The month of April is designated as the National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Lincoln City Police Department will be utilizing traffic safety grant funds to conduct enhanced enforcement operations during the month. The Lincoln City Police Department will be joining law enforcement agencies across the state and nation in an effort to increase enforcement efforts and raise awareness to the dangers of distracted driving. Enhanced enforcement operations will be conducted periodically throughout the month of April.

Distracted Driving is a dangerous behavior for drivers, passengers, and non-occupants alike. Distracted driving is a specific type of inattention that occurs when drivers divert their attention from the task of driving, to focusing on some other activity instead. These enforcement efforts are designed to increase the number of law enforcement officers on patrol with an emphasis on seeking out drivers who are distracted by talking or texting on their cell phones or using other electronic devices while they are operating their vehicle. The goal of these enhanced enforcement efforts is to increase the safety of the citizens and visitors of Lincoln City. 

The Distracted Driving Enforcement grant funds are a valuable resource that assist us in improving the traffic safety in our community. Our objective is to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and to reduce the number of distracted drivers on the roadways to prevent crashes that cause injuries and cost lives. These grant funds were made possible through the Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Impact.

Submitted By: Lieutenant Jeffrey G. Winn

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland drug dealer with a lengthy criminal history was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison today after he was arrested transporting methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl to Redmond, Oregon.

Jason Robert Melcado, 51, a Portland resident, was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison and four years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, in June 2021, the Bend Police Department received information that Melcado was delivering methamphetamine and heroin to Deschutes County from Portland. Officers soon learned Melcado had an active felony arrest warrant and had recently been investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

On July 12, 2021, Bend police determined that Melcado was traveling to Redmond. Upon his arrest, officers found Melcado to be carrying a loaded 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number and approximately one dozen counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. The next day, after obtaining a search warrant, officers found 217 grams of methamphetamine, nearly 1,000 counterfeit pills, and smaller quantities of heroin and cocaine in Melcado’s vehicle.

On August 19, 2021, a federal grand jury in Eugene returned a three-count indictment charging Melcado with possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

On November 22, 2022, Melcado pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) Team and DEA. It was prosecuted by Gavin W. Bruce, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

The CODE team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program. CODE includes members of the Bend, Redmond, Prineville, Madras, Sunriver, and Black Butte Police Departments; the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department; the Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County Sheriff and District Attorney’s Offices; the Oregon State Police; the Oregon National Guard; DEA; and the FBI.

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Notice of Virtual Meeting

Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC)

Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittees

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

(Douglas County, OR) The next meeting for the Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council’s (LPSCC) – Behavioral Health and Housing Subcommittees will take place on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 11:30 am via a virtual conference format.

In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch or listen to the meeting via video or by phone. For information on how you can watch or listen to this meeting, please see the agenda or contact Koree Tate at kdtate@co.douglas.or.us or call (541) 957-7790.

The meeting agenda is attached and can also be found at www.co.douglas.or.us.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 23, 2023

Salmon Harbor Marina Unveils New Automated Fee Machines

(Douglas County, Ore) Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman along with Douglas County’s Salmon Harbor Marina are excited to unveil and introduce automated fee machines at Salmon Harbor Marina in Winchester Bay.  The new automated fee machines will enhance the payment processes for launches, transient moorage, and dry camping.  There are three new automated fee machines, one at the east launch ramp, one at the west launch ramp and one at the D-section of the dry-camping area on the middle spit of Salmon Harbor on Ork Rock Road. 

Salmon Harbor Marina discontinued the use of traditional pay boxes and began accepting payments through these automated fee machines, which are designed to accept credit card transactions exclusively. Visitors who prefer to pay with cash will still have the option to do so at the Salmon Harbor Marina Office, located at 100 Ork Rock Road in Winchester Bay.  The Salmon Harbor Marina Office is open Monday through Friday - 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.  For after-hours payments, envelopes will be made available at the office, and payment can be deposited in the pay slot.

The automated fee machines are the latest of several ongoing improvement projects initiated by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners and Salmon Harbor Marina in order to enhance the Winchester Bay community. 

Douglas County is also excited to promote our new social media page promoting all the wonderful recreational opportunities available in the beautiful town of Winchester Bay, Oregon. From exploring the stunning sand dunes to crabbing and fishing in the bay to camping experiences to sea glass hunting on the beach, there is always something to do for everyone.  To keep you up-to-date with all the latest news and happenings in Winchester Bay, we invite you to like and follow our Discover Winchester Bay social media page at https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverWinchesterBay/. By doing so, you'll have access to regular updates, photos, and videos of our town, as well as exclusive offers and discounts from Salmon Harbor Marina, Winchester RV Resort, Douglas County Parks, Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum & Giftshop and the Coastal Visitors Center.

Salmon Harbor Marina, “the best kept secret on the Oregon Coast,” is one of the largest recreational facilities along the Oregon Coast. Salmon Harbor has immediate access to the Umpqua River, County Parks, the Umpqua River Lighthouse Museum, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, the Pacific Ocean, and miles of public white-sand beaches.  The full-service marina offers 375 moorage slips with power and water, two launch ramps, a full-service fuel dock and 124 self-contained first come, first served camping sites with restroom and shower facilities.  They also operate the nationally renowned Winchester Bay RV Resort with 178 large full-hook up sites with newly upgraded WiFi service.  For more information about Salmon Harbor Marina check out their webpage at https://douglascounty-oregon.us/448/Salmon-Harbor-Marina.

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

See attached map

EUGENE, Ore. - Bushnell students got the unique experience to help promote a new movie. Freedom’s Path, written, directed, and produced by Brett Smith, tells the story of a freed slave and a soldier overcoming differences and becoming close like brothers. Set during the time of the Civil War Brett hopes to highlight parts of the War usually not shown in other films set during the time period.  

Smith initially contacted Assistant Professor of Marketing Christy Silverthorne about having some Bushnell students help in the marketing of the film. “I was excited to connect the students with Smith because it would give them some real-world experience in marketing and promoting this important film,” said Silverthorne. “I was extremely impressed by their professionalism and creativity in their marketing campaign. They went above and beyond in every way.”  

Bushnell students played a huge role in the behind-the-scenes. Students were asked and capitalized on aiding in certain promotion and advertising aspects of the movie. Santiago Galindo, one of the students who helped with promoting the movie, said about his experience, “I got the chance to work with an incredible Director and through social media, to bring awareness and help promote this film. It was amazing working with Brett even for just a couple of days and being part of something so special and so unique.” 

Freedom’s Path was the winner of multiple film festival awards and made its theatrical debut in February.  

Director Brett Smith was featured on KEZI news where he thanked the Bushnell students for their help promoting the film locally. You can see the full story here.  

ROSEBURG, Ore. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office will be holding an in-service training for Sheriff’s Office deputies and staff from all divisions during Roseburg School District's Spring Break. The training will take place Tuesday, March 28th -Thursday, March 30th. 

The training will be held at Green and Sunnyslope Elementary schools. DCSO staff will receive instruction in First Aid/CPR and ethics. Deputies will also participate in scenario based training. These continuing education hours keep deputies current with their certification requirements mandated by the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training and to maintain a professional level of service. 

In the interest of public notification and awareness, community members should be aware that the scenario based training will look like an active shooter/active threat response. Simulated gunfire, yelling and a general police presence may be observed by community members in the area. Signage will be present indicating a training exercise is in session. 

"We believe it is vitally important to train our deputies in the response of active threats. The use of scenario based training provides the deputies with the most realistic training possible and helps to develop them professionally in order to better serve our communities," said Lt. Brad O'Dell. “We are thankful to the Roseburg School District for their support and hospitality in hosting this important training session.

Roseburg School District Superintendent Jared Cordon said he is grateful for the ongoing partnership between the district and local law enforcement agencies.

“We appreciate the opportunity to support the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in their training efforts,” Cordon said. “The more we work together to plan and prepare for potential emergencies, the safer our schools and community will be.”

For the safety of the community and deputies, the school campus will be closed to the public during the training sessions each day, which start at 7:00 am and end at 5:00 pm. 

Any public questions should be directed to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at 541-440-4450 or dcso.pio@co.douglas.or.us.

Salem, Ore. – A retired Wood Village woman and her three sisters are planning a fun vacation together after winning the $1 million top prize in Oregon Lottery’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Raffle. 

Carol Serbick bought the winning ticket at Bumpers Grill & Bar in Fairview on March 2, 2023 – about a week before tickets were sold out.  

“I went to the restroom, walked past the bar and said to the bartender, ‘just give me one ticket,’” she said. “Between us sisters, we purchased a total of nine tickets.” 

The sisters had agreed to split the prize money before the winning numbers were drawn. The plan was for each sister to buy two – but Serbick picked up the ninth ticket on a whim. A first time Raffle player, Serbick is the oldest sibling and all four are retirees looking forward to a sisters’ trip. 

To check the winning numbers for all 1,801 Raffle prizes, players can use the Lottery’s smart phone app, go to www.oregonlottery.org or visit a participating Oregon Lottery retail location.

The $500 and $100 prize winners can claim their prizes at any Oregon Lottery retail location. In addition, players can claim their prize by mail – visit www.oregonlottery.org/claim-a-prize/ for instructions. 

The Raffle offers the best odds of any Oregon Lottery game of winning $1 million – 1 in 250,000. Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 138.8. This was the 23rd time a Raffle was offered by the Oregon Lottery. 

The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. 

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $15 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org. 

TALENT, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry has selected the southern Oregon town of Talent to be Oregon’s Tree City of the Year. Only one community is chosen each year from across the state. Cottage Grove was last year’s honoree.

To be eligible for Tree City of the Year honors, a community must be a Tree City USA. To become a Tree City USA, communities must meet requirements of the national Arbor Day Foundation for having basic tree-care policies and management in place. Talent has held that status for 23 years. Last year was also the fourth time the City earned a Growth Award for significant improvements to its urban forestry program.

A fast-moving wildfire in 2020 destroyed about 40 percent of the city, leaving thousands without homes and killing a heart-breaking number of its trees. Before the fire, Talent did not have an accurate inventory of its urban trees. With help from ODF urban forestry grants, Talent has gained access to inventory software from PlanIt Geo (Treeplotter). The City inventoried 1,500 street and park trees throughout the community – about one-third of the estimated public trees in Talent. From this data Talent is able to figure out the size, diversity, ecosystem services, and economic loss resulting from the destroyed portion of its urban forest. 

“After being devastated by the 2020 wildfire, Talent has rallied as a community, becoming very invested and committed to their urban forest. In the face of traumatic and devastating loss, they still managed to outscore all of our other growth award applicants,” said ODF Urban and Community Assistance Forester Brittany Oxford. “Most notably, they have been mapping their canopy with an equity-informed focus guiding their reforestation efforts. The City is working hard to ensure the historically underserved in Talent are the starting point from which they begin to reforest and recover.”

“This recognition was earned by the hard work of so many dedicated people in Talent, from elected city commissioners, Tree Board, volunteers and city staff, such as our new Hazard Mitigation Coordinator Mike Oxendine,” said Talent Mayor Darby Ayres-Flood. “It shows the resilience and determination of our town to come back even better than we were before the wildfire.”

A certified arborist, Oxendine has been helping Talent with its citywide hazard tree assessment and removal. He has also been staff liaison to the Talent Urban Forestry Committee and is project lead on drafting a master plan for the City’s urban forest. This is in addition to seeking out and overseeing grant funding for hazard mitigation and canopy restoration, including tree plantings.

“Post-fire grants have allowed us to hire a GIS professional contractor Nikki Hart-Brinkley, who is the owner and principal of Green Top Planning, Development, and Research,” said Oxendine.

He said Hart-Brinkley has been working on a series of maps detailing canopy coverage before and after the wildfire of 2020. 

“The maps are the basis for our Urban Tree Canopy Assessment. They show that within Talent city limits (total 851 acres) before the wildfire we had 142 acres of canopy coverage and post-fire we have 104 acres. That’s a drop in tree canopy coverage from 16.7% to 12.3%. That’s roughly a loss of one tree in four,” explained Oxendine.

“This canopy assessment is also informing our decisions about achieving equity in our reforesting efforts. We are analyzing heat islands and overlaying that data layer with socioeconomic data to show where our heat islands intersect with historically underserved populations. We can see where there is lots of asphalt and concrete and where shade trees are most needed,” said Oxendine.

Oxford said Talent is also adding to knowledge about tree performance in southern Oregon conditions, reporting data on 10 common urban trees’ growth rates in their community.
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CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of an infant, Opal Oaks, on February 26, 2023.  

The Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding the welfare and location of two-month-old Opal Oaks from her birth, on December 16, 2022, to her death on February 26, 2023.  

If between these dates you saw any of these individuals – Andrew Oaks, Barbara Oaks, or Deborah Albin – in the presence of an infant, or have any information about the health, welfare, or location of Opal, the Sheriff’s Office urges you to call their anonymous tipline at 541-753-8477 or email the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at entonCoSheriff@bentoncountyor.gov%20">BentonCoSheriff@bentoncountyor.gov, referencing case #2023-526.

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SALEM, Ore— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) formed a committee to begin the process of amending the Oregon Administrative Rules guiding the Scenic Bikeways.

A Rules Advisory Committee (RAC) will hold a virtual meeting 10 a.m. to noon March 29 to review and discuss proposed changes to administrative rules. The agency intends to update definitions regarding biking and surfaces on the scenic bikeways, increase seating on the program committee and clarify meeting process and quorum. 

The public can view a livestream of the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/@oprddirectorsoffice5783/streams . After the committee review, the rule will open for public comment. Details will be posted on the Proposed OPRD Rule web page.

The Scenic Bikeways program was established in 2009 by OPRD, Cycle Oregon, Travel Oregon and the Oregon Department of Transportation. It now includes 17 of the state’s best designated mostly-roadway bicycle routes that showcase Oregon’s breathtaking landscapes, cultural treasures and western hospitality. 

OPRD and Cycle Oregon appointed members to the advisory committee. Members include representatives of the biking community, officials from state and federal land management and recreation agencies, local government representatives, small business owners, destination marketing organizations and other impacted groups.

Individuals who require special accommodations to view the meetings should contact Jo  Niehaus at least three days in advance of the meeting at jo.niehaus@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-881-4637.

JCSO Case 23-1621

SHADY COVE, Ore. – Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) Shady Cove deputies arrested a man after he attempted to break into a local RV park front office Tuesday afternoon in the 21000 block of Highway 62. An observer witnessed the man acting suspiciously in the area and alerted authorities. JCSO deputies responded, detained and identified the suspect discovering he had a total of eight outstanding warrants for his arrest and a parole violation. 

While searching the suspect, deputies found 14-grams of methamphetamine on his person. A search of his vehicle uncovered 43.7-grams of fentanyl in multiple baggies packaged for sale, evidence of several additional burglaries, and burglary tools. Medford Police Department (MPD) detectives responded to assist in the investigation and along with JCSO deputies were able to link the suspect to burglaries from throughout the Rogue Valley. During the search, the suspect advised he had stolen keys for approximately 20 local businesses and had hidden them in a local creek.  Most of the keys and stolen property was recovered during the investigation.

The suspect, Michael Jonathan Barrett, 48, of Central Point, is charged with two counts of second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, second-degree attempted burglary, third-degree theft, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of a schedule II-controlled substance (fentanyl). He is lodged in the Jackson County Jail and due to his parole violation is not eligible for pre-trial release. Barrett was wanted on failure-to-appear warrants for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, third-degree theft, identity theft, and second-degree burglary. Barrett’s outstanding warrants included two counts of first-degree theft and second-degree burglary. His parole violation was for unlawful delivery of heroin. 

Barrett has been linked to a least two unsolved burglary cases locally. This includes a Medford dental office and a Jacksonville computer store where he stole the keys to local businesses. This case is under further investigation with MPD and JCSO following additional leads and is an example of the great multi-agency law enforcement teamwork we have in the Rogue Valley. 

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal depending on a person’s body size, tolerance and past usage. JCSO deputies seized enough fentanyl in this case to potentially kill nearly 22,000 people.

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TIP OF THE WEEK

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:           March 23, 2023

Contact:       Sheriff Curtis Landers
                   541-265-0652
                   iff@co.lincoln.or.us">lcsheriff@co.lincoln.or.us  

                                        SPRING BREAK SAFETY TIPS

For many schools, Spring Break is upon us! A break from school usually means time with friends and family, a rest from school, and travel. Regardless of how your household is spending spring break, there are some ways you can make your holiday safer while still having fun. 

You already know the basics, stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and avoid alcohol and other substances. If you do lawfully partake, be responsible and consume in moderation. If you are traveling, remember to prepare ahead and make plans to keep yourself and your companions safe. Below are some tips for a Spring Break safety. 

Plan Ahead

• Share your plans with loved ones including:
  • Any arrival or departure dates.
  • Locations and contact information for where you are staying.
  • Who you are travelling or staying with.
• Update your car or travel emergency supplies before heading out.
• Secure important documents like your passport and other ID.
   

Health and Safety

• Practice outdoor safety:
  • Wear sunscreen and eye protection.
  • Seek shade and cooler temperatures in hot climates.
  • Avoid cooling off in cold bodies of water. Drowning and/or hypothermia are more likely to occur when outdoor temperatures are warm and the water is cold.
  • Wear life jackets and avoid alcohol or other substances while boating, swimming, or during other water activities.
• Practice social responsibility:
  • Be considerate of others. Try talking out conflicts respectfully if issues arise.
  • Don’t drink or use substances and drive.
  • Remember the rules of consent. If someone does not want to drink, have sex, or participate in another activity, be respectful and don’t pressure them to do so.
  • Use the buddy system. Travel with people you trust and do not leave someone behind or with strangers.

Don’t forget your pets:

• If travelling with your fury, feathery, or scaly companion, don’t forget to bring emergency supplies for them.
• Be mindful of temperatures during activities or if you must leave them unattended.
• Have a backup pet sitter or emergency contact in case something happens before you can get back to them.

Spring Break can mean lasting memories with your friends. Unfortunately, it can also mean tragedy and increased accidents. As the weather continues to get nicer and there are more opportunities to be outdoors, remember to put safety first to protect yourself and those around you. 

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

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Salem, OR—Ten project proposals in Oregon, including one by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), have been selected to be funded by the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG). The proposals focus on assisting communities in developing Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP), and funds immediate actions to reduce wildfire risk for communities that already have an active CWPP, key roadmaps for addressing wildfire risks locally. 

Funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CWDG program helps communities, tribes, non-profit organizations, state forestry agencies and Alaska Native corporations plan for and mitigate wildfire risks as the nation faces an ongoing wildfire crisis. Scoring priority was given to project proposals that are in an area identified as having a high or very-high wildfire hazard potential, benefit a low-income community or are located in a community impacted by a severe disaster within the previous 10 years that increased wildfire risk.  

Of those that applied, the states with the largest dollar amount for their communities were Oregon, California and Washington.

Examples of proposals that have been selected for funding include:

• Oregon Department of Forestry, John Day; Grant County Defensible Space
  $681,041 to focus on 300 acres of fuels reduction treatments for Grant County landowners in the wildland-urban interface (WUI), installation of Firewise Communities, and outreach and education in the high-risk communities of John Day, Mt. Vernon, Prairie City, Dayville, Granite, Monument, Canyon City, Long Creek and Seneca.

• Klamath Watershed Partnership, Chiloquin Wildfire Risk Reduction and Education
  $616,404 to implement 165 acres of defensible space treatments over five years; to develop and implement a "Brush Dump" program; to design, purchase, and deploy a multi-use wildfire education trailer for community education and outreach events, and a mobile information distribution point during a wildfire as needed; and to build capacity and sustainability within Chiloquin Fire and Rescue through development of a part-time Mitigation Specialist position to coordinate the activities of this project and to plan future projects.
   
• Douglas Electric Cooperative Fuels Treatments, Vegetation Management, and Other Mitigation
  $9,151,505 to reduce fuel buildup in high-risk wildfire areas, enhance the utility right-of-way's ability to function as fire breaks, increase forest health, and minimize the probability that Douglas Electric's transmission and distribution system may be the origin or contributing source for the ignition of a fire. Funding from this program will enable DEC to reduce its vegetation management program to a 3-to-4-year cycle while addressing hazard trees (snags and cycle busters) not in the traditional utility space.

ODF has partnered with other organizations around the state whose applications have been selected for funding and will provide support for their proposals through various avenues.

For more information on funded proposals, visit www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/fire/grants/funded-proposals. The Forest Service will announce the second round of funding later in 2023. 

The 2023 application period for additional grant awards is planned to open spring of 2023. Revised guidance for 2023 will be posted when received from the USDA Forest Service. The ​​2022 eligibility​​ flowchart and 2022 CWDG Program fact sheet remain helpful tools to plan for the upcoming 2023 application process.

Public safety agencies from all over Lincoln County will be taking part in an interagency training exercise for emergency response to a large-scale critical event on Saturday, April 1, 2023. This training event will be a day-long event that will allow emergency responders from Lincoln County to work and train together to become better prepared to respond in the event a critical incident occurs in our county. 

This training exercise will be taking place at the Oceanlake Elementary School campus in Lincoln City, and we want to alert the public in hopes of minimizing any alarm or confusion that may occur when people see a large concentration of police cars, fire vehicles, and ambulances heading to or parked at the school. The training exercise will be occurring during Spring Break when no students will be present at the school, and the only school staff present will be those scheduled to take part in the exercise. Signs will be posted outside the school indicating that a training exercise is underway.

Agencies participating in the training exercise include the Toledo Fire Department, North Lincoln Fire and Rescue, Newport Fire Department, Lincoln City Police Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Newport Police Department, Pacific West Ambulance, First Student Transportation, Care Oregon, and the Lincoln County School District. 

Should you have questions or concerns, please contact Lincoln City Police Department Lieutenant Jeffrey Winn at 541-994-3636 or Toledo Fire Department Training Captain Shannon Brecik at 541-336-3311 x 5203.

All emergency response agencies would like to extend a big thank you to the Lincoln County School District for allowing the use of their building for this training exercise. The cooperation of all our emergency response agencies and our school district partners is crucial to helping keep the communities and citizens of Lincoln County safe. 

Submitted by:  Lieutenant Jeffrey Winn

Lane County Sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant shortly before 9:00am this morning at a residence in the 1500blk of Adelman Lp. in Eugene pursuant to a robbery investigation they are conducting. 

The Sheriff’s Office’s Special Response Team initially responded to assist with the warrant as there was information to believe that the suspects could be armed and dangerous. 

Deputies are still processing the scene and the investigation is ongoing.  One person was detained for questioning without incident.  More information will be released as it becomes available.

Portland, Ore. – About $3 million in funding is available for natural resource projects that restore and improve public lands across western Oregon. The Bureau of Land Management encourages individuals, organizations, and local governments to submit funding applications for consideration. 

Project funding is available through Title II of the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. Proposed projects should restore land health, improve water quality, or maintain existing infrastructure. Projects must benefit Oregon and California Grant (O&C) lands and resources. O&C lands are located in the 18 western Oregon counties, including: Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill Counties. 

“Title II funds are used to make investments in public lands and create employment opportunities,” said Heather Whitman, Roseburg District Manager. “These projects are vital because they improve cooperative relationships among the people that use and care for public lands.”  

BLM officials encourage applicants to discuss their project proposals with them prior to submission. Please contact the BLM District representative where the project would be implemented:

• Coos Bay District – Stephanie Messerle, l@blm.gov">smesserl@blm.gov, (541) 751-4230
• Medford District, Roseburg District, and Klamath Falls Field Office of the Lakeview District – Christina Beslin, eslin@blm.gov">cbeslin@blm.gov, (541) 618-2371; or
• Northwest Oregon District – Patricia Johnston, pjohnsto@blm.gov, (541) 683-6181.

The application forms, criteria, and instructions are available through grants.gov. The grant is under the heading Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement L23AS00283 BLM OR/WA Secure Rural Schools, Title II Grants. 

Applications are due by May 15, 2023. 

Examples of previously funded projects include noxious weed treatments, trail maintenance, garbage removal, and stream restoration. 

The Western Oregon Resource Advisory Committee will review the applications at their fall 2023 meeting.

Information about the BLM’s Western Oregon Resource Advisory Committee is available at: blm.gov/get-involved/resource-advisory-council/near-you/oregon-washington/western-oregon-rac

March 22, 2023

Media contacts: Jonathan Modie, Oregon Health Authority, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA providing vouchers for free well testing, water treatment

Umatilla, Morrow residents in Groundwater Management Area can submit applications through May 15

PORTLAND, Ore.— Oregon Health Authority is urging private well users in Umatilla and Morrow counties to take advantage of free water testing and treatment so well users in those counties can know their risk of exposure to nitrate and other contaminants.

Domestic (private) well users who live in parts of Umatilla and Morrow counties that are within the Lower Umatilla Basin Groundwater Management Area, or LUBGWMA, are eligible to apply for water testing vouchers. To be eligible for a free voucher the well water must be used for drinking, bathing, cooking and washing dishes, and the well is not part of a public water system.

“It’s important that everyone in this area of concern who relies on a domestic well finds out whether they are exposed to high nitrates and other common contaminants in their drinking water,” said Gabriela Goldfarb, OHA’s Environmental Public Health Section manager. “Testing is an essential first step that allows OHA to provide well users in Umatilla and Morrow counties access to treatment systems or other alternative sources of water for daily living.”

Testing voucher applications are accepted through May 15 and expire June 7. They cover testing for nitrate, arsenic, bacteria, lead, iron, manganese and hardness. Applications are available at http://bit.ly/3xzx1cp. They also can be accessed from OHA’s LUBGWMA page in both English and Spanish.

As of today, 38 testing vouchers have been distributed in Morrow County and one in Umatilla County. Most were submitted following a March 11 event organized by Morrow County Public Health and community-based organization Oregon Rural Action. Volunteers went door to door to promote well water testing, distribute OHA well testing voucher applications and collect water samples.

Morrow County conducted extensive water testing after issuing a June 2022 domestic well water emergency declaration; Umatilla County has also made testing available to residents. OHA is working closely with the counties to use existing test results to identify households at risk and offer treatment and, where treatment is not adequate, provide alternative water supplies with support from the Oregon Department of Human Services. End-of-tap treatment systems are not effective when nitrate levels are above 25 milligrams per liter (mg/L), or may not produce enough water to meet the needs of larger households.

There are an estimated 4,500 wells used for drinking water in the LUBGWMA. Some wells serve multiple households. OHA estimates about 80% of the wells are in Umatilla County and 20% are in Morrow County.

OHA’s testing and treatment effort is funded through June 2023 by a $881,987 Legislative Emergency Board allocation, which pays for 800 tests and 84 reverse-osmosis treatment systems. Gov. Tina Kotek’s budget request this year includes resources that would extend funding for this work into the 2023-2025 biennium.

OHA will soon begin providing vouchers for in-home treatment systems for certain households with private well water. Those that have tested at or above 10 mg/L, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) maximum recommended contaminant level for the compound in drinking water, may be eligible for treatment or provision of water for household use.

The LUBGWMA is an area that spans the northern portions of Morrow and Umatilla counties along the Columbia River, and encompasses the cities of Hermiston, Boardman, Irrigon, Stanfield, Echo and nearby unincorporated areas. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) designated the LUBGWMA in 1990 under Oregon’s groundwater Quality Protection Act of 1989 due to regional nitrate-nitrogen concentrations in groundwater that exceeded 7 mg/L.

Here is what different nitrate levels mean: The federal Safe Drinking Water Act defines high nitrate as a level exceeding 10 mg/L.

• Nitrate up to 10 mg/L is SAFE for all uses.
• Nitrate between 11 mg/L and 40 mg/L is NOT SAFE to drink for infants who rely on baby formula, children younger than 3, or women who are or may become pregnant, or to use for tooth brushing in children younger than 3. It is SAFE to drink short term, up to a year, by people 3 and older (except pregnant women), pets and livestock. It is SAFE for other domestic uses, including bathing, washing dishes, laundry and garden irrigation.
• Nitrate above 40 mg/L is NOT SAFE for drinking. It is SAFE for other domestic uses, including bathing, washing dishes, laundry and garden irrigation.

OHA has additional information about nitrate in a fact sheet posted on its website in English and Spanish.

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On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, the Oregon State Police Major Crimes Section and the Linn County Major Crimes Team responded to Linn County to investigate an officer involved shooting.  

At approximately 2 P.M., Linn County Deputies responded to the area of Cascadia to investigate a reported disturbance.  Upon arrival at the reported location, Deputies confronted an armed male and the incident resulted in two Deputies discharging their duty weapons.  Deputies rendered emergency medical aid to the suspect, Noah David Colgrove (30) of Sweet Home, however he was declared deceased at the scene.  The Deputies were uninjured during the incident. 

The Deputies involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave; per agency policy and practice.

At this time, no further information is available for release.  This is on-going investigation and future updates will come from the Oregon State Police or the Linn County District Attorney’s Office.

The Roseburg Fire Department will be flushing fire hydrants from April 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023.  Hydrant flushing will be conducted from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, seven days a week. 

The Fire Department realizes that hydrant flushing may cause some inconvenience, however, the flushing program is necessary to ensure the proper functioning and delivery of adequate water from the water mains when needed for fire control.  The community’s cooperation with this hydrant-flushing program is appreciated. 

During the flushing process, customers may experience low water pressure or discolored water. While the water is safe to drink, customers may prefer to wait until it runs clear before drinking or washing clothes and dishes.

03/22/2023 09:24 AM

Media Contact: 

Lt. Ben Harvey, Corvallis Police Department

(541) 766-6556 / benjamin.harvey@corvallisoregon.gov

Corvallis Police Investigate Stabbing at the Skate Park

On March 22, 2023 at approximately 3:05 am, Officers of the Corvallis Police Department responded to the area of the Skate Park, 190 SW B Ave, for a report of a stabbing. Officers arriving on scene located a 41-year-old male, with no fixed address with stab wounds. The male victim was transported by ambulance to the emergency room where he is being treated for his injuries. Detectives from the Corvallis Police Department were called in and the investigation is ongoing. Police vehicles, crime scene tape and personnel will be in the area of the Skate Park throughout the day as the investigation continues. Anyone with information, or who may have witnessed the incident are encouraged to contact Corvallis Police Detective Josh Zessin. Detective Zessin can be contacted at 541-766-6924.

March 22, 2023

Contact: Afiq Hisham, 971-273-3374, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Oregon Psilocybin Services issues state’s first licenses

PORTLAND, Ore. –Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has issued the state’s first psilocybin license as part of the nation’s first regulatory framework for psilocybin services. The manufacturer license was issued to a woman-owned business, Satori Farms PDX LLC, owned by Tori Armbrust. As the nation celebrates Women’s History Month, this woman-owned business will bring communities one step closer towards accessing psilocybin services in Oregon.

“We congratulate Tori Armbrust of Satori Farms PDX LLC for being issued the first psilocybin license in Oregon’s history and for representing women leading the way for the emerging psilocybin ecosystem,” says Oregon Psilocybin Services Section Manager Angie Allbee. “We are committed to fostering an inclusive partnership with our regulated community to ensure safe, effective and equitable psilocybin services throughout the state.”

The role of Oregon Psilocybin Services (OPS) is to license psilocybin facilitators, manufacturers, service centers and laboratories, while ensuring that those licensees and their workers comply with Oregon law. OPS began accepting applications for the four license types on January 2, 2023. OPS expects to issue additional licenses to laboratories, service centers and facilitators in the coming months.

Anyone interested in accessing psilocybin services can find service centers and facilitators once they are licensed on the OPS Licensee Directory website. The directory will contain licensee names and contact details for all licensees that have requested to have their information published. This may also provide opportunities for licensed psilocybin businesses to connect.

Oregon Psilocybin Services (OPS) has also begun publishing a Weekly Report on Applications for Licenses and Worker Permits. The new weekly report includes information about total number of applications received by type and status. OPS will update the report on a weekly basis.

OPS encourages the public to visit the OPS website for more information and to sign up for updates on the section’s work.

For the latest updates, subscribe to the Oregon Psilocybin Services distribution list at: oregon.gov/psilocybin 

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The Benton County Board of Commissioners is aware that advocates are circulating a petition asking the Board to delay its consideration of any land use action at Coffin Butte landfill until after the County has completed a sustainable materials management plan.

The following message was delivered by Benton County Board Chair Pat Malone at the Benton County Board of Commissioners Meeting on March, 21, 2023:

While we appreciate the level of interest in Benton County’s solid waste and disposal future, we have consistently asked community members, including our Planning Commission, Solid Waste Advisory Council, and Disposal Site Advisory Committee to focus their comments to the Workgroup as the “One Table” for issues related to solid waste and disposal, including Coffin Butte landfill.

Over the past year, dozens of community members have invested substantial time and energy into that constructive effort and we continue to ask all interested community members to direct comments to the solid waste process work group at entoncountytalkstrash@bentoncountyor.gov">bentoncountytalkstrash@bentoncountyor.gov.

To be clear, Benton County has not received any new application at the landfill and the County will not prematurely judge or take a position on any land use application.

Regarding the petition, it asks the Board of Commissioners to take action that is outside of our scope of authority under Oregon law and is asking us to take one or more actions that could jeopardize the County’s ability to manage the decision-making process, instead turning the action over to the landfill operator and Oregon courts.

Importantly, when any land use application is filed in the state of Oregon, a local government, including Benton County, must take final action within 150 days of receiving the complete application. If Benton County were to delay taking action, that would open the door for an applicant to take action in circuit court that could compel judicial approval of the proposal.

The Board is committed to keep land use decision-making authority here in our community, where we can hear from all voices directly, and then decide fairly and objectively what is right for our future.

We think that makes sense for the future of our community, for the Willamette Valley, and for Oregon. Thank you for your collaborative participation in this important discussion.

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Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

Benton County is teaming with Oregon State University researchers, state and federal agency partners, County Commissioners, industry leaders, non-profit advocates, and other key stakeholders for an “In the Know about H20” discussion at the Willamette Valley Planners Network Meeting, Thursday, March 23 from 3-5 p.m. at the Benton County Kalapuya Building in Corvallis.

The session will provide colleagues working on a wide range of water issues the opportunity to discuss the future of water in the Willamette Valley and the importance of individual and collective water resource management.

“These researchers, legislators, and change-makers who have common understandings and different perspectives about water security are coming together for an important discussion,” said Shannon Bush. “Researchers will highlight how their latest work may directly inform and/or impact water scarcity, access, or quality issues in local communities.” 

OSU research presentations will be followed by a panel discussion focused on identifying opportunities to improve collaboration and partnerships, resource sharing, and envisioning the future of water security in the Willamette Valley.

WHEN: Thursday, March 23, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333

WHAT and WHY: 

• 45 mins: OSU researchers will each have 5 minutes for a “lightning round” to present their latest research and findings. This is meant to share state-of-the-art research related to and impacts planners, communities, etc.
• 45 mins-1 hour: Moderated panel discussion tying in some of the OSU researchers’ findings and recommendations with panelists asking thought-provoking questions of the group, trying to consider ways to address water access, security, scarcity, quality, etc.
• 20-30 mins: Open forum Q&A among attendees.

WHO:

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Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please call Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or email pioinfo@co.benton.or.us.

Please see attached

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports that deputies of the Sheriff’s Office have been involved in an officer-involved shooting, while responding to a 9-1-1 call of a disturbance at a residence in east Linn County. The Linn County Major Crimes Team, led by Oregon State Police, have been engaged to investigate the shooting, as is required by agency policy and state statute. We will provide updates as additional details become available.

TELECOMMUNICATIONS POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING CANCELLED

Notice of Meeting Cancellation

The Telecommunications Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training meeting scheduled for May 3rd, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. has been cancelled due to lack of agenda items.

The next Telecommunications Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for August 2nd, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

TUALATIN, OR, March 21, 2023 – The Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities (The Alliance) has signed an operating agreement with Core Education Services, a public benefit corporation on a mission to transform the business model for small- and mid-sized colleges and universities to unleash its shared service platform and business transformation solutions. The agreement with Core will allow The Alliance and its 12-member institutions to leverage economies of scale to improve services, technology and operating effectiveness. 

“The combined budgets of The Alliance member institutions are more than $1 Billion,” said President of the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities Brent Wilder. “We need to find the right platform to empower our institutions to work independently yet take advantage of the economies of scale for shared services. Our operating agreement with Core provides us with the best of both worlds.” 

“The operating partnership with Core is an important strategic initiative,” said President of Linfield University and Chairman of the board for The Alliance Miles Davis. “The operating agreement with Core creates a shared service platform that encourages inter-institutional collaboration, improving the collective strength of our 12 institutions.”   

The agreement allows The Alliance institutions to transform their business models with shared service through a unique operating partnership. Supporting services and expanded human resources for member institutions include enterprise and campus technology, institutional research, financial planning, capital strategies, workflow automation, academic programming services, revenue growth, and compliance support services. 

“Business model transformation requires innovation and creativity,” said Executive Chairman of Core Education Rick Beyer. “By creating economies of scale and providing access to top talent and resources that would otherwise be inaccessible, members of The Alliance will have an operating partner who understands what it takes to establish long-term prosperity through transformation.”

About the Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges and Universities
The Alliance’s activities foster collaboration and find the intersection between the needs and expertise of member institutions, industry leaders, philanthropy, and government. In doing so, The Alliance is a contributing partner to Oregon’s 40-40-20 education attainment goal, strengthening the state’s intellectual, creative, and economic resources. The mission of Oregon Alliance of Independent College and Universities is to represent and serve its member institutions, all of which are accredited by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education, nonprofit, independent colleges and universities in Oregon. For more information, please visit www.oaicu.org.

About Core Education Services, PBC
Core Education is a public benefit corporation with a mission to help small- and mid-sized institutions transform their business model. By creating a culture of prosperity, Core leverages its economies of scale to achieve operational effectiveness, technological efficiency, and market expansion implemented through innovative shared services. For more information, please visit www.core.edu.

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

Mia, age 16, is a child who went missing from Salem on Nov. 29, 2022. She was found March 17, 2023. 

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. 

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ROSEBURG, Ore. - The Sheriff's Office has arrested three individuals for their involvement in a series of armed robberies that occurred between February 9th and February 12th, 2023.

The Log Cabin Grocery was robbed on February 9th and then on February 12th, the Winchester Market and the Dillard Market were robbed.  The Sheriff's Office along with the Roseburg Police Department investigated the robberies. During the course of the investigation 33 year old Dillon Oden of Roseburg and 33 year old Aurelio Sandoval of Los Angeles were developed as suspects.

On March 12th, 2023, Sheriff's Deputies responded to a disturbance in the Green area that involved stolen property and a firearm. During the course of that investigation, deputies arrested Oden and Sandoval on charges related to the disturbance.  Sheriff's Detectives responded to the scene and subsequently served a search warrant.  Detectives identified 29 year old Sabastian Tucker of Myrtle Creek as a third suspect in the robberies.

On March 15th, all three suspects were arrested and charged with multiple charges relating to the armed robberies including First Degree Robbery.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 21, 2023

MEETING NOTICE

Douglas County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan

2023 Update Kickoff Meeting

Thursday, March 22, 2023

(Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice and Tim Freeman, in conjunction with the Douglas County Planning Department, Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development and the University of Oregon are pleased to inform the public that the kick off meeting for the 2023 update of the Douglas County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan will take place on Thursday, March 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm via an online zoom meeting. 

In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch the meeting. To view the meeting online, please visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88461604293?pwd=cjVJZ005L3BHdDB6d002U2pnaHA0QT09.  Using Passcode: 783160 | Webinar ID: 884 6160 4293.

For additional information about this meeting, please contact the Douglas County Planning Department at (541) 440-4289 or email at planning2@co.douglas.or.us  The meeting agenda is attached and can also be found at https://douglascounty-oregon.us/.

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Media Contact:     Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

OREGON COAST, Ore—Two popular coastal campgrounds will temporarily close this fall and winter for construction projects. 

Bullards Beach, two miles north of Bandon, and Beverly Beach, seven miles north of Newport, will close their campgrounds temporarily for construction projects. 

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department understands that it takes time to plan a trip and wanted to give potential visitors enough notice to find alternative parks for their fall and winter visits.

• Beverly Beach campgrounds will be closed Sept. 5, 2023 through May 24, 2024 to upgrade the park and campground power and water lines as part of the Go Bond projects, which include improvements at 11 parks around the state. 
• Bullards Beach campgrounds will be closed Oct. 15, 2023 through March 15, 2024 for a main sewer line upgrade. 

While the campgrounds will be closed at Bullards Beach, visitors can still enjoy the day-use area, boat ramp, lighthouse and horse camp, which will remain open. 

All facilities will be closed at Beverly Beach.

OPRD knows that these campgrounds are well loved places that will be missed this fall and winter season. The closures will allow crews to improve the parks for seasons to come. 

“Thank you for your patience as we make improvements to the campground that will enhance the park experience for all of our visitors,” said Bullards Beach Park Manager Nick Schoeppner.

March 21, 2023

Media contacts:

• Jonathan Modie, Oregon Health Authority, 971-246-9139, Communications@oha.oregon.gov
• Andrea Cantu-Schomus, Oregon Department of Agriculture, 503-881-9049, ea.cantu-schomus@oda.oregon.gov">andrea.cantu-schomus@oda.oregon.gov

Gresham company recalling frozen strawberry products linked to hepatitis A cases in Washington

Oregon health officials are working with federal partners to determine whether product has caused any illnesses in Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore.— Scenic Fruit Company of Gresham is recalling frozen "Organic Strawberries” sold at Costco, Aldi, KeHE, Vital Choice Seafood and PCC Community Markets, and frozen “Organic Tropical Fruit Blend” sold at Trader Joe’s, due to an outbreak of hepatitis A illnesses.

Five outbreak-associated cases of hepatitis A have been reported in Washington since March 13. The five cases occurred between November 11 and December 27, 2022, and two individuals required hospitalization. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), everyone reported eating frozen organic strawberries.

Although no patients with hepatitis A in Oregon have been definitively linked to the consumption of these products, Oregon Health Authority (OHA) officials are monitoring the outbreak in Washington. In addition, OHA is interviewing persons diagnosed with hepatitis A to determine if any have consumed frozen berries.

“Since these products were available in Oregon stores, we want to let people know about them so they can take steps to protect themselves and their families,” said Ann Thomas, M.D., M.P.H., a public health physician in OHA’s Acute and Communicable Disease Prevention Section. “At this point, OHA is carefully investigating any new cases of hepatitis A virus to determine if they are associated with the outbreak, but we have not yet been able to link any Oregon cases to these products.”

The following products are subject to this recall:

The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the company continue their investigation into what caused the problem. In addition, the company is removing all inventories of the affected lot from sale.

“The company is voluntarily recalling the affected products and cooperating with the FDA,” said Karel Smit, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Program manager. “The purpose of the recall is to remove the products from commerce and prevent the public from consuming potentially affected products.”

Although no hepatitis A virus has been found in the products, consumers should stop eating the product, and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, or throw it away. Consumers with questions may contact the company at .service@scenicfruit.com">customer.service@scenicfruit.com.

Thomas said, “People who believe they’ve gotten sick from consuming frozen strawberries purchased at Costco or Trader Joe’s should contact a health care provider.”

Since 2014, Oregon has seen an average of 20 cases a year, with 2020 having the highest number at 29. Symptoms of hepatitis A infection include jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), tiredness, stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (frequent watery bowel movements), dark urine, and light-colored bowel movements.

The disease varies in severity, with mild cases lasting two weeks or less and more severe cases lasting four to six weeks or longer. Hepatitis A infection can result in hospitalization. Some individuals, especially children, may not develop jaundice and may have a mild illness that can go unnoticed. However, even mildly ill people can be highly infectious. People with symptoms suggestive of hepatitis should consult a physician immediately, even if symptoms are mild.

For information about the national hepatitis A outbreak linked to frozen strawberries, visit the CDC website. General information about hepatitis A is available on OHA’s and CDC’s websites.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 
March 21, 2023 

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

Oregon’s Nonfarm Payroll Jobs Changed Little in February 

In Oregon, nonfarm payroll employment declined by 100 jobs in February, following a gain of 9,600 jobs in January. Job losses in February were largest in manufacturing (-1,300 jobs) and financial activities (-1,000). Gains were largest in construction (+1,400 jobs), private educational services (+1,000), and government (+700). 

Nondurable goods manufacturing experienced more job cuts than normal in both January and February. The industry employed 57,800 in February, which was close to its February totals of the prior two years. Food manufacturing comprises about half of nondurable goods manufacturing employment and, at 27,800 jobs in February, was close to its February totals of each of the past seven years. Meanwhile, durable goods manufacturing hasn’t gained much ground lately, as it has hovered close to 137,000 jobs during the past eight months. Recent gains in machinery manufacturing have been offset by declines in computer and electronic product manufacturing. 

Construction employment rose sharply in February, reaching another record high of 122,700. The industry added 7,500 jobs, or 6.5%, over the past 12 months. Since February 2022, all published components of construction are up between 3.8% and 9.3%. The component that grew the fastest was building equipment contractors, which added 3,000 jobs, or 9.3%, in that time. Both components within construction of buildings grew close to 4%, with residential building construction up 800 jobs, or 3.8%, and nonresidential building construction up 500 jobs, or 4.3%. 

Government employment rebounded above to its pre-pandemic high of early 2020, as it rose to 302,100 jobs in February. Local government education rose to 139,100 jobs in February, which was 6,500 jobs above its year-ago figure, and is now nearly back to its February 2020 total of 141,900. Local government, excluding education slowly expanded over the past eight months; it employed 97,700 in February. 

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.7% in February, little changed from 4.8% in January. Oregon’s unemployment rate averaged 4.8% over the past six months. In February, the U.S. unemployment rate rose to 3.6%, from 3.4% in January. 

Next Press Releases 
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the February county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, March 28, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for March on Wednesday, April 19.

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On Monday, March 20, 2023, at approximately 7:45 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 97, near milepost 151, in Deschutes County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a 2005 Toyota 4Runner, operated by Leland Daniel Angier (31) of Bend, was traveling northbound on Hwy 97, near MP 151, when it lost control on icy road conditions, slid off the roadway and rolled several times before coming to a stop. The single occupant of the vehicle was declared deceased at the scene.

The roadway was impacted for approximately 4 hours during the on-scene investigation of the crash.

OSP was assisted by the Deschutes County Sheriffs' Office, Sunriver PD, Sunriver Fire, and ODOT.

The Corvallis League of Women Voters hosted representatives from Benton County and other community organizations, March 14, for an educational forum about the County’s facilities bond measure that will be on the May 2023 ballot. More than 50 community members were in attendance.

Commissioner Xan Augerot and Sheriff Jef Van Arsdall provided a brief presentation detailing components of the Justice System Improvement Program and proposed measure 2-140, which would fund community safety, mental health, and homelessness services facilities in Benton County. 

“The planning process started in 2018 with a comprehensive assessment of the entire justice system. Some of the recommendations have been implemented with existing County funds or other state and federal funding and are not part of the bond measure,” said Augerot. “Those facilities include the downtown mental health crisis center and the new courthouse and District Attorney’s offices to be located on the new community safety and justice campus.”

The proposed facilities selected for inclusion in the bond were determined through a multi-year, community-involved planning process. If passed, Measure 2-140 would fund the following projects:

• A co-located Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Operations Center to improve coordination during major events and natural disasters, and to improve emergency response.
• A new correctional facility with increased capacity (up to 120 beds) and dedicated areas to provide mental health and addiction services.
• Expanded and redesigned spaces for the Children and Family Program mental health services for youth and families.
• Funding for homelessness services facilities, with a preferred option of a homelessness services housing and navigation center, in partnership with Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center, to help people build pathways out of homelessness.

Estimated costs for proposed bond projects total $110 million:

Commissioner Augerot outlined details of the proposed facilities and shared that if the bond measure passes, the bond levy rate would be an estimated $0.55 per $1,000 of assessed property value. The cost would be an estimated $142 per year for a Benton County home with a median tax-assessed value of $258,596. The actual levy rate may differ due to changes in interest rates and assessed value. If the bond does not pass, the proposed facilities would not be built, and property taxes would not increase.

In addition to Commissioner Augerot and Sheriff Van Arsdall, speakers included Laura Hennum, CEO of Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and Allison Hobgood, Executive Director of the Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center, who spoke about the challenges in mental health crisis services and providing resources for those experiencing homelessness in Benton County. Panelists for the question-and-answer period included the speakers and Benton County Chief Financial Officer Rick Crager and Deputy Director of Benton County Behavioral Health Department, Damien Sands.

“The panel was amazing and really brought out the connectedness of all the services of Benton County and other providers. The League of Women Voters of Corvallis was pleased to have a panel of experts who could explain what is included in the bond measure as well as answer questions from an engaged audience,” said LWV board member and event coordinator Sara Ingle. 

To learn more about the bond measure, visit www.bentoncountyjustice.org.

On Saturday, March 18, 2023, at approximately 3:05 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 5, near milepost 210, in Linn County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a 2022 Freightliner (CMV) and trailer, operated by Branden Hamilton (50) of Buffalo (NY), went off the roadway and impacted the guardrail and bridge cement barrier on Interstate-5 southbound, near milepost 210. Hamilton was pronounced deceased at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash. 

The highway was closed for approximately 6 hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is unknown, however investigators believe the operator may have suffered a medical event prior to the crash.

OSP was assisted by the Halsey/Shedd Fire Department and ODOT.

March 20, 2023

Media contacts: Jonathan Modie, Oregon Health Authority, 971-246-9139, 

PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA issues statement on Legacy Mount Hood waiver request

PORTLAND, Ore.— Oregon Health Authority is issuing the following statement regarding Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center’s request for a waiver that would allow it to discontinue maternity services at its Family Birth Center:

Oregon Health Authority (OHA) is highly concerned about reports that maternity patients at Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center are being redirected to other Legacy hospitals such as Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel. OHA has not granted Legacy’s waiver and is in the process of reviewing Legacy’s responses to the many questions OHA posed to Legacy about its waiver request. OHA received Legacy’s responses late on Friday, March 17. OHA has been very clear with Legacy that it cannot cease providing required maternity services at its Family Birth Center without receiving OHA approval of a waiver.

OHA will be investigating reports that Legacy has ceased providing maternity services. 

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The Linn County District Attorney has reached a decision regarding an officer involved shooting from February 8, 2023.  The written decision is attached to this release.  Any questions or requests for additional information should be directed to Albany Police Department PIO, Captain Brad Liles.

News Release Corvallis Police Department 180 NW 5th Street Corvallis, OR97330 541-766-6924

03/20/2023 2:55 PM

Media Contact: 

Lt. Ben Harvey, Corvallis Police Department

(541) 766-6556 / benjamin.harvey@corvallisoregon.gov

Corvallis Police Investigate Shooting on March 19, 2023

On March 19, 2023 at approximately 10:35 pm, Officers of the Corvallis Police Department responded to the area of NW 9^th Street near NW Walnut Blvd for a report of two vehicles ramming each other while traveling westbound on NW Walnut Blvd. Additionally, the caller reported hearing a gunshot. Officers quickly located both vehicles and safely detained who they believe to be all involved persons in the area. No persons were injured in the incident, although we do believe a firearm was fired at least one time by the involved subjects during the altercation. Detectives from the Corvallis Police Department were called in to investigate. Two persons were initially arrested on unrelated warrants during the investigation, which is ongoing. The incident spanned over many blocks in North Corvallis beginning at approximately 10:09 pm until 10:40 pm. The involved vehicles are described as a black mid-size SUV and a black minivan.   Anyone with information, or who may have witnessed the incident are encouraged to contact Detective Smith at the Corvallis Police Department. Detective Smith can be reached at 541-766-6924.

Interested in serving your community and learning more about a career in law enforcement? 

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office Cadet Program is for young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 who have an interest in law enforcement.  The Cadet Program provides an opportunity to get first-hand experience working in the criminal justice field.  Cadets are able to develop skills and knowledge in order to prepare for full-time employment in a very important and fulfilling career.

Requirements:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must be between 18 and 21 years of age
• Must be enrolled in high school / GED program, or have a high school diploma / GED

Cadets Will:

• Participate in law enforcement ride-alongs
• Receive training in law enforcement procedures, legal issues, use of force, corrections operations and patrol operations
• Learn about the services provided by the Sheriff’s Office and work with special teams including Marine Patrol, Dunes Patrol, And Forest Patrol

This is a competitive process that will be closing soon!  Apply today at:

https://www.cognitoforms.com/LaneCountyOR/CadetApplication

Additional information may be found at: http://www.LaneCountyOr.gov/Sheriff_Cadet_Program or by contacting Sgt. Alex Speldrich at ich@lanecountyor.gov">alex.speldrich@lanecountyor.gov

(SPRINGFIELD, Ore.) March 20, 2023— PacificSource Health Plans is pleased to announce a new business collaboration with Aetna Signature Administrators® that will improve access to care for PacificSource members when traveling or residing outside of Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Montana. Aetna’s preferred provider organization (PPO) network will give PacificSource members in-network access to more than 6,000 hospitals and 1.5 million participating physicians and ancillary providers. Aetna will replace First Health Network, PacificSource’s current national partner, on June 1, 2023.

Access to Aetna’s PPO network will be offered to PacificSource members covered on individual and family plans, employer group plans and student health plans. Services from Aetna PPO network providers, outside the PacificSource four-state area, will be paid as in-network. The new partnership does not include Medicare or Medicaid members.

“We are pleased to welcome Aetna as a trusted partner and have full confidence our members traveling or residing outside our four-state service area can get the care they need through their comprehensive network of providers,” said Peter McGarry, PacificSource vice president of provider network.

PacificSource in-network plan benefits remain the same for members using Aetna’s provider network outside of PacificSource’s four-state service areas of Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Montana.  

About PacificSource Health Plans:

PacificSource Health Plans is an independent, not-for-profit community health plan serving the Northwest. Founded in 1933, PacificSource has local offices throughout Idaho, Oregon, Montana, and Washington. The PacificSource family of companies employs more than 1,800 people and serves over 600,000 members throughout the Greater Northwest. For more information, visit PacificSource.com.

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, William M. Blanscet, died the evening of March 19, 2023. Blanscet was incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem and passed away in the infirmary while on hospice care. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified.

Blanscet entered DOC custody on April 9, 2004, from Josephine County with an earliest release date of April 2, 2032. Blanscet was 53 years old. Next of kin has been notified.

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

OSP is a multi-custody prison located in Salem that houses approximately 2,000 adults in custody. OSP is surrounded by a 25-foot-high wall with 10 towers. The facility has multiple special housing units including disciplinary segregation, behavioral health, intermediate care housing, and an infirmary (with hospice) with 24-hour nursing care. OSP participates in prison industries with Oregon Corrections Enterprises including the furniture factory, laundry, metal shop, and contact center. It provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, work-based education, work crews, and pre-release services. OSP was established in 1866 and, until 1959, was Oregon’s only prison.

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Clackamas, Oregon man was sentenced to federal prison today for robbing a local pub with a gun.

Dustin Lee Henderson, 42, was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release.

According to court documents, on November 22, 2019, Henderson robbed the Lighthouse Pub, a public house and deli located on 82^nd Avenue in Clackamas. In video surveillance of the robbery, Henderson was seen handing the pub clerk a bag, brandishing a firearm, and taking five cartons of cigarettes. The pub’s owner chased Henderson through the parking lot when Henderson discharged a single round from his firearm, prompting the owner to stop the chase. Law enforcement later recovered a .22 caliber cartridge case near the site of the shooting.

Law enforcement later observed Henderson in a nearby mobile home lot and arrested him. Investigators executed a state search warrant on a mobile home where Henderson resided and recovered the stolen cigarette cartons, clothes worn by Henderson during the robbery, and a .22 pistol. DNA analysis later linked Henderson to the seized firearm.

On March 17, 2022, Henderson was charged by superseding indictment with interfering with commerce with threats or violence, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. 

On April 27, 2022, after a three-day trial, Henderson was found guilty on all counts.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from Oregon State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Cassady Adams, Craig Gabriel, and Suzanne Miles prosecuted the case.

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Residents who live outside the Eugene-Springfield area have the rest of the week to take a short online survey to help update Lane County’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Take the survey at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/mitigation (QR code attached)

Watch a short video highlighting the importance of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan: https://vimeo.com/801037726. (Local media partners are welcome to use all or a portion of the video as part of their coverage.)

Lane County’s Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan is updated every five years. Mitigation means acting now to reduce our long-term risk from natural hazards. It is our local blueprint to help protect people and property. Updating this plan also makes Lane County and its partner cities eligible for federal grants and funding to help mitigate potential impacts from disasters such as fuels reduction to reduce our risk of wildfire.  

Residents can weigh in on the plan update: Do you think Lane County should focus on fuels reduction? Updating culverts and bridges to withstand flooding? Or something else? Take the short survey to tell us what you think the plan should focus on first. 

The survey opened in mid-February. In addition to news coverage and online advertisements, a random sample of 4,500 rural residents were invited via mail to take the survey. 

Paper copies of the survey can be requested by calling 541-682-6967 or emailing licInformation@LaneCountyOR.gov">PublicInformation@LaneCountyOR.gov.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 20, 2023

Commissioners Honor Jean Miles as Senior Volunteer of the Month

            (Douglas County, Ore.)  Douglas County Commissioners Tom Kress, Chris Boice, and Tim Freeman, along with our Douglas County Senior Services Department are pleased to announce that Jean Miles was awarded the Douglas County Senior Services Volunteer of the Month award for March 2023.  Commissioner Tom Kress was honored to present Jean with the award at the Bistro Sixty Senior Dining Site in Riddle on Thursday, March 16. Bistro Sixty Riddle is located at 123 Parkside Street in Riddle, inside the Riddle Community Center.

“Jean is one of our most committed volunteers. She is the first to arrive and the last to leave,” stated Commissioner Tom Kress, liaison Commissioner to the Douglas County Senior Services Department. “Thank you for serving four hours per day for each of the three days Bistro Sixty Riddle is open.”

            Douglas County Senior Services Food Coordinator Darla Hilburn nominated Jean for the Douglas County Senior Services Volunteer of the Month award. They said, “Jean is a wonderful, caring volunteer!”

Jean has been faithfully volunteering at Bistro Sixty Riddle since 2016. She has called Douglas County her home since 1948 and spent her career working for Safeway and Kroger grocery stores. In addition to volunteering for the Bistro Sixty in Riddle, she also volunteers at the Community Cancer Center in Roseburg and is a member of the Douglas County Senior Advisory Council. Jean enjoys making jewelry and spending time with family and friends.  “I volunteer because I want to give back to the community and serve those who are less fortunate.”  

            Our Bistro Sixty Senior Dining Sites prepare meals on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at our seven rural dining site locations in Glide, Glendale, Reedsport, Riddle, Sutherlin, Winston, and Yoncalla. Senior Services staff know there are others in our communities who could benefit from their Meals on Wheels delivery program and/or meals at their Bistro Sixty Senior Dining Sites.  If residents know of friends or family who are unable to drive, need assistance with daily living activities, would benefit from hot meal delivery, or need other assistance, they are encouraged to call the Aging & Disabilities Resource Connection in the Douglas County Senior Services Department at (541) 440-3677 or by sending an email to c@co.douglas.or.us">adrc@co.douglas.or.us. 

            Douglas County’s seven rural Senior Dining Sites and Meals on Wheels programs are managed by Douglas County Senior Services Department staff but are successful because of the dedication of volunteers like Jean. To get involved with Douglas County Bistro Sixty Senior Dining Sites and Meals on Wheels programs or to learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact Darla Hilburn at the Douglas County Senior Services Department via email at ur@co.douglas.or.us">dahilbur@co.douglas.or.usor by calling (541) 440-3677. Thank you, Jean! 

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Media Contact:     Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Kellie Trenkle, Public Affairs Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 440-4493 Email: kellie@co.douglas.or.us 

Photos © D.Hilburn/Douglas County. Individual photos available upon request.

BEND, OR — The High Desert Museum celebrates spring break with special programs and extended hours beginning Saturday, March 25 through Sunday, April 2, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. Visitors pay winter rates with summer hours through Friday, March 31. It’s made possible by Oregon College Savings Plan.

The popular indoor flight demonstration Sky Hunters returns to the E.L. Wiegand Pavilion in the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center. Visitors can experience powerful predators close up as raptors fly just overhead, showcasing the birds’ agility and grace. The program runs from Saturday, March 25 – Saturday, April 1 with demonstrations daily at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm. Tickets are $7 and available at Admissions. Museum members receive a 20 percent discount. 

The Museum is excited to welcome special guests from the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife from Thursday, March 30 – Saturday, April 1. Visitors can find them at the Autzen Otter Exhibit sharing information and biofacts about sea otters and Pacific lamprey.

Spring break visitors will also be able to experience the Museum’s temporary exhibitions. The newest original exhibition is Creations of Spirit. Native artists created artwork to be used in Native communities before arriving at the Museum, and the art will be available to Native communities for use once again after the exhibition. It features acclaimed artists Joe Feddersen (Colville), RYAN! Feddersen (Colville), Natalie Kirk (Warm Springs), H’Klumaiyat Roberta Joy Kirk (Wasco, Warm Springs, Diné), Phillip Cash Cash, Ph.D., (Cayuse, Nez Perce), Jefferson Greene (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs) and Kelli Palmer (Wasco, Warm Springs). Creations of Spirit is a one-of-a-kind, celebratory experience featuring the stories of living works of art. highdesertmuseum.org/creations-of-spirit

Other temporary exhibitions include the original effort, Under the Snow. The exhibit, offered in English and Spanish, reveals the hidden world beneath the snow, called the subnivium. In this environment, animals create a matrix of tunnels to survive the winter’s frigid temperatures and hide from the predators that lurk above. The exhibit is filled with animations of animals and immerses the visitor in the winter landscape. Learn more at highdesertmuseum.org/under-the-snow.

And In the Arena: Photographs from America’s Only Touring Black Rodeo, will be open through June 25. Through the lens of San Francisco Bay area photographer Gabriela Hasbun, the exhibit documents the exhilarating atmosphere of the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo—the only touring Black rodeo in the country—and the showstopping style and skill of the Black cowboys and cowgirls who compete in it year after year. Learn more at highdesertmuseum.org/in-the-arena.

Living history characters in period dress will be present during spring break, as well, from Saturday, March 25 – Saturday, April 1 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. They will share how they lived and supported themselves in the High Desert in 1904 and offer visitors opportunities to help with chores and play games. The encounters will take place outdoors at the High Desert Ranch and Sawmill or indoors in the Spirit of the West exhibit. The location is weather-dependent, and visitors are encouraged to check with Admissions upon arrival.

Visitors will also be able to enjoy two daily talks during spring break, the Natural History Walk and Otter Encounter. Other daily programs that usually take place in the pavilion will resume on Sunday, April 2.

More information on visiting the High Desert Museum is available at highdesertmuseum.org/visit-bend-oregon.

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, Instagram and Twitter.

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PORTLAND, Ore. – March 20, 2023 – The 2023 National Earthquake Program Managers (NEPM) meeting will take place March 21-23 at the Duniway Hotel at 545 SW Taylor St. The event aims to provide information sharing and capacity-building opportunities for state, federal, non-profit and private sector members of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP).

This year's NEPM meeting is co-hosted by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW). OEM Geological Hazards Program Coordinator and 2023 NEPM Chair Althea Rizzo will lead the meeting, alongside 2023 NEPM Vice-Chair Scott Gauvin, who also serves as manager of strategic operations and preparedness with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.

“It’s a privilege to work with people from across the country so passionate about improving earthquake safety,” said Rizzo. “Earthquake preparedness and mitigation is a vital investment in our collective resilience, safeguarding our communities and securing the future against nature's unpredictable upheavals."

The NEPM group is primarily composed of state emergency management agency representatives who actively plan and prepare to reduce earthquake-related losses in their states. While some states have a dedicated earthquake program manager, in others, the responsibility is shared. Collectively known as the National Earthquake Program Managers, the group holds annual meetings to develop programs, share best practices and foster relationships.

The NEPM group first began holding annual meetings in the early 1990s, and after a brief hiatus, resumed meeting in 2004 at the National Earthquake Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Since then, the group has met yearly to continue building resilience against the high-consequence hazard of earthquakes.

For more information, visit EQProgram.net.

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WHAT
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is hosting its Oregon Prepared Conference for the emergency management community this week in Sunriver. The workshop provides training and information on programs, current issues, and a place to discuss lessons learned and best practices related to all phases of emergency management in Oregon. This marks the return of the event following a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

OEM will host a media availability from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. on March 21. OEM Deputy Director Matt Marheine will be available for one-on-one interviews about the state of emergency management in Oregon. Visit the workshop session discussing evacuation planning for B-roll footage.

WHEN
Media Availability: 9:45-10:45 a.m. on March 21
Conference: March 21-23

WHERE
Homestead Ballroom at Sunriver Resort, 56924 Meadow Rd.

WHO
Workshop attendees (450) include tribal, county, city, special district, state and federal emergency management, public safety and health preparedness staff, DHS/FEMA preparedness grant recipients, and non-profit and private sector partners with a role in preparedness, response, recovery and resilience.

INFORMATION
Oregon Emergency Preparedness Workshop

RSVP
Please contact Chris Crabb, OEM Public Affairs Officer, at 971-719-0089 or is.crabb@oem.oregon.gov">chris.crabb@oem.oregon.gov in advance to make arrangements.

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Richard Donald Mortimore, died the morning of March 18, 2023. Mortimore was incarcerated at Two Rivers Correctional Institution (TRCI) in Umatilla and passed away in the infirmary. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified.

Mortimore entered DOC custody on January 16, 2020, Marion County with an earliest release date of August 6, 2029. Mortimore was 73 years old. Next of kin has been notified.

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

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

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On March 16, 2023, Marion County Circuit Court Judge James Edmonds sentenced Antonio Soto, 34, to life in prison for the murder of Davontae Smith (40) and the attempted murder of Adrian Gonzales (22). Soto will serve a minimum of 45 years before he is eligible for release before the parole board. 

Soto was convicted of Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm, Attempted Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm after a two-week jury trial held in Marion County Circuit Court from January 30 to February 10, 2023. 

These crimes occurred in the early morning hours of June 8, 2021, at the Capital Inn and Suites in Marion County, Oregon. Smith and Gonzales attempted to intervene when they saw Soto assaulting a woman in the hallway of the hotel. Soto killed Smith, almost shot Gonzales in the head, and then fled the state. 

Soto had been released from prison only 15 months prior to this murder and attempted murder after serving a prison sentence for Robbery in the First Degree. 

The case was tried by Marion County Deputy District Attorneys Matthew Kemmy and Katharine Semple. 

Eugene, OR.  Eugene Springfield Fire crews responded to a large dumpster fire on the shoulder of Eastbound I-105 near the Willamette River in Eugene Friday afternoon.  The dumpster was carrying cardboard and other recyclables from Junction City.  Crews had to call in extra resources for water to fully extinguish the fire.  Evening commuter traffic was impacted during the operation.  The cause is under investigation and no injuries were reported.   

Eugene, Ore. --- Mar. 17, 2023 --- Bushnell University's Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL) degree has been ranked as one of the most affordable programs in the state.  The MAL is part of the university’s School of Business, Leadership, and Technology and was ranked by Organizationalleadershipedu.org with tuition averaging more than $2,000 lower than other similar private schools in Oregon. Bushnell’s program offers a flexible and unique way to earn your degree, all while being offered at an affordable rate.

"Bushnell University's Graduate Leadership degree not only provides all the building blocks to become a successful leader -- but it’s also a life-changing experience," said Dr. Latrissa Lee Neiworth, Dean of the School of Business, Leadership, & Technology. "Our graduates leave our program leading well, inspired by the wisdom, faith, and service of experienced faculty, business professionals, and organizational leaders. The program offers our graduate students a path to combine their personal calling with the credentials needed to achieve a life change."

Organizationalleadershipedu.org’s ranking can be found at: The Most Affordable Organizational Leadership Bachelor’s, Master’s, and MBA Degree Programs in the Country

Bushnell’s M.A. in Leadership does not compromise high-quality education for affordability. The School of Business Leadership and Technology is accredited by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) which includes undergraduate degrees in Business Administration and Accounting and graduate degrees including the MBA and MAL.

Bushnell’s MAL is a fully online program that can be completed in 12 or 24 months. Consisting of 8-week courses and multiple starts per year, this program welcomes you to pursue your degree when it best fits your schedule.

“The MAL program at Bushnell University engages you in a journey of leader formation as you learn leadership approaches and skills," stated Larry Coburn, MAL Program Director. "We aim for you to discover and strengthen the leader you were made to be.  We go beyond leadership theory and techniques on this journey, challenging you to clarify the connection between what you believe and how you lead.  You will emerge from this program with a stronger and clearer leader identity, and the skills and understanding to lead more effectively in your leadership context.”

For over 125 years Bushnell has been providing high-quality education, preparing students with the proper leadership skills, and doing so in a Christ-centered way. Bushnell proudly nurtures, mentors, and develops leadership skills in members of the organization. Bushnell’s M.A. in Leadership program is unique because it prioritizes customizing their own education. Students can choose from four available concentrations depending on what is most important to them. Concentrations include Business Administration, Church Leadership, High Education Leadership and Non-profit Leadership. Along with real-world experience and guidance from faculty, this degree can be completed in only 12 months.

Some example courses are:

• Leadership Wisdom, Faith, and Service
• Leadership, Self-assessment and Self-care
• Stewardship of Financial Resources
• Leadership, Diversity, and Globalization
• Leadership and Mission Fulfillment

More information on Bushnell's MAL program can be found at: https://www.bushnell.edu/academics/graduate/ma-leadership/

About Bushnell University

Founded in 1895 Bushnell University helps students discover and answer God’s call on their lives. Devoted to offering a Christ-centered environment, Bushnell encourages students to grow in wisdom, informed by faith, and leading to lives of service. Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the University was founded by pastor-educator Eugene C. Sanderson and pioneer businessman and church leader James A. Bushnell. Bushnell is the largest private university in Eugene’s vibrant university district. The University offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees for undergraduate and graduate studies through course formats on campus, online, and evening, as well as online programs for MBA, MA in Leadership, M.Ed., and Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. More information about the University is available at www.bushnell.edu.

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Donald Dale Johnson, died the afternoon of March 17, 2023. Johnson was incarcerated at Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) in Ontario and passed away at a local hospital. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified. 

Johnson entered DOC custody on July 14, 2016, from Linn County with an earliest release date of October 28, 2028. Johnson was 73 years old. Next of kin has been notified.

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

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

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PORTLAND, Ore.—A Clackamas, Oregon man appeared in federal court today after he was arrested on child pornography charges less than three months after completing a federal prison sentence for similar conduct.

Nicholas James Stacy, 29, has been charged by criminal complaint with transporting and possessing child pornography.

According to the complaint, in March 2023, special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were contacted by Portland Police Bureau detectives investigating multiple CyberTipline reports they had received regarding Stacy’s alleged use of Facebook, Dropbox, and other web services to possess and distribute child pornography.

Stacy was released from federal custody in December 2022 after serving a 60-month sentence on a previous child pornography conviction. While on post-prison supervision, Stacy was prohibited from possessing a computer or other electronic devices or accessing the internet for any reason without permission from his probation officer.

On March 16, 2023, investigators executed federal search warrants on Stacy’s person, residence, and his mother’s residence. Agents seized multiple electronic devices Stacy possessed in violation of his terms of supervision and placed him under arrest.

Stacy made his first appearance in federal court today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You. He was ordered detained pending further court proceedings.

This case was investigated by HSI, the Portland Police Bureau, and U.S. Probation Office. It is being prosecuted by Mira Chernick, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

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

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

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

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

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SALEM, Ore. — The Committee for Family Forestlands will meet virtually on Thursday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. To join virtually, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda. 

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Forest Resources Division update
• Private Forest Accord Small Forestland Investment in Stream Habitat Program (SFISH) update
• Legislative update
• Forest legacy update 
• Board of Forestry update including Forestry Plan for Oregon (FPFO)
• Discuss procedure and topics for CFF annual report
• CFF members and succession
• Round table discussion

The meeting is open to the public to attend online via Zoom. Public comments will be accepted near the start of the meeting. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 24 hours before the meeting by emailing estlands@odf.oregon.gov">committee.of.family.forestlands@odf.oregon.gov.

The 13-member committee researches policies that affect family forests, natural resources and forestry benefits. Based on its findings, the committee recommends actions to the Oregon Board of Forestry and the State Forester. View more information on the CFF webpage.

The Marine Board wants to hear from boaters about its Cycle One grant applications and how the boating dollars are invested. The deadline to review applications and provide comments is April 17, 2023. 

The Marine Board’s Boating Facility Program received 10 grant applications for its Cycle One funding opportunity, requesting $5.4 million in needs, with a total application value of $9.6 million in motorized and nonmotorized funding. These grants are for the improvement or development of motorized and nonmotorized boating facilities, education, and on-water boating experiences for people in underserved communities. 

The Marine Board anticipates having $2.2 million in state funding available in its Cycle One grants for motorized and nonmotorized projects. Applicants are requesting nearly double the amount of funding available, so competition is high. 

Public comments are an important part of the grant application evaluation process and will be provided to the Marine Board prior to its June 28 Board meeting to consider the applications. 

Applications for Cycle One motorized and nonmotorized funding closed on March 13. The Boating Facility Program conducts two additional grant funding opportunities during the two-year budget cycle. If you did not see an application for your favorite boating facility, we encourage you to contact the facility owner, share your ideas, and ask how you can help support any future grant requests. 

Visit the Boating Facility Grant Application Comment Page to view the project applications and provide feedback.

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Portland, OR — The Oregon Historical Society has nominated Megan Kruer, a 7th/8th grade language and literature teacher at Seven Peaks School in Bend, Oregon, for the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award for her work with students on Oregon History Day (OHD), an affiliate of the National History Day® (NHD) program. 

Each of the 58 NHD affiliates may nominate one middle school teacher for the Patricia Behring Award annually. Nominees for the $10,000 award demonstrate a commitment to engaging students in historical learning through the innovative use of primary sources, implementation of active learning strategies to foster historical thinking skills, and participation in the NHD contests. Each nominee receives $500 as a result of their nomination. 

The Behring Award is sponsored this year by Patricia Behring’s family in recognition of the pivotal role teachers play in the lives of students. The national winner will be selected by a committee of experienced teachers and historians and announced at the National History Day contest awards ceremony in June.

“Teachers are among the greatest resources children have to develop the skills necessary to become critical thinkers,” said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “Each nominee for the Behring Award shows a dedication to teaching that goes beyond the classroom.”

Oregon History Day — facilitated by the Oregon Historical Society — is a student-directed, project-based, interdisciplinary learning program. Open to all middle and high school students, this culturally responsive program invites students to interpret a historical event that connects to the annual theme by creating a website, paper, performance, exhibit, or documentary. Over half a million students from every state in the nation participate in the National History Day program at the local, state, or national contest levels. 

“Because [Seven Peaks is] an IB school, students are quite skilled at pursuing inquiry independently. However, for Oregon History Day, the challenge is to help them take their inquiry to the next level. This is what I think the NHD theme helps students achieve. I spend significant time with students as a group and individually unpacking the nuances of the theme and investigating angles they might take on topics in light of the theme. Students have almost complete freedom when selecting their topics; this certainly helps them take ownership of their research,” said Kruer.

Kruer competed in National History Day as a middle school student in Ohio, when she interviewed her grandmother and great-grandmother for her projects on women’s roles in World War II and the polio vaccine. As a teacher today, Kruer uses this adaptable program to implement Oregon’s state standards and student learning goals. Working with her partner teacher, Patrick O’Brien, Kruer continuously improves her lesson plans from previous years to better support her students as they move through the program.

“I actually redesigned my entire first unit to better prepare students to use primary sources,” Kruer continues. “The summative project for that unit is called ‘Documenting Your Life,’ and students are asked to mine their personal archives to find primary sources from their experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic. They then compile these ‘artifacts’ or primary sources into a project (using the same format options as NHD). This project helps students appreciate how a story can emerge through a deep engagement with an archive (personal in this case) while developing the skills they need to compete in the Oregon History Day contest!”

Students share their research in two ways at Seven Peaks School. First, the young historians present their projects to the entire Pre-K to 8th grade student body during a special event during school hours. Later, Kruer and the Seven Peaks staff host a community “Celebration of History” night where students share their projects with local judges. This gives students a chance to present their work and answer questions about their research process and refine their projects before competing at the Oregon History Day contest. 

The annual theme for the 2023 National History Day contest is Frontiers in History: People, Places, Ideas. The 2023 Oregon History Day contest will take place on Saturday, April 29 from 8am to 5:30pm in Salem, Oregon, at Willamette University. The National History Day contest is scheduled to take place in mid-June at the University of Maryland, College Park.

To learn more about how to get involved with Oregon History Day, contact OHD coordinator Katie Pearson at son@ohs.org">Katie.Pearson@ohs.org.

About the Oregon Historical Society

For more than a century, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms, educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and rich as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view. 

Elizabeth Bruno is the accessibility coordinator for Bushnell University, and the role she plays is crucial to Bushnell’s student learning experience. In this Q&A, she shares a bit about herself and how she came to be in this position at Bushnell.

Elizabeth Bruno is passionate about providing students with an environment where they can thrive in their academics. As accessibility coordinator, Bruno is uniquely positioned to make an impact on Bushnell students. She sees her role as a “problem-solver”, pinpointing obstacles for students and advocating for academic accommodations for those students to be successful.

Tell us about your role as director of student success at Bushnell University. 

In this role, I serve as the Accessibility Coordinator, I manage Tutoring, and I collaborate with faculty and staff to refine university systems toward greater student thriving. In this role, I function as a problem-solver, strategic planner, and mediator when there are obstacles or speed bumps to academic thriving, particularly in advocating for students with academic accommodations and supporting students through tutoring. Speed bumps are often gifts in universities – the moments where there is stress or strain that can allow faculty/staff and students to slow down, examine, connect, and experience growth. The difficulty is where the clues exist to create better places of belonging. This is truly a fantastic role –I am here to be a helper to both sides, to listen, and to help locate the ways in which progress and equity is possible. It’s often long work, but beautiful and mission driven.

What drew you to Bushnell and this career? 

My work life has gravitated toward serving vulnerable populations in education (and occasionally medical settings). This has meant times of serving learners in prison, long-term medical facilities, disadvantaged students in zones of poverty, working in an Alzheimer’s clinic, serving military veterans with PTSD, second language learners, children with substantial behavioral challenges, and so on. I’ve wanted to do this work since I was a child, when I learned about a boarding school in Cote d’Ivoire for missionary’s children. I felt a distinct pull to be in a setting where I would do more than teach, and nurture learning humans in a wholistic way. At the time, I pictured being a dorm mom. I couldn’t picture at that age the many different ways that work could happen. I’ve continued to be drawn to places where I can help people navigate, continue learning myself, and be a part of a community. I feel drawn to Bushnell because it’s a small environment with intentional goals focused on growing, including in how it honors people. My desire is to create impact to help humans here walk a little lighter and feel their own dignity, and to help the people around them see them and make room for that dignity to unfold and have space. In a Christian context, for me that means thinking theologically about Matthew 25 and what it means to respond to human need around us.

“I feel drawn to Bushnell because it’s a small environment with intentional goals focused on growing, including in how it honors people.”
-Elizabeth Bruno

What does your job look like on a day-to-day basis?  

My role is housed in the Center for Career & Academic Resources and located in the Library building. I meet with current and prospective students, faculty across campus, and families, as well as communicate and collaborate across the university (and with other universities). I manage testing accommodations, note-taking, and other essential mechanisms that allow greater access. I brainstorm with instructors on how to make their courses more inclusive for all kinds of learners. Second, as I manage Bushnell’s current tutoring system, there is a future focus on developing a writing center. I am looking to create a space for this, as well as to glean insight from faculty and students about precise services to offer. Writing is one of my passions. Giving people the experience of understanding and being understood through language is one of my priorities, particularly those who have traditionally not been heard. Because AI writing is currently a hot-button topic, there’s never been a better time to be thoughtful about how and why writing is being taught and used. I am drawn to writing because language and storytelling are often considered sacred (“In the beginning was the Word,” etc.) and I have experienced language as sacred for as long as I can remember. Third, in the fall I will begin to teach writing courses! I am particularly looking forward to being in the classroom and having a better understanding of what students and faculty are currently experiencing.

What is the most difficult aspect about your job?

Practically speaking, not misplacing my keys remains far more difficult than I would have hoped for at this point. On a more serious note, in this kind of work (and many others) it can be challenging to offer the right level of care and investment into people. How much is too much? How much is too little? What does respect look like in each situation? It can be easy to pour your whole self into things, and sometimes harder to extricate yourself out. It can be especially challenging to want to help and find/feel you are failing or coming up short. I keep learning to be a little gentler with myself for making mistakes. I still turn to the words of T.S. Eliot in “Ash Wednesday” for a little help: “Teach us to care and not to care. Teach us to sit still.”

What advice would you give students? 

 My best advice probably comes from an interview I heard two years ago on Krista Tippett’s “On Being” podcast. In this particular interview, she talks to Rabbi Ariel Burger about what he learned from Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. Burger said Wiesel once boiled his ideas down into this core concept: “When we’re awake, we should be awake. And we should know that right now people are suffering and there’s something we need to do about it, even if it’s something small. So never let someone be — never let anyone be humiliated in your presence is a very powerful starting point, because it means that not only can you not humiliate someone, but you can’t be indifferent.” For me, that phrase “never let anyone be humiliated in your presence” is a phrase I now carry. I find it good advice for anyone who wants to take seriously the work of learning while sharing space with others.

About Bushnell University

Founded in 1895 Bushnell University helps students discover and answer God’s call on their lives. Devoted to offering a Christ-centered environment, Bushnell encourages students to grow in wisdom, informed by faith, and leading to lives of service. Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the University was founded by pastor-educator Eugene C. Sanderson and pioneer businessman and church leader James A. Bushnell. Bushnell is the largest private university in Eugene’s vibrant university district. The University offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees for undergraduate and graduate studies through course formats on campus, online, and evening, as well as online programs for MBA, MA in Leadership, and M.Ed. More information about the University is available at www.bushnell.edu.

In 2022, the Benton County Health Department, in collaboration with the Partnership for Community Health: Linn, Benton & Lincoln Counties, began a regional community health assessment and improvement planning process. The regional health assessment (CHA) phase of the process is now complete, and the Partnership for Community Health is ready to share the results with the community and gather input on key health issues to include in the regional community health improvement plan (CHIP). The CHIP guides how the region focuses resources that are working to improve the health of all people who live, work, learn and play in Linn, Benton, and Lincoln counties. 

The Partnership will hold two virtual community conversations to review the key health themes from the data and seek community input on priorities for the regional CHIP. 

• March 22, 2023, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. (Virtual)
  • Register: https://bit.ly/Regional_Conversation1 
• April 4, 2023, 10:00 -11:00 a.m. (Virtual)
  • Register: https://bit.ly/Regional_Conversation_2

In person community conversations will also be held for Spanish- and Arabic-speaking populations. For more opportunities to participate in community conversations, visit: https://bit.ly/RegionalCHIP-GetInvolved

Other ways to get involved

Attendance at a community conversation is encouraged, but not required to contribute to the planning process. Community members can also access a copy of the presentation and vote on their priorities by accessing the following links:

• Review data webpage
• Take the survey

For inquiries or additional information: entonHealthyCommunties@bentoncountyor.gov">BentonHealthyCommunties@bentoncountyor.gov

Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact Cory Grogan at 541-745-4468 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov

Measure 20-340 

www.publicsafetylevy.org

Week of March 19-25, 2023 

Lane County Sheriff Cliff Harrold will be available for questions related to the proposed Lane County Jail Levy Renewal (Measure 20-340) at two different locations this upcoming week:

• Tuesday, March 21 at 6:30PM - Elmira Elementary School (88960 Territorial Hwy., Elmira)
• Thursday, March 23 at 6:00PM – John Serbu Campus (2727 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Eugene)

Following a short presentation, the Sheriff will be available to answer questions and speak with community members. 

Passage of this measure would not increase the tax rate and renews a current local option tax. 

Measure renewal will maintain a minimum of 255 local jail beds for the five-year period, providing the Sheriff with improved ability to hold those arrested for violent felony offenses until their cases are resolved. 

Levy renewal would also:

• maintain investment in medical mental health services within the Jail to help those in custody make positive improvements and build life skills in an effort to reduce recidivism 
• continue to provide counseling, secure treatment, and detention services for youth offenders

Levy funds are placed in a restricted fund earmarked for the Jail and Youth Services. An annual independent financial audit of levy spending is required and presented publicly.

The estimated tax rate for this levy is $0.55 per $1,000 of assessed value. The median Lane County homeowner is estimated to pay an average of $118 per year for five years. 

Additional information sessions will be provided by the Sheriff at different locations throughout the county in the upcoming weeks. 

Lane County wants to hear from you!

Lane County Human Services (LCHS) has opened the 2023 Community Needs Survey! The survey will be open from now until April 30th. This annual, community-wide survey seeks to inform LCHS about the needs and concerns that you may have for communities across Lane County. The survey primarily focuses on issues such as housing, education, health, and rural services. Areas of concern identified through the responses will help to make sure funding is used to support gaps and needs for services in Lane County. 
 

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete, all answers are completely anonymous and confidential, and are available in English, Spanish, and Chinese by clicking the links below. Additionally, the attached flyer can be shared broadly to help encourage response.

Community Needs Survey (English)

Community Needs Survey (Spanish)

Community Needs Survey (Chinese)

In 2022, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office was awarded a limited amount of funding by the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission to investigate and shut down large-scale criminal marijuana manufacturing operations.  The Sheriff’s Office has utilized this funding to shut down several operations that have negatively impacted our community and without the grant funding, LCSO would not have the resources needed to conduct the investigations. Investigative resources are focused on large scale operations that illegally sell their product on the black market undermining licensed growers and producers.  Often these unregulated operations negatively impact the environment, violate land use laws, construction safety codes, and labor laws.    The following case summaries are recent examples of how this limited funding has been used.   

LCSO Case # 23-0047

On February 15, 2023, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Eugene Police Department, Springfield Police Department, Oregon State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration, Douglas Interagency Narcotic Team and the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed search warrants at 7 locations throughout Lane County after a year long investigation into large criminal marijuana manufacturing and processing ring.  During the execution of the warrants law enforcement seized over 16,000 marijuana plants growing in 9 buildings on a property off of Crow Road outside Eugene.  Approximately $280,000 in US currency, firearms as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars in vehicles and grow equipment were discovered to be directly involved in the operation.  During the investigation it was learned that marijuana from the operation was being sold out of state to places including Texas, Minnesota, Arkansas and even as far away as France.  One of those arrested was already on probation in Texas after he was caught shipping marijuana through the United States Postal Service.  

An illegal professional-scale marijuana refinement facility was located and shut down on W. 12^th Ave. in West Eugene as part of the operation.  This site is located just feet from the Amazon Canal (See attached photos). The refinement facility contained large volumes of unregulated highly flammable materials that requires a full scale Hazmat crew to safely clean up.  The cleanup process is ongoing.   

Seven people were arrested for their involvement in the operation and more arrests are expected. Law enforcement was assisted at the scenes by Lane County Code Enforcement, the State of Oregon Watermasters, Eugene/Springfield Fire, and Eugene Code Enforcement.  Several code and water violations were located, and the agencies are working to obtain compliance with those responsible.

LCSO Case # 23-0039

On March 15^th, 2023, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, Springfield Police Department, Eugene Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Douglas Interagency Narcotic Teams Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation executed search warrants at numerous residences in the Eugene-Springfield area, a residence in Happy Valley (Clackamas County) and a grow location south of Eugene. Investigators seized over 12,000 marijuana plants and 3600 pounds of processed marijuana.  Deputies had become aware of the grow location after several complaints from neighboring properties.  The property contained two 60’X300’ buildings built strictly for marijuana production. LCSO began an investigation and through surveillance determined those responsible for the operation in Lane County resided in three houses in Lane County and one house in Happy Valley, Oregon. The three residences in Lane County were searched with the agencies listed above, while the Happy Valley location was secured by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office.  During searches of the involved residences, firearms, marijuana and over $400,000 in US Currency was located. 

During the investigation deputies learned that several of the suspects had been involved in a 2017 organized criminal ring in King County Washington in what was described as a ‘TCO’ or Transcontinental Drug Trafficking Organization.  During the Washington investigation it was learned that over 9 million dollars had been wired to China under different LLC names. 

At two of the locations Law Enforcement found occupants unwilling to exit and in one case, at a residence on Q Street, a flash sound diversionary device was used to gain compliance. 

Lane County detectives were assisted by Chinese interpreters from the FBI.  During interviews it was learned that the workers at the grow had been promised between $3000-$5000 per month.  One of the workers indicated he hadn’t been paid for 3-4 months and hadn’t received his promised pay for about one year.  The worker indicated that they were made to work 7 days a week and 13 hour days to increase production.  The worker told detectives he would like to leave, but couldn’t or he would never be paid for his work.  The same worker revealed that the grow location off Dillard Road was the target of two armed robberies in the last two years that went unreported to police.  In one of the robberies, the suspects pointed firearms at the workers and told them that they were police officers. 

Three people were arrested for their involvement in the operation and investigations are ongoing.

These are very large-scale criminal operations.  Individually, each of these grows was consuming approximately $500,000 per year in electricity.

Lane County Code Enforcement and the Oregon State Watermaster’s Office responded to these grow locations and are dealing with numerous violations regarding water use and building safety codes.

LCSO would like to thank all the partner agencies that assisted in these investigations as well as analytical help from the Oregon National Guard. Without the assistance of our partners, LCSO would not have adequate resources to investigate and dismantle these highly complex operations. 

Salem, Ore. – It’s time to check your tickets - Oregon’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Raffle numbers have been drawn. 

Winning $1 Million Top Prize Number: 195243

Prizes for the St. Patrick’s Day Raffle include:

• One $1 million top prize
• 300 prizes of $500
• 1,500 prizes of $100

To check the winning Raffle numbers for all 1,801 prizes, players can use the Lottery’s smart phone app, go to www.oregonlottery.org or visit a participating Oregon Lottery retail location.

The $500 and $100 prize winners can claim their prizes at any Oregon Lottery retail location. In addition, players can claim their prize by mail – visit oregonlottery.org/about/claim-prizes for instructions. The $1 million Raffle prize winner will need to make an appointment with the Oregon Lottery office in Salem or Wilsonville. Please call 503-540-1000 for assistance.

The Raffle offers the best odds of any Oregon Lottery game of winning $1 million – 1 in 250,000. Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 138.8. The Oregon Lottery’s Raffle game went on sale January 1, 2023 with 250,000 tickets available, and all tickets were sold out by March 9, 2023. This was the 22^nd time a Raffle was offered by the Oregon Lottery. 

The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $15 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org.