Additional festivities include Santa and Mrs. Claus, costumed characters, food vendors, letters to Santa, 
and guided talks about the historic Alphabet home village

The lights, music, and festivities continue every night through January 1 beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at John Dam Plaza, 815 George Washington Way in Richland. On Friday and Saturday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. through December 23, visitors will get an extra special treat with Santa and Mrs. Claus, costumed characters, and food vendors.

Children of all ages are encouraged to write a letter to Santa by December 20. A mailbox to the North Pole is located in the miniature historical village in the center of the park. Remember to include a return address as each each child will receive an extra touch of magic when opening their personalized reply from Santa or one of his elves.

Be sure to join one of the historic talks on the Alphabet homes that were built in support of World War II in the 1940’s and 1950s. The talks will be on Sunday, December 10 and 17 at 1:00 p.m. in the miniature village. 

You can drop into the nearby Richland Community Center for a little warmth and enjoy the holiday decorations or sign up for the Holiday Bingo on Saturday, December 16, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and enjoy hot cocoa and popcorn while you play. 

For more information, follow Richland Parks and Recreation on Facebook or visit www.richlandparksandrec.com/winterwonderland.

MEDFORD, Ore.—The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced today that three federal prison sentences have been imposed this week in separate criminal cases following multi-agency drug trafficking investigations in and around Medford.

James Michael Cody Whelchel, 41, of Carson, California, was sentenced Monday to 130 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. Earl Richard Shamblin III, 41, of Medford, was also sentenced Monday to 45 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.

Terril Jacob Boss, 43, of Reno, Nevada, was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

U.S. v. Whelchel

According to court documents, in July 2021, local law enforcement officers received information that Whelchel, a known drug trafficker with a lengthy criminal history, was dealing drugs in the Medford area. Further investigation revealed that Whelchel was running his local drug trafficking operation from an area motel. After observing multiple individuals come and go from his motel room, investigators arrested Whelchel. At the time of his arrest, Whelchel possessed three cell phones, several syringes, and approximately $3,600 in cash.

Investigators located two 9mm pistols, a digital scale, and small quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and unidentified pills in Whelchel’s vehicle. A search of his motel room returned more than two and a half pounds of methamphetamine, approximately one pound of powdered fentanyl, a smaller quantity of heroin, more than $51,000 in cash, and two firearms.

On September 2, 2021, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Whelchel with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl. On August 14, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

U.S. v. Shamblin

Between November 11, 2019, and January 19, 2021, law enforcement conducted multiple controlled purchases of heroin from Shamblin, a known Jackson County, Oregon drug trafficker. On February 17, 2021, investigators arrested Shamblin and found digital scales, drug packaging material, records of drug transactions, and more than $4,000 in cash in his RV and on his person. The next day, on February 18, 2021, investigators obtained a recorded jail call on which Shamblin coordinated with other individuals to move and conceal a large sum of cash (later seized by law enforcement) and bury heroin in the backyard of his then residence.

On February 26, 2021, Shamblin was charged by federal criminal complaint with unlawfully possessing and distributing heroin. Later, on March 3, 2022, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a five-count indictment charging him with distributing heroin. On September 7, 2023, Shamblin pleaded guilty to one count of distributing heroin.

U.S. v. Boss

On July 21, 2020, area law enforcement obtained information that Boss, who was in possession of methamphetamine and a firearm, was located in a fast-food parking lot in White City, Oregon. A responding deputy approached Boss and told him he was being detained as part of a drug trafficking investigation. After initially denying he was armed, Boss told the deputy he had a weapon, but refused to say where it was located. Boss then began to reach for his waistband and a struggle to detain him ensued. After repeatedly ordering Boss not to reach for his waistband, Boss grabbed a firearm he possessed and was shot twice by the responding deputies. He was immediately taken to an area hospital, treated, and then booked in the Jackson County Jail.

Three days later, on July 24, 2020, investigators executed search warrants on Boss’s truck and motorcycle. They located and seized quantities of heroin and methamphetamine in his truck and a large zipper bag with heroin and methamphetamine concealed in the gas tank of his motorcycle. They also found digital scales and drug packaging materials. Later the same day, Boss was charged by federal criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

On April 15, 2021, a federal grand jury in Medford indicted Boss on the same charges and, on July 5, 2023, he pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

___

All three cases were investigated by the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement Team (MADGE). Local MADGE member agencies were assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Oregon State Police. Whelchel was prosecuted by Judith R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. Shamblin and Boss were prosecuted by March A. Boccato, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

MADGE is a gang and narcotics enforcement team comprised of local, state, and federal investigators that work together to dismantle drug trafficking and other criminal organizations operating in and around Jackson County, Oregon. MADGE member agencies include the Medford Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices, Jackson County Community Corrections, HSI, and FBI.

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BAKER COUNTY, Ore. 12 Dec. 2023 - The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division is asking for the public's help to identify the person(s) responsible for the unlawful take and waste of two bear cubs in Baker County. On Nov. 27, 2023, a hunter reported finding a dead bear cub just off the USFS 77 Road in the Keating Wildlife Management Unit. This location is approximately 3.5 miles northwest of Halfway. Fish and wildlife troopers responded to the area and located two bear cubs that were shot and left to waste.  

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact OSP Sgt. Cyr through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline and 1-800-452-2068 or dial OSP (mobile) and reference case number SP23377486. TIPs received can remain anonymous.   

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board. 

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

Preference Point Rewards:
5 Points-Bighorn Sheep
5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat
5 Points-Moose
5 Points-Wolf
4 Points-Elk
4 Points-Deer
4 Points-Pronghorn Antelope
4 Points-Bear
4 Points-Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

CASH REWARDS

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) Cash Rewards:
$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat or Moose 
$1,000 Elk, Deer or Antelope 
$600 Bear, Cougar or Wolf
$300 Habitat Destruction 
$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
$200 Unlawful Lending/Borrowing Big Game Tag(s)
$200 Game Fish & Shellfish
$200 Game Birds or Furbearers
$200 Spotlighting
$200 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish) 

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards
$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity: 
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)
TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov (monitored Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

For more information visit: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx

BAKER COUNTY, Ore. 12 Dec. 2023 - The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division is asking for the public's help to identify the person(s) responsible for the unlawful take and waste of a Big Horn Sheep Ram in Baker County. On Nov. 30, 2023, Fish and Wildlife Trooper Dakotah Keys responded to a Big Horn Sheep Ram which had been shot and left to waste on BLM land, near Hibbard Creek Road. Furthermore, the involved person(s) removed the ram’s head and horns, before leaving all meat to waste. This location is within the Lookout Mountain Wildlife Management Unit, approximately 50 miles south of Baker City. 

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact OSP Trooper Dakotah Keys through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or dial OSP (mobile). 

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators
The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association and the Oregon State Marine Board. 

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

Preference Point Rewards:
5 Points-Bighorn Sheep
5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat
5 Points-Moose
5 Points-Wolf
4 Points-Elk
4 Points-Deer
4 Points-Pronghorn Antelope
4 Points-Bear
4 Points-Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

CASH REWARDS 

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) Cash Rewards:
$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat or Moose 
$1,000 Elk, Deer or Antelope 
$600 Bear, Cougar or Wolf
$300 Habitat Destruction 
$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
$200 Unlawful Lending/Borrowing Big Game Tag(s)
$200 Game Fish & Shellfish
$200 Game Birds or Furbearers
$200 Spotlighting
$200 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish) 

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards
$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity: 
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)
TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov  (Monitored M-F 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

For more information visit: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx

OSP seeks public assistance for unlawful take of a wolf
Wolf shot and killed unlawfully in Baker County

BAKER COUNTY, Ore. 12 Dec. 2023 – The Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division is asking for the public's help to identify the person(s) responsible for the unlawful take of a wolf in Baker County.  On Nov. 27, 2023, fish and wildlife troopers responded to a wolf that had been shot and killed unlawfully, near Sparta Road. This location is within the Keating Wildlife Management Unit, approximately 25 miles east of Baker City. 

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact OSP Trooper Dakotah Keys through the Turn in Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-452-7888 or dial OSP (mobile). TIPs may remain anonymous. 

Report Wildlife and Habitat Law Violators
The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter and Guides Association and the Oregon State Marine Board. 

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

Preference Point Rewards:
5 Points-Bighorn Sheep
5 Points-Rocky Mountain Goat
5 Points-Moose
5 Points-Wolf
4 Points-Elk
4 Points-Deer
4 Points-Pronghorn Antelope
4 Points-Bear
4 Points-Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

CASH REWARDS 

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) Cash Rewards:
$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat or Moose 
$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope 
$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$300 Habitat Destruction 
$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
$200 Unlawful Lending/Borrowing Big Game Tag(s)
$200 Game Fish & Shellfish
$200 Game Birds or Furbearers
$200 Spotlighting
$200 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards:
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish) 
$11,500 Wolf

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards
$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity: 
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)
TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov  (Monitored M-F 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

For more information visit: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx

# # #

About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

December 5, 2023

Media contact: Larry Bingham, 971-239-6499, ry.bingham@oha.oregon.gov">Larry.bingham@oha.oregon.gov

State officials plan to boost naloxone availability in Oregon schools

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has announced plans to offer free opioid overdose reversal kits to middle and high schools throughout the state.

The effort is an expansion of the Save Lives Oregon (SLO) Initiative’s Harm Reduction Clearinghouse Project.

The SLO Harm Reduction Clearinghouse began during COVID and has provided naloxone and other harm reduction supplies at no cost to agencies around the state that directly engage with people at highest risk of substance use related overdose, infections, and injuries.

The expansion of the Harm Reduction Clearinghouse Project to support schools to access naloxone was made possible through one-time funding from the Oregon’s Opioid Settlement Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Board.

The Oregon Department of Education last week notified school district leaders about the availability of naloxone for schools, registration opened Nov. 29 and as of today 505 total schools, colleges, and universities have requested to receive reversal kits.

The intent is to help school districts increase access to overdose reversal kits within their schools for use in the event of an opioid overdose emergency at or near a school campus.

“The opioid epidemic and overdose crisis impacts every community in Oregon. While overdose events on school property are rare, our school communities should be prepared to respond to an overdose medical emergency,” said Ebony Clarke, OHA’s director of behavioral health.

Every middle and high school is eligible to receive up to three opioid overdose reversal kits. The kits contain a wall mounted naloxone box, instructions, emergency medical supplies, and eight doses of the opioid antagonist, naloxone nasal spray.

Naloxone, an opioid overdose reversal medication, can restore breathing while waiting for emergency medical services to arrive.  Access to naloxone is necessary for school staff to respond to an opioid overdose on or near a school campus.  

Eligible schools must serve students seventh grade or higher. The program is open to all public, private, charter schools, colleges and universities or tribal communities located in Oregon.

For more information, including the link to the online application, please visit the SLO website.

The SLO Clearinghouse has provided no-cost supplies to more than 280 organizations and agencies across Oregon and Tribal communities, including harm reduction organizations, local public health and behavioral health agencies, law enforcement, first responders, community health clinics, substance use disorder facilities and hospital-based programs.

The Harm Reduction Clearinghouse has distributed more than 335,500 doses of naloxone to agencies that directly distribute naloxone to people at risk of opioid overdose since 2022, according to OHA estimates.

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SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is closing the Oregon Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) program to most new applicants to avoid overcommitting funds. The application portal will close at noon PST Dec. 20. Homeowners who are in active foreclosure may still be able to apply through a housing counselor.  

“We’re encouraging homeowners who are at imminent risk of housing displacement, socially disadvantaged individuals as defined by U.S. Treasury, or anyone who meets one of the additional eligibility criteria listed on the HAF website to apply for HAF assistance before noon Dec. 20,” said Ryan Vanden Brink, assistant director of Homeowner Assistance Programs. “Although we are accepting new applications, there may not be enough funds for everyone who applies as the program winds down.”  

Existing applicants can continue to log on to the HAF portal to check the status of their application or scheduled payments.   

OHCS planned its HAF program to operate as a safety net for the most at-risk homeowners who have no viable workout option, so those homeowners will receive priority processing. If funds still remain after the portal closes and applications are processed, HAF intake partners will be able to submit new applications on behalf of homeowners in a judicial foreclosure action or in nonjudicial foreclosure with a scheduled sale date. These applicants may need to complete intake paperwork and foreclosure prevention counseling before working with a counselor. Funding may not be available for all these new applications.  

In addition to Oregon’s foreclosure moratorium and increased mortgage forbearance and default workout options, HAF has helped Oregon maintain a historically low foreclosure rate during and since the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping many in their homes. According to August 2023 Corelogic data, there were 1,016 residential foreclosures in Oregon, which reflects a 0.16% foreclosure rate, compared to a 20-year average 1.03% foreclosure rate. 

As of Dec. 4, OHCS has approved 1,745 applications, totaling about $46.9 million of the $72 million available to homeowners when the program launched. Over $35 million in approved funds have already been paid with an average award of about $27,000. OHCS is reviewing or monitoring another 859 applications that, if approved, are projected to total $23.2 million in assistance. The agency projects $1.9 million remains. OHCS is currently working with homeowners, housing counselors, and mortgage servicers to postpone and prevent hundreds of foreclosures for applicants. Visit the HAF Dashboard for more detailed information. 

Free help is available  

Homeowners who have fallen behind or are at risk of missing a payment on their mortgage can continue to get free help from certified housing counselors around the state to learn about options to keep their homes, such as modifications or adding deferred payments to the end of a mortgage. Housing counselors are knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated professionals who can help homeowners communicate with their mortgage servicers.  

Search the full list of free certified housing counselors by county. Homeowners should be aware that some housing counseling agencies take longer due to high volume and remote working policies.   

In addition to connecting with a certified housing counselor, Oregon homeowners should directly contact their mortgage servicers and lenders to see what types of mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention programs are available. Homeowners who communicate with their lenders and servicers have some additional protections and usually have more time to figure out their options.  

Avoiding fraud  

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services recommends being extremely cautious with offers to help from unauthorized companies or people. Homeowners are urged not to provide financial or personal information unless they verify the company or person’s licensing status. It does not cost anything to apply for the HAF program or meet with an Oregon housing counselor.  

There are several common warning signs homeowners should watch out for that may indicate a scam. If a homeowner suspects they’re being contacted by a scammer, they can report it to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Oregon Department of Justice, or the U.S. Treasury’s Office of the Inspector General.  

To verify a lender’s license, visit the Division of Financial Regulation’s license page and compare it with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) license number. This number must be included on all advertising materials and should be easy to find. To verify a housing counseling agency’s status with the state, make sure they are listed on the OHCS website.      

5 de diciembre, 2023  

OHCS anuncia que el portal de solicitudes para el Fondo de Asistencia para Propietarios de Vivienda cerrará el 20 de diciembre   

SALEM, Oregon – El Departamento de Vivienda y Servicios Comunitarios de Oregón (OHCS, por sus siglas en inglés) está cerrando el programa del Fondo de Asistencia a Propietarios de Vivienda de Oregón (HAF, por sus siglas en inglés) a la mayoría de nuevos solicitantes para evitar comprometer en exceso los fondos disponibles. El portal de solicitudes cerrará al mediodía (PST) el 20 de diciembre. Los propietarios de vivienda que se encuentran en proceso de una ejecución hipotecaria aun podrán solicitar la asistencia por medio de un asesor de vivienda.     

"Queremos animar que soliciten ayuda antes del mediodía del 20 de diciembre los propietarios que están a más riesgo de perder su hogar, las personas socialmente desfavorecidas, tal como las define el departamento del Tesoro de Estados Unidos, o cualquier persona que cumpla uno de los criterios de elegibilidad adicionales que se encuentran en el sitio de internet del programa", dijo Ryan Vanden Brink, director adjunto de Programas de Asistencia para Propietarios de Vivienda de OHCS. "Aunque estamos aceptando nuevas solicitudes, pueda que no haya fondos suficientes para todos ya que el programa está por terminar”.   

OHCS diseñó el criterio de elegibilidad para dar prioridad de procesamiento a los propietarios que están a más riesgo de perder sus viviendas o que no tenían opciones para ponerse al corriente con sus pagos de la hipoteca. Si aún quedan fondos tras el cierre del portal y el procesamiento de las solicitudes, los asesores de vivienda podrán presentar nuevas solicitudes en nombre de los propietarios que se encuentren en una ejecución hipotecaria judicial o en una ejecución hipotecaria no judicial con fecha de venta programada. Estos solicitantes tendrán que llenar una solicitud de admisión y completar un asesoramiento de prevención de ejecución hipotecaria antes de trabajar con un asesor de vivienda. Es posible que no haya fondos disponibles para todas estas nuevas solicitudes.   

 Además de la moratoria de ejecuciones hipotecarias en Oregón y del aumento de opciones para prevenir una ejecución hipotecaria y llegar a una resolución de incumplimiento de los pagos de la hipoteca, el programa ha ayudado que se mantenga una tasa de ejecuciones hipotecarias históricamente baja en Oregón durante y desde la pandemia del COVID-19, manteniendo a muchas personas en sus hogares. Según los datos de Corelogic del mes de agosto de 2023, se llevaron a cabo 1,016 ejecuciones hipotecarias residenciales en Oregón, lo que refleja una tasa de ejecuciones hipotecarias del 0.16%, en comparación con una tasa media de ejecuciones hipotecarias de 20 años del 1,03%.   

 A partir del 27 de noviembre, OHCS aprobó 1,745 solicitudes, para un total de $46.9 millones de los $72 millones disponibles para los propietarios cuando se abrió el programa. Se han pagado más de $35 millones en solicitudes aprobadas, con un pago promedio de $27,000 dólares. OHCS está procesando otras 859 solicitudes que, de ser aprobadas, se calcula que se distribuirán unos $23.2 millones en asistencia. La agencia calcula que permanecen $1.9 millones. OHCS está trabajando con los propietarios de viviendas, asesores de vivienda, y los administradores de hipotecas para posponer y evitar cientos de ejecuciones hipotecarias para los solicitantes. Visite el tablero de datos del programa para obtener más información.   

Ayuda gratuita disponible    

Los propietarios que se atrasaron con sus pagos de vivienda o están en riesgo de incumplimiento de los pagos de su hipoteca, pueden obtener ayuda gratuita de los asesores de vivienda aprobados por el estado. Los propietarios pueden aprender cómo utilizar las herramientas para preparar un presupuesto, además de evaluar otras opciones para conservar sus viviendas, tales como modificaciones del préstamo, adición de los pagos diferidos de la hipoteca al principal, o para llenar una solicitud para HAF. Los asesores de vivienda son profesionales que están debidamente informados y que pueden ayudar a los propietarios a comunicarse con sus respectivos administradores hipotecarios.    

Aquí está una lista completa de asesores de vivienda certificados en cada condado que ofrecen asesoría gratuita. Los propietarios deben tener en cuenta que algunas de estas agencias se verán afectadas en responder inmediatamente debido a trabajar fuera de sus oficinas.      

Además de conectarse con un asesor de vivienda certificado, recomendamos a los propietarios de vivienda que se comuniquen directamente con sus administradores hipotecarios o compañías hipotecarias, para ver qué tipos de asistencia y programas de prevención de ejecuciones hipotecarias podrían estar disponibles para ellos. Los propietarios de viviendas que se comunican con sus compañías hipotecarias o administradores hipotecarios pueden tener algunas protecciones adicionales y generalmente podrían disponer de más tiempo para decidir acerca de sus opciones.   

Evitar el fraude    

El Departamento de Servicios para Consumidores y Negocios de Oregón recomienda ser extremadamente cauteloso con ofertas de ayuda de compañías o personas sin licencia. Se aconseja a los propietarios de viviendas a no proporcionar información financiera o personal, a menos que verifiquen el estado de la licencia de la compañía o persona que les ofrece ayuda. El llenar una solicitud con HAF u otros programas legítimos de asistencia o el pedir ayuda de un asesor de vivienda no tienen costos adicionales.    

Los propietarios quienes sospechan que están siendo contactados por un estafador, pueden reportarlo a la Oficina de Protección Financiera del Consumidor, el Departamento de Justicia de Oregón u Oficina del Inspector General del Tesoro de los Estados Unidos.    

Para verificar la licencia de una compañía hipotecaria, prestamista, u otros servicios financieros visite la página de licencias de la División de Regulación Financiera y compárela con el número de licencia del Sistema Nacional de Licencias Multiestatales (NMLS). Este número debe incluirse en todos los materiales publicitarios y deben ser fácil de identificarlas. Para verificar la certificación de un centro de asesoramiento de vivienda, asegúrese de que esté incluido en el sitio de internet de OHCS.

Salem, OR – A scholarship fund that helps finance higher education for family members of Oregon workers who have been fatally injured or permanently disabled on the job is open for applications, the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) has announced.

The Workers’ Memorial Scholarship awards are available to any high school graduate, graduating high school senior, GED recipient, or current college undergraduate or graduate student who is a dependent or spouse of an Oregon worker who has been fatally injured or permanently disabled while on the job. 

“The impacts to families of a work-related death or permanent disability are profound and include potentially significant financial hardships,” said Renée Stapleton, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “The annual Workers’ Memorial Scholarship is an opportunity for us to help surviving family members pursue their higher education goals.”

The Oregon Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) – part of the state’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission – handles applications for the Workers’ Memorial Scholarship. The office is accepting applications for the 2024-25 academic year. Applications are due April 1, 2024.

Students may attend any Federal Title IV financial aid eligible institution in the United States. That includes four-year universities, two-year community colleges, private and nonprofit institutions, and vocational and trade schools. If the institution does not have a six-digit federal identification number on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), then it is not a qualifying institution.

The following OSAC resources are available to help students learn more about eligibility requirements, accessing an application, and how to get help with their application:

• Find up-to-date information about the requirements for the Workers’ Memorial Scholarship in the OSAC Scholarship Catalog. Enter the fund number 113, or the full name Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division Workers’ Memorial, in the search box near the top. 
• Go to the OSAC Scholarship Application.
• Send an email requesting help with your application.
• Request application help by calling 541-687-7400 and pressing 1.
• Go online to learn more about OSAC and student aid.
• Go online to learn what Oregon OSHA says about the Workers’ Memorial Scholarship.

Workers’ Memorial Scholarship award recommendations are made by Oregon OSHA’s Safe Employment Education and Training Advisory Committee, an advisory group with members from business, organized labor, and government.

Scholarship award amounts vary. Oregon OSHA presents the awards annually to help in the postsecondary education of spouses or children of permanently and totally disabled or fatally injured workers.

The 1991 Oregon Legislature established the Workers’ Memorial Scholarship at the request of the Oregon AFL-CIO, with support from Associated Oregon Industries.

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

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

APPLICANT REVIEW COMMITTEE

MEETING CANCELLED

Notice of Meeting Cancellation

The Applicant Review Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training meeting scheduled for December 20th, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., has been cancelled due to lack of agenda items.
 

The next Applicant Review Committee meeting is scheduled for January 24, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

Salem, OR— Oregon State Chief Information Officer, Terrence Woods, announces Dr. Jimmy Godard as the State Chief Technology Officer. Incoming Chief Technology Officer Godard brings two decades of experience and a proven track record of success in technology leadership and strategic organizational transformation. Godard’s experience includes implementing global information technology infrastructures and leading-edge program solutions.

“The State Chief Technology Officer plays a pivotal role in guiding technology for the entire Executive Branch,” Woods said. “This work is foundational for ensuring accessible, reliable and secure state technology systems that equitable serve all Oregonians.” 

Godard will oversee Enterprise Information Services’ Strategy and Design program to manifest strategic technology initiatives, enterprise technology standards and processes and policy decisions to align technology vision with business strategy.

Before joining Enterprise Information Services, Godard worked for Bank of America as Senior Vice President of Strategist and Governance and Senior Vice President of Program Service Delivery Manager.  

“I look forward to joining Enterprise Information Services and using my years of experience and education to give back to the state I call home,” Godard said.
 

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SALEM, Ore— Visitors hoping to camp last minute will soon have the chance to view and book same-day campsite openings online statewide starting Jan. 1, 2024. 

Previously, most sites required booking 24 hours or more in advance of arrival when reserving online. Same-day online reservations started as a pilot project at two coastal parks and expanded last summer to all 17 coastal state park campgrounds. 

“Same-day reservations at the coast gave those traveling the peace of mind that there was a place ready for them when they arrived,” said Coastal Region Director Dennis Comfort.

When the program expands statewide, it will include a total of 40 park campgrounds across Oregon. Some parks switch tent and RV campsites to first-come-first served during the winter and those sites will start offering same-day online reservations in the spring. Visitors can check park webpages for seasonal information on specific parks at https://stateparks.oregon.gov/

Eleven campgrounds will remain first-come-first served year-round: Jackson F. Kimball, Goose Lake, Bates, Cascara, Catherine Creek, Hilgard Junction, Jasper Point (except for the cabin), Minam, Red Bridge, Smith Rock and Ukiah-Dale.

The goal of same-day online reservations is to offer campers the flexibility to travel last minute when sites are available while giving them the security of knowing they have a site when they arrive. Same-day online reservations also have the potential to give park staff more time to offer interpretive opportunities, improve park facilities and increase time interacting with visitors.   

“The transition to same-day reservations at Nehalem Bay State Park was nearly seamless and has been generally well received by guests,” said Park Manager Ben Cox.

Starting Jan. 1, 2024:

• Tent and RV campers can make a same-day online reservation up until 11:59 p.m. on the day they arrive by visiting https://oregonstateparks.reserveamerica.com. Yurt and cabin reservations must be made before 6 p.m. the day of arrival due to the staffing required to assist with keys or codes. 
• All visitors can make reservations by calling (800) 452-5687 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
• Visitors can also make same-day online reservations at parks statewide using mobile devices where they have cell reception or where Oregon State Parks’ free, limited Wi-Fi is available. Wi-Fi is provided at most parks for reservations only and is not guaranteed to be available 24/7. Signs at the park have login information. Since internet connectivity varies by park, it’s best to reserve campsites before arrival.
• Visitors can still pay with cash or checks at the park by finding a ranger or following posted instructions, which could include using self-registration envelopes only if instructed to do so. Ranger availability is limited depending on time and location.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will waive the $8 reservation fee for all same-day reservations. 

If you have any questions about the new option, please contact the information center at k.info@oregon.gov">park.info@oregon.gov. For more information about the option, please visit our online FAQs.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Salem, Oregon man previously convicted at trial was sentenced to federal prison Monday for illegally transferring a machine gun.

Daniel Matthew Kittson, 61, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release. 

According to court documents, in December 2019, a special agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) learned that Kittson was attempting to sell a Russian PPSh-41, a machine gun capable of firing approximately 900 rounds per minute. Investigators learned that he had prior felony convictions for attempted murder, first degree manslaughter, and felon in possession of a weapon, making it illegal for him to possess any type of firearm.

In early January 2020, investigators communicated with Kittson on two separate occasions to arrange a controlled purchase of the machine gun and, on January 10, 2020, completed the transaction. Following their purchase, investigators tested the firearm and confirmed that it was indeed a functional machine gun.

On March 9, 2021, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment charging Kittson with illegally possessing and transferring a machine gun and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

On May 28, 2021, Kittson was arrested without incident by the U.S. Marshals Service and was released following his first appearance in federal court. In June 2022, Kittson absconded his pretrial supervision. Three months later, on September 27, 2022, he was located and arrested in Crook County, Oregon in possession of a firearm and small quantities of methamphetamine and heroin.

On August 24, 2023, a jury found Kittson guilty of illegally transferring a machinegun.

This case was investigated by ATF. It was prosecuted by Leah Bolstad and Nicole Bockelman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

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MEDFORD, Ore.—An Eagle Point, Oregon woman was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison today for taking sexually explicit photos of an 8-year-old child and sending them to multiple individuals she met online.

Kayla Dee Lester, 31, was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison and 20 years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, in 2020, Lester took sexually explicit photos of an 8-year-old child and distributed them to multiple individuals online using Whisper, a social media application that allows users to post and share photo and video messages anonymously. When interviewed by police, Lester admitted to using Whisper and other social media applications to meet people and solicit child pornography. She further admitted to sending the images she took of the 8-year-old child to others in hopes they would send her child pornography in return.

On September 17, 2020, a federal grand jury in Medford returned a three-count indictment charging Lester with using a minor to produce visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct, and distributing and possessing child pornography. On May 10, 2023, Lester pleaded guilty to distributing child pornography.

On July 6, 2023, while awaiting sentencing, Lester was arrested for possessing an internet-connected cell phone in violation of her release conditions. Her cell phone was found to contain nude images of herself and other adults who she was chatting with online as well as chats between Lester and others wherein she described sexually abusing her 8-year-old victim. A forensic search later conducted on her phone revealed 44 videos of child pornography. On July 10, 2023, Lester’s pretrial release was revoked.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) with assistance from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Southern Oregon High-Tech Crimes Task Force. It was prosecuted by Judith R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to contact HSI at (866) 347-2423 or submit a tip online at report.cybertip.org.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, they re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Created in January 2007, the Southern Oregon High-Tech Crimes Task Force provides cybercrime investigations and digital evidence forensic analysis for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in Southern Oregon. Member agencies include the Medford Police Department, Oregon State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices, and HSI.

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SALEM, Ore. — The Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee meets Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. at ODF headquarters in Salem, with a virtual option.

The public meeting will be held in the Santiam Room at the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Salem headquarters, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310.  To join virtually, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda.

Agenda items will include:

• Council of Forest Trust Land Counties Annual Report
• Forest management modeling presentation
• Framework for engagement at Board of Forestry meeting

Public comment is scheduled at the beginning of the meeting. To submit written comment, email ftlac.comment@odf.oregon.gov. Written comments sent at least 48 hours before the meeting will give the FTLAC time to review and consider information. Comments submitted after that window of time will be sent to the FTLAC after the meeting, entered into the record and posted online. Comments are not accepted after the meeting concludes.

The Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee is comprised of seven county commissioners representing 15 Oregon counties where state forestlands are located. The FTLAC is a statutorily established committee that advises the Board of Forestry on matters related to forestland managed by ODF. View more information on the FTLAC webpage.

Questions about accessibility or special accommodations can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at least 24 hours prior to the meeting at 503-945-7200.

Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Thomas Andrew Webster, M.D., age 50, of Sylvania, Ohio, has been charged by Filing of Information on one count of Conspiracy to Violate the Anti-Kickback Statue in connection with a fraudulent medical supply scheme that targeted elderly Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries throughout Washington and in other states.

The Medicare program provides health insurance coverage for elderly and disabled Americans. The United States Department of Defense’s TRICARE program provides health benefits to United States Armed Forces military personnel, military retirees, and their dependents. Medicare and TRICARE provide health insurance coverage for eligible health care services, including, under certain eligibility conditions, for Durable Medical Equipment (DME). For DME to qualify for reimbursement, DME was required to be ordered by a physician who is treating the beneficiary for a specific illness or injury. The DME was also required to contribute to the physician’s treatment of the illness or injury or to the improvement of the patient’s physical condition. 

During the relevant time period, Dr. Webster lived in Olympia, Washington, and was a licensed physician in Washington.  The Information charges that between May 2021 and September 2023, a company identified as “Company A” engaged in a telemarketing scheme to obtain beneficiary identifying and medical information by using telemarketers to contact Medicare and TRICARE beneficiaries in the Eastern District of Washington and elsewhere. According to the Information, Company A then used the information to create a fake medical record that reflected a doctor visit that never took place, and medical orders for DME.  The Information charges that Dr. Webster then signed the fraudulent medical documentation and physician orders, and that the fraudulent orders were then sold to DME companies that used the orders to bill Medicare and TRICARE falsely and fraudulently. 

The Information further alleges that between May of 2021 and September of 2023, Medicare and TRICARE paid more than $13.7 million for DME fraudulently ordered and referred by Dr. Webster. These beneficiaries, which included many residents of the Eastern District of Washington, included individuals who had no desire or medical need for the DME, individuals who had elected for hospice care and who therefore were not eligible to be treated for most types of illness or injury under Medicare, and individuals who lacked the limb for which Defendant placed the DME order because it had been previously amputated.

The Information also alleges that, as part of the scheme, Dr. Webster received $839,565 from Medicare and TRICARE for fraudulent telemedicine visits that never took place. 

“Telemarketing schemes that target and exploit the elderly are especially pernicious because they prey on those who are often most in need of a doctor’s independent judgment that is not tainted or biased by the doctor’s own personal financial interest,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. This is one reason that the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice, and our law enforcement partners, have made combatting elder fraud and abuse a top priority.”

The conspiracy offense carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in federal prison. The case is being investigated by HHS OIG and the Defense Criminal Investigative Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Dan Fruchter and Tyler H.L. Tornabene are prosecuting this case on behalf of the United States.

An indictment or information is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Leigh Ann Vradenburg of Klamath County is slated to become Operator of the Year for eastern Oregon. The Eastern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee (an advisory committee to the Oregon Dept. of Forestry Board) selected Vradenburg to represent this region earlier this fall. She and recipients for Northwest and Southwest Oregon will be recognized in Salem at the January meeting of the full ODF Board in Salem. The other honorees are:

• Northwest Oregon – Ron Staley of Ron Staley Enterprises, Inc., of Lebanon, Ore., in Linn County
• Southwest Oregon – Wally Plikat of Plikat Logging, Inc., based in Roseburg, Ore.

The award recognizes forest operators who, while harvesting timber or doing other forestry work, protect natural resources at a level that consistently meets or goes above and beyond requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act . That law requires people to manage forests responsibly and protect streams and water quality, protect and enhance habitat, and reduce landslide risks. The law also requires landowners to replant forests after harvesting. Videos about each of the three Operators of the Year and five Merit Award winners can be viewed on the ODF website at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Working/Pages/default.aspx

Work to improve forest health recognized

Leigh Ann Vradenburg is a forest consultant working with Klamath Watershed Partnership, a community based non-profit organization focusing on the needs of landowners and sustainability of natural resources. In her role, Vradenburg brings together landowners, agencies and other partners to conserve, enhance, and restore the natural resources of the Klamath Basin, while ensuring economic vitality for the community.

ODF Stewardship Forester Jason Pettigrew works with Vradenburg in the Klamath-Lake District. He said, “She works tirelessly to educate owners of small forest parcels about health risks to their forestland, including overly dense tree numbers, insect pests, mistletoe and fire danger, and to identify their objectives for their property. She then works to obtain federal grants to fund the work. By assembling many small jobs into larger projects, she makes it economically viable for local logging firms to do the work. And she is very hands on, meeting multiple times with landowners before marking trees to be thinned or retained and inspecting the work at every stage. She is a trusted partner for landowners and loggers in this area.”

Because of her work, Pettigrew says large swathes of overcrowded forest stands have been thinned and had brush cut back, reducing drought stress on remaining trees and improving their health and resistance to pests. “It also makes it safer for landowners and firefighters to control any wildfires that occur,” he adds.

John Day firm receives Award of Merit

Tim Rude of Rude Logging, based in John Day, received an Award of Merit from the Committee for protecting waters of a fish-bearing stream while harvesting in steep forests needing thinning to reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Merit Awards were also given to four other companies.

Northwest Oregon

• Olav “Ole” Berg of Big O Logging, Inc., based in Birkenfeld in Columbia County for helping thin overcrowded forestland during ongoing road repair work.
• Greg Pelham of Pelham Cutting, Inc. based in St. Helens, for consistently high performance in harvesting and reforestation, with care to avoid high landslide-risk areas and identify and leave important old-growth wildlife trees.

Southwest Oregon

• Butte Falls-based Don Hamman of Don Hamman, Inc. in Jackson County for assisting small landowners in urban-adjacent, high-visibility areas with thinning to reduce wildfire risk.
• Austin Weber of Weber Logging and Construction, Inc., based in Roseburg for consistent employment of innovative logging technology in steep-slope areas to protect fish-bearing streams and minimize soil disturbance and erosion.

ODF Forest Resources Division Chief Josh Barnard said, “This year’s honorees harnessed innovative technology and techniques to protect water quality, and helped small landowners improve the health of their forests and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire through careful planning and coordination. In challenging harvesting sites, they have shown extraordinary care and diligence to protect resources and meet landowner objectives. We’re proud to recognize the community spirit and leadership these operators have shown.”

Oregon enacted the Forest Practices Act in 1971 as a national model for forest management laws. The law focuses on ensuring responsible forest operations and protecting natural resources in forestland. The Act has been updated many times based on new scientific information and values to create a balanced approach to natural resource management.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A local man is facing federal charges today for distributing counterfeit Oxycodone pills containing fentanyl that caused the overdose death of a Portland teenager.

Nasir Overton, 20, a resident of Portland, has been charged by criminal complaint with one count each of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, resulting in death, and distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl, resulting in death.

According to court documents, on September 20, 2023, a detective from the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) responded to a local hospital after receiving a report of a 15-year-old who had fatally overdosed on fentanyl. The detective learned that the day prior, the teenager had ingested a single counterfeit Oxycodone pill containing fentanyl and overdosed. The teenager was pronounced dead four days later. Further investigation revealed that the teen received the fatal pill from a friend who had purchased two pills from Overton, who went by the alias “Noni.”

Overton was arrested Thursday without incident in Portland and made his first appearance in federal court today before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

If convicted, Overton faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), PPB, and the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Interdiction Task Force (HIT). It is being prosecuted by Scott M. Kerin, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing, located at the Portland Air National Guard Base, will welcome a new commander during a change of command ceremony here, December 2nd, at 3:00 p.m. 

Col. Michael B. Kosderka will succeed Col. Todd A. Hofford as the Wing Commander, overseeing nearly 1,400 personnel in executing their F-15 Eagle Aerospace Control Alert mission in defense of the Pacific Northwest, worldwide deployments supporting national objectives, and local state missions as directed by the governor. 

Colonel Kosderka has spent all 24 years of his military career in the Oregon Air National Guard. He has been deployed in support of Overseas Contingency Operations throughout the world, including Operation Noble Eagle. Colonel Kosderka received his bachelor’s degree in Mathematical Science in 1998 from Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon and a Master’s in Business Administration from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. 

In his previous assignment, Colonel Kosderka served as the Director of Staff for the Oregon Air National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters in Salem. He also served as the 142nd Maintenance Group Commander from September 2020 through December 2021 in Portland. Col. Kosderka is rated as a senior pilot with over 1,200 flying hours, most recently in the F-15 Eagle.

Col. Hofford has served as the 142nd Wing Commander the past two years beginning in December 2021 to December 2023.  During his tenure, the wing’s aerospace control alert mission culminated in a 1st Air Force Alert “Unit of the Year” designation. Col. Hofford later coauthored and initiated the planning and execution of the Enduring Partners 2023 State Partnership Program dissimilar air combat exercise at Korat Air Base, Thailand.

Col. Hofford began his military career in 1993 when he enlisted in the Air National Guard as a munitions systems specialist with the 173rd Fighter Wing in Klamath Falls, Oregon. He received his officer commission from the Academy of Military Science in 1998 and later attended Undergraduate Pilot Training in 1999. Col. Hofford is rated as a command pilot with more than 2,600 flying hours, primarily in the F-15 Eagle. Col. Hofford’s next assignment will be as the principal deputy director, A3/10 at the Air National Guard Readiness Center, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland.

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Media members wishing to attend, please email 142.wg.pa@us.af.mil by Saturday, 2 December no later than 9 a.m.

About the 142nd Wing:

The Portland Air National Guard Base employs 1,500 Airmen who provide an economic impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border through their Aerospace Control Alert mission as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequalled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.

SALEM, Oregon— The County Opportunity Grant Program Advisory Committee will hold a public meeting to review grant applications 10 a.m. to noon. Dec. 14 on Zoom. 

Applicants to the County Opportunity Grant Program (COGP) will present their proposed projects for acquiring, planning, developing and rehabilitating county-run camping facilities. The committee will evaluate and score all applications and create a priority ranking list of projects to be funded. The list will be forwarded to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission for final review and approval. 

A schedule with applicants and their specific presentation times will be posted on the County Opportunity Grant Program web page at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/pages/GRA-cogp.aspx the week of Dec. 4. A link to view the Zoom meeting will also be posted on the site at that time.

The COGP Advisory Committee consists of seven members who represent counties, recreational vehicle owners, people with disabilities and the general public. They also represent various geographic areas of the state. 

The COGP was established in 1983 to direct a portion of revenue from recreational vehicle registration fees to counties for park and recreation sites and programs. All Oregon counties are eligible to apply. The program is administered by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). 

For more information about the COGP, visit oprdgrants.org. 

Salem – The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) is seeking information from anyone who has had insurance dealings with Joshua M. Bekhor or his company, Immediate Insurance Services. Bekhor is under investigation for being an unlicensed insurance producer in Oregon and misappropriating insurance premiums.

The division received a complaint from an Oregon consumer who said Bekhor sold several policies to him for more than $11,000, only to find out the policies did not exist or were for much lower coverages than the insured believed he was purchasing. The consumer was only made aware of these issues after an insurance investigator contacted him to let him know Bekhor had either never purchased the insurance policies the consumer paid for or had purchased much smaller policies.

The consumer contacted the insurance companies he was led to believe he had purchased policies with and in each instance he found Bekhor never purchased the policies the consumer paid for. 

Bekhor is also accused of collecting premiums for the purchase of a property insurance policy for a company in Oregon but never forwarding the premiums to the insurer. The company found out when the roof of one of its warehouses collapsed from snow and ice, and the company suffered $100,000 worth of property damage. The insurance company denied the claim because the policy had been canceled due to nonpayment.

Bekhor held an insurance producer license in California from 2018 to 2021 but had it revoked for, among other things, fraudulent practices and diversion of funds.

DFR has issued an order for Bekhor to immediately cease and desist selling insurance in Oregon as an unlicensed producer and fined him for $8,000. Bekhor has an opportunity to contest these findings and allegations before an administrative law judge. 

The division would like to remind people to only do business with insurance producers who are licensed in Oregon. You can check for a license on DFR’s website as well as file a complaint if you feel you have been defrauded or been the victim of a scam.

Anyone who may have purchased insurance from Bekhor is asked to contact DFR immediately. You can do so by calling 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or emailing .insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov">dfr.insurancehelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.

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

SALEM, Ore— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is seeking additional public comments on proposed updates to the rules for excluding individuals from Oregon State Parks who commit violations, including endangering the safety of visitors and staff (OAR 736-010-0020, 736-021-0040). 

The proposed rules opened for public comment Oct. 2, 2023 and reflected changes recommended by the Rule Advisory Committee, a group formed by OPRD that included representatives from the mental health community, attorneys, agency safety staff and park hosts. The first public comment period closed Nov. 3, 2023. 

After reviewing public comments, the agency decided that an update is needed to clarify the exclusion decision-making process to include exclusion conditions and timeline. This means that an additional round of public comment is required before adopting the updates to the rule.

All of the proposed updates clarify the process for excluding individuals from Oregon State Parks who commit rule violations that endanger the safety of visitors, staff or park resources. The proposed updates provide clear information on how excluded individuals may request an appeal and how appeals will be processed.

OPRD is accepting comments until 5 p.m. January 4, 2024. Comments can be made online, in writing or via email:

Online: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx

Mail: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Attn: Helena Kesch, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301

Email: D.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov">OPRD.Publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov

The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program is seeking community partner comment on changes to its administrative rules regarding youth services and rate setting for these services. The public may testify at public hearings scheduled in January or submit written comments from Dec. 1, 2023 to Jan. 31, 2024. 

VR seeks input on proposed changes to youth services, provided in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 582 Division 150: Transition Services and Coordination for Students and Youth with Disabilities. All input will be reviewed, and the proposed rules may be modified.

Public Hearings 

Public hearings will be held virtually in January 2023. 

January 10, 2024, 10 to 11 a.m. 

Join ZoomGov Meeting: http://bit.ly/46yrvGg

Meeting ID: 161 755 2659

Passcode: 185803

January 15, 2024, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Join ZoomGov Meeting https://bit.ly/3T3rs1W

Meeting ID: 160 818 1559

Passcode: 330517

January 19, 2024, noon to 1 p.m.

Join ZoomGov Meeting https://bit.ly/3GlKKs3

Meeting ID: 161 449 7621

Passcode: 274647

To receive notice of future public hearings, subscribe to receive email updates from Vocational Rehabilitation. 

Accessibility

CART and an ASL interpreter will be available at the hearings.

You can request accommodation in other languages, large print, braille, or any other format you prefer to submit public comment or attend a public hearing. Contact Robin Brandt at 503-507-5226 or by email at .Policy@odhs.oregon.gov">VR.Policy@odhs.oregon.gov. We accept calls from all forms of relay service for people who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or have a speech disability. Please let us know of any accommodations at least a week in advance. We will do our best to accommodate all requests.

Proposed amendments

• Describe the rate setting for contracted services provided to students and youth with disabilities.
• Strengthen language committing to statewide pre-employment transition services for all students with disabilities.
• Clarify services for students with disabilities who are potentially eligible.
• Explain services available for youth and students with disabilities eligible for general vocational rehabilitation services provided in an individualized plan for employment.
• Clarify transition services to groups of students with disabilities and youth with disabilities who may not have yet applied for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Describe VR required information and records required for students to participate in pre-employment transition services.
• Explain the set aside of federal funds to benefit students and youth with disabilities, its purpose and how services are documented.
• Move definitions to this Division that are specific to youth services. New terms for youth vocational rehabilitation services are added.
• Clarify the rule contents generally, review grammar and expand the use of plain language.
• Review and update legal references and names of forms and organizations, as needed.

The proposed rules will be posted on the Vocational Rehabilitation rule making website.

Written comments can be sent to Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation, 500 Summer Street NE E-87, Salem, Oregon 97301-1120 or .Policy@odhs.oregon.gov">VR.Policy@odhs.oregon.gov.

Updates to OAR 582 align with requirements of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), enacted July 22, 2014, (Public Law No. 113-128) and with state and federal requirements.

Questions? Contact Robin Brandt at obin.l.brandt@odhs.oregon.gov">robin.l.brandt@odhs.oregon.gov or 503-507-5226.

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About Vocational Rehabilitation: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) assists individuals with disabilities to get and keep a job or advance in their career that matches their skills, interests and abilities. VR staff work in partnership with the community and businesses to provide services that are individualized to help each eligible person receive services that are essential to their employment success

2024 Board on Public Safety Standards & Training

 And Policy Committee

Open Vacancies – Recruitment

The Board on Public Safety Standards & Training (BPSST) and established Policy Committees have open vacancies looking to be filled in the new year. The current vacancies are as follows:

BPSST: Applications must be submitted through Workday.com by end of day December 1, 2023

• Representative of the Private Security Industry
• Two Members Representing the Public
• Administrator of a Municipality recommended to the Governor by the executive body of the League of Oregon Cities

If interested in applying for a BPSST position, please complete the online application at Workday Board and Commission Opportunities. When applying for a BPSST position, please specifically state which vacant position you are applying for. (Please note that an account may need to be created if not already in Workday)

Policy Committees: Applications due to Shelby Wright by December 21, 2023

Telecommunications Policy Committee:

• Representing telecommunicators
• One member representing the public who has never been employed or utilized as a telecommunicator

Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee:

• One member representing the public who has never been employed or utilized as a private security provider or investigator
• Representing the Health Care Industry

Police Policy Committee:

• Recommended by and representing the Oregon State Sheriffs’ Association
• Recommended by and representing the Oregon Association Chiefs of Police
• Two members representing Non-Management Law Enforcement

Corrections Policy Committee:

• Two members representing Non-Management Corrections Officers
• Recommended by and representing the Oregon Sheriff’s Jail Command Council
• Recommended by and representing the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association

Fire Policy Committee:

• Non-Management Firefighter recommended by a statewide organization of firefighters.

If interested in applying for a Policy Committee position, please complete and submit the Policy Committee Interest Form. This form can also be found under the ‘Boards and Committees Resources’ section of the website linked below.

To inquire about a vacancy, please visit Department of Public Safety Standards & Training : Board on Public Safety Standards & Training and Policy Committees : Boards and Committees : State of Oregon.

For further information regarding the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training or its respective Policy Committees, please contact Shelby Wright at y.wright@dpsst.oregon.gov">shelby.wright@dpsst.oregon.gov

Thank you,

DPSST Board & Committees Staff

SALEM, Ore— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is accepting additional public comments through Jan. 4 on proposed updates to rules about the collection of marine plants and macroalgae in marine reserves and marine protected areas (OAR 736-021-0090).

The department’s proposed rule changes will allow for collection of marine plants and macroalgae in marine protected areas if allowed under management plans for the area: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx. Updates to Oregon’s Territorial Sea Plan earlier this year changed regulations and management practices in certain protected areas. 

OPRD’s proposed rules would also eliminate outdated requirements for enrolled members of federally recognized tribes in Oregon to seek a permit before collecting marine plants along the ocean shore. 

In October, the agency took public comment on proposed language for this rule. Based on comments received, the agency is updating proposed language to clarify that collection of material is only allowed for enrolled members of federally recognized tribes in Oregon or under management agreements between a tribe and the department.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is accepting comments on the proposed rule changes until 5 p.m. Jan. 4, 2024. Public comments can be made online, in writing or via email:

• Online: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx, scroll down to “Open Rulemaking” and find “Marine plant and Macroalgae collection rule update”
• In writing: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, attn.: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301
• Email: D.publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov">OPRD.publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov.

After reviewing public comments, agency staff plan to present a final proposed amended rule to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission for consideration at its Feb. 2024 business meeting.

The full text of the proposed amendment to Oregon Administrative Rule 736-021-0090 is available online at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx.

Around 2:45pm Thursday afternoon, a man reported to 911 seeing smoke and flame coming from a home that he was house sitting. The residents were on vacation. Crews arrived on scene at 2973 NE Rock Chuck Dr and found a two story residence engulfed with flame and smoke coming from the living room and second story window. After quick extinguishment, a search was done and found no occupants inside. A cat and dog were found in good health and taken to a safe area. Unfortunately, one dog perished in the fire. The blaze took about 20 minutes to extinguish. Upon investigation, it appeared the fire was accidental and started from improperly discarded ashes from the wood burning stove, that were placed in a plastic bucket and left inside the home, near the woodstove. There was extreme fire and smoke damage to the entire interior of the house. 

Bend Fire & Rescue would like to share a reminder that Hot or cold ashes from a wood stove should always be placed in a metal container with a lid and moved to the outside of the home, away from any combustible material. 

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Robert Fort, died the evening of November 29, 2023. Fort was incarcerated at Two Rivers Correctional Institution (TRCI) in Umatilla and passed away at the facility. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the State Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.

Fort entered DOC custody on February 5, 1991, from Deschutes County with a life sentence. Fort was 63 years old.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of 12,000 individuals who are incarcerated in 12 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

TRCI is a multi-custody prison in Umatilla that houses approximately 1,800 adults in custody. TRCI participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including institution and industrial laundry, mattress manufacturing, and sewing. Other institution work programs include reparation and cleaning of irrigation ditches, maintenance of local baseball fields, and work with local cities and the Hermiston School District. The facility provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, religious services, and behavioral health services. TRCI opened in 2000.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Warm Springs, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for assaulting his girlfriend and leaving her lying injured in the driveway of her home on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

Maron Brent Graybael, Jr., 38, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, on May 16, 2023, Graybael Jr. became angry at his girlfriend, grabbed her by her hair, and punched her more than ten times with a closed fist in her abdomen. After the woman fell to the ground, Graybael Jr. kicked her, grabbed her by her hair again, and slammed her head into the ground multiple times. He then left the woman, seriously injured, lying in her driveway, and walked away. After several minutes, the woman called 911 to report her own assault and injuries. Police responded and she was transported to a local hospital.

On June 1, 2023, Graybael Jr. was charged by criminal complaint with assault resulting in serious bodily injury. One week later, on June 7, 2023, a federal grand jury in Portland indicted him on the same charge. On August 31, 2023, Graybael was convicted at trial.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department. It was prosecuted by Pamela Paaso and Suzanne Miles, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

Domestic violence is a serious crime that can include both physical and emotional abuse, and it is frequently hidden from public view. Many survivors suffer in silence, afraid to seek help or not knowing where to turn. The traumatic effects of domestic violence also extend beyond the abused person, impacting family members, friends, and communities.

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

If you need assistance or know someone who needs help, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Many communities throughout the country have also created support networks to assist survivors in the process of recovery.

The StrongHearts Native Helpline offers culturally specific support and advocacy for American Indian and Alaska Native survivors of domestic violence. Please call 1-844-762-8483 or visit www.strongheartshelpline.org for more information.

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Umatilla County, Ore. 30 Nov. 2023 – OSP Fish and Wildlife Division is seeking public assistance in locating the person(s) responsible for the waste of a Rocky Mountain Elk in Umatilla County.

On Oct. 4, 2023, troopers responded to a call of a Rocky Mountain bull elk that had been shot and left to waste on Hwy. 74, approximately four miles west of Hwy. 395. The investigation determined the bull was killed approximately 100 yards from the highway with a single gunshot wound to the head, then left to waste.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, OSP (677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Reference case number SP23318278.

REPORT WILDLIFE AND HABITAT LAW VIOLATORS 
The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter, Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board. 

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

Preference Point Rewards:
5 Points: Bighorn Sheep
5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat
5 Points: Moose
5 Points: Wolf
4 Points: Elk
4 Points: Deer
4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope
4 Points: Bear
4 Points: Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

CASH REWARDS

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) Cash Rewards
$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose 
$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope 
$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$300 Habitat Destruction 
$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
$200 Unlawful Lending/Borrowing Big Game Tag(s)
$200 Game Fish & Shellfish
$200 Game Birds or Furbearers
$200 Spotlighting
$200 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish) 

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards
$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity 
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)
TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov  (Monitored M-F 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
For more information visit: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx

# # #

About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon. 

Morrow County, Ore. 30 Nov. 2023 – OSP Fish and Wildlife Division is seeking public assistance in locating the person(s) responsible for the waste of two Rocky Mountain Elk in Morrow County.

On Nov. 27, 2023, troopers responded to a call of two elk that had been left partially to waste in a dry creek bed near Lexington. Due to the recent cold weather, it is believed the elk may have been killed in the past week.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 1-800-452-7888, OSP (677), or email at TIP@osp.oregon.gov. Reference case number SP23376327.

REPORT WILDLIFE AND HABITAT LAW VIOLATORS 

The Turn In Poachers (TIP) program is a collaboration between the Oregon State Police, Oregon Hunters Association, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Wildlife Coalition, Oregon Outfitter, Guides Association, and the Oregon State Marine Board. 

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

Preference Point Rewards:
5 Points: Bighorn Sheep
5 Points: Rocky Mountain Goat
5 Points: Moose
5 Points: Wolf
4 Points: Elk
4 Points: Deer
4 Points: Pronghorn Antelope
4 Points: Bear
4 Points: Cougar

The TIP program also offers cash rewards for information leading to an arrest or issuance of a citation for the unlawful take/possession or waste of the following fish and wildlife species. Cash rewards can also be awarded for habitat destruction, illegally obtaining hunting or angling license or tag, lending or borrowing big game tags, spotlighting, or snagging.

CASH REWARDS

Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) Cash Rewards
$2,000 Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, or Moose 
$1,000 Elk, Deer, or Antelope 
$600 Bear, Cougar, or Wolf
$300 Habitat Destruction 
$200 Illegally obtaining Oregon hunting or angling license or tags
$200 Unlawful Lending/Borrowing Big Game Tag(s)
$200 Game Fish & Shellfish
$200 Game Birds or Furbearers
$200 Spotlighting
$200 Snagging/Attempt to Snag

Oregon Wildlife Coalition (OWC) Cash Rewards
$500 Hawk, Falcon, Eagle, Owl, Osprey
$500 Cougar, Bobcat, Beaver (public lands only), Black bears, Bighorn Sheep, Marten, Fisher, Sierra Nevada Red Fox
$1,000 Species listed as “threatened" or “endangered" under state or federal Endangered Species Act (excludes fish) 

Oregon Outfitters & Guides Association (OOGA) Cash Rewards
$200 Acting as an Outfitter Guide for the Illegal Killing of Wildlife, Illegally Obtaining Oregon Hunting or Angling Licenses or Tags, or Illegally Offering to Act as an Outfitter Guide as defined in ORS 704.010 and 704.020.

How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity 
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 or OSP (677)
TIP email: TIP@osp.oregon.gov  (Monitored M-F 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
For more information visit: www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/fw/Pages/tip.aspx

# # #

About the Oregon State Police
Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

November 30, 2023

Media Contact: Amy Bacher, acher2@oha.oregon.gov">amy.bacher2@oha.oregon.gov

OHA updates plan for climate benefits while awaiting federal approval

After federal rules posed added restrictions to the state’s plan, OHA and state partners pursued new avenues to get devices to OHP members

Portland, Ore. – Today Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced the state will update its plan for how climate-related devices are distributed to eligible Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members prior to a forecasted weather-related emergency. The benefits are projected to begin in March 2024, pending federal government approval.

OHA initially proposed introducing climate benefits for OHP members in January 2024 as part of Oregon’s 1115 Medicaid waiver, which uses federal dollars to provide climate devices like air conditioners, air filtration devices, and portable power supplies to eligible Medicaid members; however, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) informed the state that distributing climate devices prior to an emergency declaration would not be possible.

“The limitation would have severely restricted distribution of climate devices, so we sought feedback from state partners and a more flexible approach,” said Dave Baden, interim director of OHA. “We look forward to continuing to work with CMS and moving toward final approval.”

“Our first priority always is our community,” said Sean Jessup, Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization (EOCCO). “We’re laser-focused on getting the right resources to our OHP members, particularly in times of greater need. We’re encouraged that this plan will even better serve people.”

Before the new benefits launch, CCO-enrolled OHP members can contact their CCO to see if climate supports are available through “flexible services” (also called health related services). If a member has OHP but is not sure which CCO they are in, they can call the Client Services Unit at 1-800-273-0557 or email: Ask.OHP@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

Additional details will be provided in the coming weeks. Information about Oregon’s 1115 Medicaid waiver is currently available on OHA’s web site, via the waiver newsletter, and through webinars in English and Spanish.

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Richland, Washington- Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Amy Lynn Loza, age 38, of Pasco, Washington was sentenced after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute 400 Grams or More of a Mixture of a Substance Containing a Detectable Amount of Fentanyl. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke imposed a sentence of 108 months imprisonment to be followed by 5 years of supervised release. 

According to court documents, in October of 2022, the Tri-Cities Metro Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) began investigating several fentanyl traffickers operating in the Tri Cities. Investigators developed information that Loza had recently purchased several thousand fentanyl laced pills. 

Agents obtained search warrants for two locations used by Loza – a home in Richland and the bedroom of a home in Kennewick. During those searches, agents located more than 14,000 rainbow- colored fentanyl pills and well as more than a pound of meth. Agents also located scales, baggies, and drug ledgers belonging to Loza. A loaded firearm was also found at the home in Richland. 

When contact was made, Loza admitted to investigators that she had been involved in trafficking fentanyl and had purchased 17,000 pills in the last week.

U.S. Attorney Waldref stated, “Fentanyl has taken too many lives across the United States and right here in our community. Every day the Metro Drug Task Force and DEA are working to combat this dangerous poison. Thanks to their efforts in this case, thousands of fentanyl pills have been removed from our streets, making Eastern Washington safer and stronger.”

“Rainbow fentanyl is a despicable marketing tool used by traffickers to hide the deadly nature of fentanyl, which could have resulted in over 10,000 deaths in this case,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “The team effort of DEA, alongside our state and local partners, kept this deadly drug off the streets and held Ms. Loza accountable for her actions.” According to the DEA laboratory, seven in 10 fake pills contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl www.DEA.gov/OnePill.

This case was investigated by the DEA and the Tri-Cities Metro Drug Task Force. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney’s Stephanie Van Marter and Rebecca Perez. 

4:22-CR-06048-MKD

Clatsop County Parks received national recognition from the States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) during its recent annual conference held in Tacoma, Washington. 

Clatsop County earned the coveted President’s Award, recognizing boating access projects that are innovative, high-quality, have unique features, and increase accessibility. 

The Oregon State Marine Board, in partnership with Clatsop County Parks, assisted with the design, permitting, and engineering services, in addition to contributing facility grant funding. Together, along with other partners, the Westport County Park Boating facility is first-rate and serves the needs of all boaters.

Back in 2007, Clatsop County had a vision for the park by turning it into a first-class mixed-use boating facility to meet growing needs in the community and to boost a broader tourism base. The process of completely redesigning boating access took serious commitment by the county, which spanned over a decade, evolving into multiple-phased plans for improving boating access. The site was identified as a high priority for grant funding by recreational boaters in the Marine Board’s 2011-2017 Statewide Boating Facilities Improvement Plan. 

Westport’s makeover includes an accessible nonmotorized boat dock with a 120 x 5-foot gangway to reduce the slope during low tide, making the docks more accessible for persons with mobility challenges. 

The gangway also connects to a short-term tie-up dock for motorized boaters. The facility boasts a new two-lane concrete boat ramp, aluminum boarding docks, flush restroom, large boat trailer and single car parking areas, day-use area, and a park host to ensure a safe atmosphere for boaters.

Funding amounts and partners include:

• Marine Board Boating Facility Grant for $1,065,602 and Waterway Access Grant revenue for $93,274 
• Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife Sport Fish Restoration Grant for $934,819
• Federal Boating Infrastructure Grant for $270,423
• Clatsop County Contribution for $880,770
• Columbia River Yachting Association for $4,202
  Total Project Cost: $3,249,090

Westport was officially dedicated on February 1, 2022, and is the perfect gateway to the Columbia River for new and experienced boaters alike. The protective slough makes this an attractive location for beginning paddlers, and a safe tie-up for motorized boats.  

On November 8, Larry Warren, Marine Board Director, and Janine Belleque, Boating Facilities Program Manager/Past-President of SOBA, presented the award to the Clatsop County Commission. 

Learn more about the project history’s twists and turns, with before and after photos from the Marine Board’s Explore Westport blog and Clatsop County’s website; complete with a video of how to use the kayak launch. 

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The Marine Board is directly funded by boaters in the form of registration, title, and permit fees, as well as marine fuel taxes. No lottery, general fund tax dollars or local facility parking fees support the agency or its programs. Revenue goes back to boaters in the form of grants for boating facility access, grants for on-water opportunities for paddlers, contracts for marine law enforcement services, safety education, and environmental stewardship. The agency also registers outfitter guides, charters, and boat rental businesses. For more information about the Marine Board and its programs, visit Boat.Oregon.gov.

About SOBA: Established in 1986, SOBA is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to improving access to waterways by promoting the public acquisition, development and maintenance of recreational boating facilities.

Santa Express to Collect Food, Clothing, and Toys for Families in Need

Santa and the Bend Fire Department Santa Express are back spreading holiday cheer! We will be driving through neighborhoods with our friend Santa collecting food, clothing and toys to support the Salvation Army. 

In 2022, The Salvation Army and Santa Express collected thousands of pounds of food plus much needed clothing and toys to over 600 families in the Bend area. Anything and everything helps, even if it’s one can of food or a small toy that donation will go a long ways to providing a good dinner and a nice gift on Christmas and a smile on a child’s face Christmas morning. The Salvation Army would like to express the need for gifts to be given to teenage age kids as well. Please join the Bend Fire Department in supporting our community! 2023 has brought more community need this year and we’re asking for your help and support. 

Here is a list of the neighborhoods with maps for our nightly walks: 
(maps available on our website www.bendoregon.gov/santaexpress)

- Monday December 4th - Foxborough, Larkspur, Sun Meadow neighborhoods 

- Tuesday December 5th - Three Pines Ridge, Shevlin Ridge and Shevlin Meadows neighborhoods

- Wednesday December 6th - Pineridge, River Canyon and Aspen Rim neighborhoods

 

Drop off non-perishable foods, new toys or clothing at any of these locations. Boxes will be in place until Friday December 15, 2023:

• Bend Fire & Rescue Fire Stations – blue recycling bins will be at each system for drop offs:
  • West Fire Station – 1212 SW Simpson Ave
  • East Fire Station – 62420 Hamby Rd
  • North Fire Station – 63377 Jamison St
  • South Fire Station – 61080 Country Club Dr
  • Tumalo Fire Station – 64725 Cook Ave 
  • Pilot Butte Fire Station – 425 NE 15^th St 
• The Salvation Army – 515 NE Dekalb Ave.
• The Bend Airport flight center – 63132 Powell Butte Highway 

If you can’t make it any of these locations and would like someone to come by and pick up your donation in the Bend area, please call our office at 541-322-6386 to arrange a curbside pickup. 

Thanks ahead of time from Bend Firefighters Association, Bend Fire & Rescue, Cascade Disposal and The Salvation Army for helping families in need this holiday season. If you need help for this holiday season with food or presents, please call The Salvation Army at 541-389-8888.

The nonprofits support rural and women entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs of color across Oregon

Portland, Ore.—November 30, 2023—Oregon Community Foundation (OCF)’s Thriving Entrepreneurs Program is awarding 24 Oregon-based nonprofit organizations nearly $575,000 in grant funding to support local entrepreneurs. This funding will be shared among the 24 different nonprofits, all of which provide mentoring, technical assistance, and access to capital for under-resourced entrepreneurs, and help strengthen Oregon’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

This year’s nonprofit grant recipients support a wide variety of entrepreneurs, including Oregon youth, Black and Native American, rural business owners and other diverse entrepreneurs from across the state. During this cycle, each Thriving Entrepreneur grant ranges from $15,000-$25,000. The Thriving Entrepreneurs grant program aims to support entrepreneurs who are overlooked by traditional markets, or lack other resources or access to capital.

“Oregon’s entrepreneurial landscape is growing, and there is so much potential for innovation. The state is home to a diverse array of small businesses, brimming with innovative concepts. Many local entrepreneurs need assistance to develop business plans, recruit skilled teams, or access additional capital to fuel their ventures,” said Maribel De Leon, Program Officer for Economic Vitality. “These entrepreneurs are instrumental in propelling innovation across the state, and supporting them leads to more thriving communities.” 

The Thriving Entrepreneurs Grant is an open, responsive grantmaking opportunity that offers organizations flexible funding. The program prioritizes support for organizations that serve entrepreneurs who are women, people of color, living in under-resourced rural communities, or working in under-resourced sectors. Grant funding is only available to nonprofit organizations, and not individuals.

Highlights of OCF’s 2023 Thriving Entrepreneur grantees this year include:

Talent Business Alliance, $25,000

To support local businesses and entrepreneurs at every stage of development by offering technical assistance, networking, and advocacy to expand the vitality of the community of Talent.

As background, Talent lost 60 percent of its businesses in the Almeda Fire. The remaining 40 perfect continue to struggle in the wake of incredible losses from the fire. 

MicroEnterprise Resources Initiatives & Training (MERIT), $25,000

To support Oregon’s diverse business community by providing 20-30 clients with expert entrepreneurial and financial management training, small business training, financial education, and loan program and individual development accounts (IDA). 

Be Blac Foundation, $25,000

To develop and grow the Black community through partnering with and supporting Black-owned and operated businesses/nonprofits and offering culturally specific venture catalyst workshops, training, and bootcamps for emerging and well-established Black business owners and entrepreneurs in Marion and Polk counties. 

Northwest Native Chamber (NNC), $25,000

Builds avenues to wealth creation for Native Americans and other diverse communities through small business development and critical business development training, technical assistance, and other key supports to ensure that Native American small business owners and entrepreneurs have the resources that they need.

NNC expects to support 350 Native American small businesses, and this OCF grant will pay for approximately 160 direct counseling hours through contracted Professional Service Providers, who support clients with industry-specific expertise.

REAP Inc., $25,000

Invests in students grades 3-12 by empowering them to converse with business, community, and political leaders. Specifically, this grant will support REAP’s Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP), which is a 10-month curriculum that introduces students to the fundamentals of business.

Warm Springs Community Action Team, $25,000

Supports the Warm Springs Reservation through programs with youth, adults, families, and tribal entrepreneurs; employs and trains workers in its coffee shop and food cart and works with hundreds of tribal households each year through workforce trainings, asset building (IDAs), small business promotion, tax assistance, education, and youth programs.

Latino Founders, $25,000

Supports Latino-led startups looking to scale their products, technology, and services statewide. Latino entrepreneurs with a business idea or an existing business participate in a 10-week accelerator program, where they learn business modeling, finance, and prototyping and get paired up with mentors and resources to help them launch and scale their businesses.

The BFM Fund (Black Founders Matter), $25,000

The BFM Fund’s Emerge Initiative supports Oregon-based BIPOC entrepreneurs in the earliest stages of launching their venture with pitch competitions, non-dilutive grant funding, and long-term, culturally relevant mentorship, networking, and connection to accelerator and other investors.

The full list of OCF Thriving Entrepreneur 2023 grantees is here. 

OCF’s Thriving Entrepreneurs Fund is open for contributions. Please visit: https://oregoncf.org/community-impact/impact-areas/economic-and-community-vitality/thriving-entrepreneurs-fund/

About Oregon Community Foundation 

Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) was founded in 1973 with a big mission: to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In partnership with donors and volunteers, OCF works to strengthen communities in every county in Oregon through research, grantmaking and scholarships. In 2022, OCF distributed more than $180 million, supporting 3,500 grantees and awarding more than 3,000 scholarships. With OCF, individuals, families, businesses, and organizations create charitable funds that meet the needs of diverse communities statewide. 2023 marks OCF’s 50th anniversary. Since its founding, OCF has distributed more than $2.2 billion in community investments, including grants to 10,850 nonprofits and 53,375 scholarships to students. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, please visit: oregoncf.org.

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OSP troopers rescue abandoned dogs from U-Haul
25 dogs turned over to the Klamath County Animal Shelter

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. 30 Nov. 2023 – On Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 23, 2023) Oregon State Police troopers responded to the Love’s Truck Stop in Klamath Falls for the report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot. A U-Haul truck had been abandoned in the parking lot for approximately two days. When the troopers arrived, they could hear barking from the back of the enclosed truck. 

An investigation revealed the U-Haul had been reported stolen and troopers obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. Troopers found seven cages with 15 abandoned dogs including several puppies. The dogs had been severely neglected; however, all were found alive. The dogs had been abandoned in the back of the U-Haul since Monday, Nov. 20, 2023. 

Troopers contacted two suspects and were able to recover an additional 10 dogs. David Eugene McMillion (50) of Klamath Falls was arrested for Animal Abandonment, Criminal Mischief II, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, and Animal Neglect II. Lisa Annette Weeks (39) of Klamath Falls was charged with Animal Abandonment, Unauthorized Use of Vehicle, and Animal Neglect II. 

In all, 25 dogs were turned over the Klamath County Animal Shelter for evaluation and care. One puppy has tested positive for canine parvo. All dogs currently at the shelter have been quarantined and the shelter sanitized to help prevent further spread of the disease. Once medically cleared the dogs will be available for adoption and the animal shelter has already received dozens of adoption applications for the dogs.  

# # #

About the Oregon State Police

Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Beaverton, Oregon drug trafficker with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison Wednesday after he was caught possessing a large quantity of drugs and several firearms.

Roderick Larkins, 54, was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, in late May 2021, the Beaverton Police Department obtained information that Larkins was supplying fentanyl and other drugs to area drug dealers and possessed large quantities of drugs and several firearms in his Beaverton apartment. On May 23, 2021, investigators obtained and executed a search on Larkins apartment. They located and seized more than two pounds each of fentanyl pills and methamphetamine; smaller quantities of heroin, cocaine, and cocaine hydrochloride; a semiautomatic pistol, and two short-barreled assault rifles. Larkins, who was arrested without incident during the search, had tens of thousands of dollars stuffed into his pants pockets.

On July 20, 2021, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an eight-count indictment charging Larkins with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Later, on August 8, 2023, the charges of distributing fentanyl and possessing with intent to distribute heroin were added by superseding indictment.

On August 31, 2023, Larkins pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute heroin.

This case was investigated by the Beaverton Police Department with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and FBI. It was prosecuted by Parakram Singh and Robert Trisotto, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

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Yakima, Washington – Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Bryce Quinton Hale, age 28, of Yakima, Washington, to 240 months in federal prison for Production of Child Pornography and Possession of Child Pornography. Hale pleaded guilty to those charges on August 23, 2023. Chief United States District Judge Bastian also ordered Hale to serve an additional 10 years on federal supervision after he is released from prison and imposed $3,000 in restitution.

According to court documents, in August 2021, Hale produced images of child pornography which he shared with a chat group using the “Kik” app on his cellular phone. He was charged for this conduct in November 2021 and was placed on conditions of pre-trial release beginning on December 1, 2021. Hale then violated those pre-trial release conditions by accessing the internet and using another cellular phone on which he possessed additional images and videos of child pornography.  

“Today’s sentence sends a clear message to those who continue to seek to victimize children: the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our partners will continue to work tirelessly to seek justice, and the consequences of exploiting children will be severe,” said Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District. “The FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office stand ready to respond with thorough investigations, vigorous prosecutions, and significant sentences for anyone who abuses children.”

“Child pornography is particularly troubling for the victims as the images continue to exist on the internet even after the perpetrator is stopped.” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “Despite being confronted by law enforcement with his horrendous actions, Mr. Hale continued to engage in unlawful activity.  Protecting the children of Washington state is one of the highest priorities for the FBI, and our partners at the US Attorney’s office.”

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy.

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Yakima, Washington – Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Joseph Leonard Roy, age 58, of Mabton, Washington, to 252 months in federal prison for two counts of Abusive Sexual Contact of a Minor. Roy pleaded guilty to those charges on November 29, 2022. Chief Judge Bastian also ordered Roy to serve an additional 20 years on federal supervision after he is released from prison.

According to court documents, between 2017 and 2018, Roy sexually molested two minors in a home on the Yakama Nation, where Roy had access to the victims. Roy was dating a relative of the victims at the time of the abuse, and this disturbing conduct continued until one of the victims spoke out to a trusted family member, who then contacted authorities, to report the exploitation. 

Following the sentencing, Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, stated, “My heart breaks for the victims in this case. I am grateful for their courage to come forward and engage with law enforcement to seek justice,” stated U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref. “Children deserve to live in a world where they feel safe -- free from abuse and the fear of abuse. Mr. Roy was held accountable today due to the joint efforts of the Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department, the FBI, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the community. By working together, we can continue to build trust and keep our communities safe and strong.”

“Mr. Roy’s unspeakable actions demonstrated that prison is where he belongs.” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “As a parent, I can think of nothing worse than what the victims had to endure. I applaud them for seeking help which led to this sentence and which will remove him from this community for more than twenty years.”

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

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Yakama Nation Tribal Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michal Murphy.

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