 503-877-8834 or katie.henry@oprd.oregon.gov. 

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SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) invites all members of the media to tour the state Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) during the IronOR 24 exercise from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2024.

This tour will provide an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the ECC in action during the IronOR 24 exercise and will offer insights into how Oregon is preparing to respond to a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake.

Space is limited, so we encourage you to RSVP at your earliest convivence. We look forward to hearing from you.  

More about IronOR 24

This four-day exercise is designed to test Oregon’s capabilities and readiness in responding to a catastrophic Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) Earthquake.  

Building upon the Cascadia Rising 2016 exercise, which simulated the immediate response to a Cascadia up to day 3. IronOR 24, scheduled for October 28-31, 2024, will focus on continued operations Day 4 through Day 7 of the disaster response.

The exercise will evaluate the state’s ability to maintain operational coordination, ensure critical communication systems remain functional, and develop a strategy for human impacts during these critical days of response.

OEM has developed a dedicated online storyboard for IronOR 24, which serves as a central hub for exercise planning, updates and resources. This tool supports participating agencies and provides non-participating organizations with critical context about the exercise. 

Read more details about the exercise on the OEM Newsroom Blog.

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The Oregon Department of Emergency Management leads statewide efforts to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from emergencies. By fostering collaboration with partners and the community, OEM ensures that Oregon is ready to respond to any disaster. 

MONMOUTH, Ore. – Western Oregon University’s Multicultural Student Services and Programs (MSSP) hosted its annual Diversity Scholars recognition celebration for the 2024-2025 academic year dedicated to celebrating students’ academic excellence and commitment to diversity.

The Diversity Scholars Program provides academic and personal support to students who have been recognized for their academic excellence and their commitment to diversity. The MSSP organization provides opportunities to explore and participate in activities that allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and appreciation of diversity and inclusion.

Students eligible to become Diversity Scholars must have been awarded the Diversity Commitment Scholarship, which requires students to demonstrate ways they’ve promoted diversity in their community, or the David S. Brody Scholarship, geared toward first-generation students and members of embers of underrepresented ethnic minority groups.

"I am incredibly proud of our students for their commitment to achieving these scholarships,” said Anna Hernandez-Hunter, director of Multicultural Student Services & Programs. “Many of our Diversity Scholars are first-generation college students, embarking on a unique journey in higher education that will undoubtedly create a lasting, positive impact on their lives and their families."

The Diversity Scholars recipients are as follows:

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

Malheur County, Ore 20 Oct 24- On Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 9:34 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 84, near milepost 373, in Malheur County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Traci Nichole Dripps (55) of Nampa (ID), was travelling eastbound in the westbound lanes when it struck a westbound Ford F-350, operated by Mason Allen Orme (32) of Huntington, head-on.

Oregon State Police had received a driving complaint about the wrong way driver approximately six minutes before the crash occurred and law enforcement was en route at the time of the crash.

The operator of the Chevrolet (Dripps) was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Ford (Orme) was life flighted to an area hospital with serious injuries.

The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by Ontario Fire, Ontario Police Department, Malheur County Sheriff's Office, and ODOT.

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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon. 

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is offering unlimited spots for partners and allies in Oregon to attend the Point Source Youth Innovation Summit. This conference will be held Jan. 14-15, 2025, in Portland.

Point Source Youth (PSY) is a national leader in supporting young people experiencing homelessness. The conference will bring together youth advocates, service providers, and leaders from across the country to share best practices for ending youth homelessness. This includes innovative strategies like Direct Cash Transfers and Youth Advocacy.

Larry Cohen, co-founder and executive director of PSY, shares, "We are excited to bring our Innovation Summit to Portland. This is a chance for funders, young people, and service providers to come together to find new ways to prevent and end youth homelessness. Our research shows that giving young people the support and cash they need can make a big difference in their lives. This summit will highlight how we can expand these impactful approaches."

Claire Seguin, director of ODHS Self-Sufficiency Programs, adds, "We are thrilled to bring this event to Oregon. Our Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program (YEHP) team has been closely involved in these national efforts. This summit is a great opportunity to learn more about what’s working across the country and to strengthen Oregon’s commitment to ensuring every young person has a safe and supportive place to call home."

Register today and use the promo code OREGON100 at checkout for free registration.

For more information about youth work in Oregon, visit the ODHS Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program web page.

On October 21st at about 6:30 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in the 32100 block of Latham Road, south of Cottage Grove, for a dispute. The callers were able to exit the residence, leaving only Ashley Marie Carter, 34, of Cottage Grove, inside. As deputies investigated, they determined there was probable cause to arrest Carter for Menacing APA (Abuse Prevention Act), a mandatory arrest for law enforcement in Oregon.

Deputies attempted to deescalate Carter and gain cooperation, however she refused to exit and armed herself with a knife. Deputies applied for and were granted a search warrant to enter the residence to arrest Carter. Several less lethal tools were used, including a Taser. Carter was still uncooperative and attempted to hide inside the residence. K9 Hector was deployed. Carter then complied with commands and was arrested without further incident.

Carter was lodged at the Lane County Jail for Menacing APA, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Resisting Arrest.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Cottage Grove Police Department and Oregon State Police for their assistance on this call.

Umatilla County, Ore 19 Oct 24- On Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 9:15 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 84, near milepost 178, in Umatilla County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Ford F150, operated by Christopher Ralph Knowles (56) of Cherry Valley (AR), left the eastbound lanes for unknown reasons, crossed the grass median and westbound lanes before striking a bridge support. The collision caused the vehicle to become engulfed in flames.

The operator of the Ford (Knowles) was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately 3.5 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by Umatilla County Fire District 1 and ODOT.

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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon. 

A PDF version of the information below is attached.

Lane County and the cities of Eugene and Springfield are preparing to kick-off their annual leaf collection efforts. Removing leaves from catch basins, grates and gutters allows storm water to run off and prevents flooding.

Keeping leaves out of the drainage system also improves water quality because decomposing leaves use up oxygen that is needed by aquatic life in local streams and rivers. And removing slippery leaves from streets and sidewalks makes travel safer for people walking, biking and driving. 

In all three jurisdictions, property owners are responsible for leaves that are placed improperly in the street or cause safety or localized flooding hazards.

Eugene and Lane County allow residents to pile leaves in the street, while Springfield only allows bagged leaves to be set out for collection.

Leaves are the only items collected. Piles with branches, pine needles, trash, grass and other lawn debris are not accepted and will not be collected.

To get the best information for your property, determine which jurisdiction provides service in your area, and then contact that agency. Here are the details for each jurisdiction:

City of Eugene

Eugene’s leaf collection and delivery program begins November 12. Eugene’s leaf program is funded by stormwater fees because proper use and disposal of leaves keeps decaying leaves out of local creeks and rivers and helps prevent localized flooding caused by blocked storm drains. 

After an initial focus on the central Eugene area, City crews will break into three groups to focus on designated sections of the city. Each crew has the staffing and equipment needed to collect and deliver leaves and sweep streets after the leaves have been picked up. This puts resources closer to neighborhoods and improves service on unimproved streets.

Online features allow Eugene residents to look up their address and see when they should pile their leaves neatly in a row parallel to the curb, order leaf deliveries, or report hazards such as leaves in a bike lane. People should place their leaves in the street the weekend before crews are scheduled to be in their neighborhood. The second round of leaf collection will start January 6. Safely pile remaining leaves in the street between January 4 and January 5.

For more information about Eugene’s leaf collection and delivery services, go to www.eugene-or.gov/leaf or call Eugene Public Works Maintenance at 541-682-4800.

City of Springfield

In Springfield, the City provides a leaf pickup service to residents within the city limits to help prevent flooding, protect water quality, and keep neighborhood streets safe for people walking, biking, and driving. Leaves are collected in two rounds in two sections -- the west and east sides of the city with 28^th/31^st Street as the dividing line.

Sanipac is contracted to pick up, haul, and recycle bagged leaves for residents within the city limits. Leaves must be put in medium-sized bags that contain only leaves. Bags containing other yard debris cannot be used for compost and will not be picked up.

Bags need to be placed curbside, not in the street, by 7:00 a.m. on Monday of the scheduled week for collection in that area. Not all bags will be picked up first thing Monday; it may take several days. Additionally, severe weather may cause delays. Landscaping, yard maintenance companies, property management companies, and residents are not allowed to blow or rake leaves into the streets.

Springfield residents can also pledge to properly dispose of their leaves for a chance to win one of two $100 gift cards from a local home improvement store. Residents can view this year’s informational flier for more details on how to enter.

The first round of leaf collection in Springfield starts December 2, west of 28^th Street/31^st Street, then December 9, east of 28^th Street/31^st Street. The second round starts January 6 west of 28^th Street/31^st Street, then January 13 east of 28^th Street/31^st Street.

For more information about leaf pickup in Springfield, visit www.springfield-or.gov/leaf-pickup-program or bit.ly/spfldleafpickup, call 541-525-2658 or email ogram@springfield-or.gov">leafpickupprogram@springfield-or.gov. 

Lane County 

Lane County Public Works will begin its annual leaf pick-up program on Monday, November 4.  The County collects leaves in two rounds in two general areas: Santa Clara north of Beltline Highway and several Springfield locations generally just outside the city limits. Lane County crews may be working in your zone prior to official collection dates if time allows; however, crews will return to your zone as scheduled. 

Lane County provides a leaf collection information line (541-682-8565) updated at 5:00 p.m. each Friday. It describes where leaf pickup begins on a weekly basis. For more information go to www.LaneCountyOR.gov/LeafPickUp, call 541-682-6905 or e-mail leafcollection@lanecountyor.gov.

Leaf Preparation Guidelines 

Two priorities that are the same in all three jurisdictions are public safety and operational efficiency. Here are some tips to help meet those objectives:

• In Eugene and Lane County, leaves must be in the roadway but piled at least 15 feet away from parked vehicles. Do not bag leaves.
• In Lane County leaf pickup will be provided for paved curb-and-gutter streets only. In Eugene, unimproved streets are picked up during both rounds but equipment must be able to reach the leaves from the hard road surface.
• In Springfield, leaves need to be put in medium-sized bags that contain only leaves. The bags should be placed curbside, not in the street.
• Do not pile leaves in bike or traffic lanes or on curbs or sidewalks.
• Keep storm drains and gutters clear to prevent localized flooding.
• Do not mix in other debris such as branches, rocks, lawn clippings, pine needles, or trash. 
• Leaves are not picked up in private yards.
• Wait to put leaves in the street until the weekend prior to collection.
• Consider recycling leaves as compost or mulch material.

Schedule Information

Eugene                              Leaves Out For First Round                  First Round                     Second Round

Central/Core                    Nov. 9 to Nov. 11                                          Nov. 12 to Nov. 15               Starts Jan. 6

Zones 1                              Nov. 16 to Nov. 17                                       Nov. 18 to Nov. 22               Starts Jan. 6

Zones 2                              Nov. 23 to Nov. 24                                       Nov. 25 to Dec. 6               Starts Jan. 6

Zones 3                              Dec. 7 to Dec. 8                                              Dec. 9 to Dec. 13               Starts Jan. 6

Zones 4                              Dec. 14 to Dec. 15                                         Dec. 16 to Dec. 20               Starts Jan. 6

Zones 5                              Dec. 21 to Dec. 22                                         Dec. 23 to Jan. 3               Starts Jan. 6

Eugene 2024 Leaf Service Area Map 

Lane County 2024 Leaf Service Area Map

Springfield 2024 Leaf Service Area Map

Update: The deceased suspect is identified as Francisco Campos (36) of Woodburn (OR).

Lincoln County, OR 19 Oct 24- Oregon State Police investigating deadly use of force in Lincoln County.

On Saturday, October 19^th,2024, at approximately 12:22 p.m., the Lincoln City Police Department responded to report of a domestic disturbance between a male and female at the Motel 6, located at 3517 NW Highway 101, in Lincoln City, OR. Officers responded to the motel, identified the suspect, and discovered outstanding warrants for his arrest. The occupants of the room also appeared to be associated with a stolen vehicle located in the parking lot of the hotel. 

At approximately 13:04 p.m., Lincoln City Police officers contacted the male suspect in the hotel room and he was noncompliant. During the contact, the suspect had two firearms in his waistband which he reached for and was shot by officers.

First aid was rendered at the scene and the suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The suspect's identification has not been released due to difficulties in making next of kin notification.

Per the Lincoln County Deadly Force Response Plan under Senate Bill 111, the Lincoln County Major Crime Team was activated for the investigation and the Oregon State Police has taken the role of the lead investigating agency. The Oregon State Police is being assisted by the Newport Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department, the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, and the Lincoln County Medical Examiner’s Office.

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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon. 

On September 3, 2024, Joe Leroy Smallwood-Sain was found guilty by a Marion County jury of Robbery in the Second Degree and two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon. After the jury returned its verdict, Smallwood-Sain also pled guilty to Escape in the Second Degree. 

In April 2023, Joe Smallwood-Sain was serving a sentence at the Santiam Correctional Facility.  On April 10, 2023, he escaped from custody while serving on a work crew. Smallwood-Sain later told law enforcement that he escaped to go find some drugs at a nearby trailer park. 

Smallwood- Sain took a bus to downtown Salem, Marion County, Oregon, and made his way to Macy’s parking garage. There, he approached an 84-year-old woman with a hammer in his hand and demanded that she “gimme your keys.” The victim started screaming and running toward the entrance of the store. Travis Roop, a new security guard for Macy’s, saw the incident and heard the elderly victim screaming.  He identified Smallwood-Sain inside the victim’s vehicle and drove his vehicle behind Smallwood-Sain, blocking him in a parking space. Mr. Roop caught up to Smallwood-Sain as Smallwood-Sain fled on foot heading toward the exit of the parking garage and saw the hammer in Smallwood-Sain’s hand. Smallwood-Sain then swung the hammer at Mr. Roop and then fled. 

Smallwood-Sain was arrested shortly later that same day by the Salem Police Department who identified the defendant walking on Lancaster after he took another bus after the robbery to east Salem.

The Honorable Thomas M. Hart presided over the trial. Defense counsel Ronald Hellewell represented Smallwood-Sain, and the state was represented by Deputy District Attorney Sarah Meyer.  On October 15, 2024, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Hart sentenced Smallwood-Sain to a total of 70 months at the Department of Corrections without eligibility for early release.

At the time of his arrest, Mr. Smallwood-Sain was 43 years old and had 65 arrests and multiple previous convictions.  

Please contact DDA Meyer with any questions at (503) 588-5222. 

PRESS RELEASE 

On October 11, 2024, the Honorable Judge Edmonds sentenced Kenneth Felton to 275 months (22 years and 9 months) in the Department of Corrections. 

Felton’s sentence is a result of a plea entered May 03, 2024, at which Felton pled guilty to three separate counts of Attempted Murder with a Firearm, Assault in the First Degree with a Firearm, Assault II constituting Domestic Violence, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Felton’s criminal history ranges from 2015 to 2021, and includes previous convictions for Possession of a Short-Barreled Shotgun and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. 

In December of 2021, over the course of three separate days within the city of Salem, Felton was involved in three shootings, each against a different victim. The first shooting occurred in a parking lot of a busy apartment complex in the late hours on December 27, 2021. Salem Police responded after witnesses called in reporting hearing shots fired. Felton, aided by another, assaulted this victim then fired multiple rounds at the victim’s back as the victim attempted to run.

The second shooting occurred in broad daylight on December 30, 2021, at a business complex less than a mile from an elementary school and park in Salem. This victim was shot several times in his leg and knee area. A witness later identified Felton as the shooter.

The third incident took place on January 01, 2024, at a residence in Salem. Felton shot multiple rounds at his then significant other during an argument over a firearm. At the time of these shootings Felton was not lawfully allowed to possess or own a firearm.

By January 01, 2022, Felton and his significant other fled to Umatilla County. There, Stanfield Police located Felton and the female in a car reported stolen. Felton attempted to escape capture by fleeing into a nearby business. Due to the response of local law enforcement, Felton surrendered without further incident. Within the car, law enforcement located the firearm that was ultimately determined to be a ballistic match for the first three shootings. Felton was arrested and lodged at the Umatilla County jail. Upon Felton’s release from jail in Umatilla County he returned to the Salem area.

By May 18, 2022, Felton had acquired a second firearm and was involved in a fourth shooting. Felton was called to a residence in Northeast Salem by two women known to Felton. The two women were upset called Felton to intervene on behalf of their friend who was involved in an argument with her own significant other, a person only marginally known to Felton. Felton got into a vehicle with the two women and followed their friend and the fourth shooting victim approximately 15 miles into South Salem. There, in a residential neighborhood in broad daylight, Felton shot multiple times at this fourth victim. There were multiple, unrelated witnesses to this shooting as it occurred in a populated residential area. At the time of the actual shooting, there was no immediate threat to the friend of the two women, as she had physically separated from the fourth shooting victim. Felton then fled the area in a car being driven by one of the two women.

In part due to the ongoing investigation from the December shootings as well as statements from witnesses, Salem Police was able to connect Felton to this fourth shooting. Felton was captured by Salem Police Department on May 22, 2022, during a high-risk traffic stop. After Felton was removed from the vehicle in which he was captured, law enforcement located a firearm on the seat where Felton had been sitting. That firearm was a ballistic match to the casings left at the scene of the fourth shooting. 

At sentencing, Felton’s attorney, Spencer Todd, argued that Felton was remorseful and came from an abusive upbringing and argued for a sentence of 10 years in the Department of Corrections. In contrast, the State argued for 30 years (or 360 months) in the Department of Corrections. The State argued Felton poses a risk to anyone he comes into contact within this community. Again, the Honorable Judge Edmonds sentenced Kenneth Felton to 275 months (22 years and 9 months).  Of the ultimate total 275-month sentence, 250 of those months (approximately 20 years and 10 months) will be served without early release.  

The Marion County District attorney's Office would like to thank the Salem Police Department for their efforts on this very serious case. 

Questions can be directed to Deputy District Attorney Rachel Klein, (503) 588-5222. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 21, 2024

Commissioners Return 84 Miles of Roads Back to the State

(Douglas County, Ore.) – The Douglas County Commissioners issued a resolution last week asking to surrender 84 miles out of our 1,144 miles of roads back to the State of Oregon – Department of Transportation.  The 84 miles of roads listed in the resolution contain portions of the state highway system that the State turned over to Douglas County to manage several decades ago.  A recent article in The News Review stated that the Commissioners surrendered ‘county roads” back to the State but failed to identify which roads were being returned. The Commissioners wanted to clarify the details of the resolution issued at the Weekly Business Meeting on Wednesday, October 16, 2024.  Douglas County will do what we can to maintain and manage our county road system with the funding resources we have available.  A copy of the resolution is attached below and can also be found on the County website at https://douglascountyor.gov/DocumentCenter/View/26293/10-16-24-Commissioners-Resolution-ODOT--Filed.

In the resolution the Commissioners cited several factors leading to the request to surrender 84 miles of roads:

• Substantial decrease in timber receipts from federal lands in the last 30 years.
• Limited local tax base.  Federal lands account for more than 50% of our land base and these lands are NOT taxable.
• State and Federal partners have significantly reduced funding and minimized direct access to road infrastructure grants for rural counties.
• Inflation and shrinking fuel consumption in Oregon has resulted in reduced gas tax revenues.
• Forecasted statewide annual revenue shortfall of 59 percent over the next five years for county road maintenance.
• Proposed legislative changes to the long-standing 50-30-20 State Highway Fund Distribution Formula.
• Increased burden of regulatory costs associated with the growing number of State and Federal agencies that regulate the maintenance, rebuilding and construction of roads and bridges.

On October 3, 2024, the Commissioners issued a press release that outlined the forecasted revenue shortfall for the State of Oregon that would create severe funding challenges for the future maintenance of county roads and bridges.  The forecast was based in the Association of Oregon Counties annual 2024 County Road Needs Study presented to the Oregon Legislative Joint Committee on Transportation.  The study forecasted a statewide annual revenue shortfall of 59 percent over the next five years, resulting in an additional $834 million per year needed to maintain and manage county road systems in a safe and adequate condition. The report included data from Douglas County, as part of the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Southwest Region 3, noting deficiencies in funding resources. 

In Oregon, Counties partner with the state to support a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system. However, Oregon counties, along with the ODOT and other transportation agencies across the state, are facing structural funding challenges that impact core services, such as the maintenance of roads and bridges. Counties are responsible for maintaining the largest share of Oregon’s public road system, with more than 32,000 miles and 4,000 bridges. Douglas County owns and maintains 1,144 road miles and 300 bridges. This includes 161 miles in poor or fair condition, 240 bridges in poor or fair condition, and 63 heavy-truck-weight restricted bridges.

Today, inflation, shrinking fuel consumption, and limited local tax bases, have required counties to defer needed safety improvements and routine maintenance work, resulting in a lower standard of quality for the existing road and bridge systems. In addition, over the last 30 years, federal partners have significantly reduced funding and all but stopped direct access to road infrastructure grants for Oregon's rural Counties.  Douglas County depends on shared revenues from the long-standing 50-30-20 State Highway Fund Distribution Formula that supports Oregon's public road system. Funds are distributed 50 percent to the state, 30 percent to counties, and 20 percent to cities. This fund is crucial for safety improvements and maintaining critical infrastructure that all Oregonians depend on — roads, bridges, sidewalks, bike paths, traffic signals, culverts, and fish passages.

“Our roads and bridges are not getting any younger and each year the cost required to maintain these essential infrastructure channels continues to skyrocket. Aggregate rock and asphalt oil costs alone have increased over 35% in the last three years.  While we are grateful for the State Highway Fund distribution, it’s important to note that current funding already falls short of keeping pace with inflation and rising material costs, so any additional cuts to our funding would be detrimental.   Additionally, the proposed legislative effort to change the State’s long-standing highway revenue sharing model and reduce or eliminate the County portion of gas tax revenues, would further cripple our ability to maintain or repair our aging roads and bridges.” –Douglas County Public Works Director, Scott Adams.   

Douglas County representatives will continue to share concerns, priorities, and ideas for solutions to help state legislators build a transportation funding package in 2025 that will support the needs of all local communities. 

“Our citizens expect that their gas tax and DMV fees are going to be used to improve and maintain the state’s public road system.  When Oregon Counties are responsible for maintaining the lion share of the roads and bridges, it’s imperative that they continue to receive their fair share of the funding.  Douglas County is already looking at critical budget shortfalls over the next five years with the continued loss of federal timber revenues, so cuts to funding resources for road and bridge maintenance would severely impact our ability to maintain the vital infrastructure that keeps communities connected and our economy moving.  We encourage our citizens to contact their legislators and advocate for a fair funding package, while also asking them to prevent any changes to the existing highway revenue sharing model.” - Commissioner and Public Works Liaison, Tom Kress.   

To read the full 2024 study, and learn more about county road, bridge, and transportation priorities and funding, including the issues faced here in Douglas County, visit oregoncounties.org.

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell | Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Public Information Officer | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

ROSEBURG, Ore., October 21, 2024 – The Art Gallery at Umpqua Community College presents a series of drawings and lithographs in the exhibit “One Artist – Two Series,” by Elaine Erne will be on display inside The Art Gallery at the Whipple Fine Arts Center at UCC from October 21 through November 21. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Admission is free. 

The body of work includes graphite drawings in “The Lives and Traumas of Stuffed Animals” and lithographs and etching/aquatint prints in “Secret Lives Of Houses.” 

From the artist, “’ The Lives and Traumas of Stuffed Animals’ is a continuing series of prints and large graphite drawings of Lanie Doll and her friends that represent individuals and their emotional relationships with themselves and others. ‘Secret Lives Of Houses’ is a series of lithographs and etching/aquatint prints which use the everyday classic house shape as a representation for the people who live in them. They, the houses, express the personalities within – the emotions and relationships of the owners or souls of the house with the world around them.”

The show will run from October 21 to November 21. A free public reception will take place on November 21, from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
 

About The Art Gallery 

The UCC Art Gallery is located in the Whipple Fine Arts Building at Umpqua Community College, 1140 Umpqua College Road, Roseburg, OR, 97470. The Art Gallery is a 1100 square-foot exhibition space that features six exhibitions per year, showcasing a variety of media from emerging to established artists. The primary focus of the Art Gallery is to exhibit high-quality artwork for the education and cultural benefit of the students of UCC and the residents of Douglas County. 

On Sunday, 10/20/2024, members of the United States Coast Guard, stationed in Depoe Bay, Oregon, reported to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office that they saw a body floating in the area of the Depoe Bay Harbor. The unidentified male body was recovered from the water with the assistance of the United States Coast Guard and the Depoe Bay Fire District. The remains appear to have been exposed to the water for a prolonged period of time. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office conducted a death investigation, alongside the Lincoln County Medical Examiner’s Office. The remains have not been identified and will be sent to the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office. No suspicious circumstances have been determined and there is no concern for community safety.

If anyone has any information relating to this incident, please call the Sheriff’s Tip Line at 541-265-0669. Reference case number NPS24018169.

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MONMOUTH, Ore. — Western Oregon University and Xicha Brewing, the Pacific Northwest’s only Latiné brewery located in West Salem, Oregon, collaborated on a Western Oregon University-specific beer called Mi Familia, representing the familial and close-knit community that the university prides itself on and celebrating the Latiné community.

The Mi Familia Pilsner is a special brew created exclusively for WOU Athletics. This refreshing pilsner features Amarillo hops from Coleman Agriculture’s Alluvial Hop Farm in Independence—just ten miles from campus—combined with malt from Prairie Malt, ensuring a local touch in every sip.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Western Oregon University, which is poised to be the first four-year public institution with Hispanic Serving Institution designation in Oregon, to establish a scholarship supporting Latiné student-athletes,” said Ricardo Antunez, co-founder of Xicha Brewing. “This collaboration allows us to offer resources essential for their success.”

A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the beer will be donated towards supporting scholarships for Latiné student-athletes. Obtaining the Hispanic Serving Institution status will provide Western with additional grant funding opportunities to support Latiné student college success.

“We are excited to partner with Xicha Brewing to raise scholarship funds in support of our  Latiné student-athletes,” said Vice President of Advancement & Executive Director of the WOU Foundation, Katie Wojke. “This collaboration will help provide more resources and support necessary for our students’ success on and off the field. Together, we’re opening doors and creating a brighter future for the next generations of leaders.”

This Mi Familia Pilsner will be unveiled at Western’s homecoming football game (starts at 1:05 p.m.) on October 26 in the beer garden from noon onward and will also be on tap at Rookie’s Sports Tap in Monmouth. Homecoming events, including the football game, are open to the public. Get your homecoming football tickets today.

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About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. Where YOU belong.

Eugene, Ore. — Bureau of Land Management are preparing to close Little Elk Mountain Road around November 1, 2024. A landslide is encroaching on the road, also known as BLM Road 16-8-36, around mile marker 1.4. The public can expect to see warning signs posted and a gate installed at the junction before the slide. 

“We are closing the area to protect public safety,” said Dennis Teitzel, the BLM’s Northwest Oregon District Manager. “Without a stable shoulder, the road is increasingly dangerous for drivers and the recreating public.”  

BLM officials determined the closure is necessary during the wetter portions of the year, when the slope is less stable. A series of cool, wet winters have exacerbated pre-existing instability on the hillside along Lamb Creek. Last spring, BLM officials urged caution in the area. Now the slide has moved even closer to the road, potentially compromising its structure. The slide behavior is expected to continue and the seasonal closure will now be in effect during wet soil conditions, typically from November 1 through May 1.  

Landslides are common throughout the Coast Range due to the underlying geology. This particular hillside has been unstable since at least 2006. Little Elk Mountain Road had to be relocated after a minor landslide in 2021. Sandstone weathers easily, and layers within the stone can fracture, leading to slides. In fact, Triangle Lake was created when a landslide created a natural dam across Lake Creek. 

Once the weather dries out in the Spring, the soil is expected to stabilize for the season, but movement may be triggered over the coming years during prolonged wet conditions. This seasonal closure order will be in effect for the next two years while the BLM assess a potential re-route or permanent road closure.  

The official closure order is posted on the BLM ePlanning website and can be accessed through this url: eplanning.blm.gov/eplanning-ui/project/2031444/510

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Nonprofits and cities serving Lane County communities are eligible to apply for grants to support activities that help provide training to our local workforce, support business development, attract or retain businesses in Lane County, and other economic development-related activities. 

The grants will provide between $5,000 and $30,000 to successful applicants. More information about how to apply, along with a recorded pre-application information session, is available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/ecodev. 

Priority will be given to programs or projects that address one or more of the following: 

1. Implementing workforce training fulfilling specific industry needs or trade certifications
2. Facilitating industry innovation, engagement or business development
3. Conducting regional business attraction, business retention, and marketing activities
4. Providing business technical assistance, training or support services to entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses

Applications are due by 12:00 p.m. on November 6. 

The funding is available from Lane County Community & Economic Development and its annual allocation of state video lottery funds. There is a total of $200,000 available for this grant. 

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Every 15 Minutes is a two-day underage impaired driving prevention program centered around the statistic that someone in the United States is killed as the result of an alcohol related crash every 15 minutes. While this exact numerical statistic has fluctuated year-to-year, impairment-related collisions remain the leading cause of death among teenage youth.   

This week on October 22^nd and October 23^rd, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Lowell Rural Fire Protection District and the Lowell School District, is taking a proactive step in educating local high school students about making mature decisions when intoxicating substances and driving distractors are involved.  

The program challenges teens to think before using any impairing substances and operating any type of motor vehicle, or riding in one with an impaired operator.  It also focuses on the impact those decisions have on family, friends, and the people you leave behind when someone is killed as a result of an impaired driving crash.

Times of media opportunity

Tuesday October 22^nd: Mock car crash at the Lowell City Hall (70 N. Pioneer St., Lowell). This staged car crash will involve student occupants with a DUII driver, someone who is killed, and several injured subjects.  Law enforcement, fire, and paramedics will respond and work this crash as they would any real crash. The crash will begin promptly at 2 p.m. and end between 2:45 and 3:00 p.m. (We request media arrive at the crash scene no later than 1:45 p.m. as to not interfere with responding emergency personnel as the crash scene is in an area which can easily become congested.)

The mock crash scene is open to the public.

Wednesday October 23^rd: Community assembly located in the gymnasium at Lowell High School. A representative from the Sheriff’s Office will be narrating the assembly which will include speakers who have lost loved ones to impaired driving crashes. Involved students and parents will also speak about their experience with this program. The assembly will begin at 10:00 a.m. and conclude at approximately 11:30 a.m.

This assembly is open to the public.

Further questions regarding the event can be directed to Sgt. Tim Wallace at 541-520-2646.

Eugene, OR. Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a brush fire behind the West Eugene Walmart Sunday evening.  At 8:19 PM on October 20th, fire crews were called to a reported fire near the intersection of 13th Ave and Commerce St.  Engine 10 from the Bailey Hill station was just clearing the fatal vehicle/bicycle accident at 11th Ave Beltline and was able to arrive within three minutes of the call.  Firefighters arrived to find a 75x75 area of brush and an unhoused encampment burning.  Crews had some access issues, but Engine 8 returned with their smaller Brush 8 to reach the fire.  There were no injuries reported and crews spend about 90 minutes extinguishing the fire.   

ASHLAND, Ore. – The Oregon Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment were formally mobilized during a ceremony held at Raider Stadium on the campus of Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, Oregon, on October 20, 2024.

Nearly 205 Citizen-Soldiers will be part of a Multinational Force and Observers Mission in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The unit’s primary mission will be to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent violation of any of its terms.

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Released imagery from ceremony: 

241020-Z-CH590-1005: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment stand in formation as their mobilization ceremony begins on October 20, 2024 on the campus of Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, Oregon. The 1-168th Infantry Regiment is scheduled to deploy to the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The unit’s primary mission will be to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent violation of any of its terms. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

241020-Z-CH590-1046 and 241020-Z-CH590-1170: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon, delivers formal remarks to the Soldiers, family members and others in attendance as the presiding officer for the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment during their formal mobilization ceremony held on the campus of Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, Oregon on October 20, 2024. The 1-168th Infantry Regiment is scheduled to deploy to the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The unit’s primary mission will be to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent violation of any of its terms. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

241020-Z-CH590-1133: Oregon Army National Guard senior leaders and members of the Official Party (left to right) Lt. Col. Joshua Rapp, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, Battalion Commander, Brig. Gen. Eric J. Riley, Oregon Army National Guard Land Component Commander, and Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon, render a hand salute during the playing of the National Anthem as part of the mobilization ceremony held for the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment on October 20, 2024 on the campus of Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, Oregon. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

241020-Z-CH590-1140 and 241020-Z-CH590-1143: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, render a hand salute during the playing of the National Anthem as they take part in their formal mobilization ceremony on October 20, 2024 held on the campus of Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, Oregon. The 1-168th Infantry Regiment is scheduled to deploy to the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The unit’s primary mission will be to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent violation of any of its terms. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

241020-Z-CH590-1188: Brig. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, Adjutant General, Oregon, greets Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment in a receiving line following their formal mobilization ceremony held on the campus of Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, Oregon on October 20, 2024. The 1-168th Infantry Regiment is scheduled to deploy to the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The unit’s primary mission will be to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent violation of any of its terms. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Video B-Roll: https://dvidshub.net/r/zwdw7c

Lebanon, OR

Lebanon Fire District firefighters responded to a brush fire early Sunday afternoon. The fire was dispatched shortly after 1:00 pm to the 37000 block of Sodaville Cutoff, where firefighters encountered a slow-moving fire in the brush and grass that started from a legal backyard burn pile. Firefighters quickly went to work, deploying handlines from the blackened area, knocking the head of the fire out. Firefighters remained on scene approximately thirty more minutes mopping up the little over half-acre fire, confirming the fire was out.

Lebanon Firefighters responded with 15 personnel on, 2 type 6 brush trucks, 1 type 3 brush engine, 1 water-tender, 1 ALS fire-medic and 1 rehab unit for firefighters along with 2 chief officers. Firefighters were assisted by ODF.

Lebanon Fire District has responded to two brush fires in the last 24 hours that were caused by backyard burn piles. Your firefighters would like to remind their citizens, that even though the burn ban has been lifted, to exercise extreme caution with burning right now and have the appropriate tools and water close by. To see if daily burning is allowed, please call 541-451-1904. Be safe Lebanon.

At approximately 2:08 in the afternoon Lebanon Fire District received a call for a small natural cover fire in the 31000 block of McCravens Ln. Lebanon crews arrived on scene to find a 2-acre fire that had spread from a previous fire. The property owner said that they had a fire a couple of days ago and thought the fire was out. They had left for the day to run some arrands and when returning to the property, the owner found the fire in their back yard, and they immediately called 911. Lebanon Fire District responded with 13 firefighters, 4 engines and a water tender. The Lebanon Fire district had the fire extinguished in about 90 minutes.

The Lebanon Fire District would like to remind everyone to use safe burning practices by keeping burn piles manageable and attended during the burn season. To check the burn regulations, contact the Linn County Burn line Daily 541-451-1901 

SALEM, Ore. – A mobilization ceremony for the Oregon Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment (1-186th) will be held at Raider Stadium on the campus of Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, Oregon at 11:00 a.m., on Sunday October 20, 2024.

Nearly 205 Citizen-Soldiers will be part of a Multinational Force and Observers Mission in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The unit’s primary mission will be to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent violation of any of its terms.

“Citizen-Soldiers from Southern Oregon have a rich tradition of stepping up when called upon,” said Oregon Army National Guard Col. Paul Dyer, commander (rear), 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “The 1-186 Infantry proudly represents so many incredible communities from Roseburg to Ashland, and I cannot thank the local communities enough for their overwhelming support as the unit continues to add to their storied legacy.”

The 1-186th Infantry Regiment has previously mobilized to support both homeland and overseas missions to include: Security augmentation for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C., COVID-19 operational support in Oregon, and federal deployments supporting Overseas Contingency Operations in the Horn of Africa from 2019-2020, in Afghanistan from 2014-2015, and in Iraq from 2009-2010.

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Oregon Military Department File Images: 

100424-A-5611R-0001: Oregon Army National Guard Lt. Col. Gregory Day, Commander, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oregon Army National Guard, leads his unit during a parade through Medford, Ore., on April 24, 2010. The unit demobilized during a ceremony following their 400-day deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as part of the largest mobilization of Oregon Guard members since World War II. (File photo by Sgt. Eric Rutherford, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

191013-Z-YK984-0001: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment stand at attention for the mobilization ceremony on October 13, 2019 in Ashland, Oregon. The 1-168th Infantry Battalion is scheduled to deploy to Djibouti in the Horn of Africa. (File photo by Capt. Jessica Clarke, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

200818-Z-CH590-0046: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers from the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team are greeted as they return home to the Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport, Ore., on Aug. 18, 2020, after their deployment in Africa. The Oregon Guardsmen are returning in groups throughout the month of August, and were assigned to Task Force Djibouti, Africa for nine months are part of the second largest mobilization of Oregon troops since World War II. (File photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

210324-Z-CH590-0038: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment prepare to depart Medford, Ore., for Washington D.C., on March 24, 2021. Approximately 75 Citizen-Soldiers from Oregon will help to support security efforts in the National Capital Region. (File photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

210820-Z-ZJ128-1004: Julie Hale, Director of Support Services, conducts a walk-through familiarization of Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center for a group of leaders from 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment Soldiers in Medford, Ore., on Aug. 20, 2021. The group mobilized as part of a statewide effort to help Oregon hospitals with support functions due to a reported increase in COVID-19 cases, and staff shortages. (File photo by Maj. Chris Clyne, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs) 

220217-Z-CH590-0050: Oregon Army National Guard Capt. Christopher Campbell prepares to cut the ribbon for the new Army National Guard recruiting facility in Medford, Ore., on Feb. 17, 2022. Members of the Chamber of Commerce, Major Randy Sparacino and others helped celebrate the official opening during the afternoon open house event. (File photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Detectives with the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) have been investigating the recent alleged illegal activities of 50 year old Glenn Gearhart of Bell Gardens, California.  Detectives received information that Gearhart was a very dangerous individual who recently moved here from California, and he was in possession of several firearms, and was routinely selling large amounts of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the greater Roseburg area.  A check of Gearhart's criminal history revealed he is a multiple times convicted felon from California, with multiple convictions for crimes of violence, including with the use of firearms.  Gearhart has spent the bulk of his adult life in the California prison system.  

During the course of the investigation, detectives were able to corroborate much of this information, to include suspicion of high level drug trafficking activity and illegal firearms activity.  On Friday, October 18th, detectives obtained a search warrant for Gearhart, as well as the apartment he's been living in at 100 block of Page Road in Winchester.  

At approximately 4:40 PM, detectives located Gearhart leaving the residence in Winchester, driving a late model Jeep Cherokee.  Detectives asked for assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office to help get Gearhart stopped and detained.  Detectives had reason to believe Gearhart was in possession of illegal firearms and large quantities of narcotics, and was considered armed and dangerous.  Gearhart was reported to have made statements that if he is caught again he would go to prison for the rest of his life, and therefore he would not be taken alive.

Deputies attempted a traffic stop on Gearhart on NE Stephens St near Exchange Ave in Roseburg, with plans to conduct a high risk traffic stop.  Gearhart failed to yield to the deputies, and a pursuit ensued.  Gearhart led deputies on a pursuit through the north Roseburg area, driving onto Stewart Parkway, to Edenbower Blvd, then Aviation Drive, and back to Stewart Parkway.  Gearhart continued into the neighborhood areas around Alameda Street and Vine Street and eventually hit a curb causing damage to his vehicle.  Gearhart's vehicle was still somewhat functional and he continued to flee from deputies.  Gearhart turned onto Garden Valley from Vine Street and sideswiped an uninvolved vehicle near the intersection with NE Stephens St.  There Gearhart was slowed by traffic congestion and deputies had the opportunity to pin Gearhart's vehicle with patrol vehicles both in front, and behind.  Gearhart was confronted by multiple deputies, Roseburg PD officers, and DINT detectives.  Gearhart at first was non-compliant but he eventually gave up and was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody without further incident.  

During a search of Gearhart's vehicle, detectives found a Glock .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine, an illegal short barrel shotgun, an AR-15, a pump action shotgun, and a toy gun, along with a large sum of cash.  The Glock handgun returned as a stolen firearm from Los Angeles, California.  

Detectives returned to the residence in the 100 block of Page Road to search the residence.  There they contacted and detained 34 year old Hannah Fallert.  

A search of the residence revealed a large cache of narcotics to include:  608 grams (1.3 lbs) of suspected fentanyl, 734 grams (1.6 lbs) of suspected methamphetamine, 51 grams of cocaine, 369 dosage units of alprazolam, and 12.5 grams of psilocybin mushrooms.  

Glenn Gearhart was lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:

• Attempt to Elude Police Officer
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person (multiple counts)
• Reckless Driving
• Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Sch. II Contr Subst (Fentanyl)
• Unlawful Manufacture of Methamphetamine, and Sch. II Contr Subst (Fentanyl)
• Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Sch. II Contr Subst (Fentanyl), 
• Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine, Cocaine, and Sch. II Contr Subst (Fentanyl) Within 1,000' of a School
• Felon in Possession of a Firearm (4 counts)
• Theft I by Receiving (Stolen Firearm)
• Unlawful Possession of a Short Barrel Firearm

Hannah Fallert was lodged at the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:

• Unlawful Possession of Sch. II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl)
• Unlawful Delivery of Sch. II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl)
• Unlawful Delivery of Sch. II Controlled Substance (Fentanyl) Within 1000' of a School

DINT is continuing the investigation into Gearhart's alleged distribution of controlled substances that may be related to an ongoing overdose death investigation. Additional arrests are anticipated. 

The Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT) is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach.  DINT is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) and is composed of members from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, Oregon State Police, Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, and the Bureau of Land Management.

The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including DINT.

MEDFORD, Ore.— A federal jury found a KlamathFalls, Oregon man guilty after he kidnapped and sexually assaulted two women, and held one in a cell he constructed in his garage.

Negasi Zuberi, 30, also known as Justin Joshua Hyche, was found guilty of kidnapping, transporting a victim for criminal sexual activity, and illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, on July 15, 2023, while in Seattle, Zuberi posed as a police officer and used a taser and handcuffs to detain his victim in the backseat of his vehicle. Zuberi then transported the victim approximately 450 miles to his home in Klamath Falls, stopping along the way to sexually assault her.

When Zuberi arrived at his residence, he moved the victim from his vehicle into a cell he had constructed in his garage.The woman repeatedly banged on the cell door until it broke open and she escaped. The victim retrieved a handgun from Zuberi's vehicle, fled his garage, and flagged down a passing motorist who called 911.

The next day, on July 16, 2023, Reno Police Department officers and Nevada State Patrol officers located Zuberi in a parking lot in Reno, Nevada. After a short standoff, Zuberi surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody.

While investigating Zuberi's crimes, federal agents discovered that approximately six weeks prior to the kidnapping in Seattle, on May 6, 2023, Zuberi kidnapped and sexually assaulted another victim. While being held by Zuberi, his first victim observed stacked cinder blocks in his garage that he later used to construct the cell where he detained his second victim.

On August 2, 2023, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Zuberi with kidnapping and transporting a victim with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Later, on February 15, 2024, a second kidnapping charge and charges for illegallypossessing firearms and ammunitionand attempted escape were added by superseding indictment.

Kidnapping is punishable by up to life in federal prison and transporting a victim across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity by up to 10 years. Illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and attempted escape are punishable by up to 15 years. 

This case was investigated by the FBI Portland Field Office, Klamath Falls Police Department, and Oregon State Police with assistance from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada;Klamath County District Attorney's Office; Reno, Nevada Police Department; Washoe County,Nevada District Attorney's Office; and Nevada State Police. It was prosecuted by Jeffrey S. Sweet, Marco A. Boccato, and Nathan J. Lichvarcik, AssistantU.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon, with assistance from Appellate Chief Suzanne Miles, also of the Districtof Oregon.

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 18, 2024

Notice of Virtual Meeting

Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC)

Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittee

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

(Douglas County, OR) The next meeting for the Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council’s (LPSCC) – Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittee will take place on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 11:30 am via a virtual conference format.

In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch or listen to the meeting via video or by phone. For information on how you can watch or listen to this meeting, please see the agenda, or contact Koree Tate at ee.tate@douglascountyor.gov">koree.tate@douglascountyor.gov or call (541) 957-7790.

The meeting agenda is attached and can also be found at www.douglascountyor.gov.

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: a.howell@douglascountyor.gov.">tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

Program Contact: Koree Tate, Programs and Partnership Coordinator | Douglas County Juvenile Department | Phone: (541) 957-7790 | Email: ee.tate@douglascountyor.gov">koree.tate@douglascountyor.gov

News Release Corvallis Police Department 180 NW 5th Street   Corvallis, OR97330 541-766-6924

10/18/2024 3:25 pm

Media Contact: 

Lt. Ben Harvey, Corvallis Police Department

(541) 766-6556 / cpdpio@corvallisoregon.gov

Armed Subject on NW 23^rd St

On October 18, 2024, at approximately 1:38 PM, Corvallis Police Officers responded to a report of an individual armed with a pistol in the vicinity of 775 NW 23rd St. Upon securing the area, officers were able to establish contact with the suspect, 79-year-old John Robert Berman of Corvallis, via phone. Mr. Berman exited a nearby apartment without incident and peacefully surrendered to law enforcement.

During the investigation, officers determined that Mr. Berman had pointed his handgun at a neighbor during a dispute regarding property stored in the common area. As a result, John Berman was arrested and subsequently transported to the Benton County Jail, facing the following charges:

• ORS 166.220: Unlawful Use of a Weapon
• ORS 163.190: Menacing
• ORS 166.190: Pointing a Firearm at Another

The Corvallis Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety of our community and will continue to investigate this incident.

The City of Albany has received a grant through the federal Historic Preservation Fund, administered by Oregon State Historic Preservation Office to fund the following local preservation project. 

Linn County
City of Albany
$1647 Grant Funds
Cumberland Church Building - 1400 Santian Rd SE
Restore on stained glass window. 

This notice serves to make the public aware of the projects and solicit comments pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. The comment period is open for 30 days from the date of this announcement. To provide comments or learn more information about this project visit the federal grant public comment section of our website or contact Kuri Gill at i.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov">Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.

The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 authorizes a program of federal matching grants, known as the Historic Preservation Fund, to assist the various states in carrying out historic preservation activities. The Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, and in Oregon, is administered through the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. For information about the grants contact Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail: i.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov">Kuri.Gill@oprd.oregon.gov.

Jackson County, Ore 17 Oct 24- On Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 2:58 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 140, near milepost 31, in Jackson County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Chevrolet Colorado, operated by Fabiola Salcedo (42) of Dorris (CA), lost control and spun into the westbound lane where it was struck by a westbound Subaru Forester, operated by Danny Ray Ebert (74) of La Pine, on the passenger side.

The operator of the Chevrolet (Salcedo) was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Subaru ( D. Ebert) and passenger, Phyllis Ann Ebert (77) of La Pine, both suffered minor to serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital.

The highway was impacted for approximately 2.5 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is believed to be related to roadway conditions and speed.

OSP was assisted by Jackson County Fire District 3, Lakecreek Fire Department, and ODOT.

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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon. 

Klamath County, Ore 17 Oct 24- On Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 9:33 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian crash on Hwy 97, near milepost 272, in Klamath County.

The preliminary investigation indicated southbound Freightliner and trailer, operated by Usman Ahmad (36) of Sacramento (CA), struck a pedestrian, Christian Lee Cleven Corwin (38) of Klamath Falls, who entered the lane of travel.

The pedestrian (Cleven Corwin) was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Freightliner (Ahmad) was not injured.

The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Klamath County Fire District 1, Klamath Falls Police Department, and ODOT.

# # #

  
About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon. 

On October 18th at about 2 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a burglary in the 1100 block of Maxwell Road, Eugene, after a resident heard their alarm activate and discovered a broken window.

Once deputies arrived on scene, K9 Ripp was deployed to search the building. He quickly discovered a male, later identified as Adam Leroy Linday, 40, in a bathroom. Linday had barricaded the door closed. Deputies talked Linday into surrendering, and he was arrested without further incident.

Linday was lodged at the Lane County Jail for Burglary in the 1st Degree, Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree, and Criminal Trespass in the 1st Degree.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit is funded by community donations. All donations go directly to the K9 program to supply food, veterinary care, and equipment. Learn more and donate at: www.lanecounty.org/government/county_departments/sheriff_s_office/about_us_-_now_and_then/police_services_division/k9_unit

Santa is putting away the sleigh and going by rail! The most highly anticipated event of the year is just around the corner—the beloved Holiday Express! This magical experience will whisk you away for a jolly journey aboard a decorated steam train. You’re invited to Santa’s Enginehouse, where sparkling decorations and scrumptious treats await. 

Tickets often sell out, so it’s best to buy them early. Get your tickets now!

When: Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday from Nov. 29 – Jan. 4 

Departure Times: 10:00 am – 8:30 pm (times vary per day, see full schedule)  

Where: Oregon Rail Heritage Center (2250 SE Water Ave. Portland, OR 97214) 

Details: This is a 45-minute round-trip train ride 

(Updated to include correct link for online meeting)

CURRY COUNTY, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking to understand how Curry County residents and visitors would like to enjoy and conserve the 20 state parks in Curry County through an online survey and three public meetings this month.

This feedback is the first of several opportunities to provide input during the two-year process to update the Curry County State Parks Master Plan adopted in 2003. The master planning process is an opportunity to assess natural, cultural and recreation resources as well as management goals and community needs. 

The draft master plan is slated to be finished in late 2025 and will provide a 20-year vision with a menu of options that can be implemented over time as funds become available. 

The public is invited to share feedback on how they use state parks in Curry County now as well as opportunities for the future. Options to provide feedback include:

Online

• Survey runs now through Nov. 15: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QMBPQC5
• Online meeting noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28. Advance registration is required: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-ARfEKFsQXK9aJebLGgTHA

In-person meetings

• Noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at Southwestern Oregon Community College, 96082 Lone Ranch Pkwy, Brookings
• 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 at Port Orford Public Library, 1421 Oregon St, Port Orford

During each meeting, OPRD will share information about the master planning process and offer opportunities for community feedback and questions. 

Oregon State Parks properties in Curry County include Cape Blanco, Humbug Mountain, Otter Point, Cape Sebastian, Pistol River, Samuel H. Boardman, Harris Beach, Crissey Field, Alfred A. Loeb and several others.

Once OPRD gathers this initial feedback, staff will incorporate it into the plan development. There will be additional opportunities to provide feedback during the planning phase and then again when the draft plan is available. 

The draft master plan will balance the feedback received from stakeholders throughout the planning process. The management goals, strategies and development concepts proposed will incorporate priorities and concerns heard throughout the process. 

Once the final draft master plan is complete, it will be be presented to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission for adoption.

For more details and information, follow the draft master planning process on our website: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/28dcf2137d3a4edfbe647ed660de3091

October 18, 2024

Media contact: Franny White, anny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov">franny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov, 971-349-3539

More insurers reward providers for health care quality, but many not meeting value-based payment goals

Medicaid insurers most likely to use value-based payments; 24% of insurers did not use them in 2022

SALEM, Ore. — While many Oregon insurers are increasingly rewarding health care providers for the quality of care they deliver, only about half of the state’s insurers are meeting the goals of an agreement that calls for adopting more value-based health care payments, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) analysis of insurance payment data indicates. Value-based payments tie the amount that health care providers earn for their services to the results their patients experience, including the quality, equity and cost of care.

“Paying health providers based on care quality is a key tool in improving health care,” said Ali Hassoun, interim director of the health policy and analytics division at OHA. “Focusing on health care quality helps patients receive better care at a more affordable price. I applaud insurers that adopt this innovative approach.”

Historically, health care providers have been compensated for the volume of health care services that they deliver through fee-for-service payments. Alternatively, value-based payments offer financial incentives for improving the quality — and ideally also the affordability and equity — of health care. There are several approaches to making value-based payments, they can broadly all improve health outcomes, reduce expensive emergency room visits, and ultimately save both insurers and patients money.

In 2021, OHA and Oregon Health Leadership Council announced that 40 organizations had agreed to voluntarily follow the Oregon Value-Based Payment Compact. More groups joined later; a total of 63 organizations have signed the compact to date. The document’s signatories represent the state’s major insurers, which cover about two-thirds of Oregonians. The voluntary compact calls for gradual increases in health insurance payments that are made under advanced value-based payment models. For example, it stipulates that the following percentages of insurance payments be advanced and value-based per year: 35% in 2021, 40% in 2022, and 70% by 2025. The most recent available data are for 2022.

The compact is part of broader efforts in Oregon to prevent health care costs from growing faster than wages and the economy. Through its Sustainable Health Care Cost Growth Target Program, OHA aims to limit annual health care spending increases to no more than 3.4% per person.

Payment data analysis described in a recent OHA brief shows that about half of Oregon health insurers met the compact’s interim goal of having 40% of all payments use advanced value-based models in 2022. OHA analysts also found that roughly half of insurers met the state’s cost-growth target goal of keeping spending within a 3.4% increase that same year. About 18% of insurers met both the value-based payment and cost-growth management goals, while about 24% did not use any value-based payment methods in 2022.

Related OHA analysis that was compiled into a report with an interactive, online data dashboard also found Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs), or insurers that cover Oregonians with Medicaid insurance, were most likely to use value-based payments. In 2022, 60% of CCOs used advanced value-based payment models, followed by 40% of insurers with Medicaid Advantage plans, and 33% of commercial insurers.

The report also notes that CCOs and Medicare Advantage insurers have increased their use of value-based payment models since 2019. During that same timeframe, the use of these models by commercial insurers and the state-managed Public Employees Benefit Board and Oregon Educators Benefit Board fluctuated.

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At 11:33 p.m. on October 17, 2024, Roseburg Fire Department personnel responded to a reported residential structure fire at 933 NE Grandview Drive.  A reporting party notified Douglas County Emergency Communications two residents were heard screaming from the back of the structure and were possibly still located inside the structure at the time of the 911 call. Dispatch notified responding units that it was unknown if all residents had evacuated the structure. 

While firefighters were responding to the residential fire, two Roseburg Police Department officers arrived on scene of the fire.  An officer heard a scream at the back of the structure and was able to locate the two occupants at the back of the home.  The occupants were able to escape the burning structure out the backside of the structure.

Upon arrival on scene, firefighters found a single story, residential structure with heavy fire and smoke coming from the residential structure, as well as a carport and the front engine compartment of a vehicle located in the driveway. 

Firefighters conducted a primary and secondary search, extinguished the fire, and completed extensive overhaul.   The home, carport, and vehicle all sustained structural, smoke, and water damage.  The displaced family included two adult residents.  Personnel from Adapt were able to assist the displaced residents with temporary housing.  Unfortunately, one family cat did not survive the fire.

A fire investigator was on scene and the exact cause of the fire is under investigation. Thirteen firefighters assisted with firefighting operations.  Other agencies assisting with the fire included Umpqua Valley Ambulance, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, Roseburg Police Department, Adapt, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and Pacific Power. 

The Roseburg Fire Department would like to remind everyone of the importance of working smoke alarms and ensuring you have the appropriate number of smoke alarms installed in the home.  Remember to make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area and in every bedroom.  Roseburg Fire Department recommends that homeowners consider a home fire sprinkler system for increased protection.

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Robert D. Joiner, died the morning of October 17, 2024. Joiner was incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem and passed away in at a local hospital. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified.

Joiner entered DOC custody on October 3, 2006, from Grant County with an earliest projected release date of April 6, 2027. Joiner was 71 years old. Next of kin has been notified.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 12,000 men and women who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

OSP is a multi-custody prison located in Salem that houses approximately 2,000 adults in custody. OSP is surrounded by a 25-foot-high wall with 10 towers. The facility has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, behavioral health, intermediate care housing, and an infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care. OSP participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including the furniture factory, laundry, metal shop, and contact center. It provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, work-based education, work crews, and pre-release services. OSP was established in 1866 and, until 1959, was Oregon’s only prison.

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Save the date! 

We are pleased to cordially invite you to the 107^th H.O.P.E. Drug Court graduation scheduled for Tuesday, October 29, 2024, beginning at 5:15 p.m. Graduation will once again be in the Cascade Hall building located at the Douglas County Fairgrounds with easy access directly off the I-5 Interstate. Hope to see you there!!

October 18, 2024

Media Contact: Amy Bacher, acher2@oha.oregon.gov">amy.bacher2@oha.oregon.gov

Tribal communities in Oregon will now be able to cover traditional health care practices through the Oregon Health Plan

Salem, OR –  The Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon, in partnership with OHA, have received approval for traditional health care practices to be covered through the Oregon Health Plan (OHP/Medicaid) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

American Indian and Alaska Natives experience higher health disparities and a lower life expectancy than most other populations. There is a direct correlation between historical trauma and negative health outcomes. Better understanding of where ongoing health disparities stem from, acknowledges the true history of the nation and state.

Honoring Tribal Traditional Healing Practices with the Tribes of Oregon demonstrates a commitment by the state and federal government to support Tribes for improving health in tribal communities utilizing their own Tribal Based Practices.

“It is long overdue that we recognize and provide true support for traditional health care practices and providers in Oregon’s tribal communities,” said Emma Sandoe, Oregon’s Medicaid director. “This will help improve the quality of care, healthy outcomes and access to culturally appropriate health for tribal communities in the state.”

Tribes in Oregon, tribal entities and other academic advisors have met regularly since 2003 to gather information about indigenous practices within tribal communities that improve life and health outcomes. OHA has recognized those as Oregon Tribal Based Practices and supported Tribes to utilize those practices, in many areas of health, with contracts and grant funding. It has been a long-standing goal to have some of those practices become Medicaid reimbursable. Because of those efforts, Oregon has become one of the first four states in the nation to receive a first-ever approval to cover traditional health care practices provided by Indian Health Service (IHS) facilities, Tribal facilities, and the Urban Indian Organization (UIO).

Julie Johnson, a member of the Ft. McDermitt Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, and OHA’s Tribal Affairs Director stated, “This is a great day for Tribal Health Programs! Our ancestors gave us the strength to endure survival for thousands and thousand of years, utilizing our traditional medicines, our cultural ways of life, our teachings of healing and wellness. We are grateful for our partnerships with the Nine Tribes in Oregon and our Urban Indian Health Program. They are the experts in our tribal communities, and we will continue to look to our elders, cultural keepers and tribal leaders to guide this work to improve health in Oregon.”

OHA will work closely with tribal partners toward implementation. Other states among the first to be approved include Arizona, California and New Mexico.

For additional information about Oregon’s approval, please visit the approval on Medicaid.gov.    

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Salem – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek has proclaimed Oct. 21-25 as Community Bank Week. The week honors local banks and their employees for their economic and civic contributions in communities across the state.

Oregon community banks provide more than 4,800 family wage jobs through more than 325 branch and loan offices throughout the state. Community banks play an essential role in promoting the economic health and prosperity of the state, making over half of the bank loans made to small businesses. In some communities, they are the sole provider of banking products and services and sometimes the largest employer. Community banks donate millions of dollars each year to nonprofits and local organizations.

“Community banks are an integral part of Oregon’s overall economy through their community giving, dedication as good neighbors, and above all, their critical role in providing reliable financial services to Oregonians,” said Gov. Kotek. “We recognize community banks for their ongoing commitment to the economic vitality of local communities in Oregon.”

“Our state banks play a vital role in Oregon’s economy and continue to support small businesses and agriculture in Oregon, as well as provide banking services and create thousands of jobs,” said TK Keen, administrator for DFR. “State banks are also invested in their communities through their significant volunteer hours, food drives, and shred events. ”

State-chartered banks throughout Oregon are celebrating Community Bank Week in their local neighborhoods. To learn more about Oregon's state-chartered banks, go to https://www.oregonbankers.com/local.html.

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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon's largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov and dfr.oregon.gov.

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports that on October 16, 2024, her detectives arrested Rosemarie T. Hill, 60, of Lebanon, as a result of a financial crimes investigation.  The investigation began in March of 2024 when the business owners of Highway 20 Mini Storage, located in Lebanon, called the Linn County Sheriff’s Office to report a possible theft by the manager of their business.  Investigators learned Rosemarie Hill had been the manager of Highway 20 Mini Storage for approximately ten years and currently lived in a residence at the business. 

Investigators served a search warrant at Highway 20 Mini Storage and seized financial records.  Investigators examined the financial records from the business, comparing them with records from the bank. Investigators were able to determine Rosemarie had altered customer payments and deposit receipts using the business’s computer. The total amount fraudulently entered and stolen from the business between April 2022 through March 2024 was just over $53,000.  Investigators determined that Rosemarie had spent all the stolen money on personal expenses, as well as gambling and paying personal bills.   

Rosemarie Hill was arrested and lodged in the Linn County Jail for two counts of Aggravated Theft in the First Degree, two counts of Theft in the First Degree, Forgery in the First Degree, and one count of a Computer Crime.   

October 17, 2024

Media contacts:

Erica Heartquist, OHA, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Marc Siegel, ODE, c.siegel@ode.oregon.gov">marc.siegel@ode.oregon.gov

Stephanie Condon, ADPC, stephanie.condon@oha.oregon.gov

State agencies release synthetic opioid prevention lessons, updated fentanyl toolkit for Oregon schools

Lessons and Toolkit help districts educate students about fentanyl and opioid dangers, and develop policies and practices for substance use prevention and response

PORTLAND, Ore.— As fentanyl keeps showing up in a variety of drugs on the illicit market, state agencies are continuing their effort to help Oregon educators engage with students about the drug’s dangers – and preventing and responding to fentanyl overdoses – with the release of synthetic opioid prevention lessons and an updated Fentanyl Toolkit for Schools.

“The dangers of fentanyl have no age boundaries,” Gov. Tina Kotek said. “We must support the critical role that schools play in substance use prevention and intervention for students. The updated lesson plans and toolkit are a result of multiple state agencies coming together to collaborate on how we can best protect young Oregonians, and I’m grateful for their work on these vital resources.”

Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department of Education and the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission partnered on these opioid/fentanyl prevention and intervention resources. This cross-agency collaboration with school and community partners to prevent substance use among youth and young adults will continue with the release of additional instructional materials and professional learning resources throughout the school year.

“Responding to the opioid crisis requires all hands on deck,” said ADPC Director Annaliese Dolph. “Leaders in government, healthcare, education and other fields all have a role to play when it comes to helping Oregon’s young people understand and navigate the risks of substance use. Equipping educators with the resources to have those conversations with students – particularly about synthetic opioids – is an essential piece of the puzzle.”

School-based drug education plays important role in youth overdose prevention

School-based prevention efforts such as health education, plays an important role in preventing and delaying first use of drugs and interrupting the development of substance use-related problems affecting youth and their families.

During Oregon’s 2023 legislative session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 238, requiring OHA, the State Board of Education via ODE, and ADPC to co-develop curricula supplements on the dangers of synthetic opioids and legal protections in place for people who report substance use or who seek medical treatment for drug or alcohol overdoses.

“The lesson plans and Fentanyl Toolkit for Schools are just two elements of a larger, comprehensive effort to improve fentanyl awareness and, more broadly, prevent harmful substance use among Oregon’s young people – a priority that OHA, ODE and ADPC collectively share,” said OHA Director Sejal Hathi, M.D.

Required Synthetic Opioid Prevention Lessons

ODE collaborated with OHA and ADPC to develop the required lessons per Senate Bill 238. These lessons are available on the ODE Health Education webpage and incorporate: 

• Youth-designed approaches with space for dialogue, relevant information, and Oregon data.
• Research-based practices that emphasize the importance of promoting strengths-based norms rather than shame or fear-based tactics, skills-based learning over awareness-raising, and connecting to broad prevention efforts within the school and community.
• Alignment with the 2023 Oregon Health Education Standards.

Beyond these required lessons, House Bill 5204 (2024) provided funding to ODE for additional curriculum supplements on the dangers of synthetic opioids. ODE will be sharing these resources along with professional learning opportunities in the year to come. ODE will be seeking feedback regarding the lessons for continuous improvement during this pilot year.

“These lesson plans help empower our students with the most up-to-date information to protect themselves and their friends from harmful substances,” ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams said. “I want to thank the Oregon Legislature for providing us with the framework in Senate Bill 238 and our partners at the Oregon Health Authority and the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission for all their work collaborating on the lesson plans and toolkit that will save lives in Oregon. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with school and community partners to prevent substance use among youth and respond to the evolving substance use landscape in Oregon.”

Updated Fentanyl Toolkit for Schools, access to overdose reversal medication

The updated 2024 Fentanyl Toolkit for Schools offers resources schools can use to educate the community about the impact of fentanyl and opioids; develop school policies and practices to prevent and respond to opioid overdoses; and build community partnerships for a comprehensive substance use prevention and intervention approach. The updates to the original 2022 toolkit include additional resources based on developing science and practices in substance use prevention and intervention, and recently passed state legislation that requires districts to share information to parents about opioid overdose reversal medications.

In addition to the updated toolkit, schools have access to naloxone through the Save Lives Oregon Harm Reduction Clearinghouse. Naloxone can save lives by reversing an opioid overdose. As of September 2024, about 125 school districts and Education Service Districts have requested and received naloxone kits. Each kit includes a wall-mounted naloxone box and eight doses of nasal naloxone.

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Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) will be hosting an Innovation Hub on Monday, Oct. 28, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The event will be held virtually due to logistical issues. It was originally scheduled to be at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland. This year’s theme is “Can innovative technologies make green finance better?”

The virtual event will be hosted by Nicole Ferroux, a senior policy advisor at DFR and Innovation Hub liaison, and will include two panel discussions: Artificial Intelligence and Green Finance, and Blockchain and Green Finance. After the two panel discussions, DFR Administrator TK Keen will host an executive chat with Washington State Department of Financial Institutions Director Charlie Clark. Their discussion will center on regulating the use of innovative technologies in green finance.

“We are always looking for ways to encourage innovation in Oregon, particularly green finance innovations that help us combat climate change,” Keen said. “Our Innovation Hub has allowed us to keep numerous conversations with stakeholders on green finance and green innovations going, and the OMSI event is another avenue for engagement on this important topic.”

The first panel includes Jon Down, professor at the University of Portland and founder of Gen AI Corp.; Josh Cole, business operations lead at Modernist Financial; and Kirsten Anderson, deputy administrator at the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation.

The second panel includes Alex Murray, assistant professor of management and director of the Intelligent Futures Lab at the University of Oregon; Mike Zajko, co-founder of Lattice Capital; and Brooke Pollack, founder and managing partner at Hutt Capital.

What does this year’s theme, “Can innovative technologies make green finance better?” really mean?

“Green finance, which includes any financial product or service created to encourage the development of a more sustainable economy, has come under some deserved scrutiny in recent years,” Ferroux said. “Greenwashing scandals, questions regarding the longevity of the financial outcomes associated with these products, and a variety of regulatory issues have raised the question of whether green finance will continue to grow or will shrink away as a fad. This year’s event explores whether innovative technologies – namely artificial intelligence and blockchain technology – can help industry and regulators overcome these challenges to move this sector forward.”

For more information about the event, including the Zoom and registration links and the bios of each speaker, visit the DFR website.

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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

The Linn County Fire Defense Board—representing the fire agencies of Albany Fire Department, Lebanon Fire District, Sweet Home Fire District, Scio Fire District, Tangent Fire District, Brownsville Rural Fire District, Halsey Fire, and Harrisburg Fire & Rescue—is pleased to announce the opening of burn season on Saturday, October 19th. We thank the public for their patience during the delay, which was necessary to ensure safety amid recent weather conditions. As burn season begins, it’s important for residents to stay informed and follow regulations to maintain a safe and responsible burning environment.

General Guidelines for Open Burning
Residents are reminded to adhere to Division 264 Rules for Open Burning. Please ensure the following requirements are met:

• Before burning, call the Linn County Burn Line at 541-451-1904 or review the Willamette Valley Open Burning Announcement (https://smkmgt.com/burn.php) to confirm daily restrictions.
• Never leave a fire unattended. Escaped fires can lead to dangerous wildfires in Oregon.
• Following Division 264 Rules for Open Burning does not exempt you from responsibility for any damages.

Fire Safety Reminders
To burn efficiently and minimize smoke pollution, follow these key tips:

• Burn dry firewood and yard debris; avoid wet materials.
• Stack firewood and yard waste loosely to ensure good air circulation.
• Re-stack or feed the fire regularly to prevent smoldering.
• Avoid using lighter fluid or other accelerants.
• Maintain safe distances from buildings, as required by city or county codes.

Please stay updated on any burn bans that may be enforced by your local fire agency.

Materials Illegal to Burn
It is important to remember that burning certain materials in Oregon is illegal. The following items cannot be burned: 

• Asbestos
• Automotive parts
• Plastics and rubber products
• Waste oil and petroleum products
• Wet garbage and food waste
• Materials that create dense smoke or noxious odors

Alternatives to Burning
We encourage residents to consider alternatives to open burning to help keep our air clean:

• Recycle paper and other products when possible.
• Compost yard debris and kitchen scraps.
• Dispose of waste at an approved landfill or hazardous waste collection site.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to fire safety as burn season opens. For more information on the regulations and safe practices, contact your local fire agency or call the Linn County Burn Line at 541-451-1904.

UPDATE
A suspect in this case has been identified; no further tips are needed. We appreciate the public's assistance and thank everyone who turned in tips.

NORTHEAST OREGON, 11 Oct. 2024—The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help to identify a suspected poacher. The individual was hunting in Northeast Oregon over the Labor Day weekend and is believed to be associated with a white late-model GMC or Chevy full-size, four-door pickup truck with tinted windows. 

The suspect shot a mature bull elk with archery equipment and began recovering the meat. However, when an Oregon State Trooper arrived in the area, the individual left the area without taking any portion of the elk, leaving all the meat and the antlers behind. The subject did not return while troopers were on scene for several hours salvaging what they could of the meat.

Potential charges include failing to retrieve edible portions of wildlife and waste of wildlife. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sr. Trooper Kris Davis via the TIP line at 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677) from a mobile phone. Tips may also be submitted to TIP@osp.oregon.gov.  Individuals with information may remain anonymous. 

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators 

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration among the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board. 

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

Preference Point Rewards
5 Points: Bighorn Sheep
5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat
5 Points: Moose
5 Points: Wolf
4 Points: Elk
4 Points: Deer
4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope
4 Points: Bear
4 Points: Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling licenses or tags, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

Cash Rewards

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) cash rewards:
$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose 
$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope 
$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$300 Habitat destruction 
$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
$200 Unlawful lending/borrowing big game tag(s)
$200 Game Fish & Shellfish
$200 Game Birds or Furbearers
$200 Spotlighting
$200 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish)

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards:
$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity: 
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)
TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
For more information visit: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx

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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

EUGENE, Ore. – The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) has awarded full 7-year accreditation to the Educator Preparation Programs at Bushnell University. 

After reviewing the evidence collected through a process of self-study and peer review, the AAQEP Accreditation Commission issued the decision at its July 26 meeting along with the following rationale: 

The Commission evaluated the program’s evidence for each AAQEP standard and determined that all four standards are met. The program prepares candidates to work effectively as professional educators who can adapt to different contexts and continue to grow professionally. Its monitoring system supports the candidates to be successful both in the program and in their future professional environments. Bushnell University maintains program quality by analyzing evidence of its effectiveness and making revisions to benefit candidates. Its partnerships with the community are well developed and support community engagement with stakeholders and partners to strengthen the P-20 education system. 

“Congratulations to Bushnell University and to all of the faculty, staff, and stakeholders who have achieved their goal of national accreditation by AAQEP,” said AAQEP President and CEO Mark LaCelle-Peterson. “The program’s careful attention to candidate progress ensures their success in the program as well as their readiness as professionals.” 

National accreditation assures the quality of professional preparation programs through a nongovernmental, nonregulatory process of self-study and peer review. This standards- and evidence-based process serves two broad aims: accountability and continuous improvement. The AAQEP model is also designed to honor local context and foster innovation and collaboration among institutions. AAQEP currently has members in 38 states and other jurisdictions with over 200 educator preparation providers participating in the accreditation system. 

Ray Ricks, M.Ed., Bushnell University's Assistant Professor of Education and Program Director, shared his excitement about the recognition: “This accreditation reaffirms our dedication to developing future educators who are equipped to lead and inspire in today's classroom environments. Our programs emphasize both academic rigor and practical experience, rooted in wisdom, faith, and service, ensuring that our graduates not only excel in their professions but also serve as a source of inspiration and support within their communities. We are deeply committed to fostering a sense of aspiration among our students as they begin their journeys to make meaningful contributions as educators.” 

Bushnell University offers a comprehensive range of educator preparation programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education with specializations in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and a variety of content areas such as Advanced Mathematics, Basic Mathematics, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), Health, Integrated Science, Language Arts, Multiple Subjects Elementary, Physical Education, Spanish, Special Education, and social studies. Graduate programs include a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), a Master of Education, and a Master of Arts in School Counseling, with certificate programs available in Physical Education, Reading Interventionist, School Counseling, Special Education, and ESOL. In addition, Bushnell provides a flexible online and evening program to accommodate working professionals and non-traditional students. 

To learn more about Bushnell’s School of Education visit www.bushnell.edu/school-of-education.

Added photos of ballot delivery today and corrected a date because we are not, in fact, voting in the year 20243. 

The Lane County Elections office has placed ballots in the USPS mail stream for the November 5, 2024 General Election. 

All 21 Lane County ballot drop boxes will remain open until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 5, 2024. Drop boxes are open 24/7. A list of drop box locations is included with every ballot and available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.

“Ballots are in the mail and voters have until Election Day, November 5, to return their ballots so they can be counted,” said Lane County Clerk Dena Dawson. “We are here at Lane County Elections to help voters who need assistance and to ensure that all eligible voters can participate.”

Voters may return their voted vote-by-mail ballots in one of the following ways:

• Regular mail. Ballots must be postmarked no later than November 5, 2024 and received no later than November 12, 2024 to be counted.
• A 24/7 ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m. on November 5, 2024.
• Lane County Elections. Ballots can be turned in directly to the Lane County Elections Office during business hours until 8:00 p.m. on November 5, 2024.

Voters with questions can email elections@lanecountyor.gov or call 541-682-4234.

About the Lane County Elections Office:

The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The elections office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

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(Salem) – October’s Safe Sleep Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate families about sleep practices that can prevent sudden unexpected infant death. Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), which includes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), is the leading cause of injury death in infancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 3,400 infants die from SUID each year, with numbers in Oregon averaging about 40 per year. 

Many parents from a range of cultural backgrounds sleep with their babies at some point during their child’s infancy. However, SUID rates for American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Non-Hispanic Black infants are more than twice those of white infants, pointing to persistent racial and ethnic disparities. To address these disparities, all Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Child Welfare caseworkers receive training on how to engage families in discussion about safe infant sleep in a culturally responsive manner. When appropriate, caseworkers are encouraged to connect families to culturally responsive organizations and Tribes across the state such as the Healthy Birth Initiatives, Well Mama, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and others to help parents make informed decisions and reduce risk.

“Safe sleep is a priority at ODHS Child Welfare, because education and awareness can save lives,” Child Welfare Director Aprille Flint-Gerner said. “When we work with culturally responsive community partners and build trust with families, we can be more effective in improving infant safety.” 

A national public health awareness campaign sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics reduced sleep-related infant deaths by 60 percent in the 1990s, but decreases have plateaued since 2000. ODHS works with the National Partnership for Child Safety, as well as state and other national partners, to promote updated recommendations in the Safely to their First Birthday practice and policy brief such as breastfeeding and ensuring infants sleep on their backs separately from caregivers in a crib to prevent risk of suffocation. Bed-sharing increases the risk of infant death by five to 10 times compared to infants who sleep in their own safe space. ODHS Child Welfare case managers can provide portable cribs with bassinet attachments that allow infants to be in their own space while remaining close to caregivers. About 500 portable sleep spaces are distributed by ODHS Child Welfare every year with over 2,800 provided since 2020.

Other resources offered through ODHS partners include support for lactation counseling, information on donor milk banks, and support for substance use problems. Infants who breastfeed are less likely to die from sleep-related infant death. While reasons for this are unclear, research suggests the increased wakefulness of breastfed infants may play a role. Human breast milk is less filling than formula, causing infants to wake up more frequently to feed. This can prevent them from falling into deep sleep which makes it harder to wake up if they stop breathing.

Oregon has a cross-system approach to reviewing fatalities and has become a leader in supporting other jurisdictions across the country to promote safe sleep. Education and training have shown results, with a decrease in infant fatalities reviewed by the ODHS Critical Incident Review Team (CIRT). As of October, there have been three infant deaths assigned for review by the ODHS Critical Incident Review Team. One of those deaths involved high-risk sleep practices while the other two are still pending investigation. In 2023, eight child fatalities reviewed by the ODHS Critical Incident Review Team were infants. Of those, six had high-risk sleep practices. In 2022, all 14 infants reviewed by the CIRT had high-risk sleep practices present at the time of the infant’s death. 

Key safe sleep recommendations:

• Use ABCDs of safe sleep to remember the key recommendations, which stands for babies safely sleeping: Alone, on their Back, in a Crib, and with caregivers who Don’t Smoke. 
• Use a crib, bassinet or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Avoid sleeping on a couch or armchair or in a seating device, like a swing or car safety seat (except while riding in the car). 
• Keep loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers and other soft items out of the sleep space. 
• Breastfeed if possible and avoid smoking.

“We strive to reduce infant fatalities, and a big part of that is sharing this information so that all families are aware of what they can do to create a safe sleep environment and prevent the tragic loss of a child,” ODHS Child Welfare Director Aprille Flint-Gerner said. 

Resources

• To learn more about safe sleep practices and preventing sudden unexpected infant death, visit the Oregon Health Authority’s Safe Sleep for Babies information or the American Academy of Pediatrics website.
   
• Sign up for Bright by Text for prenatal and parenting tips specific to your child’s age. Text messages are available in Spanish and English.

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SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal deployed an incident management team to North Carolina Thursday morning to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The storm caused catastrophic flooding to the western side of the state and cut off many communities from vital services. The North Carolina Emergency Operations Center says 90 people are still missing and many communities remain inaccessible.

The team is led by Incident Commander Ian Yocum and includes an operations section chief, plans section chief, and three logistics section chiefs. The six-person team will be working in Yancey County, northeast of Asheville. 

“I want to thank those who are headed to North Carolina to help in their time of need. We certainly understand how critical help can be when communities are devastated by a disaster on such a wide scale,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “I’ve been in contact with North Carolina State Fire Marshal Bryan Taylor who is appreciative of Oregon’s support. We can all be proud to work alongside those who continue to answer the call for assistance, especially after the many wildfire deployments our teams were on this summer.”

The Oregon State Fire Marshal incident management teams are no stranger to helping with hurricane recovery efforts. In 2022, a team, also led by Yocum, was deployed to Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.

The team will be deployed to North Carolina until October 30 and will return to Oregon the next day. The Oregon State Fire Marshal has three all-hazard incident management teams trained in emergency response and recovery. The teams typically respond to wildfire and are equipped to handle a wide range of disasters. Learn more about the teams here.

The team was ordered through the Oregon Department of Emergency Management and the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, the nation’s all hazard national mutual aid system. The compact provides help during governor-declared emergencies or disasters by allowing states to quickly send personnel, equipment, and supplies to support response and recovery efforts in other states.

SALEM COUNTY, Ore. 16 Oct. 2024 – There's a new furry recruit at Oregon State Police. She's excited to join her handler on Oregon's highways, and we need your help to give her an official name that is paw-some! 

Oregon youth, kindergarten through 5th grade, send in your ulti-mutt name for our fur-ever friend. The winning entry will be recognized with a round of a-paws and other fun prizes. 

Contest Rules:  

• Complete an entry form between Oct. 17-27, 2024.
  • https://bit.ly/OSP_K9Contest
• The contest is open to Oregon youth from kindergarten through 5^th grade. 
• One entry per student.
• Five names from the submitted entries will be selected to move forward for statewide voting.
• The student with the winning name entry will get to meet the K-9 and other recognition from OSP. 
• The school with the most participants will also be recognized by OSP. 

Who's ready fur some treats!

Learn more about our new K-9: https://youtu.be/3naO1tVKz2M

The K-9 is a two-year-old female Belgian Malinois from Blackwood Canine who is certified through the Oregon Police K-9 Association as a drug detection dog. She and her handler, Sr. Trooper Scott Show, are assigned to the Albany Patrol Office for drug detection along Interstate 5 and throughout the state.  

Sr. Trooper Show said, “I’m excited to have Oregon youth involved in naming our K-9. Kids come up with the best animal names and I’ll be happy with whatever they choose.” 

The contest opens at noon on Oct. 17, 2024, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 27, 2024. Entries must be received via OSP’s online entry form: https://bit.ly/OSP_K9Contest. 

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About the Oregon State Police\
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon. Name Our K-9 Contest

Baker County, Ore 16 Oct 24- On Wednesday, October 16, 2024, at 9:20 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 84, near milepost 310, in Baker County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Toyota T100, operated by Zachary Edward Schuringa (34) of Denver (CO), lost control, overcorrected into the median, and rolled before coming to rest. A passenger, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected from the vehicle during the rolling event.

The operator of the Toyota (Schuringa) was seriously injured and transported to an area hospital.

The passenger, Charlie Ann McDowell (29) of Lakewood (CO), was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by ODOT.

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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon. 

October 17, 2024

Media contact: Franny White, anny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov">Franny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov, 971.349.3539

OHA sets 2025 rates for Oregon Health Plan care coordination, finds CCO profits narrowed after 2022

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will pay 3.1.% more per month in 2025 for coordinated care organizations (CCOs) to provide Medicaid benefits to eligible Oregonians. As a result, OHA will pay an average of $529.89 per-member-per-month next year for CCOs to coordinate the medical, dental and behavioral health care services for most of the state’s Medicaid enrollees.

“CCO rates provide reliable funding that ensures eligible Oregonians can continue to access quality, comprehensive health care through Medicaid,” said OHA Director Sejal Hathi, M.D., M.B.A. “This funding anchors the important care coordination that CCOs provide as pandemic-era supports end and more people use health care services.”

In Oregon, Medicaid provides health coverage to about 1.4 million people, including low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults and people with disabilities, regardless of their immigration status. Medicaid is administered by states according to federal requirements, and the program is jointly funded by states and the federal government.

OHA contracts with CCOs to coordinate health care for those who receive insurance through the Oregon Health Plan (OHP), the state’s Medicaid program. CCOs coordinate care for the vast majority of OHP members, or about 1.3 million people.

The per-member-per-month payments that OHA pays CCOs, also called CCO capitation rates, are updated annually based on CCO financial data. OHA developed 2025 capitation rates after analyzing CCO financial performance for 2023, the last year for which full financial data is available.

The state’s 16 CCOs collectively had a 2.2% consolidated operating margin in 2023, taking in a total of $173 million net operating income that year, according to a brief that OHA released this summer. While most CCOs had a net profit in 2023, four operated at a loss.

New, preliminary analysis also suggests that CCOs may experience lower profit margins this year. OHA analysts have calculated that Oregon CCOs collectively had a 1.3% consolidated operating margin through June 30, 2024, taking in a total of $50 million net operating income. Five CCOs reported having an operating loss during the first half of 2024 as part of the risk-based contracts. Full analysis of 2024 CCO financial performance will be released in 2025.

Recent CCO operating margins may have peaked at 4.6% in 2022, when fewer people accessed routine health care services due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, the apparent 2022 peak was comparatively lower than the highest-recorded 7.5% operating margin that CCOs collectively experienced in 2014, when the Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid eligibility.

Other key CCO financial performance data from 2023 include:

• CCOs collectively spent 89% of their total revenue on member services in 2023.
• CCO total per-member-per-month spending on member services increased 3% annually from 2022, reaching an average of $428.90 per-member-per-month in 2023.
• CCO spending on substance use disorder and behavioral health care combined increased 22.5%. This growth was largely fueled by Oregon’s focus on both areas, including the passage of Oregon House Bill 5202 in 2022, which increased Medicaid behavioral health reimbursement rates on average by 30% for providers who work primarily in Medicaid.
• CCOs spent a total of $20.2 million toward the Supporting Health for All Through Reinvestment (SHARE) Initiative. For the first time in 2023, the SHARE Initiative began requiring CCOs to spend a portion of their net income or reserves on services to address health inequities and social determinants of health.
• CCO spending on health-related services, which improve health quality but aren’t covered by traditional Medicaid, hit a new high of $121 million – nearly double the amount spent in 2022.

The 2025 CCO capitation rates reflect new initiatives that will roll out in the coming months, including:

• Financial incentives for increasing dental care access for Medicaid patients in 2025. CCOs will facilitate additional payments for dentists who provide some preventive services to OHP members, and also pass along annual incentive payments to dentists who increase the number of OHP members they serve.
• Compensation for supporting OHP members’ health-related social needs beyond standard Medicaid benefits. For example, addressing housing and nutrition needs will be reimbursable for the first time in November 2024 through the state’s Medicaid 1115 Demonstration Waiver.
• Increased reimbursement for hospitals with more than 50 beds that provide psychiatric in-patient services.

While OHA normally aims to increase CCO capitation rates 3.4% annually, the 2025 rate increase has been set at 3.1% due to state funding constraints. OHA will continue to monitor CCO access to care data and measures to ensure members are able to receive timely, high-quality care.

Oregon Revised Statute 414.593 requires that CCO expenditures be made fully transparent and available to the public. Financial statements for all 16 CCOs can be found here.

BOARD REGULAR MEETING NOTICE

The Board of Directors of Winston-Dillard Fire District No. 5 will hold its Regular Board meeting at WDFD Fire Station at 250 SE Main St., Winston, OR on Monday, October 21, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Supplemental Budget adjustment will be considered at this meeting. To comply with House Bill 2560, those that wish to participate can attend through videoconferencing or telephonically. If you plan on attending the meeting, please call the business office at 541-679-8721 during normal business hours prior to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 21, 2024, for instructions.

The Board agenda to include but not limited to:

  1. Monthly Financial Report

  2. Resolution 2025-02 FY2024-25 Supplemental Budget Less than 10% and 

      Appropriation Resolution.

The meeting location is accessible to person with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to Winston-Dillard Fire District No. 5 at 541-679-8721

BOARD REGULAR MEETING NOTICE

The Board of Directors of Douglas County Fire District No. 2 will hold its Regular Board meeting at its headquarters located at 250 SE Main St. Winston, OR 97496 on Monday October 21, 2024, at 5:30 pm. To comply with House Bill 2560, those that wish to participate can attend through videoconferencing or telephonically. If you plan on attending the meeting, please call the business office at 541-673-5503 during normal business hours prior to 4:00 p.m. on Monday October 21, 2024, for instructions. 

The Board agenda to include but not limited to:

1. Monthly Financials

The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to DCFD #2 at 541-673-5503.

CENTRAL DOUGLAS FIRE & RESCUE AUTHORITY REGULAR BOARD MEETING NOTICE

The Board of Directors of Central Douglas Fire & Rescue Authority will hold its Regular Board meeting at its headquarters located at 250 SE Main St. Winston, OR 97496 on Monday October 21, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. A supplemental budget adjustment will be considered at this meeting. To comply with House Bill 2560, those that wish to participate can attend through videoconferencing or telephonically. If you plan on attending the meeting, please call the business office at 541-673-5503 during normal business hours prior to 4:00 p.m. on Monday October 21, 2024, for instructions.

The Board agenda to include but not limited to:    

1. Monthly Financials
2. Resolution 2025-01: FY2024-25 Supplemental Budget Less than 10% and Appropriation Resolution
3. SDAO Board Practices Assessment
4. Discussion of Dillard Property
5. Chief’s Report

The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to administration at 541-673-5503.

JCSO Case 24-5698

MOUNT ASHLAND, Ore. - Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies along with Search and Rescue (SAR) personnel are investigating an abandoned backpack located in the Grouse Gap Warming Shelter off the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) near Mt. Ashland. JCSO deputies and SAR teams are conducting a search of the area.

If you have lost your pack in that area or can identify the owner of the pictured pack please call the ECSO Dispatch non-emergency number at (541) 776-7206 and reference case 24-5698.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison Wednesday for stealing more than $147,000 in pandemic unemployment benefits from the Oregon Employment Department (OED).

Matthew Kemp, 41, was sentenced to six months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. Kemp was also ordered to pay $147,294 in restitution to the OED.

According to court documents, between July 2020 and January 2021, Kemp devised and carried out a scheme whereby he used the personal information of 17 people, including their dates of birth and social security numbers, to fraudulently apply for pandemic unemployment insurance benefits. Some individuals knew Kemp had used their personal information because he had promised to obtain benefits on their behalf while others were unaware.

To ensure the benefits went to him instead of the named applicants, Kemp requested the benefits be paid out by check or prepaid debit card, and put his own mailing address, email address, and phone number on the claims. If there was a delay or issue in processing his various fraudulent claims, Kemp called the OED and impersonated the named applicant to ensure he got (in his words) “my money.” 

On February 7, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a seven-count indictment charging Kemp with mail fraud, bank fraud, and theft of government funds. On June 14, 2024, Kemp pleaded guilty to theft of government funds.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOL-OIG) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General (DHS-OIG). It was prosecuted by Meredith D.M. Bateman, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Halloween is just around the corner. Many view Halloween as a time for fun and treats, costumes, and attending spooky parties. Due to the increased pedestrian traffic, especially in low light conditions, it is also time to use extra caution. According to the National Safety Council, children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle on Halloween night compared to other nights of the year. Here are some safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Safety Council to make Halloween safer for everyone.

Children should:

• Use caution when Trick-or-Treating
  • Travel in small groups and be accompanied by an adult.
  • Know phone numbers for emergency phone calls.
  • Carry a note in their pocket with their name, address, and emergency contact.
  • Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks if available, and avoid crossing or walking through yards.
  • Stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing the street.
  • Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks if available, and avoid crossing between parked cars.
  • Always look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.
     
• Plan a safe costume
  • Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame retardant.
  • Avoid wearing hats that could slide over their eyes.
  • Avoid wearing long, baggy, or loose costumes and avoid oversized shoes to prevent tripping.
  • Ensure costume weapons are flexible, not rigid or sharp, and are very clearly toys.

Adults should:

• Ensure safe activities for kids
  • Supervise children during trick-or-treating and during other activities.
  • Supervise children as they cross the street.
  • Establish a curfew for older children.
  • Prepare homes for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns, and sidewalks. Place decorations away from doorways, landings, or walkways.
  • Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys to young children.
  • Inspect all candy before children eat it.
  • Consider taking advantage of community events where kids can wear costumes and trick-or-treat in one central place without the need to navigate city and neighborhood streets.
• Use extra caution on the road and in neighborhoods
  • Drive slowly.
  • Watch for children in the street and on medians.
  • Exit driveways carefully.
  • Have children get out of cars on the curbside, not the traffic side.
  • Avoid distracted driving or driving while tired.
  • Do not drive after using alcohol or other drugs.

Following these tips can help ensure this Halloween is a safe and fun holiday for everyone.

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

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4 WEEKS CASCADIA READY

Disasters and emergencies can strike at any time; sometimes leaving our communities without aid for hours, days, or even weeks. Due to the potential impact of local wildfires, storms, floods, or landslides it is recommended that all Oregonians be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least two weeks. For coastal residents, like Lincoln County, it is recommended to be “4 Weeks Cascadia Ready” in preparation for a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake.

This means your household has enough food, water, medical supplies, sanitation supplies, and other life-sustaining resources to meet your specific needs for at least four weeks. In a major disaster such as a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, supply chain, responders, and transportation would be disrupted. Our communities need to be prepared to take care of each other until assistance is available. 

Be Informed

• Know about the hazards where you live.
• Be familiar with local evacuation routes.
• Sign up for local emergency alerts through Lincoln Alerts or update your existing profile.

Make an Emergency Plan

• Talk with family and friends about what you will do, including if you’re not together during an emergency.
• Practice your plan at different times and on different days. What will you do if you are at home, work, school, or another location?
• Plan to check on your neighbors or vulnerable community members and offer assistance if possible.

Build an Emergency Kit

• Create an emergency kit or update your existing one.
• Some supplies include:
  • at least 4 weeks supply of food and water for each person and any pets. Remember to include water for drinking, sanitation, and preparing meals.
  • battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
  • flashlight
  • first aid kit
  • extra batteries
  • whistle (to signal for help)
  • dust mask (to help filter contaminated air) and face coverings
  • plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
  • moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
  • wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
  • manual can opener (for food)
  • local maps
  • cell phone with chargers and power banks

 More information and resources:

• Lincoln County Emergency Management – Plan and Prepare Resources
• Lincoln County Emergency Management – Hazards: Earthquake
• Be Ready – Make a Plan
• Be Ready – Build a Kit
• CDC – Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Red Cross – How to Prepare for Emergencies
• Oregon Emergency Management – 2 Weeks Ready

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

 

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SALEM, Ore. — The Regional Forest Practice Committee for northwest Oregon will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24 at the ODF Forest Grove Office, 801 Gales Creek Road, Forest Grove, OR 97116. To join virtually, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda. To provide public comment, please email estresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov">forestresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov. 

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Division updates
• Operator of the Year discussion and voting
• Forest Practice Technical Guidance (FPTG) development and stream flow permanence update
• E-Notification System (FERNS) changes
• Forest resources training strategy
• Compliance monitoring update

The public may attend in-person or online via Zoom. Public comments will be accepted. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 72 hours before the meeting by emailing estresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov">forestresources.committees@odf.oregon.gov.

Regional Forest Practices Committees are panels of citizens – mandated under Oregon law – that advise the Oregon Board of Forestry on current forestry issues and forest management approaches. In 1971, the legislature enacted Oregon’s Forest Practices Act which includes three Regional Forest Practices Committees, serving the Eastern, Northwest, and Southwest regions of the state. Under Oregon law, a majority of the committees’ members must be private forest landowners and logging or forest operations companies.

Oregon’s forests are among the state’s most valued resources, providing a balanced mix of environmental, economic, and social benefits. View more information on the RFPC webpage.

Mount Emily Shay #1 moves inside the Oregon Rail Heritage Center

Visitors to the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Southeast Portland can observe and learn about the museum's "newest" steam locomotive. Yesterday crews positioned the historic Mount Emily Shay #1 inside the Enginehouse for the first time.

The locomotive came to the center in 2022 after the Oregon Historical Society, which had owned the Shay for decades, selected Oregon Rail Heritage Center to be its permanent home.

Geared locomotives like the Shay enabled the growth of Oregon's logging industry. The powerful engines could handle steep, uneven terrain in order to transport cut logs to mills. 

Mount Emily Shay #1 was built in 1923 by Lima Locomotive Works in Ohio. The Mount Emily Lumber Company in LaGrande, Oregon, purchased the Shay in 1928 and operated it until 1955. Under care of the Oregon Historical Society, the locomotive was leased to the Cass Scenic Railroad in Virginia and then to the city of Prineville, Oregon, its home from 1994 through 2022.

After necessary maintenance, Mount Emily Shay #1 will pull passengers on ORHC excursions. 

The locomotive had been stored in ORHC's yard under wraps since being moved last year to Portland from Prineville. When space recently opened up inside the working museum's Enginehouse, crews were able to unbundle the locomotive, wash it down and move it under cover.  

In addition to powering excursion runs, Mount Emily Shay #1 will be the centerpiece of a logging industry exhibit at the museum that is coming soon. 

The Shay is the first steam locomotive owned by Oregon Rail Heritage Center. The museum also cares for three historic steam locomotives owned by the City of Portland--SP 4449, famous for pulling the American Freedom Train in 1975-76; the SP&S 700 and the OR&N 197. The former two engines are operable; work is well underway to restore the 197 to operating status. 

Persons interested in viewing the Mount Emily Shay #1 can visit the Oregon Rail Heritage Center during open hours Thursdays through Sundays, 1-5 pm. 

About Oregon Rail Heritage Center

The Oregon Rail Heritage Center (ORHC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating Oregon’s rich railroad heritage. Located in Portland, OR, the center showcases historic locomotives, exhibits, and educational programs that connect the public to the legacy of rail transportation in the Pacific Northwest. ORHC is home to the iconic steam engines SP 4449, SP&S 700, and OR&N 197, offering visitors an interactive and hands-on experience with the golden age of railroading. Through its events, educational tours, and volunteer programs, ORHC continues to inspire generations to appreciate the impact of railroads on local history and industry. For more information, visit www.orhf.org.

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Español a continuación

Benton County Health Department will conduct a free compliance training for employees and owners of local businesses selling alcohol and tobacco products. The training will take place on Saturday, October 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Benton County Sunset Building in Corvallis at 4077 SW Research Way. Interested participants should register for the training by October 23. 

 This training will support employees of tobacco and alcohol retailers in understanding how to stay in compliance with local and state laws on selling alcohol and tobacco products. Attendees will learn how to identify a person’s age and spot a fake ID, how to use black lights and magnifying lenses to check IDs, and how to identify excessive alcohol consumption and signs of intoxication. The training will also offer information on fentanyl awareness and overdose prevention, including naloxone training. 

“Retailers play a key role in helping prevent substance use and access by minors,” said Suzie Beaupre, Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Program Coordinator for Benton County Health Department. 

“We really have two main goals with this training program,” said Beaupre. “The first is to prevent substance use among minors, and the second is to help support our local businesses in staying in compliance with the law.” 

The training will be held in English and language interpretation can be provided if requested. Free lunch will be provided, and participants will receive free handheld black lights for checking IDs and free naloxone kits for overdose response and prevention. Attendees can also participate in a drawing to win a gift card. 

The training is offered by the Benton County Health Department’s alcohol, drug, and tobacco prevention and education programs, in partnership with their harm reduction program, Corvallis Police Department, Oregon State University, and the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission (OLCC). 

Retailer trainings are a part of the Health Department’s ongoing efforts to address the health impacts of alcohol, tobacco, and other substances, including statewide awareness campaigns Rethink the Drink and Smokefree Oregon. 

“The Red Cup campaign is another project we’ve done with OSU, and Corvallis Police Department that focuses on reducing rates of binge drinking among college students,” said Beaupre. “We hope to bring new life to that campaign in the near future, as well as to be able to offer cannabis compliance trainings.” 

People who work in places that sell alcohol or tobacco products can register for the training online at https://bit.ly/RetailerTraining24 or contact eaupre@bentoncountyor.gov">suize.beaupre@bentoncountyor.gov for accommodations requests and more information. 

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact the Public Information Office at 541-766-6800 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton ofrecerá un entrenamiento sobre el cumplimiento de la venta de alcohol y tabaco a los comerciantes de estos productos 

El Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton ofrecerá un entrenamiento gratis sobre el cumplimiento de la venta de alcohol y tabaco para empleados y propietarios de negocios locales que vendan estos productos. El entrenamiento se llevará a cabo el sábado 26 de octubre de 10:00 a.m. a 1:00 p.m. en el edificio Sunset del Condado de Benton en 4077 SW Research Way en Corvallis. Los interesados en participar deben registrarse para el entrenamiento antes del 23 de octubre. 

Este entrenamiento ayudará a los empleados de los negocios que venden tabaco y alcohol a comprender cómo cumplir con las leyes locales y estatales sobre la venta de alcohol y productos de tabaco. Los participantes aprenderán a identificar la edad de una persona y a detectar una identificación falsa, cómo usar luces negras fosforescentes y lupas para verificar identificaciones y cómo identificar el consumo excesivo de alcohol y signos de intoxicación. El entrenamiento también ofrecerá información para crear conciencia sobre el fentanilo y la prevención de sobredosis, incluyendo una capacitación sobre naloxona. 

“Los negocios desempeñan un papel fundamental a la hora de ayudar a prevenir el consumo y el acceso a sustancias por parte de los menores”, afirmó Suzie Beaupre, Coordinadora del Programa de Prevención y Educación sobre el Consumo de Alcohol y Drogas del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton. 

“Realmente tenemos dos objetivos principales con este entrenamiento”, afirmó Beaupre. “El primero es prevenir el consumo de sustancias entre los menores y el segundo es ayudar a apoyar a nuestros negocios locales para que cumplan con la ley”. 

El entrenamiento se dará en inglés y se puede ofrecer interpretación en otros idiomas si se solicita. Habrá un almuerzo gratis y los participantes recibirán linternas portátiles sin costo para revisar las identificaciones y kits de naloxona gratis para responder y prevenir una sobredosis. Los participantes también podrán participar en un sorteo para ganar una tarjeta de regalo. 

El entrenamiento es ofrecido por los Programas de Prevención y Educación sobre el Consumo de Alcohol, Drogas y Tabaco del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton, en asociación con su Programa de Reducción de Daños, el Departamento de Policía de Corvallis, la Universidad Estatal de Oregón y la Comisión de Licores y Cannabis de Oregón (OLCC). 

Estos entrenamientos son parte de los esfuerzos continuos del Departamento de Salud para abordar los impactos en la salud del alcohol, el tabaco y otras sustancias, incluyendo las campañas para crear conciencia a nivel estatal de Rethink the Drink y Vive Sin Fumar. 

“La campaña Red Cup es otro proyecto que hemos realizado con OSU (Universidad Estatal de Oregón) y el Departamento de Policía de Corvallis que se enfoca en reducir las tasas de consumo excesivo de alcohol entre los estudiantes universitarios”, dijo Beaupre. “Esperamos darle nueva vida a esa campaña en un futuro cercano, así como también poder ofrecer entrenamientos sobre el cumplimiento de las leyes para la marihuana”. 

Las personas que trabajan en lugares que venden alcohol o productos de tabaco pueden registrarse para el entrenamiento en línea en https://bit.ly/RetailerTraining24 o comunicarse con eaupre@bentoncountyor.gov">suize.beaupre@bentoncountyor.gov para solicitar adaptaciones y obtener más información. 

El Condado de Benton es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades y acción afirmativa y no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad en la admisión o el acceso a nuestros programas, servicios, actividades, contratación y prácticas de empleo. Este documento está disponible en formatos e idiomas alternativos a pedido. Comuníquese con la Oficina de Información Pública al 541-766-6800 o pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

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Governor Tina Kotek has officially proclaimed October 21-25, 2024 as Community Bank Week in Oregon, recognizing the essential role community banks play in supporting the economic vitality and growth of Oregon's local communities.

In her proclamation, Governor Kotek highlights the significant contributions of community banks, which have served the state for well over a century. These banks provide crucial financial services through over 325 branches and loan offices statewide, while employing more than 4,800 Oregonians in family-wage jobs. Community banks are not only integral to the financial health of Oregon’s small businesses—making over half of all bank loans to this sector—but are also important partners in local economic development efforts.

“Community banks are an integral part of Oregon’s overall economy through their community giving, dedication as good neighbors, and above all, their critical role in providing reliable financial services to Oregonians," said Governor Kotek. “We recognize community banks for their ongoing commitment to the economic vitality of local communities in Oregon.”

“We commend Governor Tina Kotek for her proclamation of ‘Community Bank Week in Oregon’ and for recognizing the vital role community banks play in fostering economic growth and supporting local communities across our state,” said Scott Bruun, president and chief executive officer of CBO and the Oregon Bankers Association.

The Community Banks of Oregon (CBO), which represents banks headquartered in the state of Oregon, encourages all Oregonians to join in this observance of Community Bank Week and take a moment to acknowledge the positive impact community banks have on their local economies, businesses, and families.

Members of CBO will be celebrating Community Bank Week by giving back to the communities they serve. Some of the activities include volunteering at local nonprofits, hosting food drives and offering free shred events where community members can have their sensitive documents securely destroyed and recycled.

For more information about Oregon Community Bank Week or to learn more about how community banks contribute to Oregon’s economy, please visit www.oregonbankers.com/local.

About the Community Banks of Oregon
Community Banks of Oregon (CBO) serves banks headquartered in Oregon. The principal mission of CBO is to support and promote community banking in Oregon. CBO advocates for community banks, provides a forum to address issues unique to community banks and promotes community banks through initiatives like Oregon Community Bank Week. More information is available at www.oregonbankers.com/local.

Commissioners Issue Proclamation for Make a Difference Day

            (Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Chris Boice, Tim Freeman, and Tom Kress issued a proclamation today at the Weekly Business Meeting calling upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe the month of October as the National Month of Community Service and Make a Difference Day, which is celebrated every year on the fourth Saturday of October.  The proclamation was presented by Commissioner Boice, on behalf of the Board and acknowledged that “We are committed to supporting community projects that promote civility, kindness, and respect for everyone. We aim to collectively act on this commitment by actively encouraging our residents to serve others through volunteerism.”  A copy of the video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

            The Commissioners honored the work being done by our local Make a Difference Day campaign committee, their community partners, volunteers, and project sites. Make a Difference Day – Douglas County will take place on Saturday, October 26, 2024, and marks the third annual day of service in Douglas County.  Since 1992, Make A Difference Day has been recognized in October as a national holiday dedicated to volunteering.  It is the largest National Day of Community service in the United States and is a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors.  In Douglas County, several non-profit organizations, area businesses, and faith-based community groups have come together with the hope of revitalizing the spirit of volunteerism in Douglas County. This year they have secured 25 project sites with over 150 volunteers signed up to serve.    

Commissioner Boice presented Make a Difference Day proclamation certificates to the Make a Difference Day – Douglas County Committee Spokesperson Mick Schofield, as well as attending planning committee members, service groups, support agencies, volunteers, and project location site representatives.

2024 Planning Committee Members: Jerry Medler-Chair; Tim Juett-Community Member; Jennifer Coalwell-JustServe.org; Chelsea Duncan-Roseburg School District; Mike Schofield-Roseburg Family Search Center; Julia Anselmo–UCAN; Bryan Trenkle-Greater Dougals United Way; Debbie Blocker-Community Member; Rebecca Warren–Thrive Umpqua; Jane Maritz–Sunrise Enterprises; Ken Madison-Community Member; Rachelle Mills–UCC; Billie Maddux–Kiwanis of Roseburg; Tracie Maddux-Kiwanis of Roseburg; Jessica Saxton-Community Member; Erik Wood-UCAN; and Richard Mabie–Salvation Army. 

2024 Project Locations: Sleep in Heavenly Peace (Mike Hall); American Red Cross (Katelyn Dzialowy); Phoenix Charter School (Hope Assink); Adapt Integrated Health Care - Prevention & Education Program (Sidnee Hedrick); The FISH of Roseburg Jenn Reida); Family Development Center (Jeff Retke); Paw Patch (Dakota Carter); FAmily Faith And Relationship Advocates (FARA) (Alvaro Ortega); Winchester Elementary School (Meghan Pirtle); Glide Elementary School (Dakota Carter); Fir Grove Elementary School (Katrina Hansen); Green Elementary School (Tammy Rassmussen); Eastwood Elementary School (Jake Hughes); Umpqua Valley Farm to School (Erin Maidlow); The Roseburg Rescue Mission (John Roy); UCAN Head Start/EHS/Preschool Promise (David Comer Jr & Julia Anselmo); HIV Alliance (Dusty Merrill); Sunrise Enterprises (Jane Maritz); Saving Grace Pet Adoption Center (Ernie Brown, Jennifer Barta, & Cynthia Demers); Roseburg Family Search Center (Mike Schofield); Roseburg VA (Traci Palmer); Callahan Village (Lisa Fields, Leah Germond); Housing First Umpqua; and Roseburg First Presbyterian Church (Connie Johnson).

“I would like to thank all of you for participating and once again thank Tim Juett for bringing this idea to Douglas County.  Congratulations on the projects over the last four years.  I’ve seen some of them and the comments made today are absolutely correct.  A lot of the work that gets done through the County government gets done with the help of volunteers.  and we couldn’t do it without them.  We have a considerable volunteer workforce that not only works for us, but also does great work in the Community,” commented Commissioner Boice.

Make a Difference Day – Douglas County is still in need of volunteers for October 26, 2024! The Commissioners invite our residents to sign up and join the cause as they celebrate the spirit of volunteerism and make improvements in our county. For more information or to sign up to volunteer visit their website at: https://makeadifferenceday.org/ or call (541) 492-3523 or email info@makeadifferenceday.org. 

“I would like to express the committee’s appreciation to each of you for your support for this important service activity.  Again, it seems as we serve, both the giver and the receiver of the service become better.  As we do better offering volunteer services in our community, we become better citizens. Better citizens in our community then create a better community,” commented Mike Schofield, Make a Difference Day – Douglas County, Committee Spokesperson. 

The proclamation presented today is a reminder and encouragement for our residents to volunteer in our community, with service projects that make Douglas County a better place to live, work and play.

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Media Contact:     Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, 

Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: a.howell@douglascountyor.us">tamara.howell@douglascountyor.us

Proclamation and Photo Collage Attached. Photos © K Trenkle/Douglas County.  

Tillamook County, Ore 16 Oct 24- Oregon State Police seeking public assistance in locating missing Vancouver (WA) man.

On Monday, October 7, 2024, Daniel Berry Neasbit (60) was reported missing to Oregon State Police. He was living out of his vehicle at the time of his disappearance. Neasbit's vehicle, a Blue Dodge Dakota bearing Washington license plate B82634R, was located on Hwy 101 near 31205 Hwy 101 N with a flat tire. He was not located with his vehicle.

Neasbit was last seen on October 2nd in the Nehalem area and last spoken to on October 3rd. Neasbit is described as a 60 year old male with brown hair, blue eyes and approximately 5'6" and 155 pounds. He may be clean shaven or have a grey beard about an inch long. 

Any person with information relating to Neasbit's whereabouts are asked to contact the Oregon State Police at 503-375-3555 or OSP from a mobile device and reference case #SP24329296.

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About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon's people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon. 

SALEM, Ore. — The State Forests Advisory Committee will meet in the Tillamook Room, Building C, Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State Street in Salem on Friday, Oct. 25 at 9 a.m. A virtual option will be available via Zoom video conference, which can be found on the agenda. To provide public comment, please contact Emily Shook at 503-945-7363.

Agenda topics include:

• Fiscal Year 2024 accomplishment reports
• Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Operations Plan (AOP) public comments summary
• Implementation Plan (IP) revisions
• Forest Management Plan (FMP) modeling scenarios
• Peer Support Program
• Charter review
• Appointment renewals and recruitments

The meeting is open to the public to attend in-person or virtually via Zoom. Public comments will be accepted near the start of the meeting. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 72 hours before the meeting by contacting Emily Shook at 503-945-7363.

The State Forests Advisory Committee (SFAC) includes citizens and representatives of timber, environmental and recreation groups. SFAC provides a forum to discuss issues, opportunities and concerns, and offer guidance to ODF on the implementation of the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan. The plan provides guidance for managing 616,000 acres within the Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam State Forests, and several scattered state-owned forest tracts in Benton, Polk, Lincoln and Lane counties through a balanced approach to generate revenue while preserving environmental and social benefits. View more information on the SFAC webpage.

2024 Board on Public Safety Standards & Training

 and Policy Committee

Open Vacancy – Recruitments

The Board on Public Safety Standards & Training (BPSST) and established Policy Committees have open vacancies looking to be filled. The current vacancies are as follows:

BPSST: All Board applications must be submitted through Workday.com

• Representative of the collective bargaining unit that represents the largest number of individual workers in the DOC
• One member who is a district attorney recommended to the Governor by the Oregon District Attorneys Association

Policy Committees: All Policy Committee applications must be submitted by December 19, 2024.

Telecommunications Policy Committee:

• One person representing the public who has never been employed or utilized as a telecommunicator

Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee:

• One person representing the public who has never been employed or utilized as a private security provider or investigator
• One person representing the retail industry

Fire Policy Committee:

• One person recommended by and representing community college fire programs

To inquire about a vacancy, please visit Department of Public Safety Standards & Training : Board on Public Safety Standards & Training and Policy Committees : Boards and Committees : State of Oregon.

If interested in applying for a Policy Committee position, please complete and submit the Policy Committee Interest Form found under the ‘Board and Committee Resources’ section of the website listed above.

If interested in applying for a BPSST position, please complete the online application at Workday Board and Commission Opportunities. (Please note that an account may need to be created if not already in Workday)

For further information regarding the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training or its respective Policy Committees, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

Thank you,

DPSST Board & Committees Staff

October 16, 2024

Media contacts: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Rates of influenza vaccination among health care workers stay low

Recovery from drop during pandemic continues slow pace, OHA data show

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon continues to see low influenza vaccination rates among health care personnel following significant drops during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new Oregon Health Authority data.

The Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination Dashboard, published by OHA’s Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) Program, shows that 61% of the state’s health care workers from all facility types were vaccinated among those eligible during the 2023-2024 flu season. This is slightly lower than the 2022-2023 flu season rate of 63% -- and concerning for state officials trying to prevent the virus’s spread to people most at risk of severe illness and death.

The influenza vaccination rate among eligible health care workers had dropped 24% between the 2019-2020 and 2023-2024 influenza seasons – from 85% to 61% -- and marks the fourth consecutive year of decreasing influenza vaccination rates among health care personnel.

“Health care worker influenza vaccination rates remain low and have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Flu activity is returning to pre-pandemic levels, but we have not seen the same for health care worker influenza vaccination rates,” said Dat Tran, M.D., the HAI Program’s medical director. “It is important that we focus on increasing flu vaccination rates for this critical, frontline workforce.”

Broadcast-quality video clips of Dr. Tran speaking about rates of influenza vaccination among health care workers is available at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/media-resources.aspx.

OHA requires annual reporting of health care worker influenza vaccination data from four facility types – ambulatory surgery centers, dialysis centers, hospitals (including inpatient psychiatric facilities) and nursing facilities.

Data are self-reported by facilities and includes aggregate counts of health care workers, grouped by health care worker category; who received an influenza vaccination; who declined; who had a medical contraindication; or who had an unknown vaccine status. The Healthcare Worker Influenza Vaccination Dashboard displays influenza vaccination data filterable by facility type, county, and worker classification. Trends by flu season and facility-specific data are also shown.

According to the 2023-2024 dashboard, ambulatory surgery centers reported the highest flu vaccination levels among workers, with rates at 67%, followed by hospitals at 66%, nursing facilities at 37%, dialysis centers at 45% and inpatient psychiatric facilities the lowest at 24%. Dialysis centers were the only facility type that saw an increase from the 2022-2023 rates, but they were still below the rates for prior flu seasons.

The percentage of eligible health care workers who declined vaccination has increased over the years, reaching 18% for the 2023-2024 flu season, which is up from 15% for the 2022-2023 season. Additionally, a high proportion of health care workers reported having an unknown vaccination status (21%), which may contribute to low vaccination rates – and illustrates the need for improvement in facility-level documentation of vaccination status.

In 2010, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services developed Healthy People 2020 with 10-year objectives for improving the health of all Americans, including showing progress toward a 90% influenza vaccination coverage goal for the health care workforce. However, Healthy People 2030 does not include a goal focused on increasing flu vaccinations among health care workers, so Oregon is continuing to use the Healthy People 2020 health worker vaccination goal as a way of directing public health action and showing where more support and education is needed.

To achieve 90% vaccination coverage, Dr. Tran said there are important steps health care facilities can take. Public health recommendations include encouraging health care workers, including those not employed by the facility—such as contractors and volunteers—to get vaccinated at the beginning of every influenza season. Facilities can also host promotional activities, such as holding mass vaccination fairs, providing vaccines at no cost to employees, starting incentive programs, and documenting all health care workers’ vaccination status and requiring a declination form for health care workers who forgo vaccination.

“We know our state’s health care workers want to protect their patients and prevent a potentially catastrophic outbreak of influenza, which can be deadly for vulnerable people, such as older adults and those with chronic conditions or who are immunocompromised,” Dr. Tran said. “We need health care workers to step up and get vaccinated.”

OHA has developed a toolkit for health care employers and workers to help them improve employee flu vaccinations rates at their facilities to protect patients, themselves and their families.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
October 16, 2024

CONTACT INFORMATION:
umenauer@employ.oregon.gov">Gail Krumenauer, State Employment Economist
(971) 301-3771
Video and Audio available at 10 a.m.
David Cooke, Economist 
(971) 375-5288

Oregon’s Employment Situation Sees Little Change in September

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.0% in August and September and has been in a tight range between 4.0% and 4.2% since October 2023. The U.S. unemployment rate was little changed at 4.1% in September from 4.2% in August.

Other labor force indicators also reflected stability. Oregon’s labor force participation rate was 63.0% in September, the same as in each of the prior four months. Prior to that it generally rose slowly over the past four years, from 62.0% in September 2020, indicating a larger share of Oregonians working or seeking jobs. Meanwhile, Oregon’s labor force was stable during the past five months, remaining close to 2.19 million people. 

In September, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment gained 800 jobs, following a revised increase of 900 jobs in August. September’s gains were largest in health care and social assistance (+700 jobs). Declines were largest in construction (-1,500). None of the other major industries experienced a monthly change of more than 600 jobs.

In the past 12 months, health care and social assistance (+15,100 jobs, or 5.2%) grew rapidly, while government (+5,700 jobs, or 1.8%) added the second most jobs. Only three other major industries—other services; wholesale trade; and transportation, warehousing, and utilities—grew since September 2023, each adding 1,400 jobs. 

The other nine major industries declined during the past 12 months. The five industries that cut more than 1,000 jobs were retail trade (-7,000 jobs, or -3.4%), professional and business services (-5,000 jobs, or -1.9%), construction (-4,000 jobs, or -3.4%), leisure and hospitality (-2,500 jobs, or -1.2%), and financial activities (-2,200 jobs, or -2.1%).

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the September county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for October on Thursday, Nov. 14.

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The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) invites everyone to participate in the Great Oregon Camp-In, October 18-20. This hands-on event is designed to empower individuals, families and communities to prepare for living after disasters. You can participate at whatever level you want. Spend a few hours, or a few of days, developing your emergency plan and practicing daily activities in your home.

Participants are encouraged to share photos and videos of their activities on social media with the hashtag #GreatOregonCampIn2024. We have compiled a list of Great Camp-in Activities on the OEM blog. As well as information on how to Make Preparedness Fun for kids and less scary for everyone.

For families with young children, the Great Oregon Camp-In is an excellent opportunity to make preparedness a fun learning experience.

Here are some tips:

• Discuss the importance of being prepared in an engaging way.
• Provide age-appropriate activities that don’t require electricity, like coloring books and puzzles.
• Involve kids in setting up your campsite and in meal preparation.

For More Information:
To learn more about the Great Oregon Camp-In access the Be 2 Weeks Ready webpage. Together, let’s make Oregon a more prepared and resilient community!

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It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem. You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, email licinfo@oem.oregon.gov">OEM_publicinfo@oem.oregon.gov or dial 711. 

UPDATE - 10/16/24:

The driver of the Toyota was identified as Amy Lyn Samson, 55, of Eugene.

The driver of the Chevy was identified as Daniel Eugene Pina, 37, of Eugene. Additional investigation indicates the driver of the Chevy may have suffered a medical event while driving, leading to the crash.

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On October 15th at about 7 a.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded with Eugene Police and Eugene Springfield Fire for a report of a crash involving two vehicles on Northwest Expressway south of Park Avenue in Eugene. The Lane County Sheriff’s major crash investigation team also responded.

The crash involved a white 2013 Toyota Sienna minivan and a tan 2007 Chevy Trailblazer. Initial investigation revealed the Toyota was driving north on the expressway and the Chevy was driving south. The Chevy, for an unknown reason, crossed into the oncoming lane and the vehicles collided. The driver of the Toyota died on scene. The driver and passenger of the Chevy were transported to an area hospital, but the driver of the Chevy later died. Neither occupant of the Chevy were wearing seatbelts. The driver of the Toyota was wearing a seatbelt. The identities of the involved are being withheld until next of kin are notified.

The roadway was closed for several hours as deputies investigated and tow companies cleared the roadway. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Eugene Police Department and Lane County Public Works for their assistance in keeping the roadway closed so deputies could focus on the investigation.

ROSEBURG, Ore. – A Sutherlin woman died of an apparent suicide while in custody at the Douglas County Jail.

On Monday, October 14, 2024, at approximately 5:40 pm, a deputy discovered a female adult in custody (AIC) unresponsive in a holding cell from an apparent suicide attempt. Deputies immediately summoned emergency services and began life saving efforts. The AIC, identified as 38-year-old Katrina Nicole Robertson of Sutherlin, was transported by ambulance but could not be revived.

“My heartfelt condolences are extended to Ms. Robertson’s family,” Sheriff Hanlin said. “The safety and security of those in our custody is of utmost importance to me as Sheriff. In the interest of providing an independent investigation into this tragedy, I have requested the assistance of an outside agency. I wish to thank the Roseburg Police Department for assuming this investigation and conducing a thorough review of the facts.”

Any further information will be released by the Roseburg Police Department. 

October 16, 2024

Contact: Amy Coven (503-943-0164, amy.coven@oha.oregon.gov)

Health coverage comparison tool now provides more ways to compare options, potential savings in Oregon

OregonHealthCare.gov unveils enhanced Window Shopping tool ahead of 2025 open enrollment period

With open enrollment for 2025 fast approaching on Nov. 1, the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is launching a revamped version of its widely-used Window Shopping tool. This timely upgrade offers Oregonians an even easier way to explore their health coverage options and maximize potential savings.

Open enrollment is the only time of year for individuals not covered through their job, the Oregon Health Plan, or Medicare to enroll in Marketplace health insurance.

New data from the Oregon Health Insurance Survey¹ reveals that 97% of Oregonians now have health coverage. For 2024², over 80% of applicants who sought financial help through the Marketplace were eligible for assistance—highlighting the increased accessibility of affordable health insurance for Oregon families.

The updated Window Shopping tool at OregonHealthCare.gov provides a streamlined, user-friendly experience in both Spanish and English. Based on location, age, and income, the tool estimates potential savings and directs users to the appropriate health coverage, whether that’s the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or a Marketplace plan. This year’s enhancements also include more detailed information on coverage for gender-affirming care, a benefit included in all Marketplace plans for 2025.

The tool continues to offer quick comparisons of health plans, detailed previews of out-of-pocket costs, and checks for provider, facility, and prescription drug coverage—giving users a full picture before enrolling.

All Marketplace health plans include a robust range of essential health benefits, from preventive care to naturopathy, chiropractic, and acupuncture, many of which are covered before meeting deductibles. The only way to be sure a doctor or prescription is covered is to check – the Window Shopping tool gives Oregonians an easy way to do that.

“Anyone looking for health coverage should visit OregonHealthCare.gov to preview 2025 plans,” says Chiqui Flowers, director of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “We’re committed to helping Oregonians feel confident about their health insurance choices, and this tool makes the process easy.”

For those seeking personalized help, licensed insurance agents and trained community groups are available to guide Oregonians through the enrollment process at no cost. Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to connect with an expert and take the stress out of signing up for health coverage.

¹Oregon Health Insurance Survey Health Insurance Summary. Published Sept. 2024 by Oregon Health Authority Health Policy and Analytics. https://orhim.info/3TKbpWl

²Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace 2023 Annual Report. Published April 2024. https://orhim.info/2023ExecSummary

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a $500,000 grant to Lane County and its partners Emerald People’s Utility District (EPUD), Springfield Utility Board (SUB), and The Center for Rural Livelihoods. The grant will help improve the resilience of electricity services and identify opportunities for renewable energy distribution. 

“Extreme weather events and wildfire have become the new normal in Lane County,” said Lane County Policy Director Stephen Adams. “But many of our systems are aging and were not built to withstand repeated storms and disasters. This grant will allow us to explore how we can make changes to better weather extreme weather together.”

The grant will fund three technical assistance tasks:

1. The design, validation, and siting of distributed renewable energy and backup power systems, including microgrid designs, for utilities to improve reliability of services in grid outages. Important activities include technical support with the development of microgrid siting, sizing, and funding strategy, as well as the identification and validation of remote monitoring and control technologies.

1. The identification and validation of key technology upgrades for utilities. Smaller utilities in Lane County lack many of the technological advancements of their larger utility counterparts. Activities under this task will ensure that smaller cooperatives and municipalities are included in the clean energy transition.

1. The execution of a county-wide load and reliability analysis. Since Lane is comprised of over 8 service territories, a load analysis will determine optimal technology siting and essential grid improvements. This will develop a path forward for the adoption of clean energy technologies and help maximize the impact of new or ongoing energy efficiency and transportation electrification programs.

“We’ve seen the impact that severe winter storms and summer wildfires can have on our customers,” said EPUD General Manager Kyle Roadman. “While EPUD will continue to invest in a more resilient electric system, we’re also happy to be working with our partners at Lane County and SUB to explore new ways of increasing reliability.”

The grant projects will take place over a three-year period. Lane County will serve as the organizer for the project and provide project management throughout the grant process. Both EPUD and SUB will provide insights into utility operations and challenges, support community outreach, and serve on the core project team. The Center for Rural Livelihoods will help with outreach to rural and underserved communities to ensure a wide range of input. 

“The recent ice storm left 35,000 of our neighbors without power for an extended period, and utilities throughout the region with a $35 million repair bill,” said SUB General Manager Jeff Nelson. “That’s a powerful reminder that investing in resiliency keeps the lights on and our communities safe.”

About the Clean Energy to Communities Program

Through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program, NREL offers in-depth technical partnerships that support communities in developing secure, reliable, resilient, equitable, and affordable clean energy systems. Learn more at www.nrel.gov/state-local-tribal/c2c-in-depth-partnerships.html. 

Lane County Elections recently moved its official ballot drop box in Lowell to the new Lowell City Hall at 70 N. Pioneer Street. It was previously located on 3^rd Street. 

“The placement of ballot boxes is critically important to the overall integrity of the election process,” said Lane County Clerk Dena Dawson. “When City Hall moved, we worked closely with city officials and determined that moving the ballot box to the new location was in the best interest of Lowell voters.”

A list of drop box locations is included with every ballot and available online at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.

Voters with questions can email elections@lanecountyor.gov or call 541-682-4234.

About the Lane County Elections Office:

The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The Elections Office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

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