The fire that happened on the evening of April 18, at the Timberline lodge has been extinguished. Investigators from the ATF and US Forest Service are on scene working to determine a cause. The lodge and the ski area will both be closed tomorrow, April 19th, while the damage is assessed.

At approximately 9:30pm, reports started pouring in that the attic of the historic Timberline lodge was on fire. Fire crews from Hoodland Fire, Clackamas Fire, Gresham Fire and Estacada fire are on scene to help protect the Lodge. 

Currently, firefighters have a good knock down on the fire and are doing everything they can to preserve the historic assets that exist here.

After an initial search, crews found that everybody had made it outside and were safe. 

Employees of the lodge discovered the fire and called it in. 

Hoodland Fire's Chief Scott Kline is thankful for all the assistance. 

More details to come.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

DATE: April 18, 2024

Motorcyclist dies in early evening collision

Salem, Ore. — At approximately 6:10 p.m. this evening, the Salem Police Traffic Team responded to a single-vehicle collision on the offramp of the Center Street Bridge involving a motorcyclist.

The Traffic Team’s preliminary investigation indicates the rider of the motorcycle was traveling eastbound over the bridge. As the motorcyclist negotiated the sweeping right curve to proceed down the off-ramp, he lost control of the motorcycle and collided with the concrete barrier. The impact vaulted the rider across the barrier and approximately 30 feet down to the ground below the bridge.

The driver is identified as 27-year-old Mark Steven Sewell of Salem. Sewell was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The southbound off-ramp to Front ST NE was closed for approximately two-and-a-half hours while the collision was investigated.

To date in 2024, the Salem Police Department has responded to nine major traffic collisions resulting in nine deaths.

# # #

Chemeketa Brooks Open House Will Include a New Kubota Center, a Visit From Rep. Salinas, and a Showcase of the Five CTE Programs Offered

Salem, Ore., April 18, 2024 — Chemeketa Community College will host the annual Brooks Regional Training Center Open House on April 23, 2024, from 9 am to noon at 4910 Brooklake Rd. NE, Brooks. The event will feature the brand new training center for Kubota and National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) partnership. The collaboration offers Chemeketa students a clear route to acquiring industry-recognized certifications tailored to repairing and servicing Kubota equipment. This equips them with the expertise and abilities necessary for pursuing employment as diesel technicians within the off-road diesel sector.

Students, parents, and the community are welcome to join us for campus tours and to learn more about the five Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offered at Brooks Center. The five CTE programs include Fire Protection, EMT and Paramedic, Diesel Technology, Criminal Justice, and Building Inspection. 

Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Dr. Amy Loyd, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education, will be in attendance at the open house. They will host a roundtable on career-connected learning, focusing on work-based learning and overcoming barriers for rural students. Afterward, Rep. Salinas and Assistant Sec. Loyd will tour the campus and attend the Kubota ribbon cutting.

"This open house is a chance to see the impact of Chemeketa's CTE programs, providing a glimpse into the partnership between education and industry,” says Jordan Bermingham, Dean of the Brooks Regional Training Center at Chemeketa Community College. “This is also a celebration of our partnership with Kubota and NC3, paving the way for students to learn with cutting-edge technologies and cultivate the skills for today's workforce."

For more information, visit go.chemeketa.edu/brooks, email rooks@chemeketa.edu">brooks@chemeketa.edu, or call 503.485.2131.

####

For more than 50 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves 18,000 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn, and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI).

Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution.

The Parkrose Board of Education of School District No. 3, Multnomah County, Oregon, will convene in an Executive & Board Business Meeting on Monday, April 22, 2024 at the Parkrose School District Office located at 10636 NE Prescott Street, Portland, Oregon at the hour of 6:00pm.

Guests and members of the public may attend in-person or virtually.  

Virtual Link - Please click this URL to join: https://zoom.us/j/94961285856 or join by phone: 1-253-215-8782 Webinar ID: 949-6128-5856

We encourage and welcome all members of our community to engage with our board. Please email questions@parkrose.k12.or.us or call 503.408.2100 to arrange for translation services at least 72 hours before this meeting. Closed captioning provided on zoom. Other appropriate auxiliary aids and services may be provided upon request and appropriate advance notice.

The agenda is posted on our website at:LINK.

Agenda items include, but are not limited to: Student School Board Representative Senior Night Recognitions 6:00pm, goal presentation from Prescott Elementary, legislative session presentation, Asian American & Pacific American heritage month in May, teacher appreciation in May, school lunch heroes day in May, supplemental budget #1 for fiscal year 23/24, local option levy rate resolution, Chartwells dining services resolution, board reports, graduation speaker, board evaluation and local option discussion. 

Electronic/Virtual Public Comment Protocol - If you wish to submit a public comment before, or during this Board Meeting please fill out this electronic public comment form before "Public Comments" on the agenda: https://forms.gle/5sUjRZjxJikqmqVg9. If you don’t submit your comment in time we will read it at the next board meeting.

In-Person Public Comment Protocol - Upon arrival to the meeting, please fill out an Intent-to-Speak card and hand it to the Board Secretary prior to "In-person Public Comment" on the agenda. You will have a 3 minute time limit.

Board Meeting Video Recordings - For those of you who cannot attend we will post a recording of the meeting on our website at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXajhxrPxMclOQ6J00JUszQ.

Questions welcomed, please email: questions@parkrose.k12.or.us or leave a voice message at 503-408-2114.

April 18, 2024

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459, timothy.heider@oha.oregon.gov

Latest Measure 110 data show new highs in client engagement with highest quarterly gains in substance use treatment, peer support services

SALEM, Ore. — Measure 110 Behavioral Health Resource Network providers reported increases in client engagement over all service areas, according to recently released quarterly reporting data.

As providers continue to establish and expand services, the most recent data revealed a 346 percent client gain in screening services since the program’s start – indicating that more providers are seeing new clients for the first time. Supported employment showed the highest overall percentage gain at 422 percent.

Client screening is an important first step for people seeking substance use treatment and recovery. As a result, network providers have reported increased numbers of people are accessing low-barrier treatment services and supports.

The latest data also show a 258 percent increase in people accessing peer services, in addition to other supports.  Many peer service providers reported meeting people in their homes or in community settings and using other measures to lower service barriers such as providing childcare and securing transportation to treatment.

Measure 110 network providers report the number of clients they serve and the number of encounters they have with their clients as a measure of overall engagement. Some clients may receive multiple services within a network or within multiple service networks.

The latest report covers network activities from July 1 through Sept. 30, 2023. Collectively, Measure 110 providers have now reported five quarters of data and expenditures from July 1, 2022, when the first network was established, through Sept. 30, 2023.

Overall, Measure 110 providers reported 267,000 encounters for people seeking peer support services and more than 220,000 encounters for substance use treatment over the 15 months of operations from July 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023.

OHA continually updates a comprehensive Measure 110 data reporting dashboard that includes quarterly data, expenditures, key demographic information, and aggregated narrative summaries for the 42 statewide service networks.

The dashboard also contains a section that shows how providers are conducting community outreach to directly connect individuals to services in their communities.

“Public awareness campaigns and community engagement activities play a pivotal role in dismantling social stigmas, misconceptions, and discrimination related to specific health services and conditions,” reported one provider. “By challenging and dispelling these stigmas, we empower individuals to seek care comfortably, which in turn, lowers the hurdles to accessing services.”

Other providers focused on reaching populations that historically have been under supported.  “Our peers and navigators have been able to do community outreach on a regular basis…with peer support referrals and health screenings,” reported one provider. “[Our] outreach focuses primarily on the houseless, unstably housed, incarcerated, transitional, and marginalized BIPOC communities.”

Another provider described the value of providing supported employment services to people in need. “The housing portion of our services has helped build tangible life skills as our tenants work to remodel and create a beautiful space while earning a paycheck.”

Despite the reported growth in service access, nearly one-third of providers continue to report challenges around building their workforce.

The deadline for the next round of reporting for expenditure and program data is in April and will cover the time from October 1 - December 30, 2023. OHA expects to publish that data in Summer 2024.

Background: In November 2020, Oregon voters passed Measure 110, the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act of 2020, which became effective Dec. 4, 2020, to better serve people actively using substances or diagnosed with a substance use disorder. In July 2021, the legislature passed SB 755, which amended the act and made it more feasible to implement.

People who provide drug treatment and recovery services and advocates for criminal justice reform wrote Measure 110 in response to the high rate of drug addiction and overdoses in Oregon, and the disproportionate impact of those outcomes on Oregon’s communities of color.

Their goal was to establish a more equitable health-based and effective approach to substance use disorder.

OHA is continuing to develop and sharpen strategic parameters around data collection, establishing standards for the type that is appropriate to collect, modifying internal systems and processes to capture data outcomes, metrics, and reducing administrative burden on providers.

The Measure 110 program continues to refine service data collection for communities of color and other disproportionately affected communities, as the networks transition toward implementing Race Ethnicity and Language Disability (REALD) standards in their data collection.

###

April 26, 6-9 p.m. - ¡Celebración de Primavera! /  Día del Niño
April 23, 4-8 p.m. - Noche de Familia

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark College invites the community to its annual free, family-friendly Latine cultural celebration of children, literacy and Earth Day. ¡Celebración de Primavera! / Día del Niño (Celebration of Spring/Day of the Child) is from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 26, and its Noche de Familia event on Tuesday, April 23, from 4 to 8 p.m.

Both events are held at Gaiser Student Center on Clark’s main campus, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. 

¡Celebración de Primavera! / Día del Niño

Celebrate children, families, reading, dancing, and singing with environmentally friendly games, arts and crafts and snacks on April 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. See the complete schedule here. Activities include: 

• 6 p.m. - Snacks
• 6:30 p.m. - Songs by Harney Elementary students 
• 6:45 p.m. - Reading by author Christopher Cousins 
• 7 p.m. - Games 
• 7:30 p.m. - Dancing by Vancouver Ballet Folklórico
• 8 p.m. - Dance lessons 
• 8:15 p.m. - Dance party!

Noche de Familia

In addition, Clark College is hosting Noche de Familia on Tuesday, April 23 from 4 to 8 p.m. in Gaiser Student Center. This is a special night for Latine families to learn about academic options and resources available at Clark. Offered every term by the college and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, this free, public event includes activities for kids and dinner for all. 

Attendees will have opportunities to speak with Clark representatives from Financial Aid, Transitional Services, Workforce Education Services, Disability Support Services, Counseling and Health Center, Career Services and more. Workshops will be offered to explain the processes of applying for Clark College and applying for financial aid. Information will be available in both Spanish and English. 

Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps.

Clark College expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, citizenship, immigration status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal in its programs and activities. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds. 

If you need an accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event, please contact Clark College’s Human Resources Office. Phone: 360-992-2105 or email hr@clark.edu 

About Clark College 

Founded in 1933 and celebrating its 90^th year, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately 45% of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college. 

To learn more, visit the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion https://www.clark.edu/campus-life/student-support/diversity-and-equity/    

####

Just after 8:15 AM, 9-1-1 received multiple calls reporting a fire and tapped out a single-alarm fire response in an industrial area of the St John’s Neighborhood in North Portland. Initial reports from callers stated that a large pile of wood products was on fire and that no homes or structures were threatened.

The first arriving Engine and Truck Companies from St John’s arrived within six minutes of being dispatched. The Engine officer took command of the incident and reported a large pile of pallets and wood debris with fire near the top of the pile. Knowing this had the potential as an extended incident from the onset, the first due Truck immediately set up its aerial ladder for an elevated master stream.

As additional units arrived, the first Chief Officer took Command. Incident Command then assigned the on-scene resources to the following tasks: establish a water supply, recon the area to ensure no exposures were present, confirm all individuals were accounted for, confirm the best access to the different areas of the wood pile, and set up for additional aerial master streams.

During the incident, water supply was a challenge due to the distance from the City of Portland hydrants and the private hydrants in the area. Because of this, the Incident Commander called for a second alarm response just before 9:30 AM. This brought additional fire response resources to the scene. Working with Portland Police and Portland Parks and Recreation, Fire crews had to shut down North Lombard for a portion of the morning and early afternoon to relay pump water to the scene.

Fire crews worked with site personnel who stated there were a lot of void spaces in the large pile of wood. Command sent a safety broadcast to fire companies on the scene so all personnel were made aware of this potential hazard. Site personnel then worked with fire companies to create a defensive fire break in the pile so the fire was contained. This was accomplished with the use of some heavy machinery and excavators that were already on site and were operated by the location’s employees.

With a fire break established and the material burning brought under control, Command began to release companies to go back into service. Three engines and three trucks will remain on the scene for an extended period to ensure extinguishment. A fire investigator was also called to the scene to assist in a fire cause determination. All traffic has been restored in the area. There were no injuries reported during this incident and no residents were displaced.

Portland Fire & Rescue would like to thank our partners with the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC), Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland Police Bureau, Portland Water Bureau, Port of Portland Terminal 4, and Vancouver Fire Department. At the height of the incident, the following fire resources responded:

                Engines – 9

                Trucks – 5 

                Chief Officers – 5

                Rehab Unit – 1 

                Investigator – 1 

                Logistics/Apparatus Maintenance – 2

                PIO – 2

###

Heavy wind and rain from winter storms cause trees to plunge into Oregon rivers. Trees become obstructions, a risk for all boaters, including paddlers, rafters, and drift boats. Some of these obstructions will become more dangerous as river levels drop, requiring boats to portage around the obstructions for safe navigation.

“We urge every boater to plan ahead. River conditions can change daily which is why checking river levels is critical. Always look downstream as you navigate allowing time to react and maneuver to the safest course,” says Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Program Manager for the Marine Board.

The Marine Board urges the following precautions:

• Visit the Marine Board’s Boating Obstructions Dashboard to view reported obstructions.
• Learn about and how to report obstructions you encounter while boating.
• Scout ahead and look for the safest route for each section of the river before committing. When in doubt, portage out.
• Stay clear of partially submerged trees and limbs. Strong currents can quickly carry you in, potentially leading to capsizing and entrapment.
• Wear a life jacket. Oregon’s waterways are cold year-round. Boaters are encouraged to wear a properly fitting life jacket and to dress for the water temperature, not the air temperature.
• If you’re using a Stand Up Paddleboard, be sure to wear a quick-release leash on moving water, especially in rivers where obstructions are present so you can disconnect from the board if you are drawn into one.
• Boat with others and stay within sight of one another. Do not separate far from one another so you can respond quickly to help.
• Know your limits and how to self-rescue. Be sure your skills and experience are equal to the river difficulty and the conditions.
• Fill out a float plan and let others know where you are boating and when to expect your return.

Visit Boat.Oregon.gov for everything you need to know about recreational boating in Oregon.

(Astoria, OR) —The Youngs Bay Boat Ramp temporarily will close to public access for the launching or retrieving of water craft from 12 p.m. Monday, April 22 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

Clatsop County Fisheries will temporarily block the boat ramp with a fish transfer pipeline for the receiving of salmon smolts to the net pens located at that site. 

The boat ramp is located at the City of Astoria site, 1555 West Marine Drive in Astoria.

-30-

ASTORIA, Ore. — A giant 208-foot tall and estimated 200-year-old grand fir tree in Clatsop State Forest was inducted into the Oregon Heritage Tree Program in a ceremony April 12. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and the Travel Information Council and its volunteer Oregon Heritage Tree Committee held the ceremony at the base of the tree which is part of ODF’s Northrup Creek Horse Camp Big Tree Trail at Northrup Creek Horse Camp. The grand fir became the 84^th Oregon Heritage Tree. 

“A heritage designation recognizes trees with statewide or national significance,” said Craig Leech, Chair of the Oregon Heritage Tree Committee. “The Oregon Heritage Tree Program is the first state-sponsored heritage tree program in the country. It was established in 1995 to increase public awareness of the important contribution of trees to Oregon’s history and the significant role they play in the quality of our daily lives.”

ODF created the Big Tree Trail in 2012 when they identified numerous large conifer and deciduous trees near one another.

“Inducting the Big Tree Trail as an Oregon Heritage Tree helps honor this special trail of trees that are believed to be among the top five largest in the state,” said Dan Goody, ODF’s District Forester for the Astoria District. “Visiting an Oregon Heritage Tree is a chance to learn localized Oregon history and honor the vital role Oregon’s forests plays in our lives. In addition to viewing a sample of exceptional trees, The Big Tree Trail’s connection to the creation of Oregon’s modern forestry program makes it particularly notable.”

The Northrup Creek Horse Camp Big Tree Trail is located inside what used to be The Northrup Creek Grazing Experiment. The Experiment started in 1936 to study the seeding, fertilizing, grazing, and management of logged-off and burned-over timberlands and the effects of grazing on reforestation. The goal was to make burnt-up land profitable again. The project was overseen by the John Jacob Astor Experiment Station outside of Astoria and continued until the early 1950s. 

The Experiment ultimately “failed” as it determined grazing was not the solution for burned over timber lands. However, in 1939 Governor Charles Sprague gave a stump speech in the area at the time he was actively promoting the State Forest Acquisition Act. The legislation included conservation requirements for loggers to re-seed the forest by leaving seed trees and reforestation efforts for burned areas, particularly those affected by the repeated Tillamook burns of 1933, 1939, and 1945.

Former Clatsop County Judge Guy Boyington, one of the original framers of the state forest arrangement, envisioned that the foreclosed lands could be made productive if forest land management was available. Clatsop County became the first county to participate. 

You can visit the Big Tree Trail inside the Northrup Creek Horse Camp, located between Jewell and Birkenfeld four miles north of Highway 202. The trail is just under one mile and is open year-round for hiking. Hikers must start at the gate during the seasonal closure of the camp, which adds two miles. The horse camp will open May 17. The address is 87644 Northrup Creek Road, Clatskanie, Oregon. 

For more information regarding the Heritage Tree program visit www.oregontic.com/oregon-heritage-trees. 

For more information on recreation opportunities in Oregon’s state forests visit Oregon Department of Forestry : Recreation : Recreation : State of Oregon

Funds include $10 million for developing early care and education facilities co-located with affordable housing

Salem, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and BuildUp Oregon announce the launch of the OHCS Co-location Fund aimed at expanding access to early childhood education and affordable housing across Oregon.

“Families face a pile of cost burdens that limit their access to afford housing, and one of these burdens is the high cost of early childcare. These investments set out to change the trajectory for Oregon families, allowing for increased stability and a better quality of life,” says OHCS Director Andrea Bell.

BuildUp Oregon will administer the $10 million in OHCS funds allocated by the Oregon legislature through House Bill 5011 to support co-locating early care and education (ECE) facilities with affordable housing. 

These resources will help bring affordable housing developers and ECE providers together to open and expand childcare services within or on the grounds of affordable housing developments. The funding awarded will depend on each project's needs, size, and costs. 

Funds provided through BuildUp Oregon can be used for: 

• Technical assistance to ECE providers and affordable housing developers on how to co-locate 
• Relationship building between ECE providers and housing developers to identify potential collaboration opportunities and facilitate communication 
• Financial support to ECE providers and developers to build or expand operations within or adjacent to affordable housing developments 

The goal of the OHCS Co-location Fund is to create or preserve 600 ECE slots throughout Oregon. 

OHCS is a funding partner with Multnomah County for the BuildUp Oregon program. Earlier this month, Multnomah County launched the Preschool for All Facilities Fund. That fund offers comprehensive support to early care and education providers in Multnomah County participating in Preschool for All (PFA) who are looking to enhance the quality of care at existing facilities, expand to serve additional families or open a new location.

"The Facilities Fund will provide crucial support to early care and education providers and help build up the infrastructure we need to ensure universal access to preschool by 2030," said Preschool and Early Learning Division Director Leslee Barnes. "This initiative represents a vital step towards all children having access to high-quality childcare in safe and nurturing environments."

Interested developers and providers can learn more about BuildUp Oregon by visiting www.BuildUpOregon.org. BuildUp Oregon will also provide further information about the OHCS Co-location Fund through a webinar in May. Details and updates on the webinar will be available on BuildUp Oregon’s website. 

About BuildUp Oregon

BuildUp Oregon is composed of four Community Development Financial Institutions. Its members are Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO), Craft3, Network for Oregon Affordable Housing (NOAH), and Low-Income Investment Fund (LIIF). Together, these organizations are dedicated to ensuring equitable access to high-quality childcare and supporting the growth and development of early care and education providers.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) 

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate-income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs. 

###

Board of Fire Commissioners to discuss fire levy lid lift April 25; public invited to attend and learn more

Revenue from Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue’s fire levy is not keeping up with capital needs, increasing numbers of emergency incidents, and costs to provide service.

The population within the CCFR response area has risen dramatically over the past decade, and so has demand for emergency services. Since 2017, CCFR call volumes have increased more than 40 percent. 

CCFR funds daily operations and capital purchases such as fire engines, ladder trucks, fire stations, and other equipment through a fire levy capped at $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value. CCFR has an emergency medical service (EMS) levy at $.47 per $1000 of assessed value that funds paramedic positions and pays for medical equipment and supplies.

In 2017, voters approved a fire levy rate of $1.50. Since then, it has dropped to $1.26. This is called “levy erosion” and impacts the fire district’s ability to provide service. The fire district is limited by state law to just a 1 percent revenue increase per year, while costs to provide emergency services increase nearly 6 percent each year.

CCFR used funding from the 2017 fire levy lid lift to add firefighter positions, reopen a shuttered fire station in Charter Oak, purchase property for a fire station in Ridgefield, purchase four fire engines and a ladder truck, and provide major maintenance on existing fire stations to extend their service life. These actions helped reduce the Washington Survey & Rating Bureau Protection Class Grade for CCFR from a 5 to a 4, thereby allowing for lower fire insurance rates for residents and businesses.

“CCFR has worked hard to use taxpayer dollars efficiently, while increasing the level of safety in our communities” Fire Chief John Nohr said. “We have amazingly talented firefighters in this organization, but we are struggling to maintain response capability and capital purchases with the current fire levy.”

Commissioners considering a fire levy lid lift

Costs and demand for services are outpacing revenue. CCFR is discussing going to voters this year for a fire levy lid lift. The Board of Fire Commissioners is considering a $0.24 lid lift (from $1.26 to $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value) during the August 2024 primary election. The lid lift would fund:

• Maintaining staffing levels of three firefighters at each fire station every day
• Purchase of two fire engines and one water tender
• Complete the construction of a partially built fire station in Woodland
• Initiate construction of a new fire station in west Ridgefield
• Fire station improvements at the Dollars Corner, Fairgrounds, La Center and Charter Oak facilities

The fire levy lid lift would cost the owner of a $500,000 home an additional $10 per month or $120 per year. 

The CCFR Board of Fire Commissioners will discuss placing a levy lid lift on the August ballot at its April 25 meeting, which the public is invited to attend and learn more. The meeting begins at 4 p.m. at Station 21, located at 911 N. 65^th Avenue in Ridgefield. You can also attend virtually via Zoom. Find the link at www.clarkfr.org.

###

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue (CCFR) serves 60,000 people over 125 square miles, including the cities of La Center, Ridgefield, Woodland, and the Cowlitz Indian Reservation. Our combination department includes full-time and volunteer firefighters responding to an average of 5300 fire and emergency medical calls a year. CCFR operates under a balanced budget and has a history of passing independent financial audits by the state.

The Ridgefield School District has received another clean audit from the Washington State Auditor's Office demonstrating that the district has safeguarded public resources. This underscores the district's ongoing commitment to upholding the highest standards of financial transparency and accountability. The audit examined the areas of financial statements and federal grant compliance for the district's fiscal year from Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2023. Due to the size of its enrollment and annual budget, the district undergoes a thorough financial audit every year.

Independent state auditors reviewed Ridgefield's internal controls over financial reporting, federal grant compliance, and the financial statements prepared for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The auditor’s report concludes that the district complied with laws and regulations; and that there were no internal control deficiencies. The auditor’s also determined the financial statements were fairly presented and accurately reflected the district’s financial operations. 

"Maintaining a clean audit history is paramount to earning and retaining the trust of our community," said interim superintendent Chris Griffith. “We take our responsibility very seriously, and I am proud of the teamwork and effort of district administrators and staff who ensure we are properly safeguarding public funding. This achievement reflects our dedicated efforts to ensure every dollar is accounted for and directed towards maximizing the educational experience for our students."

The State Auditor's Office audits school districts annually as part of its efforts to track public money and provide essential accountability and transparency for district operations. Their report states "the State Auditor’s Office has the independence necessary to objectively perform audits, attestation engagements and investigations. Our work is designed to comply with professional standards as well as to satisfy the requirements of federal, state and local laws. The Office also has an extensive quality control program and undergoes regular external peer review to ensure our work meets the highest possible standards of accuracy, objectivity and clarity."

“Ridgefield School District is fully committed to maintaining and building the public’s trust,” said Paula McCoy, Ridgefield School District’s Executive Director of Business Services. “Our track record of accountability is critical, and we are pleased to have another year of clean audits that demonstrate our commitment to being good financial stewards.”

The final reports for Ridgefield's 2022-23 audits are available on the State Auditor’s Office website and include the following:

● Financial Statements Report: Provides an opinion on whether financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with the applicable reporting framework. Examines records for fraud and/or large errors or misstatements.

● Federal Single Audit Report: Required when a district spends more than $750,000 annually in federal assistance funding and determines compliance with federal requirements. View the Financial Statements and Federal Single Audit Report here. 

ANNUAL EVENT CELEBRATES FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN CULTURES 

Vancouver, Wash.— The annual Sakura Festival returns on Thursday, April 25 to the Clark College main campus, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. The free community event underneath a canopy of cherry blossoms is presented by Clark College, the city of Vancouver and Vancouver Rotary. 

Opening remarks begin at 1 p.m. in the Royce Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden, located next to Beacock Music Hall on Clark’s main campus. In case of inclement weather, the event will be inside Gaiser Student Center in the Penguin Union Building.

Schedule 

• 12:50 p.m. - Koto performance by Mitsuki Dazai
• 1:10 p.m. - Greetings from Dr. Karin Edwards
• 1:15 p.m. – Greetings from City of Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle
• 1:22 p.m. – Greetings from Mr. Yuzo Yoshioka Consul General
• 1:25 p.m. – Greetings from Clark College student, Daniel Wall
• 1:28 p.m. – Clark College Treble Ensemble performance
• 1:40 p.m.– Guests walk through Japanese garden and up to Gaiser Student Center
• 2:30 p.m. - The celebration continues in Gaiser Student Center with a performance by Oregon Koto-Kai, Haiku reading by Clark College Japanese Club, martial art demonstration, and art share by children enrolled in Child and Family Studies program. There will be a variety of cultural displays and demonstration tables around the room. Hand-painted cherry blossom cookies will be provided by the college’s Professional Baking & Pastry Arts students.
• 3:30 p.m. - Event ends

History of Sakura Festival at Clark College: More than 25 years ago, the City of Vancouver received a gift of friendship: 100 Shirofugen cherry trees. They were planted at Clark College, creating an enduring reminder of the bonds between our region and Japan. Over the years, those trees have grown and blossomed—as has that friendship, creating traditions like the establishment in 1995 of a sister-city relationship between Vancouver and Joyo, Japan, and our annual Sakura Festival, begun in 2006. Learn more about the history of the Sakura Festival.

Driving directions and parking maps are available at www.clark.edu/maps.

Clark College expressly prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, citizenship, immigration status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal in its programs and activities. Learn more at www.clark.edu/nds.

If you need an accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event, please contact Clark College’s Human Resources Office. Phone: 360-992-2105 or email: hr@clark.edu

About Clark College 
Founded in 1933 and celebrating its 90^th year, Clark College provides residents of Southwest Washington with affordable, high-quality academic and technical education. It is a public community college offering more than 100 degree and certificate programs, including bachelor’s and associate degrees; professional certificates; high school diplomas and GED preparation; and non-credit community and continuing education. Clark serves a wide range of students including high school students, displaced workers, veterans, parents, non-native English speakers, and mature learners. Approximately 45% of its students are in the first generation of their families to attend college.   

####

PRESS RELEASE  

CONTACT:  

Tina Sillers

Director, Media Relations  

tina@portlandmetrochamber.com

Portland Metro Chamber’s Annual 5k Brings Hundreds of Runners to the Downtown Waterfront  

APRIL 18, 2024– Portland, OR: Runners and walkers will lace up their sweetest kicks on Thursday, May 9^th for the 4^th Annual Rose City 5k, hosted by the Portland Metro Chamber and presented by Nike. 

Athletes of all levels are invited to participate. Join the race as an individual or bring your co-workers and run as a team. Last year more than 300 runners and walkers competed in the event.  

All participants will receive a Nike Dri-Fit t-shirt, a Rose City 5k tote bag, and other goodies to commemorate the day.  

Awards will be given for fastest team, largest team, and best team spirit. Individual medals will also be handed out to the top three finishers (runners & walkers) in each age group (male & female). 

“In my humble opinion, this is the best 5k race in the history of 5k races,” says Andrew Hoan, President & CEO of the Portland Metro Chamber.  

Following the event, the group will gather in the plaza for an awards ceremony that will include music, food and fun. 

 “It is an opportunity to get together with your friends and neighbors and enjoy what we hope will be a gorgeous day on the waterfront in the city we all love,” says Hoan. This event is all about bringing good positive energy into our downtown, building community, having some fun together and supporting the Rose City.”   

WHAT: Portland Metro Chamber Rose City 5k 

WHEN: Thursday, May 9^th 3:00pm to 6:00pm           

WHERE: World Trade Center (Outdoor Pavilion),Downtown Portland 

              25 SW Salmon Street, 

              Portland, OR 97204  

Online registration closes at 12 noon on May 8^th.Contact Ashley Odil for event information.  

###  

Portland Metro Chamber – Greater Portland's Chamber of Commerce – was founded in 1870 and is the leading voice for business in the region. The Alliance represents the largest, most diverse business network in the region, bringing together nearly 1,900 dynamic members, and advocates at all levels of government to support commerce, community health, and the region’s overall prosperity.  

PORTLAND, Ore.—The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced today that it will join 10 other U.S. Attorney’s Offices in establishing a multi-agency task force to address carjacking, an important public safety threat impacting communities in Oregon and beyond.

“We are pleased to join our Justice Department colleagues from across the country in taking this important, targeted step to address carjacking, a dangerous, violent crime. We thank all our law enforcement partners for their ongoing commitment to protecting Oregonians through this and other violent crime reduction efforts.” said Natalie Wight, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

“The Justice Department has no higher priority than keeping our communities safe. We do so by targeting the most significant drivers of violent crime and by acting as a force multiplier for our state and local law enforcement partners. We’re seeing results — with violent crime declining broadly nationwide,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “Today, we are launching seven new carjacking task forces across the country to build on the success of task forces in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Tampa, where available data shows that carjacking rates are now falling. When prosecutors, officers, agents, and analysts come together to crunch data, share intelligence, and apply best practices, we can make real progress in the fight against all forms of violent crime, including carjacking.”

In keeping with the Justice Department’s Comprehensive Strategy for Reducing Violent Crime, the District of Oregon carjacking task force will focus federal resources on identifying, investigating, and prosecuting individuals responsible for committing carjackings and related crimes throughout the state. 

Carjacking task forces have proven to be an effective part of successful violent crime reduction strategies by focusing on a significant driver of crime and taking violent offenders off the streets. For example, carjackings in Philadelphia declined by 31 percent from 2022 to 2023, and armed carjackings are down 28 percent in the District of Columbia so far this year compared to the same period in 2023. In Chicago, carjackings decreased 29 percent from their high in 2021 through the end of 2023.

Local efforts to combat carjacking have already produced positive results. On Tuesday, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a three-count indictment charging, Raheim Carter, 41, a Portland resident, with carjacking, using and carrying a firearm during a crime of violence, and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. On March 15, 2024, Carter and an accomplice are alleged to have stolen a vehicle at gunpoint from a North Portland resident. Carter and the accomplice are alleged to have approached the victim while he was unloading groceries from his vehicle, demanded he hand over his keys at gunpoint, and drove off with the vehicle. The case was investigated by the Portland Police Bureau with assistance from the FBI.

The newly formed carjacking task forces will be led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices, the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) with state and local law enforcement partners.

###

Don Hudson, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director of City of Tualatin, OR has been appointed to the National League of Cities (NLC) 2024 Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Federal Advocacy Committee. Mr. Hudson was elected to a one-year term and will provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC’s federal advocacy agenda and policy priorities on taxes that affect cities, towns and villages, voting and voter protections, advancing housing finance legislation, and more. The appointment was announced by NLC President Mayor David Sander of Rancho Cordova, CA.   

“Decisions made at the Federal level can have significant impacts on local cities, so I am honored to have been selected to this committee.  The importance of making sure lawmakers understand how their decisions affect our ability to provide the services our residents want and expect from the City of Tualatin is vital to meeting the needs of our residents and customers.”

As a member of NLC’s Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Federal Advocacy Committee, Mr. Hudson will play a key role in shaping NLC’s policy positions and advocate on behalf of America’s cities, towns and villages before Congress, with the administration and at home. 

“NLC’s federal advocacy committees play an important role in helping policymakers in Washington understand the issues and challenges facing America’s cities, towns and villages at the local level,” said NLC President Mayor David Sander of Rancho Cordova, CA. “I’m thrilled to have Mr. Hudson serve on NLC’s  Finance, Administration and Intergovernmental Relations Federal Advocacy Committee this year, and look forward to working with him to strengthen the federal-local partnership and grow our common knowledge of the issues and opportunities facing our communities.”   

The leadership of this year’s committee will consist of Committee Chair Blaine Griffin, Council President , City of Cleveland, OH; Vice Chair Mary Dennis, Mayor, City of Live Oak, TX;  Vice Chair Clare Kelly, Council Member, City of Evanston, IL;  Vice Chair Julie Spilsbury, Councilmember, City of Mesa, AZ

For more information on NLC’s federal advocacy committees, visit: https://www.nlc.org/advocacy/federal-advocacy-committees/.

MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Western Oregon University Board of Trustees convened on April 16 and 17 to consider and approve several items, including the tuition & fees for the 2024-25 academic year.

The Tuition Advisory Committee, which includes students, staff, and faculty, submitted a proposed five percent tuition increase, which was accepted by President Jesse Peters and presented to the Board of Trustees on April 17. The trustees approved the five percent increase to resident undergraduate tuition and a 4.86 percent increase to nonresident undergraduate tuition. Graduate tuition will increase by five percent, and is assessed at the same rate regardless of residency. Summer 2024 tuition rates are included at the same rates as the 2024-25 academic year.

"We firmly believe that higher education should be accessible to all, and affordability is a cornerstone of our mission,” shares Board of Trustee Chair Betty Komp. “While a slight increase was necessary, it enables us to continue delivering quality education and support to our students, ensuring their success and fulfillment throughout their academic journey."

Western Oregon University remains among the most affordable public higher education institutions in Oregon, offering the second-lowest tuition rate in the state. Western is also a member of the Western Undergraduate Exchange, the largest regional interstate tuition savings program, where students from participating states can attend Western and pay no more than 150 percent of the in-state resident tuition rate. 

“Students choose Western because it’s a special place. We take pride in offering students a tailored educational experience, fostering a sense of belonging, and delivering quality support services,” said President Jesse Peters. “We have worked hard to maintain affordability without compromising the exceptional quality of education and services that define Western. This slight tuition increase reflects our dedication to sustaining the excellence that makes us truly extraordinary.”

###

About Western Oregon University

Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon's oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction.  Together we succeed.

https://wou.edu/2024/04/18/western-oregon-university-board-of-trustees-approves-tuition-increase/
 

 (Astoria, OR) — Clatsop County Clerk Tracie Krevanko is alerting the public about U.S. Post Office changes that could affect whether mailed voter registration cards and election ballots will arrive by deadlines.

“Now that all mail postmarking is now being done in Portland, we encourage Clatsop County voters who choose to mail in their voter registration card or election ballots to put them in the mail at least five days prior to any deadline. We want to make sure every vote counts,” she said.

“We also encourage people to register to vote online at the Oregon Secretary of State’s My Vote webpage and to drop their election ballots at one of Clatsop County election ballot dropbox locations,” she said.

• April 30, 2024                  Last day to register to vote and choose a political party for
                                            the Primary Election. Registration cards postmarked by this
                                           date are valid registrations for this and future elections
• May 1-May 7, 2024        Official Primary Election Ballots mailed
• May 21, 2024                  Election Day. Ballots postmarked by this date and received
                                         by the Clatsop County elections office by May 28, 2024 are
                                         valid ballots
• June 17, 2024                  Last day to certify election

How to Register to Vote

There are three ways people can register to vote:

• Online at the Oregon Secretary of State “My Vote” website
• In Person at Oregon Dept. of Motor Vehicle offices during regular business hours
• In person at the Clatsop County Clerk and Elections office, which is located at 820 Exchange in Astoria. The office closes at 5 p.m.

Returning Election Ballots

Completed and returned ballots will be counted if they are postmarked on or before Election Day, Tuesday, May 21. 

Election ballots must be delivered to an official drop site or the County Clerk’s Office, 820 Exchange St., 2nd Floor, Astoria. The elections office will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day.

Clatsop County Voters Pamphlet

For the 2024 primary election, the Clatsop County voters’ pamphlet will be included with the ballots mailed to voters. The pamphlet also is available online at ClatsopCounty.gov.

Ballot Process Live-Stream

Clatsop County Clerk and Elections Office will provide live, online video streaming of its processing of local ballots, from the verifying of signatures through to the actual count.

The live feed will begin May 2. Activities that will be live-streamed are:

• Receiving of ballots at the Clerk and Elections Office
• Scanning ballots – elections staff scans ballots to log them is as received. 
• Signature verification – elections staff compares signature on ballot envelope to voter’s registration record
• At 9 a.m. on May 10 elections staff will live-stream the public test of the ballot-counting machine.

Beginning May 20, the video stream will also show ballot-processing at the Judge Guy Boyington Building. Activities that will be shown are:

• Ballot opening – elections staff remove ballots from envelope, check ballots for damage that may make them unreadable for the ballot counter
• Vote scanning – ballots are run through ballot-counting machine

The video feed will be live through certification. The video feed will continue to show ballot processing and counting after Election Day until all qualified ballots are counted.

While live, the video feed may show extended periods with no activity. That is because ballots are processed as they are received by the Clerk and Elections Office.

-30-

SALEM, Ore. – April 18, 2024 – On April 13, President Joe Biden approved Governor Tina Kotek’s request for a federal major disaster declaration for severe winter storms, straight-line winds, landslides, and mudslides that occurred throughout the state from Jan. 10-22 (view a GIS StoryMap of the event).

The declaration will provide supplemental grant funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program, a reimbursement program for public infrastructure damage and response costs to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations in designated counties impacted by the event. This disaster declaration covers Benton, Clackamas, Coos, Hood River, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Multnomah, Sherman, Tillamook, and Wasco counties and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

FEMA Public Assistance is a supplementary financial assistance program for emergency work and the repair or replacement of public facilities and infrastructure damaged by the winter event. Financial assistance is available on a cost-sharing basis; reimbursement is 75% federal share of the eligible cost for emergency measures and permanent restoration costs and 25% is the applicant's responsibility. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM) administers the Public Assistance program in the state.

All eligible applicants with eligible projects within the designated counties and tribes can apply for public assistance. Eligible applicants include local governments, tribal governments, special districts, state agencies, and certain private nonprofits that have incurred costs for response activities or sustained facility damage as a direct result of the January event. Private nonprofits are those entities that provide a governmental type of service and have a 501(c), (d) or (e) tax exception status (see page 43 of the FEMA Public Assistance Program and Guide regarding eligible facilities and required documentation). Certain private nonprofits with damage to their facilities should apply for a U.S. Small Business Administration loan first.

ODEM and FEMA will work with each applicant to develop their projects, scope and costs that can be reimbursed. Potential applicants in the designated counties must complete a Request for Public Assistance in the FEMA Grants Portal by May 13.

The Major Disaster Declaration does not provide FEMA Individual Assistance and will not reimburse funds for repair or replacement costs by individuals to their property.

Learn more about the Public Assistance program at https://www.oregon.gov/oem/emresources/disasterassist/Pages/Public-Assistance.aspx.

###

Captions

2024 January storm damage clean up in Linn County (courtesy Linn County).
2024 January storm damage to trees and power lines in Lane County (courtesy Lane Electric).
Oregon Department of Emergency Management Logo (white background).
Oregon Department of Emergency Management Logo (no background).
FEMA Logo (Horizontal).
FEMA Logo (Vertical).

On Wednesday April 17^th, 2024 at 8:55 PM Newport Officers were alerted to a motor vehicle versus pedestrian crash in the Walmart parking lot. Prior to Officers arriving, the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle. 

The investigation revealed 44-year-old Newport resident Larry Janz II was intentionally following the victim, who was known to Janz II, in his vehicle. The victim, who was also operating a vehicle, pulled into the Walmart parking lot, stopped their vehicle in a lane of travel, and exited their vehicle. Janz II sideswiped the victim’s vehicle, striking and injuring the victim in the process. The victim, a 38-year-old Newport resident, suffered injuries severe enough to be later transported to another hospital via helicopter. Janz II fled the scene without rendering aide or exchanging information, as required by law.

Janz II was located at his residence and later taken into custody without incident and lodged at the Lincoln County jail for: 

Fail to perform duties of driver to injured persons (Class C Felony).

The incident remains under investigation.  If you have any information regarding this case, contact Officer Mangum of the Newport Police Department at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.

Newport Officers were assisted by: Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Newport Fire Department and Pacific West Ambulance.

Salem, Oregon - The State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council will meet at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The meeting will take place remotely via the internet on Microsoft Teams and is open to the public. The agenda and handouts will be posted on the Council’s website.

What:    Meeting of the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council  

When:   Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Where: Microsoft Teams (Click here to join the meeting)

Meeting ID: 259 221 087 88 Passcode: JyPqSX

Who:     State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council 

The State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council is established by Governor Kotek’s Executive Order 23-26, Establishing a State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council. 

The purpose of the Council is to recommend an action plan to guide awareness education, and usage of artificial intelligence in state government that aligns with the State’s policies, goals, and values and supports public servants to deliver customer service more efficiently and effectively. The recommended action plan shall include concrete executive actions, policies, and investments needed to leverage artificial intelligence while honoring transparency, privacy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

Meetings of the State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council are open to the public. 

Public comment may be made during the meeting.  Sign-up for public comment is required as spots are limited. Sign-up closes Monday, April 22 at noon. Written comment will also be accepted. Written comment can be submitted by mail to the Council Support Office, 550 Airport Rd SE Suite C, Salem, OR 97301 or online.

Accommodations can be arranged for persons with disabilities, and alternate formats of printed material are available upon request. Please contact Enterprise Information Services at 503-378-3175 at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting to request accommodations. Closed captioning is included on the Microsoft Teams meeting.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Links

State Government Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/eis/Pages/ai-advisory-council.aspx

Executive Order 23-26: https://www.oregon.gov/gov/eo/eo-23-26.pdf

Meeting link: (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/ap/t-59584e83/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fteams.microsoft.com%2Fl%2Fmeetup-join%2F19%253ameeting_NDRmZjdkY2QtNTk0My00ODcxLWE3NjMtNTczODQwYmVlM2Uy%2540thread.v2%2F0%3Fcontext%3D%257b%2522Tid%2522%253a%2522aa3f6932-fa7c-47b4-a0ce-a598cad161cf%2522%252c%2522Oid%2522%253a%252234556cff-59ab-4761-8d66-f5c4ccec23c6%2522%257d&data=05%7C02%7CJessica.MADDOX%40das.oregon.gov%7Cd6650f0adfa94351bfa108dc5d6ca6ac%7Caa3f6932fa7c47b4a0cea598cad161cf%7C0%7C0%7C638487968427705959%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=piNCX%2BUreNnFcpCHLpY%2FtoJul%2FVU7OgApUabPW8teuM%3D&reserved=0)

Sign-up for public comment: https://forms.office.com/g/8NPeQbXRrA

Online comments submission:https://forms.office.com/g/5ecMVUWbbi

Part of the beauty of Oregon is the hiking opportunities throughout the state. Hiking can be a fun and healthy activity for the whole family. But without proper planning, even a short hike could turn into a dangerous situation. Before you hit the trails, remember these hiking safety tips.

1. Make a Gear List

Whether you're hiking for three hours or three days, you don't want to forget something important. Make a gear list to make sure you have everything you need. Some items to include on your gear list are: 

• Water
• Water filtration such as a filter straw or a filtration waterbottle
• Rain gear and additional climate-appropriate clothing
• Compass
• Map
• Extra food
• First aid supplies
• Cell phone or radio with backup batteries

2. Bring a Map

Bringing a map and becoming familiar with the area before you hike is so important. You should never rely solely on GPS technology especially with limited service and battery power. Always pack a map and make sure you know how to read it before you need it. 

3. Hike During the Day

Whenever possible, plan to hike during the day. It is easier to get lost in the dark and the area may be home to wild animals that come out at night. 

4. Know the Area

Exploring new hiking trails can be exciting. Unfortunately, it also means you're unfamiliar with the territory. Before heading out, check regional hiking information for:

• Local wild animals and what to do if you encounter them
• Local poisonous plants
• Local hunting areas and seasons
• Local hiking or emergency alerts

5. Check the Forecast

Check the forecast while planning your hike and keep checking it until you leave. This helps determine what gear you need to bring and greatly impacts your safety. Hiking in hotter or colder weather have different challenges that impact your trip and your health. If the forecast does predict rain, snow, or ice, be sure the trail you're taking is passable in these conditions. Consider contacting your local Parks and Recreation Department so they can direct you to real-time information. When in doubt, reschedule your hike for better weather.

6. Be Confident Not Cocky

You know what you can and can't handle. When hiking in a group or with a more advanced friend, you may take risks you aren't ready for. Don't risk injury; be honest with your skill level before hitting the trail. 

7. Tell Someone Before You Go

Tell someone when and where you are going and when they should expect you to be back. If that person doesn't hear from you by a certain time, they can take the necessary action to begin a search. With Search and Rescue missions, time matters. If you don’t make it home on time, having a friend that can report your planned hiking activity and timeline can help searchers locate you. 

8. Stay Together

When hiking with a large group, it's easy to separate into groups of fast and slow hikers. Often, this happens naturally, but it isn't always safe. Keep someone at the front that hikes at a modest pace to ensure everyone stays together.

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon. 

###

Vancouver, Wash. – The Clark County Climate Project Community Advisory Group will meet at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, April 24. 

The Community Advisory Group (CAG) is made up of 20 county residents who were appointed by the county manager. The group is helping the county develop policy recommendations to implement new state climate change planning legislation for Planning Commission and County Council consideration to adopt for the county. The legislation emphasizes that planning and policy decisions related to climate change do not impact us all in the same way. The CAG is one of three advisory groups supporting the county’s Climate Project.

Community Advisory Group meetings are held at 5:30 pm the fourth Wednesday of the month. 

Meetings are in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual participation options. Attend in Room 680 of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., or join virtually through information provided at: https://clark.wa.gov/community-planning/community-advisory-group.

The meeting is open to the public and includes a brief public comment period. A recording of the meeting will also be available for viewing afterwards.

To learn more about county climate planning, sign up for project updates, submit a comment, review meeting recordings, or learn about future community advisory group meetings, please visit the project website at https://clark.wa.gov/community-planning/climate-change-planning.

The county’s Climate Project is being funded by a state grant. The Washington Department of Commerce climate planning grant is supported with funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The CCA supports Washington’s climate action efforts by putting cap-and-invest dollars to work reducing climate pollution, creating jobs, and improving public health. Information about the CCA is available at www.climate.wa.gov.

Vancouver, Wash. – The City of Vancouver is seeking applicants interested in filling two vacancies on its volunteer Parking Advisory Committee. Applications must be submitted by May 21.

The Parking Advisory Committee is a seven-member volunteer body that advises the Vancouver City Council and City staff on parking policy and program implementation. Applicants must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Live or own property anywhere within the Vancouver city limits
• Serve as an executive officer/partner or employee at a business located in the downtown area

All applicants must also be available for an interview with Vancouver City Councilmembers on a date to be determined. Parking Advisory Committee members serve four-year terms. The committee meets quarterly, or as needed, at 8 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Meetings are held both in-person and remotely. This recruitment is for two full-term appointments, with a term effective July 1, 2024 and expiring June 30, 2028.

Learn more about the City’s boards and commissions and apply online at www.cityofvancouver.us/boards. 

To request a printed application or for further information, contact the Boards and Commissions Coordinator at Vancouver City Hall, P.O. Box 1995, Vancouver, WA 98668-1995, c_coordinator@cityofvancouver.us">bc_coordinator@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8600. 

###

Media Advisory - All Media Are Invited

SOLVE's Oregon Spring Cleanup 2024 spans across Oregon and SW Washington with over 100 events. This hallmark event, celebrating Earth Day, unites volunteers and partners from the Pacific Northwest to contribute to a cleaner, greener planet. Rooted in SOLVE's rich history, this event series merges two cherished events: the Spring Oregon Beach Cleanup (1986) and SOLVE IT for Earth Day (1990). The Oregon Spring Cleanup 2024 is presented by Portland General Electric. It's an excellent opportunity for families, coworkers, and neighbors to bond while preserving Oregon's stunning locations.

Media are invited to document environmentally engaged citizens and interview SOLVE staff and partners at the following two events:

What: SE Portland Eco-Disco: Litter Cleanup & Silent Disco

When: Saturday, April 20, 2024
The cleanup will be held from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM. The silent disco will run from 11 AM until 1 PM.
Volunteers will start arriving after 9:45 AM.

Where: 320 SE 16th Ave Portland, OR 97214 | (Map Link)
We will be meeting at Buckman Elementary, under the covered basketball courts.

This unique Earth Day celebration and collaboration with Heartbeat Silent Disco in Portland’s Central Eastside is presented by Portland General Electric. Following the cleanup at 12 pm, the festivities continue with a free silent disco until 1 pm, adding an extra layer of celebration to the cleanup efforts. Volunteers will be provided with wireless headphones with personal volume control and adjustable fit, allowing everyone to enjoy the music while respecting the natural surroundings.

The media should arrive at the Central Eastside Cleanup event by 9:45 AM. 

Available interviewees: 

• Kris Carico, CEO, SOLVE 
• Kregg Arnston, Executive Director of the PGE Foundation

For more event details, please check the event page:
SOLVE | SE Portland Eco-Disco: Litter Cleanup & Silent Disco (solveoregon.org)

What: Cityscape Sparkle: Earth Day Cleanup at Sport Oregon

When: Monday, April 22, 2024, 2 PM – 4 PM. Volunteers will start arriving after 1:45 PM.

Where: 1939 SW Morrison St Portland, OR 97205 | (Map Link)
We will be meeting outside of Sport Oregon.

This litter cleanup event taking place on Earth Day 2024 goes beyond tidying up the neighborhood streets. Participants are invited for a day of community, cleanliness, and local love at Sport Oregon to foster a sense of unity and enhance our local environment. This Earth Day event is presented by Swire Coca-Cola and TriMet.

The media should arrive at Sport Oregon by 1:45 PM. 

Available interviewees: 

• Kris Carico, CEO, SOLVE 
• Josh Keller, Development Director, SOLVE
• Tia York, Manager of Media Relations, TriMet Public Affairs Division 

For more event details, please check the event page:
SOLVE | Cityscape Sparkle: Earth Day Cleanup (solveoregon.org)

Along with Portland General Electric, event sponsors of the Oregon Spring Cleanup 2024 include Clean Water Services, AAA Oregon/Idaho, Fred Meyer, Metro, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, KOIN, The Oregonian, The Standard, Swire Coca-Cola, Holman, Demarini-Wilson, TriMet, and PepsiCo.

####

About SOLVE
SOLVE is a statewide non-profit organization that brings people together to improve our environment and build a legacy of stewardship. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots group to a national model for volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains tens of thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon and Southwest Washington to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas and to build a legacy of stewardship for our state. Visit solveoregon.org for more information. 

BURNS, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Forestry recently hosted the 2024 Rangeland Fire Protection Association Summit in Burns, Oregon. The annual summit provides a forum for the 28 Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs) to meet with each other and partners in the spirit of helping each other be more effective at fighting wildfire on Oregon’s range. 

RFPAs are an integral part of the complete and coordinated wildfire protection system in Oregon. Oregon’s 28 rangeland associations across eastern Oregon provide initial attack response to wildfires on nearly 17.5 million acres of public and private ownership. Association members have a unique interest in suppressing wildfires since the lands they protect impact their livelihoods and those of their neighbors. 

During the summit the rangeland associations share information such as current membership, planned prevention and mitigation strategies, and lessons learned from the previous year’s wildfires. 

“The summit is an invaluable resource for association members and partners to advance wildfire suppression capability on Oregon’s rangeland, cropland, sage grouse habitat, and livestock forage that are crucial to the local economy,” said Allison Rayburn, ODF’s Rangeland Fire Coordinator.

An important part of the summit is the presentation of the Outstanding Neighbor Award, given to association members who are instrumental in supporting and growing their association. This year’s Outstanding Neighbor Award was presented to John O’Keeffe, president of the Warner Valley RFPA. O’Keeffe has represented local land interests and worked on ecological issues locally as a member of Oregon’s Wildfire Programs Advisory Council and the Oregon Cattleman’s Association, and nationally as a member of the Public Lands Council and National Wildland Fire Mitigation Management Commission.

“The people in this room are what makes this work. We want to have another generation, and another generation after that on the landscape and advocacy in far-away places is a large part of making that happen. I’ve been fortunate to have the local support to participate,” said O’Keeffe.

The history of RFPAs in Oregon started with legislation enacted in 1963 that allowed the formation of associations. In 1964, the Ironside RFPA was formed in northern Malheur County. For many years they were the lone association in the state. However, in 1998, a new era of RFPA interest emerged. Between 1998 and 2001, five additional RFPAs were formed and new associations have continued to form since then. There are currently 28 associations with over 1,200 volunteers. Association partner agencies include ODF, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon’s Office of the State Fire Marshal, Oregon State University Extension Service, county emergency managers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Event will provide information about local option levy for emergency services.

The public is invited to attend a Virtual Town Hall on Monday, April 22, at 6 p.m. to learn more about Measure 34-332, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue’s local option levy that will be on the May 21 ballot. 

Fire Chief Deric Weiss will host the town hall that will be streamed live on TVF&R’s social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and TikTok. Questions about the measure can be submitted during the event.

Measure 34-332 proposes a replacement five-year operating levy with a rate of 69 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. If approved, the levy would cost the average homeowner about $210 per year or $17.54 a month.

TVF&R’s existing levy, which was approved in 2019, will not sustain current or future fire and emergency medical service operations and is set to expire in June 2025. Under Oregon law, levies expire in five years or less and require voter approval.

Over the past five years, there has been a 17 percent increase in the frequency of emergency incidents in TVF&R’s service area. The District’s growing community and rising demands require more firefighters and paramedics to maintain reliable emergency response.

If the replacement levy does not pass, funding that pays for at least 92 of 450 TVF&R firefighters and paramedics would be lost and staffing reductions would be required, which may impact response times and reliability. 

If the replacement levy passes, levy funds will retain existing first responders and add 36 more. Additional responders at existing stations will ensure prompt response times and reliability when multiple incidents happen at the same time.

Levy funding will also be used to purchase specialized equipment used for medical emergencies such as cardiac monitors and defibrillators as well as critical firefighting tools, including thermal imagers that aid in search and rescue efforts and self-contained breathing apparatus worn by firefighters in burning buildings. 

With increased wildfire risk and a strained emergency medical system, levy proceeds will also purchase smaller vehicles used to fight wildfire, shuttle water, and transport patients.

Levy funds will allow the District to add personnel who train and equip first responders.

If approved, the replacement levy would appear on the November 2025 property tax statement. TVF&R intends to maintain the same levy rate for 10 years, which will help long-term planning, ensure service stability, and provide predictability to taxpayers.

For more information, call Public Affairs Manager Stefan Myers at 503-649-8577. A video of the town hall will be available on TVF&R’s social media platforms and www.tvfr.com following the event.

Additional Video with Information About the Levy: https://youtu.be/x9dxx8G2Qdg

The swift action of firefighters saved the life of a man who was close to drowning in the Willamette River, near Meldrum Bar Park.

On Wednesday, April 10, 2024, firefighters were dispatched to an initial report of a male trapped inside a vehicle that was in the river, and reportedly had exited the submerging vehicle and was in distress. Arriving first on scene, firefighters quickly put on their personal floatation devices and identified a male struggling in the water. Due to the immediate threat to the male’s safety, two firefighters jumped in to prevent him from drowning. 

During the rescue efforts of the two firefighters in the water, the other two firefighters took throw bags to the nearest shore. The ropes from the throw bags landed right over the top of the three of them and the two firefighters on the shore were able to pull the rescuers and the male to safety. Upon their arrival on-scene, firefighters located and pulled the victim out of the water in 2 minutes and 44 seconds.

Once out of the water, the male was treated and transported by American Medical Response to an area hospital.

Battalion Chief Greg Holland said, “If the crew from Engine 315 had not done what they did [performed a high-risk rescue], the male would have drowned. He was out of time, out of breath, and out of energy to keep going.”

Clackamas Fire District would like to thank the community for their ongoing support of the Emergency Services Levy. As part of the year one plan, firefighters from Station 15 in Oregon City received an increase in firefighter staffing, along with four other fire stations across the Fire District. This increase in staffing improves response capabilities that ultimately saved this man’s life.

The photos are courtesy of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit.

###

Four people are facing charges after Tigard Police interrupted suspected Organized Retail Theft at a local shopping center and recovered nearly $10,000 in stolen merchandise.

On April 15, 2024 at 1:54PM, loss prevention employees at a store on SW Washington Square Road contacted detectives with the Tigard Police Department’s Commercial Crimes Unit, to say a person was stealing merchandise.

Detectives responded and learned the person was part of a four-person crew associated with Organized Retail Theft that had been stealing merchandise and committing fraudulent returns.

One of the subjects ran from loss prevention and hid in the back of a van in the parking lot. Officers and detectives responded and blocked in the van. The man initially did not comply with officers’ commands to come out. After several minutes, he did exit the van but repeatedly reached for his waistband, and a K-9 and foam 40mm round were used to safely take him into custody. 

Investigators learned the group came to the area from Seattle and detectives believe they committed similar crimes at another store location in Portland at roughly 12:15PM, just prior to coming to Tigard. They are all facing charges of theft I, attempted theft I and theft 2, and have been identified as:

1. George Alvarez-Herrera, age 26, from Seattle
2. Jahyaire Wilson, age 32, from Seattle (the person in the van)
3. Dery’Aunte Sims, age 27, from Seattle
4. Ashley Hall, age 37, from Portland (also charged with identity theft)

Additional charges are expected. To learn more about the Commercial Crimes Unit, visit www.tigard-or.gov/CCU. 

###

On Wednesday, April 17^th, 2024, at around 6:50 AM, multiple Lincoln City Police Officers responded to the report of a single vehicle crash into a building located at 3026 NE Highway 101, later learning another vehicle had also been struck. Officers arrived and assisted North Lincoln Fire Department with securing the scene and initial medical evaluation of involved drivers. 

Officers investigated and learned that Marvin Noe Tojin Lopez, a 24-year-old male from Newport Oregon, had fallen asleep at the wheel, while driving home from working on a residential remodeling job all night. Tojin Lopez had been driving his Honda Accord southbound and initially struck a northbound Honda Pilot with such force, the Accord’s front driver’s side wheel was entirely removed from the vehicle. Following the initial impact, the Accord skid into the building. Tojin Lopez was transported to the hospital for further medical care. The driver of the Pilot reported no injuries on scene. Subsequently Tojin Lopez was issued citations for Driving without a License, Driving without Insurance, Careless Driving, and Failing to Wear a Seatbelt.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Drowsy Driving led to 684 deaths in 2021 and in 2017 accounted for 91,000 of our nation’s vehicle crashes. If you feel fatigued, your driving skills are probable impaired as well. Please pull over, take a short 20-minute nap, and reevalute.

The Lincoln City Police Department would like to thank the North Lincoln Fire Department, Pacific West Ambulance, Menefee and Car Care Towing for their quick responses, allowing officers to get the roadway reopened.

Submitted by: Sgt Erik Anderson

(Brownsville, Oregon) The Travel Information Council and its volunteer Oregon Heritage Tree Committee invite the public to participate in the induction of the Moyer House Linden Wisteria into the Oregon Heritage Tree program. The event will take place on Friday, April 26 at noon on the front grounds of the Historic Moyer House at 204 N Main St, Brownsville, Oregon 97327.

The Moyer House Linden / Wisteria, scientific name Tilia americana/ Wisteria floribunda, is the 83^rd Oregon Heritage Tree, a designation that recognizes trees with statewide or national significance. The linden tree is 90 inches in circumference and the wisteria vine 135 inches. The pair is approximately 55 ft tall and estimated to be 143 years old. 

Speakers at the event include representatives from Linn County Parks and Recreation and Craig Leech, chair of the Oregon Heritage Tree Committee. 

The Moyer House wisteria and its companion linden tree display a unique partnership that have become a landmark to the Brownsville community, as well as a unique addition to the Oregon Heritage Tree Program. The two were planted concurrently in the northeast corner of the Moyer House front garden as seen in historic photos starting in 1882. The tree and vine are entwined in one another with the wisteria relying on the linden for support. In the spring, wisteria blossoms are profuse, popping out everywhere amongst the linden branches. 

Elizabeth Brown (1841-1922) arrived in the Calapooia Valley via the 1846 Blakely-Brown wagon train, captained by her uncle James Blakely. John Moyer (1829-1904), a carpenter from Ohio, arrived by horseback in 1852 after a journey of just three months. The two married in 1857 and raised their children in a humbler home on the property where the much grander Moyer House now stands. John gained wealth in lumber, cattle, a sash and door factory, and early businesses investments. 

They built the showpiece 1881 Moyer House to display their success. Formal landscaping adorned the front garden, which included the linden and wisteria, facing Main Street. The tree and vine have grown to enormous size over the course of 142 years. The Moyer House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 as an example of an Italianate home. 

“More than 130 years later, the two venerable specimens dominate the property, reflecting the passing seasons and reminding visitors of the impacts of the immense 1880s westward migration and subsequent transformation of the valley,” said Stacey Whaley, Linn County Parks Director. 

Oregon Heritage Tree Committee Chair Craig Leech encourages the public to visit the Moyer House Linden and wisteria. “Visiting an Oregon Heritage Tree is a chance to learn localized Oregon history and honor the vital role trees play in giving character to our urban spaces and building community pride. The Moyer House Linden / Wisteria has become a landmark in Brownsville and a unique addition to the Oregon Heritage Tree Program.”

The tree dedication will take place and noon and kick-off an afternoon open house at the historic Moyer House to honor the completed restoration of the home. Volunteers will be on hand from noon until 4pm to answer visitor questions about the house. The event is free and open to the public.  

The Moyer House Linden Wisteria can be viewed on city property at 204 N Main St, Brownsville, Oregon 97327. Tours of the interior of the house begin in the museum lobby at specific hours on Saturdays. Updated tour times and information can be found at: https://linnparks.com/museums/the-moyer-house/

The Oregon Heritage Tree Program is the first state-sponsored heritage tree program in the country. It was established in 1995 to increase public awareness of the important contribution of trees to Oregon’s history and the significant role they play in the quality of our daily life. The program is administered by the Oregon Travel Information Council and a committee of dedicated volunteers from across the state. For more information regarding the Heritage Tree program visit www.oregontic.com/oregon-heritage-trees. 

 PORTLAND, Ore. – April 17, 2024 – Legacy Health today announced that Kathryn Correia will retire from her role as president and chief executive officer. To support the transition, Correia will continue to serve in an advisory capacity through June. 

 “It has been a privilege and an honor to serve as Legacy’s President and CEO, working alongside such a dedicated, passionate group of professionals who value patient care and wellbeing above all else,” said Correia. “This was not an easy decision for me, but over the past few months, I have had the opportunity to consider how I can best serve Legacy at this time, and I am confident this is the right decision for me and the organization. I remain committed to contributing to Legacy through this transition period to make it as seamless as possible. Legacy has a highly capable team in place and remains well positioned to advance our mission, improve patient outcomes, and support our communities.” 

 “We are incredibly grateful to Kathryn for her years of leadership and commitment to Legacy, our patients, and our communities,” said Charles Wilhoite, chair of the Board of Legacy Health. “In the face of a rapidly evolving health care industry, Kathryn’s leadership has been invaluable as our organization navigated unprecedented challenges, including the COVID pandemic. She has been an integral part of the Legacy culture and family, and we wish her all the best in her retirement.”

With Correia’s planned retirement, the Legacy Board of Directors has selected George Brown, M.D., who previously served as Legacy’s CEO from 2008 to 2018, as president and CEO. Dr. Brown will join Legacy to begin the transition before starting in full capacity as president and CEO by July 1. In the interim, Anna Loomis, Legacy’s CFO and current acting CEO, will continue to lead the organization ahead of her planned departure to join a health system outside of Legacy.

 Wilhoite continued, “I am thankful for Anna’s significant contributions to the organization, particularly for stepping in to guide Legacy during her time as acting CEO. I am also pleased to welcome Dr. Brown back to Legacy as we begin this next chapter with a continued focus on strengthening our role as the region’s trusted provider of high-quality care. We are confident that Dr. Brown is the right person to lead at this time, as we build on our recent efforts to strengthen Legacy’s financial and operating position and enhance the level of care we provide for our patients.” 

During Dr. Brown’s previous tenure as CEO of Legacy Health, he successfully led the organization through a 

dynamic health care environment while driving record organizational growth. Dr. Brown serves as a Senior Advisor at Juniper Advisory, a consulting firm focused on nonprofit healthcare partnerships, mergers and acquisitions. He is also the Board Chair of the Marshfield Clinic Health System, a large integrated health system serving Central Wisconsin and Western Michigan. Dr. Brown is a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, who retired from active-duty service in February 1999 as Brigadier General in the Regular Army. He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from Boston University School of Medicine in 1973 and was a practicing gastroenterologist until 2006. Dr. Brown retired from his role at Legacy in 2018.

“I’m honored for the opportunity to return to Legacy at such an important time for the organization,” said Dr. Brown. “I have tremendous respect for all that Kathryn has accomplished in her tenure and how well she has positioned Legacy during a very challenging time. This is an organization that I know well – and I truly believe is one of the world’s leading health systems. With the strength of our people and compassionate culture, Legacy continues to deliver on our mission of good health for all.”   

About Legacy Health 

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

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Washington State University Vancouver Native American Programs and Collective for Social and Environment Justice invite the public to an “Evening of Activist Women in Film: The Fight for a Livable Planet” from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 21 at the Universalist Unitarian Church festival at 4505 E. 18^th St. Vancouver, WA 98661.Donations will be accepted at the door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds will help fund a student organizer for the Collective for Social and Environmental Justice. The festival will feature films and commentary by award-winning filmmakers Misty Grace, Jan Haaken and Heidi Hutner, who will be present to talk about their work. 

Grace is an enrolled member of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe and a descendant of the Chinook Indian Nation who earned her Ph.D. in English at Washington State University. She will discuss her short films “The Handsome Man” and “Wasteland” along with her experiences working in a vibrant Indigenous film scene with luminaries such as Lily Gladstone and Evan Adams. 

Haaken’s film “Atomic Bamboozle, the False Promise of a Nuclear Renaissance” and Hutner’s film “Radioactive: The Women of Three Mile Island” both foreground the environmental and human health impacts of nuclear power. Screenings of the two films will be followed by a panel discussion on local antinuclear organizing. 

The film festival is the culmination of WSU Vancouver’s fifth annual interdisciplinary social justice conference—Health and Environmental Justice: Constructing Coalitions at the Intersections of Extraction, Militarism, and Climate Collapse. The free conference will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. April 19 and 20. Most content will be presented on Zoom with some in-person sessions as noted on the conference agenda. The detailed agenda and registration link can be found on the conference website: labs.wsu.edu/thethingreenlineispeople/announcing-the-5th-annual-sjcon/

Questions about the film festival or conference may be directed to julian.ankney@wsu.edu or ee.hellegers@wsu.edu">desiree.hellegers@wsu.edu.

About WSU Vancouver

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

WSU Vancouver is located on the homelands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Peoples of the Lower Columbia Valley. We acknowledge their presence here. WSU Vancouver expresses its respect towards these original and current caretakers of the region. We pledge that these relationships will be built on mutual trust and respect. 

# # #

On April 17, 2024, at 10:47 am Yamhill Communications received a call from city staff at Lafayette City Hall. City staff said a male caller had called city hall and reported that he was at an address on W 9^th Street in the city of Lafayette, and that he had just shot two individuals who were inside the home.  The caller also reported that he had barricaded himself in preparation for a law enforcement response and would shoot responding deputies.

Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call.  The deputy assigned to the city of Lafayette arrived and began directing additional responders to set up a containment around the residence.

Yamhill County Emergency Manager Sergeant Brian Young was notified to send out a shelter in place notification through Everbridge for the surrounding area.

Within a very short period, Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, with mutual aid support from McMinnville Police Department, Oregon State Police, Yamhill Police Department, and Newberg-Dundee Police Department were able to have a secure perimeter around the address, and initiate contact inside the residence.

An adult female was contacted, who reported there were no issues in the home.  The resident was fully cooperative, and the home was checked, and the incident was found to be a false report, constituting a “swatting” incident.  Swatting is the action of making a prank call to emergency services to bring about the dispatch of a large number of responders to a particular address. 

The determination the report was false came quickly, therefore no Everbridge notification was sent out.  The resident of the home reported having prior issues with cyber bullying and harassment.  Investigators are working with the city staff to determine the origin of the call.

Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank our partners with the city of Lafayette, Lafayette Fire Department, Lafayette Public Works, McMinnville Rural Fire District, McMinnville Police Department, Newberg-Dundee Police Department, Oregon State Police, Yamhill Police Department, Salem Police Department, and Washington County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this event. 

(Springfield, Ore.) – Nurses at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services in Lane County have voted to authorize an open-ended strike against PeaceHealth to protest PeaceHealth’s unlawful unfair labor practices (ULPs) and reach a fair contract agreement that improves community healthcare.

The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents more than 90 frontline nurses at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services. Nurses' latest strike vote was held April 12 - April 16. 

"Our community’s health care is eroding under our feet. PeaceHealth has cut our birth center, our sleep clinic, our home infusion services and our hospital. Now they are degrading the high quality home health and hospice services vulnerable patients rely on. Our community’s health care is in danger of disappearing completely if we don’t stand up and fight back. Our strike isn’t just about wages, benefits and ULPs; it’s about demanding dignity and respect for our community from a health system that consistently puts profits over people,” said Jo Turner, ONA bargaining unit chair and nurse at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services. “Anyone who’s tried to get healthcare lately can see that patients are suffering. Local nurses are running ourselves ragged trying to give our community the care it deserves but PeaceHealth executives have their heads stuck in the sand in Vancouver. It’s unbelievable that multimillionaire executives at a multibillion dollar company have turned their back on their mission to serve and care for our community. Your nurses are fighting to hold PeaceHealth’s corporate executives accountable.”   

Local home health and hospice nurses have endured 45+ contract bargaining sessions with PeaceHealth executives since Feb. 2023 including six sessions with a federal mediator. Nurses led a limited-duration strike on Feb. 10 - 24 to protect community health and safety, increase recruitment and retention, secure equitable pay and address the staffing crisis at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services.

Upon ending their limited duration strike and returning to mediation, PeaceHealth executives continued demanding nurses accept nearly 5% lower pay than PeaceHealth pays hospital nurses in Eugene/Springfield and hospital and home care nurses in Florence–despite both groups of home care nurses sharing managers and staff meetings and regularly caring for the same patients. PeaceHealth’s continued disrespect towards local nurses and their patients is driving nurses to leave–threatening our community’s health and exacerbating the care shortage. 

Since PeaceHealth let nurses’ contract expire last year, more than a quarter of home care nurses have quit. Another one-third of nurses plan to leave this year if PeaceHealth continues shortchanging patients and providers. 

“I voted yes to strike because I feel it is important for me to advocate for myself, my colleagues and my community. We deserve equal pay for equal work and our community needs a robust home care services team that can provide the care it needs. This fight is bigger than just myself and I am committed to standing firm against corporate greed,” said Cathy Smith, ONA member and nurse at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Home Care Services. 

In a series of unfair labor practice charges, PeaceHealth is accused of waging a campaign of interference, intimidation and threats against nurses for exercising their rights; refusing to meet and bargain in good faith; and threatening to terminate health insurance for home care nurses and their families.

• Click here to learn about unfair labor practices. 

PeaceHealth also faces serious allegations from workers about its failure to properly care for local home health and hospice patients during a previous strike including missed care, cancellations, hospital readmissions and scab workers quitting.  

The community has rallied around its nurses over the past few months as patients, healthcare providers, elected officials, and community allies have joined strike lines and pickets and contacted PeaceHealth executives to show their support for local nurses.

“Nurses providing home care and hospice care are among the most important members of our health care workforce, serving on the frontlines of care for many of the most vulnerable and fragile people in our community. Their work allows patients to live in their homes with dignity while their medical needs are being addressed—and their work also allows patients and their families to face the end-of-life process with that same level of care and dignity. By giving these nurses our full support, we are in turn supporting those in our community who urgently need this type of care,” said Oregon House Speaker and Eugene resident Julie Fahey in a letter to PeaceHealth executives earlier this month. “These frontline workers deserve financial stability and safe working conditions, which will also protect their vulnerable patients. Our community deserves nothing less.” 

Nurses' strike vote authorizes the bargaining team to call a strike. If a strike is called, ONA will provide our community and PeaceHealth with a 10-day notice to allow PeaceHealth executives adequate time to connect patients to alternate care options or to join us at the table and reach a fair agreement. 

The next mediation session is scheduled for April 24. The nurse bargaining team intends to work towards a positive resolution but will call for a strike if they believe it is necessary to move PeaceHealth to meet the needs of patients, providers and our community.

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, is thankful for the community support to find Alyce Butrick.  

Alyce Butrick, age 15, is a child who went missing from Tigard on April 9. She was found April 16.  

Sometimes when a child is missing they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child. 

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).  This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.  

### 

Contact: Craig Birnbach, 360-604-4164. aig.birnbach@evergreenps.org">craig.birnbach@evergreenps.org

Evergreen Public Schools Superintendent John Boyd Announces Retirement

The veteran educator has served as interim superintendent since February 2022

Vancouver, Wash. (April 17, 2024) – John Boyd, whose leadership has guided Evergreen Public Schools through a time of significant challenges that have hit public schools throughout the region and country, announced Wednesday that he will retire as Superintendent at the end of the school year.

Superintendent Boyd’s retirement, on June 30, will close an education career that spans over three decades as a teacher, principal and administrator. He has served as EPS Superintendent since February 2022.

“This was a difficult decision but after speaking with my family, we have decided this is the right time for me to retire,” Boyd said. “I appreciate the EPS Board of Directors trusting me to lead this district. It has been a privilege to serve the Evergreen community and work alongside a staff that is dedicated to serving and supporting our amazing students.”

The Board of Directors will convene a special board meeting Monday (April 22) at 6 p.m. to discuss the process and timeline for hiring the next superintendent. Hiring the superintendent is one of the elected board’s main responsibilities.

“As a Board, we would have liked for Superintendent Boyd to stay on longer but we wish him the best in his retirement,” said Rob Perkins, Board president. “We want to thank John for his hard work and the dedication he has shown our students and our entire school community. John has led us through some challenging times and he has done so with compassion, integrity and a focus on making decisions that best serve our students.” 

Superintendent Boyd was hired as interim superintendent in February 2022 and was named the permanent superintendent in February 2023. Under his leadership the district passed an Educational Programs and Operational levy in April 2022. He helped bring the district back to normal learning after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also oversaw the creation of a new Strategic Plan that will guide the district’s work through 2027 and the opening of five new state-of-the-art school buildings that replaced aging structures and were paid for by the 2018 Envision Evergreen Bond initiative. He also navigated leadership challenges, including a teachers’ work stoppage and budget reductions.

Boyd plans to spend time with his wife and his three grown children.

“While I am looking forward to my retirement, my wife and I will continue to be strong advocates for Evergreen Public Schools and the Vancouver community,” Boyd said. “Even though we faced a great deal of adversity together, we have aligned our system with a Strategic Plan that prioritizes belonging and success to support students. I am excited to watch Evergreen’s talented staff continue this critical work.”

About Evergreen Public Schools: With more than 22,000 students in 38 schools in the city of Vancouver, Evergreen Public Schools is one of the largest school districts in the state of Washington. The district was founded in 1945, when nine schools from eight different districts came together.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 17, 2024

CONTACT INFORMATION:
umenauer@employ.oregon.gov">Gail Krumenauer, State Employment Economist 
(971) 301-3771
Video and Audio available at 10 a.m.
David Cooke, Economist (971) 375-5288

Oregon’s Nonfarm Payroll Employment Rises by 1,400 in March

In March, Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment rose by 1,400 jobs, following a revised gain of 2,800 jobs in February. March’s gains were largest in professional and business services (+2,400 jobs); government (+1,000); and wholesale trade (+600). Monthly declines were largest in construction (-2,300 jobs); retail trade (-600); and manufacturing (-600).

Hiring trends diverged during the first three months of the year. Several major industries expanded by at least 1,500 jobs, while others contracted. Health care and social assistance continued its rapid growth of the past two years with gains totaling 3,300 jobs during January, February, and March. Administrative and waste services added 2,700 jobs during those three months, which was an abrupt shift following this industry’s loss of 4,600 jobs during 2023. Government added 1,500 jobs so far this year as it continued its recovery and expansion of the past three years.

The industry that dropped the most during the first three months of the year was construction, which dropped by 3,300 jobs, following a relatively flat year in 2023 when it gained only 900 jobs. Meanwhile, accommodation and food services dropped 1,900 jobs so far this year, which nearly erased its gain of 2,000 jobs last year. 

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.2% in both February and March. Its rise from a record low of 3.4% in May 2023 is a sign of a loosening labor market. Another indicator of a loosening labor market was the rise in the number of Oregonians employed part time for economic reasons, which rose to 73,000 in March from a low of 48,200 in September 2022. 

###

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the March county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, April 23, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for April on Wednesday, May 15.

The following information is in reference to a death investigated by the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office. This investigation is related to the officer-involved shooting on April 13, 2024 in Vancouver.

This individual died on 04/13/2024 in Vancouver, WA.

The name of the decedent: Woods, Benjamin Steven  Age: 41 years

The decedent was a resident of (city/state): Prineville, OR

The opinions listed on the death certificate are as follows:

Cause of death:  Multiple gunshot wounds

Manner of death:  Homicide

How the injury occurred: Shot by other person(s)

Place of injury: Community hall

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

Media release issue date: 04/17/2024

April 17, 2024

Savor renowned artwork by Kiki Smith, Ann Hamilton, Matthew Day Jackson and Wangechi Mutu while exploring, “Near, Far, Gone: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and his Family Foundation” 

BEND, OR — Step into a world where art, nature and humanity intersect in the captivating new exhibition Near, Far, Gone: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, opening at the High Desert Museum on April 20, 2024. 

Featuring extraordinary works by Kiki Smith, Ann Hamilton, Matthew Day Jackson and Wangechi Mutu, this exhibition explores the intricate relationship between humans, wildlife and the environment. With each piece drawing inspiration from the natural world, these acclaimed artists delve deep into themes of symbolism, allegory and human-animal connections. 

“We are thrilled to show the dynamic and thought-provoking works of Kiki Smith, Ann Hamilton, Matthew Day Jackson and Wangechi Mutu,” says Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D., “Through the diverse perspectives of these four acclaimed artists, Near, Far, Gone offers a profound meditation on the interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world.”

Four of the pieces featured in Near, Far, Gone are from prominent German-born American artist,  Kiki Smith. Smith’s art often explores themes of embodiment and the natural world, drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources including folklore, religious iconography and scientific illustrations. Her work is characterized by its raw emotional power and intimate exploration of the human experience. Throughout her career, Smith has exhibited extensively internationally and has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to contemporary art. In 2006 Smith was recognized by TIME Magazine as one of the “Time 100: The People Who Shape Our World.” 

Smith’s featured pieces, titled “Pool of Tears II” “Fortune” “Carrier” and “Companions,” take inspiration from folklore and transform the natural world into an almost dreamlike reality. While viewing her work, visitors will have the opportunity to reflect on their relationships with animals—particularly those who act as close companions.

Another Near, Far, Gone featured artist, Ann Hamilton, is a highly respected American visual artist known for her immersive installations. Raised in Ohio, Hamilton studied textile design before earning her MFA in sculpture from the Yale School of Art. Hamilton uses everyday materials such as fabric, paper and sound to create experiential environments that engage the viewer on a profound emotional and intellectual level. Her art has been exhibited extensively worldwide, including prestigious institutions like the Guggenheim Museum and Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Venice Biennale. With her innovative creations, Hamilton continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art, inviting audiences to reconsider their perceptions of space, materiality and the human experience.

Hamilton’s Near, Far, Gone featured screenprint, Peregrine Falcon, is partially blurred suggesting a narrative of conservation and preservation success. In the United States, peregrine falcons are a clear conservation success story. In the 20^th century, they disappeared in high numbers due to the insecticide DDT, a chemical that poisoned their food and habitat. The federal government listed the falcon under the Endangered Species Act in 1973. Reintroduction programs and the banning of DDT have aided the bird’s comeback. Now delisted, peregrine falcon populations are stable. After exploring Near, Far, Gone, visitors may have the opportunity to meet a real peregrine falcon during the Museum’s Bird of Prey Encounter. Happening daily at 11:00 am, visitors can meet some of the non releasable raptors in the Museum’s care as wildlife staff explain their unique adaptions.

Matthew Day Jackson—another Near, Far, Gone featured artist—is celebrated for his diverse and thought-provoking work spanning sculpture, installation, painting, and video. Known for his meticulous craftsmanship and innovative use of materials, Jackson's pieces evoke a sense of wonder and contemplation, challenging viewers to confront the complexities of their existence. His work has been featured in major exhibitions worldwide, including a significant showcase at the Pace Gallery in New York City.

Twelve pieces by Jackson will hang in Near, Far, Gone, titled “There Will Come Soft Rains #1-#12.” In the creation of this series, he transformed 1930s copper plates [GU1] etched with Audubon's birds, adding vibrant colors and layers of images. The portfolio's title is drawn from Sara Teasdale's poem "There Will Come Soft Rains," evoking nature's resurgence after devastation. Jackson incorporated one stanza of the poem onto each plate. Notably, several birds depicted in the portfolio are now extinct or critically endangered, like the carrier pigeon and the ivory-billed woodpecker, due to human activities.

The final Near, Far, Gone featured artist is contemporary Kenyan-born American [GU2] artist Wangechi Mutu. In 2019, the Metropolitan Museum of Art debuted her groundbreaking exhibition The NewOnes, will free Us as its inaugural Facade Commission — a prestigious initiative inviting contemporary artists to create temporary installations for the museum's exterior facade. This innovative display marked a historic moment as Mutu’s four bronze sculptures, titled “The Seated I, II, III, and IV” took their place in the museum’s exterior niches which had been vacant for 117 years. [GU3] 

Mutu’s works in Near, Far, Gone titled “Seanimal I, II, III, and IV” merge animals with human and monster-like features, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Through these fantastical creations, Mutu prompts contemplation on humanity's relationship with nature and the ethical implications of scientific specimen collection and preservation practices.

Through these 19 evocative works, visitors are prompted to contemplate the delicate balance of our coexistence with endangered, threatened and evolving animal species. As we witness creatures transition nearer or farther from human influence, Near, Far, Gone ignites a poignant dialogue about the survival of diverse species and the sustainability of our shared planet.

Near Far, Gone: From the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation will be on exhibit at the High Desert Museum through September 8, 2024. It’s made possible by the Visit Central Oregon Future Fund and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation with support from Republic Services, Tonkon Torp and Vista Capital Partners.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:

The HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

###

SALEM, Ore. — The names of two fallen law enforcement officers were added to the Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial during an engraving ceremony on Tuesday, April 16. An honor guard stood watch as the names of Jared J. Miller of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Joseph W. Johnson of the Nyssa Police Department were added to the memorial at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.

The additions of Sergeant Miller, end of watch Dec. 9, 2021, and Reserve Corporal Johnson, EOW April 15, 2023, were approved for addition to the state memorial by the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training. The memorial honors Oregon officers who have died in the line of duty since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.

Sergeant Miller, Reserve Corporal Johnson and 194 previously fallen officers will be honored during the annual Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, May 7 at 1 p.m. at the academy, located at 4190 Aumsville Highway SE in Salem.

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training is proud to host the ceremony in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and various statewide law enforcement associations.

###

Tuesday, April 16, 2024–Woodland, WA—The Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) of Woodland Public Schools extends heartfelt gratitude to the Assistance League of Southwest Washington for their unwavering commitment and support of students in need. The Assistance League donated socks, leggings, and more than $1,000 worth of shoes for Woodland students in need.

The Assistance League’s generosity ensures that students facing economic challenges have access to essential items. “Their donations and ongoing partnership has made a significant impact on the lives of our students as proper attire is crucial for students’ self-esteem and academic success,” said Jonathan King, Coordinator of the FCRC. “By providing warm clothing and comfortable shoes, the Assistance League has empowered our students to focus on their studies without worrying about basic necessities.”

The Assistance League’s dedication to education and well-being aligns perfectly with the mission of Woodland Public Schools. “We are deeply grateful for the Assistance League’s kindness,” said King. “Their support directly benefits our students, fostering a positive learning environment.”

About the Assistance League: 

The Assistance League is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of children and families through philanthropic programs. Their impact reaches far beyond material donations, as they inspire hope and empower communities. To learn more, visit their website at https://assistanceleague.org/southwest-washington

About Woodland Public Schools’ Family Community Resource Center:

The Family Community Resource Center supports students and families by providing essential resources, including food, clothing, and counseling services. We believe that every child deserves a chance to thrive. To learn more, visit their website at https://www.woodlandschools.org/fcrc

###

Basic Parole & Probation Curriculum Workgroup

Meeting Scheduled

Notice of Scheduled Meeting

The DPSST Basic Parole & Probation Curriculum Workgroup will hold a scheduled meeting on April 18, 2024, at 2:00p.m., at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Brie Murphy at 503-689-6054.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Review Curriculum

     a) Topics that are good

     b) Topics that can be tailored down

     c) Topics that can be replaced

     d) Topics we are missing

     e) Topics that are not currently relevant

3. Next steps for next meeting

4. Next Workgroup Meeting –TBD

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and will be recorded in the form of minutes.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT), led by the Vancouver Police Department, is continuing the investigation of the officer involved shooting that occurred on February 20, 2024, involving deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office.

Results of DNA and firearms analysis are still pending from the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab. 

At the completion of the SWIIRT investigation, the case will be forwarded to the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for review.
 

Additional information will be released as it becomes available. 

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

April 16, 2024   

The Black Business Association of Oregon Partners with 

Black-Owned Arena Football Team

805 SW Broadway, Suite 2470

Portland, Oregon 97205

Portland, Ore.: The Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) partners with the Oregon Blackbears Arena Football Team, marking a historic collaboration as the first Black-owned football team in the Salem Pavilion Arena. The first preseason game is on April 20, followed by the inaugural home game on April 27 against the Washington Wolf Pack. 

FourSight Strategic Investments leads the ownership group for the Blackbears, and the franchise is managed by newly hired President & Chief Operating Officer and former University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Famer and Super Bowl Champion Pat Johnson. "It is a dream come true to work with the Blackbears organization in its inaugural season. Fulfilling my dream of having the opportunity to give back to Oregon in this manner where my football career blossomed, brings me immense happiness and humility," says Johnson.

The Arena Football League (AFL) is returning after being absent from the area since 2019, with 16 teams announced earlier this year, including Oregon and others like Iowa Rampage, Wichita Regulators, Salina Liberty, Southwest Kansas Storm, Rapid City Marshals, Albany Firebirds, Orlando Predators, Billings Outlaws, and the West Texas Desert Hawks.

"We're thrilled to bring Arena Football back to the great state of Oregon and the Salem community," says Justin Butler, FourSight Strategic Investments Partner. "We know that there has been some time since the sport has been played here but we're building a team based on community involvement, fan engagement and a family atmosphere." 

A portion of pre-season tickets are free in a partnership between the Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) and the Blackbears. "A Black-owned arena football team is significant for Oregon because it promotes diversity, representation, and economic empowerment within the sports industry," says Lance Randall, Executive Director of the BBAO. "We see this partnership as an opportunity to contribute to advancing underrepresented communities in the sports industry and promoting positive social change."

The Oregon Blackbears are thrilled to offer various sponsorship opportunities tailored to fit any brand's objectives and budget with partnership packages designed to maximize brand exposure, connect with fans in meaningful ways, and engage with the vibrant community of Oregon and beyond. Key opportunities include premier, in-game, media exposure, community engagement, and exclusive hospitality sponsorships. 
 

For tickets, visit oregonblackbears.com, and for more information on sponsorship opportunities, email tnerships@drbmn.com">partnerships@drbmn.com or call (971) 208-5166.
 

About The Oregon BlackBears: The Oregon Blackbears are an Arena Football League (AFL) franchise that plays its home games at the Salem Fairgrounds. For more information, visit https://oregonblackbears.com

About Black Business Association of Oregon: The Black Business Association of Oregon (BBAO) is an economic development organization striving to achieve economic equity that is sustainable and lasting for Black-owned businesses in Oregon. For more information, visit bbaoregon.org.   

BBA-Oregon    

805 SW Broadway, Suite 2470

Portland, Oregon 97205

###   

Salem, Ore., September 15, 2022 — Chemeketa Community College has partnered with local indigenous teachers to provide instruction in indigenous arts.  what we did ~and are~ doing with many thanks
 

Interweaving Indigenous Art: Co-Teachers-in-Residence embeds artists and Indigenous Art Practices inside foundational art classes at Chemeketa. This co-teaching model intentionally works within the existing curriculum based on artist and tribal guidance. 

We graciously thank s'gʷi gʷi ʔ altxʷ: The House of Welcome at the Longhouse and members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde for their trust and guidance with this important work. 

Stephanie Craig  (Santiam and Yoncalla Kalapuya, Takelma Rogue River, Cow Creek Umpqua, and Clackamas Chinook) and Nakoosa Moreland (Umpqua, Rogue River, Shasta, Kalapuya, and Clickatat) and have brought this program to life. We are honored to work with them. Thank you!

Angela Fasana, Education Manager at the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. advised and supported us from the very start in 2022. Thank you!

What we did...

2023-2024 classes

Fall
 

Beadworking In ART115 Basic Design-Two Dimensional 

Nakoosa Moreland (Umpqua, Rogue River, Shasta, Kalapuya, and Clickatat) and Kay Bunnenberg Boehmer (2 sections, 43 students)

 

Winter

Traditional Cedar Basket Weaving In ART117 3D Design-Construct & Recycle

Stephanie Craig (Santiam and Yoncalla Kalapuya, Takelma Rogue River, Cow Creek Umpqua, and Clackamas Chinook) and Heidi Grew (1 section, 18 students)

 

AND (see photos below)

2, FREE, COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS: Chemeketa Makes. (funded by the Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery Endowment)

Necklace Making with Nakoosa Moreland (8 students)

Traditional Juncus Basketmaking with Stephanie Craig (at Yamhill Campus!) (9 students)

Spring 

(Upcoming Co-Teaching in Residence)

Beadworking In ART115 Basic Design-Two Dimensional 

Nakoosa Moreland and Kay Bunnenberg Boehmer (2 sections, 66 students and possibly an intern!)

Parfleche: Hide Painting with Natural Pigments In ART281 Painting

Stephanie Craig and Laura Mack (1 section, 19 students and possibly an intern!)

AND did you know...

Nakoosa (above with baby Darryl in left photo) and Stephanie (above on the right in right photo) are teaching workshops AGAIN this spring! These workshops are sponsored by Chemeketa's Office of Diversity & Equity. The photos above are from the winter term community workshops. Thank you to all the participants!

And...We plan a celebration with students after their Basic Design and Painting classes on May 22. This is the last class day of the year for both Nakoosa and Stephanie. We have so much gratitude for this time together. Thank you!

And speaking of the celebration...Tamarro Gabbert (above) who catered the  Chemeketa Makes: Interweaving Indigenous Arts workshops and does a terrific 3 Sisters Soup or Elk Stew will cater the May 22 party with traditional foods. Thank you!

And...Chase Huntley, a Chemawa Indian School teacher has arranged for Nakoosa and her husband Nakeezaka Jack to visit the school when they come to present and teach in May. (They are also invited as head dancers at the U of O POWWOW that weekend, too!) Chase will also bring his students to visit Nakoosa and Kay's Beadworking Design class in May. Thank you!

And... Since fall, Melissa Palanuk in the Education Department at Grande Ronde has received info and flyers for the Interweaving Indigenous Arts classes. She got the word out to enrolled members attending Chemeketa and on the Grand Ronde Facebook page. Thank you!
 

And... Lyle Cairdeas (curator at Chachalu Cultural Center and Museum, in the orange shirt above right) and Terry Kowing (Frank's brother in the khaki pants) shared Frank Kowing's body of work in the Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery. It was a pleasure to work with them in that collaboration. And students LOVED that show. This show was funded by the Gretchen Schuette Art Gallery Endowment. Thank you!

And...Elaine Labonte Robertson (Grand Ronde Tribal Member and part time faculty in BIO102) wrote a piece about Interweaving Indigenous Art: Co-Teachers in Residence for the March Grand Ronde Tribal Newsletter. It includes interviews with both Nakoosa and Stephanie.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

DATE: April 16, 2024

Second arrest in mail theft investigation

Salem, Ore. — Salem Police Felony Crimes Unit detectives have arrested a second suspect in the ongoing investigation of mail theft occurring in Salem.

Brett Todd Regimbal, age 49, of Salem was arrested yesterday as a part of a search warrant served at his residence in the 1200 block of 14^th AV NW. Due to firearms concerns in multiple investigations involving Regimbal, the Salem Police SWAT team assisted with the service of the warrant. 

Regimbal did not immediately exit the residence. After nearly seven hours and all attempts by the Crisis Negotiations Team to communicate with him were exhausted, the house was cleared with a police canine resulting in the location and subsequent apprehension of the suspect.

Detectives, with the assistance of the United States Postal Inspection Service, located further evidence of mail theft, including counterfeit mail keys, as well as evidence of identity theft and fraud, and small quantities of methamphetamine and a substance suspected to be fentanyl. 

After receiving medical clearance for his bite from the police canine, Regimbal was lodged at the Polk County Jail on the following charges connected to the mail theft investigation, as well as charges from a concurrent domestic violence investigation:

• Strangulation
• Possession of a burglary tool or device
• Identity theft
• Criminal possession of a forged instrument, first-degree
• Interfering with a peace officer

Regimbal also had two outstanding warrants out of Marion and Yamhill counties. 

The investigation remains active; however, with Regimbal’s arrest, all further inquiries into this case should be directed to the Polk County District Attorney’s Office. 

As reminder, residents who are victims of mail theft are urged to immediately file reports with the Salem Police Department and the United States Postal Inspection Service. Proactive measures to prevent mail theft are also encouraged through the use of notifications for standard mail and package delivery services.

# # #

Open House to Showcase New Partnership and Provide Prospective Students 

and Kubota Dealers Opportunity to Meet Staff, Tour Facilities 

WHAT:           Chemeketa Community College is holding an open house event to mark the launch of their new Kubota Tech and National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) partnership. The new NC3 & Kubota Tech partnership provides students with a pathway to earn industry-recognized certifications focused on the repair and service of Kubota equipment, giving them the knowledge and skills for employment as a diesel technician in the off-road diesel industry. NC3, Kubota and college faculty will be on hand to share information about the partnership, answer questions and provide tours of the facility.

                        “Kubota Tech training supports our commitment to preparing students for careers in the off-road diesel sector," stated Kevin Ruby, Diesel Technology Program Chair at Chemeketa Community College. "This partnership not only aligns with the industry's expansion but also presents an exciting avenue for hands-on training, empowering our students with the skills needed to excel in this high demand field.”

“Through the NC3 & Kubota Tech program, students have the opportunity to learn an in-demand technical trade, receive hands-on training, earn industry-recognized certifications and develop highly marketable skills that will help set themselves apart in an increasingly competitive workforce,” said Jeff Wagley, manager of educational partnerships for Kubota Tractor Corporation.

WHEN:           Tuesday, April 23, 2024 

10:30 - 10:45 a.m. PT – Welcome

10:45 - 11:55 a.m. PT – Dealer meeting and lunch + dealer catch-up

11:55 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. PT – Ribbon cutting + dealer/student meet-and-greet

12:10 - 12:45 p.m. PT – Facility tour

12:45 - 1:00 p.m. PT – Wrap-up and departures

WHERE:        Chemeketa Community College Brooks

4910 Brooklake Rd. NE

Brooks, OR 97305

WHO: 

• Rep. Andrea Salinas, Congresswoman, Oregon’s 6^th District
• Dr. Amy Loyd, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Education 
• Jessica Howard, President, Chemeketa Community College 
• Kevin Ruby, Diesel Technology Program Chair, Chemeketa Community College
• Ashley Likes, Chief of Staff, National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3)
• Jeff Wagley, Manager, Educational Partnerships, Kubota Tractor Corporation

______________________________________________________

CONTACTS:       Kevin Ruby

                                Diesel Technology Program Chair

                                (503) 365-4744

uby1@chemeketa.edu">kruby1@chemeketa.edu

Brooks Regional Training Center

(503) 485-2131

brooks@chemeketa.edu

About Chemeketa Community College

For more than 50 years, Chemeketa Community College has committed itself to transforming lives and our community through exceptional learning experiences in the Mid-Willamette Valley. As the second multi-campus district in Oregon, Chemeketa serves 30,000 students annually at its Salem and Yamhill Valley campuses, as well as Brooks, Eola, Winema, Dallas, Woodburn and Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry (CCBI). Chemeketa Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and educational institution. Learn more at chemeketa.edu.

About Kubota Tractor Corporation

Kubota Tractor Corporation, Grapevine, Texas, is the U.S. marketer and distributor of Kubota-engineered and manufactured machinery and equipment, including a complete line of tractors of up to 200 Gross hp, performance-matched implements, compact construction equipment, consumer lawn and garden equipment, hay tools, commercial turf products and utility vehicles. For product literature or dealer locations, contact: Kubota Tractor Corporation, 1000 Kubota Drive, Grapevine, TX 76051, (888) 4-KUBOTA [(888) 458-2682], Ext. 900, or visit KubotaUSA.com. 

About NC3

NC3 was established to help build a workforce prepared to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s industries by connecting employers and educational institutions in synergistic partnerships that foster effective training, elevation of skilled careers, and employment opportunities. In fulfilling its mission, NC3 builds deep industry-educational partnerships and develops, implements and sustains industry-recognized portable certifications built on national skills standards. We envision an industrial labor market where all workers have jobs they need to thrive, and all companies have well-trained employees they need to operate and grow. Learn more at www.nc3.net.

 

Vancouver, Wash. – Starting April 18, the intersection of Northeast 72nd Avenue and Northeast 239th Street will become an all-way stop-sign controlled intersection. Prior to the change, traffic on Northeast 239th Street has been controlled by stop signs as it approaches Northeast 72nd Avenue. This change will add stop signs to Northeast 72nd Avenue as it approaches Northeast 239th Street, creating an all-way stop-sign controlled intersection. This change will improve safety and mobility at this intersection. Requiring all vehicles to stop at the intersection will help reduce the risk of collisions and crash severity. This change will also help facilitate improved mobility by reducing delays at the Northeast 239th Street approaches. 

Changes drivers should expect beginning Thursday, April 18 include: 

• Stop signs with red flashing beacons for the Northeast 72nd Avenue approaches. 
• “Stop ahead” warning signs approaching the new stop signs on Northeast 72nd Avenue. 
• White stop-bar striping on all four legs of the intersection, indicating where drivers must stop. 
• Yellow no-passing zone centerline striping on Northeast 72nd Avenue, leading up to the intersection. 

Additional temporary measures to alert drivers to the change beginning Thursday, April 18 include: 

• High visibility flags on all new stop and stop-ahead signs, for two months. 
• Orange “Traffic revision ahead” signs, for two months.
• Portable electronic message signs on Northeast 72nd Avenue for two weeks. 

Drivers may notice increased police presence in the area in the coming weeks as they assist with safe operation and traffic control. 

Area residents were notified about the change several weeks ago, by mail. 

More information is at clark.wa.gov/public-works/northeast-72nd-avenue-and-northeast-239th-street.

For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor. 

Go to clark.wa.gov/public-works/news to read this information in another language. Click the button in the top right of the page that says “Change language” next to a globe icon and choose your preferred language. 

Vaya a clark.wa.gov/public-works/news para leer esta información en español. Haga clic en el botón en la parte superior a la derecha de la página que dice "Change language " junto al icono de globo terráqueo y elija su idioma preferido.

Чтобы прочитать эту информацию на русском языке, зайдите на сайт clark.wa.gov/public-works/news. Нажмите на кнопку Change language (“Изменить язык”) в правом верхнем углу страницы рядом с символом земного шара и выберите свой язык.

Перейдіть на сторінку clark.wa.gov/public-works/news, щоб прочитати цю інформацію українською. Натисніть кнопку Change language (Змінити мову) зі значком глобуса у верхньому правому куті сторінки та виберіть потрібну мову.

###

VANCOUVER, Wash. – The PeaceHealth Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Carol Aaron as the new chair. Aaron succeeds Karl Carrier who resigned from his appointment as the chair after more than eight years of service.

Aaron, a highly regarded member of the PeaceHealth Board since joining in January 2021, has a deeply held commitment to community health and organizational development – caring for PeaceHealth’s caregivers. 

Aaron retired in 2019 after more than 30 years of healthcare experience, most recently serving as executive vice president, chief administrative officer at PeaceHealth. In addition to her service at PeaceHealth, she also held executive leadership roles at St. Joseph Health System and Sutter Health. 

“Helping launch initiatives to improve governance, leadership and organizational development to advance a culture of high engagement in the communities she served, Carol will seamlessly and gracefully step into the chair role,” said Liz Dunne, PeaceHealth president and chief executive officer.

“I am deeply humbled to accept the responsibilities of the Board chair,” said Aaron. “We are continuing to cultivate an environment where every decision reflects our commitment to caregiver, patient and community well-being.”

Additionally, PeaceHealth appointed Ione Adams, MD, and Lorraine Arvin to its Board of Directors.

Dr. Adams has served as the chair for the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Community Health Board in Bellingham, Washington, since 2020 after joining the Board as a member in 2016. Dr. Adams’ career is a testament to her commitment to community health, particularly as it relates to serving those most vulnerable — a priority she shares with PeaceHealth. In 2021, she retired from practicing family medicine and service as the medical director of Sea Mar Community Health Center, a role she held since 1989.

“Dr. Adams continues to demonstrate her passion for community health – reaching outside the walls of the hospitals and clinics to work collaboratively with communities to improve the overall health and well-being of everyone,” said Aaron.

Arvin is an experienced chief financial officer with expertise in aligning financial strategies and resources with organizational goals and developing long-term financial plans. Arvin served as the vice president and treasurer for Reed College from 2014 until she retired in 2021. During her tenure, Arvin skillfully managed an expansive portfolio of responsibilities comprised of overseeing the college’s finances, including the college’s endowment, facilities services, human resources, environmental health and safety and auxiliary operations.

“With her extensive financial acumen and dedication to helping non-profit organizations thrive, Lorraine will be a valuable addition to the PeaceHealth System Board,” said Aaron.

About PeaceHealth: PeaceHealth, based in Vancouver, Wash., is a non-profit Catholic health system offering care to communities in Washington, Oregon and Alaska. PeaceHealth has approximately 16,000 caregivers, more than 3,000 clinicians, more than 160 clinics and 9 medical centers serving both urban and rural communities throughout the Northwest. In 1890, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace founded what has become PeaceHealth. The Sisters shared expertise and transferred wisdom from one medical center to another, always finding the best way to serve the unmet need for healthcare in their communities. Today, PeaceHealth is the legacy of the founding Sisters and continues with a spirit of respect, stewardship, collaboration and social justice in fulfilling its Mission. Visit us online at peacehealth.org.

It has been estimated that babies use between six and ten diapers per day, or about 2,800 diapers, during their first year. Families with financial challenges face not only the cost of diapers but also all the other expenses associated with a newborn. 

To help low-income families in need, the Rotary E-Club of the Willamette Valley/South Salem Rotary Foundation is hosting a collection event called the “Community Baby Shower.”  Gifts or financial donations will be accepted on Sat., May 4, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the Willamette Vital Health Memory Garden at 1015 Third St. NW, Salem, OR 97304.

The Rotary Club hopes to collect items primarily for newborns, especially diapers and new or handmade clothes, blankets, and quilts. The Department of Human Services (DHS) and other agencies working with parents and children will distribute these items to low-income families and parents in crisis. 

Event coordinator and Rotarian Marcy Crenshaw said, “These donations make a difference to those in need throughout our community. The families deeply appreciate the items they receive. It touches their hearts that strangers cared enough to give them items for their babies.”

Donations via credit/debit or PayPal are accepted on the club website at rotaryeclubwillamettevalley.org. Checks can be mailed and payable to South Salem Rotary Foundation, c/o Marcy Crenshaw, 1537 Meadowlark Dr. SE, Stayton, OR 97383. Items can also be purchased from the Amazon Wishlist by searching for Rotary Club Baby Shower Wishlist. For more information, contact Marcy Crenshaw at (503) 507-4770

The Eclub of the Willamette Valley meets each Tuesday on Zoom. For membership information or to visit as a guest, visit https://www.rotaryeclubwillamettevalley.org.  

Marion County Environmental Services Hosts Free Community Event for Earth Day

KEIZER, OR – Join Marion County Environmental Services on April 26, 2024, from 3-7p.m. for a free community event held at Spong’s Landing Park. This year’s theme “Build a Brighter Future,” will highlight reduce, reuse, recycle, and repair efforts to help protect the environment.

This family-friendly event will include interactive presentations from local agencies, bird house building, guided nature walks, face painting, a baby goat petting zoo, arts and crafts, and more. Free ice cream from On Any Sundae will be served in reusable containers that participants will get to take home as souvenirs. 

For those looking to celebrate Earth Day before April 26, Marion County Environmental Services has launched a Passport to Sustainability program. This digital passport contains 24 activities with tips and actions to help the environment every day. For each completed activity, participants will earn points that they can redeem for sustainable prizes while supplies last. For kids interested in Earth Day activities and earning fun prizes, the Passport to Sustainability for Kids is full of learning opportunities and encouragement to get outside and explore natural spaces.

For more information on this event, including additional resources on how to help the environment in Marion County, check out the event website.

#  #  #

HILLSBORO, Ore- On April 11, 2024, Benjamin Lance Bowers, age 39, pleaded guilty to two counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree, Sexual Abuse in the Second Degree, and Attempted Sexual Abuse in the First Degree. He was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Deputy District Attorney Matt Wise prosecuted this case. 

The defendant was a licensed massage therapist when he sexually assaulted two female patients and an 11-year-old girl in separate incidents. The first victim was assaulted while receiving a massage from Mr. Bowers at a Hillsboro business in 2021. The second incident occurred in 2022 when the defendant was working at a different massage studio in Beaverton. The child, who was known to the defendant, was assaulted around this time as well.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the work of Hillsboro and Beaverton police on these cases and acknowledges the bravery shown throughout this process by the victims. 

In addition to his prison sentence, Mr. Bowers was ordered to register as a sex offender and to undergo treatment. He is also barred from practicing as a licensed massage therapist in the future. 

On behalf of Westport Fire this information is being shared to the media:

PRESS RELEASE

Contacts:

Greg Brody, Fire Chief

Date: April 12, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Division Chief David Russell Coombs – Active Duty Death

Westport, Oregon - Westport Fire and Rescue is mourning the death of our Division Chief,

Dave Coombs who passed away at his home on Tuesday, April 2, 2024. Dave was 53.

Having served faithfully in the fire service for more than 30 years, Dave’s passion for the

medical field started in his early high school years. Dave was a member of American Red Cross

Medical Explorers Post in Eugene, Oregon. Through that program he volunteered and provided

advanced first aid at events such as rodeos, walk-a-thons, and the county fair. In his early adult

years he attended Chemeketa Community College where he gained additional knowledge in the

trade. He worked for Mercy Flights in Medford and Buck Ambulance in Portland, as well as

Premier Jets as an international flight paramedic. Dave went on to work for Columbia River Fire

& Rescue and achieved many accomplishments during his nearly 30-year career. While working

Dave attended Eastern Oregon University and received a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science,

which was a very proud accomplishment for him. Dave retired as a Battalion Chief in July of

2021 from Columbia River Fire & Rescue. Upon retiring from Columbia River Fire & Rescue,

he joined Westport Fire & Rescue and has served as a Volunteer Division Chief for the past 3

years.

Dave also spent a significant amount of time in other fulfilling roles as both a licensing officer

and an examiner for the Oregon Health Division testing EMT’s and Paramedics. He spent many

years as a liaison and leading a medical team as a paramedic at multiple local concert events to

assist when there were medical needs. Since 2013 he had also served on an Incident Management

team for the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office that he retired from in early 2024. He also

volunteered his medical skills for various other events around the state of Oregon.

Dave had an extreme passion for travel and spent a lot of his life immersed in the culture of other

countries. Dave’s yard and his garden at home was immaculate, he especially loved growing

fruits, vegetables and pumpkins along with raising chickens. Dave was also a motorcycle

enthusiast and a former member of the International Association of Firefighters Motorcycle

group. Dave was the happiest however, spending time with family and friends.

Dave is survived by his lovely wife, RayAnn Coombs of Warren, Oregon along with many

beloved family members, friends and his fire family.A procession and a public memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The

procession of fire department vehicles will take place from Westport Fire and Rescue in

Westport, Oregon to Grace Baptist Church in Warren, Oregon, beginning at 10:45am and

expects to arrive to the church by 12:00pm. The memorial service will begin at 1:00pm at Grace

Baptist Church at 58690 Ross Road, Warren, Oregon 97053.

If you are a uniformed fire service personnel, please utilize staff vehicles as there are parking

limitations at the Grace Baptist Church.

RayAnn wants to send a heartfelt thank you to each person who has reached out to offer their

love and support. Each message shared either directly or through family and friends has been

relayed and they mean the world to the Coombs family.

For individuals who wish to support the family, they are asking that in lieu of flowers, donations

be made to the Boulder Crest Foundation.

Website: https://support.bouldercrest.org/BCFOneTime

For general information, please contact Westport Fire and Rescue by phone at: 503-455-0727 or

send an email to Fire Chief, Greg Brody at: brodyg@westportfireor.com.

#####################################################################

Vancouver, Wash. – The Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) has selected the Clark County Auditor’s 2023 Performance Audit of Public Works Project Management, Delivery, and Oversight for a Knighton Award. 

The Knighton Awards recognize the best local government performance audit reports from across the United States and Canada. Audit reports are evaluated for clarity, conciseness, persuasive conclusions, and their potential to improve government efficiency and effectiveness or have other significant impacts. The reports are compared against those from peer audit organizations of similar sizes.

Clark County’s audit received the Distinguished Knighton Award in the small shop category. In making the award, judges commented that the report was highly effective in its use of graphics, making it both easy to understand and visually engaging. They also noted that the report demonstrated a firm grasp of strategic planning by employing a maturity model to help managers prioritize issues with insightful recommendations. 

This is the sixth time that Clark County Audit Services has been recognized by ALGA for its audit reports. The previous honors included two Exemplary Audit Awards and with the addition of this year’s, four Distinguished Audit Awards.

“This award from the Association of Local Government Auditors highlights the quality of work and the impact of our Audit Services team,” said Auditor Greg Kimsey. “Their audit of Public Works has already improved transparency for the public and helped the department plan organizational development. Full implementation of the audit recommendations will result in more effective and efficient delivery of capital transportation projects and better services for citizens.” 

Clark County performance auditor Michael Nash, who led the audit, will accept the award at the association’s national conference in Seattle in May.

This year’s Distinguished Award report, Performance Audit of Public Works Project Management, Delivery, and Oversight, and the other Knighton Award-winning audit reports can be viewed at https://www.clark.wa.gov/auditor/audit-reports.

HILLSBORO, Ore- On April 12, 2024, Brett Church Michie, age 47, pleaded guilty to three counts of Sexual Abuse in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and Using a Child in Display of Sexually Explicit Conduct. He was then sentenced to 300 months in prison under Jessica’s Law. Deputy District Attorney Matt Wise prosecuted the case against the defendant. 

In January of 2023, a social media company reported the defendant was downloading and sharing Child Sexual Abuse Materials over the internet. Members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program contacted the Beaverton Police Department to alert them to the defendant’s actions. Investigators confronted the defendant who admitted to trading Child Sexual Abuse Materials with others on the internet. He consented to a search of his phone which uncovered hundreds of disturbing images involving the abuse of children. Investigators also found images of the defendant sexually abusing a young child. The defendant shared those materials with others on the internet. The defendant was arrested and made a failed attempt to kill himself while in custody. 

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office commends the investigative work of the Beaverton Police Department on this case. 

Mr. Michie will be transferred to the Oregon Department of Corrections to begin serving his sentence. 

What: Habitat Home Dedication 

When: Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 2pm 

Where: Johnson Village  
Parking at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 
16001 NE 24^th St., Vancouver, WA 98682 

Evergreen Habitat for Humanity, a local non-profit organization committed to providing affordable housing solutions in Clark County, is proud to announce the completion of the next two homes in Johnson Village. The organization cordially invites the local community to join the celebration of these home dedications for the next two Habitat homebuyers.  

Scheduled for Sunday, April 21^st at 2-3:30pm, the ceremony will provide attendees with the opportunity to hear heartfelt stories from the families who will be the new homeowners. Additionally, guests will have the privilege of witnessing the moment when the keys to their new homes are officially handed over. Following the dedication, there will be an opportunity for visitors to take tours of the new homes. 

The event will take place at the Johnson Village subdivision, with parking available at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church located at 16001 NE 34th St. Vancouver, WA 98682. Members of the media and the public are encouraged to join in the celebration and witness the positive impact Evergreen Habitat for Humanity continues to make in the lives of families within the community. 

For media inquiries and further information, please contact Leah Middleton, Marketing and Development Coordinator, at leah@ehfh.org.   

About Evergreen Habitat for Humanity   

Since 1991, Evergreen Habitat for Humanity has been strengthening the community by building homes and hope for families across Clark County. We believe in a world where everyone has a decent place to live, and our work unites people from across sectors to come together to build community. To date, Evergreen Habitat for Humanity has built 54 homes serving 211 children and adults. Your support makes this happen.  

For over 50 years, Kelso and Longview secondary art students have come together to showcase their works of art. Students’ paintings, drawings, pastels, sculptures, ceramics, and photography will be on display in the 2024 Celebration of the Arts, held at Cowlitz County Event Center next week.

With three high schools and five middle schools participating, the number of art pieces is substantial. There will be close to 200 pieces from Kelso High School, alone. The event is free and open to the public.

2024 Celebration of the Arts

Cowlitz County Event Center

• Artists & Teachers Reception Monday, April 22, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
• Exhibit open for viewing: 
  • Tuesday & Wednesday, April 23 & 24, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
  • Thursday, April 25, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

While the show is more an exhibit than a sale, if interested in possibly buying a work of art, patrons can express their interest by filling out a compliment card and including their email. Students may or may not be willing to sell their work.

About Kelso School District
Kelso School District has a goal of 100% (bit.ly/ksd-100) of students graduating high school and having post-secondary plans for college, career, trades, or military. Our mission is to prepare every student for living, learning, and achieving success as a citizen of our changing world.

The Arts in Kelso School District
Kelso School District has a wide variety of visual and performing arts options for students.  Our robust program gives students a pathway for personal expression while providing them with lifelong skills and the opportunity to share their talents with their communities through performance and competition.

Lab recognized with national award for sustained excellence

(Salem, Ore. – April 16, 2024) – Salem Health Laboratories has been named Lab of the Year 2024 by Medical Laboratory Observer (MLO) magazine – an industry journal for lab professionals since 1969 – earning this distinguished honor for commitment to continuous and sustained improvement. 

“Staff constantly work to increase efficiency, which improves patient care,” said Karl Kamper, System Director, Clinical Support Operations, Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics. 

“This recognition speaks to the work and dedication of our incredible team,” said Jamie Rouse, Director of Lab Services, Salem Health Laboratories, Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics. “It truly takes a team effort to realize our vision of delivering an exceptional experience every time.”

Salem Health Laboratories employs 226 people and handles 1.6 million test requests at its three high-complexity laboratories; the laboratories also support and oversee all point-of-care testing across Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics. 

Kamper is quick to credit Salem Health’s lean culture, an organizational philosophy and practice which is centered on the customer and their needs, finding value and looking for better ways to provide it. The laboratory staff believe that if they have good processes and well-designed systems, they will consistently achieve high-quality outcomes.

Labs across the country were judged on achievement in five areas: customer service, productivity, teamwork, education and training, and strategic outlook.

Examples of improvement and excellence which led to this top honor include improving timing and availability of blood products at the time of infusion patient appointments to 100 percent of the time. Another project improved on-time completion of morning rounds specimen collection by better predicting the resources needed. This improvement accelerated patient discharges from the hospital by having lab results ready for physician review before seeing the patient.

In addition to contributing to the quality of patient care, improvements also saved money. All staff quality projects combined saved Salem Health Laboratories more than $4 million last year.

Education and training are areas which set Salem Health Laboratories apart in its promoting career growth and building stronger teams. In 2023, 82 percent of the laboratory’s leadership positions were filled with internal candidates. Last year, Salem Health Laboratories launched an internal development pathway for all its employees.

“We are an example that culture combined with strategy can propel an organization to excellence,” said Kamper. “When that happens, our community wins. Our work has a direct impact on everyone – from patients and families to clinicians.”

Medical Laboratory Observer’s April 2024 cover pictures some of the Salem Health Laboratories team, and the issue features the full article about the award, “Salem Health Laboratories at Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics – Continuous and sustained commitment to excellence.”

About Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics

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

# # #

BEND, OR — The High Desert Museum will receive $500,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities, one of 10 in the nation selected for funding for the exceedingly competitive Public Humanities Projects: Exhibition category, the agency announced Tuesday.

The funding will support the Museum’s revitalization of its permanent exhibition dedicated to the Indigenous cultures of the region. By Hand Through Memory opened in 1999, supported in part by NEH funding. Hand in hand with Native partners, the Museum has been working on a new version of the exhibition for several years.

This award is the second grant for the project: In 2019, NEH awarded the Museum $45,000 to support the planning of the renovation. The agency also awarded the Museum $500,000 in 2023 to support an associated expansion of the Museum, bringing the total commitment to the Museum’s future to $1,045,000.

“For more than four decades, the High Desert Museum has set the gold standard for showing and telling both Oregonians and visitors our state’s history,” U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said. “Indigenous history is essential to that mission, and I’m gratified this Central Oregon treasure has secured such a significant federal investment to enable it to update and expand the permanent exhibition devoted to Native perspectives and experiences.”

“We’re immensely grateful to NEH and Senators Wyden and Merkley for this transformational investment,” said High Desert Museum Executive Director Dana Whitelaw, Ph.D. “The revitalized exhibition will be centered in Native voices and knowledge, sharing the rich stories of Indigenous communities throughout the Plateau region. The NEH funding is vital for realizing our vision.”

The Museum is presently working on exhibition design with Ralph Appelbaum Associates, a firm that has handled museum projects ranging from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History in Washington, D.C. to the First 

Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, an effort sharing the stories of the 39 Tribes in Oklahoma that opened in 2021.

The exhibition renovation is part of the long-term vision for the future of the Museum, which includes more capacity for educational programming, immersive experiences to bring visitors into the forest canopy, a permanent art exhibition space and a gathering space for Museum events. The Sisters-based Roundhouse Foundation helped launch work on this vision with a $6 million gift in 2021.

The Museum opened in 1982. Founder Donald M. Kerr envisioned the space as an immersive experience that highlights the wonder of the High Desert, often saying that its mission is to “wildly excite and responsibly teach.” He also intended for the Museum and its programs to spark dialogue and bring people together in conversations about what they want for the region’s future.

Today, the Museum shares up to nine rotating temporary exhibitions, serves more than 8,600 participants with school field trips, and provides free and reduced-price admissions to more than 25,000 visitors. It welcomed more than 216,000 visitors in 2023.

The National Endowment for the Humanities is an independent federal agency that supports cultural institutions in their efforts to facilitate research and original scholarship, provides opportunities for lifelong learning, preserves and provides access to cultural and educational resources, and strengthens the institutional base of the humanities throughout the nation.

ABOUT THE MUSEUM:

The HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2019 recipient of the Western Museums Association’s Charles Redd Award for Exhibition Excellence and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

###

Red Cross, Marion County Fire District 1 to install free smoke alarms during Sound the Alarm event in Salem.  

The event will feature players from the Salem Capitals Professional Basketball Team. (Ladders optional) 

[SALEM, OR April 16, 2024] — On April 20,2024, volunteers and members of the Red Cross, Marion County Fire District No.1. State Fire Marshal, and the Salem Capitals (https://salemcapitalsbasketball.com/) will team up to install free smoke alarms for local families vulnerable to home fires during a Sound the Alarm event in Salem. This effort is part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save more than 2060 lives since launching in October 2014.   

 WHAT: Sound the Alarm kickoff with remarks and volunteer training, followed by smoke alarm installations at area homes where volunteer teams will also discuss home fire safety with families.  

WHERE: Marion County, Fire District #1, 3820 Cordon Rd NE, Salem, OR 97305  

WHEN: April 20, 2024, kickoff at 9am; smoke alarm installations at area homes until 4 pm  

WHO:   Priscilla Fuentes, Cascades Region CEO 

            Kyle McMann, Fire Chief Marion County Fire District No. 1 

            Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon State Fire Marshal 

Interviews available with speakers following the kickoff.  

VISUALS: Opportunities for photos and b-roll of kickoff remarks, volunteer training and volunteers installing smoke alarms and meeting with local families. We will also feature players from the Salem Capitals professional basketball team installing alarms with or without the need for ladders.  

B-roll. Sample smoke alarm installation can be found here and here.  

SALEM JOINS THE NATIONAL SOUND THE ALARM EFFORT This Sound the Alarm event is part of a national Red Cross initiative to install 50,000 free smoke alarms with partners in more than 50 at-risk communities across the country. Sound the Alarm events are a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save 2,060 lives since launching in October 2014, including 24 here in the Cascades Region.   

This work is made possible thanks to generous financial donations from regional partners:   

About Tektronix:  

Tektronix designs and manufactures test and measurement solutions to break through the walls of complexity and accelerate global innovation. Together they empower engineers to create and realize technological advances with ever greater ease, speed, and accuracy. Tektronix solutions have supported many of humankind’s greatest advances of the past 70 years. With offices in 21 countries, they are committed to the scientists, engineers, and technicians around the world who will define the future. Read more at www.tek.com. 

About Mountain House:  

At Mountain House, they’ve been making deliciously satisfying meals for outdoor adventurers since 1969. Every recipe starts with wholesome ingredients, cooked in small batches, then freeze dried to lock-in all the flavor of your comfort food favorites. So, every meal tastes like it should – guaranteed – whether it’s sunrise at hunting camp, midday along the trail or beside the campfire at the end of an epic day. For more information visit www.mountainhouse.com  

About Leatherman:  

Founded in 1983 by Tim Leatherman, Oregon-based Leatherman Tool Group is the world’s largest manufacturer of high-quality multipurpose products with distribution in more than 80 countries. The company is built upon three principles: unwavering perseverance, ingenious design, and the ability to save the day. Leatherman has empowered people around the world to solve problems, big and small. Proudly based and manufactured in Portland, Oregon, the brand’s factory is in the same building as the company headquarters. For more information visit www.leatherman.com   

MEDIA ALERT  

Central City Concern Mobile Health Launch Celebration 

Portland, OR – On April 16, Central City Concern (CCC) is inviting the media and public to attend our Mobile Health launch party to formally celebrate the launch of a new Mobile Health program serving those experiencing homelessness. 

To raise awareness of those experiencing difficulties accessing traditional healthcare, CCC is moving the front door of healthcare to a mobile setting. Services will be offered at Temporary Assistance Shelter Sites (TASS), sanctioned encampments and congregate shelter sites, unsanctioned encampments and locations where unsheltered community members are located, and service hubs like day centers, food/meal resource sites, and community events. 

WHAT:  Mobile Health Launch Celebration 

WHEN:   Tuesday, April 16 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.  

WHO: 

• Dan McMillan, President & CEO, The Standard 
• Sarah Kelley Brewer, Plan President & CEO, Trillium Community Health Plan 
• Dan Field, Executive Director, Multnomah County Joint Office of Homeless Services 
• Dr. Sejal Hathi, Executive Director, Oregon Health Authority 
• Jill Ewanchuk, Oregon Program Manager, Medical Teams International 
• Mike Goodwin, Interim CEO, Medical Teams International 
• Dr. Andy Mendenhall, President and CEO, Central City Concern 

WHERE: Pioneer Courthouse Square, Portland, OR 

About CCC     

Located in Portland, Oregon, Central City Concern (CCC) provides a comprehensive continuum of affordable housing options integrated with direct social services including health care, recovery, and employment. Founded in 1979, CCC has a staff of over 1,200 and an annual operating budget of $130 million. CCC serves more than 14,000 individuals annually. Up to 30,000 people across the tri-county region are affected annually by homelessness.  Learn more at https://centralcityconcern.org/ Learn more about Mobile Health at https://centralcityconcern.org/health-care-location/mobile-health/ 

April 15, 2024

Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt today announced that Antony Kassab, 20, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of Murder II and Unlawful Use of a Weapon related to the stabbing death of Cody Funk, 35, in Gresham on December 26, 2023. Kassab is also presently charged with the stabbing assault and attempted murder of another victim on February 9, 2024 (24-CR-09504).

Case Facts

On the morning of December 26, 2023, Gresham Police were notified of an unresponsive individual found near the intersection of SE 190^th Ave. and SE Division St. The victim–quickly determined to be Cody Funk– had been experiencing homelessness at the time of his murder. An autopsy indicated that he had died from multiple stab wounds. Investigators with the Gresham Police Department and the East Multnomah County Major Crimes Team diligently collected and reviewed evidence in the case to identify a suspect.

Indictment

The case was referred to the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office for review. Upon consideration of the evidence provided by law enforcement, DDA Sean Hughey presented the case to a grand jury, which returned a true bill of indictment on April 12, 2024, for the following charges:

• Murder II 
• Unlawful use of a weapon
   

Please note that a charging document is only an accusation of a crime. Kassab is innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

Gresham, Ore.— A Gresham man has been charged with murder for the December 2023 killing of Cody Funk.  Funk’s body was found near the intersection of SE 190^th Ave. and SE Division St. on the morning of December 26, 2023.  An autopsy determined he died of multiple stab wounds. Funk was experiencing homelessness when he was killed.

Investigators with the Gresham Police Department and the East Multnomah County Major Crimes Team have been collecting and reviewing evidence in the case.  Their findings were presented to a Grand Jury last Friday.  As a result, 20-year-old Antony Kassab, of Gresham, was charged with Murder in the Second Degree and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. 

Kassab was already in custody, charged with Attempted Murder for stabbing David McQuown in February 2024.  McQuown was also homeless at the time he was attacked. 

“This suspect targeted particularly vulnerable members of the community.  His behavior has no place in Gresham.  Our detectives worked tirelessly to seek justice for Mr. Funk and Mr. McQuown,” said Police Chief Travis Gullberg. 

Housing and houselessness support are priorities for the City of Gresham.  Gresham operates a homeless services program, which connects people experiencing homelessness with resources.  Anyone experiencing homelessness in Gresham can request assistance by calling 503-618-2441 or by visiting greshamoregon.gov/services/homeless-services. 

UPDATE

As a result of this morning’s demonstration, 52 people were arrested for disorderly conduct. Two individuals were additionally charged with conspiracy and theft 2. All suspects are in custody at the Lane County Jail. 

Six vehicles were towed from the scene. 

Today’s incident required a significant law enforcement response. Responding agencies included: 

• Eugene Police Department – 31 officers; 1 transport van 
• Springfield Police Department – 22 officers; 1 transport van
• Lane County Sheriff’s Office – 20 deputies; 2 jail vans    
• Oregon State Police – 48 troopers 
• Oregon Department of Transportation Incident Response – 6 personnel 
• Springfield Fire Department and Eugene Fire Department  

OSP would like to thank area law enforcement agencies for their partnership and response to this incident. 

_______________________________________________________________________________

LANE COUNTY, Ore. 15 April 2024 – At approximately 10:00 a.m., Oregon State Troopers responded to I-5 southbound at milepost 194 in Eugene to reports of protesters blocking the interstate. Protesters blocked all southbound traffic lanes near the Barlow Bridge. 

Throughout the incident, demonstrators were given continuous lawful orders to disperse before dozens of people were arrested for disorderly conduct. At least one individual was discovered to be in possession of a firearm.

The interstate traffic was stopped for approximately 45 minutes. Southbound lanes are now open; however, law enforcement remains on the scene while observers continue to gather along the highway. 

Oregon State Police supports an individual’s right to lawfully protest and express concerns over world events. However, today’s actions put Oregon’s motorists in danger as well as the protestors who blocked the roadway.

At this time, future comments will be limited due to the ongoing criminal investigations. 

# # #

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.

Vancouver, Wash. – The Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT), led by the Vancouver Police Department, is conducting the Independent Investigation of the officer-involved use of force incident involving deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, which occurred on April 13, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion located at 14011 NE 20th Avenue in Clark County. 

As part of the investigation by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office to locate a possible second suspect related to the carjacking crimes, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office contacted and arrested Lyndsey D. Jones for Residential Burglary. The investigation of the underlying crimes that occurred prior to the use of force are being investigated by the SWIIRT. 

Nothing additional is releasable at this time.  Additional information will be released as it becomes available and will be sent out via media release.

###

(Salem) – This year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month theme, Doing Things Differently: Moving from the Challenge to the Change, emphasizes the importance of innovative prevention-based approaches to supporting children and families. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) is committed to advancing programs that address poverty and other challenges families face that could put children at risk. 

As Governor Tina Kotek’s proclamation states, “Child abuse is a preventable public health issue, and Oregon's children and families deserve intentional, sustainable investments in their health and wellbeing.” 

Prevention-based approaches link families in Oregon to voluntary assistance programs from community organizations and ODHS such as food benefits, cash assistance and services for domestic violence survivors. The goal of prevention is to keep children safe by providing support that stabilizes families and prevents unnecessary child welfare involvement.  

To expand the agency’s child abuse prevention efforts, ODHS is working with the Doris Duke Foundation to establish the Opt-in for Families initiative in Oregon which will be supported by a $9 million investment by the foundation. The grant will help develop and test a pilot program serving families who have been the subject of reports to the ODHS Child Abuse Hotline but whose circumstances are not considered child abuse as defined in Oregon statute. Opt-in for Families will refer these families to voluntary programs for economic and other supports, evaluating their effectiveness in improving child safety and family stability. Similar programs that support families’ economic stability are being piloted in Klamath Falls and are being introduced throughout the state.  

As a result of these and other efforts, the number of children in foster care in Klamath County has dropped by 60 percent with a 72 percent drop in Tribal children in the system.  

April also marks the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline’s (ORCAH) fifth anniversary. ODHS centralized ORCAH in 2019 to change the former model of localized child abuse reporting, multiple hotline numbers and lack of operational coordination to an updated model based on national best practices. The new model has improved child safety, screening consistency and coordination with law enforcement, as well as employee retention.  

With centralization of the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline, wait times to report abuse reduced by an average of one minute, 59 seconds, down from the 2022 average wait time of two minutes, 42 seconds. The hotline team answered 6 percent more calls compared with 2022. Timely answering of calls ensures rapid response and Child Protective Services assessment to ensure child safety. Other key improvements related to child safety are detailed in the recent 2023 ORCAH annual report. 

In addition to centralizing the hotline, ODHS initiatives to prevent and address child abuse include family coaching programs and improved tracking of caseload ratios to ensure caseworkers have adequate time to connect families to prevention-related services. For more information on 2023 work to support children in families in Oregon, see the Oregon Child Welfare Assessment Findings Report published by Public Knowledge. 

Oregon needs everyone to contribute to preventing child abuse. Children and families are stronger when communities come together to support them before they reach crisis.  

“As individuals and as a community, we play a part in preventing child abuse. We encourage everyone to make a commitment this month to learn new ways to strengthen child and family well-being,” ODHS Child Welfare Director Aprille Flint-Gerner said. “Together, we can make a difference.” 

In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, ODHS asks everyone in Oregon to be aware of help available to families to meet their basic needs which is critical in preventing conditions that can result in child abuse. This includes sharing information about food banks, unemployment benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) availability, and educational resources. ODHS values its collaboration with community organizations to prevent child abuse and ensure families in Oregon know about the resources available to help them.  

If you suspect a child is being abused, please contact the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). The Oregon Child Abuse Hotline receives calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.  

More information for resources and support: 

• To learn more about food resources including SNAP visit NeedFood.Oregon.gov. 
• 211info.org (also by dialing 211) offers connection to local and regional resources for food banks, housing assistance, and mental health services. 
• Lines for Life, a nonprofit dedicated to substance abuse and suicide prevention: call or text 988. 
• Friends and neighbors can help break the social isolation some parents may experience or encourage parents to seek support when needed by calling the Oregon parent helpline: 971-221-5180. 
• Oregon Child Abuse Solutions: https://oregoncas.org/ 
• Prevent Child Abuse Oregon: https://preventchildabuseoregon.org/ 
• Oregon Association of Relief Nurseries: https://www.oregonreliefnurseries.org/ 

Other resources 

• ODHS Family Preservation information.    
• Summary of 2023 Child Welfare accomplishments.
• Announcement of Doris Duke Foundation grant.

About the Oregon Department of Human Services 

The mission of ODHS is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve well-being and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity. 

###

POLICE POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Police Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 10:00 a.m. May 16, 2024, in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST or Department) located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Samantha Kossa at (971) 209-8235.

Effective Jan. 1, 2024, the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training will be live streaming all public meetings via YouTube. Meetings will no longer be streamed on Facebook. To view the Police Policy Committee's live-stream and other recorded videos, please visit DPSST’s official YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

1. Introductions

2. Approve the February 22, 2024, Meeting Minutes

3. Administrative Closures Consent Agenda (The following items to be ratified by one vote)
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Bacho

    a) Steven Bellshaw; DPSST No. 22870
        Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Supervisory, Management, and Executive Police Certifications

    b) Emigdia Camas; DPSST No. 51141
        Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Police and Basic and Intermediate Corrections Certifications

    c) Anthony Christensen; DPSST No. 55811
        Basic Police Certification

    d) Summer Danneker; DPSST No. 58025
        Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Police Certifications

    e) Travis Grindle; DPSST No. 43070
        Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Supervisory Police Certifications

    f) Matthew McCandless; DPSST No. 55017
        Basic and Intermediate Police Certifications

4. Andy Ashpole; DPSST No. 47945; Newport Police Department
   Presented by Melissa Lang-Baco

5. Katelyn Bailey; DPSST No. 56238; Wasco County Sheriff’s Office
   Presented by Melissa Lang-Baco

6. Matthew Barbee; DPSST No. 47086; Tigard Police Department
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Baco

7. Carl Bell; DPSST No. 55552; Gladstone Police Department
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Baco

8. Shawn Carnahan; DPSST No. 39921; Columbia County Sheriff's Office
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Baco

9. Sean Considine; DPSST No. 64682; Central Point Police Department
    Presented by Melissa Lang-Baco

10. Robert Gorman; DPSST No. 36970; Oregon State Police
     Presented by Melissa Lang-Baco

11. Sterling Hall; DPSST No. 58719; Pendleton Police Department
     Presented by Melissa Lang-Baco

12. Paul Johnson; DPSST No. 39931; Klamath Falls Police Department
     Presented by Melissa Lang-Baco

13. Kevin Lanier; DPSST No. 57215; Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
     Presented by Melissa Lang-Baco

14. Quinn Lindley; DPSST No. 56901; Monmouth Police Department
     Presented by Melissa Lang-Baco

15. Proposed Rule Changes for Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 259-008-0500
     Agency Name Change Correction
     Presented by Jennifer Howald

16. Agency Update

17. Next Police Policy Committee Meeting – August 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

The Willamette Intake Facilities Commission (WIF) Board meeting will be held Monday, April 22, 2024 at 6:00pm.

Location: This meeting will not be held at a physical location. If you wish to attend remotely, please contact annette.rehms@tvwd.org or call 971-222-5957 for dial-in information by 4:00pm on April 22. 

If you wish to address the WIF Board, please request the Public Comment Form and return it 48 hours prior to the day of the meeting.  

The meeting is accessible to persons with disabilities and those who need qualified bilingual interpreters. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired, a bilingual interpreter or for other accommodations should be made at least 72 hours before the meeting to the contact listed above.

The Board meeting agenda packet and additional information regarding the Willamette Intake Facilities are available on the WIF Commission website: 

https://www.tvwd.org/district/page/willamette-intake-facilities-commission

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 April 24th, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., has been cancelled.
 

The next Applicant Review Committee meeting is scheduled for May 22nd, 2024, at 11:00 a.m.

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County is seeking applicants for two seats on the Clark County Historic Preservation Commission. The three-year terms will begin on July 1, 2024. The seats will be appointed by the county council.

The seven-member volunteer commission is responsible for:

• Reviewing nominations to the National Register of Historic Places
• Reviewing nominations and designating properties to the Clark County Heritage Register
• Conducting design review for changes to buildings and sites on the local register
• Reviewing and deciding applications for the Special Valuation Tax Incentive for historic properties
• Overseeing education and outreach.

The commission typically meets at 6 pm the first Wednesday of each month at the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St. Meetings are currently conducted in a hybrid format via Webex and in person.

The county is looking for people who can bring:

• Interest, experience, or knowledge in history; historic preservation, rehabilitation or restoration; architecture or related disciplines such as planning, American studies or cultural anthropology, archaeology, or geography
• Ethnic, cultural, social, and geographic diversity to the group; and
• Outstanding strategic communication and public speaking skills and experience meeting with a wide range of individuals and organizations

All applicants must be available for an interview with a committee of current Historic Preservation Commissioners. A follow-up interview with the county council may be required. 

To apply, submit a letter of interest and résumé to Michelle Pfenning, County Manager's Office, PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000 or michelle.pfenning@clark.wa.gov.

The application deadline is 5 pm Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

For more information about the commission and the Historic Preservation program, please visit  www.clark.wa.gov/planning/historic.

April 15, 2024

On April 11, 2024, Joseph Beard, 52, was convicted on charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle (UUV), possession of a stolen vehicle (PSV), and theft I related to the Auto Theft Task Force’s work to address the issue of automobile theft in Multnomah County. This conviction stems from an ongoing large-scale investigation, dubbed “Operation MistleTow'' by the Auto Theft Task Force and Portland Police Bureau.

Law enforcement’s investigation revealed that Maters Auto Recycling–the company with which Beard was affiliated–had a history of falsifying purchase paperwork for stolen vehicles before selling them to Rivergate Scrap Metal. Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office investigators identified dozens of vehicles that had been sold by Maters Auto Recycling to Rivergate, many of which were crushed shortly after being sold. 

In December 2023, a woman witnessed Beard tow her legally parked car, following his truck and eventually boxing it in. Other members of the community became involved and Beard promised to tow the car back to the woman’s apartment. Beard did return the vehicle and promptly left the scene before a stolen vehicle report was created. Law enforcement was notified and a warrant was issued for Beard’s arrest on December 22. He was arrested while again driving his tow truck on January 5, 2024 and was subsequently charged with 22 felonies. Several of the stolen towed vehicles involved in the larger scheme were traced back to Beard, who now has five open cases related to auto theft that are actively being pursued by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. 

Sentencing in this case has been set for Friday, April 19, 2024, at 9am. 

The DA’s Office would like to thank the Auto Theft Task Force, and the many officers whose work contributed to this case. 
 

#MCDA#

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Green Business program invites the business community to learn about sustainability opportunities related to reuse and safe refill of consumer-owned food and beverage containers at a free educational event. 

The Morning Blend event is 8:30-10 am Wednesday, May 1 at Fourth Plain Community Commons, 3101 E Fourth Plain Blvd., Suite 101, in Vancouver. Morning Blend is a monthly event hosted by Clark County Green Business to encourage businesses to network, discuss green business efforts at their workplaces and learn about solutions for reducing their impact on the environment. 

The May Morning Blend event will feature presentations by Bold Reuse and Okapi Reusables, two companies working with local businesses to reduce the amount of single-use products that end up in the landfill. A member of Clark County Public Health’s Food Safety program will also discuss how businesses can create a plan for refilling consumer-owned food and beverage containers that meets regulatory standards and safety guidelines. 

“Both businesses and consumers are looking for solutions to reduce waste by avoiding single-use packaging and disposables,” said Celina Montgomery, senior environmental outreach specialist with Clark County Green Business. “This event will be a great opportunity for local businesses to learn how they can potentially save money on their garbage costs by strategically reducing their waste.” 

To attend the May Morning Blend event, please register at www.clarkgreenbiz.com/morning-blend. 

The Green Business program represents a growing community of businesses committed to making a positive impact on the environment. To learn more, visit www.clarkgreenbiz.com. 

HILLSBORO, Ore- In 2020, the Washington County District Attorney’s Office helped launch the Rapid Fitness to Proceed program which is designed to increase the efficiency of the fitness to proceed process. Since its inception, the program has reduced the pre-trial jail time for defendants with mental health disorders which has saved millions in taxpayer dollars. This office is pleased to report the program was successful again in 2023. 

In 2023, there were 100 successful fitness determinations. The median time to make those determinations was just 17 days, down from 91 days under the state’s system. On average, this increased efficiency helped save 74 days of jail time served per defendant, leading to a total approximate savings of more than $1,932,214.00 to the taxpayer.

“I’m proud to see that once again our Washington County Rapid Fitness to Proceed program has produced amazing results,” said Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton. “This collaborative program ensures people receive mental health evaluations sooner while saving money and resources for our community. This program should be a model for the entire state.” 

Under Oregon law, when the court has reason to doubt a defendant’s fitness to proceed by reason of incapacity due to a qualifying mental disorder, the court may order an examination to determine whether the defendant is unable to understand the nature of the proceedings, assist and cooperate with their attorney, or participate in the defense. Commonly referred to as an “Aid and Assist,” “Fitness to Proceed” or a competency evaluation, this process can take months to complete, which creates costly delays and inefficiencies. Under the Rapid Fitness to Proceed program, the timeline has been reduced from months to weeks. This increased efficiency benefits all participants as defendants arrested for lower-level crimes will spend less time in jail pre-trial, thereby freeing up limited jail space for more dangerous offenders. It also increases the efficiency of the courts and provides cost savings for the entire public safety system in Washington County.

The Rapid Fitness to Proceed program accomplishes this increased efficiency by establishing partnerships with two private practices that specialize in forensic competency to stand trial evaluations, NW Forensic Institute and Lithia Forensics and Consulting. These certified forensic evaluators are trusted by the defense and the state. In fact, in some situations, these private evaluators also work on contract for the Oregon State Hospital to provide competency evaluations. Using this public-private partnership, expedited evaluations are typically produced within 12 days from the date the referral is accepted. 

“The massive success of the Rapid Fitness to Proceed program in Washington County has helped to move defendants through the court system more quickly, reducing jail time and helping to get them into much-needed treatment promptly,” said Washington County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Rebecca Guptill. “This is beneficial in multiple ways – it helps defendants to get treatment that they need rather than sit in jail, it frees up jail space for those who should really be in custody, it also frees up defense attorneys more quickly to represent other defendants who are in need of counsel, and it helps both defendants and victims to achieve resolution of their cases in a more timely fashion. As a result, the Rapid Fitness to Proceed program is a huge benefit to our court and our community.”

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is also a key partner in this effort. 

“The Rapid Fitness to Proceed program has proven beneficial to the Adults in Custody of the Washington County Jail,” Washington County Sheriff Caprice Massey said. “By expediting the process for these individuals to access therapeutic treatment settings, we have prevented unnecessary languishing in jail. This collaborative effort has produced healthier, Justice Involved Individuals who are ready for a successful transition into our community.” 

This program would also not be possible without the support of Washington County Behavioral Health.

“Because of this program’s effectiveness, many adults with the greatest behavioral needs are now able to get much-needed treatment at the State hospital more quickly,” said Robert Colpean, Aid and Assist program coordinator with Washington County Behavioral Health. “We attribute much of this program’s success to collaborative efforts among key partners who work to find solutions on both individual cases as well as on a systemwide level.”

To learn more about this program and to access a referral form needed to initiate an evaluation, visit our website.

The Keizer Police Department is staffing extra traffic safety patrols which are funded by an Oregon Department of Transportation grant and they will run through April 30^th. While the focus will be on distracted driving awareness, officers will also educate drivers and enforce other traffic-related violations.  Last month, these extra patrols issued (23) warnings and (7) citations for speed and other various traffic violations.  

The Oregon State Marine Board will convene its quarterly meeting in Astoria on April 24, 2024. The meeting will be held at the Astoria Public Library Flag Room, 450 10th Street, beginning at 8:30 am. Preceding the board meeting, agency staff and board members will take a boating facility tour of nearby access, first visiting the recently completed Westport Park mixed-use boating facility and ending with the Columbia River Maritime Museum. 

The Board agenda includes the following items:

• Director’s Report
• Key Performance Measures (KPMs) Update for the Legislature
• Agency Budget Overview
• Legislative Concepts
• Facility Grants for Board Approval

Public comments for this meeting will be accepted in writing or by attending the public comment portion at the beginning of the hybrid meeting. To provide oral testimony, register with Jennifer Cooper no later than 5 pm on April 21, 2024. Public comments will also be accepted in writing until the end of the day on April 21, 2024. Register to speak or send written comments t.cooper@boat.oregon.gov">o jennifer.cooper@boat.oregon.gov or by U.S. Mail to Oregon State Marine Board, Attn: Jennifer Cooper, 435 Commercial St NE Ste 400 Salem, OR 97301. 

To view the agenda and board materials and for a link to the meeting live stream, visit the agency’s Public Meetings page. Meetings are conducted using Microsoft Teams and viewing may require the installation of a free Teams app for mobile devices.

###

4-15-24

4-14-24

4-14-24

4-12-24

4-11-24

4-10-24

VANCOUVER, WASH. — Washington State University Vancouver will present its 2024 awards for equity, service, research, student achievement and teaching at this year’s Commencement ceremony on May 4. The following will each receive a Chancellor’s Medallion:

Chancellor’s Award for Equity—Pavithra Narayanan, Professor of English; Academic Director and Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Chancellor’s Award for Research Excellence—Praveen Sekhar, Associate Professor, School of Engineering and Computer Science

Chancellor’s Award for Service to WSU Vancouver—Workforce Southwest Washington

Chancellor’s Award for Student Achievement—Juan Carlos Garcia Gonzalez, B.A., Humanities

Students’ Award for Teaching Excellence—Debra Wilmington, Associate Professor, Career Track, School of Biological Sciences

CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR ADVANCING EQUITY

This annual award honors a faculty or staff member for excellence in contributing to a community of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging at WSU Vancouver.

Pavithra Narayanan advocates passionately for equitable treatment for students, faculty and staff alike. She introduces students to Indigenous and non-Western histories, texts and authors who are not part of the regular course material. Guided by her philosophy of justice, equity and inclusion, Narayanan has increased WSU Vancouver’s cultural diversity at all levels. She has recruited and hired both staff and faculty of color, and supports professional development and career growth of all employees. She advocates not only for faculty and students but also for graduate students, adjunct faculty and support staff. 

Narayanan, who joined WSU Vancouver in 2004, has an eclectic educational background. She completed most of her education in India, with an undergraduate degree in zoology. Prompted by a love for books and writing, she earned a master’s degree in English, a second master’s in American literature and a third in mass communication, as well as a Ph.D. She is an affiliate of the Collective for Social and Environmental Justice and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, focusing on economic and social policies, civil liberties, gender and globalization.

CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

Each year, WSU Vancouver gives its highest research honor to recognize a faculty member’s exemplary research quality and quantity as well as positive influence on the broader community. 

Praveen Sekhar’s research is grounded in the interdisciplinary field of electrochemical gas sensors, which intersects disciplines such as electrical engineering, chemical sciences, applied physics and materials science. He has achieved the heights of international recognition in his field while remaining down to earth: His research is aimed at making people safer and the world a better place to live.

Sekhar directs WSU Vancouver’s Nanomaterials-Sensor Laboratory, where he and his students are working on solutions related to environmental pollution, national security, energy security and Internet of Things applications. He is the principal investigator on a project that addresses the need for a flexible wireless gas sensing device at high temperatures for many applications—notably for use by first responders during emergencies such as forest fires and terrorist attacks.

Sekhar is committed to diversity in engineering research through collaborating with and mentoring women, immigrants and persons of color. He joined WSU Vancouver in 2011.

CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR SERVICE TO WSU VANCOUVER

The award recognizes dedication and commitment to the WSU Vancouver community through leadership on behalf of the university and dedication of time, talent and resources toward advancing the university’s mission.

Much of what Workforce Southwest Washington does aligns with WSU Vancouver’s mission and values. WSW works to transform lives across the region and serves as a cornerstone for economic vitality. Its mission is to lead a regional workforce development system where every individual has access to high-quality employment and every business has access to a highly skilled workforce. 

At the heart of WSW’s mission is a profound belief in the power of education and skill development. This is where WSU Vancouver and WSW have found a sweet spot for collaboration. Through partnership on multiple initiatives, WSW and WSU Vancouver work to strengthen the economic resiliency of Southwest Washington and provide students with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving job market. 

Since 2020, WSW and WSU Vancouver have collaborated through a partnership contract that funds a full-time position in WSU Vancouver’s Engaged Learning and Career Action Center. Its purpose is to bridge the gap between the higher education system and the workforce development system.

CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

The student achievement award annually recognizes one student’s love of learning, persistence to overcome barriers in pursuit of academic goals, leadership potential and involvement in campus life.

During the pandemic, Juan Carlos Garcia Gonzalez noticed that Clark College had online classes. “We were sitting around and thought we needed to do something or go nuts,” he said, “so I enrolled in Clark.” That led to WSU Vancouver.

He was 50 years old and had spent his life on the move, growing up in Mexico and living in California, Oregon, Chicago and New York, mainly doing mission work on behalf of his church. He moved to Vancouver in 2015. Having inherited a genetic kidney disease that requires dialysis three times a week, he has been unable to work. The disease also raises havoc with other parts of the body. But he doesn’t let it set him back. He studies diligently and, even though English is his second language, maintains high grades. Because he is approachable and easy to talk to, many students look to him as a paternal figure.

Garcia Gonzalez chose a fine arts focus for his humanities degree. His house in Vancouver serves as a studio for him and his daughter Samantha, also a WSU Vancouver student and an artist. “Not to get sappy, but I really don’t think I could be enjoying my time as much as I am at WSU Vancouver if my dad were not here,” Samantha said.

STUDENTS’ AWARD FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE

Students honor a faculty member each year with the teaching excellence award. The award recognizes exceptional dedication to students and infectious enthusiasm for the subject matter. 

Debra Wilmington always has time for her students. Her classes in physiology, genetics and nutritional science, among others, are “fun and engaging,” students say. She strives to make class material relevant to students’ lives and goals, to meet students where they are and to be flexible. She brings “tools” such as blood pressure cuffs and stethoscopes to class to let them learn by doing, and she tries to get to know each student “to understand the best way to connect to and teach them,” she said.

In addition to teaching, Wilmington is an advisor for students working toward biology and pre-health majors. She is also the faculty advisor to the Pre-Health and Pre-Dental clubs. 

Wilmington, who joined WSU Vancouver in 2012 after earning a doctorate in biomedical science from the University of Texas, is also taking part in a project to improve the transfer process for STEM students from community college to WSU Vancouver.

COMMENCEMENT DETAILS

Commencement will be held at 1 p.m. May 4 at the RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater located at 17200 NE Delfel Road, Ridgefield, WA 98642. The event is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. It will also be livestreamed on WSU Vancouver’s YouTube channel.

ABOUT WSU VANCOUVER

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

WSU Vancouver is located on the homelands of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and Peoples of the Lower Columbia Valley. We acknowledge their presence here. WSU Vancouver expresses its respect towards these original and current caretakers of the region. We pledge that these relationships will be built on mutual trust and respect. 

 # # #

(Salem) – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS), Child Welfare Division, asks the public to help find Alyce Butrick, age 15, a child in foster care who was last seen in the Tigard area of Washington County on April 9, 2024, at 9 p.m. She may be with a person named Danny. She is believed to be in danger.

ODHS asks the public for help in the effort to find Alyce Butrick and to contact 911 or local law enforcement if they believe they see her.  

Alyce may be in the Portland-metro area, near NE 82nd Avenue. 

• Name: Alyce Butrick (sounds like “Alee-see”)
• Preferred Pronouns: she/her
• Date of birth: June 27, 2008
• Height: 5-foot-7-inches
• Weight: 150 pounds
• Hair color: Black
• Eye color: Brown
• Other identifying information: no known tattoos; she is Tongan and Alaskan Native
• Tigard Police Department (may be Washington County Sheriff's Office) case #24-0007162
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children #2017024

Alyce is supposed to be taking medications but does not have them with her.

Sometimes when a child is missing, they may be in significant danger and ODHS may need to locate them to assess and support their safety. As ODHS works to do everything it can to find these missing children and assess their safety, media alerts will be issued in some circumstances when it is determined necessary. Sometimes, in these situations, a child may go missing repeatedly, resulting in more than one media alert for the same child.

Report child abuse to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline by calling 1-855-503-SAFE (7233). This toll-free number allows you to report abuse of any child or adult to the Oregon Department of Human Services, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. 

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Community College is gearing up for its first Emergency Preparedness and Safety event, inviting students, staff, and the wider community to join in and learn vital preparedness measures. The affair, scheduled across multiple campuses from April 25 to May 2, aims to educate attendees on various aspects of emergency preparedness, including personal and pet readiness, campus safety, and more.

Schedule

• Thursday, April 25 – Southeast Campus (2305 S.E. 82nd and Division)
• Friday, April 26 – Rock Creek Campus (17705 N.W. Springville Rd)
• Wednesday, May 1 – Sylvania Campus (12000 S.W. 49th Ave.)
• Thursday, May 2 – Cascade Campus (705 N. Killingsworth St.)

Among the highlights of this initiative is the presence of Freya, the Preparedness Pup, who will assist in demonstrating first aid techniques for pets. Additionally, PCC Emergency Preparedness Manager Lorraine Churchill and the college’s Department of Public Safety team will be on hand to provide guidance and information.

“Our preparedness and safety events serve to help each person gain greater personal strength through preparedness, information sharing and activities,” said Churchill, who has given talks internationally on disaster preparedness and response.

The event also offers opportunities for attendees to learn about signing up for emergency alerts, acquiring essential supplies, and engaging with volunteer opportunities in disaster management. Local first responders will participate as their schedules allow, further enhancing the educational experience.

With the Pacific Northwest prone to various hazards, the event emphasizes the importance of preparing for all types of disaster. Attendees are encouraged to participate actively in these sessions to enhance their safety and resilience in the face of potential crises. For more information or inquiries, contact epare@pcc.edu">prepare@pcc.edu, or visit https://www.pcc.edu/public-safety/emergencies/.

About Portland Community College: Founded in 1961, Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and provides training, degree and certificate completion, and lifelong learning to more than 50,000 full- and part-time students in Multnomah, Washington, Yamhill, Clackamas, and Columbia counties. PCC has four comprehensive campuses, 10 education centers or areas served, and approximately 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

Visit PCC news on the web at http://news.pcc.edu/

SALEM, Ore. – April 15, 2024 – This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, an annual event that honors the essential role emergency response coordination professionals play in keeping the nation’s communities safe and secure. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has proclaimed April 14-20 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in the state and encouraged all Oregonians to join in the observance.

Oregon has 43 standalone 911 centers known as Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that serve as the first and single point of contact for people seeking immediate relief during an emergency. Nearly 800 dedicated telecommunicators across the state answer at least 2 million emergency calls annually for law enforcement, fire and emergency medical services. These 911 professionals respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance during intense personal crises and community-wide disasters.

“Oregon’s 911 telecommunicators are heroes devoted to public safety and helping others. They work long hours, remaining calm in all types of situations and quickly constructing plans of action based on limited information,” said Oregon Department of Emergency Management State 911 Program Manager Frank Kuchta. “These individuals are lifelines in an emergency, and this annual observance honors their skills, dedication and commitment to helping Oregonians.”

Many 911 professionals are certified as Emergency Medical Dispatchers (EMD) and receive training on how to process requests for medical assistance and how to dispatch medical providers. Some go on to receive specialty training in crisis intervention, law enforcement support and tactical dispatching, while others receive intermediate and advanced certifications and become leaders in the field. All 911 professionals work diligently behind the scenes to help people during emergencies ranging from mental health crises, car accidents, missing person reports, burglaries and domestic violence disturbances. 

Since early 2020, Oregon’s public safety telecommunicators have had the added responsibility of serving throughout a pandemic, historic wildfires, heatwaves, winter storms, floods and severe staffing shortages.

“On any given day, our public safety dispatchers have an incredibly stressful job; during the last several years, that’s been compounded as they’ve responded to unprecedented disasters in which they were the first to answer the call,” said Kuchta. “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week brings well-deserved attention and recognition to these invaluable professionals.”

The critical work of Oregon’s public safety telecommunicators directly supports the operations of federal, state and local government agencies, including emergency management, highway safety, and search and rescue. Oregon’s 911 program was established by the 1981 Oregon Legislature and is managed by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. Learn more at oregon.gov/OEM.

###

Photo Caption: Oregon's 911 telecommunicators serve as the first and single point of contact for people seeking immediate relief during an emergency. (Oregon Department of Emergency Management)

Photo Caption: Oregon Governor Kotek proclaimed April 14-20 as Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in the state and encouraged all Oregonians to join in the observance. (Oregon Department of Emergency Management)

Salem, OR—Midnight tonight, April 15, 2024, is the deadline to file tax year 2023 state and federal personal income tax returns and the Oregon Department of Revenue wants to remind taxpayers of the tools available to make the experience easier for both those who haven’t yet filed their 2023 return and those who have.

Through April 14, Revenue has processed 1.67 million of an expected 2.2 million returns and issued nearly 1.4 million refunds.

Free filing options

Revenue reminds those who haven’t yet filed, that filing electronically is the fastest way for taxpayers to get their refund. Oregon Free Fillable Forms performs basic calculations and is ideal for taxpayers who don’t need help preparing their returns and want the convenience of filing electronically. The IRS offers a similar option for filing federal taxes electronically.

New this year, the department is also offering Direct File Oregon, which allows taxpayers to file their Form OR-40 through Revenue Online. Direct File Oregon is not currently linked with the IRS Direct File. Taxpayers will need to file a separate federal return with the IRS before filing an Oregon return with Direct File Oregon through Revenue Online.

Information about other available free tax preparation tax preparation software is available on the Revenue website, along with a list of organizations providing free or reduced cost assistance.

What’s My Kicker? calculator

In 2024 Oregon is returning $5.61 billion in surplus revenue to taxpayers in the form of a “kicker” tax credit. Taxpayers will receive their kicker as part of their refund, or the kicker can reduce the tax they owe.

Taxpayers, who have not filed their 2023 return, should not guess at their kicker amount. They can determine the amount of their kicker using the What’s My Kicker? calculator available on Revenue Online. To use the tool, taxpayers will need to enter their name, Social Security Number, and filing status for 2022 and 2023.

Where’s my refund? tool and video

Taxpayers wondering about the refund on their 2023 tax year return, can use the Oregon Department of Revenue’s Where’s My Refund? tool to check its status and, if they want more information, watch a video outlining the refund timelines to better understand the process.

Doug, the new virtual assistant

The agency’s new virtual assistant Doug is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on Revenue Online to answer general tax questions. 

Doug, an avatar Oregon fir tree, is located in the upper right hand corner of the Revenue Online homepage.  With just a few clicks of the keyboard, users will be able to access instant, helpful, insightful answers. It's important to note that Doug does have some limitations. The virtual assistant is pre-programmed with answers to common questions, therefore, users with detailed questions pertaining to their unique circumstances are encouraged to consult their tax preparer or contact the department directly.

If you file a paper return

Taxpayers who haven’t yet filed their 2023 return and file a paper return should make sure it’s post-marked by today or place it in one of the drop boxes available on both the east and west sides of the Department of Revenue Building in Salem, or outside the DOR offices in Portland, Gresham, Eugene, Medford, and Bend.

DOR staff will be on hand in the atrium of the Salem headquarters building today until 5 PM to accept and stamp tax returns as having been filed timely.

Filing an extension. 

Individuals who are not able to file by midnight can file an extension directly with the Oregon Department of Revenue or with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If the IRS extension is granted, the Oregon extension is automatically granted. A timely filed extension moves the federal tax filing deadline and the Oregon filing deadline to October 15, 2024.

Taxpayers should only request an Oregon extension if they:

• Don’t have a federal extension.
• Owe Oregon taxes.
• Can’t file your return by April 15, 2024.

Remember that having a filing extension is not an extension to pay any tax owed. Taxpayers who can’t pay the full amount they owe, should pay what they can to avoid late payment penalties.

First quarter 2024 estimated payments due today

Today is also the due date for first quarter estimated payments. In most cases, taxpayers must make estimated tax payments for tax year 2024 if they estimate their tax after withholding and credits (including refundable credits) will be $1,000 or more when they file their 2024 Oregon return. Taxpayers can make their payments on Revenue Online or mail their payment with a voucher. Taxpayers mailing their payment should mail it separately from their return or other correspondence. Oregon Estimated Income Tax Instructions, Publication OR-ESTIMATE, can be found on the Revenue website. 
 

Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get tax forms, see a list of approved tax preparation software products, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments. For questions not answered on our website, call 800-356-4222 toll-free (English or Spanish) or 503-378-4988 or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), we accept all relay calls. Due to the number of calls Revenue receives during tax season, you may experience extended wait times.

a new “front door” to healthcare opens to those experiencing homelessness 

April 15, 2024, Portland, OR – Tomorrow, Central City Concern (CCC) formally launches a new Mobile Health program as part of our new 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. A launch party, including speakers and the unveiling of two new, custom built healthcare vans will be held on Tuesday, April 16 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. in Pioneer Courthouse Square. Speakers honoring the new program include Dr. Andy Mendenhall, CCC President and CEO; Dan McMillan, President and CEO, The Standard; and Dr. Sejal Hathi, Director, Oregon Health Authority; among others. The event is sponsored by The Standard. 

People experiencing homelessness are constantly on the move, which can make traditional “brick and mortar” service delivery challenging. CCC has partnered with Medical Teams International (MTI) to move the front door of traditional healthcare, making it easier to offer services in a mobile setting. CCC will now offer a range of expanded primary care which includes behavioral health care, improving access to services and housing resources, while MTI is offering dental services. CCC’s two new, large, custom-made vans allow our teams to directly provide wound care, physical exams, infectious disease screening, vaccinations, and medications.  

CCC operates two teams, each staffed with a combination of roles including a Primary Care Provider (Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, or Naturopathic Doctor), behavioral health specialist, and a community health outreach worker. The teams are visiting the Temporary Assistance Shelter Sites (TASS), sanctioned encampments and congregate shelter sites, unsanctioned encampments and locations where unsheltered community members are located, and service hubs like day centers, food/meal resource sites, and community events. 

We are so proud to celebrate this milestone event,” says Dr. Andy Mendenhall, President and CEO. “Folks need access to the right treatment at the right time. Sometimes that means bringing services to their front door, wherever that may be. We know a lot of folks in our community have felt unseen or marginalized by traditional healthcare services. Our hope is that by bringing healthcare to our neighbors' door, we can treat problems immediately and prevent future complications or hospitalizations. Timely treatment is a core to building trust and getting folks connected with other necessary services. If you see one of our vans going down your street, give a little wave and say hi!

Funding for the program has been provided by Multnomah County’s Joint Office of Homeless Services, Oregon Health Authority, Trillium Community Health Plan, the Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund, and the City of Portland. Community partners include Medical Teams International, Urban Alchemy, All Good Northwest, Transition Projects, Inc., Blanchet House, JOIN, and Portland Street Medicine. Learn more about CCC's Mobile Health program https://centralcityconcern.org/health-care-location/mobile-health/

Trillium Community Health Plan is proud to partner with Central City Concern to advance health equity, remove barriers to care, and meet unhoused community members where they are through this Mobile Health Program,” said Trillium Community Health Plan President & CEO Sarah Kelley Brewer. “Together we’re transforming the health of the communities we serve and increasing access to care for all Oregonians.

About CCC     

Located in Portland, Oregon, Central City Concern (CCC) provides a comprehensive continuum of affordable housing options integrated with direct social services including health care, recovery, and employment. Founded in 1979, CCC has a staff of over 1,200 and an annual operating budget of $130 million. CCC serves more than 14,000 individuals annually. Up to 30,000 people across the tri-county region are affected annually by homelessness. Learn more at https://centralcityconcern.org/ 

In the early hours of this morning, Longview Fire Department responded swiftly to a significant fire at 2715 Fir St. The incident, which involved a fully engulfed detached garage, was reported to emergency services at approximately 2:01 AM. The fire posed an imminent threat to neighboring residences.

Firefighting units and Longview Police arrived at the scene within five minutes of the initial 911 call, at 2:06 AM, to find the garage ablaze, with the potential to spread. Crews deployed hose lines and quickly knocked down the fire, preventing spread to the nearby homes.

While the structure of the garage sustained severe damage, damage to surrounding property was minimal. A vehicle parked in front of the garage suffered minor damage. No injuries were reported among civilians or firefighting personnel.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

“This fire was moments away from spreading to occupied homes.  In the face of a fire, every second counts. Smoke detectors play a crucial role in providing the early warning that can mean the difference between life and death. They allow occupants vital time to escape and avoid tragedy. I cannot stress enough the importance of ensuring that your home is equipped with functioning smoke detectors to protect both lives and property," said Battalion Chief Eric Koreis.

At 1244 am on April 14, 2024, Bend Fire & Rescue was dispatched to a reported structure fire at 21910 Rickard Rd.  Initial reports were of a barn fire that was spreading to a nearby residence.  On arrival, crews found an approximately 1,400 square foot shop/storage building fully involved in fire, with extension to nearby trees, vegetation, and the exterior of a small house nearby.  The fire was quickly knocked down, with crews taking a defensive stance on the shop and protecting nearby structures.  The shop and contents were a complete loss.  The fire had extended to the exterior of the small house, and while it did not do significant damage to the interior, the structure was not livable due to the damage.  The occupant declined Red Cross assistance.  Total damage is estimated at $200,000.  

UPDATE:

Due to the severity of the damage to the shop building, the exact cause of the fire could not be determined.  The damage estimate remains at approximately $200,000 and includes damage to the exterior of small residential structure, the shop/storage building, one small tractor, one passenger car, two pickup trucks, and two small travel trailers, along with personal belongings stored in the building.  

Bend Fire & Rescue would like to remind the community that working smoke alarms save lives.  In this case, only a single smoke alarm was present in the home, the other having been removed when it malfunctioned recently. Fortunately, the occupant was awakened by the fire when they heard what sounded like a large object falling outside, but a working smoke alarm is still the best way to get an early warning and have time to safely evacuate.  Not sure if yours work?  Check them today, and if they're more than 10 years old, replace the entire alarm.  For more information on home fire safety, visit our website at https://www.bendoregon.gov/government/departments/fire-rescue/safety-tips-emergency-preparedness.

For Information Contact: 

Stephanie O’Dell

360-608-3395

StephanieOdellCamas@gmail.com

District 19N Lions Co-Conference Chair

District 19N Lions and Longview Pioneer Lions Welcome International Officer

Longview, WA -- Lions Club members from the District 19N Lions and Longview Pioneer Lions will welcome Past International Director, Ken Ibarra of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization. Director Ibarra, from San Bruno, CA, will address the Lions during their annual District Convention on Saturday, April 20. “We are happy to welcome Director Ibarra and his partner-in-service Amy Fink to the Pacific Northwest,” said District Governor, Lisa Ikeda. “We look forward to sharing with them all that our District 19N Lions have accomplished in the area.” Lions clubs conduct a variety of projects and events concerning vision, the environment, hunger, and youth scholarships. 

District 19N is comprised of 78 clubs with approximately 2,275 working on projects of their own choosing based on the needs in their communities. Clubs in our area include:  Camas, Washougal, Longview Pioneer, Longview-Kelso Early Birds, Vancouver, Salmon Creek, Ridgefield, Peninsula (Long Beach & Ocean Park), Lyle, White Salmon, Kalama, Battle Ground, La Center, and more!  Lions clubs are groups of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information or to get involved with a Lions Club in the District, please visit https://district19nlions.weebly.com/clubszones.html.

Lions Clubs International is the largest service club organization in the world. Its 1.4 million members in more than 46,000 clubs are serving communities in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the globe. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired, championed youth initiatives and strengthened local communities through hands-on service and humanitarian projects. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit lionsclubs.org. 

###

Vancouver, Wash. – The Southwest Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT), led by the Vancouver Police Department, is conducting the Independent Investigation of the officer-involved use of force incident involving deputies from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, which occurred on April 13, 2024, at approximately 11:30 a.m. at the American Legion located at 14011 NE 20th Avenue in Clark County. 

Clark County Sheriff’s deputies were attempting to locate two carjacking suspects, one reported to be armed with a firearm.  Deputies observed the male suspect enter the American Legion building, made contact with him inside, and the officer-involved shooting occurred. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The investigation of the officer-involved shooting is being led by the Vancouver Police Department. Additional information will be released as it becomes available and will be sent out via media release.

###

On 04/13/2024, a hiker from the Newport area located human remains in a dispersed campsite just outside the city limits of Newport, OR. The hiker reported the incident to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to the area and were directed to the campsite, which was located approximately 100 yards into thick foliage from the roadway. The remains appeared to have been exposed to the environment for a prolonged period of time. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputies and Detectives conducted a death investigation before the Lincoln County Search and Rescue Team assisted in removing the remains. The remains have been tentatively identified but will undergo advanced testing to make a final determination. No identifying information is being released at this time. No suspicious circumstances have been determined and there is no concern for community safety.

If anyone has any information relating to this incident, please call the Sheriff’s Tip Line at 541-265-0669. Reference case number 24S-06357.

####

UPDATE-4/13/24 4:50pm

Around 3:25 p.m., CCSO Deputies located and arrested the female suspect near NE 144th Street and NE 20th Avenue. 

Any additional updates on this investigation will come from the SW Washington Independent Investigative Response Team (SWIIRT).

Update- 4/13/24 2:45pm

At 10:38 a.m. on April 13^th, 2024, Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) Deputies responded to a reported carjacking in Hazel Dell (9200 Block of NE 15^th Avenue).

The victim reported that two suspects, a male and a female, had stolen his van. The witness also stated that the male suspect was armed with a handgun. The suspects reportedly left the scene in the stolen van.

At 10:54 a.m., CCSO Deputies were dispatched to a suspicious circumstance near Goodwill in Salmon Creek, located at 14300 NE 20^th Avenue. Witnesses stated that a male and female had attempted to carjack a vehicle with a person inside.

Descriptions of the suspects near Goodwill matched the descriptions of the armed suspects in the Hazel Dell carjacking.

Deputies responded to the scene and set up a containment area to search for the suspects. Deputies located the stolen van from the Hazel Dell carjacking behind the American Legion at 14011 NE 20^th Avenue. Deputies observed the male suspect enter the American Legion.

Deputies contacted the suspect inside the American Legion, where an officer-involved shooting took place. The male suspect is deceased.

No deputies were physically injured.

Law enforcement searched the area using K9 and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) but were unable to locate the female suspect. She is currently outstanding. 

Four CCSO deputies are now on Critical Incident Leave, per standard protocol. 

The information is preliminary, and this is an ongoing investigation. The Clark County Sheriff’s Office notified the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations. The SW Washington Independent Investigation Team (SWIIRT), led by the Vancouver Police Department, will be investigating the shooting.  

As part of CCSO’s Body Worn Camera (BWC) Program, video captured by body-worn cameras and in-car cameras will be reviewed and released at a later time.

In compliance with WAC 139-12, Clark County Sheriff’s Office personnel will not be involved in this investigation.

• All future communications will be sent via the SWIIRT.
• The SWIIRT will release the names of the involved deputies.
• The Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the name of the deceased.
• Once the SWIIRT investigation is complete, the case will be forwarded to the Clark County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

No further information is available at this time.

Clark County Sheriff’s Deputies have been involved in a shooting in the Salmon Creek area near the Walgreens at 139^th Street and 20^th Avenue. There is a large police presence at the scene; please avoid the area. More information will be released soon.

The Multnomah Education Service District Board of Directors will meet in Regular Session at 6:00 p.m. on April 16, 2024.  At the end of the Regular Session meeting, the Board will move to Executive Session under (ORS 192.660(2)(i)) -To review and evaluate the employment-related performance of the chief executive officer, employee or staff member who does not request an open hearing and (ORS 192.660(2)(d))-To conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to carry on labor negotiations. 
This meeting will be held virtually through Zoom.

https://multnomahesd-org.zoom.us/j/83429503975?pwd=61JrLob6htb8E0iQ99ab8hQ7VopCNa.1
Passcode: 135207