Beginning on November 19th, the Newberg-Dundee Police Department will continue specialized enforcement efforts to address issues with Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Distracted Driving and Speeding.  NDPD receives grant funding through the Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Impact to staff additional officers for focused traffic enforcement.  Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers.  Also, crashes resulting from cell phone use by drivers has increased nationwide with speed contributing to the severity of all crashes.  The Newberg-Dundee Police Department is committed to the reduction of traffic offenses which most frequently result in injuries and property damage.

On Monday, November 18, 2019 at approximately 11:50 A.M. Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel  responded to a two vehicle collision on Hwy 221(Wallace Rd) near Milepost 10.5.

Preliminary investigation revealed a gray 2004 Volkswagen Passat, operated by Krista Ashley (33) of Salem, was northbound on Hwy 221 when for unknown reasons crossed into the southbound lane striking a black 2019 Chevy Cruz, being operated by Susie Valdez (69) of Salem.

Valdez and her passenger, Robert Valdez (70) of Salem both sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased.

Ashley was transported to Salem Hospital with serious injuries.

There were three passengers in the Passat driven by Ashley:

A juvenile female sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at Salem Hospital. 

Daniel Norris (28) of Salem was transported to Salem Hospital with serious injuries.

A juvenile female was transported to Salem Hospital with serious injuries.

Hwy 221 was closed for approximately 4.5 hours.

Oregon State Police was assisted by the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, Dayton Fire, and ODOT.

Investigation is continuing 

The Vancouver Public Schools board of directors has decided not to hold a special meeting on Nov. 20, where it had planned to act on a resolution to remove a new elementary school from a list of bond projects approved by voters in Feb. 2017.

Board Resolution 849 was introduced last week at the Nov. 12 regular meeting of the board. Nobody signed up to speak at the public hearing portion of the meeting, which was intended to provide the community with time to comment on the decision. 

After receiving no other feedback on the resolution except for an email message from one parent, Board President Mark Stoker decided to postpone action. “Although the current board has examined this matter for over a year in several work sessions and briefings, we want to ensure that our community is fully aware of the factors that warrant a delay in building this proposed new school,” said Stoker. “We also want to respond to questions or concerns from stakeholders.”  

“The context has changed significantly since voters approved the list of bond projects,” said Stoker. “An updated district enrollment forecast shows that VPS will have 37 unused elementary classrooms by 2025. At the same time, unprecedented inflation in the regional construction market has increased project costs beyond what could have been reasonably predicted.”  

The district intends to hold community forums at Hazel Dell, Minnehaha, Eisenhower and Walnut Grove elementary schools this winter to share information and listen to community feedback on the need for a new elementary school, which was slated for construction on district-owned property at NE 25th Avenue. Those schools likely would be impacted by the NE 25th Avenue school project that is being considered for deferment to a future bond program.

“As we always do in Vancouver Public Schools, we will engage our staff, parents and community to ensure that stakeholders are well-informed of the challenges faced by the district,” said Superintendent Steve Webb. “And we will continue to invite public input as we complete the remaining bond projects.” 

The following information is in response to a media request for information regarding a recent death investigation by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Date of death: Found 11/16/2019

Location: Vancouver, WA

Decedent Name: Peterson, Jon P.         

Decedent Age:  42 Yrs               

Resident of:  Vancouver, WA

The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:

Cause of death: Complications of cirrhosis and chronic ethanol use/abuse

Manner of death: Natural

Reports and records of autopsies or postmortems shall be confidential as per RCW 68.50.105. No additional information is available for release from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Refer all other inquiries to the Vancouver Police Department.

Nikki J. Costa

Operations Manager

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland couple pleaded guilty today in federal court to defrauding a local elderly couple of approximately $1.8 million in a scheme lasting more than two years.

Ronnie Stevens aka Tim Ephrem, 50, and Tina Ephrem aka Lisa Ann Peterson, 43, each pleaded guilty today to a one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

According to court documents, between September 2016 and December 2018, Stevens and Ephrem conspired with one another to defraud an elderly couple, Adult Victim 1 (AV1) and Adult Victim 2 (AV2).

The scheme began in September 2016 when AV1, who was 76 years old at the time, offered a commercial trailer for sale at his business. Stevens claimed he brokered vehicle sales and could sell the trailer in exchange for a cut of the profit. Stevens did not ultimately sell the trailer, but quickly ingratiated himself with the victim.

Stevens later approached AV1 with an alleged lucrative investment opportunity. Stevens claimed that a friend named Tammy Ward was set to inherit an estate valued in excess of $100 million from her recently deceased father, but could not come up with the fees and legal costs necessary to release the estate. Stevens told AV1 that if he could advance the funds to release the estate, AV1 would receive a substantial return when the estate closed.

AV1 made multiple payments to Stevens over a period of time as Stevens told him various stories about delays and increased costs associated with the release of the estate. As part of the conspiracy, AV1 and AV2 both spoke to a woman on the phone who claimed to be Tammy Ward. Investigators revealed that Tammy Ward was a fictitious identity used by Stevens and Ephrem as part of the fraud scheme.

Between 2016 and 2018, Stevens placed more than 5,000 outgoing calls to AV1 and AV2 and, along with Ephrem, stole more than $1.8 million from their two victims. Stevens and Ephrem spent the stolen money on rent, utility bills, restaurants, cigars, luxury retail purchases and repeated travel to Las Vegas, Nevada and other locations including Hawaii, Anaheim, California, and Spirit Mountain Lodge in Grand Ronde, Oregon.

Stevens and Ephrem were arrested on January 11, 2019. They made their initial appearances in federal court the same day and were ordered detained.

Stevens and Ephrem each face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. They will be sentenced on February 13, 2020 before U.S. Chief District Court Judge Michael W. Mosman.

As part of the plea agreement, Stevens and Ephrem have agreed to pay full restitution to their victims as determined and ordered by the court.

This case was investigated by the Tigard Police Department and the FBI and is being prosecuted by Donna Maddux and Julia Jarrett, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

Elder abuse is a serious crime against some of our nation’s most vulnerable citizens, affecting nearly 10% of older Americans every year. Together with our federal, state, local and tribal partners, the Department of Justice and U.S. Attorney’s Office is steadfastly committed to combatting all forms of elder abuse and financial exploitation through enforcement actions, training and resources, research, victim services, and public awareness.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you or someone you know needs help, abuse complaints may be filed with the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice provides a variety of resources relating to elder abuse victimization through its Office of Victims of Crime, which can be reached at www.ovc.gov.

# # #

November 18, 2019

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

Program contact: Jeff Scroggin, 541-999-6983, ey.scroggin@dhsoha.state.or.us">jeffrey.scroggin@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

SB 1041 CCO Financial Reporting Advisory Group meets November 20

What: A public meeting of the SB 1041 CCO Financial Reporting Advisory Group.

When: November 20, 8-10 a.m.

Where: Five Oak Building, 421 SW Oak St, Suite 775, Portland. Members of the public can call in to listen by dialing 888-808-6929, participant code 915042#.

Agenda: Welcome and introductions; group purpose and charter review; National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) lessons learned; public testimony; Exhibit L initial review.

Background: The group is charged with recommending ways to reconcile the differences between the financial reporting required by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the financial reporting that OHA needs to regulate coordinated care organizations (CCOs).

For more information on the meeting, visit the group’s meeting page.

# # #

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

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

If you need help or have questions, please contact Jeff Scroggin at 541-999-6983, 711 TTY at least 48 hours before the meeting.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Dante Emmanuel Hall, 32, of Portland, was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Hall was involved in an early-morning fight in a downtown Portland parking lot on September 30, 2018 that resulted in two shootings. Surveillance video obtained from an adjacent business recorded Hall arriving with a large group of people and stashing an item near the tire of a parked vehicle. This item was later determined to be a loaded Walther 9mm handgun.

The fight began when an individual attempted to punch Hall in the face. In response, Portland resident Patrick Kimmons brandished a firearm and fired three shots into the chest of Hall’s assailant. One of the rounds struck Hall in the hip. Kimmons was then shot and killed by police after running at officers with a firearm and failing to comply with their commands. Within minutes of the shooting, Hall and another subject arrived at Legacy Emanuel Hospital with gunshot wounds and police were notified.

After attempting to get a statement from a belligerent and uncooperative Hall, the responding officer applied for, obtained and executed a federal search warrant on Hall’s hospital room. The officer located and seized Hall’s cell phone hidden beneath the hospital bed mattress. A search of the phone revealed numerous photos and videos of Hall in possession of three different firearms including what appeared to be the same Walther 9mm handgun found in the parking lot where the fight and shootings occurred.

Hall has a long history of firearm-related offenses and convictions.

On September 6, 2012, he pleaded guilty in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 21 months in prison. Four days after his release from prison after serving just eight months, Hall was involved in a gang-related shooting during which he fired a handgun outside a Portland strip club. He was convicted of unlawful use of a weapon in Multnomah County Circuit Court and sentenced to 40 months in prison.

Within months of his release from state prison and recommencing federal supervised release, Hall once again violated his supervision terms. On August 9, 2017, he was arrested riding in a car with a known Rollin’ 60s gang member who was driving and eluded police. As a result, on October 19, 2017, he was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for the violation with no re-imposition of supervised release.

Within 48 hours of his final release from federal prison, Hall possessed a firearm and was involved in a June 24, 2018 shooting outside a bar in Vancouver, Washington. The shooting injured an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire. This shooting occurred approximately three months prior to the September 2018 shooting in downtown Portland.

On April 25, 2018, Hall pleaded guilty to one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

This case was investigated by the Portland Police Bureau. It was prosecuted by Leah K. Bolstad and Thomas H. Edmonds, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

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

# # #

For Immediate Release                                        

October 23, 2019

Contact:   Mona Riesterer  
                (503) 378-2431

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Police Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 10:00 a.m.  November 21, 2019 in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon.  For further information, please contact Mona Riesterer at (503) 378-2431.

Agenda Items:

1.  Introductions

2.  Approve Meeting Minutes of the August 15, 2019 Meeting

3.  Administrative Closures – Police

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

4.  Lupton, Williams #41371; Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Police Certifications – Jacksonville Police Department

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

5.  Thomas, Nathan #53344; Basic and Intermediate Police Certifications – Roseburg Police Department

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

6.  Gibson, Zachariah #48800; Basic and Intermediate Police Certifications – Clatskanie Police Department

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

7.  Candiff, James #51133; Basic and Intermediate Police Certifications – Scappoose Police Department

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

8.  Evans, Timmy #29606; Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Police Certifications – Portland Police Bureau

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

9.  O’Malley, Patrick; Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Supervisory Corrections Certification and Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Supervisory Police Certifications – Lebanon Police Department

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

10. Saulo, Caleb #59701; Appeal of Academy Dismissal – Warm Springs Police Department

Presented by Linsay Hale

11. Proposed Rule Changes for OAR 259-008-0010; Establishing Pre-employment Psychological Screening Standards for Compliance with SB 423

Presented by Jennifer Howald

12. Proposed Rule Changes for OAR 259-008-0015: Background Investigations

Presented by Jennifer Howald

13. Proposed Rule Changes for OAR 259-008-0010, 259-008-0011 and 259-008-0067: Establishing the Expiration of DPSST Safety Professional Certifications

Presented by Jennifer Howald

14. Proposed Rule Changes for OAR 259-008-0070: Criminal Justice Moral Fitness Workgroup Recommendations and Review of Comments

Presented by Jennifer Howald

15. Department Update

16.  Next Police Policy Committee Meeting – February 20, 2020

Administrative Announcement

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

## Background Information on the DPSST ##

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

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

PORTLAND, Ore.—Vasiliy V. Barbiyeru, Jr., 25, of Newberg, Oregon, was sentenced today to nine months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for transmitting threatening interstate communications.

According to court documents, on October 7, 2017, Barbiyeru sent a threatening email to several individuals and groups at Deep Springs College in Big Pine, California where he had been denied admission. Barbiyeru had previously posted a threat directed at the college on the 4chan message board and had sent similar threatening emails to the college’s president and other associated persons.

On March 1, 2019, Barbiyeru was charged with first degree disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, in Clackamas County Circuit Court after making similar threats of violence to Lake Oswego High School. Barbiyeru was arrested a short time later by the Lake Oswego Police Department. His state charges are still pending.         

On August 22, 2019, Barbiyeru pleaded guilty to one count of threatening interstate communications.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Newberg and McMinnville Police Departments and was being prosecuted by Hannah Horsley, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

# # #

On November 18, 2019, at about 8:56 AM, the Gladstone Police Department responded to Carz Planet, 19120 Mcloughlin Blvd, who reported that an unknown white male stole a 2011 blue Dodge Charger with a chrome grill.  The vehicle has “Carz Planet” dealer advertisement plate and plate frame.  Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the Gladstone Police Department at 503-655-8211. 

Photographs of the car and person(s) of interest are attached.   

For Immediate Release                                                Contact: Courtney Dodds

November 18, 2019                                                     503-274-4483 x505

                                                                                    971-275-2334 (cell)

Union Gospel Mission Will Serve an Early Thanksgiving Dinner Wednesday to Those in Need

Portland, Ore., - Union Gospel Mission, in partnership with Central Nazarene Church, will be serving an early Thanksgiving dinner to those who are in need and experiencing homelessness on Wednesday, November 20th at 5 pm at Central Nazarene Church 9715 SE Powell Blvd. Portland, OR 97266.

Union Gospel Mission is preparing to serve up to 200 meals during this event. This early Thanksgiving meal is an opportunity for those who might otherwise be alone during the holidays to celebrate with a caring community in a safe, warm location.

This is the second year for this early Thanksgiving celebration. As the population of those without a house or a stable residence continues to increase in the Portland area, Union Gospel Mission and Central Nazarene have been looking for creative ways to reach those in camps and tents on the East side of Portland.

“The holiday season can be such a lonely time. It is a blessing to have Union Gospel Mission serve this delicious meal at Portland Central Nazarene again. Coming together to serve and celebrate Thanksgiving with friends from our community gives us all something to be thankful for,” said Sarah, Agape Village Outreach Coordinator

For more information please contact Courtney Dodds at 971-3-275-3-2334 or tneyd@ugmportland.org">courtneyd@ugmportland.org  

About Union Gospel Mission: Union Gospel Mission’s purpose is “Feeding the hungry, restoring the addict and loving our neighbor.” Union Gospel Mission has been serving Portland since 1927. Union Gospel Mission provides meals and care for the homeless and operates LifeChange -- a transformative recovery program for men, women and children. Contact Union Gospel Mission at 503-274-4483, ugmportland.org or on social media @ugmpdx

# # #

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Legendary airplane hijacker D.B. Cooper has disappeared into Pacific Northwest lore, but his story is returning to Vancouver’s Re-imagined Radio on Nov. 27—the anniversary of the actual event in 1971.

Re-imagined Radio will perform “In Flight with D. B. Cooper” at 7 p.m. Nov. 27 at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Advance tickets are available for $10 from kigginstheatre.com until midnight Nov. 26. After that, tickets will be sold at the door for $12. Doors open at 6 p.m.; beer, wine and concessions are available for purchase.

The Re-Imagined Radio project is led by John Barber, faculty in the Creative Media and Digital Culture program at Washington State University Vancouver.

Cooper has been the subject of endless speculation since Thanksgiving Eve 1971, when he parachuted over Southwest Washington from the rear of a hijacked passenger jet airplane with $200,000 tied to his body. Although some of the money was found years later, Cooper and the rest of the money never were. Written by Dan Wyatt Jr., owner of Kiggins Theatre, the radio drama seeks to answer the question: What did Cooper and Northwest Orient stewardess Tina Mucklow talk about before Cooper jumped?

Audience members are encouraged to dress in Cooper-like costumes, such as black pants and jacket, white shirt with black tie, black overcoat and wraparound sunglasses.

Re-Imagined Radio is a partnership between Barber, Kiggins Theatre, KXRW Radio, Vancouver's community radio station, and Metropolitan Performing Arts, a local school and resource for aspiring actors, dancers and singers.

About the collaborators

The Kiggins Theater has been a landmark in downtown Vancouver since 1936. It is owned and operated by WSU alumnus Dan Wyatt Jr. Metropolitan Performing Arts is a nonprofit organization providing performing theater arts education and community theater for Southwest Washington. KXRW-FM Radio is an independent, volunteer-based, Vancouver radio station dedicated to delivering quality programming and community building in Southwest Washington and beyond.

About WSU Vancouver

As one of six campuses of the Washington State University system, WSU Vancouver offers big-school resources in a small-school environment. The university provides affordable, high-quality baccalaureate- and graduate-level education to benefit the people and communities it serves. As the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington, WSU Vancouver helps drive economic growth through relationships with local businesses and industries, schools and nonprofit organizations. 

# # #

The FBI is featuring the October 21, 2019, robbery at the Oregon Community Credit Union in Eugene on its Unknown Bank Robbers webpage in an effort to generate more tips to help identify the woman responsible. The FBI and the Eugene Police Department are working this case jointly.

At about 4:40 on that Monday afternoon, the woman walked into the branch, located at 2880 Chad Drive in Eugene, and demanded cash. Once she received an undisclosed amount of cash, she exited the bank and may have left the area in a silver pick-up truck, possibly a later-model Dodge 1500, double-cab.

Description:

White woman

Age:  Mid 30’s

Height: Approximately 5’6”

Build:  Heavy with a round face and cleft chin

Hair: Possibly bleach blonde

Other: Pierced ears and may wear glasses

Clothing: Black or dark grey v-neck long-sleeved shirt or sweater with 3 buttons at the top; black pants with light-colored flowers or circles; dark black and tan shoes; black purse with silver handles; dark grey or green beanie hat; and sunglasses with purple lenses.

The FBI’s unknown bank robber poster can be seen at https://bankrobbers.fbi.gov/robbers-container/2019-11-14.8556290648.  Anyone with information is asked to submit a tip Eugene Police Department at (541) 682-5111. You can also report information to https://tips.fbi.gov or call the nearest FBI office. In Eugene, the FBI can be reached at (541) 343-5222.

###

Portland Water Bureau crews are responding to a water main break on Southwest Naito Parkway, between Market and Harrison streets.

To assess and repair the damaged water pipe, traffic is confined to one lane in each direction on Southwest Naito Parkway between Market and Harrison streets through the Monday evening commute.

The pipe is a 16-size-inch cast iron pipe from 1959.

Four connections on Naito Parkway (three irrigation-only lines) may be out of service while the main is repaired.

The traveling public is reminded to stay alert and use caution as traffic may suddenly slow or stop. To avoid traffic delays, motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes around the work site.

The Portland Water Bureau’s Maintenance & Construction crews are ready to respond to emergencies, including water main breaks, 24-hours a day, seven days a week. On average, crews respond to 200 main breaks a year.

WHAT: Portland Symphonic Choir celebrates the holidays with a
yearly choral tradition: Wintersong!
WHEN & WHERE: Saturday 12/14, 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 12/15, 3:00 p.m.
Rose City Park United Methodist Church
5830 NE Alameda St,
Portland, OR 97213

(Portland, OR) Join us Saturday December 14 at 7 p.m. and Sunday December 15 at 3
p.m. at Rose City Park United Methodist Church for Portland Symphonic Choir's yearly
tradition: Wintersong! This year's program features an uplifting mix of old and new
favorites that warm the heart and feed the soul.
This Wintersong showcases an elegant arrangement of pieces from Mendelssohn’s There
Shall A Star Come Out of Jacob and Richte mich, Gott to delightful choral arrangements
such as Esenvalds’ Stars and Eric Whitacre’s Little Tree. The concert includes singalong
favorites such as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, O Come All Ye Faithful and much
more!
For tickets options and more information: pschoir.org

About the Portland Symphonic Choir:
The mission of the Portland Symphonic Choir is to sing the choral masterworks with
excellence and passion and to engage, educate and inspire its members and the
community.
Established in 1945, the Portland Symphonic Choir a 501(C) 3 nonprofit organization,
has a long and rich legacy of bringing great choral masterworks to the Northwest. Singers
selected for membership in this largely volunteer ensemble come from all over the
Portland Metro area and from all walks of life. The choir has achieved a reputation of
excellence and dedication through creating powerful, accessible choral experiences for all
kinds of music enthusiasts.

The Beaverton Police Department is seeking assistance from the public in locating 39-year-old Gerardo Reyes-Oliveros.  Mr. Reyes-Oliveros is wanted for failing to appear at his arraignment for felony sex crimes. 
 
On November 8, 2019, Mr. Reyes-Oliveros was arrested for Sodomy and Sex Abuse crimes that he committed against a minor.  On November 9, 2019, Mr. Reyes-Oliveros posted bail at the Washington County Jail and was released.  Mr. Reyes-Oliveros was given a court date for November 13, 2019.  Mr. Reyes-Oliveros failed to appear for that court date and a subsequent bench warrant was issued for the arrest of Mr. ReyesOliveros. 
 
Mr. Reyes-Oliveros was residing in the Beaverton area. 
 
If you have any information as to the whereabouts of Mr. Reyes-Oliveros, please contact Detective Chad Opitz at (503) 526-2674 or email at copitz@beavertonoregon.gov  

STAYTON, Ore. – The Beauchamp Building in Stayton is among Oregon’s latest entries in the National Register of Historic Places. Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) recommended the house’s nomination at their June 2019 meeting. The National Park Service – which maintains the National Register of Historic Places – accepted the nomination on November 1, 2019.

The Beauchamp Building is one of several pre-cast concrete block buildings in Stayton constructed on the west side of 3rd Avenue between 1908 and 1916. Nine pre-cast concrete block buildings from this period still exist along a three-block portion of 3rd Avenue in Stayton’s downtown. The Beauchamp is the only building in Stayton to be all plain-face pre-cast concrete block.

Originally built to house a pharmacy, a specialty store and a dancehall, the Beauchamp building anchored and helped define Stayton’s business district and movement of the downtown core to the north, and aided in the commercial ascendency of Stayton from a village to a town.

Clarence Albirto Beauchamp graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon and became a pharmacist. C.A. Beauchamp and Louise Sommers of Scio married in 1908. In 1913, C.A. and Louise Beauchamp, at the ages of 33 and 29 respectively, took their dreams, their hobbies and a thriving pharmacy business and created a new building to house them, the Beauchamp Building.

Louise Beauchamp started as a pharmacy clerk in 1908 and became an assistant pharmacist in 1928. In the early 1900s only two percent of pharmacists were women and most of these women worked in hospital pharmacies. Women in the retail environment were rare and even discouraged up and through the 1930s, and Louise’s story plays an important part of Stayton’s Commerce history.

The Beauchamp Building is now one of 5 individually listed properties in the City of Stayton that are listed in the National Register. The National Register is maintained by the National Park Service under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

More information about the National Register and recent Oregon lists is online at www.oregonheritage.org (click on “National Register” at left of page).

Properties listed in the National Register are:

• Recognized as significant to the nation, state, or community;
• Considered in the planning of federal or federally assisted projects;
• Eligible for federal and state tax benefits;
• Qualify for historic preservation grants when funds are available;
• Eligible for leniency in meeting certain building code requirements;
• Subject to local laws pertaining to the conservation and protection of historic resources.

National Register listing does not place any restrictions on a property at the state or federal level, unless property owners choose to participate in tax benefit or grant programs.

November 18, 2019

Jury rejects self-defense claim, convicts man of shooting his roommate in the neck

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that a jury convicted 26-year-old Alexander Tomas Harrison of unlawfully and intentionally shooting his roommate in the neck.

The jury heard testimony over the course of four days last week and returned its verdict late Friday afternoon.

The jury convicted Harrison of one count of assault in the first degree and one count of unlawful use of a weapon. By doing so, the jury rejected Harrison’s claim of self-defense.

At trial, the state presented evidence to show that on April 4, 2019, Portland Police responded to the 12400 block of Southeast Powell Boulevard after emergency dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call from a person who said that he shot his roommate in the neck.

As police were responding, a second 9-1-1 call came in from the roommate who confirmed he had been shot but was still conscious.

When police got on scene, Harrison flagged them down and told them he was the shooter.

Law enforcement learned that Harrison and the victim had recently moved in together. On April 4, 2019, the two got into an argument.

A neighbor testified shortly after she heard what sounded like a gun being fired, someone knocked on her door for help. It was the victim who was covered in blood.

At the hospital, doctors determined the bullet had entered the victim’s chin, went through his neck and caused a cervical spine fracture. The bullet remains in the victim’s neck and will not be removed because of the risks associated with surgery, according to the victim’s doctor who testified.

Harrison told detectives that prior to the fight, he and his roommate were drinking. The argument unfolded upon returning to the apartment. According to Harrison’s account to police, his roommate was “raging” – throwing things around the apartment, breaking things and had pushed him into a wall.

Police searched the apartment and found it relatively clean and orderly. The officers did not observe any obvious signs of damage or any evidence of a fight. During the search, police found a fully loaded Ruger Security Six .357 Magnum revolver under a couch cushion.

While police were on scene investigating they learned about a social media post the victim made shortly after the shooting wherein he described being shot by Harrison. The video was shown to the jury.

Oregon’s self-defense laws are, in part, defined under ORS 161.209 and ORS 161.219.

Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for December 12, 2019.

This case was prosecuted by Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Todd Jackson.

Like in all criminal and civil matters, electronic copies of court documents, which are not subject to a protective order, are available to the public through the Oregon eCourt Information (OECI) system.

No additional information can be released by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office at this time pursuant to the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director

Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office

Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

Ten Oregon communities received an early holiday gift recently when 30kW and 56kW generators were delivered to their county or municipal office, thanks to the disbursement of money from the Resiliency Grant Fund. The fund’s purpose is the procurement of emergency preparedness equipment to help Oregon communities prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. The program is known as the State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) Grant program. 

One of the awardees, Lane County, received a 56kW power generator which will be used to power a pump for an emergency water supply system at Lane County Fairgrounds, and be an available asset in times of emergencies, according to Lane County Emergency Manager Patence Winningham.

“It’s a deployable asset we can move around to our area of greatest need,” said Winningham.  “The ability to supply power, especially to our rural communities, during emergencies is a huge benefit,” she said.

Other awardees include:

• Lookingglass Rural Fire District, Douglas Co. (30kW generator)
• City of Madras, Jefferson Co. (30kW generator)
• City of Estacada, Clackamas Co. (30kW generator)
• Lower Umpqua Hospital District, Douglas Co. (30kW generator)
• Wallowa County Emergency Management (56kW generator)
• City of Hubbard, Marion Co. (56kW generator)
• City of Sublimity, Marion Co. (56kW generator)
• City of Butte Falls, Jackson Co. (56kW generator)
• City of St. Paul, Marion Co. (56kW generator)

In all, 80 grant jurisdictions around the state will receive SPIRE-funded equipment. While the recent awardees requested generators, eligible equipment covers four priorities: saving/sustaining lives, obtaining/maintaining situational awareness, incident stabilization and initiate recovery. 

SPIRE Grant Coordinator Jim Jungling said he believes the program makes sense for Oregon.

“This money is bringing practical equipment to communities that can save lives and property during emergencies,” Jungling said.  “It’s a project I’m proud to be working on because it’s a smart investment for Oregon that is getting communities better prepared.”

A total of $5 million has been allotted to procure emergency preparedness equipment to help Oregon communities prepare, respond and recover from emergencies.

The SPIRE grant is a result of HB 2867, which became effective in August 2017, established a grant program to distribute emergency preparedness equipment, which may include vehicles or other property, to local governments and other recipients to be used to decrease risk of life and property resulting from an emergency.

(Salem) – Oregon OSHA has fined Orchard View Inc., a fruit farm in The Dalles, $37,800 for five job safety violations – four of them repeat offenses – including failing to train employees in the safe operation of tractors. The failures exposed workers to serious injury or death.

The agency opened an inspection of the company in response to a confidential complaint. During the inspection, the agency found four tractor rollovers had occurred since 2012, resulting in three operators being injured. The most recent of those injuries happened in May when a tractor operator jumped from the vehicle when it rolled over on a steep incline.

The rollover problems prompted Oregon OSHA to expand its inspection of Orchard View.

The inspection found employees had raised concerns with the company about parking brakes on John Deere and Kubota tractors not being able to hold the loaded vehicles on the steep slopes in the orchard.

The company could have addressed those concerns by training employees to know when to avoid too-steep slopes, posting hazard signs indicating such situations, or allowing the tractor operator to stay in the cab – in control of the vehicle – by assigning another crew member to help with the work in the field.

Instead, Orchard View had this advice for tractor operators: Shove a piece of wood behind the wheels or drive on flat land.

In fact, four of the five violations cited by Oregon OSHA involved the company failing to follow requirements for safely operating tractors. Those violations are:

• Failing to ensure that parking brakes can secure loaded tractors on any grade on which they park, and on any surface free of ice or snow.
• Failing to train tractor operators to know when to stay off slopes too steep for safe operations in the orchard. Slopes that are too steep will likely cause a tractor to roll over. This was a repeat violation.
• Failing to train tractor operators to fasten their seatbelts when the tractor has a rollover protective structure. This was a repeat violation.
• Allowing employees to operate tractors on a sloped hillside without rollover protective devices in the upright position. This was a repeat violation.

“There are clear steps agricultural employers can take to control and eliminate hazards, and to provide proper safety training for their workers,” said Oregon OSHA Administrator Michael Wood. “As this case illustrates, ignoring such steps only serves to put people in harm’s way.”

Oregon OSHA also cited the company for failing to ensure its safety committee – after evaluating tractor rollovers – made recommendations to managers to prevent such potentially fatal accidents from happening again. This, too, was a repeat violation.

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

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

Phone: 503-378-3272

Toll-free in Oregon: 800-922-2689

Email: tech.web@oregon.gov

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

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

Phone: 503-378-3272

Toll-free in Oregon: 800-922-2689

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

Email: consult.web@oregon.gov

Visit Oregon OSHA’s A-to-Z topic page about safety and health in agriculture: https://osha.oregon.gov/Pages/topics/agriculture.aspx

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

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

On 11/18/2019 at 0817 hours EMS and CCSO deputies were dispatched to a report of a vehicle that had collided with a building, at 7903 NE St Johns Road.  Upon arrival, first responders located a male inside a Toyota truck, which had driven through the front window of Once and Again consignment, located at the above address.  Witnesses reported that the Toyota had been southbound on St Johns Road, when it rearended another vehicle, then took a sharp left turn under full acceleration, colliding with and driving into the business.

Once and Again was not open at the time of the crash, and the driver of the Toyota was the only person that sustained injury.  The injuries do not appear to be life threatening, and  the cause of the crash is currently under investigation.

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Merle Comfort, a member of both the La Grande School District and InterMountain ESD boards, has been named the 2019 Oregon School Board Member of the Year.

Comfort was recognized Saturday at the Oregon School Boards Association’s 73rd Annual Convention in downtown Portland. OSBA launched the Oregon School Board Member of the Year (link to http://www.osba.org/About-OSBA/OregonSchoolBoardMemberOfTheYear.aspx) award in 2018 to recognize outstanding volunteers who make a difference in their communities.

"Here is a person who gives a huge amount of time and energy and is totally dedicated to the welfare of his districts' kids," said OSBA Executive Director Jim Green.  

Comfort served La Grande schools from 1991 to 1999 and again from 2007 to the present. He has been on the InterMountain Education Service District board since the ESD was created in 2011.

“Merle epitomizes what a strong education leader is for rural Oregon,” said InterMountain ESD Superintendent Mark Mulvihill.

Comfort started school board service before his only child, Denise Comfort, was born in 1994. Comfort planned to have children, and he wanted to make sure the schools were as good as they could be.

Comfort’s daughter graduated from high school in 2013, but he has kept going. He said he stayed on to help the district pass its first bond in decades in 2014.

Colleagues credit Comfort for his leadership during the bond process, and he called it one of his proudest accomplishments.

“Until it passed, you have hopes and dreams,” he said. “When it passes, you see some of those hopes and dreams come to fruition.”

Comfort said the Student Success Act, passed in 2019, offers a chance to reverse the effects of three decades of property tax cuts. The act will raise about $1 billion annually for schools through a new business tax.

Nominees for the statewide award were considered for their advocacy efforts, leadership and support for student achievement. Comfort’s name will be placed on the OSBA website and engraved on a plaque in OSBA’s Salem office. He also will be able to register for OSBA events free for a year.

Green reminded school board members to keep an eye out for fellow members’ accomplishments and begin considering nominations when they open in January 2020.

OSBA is a non-profit member services agency for more than 200 locally elected boards serving school districts, education service districts and community colleges.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Tom Gauntt,                                                                                         Nov. 18, 2019
PacifiCorp, 503-813-7291

Phil Rigdon, Yakama Nation
509-865-5121  

PacifiCorp and Yakama Nation reach Right of First Offer agreement for lands in White Salmon River canyon

Shared goals of stewardship and continuity highlight agreement concerning 289 acres near former Condit Dam site

Following months of negotiation, PacifiCorp and the Yakama Nation have agreed that the Nation will have a Right of First Offer for as much as 289 acres of land along the White Salmon River in south central Washington.

PacifiCorp, which has owned the land since the early 1900s as part of the operation of the Condit Hydroelectric Project, recently satisfied all federal requirements concerning the river’s rehabilitation following the removal of the Condit Dam in 2012. The company may look to sell the property in the future, but no timeline for putting the property on the market exists. At this time, the property is not for sale.

“We wanted to be as transparent as possible,” said Todd Olson, director of hydro compliance. “Having been involved in the White Salmon community for more than a century, we know there is a tremendous amount of interest in what happens to the lands on both sides of the river below the former dam site. The agreement with the Nation is not a sale agreement, but demonstrates our intention and the values we share with the Yakama and the people who use and love the river.”

"The Yakama Nation and PacifiCorp have worked together for decades in the White Salmon Basin and elsewhere in our traditional homelands,” said Virgil Lewis Sr., Tribal Council Vice-Chairman. ”We are pleased to jointly announce this Right of First Offer of PacifiCorp's lands along the lower White Salmon River: a unique opportunity to preserve in perpetuity critical river and upland habitats that sustain our way of life.  We will continue to work with our partners throughout the Yakama Nation’s traditional territories in order to honor, protect and restore our culture and the natural resources on which it depends, and to uphold our promise to the Creator to speak for those resources that cannot speak for themselves.”
 

The land included in the agreement begins at the former dam site down river to where the White Salmon flows into the Columbia. The still standing Condit Powerhouse is part of the property covered by the agreement. The agreement does not include company-owned property further upriver where leased cabin sites and Northwestern Park are located.

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About The Yakama Nation

The Yakama Nation and United States government entered into the Treaty of 1855 which ceded the lands of the White Salmon as part of a larger 10 million acre ceded area.  Through this treaty the Yakama Nation reserved in perpetuity its rights to fish at usual and accustomed stations throughout the Pacific Northwest.  Today the Yakama Nation is a co-manager of the fisheries of the White Salmon and works diligently to restore this resource and the river it depends on.

About PacifiCorp
PacifiCorp is one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, serving 1.9 million customers in the West. PacifiCorp operates as Pacific Power in Oregon, Washington and California, and as Rocky Mountain Power in Utah, Wyoming and Idaho. The company’s generating capability of more than 10,880 megawatts includes power from a diverse portfolio of wind, solar, hydro and thermal facilities. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment.

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Frank Pacheco has been found and is safe

On November 16th, shortly before 7:30 pm, emergency crews were dispatched to a report of a brush fire in the area of Spring Villa St SE near Grade Road SE, in rural Marion County.  Deputies are assisting fire officials with notifying residents nearby to be prepared for possible evacuations.  There are currently eight homes which have been placed in a “ready” status for evacuations.

At this time the fire is estimated to be approximately 10 acres in size.  Fire crews from Silverton Fire District, Drakes Crossing Fire District and Oregon Department of Forestry are on scene.  This area has limited roadway access which needs to remain clear for firefighting apparatus.  We are asking unnecessary traffic to avoid the area. The PIO is not responding to the scene.

UPDATE (Saturday, Nov. 16) -- BOOKING PHOTO

Official booking photo for Camilo Santiago-Santiago, 25, of Woodburn -- the suspect in yesterday’s Wilsonville workplace murder -- now attached.

Santiago-Santiago’s complete booking info can be found at https://web3.clackamas.us/roster/#inmates

EARLIER (Friday, Nov. 15) -- SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARRESTS SUSPECT FOLLOWING WILSONVILLE WORKPLACE MURDER, PURSUIT TO WOODBURN

At approximately 8:20 a.m. this morning (Friday, Nov. 15), 911 dispatch received information that a suspect had walked into Heritage Specialty Foods (28220 SW Boberg Rd., Wilsonville) and fired multiple rounds with a handgun, killing an employee.

The suspect -- identified as Camilo Santiago-Santiago, 25, of Woodburn -- then fled the scene in a red sedan, traveling southbound towards Woodburn.

Santiago-Santiago had recently been fired from Heritage Specialty Foods, and the victim -- Carl Hellinger, 36, of Portland --  was a manager at Heritage Specialty Foods.

A Marion County Sheriff's Office deputy on patrol spotted the suspect vehicle and initiated a pursuit. The MCSO deputy was soon joined in the pursuit by personnel from multiple law-enforcement agencies, including the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and CCSO deputies contracted to Wilsonville PD.

The pursuit continued to Woodburn, coming to a stop on a dead-end street at Woodland Avenue at Senecal Creek Drive. A standoff began as Santiago-Santiago barricaded himself in the red sedan.

Clackamas County SWAT was training in Wilsonville that morning, and quickly deployed to the scene, as did Marion County's SWAT team. Salem PD also deployed an armored vehicle to the standoff. In short order, armored vehicles from multiple agencies had surrounded and pinned in Santiago-Santiago's vehicle.

The standoff continued from approximately 8:50 to 9:30 a.m. At times during the standoff, Santiago-Santiago yelled at law enforcement to shoot him. Finally, Santiago-Santiago exited the vehicle with his hands up and was immediately taken into custody by tactical team members.

When Santiago-Santiago was taken into custody he had a pistol in his waistband.  Authorities located two other firearms in the car. 

At this writing, Camilio Santiago-Santiago is in custody, being interviewed by detectives. He will be booked into Clackamas County Jail on charges of Murder II and Felon in Possession of a Weapon.  Detectives and CSI technicians are currently at the crime scene collecting and processing evidence and conducting interviews.

Multiple agencies and specialists assisted with the initial response, apprehension of the suspect, and ongoing criminal investigation, including:

• Wilsonville Police
• Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
• Marion County Sheriff’s Office
• Woodburn Police
• Oregon State Police
• Salem Police
• Clackamas County Major Crimes Team
• Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office
• Clackamas County Deputy Medical Examiner’s Office
• Clackamas County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Investigators (CSI)
• Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue
• Public Safety Chaplaincy
• South Metro Area Rapid Transit (SMART)

Photos from this multi-agency response are attached.

Heritage Specialty Foods offered the following statement earlier today:

At approximately 8:30 AM this morning, there was a shooting at our Wilsonville facility. Law enforcement has responded and are on site. We now understand that one team member was fatally wounded and are working to understand more about what occurred. We are in active communication with law enforcement and will provide more information to our employees, partners and customers as it becomes available.

The news of this senseless violence comes as a shock to all of us. We ask for the community’s prayers and support for survivors and all of our team members during this time.

Three Clackamas County cities -- Happy Valley, Estacada and Wilsonville -- contract with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office to provide municipal police services.

[END]

On Friday, November 15, 2019 at approximately 4:52 P.M. Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel  responded to a pedestrian that had been struck on Interstate 5 near milepost 174, in Cottage Grove, OR. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that the pedestrian, identified as Andrew Evans (43) from Cottage Grove, entered the road from the southbound shoulder and into the path of a CMV operated by Ignacio Moncada (46) of Winton, CA.

Evans sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Moncada was not injured.

One southbound lane was closed for 2.5 hours. 

Oregon State Police was assisted by the Cottage Grove Police Department,  South Lane Fire and EMS, and ODOT.

.

On November 14, Tigard Police arrested a 26-year-old man after he allegedly started four fires in Tigard that same morning. Joseph Tyler Martinez will be lodged in the Washington County Jail under Arson I, two counts of Reckless Burning and Criminal Mischief. Martinez was taken into custody when he was spotted by a Tigard officer near the Highway 217 overpass on Pacific Highway shortly after noon. A citizen had called police to report a man acting suspiciously near that location.

Earlier in the day, Tigard Police, along with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, were called to a fire which suspiciously began outside of a Tigard business located at 11606 SW Pacific Highway. The fire was extinguished by fire personnel before it caused serious damage to the exterior of the structure. A witness provided police a description of the suspect.

A second fire had been reported several hours earlier which burned a trash receptacle at a Tri-Met shelter near the intersection of Main and Scoffins in Tigard. After Tigard officers at the scene concluded their work to restore safety, another fire was reported near the Tigard American Legion, just blocks away. Officers were able to extinguish a small fire that caused minor damage to a fence. A fourth fire was also reported near the Union Gospel Mission location on Pacific Highway however no damage resulted.

No injuries were associated with the fires.  

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On November 8, 2019, a Washington County jury found Christopher Leroy Ainsworth guilty of attempted first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, first-degree sexual abuse, two counts of second-degree sex abuse, second-degree attempted sex abuse, third-degree sex abuse, unlawful delivery of a marijuana item and furnishing alcohol to a person under 21 years of age. Deputy District Attorney Jason Weiner prosecuted Mr. Ainsworth in Judge Andrew Erwin’s courtroom.

On August 14, 2018, the then 36-year-old defendant arranged a meeting with the teenage victim at an apartment complex in Beaverton, Oregon. He provided the victim with alcohol and marijuana and attempted to kiss her. She refused his advances.

Some time later, the defendant again tried to kiss the victim. She again refused to kiss him and pulled away. This time he forced himself on her and pinned her to a couch. Mr. Ainsworth held her down momentarily as he sexually abused the victim. When she tried to get away, he squeezed her throat for a short period until she stopped resisting. The victim’s phone then rang, which startled the defendant. The victim said her mother was on her way home and he left immediately.

That night, the victim disclosed the abuse to several friends. One week later, police were dispatched to the same apartment complex on an unrelated call. The victim then asked to speak privately with one of the officers and disclosed the attack. Law enforcement immediately began investigating the allegations.

The victim was taken to a hospital where medical staff observed injuries consistent with her description of the assault. She was also interviewed by experts at CARES Northwest where she provided additional details of the attack.

Mr. Ainsworth initially denied all the allegations, but his accounting of the facts changed when he was confronted with digital evidence obtained by investigators.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the investigative work of Detective Cheryl Crecelius of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

A sentencing hearing is set for December 30, 2019.

Friday, November 15, 2019 – Ridgefield, WA – Eight students from Ridgefield High School were recently honored for their accomplishments in music.

Congratulations to freshman, Olivia DesRochers; sophomore, Caleb Coine; junior, Natalie Smith; and seniors, Sydney Dean, Samantha Fenton, Spencer Hess, Eli Holter, and Emma Schmidt.  All were selected for the North County Honor Band.  In January, the students will perform in the Honor Band’s annual concert at Hockinson High School.  The concert is open to the public and is free.

The North County Honor Band is made up of middle school and high school students from Hockinson, Prairie, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center, Woodland, Camas and Washougal high schools.   Applicants are chosen based on their musical accomplishments and band director’s recommendation.

Students selected for the opportunity receive a quality band experience that challenges them as musicians of a high-level honor group, performing with their peers from other school districts and working with esteemed guest conductors.

Two of the students also received top honors in being selected to participate in a 2020 Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) All-State performing group.  Samantha Fenton was selected for the Concert Band, and Emma Schmidt was selected for the Wind Symphony.  They will join other outstanding student musicians from other high school bands, orchestras, choirs and percussion ensembles when they perform at the 2020 WMEA Honor Groups Concerts February 12-16 in Yakima.  WMEA All-State student musicians are selected through an audition process and earn the opportunity to perform in these prestigious concerts under the direction of world-renowned conductors.

Many who have participated in All-State performing groups are inspired and motivated by the experience.  Well-known Washingtonians who have had the opportunity to take part in WMEA All-State groups include David Horsey, Pulitzer prize-winning editorial cartoonist and columnist for The Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Andrea Peterson, 2008 National Teacher of the Year, and Kenny G., jazz saxophonist.

Congratulations to all of these talented RHS students for their outstanding musical achievements!

Fire District 3 is seeking volunteers to serve on “for” and “against” committees related to the February 2020 ballot measure that will ask voters if the City should be annexed to be part of Fire District 3.

Appointed committee member will write for or against statements for submission to the Clark County Elections Office.  The statements will appear in the February 11, 2020, Special Election Voters’ Online Guide.  For information about election regulations and the responsibility of committee members, see the Clark County Elections Department Election Guide for Jurisdictions.

Eligible Fire District 3 committee members must reside within the district boundaries. An application to apply for either committee is available online at www.fire3.org/annexation-information or at Fire District 3, Station 31 at 17718 NE 159th Street in Brush Prairie.  Applications are due by November 21 at 5:00 pm.

Information about Fire and Emergency Medical Services and annexation is available at www.fire3.org/annexation-information.

New giving season underway to help those in need

PORTLAND, Ore. — This past year NW Natural customers and shareholders contributed more than $143,000 to the Gas Assistance Program to help low-income families and seniors in the Pacific Northwest pay their heating bills during the cold winter months.

"Thanks to the generosity of our customers and the support of community action networks, we’ve been able to help those most in need with their heating costs for the past 37 years,” said Mary Moerlins, NW Natural corporate citizen manager. “We know the need will be great again this coming year so we’re committed to helping raise funds and match the first $60,000 in contributions this giving season.”

The new giving season is underway now through Aug. 31, 2020. NW Natural shareholders will match the first $60,000 in GAP contributions. Tax-deductible donations can be made via United Way at connect.unitedway-pdx.org/GAP or mailing a check to: Gas Assistance Program, 619 SW 11th Ave., Room 300, Portland, Oregon 97205-2646.

Also this season, in support of GAP, NW Natural is proudly sponsoring Christmas in the Garden at the Oregon Garden in historic Silverton, Oregon, where NW Natural employees will be onsite Dec. 14-15, 5-9 p.m., giving out holiday treats and GAP program information.

Since it began in 1982, NW Natural’s GAP has raised more than $6.3 million for community action groups that distribute the funds directly to those in need. NW Natural covers programs administrative costs so 100% of the funds can be donated.

Donation funds are distributed to the following community action networks, which screen all low-income recipients:

• Clackamas County Social Services Division — Clackamas County
• Clark Public Utilities District — Clark County
• Community Action Organization — Washington County
• Community Action Team, Inc. — Clatsop and Columbia Counties
• Community Services Consortium — Benton, Lincoln and Linn Counties
• Human Solutions, Inc. — Multnomah County
• Impact Northwest — Multnomah County
• Lane County Human Services Commission — Lane County
• Mid-Columbia Community Action Council — Hood River, Wasco and Sherman Counties
• Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action — Marion and Polk Counties
• Self Enhancement, Inc. — Multnomah County
• Yamhill Community Action Partnership — Yamhill County

About NW Natural

NW Natural provides natural gas service to approximately 2.5 million people in more than 140 communities through 750,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. It consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. NW Natural is part of Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), which is headquartered in Portland, Oregon, and owns NW Natural, NW Natural Water Company, and other business interests and activities.

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Proposal Will Be on February 11, 2020 Special Election Ballot

BATTLE GROUND & BRUSH PRAIRIE, WA— The city of Battle Ground and Clark County Fire District 3 have passed motions to place annexation on the February 11, 2020 Special Election ballot. The proposal would allow the City to annex to the Fire District, and must be approved by voters in both jurisdictions to take effect.

City Manager Erin Erdman and Fire Chief Scott Sorenson are looking for opportunities to speak to community service organizations about the proposal. The duo has prepared a brief presentation, and looks forward to answering questions.

“Annexation guarantees quality emergency services that City residents and businesses have come to expect,” said Erdman. “It also would help the City fund other public services community members want, such as police, roads, and parks.”

Battle Ground is the only city in the area that contracts for emergency services. The current contract rate equates to $1.35 of the City’s $1.37 per $1,000 of assessed value general property tax levy. The emergency services contract is expected to exceed this amount in 2021, and services would have to be cut for the City to maintain a balanced budget.

“Protecting the level and quality of emergency services is critical as our communities grow,” said Chief Sorenson. “Annexation also would allow us to plan long-term for emergency service needs on a regional basis.”

The current partnership allows for additional units to respond from all fire stations during back-to-back emergency calls. It has allowed for improved training, fire marshal and fire prevention services, and contributes to the strong insurance rating for both communities, which is linked to how much home and business owners pay in premiums.

However, the contract is short-term by nature which prevents the Fire District from investing in capital items on a regional basis. The City is unable to fund these items such as stations and apparatus on its own. The Fire District is in the process of finalizing a Strategic Plan to serve the region for the next five years and is struggling with the process.

“The City and Fire District are neighbors. It doesn’t make sense for us to develop a plan for capital items like stations and fire engines without including City residents and businesses,” said Chief Sorenson. “It’s uneconomic, short-sighted and would do a disservice to both communities. For these reasons, our strategic plan calls for annexation and everyone paying their fair share to maintain quality emergency services that save lives and property.”

All property owners would pay the same fire levy rate which is projected to be $1.30 per $1,000 of assessed value at the time annexation takes effect. City residents also would be able to vote on fire district issues such as commissioners, levies, and bonds, which they currently can’t do.

If annexation is approved, Battle Ground would reduce its utility tax by 46 percent for water, sewer and stormwater for City property owners and renters to help offset the cost of the fire levy. The remaining revenue would provide a list of improvements for City residents that can be found on its website at https://www.cityofbg.org/470/Fire-Emergency-Medical-Services.

Schedule City Manager Erdman and Fire Chief Sorenson for an upcoming meeting of your organization. Contact Chief Scott Sorenson at scott@fire3.org or (360) 892-2331. City Manager Erin Erdman can be reached at in.erdman@cityofbg.org">erin.erdman@cityofbg.org or (360) 342-5005.

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The City of Battle Ground, located in the heart of Clark County, Wash., serves 21,500 residents.  The surrounding natural beauty, access to recreation activities, and close proximity to the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area make Battle Ground a desirable place to live and has created a period of considerable growth. The City functions under a Council-Manager form of government and provides vital public services such as police, planning and development, roads, parks, utilities and others. City leaders operate under guiding principles that were created with community input through a recent visioning process. More information about the City, including a list of its guiding principles can be found at www.cityofbg.org.

Clark County Fire District 3 provides fire suppression and emergency medical service to 40,000 people over 90 square miles, including the City of Battle Ground. Forty-five full-time and 13 volunteer emergency personnel responded to 4,221 calls in 2018 – 5.3% higher than the previous year. We live by our core values of professionalism, safety, teamwork, integrity, and community.  More information on Fire District 3 can be found on its website www.fire3.org.

Vancouver, Wash. — The Bonneville Power Administration’s innovative approach to recycling saved Northwest electric ratepayers nearly $3 million in 2018, with more savings projected for 2019. The agency’s sustainability efforts – from recycling transmission conductor and tower parts to auctioning off used equipment – are winning national sustainability awards.

One of BPA’s innovative approaches to recycling is its use of a machine known as the linear chopper. The device’s technology uses magnets to separate the aluminum and steel components of used high-voltage conductor wire – something BPA has a lot of. The agency owns 15,000 miles of transmission line across the west.

Once the used line is fed into the chopper, bits of steel and aluminum are separated and spewed out on opposite sides of the machine. The metal is then sent to regional smelters where it can fetch a healthy price. Since March of 2018, the machine has recovered more than 375 tons of aluminum valued at $700,000. That’s a lot of aluminum when you consider the Statue of Liberty weighs 225 tons.

“Our sustainability efforts go hand-in-hand with our commitment to being responsible stewards of the environment and accountable to our ratepayers,” says Robin Furrer, BPA’s chief administrative officer. “We recover approximately 90% of our used materials, so we throw away very little.”

Aside from the chopper, the agency’s other recycling efforts include auctioning off used equipment, recycling components from computers and electronic waste and donating used furniture.

In 2018, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency honored BPA with the Federal Green Challenge Materials Management Award. The EPA is honoring BPA again in 2019 for its outstanding sustainability efforts and care for the environment.

Video of the linear chopper is available upon request.

Contact David Wilson at wilson@bpa.gov">dbwilson@bpa.gov

About BPA

The Bonneville Power Administration, headquartered in Portland, Oregon, is a nonprofit federal power marketer that sells wholesale, carbon-free hydropower from 31 federal dams in the Columbia River Basin. It also markets the output of the region’s only nuclear plant. BPA delivers this power to more than 140 Northwest electric utilities, serving millions of consumers and businesses in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana and parts of California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. BPA also owns and operates more than 15,000 circuit miles of high-voltage power lines and 262 substations, and provides transmission service to more than 500 customers. In all, BPA provides nearly a third of the power generated in the Northwest. To mitigate the impacts of the federal dams, BPA implements a fish and wildlife program that includes working with its partners to make the federal dams safer for fish passage. It also pursues cost-effective energy savings and operational solutions that help maintain safe, affordable, reliable electric power for the Northwest. www.bpa.gov

Medford OR - The Bureau of Land Management and United States Forest Service are hosting the biennial Rogue River User Meeting on Thursday, November 21, 2019, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. PST at the BLM/Forest Service Interagency Office, 2164 NE Spalding Avenue, Grants Pass, Oregon.

This meeting is for permitted commercial guides, outfitters and private parties that utilize the Rogue River. Potential meeting topics include permitting, Leave No Trace, user etiquette, trail use, animal interaction, and how to get involved.

Teleconference participation is available for the first 25 callers for the first hour of the meeting. Phone lines open 5 minutes before the meeting starts.  The call-in number and other pertinent information will be available the day before the event on the BLM Rogue River Recreation web page: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-passes/lotteries-and-permit-systems/oregon-washington/rogue-river

We appreciate your interest in the Rogue River and look forward to your participation in the upcoming meeting. If you have questions, please contact BLM Commercial Permit Administrator,

For additional information please contact Patrick Kollodge, at 541-471-6648 or BLM_OR_MD_Rogue_River_Mail@blm.gov.

-BLM-

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

The City of Sherwood has received notification from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada that the City has been awarded the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the current year's budget. The award represents a significant achievement for the City since it reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting.

In order to receive the award, the City had to satisfy nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. These guidelines are designed to assess how well an entity's budget serves as 1) a policy document, 2) a financial plan, 3) an operations guide, and 4) a communications device. Budget documents must be rated "proficient" in all four categories, and the fourteen mandatory criteria within those categories, to receive the award.

There are over 1600 participants in the Budget Awards Program. The most recent Budget Awards recipients, along with their corresponding budget documents are posted quarterly on GFOA’s website. This is the 18th consecutive year that the City of Sherwood has been recognized by GFOA.

The Government Finance Officers Association is a major professional association servicing the needs of more than 20,500 appointed and elected local, state and provincial-level government officials and other finance partners.
 

For more information about this recognition, please feel free to contact at David Bodway, Finance Director at odwayd@sherwoodoregon.gov">bodwayd@sherwoodoregon.gov or by phone at 503.625.4248.

The Multnomah Education Service District Board Finance Committee will meet on Monday, November 18, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the main headquarters, 11611 NE Ainsworth Circle, Portland, Oregon  97220.

The replacement of  variable message boards/signs at three locations on Interstate 5 in the mid Willamette Valley will cause evening delays over the next two weeks.   To safely remove the old boards and install the new ones, there will need to be evening lane closures.  The work is scheduled as follows:

Southbound I-5 at Arndt Road, milepost 281

The variable message board/sign will be replaced on Sunday-Tuesday, November 17-19 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each evening.  At least one lane will remain open during the work.  Travelers should expect delays.

Northbound I-5 at Perkins Road, milepost 262

The variable message board/sign will be replaced on Wednesday-Thursday, November 20-21 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each evening.  At least one lane will remain open during the work.  Travelers should expect delays.

Northbound at Lake Creek, milepost 214

The variable message board/sign will be replaced on Sunday-Wednesday, November 24-27 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each evening.  One lane will remain open during the work.  In addition, there will be evening rolling traffic slowdowns starting at the Randy Pape Beltline (OR 569) in Eugene. Travelers should expect delays.

Travelers are encouraged to visit TripCheck.com for the very latest on traffic conditions. 

The holiday season has arrived!  Please plan to bundle up and bring your family to the Riverfront Park Rotary Pavilion at 200 Water Street NE in downtown Salem to celebrate this free community event.  Festivities will begin at 6:00 pm on the evening of Friday, December 6, 2019, and will include:

• A special visit from Santa
• Free hot cocoa and cookies provided by Roth’s Fresh Market
• Live reindeer
• Holiday bell ringing
• Letter to Santa station
• Musical performances from the North Salem High School Choir
• Holiday craft making
• Scavenger Hunt
• Visits with Salem Fire Department and Salem’s Park Ranger

The tree lighting ceremony will be led by Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett and is expected to begin at 6:30 pm. One lucky child in attendance will be selected to help Mayor Bennett “flip the switch” to light the holiday tree.

This annual holiday event is sponsored by the City of Salem and Comcast.

The City of Vancouver’s Urban Forestry Commission is pleased to name Dale Erickson as the newest recipient of the Silva Bolds-Whitfield Award for his commitment to the community's urban forest and open spaces.

The Silva Bolds-Whitfield monument plaza, located at West 13th and Main streets in downtown Vancouver, recognizes those who have contributed to the ongoing growth, health and protection of Vancouver's urban forest. The award is given by the Urban Forestry Commission on a meritorious basis to honor citizens who have gone to extraordinary lengths to inspire and enrich the quality of life in Vancouver through the benefits of trees. Erickson's name will be added to the list of award recipients whose names are etched in stone at the plaza.

Erickson has been a dedicated, lifelong supporter and advocate for trees throughout the community. As Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission; he served as parks liaison to the Urban Forestry Commission from 2002 through 2006. Erickson later returned to the Urban Forestry Commission and served as Commission co-chair and chair from 2012 through 2017.

Erickson was instrumental in helping to build the strong Urban Forestry program that Vancouver enjoys today, championing it as a benefit to not just parks, but neighborhoods and the entire city.

“A true ‘community builder’, Dale is an inspiration for all of us to find ways, big or small, to make our community a better place,” Susan Sanders, Urban Forestry Commission Chair Susan Sanders said.

Vancouver Urban Forestry, part of the city’s Department of Public Works, recognizes trees as a valuable asset to our community and an important component of managing stormwater. Visit the webpage at www.cityofvancouver.us/urbanforestry for more infomration about this program.

Questions? Please call (360) 487-8308 or email banforestry@cityofvancouver.us">urbanforestry@cityofvancouver.us.

Record low fall rains limit boat access on Lewis River Reservoirs

With water coming into reservoirs at one-third of normal, only one ramp remains open

WOODLAND, Wash. – Low water levels in the Lewis River drainage continue to impact boaters. The ramp at Yale Park is expected to be out of the water and unusable by Nov. 18.

The boat ramps at Saddle Dam Park, Cougar Park and Beaver Bay on Yale Reservoir and Swift Forest Camp ramp on Swift closed earlier in the year. Cresap ramp on Lake Merwin always closes for the season on Sept. 30. At this time, the only ramp still open on the three lakes is Speelyai on Lake Merwin.

Low snowpack and below average spring rains means water coming into the series of reservoirs managed by PacifiCorp is well below normal for this time of year. Statewide, the Washington governor has declared a drought. In addition, normal fall rains have not materialized.

Reservoir levels, even without the water conditions seen this year, are subject to available inflows and downstream flow requirements for fish and aquatic habitats. While reservoir levels are always subject to fluctuation, PacifiCorp recognizes the importance of recreational resources and balancing of recreation access with environmental requirements.

It is possible that November rains could improve the situation and make the Yale Park ramp usable again.

####

Contact Info:
Contact: Tom Gauntt,                                                                        
PacifiCorp, 503-813-7291  

Unemployment tax rates for employers subject to Oregon payroll tax will move to tax schedule two for the 2020 calendar year. Tax schedule two includes an average rate of 1.73 percent for the first $42,100 paid to each employee. The specific rate each employer will pay under the new schedule depends on how much they have used the unemployment insurance system. 

Oregon adjusts employer tax rates annually using eight tax schedules based on the solvency of the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. Movement between the eight schedules of tax rates represents part of the self-balancing aspects of Oregon’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund law. Each September, a formula contained in statute, determines how much should be collected during the next year to maintain a solvent fund. Each schedule has a range of tax rates based on an employer’s previous unemployment insurance experience. Employers with more unemployment insurance claims have a higher tax rate than those with fewer claims. 

As a result of this approach, Oregon has one of the strongest trust funds in the nation. The trust fund provides support for temporarily unemployed workers, their families, and communities while minimizing the impact on employers. This approach allows support without having to reduce benefits to workers, increase employer taxes, or borrow from the federal government, as most other states had to do for the Great Recession. 

Because of Oregon’s innovative Unemployment Trust Fund model, we are well positioned to pay benefits in the next recession. Unlike other states, where employers had to pay additional taxes or surcharges when states borrowed to pay benefits, Oregon’s trust fund is earning interest. This reduces the amount that needs to be collected from Oregon employers to maintain the trust fund. 

Oregon’s unemployment rate has fluctuated slightly, generally remaining at or near a record low for three years. The low number of unemployed workers reflects a very tight job market. This creates some challenges for employers growing their workforce, and means far fewer Oregonians who unable to find a job. The jobs employers provide contribute to a vibrant Oregon economy and support the quality of life for Oregonians.

The Oregon Employment Department mailed notifications to businesses regarding their individual tax rates and encourages employers to wait until they receive their individual notice before attempting to contact the department with questions. Any employer who has not received their notice within the next couple of weeks should contact the Oregon Employment Department Unemployment Insurance Tax Section. Contact information may be found online at www.oregon.gov/employ.

###

Oregon Employment Department is an equal opportunity employer/program.

Oregon Employment Department es un programa/empleador que respeta la igualdad de oportunidades.

Salem, Ore. – Eligible non-profits and for-profit developers in Salem and Keizer are invited to submit proposals for approximately $1,400,000 in City of Salem Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership programs funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Applications will also be accepted for approximately $400,000 from the City’s funds designated for supportive services.

The online application portal at www.salemgrants.org opens Wed., Nov. 20, 2019 at 10 a.m. All applications must be submitted by Mon., Jan. 6, 2020 at 5 p.m. Applications sent by any other method, including, but not limited to, facsimile, email, postal service, hand delivery, or any method other than www.salemgrants.org, will not be accepted. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Federal and local guidelines for funding from the CDBG and HOME programs, as well as the City’s programs, are included in the online application. Applications for projects must comply with strict eligibility criteria. Applicable funds are for the 2020 Program Year, beginning Jul. 1, 2020.

The City will hold two application technical assistance workshops to assist potential applicants. The same information will be presented at each workshop. Interested persons need only to attend one session.

• Tues., Nov. 19, 2019 at 3:30 p.m., City of Salem Urban Development Conference Room located at 350 Commercial St. NE, Salem, Ore.
• Mon., Dec. 2, 2019 at 2 p.m., City of Salem Urban Development Conference Room located at 350 Commercial St. NE, Salem, Ore.

More about the funding sources:

Federal Community Development Block Grant Funding. The purpose of the CDBG Program is to benefit low to moderate-income households by funding projects that revitalize neighborhoods, increase affordable housing, expand economic opportunities, and/or improve community facilities and services. The estimated entitlement allocation available for programs/projects this year is $800,000. This published amount is subject to change based upon Congressional action.

Federal HOME Investment Partnership Funding. The HOME Investment Partnerships program funds a wide range of activities that build, buy, and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for rent, or provide direct rental assistance to low-income people. Priority funding will be for affordable rental housing projects awarded in recent HOME applications and need additional capital to address financing gaps due to increased construction cost or other applicable reasons. The estimated entitlement allocation available for HOME programs/projects this year is $600,000. This published amount is subject to change based upon Congressional action.

For more detailed information on HUD guidelines for CDBG and HOME funding, visit www.hud.gov.

City of Salem Funding. The City of Salem provides funds to support activities that provide supportive services to low-income residents of Salem. The estimated City of Salem General Fund allocation available for programs this year is $400,000. This published amount is subject to change based upon Salem City Council action.

For any additional information, please contact Shelly Ehenger, City of Salem Federal Programs Manager, at sehenger@cityofsalem.net or 503-540-2494.  

# # #

Linn County Undersheriff Paul Timm reports his deputies responded to Mari-Linn Elementary School in Lyons, for a report of shots fired at 6:26 a.m., this morning.  The caller reported hearing a gunshot and saw what she believed to be a muzzle  flash just outside the school.  There were only a few staff members at the school and children were just starting to arrive.  Deputies responded along with Oregon State Police and began investigating the incident, when Pacific Power arrived to check on a blown transformer. 

The transformer that blew was in the same location the caller said the “shots” came from.  After further investigation, it was confirmed the transformer had made the loud noise and flashed, which is what the caller thought was a “muzzle flash”.  Students were locked in a safe place as they arrived and there was no real threat to the school.  The school was determined to be safe about an hour after the call was made.

On September 20, 2019 the Beaverton Police Department received a report of possible animal abuse at the Companion Pet Clinic located on SW Allen in Beaverton, OR. The one reported event was investigated in conjunction with the Oregon Humane Society.

On November 8, 2019 a Washington County Grand Jury indicted Dr. David God Koller on two counts of Aggravated Animal Abuse I (felony) and two counts of Animal Abuse I (misdemeanor).

On November 14, 2019 Dr. Koller was arrested and charged with two counts of Aggravated Animal Abuse I (felony) and two counts of Animal Abuse I (misdemeanor). Dr. Koller was lodged at the Washington County Jail.

If you believe your pet was harmed at the Companion Pet Clinic please contact our non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.

##BPD##

Since 2017, the Portland Water Bureau has detected low levels of Cryptosporidium from routine monitoring. Monitoring results were received from the Bull Run Watershed intake for Cryptosporidium, a potentially disease-causing microorganism. In the 50-liters sampled daily, between Sunday, November 10 and Wednesday, November 13, one Cryptosporidium oocyst was detected in the sample collected on Nov. 10. Cryptosporidium was not detected in the samples collected on Nov. 11, Nov. 12 or Nov. 13. Prior to these detections, Cryptosporidium was last detected from the Bull Run Watershed intake on Nov. 1, 2019.

The Bull Run watershed is Portland’s primary source of drinking water. The Portland Water Bureau does not currently treat for Cryptosporidium, but is required to do so under drinking water regulations. Portland is working to install filtration by September 2027 under a compliance schedule with Oregon Health Authority. In the meantime, Portland Water Bureau is implementing interim measures such as watershed protection and additional monitoring to protect public health. Consultation with public health officials has concluded that at this time, customers do not need to take any additional precautions.

Exposure to Cryptosporidium can cause cryptosporidiosis, a serious illness. Symptoms can include diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain. People with healthy immune systems recover without medical treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people with severely weakened immune systems are at risk for more serious disease. Symptoms may be more severe and could lead to serious or life-threatening illness. Examples of people with weakened immune systems include those with AIDS; those with inherited diseases that affect the immune system; and cancer and transplant patients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has estimated that a small percentage of the population could experience gastro-intestinal illness from Cryptosporidium and advises that customers who are immunocompromised and receive their drinking water from the Bull Run Watershed consult with their healthcare professional about the safety of drinking the tap water. The Portland Water Bureau and Burlington, City of Gresham, City of Sandy, City of Tualatin, Green Valley, GNR, Hideaway Hills, Lake Grove, Lorna Domestic Water, Lusted, Palatine Hill, Pleasant Home, Raleigh, Rockwood, Skyview Acres, Tualatin Valley, Two Rivers, Valley View and West Slope Water Districts receive all or part of their drinking water supply from the Bull Run. To learn if your drinking water comes from Bull Run, please contact your local drinking water provider.

The public and the media are encouraged to view all sampling results posted to the City’s website at portlandoregon.gov/water/cryptoresults. The bureau will notify the media and public immediately should further test results indicate a risk to public health and precautions are necessary.

Customers with questions regarding water quality can call the Water Line at 503-823-7525.

Oregon Heritage Commission has awarded $379,785 in grants to 32 organizations throughout the state. The grants will help fund a variety of projects including collection preservation and access, research, education, exhibits, and film projects. Award amounts ranged $2,020 - $20,000.

Funded projects:

• Abernethy Elementary School PTA, in Portland, for conservation of a WPA mural.
• Architectural Heritage Center, in Portland, for an exhibit about the evolution of South Portland in the 20th century.
• Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association, in Astoria, for construction of a Nordic Heritage Park.
• Bend Parks and Recreation District for collections care and interpretation of the Hollinshead-Matson Historic House.
• Clackamas County Historical Society, in Oregon City, for proper storage of the textile collection at the Museum of the Oregon Territory.
• Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, in The Dalles, for digitization of The Dalles Chronicle photographs, dating from 1940s to 1970s.
• Four Rivers Cultural Center, in Ontario, to provide folk arts programming.
• Frazier Farmstead Museum, in Milton-Freewater, to publish history booklets.
• Harney County Library Foundation, in Burns, to digitize local oral history interviews.
• High Desert Museum, near Bend, to develop an interpretive pan for the renovation of the museum’s permanent exhibition on the Indigenous Plateau.
• Independence Heritage Museum, in Independence, to catalog and digitize the archival collection.
• Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, in Joseph, to catalog and digitize the collections.
• Lincoln County Historical Society, in Newport, to produce three videos.
• METRO historic cemeteries, in Portland, to research historic records that highlight the history of women buried in METRO historic cemeteries.
• Nehalem Valley Historical Society, in Manazanita, to complete a heritage memoir film about Mary Gerritse.
• City of Oregon City to purchase and implement cemetery management software at Mountain View Cemetery.
• Oregon Historical Society, in Portland, to provide teacher training through workshops.
• Oregon Jewish Museum, in Portland, to create and install the “To Bear Witness: Extraordinary Lives” exhibit.
• Oregon Paleo Lands institute, in Fossil, to create and install the exhibit “John Day, A River Flows Free.”
• Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation, in Portland, to install a historic turntable.
• Portland Japanese Garden to purchase whisper touring devises and design a new map and brochure.
• Portland Youth Philharmonic to preserve sound recordings.
• Restore Oregon, in Portland, to complete phase one of the Jantzen Beach Carousel preservation project.
• City of Salem to stabilize the Ben Maxwell digital image collection.
• Save the PT Boat, Inc., in Portland, to expand interpretive programming.
• Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, to develop the Rogue Valley Women’s Movement Oral History project.
• Talent Historical Society to develop local history curriculum.
• The Vanport Mosaic, in Portland, to hold a gathering of people and organizations documenting Oregon’s past.
• City of Tillamook for conservation of a mural and an art exhibit.
• Tillamook County Pioneer Museum to create and install “Her-Story, The Women’s Suffrage Movement in Oregon and What It Means Today” exhibit and companion book.
• University of Portland to digitize the student-run paper, The Beacon.
• Vanport Placemaking Project, in Portland, to develop design content for interpretation at the Vanport site.

This competitive grant program is for qualifying organizations, and is offered once per biennium for projects that conserve, develop or interpret Oregon’s heritage. It is a program of the Oregon Heritage Commission. The Commission works to secure, sustain and enhance Oregon’s heritage. The Commission consists of nine members appointed by the governor and nine agency advisors. Members are chosen from state agencies and statewide organizations, and represent diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds.

The Commission is part of Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. To learn more about the Oregon Heritage Grant or the Oregon Heritage Commission, visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at i.gill@oregon.gov">Kuri.gill@oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.

Linn County Undersheriff Paul Timm reports that on November 14, 2019, detectives arrested Megan Marie Moeller, 39, a residence of Corvallis, in connection with a forgery investigation. 

In 2016, Megan Moeller, who was then Megan Perry, was a licensed attorney and had an office in downtown Albany.  Megan Moeller was hired by a client to provide representation in regards to a child custody issue.  Detectives found that during that representation, Megan Moeller provided her client with documents “proving” that legal papers had been served on the other party.  The investigation revealed that signatures on those documents had been forged and that the legal papers had not actually been served on the other party. 

Megan Moeller was arrested and charged with three counts of Identity Theft. 

In 2018, Megan Moeller submitted her resignation to the Oregon State Bar after facing multiple complaints from clients. At that time, Megan Moeller was disbarred from practicing law in Oregon. 

Friday, November 15, 2019 – Ridgefield WA – Gavin Clarke’s second grade class at South Ridge Elementary School sat quietly at their desks, waiting for their special guest.  When Rebeca Jaramillo came in, their eyes widened.  Her hair was decorated with beautiful flowers, and she wore a colorfully embroidered long skirt.  She carried a guitar.  This was going to be interesting! 

“What do you know about the Day of the Dead?” Jaramillo asked.  Many students raised their hands to give answers:  It is celebrated once a year.  It is a day to celebrate the person who is dead that you really loved.  You put things the person likes around their picture.  “Yes!  That is all true!” she said.

Jaramillo and her son, Miguel, explained that the Day of the Dead is a special day to remember and celebrate loved ones who have passed away.  Small altars or shrines in homes have photos of loved ones, as well as items representing the four elements:  wind, water, earth, and fire. 

“The earth is flowers,” she said, “especially the cempasuchil, a Mexican flower.”  The wind is represented by paper pennants that flutter in the air.  Fire is represented by a candle.  “And water, it is usually something to drink, like tea or juice or hot chocolate.  Maybe you don’t know,” she said, “but chocolate is from Mexico.”  A few kids gasp.  “Mexico brings chocolate to the world!” 

Jaramillo asked for questions, and one student asked, “Why do you wear flowers in your hair?”

Jaramillo smiled.  “These flowers and clothes are all bright colors because I am very happy!  I want my family to see me and find me.  In Mexico, you go to the cemetery, and you don’t feel scared.  It is always clean, a lot of flowers, music, food; it is a big party.  You should not be scared!  Because this is your family, your loved ones.” 

Jaramillo pulled out her guitar; her son Miguel had a keyboard.  With help from the class, they sang the song Remember Me from the movie Coco.  They passed out coloring sheets.  And there was one last surprise:  Mexican candy.  Soon the students were eating and laughing and sharing with each other, enjoying a party, like the Mexican celebrations for the Day of the Dead.

Jaramillo’s other son, Sebastian, is in Clarke’s class.  Clarke invited parents to school to celebrate their cultural events with his class.  “My class has students from many different backgrounds that represent the future of Ridgefield,” he said.  “I hope that those under-represented communities feel welcomed to share their culture with the students, and I hope the students learn to respect many different cultures in their experience here.”

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Waldport Public Library director Sue Bennett and her staff were honored at the Waldport City Council meeting, Thursday, November 14, 2019, for their grant-funded project Community Math Outreach.

Following a recommendation by the State Library of Oregon’s Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Council, the State Library Board recently voted unanimously to award Community Math Outreach the LSTA Project of the Year for fiscal year 2018. 

Through a 2018 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Competitive Grant, funded by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and administered by the State Library of Oregon, Waldport Public Library successfully refreshed many aspects of their youth programming over the past year to engage local students ages pre-K-12 and their families in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) related activities, with a special emphasis on math. 

Through a creative new series of events such as Legos and math games, science-focused story times, math competitions, rocket workshops, as well as kids clubs for chess, radio controlled cars and drones, Waldport Public Library is helping redefine the library’s role in a small community. It has also helped invigorate stronger relationships with teachers and administrators at the Lincoln County School District. According to Waldport Library’s Family Outreach Coordinator, Sharon McCrum, “As a library, we keep striving toward literacy for all ages, not just traditional reading. Math proficiency is also literacy. To become confident in math skills is a wonderful thing in a friendly, non-graded environment at the public library.”

Battle Ground Public Schools plans to spend $14 million in levy funds over the next three years to improve schools and complete much needed projects. The capital projects will be paid for from the levy capacity that the district will receive as a result of the legislature's decision to increase the local property tax levy cap. 

In 2020, local school district levies will be capped at $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value, which is less than the amount that Battle Ground School District voters approved in the last four-year levy election. For 2019, Battle Ground Public Schools' tax rate is the lowest of all Clark County school districts. And even with the increased levy cap in 2020, it is projected that Battle Ground Public Schools' tax rate will be one of the lowest in the county.

The capital projects will occur over the next three years, but each project is dependent on board approval of capital projects spending and the necessary contracts. The $14 million will be in addition to the more than $10 million that the district invests each year in facilities maintenance.

Many of the projects will strengthen the security at older school buildings and increase student safety. For example, installation of security fencing at Battle Ground and Prairie high schools and the Pleasant Valley campus will begin this winter.

Some projects will update buildings and extend their life by replacing roofs and HVAC systems, painting, remodeling bathrooms, repairing covered walkways, and replacing siding, worn out floor coverings and aging countertops. Other projects will enhance the learning environment with updated technology infrastructure, new lighting and covered play areas.

Some of the highlights include:

• Security fencing at all primary, middle and high schools
• Revised, secured main entries at the high schools, Captain Strong Primary, Glenwood Heights Primary, Maple Grove Primary, Pleasant Valley schools, and Yacolt Primary
• New 10-year roof coating at Pleasant Valley schools
• Replace HVAC units at Prairie High, Maple Grove Primary, and River HomeLink and the cooling tower at Battle Ground High
• Replace flooring at the high schools, Amboy Middle, CASEE, Captain Strong Primary, Chief Umtuch Primary, River HomeLink, Maple Grove, Pleasant Valley schools, and Yacolt Primary
• Technology improvements at all schools
• Covered play areas at Amboy Middle, Maple Grove Primary, and Yacolt Primary
• Library upgrades at Pleasant Valley Primary

A complete list of potential projects is on the district website: www.battlegroundps.org/facility-plans.

After the legislature approved the increased local levy cap, Battle Ground's Board of Directors set aside a portion of the 2020 levy funds that are in this school year's budget to begin the proposed projects. Many of the projects were included in a recent bond attempt that did not pass because even though the bond received a majority of the votes, it did not receive the required supermajority.

Directors said that without a bond, this plan would allow the district to make the improvements that many schools need now to maintain the buildings for the long run. By using levy funds for capital projects, the projects can be paid for as they are completed and not over the course of a 21-year bond repayment plan. Using levy funds on capital projects means that local taxpayers will not be responsible for interest payments that would have come with using a bond.

In addition to school improvements, the increased levy capacity gives Battle Ground Public Schools the ability to cover a projected annual average deficit of $4 million and gradually phase in middle school sports that will utilize existing facilities. 

How the levy cap came about
2018-19 marked the beginning of significant changes to how K-12 education is funded in Washington state. To meet the State Supreme Court’s order to fully fund basic education in Washington, the state legislature capped the amount of local levy dollars that districts can collect through property taxes and increased the amount that the state collects to be redistributed to all schools statewide.

For 2019, the legislature capped local school district levies at $1.50 (per $1,000 of assessed property value) and then raised the cap to $2.50 beginning in 2020. In 2017, Battle Ground voters approved a four-year levy to cover 2018-2021. For the calendar year 2019, the voter-approved levy amount would have been $33.26 million at a projected tax rate of $3.66 before the cap. With the cap, the district is receiving less, $15.8 million in 2019.

SALEM, Ore. – The Committee for Family Forestlands will meet Thursday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Salem. The meeting will be in the Santiam Room of Building D on the campus of the Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State Street.  The committee’s agenda includes:  

• Private Forest Division update
• Update on availability of tree seed and seedlings
• Update on Governor’s Council on Wildfire Response
• Review of draft changes to the committee’s charter and discussion of vacancies
• Monitoring program updates
• Outreach for House Bill 2469

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

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

                                                               # # #

November 14, 2019

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

New Seasons expands ground beef recall prompted by E. coli illnesses

PORTLAND, Ore. -- New Seasons Market has expanded its recall of fresh ground beef sold at Portland-area stores after new tests show some of the meat contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 was available for sale as recently as Nov. 8.

New Seasons is recommending customers who bought the ground beef between Oct. 19 and Nov. 8 return the recalled product for a full refund; receipts are not required for the return. Consumers with questions may contact the company at talktous@newseasonsmarket.com.

An additional illness, closely associated with one of the three confirmed illnesses, has been identified. That brings the total number of people who reported illness after eating ground beef purchased at different New Seasons outlets to four. All have recovered.

The implicated products include New Seasons Market’s fresh in-house ground beef and ground beef products sold at all New Seasons Markets Oregon, Washington and California locations, in bulk from the meat cases and packaged from grab and go cases. The ground beef and ground beef products are marked with three days' shelf life from purchase. The recalled products were sold with “Packed On” dates of Oct. 19, 2019, to Nov. 8, 2019, and “Sell By” dates starting Oct. 23, 2019, up to and including Nov. 11, 2019.

OHA identified the outbreak after tests conducted at the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory determined that an identical strain of E. coli O157:H7 was present in all three patients. On Nov. 13 OHA received preliminary laboratory results of tests on product samples that were positive for E. coli O157:H7.

New Seasons Market has suspended sale of the product while the Oregon Department of Agriculture and OHA continue their investigation into the cause of the outbreak.

To be sure all bacteria in ground beef are destroyed, cook it to a safe minimum internal temperature of at least 160 F (71.1 C). Use a food thermometer to check that they have reached a safe internal temperature.

E. coli O157:H7 causes a diarrheal illness often with bloody stools. Although most healthy adults can recover completely within a week, some people can develop a form of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). The condition is most likely to occur in young children and the elderly, and it can lead to serious kidney damage and even death.

People who ate the product but did not get sick do not need to do anything. If you developed diarrhea after eating it, you should consult your health care provider and tell him or her about the exposure.

For more information on the recall, E. coli, and food safety please visit:

• New Seasons Market recall page.
• CDC E. coli page.
• Foodsafety.gov.

UPDATE

HILLSBORO, Ore- On November 14, 2019, Judge Eric Butterfield sentenced Mr. Johnson to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The Washington County District Attorney's Office would like to thank the Washington County Sheriff's Office, those involved in the trial and especially the victim’s family for their courage in testifying in court.

END OF UPDATE

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On November 8, 2019, a Washington County jury found Martin Allen Johnson guilty of eight counts of first-degree murder in the 1998 rape and murder of 15-year-old Heather Fraser. The jury delivered a unanimous decision after less than three hours of deliberations. Chief Deputy District Attorney Bracken McKey and Senior Deputy District Attorney Jeff MacLean prosecuted Mr. Johnson in Judge Eric Butterfield’s courtroom.

Mr. Johnson was convicted of aggravated murder in 2001. In 2017, the Oregon Supreme Court upheld a decision made by the Oregon Court of Appeals to overturn the conviction, citing inadequate representation on behalf of Mr. Johnson’s defense team during the original trial.

Mr. Johnson was charged with eight counts of first-degree murder in this new case due to new guidelines established by Senate Bill 1013. Those guidelines also barred prosecutors from seeking the death penalty once again.

During the course of the two-week trial, Mr. McKey and Mr. MacLean proved to the jury that Mr. Martin drugged, raped and killed Ms. Fraser. The defendant then drove the victim to Astoria, Oregon where he threw her body off a bridge and into the Columbia River.

Mr. Martin was quickly identified as a suspect by authorities. He then fled the state and was apprehended in Florida more than a year later.

A sentencing hearing will be held on November 13, 2019 at 9 a.m. in Judge Butterfield’s courtroom.

During the month of October, City of Battle Ground employees organized and participated in a Diaper Drive to benefit the Battle Ground Adventist Community Services Diaper Bank.  

The idea for the Diaper Drive came after Battle Ground Adventist Community Services Director Maury Parrish spoke at a city council meeting about their services and diaper bank – the only registered diaper bank in SW Washington.  A diaper bank is a non-profit group that collects, stores, and distributes free diapers to families in need. Diapers are as essential to a child’s basic needs as food and shelter, yet state and national programs do not recognize diapers as a basic need.

When word spread about the need, city employees jumped at the chance to help. Deputy City Clerk Tamara Gunter coordinated efforts, and donations of diapers and baby wipes poured in throughout the month. By month’s end, city staff had donated a total of 2,008 diapers and 1,400 baby wipes. 

“Most of us were not aware of this need,” said Kay Kammer, City Clerk and diaper drive organizer, “The drive allowed staff to be part of something meaningful and give back to the community.”

On Tuesday, November 5, Ms. Kammer and Ms. Gunter happily delivered the donated diapers and wipes to the diaper bank.  They learned that the bank had provided 4,000 diapers to families in need during the month of October alone, and that the greatest need is for diaper sizes 4, 5 and 6.

City employees invite the community to learn more about diaper banks at nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org and to participate in donating diapers to the local bank.  A purple collection bin has been placed in the city hall lobby to accept donations because every baby deserves to be clean, dry and healthy.  

Ryan Berg has been reported missing since October 24, 2019. 

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is looking for anyone who knows the whereabouts of Ryan Berg or who may have seen him in the Hockinson area during the week of October 24, 2019. 

There are currently no suspicious circumstance surrounding his disappearance and his family is requesting privacy at this time. 

Please call the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Tip line at 564-397-2120 with any information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Animals Shouldn’t Be Able to Sue Owners says Farm Bureau

Oregon Farm Bureau issues statement on Justice the horse’s lawsuit against its former owner.

SALEM, OREGON, Nov. 14, 2019 — Last week, the Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Cattlemen’s Association, and Oregon Dairy Farmers Association partnered to draft a friend of the court brief on precedent setting litigation pending in the Oregon Court of Appeals. The case squarely addresses whether a horse has a right to sue his owner in court for damages relating to the horse’s neglect. The case, Justice, an American Quarter Horse v. Gwendolyn Vercher, is an attempt by the Animal Legal Defense Fund to set precedent in Oregon that animals have legal personhood, including the right to sue humans in court. This case could open the door to expansive and significant litigation regarding the ability to own and manage livestock, produce meat or dairy products, participate in rodeos or FFA, and even have working dogs. It could even subject pet owners to private rights of action and allow activist groups to bring lawsuits under the guise of animals seeking to vindicate nonexistent rights.

If successful, this case puts the livestock industry and rural Oregon at risk. Moreover, Oregon would become the first state in the country to grant animals legal personhood, which would have a profound impact on our society and legal system. Our organizations got involved to ensure that the Court understands the history and context of Oregon’s animal welfare statutes and to ensure the Court understands the expansive, far reaching implications of this case for the livestock industry.

To be clear, the facts of this case were abhorrent, and the defendant was rightfully prosecuted for the neglect of her horse. However, Oregon law already has severe consequences for those who abuse and neglect animals and there is a mechanism for those who rescue neglected animals to be compensated for their care. But these legitimate concerns are not what this case is about. This case is simply an effort by animals rights activists to pull the ultimate thread in a longstanding effort to unravel and halt livestock operations in Oregon. We will continue to stand strong to protect the livestock industry from the significant precedent set by this case.

###

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

Oregon Farm Bureau (OFB) is a grassroots, nonpartisan, nonprofit, general farm organization representing the interests of farming and ranching families in the public and policymaking arenas. First established in Oregon at the county level in 1919 and the state level in 1932, Farm Bureau is organized in all 36 counties.

Oregon Farm Bureau President Sharon Waterman is an OFB Hall of Fame honoree and operates a Century Ranch raising sheep, cattle, and timber in Bandon. She is OFB’s 16th president.

November 14, 2019

Media contact: Delia Hernández, 503-422-7179, phd.communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

Public Health Advisory Board meets November 21

What: A public meeting of the Public Health Advisory Board.

Agenda: Discuss public health modernization funding to federally recognized tribes and Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) during the 2019-21 biennium; discuss public health modernization work underway with local public health authorities; discuss the use of syndromic surveillance to determine hepatitis C prevention activities in Eastern Oregon.

When: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2-5 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. A public comment period will be held at the end of the meeting.

Where: Portland State Office Building, Room 177, 800 NE Oregon St., Portland. Also available remotely by telephone at 877-873-8017, access code 767068, and by webinar.

Oregon’s Public Health Advisory Board provides guidance for Oregon’s governmental public health system and oversees the implementation of public health modernization and Oregon’s State Health Improvement Plan.

# # #

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

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

If you need help or have questions, please contact Cara Biddlecom at 971-673-2284, 711 TTY, or a.m.biddlecom@dhsoha.state.or.us">cara.m.biddlecom@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

For Immediate Release                                                Contact: Courtney Dodds

November 14, 2018                                                     503-274-4483 x505

                                                                                    971-275-2334 (cell)

Union Gospel Mission Preparing to Serve More Than 800 Meals on Thanksgiving Day

Portland, Ore., - Union Gospel Mission is starting to cook 100 turkeys now in order to be prepared to serve over 800 meals on Thanksgiving Day.

Union Gospel Mission’s Thanksgiving Day event takes place on Thursday, November 28 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Union Gospel Mission at 15 NW Third Avenue. In addition to a traditional Thanksgiving meal guests will also enjoy live music and receive a gift bag with a hat, gloves, socks and an emergency blanket.

In addition to turkey, the menu includes 350 lbs. each of mashed potatoes, stuffing, and fresh candied yams. We’ll serve at least 60 gallons of turkey gravy, cranberry sauce, ambrosia fruit salad, and dinner rolls with butter. To finish it off, we’ll serve 175 pumpkin pies with whipped cream and 100 gallons of coffee.

Donations of pre-baked, packaged pumpkin pies and coffee (ground or whole bean) are still needed to make sure we are ready to meet the needs of our homeless guests. “We make a home cooked meal that anyone would be proud to serve at their Thanksgiving table,” said Lori Quinney, Food Service Coordinator for Union Gospel Mission.

Pie and coffee can be dropped off at 3 NW Third Avenue Portland, OR 97209. Union Gospel Mission is also seeking financial support for Thanksgiving events. Donations can be made online at www.ugmportland.org or by calling 503-274-4483.

About Union Gospel Mission: Union Gospel Mission’s purpose is “Feeding the hungry, restoring the addict and loving our neighbor.” Union Gospel Mission has been serving Portland since 1927. Union Gospel Mission provides meals and care for the homeless and operates LifeChange -- a transformative recovery program for men, women and children. Contact Union Gospel Mission at 503-274-4483, ugmportland.org or on social media @ugmpdx

# # #

On November 13, 2019 at about 10:30 AM Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a reported suicidal subject thought to be in the Yachat's area.   The suicidal subject had reached a friend in Maryland stating he had self-inflicted lacerations to his neck. Law enforcement in Montgomery County, Maryland provided the description of the vehicle he was associated with and were making efforts to determine the subject’s cell phone location.  Deputy Akin quickly responded to Yachats and was able to locate the vehicle prior to the subject’s phone “ping” results. The vehicle was parked in the corner of Yachat's State Park and inside the vehicle he located the subject bleeding heavily from his neck and left arm.  He had lost a large amount of blood and was lethargic.  Deputy Akin, who maintains his paramedic certification in addition to his law enforcement certifications, immediately secured the nearby knife and administered first aid while requesting emergency ambulance response.  Deputy Akin was able to apply a tourniquet to the subject’s left arm.  Tourniquets, along with other life-saving tools and training, are provided to Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office deputies for medical emergencies.

Yachat's Fire and Rescue responded to the location and transported the subject to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport in critical condition.  Yachat’s Fire and Rescue submitted a written commendation citing Deputy Akin as acting swiftly and assisting by providing advanced medical aid in a very serious situation.   

The Oregon State Police arrived and assisted with the scene. 

###

Respectfully submitted by:

Mark Meister
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office

Administrative Patrol Sergeant

Phone 541-265-0684

WWW.Lincolncountysheriff.net

225 We. Olive St. Newport, OR 97365

November 14, 2019

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

Nurse Staffing Advisory Board meets in Portland November 20

What: The quarterly public meeting of the Nurse Staffing Advisory Board.

Agenda: Review of minutes from August 28 meeting; membership updates; status updates on surveys and complaints; committee updates; open action items; nurse staffing surveyor discussion; emerging issues in nurse staffing; public comment. The agenda is available on the OHA nurse staffing website.

When: Nov. 20, 1-5 p.m. A public comment period will be at the end of the meeting.

Where: Portland State Office Building, Room 177, 800 NE Oregon St., Portland; by conference call at 877-336-1829, access code 2075141.

Background: The board advises the Oregon Health Authority on the administration of Oregon’s nurse staffing laws; identifies trends, opportunities and concerns related to nurse staffing; makes recommendations to the Oregon Health Authority on the basis of those trends, opportunities and concerns; and reviews the enforcement powers and processes under Oregon’s nurse staffing laws.

For more information, see the agency nurse staffing website at http://www.healthoregon.org/nursestaffing.

Program contact: Matt Gilman, 971-673-2317, matt.s.gilman@dhsoha.state.or.us

# # #

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

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

If you need help or have questions, please contact Matt Gilman, at 971-673-2317, 711 TTY or matt.s.gilman@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

(Salem) – Employers and workers in Oregon’s roofing industry now have a free and convenient way to boost their ability to address fall hazards, thanks to an online video training course launched by Oregon OSHA.

The course, “Fall Protection for Roofing,” is the latest in a series of online educational offerings created by the division to help address fall hazards across specific industries and different on-the-job situations.

“Whether you’re interested in strengthening an existing safety program or just getting started, our roofing course – just like our other online fall protection courses – provides a solid foundation to build on,” said Roy Kroker, consultation and public education manager for Oregon OSHA.

The course, which includes insights from industry leaders, covers a full range of topics. Those topics include hazard identification, fall protection equipment and systems, safe access, and training.

The human and economic costs of failing to account for fall protection are clear. In 2017, for example, there were 5,780 accepted disabling claims in Oregon due to slips, trips, and falls. The average cost of those claims was $23,570.

The roofing course includes the opportunity to receive a certificate of completion. It is the third of five planned online courses about fall protection. The other two that are available are “Fundamentals of Fall Protection” and “Ladder Safety.”

“Fall Protection for Roofing” is available online

Explore the “Fall Protection Suite,” which encompasses the roofing course, and the fundamentals and ladder courses.

Oregon OSHA encourages the use of online training. 

Oregon OSHA’s technical staff members can answer questions to help employers understand how to apply rules to their workplace:

Phone: 503-378-3272

Toll-free in Oregon: 800-922-2689

Email: tech.web@oregon.gov

Online contact form 

Employers may also contact Oregon OSHA’s no-cost consultation services for help with safety and health programs:

Phone: 503-378-3272

Toll-free in Oregon: 800-922-2689

Field office locations and phone numbers 

Email: consult.web@oregon.gov

###

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

Happy Thursday from Pacific University, where students are researching, professors are grading, and the squirrels are finding it harder and harder to hide among the leaves.

Here's a little of what's happening here:

Pacific accepts a gift from a veteran, for student veterans

Biology student's research examines the impact of bullfrogs in local wetlands

And here are some of the things on the university schedule. 

Sway: Drawings by Kate Lund
Nov. 14 - 22, 1 -  5 p.m. | Scott Hall, Cawein Gallery

2019 Autumn Choreographers Concert
Nov. 14 - 15, 7:30 p.m. | Warner Hall, Tom Miles Theatre

Ordinary Days | Musical
Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m. | Tayor Auditorium 216, Marsh

Men's Basketball vs. Eastern Oregon
Nov. 15, 8 - 10 p.m. | Stoller Center, Gym 123

Men's & Women's Swimming vs. Lewis & Clark College
Nov. 16, 11 a.m. | Forest Grove Aquatic Center

Football vs. Whitworth University
Nov. 16, 1 p.m. | Hanson Stadium

Ordinary Days | Musical
Nov. 16, 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. | Taylor Auditorium 216, Marsh

Boxer Football Reception Celebrating Keith Buckley & Ian Falconer
Nov. 16, 4 p.m. | Field House All Courts 140C

Akitmasuri Fall Festival 2019
Nov. 16, 6 - 8:30 p.m. | UC

Men's Wrestling - Mike Clock Open
Nov. 17, All Day | Stoller Center, Gym 123

Ordinary Days | Musical (Matinee)
Nov. 17, 2 p.m. | Taylor Auditorium 216, Marsh

Philosophy Colloquium “The Problem of Political Polarization” by Dr. Robert Talisse
Nov. 18, 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. | UC, Boxer Pause 216

Interprofessional Case Conference | Global Health
Nov. 20, 12:15 - 1:15 p.m. | Creighton Hall, 514, 516

(And here's the full university calendar.)

— pacificu.edu —

Pacific University is a diverse learning community, where students thrive in a personal academic environment. Students study in a unique combination of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business, education, health professions and optometry. Located in Oregon, Pacific serves a diverse population of more than 3,900 students, with campuses in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Eugene and Woodburn, as well as healthcare clinics throughout the Portland area. Pacific is currently ranked the No. 1 private research university in the Pacific Northwest and is also committed to civic engagement, sustainability and interprofessional education as part of its core teaching philosophy.

Thursday, November 14, 2019 – Ridgefield, WA – A long line of students and teachers trooped down the sidewalk on Pioneer Street in downtown Ridgefield.  On this beautiful, sunny day, they weren’t headed to the fire station or the park.  Instead, the entire fourth grade class from Union Ridge Elementary was going to the special mailbox in front of Bob’s Automotive, bringing handmade cards and letters for service members.  

The mailbox is a project by the American Veterans Car Club and club member Bob Ford, owner of Bob’s Automotive.  Ford served in the Coast Guard and Navy for 16 years, so he and other members of the club remember well how much it meant to receive mail while they were deployed; they wanted to find a way to collect letters from the public to send to the military. 

When Ford’s daughter found the 1964 U.S. mailbox in Oregon, it seemed like the project was meant to be.  The car club had the mailbox specially painted.  While it used to be used for all kinds of mail, now the mailbox is only for letters to active duty military and veterans.  No stamp is required; club members read and forward the letters.

The students were excited about the project, and not just because they could leave school to walk downtown.  They had spent a lot of time drawing, coloring, and writing on their cards.  Many of them were wearing patriotic colors or red white and blue face paint.  “I like knowing that one of the soldiers will get it and read it,” one said.  “They’re heroes.”

Ford was happy to see how many students were streaming past.  “I wish I could take photos of every one of them!”  He snapped pictures as the students took turns dropping their letters in the mailbox.  “I was surprised when Mr. Fransen came down here and asked if the students could write letters to the military for Veterans Day.  I said, ‘Of course!’” 

Class after class lined up to drop cards in the mailbox.  Students waiting in line waved their letters at passing cars, who honked in support.  A police car blipped its siren, and the kids cheered.  Ford thanked as many students as he could.  “Thank you so much!  It will mean a lot to them, I guarantee it!”

“Dear Veterans,” one card read.  “You are the reason we have freedom.  You are special in all ways.  Thank you for your hard work.”  Another read, “Dear Veterans, I was pumped with excitement to thank you for your service!”  Soon, the heartfelt letters and cards from Ridgefield students will be making their way to military members and veterans all over the world.

The mailbox is available to the public year-round.  Please bring cards and letters for members of the military to the mailbox in front of Bob’s Automotive at 327 Pioneer Street, Ridgefield, WA.

###

Linn County Undersheriff Paul Timm reports last night at 11:29 p.m., his deputies investigated a fatal motor vehicle crash on Rock Hill Drive, west of Lebanon. 

Deputies were driving by the location when they saw a vehicle pulled over with its hazard lights on and a female standing outside.  They stopped to assist, and the female stated her boyfriend, 27-year-old, Steven Marlen of Lebanon, and her brother, 20-year-old Jacob Wibbens of Brownsville were overdue and not answering their phones.  She used a cell phone locator application for Marlen’s phone that brought her to the Rock Hill Drive location.  She told deputies Marlen was driving a red Toyota MR2.

The deputies were not able to immediately see the crashed vehicle, but after a few minutes of searching, discovered it about fifty yards off the roadway in blackberry bushes.  Medics from Lebanon Fire Department were requested to respond.  The deputies found the vehicle was upside down on its top and discovered Marlen and Wibbens were deceased inside. 

The investigation revealed Marlen was travelling westbound on Rock Hill Drive when his vehicle drove off the shoulder and lost control.  The vehicle rolled several times coming to rest on its roof. 

Both Marlen and Wibbens were wearing their seatbelts.  Lebanon Fire Department personnel had to extricate both males from the vehicle.  Huston-Jost Funeral Home assisted and transported them to their facility.

It is unknown what caused Marlen to drive off the roadway.  Speed may have been a factor in the crash.  No other vehicles were involved.

Spanish / Español

November 12, 2019

Media contact: Delia Hernández, 503-422-7179, phd.communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

2020-2024 State Health Improvement Plan subcommittee meetings

What: Subcommittees of the 2020-2024 State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) are tasked with identifying strategies and measures, and developing work plans for implementing the SHIP. Each of the five subcommittees is focused on one of the following priority areas:

• Access to equitable preventive health care.
• Adversity, trauma and toxic stress.
• Behavioral health.
• Economic drivers of health.
• Institutional bias.

Agenda: Continue identifying key indicators and exploring possible strategies.

Where: All meetings are held at the Portland State Office Building, 800 NE Oregon St., Portland. Meetings are also available remotely. For remote meeting attendance, visit the subcommittee meeting page:

• Institutional bias.
• Adversity, trauma and toxic stress.
• Economic drivers of health (including issues related to housing, living wage, food security and transportation).
• Access to equitable preventive health care.
• Behavioral health (including mental health and substance use).

When:

• Institutional Bias Subcommittee: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to noon, Room 915.
• Behavioral Health Subcommittee: Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2-4 p.m., Room 900.
• Economic Drivers of Health Subcommittee: Friday, Nov. 22, 1-3 p.m., Room 900.
• Access to Equitable Preventive Health Care Subcommittee: Monday, Nov. 25, 1-3 p.m., Room 900.
• Adversity, Trauma and Toxic Stress Subcommittee: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2-4 p.m., Room 900.

All meetings are open to the public. A five-minute public comment period will be held near the end of each meeting; comments are limited to one minute.

Background: Oregon’s SHIP identifies interventions and strategies to address health-related priorities in the state. The SHIP serves as a basis for taking collective action with cross-sector partners to improve the heath of people in Oregon. The SHIP is based on findings of the State Health Assessment.

Program contact: Christy Hudson, 971-678-4347, isty.j.hudson@dhsoha.state.or.us">Christy.j.hudson@dhsoha.state.or.us

# # #

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

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

If you need help or have questions, please contact Catherine Moyer at 971-673-1132, ine.moyer@dhsoha.state.or.us">Catherine.moyer@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

(Salem, OR) — On November 14, 2019, Director Kay Erickson of the Oregon Employment Department announced the members of a committee charged with advising the department on implementing the new paid family and medical leave insurance program in Oregon.

“All Oregonians should have access to paid family and medical leave insurance. We all need time to give or receive care at some point in our lives. The new program is designed to help Oregonians take paid time off when it’s most important, and to help Oregon businesses support their workers while thriving and growing through increased workforce participation and employee retention,” said Director Erickson.

Oregon is the ninth state (including Washington D.C.) to pass legislation and work to implement a paid family and medical leave insurance program. “Oregon is at the forefront of implementing this critical program, serving as a model for the nation. This new program will help support workers as they bond with their children during the first year after that child’s birth or adoption, care for a family member who has a serious health condition, deal with their own serious health condition, or issues related to the need for ‘safe leave’ such as domestic violence, stalking, harassment, or sexual assault,” added Director Erickson.

The advisory committee includes: a chair from the Oregon Employment Department, four members representing employee interests, and four members representing employer interests, at least one of whom represents employers that have fewer than 25 employees. This citizen and stakeholder led advisory committee was established by House Bill 2005, passed during the 2019 legislative session.

“More than 50 people submitted interest in participating on the advisory committee. It is encouraging to see such strong interest in, and commitment to, this new program and it was a difficult process to choose members from a qualified group of candidates. We sought people who could bring forward their perspectives, represent those in other groups of workers and businesses, and who can collaborate on difficult issues to help make paid family and medical leave insurance work for all Oregonians,” said David Gerstenfeld, Interim Director of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program.

The department also anticipates that the advisory committee will sponsor workgroups that will involve more people beyond committee members. “It simply is not possible to fully represent all of the situations Oregon workers and businesses face with only nine committee members. We hope the many qualified people who expressed interest in serving on the advisory committee, along with other citizens and stakeholders, will help by providing their suggestions and insights as the department continues to implement this exciting new program,” said Gerstenfeld.

Paid Family and Medical Leave Advisory Committee:

• David Gerstenfeld, Oregon Employment Department, Chair
• Amanda Dalton, Dalton Advocacy
• Jenny Dresler, Public Affairs Counsel
• Linda Herrera, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN)
• Eric Hunter, CareOregon
• Andrea Paluso, Family Forward Oregon
• Eva Rippeteau, Oregon American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
• Paloma Sparks, Oregon Business & Industry
• Jessica Giannettino Villatoro, Oregon American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO)

For more information on the new paid family and medical leave insurance program in Oregon, to sign up for updates, and follow the advisory committee, visit the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance page on the Oregon Employment Department’s website. 

###

The Oregon Employment Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services, and alternate formats are available to individuals with disabilities, and language services to individuals with limited English proficiency, free of cost upon request. TTY/TDD - dial 7-1-1 toll free relay service. Access free online relay service at: http://www.sprintrelayonline.com/

Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by the Oregon Employment Department.

SEASIDE, Ore., Nov. 14, 2019 - The Red Cross Cascades Region will be hosting a Prepare Leader training in Seaside on November 19th, from 12:00pm – 2:00pm. The training will take place at Seaside Fire and Rescue (150 S Lincoln St, Seaside, OR 97138). This is a great chance to meet some of the current Red Cross volunteers and learn about the activites happening in Clatsop County.

“This is not only an opportunity to learn about how the Red Cross messages preparedness information, but also opens the door for anyone interested in leading preparedness efforts throughout their community,” Jacleen Simons, Red Cross Cascades Region Preparedness Manager said. “There are so many ways to help prepare individuals of all ages, as long as you have a passion for helping, the Red Cross has an activity to make that happen.”

The Red Cross Preparedness Program helps educate and build resiliency in our communities in a number of ways, including:

• Leading presentations designed for both adults and elementary-aged children
• Attending community outreach events to share information and resources available through Red Cross programs
• Offering free smoke alarm installation and disaster preparedness information to households through our Home Fire Campaign. Home fires are the most frequent disaster the Red Cross responds to in our region, so it is imperative our communities having working smoke alarms and the necessary information of what to do in the case of a home fire.

Over 95% of the Red Cross workforce is made up of volunteers. The work we do to help our communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters is only possible through the support from our dedicated community of volunteers. 

For more information about our programs, or to RSVP to the training, please contact Sam Haffey at sam.haffey@redcross.org or 541-414-7576.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossCasc.

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Tigard Police are investigating a robbery that occurred Wednesday night at the Tigard Fred Meyer located at 11565 SW Pacific Highway. An armed suspect entered the store through the east entrance near the garden center at about 9:50 p.m and approached an employee at the checkout area nearby. After making a demand for money, the suspect ran out the nearby doors and continued along the perimeter of the store. The victim was not injured. There were no customers in the area at the time. A K-9 track was initiated however the suspect was not located.

The suspect is described as male, approximately 5'4" to 5'6" tall, stocky build and  about 170 pounds. The suspect was wearing a full face mask and a dark blue jacket with two white stripes along both sleeves and carried a handgun.

Anyone with information or who may have observed the suspect is asked to contact Tigard Police at 503-718-COPS (2677)

DALLAS (OR) – Today, Chief of Police Jerry Moore of the Salem Police Department announced his plans for retirement after 43 years of service as an Oregon law enforcement officer. Chief Moore has served 14 of those years as Chief of the Salem Police Department.

Polk County District Attorney Aaron Felton commented, “Chief Jerry Moore is a towering figure in our law enforcement community. Chief Moore has always been a strong advocate and supporter of the District Attorney’s Office. His leadership, compassion, and commitment to justice will be greatly missed.”

The Salem Police Department serves and protects the community of West Salem with support from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police. The Polk County District Attorney’s Office serves as the state’s elected prosecutor for West Salem and all other parts of Polk County.

November 14, 2019

Upon discovery of exculpatory evidence, state releases man held in custody, dismisses criminal case

On September 17, 2019, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office sought and was granted court authorization to seek the release of 58-year-old George Brotherton.

Mr. Brotherton was in custody on an indictment charging him with three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, two counts of coercion, three counts of unlawful use of a weapon, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree, one count of assault in the second degree and one count of attempted assault in the second degree.

The decision to seek Mr. Brotherton’s immediate release was made in consultation with Mr. Brotherton’s defense attorney after the Portland Police Bureau informed the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office that it had discovered new and potentially exculpatory material in this case.

Upon Mr. Brotherton’s release, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and Portland Police Bureau urgently conducted investigative follow up and sought additional help from the Oregon State Police Crime Lab.

While on release, Brotherton’s criminal case remained active while the Portland Police Bureau and the Oregon State Police conducted the investigative follow-up. The court placed Mr. Brotherton on GPS monitoring and put him on a curfew from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. and ordered that he not have possession of any weapons.

The forensic analysis conducted by the Oregon State Police cleared Mr. Brotherton of wrongdoing.

On November 7, 2019, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office informed the court that it could no longer proceed on Brotherton’s case, which was filed on August 21, 2019.

In its dismissal order, the state informed court that the ends of justice will be best served by the dismissal of this matter.

The court’s dismissal order was filed with the court on November 13, 2019.

At every step of this process, the state provided frequent updates to Mr. Brotherton’s criminal defense attorney and the victims.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and the Portland Police Bureau continues to seek to identity the person responsible for these attacks. The first attack happened on July 5, 2019 and was reported that day by an adult female who said an unknown male sexually assaulted her while she walking to work. The second attack happened on July 25, 2019 and was reported on July 29, 2019 by an adult female who said she was walking at night when an unknown male came up behind her and sexually abused her. The third attack happened on July 26, 2019 and was reported that day by an adult female who said she was sleeping on the street when an unknown male sexually abused her. In all of these attacks, the suspect used a knife to threaten the victims. 

Police reports and other documents maintained by law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office in this case are currently exempt from disclosure due to the continuing investigation.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office is unable to provide any additional details about this case and has no additional details to provide.

The victims in this case are requesting privacy and do not want media contact. The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office requests media refrain from attempting to or actually contacting them.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Portland Police Bureau Detective Ross Dormady at 503-823-0880.

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director

Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office

Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

Vancouver Public Schools is reaching out to staff and community members for input and guidance as part of its response to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office investigation of disproportionate discipline for special education, African American, Native American and Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students. 

A steering committee of 12-15 internal and external stakeholders including representatives of Vancouver’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and SW Washington’s League of United Latin American Citizens will convene in December to review the AGO’s report, the relevant discipline data and the work completed to date. Invitations also will be extended to Native American, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and special education partners.

“We welcome working with our community partners and families as we address this complex challenge that affects not only our district, but school districts and communities throughout our state and nation,” said Superintendent Steve Webb. “We hope that the work we will do together can serve as a model for others.”

In January, the steering committee will meet with consultant Daniel Losen from the UCLA Center for Civil Rights Remedies to review his report and recommendations. In March, the steering committee will guide the formation of goal area teams. Composed of district staff, parents and community members, those teams will help the district develop action plans with specific goals, strategies and timelines for improving equity in student disciplinary practices. The district will keep the public informed of the planning process through periodic updates.

A recap of the process and action plans will be presented to the board of directors in May. A progress report will be submitted to Losen and the attorney general in July 2020.

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Martin Lucien Sanders, died the morning of November 14, 2019. Sanders was incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary and passed away in the infirmary while on hospice. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified.

Sanders entered DOC custody on January 17, 2013, from Washington County, with an earliest release date of March 14, 2021. Sanders was 61 years old. Next of kin has been notified.                                                                       

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of 14,700 individuals who are incarcerated in 14 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

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

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PEDESTRIAN SAFETY AND RIGHT-OF-WAY LAWS

With the end of Daylight Savings Time, many of us are leaving work after dusk.

As always, it’s important that we take an extra moment to consider pedestrians. 

Too often, in collisions with cars, pedestrians end up the losers.

Oregon crosswalk laws were written to provide a buffer of safety for pedestrians on the roadway.

What’s the law for drivers?

• A crosswalk exists at any public street intersection, whether marked with paint or unmarked.  Crosswalks also exist between intersections (mid-block) only if they are marked with white painted lines.  Under Oregon law (ORS 811.028) a driver has specific duties to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked.
• When turning at a traffic signal, drivers must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians until they have cleared the lane into which the vehicle is turning and at least six feet of the next lane.  
• At any other crosswalks-whether marked with paint or unmarked - drivers must stop and remain stopped for pedestrians until they have cleared the lane in which the vehicle is traveling and the next lane.  Stop and remain stopped for students as directed by a crossing guard.  Stop and remain stopped for a blind pedestrian using a white cane or a guide dog until the pedestrian is completely across the roadway. 
• Drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians may be issued a citation carrying a hefty fine.

What’s the law for pedestrians?

• Oregon laws affect pedestrians too; even though vehicles are always required to use due care when operating around pedestrians.
• Pedestrians are required to obey traffic signals and walk safely. 
• Pedestrians are also required to yield to vehicles.  Pedestrians are prohibited from suddenly moving from a place of safety into the path of a vehicle so close as to constitute a hazard.  Pedestrians are also required to yield to a vehicle when crossing the roadway at any point other than a crosswalk.
• Pedestrians who fail to comply with laws governing pedestrian movement may be issued a citation carrying a fine.

Safety Tips:

• Remember; under Oregon law there is a crosswalk at every intersection.
• Don’t pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.  A stopped car may be a clue that a pedestrian is crossing.  When stopped for a crosswalk on a multi-lane road, you should stop about 30 feet before the crosswalk so you don’t block visibility to a driver in a second lane.
• When stopping at an intersection, don’t block the crosswalk.  This forces pedestrians to go around your vehicle and puts them in a dangerous situation.
• Watch for pedestrians, especially children, when exiting driveways or when backing out of parking spaces in parking lots.
• Pedestrians move at different speeds.  Be alert to children who may suddenly dart into the street.  Be patient with older adults who take extra time to cross the street.

When motorists and pedestrians work as a team, everyone benefits!

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

On Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at approximately 6:00 P.M. Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel  responded to a report of a vehicle that struck a pedestrian on Hwy 99 near milepost 11 in Phoenix, Oregon. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that a Honda Accord, operated by Bonnie Knudsen (58) of Medford, was northbound on Hwy 99 when a male pedestrian, identified as Mark Cooper (57) no home town known,  walked in front of the vehicle and was struck.

Cooper was transported to Rogue Regional Hospital in Medford where he was pronounced deceased.

OSP was assisted by Talent Police Department, Phoenix Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff's Office and ODOT.

SALEM, Ore. — Chief of Police Jerry Moore of the Salem Police Department today announced his plans for retirement on November 30, 2019.  Although a formal retirement date has been set, Moore will continue as police chief on an interim basis.

“I asked Chief Moore to continue as police chief. Chief Moore lives the values of the Salem Police Department and City.  We are all better because of his leadership,” said City Manager Steve Powers. “We have several initiatives underway that require management continuity.”

“City Manager Powers has requested that I remain with the City as interim chief to address a variety of unfinished projects,” said Moore. The capital city police chief has been on the forefront of several current City projects, such as revenue for public safety and the move to the Salem Police Station.

“I am privileged to serve this community, my home. Although I will continue my service for a limited duration, know that I will do it with the same commitment I have always had,” said the veteran leader.

“Chief Moore remains the best police chief in the country.  I’m thrilled that Chief Moore will continue to serve our community”, said Salem Mayor Chuck Bennett.

Officer Jerry Moore started with the Salem Police Department in 1979 after two-and-half years of service with the Dallas Police Department where he started his distinguished career. “Once I started with Salem, I knew I never wanted to leave,” Moore said about his chosen path in policing. A local boy, Moore grew up in the Highland neighborhood, graduated from McNary High School, and he received his criminal justice degree from the Oregon College of Education, now known as Western Oregon University. In July of this year, he entered his 43rd year of service as an Oregon law enforcement officer. Today November 14, he celebrates 14 years of service as police chief for the City of Salem.

For those wondering if any retirement celebrations are happening any time soon, the City’s plans are on hold while several projects are brought to completion.  The public process of finding a new chief will occur after the first of the year, according to Powers. He added, “This early announcement gives us much-needed time to make the best decision for the future safety of our community.”

Online: https://www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/police-chief.aspx

#          #          #

On Wednesday November 13, 2019 at approximately 7:54 P.M. Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a report of a two vehicle crash on Hwy 99E near Concomly Rd NE. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that a silver 2002 GMC Envoy, operated by Nicolas Martinez-Rivera (56) of Woodburn, was traveling northbound on Hwy 99E near Concomly Rd NE when for unknown reasons the Envoy veered into the southbound lanes.  The Envoy collided head-on with a 2009 Ford F-150 pickup operated by Kaleefa Chernishoff (26) of Brooks. 

Chernishoff suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Salem Hospital. 

Martinez-Rivera suffered critical injuries and was transported by air to Legacy Emmanuel in Portland.

OSP was assisted by Woodburn Fire and Medics and ODOT.

On Wednesday,  November 13, 2019 at approximately 1:45 P.M. Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 20 near mile post 84.5.

Preliminary investigation revelealed that a 1992 Chevrolet Corvette, operated by Gerald Gates (75) of Salem, was westbound on Hwy 20 when it left the roadway and struck a tree.  

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

OSP was assisted by the Hines Fire Deparment, Harney County Sheriff's Office,and ODOT 

Public access to Saddle Mountain State Natural Area will be closed Nov. 25 - Dec. 6. The park will reopen early morning on Dec. 7.

During the closure, construction crews will make repairs to the park’s entrance road. DNA Mowing & Excavation, based in Pacific City, has been hired to complete the project.

Learn more about Saddle Mountain on the park’s webpage.

State Announces Winter Shelter Awards and Homelessness Data

OHCS distributed over $1.7 million statewide to strengthen winter shelter capacity

SALEM, OR – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) provided over $1.7 million to organizations across the state that provide shelter to those without homes. To help ensure the safety, health and wellbeing of Oregonians experiencing homelessness, these investments will strengthen winter shelters by securing facilities to operate shelter, increasing the number of shelter beds, expanding operating hours, providing extended outreach, funding shelter staff, and purchasing bedding, mats, and blankets.

“Temperatures have dropped below freezing across the state, and I am heartbroken for those without a roof over their heads,” said Director Margaret Salazar. “These resources will bring in Oregonians from the cold and allow local communities to address local needs.”

OHCS made the following awards:

• Central Oregon Continuum of Care (Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson Counties), NeighborImpact – $150,000
• Clackamas County Continuum of Care – $150,000
• Jackson County Continuum of Care – $150,000
• Lane County Continuum of Care – $150,000
• Portland/Multnomah County Continuum of Care – $150,000
• Washington County Continuum of Care – $150,000
• Rural Oregon Continuum of Care (Balance of State) – $877, 696 total
  • Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agency (Marion and Polk Counties) – $150,000
  • Yamhill Community Action Partnership – $145,000
  • Community Connection of Northeast Oregon (Baker, Grant, Union, and Wallowa Counties) – $55,790
  • Oregon Coast Community Action (Coos and Curry Counties) – $100,000
  • United Community Action Network (Douglas and Josephine Counties) – $75,000
  • Hood River Shelter - $11,000
  • Community Services Consortium (Linn, Benn, and Lincoln Counties) – $141,454
  • Community Action Team (Clatsop, Columbia, and Tillamook Counties) – $86,500
  • KLCAS (Klamath and Lake Counties) – $27,952

• Helping Hands (Tillamook, Clatsop, Yamhill, and Lincoln Counties) – $85,000

These funds are from a one-time allocation of $5 million made to OHCS during the 2019 Legislative Session to address statewide winter shelter capacity. OHCS will release the remainder of these funds through a competitive process in 2020, using the recently released Statewide Shelter Study to prioritize investments. The Shelter Study found that Oregon needs an additional 5,814 shelter beds to provide relief to Oregonians experiencing homelessness identified in the Point-in-Time Count.

The Point-in-Time Count attempts to capture both sheltered and unsheltered persons experiencing homelessness to provide a snapshot of homelessness in the United States. The 2019 Point-In-Time Count data demonstrates the continued need for shelter across the state. While the Point-in-Time Count provides critical information about those who cannot find a permanent place to call home on a given night in January, it does not tell the full story of homelessness in each community. Counting those impacted by homelessness is difficult due to a variety of factors and the intention of the Count is to give a general sense of homeless trends in Oregon and across the country.

Portland, OR--  This Is Tim: A Musical Life, the story of Portland music icon Tim Ellis, will debut on Thursday, November 14 at the Hollywood Theater. The documentary was produced and directed by Tim's daughter, filmmaker Tiffany Ellis. 

Tim Ellis, master guitarist, recording studio owner, music teacher, and father of six, died of cancer in March of 2016.  Shortly thereafter, Tiffany Ellis set out to tell the story of her father’s thirty-year musical career and the impact he had on the community.

Nearly three years in the making, this labor of love features archival performance footage, home movies, and vintage clips from Tim's 1990s local music talk show "Electric Surf." 

For the project, Ellis conducted more than 40 interviews with artists including Everclear's Art Alexakis; Pink Martini's Thomas Lauderdale; Concert Rock Violinist Aaron Meyer;  Grammy Award-winning Sam Martin; singer/songwriter Stephanie Schneiderman, Pink drummer Mark Schulman; jazz pianist Michael Allen Harrison; and singer/songwriter Craig Carothers.

Ellis hopes that her father's story will inspire others to follow their artistic passions and cultivate the creative communities around them.  

"My father," Ellis said, "is a testament to the belief that with hard work, grit, and a bit of luck, artistic life in the service of others is a life well-lived.” 

This Is Tim: A Musical Life
Produced and Directed by Tiffany Ellis, Jadamali Films
Thursday, Nov. 14, 7:30 PM
Hollywood Theater in Portland
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/226404686/426df53776
Jadamali Films: https://vimeo.com/jadamalifilms
Photo Opp: Tiffany Ellis; Tim’s wife, Susan Ellis; Tim’s youngest daughter, Jennifer Ellis; and members of the music community.
___

Tiffany Ellis currently works at Nike as a creative producer on the Brand Creative editorial team, creating documentary-style video and photography projects with athletes around the world.

Please see the attached media release for full information and links to referenced resources. 

Lincoln County and other counties around the state are transitioning from summer wildfire to our winter weather preparedness season. With this transition comes our annual partnership with local public works/road departments, Oregon Department of Transportation, utility service providers and the National Weather Service (NWS)-Portland office.

At the beginning of each winter season these agencies along with public safety response partners promote winter preparedness within their agencies and for local communities.

Winter Weather Outlook:

The National Weather Service provided a winter weather outlook briefing for public safety and local officials the morning of October 22nd.

This briefing was specifically coordinated for the Lincoln County communities and was followed by a tabletop exercise for the attendees. The exercise was modeled after the snow event that occurred primarily in Lane County, February 2019.  The winter weather outlook briefing is available for the public to review and can be found on the Lincoln County website – Emergency Management at: https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/emergencymanagement/page/whats-happening-now

Lincoln County Information Guide – Flooding (Updated Nov. 2019):

The flooding guide is specifically developed for Lincoln County Communities by the Emergency Management Division of the Sheriff’s Office and provides the A-Z of information needed for before, during and after a flooding event occurs. The guide is intended as a one-stop shop for educating yourself on insurance opportunities, flood plain mapping, how to access current river level information, and how to protect yourself and your property.

One of the most important aspects of protection is reviewing your insurance policies to ensure you are adequately covered; the National Flood Insurance Program recently underwent a website upgrade and provides very valuable information to help you decide if you should have a policy in place.

Flood insurance is not just for those property owners who live in the flood plain; it can protect many home and business owners from other events such as a tsunami or other water saturation events. Standard homeowners’ insurance may not cover these events. The following is a list of the sections in the flooding guide.

Lincoln County Self-Serve Public Sandbagging Station:

Sandbagging is one of the most versatile of flood fighting tools and is a simple, effective way to prevent or reduce flood water damage. Although sandbags do not guarantee a watertight seal, they are a proven deterrent to costly water damage. Sandbags have been used to:

• Prevent overtopping of levees
• Direct a river's current flow to specific areas
• Redirect storm water runoff to storm drains or redirect overflowing storm runoff drains from personal property
• Reduce seepage at closure structures

Location and Hours:  Mid-October through mid-April, 510 NE Harney St, Newport, access to sand is 24/7

Community members may pick up to 10 sandbags per person, per season. Those in need of more than 10 sandbags at a time are encouraged to reach out to local hardware stores and purchase them in advance.  Community members are reminded protection of private property is the property owners’ responsibility and begins prior to storm events.  If you have a water run off hazard or your home or structure is in flood path then you should assess your property in advance, educate yourself regarding sandbag quantities, sandbag placement techniques and the help you might need to accomplish the task. Properly placed, sandbags will redirect water and minor debris flow away from property improvements.  Waiting until the water is at your door step is too late; there won’t be enough time or resources to effectively mitigate the water or debris run off. 

###

Respectfully submitted,

Virginia "Jenny" Demaris
Emergency Manager
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
Emergency Management
225 W. Olive St.
Newport, Oregon 97365
is@co.lincoln.or.us" target="_blank">vdemaris@co.lincoln.or.us
(541) 265-4199 Office

Updated to include Mayor Ted Wheeler and Commissioner Chloe Eudaly's participation in the press conference

Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty will bring together businesses, neighborhood groups, elected officials, and advocates for a press conference on November 14 – one week before recommendations for the Portland Street Response pilot logistics and implementation go to council.

Representatives from the business, neighborhood, nonprofits, and advocates speaking include:

Will Rasmussen, Government Relations Executive Committee Chair, Portland Business Alliance

Ashley Henry, Executive Director, Business for a Better Portland

Kina Voelz, co-owner, Noraneko

Helen Ying, Chair, Old Town Community Association

Adam Lyons, Executive Director, Northeast Coalition of Neighborhoods

Iden Campbell, Racial Justice and Transgender Justice Program Director, Basic Rights Oregon

Nick Sauvie, Executive Director, Rose Community Development

Julia Delgado, Vice President, Urban League

So far, over 350 individuals, businesses, organizations, and electeds have endorsed the Portland Street Response.

Andrew Hoan, president & CEO, Portland Business Alliance says, “The Portland Business Alliance commends Commissioner Hardesty, Mayor Wheeler and the City Council for their leadership in advancing Portland Street Response from an idea into policy. This is a thoughtful policy strategy for helping our most vulnerable citizens find better access to services through appropriate first response to non-criminal behavior by unsheltered individuals.”

Helen Ying, Old Town Community Association Chair says, "We know if we continue to do the same thing the same way, we will get the same results. Having the appropriate people as first responders and getting people to the “right” services will yield results far better than what we have today. The Old Town Community applauds the City for taking steps in implementing the Portland Street Response pilot program."

Iden Campbell, Basic Rights Oregon’s Racial Justice and Transgender Justice Program Director say, “As Portlanders, we deserve a response that is culturally specific, trauma-informed, and compassionate.  I believe Portland Street Response will offer that to our city’s most vulnerable.”

Mayor Ted Wheeler and Commissioner Chloe Eudaly are scheduled to speak at the press conference in support of Portland Street Response as well. 

“I am proud of both the proposed pilot as well as the process we went through to develop it,” says Commissioner Hardesty. She continues, “Between our 40-person multijurisdictional work group, listening sessions, surveys with the houseless community, businesses, neighborhood associations, and service providers, we wanted to be sure everyone was brought to the table so that we came out with the best pilot possible – and I’m hopeful we’ve done just that.”

Portland Street Response sets out to modernize Portland’s first responder system by adding a new branch of first responders to address low-acuity, non-emergency calls. This new branch of first responders are trained in behavioral health-related crisis intervention and first aid and will respond to 9-1-1 requests related to a behavioral health crisis or people experiencing houselessness that do not require police, fire, or ambulatory services.

City Council is set to hear and discuss the report and recommendations during council session on November 21, at 2pm.

WHEN: Thursday, November 14, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

WHERE:  City Hall Atrium, 1221 SW 4th Ave

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Farmers, ranchers, and foresters are invited to a free farm and ranch succession planning workshop on Dec. 10 as part of the Oregon Farm Bureau Convention at the Salishan Resort in Gleneden Beach. 

Changing Hands: Succession Planning Workshop

It’s never too early or late to begin planning for the future of your farm or ranch. With proper planning, you can provide for the future harmony of your family and viability of your farm business. Whether you have heirs or a business successor yet or not, this workshop will give you the legal, financial, and interpersonal tools you need to take the next step in succession planning. 

This is a fantastic opportunity for farmers, ranchers, and foresters to learn from the state's leading experts in the field:

• Maria Schidlkofer, Attorney at Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt PC
• Diana Tourney, Accountant and Farm Succession Coordinator at Clackamas Small Business Development Center
• Mark Wickman, Founder and Counselor at Family Business Counsel
• Nellie McAdams, Staff at Oregon Agricultural Trust

The event will take place as part of the 2019 Oregon Farm Bureau Convention.  

When: Tuesday, December 10, 2019.

Workshop from 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Happy Hour from 4:45 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the Salishan Lounge for farmers of all generations thinking about non-family succession and business partnerships.

Where: Salishan Lodge 7760 North Highway 101, Gleneden Beach

Who: All are welcome. Please RSVP! 

RSVP to Nellie McAdams, nellie@oregonagtrust.org, 971.409.6806

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At 1913 hours of November 12, 2019 Cowlitz 911 received a report of a shooting at a residence in the 1400 block of S. 4th Ave, Kelso.  Deputies responded to the scene and contacted a male resident who had been shot by an unknown suspect.  The suspect was described as a white male, about 5'5" tall, medium build with frizzy gray hair.  The suspect was also described as having a beard and was wearing dark clothing.  Deputies, with assistance from surrounding police agencies, utilized a K-9 and a drone to search the area but were unable to locate the suspect. 

The victim suffered life threatening injuries and was transported for medical treatment.

This is an active investigation.  Detective Riley McNeal will be the lead investigator.  The Sheriff's Office is requesting anyone with information or video evidence related to this case contact our office at 360-577-3092.

November 13, 2019 update -

The victim in this investigation is Rick D. Huckaby, age 69, of Kelso.  He remains hospitalized at this time.  Mr. Huckaby's family has requested to not have further contact with the media at this time.

Nov. 13, 2019

Media contact: Rebeka Gipson-King, 503-945-7141, ebeka.gipson-king@dhsoha.state.or.us">rebeka.gipson-king@dhsoha.state.or.us

Program contact: Jacee Vangestel, 503-945-2852, jacee.m.vangestel@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board meets November 21 in Salem

What: A public meeting of the Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board.

When: Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, 1-5 p.m.

Where: Oregon State Hospital, Callan Conference Room, 2600 Center Street NE, Salem. The public can also attend via toll-free conference line at 888-278-0296, access code 4294893.

Agenda: After the public comment period, topics will include maintaining mental health stability for staff, maintaining confidentiality in an open landscape environment, employment requirements for nursing staff and a report by the Peer Advisory Council.

Details: The Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board advises the superintendent, Oregon Health Authority director and legislators on issues related to the safety, security and care of patients. Members include consumers, providers, advocates, legislators, community members, consumer families and OSH union members.

For more information, see the board’s website at http://www.oregon.gov/oha/osh/Pages/advisory-board.aspx.

# # #

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

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

If you need help or have questions, please contact Jacee Vangestel at 503-945-2852, 711 TTY or jacee.m.vangestel@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019 – Ridgefield, WA - The Ridgefield School District has selected Kelsey Anchors-Goodman as Softball Coach for Ridgefield High School.  Anchors-Goodman comes to Ridgefield from North Valley High School in Grants Pass, Oregon where she was assistant coach for softball and girls’ basketball and an instructor in PE, health and strength/conditioning.  Last year, she coached baseball there as well, making history as Oregon’s first female coach of a boys’ baseball team.

“I am really excited to have the opportunity to continue building a program in Ridgefield that is on the rise, along with contributing to the success that this program has achieved over the last few years,” said Anchors-Goodman.

The daughter of the late RHS softball coach, Dusty Anchors and Lori Anchors, Anchors-Goodman is the youngest of four children.  She started playing T-Ball at the age of 4 and competitive softball at the age of 7.  She attended Olympic High School in Bremerton, setting school records in softball and was all-Olympic League her last two years, as well as all-state in her senior season.

Anchors-Goodman attended Oklahoma State University on a softball scholarship and holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Promotions and Education with an emphasis in Exercise Science.  She was the university’s top defensive softball centerfielder all four years and was on the team when it advanced to the Women’s College World Series in 2011.  Anchors-Goodman earned her teaching certificate at St. Martin’s University in Lacey in 2015 and worked as a substitute teacher and PE instructor at Central Kitsap Middle School prior to joining the staff at North Valley High School.

“The Ridgefield Athletic Department is beyond excited to announce Kelsey Anchors-Goodman as our new softball coach,” said Brynan Shipley, Ridgefield School District’s athletic director.  “Kelsey has a great deal of knowledge and experience in the sport.  Her impressive resume set her apart in the selection process, and her vision for the program is shared by many.  The fact that she is Coach Anchors’ daughter only makes it that much more special.  We are excited about the future of Ridgefield softball!”

In her free time, Anchors-Goodman loves to spend time with family and friends, playing competitive slow-pitch, being outdoors and traveling.

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Attached is a link to a video of the activities inside the bus during the crash. The adult bus aid and children’s faces have been blurred for their privacy.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hff9w3WhfuISn6fyE6dOkd5qxulRRSOG/view

On Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 8:00 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a traffic crash involving a school bus on SW Old Hwy. 47, near SW Seghers Road. When deputies arrived, they found the school bus in a ditch with 12 occupants on the bus; the 20-year-old driver, Jonathan C. Gates of Hillsboro, an adult bus aid, and ten children between the ages of ten and sixteen.

Deputies determined there were no injuries to the occupants of the bus, and the children aboard were students from Forest Grove School District. Deputies discovered Mr. Gates appeared to be impaired, and he was arrested for DUI-controlled substance.  Mr. Gates was transported to the Washington County Jail where he cooperated with investigators. Mr. Gates was later issued a citation in lieu of custody and released.  There is no Booking Photo of Mr. Gates available at this time.

Members of the inter-agency Washington County Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team (CART) responded and are assisting in the traffic crash investigation.

Vancouver, Wash. – Vancouver’s annual Father Daughter Valentine’s Ball now includes an opportunity for everyone to celebrate the love of their birth or chosen family. This February, in addition to two dances in the traditional father/daughter style, Vancouver Parks and Recreation will also host a third Sweethearts Valentine’s Ball that welcomes all family members.

“We have been doing this event for a while now and people really love it,” said Johnie S. Tucker, special events coordinator at Vancouver Parks and Recreation. “We’re excited to be back at Pearson Air Museum’s beautiful historic hangar and we look forward to sharing this fun celebration with even more people in the community through the new Sweethearts Ball. Whichever date you attend, you are sure to have a great time at the Vancouver Valentine’s Ball!”

Both dances will be fun and memorable events for all ages. Attendees will enjoy a wonderful evening of music and dancing at the Pearson Air Museum Historic Hangar (1115 E. 5th St., Vancouver). The event features a local DJ, dessert and refreshments and a temporary tattoo station. A professional photographer will be on hand to beautifully document each dance and guests will receive a link to download free keepsake photos.

The cost per attendee for the Valentine’s Ball is $13 for city residents or $15 for non-residents. Valentine’s Ball tickets go on sale Monday, Nov. 18. Advance registration is required and space is limited. Visit www.cityofvancouver.us/ValentinesBall to learn more.

Valentine’s Ball Dates:

• Father Daughter Valentine’s Ball: Friday, Feb. 7, 6- 8 p.m.
• Sweethearts Valentine’s Ball: Saturday, Feb. 8, 1-3 p.m.
• Father Daughter Valentine’s Ball: Saturday, Feb. 8, 6-8 p.m.

Volunteer opportunities are available! Click on a link below to sign up as a volunteer or contact cityvolunteer@cityofvancvouer.us or 360-487-8344 to learn more.

• Volunteer Friday, Feb. 7
• Volunteer Saturday, Feb. 8

###

Salem, OR Release: November 13, 2019

Salem Health and WVP Health Authority are pleased to announce the purchase of WVP Medical Group by Salem Health to continue providing quality health care for Mid-Willamette valley residents. The acquisition brings six additional primary care clinics within Salem Health Medical Group’s purview:

• WVP Boulder Creek
• WVP Flaming Medical Center
• WVP Keizer Clinic
• WVP Independence-Monmouth Family Medicine
• WVP The Doctors' Clinic
• Dallas Family Medicine

The agreement takes effect immediately.

Over the past several years, WVP Medical Group and Salem Health have collaborated on numerous projects and worked diligently to build relationships and trust between the hospital and independent physicians. This agreement allows both institutions to now build on that coordination. 

“Salem Health and WVP Medical Group share many of the same patients and most importantly, a passion for a vibrant, healthy community,” said Dean Andretta, chief financial officer of WVP Health Authority. “This is an excellent opportunity for two strong entities to improve health care for our community.” 

Salem Health and WVP Medical Group have many details to work through in the coming months. The primary focus at this time is to ensure a smooth transition for patients, providers and staff.

“The partnership between Salem Health and WVP Medical Group has flourished in recent years,” said Cheryl Wolfe, president and CEO of Salem Health. “Formally joining hands reflects a mutual interest to deepen that coordination for the good of the community.”

About WVP Medical Group

WVP Medical Group, in partnership with the WVP Health Authority and independent community-based providers, has delivered efficient and effective health services to Marion and Polk residents for over 40 years. WVP uses a team-based, family-centered model of care, to fulfill its vision that every person in Marion and Polk has access to primary holistic health care.

About Salem Health

Salem Health offers exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley. It comprises hospitals in Salem and Dallas, a medical group of primary and specialty care providers, plus other affiliated services. 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. 

Media contact: Salem Health 24-hour media relations line: 971-718-3157

UPDATE

Brennan has been located and is safe. 

Vancouver, Wash. –On November 13, 2019, Vancouver Police took a report of a missing 11 year old male, Brennan Matthew Bush who was last seen near the bus pick up area at Covington Middle School at approximately 11:40 a.m. today. He did not get on the bus and has not returned home.

Brennan is 4’10”, 75 lbs., has brown eyes and black curly hair. He was last seen wearing a black Nike hoodie that is white from the chest up, black joggers, and a black backpack. He has no known medical conditions.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911.

###

The Private Security/Private Investigators Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a WebEx/Telephonic meeting on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE Salem, Oregon.  The public is welcome to view the meeting through Facebook Livestream on the Department of Public Safety Standards & Training page. For more information, contact Mona Riesterer at (503) 378-2431.

Committee Members:

Thomas Thomas, Chair, Private Security Industry

Myron Sanders, Investigator, OSB Appointed

Jeremy Grahn, Retail Industry

Fred Kuest, Private Business or Governmental Entity That Utilizes Private Security Services

Daniel Lenzen, Hospitality Representative

Melvin Levinson, Alarm Monitor Industry

William “Mac” McKnight, Armed Security Representative

Steven Swenson, Private Investigator

Edward Sharpe, Health Care Industry

Richard Valencia, Unarmed Security Representative

Les Youngbar, Public Member

 ?>

Administrative Announcement

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

1.  Introductions

2.  Minutes – August 20, 2019

Approve the minutes of the August 20, 2019 Private Security/Private Investigations Policy Committee   

meeting.

3.  Review of Public Comment for the Proposed Rule Changes to OAR Chapter 259 Division 60 Adding the Event & Entertainment Private Security Professional Certification to the Private Security Provider Administrative Rules

Presented by Jennifer Howald

4.  Department Update

5.  Subcommittee Reports

6.  Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting – February 18, 2020 at 1:30 p.m.

## Background Information on the DPSST ##

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

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

The City of Oregon City has launched a transportation and parking survey for downtown workers and visitors this month. The City is hoping to better understand how people travel to downtown and how they use various transportation and parking options in order to help guide and support future investments and improvements to transportation and parking downtown.

The City plans to collect this data every few years and track the data over time.  The effort is part of a larger Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Plan for downtown that aims to improve travel options downtown and make accessing the downtown area safer, more convenient, and more equitable.  The City has convened a TDM working group of downtown stakeholders to implement the plan.

The survey is available online through November 27 and takes about 5 minutes to complete. Everyone who completes the survey can be entered to win raffle prizes including a gift card to Black Ink/White Rabbit coffee shop, elevator t-shirts, and ornaments, and Oregon City 175th Anniversary blankets.

City staff and volunteers from the downtown Oregon City Association have already collected over 200 responses from both downtown employees and patrons. The survey is drawing out many opinions about on-street parking, bicycle access downtown, and the hours of the municipal elevator, among other issues. 

Visiting Downtown will be easier in the near future, as the City is adding signage allowing after-hours public parking at City Hall.  The City just legalized “After Hours Public Parking,” which allows businesses to make their lots available to the public in the evenings and weekends when offices are closed. The TDM working group is also engaging with downtown parking lot owners to do the same with their parking lots, which will add parking capacity downtown without having to build any new parking.  “TDM is all about using space and resources efficiently, squeezing all the value we can from the assets we already have Downtown,” says Kelly Reid, City planner, and project manager for the TDM Working Group. 

To take the survey, visit bit.ly/octravelsurvey.

Forest Grove School District School Bus Accident

(FOREST GROVE) – At approximately 8:17am this morning, a school bus carrying 10 students from Forest Grove High School, Neil Armstrong Middle School and Tom McCall Upper Elementary School veered off the road into a ditch. The accident took place off of Scoggins Valley Road near Hagg Lake. There were no other vehicles involved and no immediate injuries to the students were reported. All students were evaluated by emergency personnel and were released to parents or guardians.

The driver was arrested at the site and Washington County Sheriff's Office is investigating the crash. Following district procedure, the driver will undergo a mandatory drug test and be placed on administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing.

Salem, Oregon – Harlen Springer, the chair of the Florence Public Arts Committee and a founding member and past president of the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, has been appointed to the Oregon Arts Commission by Gov. Kate Brown.

Springer is a retired corporate executive with extensive experience leading artistic and consumer products companies including Portal Publications, Numi Organic Tea and Boing Designs. Prior to that, Springer held senior management positions at Fortune 500 companies such as Procter and Gamble, Clorox and Unilever.

As a founding member and the current Chair of the City of Florence Public Arts Committee, Springer has worked with city government, local utilities, civic groups and private individuals to complete 10 projects over the past four years, including sculptures, murals and youth projects. The group received the “Innovation in Business” award for 2018 from the Chamber of Commerce in recognition of their contributions to the city.

Springer also helped to found the Florence Regional Arts Alliance, which now has more than 175 members and sponsors, and operates a gallery where they conduct classes and workshops in all visual mediums, in addition to literary events.

“Since his retirement, Harlen has devoted his time and significant business acumen to the development of the Florence arts community,” said Commission Chair Anne Taylor. “We are incredibly grateful to him and fortunate to enlist his energy in our statewide effort to enrich the lives of Oregonians through the arts.”

“I am honored and humbled by this appointment,” said Springer. “My work in Florence has given me the opportunity to interact with several current Arts Commissioners and it is clear the Commission attracts strong people with a passion for the arts combined with a practical approach to strengthening communities by utilizing the arts to stimulate economic vitality. I share this same passion and desire to have the arts touch the lives of all Oregonians.”

Springer holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Oregon and an MBA from Seattle University. He began his four-year term on Nov. 7.

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.

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services will be hosting its first hearing on prescription drug prices on Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oregonians are encouraged to participate in this inaugural event in two ways.

Make your voice heard. The department set up a brief survey for consumers to ask questions and share their stories regarding rising prescription drug prices. Drug prices play a major role in the health care decisions of Oregonians and the cost of prescription drugs have steadily increased in the past 10 years. The department wants to know what questions you have about the increase in prescription drugs and how has it affected you and your family.

For example: Have you had to skip medication in the past 12 months due to the high cost, or have you experienced a heavy hit to your savings in order to pay for prescription drugs?

Submit your questions as soon as possible and they will be included in the public hearing.

Tune in to the hearing. The department is providing multiple ways to tune in to the hearing on Tuesday:  

1. You can attend the event at the Capitol in Salem
2. Watch a live stream at community locations in Astoria, Medford, and Pendleton
3. Watch online, Oregon State Legislature live feed

Ask your questions today and visit dfr.oregon.gov for hearing location information and access to the live stream. 

###

Vancouver, Wash. –On November 10, 2019 Detectives from the Neighborhood Response Team, the US Marshals Violent Offender Task Force, the SW Washington Regional SWAT Team, and Vancouver Police Patrol developed information that a wanted fugitive, Daniel Gene Hoffman, was staying at a Vancouver area motel.

As Hoffman was preparing to leave in his vehicle, SWAT team members intercepted him and took him into custody. During the arrest of Hoffman, a loaded firearm was located on his person. A search warrant for the hotel room and Hoffman’s vehicle was executed resulting in seizure of another pistol, a shotgun, tactical equipment, holsters, ammunition, 2.2 pounds of methamphetamine, .25 ounces of cocaine, and paraphernalia and materials associated with distribution.

Hoffman was booked into the Clark County Jail for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent- Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent -Cocaine, two outstanding felony warrants, and Resisting Arrest.

                                                                                      ###

The Vancouver Police Department is seeking applicants for Entry and Lateral Police Officers. If you are interested in a career with us, visit https://www.cityofvancouver.us/police/page/how-do-i-become-vancouver-police-officer.

On November 12, 2019, Beaverton Police officers arrested 19-year-old Jamal Osman (resides in Auburn, Washington), 19-year-old Kassim Ahmed (resides in Seattle, Washington), and three juveniles ages 17, 15 and 14.  All five suspects had been committing multiple crimes in Washington County.

At 1:52 a.m. on November 12th, Beaverton Police officers were called to Winco Foods (3025 SW Cedar Hills Blvd) after suspects stole beer and left in a black Audi.  Officers located the vehicle on Hwy 217 and the driver eluded officers.  Officers chose not to pursue the vehicle for public safety concerns.   

At 11:51 a.m., Beaverton Police officers responded to Costco (15901 SW Jenkins Rd) regarding a victim who had her purse stolen.  The victim had her purse forcibly removed from her hands as she sat in her vehicle.  The suspects used the same black Audi from the Winco theft. 

At 11:59 a.m. Beaverton Police detectives spotted the suspect vehicle which pulled into the Beaverton Town Square Fred Meyers’ parking lot.  The vehicle parked in a manner and location which led officers to believe the suspects were going to commit additional crimes.  Three occupants were taken into custody from within the vehicle and two additional suspects were taken into custody inside Fred Meyer.  

Beaverton officers learned the vehicle had been stolen at gunpoint in Tukwila Washington on November 10th.  A black replica firearm was found in the vehicle.  These same suspects, using the same vehicle, are believed to have committed Harassment and Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle in Tigard, a robbery in Tualatin, and Vehicle Prowl in the Second Degree and Theft from a Vehicle in the Second Degree in Vancouver.

We are working with our community partners in Tigard, Tualatin, Tukwila and Vancouver to assist in their investigations. All five occupants were charged with Robbery in the Second Degree, Identity Theft and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card for the crimes that occurred in Beaverton. Mr. Osman was additionally charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle. Addition charges may be filed as we continue to investigate.

  ##BPD##

VANCOUVER, Wash. – PeaceHealth has named nursing leader Donna King to its system board of directors.

With more than 40 years of experience, King’s tenure as a registered nurse and nursing executive makes her a valuable addition to the PeaceHealth system board. Most recently she served as the vice president of clinical operations and chief nurse executive at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.

King has an outstanding record of accomplishments, focusing on integration of healthcare systems and revitalizing services in times of rapid growth and transitional climates. She holds bachelor’s degrees in both nursing and psychology from Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois. She also holds an MBA from Benedictine University in Lisle, Illinois.

King will support PeaceHealth’s ongoing commitment to the highest level of quality care in our communities.

About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 1,200 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division is asking for the public's help to identify the person(s) responsible for shooting and leaving to waste a doe deer in Adrian, OR.  

This occurred within a few days prior to November 9, 2019. 

The deceased deer was located in a cornfield near the intersection of Miller Rd. and Red Top Rd..

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact OSP Sergeant Isaac Cyr through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or OSP.

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators 

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

Preference Point Rewards:

5 Points-Mountain Sheep

5 Points-Mountain Goat

5 Points-Moose

5 Points-Wolf

4 Points-Elk

4 Points-Deer

4 Points-Antelope

4 Points-Bear

4 Points-Cougar

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

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

$100 Game Fish and Shellfish 

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

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

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

On November 13, 2019, at approximately 1:25 a.m., Keizer Police officers attempted to stop a speeding motorist near River Road North and Appleblossom Avenue North.  The driver of the vehicle, later identified as 45-year-old David Acevedo of Lynwood Washington, eluded police for nearly two miles into the City of Salem. Mr. Acevedo crashed into a City of Salem fence near Front Street NE and Union Street NE. Mr. Acevedo fled on foot towards the Willamette River. Keizer PD K9 Kobe  tracked Mr. Acevedo through the Willamette greenway and located him along the riverbank.  Mr. Acevedo was charged with Attempt to Elude (felony), Attempt to Elude (misdemeanor), and Hit and Run (property damage). 

November 13, 2019

Vanbueren Alexander Dormaier receives 52 month prison sentence after stealing multiple cars, crashing into police vehicle

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 33-year-old Vanbueren Alexander Dormaier received a 52 month prison sentence after he pleaded guilty to stealing multiple cars throughout Multnomah County before ultimately crashing into a police patrol SUV when he fled from officers.

“Mr. Dormaier put the public in extraordinary danger the three times he fled from police in these stolen vehicles,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Alexander Garcia, who prosecuted this case. “In one particular instance, Mr. Dormaier T-boned a vehicle that was occupied by two people. Our community members are substantially inconvenienced when their vehicles are stolen. Often – even when someone’s vehicle is recovered – the vehicle is so badly damaged that it is deemed totaled or no longer safe to operate.”

Dormaier pleaded guilty on November 8, 2019 to four counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, one count of felony fleeing and attempting to elude, and one count of misdemeanor driving under the influence of intoxicants. In total, these eight criminal offenses encompass three separate criminal cases involving Dormaier.

On November 13, 2018, a woman reported her vehicle was stolen in the area of Southeast 151st Avenue and Southeast Stark Street in Portland, Oregon. The thief left behind a note, which read “Hope you won’t be angry with me.” Law enforcement determined Dormaier’s identity after flipping over that note and seeing that it had been written on paperwork from Clackamas County Circuit Court. An identification card with his name on it was also located nearby.

On November 17, 2018, a man reported his vehicle was stolen from the 3600 block of Northeast 162nd Avenue in Portland, Oregon. That same day, Portland Police responded to a T-bone crash involving the stolen vehicle near the intersection of Southeast 92nd Avenue and Southeast Morrison Street. Witnesses reported the crash occurred at speeds estimated to be 50-60 miles per hour. Dormaier was found in the driver’s seat of the stolen vehicle. He was transported to the hospital with serious injuries. At the hospital, it was determined Dormaier was under the influence of high levels of amphetamines and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

On April 12, 2019, a Portland Police Bureau officer ran the license plate of a vehicle he saw in the area of Southeast 153rd Avenue and Southeast Stark Street. The vehicle’s information came back as stolen. The officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop but Dormaier drove the vehicle into oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed. Due to the dangerousness of Dormaier’s driving, no pursuit was initiated and Dormaier evaded capture. Several hours later, a sergeant with the Portland Police Bureau saw that same stolen vehicle and attempted to conduct a second traffic stop. Dormaier fled by once again driving into oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed. Officers then located Dormaier and the vehicle he left unoccupied nearby. As officers attempted to take Dormaier into custody, Dormaier stole another vehicle and rammed that vehicle into a police patrol SUV. When the crash occurred, there was an officer standing close to the SUV attempting to take Dormaier into custody. That officer escaped injury by quickly jumping out of the way. Dormaier then backed up and rammed two parked vehicles before once again driving into oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed. Dormaier was later located in the area of Southeast 119th Avenue and Southeast Stark Street and taken into custody.

Dormaier was remanded to the custody of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office before starting his prison sentence.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office encourages community members to take proactive steps to avoid becoming a car theft victim by:

• Avoid making your vehicle a target by removing all items and keeping it “showroom ready”
• Be careful about where you park; if able, park in a well-lit area
• Close all windows
• Consider adding a GPS tracking device to your vehicle
• Consider adding a vehicle disabling device to your vehicle
• Consider adding an in-vehicle camera that can be used in real-time to identify any persons inside the vehicle
• Keep your doors locked at all times, even when driving
• Never leave your car unattended in an effort to cool it down or heat it up
• Never leave your keys inside your vehicle after parking
• Use steering wheel locks

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director

Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office

Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Has Stayed Near 4 Percent for Three Years  

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in September and October. The rate has been between 4.0 percent and 4.4 percent for an unprecedented 36 consecutive months dating back to November 2016. The U.S. unemployment rate ticked up from 3.5 percent in September to 3.6 percent in October.

Other measures of Oregon’s labor force also indicated a tight labor market in recent months. Fewer individuals are remaining unemployed for extended periods: The number of individuals unemployed for 52 weeks or more dropped to 6,000 in October, which was the lowest level in a dozen years and well below the peak of 70,000 in 2010. The number of unemployed who lost their job has remained close to 32,000 for the past three years, which was less than one-quarter of those unemployed due to a job loss in 2009. Meanwhile, the number of people who were unemployed due to leaving their job voluntarily has recently risen above 16,000, up from an average of 12,000 during the prior six calendar years. The increase in the number of people leaving their jobs voluntarily could indicate increasing confidence among workers of being able to easily find another job if they quit their current job.

Oregon’s nonfarm payroll employment rose by 4,400 jobs in October, following an upwardly revised gain of 3,300 jobs in September. Gains in October were concentrated in leisure and hospitality (+2,400 jobs), government (+2,300), and wholesale trade (+1,000). These monthly gains were partially offset by job losses of 700 each in construction and health care and social assistance, and a loss of 900 jobs in retail trade.

In addition to the strong monthly gains in September and October, quarterly revisions boosted the level of reported employment by 6,400 jobs for June and subsequent months.

Oregon’s payroll employment grew by 27,800 jobs, or 1.4 percent, over the past 12 months. This growth rate was slightly slower than the 1.7 percent average annual growth rate Oregon’s economy experienced over the past 19 months. During the five years prior to that, employment grew much faster—at an average of 2.8 percent per year. Oregon has added jobs at the same pace as the U.S. over the past year.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the October county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, November 19th, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for November on Tuesday, December 17th.

Notes: 

All numbers in the above narrative are seasonally adjusted.

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

The Oregon Employment Department publishes payroll employment estimates that are revised quarterly by using employment counts from employer unemployment insurance tax records. All department publications use this Official Oregon Series data unless noted otherwise. This month’s release incorporates the April, May, and June 2019 tax records data. The department continues to make the original nonfarm payroll employment series available; these data are produced by the BLS.

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

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

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

Celebration of Native culture includes food, arts, crafts

(Portland, OR) –

Portland Parks & Recreation is proud to present the annual Native American Marketplace & Family Day at Mt. Scott Community Center on Saturday, November 23, 2019. Come celebrate Native cultures during #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth with food, crafts, vendors, and activities for all ages. 

PP&R thanks retired longtime staffer Sheryl Juber and our partners, including the Portland Parks & Recreation Native American Community Advisory Council (NACAC), for making this event possible. 

What: Native American Marketplace & Family Day

When: Saturday, November 23, 2019, 10am-5pm
Where: PP&R’s Mt. Scott Community Center, 5530 SE 7nd Avenue, Portland, OR

Event highlights:

• Indian Taco fundraiser available from 12:00pm-5:00pm. All proceeds go to support the 50th annual Delta Park Powwow (coming in June 2020).
• Roller skating available 12pm-3pm (modest fee; socks required)
• Swim in the Mt. Scott Pool 1pm-6pm (modest fee; a paid adult must accompany children under 48” in the water)
• Local artists with expert craftwork using natural gemstones and other materials – great holiday gifts!
• Beautiful handmade native beadwork and sterling silver jewelry, among many other types of arts and crafts.
• Event listing: portlandoregon.gov/parks/article/746915  

About Portland Parks & Recreation’s Native American Community Advisory Council (NACAC)

In 2010, in collaboration with Native communities and local tribes, Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) co-created the Native American Community Advisory Council (NACAC), with the understanding that the Willamette Valley and Columbia River indigenous people hold a unique status as the original stewards of this region’s land. PP&R is a large land manager in Portland and is committed to the stewardship of public properties and the community interactions with parks and natural areas. This stewardship creates a unique relationship between the Native community and PP&R. In recognition of this shared interest, and the essential value of working with the Native community, a unique council of interested Native community members advise PP&R about Native cultures, lifeways, and needs.

The Native American Community Advisory Council is comprised of local federally recognized tribal members and Native American urban organization members on staff with the City of Portland.  The group provides a forum to discuss values such as sacredness of land, the importance of spiritual and cultural connection to heritage, and the recognition that Indigenous peoples have been here since time immemorial. Native people continue to contribute immeasurably to our nation, state, tribes, and City.

# # #

Initiative emphasizes enforcing gun prohibitions based on domestic violence convictions and mental health denials

WASHINGTON—Today, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the launch of Project Guardian, a new initiative designed to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws across the country. Specifically, Project Guardian focuses on investigating, prosecuting, and preventing gun crimes.

Reducing gun violence and enforcing federal firearms laws have always been among the Department’s highest priorities. In order to develop a new and robust effort to promote and ensure public safety, the Department reviewed and adapted some of the successes of past strategies to curb gun violence. Project Guardian draws on the Department’s earlier achievements, such as the “Triggerlock” program, and it serves as a complementary effort to the success of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). In addition, the initiative emphasizes the importance of using all modern technologies available to law enforcement to promote gun crime intelligence.

“Gun crime remains a pervasive problem in too many communities across America. Today, the Department of Justice is redoubling its commitment to tackling this issue through the launch of Project Guardian,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “Building on the success of past programs like Triggerlock, Project Guardian will strengthen our efforts to reduce gun violence by allowing the federal government and our state and local partners to better target offenders who use guns in crimes and those who try to buy guns illegally.”

“We are pleased to join Attorney General Barr in announcing Project Guardian—a critical initiative aimed at reducing gun violence in communities across the country. Oregonians are no strangers to the heartbreaking impact gun violence has on the lives of its many victims. Enough is enough; continued violence on our streets is simply unacceptable,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “We will work closely with our Justice Department colleagues to ensure a speedy rollout of Project Guardian so it can begin saving Oregon lives immediately. I believe it will.”

“ATF has a long history of strong partnerships in the law enforcement community,” said Acting Director Regina Lombardo. “Make no mistake, the women and men of ATF remain steadfast to our core mission of getting crime guns off of our streets. ATF and U.S. Attorneys nationwide will leverage these partnerships even further through enhanced community outreach initiatives and coordination with local, state, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to cut the pipeline of crime guns from those violent individuals who seek to terrorize our communities. Project Guardian will enhance ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence, to include identifying, investigating and prosecuting those involved in the straw purchases of firearms, lying on federal firearms transaction forms, and those subject to the mental health prohibition of possessing firearms.”

Project Guardian’s implementation is based on five principles:

1. Coordinated Prosecution

Federal prosecutors and law enforcement will coordinate with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors to consider potential federal prosecution for new cases involving a defendant who: a) was arrested in possession of a firearm; b) is believed to have used a firearm in committing a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime prosecutable in federal court; or c) is suspected of actively committing violent crime(s) in the community on behalf of a criminal organization.

2. Enforcing the Background Check System

United States Attorneys, in consultation with the Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in their district, will create new, or review existing, guidelines for intake and prosecution of federal cases involving false statements (including lie-and-try, lie-and-buy, and straw purchasers) made during the acquisition or attempted acquisition of firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees.

Particular emphasis is placed on individuals convicted of violent felonies or misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence, individuals subject to protective orders, and individuals who are fugitives where the underlying offense is a felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence; individuals suspected of involvement in criminal organizations or of providing firearms to criminal organizations; and individuals involved in repeat denials.

3. Improved Information Sharing

On a regular basis, and as often as practicable given current technical limitations, ATF will provide to state law enforcement fusion centers a report listing individuals for whom the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has issued denials, including the basis for the denial, so that state and local law enforcement can take appropriate steps under their laws.

4. Coordinated Response to Mental Health Denials

Each United States Attorney will ensure that whenever there is federal case information regarding individuals who are prohibited from possessing a firearm under the mental health prohibition, such information continues to be entered timely and accurately into the United States Attorneys’ Offices’ case-management system for prompt submission to NICS. ATF should engage in additional outreach to state and local law enforcement on how to use this denial information to better assure public safety.

Additionally, United States Attorneys will consult with relevant district stakeholders to assess feasibility of adopting disruption of early engagement programs to address mental-health-prohibited individuals who attempt to acquire a firearm. United States Attorneys should consider, when appropriate, recommending court-ordered mental health treatment for any sentences issued to individuals prohibited based on mental health.

5. Crime Gun Intelligence Coordination

Federal, state, local, and tribal prosecutors and law enforcement will work together to ensure effective use of the ATF’s Crime Gun Intelligence Centers (CGICs), and all related resources, to maximize the use of modern intelligence tools and technology. These tools can greatly enhance the speed and effectiveness in identifying trigger-pullers and finding their guns, but the success depends in large part on state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners sharing ballistic evidence and firearm recovery data with the ATF.

Federal law enforcement represents only about 15% of all law enforcement resources nationwide. Therefore, partnerships with state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the communities they serve are critical to addressing gun crime. The Department recognizes that sharing information with our state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners at every level will enhance public safety, and provide a greater depth of resources available to address gun crime on a national level.

For more information on Project Guardian, see the Attorney General’s memorandum at: https://www.justice.gov/ag/project-guardian-memo-2019/download.

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SALEM, Ore. – The Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee will meet Monday, Nov. 18, from 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Tillamook Room, Building C on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Salem headquarters campus, 2600 State Street.

The committee will discuss the following topics:

• Forest Legacy Program updates
• Updates from the Private Forests Division
• State Forest Action Plan updates
• Stewardship Program updates
• Coordinating with the Committee for Family Forestlands

This is a public meeting, everyone is welcome. The meeting space is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting. For more information about attending the meeting please contact Susan Dominique at 503-945-7502.

The Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee advises the State Forester on policy and procedures for the U.S. Forest Service State and Private Forestry programs, such as Forest Legacy and Forest Stewardship. The committee consists of representatives from state and federal natural resource agencies, private forest landowners, consulting foresters, and forest industry and conservation organizations. You can find more information at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/SCC.aspx.

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     On 11/12/19 at about 11:20 pm information was received from Newberg-Dundee PD regarding a vehicle pursuit that they had just terminated on Hwy 240 near Tangen Road.  The driver of the suspect vehicle was identified prior to the pursuit as Miguel Uribe-Andrade, 29 of Newberg.   The vehicle description and license plate of the suspect vehicle was relayed to McMinnville PD and YCSO.

    At 11:32 pm a McMinnville Officer driving an unmarked police vehicle observed the suspect vehicle enter the City of Lafayette from Abbey Road.  The officer was able to follow the suspect vehicle undetected south on Lafayette Hwy towards Hwy 18, coordinating other officers into positions to intercept with spike strips.   The suspect vehicle was followed onto Loop Road and then westbound onto Hwy 18, into the City of McMinnville.  The suspect vehicle began to increase its speed as it drove west on Hwy 18.  When spike strips were readied on the south end of the Three Mile Lane bridge and on Hwy 18 near Lowe’s, a traffic stop of the vehicle was attempted.  A Deputy from YCSO and the McMinnville Officer turned on their police lights and sirens to stop the vehicle as it took the Three Mile Lane exit into McMinnville.   The suspect vehicle failed to stop and attempted to elude, speeding north on Three Mile Lane towards the awaiting spike strips.  The suspect vehicle drove over the spike strips at the south end of the Three Mile Lane bridge, safely deflating both front tires in approximately 30 seconds as they are designed to do.

       The suspect vehicle continued across the bridge and onto 3rd Street.  As it slowed to turn north onto Johnson Street from 3rd Street, it struck the concrete median, completely disabling the vehicle.   Uribe-Andrade ran from the vehicle on foot, pursued by officers on foot, including Officer Erik Newhouse and his Canine partner Axell.   After a foot chase of approximately 3 blocks, Axell was able to engage Uribe-Andrade, ending the foot chase.    Uribe-Andrade tried to physically engage officers and had to be subdued with a Taser before being taken into custody.   Uribe-Andrade was found to be in unlawful possession of a concealed switchblade knife and over 6 grams of methamphetamine.

Uribe-Andrade was lodged at the Yamhill County Correctional Facility on a no bail Probation Violation Detention Warrant.   He is pending charges related to the Newberg-Dundee PD pursuit and the following McMinnville PD charges:

• Felony Attempt to Elude in a Vehicle
• Misdemeanor Attempt to Elude on Foot
• Reckless Driving
• Resisting Arrest
• Unlawful Possession of a Restricted Weapon by a Felon (switchblade knife)
• Carrying a Concealed Weapon (switchblade knife)
• Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine - Felony

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) invites Oregonians to ditch the shopping bags and lace up their hiking boots to celebrate “Green Friday” Nov. 29. OPRD will waive day-use parking fees that day in 25 state parks across Oregon. 

“Fall weather brings a different flavor to many state parks and we’re encouraging folks to get outside and explore,” said Lisa Sumption, OPRD director. “This is our fifth year celebrating Green Friday and we’re excited to continue the post-holiday tradition.”

Parking is free year-round at almost all state parks; the waiver applies to the 25 parks that charge $5 daily for parking. The waiver applies from open to close on Nov. 29, except at Shore Acres State Park, where it expires at 3 p.m. for the Holiday Lights event that runs Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve. A list of parks that charge the $5 parking fee is available online.

Learn more about Oregon State Parks on oregonstateparks.org.

Editors: follow the link for an online gallery of fall photos from Oregon State Parks: link. Feel free to download and use any photos; credit Oregon State Parks.

During the week of November 4 - 8, 2019 members of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Toledo Police Department, and Benton County Behavioral Health participated in a 40 hour Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training coordinated by Lincoln County Health and Human Services and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.   

The week started with an 8-hour Mental Health First Aid segment which brought additional participants from the Newport Police Department and Lincoln City Police Department.

This CIT course is designed to:

• Provide police officers more tools to do their job safely and effectively. Research shows that CIT is associated with improved officer attitude and knowledge about mental illness  
• Keep law enforcement’s focus on crime. Some communities have found that CIT has reduced the time officers spend responding to a mental health call, this puts officers back into the community more quickly
• Produce cost savings. It’s difficult to estimate exactly how much diversion programs can save communities. But incarceration is costly compared to community-based treatment

Additional courses throughout the week covered a variety of topics, Crisis Intervention and De-escalation; Listening Skills; Legal Considerations; Suicide Assessment and Self Care to name a few.  Representatives from the local and valley chapters of The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) were present to provide information relating to NAMI as well as sharing their story from a personal and family perspective as it relates to first responders interactions with individuals experiencing a crisis. Members of Communities Helping Addicts Negotiate Change Effectively (C.H.A.N.C.E) were also present to share their lived experience when involved in crisis situations.

The final day of training involved a wrap up of the weeks skills and allowed students to participate in scenarios that are most commonly responded to by first responders. Volunteers from the Sheriff’s Office Community Advisory Group as well as Emergency Management assisted with our scenarios.

The students were provided with resource guides which included state and local contact information as well as quick assessment guides and information related to commonly used medications, all of this with the intention of further enhancing the tools each attendee has available to them when responding to crisis situations or evaluating their own health and wellness.

###

Jamie Russell

Jail Commander

541-265-0701

jrussell@co.lincoln.or.us

UPDATED INFORMATION, 11/12/2019 at 2214 hours

The deceased driver is identified as Bryan A. Martin III, age 62.  Martin was a resident of Battle Ground.  He was operating his 2019 Buick Enclave at the time of the collision.  No other persons were injured.
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On 11/12/19 at 1758 hours CCSO Deputies and Vancouver Fire personnel were dispatched to a single vehicle collision in the 10200 block of NE 72nd Avenue in Vancouver.  This is a four-lane roadway with a 45mph speed limit, and is heavily traveled during this time of day.

Upon arrival, first responders discovered a power pole had been struck, and live electrical lines were down across the entire roadway.  The involved vehicle had been traveling south on NE 72nd Avenue and had driven off the west side of the roadway, collided with two trees and a power pole, and traveled through a cyclone fence at 10200 NE 72nd Avenue, Montage Dog and Cat Boarding.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was unconscious and unresponsive at the scene.  Lifesaving efforts were undertaken at the scene and while enroute to the hospital. Sadly, the driver was pronounced dead at the hospital.  At this time, the CCSO Traffic Unit is investigating proximate causes to this collision. 

A vehicle traveling northbound was damaged by powerline guywires as they fell across the roadway.  No additional injuries were reported.

The driver was a male adult and his identification is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.