Salem, Oregon – Eugene artist Terri Warpinski will exhibit “From Here to There” in the Governor’s Office of the Capitol Building in Salem from June 4 to July 31.

Warpinski’s artistic work reflects her longstanding interest in the traces of human activity embedded in landscape. Oregon’s abundance of natural open spaces—whether oceans, rivers, plains (sage or grass), lakes or desert (dunes, scrub lands, or playas)—have been the source of contemplation and inspiration for her photography for more than 30 years.

After 32 years of teaching and administrative service at the University of Oregon, Warpinski is now a Professor Emerita of Art and dedicating her full attention to her studio practice. Her creative and scholarly career is distinguished by a Fulbright Fellowship (Israel 2000-2001) and most recently with a DAAD Research Grant (2016) to work in Berlin with the Stiftung Berliner Mauer as host institution. She is the recipient of an Individual Artist Fellowship (2014) and two Career Opportunity Grants (2015, 2013) from The Ford Family Foundation and the Oregon Art Commission. She has been awarded numerous artist residencies, including at Ucross (2000), Playa (2011, 2014) and Caldera (2016).

Recently completed projects include “Surface Tension: three landscapes of division and Liminal Matter: Fences,” in collaboration with Portland poet Laura Winter. Her work has been shown in more than 125 exhibitions including the Pingyao International Festival of Photography in China; the US Embassy in Jerusalem; Houston International Fotofest; Center for Photography at Woodstock; the University of the Arts Philadelphia; and San Francisco’s Camerawork.

The Art in the Governor’s Office Program honors selected artists in Oregon with exhibitions in the reception area of the Governor’s Office in the State Capitol. Artists are nominated by a statewide committee of arts professionals who consider artists representing the breadth and diversity of artistic practice across Oregon, and are then selected by the Arts Commission with the participation of the Governor’s Office. Only professional, living Oregon artists are considered and an exhibit in the Governor’s office is considered a “once in a lifetime” honor. Artists whose work has previously been shown in the Governor’s office include Henk Pander, Michele Russo, Manuel Izquierdo, James Lavadour, Margot Thompson, Gordon Gilkey and Yuji Hiratsuka.

                   

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development. 

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at:  www.oregonartscommission.org.

 

May 23, 2018

Contact: Jennifer Uhlman, 503-939-5267, .m.uhlman@state.or.us">jennifer.m.uhlman@state.or.us (meeting information)

Health Aspects of Kindergarten Readiness Technical Workgroup to meet May 25

What: A public meeting of the Health Aspects of Kindergarten Readiness Technical Workgroup

When: May 25, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Clackamas Community College Wilsonville Training Center, Room 111, 29353 SW Town Center Loop E, Wilsonville. The public can also join remotely through a webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7981516923666264067and by telephone conference line at 877-810-9415, participant code 1773452.

Agenda: Welcome and introductions; refresher on conceptual framework; review and adopt criteria; practice applying the conceptual framework; reviewing potential measures for Phase 1; public comment (to be taken at 12.45 p.m.)

For more information, please visit the technical workgroup’s website at http://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/ANALYTICS/Pages/KR-Health.aspx.

# # #

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

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

If you need help or have questions, please contact Melisa Otrugman at 503-689-5238, 711 TTY, ugman@state.or.us">melisa.z.otrugman@state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

# # #

WASHINGTON – The Bureau of Land Management today recognized the winners of the 2018 “Making a Difference” National Volunteer Awards.  These awards acknowledge the winners’ exceptional volunteer service on BLM-managed public lands in 2017.  This year’s awardees were honored during a ceremony that connected winners across the country via video teleconferences at BLM offices in several states and in Washington, D.C.  

“Through the years, volunteers on our public lands have ensured that Teddy Roosevelt’s ideal – the American conservation ethic – would endure,” said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. “The BLM volunteers being celebrated today are champions of this conservation ethic, and it is an honor to recognize them for their extraordinary efforts.”

In 2017, more than 28,000 volunteers contributed nearly 1 million hours of service valued at close to $23 million. The annual "Making a Difference" Award recognizes exceptional volunteers who have contributed thousands of hours improving the public lands.  These hard-working volunteers have helped the BLM monitor trails, manage wild horses, keep campers safe, and provide environmental education, interpretation, and other visitor services.

The 2018 awardees and their BLM nominating offices are:

·         Pat & Phyllis Malato, Outstanding Achievement, Upper Snake Field Office (Idaho)

·         Susan Murphy, Outstanding Achievement, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation

Area (Nevada)

·         Miranda & Madison Dickinson, Outstanding Youth, National Historic Trails Interpretive Center (Wyoming)

·         Great Escape Mustang Sanctuary, Group Excellence, Little Snake Field Office (Colorado)

·         David & Jane Styer, Lifetime Achievement, Fort Ord National Monument (California)

·         Sandra & Geoff Freethey, Lifetime Achievement, Moab Field Office (Utah)

·         Laura Olais, Employee Winner, Gila District Office (Arizona)

 

A national panel of BLM specialists and partner organization representatives selected the winners for their exceptional contributions to conservation and management of public lands. 

For more information, please contact Linda Schnee, BLM National Volunteer Program Lead, at 202-912-7453 or lschnee@blm.gov. 

---

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $75 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2016—more than any other agency in the Department of the Interior. These activities supported more than 372,000 jobs.

 

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May 23, 2018

Health advisory issued May 23 for Detroit Lake

High toxin levels found in Linn-Marion county lake

The Oregon Health Authority issued a health advisory today for Detroit Lake, located 46 miles southeast of Salem. The lake spans both Linn and Marion counties.

Water monitoring has confirmed the presence of blue-green algae and the toxins they produce in Detroit Lake. These toxin concentrations can be harmful to humans and animals.

People should avoid swallowing water while swimming or inhaling water droplets as a result of high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas where blooms are identified. Although toxins are not absorbed through the skin, people who have skin sensitivities may experience a puffy red rash at the affected area. Officials advise people to avoid areas with visible scum that looks foamy, thick like paint, pea-green, blue-green or brownish-red, or where small bright-green clumps are floating in the water.

Drinking water directly from Detroit Lake at this time is especially dangerous. OHA Public Health Division officials advise campers and other recreational visitors that toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters.

People who draw in-home water directly from the affected area are advised to use an alternative water source because private treatment systems are not proven effective for removing algae toxins. However, public drinking water systems can reduce algae toxins through proper filtration and disinfection. If people connected to public water systems have questions about treatment and testing, they should contact their water supplier. If community members have questions about water available at nearby campgrounds, they should contact campground management.

Oregon health officials recommend that those who choose to eat fish from waters where algae blooms are present remove all fat, skin and organs before cooking, as toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water. Public health officials also advise people to not eat freshwater clams or mussels from Detroit Lake and that Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations do not allow the harvest of these shellfish from freshwater sources. Crayfish muscle can be eaten, but internal organs and liquid fat should be discarded.

Exposure to toxins can produce a variety of symptoms including numbness, tingling and dizziness that can lead to difficulty breathing or heart problems and require immediate medical attention. Symptoms of skin irritation, weakness, diarrhea, nausea, cramps and fainting should also receive medical attention if they persist or worsen. Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. People who bring their pets to Detroit Lake for recreation activities should take special precautions to keep them from drinking from or swimming in the lake.

The advisory will be lifted when the concern no longer exists.

With proper precautions to avoid activities during which water can be ingested, people are encouraged to visit Detroit Lake and enjoy activities such as canoeing, fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, and bird watching. Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Although inhalation risk is much lower than ingestion, it can present a risk.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0400. For campground or lake information, call the local management agency.

OHA maintains an updated list of all health advisories on its website. To learn if an advisory has been issued or lifted for a specific water body, visit the Harmful Algae Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab and select “algae bloom advisories,” or call the Oregon Public Health Division toll-free information line at 877-290-6767.

# # #

May 23, 2018

Health advisory issued May 23 for water contact at Sunset Bay State Park Beach

The Oregon Health Authority issued a public health advisory today for higher-than-normal levels of bacteria in ocean waters at Sunset Bay State Park Beach in Coos County.

Water samples indicate higher-than-normal levels of fecal bacteria, which can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections and other illnesses. People should avoid direct contact with the water in this area until the advisory is lifted. This applies especially to children and the elderly, who may be more vulnerable to waterborne bacteria.

Increased pathogen and fecal bacteria levels in ocean waters can come from both shore and inland sources such as stormwater runoff, sewer overflows, failing septic systems, and animal waste from livestock, pets and wildlife.

While this advisory is in effect at Sunset Bay State Park Beach, visitors should avoid wading in nearby creeks, pools of water on the beach, or in discolored water, and stay clear of water runoff flowing into the ocean. Even if there is no advisory in effect, officials recommend avoiding swimming in the ocean within 48 hours after a rainstorm.

Although state officials advise against water contact, they continue to encourage other recreational activities (flying kites, picnicking, playing on the beach, walking, etc.) on this beach because they pose no health risk even during an advisory. Neighboring beaches are not affected by this advisory.

The status of water contact advisories at beaches is subject to change. For the most recent information on advisories, visit the Oregon Beach Monitoring Program website at http://www.healthoregon.org/beach or call 971-673-0440, or 877-290-6767 (toll-free).

Since 2003 state officials have used a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to monitor popular Oregon beaches and make timely reports to the public about elevated levels of fecal bacteria. Oregon state organizations participating in this program are the Oregon Health Authority, Department of Environmental Quality, and Parks and Recreation Department.

# # #

 

May 23, 2018

Young author writes about navigating fatherhood

Rational Enquirer is published during Youth Sexual Health Awareness Month

Not every teen father is a deadbeat dad. That is the message Uhusti Gause wants to convey in a piece he wrote for the Rational Enquirer. The article “For the Sake of my Son” details the Centennial High School graduate’s path to fatherhood.

He was a freshman in high school when he found out his girlfriend was pregnant. “I was in total denial," the teenager wrote. "We didn’t even tell our parents or anyone else until we couldn’t hide it anymore.”

Uhusti is one of many youth authors and artists featured in the Rational Enquirer. The magazine is published once a year in May during Youth Sexual Health Awareness Month in Oregon. OHA and the Oregon Teen Pregnancy Task Force use the publication as resource tool for youth, parents and educators.

Uhusti hopes other youth learn from his experience to never give up on anything, even though it seems impossible. In the article, he recalled that problems surfaced once the baby was born and the teen couple ended up breaking up, but he was determined to be there for his son.

“I wasn’t allowed to see my son unless I went to her house," Uhusti wrote. "I wasn’t allowed to go inside so I would sit outside on the curb at her house holding him. "Even though I hated it, I still went and sat on the curb for as long as I could, just to see my son. I only went so he would know I loved him.”

Things eventually worked out for the teen dad, who now has joint custody of his son and his relationship with his son’s mother has reached a point where they can communicate and be friends. Uhusti is now going to college to become a pharmacist.

Alongside the heartfelt stories, poems and artwork, the Rational Enquirer has dozens of resources for assistance, information and referral.

Web versions of current and past Rational Enquirer editions are available on the OHA Public Health website at http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/HEALTHYPEOPLEFAMILIES/YOUTH/Pages/re.aspx. To request printed copies, call 971-673-0249.

Submit an article

To submit articles, essays, pictures, poetry or original art for the next edition, contact Lindsay Weaver at lindsay.weaver@state.or.us. Submissions from youth related to healthy sexuality are encouraged.

# # #

 

(Salem) – Crypto-investment products are growing in popularity. There are more than 30,000 crypto-related domain registrations. Unfortunately, it is estimated that more than 80 percent of initial coin offerings (ICO) are scams to steal your money and identity.

 

Investors can be easily confused thinking an ICO is similar to an initial public offering (IPO). While they sound similar, they are very different. ICOs sell digital coins or tokens to fund a project. IPOs sell common stock and securities.

 

The most important difference is that IPOs are highly regulated, providing investor protections; many ICOs do not provide those protections. 

 

To help consumers make informed decisions about crypto-investments, the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation is encouraging investors to be on the lookout for these common ICO schemes:

 

Fake digital wallets – A digital wallet allows someone to store, send, and receive cryptocurrencies. Scammers design fake wallets to gain access to people’s private codes and steal their cryptocurrency.

 

Pump-and-dumps – Groups of individuals coordinate to buy and promote a cryptocurrency on social media. They push the demand and price up, and then quickly sell it, leaving buyers with a devalued cryptocurrency.

 

Multi-level marketing platforms – Companies lure investors with the promise of high-interest/low-risk returns, and provide incentives to recruit additional investors. Eventually, the company shuts down the program, keeps the investments, and leaves investors with worthless digital coins.

 

“Approximately $400 million has been stolen from investors through ICOs, and that will continue to rise as they grow in popularity,” said Andrew Stolfi, division administrator. “Fraud runs rampant in these offerings and consumers must be extremely cautious before investing.”

 

The division has joined the North American Securities Administrators Association and more than 40 state and provincial securities regulators across the United States and Canada in Operation Cryptosweep. Designed to raise public awareness about the fraudulent actions of crypto-related investments, Operation Cryptosweep offers the resources below to help investors.

 

Digital currency warnings and tips

 

Informed investor advisory: ICOs

 

Video: Get in the know about ICO

 

Review these resources before purchasing or investing in any type of cryptocurrency, especially those offered by an ICO. Consumers who have questions about these unregulated assets can call the division’s advocates at 866-814-9710 (toll-free).

 

###

 

 

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

 

About Oregon DFR:

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

 

Salem, OR – There are dozens of boat types on the market and so many opportunities to explore Oregon’s waterways.  Regardless of what’s calling you to the water and the type of boat you’re in, be sure to plan ahead, pay attention and share the water so everyone can have a fun time. 
           
The Oregon State Marine Board invites boaters to explore the interactive Boating Oregon Map, where you can find a boat ramp near you, plan for a weekend escape to places less-frequented or find a waterway in the center of all the action. 

“This season is off to a great start,” says Ashley Massey, Public Information Officer for the Marine Board.  “Take time to plan ahead.  Check the weather forecast, water levels or tides, see if there are any reported obstructions, and have the right gear for the activities you’re doing,” Massey adds.  Boaters can check the Marine Board’s website to find out what equipment is required based on the size of the boat and rules for operation which vary by waterbody. 

Massey also emphasizes paying attention to your surroundings, continually scanning port to starboard and keeping a close eye on what’s ahead. “Brush up on the rules-of-the-road, start out slow because of debris in the water from this past winter, and whatever you do –don’t text and drive.  In 2017, there were 17 collisions from distracted driving.  Social media, taking pictures and texting can be fun, but the operator needs to maintain focus and awareness to what’s going on around them,” says Massey.

“High water levels in the spring cover many wing dams (also known as pile dikes) on rivers and bays and are just below the surface.  Boaters need to keep their distance from the shoreline up to several hundred feet out from shore so they don’t inadvertently hit one of the piles.”  Boaters are encouraged to learn where the wing dams are located based on the waterbody where they’re boating from NOAA Charts.  The navigation charts can be downloaded for free.

With Oregon’s population increasing and many people wanting to boat in their own backyards, think about taking a “dispersion excursion” to lesser-known waterbodies, especially for people new to paddlesports or seeking more solitude.  There are 96 waterways where motors are prohibited and 50 designated as electric motor only.  Visit the Marine Board’s Experience Oregon Boating Handbook for more information about these regulated areas for paddlers and easy accessibility.     

The Marine Board also recommends boaters play it safe by:

• Not using marijuana, drugs or alcohol.  Instead, take along a variety of non-alcoholic beverages and plenty of water.  Impairment can lead to a BUII arrest.  Drugs and alcohol impair a boater’s judgement and coordination which every boat operator needs.  Swift currents, changing weather and debris require boat operators to be focused and skilled to avoid an accident. 
• If you are feeling tired, take a break on land and return to the water when you are re-energized and alert. Wind, glare, dehydration and wave motion contribute to fatigue.  Continually monitor the weather because it changes quickly.
• Operators and passengers should wear properly fitting life jackets. Learn more about life jacket types, styles and legal requirements.  Anyone rafting on Class III Whitewater Rivers is required to wear a life jacket, and all children 12 and under when a boat is underway.  The water temperature for most waterways is below 50 degrees this time of year and wearing a life jacket is the most important piece of equipment for surviving the first few seconds of cold water immersion.  What’s the downside to wearing one? 
• Never boat alone –especially when paddling.  Always let others know where you are going and when you’ll return.  Print out a downloadable float plan to leave with friends and family.
• Be courteous to other boaters and share the waterway.  Congestion is a given in many popular locations, especially with nice weather.  By staying in calmer water near the shore, paddlers can help ease conflict with motorized boats and sailboats that need deeper water to operate.  Non-motorized boats are encouraged to use the shoreline adjacent to the ramp to help ease congestion.  Regardless of your boat type, stage your gear in the parking lot or staging area prior to launching your boat.  This makes launching faster and everyone around you, happier.     
• In Oregon, all boaters must take a boating safety course and carry a boater education card when operating a powerboat greater than 10 horsepower. The Marine Board also offers a free, online Paddling Course for boaters new to the activity.  

For more information about safe boating in Oregon, visit www.boatoregon.com.

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May 23, 2018

Immunization law advisory committee meets May 30 in Portland

What: A public meeting of the Oregon Immunization School/Children’s Facility/College Law Advisory Committee

Agenda:

• Introductions and declaration of conflict of interest.
• Public comment.
• Discussion of criteria used to review potential vaccine requirements.
• Review of meningococcal vaccines against criteria for consideration of school/college vaccine requirements (vote).
• Discussion of meningococcal vaccination and education best practices.
• Potential administrative rule changes: electronic documents, new hepatitis B schedule.
• 2017-2018 school and children’s facility immunization and exemption data.

When: May 30, 2-4 p.m. A 15-minute public comment period will be held at the beginning of the meeting; comments may be limited to three minutes or less, depending on the number of commenters. Those providing comments are encouraged to send written comments to egon.imm@state.or.us">oregon.imm@state.or.us by noon May 29 so they may be shared with committee members before the meeting.

Where: Portland State Office Building, Room 1E, 800 NE Oregon St., Portland. A conference call line is available at 866-377-3315, access code 9971040.

The Immunization School/Children’s Facility/College Law Advisory Committee advises the Oregon Health Authority on implementing rules for school, child care and college immunizations requirements. http://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/PREVENTIONWELLNESS/VACCINESIMMUNIZATION/IMMUNIZATIONPARTNERSHIPS/Pages/ISLAC.aspx

Program contact: Aaron Dunn, 971-673-0300, on.dunn@state.or.us">aaron.dunn@state.or.us

# # #

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

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

If you need help or have questions, please contact Aaron Dunn at 971-673-0300, 711 TTY or on.dunn@state.or.us">aaron.dunn@state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

May 23, 2018 - Salem, Ore. – Joseph Houck of Redmond won $25,000 playing an Oregon Lottery Scratch-it.

The Redmond-based finishing carpenter said he went to Logan’s Market to get some dinner and also picked up Scratch-its. He purchased four Scratch-its and said three of them were winners. But one ticket especially caught his attention, the “$3 Sky High Crossword."

“I played the ticket and started counting words. At first I thought I had seven words for $50, then eight for $100,” he said. “That’s when I decided to scan it and the clerk couldn’t believe it. It was worth $25,000! I screamed and yelled and jumped around.”

With a top prize of $25,000, there are still two jackpot prize-winning tickets of the $3 Sky High Crossword available, after Houck’s win. Houck said he signed the ticket and took it to several other stores just to make sure it was a big winner. Then he made the trip to Salem to claim his prize. He said he plans to buy a new truck and take a trip to see the redwoods in California.

“I will probably stay down there five days,” he said. “Did you know one is the height of a 36-story building? That’s amazing.”

During the 2015-17 biennium in Deschutes County, where Houck lives, more than $28.9 million in Oregon Lottery proceeds were directed to economic development, parks, education and watershed enhancement.

Lottery officials recommend that you always sign the back of your tickets with each Oregon Lottery game you play, to ensure you can claim any prize you may win. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Prize winners of more than $50,000 should contact the Lottery office to schedule an appointment to claim their prize.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $11 billion for economic development, public education, state parks and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org

###

PORTLAND, Ore. –Joshua Paul Ruggles, 34, of Portland, was sentenced today to eight years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin.

According to court documents, on March 11, 2017, a Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officer responded to a report of a car prowler at the Pine Point Apartments on Southeast Pine Street in Portland. The 9-1-1 caller reported seeing a man who was not a resident of the complex rummaging through a minivan with a flashlight. When the officer arrived on scene, he observed a minivan with two male suspects inside. As one of the suspects, later identified as Ruggles, began to walk away from the minivan, the officer instructed him to stop and talk. Ruggles replied that he hadn’t done anything and continued walking away. The officer observed Ruggles holding an unknown dark object and reaching for his waistband.

The officer detained Ruggles and asked if he had any weapons on him. Ruggles declined. After finding brass knuckles on his person, the officer arrested Ruggles for carrying a concealed weapon. During a subsequent search, officers found $856 in cash in Ruggle’s right front pocket and several baggies of methamphetamine and heroin labeled for sale, a digital scale with drug residue, and a small loaded handgun in his groin area.

Ruggles previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin on December 14, 2017.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) with assistance from PPB. It was prosecuted by Leah K. Bolstad, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

# # #

MEDIA NOTE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Office of the Spokesperson

For Immediate Release

May 22, 2018 

The United States is pleased to announce the start of negotiations with Canada to modernize the Columbia River Treaty regime on May 29-30, 2018, in Washington, D.C.  The 1964 Treaty’s flood risk and hydropower operations have provided substantial benefits to millions of people on both sides of the border.  The Treaty, a worldwide model for transboundary water cooperation, has also facilitated additional benefits such as supporting the river’s ecosystem, irrigation, municipal water use, industrial use, navigation, and recreation.  Modernizing the Treaty regime will ensure these benefits continue for years to come. 

As the United States enters these bilateral negotiations with our Canadian counterparts, our key objectives include continued, careful management of flood risk; ensuring a reliable and economical power supply; and better addressing ecosystem concerns.  Our objectives are guided by the U.S. Entity Regional Recommendation for the Future of the Columbia River Treaty after 2024, a consensus document published in 2013 after years of consultations among the Northwest’s Tribes, states, stakeholders, public, and federal agencies.

The U.S. negotiating team will be led by the U.S. Department of State and will include the Bonneville Power Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division (which together comprise the “U.S. Entity” that implements the Treaty in the United States); the Department of the Interior; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

As negotiations proceed, the U.S. government will continue to engage regional stakeholders, Tribes, state government officials, and other interested groups.  For more information regarding upcoming Town Halls open to the public, please contact iaRiverTreaty@state.gov">ColumbiaRiverTreaty@state.gov.  For press inquiries, please contact ess@state.gov">WHAPress@state.gov.

The Oregon State Police (OSP) with the assistance of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Medical Examiner have tentatively identified the occupants of the quadruple fatal crash that occurred on May 19, 2018 on Interstate 5 near Rice Hill. 

The operator of the Acura Integra is Gayle WARD, age 65, from Vancouver, Washington. 

The operator of the Nissan Murano is Jennifer MONTANO, age 18, from White City, Oregon.

The passengers of the Nissan Murano are Luciana TELLEZ-CABEZAS, age 18, and Esmeralda NAVA, age 18, both from White City, Oregon.

 

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Saturday night’s quadruple fatal crash on Interstate 5 north of the Rice Hill area. 

On May 19, 2018 at 9:33 p.m., OSP troopers and emergency responders were dispatched to a two vehicle crash on Interstate 5 southbound near milepost 154. 

Preliminary investigation revealed that a red Acura Integra was southbound on Interstate 5 when for unknown reasons turned around and went northbound in the southbound lanes.   The Acura Integra continued northbound in the southbound lanes and collided nearly head-on with a southbound Nissan Murano.  Both vehicles became engulfed in fire after the collision.  Bystanders were able to remove two passengers from the Nissan Murano.    Drivers of both vehicles were not able to be safely removed and died from injuries sustained in the crash.  The two passengers that were removed from the Nissan Murano also both died from injuries sustained in the crash. 

Names of all involved are not being released pending positive identifications and next of kin notifications being completed. 

Investigators are looking for any witnesses that may have seen the red Acura Integra on Interstate 5 southbound prior to the crash.  Those witnesses can call the Oregon State Police at 541-440-3333 and reference case number SP18-181178.

Interstate 5 southbound was closed for over five (5) hours.  Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) set up a detour. 

OSP was assisted at the scene by ODOT, North Douglas Fire, South Lane Fire, Bay Cities Ambulance, Sutherlin Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Roseburg Towing.  OSP was also assisted with the investigation by Clark County, Washington Sheriff’s Office and the Jackson County, Oregon Sheriff’s Office.    

 

 

News Release

Date:  May 21, 2018

Contact:  Megan Ehnle, Board of Forestry Executive Support, Cell: 503-302-5603

 

Salem, ORE – The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet in La Grande on June 6. The meeting is open to the public and a public comment period is on the agenda.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m., and go through approximately 2:45 p.m., with an Executive Session following and scheduled to end at approximately 3:45 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and a public comment period is on the agenda. The meeting will be held at Eastern Oregon University, 1 University Blvd., in La Grande.

Agenda items include:

• Carbon Sequestration in Oregon’s forests
  •  A review of the recent work concluded by the Oregon Global Warming Commission’s Forest Taskforce
  • The Department’s work with the USFS-PNW Research Station to quantify the amount of carbon sequestered in Oregon’s forests to support the DAS Carbon Policy Office following the 2018 Legislative Session.
• Smoke Management Program Permission for Rulemaking - The Smoke Management Program has completed its five-year review and has coordinated all recommended changes jointly with the Department of Environmental Quality. The Smoke Management Program is seeking permission from the Board to initiate rulemaking on recommended changes to OAR 629-048.
• Update on 2018 Fire Season Readiness and Forecast
• Approval of the Forest Protection Districts 2018 Fiscal Budgets and Rates
• Forest Trust Lands Advisory Committee testimony – FTLAC comments and information on state forests.
• 2019 – 21 Biennial Budget Development – Staff will present the agency’s proposed policy option packages for the 2019 – 21 biennium.
• Agency Initiative: 2019 – 2021 Agency Biennial Budget Request – Staff will present the final proposal of the agency initiative for Board consideration. Final consideration of the agency initiative for inclusion in the Agency Request Budget will occur at the July Board meeting.
• Eastern Oregon Wood Products Conference – Provide a preview of the next day’s conference and field tour. The goal of the conference and tour is to highlight the potential opportunities for rural investment and improved forest restoration economics resulting from the continued growth and development of mass timber markets.

Audio recordings of each Board of Forestry meeting with minutes are posted upon completion of each meeting. Beginning with the June 6 meeting, livestream options will be available for those who wish to view remotely. Along with this content, other agenda materials are available at www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/BOFMeetings.aspx.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling the department’s Public Affairs Office, at least 48 hours in advance, at 503-945-7200.

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include appointing the State Forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30 million-acre forestland base. More information about the Board is available at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/AboutBOF.aspx.

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The Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is pleased to announce the graduation of its 378th Basic Police Class.

The Basic Police Class is 16-weeks in length and includes dozens of training areas including survival skills, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, ethics, cultural diversity, problem solving, community policing, elder abuse, drug recognition, and dozens of other subjects.

Basic Police Class 378 will graduate at the Oregon Public Safety Academy at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE in Salem, Oregon on Friday, June 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with a reception immediately following the graduation.  Chief Tighe O’Meara of the Ashland Police Department will be the speaker. 

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training would like to invite you to join us in observing the ceremony and congratulating Basic Police #BP378 on their successful completion of basic training.

The graduating students appreciate the family, friends and guests who make graduation an appropriate conclusion to their basic training at the Oregon Public Safety Academy.

Graduating members of BP378:

Police Officer Fabrizzio Avila          

OHSU University Police

 

Police Officer Nathan Banfi 

Portland Police Bureau

 

Police Officer Charlie Berry 

Port of Portland Police Department

 

Deputy Sheriff Chandler Bolton       

Linn County Sheriff's Office

 

Police Officer Gregory Bunker         

Nyssa Police Department

 

Police Officer Aaron Carlton

OHSU University Police

 

Police Officer Nicholas Codiga        

Warm Springs Police Department

 

Police Officer John Collins   

Portland Police Bureau

 

Deputy Sheriff Marcus Dennard       

Curry County Sheriff's Office

 

Police Officer Sean Doran    

West Linn Police Department

 

Deputy Sheriff George Economou    

Hood River County Sheriff's Office

 

Deputy Sheriff Sara Ellebracht         

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office

 

Police Officer Jay Fox          

Dallas Police Department

 

Deputy Sheriff Mark Fox      

Marion County Sheriff's Office

 

Police Officer Justin Gagnon

Seaside Police Department

 

Deputy Sheriff Chad Golden 

Klamath County Sheriff's Office

 

Police Officer Richard Gonzalez-Godinez   

Independence Police Department

 

Police Officer Sierra Hancock          

Portland Police Bureau

 

Police Officer Diego Herrejon          

Gresham Police Department

 

Police Officer Jeffrey Hodney          

Monmouth Police Department

 

Deputy Sheriff Justin Horton

Klamath County Sheriff's Office

 

Police Officer Dina Kashuba

Portland Police Bureau

 

Deputy Sheriff Robert  Konieczny   

Josephine County Sheriff's Office

 

Deputy Sheriff Keegan McQuillan   

Lane County Sheriff's Office

 

Deputy Sheriff James Monda

Multnomah County Sheriff's Office

 

Deputy Sheriff Caleb Mott   

Marion County Sheriff's Office

 

Police Officer Adam Oblack 

Gresham Police Department

 

Police Officer Haley Rayburn           

Portland Police Bureau

 

Police Officer Ty Ridout       

Ashland Police Department

 

Police Officer Christian Santos        

Portland Police Bureau

 

Deputy Sheriff Tanner Sherrow        

Josephine County Sheriff's Office

 

Police Officer Cory Stevens 

Cottage Grove Police Department

 

Police Officer Kristopher Swalko     

Portland Police Bureau

 

Police Officer Sara Tolley    

Pendleton Police Department

 

Deputy Sheriff Jonathan Vinyard     

Coos County Sheriff's Office

 

Police Officer Nycolma White         

North Bend Police Department

 

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Whitmer    

Coos County Sheriff's Office

           

## Background Information on the DPSST ##

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

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

May 25th is National Missing Children’s Day every year. Missing Children’s Day is dedicated to encouraging parents, guardians, caregivers, and others concerned with the well-being of children to make child safety a priority.  It serves as a reminder to continue our efforts to reunite missing children with their families and an occasion to honor those dedicated to this cause. The theme of this year’s event is taken form the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, “Hope is why we’re here”.  Organizations on-hand include those that not only investigate missing children cases, but also those that strive to give kids and adults tools to keep themselves safe on a daily basis.

The Oregon State Police tracks all missing and unidentified person cases in Oregon. OSP works closely with all other Law Enforcement partners to get these cases entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Person System (NamUs) www.namus.gov.   As of today, there are over 412 missing children in Oregon.  That number changes daily.  We need the public’s assistance to help bring closure to these families. 

We are proud and excited to announce this year we will have representatives from:

• Department of Human Services
• Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal
• FBI- Portland
• Homeland Security
• Clackamas County Forensic Imaging Specialist
• Joyful Child Foundation
• RAD Kids
• SAFEOregon along with Madison Baker, Miss Oregon High School
• OSP Forensic Services Division
• OSP Criminal Services Division
• OSP Patrol Division
• Polk County Sheriff’s Office
• Salem Police Department
• Vicki Kelly, Tommy Foundation
• Portland Police Bureau

May 22, 2018

Contact: Jon McElfresh, 503-385-3075, esh@dhsoha.state.or.us">jonathan.p.mcelfresh@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Metrics Technical Advisory Group to meet May 24 in Portland and by webinar

What: The regular public meeting of the Oregon Health Authority Metrics Technical Advisory Group

When: May 24, 1-3 p.m.

Where: Lincoln Building, eighth floor, Mary Conference Room, 421 SW Oak St., Portland

Attendees can also join remotely by webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3012336791554163970 and telephone conference line at 888-398-2342, participant code 5731389.

Agenda: Welcome and introductions; updates; eCQMs; review 2019 CCO incentive measure set recommendations; non-incentivized measure discussion; wrap up and adjourn.

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

# # #

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

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

If you need help or have questions, please contact Jon McElfresh at 503-385-3075, 711 TTY, esh@dhsoha.state.or.us">jonathan.p.mcelfresh@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

PORTLAND, Ore. – On May 21, 2018, Jeramy Theodore Carpenter, 35, of Portland, was sentenced to 220 months in federal prison for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents, on September 15, 2016, Carpenter and a co-conspirator arranged to sell two ounces of methamphetamine for $800. With Carpenter hiding in the back seat of a sport-utility vehicle, the co-conspirator drove to an agreed upon location to meet their buyer. The buyer entered the vehicle and sat in the front passenger seat. Carpenter raised up from the back seat and struck the buyer multiple times in the back of the head with a firearm, asking “Where’s my money?” After further interrogation, the victim persuaded Carpenter and the co-conspirator to drop him off to retrieve the money from a safe deposit box. The victim escaped and called police.

Multnomah County Sheriff deputies applied for and obtained a search warrant to search Carpenter’s garage and the vehicles associated with him and his co-conspirator. While searching the garage, they discovered plastic wrap from a used or discarded kilogram of methamphetamine, drug records, a money counter, and a backpack containing Carpenter’s wallet, identification, and prescription medications. Carpenter’s backpack also contained over 1,100 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, two firearms, three pairs of brass knuckles, and $1,000 in cash. Deputies found a third firearm in Carpenter’s vehicle and fourth in his spouse’s vehicle.

Carpenter previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on January 22, 2018.

This case was investigated by the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and prosecuted by Leah K. Bolstad, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

# # #

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. This week, using your credit report to build a digital defense against ID theft.

Last week, we talked about the toll that ID theft can take on your personal finances. A criminal organization steals your info – whether by data breach or through something as simple as a bogus email phishing attack – and your credit history can take a devastating blow. The fraudsters can open bank accounts, take out loans, or rack up massive credit card debt – all in your good name.

Given the hacks we’ve seen in recent years, there are few people who haven’t had their identity stolen. While you, as an individual, can’t stop those breaches against some of the nation’s biggest retailers and financial institutions, there is something very simple that you CAN do: check your credit history.

There are three main credit reporting agencies in the U.S.: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. Together, they have set up a system through which you can request one free credit report each year from each of their agencies. You have the choice of getting all three at once or spreading them out over the course of the year.

To request your free reports, go to www.annualcreditreport.com.

Your report will include any names you have used, your addresses, how much you owe your creditors, whether you pay on time, whether you’ve been sued and whether you’ve filed for bankruptcy. Each report collects slightly different information from different sources, so it is important to check all three – whether at the same time or spread out over time.

Why is it important to make sure each of these reports is accurate? This may be your first indicator that someone is committing fraud in your name. In addition, these credit agencies sell this information to creditors, employers, insurance companies and other businesses. The information in this record may make a difference in whether you get a mortgage, new car loan, new credit card, get a job or pass a rental screening.

If you find fraudulent information – or something you dispute as being inaccurate – you need to document your request for review in writing to the credit agency. You should also send a dispute letter to the creditor who reported the item in question.

Also, a warning about look-a-like websites. www.annualcreditreport.com is the ONLY official, free option to receive your report from the three main agencies. Some for-profit sites will offer you a free report or credit monitoring initially, but then they will automatically start charging you down the road. In other cases, fraudsters have set up websites to look legit – but their only purpose is to gather your personally identifiable information, or PII, when you go to request your report.

If you have been victimized by an online scam or any other cyber fraud, be sure to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or call your local FBI office.

 

Aurora, Ore., May 22, 2018—Life Flight Network, the largest not-for-profit air medical transport service in the United States has released a new app called LFN Respond that allows hospitals and first responders to call for a life-saving air ambulance transport with the touch of a button. The tool, developed in partnership with dispatch software creator Flight Vector, saves valuable time when every second counts.

In emergency medicine, prompt medical attention can mean the difference between life and death.   The faster a patient gets to definitive care, the better their chance of survival. 

“With LFN Respond, approved hospital and emergency responders can instantly request a Life Flight Network aircraft by tapping the flight call button in the app, sending vital information and GPS location directly to dispatch personnel at our Communications Center,” said Life Flight Network CEO Michael Griffiths. “LFN Respond saves precious seconds and makes calling for air ambulance transport easier for hospitals and first responder teams working to save lives.”

The free app is designed for use by approved agencies to send activation requests to Life Flight Network. Those agencies include hospitals, first responders, fire departments, EMS, law enforcement, search and rescue, ski patrols, and other qualified agencies currently working with Life Flight Network. Life Flight Network’s service area covers Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

The LFN Respond app provides additional functions including a searchable hospital directory, a landing zone guide, access to Life Flight Network’s calendar of outreach education trainings, and push notifications from Life Flight Network on education and training events. Once a flight call has been made using the app, users can view a real-time progress tracker that shows the aircraft’s location while en route and when it’s expected to arrive. LFN Respond integrates seamlessly with Life Flight Network’s computer-aided dispatch and flight tracking software.

“Life Flight Network’s investment in this technology will help us work together better and more efficiently to get people the emergency care they need, as quickly as possible,” said South Lane County Fire & Rescue Fire Chief John Wooten. “Especially in rural parts of our state, air medical transport is critical to saving lives and being able to communicate with Life Flight Network through LFN Respond will improve the process.”

LFN Respond is available on the Apple app store or Google Play to approved hospital and emergency response personnel. The app is also web-based for utilization by computer. Life Flight Network is inviting hospitals and first responders in its service area to register and start using LFN Respond. Hospitals and emergency response agencies in Life Flight Network’s service area interested in LFN Respond should contact their Life Flight Network Customer Service Manager, or call (503) 678-4364.  

Life Flight Network offers memberships for a $65 annual fee. Members incur no out-of-pocket expense if flown for medically necessary emergent conditions by Life Flight Network or one of their reciprocal partners. To request more information about the membership program, or if organizations would like an in-person presentation, they should contact the Life Flight Network membership office at 800-982-9299.

ABOUT LIFE FLIGHT NETWORK

Life Flight Network, a not-for-profit air medical service, is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) and the National Accreditation Alliance of Medical Transport Applications (NAAMTA). Life Flight Network has administrative offices in Aurora, Oregon and is owned by a consortium of Legacy Emanuel Medical Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, and Providence Health System. Aviation services provided by: Life Flight Network and Jackson Jet Center, Inc. For more information about Life Flight Network or to become a member, visit www.lifeflight.org.

One hundred and fifty years ago, no family or community was untouched by the bloodiest conflict in American history — the Civil War. The four-year-long struggle claimed the lives of over 620,000 soldiers — which is more Americans than died in both World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam combined.   

It was on May 5, 1868 that the Grand Army of the Republic, an early veterans advocacy group comprised of Civil War veterans, first urged Americans to observe a “National Memorial Day” to honor the dead of the Civil War.

The tradition has grown in the 150 years that have followed. Today, Memorial Day is a cherished and protected national holiday — especially in Oregon. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Oregonians attend ceremonies, town parades and other solemn events to pause and remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice — from the Civil War to the most current conflicts in the Middle East.

It is estimated that nearly 6,000 Oregon service members’ lives have been lost in the line of duty since our state’s inception.

However Memorial Day is celebrated in your community, and however different it may appear from the simple ceremonies of a grieving, post-Civil War America, the sentiment remains the same. It is that of a grateful nation to its fallen soldiers: “Thank you. We will never forget you.”

This Memorial Day, as we kick off the start of summer and turn to enjoy Oregon’s incredible parks, beaches, rivers and mountains, we invite all citizens to pause and truly honor our fallen and our Gold Star families. We stand on the shoulders of all those who came before us and will never forget the service and sacrifice of all those who gave all.

Thank you all for your support of Oregon veterans, and bless all those still serving, at home and overseas.

Mitch Sparks is a retired Navy veteran and acting director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Correction: The day of the week for this meeting is Tuesday (not Friday as originally stated).

 

News Release

Date:     May 22, 2018

Contact:

Nick Hennemann, Public Affairs Specialist, Salem, 503-910-4311

Kyle Abraham, Deputy Chief Private Forests Division, Salem, 503-945-7473

 

SALEM, Ore. - The Committee for Family Forestlands will meet Tuesday, May 29 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The meeting will be in the Tillamook Room at the Oregon Department of Forestry Salem Headquarters, 2600 State Street.

The committee will receive updates about and discuss these topics:

• Private Forests Division
• Fire Season outlook
• Rulemaking related to food plots
• Oregon Bee Project
• Forestland certification

 
This is a public meeting, everyone is welcome. The agenda includes time for public comment at the beginning of the meeting. The meeting space is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting. For more information about attending the meeting please contact Susan Dominique at 503-945-7502.
 
The 13-member committee researches policies that affect family forests, natural resource and forestry benefits. The committee recommends actions to the Oregon Board of Forestry and State Forester based on its findings. You can find more information at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/CFF.aspx.

 

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BENTON CITY, WA – The Kiona-Benton City School Board of Directors announce Peter Peterson as the new district superintendent, effective July 1, 2018.

Mr. Peterson was one of four finalists identified by the Board of Directors for their superintendent position on May 8. The school district, with the aid of Educational Service District 123, began its search for a successor superintendent following the planned resignation of current Superintendent Wade Haun, effective June 30.

According to Julie Rheinschmidt, Kiona-Benton City School Board Chair, “Mr. Peterson's student centered vision and approachable caring nature are attributes our staff and community indicated they desired in our next superintendent. We are excited to welcome him to our KiBe family.”

Currently a Director of Assessment and Student Services for the Walla Walla School District, Mr. Peterson has 17 years of school administration experience.

“I believe that the Kiona-Benton City School District is the perfect place for my wife and me right now,” says Peterson. “As the next superintendent, I look forward to joining a community that supports its kids and schools tremendously, and that pride is evident anytime I speak to a community or staff member. In meeting with staff, there is a genuine excitement about the work to be done, and I am humbled and honored to be chosen to lead with them."

Kiona-Benton has utilized the services of Educational Service District 123 to conduct their superintendent search.  For more information, contact Mr. Darcy Weisner at 509.544.5785.

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About ESD 123:  Educational Service District 123, based in Pasco, WA, is one of nine ESDs in Washington. Dedicated to delivering collaborative solutions that promote learning, ESD 123 serves 23 school districts in seven counties of Southeastern Washington. Under Superintendent Darcy Weisner and its board of directors, this legislatively mandated, not-for-profit educational organization provides efficiency of educational systems and equity of learning opportunities for over 70,000 Washington students. For more information about ESD 123, please call 509-544-5700 or 888-547-8441 or visit www.esd123.org.

Want to know what Memorial Day events are being held in your area? You can start online with the directory of Memorial Day ceremonies, parades and other special events that the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs maintains at www.oregondva.com/2018memorialday.

The directory includes an interactive map as well as detailed information about each event. If you don’t see your event listed, it’s not too late to share! Please visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/eventsubmissions and complete the brief questionnaire. Contact the ODVA communications team with any questions at 503-373-2389.

ODVA’s annual Statewide Memorial Day Celebration will take place later in the day this year. The celebration kicks off at 3:30 p.m., May 28, at the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial in Salem. The memorial, which is dedicated to the men and women who died while serving in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, is located just north of ODVA’s offices at 700 Summer St. N.E.

ODVA Acting Director Mitch Sparks will open the program and a keynote address will be given by Vietnam veteran Tom Owen.  The program will include a color guard presentation by Western Oregon University’s Army ROTC cadets, the playing of “Taps,” the pledge of allegiance and a reading of the 142 names of the Oregonians killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, which are inscribed on a granite wall at the memorial.

Disaster responders with the local American Red Cross responded to a home fire disaster on May 21, 2018, at approximately 10:45 a.m. in the 600 block of SW Emigrant Ave. in Pendleton, Oregon. The fire affected four, including two adults and two children.

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

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

Two separate committees will meet to score and rank applications for the Preserving Oregon and Diamonds in the Rough Grant programs. The recommendations from the committees will be forwarded to the State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation for final review and approval on June 16 in Redmond. Both meetings will be at the North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer Street, NE, and can also be accessed by phone.   The Diamonds in the Rough Grant committee will meet June 5, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in room 124A. Call in information is 1 (914) 614-3221, access code: 714-905-270.   The Preserving Oregon Grant committee will meet June 6, 9:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m. in room 124B. Call in information is 1 (631) 992-3221, access code: 600-887-388.

 

For information about the grants contact Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail: i.Gill@oregon.gov">Kuri.Gill@oregon.gov . The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986?0690 at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries will meet by conference call at 1 p.m. on June 8. Its agenda includes approval of Oregon Historic Cemeteries Grants. The meeting is open to the public and the agenda includes an opportunity for public comment.

 

State law established the seven-member Commission to maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries and gravesites in Oregon; promote public education on the significance of historic cemeteries; and help obtain financial and technical assistance for restoring, improving and maintaining their appearances. For more information about commission activities, contact coordinator Kuri Gill at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail at i.gill@oregon.gov">kuri.gill@oregon.gov. The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986?0690 at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

 

For more information about the commission, visit www.oregonheritage.org

SALEM, Ore. - Sitting around a campfire is one of the special times we all enjoy, but campfires are also a major cause of wildfires. May is Wildfire Awareness Month, and Keep Oregon Green, the Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshal, and the Oregon Department of Forestry urge Oregonians to follow these basic outdoor safety tips:

• Know before you go
  Before going camping, call your local forestry or fire district to learn if there are any current campfire restrictions at your destination.  You can also visit www.keeporegongreen.org for planning a fire-safe trip to the outdoors.
   

• Kick the campfire habit this summer
  Portable camp stoves are a safer option to campfires at any time of year. Areas that prohibit campfires outside maintained campgrounds with established fire pits often allow camp stoves.
   
• Select the right spot

            Where campfires are allowed, choose a site with an existing ring. Fire pits in established campgrounds are the best spots. If you choose to build a campfire, avoid building it near your tent, structures, vehicles, shrubs or trees, and be aware of low-hanging branches overhead. Clear the site down to mineral soil, at least five feet on all sides, and circle it with rocks. Store unused firewood a good distance from the fire.

 

• Keep your campfire small

           A campfire is less likely to escape control if it is kept small. A large fire may cast hot embers long distances. Add firewood in small amounts as existing material is consumed. Placing a log on the fire rather than dropping it from a height will prevent a big shower of sparks.

 

• Attend your campfire at all times

           A campfire left unattended for even a few minutes can grow into a costly, damaging wildfire. Stay with your campfire from start to finish until it is dead out, as required by state law. That ensures any escaped sparks or embers can be extinguished quickly.

 

• Never use gasoline or other accelerants

           Don’t use flammable or combustible liquids, such as gasoline, propane or lighter fluid, to start or increase your campfire. Once the fire starts, discard the match in the fire.

 

• Have water and fire tools on site
  Have a shovel and a bucket of water nearby to extinguish any escaped embers. When you are ready to leave, drown all embers with water, stir the coals, and drown again. Repeat until the fire is DEAD out. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.

 

• Burn ONLY wood

            State regulations prohibit the open burning of any material that creates dense, toxic smoke or noxious odors. Burning paper and cardboard can also easily fly up to start new fires.

Escaped campfires can be costly. Oregon law requires the proper clearing, building, attending and extinguishing of open fires at any time of year. A first-time citation carries a $110 fine. But by far the biggest potential cost is liability for firefighting costs if your campfire spreads out of control. These can range from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars or more.

During Wildfire Awareness Month visit the Keep Oregon Green website, www.keeporegongreen.org for other wildfire prevention tips.

                                                                                        # # #

UPDATE -  The deceased operator of the motorcycle has been identified as Daniel Lawrence Foster age 60 of Trail, OR.  The deceased passenger on the motorcycle has been identified as Catherine Denise Hock age 54 of Trail, OR.

The names of the juveniles will not be released by the Oregon State Police at this time.

 

On Saturday, May 19, 2018, at approximately 8:30PM, Oregon State Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a two vehicle crash on Highway 234 near Eagle Point in Jackson County.

Preliminary investigation revealed a black Harley Davidson was traveling eastbound with a passenger when a silver Ford Mustang collided nearly head-on with the motorcycle.  Both occupants of the motorcycle suffered fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene.  There were no injuries sustained by the three juvenile occupants in the Mustang.  The operator of the Mustang was arrested at the scene for DUII.

Highway 234 at the scene was closed for approximately 3.5 hours.  OSP was assisted by ODOT, Fire District 3, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.

This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be released when available.

On Sunday, May 20, 2018 at about 3:45pm, Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to a report of a traffic crash on US Highway 101 near milepost 145, just south of South Beach.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a blue 2007 Toyota Corolla, driven by Shane LARSON, age 44, of Tillamook, and also occupied by Tyann WALKER, age 32, from Beaver, was traveling northbound when the vehicle crossed into the southbound lane of travel on a relatively straight section of the highway.  The vehicle struck a southbound silver 2014 Buick Verano head on.  The Buick Verano was driven by Sean COMPTON, age 50, from Springfield.  Following the initial collision, the Toyota Corolla traveled over an embankment west of the roadway and rolled onto its top.  The Buick Verano spun across the northbound lane and came to rest with the rear of the vehicle against the guardrail facing west.  

LARSON and COMPTON were transported by ambulance to Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital in Newport.  LARSON was later transported by Life Flight helicopter to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis due to the extent of his injuries. 

WALKER suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.        

US Highway 101 was closed intermittently during the investigation for approximately six hours following the crash.  OSP was assisted by Newport Fire and Rescue, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Seal Rock Fire and Rescue, and ODOT. 

Speed and DUII are being investigated as possible contributing factors for the crash.  This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be released when available.

180519-Z-OT568-022: Victoria Shine, with the Oregon National Guard Child & Youth Program, runs with children participating in the “Run to Remember” 5-kilometer run/walk event at Salem Riverfront Park, May 19, 2018, in Salem, Oregon. The Oregon National Guard’s Service Member & Family Support Branch hosted the event in honor of Fallen Service Members and Gold Star Families during Armed Forces Day. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

180519-Z-OT568-030: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers with Company B, 141st Brigade Support Battalion, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, run through Salem Riverfront Park during the “Run to Remember” 5-kilometer run/walk, May 19, 2018, in Salem, Oregon. The Oregon National Guard’s Service Member & Family Support Branch hosted the event in honor of Fallen Service Members and Gold Star Families during Armed Forces Day. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

180519-Z-OT568-040: A young runner speeds his way through Salem Riverfront Park during the “Run to Remember” 5-kilometer run/walk, May 19, 2018, in Salem, Oregon. The Oregon National Guard’s Service Member & Family Support Branch hosted the event in honor of Fallen Service Members and Gold Star Families during Armed Forces Day. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class April Davis, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Blacksmith: Gary Lewis, a retired Oregon National Guardsman from Portland, Oregon, works on horseshoes as a blacksmith during Living History Day held at Camp Withycombe, in Clackamas, Oregon, May 19, 2018. The Oregon Military Museum held the 22nd Annual Living History Day as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations throughout the country. (U.S. National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Artillery Horse Barn: Visitors and military Veterans spend time interacting in the restored Horse Barn at the Oregon Military Museum during Living History Day held at Camp Withycombe, in Clackamas, Oregon, May 19, 2018. The Oregon Military Museum held the 22nd Annual Living History Day as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations throughout the country. (U.S. National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

Living History Day: Ryan McGee, a member of the 1st Infantry Living History Group, shows some of the weapons used during WWII to some young visitors during Living History Day held at Camp Withycombe, in Clackamas, Oregon, May 19, 2018. The Oregon Military Museum held the 22nd Annual Living History Day as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations throughout the country. (U.S. National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

On May 19, 2018, at approximately 9:18 am, the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a stabbing in the parking lot of Rays Market in Selma, Oregon.   Upon the deputies arrival, the victim was deceased.

The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office requested the assistance of the Central Point Oregon State Police Criminal Division. Detectives responded and assumed the investigation.

The subsequent investigation revealed a physical altercation occurred in the parking lot between the victim and the suspect.  The victim, 46 year old Frank Norman Chambers of Selma, Oregon  was stabbed during the altercation and died as a result of his injuries.  The suspect, Ramon Eduardo Rodriguez-Acosta, 58 year old also from Selma, Oregon is in custudy and being lodged at the Josephine County Jail on Manslaughter in the first degree.

This is an ongoing investigation and no further details will be released.

 

May 19, 2018 Josephine County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the Rays Food Place in Selma. Upon arrival they located one victim with fatal stab wounds.  JCSO requested Oregon State Police Major Crimes to investigate.  

A person of interest has been detained.

Investigation continuing.

On May 18, 2018 at approximately 9:40 PM Oregon State Police Troopers responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 101 near Coos Bay.

A 2018 Jeep, driven by George Reese age 73 from North Bend, was north on 101 when it left the roadway striking a business and a residence before coming to a stop in the front yard of the residence.  The driver was transported to Bay Area Hospital with serious injuries.  The passenger, Sharon Reese age 73 from North Bend, died at the scene.

The structures sustained substantial damage.  No injuries were reported from the occupants of the structures. 

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Oregon State Police was assisted by Coos Bay Fire Department, Coos County Sheriff, and ODOT. 

Anyone can join the growing number of emergency first responders in the Tri-Cities by downloading an app called PulsePoint. Recently launched in Benton County, this technology provides alerts that notify users when someone in close proximity of their location is suffering a cardiac episode and is in need of CPR. Emergency response experts say beginning chest compressions as soon as possible can save valuable time until paramedics arrive. It can save lives.

The free application available for download on all smartphones, will also direct these citizen rescuers to the exact location of the closest publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

A public information campaign is being launched in the Tri-Cities. This campaign is designed to encourage people to download the app. and sign up as a PulsePoint first responder.

Join representatives from the Richland Fire Department, Kadlec Regional Medical Center, and Lourdes Health as they introduce this amazing resource to our community.

Other partners include Benton County Emergency Services, Pasco Fire Department, Kennewick Fire Department, and Benton County Fire Districts.

The press conference will be held:

Monday, May 21, 10:00 am

Richland Fire Station #1 

1000 George Washington Way, Richland, WA.

The Oregon Heritage Commission will meet via teleconference at 1 p.m. on June 4. A public listening room will be provided in Room 146 of the North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE, Salem. Its agenda includes approval of Oregon Museum Grants and other heritage topics.

The Heritage Commission is comprised of nine people representing Oregon's heritage and geographical diversity who have been appointed by the Governor. There are nine advisory representatives from state agencies and statewide organizations. The mission of the Oregon Heritage Commission is to secure, sustain, and enhance Oregon's heritage by ensuring coordination of heritage initiatives by public and private organizations; advocacy on its behalf; education of the public about its extent and value; and promotion and celebration of its diversity. For more information, contact coordinator Beth Dehn at 503-986-0696 or Beth.Dehn@oregon.gov

Commission meetings are open to the public and their agendas include opportunities for public comment. The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations for the meeting – including translation services – may be made by calling (503) 986?0690 at least 72 hours prior to the start of the meeting.

For more information about the commission, visit www.oregonheritage.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2018

Oregon Farm Bureau (OFB) invites all photography enthusiasts to enter their best images of Oregon agriculture to the annual OFB Calendar Contest.

Twelve selected photographers will have their work featured as month images in the 2019 Oregon’s Bounty Calendar.

The award-winning calendar celebrates all aspects of Oregon agriculture: the products, the people, the production, the landscape, the enjoyment, anything that depicts the beauty, technology, culture, enjoyment, or tradition of family farming and ranching.

“Spring is a fantastic time to look for photo opportunities within Oregon agriculture,” said OFB Communications Director Anne Marie Moss. “Farmers markets are in full swing, fields are blooming, farmers are preparing for summer harvest, and young animals abound.” 

Horizontal-format, high-resolution images — both close-ups and panoramic views — are needed of all types of agriculture in all seasons.

Subject ideas include scenes from farmers markets, close-ups of ag products or crops in the field, planting and harvesting crops, panoramic scenes of farmland, people enjoying Oregon-grown ag products, portraits of farmers/ranchers/families, farm animals, state or county fairs, 4-H and FFA events, on-farm festivals, to name just a few.

Photographers with images selected for month pages in Oregon’s Bounty will receive a photo credit in the 2019 calendar, which is mailed to 67,000 Farm Bureau members, and copies of the calendar. Everyone who submits an image will receive a complimentary copy of the calendar ($20 value), provided they include their mailing address.

The deadline for entries is Sept. 15, 2018.

Photographers do not need to be Farm Bureau members to participate and there is no limit to the number of photos that can be submitted.

Find photo specifications and contest rules at www.oregonfb.org/calendar.

The state’s largest general farm organization, Oregon Farm Bureau is a grassroots, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing the interests of the state's family farmers and ranchers in the public and policymaking arenas. The calendar is mailed to 67,000 members around the state and thousands more are distributed throughout the year. 

For more information and to see previous years of the Oregon’s Bounty Calendar, visit www.oregonfb.org/calendar.

Project contact is Anne Marie Moss, OFB Communications Director, at ie@oregonfb.org">annemarie@oregonfb.org, 503.399.1701.

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

The state’s largest general farm organization, Oregon Farm Bureau is a grassroots, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing the interests of the state's farmers and ranchers in the public and policymaking arenas.

First established in Oregon in 1919, Farm Bureau is organized in all 36 counties and has nearly 7,000 member families professionally engaged in agriculture. OFB’s 15th President, Barry Bushue, is a thirdgeneration farmer raising a variety of vegetables, berries, and pumpkins at a nearly century-old farm near Boring.

WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Land Management today announced the launch of the Wild Horse and Burro “Online Corral”—a new website focused on connecting the American public with wild horses and burros available for adoption or purchase.

The BLM also announced the 2018 wild horse and burro event schedule, featuring nearly 70 events nationwide that focus on placing wild horses and burros in good homes. To access the 2018 schedule visit the BLM wild horse and burro adoption events page at:  https://on.doi.gov/2wVItz0. The Online Corral can be accessed at:  https://wildhorsesonline.blm.gov/.

“Wild horses and burros make great companions that are superb at performing a wide variety of tasks,” said Brian Steed, BLM Deputy Director for Policy and Planning. “I urge everyone to attend a wild horse and burro event or visit the new Online Corral to learn how to bring one home,” continued Steed.

The new Online Corral is geared toward increasing the number of wild horses and burros placed into private care each year. The website, which replaces a 10-year-old system, features a modern, streamlined interface that enables users to more easily find their desired wild horse or burro.  It also includes new filtering features and an interactive web map. Users can now submit and track the status of their applications directly through the website. Approved applicants can browse available animals and participate in the competitive bid event that runs May 15 to22.  All animal bids start at $125.

Known for their intelligence, endurance and loyalty, wild horses, with the right training, are outstanding for ranching and trail riding and have successfully competed for awards in numerous fields from endurance riding to dressage.  Wild horses and burros have routinely been adopted for important tasks such as patrolling the border and local policing. Read stories from recent wild horse and burro adopters and purchasers on the BLM’s Flickr page.

Wild horses and burros can still be adopted or purchased in-person at one of the nearly 70 BLM-hosted events across the country this year or by visiting one of 17 wild horse and burro off-range corrals. Event locations and dates are subject to change.  Please contact the National Wild Horse and Burro Information Center at 866-468-7826 or se@blm.gov" target="_blank">wildhorse@blm.gov for the most up-to-date information.  Potential adopters and purchasers should visit the BLM website to learn more about the rules and requirements for adopting or purchasing a wild horse or burro. To get started visit the BLM wild horse and burro adoption and sales web pages at:  https://on.doi.gov/2fSrzJi.

Today’s announcements today are part of the BLM’s effort to confront a growing overpopulation of wild horses and burros on public rangelands and in taxpayer-funded off-range facilities. As of March 1, 2018, the wild horse and burro population on public lands was estimated at 82,000 animals, which is more than triple the number that public lands can support along with other legally mandated land uses.

“Finding good homes for horses and burros is a top priority for the BLM as we strive to protect the health of these animals," continued Steed.

BLM

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska.  The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.  The agency's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America's public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.  Diverse activities authorized on these lands generated $75 billion in sales of goods and services throughout the American economy in fiscal year 2016 - more than any other agency in the Department of the Interior.  These activities supported more than 372,000 jobs.