SALEM, Ore. - Fire season has now ended on all 16 million acres of Oregon forestland protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. The last three districts - Klamath-Lake, Northeast Oregon and the Walker Range Forest Patrol Association - ended their fire seasons Friday morning, Oct. 22 at 12:01 a.m.

The 2021 wildfire seasons in ODF's districts and forest protective associations lasted an average of 131 days, tying it with 2018 for fifth longest average fire season since 2000. The longest fire season average was 147 days back in 2002. The shortest was 99 days in 2019.

Individual districts had shorter or longer fire seasons depending on local fire conditions.

The longest wildfire season this year was ODF's Southwest Oregon District, which was the first district to declare fire season back on May 12. That district, which protects Jackson and Josephine counties, was in fire season for 161 days - their third longest since 2000.

Almost as long were the fire seasons in ODF's Klamath-Lake District and Walker Range Forest Patrol Association. Their fire seasons started on May 15 and lasted a total of 160 days. That makes 2021 the third longest fire season for both since 2000.

The shortest fire season this year was the North Cascade District, which protects Clackamas, east Multnomah, eastern Marion and northern Linn counties. It's season lasted 98 days from June 25 to Oct. 1, about 12 days shorter than last year.

Statewide more than 800,000 acres burned in wildfires this year - fewer than in 2020 but above the 10-year average. A single fire, the 413,717-acre Bootleg Fire, accounted for about half the acres wildfires have burned so far this year. That fire was the third largest Oregon has experienced since 1900.

While wetter conditions, cooler temperatures and shorter days have reduced fire danger, ODF reminds Oregonians that wildfires can and do occur at any time of the year. Exercise caution when engaging in any activity involving burning outdoors, whether from a campfire or burning a debris pile. Check with your local fire jurisdiction as well before burning outdoors, as there may be restrictions in various places to protect air quality.

                                               ### 

UPDATE (Friday, Oct. 22, 9 p.m.) -- SUBJECT LOCATED, TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL

Earlier this evening (Friday, Oct. 22), two Estacada residents located Carol Ann Hoy's purse off a logging road. They notified Clackamas County Search & Rescue (CSAR) personnel, who were part of an extensive larger search effort for the missing woman; CSAR responded to the area and located Hoy nearby. 

Hoy was transported to a local hospital for treatment of hypothermia.

The two Estacada residents had been hiking in the area looking for Hoy after hearing the news that she was missing. Their find helped bring closure to a large-scale search effort that included personnel from:

• Clackamas County Search & Rescue (CSAR) -- including trail runners, ground searchers, K9 teams, and drone pilots
• Pacific Northwest Search & Rescue
• Mountain Wave Emergency Communications
• Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Dive Rescue Team -- which checked creeks in the area
• Estacada Fire
• American Medical Response

Thank you to all the search crews who participated in the effort, and to all those who helped spread the word.

[END UPDATE]

EARLIER (Oct. 22, 11:10 a.m.): Sheriff's Office asks for public's help as it searches for 76-year-old Carol Ann Hoy (Photo)

MISSING ENDANGERED ADULT #alert :

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help as it searches for 76-year-old Carol Ann Hoy.

Hoy walked away from her home on Jannsen Road in Estacada sometime between 9 and 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 21. She suffers from cognitive issues and is in need of daily medication. She may be heading toward Sandy or a hospital, concerned about the tightness of a ring on her finger. She may be in the areas of Eagle Fern Road, Wildcat Mountain, or Southeast Howlett Road.

No known clothing description; however, she is known to carry a pink purse.

If you see Carol Ann Hoy, call or text 911.

Know her whereabouts? Call our Non-Emergency Line at 503-655-8211 or send tips to https://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/tip OR 503-723-4949. Reference CCSO Case # 21-022708.

[END]

On Sunday, October 17, 2021, just before 6 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a report of a body found in the area of NW Sellers Rd. and NW Linklater Rd., about five miles north of Banks.

Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit responded to the scene and found evidence leading them to believe the death occurred at least two weeks prior and was suspicious. Initially, detectives were not able to identify the person. The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy on Monday morning, and those results are not being released while the investigation continues. 

On Wednesday, the Oregon State Crime Lab identified the deceased as 42-year-old Jessica Elizabeth Hart, and the family was notified the same day.

Hart was White, about 5’8” tall, and weighed about 210 pounds. Hart was wearing a camouflage hat, sweater, and stretch pants as well as black Sketchers tennis shoes. Hart had been driving a black 2006 Saab 93 soft-top convertible which was recently spray painted white. Detectives have recovered the vehicle.

Detectives are looking for anyone who has information about Hart’s death, saw that vehicle, or had contact with Hart in the past several months. If you have information to share, please call the Sheriff’s Office 24/7 at 503-846-2700.

Members of the Violent Crimes Unit are called upon to investigate serious violent crimes such as homicides, suspicious deaths, adult sexual assaults, kidnappings, robberies, extortion, serious assaults, elder abuse, and missing persons.

Both the Remote Operated Vehicle Unit and the Search and Rescue Team assisted at the scene.

The WCSO Search and Rescue Team (SAR) is made up of teens and young adults (ages 14 to 21) who serve as the primary ground search and rescue team for Washington County. Led by experienced and highly trained Sheriff's Office staff, our Search and Rescue members are often actively involved in missions involving lost people, down aircraft, and looking for evidence in major crimes.

The Remotely Operated Vehicle Team (ROVT) supports law enforcement operations throughout the county using robotics, unmanned aircraft (drones), and other cutting-edge technology. Team members often respond to incidents involving the Tactical Negotiations Team (TNT) or even regular patrol operations. ROVT is leading the way in drone usage for law enforcement agencies, proving the technology can be useful in many circumstances.

Detectives are not releasing any further information about the case at this time.

October 22, 2021

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) meets Oct. 28

What: Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) will provide input to Oregon Health Authority on state rules regarding school exclusion, public health and safety requirements for childcare providers and youth programs, masking in schools, and vaccination requirements in schools (Oregon Administrative Rules 333-019-0010, 333-019-1005, 333-019-0015, and 333-019-1030).

Agenda: Provide input on the following rules:

• 333-019-0010: Disease Related School, Child Care, and Worksite Restrictions: Imposition of Restrictions https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/REPORTINGCOMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Documents/rules/2021/COVID-July-Immunity/PH_27-2021TrackedChanges.pdf
• 333-019-1005: Public Health and Safety Requirements for Child Care Providers and Youth Programs

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/REPORTINGCOMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Documents/rules/2021/COVID-July-Immunity/PH_27-2021TrackedChanges.pdf

• 333-019-1015: Masking Requirements in Schools

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/REPORTINGCOMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Documents/rules/2021/School%20masking/PH_44-2021.pdf

• 333-019-1030: COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Teachers and School Staff

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/REPORTINGCOMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Documents/rules/2021/Vaccination-Schools/PH_39-2021.pdf  

The purpose of the RAC meeting is to "to seek input from committee members during the development or amendment of a rule, including the projected burden and fiscal impact of the rule and suggestions for alternative language. The general public is invited to attend the RAC meeting in listen-only mode. After the rule is formally proposed, a written comment period and public hearing will be announced to solicit input from the public. If you would like to receive information about this opportunity when it is available, please contact lichealth.rules@dhsoha.state.or.us">publichealth.rules@dhsoha.state.or.us to be added to the interested parties list.

When: Thursday, Oct. 28, 1-3:30 p.m.

Where: Register for this meeting to receive meeting login information:

Attendee listen-only phone number: 657-615-349

https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7219673042470050060

Background: The COVID-19-related rules around school exclusion, public health and safety requirements for childcare providers and youth programs, masking in schools, and vaccination requirements in schools were amended or adopted via the temporary rulemaking process in mid-2021; they are planned to be made permanent. Oregon Health Authority is seeking input on this permanent rulemaking process.

###

Everyone has a right to know about and use the 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 material in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Angela Phan, lichealth.rules@dhsoha.state.or.us">publichealth.rules@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

OREGON VIRTUAL ACADEMY NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

OCTOBER 26th, 2021 @ 6:30 p.m. 

Oregon Virtual Academy Board Members are hereby notified that a Regular Session of the Board will be held via teleconference 1-720-707-2699 Ext. 526309737# and via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5033141592 

The Centennial School District Governing Board will meet in a work session on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, virtually via the Zoom app at 6:30 p.m. 

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83429485836?pwd=d1RQc3dLclZ5TmI5NWRJbTlwN1RxUT09

Passcode: 179680

Or Telephone:

1 253 215 8782 or 1 346 248 7799

Webinar ID: 834 2948 5836

Passcode: 179680

To view the agenda and accompanying documents, click or paste this link into your browser: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/1561. The meeting agenda may be updated as needed. Additional board meeting documents will be added as they become available. 

For information about the agenda email pamela_jordan@csd28j.org or board@csd28j.org.

At approximately 12:20 pm today NDPD officers responded to a report of several shots fired in the 1800 block of Orchard Drive, Newberg. 

Officers arrived and set up a perimeter but did not hear further shots in the area.  Officers talked to witnesses that stated a male came out of a resident and fired several shots into the air but then they lost sight of the suspect. 

This area of Newberg is close to George Fox University and the Chehalem Aquatic Center.  There were reports on social media of an active shooter situation, but those reports were false.  At the time of this release, NDPD is not aware of anyone being injured during this incident.  Officers were able to contact the suspect by phone, but he appeared to be intoxicated and refused to come out of the residence.

Taking all things into consideration NDPD officers attempted to de-escalate the situation and leave the area instead of trying to make an arrest at this time.  All foot and vehicle traffic were shut down in the area for over two hours as officers worked through this call.  We apologize for any inconvenience to our residents, but it was to keep the public safe. 

NDPD would like to thank the Newberg Public Works staff for their assistance with traffic control as well as the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. 

At this time we are withholding the suspects name until further investigation can be completed.

Friday, October 22, 2021-Woodland, WA-Woodland High School students experienced their first true Homecoming Celebration in two years thanks to innovative planning to accommodate health and safety guidelines, the use of expansive outdoor tents, and the warmth from space heaters generously donated by Woodland community members. 

Students enjoyed a return to normalcy, at least somewhat, on Friday, October 15 following the WHS Beavers’ Homecoming football game when the school held its first dance since the pandemic started in March 2020 with a first-of-its-kind outdoor event held in the high school’s quad. To ensure student health and safety, the Department of Health required all attendees to wear masks and the entire event was held outside where ventilation could provide the maximum level of protection against any potential virus spread.

Woodland Public Schools procured two massive 40-foot by 40-foot outdoor tents where students could congregate, and space heaters were set up to provide comfortable heating during the season’s cooler temperatures. Following the dance, the tents will remain set up throughout the school year so students can enjoy meals and breaks outside regardless of any inclement weather.

Shari Conditt, the high school’s government teacher who also serves as the school’s ASB adviser, served as the lead coordinator and organized the entire event. Planning for Homecoming 2021 actually started 18 months earlier in February 2020. “I ordered all of the required supplies for a homecoming dance in February 2020, however, since we were already hearing about the potential threat of COVID-19, I luckily had the foresight to not have dates printed on any of the materials in case we weren’t able to hold the dance in 2020,” said Conditt. “Even as we entered the current school year, there was a lot up-in-the-air when planning started in early 2021; we still didn’t know if we’d be able to hold a dance.”

Even as the start of school approached in August, the possibility of homecoming dances for any of the area schools this fall remained uncertain. Conditt reached out to other districts to get a feel for how the area’s schools were approaching their homecoming events. “I contacted ASB advisers in our neighboring districts to get an idea for what they were planning for the fall,” said Conditt. “Some of them were approved for a homecoming event while others were told flatly ‘no.’”

Conditt established a planning committee including WHS Principal Phillip Pearson, WHS Assistant Principal Dan Uhlenkott, the district’s Facilities and Safety Director Scott Landrigan, and even Superintendent Michael Green. The committee consulted with the Department of Health to develop health and safety guidelines to prevent any potential virus spread during the dance. “Scott suggested we use tents to organize an outdoor event, and, initially, we were unsure whether students would need to wear masks,” said Conditt. “However, when we spoke with students, they all agreed that they would much rather wear masks if the alternative meant not having a dance at all.”

Benno Dobbe, a Woodland community member and long-time benefactor of Woodland High School, generously provided several space heaters so students and chaperones alike could remain comfortable during the outdoor event. “We are incredibly grateful for Mr. Dobbe’s ongoing support,” said Conditt. “Without space heaters, holding the dance outside in October might not have been possible.”

In addition to the homecoming dance, the school held a variety of traditional events during the week of homecoming such as spirit days where students dressed up to the theme “Green, White, and Black is Back.” Additionally, staff added new traditions such as a door-decorating contest. “This is the very first homecoming dance for our Freshmen and Sophomores, so we wanted to make it incredibly special, particularly since we were unable to have our celebration assembly as we typically do,” said Conditt. The school also held two charity drives: a food drive with donations going to the Woodland Action Center and a coin drive with proceeds donated to the district’s elementary schools to purchase books. “The door decoration contest added color into our halls for Homecoming Week and really drove school spirit for both students and staff,” said Conditt. “We wanted to take the special themes and traditions of homecoming by keeping what we could but also adjusting for the times in which we currently live.”

The return of homecoming this year not only meant events for students, but also the return of spectators at the homecoming football game, too. “I’m excited for our traditions to return alive and well for our community, too,” said Conditt. “None of this would have been possible without all the people involved – the entire homecoming was a community undertaking.”

Find out more about how Woodland Public Schools keeps students safe, healthy and in school by visiting our COVID-19 HQ at: www.woodlandschools.org/covid-hq

###

Oct. 22, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,517 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 10 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 10 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,284, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

OHA reported 1,517 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 357,526.

Booster doses for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine recommended by CDC

Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) endorsed the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation for booster shots of Moderna’s and Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccines.

CDC recommended that anyone 65 and older, and those between 18 and 64 who received the Moderna vaccine, should receive a booster dose of the Moderna vaccine at least six months after their second dose. Those groups include people 18 and older in long-term care settings, who have underlying medical conditions, and who work or live in high-risk settings. The CDC also recommended that anyone 18 and older who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine should receive a booster dose at least two months after their first dose.

The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, including Oregon, Washington, California and Nevada, met last night to discuss recommendations for COVID-19 booster doses for fully vaccinated people. Today, the workgroup announced its support for the CDC recommendations.

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown today praised the decision. “Whether you received the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, everyone eligible who wants a booster will be able to get one and the extra layer of protection a booster dose provides,” she said.

Some people may have a preference for the vaccine type they originally received and others may prefer to get a different booster. The workgroup supported CDC’s decision that individuals eligible for a booster may receive either the same or a different COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose, depending on advice from a health care provider, individual preference, availability or convenience

Additional information on vaccine boosters and third doses can be found on this web page.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 537, which is 30 fewer than yesterday. There are 128 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is five fewer than yesterday.

There are 45 available adult ICU beds out of 703 total (6% availability) and 280 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,097 (7% availability).

The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported that 13,526 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 21. Of that total, 842 were initial doses; 922 were second doses and 3,477 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 8,203 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 21.

The seven-day running average is now 9,133 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,219,167 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,937,297 doses of Moderna and 224,324 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,796,331 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,583,129 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change. Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

Cases and COVID-19 deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (10), Benton (28), Clackamas (119), Clatsop (12), Columbia (29), Coos (25), Crook (44), Curry (6), Deschutes (126), Douglas (53), Gilliam (1), Harney (2), Hood River (8), Jackson (80), Jefferson (36), Josephine (36), Klamath (54), Lake (15), Lane (120), Lincoln (19), Linn (134), Malheur (20), Marion (118), Morrow (6), Multnomah (153), Polk (37), Sherman (2), Tillamook (5), Umatilla (42), Union (11), Wasco (14), Washington (110), Wheeler (1), and Yamhill (41).

Oregon’s 4,146th COVID-19-related death, reported on Oct. 15, was determined to have been an out-of-state resident. Because of this update, OHA is renumbering the reported deaths, starting with 4,275 today.

Oregon’s 4,275th COVID-19-related death is a 96-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Oct. 15 and died on Oct. 19. Place of death and underlying conditions are being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,276^th COVID-19-related death is a 50-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Aug. 17 and died on Sept. 1. Place of death and underlying conditions are being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,277th COVID-19-related death is an 81-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 12 and died on Sept. 24 at Providence Portland Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,278th COVID-19-related death is a 72-year-old man from Klamath County who tested positive on Oct. 12 and died on Oct. 20 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,279th COVID-19-related death is a 69-year-old man from Harney County who tested positive on Oct. 17 and died on Oct. 20 at Harney District Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,280th COVID-19-related death is a 70-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Oct. 2 and on died Oct. 16 at OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,281th COVID-19-related death is a 71-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Aug. 9 and died on Oct. 16 at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,282nd COVID-19-related death is an 86-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Oct. 18 and died on Oct. 20 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,283rd COVID-19-related death is a 52-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 28 and died on Oct. 21 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

-Oregon’s 4,284th COVID-19 related death is a 78-year-old man from Malheur County who tested positive on Oct. 8 and died on Oct. 20 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Idaho. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our web page (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information.

October 22, 2021

Contact: Philip Schmidt, 503-383-6079, Philip.schmidt@dhsoha.state.or.us , (media inquiries)

Sarah Bartelmann, 971-283-8107, ah.e.bartelmann@dhsoha.state.or.us">sarah.e.bartelmann@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Sustainable Health Care Cost Growth Target Implementation Committee meets October 26, 2021

What: A public meeting of the Sustainable Health Care Cost Growth Target Implementation Committee.

When: October 26, 2021 from 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Where: Virtual meeting only. The public can join remotely via Zoom or conference line.

To join by Zoom: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1611849485?pwd=U3Zsdi8vN2V5bE1Sazl0d2FqVWpVZz09 To join by Phone: 1-669-254-5252,,1611849485#,,,,225362#

Agenda: Welcome. Implementation Updates. Initial Public Hearing Planning. Review 2013-2019 Cost Trends Data. Public Comment.

Public comment will be heard at 10:45 AM.

Please submit any public comment in writing prior to the meeting at  e.CostTarget@dhsoha.state.or.us">HealthCare.CostTarget@dhsoha.state.or.us

For more information, please visit the committee’s website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/HP/Pages/Sustainable-Health-Care-Cost-Growth-Target.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 Sarah Bartelmann at 971-283-8107, 711 TTY, ah.e.bartelmann@dhsoha.state.or.us">sarah.e.bartelmann@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

Oct. 22, 2021 (Salem, OR) — The Oregon Employment Department is announcing the new membership of the Employment Advisory Council. The advisory council has oversight of the agency’s unemployment insurance and workforce programs.

The virtual advisory council meeting is scheduled from 1-5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. This will be the first advisory council meeting since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Members of the public are invited to attend and should register via Zoom. 

“This council plays a vital role in shaping how our organization evolves. Their input is critical to ensuring our agency works proactively and is responsive to the needs of all Oregonians,” said David Gerstenfeld, acting director of the Employment Department. 

The council has been in place since 1997, and members are appointed by the Governor for a term of two years as provided in ORS 657.695. Members may be considered for reappointment to serve additional terms up to a maximum of four terms, or eight years of service, on the advisory council.

For more information, visit our Employment Advisory Council webpage. 

Members of the Employment Advisory Council 

• Haley Alves, Union Carpenter – Employee Representative
• Kurtis Barker, Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians – Public Representative
• Robert Camarillo, Oregon State Building and Construction Trades – Employee Representative
• Marc Chrismer, Tillamook Creamery – Employer Representative
• Tom Cusack, Oregon Housing Blog – Public Representative
• Kenechi Onyeagusi, Professional Business Development Group – Employer Representative
• Paloma Sparks, Oregon Business and Industry – Employer Representative
• Catie Theisen, Oregon AFL-CIO – Employee Representative
• Laurie Westenberg, Madden Industrial Craftsmen – Employer Representative
• Royce Williams, Attorney at Law – Employee Representative
• David Gerstenfeld, Acting Director; Oregon Employment Department – Ex-Officio Member

###

Equal Opportunity program — auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Contact: 971-673-6400. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call 711 Telecommunications Relay Services.

Multnomah County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the area near NE Halsey Street & Birch Avenue in Wood Village Friday morning, around 3:30 a.m., after receiving reports of a shooting. Deputies did not immediately find evidence of gunfire. Approximately 45 minutes later, deputies received a report that a nearby home was struck by gunfire. Deputies confirmed the report. The occupants, who were home at the time of the shooting, did not report any injuries. (Report #21-53457.)

As deputies continued to check the area for evidence, they found a home on Birch Avenue with its front door open. Deputies used the public address (PA) system on their vehicles to call for anyone inside to exit the property. After no response, deputies entered the home and located one person inside. During the investigation, the occupant reported that several firearms were stolen from the residence. The individual was not hurt. (Report #21-53464.)

At this time, it is unknown if the crimes are related.

No one has been arrested in either crime, and no suspect description is available.

Deputies are asking anyone who lives in this area to review security video footage for any suspicious activity that occurred overnight. Anyone with information or video can contact the MCSO Tip Line at 503-988-0560.

No further information is available, and the investigation is ongoing. ###

October 22, 2021

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening Advisory Board meets Nov. 1

What: The Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening (NWRNBS) Advisory Board is holding a public meeting. The meeting is accessible by a webinar link or conference line.

Agenda: Welcome, introductions, housekeeping; information from the Department of Justice and Oregon Health Authority Government Relations on board processes; community birth provider Medicaid reimbursement; public comment; statute review; wrap-up and next steps.

When: Monday, Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. A 15-minute public comment period is scheduled at about 11:30 a.m.; comments are limited to one to three minutes depending on the number of people providing comments.

Where: Remote access only. Zoom access: https://pdx.zoom.us/j/88965026032

Dial by your location:         +1 971 247 1195 US (Portland)

        +1 720 928 9299 US (Denver)

        +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

        +1 602 753 0140 US (Phoenix)

Meeting ID: 889 6502 6032

Background: The Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening (NWRNBS) Program screens newborns for endocrine, hemoglobin, cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiency and metabolic disorders that may not be clinically evident in the first few days or weeks of life. Detecting these conditions early allows the infant to be referred for diagnosis and appropriate treatment to prevent death or disability. For more information, visit www.healthoregon.org/nbs.

###

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 Nicole Galloway at 503-693-4172, 711 TTY or NBS.AdvisoryBoard@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

###

October 22, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Newest COVID-19 modeling report projects decrease in daily cases and hospitalizations

Today, the Oregon Health Authority released its latest COVID-19 forecast showing a continued decline in daily cases and hospitalizations through early November.

According to the report, the effective reproduction rate – the expected number of secondary cases that a single case generates – was estimated at .90 on Oct. 6, which is slightly lower than last week’s projection.

At that level of transmission, the report estimates 255 cases per 100,000 people, or an average of 770 daily cases and 45 hospitalizations for the two-week period between Oct. 27 and Nov. 9.

The report also estimated the potential impact from the projected spread of the disease from Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, which had a reproductive rate that averaged .82.

At that rate of transmission, new daily cases and hospitalizations are expected to decline more steeply, with an estimated average of 185 per100,000 people, projecting an average of 555 new cases and 31 hospitalizations over the same period.

The report also identified a “significant contrast” in adherence to the recommended public health protocols between unvaccinated and vaccinated persons.

Mask wearing among unvaccinated people is about half the rate of vaccinated people. Unvaccinated people are also more likely to attend large events outdoors.

Vaccinations and booster doses remain the most effective shield against COVID-19. Oregonians should wear masks when in indoor public spaces and when outdoors among crowds.

To date more than 2.79 million Oregonians have received at least one dose of the safe and highly effective vaccine and 2.58 million people have completed a vaccine series.

###

The FBI has received several reports through its Internet Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov) of a new threat that businesses and agencies across the state of Oregon are receiving. The language in every case appears to be very similar.

The threat message says that the bad actor has planted bombs in the organization and that if anyone contacts police, the bombs will be detonated remotely. There is a demand for a payment of $5,000 - $20,000 to be made through an email or cryptocurrency address.  

The messages also include death threats to the recipients and their families.  

So far, the threats are targeting internet service providers, education institutions, and health care providers.    

If you receive such a threat, the FBI recommends that you do NOT pay the ransom and that you notify us at www.ic3.gov.  

###

Just after 7:30 am today, workers at a business located at 8010 NE Mauzey Court, called 911 to report that a machine used to roast coffee beans had caught fire and was spreading to the roof. Workers attempted to use fire extinguishers on the fire but were not successful. The first arriving engine from Station 3 found smoke coming from the roof and upgraded the incident to a first alarm to bring in additional resources. Firefighters extinguished the fire, isolated it to one piece of equipment, and prevented spread to other parts of the building. No injuries were reported and all people inside the building evacuated safely.

A Hillsboro Fire investigator responded to the scene and confirmed that the area of origin of the fire was the coffee roasting equipment. No cause has been determined at this time.

Hillsboro Fire & Rescue would like to thank Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Metro West Ambulance, and Hillsboro Police for their assistance. 

-###-

Oct. 21, 2021

This news release is an updated version to include case and death information.

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,407 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 40 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 40 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,275, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,407 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 356,061.

State health officials to add more than 500 COVID-19 deaths due to technical error

Over the coming weeks, OHA will begin reporting approximately 550 deaths among people who died with COVID-19 but whose deaths only became recently known to state epidemiologists due to a technical computer error. 

This will result in higher death totals as the backlog is resolved.

More details can be found here.

COVID-19 Disease Severity Dashboard update highlights hospitalizations

Today, OHA is publishing a revamped Disease Severity Dashboard. In addition to case demographic data, the dashboard now features new data that highlights COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths in Oregon. Due to the nature of newly added visualizations, all data on this dashboard will be published weekly on Thursdays with data from the most recent full week.

The dashboard has three tabs: Case Demographics, Disease Severity and Severity Trends.

• The Case Demographics tab shows COVID-19 cumulative hospitalizations and deaths by sex, age group, race, and ethnicity.
• The Disease Severity tab shows factors related to COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.
• The Severity Trends tab looks at hospitalization trends and death trends, including graphs on the following:
  • A comparison between trends of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.
  • Hospitalization trends by intensive care unit categories, presence of underlying condition, length of stay categories, age categories, race, and ethnicity.
  • Deaths trends by hospitalization status, presence of underlying condition, congregate settings, age categories, race, and ethnicity.

The visualization showing trends among new cases, hospitalizations and deaths reveals that cases and hospitalizations tend to rise before deaths. The visualizations also show that COVID-19 cases who were hospitalized or died have higher prevalence of all types of underlying conditions compared with COVID-19 cases who were not hospitalized or survived.

This updated dashboard can be found on the dashboard page.

OHA releases new COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough report

OHA’s most recent update on COVID-19 breakthrough cases, released today, found that 76.5% of the 6,446 reported COVID-19 cases between Oct. 10 through Oct. 16, occurred in people who were unvaccinated.

There were 1,977 breakthrough cases, accounting for 23.5% of all cases.

The average age of the breakthrough cases during that period was 48. Thirty-five breakthrough cases involved residents of care facilities, senior living communities or other congregate care settings. There were 88 cases in people ages 12 to 17.

To date, there have been 32,954 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases in Oregon. The average age of all cases is 48. Breakthrough cases have been reported in all 36 counties.

Cases of COVID-19 are far more common in unvaccinated people. The report shows that the rate of COVID-19 in unvaccinated people is currently four times higher than in vaccinated people.

To date, 4.4% of all vaccine breakthrough cases have been hospitalized and 1% have died. The average age of vaccinated people who died was 80.

Vaccination remains the most effective tool to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The number of vaccine breakthrough cases identified in Oregon remains very small when compared to the more than 2.79 million Oregonians who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The latest breakthrough report can be found here.

Last week OHA added three new features to the breakthrough report. Data is now available by vaccine manufacturer, including the number of breakthrough cases and their severity. This report also shows the number of Oregonians who received each vaccine, as well as the number of breakthrough cases per 100,000 vaccinated people.

OHA also expanded demographic data to include race and ethnicity for breakthrough cases, hospitalizations, and deaths and a map showing cumulative breakthrough cases for each county. In general, breakthrough case totals correspond with population size, vaccination rates, and overall case counts.

Pediatric weekly dashboard update

Today, OHA published its latest dashboard report of pediatric COVID-19 case data in Oregon.

This dashboard replaces the previous report and is published weekly on Thursdays with the most recent full week’s data.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 567, which is one fewer than yesterday. There are 133 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is seven more than yesterday.

There are 48 available adult ICU beds out of 706 total (7% availability) and 265 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,115 (6% availability). 

The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported that 14,240 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 20. Of that total, 871 were initial doses; 933 were second doses and 3,558 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 8,835 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 20.

The seven-day running average is now 9,309 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,208,051 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,935,312 doses of Moderna and 223,943 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,793,594 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,580,142 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change. Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

"Magic" team brings vaccination confidence to Oregon — and the world

As a refugee services provider Catholic Charities Oregon has a mission — to create trusting relationships with the families and communities they serve.   

Through a partnership with the Oregon Health Authority, Catholic Charities hired a team of COVID-19 Community Engagement Specialists in early 2021. This team rapidly took on the work of supporting their communities.

“We are a group of individuals from different backgrounds and nationalities who work for Catholic Charities with pride,” said Chomba Kaluba, who is originally from Zambia and serves the Congolese- and Swahili-speaking communities. “The power of numbers is what each one of us brings as a strength. And that strength is from all backgrounds; our values, beliefs and passion.”

He came up with the idea of making language- and culturally-specific videos about the vaccine to amplify vaccination confidence. Clackamas County Public Health provided a producer to film and edit the work.

Chomba Kaluba

Two other team members, Abidah Jamaluddin and Lung Wah Lazum both originally came from the same country, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), but they represent different cultures. The pair decided to make videos in both Burmese and Rohingya to broaden their reach.

The group felt it was essential to meet people where they are.  

“It is because we are immigrants,” said Kaluba. “We are coming from backgrounds which might have lacked a health education, might have lacked access to health care, might have different political systems or economic systems.”

“We have been able to reach the world because someone in Burma, they'll see that video on YouTube and they'll go, 'Wow - I can get vaccinated.’ So maybe somehow, we are trying to do what they say is teaching in time saves nine. So maybe we are saving lives somewhere else,” he said.

You can read more at Oregon Vaccine News and watch the videos in Burmese, English, French, Rohingya, Somali and Swahili.

Cases and COVID-19 deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (10), Benton (29), Clackamas (108), Clatsop (1), Columbia (16), Coos (31), Crook (40), Curry (2), Deschutes (146), Douglas (46), Gilliam (1), Grant (5), Harney (16), Hood River (5), Jackson (75), Jefferson (15), Josephine (15), Klamath (67), Lake (6), Lane (113), Lincoln (8), Linn (49), Malheur (22), Marion (98), Morrow (4), Multnomah (190), Polk (37), Tillamook (5), Umatilla (50), Union (11), Wallowa (3), Wasco (10), Washington (144) and Yamhill (29).

Oregon’s 4,236th COVID-19 related death is an 89-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 7 and died on Sept. 15 at his residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,237th COVID-19 related death is a 68-year-old man from Lincoln County who tested positive on Sept. 8 and died on Oct. 8 at Portland VA Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,238th COVID-19 related death is a 55-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive on Oct. 17 and died on Oct. 20 at Mckenzie Willamette Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,239th COVID-19 related death is a 64-year-old man from Lane County who tested positive on Oct. 1 and died on Oct. 19 at Peacehealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,240th COVID-19 related death is a 45-year-old woman from Klamath County who tested positive on Oct. 2 and died on Oct. 14 at Renown South Meadows Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,241st COVID-19 related death is a 57-year-old man from Klamath County who tested positive on Oct. 3 and died on Oct. 20 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,242nd COVID-19 related death is an 83-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive on Oct. 9 and died on Oct. 20 at Ashland Community Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,243rd COVID-19 related death is an 81-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive on Aug. 24 and died on Sept. 14 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,244th COVID-19 related death is a 50-year-old woman from Columbia County who first became symptomatic on Oct. 3 and died on Oct. 20 at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,245th COVID-19 related death is a 26-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on Sept. 25 and died on Sept. 28 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,246th COVID-19 related death is an 81-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on Sept. 2 and died on Sept. 18 at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,247th^h COVID-19 related death is a 61-year-old woman from Baker County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Oct. 19 at St Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,248th COVID-19 related death is a 56-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on Oct. 6 and died on Oct. 11 at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,249th COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Sept. 20 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,250th COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive on Aug. 31 and died on Sept. 21 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,251st COVID-19 related death is a 70-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive on Aug. 31 and died on Sept. 10 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,252nd COVID-19 related death is an 80-year-old man from Tillamook County who tested positive on Aug. 29 and died on Sept. 10; location of death is being confirmed. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,253rd COVID-19 related death is a 38-year-old man from Tillamook County who tested positive on Aug. 22 and died on Sept 111; location of death is being confirmed. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,254th COVID-19 related death is a 50-year-old woman from Tillamook County who tested positive on Aug. 17 and died on Sept. 1 at Providence Portland Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,255th COVID-19 related death is a 41-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Oct. 1 and died on Oct. 11 at Adventist Health Portland. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,256th COVID-19 related death is an 87-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Oct. 8 at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,257th COVID-19 related death is a 69-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Sept. 21 at his residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,258th COVID-19 related death is an 88-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Aug. 22 and died on Oct. 11 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,259th COVID-19 related death is a 62-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Oct. 14 and died on Oct. 18 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,260th COVID-19 related death is a 93-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Oct. 4 and died on Oct. 14 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,261st COVID-19 related death is a 61-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Oct. 3 and died on Oct. 16 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,262nd COVID-19 related death is a 74-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 26 and died on Oct.16 at Santiam Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,263rd COVID-19 related death is an 83-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 23 and died on Oct. 18 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,264th COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 23 and died on Oct. 15 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,265th COVID-19 related death is a 78-year-old man from Umatilla County who tested positive on Sept. 3 and died on Sept. 23 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,266th COVID-19 related death is an 86-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive on Aug.6 and died on Aug. 20 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,267th COVID-19 related death is an 84-year-old woman from Union County who died on Sept. 25 at his residence. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,268th COVID-19 related death is a 79-year-old man from Yamhill County who tested positive on Oct.14 and died on Oct. 19 at Willamette Valley Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,269th COVID-19 related death is an 87-year-old man from Yamhill County who tested positive on Oct. 4 and died on Oct. 17 at Providence Newberg Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,270th COVID-19 related death is a 97-year-old woman from Washington County who first became symptomatic on Oct. 3 and died on Oct. 19 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,271st COVID-19 related death is a 66-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 24 and died on Oct. 19 at OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,272nd COVID-19 related death is a 73-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Oct. 10 at OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,273rd COVID-19 related death is a 76-year-old woman from Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Oct. 11 at OHSU Hillsboro Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,274th COVID-19 related death is a 44-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Aug. 22 and died on Sept. 29 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,275th COVID-19 related death is a 78-year-old man from Wasco County who tested positive on Oct. 15 and died on Oct. 19 at Mid-Columbia Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our web page (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information.

During Cybersecurity Awareness Month, observed each October, the FBI and its partner agencies remind you to do your part and #BeCyberSmart all year long.

As the premier cyber investigative agency, the FBI works to keep you safe online, but there are many simple steps you can take to help protect yourself and your family. If you do become a victim, contact us at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (www.ic3.gov) to report online crime.

This week's focus is on ransomware - what it is and how to stay safe. A video version of this release is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN10oCBe_ZA

The speaker is Supervisory Special Agent Gabriel Gundersen. SSA Gundersen supervises the Oregon Cyber Task Force.

What is ransomware?

Ransomware is a form of malicious software that targets your data. If ransomware infects your device or network, the ransomware actors behind that attack have the ability to lock you out of the data stored on your device or network. They will demand you pay a ransom – usually by cryptocurrency. They claim they will give you the “key” to recover your data if you pay, but there are no guarantees.

Who is most at risk for ransomware attacks?

There are three basic groups who can suffer ransomware attacks:

• Businesses – both big and small
• Individuals; and
• Public agencies and public service providers

What’s the risk to individuals?

When these kinds of attacks first started, ransomware actors often targeted regular people at home. The majority of attacks now go after larger targets, but individuals still need to take precautions. The loss of wedding photos or videos of your newborn are irreplaceable. 

What’s the risk to businesses?

Any business can be vulnerable, but we are particularly concerned about small and medium-sized companies. They often don’t have the expertise or, they think, the funds to invest in the robust security they need. If you are a business owner, please take the time to learn about some simple steps you can take to protect your business. Otherwise, one bad ransomware attack can cause you to shut your doors for good.

What’s the risk to public agencies and service providers?

We are seeing attack after attack targeting hospitals, health care providers, government agencies, and schools. Not only do these organizations risk a loss of money, they also hold sensitive information that the attackers can pull out and re-sell on the dark web. Beyond that, there are real world consequences of a hospital that is unable to care for patients.

How do ransomware attacks usually start?

Ransomware actors will often send ransomware through email phishing campaigns. Once anyone on your network clicks on an infected file or link, the fraudsters can have access to all of your devices and data. They encrypt the system, effectively locking you out. 

How much can a ransomware attack cost?

The ransom demands may range from a few hundred dollars for an individual to millions of dollars for a big company, hospital, or utility. But the ransom is only the start. Organizations risk loss of productivity, legal fees, and the need to purchase credit-monitoring services for employees and customers. 

Even if you manage to get your system back up online, it is likely that the attacker left other malware hidden on your system—requiring a remediation team to completely wipe the computers and restore everything from clean, off-line backups.

What are some basic steps to take to avoid a ransomware attack?

To avoid a ransomware attack, you should:

• Educate yourself and your employees as to how to identify and manage phishing lures.
• Back up your data often and keep back-ups segregated and offline from normal operations.
• Make sure that all devices on your network are using the most current versions of operating systems and applications; and
• Keep your anti-malware software up-to-date.

What should I do if I think my device or network is infected with ransomware?

• If you get a pop-up or other message that says you are infected, disconnect the device from the Internet and your network immediately to try to prevent the spread.

• Then, call the FBI right away. If we are called in early enough, we can sometimes assist with remediation.

Should I pay to unlock my system? 

The FBI recommends that victims do NOT pay a hacker’s ransom demand. The payment only encourages more criminal activity, and, even if you do pay, there is no guarantee that the hacker will unlock your data, hasn’t already downloaded your data for re-sale, or won’t return for another round of ransom.

###

Note to media: The previous Oregon FBI Cybersecurity Awareness Month videos are available for download from YouTube as well.

Week 1: Cybersecurity Basics (FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Eliza Odom) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WU63yNub3I

Week 2: The ABC's of Cryptocurrency (FBI Forensic Accountant Brandon) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkZe5vRAHF8

What qualities do Oregonians look for when choosing a place to work?

ECONOMY AND JOBS, ORGANIZATIONAL IMAGE AND BRANDING

From September 14-22, 2021, the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center conducted a statewide survey of Oregonians’ values and beliefs, including what is important to them about their place of work. The questions were intended to gather preliminary data to inform more in-depth research in the months ahead.

The online survey consisted of 1,124 Oregon residents ages 18+ and took approximately 15 minutes to complete. This survey’s margin of error, for the full sample, ranges from ±1.8% to ±2.9% depending on how the response category percentages split for any given question. Due to rounding, numbers may not add up to 100%.

Respondents were contacted by using professionally maintained online panels. In gathering responses, a variety of quality control measures were employed, including questionnaire pre-testing, validation, and real-time monitoring of responses. To ensure a representative sample, demographic quotas were set, and data weighted by area of the state, gender, age, and education.

This survey uses aggregated data to analyze the opinions of BIPOC residents in comparison to the opinions of residents who identify as white and not another race. BIPOC residents are not a monolith; the grouping represents a wide diversity of races and ethnicities. The findings included in this memo should not be construed such that all people of color are believed to share the same opinions. Disaggregated race data will be provided when sample sizes permit reliability.

The question numbers in this document correspond with the survey questionnaire, available at the bottom of the page (Q12-28, Q29-44).

Workplace Characteristics

Respondents were provided a list of things people often feel are important in what they do as work or employment. They were then asked to rate, selectively, the importance of each item if they were choosing a place to work (Q12-28). Nearly all of the workplace features or outcomes were viewed as very or somewhat important by a strong majority of Oregonians.

• Only being in a leadership position (37%) and having people admire my accomplishments (47%) were viewed as very/somewhat important by less than 50% of Oregonians (Q20,Q24).
   
• Interestingly, the percentage of those who say it is very/somewhat important having people admire my accomplishments declined with age, from 61% among those ages 18-29, to 33% among those ages 65-74 (Q20).

How Important Each Workplace Quality is to Oregonians

When examining responses of “very important,” several priority tiers emerge.

• Tier one includes features or outcomes that receive “very important” scores of 60% or higher. There is only one feature within this tier: Having a work-life balance (63%) (Q27).
  
  
  • This feature is rated highly by all major demographic groups. Notably, more than 60% of Oregonians with and without school-aged children rate this feature as “very” important.”
  • This priority placed on healthy work-life balance corresponds with recent research showing high levels of employee burnout and work-related stress during the COVID-19 pandemic[1].
     
• Tier two includes features or outcomes that receive “very important” scores between 50-60%:
  
  
  • Obtaining health insurance benefits (58%) (Q21)
  • Being with people I respect (51%) (Q16)
  • Earning a good salary (50%): The percentage of Oregonians who view this feature of their work as “very” important is higher among renters than homeowners (57% vs. 45%) (Q12).
     
• Tier three includes features or outcomes that receive “very” important scores between 40-50%:
  
  
  • Being in control of my own destiny (48%) (Q25)
  • Having a job I can be proud of (47%) (Q13)
  • Enjoying work, having fun (47%) (Q15)
  • Feeling appreciated by leadership and coworkers (44%) (Q19)
  • Developing my skills (42%): A notable 55% of Oregonians ages 18-29 rate this feature as “very” important. This is perhaps unsurprising as this age group is newer to the workforce (Q17).
  • Proximity to where I live (40%): Ratings of “very” important were higher among those making less than $50K per year compared to those making $100K or more (44% vs. 31%), perhaps indicating the latter group is more likely to be able to work from home (Q26).
     
• Tier four includes features or outcomes that receive “very important” scores between 20-40%. It is worth noting that many of these features still receive high overall (very/somewhat) importance ratings from Oregonians.
  
  
  • Flexible hours (38%): Oregonians with school-aged children are more likely to view this work feature as “very” important than those without kids (44% vs. 36%) (Q22).
  • Learning new things, having new experiences (36%) (Q18)
  • Contributing to society’s benefit (32%) (Q14)
  • Involvement in important decisions (21%): Interestingly, men are more likely than women to rate this feature as “very” important for their place of work (25% vs. 18%) (Q23).

“Other” Answers

Respondents were also given the opportunity to list other characteristics, an option which many people selected. Often these were similar to the listed characteristics, but with more specific detail or elaboration.

Other job features important to Oregonians include quality and characteristics of employer leadership; impacts on physical and mental health; family; and the workplace climate:

“Integrity - of the company and the people there.”
- Male, age 65-74, Crook County, white or Caucasian

“Having a 32-hour workweek to balance mental health and work.”
- Female, age 18-29, Washington County, Hispanic/Latina/x

“Not soul-sucking.”
- Female, age 30-45, Jackson County, white or Caucasian

“Sustainable practices as a part of the workplace and products.”
- Female, age 65-74, Lincoln County, more than one race or ethnicity

A significant number of Oregonians listed a response related to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the “Other” category:

“Not feeling discrimination.”
- Female, age 18-29, Washington County, Hispanic/Latina/x

“Equal pay, irrespective of gender.”
- Female, age 65-74, Washington County, white or Caucasian

“Respect and equality for all in the workplace.”
- Male, age 30-44, Multnomah County, Black or African American

“Environments of equity, diversity, and inclusion.”
- Non-binary or gender non-conforming, age 45-54, Yamhill County, white or Caucasian

Ranking the Most Important Employment Considerations

Next, Oregonians were asked to rank the same list of work features/outcomes in terms of the top five most important things to have if they were choosing a place to work (Q29-44). When combining ratings of 1-5, a top tier emerges, all receiving combined scores of 40% or higher. These results largely correspond with the higher-tier priorities from Q12-28:

• Earning a good salary (64%). This feature is especially important to Oregonians ages 30-54 (72%). 20% of Oregonians rank this as their number one priority (Q29).
   
• Having a good work-life balance (50%). This feature is slightly more important for Oregonians with school-aged children compares to those without kids (53% vs. 48%) (Q44).
   
• Enjoying work, having fun (46%). Compared to the previous feature, this is more of a priority for Oregonians without school-aged children than those with kids (48% vs. 39%) (Q32).
   
• Obtaining health insurance benefits (44%). Among age groups, this priority was most important for those 45-54 (53%) and least important for those ages 18-29 (36%). This is perhaps unsurprising, as many in the youngest group are able to remain on their parents’ health insurance (Q38).

It is interesting to compare these results to a 2013 Oregon Values and Beliefs statewide survey, which did not test the importance of having a good work-life balance, but did show that salary, benefits, and enjoying work/having fun were all top-tier priorities then, as well². However, it should be noted that salary appears to be a stronger priority now than in 2013.

Demographic Trends

Identifying What Unites Us, Understanding What Divides Us

Reported below are statistically significant subgroup differences between BIPOC and white Oregonians, and urban and rural Oregonians.  Many of these differences are not major and are presented to inform public education and communications initiatives. 

Oregonians of color and whites show consistent alignment on what is important about where they choose to work. Most priorities show only a few percentage points of difference between the two groups. For example, when combining the ratings of their top 1-5 priorities, both groups selected earning a good salary as their clear choice, at an identical 64% (Q29). However, there are a few statistical differences worth point out:

• Oregonians of color are more likely than whites to think developing my skills is a “very” important part of the work environment (54% vs. 41%) (Q17).
   
• Oregonians of color are more likely than whites to think flexible hours are a “very” important part of the work environment (44% vs. 37%) (Q22).
   
• BIPOC Oregonians provide slightly higher “very” important scores for feeling appreciated by leadership and coworkers than whites (48% vs. 43%) (Q19).

Urban and rural Oregonians also show strong agreement on what is important about where they choose to work, with mostly marginal differences between these groups. Here are a few datapoints that stand out:

• Urbanites are more likely than their rural counterparts to think contributing to society’s benefit is a “very” important part of the work environment (38% vs. 28%) (Q14).
   
• Lastly, urban and rural Oregonians place equal importance on proximity to where I live¸ with an identical 42% both groups seeing this feature as “very” important (Q26).

This research was completed as a community service by the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center, an independent and non-partisan organization. OVBC is an Oregon charitable nonprofit corporation (www.oregonvbc.org).

For more information, please see the OVBC September 2021 Survey Annotated Questionnaire and Crosstabs, visit Oregonvbc.org, or contact us.

For information about the panel, please visit About the Panel - Oregon Values and Beliefs Center (oregonvbc.org)

[1]https://www.oregonlive.com/topworkplaces/2021/09/survey-of-4000-companies-shows-loyalty-to-employers-is-down.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=theoregonian_sf

[2]2013 OREGON VALUES & BELIEFS PROJECT STATEWIDE AND REGIONAL RESULTS; DHM Research | PI Research; Oregon General Population Age 18+; N= 1,958;

Vancouver, Washington – The City of Vancouver’s popular “50 and Better” social clubs for seniors are back at Firstenburg Community Center (700 N.E. 136^th Ave.) and Marshall/Luepke Community Center (1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.). 

The city’s “50 and Better” club program is an important part of social life for many Clark County seniors, providing low-cost opportunities to connect with others over shared hobbies and interests. Most clubs do not require prior knowledge or experience and are an excellent environment to learn new skills. 

A wide variety of clubs are available including book clubs, card groups, mah jongg, knitting and ukulele. Participants are invited to join an established club or stop by during open hours to enjoy friendly conversation.

Clubs are held in the Trapedero II room at the Firstenburg Community Center, which is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Luepke Senior Center, located behind the Marshall Community Center, is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. No advanced registration is required; most club materials are provided. 

Senior clubs and programs were put on hold in March 2020 due to COVID-19. To ensure the safety of participants and staff, the Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department is taking a tiered approach to reinstating in-person programs. Other senior programming, including hikes and trips, are likely to return in early 2022.

View the “50 and Better” club calendars at www.cityofvancouver.us/50AndBetter. For more information contact Firstenburg Community Center at 360-487-7001 or Marshall/Luepke Community Center at 360-487-7100. Face coverings are required at both community centers. 

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DATE:   Monday, October 25, 2021                                                      

TIME: Closed Session 5:15pm - 6:00pm Regular Session 6:00pm - 8:00pm

LOCATION:   Hockinson High School Library and via Zoom (see HSD website for link)                                                                 

ADDRESS:     16819 NE 159th St. Brush Prairie WA 98606        

SALEM, Ore. – An Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) state forests advisory group will meet Friday, October 29 via Zoom to hear updates on the Santiam State Forest post-fire restoration strategy, accomplishments in fiscal year 2021, and the Fern Ridge forest management project on the Santiam.

The State Forests Advisory Committee will meet at noon via the Zoom virtual meeting platform at https://odf.zoom.us/j/98894551521. The meeting agenda is posted at http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/SFAC.aspx. 

A public comment opportunity will be provided at the beginning of the meeting. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7427.

SFAC’s role

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

Since 2017, the Portland Water Bureau has detected low levels of Cryptosporidium from routine monitoring of source water. The Portland Water Bureau received results from ongoing monitoring from the Bull Run Watershed intake for Cryptosporidium, a potentially disease-causing microorganism. One Cryptosporidium oocyst was detected in the 50-liters collected on Oct. 17. Cryptosporidium was not detected in the 50-liters sampled on Oct. 19.  Prior to this detection, Cryptosporidium was last detected from the Bull Run Watershed intake on July 25, 2021.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 the 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 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 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 portland.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 Quality Line at 503-823-7525.

About the Portland Water Bureau

The Portland Water Bureau serves water to almost a million people in the Portland area. Portland’s water system includes two great water sources, 53 tanks and reservoirs, and 2,200 miles of pipes. With 600 employees working on everything from water treatment to customer service, the Water Bureau is committed to serving excellent water every minute of every day.

Condon, Ore. -- The Bureau of Land Management, Central Oregon Field Office, invites public comment through Nov. 24, on recreation and travel management planning for the Thirtymile planning area. The planning area is located about ten miles southwest of Condon, Ore., on the east side of the John Day River. 

This 30-day public scoping period provides an open process to get input from the public, government agencies, tribal governments, and other interested stakeholders on the issues and environmental impacts to be addressed during the planning process. Public input will help the BLM develop a range of alternatives to provide access to outdoor recreation opportunities while protecting the natural and cultural resources in the planning area. 

As part of the 30-day public scoping period, the BLM will host a virtual public meeting via Zoom Nov. 4th, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. During this meeting, the BLM will provide a brief presentation regarding natural resources and uses in the area and an overview of the travel and recreation management planning process. There will an opportunity for the public to ask questions about the project or scoping materials. 

People interested in participating in the virtual public meeting must register through Zoom at https://tinyurl.com/hd9fpy4p. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with instructions, a link to join the meeting and phone number for those unable to join online. 

During the 30-day public scoping period, comments may be submitted electronically to the project ePlanning website; via email to BLM_OR_PR_Thirtymile@blm.gov; or in writing by mail to: BLM Prineville District, Attn: Thirtymile Project, 3050 NE Third Street, Prineville, OR 97754. For specific questions, contact Chris Ryan, Planning and Environmental Coordinator at BLM_OR_PR_Thirtymile@blm.gov or (541) 416-6743; or contact the BLM office at (541) 416-6700. 

More information about the planning effort, including scoping material, actions that will be considered, and maps of travel routes and proposed recreation improvements, can be found on the project’s ePlanning website at https://go.usa.gov/xsbsG.

−BLM–

This year, we invite everyone to reimagine your public lands as we celebrate 75 years of the BLM’s stewardship and service to the American people. The BLM manages approximately 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.

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will hold a virtual meeting starting at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 3. The meeting will be livestreamed on the department’s YouTube channel.

The board’s business agenda includes:

• Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program and Oregon Community Trees

• Annual forest practices monitoring update
• Forest health status update
• State forests metrics
• Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee testimony
• State Forest Management Plan and Habitat Conservation Plan update
• Department of Forestry Climate Change and Carbon Plan

View the agenda and board meeting details.

Live testimony will be available for item #1 and #9, and decision item #8 – Department of Forestry Climate Change and Carbon Plan. Sign-up is required and instructions to provide live testimony are available online. Sign-up closes Friday, Oct. 29 at 5 p.m. Written public testimony will also be accepted. Written comments can be submitted before or up to Nov. 17 to oardofforestry@oregon.gov">boardofforestry@oregon.gov, with the appropriate agenda item included with the submission.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling ODF’s Public Affairs Office at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at estryinformation@oregon.gov">forestryinformation@oregon.gov.

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include appointing the State Forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30-million-acre forestland base. Read more information about the board.

Stanley Lunde has been located, is safe, and his family has been notified. 

Vancouver Police Department's investigators are requesting public's assistance in locating Stanley Lunde, a sixty eight year old male.

Stanley was last seen at his residence on Thursday October 14th, located at 4700 block of E. Evergreen Blvd in Vancouver, WA.  Stanley does not own or have access to a vehicle and does not carry a cell phone.

At the time of this investigation Stanley was suffering from a medical condition, symptoms of which include memory loss, disorientation, and difficulty with reasoning.  

Stanley is possibly wearing an oversized brown jacket and his shoes may be mismatched.  The rest of his clothing is unknown at this time.  Stanley is a Caucasian male, approximately (6) feet tall and weighing (200) pounds.  Stanley usually has a friendly demeanor and likes to socialize with people around him.  

Stanley is known for taking long walks in the Vancouver area and he also likes to use C-TRAN buses for transportation.

Photograph of Stanley is included in the news release.

Citizens with information of Stanley's possible whereabouts are asked to call the Vancouver Police Department's dispatch center.  

Today, before the Honorable Audrey J. Broyles, Angel Hernandez-Cruz was sentenced to 120 months in the Department of Corrections for crimes stemming from a crash that killed Luis Morales Ramirez in June 2020.  Hernandez-Cruz had previously pled no contest to the crimes of Manslaughter in the First Degree and Aggravated Driving While Suspended, and guilty to Driving While Under the Influence of Intoxicants.  

On June 9, 2020 at about 3:45 p.m., the victim Luis Morales Ramirez was driving southbound on Highway 99E towards his home to celebrate a family event.  The defendant had just left the Last Chance Saloon and was driving a large truck northbound on Highway 99E.  Multiple witnesses indicated that they saw the defendant’s large truck drive off the shoulder of the roadway and onto gravel, overcorrect, and drive fully into the southbound lane of travel.  Defendant struck Mr. Morales Ramirez’ vehicle head on.  Morales Ramirez was pronounced dead at the scene.  

The defendant was transported to Salem Hospital, where a medical blood draw registered .238% blood alcohol content. Throughout the investigation defendant blamed Morales Ramirez for the crash despite the multiple witness accounts showing that Morales Ramirez never left his lane of travel.  A full investigation of the circumstances of the crash and defendant’s intoxication was led by the Oregon State Police.  At the time of this crash, the defendant was on probation in Salem Municipal Court for a DUII that occurred on June 12, 2019.  As part of that conviction, the defendant was required to install an ignition interlock device to ensure that he was not using alcohol and driving.  No such device was installed in defendant’s vehicle.  Defendant had also completed a DUII diversion in 2009.

Mr. Morales Ramirez is survived by his wife, Rosalia, and five children: Edgar, Kenya, Alexandra, Karim, and Saralee. On the day of the crash, Mr. Morales Ramirez had worked all day and was on his way home to celebrate his oldest son’s graduation from middle school.  
 

October 21, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

CDC advisory panel recommends COVID-19 booster shots for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines 

Today a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advisory panel recommended booster doses of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines for persons who have already completed their vaccination series.

A booster is a vaccine dose that may be given to someone whose immune response from the primary vaccine series has waned over time.  

The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are currently authorized for use to prevent COVID-19 for persons 18 years of age and older. The only approved booster authorized for use for some groups is for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, known as Comirnaty. 

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) concluded its two days of meetings today. The ACIP recommended the use of booster doses for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for some persons 18 and older and booster doses of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine for persons 18 years and older.

The committee voted unanimously to recommend the use of boosters six months after a Moderna primary vaccination series and two months after a J and J vaccination series for eligible populations as outlined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization.

The guidance will allow Moderna’s booster dose to be given six months after completing the original series for those 65 years and older and some groups of persons 18 years and older with certain health conditions and occupations, and as soon as two months for all persons 18 years and older who have received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.  

The committee also considered heterologous doses or a “mix and match” approach to booster doses. This would mean people eligible to receive the Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson booster dose could use any COVID-19 vaccine as their booster dose. This would allow people to get a booster dose at any location that provides COVID-19 vaccines.

• The committee’s final vote did not formally endorse the mix and match approach.
• The CDC still needs to issue official recommendations and update their clinical considerations after review of the committee’s recommendations.
• This topic will be reviewed more closely in the Western States Scientific Safety Review Group as well.

The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, including Oregon, Washington, California and Nevada, will assess the recommendations next. The group meets later today, and it should make its recommendation in one to two days. OHA would then issue guidance regarding the administration of booster shots in Oregon.  

At that point, eligible Oregonians could seek booster shots through their health care provider or local pharmacy.  

"Oregonians can have confidence in the rigorous scientific review undertaken by the panels of scientists, medical experts and health officials to assess the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr. Paul Cieslak, Medical Director, Communicable Diseases and Immunizations. “Following this authorization, it may still take a little time for Oregonians eligible to get a Moderna or Johnson & Johnson booster to schedule their shots. Those who become eligible will get one, and we appreciate everyone's patience. The good news is, all vaccines continue to protect vaccinated Oregonians from COVID-19."

Eligible residents in long-term care facilities, including seniors, should receive their boosters through vaccination plans developed by their homes and pharmacies. State officials are also planning ways to reach home-bound seniors, people with disabilities and other vulnerable populations. 

Vaccines will continue being made available to Oregonians through their health care provider or local pharmacy. OHA has enrolled hundreds of vaccine providers in the state, and these sites are already vaccinating adults. We anticipate these sites will provide widespread access to booster doses so eligible persons who previously received the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines as well as those not yet vaccinated.

"Those most at risk, however, remain persons who have not yet received a primary series of COVID-19 vaccines," said Cieslak. “We strongly encourage everyone eligible to take advantage of this preventive measure."

OHA estimates that more than 632,000 adult Oregonians could soon be eligible to receive the added benefit provided by boosters for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.  

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will hold a virtual special meeting starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 29. The meeting will be livestreamed on the department’s YouTube channel.

The amended agenda includes hearing from the public on what aspects of the skills, attributes, and qualifications are key for the next state forester and an executive session. The board will deliberate on the final candidates for the state forester position and will vote to determine who will be appointed Oregon’s next state forester.

There will be an opportunity for the public to provide live testimony. Sign up to provide live testimony is required. Registration is available online and closes Monday, Oct. 25 at 11:59 p.m. Written public testimony submitted by Oct. 25 to oardofforestry@oregon.gov">boardofforestry@oregon.gov will also be accepted.

The board will meet in executive session starting at 9:50 a.m. for the purpose of considering the employment of a chief executive officer, pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(a).

The executive session will also be conducted virtually. Members of the news media who want to attend this portion of the meeting can email Public Affairs Director Joy Krawczyk at awczyk@oregon.gov">joy.p.krawczyk@oregon.gov for information.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling ODF’s Public Affairs Office at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at estryinformation@oregon.gov">forestryinformation@oregon.gov.

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include appointing the State Forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30-million-acre forestland base. Read more information about the board.

EUGENE, Ore.—A federal grand jury in Eugene returned an indictment today charging an Oregon restauranteur with tax evasion and hiding cash from his businesses.

Meeraali Shaik, a Corvallis, Oregon resident and the owner of Evergreen Indian Cuisine, has been charged with one count of tax evasion.

According to court documents, Shaik owned and operated Evergreen Indian Cuisine locations in Eugene and Corvallis. From before 2013 and continuing until 2017, Shaik is alleged to have willfully attempted to evade the assessment of personal income taxes by, among other illegal acts, providing his tax preparer with incomplete bank and income records and false information regarding the cash receipts of his restaurants. Shaik used a portion of the underreported cash receipts to pay mortgage payments on properties in Eugene, Corvallis, and Chandler, Arizona and made wire transfers to a bank account in India.

Shaik will make his initial appearance in federal court before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on November 2, 2021. During his first appearance, Shaik will be arraigned, and a jury trial date will be set.

If convicted, Shaik faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, three years’ supervised release, and a $100,000 fine.

Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug of the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by IRS-Criminal Investigation with assistance from the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Gavin W. Bruce is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

# # #

Vancouver, Wash. –The investigation by the SW Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIR) into the October 17, 2021 officer involved shooting involving deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office is continuing. Prior to this incident, probable cause existed to arrest Kfin Karuo, for Assault I related an incident that occurred on September 29, 2021.

In the September 29^th incident, the victim reported that he was parked in the parking lot of a business located at 11320 NE 49th Street. An unknown suspect in a white Ford Expedition drove up to his vehicle, asked him if he was a “cop” and when the victim told him it was none of his business, the suspect pointed a handgun gun at him and told him to leave the parking lot. The victim’s dash camera captured video of the suspect pointing the gun at the victim out of his driver’s side window (see link to video, which has no audio, and attached still from video). The suspect in that incident was identified as Kfin Karuo.

On October 17, 2021, Clark County Sheriff’s Deputies attempted a traffic stop of Karuo’s vehicle and initiated a Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) in the area of NE 122nd Avenue/ NE 49th Street. Karuo, armed with a handgun, pointed the gun at the deputies, who then fired at him. Karuo was located a short distance from his vehicle deceased with a gun in his hand with his finger on the trigger.

The two involved deputies, who remain on critical incident leave are:

• Deputy David Delin, a 3.5-year deputy with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, currently assigned to Central Precinct Swing Shift.
• Deputy Forrest Gonzales, a 3-year deputy with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and 2-year Officer with the Aberdeen Police Department prior to being hired by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office. He is currently assigned to West Precinct Graveyard.   

No additional information is available at this time. Any additional information will be sent out via media release. Updates will be provided at least once per week. 

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October 21, 2021

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

Dental Pilot Project Program accepting applications to serve on advisory committee for Pilot Project #300

What: The OHA Dental Pilot Projects Program is seeking applicants to serve on the Advisory Committee for Dental Pilot Project #300, “Dental Therapist Project: Dental Hygiene Model.”

When: Applications due by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22.

Where: Application information and submission instructions can be located at the Dental Pilot Project Program Website at http://healthoregon.org/dpp.

All committee meetings will be held virtually. The first advisory committee meeting will be on Jan. 31, 2022, from 9-11 a.m. If you have questions, contact the OHA Dental Pilot Project Program at ah.e.kowalski@dhsoha.state.or.us">sarah.e.kowalski@dhsoha.state.or.us.

Background: Dental Pilot Projects are intended to evaluate the quality of care, access, cost, workforce, and efficacy by teaching new skills to existing categories of dental personnel; developing new categories of dental personnel; accelerating the training of existing categories of dental personnel; or teaching new oral health care roles to previously untrained persons.

Program contact: Sarah Kowalski, ah.e.kowalski@state.or.us">sarah.e.kowalski@state.or.us.

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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 Sarah Kowalski at 971-673-1563, 711 TTY or ah.e.kowalski@state.or.us">sarah.e.kowalski@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

On Wednesday, October 20, 2021, Albany Police Detectives located 18-year-old Abel Sanchez-Anaya, in Lane County. Information was developed that Sanchez-Anaya was with Elijah Crump during the shooting death of Joshua Johnston-Partain. 

Albany Police Detectives developed information leading to the location of Sanchez-Anaya, in the area of Halsey, Oregon.  Detectives arrested him without incident and he was lodged in the Linn county jail on the following charges:

• Murder in the Second Degree

Summary of the case: On October 10, 2021, Joshua Johnston-Partain was fatally shot multiple times with a firearm in the parking lot at Timber Linn Park.

Albany Police Detectives are continuing to follow up with additional leads, search warrants, and interviews. At this time, two involved suspects have been arrested.  

The investigation is still ongoing and no further information will be released.  Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Albany Police Detectives at 541-917-7686.

SALEM, Ore. – The Northwest Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee will meet virtually Thursday, Oct. 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. To join the virtual meeting, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda. To provide public comment at this virtual meeting, please contact Susan Muniz at 503-945-7502. 

Topics to be covered include:

• Private Forests Division update
• Operator of the Year selection
• ODFW MOA update
• Implementation study update
• SB 1602 – E-Notification demonstration

The meeting is open to the public to attend online via Zoom. Public comments will be accepted near the start of the meeting after approval of the minutes. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 72 hours before the meeting by contacting Susan Muniz at 503-945-7502.

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

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

Oct. 21, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,407 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 40 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 40 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,275, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,407 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 356,061.

State health officials to add more than 500 COVID-19 deaths due to technical error

Over the coming weeks, OHA will begin reporting approximately 550 deaths among people who died with COVID-19 but whose deaths only became recently known to state epidemiologists due to a technical computer error. 

This will result in higher death totals as the backlog is resolved.

More details can be found here.

COVID-19 Disease Severity Dashboard update highlights hospitalizations

Today, OHA is publishing a revamped Disease Severity Dashboard. In addition to case demographic data, the dashboard now features new data that highlights COVID-19-related hospitalizations and deaths in Oregon. Due to the nature of newly added visualizations, all data on this dashboard will be published weekly on Thursdays with data from the most recent full week.

The dashboard has three tabs: Case Demographics, Disease Severity and Severity Trends.

• The Case Demographics tab shows COVID-19 cumulative hospitalizations and deaths by sex, age group, race, and ethnicity.
• The Disease Severity tab shows factors related to COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths.
• The Severity Trends tab looks at hospitalization trends and death trends, including graphs on the following:
  • A comparison between trends of new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.
  • Hospitalization trends by intensive care unit categories, presence of underlying condition, length of stay categories, age categories, race, and ethnicity.
  • Deaths trends by hospitalization status, presence of underlying condition, congregate settings, age categories, race, and ethnicity.

The visualization showing trends among new cases, hospitalizations and deaths reveals that cases and hospitalizations tend to rise before deaths. The visualizations also show that COVID-19 cases who were hospitalized or died have higher prevalence of all types of underlying conditions compared with COVID-19 cases who were not hospitalized or survived.

This updated dashboard can be found on the dashboard page.

OHA releases new COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough report

OHA’s most recent update on COVID-19 breakthrough cases, released today, found that 76.5% of the 6,446 reported COVID-19 cases between Oct. 10 through Oct. 16, occurred in people who were unvaccinated.

There were 1,977 breakthrough cases, accounting for 23.5% of all cases.

The average age of the breakthrough cases during that period was 48. Thirty-five breakthrough cases involved residents of care facilities, senior living communities or other congregate care settings. There were 88 cases in people ages 12 to 17.

To date, there have been 32,954 COVID-19 vaccine breakthrough cases in Oregon. The average age of all cases is 48. Breakthrough cases have been reported in all 36 counties.

Cases of COVID-19 are far more common in unvaccinated people. The report shows that the rate of COVID-19 in unvaccinated people is currently four times higher than in vaccinated people.

To date, 4.4% of all vaccine breakthrough cases have been hospitalized and 1% have died. The average age of vaccinated people who died was 80.

Vaccination remains the most effective tool to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The number of vaccine breakthrough cases identified in Oregon remains very small when compared to the more than 2.79 million Oregonians who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

The latest breakthrough report can be found here.

Last week OHA added three new features to the breakthrough report. Data is now available by vaccine manufacturer, including the number of breakthrough cases and their severity. This report also shows the number of Oregonians who received each vaccine, as well as the number of breakthrough cases per 100,000 vaccinated people.

OHA also expanded demographic data to include race and ethnicity for breakthrough cases, hospitalizations, and deaths and a map showing cumulative breakthrough cases for each county. In general, breakthrough case totals correspond with population size, vaccination rates, and overall case counts.

Pediatric weekly dashboard update

Today, OHA published its latest dashboard report of pediatric COVID-19 case data in Oregon.

This dashboard replaces the previous report and is published weekly on Thursdays with the most recent full week’s data.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 567, which is one fewer than yesterday. There are 133 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is seven more than yesterday.

There are 48 available adult ICU beds out of 706 total (7% availability) and 265 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,115 (6% availability). 

The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported that 14,240 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 20. Of that total, 871 were initial doses; 933 were second doses and 3,558 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 8,835 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 20.

The seven-day running average is now 9,309 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,208,051 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,935,312 doses of Moderna and 223,943 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,793,594 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,580,142 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change. Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

"Magic" team brings vaccination confidence to Oregon — and the world

As a refugee services provider Catholic Charities Oregon has a mission — to create trusting relationships with the families and communities they serve.   

Through a partnership with the Oregon Health Authority, Catholic Charities hired a team of COVID-19 Community Engagement Specialists in early 2021. This team rapidly took on the work of supporting their communities.

“We are a group of individuals from different backgrounds and nationalities who work for Catholic Charities with pride,” said Chomba Kaluba, who is originally from Zambia and serves the Congolese- and Swahili-speaking communities. “The power of numbers is what each one of us brings as a strength. And that strength is from all backgrounds; our values, beliefs and passion.”

He came up with the idea of making language- and culturally-specific videos about the vaccine to amplify vaccination confidence. Clackamas County Public Health provided a producer to film and edit the work.

Chomba Kaluba

Two other team members, Abidah Jamaluddin and Lung Wah Lazum both originally came from the same country, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), but they represent different cultures. The pair decided to make videos in both Burmese and Rohingya to broaden their reach.

The group felt it was essential to meet people where they are.  

“It is because we are immigrants,” said Kaluba. “We are coming from backgrounds which might have lacked a health education, might have lacked access to health care, might have different political systems or economic systems.”

“We have been able to reach the world because someone in Burma, they'll see that video on YouTube and they'll go, 'Wow - I can get vaccinated.’ So maybe somehow, we are trying to do what they say is teaching in time saves nine. So maybe we are saving lives somewhere else,” he said.

You can read more at Oregon Vaccine News and watch the videos in Burmese, English, French, Rohingya, Somali and Swahili.

Cases and COVID-19 deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (10), Benton (29), Clackamas (108), Clatsop (1), Columbia (16), Coos (31), Crook (40), Curry (2), Deschutes (146), Douglas (46), Gilliam (1), Grant (5), Harney (16), Hood River (5), Jackson (75), Jefferson (15), Josephine (15), Klamath (67), Lake (6), Lane (113), Lincoln (8), Linn (49), Malheur (22), Marion (98), Morrow (4), Multnomah (190), Polk (37), Tillamook (5), Umatilla (50), Union (11), Wallowa (3), Wasco (10), Washington (144) and Yamhill (29).

Note: Additional details with case and death information will follow in an updated news release.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our web page (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information.

Oct. 21, 2021

Salem – Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has proclaimed Oct. 18-22 as Community Bank Week. The week honors local banks and their employees for their economic and civic contributions in communities across the state.

Oregon community banks provide more than 5,300 family wage jobs through more than 350 branch and loan offices, $3.7 billion in home purchase and refinance loans, and safeguards $30 billion in deposits. They also make 80 percent of all agriculture-related loans.

Oregon’s community banks, most of which are chartered by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, play an essential role in promoting the economic health and prosperity of the state. In some communities, they are the sole provider of banking products and services and sometimes the largest employer.

“Our state banks continue to support small businesses and agriculture in Oregon, as well as provide banking services and create jobs,” said Andrew Stolfi, DCBS director. “State banks also are committed to Oregonians through their 64,000 volunteer hours each year and the millions of dollars they have pledged to support people affected by COVID-19, the wildfires, and racial inequality.”

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

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

October 21, 2021

Contacts: Philip Schmidt, 503-383-6079, philip.schmidt@dshoha.state.or.us  (media inquiries)

Daphne Peck, 503-580-9792, c.info@dhsoha.state.or.us">herc.info@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Oregon Health Evidence Review Commission and VBBS Subcommittee to meet Nov. 18 online

Health Evidence Review Commission Meets online on Nov. 18

What: A public meeting of the Health Evidence Review Commission

When: Thursday, November 18, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Where: By Zoom https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1619077888?pwd=WWFIMXAxQTUxV2lBT3M4ak9YWE9tdz09 

Or dial 1-669-254-5252 Meeting ID: 161 907 7888 | Passcode: 333914

Note: Unscheduled testimony will not be allowed at the meeting. If you think you may want to testify, please complete the survey to sign up at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/herc-public-comment by Tuesday, 11/16/21, noon. If you decide not to testify, you can always decline later. If you need assistance in signing up for public testimony, please call Daphne Peck at 503-580-9792.

 Written public comment (up to 1,000 words per sender for each topic) will be accepted until noon on 11/16/21; submit to C.Info@dhsoha.state.or.us">HERC.Info@dhsoha.state.or.us.

Agenda: HERC will consider the following topics:

• VBBS report

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

For more information about the meeting, visit the committee’s website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/DSI-HERC/Pages/Meetings-Public.aspx. The meeting agenda and materials will be available one week before the meeting. 

HERC’s Value-based Benefits Subcommittee meets November 18 Online

What: A public meeting of the Health Evidence Review Commission’s Value-based Benefits Subcommittee

When: Thursday, November 18, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Where: By Zoom https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1619077888?pwd=WWFIMXAxQTUxV2lBT3M4ak9YWE9tdz09 

Or dial 1-669-254-5252 Meeting ID: 161 907 7888 | Passcode: 333914

Note: Unscheduled testimony will not be allowed at the meeting. If you think you may want to testify, please complete the survey to sign up at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/herc-public-comment by Tuesday, 11/16/21, noon. If you decide not to testify, you can always decline later. If you need assistance in signing up for public testimony, please call Daphne Peck at 503-580-9792.

 Written public comment (up to 1,000 words per sender for each topic) will be accepted until noon on 11/16/21; submit to C.Info@dhsoha.state.or.us">HERC.Info@dhsoha.state.or.us.

Agenda: Items scheduled for discussion could include, but may not be limited to, the following:

• Straightforward consent agenda items
• New COVID-19 vaccine codes
• Advisory Panel reports
  • Genetics Advisory Panel
    • Expanded carrier screening
      • Updates to the prenatal and non-prenatal genetic testing guidelines
    • Whole genome sequencing
    • NCCN reference updates to the hereditary cancer genetic testing guideline
  • Oral Health Advisory Panel
    • 2022 CDT code placements
    • Porcelain crowns
    • Non-restorative caries treatment
    • Orthodontia for handicapping malocclusion
    • D0190 dental screening code placement
  • Behavioral Health Advisory Panel
    • Nightmare disorder
    • HCPCS code review for substance use disorder waiver
    • Selective mutism
  • 2022 CPT and HCPCS code placements
  • Platelet rich plasma
  • Radiofrequency ablation and cryotherapy for select renal cell cancers
  • Pelvic congestion syndrome
  • Cyanoacrylate vein ablation for varicose veins
  • Breast reconstruction after lumpectomy
  • Breast MRI guidelines
  • Clarify coverage for EPSDT treatment services for unfunded conditions which may affect childhood growth, development and school attendance
  • 2024 Biennial review combining duplicative angioedema lines

For more information about the meeting, visit the committee’s website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/DSI-HERC/Pages/Meetings-Public.aspx. The meeting agenda and materials will be available one week before the meeting. 

# # #

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

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

If you need help or have questions, please contact Daphne Peck at 503-580-9792, 711 TTY or c.info@dhsoha.state.or.us">herc.info@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the event. Written comments are also welcome at c.info@dhsoha.state.or.us">herc.info@dhsoha.state.or.us.

Need to know

• Child care copays through the Employment Related Day Care program have decreased to an average of $16 per month for working families.
• Approximately 8,200 working families receive child care assistance through the Employment Related Day Care program.
• Working families can apply for child care assistance and other government supports at One.Oregon.Gov

(Salem) – Finding affordable, quality child care has long been a struggle for families, and the pandemic has only made this situation worse. Working families who participate in the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Employment Related Day Care Program (ERDC) will see their child care costs significantly decrease, making child care more accessible across the state.  

ERDC helps eligible working families pay for child care, including registration and enrollment fees. ERDC is a subsidy program, which means some families, depending on their income, may be required to pay a copay. 

These changes will support working families by: 

• Decreasing the average family copay to $16 per month.
• Reducing the family copay to $0 for families who make 100% or less of the federal poverty level (an annual income of $21,960 for a family of three).
• Limiting family copays to no more than $130 a month.

“For many families the cost of child care can be a barrier to entering and staying connected to the workforce,” said Dan Haun, director of the ODHS Self-Sufficiency Programs. “This copay decrease will support working families across Oregon as they continue to deal with the many challenges facing families in today’s world.”

These changes are effective for families renewing or applying for the ERDC program on or after Oct. 1, 2021. 

From March 2020 through September 2021, the federal government temporarily permitted ODHS to offer $0 copay child care assistance to families participating in the ERDC program during the COVID-19 pandemic. These temporary COVID-19 changes expired on Sept. 30, 2021. 

Prior to the temporary COVID-19 copay changes, the average family copay was approximately $250. The lowest possible monthly family copay was $27. 

In addition to copay reductions, the Early Learning Division (ELD) has been using federal relief funds to provide grants directly to child care providers to stabilize our existing child care supply and help providers stay in business.

“We know that access to quality, affordable child care that meets families’ needs continues to be out of reach for many families across the state,” said Alyssa Chatterjee, Early Learning System Director of the Early Learning Division.  “Reducing the copays for eligible families will not only allow more families to find care, but also provide additional stability for our child care providers who accept subsidies.”

Working families who earn 185% of the federal poverty level, or $40,626 annually for a family of three, may be eligible to enroll in the ODHS Employment Related Day Care program. 

Oregonians can apply online for Employment Related Day Care Assistance and other government supports online at One.Oregon.Gov or by phone at 1-800-699-9075 or TTY 711.

The copay reduction is made possible by additional funding provided by the federal government through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act; the 2021 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act; the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021; and the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Child Care Development Fund. 

Resources to help meet basic needs

• Find a food pantry: foodfinder.oregonfoodbank.org
• Dial 2-1-1, or text your zip code to 898-211 for help finding local resources and supports, including child care in your community.
• Visit www.211info.org for help finding local resources and supports, including child care in your community.
• Oregon Department of Human Services Resources 

The Oregon Department of Human Services, Self-Sufficiency Programs operates the Employment Related Day Care program. The Employment Related Day Care program helps working families pay for child care, including registration and enrollment fees. It also works with partners statewide, including the Early Learning Division, to help families find quality child care.

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Deputies are asking for community tips after four female adults in custody (AIC) left the Marion County Transition Center without authorization on Tuesday, October 19^th, 2021.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Transition Center prepares AICs for re-entry into the community prior to release from custody. Staffed around the clock, the Transition Center provides an intermediate sanction between Jail and Probation. Unlike the Jail, the Transition Center provides minimum-security supervision. Residents are expected to work, either at their own jobs or by performing community services. The mission of the Transition Center is to provide just and humane care for AICs at the center by providing a positive and rehabilitative environment. To accomplish this mission, staff utilizes Core Correctional Practices (CCP) to assist AICs by holding them accountable and teaching them basic pro-social skills to assist in their successful transition back into the community. 

At approximately 2:00 p.m. on October 19th, Hannah Crawford (21), exited the facility after walking out an unlocked door. Crawford was in custody for a probation violation. She was scheduled to be released from custody on November 6th, 2021.

Later in the day, shortly before 6:00 p.m., three females left through a dorm window, which is kept unlocked. 

• Amanda Schultz (30) was in custody serving a sanction for a parole violation, her release date had not yet been determined.
• Shyndia Alexander (21) was in custody serving a sanction for a parole violation, her release date had not yet been determined.
• Mariah Hall (25) was serving a sentence for domestic violence offenses and was scheduled for release on November 2nd, 2021.

Deputies are asking anyone who has information about these women’s location to call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency dispatch at 503-588-5032.

October 21, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

State Health Officials to Add Approximately 550 COVID-19 Deaths from May to August 2021 to State Totals, Omitted Due to Technical Error

Over the coming weeks, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will begin reporting approximately 550 deaths among people who died with COVID-19 but whose deaths only became recently known to state epidemiologists due to a technical computer error.  Most of these deaths occurred between May 2021 and August 2021.

The deaths will be reviewed during the data reconciliation process over the next month. People who have died and meet the COVID-19 death definition based on death certificates will reported on the Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 dashboards and its daily COVID-19 media releases. As a result, daily reported COVID-19-related deaths will be higher than usual until the backlog is resolved. Details of all deaths will be listed in OHA’s daily COVID-19 media release, which is published weekdays.

OHA’s reporting of COVID-19 deaths involves reconciling death records to case records, which is done manually. OHA has been working to automate the process but that has led to periodic backlogs, such as what is being reported today.

“We are taking steps to ensure that our reporting is comprehensive and transparent,” said OHA Director Patrick Allen. “We extend our condolences to everyone who has suffered a loss to COVID-19, and we deeply regret the pain this disclosure may cause.”

The additional deaths will affect Oregon’s national standing in COVID-19 death rates. Presently, Oregon has the 6^th lowest death rate in the nation. The newly reported deaths are expected to push Oregon’s death rate past one or two other states. However, Oregon’s death rate will remain well below the national average and the fatality rates of most other states.

State health officials estimate that if Oregon’s death rate matched the national average, another 4,000 or more Oregonians would have died from COVID-19. Health officials attribute Oregon’s comparatively low death rate to vaccinations, mask wearing and other social distancing measures, which Oregonians have practiced to a greater extent than residents of many other states.

Death is a lagging indicator and generally follows a surge in cases. In addition, there is often a delay in reporting as OHA epidemiologists review death certificates. 

OHA expects that reported deaths may continue to be high even as daily case counts decrease. This is due to the time period between when a person tests positive for a case of COVID-19 and when they die with COVID-19.

The newly enhanced COVID-19 Case Severity dashboard visualizes the time lag between when case onset and dates of death. Peak deaths routinely trail peak case onset by two weeks.

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Greetings from Pacific University, where leaves are falling, student-athletes are training and senior capstone projects are being firmed up. Here's some of what's been going on here:

The intercollegiate Undergraduate Research Conference returns to Forest Grove Campus

Researchers publish list of deaths at schools for Native Americans in Forest Grove and Chemawa

Chris Stamm MAT '22 is humbler, and still determined to make a difference in special education

Far Away kicks off the fall theatre season

Cawein Gallery hosts Robyn Johnsen's The Collective

Professor emeritus Michael Millard named Pharmacist of the Year

Here are some highlights from the calendar:

Oct. 22 — Choral Concert

Oct. 22, Oct. 29 — 2022 Senior Preview Scholarship Day

Oct. 22 — Master of Social Work Information Session, Eugene Campus

Oct. 23 — Alumni Swim Meet

Oct. 27 — Doctor of Science Virtual Open House

Oct. 28 — Visiting Writers Program (virtual): Poet Laureate Joy Harjo

Oct. 29 — Boxers Haunted Mansion (free)

Nov. 2 — School of Learning and Teaching Information Meeting (online)

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 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.

Salem, Ore. – Eligible non-profits and for-profits serving Salem residents are invited to submit proposals for City of Salem Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership, HOME American Rescue Plan (ARP), and the City’s General Fund programs. Applicable funds are for the 2022-2023 Program Year, beginning Jul. 1, 2022.

Funding priorities are based on the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan and include: Supporting efforts to end homelessness, expand affordable housing, provide support for public service programs, enhance access to public facilities and promote economic development.

The amount of funding available by program: 

• CDBG                                                     $1,696,000
• HOME                                                    $2,400,000
• HOME ARP                                           $   552,000

Total Federal Funds Available:                        $4,648,000

• City of Salem General Fund                 $ 400,000

Total General Funds Available:                       $ 400,000

The online application portal opens Fri., Oct. 22, 2021 and closes Wed., Dec. 22, 2021. Applications must comply with strict eligibility criteria. Applications sent by any method other than through ZoomGrants will not be accepted. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. 

The City will hold two virtual application technical assistance workshops to assist potential applicants in preparing applications and/or to answer questions. Interested persons need only to attend one session. Registration is not required.

Wed., Oct. 27, 2021 at 2:30 p.m. Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84673483105?pwd=blBYZHRUeXYrWUhaT2h0ZVlNZDkxZz09  Meeting ID: 832 5607 6007/Passcode: 226220

Thurs., Nov. 18, 2021 at 9 a.m. Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84125440604?pwd=RFAyOTQ4clJ0YXY4SVRYZW8zKzVrZz09  Meeting ID: 843 8751 3710/Passcode: 710900 

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. 

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. 

Federal HOME American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funding. The HOME American Rescue Plan program provides funds to assist individuals or households who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, and other vulnerable populations, by providing housing, rental assistance, supportive services, and non-congregate shelter, to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability across the country. These grant funds will administered through HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME).

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

City of Salem General Fund. The City of Salem provides funds to support activities that provide supportive services to low-income residents of Salem. 

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

# # #

The College is honored to receive the 2021 Charles Kennedy Equity Award

GRESHAM, ORE., October 21, 2021: The Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) has recognized Mt. Hood Community College’s efforts to systematically address racism, poverty and language barriers at the college and in East Multnomah County. On Friday, October 15, ACCT awarded MHCC the 2021 Charles Kennedy Equity Award. This award is granted to one community college in the U.S. with an outstanding equity program and recognizes exemplary commitments by the governing board and college CEO to achieving educational equity.

“We all agree that this work is imperative,” said Board Chair Annette Mattson. “We want to make sure our board’s commitment to equity is reflected in all our processes at MHCC and evident in the resources and services the college provides.”

Earlier this year, ACCT honored the college with the 2021 Pacific Region Equity award. MHCC was one of five colleges to receive a regional award. The national recipient was chosen out of these regional winners.

"Community colleges are uniquely committed to open-access, high-quality higher education for all Americans, as well as a vital pipeline to the jobs that support communities and keep our country going strong," said 2020-21 ACCT Chair and Mohawk Valley Community College Trustee David Mathis. "This year's regional awardees represent the most outstanding people and programs across this great nation."

MHCC was selected for the Charles Kennedy Equity Award based on their recent work in:

• Creating a Student Basic Needs Resource Team.
• Establishing a Multicultural Diversity Resource Center.
• Adding African-American Cultural Courses.
• Creating an Equity Lens tool.
• Beginning work on a strategic equity plan.
• Increased recruiting of employees from underrepresented or underserved populations across all employee groups and the Board of Education.
  • The most significant gains were seen in MHCC’s Board and management staff, where Board diversity quadrupled, and management diversity nearly doubled.
• Implementing a yearlong Equity Minded Leadership series with the Board of Education, President’s Cabinet, and MHCC Equity Leadership Team.
• Facilitating Foundations of Critical Race Theory sessions broadly with employees.
• Increasing use of Open Educational Resources (OERs). 
  • It is estimated these OERs have saved students $3,118,975 in textbook costs.
• Partnering with community organizations to increase services and resources. Partnerships include:
  • Multnomah County Health Authority offered COVID-19 vaccination clinics to BIPOC communities.
  • Rosewood Initiative to provide job search and unemployment assistance to address community concerns around the concentrated poverty and lack of services in East County.
  • Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) to offer vocational English-as-a-Second Language career pathway programs, translation services, and other initiatives in serving the needs of the immigrant and refugee communities in the district.
  • Area school districts to engage youth identifying as first-generation, from low-income households, or having a disability and offer them peer mentoring.
    • Mentors attend DEI training and workshops, such as a Becoming Anti-Racist series, and work with students to navigate school, career and college related topics.

Additionally, last month MHCC received a $100,000 national award through the Rethink Adult Ed Challenge for new pre-apprenticeship programs to help English language learners build academic, language and workplace skills. 

“This award shines a light on the complex needs many residents in our district face every day,” said MHCC President Lisa Skari. “We are honored to receive this equity award, but this is just the beginning of our efforts to help students and potential students overcome barriers and reach their goals.”

The equity award honors the late Charles Kennedy, a trustee of Joliet Junior College in Illinois, who was a founder of the ACCT Minority Affairs Assembly, which became the ACCT Diversity Committee.

About ACCT

Founded in 1972, the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) is the nonprofit educational organization of governing boards, representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees of community, technical and junior colleges in the U.S. and beyond. ACCT's purpose is to strengthen the capacity of community, technical and junior colleges and to foster the realization of their missions through effective board leadership at local, state, and national levels. For more information, visit www.acct.org.

About Mt. Hood Community College 

Mt. Hood Community College serves an average of more than 25,000 students annually. The MHCC district ranges from Mount Hood to Portland, Oregon, and includes almost 500,000 residents in parts of Multnomah and Clackamas counties. MHCC is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and is approved as a veterans training institution by the Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information, visit mhcc.edu. 

This morning, as part of a federal child exploitation investigation, agents from the FBI Portland Field Office were conducting a search warrant in the 6100 block of NE 14^th Avenue in Portland when an occupant of the residence barricaded themself inside the home.

After a brief standoff, members from the Portland Police Bureau Special Emergency Reaction Team (SERT) found the occupant deceased inside the home. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death. Law enforcement did not use force during this incident.

Due to concerns about possible hazardous substances inside the home, a hazardous materials team is continuing to investigate. There is no known danger to the community. There may be continued traffic delays in the area as the investigation continues.

The FBI was assisted by the Portland Police Bureau SERT, Crisis Negotiation Team, Explosives Disposal Unit, and patrol officers from North Precinct.

Vancouver, Wash., October 21, 2021—After nearly a decade of leadership at the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, President Jennifer Rhoads has decided to transition out of her role and the organization. She will remain in her position until a successor is in place, a process that Board Chair T. Randall Grove expects to conclude before April 2022. 

“Jennifer Rhoads has led the Community Foundation through a time of considerable change and her contributions are remarkable,” Grove said. “She’s a natural connector who has eagerly tackled challenges, and her results are highlighted by our expanded presence and partnerships in the community.” 

Under her leadership, the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington distributed over $100 million in grants and grew its total charitable assets more than fivefold, making it the second-largest Community Foundation in Washington state. Rhoads helped retool the organization’s grant programs to focus funding on alleviating intergenerational poverty. She also oversaw the launch of Give More 24!, an annual online fundraising event that has enabled area nonprofits to raise $12 million over eight years. 

According to Rhoads, the most critical work has come in recent years as the organization adopted its commitment to equity and orchestrated the largest philanthropic relief effort in its history with the SW Washington COVID Response Fund. The fund has deployed nearly $9 million in relief for the region's most vulnerable communities.  

“Growing this foundation has been a team effort, and also deeply meaningful because I’ve always called southwest Washington home,” Rhoads said. “I will treasure the relationships and achievements we've built with the help of our donors, nonprofit partners and this amazing board and staff. All of them, and even those who came before us, are the heart and spirit of this organization.” 

Rhoads is the fourth person to lead the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, a community-based grantmaking organization founded by Mary Granger and other local philanthropists in 1984. As the organization finalizes a new strategic plan, the current Board of Directors is committed to finding a leader who can carry its vision and reputation forward. To assist with this task, the board has selected Portland-based executive search firm Murphy, Symonds & Stowell, which is launching a regional search. Murphy, Symonds & Stowell will work in partnership with The 360 Group, a national firm that specializes in recruiting diverse and extraordinary candidates for mission-driven organizations. More information can be found online at www.cfsww.org.  

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About the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington 

Established in 1984, the Community Foundation helps southwest Washingtonians build a more vibrant and engaged community through charitable giving and community engagement. The Foundation holds more than 360 distinct funds, which are actively invested to generate growth and income for granting purposes. Governed by an esteemed volunteer Board of Directors, the Community Foundation offers benefits and services to donors, nonprofits and the community at large. Learn more at cfsww.org.  

About Jennifer Rhoads 

Jennifer Rhoads has worked at the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington for nine years, starting in 2012 as the Vice President of Development and President Designate. She stepped into the role of President in June 2013. Rhoads currently serves on the Board of Directors for Grantmakers of Oregon and SW Washington. Before joining the Foundation, Rhoads spent 15 years working in financial planning and wealth management. Rhoads holds a degree in communications from the Edward R. Murrow School of Communications at Washington State University. She is also a Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) and a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School.  

The US Preventive Services Task Force is considering several changes to its guidance on taking daily aspirin to prevent heart disease and stroke. In a recent draft proposal, The Task Force suggested that adults ages 40 to 59 who are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease - but do not have a history of the disease - decide in collaboration with their clinician whether to start taking aspirin. Additionally, the Task Force says people age 60 and older should not start taking aspirin to prevent heart disease and stroke because new evidence shows that potential harms cancel out the benefits.

"The latest evidence is clear: starting a daily aspirin regimen in people who are 60 or older to prevent a first heart attack or stroke is not recommended," Task Force member Dr. Chien-Wen Tseng said in a statement. "However, this Task Force recommendation is not for people already taking aspirin for a previous heart attack or stroke; they should continue to do so unless told otherwise by their clinician."

PeaceHealth Southwest Cardiology Department Chair Margo Kozinski, MD, FACC is concerned that reports of the proposed change are confusing patients, leading some to incorrectly stop taking aspirin.

"The recent recommendation to change guidelines only applies to primary prevention patients who do not have a history of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks or strokes,” said Dr. Kozinski. “For patients with known history of coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease or cerebrovascular disease, daily aspirin remains the mainstay of therapy and continues to be a lifesaving medication. Please contact your doctor before making any changes in your medication regimen and especially before stopping your aspirin."

Dr. Kozinski warns that discontinuation of aspirin therapy can have dangerous consequences. "Patients with prior history of heart attacks, stents, or bypass surgery will be at an increased risk of recurrent heart attacks, stent thrombosis and possibly death by stopping aspirin therapy,” said Dr. Kozinski.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in the United States for both sexes. Each year an estimated 605,000 Americans suffer their first heart attack and about 610,000 experience a first stroke. Unfortunately, many Americans have taken prevention measures into their own hands, without consulting with their physicians. A 2017 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found that 23.4 percent of adults age 40 or older without CVD took aspirin for primary prevention. Of these 22.8 percent took aspirin without a physician’s recommendation.

The draft recommendation statement, draft evidence review, and draft modeling report are available for review and public comment through November 8, 2021 at www.Uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/public-comments-and-nominations/opportunity-for-public-comment.

About PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center:
PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center is a 450-bed facility located at 400 NE Mother Joseph Place in Vancouver, WA., providing comprehensive specialty care for patients in southwest Washington. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.
 

Event:  Truck Ventilation Training 
Date:  Friday, October 22, 2021
Time: 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.  
Location:  12250 SW Moffit Drive, Wilsonville, OR 97070
Contact:  Heather Carpenter, Public Information Officer, 971-268-4545 or Heather.Carpenter@tvfr.com

Please join us Friday, October 22, between 9:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. to observe a training opportunity for the TVF&R truck program. The truck companies will be practicing roof ventilation skills using chainsaws and other tools on multiple structures donated for training use prior to demolition by a developer. This valuable training will provide a realistic setting for firefighters to hone their skills. 

During a fire, TVF&R’s truck companies use ventilation methods to remove heat, smoke, and volatile gases from the structure. This process improves visibility for firefighters and allows quicker access to the fire. Well-coordinated ventilation allows interior firefighters to move faster, see hazards sooner, and search for occupants quicker. Most importantly, it can improve firefighter safety in the hot and toxic interior of a structure. 

This training will also allow the crews to get more familiar with the newly acquired Scott 3X Pro self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and air cylinders deployed in July of this year from a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The new SCBAs have enhanced communication and amplification, which is critical to ensuring efficient firefighter efforts and overall safety for responders. Firefighters will practice communicating face to face, over the radio, and using hand signals during times when equipment is running and hearing is impaired.

The use of face masks will be required and physical distancing will be implemented when at all possible. 

Update to Camas Police Dept Missing Person reported on 10/20/21 

Casey Crowder was reported as a missing person and we sent a flash alert to the media seeking help in finding him. On 10/20/21 Mr. Crowder was located alive in Nye County, Nevada and he is no longer being sought.

                                TIP OF THE WEEK

Date:        October 21, 2021                 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Sheriff Curtis Landers

                541-265-0654

                s@co.lincoln.or.us">lcsheriff@co.lincoln.or.us

                                                        DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS

National Domestic Violence Awareness is an annual designation observed in October. For many, home is a place of love, warmth, and comfort. It’s somewhere that you know you will be surrounded by care and support. But for millions of others home is anything, but a sanctuary. 

Both women and men can be victims of some form of violence by an intimate partner or ex-partner.  

People who are in an abusive relationship will stay with their partner for a number of reasons:

• Low self-esteem, and they are made to feel they will never be able to find another person to be with.
• The cycle of abuse, that follows physical and mental abuse, makes them believe their partner really is sorry and does love them.
• It’s dangerous to leave. Situations sometimes become worse if a plan isn’t made and proper action hasn’t been taken before leaving. 
• They feel personally responsible for their partner, or their own behavior. They are made to feel like everything that goes wrong is their fault.
• They share a life. Marriages, children, homes, pets, and finances are a big reason victims of abuse feel they can’t leave.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Sometimes, people don’t know if they are really in an abusive relationship because they’re used to their partner telling them it’s all in their head or making them feel like all the problems are their own fault. Here are just a few ways to know if you’re in an abusive relationship that you need to get out of.

1. Your partner has assaulted you in any way in the past.
2. Your partner is possessive. They check up on you constantly wondering where you are
3. Your partner is jealous. (A small amount of jealousy isn’t abnormal) pay attention to consistent accusations of you being unfaithful or isolating you from family or friends. 
4. Your partner puts you down in any way. 
5. Your partner threatens you or your family.
6. Your partner physically and sexually abuses you.  (Even if it doesn’t happen all the time)

If you are concerned about someone you know, feel free to call the local non-emergency dispatch line and they can get you in touch with the proper authorities or assist you on what to do. Non-Emergency Dispatch Number- 541-265-0777

And as always, if you are in an emergency situation or know of someone in an emergency situation, please don’t hesitate to call 911

For the full article – go to: nationaldaycalendar.com/national-domestic-violence-awareness-month-october/

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

The Parkrose Board of Education of School District No. 3, Multnomah County, Oregon, will convene in an Executive & Board Business Meeting on Monday, October 25, 2021 at the hour of 6:30 pm. 
 

We heard your feedback and we are returning to Zoom for live virtual meetings, also please note our new public comment procedure below.  
 

Back to Zoom! Virtual Meeting Link - As a Covid-19 precaution we are limiting in-person attendance at Board meetings, members of the public may participate virtually, please click this URL to join: https://zoom.us/j/94961285856 or join by phone: 1-253-215-8782 Webinar ID: 949-6128-5856

The agenda is posted on our website at: https://www.parkrose.k12.or.us/index.php?id=275. Agenda items include, but are not limited to: Resolution for National Native American Indian Heritage Month in November, ASB student Report, Division 22 Assurances, Student Investment Account Annual Report, monthly financial report, Regional Equity Report, OSBA Board and Color Caucus Report, Committee Reports, Legislative update, Evaluations discussion, Safeschools, further discuss Student involvement, ODE At-A-Glance School & District Profiles and Hiring report.     
 

NEW Public Comment Protocol - If you wish to submit a public comment before, or during this Board Meeting please fill out this electronic public comment form before "Reading of Public Comments" on the agenda:https://forms.gle/5sUjRZjxJikqmqVg9. If you don’t submit your comment in time we will read it at the next board meeting.

For those of you who cannot participate virtually we will post a recording of the meeting on our website at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXajhxrPxMclOQ6J00JUszQ.

Questions welcomed, please email: questions@parkrose.k12.or.us or leave a voice message at 503-408-2114.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1324 Three Rivers Commander Greg Arnold presented a $12,000 donation to the City of Oregon City today in support of the City’s initiative to restore the Oregon City Veterans Memorial Plaza. The VFW’s donation provides the funds to purchase the concrete podiums and plaques for each branch of the military. 

“We are so grateful to the VFW Post 1324 for their partnership,” said Rachel Lyles Smith, Oregon City Mayor. “The City of Oregon City takes pride in our enduring relationship with the VFW; it is our honor and obligation to help ensure that service members and branches of the military are appropriately recognized. This significant gift from the VFW will go a long way in moving forward the historic work that is happening at the Veterans Memorial Plaza.”

Over a century of history lies in the Veteran's Memorial area, which speaks to the importance of preserving and maintaining the space, while also making sure it remains a safe, usable space for the next century. This memorial located at Mountain View Cemetery 500 Hilda Street, Oregon City, OR recognizes all veterans and houses 16 memorial plaques for service members from WWI, WWII, five sailors, soldiers and four other service members lost in the line of duty. 

The project is being conducted by the Oregon City Parks and Recreation Department and will create ADA accessibility, install a new concrete seat wall bench, improve stairs and handrails, relocate bronze memorial plaques, add signage and install podiums to recognize each of the armed forces.

In 2019 the VFW Post 1324 and Parks and Recreation Department began the conversations about renovating the plaza to make it more accessible to those attending annual Memorial Day and Parents of Murdered Children events and to visitors throughout the year. 

“We were looking for ways to modernize the plaza, make it accessible and safer,” said Commander Greg Arnold, “I was honored to sit in on the planning process and help provide valuable input and guidance.” 

A core planning group consisting of community organizations was involved planning and conceptualizing the space that meets the vision and needs of the community. Several phases will be required for completion of the restoration project. 

Kendall Reid, Oregon City Parks and Recreation Director said, “We are excited to be moving forward with this project and appreciate the support of the VFW Post 1324 to help pave the way for a safer and more accessible location where families and the community can gather. It is important that parks reflect the community they serve and are inclusive of the community's culture, background, and identity.”

Work began April 2019 to hire Lango Hansen, Landscape Architects to help plan the renovation. The project broke ground Summer 2021 when the site was demoed and graded. D&D Concrete and Utilities was hired to pour footings, retaining walls, pathway, and stairs. The concrete work, which is the majority of the first phase of the project is anticipated to be complete early October 2021, weather pending. 

 

LCSO CASE #21-5946

On 10/19/2021 The Lane County Sheriff’s Office along with several local fire agencies responded to an address in the 81000blk of Hwy. 99 south of Creswell regarding a structure fire.  While on scene authorities observed evidence indicating the location to be involved in a large-scale criminal marijuana manufacturing and trafficking operation.  

Deputies applied for and were able to obtain a search warrant to seize evidence related to this operation.  Deputies executed the search warrant on the morning of 10/20/21 and seized a very high volume of marijuana.  Over 2,000 marijuana plants were seized in addition to over 200lbs of processed, ready-to-sell marijuana. The local street market value of the marijuana seized is estimated at over two million dollars.  This value if sold outside the State of Oregon could easily be tripled.  Evidence was also obtained that this was an unlicensed, non-medical marijuana operation. 

This investigation is on-going and formal charges have not yet been filed.  

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Oregon State Police Northwest Region Marijuana Team for their assistance with this investigation.

October 20, 2021

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

Rules Advisory Committee’s (RAC) Oct. 21 meeting postponed

PORTLAND, Ore.— A Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 21, to provide input on school exclusion rule, public health and safety requirements for childcare providers and youth programs, masking in schools, and vaccination requirements in schools is being postponed until the week of Oct. 25-29.

The meeting has been postponed to ensure adequate time for those interested in attending to plan for the meeting. The meeting will be rescheduled to a day to be determined.

The purpose of the meeting is to obtain input from members of the Rules Advisory Committee and will not be open to public comment. After the proposed language is finalized, notice will be posted, and a public comment period opened. A public hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

The agenda for the rescheduled meeting will provide input on the following rules:

• 333-019-0010: Disease Related School, Child Care, and Worksite Restrictions: Imposition of Restrictions

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/REPORTINGCOMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Documents/rules/2021/COVID-July-Immunity/PH_27-2021TrackedChanges.pdf

• 333-019-1005: Public Health and Safety Requirements for Child Care Providers and Youth Programs

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/REPORTINGCOMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Documents/rules/2021/COVID-July-Immunity/PH_27-2021TrackedChanges.pdf

• 333-019-1015: Masking Requirements in Schools

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/REPORTINGCOMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Documents/rules/2021/School%20masking/PH_44-2021.pdf

• 333-019-1030: COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Teachers and School Staff

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/REPORTINGCOMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Documents/rules/2021/Vaccination-Schools/PH_39-2021.pdf 

Background: The COVID-19-related rules around school exclusion, public health and safety requirements for childcare providers and youth programs, masking in schools, and vaccination requirements in schools were amended or adopted via the temporary rulemaking process mid-2021; they are now going through the regular rule-making process. Oregon Health Authority is seeking input in this regular rulemaking process.

Program contact: Stephen Ladd-Wilson, stephen.g.laddwilson@dhsoha.state.or.us

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Everyone has a right to know about and use the 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 material in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Angela Phan, angela.k.phan@dhsoha.state.or.us  at least 48 hours before the meeting.

October 20, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

COVID-19 weekly cases and hospitalizations decline, deaths rise

The Oregon Health Authority’s COVID-19 Weekly Report, released today, shows decreases in daily cases and hospitalizations and an increase in deaths.

OHA reported 8,033 new cases of COVID-19 during the week of Monday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 17. That represents an 11% decrease from the previous week and the seventh consecutive week of declining case counts.

The incidence of reported COVID-19 was higher in Oregon counties with population vaccination rates less than 50%.

There were 377 new COVID-19 hospitalizations, down from 416 last week, which marks a 9% reduction and the sixth consecutive week of declines.

There were 183 reported COVID-19 related deaths, up from 179 reported the previous week. This was the highest weekly death toll since the week of Jan. 11–17.

There were 139,727 tests for COVID-19 for the week of Oct. 10 through Oct. 16.  The percentage of positive tests was 7.6%, down from 8.1% the previous week.

Today’s COVID-19 Weekly Outbreak Report shows 127 active COVID-19 outbreaks in senior living communities and congregate living settings, with three or more confirmed cases and one or more COVID-19 related deaths.

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Keep Oregon Green® is collaborating with Union Wine Company and six of Oregon’s top wineries to introduce a limited production Oregon Pinot Noir cuvee with 100% of sales going toward wildfire relief and prevention.

Since 1941, the non-profit Keep Oregon Green Association has promoted healthy landscapes and safe communities by educating the public of our shared responsibility to prevent human-caused wildfires in the state. Over 70% of Oregon’s wildfire ignitions are attributed to people’s daily activities. This collaborative wine project is an opportunity to increase awareness among wine lovers of the need to prevent the next wildfire while supporting a worthy cause.

80% of the proceeds of this wine will go to the Oregon Community Foundation’s Community Rebuilding Fund, helping Oregonians whose communities have been leveled by wildfires. The remaining 20% will go to Keep Oregon Green® to help them with their mission of preventing human caused wildfires in Oregon through education and engagement.

“The 2020 wildfire season affected Oregon’s wine country, proving it’s not immune to a severe wildfire threat,” said Kristin Babbs, president of the Keep Oregon Green Association. “We are proud to introduce this 100% Oregon-grown Pinot Noir, where all ingredients and services were donated, and where 100% of the proceeds go toward relief, recovery, and wildfire prevention efforts.”

About the wine: The Oregon Pinot Noir is a blend of Oregon Pinot Noir grapes from Stoller Wine Group, Furioso Vineyards, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Ponzi Vineyards, A to Z Wineworks and Bjornson Vineyards, and packaged by Union Wine Company.

“At Stoller, we have a deep appreciation for our land and desire to support our community,” said Melissa Burr, vice president of winemaking for the Stoller Wine Group. “We were thrilled to participate and collaborate on this project.”  

“2020 was a tough year for all of us here in Oregon, but it brought into light how amazing and supportive our wine community really is,” said Darin Dougherty, Marketing Director at Union Wine Company. “We can always find ways to learn, grow and be more aware of the impact we have on our ever-changing environment. We’re so excited to support Keep Oregon Green’s mission to drive awareness around human caused wildfires.”

Whether at home, on the job, or out having fun, Keep Oregon Green reminds Oregonians that it’s important to be able to predict the outcome of common outdoor activities that could possibly spark a wildfire. Babbs said that as the state’s population continues to grow, urban boundaries expand, and wildfires increase in frequency, intensity and cost, Keep Oregon Green’s message is more important than ever. “The power and responsibility of wildfire rests squarely in our hands.”

The wine is now available at select New Seasons Market and Market of Choice stores, the participating wineries’ tasting rooms, or online through Union Wine Company’s website at unionwinecompany.com.

To learn more about wildfire prevention, go to www.keeporegongreen.org.
 

Marion County Sheriff’s Office is releasing the following information pursuant to ORS163A.215, which authorizes Community Corrections to inform the public when the release of information will enhance public safety and protection.

The individual who appears on this notification has been convicted of a sex offense that requires registration with the Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, this person’s criminal history places them in a classification level which reflects the potential to re-offend. This notification is not intended to increase fear; rather, it is our belief that an informed public is a safer public.

NAME:  Ceja-Hernandez, Adan Miguel 

SID#: 13948848           

DOB: 08/11/1982  

CURRENT AGE: 39  

RACE: H                    SEX: M 

HEIGHT: 5’11”           WEIGHT: 200lbs   

HAIR: BLK                 EYES: BRO

RESIDENCE: 777 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301 

Adan Miguel Ceja-Hernandez is on Post-Prison Supervision for the crimes of: RAPE I, RAPE I, RAPE II, ESCAPE II

This person was granted supervision on: 09/20/2021

Supervision expiration date is: 02/19/2027

Special restrictions include:    [X] Sex offender treatment 

             [X] No contact with minors (male/female)

             [X] No alcohol 

             [X] Submit to polygraph

Other: Ceja-Hernandez’s victim pool includes females with an age range of 13-18

Please reference CCSO Case # 21-022577

The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office led a search for a missing 80-year-old mushroom picker in the Trillium Lake area in the Mt. Hood National Forest. Several local volunteer groups participated in the search effort. The man was located safe this afternoon.

On Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021, a 911 caller reported that an 80-year-old man -- Steven Souvannaraj, of Gresham -- had failed to return from a mushroom-picking trip in the Mt. Hood National Forest. He left for the trip around 8 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 18 in a white cargo van, and was last seen wearing a blue-and-black Columbia jacket and jeans.

Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Search & Rescue (SAR) Coordinators soon activated a search mission, setting up a command post in the Trillium Lake day-use area. Search crews deployed to the area to assist in the effort included:

• Clackamas County Search & Rescue (CSAR) -- deploying ground searchers, trail runners, K9s and drones
• Pacific Northwest Search & Rescue (PNWSAR)
• Portland Mountain Rescue (PMR)
• Mountain Wave Emergency Communications
• Multnomah County Search & Rescue
• Washington County Search & Rescue

Souvannaraj's van was located by family shortly after 4 p.m. on Oct. 19, about 4 miles up Sherar Burn Road. The subject's family lent a hand at the search command post -- cooperating with searchers and providing scent articles for use by K9 teams.

Search crews worked late into the night starting in the afternoon on Oct. 19, and re-deployed into the field at 7 a.m. this morning (Wednesday, Oct. 20). Four separate search teams were in the field by mid-morning, with at least four more teams set to deploy into the field later in the day.

Then, at 12:41 p.m., a lucky break: A passerby spotted Souvannaraj at a rock quarry in the Trillium Lake area, and reported it to CSAR ground searchers. CSAR medics evaluated Souvannaraj on scene and cleared him, and he walked with searchers to the command post to reunite with family members.

Rescuers learned Souvannaraj had become lost after engaging in a smaller rescue operation of his own. He told authorities he had guided another lost person out of the wilderness earlier -- but then had to go back into the woods to retrace his steps after losing his car keys. Only then did he become lost himself.

Photos from the search are attached -- including a photo of Mr. Souvannaraj with his rescuers at the conclusion of the search operation. (The person standing behind Mr. Souvannaraj in the blue jacket is the passerby who found him at the quarry.)

Thanks to everyone who participated in this successful mission.

[END]

Missing Person

Casey Crowder / 37yo / White / Male

Height 6’ / Weight 180 lbs / Brown hair / Blue eyes

Crowder was last seen on Friday, October 15^th.  His family reported him missing after he sent them some videos which indicated he didn’t plan on returning home.

Crowder left in his 2003 Ford F150 pickup bearing Washington plate C08798X.

Crowder’s family reported that he likes to explore the outdoors and often visits very rural areas, like national forests, sometimes states away.  His cell phones have been turned off and are no longer providing any useful tracking information.

Crowder’s current whereabouts and/or destination are unknown at this time.

If you have any information as to Crowder’s whereabouts, please call 911 or the Camas Police Department referencing Case #21-958.

BACKGROUND WORKGROUP

MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting

The DPSST Background Workgroup will meet on October 25, 2021, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the 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 Marsha Morin at 503-378-2155.

DPSST’s campus is closed to the public at this time, members of the public can view this meeting via the DPSST Facebook page.

Streamed Live on Facebook @
https://www.facebook.com/DPSSTOregon

1. Introductions

2. Personal History Questionnaire (continued)

3. Uniform Background Checklist (continued)

4. Identify Additional Discussion Topics for Workgroup

5. Requirement to Share Background Information

6. DPSST Fingerprinting Requirement

7. Next Workgroup Meeting: TBD

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 Background Workgroup 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.

Oct. 20, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,343 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 9 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are nine new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,235 the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,343 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 354,681.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 568, which is six more than yesterday. There are 126 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is 4 fewer than yesterday.

There are 63 available adult ICU beds out of 703 total (9% availability) and 267 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,113 (6% availability). 

The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.  

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.  

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported that 13,077 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations were added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 19. Of that total, 950 were initial doses; 967 were second doses and 3,360 were third doses and booster doses. The remaining 7,752 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 19.

The seven-day running average is now 9,343 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,195,848 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,933,674 doses of Moderna and 223,599 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,791,014 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,577,281 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

Cases and COVID-19 deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (15), Benton (17), Clackamas (108), Clatsop (12), Columbia (11), Coos (26), Crook (17), Curry (4), Deschutes (111), Douglas (60), Gilliam (1), Harney (2), Hood River (10), Jackson (76), Jefferson (30), Josephine (28), Klamath (52), Lake (7), Lane (79), Lincoln (18), Linn (59), Malheur (44), Marion (155), Morrow (7), Multnomah (132), Polk (51), Sherman (2), Tillamook (4), Umatilla (44), Union (8), Wallowa (6), Wasco (17), Washington (105) and Yamhill (25).

Oregon’s 4,227th COVID-19 related death is a 70-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive on Oct. 4 and died on Oct. 15 at Kadlec Regional Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,228th COVID-19 related death is a 95-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Oct. 9 and died on Oct. 18 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,229th COVID-19 related death is a 67-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 26 and died on Oct. 8 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,230th COVID-19 related death is a 75-year-old woman from Josephine County who tested positive on Oct. 12 and died on Oct. 18 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,231st COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Sept. 30 and died on Oct. 19 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,232nd COVID-19 related death is an 85-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Oct. 9 at Providence Medford Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,233rd COVID-19 related death is an 82-year-old woman from Jackson County who tested positive on Aug. 9 and died on Aug. 23 at Good Samaritan Hospital in San Jose, Calif. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,234th COVID-19 related death is a 63-year-old man from Grant County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Oct. 15 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,235th COVID-19 related death is a 68-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on Oct. 10 and died on Oct. 18 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our webpage (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information.

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) will host the Statewide Symposium on Youth Experiencing Homelessness Programming conference on Oct. 29, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

To register online for this free conference visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-statewide-symposium-on-youth-experiencing-homelessness-programing-tickets-165948972845.

This virtual event seeks to renew community involvement surrounding youth experiencing homelessness in Oregon through a half-day of training, information sharing, and action planning to launch the next phase of supports and services.

The Statewide Symposium on Youth Experiencing Homelessness Programming is intended for all organizations and individuals interested in or involved with planning for housing instability, homeless systems and youth services.

The full agenda can be viewed online here. Topics of discussion will include:

• The State of Youth Homelessness: What does the data say and why is data important
• Oregon’s Response to Youth Homelessness: What are we doing here and where are we going
• Introduction to Direct Cash Transfers 
• Statewide Homeless Youth Needs Assessment and System Modeling – Report Out and Understanding what we learned
• Voices of Oregon Youth

Visit https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/CHILDREN/Homeless-Youth/Pages/Training.aspx for more information. 

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For the fifth time in the last seven years, a Battle Ground school district art teacher has been recognized as one of the best in the state.

Becky Broyles, who teaches high school art classes at River HomeLink, was named the Washington Art Education Association (WAEA) Secondary Art Teacher of the Year for 2021. 

“As teachers we receive little awards each day... a thank you, a smile, a connection,” Broyles said. “This award means the world to me. It is a chance to share with others the value of building relationships, curating connections, pouring your heart into this profession, and allowing students to follow their own passions.

Broyles, who has been with Battle Ground Public Schools for 12 years, developed a student-choice art program, modeled as a working design studio. She also serves as part of the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s (OSPI) Arts Cadre, and helped to craft guidance on reopening arts programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also facilitates monthly virtual workshops for WAEA and heads the crafts department at the American School summer day camp in Tokyo, Japan.

Broyles’ dedication to students was shown through her efforts to coordinate the Battle Ground Public Schools District Art Show during the 2020-21 school year. She wanted to make sure students had the opportunity to put their creativity on display, even during the pandemic. "The arts give students the skills to develop and share their own voices," Broyles said. “It allows them to develop creative problem-solving skills that will support them in the future.”

Battle Ground Public Schools has had four previous WAEA Art Teacher of the Year award winners. Two at the primary level and two at the middle school level. Broyles is the first winner at the high school level. She is also the third for River HomeLink, the district’s award-winning K-12 parent-partnership alternative school.

October 20, 2021

Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to meet virtually Oct. 21

What: Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) to provide input on school exclusion rule, public health and safety requirements for childcare providers and youth programs, masking in schools, and vaccination requirements in schools (Oregon Administrative Rules 333-019-0010, 333-019-1005, 333-019-0015, and 333-019-1030).

Agenda: Provide input on the following rules:

• 333-019-0010: Disease Related School, Child Care, and Worksite Restrictions: Imposition of Restrictions

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/REPORTINGCOMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Documents/rules/2021/COVID-July-Immunity/PH_27-2021TrackedChanges.pdf

• 333-019-1005: Public Health and Safety Requirements for Child Care Providers and Youth Programs

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/REPORTINGCOMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Documents/rules/2021/COVID-July-Immunity/PH_27-2021TrackedChanges.pdf

• 333-019-1015: Masking Requirements in Schools

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/REPORTINGCOMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Documents/rules/2021/School%20masking/PH_44-2021.pdf

• 333-019-1030: COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Teachers and School Staff

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/REPORTINGCOMMUNICABLEDISEASE/Documents/rules/2021/Vaccination-Schools/PH_39-2021.pdf 

The overarching purpose of the RAC is to "to seek public input to the maximum extent possible during the development of the proposed rulemaking prior to giving notice of intent to adopt, amend, or repeal an administrative rule. RAC’s allow the public and stakeholders to provide input and suggestions during the development of new rules, amendment or repeal of existing rules, and the fiscal impact of the proposed rulemaking."

When: Thursday, Oct. 21, 1-3 p.m.

Where: Register for this meeting to receive meeting login information: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4182817528353779980

• Audio Access Code for Attendees: 113-403-806

Background: The COVID-19-related rules around school exclusion, public health and safety requirements for childcare providers and youth programs, masking in schools, and vaccination requirements in schools were amended or adopted via the temporary rulemaking process mid-2021; they are now going through the regular rule-making process. Oregon Health Authority is seeking input in this regular rulemaking process.

Program contact: Stephen Ladd-Wilson, stephen.g.laddwilson@dhsoha.state.or.us

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Everyone has a right to know about and use the 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 material in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Angela Phan, angela.k.phan@dhsoha.state.or.us  at least 48 hours before the meeting.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is seeking applicants to fill two volunteer positions on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission.

The open positions represent the stakeholders below: 

• North Clark County 
• Clark County at-large  

Terms for all positions begin immediately and end Sept. 30, 2024. 

Commission members act as representatives of their regions or stakeholder groups and advise the county council on solid waste issues, such as recycling, garbage collection, landfills, transfer stations and waste-reduction programs. Members also, at times, participate in solid waste-related projects and engage in the policy process.

The 10-member commission meets at 6 pm on the first Thursday of February, May, August and November. Meetings currently are being held virtually. 

Applicants should send a résumé and letter of interest to Michelle Pfenning, County Manager’s Office, PO Box 5000, Vancouver 98666-5000. Applications also can be sent by email to Michelle.Pfenning@clark.wa.gov or fax to 360.397.6058. 

The letter of interest should include:

• How you represent the interests of Clark County residents.
• Your personal or professional experience related to solid waste.
• Your vision for the future of solid waste management in Clark County.

Application deadline is 5 pm Friday, Nov. 19, 2021.

Visit the Solid Waste Advisory Commission website for more information. 

Do you have unwanted or expired medications at your home? The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is partnering with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to help you safely dispose of prescription drugs while educating the community about the potential for abuse of medications.

This is a no-questions-asked prescription drug drop off in effort to prevent the unsafe disposal of prescription medications, and to prevent medications from being stolen or abused.

According to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 20.5 million people misused prescription pain relievers, stimulants, tranquilizers or sedatives in 2019. Most of those misused prescription drugs were obtained from family and friends, often from the home medicine cabinet.

“Properly disposing of medicines when we’re no longer using them is a simple, effective action each of us can take to help fight drug addiction and prevent accidental poisoning,” said Dr. Garret Zallen, pediatric surgeon at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend.

Help us in the fight against prescription drug addiction and check your medicine cabinet for prescription drugs that are expired or that you no longer use.

Bring your unwanted, outdated, or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications to the following location for safe disposal:

Where: Roll Park Lot (corner of 7th and Pearl in Eugene)

When: Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Acceptable items: Prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, drug samples, pet medications, ointments, lotions, and liquid medicines in glass or leak proof containers.

We are unable to accept: Needles, thermometers, bloody or infectious waste, medications from businesses, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol cans, inhalers, and diabetic meters.

If you are unable to attend the Drug Take Back Event and you have medications you would like to dispose of, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office has a Drug Drop Box located in our Central Reception lobby in the Lane County Courthouse that is available to accept medications (no appointment necessary) Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, excluding legal holidays.

Vancouver, Washington – Middle and high school youth ages 11-18 will find safe, supervised and drug-free spaces to socialize and have fun after school at the Firstenburg Community Center (700 N.E. 136^th Ave.) and Marshall Community Center (1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.). 

The after-school activities at both community centers include open gym time and game room access. Marshall Community Center also has Xbox One and PlayStation 4 video game systems available. The Teen After-School Program at Firstenburg Community Center runs from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Marshall Community Center program runs from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday and 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. 

A free Teen Program ID card is required to participate. To receive an ID card, teens must complete the Teen Program Agreement form and drop it off at the community center they plan to use. The Teen Program Agreement is available online at www.cityofvancouver.us/teens. To receive a printed copy, visit Firstenburg or Marshall community centers.

Learn more about the Vancouver Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department’s teen programs at www.cityofvancouver.us/teens. For additional details, contact Firstenburg Community Center at 360-487-7001 or Marshall/Luepke Community Center at 360-487-7100. Face coverings are required at both community centers. 

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This news release is an updated version to include case and death information and an updated number of deaths.

October 19, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,366 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 41 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 41 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,226, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,366 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 353,368.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 562, which is one more than yesterday. There are 130 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is 10 fewer than yesterday.

There are 56 available adult ICU beds out of 706 total (8% availability) and 292 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,127 (7% availability).

The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported 8,804 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 18.

Of that total, 4,438 were administered on Oct. 18. There were 793 initial doses, 732 second doses and 2,799 third and booster doses. The remaining 4,366 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 18.

The seven-day running average is now 9,511 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,184,813 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,931,989 doses of Moderna and 223,288 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,788,567 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,574,554 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

Cases and deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (7), Benton (44), Clackamas (87), Clatsop (13), Columbia (14), Coos (29), Crook (42), Curry (8), Deschutes (73), Douglas (44), Gilliam (3), Grant (15), Harney (17), Hood River (3), Jackson (56), Jefferson (14), Josephine (14), Klamath (81), Lake (14), Lane (124), Lincoln (22), Linn (60), Malheur (26), Marion (116), Morrow (4), Multnomah (123), Polk (51), Sherman (2), Tillamook (7), Umatilla (72), Union (3), Wallowa (3), Wasco (22), Washington (107), Wheeler (9),and Yamhill (37).

Oregon’s 4,186th COVID-19 death is a 72-year-old woman from Harney County who tested positive on Sept. 30 and died on Oct. 11 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,187th COVID-19 death is a 72-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Oct. 15 and died on Oct. 18 at her residence. She had no underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,188th COVID-19 death is an 81-year-old woman from Douglas County who tested positive on Sept. 28 and died on Oct. 15 at Mercy Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,189th COVID-19 death is a 90-year-old woman from Deschutes County who tested positive on Aug. 27 and died on Sept. 7 at St. Charles Bend Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,190th COVID-19 death is a 75-year-old woman from Curry County who tested positive on Sept. 24 and died on Oct. 7 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,191st COVID-19 death is a 99-year-old woman from Curry County who tested positive on Aug. 30 and died on Oct. 6 at her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,192nd COVID-19 death is a 68-year-old man from Coos County who tested positive on Oct. 3 and died on Oct. 17 at Bay Area Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,193rd COVID-19 death is a 65-year-old woman from Clackamas County who tested positive on Sept. 3 and died on Sept. 30 at Salem Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,194th COVID-19 death is a 74-year-old man from Clackamas County who tested positive on Oct. 14 and died on Oct. 16 at his residence. He had no underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,195th COVID-19 death is a 41-year-old man from Benton County who tested positive on Aug. 18 and died on Oct. 18 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,196th COVID-19 death is a 77-year-old man from Lake County who tested positive on Oct. 1 and died on Oct. 7 at Lake District Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,197th COVID-19 death is an 82-year-old man from Klamath County who tested positive on Oct. 2 and died on Oct. 17 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,198th COVID-19 death is an 86-year-old woman from Klamath County who tested positive on Oct. 5 and died on Oct. 15 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,199th COVID-19 death is a 57-year-old man from Klamath County who tested positive on Sept. 25 and died on Oct. 10 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,200th COVID-19 death is a 78-year-old woman from Klamath County who tested positive on Sept. 17 and died on Oct. 18 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,201st COVID-19 death is a 74-year-old man from Klamath County who tested positive on Aug. 31 and died on Oct. 3 at Sky Lakes Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,202nd COVID-19 death is an 83-year-old man from Jefferson County who tested positive on Dec. 15, 2020 and died on Feb. 3 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,203rd COVID-19 death is a 97-year-old man from Jackson County who tested positive on Aug. 23 and died on Oct. 1 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,204th COVID-19 death is a 95-year-old woman from Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 30 and died on Oct. 17 at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,205th COVID-19 death is an 82-year-old man from Polk County who tested positive on Aug. 22 and died on Aug. 29 at his residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,206th COVID-19 death is an 87-year-old man from Washington County who tested positive on Oct. 12 and died on Oct. 16 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,207th COVID-19 death is a 64-year-old man from Union County who tested positive on Oct. 12 and died on Oct. 18 at Grande Ronde Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,208th COVID-19 death is a 61-year-old woman from Umatilla County who tested positive on Sept. 30 and died on Oct.r 11 at CHI St. Anthony Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,209th COVID-19 death is a 37-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Oct. 5 and died on Oct. 10 at his residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,210th COVID-19 death is a 48-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 27 and died on Oct. 17 at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,211th COVID-19 death is a 96-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 25 and died on Oct. 4 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,212nd COVID-19 death is a 73-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 25 and died on Oct. 8 at Providence Portland Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,213rd COVID-19 death is a 68-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 22 and died on Sept. 29 at his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,214th COVID-19 death is a 76-year-old man from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 20 and died on Sept. 28 at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,215th COVID-19 death is an 87-year-old woman from Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 15 and died on Sept. 21 at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,216th COVID-19 death is a 74-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Oct. 4 and died on Oct. 13 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,217th COVID-19 death is an 81-year-old woman from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 27 and died on Oct. 11 at Samaritan Albany General Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,218th COVID-19 death is a 60-year-old man from Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 10 and died on Oct. 12 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,219th COVID-19 death is a 56-year-old man from Malheur County who tested positive on Oct. 8 and died on Oct. 17 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,220th COVID-19 death is a 74-year-old woman from Malheur County who tested positive on Sept. 30 and died on Oct. 16 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,221st COVID-19 death is an 85-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on Oct. 10 and died on Oct. 15 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,222nd COVID-19 death is a 96-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Oct. 4 and died on Oct. 15 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,223rd COVID-19 death is a 72-year-old woman from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 28 and died on Oct. 9 at Samaritan Albany General Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 4,224th COVID-19 death is a 54-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Oct. 9 at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,225th COVID-19 death is a 41-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Sept. 9 and died on Sept. 29 at Oregon Health & Science University Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 4,226th COVID-19 death is a 56-year-old man from Linn County who tested positive on Aug. 29 and died on Oct. 8 at Providence St Vincent Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon updates non-viable vaccine disclosure^1,2,3

OHA’s non-viable vaccine table has been moved to the Tableau dashboard. You can find the link to the weekly tab here. OHA reports updates on vaccines not being used each Tuesday in our daily media release.

¹Updated: 10/19/21 

²Data source: ALERT Immunization Information System (IIS)

³Data is preliminary and subject to change.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our web page (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information.

# # #

Marion County tax statements will be mailed October 18^th and should arrive in property owner mailboxes shortly thereafter. Tom Rohlfing, Marion County Assessor, certified the 2021-22 Property Tax Roll on October 12, 2021.

As of the January 1, 2021 valuation date, the aggregate Real Market Value (RMV) of all property county-wide increased by 7.63% from last year, to $57.20 billion. Real Market Value is the estimated amount in cash that could reasonably be expected to be paid for a property by an informed buyer to an informed seller.

Escalating values of residences and residential land located in cities and towns contributed to the increase, jumping the total RMV to $25.5 billion or 4.89% increase from 2020. The total value of rural property, including acreage homes, farms, and forest lands, also showed continued growth with a total RMV of $11.99 billion or 1.92% increase from 2020.  Commercial and industrial properties have shown a steady growth with a total RMV of $15.98 billion or 10.84% increase from 2021.

Due to Measure 50 benefits, some homeowners will experience much smaller tax increases than the preceding figures suggest. The typical unchanged home will experience only a 3% increase in assessed value no matter where they are located in the county.  However, changes in tax rates due to new or expiring bonds will significantly affect owners in selected communities. 

Assessed Value countywide grew by 4.15% to $28.765 billion, standing at just 52.45% of total Real Market Value. A big factor in the gap between market and assessed values, of course, is due to the Measure 50 limit of 3% annual growth in the Maximum Assessed Value of unchanged property.  However, 13,275 properties receive sharply reduced assessed values and taxes due to farm or forest special assessment, and 17,054 properties receive full or partial tax exemptions. Saint Paul will see tax increase of about 9% due to new St. Paul Rural Fire Protection District Local Option Levy. The city of Stayton will see a tax increase of about 5% due to the new Library Local Option Levy and the new Recreation Local Option Levy.

Primary beneficiaries of Marion County property taxes are schools, the community college, and educational service districts receiving (45.77%) of the total.  Other major recipients include cities (22.55%), Marion County government (17.21%), and fire districts (6.64%).  Urban renewal districts receive about (3.34%). Total tax collectibles for the 2021-22 tax year is $492,920,488.64.

Mr. Rohlfing encourages property owners to promptly review their tax statement for accuracy. This includes checking for correct ownership, mailing, and location addresses. To aid with this, the Assessor’s Office provides a wide array of information on its website, including more detailed information about how each property is assessed.  The property records portion of the Assessor’s Office website allows you to search multiple ways, including a map search tool to help locate properties. 

Taxes are due by November 15, 2021, to receive the 3% discount and avoid interest charges.  Owners with questions, or who feel changes are needed, should contact the Assessor’s Office at 503-588-5144.  Those who disagree with the Real Market Value placed on their property are encouraged to request a review prior to filing an appeal.  If the property owner still does not agree with the value once the review is completed, instructions on the back of the tax statement describe how to appeal to the local Board of Property Tax Appeals, comprised of community volunteers.

The Lebanon Fire District is pleased to announce the selection of Emerick Construction as a Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) for the new Station 31 project. They join the project alongside Rice Fergus Miller, the architectural firm hired late last year.

“While any of the top applicants would have done a great job,” says Fire Chief Joseph Rodondi, “Emerick Construction had the breadth of relevant and timely fire construction experience that fit our needs.” 

Differing from the standard Design-Bid-Build process, the CM/GC method allows for more opportunities for success and cost-savings. By having Emerick join as CM/GC during the design phase, they can collaborate with Rice Fergus Miller on the development of the design to provide additional value and risk reduction. The CM/GC will also submit a guaranteed maximum price which will provide an extra layer of fiscal responsibility. 

A significant benefit of the CM/GC process is close interaction and collaboration between all project team members. Such collaboration has already kicked off, as representatives from Emerick, Rice Fergus Miller, and the Lebanon Fire District met on Monday to discuss the new Station 31 project. 

“I am pleased that Lebanon Fire District had the foresight and patience to change procurement methods for this project,” says Gunnar Gladics, Principal Architect with Rice Fergus Miller. “With all the uncertainty and risk that has occurred in the last year, this process will help mitigate commodity fluctuations and supply chain issues.”

“We understand the amount of work and dedication it takes from the community to get to this point in the process, and are proud to be part of this project team,” says Jordan Fell, Special Projects Director with Emerick Construction. “We look forward to building a facility that will serve the Fire District and the citizens of Lebanon for years to come.”

By postponing some of the construction processes, LFD has successfully avoided the extreme increase in building supplies. The biggest hurdles the project will face now are large lead times, which are currently being felt across the globe. Demolition is projected to begin in Spring of 2022, with the target completion date of Summer of 2023 remaining the same. 

PORTLAND, Ore. – Far too many college students begin their year with a deep anxiety about having shelter and enough money to purchase groceries or pay their heating bill. 

More than 52% of students across 17 Oregon community colleges reported being “housing insecure” during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a national survey by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice.

To address these issues, Portland State University, Portland Community College, Mt. Hood Community College, and the nonprofits College Housing Northwest (CHNW) and New Avenues for Youth created a pilot program called Affordable Rents for College Students (ARCS). 

This collaborative effort provides subsidized housing, a streamlined application process, and a highly supportive environment focused on student success.

The program currently has 18 students enrolled, 67% of whom are the first in their family to attend college; 39% are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Nearly half of the students surveyed said they would not have enrolled in classes without receiving housing through the ARCS program. CHNW has subsidized 50% of these students’ rents.

The program is invaluable to students like Amr Mostafa, a film student at Portland State University: “For the first time in my life,” he said, “I feel like I have a chance, and I’m at home. I feel safe. This program literally saved my life.”

The program recently received $280,000 in state support, thanks to the backing of State Senator Chris Gorsek. This assistance will help the program expand this fall and assist dozens more students access safe housing while they work toward a secure future. 

“This is just a start to what I hope will be a much longer effort to create long-term and affordable housing for our students,” Gorsek said.

Mt. Hood Community College student Bakr Alkarawi believes the program is a vital investment for students. He plans to become a physician and to enroll in the medical program at Oregon Health & Science University.

“There is nothing more important than the safety, health, and education of our children, which is exactly what ARCS is giving to our students experiencing homelessness,” Alkarawi said. “Just because our families can’t support us doesn’t mean we are less capable or less worthy for the opportunity to create better lives for ourselves.”

Amanda Ward, who is attending both Portland Community College and Portland State University, believes the ARCS program is providing hope to countless college students. 

“The most important thing is that I’m going to contribute to society in meaningful ways because I finally have access to safe and stable housing,” Ward stated. “The solution is very possible.”

ARCS is raising funds to help even more students secure stable housing at https://chnw.org/arcs/.

Sheriffs Statement:                                                                                        

I am awaiting a briefing on the incident of one or more of my employees having been involved in the firing of their weapon(s) in an incident Sunday morning with a motorist wanted for an alleged assault with a firearm. I am conflicted with the lack of information immediately available to me, and my inability to comment more specifically to the community about this matter accordingly. I am also reluctant to comment on what initial information is before me, as any inaccuracy will lead some to believe that I have falsified or intentionally mischaracterized information.

I support the reason for and purpose of having an independent team conduct the investigation, though that means I must likely wait weeks for an initial briefing by that team, and at least several months before their investigation is completed and reviewed by the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

What I can say is that I am concerned that a family has tragically lost a loved one in a police-involved shooting. I am concerned that it appears that the wanted person did not peacefully comply with the deputy trying to pull him over, or to detain him thereafter. Unfortunately, we (Law Enforcement) often do not get to control when or where an officer involved shooting may occur.  We are trained to be aware of the backdrop, crossfire, and surroundings, however in a split-second life and death decision deputies must weigh the risk to themselves and others and the totality of circumstances when applying force. I am concerned about the nature of the shooting, and what, if anything, we can learn from this incident. I am concerned about those that experienced property damage in this incident, and we have aggressively sought to facilitate arrangements for damages to be fixed or compensated – doing so through the County’s proscribed process.

I am concerned about the well-being of the deputies involved in this incident, and the impact of the event to the immediate residents of the area and the larger community. 

There are and will be numerous questions about what happened, how and why. I expect to learn answers to those questions, between the independent investigation as well as the internal review that my agency will undertake. I know these answers will not come soon enough for me, or others, but that I must trust in the process – and withhold judgement until all the facts have been carefully considered.

I ask for the same patience and understanding of the community accordingly.

Clark County Sheriff, Chuck Atkins

Voters passed a bond measure in 2018 with one of the most requested use of the funds being the construction of a northside medic response station. This station request stemmed from the potential delays of apparatus response when trains are running or stopping through town. 

After acquiring a 50-year lease from the City of Canby, ordering a pre-fabricated building, and clearing land Canby Fire has officially received the permit to begin construction. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held today, October 20, at 1530 hours. 

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the volunteer Planning Commission. 

The opening is for a four-year term that begins Jan. 1, 2022, and goes through Dec. 31, 2025. 

The Planning Commission is a seven-member group that makes recommendations to the council on land-use planning, zoning and development in areas outside cities and about issues such as growth management, roads, public facilities, development regulations and applicable county ordinances.

To apply, please submit a letter of interest and résumé to Michelle Pfenning, Clark County Council, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000. Applications also can be emailed to michelle.pfenning@clark.wa.gov. 

Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, 2021.

Are Oregonians more or less concerned about community health, the economy, and personal finances compared to previous months?

COMMUNITY PLANNING, COVID-19, ECONOMY AND JOBS, HEALTHCARE, POLITICS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS 

From September 14th through 22nd, 2021, the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center conducted a statewide survey of Oregonians’ values and beliefs. The questions were intended to gather preliminary data to inform more in-depth research in the months ahead.

This online survey consisted of 1,124 Oregon residents ages 18+ and took approximately 15 minutes to complete. This survey’s margin of error, for the full sample, ranges from ±1.8% to ±2.9% depending on how the response category percentages split for any given question. Due to rounding, numbers may not add up to 100%.

Respondents were contacted by using professionally maintained online panels. In gathering responses, a variety of quality control measures were employed, including questionnaire pre-testing, validation, and real-time monitoring of responses. To ensure a representative sample, demographic quotas were set, and data weighted by are of the state, gender, age, and education.

This survey uses aggregated data to analyze the opinions of BIPOC residents in comparison to the opinions of residents who identify as white and not another race. BIPOC residents are not a monolith; the grouping represents a wide diversity of races and ethnicities. The findings included in this memo should not be construed such that all people of color are believed to share the same opinions. Disaggregated race data will be provided when sample size permits reliability.

Findings will include a citation of the relevant question, which can be referenced in the annotated questionnaire and tabs, available on our blog at oregonvbc.org/blog, or sent directly upon request.

Right Direction or Wrong Track?

Oregonians’ opinions on the direction of our state have returned to the more pessimistic lows of last winter. About half of Oregonians say things in the state are headed off on the wrong track (49%). Nearly as many say things are headed in the right direction (45%), and the rest aren’t sure (Q1).

• These results are almost identical to December 2020 (52% wrong track)¹ and February 2021 (49% wrong track)², and show increased pessimism from May 2021 (42% wrong track, 49% right direction)³.
• The youngest and oldest Oregon adults are the most optimistic. Among people under 30, half say things are headed in the right direction (50%). Among people 75 and older, 60% say things are headed in the right direction.

Coronavirus Concerns

When thinking about coronavirus, concerns about community health remain high, whereas concerns about personal health have fallen slightly since last summer (Q2-4).

More than three-quarters of Oregonians say they are somewhat or very concerned about the health of their communities regarding coronavirus, a figure essentially unchanged since July 2020 (77% to 78%)⁴ (Q4). 

• Levels of concern are similar across the state, irrespective of region (75% to 78%).

Meanwhile, 60% of Oregonians say they are concerned about their own health when it comes to coronavirus, a figure just slightly lower than in July 2020 (63%)⁴(Q2).

• Concern is higher among vulnerable, older age groups than among young people: 68% of people 75 and older say they are concerned, compared to 51% of people under 30.

Concerns about the economy vis-à-vis coronavirus remain. All in all, Oregonians are more concerned about Covid-19’s impact on the economy than their individual health—but concern doesn’t mean the economy is in bad shape (Q5).

• More than eight in ten Oregonians say they are somewhat or very concerned about the economy in the wake of coronavirus (84%), a figure that has slipped only slightly since July 2020 (87%)⁴.
   
• People of all social ideologies share concerns about the economy (81% to 93%). This marks a difference from health concerns, about which liberals are significantly more concerned.

Oregon’s Economy

Oregonians are evenly split as to whether the state’s economy is good or poor. While 45% say it is good or very good, 44% say it is poor or very poor (Q6).

• Overall positivity about the state’s economy has increased 15 percentage points since the beginning of the pandemic. In April 2021⁵ and June of 2020⁶, 30% of Oregonians said the economy was good or very good.
   
• Men are much more likely than women to report good economic conditions (53% to 37%).
   
• Perceptions of economic conditions may be colored by one’s own financial standing or career path. People with household incomes of $100,000 or more were the most likely of any group to rate Oregon’s conditions as good or very good (69%), compared to people with lower incomes (33-47%).
   
• Similarly, college graduates have a more positive outlook, and two-thirds say the state’s economy is good or very good (65%), compared to less than half of people with less education (33-40%).

Personal Financial Situation

While ratings of the state’s economy have grown more positive, many Oregonians remain worried about their own finances. More than half now say they are somewhat or very worried about their personal financial situation (53%) (Q9).

• While overall sentiment has remained roughly the same over the past year, the figure representing those very worried about their finances has creeped up, from 16% in June 20206, to 19% in October 2020⁷, to 21% today.
   
• Women are nearly twice as likely to express deep worry than men (27% to 15%).
   
• When it comes to those who described themselves as very worried about their finances, there is no notable difference between households with children and without (20%, 21%).
   
• Millennials and Gen Xers say they’ve been hit hard. About one-third of Oregonians ages 30-54 say they are very worried about their financial situation (30-34%).

People outside the Portland tri-county region are more likely to say they are struggling financially (Q9).

• Fewer than half of residents in the tri-county region say they are somewhat or very worried about their financial situation (47%). Meanwhile, in the Willamette Valley, that figure stands at 61%. In other reaches of the state, it sits at 57%.

• Tri-county residents are also the most likely to say they aren’t worried at all about their financial situation (21%), almost double the rate for people in the valley or elsewhere in the state (12-13%).

Opening Oregon’s Economy

Few Oregonians believe the economy is “fully restarted” since the pandemic began (13%) (Q7).

• Those who believe this are more likely to be under 30, have college degrees, and have high incomes (18-19%).

About one in five Oregonians feel an urgency to “open everything up and restart the economy” (Q8).

• Back in June 2020⁶, when many businesses were still closed and fewer people were sick in the ICU with Covid-19, more than one-fifth of Oregonians said they felt strongly it was time to open back up (21%). Yet, even then, more than half felt it was not safe yet (55%).
   
• Now, many businesses have re-opened with restrictions, and the proportion of Oregonians eager to open back up has remained mostly stable (19%). Still, 56% say it is better to stay safe and wait.
   
• Men are more likely than women to say that things should open back up, by a margin of ten points (42% to 32%).

• Renters—who might approximate essential workers—are among the least eager to open back up (despite few differences by age). Just 28% say it is time to fully re-open, compared to 43% of homeowners.

Demographic Trends

Identifying What Unites Us and Understanding What Divides Us

Reported below are statistically significant subgroup differences between BIPOC and white Oregonians, and urban and rural Oregonians.  Many of these differences are not major and are presented to inform public education and communications initiatives.

BIPOC and white residents are equally likely to say things in Oregon are headed in the right direction (45%) (Q1).

• By area, ruralites are much more wary. More than half (57%) say things are off on the wrong track. Meanwhile, about half of urbanites say things are headed in the right direction (49%).

Rural and urban residents are about equally likely to express concern about the health of their communities when it comes to coronavirus, with urban residents ever so slightly more concerned (74% to 79%) (Q4).

• There is similarly almost no difference between rural and urban residents when it comes to concern about the economy in the wake of Covid-19 (85% to 83%) (Q5).

White residents are somewhat more concerned about the economy than BIPOC residents (86% to 74%). This figure could reflect partisan differences.

Rural areas of the state have been hit especially hard by painful impacts from the pandemic, drought, and wildfires. More than half of rural Oregonians rate economic conditions as poor or very poor (57%) (Q6).  

• For urban and suburban areas, that figure floats between 38% and 41%.

BIPOC Oregonians are more likely to express worry over their personal financial situation (Q9).

• Two-thirds of BIPOC residents say they are somewhat or very worried about their personal financial situation (66%), compared to about half of white residents (52%).
• BIPOC and white residents rate economic conditions nearly identically (Q6).

Half of ruralites say it is time to open everything back up and restart the state’s economy (49%). They are joined by fewer than one in three urbanites (29%) (Q8).
 

This research was completed as a community service by the Oregon Values and Beliefs Center, an independent and non-partisan organization. OVBC is an Oregon charitable nonprofit corporation. 

For more information, please see the OVBC September 2021 Survey Annotated Questionnaire and Crosstabs, visit Oregonvbc.org, or contact us.
 

For information about the panel, please visit About the Panel - Oregon Values and Beliefs Center (oregonvbc.org)

[1] Survey conducted December 4-8, 2020; OVBC; n=615

[2] Survey conducted February 11-17, 2021; OVBC; n=600

[3] Survey conducted May 4-10, 2021; OVBC; n=918

[4] Survey conducted July 14-22, 2020; DHM Research; n=603

[5] Survey conducted April 1-6, 2021; OVBC; n=600

[6] Survey conducted May 29-June7, 2020; DHM Research; n=900

[7] Survey conducted October 1-6, 2020; OVBC; n=600

Update: Aaliya Jackson has been located in Tacoma WA by the Tacoma Police Department and is safe. 

The Vancouver Police is looking for 14 year old Aaliyah Jackson, who was last seen near her residence on 10/18/2021 around 1630 hours. Aaliyah was last seen wearing a black T-Shirt, gray sweatpants and a black zip up sweater. Her hair is shaved on the sides and is pink and black in color. Contact the Vancouver Police if you have seen Aaliyah.

The Oregon State Police is releasing information related to employee compliance with Executive Order 21-29.  These employees are covered under a mix of policies, LOA’s and procedures and the Oregon State Police is committed to treating members fairly and consistently. 

Total number of OSP Employees In-Scope of EO 21-29

1267

Fully Vaccinated

78% of OSP’s In-Scope employees

Submitted Exceptions – “Approved” as of 10/18/21 @ 11:59pm

15% of OSP’s In-Scope employees

• 96% of those are Religious Exceptions
• 4% of those are Medical Exceptions

Submitted Exceptions – “Pending Review” Status by Complex Leave Team as of 10/18/21 @ 11:59pm

7% of OSP’s In-Scope employees

• 65% of those are Religious Exceptions
• 35% of those are Medical Exceptions

Protected Leave Status (Examples: Military/OFLA/FMLA/etc.)

.01% of OSP’s In-Scope employees

• Prior to returning to work, these members will work with OSP’s Complex Leave Team to ensure they are also in compliance with EO 21-29.

Number of OSP Employees Placed on Administrative Leave on 10/19/21 – for Non-Compliance with EO 21-29

DAS reported today 778 OSP members are associated to the Oregon State Police Officer’s Association (OSPOA).  As of 10/19/21, OSPOA and the State of Oregon have not entered into an agreement regarding EO 21-29.

11 OSP employees are categorized as OSPOA membership and on Administrative Leave. 

• Those 11 OSP members are valued employees and are working through the process with our agency to determine next steps.  The primary goal from the onset of EO 21-29 was to protect people, and this includes our valued members.  Each of these members have taken steps to comply with the EO and we will be working directly with them and their OSPOA leadership to remedy the situation.
• 10 are sworn OSP members and 1 is a professional staff member

Number  of OSP Employees Non-OSPOA membership Utilizing the Grace Period as outlined in LOA/DAS Policy as of 10/19/21 – “In the Vaccination Process”

10 – Ten OSP members are exercising the option to either remote work (if appropriate and available), utilize personal leave banks or leave without pay status as they transition through the “In the Vaccination Process” period.

Number of OSP Employees that Resigned in Response to EO 21-29  

 4-Two professional staff and two sworn members cited EO21-29 at the time their resignations were submitted. 

“Fully Vaccinated”: Means having received both doses of a two-dose COVID-19 vaccine or one dose of a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine and at least 14 days have passed since the individual’s final dose of COVID-19 vaccine.  This process must have occurred on or before October 18, 2021, as outlined in EO 21-29. 

 “Pending Review Status”: Means an OSP employee has submitted in writing a request for either a Medical or a Religious Exception.  The OSP Complex Leave team has not reviewed or processed these requests as of 10/19/21.  Those employees categorized as “Pending Review Status” are in compliance with EO 21-29 while in the “Pending Review Status”.

HILLSBORO, Ore.- October is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month. This month and beyond, please join the Washington County DA’s Office and Child Abuse Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to encourage safe infant sleep and to raise awareness about SIDS. 

Nationally, approximately 3,400 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly each year. The causes of these sleeping deaths include accidental suffocation or strangulation, sudden infant death syndrome, and unknown causes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these deaths impact children of all races and ethnicities, but are disproportionately present in several demographic groups.

In Oregon, about 40 babies die in their sleep every year. Oregon has the highest rate of unexplained infant deaths on the West Coast, approximately 22% higher than Washington and 72% higher than California.

Many of these deaths can be prevented by ensuring a safe sleeping environment for babies. Experts recommend putting babies to sleep on their back, removing loose bedding and blankets and using a firm sleeping surface.

To help reduce infant deaths, the Washington County District Attorney’s Office and Child Abuse MDT have partnered with the national Cribs for Kids Program to provide free Cribette Kits to eligible families residing in Washington County. In addition to providing a free portable crib, infant sleep sack and educational materials, MDT community partners will provide safe sleep education for eligible families.

“In my role as both a dad and the DA, I am excited about this new program to provide families with safe sleep cribs, clothing and education,” said Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton. “Our goal is to stop every preventable child death and this takes our community a huge step in that direction.”

For more information on this program and to apply for a Cribette Kit, please visit the Washington County DA’s Office website. 

Additional Resources:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website
2. Oregon Health Authority website
3. Photos courtesy Cribs for Kids.

SEATTLE - The Drug Enforcement Administration will host its 21^st National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event offers free and anonymous disposal of unneeded medications at more than 4,000 local drop-off locations nationwide.

This Saturday, is another opportunity for the Pacific Northwest to dispose of unwanted, unused and expired medication at one of the 146 collection sites throughout the region.  Currently there are 18 collection sites in Alaska, 29 collection sites in Idaho, 26 collection sites in Oregon and 73 collection sites in Washington. Last April, residents of the Pacific Northwest turned in 36,259 pounds.

According to a report published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a majority of people who misused a prescription medication obtained the medicine from a family member or friend. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that last year, more than 93,000 people died of drug overdoses in the United States, marking the largest number of drug-related deaths ever recorded in a year. Opioid-related deaths accounted for 75 percent of all overdose deaths in 2020.

For more than a decade, DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day has helped Americans easily rid their homes of unneeded medications—those that are old, unwanted, or no longer needed—that too often become a gateway to addiction. Working in close partnership with local law enforcement, Take Back Day has removed more than 7,000 tons of medication from circulation since its inception. These efforts are directly in line with DEA’s priority to combat the rise of overdoses plaguing the United States.

“The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic—drug overdoses are up thirty percent over the last year alone and taking more than 250 lives every day,” stated DEA Administrator Anne Milgram. “The majority of opioid addictions in America start with prescription pills found in medicine cabinets at home. What’s worse, criminal drug networks are exploiting the opioid crisis by making and falsely marketing deadly, fake pills as legitimate prescriptions, which are now flooding U.S. communities. One thing is clear: prevention starts at home. I urge Americans to do their part to prevent prescription pill misuse: simply take your unneeded medications to a local collection site. It’s simple, free, anonymous, and it can save a life.”

“The DEA Drug Take Back is more important than ever and is a great opportunity for citizens of the Pacific Northwest to dispose of their unused, unwanted, or expired prescription medications,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “Properly disposing of these medications will prevent them from falling into the hands of our children. Please help keep our citizens and communities safe by taking the time to responsibly dispose of your unwanted prescription pills during National Drug Take Back Day.”

DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is more important than ever before. Last month, DEA issued a Public Safety Alert and launched the One Pill Can Killpublic awareness campaign to warn Americans of a surge in deadly, fake prescription pills driven by drug traffickers seeking to exploit the U.S. opioid epidemic and prescription pill misuse. Criminal drug networks are shipping chemicals from China to Mexico where they are converted to dangerous substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine and then pressed into pills. The end result—deadly, fake prescription pills—are what these criminal drug networks make and market to prey on Americans for profit. These fake, deadly pills are widely available and deadlier than ever. Fake pills are designed to appear nearly identical to legitimate prescriptions such as Oxycontin®, Percocet®, Vicodin®, Adderall®, Xanax® and other medicines.Criminal drug networks are selling these pills through social media, e-commerce, the dark web and existing distribution networks.

Along with the alert came a warning that the only safe medications are ones prescribed by a trusted medical professional and dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Any pills that do not meet this standard are unsafe and potentially deadly. DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day reflects DEA’s commitment to Americans’ safety and health, encouraging the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, DEA and its partners will collect tablets, capsules, patches, and other solid forms of prescription drugs. Liquids (including intravenous solutions), syringes and other sharps, and illicit drugs will not be accepted. DEA will also continue to accept vaping devices and cartridges provided lithium batteries are removed.

A location finder and partner toolbox are available at www.DEATakeBack.com for easy reference to nearby collection sites. Beyond DEA’s Take Back Day, there are also opportunities to regularly and safely dispose of unneeded medications at more than 13,000 pharmacies, hospitals, police departments, and businesses working to help clean out medicine cabinets throughout the year.

Vancouver, Wash. –On October 18, 2021, at approximately 2:06 p.m., Vancouver Police responded to a report of a robbery at the Columbia Credit Union located at 3003 NE 62ND Avenue. A male entered the credit union, presented a note to the teller, which indicated he would shoot the teller if she did not comply, and fled with an undisclosed amount of money. Officers canvassed the area, were able to quickly gather suspect information, probable cause, and the route the suspect took, to include an apartment complex and unit the suspect was later located at. Officers were able to get the suspect to exit the apartment without incident. A black Sig Sauer P365 look-alike pellet/air gun and other evidence was located inside the apartment. 

Derek A. Troxler was booked into the Clark County Jail for Robbery I, Felony Harassment and Theft III.

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DALLAS (OR) – Mauricio Barba Duran, 37, of Silverton, has been sentenced to serve 25 years in prison after a Polk County jury unanimously found him guilty of rape in the first degree and sodomy in the first degree at the end of a four day trial this week. At sentencing, the District Attorney’s Office had argued for consecutive sentences, but Judge Monte Campbell elected to sentence Duran to concurrent time and imposed a lifetime term of post-prison supervision.

During the trial, the state presented evidence that the victim had been between 6-11 years old at the time of the abuse and had been living in the Sheridan area with her family. The case was prosecuted under Oregon’s Jessica’s Law which requires a 25-year sentence to be imposed against anyone convicted of committing a first degree sex offense against a child under the age of 12.

“I am pleased we were able to hold this defendant accountable for his actions and get a measure of justice for this young victim,” said Polk County Deputy District Attorney Erin Brady, who handled the case for the District Attorney’s Office. The case was investigated by Det. Jeff Williams of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. 

October 19, 2021

Contact: OHA External Relations, covid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us">orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 1,366 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 41 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — There are 41 new COVID-19 related deaths in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 4,226, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 1,366 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 353,368.

COVID-19 hospitalizations

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 across Oregon is 562, which is one more than yesterday. There are 130 COVID-19 patients in intensive care unit (ICU) beds, which is 10 fewer than yesterday.

There are 56 available adult ICU beds out of 706 total (8% availability) and 292 available adult non-ICU beds out of 4,127 (7% availability).

The total number of patients in hospital beds may fluctuate between report times. The numbers do not reflect admissions per day, nor the length of hospital stay. Staffing limitations are not captured in this data and may further limit bed capacity.

Note: Please do not visit an emergency department for COVID-19 testing, unless you require emergency care for your symptoms.

Emergency departments in Oregon are under significant strain responding to the current surge in COVID-19. You can find a test here.  

If you have a medical condition that doesn’t require emergency care, contact your provider. An urgent care center may also help you get the care you need and will save emergency departments from added strain.

More information about hospital capacity can be found here.

Vaccinations in Oregon

Today, OHA reported 8,804 new doses of COVID-19 vaccinations added to the state immunization registry on Oct. 18.

Of that total, 4,438 were administered on Oct. 18. There were 793 initial doses, 732 second doses and 2,799 third and booster doses. The remaining 4,366 were administered on previous days but were entered into the vaccine registry on Oct. 18.

The seven-day running average is now 9,511 doses per day.

Oregon has now administered 3,184,813 doses of Pfizer Comirnaty, 1,931,989 doses of Moderna and 223,288 doses of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.

As of today, 2,788,567 people have had at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 2,574,554 people have completed a COVID-19 vaccine series.

These data are preliminary and subject to change.

Updated vaccination data are provided on Oregon’s COVID-19 data dashboards and have been updated today.

Cases and deaths

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (7), Benton (44), Clackamas (87), Clatsop (13), Columbia (14), Coos (29), Crook (42), Curry (8), Deschutes (73), Douglas (44), Gilliam (3), Grant (15), Harney (17), Hood River (3), Jackson (56), Jefferson (14), Josephine (14), Klamath (81), Lake (14), Lane (124), Lincoln (22), Linn (60), Malheur (26), Marion (116), Morrow (4), Multnomah (123), Polk (51), Sherman (2), Tillamook (7), Umatilla (72), Union (3), Wallowa (3), Wasco (22), Washington (107), Wheeler (9),and Yamhill (37).

Note: More information about the cases and deaths will be provided in an updated news release.

Oregon updates non-viable vaccine disclosure^1,2,3

OHA’s non-viable vaccine table has been moved to the Tableau dashboard. You can find the link to the weekly tab here. OHA reports updates on vaccines not being used each Tuesday in our daily media release.

¹Updated: 10/19/21 

²Data source: ALERT Immunization Information System (IIS)

³Data is preliminary and subject to change.

Learn more about COVID-19 vaccinations  

To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine situation in Oregon, visit our web page (English or Spanish), which has a breakdown of distribution and other information.

# # #

WHO:               David Gerstenfeld, Acting Director, Oregon Employment Department and Gail Krumenauer, State Employment Economist

WHEN:             Wednesday, 1 p.m. PST, Oct. 20, 2021.

WHAT:           The Oregon Employment Department is hosting a video-conference media briefing to share updates on economic and workforce-related trends, employment services, unemployment claims processing, claimant resources and more.

WHERE:          Via Zoom video conference: Members of the media must RSVP by emailing OED_Communications@employ.oregon.gov by 12 p.m. PST on Wed., Oct. 20. Video conference information will be provided to all reporters who RSVP. RSVPs must indicate if the reporter wants to ask a question of the presenters.

OTHER:           The Oregon Employment Department is updating a claims processing progress data dashboard weekly. Visit this link for weekday updates. After the briefing concludes, a recording of the video conference will be emailed to reporters who RSVP’d.

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Equal Opportunity program — auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Contact: (503) 953-2366. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call 711 Telecommunications Relay Services. 
 

Visitors to PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center will find a beautiful new statue watching over our patients and caregivers as they enter the hospital’s Firstenburg Tower.

On Monday Oct. 18 PeaceHealth Southwest hosted a ceremonial unveiling of a 10-foot tall, 350-pound statue of a dove – PeaceHealth’s organizational symbol.

In remarks prior to the unveiling, PeaceHealth chaplain Susan Lanford told the crowd “The dove represents many things, including hope, peace, acceptance and grace. But most of all, love. Because of that, when the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace needed to choose a symbol to represent our ministry, they chose the dove.”

PeaceHealth Southwest Foundation Board Director Emeritus Connie Kearney provided the spark of inspiration for the statue, along with the planning, funding, and energy needed to bring the statue to PeaceHealth Southwest. “The statue was designed and built by a company in Wisconsin and brought by flatbed truck westward via I-90,” said Connie Kearney. “With all that’s gone on the last two years with COVID and the stress and the pressure - doing this in honor of our caregivers really made us feel good about it, to bring something happy and cheerful into our community. We’re happy to be a part of it.”

PeaceHealth Southwest Chief Executive Sean Gregory singled out both Connie and Lee Kearney to thank them for this wonderful donation. “This is just one chapter of a very long book that is their legacy of helping us to advance our healing mission. It is a hard time to work in healthcare, but it is moments like today that make that hard time awesome to be a part of. I feel very grateful to be a part of what we’re doing here.”

The Kearney’s have a long history of philanthropic support of important programs in our community, including the PeaceHealth Southwest Kearney Breast Center.

To watch or download a video presentation of the unveiling visit: https://peacehealth.widen.net/s/qzkmvxkwxv/dovestatue

About PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center:
PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center is a 450-bed facility located at 400 NE Mother Joseph Place in Vancouver, WA., providing comprehensive specialty care for patients in southwest Washington. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

On Sunday, October 17, 2021, at approximately 3:03 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 26 near milepost 48.

Preliminary investigation revealed an eastbound GMC Sierra, operated by Brian Masters (39) of Beaverton, crossed into the westbound lane and collided head-on with a Kia Soul, operated by Lisa Lawson (68) of Seaside. 

Lawson sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. The passenger in the Kia Soul, Jay Lawson (73) of Seaside, was transported to an area hospital with injuries. Brian Masters and passenger Leila Masters (36) of Beaverton, were transported to an area hospital. 

Hwy 26 was closed for approximately 4 hours. 

OSP was assisted by Washington County Sheriff's Office,  Hillsboro Police Department, Banks Fire Department and ODOT. 

VANCOUVER, WA (October 19, 2021) – Community prevention coalitions and law enforcement agencies in Southwest Washington are collaborating to host drive‐thru drug take‐back events at seven different locations in Clark, Skamania and Klickitat counties on Saturday, October 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Community members are encouraged to bring their unused and expired prescriptions and over‐the‐counter medications for safe, free disposal to any one of the following event sites: 

Clark County:

•PeaceHealth Southwest Urgent Care ‐ 33rd & Main (south back lot), Vancouver 
•Kaiser Permanente Orchards ‐ 7101 NE 137^th Ave., Vancouver 
•Battle Ground Police Department ‐ 507 SW 1st St., Battle Ground 
•Washougal Silver Star Search & Rescue ‐ 1220 A St., Washougal 
•Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Dept. ‐ 31501 NW 31st Ave., Ridgefield 

Skamania County:

•Skamania County Sheriff ‐ 200 Vancouver Ave., Stevenson 

Klickitat County:

•Goldendale United Methodist Church ‐ 109 E. Broadway (church parking lot), Goldendale 

Please note that the Peacehealth Southwest Urgent Care site is the only location accepting sharps and syringes (noncommercial sources only). Additionally, all event sites except the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department will collect vape pens and e‐cigarettes without batteries for disposal. 

All prescription and over‐the‐counter medications including pills, liquids and inhalers will be accepted at any of the drive‐thru disposal events. Medications not in original containers will also be accepted. Community‐based medicine take‐back events and year-round disposal sites are the only safe way to dispose of medication. Medicine should never be flushed or thrown in the trash, it pollutes the environment and waterways. 

All sites will follow appropriate COVID‐19 safety guidelines, with participants utilizing the in‐vehicle drive‐thru process to ensure safety.

Kelley Groen‐Sieckmann, Community Prevention Specialist with the Prevent Coalition and ESD 112 said that take back events are meant to promote safe medication disposal to reduce opioid and prescription misuse and prevent medication from ending up in our landfills and waterways. 

“Statistics show that 75 percent of opioid misuse starts with people using medication that wasn’t prescribed for them – usually taken from a friend or family member,” explains Groen‐Sieckmann. “However, simple steps like properly disposing of medications, can help prevent misuse and overall decrease the spread of the opioid problem we are seeing in our region and across the country,” she added. 

Medicine take‐back events in Southwest Washington are funded in partnership by Washington State Health Care Authority. For more info about the event, visit bit.ly/DTBE102321. If you’re unable to make it to the October 23^rd event, you can find a year-round medicine disposal site or order envelopes to dispose of medicine by mail at www.Med-Project.org. 

ABOUT PREVENT COALITION:

Supported by the fiscal agent ESD 112, Prevent Coalition is a community coalition formed in 2003 to increase collaboration, awareness, and reduce youth substance use in Southwest Washington. Prevent also implements initiatives for rural communities across Washington state. As a community mobilizer, we’re creating a culture promoting healthy choices; advocating for policies and regulations that protect, empower and nurture youth; and facilitating positive opportunities for youth to be involved and thrive. For more info, visit www.preventcoalition.org. 

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Board on Public Safety Standards & Training

 And Policy Committee

Open Vacancy – Recruitments

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

BPSST:

• Non-Management Law Enforcement
• Non-Management Parole & Probation
• Public Member – Member of a marginalized or historically underrepresented community
• Public Member – Recommended to the Governor by the President of the Senate
• Public Member – Recommended to the Governor by the Speaker of the House of Representatives

Telecommunications Policy Committee:

• Recommended by and representing the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association
• Recommended by and representing Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police

Police Policy Committee:

• Public Member – Member of a marginalized or historically underrepresented community
• Non-Management Law Enforcement

Corrections Policy Committee:

• Public Member – representing the public who has never been employed or utilized as a corrections officer

Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee:

• Hospitality Representative
• Manufacturing Representative

Private Investigator Sub-Committee:

• Representative of the Private Investigator Community

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

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

If interested in applying for a BPSST position, please complete the online application at View Job Posting Details - Workday (myworkday.com). (Please note that an account may need to be created if not already in Workday)

Thank you,

DPSST Board & Committee Staff

On Monday, October 18, 2021 at approximately 12:43 PM, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 42 near milepost 6. 

Preliminary investigation revealed an eastbound Dodge Ram, operated by Daniel Taylor (37) of North Bend, crossed into the westbound lanes and struck a Peterbilt CMV towing a loaded chip trailer, operated by Calvin Mitchell (52) of Coos Bay. 

Taylor sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. Mitchell received minor injuries. 

Hwy 42 was closed approximately 6 hours. 

OSP was assisted by Coos County Sheriff’s Department, Coquille Police Department, Coquille Fire Department, Greenacres Fire Department, Coquille Ambulance, Southern Oregon Public Safety Chaplains and ODOT. 

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: 10/17/2021

Location: Vancouver, WA

Decedent Name: Karuo, Kfin       

Decedent Age:  26 Yrs               

Resident of:  Vancouver, WA

The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:

Cause of death: Gunshot Wound of the Torso

Manner of death: Homicide

How injury occurred: Decedent shot by other person(s).

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

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Councilors is seeking applicants to fill one of three Clark County-recommended positions on the seven-member Fort Vancouver Regional Library District board of trustees.

The at-large position is designated for a Clark County resident living outside the Vancouver and Camas city limits. The term is for seven years and begins January 2022.

The board meets every third Monday. The meeting location varies among library locations. A schedule of public meetings is online at http://www.fvrl.org/about-us/trustees. Meetings currently are being held in a virtual format.

Library trustees are responsible for policies regarding the district's 15 locations, two bookmobiles, online services at www.fvrl.org and centralized headquarters. The service area includes approximately 464,000 people and covers more than 4,200 square miles in southwest and south-central Washington. It includes all of Clark County except the city of Camas, all of Skamania and Klickitat counties and the city of Woodland in Cowlitz County. Camas is served by the independent Camas Public Library.

The district operates community libraries in Battle Ground, Goldendale, La Center, North Bonneville,
Ridgefield, Stevenson, Washougal, White Salmon Valley and Woodland, as well as four outlets in the 
Vancouver urban area including downtown, Cascade Park, Three Creeks and the Vancouver Mall. The 
district also has two self-service locations in Yacolt and Yale Valley (Ariel), providing services to Yale Valley Library District patrons through an operational agreement.

People interested in serving should send a letter and résumé to Michelle Pfenning, County Manager's Office, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver 98666-5000, an email to michelle.pfenning@clark.wa.gov or a fax to 360.397.6058. 

Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19.

Applicants should discuss their understanding of: current challenges for public libraries; perspectives concerning public library services, facilities and materials such as print and electronic books and magazines, CDs, DVDs and digital resources; and the district’s funding as a junior taxing district.

UPDATE   10/19/21 - 10:70am

Sheryl Thornton has been located and is no longer considered missing.

-

LCSO Case #21-5898 – Missing Person The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is looking to contact 38 year old Sheryl Thornton. Thornton was last observed at approximately 1:00am on the morning of October 16th at her home in the area of Hwy. 99 and E. Enid Rd. in Eugene. Thornton has no known vehicles associated with her and she is possibly barefoot. Thornton is described as a white female adult standing approximately 5’03” and weighing about 140lbs. She has brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing gray Mickey Mouse yoga pants and a white t-shirt. Anyone with information regarding Thornton’s whereabouts are asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4150 Opt. 1.

Battle Ground City Manager Erin Erdman has submitted the 2022 recommended budget to the city council. The $55 million budget is balanced and includes the city’s general operating fund as well as utilities and capital funds.  

The city council will review and discuss the proposed budget at upcoming meetings and hold a series of public hearings before adopting a final budget in December. 

Planning for the 2022 budget began in January of this year when Ms. Erdman and department heads, responsible for the delivery of city services, performed a 5-year comprehensive needs assessment.  The team used a conservative approach to forecasting revenues and expenditures.   

“Our strategic planning process ensures we are allocating resources carefully, with a focus on efficient operations and long-term sustainability,” said Ms. Erdman, “A single-year’s budget can impact future years’ service levels – it’s our job to make sure those impacts are positive.”

City Council goals and priorities determine where available resources are allocated within the budget. The council has adopted goals and priorities based on community input and values.  

The recommended operating budget for 2022 maintains increased funding for street preservation projects, public safety, and beautification. 

The proposed capital budget, with funding from $8.9 million in grant dollars, includes several transportation projects to improve safety and the flow of traffic.  Projects include improvements to the intersection at West 15^th Avenue and Main; at NW 12^th Avenue and 1^st Street, the construction of additional turn lanes at the SR 502/503 intersection; and the addition of a pedestrian pathway along SR 503 between Main Street and Onsdorff Boulevard. 

Three budget-related public hearings, scheduled for November 1, November 15, and December 6, give community members an opportunity to address the city council on the proposed budget.  

To access the city manager’s recommended budget, a calendar of city council meetings, and more information related to the budget process visit the city’s online Guide to the 2022 Budget Process at www.cityofbg.org/2022Budget.

CORRECTIONS POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Corrections Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting on November 9, 2021, at 10:00 a.m in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Shelby Alexander at (503) 378-2191.

The Corrections Policy Committee meeting will be live streamed on the DPSST Facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/DPSSTOregon

1. Introductions

2. Approve August 10, 2021 Meeting Minutes

3. Approval for Changes to the Basic Corrections Curriculum

    Presented by Staci Yutzie

4. Administrative Closures Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)

    Presented by Melissa Lang 

          a) Shawna Bronson; DPSST No. 34519; DOC/ Coffee Creek Correctional Facility

    Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Corrections Certifications 

          b) Cody Cant; DPSST No. 56429; DOC/ Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution

    Basic Corrections Certification

          c) Leslie Cone; DPSST No. 47828; DOC/ Snake River Correctional Institution

    Basic and Intermediate Corrections Certifications

          d) Jose Escobedo Jr.; DPSST No. 59780; DOC/ Two Rivers Correctional Institution

    Basic Corrections Certification

          e) Justin Goff; DPSST No. 52185; DOC/ Snake River Correctional Institution

    Basic and Intermediate Corrections Certifications

          f) Matthew Klimek; DPSST No. 52875; DOC/ Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution

    Basic and Intermediate Corrections Certifications

          g) Matthew Paton; DPSST No. 44975; Marion County Sheriff’s Office

    Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Corrections Certifications

5. Brian Haynes, DPSST No. 32994

    Presented by Melissa Lang

6. Kinsey Kaylor, DPSST No. 55001; Lane County Sheriff’s Office

    Presented by Melissa Lang

7. Ryan Perez, DPSST No. 54021

    Presented by Melissa Lang

8. Morse Scott, DPSST No. 25847

    Presented by Melissa Lang

9. Review of Arbitration/Certification Workgroup Recommendation

    Presented by Jennifer Howald

    Informational update, there is no vote required.

10. Proposed Rule Changes for OARs 259-008-0060, 259-008-0065 and 259-008-0078 – Defining CPR Certification and Changes to Law Enforcement Officer Maintenance Standards

    Presented by Jennifer Howald

11. Proposed Rule Changes for OAR 259-008-0015 – Background Investigations and New Requirements per HB 2936

     Presented by Jennifer Howald

12. Committee Membership

13. Department Update

14. Director’s Update

15. Next Corrections Policy Committee Meeting: February 8, 2022 @ 10:00 a.m.

Administrative Announcement

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

SALEM, Ore. – Oct. 19, 2021 – Oregonians have learned the importance of preparedness due to numerous recent hazards – including wildfire, drought, floods, ice storms and more. Though earthquakes are less common, they are top of mind in the Northwest due to the Cascadia subduction zone, a fault located off the Pacific Coast with the potential to deliver a 9.0+ magnitude earthquake and resulting tsunami. Governor Kate Brown has proclaimed Thursday, Oct. 21, as Great Oregon ShakeOut Day to encourage Oregonians to learn and practice safe methods to use during an earthquake.

A global earthquake drill taking place at 10:21 a.m. this Thursday, the Great ShakeOut urges people to take the following simple but critical safety steps during an earthquake: “Drop, Cover and Hold On:”

• Drop onto hands and knees.
• Cover head and neck and crawl to a sturdy desk or table if one is nearby.
• Hold On until the shaking stops.  

“The state of Oregon takes seriously its responsibility to help ensure the safety of its residents and visitors,” said Oregon Office of Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps. “Understanding what to do in the first few moments after a disaster can mean the difference between being a survivor and a victim. As we work to build a culture of preparedness in Oregon, it is up to each of us – and all of us – to take action to reduce our risk.  Participating in the Great Oregon ShakeOut is a proactive step anyone can, and should, take.”

More than 500,000 Oregonians – including schools, individuals, families and businesses – have committed to take part in this year’s ShakeOut drill, pledging to drop, cover and hold on wherever they are and whatever they’re doing. 

“Knowing what to do before, during and after an earthquake can save your life,” said OEM Geologic Hazards Coordinator Althea Rizzo. “The event also serves as a reminder to review and update emergency preparedness plans and supplies.” 

OEM’s 2 Weeks Ready program recommends citizens be informed and knowledgeable about the hazards where they live; make an emergency plan for themselves and their loved ones; and build an emergency kit with at least two weeks’ worth of food, water and other necessities. 

The 2 Weeks Ready program offers several resources to help people prepare, including a free publication informing what actions to take in the event of an earthquake or tsunami. To learn more about earthquakes in Oregon and how to prepare, Living on Shaky Ground is available for download at OEM’s website, and hard copies may be obtained at county and Tribal emergency management offices.

Learn more about the Great Oregon ShakeOut and register as a participant at Shakeout.org/Oregon; the public can also view a webinar on the event hosted by OEM on YouTube in English and in Spanish.

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You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, call 971-719-1183 or email language@oem.or.us. We accept all relay calls, or you can dial 711.

Portland, OR — The Oregon Historical Society (OHS) is excited to announce the reopening of its research library following nearly two years of renovation.  Thanks to support from individuals and foundations through the FORWARD! campaign, this critical renovation will allow library staff to better serve researchers who visit OHS in person as well as more efficiently connect the thousands of individuals that contact OHS each year to the priceless collections in the library's care.  

OHS's research library preserves the largest collection of Oregon-related archival and published materials, documenting the people, places, and events that have shaped the history of Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. These materials include books, manuscripts, oral histories and sound recordings, films and moving images, and photographs, some of which are accessible online through OHS Digital Collections and through the library's digital history projects. Changes in library best practices and new technologies make this renovation a long overdue enhancement to the research library. 

"The research library is truly the heart of everything we do at the Oregon Historical Society," said OHS Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk. "Without these priceless collections, and the individuals who have preserved and stewarded them for over 120 years, OHS's exhibitions, scholarship, and educational programs would not be possible."

For over 50 years, the research library has occupied the fourth floor of the Oregon Historical Society's building located on SW Park Avenue in downtown Portland — and throughout that time, has been left relatively untouched. Researchers will notice many new improvements on their next visit, including:
 

• A refreshed reading room that highlights the library’s striking mid-century architecture and also serves as a flexible space for hosting workshops and programs;
• A tech hub that allows several researchers at a time to explore OHS’s library collections in a variety of historical and contemporary media — from VHS to digital files;
• A collaborative learning lab that serves as a creative, flexible space where small groups of students, educators, researchers, community members, and archives professionals can share knowledge, explore the library’s vast resources, and make new discoveries that expand collective knowledge about Oregon’s complex history;
• A reconfigured reference desk that gives staff a better vantage point to both serve researchers and safeguard the precious materials in OHS's care;
• A map and architecture viewing station that creates a central access point to digitized and original materials from the library's enormous collection of documents that have charted Oregon from past to present;
• Twenty-first-century behind-the-scenes workspaces that give OHS staff the space and technology they need to preserve and make collections available for the next 120 years; and
• The new Pietro Belluschi Resource Center, which provides a focal point to highlight the library’s architectural collections and a well-equipped meeting space for instruction.

After overseeing this renovation, which included an extensive and meticulous move of the collections (which is documented on OHS's Dear Oregon blog), Library Director Shawna Gandy is eager to welcome visitors back downtown for in person research appointments. 

"After what has been a historic and unpredictable year and a half, I am grateful that we have completed this renovation and are ready to once again open our doors to researchers," said Gandy. "The reason our staff is so passionate about preserving and making our collections accessible is because of the countless students, scholars, writers, filmmakers, historians, and others who use these materials in their work. It is thanks to their interpretation of the primary documents in our care, through school projects, documentaries, books and articles, and a variety of other illuminating projects, that we continue to grow and evolve our understanding of the past."

While admission to OHS’s research library is always free, advance reservations are currently required to allow for physical distancing of researchers due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; researchers can contact reference@ohs.org">libreference@ohs.org or leave a voicemail at 503.306.5240 to book their visit. OHS is currently unable to accommodate walk-in visitors and is limiting appointments to 25% capacity in the reading room. Press tours are available; please contact achel.randles@ohs.org">rachel.randles@ohs.org to schedule a tour.
 

About the Oregon Historical Society

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

Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 4.7% in September from 5.0%, as revised, in August. In September, 102,000 Oregonians were unemployed. This is a remarkable improvement from the worst labor force impacts of the COVID recession when 270,000 Oregonians were jobless in April 2020. However, there is still ground to make up to approach the average of 82,000 Oregonians unemployed during 2017 through 2019, during the tight labor market of the prior economic expansion. The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 4.8% in September from 5.2% in August.

In Oregon, nonfarm payroll employment declined by 200 in September, following a revised gain of 8,900 jobs in August. Monthly gains averaged 10,200 during January through August. Job reductions in September were largest in government (-3,800 jobs) and construction (-1,400). These losses were balanced by substantial gains in professional and business services (+2,500 jobs); leisure and hospitality (+2,200); and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+1,000 jobs).

The private sector added 3,600 jobs in September, continuing the steady private-sector expansion that averaged 4,600 jobs added per month over the past six months.

Government job losses in September were concentrated in local government where some K-12 schools added fewer employees than is typical at the start of the school year. Other local government employers are still well below their staffing levels seen two years ago, prior to the recession. 

Leisure and hospitality added 2,200 jobs in September, following a gain of 1,200 in August. Despite these gains, leisure and hospitality still accounts for the bulk of Oregon’s jobs not recovered since early 2020, with 42,100 jobs left to recover to reach the prior peak month of February 2020. The industry has regained 62% of jobs lost early in the pandemic.

Professional and technical services has grown at a rapid rate throughout 2021, and is now well above its pre-recession peak. This industry added 11,800 jobs since the low point in April 2020. Most of the jobs in the broader industry are found in firms providing services in the areas of legal, architectural, engineering, computer systems design, management consulting, research, and veterinary. 

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the September county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, Oct. 26, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for October on Tuesday, Nov. 16.

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 January, February and March 2021 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 can be found at QualityInfo.org/press-release. To obtain the data in other formats such as in Excel, visit 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

To file a claim for unemployment benefits or get more information about unemployment programs, visit unemployment.oregon.gov.

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

PeaceHealth St. John welcomes Breanna Bork, MBA, CFRE to the role of Executive Director of the PeaceHealth St John Foundation. In her new role, Bork will support the Foundation's board in executing the Foundation’s mission “Changing the lives of people in need through people who care.”

“I'm looking forward to joining this incredible philanthropic team as they support our frontline caregivers during this crucial time,” said Bork. “I've gotten to know some of the people in our new community and have been inspired by their passion and commitment to making it a wonderful place to live, work, and play. I'm excited to join them in this incredible work.”

Bork most recently served as President of Adventist Health’s Central Valley Health Foundation. She also has experience in higher education, serving as Associate  Director for Development at Walla Walla University. Bork earned a Masters in Business Administration from Benedictine University, and has earned CFRE certification as a fundraising executive committed to meeting the highest standards for education, professional practice and ethics in fundraising.

As Executive Director, Bork will work to supervise the development and integration of gifts to the PeaceHealth St. John Foundation. In the past year the Foundation has offered support for multiple worthwhile programs and services including raising funds for the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund, PeaceHealth Heroes Fund, Paramedicine, Meals on Wheels, and Food Farmacy. The Foundation also raised over $1.2 million to fund state-of-the-art technology for coronary interventional procedures for a second catheterization (cath) lab, including diagnostic procedures, stent placements, pericardiocentesis, pacemaker placements, and placements of chest and G-tubes and chest ports.

To donate to the PeaceHealth St. John Foundation:
Interested in leaving a legacy to help PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center Foundation carry on our mission? A bequest or estate plan will allow for us to recognize and celebrate your gift by being a part of our PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center Foundation’s Columbia Circle while accommodating your own personal, financial and charitable giving goals. Learn more at www.peacehealth.planmygift.org or schedule a one-on-one meeting to discuss your options and objectives by contacting Katherine Frew, Director of Planned Giving, at 360-729-1000 or by email to ew5@peacehealth.org">kfrew5@peacehealth.org.

On October 17, 2021, at approximately 2:22 a.m., Clark County Sheriff’s deputies initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle associated with a person they had probable cause to arrest for Assault 1 with a handgun.  The suspect failed to comply with a traffic stop and a pursuit ensued.  CCSO deputies conducted a successful Pursuit Intervention Technique (PIT) in the area of NE 122nd Avenue/ NE 49th Street, and the suspect’s vehicle was immobilized. The suspect was armed with a handgun and pointed the gun at the deputies, who then fired at the suspect. The suspect, still armed with a handgun, fled on foot and was located a short distance from his vehicle deceased. When law enforcement located the deceased suspect, he still had the gun in his hand with his finger on the trigger (see attached photos of suspect gun recovered at the scene).

This is preliminary information based on initial reports of the incident and the early stages of the investigation. 

Two deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) were involved in this incident. Both deputies were placed on critical incident leave, per standard protocol.

The officer involved shooting investigation is being conducted by the SW Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIR), made up of detectives from the Vancouver Police Department (lead agency), the Battleground Police Department, and the Camas Police Department. Per the Washington state requirements for an Independent Investigative Team (IIT), two non-law enforcement community members are also participating in this investigation.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available. Updates will be sent out a minimum of once per week via a media release. 

The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the deceased.

Once the SWIIR Team investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.

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The project is the latest in a series of efforts to aid migratory salmon and steelhead in Central Oregon 

Portland, Ore. (October 19, 2021) – Portland General Electric (PGE) and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, co-owners of the Pelton Round Butte hydroelectric project on the Deschutes River, today announced a $1 million grant to the Deschutes Land Trust for habitat restoration aiding migratory salmon in the Crooked River. The grant was awarded through a special round of funding from the Pelton Round Butte Fund, through which PGE and the Tribes have contributed more than $27 million to 57 habitat and water quality projects in the Deschutes Basin over the last 15 years.

The Land Trust plans to use this funding to complete the first phase of a major restoration at Ochoco Preserve, the organization’s 185-acre wetland and wildlife preserve outside of Prineville, Oregon. The project includes floodplain restoration, development of side-channel and wetland habitat, and construction of an acclimation pond for juvenile fish.

“Supporting projects in the Crooked River is one of the best ways we can improve conditions for both juvenile and adult fish,” says Megan Hill, PGE natural resources manager and director of the Pelton Round Butte salmon reintroduction program. Since 2010, PGE and the Tribes have been advancing an ambitious, long-term effort to restore sustainable populations of salmon and steelhead to the Deschutes Basin, including the Crooked and Metolius Rivers. “We’re finding that more returning adult fish are choosing to travel up the Crooked River compared to the other tributaries upstream of Lake Billy Chinook, so it’s critical for these fish to have high-quality habitat when they arrive.”

The first phase of restoration at Ochoco Preserve, beginning in Spring 2022, will focus on McKay Creek – a tributary to the Crooked. Construction crews will realign the creek to its historic floodplain and add more side channels, wetlands and natural structures to improve habitat for fish and wildlife. The Land Trust will also build an acclimation pond that will eventually be used to hold juvenile spring Chinook and summer steelhead instream prior to release, a practice that helps fish imprint on the river’s unique scent and improves their chances of successfully returning as adults. Finally, part of the restoration process will also include identifying locations for future trails and educational sites so the Land Trust can share the preserve with the community.

"The Land Trust is so grateful for this funding from the Pelton Round Butte Fund,” said Rika Ayotte, executive director of the Deschutes Land Trust. “It helps continue our long-term partnership with PGE and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs to conserve and restore habitat for salmon and steelhead throughout Central Oregon.”

In addition to supporting habitat restoration in the Crooked River, PGE and the Tribes also recently provided funding to the new fish ladder at Opal Springs Dam and to the Crooked River Water Quality Partnership – a group developing a strategic action plan addressing water quality in the Crooked River Basin. Together, these investments are helping create accessible and hospitable fish habitat in this high-impact river system.

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About Portland General Electric Company

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company based in Portland, Oregon, with operations across the state. The company serves approximately 900,000 customers with a service area population of 2 million Oregonians in 51 cities. PGE has 16 generation plants in five Oregon counties, and maintains and operates 14 public parks and recreation areas. For over 130 years, PGE has delivered safe, affordable and reliable energy to Oregonians. Together with its customers, PGE has the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the U.S. PGE and its 3,000 employees are working with customers to build a clean energy future. In 2020, PGE, employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated $5.6 million and volunteered 18,200 hours with more than 400 nonprofits across Oregon. For more information visit portlandgeneral.com/news.

About the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon, is based in Central Oregon with a membership of over 5,000 Tribal Members from the Warm Springs, Wasco, and Paiute tribes. Learn more at warmsprings-nsn.gov. 

About Deschutes Land Trust

The Deschutes Land Trust envisions a future of strong and healthy natural and human communities—where we work together to conserve and care for the lands that make Central Oregon an incredible place to live, work, and grow. As Central Oregon’s locally-based, nationally-accredited land trust, the Deschutes Land Trust has conserved and continues to care for more than 17,523 acres since 1995. For more information on the Deschutes Land Trust, contact us at (541) 330-0017 or visit www.deschuteslandtrust.org.

On Saturday, November 6th, between 10:00AM and 3:00PM the Portland Hollywood Lions Club will be holding its semi-annual food drive to benefit the Community for Positive Aging/Hollywood Senior Center. This food drive will take place at the Hollywood Grocery Outlet at 4420 NE Hancock St., Portland, OR 97213. The Lions will collect sealed nonperishable food items, including pet food (see attached flyer) and will also welcome donations of used eyeglasses and hearing aids. Any cash donations will directly support the Hollywood Senior Center.

The high cost of food, gas, utilities, medical care and rent continue to plague people in Portland. 1 in 5 residents of Oregon suffer food insecurity. Hunger affects children and families, and especially seniors who can be more isolated than other community members. The Hollywood Senior Center is a not for profit committed to enriching the lives of adults 55 and older by creating opportunities for social connection, health and wellness, independence and life-long learning. The Community for Positive Aging/Hollywood Senior Center is committed to providing services, education, information and recreation for seniors, families and caregivers in Multnomah County and particularly in their Hollywood neighborhood.

Often, seniors keep pets for emotional support and to stave off loneliness. These furry friends suffer from the same food insecurity as their senior friends, so sealed, new pet food will also be welcomed by the Hollywood Lions.

The Hollywood Lions Club, celebrating its 93rd anniversary this year, is committed to service in its community and beyond, including a long relationship with the Hollywood Senior Center, with Lions on the HSC Board of Directors and more. The Hollywood Lions know that “where there’s a need, there’s a Lion”.

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October is #CybersecurityAwareness Month. During this time, the FBI reminds everyone to #BeCyberAware! In honor of this recognition, today's Tech Tuesday report will focus on a new scam that is cropping up at restaurants, at stores, and in ads across the country.

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. Today: Building a digital defense against QR code scams.

Let’s start with basics. “QR” stands for “quick response.” The QR code is a square image that you can scan with your phone – usually by just pointing your camera at it. The image itself is filled with data that can do lots of helpful things, such as send you to a particular website or payment portal.

QR codes have become much more common in these COVID times. They allow restaurants to use virtual menus and vendors to accept cashless payments easily. You may find codes physically pasted about or virtually embedded into ads, emails, or online. They are easy to create and, unfortunately, easy to hack.

The FBI is starting to get reports of people who are falling victim to QR code scams, including some who are losing money. One area of particular concern – frauds involving cryptocurrency. Crypto transactions are often made through QR codes associated with crypto accounts… making these transactions easy marks.

If you happen to scan a scammer’s bad code, you could end up giving him access to your device. He can access your contacts, download malware, or send you to a fake payment portal. Once there, you can inadvertently give him access to your banking and credit card accounts. If you make a payment through a bad QR code, it’s difficult if not impossible to get those funds back. Here’s how to protect yourself:

• Do not scan a randomly found QR code.
• Be suspicious if, after scanning a QR code, the site asks for password or login info.
• Do not scan QR codes received in emails unless you know they are legitimate. Call the sender to confirm.
• Some scammers are physically pasting bogus codes over legitimate ones. If it looks as though a code has been tampered with at your local bar or restaurant, don’t use it. Same thing with legitimate ads you pick up or get in the mail.

Finally, consider using antivirus software that offers QR readers with added security that can check the safety of a code before you open the link.

If you are the victim of any other online fraud, you should report the incident to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or call your FBI local office.  

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A reported kitchen fire which spread through a home on Thursday night provided significant challenges for Lebanon firefighters called to battle the blaze. The fire at 37635 Rock Hill Drive was first reported by a resident on Central Avenue at 9:07 p.m. when they noticed the fully involved structure from their home. Fire officials believe that the fire had already been burning for a significant amount of time at the time of the call due to the heavy involvement throughout the two-story structure. 

LFD crews were on scene in less than 6 minutes from the time of call and reported a heavily involved structure. A resident was attempting to extinguish the fire with buckets of water from an above ground swimming pool when firefighters arrived, and crews quickly directed on-scene paramedics to the man for a medical evaluation. The male suffered mild smoke inhalation and was observed on scene until being released without need for transport to a hospital. The home and contents, initially valued at $325,000, were a complete loss. Twenty-one personnel on eleven fire apparatus responded, and the Tangent Fire District provided one water tender with two personnel for mutual aid. 

The structure was located outside of the city’s hydrant system which created the need for firefighters to establish a rural water supply using water tenders and portable water tanks. Two water tenders from Lebanon and one from the Tangent Fire District set up a water shuttle, dumping their water into the portable tanks set up on Rock Hill Drive and then driving approximately one mile to the nearest hydrant to fill up and return to the scene. This evolution ensured a constant water supply for firefighters working on scene who were flowing up to 300 gallons of water per minute onto the fire. The typical fire engine water tank holds roughly 750 gallons of water, which can be expended in less than two and a half minutes when flowing two hand lines. 

As firefighters worked the blaze, they encountered a heavy accumulation of personal belongings inside the home which made entry into the home nearly impossible in the heavy fire conditions. An initial report from the occupant indicated that there may have been up to seven people in the house at the time of the fire. Firefighters used a technique called VES (Vent-Enter-Search) to enter interior rooms from the exterior windows of uninvolved rooms and quickly search for victims before retreating out of the window and continuing to the next room. Crews were able to safely search two bedrooms before fire conditions forced them to switch to a defensive operational mode. No victims were found, and the report of people in the structure turned out to be unfounded. 

During the fire the entire second floor collapsed onto the first floor of the home, further hampering firefighter’s efforts to extinguish the fire and search for victims. One fire engine remained on scene overnight in the event of a flare up and crews returned early Friday morning to meet with the property owner and discuss the next steps. After evaluating the lack of stability of the structure, the Lebanon Fire Marshal determined that it would be unsafe for fire investigators to enter the building to perform a fire investigation. The property owner was consulted, and the decision was made to bring an excavator to the scene and use it to tear the house down so that firefighters could completely extinguish the fire, still smoldering within the home’s footprint. Firefighters finally cleared the scene around 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning, nearly eleven hours after the initial call. There were no injuries to firefighters at the incident. 

Vancouver, Wash. – The Housing Options Study and Action Plan project’s eighth meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26 via Zoom. The meeting is open to the public and will be recorded.

The Project Advisory Group’s (PAG) purpose is to identify housing challenges within the unincorporated Vancouver urban growth area and opportunities to encourage development of housing that is affordable to a variety of household incomes through the removal of regulatory barriers and/or implementation of other strategies.

For information on how to join and participate in the meeting, please visit https://clark.wa.gov/community-planning/housing-project-advisory-group.

The group will develop their draft recommendations for the Housing Action Plan. Once drafted, the recommendations will be made available to the public for review and feedback, along with opportunities to attend community engagement events that will be scheduled later this fall and early winter.

The Clark County Council and County Manager have appointed a volunteer PAG to provide input throughout the Housing Options Study and Action Plan project. The group represents a broad spectrum of interests including those most vulnerable to rising housing costs and displacement, people working in the housing industry, and parties responsible for housing-related regulations.

The group will utilize a consensus-based approach to creatively and collaboratively problem-solve issues regarding barriers in providing additional housing types in the unincorporated Vancouver Urban Growth Area. The group also will develop recommendations that will become part of the Housing Options Study and Action Plan. The recommendations will be reviewed and considered by the public, the Clark County Planning Commission and County Council.

Learn more about the project at www.clark.wa.gov/housingoptions.

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, George Daniel Farr, died the evening of October 18, 2021. Farr was incarcerated at Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) in Ontario and passed away while on hospice care. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified. 

Farr entered DOC custody on February 4, 2011, from Washington County with an earliest release date of January 21, 2027. Farr was 74 years old. Next of kin has been notified.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of approximately 12,000 individuals who are incarcerated in 13 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.

SRCI is a multi-custody prison in Ontario that houses approximately 3,000 adults in custody. SRCI has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, intensive management, infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care, and an administrative segregation unit. SRCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including a contact center, laundry, and sign shop. SRCI specializes in incentive housing, specialized housing, individuals with mental health/medical vulnerabilities, education and trades programs, cognitive and parenting programs, and institution work programs. SRCI opened in 1991 and is the largest correctional institution in the state.

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The Lebanon Fire District is conducting training at the old Moose Lodge, located at 4070 S Santiam Highway. Rapid Intervention Crew training, or “RIC” will be conducted today, October 19 and tomorrow, October 20. Crews were also onsite yesterday afternoon.

Artificial smoke will be present around the building during these times to simulate an active fire scenario. Unless flames are visible, there is no need to call 9-1-1 for the presence of smoke at this location. We appreciate the community’s concern and dedication to reporting emergencies.

Kelso, WA- Just after 6:30pm tonight, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue (C2FR) responded to a reported gas line rupture in the 800 block of Ayers St 

Reporting parties state they were cleaning out a plugged sewer line with a powered sewer snake when they heard the line rupture. They immediately called Cascade Natural Gas, turned the gas meter off and evacuated the house. 

Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue crews arrived in the area within 5 minutes of dispatch and verified the gas leak. After further investigation by Cascade Natural Gas the rupture had a very high likelihood that it was leaking into the sewer system. C2FR dispatched their HazMat Unit while Cascade Natural Gas crews and on-scene C2FR personnel identified an immediate evacuation plan for the area. Cowlitz PUD was contacted and they turned off the local power to reduce the potential for the leaking gas to ignite.  

Cascade Natural Gas accessed and shut down their main gas line, 1 block away, with an excavator before capping the service at the residence. C2FR maintained continuous gas/air monitoring, scene control and fire suppression stand-by until the line was capped.

C2FR responded with 2 fire engines, a HazMat unit, 1- ambulance, 3-HazMat Technicians and 1- Chief Officer. Kelso Police Department,  Kelso Public Works also responded to the incident and provided support. 

Neighboring agencies covered several medical and fire incidents in Kelso until off- duty C2FR crews arrived from home to backfill crews on the incident.

All C2FR units cleared the scene and power was restored to the area just prior to 9:30pm 

LT. Dan W. Cothren, Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue