Beware of scammers trying to get your personal information or your COVID-19 Economic Impact Payment!

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will begin to distribute COVID-19 Economic Impact Payments in a matter of weeks. For most Americans, this will be a direct deposit into your bank account. For the unbanked, elderly or other groups that have traditionally received tax refunds via paper check, they will receive their economic impact payments in this manner as well.

With any good news story from the IRS, comes an opportunity for criminals and scammers to take advantage of the American public.

• Scammers may try to get you to sign over your check to them.
• Scammers may use this as an opportunity to get you to “verify” your filing information in order to receive your money, using your personal information to file false tax returns in an identity theft scheme.

Between these two schemes, everyone receiving an economic impact payment is at risk.

The Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is working tirelessly alongside our civil counterparts and law enforcement partners to identify scams and halt wrongdoers from taking advantage of the American people. “Taxpayers should be extra vigilant for unsolicited phone calls or emails concerning their economic impact payments,” said Justin Campbell, Special Agent in Charge of the Seattle Field Office for IRS-CI. “The IRS will not call or email you about your payment. IRS-Criminal Investigation is stepping up our efforts in coordination with the Department of Justice to aggressively investigate anyone that seeks to defraud our community members during this crisis.”

“We are aware of instances of consumer fraud stemming from the COVID-19 public health emergency. While Americans work to protect themselves and their loved ones from the threat of COVID-19, some individuals are actively trying to profit off of this emergency,” said U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams. “If you or someone you know believe you’ve been the target or victim of an outbreak-related fraud scheme, please contact law enforcement immediately.”

Top Line Message from the Internal Revenue Service

The IRS will deposit your economic impact payment into the direct deposit account your previously provide on your tax return (or, in the alternative, send you a paper check). The IRS will not call and ask you to verify your payment details. Do not give out your bank account, debit account, or PayPal account information – even if someone claims it is necessary to get your economic impact payment. Beware of this scam.

If you receive a call, do not engage with scammers or thieves. Just hang up. If you receive texts or emails claiming that you can get your money faster by sending personal information or clicking on links, delete them. Do not click on any links in those emails.

Reports are also swirling about bogus checks. If you receive a “check” in the mail now, it’s fraud – it will take the Treasury Department a few weeks to distribute the payments. If you receive a “check” for an odd amount (especially one with cents), or a check that requires that you verify the check online or by calling a number, it’s fraud.

Beware of Scams and Schemes

IRS-Impersonation Telephone Scams

An aggressive and sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, have been making the rounds throughout the country. Callers claim to be employees of the IRS, but are not. Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. Or, victims may be told they have a refund due to try to trick them into sharing private information.

With COVID-19 scams, they may urge you to pay this fake “debt” with your economic impact check. For those who receive an actual check, they may ask you to endorse it and forward to them for “payment of past debts.”

Remember:  Scammer Change Tactics – Variations of the IRS impersonation scam continue year-round and they tend to peak when scammers find prime opportunities to strike – like the new economic impact check being sent.

Surge in Email, Phishing and Malware Schemes

Scam emails are designed to trick taxpayers into thinking these are official communications from the IRS, tax industry professionals or tax software companies. These phishing emails ask taxpayers about a wide range of topics – related to refunds, filing status, ordering transcripts, and verifying PIN information – in order to steal your personal information or file tax returns.

When people click on links from these phishing emails, they are taken to sites designed to imitate an official-looking website, such as IRS.gov. The sites may also carry malware, which can infect people’s computers to steal their files or record their keystrokes.

Also be aware of email phishing scams that appear to be from the IRS and include a link to a bogus web site intended to mirror the official IRS web site. These emails contain the direction “you are to update your IRS e-file immediately.” The emails mention USA.gov and IRSgov (without a dot between “IRS” and “gov”). Don’t get scammed. These emails are not from the IRS.

Don’t be a victim! Visit www.irs.gov or www.irs.gov/coronavirus

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                                      HOW TO KEEP KIDS BUSY AND CONNECTED

During these uncertain times, we have the added stress of keeping our children busy and connected with friends, family, and learning. At the same time trying to keep up with social distancing and staying home to slow the spread of coronavirus. Here are just a few suggestions that might help with some entertainment.

For Younger Children

• Make a painter’s tape maze on the carpet, for use with toy cars and trucks.
• Fill plastic bins with seasonal/themed sensory items to explore.
• Download templates for a nature scavenger hunt (or make your own) and get outside!
• Make homemade crafting dough or slime.
• “Draw” pictures on the walls with flashlights and see if others can guess what they are.
• Using a whiteboard or pad of paper, let your child teach you; this is a great way for them to practice their own skills and retain knowledge.
• Plant seeds in cups and set in a sunny spot to get an early start on the summer vegetable garden.
• Practice writing skills by becoming pen pals with current friends.
• Check out Storyline Online’s YouTube channel, which features celebrities reading books.

For Older Children

• Bake cookies and other treats.
• Assign older kids the task of cooking dinner one night each week.
• Take this opportunity to check in with older kids on how they’re doing in general, making sure to listen fully. Being stuck at home can be especially difficult for teenagers.
• Create a journal during this extended period at home for a keepsake that will prove to be very special later.
• Use YouTube to learn skills: origami, music lessons, dance tutorials, and much more.

For All Ages

• Build puzzles together.
• Color in coloring books or on downloaded coloring sheets.
• Use FaceTime and other apps to virtually connect with friends for socializing or studying.
• Build a fort and use it for play or as a reading nook.
• Play board games.
• Mail hand-drawn pictures and letters to residents of local nursing homes.
• Watch the Lunch Doodles video series every weekday at 1 p.m. Eastern, in which Mo Willems, Artist-in-Residence at The Kennedy Center, gives quick drawing lessons.

A quick search of the internet will reveal lots of virtual experiences that families can enjoy from the comfort of home. Zoo and aquarium web cams, museum tours, concerts, and much more are at our fingertips now more than ever. Keeping everyone engaged can make this time at home much more enjoyable as we all do our part to help flatten the curve.

Information received at nationwidechildrens.org

On March 28th, 2020, deputies quickly went into action after an adult in custody collapsed after exercising in an outdoor recreation area at the Marion County Jail.  When deputies reached the male he appeared to be having a seizure, after which he stopped breathing.  Deputies and on duty medical staff utilized an AED and initiated CPR on the male.  After several minutes, they were able to successfully resuscitate the male who was taken to a local hospital for treatment. 

When told about the life saving actions taken by staff at the Marion County Jail, Sheriff Joe Kast stated, “Every member of our team at Marion County Jail is dedicated to keeping each and every person in our custody safe.  At a time when we are emphasizing social distancing, these deputies and nurses acted quickly and selflessly to safe this man’s life.  I’m proud to have each of them as a part of our team here at the Sheriff’s Office.”

Jesus Sanchez, 40, was released from custody yesterday afternoon and is continuing to receive treatment at a local hospital.

On March 30, 2020 at approximately 7:40 PM the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office received a report of a fight in progress near the 1400 block of North Bank Rd in Otis. The caller who was not involved in the fight reported 4-6 subjects fighting on the side of the road. The caller reported that there appeared to be two silver colored vehicles associated with the fight. The caller heard someone yelling "call the cops".

Sgt. Karl Vertner was on patrol less than a mile from the location at the time of the reported incident. Upon his arrival, he determined both silver vehicles had left the scene. Sgt. Vertner contacted a group of three young adults. The group reported they had been robbed of their silver Toyota Camry at gunpoint. The group reported the suspects fled the scene eastbound on North Bank Rd. The victims reported that there were four suspects in total however only two of the suspects forced them out of their vehicle at gunpoint.

Sgt. Vertner broadcasted an Attempt To Locate for the silver Toyota Camry and a silver Dodge Challenger.

During the course of this investigation law enforcement officers learned both parties were acquainted, and this was not a random act. 

At approximately 8:02 PM Officers with the Lincoln City Police Department located the stolen Toyota Camry traveling on SW Bard Road in Lincoln City. Officers conducted a high risk traffic stop of the vehicle and apprehended Nicholas Allen Wright age 30 of Otis. Inside the vehicle officers located a loaded .22 caliber rifle. This rifle matched the description of the gun used in the crime.

On March 31, at approximately 3:41 PM Deputy Dowty with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office located the outstanding suspect vehicle traveling southbound on Hwy 101 near Cape Foulweather. Deputy Dowty conducted a high risk traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver, Ruben Zamudio Jr. age 30 of Newport was taken into custody for his role in the robbery.

On April 1, 2020, at approximately 9:30 PM Deputies with the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, assisted by Polk County Sheriff's Office and Grand Ronde Tribal Police, located and apprehended the third outstanding suspect, Kimmia Kay Whittlinger, age 26 of Lincoln City. She will be transported to Lincoln County Jail and lodged on Robbery charges. 

Nicholas Allen Wright is currently lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on Robbery and related Weapon charges.

Ruben Zamudio Jr. is currently lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on Robbery charges. 

The fourth outstanding suspect, Jacob Leeland Lunstedt, age 27, should be considered armed and dangerous. If you have any information regarding Jacob Lunstedt's whereabouts, please call the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office at 541-265-4277.  

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Lincoln City Police Department, Oregon State Police, Grand Ronde Tribal Police, Polk County Sheriff's Office, Yamhill County Sheriff's Office and the Tillamook County Sheriff's Office.

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The Oregon State Police is seeking the public’s assistance regarding the waste of a cow elk in Yamhill County outside of Sheridan.

The elk was located on Thursday, March 25, 2020 near the intersection of Thomson Mill Road and Rock Creek Road several days after it was killed.  No meat was taken from the elk.  

The Oregon State Police is requesting that any person with information about this waste contact 1-800-442-0776 and leave information for  Trooper Tayler Jerome.

Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may also contact the Oregon State Police through the Turn in Poachers line at;

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

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

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

Preference Point Rewards:

5 Points-Mountain Sheep

5 Points-Mountain Goat

5 Points-Moose

5 Points-Wolf

4 Points-Elk

4 Points-Deer

4 Points-Antelope

4 Points-Bear

4 Points-Cougar

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

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

$100 Game Fish and Shellfish 

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

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

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

$40,000 donation wipes out negative balances

Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, students of Battle Ground Public Schools will return to school without any outstanding lunch debt. The $40,000 gift was provided anonymously to the district through the Morgan Stanley Gift Fund. The remainder, about $800 in outstanding balances, will be covered by the Battle Ground Education Foundation, or BGeF. The result is that all active outstanding student debt has been wiped out.

The two donations cover active student lunch debt for nearly 1,900 students in the district. The donation does not, however, cover debts that have already been sent to collections.Twice each year, any student account owing more than $100 goes to collections and comes off the active debt amount. Students who participate in the Free and Reduced meals program will be the first to have any balances paid, followed by accounts on which parents have been making regular payments on the balance owed. 

Student lunch debt is a relatively new concept. Before federal policy changed a few years ago in an effort to prevent "lunch shaming," students who had a negative account balance were given a cheese sandwich as an alternative meal. Today, all students are given the same nutritious meal, regardless of their account balance.

BGeF president Colleen O’Neal says the organization has been helping to pay for thousands of dollars in student lunch debt balances for several years through their “Kids in Need” campaign efforts, but the timing of this most recent donation is especially welcome. “I was thrilled, because it’s one less thing for our families to have to worry about right now,” O’Neal said. “The more we can take off their plates, the better.”

Although BGPS regularly receives contributions of a few hundred or even a thousand dollars at a time to go towards student lunch debt, the $40,000 donation is exceptionally generous.

“This is huge, and is really going to be helpful right now,” said Meagan Hayden, Chief Financial Officer for Battle Ground Public Schools. “Especially at this time when a lot of parents are probably wondering how they’re going to pay their next mortgage or utilities, or are having to temporarily shut down their businesses.”

Joining a creative initiative with other mid-valley law enforcement agencies, members of the Corvallis Police Department’s Community Livability Unit will help reduce the impact of COVID-19 by delivering prescriptions to City of Corvallis residents who are age 65 or older or have a life-threatening pre-existing medical condition.  This program will remain in place for the duration of the Governor’s Stay at Home, Save Lives order to promote the safety of Corvallis residents who may be at greater risk.  Officer Trevor Anderson, a member of the Community Livability Unit, said, “This program enables at-risk community members to receive essential medications in a timely manner from a trusted delivery resource.” 

The steps to participate are simple:

1. Call the pharmacy to order and pay for the prescription (the pharmacy must be in Corvallis to participate)
2. While on the phone, let the pharmacy know you would like to participate in the CPD prescription delivery program; make sure your pharmacy will allow this.
3. Visit http://bentoncounty.recovers.org or call 541-766-6120 to request/coordinate the delivery, to include providing the following information:
   1. Name
   2. Address
   3. Phone Number
   4. Pharmacy name
   5. Requested prescription(s)
   6. The date and time your prescriptions will be ready
4. Have a photo ID ready so the officer can verify they’re delivering to the right person.

Deliveries can be made between 8am and 4pm on weekdays.

Although this is a departure from traditional law enforcement services, the Corvallis Police Department remains committed to the safety of our community!

Vancouver, Wash. – With the support of Clark County Public Health and the Clark County Council, restrooms in all county parks will be closed effective immediately. The closure helps support Gov. Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order.

“We appreciate the support of the council and Public Health in continuing to prioritize the safety of the public and our Public Works staff,” said Public Works Director Ahmad Qayoumi. “We know these aren’t easy decisions to make, but we are thankful to the council for allowing us to implement these safety standards so we can keep parks open for the community.”

On March 24, the Clark County Council supported closing playgrounds and play structures at all parks in Clark County.  Clark County joins a growing list of local jurisdictions that are closing playgrounds, restrooms and other park facilities to protect public health and safety.

Park users are expected to follow social-distancing and safety protocols including:

• Do not use parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms.
• Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to visiting parks or trails.
• Share the trail and warn other trail users of your presence and as you pass.
• Observe CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of six feet from other persons not from your household at all times.
• If you are not able to maintain social-distancing guidelines while visiting a county park, please go home and try to come again at another time.

“While visitors will still be able to use parks, we are asking all Clark County residents to do their part in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” said Parks and Lands Division Manager Galina Burley. “The county’s parks staff does not have the capacity to actively enforce closures and social-distancing guidelines, so we rely on members of the public to follow the guidelines for the health and safety of our community.”

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April 1, 2020

Media Contact: Oregon COVID-19 Joint Information Center (JIC) staff, 503-373-7872, media.COVID-19@state.or.us

Oregon reports 1 new COVID-19 death, 47 new COVID-19 cases

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed one more life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 19, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 8 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority also reported 47 new cases of COVID-19 as of 8 a.m. today. The new COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (1), Clackamas (6), Deschutes (3), Douglas (1), Jackson (1), Lane (2), Lincoln (1), Marion (10), Multnomah (18), Washington (3), and Yamhill (1). One case previously reported in Hood River County was identified as a resident of another state; thus, today’s statewide case count is 736. Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Oregon’s nineteenth COVID-19 death is a 70-year-old woman in Multnomah County, who tested positive on March 27, 2020, and died on March 29, 2020 at her residence. She had underlying medical conditions.

Update: The COVID-19 case data OHA publishes once a day on its website and shares once a day with the media are provisional and subject to change. A case reported yesterday as a Hood River County case was later determined to be a Washington State case. The total number of new cases reported as of yesterday has changed from 690 to 689.

Latest COVID-19 projections show social distancing can cut coronavirus infections if Oregonians keep current measures in place into May

Updated projections from health researchers show that there is “strong evidence that measures currently in place in Oregon are reducing transmission,” according to the latest models.  The most recent data suggest that current social distancing measures could cut transmission rates between 50%-70% if Oregonians maintain these limitations on virus-spreading interactions into early May.

If Oregonians can maintain current social distancing efforts and the current projections hold true, the state could meet the likely demand for hospital beds under current strategies. 

According to the latest report, researchers estimate that Oregon has slightly higher numbers of current infections than previously assessed, based on an increase in reported cases from earlier time points.

• COVID-19 infections: Under current social distancing conditions with the cooperation of most Oregonians to Stay Home, Save Lives, it is estimated that in early May Oregon would have over 4,000 cumulative infections and 200-1,200 active infections. However, if the state were to reopen non-essential businesses (while keeping schools closed), the number of new infections would spike to as many as 3,500 active infections by early May
• Hospital beds needed: Researchers found “expected demand for hospital beds is predicted to remain relatively constant before decreasing, assuming current or strengthened interventions and continued high compliance
• Uncertainty: Researchers highlighted that the projections remain uncertain. In coming weeks, state public health officials and researchers will get a better picture of current actual infections and how they affect the projections, as well as more data on the public’s continued adherence to social distancing measures.

The models state health officials released today were prepared by the Institute for Disease Modeling, based in Washington.

Oregon’s emergency response continues to focus on strengthening the health care system’s ability to meet the coming surge. State health officials are working with hospitals and other health care partners to mobilize the health care workforce and keep workers safe, expand bed capacity and secure more ventilators. However, the public’s ability to maintain social distancing will be the most important factor in determining whether Oregon prevents local hospitals from becoming overwhelmed by COVID-19 admissions.

Dr. Dean Sidelinger, state health officer at OHA, said: “We know coronavirus has brought painful disruption and distress for Oregonians. However, these numbers tell us that what we’re doing can work. We know social distancing is tough and comes with incredible sacrifices. But steps we’re all taking to maintain social distancing could save the lives of people we know and people who are important to us. As Oregonians, we all must continue to put Stay Home, Save Lives into practice.”

Stay informed about COVID-19:

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

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

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

PR-020

New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Cowlitz County

April 1, 2020 at 1245 hrs.

Cowlitz County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) has reported (2) two additional confirmed positive test results for novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in Cowlitz County. These cases bring the total number of cases in Cowlitz County to (18) eighteen.

The latest confirmed cases of Cowlitz County residents are:

CCHHS is working as quickly as possible to identify close contacts of the confirmed cases. Close contacts, which could include family members and coworkers, will be instructed to stay home for 14 days after their last contact with the confirmed cases. CCHHS will continue to provide local updates on the Cowlitz COVID-19 coronavirus webpage at www.CowlitzCOVID19.com. Additional information for people who are at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and The Washington State Department of Health website.

An updated number of negative test results will be provided once it is sent by the State.  Minor discrepancies in negative result numbers may occur due to missing address information for patients. In those cases, the negative test results may not be assigned an accountable county. 

Nuevos Casos Confirmados de COVID-19 en el Condado de Cowlitz

 1 de Abril de 2020 a las 1245 hrs.

 El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos del Condado de Cowlitz (CCHHS) ha informado dos (2) resultados positivos confirmados adicionales para el nuevo coronavirus, COVID-19, en el Condado de Cowlitz. Estos casos elevan el número total de casos en el Condado de Cowlitz a dieciocho (18).

 Los últimos casos confirmados de residentes del Condado de Cowlitz son:

CCHHS está trabajando lo más rápido posible para identificar contactos cercanos de los casos confirmados. Los contactos cercanos, que podrían incluir miembros de la familia y compañeros de trabajo, recibirán instrucciones de quedarse en casa durante 14 días después de su último contacto con los casos confirmados. CCHHS continuará proporcionando actualizaciones locales en la nueva página web de coronavirus del Condado de Cowlitz en www.CowlitzCOVID19.com. La información adicional para personas con riesgo de enfermedad grave de COVID-19 está disponible en el sitio web de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades y en el sitio web del Departamento de Salud del Estado de Washington.

 Se proporcionará una cantidad actualizada de resultados negativos de la prueba una vez que el Estado lo envíe. Pueden producirse discrepancias menores en los resultados negativos debido a la falta de información de la dirección de los pacientes. En esos casos, los resultados negativos de las pruebas pueden no tener asignado un condado responsable. 

GRESHAM, Ore. – A colon cancer survivor running low on supplies and medication. A husband and wife, both with heart conditions, who need toilet paper. A blind and deaf man struggling with what food he can eat. These are just a few examples from more than 3,000 of Gresham’s most vulnerable residents that City staff are calling through Operation Gresham Connected.

“During this time of isolation, it’s more important than ever to stay connected and keep our community strong,” said Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis. “Our incredible team of public servants is ready and willing to go beyond to help our elderly and our immunecompromised residents get through this challenging time.”

A team of 40 City staff, whose normal work has been disrupted due to the spread of COVID-19, make calls to check in with longtime utility account holders. Through the program, staff connect residents with resources, and in some instances, employees act as couriers for critical deliveries of medication and food.

Staff are also reaching out to senior citizens and vulnerable community members referred to City Hall by local faith and nonprofit organizations.

In just one week, City staff called 2,500 residents to offer information, resources and supplies. Examples of collaboration include:

• Coordinated delivery of supplies and medication to an elderly colon cancer survivor.
• Delivered hand sanitizer and toilet paper to a couple with heart conditions, one of whom relies on an oxygen tank. The staff person left their phone number and email if the couple needs anything else.
• Connected with a resident who is blind, deaf and has diabetes and lives on his own. After talking with the resident and his caretaker, staff delivered toilet paper and food to him.
• Arranged for an 80-year-old Holocaust survivor to have her furnace repaired and get her electricity working.

“In this unprecedented time, it’s nice to know the City cares,” noted one resident.

“I don’t know of any other city showing this kind of concern for their people,” said another resident.

City employees were quick to volunteer for Operation Gresham Connected, answering the call to serve within the first 48 hours after the program was announced.

“This is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” said Tina Osterink, Natural Resources Planner, who volunteers for the program. “I feel like we are making a real difference.”

Community-based organizations, churches or neighborhood groups with directories of vulnerable residents can reach out to Operation Gresham Connected at eshamConnected@GreshamOregon.gov">GreshamConnected@GreshamOregon.gov or 503-618-2111.

The City’s Emergency Operations Center remains activated while City Hall is closed to the public. City leadership continues to conduct core business and ensure that essential services are operational for the safety of the public. Regular updates to the community will be available on www.GreshamOregon.gov/COVID19 as well as the City’s social media channels.

In a Special Joint Board Meeting on Monday March 30, 2020 the Boards of Directors for Sheridan, SW Polk and West Valley Fire Districts each passed resolutions that resulted in declaring a state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic. This declaration allows for the administrative team for the three districts to revise of suspend normal decision-making processed in response to the pandemic. Sheridan, SW Polk and West Valley Fire Districts reached out to their resources at the beginning of this pandemic to figure out how the districts could declare a state of emergency along with the cities, counties, and states around them. While it has been common practice for declarations to be made by cities, counties, states, and federally, individual special districts have rarely found the need to declare a state of emergency. The three districts felt it was an important step in being able to continue to provide the best service possible to their communities, especially amid the pressures of the pandemic. Copies of the resolutions can be found on the three websites (sheridanfd.org, swpolkfd.org and westvalleyfd.org) in the Fire District Board tab under Special Meetings.

The declaration of a state of emergency is one component of the response to COVID-19. The three districts have been ramping up their operations in many ways to continue to provide excellent service to their communities. This includes limiting public access to the facilities, establishing electronic meeting systems, adapting to new personal protection and sanitizing practices, revising trainings to include social distancing, participating with regional, state and federal response systems, participating in pandemic response webinars and conference calls, deployment of Deputy Chief Damon Schulze to Oregon Health Authority, and partnering with local hospitals on safe patient practices. The three districts have made these changes to ensure the safety of their personnel and the communities they serve.

April 1, 2020

Oregon Court of Appeals affirms Michael Davis’ aggravated murder convictions

Today, the Oregon Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court’s prior ruling and upheld the aggravated murder convictions in State v. Michael Davis.

Davis is serving two true life sentences for the murders of 30-year-old Belinda Flanagan and 33-year-old Gerald Phillips.

This investigation started on November 3, 1991 at approximately 11:30 a.m. when Portland Police responded to a motel in the 11300 block of Northeast Sandy Boulevard after a motel employee discovered two bodies.

Inside the room, investigators found four .45 caliber shell casings, all of which had been fired from the same pistol.

The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office determined Flanagan and Phillips died of gunshot wounds.

During the initial investigation law enforcement identified Davis, the former boyfriend of Ms. Flanagan, as the suspect in the case, but never had enough evidence to arrest him.

Ms. Flanagan and Mr. Phillips were dating at the time of their murders.

The investigation stalled.

In 2002, a Multnomah County grand jury indicted Davis for the two murders. The indictment came after now District Attorney Rod Underhill – who was then assigned to the office’s Cold Case Unit as a senior deputy district attorney – worked with Portland Police Bureau Detectives Barry Renna and Stu Winn to re-review the case file and speak with additional witnesses.

In December of 2005, a jury found Davis guilty of 12 counts of aggravated murder. The case was prosecuted by now DA Underhill and now First Assistant Jeff Howes.

A copy of the Oregon Court of Appeals decision can be obtained by clicking here.

Davis could petition to have his case reviewed by the Oregon Supreme Court.

COVID-19 Notice:

The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.

For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director 
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

BLM to strategically implement 11,000 miles of fuel breaks across a 223-million acre area in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt signed a final decision to construct and maintain a system of up to 11,000 miles of strategically placed fuel breaks to control wildfires within a 223 million- acre area in portions of California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

Local Bureau of Land Management district and field offices will use manual, chemical and mechanical treatments, including prescribed fire, seeding and targeted grazing, to construct fuel breaks along roads and rights-of-way on BLM-administered lands. The fuel breaks will minimize new disturbance and wildlife habitat fragmentation and maximize accessibility for wildland firefighters.

“This is a major step in fulfilling the President’s commitment to western communities by implementing more effective wildfire treatments that will better protect Americans, their property and their lands,” said Secretary Bernhardt.

The BLM has extensively documented that fuel breaks and other types of fuel treatments are effective. Since 2002, the agency has assessed more than 1,400 fuel breaks and other types of fuels treatments that intersect with wildfires and determined that 79% of fuel breaks are effective in helping to control wildfires and that 84% are effective in helping to change fire behavior.

Intact sagebrush communities are disappearing within the Great Basin due to increased large and severe wildfires, the spread of invasive annual grasses and the encroachment of pinyon-juniper. The sagebrush communities in the Great Basin are home to over 350 species of plants and wildlife and are a vital part of western working landscapes. Approximately 45% of the historical range of sagebrush has been lost.

“Constructing a system of fuel breaks is a critical first step to reduce the risk of more catastrophic wildfires in the remaining intact sagebrush communities, but we can’t stop there,” said Deputy Director of Policy William Perry Pendley. “Fuel breaks will be most effective when combined with fuels reduction and rangeland restoration treatments and we’ll soon release a draft plan to provide for those in the Great Basin as well.”

Fuels reduction and rangeland restoration treatments can reduce fire severity, increase sagebrush communities’ resistance to invasive annual grasses and improve their ability to recover after wildfires. Today’s Record of Decision for the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Fuel Breaks in the Great Basin was based on public input through an open comment period.

The PEIS does not authorize any specific projects. Local BLM district and field offices within the Great Basin will use the PEISs to comply with National Environmental Policy Act requirements when planning and analyzing specific fuel break, fuels reduction and rangeland restoration projects to allow for more rapid implementation.

An electronic copy of the ROD, the Final PEIS for Fuel Breaks in the Great Basin and associated documents are available at https://go.usa.gov/xnQcG.

Attachment: Information on Great Basin fuel breaks and how they are effective for combating wildfires in the region. Prepared by the Bureau of Land Management. Can also be found on BLM's website.

About the U.S. Department of the Interior

The Department of the Interior conserves and manages the Nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage for the benefit and enjoyment of the American people, provides scientific and other information about natural resources and natural hazards to address societal challenges and create opportunities for the American people, and honors the Nation’s trust responsibilities or special commitments to American Indians, Alaska Natives and affiliated island communities to help them prosper.

The PeaceHealth Family Medicine Clinic at 505 NE 87th Avenue, Vancouver, will temporarily close starting today, April 1, 2020.

The clinic’s caregivers, physicians and supplies will be redirected temporarily to PeaceHealth Family Medicine Fisher’s Landing and PeaceHealth Union Station Clinic.

“We apologize for any inconvenience and thank our communities for their patience and understanding as we navigate these unprecedented times,” says Robyn Taylor, Clinic Manager for 87th, Fisher’s and Union Station Clinics.

PeaceHealth will update our communities when the clinic is scheduled to reopen. In the meantime, the following PeaceHealth primary care, walk-in and urgent care clinics remain open:

• PeaceHealth Family Medicine -16811 SE McGillivray Blvd Suite 101 Vancouver, WA 98683; 360-735-8100
• PeaceHealth Union Station Clinic (walk-in and same-day) - 315 NE 192nd Ave Building 3, Suite 310 Camas, WA 98607; 360-729-8200
• PeaceHealth Family Medicine of Southwest Washington - 100 E. 33rd Street, Ste. 10 Vancouver, WA 98663; 360-514-7550
• PeaceHealth Urgent Care Memorial - 3400 Main St Vancouver, WA 98663; 360-696-5223

Community members with questions about COVID-19 are encouraged to call the Washington State Department of Health, 800-525-0127, or go online to www.peacehealth.org/coronavirus

About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a not-for-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. It has approximately 16,000 caregivers, a group practice with more than 900 providers and 10 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

April 1, 2020

For Immediate Release

M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust announces first round of COVID-19 emergency support grants to Pacific Northwest nonprofits totaling $5.4 million

Grants include $1.2 million for Oregon nonprofits

Vancouver, WA - This week, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust announced our first round of grants providing emergency support related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• In total, Trustees approved $5.4 million in grants to 49 nonprofits. This includes $1.2 million for Oregon nonprofits.
• Our primary focus for investments with this round of grants has been in three areas:
  • Medical research regarding COVID-19 treatment and testing. ($1.5 Million)
  • Reinforcing supplies and capacity for front-line healthcare providers, including increased COVID-19 testing capacity. ($2.7 Million)
  • Contributing to community impact funds managed by the outstanding community foundations of the Pacific Northwest to provide immediate resources to those in need. ($1.4 Million)
• We remain in discussion with nonprofits and leaders across our community to help inform future grantmaking into areas of emerging need, including addressing capacity needs of foodbanks and other emergency services. Our existing quarterly cycle remains active and capacity building grants will continue to be made throughout 2020 in addition to our emergency relief funding throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The Murdock Trust funding philosophy has always been to listen to the individuals and nonprofit organizations who are on the front lines of the communities we serve. These leaders and organizations understand best the unique needs of their community and are instrumental in helping us provide support to the diverse needs of the Pacific Northwest.

As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has grown, there has been much discussion within the nonprofit and philanthropic world regarding how funders can best support the organizations serving the wide variety of needs emerging within our communities. Funders across the country and around the world agree – this cannot be “business as usual.” For the Trust, that has meant the following steps:

• In line with our mission to serve and uplift all communities across the Pacific Northwest, we have worked to quickly engage leaders from across the sectors and region we serve to best understand the immediate and anticipated needs facing individuals, families and nonprofits.

• We have launched an expedited grant process to deliver immediate financial investment to nonprofits to help address the needs raised by the COVID-19 pandemic head on. We continue to pursue strategic opportunities to make investments in areas that have not received significant public or private investment.

• We have provided increased flexibility to our current grantees who may have projects impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• We are pairing nonprofits with some of our region’s best leadership and development coaches, providing hundreds of hours in no-cost support to help organizations prepare to successfully navigate the challenging path ahead.

• We are working to connect nonprofits and their leaders with additional resources and guidance on our website at murdocktrust.org/covid19 so that they can best serve their constituents. If you have a resource that you would like help amplifying to our community during this time, please send it directly to Colby Reade – yr@murdocktrust.org">colbyr@murdocktrust.org.

We share our unending gratitude to the individuals and groups across our region who are putting their own health and well-being at risk to serve others. Our thanks, thoughts and prayers are with our front-line healthcare workers, community volunteers, trucking and delivery drivers, grocery and pharmacy employees and all who are working for the common good.

#####

April 1, 2020

For Immediate Release

M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust announces first round of COVID-19 emergency support grants to Pacific Northwest nonprofits totaling $5.4 million

Grants include nearly $3 million for Washington nonprofits

Vancovuer, WA - Today, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust announced our first round of grants providing emergency support related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• In total, Trustees approved $5.4 million in grants to 49 nonprofits. This includes nearly $3 million in grants to Washington nonprofits.
• Our primary focus for investments with this round of grants has been in three areas:
  • Medical research regarding COVID-19 treatment and testing. ($1.5 Million)
  • Reinforcing supplies and capacity for front-line healthcare providers, including increased COVID-19 testing capacity. ($2.7 Million)
  • Contributing to community impact funds managed by the outstanding community foundations of the Pacific Northwest to provide immediate resources to those in need. ($1.4 Million)
• We remain in discussion with nonprofits and leaders across our community to help inform future grantmaking into areas of emerging need, including addressing capacity needs of foodbanks and other emergency services. Our existing quarterly cycle remains active and capacity building grants will continue to be made throughout 2020 in addition to our emergency relief funding throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The Murdock Trust funding philosophy has always been to listen to the individuals and nonprofit organizations who are on the front lines of the communities we serve. These leaders and organizations understand best the unique needs of their community and are instrumental in helping us provide support to the diverse needs of the Pacific Northwest.

As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has grown, there has been much discussion within the nonprofit and philanthropic world regarding how funders can best support the organizations serving the wide variety of needs emerging within our communities. Funders across the country and around the world agree – this cannot be “business as usual.” For the Trust, that has meant the following steps:

• In line with our mission to serve and uplift all communities across the Pacific Northwest, we have worked to quickly engage leaders from across the sectors and region we serve to best understand the immediate and anticipated needs facing individuals, families and nonprofits.

• We have launched an expedited grant process to deliver immediate financial investment to nonprofits to help address the needs raised by the COVID-19 pandemic head on. We continue to pursue strategic opportunities to make investments in areas that have not received significant public or private investment.

• We have provided increased flexibility to our current grantees who may have projects impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• We are pairing nonprofits with some of our region’s best leadership and development coaches, providing hundreds of hours in no-cost support to help organizations prepare to successfully navigate the challenging path ahead.

• We are working to connect nonprofits and their leaders with additional resources and guidance on our website at murdocktrust.org/covid19 so that they can best serve their constituents. If you have a resource that you would like help amplifying to our community during this time, please send it directly to Colby Reade – yr@murdocktrust.org">colbyr@murdocktrust.org.

We share our unending gratitude to the individuals and groups across our region who are putting their own health and well-being at risk to serve others. Our thanks, thoughts and prayers are with our front-line healthcare workers, community volunteers, trucking and delivery drivers, grocery and pharmacy employees and all who are working for the common good.

#####

Vancouver, Washington – The City of Vancouver, in partnership with Centennial Real Estate and the Vancouver Mall, has opened a temporary Safe Parking Zone in the southwest portion of the Vancouver Mall parking lot (8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive). Available April 2-30, the Safe Parking Zone is designed to allow people who are sheltering in their vehicles to comply with social distancing guidelines.

Spaces are available for free on a first come, first served basis. Participants must register in person for the Safe Parking Zone from 10 a.m. to noon April 2 and April 3 at the Safe Parking Zone location. Additional registration hours may be added depending on availability.  

“As an important part of the community here in Vancouver, we are pleased to be able to extend help during this unprecedented time to people in our area who are in need, including the homeless and temporarily displaced,” said Vancouver Mall General Manager Tracy Peters.

The Safe Parking Zone is limited to 40 vehicles (including a maximum of two recreation vehicles), and all vehicles must be operational and legally licensed at the time of registration to receive a Safe Parking Zone placard. There is a limit of two adults per vehicle. Children under the age of 18 are welcome with an adult participant. Pets are allowed, but leash laws do apply and pet waste bags are not provided.

The Safe Parking Zone will have portable restroom facilities, hand washing stations and garbage service. It will be monitored by staff and has 24-hour security.

Participants must sign a code of conduct and agree to follow “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” protocols to remain in and around their vehicles and practice social distancing of at least 6 feet. Trips away from the Safe Parking Zone are limited to essential needs such as food and medicine. There is no cooking allowed on site.

More information about the Safe Parking Zone program can be found at:  www.cityofvancouver.us/safeparking.

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For information about the City of Vancouver’s response to COVID-19, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/coronavirus.  

About Centennial

Centennial is a national owner of major shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed-use destinations. Rooted in retail since 1997, the company is focused on shaping the evolution of American retail by creating a superior multi-faceted shopping experience. Centennial properties serve not only as a place of commerce, but a place of community. For more information, visit CentennialREC.com.

Salem Health has received a limited supply of a few hundred COVID-19 test collection kits. As a result, outpatient testing for COVID-19 has resumed at Salem Health’s three respiratory clinics. Because the supply is so limited, testing for COVID-19 remains on hold in the Salem Hospital emergency department.

We are following the same criteria as when testing was available earlier this month:

• Patients experiencing respiratory symptoms should call 503-814-0099 and be screened by phone (they do not need to be a Salem Health Medical Clinics’ patient). A provider will determine whether the patient needs to be tested and will schedule an appointment.
• People should not come to the respiratory clinics for COVID-19 testing unless they have an appointment.
• Patients needing care for non-respiratory symptoms are encouraged to schedule a virtual visit by calling 503-814-4400.

As we’ve seen recently locally and around the country, the situation surrounding future shipments of COVID-19 test kits is unknown and varies week to week. Looking ahead, Salem Health will continue to offer outpatient testing whenever they become available. We will also continue to provide updates whenever more test kits come in.

About Salem Health. Salem Health offers exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley. It comprises hospitals in Salem and Dallas, a medical group of primary and specialty care providers, plus other affiliated services. Visit us at www.salemhealth.org; “Like” us on www.facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at www.youtube.com/salemhealth.

Salmon Creek (WA): We all know how tirelessly our medical professional have been working during the past couple of weeks. Well, tonight Firefighters and Paramedics with Clark County Fire District 6 want to say thank you.

Following national and international trends, District 6 personnel plan to park our fire engines outside of Legacy Medical Center Salmon Creek and turn on the lights to applaud medical professionals as they leave their shift. 

That happens, barring emergency calls, tonight at 7 p.m. at Legacy Salmon Creek, located at 2211 N.E. 139th St. Vancouver WA 98686. At the time of this release we're not sure of the exact location within the hospital grounds, but just look for a bunch of fire engines.

Salem Health appreciates everyone who is taking part in the mask-making project to provide more than 10,000 hand-sewn masks for our health care providers. Last week, we handed out nearly 300 mask-making kits. We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the community!

We want to make this as convenient for people as possible to return the masks this week, so we’ve added several hours to each collection day. The last day to drop off completed mask kits (or leftover materials if they are not complete) is this Friday, April 3.

New extended drop-off hours

Salem — Town Park security booth (former Kmart parking lot off Mission St. SE and 25th St. SE)

• Wednesday, April 1, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Thursday, April 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Friday, April 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Dallas — West Valley Hospital parking lot (look for the tent)

• Thursday, April 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Friday, April 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Note: Salem Health is not accepting home-sewn fabric masks at this time. We are closely monitoring our supplies of all kinds of personal protective equipment (PPE) and will notify the community if further donations are needed.

Reminder: the single most important thing people can do to avoid COVID-19 is to continue staying home and maintaining social distance when not at home. We are anticipating more COVID-19 patients every day, but everyone who stays home and stays healthy helps keep the number of patients manageable — which also helps us conserve PPE.

About Salem Health. Salem Health offers exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley. It comprises hospitals in Salem and Dallas, a medical group of primary and specialty care providers, plus other affiliated services. Visit us at www.salemhealth.org; “Like” us on www.facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at www.youtube.com/salemhealth.

A Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) firefighter has tested positive for COVID-19. The firefighter started feeling ill while off duty and immediately began self-isolating at home for more than a week. The firefighter did everything right by not coming into work. They had not experienced any symptoms while working, and it is believed the risk of exposure to others was low. The firefighter remains at home and is feeling considerably better at the time of this release. They will be tested again and evaluated by the District’s medical provider prior to returning to work.

In early March, TVF&R established a COVID-19 Task Force to contend with the pandemic. The task force anticipated the possibility of personnel being affected by the illness and established staffing plans and a COVID-19 leave policy in case employees become sick or need to care for family. TVF&R’s first responders have been monitoring their temperature, even when they’re not on shift. Prior to beginning their shift or workday, all TVF&R personnel are required to take their temperature.

TVF&R’s firefighters and paramedics are using personal protective equipment and cleaning procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. TVF&R’s facilities remain closed to the public to limit exposure, and many non-response personnel are working from home. For employees working on site, we are following Governor Kate Brown’s directive and CDC-recommended social distancing and cleaning procedures.

TVF&R does not currently plan to quarantine fire stations or firefighters based on the prospect of exposure to COVID-19 due to the virus’ prevalence in all communities.

Fire Chief Deric Weiss will conduct scheduled video conference interviews on Wednesday, April 1, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.. Please contact Cassandra Ulven if you are a reporter interested in talking with Chief Weiss.

Note to Oregon Media: The FBI is offering interviews by phone or Skype between 1:30 - 2:30 PM. You must pre-register for a time slot by emailing media.portland@fbi.gov.

Due to school closings as a result of COVID-19, children will potentially have an increased online presence and/or be in a position that puts them at an inadvertent risk. Due to this newly developing environment, the FBI is seeking to warn parents, educators, caregivers, and children about the dangers of online sexual exploitation and signs of child abuse.

Background

Online sexual exploitation comes in many forms. Individuals may coerce victims into providing sexually explicit images or videos of themselves, often in compliance with offenders’ threats to post the images publicly or send the images to victims’ friends and family.

Other offenders may make casual contact with children online, gain their trust, and introduce sexual conversation that increases in egregiousness over time. Ultimately this activity may result in maintaining an online relationship that includes sexual conversation and the exchange of illicit images, to eventually physically meeting the child in-person.

In order for the victimization to stop, children typically have to come forward to someone they trust—typically a parent, teacher, caregiver, or law enforcement. The embarrassment of being enticed and/or coerced to engage in unwanted behavior is what often prevents children from coming forward. Offenders may have hundreds of victims around the world, so coming forward to help law enforcement identify offenders may prevent countless other incidents of sexual exploitation.

Abuse can occur offline through direct contact with another individual. During these uncertain conditions, where time with other adults and caregivers has increased immensely, parents/guardians should communicate with their children about appropriate contact with adults and watch for any changes in behavior, including an increase in nightmares, withdrawn behavior, angry outbursts, anxiety, depression, not wanting to be left alone with an individual, and sexual knowledge.

Recommendations

Parents and guardians can take the following measures to help educate and prevent children from becoming victims of child predators and sexual exploitation during this time of national emergency:

Online Child Exploitation

• Discuss Internet safety with children of all ages when they engage in online activity.
• Review and approve games and apps before they are downloaded.
• Make sure privacy settings are set to the strictest level possible for online gaming systems and electronic devices.
• Monitor your children’s use of the Internet; keep electronic devices in an open, common room of the house.
• Check your children’s profiles and what they post online.
• Explain to your children that images posted online will be permanently on the Internet.
• Make sure children know that anyone who asks a child to engage in sexually explicit activity online should be reported to a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult and law enforcement.
• Remember that victims should not be afraid to tell law enforcement if they are being sexually exploited. It is not a crime for a child to send sexually explicit images to someone if they are compelled or coerced to do so.

Child Abuse Awareness

• Teach your children about body safety and boundaries.
• Encourage your children to have open communication with you.
• Be mindful of who is watching your child for childcare/babysitting, playdates and overnight visits.
• If your child discloses abuse, immediately contact local law enforcement for assistance.
• Children experiencing hands-on abuse may exhibit withdrawn behavior, angry outbursts, anxiety, depression, not wanting to be left alone with a specific individual, non-age appropriate sexual knowledge, and an increase in nightmares.

Victim Reporting

Reporting suspected sexual exploitation can help minimize or stop further victimization, as well as lead to the identification and rescue of other possible victims. If you believe you are—or someone you know is—the victim of child sexual exploitation:

• Contact your local law enforcement agency.
• Contact your local FBI field office or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
• File a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) at 1-800-843-5678 or online at www.cybertipline.org.

When reporting, be as descriptive as possible in the complaint form by providing as much of the following as possible:

• Name and/or user name of the subject.
• Email addresses and phone numbers used by the subject.
• Websites used by the subject.
• Description of all interaction with the subject.
• Try to keep all original documentation, emails, text messages, and logs of communication with the subject. Do not delete anything before law enforcement is able to review it.
• Tell law enforcement everything about the online encounters—we understand it may be embarrassing for the parent or child, but providing all relevant information is necessary to find the offender, stop the abuse, and bring him/her to justice.

More information about the FBI’s guidance on child sexual exploitation and protecting your kids.

For up-to-date information and accurate information about COVID-19, visit coronavirus.gov, cdc.gov/coronavirus, and usa.gov/coronavirus.

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PORTLAND, ORE. – April 1, 2020 - A-dec and Legacy Health today announced an agreement for A-dec to manufacture and provide much needed supply of personal protection equipment (PPE) for Legacy hospitals and health care facilities.

“For more than 55 years, A-dec has lived by the principle of prioritizing concern for people above all else.” said Scott Parrish, A-dec President and CEO. “As a family-owned, Newberg manufacturer, A-dec is proud to partner with Legacy Health to bring much-needed PPE to Oregon’s health care workers. This is what we should be doing during this unprecedented time: working together to solve problems and take care of communities.”

A-dec has been working to develop PPE that are in critical demand by health care workers who continue to prepare to meet demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. Legacy has a significant need for headband face shields and plastic shield coverings for their Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) helmets worn during procedures that provide protection against airborne illnesses.

"The safety and well-being of our patients, their families and our staff is Legacy’s top priority. We continue, along with other area hospitals, to pursue aggressive measures to secure PPE and are increasing our PPE stores, including partnering with local companies such as A-dec to replenish critically needed supplies,” said Lewis Low, M.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer for Legacy Health. “We are incredibly fortunate to have exceptional local manufacturers, like A-dec, aggressively pivoting business operations and innovating to help us support the health needs of our community during this pandemic.”

A-dec is a family-owned, privately held dental equipment manufacturing company with headquarters in Newberg, Oregon. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company launched programs and infection control resources to support healthcare professionals practicing dentistry during the crisis.  The collaboration started when a Legacy Health nurse and an A-dec employee began discussing hospitals’ needs for PPE and A-dec’s manufacturing expertise. Following that conversation, A-dec employees worked around the clock over a weekend to develop prototypes of needed supplies. Over the course of just over a week, the company has converted several of their manufacturing areas to produce PPE for other health and emergency responder systems in the local area.

In their ongoing response to the COVID-19 health crisis, Legacy Health has a critical need for other personal protective equipment, as well as monetary contributions for a COVID-19 Response Fund. For information on how you can help, visit www.legacyhealthgiving.org/covid-19. 

A-dec reports considerable challenges with obtaining the quantities of raw materials needed to manufacture these products. The company is actively looking for partners in both the public and private sector to support their efforts during this global emergency.

About Legacy Health
Legacy Health is a locally owned, nonprofit health system driven by our mission to improve the health of those around us. We offer a unique blend of health services – from wellness and urgent care to dedicated children’s care and advanced medical centers – to care for patients of all ages when and where they need us across the Portland/Vancouver metro area and mid-Willamette Valley. With an eye toward a healthier community, our partnerships tackle vital issues such as housing and mental health. Legacy strives to help everyone live healthier and better lives, with the vision of being essential to the health of the region. For more information, visit www.legacyhealth.org.

About A-dec, Inc.
A-dec is one of the largest privately-owned dental equipment manufacturers in the United States. We are recognized as a global leader in the dental space and are committed to our mission of providing a quality environment where people work together for the betterment of dentistry worldwide. A-dec has over 1,300 employees globally, with manufacturing facilities in Newberg, Oregon, Fenton, Missouri, and HangZhou, China. A-dec markets its manufactured dental products, including dental chairs, delivery systems, dental lights, dental furniture, and mechanical room air compressors, vacuums, and water control valves. For more information, visit www.a-dec.com.

April 1, 2020

Christopher Hall receives a 20 year PSRB sentence for kidnapping a woman in NW Portland

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 39-year-old Christopher Michael Hall received a sentence that commits him to the Oregon State Hospital after a judge found him guilty except for insanity for kidnapping a woman and holding her at knifepoint in front of her daughter.

Hall will be placed under the jurisdiction of the Oregon Psychiatric Security Review Board (PSRB) for a maximum period of 20 years.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office was in regular contact with the kidnapping victim throughout all stages of this case. The victim fully supports the resolution. She expressed relief with the conclusion and said she looks forward to moving on from this terrifying incident.

The court found Hall guilty except for insanity on the following cases and counts:

Portland Police arrested Hall on August 25, 2019 after receiving information about a disturbance in the 1800 block of West Burnside Street. Police arrived and learned that a mother and her 13 year old child had just left a soccer game and were waiting for a ride when Hall approached them, pushed the victim to the ground and held her at knifepoint in front of her daughter.

Hall – while using the woman as a human shield – dragged her a short distance from where she was standing until police stopped him at gunpoint and started to negotiate.  

During the negotiations, Hall continued to use the woman as a shield until he dropped the knife, let the woman go and ran from the scene. A bystander watching the incident tackled Hall and held him down for police.

Investigators learned that prior to the kidnapping, Hall had broken into a nearby church. He then used a metal chain with a metal padlock attached to it and threatened a church employee. When an officer arrived, Hall swung the chain at the officer’s head, but missed. He then ran towards West Burnside Street.

In case number 19CR50986, Hall unlawfully entered and remained inside a hotel room in downtown Portland.

In case number 19CR52677, Hall unlawfully entered and remained inside a separate hotel and its restaurant in downtown Portland.

In case number 19CR65474, Hall unlawfully entered and remained inside two separate commercial businesses in Portland’s Northwest District.

Under Oregon law, a person is guilty except for insanity (GEI) if, as a result of a qualifying mental disorder at the time of engaging in criminal conduct, they lack substantial capacity either to appreciate the criminality of the conduct or to conform the conduct to the requirements of law.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes the Portland Police Bureau for their dedicated efforts investigating these cases.

We also recognize Victim Advocates Julie Jacobs, Libby Villa and Chanel Thomas for the advocacy and support they provided the victims.

COVID-19 Notice: The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.

For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director 
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

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: Alvarez, Alejandro Jose
SID#: 7842313
DOB: 03/02/1971
CURRENT AGE: 49
RACE: H SEX: M
HEIGHT: 5' 06''         WEIGHT: 206lbs
HAIR: BLK                 EYES: BRO
RESIDENCE: 3765 CLEARVIEW CT NE
KEIZER, OR 97303

Alejandro Jose Alvarez is on Post Prison Supervision for the crimes of: KIDNAPPING II, BURGLARY I, COERCION, AND ASSAULT IV

This person was granted supervision on: 03/11/2020

Supervision expiration date is: 03/10/2023

Special restrictions include:

• NO CONTACT WITH MINORS (MALE/FEMALE)
• NO INTOXICATING BEVERAGES
• SUBMIT TO POLYGRAPHS/SEX OFFENDER TREATMENT

Other: Alvarez’s victim pool includes adult females and minor females known to him.

The Recreational Trails Program is now accepting grant applications for the 2020 grant cycle. The federally funded reimbursement grant program provides matching grants to construct, expand, or improve public trails for motorized and non-motorized use.

Grant funds are available for construction, heavy restoration, trailhead facilities, land or easement acquisitions, safety and education, trail assessment for accessibility or maintenance, and water trails.

Eligible applicants: local governments, park districts, state and federal agencies, Tribal governments, other public land managers, and nonprofits. Nonprofits must demonstrate partnership with a land manager and be registered as a nonprofit in Oregon for at least three years prior to the application date.

Eligible applicants should apply online via the Oregon Parks and Recreation grant application website: oprdgrants.org. Returning applicants should use their existing account to log in and complete the application. New applicants will need to request an account via the grants website.

Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent via the online system by April 30. The deadline for completed applications is June 15.

Contact the RTP grant coordinator (see contact info below) if circumstances related to COVID-19 might impact your ability to meet these deadlines.

An elective webinar will be held April 8 to provide information on the program and how to navigate the application process. Register here: register.gotowebinar.com/register/8839060142165623052

The Recreational Trails Program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration and administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). Approximately $1.5 million in matching grants is available for 2020. Since 1993, the program has funded over 500 projects across Oregon.

More information about the program, including the grant manual, application instructions and program schedule, is on the OPRD website: oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Pages/GRA-rtp.aspx.

Questions can be directed to Jodi Bellefeuille, Recreational Trails Program coordinator, at ellefeuille@oregon.gov">jodi.bellefeuille@oregon.gov or 503-986-0716.

A new dropbox, mounted near the 1st Street doors of the Rainier City Hall will securely accept payments for City of Rainier utility bills as well as payments for Clatskanie and Columbia River PUD.

It is asked that no Rainier Municipal Court related payments be made via the new box and depositing cash is discouraged.

"This is a great step for our community," said Mayor Jerry Cole. "Not just in this time of 'social distancing,' but going forward by allowing for payments to be made anytime that fits the schedule of our customers."

The box is secure and monitored around the clock.
It is a cooperative project of the City of Rainier and the two power providers.

Small businesses in the City of Hillsboro can apply to receive up to $3,000 in emergency grant funding during a second round of applications on Tuesday, April 7, between 9 am and 4 pm on our COVID-19 Business Resources webpage.

City of Hillsboro's video announcement with City Councilor Rick Van Beveren

City of Hillsboro staff will be available by phone at 503-681-5260, in English and Spanish, to assist business owners and entrepreneurs who need help. The online applications will also be available in English and Spanish, as they were during the first round of applications in March. The emergency support will help small businesses offset some of the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

To qualify, businesses must be located inside Hillsboro city limits and have an active business license from the City of Hillsboro prior to applying. All business license fees are being waived at this time. Priority will be given to businesses that have been impacted by the executive orders issued by the Governor of Oregon, including but not limited to: food and drink establishments, arcades, art galleries, barber shops and hair salons, bowling alleys, gyms and fitness studios, furniture stores, jewelry shops and boutiques, medical spas, facial spas, day spas, non-medical massage therapy services, museums, nail and tanning salons, theaters, yoga studios, small medical offices, education and daycare facilities, and businesses that rely on larger gatherings of people.

Overwhelming demand leads to doubling of emergency grant funding

The City of Hillsboro doubled the emergency grant funding available for small businesses and entrepreneurs from $500,000 to $1 million in response to the overwhelming number of requests in March.

“Within the first hours of the emergency grant applications in March, we received more than $1 million in requests from Hillsboro small business owners — more than twice the amount available,” said City Manager Robby Hammond. “After that, we initiated several steps to help as many Hillsboro businesses as possible.

“First, we reduced the maximum award to $3,000 to spread the emergency funding to more small businesses. Then, we searched for additional funding that could be redirected to increase the total amount of emergency grants. Now, we are working to get the word out to all small businesses in Hillsboro about the second round of funding so they can apply while it is available.”

More than $440,000 awarded to Hillsboro small businesses so far

Already, the City of Hillsboro has selected 177 small businesses to receive a total of $448,000 in emergency funding from among the 238 small businesses that applied during the first round on Monday, March 23. Those businesses are being notified by email and standard mail this week.

To increase the number of businesses and entrepreneurs that received assistance, the grant awards were capped at $3,000 for small businesses and $1,500 for single employee businesses and sole proprietors. The $52,000 remaining from the first round of applications will be added to the second round for a total of $552,000 in available grant funding.

Grant applications are being reviewed by a panel of community partners, including the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, Centro de Prosperidad, and the City of Hillsboro. Businesses selected in the first round of applications are not eligible to apply for additional funding. Businesses that were not selected in the first round can reapply.

“Our City Council, and our City as a whole, prioritizes our support of small businesses,” said Mayor Steve Callaway. “Across the country and here at home, our small businesses are hurting right now. We all see it. From Councilor Rick Van Beveren, whose restaurant, Reedville Café, employs dozens of people; to Councilor Beach Pace, whose nonprofit organization, Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest, relies on support from small businesses and donors; we all understand the need is great, and we are working to help as many small businesses and community members as we can.”

Funding for the $1 million in small business grants comes from community services fees previously paid by businesses participating in Hillsboro’s Enterprise Zone, as well as revenues previously generated by businesses participating in Oregon’s Strategic Investment Program, or SIP.

A diverse mix of Hillsboro small business grant recipients

Among the 177 small businesses selected to receive emergency grant funding from the City of Hillsboro, 74% self-identified as either minority-, woman-, and/or veteran-owned.

• 60 businesses self-identified as minority-owned
• 97 businesses self-identified as woman-owned
• 8 businesses self-identified as veteran-owned

The vast majority of small businesses selected indicated they would use the emergency grant funding for rent assistance (81%) and operational support (74%). The complete list of businesses awarded grant funding will be released as early as next week, after all businesses have been verified.

“The COVID-19 crisis highlights the importance of having a diverse economic base consisting of businesses of all sizes and from a variety of market sectors and industries,” said Economic and Community Development Director Dan Dias in March. “Hillsboro has been able to build a strong economic base throughout the community’s history. It is a strong reminder of why Hillsboro continues to prioritize economic development policies and programs in order to benefit the entire community.”

Loan program development continues

Based on the overwhelming demand for small business emergency grants and the City’s desire to fund as many businesses possible, $250,000 in funds previously designated for business loans are being shifted toward the grant program. 

The City will continue to pursue a loan program, but the details of such a process requires considerable work to implement a system to distribute funds and collect future payments from loan recipients. At this time, the City recommends businesses interested in immediate loan opportunities pursue one of the emergency loan programs available through the federal government.

The Small Business Association has announced it will provide emergency grants for small businesses, as well as new loans to small businesses. Read more on the City’s COVID-19 Business Resources webpage.

Grant application instructions for small businesses

• Visit our COVID-19 Business Resources webpage on Tuesday, April 7, from 9 am to 4 pm, to apply for an emergency small business grant of up to $3,000.
• City of Hillsboro staff will be available by phone at 503-681-5260 to assist small businesses and those who would like help filling out the online application in English or Spanish.
• Grant funds will only be awarded to businesses located within Hillsboro city limits with an active business license from the City of Hillsboro.

The Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce is supporting service industry workers with the Hillsboro Virtual Tip Jar. Visit the Chamber's webpage to help local service industry staff.

SALEM, Ore. — The State of Oregon expects a shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) today from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Once received, the personnel at the fully operational PPE Distribution Center in Wilsonville will begin processing and shipping those supplies to all 36 counties and 9 tribes in Oregon.

“Having an adequate supply of PPE—masks, gowns, and gloves––is essential for the safety of first responders and health care workers,” said Andrew Phelps, director of the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM). “We’re currently in a global shortage, but Oregon is working to replenish our supplies of PPE through public and private partnerships, distribute those supplies to all 36 counties in Oregon, and ensure health care workers and first responders are protected.”

As of midday today, the state of Oregon has distributed:

• Over 1 million gloves
• 10,000 face shields
• Over 400,000 N95 masks
• Over 50,000 surgical masks

OEM’s Emergency Coordination Center, which is managing Oregon’s response, plans to ship PPE to each county and Oregon’s 9 tribes, for allocation. Counties are expected to receive shipments by or before April 6.

“Even with the arrival of PPE and critical care supplies for our front line workers, all Oregonians need to continue working together and take preventative action to flatten the curve to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Phelps added. “By staying in your home, you are helping to flatten the curve. Ultimately, slowing the spread of COVID-19 directly helps to slow the demand for PPE.”

Updated information on the State’s response to COVID-19 is available at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19.

Phelps’ regular briefings can be viewed https://oregon-coronavirus-geo.hub.arcgis.com/.

For additional information on COVID-19, visit:

• Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Office of Emergency Management lead the state response.
• United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.
• Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response

The Multnomah Education Service District Board Equity and Inclusion Committee will meet on Thursday, April 2 at 1:00 p.m. Via Zoom-https://zoom.us/j/5171226197

On Monday March 23, 2020 Park Rangers at Henry Hagg Lake in Washington County located the remains of a freshly field dressed small deer.

The remains were located near the intersection of Scoggins Valley Road and Herr Road near boat launch C.

There were no open deer seasons in the area and hunting is not allowed on park property.

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed no road-kill recovery permits have been submitted for the area.   

The Oregon State Police is requesting that any person with information about this unlawful take of deer contact Oregon State Police at 1-800-442-0776 and request to leave information for Trooper Tayler Jerome.

Individuals wishing to remain anonymous may also contact the Oregon State Police through the Turn in Poachers line at;

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

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

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

Preference Point Rewards:

5 Points-Mountain Sheep

5 Points-Mountain Goat

5 Points-Moose

5 Points-Wolf

4 Points-Elk

4 Points-Deer

4 Points-Antelope

4 Points-Bear

4 Points-Cougar

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

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

$100 Game Fish and Shellfish 

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

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

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

PRESS RELEASE
PR-019
Cowlitz County Incident Management Team Launches New Website
Designed to Improve Communication with Public
March 31, 2020 at 1500 hrs.
The Cowlitz County Incident Management Team (IMT) has launched a new website at
www.cowlitzcovid19.com in an effort to better communicate with Cowlitz County residents during the
response to the new novel coronavirus.
The new website will be a one-stop-shop repository where Cowlitz County residents can review
frequently asked questions (FAQ’s), find useful phone numbers related to the local COVID-19
response, review previously issued press releases, and make business related inquiries. Contact
information for media and community related inquiries can also be found on the new website. The
information contained on the website is also available in multiple languages.
Questions or suggestions for useful information inclusion can be directed to imt.pio@co.cowlitz.wa.us
###
 

El Equipo de Gestión de Incidentes del Condado de Cowlitz Lanza un Nuevo Sito Web
Diseñado para Mejorar la Comunicación con el Público
31 de Marzo de 2020 a las 1500 hrs.
El Equipo de Manejo de Incidentes del Condado de Cowlitz (IMT) ha lanzado un nuevo sitio
web, www.cowlitzcovid19.com en un esfuerzo por comunicarse mejor con los residentes del Condado de
Cowlitz durante la respuesta al nuevo coronavirus.
El nuevo sitio web será un depósito único donde los residentes del Condado de Cowlitz pueden revisar las
preguntas frecuentes (FAQ), encontrar números de teléfono útiles relacionados con la respuestas local de
COVID-19, revisar comunicados de prensa emitidos previamente y realizar consultas relacionadas con el
negocio. La información de contacto para consultas relacionadas con los medios y la comunidad también se
puede encontrar en el nuevo sitio web. La información contenida en el sitio web también está disponible en
varios idiomas.
Las preguntas o sugerencias para la inclusión de información útil pueden dirigirse a im t.pio@co.cowlitz.wa.us
###
 

The Oregon State Police is seeking the public’s assistance regarding the waste of a cow elk in Columbia county near Vernonia.

The elk was located on the morning of Saturday, March 28, 2020 on Weyerhaeuser property off Clear Creek Road near Timber Road. The elk is believed to have been killed close to the time of discovery.

Workers reported seeing a dark colored pickup with a white canopy driving in the area around the time the wasted elk was discovered.  The pickup turned around and drove away when seen by workers.  

The Oregon State Police is requesting that any person with information about this wasted elk to contact the Oregon State Police at 1-800-452-0776 and leave information for Trooper Ben Turner or at one of the TIP contacts below.

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

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

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

Preference Point Rewards:

5 Points-Mountain Sheep

5 Points-Mountain Goat

5 Points-Moose

5 Points-Wolf

4 Points-Elk

4 Points-Deer

4 Points-Antelope

4 Points-Bear

4 Points-Cougar

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

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

$100 Game Fish and Shellfish 

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

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

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

Vancouver, Wash. – Vancouver’s annual spring coupon program is scheduled to be available soon, helping residents within the City of Vancouver with free disposal of yard debris and tires at designated drop-off sites. But under current COVID-19 conditions and concerns, the City's Solid Waste Services is asking residents to wait a little longer before using the coupons.

Printing and mailing of coupons began weeks ago. Now those coupons are set to arrive in the mail in the coming weeks to all single-family residential garbage customers within the City of Vancouver with an active Waste Connections account. Customers receiving paper bills from Waste Connections will find coupons inserted with their April bill. Customers who have paperless billing or don’t get a regular paper bill will receive their coupons directly by postcard. Copies and digital coupons are not allowed under this program.

Residents are asked to please watch for the coupons to arrive within the next two weeks. Then keep coupons handy until ready to use, after Washington’s ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order to help fight the spread of COVID-19 has been lifted. Coupons are good through June 30, 2020. Solid Waste Services will continue to monitor the situation and make program changes where needed.

The annual coupon program is provided by Vancouver Solid Waste Services, part of the the City's Public Works Department, to help residents with the added vegetation that commonly results from spring pruning, mowing and weeding. The coupons also provide an opportunity to clean up and remove old, unwanted tires, which can create a nuisance if not disposed of properly.

This year, Solid Waste Services is recommending that residents delay using the coupons for the time being. Washington’s ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order is currently in effect until midnight April 6, but could be extended. Residents who believe it is essential/urgent to use the coupons now are urged to first call ahead to be sure designated drop-off sites are open. Customers are responsible for following all health and safety guidelines, including increased distancing. Be prepared to bring your own sanitation/disinfectant as public handwashing facilities are not available at all sites. As always, all self-haul loads must be covered.

Directions and details for using the coupons, including information about the designated disposal sites, are listed on the coupons and on the City’s website at www.cityofvancouver.us/solidwaste.

Looking for other options to use now for extra yard debris? Consider backyard composting or grasscycling using information available from Clark County Green Neighbors (clarkgreenneighbors.org). Vancouver residents can also subscribe to Waste Connections’ optional organics services, available within the City of Vancouver. Waste Connection’s customers within the City of Vancouver can also have bulky items, like tires, picked up curbside for a fee as of this time. Visit www.wcnorthwest.com or call 360-892-5370 to subscribe or learn more. 

(NEWBERG, OREGON) - Last week, Newberg Public Library Director Will Worthey was connected with local realtor and Noon Rotarian, Judy Robinson, in a quest to see if library staff could help make masks for those in need. Robinson, along with a small group of volunteers, spontaneously heeded the call to make dozens of 100% cotton face masks due to the ongoing shortage of surgical masks. Though these masks are less effective than professional surgical masks, they are filling a local need. Requests soon started to roll in from local hospices and retirement communities and the Newberg Mask Force was born. 

To date, the Newberg Mask Force has delivered 91 masks to local institutions and has 167 masks in stock with six volunteers cutting and sewing to manufacture more. Local health care institutions have requested 424 units at this time, so more help is needed. 

Will explains, “I have staff that cannot do their regular duties, and Judy has great volunteers. We have a clear need for these masks, and we will get it done.” 

While volunteers created a shared tracking spreadsheet, the library receiving area was turned into a logistics hub for mask supply. The site is being used to cut cloth and pass fabric through the four steps needed to make the masks. Volunteers are delivering supplies and finished masks in sealed bags that can sit for several days before going to the next step in the process. The outside of the bags are wiped down with bleach before going into the bins. 

Volunteers can drop off raw materials or pick up finished products from 9am until 5pm Monday through Friday, as coordinated by Judy. If you have a sewing machine and the skills to get involved, please contact Will Worthey at they@newbergoregon.gov">will.worthey@newbergoregon.gov or Judy Robinson at ealpropertyforless@gmail.com">realpropertyforless@gmail.com.

To hear more news from the City of Newberg, follow along on Facebook, Twitter, or at the City Website: www.NewbergOregon.gov

Prescription Delivery Service for Milwaukie Residents 60 and Older

In order to assist Milwaukie’s more vulnerable populations and in support of Governor Kate Brown’s most recent Executive Order regarding social distancing, the Milwaukie Police Department (MPD) is offering a free prescription pick-up and delivery service for the most at-risk seniors.

Effective April 1, the MPD can pick up prescription medication and deliver it to private residences within the city limits of Milwaukie from pharmacies at Rite Aid, Safeway and Walgreens. This program is in effect for the duration of the governor’s executive order, currently set to expire on April 28.

This service is for those who are 60 years of age and older, and have a serious preexisting medical condition. In order to participate, residents must live within the city limits of Milwaukie, and need to contact the MPD between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at 503-786-7400.

Participants will also need to:

• Contact a pharmacy located in Milwaukie and order the prescription (Safeway Pharmacy: 503-659-1840, Rite Aid Pharmacy: 503-652-8058, Walgreens Pharmacy: 971-233-1002)
• Pre-pay for the prescription and any associated co-pays.
• Advise the pharmacy that the MPD will pick up the prescription.
• Provide name, address, phone number, date of birth, prescription name and pharmacy location to the MPD.
• Have a valid identification available when the officer arrives at your residence. The officer will confirm delivery of the prescription by taking a photo of the identification in lieu of a signature to minimize person-to-person contact.

Staff delivering the prescription will always wear official MPD or City of Milwaukie attire with identification. They will also wear personal protective equipment and maintain social distancing for all deliveries.

For more information, call 503.786.7400 or email police@milwaukieoregon.gov

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is hosting a public comment hearing via webinar, due to the current COVID-19 outbreak, to provide an opportunity for the Commission to hear directly from PacifiCorp customers regarding the proposed increase to electricity rates.  

PacifiCorp’s general rate change request, its first since 2013 and filed prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, is undergoing a nearly year-long review and will be fully investigated by the PUC, the Oregon Citizen’s Utility Board, the Alliance of Western Energy Consumers, and other intervening parties. This public comment hearing is part of that investigation, which will conclude by the end of this year when the Commissioners will rule on the request. 

PacifiCorp is asking for an overall rate increase of 5.4 percent or $70.8 million annually. Under the proposed filing, an average residential customer who uses 900 kilo-watt hours per month would see their bill increase by just under $7 monthly.

The public comment hearing webinar will be held on Thursday, April 2 from 6-8 p.m. To participate in the free webinar, please register in advance at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2389843904203354636. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

PacifiCorp customers and other interested persons may participate in the public comment hearing to provide verbal comments to the Commissioners and the Administrative Law Judge presiding over this rate case. There will not be formal presentations, as the purpose of this webinar is to hear directly from customers.

The Commission will also host a public comment hearing via teleconference on April 13, 2020.  For those unable to participate in the webinar or teleconference, comments can be submitted by email to ings@state.or.us,">puc.hearings@state.or.us, by calling 503-378-6600 or 800-522-2404 (TTY or dial 711), or by mail to:

Oregon Public Utility Commission
Attn: Administrative Hearings Division – UE 374
PO Box 1088
Salem, OR 97308-1088

The PUC’s mission is to ensure that customers of Oregon’s investor owned utilities have access to safe, reliable, and high quality utility services at just and reasonable rates.  The PUC’s ultimate decision will consider the economic impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, and seek to protect both the long-term and short-term interests of customers.   

# # #

March 31, 2020

Oregon COVID-19 Joint Information Center (JIC) staff, 503-373-7872, media.COVID-19@state.or.us

Oregon reports 2 new COVID-19 deaths, 84 new COVID-19 cases; OHA gains flexibility in its Medicaid program to better serve low-income Oregonians during COVID-19 pandemic

PORTLAND, Ore.— COVID-19 has claimed 2 more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll from 16 to 18, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 8 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority also reported 84 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 690, as of 8 a.m. today. The COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (3), Clackamas (10), Douglas (1), Hood River (1), Jackson (1), Klamath (1), Lane (4), Lincoln (1), Linn (1), Malheur (1), Marion (18), Multnomah (16), Polk (3), Umatilla (1), Wallowa (1), Wasco (2), Washington (18), and Yamhill (2). Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Oregon’s seventeenth COVID-19 death is a 90-year-old man in Yamhill County, who tested positive on March 25, 2020, and died on March 29, 2020 at Providence Newberg Medical Center. He had underlying medical conditions.

Oregon’s eighteenth COVID-19 death is an 88-year-old woman in Benton County, who tested positive on March 26, 2020, and died March 30, 2020 at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis. She had underlying medical conditions.

Update: The COVID-19 case data OHA publishes once a day on its website and shares once a day with the media are provisional and subject to change. A case reported yesterday as a Deschutes County case has been updated today to Washington County.

Oregon Health Authority gains flexibility in its Medicaid program to better serve low-income Oregonians during COVID-19 pandemic

The Oregon Health Authority has received flexibility from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to remove barriers for Oregonians to qualify for, enroll in, and stay enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan (OHP). Oregon has also received flexibility for providers to provide care to members as the state responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly one in four Oregonians currently receives health coverage through OHP.

“The COVID-19 pandemic requires us to act quickly to support the needs of our communities,” said Patrick Allen, director of the Oregon Health Authority. “This added flexibility in our Medicaid program is going to allow us to more quickly get people access to health care and expand our health system to meet the challenges of this public health emergency.”

The key areas of flexibility that Oregon will gain from this waiver include:

• All members who are currently enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan will not lose coverage during this crisis. This includes coverage that is only state-funded (i.e. Cover all Kids).
• Individuals can sign up for OHP without having to verify their income (submit a pay stub) with their application. They will be able to self-attest, which will help Oregonians get access to OHP coverage more quickly.
• Federal stimulus payments and increased unemployment payments will not affect OHP eligibility. They will not be counted during the application process or when members report a change in their household.
• Oregon will have additional flexibility to add to its healthcare workforce, provide treatment in temporary sites, and for paying providers during this public health emergency.

Additional information and guidance related to COVID-19 for coordinated care organizations (CCOs) and providers serving OHP members is available on the OHA website. A fact sheet for OHP members about their coverage and COVID-19 can be downloaded on the OHP website in English and in Spanish.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

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

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

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

On 03/30/2020, Lincoln County Deputies dealt with a fisherman boating on the Siletz River that launched at the closed county boat ramp at Moonshine Park, Logsden, Or. The drift boat and occupants were contacted at the Twin Bridges ramp which is also closed along with Moonshine Park and all other county ramp facilities due to current COVID-19 restrictions. 

Deputies confirmed with the vessel operator that Lincoln County Parks officially closed all county operated boat ramps due to the current health hazard, see attachement. Contact with the operator was handled as education, a citation was not issued in this incident.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office would like to thank all our citizens for your patience and understanding as we all navigate the current health crisis. 

###

Linn County Sheriff Jim Yon reports last night at 5:43 p.m., his deputies responded to a motor vehicle crash on Lyons-Mill City Drive, east of Lyons.  Deputies found a vehicle had crashed into a tree.

A female passenger had been transported by medics to Santiam Hospital for a serious injury. Deputies learned the operator, Hunter Crawford, 19, from Aumsville, had taken his grandparents’ vehicle without permission.

Deputies conducted a DUII investigation and found Hunter impaired.  Deputies transported Crawford to the Stayton Police Department for further investigation.  Crawford attempted to escape from the deputies after exiting the patrol vehicle, but he was stopped. The investigation showed he was under the influence of Cannabis and a depressant. He also damaged the deputies’ police vehicle while being transported.

Crawford was taken to Linn County Jail where he was lodged.  He was charged for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangering, Assault III, Attempted Escape III, Criminal Mischief II, Possession of a Burglary Tool or Theft Device and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.

Deputies were assisted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Stayton Police Department and Lyons Fire Department.

PRESS RELEASE

PR-018

New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Cowlitz County

March 31, 2020 at 1200 hrs.

Cowlitz County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) has reported (2) two additional confirmed positive test results for novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in Cowlitz County. These cases bring the total number of cases in Cowlitz County to (16) sixteen.

The latest confirmed cases of Cowlitz County residents are:

CCHHS is working as quickly as possible to identify close contacts of the confirmed cases. Close contacts, which could include family members and coworkers, will be instructed to stay home for 14 days after their last contact with the confirmed cases. CCHHS will continue to provide local updates on the Cowlitz County novel coronavirus webpage at www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/COVID-19 . Additional information for people who are at risk for serious illness from COVID-19 is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and The Washington State Department of Health website.

Minor discrepancies in negative result numbers may occur due to missing address information for patients. In those cases, the negative test results may not be assigned an accountable county. 

###

Nuevos Casos Confirmados de COVID-19 en el Condado de Cowlitz

31 de Marzo de 2020 a las 1200 hrs.

El Departamento de Salud y Servicios Humanos del Condado de Cowlitz (CCHHS) ha informado  dos (2) resultados positivos confirmados adicionales para el nuevo coronavirus, COVID-19, en el Condado de Cowlitz. Estos casos elevan el número total de casos en el Condado de Cowlitz a (16) dieciséis.

Los últimos casos confirmados de residentes del condado de Cowlitz son:

CCHHS está trabajando lo más rápido posible para identificar contactos cercanos de los casos confirmados. Los contactos cercanos, que podrían incluir a familiares y compañeros de trabajo, recibirán instrucciones de quedarse en casa durante 14 días después de su último contacto con los casos confirmados. CCHHS continuará proporcionando actualizaciones locales en la nueva página web de coronavirus del condado de Cowlitz en www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/COVID-19 . La información adicional para personas con riesgo de enfermedad grave de COVID-19 está disponible en el sitio web de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades y en el sitio web del Departamento de Salud del Estado de Washington.

Menor discrepancias en los números de resultados negativos puede ocurrir debido a la falta de información de la dirección para los pacientes. En esos casos, los resultados negativos de las pruebas pueden no tener asignado un condado responsable. 

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On Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at approximately 3:15 a.m., Tigard Police officers were dispatched to a home invasion type robbery on the 11900 block of SW North Dakota Street. Three masked male adults entered the home through an unlocked door and confronted the occupants of the home at gunpoint. The suspects ultimately obtained miscellaneous property from within the home and then fled the area taking one of the resident’s vehicles. The vehicle stolen is a white 2014 Ford Fusion bearing Oregon license plate 314HWC.

The suspects left the area before officers arrived on scene.

None of the residents associated with the home were injured.

Based on the initial scene investigation, investigators believe there is no apparent threat to the public related to this incident at this time.

Tigard detectives are actively investigating this incident.

Detectives ask that if you see the stolen vehicle mentioned above, please do not approach it and call 9-1-1.

Clark County Fire & Rescue (CCFR) was dispatched to a report of a barn/outbuilding on fire at 6742 NE 239th Street in Clark County. Multiple callers reported hearing explosions and seeing the flames from a distance. Units were dispatched at 1909 hours (7:09 PM) and arrived at 1915 hours to find a 30x60 (1800 square foot) 3-bay outbuilding/barn with heavy fire and smoke showing. All animals from the building escaped safely prior to fire department arrival. General equipment and hay was stored in the building.

Crews initially conducted defensive fire conditions. In defensive conditions, crews fight the fire from the outside because of too much fire and structural instability to go in safely. Additional crews arrived to assist and the fire was brought under control in 20 minutes. Crews were then able to transition into the building to fully extinguish the fire. Crews remained on scene for 4 additional hours to help with the investigation and to overhaul the fire (ensure full extinguishment).

Three Water Tenders (large tankers) were called out to shuttle water from the nearest hydrant approximately one mile away.

Due to the initial volume of fire and smoke encountered by the first due unit, two additional fire engines were called to the scene; they were returned to service without working the fire due to defensive/outside operations.

Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office conducting the investigation.

CCFR was assisted on this incident by crews from Clark County Fire District 3 and the Vancouver Fire Department.

Total Response:

5 engines

1 ladder truck

3 water tenders

3 chief officers

2 fire investigators

26 total personnel

The Oregon Clinic Launches New Telehealth Services in Response to COVID-19

Oregon’s largest specialty physician medical practice quickly launched new virtual visits in less than one week

Portland, OR – March 31, 2020 — The Oregon Clinic today announced that, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, their specialty physicians are now offering virtual health visits (telehealth) to many patients. With Oregon and Southwest Washington residents asked to stay home and restricted from visiting physicians for non-urgent appointments, many patients have been unable to access necessary specialist health care. The Oregon Clinic’s team worked around the clock to get a new telehealth program up in running within one week and began offering virtual visits on March 25.   

“Our patients need access to their specialists, travel restrictions or not,” said Dr. Richard Jamison, President and Chair of the Board at The Oregon Clinic. “Getting our patients the care they need to stay healthy is our top priority, so we did everything in our power to make this happen quickly.”

A virtual visit is a two-way, live, one-on-one video-based appointment between a patient and a physician at The Oregon Clinic. The Oregon Clinic’s physicians are utilizing Microsoft Teams to connect with patients virtually. Virtual visits are designed to temporarily take the place of an office visit for a medical issue during this time of social distancing. Patients can utilize their Android phone or tablet; iPhone or iPad; or desktop computer for the visit. 

“We’re learning the technology right alongside our patients,” explained Dr. Hopkins, Dermatologist at The Oregon Clinic. “Like everyone else during this crisis, we’re adapting and so far the response from our patients has been incredibly positive. The human connection is still there, and it’s a relief to still be able to help our patients.” 

The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, signed into law by the President on March 6, 2020, included provisions that allow patients to receive telehealth visits from any setting, including their own home. (Medicare previously required telehealth visits to be conducted from a medical facility.) New legislation also broadened regulations around the types of technology that can be used to conduct virtual visits, allowing patients to utilize consumer technology to connect with their physicians.  

“I’ve been absolutely impressed by how quickly our team has managed to get this program up and running,” said Thomas Sanchez, CEO of The Oregon Clinic “Our entire organization showed their flexibility, dedication, and creativity to make virtual visits available to our patients. Not only is this a huge benefit to our patients, but it also gives opportunities for our talented team to keep working, from physicians to medical assistants to billing staff.”   

Patients with COVID-19 or medical emergencies are still eligible to receive in-person care. Any patient with COVID-19 symptoms should call their primary care physician before coming into any medical office. If their symptoms are serious, they should go to the Emergency Room. Medical care that cannot be provided through a virtual visit and cannot wait is still being offered at multiple Oregon Clinic locations throughout the region, including pulmonological care, emergency surgeries, burn and wound care, obstetrics, radiation oncology and more.

The Oregon Clinic is a physician-owned multi-specialty medical provider. With more than 270 providers, The Oregon Clinic sees more than 240,000 patients each year at more than 60 locations in the Portland-metro area. Specialties at The Oregon Clinic include cardiology, dermatology, gastroenterology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, pulmonary and critical care medicine, urogynecology and much more. 

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About The Oregon Clinic: 

The Oregon Clinic is the largest private specialty physician practice in Oregon. More than 270 providers provide respectful, compassionate care in more than 30 specialty areas, resulting in more than 550,000 patient visits each year. Founded in Portland in 1994, The Oregon Clinic is committed to delivering the highest quality patient care, practicing evidence-based medicine, and providing leadership for the healthcare community. We collaborate with primary care physicians and use a team approach to address health conditions at more than 60 specialty clinic locations across northwest Oregon and southwest Washington. Call 503-935-8000 or visit www.oregonclinic.com for more information.

Summary: The coronavirus worker safety fund will help pay for expenses tied to making workplaces safer.

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A new resource will help eligible Oregon businesses pay for expenses tied to making their workplaces safer against the coronavirus and responding to the impact the pandemic has had on workers.

Established by SAIF, the $10 million coronavirus worker safety fund is designed to support employee safety, reduce injuries, and decrease exposures by helping businesses impacted by the coronavirus. More than 53,000 SAIF policyholders across the state are eligible for funds.

The fund will help businesses pay for expenses tied to making workplaces safer against the virus and dealing with the impact of the pandemic on workers. Eligible expenses could include worksite cleaning and disinfection supplies; resources to reopen businesses safely after a coronavirus-related closure; resources to redesign or modify workspaces to encourage social distancing; and mental health and wellness initiatives.

“Our vision is to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work,” said Kerry Barnett, president and CEO of SAIF. “That has never been more important than now.”

Expenses incurred on or after March 1 will be considered. The application, along with additional details about the fund, can be found at saif.com/safetyfund. SAIF will accept submissions until all funds have been expended or until the fund is no longer needed.

“Our goal is to respond quickly to help businesses in this time of greatest need, and we will continue to look at the need for this type of assistance and how we can best support Oregon’s businesses and workers,” said Barnett.

Interviews: We have local leaders and safety and health experts from SAIF available across the state for interviews—please contact Lauren if you’d like more details and contact information.

About SAIF
SAIF is Oregon's not-for-profit workers' compensation insurance company. For more than 100 years, we've been taking care of injured workers, helping people get back to work, and striving to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work. For more information, visit the About SAIF page on saif.com.

March 31, 2020

MEDIA ADVISORY

Case # 20-01010

On March 28, 2020, at around 6:40 p.m., Keizer Police officers were dispatched to the 5100 block of Courtlyn Street NE to several reports that a motor vehicle had crashed into a residence. Subsequent investigation indicated a GMC pickup, which was being operated by James Johnson, had been traveling west on Chemawa Road NE when it left the roadway and collided with a utility pole. That initial impact sheared the pole off at the ground. Following this impact, the GMC crossed the oncoming lane, left the roadway, drove through a fence, through the corner of a house, through a second fence, before ultimately colliding with a parked car, where it stopped. No one was injured in the incident.

Based upon the investigation at the scene, Mr. Johnson was arrested for the listed charge, processed, and released. 

Arrested: James Harold Johnson, 81 years-of-age, of Salem

Charge: DUII

See Attached Bulletin

Please be advised that the Bulletin does not include all calls for service to which officers respond.  Many calls do not require that a report be written; such as:

•Traffic Stops

•Advising/Referring a Person to the Proper Agency to handle their request

•Restoring the Peace

•Premise Checks

•Welfare Checks

•Flagged Down by Citizen

Salem – April Fools' Day is near and the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation wants to make sure no one is fooled by three coronavirus scams.

Scam No. 1 –Avoid scams claiming to have a top-secret vaccine or miracle cure, or claiming to offer government assistance or economic relief. These false claims are scams intended to scare people into sharing their personal information.

• Do not open emails, click links, or open attachments from anyone you do not know
• Do not share your personal or financial information with anyone you do not know

Scam No. 2 – Avoid scams requiring downloads to view coronavirus maps. This is an attempt to get people to download malware onto their device.

• No download is required. These maps are available from Johns Hopkins University at https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html

Scam No. 3 – Avoid scams using the market downturn to convince people to invest in a product with a guaranteed or very high return, including investments tied to COVID-19, such as medical supplies, vaccines, and other treatments. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Ask three questions before making any investment:

• Is it being offered with little or no risk?
• Is there a sense of urgency or limited availability?
• Is the person or the investment registered?

“We are fortunate to have some great companies doing all they can to help consumers right now,” said Andrew Stolfi, administrator of the Division of Financial Regulation. “We want all Oregonians to make sure they are relying only on trusted sources for the information they need to keep their families safe and healthy during this outbreak.”

The division has set up a COVID-19 insurance and financial services page to help answer consumer questions. For more information on investment schemes related to COVID-19, visit the North American Securities Administrators Association news page.

If you believe you have been a victim of a COVID-19 scam, visit justice.gov/coronavirus to report it to the U.S. Department of Justice.

If you have a question or concern about an investment product or advisor, contact the Division of Financial Regulation advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email .financialserviceshelp@oregon.gov">dfr.financialserviceshelp@oregon.gov.

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About DCBS: The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon's largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov. 

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

Scammers continue to take advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to steal money through a variety of means. The FBI is warning the health care industry in particular of an increased potential for fraudulent activity dealing with the purchase of COVID-19-related medical equipment. Based on the current stress on the supply chain, scammers may promise equipment they do not have access to in order to capitalize on the medical community’s urgent needs. The FBI asks the medical community to exercise due diligence and appropriate caution when dealing with any vendors with whom they have never worked and/or of which they’ve never heard, and when relying on unidentified third-party brokers in the supply chain.

The FBI advises to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity, to include:

• Unusual payment terms (e.g., supplier asking for up-front payments or proof of payment)
• Last-minute price changes
• Last-minute excuses for delay in shipment (e.g., claims that the equipment was seized at port or stuck in customs)
• Unexplained source of bulk supply

If you think you have information of suspicious activity by a vendor, or believe you were a victim of a scam or attempted fraud involving COVID-19, please report it:

• Submit a tip to the FBI online at tips.fbi.gov
• If it’s a cyber scam, submit your complaint to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov
• Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via email at disaster@leo.gov

Additionally, the FBI urges everyone to be cautious of anyone selling products that claim to prevent, treat, diagnose, or cure COVID-19. Be alert to counterfeit products like sanitizing products and personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 respirator masks, goggles, full-face shields, protective gowns, and gloves.

More information on unapproved or counterfeit PPE can be found at cdc.gov/niosh. You can also find information on the U.S. Food and Drug Administrationwebsite and the Environmental Protection Agency website. Counterfeit products can be reported to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and to the National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center.

For up-to-date information and accurate information about COVID-19, visit:

• coronavirus.gov
• cdc.gov/coronavirus
• usa.gov/coronavirus?

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Note to media: There is no audio file available for this Tech Tuesday report. If you would like to request audio, please contact media.portland@fbi.gov.

PORTLAND, ORE. – March 31, 2020 – An Oregon couple moved by the heroic work of frontline clinicians and health care workers during the COVID-19 crisis is giving $1.5 million each to Legacy Health and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).

Mary and Ryan Finley say they hope their gifts will inspire others to join the fight against the deadly virus, which has infected hundreds of Oregonians across the state. The Finley family’s generosity comes at a time when hospitals and health care professionals are racing to keep up with growing demand for life-saving services.

“We love Portland and these gifts are from our family to our community and our health care teams risking their lives to be on the front lines,” Mary says. “We hope that if people are looking for a way to help Portland survive this crisis, they can join us and contribute to these COVID-19 response funds.”

“We are here to care for the communities we serve, and it is reassuring to know that the community is here for our providers and employees,” said Legacy Health President & CEO Kathryn Correia. “COVID-19 is placing an unprecedented strain on health care organizations. The Finley family’s gift will be used at Legacy to ensure our patients, providers and employees have the resources they need as we fight back this virus.”

The Finleys made their gifts through the RMF Foundation, which supports a variety of youth programs, low-income housing groups and organizations fighting hunger. Ryan Finley is the founder of SurveyMonkey.

“This gift from the Finley family is an incredible example of how our community has united to support COVID-19 efforts,” said OHSU President Danny Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., FACS. “Philanthropy is critical during this health crisis, as it allows our health care systems to collaborate in assessing and prioritizing the greatest needs in managing the pandemic as it evolves.”

If you would like to join the Finleys in supporting frontline clinicians and health care workers, you can donate to Legacy Health by visiting www.legacyhealthgiving.org/COVID  or OHSU by visiting www.onwardohsu.org/donate-covid19

About Legacy Health
Legacy Health is a locally owned, nonprofit health system driven by our mission to improve the health of those around us. We offer a unique blend of health services – from wellness and urgent care to dedicated children’s care and advanced medical centers – to care for patients of all ages when and where they need us across the Portland/Vancouver metro area and mid-Willamette Valley. With an eye toward a healthier community, our partnerships tackle vital issues such as housing and mental health. Legacy strives to help everyone live healthier and better lives, with the vision of being essential to the health of the region. For more information, visit www.legacyhealth.org.

About OHSU

OHSU is the only academic health center in Oregon and is nationally distinguished as a research university dedicated solely to advancing health sciences. This singular purpose allows us to focus on discoveries that prevent and cure disease, on education that prepares physicians, dentists, nurses and other health professionals for the evolving health care environment, and on patient care that incorporates the latest advances. Based in Portland, we are one of Oregon’s largest employers, operate the top-ranked adult and children’s hospitals in the state, and secure competitive research funding of more than $486 million. As a public organization, we also provide services for the most vulnerable Oregonians and outreach to improve health in communities across the state.

Large pots with food-bearing plants will be available for families to take home on Wednesday, April 1, from Catlin Elementary. During the regularly scheduled meal distribution, Lower Columbia School Gardens will bring 25 pots, most with starts of kale, five other lettuces, and radishes; and some with snap peas climbing up a trellis. A sheet on how to care for them will also be available.  

“Times are challenging right now, and even if you don’t have a yard, this is food you can grow in a container,” said Ian Thompson, director of Lower Columbia School Gardens. “It won’t feed a family for a year, by any stretch, but there’s learning around this and it gives the kids something to care for while they’re staying home and staying healthy.”

The pots are 10 to 15 gallons each, and heavy enough that people interested in taking one home should drive them back. For those without a vehicle, Thompson said they can deliver.

Mindful of helping to slow the spread of COVID-19, the pots were planted last week and not touched since, so they should be virus-free. There will be a portable hand washing station on the back of the truck for people to use, as well.

“It breaks our hearts that kids aren’t able to be out in the school gardens right now,” said Thompson. “It’s important to us to get a little bit of the gardens to the kids.”

More food-bearing pots will be brought to Wallace next Wednesday (April 8), also during meal distribution.

“We love our partnership with Lower Columbia School Gardens,” said Mary Beth Tack, superintendent of Kelso School District. “and we’re very thankful for this wonderfully caring act in a time where so many are experiencing need.”

Salem, Ore. – The City of Salem continues to alter downtown Salem parking during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow downtown customers to conduct their business quickly, to protect or community by limiting exposure and risk, and returning home to respect the State of Oregon stay-at-home order.

Beginning  Wed.,  Apr. 1, 2020 at 4 p.m., downtown Salem visitors and residents will experience the following changes:

• Temporary closure of Chemeketa and Marion Parkades; Liberty and Pringle Parkades will remain open
• Temporary suspension of 3-hour time limits in downtown parking district
• Temporary suspension of fees at meters

The City will continue to enforce:

• Disabled parking so that ADA parking is available for those who need them
• Parking that blocks fire hydrants, inhibits traffic or the delivery of goods, or creates hazards
• Parking permits in Residential Permit Zones as demand for on-street spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic may exceed the number of on-street spaces
• Short-term parking spaces and loading zones used to meet business needs (15-minute, 30-minute, and loading zones)
• All other parking regulations

Thank you for your patience as our community continues to adapt to the effects of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

During the parkade closures, visitors and permit holders can park long term on-street in 3-hour parking spaces only. Permit holders can email the Permit Application Center at king@cityofsalem.net">pacparking@cityofsalem.net to cancel their parking permit (provide name, tag number, and parking location). Parking permit holders are asked to keep their parking tag if they plan to reinstate their permit at a later date. Reinstatement of parking permits can be requested by email.

For general questions regarding parking, please email urbandev@cityofsalem.net or call 503-540-2495.Si necesita ayuda para comprender esta información, por favor llame 503-588-6178.

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Beginning Tuesday, March 31, the Salem Area Mass Transit District is suspending its local and regional service until further notice.

The paratransit service, Cherriots LIFT, will provide life-sustaining trips only, including appointments for medical care and dialysis treatment.

“In the interest of public health and safety, we are temporarily suspending service,” said General Manager Allan Pollock. “We are committed to serving our Mid-Willamette Valley customers, but only if we can assure the well-being of both our riders and our operators.”

This action is being taken to further support the Governor’s executive order (Executive Order 20-12) requiring social distancing in order to help flatten the curve.

To date, the District has been experiencing significant staffing shortages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, seven staff have self-reported confirmation of coronavirus.

During the suspension, the District’s buses and buildings will be deep cleaned; operations staff will be placed on temporary leave; administrative staff will work remotely, if appropriate; and other employees will work onsite observing social distancing guidelines. Executive leadership will continue to meet daily to develop a plan that will safely restore public transportation service to Marion and Polk counties.

Customer service will be available to answer questions and provide information by telephone, 503-588-2877, by email info@cherriots.org, and social media. Customer service hours are Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wilsonville — March 30, 2020 — The Oregon Association of Nurseries (www.oan.org) is publishing an online list of nursery and greenhouse businesses that have indicated they are hiring seasonal and temporary help. 

As unemployment rates skyrocket during the COVID-19 outbreak, this list provides the contact information of potential employers for anyone who may have recently been laid off or displaced from work. 

“Spring is the peak season for agricultural workers in the ornamental plant industry,” OAN Executive Director Jeff Stone said. “We operate within a tight time window, set by Mother Nature, so that we can move a beautiful but perishable product to market when it’s needed. Some of our growers have come forward to say they need help and have jobs available for people. If people can work and customers across the United States can still receive Oregon-grown plants and trees, which are the best in the country, it’s a win-win.”

Agriculture is broadly recognized as an essential sector of the economy, and Oregon’s wholesale and retail nurseries are continuing to operate under the ‘Stay Home, Save Lives’ executive order issued by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on March 23.

As a dependable industry to work in, Oregon’s nurseries and greenhouses generated nearly $1 billion in sales in 2018, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture — making them the #1 segment in Oregon agriculture. Nearly 80% of the plants and trees grown in Oregon are shipped out-of-state and internationally. 

Positions may be available at all levels of production, often with little to no prior experience in agriculture required. Safety training is integrated into standard work assignments. Retail positions also may be available.

 “Our industry cares about safe practices,” Stone said. “Mitigating the spread of pests and plant diseases has been an ongoing initiative throughout the history of Oregon’s ag sector, and our growers are used to stringent procedures to protect quality and health.” 

The nature of the manual and skilled labor assignments are often outdoors or in designated workspaces that are already in compliance with social distancing recommendations. Measures are already in place to protect staff and consumers from the spread of pathogens in safe work environments. 

The Oregon Association of Nurseries’ seasonal/temporary help page will be updated regularly and can be found at www.oan.org/seasonalhelp.

# # #

CONTACT:

Curt Kipp, Oregon Association of Nurseries, ckipp@oan.org. The Oregon Association of Nurseries, based in Wilsonville, represents more than 700 wholesale growers, retailers, landscapers and suppliers. Oregon’s ornamental horticulture industry is the state’s largest agricultural commodity, with annual sales of $996 million in 2018. It is also a traded sector, with about 75 percent of the nursery plants grown in Oregon being shipped out of state. For information, visit www.oan.org or email info@oan.org.

(Salem, Ore.) – As part of National Social Work Month in March, the Oregon Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Program named Dave Owens of Eugene, the 2019 Tom Moan Memorial Award. The annual award recognizes and promotes leadership and outstanding achievement by caseworkers in the field of child welfare.

“National Social Work month is a time to recognize that social work is more than social workers. Those who work to positively impact communities, families, youth, and children should be celebrated for their contributions to social change and development,” said Child Welfare Director Rebecca Jones Gaston.

The awardee is chosen through nominations from community organizations, Child Welfare employees, and organizational partners and will attend the National Association of Social Work Conference in Washington DC. All expenses for the travel are raised by DHS staff and the Tom Moan award committee. Moan was a career child welfare caseworker and administrator in Oregon.

This year’s winner, Owens, is a caseworker with 20 years of experience in Lane County. Owens was awarded to recognize his exceptional skill at family engagement, connections to community partners and the high level of respect he has from youth and families.

“We are exceptionally proud of Dave’s work serving strengthening Lane County’s children and families,” said Jones Gaston. “He honors the abilities and strengths of families as he works alongside them to address challenges. He is thoughtful and humble, and those he works with know he is not there to judge but to help.”

The National Association of Social Workers organizes Social Work Month to educate the public about the invaluable contributions of the profession. More information is available at www.socialworkmonth.org.

March 30, 2020

SALEM, Ore.— Today, Andrew Phelps, Director of the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM), gave his first status update from the Joint Information Center about the state’s response to COVID-19. Following the directive of Governor Kate Brown, OEM has activated Oregon’s Unified Command structure, the state’s incident command emergency response organizational structure, similar to the response structure that would be activated during a major Cascadia earthquake. Director Phelps will hold regular press conferences to update the media and the public.

While all emergencies begin and end at the local level, the spread of COVID-19 has outpaced the personnel, capacity, and resources of local communities in Oregon.

“In these unusual and dire circumstances,” said Director Phelps, “The ECC is charged with coordinating collective efforts at a statewide level to stem the outbreak of COVID-19 throughout Oregon, working as one team, with one voice, to serve every single Oregonian.”

Director Phelps is coordinating the state’s response to COVID-19 from the Emergency Coordination Center (ECC) in Salem, in partnership with the Oregon Health Authority in that agency’s efforts to coordinate the public health response to COVID-19. Under OEM there are 18 emergency support functions. These functions describe how Oregon’s 33 state agencies will provide and coordinate necessary resources during an emergency.

A key example of how this larger structure works is the assembly and dissemination of personal protective equipment, or PPE. PPE includes items like gowns, masks and gloves that healthcare workers use frequently to protect themselves and their patients. The ECC’s PPE distribution center in Wilsonville is now fully operational. From this location, ECC staff will proactively send PPE out to county emergency managers, tribes and the state.

“COVID-19 affects everyone in Oregon – all 36 counties, all nine tribes,” said Director Phelps. “As we continue to fight the spread of this virus, I want to thank everyone for what they are doing to help flatten the curve, especially our first responders and front line workers. And I’d like to remind Oregonians that the best way they can help is to stay home to save lives.”

Updated information on the State’s response to COVID-19 will be available at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-covid-19. Director Phelps’ daily briefings can be viewed https://oregon-coronavirus-geo.hub.arcgis.com/. (When it has been uploaded)

Stay informed about COVID-19:

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

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

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

PRESS RELEASE

PR-017

PPE Donations from the Public Accepted at the

Cowlitz County Incident Command Post

March 30, 2020 at 1415 hrs.

The Cowlitz County COVID-19 Incident Management Team wishes to thank the community for its generosity and offers to donate personal protective equipment (PPE). The COVID-19 pandemic has caused international shortages of critical PPE. The Cowlitz County COVID-19 Incident Management Team is accepting donations, including the following new and unopened items:

People wishing to donate can contact the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) at

360-577-3171. DEM personnel will then coordinate drop off instructions with donors.

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Donaciones de PPE del Público Aceptadas en el

Puesto de Mando de Incidentes del Condado de Cowlitz

30 de Marzo de 2020 a las 1200 hrs.

El Equipo de Manejo de Incidentes COVID-19 del Condado de Cowlitz desea agradecer a la comunidad por su generosidad y ofrecas de donar equipo de protección personal (PPE). La pandemia de COVID-19 ha causado escasez internacional de PPE crítico. El Equipo de Manejo de Incidentes COVID-19 del Condado de Cowlitz está aceptando donaciones, incluidos los siguientes artículos nuevos y sin abrir:

Las personas que deseen donar pueden comunicarse con el Departament of Emergency Management (DEM)

360-577-3171. El personal del DEM coordinará las instrucciones de entrega con los donantes.

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Follow us at:

Twitter - @CowlitzDEM

Instagram - cowlitzcountydem

Facebook - Cowlitz Covid-19 Incident Management Team

Previous Press Releases: http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/196/Emergency-Management

A Salem woman, Maria Gallegos-Mendoza, age 45, faces federal drug distribution charges following an investigation by the Salem Police Street Crime Unit. On March 19, 2020, Salem Police Department Street Crimes Unit, with assistance from FBI and DEA task force partners – arrested Gallegos-Mendoza and another suspect during the service of multiple search warrants in Salem. 

During the course of the search, the task force seized 31 pounds of methamphetamine and approximately $50,000 in cash.

The FBI charged Gallegos-Mendoza via a federal criminal complaint on March 24, 2020, with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. According to the complaint, Gallegos-Mendoza told investigators that she had been selling methamphetamine for two years in amounts of 3.5 grams to one pound. The complaint also details that Gallegos-Mendoza would sell pound quantities of methamphetamine for approximately $2,500 each.

On March 25, 2020, Gallegos-Mendoza made her first appearance in federal court.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and all defendants should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

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On Thursday, March 19, 2020, the Salem Police Department Street Crimes Unit, with the assistance of local federal partners from the FBI and DEA, served search warrants on multiple residences within the Salem area.  The search warrant service resulted in the seizure of a large amount of methamphetamine, a firearm, and US currency. 

The search warrants were the result of a lengthy investigation by the Street Crimes Unit into the distribution of drugs within the Salem community.  Maria Gallegos-Mendoza, a 45-year-old Salem resident, was arrested as a result of the investigation.

During the search warrant service, approximately 31 pounds of methamphetamine and $50,000 in US currency were seized. A firearm was also seized from one of the locations.   The street value of the drug seizure is estimated to be approximately $75,000.

Gallegos-Mendoza was charged via a federal complaint on March 24th with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. 

###

March 30, 2020

Oregon reports 3 new COVID-19 deaths, 58 new COVID-19 cases

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed three more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 16, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 8 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 58 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 606, as of 8 a.m. today. The new COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (1), Clackamas (1), Deschutes (2), Douglas (4), Jackson (1), Josephine (4), Lane (2), Marion (14), Multnomah (9), Polk (2), Tillamook (1), Wasco (2), Washington (14), Yamhill (1).

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Oregon’s 14th COVID-19 death is a 91-year-old male in Yamhill County, who tested positive on March 20, and died March 29 at Providence Newberg Medical Center. He had underlying medical conditions.

Oregon’s 15th COVID-19 death is an 80-year-old male in Clackamas County, who tested positive on March 22, and died March 29 at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. He had underlying medical conditions.

Oregon’s 16th COVID-19 death is a 91-year-old male in Linn County, who tested positive on March 15, and died March 29 at the Oregon Veterans’ Home in Lebanon. He had underlying medical conditions.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

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

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

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

Oregonians who have difficulty finding work during the COVID-19 pandemic do not have to worry about losing their food benefits, due to changes included in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Normally, benefits are only available for three months for people who are not working but are considered able to work. The act temporarily suspends Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) time limits for a subset of the SNAP population who are required to seek work as a condition of receiving benefits. The changes begin April 1, 2020 and ends the month after the Secretary of Health and Human Services declares the COVID-19 state of emergency is lifted.

“SNAP benefits play a critical role in helping Oregonians get by during difficult circumstances,” said Dan Haun, director of Self-Sufficiency Programs at the Oregon Department of Human Services. “This change ensures that food benefits remain available for the increasingly number of Oregonians losing jobs during this pandemic.”

"As business and schools close because of this public health crisis, Oregonians are losing work and wages. SNAP is there to help put food on the table," said Annie Kirschner, executive director of Hunger-Free Oregon. "By waiving SNAP time limits, more Oregonians can now focus on staying healthy, instead of the threat of hunger."

DHS announced last week that Oregonians statewide now can use their SNAP benefits online to buy groceries at Amazon or Wal-Mart, which support the physical distancing required by Governor Brown’s Stay Home Save Lives Executive Order. In addition, DHS is not requiring interviews for those who report having no household income. Oregonians can apply for SNAP without visiting a DHS office. You can apply online at OHP.Oregon.gov.

"Whether you're experiencing job loss for the first time, or you've been struggling to make ends meet for a while, we want you to know about all the options open to you,” said Susannah Morgan, Oregon Food Bank CEO. “SNAP food assistance is our region's most effective defense against hunger — especially in times of crisis. It’s an important resource that can feed families and help prevent hunger from becoming yet another symptom of COV-19."  

What is SNAP?
SNAP is a federally funded program that offers nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. In Oregon, individuals and families apply for SNAP benefits at Department of Human Services (DHS) and Area Agency on Aging (AAA) offices across the state.

Who is an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependent (ABAWD)?
An ABAWD is an individual:

• Age 18 but not yet 50; and
• Does not have children under age 18 in their SNAP filing group.

What are SNAP time limits?
An ABAWD is limited to three months of SNAP benefits in a three-year period, unless the individual:

• Is participating in work activities
• Meets an allowable exemption, or
• Lives in a waived area.

What does the suspension mean for SNAP customers?
While time limits are suspended, SNAP benefits will not be reduced or closed due to not meeting time limit work requirements.

Reporting requirements continue
ABAWDs still may report any changes that may increase their food benefits, such as loss of income or new allowable costs like rent or child care expenses. They are still required to report when their work hours drop below 20 hours per week, their income goes above a certain level, or if they have lottery or gambling winnings equal to or greater than $3,500.

Lost benefits in the past because of time limits?
If someone lost SNAP benefits due to time limit work requirements, they are encouraged to reapply. Apply online at: OHP.Oregon.Gov.

Questions?
SNAP customers can contact their local DHS or AAA office for more information. Find a local office at: oregon.gov/DHS/Offices/Pages/index.aspx

For other ways to connect with DHS, contact 211info:

• By calling 2-1-1 from any phone
• Text your zip code to 898211
• By email at help@211info.org
• Online

Additional resources

• Partners for a Hungry-Free Oregon COVID-19 Resources: www.oregonhunger.org/covid-19
• Oregon Food Bank COVID-19 resources: oregonfoodbank.org/emergestronger

###

MEDIA ADVISORY

This morning, just before 1:00 am, a resident came to the police department to report her home, which is located in the 1200 block of Johnson St., had been burglarized about 30 minutes prior.  She told officers that her roommate thought he had been dreaming when he saw a person inside their bedroom.  When fully awoke, he realized he hadn’t been dreaming.  He found his garage door open and several items missing from inside their house and truck.  Patrol officers responded to the area and began looking for the suspect.  At about 1:30 am, officers saw a person matching the suspect description in the area.  When officers attempted to speak with him, he ran on foot and was caught a short distance from the scene. When the suspect was arrested, he still had property on his person.  The remaining property was later located in a nearby apartment.

The suspect was identified as 22-year-old Moniel D. Dennis.  Officer learned Mr. Dennis found the victim’s vehicle unlocked and used the garage door opener from the vehicle to enter the residence.  While inside the residence, Mr. Dennis went through the house and stole several electronic items, some were inside the victim’s bedroom.  Mr. Dennis was lodged at the Clackamas County Jail on one count of Burglary I.

Here are a couple reminders: Remove it - Do not leave valuables or items that could hold valuables, such as backpacks, in your vehicle so a thief can see them.  Secure it - Lock your vehicle when you get out of it.  One of the easiest routines is the #9PMROUTINE.  At 9:00PM every night, get into the routine of double checking that your cars are locked and your house is locked.

Reference OCPD case # 20-006925.

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will convene via conference call for their second meeting of the year April 15. The call was arranged to protect the health of commissioners and the public, and to comply with Gov. Brown’s March 23 executive order regarding COVID-19.

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

A business meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. Members of the public will be able to listen to the call; instructions about listening to the meeting will be available online prior to the meeting: bit.ly/OPRDcommissionAPRIL2020.

Notable requests on the business meeting agenda:

Approve the final report from the Governor’s Task Force on the Outdoors
Gov. Brown established the task force in early 2019 with a one-year directive to explore long-term strategies for elevating outdoor recreation in Oregon. The task force has completed their final report and will share it with the commission, governor, state legislature and the public. 

Approve several legislative concepts for the 2021 legislative session
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) has identified several concepts for possible introduction as agency bills during the 2021 legislative session. They relate to drones, all-terrain vehicle safety, historic cemeteries and other historic properties, and other topics. Details are online at bit.ly/OPRDcommissionAPRIL2020.

Approve a property acquisition adjacent to Wallowa Lake State Park to improve emergency access
Access to Wallowa Lake State Park, near Joseph, is limited to the park’s one entrance/exit road that spans the Wallowa River. Should that small bridge be blocked during an emergency, first responders would be unable to enter or exit the park. 

OPRD is proposing to expand park access by purchasing 28.3 acres of land adjacent to the park from a private landowner. If acquired, the land would connect the park to another road access point, and improve the recreational value of the park. A recent appraisal valued the land at $665,000.

Approve grant funding recommendations from the ATV Grant Subcommittee
The ATV Grant Program provides funding statewide for Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) recreation. For 2020, the committee is recommending funding for 18 grant applicants, totaling $1.2 million.

The full draft agenda and meeting packet are online at bit.ly/OPRDcommissionAPRIL2020.

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

Oregon’s COVID-19 Statewide Joint Information Center and the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE) are 
providing additional clarification related to yesterday’s announcement from the Office of the State 
Fire Marshal, which temporarily suspended Oregon’s ban on self-service gas stations.

This temporary suspension does not make self-service mandatory. The intention is to ensure fuel is 
available to essential personnel who need to travel. The Oregon Fuels Association (OFA) states, 
“This change allows gas station attendants to help these customers while avoiding face-to-face, 
hand-to- hand contact and apply social distancing practices. Attendants will sanitize equipment and 
fuel nozzles and assist customers with refueling as needed.”

ODOE is responsible for maintaining a reliable source of fuel for Oregonians. The gas station 
workforce has recently reduced by as much as 50 percent due to illness, childcare issues and safety 
concerns according to the fuel industry. Self-service allows some gas stations to continue 
operations with fewer staff and ensures Oregonians can refuel their vehicles.

OFA adds, “Unattended self-service will only happen if and when a gas station owner exhausts all 
staffing options.” Those stations that do not have an attendant on hand are required to post safety 
signs for social distancing as well as instructions for how to operate a fuel pump.

This temporary suspension is currently in effect through April 11, 2020, and may be extended by the 
Oregon State Fire Marshal. Amidst the COVID-19, the goal of this change is to make refueling safer 
for both customers and service station attendants, while keeping stations open.

This does not affect existing areas of the state already authorized for self-service refueling 
under Oregon law.

For more information, contact the Joint Information Center.

Oregon COVID-19 Joint Information Center (JIC) Staff, 503-373-7872, media.COVID-19@state.or.us
 

Education Activities Continue at Home and School Campus Remains Closed 

North Marion School District Teachers have a Curirculum Workday tomorrow to begin planning for this month’s activities and receive training. The COVID-19 situation changes rapidly and key decisions will cointinue to be made in Salem.  We will communicate new information as it becomes available. In the meantime:

Teachers will be working from home, calling students weekly, and building principals will post information daily on School Facebook pages about teacher activities throughout the week.

Be ready for updates from ODE for 1) Guidance on learning activities we send home, technology surveys and, 2) How we will manage Seniors at this time.

Food service will continue as scheduled.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as all school employees are adapting as quickly as possible. 

Lastly, staff genuinely miss seeing students everyday and hope they can return to school soon.

PORTLAND, Ore.— Oregon Health Authority reported 69 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 548, as of 8 a.m. today. No new deaths were reported. The number of COVID-19 deaths in Oregon remains at 13, as of 8 a.m. today.

 The new COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (3), Deschutes (3), Hood River (1), Jackson (11), Josephine (1), Klamath (2), Lane (1), Linn (4), Marion (15), Multnomah (10), Polk (2), Tillamook (1), Wasco (1), Washington (14). Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

 Update: The 93-year-old man whose death was reported yesterday had an underlying condition. The data posted once a day on Oregon Health Authority’s website and shared once a day with the media are provisional and may be updated as more information becomes available after the daily reporting.

There is an unprecedented demand on first responders, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Clackamas Fire District #1 is facing a potential shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). First responders use PPE to protect themselves when treating patients and these critical supplies are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Clackamas Fire is urging local and regional businesses who are no longer operating, those in the construction field who have dust masks and respirators, dental veterinary, manufacturing, fisheries, logging, etc. to donate their unused PPE.

Beginning on Monday, March 30, 2020, Clackamas Fire is asking the community to donate all unused PPE.

Items that can be accepted:

• Face masks (N95, surgical, dust)
• Exam gloves, all sizes
• Disposable gowns
• Medical booties to cover shoes
• Hand sanitizer

Donated PPE must be:

• Unused and unopened
• Original packaging is preferred but not required
• If you know neighbors who wish to donate, try to consolidate donations for fewer trips to the site.
• Do not take donations to medical sites and hospitals; they are too busy to receive donations and they want to keep contamination risks down.

Financial contribution:

You can make a tax deductible donation to the Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation by visiting their website and click “Donate Now” to be linked to PayPal: https://cesf.us/. Funds will be used to support COVID-19 needs.

PPE Donation Site:

Clackamas Fire District #1 – Fire Marshal’s Office

2930 SE Oak Grove Blvd., Milwaukie, OR 97267

Drop off days and times: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Additional Information:

• Tax receipts are available upon request, please contact: cesfoundation1@gmail.com.
• If you require PPE for your own personal healthcare, please save those supplies for your use.

Need more information or have questions, please reach out to Public Information Officer Brandon Paxton at cfdpio@clackamasfire.com or 503.742.2600.

Please help us spread the word and any donation, no matter how big or small is useful.

###

PRESS RELEASE

PR-016

New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Cowlitz County

March 28, 2020 at 1730 hrs.

Cowlitz County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) has reported (4) four additional confirmed positive test results for novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in Cowlitz County. These cases bring the total number of cases in Cowlitz County to (14) fourteen.

The latest confirmed cases of Cowlitz County residents are:

CCHHS is working as quickly as possible to identify close contacts of the confirmed cases. Close contacts, which could include family members and coworkers, will be instructed to stay home for 14 days after their last contact with the confirmed cases. CCHHS will continue to provide local updates on the Cowlitz County novel coronavirus webpage at www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/COVID-19 . Additional information for people who are risk for serious illness from COVID-19 is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and The Washington State Department of Health website.

Minor discrepancies in negative result numbers may occur due to missing address information for patients. In those cases, the negative test results may not be assigned an accountable county. 

###

Follow us at:

Twitter - @CowlitzDEM

Instagram - cowlitzcountydem

Facebook - Cowlitz Covid-19 Incident Management Team

Previous Press Releases: http://www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/196/Emergency-Management

During the late-night hours of Thursday March 26th and the early morning of Friday March 27th, 2020 multiple Junction City residents were victimized by having items stolen from their unlocked vehicles parked at or near their homes.  Junction City Police have identified a suspect this is case as 24-year old Steven Mitchell Mercier.   Mercier is described as a white male, 5’08” tall, with weight fluctuating from about 175-200 pounds, partly balding with close-shaven head (his natural hair color is brownish to blondish in color), and has hazel-colored eyes.

Among the items stolen was Oregon license plate number D64665.  This is a yellow-colored permanent-issue disabled vehicle plate with dark blue lettering.

Anyone with information on Mercier’s whereabouts and/or information on any crimes he may have committed is urged to immediately contact the Junction City Police Department at 541-998-1245.  Citizens are advised to use caution and should not approach or attempt to apprehend Mercier.

# # #

Update: Saturday March 28, 2020.

The Oregon State Police Troopers invovled in Thursday night's officer involved shooting on I-5 in Salem have been identified as: Trooper Sherron DeBerry, Trooper Michael Iacob, Trooper Caleb Yoder and Recruit Trooper Joshua Buckles. The Troopers remain on administrative leave which is standard practice for OSP following officer involved shootings.

All further information releases will be from the Marion County District Attorney's Office.

###

Just before midnight on March 26, 2020 the Oregon State Police (OSP) received a driving complaint on I-5 near Salem. Troopers located the involved vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. Additional Troopers also responded. During the stop an altercation ensued and shots were fired by the troopers. The driver and lone occupant, William Patrick Floyd age 51 of Oregon City, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The involved troopers were not injured during the incident.  

The Salem Police Department was requested to conduct the investigation of the incident. This request is routine and adheres to the direction set forth in the Marion County Law Enforcement Intentional Use of Deadly Physical Force Response Plan, The plan states, “In the event of an intentional use of deadly physical force, it is recommended that members of an organization outside the involved officer’s agency conduct the investigation under the direction of the District Attorney. Members of the involved officer’s agency may assign personnel to assist in the investigation as directed by the lead investigative agency.”

Per OSP standing practice the involved Troopers have been put on administrative leave and will be identified in an update later this weekend.

This is an ongoing investigation and once completed will be forwarded to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office for review. Any further information, other than the Trooper identification, will be released by their office.

# # #

Vancouver, Wash. – Public restrooms remain open at six parks throughout the city in an effort to provide facilities for people who are unhoused in Vancouver. Restrooms are located at:

• Burnt Bridge Creek Trail at Divine Road (1617 N. Devine Road)
• Esther Short Community Park (W. 8th Street & Columbia Street)
• Leroy Haagen Memorial Park (N.E. 9th Street, W of N.E. 136th Avenue)
• Marine Community Park Boat Launch (S.E. Marine Park Way & Columbia Way)
• Marshall Community Park (1015 E. McLoughlin Boulevard)
• Vancouver Waterfront Park (695 Waterfront Way) 

Restroom facilities are open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with the exception of Portland Loos at Vancouver Waterfront Park, which are open 24 hours. The restrooms are cleaned daily using Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectant with a claim for human coronaviruses.

“The City is making every effort to maintain these facilities for use throughout the COVID-19 outbreak. The health and safety of our community is our top priority and we will continue to monitor the viability and safety of keeping these facilities open in accordance with public health agency guidelines and state and city emergency orders,” said Julie Hannon, Parks and Recreation Director. “I am grateful to everyone involved in developing a solution that allows us to keep these facilities open during this critical time.”

For information and updates on the City of Vancouver’s response to COVID-19, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/coronavirus.   

###

Oregon reports 13 COVID-19 death, 65 new COVID-19 cases

PORTLAND, Ore.— COVID-19 has claimed one more life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll from 12 to 13, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 8:00 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority also reported 65 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 479, as of 8:00 a.m. today. The COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (3), Clackamas (5), Clatsop (1), Deschutes (2), Jackson (2), Josephine (1), Linn (4), Marion (11), Multnomah (14), Polk (1), Umatilla (1), Washington (18), Yamhill (2).

Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Oregon’s 13th COVID-19 death is a 93-year-old male in Yamhill County, who tested positive on 3/18/20, and died 03/27/2020 at Providence Newberg Medical Center. He had no known underlying medical conditions.

March 28, 2020

District Attorney’s Office ready to respond to child abuse investigations

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill released a set of social media graphics to remind the public that the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline is open 24/7 during the COVID-19 pandemic and that the criminal justice system and its community based partners stand ready to respond to child abuse or neglect investigations.

“We are very concerned that cases of child abuse and child neglect are going unreported right now because children have been separated from their teachers, coaches and other mandatory reporters as we all work to slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill. “Now more than ever, we are all on the frontline of doing everything we can to protect children and that includes calling the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline whenever we suspect a child is being harmed.”

In Oregon, more than 20 professions are bound by the state’s mandatory reporting law.

Oregon law defines physical abuse as any injury to a child that is not accidental and neglect as failing to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, supervision or medical care.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team includes representatives from local law enforcement, public schools, hospitals, courts, health departments, the Oregon Department of Human Services, and the Oregon Department of Employment Child Care Division.

Our local Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team encourages our community members to trust their instinct when it comes to reporting suspected child abuse or neglect. However, all observed instances of child abuse or neglect should be reported to law enforcement immediately by calling 9-1-1.

“We all have an obligation to do everything we can to protect children and teens,” said District Attorney Underhill. “Our children must be able to live in a safe environment. Community members should report any reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect, and remember that they do not have to prove the abuse or neglect – that there are highly-trained experts to do that job, but those experts need to know where to look.”

Although children, teens and parents may not be physically interacting as much with each other due to social distancing requirements, there are still ways for everyone to help:

• Continue to routinely check in with your kids and their friends to see how everyone is doing.

• Continue to check in with kids in your neighborhood and remind them about your willingness to help, especially if you’ve had prior concerns about abuse or neglect.

• Remind your kids to immediately report any friend-to-friend disclosures about abuse or neglect and then report that information to Oregon DHS or law enforcement.

• Continue to responsibly and appropriately supervise your child’s social media use.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Multidisciplinary Child Abuse Team is responsible for reviewing and managing child abuse and neglect cases in Multnomah County. The team also handles all child homicides, felony child physical abuse cases, felony child abandonment cases, custodial interference cases, and felony sex crimes where the victim is currently under the age of 18 and where the perpetrator is determined not to be a stranger to the child.

CARES Northwest, Multnomah County’s child abuse assessment center, is a community-based medical program for the assessment, treatment and prevention of child abuse. The organization is one of the largest child abuse assessment centers in the nation and serves more than 5,000 children annually.

Download & share our social media graphics:

• https://www.mcda.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-Child-Abuse-Hotline-Still-Open.jpg
• https://www.mcda.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-Your-Concerns-Are-Real.jpg
• https://www.mcda.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-YOU-ARE-NOW-ON-THE-FRONTLINE-OF-ENDING-CHILD-ABUSE.jpg
• https://www.mcda.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-WE-WONT-KNOW-UNLESS-YOU-CALL.jpg
• https://www.mcda.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-Keep-Children-Safe-During-COVID-19.jpg
• https://www.mcda.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-Its-OKAY-To-Tell-Someone.jpg
• https://www.mcda.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID-19-Child-Abuse-Hotline-Still-Open.jpg

COVID-19 Notice:

The health and well-being of all employees and community members we serve is a top priority for the Multnomah County District Attorney. Our office is working with the court, defense bar, local law enforcement and other system partners to carefully balance the needs of public health and public safety.

For information about the operational changes implemented by the District Attorney’s Office in response to the novel coronavirus, please click here.

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director 
Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office
Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

We hope this finds you and your hard-working news team healthy and holding up. Your jobs are not easy.

We are sharing a video that your viewers and online audiences may find to be reassuring. We know they have a lot of anxieties right now. Access to their funds need not be one of them. The video is about the special programs credit unions have in place to help Idahoans, and about the safety and soundness of Oregon credit unions.  https://youtu.be/6my6ATldrP4

You may air it and post it in its entirety or pull soundbites from it. If you would like to interview Rick Metsger please contact me.

While millions of Americans adjust to the new realities brought about by the unprecedented public health situation that is the coronavirus pandemic, some are reaching out to the residents of the Oregon Veterans’ Home in Lebanon to assure them they are appreciated, cared for and remembered.

Staff at the Home and Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs call it “Operation Well Wish,” and the well wishes have flooded in from all over. Many have sent letters, postcards, pictures and artwork, which are cleared by the Home’s infection prevention team before being shared with residents.

Others have sent in videos, and thanks to an article this week by the military-focused media outlet We Are The Mighty, they have come in from Virginia, Ohio, Texas, North Carolina, Hawaii and even as far as Italy. These videos are being played for residents on the Home’s closed-circuit TV channel.

Some have included their children or pets. Others have shown video footage from their favorite places in nature at their hometowns. Some have sung their favorite songs.

(Some of these videos have been cleared for public release, and are available for media to use and disseminate at the following link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1J8av68xi073H5hQsm6gaabrOrCI8AMIm)

“With the lock-down protocols that are currently in place to keep our community safe, it has been a tremendous change in the residents’ way of life,” said ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick. “These men and women at our Lebanon Veterans’ Home have borne the battles to keep this nation safe and free. It’s wonderful for so many of the people that they have protected to be remembering them in this challenging time.”

One resident of the Home, Vern, a U.S. Army Korean War veteran, said he turns on the closed circuit TV channel first thing every morning.

“It is encouraging,” he said. “While this virus is going on, I think this is a very good idea!”

Lebanon Veterans’ Home Program Director Jeremy Woodall said the well wishes have been a huge boost to both residents, who have been isolated in their rooms for over two weeks as part of the facility’s infectious disease prevention protocols, and staff, who have been working tirelessly to provide excellent care.

“Seeing the smiles and songs and well wishes come in from literally around the world has lifted their spirits,” he said. “Young children, men and women, veterans and civilians… everyone has a chance share love and hope to others in this time.”

If you would like to be part of Operation Well Wish, please send your cards, letters or other materials in an unlicked envelope to ATTN: Operation Well Wish, Oregon Veterans’ Home, 600 N. 5th St., Lebanon, OR 97355. Videos may be sent to mation@odva.state.or.us">ODVAInformation@odva.state.or.us.

We hope this finds you and your hard-working news team healthy and holding up. Your jobs are not easy.

We are sharing a video that your viewers and online audiences may find to be reassuring. We know they have a lot of anxieties right now. Access to their funds need not be one of them. The video is about the special programs credit unions have in place to help Idahoans, and about the safety and soundness of credit unions.  https://youtu.be/49eYeXlLrCE

You may air it and post it in its entirety or pull soundbites from it. If you would like to interview Rick Metsger please contact me. 

Stay well-

In response to the impacts of COVID-19 on Oregon, the Office of State Fire Marshal is suspending regulations over self-service stations and implementing measures to ensure the health and safety of gas retailers.

“During this unprecedented time of state emergency, we need to ensure that critical supply lines for fuels and other basic services remain uninterrupted,” said State Fire Marshal Jim Walker.

A. Effective immediately today, until April 11 (two weeks from effective date), retail facilities of Class 1 flammable liquid transportation fuels prohibited from offering self-service refueling shall:

1. Prepare, implement and enforce social distancing policies consistent with guidance from the Oregon Health Authority,
2. Require an attendant to be on duty to supervise self-service refueling consistent with the social distancing policies and help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 through sanitization measures, and
3. Designate an employee at each station to implement and enforce the social distancing policies.

B. For retail facilities of Class 1 flammable liquid transportation fuels compliant with paragraph A, the State Fire Marshal’s office shall not enforce the self-service prohibition under ORS 480.310 through ORS 480.385.

C. Notwithstanding (A2), a station owner may only offer self-service without an attendant if:

1. The owner retains documentation that there are no employees available to work as an attendant, including documentation for absences and employee hiring and retention efforts;
2. The owner is subject to State Fire Marshal audit and has posted safety signs for how to safely operate a fuel pump; and
3. The hours of operation under this subsection do not exceed 10 consecutive hours.

Station owners who need help finding employees to cover shifts should contact Miriam Nolte (Miriam.l.nolte@oregon.gov; 503-612-4252) for help finding workers.

For more information, please see our online FAQs.

GRESHAM, Ore. – The City of Gresham is launching the second phase of an emergency assistance program on March 31 to offer temporary relief to businesses impacted by the statewide stay at home order. This expanded program includes all qualifying businesses that are significantly impacted or closed by COVID-19.

“We are doing everything we can possibly do at the local level to address this global crisis,” said Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis. “We will get to the other side of this crisis, but if we want our vibrancy and community vitality to get there with us, these small business grants are critically important.”

The Gresham Small Business Emergency Grant Phase II program will open for online applications on March 31 at 10 a.m. on https://greshamoregon.gov/Small-Business-Grants/. The program provides one-time grants of $1,000 per employee up to a maximum of $10,000 per business to qualifying Gresham business owners. A total of $400,000 is available through this program. Business owners receiving grant approval should expect payment approximately 7-10 days after application submittal.

Grant applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Businesses that have been ordered closed in accordance with Governor Brown’s “Stay Home, Save Lives” Executive Order No. 20-12.
• Significant impact of COVID-19 on business finances.
• How the grant funds will be utilized.
• Number of years operating within Gresham.
• Women, minority or veteran-owned businesses within Gresham.

In order for businesses to qualify for the grant, they must also meet the following criteria:

• With the exception of approved independent contractors, at least 30% of the grant must go towards payment of lease rent. Grants can also be used for other capital operating expenses such as lease payments, utilities, payroll and essential supplies.
• The grant must preserve at least one job.
• Businesses must be in compliance with the Governor’s Executive Orders.
• A current City of Gresham business license is required.
• A physical “brick and mortar” presence in Gresham is required; independent contractors operating within a physical Gresham location may also be eligible. Licensed food cart owners may also qualify.
• Business owners of multiple Gresham businesses are limited to one grant. Business owners that have been or will be approved for funding during the previous round of the Small Business Emergency Grant program are not eligible.
• Corporate or franchise businesses with more than three existing locations do not qualify unless that business is primarily owned by a Gresham resident(s).
• Businesses with current or pending OLCC infractions do not qualify.
• Businesses that exclude minors do not qualify, unless the exclusion is only limited to a portion of the day.
• Businesses with outstanding City related liens or fees are not eligible to receive a grant.

The first phase of the City’s emergency assistance program focused on local restaurants and other establishments that provide food to the public due to the state order prohibiting seated dining. That grant program closed as of March 25. More than 80 applications were received; the City is reviewing and processing eligible applications as quickly as possible with several grant payments leaving City Hall already.

The City’s Emergency Operations Center remains activated. While City Hall is closed to the public the City continues to conduct core business and ensure that essential services are operational for the safety of the public. Regular updates to the community will be available on https://greshamoregon.gov/covid19/ as well as the City’s social media channels.

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April 3, 2020
 
The next Housing Stability Council meeting will be on Friday, April 3, 2020. The meeting will be a CALL-IN ONLY meeting.
Call-In: 1-631-992-3444; Participant Code: 912898045

AGENDA:

9:00 Meeting Called to Order - Roll Call 

9:05 Public Comment 

9:15 Report of the Director: COVID-19 Updates

10:00  
Homeownership Division (pg. 01)
Emese Perfecto, Director, Homeownership Division
Oregon Bond Loan Approvals - Kim Freeman, Single Family Program Manager
Restore Health & Safety Framework - Kim Freeman, Single Family Program Manager, Abenet Gebre, Program Analyst
Manufactured Housing Advisory Committee Report - Chelsea Catto, Program Analyst
HOAP DPA RFA Awards - Alycia Howell, HOAP Coordinator
10:45 
Affordable Rental Housing Division updates  (pg. 19)
Julie Cody, Director, Affordable Housing Finance
Multifamily Housing Transactions: Sunrise Vista - Joanne Sheehy, Production Analyst, Casey Baumann, Production Manager
Rent Assistance for Permanent Supportive Housing - Natasha Detweiler-Daby, Senior Policy Analyst
11:30 
Housing Stabilization Division (pg. 43)
Andrea Bell, Director, Housing Stabilization
US Department of Energy State Plan - Steve Divan, Weatherization Program Manager & Tim Zimmer, Energy Services Section Manager
12:00 Report of the Chair

12:30 Meeting Adjourned

The meeting materials packet at https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/OSHC/Documents/APRIL-2020-HSC-Packet.pdf

Oregon City’s Commissioners have declared a local state of emergency on March 27, 2020 which takes effect immediately.

Taking this action allows City staff greater flexibility to address the hazards posed by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This is not a “public health emergency” declaration, this is to facilitate more expedient coordination with other public agencies and quicker deployment of resources needed to safeguard the Oregon City community.

The state of emergency declaration provides staff with latitude to coordinate an effective response by redirecting funding for emergency use as needed, implementing mutual aid agreements with other public agencies and suspending standard procurement procedures.

Additionally, the designation aides the City’s efforts when requesting assistance and/or reimbursement for expenditures related to COVID-19 response.

The declaration, set to expire on May 7, 2020, may be renewed if necessary. The City will utilize communication channels to notify the community of any additional changes in programs and activities as they occur.

Stay informed and educated by seeking information from trusted sources, including the CDC, the Oregon Health Authority and Clackamas County Public Health.

General questions about COVID-19 may be answered by calling 2-1-1. Questions about specific medical needs should be directed to health care providers. 

For more on the City's response to COVID-19, click here.

Milwaukie, OR (March 27, 2020)—On March 23, NCSD’s school board held a special meeting to discuss the viability of maintaining the search given the logistical and practical implications resulting from Coronavirus-related travel and group meeting prohibitions. As part of its deliberation, the school board consulted with NCSD’s contracted search firm, Ray & Associates, along with legal counsel. During this meeting, current Superintendent, Matt Utterback, expressed a willingness to remain on the job through the 2020-21 school year in an effort to provide consistent leadership during this unprecedented time. 

“The School Board is grappling with a host of complicated and critical issues resulting from the Coronavirus, and we greatly appreciate all that Superintendent Utterback has done to date, along with his willingness to remaining on the job should we postpone the search,” said School Board Chair, Steven Schroedl.

At the April 9 school board meeting (which will be live via Zoom), the board will consider suspending the superintendent search and rescinding Superintendent Utterback’s retirement. Public written comments, germane to the topic, can be submitted via email to Sandra Henderson at “sons@nclack.k12.or.us">hendersons@nclack.k12.or.us” prior to 4:00 PM on April 9 and will be read into the record at the board meeting. Comments should be limited to three minutes.  

Joint news release // Oregon Parks and Recreation Department // Oregon Department of Transportation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release date: March 27, 2020

Recreation areas closed for travelers and locals alike

Salem, Ore – Many of the state’s top federal, state, and local recreation areas are closed to all use following Governor Kate Brown’s Executive Order on Monday, March 23 that prohibits all non-essential travel. Oregon has reached a critical moment in the COVID-19 health emergency when limiting contact between people will save lives and flatten the infection curve.

All state parks, parts of national forests, and some city recreation areas shuttered their doors over the past week to reduce crowds and discourage travel. The closures also affect local use, and land management authorities acknowledge this will be frustrating. With parks and other public lands closed, safety-related services like restrooms are closed and trash collection is suspended, increasing the risk of injury when a person visits in violation of the closure. Local health care professionals are focused on using resources to prepare for COVID-19 care and cannot afford to spend limited time and resources on people injured during recreational activities. All use, whether originating locally or not, is prohibited in a closed park.

The closures do not yet affect the ocean beaches, though all state and many federal and local access points are closed. If problems arise with people traveling unnecessarily or congregating there, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will reconsider that decision.

Some travel is necessary, and state highway rest areas are open for travel-related needs. Some parks also serve as rest areas, and while nearly all are available for rest area-type functions, they are closed to recreation. Some rest areas may have reduced service or may be difficult to access. Parks that attract too many people seeking recreation rather than rest area services will be closed to all service. A map of state highway rest areas is available at TripCheck.com.

People are encouraged to exercise as close to home as possible, including backyards and neighborhoods where social distancing is easier to maintain.

Stay home, save lives.

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The Parkrose Board of Education of School District No. 3, Multnomah County, Oregon, will convene in a Virtual Board Special Session Meeting on Monday, March 30, 2020 online virtually with Zoom at the hour of 5:00 pm. The Board will receive updates on COVID-19, the Student Success Investment Account and District Budget. The agenda is posted on the Parkrose School District Website at https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicMeetingMaterials.aspx?ak=1000205&mk=50372210.

Virtual Meeting link: https://zoom.us/j/2176421179   Meeting ID: 217 642 1179 

Please note: we will not be taking live public comments during this meeting. If you wish to make a comment before the Board this electronic public comment form link: https://forms.gle/aswrtT2tzBr5HiLR7 will be accepting responses during the meeting. 

For those of you who cannot participate virtually we will post a recording of the meeting on our website within 24 hours, that video can be found at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXajhxrPxMclOQ6J00JUszQ.

Questions welcomed, please email: questions@parkrose.k12.or.us

CORRECTION: The broken link to the Emergency Order in this release has been corrected below. We regret the error.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the City of Vancouver today released Emergency Order 2020-06 related to public access to its police and fire department buildings.

The order continues to suspend Vancouver Fire Station tours and public access, and closes all Vancouver Police Department buildings. The order allows public access to non-emergency law enforcement services by appointment only. Appointments can be made between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, by calling 360-487-7500.

This order will remain in effect until April 30, 2020, unless extended, changed or canceled by Vancouver City Council or the city manager.

All emergency orders issued by the City of Vancouver in response to COVID-19 can be found at www.cityofvancouver.us/coronavirus.

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To support our community and healthcare workers, Battle Ground Public Schools has donated 9,000 pairs of gloves and hundreds of masks, along with eye protection and gowns, to Legacy Health. The district collected the personal protective medical equipment from multiple schools and delivered it to a Legacy Health distribution warehouse.

The district made the donation to help workers who are serving on the frontlines of the coronavirus. Many health systems are running low on supplies of protective equipment. The district donated a portion of its supplies, reserving what it needs to serve students once school resumes.

"We respect and admire our healthcare workers and want to show our appreciation by providing what we can to the community to help during this crisis," said Catherine Shannon, a registered nurse and Battle Ground Public School's Health Services & Nursing Supervisor.

March 27, 2020 - Salem, Ore. – Robert (Bob) McCauley of Mt. Vernon is the Oregon Lottery’s newest Megabucks jackpot winner. McCauley matched all six of his numbers – on a free Megabucks ticket he’d won from a previous drawing – and won the $6.3 million jackpot for the Monday, Mar. 23 Megabucks drawing.

“I decided to go to the Post Office,” said McCauley. “It’s only a couple of blocks away.” Luckily for him, as he passed the Blue Mountain Mini Mart on his way to the Post Office, he thought he’d check his Megabucks ticket from the last drawing and get a new ticket for the next drawing.

Practicing good social distancing, McCauley went to the Mini Mart’s drive-up window to make his Lottery purchase. Working at the store was Mini Mart Manager Jolene Moulton. “I checked Bob’s ticket and actually gave him the voucher slip that came with his free ticket,” said Jolene. “As he was walking away, I saw the free play ticket sitting on the counter and realized Bob had the wrong ticket. I called him back to the window gave him the free ticket.”

The next day, McCauley had a knock on his door at home. “It was Bill, from the city,” said McCauley. “I answered the door and Bill says, ‘Bob. You need to check your ticket because Jolene thinks you may have won the lottery.’” Knowing the winning jackpot ticket had been sold in Mt. Vernon, population 512, and knowing she’d sold only three Megabucks tickets at the Mini Mart for Monday’s Megabucks drawing, Jolene dispatched Bill to McCauley’s house.

McCauley asked his daughter, Pam, to check the winning numbers online. They soon learned that Jolene’s hunch was true “Pam was screaming and jumping up and down,” said McCauley. “I was cool as a cucumber.”

After calling the Lottery to make an appointment, Bob arrived in Salem Thursday, Mar. 26 with a small group of family and friends to claim his prize. Asked what he was going to buy first, he said his wife wanted a new refrigerator. And after the fridge, Bob will get a new truck.

McCauley chose to take the bulk-sum option, which splits the prize in half, and after taxes, he took home $2.14 million.

At this time, to protect the health and safety of our employees and the public, we have temporarily closed the Salem and Wilsonville Lottery offices and continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely. We know our players are interested in knowing how their lottery play might be affected.

For now, prizes up to $50,000 should be claimed by mail. For prizes greater than $50,000, players need to make an appointment, just as McCauley did, to come to the Oregon Lottery office in Salem. Call 503-540-1000 for assistance.

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

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

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On March 27, 2020, at 10:15 a.m., the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF) mailroom received an envelope with an unknown substance. The mailroom area was secured and the administration building evacuated. Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue Hazardous Materials Team, the Oregon State Police, and the Federal Bereau of Investigations were on site to evaluate the powder for any hazardous substances. Seven employees were working in the mailroom, and one has been transported to a local hospital for evaluation.

Every day, thousands of pieces of mail are received at the Department of Corrections’ (DOC) 14 institutions, and each piece is opened and examined. DOC mailroom employees are a critical component of operating safe and secure institutions because they help keep drugs and other contraband out of the state’s prisons. 

This is the third evacuation of the CCCF administration building in recent months. This incident presents an additional challenge to first responders and staff who are working hard to protect CCCF’s employees and incarcerated population from Oregon’s COVID-19 outbreak. 

CCCF is a multi-custody prison located in Wilsonville accommodating approximately 1,200 adults in custody. The prison has cell and dormitory housing, work programs, skills training, treatment programs, health services, religious services, physical plant, a central records unit, and administrative areas. CCCF participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises, including a contact center, auto CAD, and document scanning. In addition, CCCF houses the state’s intake center, which provides intake and evaluation of all individuals committed to state custody by the courts. The intake center houses approximately 400 adults in custody. CCCF’s minimum facility opened in 2001, and the medium facility opened in 2002.

Attached is a media release from Yamhill County Health & Human Services reagrding a COVID-19 Death. 

The Oregon Bankers Association and Community Banks of Oregon applaud the U.S. Congress’s passage of the CARES Act, an important federal stimulus bill. Oregon’s banks are very aware of the economic challenges resulting from the coronavirus pandemic and are deploying assistance to their impacted customers and communities in a variety of ways. The stimulus bill contains several important provisions to enhance how banks of all sizes can help Oregonians and Oregon businesses through this crisis.

Among the provisions of the CARES Act are substantial enhancements to the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs made directly through banks. These loans – under the umbrella of SBA 7a loans – will be available from banks and other lenders just as soon as the SBA releases the program parameters. This will inject $350 billion into small businesses – including nonprofits and independent contractors – in a more rapid and responsive way than we’ve ever seen. We are particularly optimistic about the impact of a new Payroll Protection Program that will provide small businesses with immediate, low-cost assistance for payroll and operating costs.

While we have to wait for the programs to become operational, we expect that to be soon and are encouraging the SBA and Treasury to act swiftly. In the meantime, Oregon businesses can prepare by assembling their financial information so they are ready to go when they approach a participating bank.

About the Oregon Bankers Association
Established in 1905, the Oregon Bankers Association is Oregon's only full-service trade association representing FDIC-insured state and national banks and trust companies doing business in Oregon. More information is available at www.oregonbankers.com.

March 27, 2020

Oregon reports 1 COVID-19 death, 98 new COVID-19 cases

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed one more life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 12, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 8 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority also reported 98 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 414, as of 8 a.m. today. The COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Clackamas (10), Columbia (1), Deschutes (3), Douglas (1), Jackson (2), Klamath (1), Lane (2), Linn (2), Marion (26), Morrow (1), Multnomah (22), Polk (4), Umatilla (1), Wasco (1), Washington (18), Yamhill (4). Oregon Health Authority reports new cases once a day on its website: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus.

Oregon’s 12th COVID-19 death is an 82-year-old woman in Marion County. She tested positive on March 20, and died March 25 at Salem Hospital. She had underlying medical conditions.

Video link: Dawn Mautner, senior health advisor at Oregon Health Authority, explains the increase in case numbers during an internal agency briefing today.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

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

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

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

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PRESS RELEASE

PR-014

New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Cowlitz County

March 27, 2020 at 1130 hrs.

Cowlitz County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) has reported (3) three additional confirmed positive test results for novel coronavirus, COVID-19, in Cowlitz County. These cases bring the total number of cases in Cowlitz County to (10) ten.

The latest confirmed cases of Cowlitz County residents are:

CCHHS is working as quickly as possible to identify close contacts of the confirmed cases. Close contacts, which could include family members and coworkers, will be instructed to stay home for 14 days after their last contact with the confirmed cases. CCHHS will continue to provide local updates on the Cowlitz County novel coronavirus webpage at www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/COVID-19 . Additional information for people who are risk for serious illness from COVID-19 is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and The Washington State Department of Health website.

Minor discrepancies in negative result numbers may occur due to missing address information for patients. In those cases, the negative test results may not be assigned an accountable county. 

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Nuevos casos confirmados de COVID-19 en el condado de Cowlitz

27 de Marzo de 2020 a las 1000 hrs. 

El Servicio de Salud y Servicios Humanos del Condado de Cowlitz (CCHHS) ha informado tres (3) resultados positivos confirmados adicionales para el nuevo coronavirus, COVID-19, en el Condado de Cowlitz. Estos casos elevan el número total de casos en el condado de Cowlitz a diez (10).

Los últimos casos confirmados de residentes del Condado de Cowlitz son:

CCHHS está trabajando lo más rápido posible para identificar contactos cercanos de los casos confirmados. Los contactos cercanos, que podrían incluir a familiares y compañeros de trabajo, recibirán instrucciones de quedarse en casa durante 14 días después de su último contacto con los casos confirmados. CCHHS continuaré brindando actualizaciones locales en la nueva página web de coronavirus del Condado de Cowlitz en www.co.cowlitz.wa.us/COVID-19 . La información adicional para personas con riesgo de enfermedad grave de COVID-19 está disponible en el sitio web de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades y en el sitio web del Departamento de Salud del Estado de Washington.

 Pueden ocurrir discrepancias menores en los números de resultados negativos debido a la falta de información de la dirección de los pacientes. En esos casos, los resultados negativos de las pruebas pueden no tener asignado un condado responsable. 

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Síganos en:      

Five fire engines, two water tenders and two battalion chiefs from Vancouver Fire Department, Clark County Fire and Rescue, Clark County Fire Districts 3 and 6 were dispatched just before 7AM to a residential shop fire at 6005 NE 139th Street. The first arriving engine found fire coming from the second story window and burning through the roof. A hoseline was deployed and water applied to the fire through the window to knock down the majority of the flames. As additional crews arrived, hoselines were taken inside to extinguish the remaining fire, a task that was made more difficult by hidden void spaces that were challenging to access. No injuries were reported. An investigator from the Clark County Fire Marshall's office was on scene to investigate.

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PORTLAND, Ore. – March 27, 2020 – Umpqua Bank, a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: UMPQ), has announced a package of relief and support to help ease the financial burden of COVID-19's impact on customers, associates, and communities. 

“As the economic impact from the coronavirus continues to grow, we want all those we serve to know that Umpqua is here to help,” said Cort O’Haver, Umpqua Bank president & CEO. “In addition to taking action to provide immediate financial relief for customers, we’re expanding investments in our associates—particularly those on the frontlines of service—and our nonprofit partners working so hard to help our customers and communities get through this difficult time.”

Consumer Relief
For consumer customers experiencing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, Umpqua is deferring loan payments upon request and waiving all fees associated with deferred payments on existing loans and lines of credit for up to 90 days. The bank is also waiving ATM fees for all customers.

Small Business Relief
Umpqua small business customers impacted by COVID-19 can defer loan payments for up to 90 days and have the related deferral fees waived on deferred loans and lines of credit. The bank is also an active participant in numerous Small Business Administration programs, which offer additional avenues of assistance for small businesses.

Associate Support
For all associates, Umpqua has established a pandemic pay bank, providing additional paid time-off for COVID-19-related exposure or sickness, caring for an impacted loved one, as well as for childcare. The company has also implemented a Retail Frontline Pay program to recognize the dedication of associates who are continuing to deliver in-store customer service during this time.

Community Support
Umpqua has pledged $1 million in support through a combination of donations to nonprofits focused on alleviating the financial hardships of families and small businesses impacted by COVID-19 and capital investments in organizations that provide micro loans and capital to small businesses. In addition, Umpqua is providing a 3:1 match of all associate donations to community partners and activating its innovative Virtual Volunteer program, which allows the company’s associates to continue serving nonprofit organizations and practice safe social distancing.

According to O’Haver, “This combination of support provides immediate relief. But we recognize that the impacts of this crisis will be with us for some time, and we’ll continue to monitor the financial impact on the ground in the coming weeks and months. Above all, we want our associates, customers, and communities to know that we are with them and for them as we all face this challenge together.”

More information is available at https://www.umpquabank.com.

About Umpqua Bank
Umpqua Bank, headquartered in Roseburg, Ore., is a subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation, and has locations across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California and Nevada. Umpqua Bank has been recognized for its innovative customer experience and banking strategy by national publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BusinessWeek, Fast Company and CNBC. The company has been recognized for eight years in a row on FORTUNE magazine's list of the country's "100 Best Companies to Work For," and was recently named by The Portland Business Journal the Most Admired Financial Services Company in Oregon for the fifteenth consecutive year. In addition to its retail banking presence, Umpqua Bank also owns Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc., a nationally recognized commercial finance company that provides equipment leases to businesses. A subsidiary of Umpqua Holdings Corporation, Umpqua Investments, Inc., provides retail brokerage and investment advisory services in offices throughout Washington, Oregon, and California. 

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In response to current public health concerns, many access sites have already been closed or will be closed soon on the Deschutes and John Day Rivers. To ensure the safety of boaters, the Marine Board will be temporarily closing stretches of these waters to all boating beginning on Saturday, March 28, 2020. These restrictions are scheduled to be in place through April 30 and will protect boaters from entering a river system where the availability of access and take-out points is uncertain.

All boating activities on the Deschutes River will be restricted from the Pelton Dam (River Mile 97) to its confluence with the Columbia River near Biggs Junction. The temporary closure on the John Day River extends from the mouth of the North Fork John Day River (River Mile 184) in Kimberly, downstream to Tumwater Falls, approximately 10 miles from the Columbia River. In both rivers, both motorized and non-motorized boats will be restricted.

The Marine Board will continue to work with its partners to safeguard boaters during these challenging times. We are also committed to ensuring consistency between boating regulations and other local restrictions necessitated to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

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Salem, Ore. – In response to communication from the Oregon Cultural Trust, its Statewide Partners and arts and cultural organizations across the state, Governor Kate Brown directed the agency to explore opportunities to identify relief funding to address the devastating impact the COVID-19 health crisis is having on Oregon’s arts and cultural community.

Since the crisis began, nonprofit cultural organizations across the state have canceled thousands of performances, events and activities – including key fundraising events – and most have closed their doors to the public. As of March 24, 423 Oregon cultural organizations had already reported financial losses to-date of $8,611,881 with data still being collected from more than 1,000 organizations (Source: Americans for the Arts). Organizations in in the Portland area alone are estimating losses of $45.8 million by the end of May (Source: Regional Arts and Cultural Council).

The loss of projected earned income, lifeblood for most cultural organizations, has already resulted in significant layoffs and furloughs, with many more to come if relief doesn’t arrive soon. Many organizations are already facing bankruptcy and permanent closure.

In addition, cancellations of events and programming, as well as school closures, have adversely affected hundreds of artists and cultural workers whose livelihoods depend on income from teaching, performing and participating in cultural activities.

Following consultation with the Governor’s Office, Business Oregon and its Statewide Partners, including sister agency the Oregon Arts Commission, the Cultural Trust Board of Directors held an emergency meeting on Saturday, March 21, and unanimously voted to use up to $10 million of its $29 million permanent fund to create an emergency relief funding program.

Because the current Cultural Trust statute does not contain a provision for emergency relief funding, the program requires approval by the Oregon Legislature. A concept for consideration by the Legislature is being developed and will be presented during an anticipated special session within the next few weeks. The Cultural Trust will convene a committee of stakeholders to fully and quickly develop and implement an emergency funding program that is equitable and easy to use to expedite funding.

The Oregon Cultural Trust permanent fund was created by the Legislature to protect Oregon’s cultural organizations for future generations. That future is currently at dire risk.

The Cultural Trust Board of Directors respects and honors the commitment that thousands of Trust donors have made with their contributions to the permanent fund. It is the Board’s sincere hope that donors will respect that, at this unprecedented time in Oregon history, the funds will be used exactly as they were intended: To protect the future of Oregon culture.

­­­­_________________

About the Oregon Cultural Trust

Created in 2001 by the Oregon Legislature, the Oregon Cultural Trust is a testament to how much Oregonians value culture. No other state provides a 100 percent tax credit to inspire cultural giving. As uniquely Oregonian as public beaches and the bottle bill, the Oregon Cultural Trust was designed as an ongoing funding engine for arts and culture across the state. Oregonians fund the Cultural Trust. We, in turn, fund the artists, potters, poets, acrobats and dreamers who define our famous quality of life.

In 2019 Oregonians gave $4.5 million to the Cultural Trust. Sixty percent of that went straight back to the field. The remaining 40 percent helped grow our permanent fund. Our three grant programs fund our five Statewide Partners, 45 County and Tribal Coalitions and 1,450+ qualified cultural nonprofits through competitive Cultural Development Grants.

More information at culturaltrust.org.

Despite facility closures, millions of acres of BLM-managed public lands across Oregon remain open to enjoy, as long as you do so responsibly

Portland, Oregon – The health and safety of our visitors and staff remains the number one priority of the Bureau of Land Management. In accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the state of Oregon public health officials, the BLM will temporarily close many of its developed recreation facilities to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

This closure includes all campgrounds, and some day use sites, and restrooms. Trash pickup and sanitation services on most of these recreation facilities will also be temporarily suspended.

Despite the closure of these facilities, multiple opportunities remain for the public to enjoy the outdoors as long as visitors heed orders, guidance, and advice of local and state officials and the Centers for Disease Control. BLM-managed trails and open spaces remain open across Oregon.

“Local, state or federal, we’re all in this together. The BLM is doing what we can as part of the whole of America response to the coronavirus,” said Jose Linares, acting State Director BLM OR/WA. “Although we have vast open spaces we continue to want people to use, we can’t stress enough that everyone listen to local officials and practice safe social distancing.”

Visitors may continue to enjoy their BLM managed trails and open spaces in Oregon while following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Local and State public health authorities. Social distancing recommendations are extremely important to reducing the transmission of COVID-19 and may require that visitors avoid public lands during high-use times, such as weekends. Please limit any group activities to members of your household, and keep your total party to 10 or fewer participants. At all times, maintain a distance of six feet or more from other people.

The BLM encourages responsible, local recreation to avoid putting strain on other communities. To ensure public lands and waters remain intact for future generations, visitors are encouraged to utilize Leave No Trace practices, such as picking up all trash and human waste, while services at recreational facilities are suspended. Please bring your own sanitary products, including toilet paper and hand sanitizer, and pack out all trash.

Providing for recreation opportunities during this time is just one of the many activities BLM Oregon/Washington staff continues to perform each and every day remain because they are vitally important to the nation and our neighbors. Our work continues to support the nation’s energy and food security. We provide for sustainable timber harvests and provide protection from wildland fire. We are stewards of amazing landscapes and provide for enjoyment of all types of outdoor recreation.

If you’d like to do business with the BLM, please do so by email or phone whenever possible.  If you need to come into one of our offices, please contact us first so we can arrange an appointment to help you during normal business hours. Contact information is available on our website at www.blm.gov/oregon-washington.

Information on the affected BLM Oregon-Washington facilities will be posted on https://www.blm.gov/oregon-washington/covid-access-restrictions. Please check with individual field and district offices and visitor centers for specific details on operations in your area.

• Burns District: 541-573-4400
• Coos Bay District: 541-756-0100
• Lakeview District: 541-947-2177
• Medford District: 541-618-2200
• Northwest Oregon District: 503-375-5646
• Prineville District: 541-416-6700
• Roseburg District: 541-440-4930
• Vale District: 541-473-3144

These closures are pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): 43 CFR § 8364.1, 43 CFR § 9268.3(d)(1), and 43 CFR § 8365.1-4.

– BLM–

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

UPDATE 3/27/2020: All of the mask-making kits were distributed on Thursday, March 26 due to the incredible response by the community. Because of that, we have canceled the previously scheduled distribution times today in Salem and Dallas.

Salem Health is grateful for the public’s enthusiasm and support. At this time, we have no plans to ask for more help making masks. We will keep you updated should the situation change in the future.  

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Salem Health distributed kits Thursday, March 26 to make masks for our nurses and other care providers. This week, employees created and bagged hundreds of the mask-making kits – enough to produce nearly 10,000 masks. The kits include surgical paper fabric, instructions and a bag for the finished product.

Those interested in helping will need a sewing machine; white thread; scissors or a rotary cutter; and a yardstick, straight edge or cutting mat. (Volunteers should NOT use their own fabric – only the material provided.)

Guidelines

1. Continue social distancing. Please do not host mask-making parties with friends/neighbors or ask to pick up kits to take to someone else.
2. Return completed masks to a drop-off location with a few days.

Pick up mask kits

• Happened Thursday, March 26

Locations

• Salem — Town Park security booth (former Kmart parking lot at Mission St. SE and 25th St. SE)
• Dallas — West Valley Hospital parking lot (525 SE Washington St.)

Drop off completed masks (same locations)

Salem

• Monday, March 30, 9 to 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, April 1, 1 to 3 p.m.                
• Thursday, April 2, 10 a.m. to noon
• Friday, April 3, 9 to 11 a.m.

Dallas

• Thursday, April 2, 1 to 3 p.m.     
• Friday, April 3, 9 to 11 a.m.

Salem Health truly appreciates the public’s help during this crucial time. More details about the mask-making kits, including video instructions, are available at salemhealth.org/masks.

About Salem Health. Salem Health offers exceptional care to people in and around Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley. It comprises hospitals in Salem and Dallas, a medical group of primary and specialty care providers, plus other affiliated services. Visit us at www.salemhealth.org; “Like” us on www.facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at www.youtube.com/salemhealth. 

LAKE OSWEGO – With Oregonians now under Governor Brown’s executive order to stay home, the Lake Oswego Police Department is following the lead of the Forest Grove Police Department in piloting a prescription medication delivery program for Lake Oswego Residents.

Starting Monday, March 30, 2020, and continuing through the end of the emergency order, Lake Oswego Police Department employees will be providing a free prescription delivery service for Lake Oswego residents. Anyone who is 65-years-old or older, or who has any serious underlying medical condition that would put them at a higher risk of severe illness due to COVID-19, can call the Lake Oswego Police Department at (503) 635-0250 to arrange for prescription delivery from a local Lake Oswego pharmacy. This service will be available between 8:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, for the duration of the emergency order.

Participants will also need to contact their pharmacy themselves to order and pay for the prescription(s), and to let them know that a Lake Oswego Police employee will be picking them up. At this point, the only pharmacies that are participating in this program are the Rite-Aid pharmacies at 90 B Avenue and 16390 Boones Ferry Road, in Lake Oswego. The participant will need to present valid identification to the Police employee when the prescription is delivered.

During deliveries, the Police employees will wear personal protective equipment and will follow social distancing guidelines to avoid spreading the virus. The employees will always be in official attire and will carry identification.

This is a pilot project, so we will monitor this program daily to ensure that it is still helpful and appropriate. If, at any point, we decide that it is no longer needed or workable, we will end this service.

Any media inquiries can be directed to Sergeant Tom Hamann at 503-635-0238.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wilsonville — March 27, 2020 — As a bittersweet side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are spending more time in their yards and gardens. They are eager to still tend their gardens, put in vegetable starts, beautify their yards, try new things and enjoy healthy outdoor time.

But they also want to observe social distancing. 

To help them, the Oregon Association (OAN) has launched a web page that lists garden retailers in Oregon and Southwest Washington offering “Safer Shopping” services such as advance ordering, curbside pickup, home delivery, special hours and more. It can be found at www.PlantSomethingOregon.com/coronavirus.

“Our local independent garden centers have always been the gardener’s best friend, offering expert advice to help them succeed and have fun in the garden,” said Jim Simnitt of Simnitt Nursery, president of the Oregon Association of Nurseries. “Now these retailers are going the extra mile to help garden lovers take some degree of refuge in their gardening routine.”

The “Safer Shopping” list is part of the OAN’s Plant Something Oregon consumer site, which offers regionally relevant gardening tips from experts. As the site explains, gardening has many research-proven benefits for human health, which include:

• Houseplants reduce indoor air pollution
• Plants reduce stress in the workplace
• Plants provide healing powers
• Landscaping boosts property values 
• Plants save energy and maintenance costs

And, of course, starts and seeds from your local garden center can provide a food source right at home. 

A complete list of the benefits of gardening is provided on the Plant Something Oregon website atwww.PlantSomethingOregon.com/pmlb, including citations from research.

“We’re in a health crisis, and most people don’t realize plants provide these health and well-being benefits,” said Dr. Charlie Hall, an expert in horticulture and economics at Texas A&M University.

With the customized support of garden retailers, the home gardener can have a better experience. Nurturing loyal customers is critical for the survival of independent garden centers during the economic shock and daily disruptions of the coronavirus pandemic. 

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CONTACT:

Curt Kipp, Oregon Association of Nurseries, ckipp@oan.org

The Oregon Association of Nurseries, based in Wilsonville, represents more than 700 wholesale growers, retailers, landscapers and suppliers. Oregon’s ornamental horticulture industry is the state’s largest agricultural commodity, with annual sales of $996 million in 2018. It is also a traded sector, with about 75 percent of the nursery plants grown in Oregon being shipped out of state. For information, visit www.oan.org or call 503-682-5089.

On Thursday, March 26, 2020, shortly before midnight, Oregon State Police (OSP) Troopers from the Salem Area Command were involved in an officer-involved-shooting on Interstate 5 (I-5) near milepost 248, on the southbound side. The involved troopers were uninjured and the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Per Marion County Deadly Force Protocols, the Salem Police Department (SPD) is leading the investigation in cooperation with the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. The involved troopers have been placed on paid administrative leave as is standard practice for these events.  All future media releases on this incident will be from the Salem Police Department.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has closed that portion of I-5 at the request of investigators and established a detour. The highway is expected to remain closed until approximately 9:00AM, with a detour in place. Drivers are urged to use caution and expect delays when travelling south of Salem on I-5.