The Parkrose Board of Education of School District No. 3, Multnomah County, Oregon, will convene in an Executive and Regular Board Business Meeting on Monday, January 27, 2020 in the Boardroom at the Parkrose District Office located at 10636 NE Prescott St., Portland, Oregon at the hour of 6:30 pm. The Board will hear presentations from Prescott, the Middle School and the Associated Student Body. They will receive reports on equity, student success act, division 22 assurances, continuous improvement plan and local option update.  The Board will take action on consent agenda items, travel reimbursement rates, 19-20 supplemental budget and designate an agent of record for 20-21. They will report/discuss items of Board Business including: regional equity work, OSBA board of directors, color caucus, board professional development, mesd budget committee and select bargaining liaisons. Twice during each Regular Board Business meeting time is set aside to hear Citizen Comments, see policy attached to the agenda for further details. The agenda is posted on the Parkrose School District Website at https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicAgenda.aspx?ak=1000205&mk=50351048.   

Media Release – Embargoed until 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020

Hillsboro School District Graduation Rate Crests 86 Percent

On-time cohort graduation rate reaches 86.24 percent; completer rate hits 90.4 percent

January 23, 2020, Hillsboro, OR - Hillsboro School District is pleased to announce another graduation rate increase, continuing its year-over-year upward trajectory since 2015. More than 86 percent of seniors in the class of 2019 graduated on time and more than 90 percent completed on time:

Other completers includes students earning an Adult HS Diploma, Extended Diploma, or GED.

At Century High School, more than 90 percent of students graduated on time; and at Hilhi, graduation rates leapt nearly six points to 89.66 percent. Nearly all schools and the District overall have completer rates above 90 percent - meaning students who either graduated, received an Adult or Extended Diploma, or earned their GED. 

The achievement gap between White and Latino students also continues to narrow - last year closing from 6.48 percentage points (86.08% vs. 79.60%) to 5.55 percentage points (85.66% vs. 80.11%), and this year closing again to 4.82 percentage points (87.97% vs. 83.13%). 

“We are seeing these results because we’re chasing kids,” states Assistant Superintendent Dayle Spitzer. “We don’t let go the students who are behind, struggling, or thinking about dropping out. We bring them in and support them in finding ways to earn credits, catch up, and graduate. We will continue innovating relevant solutions for students until 100 percent of them successfully complete high school.”

Superintendent Mike Scott continues: “Our school staff deserve so much credit for these results, and not just our high school staff either. It takes staff at all levels, along with parents and community partners, to ensure students have the support, skills and knowledge they need to graduate.”

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For additional information and disaggregated data, please visit hsd.k12.or.us/graduationrates

Detectives from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit have continued investigating the circumstances that led up to the shooting death of Philip Cloud on September 23, 2019. As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives executed several search warrants and interviewed dozens of people.

On January 8, 2020, detectives secured an arrest warrant for Tracy Lynn Cloud, age 46. Ms. Cloud was the estranged wife of the victim in this shooting.

Earlier this afternoon, deputies took Ms. Cloud into custody.

Ms. Cloud has been lodged in the Washington County Jail on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force for their assistance with this investigation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTLAND, OR. (Jan. 20, 2020)

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metropolitan Area (BGCP) announced a big change in leadership this week. Erin Hubert will step down as Chief Executive Officer after close to eight years at the helm of the organization. Ms. Hubert will be moving on to pursue new opportunities, though her legacy at the Clubs will continue through programs and services she and her team created and nurtured during her tenure. Her most notable achievement while serving as CEO was the opening of a new Club in Rockwood, one of Portland’s most underserved communities.

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead this incredible organization and to work with a very talented team of board members and staff,” Ms. Hubert said. “The decision-making process to leave has been far from easy. However, with a new long-term plan in the works and the achievement of many of our goals from our previous strategic plan, this seemed like a good time for a leader with fresh eyes and new energy to ensure the positive momentum continues well into the future."

With the future in mind, the organization is working on a new long-term strategic plan that will continue to address the needs of underserved youth and families in the Portland area. As part of this planning process, BGCP will be prioritizing its Trauma Informed Club services that build resilience in all youth, particularly those facing continuing adverse childhood experiences, along with its KeyBank YouthForce teen program that prepares teens for college, tech/trade schools, or a living wage job.

“Erin and her team have done a tremendous job building a strong foundation,” said Adrienne Roark, Board Chair. “She was instrumental in the building of the $10 million state of the art facility in Rockwood and engaging youth in all of our Clubs with relevant and engaging programs. The organization has achieved financial stability, and our programs are stronger than ever.”

The search for a new CEO begins immediately. Leaders on the board say this is a perfect time for a visionary leader to join the organization and take it to the next level. “Our mission remains to empower all young people, especially those who need us most, to discover their full potential as caring, engaged, and responsible community members,” said Ms. Roark. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the right leader to come in and build on what Erin and her team have put into place."

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro
Boys & Girls Clubs of Portland Metro empowers more than 6,000 youth each year to discover their full potential through impactful after-school and summer programs. Clubs are designed to support kids and teens as they develop the qualities they need to achieve academic success, become responsible leaders, and live healthy lives. Today, the Clubs operate ten facilities located throughout the metropolitan area, including school-based programs in the Reynolds and North Clackamas School Districts.

Vancouver, Wash. – The City of Vancouver is currently inviting artists to submit proposals for a new piece of public art to be located at the Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver. Proposals are due by 3 p.m. Feb. 26.

The goal of this public art project is to create something that demonstrates the museum’s current relevance while respecting its commitment to preserving the community’s stories and artifacts.

Proposals will be reviewed by the City’s Public Art Committee, in consultation with the museum and the Uptown Village Association. Once a final proposal is selected, the artwork must be completed and installed within six months.

The project’s budget is set at a maximum of $30,000, which would include artist’s fees, engineering fees, labor and materials, documentation and transportation to the site. The City will be responsible for site preparation and installation of the artwork, in consultation with the artist(s).

“We are excited to be releasing the first call for artist’s submissions for Vancouver’s new public art program,” said Public Art Committee Chair Lee Rafferty. “Public art enriches our social and physical environment and helps create a unique identify for our community.”

The Call for Submissions for this public art project is available online at www.cityofvancouver.us/PublicArtCommittee.   

For more information about the City’s Culture, Arts and Heritage Program, visit www.cityofvancouver.us/CultureArtsHeritage.

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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

January 22, 2020

Carroll McClendon charged with assault; accused of stabbing an off-duty Portland Fire Bureau lieutenant

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced the filing of a two-count charging document against 30-year-old Carroll McClendon who is accused of assaulting an off-duty lieutenant assigned to the Portland Fire Bureau.

McClendon is charged with one count of assault in the second degree and one count of unlawful use of a weapon.

This investigation started on January 18, 2020 when Portland Police responded to a disturbance at a bar located in the 2000 block of Southwest Morrison Street.

According to court documents, the victim was at the bar with friends; seated at a table that allowed him to look out onto the sidewalk. While seated inside the bar, a person, later identified as McClendon walked by the window, locked eyes with the victim and started to stare at him. It is alleged that McClendon – who appeared agitated – then entered the bar and walked directly to the victim and took a fighting stance.

As stated in a probable cause affidavit, the victim told police that he feared for his safety and the safety of his friends after McClendon started making threatening statements. In response, the victim told police that he pushed McClendon away.

As the victim returned to his seat, he realized that he had been stabbed once in the chest and once near his inner bicep, according to court documents.

Stitches were needed to close both stab wounds, according to court documents.

According to court documents, at the time of this incident, McClendon was on probation in Multnomah County following an incident where he threatened separate person with a knife. 

This case is being investigated by the Portland Police Bureau’s Assault Detail.

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

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

A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. McClendon is innocent unless and until proven guilty.

#MCDA#

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Vancouver recognizes Black history is American and world history every day throughout the year. During February, Black History Month, WSU Vancouver will create intentional space to honor the achievements, contributions and lived experiences of peoples of the African and Black diaspora.

Black History Month at WSU Vancouver kicks off with “Oh Freedom: Commemorating the Spiritual and the Underground Railroad” from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 4 on campus in Firstenburg Student Commons, Room 105. This event is free and open to the public. RSVP at vancouver.wsu.edu/events.

“Oh Freedom” commemorates the powerful connection of the spiritual and the Underground Railroad through five dramatic movements. Carefully selected prose narratives from historical scholars, poems from specific time periods and spirituals that align with the text will give you the opportunity to commemorate the fusion of narrative and song to describe the evil, ugliness and authentic beauty of this significant time in U.S. and world history. Wesley Williams II is the creator and producer of “Oh Freedom.” He performs with H.L. Wright II.

About WSU Vancouver

WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. in Vancouver, east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-TRAN bus service. Find a campus map at vancouver.wsu.edu/map. Parking is available at meters and in the Blue Daily Pay lot for $4.

If you have a disability that requires special materials, services or assistance, contact the Access Center at 360-546-9238 or van.access.center@wsu.edu as soon as possible to discuss your specific needs.

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

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PRESS RELEASE

January 22, 2020

For Immediate Release

City of Hood River boil water advisory lifted

The City of Hood River water boil notice has been lifted as of 1:30 p.m. January 22nd after test results confirmed no evidence of harmful bacteria in the water system due to the Sunday evening leak in a City water line. City of Hood River water is safe for drinking.

The city advises affected water customers to flush all household plumbing prior to consuming water as a precaution. As the water system is fully restored to service, you may experience air in your lines. This is normal, and not a cause for concern. Indications of air in your water lines include spitting or burping at the faucet, cloudiness in the water that rapidly dissipates when allowed to settle (i.e., in a glass set on the counter) and bubbles or foam.

Due to higher than normal velocities in the water pipes during the event, you may discover sediment that was scoured from the water lines.  Continue flushing your household plumbing until the sediment is removed. This is also a good time to remove the screens from your faucets and clean them.

Hood River County Environmental Health department also advises city water users who use ice machines to discard the ice and thoroughly sanitize the machine. Water filters should be replaced and any other appliances that use water should be sanitized according to the manufacturers’ directions. Any food that was prepared or washed after Sunday night using raw water should be discarded.  Food prepared using boiled water is safe.

The county environmental health department also reminds residents to take precautions to re-stock any emergency supplies used during this event, and to take the opportunity to discuss this event with your family and make improvements to your family emergency plans and supplies.

If you are concerned that you have become sick from this event, please contact your primary medical provider; emergency room visits are for serious illnesses and injuries only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.  If you have questions or concerns, please call the City of Hood River water department (541) 387-5216.

On 1/22/2020 at about 4:04 am, the Milwaukie Police were dispatched to a hit and run crash near the intersection of S.E. Harrison Street and 31st Avenue in Milwaukie. There was a crew doing routine maintenance on the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks at that location and time.  A worker directing traffic was struck by a gray colored sedan which initially left the scene. The construction worker was transported by ambulance to a local hospital from the location with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the vehicle, 53-year-old Michael Taylor, returned to the scene of the crash about 30 minutes later.  He was driving a gray 2008 Ford Focus. Mr. Taylor then cooperated with investigators.  He was taken into custody for Felony Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver to Injured Persons (Hit and Run) and the incident is still under investigation.

Anytime a driver approaches a road construction zone with altered traffic patterns, they should slow to a speed they are certain is safe until they are completely through it.  

On the morning of 1/21/2020, a 13-year-old Rowe Middle School student reported suspicious circumstances to school staff. The incident was reported to the Milwaukie Police Department in the afternoon, after the student had gone home. The student said at approximately 9:00 am, an older white business van with scratched pink and light blue lettering followed her on SE Lake Road from about SE 23rd Avenue to SE Guilford Drive, before turning around. The student described the driver as possibly a Hispanic male in his 20’s or early 30’s, with dark hair. The student explained the driver stopped the van in the street and exited twice, with his hazard lights on, but did not actually attempt to contact her.  She reported the situation made her uncomfortable. She was not able to get the vehicle plate. The Milwaukie Police are investigating this incident and the safety of our community is always our highest concern. Based on the information we received, no crime was committed, but we would be interested in identifying the vehicle and driver to better understand what was going on.  We want to remind parents and students to always be aware of their surroundings. If walking to and from school, we would encourage students to walk with others if possible. If you have information regarding this incident, please call the Milwaukie Police Department at; 503-786-7446. Our non-emergency dispatch number is 503 786-7500 and for any emergencies with an immediate threat to people or property, dial 911.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Darlene Michelle Sturdevant, 61, of Vancouver, Washington, was sentenced today to 14 years in federal prison and five years’ supervised release for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and heroin throughout the Portland Metropolitan Area, possessing with intent to distribute heroin, and committing an offense while on release.

According to court documents, in February 2018, Sturdevant was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Rene Elene Griffen Nunn, 60, also of Vancouver, when the two were stopped by the Clackamas County Interagency Task Force (CCITF) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Investigators believed Sturdevant and Nunn were driving from Vancouver to Portland to distribute drugs.

A search of the vehicle revealed $155,949, a digital scale, and a notebook in Sturdevant’s backpack and approximately 87 grams of heroin in Nunn’s purse. Investigators returned to Vancouver and searched a residence shared by Sturdevant, Nunn, and others and found an additional 367 grams of heroin and a kilogram of methamphetamine.

Sturdevant was charged with drug trafficking and released pending trial. After pleading guilty in October 2018, DEA learned that Sturdevant was again selling drugs. On January 29, 2019, DEA agents executed a search warrant at Sturdevant’s new residence in Portland and seized approximately 558 grams of heroin, digital sales, a drug ledger, and $27,250.

During sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Marco A. Hernandez ordered Sturdevant to forfeit $183,199 seized by investigators.

On October 31, 2019, Nunn pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. She will be sentenced on March 4, 2020.

This case was investigated by the DEA and CCITF and was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

# # #

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

Date of death: 01/21/2020

Location: Vancouver, WA

Decedent Name: Crepeau, Taylor, T.     

Decedent Age:  14 Yrs               

Resident of:  Vancouver, WA

The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:

Cause of death: Multiple Blunt Force Injuries

Due to: Automobile-Pedestrian Collision

Manner of death: Accident

How injury occurred: Pedestrian struck by motor vehicle (pickup truck) in roadway.

Decedent Name: Friedt, Andrew A.       

Decedent Age:  17 Yrs               

Resident of:  Vancouver, WA

The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:

Cause of death: Multiple Blunt Force Injuries

Due to: Automobile-Pedestrian Collision

Manner of death: Accident

How injury occurred: Pedestrian struck by motor vehicle (pickup truck) in roadway.

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

Nikki J. Costa

Operations Manager

January 22, 2020

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

Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening Advisory Board meets February 4

What: A public meeting of the Northwest Regional Newborn Bloodspot Screening (NWRNBS) Advisory Board.

Agenda: Welcome; recap and review of work; disorder review introduction; spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) review and discussion (open comment period to include SMA); X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) review and discussion (open comment period to include X-ALD); review draft process for recommending the removal of disorders from the screening panel; wrap-up and next steps.

When: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Two 10-minute public comment periods are scheduled at about 10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.; comments are limited to from one to three minutes depending on the number of people providing comments.

Where: Oregon State Public Health Laboratory, Suite 100, Shared Conference Room, 7202 NE Evergreen Parkway, Hillsboro. Please check in at the front desk and bring a photo ID. A conference call line is available by dialing 720-707-2699 (West Coast); 646-558-865 (East Coast), access code 753 960 1319.

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

# # #

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

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

If you need help or have questions, please contact Christianne Biggs at 503-693-4172, 711 TTY or S.AdvisoryBoard@dhsoha.state.or.us">NBS.AdvisoryBoard@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 22, 2020

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

Program Contact: Pete Edlund, 503-931-8873, .m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us">peter.m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

CCO Metrics Technical Advisory Group meets January 23

What: A public meeting of the Oregon Health Authority’s CCO Metrics Technical Advisory Group.

When: January 23, 1-3 p.m.

Where: Five Oak Building, Suite 850, Mary Conference Room, 421 SW Oak St., Portland. Space is limited. The public also may join remotely through a webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/4851900018377321985 and conference line at 888-398-2342, participant code 5731389.

Agenda: Welcome and introductions; updates; 2020 measure calculations: continuous enrollment criteria, 2019 baseline calculations; adjourn.

For more information, please visit the committee's website at http://www.oregon.gov/OHA/HPA/ANALYTICS/Pages/Metrics-Technical-Advisory-Group.aspx.

# # #

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

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

If you need help or have questions, please contact Pete Edlund at 503-931-8873, 711 TTY, .m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us">peter.m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

January 22, 2020

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

Advance Directive Adoption Committee meets February 3

What: A public meeting of the Advance Directive Adoption Committee.

Agenda: Revise first draft of Advance Directive form; finalize first draft of instructions and FAQs to accompany form.

When: Monday, Feb. 3, 2-5 p.m. The meeting is open to the public. A public comment period will be held at the end of the meeting.

Where: Portland State Office Building, Conference Room 177, 800 NE Oregon St., Portland.

Background: The Advance Directive Adoption Committee provides guidance to the Oregon Health Authority on necessary revisions to Oregon’s Advance Directive form.

# # #

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

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

If you need help or have questions, please contact Kati Moseley at 971-673-2284, 711 TTY or ina.moseley@dhsoha.state.or.us">Katarina.moseley@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

Rescheduled for inclement weather, the Portland Water Bureau will close lanes on S.W. Naito Parkway to pave the roadway on Friday, Jan 24.

This is a continuation of work on the Water Bureau’s Willamette River Crossing Project which began in October 2019 and will continue through the spring of 2020. Current work taking place in S.W. Naito Parkway will allow us to connect the new pipe under the Willamette River to the existing water system. 

• Beginning Jan. 24, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., paving work will temporarily close one lane of S.W. Naito Parkway in each direction. Traffic will continue to flow in the remaining lanes. Travelers should expect delays. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone.
• The pedestrian and bicycle path along the east side of Naito Parkway will remain open. (There is no bike path on the west side in this area.)
• Paving work is weather dependent and may be delayed due to rain or cold temperatures. The upcoming forecast suggests this is likely.

Later in the spring, construction will temporarily close one lane in each direction to install a new pipe. The Water Bureau will also coordinate with Portland Bureau of Transportation in the coming months as they begin the S.W. Naito Parkway Improvement Project, outlined at portlandoregon.gov/transportation/swnaito.

About the Willamette River Crossing project

Portland’s water mains (pipes) that cross the Willamette River are more than 50 years old and will probably not survive a major earthquake. As part of the Portland Water Bureau’s commitment to preparedness, we are installing an earthquake-resilient water pipe deep under the Willamette River. This new water pipe will help ensure that we can deliver safe and abundant water to the west side, even after an earthquake.

This project is currently in the design and exploration phase. This phase includes locating underground utilities and conducting a geotechnical probe, which will provide important information about soil deep underground and help us confirm the best path across the river. More information: portlandoregon.gov/water/wrx.

On Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at approximately 12:30 A.M., Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a two vehicle collision on Hwy 551 near milepost 1.

Preliminary investigation shows that a Toyota Camry, operated by Kelsie Martin (29) of Beavercreek, was northbound on Hwy 551 when for unknown reasons collided head on with a southbound Toyota Prius operated by Stephanie Patricio (33) of Woodburn.

Patricio sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.

Martin sustained serious and was transported by Life Flight to OHSU.

Alcohol impairment by Martin is suspected as a contributing factor.

OSP was assisted by Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Canby Police Department, Aurora Fire Department, AMR Ambulance, and ODOT 

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries is offering grants for qualified historic cemeteries. The annual grants fund projects that preserve historic cemeteries. Projects funded in the past include marker repair workshops, fencing, signs, interpretive panels and brochures, security lighting, access improvements, records management, and more.

Awards typically range between $1,000 and $8,000, but have been higher. Anyone may apply for a grant. Projects must be related to historic cemeteries listed with the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries. Recent projects include marker repair and workshops in several cemeteries, installations of signs and informational kiosks, a preservation plan, and a fence replacement.

“Our goal is to preserve Oregon’s historic cemeteries and offer support throughout the application process,” said historic cemeteries program coordinator Kuri Gill. Past awards include projects in in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Lane, Multnomah Sherman, Columbia, Union, and Umatilla Counties.

The online grant application is simple to use and includes plenty of support.  A free workshop specific to this grant and how to use the online grant application system will be offered February 24, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. It will be available in person or as a webinar. Recorded trainings and tips are also online.

State law established the seven-member historic cemeteries commission to maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries and gravesites in Oregon; promote public education on the significance of historic cemeteries; and help obtain financial and technical assistance for restoring, improving and maintaining their appearances. To learn more about the grants or workshops visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at i.Gill@oregon.gov">Kuri.Gill@oregon.gov or 503-986-0685.

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The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Disabilities Services is seeking public comment regarding the 1915 (c) #0117Children’s HCBS Waiver, #0375 Adult HCBS Waiver, # 40193 Medically Fragile Waiver, #40194 Behavioral Waiver, and # 0565 Medically Involved Waiver amendments.

The waiver amendments are requesting to:

• #0375 Adult HCBS Waiver, #0117 Children’s Waiver,  # 40193 Medically Fragile Waiver, #40194 Behavioral Waiver, and # 0565 Medically Involved Waiver amendments -
  • Adjust the Supported Employment - Individual Employment Support rate methodology.

•  #0117 Children’s Waiver, #40194 Behavioral Model Waiver and #0375 Adults Waiver amendments–
  • No longer require a new initial level of care (LOC) when someone transitions from one Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ICF/IID) LOC waiver to another waiver with the same LOC, when they have a current, valid ICF/IID LOC.
• #40194 Behavioral Model Waiver amendment -
  • Technical changes in Appendix B to keep Level of Care language consistent with the Children’s Waiver.
• #0375 Adult HCBS Waiver amendment –
  • Allow the Direct Nursing Service in 24-hour residential group home settings. This includes adding a new provider type for Direct Nursing.
  •  Add Host Homes as a CMS approved Home and Community Based setting.

The proposed 1915 (c) waiver amendments are online at https://www.oregon.gov/DHS/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/DD/Pages/Compass-Project-Waivers-Rules-Policy.aspx

Print versions of the waiver amendments are posted in local Community Developmental Disabilities Programs (http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/DD/Pages/county-programs.aspx) and Support Services Brokerages (http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/SENIORS-DISABILITIES/DD/Pages/Support-Services-Brokerages.aspx). Print versions may also be obtained from Joli Schroader, Medicaid Waiver Analyst, 503-507-2083, .schroader@state.or.us">joli.r.schroader@state.or.us

Interested parties are asked to submit comments via one of two methods: Send an email to odds.info@state.or.us or send written comments addressed to ODDS Medicaid Waiver Analyst, 500 Summer Street NE E-09, Salem, OR 97301.

Deadline for comments is February 23, 2020. Mail responses must be received by this date in order to be considered.

Since 1986, Alaska Airlines has provided an annual in-kind contribution of round trip, coach class flight vouchers for use by member colleges of the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities (“The Alliance”). For 2020, Alaska Airlines officials generously renewed their support, contributing 75 round trip, systemwide vouchers for use by the colleges to recruit students, meet with donors, send representatives to academic conferences and events, and other college serving purposes. College representatives may use vouchers on select Alaska Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and PenAir flights. The cumulative value of Alaska Airlines’ in-kind contributions totals over $2 million and more than 2,500 tickets have been used over the course of the partnership.

“On behalf of the Alliance Board of Trustees, we are grateful for all that Alaska Airlines has done for The Alliance and the member colleges and universities over the course of 35 years,” says Alliance Interim President Brent wilder. “These ticket vouchers provide tangible, direct budget relieving support for the Alliance member colleges and universities in their efforts to bring new, gifted students to the region, engage with alumni and friends across the country, and provide professional development to their administrators and staff.”

The following institutions have been granted flight vouchers for use in 2020: Concordia University-Portland, Corban University, George Fox University, Lewis & Clark College, Linfield College, Northwest Christian University, Pacific University, Reed College, University of Portland, Warner Pacific University, and Willamette University.

To learn more about establishing an partnership like that of Alaska Airlines with The Alliance, please contact Brent Wilder at 503.342.0004 or rent@oaicu.org">brent@oaicu.org.

The Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities (“The Alliance”) is comprised of 16 private, nonprofit, independent colleges and universities. In total, these institutions educate 34,289 students, delivering high-quality experiential learning with high-impact teaching strategies. Earned undergraduate and graduate degrees total 10,446. The Alliance is the collective voice of private education in public policy advocacy. We are at the intersection of business and philanthropy, creating innovative programs and scholarships that build an advanced and educated workforce for Oregon. For more information, visit www.oaicu.org.

Oregon’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 3.7 Percent in December 

Oregon’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent in December, the lowest on comparable records dating back to 1976. The November unemployment rate was 3.9 percent.

“The latest estimates suggest there are fewer unemployed Oregonians now than at any point since 1976, when comparable records begin. That’s especially striking considering Oregon’s labor force is twice as large as it was 44 years ago,” said Nick Beleiciks, Systems and Economic Analysis manager at the Oregon Employment Department.

In December, many of Oregon’s workforce metrics set records, indicating an increasingly tight labor market. The number of people who were unemployed for less than half a year dropped to the lowest level in at least 18 years. The number of people who were unemployed due to a layoff also dropped to the lowest level in the past two decades. The broadest measure of labor underutilization, called “U-6”, came in at the lowest on records dating back nearly two decades. This measure includes the unemployed, plus those who want a full-time job but who were working part-time due to the economy.

Total nonfarm payroll employment grew by 800 jobs in December, following a gain of 3,800 jobs, as revised, in November. December gains were strongest in leisure and hospitality (+2,000 jobs). In addition, several industries added between 300 and 500 jobs. Meanwhile, two industries declined by more than 500 jobs: health care and social assistance (-900 jobs) and professional and business services (-1,600 jobs).

Oregon’s over-the-year job growth of 1.4 percent equaled the U.S. job growth of 1.4 percent. Most of Oregon’s major industries expanded by between 1 percent and 3 percent since December 2018. The fastest growing industries in the past 12 months were private educational services (+1,300 jobs, or 3.6%) and transportation, warehousing, and utilities (+2,100 jobs, or 3.0%). In that time only two industries cut jobs: retail trade (-700 jobs, or -0.3%) and mining and logging (-300 jobs, or -4.2%).

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the December county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, January 28th, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for January on Tuesday, March 3rd. At the time of the March 3rd press release all of the statewide employment and unemployment data will be revised for at least the prior two years. This is a normal part of the annual processing and revisions to these data.

Notes:

All numbers in the above narrative are seasonally adjusted, except for Mr. Beleiciks’s quote which is referring to the not seasonally adjusted unemployed.

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

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

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

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

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

Salem, OR—More than 2,700 businesses have already registered for the Corporate Activity Tax through the Department of Revenue’s Revenue Online system.

The new law requires businesses with Oregon commercial activity in excess of $750,000 to register for the Corporate Activity Tax. Once they reach that threshold businesses must register within 30 days. Some businesses may have reached the threshold early in January, while others might not top that mark until much later in the year.

Businesses that realized $750,000 in Oregon commercial activity on Jan. 1 must register by Jan. 31. Those businesses that crossed the $750,000 threshold in the days that followed will need to register in early February.

The department opened registration Dec. 4 and many businesses didn’t want to wait.

“The number of registrants is a positive sign that the Department of Revenue’s outreach efforts have been beneficial,” said Nia Ray, director of the Oregon Department of Revenue. “The agency will continue to operate as a source of guidance for CAT taxpayers. We anticipate a steady increase in registrants as more Oregon businesses reach the threshold.” 

Some registered businesses have already expressed an interest in making automated payments now for their first quarter estimated tax liability for the CAT. Direct payments and payments by other methods are not yet available for the CAT. It is anticipated that direct and automated payment functions will be available through Revenue Online in early February well before the first quarter estimated tax payment deadline of April 30.

During the 2019 session the Legislative Revenue Office predicted approximately 40,000 businesses would have to pay taxes under the CAT, which went into effect Jan. 1.

To register, individuals doing business in Oregon will need their name, and their social security number or individual taxpayer identification number. Businesses will need their entity’s legal name and federal employer identification number.

Businesses and individuals will need:

• Their mailing address;
• The date they exceeded or expect to exceed $750,000 in Oregon commercial activity;
• A valid email address or current Revenue Online login, and;
• Their Business Activity Code (Refer to the current list of North American Industry Classification System codes found with their federal income tax return instructions.)

Taxpayers don’t need a Revenue Online account to register for the CAT. Those who have Revenue Online accounts can’t be logged in to register for the CAT. Instead, they should go directly to the CAT webpage and click on the “Register for the CAT” link on the right-hand side of the page.

More information about the Corporate Activity Tax is available on the Department of Revenue’s website at www.oregon.gov/dor. It includes a list of frequently asked questions and a form to sign-up for email updates on the CAT. Stakeholders can direct questions or comments about the CAT via email to cat.help.dor@oregon.gov or call 503-945-8005.

Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments; call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish); 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon; or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), call 800-886-7204.

Salem, Ore. — Salem City Council declared a housing emergency on Tuesday, January 21, 2020, as a means to increase temporary shelter options for those experiencing homelessness in Salem.

Declaration of an emergency allows the Council to temporarily suspend certain land use provisions to:

• Increase capacity of the United Way’s Safe Sleep Shelter for women
• Allow car camping on private property with the owner’s permission

At the same meeting, the City Council also directed staff to report on what zoning changes may be required to make buildings available as a low- or no- barrier shelter or navigation center.  Council also asked staff to explore the possibility of removing one or more elements of the camping restriction.

United Way Safe Sleep Shelter

The Safe Sleep Shelter is a low-barrier shelter for women, located at 1910 Front Street. It is currently approved for up to 10 women and has capacity for up to 19. United Way is working through the land use process to obtain conditional use approval for the full 19 shelter beds. An emergency declaration means the provision will take effect immediately.

Car Camping

Councilors also directed staff to present information on a provision to allow car camping on private property with property owner permission on a trial basis. If deemed successful, the provision could be considered for longer term.

Car camping would also require an emergency provision to waive certain land use requirements.

Salem’s Camping Restriction

Since Salem’s camping restrictions on public property went into effect in mid-December, some people without shelter have remained on downtown streets. Per Salem City Code (SRC 95), people are allowed to sit or lie on city streets, but not to erect shelters like tents.

In response to public concerns regarding conditions experienced by our unsheltered neighbors, the Council intended to expand warming center capacity in the city to nightly use from January until March, regardless of temperature. ARCHES operates the warming shelter network. On December 9, 2019, the Council authorized up to $213,000 to support the plan. However, the shelters determined that they do not have the capacity to operate when temperatures are above 32 degrees. Efforts have continued to find a suitable space for temporary shelter.

Salem residents and visitors have reported difficulty passing on public rights of way, sometimes threatening behavior, and unsanitary conditions that include solid waste and garbage accumulation in public areas as a result of the unsheltered groups. Downtown businesses have stated that the conditions around their properties adversely affect their customers. The City has intervened with periodic cleanings when public health and safety conditions have deteriorated.

The City has repeatedly called for a community-wide response in addressing the diverse challenges of homelessness and helping our unsheltered neighbors.

“Helping our unsheltered neighbors continues to require a community-wide response,” said Steve Powers, Salem city manager. “Reducing homelessness in our community is a priority of the City.  Our primary concern is health and safety of all in our community including our unsheltered neighbors who often deal with untreated mental illness, addiction, and chronic health conditions worsened by long periods of homelessness.   The City is committed to working in partnership with the community to provide housing and shelter.”

AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND EMERGENCY SHELTER RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY

Salem organizations currently offer 330 shelter beds nightly. Another 256 beds are available during nights when temperatures drop to 32 degrees or below through the volunteer network of churches known as the Salem Warming Network. Since the implementation of the City’s new camping law, no one seeking space in a warming shelter has been turned away. 

The City has for some time been working on efforts to reduce hardships that lead to the homelessness of our residents and increase access to affordable housing for those at risk of becoming homeless. With our non-profit partners, the City connects people to services and shelter, including:

• City Council awards roughly $400,000 each year in grants and $1.4 million in federal funding to local non-profits that provide emergency or essential services to the most vulnerable populations with the highest need.  
• Salem’s Housing Rental Assistance Program (HRAP) has housed 200 of the hardest-to-house individuals by providing housing first, intensive case management, and other resources.
• More emergency shelter beds are coming to Salem, including another 150 emergency shelter beds when Union Gospel Mission’s new building is complete. 
• The City and Salem Housing Authority are opening new affordable housing units. 
• Through grants and tax incentives with support of the local development community and non-profits, opening other affordable housing throughout our community.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

No matter the size, your contributions will go the furthest towards making a difference when donated through established organizations instead of directly to our unsheltered neighbors on the street. You can play an integral role in improving the lives of individuals, while helping your community. The more unsheltered individuals are encouraged to make contact with service providers, the more likely they are to eventually accept other kinds of services, shelter, and housing.

• Volunteer your time with the Salem Warming Center Network, ARCHES, Union Gospel Mission and other service providers in our community.
• Many organizations directly help people experiencing homelessness and work to increase affordable housing. One thing you can do is find an organization that you want to support and ask them what they need.
• Salem’s homeless service providers know how to help our homeless neighbors. It’s what they do best. The more you support them, the more they can help people get into stable housing.
• Get to know the people living on the streets in your area and treat them like any neighbor.  Avoid perpetuating stereotypes, stigma and myths. People experiencing homelessness are not defined by their housing status. It’s often temporary, and it’s possible they’ve sought housing and/or shelter and there was none available.

Online:

City of Salem: https://www.cityofsalem.net/Pages/meeting-housing-needs.aspx

The ARCHES Project: http://mwvcaa.org/programs/crp/

Salem Warming Network: https://salemwarming.weebly.com

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On January 21st, 2020, shortly after 11:00 pm, deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a shooting in the area of Snoopy Lane NE and Linus Court NE, in the unincorporated area of Salem.  Deputies arrived on scene to find a silver Chrysler 300 crashed into a van; one adult male in the vehicle had what is believed to be a gunshot wound to the head.  Medics transported the victim to an area hospital where he is in critical condition.  A short time later, two additional adult males arrived at Salem Hospital with gunshot wounds from the incident.  Both have been treated and released for their injuries.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Unit have taken over the investigation and are investigating.  If anyone has information about the shooting they are being asked to call the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency dispatch at 503-588-5032.

PORTLAND, Ore. — Today, Portland General Electric Company (NYSE: POR) awarded $2.25 million in PGE Drive Change Fund grants to 16 community-based projects across Oregon that will expand access to electric transportation for Oregonians. These grants are part of PGE’s overall commitment to decarbonization through transportation electrification.

Funded by the sale of Oregon Clean Fuels Program credits, the PGE Drive Change Fund returns the value of the credits to local communities by advancing transportation electrification projects aimed at expanding mobility options and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Transportation is the largest source of carbon emissions in the state and to reach a carbon-free future, it is critical to expand access to electric vehicles and charging infrastructure,” said John McFarland, PGE’s chief customer officer. “The PGE Drive Change Fund helps support and create an electric transportation system that serves everyone by eliminating up-front cost barriers, helping Oregonians continue on our path toward a decarbonized, clean energy future.”

The 2019 PGE Drive Change Fund awards were given to organizations interested in advancing transportation electrification in Oregon and providing a community benefit. Preferred projects focused on serving vulnerable populations and underserved communities. Visit portlandgeneral.com/drivechangefund to learn more about the award requirements.

“Ride Connection is honored to receive funding from the PGE Drive Change Fund,” said Julie Wilcke Pilmer, chief executive officer of Ride Connection. “Our mission is to link accessible, responsive transportation alternatives with individual and community needs. This funding provides an exciting opportunity for us to increase services for our customers, as well as to provide electric transportation benefits to underserved communities. Together with PGE, these funds will help Ride Connection further prevent social isolation, provide connectivity, support economic and environmental stability, and promote the health and well-being of the individuals we serve.”

This program is part of a larger initiative at PGE to invest its Oregon Clean Fuels Program credits in ways that help make electric transportation available to everyone. In addition to the PGE Drive Change Fund, this year PGE will electrify the first four electric school buses in Oregon with charging infrastructure, add three Electric Avenue network charging stations, conduct public outreach to raise awareness about the benefits of EVs, and roll out new residential and business EV charging programs.

This year’s grant recipients include:

• Ride Connection ($343,000): Five new EVs with charging infrastructure will save overhead and allow a mobility specialist to properly manage the new fleet, allowing expansion of ride services for low- income, elderly individuals and adults with disabilities.
• Meals on Wheels People ($337,731): An electric, refrigerated cargo van for meal delivery and an EV to support outreach and assessment efforts for new program adopters will help reduce costs for the over 700,000 meals that are delivered annually from their central kitchen for families experiencing food insecurity.
• Native American Youth and Family Center ($272,359): Five new EVs and the required charging infrastructure will serve students throughout NAYA’s programming and help the center expand to new areas for Native youth facing barriers due to cultural gaps in mainstream institutions.
• Portland Community College - Sylvania ($196,951): Five used EVs will allow the popular Automotive Service Technology program to teach hands-on learning on service, maintenance and repair for this crucial technology changing the transportation landscape.
• Novel Interventions in Children’s Healthcare ($183,997): Five EVs and five electric bikes with charging infrastructure will give NICH a broader impact and lower the barrier for Oregon youth and families who need their support.
• SnowCap Charitable Communities ($140,000): Electrifying a cargo van and installing charging infrastructure will allow volunteers to increase the quantity of local pickups and possibly lead to further range expansion for providing food assistance in Oregon.
• Oregon Food Bank ($132,450): An EV pilot program, utilizing two electric SUVs, will allow for further distribution of meals and increase nutritional education to the areas they serve.
• Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center ($123,803): Two EVs will transport more clients to one of the six locations at no cost, eliminating a barrier for the lower-income community of migrant and seasonal farmworkers in Washington and Yamhill counties.
• Northwest Family Services ($90,194): Two EVs will allow for better services where the clients need it most — at their home, work, school or community center — helping to support a variety of health-related issues for individuals at the lowest socioeconomic level.
• Senior Advocates for Generational Equity ($90,000): The project will provide transportation options, education, awareness, charging infrastructure and driving experiences for seniors in six community centers in Oregon.
• ROSE Community Development ($87,580): Three used EVs for car sharing will rotate through multiple affordable housing apartments in ROSE’s portfolio.
• Northwest Pilot Project ($81,212): With proper EV and charging selection, the project can safely and comfortably transport seniors with no other accessible options.
• Our House of Portland ($62,938): Two EVs will increase the ability to provide critical services and offer the chance for more one-on-one time between vulnerable clients living with HIV/AIDS and their clinician during transit.
• Sexual Assault Resource Center ($46,565): A hybrid van will transport groups to clients and move clients to on-site services, helping to eliminate the primary barrier of transportation for survivors of sexual assault.
• Portland African American Leadership Forum ($40,000): The education and outreach program will create awareness of EV ownership and the environmental and economic issues they are tied to, adding to their goal of helping to build civic participation and leadership to achieve results in the areas of social and climate justice.
• Kailash Ecovillage ($29,130): A used EV and new charging station will allow for a car-sharing program, eliminating the need for personal vehicles for this multifamily, low-income apartment community that focuses on sustainable practices.

About Portland General Electric Company: Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is a fully integrated energy company based in Portland, Oregon, with operations across the state. The company serves approximately 892,000 customers in 51 cities, has 16 generation plants in five Oregon counties, and maintains and operates 13 public parks and recreation areas. For 130 years, PGE has delivered safe, affordable and reliable energy to Oregonians. Together with its customers, PGE has the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the U.S. PGE and its 3,000 employees are working with customers to build a clean energy future. PGE, employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donate more than $4 million annually to support nonprofits and schools. In addition, employees and retirees log more than 45,000 volunteer hours annually. For more information visit portlandgeneral.com/cleanvision.

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NE 78th Street is now open in all directions.

Updating the information previously issued:  the deceased driver of the sedan has been identified as RYAN, Michael E., age 41.  Ryan was a resident of Vancouver.  Ryan was pronounced dead at Peace Health SW Hospital.  He was the lone occupant in the involved sedan, a 2007 Saturn Ion sedan.  The Ion was reported by witnesses as driving eratically in and out of travel lanes westbound on NE 78th Street prior to the collision.  The Ion lost control, driving into the path of an eastbound AMR ambulance and colliding head-on.  The ambulance was driving routinely and was not on a call at the time of the collision. 

The investigation into proximate causes of the collision is continuing, and is being conducted by the CCSO Traffic Unit. 

UPDATED POSTING (PHOTO)

###

At approx. 2pm, a head on collision between a passenger vehicle and an AMR ambulance occurred at the 3600 block of NE 78th street.  The driver of the passenger vehicle was transported via ambulance and later pronounced deceased.  The ambulance crew received non-life threatening injuries.  The ambulance was not transporting a patient at the time of the collision.  NE 78th street eastbound will remain closed at NE 25th avenue and westbound is closed at St. Johns.  The public is asked to avoid the area and use an alternate route while the investigation is conducted. 

Clark County Traffic Unit is investigating.

This is an ongoing investigation and more information will follow as it is developed. 

On Sunday, January 19, 2019, around 5:30 a.m., Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies were dispatched to a 911 call from a Wood Village residence. Deputies responded to a residence located in the 22900 Block of NE Halsey St. and contacted a woman who reported that a stranger broke into her home and sexually assaulted her. The man left the residence before deputies arrived. Deputies searched the area for the suspect with the help of a police K9. Based on the description provided by the victim, deputies located the suspect outside a nearby apartment complex approximately three hours later. Alfredo Guzman, 24, was taken into custody without incident.

Detectives learned Guzman, a stranger, entered through an unlocked door. They also learned the woman’s young children were present in the home at the time the incident occurred. Guzman is charged with 27 total counts on the following crimes:

• Sex Abuse in the First Degree x2
• Attempted Sex Abuse in the First Degree x2
• Sex Abuse in the Third Degree x2
• Attempted Rape in the First Degree x1
• Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree x1      
• Attempted Sodomy x2
• Strangulation in the First Degree x6
• Unlawful Contact with a Child x1
• Encouraging Child Sex Abuse in the Second Degree x2
• Endangering a Minor x1
• Coercion x2
• Burglary in the First Degree x2
• Burglary in the Second Degree x1
• Trespass in the First Degree x2

Because of the nature of the crimes, MCSO will not be providing media interviews at this time.

The agenda and supporting documents for the January 22, 2020 Centennial School District Governing Board meeting have been updated and are available for your review.

Additional documents will be added as they become available. 

The agenda and accompanying documents are available for viewing by pasting the following address into your browser: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicAgenda.aspx?ak=1001533&mk=50332811

On Tuesday, January 21, 2020, Albany Police Detectives continued follow-up on Tiffany Lazon’s disappearance and are investigating it as a homicide.

While investigating Lazon’s disappearance, detectives learned Craig Lazon had borrowed a battery-operated circular saw from a friend and returned the saw several days later.  The owner of the saw brought the information forward and turned the saw over to Albany Police Detectives.  The Oregon State Crime Lab inspected the saw, finding bodily tissue and blood on the saw.  The crime lab performed a forensic deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test on the bodily tissue and blood which matched Tiffany Marie Lazon’s DNA.

As of January 21st, 2020, Albany Police have still not received any verifiable sightings of Tiffany Lazon or information on her whereabouts.  Numerous search warrants have been served during the past 5 days providing further evidence and support that Tiffany Lazon is deceased.

On January 21, 2020, at approximately 4:30 p.m., Albany Police Detectives completed a probable cause affidavit and arrested Craig Alexander Lazon on the following charge:

• ORS 163.115  Murder   

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

#  #  #

January 21, 2020

At approximately 1:48 pm this afternoon one of AMR’s Clark County Ambulances was struck by an oncoming vehicle at NE 78th Street at 25th Avenue.  An ambulance was called for the driver of the other vehicle, who was transported to the hospital, and both Paramedics were also taken by ambulance to the hospital for evaluation. The incident is currently under investigation. 

Battle Ground High School Drama Club proudly presents “Family Matters” beginning Jan. 30. Written by Sandra Finchel Asher, the production presents the "full catastrophe" of family life, embracing its comic, dramatic, farcical and tragic realities. The monologues and scenes deal with issues that almost all families deal with, as well as other issues that families must sometimes confront, such as neglect, abandonment, abuse, and sexual assault. 

This play is presented without depictions of physical violence; however, due to the intense emotional content, this play is not recommended for anyone under the age of 13. Performances will be from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1 and Feb. 13 to 15. All performances will begin at 7 p.m. in The Lair at Battle Ground High School, 300 W. Main St. 

The BGHS Drama Club will be performing “Family Matters” at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland this August. The play is being presented locally in a similar manner as it will be performed in Scotland. To support the intimate nature of this show, it is important for the audience to be close to the actors on stage, so only 70 seats will be sold per performance. With so few tickets available, it is recommended that you purchase your tickets online in advance. 

Tickets are available for purchase online at wa-battleground.intouchreceipting.com or at the door on the day of the show. Tickets are $5 for senior citizens, students, and BGPS staff, and $7 for the general public. Students must present an ASB card and staff must show an employee badge or other proof of employment to access the discount pricing. 

January 21, 2020

Charging document filed in connection with the May 10, 2018 murder of 85-year-old Eugene Gora

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced the filing of a four-count charging document against 38-year-old Amanda Marin that accuses her of being involved in the murder of 85-year-old Eugene Gora.

According to the charging document, on or about May 10, 2018, Marin unlawfully, knowingly and intentionally committed and attempted to commit the crimes of burglary in the first degree and robbery in the first degree and that another person, who was a participant of those same crimes, unlawfully caused the death of Mr. Gora.

Marin is charged with two counts of murder in the second degree, one count of burglary in the first degree and one count of robbery in the first degree.

Prior to her first court appearance, the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office petitioned the court to seal the probable cause affidavit filed in this case. Due to the ongoing criminal investigation, the affidavit remains sealed.

According to information previously released by the Portland Police Bureau, this investigation started on May 10, 2018 at approximately 6:30 p.m. when officers received information about a deceased male being located inside a residence in the 4200 block of Northeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Portland, Oregon.   

The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office determined Mr. Gora died from homicidal violence.

On January 14, 2020, the Portland Police Bureau’s Homicide Detail located and arrested Marin in Oregon City, Oregon.

Anyone with information about this investigation should contact PPB Homicide Detective Brad Clifton at 503-823-0696 or PPB Homicide Detective Todd Gradwahl at 503-823-0991.

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

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

A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Marin is innocent unless and until proven guilty.

#MCDA#

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

Update 1

The Vancouver Police Department Traffic Unit is continuing the investigation into this morning’s fatality collision involving two pedestrians, a 14 year old male and a 17 year old male. Their identity is not being released at this time pending positive identification and release of identity by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The investigation indicates that both pedestrians, who were wearing dark colored clothing, stepped off the curb and into the roadway between NE 20th and NE 23rd Street. This location has street lighting, however the pedestrians were crossing mid-block where there is no crosswalk.  Early indications are that the driver did not see the pedestrians and was unable to stop in time before hitting them.

The investigation is continuing.

Anyone with information, who has not spoken to, or been contact by police, is asked to contact the Vancouver Police Traffic Unit.

Nothing further is anticipated to be released today. 

Vancouver, Wash. –On January 21, 2020, at approximately 6:35 a.m., Vancouver Police responded to a traffic collision involving a vehicle that hit two pedestrians in the area of NE 112th Avenue/NE 23rd Circle. The pedestrians, one believed to be approximately 10-14 years of age, the other believed to be an older teen/young adult were both deceased at the scene. The driver remained on scene and is being cooperative. Impairment on the part of the driver is not believed to be a factor. The two pedestrians have not been identified and next of kin has not been notified.

The Vancouver Police Traffic Unit is investigating. NE 112th Avenue in the area of the collision will be closed for several hours while investigators are on scene.

Nothing further is releasable at this time.

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Chief Umtuch Middle School is pleased to present four performances of the renowned musical “Annie Jr.” Feb. 6-8. Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Annie Jr. features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure.

With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone's hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan's evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy.

Performances will be at Chief Umtuch Middle School, 700 NW 9th St., Battle Ground. Tickets cost $4 each and can be purchased at the school prior to each performance. 

The performance dates and times are:

• Thursday, February 6 at 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, February 7 at 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, February 8 at 2:00 p.m.
• Saturday, February 8 at 6:30 p.m.

JOSEPH, Ore. – The breathtaking beauty of Wallowa Lake’s East Moraine forest and open space was permanently protected when almost 1,800 acres were transferred this week into Wallowa County ownership.

For over ten years the Wallowa Lake Moraines Partnership – a consortium comprised of the County, Wallowa Land Trust, Wallowa Resources, and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department – worked to acquire the property in order to eliminate any risk of home development, especially on the moraine’s vulnerable crest.  Now that it is under Wallowa County ownership, all development and subdivision rights have been extinguished and the property will be managed as a working community forest, protecting native plants, wildlife habitat, and cultural resources while providing non-motorized recreational access and returns to the local economy through sustainable forestry and grazing.

“We couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome that serves the public’s need for permanent protection and access to this spectacular natural landscape,” said John Hillock, Wallowa County Commissioner and Chair of the East Moraine Campaign.

Push to protect moraine receives broad support

After nearly a decade of negotiations, the Partnership and the former landowner, the Ronald C. Yanke Family Trust, came to a purchase agreement of $6 million in January 2019. Fundraising then went into full-gear, with over half coming in the form of a $3.5 million grant the Oregon Department of Forestry received from the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Legacy Program that helped the Partnership reach the purchase price in a voluntary sale by the Yanke Family Trust.

“Forest Legacy Program grants are one resource to help keep Oregon’s working forests intact so they can continue to provide social, environmental and economic benefits to Oregonians,” said Oregon State Forester Peter Daugherty. “We are pleased that we could help the Wallowa Lake Moraines Partnership protect this unique forest resource.”

Obtaining Forest Legacy grants is a competitive process, Daugherty said, adding “I am proud that to date we’ve brought in $8.2 million in federal money to fund the most worthwhile proposals from Oregon.”

Individual donors contributed more than $1.1 million to the purchase. Oregon Parks and Recreation contributed $1 million and its staff is lending a hand in formulating the land’s recreation plan. The Nez Perce Tribe gave $300,000 to the campaign and is helping the Partnership with the plan for management as well.

All told, almost $6.5 million was raised through grants and donations to purchase the moraine property and begin a multi-use management plan for its perpetual management. The Partnership continues to seek funding to support and sustain the management of the property.

“This is an incredible milestone,” says Kathleen Ackley, Wallowa Land Trust Director. “It’s by no means the end of the project, we still have a lot of work ahead of this, but this is something to be proud of.    More than a million dollars came from private individuals and families with deep connections to Wallowa County and an enduring love for Wallowa Lake and the Moraines.  We remain astonished by the incredible generosity of our community.”

A Community Legacy

For thousands of years the spectacular East Moraine has been a refuge for wildlife and sacred to indigenous peoples. Today it continues to be a working landscape enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. In recent years, the land was zoned for the development of houses, including three trophy homes on the crest of the moraine, but under county ownership the threats of development and subdivision are now extinguished in perpetuity.

Rebecca Miles, Nez Perce Tribe Executive Director noted, “Participating with the Partnership and representing the Nez Perce Tribe has been a true honor. This purchase is a dream come true, closing out any and all fears of potential development on the East Moraine. This is a historical feat for the permanent protection of such sacred lands. The protections of this property will ensure our ancestors and our way of life are forever protected and continue on.”

Once complete, a multi-use management plan will strive to balance healthy habitat for native plants and animals, cultural resources, non-motorized recreation, and sustainable timber harvest and range management. Securing the East Moraine creates a significant habitat corridor; protects cultural resources; expands upon existing conserved lands; and opens to the public the property’s beautiful views on the moraine’s southern crest in a manner that is respectful of its scenic beauty. The draft management is currently scheduled for public input and review in spring of 2020.

“Community forests are a powerful response to forest and rangeland loss to development,” adds Nils Christoffersen, Executive Director of Wallowa Resources. “The East Moraine is central to our community’s sense of place. This milestone helps us sustain our connection to the land, which is central to the custom and culture of everyone who calls this place home. It’s an incredible achievement.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration is scheduled for late spring of 2020. Stay tuned for upcoming details!

Project funders include:

• USDA Forest Service Forest Legacy Program via the Oregon Department of Forestry
• Individual donors
• Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
• Nez Perce Tribe
• Collins Foundation
• Oregon Community Foundation
• Travel Oregon in partnership with Eastern Oregon Visitors Association
• Conservation Alliance
• Land Trust Alliance/Yarg Foundation/ACE Program
• Rose E. Tucker Charitable Trust
• Walker Family Foundation
• Cycle Oregon

About the Wallowa Lake Moraines Partnership

The Partnership was formed in 2011 by Wallowa Land Trust, Wallowa Resources, Wallowa County and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to secure the East Moraine as a natural landscape and a model for sustainable natural resource management. The goals of the Partnership are to: provide public access respectful of the landscape and its scenic beauty; protect open space for wildlife, recreation, and natural resources; and, maintain sustainable working landscapes of farms, forests and rangeland to contribute to the local economy and rural ways of life.

For those seeking more information on the next steps of the Project, call or visit:

• Kathleen Ackley, Executive Director of Wallowa Land Trust, 116 S River St, Enterprise, OR 97828, (541) 426-2042;
• Nils Christoffersen, Executive Director of Wallowa Resources, 401 NE First St, Suite A, Enterprise, OR 97828, (541) 426-8053;
• Wallowa County Board of Commissioners, 101 S River St, Enterprise, OR 97828, (541) 426-4543;
• Matt Rippee, Oregon Parks and Recreation District, (541) 962-6518
• Amy Singh, Oregon Department of Forestry, (971) 718-1054
• or ?nd useful information at morainecampaign.org.

ESTACADA, Ore. – Milo McIver State Park will be closed Aug. 16-25 for the Vortex2020 music festival, set for Aug. 22-23. The 10-day closure will allow for event setup and cleanup.

Vortex2020 is a two-day music and cultural festival celebrating community, historic awareness and stewardship of public lands. It is being produced, planned and funded by a private nonprofit named Vortex2020. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will provide the venue and assist with logistics to prioritize safety for all attendees.

“We are working closely with event organizers to ensure the park’s natural and cultural resources are protected,” said OPRD District Manager Mark Stevenson. “All park rules and regulations will apply, and visitor safety will be our top priority.”

Event organizers are planning for 10,000 attendees, plus an additional 2,000 event staff.

“We are accustomed to a large number of visitors and fully equipped to host this event,” Stevenson said. “This park was designed with heavy use in mind.” On a busy summer Saturday, 4,000-5,000 visitors come to the park to recreate.

The festival is a tribute to the original Vortex I rock concert, held 50 years ago in August 1970. Gov. Tom McCall made history by partnering with anti-war demonstrators to organize a weeklong “biodegradable festival of life” at Milo McIver in an attempt to avoid a Vietnam War protest in downtown Portland during a scheduled visit of President Nixon.

Organizers view Vortex2020 as a distinct event that honors the original. The mission states: “Vortex2020 will not be a nostalgia project, but a fresh statement of our values: community, unity, kindness, historic awareness, and stewardship of our precious public lands.”

This approach aligns with OPRD’s role as manager of state parks on behalf of Oregonians and presenter of history connected to those parks.

“Vortex I was a significant event in Oregon’s history, and we share Vortex2020’s commitment to honoring that history,” said OPRD Deputy Director MG Devereux. “We are pleased to partner with Vortex2020 by providing the venue.”

OPRD is working with recreation partners and property owners to develop temporary recreation options nearby during the closure.

More information on OPRD’s role in Vortex2020 is here. Information about the event, lineup and tickets can be found at vortex2020.org.  

PORTLAND, Ore.—An Oregon man was sentenced today to 149 months and 12 days in prison, to be followed by a lifetime of supervised release, for sex trafficking minors, Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams of the District of Oregon announced.

Darryl Gartley, 23, pleaded guilty on Aug. 12, 2019, to two counts of sex trafficking minors before U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon of the District of Oregon, who sentenced him earlier today and remanded him to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

According to facts admitted by the defendant during his guilty plea, in the beginning of October 2016, he moved from California to Portland, Oregon. Shortly after moving to Oregon, the defendant met two 15 year old minor females. In or around December 2016 through January 2017, the defendant posted advertisements on Backpage and Craigslist, offering the minors to engage in sexual acts in exchange for money. The advertisements included pictures of the minors both clothed and nude.

This is the defendant’s second conviction for sex trafficking minors. On May 22, 2017, the defendant was sentenced to seven years imprisonment on a state conviction for sex trafficking minors in California.

The investigation of the case was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service and the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney Kaylynn Foulon of the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) and Assistant U.S. Attorney Ravi Sinha of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Oregon.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

# # #

Vancouver, Wash. ??' The Clark County Audit Oversight Committee today met to consider a recent performance audit of countywide contract maintenance. The internal audit is available on the county website at: https://www.clark.wa.gov/auditor/audit-reports.

Audit Conclusion

Contract maintenance in Clark County is limited by a lack of vision, communication, coordination, and training.

In particular, current county policies and practices do not address data interdependencies between departments with shared responsibilities over fiscal management and external reporting requirements.

As a result of a decentralized structure and shared responsibilities, departments have implemented a variety of tools and systems to meet their needs. While necessary to address unique requirements, the decentralized structure with shared responsibilities also created some duplication as a number of systems attempt to meet different needs with similar information.

Our testing found data in departmental files and systems were generally inconsistent. Contract files required by county policy also lacked consistency or were incomplete. Reports from departmental contracting systems were not reliably on time. A lack of contract maintenance standards at state and county levels contributed to the inconsistencies. Limited training for contracting staff was a widespread issue.

Recommendations

County policy should be updated to acknowledge departments’ shared responsibilities and clearly define their roles. Policy also should address oversight, testing, and additional internal controls to implement standards. These standards should address issues such as the consistency and timeliness of access to contract maintenance data.

The county should develop a countywide index of all contracts and required supporting files. The index ideally would include standard financial contracts as well as non-financial documents. It would improve communication and increase opportunities for departments to coordinate shared responsibilities.

Lastly, the county should identify training requirements for staff with contract maintenance responsibilities and establish and implement a training program. 

“This is an issue the County needs to address,” said Auditor Greg Kimsey. “We hope that by identifying core issues and suggesting potential solutions, we will help the county establish a capable and resilient contract maintenance process.”

The county’s Audit Services Department conducts performance audits, internal control reviews, and provides other services to county management. For more information, go to the county’s website at https://www.clark.wa.gov/auditor/internal-auditperformance-audit-services-overview.

For Immediate Release

Jan. 21, 2020

Contact:                      bings@portvanusa.com">Heather Stebbings, Director of Communications

                                    360-823-5296 direct

                                    360-518-8590 cell

Port of Vancouver USA announces 10 free tours in 2020

Go behind the scenes with Washington state’s third-oldest public port

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Cranes, trains and grains are all part of the Port of Vancouver USA’s popular public tour program.  Each tour comes with an education on Columbia River navigation, international trade, environmental stewardship, waterfront redevelopment and much more.

The port is hosting 10 free public tours in 2020, starting in March and ending in September. Guests enjoy refreshments and a slide presentation before boarding a bus for a behind-the-scenes tour of the marine terminals and industrial centers that make the Port of Vancouver a major economic engine in Southwest Washington.

2020 public tour dates

• Thursday, March 19, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m.-12 noon
• Tuesday, May 12, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 27, 11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m.
• Thursday, June 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m.-12 noon
• Wednesday, July 8, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 25, 10 a.m.-12 noon
• Tuesday, August 11, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Reservations are required and tours fill up quickly. Those interested are encouraged to call the port at 360-693-3611 or email SVP@portvanusa.com">RSVP@portvanusa.com far in advance of their selected tour date.

Government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport, is required to access the port’s secured facilities. Please leave cameras at home; they are not allowed on marine terminals.

For more information about public tours at the Port of Vancouver USA, visit www.portvanusa.com/community/know-your-port.

– POV –

The Port of Vancouver USA is one of the major ports on the Pacific Coast, and its competitive strengths include available land, versatile cargo handling capabilities, vast transportation networks, a skilled labor force and an exceptional level of service to its customers and community. For more information, please visit us at www.portvanusa.com.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Finance Committee is scheduled to meet at 9:30 am Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. The meeting is open to the public.

The meeting will be held in Conference Room 243, second floor of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

The agenda includes discussion of the Fourth-Quarter 2019 County Finance Report.

The Portland store sold the winning $8.4 million ticket

WHO: Oregon Lottery officials

WHEN: Noon, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020

WHERE: Buy2, 7545 SW Oleson Road, Portland

WHAT: Oregon Lottery officials will present an over-sized display check to representatives of Buy2 for selling the winning Oregon’s Game Megabucks $8.4 million jackpot ticket. Lottery officials will also be handing out a limited number of free promotional Scratch-it tickets at the event.

BACKGROUND: Scott Moe of Portland purchased an Oregon’s Game Megabucks and promptly put the ticket in his wallet, and then accidently ran it through his washing machine. Several other lottery tickets in his wallet were destroyed, but the one worth $8.4 million, survived. Moe purchased the ticket at the Buy2 in Portland, and he said he was going to invest his winnings. Moe opted to take the bulk-sum payment of $4.2 million and after taxes took home $2.85 million.

During the 2018 fiscal year, more than $90.1 million in Oregon Lottery proceeds were directed to economic development, parks, education, Outdoor School, veteran services and watershed enhancement in Multnomah County, where Moe lives and purchased the ticket. Since 1985, Oregon Lottery players have won more than $38 billion in prizes.

VISUALS: Oregon Lottery officials will present an over-sized ceremonial check to representatives of the Buy2 and will also distribute a limited amount of free promotional Scratch-it tickets to patrons of the store.

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

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On Friday 1/17/2020 at about 11:00 pm the Sheriff’s office received a call from a motorist that was stuck in the snow near the Nicolai area. Deputies responded and searched the area but were unable to locate the subject.  Due to poor cell phone coverage in the area Deputies were only able to communicate briefly with the subject through text messages, but were unable to get his name, location or vehicle description.

Through investigation early Saturday morning Deputies learned the person who called was Wayne Bittner, from Kelso, Washington.  Upon further investigation it was learned that Wayne comes to the area semi-regularly and likes to ride his side by side in the Nicolai/Shingle Mill OHV area.  Deputies, Search and Rescue volunteers, Westport Fire personal and emergent volunteers in the area started searching for Wayne.  Wayne’s side by side was located off an OHV riding trail near the 8-mile mark on Nicolai mainline, however Wayne was not with his machine.  A search was conducted in the area and Wayne was located a short time later, deceased, from hypothermia.

The Sheriff’s office would like to thank all the volunteer’s who assisted with the search, especially the members of the Westport Fire Department and the emergent volunteers who helped to ride the OHV trails.  Snow in the area was up to 18” deep which made the driving and searching conditions very treacherous and hazardous.

This is a very sad and unfortunate outcome.  The Sheriff’s office would like to remind anyone going to play in the snow to make sure they are dressed for the weather and have emergency supplies with them.  Also let a family member or loved one know where you will be going and if possible take someone with you.

Executive Committee of the State Library Board Meeting

The Executive Committee of the State Library Board will meet by phone on February 4, 2020.
Ann Malkin of Bend will chair the meeting, which will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting may listen by telephone. Please contact Cory Horton for information at 503-378-5015.

Agenda

2:30 p.m.         Report of the State Librarian                                                                     Patterson            

2:45 p.m.         Discussion of the March 6, 2020 Board Meeting agenda                              Malkin

3:00 p.m.         Adjournment                                                                                                  Malkin

NOTE: The times of all agenda items are approximate and subject to change.

Sign language interpretation will be provided for the public if requested 48 hours before the meeting; notice 72 hours before the meeting is preferred. Handouts of meeting materials may also be requested in alternate formats 72 hours before the meeting. Requests may be made to Cory Horton at 503-378-5015.

Tuesday, January 21, 2020 – Ridgefield, WA – The classroom is filled with arcade games.  But there are no video screens or digital beeps, just the voices of kids having a lot of fun.  Every arcade game has been handmade by a second-grade student.  And they did it all from recycled materials. 

Sara Eastham’s second grade class participated in the Global Cardboard Challenge, inspired by the short documentary Caine’s Arcade.  A nine-year-old boy, Caine Monroy, spent the summer designing and building an elaborate cardboard arcade in his dad’s auto parts store in Los Angeles.  A filmmaker made a documentary about the arcade that went viral. 

The film led to the Global Cardboard Challenge, where students all over the world create new things using cardboard, recycled materials, and imagination.  Eastham’s class uses the challenge as a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) project, teaching the students to be creative, think outside the box, and independently solve problems.

Students and their families spent three weeks creating arcade games from boxes and bottles, paper towel tubes and milk cartons, old toys and twine.  The results were amazingly creative, with a wide variety of game types.  Students made skeeball and bowling lanes, claw machines and mazes.  One student made a wooden catapult to launch plastic frogs onto targets.  

“The students had to plan, engineer, create rules, and decorate their projects,” Eastham said.  “Presenting the games (other students play the games) gives them a sense of accomplishment and gives them ideas on how to improve or create another.  And they had a blast!” 

They were definitely having a great time testing each other’s games.  Cheers went up by the frog catapult as a student got a high score.  Then more excitement by the skeeball.  “This is the most fun I’ve had at school!” one student said.  “I can’t wait to make another game!” 

To watch the great documentary and learn more about Caine’s Arcade, visit http://cainesarcade.com/

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Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. Today: Building a digital defense with the fancy-sounding multi-factor authentication. 

It sounds complicated – but multi-factor authentication – or MFA - really isn’t that difficult. In fact, you are probably already using it and just don’t realize it. 

MFA is just a process that requires you to prove who you are in more than one way. Banks, utilities, social media platforms, and more are using this technology every day to protect your private data. Remember the last time you had to answer a challenge question to get into your account? Or you received a one-time PIN via text or email to confirm that it was really you who forgot your password and are now trying to re-set it? That is multi-factor authentication.  

There are three categories of credentials: something you know, something you have, and something you are. Let’s break that down. 

• “Something you know” would be your password or a set PIN that you use to access an account. The PIN doesn’t typically change. 

• “Something you have” would be a security token or app that provides a randomly-generated number that rotates frequently. The token provider confirms that you – and only you – could know what that number is. Also, “something you have” could include verification texts, emails, or calls that you must respond to before accessing an account. 

• “Something you are” includes fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice recognition. Sounds a bit unnerving – but think about how you unlocked your smart phone this morning. You’ve probably used your prints or your face several times already today just to check your email. 

Multi-factor authentication is required by some providers – but for others it is optional. If given the choice, it is in your best interest to take advantage of MFA whenever possible but definitely when dealing with your most sensitive personal data. This includes your primary email account, your financial records, and your health records. 

To make it easy, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has gathered a list of links from all the major players to walk you through how to set up multi-factor authentication. The list includes the biggest banks, social media platforms, email providers, gaming sites, online health record providers, shopping sites, cloud storage companies, and more. You can get to it by going to https://stopthinkconnect.org/campaigns/lock-down-your-login 

As always, if you have been victimized by a cyber fraud, be sure to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov or call your local FBI office. 

###

(Portland, OR) – Health Share of Oregon’s Board of Directors has selected James Schroeder, PA-C, MPAS, as Chief Executive Officer. Schroeder will succeed Maggie Bennington-Davis, MD, as Interim CEO. Bennington-Davis will resume her role as Health Share’s Chief Medical Officer.

A PA by trade, Schroeder has most recently held various executive roles for Kaiser Permanente, including Vice President of Safety Net Transformation and Executive Director of Medicaid. Schroeder also serves as Lieutenant Colonel in the Oregon Air National Guard, leading a team of clinicians and medics.

“At this crucial time for Health Share and the coordinated care model, we are very excited and honored to welcome James and his wealth of expertise and passion for serving communities,” said Marni Kuyl, Chair of Health Share’s Board of Directors and Director of Washington County’s Department of Health and Human Services. “At the same time, I want to extend our sincerest thanks to Maggie for her leadership over the past year and a half—we are a better organization and accomplished so much under her direction.”

Added Bennington-Davis, “I am thrilled with this decision—James truly lives his life to serve others and he’ll be an important asset for both Health Share and our communities.”

Schroeder officially joins Health Share February 19, 2020. In addition to his medical background and Medicaid expertise, Schroeder has a track record for collaborative leadership through his role as Executive Director of Healthcare Systems at CareOregon, as well as through various executive-level positions including CEO of Family Health Services—an FQHC based in Idaho—and as founder and CEO of Neighborhood Health Center in Portland.

“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to join a team that is clearly dedicated and passionate about serving communities and achieving the goals of the coordinated care model,” said Schroeder. “At the same time, I’m humbled by the challenges ahead and look forward to our work, together, to realize the goals of CCO 2.0 and our vision of a healthy community for all.”

About Health Share of Oregon

Health Share of Oregon is the state’s largest Medicaid coordinated care organization (CCO), serving Oregon Health Plan members in Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties. Our mission is to partner with communities to achieve ongoing transformation, health equity, and the best possible health for each individual.

Health Share was founded and continues to be governed by eleven health care organizations serving OHP members: Adventist Health, CareOregon, Central City Concern, Clackamas County, Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health, Multnomah County, Oregon Health & Science University, Providence Health & Services, Tuality Health Alliance and Washington County.

# # #

On Monday, January 20th at 8:50 PM Longview Fire and Cowlitz 2 Fire and Rescue were dispatched to a house fire located at 321 16th Ave. The 911 caller stated there was smoke coming from a residence and uncertain if the occupants were out.

Initially Longview Police arrived and indicated the fire was in the ally based on the thick smoke in the area. When fire crews from Longview arrived they found an attached garage on 16th Ave that was fully involved and the flames were spreading inside the home. Firefighters confirmed that the tenants had escaped and when the family performed a ‘Head count’ they realized they were missing a family member…a 17 year-old female who was last seen in the basement.

With fire burning from the garage and onto the first floor, fire crews quickly deployed into the basement for search operations, locating the 17 year-old sound asleep. The basement only had two small windows (not escpae windows), and had the fire spread more into the laundry room, the only viable Exit would have been blocked by fire. Firefighters escorted her from the home, and no medical need was required. 

The fire was placed under control within approximately 20 minutes, and firefighters continued to overhaul the scene for another hour.

Fire damaged the garage, laundry room, and stairway leading to the first floor, however, the entire 1st floor suffered heavy smoke damage. Fire investigators believe the fire started in the garage, and are looking at several possible causes, including a wall heater. Damage estimates could exceed $75,000. The home did not have any working smoke alarms present at the time of the fire.

The tenants include two adults, and three children ages 19, 17, and 9. Red Cross has been dispatched to assist with short term housing and needs.

Longview Fire would like to remind everyone that fatal fires most often occur when people are asleep, and working smoke alarms are your best safety device to alert you. Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room, just outside the sleeping room, and on every level of the home and they should be tested month to assure that they are working. And remember the importance of a home escape plan, which includes two ways out of every sleeping room. 

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Robert Michael McHale, died January 20, 2020. McHale was incarcerated at Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) in Ontario and passed away in the infirmary while on hospice. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified. 

McHale entered DOC custody on December 5, 2006, from Lincoln County with an earliest release date of September 7, 2055. McHale was 56 years old. Next of kin has been notified.  

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

SRCI is a multi-custody prison in Ontario that houses approximately 3,000 adults in custody. SRCI has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, intensive management, infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care, and an administrative segregation unit. SRCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including a contact center, laundry, and sign shop. SRCI specializes in incentive housing, specialized housing, individuals with mental health/medical vulnerabilities, education and trades programs, cognitive and parenting programs, and institution work programs. SRCI opened in 1991 and is the largest correctional institution in the state.

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At 8:17AM on Monday, January 20th the Aurora Fire District, Woodburn Ambulance and Marion County Sheriff’s Officer were notified of a Motor Vehicle Crash in the area of Ehlen Road NE and Donald Road NE between Donald and St. Paul.  Due to reports of one person trapped, and a Semi Truck involved, METCOM 911 was able to dispatch the incident as a Heavy Motor Vehicle Crash requesting additional resources from St. Paul Fire and an additional ambulance. Good samaritans stopped and attempted to assist the trapped driver in the car, but were unable to get her out of the vehicle.

Aurora Fire crews arrived and found a semi truck and trailer on its side blocking the entire road, the driver was out of his truck and treated for moderate injuries and transported by ambulance to an area hospital.  

Fire crews also discovered a car partially crushed under the trailer in the ditch.  The driver was the only person in the vehicle and could not get herself out of the vehicle.  She was able to talk with firefighter/EMT’s on scene who comforted and treated her injuries while they disassembled the vehicle from around her to free her.  It took firefighters from Aurora and St. Paul 23 minutes to free the woman from the vehicle, who was moved to a waiting ambulance to be treated further. She was transported to an area trauma hospital with moderate injuries.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office remained on scene to investigate the crash.  The road remained closed for several hours and it is unknown when the road will reopen. 

On Monday, January 20th, 2020, at approximately 8:18 am emergency crews were dispatched to a head-on crash involving a semi-tractor and trailer on Ehlen Road NE near Donald Road NE in northern Marion County.  The semi-tractor and trailer carrying potato chips was overturned during the collision with a 2016 Jeep Cherokee.  The driver of the Jeep was extricated from the vehicle by emergency crews and transported by ground ambulance with non-life threatening injuries.  The driver of the semi-tractor was also taken to an area hospital with minor injuries.

During the investigation at the scene, investigators determined the semi-tractor and trailer were traveling eastbound on Ehlen Road NE prior to the collision.  Witnesses reported the driver of the semi-tractor was not driving within their lane prior to colliding with an oncoming vehicle.

Andrew Addo, 37 year-old male from Tacoma, has been identified as the driver of the semi-tractor belonging to J.B. Hunt Transport.  Addo was cited and released at the hospital for charges including Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, and Assault in the Fourth Degree. 

This crash is the second major collision this weekend in northern Marion County which resulted in lengthy road closures.  On Sunday, January 19th, 2020, at just after 4:30 pm deputies were dispatched to the 8000 block of McKay Road NE to the report of a roll over crash involving a single vehicle, a 2019 Nissan.  When emergency crews arrived, they found the lone occupant of the vehicle trapped inside and had to extricate her.  The driver was transported by Life Flight to a Portland area hospital.  While emergency crews were on scene of Sunday afternoon’s crash, two additional non-injury crashes occurred in the immediate area.  The roadway was closed to traffic for approximately 1 ½ hours during the investigation of Sunday’s collision.

A 61 year-old Newberg woman, Dana Witt, has been identified as the involved driver in Sunday’s crash.  Investigators believe alcohol use was a contributing factor to the single vehicle roll over; Witt was cited and released at the hospital for DUII.  The driver sustained non-life threatening injuries as a result of the crash. 

The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the numerous public safety partner agencies who assisted with the collisions.  These agencies include: St. Paul Fire District, Aurora Fire District, Woodburn Ambulance, Life Flight, Marion County Public Works, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, Keizer Police Department, METCOM 911, and the Willamette Valley Communications Center. 

As of 3:30 pm on Monday afternoon, Ehlen Road NE at Donald Road NE remains closed to traffic while crews work to clear the roadway following this morning’s head-on collision.  There is currently no estimated time frame for the roadway to reopen.

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center recently recognized its first group of caregivers earning health coach certification through its Integrated Nutrition Pathways Scholarship program. The program, which awards PeaceHealth caregivers scholarships from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become certified health coaches, is the first of its kind to be offered by a health system in the United States. 

Through IIN’s advanced online learning platform, caregivers spent six months to a year completing a comprehensive program focused on nutrition and holistic health. As part of the effort to increase community health, PeaceHealth will also gift seven additional scholarships to community partners working in four key focus areas:

1) Nourishment: Enhancing family and child wellbeing to address food insecurities
2) Home: Improving access to supportive housing
3) Caring: Increasing knowledge, access and engagement with community caregivers and community health workers
4) Hope: Expanding education and access to treatment and prevention of dependency

“We are extremely excited to offer this important health benefit to our dedicated caregivers -- and now members of our community,” said Meghan McCarthy, PeaceHealth’s system director of community health. “I truly believe this program is positively changing the fabric of our communities.  It’s just one more example of how PeaceHealth is innovating and partnering to improve the health of our communities beyond our hospital and clinic walls.”

PeaceHealth’s Nutrition Pathways Scholarship program is available to any of its more than 16,000 caregivers. PeaceHealth simply asks participants to “pay it forward” by sharing their new knowledge and expertise with friends, family and colleagues who may benefit. A total of 77 graduates across PeaceHealth were honored, and more than 150 caregivers have received scholarships since the program launched last January. Local graduates include:

• Kristin Andrews
• Rachelle Cothren
• Brianna Harper (Luckart)
• Tanya Johnson
• Kara Makin-Bond
• Deanna Messner
• Lisa Nienstaedt
• John Riser
• Igor Shapoval
• Staci Sturges
• Brooke Tanner
• Stephanie Thomas

The Institute for Integrative Nutrition was founded in 1992 and is the largest nutrition school in the world. Visit the IIN’s website for more information about the health coach certification program.

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

Longview, Wash. ~ Today, 30 Kaiser Permanente Northwest employee volunteers, along with friends and family, celebrated MLK Days of Service by cleaning and sorting items for patients at Longview Community House, a center for the homeless in Longview, Wash. 

Today's project will focus on prepping and painting inside an old Park Royal building that will be used for Continued Care for The Community House, as well as assembling storage space for clothing. The facility has 26 residents’ rooms, several bathrooms and few common areas. 

Longview Community House is one of 45 service sites where more than 1,400 Kaiser Permanente Northwest employees are volunteering this year, giving back to Northwest communities in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Vancouver, Wash. — Today, more than 100 Kaiser Permanente employee volunteers from Oregon and Southwest Washington, along with their families and friends, sorted 20 tons (40,000 pounds) of potatoes at the Clark County Food Bank.

The potatoes were donated by Seattle-based Northwest Harvest, and will be distributed to more than 40 of the food bank’s community partners to provide 33,340 meals to those in need in Clark County.

The Clark County Food Bank is one of 45 service sites where more than 1,400 Kaiser Permanente Northwest employees are volunteering this year, giving back to Northwest communities in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

$5.1 million from Kaiser Permanente will house 300 Portland metro area seniors in 2020

“Metro 300” initiative also kicks off new regional cross-sector investment fund

PORTLAND, Ore. – Kaiser Permanente Northwest is funding a $5.1 million project that will take an “anything necessary” approach to achieving the goal of housing 300 homeless, medically vulnerable seniors by the end of 2020.

“Without a safe, stable place to call home, it’s nearly impossible to focus on basic health and medical needs,” said Ruth Williams-Brinkley, president, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals of the Northwest. “This is especially true for our seniors, who are often dealing with chronic diseases and other complex health issues. Kaiser Permanente’s mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve, which is why we’re advancing bold ideas to reduce homelessness.”

Launch of Regional Supportive Housing Impact Fund

Kaiser Permanente’s $5.1 million investment in the “Metro 300” initiative will also catalyze the new Regional Supportive Housing Impact Fund, which uses an innovative approach that will make funding for housing available more quickly and efficiently. The RSHIF, which will pool contributions from health system, philanthropy and business partners, will be administered by Health Share of Oregon, a coordinated care organization that manages the state’s Medicaid resources for the Portland metro region.

With Health Share as the lead entity, the RSHIF will combine philanthropic dollars with Medicaid funds and deploy them to increase the availability of deeply affordable housing with services and to support housing stability for people with complex health needs.

By addressing a key driver of health – housing – Kaiser Permanente is working with partners to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve, including our members. As a health care organization, Kaiser Permanente recognizes that individuals who are homeless have a higher rate of hospital re-admissions and emergency room visits while also suffering from poorer health outcomes and higher mortality rates.

“Homelessness is the number one issue facing our community, and solving it requires long-term solutions that address the underlying reasons people become and stay homeless,” said Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. “It’s a complex problem that requires the creativity and collaboration of everyone in our community, and we appreciate that Kaiser Permanente and others in our region’s health care, philanthropic, business and government sectors are taking an active role in bringing new solutions to the table.”

Partners in the RSHIF include:

• Cambia Health Foundation
• CareOregon
• Central City Concern
• Collins Foundation
• Health Share of Oregon
• Kaiser Permanente
• Legacy Health
• Meyer Memorial Trust
• OHSU (and Adventist, an OHSU partner)
• Oregon Community Foundation
• Portland Business Alliance
• Providence Health & Services

How Metro 300 Works

This initiative is modeled on Kaiser Permanente’s successful partnership in Oakland, California, that housed 515 seniors during 2019. Health Share, as administrator of the RSHIF, will allocate the Kaiser Permanente funding to housing agencies in each county, and the agencies will deploy this flexible resource to quickly house a total of 300 homeless people.

To qualify for the Metro 300 funding, individuals will have one or more disabling conditions and/or will be referred from one or more systems of care or institutions, such as recuperative care programs, assertive community treatment, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, coordinated entry/coordinated access waitlists, federally qualified health centers, or warming shelters.

The counties will collaborate with a network of providers to serve the 300 seniors through an “anything necessary” approach that includes housing navigation, move-in and rental assistance and ongoing supportive services to ensure ongoing permanent housing stability. The counties will track a by-name list of people served, and Health Share will analyze health utilization and outcomes as part of an evaluation of the project’s impact.

Kaiser Permanente was joined by Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury and other local leaders to announce the initiative at a press conference held at Argyle Gardens — Transition Projects’ new low-income single adult housing development — during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day service project by 180 Kaiser Permanente volunteers. The  deeply affordable low-income single adult housing, funded by the State of Oregon and other partners (and unrelated to the RSHIF or Metro 300 projects), will provide more than 70 people with a safe, clean place to live, and volunteers were helping with finishing touches like painting, building garden beds and organizing a food pantry.

Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to health through housing

Safe, stable housing is essential to a person’s health, and Kaiser Permanente is leading efforts to end homelessness and preserve affordable housing by making impact investments, shaping policy and catalyzing innovation through partnerships.

Kaiser Permanente’s approach to housing includes a variety of mechanisms and is effecting change across the housing system, from ending homelessness to providing investments for affordable housing development and preservation and advocating for policy change.

Recent programs, partnerships and investments:

• Housing for Health grant initiative: a $2.2 million investment to support nonprofits across the region in hiring traditional health workers (peer support specialists and community health workers) to help people to find, secure and maintain safe, stable housing.

• Housing Is Health: a $4 million investment in partnership with Central City Concern and 5 other health systems to build 3 new residential buildings in Portland.

• Commons on MLK: A $750,000 contribution to the Commons on MLK project in Eugene, a “housing first” development that will provide 51 studio apartments for the chronically homeless and medically fragile. 

• Community clinic integration grant initiative: a $600,000 grant initiative with 10 social service organizations to address housing and other social needs of Kaiser Permanente members and the larger community, improve referrals and data sharing between social services and health care providers, and create a learning collaborative to inform a social service resource locator in the Northwest region.

• Community network: in 2019 Kaiser Permanente launched a new social health network in Oregon and Southwest Washington that is creating connections between health care providers and social services agencies to address pressing social needs such as housing, food, safety, transportation and utilities.

• Mayors and CEOs for Housing Investment: a coalition between Kaiser Permanente, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and others in “Mayors and CEOs for Housing Investment”, a coalition that is advocating at the federal level.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.3 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 20, 2020

Media contact: 800-570-5838

Pacific Power crews restored service to approximately 1,000 customers last night with over 300 personnel continuing to make progress to restore remaining 500 customers  

GRANTS PASS, ORE—Pacific Power restored service to approximately 1,000 customers last night– bringing the remaining customer count to approximately 500 – as crews made further progress clearing downed trees and making repairs. Damage from the destructive Jan. 16 winter storm left over 18,000 customers without service at its peak.

Pacific Power crews expect to see good restoration progress throughout today. The remaining pockets of outages are spread out from an area north of Grants Pass to south of Cave Junction, concentrated in the west side of Josephine County. Similar to previous days, repair work is taking place in difficult to reach, remote areas.  

Estimates put full restoration by the end of Tuesday or possibly Wednesday for certain individual customers with a large majority of the remaining 500 customers impacted by the winter storm outages having service returned by late Monday evening.

“We are thankful for our customers’ patience and understanding as our crews and contract personnel made steady progress over the past few days to restore service,” said David Lucas, vice president of transmission and distribution.“ 

Pacific Power encourages customers to report outages by calling 1-877-508-5088 or text OUT to 722797. Text STAT to 722797 to check the status of your outage. Customers and media representatives can also track outages of any size online. Updates will be made as new information becomes available or at least hourly at pacificpower.net/outage.

To ease the inconvenience of power outages and assist crews in restoring power, Pacific Power suggests the following tips and safety precautions:

• Stay away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous. Call 911 and report the outage to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.
• Don’t drive over downed power lines.
• Turn on your porch light. After crews complete repairs, they patrol the area of the power failure to see if any lights are still out
• Check on your neighbors, especially those who may need special assistance. Also, check with others who have electricity, to see if you can visit.
• If you have power at this time, keep mobile devices charged so that may be used in an emergency. Before anything happens, download the Pacific Power app to your smart device so you can have information readily available.
• Remember your pets! Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy.
• If you are using alternate heat or cooking sources, remember to allow plenty of ventilation. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors.
• If you are using a generator, make sure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure the generator is outside and not near any household air intakes. Do not connect the generator directly to your breaker box as this can create a dangerous situation for crews working on the powerlines. Instead plug essential appliances directly into the generator.

See attachment for Boil Water Advisory for the City of Hood River Water.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2020

Oregon’s Barry Bushue honored with Farm Bureau Founders Award

The American Farm Bureau Federation presented one of its highest honors, the Farm Bureau Founders Award, to Oregon’s Barry Bushue during AFBF’s 101st Annual Convention in Austin.

The Farm Bureau Founders Award was established in January 2017 to recognize exemplary leadership, service or contributions to Farm Bureau by officers or employees of AFBF and state Farm Bureau organizations.

Barry Bushue served as the vice-president of AFBF from 2008-2016 and is known as a tireless worker, mentor and fundraiser. He served as the Oregon Farm Bureau President from 1999-2018 and on the AFBF Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Trade Advisory Committee and the Vision for Action Task Force. He is a firm believer that farmers and ranchers should get involved in education and the policy making process.

Bushue says, “Activism needs to be a part of your business plan. You budget for fertilizer, you budget for your seed, you budget for maintenance, you budget for all these things you do, new tractors, whatever it is you need. But, if you don’t have a line item that somehow represents an activist piece of what it is you do and show your passion for agriculture, then I think you are missing something on your farm.”

Bushue and his wife, Helen, invite members of the public to their family farm outside Portland, Oregon, to pick various fruits, vegetables, and a fall favorite, pumpkins. Bushue says opening his farm to the public comes with its challenges but he has developed a customer base that recognizes the value of agriculture.

Sharon Waterman, also a former president of the Oregon Farm Bureau, talks about Bushue’s affection for Farm Bureau, “Barry talks about the Farm Bureau family and what we can do as a Farm Bureau family because if we stand together for agriculture, we can move forward.”

Bushue says his father told him if he was going to farm smart, he needed to be part of Farm Bureau, adding, “He said, ‘We’re going to go to the [Farm Bureau] meeting tonight, and you’re going with me. I embraced it and I loved it. I’ve always had a passion for it, I think I inherited that, it’s probably genetics in our family.”

Barry Bushue was nominated by the Oregon Farm Bureau. A national Farm Bureau committee selected each of the winners.

VIDEO: See a YouTube video about Barry Bushue here: https://oregonfb.org/barryfoundersaward/

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Barrybushue: Former Oregon Farm Bureau President Barry Bushue also served as the vice-president of AFBF from 2008-2016. He and his wife, Helen, invite members of the public to their family farm outside Portland to pick various fruits, vegetables, and a fall favorite, pumpkins.

Barrybushue1: Oregon’s Barry Bushue addressing a crowd of 6,000 Farm Bureau members after receiving the 2020 Founders Award at the AFBF 101st Annual Convention in Austin.

Barrybushue2: Former OFB President Barry Bushue (center) is joined on stage at the AFBF Convention by (from left) AFBF Vice President Scott VanderWal, Helen Bushue, OFB President Barb Iverson, former OFB President Sharon Waterman, and Kentucky Farm Bureau President Mark Haney.

###

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

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

Oregon Farm Bureau President Barb Iverson, elected on Dec. 12, 2019, comes from a multigenerational family farm from Woodburn, raising industrial hemp, grass seed, squash, vetch seed, hazelnuts, wine and table grapes, and operating the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, which attracts over 160,000 visitors each year. She is OFB’s 17th president.

Monday, January 20, 2020 – Ridgefield, WA – South Ridge Elementary School librarian Emily Crawford gave her first grade class a special assignment:  the Flat Stanley project.  Flat Stanley is a series of books about Stanley Lambchop, a boy who is squashed flat by a bulletin board, then goes on many adventures.  He slides under doors, flies like a kite, and is mailed to far-off destinations.  Crawford’s students got to send their own Flat Stanleys off on new adventures.

The first graders colored several paper Flat Stanleys and mailed them off to friends and relatives.  Then those people took photos of Flat Stanley in all kinds of places.  Just from the one WIN (What I Need) Time class, Flat Stanley travelled to twelve states.  He went to a ranch, to a zoo, and to a vineyard.  He flew a plane in Alaska, worked on a television show, and attended an NFL game.  Crawford compiled all 27 of the Flat Stanley adventures into a Flat Stanley book for the students. 

The students started the project by reading Flat Stanley’s Worldwide Adventures:  The Japanese Ninja Surprise.  Crawford used the book to get her students interested in reading. “I liked that I got to read!” Ammon Neil exclaimed.  They did a literature circle study where they discussed the book, developed questions together, and made a glossary of words that were new to them. 

The students enjoyed the book and the project.  They were excited to show which page was theirs and where Flat Stanley went.  Harper Bruno held the book close to her and said, “My favorite part was that we got to make the books.” 

Flat Stanley Adventures:  Volume 1 by Ms. Crawford’s First Grade WIN Class now has a place in the South Ridge library, and each student received their own copy.  Now they can read about all of the amazing places Flat Stanley could go.  Maybe they’ll go there themselves someday—but probably not in an envelope. 

###

Robin Sells, Chief of Police                           Malaka Kerbs, Public Information Officer                                                                     

 UPDATE: Police Seek Help Locating Missing Woman

RELEASE DATE:        Jan. 19, 2020

CONTACT PERSON:  On Duty PIO
CASE NUMBER:          20-3265
 

Update:  Linda has returned home and is safe.  

Gresham, Ore. – Gresham Police is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 65-year-old woman.  Linda McCain was last seen today around 1:50 p.m.  Linda is developmentally delayed.  She is described as a white female, approximately 5-feet-4-inches tall, 145 pounds with black and grey hair.   She was last seen wearing a light blue puffy jacket and black pants.

Anyone who knows of McCain’s whereabouts is asked to call 911.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 19, 2020

Media contact: 800-570-5838

Pacific Power made additional restoration progress today returning service to approximately 1,500 customers

GRANTS PASS, ORE—Pacific Power restored service to approximately 1,500 customers today – down from 3,000 at the beginning of the day – as crews continued to make further progress clearing downed trees and making repairs. Nearly 1,500 customers remain without power due to damaged lines and equipment from the destructive Jan. 16 winter storm that at its peak left over 18,000 customers without service.

The main challenge at this point are the hundreds of single outages spread across 60 to 70 miles with many of those single outages in outlying areas. Over 300 Pacific Power personnel will continue to work through the night and into next week to return service to all impacted customers.   

Pacific Power encourages customers to report outages by calling 1-877-508-5088 or text OUT to 722797. Text STAT to 722797 to check the status of your outage. Customers and media representatives can also track outages of any size online. Updates will be made as new information becomes available or at least hourly at pacificpower.net/outage.

To ease the inconvenience of power outages and assist crews in restoring power, Pacific Power suggests the following tips and safety precautions:

• Stay away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous. Call 911 and report the outage to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.
• Don’t drive over downed power lines.
• Turn on your porch light. After crews complete repairs, they patrol the area of the power failure to see if any lights are still out
• Check on your neighbors, especially those who may need special assistance. Also, check with others who have electricity, to see if you can visit.
• If you have power at this time, keep mobile devices charged so that may be used in an emergency. Before anything happens, download the Pacific Power app to your smart device so you can have information readily available.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. 
• Remember your pets! Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy.
• If you are using alternate heat or cooking sources, remember to allow plenty of ventilation. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors.
• If you are using a generator, make sure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure the generator is outside and not near any household air intakes. Do not connect the generator directly to your breaker box as this can create a dangerous situation for crews working on the powerlines. Instead plug essential appliances directly into the generator.

Yesterday, January 18th, 2020 an off duty Portland Fire Lieutenant was assaulted with a knife while at a local restaurant in SW Portland. The fire lieutenant suffered non-life-threatening lacerations to the upper body from an unknown person in an unprovoked attack.

We are greatly saddened by the news of our brother Lieutenant who was the victim of an unprovoked and random stabbing last night. He is an outstanding firefighter in our community and cares deeply about our mission to protect our city and its citizens. This random act of violence is deeply troubling to the more than 700 firefighters in Portland. We are glad to hear that he is now resting at home and in recovery. We wish him a strong recovery in the coming days.

Portland Police Bureau is currently investigating the assault; therefore, we will not be releasing any further information regarding the incident. Portland Fire Fighters Association would like to respect the privacy of our lieutenant and their family as the lieutenant recovers from the injuries and emotional trauma of the event.

We request that our media partners also respect the privacy of our member and their family.

Respectfully and with sincerely,

Alan Ferschweiler 
President
Portland Fire Fighters Assocation, IAFF Local 43

"Yesterday, January 18th, an off- duty Portland Fire & Rescue Lieutenant was assaulted with a knife while at a local restaurant in SW Portland. The fire lieutenant suffered non-life-threatening lacerations to the upper body from an unknown person in an unprovoked attack.

Portland Fire & Rescue would like to express our deepest gratitude to all the agencies who responded to the scene including American Medical Response, Portland Police Bureau, Portland Fire & Rescue Station #3, and to the staff at Emanuel Hospital. The promptness, collaboration, and professionalism of all these agencies proved a positive outcome for our fire lieutenant.

Portland Police Bureau is currently investigating the assault; therefore, we will not be releasing any further information regarding the incident. Portland Fire & Rescue would like to respect the privacy of our lieutenant and their family as the lieutenant recovers from the injuries and emotional trauma of the event.

We request that our media partners also respect the privacy of our member and their family."

-Chief Sara Boone

Please see the following release from our partners at Portland Police and reach out to them if you have any information that may be helpful in their investigation. 

Link:Portland Police Press Release

Following a fire that damaged several classrooms at Beaverton High School, fire investigators have concluded that the fire was caused by the failure of a small refrigerator that was located inside the adjoining classrooms. The fire is classified as accidental.

A damage estimate is not currently available. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Fire Marshall Steve Forster shared “We are sad to see such an important community institution impacted by the devasting nature of fire. I am proud of the quick and thorough work of our firefighters, investigators and appreciate the cooperation we have received from the Beaverton School District.”

The Beaverton School District will be communicating with students, parents and staff when classes will resume. “We are grateful for the rapid response from TVF&R and the many messages of support and offers of help,” said Anne Erwin, Principal, Beaverton High School. “Now the work begins to repair and clean the spaces that were damaged, and to support those who lost classrooms, property, and memories. In the coming days and weeks, we will call on the strength of our community for support. Together we will move through this challenge.”

Please go to BHS Fire Information webpage for school district updates.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 19, 2020

Media contact: 800-570-5838

Service to nearly 3,000 Pacific Power customers in hard-hit Josephine County was restored yesterday and last night

GRANTS PASS, ORE—Pacific Power restored service to approximately 3,000 customers throughout yesterday as crews continued to make steady progress clearing downed trees and making repairs. Felled trees, blocked roads and hundreds of single outages spread across a large area have made the restoration work challenging. At its peak, more than 18,000 customers were impacted from the Jan. 16 winter storm. Approximately 3,000 customers remain without power.

“We’re thankful to all of our customers for their encouragement and understanding as our crews continue to make restoration progress in the wake of the winter storm,” said Dave Lucas, Pacific Power’s vice president of transmission and distribution. “We know how difficult it can be to go without power for an extended period. Our crews are focused on the task at hand and will continue to work around the clock to clear hazards, make repairs and restore service to our customers.”

Good weather will help aid restoration efforts today of the over 300 Pacific Power and contract personnel who are working in the area.

Pacific Power encourages customers to report outages by calling 1-877-508-5088 or text OUT to 722797. Text STAT to 722797 to check the status of your outage. Customers and media representatives can also track outages of any size online. Updates will be made as new information becomes available or at least hourly at pacificpower.net/outage.

To ease the inconvenience of power outages and assist crews in restoring power, Pacific Power suggests the following tips and safety precautions:

• Stay away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous. Call 911 and report the outage to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.
• Don’t drive over downed power lines.
• Turn on your porch light. After crews complete repairs, they patrol the area of the power failure to see if any lights are still out
• Check on your neighbors, especially those who may need special assistance. Also, check with others who have electricity, to see if you can visit.
• If you have power at this time, keep mobile devices charged so that may be used in an emergency. Before anything happens, download the Pacific Power app to your smart device so you can have information readily available.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. 
• Remember your pets! Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy.
• If you are using alternate heat or cooking sources, remember to allow plenty of ventilation. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors.
• If you are using a generator, make sure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure the generator is outside and not near any household air intakes. Do not connect the generator directly to your breaker box as this can create a dangerous situation for crews working on the powerlines. Instead plug essential appliances directly into the generator.

Sheridan, SW Polk and West Valley crews were dispatched to a possible structure fire on SW Dupee Valley Rd. just after 5 PM on Saturday, January 18th. The call came in from a neighbor who had witnessed flames coming through the roof of a 2,000 square foot farmhouse. A Sheridan engine was first to arrive on scene. They found the farmhouse was fully involved and began their attack on the fire to protect surrounding structures. Command was established shortly after the first engine arrived by Sheridan, SW Polk and West Valley's Battalion Chief and the fire was upgraded to a second alarm fire. Crews continued to remain on scene late in the evening to ensure the fire was completely extinguished. The Yamhill County fire investigations team will continue their investigations to determine a cause in the coming days. The farmhouse was deemed a total loss and one civilian was treated on the scene, unrelated to the fire. 

Sheridan, SW Polk and West Valley Districts would like to thank Amity Fire District, Dallas Fire Department and McMinnville Fire Department for their assistance in fighting the fire and district coverage. Updated information to come, pending the results of the investigation.

UPDATE: The cause of the fire remains unknown after investigation, however the cause is not thought to be suspicious. The residents were not home and their dog was outside at the time of the fire. They have relocated to a relatives home for now. 

(UPDATE)

Isaac had just returned home safe and sound.  We thank all news media outlets and the public for their concern and assistance.  

Officer Botvinnik (360)518-4101

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On 01-18-2020 Vancouver Police patrol officers responded to 5500 block of NE 82nd Ave in Vancouver (WA) to a report of a runaway juvenile.  Investigation revealed that seventeen year old Isaac Martinez had left his residence at approximately noon earlier today.

Isaac's parents are very concerned for his welfare due to Isaac's recent verbal threats to hurt himself.  

Isaac is approximately six inches two feet tall and weighs approximately (185) pounds.  His current clothing is unknown.  Isaac may be wearing glasses or contacts.  Isaac did have noticeable dark curly hair as pictured.

Isaac does not have access to a vehicle, but may get around via C-TRAN / VINE bus system by using his bus pass.  Isaac does have a cell phone which is not currently connected to a network.

Vancouver Police Department's investigators are requesting for the public to be on the lookout for Isaac and to contact their local police dispatch center if spotted.  

On January 18th, 2020, shortly before 3:00 am deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the report of shots fired in the 4500 block of Agate Drive SE, in the unincorporated area of Salem.  Deputies contacted multiple people near the residence and learned a male had come to the home a short time earlier and fired multiple shots in front of the residence prior to going inside.  Deputies learned the suspect was searching for someone at the residence and had pointed a handgun at another male inside the house, taking their wallet.  There were no reported injuries as a result of the shots being fired by the suspect.

The suspect, Jeffrey Jeno Garza, was reported to still be hiding inside of the home along with multiple other people.  Over the course of the next few hours, multiple additional people came out of the residence to safety.  Marion County Sheriff’s Office SWAT was activated and responded to the scene along with investigators from the Criminal Investigations Unit.

Negotiators from the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team spent the next several hours attempting to get Garza to surrender peacefully.  After attempts to get Garza to surrender voluntarily were unsuccessful, he was ultimately located hiding in a crawl space beneath the home by a police K-9.

Garza, a 39 year-old Woodburn man, was taken to an area hospital for treatment for his injuries.  He will be lodged at the Marion County Jail for multiple charges including Robbery in the First Degree, Theft in the Second Degree, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Shortly before 10:00a.m. this morning, the fire alarm at Beaverton High School began sounding and a coach conducting basketball practice noticed smoke in the hallways. The coach evacuated his players and called 911.

Firefighters from Station 67 arrived within three minutes of being dispatched and followed the smoke to find several adjoining classrooms that had pressurized black smoke pushing through the openings of the door. The incident was then raised to a second alarm to bring additional resources.

Firefighters made entry into the adjoining classrooms and found high heat and black smoke down to their knees. Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire, while another crew ventilated the room from above. While these teams of firefighters suppressed the fire, other crews searched the building and found no other occupants. Crews also searched the attic to see if the fire extended, due to the quick response and efficient fire suppression efforts the fire did not move into the attic space.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire investigators will conduct witness interviews, examine burn patterns and collect any material evidence to determine where and how the fire started.

Beaverton School District representatives were onscene and are coordinating with fire officials and fire investigators.

Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue was also assisted by Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Metro West and Beaverton Police Department.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 18, 2020

Media contact: 800-570-5838

Power restorations in southern Oregon continued through the night as Pacific Power brings in additional crews to assist

Pacific Power has over 300 personnel working around the clock clearing downed trees and making repairs in aftermath of destructive winter storm

GRANTS PASS, ORE—Pacific Power restored power to approximately 1,900 customers during the night with additional crews and equipment coming in from across the region to assist with clearing downed trees and restoration efforts. Vegetation crews continue to focus on clearing away hundreds of felled trees and clearing debris from roads so line crews can safely make repairs to restore power to the remaining 6,000 customers impacted by the outages caused by the Jan. 16 winter storm that at its peak left more than 18,000 customers without power.

Crews have made steady progress during the night and expect to continue to restore more customers throughout today and into the evening. Restoration efforts have been hampered by the sheer number of outages spread across vast, difficult to access terrain and hundreds of felled trees.

More than 300 Pacific Power personnel and contractors are working around the clock in the area. Pacific Power estimates between 1,500 and 2,000 customers could be restored by this evening, but cautions some customers could remain without power into next week. 

Red Cross Shelters. Red Cross has opened emergency shelters in areas that are experiencing extended outages.

• Illinois Valley High School:  625 E River St, Cave Junction, OR 97523,
• Josephine County Fairgrounds, Pavilion Building:  1451 Fairgrounds Road, Grants Pass, OR, 97527. 

Pacific Power encourages customers to report outages by calling 1-877-508-5088 or text OUT to 722797. Text STAT to 722797 to check the status of your outage. Customers and media representatives can also track outages of any size online. Updates will be made as new information becomes available or at least hourly at pacificpower.net/outage.

To ease the inconvenience of power outages and assist crews in restoring power, Pacific Power suggests the following tips and safety precautions:

• Stay away from all downed power lines and utility lines. Even if the lines are not sparking, they could be energized and extremely dangerous. Call 911 and report the outage to Pacific Power at 1-877-508-5088.
• Don’t drive over downed power lines.
• Turn on your porch light. After crews complete repairs, they patrol the area of the power failure to see if any lights are still out
• Check on your neighbors, especially those who may need special assistance. Also, check with others who have electricity, to see if you can visit.
• If you have power at this time, keep mobile devices charged so that may be used in an emergency. Before anything happens, download the Pacific Power app to your smart device so you can have information readily available.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed. Most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. 
• Remember your pets! Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy.
• If you are using alternate heat or cooking sources, remember to allow plenty of ventilation. Never burn charcoal for heating or cooking indoors.
• If you are using a generator, make sure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure the generator is outside and not near any household air intakes. Do not connect the generator directly to your breaker box as this can create a dangerous situation for crews working on the powerlines. Instead plug essential appliances directly into the generator.

Santana Duran receives a 70 month prison sentence for randomly confronting, stabbing a man in downtown Portland

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 20-year-old Santana Duran received a 70 month prison sentence after being convicted of stabbing a person multiple times in downtown Portland.

After changing his plea on Friday, the court sentenced Duran to 70 months in prison followed by 36 months of post-prison supervision. He will also have to pay $360 in restitution.

This investigation started on June 26, 2019 at approximately 11:50 p.m. when witnesses reported hearing and seeing a fight near the intersection of Southwest Broadway and West Burnside Street in Portland, Oregon. When officers arrived on scene, they located the victim covered in blood suffering from what appeared to be at least five stab wounds to his chest and abdomen.

The victim told police that three young males approached and confronted him for no apparent reason. The victim did not know any of the three individuals, and told them that he did not want to fight.

The victim tripped as he tried to separate himself from the group. As he did, all three males – according to court documents – jumped on top of him, which is when he was stabbed.

Police spoke with witnesses who confirmed that the victim attempted to back away and de-escalate the situation but that Duran and the other two individuals continued to chase him, according to court documents.

“This was a violent, unnecessary, and unprovoked attack on a stranger,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Nicole Hermann, who prosecuted this case. “Mr. Duran and his two co-defendants all acted together, but it was Mr. Duran who was the main aggressor with the knife, stabbing the victim multiple times and causing serious and significant injuries.”

Had it not been for the immediate medical response by police and paramedics, the victim could have died because of the severity of injuries.

Police located Duran nearby and found him to be wearing a blood-soaked glove. Police also located a knife in his pocket with blood on the blade.

The two other individuals arrested in this case include 22-year-old Roman Coy Jr. and a 17 year old.

The charging instrument against Coy is only an accusation of a crime. He remains innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case involving the 17 year old is being litigated in juvenile court. As such, no additional information can be provided about his identity or case.  

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes the Portland Police Bureau’s Central Precinct officers who responded and investigated this assault. Furthermore, we recognize the first responders from the Portland Fire Bureau and American Medical Response for their lifesaving efforts.

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

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

#MCDA#

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

Corbett Fire responds to early morning restaurant fire

Corbett Fire District 14 responded to a fire this morning at Shirley's Tippy Canoe Restaurant, 28242 E Historic Columbia River Highway in Troutdale.  The call came in at 5:03 AM by a passerby.  Multnomah County Sheriffs Deputies were first on scene and reported heavy fire from the 2nd floor windows of the unoccupied building.

Corbett Fire dispatched three engines, two 3000 gallon water tenders and a chief officer, Gresham Fire and Rescue assisted with an engine, a 104' ladder truck and a battalion chief, Clackamas County Fire District 1 assisted with a 3000 gallon water tender.  There were no firefighter injuries.

A nearby 200 gallon per minute fire hydrant was supplemented by a water shuttle with the 3000 gallon water tenders.  Gresham's Truck 71 was able to apply water from its aerial ladder making fire control much quicker.

Unfortunately, with such an advanced fire on arrival, the structure and its contents are a total loss.  A loss estimate is not yet available.

Gresham Fire and Rescue investigators are leading the investigation.  The fire's cause has not been determined at this time.  

Press Contact:  Fire Chief Dave Flood at 503-803-5244

The Tualatin Valley Water District (TVWD) recently received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Distinguished Budget Presentation Award. The prestigious national honor was earned for TVWD’s outstanding presentation of the 2019-2021 biennial budget.

The award reflects TVWD’s commitment to meeting the highest standards of governmental budgeting, and the desire to make the budget understandable to all customers. The award is based on how well the budget document serves as:

• A policy document
• A financial plan
• An operations guide
• A communications device

The budget provides detailed information about TVWD’s investments in the water system, the budgeting process, and provides a multi-year financial outlook.

“This award is a testament to the hard work of our entire budget team, which was led by our recently retired budget officer Tod Burton,” said Paul Matthews, TVWD’s Chief Financial Officer. “The team works hard to produce a straightforward budget that our customers can understand.”

The 2019-21 budget includes:

• Budget Message – a summary of the budget process and district initiatives,
• Multi-Year Financial outlook – a summary of the projected economic conditions, expenditures and rate adjustments,
• Biennial budget, and
• Capital Improvement Plan.

To view TVWD’s 2019-2021 budget, please visit: www.tvwd.org/budget.

The Government Finance Officers Association is a nonprofit professional association serving 17,400 government finance professionals throughout North America. The GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Presentation Awards Program is the only national governmental budgeting awards programming, with 1,600 entities earning recognition.

Friday, January 17, 2020 – Ridgefield, WA – Ask a fourth grader about what they have been studying, and you might not expect to hear, “The pika!”  What is a pika?  These students will be glad you asked.  They know more than most people about these cute animals.  And they were excited to learn more about pikas from Amanda Greenvoss with Cascades Pika Watch.  Greenvoss came to speak to students at Union Ridge Elementary about her work with pikas—and how the students could help.

Pikas are small mammals “about the size of a baked potato,” Greenvoss told the students.  At first glance, they resemble a mouse, but they are actually related to rabbits.  Greenvoss showed the students a picture of a pika’s face in profile.  “Cover their ears, and their face looks more like a rabbit.  They just have shorter ears.” 

Pikas usually live in cold, rocky, mountainous terrain, but surprisingly, there is a large group of pikas that inhabit the Columbia Gorge.  “These pikas are weird,” Greenvoss said.  There’s no real explanation for where this group of pikas came from, why they chose to live so much closer to sea level, or even how they survive when their bodies are adapted for a very different environment.  But not only are they surviving in the Columbia Gorge, they are thriving.  They even survived the destruction of a large part of their habitat in the Eagle Creek fire of 2017, hiding deep in their underground burrows. 

Because this group of pikas is such an anomaly, it makes for great research.  Greenvoss explained that the Cascades Pika Watch has many “citizen scientist” volunteers who help locate and map pika populations in Oregon.  They can watch and listen for pikas as they hike trails, and they also monitor a group of sites in and around the Columbia River Gorge.  With so many more eyes watching for pikas, biologists get better data to study them.  Greenvoss explained that there are many families that have joined the Cascades Pika Watch; with just one training, they can turn their family hikes into a way to help scientific research.

Many of the students hoped their families would join in the volunteer group.  They have spent many hours researching pikas and are big fans of the cute animals.  The walls of the hallways near their classroom are decorated with poster after poster about pikas, with drawings and detailed information about the pika’s preferred environment, characteristics, and behavior, as well as how they have been impacted by climate change.

Teacher Kim Stenbak started the pika research project at Union Ridge Elementary.  Inspired by a teaching outline by ESD 112 (Educational Service District 112), an agency that serves schools throughout the region, she realized this was a great way to get students involved in learning, not just about the pika, but also about the environment and how humans have affected their survival.  She hopes that in the future, these students will be active in educating others about the pika and helping preserve their environment. 

Interested in joining the Cascades Pika Watch citizen scientists to watch and listen for pikas?  Sign up at oregonzoo.org/pikawatch .

 ###

January 17, 2020

Austin Keever-Nyberg receives a 36 month prison sentence for attempting to run down three young males with his vehicle

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 22-year-old Austin Keever-Nyberg changed his plea and received a 36 month prison sentence for chasing down three young males with his truck while driving at a high rate of speed and striking at least two members of the group.

“The video in this case certainly speaks for itself. It is jarring to see someone speeding down a sidewalk in a large truck intentionally trying to drive over people as they run away,” said Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney Brian Davidson, who prosecuted this case. “It was unusual that none of the young males who were the intended targets came forward to speak with us or law enforcement. Still, we have an obligation to our community to ensure there is accountability, especially when the criminal conduct could have resulted in serious physical injury or even death.” 

After changing his plea, the court convicted Keever-Nyberg of one count of attempted assault in the first degree. The court sentenced him to 36 months in prison followed by 36 months of post-prison supervision. 

This investigation started on January 10, 2019 when a community member released home surveillance video to members of the media.

During the investigation, law enforcement reviewed the video and obtained the truck’s license plate information, which revealed Keever-Nyberg to be associated with the vehicle.

The video shows three young males running into Wilkes Park. As they did, Keever-Nyberg pursued them and drove his vehicle at a high rate of speed over the curb, striking at least two of the males.

On January 18, 2019, law enforcement located a vehicle at a car dealership in the 19000 block of Southeast McLoughlin Boulevard. The truck located matched the description of the vehicle depicted in the home surveillance video.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office located and detained Keever-Nyberg on January 23, 2019 at the Happy Valley Municipal Court. Portland Police responded and placed Keever-Nyberg under arrest for the attempted assault near Wilkes Park.

When questioned by detectives, Keever-Nyberg claimed that the group he attempted to run down had robbed him just moments prior during a drug deal.

At no point during this investigation did any of the three males come forward to identify themselves to law enforcement. The extent of any physical injuries any one of the three males may have suffered remains unknown.

By changing his plea, Keever-Nyberg admitted that he unlawfully and intentionally attempted to cause serious physical injury to another person using a dangerous weapon.

Under Oregon law, “dangerous weapon” means any weapon, device, instrument, material or substance that under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used or threatened to be used, is readily capable of causing death or serious physical injury.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes Portland Police Officer Corey Cronkhite, Officer Daniel Romanowski, Officer James Defrain, and Detective Jeff Sharp for their dedicated efforts investigating this case.

#MCDA#

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

January 17, 2020

Joshua Michael Lund receives prison, probation sentence for cutting a man in downtown Portland with a knife

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 39-year-old Joshua Michael Lund received a sentence that included prison time and formal probation after he used a knife during a fight and ended up cutting a man in his chest.

The court sentenced Lund to 36 months in prison followed by 24 months of post-prison supervision. Lund will also be on 60 months of formal probation.

This investigation started on September 8, 2019 at approximately 2:30 a.m. when an officer with the Portland Police Bureau came upon an in-progress fight near the area of Northwest 3rd Avenue and Northwest Davis Street.

During the investigation, law enforcement learned Lund and three of his friends got into an argument with another group of people. The argument turned physical. Once police separated everyone they contacted the victim who reported that he had only been punched in the face.

One of the officers then noticed that the victim had blood on his shirt. Officers checked the victim’s chest and noticed that he had a small wound, approximately one inch in length. He did require two stiches to treat the injury.

“This is a very appropriate resolution when you look at this case in its entirety,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Kevin Demer, who prosecuted this case. “Here, Mr. Lund immediately took responsibility for his actions by choosing to quickly resolve the case, and he was remorseful for the injury he caused. We ultimately determined Mr. Lund was trying to punch the victim in the face, which he did, but during that punch he was holding a knife, which subsequently cut the victim in the chest.”

Officers on scene searched the area and recovered a black folding knife with a silver blade in the 200 block of Northwest 3rd Avenue, which is only feet from where the fight occurred.

On December 13, 2019, Lund appeared in Multnomah County Circuit Court and changed his plea. Upon doing so, the court convicted him of one count of attempted assault in the second degree and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

While investigating the altercation in downtown, law enforcement executed a court-authorized warrant at Lund’s residence and recovered a .40 caliber handgun and ammunition. Under Oregon law, Lund was not allowed to be in possession of any firearms because of a prior felony conviction. 

This case was litigated by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office Neighborhood and Strategic Prosecution Unit, which reviews cases that stem from neighborhood-specific concerns. The unit is primarily responsible for interfacing with the community over specific issues, and handles all types of cases across the criminal justice spectrum to include misdemeanors and homicides.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes Portland Police Bureau’s Entertainment Detail, the PPB Central Precinct Neighborhood Response Team and the officers assigned to PPB Central Precinct patrol who responded and investigated this case.

#MCDA#

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

UPDATE

An adult in custody (AIC) who walked away earlier today from a Mill Creek Correctional Facility work crew is now back in custody.

Law enforcement officials arrested Timofey Erofeeff today at approximately 2:30 p.m. in Salem.

A Mill Creek Correctional Facility (MCCF) adult in custody (AIC) walked away from a work crew this afternoon. The crew was working near Salem’s Pringle Park. The Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) are investigating.

Staff discovered AIC Timofey Erofeeff missing from a work crew near Pringle Park, last seen heading towards Bellevue and Church Street at approximately 12:15 p.m. Erofeeff is a 29-year-old Caucasian male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 185 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Erofeeff was last seen wearing blue denim jeans and a navy-blue sweatshirt.

Erofeeff entered DOC custody on June 25, 2018, on two counts of burglary in the first degree out of Clackamas County, one count attempted burglary in the first degree, and one count eluding police out of Clatsop County. His earliest release date is January 2, 2021.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call the Oregon State Police at 1-800-452-7888.

MCCF is an unfenced, minimum-security prison in Salem that houses approximately 290 adults in custody who are within four years of release. The facility concentrates on work opportunities, most of which are in the form of work crews contracting with state agencies, local organizations, and private industries within a 60-mile radius of Salem. MCCF opened in 1929 as the Farm Annex of the Oregon State Penitentiary, housing 50 individuals. The Farm Annex provided all of the milk, eggs, meat, fruit, and vegetables for the Oregon State Penitentiary and the State Hospital. The main building (as well as many of the out buildings that made up the farm) still stands today and, at 81 years old, it makes for the second oldest prison in the state.   

###

UPDATE:  Yesterday, investigators located the van, depicted in the surveillance footage previously released, in Linn County Oregon.  Investigators also located the white male seen in surveillance and interviewed him.  He is considered a witness to Danielle Bisnell’s disappearance. 

Danielle Bisnell is still missing.  This investigation is active and ongoing. No further information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information into Danielle Bisnell’s disappearance is urged to contact Redding Police Investigations at 530-225-4200 or Shasta County Secret Witness at 530-243-2319. There is a $2,500 reward offered for any information leading to Danielle Bisnell’s whereabouts.

Linn County Sheriff Jim Yon reports his detectives are assisting Redding Police Department in the disappearance of a woman from California.  Danielle Renee Bisnell, (27 years old of Redding) was reported missing by family and friends on December 31st, 2019.  She has been known to frequent Northern California, Oregon, and Nevada. 

It is believed Danielle was traveling through Linn County on her way back to Redding on December 10th, 2019, when she stopped communicating with her family and friends.  Redding Police Department has shared surveillance footage of Danielle travelling with an unknown male in a mini-van.  Included is also a recent photo of Danielle. 

Anyone with information in this case, including the identity of the male and/or vehicle can contact Sergeant Danny Smetak of Redding Police Department at 530-225-4218.  If you have information and would like to remain anonymous you can also contact the Shasta County Secret Witness program at 530-243-2319.  There is a $2500 reward offered for any information leading to Danielle’s whereabouts.

Salem, Ore., January 17, 2020 – The first-annual Oregon Housing Economic Summit (“Summit”), presented by the Oregon Home Builders Association, the Oregon Bankers Association and the Oregon Association of REALTORS® was held yesterday in Salem. The event drew over 400 participants representing the homebuilding, banking and real estate industries, as well as public officials and other stakeholders.
 
Senior Economist and Director of Housing and Commercial Research at the National Association of REALTORS® Gay Cororaton, CBE, and Dr. Michael Wilkerson, partner and director of analytics with ECONorthwest, addressed economic and housing affordability issues. Policies impacting housing supply at the local level were tackled during a panel discussion with City of Tigard’s Community Development Director Kenny Asher and Sightline Institute’s Senior Researcher Michael Andersen.
 
For an on the ground perspective, industry representatives discussed trends and barriers to housing development, financing, and homeownership. Panelists included Susan Brown, senior vice president and construction production manager at Umpqua Bank, Chad Harvey, principal broker at Harvey Realty Group, and Justin Wood, vice president of Fish Construction NW.
 
Oregon Speaker of the House Tina Kotek (N/NE Portland) and two members of the House Interim Committee On Human Services and Housing, Chair Alissa Keny-Guyer (NE/SE Portland) and Vice-Chair Ron Noble (McMinnville) concluded the program with a discussion about recent housing-related legislation and their views about addressing Oregon’s housing affordability and availability challenges. The representatives fielded audience comments and questions from various industry perspectives.
 
The Summit succeeded in bringing together key stakeholders for a collaborative and productive dialogue about the challenges and potential solutions to housing affordability and availability in Oregon. The three industry groups plan to hold next year’s Oregon Housing Economic Summit in Salem on January 14, 2021. More information will be available at https://oregonhousingeconomicsummit.com.

January 17, 2020

Akeen Oliver indicted for the attempted murder of another person near Holladay Park

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that a grand jury returned a four-count indictment against 26-year-old Akeen Oliver for the June 16, 2019 attempted murder of another person near Holladay Park.

The indictment charges Oliver with one count of attempted murder in the second degree with a firearm, one count of attempted assault in the first degree with a firearm, one count of unlawful use of a weapon with a firearm enhancement and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm with a firearm enhancement.

Court documents allege that Oliver – a convicted felon - unlawfully and intentionally used a .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun and intentionally attempted to cause serious physical injury and the death of another person.

This investigation started on June 16, 2019 at approximately 5:30 p.m. when Portland Police received information about shots being fired near Holladay Park. As police responded, they learned the shooter fled the area. The Portland Police Bureau’s Gun Violence Reduction Team responded and located multiple pieces of gunfire evidence.

On October 7, 2019, law enforcement located and arrested Oliver in the 12200 block of Northeast Glisan Street in Portland, Oregon. He was booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on a parole violation detainer.

In the months following this incident, officers and detectives from the Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Police Department and Vancouver Police Department have continued to investigate this shooting.

The grand jury returned its charging decision on January 16, 2020.

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

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

A charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Oliver is innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office works closely with the City of Portland’s Office of Youth Violence Prevention and attends the bi-weekly Community Peace Collaborative meeting, which is a coalition of law enforcement, service providers and community members who are focused on encouraging people to take a stand against gun violence.

In August 2017, the Portland Area Crime Gun Initiative was formed in partnership the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, Oregon State Police, Oregon State Crime Lab, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the ATF.

The Portland Area Crime Gun Initiative works with its partners to prevent violent crime by identifying perpetrators, linking criminal activities, and identifying sources of crime guns for immediate disruption, investigation, and prosecution.

For more information on the Portland Area Crime Gun Initiative, please click here.

#MCDA#

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

Vancouver, Wash. – The City of Vancouver will close Beach Drive between Shorewood Drive and Wintler Community Park (6400 Beach Dr.) to allow BNSF Railway Company to perform track repairs starting Wednesday, Jan. 22. The road is scheduled to re-open the morning of Saturday, Jan. 25.

Wintler Community Park will not be accessible by automobile during the road closure. Visitors may still access the park on foot or by bicycle using the Columbia River Renaissance Trail.

Questions about the track maintenance project can be directed to City of Vancouver Operations Superintendent, Bill Bjerke at jerke@cityofvancouver.us">Bill.Bjerke@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8245; or to Cristina Acosta of RoadSafe Traffic Systems at mcacosta@roadsafetraffic.com or 971-413-4106.

For information about Wintler Community Park or the Columbia River Renaissance Trail, contact Melody Burton at urton@cityofvancouver.us">melody.burton@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8306.

###

About Vancouver Parks and Recreation

Vancouver Parks and Recreation builds upon the City’s strong legacy of parks, natural areas and recreation dating back to the dedication of Esther Short Park in 1853. Each month, the Parks and Recreation Department provides hundreds of recreation opportunities for youth, adults, seniors and persons with disabilities at its two community centers. Parks and Recreation operates 1,600 acres of parkland at 113 sites, including 91 parks, 20 miles of trails and many natural areas for the City of Vancouver. The Parks and Recreation Department cultivates community in the City and beyond through on-going special events and volunteer programs that celebrate the City’s natural spaces.

The Second Annual Report for the City of Tualatin’s transportation bond is now available online at TualatinMovingForward.com. Copies are also available in City offices and at various City locations.

In 2018, Tualatin voters approved a $20 million bond program that will pay for more than 30 projects that improve congestion and neighborhood traffic safety. Mayor Frank Bubenik reports to voters: “The $20 million you approved is hard at work making roadways safer, less congested, and creating connections to schools and parks around town.”

The feature story in the report covers a major project at the Tualatin-Sherwood Road and I-5 junction – Tualatin’s busiest intersection. There, computer modeling using the latest technology pointed to an unanticipated solution. Simply restriping the existing lanes and adjusting the signage would yield significant time savings: nearly 5 minutes per day for the typical commuter. Commuters, commerce and local connections will all benefit. While the design is effective at managing traffic, it will also take less time to construct, saving up to $1 million.

The long-awaited Garden Corner Curves project is also getting underway, with construction starting on upgrading SW 105th Avenue/Blake Street and 108th Avenue between Avery Street and Willow Street.

The Second Annual Report also charts progress on almost 20 bond-funded projects. Five projects are already built, and seven more are underway. “Over the next two years, Tualatin residents will see projects completed on streets in the downtown and almost every neighborhood”, says Tualatin’s Public Works Director Jeff Fuchs, P.E.

To learn more, go to TualatinMovingForward.com.

The City of Tualatin is partnering with local employers to install transportation projects that improve worker safety on streets near employment centers. “We love to partner with interested local businesses – and we can often help with the cost,” says Public Works Director, Jeff Fuchs, P.E.

Leveraging funds from the $20 million transportation bond program approved by Tualatin voters in 2018, the City is working to make traffic safety and congestion improvements citywide. More than 30 projects are planned, and five are already built.

An upcoming project will enhance the mid-block pedestrian crossing installed in 2017 at Portland General Electric’s facility on Mohawk Drive near Martinazzi. Before, with the PGE campus situated on both sides of Mohawk, up to 400 workers per day crossed the street without a marked crossing. Many had expressed concern about the unsafe crossing.

Initial crossing improvements were designed by City staff with PGE paying for installation. Now, rapid flashing beacons will be added to further improve pedestrian safety for PGE employees at an estimated cost of $40,000. “These new rapid flashing beacons have been very effective wherever we have installed them at pedestrian crossings and in school zones,” says Fuchs, who also served as project manager for the initial crossing installation on Mohawk.

The safer crossing has been embraced by PGE employees, and was featured in the company’s Safety Line publication. Sarah Sims, manager of PGE’s Customer Service Center says “I fully appreciate the partnership. The City was willing to understand our concerns and make this work.”

A similar mid-block crossing with rapid flashing beacons was constructed in 2018 at the Lam Research campus on Leveton Road, where 3,000 employees are headquartered.

Tualatin businesses interested in traffic safety projects should contact Jeff Fuchs, P.E. at jfuchs@tualatin.gov or go to TualatinMovingForward.com.  Sarah Sims of PGE advises other Tualatin employers: “Don’t be afraid to make the call.”

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon’s Smoke Management Advisory Committee will meet Jan. 30, 2020 in Salem. On the agenda are:

• reports from the Department of Environmental Quality and ODF’s Protection Division
• a summary of prescribed burning in 2019
• a summary of smoke intrusions and incidents
• a budget and fund balance update
• an update on data systems
• an update on the smoke management plan implementation, including community response plans.

In addition, the committee will discuss key performance measures.

The public is invited to attend and there will be a period for public comment in the morning. The meeting is in the Tillamook Room in Building C on the campus of the Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State Street in Salem. It will last from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The meeting space is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting by contacting Shauna Morris at 503-945-7529.

Created by the Legislature in 1989, the five-member committee assists and advises the Oregon Department of Forestry in carrying out its Smoke Management Program. Members are appointed by the State Forester to serve a two-year term, which is renewable.

                                                                                    # # #

Portland, Ore. – Today the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) released the Decision Record for the reclassification of public domain lands as part in one of the final steps of the implementation of the Western Oregon Tribal Fairness Act.

The Act, signed into law by President Trump on January 8, 2018, directed the BLM to transfer 14,708 acres of public lands to be held in trust for the benefit of the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians, and 17,812 acres to be held in trust for the benefit of the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians. Of these conveyed lands, 31,132 acres were lands managed under the Oregon and California Lands (O&C lands) Act of 1937.

In addition to transferring these lands into trust for the Tribes, the Act also required the BLM to identify and convert public domain lands to replace the conveyed O&C lands. Reclassifying these lands as O&C lands will allow 18 western Oregon counties to share in a portion of receipts from timber sales on these lands.

The selected alternative in the Decision Record ensures that BLM will meet the requirements of the law by converting lands of approximately equal acreage and condition. This will ensure that these converted lands have the potential to provide approximately equal timber receipt payments to O&C counties as the conveyed O&C lands would have.

The selected alternative will also reclassify plots to best match the condition of the conveyed O&C lands that were transferred to the tribes. This means that the selected alternative will also match the estimated average annual payments to O&C counties from timber sales on reclassified lands that the O&C counties would have received from timber sales on the conveyed tribal lands.

The reclassification of public domain lands to O&C lands does not change the management of the land, which is governed by the 2016 Northwestern and Coastal Oregon Resource Management Plan and the Southwestern Oregon Resource Management Plan. Additional information about the effort is available online at: https://www.blm.gov/oregon-washington/serving-america/western-oregon-tribal-fairness-act

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $96 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2017. These activities supported more than 468,000 jobs.

Hope to see you on Monday! The full media alert is below and I also wanted to share a few final details:

- There is a driveway on site where there will be room for 3 news trucks to park. Otherwise there is on-street parking. 

- When you arrive please come directly to the tent, there will be someone at the entry to point you in the right direction. You will also be able to go into Argyle Gardens to film the volunteer project, I'll have a waiver from the construction company for you to sign (this is a formality due to the fact that it is still technically a construction site.)

- If you plan to send someone over earlier than 9am, please let me know so I can be sure we're ready for them. 

Thanks!
Debbie

MLK DAY PRESS EVENT
Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury will join Kaiser Permanente to Announce New Portland Metro Area Housing Initiative

Public scoping meetings scheduled on proposals covering nearly 18,000 permits, leases on 155 million acres

WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management has published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement to consider proposed revisions to the agency’s grazing regulations. The BLM currently manages livestock grazing on 155 million of the 245 million acres of public land and administers nearly 18,000 grazing permits and leases.

“Administration of sustainable livestock grazing on public lands is a key part of the Bureau of Land Management’s multiple-use mission. We continue to seek ways to improve and streamline the grazing permit process to achieve greater efficiencies and service to permittees,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management Casey B. Hammond. “This rulemaking effort is designed to strengthen and improve our administration of grazing permits across the West, and we welcome public and stakeholder ideas and perspectives.”

The proposed revisions will update, modernize and streamline the grazing regulations and provide greater flexibility for land and resource management. Through this rulemaking, the BLM seeks to improve existing land-use planning and grazing permitting procedures, while simultaneously promoting public lands conservation. The BLM hopes to improve its stewardship of the nation’s rangeland resources by strengthening controls to prevent unauthorized grazing, enhancing environmental protections across various non-grazing land-use programs, and improving public input opportunities.

The BLM is currently managing 11 demonstration projects in six states as part of our outcome-based grazing authorizations initiative. These demonstration projects provide BLM, working in partnership with ranchers and other partners, with opportunities to improve our guidance and best management practices to use when issuing grazing permits. Lessons learned from developing cooperative monitoring plans and land health evaluations under this initiative may also be incorporated into this regulatory process.

By publishing this Notice of Intent, the BLM is informing the public about the proposed revisions and how interested parties can comment. Public scoping meetings will be held in in February to further inform the public about this project. These meetings include:

• Miles City, Montana: February 6, at the Sleep Inn and Suites, 1006 S. Haynes Ave., from 4:30-7:30 p.m.;
• Las Cruces, New Mexico: February 11 at the Las Palmas Grill, 201 East University Ave., from 4:30-7:30 p.m.;
• Elko, Nevada: February 18 at the Elko Convention Center, 700 Moren Way, from 4:30-7:30 p.m.; and
• Casper, Wyoming: February 20, at the Casper Events Center, 1 Events Dr., from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Comments on the proposed regulation revisions may be submitted in writing until Feb. 28, 2020. Meeting information, announcements, instructions on how to provide comments, and pertinent documents can be found at the BLM website at https://go.usa.gov/xyMqb.

For more information, contact Seth Flanigan, BLM Project Manager, at 208-384-3450 or sflanigan@blm.gov.

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $96 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2017. These activities supported more than 468,000 jobs. 

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Director Lisa Sumption has appointed a new member to the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries.

Valerie Vines Magee, from Rockaway Beach, has experience with parks, public commissions, historic cemeteries, and a historical society. She has used commission resources in the past, including a grant for the Nehalem American Legion Cemetery. According to Vines Magee “The commission has greatly assisted my efforts in bringing resources to the cemetery and major improvements have been made. This beautiful site, that is still operational, now has site signage, an information board, and a cedar, split rail boundary fence.  I hope to assist others, as well as bring additional knowledge and support to our site in Nehalem, with my appointment to the commission.”

“I am thrilled to welcome Val to the commission,” stated Kuri Gill, coordinator for the state historic cemeteries program. “Her local, award winning work, is a great model to share through the commission.”

The seven-member Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries supports OPRD historic cemetery preservation efforts by offering training, educational resources, coordination and grants. Its other members are Charlotte Lehan of Wilsonville, Bev Power of Medford, Milo Reed of Portland, Sarah Silbernagel of Pendleton, and Scott Stuemke of Bend.

For more information about the commission and the historic cemeteries program visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Historic Cemeteries Program Coordinator, Kuri Gill at i.Gill@oregon.gov">Kuri.Gill@oregon.gov or (503) 986-0685.

Since 2017, the Portland Water Bureau has detected low levels of Cryptosporidium from routine monitoring. Monitoring results were received from the Bull Run Watershed intake for Cryptosporidium, a potentially disease-causing microorganism. In the 50-liters sampled daily, between Sunday, Jan. 12 and Wednesday, Jan. 15, one Cryptosporidium oocyst was detected in the sample collected on Jan. 12. Cryptosporidium was not detected in the samples collected on Jan. 13, Jan. 14 or Jan. 15. Prior to these detections, Cryptosporidium was last detected from the Bull Run Watershed intake on Jan. 6, 2020.

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

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

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

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

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

PORTLAND, Ore., January 17, 2020—In response to the deadly wildfires that have ravaged Australia, OnPoint Community Credit Union announced today it will donate $10,000 to support the people, wildlife and environment relief efforts, which will be split between the Australian Red Cross and WWF Australia. OnPoint is encouraging its members and the community to join them in donating to the cause.  

“At OnPoint, our purpose is to help build strong communities and when a disaster of this magnitude occurs, we want to do our part to help,” said Rob Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “We are proud to donate on behalf of our members as Australia works to rebuild and recover.”

Australian officials report recent rainfall is helping with containment; therefore, this donation will offer support for the relief and ongoing recovery efforts for the people, animals and communities that have been impacted. The Australian Red Cross will utilize OnPoint’s donation to provide affected people with emergency assistance and recovery programs. WWF Australia will direct OnPoint’s donation toward its $30 million Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund supporting wildlife response, habitat restoration for people and wildlife, and long-term conservation strategies.  

As the largest credit union headquartered in Oregon, community support is of vital importance to OnPoint. In 2019 alone, it donated more than $1,052,836 to local nonprofits and allocated 12,080 paid volunteer hours to its employees for the causes they support. While OnPoint primarily directs its donations to the counties it serves, it has a demonstrated history of donating to worldwide disaster relief efforts, including the California Wildfires in 2018, Hurricane Harvey in 2017, Oso Mudslide in 2014, Philippines Typhoon in 2013, Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and the Haiti earthquake in 2010.

About Australian Red Cross

Relief in times of crisis, care when it's needed most, and commitment when others turn away. Red Cross is there for people in need, no matter who they are, no matter where they live. Its purpose is to reduce suffering across Australia and internationally through mobilizing the power of humanity.

With millions of volunteers worldwide and thousands of members, volunteers, and supporters across Australia, they can reach people and places like nobody else. For more information, click here: https://www.redcross.org.au/ 

About WWF Australia

WWF Australia is part of the WWF International Network, the world’s leading, independent conservation organization. Founded in 1961, it is active in over 100 countries and has close to five million supporters internationally.

In Australia and throughout the oceanic region, WWF Australia works with governments, businesses, and communities so that people and nature can thrive within their fair share of the planet’s natural resources.

WWF-Australia is a not-for-profit organization with nearly 70% of its annual income donated by our dedicated supporters. For more information, click here: http://www.wwf.org.au 

ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 390,000 members and with assets of $6.1 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union's membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 13 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.

###

The Portland Water Bureau is repaoring an aging water main (pipe) underneath the bridge deck on SE Holgate Blvd. and the 1-205 freeway. To access the water main, crews will narrow the eastbound lane through the summer of 2020.

• Vehicle Lanes: East and westbound lanes on Holgate will remain open, but the eastbound lane will be narrowed.
• Park & Ride and MAX: Access to the Holgate Park & Ride and MAX Stop will remain open.
• I-205 Multiuse path: The path, including the crossing at Holgate will remain open.
• Bus: The TriMet bus stop on the south side of Holgate at the Holgate MAX Station (Stop ID 13218) will be temporarily relocated 200 feet to the west.
• Bike: The eastbound bike path on Holgate will be closed. Bicycles should detour onto the sidewalk.
• Sidewalk: Sidewalks will remain open.

No homes or businesses will be out of service while the main is repaired.

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

For more information about this project, visit portlandoregon.gov/water/holgate205.

For Immediate Release                                        

January 16, 2020

Contact:       Mona Riesterer
                    503-378-2431

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Correction Policy Committee will hold a regular meeting at 1:30 p.m. on February 11, 2020.  The meeting will be held in the Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the deaf or hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made before the meeting by calling the contact listed above. 

Meeting will be live streamed to DPSST Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/DPSSTOregon/

Agenda Items:

1.  Introductions

2.  Approval of November 11, 2019 Meeting Minutes

3.  Administrative Closures: Corrections and Parole & Probation

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

4.  Matson, Christopher DPSST #60104: Application for Training & Subsequent Certification – Department of Corrections (TRCI)

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

5.  Randleas, Lucas DPSST #60182: Application for Training & Subsequent Certification – Grant County Sheriff’s Office

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

6.  Rich, Jackson DPSST #60438: Application for Training & Subsequent Certification – Josephine County Sheriff’s Office

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

7.  Thomason, Timathy DPSST #54396: Basic Corrections Certifications – Department of Corrections (TRCI)

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

8.  Ruiz, Juan DPSST #60370: Application for Training & Subsequent Certification – Department of Corrections (OSP)

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

9.  Ingram, Trent DPSST #60342: Application for Training & Subsequent Certification – Department of Corrections (EOCI)

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

10. Vines, Christopher DPSST #60273: Application for Training & Subsequent Certification – Department of Corrections (SRCI)

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

11. Lindsey, Devon DPSST #56903: Basic Corrections Certification – Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

12. Proposed Rule Changes for OAR 259-008-0005, 259-008-0020, 259-008-0025 and 259-008-0085: Establishing a Firearms Training Requirement for Armed Parole and Probation Officers

Presented by Jennifer Howald

13. Five-Year Review of the Adoption of OAR 259-008-0078 – Informational Only

Presented by Jennifer Howald

14. Department Update

15. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting – May 12, 2020 at 1:30 p.m.

Administrative Announcement

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

## Background Information on the DPSST ##

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

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

For Immediate Release                                        

January 16, 2020

Contact:        Mona Riesterer  
                     503-378-2431

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Telecommunication Policy Committee will hold a regular meeting at February 5, 2020 @ 9:00 a.m.  The meeting will be held in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom.  The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the deaf or hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made before the meeting by calling the contact listed above. 

 Meeting will be live streamed to DPSST Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/DPSSTOregon/

Agenda Items:

1.  Introductions

2.  Minutes of November 6, 2019 Meeting
Approve Minutes of November 6, 2019 Meeting

3.  Administrative Closures – Emergency Medical Dispatcher

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

4.  Elliott, Heidi DPSST #59214: Application for Training and Subsequent Certifications – American Medical Response

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

5.  Coyne, Kinsey DPSST #55676: Basic Telecommunicator and Basic Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certifications – Washington County Consolidated Communications

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

6.  Downing, Michael DPSST #49155: Basic Telecommunicator and Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certifications – Baker County Sheriff’s Office

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

7.  Haltom, Angela DPSST #53236: Basic Telecommunicator and Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certifications – Harney County Sheriff’s Office

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

8.  Parker, Andrea DPSST #38668: Basic Telecommunicator and Emergency Medical Dispatcher Certifications – Prineville Police Department

Presented by Kristen Hibberds

9.  Proposed Rule Changes for 259-008-0064: Adding First Aid and CPR Certification Requirements to DPSST Telecommunicator and EMD Maintenance

Presented by Jennifer Howald

10. Proposed Rule Changes for 259-008-0064: Recommended Housekeeping Amendments for Telecommunicator and EMD Maintenance

Presented by Jennifer Howald

11. Five-Year Review of the Adoption of OAR 259-008-0078 – Informational Update

Presented by Jennifer Howald

12. Staff Update

13. Next Telecommunications Policy Committee Meeting May 6, 2020
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.

## Background Information on the DPSST ##

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

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

Lebanon community school will be on snow routes today 1/17/20.

WLWV and PPS districts are on a 2 hr inclement weather late start. All Camp Fire morning programs are canceled for today.

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

Vancouver, Wash. Clark County recognizes that older adults are valuable contributors to the vitality of this community. To encourage and support older adults for their contributions to their communities, the Clark County Commission on Aging has established a program to recognize older adults by means of an annual award presented at the State of the County event.

The award is open to any county resident 65 years or older who has enhanced the community through their life’s work, engagement of others, volunteerism or selfless acts of service to the community. Service in any field of endeavor will be considered (e.g., education, radio, television, business, healthcare, art, music, journalism, faith-based, athletics, politics, volunteer service). A couple may receive the award jointly when both have been involved in service and various community endeavors.

All nominations must be received no later than 5 pm, Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020. Award criteria and nomination forms can be found on the Commission on Aging’s webpage at www.clark.wa.gov/aging.

The Commission on Aging, supported by the Clark County Council, is a nine-member volunteer group that implements the Aging Readiness Plan and provides leadership addressing needs of aging community members.

For more about the commission, visit www.clark.wa.gov/aging.

WASHINGTON – To encourage visitation and appreciation for America’s public lands, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it will waive recreation-related visitor’s fees during five 2020 Fee-Free Days. On these five days, recreation-related fees for all visitors to agency-managed public lands across the nation will be waived.

“One of the greatest assets we have in this country is our public lands,” says Deputy Director of Policy and Programs for the BLM, William Perry Pendley, exercising the authority of the BLM Director. “With our fee-free days, we hope that Americans will get outside to enjoy these national treasures – the 245 million acres of public lands across our nation, most of which are in the West and Alaska.”   

The Fee-Free Days for 2020 are: January 20 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day), February 17 (President’s Day),   June 13 (National Get Outdoors Day), September 26 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11 (Veterans Day).

BLM-managed public lands offer a wide array of recreational opportunities, including hiking, hunting, fishing, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, whitewater rafting, off-highway vehicle driving, rock climbing, and more. Americans make approximately 67 million visits annually to BLM-managed lands, supporting approximately 48,000 jobs nationwide and contributing almost $7 billion to the U.S. economy.

On fee-free days, site-specific standard amenity and day-use fees at BLM recreation sites and areas will be waived for the specified dates. Other fees, such as overnight camping, cabin rentals, group day use, and use of special areas, will remain in effect.

For more information on recreation opportunities on BLM-managed public lands, visit https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation or www.recreation.gov

Patricia Harmon’s third grade students at Maple Grove Primary School take their roles as scientists very seriously. Donning protective goggles, a group of students is seated around a picnic table testing water samples, carefully recording the data they collect along the way. Nearby, another group of four students is huddled over a small plastic tub filled with water and a few aquatic plants, using pipettes and plastic spoons to check for tiny critters. Suddenly there’s a breakthrough, as an excited voice exclaims “Ms. Harmon, I found a stonefly!”

These young scientists are just some of the more than 3,000 Clark County students who make up the Student Watershed Monitoring Network (SWMN). Supported by Clark County’s Clean Water Division and the City of Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center, the project trains teachers and students in grades kindergarten through high school to monitor water quality and habitat in a local stream, lake, river or wetlands.

“These students are learning standardized procedures used to collect and interpret data,” said Rainy Rau, water educator from the Water Resources Education Center. “The work they’re doing for this project aligns with level one science from the State of Washington’s Next Generation Science Standards. If problems with a body of water are discovered during the course of student data collection, qualified professionals are alerted for follow-up response to the issues. So the students have a real impact.”

To collect their data, the Maple Grove students only need to walk a few hundred feet from their classroom to a pond just northeast of their campus where they’re greeted by Maria Tunno, a part-time watershed educator assisting the City of Vancouver and Clark County with the SWMN, and Chad Schwatka, the stormwater program coordinator with the City of Battle Ground.

Tunno and Schwatka are there to help introduce the class to the local watershed and train them to take in-the-field water measurements. The tests include sampling the stream flow, water temperature, pH, phosphates, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity levels. Turbidity is a measure of the degree to which the water loses its transparency due to the presence of suspended particulates. The more total suspended solids in the water, the murkier it seems and the higher the turbidity.

Building on these skills, the students learn to collect and evaluate species of macroinvertebrates present in the waterway. Macroinvertebrates are organisms that lack a spine, but are large enough to be seen by the naked eye. Because different types of macroinvertebrates tolerate different stream conditions and levels of pollution, their presence or absence is used to indicate clean or polluted water. 

For example, most larvae of caddisflies, mayflies, and stoneflies cannot survive in polluted water, so streams with these bugs are assumed to have good water quality. However, the absence of these organisms in a body of water does not necessarily indicate that the water quality is poor. Other natural factors, such as temperature and flow, also come into play.

“It has been a pleasure working with Maple Grove and River HomeLink students on this project for the last five years, and we hope that through multiple years of sampling, students can begin to think about how their everyday activities influence the quality of surface waters within their environments,” Schwatka said. “It’s a joy to see students in the outdoors while they’re learning, and we are pleased that we have the opportunity to expose kids to their local watersheds. The program is also great for the City of Battle Ground, as it helps fulfill state requirements. But more importantly, it provides opportunities for us to directly educate and connect with the community we serve.”

In the past, students from Battle Ground Public Schools have collected water quality data from Woodin Creek and its tributary waters. Woodin Creek is one of the larger creeks that run through the City of Battle Ground, joining downstream with Salmon Creek just outside of city limits.

“It’s very rewarding watching young students discover things that excite them in a scientific setting,” Tunno said. “Getting outside provides an opportunity for kids to connect with nature and realize that they can have an impact on protecting and preserving the world around them. It can be quite empowering for kids to experience observational learning like this.”

Students and classes that obtain water quality data throughout the school year are invited to present their overall conclusions to other students and professionals from southwest Washington at a conference called Watershed Congress. Hosted in May of each year by the Vancouver Water Resources Education Center and Clark County Public Works, Watershed Congress has proven to be a great way to keep students engaged while exposing them to real-world communications and presentation experience.

“This is such exciting work for these young scientists,” said teacher Patricia Harmon. “My class is always eager to get outside to work on this project, and it’s amazing seeing them so engaged with the subject matter.”

Clackamas – AARP Oregon praised Oregon’s entire House delegation vote today for bipartisan legislation to combat age discrimination – the “Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act” (POWADA).  The House of Representatives vote approving the bill is the most important action yet in the long drive toward passage.

 

“Thank you Representatives Blumenauer, Bonamici, DeFazio, Schrader and Walden in sending a clear message that age discrimination must be treated as seriously as other forms of workplace discrimination,” said  Ruby Haughton-Pitts, AARP Oregon State Director.

 

“Today’s vote is especially heartening for older workers, who make vital contributions to society and to their work places, and whose numbers are growing.  The law must be strengthened because age discrimination is widespread, yet too often it goes unreported and unaddressed.  AARP urges the Senate to take up and pass these important protections,” she said.

 

Closer to home, AARP Oregon and other advocates are working to create an Age Discrimination Task Force in the hopes of passing legislation in 2021 to strengthen the state’s age discrimination laws. “It’s time to fight back and say that in our state, we don’t tolerate sexism, racism or ageism. All forms of discrimination must be rooted out of our society,” said Haughton-Pitts.

POWADA was first introduced, with AARP backing, after an adverse 2009 Supreme Court decision (Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc.) that made it much more difficult for older workers to prove claims of illegal bias based on age.  The legislation would restore longstanding protections under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), which covers workers aged 40 and over.

 

In the Senate, the bipartisan companion legislation (S.485) is sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Bob Casey (D-PA).

 

The House action comes as older workers play an increasingly important role in the workforce. Estimates are that by 2024, 41 million people ages 55 and older will be in the labor force, nearly an eight percent increase from the current number.  In addition, next year the oldest millennials will start turning 40 and  they will be covered by the ADEA.

 

The percentage of those 65 and older in the workforce has been increasing incrementally for more than three decades, with more than one in five in that cohort currently working or seeking work.

 

At the same time, the 2018 AARP “Value of Experience” study showed that age discrimination remains alive and well. The survey found that 61 percent of older workers said they had either faced or observed age bias.

 

The 61 percent figure is consistent with past surveys on the question and parallels an Oregon survey which found that 62 percent of workers 40 and older had seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace.

 

Notice of Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors

Tuesday January 21st, 2020 @ 6:30 PM

Join Zoom Meeting

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Meeting ID: 526 309 737

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aclnW4qzR2

Hello and happy Thursday from Pacific University.

Things have been fairly quiet through the holidays, but here are links to a feature about a student and an alum:

Music scholarship opens doors for Pacific student Leiana Petlewski ’21.

Pacific alumnus Jeff Wilmes shoots for PBS series TasteMakers

And here are some of the coming university events:

MFA Readings at Seaside: Kwame Dawes, Cate Kennedy
Jan.16, 7:30 p.m. | Seaside, Ore.

Women's Basketball vs. Whitman College
Jan. 17, 6-8 p.m. | Stoller Center

MFA Readings at Seaside: Molly Gloss, Shelley Washburn
Jan.17, 7:30 p.m. | Seaside, Ore.

Men's Basketball vs. Whitman College
Jan. 17, 8-10 p.m. | Stoller Center

Women's Basketball vs. Whitworth University
Jan. 18, 4-6 p.m. | Stoller Center

Men's Basketball vs. Whitworth University 
Jan. 18, 6-8 p.m. | Stoller Center

Men's Wrestling - Boxer Open
Jan. 19, All Day | Stoller Center 123

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (University Holiday)
Jan. 20, All Day | All campuses

And you can always take a look at the complete university calendar.

— pacificu.edu —

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

The Governor’s Task Force on the Outdoors will hold their final meeting 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. SE, Salem. The meeting is open to the public and will include designated time for public comment.

On the agenda: reviewing work to date; refining final recommended actions and criteria related to outdoor recreation funding; and clarifying next steps for the final report and implementation.

View the detailed agenda online.

The meeting is the final in a series of six that have been held throughout Oregon since May 2019. The meetings were convened by the Office of Outdoor Recreation.

Gov. Brown established the task force early in 2019 with a one-year directive to explore long-term strategies for elevating outdoor recreation in Oregon. The task force’s final report will be publicly released this spring and presented to the governor, state legislature and the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission.

Overall strategies developed by the group aim to support access to and participation in outdoor recreation, as well as supporting local and state economies. The group has identified potential actions for these specific strategies: 

• Center efforts on diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Strengthen collaboration and organizational effectiveness.
• Accelerate investments in the outdoor recreation sector.
• Catalyze innovative policies and legislation.
• Empower local and statewide action.

View a draft of the task force’s strategies and actions report online.

Task force members were drawn from public and private sectors, and were appointed by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission. View the full membership list online: oregon.gov/orec/Pages/Governors-Task-Force.aspx

Individuals who require special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Carrie Lovellette, OPRD executive assistant, at least three days in advance: 503-986-0733 or rie.Lovellette@oregon.gov">Carrie.Lovellette@oregon.gov 

Sheriff Jim Yon reports the Line Team served two separate drug related search warrants yesterday around 5:30 a.m. in the community of Crabtree. 

The Linn County Regional SWAT served one search warrant at the address of 37565 Hungry Hill Drive where they detained twenty individuals.  There is a main residence, and numerous travel trailers and motorhomes where people were residing at this location.  Detectives seized methamphetamine, heroin, paraphernalia and firearms.  One of the firearms seized was confirmed to be stolen from Marion County.

After detectives from multiple agencies searched the property, eight females and eleven males were arrested on drug related crimes and were taken to the Linn County Jail.  The property owner, Steven John Maneatis, 62-years-old, was charged with Delivery of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, and Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon.  He was additionally cited by the Linn County Building and Planning Department for multiple building code violations.

Heather Nicole Matney, 25-years-old, was charged with Delivery of Methamphetamine, Frequenting a Place Where Controlled Substances Are Used and outstanding warrants.  

Heather June Fries, 45-years-old, was charged with Delivery of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine (felony), Unlawful Possession of Heroin (felony) and Frequenting a Place Where Controlled Substances Are Used.

Robert Dean Jennings, 31-years-old was charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine (felony) and Frequenting a Place Where Controlled Substances Are Used.  Several others were charged with outstanding warrants and drug crimes.

LINE Detectives were assisted by the Marion County SWAT team in serving the second search warrant at the address of 37597 Crabtree Drive.  Detectives seized methamphetamine, paraphernalia and four firearms from the property.  Detectives arrested one female and four males on drug related crimes. 

James Walter Martin, 54-years-old, was charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine (felony).

Hilda Marie Kelley, 59-years-old, had a medical emergency during the search and was transported by medics to the hospital.  Charges including Delivery of Methamphetamine are pending on Kelley.

Others from both properties were charged with various other crimes, including Frequenting a Place Where Controlled Substances Are Used.  Several had outstanding warrants for their arrest unrelated to this case.

LINE detectives will continue the investigation.  

Albany Police Detectives continue to investigate the disappearance of 37-year old Tiffany Marie Lazon.  The last reported contact with Tiffany was around December 27th at the 16th Avenue address.  Since that time family, friends and law enforcement have not had any contact with Tiffany.  Albany Police Detectives have not received any verifiable information on the whereabouts of Tiffany.

Detectives with the Albany Police Department met with Tiffany’s family to express concern over the lack of information about Tiffany’s whereabouts.  The family reiterated their concern that Tiffany would not have left Albany without valued possessions like her car, pet cat, or phone. 

On Wednesday, January 14th, 2020, Albany Police arrested Craig Lazon for Animal Neglect in the 2nd degree and Animal Abandonment, Albany Police Case # 20-321.  The animal neglect involved Tiffany Lazon’s pet cat.  Tiffany’s cat was released to Tiffany’s daughter on January 16th.

Albany Police personnel were assigned to maintain security where Tiffany Lazon had been living, at the 2628 SE 16th Avenue, until a search warrant was obtained.  On Wednesday, January 15th, a search warrant was executed at the 16th Avenue address, with the assistance of the Oregon State Police Crime Lab. 

At this time the investigation is being handled as a missing person case and death investigation.  Detectives are continuing with a rigorous investigation as leads develop.

Craig Lazon is a person of interest in this investigation and was the last and closest person with Tiffany prior to her disappearance. 

The Albany Police Department would like the public’s help by providing any relevant information regarding Tiffany Lazon’s recent or current whereabouts. 

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Albany Police Detective Unit at 541-917-7686.

#  #  #

Some of the most dangerous days of the year on our nation’s roadways are between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. Last year, 1,068 people were killed in drunk driving crashes, which is 29 percent of total traffic fatalities during this time (statistics from MADD website). The West Linn Police Department will continue to work enhanced DUII patrols in the month of January, 2020. These enhanced DUII patrols are funded by a grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation through Oregon Impact. In addition, the West Linn Police Department is also focusing on Distracted Driving. A Distracted Driver crash occurs every 2.5 hours in Oregon. Here is one example why Distracted Driving is so dangerous: The average time a driver’s eyes are off the road is 5 seconds. When driving 55 miles per hour, 5 seconds is enough time to drive the length of a football field!

Here are some sobering drunk driving statistics:

On average, two in three people will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime (from NHTSA, 2014).

About a quarter of car crashes with teens involve an underage drinking driver (from NHTSA, 2015).

In 2017, 10,874 people died in drunk driving crashes – one every 48 minutes – and more than 300,000 were injured in drunk driving crashes (NHTSA 2017).

The City of West Linn is regularly named one of the safest cities of its size (around 25,000) in the nation. The West Linn Police Department is proud of this ranking, and we believe our enhanced DUII and Distracted Driving patrols have contributed to keeping the citizens in and around the city safe.

On January 8, 2020, at 7:22 p.m., Albany Police were contacted to check on the welfare of 37-year old Tiffany Marie Lazon.  A family member contacted Albany Police reporting they had not heard from Tiffany since  December 25, 2019.  Officers attempted to contact Tiffany at her residence in the 2600 block of SE 16th Avenue, Albany, and were unable to locate her.    

On January 9, 2020, at 01:26 a.m., Albany Police contacted Craig Lazon, Tiffany’s estranged husband, in Albany.  Craig Lazon did not know the current whereabouts of Tiffany Lazon and indicated Tiffany was moving to Washington.

On January 9, 2020, Albany Police entered Tiffany Lazon in the Law Enforcement Data System (“LEDS”) as a missing person.  Tiffany Lazon is reportedly 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 115 lbs.  She has blonde hair, blue eyes, and wears glasses.

The investigation is continuing, and no further information is available.  Anyone who’s seen Tiffany Lazon or has information on her whereabouts is asked to contact Albany Police Detectives at 541-917-7680.  

A busy night and early morning of intentionally set arson fires began just before midnight on Wednesday, January 15th:

• At 11:30 pm, Engine 12 was requested by Portland Police Bureau officers to respond to a fire call where they found a smoking object inside a business at NE 102nd and Sandy Blvd. Firefighters found no active fire but did assist with removing smoke from the structure. Fire investigators were called to the scene and determined that a burglary and arson fire had occurred. This location is across the parking lot from a previous burglary and arson fire that occurred on January 9, 2020. No one was injured in either fires.
• Construction crews had set up two storage containers and two portable toilets for a residential construction project at N Maryland Ave. and N Holman St. Investigators believe someone set the two toilets on fire, but they have no determination on motive or potential suspects. Both toilets, the two storage containers and its contents were heavily damaged. The fire was reported to Bureau of Emergency Communication (BOEC) 911 dispatchers at approximately 1:30 am. PF&R fire investigators are calling this fire arson.
• At 2:35 am, firefighters responded to a house fire at NE 140th and Oregon Ct. where they found a small fire in the basement of a home. The fire was put out quickly and no one was injured. Fire damage to the home was minimal; smoke and water damage assessments have not been determined at this time.  Fire investigators examined evidence at the scene, took witness testimony from all of the occupants of the home and concluded that the cause of this fire was suspicious (not arson).
• The fourth in the string of incidents happened at 3:45 am when downtown Portland firefighters were dispatched to a “high-rise fire” at the US Bank Tower on SW 5th and Oak St. Firefighters found one stairwell was filled with smoke and eventually located and extinguished some combustible material on the sixth floor. Fire Investigators are not releasing information regarding what material was on fire, but they have determined that it was intentionally set and are calling this fire arson.  

Fires in high-rise buildings are especially hazardous for occupants and firefighters due to the difficulty traveling in (firefighters) or out (occupants), the limited number of stairwells, the number of potential occupants inside, and the potential size of fire spread to name just a few.

FIRE INVESTIGATORS WOULD LIKE ANYONE WITH INFORMATION REGARDING ANY OF THE ABOVE FIRES TO CALL 503-823-INFO (4636). IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THESE TYPES OF FIRES ARE STOPPED BEFORE ANY OF OUR FELLOW PORTLAND RESIDENTS ARE HARMED. 

EUGENE, Ore.—Brandon Michael Vanderploeg, 39, of Winchester Bay, Oregon, was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison and two years’ supervised release for assaulting his then-girlfriend aboard a fishing vessel in August 2018.

According to court documents, on August 16, 2018, members of the U.S. Coast Guard were dispatched to a situation at sea involving the report of a woman who had been assaulted by her boyfriend onboard a commercial fishing vessel. A coast guard helicopter located the vessel 17 nautical miles off the Oregon Coast. Two members of the coast guard boarded the vessel and made contact with Vanderploeg and the victim.

The victim reported that Vanderploeg had assaulted her on several occasions since leaving Winchester Bay. She specifically reported that Vanderploeg held her down, punched her repeated in the face, head-butted her in the nose, and slammed her head down on a tool box. The assault resulting in a three-inch laceration to her right cheek, a depressed nasal fracture, multiple contusions to her knees and arms, and a cervical strain.

During the investigation, the coast guard crew who boarded and conducted a sweep of the vessel, immediately noted a strong smell of alcohol coming from Mr. Venderploeg, who admitted to drinking. Mr. Vanderploeg tested positive for alcohol, registering a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .183. An individual operating a commercial vessel is considered intoxicated at a BAC of .04 or more.

On September 30, 2019, Vanderploeg pleaded guilty to assault within the maritime jurisdiction of the U.S. and operating a commercial vessel under the influence of alcohol.

As part of his plea agreement, Vanderploeg agreed to pay restitution in full to his victim as ordered by the court. A restitution hearing will be held at a later date.  

This case was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) and prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

# # #

HILLSBORO, Ore.- On January 15, 2020, Judge Eric Butterfield found Aronson Bellegarde guilty of two counts of third-degree assault, two counts of failure to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons, driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, two counts of recklessly endangering another person, second-degree criminal mischief and second-degree disorderly conduct in a bench trial. Deputy District Attorney Matt Wise prosecuted the case against Mr. Bellegarde.

On March 16, 2019, Mr. Bellegarde smoked a large amount of highly concentrated marijuana oil and got behind the wheel of his vehicle. He drove to the intersection of SW Hall Boulevard and SW Scholls Ferry Road in Beaverton, Oregon. He then abandoned his car in the middle of the street, jumped onto the hood of another vehicle and ran into a nearby grocery store.

The defendant then walked out of the grocery store, got back into his vehicle and started driving again. He nearly caused two head-on collisions as he drove through the Washington Square Mall area before he careened down a grass embankment leading to Highway 217. He then crashed into two vehicles driving northbound on the highway. An infant and young child were passengers in one of those vehicles. Fortunately, they were not hurt.

Following those collisions, the defendant stripped naked, rolled under various vehicles on Highway 217, jumped over the center median and took off running through the southbound lanes. Beaverton Police arrived and attempted to arrest Mr. Bellegarde. He again took off running but was arrested a short time later.

The defendant admitted to smoking a marijuana vape pen prior to the ordeal. A warrant was executed for his blood and urine. Those results showed high concentrations of THC in his system.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office would like to acknowledge the work of Beaverton and Tigard police officers in apprehending the suspect quickly so that no other drivers would be put at risk.

A sentencing hearing will be held on January 28, 2020 at 1:00 p.m.

The Centennial School District Governing Board will meet in a special session on Friday, January 17, 2020 at the district office board room at 5:00 p.m. 

The agenda and accompanying documents are available for viewing by pasting the following address into your browser: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicMeetingMaterials.aspx?ak=1001533&mk=50363115

For more information please contact CSD Executive Assistant to Superintendent/Board Secretary, Pamela Jordan at da@csd28j.org">pamela_jorda@csd28j.org.

January 16, 2019

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

Oregon Health Authority awarded up to $16 million to improve child health

Funds targeted to Marion, Polk, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson counties

Statement from Dana Hargunani, MD, OHA chief medical officer

Oregon will receive millions in new federal funding to develop better ways to reduce health risks for children and prevent unnecessary hospital visits and foster care placements.

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has been awarded up to $16 million over seven years from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Integrated Care for Kids (InCK) Model to improve health for children and youth covered by Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in five Oregon counties.

OHA will partner with the Oregon Pediatric Improvement Partnership (OPIP) at Oregon Health & Science University and local communities to better integrate services across behavioral health, physical health, and other family supports to meet the triple aim of better health, better care, and lower costs. OHA is one of eight awardees selected from across the country.

"This is an exciting opportunity to bring extra resources to this region, connecting community partners, health care providers and families to wrap resources around our kids," said Dana Hargunani, MD, OHA's chief medical officer. "We will be able to take what we learn from this work to help improve children’s health across the state."

The model will focus on supporting children and youth ages 0 to 21 who are covered by Medicaid and CHIP in Marion, Polk, Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties. The ultimate goal of the model is to provide effective child- and family-centered care in order to reduce hospital stays and out-of-home placements for children and youth such as foster care and residential behavioral health.

Research shows that many of the factors that determine health outcomes are related to social determinants of health and health equity. This funding aims to help health care providers align with other public programs such as child welfare, education, housing, nutrition, and maternal and child health to expand access to care for children and youth.

The funding includes up to $3 million for the first two years for planning and partnership development and up to $2 million for each of the five implementation years, with some funding contingent on performance.

The model will also help advance Governor Brown’s policy priorities for the Oregon Health Plan by: addressing social determinants of health and health equity, improving family behavioral health support, developing value-based payments for children’s health care, and reducing costs.

The award announcement can be found on the CMS website.

# # #

Disclaimer: The contents provided are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of HHS or any of its agencies.

The project described above was supported by Funding Opportunity Number CMS2B2-20-001 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

January 16, 2020

Jordan Douglas Powell-Mathewson receives a 60 month prison sentence for committing a random, unprovoked assault

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 29-year-old Jordan Douglas Powell-Mathewson changed his plea and received a 60 month prison sentence for a random and unprovoked assault on a person working in the Lloyd District.

“This was an exceptionally violent and senseless attack on a person who was simply standing outside on his work break,” said Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Nicole Hermann, who prosecuted this case. “It was only by sheer luck that the victim’s shirt and uniform prevented him from suffering more serious and life-threatening stab wounds.”

After changing his plea, the court convicted Powell-Mathewson of one count of assault in the second degree for causing physical injuries using a deadly or dangerous weapon.

At the hospital, doctors treated the victim for multiple injuries, but he did not require surgery. 

This investigation started on August 30, 2019 when police responded to a fast food restaurant in the 700 block of Northeast Weidler Street in Portland, Oregon after receiving information about an assault. When police arrived, they contacted the victim and learned he was outside on his scheduled work break smoking a cigarette. During his break, a person, later identified as Powell-Mathewson, approached and started stabbing the victim in the stomach, chest and arm using a knife.

“Mr. Powell-Mathewson positioned himself in a manner that essentially left the victim with no immediate way to escape,” DDA Hermann said.

When police arrived at the crime scene, they found Powell-Mathewson inside a vehicle and immediately saw that he had blood on his clothing. Officers also observed a knife in the vehicle, which was determined to be the weapon used in this assault.

The victim provided the District Attorney’s Office with an impact statement, which DDA Hermann read at the time of sentencing.

The impact statement said, in part, “At that moment, my life changed forever. Prior to this event, I was getting my life back on track from previous traumatic events. … This stabbing event that Mr. Powell-Mathewson initiated upended my entire life. … This has been one of the worst things to ever happen to me.”

Upon his release, Powell-Mathewson will be on 36 months of post-prison supervision. The restitution amount owed to the victim will be determined and finalized within 90 days.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes Portland Police Officer Lucas Brostean, Officer Daniel DiMatteo, Officer Christopher McDonald, Officer Wayne Alderman, Officer Daniel Trummer, and Detective Jeff Sharp for their dedicated efforts responding to this incident and investigating this case.

The District Attorney’s Office also recognizes the members of its Victim Assistance Program who provided the victim advocacy and support through this case.

#MCDA#

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

Foundation invested more than $66 million in nonprofits serving the Pacific Northwest in 2019, including $7.4 million in Portland

Vancouver, WA – Today, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust announced a record year of giving with the publication of the foundation’s Fall 2019 Grants Report. As highlighted in the report:

• The Murdock Trust invested $66.3 million in capacity building grants to nonprofits serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington throughout 2019.
• This includes $7.4 million in grants to Portland-area nonprofits and more than $20 million to nonprofits serving Oregon.
• In addition, the Murdock Trust set a new record for giving in a single quarter, awarding 93 grants totaling $18.7 million at the foundation’s Fall 2019 Grants Meeting.

“We are grateful to have the opportunity to partner with these organization that serve the diverse needs of communities across the Pacific Northwest in innovative ways,” said Steve Moore, executive director, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. “As we prepare to mark our 45th year of service to Pacific Northwest communities, we are excited to continue to identify programs and projects that help ensure every individual and family in our region has the opportunity to flourish and thrive.”

The Murdock Trust was founded in 1975 by the estate of Melvin J. “Jack” Murdock. The Murdock Trust awards grants four times annually to nonprofits serving Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Vancouver B.C. and Washington in the areas of Arts and Culture, Scientific Research, Health, Education and Human Services.

2019 was a banner year for the Murdock Trust in several areas. In addition to setting a new record for grants invested in the local community, the foundation also crossed the milestone of awarding $1 billion in cumulative grants since opening its doors.

“These are exciting moments for the Murdock Trust and our history. But, for our staff, it is a testament to the incredible spirit of service and generosity that is thriving in the Pacific Northwest,” added Moore. “We are able to celebrate these milestones only because there is a flourishing ecosystem of tens of thousands of individuals and nonprofit organizations inspiring one another and collaborating on innovative solutions to help uplift and support every individual and family in our community.”

In addition to grantmaking, the Murdock Trust also supports nonprofit organizations through a series of educational enrichment programs and by gathering diverse voices and community leaders for convenings on a variety of subjects throughout the year. To learn more, visit murdocktrust.org.

About M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust

The Murdock Trust, created by the will of the late Melvin J. “Jack” Murdock, provides grants to organizations in five states of the Pacific Northwest—Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington—that seek to strengthen the region’s educational, spiritual and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways. Since its inception in 1975, the Trust has awarded more than 6,800 grants totaling more than $1 billion. For more information, find the Murdock Trust on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube and on our website.

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Elk and Deer Winter Migration

The Central Oregon Coast is experiencing its seasonal cold weather. Although the weather slows down our daily commute, we are not nearly as affected as wildlife, specifically elk and deer.

Natural food sources are lean in the upper elevations in the coast range during the winter as snow falls, covering the ground. This time of year, with snow accumulation in the coast range and freezing temperatures periodically down to sea level, elk and deer may move to even lower elevations to find adequate food.

These additional movements often mean that the animals are crossing major roads both day and night which creates hazards to motorists. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office would like motorists and spectators to be mindful of the animal movements. If you see one deer cross in front of you, chances are there is another one behind. 

Please take into account that the animals are often stressed due to additional migration in search of food. When spectating please keep a minimum distance of 100 yards from wildlife. If the animals begin to move from your presence, don’t follow them. Oregon Revised Statute 498.006 does protect the chasing or harassing of wildlife.

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

On January 2, 2020 there was a string of thefts from vehicles in the Sandy area. The Sandy Police Department was assisted in the investigation in the coming days by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County Sheriff's Office and Portland Police Bureau. At the conclusion of the investigation police identified three male suspects, two of which were juveniles.

On January 13, 2020 a 17-year-old male was interviewed and released. Charges have been forwarded to the Clackamas County Juvenile Department.

On January 15, 2020 two of the males were interviewed and taken into custody.

One of the males is a 16-year-old who was transported to the Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center after being interviewed. Both juveniles are facing charges of Theft in the First Degree, Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle and Robbery in the Third Degree.

The adult male, Mr. Elijah Jakob Keller Chambers, 20 of Gresham, was arrested and transported to the Clackamas County Jail. Mr. Keller Chambers was booked on two counts of Theft in the First Degree and 11 counts of Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle. His bail was set at $47,500.  

During the thefts two handguns were stolen. Both handguns have been recovered by police. The Sandy Police Department would like to remind people not to leave valuables in their vehicles.