May 22, 2017

Contact: Julianne Repman, Safe Schools Alliance Facilitator
541-355-1010, julianne.repman@bend.k12.or.us


Local Leaders Urge Families to Learn About Youth Suicide Prevention
Hope & Help Education Series Announced at Press Conference Today

Leaders from local schools, law enforcement, health services and more joined together today to invite parents and students to learn more about youth suicide prevention during upcoming Hope & Help: The Reasons You Need to Know About Youth Suicide education events set to take place throughout the region during the next month.

"Suicide is a serious but preventable public health issue," said David Visiko, suicide prevention coordinator with Deschutes County Health Services. "We want to break the silence and the stigma."

The free events will empower parents and youth to talk about suicide and depression in productive, meaningful ways and offer help in finding supportive resources.

"We often hear from community members asking how to start conversations about challenging topics like youth suicide and depression. These events will help parents know how to begin these important discussions," said Jeff Blake, Battalion Chief for Bend Fire Department.

The Hope & Help events are intended for all parents, interested community members and middle and high school age students.

"We need a community conversation. We need all of us to work together on youth suicide. Together we can do this," said Cheryl Emerson, private therapist and suicide prevention expert in Bend. The panelists during the Hope & Help events will address warning signs, risk factors and how parents, other family members and students can identify and respond to someone who might be at risk of suicide.

During these interactive sessions, parents and students alike will learn how to normalize conversations about suicide, how to find resources in our community to support youth through stressful times, and how to help parents and children navigate current entertainment in ways that facilitate increased parent-child communications.

Hope & Help: The Reasons You Need to Know About Youth Suicide

Redmond: May 31, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at High Desert Education Service District
Bend: June 12, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Charles Bend in conference rooms A and B
Sisters: June 14, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Sisters Middle School

Resources:

www.deschutes.org/suicideprevention
Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Text 273TALK to 839-863
Call the local crisis line at 541-322-7500 Ext. 9
Contact school counseling center or other mental health professional
Visit the crisis walk-in center, 2577 NE Courtney, Bend, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.






#END#


Attached Media Files: Poster for upcoming meetings

On May 22, 2017, twenty-two year old Benjamin Leland Bucknell of Corvallis was arrested and charged with three counts of Attempted Murder, three Counts of Assault in the First Degree, two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Resisting Arrest and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree. The charges stem from an incident reported to Corvallis Police in the early morning hours of May 22, 2017, in the 400 block of NW 27th St.

Bucknell is lodged in the Benton County Jail on $525,000 bail. He will be arraigned in Benton County Circuit Court at 1:20pm on May 23, 2017. Any news outlet who wishes to cover the proceeding using video equipment must obtain permission from the court. Please contact Trial Court Supervisor Eric Pointer for information on video recording, and coverage inside the courtroom.

There will be no additional media releases prior to the 1:20pm arraignment.

Mugshot photos can be obtained at the following link:

https://www.co.benton.or.us/sheriff/inmate_detail?inmate=1700000850

On May 22, 2017, at approximately 5:54am, Corvallis Police Department Officers responded to 400 block of NW 27th ST, after a 911 caller reported a stabbing at a residence. Upon arriving, the officers learned a male suspect had entered a residence and stabbed multiple victims before fleeing the residence on foot. Officers located the suspect near the Benton County Senior Center where they were able to take him into custody. The suspect's identity is not known to investigators at this time. He was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital for treatment after being taken into custody.

Multiple victims were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital with serious injuries. Investigators are still on scene. More details will be released as they become available.

UPDATE #2 - 05/24/2017

The search continues today for a man who jumped into the North Umpqua River from the bridge at Northbank Road and Singletree Lane near Glide on Monday evening and was carried down stream.

Investigators believe the victim to be 34 year old Riley Flury Rappe of Roseburg. Rappe has been missing since Monday evening and his vehicle was located near the bridge with his Oregon Driver's license inside. Rappe was experienced with this stretch of the river and has reportedly swam and jumped off of the bridge for years. He is presumed drowned.

Deputies will continue their search throughout the holiday weekend.

END UPDATE #2

UPDATE #1 - 05/23/2017

Today, Marine Deputies and Douglas County Fire District #2 swift water rescue teams continued the search for the missing man.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office received support and assistance from the Oregon State Police and North River Boats. Additionally, air support was provided by Bill Woods and the Douglas Forest Protective Association.

The search concluded for today at 1600 hours. Crews will resume the search Wednesday morning.

END UPDATE #1

ORIGINAL RELEASE

On Monday, May 22, 2017, at 7:28 pm, Douglas County 9-1-1 received an emergency call of a subject who had jumped off of the bridge into the North Umpqua River near North Bank Road and Single Tree Lane in Roseburg. The caller reported the male was being swept downstream after entering the water.

The Sheriff's Office Marine Division along with Douglas County Fire District #2 Swift Water Rescue Team and Glide Fire Department responded to the area. Emergency crews attempted to locate the man without success. The search has been suspended for the evening due to nightfall and hazardous conditions, but will resume the search tomorrow morning.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 541-440-4471.

No further updates or information will be released tonight.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/5204/104629/Sheriff-Patch.png , DCSO Marine Unit , North Umpqua River at Bridge , Douglas County Fire Dist #2 , DPFA Air Support , Rappe, Riley F

FINAL UPDATE - 05/22/2017

Today, the Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office, working in conjunction with the State Medical Examiner's Office, determined that foul play is not suspected in the death of Brian David Clark.

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team has concluded their investigation. There will be no further updates.

END UPDATE

UPDATE #2 - 05/19/2017

The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office has notified the family of Brian David Clark that his remains were found on Monday. Clark, a resident of Myrtle Creek, was 43 years old when he was reported missing to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in December 2016.

The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office continues to work in conjunction with the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office to determine the cause and manner of death.

END UPDATE

UPDATE #1 - 05/17/2017

The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office has tentatively identified the human remains found on Monday evening. The Medical Examiner's Office has determined they are that of an adult male who has been deceased for less than six months.

The identity will be withheld pending next of kin notification.

The investigation into the death is ongoing.

END UPDATE

ORIGINAL RELEASE

On Monday, May 15, 2017, a citizen reported to 9-1-1 that he was walking in the area of the riverbank of the South Umpqua River, near Interstate 5 milepost 108 in Myrtle Creek, when he observed what appeared to be human remains.

Officers from the Myrtle Creek Police Department and Deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office responded and confirmed the remains were human in origin.

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team has been activated and assumed the investigation. The Douglas County Medical Examiner's Office will work with the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office to determine the cause and manner of death as well as identification.

There currently is no additional information to be released.

Deputies arrested five individuals over the weekend for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. The Sheriff's Office is committed to finding those drivers who are impaired and should not be on the roadway. In addition to our commitment, there are currently increased DUII Patrols to combat impaired driving, thanks to a grant provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the Oregon Department of Transportation. The safety of our community and the other motorists on the road are of the utmost importance.

Arrested for DUII 5/19/2017 at 5pm through 05/21/2017 at 11:59 pm.

Donn Leonard Spellman; 54 years old of Yoncalla, OR

Joseph Paul Vick; 35 years old of Roseburg, OR

Timo Jussi Hirvonen; 42 years old of Myrtle Creek, OR

Scott Lee Fergason; 44 years old of McMinnville, OR

Noah Christopher Banks; 36 years old of Roseburg, OR

As the warmer weather increases, so do recreational and outdoor activities. The Sheriff's Office encourages people to act responsibly. Help us to decrease the fatality and DUII rate in Douglas County this year. Avoid going to jail by calling a cab, a friend or family member to drive if you have been drinking or are otherwise under the influence of intoxicants.

Remember: "Drive sober or get pulled over"


Attached Media Files: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

Law enforcement agencies across the country commemorate National Missing Children's Day each year on May 25th. This year, the FBI is recognizing three long-term investigations involving Oregon children. The FBI continues to partner with local law enforcement agencies to provide requested assistance and investigative support in each of these cases.

Kyron Horman disappeared from Skyline Elementary School on June 4, 2010. Kyron was seven-years-old at the time. Lamar Advertising, in cooperation with the FBI, is running digital billboard ads this week in Portland, Salem, Bend, Corvallis and Medford to highlight Kyron's case and the on-going effort to locate him. (Photo of billboard attached.)

"Our partnership with Lamar goes back many years, and it is a valuable resource to us as we search for both missing children and wanted fugitives in Oregon and across the country," said Loren Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.

Kyron's FBI "Missing" poster can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/kyron-richard-horman.

The FBI's Portland Division is also recognizing two cases involve sisters Shaina Ashley Kirkpatrick and Shausha Latine Henson. Shaina was three-years-old and Shausha was just two-months-old when they disappeared on April 4, 2001. The girls were last seen with their mother en route to Sacramento, California. On April 29, 2001, their mother's body was found outside of Fernley, Nevada, while the whereabouts of the two girls remain unknown.

Shaina's FBI "Missing" poster can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/shaina-ashley-kirkpatrick, and Shausha's FBI "Missing" poster can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap/shausha-latine-henson.

#RockOneSock
The Portland FBI is also working to raise awareness about missing children by participating in the #RockOneSock campaign. Started by John Walsh and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the goal is to raise awareness about missing kid cases and to keep alive the hope that -- like that perpetually-lost sock in the wash -- we can help bring some of these missing children home. Photos of the local #RockOneSock campaign can be found on FBI Portland's Twitter account @FBIPortland. (Two photos showing #RockOneSock for Kyron and for Shaina/Shausha are also attached.)

In 1932, the FBI was given jurisdiction under the "Lindbergh Law" to immediately investigate any reported mysterious disappearance or kidnapping involving a child of "tender age"--usually 12 or younger. However, the FBI can become involved with any missing child under the age of 18 as an assisting agency to the local police department. There does not have to be a ransom demand, and the child does not have to cross the state lines or be missing for 24 hours. Research indicates the quicker the reporting of the disappearance or abduction, the more likely the successful outcome in returning the child unharmed.

The FBI is fully committed to support local law enforcement partners investigating missing and endangered children. More information regarding these children can be found on the FBI's website at: www.fbi.gov/wanted/kidnap.

If you have any information regarding a missing child, please contact your local FBI field office, your local police department or call 9-1-1. Tips may also be submitted to the FBI through tips.fbi.gov.


Attached Media Files: #RockOneSock for Shaina and Shausha , #RockOneSock for Kyron , Kyron Billboard - Lamar Advertising - May 2017

The Business Email Compromise scam has been around for a few years, but as a new analysis from the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center shows -- it is a scam that has grown so large that it costs American companies hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Worldwide -- this scam racked up more than $5 billion in losses or attempted losses between October 2013 and December 2016.

There are a number of variations on how this scam works, but here are the basics:

The fraudster either spoofs an email account or is able to hack an account at a victim company. The fraudster then sends an invoice to a second company demanding payment. Both companies typically have a long-standing relationship, and that invoice doesn't look out-of-the ordinary. The fraudster arranges for the funds to be wired to an account he controls.

In a variation of this scam, the fraudster gets control of an email account belonging to an executive at the victim company -- a CEO, CFO or the like. Using that executive's persona, he sends a request to the finance department asking for a payment to be wired to another vendor immediately. The unsuspecting employee makes the transaction happen quickly to keep the boss happy. Regardless of how the scam plays out, the victim company suffers the loss.

Of particular concern in Oregon are the small and medium-sized businesses that are getting hit by this scam. Due to their size, they are often less likely to prepare for or recover from such a scam.

So what can businesses do? Here are a few options:

Require digitally-encrypted signatures by businesses on both ends of a transaction.

Require two-factor verification for money transfers, particularly big ones. For example -- you could require a telephone call to confirm significant wire transfers either within your company or between your company and a vendor. Be sure to set up this protocol early in the business relationship and outside the email environment. When the fraudster hacks your email account, you don't want him to be able to see how to evade your security protocols.

When confirming requests, don't rely on phone numbers or email addresses embedded in the request. Look up the number from an external source when calling.

For emails, make sure you "forward" your response as opposed to hitting "reply". That way, you are using a real -- not spoofed - email address by manually typing it in or accessing it from your existing contact list.

Train your employees to watch for suspicious requests -- such as change in a vendor's payment location.

If you suspect that a fraudster has victimized your company, it is important to act quickly. Contact your bank right away, and call your closest FBI office. Also, make sure you report the incident to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

You can also find more information and tips on how to protect yourself at www.ic3.gov or www.fbi.gov.


Attached Media Files: Tech Tuesday - Russian written , Tech Tuesday - Spanish written , Tech Tuesday - Russian audio file , Tech Tuesday - Spanish audio file , Tech Tuesday - English audio file

On May 22, 2017 at 7:47 pm, the Lane County Sheriff's Office received a report that someone had fallen at the rock slides at Lake Creek Falls just south of Triangle Lake and needed medical assistance. The victim, a 20 year old female from Dexter, was climbing the rocks when she slipped and fell approximately 20-30 feet, hitting a series of rock ledges on the way down before she landed in the water. A bystander pulled the woman from the water and provided first aid until first responders arrived.

Lane Fire Authority, Lane County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Coordinators, Lane County Water Search and Rescue volunteers, and Eugene Mountain Rescue volunteers responded. Rescuers swam to the victim then built a highline system which consisted of a rope strung across approximately 80 feet of swiftly moving water. A raft was attached to the highline system to transport rescue equipment across the water. The highline system was then used to transport the victim over the water. She was taken to the hospital via Life Flight with significant injuries.

The name of the victim is not being released at this time pending family notification.

The Lane County Sheriff's Office would like to remind community members that cliff jumping can be dangerous. Rocks near water can be slippery, increasing the risk of falling and serious injury. We encourage those recreating in and around water to wear properly fitting life jackets and to keep safety in mind as they enjoy our beautiful lakes and rivers.

With Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer, Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley would like to remind citizens to be safe. This long weekend is typically packed with celebratory events like backyard barbecues, trips to the lake, picnics at the park and camping. Every festive event presents hazards that we should all be aware of; "Safety First" should always be a priority. To help you enjoy a safe holiday weekend we have gathered the following helpful safety tips.

Safety While Traveling:

Carry an emergency supply kit in your vehicle
Let someone know your destination, route and when you expect to arrive
Know your route and check road conditions beforehand and throughout the day
Buckle up and observe speed limits
Avoid driving distractions such as eating, cell phone conversations and texting
Avoid the use of alcohol when you are going to be driving and use a designated driver

Safety While Swimming & Boating:

Check weather and water conditions beforehand and be aware of cold water temperatures
Always swim with a friend and stay in designated swimming areas
Provide constant supervision to children in or near the water
Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket
Protect yourself from the sun by applying a waterproof sunblock

Safety While Camping:

Pack plenty of food, water, clothing and blankets
Keep a safe distance from wild animals
Practice good campfire safety and never leave a fire unattended
Check for fire restrictions in your camping area at http://firerestrictions.us/or/oregon/
Inform others where you will be camping and when you plan to return

For your added safety, deputies are also ramping up for extra patrols scheduled for the summer, as well as saturation patrols during peak usage periods. This includes full and part-time deputies assigned to Mountain and Marine Patrol. Their role is to bolster patrols and increase safety in the recreation areas of the Quartzville Corridor and Detroit Lake campgrounds within Linn County.

Sheriff Riley would like to remind everyone that NO dispersed camping is allowed on Army Corps of Engineer lands; as well as roadside camping along Quartzville Road. Those illegally camping will be contacted and could be charged with Trespass. For more information on camping in the Quartzville Corridor, Please visit www.linnparks.com.

Have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend!

Tuesday afternoon a 25 year old swimmer went missing after jumping from a cliff, into the water at the upper pool of the 3 Pools Recreation Area. Last night Kayaker's called the Sheriff's Office and told deputies they believed they had found the body of the missing man down river near the pools.

Early this morning around 9:00 a.m., water rescue teams with the Salem Fire Department and the Jefferson Fire Department waded out into the water and recovered the man's body. The Sheriff's Office is not prepared to release the name of the victim as his family has still not yet been contacted.

With memorial weekend closing in, the Sheriff's Office knows that our wilderness area will see an increase in visitors. Residents and visitors should be aware that river waters are still very high, cold and full of debris. If you are planning to visit these areas, below are a few tips you can use for a safe outdoor experience.
1. Never Swim Alone
2. Avoid Alcohol and Marijuana around water
3. Wear a lifejacket
4. Know how to perform CPR
5. Know how and where you can call 911

The North Fork area of the Santiam River is a remote but popular destination. The North Fork has very little to no cellular phone reception. There are 2 911 call boxes located along the roadway. The first call box is mounted on the outside wall of the Elk Horn Fire Station and the second box can be found at the entrance to Salmon Falls Park.

We are encouraging all visitors to the area to please use caution and come prepared when visiting our natural resources.

B-Roll footage of the recovery efforts can be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5n3lcb8642gh8ps/AADBlTobSN2Uz8LqLO4u3p76a?dl=0




Today deputies with the Marion County Sheriff's Office, the Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Team as well as the Water Rescue Team from the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office searched the waters of 3 Pools for the missing 25 year old man.

Despite their best efforts the man was not located. Due to high waters and treacherous conditions all further searches for the missing man have been suspended. The Sheriff's Office has still not been able to contact the missing mans family but those efforts are underway. Until the mans family can be located and notified of this tragic incident his name will not be released.

In light of yesterday's tragic events the Sheriff's Office would like to remind residents and visitors to use extreme caution in open waters,know your swimming ability and always wear a life preserver.



Deputies are currently searching the water in the 3 Pools area of the North Fork River for a swimmer who went missing around 4 p.m. today. A 25 year old man was swimming with friends at the popular swimming destination when he did not resurface.

Search and rescue swimmers are currently searching the pools but have not been able to find the man who is presumed drowned. The 3 Pools Recreation Area is now closed and will remain closed until dive operations can be completed.

Media: Dive operations are scheduled to begin at approximately 1:30 p.m. tomorrow. The 3 Pools Recreation area is a remote location accessed by dirt roads in a heavily forested area with no cellular service for miles. If you intend to send a crew please be prepared for the drive and stage in the parking lot area for 3 Pools, a PIO will be available and on scene at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/1294/104628/Salmon_Falls_Fire_911_Box_(2).png , 2017-05/1294/104628/Elk_Horn_Fire_911_Box_(1).png , 2017-05/1294/104628/20170525_095408.jpg , 2017-05/1294/104628/20170525_093924.jpg

The Marion County Sheriff's Office arrested two individuals this morning during a traffic stop of an alleged stolen vehicle in the 3400 Block of Silverton Road NE. Deputies with the Traffic Safety Team were conducting their annual Seatbelt Safety Campaign at the intersection of Silverton Rd NE and Lancaster Dr NE in Salem when they saw a black Nissan Versa and the driver talking on a cell phone.

Deputies stopped the vehicle for unlawfully using a mobile communication device and shortly thereafter learned that the Nissan was stolen. The driver John Garza, age 41, of Salem and his passenger Francisco Cervantes, age 33, of Keizer were both arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail without incident.

Mr. Garza was booked for the crimes of Driving while suspended-Misdemeanor and Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle. Mr. Cervantes was booked for the crimes of Possession of a Controlled Substance- Methamphetamine and a Parole Violation. Mr. Garza was ticketed for the Unlawful use of a Mobile Communication Device.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/1294/104617/Garza.jpg , 2017-05/1294/104617/Cervantes.jpg , 2017-05/1294/104617/image3_1.JPG , 2017-05/1294/104617/image2_1.JPG

The Josephine County District Attorney, Ryan Mulkins, prepared a press release detailing the case. Refer to the attached document for information.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/1002/104748/Press_Release_.pdf

On May 22, 2017, the Oregon State Police Klamath Falls Criminal Investigation Division received information from the Klamath County School District that several students at Brixner Junior High School, witnessed their teacher possibly taking inappropriate pictures of students in the teacher's classroom.

The events were reported to have occurred on May 18th and May 19th and the investigation was reported and began on May 22, 2017. On May 23, 2017, a search warrant was executed and 36 year old, Matthew L. WALKER, of Klamath Falls, was arrested and lodged in the Klamath County Jail on the charge of Invasion of Person(s) Privacy.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/1002/104735/0524-matthew-laurence-walker.webp

The Oregon State Police launched SafeOregon, a school safety tip line program available to all public K-12 schools in Oregon, on January 31, 2017. SafeOregon is a way for students, staff or other members of the public to confidentially report and share confidential information of a risk or a potential risk to student safety. SafeOregon requires schools to complete a sign-up process in order for students to use it. Since SafeOregon was launched, 260 schools have enrolled and are using the tip line. That reaches approximately 110,000 Oregon students. SafeOregon gives students a way to reach out for help.

SafeOregon -- the school safety tip line -- became Law through HB 4075 (2016), as a result of recommendations from the Oregon Task Force on School Safety charged with improving safety and security at schools across the state. The task force was established by House Bill 4087, bringing together representatives from police, fire, school administration, teachers, school boards and service districts, along with the Governor's education and public safety policy advisors, legislators, the Oregon Department of Education and the Association of Oregon Community Mental Health Programs. The task force is chaired by Clackamas County Sheriff Craig Roberts and Dr. David Novotney, Willamette Education Service District.

SafeOregon is designed to encourage Oregon students to share and respond to anything that threatens their safety or the safety of others, anything that makes a student feel unsafe or if a student knows someone who feels unsafe.

From a Principal of one School using SafeOregon today:

"In the two weeks [...] since our launch of SafeOregon we received 20 reports, 18 have been legitimate including bullying [...], suicidal feelings, sexual harassment, and drug use. Action taken has ranged from consultation with law enforcement, suspensions, or counseling the student or group of students.

In one particular instance, a student reported a girl posting suicidal thoughts on social media. SafeOregon called school administration, and the police were involved. The girl was taken to the hospital for evaluation, potentially saving her life. Another student reported her friend was being bullied. [...] The victim came up to me later, gave me a hug and thanked me for protecting and supporting him.

Tips from Students:

"They are fighting and I don't know what to do because they are both my friend and I don't want them to hate me because I don't wanna choose sides and I don't want them to get mad because I'm trying to fix things but idk."
Result: Their teacher talked to the students that were fighting and the tipsters identity was kept confidential. The tipster was acknowledged by the teacher later, without exposing his identity, for doing the right thing by reporting.

"She was talking to me in the hallway and I notice that she has cuts on her wrist and I have seen it before, she says she's depressed and she says she sad all the time"
Result: Student assessed by the school counselor. The student was not someone that was on the school's radar as having these struggles, so they were grateful for the tip.

For more information please visit www.safeoregon.com. The resource page has more information for students, parents and for schools to sign-up. Students and parents are encouraged to talk to their school administration about making SafeOregon available in their school.

Additionally:
It is a violation of ORS165.570 to improperly use the SafeOregon system.


Attached Media Files: We are SafeOregon , SafeOregon Partnership

A fatal commercial motor vehicle crash occurred Tuesday morning on Interstate 5 near Rice Hill.
On May 23, 2017, at about 11:20 a.m., OSP troopers and emergency medical responders were dispatched to a commercial motor vehicle crash on Interstate 5 southbound near milepost 154.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 1999 Peterbilt Semi-Truck and trailer loaded with lumber was southbound and for unknown reasons departed the roadway and onto the 154 Exit. The semi-truck continued south and went through the grass median and came back onto the 154 on ramp before leaving and impacting the dirt embankment on the west side of the freeway. The semi-truck and trailer came to an uncontrolled rest partially blocking the 154 on ramp.

The operator was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash. The name of the operator is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

Troopers are continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash. The operator was wearing safety restraints at the time of crash. The 154 southbound exit and on ramp were closed for the duration of the investigation.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Oregon Department of Transportation and North Douglas Fire and EMS.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/1002/104674/mp154.jpg

On May 23, 2017, at approximately 8:00am, the Oregon State Police responded to a 4 vehicle fatal crash on Hwy 99 and Paquet St. in Oregon City, Clackamas County.

The preliminary investigation revealed that 2 passenger cars and a motorcycle were stopped due to heavy traffic. The fourth car, a 2009 Audi, approached the line of traffic, failing to see the traffic was stopped and rear-ended the motorcycle, killing the rider. The motorcycle was pushed into the car in front of it, causing a chain reaction.

The operator of the motorcycle was 56 year old, Johnnie O. BENNETT, of Oregon City. The operator of Audi, 40 year old Michelle Higgins, also of Oregon City was not injured. The operators of the other vehicles were not injured.

The Oregon State Police was assisted by Clackamas County Sheriff's office, Oregon City Police Department, Clackamas Fire District and the Oregon Department of Transportation. The investigation is on-going and no enforcement action has been taken at this time.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/1002/104672/MC_F.jpg

Christopher TAVERNIER was lodged in jail.
End update

Previous Release:

On May 22, 2017, at approximately 6:00 PM, Oregon State Police troopers responded to a call of shots fired on Interstate 5 southbound, near Millersburg, in Linn County. Callers indicated a Jeep Wrangler and a Chevrolet Silverado were travelling south on Interstate 5 when they were involved in a road rage incident.

The Jeep Wrangler was operated by 43 year old, Christopher TAVERNIER, of Eugene. The Chevrolet Silverado was operated by 23 year old, Walter FENN II, of Albany. The passenger in the Chevrolet Silverado was the operator's father, 43 year old, Walter FENN, of Lebanon. At some point TAVERNIER pulled to the shoulder, exited his vehicle and fired a shot at the Chevrolet Silverado with a handgun. There were no injuries reported.

TAVERNIER left the scene and was located in a drive-thru of Starbucks in Albany where he was taken into custody without incident and a handgun was recovered from his vehicle. CHRISTOPHER TAVERNIER was lodged at the Linn County Jail on charges of Menacing and Harassment. The investigation is continuing. Any witnesses to the event on Interstate 5 are encouraged to contact Trooper Dakotah Keys at the Albany Area Command, (541)967-2026.

OSP was assisted by the Albany Police Department and the Linn County Sheriff's Office.

On May 21, 2017, at approximately 4:15pm, the Oregon State Police responded to the Mapleton Valley Fire Department after hearing on the radio of a woman being transported by a friend to the Fire Department with serious injuries. Medical personnel and OSP performed CPR on the female before she was transported to Peace Harbor Hospital, where she died of her injuries.

The preliminary investigation has determined that 26 year old, SARA M. SMITH, from Lane County, was riding an ATV by herself in the Deadwood area and for an unknown reason, crashed. The OSP is continuing the investigation to determine the cause and location of the crash.

The operator of the Nissan has been identified as, 60 year old, DELLA ANN SHAVER. She was an Elmira Resident. End Update

PREVIOUS RELEASE:

On Wednesday May 17, 2017 at about 1:20 pm, Troopers from the Springfield Area Command responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 126W between Eugene and Veneta.

The ongoing investigation revealed that a white 2008 Dodge Ram 3500, operated by 78 year old Elmira local Larry Lay, was traveling westbound and for unknown reasons, traveled over into the oncoming lane, crashing head-on into an eastbound black 2011 Nissan Sentra. The driver of the Nissan died at the scene as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Lay was transported to a Springfield area hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending the notification to the family. Information will be provided as it is available.

Troopers were assisted on scene by the Oregon Department of Transportation, Lane Fire Authority, Eugene/Springfield Fire, the Lane County District Attorney and Medical Examiners offices.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/1002/104497/Photo.jpg

The Oregon State Police responded to a fatal crash on Hwy 99 and Paquet St. in Oregon City. There is no information available to release at this time. As soon as information is available, a detailed release will be provided.

On May 21, 2017, at about 5:37 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a report of a deceased male at the Milo McIver State Park.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a hiker was walking on the Dog Creek Trail in the Milo McIver State Park when they came across a deceased male, later identified as William W. KEMP, age 65, of Milwaukie. Initial indicators revealed that the cause of death may have been medically related.

OSP was assisted by Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Clackamas County Medical Examiner's Office, Estacada Fire Department, and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

No further information will be released at this time and no photographs regarding this incident are available.

On May 19, 2017, at about 11:10 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash on US-101 near milepost 17 (north of Gearhart).

Preliminary information indicates that a 2016 Toyota Corolla, operated by Wendi ROBINSON, age 42, of Warrenton, had been seen driving at high speeds heading south towards Seaside. A witness reported observing the Corolla lose traction and ultimately drive off the western edge of the roadway. The Corolla had overturned and came to rest, partially submerged in three feet of water. ROBINSON was extricated from the vehicle by first responders who arrived on the scene. CPR was attempted but ROBINSON was pronounced deceased at the scene.

One lane was closed for approximately three and a half hours following the crash, until both lanes were reopened.

OSP was assisted by Gearhart Fire Department, Gearhart Police Department, Clatsop County Sheriff's Office, Seaside Police Department and Medix. More information will be released when it becomes available.

Salem, Ore. -- May 24, 2017 -- Salem Cancer Institute at Salem Health will host a day of festivities and inspiration to honor cancer survivors and those who support them on June 7 to commemorate National Cancer Survivors Day(R). The local event will offer a wide variety of activities and classes designed to celebrate those who have survived cancer, inspire those who have been recently diagnosed or are currently in treatment, and offer support to families. At 12:15 p.m. in the courtyard, the festivities will pause for a few words from Salem Health President and CEO Cheryl Wolfe and a brief message from Dr. Bud Pierce on the state of cancer in our community. Activities scheduled are:

Courtyard Activities, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wellness booths
Creative art
Complimentary makeovers, massages, and manicures
Live music
Prizes
Refreshments
And more!

Wellness Classes (Building C)
10:30 to 11 a.m. - Eat Well, Live Well: Healthy Fats and a Mediterranean Lifestyle
11:30 a.m. to noon - Managing Stress: The Benefits of Walking
12:30 to 1 p.m. - Yoga: Gentle Movement for Any Skill Level
1:30 to 2 p.m. - Food for Thought: Easy Ways to Include More Fruits and Veggies in the Diet

Salem Cancer Institute is located on the first floor of Building C, 875 Oak St. SE on the Salem Health campus. The free event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free parking is available in the hospital garage.

If you have questions or would like more information about the celebration, please call Salem Cancer Institute at 503-814-1449.

Salem Health -- an OHSU Partner -- offers exceptional care to people in and around Oregon's mid-Willamette Valley. It is comprised of hospitals in Salem and Dallas, a medical group of primary and specialty care providers, plus other affiliated services. The hospital in Salem received Magnet designation, placing it among the top 7 percent of hospitals nationwide for nursing quality. Visit us at www.salemhealth.org; "Like" us on www.facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at www.youtube.com/salemhealth.


Attached Media Files: Salem Health's 2016 National Cancer Survivors Day(R) , Salem Health's 2016 National Cancer Survivors Day(R) , Salem Health's 2016 National Cancer Survivors Day(R) , Salem Health's 2016 National Cancer Survivors Day(R)

Paperless Billing Campaign Raises $15,000 for Boys & Girls Clubs

PORTLAND, Ore. -- NW Natural (NYSE:NWN) customers stepped up to aid seven Boys & Girls Clubs across Oregon and Southwest Washington by enrolling in paperless billing, which also helps the environment by using less paper.

During a two-month period, NW Natural's Corporate Philanthropy Fund donated $5 for every customer that signed up. The goal was to have 3,000 customers enroll and since that was met, clubs in Albany, Corvallis, Emerald Valley (Eugene), Portland, Salem, Southwest Oregon (Coos Bay) and Southwest Washington will all receive donations.

"We're truly thankful for those who took the time to support Boys & Girls Clubs," said Von Summers, NW Natural community affairs manager. "We can always count on our customers to lend a hand to programs that provide critical services for others."

Signing up for paperless billing is easy:
- Log into your NW Natural online profile at nwnatural.com. If you don't have a profile, registration is quick.
- Choose "Go Paperless," then enroll.
- Start receiving your gas bill online each month.

Benefits include instant, easy access to up to three years of energy-use and bill history, 24 hours a day -- from a computer, mobile phone, tablet or any other device connected to the Internet.

About NW Natural
NW Natural (NYSE:NWN) is headquartered in Portland, Ore., and provides natural gas service to about 730,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Oregon and Southwest Washington. It is the largest independent natural gas utility in the Pacific Northwest. Additional information is available at nwnatural.com.

About Boys and Girls Clubs
Boys & Girls Clubs are safe, positive places for kids to enjoy fun and engaging programs after school and during the summer months. Clubs provide enrichment programs for youth while empowering them with a sense of belonging and security. Clubs surround members with caring, trained staff that engage them in nationally proven evidence-based youth development programs.

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Attached Media Files: Results Image

The Oregon Wing of the Civil Air Patrol is conducting training exercises in Aurora, OR, on Saturday, May 20th.

Civil Air Patrol members will be focusing on their aerial photography and reconnaissance skills, practicing with new equipment that could help state and federal responses in a disaster.

Oregon Civil Air Patrol will be training on the DAART system, a technologically advanced non-classified photo system now employed by numerous government agencies to provide real-time high resolution digital photo and video reconnaissance of disaster situations. The photos and videos that DAART can provide could enhance the ability of participating agencies to collaborate and respond to disaster areas with appropriate resources faster and more effectively than previously able to in the past.

In addition to training their aerial photographers, the Oregon Wing members will also be honing their mission base skills, urban direction finding skills, and communications skills. Members train once a month in the spring and summer to stay current with the skills they would need if a disaster ever happens.

Civil Air Patrol, the longtime all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary, is the newest member of the Air Force's Total Force. The Total Force consists of regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, along with Air Force retired military and civilian employees.

CAP, in its Total Force role, operates a fleet of 550 aircraft and performs about 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. CAP is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 78 lives annually.

SALEM, Oregon -- The Oregon Army National Guard's 1186th Military Police Company was honored in a mobilization ceremony, May 25, in Salem, Oregon.

Approximately 30 Soldiers are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS). The Soldiers will provide Personal Security Detail (PSD), which protects individuals or groups of individuals. The unit is scheduled to complete pre-deployment training at Fort Bliss, Texas, before deploying overseas.

In attendance at the ceremony was Oregon Governor Kate Brown; State Treasurer Tobias Read; Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon; Brig. Gen. William Edwards, Land Component Commander; among other state representatives, community and military leaders.

The 1186th MP Company is based in Salem, Oregon. The unit often partners with local law enforcement agencies for training. The unit partnered with district and federal agencies to provide security, crowd management and traffic control during the 58th Presidential Inauguration, January 18-22, in Washington, D.C.

In August 2015, the unit spent 12 days conducting live-fire exercises and simulated battle scenarios at the National Training Center (NTC), in the Mojave Desert at Fort Irwin, Calif. The unit has previously deployed overseas twice; to Afghanistan in 2011 and to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2004. They also provided domestic operations support in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

These Citizen-Soldiers are from the following cities in Oregon; Portland, Salem, Keizer, Beaverton, Lake Oswego, West Linn, Gresham, Monmouth, Eugene, Springfield, Veneta, Central Point, Oakland, Roseburg, Redmond, Milton-Freewater, Ontario, and Nyssa. A few Soldiers are from Washington cities; Vancouver, Aberdeen, and Everett.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:
170525-Z-OT568-004: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers with the 1186th Military Police Company stand in formation during a mobilization ceremony honoring their upcoming overseas deployment, May 25, in Salem, Oregon. Approximately 30 Soldiers in the unit are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan where will provide Personal Security Detail (PSD), protecting individuals or groups of individuals. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

170525-Z-OT568-012: Oregon Governor Kate Brown accepts a framed guidon from Oregon Army National Guard Capt. Richard Smith, of the 1186th Military Police Company, during a mobilization ceremony, May 25, in Salem, Oregon. Approximately 30 Soldiers in the unit are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan where will provide Personal Security Detail (PSD), protecting individuals or groups of individuals. The guidon will hang in the State Capitol during the deployment and will be returned to the unit upon their return to Oregon. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

170525-Z-OT568-041: Oregon Governor Kate Brown greets Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers of the 1186th Military Police Company to wish them well on their overseas deployment during a mobilization ceremony, May 25, in Salem, Oregon. Approximately 30 Soldiers in the unit are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan where will provide Personal Security Detail (PSD), protecting individuals or groups of individuals. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

170525-Z-OT568-073 Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon, greets Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers of the 1186th Military Police Company to wish them well on their overseas deployment during a mobilization ceremony, May 25, in Salem, Oregon. Approximately 30 Soldiers in the unit are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan where will provide Personal Security Detail (PSD), protecting individuals or groups of individuals. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

170525-Z-OT568-045: Brig. Gen. William Edwards, Land Component Commander, greets Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers of the 1186th Military Police Company to wish them well on their overseas deployment during a mobilization ceremony, May 25, in Salem, Oregon. Approximately 30 Soldiers in the unit are scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan where will provide Personal Security Detail (PSD), protecting individuals or groups of individuals. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

170525-Z-OT568-113: Oregon Army National Guard Spc. Nicholas Newson, of the 1186th Military Police Company, receives a hug from his father, Mark, following his mobilization ceremony, May 25, in Salem, Oregon. Newson is among 30 Citizen-Soldiers scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan where will provide Personal Security Detail (PSD), protecting individuals or groups of individuals. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/962/104744/170525-Z-OT568-113.jpg , 2017-05/962/104744/170525-Z-OT568-045.jpg , 2017-05/962/104744/170525-Z-OT568-073.jpg , 2017-05/962/104744/170525-Z-OT568-041.jpg , 2017-05/962/104744/170525-Z-OT568-012.jpg , 2017-05/962/104744/170525-Z-OT568-004.jpg

SALEM, Oregon -- The Oregon Army National Guard's 1186th Military Police Company is scheduled to be honored in a mobilization ceremony on Thursday, May 25, at 1:00 p.m., at the Salem Auditorium, located at 2320 17th Street Northeast, Salem, Oregon, 97309.

Approximately 30 Soldiers will deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS). The Soldiers will provide Personal Security Detail (PSD), which protects individuals or groups of individuals. The unit is scheduled to complete pre-deployment training at Fort Bliss, Texas, before deploying overseas.

Scheduled to attend the ceremony will be Oregon Governor Kate Brown; State Treasurer Tobias Read; Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel, Adjutant General, Oregon; Brig. Gen. William Edwards, Land Component Commander; among other state representatives, community and military leaders.

"As we head into the Memorial Day weekend, this ceremony should serve as a reminder that we continue to mobilize Oregonians for overseas missions," said Stephen Bomar, director of public affairs for the Oregon Military Department. "We honor and thank these Soldiers for their continued commitment to our state and nation."

The 1186th MP Company is based in Salem, Oregon. The unit often partners with local law enforcement agencies for training. The unit partnered with district and federal agencies to provide security, crowd management and traffic control during the 58th Presidential Inauguration, January 18-22, in Washington, D.C.

In August 2015, the unit spent 12 days conducting live-fire exercises and simulated battle scenarios at the National Training Center (NTC), in the Mojave Desert at Fort Irwin, Calif. The unit has previously deployed overseas twice; to Afghanistan in 2011 and to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in 2004. They also provided domestic operations support in Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The event is open to the public and media is encouraged to attend.

PHOTO CAPTIONS:
150823-Z-ZJ128-001: Oregon Army National Guard Pfc. Treyse Reber, M240 gunner with the 1186th Military Police (MP) Company, provides security for his squad during convoy training at the National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, Calif., August 23, 2015. The 1186th MPs augmented the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team during force-on-force battle simulations against an opposing force from the active duty U.S. Army. (Photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

160402-Z-NT152-023: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers with the 1186th Military Police (MP) Company move through an active shooter training scenario after learning techniques from their civilian counterparts at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) in Salem, Oregon, April 2, 2016. The Soldiers learned how to integrate with civilian law enforcement in case emergencies require a combined effort to protect Oregon citizens. (Oregon Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Anita VanderMolen, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

170518-Z-YI240-064: Oregon Army National Guard Sgt. Kenneth Clark, team leader with the 1186th Military Police Company, guards the hallway during Personal Security Detail (PSD) training, May 18, 2017, at Camp Rilea near Warrenton, Oregon. The unit conducted training in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel. (Photo by Spc. Michael Germundson, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/962/104705/170518-Z-YI240-064.jpg , 2017-05/962/104705/160402-Z-NT152-023.jpg , 2017-05/962/104705/150823-Z-ZJ128-001.jpg

The final version of the environmental impact statement for the Oregon National Guard Airspace Initiative was made publicly available, May 19, for a 30-day viewing period. The proposal is to establish and modify Military Training Airspace for the Oregon Air National Guard (ANG).

The proposed Oregon Airspace Initiative is to provide appropriately sized and configured airspace within close proximity to Oregon Air National Guard flying units to support advanced 21st century air-to-air tactical fighter technologies and training mission requirements.

The proposed action includes modification and addition to military training airspace located over northwestern, north-central and south-central Oregon and the Pacific Ocean. In addition, minor portions of the proposed action would be located above a small area of northwestern Nevada and the southwestern-most corner of Washington. It is important to note that this proposed action would result in airspace changes only and does not include any project components that would touch or otherwise directly affect the ground or water surface.

The Final EIS can be retrieved at:
www.142fw.ang.af.mil
www.173fw.ang.af.mil
or at any of the following libraries:
Astoria Public Library, Astoria Masonic Temple, Harney County Library, Crook County Library, Tillamook County Library.

Written comments on the Final EIS can be submitted to Mr. Kevin Marek, NGB/A7AM, Shepperd Hall, 3501 Fetchet Ave, Joint Base Andrews, MD 20762-5157, or by e-mail: usaf.jbanafw.ngb-a7.mbx.A7A-NEPA-COMMENTS@mail.mil. Please include "Oregon Airspace Initiative" in the subject line. In order to be considered, written comments must be received by June 19, 2017.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/962/104664/142FW_and_173FW_F-15_flight.jpg

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is pleased to announce the winners of the BLM's 2017 "Making a Difference" National Volunteer Awards for exceptional volunteer service on BLM-managed lands. This year's winners were honored at a special awards ceremony that was held live via video teleconference on Wednesday, May 24th.

"For over two decades, we have celebrated the contribution of dedicated BLM volunteers, and each year we are inspired by the enthusiasm and hard work of these outstanding people," said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. "Congratulations to all the honorees this year -- I thank you and all the remarkable BLM volunteers who share a common goal with our employees and partners to be excellent stewards of America's public lands."

In 2016, over 27,000 volunteers contributed nearly 1 million hours of service valued at $23 million. The annual "Making a Difference" Award recognizes exceptional volunteers who have contributed thousands of hours improving the public lands. These hard-working volunteers have helped the BLM monitor cultural resources, improve fish habitats, keep campers safe, and provide environmental education, interpretation, and other visitor services.

The 2017 awardees and their BLM nominating offices are:

Teresita Calderon, Outstanding Achievement, California Desert District Office (CA)
Janice Shepherd, Outstanding Achievement, Grand Junction Field Office (CO)
Norm Jensen, Lifetime Achievement, Cottonwood Field Office (ID)
Richard and Linda Crooks, Lifetime Achievement, Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (OR)
Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Group Excellence, Winnemucca Field Office (NV)
Ethan Diaz, Outstanding Youth, Colorado River Valley Field Office (CO)
Alexis and Connor Worthen, Outstanding Youth, National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (WY)
Clay Stewart, Employee Winner, Arizona Strip Field Office (UT)

A national panel of BLM specialists and partner organization representatives selected the winners for their exceptional contributions to conservation and management of public lands.

For more information, please contact Linda Schnee, BLM National Volunteer Program Lead, at (202) 912-7453 or lschnee@blm.gov.

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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.

WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, May 23, 2018, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke will provide an overview of President Donald Trump's proposed Fiscal Year 2018 budget for the Department of the Interior during a conference call with members of the news media.
Interior's Budget in Brief book will be online by 1:30 p.m. EST.

Who: Ryan Zinke, U.S. Secretary of the Interior

What: News media conference call on the Interior Department's FY 2018 budget

When: Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. EST

Media: Credentialed members of the news media wishing to join the teleconference must RSVP with the journalist's name and contact information to interior_press@ios.doi.gov to receive the call-in information.

Release No: PA 17-014
For Immediate Release:
May 25, 2017

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR NATIONAL TRAILS DAY

SWEET HOME, Ore -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Sweet Home Trails Group are looking for volunteers to improve the conditions of Foster Lake's North Shore Trail, Saturday, June 3, 2017.

This event supports National Trails Day (http://nationaltrailsday.americanhiking.org/) that celebrates America's 200,000 miles of trails. The American Hiking Society created National Trails Day in the early 1990s and trail advocates and outdoor industry leaders support the day.

Volunteer orientation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Gedney Creek Boat Ramp on Foster Reservoir's north shore. The project will focus on clearing vegetation such as blackberry bushes, improving trail conditions and making minor bridge improvements. Work is expected to be complete by 12:30 p.m.

Volunteers should wear sturdy, closed-toed shoes and long pants. Gloves, tools and water will be provided, but volunteers are welcome to bring their own. This event will be held rain or shine so dress accordingly. Participants will be given a Sweet Home Trails t-shirt.

Volunteers should RSVP by Wednesday, May 31, to the Corps' park ranger office at (541) 942-5631 or by email to Jacob.J.Morel@usace.army.mil to ensure enough tools are available.

Release No: PA 17-011
For Immediate Release
May 22, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Above average rainfall this spring has nearly filled the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' reservoirs in the Willamette Valley. Reservoirs are about 99 percent full as the region begins plans for summer recreation. Most reservoirs will follow the normal management schedule, however, some will experience early drawdowns: Hills Creek, Cougar and Blue River reservoirs.

The Corps will drawdown these reservoirs to continue spillway gate repairs, which are part of its Dam Safety program. Repairs will make the gates' more reliable and improve mechanical and electrical systems. These repairs improve the dams' abilities to help reduce flood damage to downstream river communities.

Hills Creek Reservoir drawdown begins approximately June 1. Packard Creek boat ramp will be accessible but Bingham Landing and CT Beach Park boat ramps will be inaccessible after July 15.

Cougar Reservoir drawdown begins approximately July 1. All ramps will be accessible through Labor Day weekend.

Blue River Reservoir drawdown begins approximately July 15. Saddle Dam boat ramp will be accessible but Lookout boat launch will be inaccessible after Sept. 1.

These draw down schedules are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please view our 'Teacup' diagrams at http://www.nwd-wc.usace.army.mil/nwp/teacup/willamette/.

Work at Hills Creek began in 2016 and is scheduled to be completed as funds are available through Fiscal Year 2018. Blue River and Cougar dams' gates rehabilitations are in progress and expected to be completed in Fiscal Year 2018. The repairs are similar to rehabilitation work previously completed at Green Peter, Big Cliff and Fall Creek dams.

A 2010 system-wide gates assessment resulted in the replacement or repair of some critical components and a prioritized plan for long-term rehabilitation of the gates. To date, all of Green Peter, Foster, Big Cliff, Lookout Point, Dexter and Fall Creek dams' spillway gates have been rehabilitated.

For more information about the Corps' Willamette Valley flood risk management mission and spillway gate rehabilitation program, visit http://www.nwp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Water/Spillway-Gates/.

Release No: 17-012
For Immediate Release
May 23, 2017

PORTLAND, Ore. -- A drill crew will soon be on site at Cougar Dam, east of Eugene, Oregon, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues field investigation at some dams in the Willamette Valley.

The crews will also install instrumentation on the crest of Cougar Dam. The drilling and installation will require the eastbound lane across the dam to be closed intermittently. These closures will be from May 30 to June 13 between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., reducing traffic to one lane.

The investigation at Cougar will give the Corps more information to better understand conditions within the dam and its foundation. Corps personnel have performed similar work at Hills Creek and Lookout Point dams.

"The information from these field investigations will improve our understanding of the risk at these dams and how it compares to current standards," said Matt Craig, Portland District Dam Safety Program manager.

The data will provide more information on the engineering characteristics of the dam and foundation materials. This information also helps the Corps better understand how well the dams will perform under seismic events.

"Our highest priority is ensuring that Corps' dams are fully able to reduce flooding in the downstream communities," Craig elaborated.

The field investigation work, one part of the Corps' Issue Evaluation Studies, includes drilling and excavating test pits to collect soil and material samples, and installing instruments to monitor the structural condition of the dams.

The studies are part of the Corps' national Dam Safety Program, which includes periodic inspections and risk assessments, Emergency Action Plan exercises, seismic and hydrologic studies.

For more information about the Program, visit www.nwp.usace.army.mil/missions/current/Dam-Safety-IES/.

Salem, Oregon -- Salem artist Nancy Lindburg will exhibit "Resolutions" in the Governor's Office of the Capitol Building in Salem from June 5 to July 27.

Lindburg's paintings, ranging from simple still-lifes and non-representational studies to landscapes and color-field paintings, are rich in color and feeling. With an eye to careful observation, Lindburg gathers visual elements--pattern, texture, light, space, motion--into compositions that capture a stilled moment, enlisting the viewer to notice and experience the artist's perspective on "the power of color and structure... energy, nature, silence, hope." Both lively and meditative, Lindburg's works provide an encounter that is exhilarating and refreshing.

Lindburg's paintings have been exhibited nationally as well as at regional venues including Waterstone Gallery, Blackfish Gallery, Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, Bush Barn Art Center, the Hallie Ford Museum of Art and the Portland Art Museum. In 2010, her work was included in the collection of the Oregon State Capitol. Recognized both as artist and arts administrator, Lindburg has been awarded an Oregon Governor's Arts Award, Salem Family YMCA's tribute to Outstanding Women, and Salem's Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Following a five-year stint as executive director at the Salem Art Association, Lindburg became the Oregon Arts Commission's first artist service coordinator. In her 12 years at the Arts Commission, she developed and oversaw the Percent for Art in Public Places and Art in the Governor's Office programs and helped initiate the Individual Artist Fellowships. Lindburg holds a bachelor's degree in art history and studio arts from Mills College and a master's in painting and sculpture from Cranbrook Academy of Art. She is represented by Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, Salem.

The Art in the Governor's Office Program honors selected artists in Oregon with exhibitions in the reception area of the Governor's Office in the State Capitol. Artists are nominated by a statewide committee of arts professionals who consider artists representing the breadth and diversity of artistic practice across Oregon, and are then selected by the Arts Commission with the participation of the Governor's Office. Only professional, living Oregon artists are considered and an exhibit in the Governor's office is considered a "once in a lifetime" honor. Artists whose work has previously been shown in the Governor's office include Henk Pander, Michele Russo, Manuel Izquierdo, James Lavadour, Margot Thompson, Gordon Gilkey and Yuji Hiratsuka.



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

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


Attached Media Files: Nancy Lindburg, Back Yard, 2014. Oil on canvas, 36 x 24 inches. Photo Kelly J. James. Courtesy of the artist.

Salem, Oregon -- Celebrating the uplifting power of art and its value to Oregonians' quality of life, Governor Kate Brown today announced she is reinstating the Governor's Arts Awards in honor of the Oregon Arts Commission's 50th Anniversary. Established in 1977, the once-annual awards have been on hiatus since 2007. A call for nominations is now posted on the Arts Commission website: http://www.oregonartscommission.org/

A partnership between the Office of the Governor and the Arts Commission, the Governor's Arts Awards recognize and honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the arts in Oregon. Awardees will be announced during the Governor's Arts Awards ceremony from 8 to 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, at the Portland Hilton Downtown.

"Art is a fundamental ingredient of any thriving and vibrant community," Governor Brown said. "Art sparks connections between people, movements, and new ideas. To put it simply, art makes life better. I am thrilled to celebrate Oregon's best artists and art supporters through the Governor's Arts Awards."

The Governor's Arts Awards are open to any individual, organization or community that currently resides in or has a significant presence in Oregon and has made outstanding contributions to the arts in the state. The 143 past recipients of a Governor's Arts Award are not eligible. (View past awardees: http://www.oregonartscommission.org/programs/governors-arts-awards)

"The Governor's Arts Award is the most prestigious honor an Oregon artist can receive," said Arts Commission Chair Libby Unthank Tower. "We are extremely grateful to Governor Brown for restoring the Awards so that we can once again formally recognize the contribution of Oregon artists and arts supporters to our collective quality of life."

Nominations will be reviewed by a committee comprised of a representative from the Governor's Office, an Arts Commissioner and three to five arts leaders from across the state. They will recommend three to five awards based on the nominee's regional, national or international recognition for his/her/their contributions; role in improving the quality of arts experiences and appreciation for the arts in Oregon; contributions to advancing the arts' positive impact on Oregonians' quality of life; and length of service to the arts in Oregon. Governor Brown will have final approval of award recipients.

Nominations must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 30. Recipients will be notified by July 28 and must be available to attend the Oct. 6 award ceremony.

VIDEO OF GOVERNOR'S ARTS AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzMvBq_LbaUUQ1BWeW52d3hOSDA

? ? ? ? ?
The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of the Oregon Business Development Department in 1993 in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities.
The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature, federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

? 30 ?

Please join us tomorrow, Tuesday, May 23 for a DHS stakeholder/partner meeting and conference call about upcoming legislative and budget issues.

Join in person, by phone or follow along on Facebook or Twitter.
When: Tuesday, May 23, 2017, 2:00-3:30 p.m.
Where: Barbara Roberts Human Services Building, Room 137,
500 Summer Street NE, Salem
How: Conference call 1-877-336-1829; Participant Code: 8307334

Join us on social media:
Live streaming during the event:
Twitter: @OregonDHSAPD
Facebook: @OregonDHS.SSP

Join the conversation on Twitter using #ORDHSforum.


DHS Stakeholder & Partner Meeting Agenda

I. Welcome, Introductions, Budget/Legislative Information
Clyde Saiki, DHS Director

II. Brief updates from Program Directors
Ashley Carson Cottingham -- Aging and People with Disabilities
Laurie Price -- Child Welfare
Lilia Teninty-- Office of Developmental Disability
Kim Fredlund -- Self-Sufficiency Programs
Trina Lee -- Vocational Rehabilitation

III. Open Q & A

Note: The following is a special Memorial Day message from Cameron Smith, director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Memorial Day is a holiday rooted in tradition. Every year, thousands of Oregonians participate in ceremonies, parades and other solemn events. But long before the first Memorial Day processions wound their way down city streets, long before dignitaries across the country took to podiums to honor service and sacrifice, the holiday started, informally, with a much simpler tradition: the laying of flowers upon the grave of a fallen service member.

It was in the wake of the American Civil War that communities began the practice of decorating soldiers' graves with flowers. This military family and community tradition was later formalized as a national day of honor in Decoration Day, and what we now call Memorial Day.

In 1866, no family or community was untouched by the Civil War. America's bloodiest conflict resulted in over 1 million casualties and claimed over 620,000 lives. The impacts of the war were intensely and personally felt across the nation.

Today, over 320,000 veterans call Oregon home. We are a strong and diverse community, spanning four generations across five major wars. With every veteran counted, we must also recognize the sacrifice of their spouses and families, who served on the home front while their loved ones were in uniform.

At the same time, we must acknowledge that today's battles are fought by less than 1 percent of our population. The weight of the most recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan has been borne by the few. Most of our citizens today have not been directly impacted by war. The same cannot be said for our Gold Star families, who have lost a loved one in service to our nation.

We can never forget the true cost of war -- a cost far beyond dollars and cents. A hundred years ago, in World War I, we lost over 115,000 dedicated service members -- almost 1,000 of whom were from Oregon. Those who survived the battlefields in Europe did not come home to a robust system of veterans' health care and benefits. But they banded together in service organizations and fought to advocate for the nationwide network of support we have today.

Across the ages, from the beaches of Normandy and the Pacific islands to the mountains and jungles in Asia, countless Americans have stood up to serve and have laid down their lives. At the most basic level, they fought to protect the one on their right and the one on their left, but ultimately their fight protects us all and preserves the values we hold dear.

This Memorial Day, as we kick off the start of summer and turn to enjoy Oregon's incredible parks, beaches, rivers and mountains, we must encourage all citizens to pause and honor our fallen and Gold Star families. We stand on the shoulders of all those who came before us and will never forget our veterans' service, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Thank you for your support of Oregon's military, veterans and their families!

Cameron Smith served three tours in Iraq as a Marine and is the director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs.


Attached Media Files: Cameron Smith

Want to know what Memorial Day events are being held in your area? There's a good chance you can find out online, in the directory of Memorial Day ceremonies, parades and other special events that the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs maintains at www.oregondva.com/2017memorialday.

The directory includes an interactive map as well as detailed information about each event. If you don't see your event listed, it's not too late to share! Please visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/eventsubmissions and complete the brief questionnaire. Contact the ODVA communications team with any questions at 503-373-2389.

ODVA's annual Statewide Memorial Day Celebration will take place at 2 p.m., May 29, at the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial in Salem. The memorial, which is dedicated to the men and women who died while serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is located near ODVA's offices at 700 Summer St. N.E.

The program will include a color guard presentation by Western Oregon University's Army ROTC cadets, singing of the national anthem, the playing of "Taps" and a reading of the 142 names of the Oregonians killed in Iraq and Aghanistan, which are inscribed on a granite wall at the memorial.

A keynote address will be given by Wendall Pelham, whose son, Army Spc. John Pelham, was killed on Feb. 12, 2014, while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom. At this time, Spc. Pelham was the last Oregonian killed in action in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

In recognition of the 100th anniversary this year of the United States' entry into World War I, speakers will wear poppies and the poem "In Flanders Field" will be read by retired Air Force Maj. Hank Lutz, a great-grandson of WWI hero and Medal of Honor recipient Edward C. Allworth.

Sitting around a campfire is one of the special times we all enjoy, but campfires are also a major cause of wildfires. May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and Keep Oregon Green, the Oregon State Fire Marshal, and the Oregon Department of Forestry urge Oregonians to follow these basic outdoor safety tips:

Know before you go
Call your local forestry or fire district to learn if there are any current campfire restrictions at your recreation destination. An interactive map of Oregon's fire restrictions is available at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx Tom Fields, ODF's fire prevention coordinator, says the map continues to improve and is "an excellent tool for folks to use from home or from their mobile device."

Kick the campfire habit this summer
Portable camp stoves are a safer option to campfires at any time of year. Areas that prohibit campfires outside maintained campgrounds with established fire pits often allow camp stoves.

Select the right spot
Where campfires are allowed, avoid building the fire near your tent, structures, vehicles, shrubs or trees, and be aware of low-hanging branches overhead. Clear the site down to mineral soil, at least five feet on all sides, and circle it with rocks. Store unused firewood a good distance from the fire.

Keep your campfire small
A campfire is less likely to escape control if it is kept small. A large fire may cast hot embers long distances. Add firewood in small amounts as existing material is consumed.

Attend your campfire at all times
A campfire left unattended for even a few minutes can grow into a costly, damaging wildfire. Stay with your campfire from start to finish until it is dead out. That ensures any escaped sparks or embers can be extinguished quickly, and it is required by state law.

Never use gasoline or other accelerants
Don't use flammable or combustible liquids, such as gasoline, propane or lighter fluid, to start or increase your campfire. Once the fire starts, wait until the match is cold and then discard it in the fire.

Have water and fire tools on site
Have a shovel and a bucket of water nearby to extinguish any escaped embers. Before you leave, DROWN all embers with water, STIR the coals, and DROWN again. Repeat until the fire is DEAD out. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.

Burn ONLY wood
State regulations prohibit the open burning of any material that creates dense, toxic smoke or noxious odors. Burning paper and cardboard can also easily fly up to start new fires.

Escaped campfires can be costly. Oregon law requires the proper clearing, building, attending and extinguishing of open fires at any time of year. A first-time citation carries a $110 fine. But by far the biggest potential cost is liability for firefighting costs if your campfire spreads out of control. These can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars or more.

During Wildfire Awareness Month visit the Keep Oregon Green website, www.keeporegongreen.org for other wildfire prevention tips.


Attached Media Files: Keep campfires small and stay with them at all times

Malheur County, Ore. - Upcoming meetings in Ontario and Bend will offer the public an opportunity to comment on a proposed gold mine in Malheur County.

Calico Resources USA Corp. is considering construction of an underground mine and surface mill complex in Malheur County, approximately 25 miles south-southwest of Vale. On May 17, Calico filed Environmental Baseline Study Work Plans, which include proposed baseline data collection methodologies, study areas, and timing/duration of baseline data collection and verification.

The work plans are available online at bit.ly/calicomeetings, and electronically at the Emma Humphrey Community Library in Vale and the Ontario Community Library.

Two meetings are scheduled to accept comment from the public:

June 8, 2017
Four Rivers Cultural Center
676 SW 5th Avenue, Ontario
2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Mountain time

June 14, 2017
Department of Environmental Quality
475 NE Bellevue Dr., Suite 110, Bend
2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific time

Written comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. on July 3, 2017. Comments must be received by this time and date to be considered. Written comments may be submitted by email to Calico.File@oregon.gov (please note "Grassy Mtn Comments" in subject line) or by mail to DOGAMI, Attn: Grassy Mtn Comments, 229 Broadalbin St. SW, Albany, OR 97321.

May 23, 2017

Subhed: New 'beach action values' mean state is likely to see more health advisories

As temperatures rise in advance of the Memorial Day weekend, the Oregon Health Authority is launching its 2017 beach monitoring season to keep people informed about bacteria levels along the coast that may pose a health risk.

The Oregon Beach Monitoring Program, based at the OHA Public Health Division, began its annual, regular evaluation of bacteria levels at beaches up and down the Oregon Coast, from Seaside to Brookings, May 22. Each year's monitoring period extends through Labor Day weekend.

The 18 beaches that will be monitored in 2017 include:
-- Seaside Beach, Cannon Beach, Tolovana State Park Beach, Clatsop County
-- Short Sand State Park Beach, Rockaway Beach, Twins Rocks Beach, Neskowin State Park Beach, Tillamook County
-- D River State Park Beach, Beverly Beach, Agate State Park Beach, Nye Beach, Seal Rock State Park Beach, Lincoln County
-- Heceta Beach, Lane County
-- Bastendorff Beach, Sunset Bay State Park Beach, Coos County
-- Hubbard Creek Beach, Harris Beach State Park, Crissey Field State Park, Curry County

Beaches will be monitored for beach action values, or BAVs, the marine recreational water quality standard used to determine if bacteria levels are unsafe for water contact. When a single marine water sample has bacteria levels at or above the BAV, a health advisory is issued. Once a health advisory is issued, people are asked to avoid water contact until the health advisory is lifted.

Since 2003 OHA has used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. State organizations participating in this program are the Oregon Health Authority, Department of Environmental Quality, and Parks and Recreation Department.

The state expects to see more beach advisories than in previous years because new BAVs are being used in 2017. In 2014 the Environmental Protection Agency updated its national beach guidance and required performance criteria for grants. EPA studies found that recreating in water with bacteria levels below the previous BAV of 158 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters of water (cfu/100mL) poses a health risk. EPA now requires states that receive funding for beach monitoring to adopt a new BAV that is more protective of the public's health. The updated guidance provides safer standards for recreational waters across the U.S. and will help focus resources on the highest priority beaches.

OBMP will apply a BAV of 130 cfu/100mL for the 2017 monitoring season.

OBMP initially set a new BAV of 70 cfu/100mL for 2017, and shared it with partners, stakeholders and the public last year. But the program proposed an alternative of 130 cfu/100mL to EPA for a number of reasons: summer coastal water temperatures on the Oregon Coast are colder than those found in locations studied by EPA, which limits the amount of time the most vulnerable population--children--are likely to spend time in the water; fecal bacteria concentrations in coastal waters are highly variable, which makes water quality predictions difficult; and a 70 cfu/100mL BAV would double the number of beach advisories, stretching program resources and requiring reductions in activities, such as monitoring frequency, the number of monitoring stations and efforts to find contamination sources.

"We are confident the new BAV strikes the right balance of health protection based on how Oregonians and visitors use our beaches," said Curtis Cude, manager of the Public Health Division's environmental public health surveillance program, which administers the OBMP.

Beach advisories will be publicized in OHA news releases throughout the 2017 season and will be posted at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach. To view a video about the 2017 beach monitoring season, visit https://youtu.be/NLgR9N3WChY.

# # #

Links to beach maps

-- Seaside Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/seasidebeach.pdf

-- Cannon Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/cannonbeach.pdf

-- Tolovana State Park Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/tolovanabeach.pdf

-- Short Sand State Park Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/shortsandbeach.pdf

-- Rockaway Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/shortsandbeach.pdf

-- Twin Rocks Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/twinrocks.pdf

-- Neskowin State Park Beach: https://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/OBMP%20Neskowin%20Beach%20sites%20without%20north%20site%2032132%202017.png

-- D River State Park Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/driver.pdf

-- Beverly Beach: https://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/OBMP%20Beverly%20Beach%20sites%202017.png

-- Agate State Park Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/agatebeach.pdf

-- Nye Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/nyebeach.pdf

-- Seal Rock State Park Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/sealrock.pdf

-- Heceta Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/hecetabeach.pdf

-- Bastendorff Beach: https://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/OBMP%20Bastendorff%20Beach.png

-- Sunset Bay State Park Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/sunsetbaybeach.pdf

-- Hubbard Creek Beach: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/hubbardcreekbeach.pdf

-- Harris Beach State Park: http://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/harrisbeach.pdf

-- Crissey Field State Park: https://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/Recreation/BeachWaterQuality/Documents/2015Maps/OBMP%20Crissey%20Field%20SP%20sites%202017.png

Salem, OR -- Motorboats, kayaks, canoes, rafts, pontoon, drift, stand up paddleboards, sailboats, personal watercraft; there's a boat out there that can connect you to the water and a rental facility ready to help you get your feet wet if you're new to boating.

The Oregon State Marine Board invites boaters to explore the interactive Boating Oregon Map, where you can find a boat ramp near you, or plan for a weekend escape to places less-frequented.

"This season is going to be a fantastic year for water recreation with abundant water," says Ashley Massey, Public Information Officer for the Marine Board. "Just be sure to plan ahead by checking the weather, water levels, reported obstructions, and having all of the right gear. Boaters can check the Marine Board's website for everything a boater needs to know to start planning a trip." Massey adds.

Massey emphasizes paying attention to your surroundings, continually scanning port to starboard and keeping a close eye on what's dead-ahead. "2016 saw an increase in accidents, largely from collisions," says Massey. "Familiarize yourself with the rules-of-the-road, and start out slow because of debris in the water from this past winter."

"With the extraordinary high water levels, many wing dams (also known as pile dikes) on rivers and bays are just below the surface, so boaters need to keep their distance from the shoreline up to several hundred feet out from shore." Boaters are encouraged to learn where the wing dams are located based on the waterbody where they're boating from www.charts.noaa.gov, for free, downloadable navigation charts.

Think about taking a "dispersion excursion" to lesser-known waterbodies, especially for people new to paddlesports or seeking more solitude. There are 96 waterways where motors are prohibited and 50 designated as electric motor only waterways. Visit the Marine Board's Experience Oregon Boating Handbook for more information about these areas.

The Marine Board also recommends boaters play it safe by:
Abstaining from marijuana, drugs or alcohol. Instead, take along a variety of non-alcoholic beverages and plenty of water. Impairment can lead to a BUII arrest. Drugs and alcohol impair a boater's judgement and coordination. Swift currents, changing weather and debris require boat operators to be focused and skilled to avoid an accident.
If you are feeling fatigued, take a break on land and return to the water when you are re-energized and alert. Wind, glare, dehydration and wave motion contribute to fatigue. Continually monitor the weather because it changes quickly.
Operators and passengers should wear properly fitting life jackets. Learn more about life jacket types, styles and legal requirements. Anyone rafting on Class III Whitewater Rivers is required to wear a life jacket, and all children 12 and under when a boat is underway. The water temperature for most waterways is below 50 degrees and wearing a life jacket is the most important piece of equipment for surviving the first few seconds of cold water immersion.
Never boat alone --especially when paddling. Always let others know where you are going and when you'll return.
Be courteous to other boaters and share the waterway. Congestion is a given in many popular locations, especially with nice weather. Paddlers need to stay in calmer water near the shore and allow motorized boats to operate in deeper water. Motorized boaters should be given priority when launching, as many boat ramps are designed for heavier trailered boats to access the water.
In Oregon, all boaters must take a boating safety course and carry a boater education card when operating a powerboat greater than 10 horsepower. The Marine Board also offers a free, online Paddling Course for boaters new to the activity.

For more information about safe boating in Oregon, visit www.boatoregon.com.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/4139/104660/PDXMixed.jpg , 2017-05/4139/104660/WearItOR.gif , 2017-05/4139/104660/BSBS.jpg

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) invites people to stay and play for free to celebrate State Parks Day on Saturday, June 3.

Camping will be free the night of June 3 in all RV hookup sites, tent sites and horse camps. Day-use parking will be free both June 3 and 4 at the 26 parks that charge a day-use fee.

People can reserve online at www.oregonstateparks.org or by calling 800-452-5687. Phone reservations must be made by 5 p.m. June 2. The campsite rental will be free, but all reservations will still include an $8 non-refundable transaction fee. Of the 56 state park campgrounds, 46 take reservations.

"State Parks Day is Oregon's way to say thank you for supporting your state park system," said OPRD Director Lisa Sumption. "We welcome all Oregonians to connect with their favorite state park, or even enjoy a new one for the first time."

State Parks Day is always the first Saturday in June. The Oregon State Legislature established the free day in 1997 to focus public attention on Oregon's state park system.

Parks around the state will hold special events on June 3. Silver Falls State Park east of Salem will hold its annual foot races. The Silver Falls Challenge includes a 5K, six-mile run and a kids' 1,500-meter run.

Detroit Lake State Park will offer free hot dogs, a visit from OPRD mascot JR Beaver, and Junior Ranger programs for the kids. For a complete list of events, go to www.oregonstateparks.org and click on "things to do."

Four parks in the Bend area -- Tumalo, LaPine, Prineville and Cove Palisades -- will hold geology hikes or presentations that weekend.

Detroit Lake will also participate in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's (ODFW) Free Fishing Weekend. Visitors will be able to fish, crab and clam without a license June 3-4 at parks around the state. ODFW will provide the gear, bait and instructions.

Other state parks offering free fishing include Benson State Recreation Area in the Columbia River Gorge, Fort Stevens State Park near Astoria, and Champoeg State Heritage Site north of Salem. For a complete list of parks with fishing events go to www.dfw.state.or.us/education/angling/free_fishing.asp.

LaPine, OR--Experience the thrill of a two-hour mountain biking tour at LaPine State Park this summer. The first of four tours will be from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 28.

Tour guide Patrick Ramirez of Cog Wild Bike Tours will lead participants through the trees and along the Deschutes River on one of the most scenic park trails. The Bend-based company designs a variety of specialized tours for mountain bike enthusiasts.

This event is part of Oregon State Parks' Let's Go Program, a series of outdoor skills workshops designed to introduce new outdoor recreational skills. Participants will learn off-road biking skills and drills, as well as basic information about proper equipment and safety gear.

Tours are also scheduled 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 17, Thursday, July 20 and Thursday, Aug. 10. The events are free, but limited to eight participants. Registration is required. Call LaPine State Park at 541-536-2428 to register.

Participants can bring their own bikes, or the park has loaner bikes available on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants should bring water, snacks and helmets. Sunglasses and gloves are also recommended. All participants must wear bike helmets and be at least 12. Youth ages 12-15 must be accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied minors must have a waiver form signed by a parent/guardian at the start of the event.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/1303/104713/Mountain_biking__(1).jpg

After more than 50 years, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) wildlife biologists have learned that at least one western snowy plover chick has hatched on a beach at Nehalem Bay State Park. This is the first verified hatchling in the area since the 1960s, and follows three years of increased sightings and species activity, including nesting attempts.

Western snowy plovers are a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act, and are protected in all west coast states. Collaborative efforts like OPRD's Habitat Conservation Plan, developed in coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is showing results with the expansion of snowy plovers northward. The population is growing along parts of the southern Oregon coast, where areas with signs and nest designations are part of everyday beachgoing in the spring and summer. Yet, species recovery is much more likely to continue if populations can establish themselves along the entire coast.

OPRD asks that visitors keep a cautious eye out. Plovers nest in dry sand, in tiny, shallow scrapes that are almost invisible. Not only are nests easy to miss, or step on, but the bird will abandon its eggs if repeatedly disturbed. Plover chicks are mobile almost immediately after hatching. They freeze in place and hide in small depressions--like footprints--when they perceive danger.

The Nehalem nesting area, like all nesting sites, is clearly designated with signs, and they remain off limits until the nesting season ends.

Maps and more information can be found at bit.ly/wsplover.


Attached Media Files: plover adult with chick

On Saturday, June 3, 2017, at 11:00 a.m., the Oregon Historical Marker Program will commemorate the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion (also known as the Triple Nickles), an elite all-Black paratrooper unit deployed to Oregon near the end of WWII. A new historical marker honoring the Triple Nickles will be unveiled at the Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum located at the Illinois Valley Valley Airport in Cave Junction.

The Triple Nickles jumped their way into Oregon history in 1945 during a secret mission known as "Operation Firefly." Their charge was to parachute near forest fires in the Pacific Northwest caused by Japanese Balloon bombs, and disarm and destroy any remaining explosive devices.

The men of the 555th withstood many obstacles in their service to the US, including racism, lack of smoke jumping equipment, and a fatality in their unit during an Oregon jump---Private First Class Marvin L. Brown. The new marker also honors Brown's sacrifice.

Keynote speakers at the dedication include the Secretary of the Oregon Black Pioneers Gwen Carr, Professor Robert Bartlett of Eastern Washington University, Joe Murchison of the 555th Association, Ed Washington of the Oregon Travel information Council, and Roger Brandt of the Illinois Valley Community Development Organization.

"The work to uncover and commemorate the lives of men who served in Oregon as part of the Triple Nickles is a great accomplishment," Carr says. "Oregon Black Pioneers is honored to be a part of this dedication."

In addition, Carr articulates that the 555th paratrooper's story is not confined solely to "... Oregon Black history, but is a part of all Oregon history."

Brandt was instrumental in the new marker's nomination, research, and funding process. "Oregon has never formally thanked the 555th for their role in defending Oregon during WWII, says Brandt.

Brandt notes that "The 555th historical marker installation is taking the first step towards acknowledging their contribution to our state's history."

The event is free and the public is invited to attend.The Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Museum is located at 30904 Redwood Hwy in Cave Junction.

The Oregon Historical Marker Program is administered by the Oregon Travel Information Council. For more information on the Triple Nickles and their new marker, telephone 1-800-574-9397.


Attached Media Files: The Triple Nickles smokejump in the Pacific Northwest , A member of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion , Triple Nickles on training flight aboard their C-47.

The Government Information and Library Services Advisory Council will meet on Friday, June 2, 2017 from 2:00 -- 4:00 p.m. at the State Library. The agenda is included.

This is a public meeting; those who would like to attend should contact Jerry Curry, 503-378-5008 or jerry.w.curry@state.or.us, so that appropriate arrangements may be made.

The council advises the State Library Board and provides insight, consultation, and advice on strategies for better serving the information and research needs of Oregon state government agencies. The council will also assist Government Services staff in creating effective strategies and programs to inform state employees about Government Services and to train state employees in the use of these services.

Membership is representative of various Oregon state agencies. The current member list is available on our website: http://www.oregon.gov/osl/GRES/Pages/advisory.aspx

Questions or concerns can be addressed to Jerry Curry, 503-378-5008 or jerry.w.curry@state.or.us.


Government Information and Library Services Advisory Council Meeting
State Library, Meeting Room 103 (or by phone)
250 Winter St., Salem, OR
June 2, 2017, 2:00 -- 4:00 p.m.

AGENDA

2:00 Welcome & introductions of new Advisory Council members (All)
2:10 Advisory Council Selection Process (Curry)
2:20 Round Robin (All Attendees)
2:45 State Library Announcements (Agata)
3:20 New Web Page (Bolyard)
3:25 eClips (Curry)
3:30 Digital Asset Management System (Pitts)
3:40 Discussion/Selection of Advisory Council Vice-Chair (Nickerson)
3:45 Scheduling Upcoming Advisory Council Meetings (Nickerson)
3:50 Action Item Review (Curry)
4:00 Adjourn

Disaster responders with the American Red Cross Cascades Region responded to a home fire disaster on Thursday, May 25, 2017, at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the Harris Beach area of Brookings, Oregon. The fire affected a single-family home and affected one adult. The Red Cross provided resources to help address the immediate basic needs of those affected such as temporary housing, food, clothing, comfort kits with toiletry items, information about recovery services, and health and mental health services. Additional information about this incident, if available, may be obtained from the local first responding agency/fire department.

The Red Cross in Oregon and Southwest Washington (the Cascades Region) helps an average of three families affected by disasters, like home fires, every day. The Red Cross advocates emergency preparedness and offers the installation of free smoke alarms in our community. Residents may call (503) 528-5783 or complete an online form at www.redcross.org/CascadesHomeFire to schedule an appointment.

Disaster responders with the local American Red Cross responded to a home fire disaster on May 23, 2017, at approximately 7:30 a.m. in the 67000 block of W Fork Millicoma Road, Coos Bay, Oregon. The fire affected one adult.

The Red Cross provided resources to help address the immediate basic needs of those affected such as temporary housing, food, clothing, comfort kits with toiletry items, information about recovery services, and health and mental health services. Additional information about this incident, if available, may be obtained from the local first responding agency/fire department.

The Red Cross in Oregon and Southwest Washington (the Cascades Region) helps an average of three families affected by disasters, like home fires, every day. The Red Cross advocates emergency preparedness and offers the installation of free smoke alarms in our community. Residents may call (503) 528-5783 or complete an online form at www.redcross.org/CascadesHomeFire to schedule an appointment.

Oregon agriculture is a big reason why our state is so scenic and beloved. From the breathtaking view of flowering orchards in the Gorge; to a bushel of colorful, just-picked berries; to the majestic site of a cowboy herding cattle across an eastern Oregon range, there is infinite beauty to behold in farming and ranching.

Oregon Farm Bureau invites the public to capture some of these scenes and submit their photos for the 2018 Oregon's Bounty Calendar Contest.

"During the summer, there's a lot of harvest activity on farms and ranches that's visually interesting, and also opportunities for great photos at farm stands, u-pick fields, and county fairs. We're looking for exceptional, 'gaze-worthy' images of all aspects of farming and ranching in Oregon," said OFB Communications Director Anne Marie Moss.

The award-winning Oregon's Bounty Calendar celebrates the diversity of agriculture: the products, people, cultivation, harvest, landscape, anything that depicts the beauty, culture, enjoyment, technology, or tradition of family farming and ranching across all parts of the state.

Horizontal-format, high-resolution images -- both close-ups and panoramic views -- are needed of all types of agriculture in all seasons. Subject ideas include fruits, vegetables, flowers, crops in the field, farm animals, planting and harvesting, portraits of farm and ranch families, u-picks, farm stands, and farmland in all seasons.

Selected photographers will receive a photo credit in the calendar, which is distributed to over 66,000 Farm Bureau members, and at least 10 copies of the calendar. Every person who submits photos will receive one complimentary copy of the 2018 calendar, a $15 value.

> The deadline is September 15, 2017.

> Digital images MUST be available in high-resolution, 300 dpi format or higher at size of at least 8.5" x 11", otherwise photos will be too grainy when enlarged.

> Horizontal-format photos work best for the calendar layout.

> Photos of people may require a signed photo release form.

> There is no limit to the number of photos that can be submitted.

Submit your images in one of three ways:

1. Email photos to: annemarie@oregonfb.org, (Note that OFB's email server has a file size limit of 10mb. Photos may need to be sent individually).

2. Upload photos to OFB's dropbox at https://spaces.hightail.com/uplink/OregonFarmBureau

3. Mail a thumb drive, disc, or printed photos to OFB, attn.: Anne Marie Moss, 1320 Capitol St. NE, Suite 200, Salem, OR 97301.

Find detailed photo specifications, contest rules, and a link to the 2017 Oregon's Bounty Calendar at www.oregonfb.org/calendar.

Photographers do not need to be Farm Bureau members to participate and there is no limit to the number of photos that can be submitted.

PHOTO CAPTION: The 2017 Oregon's Bounty Calendar cover image was taken by Barb Iverson of Clackamas County Farm Bureau.

The state's largest general farm organization, Oregon Farm Bureau (OFB) is a grassroots, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing the interests of the state's farmers and ranchers in the public and policymaking arenas. First established in Oregon in 1919, Farm Bureau is organized in all 36 counties and has nearly 7,000 member families that are professionally engaged in agriculture.

For more information, contact Anne Marie Moss, OFB Communications Director, at annemarie@oregonfb.org, 503.399.1701, ext. 313.

###

Note to Editors: "Farm Bureau" is a registered trademark; please capitalize in all cases.

The state's largest general farm organization, Oregon Farm Bureau (OFB) is a grassroots, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing the interests of the state's farmers and ranchers in the public and policymaking arenas. First established in Oregon in 1919, Farm Bureau is organized in all 36 counties and has 7,000 member families that are professionally engaged in agriculture.

Oregon Farm Bureau President Barry Bushue is a third-generation farmer raising a variety of vegetables and berries at a nearly century-old farm near Boring, Oregon. He is OFB's 15th president.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/5507/104616/2017_cover.JPG

Portland, OR -- In 2015, the Oregon Historical Society embarked on an ambitious two-year project to build an infrastructure to create, collect, preserve, and provide access to digital materials in its vast historic collections. Today, OHS announces a major milestone in this project with the official launch of OHS Digital Collections (https://digitalcollections.ohs.org).

This new website allows online public access to a rich variety of materials from the OHS Research Library, including items from our manuscript, photograph, film, and oral history collections. Behind the scenes, these files are safeguarded using a series of digital preservation workflows, systems, and storage processes called the OHS Digital Vault.

While collections will continue to be added to the site on an ongoing basis, featured collections at launch include:

Photographs from Oregon conservation pioneers William L. Finley, Irene Finley, and Herman Bohlman, part of the Reuniting Finley and Bohlman project, a current year-long collaboration with Oregon State University Special Collections and Archives Research Center. This project is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Oregon State Library.

Newspaper photographs from the Oregon Journal nitrate negative collection, consisting of images from the Portland paper taken during the 1920s and 1930s. This digitization project-in-progress is funded by a grant from the Jackson Foundation.

Papers of Joel Palmer, 1848-1880, Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Oregon Territory and an Oregon State Legislator. Digitization was done in collaboration with the University of Oregon Special Collections.

Landscape photographs by the renowned San Francisco photographer Carleton E. Watkins taken during his visits to Oregon and the Columbia River in the 1860s and 1880s.

Early twentieth century photographs from Portland's Kiser Photo Co., one of the most successful and widely known commercial studios in the American West.

Selected oral histories, including interviews from the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest (GLAPN).

Over 1100 portraits from the OHS Cartes de Visite Collection, 1861-1893.

"We're proud to announce the availability of this platform, which we view as a cornerstone of our organizational mission to make Oregon's history open and accessible to all," said OHS Digital Archivist Mathieu Deschaine. "We look forward to continued additions that will illustrate the breadth and diversity of our holdings and encourage their use for teaching, learning, and research."

OHS Digital Collections and the OHS Digital Vault are funded by a generous grant from The Collins Foundation, with additional support from a bequest from the estate of William Bilyeu. Ongoing digitization is supported by private and public funders. Support for the expansion of the OHS Digital Vault to build further capacity to digitize rare and unique items can be made through donations to the Oregon Historical Society's FORWARD! capital campaign.

Begin exploring OHS Digital Collections at https://digitalcollections.ohs.org.


About the Oregon Historical Society

For more than a century, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state's collective memory, preserving a vast collection of artifacts, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms & website (www.ohs.org), educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon's history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and rich as Oregon's cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.


Attached Media Files: General Joel Palmer, pioneer of 1845. Oregon Historical Society Library, Cartes-de-visite Collection; Org. Lot 500; b5.f843-1; OrHi 27903, ba000968 , Stereograph of Multnomah Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, taken in autumn 1883. Oregon Historical Society Library, Carleton E. Watkins photographs, 1861-1885; Org. Lot 93; b2.f67, ba021022 , Handcolored photograph of view north from Mussel House Point, Bayocean, Oregon, 1908. Oregon Historical Society Library, Kiser Photo Co. photographs, 1901-1999; bulk: 1901-1927.; Org. Lot 140; b2.f36, ba021249 , Crowd stands at baseball game, Vaughn Street Park. Oregon Historical Society Library, Oregon Journal Negative Collection; Org. Lot 1368; Box 369; 369N020 , A meadowlark crouching about to fly. Oregon Historical Society Library, William L. Finley Photographs Collection, circa 1900-1940; Org. Lot 369; b19; FinleyA2177

The Oregon State Parks Foundation today announced that its online silent auction of 30 Campsites at the Crooked River Campground in the Cove Palisades State Park in Central Oregon raised $60,000 in support of Oregon's State Parks.

Bids for the four night campground spaces averaged $500 a night. The auction attracted attention and bidders from across the country, although the winners were all from the West Coast with the exception of one winner from New York.

Seth Miller, Executive Director, said "Many people are not aware that the Oregon's State Parks are not funded by state taxes. Instead, visitor fees are the primary source of income, and a fixed portion of the Oregon Lottery revenues covers about 40% of the cost of operating the parks. Unfortunately, these sources of funds are not keeping up with the growing costs, so the Foundation was formed to help enhance the experience of using the parks."

Funds raised by this event support the Oregon State Parks Foundation, and enables it to support programs to encourage healthy activities and outdoor education, and increase access to the parks by under-served communities.

You can help too, become member of the Foundation for only $45 a year...and you will get a FREE one year parking pass as a thank you!

Learn more at www.oregonstateparksfoundation.org


About the Foundation

The Oregon State Parks Foundation was formed in 1995. It is the only statewide non-profit partner of the Oregon Parks & Recreation Department. Our mission is to enhance and preserve the experience of using Oregon's 255 State Parks....now and for future generations.

Since 1995, the Foundation has supported many vital projects such as restoring Vista House at Crown Point, helping to renovate five Oregon Lighthouses, preserving the Kam Wah Chung & Co Museum, and putting the first yurts in State Parks anywhere in the country. The Foundation is just completing a capital campaign to build a residential outdoor school facility at the Cottonwood Canyon State Park.
We strive to connect all Oregonians with their State Parks, to enrich the visitor experience through interpretation and education, and to promote an active and healthy lifestyle.


Attached Media Files: 2017-05/6096/104670/2017_Eclipse_Results_Release.pdf