It’s the season of giving and the holiday season is a time when many non profits make their annual request for donations. But just as important is the need for volunteers, said AARP Oregon State Director Ruby Haughton-Pitts.

The founder of AARP, Ethel Percy Andrus, noted that “It is only in the giving of ourselves of others that we truly live.” She believed in community service. It’s part of the DNA of AARP. "We are proud that we have more than 150 community volunteers statewide, but we also help with other AARP family programs such as AARP Tax Aide, The AARP Smart Driver Course and Experience Corps, hosted in Portland through Metropolitan Family Services. All of these programs and many more are looking for volunteers and offer meaningful ways to give back and make a difference!" Haughton-Pitts said.

Volunteering is great for the community, but it’s valuable to volunteers as well! Psychology Today ran a story a few years ago about some of the benefits of volunteering. Did you know people who volunteer are healthier and live longer?  Health and longevity gains from volunteering come from establishing meaningful volunteer roles before you retire and continuing to volunteer once you arrive in your post-retirement years.  Another great aspect of volunteerism, is that it helps us develop and maintain social connections and make new friends. It gives us a sense of purpose.

And for people who are still in the workforce, volunteering can help develop new skills and abilities. It can be great for your career! You meet key people and can learn new skills – and open up possibilities such as leading teams.

Here are some of the great organizations serving older adults. Volunteers receive training and support from staff.

Elders in Action. As our community of older adults grows, their needs grow as well. Elders in Action is looking for volunteers to give presentations and advocate in the community to raise awareness about the problem of elder abuse and to provide direct services to low-income adults. Elders in Action provides training to new volunteers every month. Please contact Laura Berrutti to learn more about volunteer opportunities and trainings: a@eldersinaction.org">Laura@eldersinaction.org and 503-595-7533, or visit:  http://eldersinaction.org/volunteer/  

Ride Connection Volunteer Drivers help their neighbors stay active, independent, and connected with the places that mean the most to them. Whether you’d like to drive an older adult to the senior center, a neighbor with a disability to a medical appointment, or a Veteran to visit a loved one in a care facility, we’ll match you with riders in need of transportation at times that are most convenient for you.For more information on our flexible volunteer opportunities, contact Pam Monahan, Volunteer Outreach Specialist, at (503) 528-1738, pmonahan@rideconnection.org, or visit our website: https://rideconnection.org/

Store to Door is a local nonprofit that supports independent living for Portland area seniors and people with disabilities by providing an affordable, personal, volunteer-based grocery shopping and delivery service.  Store to Door looks for dedicated volunteers to help take weekly nourishment and social connection to homebound seniors in Portland.  Currently, they have a critical need for volunteers to help as weekly Delivery Volunteers and/or Order Takers.  Email Volunteer@Storetodooroforegon.org or call 503-200-3333 ext 106 More information can be found at www.storetodooroforegon.org/volunteer

Meals on Wheels – The most common volunteer job is delivering meals and friendly greetings to homebound seniors.  The program helps stop senior hunger and social isolation. Find a local place to volunteer through https://www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/americaletsdolunch?sign-up=1

AARP Smart Driver Program – Driver Safety volunteers teach and organize the award-winning AARP Smart Driver™ classroom course curriculum in their local communities throughout the state. Learn more at https://www.aarp.org/auto/driver-safety/volunteer/

AARP Foundation Tax is looking for help in putting $50 million in refunds back in the pockets of Oregonians in 2019. You can help by training as a Tax-Aide volunteer. To find an opportunity near you in Oregon and apply, sign up at:  https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/

Long Term Care Ombudsman volunteers will respond to concerns of residents in nursing homes, residential care facilities, assisted living facilities, and adult foster care homes. https://www.oltco.org/ltco/volunteer

State Health Insurance Benefits Assistance volunteer counselors help people in their community understand their Medicare insurance choices and their rights through individual counseling, education, and referrals. Ehttps://healthcare.oregon.gov/shiba/volunteers/Pages/volunteer.aspx

AARP Oregon volunteer – We’re currently looking for individuals who would like to learn about AARP issues and become advocates. Write to aarp@aarp.org">oraarp@aarp.org to learn more.

Disaster responders with the local American Red Cross responded to a home fire disaster on Wednesday November 14, 2018 at approximately 1730 hours, in the 0 block of Ashwood Street in Glide, Oregon.

This single family fire affected 2 adults. The Red Cross provided resources to help address the immediate basic needs of those affected such as temporary housing, food, clothing, comfort kits which include toiletry items, information about recovery services, health and mental health services as needed.

Addirional information about this incident, if available, may be obtained from the local first responding agency/fire department. 

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

On 11/14/18 at approx. 4:30pm SWAT and Crisis Negotiators (CNT) responded to a residence on the report of a barricaded wanted subject.  29 year old Cody Delaplaine, was wanted on a Department of Corrections warrant for Escape from Community Custody and Dangerous drugs.  Detectives received information Delaplaine was at the residence and he was allegedly armed with a handgun.  Delaplaine refused to exit the residence.   CNT and SWAT eventually made contact with Delaplaine and he was taken into custody with further incident. 

No Further Information.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

NOVEMBER 14, 2018

Robert Moran-Vasquez receives 7.5 year prison sentence for randomly attacking bus driver along I-84

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced 33-year-old Robert Moran-Vasquez received a 7.5 year prison sentence after he attacked a bus driver along Interstate 84 in East Multnomah County.

This investigation started on November 29, 2017 when the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of a stabbing on a Greyhound bus that was traveling eastbound on I-84 near the exit for the Lewis and Clark State Recreation Site.

The driver of the bus, Mr. Clint Lawson, appeared before Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Gregory F. Silver on November 14, 2018 for Moran-Vasquez’s change of plea and sentencing hearing.

“I had a good career before the dreadful night of November 29, 2017 when Mr. Moran-Vasquez decided to try and crash the bus that I was driving with 28 passengers on board and then stabbed me in the neck causing my career to come to a halt at that time,” Mr. Lawson said in his victim impact statement, which was read by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office.

Lawson’s statement included, “Yes, Mr. Moran-Vasquez brought me and my wife to our knees, but with God’s grace, we will rebound and restart. I am very grateful to God for giving me the strength to bring that bus to a safe stop, saving those 28 other people from harm.”

"This case has two other heroes,” Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney David Hannon said in court.

SDDA Hannon credited Mr. Stephen Danca who was a passenger on the bus when the attack started. Mr. Danca suffered injuries trying to wrestle the defendant away from Mr. Lawson.

Mr. John Owens was also recognized for the steps he took to aid Mr. Lawson and Mr. Danca.

“Mr. Owens came charging in just like Mr. Danca did to protect and defend Mr. Lawson as well as the 28 other people on that bus,” SDDA Hannon said in court.  "Those three people saved lives…and this could have gone much worse."

The investigation revealed that while the bus was in motion, Moran-Vasquez approach Mr. Lawson and demanded that he pull over. When Mr. Lawson refused, Moran-Vasquez threatened to kill Mr. Lawson. Witnesses told detectives that Moran-Vasquez grabbed the steering wheel and tried to drive the bus off the road during the attack.

According to previously filed court documents, during an interview with law enforcement, Moran-Vasquez admitted he was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the attack and that he had a warrant out for his arrest.

Through the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office’s Victim Assistance Program, Mr. Lawson’s wife said it has been “horrifying” to watch her husband experience the trauma and impact of what happened to him.

“Their lives have been changed forever and the future they planned together has been completely altered,” SDDA Hannon said in court. “It has been a challenging and difficult road for them.”

Moran-Vasquez pleaded guilty to two counts of assault in the second degree, one count of attempted assault in the second degree and two counts of recklessly endangering another person. Upon his release from prison, he will be on three years of post-prison supervision.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the East Multnomah County Major Crimes Team, the Gresham Police Department and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, and the victim advocates who worked on this case.

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director

Phone: 503.988.6567

Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

At approximately 7:15 a.m. on November 14, a 9-1-1 call alerted Tigard Police that an intruder was attempting entry into a residence located at 11075 SW Sage Terrace in Tigard. The caller advised the police dispatcher that he confronted the suspect and a gun was discharged. Tigard Police were on-scene within minutes.

Upon arrival police were met by the homeowner. Further checking, officers located two teen occupants in the three-story townhouse and escorted them to a safe place. The Washington County Major Crimes Team was called to investigate the shooting death of the suspect, identified as 41-year-old Jose Luis Gonzalez Jr.  There is no known address for the suspect. The suspect is known to the Tigard homeowner. The motive is unclear as to why Gonzalez made attempts to enter the Tigard property. The homeowner is fully cooperating with police.

Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and probe further into the shooting.

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Benton County Sheriff’s Officeparticipated in an extra DUII saturation patrol, October 25 through November 1, 2018, to coincide with Halloween and the weekend leading up to the holiday.  

During those dates, deputies arrested eight drivers for DUII (alcohol), completed one Drug Recognition Expert Evaluation, and issued two Minor in Possession of Alcohol citations.  Deputies issued 28 citations for traffic violations, with seven of them for speeding and three for driving while suspended.

The Sheriff’s Office will be participating in extra DUII saturation patrol November 23 through November 24, 2018 to coincide with the Oregon State University and University of Oregon Civil War football game.

Driver impairment and speeding are the most common causes of injury crashes.  Oregon’s DUII enforcement program is committed to reducing the amount of crashes and impaired drivers on our roadways by keeping them off the roadway, and arresting them when they choose to drive.  For more info on impaired driving, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.com.  

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Wednesday, November 14, 2018 – Ridgefield, Washington – Every school in the Ridgefield School District held a Veterans Day assembly to honor our fallen veterans and those still serving.  Each assembly was unique--performed largely by the students themselves.

South Ridge Elementary opened their assembly with a song titled Thank You Soldiers performed by third- and fourth-graders, followed by a short talk from guest speaker, Robert Anderson, a veteran who served in the Army and Army Reserve and parent of two South Ridge students.  A slide show honored veterans from families of South Ridge students and staff.

At Union Ridge Elementary, each grade participated.  Musical performances included a song in sign language and patriotic songs along with poetry readings and a slide show.  Handmade poppies of remembrance and thank you cards were distributed to veterans in the audience, and the Ridgefield American Legion led the presentation of colors.

Sunset Ridge Intermediate School’s assembly presented patriotic songs from the chorus and the national anthem sung by a student.  The poem In Flanders Fields was read, and the band performed two group numbers.  Thank you cards were distributed to veterans, who were then asked to introduce themselves and offer advice to the students.

At View Ridge Middle School, the Lewis and Clark Young Marines led the presentation of colors.  A flute duo performed the national anthem, and the chorus performed.  A student essay was read thanking veterans for their service.  In memory of fallen, missing or imprisoned military service members, the Missing Man Table ceremony, a symbolic single place setting at a table, was presented.  Finally, a slide show displayed photos of students’ family members who had served.

Ridgefield High School featured a presentation of the colors by the Boy Scouts.  Speeches were given by a veteran and by the event’s student emcee.  The high school choir performed the national anthem, and the symphonic band led patriotic songs.  A video remembering our soldiers concluded the assembly.

These moving ceremonies reminds us all to thank the veterans in our lives and to honor those who have passed.  Many thanks to the students and teachers who helped commemorate this special day.

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On Tues., Nov. 13, 2018, a proposed ordinance to reduce the use of plastic carryout bags was presented to Salem City Council. The City Council is considering an exemption from the 5 cent fee for paper bags for businesses who currently restrict use of plastic carry out bags at check out. Staff will return with a revised ordinance for a second reading on Nov. 26.

If approved Nov. 26, the ordinance Salem City Council is considering would do the following:

Beginning Apr. 1, 2019, large retailers will no longer be distributing plastic carryout bags at checkout in order to help protect the environment, animal and human health, and to reduce litter. All retail businesses, including grocery and convenience stores, apparel and department stores, and local markets will be impacted. Retailers can provide recyclable paper bags, charging a fee of not less than five cents per bag, or reusable bags for customers to carry away purchases.

Restaurants and prepared food providers can still distribute plastic carryout bags. For stores that sell both retail items and prepared food, plastic carryout bags can only be given at checkout for prepared food items.

For further details, view the proposed plastic carryout bag ordinance: https://bit.ly/2zRpBTP

Small charge for paper bags

To encourage reusable bags and to offset the higher cost of paper bags, retailers will charge at least five cents per paper bag given at checkout. This charge is called a pass-through cost and will be shown on a customer's itemized receipt.

Retailers must provide a free carryout option to low-income customers who request a bag and show an Oregon Trail Card or food assistance voucher.

Some plastic bags still allowed

Any plastic bag without handles provided to a customer for use within a retail establishment to get products to the point of sale is still allowed. Examples include bags to:

• Transport produce, meat, baked goods, and bulk items to the point of sale
• Contain or wrap flowers, potted plants, or other items where dampness is a concern
• Segregate food or merchandise that could damage or contaminate other items

Until September 1, 2019, small retailer businesses can still distribute plastic carryout bags to customers.

Background

On May 14, 2018, City Council passed a motion directing staff to research and prepare an ordinance to ban single-use plastic bags in the City of Salem, and schedule a public hearing before City Council.

The public hearing for the proposed ordinance was opened on Sept. 10, 2018 and was continued until Oct. 22, 2018.  Second reading of the ordinance is scheduled for Nov. 26, 2018.  Typically, ordinances become effective 30 days after approval.

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VANCOUVER, Wash. – Businesses are invited to participate in Washington State University Vancouver’s Career and Internship Fair from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Feb. 12 and 13 in the Firstenburg Student Commons on campus.

The fair provides an opportunity for business representatives to meet WSU Vancouver students and alumni to discuss career and internship possibilities. Last year, more than 80 employer organizations attended.

Each day highlights a different industry:

• Tuesday, Feb. 12 - General business
• Wednesday, Feb. 13 - Nonprofit, public service and government organizations

Registration entitles employers to use of a six-foot display table, fair entrance for two representatives, two parking permits and access to the Employer Lounge, where snacks and beverages will be provided. Cost to register is $200 for for-profit; $150 for government; and $75 for nonprofit organizations. Register online at http://bit.ly/Spring2019CareerFair.

For more information, contact Career Services at eer@wsu.edu">van.career@wsu.edu or 360-546-9155.

To request accommodations for a disability, contact the Access Center, van.access.center@wsu.edu or 360-546-9238.

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.

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

# # #

The Oregon State Marine Board recognized marine law enforcement from around the state for seven water-related rescues during their post-season Marine Law Enforcement Conference, held in Redmond on October 16.  The Marine Board also recognized individuals for outstanding service that went above and beyond in helping improve boating safety on Oregon’s waterways.

Life-Saving Recognition

The agency’s annual lifesaving awards recognize personnel who have exhibited heroism, going above and beyond the call of duty, by directly attempting to rescue one or more persons involved in a water-related incident.  These awards are open to all law enforcement, boating safety volunteers, and other marine partners.  Seven rescue events occurred during the boating season with nine lives saved.    

On January 22, OSP Trooper Aaron Miller was conducting a boat patrol with the Oregon State Police on Tillamook Bay.  Trooper Miller was actively monitoring the dive cockle fishery in the bay due to reports of violations.  On this day, Trooper Miller was invited to conduct a boat patrol with Deputy Paul Fournier who is assigned with the Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol.  The officers located a dive boat in an area commonly known as Crab Harbor and they noticed visible violations.  The officers tied up to the dive boat and were talking with the captain when one of the divers showed signs of distress and fell unconscious underwater.  Due to quick thinking by another diver to drop the gear, the diver in distress was able to surface.  The officers recovered the unconscious diver, blue in color, and not breathing.  As Deputy Fournier operated the boat in an effort to get the diver to medical personnel, Trooper Miller started chest compressions.  While on-route to the docks, the diver regained consciousness and started breathing on his own.  The diver was transferred to medical personnel immediately upon arriving at the docks. 

On March 27, shortly after midnight, Deputy Ron Osborn and Deputy Scott McLellan received a call of a car stopped and blocking one of the eastbound lanes of the Steel Bridge in Portland.  The Portland Police Bureau asked the Multnomah County River Patrol to do an area check in case there was a jumper.  No one had been seen attempting to jump from the bridge.  From the marine patrol boathouse, it took nearly 30 minutes for the deputies to arrive on-scene.  Once the deputies arrived, they were able to spot a face and hands sticking out of the water.  The person was located next to an ocean-going grain ship at the grain terminal downriver from the Steel Bridge. 

They pulled next to the person and were able to get him on the boat, then transported him to the Fire Bureau dock where they met AMR medics.  The person was unresponsive by that time and was transported to OHSU where he regained consciousness and survived his injuries.  Rescues of this type are very difficult in the dark under quickly changing wind and weather conditions.  Deputy Osborn and McLellan’s keen vision and expertise helped locate the person just in time.

At noon on May 27, Deputy Jerry Williams and Deputy Dave Young from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office were patrolling the North Santiam River, just upstream from the confluence where the North and South Fork of the Santiam River meet, near Jefferson.  While patrolling the river, Williams and Young spotted two young men in inner tubes.  Neither of the floaters was wearing a life jacket and they were approaching a sizable tree snag that was above the waterline and extended below the waterline like a chain link fence of wood, maple vines, and debris.  One of the floaters was able to make it to the other side of the river to safety without incident, but the other person in the inner tube was entangled in the snag and the tube overturned.  The man was pinned underwater and was pulled by the current under the snag.  Deputy Williams drove the boat as Deputy Young grabbed the wrist of the man, held on as hard as he could, and pulled the man up to keep his head out of the water so he could breathe.  Deputy Williams and Deputy Young instructed the man to climb the snag until they could pull him into the jet boat safely.  They transported the man to Jefferson Fire Department medics. 

In August, Lane County received a call of a water rescue on Fern Ridge Reservoir.  There were six family members that were boating and enjoying their afternoon when tragedy hit.  A nine-year-old child called to report that their mother and father were both in the water and that they were in critical need of help.  The child also reported that the father was underwater.  Deputy Guy Pease and Deputy Jon Bock were on Fern Ridge at the time of the call but on the other side of the reservoir.  The conditions were very rough, with three-foot swells and high wind conditions.  Another call came in that an eight-year-old and 11-year-old were also in the water.  Deputies Pease and Bock responded from across the lake and began the search.  They quickly spotted two boys who were hysterical and struggling to keep their heads above the large waves.  One of the boys was screaming that his dad was dead.  Both of the boys were pulled from the water and brought to safety.  Deputy Pease saw the mother in the water, holding the father.  The mother had one arm through a life jacket and was struggling to hold onto the father.  The mother was hysterical and kept sinking below the surface.  Deputies brought the father onto the boat and Deputy Bock began chest compressions.  Deputy Pease grabbed a CPR mask and took over compressions as Deputy Bock pulled the mother into the boat.  All of the individuals involved were taken to the boat launch at Orchard Point.  Regrettably, the father was unable to be revived, but the heroic actions of Deputies Pease and Bock, the other three people were rescued. 

On September 10, Deputy Mike Cahill from the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office dove into the Columbia River to rescue a suicidal woman.  Deputy Cahill responded to a call at 3:23 pm after launching his patrol boat roughly ½ mile downstream from Channel Marker 40 near Boardman.  Deputy Cahill spotted a woman in the water about 50-75 yards out.  There were three to four-foot swells with visible whitecaps, as she struggled to keep her head above the water, moving further out into the river.  There wasn’t time to deploy a boat, so Deputy Cahill immediately dove into the water in an attempt to rescue the woman.  The woman went underwater several times and didn’t resurface, but not before Deputy Cahill was able to get a visual on her and get close enough to grab her by one of her elbows.  He identified himself and told her he wanted to take her back to shore.  She tried to break loose, but the deputy was able to maintain good contact with her.  As Deputy Cahill was attempting to get the woman back to shore, she begged him to let her go.  Deputy Cahill spoke calmly and reassured her as he swam them both back to shore.  The woman repeated she wanted to be let go and tried to escape, but Deputy Cahill didn’t give up.  He was working against the water, the wind, the strong current and the woman he was attempting to rescue.  Deputy Cahill was able to swim her to shallow water where Boardman Police entered the water to assist.

On July 18, a man attempted to take his own life by jumping from the Fremont Bridge into the Willamette River, more than 380 feet below.  On any other day, this would be a short and sad story, but just a half a mile away was River Deputy Kevin McAfee from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office River Patrol.  As soon as the call was broadcast, McAfee immediately motored to the location –by himself.  There’s a brief moment after a person enters the water where the body’s survival instinct and body chemistry take over.  If a person is conscious and had the ability to move at all, they will automatically try to breathe.  Those moments are fleeting as a person’s body is instantly impacted by cold water shock, in addition to any severe injuries that can lead to drowning.  After 20 years with the sheriff’s office marine patrol and several years of service on the Dive Team, and Search and Rescue, McAfee knew this reality all too well.  Portland Police, Portland Fire, and the Coast Guard were all notified and responding to the call.  The patrol boat, “Munson” is equipped with cameras and recorded the event as McAfee approached the Fremont Bridge in search of the man.  The camera was not immediately able to detect the man in the river.  Portland Police located the man’s vehicle on the bride, giving McAfee a better idea of where to begin looking, just past the center of the bridge.  The traffic unit was able to spot the man, struggling in the water toward the middle of the river.  The man had very little capacity to hold on to life.  McAfee spotted the man and using extreme skill and care, adjusted the boat speed, dropped the front gate on the boat and pulled the man on board –with perfect timing.  This is exceptionally difficult to do, let alone solo.  The Portland Fire Bureau boat 6 Rescue Craft personnel arrived moments later, boarded the boat and started rescue medical attention.  They took the man to a waiting ambulance and on to the hospital.  The medical lifesaving procedures performed by fire, ambulance medics, nurses and doctors were equally as miraculous and deserving or recognition.  But if not for Deputy McAfee’s dedication to protect and serve the public, this man may not be alive today.  

On a chilly October afternoon, Deputy Scott McDowell and Sergeant Steve Dangler from the Multnomah County River Patrol were dispatched to assist Vancouver Police Department with a female suspect who had fled into the Columbia River.  The woman was in the river ranging from knee-high to the center of her chest.  As she continued to move around, she stumbled and eventually fell into the river. As the officers got closer, Sergeant Dangler dropped the front door of the boat.  This gave Deputy McDowell a clear view of the woman and would allow them to pull her aboard.  While in the river, she kept talking to herself and yelling out.  The goal was to corral her to the shore so she did not go under water.  This part of the river drops off substantially and given the mental state of the woman currently fighting to evade them in the river, the deputies were certain she would not be able to swim. The high winds made it challenging to maintain the boat position or move with her. Underwater pilings and high wind and waves put the woman, the officers, and the patrol boat at risk.  Sergeant Dangler decided that they had to act immediately or risk damaging the boat or losing the subject in the river.  He stripped some of his gear and told Deputy McDowell to position the boat on the next approach for him to hop off and securely grab her.  Sergeant Dangler jumped in the water, grabbing the subject under her right arm and tightly holding her against him so she could not turn out and away.  Once Sergeant Dangler got his footing, he positioned her to the left to pull her off balance.  Sergeant Dangler carried the woman to shore where two more Vancouver Police Officers were waiting. Vancouver took the woman into custody without further incident.  Due to the quick actions by all, the woman was able to get awaiting medical attention despite her resistance.

Marine law enforcement officers from 32 county sheriff’s offices, tribal representatives and the Oregon State Police train for swift water rescue, boat maneuvering, and a myriad of other life-saving scenarios each year during the Marine Board’s Law Enforcement Academy.  Academy training, in addition to the Marine Board’s drift and jet boat training schools, has proven to be well worth the time and effort in the number of lives saved each year.  

The Marine Board is sincerely grateful for every marine officer who puts their own lives at risk every time they patrol Oregon’s waterways and the thousands of people they impact through their presence.   

Program Awards

Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Wade Holom –Boat Maintenance Award

Marine law enforcement boats and equipment are purchased for marine programs using recreational motorboat dollars from the Marine Board, in addition to funding for boating safety education and patrol hours.  Boats and equipment require maintenance, and depending on the areas of patrol, some boats can experience extreme wear and tear from season to season.  In the first award of its kind, the Marine Board recognized Deputy Wade Holom of Malheur County with a Boat Maintenance Award.  Deputy Holom takes exceedingly good care of the county boat by conducting and verifying all of the required maintenance, communicating regularly with the agency’s Waterway Program Coordinator, Brian Paulsen about needed repairs, and finding creative solutions to get the maximum value and life out of the watercraft.  Deputy Holom’s dedication and efforts to ensure the boat is well maintained to prolong the life of the boat, deserves commendation.

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Rayce Belmont -Rookie of the Year

This award recognizes a top performing marine officer who completed the current year’s marine academy and dives in as an active and effective new recruit.  Deputy Belmont’s excellent attitude, stellar boat operation skills, positive energy and easy-going demeanor helped garner him 639 boater contacts, where he issued 136 warnings and citations, along with some boating education. 

Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Charles Douglass –Most Valuable Contribution

The Most Valuable Contribution Award is one that is selected by unanimous consent of the Oregon State Marine Board’s Boating Safety Program staff.  A combination of action and attitude, Douglass has both character attributes.

Deputy Douglas was hired in 1999 by Lane County Sheriff’s Office and was assigned to the Marine Patrol on September 20, 2008.  Douglass is a top performer in boater contacts year to year, is a top jet boat operator, one of our foundational instructors, and finds time every year to teach at the Marine Law Enforcement Academy, Drift and Jet Boat Schools. He also serves on the state’s Boating Accident Investigation Team and holds many advanced certifications that make him one of the top, if not the top, boat accident investigators in the state.  For the Marine Board’s “Operation Ship Shape” during the 2018 boating season, Douglass contacted 68 boaters addressing 80 violations in a single weekend and claimed over 200 documented boating violations between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  The Marine Board is incredibly grateful to have a deputy of Douglass’ caliber, setting the standard for others. 

Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Daren Krag –Officer of the Year

The annual Officer of the Year Award is the Marine Board’s top award, selected by the Law Enforcement Advisory Group, recognizing someone with outstanding skill, attitude, and exceptional service to Oregon’s boaters over the last 12 months. 

Dep. Daren Krag, of the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, is a renowned Boating Under the Influence (BUII) detection expert.  Krag is also an educator, an excellent instructor and boat operator, and is beyond dedicated to the cause of boating safety. 

As a corporal of the Marine Unit, Krag is responsible for all the administrative tasks as well as the job of Marine Deputy. His interactions with the public are charismatic.  Most citizens he contacts – even those he arrests – will tell you he is a great guy, fair, honest and caring.

Daren’s program consistently ranks at the top for boater contacts.  Most noteworthy, Krag averages well over half of all BUII arrests in the state, and during the 2018 season was nationally recognized for his specific contributions to the region to ensure the waterways are safe for everyone.  Krag is also an instructor at the Marine Law Enforcement Academy, Drift and Jet Boat Schools, and teaches boating safety in the local schools and to community groups. The Small Boat Rescue Team, under his leadership, is an effective, efficient resource that benefits all of Klamath County.  Krag’s willingness to aid other counties with tools and equipment such as side-scan-sonar has helped families of victims find closure.  The Marine Board is indebted to the service of Deputy Krag, the example he sets for others, and the kindness he shows to everyone he encounters. 

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The Marine Board is funded by registration, title fees and marine fuel taxes paid by motorized boaters.  No lottery, general fund tax dollars or local facility parking fees are used to support the agency or its programs.  Boater-paid fees go back to boaters in the form of boating safety services (on-the-water enforcement, training, and equipment), education/outreach materials, and boating access facility grants (boat ramps, docks, parking, restrooms, and construction and maintenance).  The Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Permit program is dedicated funding to pay for border inspection stations, decontamination equipment, inspectors, and signage/outreach materials.  The Mandatory Education Program is self-supporting and revenue helps pay for education materials and boater education cards.  For more information about the Marine Board and its programs, visit www.boatoregon.com.

What: Re-Wrap
When: Sunday, November 25th, 10-2
Where: Within the Vancouver Holiday Market, Hilton Hotel, 301 W 6th St, Vancouver, WA 98660
Cost: FREE!

Let us help you start a new tradition of fun, easy to use, fabric gift wrapping bags for your gifts this holiday season-for FREE!

Did you know waste generation increases by at least 25% around the holidays? One often overlooked culprit is wrapping paper. We will help you start a new tradition of fun, handy, fabric gift wrapping bags!

Repair Clark County sewing pros will transform fabric into reusable holiday gift wrapping bags. Bring your own treasured fabric (vintage table cloth, linens or tree skirt for example) or choose from a limited selection of recycled holiday fabric. 

Drop off your fabric/choose from our fabrics, enjoy the market and pick up your finished bags on the way out. Limit of 3 bags per person.

Email us at epair@columbiasprings.org">repair@columbiasprings.org or call us at 360-882-0936 X224.

You can learn more about Repair Clark County events at: columbiasprings.org/repair. Repair Clark County is a program of Columbia Springs and is funded by a Washington State Department of Ecology grant.

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Michael Krajeski died on November 10, 2018. He was incarcerated at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (EOCI) and passed away in the institution’s end of life care program. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified and the Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.

Micheal Krajeski entered DOC custody on July 25, 2012 from Multnomah County.  His earliest release date was August 17, 2019. He was 60 years old.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of 14,900 men and women who are incarcerated in the 14 institutions across the state. Next of kin has been notified.

EOCI is a multi-custody prison located in Pendleton that houses over 1,700 male inmates. The institution is known for its Oregon Corrections Enterprises industries, including a garment factory that produces Prison Blues©, whose products are sold in and outside the United States. Other industries are its embroidery and laundry facilities. EOCI provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, drug and alcohol treatment, mental health treatment, religious services, and inmate work crews. The buildings that make up EOCI were constructed in 1912 and 1913 and were originally used as a state mental hospital. After two years of renovation, EOCI received its first inmates in June 1985.

Please reference CCSO Case # 18-030709

On Tuesday, Nov. 13, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a reported strong-arm robbery -- in which one suspect threateningly brandished a pair of scissors -- at the JCPenney at Clackamas Town Center. Two suspects were arrested right in front of Sheriff's Office headquarters, where they had fled.

The incident began shortly before noon on Tuesday, when JCPenney loss-prevention personnel confronted two women and a man. They'd seen the male -- Mateo George Emerson, 22 -- select a white pair of Nike gym shoes from a display and conceal them in a black backpack. One of the two women -- Aracelly Medina-Parker, 19 -- reportedly selected a pair of Adidas gym shoes from a display and put them on her feet, leaving the yellow sales tag on the Adidas and her old shoes behind.

During the confrontation, Mateo Emerson reportedly pulled a pair of scissors from his pocket and began waving it at the loss-prevention officers while telling them, "Get back." Emerson, Medina-Parker and the third woman then fled the mall.

Responding deputies quickly spotted the trio running down the street -- conveniently, the suspects were fleeing on Sunnybrook Boulevard, right in front of Clackamas County Sheriff's Office headquarters.

A search produced additional stolen loot, including a JCPenney brand watch and necklace/pendant set. Madina-Parker was caught wearing a different pair of shoes entirely, a pair of maroon Puma gym shoes; she admitted to deputies that the Puma shoes had been concealed in a bag, and she put the Pumas on after she fled the mall.

Mateo Emerson and Aracelly Medina-Parker were taken to Clackamas County Jail and booked. Emerson was charged with Robbery III and Theft II; Madina-Parker was charged with Theft II. Their booking photos are attached. The second woman was not arrested.

Mr. Emerson is well-known to authorities, with additional Clackamas County Jail bookings this year on Oct. 12 (on Menacing and Harassment charges), August 19 (Disorderly Conduct II) and April 18 (Menacing).

ADDITIONAL INFO SOUGHT

Anyone with additional information on Mateo Emerson and/or Aracelly Medina-Parker is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Office Tip Line -- by phone at 503-723-4949 or by using the online email form at https://web3.clackamas.us/contact/tip.jsp . Please reference CCSO Case # 18-030709.

[END]

The Multnomah Education Service District Board of Directors will meet in Regular Session at 6:00 p.m. on November 20, 2018, in the Board Room at 11611 NE Ainsworth Circle, Portland, OR 97220. 

On November 14, 2018 Beaverton Police officers arrested 18-year-old Sebastian Whitaker-Pendarvis and a 15-year-old juvenile for multiple charges in connection with a stolen vehicle and vehicle pursuit.

On November 14th at 11:28 a.m. Beaverton Police officers responded to a suspicious vehicle at West Sylvan Middle School.  School officials called to report a vehicle behind their school with subjects inside smoking marijuana.  School officials stated the vehicle sped off when they tried to contact the occupants.  School officials said the driver drove recklessly on their field and around a number of students before he left the school property.  School officials were able to provide officers the license plate of the vehicle.

Officers learned the vehicle was a 1995 Toyota Corolla which had been stolen out of Washington County on November 13th.  Officers located the vehicle on SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy/ SW 100th Ave.  Officers tried to stop the vehicle on SW Denney Road but the driver and passenger fled in the vehicle.  The driver then hit a parked car and both occupants fled on foot.  Officers located and arrested the 15-year-old driver and Mr. Whitaker-Pendarvis with the help of a community member near SW Cynthia St/ SW 103rd Ave.

The 15-year-old will be charged with Unlawful Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, DUII-Controlled Substance, Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Zanex), Reckless Driving, Attempt to Elude-Felony, Attempt to Elude-Misdemeanor and multiple counts of Recklessly Endangering Another.  More charges may be added later. 

Mr. Whitaker-Pendarvis will be charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle.  Mr. Whitaker-Pendarvis was taken to Washington County Jail.

 ##BPD##

Metropolitan Performing Arts presents:

JUNIE B. IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS!

Based on the book series by Barbara Park
Adapted by Allison Gregory

November 30th through December 2nd, 2018
The Sherman Auditorium, Vancouver WA

This play is for everyone ages 3 and up.

 Photo Credit: Heather Skogen

Vancouver, WA (November 5th, 2018)- Metropolitan Performing Arts (MPA) rings in the holiday season by bringing to the stage everyone’s favorite first-grader, the famously feisty and irrepressible Junie B. Jones. With plenty of laughs and life lessons, “Junie B in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells” is the perfect holiday treat for the whole family. Performances are November 30th-December 2nd at the Sherman Auditorium inside the Washington State School for the Blind. Directed by recent New York transplant, Jessica Hirschhorn, this hilarious yet heartwarming holiday show is based on the popular children’s book series by Barbara Park and adapted by Allison Gregory. Tickets can be purchased online at www.MetropolitanPerformingArts.org or by phone at (360) 975-1585.

‘Tis the season in Room One and Junie B. is a mix of emotions. While visions of goodies from the school’s holiday gift shop frolic about her mind, the dreaded holiday sing-along looms (who could forget the great Columbus Day Disaster!?). Things get even worse when Junie gets stuck with her nemesis Tattletale May for the Secret Santa gift exchange. But wait – maybe the Secret Santa exchange is the perfect opportunity to give May exactly what she deserves...  Join us for this delightful family show that captures the spirit of the holidays with a lesson about giving, seen through the eyes of spunky Junie B!

Cast members include 12 young performers part of the Musical Theatre Program at MPA. The cast features one adult, camas resident Georel Niles, in the role of the teacher, Mr. Scary.  

Jason Lee 6th grader Molly Jung plays the iconic role of Junie B. Jones. Molly is no newbie to the stage. Some MPA credits include Charlie in MPA’s production of Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka Jr and Biblo Baggins in the Hobbit.  “This show has a really important message about friendship.” Says Maggie Cole who plays the nemesis of Junie B. Jones, May. “One of the things I love about the show is how much our cast has grown into a family. We are always helping each other to make it a better show.” -Norah Skogen, who plays Jocy a classmate.

 “Junie B. in Jingle Bells Batman Smells” is the kick off to MPA’s 9th season.

Tickets start at $10 and may be purchased online at www.MetropolitanPerformingArts.org or by phone at 360-975-1585. Performance dates: opening Friday, November 30th at 7:00pm. Saturday, December 1st at 2:00pm and 6:00pm. Sunday, December 2nd at 1:00pm and 4:00pm. Run time is approximately 90 minutes including intermission.

Special event includes a red-carpet opening night! Friday, November 30th at 6:00pm with activities before the show. Dress in your party best and meet Junie B and other characters after the show on the red carpet. VIP tickets holders receive a polaroid photo on stage with Junie B Jones, a cup of hot chocolate and one complimentary food item from concessions.

Metropolitan Performing Arts (MPA) is a Vancouver based non-profit academy and community theater that offers professional, technique driven classes in acting, dance, music and tech. Their mission is to enrich the community by providing performance and educational opportunities in the live arts. The cast of Junie B in Jingle Bells, Batman Smells is part of the Musical Theater Program. The program’s focus is to train ‘Triple Threats’- talented individuals who can sing, dance and act with equal accomplishment. For more information, visit www.MetropolitanPerformingArts.org.

Held at City Hall, the Happy Valley Youth Council’s 9th Annual Youth Town Hall is a special event that invites teens from the Happy Valley and Clackamas areas to connect and share concerns. Through interactive activities and guided discussions, the participating teens voice their ideas and develop solutions to issues that are especially meaningful to them. Topics have often included issues related to safety, health and initiatives the teens would like to see established in their community.

The Happy Valley Youth Council was established in 2010 and serves as the City’s platform for bringing to light the voice of the area’s youth. Comprised of 12 council members, the Happy Valley Youth Council provides dynamic leadership and has pioneered such integral programs as an annual prescription drug take back event, teen driver safety awareness, and educational opportunities related to mental health.

The Youth Town Hall is free to participants and all local high school students are encouraged to attend. Happy Valley resident and business owner, Eric Post, will moderate this year’s activities. Students will have the opportunity to get to know fellow teen citizens and engage in both large and small groups.

The City of Happy Valley prides itself on the ability to offer purposeful and thoughtful ways for the youth of the area to be involved in the community and government happenings.

“This event is a time for kids to get together, share ideas and talk about issues they see or feel are affecting their teen community.  With the only adult in the room being the moderator, these teens tend to truly open up and feel safe amongst their peers.” – Stephani Hern, City of Happy Valley Community Involvement Specialist and Youth Council advisor

While registration for the event is closed, if any additional Happy Valley/Clackamas area teens would still like to attend tonight’s event, they are encouraged to contact Stephani Hern at 503-783-3819. Happy Valley City Hall is located at 16000 SE Misty Drive, Happy Valley, Oregon 97086.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 14, 2018

CONTACT:

Ariel Nelson                                       

Government Relations and Communications Liaison

Oregon Housing and Community Services

503-949-0201, iel.Nelson@oregon.gov">Ariel.Nelson@oregon.gov    

State to announce 10 communities selected for Operation Welcome Home

Operation Welcome Home Launch will take place November 15th at 2 PM at Seavey Meadows in Corvallis.

SALEM, OR – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) will formally announce ten communities selected to participate in Operation Welcome Home tomorrow at 2 PM. OHCS, in partnership with the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs (ODVA), will support communities by providing technical assistance in their initiative to end veterans’ homelessness. The selected communities will gather for the Operation Welcome Home Launch at Seavey Meadows (1099 NE Sorrel Place Corvallis, OR 97330), a veterans’ affordable housing community funded with state resources.

“It’s unacceptable that any veteran would experience homelessness,” said OHCS Director Margaret Salazar, “but we know that veterans are more likely to face these challenges. Operation Welcome Home centers the goal of ending veterans’ homelessness and uses national best practices and clear goalposts to advance that goal. The ten communities selected demonstrate a desire and ability to address veterans’ homelessness, and we are proud to support them in this effort.”

Operation Welcome Home is a campaign to address veterans experiencing homelessness that will run from November 2018 to May 2019. This initiative is supported through Measure 96 lottery funds allocated by the 2017 Legislature, and represents the first stage in supporting local communities as they work to end veteran homelessness. Throughout the course of this campaign, OHCS and ODVA will provide communities the support needed to house 500 veterans across Oregon. This investment will not only support local community efforts, but it will create a lasting infrastructure to make an impact well into the future.

“Veterans and their families deserve stable housing,” said ODVA Director Kelly Fitzpatrick. “This technical assistance will help communities create a by-name list of veterans experiencing homelessness that will allow multiple services providers to coordinate and leverage resources to help each veteran experiencing homelessness. This approach ensures we are looking at the person experiencing homelessness rather than another statistic.”

The selected communities are listed below. Additional details about Operation Welcome Home available online.

• NeighborImpact and Central Oregon Veterans Outreach: Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson Counties
• Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Agencies: Marion and Polk Counties
• ACCESS: Jackson County
• Yamhill Community Action Partnership: Yamhill County
• Oregon Coast Community Action: Coos and Curry Counties
• United Community Action Network: Douglas and Josephine Counties
• Community Action Partnership of Oregon: Baker, Grant, Harney, Hood River,
• Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Sherman, Union and Wasco Counties
• Community Services Consortium: Benton, Lincoln and Linn Counties
• Clackamas County Social Services: Clackamas County
• Lane County Human Services Commission: Lane County

###

VANCOUVER, Wash. – On Thanksgiving Eve 1971, somewhere over Southwest Washington, D.B. Cooper parachuted from the rear of a hijacked passenger jet airplane with $200,000 tied to his body. Years later, a small amount of the money was found. Cooper and the rest of the money never were.

Cooper’s hijacking of Flight 305, enroute from Portland to Seattle, is the only unsolved air piracy case in America. It is celebrated in movies, television and song. Now this story will be told on the radio as part of the Re-Imagined Radio project, led by John Barber, professor of Creative Media and Digital Culture at Washington State University Vancouver.

The live performance of “Skyjack ’71—The D.B. Cooper Transmissions” will be presented at 7 p.m. Nov. 21 at Kiggins Theatre, 1011 Main St., Vancouver. Purchase tickets in advance for $8 by visiting kigginstheatre.com. Tickets will be available at the door for $12. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Written by Dan Wyatt Jr., owner of Kiggins Theatre, the radio drama features the many communications between multiple agencies and individuals as they attempted to resolve a tense situation, keep citizens safe and informed, and uphold the law. Local actors will perform, including Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle and Steve Becker, director of Vancouver’s Downtown Association.

"Whether or not you agree with Cooper's exploit, the story is rich and part of the legends that make our part of the Pacific Northwest special," Barber said.

Tickets are available online through the Kiggins website or at the door the night of the performance. Concessions, beer and wine will be available for purchase before and during the performance.

The performance date is the anniversary of the actual event. Audience members are encouraged to dress in Cooper-like costumes, such as black pants and jacket, white shirt with black tie, black overcoat and wraparound sunglasses.

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

About the Kiggins Theatre

The theater has been a landmark in downtown Vancouver since 1936. It is owned and operated by WSU alumnus Dan Wyatt Jr. Learn more at kigginstheatre.com.

About Metropolitan Performing Arts

Metropolitan Performing Arts is a nonprofit organization providing performing theater arts education and community theater for Southwest Washington. Learn more metropolitanperformingarts.org.

About WSU Vancouver

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

# # #

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     

NOVEMBER 14, 2018

Man sentenced to jail, probation after DUII crash injures two law enforcement officers

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced 54-year-old Ken Neely received a jail and probation sentence for the vehicular assault of two officers assigned to the Portland Police Bureau.

On October 23, 2018, Neely pleaded guilty to two counts of felony assault in the third degree and one count of driving under the influence of intoxicants. On November 14, 2018, he was sentenced to 36 months of probation and 20 days in jail. The judge ordered that he make a payment of $8,675.45 in restitution. As part of his sentence, Neely will have his driver’s license revoked for five years. 

This investigation started on January 13, 2018 when law enforcement responded to reports of a disabled vehicle on northbound Interstate 5, just south of the Interstate Bridge. The vehicle was reported to be a hazard to other drivers because it was blocking the right lane of traffic. Additionally, as officers were responding, they learned the driver may have been impaired.

When law enforcement arrived, they took the driver into custody. As police were waiting for a tow truck to arrive on scene, another driver, Neely, crashed into one of the police patrol vehicles, injuring Officer Kimberly Adams who was inside her patrol vehicle and Sgt. Nick Newby who was outside his patrol vehicle.

According to previously filed court documents, Sgt. Newby reported that he was walking behind his vehicle to put out several flares to help direct traffic. Both Sgt. Newby and Officer Adams had their overhead emergency lights activated. Sgt. Newby also had his amber lights on informing traffic to move to the left.

“Sgt. Newby saw Ken Neely’s vehicle coming right for them so he moved as fast as he could in an attempt to get over the jersey barrier,” Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Nicole Jergovic said. “The defendant’s vehicle hit Sgt. Newby and nearly pinned him against the jersey barrier. Sgt. Newby's decision to turn his patrol vehicle’s steering wheel all the way to the left when he parked prevented this from being a more serious crash. Had he not done that maneuver, his patrol vehicle would have launched straight into the two officers.”

Other law enforcement officers responded to the scene to assist the two injured officers and to conduct a crash investigation. During that investigation, officers spoke with the defendant and noticed that he had thick and slurred speech and that his responses were slow and that they could smell an odor of alcohol. Approximately 90 minutes after the crash, Neely provided a breath sample with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .07%. Based on dissipation rates, it is estimated that the defendant's BAC was likely .09% at the time of the crash.

“We are thankful that neither police officer in this case was critically injured,” Jergovic said after court. “This incident shows what could happen if someone chooses to drive while impaired. It also serves as a reminder for all other drivers that when you see emergency vehicles on the side of the road, you must abide by Oregon’s move over law.”

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director

Phone: 503.988.6567

Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

(Salem) – The State of Oregon has launched a new optional energy-efficient code to help achieve increased energy efficiency in commercial structures.

This week, the Oregon Zero Code Efficiency Standard was approved by the Building Codes Structures Board and adopted by the Building Codes Division for use throughout Oregon.

The code is based on nationally developed standards and establishes a predictable and efficient path for achievable energy-efficiency improvements. Adopting fully vetted, cost-effective, and federally recognized standards provides Oregon businesses with predictability and creates a more efficient regulatory framework.

“This continues Oregon’s national leadership in providing innovative construction regulatory options. The adoption of the Oregon Zero Code Efficiency Standard creates a framework for ongoing improvement in energy efficiency, while providing predictability and regulatory efficiency to Oregon businesses,” Building Codes Division Administrator Mark Long said. “Providing businesses with an additional regulatory path helps Oregon meet our overall energy-efficiency goals.”

The code is a statewide alternate method, which provides additional options for Oregon businesses.

“Oregon is fortunate to have the ability to make these efficient options available to industry working through our advisory boards,” said Long. “This is another example of regulatory success in Oregon.”

The code is based on a federally recognized energy standard that establishes robust, but achievable, construction standards that align with Oregon’s energy goals. The standard also  includes a fully programmed online tool, allowing builders to enter their construction choices for ventilation, windows, and other elements in order to confirm compliance with Oregon code.

Builders who want to use the Oregon Zero Code Efficiency Standard will document compliance with the standard using an Oregon-specific tool and Architecture 2030’s Zero Code Energy Calculator to help designers identify potential renewable energy sources to improve efficiency. The information will be recorded as part of the permit file for the building.

Review the Oregon Zero Code Efficiency Standard statewide alternate method.

###

The Building Codes Division (BCD) adopts statewide construction standards, which ensure a uniform and predictable regulatory environment in Oregon. For more information, visit www.oregon.gov/bcd.

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

On October 19, 2018, Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies received information regarding possible animal neglect occurring on a property in the 19000 block of Southwest Pacific Highway outside of Sherwood.

During the initial investigation, deputies learned that two pit bull puppies had been surrendered from the property to an animal rescue organization in late September. After speaking with a woman who had picked up the puppies, deputies learned that they had been kept in deplorable conditions. Upon evaluation by a veterinarian, the dogs were found to be in malnourished and had an abnormal gait, likely as a result of being kept in small cages for the majority of their lives.

On November 13, 2018, deputies executed a search warrant on the property. Four dogs were located and found confined to sheds and or wire crates. Deputies found that none of the dogs had access to water and little food was found on the property. Some of the dogs were lying in their own waste. Paraphernalia commonly associated with dog fighting was also seized. All four dogs were taken to local animal hospitals for further evaluation.

54-year-old Russell Fernandez, who resides on the property, was arrested on two counts of first-degree animal neglect, four counts of second-degree animal neglect, and possession of dog fighting paraphernalia.

Two donkeys and two goats were also removed from the property. Their health is being evaluated by a veterinarian and additional criminal charges related to their care are possible.

Deputies were assisted at the scene by Washington County Animal Services and Sound Equine Options.

Anyone with information is asked to contact deputies by calling non-emergency dispatch at (503) 629-0111.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

NOVEMBER 14, 2018

Man, 49, receives prison sentence following Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Elimination investigation

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced 49-year-old Chanh Tran received a 30 month prison sentence after he pleaded guilty in a Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Elimination Project case.

“The plea in this case was reached with all parties, including the victim, being in agreement as to the resolution of this case,” Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Tara Gardner, who prosecuted this case, said after sentencing. “I know the victim is appreciative that this case is finally resolving, without the re-traumatization of trial, and that the defendant is taking responsibility for his actions, which had a significant impact on her life.”

The Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit released the following statement: “Investigators with the Portland Police Bureau are pleased with the fifth conviction related to cases identified as part of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI). We continue to work diligently to bring more cases forward. Investigators are grateful for the willingness of the victims, their families, witnesses and others with case knowledge to help bring closure to cases where justice has been delayed.”

On November 8, 2018, Tran pleaded guilty to one count of rape in the third degree and sodomy in the third degree.

The initial investigation began on September 26, 2012, when Portland Police responded to a motel in the 2600 block of Northeast 82nd Avenue in Portland Oregon on a report of a female found hiding in a vacant motel room.

The investigation revealed that Tran and the victim did not know each other prior to September 25, 2012 when the defendant had sexual contact with the victim, who was a minor at the time, in Southeast Portland.

As part of the initial investigation, a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) kit was collected the day the sexual assault was reported. The SAFE kit was tested in 2016 using grant funding provided by the District Attorney’s Office of New York. A profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) and matched on July 10, 2017 to Tran. The Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit contacted the victim and conducted investigative follow up on the case, which resulted in a grand jury returning an indictment.

The victim in this case has requested privacy and does not want media contact.

Sexual Assault Kit Backlog Elimination Project

In 2015, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill, along with the Portland Police Bureau, Gresham Police Department, Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police Forensic Laboratory collaboratively initiated a project to process thousands of untested Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) kits in Multnomah, Marion and Lane counties.

District Attorney Underhill and others quickly identified funding from the New York County District Attorney’s Office (DANY) and worked collectively with the Portland Police Bureau’s Sex Crimes Unit after the City of Portland received a grant from U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Grant Program.

DANY awarded the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office a total of $1,995,453 in September 2015. Using those funds, a coordinated effort involving local law enforcement and the Oregon State Police was launched to send SAFE kits, dated 2014 or older from Multnomah, Lane and Marion counties, to a private lab in Utah for testing.

In early 2018, an additional 302 SAFE kits from 13 other Oregon counties were sent to the lab using funds from the DANY grant. In total, nearly 3,000 SAFE kits from Oregon were sent to be tested. As of September 2018, all of the SAFE kits identified under the DANY grant, have been tested.

In Oregon, Senate Bill 1571, known as "Melissa's Law," was the Oregon Legislature's response to ensuring all sexual assault kits, except for anonymous kits, are sent to the Oregon State Crime Laboratory for timely testing.

The Portland Police Bureau implemented a full submission policy in February 2015 that mandates every SAFE kit, with the exception of anonymous kits, be sent to the OSP Forensic laboratory.

Results from the kits continue to be investigated and survivors of sexual assaults are being notified through the Rose Project. The PPB Sex Crimes Unit, a victim-centered and trauma-informed detail, encourages those who have had a SAFE kit collected prior to 2015 to contact the oseproject@portlandoregon.gov">roseproject@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-0125.

Current Multnomah County SAFE kit criminal cases (as of November 14, 2018)

State of Oregon vs Jihad Eldeen Moore - 18CR13996 - Convicted in November 2018; pending sentencing

State of Oregon vs Chanh Van Tran - 18CR25167 - Sentenced to 30 months in prison

State of Oregon vs Curtis Clint Williams - 17CR37474 - Convicted in June 2018; pending sentencing

State of Oregon vs Steven Guy Tubbs - 17CR08640 - Convicted in August 2018; Sentenced to 100 months in prison

State of Oregon vs Jose Oscar Rosales - 17CR29317 - Sentenced to 210 days in jail, 60 months of PPS

State of Oregon vs Ricky Alexander Harrison - 18CR59141 - Pending arraignment

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director

Phone: 503.988.6567

Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

PORTLAND, Ore. (November 14, 2018) –  This holiday season, jingle all the way to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) to see towering sculptures, sweet science demonstrations and build-it-yourself workshops at the third annual Gingerbread Adventures, opening Nov. 17.

Local architecture firms and bakeries have teamed up to design and build gingerbread sculptures focused on the theme “Egypt”:

•    Soderstrom Architects & Bon Appetit Management Company with “Despicable Megypt”
•    Lewallen Architecture & New Seasons with “Fa La La La Ra”
•    Scott Edwards Architecture & Sugar Cubed Cakes with “Sweet AfterLife”
•    LRS Architects & Love Bites by Carnie with “Under Wraps”
•    Walker Macy & Sarah’s Cookies with “Khepri Rising”
•    LEVER Architecture & Pix Patisserie with “Ain’t No Party Like an Afterlife Party” 
•    WRK Engineers & Ankrom Moisan Architects & Delice Chocolate & Confections with “A Game of Cat & Mouse-oleum”

Gingerbread Adventures, sponsored by New Seasons with support from Bob’s Red Mill and Macy’s, highlights the innovation and food science that goes into assembling elaborate gingerbread sculptures. Food science intertwines biology, technology, engineering, architecture and physics in the creation of these artistic creations showcasing Portland’s diverse cultural experience, innovative food scene, and architectural expertise. 

“The last two years of Gingerbread Adventures have been so much fun, and I’m always impressed by the creativity of the teams,” said Melony Beaird, OMSI events manager. “The architect firms really push the boundaries of what the bakers can accomplish with edible materials, and you will see new and innovative ways to use gingerbread and sugar.” 

There will be more than just amazing sculptures on view. Located in OMSI’s Auditorium, guests can learn how to make an origami Sphinx, decode hieroglyphs, design a winter scene and more. Visitors will also have the opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice Award,” selecting their favorite gingerbread sculpture.

Returning this year is the popular food science workshop: How Does the Cookie Crumble? Adults will spend an evening learning how buildings are designed to withstand earthquakes. Then, they’ll have a chance to design, build and test their own quake-proof gingerbread house. Workshops will be held Dec. 13, 18 and 20; 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per gingerbread house (up to 2 people per house).

Gingerbread Adventures is included with general admission to the museum and will be on view in the OMSI Auditorium from Nov. 17 through Jan. 1, 2019. For more information, visit omsi.edu.

About OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI operates the largest museum-based outdoor science education program in the country and provides traveling and community outreach programs that bring science learning opportunities to schools and community organizations in every county in Oregon and throughout the region. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit omsi.edu.
 

Vancouver Public Schools’ board of directors authorized two replacement levies for the Feb. 12, 2019, ballot. The district’s education and operations levy (formerly called the maintenance and operations levy) and the technology levy both expire in 2019. The board unanimously approved the resolutions at its Nov. 13 meeting.

Replacement levy for education and operations
The replacement levy for education and operations would provide funding for schools for four years: 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. A local levy has been in place in Vancouver Public Schools for more than 50 years (since 1964).

Earlier this year, Washington legislators developed a state budget to meet the requirements of the Supreme Court (McCleary v. State) decision. As a result, the state increased its schools levy rate and redistributed the money across all Washington school districts.

In 2018, local district levy rates were not affected. However, in 2019, the state will maintain its schools levy rate, and local district levy rates will be scaled back to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Even after the new state funding as a result of McCleary decision, the state still only funds approximately 78 percent of the district’s general fund budget. The local levies are necessary to make up ongoing gaps in financial support for services and priorities designated by the Vancouver community. 

“As a teacher for more than 35 years, I know that levy dollars are crucial to our students, classrooms and schools,” said Board President Rosemary Fryer. “If approved, these levies will help ensure Vancouver students are prepared for the future.”

At the capped amount of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value, local levy dollars make up about 12 percent of the district’s general fund budget. The education and operations levy pays for classroom supplies, textbooks and equipment; school safety and security; maintenance of buildings and grounds; teachers and support staff; classroom programs; extended day/year learning; education for students with special needs; extracurricular activities and intramural sports; and utilities, insurance and fuel.

The district is requesting authorization of approximately $32.8 million for collection in 2020, $35.4 million for collection in 2021, $38.2 million for collection in 2022 and $41.3 million for collection in 2023.

On a median-priced home of $334,000, the replacement levy for education and operations will cost $501 in 2020 (based on the levy rate of $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value). The rate for 2018 was $2.64 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Replacement levy for technology
The replacement levy for technology, which voters approved in 2013, would provide funding for 2020 through 2025. The technology levy would help prepare students to enter the workforce. It would fund technology that supports students’ creativity, innovation and problem-solving. Technology levy dollars would provide training for teachers so that they can educate students on the skills required for success in their future careers. The levy also would maintain or renew iPads and laptop computers for all students in third through 12th grades.

The estimated cost for the technology levy is approximately $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The levy would collect approximately $7 million in 2020, $7.4 million in 2021, $8 million in 2022, $8.4 million in 2023, $8.8 million in 2024 and $9.3 million in 2025.

On a median-priced home of $334,000, the replacement technology levy will cost $103.54 in 2020 (based on the levy rate of $0.31 per $1,000 of assessed property value).

The education and operations levy must pass for the technology levy to pass.

For more information, go to the VPS website.

The Multnomah Education Service District Board Visibility and Communications Committee will meet on Monday, November 19 at 1:00 p.m. at the main headquarters, 11611 NE Ainsworth Circle, Portland, Oregon  97220. 

On February 9th, 2018 Beaverton Police detectives started an investigation regarding the sex trafficking of an underage female.  The advertisements for prostitution with the underage female were posted on the website www.backpage.com.  On February 14th detectives arrested 28-year-old Mario Deshawn Hoggatt after he delivered the 17-year-old victim to a residence where she was to engage in prostitution.  Evidence showed the victim would pay Mr. Hoggatt after each prostitution date and Mr. Hoggatt placed the prostitution ads on Backpage using his cell phone.     

On the day trial was set to start, November 6, 2018, Mr. Hoggatt entered a guilty plea in Washington County Circuit Court to one count of Compelling Prostitution which is a Class B felony.  Mr. Hoggatt was sentenced to 70 months in prison and he may not be considered for any form of reduction in sentence.  After his prison sentence, he will be on Post-Prison supervision for 3 years.  Mr. Hoggatt will also be required to register as a sex offender per Oregon Revised Statutes.    

Human sex trafficking is a form of slavery and involuntary servitude. Sex trafficking involved individuals profiting from the sexual exploitation of others and has severe physical and psychological consequences for its victims.

Sex trafficking comes in many forms, including forcing victims into prostitution, subjecting victims to slavery or involuntary servitude and compelling victims to commit sex acts for the purpose of creating pornography.  The average age that teens become victims of sex trafficking is between 12 and 14.  Statistically, over 70% of victims are female and over half of them are children.  Many victims are runaways or previous victims of physical or sexual abuse.  However, any person, male or female, adult or child, regardless of their background, can potentially become a victim. https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/human-trafficking-prevention

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Women’s Leadership Center is pleased to announce the upcoming workshop Taking Action: Creating a Culture of Consent. The Women’s Leadership Center recognizes the timely an important conversation of consent. This dynamic four-session workshop series is inspired by the #Me Too movement with the acknowledgment that many of us have not yet had the opportunity to fully explore consent and its impact. So, for many of us we are navigating the waters of consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships without a guide. This leaves opportunity for misinterpretation and miscommunication.

#Metoo has provided a clear visual of how pervasive rape culture is. Education around consent is a crucial next step. [As] “consent is the basis and foundation for all healthy and respectful relationships and interactions. Everyone should feel like they understand what consent really means and why it’s important. Creating a culture of consent is crucial to preventing interpersonal violence and creating safer communities.” (Jessie Spinney, YWCA Sexual Assault Prevention Specialist)

To engage in the next steps practice consent conversations with loved ones (including youth and teens), speak to your representative and encourage your state to make consent education mandatory in schools, and join the Women’s Leadership Center for Taking Action: Creating a Culture of Consent.

Taking Action: Creating a Culture of Consent

Join us in this dynamic four session workshop series as we engage in conversation together, expand our knowledge and develop skills to strengthening our approach to this important and timely topic.

Mondays and Wednesdays, November 26 – December 5

 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Registration available at: ywcaclarkcounty.org/wlc

Questions? Contact WLC coordinator Cheyanne Llanos Bare at are@ywcaclarkcounty.org">cllanosbare@ywcaclarkcounty.org and 360.906.9157

The Multnomah Education Service District Board Taskforce Committee will meet on Friday, November 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the Black United Fund of Oregon, 2828 NE Alberta St. , Portland, Oregon  97211. 

Vancouver, Wash. –On July 30, 2018, Vancouver Police responded to a found property call at the Goodwill located at 6425 NE Fourth Plain Blvd. An employee going through donations located an urn used to contain cremated human remains.  The urn is a wooden box with the name “Stephu Rutledge” on the bottom.

The Vancouver Police Department Evidence Unit has been attempting to locate anyone associated with the urn and is now is seeking assistance from the public so that it can be turned over to family members, as it is believed this item was inadvertently donated.

Anyone with information regarding this urn is asked to contact the Vancouver Police Department Evidence Unit at (360) 487-7404.

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The Vancouver Police Department is seeking applicants for Entry and Lateral Police Officers. If you are interested in a career with us, visit http://www.cityofvancouver.us/police/page/careers.

Oregon Adds 4,600 Jobs in October

In October, Oregon’s nonfarm payroll employment grew by 4,600 jobs, following a revised gain of 4,700 jobs in September. Monthly gains in October were widespread, with nine of the top 13 industries adding jobs, led by professional and business services (+1,500 jobs); wholesale trade (+1,000 jobs); and government (+1,000 jobs). Only two major industries cut jobs substantially in October: private educational services (-800 jobs) and financial activities (-900 jobs).

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in October, the same as in August and September. These were Oregon’s lowest unemployment rates since comparable records began in 1976. The U.S. unemployment rate held steady at 3.7 percent in both September and October.

Oregon’s nonfarm payroll employment increased by 38,100 jobs, or 2.0 percent, since October 2017. In that time, construction remained the fastest growing industry, with a gain of 8,200 jobs, or 8.2 percent. Health care and social assistance added 6,200 jobs, or 2.6 percent. Professional and business services also grew rapidly, adding 5,400 jobs, or 2.2 percent. However, three of Oregon’s major industries slowed recently, with gains close to one percent since October 2017: financial activities (+1,000 jobs, or 1.0%); leisure and hospitality (+1,700 jobs, or 0.8%); and retail trade (+1,200 jobs, or 0.6%). And two industries declined over the year: information ( 100 jobs, or -0.3%) and private educational services (-800 jobs, or -2.2%). 

Over the past two years, retail trade has seen multiple store closures and the bankruptcies of several major national retailers. These closures and other factors contributed to a moderation in overall retail employment growth. Since October 2016, Oregon’s retail employment grew at an annual rate of only 1.0%, which was about half the growth rate of Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment. Somewhat counterbalancing retail’s slowing was moderate growth in wholesale trade (up 2.8% in the past 12 months) and in transportation, warehousing, and utilities, which grew consistently close to a three percent annual rate over the past six years. 

Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the October county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, November 20th, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for November on Tuesday, December 18th. 

Notes: 
All numbers in the above narrative are seasonally adjusted.

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

The Oregon Employment Department publishes payroll employment estimates that are revised quarterly by using employment counts from employer unemployment insurance tax records. All department publications use this Official Oregon Series data unless noted otherwise. This month’s release incorporates the April, May, and June 2018 tax records data. The department continues to make the original nonfarm payroll employment series available; these data are produced by the BLS.

Effective with the January 2018 data, employment of Oregon’s approximately 17,000 home care workers are counted in private health care and social assistance instead of state government. The change was due to legislative action clarifying that for purposes of workforce and labor market information, home care workers are not employees of state government. The reclassification affects private sector and government monthly change figures for January 2018 and will affect over-the-year change figures through December 2018. It does not affect total payroll employment levels.

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.

Five schools in Vancouver, Battle Ground and Longview are among just 91 identified as 2018 School of Distinction winners. The award recognizes sustained improvement over a five year period in English language arts (ELA), math and graduation rates.

In Battle Ground, River Homelink was named a School of Distinction for the third time. In Vancouver Public Schools, Benjamin Franklin Elementary (a three-time winner) and Lewis and Clark High School received the honor. R.A. Long High School (a four-time winner) and Monticello Middle School, both in the Longview School District, round out the list of this year’s winners in the ESD 112 region. They are among the top five percent of improvement of all high middle and elementary levels, respectively.

“This honor is reflective of the incredibly hard work and dedication of staff and students,” said ESD 112 Superintendent Tim Merlino. “These schools are proof that through dedication and perseverance we can overcome barriers to dramatically improve outcomes for all students,” he added. Merlino plans to present the schools with their award banners during specially scheduled arrangements at staff and/or board meetings this winter.

The School of Distinction Award is sponsored by the Center for Educational Effectiveness in partnership with the Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD), the Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP), Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) and the Washington State Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (WSASCD).  This award is the only one of its kind in the state that recognizes schools for sustained growth and improvement over time.

Vancouver, Wash. – Give thanks this holiday season, not foodborne illness.

Every year, one in six Americans is sickened by contaminated food or beverages, often from food that’s not prepared safely. Proper food storage and preparation are important in order to prevent illness.

Don’t take any chances with the health of your family and friends this holiday season. Follow these tips as you prepare for holiday gatherings, and visit the Clark County Public Health Facebook page for more food safety tips throughout the month.

Thawing

A fresh turkey should be cooked within two days of purchase. But if your turkey is frozen, never thaw it on the counter. Here are three safe ways to thaw a turkey:

• In the refrigerator: Allow 24 hours of thawing for each four to five pounds of turkey – about three days for a 12-pound turkey or five days for a 20-pound turkey.
• In a bowl or sink filled with cold water: Keep the turkey in its original wrapping and allow 30 minutes per pound. Change water every 30 minutes.
• In the microwave: Check the manual for directions. When thawed, cook immediately.

Preparation

Wash hands and surfaces often. After working with raw turkey, always wash your hands, utensils and work surfaces to prevent bacteria from contaminating other foods. Use only clean kitchen cloths and towels and wash them promptly after wiping up meat juices.

Stuffing

For optimal safety and uniform doneness, cook the stuffing outside the turkey in a casserole dish. If you place stuffing inside the turkey, do so just before roasting and use a food thermometer. Make sure the center of the stuffing reaches a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees. Bacteria can survive in stuffing that has not reached 165 degrees and cause foodborne illness.

Cooking

Prior to cooking, be sure the turkey is completely thawed. When cooking, use a food thermometer to check the temperature in the center of the stuffing, the wing joint and meaty portions of the breast and thigh. All pieces must reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Leftovers

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours of cooking. Don’t leave food on the counter to cool down. Refrigerating foods quickly keeps most harmful bacteria from growing and multiplying. Eat refrigerated leftovers within three or four days.

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services has issued a cease-and-desist order against Helen Kyung Lee and Joany Inc., also known as Impact Health Inc., for forging consumers’ signatures on insurance documents, which violates the Oregon insurance code. The department, through its Division of Financial Regulation, is pursuing fines and seeking to revoke the licenses of Lee and Joany Inc.

Lee and Impact Health Inc. offered consumers a $50 gift card for filling out an insurance survey through either Facebook or Craigslist. The survey required consumers to provide a copy of their health care identification card with a valid effective date and member number. Lee, or representatives of Impact Health Inc., then forged consumers’ signatures on a form that identifies the consumers’ insurance agent, also known as an agent of record form. This allowed Lee to receive commissions from insurance companies without the consumers’ consent or knowledge.

Approximately, 1,600 Oregonians completed the survey in 2017, and more than 900 agent of record forms were filed as a result. The division has attempted to contact several consumers who filled out the survey. At least 12 have confirmed that their signatures were forged, and that they did not ask Lee nor Impact Health Inc. to be their agent. 

“The division takes attempts to deceive both consumers and companies that serve Oregonians very serious,” said Andrew Stolfi, insurance commissioner. “We encourage everyone to be on alert for attempts like this to dupe consumers and businesses for financial gain, and to contact our consumer advocates if you believe you have been harmed.”

The division wants anyone that filled out a survey from Impact Health Inc. to do two things:

1. Contact your insurance company to confirm it has the correct agent on file for you. If you filled out the survey, but do not have an agent, confirm that your insurance company does not have one listed for you.
2. Oregonians who learn that the agent of record is not correct, contact the division’s consumer advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) to report it.

This was a multi-state scheme. If you live outside Oregon and filled out a survey from Impact Health contact your state's insurance department to report it.

The division believes similar efforts exist to obtain consumers’ personal information. Be mindful of these schemes, and avoid them with these steps:

• Be suspicious of offers to receive gift cards or similar prizes for providing personal information. If it seems too easy to earn a prize, it is probably a trick. 
• Do not give out your personal information by phone, email, or text. Government agencies, insurance companies, banks, and credit unions typically do not ask for this information unprompted.

To learn more about protecting yourself and your finances visit, dfr.oregon.gov.

Oregonians who have questions, concerns, or problems with an insurance or financial services company, agent, or broker can contact a consumer advocate at 888-877-4894 (toll free).

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GALES CREEK, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife have teamed up to enhance habitat in upper Gales Creek for threatened steelhead and other aquatic life.

Winding through the Tillamook State Forest and flowing into the Tualatin River, Gales Creek serves as critical habitat for upper Willamette steelhead, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. ODF and ODFW have led a years-long cooperative project to improve habitat in the Gales Creek basin. The latest step was a project in fall of 2018 enhancing a mile-long stretch of Gales Creek, with plans in place to complete a second mile in the summer of 2019. This work was funded in part by the Oregon Wildlife Foundation as well as in-kind services from both agencies. 

“When I do projects like this, it’s more than my professional duty,” said Mark Meleason, aquatic and riparian specialist for ODF’s State Forests Division. “Our model for state forests is we want to do the right thing, and this is doing the right thing for the environment. We’re providing good habitat, and we’re enhancing it.”

The agencies worked with a contractor to strategically cut and place 100 trees from the riparian forest into the stream to increase the complexity of the aquatic habitat. Logs create pools and side channels where fish can spawn, while their offspring can find shelter from predators and refuge from strong creek flows in the winter. The trees were selected from a mixed conifer / hardwood forest where hardwoods, mainly alder, are nearing the end of their lifespan. These trees used for the enhancement will be replaced ten-fold in the spring, when ODF will plant approximately 1,000 seedlings along the creek bank.

“Logjams are the most important part of stream habitat for fish,” said Dave Stewart, a stream restoration biologist for ODFW. “When you have wood in the stream, it creates habitat for juvenile fish, spawning and amphibians. All the fish and wildlife species need this wood – we’ve documented that with many studies.”

This portion of Gales Creek is in the Tillamook State Forest and was part of the Tillamook Burn, a series of catastrophic forest fires from the 1930s-50s that, decades later, still leave a mark on the land – in this case, less wood available for stream enhancement. Projects like this mimic the natural pattern of trees falling into streams as they age or are knocked down by storms.

This cooperative effort is just one of many cooperative projects conducted by ODF and ODFW under the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds to restore healthy salmon populations and their watersheds. 

On November 17, 2018, Beaverton Police Department, along with Safe Kids Coalition of Washington County and Kuni Auto Center, will be offering a free child safety seat clinic.

The clinic will run from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM at the Kuni Auto Center located at 3725 SW Cedar Hills Blvd. Beaverton, OR 97005.

Motor-vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death nationwide for children ages 1-12. In 2015, 1,353 children under age 9 were injured in Oregon traffic crashes; six children died. It's estimated that car seats may increase crash survival by 71% for infants under 1 year old, and by up to 59% for toddlers ages 1-4. Booster seats may reduce the chance of nonfatal injury among 4- to 8-year-olds by 45% compared to safety belts used alone.

For more information about the proper fit of a child safety seat please visit https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats.

No appointment is necessary so please just drop in. Arriving early is recommended as we sometimes have more vehicles than we can accommodate during the event timeframe. Each car seat check will take approximately 30 minutes.

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Vancouver, WA – The 15th annual "Christmas with Jim Fischer and Friends" concert will take place at 3 pm on Saturday, December 1st at First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main St, Vancouver.

The concert is a benefit event for Friends of the Carpenter and is open to the public. No ticket required, but donations gladly accepted as a good will offering.

“The holiday season is joyful time of year to spend with family, friends and neighbors and to reflect on the past year,” said Tom Iberle, executive director. “We invite the community to celebrate with us through the beautiful music of pianist Jim Fischer & Friends and to support our mission of changing lives with love.”

Special guests include Tracy Harris, vocalist; Northwest Harmony Chorus; and King’s Way Knight Sounds Choir.

Thanks to concert sponsors Collins Family & Implant Dentistry, Davidson & Associates Insurance, Dick Hannah Dealerships and The Real Estate Group.

For more information, call 360-750-4752 or visit friendsofthecarpenter.org.

About Friends of the Carpenter

Friends of the Carpenter was incorporated in Vancouver, WA in Oct. 1998 and began as a vision of a practical outreach of simple welcome and personal interaction between volunteers from the church and people living in poverty. Since the beginning, regular contact has been made with the homeless and poor persons of our community through woodworking events scheduled throughout the community and which, today, are held at FOTC’s Friendship Center. Our mission: Friends of the Carpenter is a non-profit, faith-based day facility that provides safety, structure and purpose for vulnerable members of our community. Learn more at friendsofthecarpenter.org.

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On Saturday, November 17, 2017, the City of Cornelius, in partnership with Centro Cultural de Washington County and the Washington County Sheriff's Office, will provide a holiday dinner to members of the community during the Fifth Annual Cornelius Community Thanksgiving Dinner. This hot meal will be offered at no cost and is expected to feed over 400 people.

The holiday dinner will be held on Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cornelius Elementary School (200 North 14th Avenue, Cornelius). In addition to a traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner, the menu for the evening will also include tamales.

“This is an event that is built on cooperation and compassion from our business and community partners,” said Al Roque, Cornelius Police Chief. “Sharing a meal is a great way to kick off the holiday season with outreach and support for our residents.”

“Centro is proud to partner with the Sheriff’s Office and the City of Cornelius every Thanksgiving to share a meal and create community,” said Maria Caballero Rubio, Executive Director of Centro Cultural de Washington County. “Our partnership grows stronger every year as we support each other’s efforts.”

The dinner is made possible through many volunteer hours as well as generous donations by community partners in Cornelius, listed at the bottom of this release.

Members of the public who would like additional information or to find out how to help are asked to contact the City of Cornelius at (503) 357-9112.

Members of the media are encouraged to attend the event. Representatives from participating groups will be available for interviews. Media is asked to RSVP by contacting Daisy Santillan, Sheriff’s Office Public Affairs Specialist, at (503) 277-8134 or Daisy_Santillan@co.washington.or.us.

Photos from the 2017 event are provided in this release.

Sponsors:

• Bimbo Bakeries USA
• Bunny Girt, State Farm
• Forest Grove School District
• Fred Meyer
• Reser’s Fine Foods
• Shari's Cafe & Pies
• Sonrise Church
• Starbucks
• Swallowtail Waldorf School
• Tienda El Porvenir
• Walmart
• Washington County Police Officers Association
• Western Washington County Firefighter’s Association

After a lengthy standoff, deputies have arrested John Leonard Rousseau, age 51.  Mr. Rousseau is being taken to the Salem Hospital to be treated for minor injuries he sustained during his standoff with deputies.  Rousseau held SWAT members at bay while armed with a knife and what appeared to be a small caliber rifle. 

Once Rousseau has been treated for his injuries he will be taken to the Marion County Jail for two outstanding warrants for the charges of criminal mischief and the unlawful use of a motor vehicle.  Additionally deputies also arrested Mr. Rousseau for three counts of menacing and the unlawful use of a weapon.   

Deputies were assisted on scene by the Stayton Police Department, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, the Mobile Crisis Response Team, the Marion County Inter-Agency SWAT Team and the Stayton Fire District. 

The scene around the home is still closed but is expected to open within the next hour. 

Photo of Rousseau is from a prior booking

Today at 2:19 p.m., deputies with the Marion County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic disturbance in the 5900 block of Stayton Road SE.  When deputies arrived and attempted to contact the involved parties an adult male at the residence brandished a kinfe and hatchet at the deputies.  Deputies were able to back away and call for assitance.

Through thier investigation deputies identified the man and found he has outstanding felony warrants for his arrest.  SWAT is on scene and negotiators are attempting to descalte the man who is highly aggitated.  The man is believed to be alone and the residences close to the house have either been evacuted or the residents are sheltering in place.  

The road remains closed and will remain closed until the situartion can be resolved.     

Deputies with the Marion County Sheriff's Office are on scene and attempting to deescalate a man with felony warrants on Marion Road SE near Stayton Road SE.  The man has barricaded himself inside of the residence and is refusing to come out.  A small section of Marion Road is currently closed and will remain closed until the incident can be resolved.  The Sheriff's Office SWAT Team is responding.  This is an ongoing tactical incident and no other details are being released at this time. 

On November 13, at about 5:34pm, Forest Grove Police and Fire personnel responded to Hwy 47 near Pacific Avenue regarding a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.

Upon arrival officers located a driver who was attending to their disabled vehicle in a northbound lane and was struck by another northbound vehicle. The disabled vehicle was struck as well.

The driver of the disabled vehicle, identified as George Davidson age 71 of Portland, was transported via Life Flight to a local hospital. The driver of the other vehicle was identified as Esteban Gomez-Guzman age 49 of Forest Grove. Gomez-Guzman stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation and was subsequently issued a citation for Careless Driving.

Davidson is currently in stable but serious condition.

At tonight’s regular Board meeting (November 13), the Evergreen Public Schools Board of Directors approved two levy resolutions for the February 12, 2019 election ballot. Voters within the district’s boundaries of will be asked to vote on a replacement maintenance and operations (M&O) levy along with a technology levy.

Although the state of Washington has taken on more responsibility for paying for basic education, there are still funding gaps. The state now allows each school district to ask for $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value to cover programs either partially, or not funded at all, by the state, as well as other special designation levies. This year, Evergreen is asking for the $1.50 as a partial M&O replacement levy, as well as $.37 per $1,000 assessed value to fund school technology. Together, the two measures still ensure local taxes are less than the current expiring M&O levy of $3.23 per $1,000 which was voted on in 2016.

Under the new legislation, the proposed three-year levy must be designated and reported to the state to be spent in non-basic education categories. If passed, levy dollars will ensure the continuation of athletics and activities; support performing arts such as band, choir, orchestra and theater programs, productions and performances; safety programs such as security officers and sworn police officers/deputies School Resource Officers (SRO); and smaller class sizes.

Although nearly every other school district in the region has previously run a technology levy, Evergreen has not, instead relying on general fund dollars. However, with the decrease in available M&O levy funds, a technology levy is needed to maintain and enhance technology in the schools. Funds will be designated over a six-year period for digital curriculum, keeping resources (devices) current, enhanced security technology and to secure and maintain network infrastructure.

“Evergreen continues to efficiently and effectively spend the levy dollars authorized by our voters. We have one of the lowest administrative and central office costs in the state and among peer districts. We continue to ensure the money is spent on programs and supports that have direct student impact which has led to our higher graduation rates,” said Board President Todd Yuzuriha.

In order for the technology levy to be implemented (even with a 50 percent or more yes vote), the M&O levy must also pass with more than a 50 percent yes vote. Additional information on the levies will be available on the Evergreen Public Schools web site (www.evergreen ps.org), and in an informational mailer to be sent to all property owners in January 2019. Last year, Evergreen voters passed a $695 million capital facilities bond to replace, rebuild and repair all schools in the district, plus build an additional elementary school. The new measure did not raise the bond portion of the property tax, but are not allowed to be used for daily maintenance and operations.

Evergreen Public Schools, with over 24,000 students and 3,300 staff members, is the sixth largest school district in the state, and the third largest employer in Clark County

Tuesday, November 13, 2018 – Ridgefield, Washington – On November 13, Ridgefield School District officials recognized the November Employee and Students of the Month at the regular Board of Directors meeting.  

The Employee of the Month is Sarah Roberts, Special Education paraeducator at Sunset Ridge Intermediate School.  Said one staff member, “Sarah is an exceptional person.  Without fail, she daily shares her gift of spirit and generosity with the entire Ridgefield School District community.  It is no exaggeration to say that everyone loves her.  Sarah brings a heart, joy and enthusiasm to her daily life that is infectious and contributes to a spirit that has made our schools and our district a unique and special place to teach and learn.”

Another staff member described Roberts as a consummate professional.  “She is always diligent and creative in her delivery of lessons while individualizing her support to ensure success for her students.  Nearly without exception, her students have always shown tremendous growth under her tutelage.  Sarah is also naturally curious and is always reading and researching how to best provide instruction for her challenging students as well as her students with challenges.  On more than one occasion, I have suggested and encouraged Sarah to return to school to get a teaching certificate so she can lead her own classroom and share her natural gift as a teacher to a larger audience.”

While students love Mrs. Roberts, the school and district staff love and appreciate her as well.  For years, she has been a vital member of the school staff at South Ridge Elementary School, and now at Sunset Ridge Intermediate.  Her joyous and sincere interactions with each person makes them feel valued and important.  The staff at Sunset Ridge Intermediate is proud to name Sarah Roberts as November’s Employee of the Month.

Students of the Month

Mason Roberts, a third grader, is November’s Student of the Month at South Ridge Elementary School.  The South Ridge teachers and staff are very proud of Mason.  They write, “Mason Roberts is a young man that always follows the 3R’s.  He is respectful to his classmates and adults.  He is responsible in everything he does—doing his classwork, returning homework, assisting others and always speaking kindly to all.  His resilience shines through in his problem-solving abilities, he does not give up when presented with any kind of problem, and he is willing to compromise with the partners he is working with.  Most of all, he is a joy to be around.”

Nolan Erickson, a fourth grader, was selected at Union Ridge Elementary.  The Union Ridge teachers and staff are very proud of Nolan.  They write, “Nolan consistently demonstrates respect, responsibility and resiliency.  He is extremely kind and polite with his classmates and teachers.  He consistently comes to school with a positive attitude and is a classroom leader.  Nolan helps other students during recess and lunchtime.  He is an excellent example of a kind, caring, thoughtful and hard-working student.  Nolan represents Union Ridge Elementary with a great sense of integrity and academic excellence.  Union Ridge Elementary’s Student of the Month award is well-earned by Nolan Erickson.”

Roman Matthiesen, a fifth grader, is November’s Student of the Month at Sunset Ridge Intermediate School.  The Sunset Ridge teachers and staff are very proud of Roman.  They write, “Roman is a very hard worker.  He is kind, considerate, sweet and funny.  He always is up for a challenge and will not move onto even the “fun” stuff until his work is done.”

Jordyn Davies, an eighth grader, was chosen at View Ridge Middle School.  The View Ridge teachers and staff are very proud of Jordyn.  They write, “Jordyn Davies is very studious and is a wonderful example of how to get the most out of your education.  Jordyn takes pride in her work and thinks outside the box.  She is creative, inventive and ready to challenge her skills in all of her endeavors.”  Another staff member writes, “I have had the pleasure of working with Jordyn for two years in a row, and I am truly impressed with her growth in art and the thought she puts into her drawings.  We can’t wait to see where life takes Jordyn!”

Levi Hipple, a sophomore, was chosen from Ridgefield High School.  The Ridgefield High School teachers and staff are very proud of Levi.  They write, “Levi Hipple has a perfect 4.0 GPA.  Levi takes advanced classes in both science and math.  In addition, he is involved in tennis and soccer, is the vice president of the Leo’s club and is active in 4H.  The reason he was chosen Student of the Month is not because of what he does but because of who he is.  Teachers describe Levi as “exactly the kind of kid you love to have in class.  He makes other students better.”  Another teacher says of Levi, “He is a polite student who strives for excellence,” and another says “Levi is a positive student who raises the bar for all students.”  We are proud of students like Levi Hipple and are honored that he represents Ridgefield High School as the November Student of the Month.

Ridgefield School District is grateful to its sponsor, the historic Sportsman’s Restaurant and Lounge, a local Ridgefield business owned and operated by Terry Hurd.  This is the fifth year that Hurd has provided funding to support the district’s recognition program.

###

The Corrections Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training (BPSST) held its regularly scheduled monthly meeting this afternoon, November 13, 2018.  The meeting was held in the Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem, Oregon.

To increase the public's trust, the Oregon legislature has mandated the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training establish minimum standards that are required to be met and maintained by Oregon's providers of public safety, including police officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, telecommunicators (9-1-1), emergency medical dispatchers, public safety instructors, and OLCC regulatory specialists. The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is responsible for certifying public safety professionals who meet all of the Board-established intellectual, physical and moral fitness standards and for denying, suspending or revoking the certification of those who do not meet or fall below these standards.

Note actions listed below are not final and parties involved in professional standards cases may request a context case hearing.

Meeting Recap

Quarterly Review of DOC BCC: Information Only - Report accepted.

Proposed Rule changes for OAR 259-008-0085; Update of the Course Testing Standards for the Basic Parole & Probation Course - Recommendation to Board on Public Safety Standards and Training to approve changes.

Poe, Chance DPSST #58554-Application for Training and Subsequent Certification; Department of Corrections – SRCI - Recommendation to Board on Public Safety Standards and Training that no action is warranted.

Escobar Mateos, Neftali DPSST # 58912-Application for Training and Subsequent Certification; Jackson County Sheriff’s Office - Recommendation to Board on Public Safety Standards and Training that no action is warranted.

Yetter, Manuel DPSST #56427- Application for Certification; Department of Corrections-TRCI - Recommendation to Board on Public Safety Standards and Training that certification be denied for three years for gross misconduct.

Foster, Leanne DPSST #49948-Basic Corrections Certification; Department of Corrections -EOCI - Recommendation to Board on Public Safety Standards and Training that no action is warranted.

Gerken, Aaron DPSST #59138-Application for Certification; Department of Corrections-OSP - Recommendation to Board on Public Safety Standards and Training that no action is warranted.

Copple, Matthew DPSST #48237-Basic and Intermediate Corrections Certifications; Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office - Recommendation to Board on Public Safety Standards and Training that certification be revoked for 10 years for gross misconduct and misuse of authority

Law Enforcement Memorial Wall Nomination – Deputy Sheriff Irving Lawrence Burkett; Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office – Recommendation to Board on Public Safety Standards and Training to approve addition of name during 2019 memorial ceremony.

## Background Information on the BPSST and 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 Sheriff Jason Myers of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office 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.

Update (11/14): Added restitution and forfeiture figures and co-counsel.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Ronald Eugene Stover, 64, of Tualatin, Oregon, pleaded guilty today to one count of engaging in monetary transactions in property criminally derived from wire fraud and a scheme to defraud investors.

According to court documents, beginning in 2010, Stover began soliciting short-term loan investments to fund various Xtreme Iron capital projects. Stover claimed to have a long track records of success in real estate development, business and banking and relied heavily on investor introductions made by other professional intermediaries to establish his credibility. Xtreme Iron owned a heavily-leveraged fleet of Caterpillar and John Deere heavy equipment in Frisco, Texas and maintained an office in Wilsonville, Oregon.

At Stover’s urging, investors sent funds to Tri-Core Funding Group, an entity wholly owned and controlled by Stover. Stover falsely claimed the company had a sound business model, strong growth opportunities and manageable debt exposure. In addition to Stover’s many false claims about the business’s health and viability, he advanced many falsehoods about the nature of the investment opportunity including, but not limited to: investor funds would be used exclusively for business purposes, Stover himself would provide additional capital sourcing from his own funds and investors would receive short-term repayment of their loan notes plus interest.

As alleged in the count of conviction, Stover emailed a victim in May 2012, soliciting funds to purchase heavy equipment from Caterpillar. In response to the solicitation, Stover executed a 30-day loan note promising repayment plus interest. The victim wired $175,000 to Tri-Core Funding Group the next day. Unbeknownst to the victim, Stover never intended to use the money as promised. Immediately after receiving the funds, Stover used the funds to make over a year’s worth of mortgage payments on his residence in Tualatin, which was on the brink of foreclosure. Stover never repaid his victim.

Stover faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on February 25, 2019 before U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken. As part of the plea agreement, Stover has agreed to pay more than $3.2 million in restitution and nearly $169,000 to satisfy a forfeiture money judgement.

The IRS and FBI investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Donna Brecker Maddux and Julia E. Jarrett, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

# # #

Tigard Police are asking for help to identify and locate a suspect who allegedly robbed the Tigard Key Bank on Tuesday, November 13th. The bank is located at 11665 SW Pacific Highway in Tigard. A 9-1-1 call at approximately 2:20 p.m. alerted police of the robbery who quickly set up containment and searched the area. The suspect remains at large.

According to witness statements, the suspect, described as a white male in his 50s, entered the bank and presented a demand note for money to an employee. No weapon was seen or implied. The suspect then fled the bank on foot with an undisclosed amount of money. It is unknown if the suspect departed the area in a vehicle.

Tigard Police were able to obtain surveillance photos of the suspect. If anyone has information regarding the suspect, they are urged to contact Detective Hockin at 503-718-2553 or email at David.hockin@tigard-or.gov

Disaster responders with the local American Red Cross responded to a home fire disaster on November 13, 2018, at approximately 3:30 p.m. in the 400 block of Rye Street in Woodburn, Oregon. The fire affected one family, including 3 adults, 2 children and pets.

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

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

OSBA has released a “A Time to Listen,” a potent documentary on Oregon’s chronic education funding problem and the legislative drive for a solution.

“The American dream is ‘I want to make a better life for my kid,’” Rep. Barbara Smith Warner says on the video. “Education is the most important part of that.”

OSBA unveiled the video Saturday at its 72nd Annual Convention in Portland. The video, part of “The Promise of Oregon” education advocacy campaign that OSBA began in 2014, explains recent school funding history and why the state needs revenue reform.

Both the full video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0DCBcB5Wts) and a shorter web version (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au7DamK3jW8) can also be viewed at the Promise of Oregon website (www.promiseoregon.org).

“We need to get the message out that our schools need to be fully and adequately funded,” OSBA Board President LeeAnn Larsen (Beaverton SD) says on the video.

Through interviews with students, school board members, legislators, parents, business leaders and others, the videos describe the chronic underfunding of the state’s education system. They also offer a sense of hope about Oregonians’ shared commitment to young people and the continuing work of a legislative committee dedicated to identifying solutions.

The videos are part of a campaign focus for 2018-19 on the need for revenue reform and cost containment, with a goal of sustainably and fully funding public schools.  

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

Website: promiseoregon.org
Twitter and Instagram: @PromiseOregon
Facebook and YouTube: ThePromiseofOregon

Klamath Falls, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Oregon/Washington office announced today the Lakeview Veterans Fire Crew has achieved certification as the Lakeview Veterans Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC).  Of the 112 IHCs throughout the nation, Lakeview Veterans is the tenth BLM-funded hotshot crew, and the only one focused on recruiting and developing veterans.

Interagency Hotshot Crews are the most highly trained and experienced type of hand crews and they must meet and maintain stringent requirements to achieve the IHC status. Their primary mission is to provide a safe, professional, mobile response to all phases of fire management and incident operations. IHCs are staffed, conditioned, equipped and qualified to meet a variety of strategic and tactical wildland fire assignments, and they are typically relied upon for the most challenging fire assigments.  When not committed to fire assignments, IHCs provide a workforce to accomplish a variety of resource management objectives while maintaining availability for incident mobilization.

In 2016, Lakeview Crew 7 and the Lakeview BLM fire organization requested that the Lakeview Veterans Crew begin the process to be certified as an IHC. Over the subsequent two years, the Lakeview Veterans Crew took steps to meet the IHC requirements before being formally certified at the national level.

“We’re proud of the Lakeview crew and the continued efforts to develop a workforce of Veterans. We recognize the diligence and tenacity required to meet Hotshot crew standards, which demonstrates the exemplary quality and performance ingrained in this crew,” says Jeffrey Fedrizzi, BLM Deputy Director, Fire and Aviation.

The Lakeview Veterans IHC will provide an opportunity for veterans to work in a team environment and build skills and experience. Team members will also learn about opportunities to work for and become competitive for employment with the Federal Government in other natural resource arenas.

“What makes this crew unique is our ability to work together through stressful situations, including long-duration fires. Vets are used to that,” said Michael McGirr, Lakeview Veterans IHC Superintendent. “The ability to lead and follow is apparent from their military time. And the medical experience on our crew is well above standard. Several of our vets have combat paramedic experience,” continued McGirr.

The Lakeview Veterans IHC also has four drone pilots, who flew more than 100 missions on fires in 2018.  These drone missions provided everything from mapping and scouting fire lines to spot fire detection and aerial ignitions.

Photos of Lakview Crew 7 are available at:  https://flic.kr/s/aHsjZpTc1t

-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.

FOREST GROVE -- Pacific University's student enrollment continues to march toward to its ambitious Year 2020 goal of 4,000 total students, to be evenly split among those pursuing undergraduate and graduate/professional degrees (2,000 and 2,000).

The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment recently released the university's Fall 2018 enrollment summary, which shows Pacific's total student headcount at 3,985, an increase of 48 from the previous year (3,937).

The number includes 2,069 students pursuing a graduate or professional degree, the second consecutive year that figure has exceeded 2,000.

Pacific's undergraduate enrollment also increased — by 11 students to 1,904 — on the strength of perennially popular majors business, biology and exercise science, as well as the rapid growth of the university's music program.

For the first time, the number of music majors at Pacific exceeded 100 following the addition of more than 20 music therapy transfer students from recently closed Marylhurst University. Pacific's music therapy program is now the only one in Oregon for the emerging field.

Pacific offers a vast array of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs across five colleges (Arts & Sciences, Business, Education, Health Professions and Optometry), providing a plethora of career pathways for students while enabling the university to sustain itself as a leader in contemporary higher education — all the while maintaining a close, nurturing learning environment for students.

Pacific's mission of serving the global community through education is contingent on university's commitment to keeping higher education accessible and affordable to prospective students of all backgrounds.

The steady growth of Pacific's endowment, which now stands at $74 million, has increased financial aid opportunities across the university. The endowment has been bolstered by the initial success of the university's $80 million Lead On campaign, of which $50 million has already been secured through gifts and pledges.

Following is a breakdown of Pacific's Fall 2018 enrollment by college:

• Arts & Sciences | undergraduate: 1,577; graduate/professional: 120
• Business | undergraduate: 114; graduate/professional: 37
• Education | undergraduate: 137; graduate/professional: 278
• Health Professions | undergraduate: 75; graduate/professional: 1,236
• Optometry | undergraduate: 0; graduate/professional: 378
• Other | undergraduate: 1; graduate/professional: 20; non-degree/certificate: 12
• FALL 2018 TOTAL: 3,985 (undergraduate: 1,904; graduate/professional: 2,069; non-degree/certificate: 12).

Fall 2017 Total: 3,937 (undergraduate: 1,893; graduate/professional: 2,026; non-degree/certificate: 18).

                                                                                                                         -pacificu.edu-

Pacific University is a small, but diverse learning community, where students thrive in a personal academic environment. Tracing its roots to 1849, when it was chartered as a school for orphans of the Oregon Trail, Pacific has long been devoted to making a difference in the world. Today, 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. At Pacific University, students and faculty develop close, nurturing relationships that provide an extraordinary educational experience.

Legacy Health receives highest honor for therapeutic garden design;

Newly published research provides promising evidence of

nature’s potential to alleviate burnout among nurses
 

PORTLAND, ORE. – At the Healthcare Design Expo & Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, November 12, representatives of Legacy Health and landscape architect Quatrefoil, Inc., received The Center for Health Design’s Evidence-Based Design Touchstone Award Platinum – the highest level – for the Evidence-Based Design (EBD) and Evaluation of the second-floor terrace garden at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center.

The award recognizes the use of an EBD process in the pursuit of increasing value, improving outcomes and engaging stakeholders. Awards were presented to projects that showed exemplary achievement through collaboration, evaluation and sharing: the touchstones of the EBD process.

“The natural environment can foster well-being and enhance people’s ability to function,” said Teresia Hazen, Med, HTR, QMHP, coordinator, Therapeutic Garden Program at Legacy Health. “The garden is such a peaceful place and the perfect antidote from the stress in a hospital environment.”

Located near the hospital’s Family Birth Center and Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, the 6,800-square-foot open-terrace garden is accessible round-the-clock to all hospital patients, visitors and employees. Called “A Nature Place,” the garden incorporates the elements of portal, path, destination and surround.

New study out: micro-doses of nature reduce symptoms of nurse burnout

The Legacy Emanuel garden was also the setting for an in-depth research investigation on nature to combat stress and burnout among nurses. The groundbreaking study was published in the November 2018 American Journal of Critical Care: Impact of Nurses Taking Daily Work Breaks in Hospital Garden on Burnout.

“To our knowledge, this is the first controlled study to investigate the influence of taking work breaks in a garden on nurse burnout,” said co-investigator Serene Perkins, M.D., FACS, Director of Surgical and Clinical Research for Legacy Research Institute. “In short, taking work breaks in the Legacy Emanuel garden significantly reduced burnout in nurses working in high-stress environments.”

The takeaway

Nature presents us with a very real means to address workplace burnout. In this study, once daily, nurses spent a brief break, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, in a hospital garden; and a positive effect was noted after just 6 weeks. Meaningful green spaces represent an achievable means to help tackle burnout - and not just in hospitals, but in all kinds of workplaces.

                                                                          -MORE-

PAGE: 2 of 2 – Legacy Health receives highest honor for therapeutic garden design

Roger Ulrich, Ph.D., EDAC, co-project investigator and a pioneer in landscape design, said “There is a pattern of evidence that suggests that well designed gardens can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and relax people.” Dr. Ulrich is a guest professor of architecture at Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden and Emeritus Professor at Texas A&M University.

According to Dr. Ulrich, anything that can be done to improve staff morale and help nurses cope with intense job demands and stresses can potentially help hospitals and other health care providers deliver better quality care.

The power of Philanthropy
The in-depth study of the restorative benefits of therapeutic healing gardens was funded by a $560,000 Open Spaces Sacred Places grant from the TKF Foundation, which supported a cluster of studies at Legacy Emanuel, including the one described here.

“Philanthropy is a vital spark for innovation and scientific breakthroughs. Taking findings and transforming them directly to improve medical care. . . that’s what Legacy Research does best,” said Joe Frascella, Ph.D., vice president of Legacy Research Institute.
 

Why this research matters

A recent Gallup survey found that burnout impacts as many as two-thirds of American full-time workers to some degree, with 23 percent reporting feeling burned out often. Among nurses, a third are believed to experience high levels of burnout. It is a pressing problem that cuts across occupations of all kinds, industries and settings. For workers, it can eat away at their mental and physical health in a myriad of ways and can even shorten lifespans. An estimated $125 - $190 billion in health care spending is attributed to burnout each year.
 

 “Heart of the Hospital” film features Legacy Emanuel Terrace Garden
The short film, “Heart of the Hospital,” explores the design and healing role of the therapeutic garden at Legacy Emanuel to improve patient care and outcomes. It was selected by the SHIFT Festival film committee to screen at their October 2018 conference.

About Legacy Health

The area’s largest, local nonprofit health system, Legacy Health’s role in caring for the community is extraordinary. Legacy has six medical centers, dedicated children’s care at Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, a trauma and burn center, and more than 70 primary care, specialty and urgent care clinics. A regional leader in providing charity care, Legacy also offers a wide range of community health and wellness programs. And, we are partners in the Unity Center for Behavioral Health and CARES Northwest. To learn more about supporting any of Legacy Health’s hospitals or programs, visit www.legacyhealth.org/giving.

About TKF Foundation

The TKF Foundation is a private grant-making foundation whose mission is to provide the opportunity for a deeper human experience by inspiring and supporting the creation of public green spaces that offer a temporary place of sanctuary.

# # #

For Immediate Release                          Contact: Courtney Dodds                                                  

November 13, 2018                                 503-274-4483 ex. 505

                                                                 971-275-2334 (cell)

25 Volunteers Will Pack 400 Food Baskets at Union Gospel Mission to Help Provide Local Families a Turkey for Thanksgiving

Portland, Ore., - Union Gospel Mission will be distributing 400 Thanksgiving baskets to families in need in partnership with local churches and other non-profits. Each basket includes a certificate for a turkey that can be redeemed at a local grocer and all the fixins for a complete Thanksgiving meal.   

Volunteers will be packing the Thanksgiving baskets at 15 NW Third Avenue in Portland on Saturday, November 17th from 9am-11am. Baskets will be distributed from 11am- 2pm the same day.

One of our non-profit partners said, “The warm and personal piece you bring to our partnership is greatly appreciated, and everyone here at The Center for Family Success wants to say Thank You!” 

Anthony a recipient of a Thanksgiving basket expressed his gratitude, “It meant to me having a Thanksgiving. Turkeys for lower income families is not something that is in reach sometimes, it’s something I will always cherish.”  

If you would like to provide a turkey or full Thanksgiving meal to a family need in visit www.ugmportland.org/paper-turkey. $25 provides a certificate that can be redeemed for a turkey at a local grocer and $65 provides a whole meal with all the trimmings, including dessert for a family of 4-6 people.

There will be opportunities for interviews and photos.

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

# # #

VANCOUVER, Wash.—The Port of Vancouver USA welcomed the Monoceros Leader, commanded by Capt. Pavan Peter D’Lima of India, on her maiden voyage Nov. 8.

Capt. D’Lima and his 23-member Indian and Filipino crew were welcomed to Vancouver by representatives from NYK Line (North America) Inc., Subaru of America, Auto Warehouse Company, Jones Stevedoring and the Port of Vancouver USA.

The Monoceros Leader is a Pure Car Carrier (PCC) built in Japan. PCCs are distinctive vessels designed for the efficient transport of high quantities of vehicles from source to market. The largest PCCs can carry thousands of vehicles across several decks.

The Monoceros Leader is 656 feet long with a deadweight capacity of 19,159 metric tons. She can transport up to 7,100 units. She is owned by Nancy Ship Holding S.A. and operated by NYK Shipmanagement Pte. Ltd.

The vessel departed Japan for the U.S. in October 2018. Once berthed at the Port of Vancouver USA, International Longshore and Warehouse Union crews discharged 2,270 Subaru vehicles to be processed at the port and shipped to buyers across the Northern U.S.

After discharging Subaru vehicles at the Port of Vancouver USA, the Monoceros Leader will sail to other ports on the U.S. West Coast. Port Hueneme, California, is the final destination on her maiden voyage.

Photo credit: Port of Vancouver USA

Top of stairs, left to right: Alex Strogen, Port of Vancouver USA; Nino Benedetti, Jones Stevedoring; Jenelle Bule, Inchcape Shipping Services; Tim Oltmann, Port of Vancouver USA; Chris Fallon, Port of Vancouver USA; Capt. Pavan Peter D’Lima; Aaron Cohen, Jones Stevedoring; Ann Tetreault, Subaru of America; James Tully, NYK Line (North America) Inc.

On stairs, top to bottom: Joseph Fanning, Subaru of America; Fikrit Brkic, Auto Warehousing Company; Mike Repman, Auto Warehousing Company; Casey O’Dell, Port of Vancouver USA; Josh Allen, Port of Vancouver USA.

                                                                                                                                                                            – 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.

Join us and act now to turn on the heat for others

PORTLAND, Ore. — This year, NW Natural customers and shareholders gave more than $150,000 to help pay for the heating bills of low-income families. For the past three decades, NW Natural customers and shareholders have recognized this community need by raising funds for the company’s Gas Assistance Program (GAP).

“GAP was started as a way for neighbors to help neighbors,” said Von Summers, NW Natural community relations manager. “We know the need is out there, and we’re fortunate to have the support of our customers in giving this gift of warmth.”

Over the past 36 years, NW Natural’s GAP has raised about $6 million for community action groups that distribute the funds directly to those in need. NW Natural covers the program’s administrative costs so that 100 percent of the funds are donated. 

The new giving season is now underway, and NW Natural shareholders will match the first $60,000 in contributions to GAP. Tax-deductible donations can be made via United Way through August 31, 2019: https://connect.unitedway-pdx.org/comm/SinglePageRegPledge.jsp?DA=183376

Donation funds are distributed to community action networks, which screen all low-income recipients. The agencies receiving funds include:

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

Donations to GAP may also be made by mailing a check to:

Gas Assistance Program

619 SW 11th Ave., Room 300

Portland, Oregon 97205-2646

About NW Natural
NW Natural serves approximately two million people in more than 140 communities through 740,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington. It has one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. A 159-year-old regulated utility, NW Natural is expanding its storage in Oregon to support renewables. More information is at nwnatural.com.

# # #

On November 12, 2018 at around 3:34 pm, Lincoln City Police Officers responded to the area of 950 SE 32nd St on a report of a gunshot victim. The victim, a 20 year-old-male, reported he had been walking along on SE 32nd St when a black, 4-door sedan pulled up and the driver fired a gun at him. The suspect was reported as being a white male. 

The victim ran to the apartment complex at 950 SE 32nd St and reported the incident. The victim, whose name is not being released at this time, was taken to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital and treated for minor injuries before being released. 

LCPD Officers closed down SE 32nd St for several hours to investigate and conduct interviews.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to please call the Lincoln City Police Department at (541) 994-3636.

PORTLAND, Ore. – William Borges, 20, of Otis, Oregon, pleaded guilty today to one count of distributing child pornography.

According to court documents, investigators identified Borges in September 2016 as part of an ongoing investigation by the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office into the use of Dropbox, a cloud-based file sharing application, to distribute media depicting the sexual exploitation of children. A federal search warrant issued to Dropbox produced the email address Borges used to create a Dropbox account identified by investigators as containing child pornography. Investigators later matched three video uploads to Dropbox depicting the sexual abuse of young children to the IP address of Borges’ home in Otis. During a search of Borges’ home, he admitted to possessing child pornography and trading images and videos using Kik Messenger and Dropbox.

Borges faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a lifetime term of supervised release. He will be sentenced on February 11, 2019 before U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aiken.

The FBI Sacramento Child Exploitation Task Force (CETF) and FBI Salem Resident Agency investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Amy Potter, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The FBI’s CETF conducts sexual exploitation investigations—many of them undercover—in coordination with other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The CETF is committed to locating and arresting those who prey on children as well as recovering underage victims of sex trafficking and child exploitation.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at www.fbi.gov/tips.

# # #

Linn County Sheriff Jim Yon reports his deputies were involved in a pursuit yesterday morning at 9:02 a.m., deputies contacted a male in a parked vehicle near the intersection of High Deck road and Cascadia drive in Cascadia.  Deputies recognized him as David Russell Coats ,36, of Sweet Home,  who is wanted on several outstanding warrants, including Robbery in the First Degree and pending charges from additional cases.

The deputy told Coats to step out of the vehicle, Coats put the vehicle in reverse and rammed the front of the deputy’s patrol vehicle twice, before fleeing.  Deputies pursued Coats onto Highway 20, where speeds reached 90 mph.  Deputies momentarily lost sight of Coats after he turned onto Latiwi Creek road.  A quarter-mile up Latiwi Creek road, deputies found the vehicle had rolled over.   They looked in the vehicle, but found he had already fled the scene.  Deputies, including a K-9 unit looked for him for over two hours, but were unable to locate him.  He was last seen wearing a dark colored hooded sweatshirt.

The deputies in the rammed vehicle were not injured and it is unknown if Coats sustained any injuries.  The vehicle Coats was driving was a 2008 gold Chevrolet Equinox and was later found to be stolen from the Sweet Home area.

Sheriff Yon would like to warn the public not to approach Coats.  Anyone who believes they see him or has any information on Coats’ whereabouts please call (541) 967-3911.

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Vancouver invites community members to learn about Diwali, the Festival of Lights celebration. Enjoy dance performances, Indian cuisine, rock painting and get a henna tattoo. The free event will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 27 in the Firstenburg Student Commons on the WSU Vancouver campus.

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, which is celebrated every autumn in the northern hemisphere. Diwali symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.” During the five-day celebration homes, temples, shops and businesses are brightly lit.

Today, Diwali is a national festival that is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith: Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs. Each religion marks different historical events and stories, but all focus on a theme of the victory of good over evil, and celebrate with fireworks and family feasts.

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.

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

# # #

Vancouver, Wash. – The City of Vancouver is seeking applicants to fill two (2) vacancies on the Salary Review Commission. This five-member volunteer commission studies the relationship of salaries to the duties of Mayor and City Councilmembers and establishes the salary for the Mayor and City Council.

Applicants must be City of Vancouver residents and registered voters. No City officer, official, employee or immediate family member of any City officer, official or employee shall be eligible for membership.

Commission members are appointed by the Mayor, subject to approval of the City Council. These appointments are for full-term vacancy, which will begin retroactively Jan. 1, 2019, and expire Dec. 31, 2022. The Salary Review Commission meetings will be held January-May 2020.

Completed applications must be received by the City Manager’s Office by 5 pm, Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

Applicants may apply on-line at: http://www.cityofvancouver.us/boards. For an application or further information, contact Michelle Bartley at Vancouver City Hall, 415 W 6th St., P.O. Box 1995, Vancouver, WA 98668-1995, or by phone 360-487-8607, email, artley@cityofvancouver.us">michelle.bartley@cityofvancouver.us.

On November 13, 2018 Beaverton Police officers arrested 24-year-old Ashley Lazorchak for DUII, Hit and Run and Reckless Driving.  She was taken to Washington County Jail.

At 12:13 a.m. on the 13th, Beaverton Police officers were called to the scene of a traffic crash at SW Murray Blvd/ SW Allen Blvd.  A witness told officers the female driver fled the crash scene on foot.  A K9 track was conducted and Ms. Lazorchak was located near SW 150th Ave/ SW Village Lane. 

A witness told officers Ms. Lazorchak was driving west on SW Allen at approximately 80 mph and her vehicle left the roadway just west of the intersection near the Rite Aid store.  A member of our Crash Analysis Reconstruction Team evaluated the roadway evidence and calculated Ms. Lazorchak’s minimum speed between 82-83 mph. Allen Blvd east of SW Murray is a 30 mph zone and west of SW Murray is a 25 mph zone.

We believe, Ms. Lazorchak wearing her seatbelt properly, was a major contributing factor in surviving this crash.  There were no other occupants in the vehicle.  After taking Ms. Lazorchak into custody, she was transported to a local hospital where she was medically cleared.  Ms. Lazorchak gave a blood sample which will be analyzed at the Oregon State Crime Lab to obtain a blood alcohol level.      

Portland, Oregon – Join Willamette Riverkeeper as we host the 2018 Wild & Scenic Film Festival! 

Enjoy 12 environmental and adventure films that illustrate the Earth’s beauty, the challenges facing our planet and the work communities are doing to protect the environment. Through these films, Wild & Scenic both informs people about the state of the world and inspires them to take action.

Our program will also include four special big screen premiers from prominent documentary filmmakers, including Uncage The Soul Productions and Freshwaters Illustrated, all focusing on Pacific Northwest themes.

Pre-sale tickets are available now at REI Portland ($12), or at the door of the Hollywood Theater the night of the event ($15).

Your ticket includes eligibility for one FREE raffle entry, and this year’s raffle prizes are off the charts! You have a chance to WIN an REI Co-op tent, packs, camp chairs, Patagonia fleeces and duffles, and our grand prize— a tandem canoe package (boat, paddles, PFDs & water trail maps)! Raffle tickets available for sale in the lobby the night of the event.

When: Thursday, Nov. 29

Where: Hollywood Theater, NE Sandy & 41st

Doors open at 6 p.m., films begin at 7 p.m.

About Willamette Riverkeeper
Willamette Riverkeeper’s sole mission is to protect and restore the Willamette River.  We believe that a river with good water quality and abundant natural habitat, safe for fishing and swimming is a basic public right.  The Willamette River belongs to all of us and should be protected as such. 

We work to enable the Willamette River Watershed to function more naturally with cold, pure water, meandering backchannels, and dynamic habitat for fish and wildlife.  The health of this natural ecosystem is inseparable from the quality of life of our communities who live and work in its surrounding watershed; each is dependent on the other. To learn more, visit https://willamette-riverkeeper.org/

Pacific Power media hotline, 800-570-5838 

PGE and Pacific Power raise awareness about scams targeting utility customers

PORTLAND, Ore. Nov. 13, 2018 — Portland General Electric and Pacific Power are participating in Utilities United Against Scams Awareness Day on Wednesday, Nov. 14. During this national campaign, local utilities are working together to spread awareness on how to avoid becoming a victim of scams targeting utility customers.

Thieves impersonating electric company employees typically target customers via phone calls, texts, social media messages, emails and by knocking on doors. A common tactic used by impostors is to threaten to disconnect service immediately if payment is not made, usually with a prepaid credit card. Prepaid cards are not traceable and give the scammer instant access to the victim’s money.

Scammers are getting smarter every day, finding convincing ways to target those who are most vulnerable in local communities. They often prey on senior citizens, low-income families, non-English speakers and small business owners. With the right information, customers can learn to detect fraudulent activity.

PGE and Pacific Power encourage customers to be aware of these tips to protect themselves against scams:

• Legitimate utility companies will never ask for payment via prepaid credit card. Utility companies offer a variety of ways to pay a bill, including accepting payments online or by phone. However, payment via prepaid card will never be demanded and customers should never agree to the immediate purchase of a prepaid card.
• Contact the utility company if someone threatens immediate disconnection. Customers will never receive just a single notification with one hour or less to respond. They can take their time and ask questions. A legitimate utility company employee will allow customers to call the office to discuss arrangements.
• Ask to see the employee’s badge if they come to the door. The badge will have their name, photo, company logo and a verification number that customers can use to confirm they are an official employee. If customers feel threatened or uncomfortable, they should not open the door or hand over money. They should call 911 if at any point they are concerned about their safety.
• Call the utility company to verify account information using the number on the monthly bill or company website. Customers should avoid calling the phone number provided by a suspected scammer.
• Contact the utility company and local law enforcement if a scam is suspected or to report suspicious behavior.

For more information on tactics used by scammers and how customers can protect themselves, visit PortlandGeneral.com/Scam and PacificPower.net/Scam.

For additional tips from Utilities United Against Scams and details about the week-long national advocacy campaign, visit UtilitiesUnited.org or join the conversation by using #StopScams.

Este miércoles 14 de noviembre, Portland General Electric y Pacific Power celebran el Día de la Concienciación de los Servicios Públicos Unidos en Contra de Fraudes. Durante esta campaña nacional, empresas de servicios públicos locales trabajan juntos para compartir información sobre cómo prevenir ser víctimas de estafas y fraudes dirigidos a clientes de servicios públicos.

Los ladrones se hacen pasar por empleados de empresas de servicios de electricidad y generalmente contactan a las víctimas por teléfono, mensajes de texto, redes sociales, correo electrónico o incluso llaman a sus puertas. Una práctica común es amenazar con desconectar el servicio si la persona no paga la factura de inmediato. En la mayoría de los casos, piden que utilicen una tarjeta prepagada, pues estas no pueden ser localizadas y dan acceso instantáneo al dinero de la víctima.

Los estafadores están usando métodos cada vez más sofisticados para convencer a la población más vulnerable. Generalmente buscan a personas mayores de edad, familias de bajos ingresos, clientes que no hablan inglés o dueños de pequeñas empresas. Con la información correcta, los clientes podrán detectar si se trata de una actividad fraudulenta.

PGE y Pacific Power quieren compartir estos consejos para proteger a los clientes de fraudes y estafas:

• Las empresas de servicios públicos nunca pedirán que el cliente haga un pago con una tarjeta prepagada. Estas compañías ofrecen varios métodos para pagar una factura — por ejemplo, a través de sus sitios web o por teléfono — pero no pedirán el uso de una tarjeta prepagada. Nunca acepte la compra inmediata de una tarjeta prepagada.
• Si alguien amenaza con desconectar su servicio de inmediato, llame a su empresa de servicios públicos. Nunca va a recibir una única notificación sobre sus facturas vencidas, ni tendrá solo una hora o menos para responder. Puede tomar su tiempo y hacer preguntas. Los empleados oficiales de las empresas de servicios públicos permitirán que el cliente llame a la oficina para poder confirmar su cuenta o hacer consultas.
• Si alguien se presenta ante su puerta solicitando un pago, pida ver la identificación del empleado. La credencial incluirá el nombre del empleado, su foto, logotipo de la compañía y un número de verificación al que puede llamar para confirmar que la persona es realmente un empleado oficial. Si se siente amenazado o incómodo, no abra la puerta ni entregue dinero. Llame al 911 si teme por su seguridad.
• Para verificar su información de cuenta, llame al número de teléfono que se encuentra en su factura mensual o en el sitio web de la empresa de servicios públicos. Evite llamar al número telefónico que le provea el presunto estafador.  
• Si sospecha que puede ser víctima de fraude, repórtelo a la empresa de servicios públicos y a las autoridades locales.

Para más información sobre las tácticas que utilizan los estafadores y recomendaciones sobre cómo protegerse de ellos, visite PortlandGeneral.com/Fraude y PacificPower.net/Scam.

Si desea obtener consejos adicionales por parte de Servicios Públicos Unidos en Contra de Fraudes (Utilities United Against Scams, en inglés) y detalles sobre la campaña nacional, visite UtilitiesUnited.org. Use #StopScams para unirse a la conversación.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Council is seeking applicants for a volunteer position on the Solid Waste Advisory Commission.

The position represents Clark County at-large. The three-year term begins Jan. 1, 2019.

The commission advises the county council on solid waste issues, such as recycling, garbage collection, landfills, transfer stations and waste-reduction programs.

The commission meets at 6 pm on the first Thursday of February, May, August and November. Meetings are at the Center for Community Health, 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd.

Members of the Solid Waste Advisory Commission represent a variety of interests, including the solid waste industry, the business community, agriculture, and city and county residents.

Applicants should send a résumé and letter of interest to Alyssa Weyhrauch, County Manager’s Office, PO Box 5000, Vancouver 98666-5000.

Applications also can be sent by email to auch@clark.wa.gov">Alyssa.Weyhrauch@clark.wa.gov or fax to 360.397.6058.

The letter of interest should include:

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

Application deadline is 5 pm Friday, Dec. 14.

Visit the Solid Waste Advisory Commission website for more information.

Portland General Electric and Pacific Power are participating in Utilities United Against Scams Awareness Day on Wednesday, Nov. 14. During this national campaign, local utilities are working together to spread awareness on how to avoid becoming a victim of scams targeting utility customers.

Thieves impersonating electric company employees typically target customers via phone calls, texts, social media messages, emails and by knocking on doors. A common tactic used by impostors is to threaten to disconnect service immediately if payment is not made, usually with a prepaid credit card. Prepaid cards are not traceable and give the scammer instant access to the victim’s money.

Scammers are getting smarter every day, finding convincing ways to target those who are most vulnerable in local communities. They often prey on senior citizens, low-income families, non-English speakers and small business owners. With the right information, customers can learn to detect fraudulent activity.

PGE and Pacific Power encourage customers to be aware of these tips to protect themselves against scams:

• Legitimate utility companies will never ask for payment via prepaid credit card. Utility companies offer a variety of ways to pay a bill, including accepting payments online or by phone. However, payment via prepaid card will never be demanded and customers should never agree to the immediate purchase of a prepaid card.
• Contact the utility company if someone threatens immediate disconnection. Customers will never receive just a single notification with one hour or less to respond. They can take their time and ask questions. A legitimate utility company employee will allow customers to call the office to discuss arrangements.
• Ask to see the employee’s badge if they come to the door. The badge will have their name, photo, company logo and a verification number that customers can use to confirm they are an official employee. If customers feel threatened or uncomfortable, they should not open the door or hand over money. They should call 911 if at any point they are concerned about their safety.
• Call the utility company to verify account information using the number on the monthly bill or company website. Customers should avoid calling the phone number provided by a suspected scammer.
• Contact the utility company and local law enforcement if a scam is suspected or to report suspicious behavior.

For more information on tactics used by scammers and how customers can protect themselves, visit PortlandGeneral.com/Scam and PacificPower.net/Scam.

For additional tips from Utilities United Against Scams and details about the week-long national advocacy campaign, visit UtilitiesUnited.org or join the conversation by using #StopScams.

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. Today: Building a digital defense for our veterans.

This week is a time set aside to honor and celebrate those who’ve stood guard through the years to protect their fellow Americans. As we remember and recognize their service, we want to make sure that we are protecting them from financial predators.

Last week, we talked about helping veterans avoid falling victim to deceitful schools and programs that target their education benefits. This week, we are sharing some information from our partners at the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Veterans Affairs about scams targeting veterans later in life.

One concern – investment and benefit scams. In this case, dishonest financial advisors, attorneys and insurance agents will offer to help retired military folks move their money around in an effort to make them eligible for more government benefits. They may convince a vet to transfer assets to a trust or to invest in insurance products in an effort to qualify for a VA pension or Aid and Attendance Benefits. There are certainly plenty of reputable professionals out there to help veterans with these pension claims and benefit requests, but if someone wants to charge you an up-front fee of thousands of dollars for the help – watch out. The VA can provide a list of approved attorneys and advisors who will help you for free.

Also of note - this type of scam is usually targeted at seniors who don’t actually qualify for VA pensions or Aid and Attendance benefits. If you get caught up in this scam, you may end up having to re-pay the government. Also, in some cases, the unscrupulous advisors don’t fully educate the senior on the long-term consequences of money transfers and insurance purchases – resulting in loss of funds or loss of eligibility for Medicaid down the road.

Another type of scam targets seniors who are having cash flow issues. These fraudsters offer you an advance on your pension or disability payments. They will give you a lump sum payment if you just sign over your pension checks for the next five to ten years. The fees are often high and the original cash buy-out is typically a fraction of the overall value of the pension.

Finally – watch out for scam artists who say they want to help you update or check your military records. If someone contacts you claiming to be from the VA and they say they need to update your personal information – hang up. Contact the VA yourself using a validated system to confirm whether any update is needed. Likewise, if someone tries to charge you for accessing your own military records or government forms – don’t bite. Contact your local VA office to get your records for free.

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.

On November 9, 2018 a local auto dealer in Albany posted a vehicle for sale on an online marketplace.   The dealer received a message from a potential buyer requesting to trade a substantial amount of marijuana for the vehicle.     

The auto dealer contacted the Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Taskforce for assistance.  An investigator from LINE made contact with the purchaser and an agreed upon amount was established in trade for the vehicle. 

At about 6:40 PM, 38 year old Matthew Theron Franks, of Independence, Oregon arrived at a predetermined meet location and was apprehended by the Taskforce.  Over 5 pounds of marijuana was seized and Franks was arrested for Unlawful Delivery of Marijuana for Consideration.  He was lodged at the Linn County Jail.

Anyone with narcotics trafficking information is encouraged to contact LINE at 541-791-0102.

The LINE Taskforce was established as a result of Linn County being designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) in 2016. The team is comprised of investigators from the Linn County Sheriff's Office, Albany Police Department, Lebanon Police Department, Sweet Home Police Department, Oregon State Police, Eugene office of Drug Enforcement Administration and Oregon National Guard Counterdrug Task Force.

The mission of LINE is to reduce illegal drug trafficking in the Linn County area by identifying, disrupting, or dismantling drug trafficking and money laundering organizations through cooperative efforts, enforcement, and intelligence sharing by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

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On November 12th and 13th, 2018, Newport Police Department conducted an investigation involving subjects transporting large amounts of Methamphetamine and Heroin from the State of Washington, to the Newport area.

On November 13th, 2018 at approximately 0315 hours, a vehicle associated with the investigation was stopped by Newport officers in the area of NW 58th Street and Hwy 101. During the stop, officers had contact with Roberta Raenna Schafer, 32, and Jonathan Tad Wilson, 35, both from Longview, Washington. Newport Drug Detection K9, Nero, conducted a search on the exterior of the vehicle and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle.

Officers searched the vehicle and located a commercial quantity of Methamphetamine and Heroin inside the vehicle.

Further investigation revealed both Schafer and Wilson had valid outstanding warrants for their arrests out of Washington State.

Arrested at the scene and lodged in the Lincoln County Jail were the following persons for the following charges;

Roberta Raenna Schafer, 32

• Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Heroin
• Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance – Heroin
• Possession of a Controlled Substance – Heroin
• Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine
• Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine
• Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine
• Felony Warrant from Washington State

Jonathan Tad Wilson, 35

• State of Washington Parole Board Warrant

November 13, 2018

Contact: Danna Drum, 971-673-1223, um@state.or.us">danna.k.drum@state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Conference of Local Health Officials meets November 15 in Eugene

What: The annual public meeting of the Conference of Local Health Officials (CLHO)

Agenda: Committee appointments; update on the Environmental Public Health Modernization Plan; Tobacco Reduction Advisory Committee recruitment; update on Tobacco Prevention and Education Program funding work group; presentation on Family Connects home visiting program; 2020-24 State Health Improvement Plan engagement update.

Agenda is subject to change. The meeting agenda and related materials will be posted on the CLHO website at http://www.oregonclho.org/about/clho-meetings/ before the meeting date.

When: Thursday, November 15, 9:30-11 a.m. The meeting is open to the public. No conference call option is available for the public.

Where: Lane County Health & Human Services (Charnelton) Building, Room 530, 151 W. Seventh Ave., Eugene

The Conference of Local Health Officials provides recommendations to the Oregon Health Authority on foundational capabilities, programs and any other public health program or activity under ORS 431.147 (ORS 431.340).

# # #

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 Danna Drum at 971-673-1223, 711 TTY or um@state.or.us">danna.k.drum@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

http://bit.ly/2B3p0jz

The Multnomah Education Service District Board Finance Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 14, at 2:30 p.m. at the main headquarters, 11611 NE Ainsworth Circle, Portland, Oregon  97220.

Summary: Stay home—work can wait.

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It’s flu season, which means you know the drill: If you get sick, stay home from work. But what if you have a big meeting, or an important deadline?

“Most people know they should stay home, but still find reasons to go into work,” said Liz Hill, SAIF’s Total Worker Health® adviser. “Not only does this expose your co-workers to an illness, it also makes it a lot harder for your body to recover.”

Hill suggests managers can help set expectations during flu season. This includes:

• Encouraging workers to use their sick leave. Oregon law requires employers with 10 or more employees to provide 40 hours of paid leave per year.
• Making it easy for workers to wash their hands. Consider having alcohol-based hand sanitizer available on worksites where handwashing facilities are not available.
• Planning for flu season. When employees are out, extra work can fall to other staff members—increasing their likelihood of getting sick or injured. Have a contingency plan for being short on employees.

Most importantly, managers should lead by example.

“It sometimes seems managers are the least likely to take a sick day,” said Hill. “Remember, you are setting the tone for the whole team—if you get sick, stay home.”

For more information on flu prevention at work, visit saif.com/flu.

About SAIF

SAIF is Oregon's not-for-profit workers' compensation insurance company. Since 1914, we've been taking care of injured workers, helping people get back to work, and striving to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work. For more information, visit the About SAIF page on saif.com. 

OREGON CITY, OR (Nov. 13, 2018) – Agencies are promoting water preparedness and asking for voluntary water curtailment, Nov. 14-16, out of abundance of caution for a waterline installation and repair in Oregon City.

The City of Oregon City and Clackamas River Water (CRW) encourage residents to plan for events – small and large that could impact local water supplies. Build an emergency kit which starts with water, and have your emergency water supply in place year round. For more information about steps you can take to create an emergency water supply visit: www.regionalh2o.org/emergency-preparedness

The water provider, South Fork Water Board (SFWB), discovered a low pressure/low volume leak in their 30-inch waterline located along Hiram Avenue in Oregon City which provides water to CRW’s Clairmont (South) Service Area, the City of West Linn, and Oregon City. The leak in the current waterline has been continuously monitored since discovery. As part of the repair process, South Fork Water Board is constructing a new 42-inch waterline that will allow for the leak to be fixed while maintaining a water supply to customers. To reduce the risk of major service disruptions to customers, the new 42-inch waterline will be installed first and activated. The leak in the existing 30-inch waterline will then be repaired.

During the 42” pipeline installation, pump stations in CRW’s South Service Area and Oregon City will be temporarily shut down and the water systems will rely on water stored in reservoirs. It will be important to minimize the demand on the water system during this period. Agencies do not anticipate any service disruptions or complications during the installation process, however, curtailment of water use by avoiding any non-essential water use November 14-16 is requested. Residents are asked to refrain from any outdoor watering, recreational outdoor water use, construction water use or other water use that can be postponed.

All agencies involved in this project are prepared to activate emergency water operations should any major issues arise with the installation of the new transmission line that may result in extending the curtailment timeline. Additional information regarding water quality and additional actions by customers will be shared on our websites at crwater.com, orcity.org, sfwb.org, Facebook, and Twitter in the event of an emergency.

All residents are also urged to enroll in the county emergency notification system at www.clackamas.us/publicalerts. By providing contact information, county residents can opt-in to receive critical emergency messaging via email, phone call, and text during times of disasters. For more information regarding this project, please see www.orcity.org/publicworks/project/SFWB-Emergency-Bypass. 

The Lincoln City Police Department is pleased to announce they have recently been awarded three traffic safety grants for 2018-2019. The grant funds in the amount of $6500.00 are for Enhanced DUII Enforcement, Distracted Driving Enforcement, and Pedestrian Safety Enforcement. 

The Enhanced DUII Enforcement funds, in the amount of $2,500.00, will be utilized to put extra patrol officers out on patrol during dates and times when higher numbers of impaired drivers are likely to be on the roadways. The enforcement operations will occur in conjunction with the national High Visibility Enforcement event time periods, which are designed to increase the number of patrol officers on the streets nationwide with an emphasis on seeking out drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs and removing them from the roadways. DUIIs continue to be a leading cause of motor vehicle crash deaths and injuries throughout the nation.

The Distracted Driving Enforcement funds, in the amount of $2,000.00, will be utilized to put extra officers out on patrol specifically looking for drivers who are using their cell phones or other electronic devices while operating their vehicles. The goals of these operations are to raise awareness to the dangers of distracted driving, and to reduce distracted driving by enforcement action and education. The effort is to change the behaviors of drivers and make distracted driving unacceptable. The end goal is to increase the safety of everyone on the roadways and reduce crashes caused by distracted driving.

The Pedestrian Safety Enforcement funds, in the amount of $2,000.00, will be utilized to conduct specific operations where a decoy pedestrian will cross the roadways in a designated crosswalk while an officer acting as an observer will watch for violators of the applicable pedestrian-related crosswalk laws. The observing officer will notify other officers in chase vehicles, who will then conduct a traffic stop on the violator of the crosswalk law and take the appropriate educational or enforcement action. The primary focus of the operations is to raise pedestrian safety awareness in motorists with an emphasis on enhancing the safety for pedestrians crossing our roadways.  

The members of the Lincoln City Police Department are committed to the safety of our citizens and visitors, and these grant funds are a valuable resource that assist us in improving the traffic safety in our community. These grant funds were made possible through Oregon Impact and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

SALEM, Oregon – Members of the Oregon National Guard’s 102nd Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) - Civil Support Team (CST) and Oregon Department of Corrections are scheduled to participate in a training exercise on Wednesday, November 14, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., at 200 North Ross in Coos Bay, Oregon. 

The training exercise will enhance incident response capabilities by furthering interoperability and coordination between agencies.

The 102nd CST, based in Salem, can be rapidly mobilized to an incident anywhere in Oregon to assist civil authorities with early-detection and analysis capabilities of a chemical, biological or nuclear incident. The goal is to minimize the impact on civilian populations and facilitate requests for follow-on emergency and military support by civil authorities.

PHOTO CAPTION (180712-Z-CH590-060): Members of the Oregon National Guard’s 102nd Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) - Civil Support Team (CST) work together to identify hazardous materials as part of a joint interagency training exercise, July 12, 2018, at Autzen Stadium, University of Oregon, in Eugene, Oregon. The 102nd CST is scheduled to participate in another joint incident response training exercise with the Oregon Department of Corrections on Nov. 14, 2018, in Coos Bay, Oregon. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

At this weekend's prestigious Murdock College Science Research Program Conference, several professors and students from across the Pacific Northwest were recognized for their work, including science students at Corban University and Linfield College. Please see below release for full details and all honorees.

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Northwest Educators and Students Earn Top Honors at 2018 Murdock College Science Research Program Conference

Whitworth and Whitman professors headline awards given for outstanding efforts in science research and education

For Immediate Release

November 13, 2018 – A pair of Washington professors have been recognized for their outstanding achievements in the fields of scientific research and education. This week, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust announced Dr. Kraig Wheeler, Hugh W. Johnston Professor of Chemistry at Whitworth University, as the 2018 recipient of the Lynwood W. Swanson Scientific Research Award. Dr. Moira Gresham, Associate Professor of Physics at Whitman College received the Lynwood W. Swanson Promise for Scientific Research Award.

The two prestigious honors were established in 2016 to honor two exemplary educators from the Pacific Northwest. The “Swanson Award” recognizes a senior faculty exemplar with an established, productive and nationally recognized research program, while the “Swanson Promise Award” highlights a junior faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional potential in these areas through early research and work with students. Both awards were named in honor of noted educator, entrepreneur, and former trustee, Dr. Lynwood Swanson, upon his retirement from the Murdock Trust.

“The exploration of science and education of youth were two passions that our benefactor, Jack Murdock, held dearly throughout his life,” said Steve Moore, executive director, Murdock Trust. “In every phase of his career, Dr. Swanson has helped inspire and engage students and young people through his own passion for science. He believes strongly in the ability of science to solve real world challenges and for educators to serve as mentors to the next generation of researchers. We are so proud to be able to honor Dr. Swanson’s legacy and recognize the outstanding work of Dr. Wheeler and Dr. Gresham.”

Dr. Kraig Wheeler will receive a $15,000 cash prize as part of his award and Dr. Moira Gresham will receive a $7,500 cash prize. A portion of each cash award is set aside specifically to help fund further student research and supplies.  

Both awards were formally presented at the 2018 Murdock College Science Research Program (MCSRP) Conference in Vancouver, WA. The annual conference drew hundreds of college students and science educators from across the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to the two Swanson awards, The Murdock Trust also honored more than two dozen college students for research presentations delivered at the event. They include:

• The 2018 John Van Zytveld Award in the Physical Sciences: Annie K. Lamar (University of Puget Sound)
• The 2018 John Van Zytveld Award in the Life Sciences: Simran Handa (Lewis and Clark College)
• The 2018 Murdock College Science Research Program Poster Prize Winners:
  • Ecology-Evolution-Biodiversity: Erin Stewart (University of Puget Sound)
  • Ecology-Evolution-Biodiversity: Tessa Nania (University of Puget Sound)
  • Developmental Biology-physiology: Cole Malibiran and Allegra VanderWilde (University of Portland)
  • Molecular and Cell Biology: Natalie Klee (Lewis and Clark College)
  • Molecular and Cell Biology: Katareanna Coen, Dallyce Vetter, Joel Johnson, Levi Miles, Cassandra Davis, James Donnell, and Tessa Nelson (Corban University)
  • Neuroscience-Psychology-Exercise Science: Katie Wentz (Heritage University)
  • Biochemistry: Zachary Sherlock (Linfield College)
  • Biochemistry: Liza Briody-Pavlik (Whitman College)
  • Organic Chemistry: Madeleine Duncan (Whitman College)
  • Analytical-Inorganic-Physical Chemistry: Geneva Diepenheim, Christopher Harb, and Stephen Gift (Pacific University)
  • Analytical-Inorganic-Physical Chemistry: Efrain Venegas-Ramirez (University of Portland)
  • Environmental Science-Geology: Shannon Hansell and Anna Wood-Gaines (University of Portland)
  • Microbiology: Anna Miller (Northwest University)
  • Physics and Engineering: Melissa Kohl (Whitman College)

For more information about the MCSRP Conference and how the Murdock Trust invests in science education and research, please visit www.murdocktrust.org. Photos available upon request.

About the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

The M.J. Murdock Charitable 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 and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways. For more information, find the Murdock Trust on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and the web.

About Dr. Lynwood Swanson

After starting his career as a professor and administrator at Linfield College, Dr. Swanson moved to Oregon Graduate Institute before co-founding FEI, a world-leader in electron optics and focused ion beam technologies in scanning and transmission electron microscopies. In conjunction with his extensive career in science education and research, Dr. Swanson served as a tireless advocate for these fields as a trustee for thirty years.

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At this weekend's prestigious Murdock College Science Research Program Conference, several professors and students from across the Pacific Northwest were recognized for their work, including Portland-metro science students from Lewis and Clark College, University of Portland and Pacific University. Please see below release for full details and all honorees.

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Northwest Educators and Students Earn Top Honors at 2018 Murdock College Science Research Program Conference

Whitworth and Whitman professors headline awards given for outstanding efforts in science research and education

For Immediate Release

November 13, 2018 – A pair of Washington professors have been recognized for their outstanding achievements in the fields of scientific research and education. This week, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust announced Dr. Kraig Wheeler, Hugh W. Johnston Professor of Chemistry at Whitworth University, as the 2018 recipient of the Lynwood W. Swanson Scientific Research Award. Dr. Moira Gresham, Associate Professor of Physics at Whitman College received the Lynwood W. Swanson Promise for Scientific Research Award.

The two prestigious honors were established in 2016 to honor two exemplary educators from the Pacific Northwest. The “Swanson Award” recognizes a senior faculty exemplar with an established, productive and nationally recognized research program, while the “Swanson Promise Award” highlights a junior faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional potential in these areas through early research and work with students. Both awards were named in honor of noted educator, entrepreneur, and former trustee, Dr. Lynwood Swanson, upon his retirement from the Murdock Trust.

“The exploration of science and education of youth were two passions that our benefactor, Jack Murdock, held dearly throughout his life,” said Steve Moore, executive director, Murdock Trust. “In every phase of his career, Dr. Swanson has helped inspire and engage students and young people through his own passion for science. He believes strongly in the ability of science to solve real world challenges and for educators to serve as mentors to the next generation of researchers. We are so proud to be able to honor Dr. Swanson’s legacy and recognize the outstanding work of Dr. Wheeler and Dr. Gresham.”

Dr. Kraig Wheeler will receive a $15,000 cash prize as part of his award and Dr. Moira Gresham will receive a $7,500 cash prize. A portion of each cash award is set aside specifically to help fund further student research and supplies.  

Both awards were formally presented at the 2018 Murdock College Science Research Program (MCSRP) Conference in Vancouver, WA. The annual conference drew hundreds of college students and science educators from across the Pacific Northwest.

In addition to the two Swanson awards, The Murdock Trust also honored more than two dozen college students for research presentations delivered at the event. They include:

• The 2018 John Van Zytveld Award in the Physical Sciences: Annie K. Lamar (University of Puget Sound)
• The 2018 John Van Zytveld Award in the Life Sciences: Simran Handa (Lewis and Clark College)
• The 2018 Murdock College Science Research Program Poster Prize Winners:
  • Ecology-Evolution-Biodiversity: Erin Stewart (University of Puget Sound)
  • Ecology-Evolution-Biodiversity: Tessa Nania (University of Puget Sound)
  • Developmental Biology-physiology: Cole Malibiran and Allegra VanderWilde (University of Portland)
  • Molecular and Cell Biology: Natalie Klee (Lewis and Clark College)
  • Molecular and Cell Biology: Katareanna Coen, Dallyce Vetter, Joel Johnson, Levi Miles, Cassandra Davis, James Donnell, and Tessa Nelson (Corban University)
  • Neuroscience-Psychology-Exercise Science: Katie Wentz (Heritage University)
  • Biochemistry: Zachary Sherlock (Linfield College)
  • Biochemistry: Liza Briody-Pavlik (Whitman College)
  • Organic Chemistry: Madeleine Duncan (Whitman College)
  • Analytical-Inorganic-Physical Chemistry: Geneva Diepenheim, Christopher Harb, and Stephen Gift (Pacific University)
  • Analytical-Inorganic-Physical Chemistry: Efrain Venegas-Ramirez (University of Portland)
  • Environmental Science-Geology: Shannon Hansell and Anna Wood-Gaines (University of Portland)
  • Microbiology: Anna Miller (Northwest University)
  • Physics and Engineering: Melissa Kohl (Whitman College)

For more information about the MCSRP Conference and how the Murdock Trust invests in science education and research, please visit www.murdocktrust.org. Photos available upon request.

About the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust

The M.J. Murdock Charitable 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 and cultural base in creative and sustainable ways. For more information, find the Murdock Trust on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and the web.

About Dr. Lynwood Swanson

After starting his career as a professor and administrator at Linfield College, Dr. Swanson moved to Oregon Graduate Institute before co-founding FEI, a world-leader in electron optics and focused ion beam technologies in scanning and transmission electron microscopies. In conjunction with his extensive career in science education and research, Dr. Swanson served as a tireless advocate for these fields as a trustee for thirty years.

#####

Salem, Ore. -- A committee advising Oregon Department of Forestry staff on forest operations, projects and activities is currently seeking applications to fill three vacancies.

Formed in 2001, the State Forests Advisory Committee provides input on the implementation of forest management plans in northwest and southwest Oregon. The committee represents a diverse range of forestry interests and serves as a forum to discuss agency opportunities for achieving forest management goals in these areas.

The committee specifically covers issues related to ODF district Annual Operations Plans, best practices for balancing a range of forest benefits, strategies for improving public outreach and participation, and other technical forest management topics.

The three new members will serve three-year terms beginning in March 2019. There is one vacancy apiece for members from the timber industry, tribal community and a non-affiliated position.

“This is an opportunity for Oregonians to take a seat at the table of today’s forestry conversation and provide insight and perspectives on how we are implementing the forest management plans. We look forward to hosting a diverse and experienced committee in the coming months,” said Andy White, Northwest Oregon Area Director for the Oregon Department of Forestry.

SFAC members attend three meetings per year and a summer field tour, and agendas are usually scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.   

To apply, complete a questionnaire (http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Working/Documents/SFACApplicationQuestionnaire2018.pdf) by December 14, 2018 and submit to April Davis at the Oregon Department of Forestry by email to il.r.davis@oregon.gov" target="_blank">april.r.davis@oregon.govor mail to 801 Gales Creek Road, Forest Grove, OR 97116.

For specific questions about the committee, please contact Andy White at 503-359-7496 or ew.t.white@oregon.gov" target="_blank">andrew.t.white@oregon.gov. Additional SFAC background information can be found here (http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/SFAC.aspx).

Disaster responders with the local American Red Cross responded to a home disaster at 12:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 in the 3000 block of NE 100th Circle in Vancouver, Clark County, Wash.

This single-family fire affected three adults, five children and four pets.

The Red Cross provided resources to help address the immediate basic needs of those affected such as temporary housing, food, clothing, comfort kits with toiletry items, information about recovery services, and health and mental health services.

Additional information about this incident, if available, may be obtained from the local first responding agency/fire department.

The Red Cross in Oregon and Southwest Washington (the Cascades Region) helps an average of three families affected by disasters, like home fires, every day.

The Red Cross advocates emergency preparedness and offers the installation of free smoke alarms in our community. Residents may call (503) 528-5783 or complete an online form at www.redcross.org/GetAnAlarm to schedule an appointment.

Disaster responders with the local American Red Cross responded to a home disaster at 12:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, 2018 in the 10000 block of NE Irving Street in Portland, Multnomah County, Ore.

This single-family fire affected two adults and one pet.

The Red Cross provided resources to help address the immediate basic needs of those affected such as temporary housing, food, clothing, comfort kits with toiletry items, information about recovery services, and health and mental health services.

Additional information about this incident, if available, may be obtained from the local first responding agency/fire department.

The Red Cross in Oregon and Southwest Washington (the Cascades Region) helps an average of three families affected by disasters, like home fires, every day.

The Red Cross advocates emergency preparedness and offers the installation of free smoke alarms in our community. Residents may call (503) 528-5783 or complete an online form at www.redcross.org/GetAnAlarm to schedule an appointment.

The Northwest Regional Education Service District Foundation, under the direction of President Dr. Joseph Christy, awarded $29,726 in grants to educators November 7.

The grants will support teaching and learning for over 3,500 children with disabilities and those who are at-risk, birth to age 21, in the Northwest corner of Oregon (Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook, and Washington counties).

Since 2006, the Foundation has awarded 430 grants totaling $377,400, making a difference in the lives of 50,600 young children, students, and their families.

Grants are awarded based on their impact in one of four areas:

1. Birth to 5 Special Education
2. Early Learning/Kindergarten Readiness
3. School?age Special including alternative, at-risk, and behavioral programs through age 21
4. English Language Learners and Migrant Education

View the full list of awards on the Foundation's web site at www.nwresdfoundation.org/awards

Monday, November 12, 2018-Woodland, WA-More than 700 students learned about career opportunities right in their home region from more than 40 businesses at the inaugural Woodland Days Career Fair, a partnership between Woodland Public Schools and the Port of Woodland to offer a career fair specifically designed for students considering living-wage careers after high school not necessarily requiring a college degree or additional education.

Partnerships lead to successful futures for students

The partnership between the Port of Woodland and Woodland Public Schools stemmed from a renewed focus at the district level to align Career Technical Education (CTE) classes offered by Woodland’s schools with the needs of local businesses in Clark and Cowlitz counties. “The job market outside the walls of our schools is rapidly changing,” explained Asha Riley, Assistant Superintendent for the district. “Putting our students in touch with professionals in our workforce while still in school is one of the best ways to help our kids think about future career opportunities.”

Bill Marcum, CEO of the Kelso Longview Chamber of Commerce, gave a motivating keynote speech before each grade of students entered the fair. “With the ‘silver tsunami’ of retirees that will be leaving jobs in the next 6-7 years, there will be a wide variety of job opportunities available to students who are attending high school right now,” Marcum told the students. “The companies attending this career fair offer you an amazing opportunity to research what you could be doing in the future, including jobs right here in Woodland or anywhere else you want to live.” Marcum shared opportunities not requiring four-year college degrees including a story about his niece who now works as a dental hygienist after completing a two-year program to earn a starting salary of $80,000 a year.

Following his keynote, Marcum shared tips for local businesses to reach students, too. “Businesses need to partner with their local high schools to give students hands-on experience with different kinds of careers,” he explained. “It’s not all our educators’ responsibility to teach kids about jobs after graduation – businesses can cultivate their own group of potential employees by speaking to students about the different careers available to them before they even graduate.”

The Kelso-Longview Chamber of Commerce is developing the Cowlitz-Business Education Connection, a website specifically designed to offer ways for students to connect with businesses (www.cowlitzbec.com).  “Our database provides local CTE teachers opportunities to line up job shadowing, internships, and more for their students,” said Marcum. “Since it’s a work in progress, we’re always looking for businesses, teachers, professionals, students, and other community members to help us make the site an even better resource for both employers and students alike.”

Inaugural Woodland Days Career Fair exceeds expectations

The event far exceeded the expectations for both Woodland Public Schools and the Port of Woodland. “Our goal was to have 25 businesses attend and over 40 participated,” said Jennifer Keene, Executive Director for the Port of Woodland. “Woodland Days was beyond our expectations and truly hit on what we are trying to achieve for both the school district and the Port – creating a place for our kids in the future by providing them opportunities for a successful future right here in our region.”

Organizations attending the career fair raved about the opportunities to reach students and potential future employees. “Employers were extremely positive about the caliber of the students at Woodland High School with several planning a follow-up hiring event for summer positions and internships,” said Keene. “One of the Port Commissioners, Paul Cline, is a retired teacher from Woodland, attended the event, and spoke about how positive and exciting the event was – all of us at the Port were thrilled with the turnout.”

Riley shared Keene’s gratitude toward participating businesses. “For our local companies to send employee representatives during a workday to speak with our students was a huge sacrifice that we appreciate so much,” she said. “I can’t overstate what a blessing that was for our students and kids in a small town where there aren’t many opportunities to learn about the wide variety of careers we have right in our local region.”

Local businesses and organizations chipped in to ensure the career fair’s success. Woodland’s Burgerville donated 50 gift cards to use as raffle prizes while the Grace Community Church lent 12 tables for businesses to use as displays. “Feedback from the event has been off-the-charts with all attending businesses wanting to return for future events,” said Sarah Hadaller, the district’s coordinator for the career fair. “Several organizations are interested in other opportunities to contribute including guest speakers to visit classrooms, mock interviews for students, resume review, and many more.”

Attending employers offer valuable advice to future graduates

For Rob Rich, Vice President of Marine Services for the Shaver Transportation Company, the opportunity to participate in the Woodland Days Career Fair hit close to home. “Not only do I live in Woodland, but many of our crewmembers are graduates from Clark and Cowlitz county schools with several from Woodland, Ridgefield, and Kalama,” he said. “We want to help students understand the importance of dedicating themselves to their own futures by developing skills vital to their success such as learning how to get along with others; asking how to take on more responsibility; and figuring out how to be more of an asset to their employers which will ensure their success in the workplace.”

Rich went on to discuss how a graduate’s first position after high school likely won’t be their last. “Look at your first job as the opportunity to learn and move up within a company to help you land your dream job,” he advised. “Think of your first job as the first step in a career, not just a job, as many of the opportunities for graduates today offer good pay, great benefits, and high job security right from the start – working on skills will ensure new employees have a successful career for their future.”

Eric Thwaites, Chief Operations Officer for Tribeca Transport, attended Woodland Days to encourage students to consider careers in trucking and transportation. A starting truck driver for Tribeca Transport can earn more than $40,000 a year with full medical and retirement benefits as well as paid time off and career development education opportunities. “The entire United States is experiencing a huge driver shortage currently so there are a wealth of jobs for high school graduates right here in Cowlitz County,” he said. “Many graduates may feel intimidated about the idea of driving trucks or a career in trucking, however the trucks are easier to operate than ever before and our drivers are home every day – it’s not a life on the road.”

Thwaites was thrilled with the turnout of both students and employers to the Woodland Days Career Fair. “This is the biggest career day I’ve attended with the largest number of employers attending as well as truly engaged students who are very interested in the different opportunities,” he said. “We want to get as many students as possible interested in trucking as a career because they’re our company’s future.”

Currently, Tribeca Transport needs both additional mechanics and drivers with a fleet of 17 trucks and 26 trailers. “There’s a lot of growth in our company as we’re very specialized in what we do,” explained Thwaites.

Heather Kavanagh, Communications Supervisor for the Washington State Patrol, attended Woodland Days Career Fair to encourage students to consider careers in law enforcement. Although students don’t need any additional schooling beyond a high school diploma to work as a state trooper or dispatch, a two-year Associates Degree will earn graduates an additional 2% salary increase. “We need graduates interested in helping others in their time of need who want to help people handle emergency situations,” she said. “Personally, I love helping out and giving back, but I also want to be behind the scenes so working as a dispatcher was a perfect fit for me.”

Future plans for partnerships between schools and businesses

Woodland Public Schools and the Port of Woodland are already working on plans for future partnership opportunities after seeing the success of the inaugural career fair. “The level of dedication from the school district to make a successful event was incredible,” said Keene. “Plus, the fact so many businesses participated in our inaugural event is simply humbling to me; these businesses took time out of workdays to speak with students one-on-one – it was amazing to see the spark in students’ eyes as they learned about the possibilities for their future.”

As a parent of two children attending Woodland’s schools, Keene is proud of the district serving her community. “We are so blessed have such great schools with amazing students and staff offering programs that reach out to all students, not just those who are college-bound,” she said. “It is amazing to think my own kids may have this same opportunity to be exposed to these industries and businesses in the near future.”

Career Technical Education at Woodland Public Schools

Students attending Woodland High School can select from a wide variety of Career Technical Education (CTE) courses specifically designed to help students develop the skills they need for careers and trades following graduation which will offer living-wages to support families.

Woodland Public Schools has partnered with local businesses and organizations to continually align the district’s course offerings with the need of employers seeking high school graduates looking for good jobs. “We want to regularly review what we do to ensure our students receive the opportunities to learn skills they need in the workforce,” said Riley. “We currently have a partnership with the Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) Network to help better line up what we do as schools with what businesses need from employees.”

Currently, Woodland High School offers the following CTE courses:

• Automotive Maintenance
• Computer Applications
• Computer Science
• Culinary Arts
• Digital Arts
• Early Childhood Education
• Financial Fitness
• Floral Design
• Horticulture
• Independent Living
• Maritime Trades
• Marketing
• Medical Science
• Metals
• Office Aide
• Programming
• Publications
• Robotics
• Website Design
• Woodworking Foundations

Businesses, professionals, and community members interested in partnering with Woodland Public Schools can contact the district office at (360) 841-2700 or email Asha Riley, Assistant Superintendent of Woodland Public Schools, at ileya@woodlandschools.org">rileya@woodlandschools.org.

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Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has deployed two strike teams with equipment and personnel to assist in suppression efforts for the devastating wildfires in California. This deployment was coordinated with the Oregon Office of Emergency Management through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).

Using the EMAC system, California fire officials originally requested additional resources to support suppression efforts in the southern portion of the state. The two ODF strike teams, consisting of five Type 6 engines each, two strike team leaders and an agency representative, departed early Sunday morning. In addition to ODF districts in eastern and southern Oregon, resources include engines and personnel from the Douglas Forest Protection Association.

While en route, the ODF teams received new orders to divert to the Camp Fire near Chico, CA due to the evolving and emergent situation. Both strike teams arrived at the Camp Incident Command Post Sunday evening and will be joining suppression efforts on the front line Monday morning. 

“Oregon and California have a long-standing relationship of mutual aid wherever suppression resources are needed,” said Oregon’s State Forester, Peter Daugherty. “California has come to our aid during our challenging fire seasons and Oregon is now able to help California during this tragic time of need.”

At the time of arrival, the Camp Fire was reported at 111,000 acres and 25 percent containment, with approximately 6,453 residences destroyed and an additional 15,000 structures threatened. An estimated 31 people have lost their lives and an additional 200 are listed as missing.

The ODF teams will join their Oregon State Fire Marshal counterparts, adding to the growing number of out of state resources joining suppression efforts during these devastating wildfires impacting much of the state. The team anticipates a full 14-day deployment.

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Gresham, Ore.— On November 7, 2018 at around 7:15 p.m., Gresham police officers responded to a report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle on SE Burnside Rd. near SE 3rd St. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital and later died from injuries sustained in the crash. The pedestrian has now been identified as 72-year-old Patricia Dryden of Troutdale.

If you witnessed the crash and have additional information to provide to the police, please call 503-618-2719.

Beaverton School Board member Anne Bryan’s passion for public education has earned her the first Oregon School Board Member of the Year award.

Bryan was recognized Saturday at the Oregon School Boards Association’s 72nd Annual Convention in downtown Portland. OSBA launched the Oregon School Board Member of the Year (http://www.osba.org/About-OSBA/OregonSchoolBoardMemberOfTheYear.aspx) award this year to recognize outstanding volunteers who make a difference in their communities.

"Through her dedication she epitomizes what a school board member should be," said OSBA Executive Director Jim Green. 

Bryan joined the Beaverton board in 2013 and became board chair in 2015.

“She models for all of us what a school board member looks like,” said Becky Tymchuk, who took over the Beaverton chair position in July.

Bryan has been instrumental in aligning board work with strategic objectives and long-range planning, creating a district rainy-day fund, increasing community engagement, expanding course offerings, and shepherding the 2014 passage of Beaverton’s $680 million construction bond.

Tymchuk said Bryan made sure the board received proper training and resources and she helped keep the board working together. She described Bryan as a great collaborator and a tough act to follow.

“She provides leadership in a way that you want to follow,” Tymchuk said.

Bryan says it’s a team effort. She said she takes pride in knowing the community believes the school board is working together on behalf of students. She credits community support, district staff and her fellow board members for the school board’s successes. 

Bryan graduated from Stanford with degrees in history and math and computational sciences. She is chief of staff at Circle Media and volunteers with a half-dozen school-related organizations. Bryan’s husband, John, works at Intel, and she is a mother of four: Peter, 23; Tom, 21; James, 18; and Matthew, 15. The three oldest graduated from Beaverton’s Westview High, and Matthew is a sophomore there.

Although her four sons have certainly influenced her desire to serve on the school board, Bryan said her passion for public education predates becoming a parent.

“I have a fundamental belief in the power of public schools and that board work is important and that it can make a difference,” she said.

Beaverton Superintendent Don Grotting said the board’s character under Bryan’s leadership helped persuade him to take the job in 2016. The board’s engagement and personal touch with the community impressed him.

Grotting pointed to Beaverton’s 86 percent graduation rate and narrowing achievement gap as well as equity programs as proof of Bryan’s leadership. Bryan follows current education trends and issues and she does her homework, he said.

“Her tremendous work ethic and her heart and compassion for education are among the biggest I’ve ever seen,” he said.

Nominees for the new statewide award were considered for their advocacy efforts, leadership and support for student achievement.

A panel of out-of-state school board association executive directors chose Bryan from among four finalists. Bryan’s name will be placed on the OSBA website and engraved on a plaque in OSBA’s Salem office. Bryan also will be able to register for OSBA events free for a year.

Green reminded school board members to keep an eye out for fellow members’ accomplishments and begin considering nominations when they open in January 2019.

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

Fifteen volunteers from Oregon and SW Washington to help provide disaster assistance in California

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 12, 2018 – As multiple wildfires continue to rage in California, the Red Cross Cascades Region (serving Oregon and Southwest Washington) has deployed 15 volunteers to assist in the massive response effort. With nearly a quarter million people displaced, the Red Cross is working to provide shelter, food and comfort for those forced to leave their homes with little notice.

Overnight, more than 2,100 people were cared for in 18 Red Cross and community evacuation centers across the state of California. In addition, the Red Cross has provided shelter supplies for over 7,000 people and begun mobilizing emergency supplies to serve over 15,000 households. Supplies include sifters, personal protective equipment, respiratory masks, rakes, shovels, work gloves, tarps and other resources. Also, nearly 3,900 people have registered on Safe and Well, a free Red Cross website that allows people to let their loved ones know they are safe.

Fifteen Red Cross disaster responders from Bend, Grants Pass, Gresham, Gold Beach, Junction City, Medford, Newberg, Portland, Salem, Summerville, and Wolf Creek, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, are either already on the ground or making their way to California. In coordination with government and community partners, Red Crossers are preparing strategic shelter and warehouse locations and stocking food, cots, blankets and other relief supplies to help people affected by the fires.

In addition, a dozen Red Cross Cascades Region volunteers continue to assist with the recovery efforts of Hurricane Michael in Florida and Hurricane Yutu in the Mariana Islands.

In order to be ready to assist in the relief efforts related to these disasters, the local Red Cross Cascades Region is always looking for volunteer disaster responders. People interested in volunteering for the Red Cross as a disaster responder are encouraged to visit redcross.org/volunteer for more information.

CONNECT WITH LOVED ONES
The Red Cross has two ways to help you reconnect with loved ones. The free Red Cross Safe and Well website allows people to register and post messages to indicate that they are safe, or to search for loved ones. The site is open to the public and available in Spanish. Registrations and searches can be done on the website or by texting SAFE to 78876.

The Red Cross Emergency App “I’m Safe” button allows users to post a message to their social accounts, letting friends and family know they are out of harm’s way. The Emergency App is in English and Spanish and is available in app stores by searching for the American Red Cross or going to redcross.org/apps.

MAKE A DONATION Entire communities and families have been left reeling from deadly wildfires. Help people affected by the California wildfires by visiting redcross.org, calling 1- 800-RED CROSS or texting the word CAWILDFIRES to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Donations enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster.

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

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On 11/11/18 at approximately 1300 hours, Deputies responded to malicious mischief call at the Willow Creek apartments located at 8500 NE Hazel Dell Avenue.  The suspect in that call was Ester J. Mitchell, DOB 02/14/1969.  Immediately upon Deputies arrival it was discovered a male had been stabbed while sitting in his vehicle outside the apartment building of Ester Mitchell.  Responding Deputies discovered the adult male was sitting in his vehicle when an arm reached in through the open window with a knife and cut him across his neck.  The male then attempted to move his vehicle when the female suspect reached back inside the vehicle and attempted to cut the victim again.  At that point he was able to get the knife away from the female and she left the scene.

While speaking with the victim, Deputies discovered the suspect in the stabbing was also Ester Mitchell.  During the interview, Ester excited her apartment building and was armed with a butcher knife.  She was approaching the Deputy and was told to drop the knife, which she immediately did.  Ester was then taken into custody.

The male suffered minor injuries to the neck and Ester Mitchell was booked into the Clark County Jail on charges of Assault in the First Degree.

Corbett Fire Announces Winners of Heini Ziegler Award

PORTLAND, November 10, 2018 – The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation (‘OLSHF’) held its annual awards dinner and fundraising gala this evening at the Elysian Ballroom in downtown Portland. 

Among the gala’s awards and award recipients were the following:

The ‘ROAR Hearing Provider of the Year’ award was presented to Gateway Hearing Aid Center.  Owner and hearing specialist Max Clark has been in the hearing aid business for over 25 years. Gateway Hearing partners with over 15 Lions Clubs and
has dispensed 250 hearing aids in the last 3 years. Together they have helped thousands of Oregonians with life changing hearing aid assistance. The partnership between Gateway Hearing Aid Center, OLSHF, and the Oregon Lions is invaluable and crucial to the health of our communities.

The ‘Patient Care/Mission Cataract Provider of the Year’ award was presented to Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute.  Over the years, PCLI has provided many free cataract surgeries for Oregonians in need at their Portland, Kennewick and Tualatin locations. Their doctors and staff treat patients with the utmost compassion and without any bias. The comfortable atmosphere they provide reassures patients and minimizes their fear of the surgery.

The ‘Community Partner of the Year’ award was presented to Central City Concern – Community Volunteer Corps and Old Town Clinic. CCC provides “comprehensive solutions to ending homelessness and achieving self-sufficiency”. Thanks to our partnership with CCC, we sorted thousands of donated glasses that have been collected by Oregon Lions. We organize sorting parties with CCC at our warehouse and then send the glasses to Coffee Creek Correctional Facility where through the Eyeglass Education Program the glasses are recycled and calibrated. Further, OLSHF’s LEAP Optical Finishing Lab also partners with the Old Town Clinic to provide new eyeglasses to people in need. This partnership provides sight not only for people in our community but, through international mission trips, to people all over the world.

The ‘Vision Provider of the Year’ award was presented to Dr. Barbara Briscoe/ Founders Clinic-Volunteers in Medicine Clackamas. Since our partnership began in 2015, Dr. Briscoe has ordered more than 300 pairs of glasses for patients at her clinic and to patients referred by the local Lions Clubs. Because of her dedication to help people who are uninsured or underinsured and below the 200% poverty level, she volunteers as an optometrist at the Founders Clinic where hundreds of Oregonians have received complete, free eye exams and received low cost glasses through the Optical Finishing Lab.

The ‘Funder of the Year’ award was presented to Eugene Hearing and Speech Center.  For nearly 60 years, the Eugene Hearing & Speech Center served clients with a wide range of speech and audiology needs. As a result of closing their practice, a generous gift in the past year for hearing services will sustain the OLSHF hearing aid program for many years. The EHSC Board’s belief in our mission speaks to our reputation not only in Lane County but statewide. These funds will be stewarded with great care in order to help as many people as possible.

About OLSHF:

Our mission is to screen, treat, save and restore sight and hearing in partnership with Lions Clubs. Our School Vision Screening Program has screened over a million Oregon children since 1994. In 2015, OLSHF launched its own Optical Finishing Lab and we now edge over 2,500 new eyeglasses for people who qualify every year. Our ROAR Hearing Assistance Program provides low cost new or refurbished hearing aids to people in need. We also provide the gift of sight to people in developing countries with eyeglasses shipped and distributed through international mission work. Please visit www.OLSHF.org or www.facebook.com/OLSHF to learn more about our programs!

About Lions Clubs International:

Lions Clubs International is a service organization with 1.35 million members in 46,000 clubs around the globe. Started in 1917, Lions Clubs aim to provide services to blind and visually impaired individuals, as well as provide other services and humanitarian projects for local communities. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit www.lionsclubs.org.

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181110-Z-FS713-004: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers with Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, perform a Howitzer salute during the annual Veterans Memorial Service, November 10, 2018, at Timber Linn Memorial Park in Albany, Oregon. (Photo by Sgt. Cory Grogan, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

181110-Z-OT568-001: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers with the 234th Army Band pose for a photo with U.S. Senator Ron Wyden at the annual Veterans Memorial Service, November 10, 2018, at Timber Linn Memorial Park in Albany, Oregon. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

181110-Z-FS713-001: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers with the 82nd Brigade Troop Command march along the parade route during the annual Albany Veterans Day Parade, November 10, 2018, in Albany, Oregon. The event is the largest Veterans Day parade west of the Mississippi River. (Photo by Sgt. Cory Grogan, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

181110-Z-OT568-019: Oregon Air National Guard Airmen march along the parade route during the annual Albany Veterans Day Parade, November 10, 2018, in Albany, Oregon. The event is the largest Veterans Day parade west of the Mississippi River. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

181110-Z-FS713-006: Maj. Gen. Michael Stencel (right), Adjutant General, Oregon, and Oregon Army National Guard Brig. Gen. William Edwards, the Deputy Commanding General – Operations, First U.S. Army Training Support Division (West), observe the annual Albany Veterans Day Parade from the reviewing stand, November 10, 2018, in Albany, Oregon. The Oregon National Guard participated with a joint color guard, marching units, vehicles and equipment, the 234th Army Band, and an F-15 flyover. The event is the largest Veterans Day parade west of the Mississippi River. (Photo by Sgt. Cory Grogan, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

181110-Z-CH590-021: U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Willard Burleson III (left), commander 7th Infantry Division, assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Brig. Gen. Donna Prigmore (center), Oregon National Guard Assistant Adjutant General-Air, render a hand salute as the American Flag passes by during the Fort Vancouver Veterans Day Parade, Vancouver, Wash., Nov. 10, 2018. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department) 

181110-Z-PL933-0016: Mr. Steele Clayton, a Vietnam War helicopter pilot, guides in an Oregon Army National Guard HH-60M Blackhawk helicopter during its landing at the Linfield College baseball field as part of a Veterans Day celebration, Nov. 10, 2018, in McMinnville, Oregon. Clayton served with the active duty U.S. Army for more than 30 years and flew helicopters in Vietnam from 1970 through 1971. (Photo by Jason van Mourik, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

181111-Z-LM216-004: Brig. Gen. William J. Prendergast, Land Component Commander, Oregon National Guard, addresses the audience as the keynote speaker at the annual Washington County Veterans Day ceremony, Nov. 11, 2018, in Hillsboro, Oregon. This year's event included a commemoration for the service, valor, and sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans, and was sponsored by Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services, in partnership with Memorial Fund for Veterans of Washington County, VFW Post 2666, and American Legion Post 6. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Zach Holden, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs) 

Disaster responders with the local American Red Cross responded to a home disaster at 8:45 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018 in the 200 block of S. Anchor Street in Rockaway Beach, Tillamook County, Ore.

This single-family fire affected two adults and several pets.

The Red Cross provided resources to help address the immediate basic needs of those affected such as temporary housing, food, clothing, comfort kits with toiletry items, information about recovery services, and health and mental health services.

Additional information about this incident, if available, may be obtained from the local first responding agency/fire department.

The Red Cross in Oregon and Southwest Washington (the Cascades Region) helps an average of three families affected by disasters, like home fires, every day.

The Red Cross advocates emergency preparedness and offers the installation of free smoke alarms in our community. Residents may call (503) 528-5783 or complete an online form at www.redcross.org/GetAnAlarm to schedule an appointment.

Disaster responders with the local American Red Cross responded to a home disaster at 6:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018 in the 6800 block of E. Mill Plain Boulevard in Vancouver, Clark County, Wash.

This single-family fire affected two adults.

The Red Cross provided resources to help address the immediate basic needs of those affected such as temporary housing, food, clothing, comfort kits with toiletry items, information about recovery services, and health and mental health services.

Additional information about this incident, if available, may be obtained from the local first responding agency/fire department.

The Red Cross in Oregon and Southwest Washington (the Cascades Region) helps an average of three families affected by disasters, like home fires, every day.

The Red Cross advocates emergency preparedness and offers the installation of free smoke alarms in our community. Residents may call (503) 528-5783 or complete an online form at www.redcross.org/GetAnAlarm to schedule an appointment.

This afternoon Portland Firefighters were called to a fire in a single story apartment at 1400 NE 118th. When fire crews arrived they found the fire burning in the attic above one of the apartment units. The fire commander called for a second alarm to ensure that adequate resources were available to extinguish the fire. 

The apartment building was evacuated and no injuries were associated with this fire. The fire was extinguished, but one adult resident was displaced. Firefighters checked on the resident and determined that the individual has a safe place to stay. An investigator responded and determined that this was an electrical fire burning above a light fixture. 

Please help your Portland Firefighters to achieve our goal of zero fire deaths by ensuring that you have working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan. 

The Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office (OSFM) activiated its Agency Operation Center and mobilized 15 strike teams, of equipment and personnel, to assist in and around the Camp Fire in northern California.  A total of 75 engines and just under 300 firefighters form Oregon are currently deployed.

Locally, Albany Fire deployed 1 engine, two command vehicles, and 12 firefighters who will also staff other Linn and Benton County apparatus.  A total of 39 firefighters have responded from Linn and Benton Counties, making up two of the 15 strike teams.  The following Fire Departments sent apparatus and/or personnel: Albany, Sweet Home, Lebanon, Harrisburg, Halsey/Shedd, Tangent, Scio, Corvallis, and Philomath.  

All crew members are prepared for a maximum16 day deployment, 14 days working the fire line and two travels days.  

On Friday, November 9, 2018 the Oregon State Police responded to the Crissey Field State Recreation Center for an assault.

Investigation reveals that at approximately 1:30 PM an adult female was hiking on trails in the park when she was attacked. The attacker had been hiding in the brush adjacent to the trail.  The victim was able to fight off the suspect and flee the area.  She called 911 and Oregon State Police Troopers and Curry County Sheriff’s Deputies responded and checked the area.

The suspect is still outstanding and is described as a white male adult, early 40’s, with stringy chin length dark hair, and a medium length beard.  He was wearing blue and gray plaid jacket, dark dirty jeans, and black boots.

Anyone with information is requested to call the Oregon State Police Southern Command Center at 541-776-6111 or OSP from your mobile device.

Investigation is continuing no further information is available at this time.

On November 9th, 2018 at approximately 3:30 PM, Deputy Siscilee Gouge saw a white Ford Ranger illegally pass multiple vehicles southbound on Highway 101 near NW Lighthouse Drive in Newport.  When Dep. Gouge attempted to stop the vehicle, it began to flee at a high rate of speed.  Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and Newport Police Department units pursued the vehicle southbound.  The vehicle became blocked by traffic at the intersection of Highway 101 and Olive St.

Deputies and officers began high-risk traffic stop procedures and attempted to take the driver into custody.  The driver, 59 year-old Otis resident Mary Joanna Henderson, refused commands to exit the vehicle.  Deputies were required to force entry into the vehicle to remove Henderson.  Two deputies sustained minor injuries on broken glass during a brief physical confrontation that ensued.  They were later treated and released from the hospital.

Henderson was charged with Attempting to Elude a Police Officer-Felony, Reckless Driving, and Resisting Arrest.  Her bail was set at $80,000.

Darlene Seeley has returned home safely on her own.

 The Vancouver Police Department is requesting assistance in locating a missing endangered woman, missing from her home in Vancouver, WA. Seeley, Darlene F (80 years old). Her son last spoke to her around 1500 hours and believes she was having a dementia episode.  She frequents the Mill Plain Blvd corridor from Andresen – the 164th Ave area.  She has poor eye sight and diminished driving abilities at night.

Darlene is a White female, 5’6”, 190-200 lbs, red short hair, and hazel eyes. May have glasses with her and often wears a teal fleece jacket.

Darlene drives a dark grey 2002 Saturn SL2  four door sedan (ACW5601 // Wa.).

If found please call the Vancouver Police Department through the Columbia Regional Emergency Services Agency at 311 or 911.

The Centennial School District's Governing Board will hold a meeting on November 14, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. in the district office's board room. 

Items of interest include enrollment reports for October, 2018 and November, 2018 student class size counts.

To view documents, copy and paste this link into your browser: https://v3.boardbook.org/Public/PublicHome.aspx?ak=1001533

For additioanl information please contact Pamela Jordan, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent & Board Secretary at 503-762-3601, or pamela_jordan@csd28j.org.

Cyclist:  Michael Myers   51-years-old

On November 8th, 2018 at about 4:30 PM, Camas Police Department took a report of an overdue/missing bicycle rider, identified as Michael Myers, a 51 year old Camas man.    

At approximately 8 PM, while investigating and actively searching for Myers, police were called to a welfare check of a man down at the 4200 block of NW Sierra Drive. Upon arrival, the man in question was identified as Myers and pronounced deceased at the scene.

The subsequent investigation revealed Myers was riding his bicycle northbound on NW Sierra Drive, which is a steep downgrade with many turns, when he crashed into the side of a nearby home.  There was no evidence suggesting a vehicle was involved, and no witnesses to the incident were located. 

The cause of the bicycle crash is being treated as an accident.  

There are no further details to be released at this time.

SALEM, Ore.— It’s never safe to let down your guard, warns the Oregon Department of Revenue. Scam tactics are always evolving and becoming more effective.

Recently, an Oregon taxpayer visited the department’s Medford office because they received a letter—supposedly from Jackson County—demanding tens of thousands of dollars to resolve their “debt.” At first glance, the letter appeared official, but it turned out to be another tactic scammers are using to trick people into giving them money or personal information.

The best way for taxpayers to make payments directly to the Department of Revenue is through Revenue Online. It’s secure and includes all the information necessary to ensure the payment is properly applied to the correct account. Go directly to oregon.gov/dor to find Revenue Online. Payment providers may provide links that appear to take you to the government site, but just end up taking you to another area of the provider’s site.

Scams mainly come in the form of a phone call, email, or standard mail. Here are some tips to help you identify scam attempts.

• Scammers make unsolicited calls. Thieves call taxpayers claiming to be representatives of the Oregon Department of Revenue or other tax officials. They demand that the victim pay a bogus tax bill and may use threats or a sense of urgency to con the victim into sending cash, usually through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. The Department of Revenue never uses methods like these when making calls. Hang up on suspicious phone calls. No matter how urgent a message makes a situation sound, you can always hang up, call the Department of Revenue at their published phone numbers [(503) 378-4988 or (800) 356-4222 (toll-free)], and know that you’re dealing with an actual government employee.

• Scammers send letters. Letters often contain legitimate logos, addresses, and phone numbers to fool you. Sometimes, these letters expose themselves as scams through blurry logos, misspellings, and poor grammar. Letters are usually in the form of a fake tax bill or claiming an error with your account. Letters from the Department of Revenue will have information that is verifiable through our website and every letter is printed with an identification number in the upper right corner.
• Scammers set up fake websites. Some scams that start as unsolicited calls or letters may also try to send you to fake websites. These websites are designed to look like and official federal or state agency site. Remember that the Oregon Department of Revenue’s web address will always begin with an “https://” designation and be from the “.gov” extension. Look for these in the web address when entering financial information to make sure you’re dealing with us directly.

For more information on protecting yourself or what to do if you’re a victim of identity theft, visit:

• www.irs.gov
• www.consumer.ftc.gov
• www.identitytheft.gov

You can visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get forms, check the status of your refund, or make payments. You can call (503) 378-4988 or (800) 356-4222 (toll-free) or email questions.dor@oregon.gov for additional assistance. For TTY for hearing- or speech-impaired, call (800) 886-7204.

At approximately 0900 this morning, Multnomah County Fire Defense Board Chief, Scott Lewis, received a request from the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal to assemble a Strike-Team of fire engines to respond to the "Camp Fire" wildfire burning in Butee County, CA. This request was made via EMAC, or Emergency Management Assistance Compact between our states.

The strike-team is comprised of a strike-team leader and trainee, (2) Portland Fire, (2) Gresham Fire and (1) Port of Portland Fire engine companies.

The strike-team departed the portland area around noon today and will travel overnight and report to base camp in Chico California, sometime tomorrow.

Potential service related functions required of the Multnomah County Strike Team includes structural preparation of impacted buildings and/or backfilling and staffing of vacated local fire stations.  The strike team will be assigned to work operational periods of 24-hours on and 24-hours off if assignments involve long travel distances to reach objectives. 

A maximum deployment period 14-days could be required of the strike team.

Any further inquiries on the EMAC process and other resources being sent from Oregon should be directed to OSFM at egon.sfm@state.or.us">oregon.sfm@state.or.us .

Oregon City, OR (Nov. 9, 2018)– Every year, a different National Forest is selected to provide a tree to appear on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the Christmas season. The Willamette National Forest in partnership with nonprofit partner Choose Outdoors and Travel Oregon will bring this special gift from Oregon to Washington, D.C. for the 2018 season, involving more than 25 communities along the way including an appearance in Oregon City, November 13, 5 p.m. at the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, 1726 Washington St. Oregon City, OR 97045.

The theme for the 2018 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is “Find Your Trail!” in recognition of two 2018 anniversaries: the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act and the 175th commemoration of the Oregon Trail. In November, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree will travel eastward from Oregon on the reverse path of the Oregon Trail. The 3,000-mile expedition will include a series of community celebrations and culminate with the official tree lighting in early December. Smaller companion trees also will be provided to decorate offices inside of the U.S. Capitol building and other sites throughout Washington, D.C., along with 10,000 handmade ornaments created by Oregonians.

Festivities during the tree’s visit to the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center on November 13 will include comments from Oregon City Commission and Board Members of the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, activities include live music and refreshments in the Visitor Center. This event is open to the public and free for all to enjoy.

Capitol Christmas Tree visitors are encouraged to bring donations of peanut butter, canned meats, canned fruit, soup, cereal, granola/snack bars and personal hygiene items for the Clackamas Community College Cougar Cave food pantry. According to a 2106 study by the College and University Food Bank Alliance, 25 percent of community college students are food insecure. The Cougar Cave is a free pantry that offers food, clothes, school supplies and toiletries for CCC students.

“All year we’ve commemorated the 175th Anniversary of the Oregon Trail as Oregon City was the end point of the journey for thousands of pioneers, risk-takers, and those that gambled everything for a new life. It is an honor to have the U.S. Capitol Christmas tree in Oregon City as it makes its journey east to Washington, D.C.,” said Oregon City Mayor, Dan Holladay. “Oregon City community service groups have been hard at work creating ornaments that will help adorn the tree and bring a bit of the Pacific Northwest to Washington.”  

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is made possible with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small as well as volunteers locally and across America, who provide vital support of time and resources.

“We are grateful to the host cities such as Oregon City who play a vital part of bringing the tree across the country and this annual celebration”, said Bruce Ward, President, Choose Outdoors.

For more information on the Oregon City event, visit http://bit.ly/capitaltreeinoc
For related U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree news, events, and to track the tree cross-country, visit www.capitolchristmastree.com, along with Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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On 11-8-2018 a search warrant was served at the residence located at 1490 SE Brookside Avenue, Dallas, Polk County, Oregon.  The warrant service concluded an investigation conducted by the Polk Interagency Narcotics Team (POINT) into the illegal distribution of counterfeit Oxycodone pills that were actually Fentanyl pressed into pill form and made to look like 30 mg Oxycodone.  There was also distribution of methamphetamine from the residence.  The location was secured by the Oregon State Police SWAT team at about 4:30 a.m. due to the location, type of crime, criminal history of the involved suspects and proximity to local public schools.  Once the residence was secured detectives processed the residence for evidence.

Detectives were able to seize counterfeit pills that contained Fentanyl, methamphetamine, Hydrocodone pills, Oxycodone pills, seven rifles, a handgun, over $2,200.00 in cash, scales, packaging materials, digital devices and a surveillance system.

The two main suspects of the investigation – Mylo Lupoli and his brother Marty Lupoli – were both arrested at the scene on several charges stemming from the investigation

            Mylo Lupoli:

                        Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine (substantial quantity)

                        Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine

                        Unlawful Possession of Oxycodone (4 counts)

                        Unlawful Delivery of Oxycodone (4 counts)

                        Unlawful Delivery of Schedule II controlled substance within

1000 ft of a school (5 counts)

TOTAL BAIL: $755,000.00

            Marty Lupoli:

                        Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine (10 counts)

                        Unlawful Delivery of Meth within 1000 ft of a school

                        Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine (4 counts)

                        Unlawful Possession of Schedule II controlled substance (4 counts)

                        Unlawful Delivery of Schedule II controlled substance (4 counts)

                        TOTAL BAIL:  $1.8 Million

In addition, four other subjects were located at the residence. 

Misty Mahan was arrested for an outstanding warrant for Failure to Appear on an Assault IV charge.  Her bail is currently $25,000.00 for that warrant.  Ms. Mahan is currently on probation with Polk County P&P and was listed on Abscond status. 

Bennet Priest and Clarence “Bruce” Hamm were cited and released for Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine (Misdemeanor).  No charges were filed against another female found at the location.

POINT was assisted in the investigation and processing of the residence by US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Salem Police Department Street Crimes Unit (SCU), Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement (LINE), Portland PB Drug and Vice Division (DVD), Oregon State Police, Dallas Police, Monmouth Police and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The Oregon Air National Guard is scheduled to conduct Veterans Day flyovers at various locations throughout Oregon.

F-15 Eagle fighter jets from both the 173rd Fighter Wing in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and the 142nd Fighter Wing in Portland, Oregon, are scheduled to conduct flyovers at the following community locations at or near the designated times:

The 142nd Fighter Wing is scheduled to conduct the following flyovers on Saturday, Nov. 10:

11:45 a.m., Albany Veterans Day Parade, Albany, Oregon.

12:00 p.m., Willamette Lutheran Homes, Keizer, Oregon.

12:50 p.m., Linfield College Honors Veterans, McMinnville, Oregon.

The 173rd Fighter Wing is scheduled to conduct the following flyovers on Monday, Nov. 12:

11:00 a.m., Veterans Day Parade, Klamath Falls, Oregon.

11:45 a.m., Veterans Day Parade, The Dalles, Oregon.

All passes will be approximately 1,000 feet above ground level and about 400 mph airspeed. Flights could be canceled or times changed due to inclement weather or operational contingencies.

The Oregon Air National Guard has been an integral part of the nation's air defense since 1941. The 142nd Fighter Wing guards the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border, on 24-hour alert as part of the North American Air Defense system. The 173rd Fighter Wing is home to the premier F-15 pilot training facility for the U.S. Air Force.

PHOTO CAPTION: Oregon Air National Guard F-15 Eagle fighter jets from both the 173rd Fighter Wing in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and the 142nd Fighter Wing in Portland, Oregon, are scheduled to conduct Veterans Day flyovers for ceremonies at locations throughout Oregon. (Courtesy photo by Scott Wolff of FighterSweep.com)

Using its emergency mobilization plan, through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, The Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has activated its Agency Operations Center and is in the process of mobilizing 15 strike teams with equipment and personnel to assist with the Camp Fire in California.  

The OSFM is sending structural task forces from the following counties: Rouge Valley, Klamath, Douglas, Lane, Marion, Linn, Benton, Lincoln, Polk, Washington, Multnomah, Clatsop, Columbia, Clackamas, and Yamhill.

“Once again, our neighbors in California are in need of support, and even though Oregon had a very long fire season, our Oregon Fire Service has stepped up humbly to help the state of California,” said State Fire Marshal Jim Walker. 

California made the request through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact a national state-to-state mutual aid system. The EMAC request is sent directly to Oregon Emergency Management who contact and coordinate with the appropriate Oregon agency to fulfill the requests.

[As the bus arrives at Glenwood Heights Primary School, fourth graders Kendall Reiners and Ravneet Dhaliwal spring into action. Walking with a sense of purpose to the front of the bus that is packed with kindergarten through fourth grade students, these girls are on a mission. As soon as the bus door swings open, Kendall and Ravneet lead their peers off the bus and down the sidewalk a safe distance, where they all line up and wait patiently and quietly for help to arrive.

Thankfully this scenario was just a drill, and the kids on driver Helen Peterson’s Route 87 bus passed with flying colors. This week in Battle Ground Public Schools, thousands of students and dozens of drivers participated in a variety of bus safety and evacuation drills. Students practiced what to do in the event of an earthquake, got an overview of the emergency tools like fire extinguishers and first aid kits that are carried on buses, learned how to stop the bus using the emergency pull brake if the driver becomes incapacitated, and practiced how to call for help on the radio before exiting the bus through the front doors.

“If something bad happens, we need to know how to help and not goof around,” Kendall said. Ravneet shook her head in agreement before adding “Even if we’re scared, we need to remember to help other people and make sure there’s no pushing when we’re all getting off the bus.”

Helen Peterson has been driving for Cascade Student Transportation (Battle Ground Public Schools' transportation services provider) for more than 16 years. In her experience, there’s no more effective method of teaching students the basics of bus safety than to teach them when they’re young and reinforce expected behaviors with kindness and positive feedback.

“Kids respond really well when you give them a sense of ownership and responsibility,” Peterson said. “Teaching kids to be respectful and recognizing them when they do the right thing makes them feel important. It makes them proud when they hear, ‘You’re doing a great job,’ after they have a clear understanding of what’s expected of them.”

Each week, Peterson recognizes the five students who best demonstrated the expected behaviors while riding the bus over the course of the previous week with a BRAVO ticket that can be exchanged for a small reward or extra privilege. It’s part of Battle Ground Public Schools’ Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or PBIS program. The method has been implemented at all district schools in support of BGPS’ focus on social-emotional learning. With PBIS, staff teach behavioral expectations to students just as they would any core subject, and reinforce those expectations with specific acknowledgement systems (like the BRAVO tickets).

“Student safety is a top priority for Battle Ground Public Schools,” said Tom Adams, the district’s director of student services. “Getting kids to and from school is a huge part of that. We want to emphasize to students and their families that the bus is an extension of the classroom, and it takes everyone working together to keep things running smoothly and safely.”

Peterson inducted into prestigious ‘Safety Wall of Fame’
In late October, Peterson was selected for induction to Student Transportation, Inc.’s “Safety Wall of Fame.” The recognition is reserved for truly outstanding individuals, both at work and in their communities.

Hundreds of employees were nominated by local transportation managers from all across the United States and Canada. Nominees are held to the highest criteria of safety within their role along with extraordinary character. The fifteen inductees into this year’s Safety Wall of Fame will be recognized during a special ceremony in the spring with members of the STI senior leadership teams in Charleston, South Carolina.

“Now in its sixth year, the Student Transportation, Inc.’s Safety Wall of Fame continues to be an incredible opportunity to recognize those among us who are truly outstanding individuals,” said Shelly Hall, STI’s Vice President of Safety. “They’re the ones who arrive first and leave last; the ones mentoring new members of the team to help ensure they succeed; the ones actively engaged with their communities.They take pride in their jobs, follow safety best practices, and shine as leaders amongst their team.”

The University of Portland Air Force and Army ROTC will conduct a 24-hour vigil in honor of Veterans Day, concluding with a commemoration ceremony on Sunday, November 11, at 11:00 a.m., at the Praying Hands/Broken Wall Memorial on the campus's East Quad at 5000 N. Willamette Blvd. in Portland.

The event recognizes campus members who have served their nation during times of war, including World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and Gulf War veterans.

The 24-hour vigil will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 10, at the memorial, which honors veterans from several wars and their sacrifice for our nation. An Air Force and an Army cadet, representing the University of Portland's two ROTC programs, will stand watch over the memorial until the beginning of the Veterans Day Ceremony at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 10. The timing is significant because that is when the armistice was signed, ending World War I (11:11, on November 11, 1918).

Taps will be played during the retiring of the guard, completing the 24-hour vigil. The Veterans Day ceremony, held at the University for over 60 years, will follow.

All University faculty, staff, students, and members of the public are invited to attend.

The ceremony will include guest speaker Nick Jones, who graduated from the US Naval Academy in 2002 and served six years as a Naval Officer. His service included assignments to the Office of Naval Intelligence, Joint Interagency Task Force West, and Electronic Attack Squadron 128. His overseas assignments included Prince Sultan Airbase, Saudi Arabia, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, U.S. Embassy Kuala Lumpur, and U.S. Embassy Manila, the Republic of the Philippines. After leaving the Navy, Jones received his law degree from Lewis & Clark Law School. Currently, Jones works at Portland General Electric as a Competitive Intelligence Analyst and is a board member on the Returning Veterans Project.

Praying Hands Memorial

The original memorial was built by the University's Class of 1948 and contained bricks inscribed with the names of the 69 University of Portland students killed in service during WWII.  Later the memorial was expanded to include other wars and conflicts in which American service members and University of Portland students served, including in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf Wars. The memorial now contains the names of 80 University of Portland students who lost their lives in service to the country.  Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Although some have paid the ultimate sacrifice during their service, Veteran's Day is a celebration of anyone who wore the uniform in defense of our nation.

# # #

The University of Portland is an independently governed Catholic university guided by the Congregation of Holy Cross. U.S. News & World Report ranks the institution as one of the top ten regional universities in the American West. It is the only school in Oregon to offer a College of Arts & Sciences, a graduate school, and nationally accredited programs in business, education, engineering, and nursing.

(Astoria and Warrenton, Ore.) — People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), their families and organizations that support them are invited to community discussions about the new vision and strategy for I/DD services in Oregon.

“Preparation for the new strategic plan began in 2015 during community forums throughout Oregon,” says Oregon Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) Director Lilia Teninty. “Following those forums, ODDS, partners and stakeholders worked together to identify system core values, needed changes, and new direction, providing a foundation for the future of the I/DD system.”

“We are looking forward to sharing the new vision and strategy with the community and hearing their ideas on how to move forward,” says Teninty.

Two events will be held. An evening event specifically for people with I/DD and their families will focus on their needs. A session for Community Developmental Disabilities Programs, Brokerages and providers will also be held.

Each session will begin with a short presentation followed by a group discussion. This is one in a series of community forums throughout the state.

1. For people with I/DD and their families:

When:  Thursday, Nov. 15, 6 to 8 p.m.

Where:  Astoria Public Library – Flag Room, 450 10th Street, Astoria

2. For organizations that support people with I/DD (Community Developmental Disabilities Programs, Brokerages and providers):

When:  Friday, Nov. 16, 9 to 11 a.m.

Where:  Clatsop County Community Developmental Disabilities Program – Conference Room, 65 N Highway 101, Suite 204, Warrenton

To request an accommodation to participate in the meeting, please contact Karla Hoggan at the state Office of Developmental Disabilities Services at 503-945-9780, 711 TTY or la.hoggan@state.or.us">karla.hoggan@state.or.us. We accept all relay calls or you can dial 711. Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

For questions about the meeting, please contact: Sherryll Johnson Hoar, DHS Communications Officer, 503-779-9317, sherryll.j.hoar@state.or.us.

About ODDS:  The Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Developmental Disabilities Services provides leadership to support persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live as full participants in their communities. Oregon is recognized nationally as an innovative leader in developing community-based services for individuals with I/DD. Oregon’s system has the benefit of a strong advocacy community, one that has a long history and firm commitment to supporting people with I/DD to live as independently as possible in their communities.

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The following is a joint release from the Gresham Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, Portland Police Bureau, and Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

On Thursday, November 8, 2018, four local law enforcement agencies from across the Portland metro area conducted a joint mission to proactively combat human trafficking and child luring in the region, resulting in 23 individuals being charged with commercial sexual solicitation or child luring crimes.

The mission was conducted at two participating hotels in Hillsboro and Portland, and done in collaboration with regional law enforcement, criminal prosecutors, and community-based partners. The operation focused on coordinated efforts to break a link in the chain of human trafficking by enforcing state and federal laws, and identifying trafficking victims throughout the Portland metro area.

During the mission, undercover investigators communicated online with individuals seeking sexual acts in exchange for money. Investigators scheduled the encounters at area hotels and took suspects into custody when they arrived and attempted to engage in commercial sexual solicitation.

In addition, investigators arrested two individuals at the Hillsboro location when they arrived seeking a sexual encounter with a minor. Walter Renderos Jr., 29 of Portland, was arrested after he communicated with what he believed to be a 16-year-old boy through a social networking app. Toran Tolleson, 21 of Salem, was also arrested after he communicated with what he believed to be a 16-year-old girl through another app. They have both been charged with luring a minor.

Participating agencies were the Gresham Police Department, Hillsboro Police Department, Portland Police Bureau, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Washington County District Attorney’s Office, and Washington County Parole & Probation.

This is the second joint human trafficking mission of the year. In June, local law enforcement partnered on another mission that resulted in 37 individuals being charged with commercial sexual solicitation crimes.

The involved agencies wish to thank the local hotels who provided resources and assistance during this operation. For the integrity of future missions, agencies are requesting the locations not be released.

Media interested in obtaining a complete list of the individuals arrested or cited at the two hotels is asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Police Police Bureau.

(Salem, Ore.) -The Governor’s Commission on Senior Services (GCSS) will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, at the Department of Human Services’ Office, 500 Summer St. N.E., Room 165, Salem, Oregon, 97305.

The meeting is open to the public. Agenda items include regular GCSS business, updates on the legislative committee, future meeting dates and hosting a panel as well as setting the agenda for the Dec. 13, 2018, full commission meeting. Those who can’t attend in person may call into the meeting using this conference line and access code: (888) 808-6929, 4517555.

The meeting location is accessible to people with disabilities. For questions about accessibility or to request an accommodation, please contact Lori Watt at Lori.C.Watt@state.or.us. Requests should be made at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. For questions about the meeting, please contact: Deb McCuin, program analyst at Debbie.Mccuin@state.or.us.

About the Governor’s Commission on Senior Services

The Governor’s Commission on Senior Services is dedicated to enhancing and protecting the quality of life for all older Oregonians. Through cooperation with other organizations, and advocacy, the commission works to ensure that seniors have access to services that provide, choice, independence, and dignity.

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The Kelso School District is considering combining two of the three new elementary schools planned from the voter-approved bond in February into one larger school at the Lexington site. This option is being contemplated due to a combination of unanticipated conditions that are causing costs to be higher than originally predicted.

Over the last two weeks, cost estimates have been assembled from recommended schematic designs shared with the Kelso community at an open house forum on October 25th.  The schematic designs were developed for the Wallace and Lexington sites through an educational specifications and design advisory process comprised of teachers, administration, and parents over the past six months.

Along with the considerable rise of labor and materials costs, geological tests at both the Wallace and Lexington sites have returned soil and ground conditions that require a much more robust foundation.

“The district’s main goal is to preserve the approved bond projects to the greatest extent possible and deliver the projects on time and on budget,” affirmed Superintendent Mary Beth Tack. Other priorities include maximizing state assistance and matching funds of $50 million, maintaining small class sizes at the elementary level, and ensuring that space for future enrollment can be preserved.

In light of considerably higher costs, the district is looking at the following options:

• Maximize cost savings that can be gained using value engineering (V/E) while being careful to not compromise quality of programs
• Reduce bond program and deliverables to schools and community
• Explore large scale efficiencies to projects to reduce costs, such as combining two schools into one

The district is working with Integrus Architecture and FORMA Construction to apply value engineering to the designs, saving costs wherever possible and preserving programs. In addition, the Facilities Improvement Team and Design Advisory Committees are being brought back to re-define the project scope. Recommendations will be brought to the Board in mid-December.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Green Business program will hold the last Morning Blend networking event of the year from 8-9 am Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Tod and Maxine McClaskey Culinary Institute at Clark College, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way.

Morning Blend is an opportunity for business representatives to network and discuss green business efforts in an informal setting. The monthly event is held at different local businesses on the third Thursday.

During this month’s event, attendees will have the opportunity to network and learn about waste reduction and recycling practices in the new state-of-the-art culinary institute. This free event is open to all Green Business participants and anyone who is interested in learning about the Green Business program.

Space is limited. Please register for the event in advance at www.clarkgreenbiz.com/morning-blend/november-morning-blend.

Clark County’s Green Business program recognizes and celebrates the achievements of local green businesses. The program helps businesses develop and implement initiatives that can improve efficiencies and benefit the environment.

To learn more about the Green Business program, visit www.clarkgreenbiz.com.

The next meeting of the Advisory Committee to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training Hall of Heroes, 4190 Aumsville Road in Salem. The public is invited to attend and participate.

The committee is made up of veterans appointed by the governor to provide counsel on veteran issues and represent veteran concerns across Oregon. Its nine members serve in a vital advisory role to the director and staff of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

The advisory committee’s meetings are normally held on the first Wednesday in March, June, September and December. Registration is encouraged, but not required. If you plan on attending, please RSVP online at www.surveymonkey.com/r/VAACDec2018

More information can be found online at www.oregon.gov/odva/Pages/advisory.aspx or to contact the Advisory Committee, please email vaac@odva.state.or.us.

(Portland, Oregon)  – While car seats decrease the risk of fatal injury by 71% among infants, and 54% among children between ages 4 to 8, according to Safe Kids Worldwide only one out of every four car seats are used or installed correctly.

AMR is hosting a car seat checkup event, in partnership with the OHSU Doernbecher Tom Sargent Safety Center, at their Clackamas, Oregon Operations.  The event is on Saturday, November 10th from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. Families can expect nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians to show parents and caregivers how to correctly install, use, and register their car seats. The event is open to the public on a first come first served basis.  Location:

AMR Clackamas Operations

November 10, 10:00 am-12:30 pm

12438 SE Capps Road

Clackamas, OR 97015

To help ensure the best fit, parents and caregivers should bring their child, their car seat instructions, the vehicle owner’s manual, and attempt to install your car seat prior to arriving at the event. 

For more information, facts, and safety tips regarding car seats, visit https://www.safekids.org/safetytips.  For additional on car seat events in the Portland area to www.childsafetyseat.org.  Note: each car seat check takes about 40 minutes. 

This will be the first community event hosted at AMR’s new Clackamas Operations Center since it opened earlier this year. The facility, which houses 68 emergency vehicles in AMR’s Clackamas Operations, 36 vehicles in the Special Services Division, two River Rescue Program ambulances, and the National College of Technical Instruction/College of Emergency Services NW Headquarters.  The facility, approximately 31,000 square feet, will also be utilized for a variety of community safety trainings, meetings, and events.

About Safe Kids Portland Metro – serving Clackamas and Multnomah Counties

Safe Kids Portland Metro works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Its members include AMR NW (Lead), Clackamas County Drive to Zero, Consumer Product Safety Commission, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital at OHSU, Oregon Poison Center, Randall Children’s Hospital, Think First Oregon, Trauma Nurses Talk Tough at Legacy Emanuel and more.  Safe Kids Portland Metro is a coalition of Safe Kids Worldwide, a network of national and global organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury. Safe Kids Portland Metro was founded in 2006 and is led by American Medical Response NW. For more information, visit www.safekidsoregon.org and www.safekids.org 

About American Medical Response (www.amr.net), America’s leading provider of medical transportation, provides services in the U.S. More than 25,000 AMR paramedics, EMTs, RNs and other professionals, with a fleet of 4,100 vehicles, transport more than four million patients nationwide each year in critical, emergency and non-emergency situations. Locally, AMR provides ambulance services in Multnomah, Clackamas and Clark Counties. AMR and its predecessor companies have served Portland area communities since 1913.

Vancouver, Wash., Nov. 8, 2018—The start of November marked the start of a new opportunity for some local families and foster youth. That’s because the "I Have A Dream" Scholarship in Honor of Mary Granger launched its first-ever application period. This new scholarship is designed to provide post-secondary financial assistance for those who have participated, or whose parents participated, in the “I Have A Dream” Southwest Washington program. The scholarship is also open to students who are currently living in, or were previously enrolled in, foster care within Clark County, Washington.

Applications will be accepted through Monday, December 3, and all eligible applicants are encouraged to apply online. The scholarship funds will initially award up to $20,000 per year, with individual awards averaging between $2,000 and $5,000 per student. More details, including a link to the application, can be found by visiting cfsww.org/how-we-grant/scholarships/.

This scholarship was created in honor of Mary Granger, founder of "I Have a Dream" Southwest Washington. That program, which ended in June 2017, pooled funds from large donors to provide an entire grade of students at a local elementary school with access to mentorship opportunities, after-school tutoring, college preparation and other extracurricular activities. Of the four classes and more than 300 students sponsored, 90% graduated high school on-time after participating in the long-term academic enrichment and mentoring program. Granger always hoped to establish a scholarship that would allow these students and their families to continue pursuing their dreams and improving their prospects for success in life. People can now help support this vision by making contributions at http://bit.ly/IHAD-Scholarship.

About the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington

Established in 1984, the Community Foundation helps southwest Washingtonians build a more vibrant community by inspiring investments in local philanthropy. The Foundation holds more than 300 distinct funds, which are actively invested to generate growth and income for granting purposes. Governed by an esteemed volunteer board, the Community Foundation offers benefits and services to donors, nonprofits and the community at large. Learn more at cfsww.org.

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On October 25, 2018 the Forest Grove Police Department with assistance from Forest Grove Fire Department Volunteers, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, and support from the Washington County Department of Health and Human Services conducted undercover minor decoy operations at the following establishments:

McMenamin’s Grand Lodge

Kama Aina

Diveristy Café

Ridgewalker Brewing

7-11

Mini-Mart

Jade Green Palace

Super-Mercado La Montana

Plaid Pantry #20

Pac Thai

Safeway

A Framer’s Touch

Circle Inn

FG Liquor Store

Hello Market

Half Moon Sports Bar

Prime Time

During the event no businesses were found to be out of compliance.

This mission was part of an on-going collaborative effort to enforce laws related to the unlawful furnishing of alcohol to minors and to discourage underage drinking. More multi-agency operations are planned.

For information on employee training programs and other questions related to OLCC laws and regulation, please visit: www.oregon.gov/OLCC

A digest of recent news from Pacific University:

Pacific Celebrates Opening of Veterans Resource Center on Monday, Nov. 12

Undergraduate Research Conference at Pacific Set for Tuesday, Nov. 13 

Pacific University Among Select Group Recognized for Voter Participation Efforts

Performing Arts Series Features John Jorgenson Quintet on Sunday, Nov. 18

Coming Attractions

Fall Jazz Nite Concert – Friday, Nov. 9

Men’s Basketball vs. Evergreen State – Friday, Nov. 9                  Athletics Schedule  

Veterans Resource Center Grand Opening – Monday, Nov. 12

Undergraduate Research Conference – Tuesday, Nov. 13

Rotary Club of Forest Grove Weekly Meeting Luncheon – Wednesday, Nov. 14

Senior Preview Scholarship Days – Nov. 16, 19

Pacific University Symphonic Band Concert – Saturday, Nov. 17

Performing Arts Series Presents John Jorgenson Quintet – Sunday, Nov. 18

Cawein Gallery of Art Exhibit: Richard Cutshall – through Nov. 20 (M-F, 1-5 p.m.)

                                                                                                                                         -pacificu.edu-

Pacific University is a small, but diverse learning community, where students thrive in a personal academic environment. Tracing its roots to 1849, when it was chartered as a school for orphans of the Oregon Trail, Pacific has long been devoted to making a difference in the world. Today, 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. At Pacific University, students and faculty develop close, nurturing relationships that provide an extraordinary educational experience.

November 8, 2018

Contacts: Janet Zeyen-Hall, 503-945-6938, janet.l.zeyen-hall@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

OHA to hold technical forum on CCO 2.0 rates, risk adjustment, member enrollment

As the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) works to develop contracts for the next five years of the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) and coordinated care, the agency is seeking public comment on member enrollment, the risk adjustment process, and rate setting methodology.

OHA is using a request for application or RFA process to award coordinated care organization (CCO) contracts for 2020-2024. In an RFA, all qualified candidates are awarded a contract, meaning there is not a target number of coordinated care organizations (CCOs) the state is aiming to contract with. Because OHA has not set a target number of CCOs, members may find multiple CCOs serving their area where previously only one was available. Similarly, members currently enrolled in a CCO may find that their CCO has not applied for or been awarded a contract during the 2020 cycle.

Potential changes in CCO membership affect capitation rates paid to CCOs (which is the amount paid to CCOs per member per month), and potentially the CCO’s risk profile. The risk profile changes may result in a CCO having a different mix of members with different diseases, which would result in higher needs or lower needs depending on the changes.

The combination of an unknown number of CCOs and the potential for shifts in membership between CCOs means that OHA must develop an approach for member enrollment and rate development that takes these scenarios into consideration.

Values guiding OHA’s decision-making include: maintaining continuity of care for OHP members, allowing member choice, equitable opportunity for procurement, and CCO financial viability.

Member enrollment

OHA will discuss why an enrollment policy is needed for CCO 2.0 and the factors affecting member enrollment and will seek public comment on the approach currently under consideration to address multiple procurement scenarios.

This approach includes offering open enrollment in areas of the state where there is a change in CCO availability and adjusting the auto-assignment process for members who do not select a plan when multiple plans exist in their service area.

Risk adjustment and rate setting

OHA will seek public comment on how to set capitation rates used to build global budgets for the new contracts that meet actuarial requirements and achieve the goal of a sustainable rate of growth. OHA will share draft rate methodology adjustments to the current rate development process.

OHA also will share how it aims to apply health-based risk adjustment to the CCO capitation rates in a fair manner when shifts in membership occur. The approach currently under consideration is a risk corridor option. A risk corridor protects the CCO and OHA from over- and under-paying for services when membership changes.

What: OHA public meeting to seek public comment on member enrollment approaches, rates and risk adjustment for the 2020-2024 CCO contracts

When: Monday, November 19, 8-11 a.m.

Where: Department of Consumer and Business Services meeting room 260, Labor and Industries Building, 350 Winter St NE, Salem

The public can also join remotely through a telephone conference line at 888-251-2909, participant code 2450162; or by joining a live-stream of the meeting at https://join-noam.broadcast.skype.com/dhsoha.state.or.us/e9ace54942c648c083e7e2324a96ecc3/en-US/.

Public comment: Public comment will be taken at specified times during the meeting. Those unable to attend the meeting can submit public comment to OHA at CCO2.0@dhsoha.state.or.us until November 28.

Agenda:

• 8-9 a.m.: Welcome; presentation of member enrollment approach; public comment.
• 9-11 a.m.: Presentation of rate and risk adjustment approaches; public comment; adjourn.

OHA will post supplemental materials for the meeting on November 14 on the CCO 2.0 page on the OHA website.

# # #

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 Janet Zeyen-Hall at 503-945-6938, 711 TTY, janet.l.zeyen-hall@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

http://bit.ly/2JQ2dui

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County is seeking an applicant with a background and expertise in land development to join the 10-person Development and Engineering Advisory Board.

The successful applicant will be appointed to a three-year term, beginning Jan. 1, 2019, and ending Dec. 31, 2021. Members are eligible for reappointment after their terms expire.

The advisory board reviews policy and county code changes and works on process improvement and fees with the Community Development and Public Works departments. The board’s recommendations are routinely forwarded to the Clark County Council for use by final decision makers.

The board consists of three private-sector planners or engineers; one construction contractor; one public-sector planner or engineer; one land developer; one Building Industry Association representative; one person associated with commercial or industrial development; and two other professionals associated with development.

The Development and Engineering Advisory Board, commonly referred to as DEAB, typically meets from 2:30-4:30 pm the first Thursday of the month in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

Anyone interested should submit a letter of interest and résumé to Alyssa Weyhrauch, Council’s Office, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000. Applications also can be emailed to auch@clark.wa.gov">alyssa.weyhrauch@clark.wa.gov.

Application deadline is 5 pm Friday, Dec. 7, 2018.

More information on DEAB, including bylaws and meeting agendas, minutes and audio recordings, is available on the county’s website, www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/development-and-engineering-advisory-board.

Creative minds at 121 Oregon arts organizations will be empowered by $1,031,593 in fiscal year 2019 Operating Support Grants from the Oregon Arts Commission.

Ranging from $3,000 to $ 29,750, the grants are available to nonprofit organizations with arts at the core of their mission and budgets over $150,000.

“We often hear that these are the most important grants we award,” said Arts Commission Chair Christopher Acebo. “They alleviate some of the economic pressure and allow Oregon arts organizations to focus on their missions.”

Organizations with budgets under $150,000 are eligible to apply for Small Operating Grants.

Fiscal year 2019 Operating Support Grants were awarded to:

Central Oregon

BendFillm, Bend: $4,510

High Desert Chamber Music, Bend: $3,000

PLAYA, Summer Lake:  $6,590

Sisters Folk Festival, Inc., Sisters: $6,682

Sunriver Music Festival, Sunriver: $4,473

The High Desert Museum, Bend: $19,021

Tower Theatre Foundation, Inc., Bend: $3,500

Coast

Artula Institute for Art and Environmental Education, Bandon: $3,000

Astoria Music Festival Inc, Astoria: $5,914

Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay:  $5,974

Liberty Restoration Inc, Astoria: $3,000

Lincoln City Cultural Center, Lincoln City: $4,257

Newport Symphony Orchestra, Newport : $3,691

Oregon Coast Council for the Arts, Newport: $12,914

Sitka Center for Art and Ecology, Otis: $7,856

Gorge/Eastern Oregon

Arts Council of Pendleton, Pendleton: $11,882

Columbia Arts, Hood River : $7,192

Eastern Oregon Regional Arts Council, La Grande: $3,000

Fishtrap Inc, Enterprise: $7,553

Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, Joseph: $3,000

Oregon East Symphony, Pendleton: $3,057

Portland Metro

Broadway Rose Theatre Company, Tigard: $10,074.00

Youth Music Project , West Linn: $7,229

All Classical Public Media Inc, Portland: $11,402

Artichoke Community Music, Portland: $5,271

Artists Repertory Theatre, Portland: $7,935

August Wilson Red Door Project, Portland: $6,264

BodyVox Inc., Portland: $14,692

Caldera, Portland: $13,008

Cappella Romana Inc, Portland: $8,690

Chamber Music Northwest, Portland: $14,193

Children's Healing Art Project Inc, Portland $3,000

Clackamas County Arts Alliance, Oregon City: $9,084

Clackamas Repertory Theatre, Oregon City: $3,000

CoHo Productions Ltd, Portland: $4,055

Disjecta Contemporary Art Center Inc, Portland: $11,964

Echo Theater Company, Portland: $5,229

Ethos Inc, Portland  $6,048

Friends of Chamber Music, Portland: $8,480

Hollywood Theatre, Portland: $7,372

Imago the Theatre Mask Ensemble, Portland: $4,565

Independent Publishing Resource Center, Portland: $7,965

Lakewood Center for the Arts, Lake Oswego: $11,051

Literary Arts Inc, Portland: $15,028

Live Wire Radio, Portland: $9,459

Metropolitan Youth Symphony, Portland: $8,877

My Voice Music, Portland: $4,852

Northwest Children's Theater & School, Portland: $9,981

Northwest Professional Dance Project, Portland: $9,731

Old Church Society, Inc, Portland : $6,021

Open Signal, Portland: $17,132

Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland: $10,642

Oregon BRAVO Youth Orchestras, Portland: $8,108

Oregon Children's Theatre Company, Portland: $16,069

Oregon College of Art and Craft, Portland: $4,558

Oregon Repertory Singers, Portland: $3,500

Oregon Symphony, Portland: $27,913

Pacific Northwest College of Art, Portland: $7,896

Pacific Youth Choir, Portland: $7,194

Phame Academy, Portland: $7,812

PlayWrite, Portland: $7,262

Polaris Dance Company, Portland: $7,282

Portland Art Museum, Portland: $28,254

Portland Baroque Orchestra, Portland:$10,406

Portland Center Stage at The Armory, Portland: $19,215

Portland Children's Museum, Portland: $13,473

Portland Columbia Symphony, Portland: $3,000

Portland Gay Men's Chorus, Portland: $7,361

Portland Institute for Contemporary Art, Portland: $14,475

Portland Opera Association, Portland: $23,939

Portland Piano International, Portland: $5,658

Portland Playhouse, Portland: $9,892

Portland Symphonic Choir, Portland: $4,722

Portland Youth Philharmonic Association, Portland: $4,911

Profile Theatre Project, Portland: $5,899

Regional Arts & Culture Council, Portland: $29,642

The Circus Project, Portland: $7,517

The Portland Ballet, Portland: $7,266

Third Angle New Music Ensemble, Inc., Portland: $4,838

Third Rail Repertory Theatre, Portland: $9,358

Triangle Productions, Portland: $6,714

Western Alliance of Arts Administrators Foundation, Portland: $5,500

White Bird, Portland: $9,947

WOL Dance Collective, Inc, Clackamas: $4,698

Write Around Portland, Portland: $10,673

Young Audiences of Oregon Inc, Portland: $6,444

Young Musicians & Artists, Inc, Portland: $4,461

YU Contemporary Inc, Portland: $5,095

Southern Oregon

Chamber Music Concerts, Ashland: $5,120

Oregon Shakespeare Festival Association, Ashland: $29,750

Rogue Valley Art Association, Medford: $6,856

Rogue Valley Chorale Association, Medford: $3,000

Ross Ragland Theater, Klamath Falls: $13,077

Southern Oregon Film Society, Ashland: $4,584

Southern Oregon Repertory Singers, Ashland: $3,993

Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon, Medford: $4,844

Willamette Valley

Corvallis Arts Center Inc, Corvallis: $7,334

Corvallis Youth Symphony Association, Corvallis: $4,308

Cottage Theatre, Cottage Grove: $3,357

Ballet Fantastique, Eugene: $4,039

Enlightened Theatrics, Salem: $7,627

Eugene Ballet, Eugene: $11,179

Eugene Concert Choir Inc, Eugene: $6,888

Eugene Opera, Eugene: $5,681

Eugene Symphony Association, Eugene: $19,328

Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestras, Eugene: $5,098

Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem: $7,587

Historic Elsinore Theatre Inc, Salem: $3,000

Joint Forces Dance Company, Eugene: $5,753

Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, Eugene: $10,885

Lane Arts Council, Eugene: $14,442

Lord Leebrick Theatre Company, Eugene: $4,612

Oregon Bach Festival, Eugene: $17,474

Oregon Folklife Network/University of Oregon, Eugene: $4,959

Oregon Mozart Players, Eugene: $4,400

Pentacle Theatre Inc, Salem: $5,528

Salem Art Association, Salem: $12,796

Salem Multicultural Institute, Salem: $7,079

Shedd Institute for the Arts, The John G, Eugene: $13,237

Umpqua Valley Arts Association, Roseburg: $6,953

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

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

SALEM, Ore. – Autumn rains may have ended Oregon’s wildfire season but not the risk of floods and debris flows following in their wake. That is why a working group of state and federal agencies have  released a new playbook. The playbook will aid local officials in finding resources to help prevent or cope with potentially catastrophic wildfire after-effects.

Wildfires burned more than 856,000 acres this year across all of Oregon, well above the 10-year average of approximately 500,000 acres, according to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Chief of Fire Protection Doug Grafe.

“High intensity wildfires can destroy protective vegetation and alter soil so it is less able to absorb rainfall and snowmelt,” said Grafe. “After such fires, there can be an increased risk of flooding or debris flows.”

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, landslides (also known as debris flows) cause about $3.5 billion (in 2001 dollars) in damage in the U.S. each year, and claim between 25 to 50 lives. A prime example is the debris flow that hit Montecito in Southern California in January of this year. Just weeks after the Thomas Fire burned the hills above the town of about 9,000, a debris flow swept through, killing more than 20 people.

Ryan Cahill, hydraulic engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said his agency worked with several partners to compile and complete the guide, including:

• Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Oregon Department of Forestry
• Oregon Emergency Management
• Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development
• U.S. Forest Service
• U.S. Geological Survey

“Federal and state partners already work together to suppress wildfires, so it was natural for us to come together to prepare a guide for community leaders on what to do after wildfires,” said Cahill. “The playbook we produced explains what to do to reduce the risk from floods and debris flows, identifies the resources available to help do that, and where to find those resources,” said Cahill.

Among steps Cahill said at-risk communities can take, one is designating in advance where evacuation centers will be, including animal-friendly locations where pets and livestock can receive care. Alert systems, such as reverse 9-1-1 calls, should also be organized and periodically tested.

All government entities and critical emergency organizations, such as hospitals, utilities, food banks and schools, should know their roles in a community flood or debris flow emergency. Then be equipped and prepared to carry out those plans.

Although the playbook is intended for elected local officials and emergency managers, individuals can help protect themselves as well.

“Property owners and those living and working near rivers where catastrophic fires have occurred should be aware of their level of risk and take appropriate preparedness actions,” said Oregon Office of Emergency Management Director Andrew Phelps. “This includes having ‘two-weeks ready’ preparedness supplies handy, signing up for emergency notification systems where you live, and reviewing insurance coverage to make sure your home is protected for hazards like flooding and landslides.”   

The playbook can be accessed at:

https://silverjackets.nfrmp.us/Portals/0/doc/Oregon/PostFireFloodPlaybook_2018-09-30.pdf?ver=2018-10-04-203119-453

                                                                                            # # #

Update

On November 8, 2018, Vancouver Police were notified that Miriam Smith had returned home and was safe. 

The Vancouver Police is requesting help in locating a missing twelve year old girl, Miriam Marie Smith, missing from her home in Vancouver, WA. Miriam contacted her mother from home this afternoon however she was not there when mom arrived home later. She has no known mental or medical issues. She is five feet two inches tall, weighs approximatley one hundred and ten pounds and has Brown shoulder length hair and Blue eyes. She is believed to be wearing Burgandy Vans, a hooded sweatshirt and jeans.

If located please call the Vancouver Police Department or Columbia River Emergency Services Agency at 3-1-1 or 360-693-3111.

Vancouver, Wash. ??' The Clark County Finance Committee is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018. 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 Third-Quarter 2018 County Finance Report.

OREGON CITY – Clackamas Community College’s Associated Student Government (ASG) is holding its annual craft sale, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 28 and 29, in the Community Center on the Oregon City campus, 19600 Molalla Ave.

Come to this free, public event and support CCC student clubs and local vendors by purchasing handmade crafts.

ASG encourages attendees to bring donations for the Cougar Cave, CCC’s food pantry. Suggested donations include fruit cups/applesauce, granola bars, canned meats, peanut butter and other ready-to-eat meals. Toiletries are also needed.

For questions, call Cynthia Boettcher at 503-594-1823 or email oettcher@clackamas.edu">cynthia.boettcher@clackamas.edu.

-30-

On November 5th 2018 at approximately 7:00 a.m., deputies and detectives with the Marion County Sheriff's Office were called to the area of Vachter Road NE and River Road NE near St. Paul after a woman's body was discovered in a nearby field. Later that same day Tricia Lynn Carver, age 47, of Albany was reported missing to the Linn County Sheriff's Office. That evening, patrol deputies located Ms Carver's vehicle in a restaurant parking lot in northwest Woodburn, approximately 7 miles from where the body was found.

On November 6th, the woman found near St. Paul was positively identified as Tricia Lynn Carver and an autopsy determined that her death was a homicide and the cause was by strangulation.

On November 7, at approximately 9:30 p.m., the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Washington County Tactical Negotiations Team and Crisis Negotiation Unit executed a search warrant in the 6700 block of Patricia Lane SE in Hillsboro, the residence of Lemarr Carver, age 42, the estranged husband of Tricia Carver. When the tactical team entered the home of Mr. Carver he was found deceased inside from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound. Mr. Carver is the primary person of interest in the death of Ms. Carver.

The Sheriff’s Office does intend to release any additional statements pertaining to the Carver case. The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance:

The Washington County Sheriff's Office

Inter-Agency Washington County Tactical Negotiations Team and Crisis Negotiation Unit

Oregon State Police

Salem Police Department

Hillsboro Police Department

Marion County District Attorney's Office

The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office

Tonight November 7, 2018, at approximately 9:30 p.m. the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Washington County Tactical Negotiations Team and Crisis Negotiation Unit executed a search warrant in the 6700 block of Patricia Lane SE in Hillsboro.  The residence is that of Lemarr Carver the husband of Tricia Carver who was found murdered near St. Paul in Marion County.

When deputies entered the home of Mr. Carver he was found deceased inside from an apparent self inflicted gunshot wound.  Mr. Carver is the primary person of interest in the death of Ms. Carver.  Detectives will be on scene for the next several hours collecting evidence at the Carver home. 

This is still an active criminal investigation and no additional details are being released at this time.  The Sheriff’s Office does intend to release one final statement regarding the investigation and some of its details but that time frame is not yet known.  The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the follwoing agencies for their assitance:

The Washington County Sheriff's Office

 Inter-Agency Washington County Tactical Negotiations Team and Crisis Negotiation Unit

Oregon State Police

Salem Police Department

Hillsboro Police Department

Marion County District Attorney's Office

On November 5th, 2018 at approximately 7:00 a.m., deputies and detectives with the Marion County Sheriff's Office were called to the area of Vachter Road NE and River Road NE near St. Paul after a body was discovered in a nearby field. On November 6th detectives identified the victim as Tricia Carver, age 47 of Albany.  Ms. Carver was reported missing to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office on November 5th, 2018. 

Detectives are investigating Ms. Carver’s death as a homicide.  The attached image of Ms. Carver is believed to have been taken just prior to her death.  The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who may have seen Ms. Carver to please call Detective Myers at 503 540 8096.

At this point in the investigation the Sheriff’s Office does not intend to release any additional information.  A time frame for any additional releases of information is not yet known. 

This morning at approximately 7:00 a.m., deputies and detectives with the Marion County Sheriff's Office were called to the area of Vachter Road NE and River Road NE near St. Paul after the body of an adult female was discovered in a nearby field. At this point in the investigation Detectives are investigating the case as a suspicious death. Detectives are asking anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area to please call Detecive Myers at 503 540 8096. 

The Sheriff's Office is being assited by the Marion County Medical Examiners Office, and the Marion County District Attorney's Office.  The Sheriff's Office is not currently releasing any other details at this time. The time frame for additional releases of infomation is unknown. 

This morning at approximately 7:00 a.m., deputies and detectives with the Marion County Sheriff's Office were called to the area of Vachter Road NE and River Road NE near St. Paul after a body was discovered in a nearby field. At this point in the investigation Detectives are investigating the case as a suspicious death. Detectives are asking anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area to please call Detecive Myers at 503 540 8096. 

The Sheriff's Office is not currently releasing any other details. The time frame for an additional release of information is not yet know. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

NOVEMBER 8, 2018

Grand jury indictment alleges Portland man kidnapped, sexually assaulted woman in North Portland

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced a 14-count secret indictment was unsealed following the arraignment of 37-year-old Alexander Anderson.

The indictment charges the defendant with six counts of kidnapping in the first degree, two counts of strangulation, two counts assault in the fourth degree, two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and one count each of sodomy in the first degree and coercion.

This criminal investigation started in late March 2017 when a woman reported to the Portland Police Bureau that she had been sexually assaulted by a man she did not previously know at his place of business.

The indictment alleges that Anderson unlawfully and knowingly, without the victim’s consent, took her from one place to another, secretly confined her in that location where he terrorized her, caused her physical injury and forced her to engage in unwanted sex acts. During the kidnapping, the indictment alleges Anderson strangled the victim by choking her throat and neck and also blocking her nose and mouth.

On November 7, 2018, at approximately 10 a.m., the Portland Police Bureau arrested Anderson in the 8900 block of Northeast Vancouver Way.

On November 8, 2018, Anderson appeared before Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge John A. Wittmayer and was arraigned on the indictment. Anderson pleaded not guilty to all charges. His next court date is tentatively scheduled for December 21, 2018.

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

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director

Phone: 503.988.6567

Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

Narcotic seizures are among the largest in District of Oregon history

PORTLAND, Ore.—U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams announced today that since the beginning of May 2018, federal law enforcement authorities and their task force partners have prosecuted cases resulting in the seizure of 158 pounds of heroin, 600 grams of oxycodone, and half a pound of fentanyl.

Combined, the seizures remove nearly three million individual user doses from statewide distribution networks. The enforcement effort has already netted 19 arrests, 17 guilty pleas and nine criminal sentencings of active drug traffickers with numerous cases still pending.

“The opioid addiction crisis continues to impact millions of Americans every year, many of whom have lost loved ones or continue to watch as their friends or family members struggle with addiction,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Bringing this crisis to an end requires all Americans—law enforcement and public health officials as well as ordinary citizens—to take action. Visit www.linesforlife.org or another addiction support organization to learn how you can make a difference in your community.”

“The numbers are heart wrenching,” said Keith Weis, DEA Special Agent in Charge for the Pacific Northwest. “In a time of unprecedented health risks facing our society, we must respond aggressively head-on in a multi-faceted, community-based strategy that includes law enforcement, prevention and treatment specialists all working hand in hand to help our most vulnerable members facing life or death struggles against addiction. Every person lost in this opioid crisis is one too many.”

“Opioid abuse in Oregon involves a dangerous cocktail of street drugs (such as heroin and fentanyl) and prescription meds (such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine). Whether a person starts down the path to addiction on the street or in a doctor's office, the result is equally devastating to the victim's family and community. Because the impact is so significant, the FBI and our partners are prioritizing our work to identify the dealers and doctors who are driving this epidemic,” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdoses killed a record 72,000 Americans in 2017. In 2016, 66% of the more than 66,000 overdose deaths involved an opioid. Drug overdose is now the leading cause of death in the U.S. In 2017, the CDC estimated the national economic burden of prescription opioid overdose, abuse, and dependence at $78.5 billion annually.

In Oregon, the total number of deaths related to drug use increased 11 percent from 2013 to 2017, with 546 drug related deaths in 2017 alone. The use of prescription opioids in Oregon continues to grow dramatically. Nearly half of the prescriptions filled at Oregon retail pharmacies in 2017 were for opioids. As a result, Oregon has one of the highest rates of prescription opioid misuse in the country, with an average of three deaths every week from prescription opioid overdose.

On November 2, 2018, DEA released its 2018 National Drug Threat Assessment. The report paints a bleak picture of the state of drug abuse in the U.S. According to the report, controlled prescription drugs are responsible for the largest number of overdose deaths of any illicit drug class and have been since 2011. Between 2013 and 2016, heroin deaths nearly doubled, exacerbated by the increased adulteration of heroin with fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Of all opioids, the abuse of illicit fentanyl and other synthetic opioids has led to the greatest number of deaths.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon works in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute drug trafficking cases involving opioids. Recent prosecutions include:

U.S. v. Brett Allen McNeal

Brett Allen McNeal was the final Oregon defendant sentenced for distributing oxycodone as part of a large, interstate opioid-trafficking organization. He was sentenced to three months in federal prison on October 2, 2018.

The organization was structured around Daniel Cham, a doctor practicing in La Puente, California, who would illegally provide prescriptions for oxycodone, hydrocodone, and other powerful medications in exchange money orders and cash. The narcotics were moved from Southern California through a network of redistributors for eventual sale in Oregon.

Cham would write prescriptions to individuals both known and unknown to him and to others he knew to be prolific drug dealers and addicts. He regularly sold prescriptions to John Bryden, an Oregon resident, who in turn would sell them to other co-conspirators, including Kevin Grimes, Marcela Cooper, and Austin Alderete, for distribution across Oregon.

McNeal purchased oxycodone from Alderete and sold it for a profit to end users. One of those end users, Jessica Morretti, died of an overdose on April 13, 2012. According to text messages on Moretti’s cell phone from the evening she overdosed, McNeal had provided her with five 30mg oxycodone pills the same day.

Cham was sentenced on March 14, 2018 in the Central District of California to more than 13 years in federal prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI.

Read More

U.S. v. Christian Jensel Chaidez

Christian Jensel Chaidez was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison on September 4, 2018 for trafficking heroin and other narcotics into Oregon for distribution in the Salem, Oregon metropolitan area. Chaidez was a local affiliate of a Los Angeles, California-based drug trafficking network.

Using intercepted wire calls, investigators learned that a co-defendant would provide Chaidez with quantities of heroin that Chaidez would, in turn, sell in and around Salem. In November and December 2016 investigators used an undercover informant to purchase one half pound of methamphetamine from Chaidez on two different occasions.

By June 2017, when federal prosecutors unsealed a 12-person indictment, the network, which began primarily as a methamphetamine and cocaine distribution organization, was rapidly expanding into the heroin market. The arrests of Chaidez and others have significantly disrupted the distribution of methamphetamine, cocaine, and other narcotics in the Salem area.

This case was investigated by DEA.

Read More

U.S. v. Christopher James Fleet

On September 4, 2018, Christopher James Fleet, 23, of Portland, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison and five years of supervised release for possessing distribution quantities of methamphetamine and two firearms.

On August 23, 2017, deputies from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Special Investigation Unit were conducting surveillance at a known drug and gang house in Portland. They observed a vehicle parked in front of the house they believed was connected with Fleet, a drug dealer with an outstanding arrest warrant. Upon leaving the house and attempting to drive away, deputies blocked Fleet using unmarked vehicles and approached him wearing marked law enforcement raid vests. After initially refusing to comply with the deputy’s commands to raise his hands and failing to find an escape route, Fleet surrendered.

During the arrest, deputies found a Kel Tec 9mm firearm and distribution quantities of heroin and methamphetamine on Fleet’s person. They also found a locked backpack in Fleet’s vehicle. The backpack was later found to contain .40 caliber Sig Sauer pistol, drug records, and a digital scale.

This case was investigated by the MCSO Special Investigation Unit.

Read More

The Department of Justice has been resolute in its fight to end the opioid addiction crisis. All 94 U.S. Attorney’s Offices have an opioid action plan with strategies specific to their districts. The department has assigned more than 300 federal prosecutors to U.S. Attorney’s Offices and hired more than 400 DEA task force officers.

In July 2018, the department announced the formation of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S) that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high impact areas. In August 2018, the department and DEA proposed decreases in manufacturing quotas for the six most frequently misused opioids for 2019. In October 2018, the department announced grant awards totaling more than $320 million dollars to help those most impacted by the opioid crisis including crime victims, children, families and first responders.

# # #

November 8, 2018

Contact: Allyson Hagen, 503-449-6457, allyson.hagen@state.or.us (media inquiries)

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 Workgroup meets November 15

What: The regular public meeting of the Oregon Health Authority’s CCO Metrics Technical Advisory Workgroup

When: Thursday, November 15, 1-3 p.m.

Where: Five Oak (formerly Lincoln Building), Suite 850 Mary Conference Room, 421 SW Oak St., Portland. Attendees can also join remotely through a webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8490046551954092803. Conference line: 888-398-2342, participant code 5731389.

Agenda: Welcome and introductions; updates; extended eCQM/CQMR update; review smoking cessation survey; TAG input on oral health measures; Metrics & Scoring Committee workplan – where TAG can impact; 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.

Gresham, Ore.— Last night around 7:15 p.m., police responded to the report of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle on SE Burnside Rd. near SE 3rd St. The vehicle was travelling eastbound on Burnside, and the pedestrian was not in a crosswalk when struck. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital and later died from the injuries. The name of the adult female pedestrian is not being released pending notification of the family. The adult female driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators. Speed and alcohol do not appear to be a factor and no citations have been issued.

Anyone who witnessed or has information about the collision is asked to call the Gresham Police at 503.618.2719.

Salem, OR – Due to the extensive destruction caused by Hurricane Michael, the Florida Division of Emergency Management has requested additional Incident Management Teams. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is filling this request, working with Oregon’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and sending a third team to assist with relief and recovery efforts.  

As with recent deployments, this request was coordinated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). The EMAC provides mutual assistance among states and territories during any governor-declared state of emergency through a responsive system. This structure allows states to send personnel, equipment, and supplies to assist with response and relief efforts in other states.

This ODF Team, led by Incident Commander Link Smith, arrived in Tallahassee, Fla. late Tuesday, Nov. 6, where they received an in-briefing from the Florida National Guard at the Tallahassee Base Camp. Their current mission is to assist with oversight of the Base Camp located in Marianna, Fla., in the heart of the destruction zone. Their assignment includes ensuring the safety and welfare of Base Camp and coordination of communication efforts. All ODF Team members are in good health and spirits, and look forward to helping improve the situation.

ODF Agency Representative Dennis Lee mobilized with the team to oversee coordination of both of the ODF teams currently deployed in Florida. “The magnitude of destruction here is difficult to convey for those back at home,” Lee said. “Along with the devastation of so many homes and buildings, the sheer volume of what I would refer to as near-deforestation is somewhat unreal. Despite all of this, life goes on for everyone here and the resiliency of the local residents is truly inspiring. We are honored to be here to do our part in helping our Florida friends put the pieces back together.”

While ODF utilizes the EMAC most often during fire season, agency Incident Management Teams maintain All-Hazard qualifications to ensure capacity for potential disaster relief needs. ODF’s complete and coordinated fire suppression system relies on strong partnerships with other agencies, states and even countries, offering reciprocal assistance in times of need.

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November 8, 2018

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

Health advisory for water contact at Sunset Bay State Park Beach lifted November 8

Testing shows fecal bacteria levels have subsided

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) today lifted a public health advisory for contact with marine water at Sunset Bay State Park Beach located in Coos County. The health authority issued the advisory November 7, after water samples showed higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria in ocean waters.

Results from later samples taken by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) showed lower bacteria levels. Contact with the water no longer poses a higher-than-normal risk. However, officials recommend staying out of large pools on the beach that are frequented by birds, and runoff from those pools, because the water may contain increased bacteria from fecal matter.

State officials continue to encourage other recreational activities at all Oregon beaches, suggesting only that water contact be avoided when advisories are in effect.

Since 2003 state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state agencies participating in this program are OHA, DEQ and the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or call the OHA toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

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In accordance with state statute, the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office convened a Corrections Grand Jury in October 2018, to facilitate an annual inquiry into the condition and management of every correctional facility in Multnomah County. Over the next several weeks, the Corrections Grand Jurors physically inspected four (4) facilities and heard testimony from those who operate, are housed within, or are associated in some form with the operation and management of those facilities. 

This is the third Corrections Grand Jury to be conducted under Sheriff Michael Reese. Sheriff Reese had the following to say about the process:

“MCSO is indebted to this year’s Corrections Grand Jury; we appreciated how they embraced the process and engaged criminal justice system partners. While review of the conditions and management of correctional facilities is not an easy assignment, it is important work to MCSO. We believe grand jurors are an integral part of our systems of accountability.  Recommendations from this year’s Grand Jury will build upon prior reports, and enhance our vision for keeping the community safe and providing rehabilitative services for adults entrusted to our custody." 

Attached is the 2018 Corrections Grand Jury Report which represents the culmination of the Grand Jury review process. Additionally attached is the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office (MCSO) response; MCSO accepts and intends to implement the Report recommendations, both administratively and in Multnomah County budget proposals. 

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You can access the 2018 Corrections Grand Jury Report on our website at https://www.mcso.us/site/pdf/grand_jury_2018.pdf

MCSO’s response is available on our website at https://www.mcso.us/site/pdf/2018_sheriff_response_to_grand_jury_report.pdf

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MEDIA:

MCSO’s Public Information Officer, Sergeant Brandon White, will be available to answer questions in front of the Multnomah Building located at 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland at 3:00 p.m.

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(Salem, Oregon) Nov. 8, 2018 – The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Oregon Chapter honored Mary Louise VanNatta, APR, CAE, owner, and CEO of VanNatta Public Relations with the (PRSA) Oregon Chapter William W. Marsh Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes her years of excellence in public relations.

The Oregon PRSA held the Annual Spotlight Awards event on November 7, 2018, in the Multnomah Athletic Club Ballroom in Portland, Oregon. The annual gathering draws hundreds of industry professionals for a night of networking, food, drink and awards.

In her acceptance speech, VanNatta dedicated her award to her father, Fred VanNatta, sharing that he always knew how to put problems into perspective. “My father always told me,” said VanNatta, “If your problems can be solved with money or hard work, then you don’t have a problem.”

Mary Louise VanNatta has over 30 years of public relations experience. She is one of the few people in Oregon with her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation and Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America. She has consulted with such nationally recognized clients as the NFL, NBA, Alamo Rental Car and Cricket Communications. She has worked with the Medical Foundation of Marion and Polk Counties to plan fundraising events with celebrities such as Jane Goodall, Jean-Michael Cousteau, Christopher Gardner and Barbara Bush.

“Mary Louise never did anything halfway,” said past award winner, David Thompson. “Mary Louise has given back to the industry by mentoring nearing 100 interns. Many of these professionals have gone on to achieve great success in the field.”

The award's namesake, William Marsh, significantly influenced public relations in Oregon. He was an early Portland PRSA President and continued to contribute to the Oregon chapter. Marsh worked in PR for 28 years.

VanNatta is the 33rd winner of the award. For more information on the Spotlight Awards, visit http://prsaoregon.org/programs/awards/spotlight-awards/.

Founded in 1967, VanNatta Public Relations is a Salem-based public relations, association management and event planning firm. The success of VanNatta Public Relations, Inc. is the result of experienced and knowledgeable staff who thrive in an ever-changing and demanding environment. From politicians and campaigns to nonprofits and associations, VanNatta PR works to help clients meet their goals and reach for new ones. For more information about VPR visit PRSalem.com or call 503-585-8254.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA PRESS STATEMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, the Trump-Pence administration took direct aim at birth control and abortion coverage, issuing new rules to restrict coverage for both, in direct defiance of the sweeping electoral victories that champions of reproductive health and rights saw Tuesday in Congress and statehouses across the country. The American people are now looking to Congress to defend against attacks on birth control and abortion coverage.   

Yesterday in a press conference, Donald Trump bizarrely referenced a “secret plan” regarding abortion in this country. The reference became clear later that day, when the Trump-Pence administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule designed to make it nearly impossible for health insurance plans that are a part of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) insurance Marketplaces to cover abortion. This move would mean that at least 1.3 million consumers could lose their current coverage for abortion.

The move came as the administration also issued two final rules on birth control — bypassing two federal courts that blocked two interim final rules that were released in October 2017. The birth control measures allow employers, universities and any entity that provides health insurance coverage to deny a person birth control coverage based on religious or moral objection. These two final birth control rules are scheduled to take effect in approximately two months. These unlawful rules could have far-reaching implications for the ACA requirement to guarantee birth control coverage, which has benefited more than 62 million women, including 17 million Latina women and 15 million black women.

Statement from Dawn Laguens, Executive Vice President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“Women resoundingly rejected the Trump-Pence agenda, so Trump and Pence took direct aim at women’s health coverage for birth control and abortion. These rules are dangerous, and not what the vast majority of the American people want. Where the administration has failed them, people now turn to the new pro-reproductive health majorities across the country to stop these attacks on their health and rights. Women will remember this attack on their basic health care.”

The Trump-Pence administration issued a new proposed rule designed to make it impossible for health insurance plans to cover abortion under the ACA. If finalized, women across the country could lose access to coverage that includes abortion. By the administration’s own account, nearly 1.3 million consumers would be subject to these onerous restrictions. Not only would some plans drop coverage of abortion altogether so as to avoid the administrative burdens and the related consumer confusion, consumers could lose coverage altogether if they failed to follow the new requirements.

In October 2017, the administration released two interim final rules — one allowing employers and universities to use religious beliefs to opt out of providing birth control coverage, and a second allowing them to opt out based on moral beliefs. More than 528,000 opposing comments were submitted to HHS by healthcare organizations and advocates as well as Planned Parenthood Federation of America in response to these attacks on birth control coverage. Federal courts in Pennsylvania and California blocked the interim rules last year, but the administration continued to move forward.

The ACA recognizes birth control as preventive health care, requiring most health insurance plans to cover birth control with no out-of-pocket costs. The Obama administration later granted a narrow accommodation to certain religious employers and religiously affiliated employers and schools. The provision allows them to opt out of birth control coverage, while ensuring employees are covered through their health insurance company.  

This comes as they advance a “gag rule” policy designed to dismantle the Title X program, the nation’s program for affordable birth control, and the one program meant to ensure that people with low-incomes can still access birth control, STI testing, cancer screenings, and other essential reproductive health care.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America is reviewing the full text of the rules and will provide a forthcoming analysis.

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Clark County Historical Museum is pleased to announce that on November 11, 2018 at 1:00 pm, we will co-host the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Second Sunday Series. This educational program explores Chinookan culture, archaeology, and natural history through lectures, hikes, and hands-on family activities.

Guest Speaker David G. Lewis, PhD will present his talk “Colonial Mythologies of the Indians Wars In Oregon.”

From Dr. Lewis-

The northwest has a history of ‘Indian Wars’ but the majority of the wars were actually created by American settlers seeking to remove people from the land in a variety of ways. Histories of Native peoples in the colonization era will be discussed, including their campaigns to drive invaders from their lands. These were military campaigns to preserve and save hundreds of cultures in the Oregon territory from invading usurpers on their lands. The falsehoods as written into northwest histories will be addressed as well as the experiences of the Native peoples as they sought to survive colonization of their homelands.

We hope you will join us at 1:00 pm for this captivating talk and for the City Inspired Naturalist Walk that will follow at 3:00 pm.

For more information, please contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or by email at events@cchmuseum.org.

Thursday, November 8, 2018 – Ridgefield, Washington – The Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation is hosting its second annual Turkey Trot Walk/Run on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 22, 2018.  Proceeds and donations from the event benefit the Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation and the Ridgefield Family Resource Center. 

The race begins at 9:00 am and includes a 5K Family-Friendly Walk/Run and a 10K Run, both of which start and end at Union Ridge Elementary School in downtown Ridgefield.  Registration is $25 for adults, $20 for school district staff, and $15 for students.

Go to http://www.ridgefieldpsf.org/turkey-trot to register online or to download a registration form containing event details.  Registrations received by November 15th will include a T-shirt.

Race participants are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items when they pick up their race packets on Wednesday, November 21.  Food items will also be accepted during registration on race day.  All food items benefit the Ridgefield Family Resource Center.  Each food item donated will generate a raffle ticket entry for a drawing to win $100 worth of gift cards for local Ridgefield restaurants.  Winners will be announced during the Awards Ceremony after the race.

Georgianna Jones, Foundation member and event organizer, is looking forward to another great turnout.  “This is such a fun, family-friendly event that provides a great opportunity to support Ridgefield schools and their families,” said Jones.  “We are proud to bring this event to the community each year.”

The Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation is grateful for the support of its Presenting Sponsors, Krippner and Opsahl Dawson, its Supporting Sponsors, Northwest Funding Group, Inc., Draper Orthodontics, Royal Throne Restrooms, RPM Mortgage, Advanced Excavating Specialists and Ridgefield School District; and the many Race Sponsors whose support makes this annual event possible.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (November 8, 2018) – The newest addition to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry’s (OMSI) educational repertoire is an exhibit that seeks to educate visitors about the art and science of Animation. Now open to the public, Animationland transports visitors of all ages to a fantastical land with a quirky cast of characters where inspiration is everywhere!

The exhibit focuses on the basics of the animation process using interactive features including a sketching studio, a sound effects booth and the opportunity to plan and star in a stop-motion production.

“Animationland is a vibrant, whimsical place where kids and adults can get lost in the creative process, even if they’ve never thought of themselves as artists,” said Catherine Diaz, exhibit business development manager at OMSI. “The exhibit provides visitors with the opportunity to experiment with animation, then walk away with the knowledge and skills to do it at home. It’s a DIY experience!" 

Developed and produced by OMSI, Animationland offers a fully immersive, interactive exhibit where guests learn to incorporate animation skills into the creation process. This enables guests to understand the interplay that occurs between art and science and how they can apply those skills to tell their own stories in unique and dynamic ways.

“We want everyone to feel welcome and inspired to draw and animate their own creations,” said Cecilia Nguyen, exhibit developer at OMSI. “Animation is an extremely effective way to engage people with math and science, especially those who don’t see themselves as interested or motivated to learn in those areas.” 

In order to create a fully immersive environment, OMSI collaborated with expert creative studio Jolby & Friends to develop original characters, illustrations, and animation.

“When we started to sketch our ideas for the cast of characters, we knew we wanted them to be simple enough for anyone to draw. Each character has a defining visual characteristic and an attitude that gives them meaning in Animationland,” said Colby Nichols, creative director and partner at Jolby & Friends. “When we were kids, we wanted to become artists and animators, so we put ourselves in that mindset and created a world in which we knew kids would want to play.”

Animationland is a temporary exhibit and will be on view through the end of this year.

About OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI operates the largest museum-based outdoor science education program in the country and provides traveling and community outreach programs that bring science learning opportunities to schools and community organizations in nearly every county in Oregon. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit omsi.edu. 

Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will meet Nov. 27-28, 208 in Lebanon

Lebanon, Ore. — The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will hold its fifth and final meeting of the year Nov. 27-28 in Lebanon.

On Nov. 27, Commissioners will tour Cascadia State Park and Linn County’s River Bend Park, followed by a work session and training.

On Nov. 28, Commissioners will convene an executive session at 8:15 a.m. at the Best Western Boulder Falls Inn Conference Center, 505 Mullins Drive, Lebanon, to discuss real estate and legal issues. Executive sessions are closed to the public. A public business meeting will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the same location. The agenda includes requests to:

• Consider whether or not to recommend designation of a 17.5 mile section of the Nehalem River as a State Scenic Waterway. If recommended, the proposal would move to the Water Resources Commission in February 2019, and if they agree, it goes to Gov. Kate Brown for a final decision.
• Approve the Wallowa Lake Management Unit Master Plan, which guides recreation use and resource management in two state parks and one state scenic corridor for the next 20 years. If approved, the plan will go to Wallowa County for final approval.
• Pre-approval of construction contracts that will be awarded later this fall: $722,000 to remodel the North Falls Visitor Center at Silver Falls State Park and $800,000 to improve the septic system at Champoeg State Heritage Area.
• Approve $2.46 million in Recreational Trails Program grants for 12 projects that provide, improve and maintain recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized uses.

The draft agenda and meeting packet are listed at bit.ly/nov2018agenda. People who plan to present oral testimony are asked to provide 15 copies of their statement to Commission Assistant Denise Warburton burton@oregon.gov">denise.warburton@oregon.gov. Those needing special accommodations to attend should also contact Warburton by email, or call 503-986-0719, at least three days in advance.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

NOVEMBER 8, 2018

2018 Multnomah County Corrections Grand Jury report released

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced the release of the 2018 Multnomah County Corrections Grand Jury report.

“This report is critically important as it provides us, and our system partners, with a deeper understanding of what must be done to continuously improve the condition and management of the four correctional facilities housed in our jurisdiction,” said Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill. “This report highlights the pre-trial programs that divert people to treatment instead of jail incarceration. I want to express my deep gratitude to the seven community members who served on this grand jury. Their report gives all of us in the criminal justice system understanding of the state of the correctional facilities in Multnomah County.”

Under Oregon law, at least once yearly, a Corrections Grand Jury shall convene to review the condition and management of every correctional facility and youth correctional facility in each Oregon county.

“The consistent theme and biggest challenge across all facilities and stated by nearly all stakeholders is the mental health crisis. The majority of inmates in the system increasingly have chronic mental health issues, medication needs, and/or substance abuse issues. All stakeholders agreed that jails are not the appropriate location for most of this population, and many should actually be in a clinical setting,” the 2018 Multnomah County Corrections Grand Jury Executive Summary states in part.

• Click here to review the full Executive Summary to the 2018 Multnomah County Corrections Grand Jury report.

Mental Health, pre-trial diversion programs, staffing, capacity concerns and emergency population release were the five areas of particular importance for the 2018 Multnomah County Corrections Grand Jury and were subsequently identified in the report as key findings.

The 2018 Multnomah County Corrections Grand Jury was provided access to more than 50 witnesses, any applicable public record that they requested and on-site visits to the following locations: 

• Multnomah County Detention Center (MCDC)
• Multnomah Country Inverness Jail (MCIJ)
• Donald E. Long Juvenile Detention Center (DEL)
• Columbia River Correctional Institution (CRCI)

To read a copy of the entire 2018 Multnomah County Corrections Grand Jury report, please click here.  

#MCDA#

Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director

Phone: 503.988.6567

Email: rent.Weisberg@mcda.us">Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

Update:

Missing 16 year old located. 

On 11-7-18 at approximately 1911 hours the Vancouver Police Department was dispatched to the Walmart located at 430 NE 192nd Ave. after a reported sighting of Johna at that location. 

A VPD officer located Johna a short time later walking in the 1100 block of NE 192nd Ave.  

Johna was safely reunited with her father. 

Sgt. Tim Bieber

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance I locating a missing endangered youth.

16 year old Johna Dugan was last seen at approximately 0100 hours this morning at her home in Camas, WA.

Johna is described as:

5' 3"

120lbs

Long blond hair

Blue eyes

Possibly wearing a yellow hoodie

A photo of Johna is attached to this release. 

Anyone with information on Johna’s whereabouts is asked to call 911 (Reference Clark County Sheriff’s Office case number 18-10397). 

The mother and father of Johna do not wish to speak with the media at this time, but a family friend, Brian Radford, has agreed to be the point of contact.  Brian’s phone number is 360-977-3650. 

Release prepared by:

Sgt. Tim Bieber

360-921-0409

Vancouver, WA – On Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 6:00 pm the Clark County Historical Museum (CCHM) will be hosting a farewell gathering for the long-standing exhibit Making Beauty: Native Beadwork of North America. Don’t miss this final chance to experience the beauty of traditional and contemporary Native American bead work from across the Northwest Coast, Plateau, and Plains regions.

CCHS Board Member Becky Archibald notes,

Making Beauty: Native Beadwork of North America covers the trade routes of how beads came to be in America. Tribal Nations used beadwork in adornment with family colors, tribal affiliation, and the symbols that hold great meaning as well as some used as trade cash. It’s been an honor to bring this exhibit to the community to promote greater understanding. And with its closing it thereby brings the circle complete

General admission is $5.00, seniors and students are $4.00, children under 18 are $3.00, and the evening is FREE with a CCHM membership. The event begins at 6:00 pm. The museum encourages attendees to get there early, as it is first-come, first-served seating.

For more information, please contact the museum at 360-993-5679 or by email at events@cchmuseum.org.

PORTLAND, Ore. — NW Natural is supporting nine local arts and culture organizations with donations totaling more than $63,000.

The donations are a part of NW Natural’s longstanding commitment to supporting communities. Each year, the company gives nearly $1 million to local nonprofits as part of its Corporate Philanthropy Fund, made possible by NW Natural shareholders. Grants are awarded to organizations that support the arts, environment, and with special focus children and families at risk.

“Art and cultural programs are such an important aspect of our community,” says Von Summers, NW Natural’s community relations manager. “Which is why we’re proud to recognize the work of this year’s grant recipients, and share our gratitude for all that they do to enrich our region.”

The nine recipients of NW Natural’s 2018 arts and culture grants showcase the great wealth of talent and diversity in the Northwest. This year’s grant recipients include:

• Literary Arts: $13,000 | Literary Arts engages readers, supports writers and inspires the next generation with great literature. Its programs include Portland Arts & Lectures, one of the country’s largest lecture series, and Writers in the Schools, which hires professional writers to teach creative writing workshops in Portland high schools.

• Portland Center Stage: $12,000 | As the city’s leading professional theater, Portland Center Stage enriches the local art community by bringing stories to life in unexpected ways.

• Portland Art Museum: $7,500 | The mission of the Portland Art Museum is to engage diverse communities through art and film of enduring quality, and to collect, preserve, and educate for the enrichment of present and future generations.

• Urban League of Portland: $6,000 | The Urban League of Portland’s mission is to empower African Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security and quality of life.

• Basic Rights Oregon: $5,000 | The vision of Basic Rights Oregon is to ensure that all LGBTQ Oregonians live free from discrimination and be treated with dignity and respect in every community in our state.

• Community Cycling Center: $5,000 | Community Cycling Center’s vision is to help build a vibrant community where people of all backgrounds use bicycles to stay healthy and connected.

• Ethos Music Center: $5,000 | Ethos Music Center believes that all kids, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location, deserve access to music education. Ethos provides music lessons, group classes, camps, multicultural performances and workshops to more than 7,000 students across Oregon each year.

• Japanese Garden Society: $5,000 | The Society strives to advance the education of the public in the conservation, cultivation and propagation of Japanese gardens through study, meetings, publications, lectures, shows, displays and visits to gardens.

• Oregon Symphony: $5,000 | Since the Oregon Symphony was established more than 100 years ago, it has been recognized for its internationally acclaimed music directors, skilled performers, diverse programs and outstanding community services in education and regional touring.

Find more information about NW Natural’s Corporate Philanthropy Fund, as well as the company’s signature philanthropic effort, Programs of Focus, at: https://www.nwnatural.com/AboutNWNatural/Community/CorporateContributions 

About NW Natural
NW Natural serves approximately two million people in more than 140 communities through 740,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington. It has one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. A 159-year-old regulated utility, NW Natural is expanding its storage in Oregon to support renewables. More information is at nwnatural.com.

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SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Capitol’s Christmas tree will be arriving from the Clatsop State Forest on Thursday, Nov. 15, donated by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The 30-foot Noble fir tree will be cut and delivered by ODF staff. The tree arrives Thursday morning, with unloading and setup scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. and continue until approximately 10 a.m.

“The Oregon Department of Forestry is very excited to contribute to Holidays at the Capitol,” South Fork Forest Camp Manager Dave Luttrell said. “Our employees take a lot of pride in being part of this Oregon tradition.”

The tree lighting event is set for Tuesday, Nov. 27, with a choral performance by South Salem High School at 5 p.m., and the lighting program beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Holidays at the Capitol is made possible through generous donations by organizations, businesses and individuals throughout the state and the Capitol’s volunteers. More than 10,000 people visit the Capitol every year during the holiday season. To learn more, visit www.oregoncapitol.com.

Local business women, team up at Pharmacy.com, to offer help in multiple languages

Yes, it's a compounding pharmacy, but for Portland residents, it's a help center, a community center and now, a solution to the tangle of confusion surrounding the health care system, especially Medicare.

Owner Jasmin Nyung, Ph.D. believes in putting her customers first and that education is a powerful tool. "It's so important to provide an accurate, ethical resource especially during health plan enrollment season. My customers are flooded with advertisements in the mail and on television - - combined with mailings from the state, it leads to a lot of confusion," says Dr.

Nyung.

As a scientist and compounding pharmacist her local  business, Pharmacy .com  is a  unique  model in the prescription industry. In order to assist the multicultural Portland residents who represent a significant customer base, Dr. Nyung, employs pharmaceutical staff who speak Spanish, English, Chinese, Russian and Vietnamese.

Beginning Thurs. Nov. 8 from 11 in the morning until 1 p.m. every (Thursday), Dr. Nuing's colleague, health care advocate Mara Woloshin will be on site to explain and assist customers, family members and friends about benefits or changes in individual health plans. This walk-in educational and advocacy resource is free. Woloshin, has been a Medicare and Medicaid specialist since 2006 when she was engaged by the nonprofit National Pharmaceutical Association as an Oregon and Washington spokesperson for the rollout of Medicare Part D (the prescription drug benefit).

Woloshin, a licensed health agent in Oregon and Washington state believes that education empowers individuals about their health care choices. She consults with individuals, health plans  and hospitals on organizational issues, is a specialist in federal  marketing  compliance  and speaks on nutrition and health issues at nonprofit meal centers and at senior program centers.

"As an independent agent, yes, I can enroll folks in a health plan. However, through outreach, I  am able to provide unbiased Medicare/Medicaid education and help beneficiaries understand benefits they may be entitled to," says Woloshin.

In 2016 Woloshin published a book on federal Medicare marketing compliance for sales organizations. In addition to consulting, she speaks nationally on Medicare and Medicaid diversity, marketing, education and grassroots outreach.

Pharmacy.com, 7901 SE Powell Blvd Portland, OR 97206 is open weekdays from 9:00am  - 6:00pm, and weekends from 10:00am - 4:00pm (503) 384-2475. Free home delivery is available.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

With the end of Daylight Savings Time, many of us are leaving work after dusk. As always, it’s important that we take an extra moment to consider pedestrians. Too often, in collisions with cars, pedestrians end up the losers. Oregon crosswalk laws were written to provide a buffer of safety for pedestrians on the roadway.

What’s the law for drivers?

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

What’s the law for pedestrians?

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

Safety Tips:

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

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

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

Earlier this evening, 42-year-old Daniel Levitt of Portland was booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of mail theft, first-degree criminal mischief, attempt to elude, possession of burglary tools, third-degree theft, and a parole board felony warrant. He is being held without bail.

The original media release is below.

# # #

Mail Thief Attempts to Flee Deputies, Crashes During Pursuit

November 7, 2018 - On Wednesday, November 7, 2018, at 12:43 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a theft in progress at the Clermont Apartments, located at 1835 Northwest 143rd Avenue in the Oak Hills community.

A resident of the complex reported that someone had broken into a community mailbox at the location and was leaving in a vehicle. They provided the license plate and described it as a dark blue 2007 Subaru Outback.

At 1:02 a.m., deputies located the Subaru travelling eastbound on Highway 26 near the Sylvan exit. When deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver led deputies on a pursuit northbound on Southwest Skyline Boulevard, then eastbound on West Burnside Road.

The pursuit ended east of the tunnel on West Burnside Road when the driver failed to negotiate a turn, left the roadway, and crashed on its side into a tree. The driver was extricated from the vehicle and transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Deputies located numerous burglary tools and a stolen license plate inside the vehicle. The license plates displayed did not match that of the Subaru and deputies are working to determine if they are stolen, as well. The Subaru was seized to later be searched for additional evidence.

Back at the apartment complex, deputies found signs of forced entry to the community mailbox.

The suspect, a 42-year-old man from Southeast Portland, will be identified when he released from the hospital and booked into the Washington County Jail.

Detectives with the Property Crimes Unit are investigating whether this incident is possibly related to the recent rash of thefts from community mailboxes in the Bethany community.

Portland Fire & Rescue and American Medical Response (AMR) assisted at the scene.