Note: GREENTREE Photograph - Josephine County Sheriff's Office

***

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into a late Saturday night single vehicle fatal crash on Highway 238 four miles east of Murphy that resulted in the death of a 19-year old male.

The driver and another passenger received non-life threatening injuries. Both were treated and released from a hospital after which OSP arrested the car's driver on multiple charges including manslaughter and DUII. Alcohol is a contributing factor and OSP urges drivers to have a designated driver today - Super Bowl Sunday - which is one of the nation's most dangerous days on the road due to impaired driving.

On February 4, 2012 at approximately 10:58 p.m., OSP was notified of a single vehicle motor vehicle crash on Highway 238 near milepost 8. Medical responders arrived on scene approximately five minutes later and discovered one deceased person lying in the roadway.

Initial investigation indicates a 1999 Saturn driven by RACHEL KELLY GREENTREE, age 18, from Grants Pass, was eastbound on Highway 238 near milepost 8. The car traveled off the right side of the roadway where it collided with a dirt embankment. The vehicle rolled, eventually coming to rest on its wheels on the left hand shoulder of the highway.

GREENTREE was transported by ambulance to Three Rivers Hospital in Grants Pass for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. After release from the hospital Sunday morning, OSP arrested GREENTREE and lodged her in the Josephine County Jail on the following charges:

* Manslaughter in the Second Degree
* Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (DUII)
* Reckless Driving
* Assault in the Third Degree
* Recklessly Endangering Another Person

Right front passenger JOHNATHAN STADER, age 18, from Grants Pass, was transported to Three Rivers Hospital where he was treated and released.

Rear seat passenger MAXX CHRISTOPHER, age 19, from Merlin, was ejected and pronounced deceased at the scene. He was not using safety restraints.

GREENTREE and STADER were using safety restraints.

The crash closed a portion of the highway for approximately three hours.

OSP troopers from the Grants Pass worksite and Central Point Area Command office, with the assistance of the Josephine County District Attorney's Office, are continuing their investigation into the cause of the crash.

OSP was assisted at the scene by ODOT, Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Rural Metro Fire Department and AMR Ambulance Services.

According to NHTSA, forty-eight (48) percent of fatalities nationwide on Super Bowl Sunday involve a driver or motorcycle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. In 2010, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States.

Last year, two people died on Oregon roads following crashes after the conclusion of the Super Bowl football game. Both were in alcohol-involved traffic crashes. Over the last five years on Super Bowl weekend, 11 people have died in traffic crashes on Oregon roads.

More information and tips related to Super Bowl weekend travel is available at:
http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/NEWSRL/news/01_30_2012_super_bowl_duii.shtml

Crash Scene Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 020412.fatal.hwy238.1 , 020412.fatal.hwy238.2 , 2012-02/1002/51436/Greentree.jpg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
CONTACT: Doug Johnson, 503-713-7658

Portland, Ore. – High school students from around the Northwest put their razor-sharp minds to the test at BPA’s 21st annual Regional Science Bowl, Saturday at the University of Portland. Mountain View High School located in Vancouver, Wash., edged out more than 60 other teams from Oregon and Washington in the region’s foremost math and science competition.

Interlake High School located in Bellevue, Wash., took second. The Salmon Creek team, a group of home-schooled high schoolers from Woodland and Vancouver, Wash., finished third.

By winning the regional competition, the team from Mountain View High School earns a berth in the Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., later this spring. What’s more, students from the top three teams will also receive scholarship offers from sixteen colleges and universities: Central Washington University, Evergreen State College, Gonzaga University, Lewis and Clark College, Linfield College, Oregon Institute of Technology, Pacific University, Portland State University, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle University, University of Oregon, University of Portland, University of Puget Sound, Washington State University, Western Oregon University and Western Washington University.

BPA has sponsored the Northwest Science Bowl since 1991. More than 150 BPA employees volunteer as moderators, judges and in other positions and have helped the event evolve into the largest regional science bowl in the nation.

"We’re so thrilled to welcome these students and teachers every year, and to provide a forum where they can really shine. Just as some of their peers may receive recognition on the athletic field or on the stage, this is where kids who love science come to demonstrate their skills," said Cheri Benson, BPA Science Bowl coordinator. "There’s a practical application for us as well. Whether it’s engineering, hydrology, biology, or accounting, utilities such as BPA need future employees with a skillset that’s based on math and science. So this battle of the brains is our Super Bowl."

Photos and high-definition video of the event are avaiable at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bonnevillepower/sets/72157629175029605/

This year’s event was also sponsored by Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Alstom Grid, and the University of Portland.

About the Game

After training for months, teams of four or five students from Oregon and Washington faced off in a round robin, quiz-show-style competition, followed by a double elimination final. The questions are multiple choice and short answer. Topics include astronomy, biology, chemistry, energy, mathematics, physics, earth science, computer and general science.

BPA is a non-profit federal agency that markets renewable hydropower from federal Columbia River dams, operates three-quarters of high-voltage transmission lines in the Northwest and funds one of the largest wildlife protection and restoration programs in the world. BPA and its partners have also saved enough electricity through energy efficiency projects to power four large American cities. For more information, contact us at 503-230-5131 or visit our website at www.bpa.gov.

###


Attached Media Files: Science Bowl Logo

One person was injured Friday afternoon in a near head-on crash involving a car and commercial truck on Highway 20W about four miles west of Tumalo. Oregon State Police (OSP) is completing the investigation and cited an involved driver.

On February 3, 2012 at approximately 1:29 p.m. a 2006 Mercedes driven by JACK GRAHAM, age 68, from Sisters, was westbound on Highway 20W near milepost 13 negotiating a curve when it crossed the centerline and collided nearly head-on with an eastbound 2000 Peterbuilt truck pulling a flatbed trailer loaded with lumber. A third vehicle, a 2009 Honda Civic, drove into the ditch to avoid the collision.

GRAHAM was transported by ambulance to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend with non-life threatening injuries. He was cited by OSP for Fail to Drive on Right Side of Highway.

The truck’s driver, STEVEN C. JORGENSEN, age 53, from Newell, Iowa was not injured. The lumber load did not spill.

The Honda’s driver was not injured.

Senior Trooper Joseph Craig from the Bend Area Command office is completing the investigation.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, ODOT and local fire personnel assisted at the scene. The highway was closed about two hours.

No OSP photographs available for this release.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Friday night’s injury traffic crash involving a Bandon School District bus and a van at the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 226 east of Albany. Two students and the van’s two occupants were transported to area hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. The names of the students are not available for this release.

On February 3, 2012 at approximately 8:45 p.m. a 2005 Chrysler van driven by DONNA K. PERDUE, age 73, from Corvallis, was stopped at a stop sign westbound on Highway 226 at the intersection with Highway 20. The van pulled onto Highway 20 and collided into the left side of a Bandon School District bus that was eastbound on Highway 20 intending to turn left onto Highway 226.

DONNA PERDUE and passenger DONALD E. PERDUE, age 86, were extricated from the van by fire personnel from Albany Fire Department. They were transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis with serious, non-life threatening injuries.

Bus driver THOMAS J. HUTTON, age 68, from Bandon, was not injured. The bus reportedly contained approximately 20 passengers, two of which received minor injuries and were taken to Lebanon Community Hospital for treatment. There is no information available regarding their school or scheduled activity.

OSP troopers from the Albany Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

Linn County Sheriff’s Office, ODOT, and Lebanon Rural Fire Protection District assisted at the scene.

No other information or OSP photographs available for this release.

Link to aerial map view where crash happened: http://mapq.st/AdMgly

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

The Albany Fire Department responded to the Highway 20 and Highway 226 east of Albany at 8:48 p.m. this evening to a reported motor vehicle accident. Firefighters arrived at scene within approximately eight minutes to find a car with two occupants had collided with a school bus carrying approximately twenty persons.

Firefighters immediately worked to evaluate the passengers of both vehicles and provide treatment on the scene. Two persons were transported to Lebanon Community Hospital and two persons were transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in Corvallis.

Twenty Fire Department personnel responded to this emergency call, which caused Highway 20 to be closed in both the east and west bound lanes while fire crews treated the patients and prepared them for transport.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Patrol, Oregon Department of Transportation and an ambulance from the Lebanon Rural Fire Protection District assisted at the scene; while, units from the Tangent Rural Fire District, the Corvallis Fire Department and callback Albany Fire Department personnel responded to provide standby coverage in the City during the incident.


Attached Media Files: Minivan Collides with School Bus East of Albany - Four Persons Transported #2 , Minivan Collides with School Bus East of Albany - Four Persons Transported #1

One person was arrested Friday by Oregon State Police (OSP) after a small group of demonstrators were interrupted outside of Mahonia Hall, the official governor’s mansion in Salem.

On February 3, 2012 at approximately 6:45 a.m. a van pulled up in front of Mahonia Hall. Several individuals got out of the van and unloaded several dry Christmas trees near the front security gate. An OSP trooper providing security at the mansion interrupted the group and detained one person. The others fled the area in the van and were not identified.

JOHN WINSTON ZATKOWSKY, age 23, from Eugene, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree and Offensive Littering. He was transported to the Marion County Jail and was released after booking.

No one was at Mahonia Hall when this incident occurred.

Photograph Source: Marion County Sheriff’s Office

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-02/1002/51423/Zatkowsky.JPG

Oregon State Fire Marshal Mark Wallace is encouraging Oregonians to submit nominations for the state’s 2012 Golden and Silver Sparky awards.

The Golden Sparky recognizes a fire service member for outstanding achievement in fire prevention or public fire safety education. The Silver Sparky is the civilian version, awarded to an individual, non-profit organization, or company for outstanding achievement in fire prevention or public fire safety education.

"I know there are many Oregonians all over the state who have made contributions in fire prevention and fire prevention education, and I encourage everyone to let us know about it," says Oregon State Fire Marshal Mark Wallace. "You don’t have to be a member of the fire service to nominate someone. Nominations may be submitted by any member of the public as well."

Last year, the Golden Sparky was awarded to Canby Fire Marshal/Division Chief Troy Buzalsky and the Silver Sparky was awarded to the Bay Area Sunrise Rotary Club in Coos Bay.

"All that’s required is for the nominator to fill out our single-page nomination form and submit written examples of the nominee’s achievements," says Wallace.

The nomination deadline is March 30, 2012. Forms are available on the Office of State Fire Marshal website at http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/docs/Administration/Sparkyform.pdf.

Send nominations to Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Jim Walker, Office of State Fire Marshal, 4760 Portland Road NE, Salem, Oregon 97305, or via email to jim.walker@state.or.us.

State Fire Marshal Wallace will present the awards during the annual Oregon Fire Service Meritorious Awards Banquet (time and place, TBD).

Nominators may contact Sally Cravinho at 503-934-8205 or sally.cravinho@state.or.us for assistance or more information.

####


Attached Media Files: The State Fire Marshal Golden Sparky award , The State Fire Marshal Silver Sparky award

Coos Bay Public Schools will hold an Executive Session and Special School Board Meeting on Monday, February 6, 2012, at Milner Crest Education Center, 1255 Hemlock Ave., Coos Bay.

The Executive Session will begin at 5:30 PM and is based on ORS 192.660(2)(d) To conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to carry on labor negotiations.

The Special Board Meeting will begin at 6:00 PM or shortly after the Executive Session.

The agenda and board packet will be posted as soon as possible at http://cbd9.net/schoolboard/agendas and is subject to change.

Go to http://cbd9.net/public-meetings-schedule to link to all the public meetings currently scheduled for February.

Please note that the Regular School Board meeting that was scheduled for February 12th has been moved to February 27th.

All Coos Bay School District Board Meetings are subject to the Public Meetings Law (ORS 192.610-192.710). The public is welcome to attend.

Contacts:
Dawn Rae Granger, Superintendent, (541) 267-1309
Peggy Ahlgrim, Board Secretary, (541) 267-1310

Oregon had an estimated total of 43,148 green jobs spread across 4,339 employers in 2010. According to the Oregon Employment Department’s report, The Greening of Oregon’s Workforce: Jobs, Wages, and Training, green jobs made up 3 percent of Oregon’s combined private, state government, and local government employment. Nearly 7,800 employers were surveyed for information on employment, wages, and educational requirements associated with their green jobs.

Green jobs can be found in every major industry and occupational group, and in every region of the state, but tend to be concentrated in a few industries and occupations. Over three-fourths of all green jobs can be found in five industries: construction (9,912 green jobs); natural resources and mining (8,014); state and local government (5,738); manufacturing (5,313); and professional and technical services (4,876). Nearly one out of every four green jobs in 2010 was in the construction industry alone. Similarly, 45 percent of all green jobs fall into one of 11 occupations, although employers reported at least one green job in 185 different occupations.

Almost one-third (30%) of Oregon’s green jobs required related work experience and no degree to be competitive for positions. More than one-fourth (28%) required a bachelor’s or advanced degree. In addition, 114 occupations had some green jobs with a license, certification, or special requirement.

Green jobs paid slightly higher wages than non-green jobs in 2010. The average hourly wage for all green jobs was $23.07, compared with $19.83 for all jobs. Green workers in occupations that required higher levels of education generally earned higher wages. About four-fifths of all green jobs with a competitive education requirement of a bachelor’s or advanced degree paid $25.00 per hour or more, along with roughly two-fifths of all green jobs that require some college, an associate degree, or a vocational certificate. By comparison, 3 percent of green jobs with no educational requirement earned an hourly wage at or above $25.00.

Similar to overall employment levels across the state, the largest shares of green jobs were reported in the Portland area (41%) and the Willamette Valley (17%). Southern Oregon accounted for 11 percent of all green jobs, and smaller shares were reported in Central Oregon and the Columbia Gorge, along the coast, and in Eastern Oregon.

Employers project little change in the number of green jobs statewide between 2010 and 2012. They anticipate a net loss of 598 green jobs (-1%) over the two-year period. Seven industries expect declines in green jobs between 2010 and 2012. Anticipated losses range from a drop of 3 percent (-253 jobs) in natural resources and mining to a reduction of 12 percent (-602 jobs) in professional and technical services. Three industries expect to employ more workers in green jobs during 2012: manufacturing; administrative and waste services; and other services. These industries expect a combined gain of 966 green jobs over the two-year period.

In Oregon, we define a green job as one with essential job duties that provide a service or produce a product in any of these categories: Increasing energy efficiency Producing renewable energy Preventing, reducing, or mitigating environmental degradation Cleaning up and restoring the natural environment Providing education, consulting, policy promotion, accreditation, or other services supporting the above categories.

The full report is available on the Green Info page of the Employment Department’s workforce and economic information website: QualityInfo.org/Green

PIO Don Thomson will be out of the Office until Tuesday morning.

During this time, Commander Kevin Schultz will handle the PIO duties for our Office. He will assume the duty at 12:00pm today. He can be reached at 503.932.2000 or Kschultz@co..marion.or.us .

Don Thomson will resume PIO duties at 8:00am, Tuesday the 7th.

Have safe Superbowl weekend.

Thank You.

A 46-year old parolee led law enforcement officials from three agencies on a 27-minute pursuit before being taken into custody in South Salem Thursday night.

Sr. Deputy Jason Hickam first spotted a white 1992 Chevrolet pick up truck in northeast Salem on Herrin Road near 48th Street NE at 10:47pm. He attempted to stop the truck for a traffic violation, but it immediately fled from the deputy.

The truck drove through several residential streets before making its way to Interstate 5 where it continued southbound at speeds of up to 105 mph. During this time, Hickam realized that the truck matched the description of a truck used in some recent metal thefts in the area.

The truck exited the freeway at Kuebler Blvd SE and continued westbound at 70mph. During this time, Troopers from the Oregon State Police and Officers from the Salem Police Department joined in the effort to stop the truck and arrest the driver.

The driver of the truck, later identified as Kevin Anthony Cox, 46, sped through several residential areas near Creekside Golf Course at speeds of 50+mph. OSP Troopers were able to deploy spike strips at the intersection of Liberty Road SE near Holder Lane SE, flattening the right front tire of the truck. The driver, however, continued to flee from officials.

At about 11:07pm, the truck collided with a silver Hyundai Sonata at the intersection of Kuebler Blvd SE and Liberty Road SE. The occupants of the car, Stephanie Bickle, 36 and Sean Houston, 39, both of Salem, were transported to the Salem Hospital where they were being treated for injuries. The nature of their injuries and their condition are not known at this time.

After hitting the car driven by Houston, Cox fled from the scene, speeding westbound on Kuebler Blvd. The truck was now being driven on the rim of the right front tire as the tire had completely disintegrated. The truck also had moderate damage from the collision.

Near Joplin Street S and 19th Court S, Cox abandoned his truck and ran on foot. Troopers and deputies followed him, and with the assistance of a canine, took him into custody. During this time, Cox continued to resist and refused to follow trooper commands to show his hands. A 40mm less-lethal projectile was deployed to gain control of him to prevent further risk to the officers or community.

After being checked by medics, Cox was booked into the Marion County Jail on charges of Attempted Elude, Reckless Driving, Hit & Run (both injury and property), Resisting Arrest, and a Parole Violation. He is being held without bail. Cox has an extensive criminal record with 47 arrest cycles for theft, burglary and possession of controlled substances. He was on post-prison supervision for methamphetamine possession at the time of this arrest.

Our Office extends its appreciation to the law enforcement agencies that assisted in capturing Cox.


Attached Media Files: Suspect Kevin Cox

SALEM—The deadline to file wage and income information returns—Forms W-2 and 1099— with the Oregon Department of Revenue is March 31, 2012.

Effective last year, if you issue employees a W-2 you must also submit the information to DOR electronically. This is true even if you aren’t required to file them with the Social Security Administration electronically.

Businesses that issue 250 or more of certain Forms 1099 must also submit them directly to the DOR. Next year, that number drops to 100 or more.

The department is providing a new filing system for small businesses to manually enter W-2 information so they can meet the requirement. It’s called iWire Direct, it’s free, and doesn’t require new software. It’ll be available the first part of March 2012.

"Since the new system won’t be in place until we near the deadline, we’re extending the due date for small businesses if they have only a small number of W-2s to report," said JoLene Swint, Payroll and Withholding Manager for the Department of Revenue.

If the business uses iWire Direct, they may file by May 31, 2012 without penalty. The due date remains unchanged for other businesses.

All W-2 and 1099 wage reports must still be issued to employees by January 31 of each year.

For updates about iWire and iWire Direct, business owners or their bookkeepers should visit DOR’s website www.gov/dor/bus.

Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get tax forms, check the status of your refund or make tax payments, or call 1-800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish); 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon; or e-mail, questions.dor@state.or.us. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), call 1-800-886-7204. Due to the amount of calls the department receives during tax season, you may experience extended waiting times.

-30-

Four people were injured, including an Oregon State Police (OSP) sergeant and trooper, following a Thursday afternoon two-vehicle traffic crash on Highway 207 near Interstate 84 south of Hermiston. The names of the involved OSP personnel and other two adults in the second vehicle are also now released.

On February 2, 2012 at approximately 3:26 p.m. OSP Sergeant SETH COONEY and Trooper MICHAEL MAYER were traveling southbound on Highway 207 in an 2006 Dodge Charger patrol vehicle approaching the intersection with the eastbound off ramp from Interstate 84. A 1990 Ford Taurus station wagon stopped at a stop sign at the bottom of the off ramp drove into the intersection in the path of the OSP patrol vehicle where they collided.

COONEY and MAYER were transported by ambulance to Good Shepherd Medical Center. They were treated and released for minor injuries.

The Ford's driver, RAUL ROJAS-RIVAS, age 44, and passenger AMALIA RIVAS-FLORES, age 78, both from Boardman, were also transported by ambulance to the same hospital with minor injuries.

All persons were using safety restraints and the OSP patrol vehicle airbags deployed.

COONEY, age 42, is a 13-year veteran with OSP assigned in the Patrol Services Division at the Hermiston work site. MAYER, age 30, is a 7-year veteran assigned in the Fish & Wildlife Division at the Heppner work site.

Hermiston Police Department is continuing the investigation with the assistance of OSP. Hermiston Fire & Emergency Services and ODOT assisted at the scene.

Photograph Source - Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-02/1002/51386/OSP.Badge.jpg , Untitled Image , Untitled Image , Untitled Image , Untitled Image

The Fire Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on February 22, 2012 at the Oregon Public Safety Academy located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made before the meeting For more information please contact Julie Olsen-Fink at (503) 378-2297 or Tina Diehl at (503) 378-2254.

Committee Members:

John Klum, Portland Fire & Rescue, Chair
Joe Seibert, Non-Management Firefighter, Vice-Chair
Alan Ferschweiler, Oregon State Fire Fighters Council
Dave Jones, Oregon Fire District Directors Association
Jeffrey Jones, Oregon Fire Chiefs Association
William Lafferty, Forest Protection Agencies
Johnny Mack, Community College Fire Programs
Dan Petersen, Oregon Fire Instructors Association
Scott Stanton, Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association
Michelle Stevens, Oregon Fire Marshals Association
Mark Wallace, Oregon State Fire Marshal

  



1. *Minutes (November 23, 2011)
Approve minutes from November 23, 2011 meeting

2. *Revocation/Denial Case Review for David Jost DPSST #28625 – Santa Clara RFPD

3. *Revocation/Denial Case Review for Daniel Morford DPSST #20057 – Siletz Fire Department

4. *Revocation/Denial Case Review for Jason Harris DPSST #24863 – Hines Fire Department

5. *Revocation/Denial Case Review for Sultan A. Shabazz DPSST #16838 – Portland Fire & Rescue

6. *Revocation/Denial Case Review for Nathan Ohrt DPSST #16473 – Salem Fire Department, Mill City RFPD (Pulled from Board agenda for further review by FPC)

7. Staff Update

8. The next FPC meeting is scheduled for May 23, 2012


## Background Information on the DPSST & BPSST ##

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) operates the Oregon Public Safety Academy which spans more than 212 acres in Salem. Eriks Gabliks serves as the Director, and Sheriff Todd Anderson (Retired)of Tillamook County serves as the Chair of the Board. The department implements minimum standards established by the Board for training and certification of city, county and state law enforcement officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, fire service personnel, telecommunicators, emergency medical dispatchers and private security providers. DPSST provides training to more than 20,000 students each year throughout Oregon and at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem: certifies qualified officers at various levels from basic through executive; certifies qualified instructors; and reviews and accredits training programs throughout the state based on standards established by the Board.

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Police Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 1:30 p.m. on February 16, 2012. The meeting will be held in the Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem, Oregon. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made before the meeting by calling Carolyn Kendrick at DPSST by phone at (503) 378-2358


Agenda Items:
1. *Minutes of November 17, 2011 Meeting
Approve minutes from the November 17, 2011 meeting.

2. SB412 Implementation Update - Discussion Item

3. *Chance L. Dixon, Umatilla County Sheriff's Office - DPSST #41699 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Dixon's Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Police certifications based on violation of the moral fitness standards.

4. *Andrew C. Elliott, Warm Springs Police Department - DPSST #51127 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Elliott's Basic Police certification based on discretionary disqualifying misconduct.

5. *Matthew A. Harikian, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office - DPSST #35577 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Harikian's Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Police certifications based on violation of the moral fitness standards.

6. *Shelley L. Prince, Redmond Police Department - DPSST #24228 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Prince's Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Police certifications based on violation of the moral fitness standards.

7. *Matthew E. Rae, Linn County Sheriff's Office - DPSST #41026 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Rae's Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Police certifications based on violation of the moral fitness standards.

8. *William E. Stowell, La Grande Police Department - DPSST #13559 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Stowell's Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Police certifications based on discretionary disqualifying misconduct.

9. *John H. Thorndike, Umatilla Tribal Police Department - DPSST #42494 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Thorndike's Basic Police certification based on violation of the moral fitness standards.

10. Next Police Policy Committee Meeting - May 17, 2012 at 1:30pm


## Background Information on the DPSST & BPSST ##

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) operates the Oregon Public Safety Academy which spans more than 212 acres in Salem. Eriks Gabliks serves as the Director, and Sheriff Todd Anderson (Retired)of Tillamook County serves as the Chair of the Board. The department implements minimum standards established by the Board for training and certification of city, county and state law enforcement officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, fire service personnel, telecommunicators, emergency medical dispatchers and private security providers. DPSST provides training to more than 20,000 students each year throughout Oregon and at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem: certifies qualified officers at various levels from basic through executive; certifies qualified instructors; and reviews and accredits training programs throughout the state based on standards established by the Board.

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Corrections Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. The meeting will be held in the Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made before the meeting by calling Carolyn Kendrick at DPSST by phone at (503) 378-2358


Agenda Items:
1. *Minutes - November 8, 2011
Approve the minutes of the November 8, 2011 Corrections Policy Committee meeting.

2. Quarterly Review of DOC BCC by the DPSST Audit Team Determine if the Oregon Department of Corrections Basic Corrections Course 2011 meets or exceeds the minimum standard required for equivalency.

3. *Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Wall Nomination Determine whether Officer Buddy Ray Herron's name will be included on the Law Enforcement Memorial Wall.

4. Status Update - Ron Hagen
Regarding proposed denial of certification

5. *Ryan M. Fernandez, Marion County Sheriff's Office - DPSST #45198 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation Fernandez's Basic and Intermediate Corrections certifications based violation of the moral fitness standards.

6. *Robert A. Gable, Department of Corrections - DPSST #48832 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Gable's Basic Corrections certification based on discretionary disqualifying conduct.

7. *Douglas S. Hawker, Department of Corrections - DPSST #36735 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Hawker's Basic and Intermediate certifications based on violation of the moral fitness standards.

8. *Christopher L. Hill, Department of Corrections - DPSST #45247 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Hill's Basic Corrections certification based on discretionary disqualifying conduct.

9. *Robert L. Myers, Department of Corrections - DPSST #42937 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Myers' Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Corrections certifications base on violation of the moral fitness standards.

10. *Ubaldo S. Perez, Department of Corrections - DPSST #48545 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Perez's Basic Corrections certification based on discretionary disqualifying conduct.

11. *Matthew M. Wilson, Department of Corrections - DPSST #31753 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Wilson's Basic and Intermediate Corrections certifications based on discretionary disqualifying conduct.

12. *Richard W. Wilson, Marion County Sheriff's Office - DPSST #49156 Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Wilson's Basic Corrections certification based on violation of the moral fitness standards.

13. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting - May 8, 2012 at 1:30pm

## Background Information on the DPSST and BPSST ##

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) operates the Oregon Public Safety Academy which spans more than 212 acres in Salem. Eriks Gabliks serves as the Director, and Sheriff Todd Anderson (Retired)of Tillamook County serves as the Chair of the Board. The department implements minimum standards established by the Board for training and certification of city, county and state law enforcement officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, fire service personnel, telecommunicators, emergency medical dispatchers and private security providers. DPSST provides training to more than 20,000 students each year throughout Oregon and at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem: certifies qualified officers at various levels from basic through executive; certifies qualified instructors; and reviews and accredits training programs throughout the state based on standards established by the Board.

On February 2, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., Complex Two at Snake River Correctional Institution (SRCI) was put on lockdown status after an inmate was found unresponsive in his cell. The inmate, Michael Clarence Hagen (SID # 18040458), was taken to a local hospital.

The housing unit 2A remains on lockdown status to ensure the safety of all staff and inmates. Approximately, 80 inmates live in that unit. Normal operations continue throughout the rest of the institution.

The Oregon State Police are investigating.

Inmate Hagen came to the Department of Corrections (DOC) on 5/21/2010. He was convicted of robbery I, two counts of burglary I, assault I and three counts of attempted aggravated murder out of Multnomah County. He earliest release date is 1/7/2027.

PR 07 12

BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012
CONTACT: Doug Johnson 503-230-5840
or 503-230-5131



New pilot saves customers money and reduces BPA reserve requirements
Committed Intra-Hour scheduling pilot will advance renewable energy integration



Portland, Ore. – Two Bonneville Power Administration customers have committed to faster-paced energy schedules, increasing the electric grid’s flexibility to absorb changes in wind energy generation and reducing costs for both the customers and BPA.

Portland General Electric and Snohomish PUD will schedule transmission of energy through BPA’s system every half hour – doubling the previous pace of once an hour -- in exchange for a 34 percent reduction in the rate BPA charges for balancing services. The more frequent scheduling helps the energy market better adjust to fluctuations in wind generation.

For more than a century, the Northwest’s transmission system has operated by scheduling deliveries on the hour. However, that means BPA must hold enough generating capacity in reserve to make up the difference between what wind generators expect to deliver to the grid in any 60 minute period and what their turbines actually produce. More frequent scheduling lets wind producers match their schedules more closely to output, reducing the demand on BPA’s hydroelectric capacity.

BPA manages 75 percent of the Pacific Northwest’s high voltage electric transmission system.

"During our most recent rate case, we worked with our customers to create a pilot that would save them money and help us find options other than the hydro system to balance increasing amounts of wind," said Elliot Mainzer, executive vice president, BPA Strategic Planning. "We continue to look for innovative ways to integrate renewable energy sources and stretch the value of the hydro system."

"We feel BPA's advancement of intra-hour scheduling will facilitate additional renewable energy on the grid, benefiting rate payers, the regional economy and the environment," said Rachel Shimshak, executive director, Renewable Northwest Project. "As our region adopts a resource mix that includes more new renewables and less fossil fuel, intra-hour scheduling will play a key role within the suite of solutions necessary to accommodate clean energy."

PGE will employ intra-hour schedules for 450 megawatts of wind it operates within the BPA grid. Snohomish PUD will do the same for 97 megawatts of its wind energy. Because of these commitments, BPA will reduce by 23 megawatts the balancing reserves it holds in case wind facilities generate less energy than scheduled and 34 megawatts of reserves it holds in case wind plants produce more energy than scheduled. Removing these reserves provides BPA with operational flexibility to meet other hydro system requirements.

"We expect our participation in this pilot will help reduce our balancing charges for wind integration," said Snohomish PUD Senior Manager of Power Scheduling Kelly Wallace. "It has provided a valuable learning opportunity in committed intra hour scheduling in large part due to our successful collaboration with our pilot partners and BPA."

"It is important that all of us in the region work collaboratively to find fair, efficient, cost-effective ways to integrate the increasing amounts of variable, renewable power our customers want on the electric grid," said Jim Lobdell, PGE’s vice president of power operations and resource strategy. "Intra-hour scheduling is one tool that can help make the system more resilient, and we’re pleased to work with BPA to move this forward."

During this two-year rate period from Oct. 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2013, BPA is inviting participation in the pilot for up to 1,200 megawatts of wind energy. The amount of wind identified for participation to date accounts for just less than half the available space in the pilot.

Voluntary intra-hour scheduling has increased steadily over the past three years. However, because the practice was voluntary BPA could not discount its variable energy integration rate because it could not predict how often certain utilities would use the tool and at which wind plants.

BPA customers have pursued intra-hour scheduling even without discounts, though. A two-phase voluntary intra-hour scheduling pilot began in 2009. Under this initial pilot, BPA allowed only increases to schedules, which did somewhat limit participation.

Between January and September 2011, voluntary intra-hour schedules averaged about 5,440 megawatt hours per month. But that amount swelled to an average of approximately 17,240 megawatt hours per month between October and December 2011, when BPA opened the pilot to decreases in schedules and initiated a pilot with the California ISO opening intra-hour scheduling for Northwest generators who send power to California.

BPA is a non-profit federal agency that markets renewable hydropower from federal Columbia River dams, operates three-quarters of high-voltage transmission lines in the Northwest and funds one of the largest wildlife protection and restoration programs in the world. BPA and its partners have also saved enough electricity through energy efficiency projects to power four large American cities. For more information, contact us at 503-230-5131 or visit our website at www.bpa.gov.



###

An Oregon State Police (OSP) traffic stop near Roseburg early Tuesday morning led to the arrest of a Newberg-area man after an OSP trooper discovered over 5 lbs of marijuana in the vehicle. In addition to the marijuana seizure, the man was arrested on warrants out of Oregon and California. The OSP Drug Enforcement Section is continuing the investigation.

On January 30, 2012 at approximately 1:00 a.m. an OSP trooper stopped a 1987 Chevrolet S10 displaying Oregon license plates northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 119 for a traffic violation. The driver was identified as LEONARD M. WILSON, age 37, from Newberg.

Subsequent investigation led the trooper to find that WILSON was transporting over 5 lbs of marijuana with the vehicle. Estimated value of the seized marijuana is $13,000.

WILSON was arrested as a Fugitive from Justice because he was wanted on a felony Fail to Appear warrant out of Shasta County, California. WILSON was also arrested on two Fail to Appear warrants from Yamhill County, Oregon. He was cited to appear in Douglas County Circuit Court for Unlawful Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana.

Since his arrest, WILSON was transferred to the custody of Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office.

Photograph Source: Yamhill County Sheriff's Office

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-02/1002/51380/Wilson.jpg

OREGON CIVIL AIR PATROL JOINS SEARCH FOR MISSING MUSHROOM PICKERS



Oregon Civil Air Patrol air search and rescue teams have been called upon to assist

Curry County search and rescue teams who are searching an area near the Rogue River for three people reported as overdue mushroom hunters.

CAP search aircraft from Brookings and Medford began participating in the search

Wednesday at the request of Oregon Emergency Management and are continuing air search operations again Thursday with additional aircraft from Portland and Salem.

The Curry County Sheriff is the lead agency for the search and all requests for search
information should be directed to their search mission PIO.


Attached Media Files: 4 Oregon C-182 search aircraft are currently participating in a search for 3 m issing mushroom hunters in Curry County , 4 Oregon C-182 Search Aircraft such as this one are currently participating in a search for 3 missing mushroom hunters in Curry County

The Salem Police Department will be partnering with the Chemeketa Small Business Development Center in offering a free course to local business owners.

Todays business owner strives to keep daily operations going, and these plans should include the prevention of crime in and around the company location.

Please join Salem Police Officer Mark Jantz on February 9, 2012 at the Chemeketa Center for Business & Industry (626 High St. NE), 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., for a power-packed 90 minute presentation on:

- Reinforcing the physical environment (landscaping, fencing, locks and lighting)
- Influencing behavior before something happens
- Using space productively
- Crime and loss prevention

Register through the Chemeketa SBDC at (503) 399-5088. For more information about the course, contact Officer Jantz at (503) 588-6175 or refer to the Salem Police Department website at www.cityofsalem.net/police.

SALEM, Ore. - Oregon Army National Guard Brig. Gen. David Enyeart, is scheduled to be promoted to the rank of Major General, during a ceremony at 3:00 p.m. on Feb. 6.

The ceremony is scheduled to be held at the Anderson Readiness Center on the drill floor, located at 3225 State Street in Salem, Ore. Members of the public and the media are invited to attend.

Following his promotion, Enyeart will begin his new position as Chief of Staff, United States Forces Korea.

"I am honored but also very humbled with this promotion to Major General," said Enyeart, "I am looking forward to the challenges and learning experience with this new position in United Forces Korea."

Enyeart began his career in the U.S. Army in 1978. He received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant through Officer Candidate School in June 1985 and joined the Oregon National Guard as a Mortar Platoon Leader. During his three decade career he has had three overseas deployments, two to Afghanistan and one to Sarajevo.

His military career includes commands ranging from unit level to Brigade level and then to Assistant Adjutant General (Army), Oregon National Guard, and Commander/Senior Military Representative, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Headquarters /Sarejevo.

Enyeart recently returned from Sarajevo, Bosnia where he served with military and governmental agencies assisting in their entry into NATO.

Family, friends, and members of the media are invited to attend the promotion ceremony which marks, Enyeart’s more than 33 years of service to the military.


Attached Media Files: 2012-02/962/51361/BG_Enyeart.jpg

*The Bethel Consortium Title VII Indian Education Program hosts its Annual Pow Wow*

Elmira High School
February 4, 2012

The Bethel Consortium Title VII Indian Education Program will be hosting its annual pow wow, held in the gymnasium at Elmira High School this upcoming Saturday. Every year, the program carries on the tradition of honoring the students enrolled across eight rural districts,inviting the community and guests from afar to join in the ceremonial celebration.

Pow wow’s are customarily a way to gather people together to offer thanks and reflection and to welcome people from a myriad of backgrounds. Attendants participate in an enriching multicultural experience. The general public is encouraged to attend.

The Bethel Consortium Title VII Indian Education Program pow wow will be featuring a variety of local and long distance drummers, singers, and dancers in full regalia; a raffle; arts and crafts vendors selling handcrafted leather work, bead work, moccasins, jewelry and other items; a food vendor serving fry bread and Indian Tacos and Booster Club refreshments.

The Master of Ceremonies will be local KRVM radio broadcaster of "Indian Time, " Nick SixKiller. Arena Director will be Tony Whitehead. The Host Drum will be Star Horse from Warm Springs. We are expecting many other special guests representing many nations to be attending.

Grand Entry will begin at 1 p.m. and will temporarily break for a rest around 4 p.m. before continuing until the early evening. Admission is free and open the public. No alcohol, drug or weapons are permitted.

The Bethel Consortium Title VII Indian Education Program, administered by Lane Education Service District, is designed to provide culturally appropriate educational support to Native Students. Tutoring, mentoring, family and community liaisons are several areas of support. We work hard with the schools and the community to increase awareness and knowledge of our unique Native cultures.

For more information, please contact Alan Merrill at 541-461-8228 or Brenna Chapman at
541-461-8233 if you have additional questions in regards to the event.

An Oregon State Police (OSP) traffic stop Wednesday afternoon on Interstate 84 near Ontario led to the arrest of an Aloha, Oregon man after a trooper discovered over 10 lbs of marijuana inside the vehicle. OSP Drug Enforcement Section is continuing the investigation.

On February 1, 2012 at approximately 2:03 p.m. an OSP senior trooper stopped a 1996 Cadillac displaying Oregon license plates for a speed violation eastbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 376. The driver was identified as ANDREW DOUGLAS ROSE-GONZALEZ, age 26, from Aloha.

Subsequent investigation during the traffic stop led to the discovery of over 10 lbs of marijuana concealed inside the car’s trunk. Estimated value of the seized marijuana is $25,000.

ROSE-GONZALEZ was arrested and lodged in the Malheur County Jail for Unlawful Possession, Distribution, and Manufacture of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana.

Photograph Sources:
Rose-Gonzalez photo – Malheur County Sheriff’s Office
Marijuana photo – Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-02/1002/51367/Rose-Gonzalez.JPG , 2012-02/1002/51367/020112.i84mp376.mj.JPG

(Salem) — Health insurance premiums continued to grow in 2011 but at slower rates than in recent years, according to the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) annual report on Health Insurance in Oregon.

The 2012 report describes how health insurance is regulated in Oregon and provides detailed information on how Oregon’s seven largest insurers are faring financially. Some highlights:
• Many insurers reported lower-than-expected medical claims in 2011, slowing growth in health insurance rates in the individual and small employer (2-50 employees) markets. The average annual rate increase in the small group market was 6.6 percent in 2011, down from nearly 11.7 percent in 2010.
• As of mid-2011, a total of 89 cents of every premium dollar went to pay medical claims. Another nine cents paid insurance company operating costs and the remaining two cents was profit, or net underwriting gain. This is the difference between what an insurer earns in premiums and what it pays out in claims and administrative costs.
• In state-regulated insurance markets, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest and Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon hold 49 percent of the business based on premium. However, five additional health insurers have significant slices of the pie, depending on the insurance market.

"Oregon has among the most competitive insurance markets in the country and that helps ensure that a high percentage of premiums go for health care versus administration and profit," Acting DCBS Director Patrick Allen said.

A key change in insurance regulation started in fall 2011 when the DCBS Insurance Division began conducting public hearings on most rate requests. Beginning in February 2012, the department will stream hearings live. Details will be available at www.oregonhealthrates.org. Click on "public hearings."

"This year, in addition to the full report, we have new webpages that highlight key financial data in consumer-friendly charts and graphs," Acting Insurance Division Administrator Lou Savage said. "Consumers can find information on where Oregonians get insurance, premium trends, profitability of insurers, and company by company data for our seven largest health insurers."

The full Health Insurance in Oregon report is available under "Headlines" on the division’s homepage: http://insurance.oregon.gov/. The new pages featuring key data can be found by clicking on "financial data" at www.oregonhealthrates.org.

###
The Insurance Division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov. Follow DCBS on Twitter: http://twitter.com/OregonDCBS. Receive consumer help and information on insurance, mortgages, investments, workplace safety, and more.

SALEM – Governor Kitzhaber has appointed Anne Carloss, Director of Special Education for the Hood River County School District, to the Oregon Broadband Advisory Council - http://www.broadband-oregon.org/.

Ms. Carloss is a native of Chicago, Illinois, where she graduated from Loyola University with a B.S. in special education. She then earned a Master’s degree in education administration from Aurora University. She is currently completing an Education Specialist degree in educational leadership at Lewis & Clark College. Ms. Carloss also has many years of experience as a teacher and administrator in public schools in Illinois and Oregon.

"We are very excited about having someone with Anne’s background become a part of Oregon’s Broadband Advisory Council," said Joseph Franell, CEO of Eastern Oregon Telecom, and Chair of the Council. "As broadband technologies become more and more a part of the classroom, having someone join the OBAC who has both K-12 experience and educational leadership skills will certainly help us meet the challenge of making Oregon the leader in the deployment and utilization of broadband in education."

The mission of the Council is to encourage coordination and collaboration between organizations and economic sectors to leverage the development and utilization of broadband for education, workforce development and telehealth, and to promote broadband utilization by citizens and communities. The Council is also charged with reporting to the legislature on the affordability and accessibility of broadband technology in all areas of the state.

The Council members are leaders representing Oregon’s cities, counties, telecommunications service providers, Native Tribes, educators, economic development organizations, public safety agencies, healthcare providers, e-government, the Public Utility Commission, and the Oregon State Legislature.

For more information contact: Chris Tamarin, Telecommunications Strategist, Business Oregon, 503-508-0178 or christopher.tamarin@state.or.us.

###

The Oregon Business Development Department works to create, retain, expand and attract businesses that provide sustainable, living-wage jobs for Oregonians through public-private partnerships, leveraged funding, and support of economic opportunities for Oregon companies and entrepreneurs. Visit www.oregon4biz.com for more information on doing business in Oregon.


Attached Media Files: Oregon Broadband Advisory Council Appointee Anne Carloss

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) will graduate its 64th Parole and Probation Officer Class on February 10, 2012. The ceremony will begin at 11 am and will be held at the Oregon Public Safety Academy. The Academy is located at 4190 Aumsville Highway in Southeast Salem. A reception will be held following the ceremony. All family and friends of students, supervisors, department heads and city and county officials are welcome to attend.

Any questions please call Carolyn Kendrick at DPSST (503) 378-2358 or e-mail her at carolyn.kendrick@state.or.us.

Members of Class #64 include:

Officer Marco Beitl, Wasco County Community Corrections
Officer Byron Brown, Multnomah County Community Justice
Officer Dominic DelBosque, Washington County Community Corrections
Officer Jeffrey Garvin, Columbia County Community Corrections
Officer Patricia Gebhardt, Multnomah County Community Justice
Lieutenant Kristen Hanthorn, Clatsop County Sheriff's Office
Officer Beau Holstad, Clackamas County Community Corrections
Officer Tiffany Hopwood, Multnomah County Community Justice
Lieutenant Beth Hulse, Wallowa County Sheriff's Office
Officer Odessa Jones-Anderson, Warm Springs Parole & Probation
Officer Stephen Kays, Clackamas County Community Corrections
Officer Terence Lorz, Deschutes County Adult Parole & Probation
Officer Robert Lucas, Deschutes County Adult Parole & Probation
Officer Casandra Petersen, Washington County Community Corrections
Deputy Sheriff Andy Pointer, Jefferson County Community Corrections
Officer Shawn Sorensen, Wasco County Community Corrections
Officer Justin Sorensen, Jackson County Community Justice
Officer Jamie Tynan, Multnomah County Community Justice
Officer Jason White, Clackamas County Community Corrections

## Background Information on the DPSST ##

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) operates the Oregon Public Safety Academy which spans more than 212 acres in Salem. Eriks Gabliks serves as the Director, and Sheriff Todd Anderson (Retired)of Tillamook County serves as the Chair of the Board. The department implements minimum standards established by the Board for training and certification of city, county and state law enforcement officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, fire service personnel, telecommunicators, emergency medical dispatchers and private security providers. DPSST provides training to more than 20,000 students each year throughout Oregon and at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem: certifies qualified officers at various levels from basic through executive; certifies qualified instructors; and reviews and accredits training programs throughout the state based on standards established by the Board.

Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) will consider nominations to the National Register of Historic Places in a two-day meeting on February 9 -10 at the Oregon Department of Transportation Building, 123 Flanders Street, Portland, OR. The public meeting will begin at 12:30 PM on Thursday the 9thth and at 1:00 PM on Friday the 10th.

The committee will review proposed nominations for individual properties in Lake Oswego, Coos Bay, and Hardman, as well as the Broadway, Burnside, Hawthorne, and Morrison Bridges in Portland. A meeting agenda is available at http://www.oregonheritage.org/OPRD/HCD/NATREG/nrhp_sachphome.shtml


Attached Media Files: Agenda

An Oregon State Police (OSP) investigation into a November 2011 minor injury hit and run traffic crash on Interstate 5 north of Albany led to Tuesday’s arrest of a Eugene woman on multiple charges.

LISA L. ABBE, age 42, from Eugene, was arrested by OSP January 31, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. on warrants charging Felony Hit & Run, Assault in the Fourth Degree, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person. The charges stemmed from an OSP investigation into a November 22, 2011 minor injury crash southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 241 in Marion County in which a passenger car crashed into the rear of a pickup. The female driver of the passenger car fled the scene in the vehicle. The other driver was injured but not transported to a hospital.

The OSP investigation identified ABBE as the fleeing driver. She was indicted by a Marion County grand jury and then arrested on the outstanding warrants when she contacted the Lane County Jail on an unrelated matter.

ABBE is in custody at the jail on the above listed charges and Fail to Appear First Degree – Parole Violation. She was also cited to appear for Driving While Suspended and Driving Uninsured.

Photograph Source: Lane County Sheriff’s Office

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-02/1002/51342/Abbe.gif

MONMOUTH – Western Oregon University is the recipient of a NetApp storage system valued at $70,000. WOU currently uses NetApp storage systems to provide highly available data to students, faculty and staff. WOU is grateful for this donation in light of continuing state budget cuts that diminish the ability for the university to refresh equipment and servers, and to keep up-to-date with high performance equipment.

"We are deeply appreciative of this generous gift and how it will support our campus community. Bringing this type of technology infrastructure into our classrooms, such as the new DeVolder Family Science Center, will enhance the educational experience for our students and is critical to our continued growth.," said Tommy Love, director of University Advancement and executive director of the WOU Foundation.

Each year, demand for storage increases from students, faculty and staff. Students today demand instant access to their files, class projects and media. As WOU continues to grow, the university has begun a new academic program focused on 3D graphic design. This is only one example of an area where abundant high-performance storage is needed.

"NetApp and Western Oregon University have developed an excellent working relationship over the years we’ve partnered together. We have found the integration of the NetApp systems into our existing infrastructure to be smooth and painless; and we’ve seen a performance increase of 50 percent in our virtual infrastructure," said Bill Kernan, director of University Computing Services.

Video capability remains to be a priority and important campus initiative as the use of high definition (HD) is now standard and requires a much larger amount of storage. The access rate of HD video across the network (sometimes to multiple places) requires high-performance controllers to satisfy this ever-growing demand. The snapshot feature of NetApp storage systems is highlighted in this video produced by WOU: http://www2.wou.edu/pls/wou2/woutv.home?pid=108

WOU has been an early adopter of the VDI (VMWare) technology and continues to roll it out to various groups throughout campus. NetApp’s secure multi-tenancy and FlexPod interoperability will allow us to segment out storage easily to groups both in and out of IT while maintaining a premium level of support.

Regina Kunkle, vice president of state and local government and higher education (SLED) at NetApp, said, "NetApp has established itself as the leading storage vendor to the education community and is committed to enabling the education market to address today’s IT challenges. We are thrilled to be able to extend this donation program to higher-education and K–12 institutions around the country and we look forward to helping them get the most out of their IT infrastructures."

About WOU
Western Oregon University, founded in 1856, is the oldest public university in the western United States. The university has received national recognition for excellence for its focus on student learning and success by the Education Trust, US. News and World Report, American Association of State Colleges and Universities, National Association of Academic Advisors, and Parade Magazine. In 2010 WOU was recognized by the Education Trust as being the top university in America at eliminating the Latino graduation gap. WOU is a member of the seven campus Oregon University System and is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

About NetApp
NetApp creates innovative storage and data management solutions that deliver outstanding cost efficiency and accelerate business breakthroughs. Our commitment to living our core values and consistently being recognized as a great place to work around the world are fundamental to our long-term growth and success, as well as the success of our pathway partners and customers. Discover our passion for helping companies around the world go further, faster at www.netapp.com.

# # #

Lake Oswego, Ore. (February 1, 2012) --- Oregon's community hospitals directly generated 59,580 full- and part-time jobs, and 69,790 secondary jobs (suppliers, vendors, contractors, etc.), totaling 5.9 percent of the total covered and uncovered employment in the state. This represents 129,370 jobs—linked to hospitals—across Oregon, according to a new economic impact study conducted by the economic research firm ECONorthwest and commissioned by the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (OAHHS).

The report, Economic Contributions of Community Hospitals, also shows that direct and secondary economic activity of hospitals contributed $9.2 billion to Oregon's Gross State Product in 2010. Gross State Product is a measure of the value added in production and, in the economic impact model, represents the sum of personal income, other income, and indirect business taxes.

The data shows that Oregon’s hospitals generated more jobs and revenue for Oregon in 2010 than when their impact was first measured in 2009. Year-over-year, hospitals created 3.5% more jobs, contributed 3.6% more to the Gross State Product, and helped generate 2.5% more state and local tax revenue.

"In this wavering economy, this is one of the more positive highlights in terms of job growth and economic stability," said Alec Josephson, senior economist at ECONorthwest and author of the report.

More Key Findings

- Collectively, hospitals in Oregon are associated with 129,370 full- and part-time jobs in Oregon in 2010.
- This represents 5.9 percent of the total covered and uncovered employment in Oregon in 2010.
- Every 10 direct jobs in hospitals are linked, on average, to another 12 jobs elsewhere in Oregon.
- The direct and secondary economic activity linked to hospitals contributed approximately $9.2 billion to Oregon’s Gross State Product ("GSP") in 2010.
- Hospitals directly and indirectly generated approximately $715 million in tax and fee revenues for state and local tax jurisdictions in 2010.

"As we enter into the 2012 Legislative Session in Salem, we must be mindful of the imperative role that community hospitals play in job and revenue creation for the state," commented Andy Davidson, president and CEO of OAHHS. "We have a moral responsibility embrace health reform in a manner that does no harm to community hospitals, their employees and most importantly, the patients they serve."

To read more about the report, visit http://www.oahhs.org/impacts.

About OAHHS: Founded in 1934, OAHHS is a statewide, nonprofit trade association that works closely with local and national government leaders, business and citizen coalitions, and other professional health care organizations to enhance and promote community health and to continue improving Oregon’s innovative health care delivery system

February 1, 2012—Salem, ORE. The Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon’s innovative public-private partnership to raise cultural funding, has elected Bob Speltz of Portland as its Chairman and Walter Frankel of Corvallis as Secretary/Treasurer.

Bob Speltz is director of public affairs for Standard Insurance Company ("The Standard") in Portland. He has responsibility for employee volunteerism, sustainability initiatives, public relations, corporate giving and The Standard Charitable Foundation. He has wide-ranging corporate and nonprofit philanthropic experience. While at Nike, Inc. from 1999-2005, he was manager of Global Community Affairs and later became director of Global Community Affairs. He has also held corporate community involvement roles at Nau, Inc. and MCI Communications Corp. His nonprofit work experience includes positions at the Council on Foundations in Washington, D.C. and Oregon Health & Science University Foundation. He has extensive nonprofit board experience and is currently Vice Chair of GRANTMAKERS of Oregon and SW Washington and is a member of the Creative Advocacy Network board. Speltz is also the former chair of the Q Center board of directors and a former board member of the Equity Foundation.

"I am honored to take on this important responsibility and continue the groundbreaking work of the Cultural Trust. Culture activates communities and invigorates our economy. I look forward to being a visible advocate for Oregon’s arts, heritage and humanities," commented Speltz.

Walter Frankel, Secretary-Treasurer, is a founding member and the former chair of the Benton County Cultural Coalition. A career librarian with wide-ranging experience, Frankel retired from Corvallis-Benton County Public Library in 2000. He is the former board chair of Opera Theater Corvallis and a former member of the board of the OSU-Corvallis Symphony. He currently volunteers for the Benton County Historical Museum where he encourages county cultural organizations to deposit their archives.


About the Oregon Cultural Trust
The OREGON CULTURAL TRUST is an innovative, statewide private-public program raising significant new funds to support and protect Oregon’s arts, humanities and heritage. In addition to the creation of a long-term, protected endowment, funds are distributed annually through three multi-faceted, wide-ranging grant programs. Donors to the Trust are eligible for a 100% Oregon income tax credit for contributions of up to $500 for individuals, $1,000 for couples filing jointly and $2,500 for corporations. To motivate Oregonians to increase direct giving to cultural groups, Trust donors must also make matching gifts to one or more of 1,200 cultural nonprofits in order to qualify for the credit. Twenty-one thousand (21,000) donors have contributed over $25 million to the Trust since Oregon’s cultural tax credit took effect in December 2002. In nine years, the Cultural Trust has distributed $11 million in grants and built its permanent fund to $14.5 million.

In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Oregon Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development. The Arts Commission and the Cultural Trust are part of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department in recognition of the expanding role arts and culture play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. More information: (503) 986-0088 or www.culturaltrust.org.



- 30 -

The Oregon Arts Commission and The Ford Family Foundation, in the second year of a partnership to provide funding for the acquisition of seminal works by Oregon visual artists, announce the March 30, 2012 deadline for applications for Art Acquisition grants.

Part of the foundation’s Visual Arts Program, the grants are available to qualified Oregon visual art institutions and public visual arts collections to preserve public access to important works of art, provide support for the artists as well as the institutions that support their work through acquisition and exhibition.

Eligible applicant organizations for Art Acquisition Funding are Oregon visual arts institutions or public visual arts collections with current 501(c)(3) status, governmental entities, and federally-recognized tribes, with collections that are accessible to the public.

The Oregon Arts Commission manages the program on behalf of The Ford Family Foundation. Applications will be accepted through the GO, Grants Online, system until 5:00 pm, Friday, March 30, 2012. Panelists will review applications independently before coming together as a group in April to consider all requests.

Guidelines for Art Acquisition Funding are available on the Oregon Arts Commission website, http://www.oregonartscommission.org/grants/grants-for-organizations where details on three webinars to be conducted in February and March 2012 to familiarize applicants to the GO system will also be posted.

The Art Acquisition grants are part of The Ford Family Foundation's seven-prong Visual Arts Program launched in 2010 to support Oregon visual artists and visual arts institutions to honor the late Hallie Ford's interest in the visual arts. Additional resources support artist fellowships; artists residencies; exhibitions and documentation of Oregon visual artists' work; small capital projects to enhance studio and exhibition space; individual grants to fund unanticipated opportunities to pursue or showcase artists' work; and ongoing critic/curator tours to provide feedback to Oregon artists and participate in community dialogue.

_ _ _ _ _

About The Ford Family Foundation
The Ford Family Foundation is the sole funder of this Visual Arts Program. It partners with Oregon's leading visual arts educators, gallerists, museum and arts professionals to help implement program elements and leverages funding with other state and national resources.

The Foundation was established in 1957 by Kenneth W. and Hallie E. Ford. Its Mission is "successful citizens and vital rural communities" in Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. The Foundation is located in Roseburg, Oregon, with a Scholarship office in Eugene. For more information about the Foundation, please visit the website at www.tfff.org.


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

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature, federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

Ten teams assembled at Lakeshore Lanes in Albany on January 29, 2012 to participate in the 8th Annual 5-5-5-Bowling Tournament hosted by the Jefferson Volunteer Firefighters Association. The five-person teams from various fire departments throughout the Willamette Valley bowled five games in five hours. Various awards were given at the end of the tournament. Sponsors of the bowling classic included Complete Wireless, Costco, Cruise Master, DeLay Shoe Shop, and Hughes Fire Equipment. JVFA would like to say "Thank You" to all who participated and sponsored this event. They will be donating $1,310 to the Oregon Burn Center.


Attached Media Files: Captain Ryan Campbell and Firefighter Mike Stablein presenting the 1st Place Award to "The Gutter Guys" from the Burn Center in Portland , 5-5-5 Bowling Tournament at Lakeshore Lanes in Albany, Oregon

(Salem) — The Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) recently awarded a consumer group a three-year contract to continue to offer input on health insurance rate requests on behalf of consumers.

The Oregon State Public Interest Research Group (OSPIRG) will receive $315,000 in federal grant funds to provide analysis through September 2014 on insurance company rate requests. In September 2011, the Oregon Legislature’s Interim Joint Committee on Ways and Means approved the grant funding for the DCBS’ Insurance Division.

As part of its contract, OSPIRG will participate in public hearings, which the department now schedules for rate requests involving insurance markets for small employers and individuals who buy coverage on their own directly from an insurer. These markets represent more than 400,000 Oregonians who are considered the most vulnerable insurance buyers because they lack the negotiating power of large groups.

Since late 2010, DCBS has used federal grants available through the Affordable Care Act to bolster public input on rate requests. OSPIRG was awarded the three-year contract through the state’s competitive process for submitting proposals. The group reaches out to other community organizations, small businesses, and citizens concerned with health care coverage, and works with an advisory board to ensure broad representation of consumers and small businesses.

"OSPIRG offers another way for consumers to participate in our review of insurance company rate requests," Acting Insurance Division Administrator Lou Savage said.

In its contract proposal, OSPIRG indicated it would be seeking less than the full amount of potential grant funds because it has successfully gained nongovernment money to support its rate advocacy.

"We are extremely pleased that OSPIRG is building a program that will sustain itself after federal grants end," Savage said.

Health insurance rate increases are driven largely by health care costs. Rates continue to increase for the small group market. In 2011, the average rate increase was 6.6 percent, the first time in recent years it wasn’t a double-digit figure. The Insurance Division is working with other state agencies on broader reforms aimed at improving health while lowering health care costs.

Meanwhile, Oregonians can visit www.oregonhealthrates.org to sign up for e-mail notifications when their company files for a rate request. This same webpage provides a public hearing schedule, more information on how the department reviews rates, and detailed financial information on Oregon’s seven-largest health insurers.

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A man entered the Arco AM/PM at 5401 Commercial St SE just after 11:30 Monday night, displayed a handgun, and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured during the incident. The suspect was last seen running west from the business. Police attempted a track using a K-9 but were unsuccessful.

The suspect was described as a white male, approximately 30 to 35 years of age, 6 foot to 6 foot, two inches, approximately 220 pounds wearing a baseball cap, a black leather jacket, blue jeans, and white basketball type shoes. The suspect had a dark blonde goatee.

Anyone with information on this crime is asked to telephone Detective Jamie Vasas at (503)540-2352.
###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1095/51321/Robbery.tif , 2012-01/1095/51321/robbery.JPG

MONMOUTH, OREGON, USA – Western Oregon University has extended its scholarship deadline for incoming students to Monday, Feb. 13, 2012. The extension was made in response to the impact of the mid-January flooding had on mail services and campus events. The January 21 Preview Day was cancelled due to safety concerns related to flooding that occurred in the surrounding areas.

The university must receive a completed application file which includes the application form, official transcripts, ACT or SAT test scores, and the application fee by 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13 in order for a student to be considered for a scholarship. Students attending the February 11 Preview Day can submit a complete application packet and receive an admission decision the by the end of the event.

For more information on WOU scholarships, students should go to the WOU Financial Aid Office website at http://www.wou.edu/student/finaid/index.php. Registration for the free Preview Day can be completed online at http://www.wou.edu/student/admissions/previewday/winter.php.

# # #

Those who wish to assist with local flood relief in the aftermath of the recent flood disaster in Corvallis now will have an avenue to do just that.

Kristen Wambach, pastor of a local Heart of the Valley Community Church, has formed the non-profit Benton County Flood Relief to connect local resources with community needs created by the recent disaster. Those who wish to donate can deposit money in the group’s account at any Citizen’s Bank location.

"Pastor Wambach contacted us about ways that the church could assist with relief," Benton County Emergency Services Program Manager Mary King said. "Since there really wasn’t a mechanism to focus locally we suggested that this was a way she could help and she really sprang into action. We are grateful for her efforts on behalf of the community."

Volunteers with the organization will take requests for aid and work with local businesses to purchase supplies with the allotted amount of funding. Volunteers also are needed to help do the repair work that is needed. Supplies will be purchased from local businesses. Individuals, businesses and public places that were impacted by the recent flooding all are eligible for assistance.

All types of relief requests will be considered, and money will be distributed to victims as it is available and appropriate. Any community member who has suffered a loss associated with the storm may apply for relief through this foundation. The non-profit organization’s mission is to "facilitate a helping hand, coordinate funding from our community to our community and restore hope by rebuilding and repairing homes devastated by the 2012 flood."

For more information or to apply for aid to repair damages caused by the 2012 flood, those interested can access the group’s website at https://sites.google.com/site/bentoncountyfloodrelief/, email the organization at bentoncountyfloodrelief@gmail.com or call Benton County Food Relief President Kristen Wambach at 541-602-2141.


Attached Media Files: flood relief release

Salem—The Oregon School Boards Association has called on its membership to advocate for a list of legislative priorities during the upcoming legislative session, and has endorsed Governor John Kitzhaber’s call for enacting "education achievement compacts" with local school districts, the association president said Tuesday.

"While this session is a shortened version, our priorities emphasize the ongoing fight to restore a sense of urgency over the condition of public education in Oregon," said Kris Howatt, president of OSBA. "Statewide, nearly a third of our students fail to earn high school diplomas after four or even five years of high school. Many school districts struggle to maintain their programs in the face of ever-tighter budgets. In short, our sense of urgency is both real and justified."

The association’s legislative priorities fall into three categories:

• Student achievement. OSBA will vigorously advocate legislation that supports progress in student achievement, Howatt said. "We need to ensure that every student is ready for post-secondary education, whether college or apprenticeship, leading to a career and productive citizenship." By raising the high school graduation rate, more opportunities are available to all students, she added.

• Shared accountability. OSBA will continue to urge the governor and the legislature to join local school districts and education service districts in sharing accountability for student achievement. "We’re all in this together," Howatt said, "and we all need to acknowledge our respective roles in helping students succeed in their academic careers."

• Funding. Adequate, stable funding continues to be among OSBA’s primary legislative goals. For the current legislative session, OSBA’s chief objective is to ensure that any budget rebalancing does not reduce funding for K-12, Howatt said. Over the longer term, OSBA will urge the legislature to guarantee schools have the resources to meet their responsibilities. Schools also need relief from state mandates for new or expanded responsibilities without full funding to pay the additional costs, Howatt said. School boards continue to support fiscal impact statements for any legislation under consideration.

The Oregon Education Investment Board has proposed legislation (SB 1581) that would call on local school boards and other public education entities to sign "achievement compacts" with the state. Presented as a replacement to provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), the compacts would set planning goals for student achievement and require collaboration in preparing students for post-secondary education.

"If the legislature passes SB 1581, it will help move the ball the forward toward achieving the priorities of Oregon’s school boards," Howatt said.

The leadership of OSBA has encouraged its members to contact their local legislators to stress the importance of enacting the association’s legislative priorities, Howatt added. "This is a critical time for public education," she said. "Many schools are barely holding on because of tight budgets and scarce resources. Never has our legislative agenda been more important."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Valentine's Day meets Halloween as storytellers share horror stories about their worst dates during "It's Not Me, It's You: Stories from the Dark Side of Dating" on Friday, February 10 at Cozmic Pizza in Eugene. Proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon, the political arm of the organization.

We've all had them: dates that go terribly, hilariously awry. As a remedy to the usual Valentine's Day fare, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon invited some of Eugene's sharpest storytellers to share their worst dating experiences with total strangers. The goal: After hearing these personal stories, people will walk away feeling grateful for their current relationship - or convinced that being single isn't so bad after all!

Phil Scher will host a festive evening featuring:

* Acclaimed authors Laurie Notaro ("The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club: True Tales from a Magnificent and Clumsy Life") and Lauren Kessler ("My Teenage Werewolf: A Mother, a Daughter, a Journey Through the Thicket of Adolescence")

* Standup comics Leigh Anne Jasheway, Seth Milstein, Chris Castles and Ashly Reiss

* Journalists Camilla Mortensen, Dante Zuñiga-West and Jimmy Radosta

What: It's Not Me, It's You: Stories from the Dark Side of Dating
When: Friday, February 10, 2012 (doors 8pm, show 8:30-10:30pm)
Where: Cozmic Pizza, 199 W. Eighth St., Eugene
Tickets: $15 at the door or $13 in advance from CozmicPizza.com and at the Cozmic Pizza box office


Attached Media Files: Storyteller and journalist Camilla Mortensen. Photo courtesy Trask Bedortha, Eugene Weekly.

01/31/12 @ 9:44am

On Monday afternoon, Marion County Public Works crews inspected and assessed the flooding damage River Road South, between Orville Road and the Willamette River bridge to the City of Independence.

At 10:00am today, River Road will be reopened to all traffic, in both directions.

Even though the roadway will reopen, crews will continue to work on the shoulders, making repairs throughout the day. Traffic will be flagged around their work zone, and motorists are asked to watch for workmen on the roadway.

There may still be a few spots of standing water covering portions of the travel lanes. These areas will be posted with high water signs. As always, drivers should exercise appropriate caution in this area.

We wish to express our appreciation to those motorists who obeyed the road closure signs and followed the detour. We’re pleased to have the roadway open again.

- - - - - - - - -

Motorists are reminded that River Road South in Salem, between Orville Road and the bridge over the Willamette River in Independence, remains closed to all traffic. There are three areas where the road is still under 4"-10" of standing water, and the road has not been inspected for safety. Road Closed barricades are posted, but motorists have been ignoring them, exposing themselves and their passengers to extreme danger (photo attached).

Traffic Safety Sergeant Craig Cunningham commented, "Our Public Works Department has asked that we do what we can to keep motorists from ignoring the "Road Closed – High Water" barricades. Until the roadway can be inspected, we won’t know if there are sinkholes or other issues that could be dangerous to motorists. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to conduct an inspection until the water recedes."

Even as the water recedes, there are still areas of slick mud and debris that pose a significant danger to motorists. This danger is increased during the hours of darkness when visibility is restricted. Attached are aerial photos of River Road showing the affected area.

John Vanderzanden, from Marion County Emergency Management, added that Public Works crews are monitoring the road and checking it 2-3 times a day.

Their current recommendation is that the road remain closed until conditions improve. Vanderzanden pointed out that motorists are exposed to particular danger when an approaching vehicles force one or the other to drive through deep puddles or pools because of their inability to circumvent the standing water without leaving the roadway.

We hope drivers will understand that the issue is more than just dealing with standing water over the roadway. The river jumped its banks in this area and has been rapidly flowing over River Road at a 90-degree angle to the road. This could seriously undermine the integrity of the shoulder and the road. We are concerned about the safety of motorists and want to avoid having to conduct a water rescue just because someone failed to obey the signs.

Additionally oils, fluids and other contaminants wash from the undercarriage of vehicles driving through the water ultimately end up in the Willamette, further adding to the environmental impact of this flood.

We regret the inconvenience caused by having to detour on Highway 22, but until the water recedes and the roads can be inspected, repaired (if necessary) and opened to the public, we are asking everyone to obey the signs and use Highway 22 to travel back and forth between Salem and Independence.

Signs warning motorists of the road closure are posted on the Salem side of the river at Owens Street S. (8.5 miles from the closure - photo attached), again at Riverdale Road South (3.5 miles from the closure) and Orville Road South (at the closure). Similar signs are posted on the bridge over the Willamette River coming from Independence.

The actual barricades are permanently installed swinging barriers, supplemented by reflectorized barricades. Historically, the area is prone to flooding.

In spite of these warnings, deputies have issued over 100 citations in the past week. The most common excuse offered is that the driver was aware of the road closure, but just didn’t want to drive the longer distance through Salem, or perhaps felt that they could navigate through the water without danger.

Traffic Safety Deputies will continue to enforce the traffic laws in this area. Violators will be cited for violating (ORS 818.130- Violation of Posted Limits on Use). Bail for this violation is $110.00.


Attached Media Files: Aerial view 2 , Flooded roadway , Owens St Warning sign , Motorist Moving Barricade , Aerial view 1

Jan. 31, 2012

A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in Gerber Reservoir, located 42 miles east of Klamath Falls, was lifted today by Oregon Public Health and Klamath County Health Department officials.

The advisory went into effect Aug. 23, 2011.

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals. With the arrival of cold weather and ice cover at Gerber Reservoir, water recreation activities are limited, which reduces the risk to public health.

Oregon Public Health advises people who recreate in Oregon water bodies to always be alert to signs of algae blooms. People and their pets should avoid water contact if there are visible clumps of algae in the water.

For local information contact the Bureau of Land Management Klamath Falls field office at
541-883-6916.

For health information, contact the Oregon Public Health Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance program at 971-673-0400 or www.healthoregon.org/hab; also contact the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767 or Delbert Bell, Klamath County Health Department, at 541-883-1122.


# # #

(Salem) – Oregon OSHA welcomes Roseburg Forest Products EWP in Riddle as the latest employer in the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP).

SHARP provides an incentive for Oregon employers to work with their employees to find and correct hazards, develop and implement effective safety and health programs, and continuously improve. The ultimate goal of SHARP is to encourage employers to become self-sufficient in managing workplace safety and health issues. Currently, about 70 employer locations in Oregon participate in SHARP, in addition to more than 90 facilities that have graduated from the program.

Roseburg’s Engineered Wood Products plant is one of North America’s largest EWP facilities, covering nearly 70 acres, with more than 750,000 square feet of manufacturing space. The plant manufactures joists used in floor and roof construction; laminated veneer lumber for headers, beams, studs, and columns; and rim board for perimeter framing and load transfer. It is a complete processing facility, from drying and grading veneer to final packaging and shipment. The plant has 132 employees.

"We believe that safety is No. 1," said Jimmy Holsapple, safety coordinator for Roseburg Forest Products EWP. "Safety will not be sacrificed for production. We will provide a safe working environment and a plant culture that values and promotes employee health and safety. We will strive for an incident rate of zero."

Participation in SHARP does not eliminate regulatory enforcement, although SHARP participants do receive a limited exemption from programmed inspections. Employees retain all workplace safety and health rights contained in the Oregon Safe Employment Act. Oregon employers that have been in business for more than one year are eligible to apply for SHARP regardless of size or type of business.

###

Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, go to www.orosha.org.

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

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into an early Tuesday morning single vehicle fatal traffic crash on Highway 199 near Hayes Hill that resulted in the death of an elderly man. The man’s name is released in this update.

According to Sergeant First Class Mark Byrd, on January 31, 2012 at approximately 12:35 a.m. a 2007 Toyota 4-Runner driven by JAMES BOWLING, age 82, from Obrien, was northbound on Highway 199 near milepost 15. For an unknown reason, the vehicle traveled off the right side of the highway, parallel to the highway for about 250 feet before going down an embankment where it struck a tree. BOWLING was extricated from the vehicle by fire personnel and pronounced deceased at the scene. He was using safety restraints.

OSP troopers from the Grants Pass worksite and Central Point Area Command are continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash.

OSP was assisted at the scene by ODOT, Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, Rural Metro Fire Department, Illinois Fire Department, Grants Pass Fire Department, and AMR Ambulance services.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/51287/013112.fatal.hwy199mp15.1.JPG , 2012-01/1002/51287/013112.fatal.hwy199mp15.2.JPG

PORTLAND, OR. -

The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing will be conducting routine night flying training January 30 - February 3. All flying is scheduled to be completed each evening before 10 p.m.

Night flying is conducted periodically throughout the year to meet the Air Force’s training and currency requirements for both pilots and aircraft maintenance personnel. Night flying in an F-15 involves the use of night vision goggles (NVG’s), night aerial refueling, and incorporates other tactics and procedures that must be routinely exercised.

"Any time we conduct training outside of our normal daily routine, we feel it’s our responsibility to inform the public of the jets flying overhead," said 142nd Fighter Wing Commander, Col. Michael Stencel. "We feel privileged to be a part of this community and are committed to our role as good neighbors and stewards of taxpayer dollars."

Since September 11, 2001 the 142nd Fighter Wing has flown over 37,000 hours in support of our mission to ensure the Pacific Northwestern skies remain safe.

-30-

The public is invited to the Mid-Valley Local Emergency Planning Committee’s (LEPC) annual meeting on Wednesday, February 8, 2012, starting at 10:00 a.m. in the training room at Northwest Natural, 7150 Supra Drive SW, Albany.

In a proactive effort to enhance community safety in the event of a hazardous chemical release, Linn and Benton Counties established an LEPC. The LEPC is made up of emergency responders from police and fire, emergency planners, and representatives from health, education, media, hospitals, government, environmental groups, the public, and facilities in the community with extremely hazardous chemicals on site. The main goal of the LEPC is to work together to be better prepared in the event of a hazardous chemical release.

You are invited to this meeting to learn what an LEPC is all about and the benefits of having one in your community. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Darrel Tedisch at darrel.tedisch@cityofalbany.net or 541-917-7725.

As thousands of Oregonians join millions across the country planning to gather and watch America’s most popular sporting event, the Super Bowl, law enforcement and traffic safety partners urge everyone not to let drunk driving penalize your plans. The U.S. Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with support from the National Football League (NFL) and Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management (TEAM), have joined forces with state and local highway safety and law enforcement officials to spread an important safety message about designating a sober driver on Super Bowl Sunday – Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.

Oregon State Police (OSP), Oregon State Sheriff’s Association, Oregon Association Chiefs of Police and ODOT ask fans to huddle up now and make plans to ensure you don’t make a critical mistake that affects you and others on Oregon roads.

"Make the right call and have the keys in the hands of your designated driver so everyone can get home safely," said Captain Mike Dingeman, director of the OSP Patrol Services Division.

According to NHTSA, Super Bowl Sunday has become one of the nation’s most dangerous days on the road due to impaired driving. Forty-eight (48) percent of fatalities nationwide on Super Bowl Sunday involve a driver or motorcycle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 percent or higher. In 2010, alcohol-impaired driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States.

Last year, two people died on Oregon roads following crashes after the conclusion of the Super Bowl football game. Both were in alcohol-involved traffic crashes. Over the last five years on Super Bowl weekend, 11 people have died in traffic crashes on Oregon roads.

The following statistics reflect DUII arrests by OSP troopers and traffic fatalities reported between 12:01 a.m., Saturday, through 5:59 a.m., Monday, during the previous five Super Bowl weekends:

* 2011 Super Bowl weekend - 2 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 59 DUII arrests
* 2010 Super Bowl weekend - 0 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 58 DUII arrests
* 2009 Super Bowl weekend - 2 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 50 DUII arrests
* 2008 Super Bowl weekend - 5 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 23 DUII arrests
* 2007 Super Bowl weekend - 2 traffic fatalities and OSP troopers reported 42 DUII arrests

Oregon State Police, Oregon State Sheriff's Association, Oregon Association of Chiefs of Police, ODOT and MADD stress that designating a sober driver should be on the top of everyone's Super Bowl party list. Join their team and report possible intoxicated drivers to 9-1-1 or Oregon State Police dispatch at 1-800-24DRUNK (800-243-7856).

"Just as the players on the field prepare for the game, you can prepare for a safe celebration as well," said Troy Costales, ODOT’s Safety Division administrator.

If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:

* Make sure all of your guests designate their sober drivers before kick-off or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
* Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party.
* Determine ahead of time when you’ll stop serving alcohol, such as one hour before the party ends or at the end of the third quarter (just like NFL stadiums) and begin serving coffee and dessert.
* Keep the numbers for local cab companies handy, and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving while impaired.
* Be prepared for guests to spend the night if an alternative way home is not available.
* Remember, you can be held liable if someone you served ends up in a drunk-driving crash.

If you are attending a Super Bowl party or watching at a sports bar or restaurant:

* Designate your sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
* Avoid drinking too much alcohol too fast. Pace yourself—eat enough food, take breaks and alternate with non-alcoholic drinks.
* If you don't have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend or family member to come and get you; or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober.
* Use your community's sober ride programs.
* Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired.

Remember, Fans Don't Let Fans Drive Drunk, and always buckle up – it's still your best defense against other impaired drivers.

Additional tips and more information are also available at www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/51268/FansDontLetFansDriveDrunk.jpg

Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power, Jan 30, 2012
503-813-7291

Solar projects in Roseburg, Medford get funding via Pacific Power program
National award-winning Blue Sky renewable energy program invests in communities

ROSEBURG, Ore. – Solar energy projects at the Rogue Valley International Airport, Roseburg’s new public safety building and the community’s Joyce Morgan Food Bank are closer to reality thanks to funding from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program.

The three projects are slated to receive up to $376,000 between them in 2012.

"The projects in Roseburg and Medford are just some of the projects that demonstrate our deep commitment to building a renewable energy future," said Pat Reiten, president of Pacific Power. "Not only will these projects help supply renewable energy, but they will help lower power bills and promote solar energy. We’re proud to be part of the effort along with our Blue Sky customers."

"With more than 43,000 of our customers choosing to participate in our Blue Sky renewable energy program, we have some of the highest participation in the country," said Pat Egan, vice president of customer and community affairs. "This interest allows us to work with our communities to provide additional benefits by funding on-the-ground, working renewable projects in communities throughout the Northwest. We’re thrilled to help our Blue Sky customers direct a portion of their commitment to these worthwhile projects that help lead the way to even more renewable energy development."

Funding has been awarded to:
City of Roseburg Public Safety Center, 40.17 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $104,902
This highly visible project will be atop the newly constructed Public Safety Center in downtown Roseburg and show the viability of alternative power projects to other businesses in the area.
Contact Eric Swanson, city manager, at 541-492-6866 for information on project.
Joyce Morgan Food Bank, 37.44 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $170,803
This roof-mounted solar installation will supply power and increase awareness of United Community Action Network’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and creating a project that is visible to thousands of people annually.
Contact Andrea Romine from United Community Action Network at 541 492-3531 for information on project.
Rogue Valley International Airport, 15 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $100,000
The proposed array is an integrated solar canopy structure above three toll booths at the airport's parking lots. The 15-kilowatt array will serve as the actual canopy structure. The PV canopy will be visible from ground level and will cover the booths and lanes, protecting the booth employees and customers from inclement weather. This installation would be seen by over 1 million people who visit the Rogue Valley International Medford Airport (RVIMA) each year.
Contact Bern Case, airport director, 541-776-7222, for information on project.

###

About Blue Sky
Strong customer support has enabled the Blue Sky program to be instrumental in the creation of more federally recognized Green Power Communities than any other program in the nation. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has ranked Blue Sky fifth or better in the nation for the eighth consecutive year in the number of customers buying renewable power and for renewable power sales volume. The program is Green-e Energy Certified, which means the renewable energy supported meets the rigorous national environmental and consumer-protection standards established by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. For more information on Green-e Energy, visit www.green-e.org/energy. More than 43,000 customers in Pacific Power’s region t are part of Blue Sky.

About Pacific Power
Pacific Power strives to promote innovation and works with customers and communities to increase the visibility of renewable energy generation technologies through education and community outreach. Pacific Power is headquartered in Portland and provides electric service to 730,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. As part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power provide approximately 1.7 million customers in six western states with reliable, efficient energy. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment.

An Otis, Oregon man was arrested last Friday on multiple drug-related charges following an investigation by the Lincoln Interagency Narcotics Team (LINT) with the assistance of Lincoln City Police Department, Oregon State Police (OSP), Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, and the OSP Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.

On January 27, 2012 at approximately 5:30 a.m. the OSP SWAT team served a search warrant at 19 Yodel Lane in Otis, the residence of WILLIAM L. HASH, age 41. After securing the residence, LINT investigators located evidence related to the drug investigation that led to a second location in the 900 block of Deerlane Loop in Otis. A second search warrant was served at the personal storage structure where methamphetamine and other evidence were seized.

HASH was arrested for Unlawful Manufacture, Delivery and Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine and Frequenting a Place Where Controlled Substances Used.

LINT is comprised of personnel from Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department, Oregon State Police, and Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office.

Photograph Source: Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: Hash

January 30, 2012

The NW Oregon and SW Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committees (RFPC) have announced a joint meeting of the two groups for February 9 in Eugene.

Regional Forest Practices Committees are panels of citizens – mandated under Oregon law - that advise the Oregon Board of Forestry on current forestry issues and forest management approaches. Three Regional Forest Practices Committees, serving the Northwest, Southwest and Eastern regions of the state, were created within the Oregon Forest Practices Act in 1971. Under Oregon law, a majority of Regional Forest Practices Committees members are private forest landowners and logging or forest operations companies.

The joint meeting of the Northwest/Southwest Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committees is scheduled for Thursday, February 9 at the Lane Community College -- Center for Meeting & Learning, 4000 East 30th Avenue in Eugene. The location on the LCC campus is Building 19, Second Floor in Room 220.

The meeting is tentatively scheduled to run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with a public comment period scheduled near the start of the meeting.

The agenda for the meeting is scheduled to include:
• Reports on the Restoration Plan for the Private Forests Program, including updates on two components mandated by the Oregon Legislature -- establishment of a compliance audit program regarding Forest Practices Act standards, and establishing a program to review the effectiveness and efficiency of the Forest Practices Act.
• Reports on the Board of Forestry’s direction to begin an evaluation of riparian protection standards for small and medium fish-bearing streams, and the rulemaking process to implement 2011 House Bill 2165.
• Updates from Private Forests Division staff on other current regulatory topics.

Members of the public may attend the meeting. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7502.

Oregon’s forests are among one of the state’s most valued resources, providing a balanced mix of environmental, economic and social benefits.

Additional information about ODF’s Regional Forest Practices Committees is available on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s web site: www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/RFPC/rfpc.shtml

###

Three different traffic stops by Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers during the last three days led to the arrest of three people and the seizure of a total of nearly 12 pounds of marijuana along Interstate 5 in Douglas County. Estimated total value of the seized marijuana is $30,000.

According to Sergeant Dave Randall, the first traffic stop occurred January 26, 2012 at approximately 10: 13 p.m. on Interstate 5 northbound near milepost 121. The trooper stopped a 2009 Nissan Xterra and contacted driver CHERI KRAFFT-FREDERIKSEN, age 36, from Monterey Beach, California. Subsequent investigation led to the seizure of approximately 6 pounds of marijuana found inside the vehicle.

The second stop occurred January 27th at approximately 7:45 p.m. on Interstate 5 northbound near milepost 119. The trooper stopped a 1996 BMW two-door driven by REILLY McGOODWIN-YOUNG, age 23, from Talent, Oregon. With the assistance of a drug detection canine, two pounds of marijuana was found inside the vehicle.

The third stop occurred January 28th at approximately 4:50 p.m. on Interstate 5 northbound near milepost 90. The trooper stopped a 1993 Oldsmobile driven by RICHARD J. HAWKS, age 29, from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Subsequent investigation led to the seizure of nearly 4 pounds of marijuana found inside the vehicle.

KRAFTT-FREDERIKSEN and McGOODWIN-YOUNG were both cited and released to appear at a later date in Douglas County Circuit Court. HAWKS was lodged in the Douglas County Jail for Unlawful Possession and Distribution of Marijuana.

Photograph Source: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

Note: No photographs available of KRAFFT-FREDERIKSEN and McGOODWIN-YOUNG.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: Hawks

UPDATE:

The investigation of this accident has concluded and Orchard Heights Road has been re-opened to all traffic. Information is as follows:

At around 1 a.m. this morning Salem Police responded to a single vehicle accident on Orchard Heights Road just east of Doaks Ferry Road NW. A 2005 Scion was eastbound on Orchard Heights Road at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control of the car. The car traveled across both the left turn lane and westbound lane of travel on Orchard Heights Road before leaving the roadway and striking a tree. Two passengers were in the car at the time of impact along with the driver of the car who has been identified as Salem resident Oscar Ramos-Silva. The front passenger in the car was pronounced dead at the scene. The rear passenger fled the crash scene and was later contacted at the Hospital by Salem Police Officers. The rear passenger sustained minor injuries.

Oscar Ramos-Silva sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash. Oscar Ramos-Silva, who is twenty years of age, had a blood alcohol content (BAC) over the legal limit of .08%.

Oscar Ramos-Silva was transported to the Polk County Jail and lodged on the charges of Manslaughter II, Assault IV, Reckless Driving, Reckless Endangerment (2 counts) and Criminal Mischief.

The rear passenger is sixteen years of age and, although identified by police, will not be identified in this release.

The deceased is Salem resident Armando Hernandez-Garcia who is twenty-nine years of age. Hernandez-Garcia's family has been notified of the incident by Salem Police Officers.

The incident is a tragic reminder of the impact of impaired driving and, in this case, the impact of underaged alcohol consumption.

The investigation, although complete at the scene, is still on-going. Anyone with information regarding this accident is asked to contact the Salem Police Traffic Control Unit at (503) 588-6171.

No further information is available at this time including any photographs.



The Salem Police Department is investigating a serious motor vehicle accident on Orchard Heights Road NW. As a result of the investigation Orchard Heights Road is closed to all traffic between the intersections of Doaks Ferry and Mousebird.

The investigation is very preliminary at the time of this release. Further information should become available later Sunday afternoon or Monday morning depending upon the investigation.

Sheriff's January 29, 2012, 9:00 am, BENTON COUNTY, OR – Benton Co

Benton County Sheriff’s Office is Investigating a Boating Incident

On Saturday January 28, at about 5:50 PM, Benton County Sheriff’s Office Marine Deputies and the Albany Fire Department were dispatched to the Willamette River for a capsized kayak in the area of Hyak Park, near river mile 122. The initial investigation showed that Geoffrey Berg, 38, of Albany, his son, Chad Berg, 15, of Albany, and Brian Tidwell, 32, of Albany were traveling down the Willamette River in separate kayaks when Chad Berg’s kayak filled with water and he fell into the Willamette River, near river mile 125. He held onto the kayak and attempted to stay afloat while in the water. Geoffrey Berg planned to get to shore at Hyak Park. Brian Tidwell called 911 after he lost sight of the Bergs and was able to safely get out of the water at Hyak Park.

A Benton County Patrol Deputy responded to Takena Landing and was able to spot the kayaker in the Willamette River, struggling against the strong current. Both the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and the Albany Fire Department responded with boats to Hyak Park. High water closed Takena Landing , making it impossible to launch a boat from there. The Albany Fire Department located Chad and Geoffrey Berg near Bowman Park, near river mile 119. Chad Berg had been in the water about an hour before being rescued. Additionally, Geoffrey Berg’s kayak capsized several moments before they were rescued.
Both agencies worked together in locating both of the males and kayaks from the river. Chad Berg was taken from the water where he was given CPR and was transported by ambulance to Albany General Hospital. He was later transported to OHSU in Portland by ambulance, where he remains in critical condition. Geoffrey Berg was uninjured. All three were wearing personal flotation devices.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind people that the Willamette River is still very high, moving very fast, is very cold, and is full of debris. People should use extreme caution when entering the waterways, have the proper equipment, including wearing personal floatation devices, and never enter or plan to be in the water after dark.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate this incident. Anyone with information should contact Deputy Ed Nowak at 541-766-6858

The Albany Fire Department has responded to two water rescue incidents on the Willamette River today that have required the rescue of boaters from the water. The first occurred at about 11:30 a.m. today when a boat carrying three persons lost power while traveling down river sometime after putting into the water a Hyak Park boat landing. The fire department’s water rescue team put a rescue craft in the water at Bowman Park and was eventually able to make contact with the boaters just upstream of the Willamette River’s confluence with the Santiam River. The rescue crew was able to tow the boat to safety without further incident.

The second rescue incident occurred at about 5:51 p.m. this evening when a kayaker capsized after hitting debris in the river while they and two other kayakers were floating downstream after putting into the river near Corvallis. The Albany Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team again went into action putting in a water rescue craft at Hyak Park boat landing and rescuing two persons, one who had been in the water for almost one hour. This incident resulted in one person being treated and transported to Albany General Hospital; and, later transported to OHSU in Portland.

The Albany Fire Department urges everyone considering using this area of Willamette River to use extreme caution until water levels and flows diminish. Water levels are high and water rescue personnel report currents are very strong and swift. They also report the water is full of both floating and fixed debris both on and below the surface of the water which is difficult to see. Mid-stream piers at bridge crossings such as the Union Pacific Railroad Trestle in Albany are especial susceptible to becoming collection points for debris that can create strong and erratic currents for boaters as they approach; and, easily entrap them and pull them under.

Update: The patient transported to Albany General Hospital was later transported to OHSU in Portland.

Correction - 3rd paragraph: "...and the fire department rescue craft made contact with the both of the kayakers further downstream in the river just north of Bowman Park" (not Bryant Park as originally reported).

*************See the complete updated release below***************************

The Albany Fire Department responded at about 5:51 p.m. today, January 28, 2012, to Hyak Park in Benton County just outside of Albany for a reported kayaker in the water. Fire fighters arrived on scene in approximately six minutes to find Brian Tidwell of Albany on the shore reporting that two fellow kayakers were still on the river at an unknown location up or downstream; and, that one person was in the water.

The Albany Fire Department launched one rescue water craft with three fire department water rescue specialists on board at the Hyak Park boat landing while additional Albany Fire and Police Department units responded to various strategic points along the river downstream. Corvallis Fire Department and Benton County Sheriff’s water rescue units also responded, with Benton County also launching a boat in the water to assist since the location of the kayakers on the river was unknown.

One of the kayakers was spotted in the river by Albany Fire Department units stationed at Takena Park at about 6:08 p.m. and the fire department rescue craft made contact with the both of the kayakers further downstream in the river just north of Bowman Park. The two kayakers were rescued from the river by the fire department water rescue team near Bowman Park and medical treatment was initiated while they were taken to shore. One person was transported by ambulance to Albany General Hospital and later transferred to OHSU in Portland.

Mr. Tidwell reported that he and his fellow two kayakers had put into the Willamette near Corvallis at about 4:00 p.m. After an unknown time on the river, one of the kayakers capsized after hitting debris in the water and was unable to get back inside their kayak. Mr. Tidwell told fire fighters the other upright kayaker stayed with the person in the water while he went ahead downstream to the Hyak Park boat landing to prepare to assist them in reaching shore there.

The two Kayakers were rescued from the water approximately thirty-two minutes after fire department units first responded; however, the total time they were in the water is unknown. There were no injuries to emergency personnel during this incident.

Four fire engines, two medic units, one rescue watercraft and two command vehicles responded to the scene with 20 personnel and were assisted by a rescue watercraft and personnel from both the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and Corvallis Fire Department. Officers from the Albany Police Department also assisted at the scene, while a Lebanon Fire Department ambulance and callback Albany Fire Personnel responded to provide standby coverage in the City during the incident.

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation of an injury traffic crash that occurred Saturday morning on Highway 99 south of Junction City.

According to Trooper Andy Youngblood, on January 28, 2012 at approximately 10:25 a.m. a 1998 Volkswagen Bug driven by CHLOE J. CLOUD, age 20, from Junction City, was northbound on Highway 99 when it traveled onto the east side grass shoulder. CLOUD over-corrected causing the vehicle to come back onto the roadway and start spinning around into the southbound lane where it was struck in the rear by a southbound 2001 Ford F150 pickup. After impact, the pickup came to rest off the highway and the Volkswagen stopped in the traffic lanes.

CLOUD was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend with non-life threatening injuries. Her 5-year old female child passenger was not injured.

The pickup’s driver, JESSICA DANON, age 37, from Junction City had minor injuries but was not transported to a hospital.

Both adults were using safety restraints and the child was in a child safety seat.

A second crash occurred involving two other vehicles as they stopped to avoid the first crash. No one was injured in the second crash.

OSP troopers from the Springfield Area Command office are continuing the investigation. No citations issued at this time. Junction City Police Department and Lane Rural Fire Department assisted at the scene.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/51238/012812.hwy99.2.JPG , 2012-01/1002/51238/012812.hwy99.1.JPG , 2012-01/1002/51238/012812.hwy99.3.JPG , 2012-01/1002/51238/012812.hwy99.4.JPG , 2012-01/1002/51238/012812.hwy99.5.JPG

9:05pm:

The State Medical Examiner’s Office has determined that the victim in today’s death investigation died as the result of homicidal violence. No further information or details about the method of death will be released at this time.

Detectives have also identified the victim of the homicide as Rogelio Hernandez-Davalos (photo attached). Hernandez-Davalos was 25 years old and is believed to have resided in the Portland area. Hernandez-Davalos’ relatives in México have been notified of his death.

He is known to be associated with the maroon 2000 Ford Explorer recovered at the scene of the homicide this morning. Photos of the Explorer have been previously released.

Detectives on the HART (Homicide Assault Response Team) need the public’s assistance to solve this homicide. Anyone with information about the homicide, Mr. Hernandez-Davalos, or person(s) responsible for the homicide is encouraged to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit at 503.540.8007. Please ask to speak with Detective Emanie Bravo. You may also choose to provide detailed information anonymously at the same number.

- - - - - - - -

4:35pm

Investigators are still working to identify the victim from this morning’s call on Cordon Road NE. They are developing leads that will hopefully complete this process soon. Once he is identified and his relatives notified, his name will be released.

The State Medical Examiner autopsy results are still pending. No further information available at this time, relative to the cause of death.

Several MCSO photos taken at the scene this morning show the maroon 2000 Ford Explorer SUV parked on the shoulder of the road on Cordon. They are attached to this release and may be published.

The current registered owner reported selling the car several months ago but was unable to provide the name of the buyer.

Investigators are interested in knowing where this vehicle and its occupants may have been in the days and weeks preceding this morning’s death. Anyone who has information to assist is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Unit at 503.540.8007.

- - - - - - - - - -

10:42am

Detectives have been on the scene of a suspicious death reported early this morning in northeast Salem. 911 Dispatchers received a call at 1:14am from a motorist who reported a vehicle parked on the side of the road in the 4400 block of Cordon Road NE. The caller thought the vehicle was stranded and the driver may be in need of assistance.

Sr. Deputy Jason Hickam arrived at the scene within 4 minutes and found a maroon Ford Explorer parked on the shoulder, facing southbound. The vehicle was running and the emergency flashers were activated. Deputy Hickam saw an adult male slumped over in the driver’s seat. After checking the man’s condition, Hickam determined that he was deceased.

Given the evidence at the scene, Lt. Gerry Adcock mobilized the Homicide Assault Response Team (HART) to assist with the investigation. Representatives from the District Attorney’s office and the Medical Examiner’s office were called to the scene to assist.

At this time, the manner of death and any apparent motive are not being released. Detectives are working to identify the deceased so that his family can be notified. An autopsy is planned for later this afternoon.

Cordon Road is closed to thru traffic between Ward Drive NE and Hayesville Drive NE. but is expected to be open by 11:00am.

Anyone with information about this investigation can contact lead Detective Dave White at 503.588.6808, or the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Tip line at 503.540 8079. You may remain anonymous.

We will release additional information when able to do so without compromising the investigation. Photos from the scene will be posted on this site later this morning.


Attached Media Files: Overhead View of Scene , Vehicle left side , Vehicle right side , Vehicle rear , Victim Hernandez-Davalos

As river and creek levels continue to drop in the area, the City of Salem is continuing to recover from the flood waters that caused hundreds to temporarily leave their homes and closed scores of streets in our area.

Preliminary estimates of operational costs to the City of Salem as a result of the floods are approximately $275,000. Initial damage estimates of public infrastructure as a result of the flood are currently at $10.3 million and rising, with nearly $8 million of that related to damage to bridges. The Red Cross has estimated that 207 buildings experienced water damage as a result of the floods.

The City of Salem is aggressively working to assess damages and to work with local, State, and Federal agencies as well as private entities to restore services and quality of life back to normal. We are carefully tracking resource costs and damage estimates in order to recover as many of our costs as possible, and we are also providing assistance to public and private entities in recovery efforts. Recovery, restoration and repair of damage is taking place at a rapid pace throughout our community.

The City of Salem Emergency Operations Center has been closed for this event, and the public information phone line that was set up early in the event will be closed at 8:00 am on February 1st. For flood related information after that time, please call the City of Salem Public Works Dispatch Center at 503-588-6333, or refer to the City of Salem website at www.cityofsalem.net/Flood2012 for other resource information.

The winter storm season is not yet over and the City of Salem is asking that the public keep their sandbags on their property at this time in case of another major storm event. If the sandbags are in the public right of way, we ask that they be moved to an area that will not interfere with traffic or safe passage. In the near future, the City of Salem will provide information about options for safe and appropriate disposal of sandbags. Please continue to utilize the City of Salem website for ongoing information.

The safety of our community continues to be the priority of the City of Salem as we all recover from this event. One bridge by the Salem Hospital (Winter Street over Shelton Ditch) continues to be closed in order to assure the structural integrity is sufficient for the public and traffic to safely pass over. We will continue to monitor snow melt, precipitation forecasts, and water levels as our winter and spring months continue and to provide appropriate public services wherever needed.

The spirit of our community shined brightly during this event, with countless numbers of people, businesses and entities coming together to help others in many ways. Salem Mayor Anna Peterson said "Our Public Works, Fire, Police and emergency services were well coordinated and worked with residents and businesses to identify those who needed to evacuate or to sandbag their property to reduce losses. I am proud of the community response, and the willingness of everyone to pull together and get the job done."

For additional media inquiries on flood issues, please contact Mark Becktel at 503-588-6211

A two-week investigation by Oregon State Police (OSP) led to the arrest Friday of a Klamath Falls-area man on numerous sex crimes involving a known juvenile female victim. There is no information to indicate there are other victims.

OSP was contacted January 10, 2012 by Department of Human Services with information regarding possible sex abuse of a juvenile female that allegedly occurred over a year ago in Klamath County. The investigation by OSP Criminal Investigations Division and Patrol Services Division led to the arrest January 27th of JUAN DIAZ, age 32, from Klamath Falls.

DIAZ was lodged in the Klamath County Jail for:

* Rape in the First Degree (3 counts)
* Sodomy in the First Degree (3 counts)
* Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree (3 counts)

Bail is set at $900,000.

Anyone with information that may assist with this investigation is asked to contact Detective Dennis Yaws at (541) 883-5713 ext. 321.

Photograph Source: Klamath County Sheriff's Office

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: Diaz

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into the cause of a single vehicle injury traffic crash that occurred along Highway 22 about one mile north of Highway 18 in the Grand Ronde area. Two people were injured after their vehicle traveled off the highway, down an embankment and landed in a creek.

According to Sergeant Brad Hessel, on January 27, 2012 at approximately 11:10 a.m. a 2004 Jeep Liberty driven by GERTRUDE DICKEY, age 57, from Willamina, was eastbound on Highway 22 near milepost 24 when it traveled off the highway about 30 feet down an embankment and struck a tree. The vehicle came to rest on its wheels in about 3 feet of water in Casper Creek.

A Polk County inmate work crew witnessed the crash. Inmates and supervising sheriff personnel went down the embankment and checked on the two occupants but couldn’t remove them or their dog.

West Valley Fire Department responded to the scene and removed the driver and her brother/passenger MONTY E. DICKEY, age 67, also from Willamina, from the vehicle and brought them up to the roadway. The labrador dog was not injured.

GERTRUDE DICKEY was transported by ambulance to Willamette Valley Medical Center in McMinnville with minor injuries. MONTY DICKEY was taken to a landing site near Spirit Mountain Casino and then transported by REACH air ambulance to Salem Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

OSP troopers from the McMinnville Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office, West Valley Fire Department and ODOT assisted at the scene. Highway 22 was closed for two hours at the scene during emergency response, rescue, and investigation.

The vehicle was removed from the creek and there was no indication of a fuel leak.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/51216/012712.hwy22mp24.3.JPG , 2012-01/1002/51216/012712.hwy22mp24.2.JPG , 2012-01/1002/51216/012712.hwy22mp24.1.JPG , 2012-01/1002/51216/012712.hwy22mp24.4.JPG

Please see the attached news release with a corrected time the fire department responded to this call. The correct time of the call was 4:31 p.m., not 4:21 p.m. as originally published.

I apologize for the error.

******************************************************

The Albany Fire Department responded at about 4:31 p.m. today, January 26, 2012, to the 32000 block of Bryant Way SW for a reported motor vehicle accident. Responding Fire Department units quickly upgraded the call to a first alarm water rescue when it was reported that there was at least one car floating in high water with one or more occupants trapped inside. This portion of Bryant Way is near the Calapooia and Willamette rivers and is located in an area experiencing high water levels as a result of recent heavy rain.

Fire fighters arrived on scene in approximately 3 minutes to find a single motor vehicle completely submerged in high water having floated approximately 400 feet from the impassible water-covered roadway. Only the crown of the top of the roof of the vehicle was visible in the water and bystanders reported that one or more persons were inside.

The Albany Fire Department launched two rescue water craft with three fire department water rescue specialists and a Linn County Sheriff’s Office water rescue specialist on board. Rescue crews made contact with the fully submerged vehicle and stabilized it as it shifted in the water currents. They broke out a window, searched inside the vehicle and found a single occupant alive while breathing air from a six to eight inch air bubble trapped inside at the roof top.

The occupant was extricated from the vehicle, treated while taken to shore, and transported by ambulance to Albany General Hospital. Rescue personnel were able to confirm the occupant was the driver and that there were no passengers inside the vehicle at the time of the accident. Extrication of the driver from the vehicle was completed approximately 24 minutes after the first fire units arrived; however, the total time the driver was in the water is unknown. There were no injuries to emergency personnel during this incident.

One fire engine, one rescue vehicle, two medic units, two rescue watercraft and three command vehicles responded to the scene with 16 personnel and were assisted by a rescue watercraft and five personnel from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office. Officers from the Albany Police Department also assisted at the scene, while callback Albany Fire Personnel responded to provide standby coverage in the City during the incident.

A 26-year old Silverton man and his wife were arrested this afternoon following an undercover police stake out and 20-minute stand off with officers and deputies.

Dustin Zeober was a passenger in a truck stopped by Silverton Police Officers, who had been watching the truck for most of the morning.

The truck was stopped around noon at Steelhammer Road & Oak Street near downtown Silverton. Investigators had connected it to several Marion County and Silverton burglaries that occurred during the past few months.

The truck is described as a 1975 Ford F150 pick up. The cab is a rusty red color, the bed is green, the right front door is brown and it has a white canopy. The license plate is: WKK 613 (Oregon). (Photo attached)

Zeober, who is on parole for theft, was known to drive the truck and was also wanted on four outstanding warrants. He is 5’6", 140 pounds, blonde hair, green eyes (photo attached).

At the time it was pulled over, the truck was driven by Zeober’s wife, Laycee Zeober, 24, of Silverton, who is on probation for forgery. As the truck came to a stop, Dustin Zeober climbed through the sliding cab window into the covered canopy area of the truck. He reportedly called his mother from the truck and told her he did not want to go back to prison.

Detectives knew that firearms were reported stolen in several of the burglaries, so they exercised extreme caution in negotiating Zeober’s surrender. He ultimately surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident. No weapons were found in his possession, but the truck has been seized while investigators obtain a search warrant to look for weapons and stolen property.

Silverton Detective Shawn Aljets and Marion County Sr. Deputy Martin Bennett are continuing their investigation into the burglaries Zeober is suspected of committing. The most recent Marion County burglary was on January 10th. It occurred at a home on the Mt. Angel-Gervais Highway. The Silverton burglaries occurred last week when two homes being remodeled on North James Street were entered. Witnesses identified the truck as being at the scenes of these thefts. Firearms, construction supplies and tools were taken in the burglaries.

Dustin Zeober is being held in the Marion County Jail on the warrants and a parole detainer while the investigation continues. Laycee Zeober is being held at the Marion County Jail on a charge of Hindering the Investigation and a probation detainer.


Investigators are asking for the public’s help by asking that anyone seeing the truck in an area where a theft or break-in occurred, please contact Deputy Martin Bennett at 503.566.6927 or Silverton Detective Shawn Aljets at 503.874.2269.


Attached Media Files: Left side of truck , Rear of truck , Right side of truck , Dustin Zeober , Laycee Zeober

*** UPDATE ***

Richard "Dick" Ballantyne has been located safe. He was located approximately four hours after he walked away, and approximately 3.7 miles from where he started. He walked into a residence near Culver Ln S, where residents called police. He is in the process of being reunited with his family.

The Salem Police Department would like to thank all who assisted in searching for Mr Ballantyne. A Child Is Missing, many citizens and the Marion County Sheriff's Office all worked together with the Salem Police Department in this massive search effort.


The Salem Police Department would like to request assistance from the public in locating an 84-year old male Alzheimer's patient who wandered away from a doctor's office in northeast Salem on 1-26-12.

Richard "Dick" Ballantyne is suffering from advanced stages of Alzheimer's Disease and wandered away from 2441 Grear St NE in Salem at about 3:15 pm on 1-26-12.

Ballantyne is a White male adult, about 5 feet 10 inches tall, 175 lbs, grey receding hair, wearing a blue long sleeve button up shirt and blue jeans. He is not carrying any identification.

A Child Is Missing has been activated, and the Marion County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Unit is also enroute to assist in the search.

Searchers are concerned about Ballantyne's physical condition as well as the fact that temperatures are expected to fall rapidly this evening, and he is not dressed to withstand the cold weather.

Anyone who either sees Ballantyne or has any information as to his whereabouts is asked to call 911 immediately.

A photo of Ballantyne is attached.


Attached Media Files: Ballantyne

Portland Ore. – The Pacific Northwest’s brightest middle school and high school students will flock to the University of Portland this weekend and next for the 21st annual BPA Regional Science Bowl – the largest regional science bowl in the nation. The future scientists and engineers are vying for the right to compete at the National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C., later this spring.

The public is invited to watch more than 650 students representing teams from Oregon and Washington compete in these two quiz-show style round-robin events. Sixteen colleges and universities are offering scholarships to the top three winning teams. Corporate sponsors of these two events are Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Alstrom Grid, and the University of Portland.

As BPA biologist Makary Hutson experienced last year, the intensity of the questions and competition leads many people to ask themselves, "Could I ever compete in such an event?"

"I was most impressed with the middle school students’ ability to calculate answers to difficult mathematical questions in the team rounds," says Hutson. "The majority of people will never calculate the molarity of a molecular compound – let alone in less than 30 seconds." Hutson is one of 150 BPA employees who volunteer as moderators, judges and in other positions in each year’s competition.

Middle school science bowl competition
When: Jan. 28, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: University of Portland, Franz Hall and Buckley Auditorium
Lunchtime event: Astronaut Stanley G. Love, Ph.D., will deliver the luncheon address and provide living proof of the importance of science and math. Love, who grew up in Eugene, Ore., will speak from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. in Buckley Auditorium. This presentation is open to the public.
Details: See complete schedule


High school science bowl competition
When: Feb. 4, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: University of Portland, Franz Hall and Buckley Auditorium
Lunchtime event: Juggler Rhys Thomas, former Smithsonian artist and popular OMSI presenter, will demonstrate physics with acrobatics, juggling and the irresistible force of levity. The show is from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. in Buckley Auditorium and is open to the public.
Details: See complete schedule

About the Game
Middle school and high school students train for months for this academic challenge. Coaches and teams of four or five students from Oregon and Washington dive into topics such as astronomy, biology, chemistry, energy, mathematics, physics, earth science, computer and general science.
The competition consists of a round robin followed by a double elimination final. The questions are multiple choice and short answer. Prizes are awarded to the top three teams and the winning team is invited to the Department of Energy’s National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C.

About BPA
BPA is a non-profit federal agency that markets renewable hydropower from federal Columbia River dams, operates three-quarters of high-voltage transmission lines in the Northwest and funds one of the largest wildlife protection and restoration programs in the world. BPA and its partners have also saved enough electricity through energy efficiency projects to power four large American cities. For more information, contact us at 503-230-5131 or visit our website at www.bpa.gov.

- Program now includes eight trails, nearly 600 miles of designated bikeways -

SALEM, Ore. – January 26, 2012 – The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon) announce two new state-designated scenic bikeways, bringing the total number of trails to eight, furthering Oregon’s position as a premier cycling destination. The move comes after the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission formally approved the routes in a meeting yesterday.

The Covered Bridges Scenic Bikeway in Cottage Grove features an all-ages, all-abilities cycling experience. Perfect for families, this 36-mile route boasts six covered bridges, many of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A mix of paved off-street, lakeside paths and low-speed Main Street riding provide diverse scenery and dining opportunities. The route passes Chambers Bridge, the only covered railroad bridge west of the Mississippi.

Beginning and ending in Bend’s historic Drake Park, the Twin Bridges Loop Scenic Bikeway is rated "moderate," with varying levels of traffic and hills. Featuring 36 miles of intermediate terrain, the route promises breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains, rolling forests and high desert scenery. The Twin Bridges Loop gets its name from the two bridges that cross the Deschutes River along the route. Riders will pedal through the quaint town of Tumalo, a perfect rest stop to grab a bite to eat.

"Cycling and scenic beauty are both important components of Oregon’s $8.7 billion travel and tourism industry," said Travel Oregon CEO Todd Davidson. "Being the first and only state in the nation to have developed a scenic bikeways program provides a strategic way for us to highlight the state’s natural assets and cyclist-friendly communities, boosting local economies and creating jobs."

The bikeway program was launched in 2010 with the 132-mile Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway. Five more were added in September 2011. The program is a partnership between Cycle Oregon, Travel Oregon, Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. Scenic bikeway designations are a community effort—led by local supporters—that showcase the "best of the best" road bicycle riding on existing roads and paved paths in Oregon.

"The Scenic Bikeways Program is an outstanding example of pioneering Oregonians working together to merge recreation, transportation and tourism to benefit the economy," said OPRD Bicycle Recreation Coordinator Alexandra Phillips.

For information on Oregon’s scenic bikeways, itinerary ideas and ride inspiration, visit rideoregonride.com or go to oregonscenicbikeways.org for detailed maps and route descriptions.

The Oregon Tourism Commission, dba Travel Oregon, works to enhance visitors’ experience by providing information, resources and trip planning tools that inspire travel and consistently convey the exceptional quality of Oregon. The commission aims to improve Oregonians’ quality of life by strengthening economic impacts of the state’s $8.7 billion tourism industry. www.TravelOregon.com

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s mission is to "Provide and protect outstanding natural, scenic, cultural, historic and recreational sites for the enjoyment and education of present and future generations."It operates a system of State Parks , Historic and Natural Areas and manages a number of special programs including the Oregon Exposition Center , Scenic Rivers, Recreation Trails, Historic Preservation, and Ocean Shores. OPRD serves more than 40.2 million visitors per year.
###

Portland, Oregon: Today marks the 312th anniversary of the last, great Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake to strike the Pacific Northwest.

Scientific research in Oregon, Washington, and Japan tells us that at 9:00 PM on January 26, 1700, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, centered about 75 miles offshore, ruptured along a 600 mile long fault, running from Northern California to Southern British Columbia, causing untold damage and destruction to the Pacific Northwest coast and the Native American tribal communities that made the coast their home.

The destruction caused by the similar magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the tsunami it generated on March 11, 2011, offshore Japan provides a chilling parallel to what could happen here in Oregon.

"The geologic record of these great offshore earthquakes goes back at least 10,000 years," said Ian Madin with the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries. "We know they occur about every 300 to 600 years, so it is a matter of when, not if, the next one will strike."

Oregon coastal towns are the most vulnerable to a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake because of the devastating tsunami the earthquake generates as it ruptures the ocean floor. That’s why coastal communities from Brookings to Astoria are making emergency plans and continue to practice evacuation drills to help those living and working in the tsunami inundation zone - that area where ocean waves would push inland.

"We need all Oregonians to know that strong shaking felt on the coast means to evacuate immediately, and all coastal residents should know where to go and how to get there," said Madin.

Beginning in 2009, many individuals and organizations have been working to make Oregon coastal communities aware and prepared through the Tsunami Outreach Oregon campaign. DOGAMI hires temporary employees to act as local tsunami champions to recruit volunteers, conduct door-to-door education campaigns, distribute maps and preparedness materials, and help communities conduct tsunami evacuation drills. This effort is aimed at building a sustainable, volunteer-based, tsunami mitigation effort in coastal communities. In this, DOGAMI collaborates with Oregon Emergency Management (OEM), local National Weather Service (NWS) offices, Tribes, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. The primary goal is to reduce loss of life and property damage from tsunamis.


To learn more about the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami and the lessons they provide for the Oregon coast, read the latest issue of Cascadia, DOGAMI’s departmental newsletter:
http://www.oregongeology.org/pubs/cascadia/
CascadiaWinter2012.pdf

For more information on tsunamis,
visit www.OregonTsunami.org:
http://www.oregongeology.org/tsuclearinghouse



Contact Information:
Oregon Department of Geology
Ian Madin, Chief Scientist
(971) 673-1542
ian.madin@state.or.us

The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries is an independent agency of the State and has a broad responsibility in developing an understanding of the state’s geologic resources and natural hazards. The Department then makes this information available to communities and individuals to help inform and reduce the risks from natural hazards, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, floods and volcanic eruptions. The Department assists in the formulation of state policy where an understanding of geologic materials, geologic resources, processes, and hazards is key to decision-making. The Department is also the lead state regulatory agency for mining, oil, gas and geothermal exploration, production and reclamation.

Learn more about Oregon's geology online: http://www.OregonGeology.org


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/2967/51185/press-release-2012-01-26.pdf

The Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) meeting will take place February 10 at the North Mall Office Building 725 Summer St., room 124A, in Salem. The public OCHC meeting will be at 1:00-4:00. Agenda items will include grant reports, new online volunteer training, current projects and upcoming plans. The commission will invite public comments.
The meeting will be accessible by teleconference and online, when arranged in advance.

State law established the seven-member commission to maintain a listing of all historic cemeteries and gravesites in Oregon; promote public education on the significance of historic cemeteries; and help obtain financial and technical assistance for restoring, improving and maintaining their appearances. More information about commission activities, the meeting, teleconference may be obtained from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s historic cemeteries program coordinator, Kuri Gill, at 503-986-0685 or by e-mail: Kuri.Gill@state.or.us.

An Oregon State Police (OSP) investigation into a lost government agency fueling card led to the arrest Wednesday of a Klamath Falls-area man on multiple charges related to allegations the suspect sold fuel obtained illegally using the lost card to others at a discounted price. In addition to charges related to this investigation, the suspect was arrested on 23 outstanding Klamath County fail to appear warrants.

According to Lieutenant Jason Westfall, the OSP investigation led to the arrest of ERIC BARNHART, age 38, on January 25, 2012. The investigation involving OSP Patrol Services Division troopers and Criminal Investigations Division detectives centered on the use of a lost ODOT Pac Pride fueling card. The lost card was discovered missing January 1st and allegedly used by BARNHART between January 5 and 11, 2012 to purchase approximately 1,800 gallons of fuel. The fuel was then sold to unknown persons, many out of state, for about $2.00 a gallon. BARNHART is not an ODOT employee.

BARNHART was located by an OSP Fish & Wildlife trooper and taken into custody. In addition to the 23 outstanding warrants, he was lodged in the Klamath County Jail on the following charges:

* Theft in the First Degree
* Furnishing False Information to a Police Officer
* Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon
* Carrying a Concealed Weapon

Photograph Source: Klamath County Sheriff’s Office

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/51175/Barnhart.jpg

STATE HOUSING COUNCIL MEETING

February 3, 2012
9:00 a.m.
Meeting Location:
Oregon Housing and Community Services
725 Summer Street NE, Room 124 A/B
Salem, OR 97301
(503.986.2005)


AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER John Epstein

II. ROLL CALL John Epstein

III. PUBLIC COMMENT John Epstein

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES John Epstein

A. Minutes of January 6, 2012 Meeting

V. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Margaret Van Vliet

VI. RESIDENTIAL CONSENT CALENDAR Kari Cleveland

A. 2400 Block NE Multnomah St., Portland, OR

VII. SPECIAL REPORTS

A. Preserving Manufactured Home Parks Through Pegge McGuire
Resident Ownership, Presented by Theresa Wingard,
Program Coordinator, Manufactured Communities
Resource Center; and Peter Hainley, Executive Director,
CASA of Oregon

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. Vida Lea Mobile Home Park (Leaburg, OR),
Manufactured Dwelling Park Preservation (MDPP)
Grant Request Debie Zitzelberger

B. Hyak (Seaside, OR), Predevelopment Loan Request Janna Graham

IX. OLD BUSINESS -- None

X. DISCUSSION ITEM

A. Community Engagement Karen Tolvstad

XI. REPORTS

A. Report of the Chair John Epstein

XII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Margaret Van Vliet


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1810/51173/SHC_Agenda_February_3_2012.pdf

SALEM -- The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) has again lowered their 30-year fixed home mortgage rate—this time to 3.55 percent to qualified veteran home buyers.

The ORVET Home Loan Program offers one of the lowest home loan interest rates available. This new reduced rate includes a 1.375 percent loan origination fee with an APR of 3.793 percent. Loans with a no-cost origination fee have a 3.88 percent APR.

A state of Oregon veteran benefit, the ORVET Home Loan Program is separate from the federal VA home loan guaranty program. Even if a veteran has purchased a home using the federal VA program, they may still be eligible for an ORVET home loan.

"Our veterans have served our country with honor and distinction," said Jim Willis, Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs. "We must always provide them with the very best of what we can offer them. Our new lower rates may allow some of them to take advantage of a great opportunity to buy a home."

The ORVET Home Loan is a lifetime benefit for eligible veterans with a maximum loan amount of $417,000 for a single family, owner occupied residence.

For more information about eligibility and rate details, contact ODVA's Home Loan Department at 1-888-673-8387, or visit http://www.oregon.gov/ODVA/HOMELOANS. ###

NOTE: Crash occurred approximately 4:20 p.m., not 6:20 p.m. as originally listed. Also, note no enforcement decision has been made. Investigation ongoing.

***

Oregon State Police (OSP) are continuing the investigation in Wednesday night's pedestrian involved fatal traffic crash on Highway 99E in Hubbard that resulted in the death of a 59-year old woman.

According to Sergeant Bob Charpentier, on January 25, 2012 at approximately 4:20 p.m. a 2008 Chevrolet van driven by JESSE R. DAVIS, age 30, from Woodburn, was stopped westbound on D Street in Hubbard. The light turned green and the van was attempting to turn left onto Highway 99E when it struck CAMILA SALVADOR MAXIMIANO, age 59, from Hubbard, as she was crossing the highway in a crosswalk. The pedestrian was transported by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center where she was later pronounced deceased.

OSP troopers were assisted at the scene by Hubbard Police Department, Aurora Fire Department and ODOT. Highway 99E was closed over 90 minutes.

No photographs available for release.

###www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

ALSEA—OR 34 (Alsea Hwy) is experiencing a lane restriction and rough road conditions after last week’s powerful storm.

The highway is reduced to two lanes at milepost 49, between Philomath and Alsea, where a portion of the roadway has been claimed by the Alsea River. The restriction may last for several weeks.

There is a climbing lane at that location, so traffic can still be accommodated in both directions at this time. That condition may change unexpectedly if additional roadway is compromised.

ODOT is also advising motorists who travel OR 34 to expect rough pavement at two separate locations where landslides occurred recently.

During last week’s storm, landslides blocked OR 34 at locations east and west of Alsea (mileposts 22 & 44).

While debris from the landslides has been removed and the highway remains open, ODOT wants to monitor the slide locations for continued movement before repairing damaged pavement.

Motorists are encouraged to reduce speeds and travel with caution through the areas.

Know Before You Go

The public should monitor www.TripCheck.com for updates.

Corrected News Release: Corrected to include accurate email address for submitting comments.

Public comment period for Bull Run variance reopens
New two-week public comment period runs through Feb. 8

The public comment period on the intent to grant a variance to the City of Portland’s Bull Run water reopened today and will run through Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 5 p.m.

Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division officials decided to reopen the comment period because recent testing of Bull Run water in late December showed evidence of Cryptosporidium, which is a microscopic parasite that can infect humans and animals.

"The detections are a change from the information upon which our draft order was based, and are relevant to the monitoring requirements we have laid out in the proposed order. It seems fair that we allow people time to comment in light of the new information," said Gail Shibley, administrator for OHA’s Office of Environmental Public Health.

Current comments should be limited to the newest information about Cryptosporidium testing results.

In December, OHA’s Public Health Division announced its intent to grant a variance for Cryptosporidium to the City of Portland Bull Run Reservoir after a 36-day public comment period. The final order is expected in March.

Comments on the variance decision in regard to the Crypto detections are due by Wednesday, Feb. 8, 5 p.m. Please send comments to:
pwb.treatment-variance@state.or.us; or mail to:

Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division, Office of Environmental Public Health, Drinking Water Program, 800 NE Oregon St., Ste 640 Portland OR 97232.

The City of Portland’s report on the recent Cryptosporidium detections in Bull Run are outlined here: www.portlandonline.com/water/index.cfm?c=53849&a=382721

###

The Oregon Recreational Trails Advisory Council (ORTAC) will meet starting at 9 a.m. in a telephone conference Feb. 2, 2012 Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) today announced.

The annual business meeting will determine the council’s meeting locations and schedule. Agenda items also include scenic bikeway routes.

The State Legislature established the council in 1971 to advise OPRD and to promote non-motorized trail recreation and development in Oregon. The seven-member council includes volunteer representatives from each of Oregon’s five congressional districts. Members are appointed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission.

A room in the OPRD headquarters office has been reserved for those who want to listen to the meeting. Interested parties should come to 725 Summer St. Suite C, room 147, Salem OR 97301.

– 30 –

Contact: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power, Jan. 25, 2012
503-813-7291

Solar projects in NE Portland, Corvallis get funding via Pacific Power program
National award-winning Blue Sky renewable energy program invests in communities

PORTLAND, Ore. – Solar energy projects at a Northeast Portland school and a Corvallis firehouse are closer to reality thanks in part to funding from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program.

The two projects are set to receive up to $152,000 in 2012.

"The projects at Jason Lee Elementary and Corvallis Firehouse No. 1 are just some of the projects that demonstrate our deep commitment to building a renewable energy future," said Pat Reiten, president of Pacific Power. "Not only will these projects help supply renewable energy, but they are helping teach children and the public about solar energy. We’re proud to be part of the effort along with our Blue Sky customers."

"More than 43,000 of our customers choose to participate in our Blue Sky renewable energy program. That’s among the highest participation in the country," said Pat Egan, vice president of customer and community affairs. "This interest allows us to work with our communities to provide additional benefits by funding on-the-ground, working renewable projects throughout the Northwest. We’re thrilled to help our Blue Sky customers direct a portion of their commitment to these worthwhile projects that help lead the way to even more renewable energy development."

Funding has been awarded to:
Jason Lee Elementary School, Portland., 1.2 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $8,044
Jason Lee is a school with a culturally diverse K-8 population of more than 480 students. The 1.6-kilowatt solar array will be visible to all students and will be incorporated into the school curriculum through the comprehensive Solar 4R Schools education program. The Ecopalooza Project secured the remainder of funding for the installation through a 100 percent solar-powered concert/festival. Through a competitive process, Jason Lee K-8 was selected for the installation.
Contact Rah-Miel Mitchell, Ecopalooza program manager at 503-683-2087 for information on project.
City of Corvallis Firehouse No. 1, 25 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $144,000
This dual-purposed carport will be covered by a 25-kilowatt array and will provide protection for some fire department vehicles, reducing the vehicles’ exposure to the elements. This installation will be highly visible, seen by more than 24,000 passing vehicles daily in addition to the visitors of the fire station. The fire station offers many tours to school children and community members throughout the year and is used for all City Council meetings as well as other public meetings.
Contact Adam Steele, City of Corvallis, at 541-754-1731, for information on project.

###

About Blue Sky
Strong customer support has enabled the Blue Sky program to be instrumental in the creation of more federally recognized Green Power Communities than any other program in the nation. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has ranked Blue Sky fifth or better in the nation for the eighth consecutive year in the number of customers buying renewable power and for renewable power sales volume. The program is Green-e Energy Certified, which means the renewable energy supported meets the rigorous national environmental and consumer-protection standards established by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. For more information on Green-e Energy, visit www.green-e.org/energy. More than 43,000 customers in Pacific Power’s region t are part of Blue Sky.

About Pacific Power
Pacific Power strives to promote innovation and works with customers and communities to increase the visibility of renewable energy generation technologies through education and community outreach. Pacific Power is headquartered in Portland and provides electric service to 730,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. As part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power provide approximately 1.7 million customers in six western states with reliable, efficient energy. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment.
National award-winning Blue Sky renewable energy program invests in communities

PORTLAND, Ore. – Solar energy projects at a Northeast Portland school and a Corvallis firehouse are closer to reality thanks in part to funding from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program.

The two projects are set to receive up to $152,000 in 2012.

"The projects at Jason Lee Elementary and Corvallis Firehouse No. 1 are just some of the projects that demonstrate our deep commitment to building a renewable energy future," said Pat Reiten, president of Pacific Power. "Not only will these projects help supply renewable energy, but they are helping teach children and the public about solar energy. We’re proud to be part of the effort along with our Blue Sky customers."

"More than 43,000 of our customers choose to participate in our Blue Sky renewable energy program. That’s among the highest participation in the country," said Pat Egan, vice president of customer and community affairs. "This interest allows us to work with our communities to provide additional benefits by funding on-the-ground, working renewable projects throughout the Northwest. We’re thrilled to help our Blue Sky customers direct a portion of their commitment to these worthwhile projects that help lead the way to even more renewable energy development."

Funding has been awarded to:
Jason Lee Elementary School, Portland., 1.2 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $8,044
Jason Lee is a school with a culturally diverse K-8 population of more than 480 students. The 1.6-kilowatt solar array will be visible to all students and will be incorporated into the school curriculum through the comprehensive Solar 4R Schools education program. The Ecopalooza Project secured the remainder of funding for the installation through a 100 percent solar-powered concert/festival. Through a competitive process, Jason Lee K-8 was selected for the installation.
Contact Rah-Miel Mitchell, Ecopalooza program manager at 503-683-2087 for information on project.
City of Corvallis Firehouse No. 1, 25 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $144,000
This dual-purposed carport will be covered by a 25-kilowatt array and will provide protection for some fire department vehicles, reducing the vehicles’ exposure to the elements. This installation will be highly visible, seen by more than 24,000 passing vehicles daily in addition to the visitors of the fire station. The fire station offers many tours to school children and community members throughout the year and is used for all City Council meetings as well as other public meetings.
Contact Adam Steele, City of Corvallis, at 541-754-1731, for information on project.

###

About Blue Sky
Strong customer support has enabled the Blue Sky program to be instrumental in the creation of more federally recognized Green Power Communities than any other program in the nation. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has ranked Blue Sky fifth or better in the nation for the eighth consecutive year in the number of customers buying renewable power and for renewable power sales volume. The program is Green-e Energy Certified, which means the renewable energy supported meets the rigorous national environmental and consumer-protection standards established by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions. For more information on Green-e Energy, visit www.green-e.org/energy. More than 43,000 customers in Pacific Power’s region t are part of Blue Sky.

About Pacific Power
Pacific Power strives to promote innovation and works with customers and communities to increase the visibility of renewable energy generation technologies through education and community outreach. Pacific Power is headquartered in Portland and provides electric service to 730,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. As part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power provide approximately 1.7 million customers in six western states with reliable, efficient energy. The company works to meet growing energy demand while protecting and enhancing the environment.

On Friday morning, January 20th, friends, family and government officials gathered in the Marion County Circuit courtroom of Judge Dennis Graves to witness the Drug Court graduation of Elizabeth Russell. Also present were her MCSO Probation Officer, Deputy Andrea Sutter and a number of Drug Court participants who are in various stages of their program commitment.

Drug Court is a program to stop drug and alcohol abuse, addiction and related criminal activity. The program targets offenders who commit drug related crimes and places them under strict court monitoring and supervision, and provides them with drug and alcohol treatment. Drug Court involves a specialized team consisting of a drug court judge, attorneys, probation officers, substance abuse evaluators and treatment professionals. The team works collaboratively to monitor, supervise, support and encourage drug court participants throughout the program.

National research on the effectiveness of drug courts demonstrates that participation in the program reduces the likelihood of future arrest and saves taxpayer dollars.
Elizabeth, a Salem resident, came to the Drug Court as a 29 year old high school dropout with a 15 year history of addiction. After using virtually every drug available, she became IV heroin addict and injected heroin daily in the 5 years immediately preceding her arrest for possession of heroin in 2010. When arrested, Elizabeth's 2 year old son became a ward of the court under the supervision of DHS and was placed in relative foster care.

Elizabeth didn’t fit the stereotype of the daily heroin user. She was fully functional in her life and maintained almost full time employment up until her arrest. During her year-long experience in Drug Court, she obtained a GED at Chemeketa Community College, attended weekly AA or NA meetings, participated in intensive residential and out-patient drug and alcohol treatment, graduated from a parenting class, reinstated her driver's license and paid over $1200 in court fines.

In order to pay her fines, she worked part time as a salesperson in a local shoe store that employed her after full disclosure of her involvement in Drug Court. While in Drug Court, she appeared in 32 mandatory court sessions before Judge Graves, provided 76 random drug screening tests and graduated with 261 Drug Court clean days. Elizabeth is currently a college student at Chemeketa Community College with a goal of obtaining a transfer degree and then transferring to a 4 year college and obtaining a degree in design. At her graduation, Elizabeth commented, "Besides my recovery, my greatest joy is getting my baby boy back".

Senator Jackie Winter attended the graduation and praised Elizabeth on her accomplishment. The senator added, "This is a great accomplishment! You are fortunate to have a strong community and family support system around you. The most important job you have is to be a wonderful mother to your son and continue to overcome your addiction."

With the economic situation facing our State, many of Oregon's Drug Courts were scheduled to be shuttered in 2011. Having seen the value of the Drug Court, Judges Tracy Prall and Dennis Graves approached Senator Jackie Winter. Working collaboratively with District Attorney Walt Beglau, Sheriff Jason Myers and Criminal Justice Commission Executive Director Craig Prins, the Senator secured some remaining federal stimulus grant funds to keep the Drug Courts open.

Since 2000, approximately 165 offenders have benefited directly from the program. Our community also benefits indirectly when these graduates return to productive lives.


Attached Media Files: Drug Court Supporters , Senator Jackie Winters , Judge Graves with Graduate Elizabeth Russell

New two-week public comment period runs through Feb. 8

The public comment period on the intent to grant a variance to the City of Portland’s Bull Run water reopened today and will run through Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 5 p.m.

Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division officials decided to reopen the comment period because recent testing of Bull Run water in late December showed evidence of Cryptosporidium, which is a microscopic parasite that can infect humans and animals.

"The detections are a change from the information upon which our draft order was based, and are relevant to the monitoring requirements we have laid out in the proposed order. It seems fair that we allow people time to comment in light of the new information," said Gail Shibley, administrator for OHA’s Office of Environmental Public Health.

Current comments should be limited to the newest information about Cryptosporidium testing results.

In December, OHA’s Public Health Division announced its intent to grant a variance for Cryptosporidium to the City of Portland Bull Run Reservoir after a 36-day public comment period. The final order is expected in March.

Comments on the variance decision in regard to the Crypto detections are due by Wednesday, Feb. 8, 5 p.m. Please send comments to: pwb.treatmentvariance@state.or.us; or mail to:

Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division, Office of Environmental Public Health, Drinking Water Program, 800 NE Oregon St., Ste 640 Portland OR 97232.

The City of Portland’s report on the recent Cryptosporidium detections in Bull Run are outlined here: www.portlandonline.com/water/index.cfm?c=53849&a=382721

###

In response to Governor Kitzhaber declaring a state of emergency on January 19, 2012, and the direction of Oregon Emergency Management through both Linn and Benton counties, the City of Albany is establishing a method for local residents to report estimated damages to their homes or businesses or loss of property related to recent extreme weather conditions.

Albany Fire Department staff will be taking damage reports by phone on Wednesday, January 25, and Thursday, January 26, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.: call 541-917-7700, Option 0. Be prepared to answer these questions:
• Name of owner or renter of property
• Address of property, including county
• Contact phone number
• Is property a primary residence, rental, or business?
• Is the property a single-family home, mobile home, or multifamily/apartment building?
• What type of damage was sustained (five categories apply)?
o Affected – Habitable
o Minor – Homes that can be made habitable quickly and without great expense
o Major – Homes requiring costly or extended repair to be made habitable
o Destroyed
o Inaccessible
• Is the property or property contents insured?
• Estimated damage or loss
Damages to rental units will be counted twice; the renter is affected under the housing category and loss of personal property, and the landlord is affected under the business category unless all of the damage is to the renter’s personal property. Damages to "second" or vacation homes or outbuildings such as detached garages will not be counted; they do not meet the criteria for identifying initial damage assessments.
Residents can use county assessor’s records to establish a community average of home values (low, medium, and high) to facilitate making damage estimates.
Information obtained over the two days will be made available to Oregon Emergency Management through both counties as part of a damage assessment process for submission to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). If approved, FEMA will activate a preliminary damage assessment team to tour county areas affected by the storm.

Oregon Arts Commission Announces Four Upcoming Grant Deadlines

The Oregon Arts Commission announces upcoming deadlines for three grant programs for Oregon arts organizations and one for Oregon artists:

Arts & Cultural Tourism Grants
January 31, 2012, 5:00 pm electronic deadline
Proposals may be submitted by arts groups or units of local government that are working to increase tourism motivated entirely or in part by the arts-related offerings of a community or region. Grants can support activities undertaken by arts or tourism groups – and especially projects in which both collaborate to attract Oregonians and non-residents, to communities, regions and the entire state through the strength of the arts-related offerings. Up to $10,000 in matching grant funds may be requested.

Capacity Grants for Arts Organizations
February 1, 2012, 5:00 pm electronic deadline
Competitive grants are open to prior participants in Sustaining Oregon’s Arts programming, including participation or presenting at the annual Arts Summit, Leadership Exchanges and webinars. Additionally, applicants must have received competitive grant support from the Oregon Arts Commission during the past two fiscal years. Funds are intended to help build operating capacity, improve financial sustainability, refine artistic products, diversify audiences and/or strengthen management and board governance.

Arts Recognition Grants
February 9, 2012, 5:00 pm electronic deadline
Arts Recognition grants are $1,000 awards made to exemplary arts organizations that have a record of excellence in programming, service, and organizational capacity, but have not received other Arts Commission funding. The grants assist in raising an organization's profile and in leveraging other funds and resources.

Career Opportunity Grants
February 14, 2012, 5:00 pm electronic deadline
Career Opportunity Grants support individual Oregon artists by enabling them to take advantage of unique opportunities to enhance their careers through the development of arts, business or professional skills; expanded marketing capacity and/or the further development of the nature or quality of their artwork. Additional funds available to mid-career Oregon visual artists from The Ford Family Foundation are awarded in tandem with this program.

Guidelines and information on applying for all opportunities are available on line at
http://www.oregonartscommission.org/content/grants Additional information is available by calling the Arts Commission at (503) 986-0082.


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

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.

More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at: www.oregonartscommission.org

# # #

Students from 31 Oregon High Schools Compete for Scholarships in Nationwide Poetry Out Loud Competition
State Winner Will Represent Oregon at Nationals in Washington, D.C.

Students at 31 high schools in 20 Oregon communities will participate in Poetry Out Loud this year, through a partnership between the Oregon Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. Poetry Out Loud, now in its seventh year (and reaching nearly 4,000 Oregon students), involves the memorization and recitation of classic poetry and culminates in a statewide competition. Nationwide, more than 300,000 students are expected to participate. Participants compete for more than $50,000 in college scholarships awarded at the state and national levels.

After months of classroom study and preparation, students participate in school wide recitation contests, with each winner eligible to compete in a regional contest. The top three finishers in each region will advance to the state contest in Salem. "Poetry Out Loud is a wonderful way for students to gain an appreciation of great poetry," said Deb Vaughn, Arts Education Coordinator at the Oregon Arts Commission. "To ‘own’ a poem through practiced recitation and then to find personal meaning in it is an experience students will carry with them for years to come."

Jenny Owen, mother of 2011 state finalist McKinley Rodriguez, said, "This event is so special for competitors and their families. The professionalism of the organizers, the caliber of the judges, the involvement of Oregon's Poet Laureate Paulann Petersen and the attention to details from start to finish makes the captivating student recitations even more remarkable."
2011 State Champion Nathaniel Dunaway, who went on to earn the title of Regional Runner-Up in the National Contest, said, "If it weren’t for Poetry Out Loud, I don’t think I’d be as confident as a performer."
Regional contests will be held for the first time in 2012:

Southern Regional, Ashland
Semi-Finals: March 5, 3-6 pm, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Carpenter Hall
Finals: March 5, 7-8 pm, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Black Swan Lab

Mid-Valley & Central Regional, Corvallis
March 10, 2-5 pm, Majestic Theatre, 115 SW Second Street.

Northern & Eastern Regional, Portland
March 11, 2-5 pm, Powell’s Books, 1005 W Burnside St.

Actor Pat Janowski, "Siren of Sound" from OPB’s Live Wire, will serve as the Master of Ceremonies at the 2012 Oregon State Poetry Out Loud Contest on March 31, 2012:

Willamette University, Ford Hall Theatre
900 State Street, Salem

Semi-Finals: Saturday, March 31, 3-5 pm
Finals: Saturday, March 31, 6-8 pm

Judges for the 2012 competition include Natalia King, professor at Reed College; Renee Mitchell, writer and performance artist; Lois Leveen, author and educator; Jackson Miller, forensics director at Linfield College; Clancy Rone, English teacher at South Medford High School; Turia Autrey, poet and educator; Laurence Overmier, poet.

In addition to winning a $200 scholarship and $500 for the winner’s school library poetry collection, the state champion receives an all-expense-paid trip, with a chaperone, to Washington, DC to compete in the national finals, May 13-15, 2012.

For more information on Poetry Out Loud, contact the Arts Commission at (503) 986-0082 or Oregon.artscomm@state.or.us or visit the national website at www.poetryoutloud.org

Media: Please contact the school coordinator listed for permission to cover a contest.

*Indicates a new Poetry Out Loud School for the 2011-2012 school year.
Participating Schools Contest Date/Time School Coordinator Information
*Academy of Arts and Academics
615 Main St
Springfield Took place Nov. 9, 2011
7 p.m.
Wildish Theater, Springfield Scott Crowell
scott.crowell@springfield.k12.or.us
541-744-6728
Bandon High School
550 9th St. SW
Bandon Date & time TBA Ellen Howard
ellenh@bandon.k12.or.us
541-347-4413
*Blanchet Catholic School
4373 Market St. NE
Salem Date & time TBA Mike Grainey
Michael.w.grainey@state.or.us
503-986-0071
Cascade Christian
855 Chevy Way
Medford February 8, 2011
1:00 p.m.
Cascade Christian Auditorium Suzanne Ray
sray@gracechristian.org
541-772-0606
*Centennial High School
3505 SE 182nd
Gresham Date & time TBA Phillip Huff
Phillip_huff@centennial.k12.or.us
503-762-6180 x. 142
Center for Advanced Learning
1484 NW Civic Dr
Gresham Date & time TBA Jeanne Sheets-Sagoo
jeanne_sheets-sagoo@
thecenterforadvancedlearning.org
503-667-4978
College Hill High School
510 NW 31st St
Corvallis Date & Time TBA Carol Griffith
carol.griffith@corvallis.k12.or.us
541-757-4599
Condon High School
210 Bayard St.
Condon Date & Time TBA Katie Cook
Kcook@condon.k12.or.us
541-384-2441
Crook County High School
1100 SE Lynn Blvd
Prineville February 22, 2012
7:00 PM
Crook County HS Anita Hoffman
anita.hoffman@crookcounty.k12.or.us
541-416-6900
Franklin High School
5405 SE Woodward
Portland Took place January 12, 2012
3:45 PM
Room 159 Pam Garrett
pgarrett@pps.k12.or.us
503-916-5140
*Grant High School
2245 NE 36th
Portland Date & time TBA Richard Brown
Rbrown1@pps.net
503-916-5160
Grants Pass High School
830 NE 9th St.
Grants Pass Date and time TBA
Grants Pass HS Performing Arts Center Lisa Baldwin
lbaldwin@grantspass.k12.or.us
541-474-5710
Hidden Valley High School
651 Murphy Creek Rd.
Grants Pass Date & Time TBA Julia Richardson
julia.richardson@threerivers.k12.or.us
541-862-2124
Hood River Valley High School
1220 Indian Creek Rd
Hood River February 15, 2012
Columbia Center for the Arts Regena Rafelson
regena.rafelson@hoodriver.k12.or.us
541-386-4500
*Ione Community School
447 Spring St
Ione February 15, 2012
Ione High School Gym Lea Mathieu
Lea.mathieu@ione.k12.or.us
541-422-7131
Jackson County Home School
523 Strawberry Ln
Ashland Date & time TBA Suzanne Barnes
suzannebarnes@ashlandhome.net
541-488-3339
*Lake Oswego High School
2501 Country Club Rd
Lake Oswego February 15, 2012
Lake Oswego HS Jami Wray
wrayj@loswego.k12.or.us
503-534-2313
Lakeridge High School
1235 Overlook Drive
Lake Oswego February 9, 2012
3:00 PM
Lakeridge HS Auditorium Edward Derby
derbye@loswego.k12.or.us
503-534-2319
*Lincoln High School
1600 SW Salmon
Portland Date & time TBA Barbara Brown
Bbrown1@pps.net
503-916-5200
Madison High School
2735 NE 82nd Ave
Portland February 28, 2012
12:20 PM -1:45 PM
Madison HS Library Daniel Fredgant
dfredgan@pps.k12.or.us
503-916-5220
Metropolitan Learning Center
2033 NW Glisan
Portland February 13, 2012
Noon-3:00 p.m.
Powell’s Books
1005 W Burnside Stephen Lambert
slambert@pps.k12.or.us
503-916-5737
Oregon City High School
18761 S Beavercreek Rd
Oregon City Date & time TBA Patrick McDonald
patrick.mcdonald@orecity.k12.or.us
503-785-8900
Oregon School for the Deaf
999 Locust St NE
Salem February 18 + 23, 2012
OSD Stage and Clockworks Cafe, 241 Commercial St SE, Salem, 7pm Gayle Robertson
gayle.robertson@osd.k12.or.us
503-378-1328
Sherwood High School
16956 SW Meinecke Rd
Sherwood February 21, 2012
3:05 PM
Sherwood HS PAC Jared Jones
jjones@sherwood.k12.or.us
503-825-5500
*St. Stephen’s Academy
7275 SW Hall Blvd
Beaverton February 16, 2012
7:00 p.m.
St. Stephens Academy Joe Haferbecker
jhaferbecker@ststephensacademy.com
503-646-4617
*South Wasco County High School
PO Box 347
Maupin Date & time
TBA Sandra Knight
sandrack@swasco.net
541-395-2225
*Veritas School
401 Mission Dr
Newberg February 8, 2012
8:30 a.m
Veritas School Kasi Woidyla
woidyla@comcast.net
503-312-7425
West Salem High School
1776 Titan Drive NW
Salem February 22, 2012
3:00 PM
W Salem HS Auditorium Derek Bruey-Finck
Bruey-finck_derek@salkeiz.k12.or.us
503-399-5533
Willamina High School
1100 Oaken Hills Dr.
Willamina February 22, 2012
7:00 PM
Willamina HS Cafetorium James Scoggins
james.scoggins@willamina.k12.or.us
503-876-2545
Wilson High School
1151 SW Vermont
Portland Date & time TBA Allison Faherty
allison.faherty@gmail.com
503-916-5280
Woodburn Arts & Communications Academy
1785 N. Front St
Woodburn February 23, 2012
2:00 p.m.
WACA Lectorium Mindy Brooks
mbrooks@woodburnsd.org
503-982-3398

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of the Business Oregon Department in 1993 in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development. The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. For more information about the Oregon Arts Commission: www.oregonartscommission.org.

- 30 -

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Tuesday afternoon’s single vehicle fatal traffic crash along westbound Interstate 84 north of Baker City. The crash resulted in the death of an Emmett, Idaho woman whose name is released following confirmation of next of kin notification.

According to Lieutenant Dave MacManiman, on January 24, 2012 at approximately 12:36 p.m. a pickup driven by CHRISTINE E. McALLISTER, age 61, from Emmett, Idaho was westbound on Interstate 84 at the Baker City rest area near milepost 295. McALLISTER lost control of the pickup, traveled off the right shoulder and rolled coming to rest on the off ramp. Conditions at the time of the crash were snowing hard with snow and ice on the roadway.

McALLISTER was pronounced deceased at the scene. She was using safety restraints.

OSP troopers from the Baker City office are continuing the investigation.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/51128/012412.fatal.i84mp295.1.JPG , 2012-01/1002/51128/012412.fatal.i84mp295.2.JPG

Benton County declared a local disaster last week due to the extent of damage caused by flooding and landslides. Although immediate response efforts have subsided, Benton County is now deep in the process of flood damage assessment.

The initial damage assessment application is sent by local government officials to the State of Oregon for approval. If the Governor declares a State of Emergency, local applications will be forwarded to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for consideration of reimbursement. Although personal insurance always comes first, it is possible that federal assistance may become available for local residents affected by the storm.

Community members should call Benton County Emergency Services at 541.766.6864 with reports of damage. Damage to infrastructure can include damage to the residence itself, belongings, outbuildings, vehicles, driveways/private bridges or agricultural losses.

When calling, please clearly provide the following information. A voicemail containing the information is adequate:
1. Name of owner or renter of property**
2. Address of property**
3. Contact number**
4. Type of home (owner occupied, rental or business)
5. Type of property (home, owner occupied, rental property, business, single family, multi-family (apartment) or mobile)
6. Type of damage sustained:
Affected but habitable
Minor (homes that can be made habitable quickly and without great expense)
Major (homes requiring costly or extended repair to be made habitable)
Destroyed
Inaccessible
7. Is the property or contents insured?
8. What is the estimated damage of loss?**

**Mandatory questions. Without an answer to these questions, we cannot register your property for assistance.

Information can also be submitted using the following contact e-mail: bcsoinfo@co.benton.or.us, or via our website: http://www.co.benton.or.us/sheriff

An Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper arrested two felons during a traffic stop south of Roseburg after finding they were in possession of a firearm.

On January 24, 2012 at approximately 1:00 p.m. a driving complaint was given to an OSP Roseburg trooper regarding a silver vehicle northbound on Interstate 5 toward the Roseburg area at over 100 miles per hour. At appoximately 1:20 p.m. Senior Trooper Mark Moore checked a vehicle matching that description traveling 85 miles per hour just south of Roseburg. During initial contact he detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. He made contact with the driver, MARK E. HARDY JR, age 27, from Portland, and found out that HARDY was on Parole for Robbery out of Multnomah County. Passenger DOMINIC L. LUSTER, age 20, from Portland, was also determined to be on Parole out of Multnomah County for Burglary.

Subsequent investigation with the assistance of an OSP drug detection canine led to the discovery of a small amount of marijuana and a Sig Sauer 9 MM semi automatic handgun in the vehicle.

HARDY and LUSTER were arrested and lodged in the Douglas County Jail for Parole Violation and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Only photograph of LUSTER available for this release from Douglas County Jail website.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/51131/Luster.jpg

Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller reports that with a declared local disaster by the Linn County Board of Commissioners and a State declared disaster by Governor Kitzhaber, Linn County is in the process of flood damage assessment.

The initial damage assessment must be completed and returned to Oregon Emergency Management by Friday, January 27, 2012. In order to meet this deadline County Emergency Management will establish a phone bank for residents and business owners to report property damages.

Oregon Emergency Management will then gather the damage assessment information from the Counties and will request a preliminary damage assessment review through FEMA. If approved, FEMA will activate a preliminary damage assessment team to tour the areas affected by the storm in our County.

Residents and private business owners of Linn County will be asked to call in their damages through a phone bank (877) 570-0828 that will be activated on Thursday, January 26th at 9:00 a.m. and be open until 4:00 p.m. The phone bank will be operational on Thursday the 26th only.

The following information is needed when the phone bank is called:

- Name of owner or renter of property
- Address of property
- Contact number
- Is property a primary home, rental property, or business
- Is the property a single family home, mobile home, multi-family (apartment)
- What was the type of damage sustained (5 categories)
o Affected – Habitable
o Minor (homes that can be made habitable quickly and without great expense)
o Major (homes requiring costly or extended repair to be made habitable)
o Destroyed
o Inaccessible
- Is the property or property contents insured?
- Estimated damage of loss

Damages to rental units will be counted twice; the renter is affected under the housing category and loss of personal property and the landlord is affected under the business category unless all the damage is to the personal property of the renter. However, damages to "second" or vacation homes, or outbuildings such as detached garages will not be counted as they do not meet the criteria for identifying initial damage assessments.

For further info contact:
Sgt. Joe Larsen
541.812.2272

This afternoon, Mt. Angel Police Department released information regarding an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper who had previously been placed on administrative leave pending a personnel investigation who was taken into protective custody Tuesday morning related to a disturbance in their city. During their response to the incident, Mt. Angel police learned of two locations where possible explosive devices may have been left. The OSP Explosives Unit responded and assisted Mt. Angel police after a suspicious backpack was found at one location. The backpack and contents were rendered safe and determined not to be explosive. Police did not find anything suspicious at the second location.

Mt. Angel police identified the man as JOSEPH P. CONKLIN, age 29. CONKLIN was placed on paid administrative leave by OSP on December 15, 2011 pending an investigation into an internal matter related to police reports. He was hired August 2008 and assigned in the Patrol Services Division at the Florence work site.

OSP Deputy Superintendent Richard Evans extended his appreciation to Mt. Angel Police Department for their professional response to Tuesday morning’s incident to ensure the safety of their community.

"OSP is grateful no one was injured and we appreciate the timely and compassionate response of those involved," said Evans.

On January 24, 2012 at 3:47 a.m., the Mt. Angel Police Department responded to the call of a suspicious disturbance involving a man in the street near City Hall. Officers took the man into custody on a Police Officer Hold for a mental health assessment and transported him to Salem Hospital. Officers also learned of two possible suspicious packages or objects left abandoned in their city. Both locations were checked and one confirmed suspicious backpack was found at Berchtold Memorial Park east of City Hall.

OSP Explosives technicians responded and rendered the object safe.

According to Mt. Angel Police Department, CONKLIN has not been arrested or charged. Questions regarding this morning’s incident should be directed to Mt. Angel Police Chief Mike Healy.

No photograph to be released by OSP.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

OSFM and DEQ ask all Oregonians in areas affected by winter storms and flooding to secure all hazardous material to help prevent toxic release.

Through the week, several severe storm fronts are predicted to pass through Oregon. These fronts are expected to create flooding and/or freezing conditions, some with accompanying high winds. Before the onset of these storms, the State of Oregon urges businesses and citizens to secure containers of chemicals and hazardous materials, other loose items, and any waste materials that could become storm-driven debris.

The release of toxic materials and hazardous wastes into the environment makes flood and storm recovery more difficult, in addition to adversely impacting the environment and public health. Workers and crews responding to the storms, residents, and wildlife can come into contact with these materials. Even a small amount released into the environment can cause widespread damage and harm.

Containers of chemicals and other products should be securely sealed and, where possible, stored in areas unlikely to be affected by high winds or flooding. Move items to higher ground if possible and use shelving that will likely remain above the flood line. Loose items (firewood, lawn chairs, garbage cans, etc.) should be secured to prevent property loss and minimize adding to flood debris.

For more information visit DEQ’s website at www.oregon.gov/DEQ or OSFM’s website at http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/index.shtml

Portland, Oregon: The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) has released the first of its new, second generation tsunami inundation maps for communities along the Oregon coast.

DOGAMI TIM-Coos-05, Tsunami Inundation Maps for Coos Bay - North Bend, Coos County, Oregon by DOGAMI, 2012, scale 1:12,000. Includes two plates showing local-source (Cascadia Subduction Zone) and distant-source (Alaska-Aleutian Subduction Zone) tsunami inundation scenarios.

DOGAMI is pleased to initiate the release of a new style of tsunami inundation maps that incorporate all the best tsunami science that is available today, including recent publications by colleagues studying the Cascadia Subduction Zone, updated computer simulation models using high-resolution lidar topographic data, and knowledge gained from the 2004 Sumatra, 2010 Chile, and 2011 Tōhoku earthquakes and tsunamis.

Plate 1 displays five scenarios, labeled as "T-shirt sizes" (S, M, L, XL, and XXL), of the impact of Cascadia Subduction Zone tsunamis that reflect the full range of what was experienced in the past and will be encountered in the future. The geologic record shows that the amount of time that has passed since the last great Cascadia earthquake (312 years since January 26, 1700) is not a reliable indicator of the size of the next one, so the size ranges are intended to fully bracket what might happen next.

Plate 2 shows tsunami inundation scenarios for two distant-source tsunamis that were modeled and originate in Alaska. These distant tsunamis are not nearly as dangerous as the local ones, as Oregonians will have several hours instead of only minutes to evacuate and the tsunamis themselves are much smaller. For these reasons DOGAMI’s focus is on the big Cascadia events. If the ground shakes for an extended period of time, don’t wait for more warning, evacuate to high ground as fast as possible.

These maps include a wealth of information, including projected tsunami wave height time series charts and a measurement of the exposure each community has to the various tsunami scenarios: we count the number of buildings that are inundated by each scenario.
We hope that the public, planners, emergency managers and first responders, elected officials, and other local decision makers will use this detailed and innovative map product to mitigate risk and to reduce the loss of life and property.

To learn more about this publication and to see the anticipated publication schedule for other publications in the TIM series, visit:
http://www.oregongeology.org/pubs/tim/p-TIM-Coos-05.htm

DOGAMI publication TIM-Coos-05 can be purchased on CD-ROM for $10 from the Nature of the Northwest Information Center (NNW), 800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 965, Portland, Oregon, 97232. You may also call NNW at (971) 673-2331 or order online at http://www.naturenw.org. There is a $4 shipping and handling charge for all mailed items.

Contact Information:
Oregon Department of Geology
Ian Madin, Chief Scientist
(971) 673-1542
ian.madin@state.or.us

The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries is an independent agency of the State and has a broad responsibility in developing an understanding of the state’s geologic resources and natural hazards. The Department then makes this information available to communities and individuals to help inform and reduce the risks from natural hazards, such as earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, floods and volcanic eruptions. The Department assists in the formulation of state policy where an understanding of geologic materials, geologic resources, processes, and hazards is key to decision-making. The Department is also the lead state regulatory agency for mining, oil, gas and geothermal exploration, production and reclamation.

Learn more about Oregon's geology online: http://www.OregonGeology.org


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/2967/51109/press-release-2012-01-24b.pdf

The Oregon Red Cross response to the January Winter Storm disaster began on Jan 18. The storm has been accompanied by hurricane force winds in some parts of the coast, heavy rain, snow, ice, power outages, fallen trees, flooding, landslides and two fatalities. The storm has affected ten counties to date, and has impacted Salem, coastal areas, and some small towns in the Coast foothills and central Willamette Valley.

Current impact-to-residence totals across Oregon, as identified by Red Cross disaster assessment teams, as of January 23rd, are:

• 167 residences have been affected in some way that caused the occupants to require Red Cross assistance;
• 52 residences have sustained minor damage;
• 37 residences have sustained major damage;
• 6 residences have been destroyed.

The Red Cross is currently completing Disaster Assessments in several counties and also developing a list of unmet needs for partner organizations, such as: disposal dumpsters, sheet rock, and rebuilding supplies.

"The Oregon Red Cross is at a high level of readiness and gearing up for the next weather system," said Maree Wacker, Regional Executive with the Oregon Red Cross. "We are preparing to move resources as weather dictates on today and Wednesday."

We continue to send assessment teams into areas where river waters have receded. We are restocking trailers and activating volunteers in anticipation of additional flooding, with Disaster Response Teams standing by to respond in several locations in the Willamette Valley and the Oregon coast, including:

Lincoln County
Tillamook County
Clatsop County
Columbia County
Washington County
Yamhill County
Polk County

We have contacted the Emergency Mangers in all of these counties, offered our assistance and requested they notify us if they are considering opening their EOCs.

We are sending a Shelter Team to assist with a Red Cross supported shelter in Hood River. This shelter was requested by Hood River Emergency Management due to snow, icy conditions and power outages that have continued in the area for several days.

A Red Cross shelter has been opened across the Columbia River from Hood River in White Salmon at White Salmon Fire Hall, 119 NE Church Street.

We are also standing by with shelter teams if the Nehalem River begins to rise to flood levels in Vernonia.

You can search for Red Cross Shelter sites online at: http://www.redcross.org/nss/

For more information on preparing for floods, download the attached PDF.

Support the Red Cross
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help people affected by disasters, like the recent storms and flooding, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.

Contributions may be sent online at http:// www.redcross.org, or to your local American Red Cross chapter, or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Red Cross needs blood donations...
Severe weather in the state has disrupted blood donations. If you have an appointment to donate blood, don't forget to come by, or if you would like to sign up to donate, go to: http://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment.

Red Cross Safe and Well...
The Oregon Red Cross encourages everyone displaced by flooding, and anyone attempting to locate friends and loved ones, to use the Red Cross Safe and Well site at: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php

UPDATE - 01/24/12:

On 01/18/12, Parole & Probation Deputy Tim Trabosh located Perez, hiding behind a couch in a home in Salem.

Deputy Trabosh was at a home occupied by Julio Resendiz-Vieyra. Trabosh was making a routine check on Resendiz-Vieyra because he is on parole and under Trabosh’s supervision. Resendiz-Vieyra told Trabosh that Perez was hiding in the house and admitted knowing that Perez was an escapee.

Perez was taken into custody without incident and will face an additional charge for escaping from the Jail Work Center on January 7th. He offered no explanation for his escape and provided no details about his whereabouts for the past few weeks.

Resendiz-Vieyra was also taken into custody on a parole violation. He too, was booked into the Marion County Jail.

Salem Police Officers assisted Trabosh in making these arrests.

- - - - - - - - - -

01/09/12:

An inmate in the Marion County Jail Work Center fled the facility on Friday evening as other inmates were preparing for dinner.

The Work Center is a work release minimum security facility where inmates who pose the lowest risk to the community serve their sentences. Some are assigned to work crews; others are granted passes to seek employment assist them in transitioning back to society upon their release.

Work Center Deputies heard a emergency exit door alarm go off at about 5:00pm, while they were supervising the dinner meal. Following a head count, deputies learned that Arnold Christian Perez, 19, had left the facility. Once outside the facility, he scaled a cyclone fence and escaped.

Perez was serving time as a sanction for violating his parole conditions for an assault conviction.

He is described as a Hispanic male, 19, 5-5, 120, brown hair and brown eyes. His hair is shaved. He has multiple tattoos, including one that says "L.A." on his right shoulder. He was wearing normal street clothing when last seen.

Perez is from the Salem area and has gang affiliations. Anyone with information on Perez’s whereabouts is asked to call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office or 911. Perez’s Parole Officer is Deputy Jordan Juster.

Photos of Perez, including one of his "L.A." tattoo, are attached to this release.


Attached Media Files: Perez Arrested -1/18/12

The official statement from the National Weather Service can be found at:
http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=pqr&wwa=flood%20watch

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FOR THIS EVENING THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING FOR RIVERS AND CREEKS IN NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON

THE FLOOD WATCH INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

NORTH OREGON COAST-CENTRAL OREGON COAST- COAST RANGE OF NORTHWEST OREGON- CENTRAL COAST RANGE OF WESTERN OREGON-LOWER COLUMBIA- GREATER PORTLAND METRO AREA-CENTRAL WILLAMETTE VALLEY- SOUTH WILLAMETTE VALLEY-WESTERN COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE - NORTHERN OREGON CASCADE FOOTHILLS- CASCADE FOOTHILLS IN LANE COUNTY-UPPER HOOD RIVER VALLEY- WILLAPA HILLS-SOUTH WASHINGTON COAST-I-5 CORRIDOR IN COWLITZ COUNTY-GREATER VANCOUVER AREA- SOUTH WASHINGTON CASCADE FOOTHILLS

Care should be taken when traveling over the mountains during this time. The most dangerous places include:
• Canyon bottoms, stream channels, and areas of rock and soil accumulation at the outlets of canyons;
• Bases of steep hillsides;
• Road cuts or other areas where slopes of hills have been excavated or over steepened;
• Places where slides or debris flows have occurred in the past.

Debris flows are rapidly moving landslides that can destroy everything in their paths. They can easily travel a mile or more, depending on the terrain. They will contain boulders and logs and transport those in a fast-moving soil and water slurry.

Some areas are more hazardous than others when the danger of landslides is high. If there is a flood warning, stay away from the river. Stay away from steep slopes during intense rainstorms. Knowing ahead of time where the danger areas around your home for potential landslides might be is the first step in being prepared.

Follow these steps:
• Stay alert. Listen to the radio, TV, or a weather radio for flood watches, which include the potential for debris flows and if told to evacuate, do so immediately;
• Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides;
• If you think there is danger of a landslide, leave immediately;
• If water in a river or stream suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream;
• Assume highways are not safe. Be alert when driving, especially at night. Don't overdrive your headlights. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road;
• Landowners and road managers should check road drainage systems and conduct needed maintenance in case the predicted heavy precipitation does occur.

Cleaning up after landslides can also be hazardous. "When it is wet outside, be careful when cleaning up the mess. A small mudslide can actually be part of a larger landslide. Cleanup should not be done until after the storm.

Contact Information:
Oregon Department of Geology
Bill Burns, Engineering Geologist
(971) 673-1538
bill.burns@state.or.us

National Weather Service – Portland
Tyree Wilde, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
(503) 326-2340 x223
Tyree.wilde@noaa.gov


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/2967/51102/press-release-2012-01-24.pdf

Today, the Oregon Health Policy Board voted to send the implementation proposal for coordinated care organizations to state lawmakers for final approval. The action is the next step in improving the Oregon Health Plan for better health and lower costs as laid out in House Bill 3650, passed by the legislature in 2011.

The proposal lays out the governance, global budget and criteria for coordinated care organizations. Under HB 3650, CCOs will be the local entities delivering health coverage and care for OHP clients’ mental health and addictions, physical and ultimately dental needs. Building on work shown to be successful across Oregon, CCOs will shift focus and financial incentives away from emergency and acute health care, toward prevention, early intervention and community-based management of chronic conditions. This will be a change from today's fragmented and costly system of 16 managed care organizations, 10 mental health organizations and eight dental care organizations that OHP clients must navigate.

The proposal approved by the board today will go to the state legislature for approval in the February session. It comes after months of public comment through statewide community meetings and policy work groups.

"I want to thank the Oregon Health Policy Board and the thousands of Oregonians who provided their input to help create a better way to deliver care that focuses on improving health, keeping people from emergency or acute care, and lowers costs for the state," said Govenor Kitzhaber. "I urge the legislature to quickly approve the proposal so we can get to work improving care in our communities."

According to a third-party analysis, the state could realize substantial cost savings through coordinated care organizations. Estimates show that CCOs could save Oregon $3 billion over five years.

If approved by the legislature, the plan for coordinated care organizations requires federal approval. State officials say the first CCOs could begin operation by July 2012.
"Across the state, communities are coming together to build models of better health care," said Eric Parsons, Chair of the Oregon Health Policy Board. "The proposal for the legislature provides clear detail on the criteria, governance and budget structure so communities can take the next steps forward."

For further information, visit health.oregon.gov.

Background information
Definition of coordinated care organization: CCOs will be locally governed entities that will deliver health care coverage and care to approximately 600,000 Oregonians on the Oregon Health Plan. CCOs will have one budget that grows at a fixed rate for mental, physical and ultimately dental care. CCOs will bring forward new models of care that are patient-centered and team-focused. They will have flexibility within the budget to deliver required outcomes. Finally, CCOs will be governed by a partnership among health care providers, community members and stakeholders within the health system who hold financial responsibility and risk.

###

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012
CONTACT: Glenn Lamb, Columbia Land Trust, 360-606-6071
Dan Cook, Columbia Land Trust, 503-442-1839
Michael Milstein, BPA, 503-230-4215
Diana Fredlund, Corps, 503-808-4510


(EDITORS: Maps, photos and video available at http://bit.ly/y6i8Ms or on request.)


The Columbia Land Trust, Bonneville Power Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today announced the largest purchase of riverside habitat in the Columbia River estuary in nearly 40 years, permanently protecting essential refuge for salmon, steelhead and other wildlife.

The acquisition, which will benefit salmon from Oregon, Idaho and Washington as they migrate to the ocean, is the largest step yet in the estuary to mitigate the impacts of federal dams on the Columbia and Snake river systems.

The Columbia Land Trust on Monday completed the purchase of the 920-acre Columbia Stock Ranch on the south shore of the Columbia River near Goble, Ore., with $5.3 million in BPA funding. The purchase sets the stage for the Corps of Engineers to restore hundreds of acres of historic wetlands in the next few years to provide food and shelter for salmon migrating to and from the ocean.

The acquisition protects more estuary habitat for conservation than any other single purchase since the early 1970s.

"The size and ecological importance of this habitat set a new benchmark for habitat protection and is a key piece in an extensive fish refuge system in the lower Columbia River," said Glenn Lamb, executive director of the Columbia Land Trust. "In the last 10 years we have worked with about 60 landowners to conserve 9,100 acres of estuarine and tributary spawning and rearing habitat. BPA has been an important partner in many of these projects. The estuary is a particularly vital nursery for young salmon, and this project is the best demonstration yet of conserving and restoring the lands that make the estuary so valuable."

An independent panel of biologists identified the parcel as an especially valuable swath of historic tidal wetlands that if restored would boost survival of young salmon as they transition to saltwater. Some two-thirds of estuary wetlands have been lost over the last century, but recognition of their biological significance has encouraged restoration.

"Everything we learn tells us more and more that the estuary is very important to juvenile fish," said Ron Thom, a Pacific Northwest National Laboratory scientist specializing in ecosystem restoration who helps assess potential projects. "Restoration can create more habitat to support them. In general, the more opportunities for fish to access large, productive rearing and feeding habitats, the better the chances of young salmon gaining strength and ultimately surviving."

"I applaud the collaboration between the parties – the local landowners, the Estuary Partnership, the Land Trust and the federal agencies – in bringing this project into our Fish and Wildlife Program to help mitigate for the hydro system’s effects on salmon and steelhead. Estuary projects benefit multiple populations and increase the benefits for the ratepayer dollars spent," said Joan Dukes, chair of the Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

"The Columbia Stock Ranch site offers a large area for contiguous restoration," said Elvon Childs, the Corps’ Columbia Stock Ranch project manager. "We are designing the project so it maximizes benefits for salmonid habitat restoration with direct tidal connections to the Columbia River."

"Not since the early 1970s when the two lower Columbia River wildlife refuges were established has there been a single purchase of this magnitude purely for conservation," said Debrah Marriott, executive director of the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership. "The Deer Island area was once a rich network of forests, shrub scrub, wetlands, sloughs and floodplain lakes that provide critical shallow water areas for juvenile salmon resting and rearing as they make their way to the ocean. With this purchase and the restoration of this property, these essential habitats will once again become available to Endangered Species Act listed fish and other species."

Federal agencies are responsible for mitigating the impacts of federal hydroelectric dams on salmon as outlined by NOAA Fisheries’ Biological Opinion. The mitigation includes new technology ensuring more fish pass dams safely and habitat restoration, with increasing focus on the estuary below Bonneville Dam.

"We’ve seen fish returning to other restored habitat within days, so large, contiguous properties such as this one should boost salmon survival even more," said Lorri Bodi, BPA vice president of Environment, Fish and Wildlife. "Healthy estuary habitat is like a Head Start program for salmon that makes them that much more likely to return to the Northwest to spawn as adults."

Management and restoration plans for the property will be developed with public input. Restoration work will also support the local economy and jobs. The restored habitat will benefit coho, chinook and chum salmon; steelhead; and cutthroat trout, as well as terrestrial wildlife such as black bear, elk and river otter.

###


Attached Media Files: Newly protected salmon habitat in Columbia River estuary, purchased Jan. 23 by the Columbia Land Trust with Bonneville Power Administration funds. , Newly protected salmon habitat in the Columbia River estuary, purchased Jan. 23 by the Columbia Land Trust with Bonneville Power Administration funds. , Newly protected salmon habitat in Columbia River estuary.

State Fire Marshal Mark Wallace is encouraging communities across the state to honor the work of those in the fire service by organizing events or ceremonies for Fire Service Appreciation Day in Oregon, Friday, January 27.

"Communities have many opportunities to get involved and recognize the work and sacrifice of members of the Oregon fire service," says State Fire Marshal Mark Wallace. "From community groups hosting a breakfast, lunch, or dinner, to schools holding essay contests, this day is an opportunity for everyone to say thanks."

In 2007, the Oregon legislature passed House Joint Resolution 25, establishing January 27 each year, as Fire Service Appreciation Day in Oregon. The Legislative Assembly encourages all Oregonians to recognize and honor fire service members for their efforts to keep our citizens safe from the ravages of fire.

Local recognition in past years included city mayors presenting fire chiefs with a certificate of thanks, fire district boards presenting commemorative coins and certificates to volunteers, newspapers publishing articles and ads thanking members of the fire service, and citizens taking a local firefighter to lunch.

"DEQ asks all Oregonians in areas affected by winter storms and flooding to secure all hazardous material to help prevent toxic release."

Severe storm fronts continue to pass through Oregon. The storms may cause or worsen flooding and/or freezing conditions and may be accompanied by high winds. DEQ urges businesses and citizens to secure containers of chemical products and hazardous materials, other loose items and any waste materials that could become storm-driven debris.

The release of toxic materials and hazardous wastes into the environment makes recovery from floods and storms more difficult in addition to adversely impacting the environment and public health. Workers and crews responding to the storms, residents and wildlife can come into contact with these materials. Even a small amount released into the environment can cause widespread damage and harm.

Containers of chemicals and other products should be securely sealed and where possible should be stored in areas that are unlikely to be affected by high winds or flood waters. Move items to higher ground if possible and utilize shelving that will likely remain above the flood line. Loose items (firewood, lawn chairs, garbage cans, etc.) should also be secured to prevent property loss and minimize contribution to flood cleanup debris.

Household hazardous materials include products used in the home that contain toxic chemicals. Products labeled "Caution, Warning, Danger, Poison, Toxic, Flammable or Corrosive" are considered hazardous.

Some examples of materials or wastes that should be secured are:
· Aerosols
· Antifreeze
· Auto Batteries
· Auto Fluids
· Disinfectants
· Household cleaners and drain openers
· Fertilizer
· Fuel containers containing gasoline, lighter fluid, propane, etc.
· Latex / Oil-Based Paint
· Pesticides
· Pool Chemicals
· Propane Tanks – less than 30 gallons
· Solvents
· Tires
· Used Oil and Oil Filters

For more information visit DEQ’s website at www.oregon.gov/DEQ and click on the links under "Dealing with Disaster Debris?" Our fact sheets can also help. See Disaster Debris Management and Managing and Permitting Disaster Debris.

Contact DEQ by calling Craig Filip at 541-686-7868 for Yamhill, Polk, Marion, Lincoln, Linn, Benton, Lane, Douglas, Josephine, Jackson, Coos and Curry counties. For Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Columbia, Clatsop and Tillamook counties contact Leslie Kochan at 503-229-5529.

The Lake Mountain Trail, Big Tree Trail, Cliff Nature Trail and No Name Trail, located within the Oregon Caves Historic District boundary increase nomination are Oregon’s latest entries in the National Register of Historic Places. The Oregon Caves National Monument consists of 480 acres and lies deep within the Siskiyou Mountains of southwest Oregon. This property was originally listed in the National Register in 1992. The four trails were either built or reconstructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during their work at Oregon Caves National Monument from 1934 to 1941. The Lake Mountain Trail, Big Tree Trail, Cliff Nature Trail, and No Name Trail were selected for inclusion in this boundary increase because they retain many of the rustic design principles originally utilized by the CCC.

These four trails are important as they represent National Park Service (NPS) efforts to provide access by foot to remote areas within the monument for recreational day use. The completion of a road to the monument in 1922 led to increased visitation, and the subsequent development of a trail system for increasing day use beginning in 1934 responded to a greater need for recreational activities that could be accomplished in conjunction with a cave tour.

The trails are also important for their landscape architecture because they represent efforts by the NPS to arrange the land for human use and enjoyment. Trails were adapted to blend with their natural surroundings and at the same time to be cohesive with the rustic architectural theme of buildings constructed on the monument. Trails provided the dual function of preserving undeveloped areas of the monument by concentrating pedestrians on certain footpaths designed to minimize confusion while stimulating interest through use of a circuit designed according to established principles.

Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation recommended the boundary increase in June 2011. There are more than 120 National-Register-listed historic districts in Oregon. The National Register of Historic Places is maintained by the National Park Service under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

More information about the National Register and recent Oregon listings is online at www.oregonheritage.org (click on "National Register" at left of page).


Attached Media Files: Oregon Caves Historic District Boundary Increase National Register nomination

NEWPORT--Two-way traffic has been restored on U.S. 101, four-and-a-half miles south of Newport, where the highway foundation that had given way during last week’s powerful storm.

On Wednesday, January 18, after experiencing hurricane force winds and near record rainfall, the foundation under the southbound lane of US 101 at milepost 144.5 gave way, leaving the pavement partially unsupported.

ODOT took immediate steps to protect the safety of the public by closing the southbound lane and directing all traffic onto the northbound lane, under the control of flaggers.

ODOT brought in environmental and geotechnical experts who, along with experienced maintenance personnel, began formulating a plan for rebuilding the highway as quickly as possible.

An emergency was declared for the construction project, allowing an expedited procurement process to hire a contractor by Friday.

W-W Construction of Newport acted quickly, mobilizing Friday, and beginning construction by Saturday. In three days of construction, the contractor had successfully:
---Stabilized a landslide at the location
---Cleared a creek bed and culvert
---Excavated and rebuilt the highway foundation 45-feet in depth and 80-feet in length
---Paved the newly constructed segment of highway
---Placed reflective markers on the fog line and center line
"By moving fast, we were able to avoid losing more of the highway foundation and avoid having to close the highway completely," said District 4 Manager, Joe Squire.

"We salute the quick work of the contractor to help us restore the highway to full function," Squire said.

Weather conditions will prevent final striping of the highway but reflectors will be used as a temporary measure. Until final striping can occur, motorists are asked use caution while traveling through the area.

Deputies working in the Marion County Jail conducted a thorough search of the interior of the jail this morning at about 7:30am.

After eating their morning meal, inmates were temporarily detained in the exercise yard while deputies searched every cell and all common areas of the 151,000 square foot jail facility. One by one, the inmates were then searched and returned to their cells.

Commander Sheila Lorance gave the order to search the facility after learning that two small razor blades had been discovered in the possession of different inmates.

Approximately 35 law enforcement personnel took part in the search, along with a total of six canines. The Department of Corrections sent three officers with their canines and additional canine team came from Linn County. MCSO canines participating in the search were from both the Enforcement and Institutions Divisions. These dogs are specifically trained to detect illegal jail contraband, including drugs and cell phones.

Sergeants John McOmber and Don Parise organized the effort and briefed the deputies prior to the search. Sgt. McOmber commented, "The security of the jail and the protection of the inmates and staff is our number one priority."

These facility searches are only part of our security plan. 99% of the contraband we find is discovered during the booking process when inmates are initially brought to the jail. The teamwork with the intake deputies helps us to secure our facility. Still, our experience has shown that inmates are very creative. They are adept at smuggling contraband and can fashion weapons from almost anything.

Approximately 400 inmates were affected, but all had been returned to the cells by 2:30pm. The inmates remained calm throughout the process and cooperated with the deputies. There were no injuries to the inmates or the staff at the jail.

Sporadic, unannounced searches are common-place in the jail, and necessary to maintain security and safety for everyone housed in or working at the jail.

Deputies found no weapons, alcohol or illegal drugs during their search. A number of smaller jail infractions were discovered. These included home-made dice carved from bar soap, unauthorized hoarding of personnel hygiene supplies, and other items that are prohibited under the jail’s inmate policies.

Commander Lorance summarized the day’s search by commenting: "This was an amazing operation to see from start to finish. The Deputies and staff were extremely diligent and professional in their approach to the search of inmates and their living areas. The fact that we didn't find anything more than nuisance contraband is a testament of the great work the staff is doing everyday. I really appreciated the assistance we received from the Enforcement Division, Parole & Probation Division, the Oregon Department of Corrections and Linn County Sheriff's Office and all of their K-9's."

Photos from the search are attached to this release.


Attached Media Files: Echo 5 Jail Pod , Sgt. D. Parise and Deputy D. Huitt , K9 Milos on the walk , Deputy M. Higgins , Deputy A. Garner , K9 Bailey searching a cell

Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller reports that his detectives have arrested a man who assaulted his twin 3 month old daughters.

On Friday afternoon Corey Michael Repucci, 22, of Lyons, was arrested for Assault 1, two counts of Assault 3, and Criminal Mistreatment 1. He was booked into the Linn County Jail and then released after posting bail.

The investigation revealed the infant's injuries included multiple sub-dermal hematomas (brain bleeding), multiple rib fractures, a fractured right leg and fractured right arm. The child, Chiara Repucci, was examined at Santiam Memorial Hospital in Stayton when her parents took her in for breathing problems. She was then transferred to Dornbecker’s Hospital in Portland. She has been admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, and her condition is stable.

Detectives suspect the brain injuries indicate Chiara was violently shaken and the fractured ribs were caused by blunt force trauma to her body. Further information from physicians is expected later this week.

Chiara'a twin sister, Aliyah, was also examined and was found to have multiple fractured ribs and a fractured left leg.

Both children were taken into custody by Oregon Department of Human Services; however Chiara remains hospitalized at Dornbecker's Hospital.

Repucci's court appearance is scheduled for February 8, 2012 at 1:15 pm in Linn County Circuit Court.


Attached Media Files: Repucci mugshot

WHAT – A five-member committee tasked with advising the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) on the state's Smoke Management Plan will work through an agenda that includes:

* Smoke management fund status
* Regional haze update
* Smoke management five-year plan review coming up in 2012
* Integration of ODF’s biomass specialist, Marcus Kauffman, into the smoke management alternatives program

Public comments will be received at approximately 10:15 a.m.

WHO – By Oregon statute, the Smoke Management Advisory Committee includes representatives of industrial and non-industrial forest landowners, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and the general public.

WHEN – 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25.

WHERE – Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, Building D - Santiam Room, 2600 State St., Salem.

MORE INFO – Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, rnichols@odf.state.or.us, www.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/fire.shtml#Smoke_Management_Information

The undersigned President of Oregon Affordable Housing Assistance Corporation, an Oregon nonprofit public benefit corporation (the "Corporation"), hereby calls a special meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation in accordance with Section 65.344 of the Oregon Revised Statutes. The special meeting shall take place on January 25, 2012, at 3:00 p.m. PST, in Conference Room 322 of the Oregon Housing and community Services Department at 725 Summer Street NE, Suite B, Salem, Oregon 97301-1266. The purpose for the special meeting is to discuss general business matters, and to take any action related thereto or take such other action that the Board of Directors of the Corporation deem appropriate.

The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to Sandy McDonnell, 503.986-2012, by TTY at 503.986-2100, or by email at sandy.mcdonnell@hcs.state.or.us.


Dated: January 23, 2011


Rick W. Crager, President

The Executive Committee of the Oregon State Library Board of Trustees will meet in Room 205 at the Oregon State Library on Friday February 3, 2012. Sam Hall of Salem will chair the meeting, which will begin at 1:00 p.m.

Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting may come to Room 205 at the State Library.

Sign language interpretation will be provided for the public if requested prior to 48 hours before the meeting; notice prior to 72 hours before the meeting is preferred. Handouts of meeting materials may also be requested in alternate formats prior to 72 hours before the meeting. Requests may be made to Jessica Rondema at 503-378-2464.

-30-
 
OREGON STATE LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
February 3, 2012
Room 202, State Library
Sam Hall, Chair

Agenda

1:00 p. m. Report of the Interim State Librarian - Dahlgreen

1:30 Approval of the Board Agenda for the February 24, 2012 Board Meeting - Hall

1:45 Questions of Executive Committee Members - Hall

2:00 Adjournment - Hall



NOTE: The times of all agenda items are approximate and subject to change.

The State Library Board Budget Committee will meet on Friday, February 3, 2012, at the State Library in Salem. The meeting will be held in Room B9, beginning at 10:00 a. m.

The Budget Committee is a subcommittee of the State Library Board that is charged with developing a budget proposal for the State Library budget in 2013-15 that will be presented to the full Board at their meeting in June. The Committee will also consider possible statutory change proposals that the Board might want to submit to the Governor in April. This is the first of four planned meetings of the Committee. Committee members from the Board are Sam Hall from Salem (Chair), Sue Burkholder from Eugene, and Aletha Bonebrake from Baker City. State library managers and four staff members also participate on the Committee.

Sign language interpretation will be provided for the public if requested prior to 48 hours before the meeting; notice prior to 72 hours before the meeting is preferred. Handouts of meeting materials may also be requested in alternate formats prior to 72 hours before the meeting. Requests may be made to Jessica Rondema at 503/378-2464.

-30-

OREGON STATE LIBRARY BOARD BUDGET COMMITTEE MEETING
February 3, 2012
Room B9, State Library Building, Salem
Sam Hall, Chair

Agenda
10:00 a. m. Welcome and Meeting Purpose - Hall

10:15 Review of the Outcome of Board Retreat (handout) - Hall

10:45 Consideration of Revisions to Library Vision and Mission,
Long Range Goals and Possible Strategies - Group

11:45 Next Steps and Future Meetings - Hall

Noon Adjournment - Hall

Budget Committee Members:
State Library Board of Trustees
Sam Hall
Sue Burkholder
Aletha Bonebrake

State Library Staff
Diane Ballard
Elke Bruton
MaryKay Dahlgreen
Jen Maurer
Shawn Range
Robin Speer
Jey Wan
Susan Westin
Arlene Weible

A Bend-area man is facing a first degree theft charge after allegedly stealing four sets of snow skis and snowboard at Hoodoo Ski Area.

On January 21, 2012 at approximately 3:00 p.m. witnesses and Hoodoo staff members detained a suspect after he was seen taking four sets of snow skis and a snowboard from ski racks outside Hoodoo lodge. The suspect, TERRY L. GRIGSBY, age 21, from Bend, was seen putting the stolen property inside a vehicle before he was detained and held until Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers from Bend and Albany arrived.

Subsequent investigation led OSP to cite GRIGSBY to appear in court for one count of Theft in the First Degree. The skis and snowboard, valued over $2,000, were recovered and returned to the victims.

No photographs available for this release.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/51053/OSP.Badge.jpg

NEWPORT— A contractor for ODOT is expected to begin paving a section of U.S. 101, four-and-a-half miles south of Newport, by early this afternoon after rebuilding the highway foundation that had given way during last week’s powerful storm.

Two-way traffic is expected to resume at the site by early tonight. In the meantime, a single lane of travel at milepost 144.5 will remain under the control of flaggers.

In two days of construction, W-W Construction of Newport acted quickly to:
---Stabilize a landslide at the location
---Clear a creek bed and culvert
---Excavate and rebuild the highway foundation 45-feet in depth and 80-feet in length

The contractor will spend today finishing construction of a rock base; saw cutting the adjacent asphalt; and paving a 15’X180’ foot section that includes a smooth transition between the new and existing roadway.

Weather conditions will prevent final striping of the highway but reflectors will be placed along the fog line and center line. Until final striping can occur, motorists are asked use caution while traveling through the area.

The media will be informed via InfoFlash.net when the highway is reopened to two-way traffic.

The public should monitor www.TripCheck.com for updates.

(Salem) — Last fall, a charity that sponsored a golf contest bought insurance to cover the $10,000 prize in case a golfer beat the odds at Heron Lakes Golf Course in Portland.

Sure enough, Matt Ramsay, a casual golfer from Vancouver, Wash., made the 67-foot putt. You don’t have to imagine his excitement; you can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQlSosgOoNE. Now, however, collecting the prize money seems like the long shot. The insurer, Hole-In-Won.com, still hasn’t paid.

"I hate being taken advantage of and really feel bad for Matt," said Evan Denhart. His foundation, the Prostate Awareness Research Foundation (PAR for Life), was raising money through the putting contest for prostate cancer education and research.

Hole-In-Won.com isn’t licensed to sell insurance in Oregon and neither is its president, Kevin Kolenda of Rye, N.Y. Nonetheless, Oregon consumers have reported receiving fax blasts with Hole-In-Won’s name. The marketing material directs people to a website that promotes event coverage, including "hole-in-one insurance." However, the site fails to mention the business is not licensed in Oregon.

"With Hole-In-Won still selling insurance online, we are warning Oregonians not to do business with this company," said Lou Savage, acting administrator of the Insurance Division. "The company is currently under investigation by the state."

Organizations in Oregon that have been approached by Hole-In-Won are asked to contact Insurance Division Investigator Stephanie Noren at 503-947-7233 or stephanie.j.noren@state.or.us.

In the meantime, other states have ordered Hole-In-Won.com and its employees to stop selling insurance. Insurance regulators in Connecticut fined Kolenda $5.9 million, although that state has yet to collect any money. Kolenda is also accused of failing to pay claims on prizes he covered.

Ramsay thought his prize money would have come in handy with a newborn.

"I was going to pay for about eight months of his day care," he said.

###
The Insurance Division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

Follow DCBS on Twitter: http://twitter.com/OregonDCBS. Receive consumer help and information on insurance, mortgages, investments, workplace safety, and more.

The Oregon Youth Authority will hold an open house Friday at its new downtown Eugene offices at 115 W. Eighth Ave., Suite 180. The public is welcome to attend the open house, which will run from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Several youth will participate in a panel discussion beginning at about 3 p.m.

OYA’s Lane County staff consists of Supervisor Deborah Martin, seven juvenile probation and parole officers, a juvenile probation and parole assistant, a foster care supervisor and an office specialist. The probation and parole officers supervise 109 Lane County youth on probation or parole as well as 43 youth incarcerated in OYA correctional and transitional facilities across the state. OYA Director Colette S. Peters, who will deliver a brief welcome, and several members of her staff will attend the open house.

The move to the downtown Eugene location put the office two blocks from the Lane Transit District bus station, making it more accessible to youth and families. Parking for those attending the open house is available near the OYA office in on-street spaces or in a parking garage at Eighth Avenue and Willamette Street.

OYA has custody of approximately 750 youth offenders ages 12 to 24 in correctional and transitional facilities in Albany, Burns, Florence, Grants Pass, La Grande, Salem, Tillamook, Warrenton and Woodburn. OYA juvenile parole and probation officers supervise an additional 1,050 youth offenders on parole and probation in communities throughout Oregon.

# # #

Four people are facing charges in Josephine County following their arrests last week by the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team after detectives seized over 2 ounces of methamphetamine and a pound of marijuana.

On January 19, 2012 a traffic stop by Grants Pass Department of Public Safety at M Street and 5th Street led to the arrest of ERIC WILLIAM KELLY JR, age 25, for Probation Violation. Subsequent to that stop and arrest, RADE detectives obtained and served a search warrant on the vehicle and found approximately one ounce of methamphetamine and other evidence. In addition to the probation violation charge, ERIC KELLY was lodged in the Josephine County Jail for Unlawful Possession, Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine.

Information and evidence related to the first arrest led RADE detectives to ERIC KELLY’s girlfriend, CRISTI PUCKETT, age 38, and her arrest for Endangering the Welfare of a Minor and Child Neglect in the First Degree.

After getting another search warrant, on January 20th the RADE detectives served it at a residence in the 1100 block of Redwood Avenue shared by ERIC KELLY, PUCKETT, and his father RONALD E. KELLY, age 51. Detectives found approximately 1 ½ ounces of methamphetamine, one pound of marijuana, and other additional items of evidence.

RONALD KELLY was arrested for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine and a Restraining Order Violation. RONALD KELLY’s sister, SHARI ANDERSON, age 49, was cited to appear in court for Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine.

The interagency narcotics RADE team is comprised of personnel from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Oregon State Police, Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Josephine County District Attorney's Office, and the Josephine County Community Corrections.

Photograph (Eric Kelly) Source: Josephine County Sheriff’s Office
(No other photos available for this release)

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/51048/Eric_Kelly_Jr.jpg

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Saturday night's fatal traffic crash involving a bicyclist on Interstate 5 north of Cottage Grove. The crash resulted in the death of 29-year old CASEY MICHAEL PITTS-CARROLL. He was last known to be living as a transient in the Cottage Grove area and has previously lived in Eugene.

According to Trooper Cale Day, on January 21, 2012 at approximately 9:44 p.m. a 2011 GMC Denali sport utility vehicle driven by AMBER S. VINCENT, age 26, from Sutherlin, was southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 176 just south of the East Saginaw Road overpass when it struck a bicycle crossing the freeway. Witnesses said the cyclist was riding northbound along the southbound shoulder prior to being struck as it tried to cross the freeway in the vehicle's path.

The cyclist, PITTS-CARROLL, was trapped under the vehicle as it came to a stop. After emergency medical personnel arrived minutes later he was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was not wearing reflective clothing and the bicycle had no lighting equipment.

VINCENT and her two children, ages 2 and 4, were not injured.

OSP troopers were assisted at the scene by South Lane County Fire Rescue, Cottage Grove Police Department, and ODOT.

The southbound lanes were closed over two hours but traffic was able to get through the scene.

OSP troopers from the Springfield Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

The Oregon State Penitentiary transitioned from alert status to normal operations at 2:45 p.m. on January 21, 2012. The Penitentiary was placed on emergency status January 19, 2012, due to the rising water levels of Mill Creek.

Visiting was suspended while the institution prepared for the potential of flooding on the grounds. With the water receding, visiting will resume to normal operations on Sunday, January 22, 2012, at 7:00 a.m.

Staff have resumed parking on institution grounds and are encouraged to use the staff parking lot only while the water continues to recede on grounds.

The American Red Cross is continuing its around-the-clock efforts to provide assistance to families and communities impacted by the recent storms. As flooding takes its toll in our region, we are prepared to continue our humanitarian response and relief efforts through the weekend.

We currently have over 100 Red Cross volunteers and staff from around the state actively responding. Disaster Response Teams are assessing the need for sheltering and mass care in several locations in the Willamette Valley and the Oregon coast. We have several hundred more volunteers on alert if needed.

As of Friday evening, the Red Cross had opened shelters in Hood River and Newport for people displaced by power outages and flooding.

Volunteers, facilities and supplies were being moved in Vernonia, in anticipation of possible flooding. Over 50 Red Cross sites across the state have been stocked with supplies for immediate response.

The Red Cross shelters in Aumsville, Mapleton, Gold Beach, Brookings and Corvallis have been closed or put on standby.

For current Red Cross shelters available in Oregon, please contact your local officials as shelter sites may change due to power outages.

PREPARE FOR FLOODING
As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for floods by:


Creating and practicing a Disaster Plan: Talk to everyone in your household about what to do if a flood occurs. Decide where you would meet and who you would contact in case of flooding. Assemble and maintain an emergency preparedness kit. Be prepared to evacuate your family and pets at a moment’s notice. Listen to area radio and television stations for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress.

For more information on preparing for floods: http://www.oregonredcross.org/pdf/Flood(19).pdf

Assembling an Emergency Preparedness Kit: Kits should contain a first aid kit and essential medications, foods that don’t require cooking or refrigeration and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, copies of important documents and other emergency items for the whole family.


Heeding Flood Warnings: Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated flood information. A flood WATCH means flooding or flash flooding is possible in your area. A flood WARNING means flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.

Relocating During Flood Warnings: Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankle, stop, turn around and go another way. If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.

SUPPORT THE RED CROSS at:https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?4996.donation=form1&idb=899935572&df_id=4996

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.

You can help people affected by disasters, like the recent storms and flooding, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Contributions may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Red Cross also needs blood donations...
Severe weather in the state has disrupted blood donations. If you have an appointment to donate blood, please don't forget to come by, or if you would like to sign up to donate, go to: http://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment.

RED CROSS SAFE AND WELL
During an emergency, letting your family know that you are safe can bring your loved ones great peace of mind. If you are affected by the flood, register on the Red Cross Safe and Well Website accessible at: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php.

The Safe and Well Website allows those directly affected by a disaster to let their loved ones know of their well-being.

For those who do not have internet access, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register yourself and your family. Follow the prompts for disaster information.

Concerned family members who know the person’s phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who self-register.

High winds predicted for the overnight hours of January 20, 2012, did not produce downed trees or power outages overnight in Corvallis or Benton County. Gusts up to 28mph were measured in the overnight, short of the 40mph gusts originally predicted. One report was received of high water surrounding a residence in the 1400 block of SE Brooklane Dr. but there is no estimation of damage to the residence at this time.

Water levels in both the Willamette River and Marys River leveled off over night, and the level of the Marys River has begun to drop. The drop in the water levels in each river system is expected to be slow, so higher than normal water flows should be expected over the coming days.

At this time Benton County Emergency managers have shut down the phone bank. There will no longer be staff answering the (541) 766-6120 number to report downed trees or high water. If someone encounters high water blocking a street or road they should call the non-emergency line of the Corvallis Regional 911 center at (541) 766-6911.

One east bound lane of Highway 34 remains closed this morning due to high water. Water levels are being monitored by ODOT on scene and the lane will re-open when water levels recede.

A complete listing of current road conditions in Corvallis and Benton County can be located by high water and flooding. The current list of high water locations can be found by going to the City of Corvallis website at www.ci.corvallis.or.us/hazards or the Benton County Public Works Site www.co.benton.or.us/pw/index.php. Residents can also call a Benton County Public Works information line at 541-766-6821 to report problems. An information line at 541-766-6120 is available to residents of the city and county to call for updated information regarding flooding, road closures, and travel restrictions.

All public safety entities in Corvallis and Benton County would like to remind drivers to exercise caution driving on the streets and highways in Corvallis and Benton County. Be on the look-out for police officers and flaggers directing traffic in the area, especially in the hours of darkness. Do not drive into standing water since it is difficult to gauge the depth, and vehicles can be swept away in less than 2 feet of water.

Attached to this message are a number of aerial photos taken today of the flooding in Benton County and Corvallis. The photos were taken by Jerry Smith, with the assistance of helicopter pilot John Larson. Larson is a volunteer with Benton County Search and Rescue. The photos show a portion of the flooding and remaining high water as of today, January 20, 2012. Each photo is labeled with a description of the location where each image is taken.


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1393/51018/South_Of_Marys_River_Looking_E.jpg , 2012-01/1393/51018/Jackson_Fraiser_Wetland_Area_Looking_N.jpg , 2012-01/1393/51018/Intersection_Of_Lancaster_and_Conifer_Area_Looking_Down.jpg , 2012-01/1393/51018/Following_Along_The_North_Of_Marrys_River_Looking_S.jpg , 2012-01/1393/51018/Fern_Road_Heading_South_Out_Of_Philomath_-_Looking_N.jpg , 2012-01/1393/51018/Evanite_and_Willamette_River_looking_east.jpg , 2012-01/1393/51018/Area_To_West_Of_The_Intersection_of_Greenberry_And_Highway_99W.jpg , 2012-01/1393/51018/Area_To_West_Of_The_Intersection_Greenberry_And_Highway_99W.jpg , 2012-01/1393/51018/Airport_Road_On_The_West_Side_Of_99_And_Looking_NW.jpg

When there is rain like this in the area Albany Fire Department has a special group of people that are trained specifically to deal with it. In the past two days the Water Rescue Team has used those skills to assist people in our community and in Scio to safety. They have been on nine water related calls where people were in danger or needing to be evacuated. They have also gone throughout the community looking for high water areas and making contact with residents that may be in danger if the water gets any higher. Those areas are mainly Oakville Road, Bryant Drive and Riverside Drive.
Albany Fire Department has had extra personnel here in the past few days in order to be ready for any water related incidents.

*** UPDATE January 20, 1810 hours ***

The City of Salem is continuing to address and coordinate flood recovery and planning activities. The Emergency Operations Center suspended operations on the afternoon of January 20, but is prepared to be reactivated if necessary. Ongoing operations are now being coordinated among the appropriate City departments.

Public safety has been the highest priority, with personnel from every department in the City assisting in the coordinated efforts. At the height of the crisis, over 400 City personnel were working in the field. There were over 50 road closures, more than one hundred thousand sandbags distributed, over 800 traffic barricades placed and hundreds of people were assisted to safety from the rising waters. The Salem Public Library and the Center 50 Plus both opened their doors to those displaced by the waters, and arranged with the Red Cross to find longer term accommodations. The City also called on many volunteers for various tasks around the City and received a tremendous response.

The Emergency Operations Center was open continuously for nearly 36 hours, with over 100 personnel working together to coordinate operations and communications.

The City has worked diligently to keep the public informed. The City website continues to show road closure, resource availability, sewage cleanup and other information pertinent to the event. A non-emergency informational phone line was established for the public to call with flood and water information and eight locations around the City were established for the public to get sandbags.

City Manager Linda Norris signed a Declaration of Emergency, and City staff are working with the State and Federal governments on recovery issues. We have partnered with many government and private entities throughout the event to maximize our resources. Existing partnerships and working relationships were essential to our operations.

The City of Salem is aggressively working to the assess damages from this event. Cleanup efforts are underway including street cleaning, clearing debris from streams and clearing parks. Bridges and structures are being inspected for structural integrity and roadways continue to reopen as waters recede. The City water and sewer systems remain intact and operational and services to the public are rapidly returning to normal.

During this event, the spirit of volunteerism came through in our community. From the truck driver who volunteered to drive sandbags around the area, to The Home Depot donating seven yards of sand, to Lowes having a sandbag station, to the many people who showed up on their own to assist in filling sandbags, to the Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteers who helped with many tasks, our community rose to the occasion to help their neighbors in this time of need.

Salem Mayor Anna Peterson was very engaged with City staff throughout the event and stated "Public safety continues to be the highest priority for the City as we begin cleaning up from the storm and flooding. I was pleased that the Emergency Response Plan went into operation and all departments worked smoothly to address life and safety issues first. I am proud of the community response, and everyones willingness to pull together and get the job done."

Please continue to refer to the City of Salem website at www.cityofsalem.net/fire/emergencymanagement for road closure and other information related to this event. The non-emergency information line (503-540-9015) will stay in service through the weekend.







*** UPDATE January 20, 1125 hours ***

The City of Salem Emergency Operations Center is continuing to coordinate flood recovery and safety planning activities throughout the City.

The critical infrastructure of the City remains intact and operational. Resources continue to be dedicated to address flooding issues while still maintaining essential services to the public. The City water supply has remained intact and operational throughout the flooding event, and water IS safe to drink from the City system. However, even as the flood waters recede, the public is reminded that emergencies of many kinds can happen in our area with little or no warning. Everyone should have at home an adequate supply of bottled drinking water and emergency food. Emergency kits should be prepared at all times to include at least one gallon of fresh water per person per day. For further information on emergency kits and how to prepare, please refer to the City of Salem website at www.cityofsalem.net/fire/emergency management

Water levels on most creeks and streams in the Salem area continue to go down. The water level of the Willamette River in Salem is currently 27 feet and is expected to crest at approximately 29 feet between 4:00 pm and 10:00 pm today, but waters are receding in many areas around the City. Several roads and streets have been re-opened and City crews are evaluating the safety of opening additional roads. Please continue to exercise caution when out and about. Report high water on roadways, and do not attempt to drive through high water areas. Refer to the City of Salem website for road closure information.

Efforts on January 19 were primarily focused on addressing immediate safety and security concerns, identifying hazardous areas and conditions, protecting infrastructure and safeguarding the public. These efforts kept the majority or our resources very busy throughout the day and night hours. Several street sweepers were out throughout the night cleaning up streets that had been flooded.

Operations today will be focused on recovery from the emergency situations encountered yesterday and preparing for further rain, wind and possible rising water levels. Street barricades and sandbags will be removed when appropriate, the bridge on Airport Rd SE between State St and Mission St will be inspected for structural integrity and crews will be cleaning up throughout Salem. Many of the people who left their residences are now able to return. As waters recede in areas creeks and streams, crews will be working to remove debris when it is safe. Please DO NOT attempt to remove debris or objects from streams and creeks, as conditions are still hazardous and pose a substantial risk.

If your house or business experienced damage from a sewage backup, information about how to safely clean the area is posted on the City website. Please examine the areas that experienced high water or flooding during events from yesterday and try to identify any actions that can be taken to prevent or minimize and possible flooding in the future.

The non-emergency public phone line for flood related information is 503-540-9015.




*** UPDATE January 19, 2105 hours ***

The City of Salem will continue to operate throughout the night on January 19. City personnel will be working throughout the night monitoring water levels and flood conditions and protecting people and property.

With rains expected to increase again, we will be evaluating the need for further possible closures and/or evacuations. The non-emergency phone line to report and/or inquire about flood issues (503-540-9015) will remain open throughout the night. As always, utilize 911 for emergency situations. Road closure information is available on the City website at www.cityofsalem.net

The previously listed locations to obtain sandbags will be open and accessible through the night, and staff will be working to make sure adequate supplies are available. Home Depot at 3795 Hagers Grove Rd SE has donated seven yards of sand for use in this situation, and the City of Salem has supplied sandbags for that location. The sand is in the parking lot of the store and will be accessible throughout the night as well.

As weather conditions change and the nighttime hours advance, we would like to again warn the public about the potential dangers of the ever-changing situation. It can be difficult to see standing water in the darkness, and this makes it even more important to be aware of your surroundings. Be sure to honor and obey road closures and barricades. High water can be very deceptive, and the potential for being overcome and/or swept away by moving water remains high.

Be sure to call 911 immediately if you see hazards, and please help watch out for friends and neighbors that may not have the ability to fully care for themselves.




*** UPDATE January 19, 1835 hours ***

The City of Salem is continuing to address public safety as water levels are projected to continue to rise. Despite the tremendous strain on resources because of this situation, City resources are providing basic and emergency services to our citizens. Salem City Manager Linda Norris signed an Emergency Declaration at approximately 1:15 pm on January 19. The Declaration, in conjunction with Declarations of Emergency from the County and State of Oregon, allows the City of Salem to redirect funds for emergency use and to request access to appropriate support from State and/or Federal resources.

The City of Salem Public Works Department has worked tirelessly throughout the day to divert traffic away from hazards, provide resources to the community and protect critical City resources. One substantial water main that was threatened by flood waters was saved and secured by Public Works crews. The City drinking water remains safe for consumption.

More roadways are becoming flooded and are subsequently being closed to traffic. Some of the major roadways that are currently closed are Turner Rd between Cascades Gateway Park and Kuebler Blvd, both 12th and 13th Streets SE between McGilchrist and Hines St, and 25th St SE south of McGilchrist St. There are more than 35 roadways closed at this time. For a full list of these closures, please refer to the City of Salem Website at www.cityofsalem.net

The City of Salem has received over 200,000 sandbags from the City of Albany and continues to utilize mutual aid agreements and partnerships with other entities throughout the region to address this evolving situation.

A map has been created and placed on the City website that shows the projected impact of high water on our community when the Willamette River reaches its projected crest of 30 feet at approximately 4:00 pm on January 20th. This map is a projection based on data from past flooding incidents and current information. It is a projection only, and is provided to alert residents and businesses of areas of increased risks of flooding. Regardless of where one is in relation to the areas shown on this map, always be aware of the surroundings and take all appropriate safety measures based on observations.

The Red Cross has established a shelter at 645 Clover St in Ausmville and is continuing to support the City of Salem as people come to the library and Center 50 Plus to seek refuge. Cherriots is also assisting in providing transportation for those who are being displaced.

Public safety continues to be a priority of the City of Salem, and we have received many offers from private parties to help and volunteer their time and/or resources. These offers are greatly appreciated, and we will continue to work in partnership with these resources as they become available.





*** UPDATE January 19/1315 hours ***

The City of Salem continues to coordinate response to the current high water and heavy rains in the area, which has been determined to be at least a 100 year event. The City Emergency Operations Center is continuing to coordinate resources both within the City and with entities and agencies throughout the region.

The water level of the Willamette River is currently 21 feet. It is projected to crest at a level of approximately 30 feet sometime on Friday, with 32 feet considered to be major flood stage. There are currently 29 streets closed due to high water and numerous others affected by standing water. There have been many who have voluntarily evacuated their residences to escape the water.

The City of Salem has established a non-emergency information line for the public to call in order to obtain general information about the current situation. This phone number is 503-540-9015 and is currently being manned. This is a non-emergency line. Please continue to call 911 for emergencies.

For those who are displaced, the Center 50 Plus located at 2615 Portland Rd NE and the Salem Public Library are both open and available for temporary shelter.

Road closure information is now available to be viewed on the City of Salem website at www.cityofsalem.net Please refer to this website for road closure information.

Sandbags continue to be in very high demand, and City staff are working very hard to make sure there are enough to meet demand. Those who wish to get pre-filled sandbags are asked to go to the City of Salem Public Works facility at 1410 20th St SE. Sand and bags are located at the other sites previously listed, and we are working to get staff and volunteers to those locations to assist the public at those locations as well. Please be advised that the sandbag site at South Salem High School has closed.

As the situation continues to progress and additional needs are identified, volunteers will become even more important than ever to assist in various duties and tasks. Those wishing and available to volunteer are asked to contact "Hands On" at 877-372-4141 or 503-364-1005.

This flood and weather situation continues to evolve. We urge the public to be careful, to be aware of their surroundings and to not take unnecessary chances around high water. Most fatalities during flood events occur as a result of individuals misjudging the depth and strength of the water. If you are in a safe location and not in danger due to rising water, we ask that you stay where you are. Road conditions are constantly changing and please do not venture out for non-essential reasons.

Please be prepared in case of the loss of power and/or water. Make sure emergency kits are stocked and current. Emergency kits should contain any medications for several days, one gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable foods, radios with charged batteries in order to monitor current information, flashlights with fresh batteries and necessary supplies for any pets. This is just a portion of the contents needed for an emergency kit. For further details, please refer to the City of Salem website at www.cityofsalem.net/fire/emergency management. Also, have an evacuation plan with your family. Make sure all members of the family know emergency contact numbers and have a staging and contact point in case the family gets separated during evacuation.

The City of Salem Emergency Operations Center will continue to operate through the critical times of this situation. We will work to keep the public updated as to the evolving situation both through media releases as well as our website.








Due to high water throughout the area and the expected continued precipitation, the City of Salem has activated its Emergency Operations Center. There are numerous areas of flooding throughout the region, and the City of Salem is mobilizing resources to address the safety of the public.

Most of the creeks in the Salem area are at very high levels, and with precipitation expected to continue, those water levels are expected to continue to rise. At this time efforts are being concentrated on situations where life and safety are at risk.

The City of Salem has several sandbag stations available for the public get sandbags for their property. Those locations are listed below. For those being displaced, the Red Cross is working to establish shelters throughout the area. We will provide locations of shelters as they become operational.

We are asking for assistance from the public keeping themselves safe in these rapidly changing conditions.

- If you are in a building and notice water levels rising outside, consider evacuating before the water levels reach a point that creates a dangerous or hazardous situation.
- While driving, observe and obey road closure signs, barriers and/or indicators. Do not assume your vehicle can get through the high water.
- While driving in high water areas, be aware that some manhole covers get dislodged due to water pressure.
- Stay away from creeks, rivers and other bodies of water. Water levels can change rapidly and water currents are running very swift.
- As winds increase and rains continue, the possibility of downed trees and power lines increase. Stay away from downed lines and report them to 911 immediately


This is a rapidly changing situation and the City of Salem will work to put out updates as they become available.

Sandbag locations:
- Roths IGA, West Salem-1130 Wallace Rd NW
- City of Salem Public Works- 14th St SE
- Orchard Heights Park-1165 Orchard Heights Rd NW
- South Salem High School-1910 Church St SE
- Swegle Elementary School-4485 Market St NE
- D St at 14th St NE
- Lowes-1930 Turner Rd SE

120120-A-2440B-037
Governor John Kitzhaber talks to media representatives outside of the Turner post office in Turner, Jan. 20, about the flooding in the area and across the Willamette Valley. Kitzhaber toured the town along with Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, Adjutant General, Ore. visiting a recently washed out bridge that was repaired quickly. (Photo by Capt. Stephen Bomar, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)


120120-A-2440B-013
Sgt. William Sherburn, incident commander for Marion County Sheriff's office and Paul Thomas, Mayor for the City of Turner, Ore. provide a status briefing on the flood conditions in the area to Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, Adjutant General, Oregon and Oregon State Representative Kevin Cameron, House Republican Leader, Jan. 20, at the incident command site in Turner City Hall. Severe weather led to Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber declaring a state of emergency Jan. 19 in Marion, Coos, Benton, and Lincoln Counties. Snowmelt combined with heavy rains created flood conditions across Oregon communities. (Photo by Capt. Stephen Bomar, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

120120-A-2440B-024
Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber and Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, Adjutant General, Oregon, receive a status briefing on the flood conditions in the City of Turner and the Marion County area at the incident command site in Turner City Hall. Severe weather led to Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber declaring a state of emergency Jan. 19 in Marion, Coos, Benton, and Lincoln Counties. Snowmelt combined with heavy rains created flood conditions across Oregon communities. (Photo by Capt. Stephen Bomar, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/962/51010/120120-A-2440B-037.JPG , 2012-01/962/51010/120120-A-2440B-024.JPG , 2012-01/962/51010/120120-A-2440B-013.JPG

Western Oregon University (Monmouth, Ore.) has canceled it's Preview Day for prospective students, which was to take place on Saturday, Jan. 21. Flooding in the region and expected additional rain has led to this decision. Another Preview Day will be held on Feb. 11 and more information (and registration) can be found online: http://www.wou.edu/student/admissions/previewday/winter.php

The improvement in the weather during the past 24 hours has given our emergency crews the opportunity to begin the recovery process in Marion County.

The Marion County ECC is still in operation, but may be ramping down later this afternoon with staff remaining on call if needed.

Preliminary reports from Turner revealed the following agencies provided personnel and/or equipment during the past 24 hours:

Marion County Sheriff’s Office – including Team 18 and their "chuck wagon"
Marion County Public Works
Marion County Health Department
Turner Police Department
Turner Fire District
Oregon State Police
Marion County Fire District #1
Salem Fire department, Water Rescue Team
US Forest Service
American Red Cross
MCSO Inmate Work Crews
Marion County Board of Commissioners

During the past 24 hours, approximately 70 emergency personnel from these agencies assisted the 1800 residents of the City of Turner. A total of 6 rescue boats were deployed and transportation was provided in Marion County Sheriff’s office buses.

Approximately 300 homes were directly affected by the flood waters; with around 150 residents voluntarily evacuating from their homes. They are slowly moving back into their homes this afternoon and beginning the clean up process.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police plan to remain in Turner to provide back-up law enforcement service to the city for as long as necessary.

Marion County Chief Administrative Officer expressed his appreciation for the emergency personnel, "I am really pleased with how quickly our first responders and public works crews were on the ground responding to this emergency. We appreciate our community partners and thank everyone involved for their professionalism and commitment during this weather event."

Governor John Kitzhaber, accompanied by the Mayor of Turner, toured the city this afternoon. He also spoke with residents and emergency personnel, offering encouragement and support.

No fatalities or critical injuries as a result of this event have been reported in the county.

24 people spent the night at the Red Cross shelter at Bethel Baptist Church in Aumsville. The shelter is open today and will remain open in the near future. They do not take pets, but residents can contact the Marion County Dog Shelter at 503-566-6966 if they have needs for small pets and should plan on bringing animals in before 5:30 p.m. today.

Endangered livestock is being sheltered at the Oregon County Fairgrounds - please contact Ann Madsen with Oregon State Parks at 503-510-3374 to make arrangements.

Corban College’s gym also remains open and available to provide shelter to residents.

The City of Aumsville has resolved the storm drain issue and their sewer system is operating at full capacity.

The Willamette River crested today at 28.5". The Pudding River near Aurora has also crested at just under 28'. These levels could affect low-lying agricultural areas and secondary roads along the river. Other smaller tributaries are receding; including Mill Creek in Turner and Salem.

Sandbags are still available at the following locations:

Marion County Public Works on Silverton Road, Salem
Marion County Public Works facility in Aumsville
Knife River Corporation in Stayton and on Wheatland Rd., in Keizer.
Turner City Hall

The Marion County Public Works website www.co.marion.or.us/PW/ has links to additional sandbag locations.

Flood-related garbage & debris is currently being accepted from County residents for no charge at the Salem-Keizer Recycling and Transfer Station through Sunday, January 29. Loads mixes with non flood-related debris will be charged the full garbage rate.

Red Cross mobile services are in Turner today, providing water & clean-up kits to residents. These resources will also be available on Saturday and Sunday at the warehouse at 3rd and Chicago streets in Turner.

As residents begin to clean up, we encourage them to refer to flood-related public health information posted at: http://www.co.marion.or.us/HLT/flooding.htm

An updated list of road closures and conditions can be found at: http://www.co.marion.or.us/PW/EmergencyManagement/closures/closures.htm

Motorists are reminded not to drive around signs or barricades. The depth and current in the water may exceed your vehicle’s ability to remain on the road.

Less rain is expected over the weekend, but gusty winds tonight and tomorrow could affect trees loosened by saturated soil, so continue to use caution while driving and be on the lookout for fallen trees.

Weather forecasting for next week includes more rain with a drop in freezing level followed by another rise, so emergency centers are preparing to stand up again if needed.

Additional information & links are available at: www.co.marion.or.us
Further information on Emergency Management: (503) 588-5108

Public Works Contacts: Beth Myers-Shenai (503) 588-5108 or Jolene Kelley (503) 566-3937


Attached Media Files: Turner streets under water

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

***

The linked photographs were taken January 20, 2012 by Oregon State Police (OSP) patrolling Highway 42 (Coos Bay – Roseburg Highway) near the Coos/Douglas County line at milepost 45. This slide is causing intermittent closures. ODOT urges travelers to watch for flaggers in the area and debris on the road.

All traffic updates are available on ODOT’s website www.TripCheck.com.

Photograph #5 is of the Coquille River farther down stream which is over its banks.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50995/012012.hwy42mp45.1.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50995/012012.hwy42mp45.2.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50995/012012.hwy42mp45.3.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50995/012012.hwy42mp45.4.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50995/012012.hwy42mp45.5.JPG

Overnight weather predictions for the Mid Willamette Valley call for continuing rain and increasing winds with gusts of 40mph expected. Saturated soils, along with high winds, are likely to cause trees to fall. Falling trees cause power outages, sometimes for several days, based on the severity of the storm. Anticipating the heightened possibility of downed trees, Corvallis and Benton County emergency managers have established teams of public works staff to respond to downed trees. These crews will be available all night January 20, 2012.

If residents of Corvallis and Benton County observe a downed tree that is creating a public safety concern, such as blocking a street or road, they can report it by calling (541) 766-6120. Do not call 911 for downed trees that are not creating a risk to public safety.

To report power outages or get information in case of an outage, Consumers Power Inc. customers can call 541-929-3124. Pacific Power customers reporting power outages and downed lines can call 877-508-5088.

Residents should be prepared for outages to occur tonight. It is recommended to keep a five-day supply of water and nonperishable food items that are compact, lightweight and nutritional, taking into account the family’s tastes and unique needs. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. Foods that are high in calories and nutrition should be included. Preparation kits also should include flashlights, light sticks, candles, extra batteries and battery-powered radios.

If the power goes out, people should take the following steps:

* Check the fuse or breaker box.
* Call the utility company.
* Turn off all electrical equipment.
* Turn on a porch light and one inside light so utility crews know when service is restored.
* Listen to the radio for updates.

NEVER touch a downed powerline and expect every line to be live. If a line is touching someone, stay away. You cannot help. Call 911 for emergency assistance. If a powerline falls across your vehicle, do not get out. Wait for assistance to arrive.

A complete listing of current road conditions in Corvallis and Benton County can be located by high water and flooding. The current list of high water locations can be found by going to the City of Corvallis website at www.ci.corvallis.or.us/hazards or the Benton County Public Works Site www.co.benton.or.us/pw/index.php. Residents can also call a Benton County Public Works information line at 541-766-6821 to report problems. An information line at 541-766-6120 is available to residents of the city and county to call for updated information regarding flooding, road closures, and travel restrictions.

All public safety entities in Corvallis and Benton County would like to remind drivers to exercise caution driving on the streets and highways in Corvallis and Benton County. Be on the look-out for police officers and flaggers directing traffic in the area, especially in the hours of darkness. Do not drive into standing water since it is difficult to gauge the depth, and vehicles can be swept away in less than 2 feet of water.

American Red Cross, Oregon Region - Winter Storm Update, January 20, 2012
2:00 PM

The American Red Cross is working around the clock to provide assistance to families and communities impacted by the recent storms and we are prepared to continue our humanitarian response and relief efforts through the weekend.

There is new concern in Hood River County, where they have been dealing with icy conditions, power outages and downed trees – we are in process for setting up a shelter in Hood River.

Waters are rising in Vernonia. Red Cross volunteers are on their way…

The Red Cross Emergency Operations Center has been active since Wednesday afternoon. We are currently assessing additional potential future needs in the affected areas for supplies and/or shelters. We will be monitoring and responding to events over the weekend.

Four (4) Red Cross shelters are open: Aumsville; Brookings; Gold Beach; and Mapleton. Red Cross is also providing support for 2 community shelters: in Allegany; and Salem.

We are drawing on supplies pre-positioned in over 50 locations across the state to conduct these sheltering and relief efforts.

Red Cross blankets have been distributed to Lincoln County schools to support preparations for the potential of sheltering in-place for students.

The Oregon Red Cross Government Liaison staff have been working at the Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) at the Oregon Office of Emergency Management in Salem, the City of Salem EOC, and the Marion County EOC.

Preparations are underway to provide distribution of clean-up kits, comfort kits and emergency food supplies as needed. Snacks and meals have been provided to shelter residents as well as mental health and medical supplies and assistance as needed.

We currently have over 100 Red Cross volunteers and staff from around the state actively responding. We have several hundred more volunteers on alert if needed.

Though we are not anticipating the need at this time, we are in communication with the Red Cross National Disaster Operations Center in Washington D.C. should assistance beyond Oregon be needed.

Current Red Cross shelters open:

Marion County:
Bethel Baptist Church - OPEN
645 Cleveland, Aumsville, OR 97325
200 person capacity - Red Cross team and Emergency Response Vehicle are at site serving residents in Aumsville, Turner, Dayton and East Marion County.

Red Cross Supported Shelter:
Northgate Community Church
3193 Silverton Rd NE
Salem, OR 97301

Lane County:
Mapleton Grange Hall - OPEN
11460 E Mapleton Rd
Mapleton, OR 97415

Coos County:
Red Cross Supported Shelter: Allegany Community Building
1036 Highway 241
Allegany, OR 97407

Curry County:
Star of the Sea Catholic Church - STANDBY
820 Old Country Road
Brookings, OR 97415

Gold Beach High School - STANDBY
29516 Ellensburg Avenue
Gold Beach, OR 97444

In addition, Red Cross volunteers have responded to disasters where families have been displaced (home fires, flooding, trees falling on homes) in Tillamook, Marion and Wasco Counties. We are providing, free of charge, assistance with lodging, food, clothing, comfort kits, and information about Health and Mental Health services.

Red Cross needs blood donations...
Severe weather in the state has disrupted blood donations. If you have an appointment to donate blood, don't forget to come by, or if you would like to sign up to donate, go to: http://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help victims of flooding in Oregon by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster.

The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. To learn more visit: http://www.oregonredcross.org and click on donate, or call or call (503) 528-5659.

Red Cross Safe and Well...
The Oregon Red Cross encourages everyone displaced by flooding, and anyone attempting to locate friends and loved ones, to use the Red Cross Safe and Well site at: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php

Photograph Source - Oregon State Police

***

The linked photographs were taken January 20, 2012 by Oregon State Police (OSP) patrolling Highway 38 east of Reedsport along the Umpqua River. The photographs represent some of the area flooding and highway impacts.

Highway 38 is open but there may be minor delays throughout the day for travelers. All traffic updates are available on ODOT’s website www.TripCheck.com.

Note: Photograph #1 shows a vehicle floating in the Umpqua River. The vehicle is not occupied.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50989/012012.hwy38.1.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50989/012012.hwy38.2.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50989/012012.hwy38.3.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50989/012012.hwy38.4.JPG

South Third Street (Highway 99W) in Corvallis has reopened to traffic, one lane in each direction. One lane on Highway 34 near Milepost 47 also has been reopened to one lane for emergency traffic.

During the closure at South Third Street in South Corvallis, traffic had been rerouted along Crystal Lake Drive. Water levels appear to be receding. The Willamette River is not expected to reach flood stage and the Marys and Luckiamute rivers already have peaked. Even though flooding appears to be less of a risk, high winds tonight through tomorrow morning could knock over trees, possibly taking out trees and causing power outages. Landslides also are possible. McDonald-Dunn Forest has been closed until further notice.

A complete listing of current road conditions in Corvallis and Benton County can be located by high water and flooding. The current list of high water locations can be found by going to the City of Corvallis website at www.ci.corvallis.or.us/hazards or the Benton County Public Works Site www.co.benton.or.us/pw/index.php. Residents can also call a Benton County Public Works information line at 541-766-6821 to report problems. An information line at 541-766-6120 is available to residents of the city and county to call for updated information regarding flooding, road closures, and travel restrictions.

All public safety entities in Corvallis and Benton County would like to remind drivers to exercise caution driving on the streets and highways in Corvallis and Benton County. Be on the look-out for police officers and flaggers directing traffic in the area, especially in the hours of darkness. Do not drive into standing water since it is difficult to gauge the depth, and vehicles can be swept away in less than 2 feet of water.

This morning January 20, 2012 at 7:56am Albany Fire Department was called to 2340 SW 15th where the water had risen over night and the occupants were not able to leave the home. Two adults and two dogs were taken by boat from their home to safety.


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1216/50979/Water_Recue_1-20-12_(3).JPG , 2012-01/1216/50979/Water_Recue_1-20-12_(2).JPG , 2012-01/1216/50979/Water_Rescue_1-20-12_(1).JPG

For Immediate Release - Attention: Affected Turner residents

Northwest Natural Gas will be turning off all the meters to 180 affected homes in Turner this morning in preparation for restoring service to those homes. The gas will then be turned on to individual homes only after direct contact with the homeowner has been made.

Door hangers are being hung on the homes with a contact number for NWN: 1-800-422-4012.

Restoration of service is expected to happen between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. today as homeowners are available.

Later today, we will be issuing a general update on the status flooding and recovery in Marion County.

January 20, 2012

Several Oregon counties have experienced flooding due to the winter storms that moved into the area earlier this week. Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division wants to offer simple tips on how Oregonians can stay safe and healthy during inclement weather.

"The floods this week will leave devastation behind them, and people will want to clean up and repair their homes and communities as soon as possible so they can move forward with their lives and livelihoods. Some simple precautions can help protect their health as they do so," said Mel Kohn, M.D., M.P.H., Oregon Public Health director.

Some tips to be safe during and after the storm:

• Injury Prevention: Stay out of flood waters. Even the strongest swimmers can drown in flood waters. Do not drive through standing water. Never make contact with power lines or objects that are in contact with power lines. Wear eye protection when cleaning up storm debris.
• Water: Check for local boil-water advisories. Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, make ice or make baby formula.
• Well water: If your well has been affected by flood waters, it is recommended that you boil your water for at least one minute at a rolling boil, or purchase water from a safe source. Before resuming normal use of the well, have the water tested for possible bacteria and pollutants.
• Foods: Do not eat foods that have come in contact with flood waters. Throw away food that cannot be kept cold or properly heated due to lack of power.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning: Don't use a generator, pressure washer, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door, or vent. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, seek fresh air and consult with a health care professional right away.
• Home safety: If there is standing water in your home, never turn power on or off yourself – contact an electrician.
• Chain saw safety: Wear appropriate clothing, such as safety glasses and heavy work gloves. Always cut at waist level or below. With an electric chain saw, use extreme caution to avoid electrical shock. Avoid contact with power lines.
• First aid: Immediately clean all wounds with soap and clean water. If your skin or eyes come in contact with hazardous materials wash thoroughly with decontaminated water. Avoid getting cut because cuts can lead to tetanus. If possible, make sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date.
• Mold: Remove mold by washing with soap and water and letting surfaces dry completely. Some materials such as moldy clothing, ceiling tiles and sheet rock may have to be replaced. If mold-related illness is suspected, consult a health care professional.

For more information about injury prevention, food safety, wells, drinking water, and carbon monoxide during and after flooding, go to public.health.oregon.gov.

# # #

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into the death of Aurora man found deceased in his commercial truck Thursday afternoon along Highway 97 in northern Klamath County. Initial investigation indicates he died from a medical problem after being contacted earlier by an OSP trooper while he was putting chains on his truck.

According to Senior Trooper Don Newcomb, on January 19, 2012 at approximately 3:15 p.m. a tow truck driver stopped to help a commercial truck that became stuck along Highway 97 near milepost 219 south of the Highway 138 junction. The truck’s driver, DAVID H. ACTON, age 49, from Aurora, was found slumped over inside the cab.

Troopers and local medical personnel responded and ACTON was pronounced deceased at the scene due to an apparent medical problem. About 45 minutes earlier, an OSP trooper had contacted ACTON while he was attempting to put chains on his truck. There was no indication that he was experiencing a medical problem at that time.

ACTON was driving for Northwest Wholesale and Retreading out of Portland.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50974/OSP.Badge.jpg

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into the cause of Thursday afternoon’s injury traffic crash along Highway 20 just outside Albany. The crash resulted in non-life threatening injuries to a 32-year old man whose name is released in this update.

According to Lieutenant Mark Cotter, on January 19, 2012 approximately 3:45 p.m. a citizen came into the OSP Albany Area Command office to report an injury crash along Highway 20 east of the office. OSP, Albany Police Department, Albany Fire Department, Linn County Sheriff’s Office and ODOT responded. The vehicle was found upright in a water-filled ditch with the driver trapped and injured. Albany fire personnel spent 35 minutes extricating the man before he was transported to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis with non-life threatening injuries.

Preliminary investigation indicates a 1993 Lexus four-door driven by TREVOR W. FELT, age 32, from Albany, was eastbound on Highway 20 and traveled off the road at the Goldfish Farm Road intersection. The car continued in the grass without slowing, paralleling the highway for over 300 feet before striking a power pole and culvert. The car went airborne and landed upright in the water-filled ditch.

Westbound lanes were closed for approximately 45 minutes during response and extrication. One lane westbound was open while the investigation continued. All lanes were open about 5:30 p.m.

PP&L responded to replace the power pole. There were no down power lines.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50960/011912.hwy20mp1.1.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50960/011912.hwy20mp1.2.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50960/011912.hwy20mp1.3.jpg

On January 20, 2012, Corvallis 911 took a call of a female sitting on top of a partially submerged vehicle near 25378 Old River Road in southern Benton County. A 35 year old female had driven her vehicle into water four feet deep, submerging her Ford Mustang beyond handles. Once in the water, her vehicle was swept 300 feet off the road by the current into a farm field adjacent to the road. She was able to get out of her vehicle and sit on the roof until emergency responders could arrive.

Marine Patrol Deputies from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the scene with members of the Monroe Fire Department. Marine Deputies were able to get to the victim using a boat and rescued her from the roof. She was not injured.

Old River Road south of Goracke Rd. is closed and impassable due to high water.

Corvallis and Benton County public safety are urging residents not to drive into high water on streets and roads. If you encounter high water in the street/road do not drive into the water. The depth of water can not be judged and it takes only about 18 inches of water to cause most cars to float. Driving into high water also causes drivers and their vehicles to become stranded.

The Salem Housing Authority main office, located at 360 Church St SE, will be closed today due to flooding.
###

As of 6:30am, Friday, January 20, 2012, Corvallis and Benton County are receiving a momentary break in rain fall, allowing some flood waters to recede.

The following conditions are still in effect:

• SE 3rd St. (Highway 99W) remains closed between SE Crystal Lake Dr. and SE Alexander Ave. There is no estimate from ODOT when the highway might re-open. ODOT is in the process of opening a detour around SE 3rd St. using SE Crystal lake Drive accessed off of SE Alexander Ave.

• Highway 34 remains closed due to a landslide at milepost 47. There is no estimate from ODOT when the highway might re-open.

• The NW Rosewood Dr. Neighborhood affected by a landslide on January 11, 2012, remains closed and the 22 residences remain evacuated. No additional homes are reported damaged at this time, however, the potential for continued movement of the soil remains.

• A land slide continues to block the road on NW Niagara Drive in Benton County.

• Avery Park is closed to all traffic at SE Allen Ave and at SW 15th St. and SW Philomath Blvd.

• SE Airport Rd is closed to all traffic from Muddy Creek Rd, mp 2, to Highway 99W in both directions.

• The water has receded and cleared from the NE Lancaster St. and NE Oxford Cir. area of Corvallis. City crews worked through the night cleaning storm drains clogged by debris in fast rising water conditions in an attempt to keep water from rising again from additional forecasted rains.

A complete listing of current road conditions in Corvallis and Benton County can be located by high water and flooding. The current list of high water locations can be found by going to the City of Corvallis website at www.ci.corvallis.or.us/hazards or the Benton County Public Works Site www.co.benton.or.us/pw/index.php. Residents can also call a Benton County Public Works information line at 541-766-6821 to report problems. An information line at 541-766-6120 is available to residents of the city and county to call for updated information regarding flooding, road closures, and travel restrictions.

All public safety entities in Corvallis and Benton County would like to remind drivers to exercise caution driving on the streets and highways in Corvallis and Benton County. Be on the look-out for police officers and flaggers directing traffic in the area, especially in the hours of darkness. Do not drive into standing water since it is difficult to gage the depth, and vehicles can be swept away in less than 2 feet of water.

Additional rains and high winds (up to 50mph) are forecasted for the Willamette Valley starting this Friday at about 10:00pm. This creates an increased risk of additional flooding and falling trees due to soil saturation. The increased risk of falling trees also increases the risk of power outages from trees falling over power lines. Corvallis and Benton County Emergency Responders encourage all citizens have food, water, and other supplies available in the event of power outages.

The following news release is being sent at the request of Oregon State University:

Oregon State University President Edward J. Ray announced tonight that the main campus will be closed on Friday, January 20, due to continued flooding, road closures, and possible additional dangerous conditions as rivers and creeks crest during the next 12 to 24 hours.

Information regarding the OSU - Cascades Campus in Bend is available via http://www.osucascades.edu/, and regarding the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport at http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/ .

For updated information as it becomes available, phone 541-737-8000 or visit alert.oregonstate.edu, the University’s emergency information portal.

All questions should be directed to the OSU Department of Public Safety at (541) 737-3010.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

As of 7:20pm the water in the area of NE Conifer Blvd. has receded and the street is now is open to all traffic. Drivers should still exercise care driving in this area since an increase in rainfall could cause water in the area to rise again.

At 7:00pm, The Oregon Department of Transportation closed SE 3rd St. (Highway 99W) to all traffic, except tractor trailers. SE 3rd St. (Highway 99W) is closed from SE Crystal Lake Dr. to SE Alexander Ave. The only alternate route at this time is Highway 34, to Highway 99E south to Junction City. Residents living in south Corvallis will have to travel south to Junction City, then drive back north on Highway 99E to Highway 34.

Avery Park is closed to all traffic at SE Allen Ave and at SW 15th St. and SW Philomath Blvd.
SE Airport Rd is closed to all traffic from Muddy Creek Rd, mp 2, to Highway 99W in both directions.

Highway 34 is still closed at milepost 47 due to a land slide earlier in the day. As of 7:30pm there was no estimate from ODOT when the highway would reopen.

All public safety entities in Corvallis and Benton County would like to remind drivers to exercise caution driving on the streets and highways in Corvallis and Benton County. Be on the look-out for police officers and flaggers directing traffic in the area, especially in the hours of darkness. Do not drive into standing water since it is difficult to gauge the depth, and vehicles can be swept away in less than 2 feet of water.

High water has begun to block north and south bound lanes of Highway 99W in Corvallis at SE Lilly Ave. A small amount of floating debris is also making its way into the travel lanes due to the high water. Corvallis Police and Corvallis Public Works are coordinating with ODOT for traffic control in the area. Until then Corvallis Police Officers and Corvallis Public Works are coordinating the traffic control efforts. Drivers traveling through Corvallis on Highway 99W should expect delays until water levels recede. Drivers should also be watchful for police officers and flaggers in the roadway directing traffic.

Two Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers with the help of a local citizen rescued an elderly couple from their Curry County-area home after spotting their home surrounded by rising water.

On January 19, 2012 at approximately 11:10 a.m. OSP Senior Trooper Jeff Johnson and Trooper Paul Rushton were patrolling in the 98000 block of North Bank Chetco River Road north of Brookings monitoring flooding when they saw an elderly woman walking outside of a home surrounded by the rising Chetco River. The water had risen so high that it covered a Volkswagen Bug vehicle in the backyard of the residence.

A local citizen identified as James Cross offered to help the troopers get to the woman and returned with a small aluminum boat and electric motor. Cross and the two troopers navigated the current over 100 yards to the house where they contacted an 80-year old man and 74-year old woman.

They had to make two separate trips to get the couple from their home across the water to the OSP vehicle. The current of the rising water was so fast that the electric motor alone couldn’t navigate across the water, so the troopers had to row in conjunction with the use of the small electric motor.

The couple was taken to a local motel where a local organization is paying for their overnight lodging.

Later in the afternoon, Senior Trooper Johnson returned to the area and saw the water had risen to the home’s foundation. A photograph taken at that time is provided with this release.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50957/011912.chetco.rescue.JPG

During a routine road check to known areas of possible flooding, Assistant Chief Scott Shepherd and Captain Ryan Campbell went to check Densmore Road and Helms Drive. They could only go so far when he realized the road was completely impassable with a vehicle. He knew of several homes in the area. He then met up with Eric Pond who could'nt drive out to his home because of the high water. His wife Laura, son Elliott, daughter Rose, friend Emily and two dogs were trapped. At 10:56 a.m. Jefferson Fire District Water and Rescue Team were dispatched to 35821 Helms Drive. There was also a house at 38360 with three other adults that were stranded.

Jefferson Fire Water and Rescue Team were able to rescue all six individuals that were trapped. The Pond Family is staying at a hotel in Albany. The other individuals will be staying with family and friends. There were three other households that chose to stay.


Attached Media Files: Elliot Pond and his dog just got off the rescue boat , Jefferson Fire Water and Rescue Team driving out on Densmore to launch the boat onto Helms Drive

An alert Keizer man’s call to Marion County Deputies helped to recover his girlfriend’s stolen car and lead to the recovery of two additional stolen cars and a large amount of stolen property at a home north of Brooks.

At approximately 1:30pm, Wednesday, Brian Oaks, was driving on Portland Road NE, when he saw his girlfriend’s 1996 green Honda Accord parked in a driveway of a manufactured double-wide home. Oaks knew that the car had been stolen from Keizer earlier in the day. He called 911 and waited for deputies.

Sr. Deputy Martin Bennett and a team of deputies arrived on the scene to make contact at the house. Four occupants of the house were detained, but two others ran from the home and fled. One was later taken into custody.

Bennett confirmed that the Honda in the driveway was the one reported stolen from Keizer.

In a shop on the property, Deputies discovered two other stolen cars; a 1995 Ford Mustang and a 1995 VW Jetta. The Mustang was stolen from Salem in August, 2011. The Jetta was stolen from Salem earlier this month.

Street Crimes Detectives were called in to assist. A search warrant was obtained for the property and served this morning. Detectives recovered a firearm, a large quantity of automobile parts, 50-60 auto stereos and amplifiers, welding equipment, pressure washers and other property believed to be stolen. It was necessary to rent a U-Haul truck to recover the property from the shop.

MCSO Records Clerks have begun the arduous process of tracing the property in an attempt to identify the rightful owners. Many items seized have been identified as stolen in local burglaries. The value of the recovered property could exceed $50,000. Additional charges on the suspects are pending.

As a result of the investigation, arrests have been made. Amber Lynn Nikole Lainus, 19, was arrested for two counts of Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle. Additionally, she had two warrants for possession of Methamphetamine and Failing to Appear to face a charge of Obstructing Police Officers in Salem. She originally gave deputies a false name, but further investigation revealed her true identity. Her bail on the warrants and the two charges is $285,000. (Photo Attached)

Jeremiah Jacob Valdez, 20, of Keizer was taken into custody by Canine Deputy Jeff Stutrud and Renzo after they located him inside the house. He was arrested on an outstanding warrant charging his with Burglary I. The no-bail warrant was from Marion County. He was booked into the Marion County Jail. (Photo Attached)

Victor Requena, 41, was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed knife & brass knuckles. Requena was listed as the homeowner of the residence. He has an extensive criminal record for possessing weapons, possessing drugs and unlawfully operating stolen vehicles. He is being held in the Marion County Jail on $7500 bail. (Photo Attached)

Bennett praised Oaks for his keen observation and added that he did the right thing by calling 911 and not trying to recover the car himself. "Law enforcement officers are trained to deal with felony theft suspects in a manner that will minimize the danger to the community. By calling 911, Oaks helped to recover his girlfriend’s car and assisted us in arresting the suspect" Bennett said.

The stolen vehicles were towed from the scene and will be returned to their owners.


Attached Media Files: Victor Requena , Jeremiah Valdez , Amber Lainus , 1995 VW Jetta , Recovered firearm , Recovered auto stereos

Jan. 19, 2012

Oregon Health Policy Board to hold second January meeting
– Jan. 24, 2012 in Portland

What: The Oregon Health Policy Board (OHPB) will hold its second meeting of the month in order to finalize and approve the implementation proposal for coordinated care organizations.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, 8:00 a.m. – 12:15.m.

Where: Market Square Building, ninth floor, 1515 S.W. Fifth Ave. The meeting will also be available via live web stream.

The main focus of this meeting will be a final discussion and approval of the Coordinated Care Organization Implementation Proposal.

Abbreviated agenda:
• Consent agenda
• Director’s report
• Medical liability report
• Update on the integration of Medicare and Medicaid services
• PEBB/OEBB update
• Review of public comment period
• CCO Implementation Proposal review and approval
• Legislative concept update
• Public testimony

For more information on the meeting, visit: http://health.oregon.gov/OHA/OHPB/meetings/index.shtml.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for people requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Those needing accommodations: please call the Oregon Health Authority at 1-800-282-8096 at least 48 hours before the meeting.
###

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Community members in the Rosewood Drive area in Benton County and from the NE Oxford Circle and Lancaster Drive area in Corvallis are safe after heavy rains brought slides and flooding to Corvallis and Benton County.

Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Corvallis Police Department, Benton County Public Works, Corvallis Fire Department, Corvallis Public Works, Corvallis School District, Benton County Search and Rescue and the Red Cross all teamed up for a coordinated response. No injuries were reported in connection with the slides and flooding.

Heavy rains and melting snow from a recent winter storm combined to raise water levels in local rivers and streams, causing flooding and slides within the city, as well as some rural parts of the county. Several families have been provided refuge at Crescent Valley High School for the night, as the Rosewood Drive area near Lewisburg was evacuated this morning.

Several Corvallis residents in the NE Oxford Circle area near Lancaster Street experienced high water, as well. That area was not subject to mandatory evacuation, but assistance was available to residents who wished to leave their homes for the evacuation site at Crescent Valley High. That location will be staffed all night for evacuees who choose to stay the night, and it’s been equipped with blankets and other night time supplies. Water levels in the NE Oxford Circle and Lancaster Drive area slowly receding.

The local weather forecast calls for more wet weather. Rain, heavy at times, is expected throughout the Willamette Valley. Light rain is anticipated tonight and early Friday. The next front will spread moderate to heavy rain over the western Willamette Valley again Friday afternoon through Saturday, along with increasing winds. These warmer winds should help remove cold air, but snow levels will drop down to between 1,000 to 3,000 feet after the initial blows through. As a result, more heavy snow may occur in the mountains and hills.

Benton County Sheriff’s Office and Corvallis Police remind residents and drivers:

• Avoid high water areas of Benton County and Corvallis.
• Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Corvallis Police Department, Benton County Public Works and Corvallis Fire Department have established an Emergency Operation Center and are monitoring the situation throughout the county in anticipation of other potential issues.
• Numerous roads around Benton County have high water and may be difficult to travel. Check the Benton County Public Works website www.co.benton.or.us/pw/index.php or call 541-766-6821 for the latest information about road closures and high water areas. Oregon Department of Transportation information can also be found at www.tripcheck.com for state highways.
• Road closure information will be regularly updated and more frequent updates may be available. Continue to check the non-emergency information line at 541-766-6120 for the most recent updates. Staff will be available 24 hours on this line.
• It is important to remember not to attempt to cross high water areas. Turn around, don’t drown! Obey traffic and high water signs to prevent becoming stranded or swept away in current.

Salem Health has activated its emergency command center for Salem Hospital and Willamette Health Partners. At this point, operations at West Valley Hospital in Dallas and its clinics have been unaffected by flooding.

SALEM HOSPITAL CAMPUS, 890 Oak St. SE, Salem. Southbound access from Winter Street SE and Bellevue Street SE is blocked due to flooding of Shelton Ditch to the north of the hospital. Access to Salem Hospital is from Mission Street SE from the south or Oak Street SE from the east.

Shelton Ditch has flooded the basement parking in Building C on the hospital campus. The parking area has been closed and all vehicles removed. Medical clinics in Building C have been notified that their patients can park under Building A or in the parking structure.

WILLAMETTE HEALTH PARTNERS FAMILY MEDICINE, 2925 River Road South, Salem. This location is closing due to flooding in the parking lot. Patients scheduled for appointments Thursday, Jan. 19 and Friday, Jan. 20 are being called and rescheduled. One of the physicians from River Road is traveling to the Willamette Health Partners clinic in Salem Hospital’s Building C to see South River Road patients who need to be seen by today or tomorrow.

WILLAMETTE VALLEY MIDWIVES, 1285 Liberty St. SE, Salem. Clinic is closed due to flooding in the parking lot. Patients are being called to reschedule.

Public updates will be posted to the Salem Health website at salemhealth.org and on the organization’s Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/salemhospital) and Twitter pages (@salemhospital).

American Red Cross, Oregon Region - January Winter Storm
Update, January 19, 2012 - 3:50 PM

Red Cross Safe and Well...
The Oregon Red Cross encourages everyone displaced by flooding, and anyone attempting to locate friends and loved ones, to use the Red Cross Safe and Well site at: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php

After a disaster, letting your family and friends know that you are safe and well can bring your loved ones great peace of mind. This website is designed to help make that communication easier.

Register Yourself as "Safe and Well"
Click on the "List Myself as Safe and Well" button to register yourself on the site.

Search for Loved Ones...
Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as "safe and well" by clicking on the "Search Registrants" button. The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s first name, last name and a brief message.

Red Cross needs blood donations...
Severe weather in the state has disrupted blood donations. If you have an appointment to donate blood, don't forget to come by, or if you would like to sign up to donate, go to: http://www.redcrossblood.org/ or call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to schedule an appointment.

Please donate to flood relief efforts in Oregon...
The Oregon Red Cross provides shelters and food, and provides humanitarian aid and emotional support to flood victims in Oregon free of charge as part of our mission. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. If you would like to support our efforts, please go to www.oregonredcross.org, or call (503) 528-5659.

Responding in Wasco County...
The Oregon Red Cross has responded with humanitarian assistance to a disaster in the 1600 block of Brewery Grade, The Dalles, where 4-adults and 7-children have been displaced. Red Cross volunteers are providing, free of charge, assistance with lodging, food, comfort kits, and information about Health and Mental Health services.

The Oregon Red Cross is working with local governments and other agencies throughout western Oregon to provide additional shelter resources and other relief supplies as requested:

Shelter sites...

Marion County -
Aumsville - A Red Cross shelter has open at Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St.

Lane County -
Florence – A Red Cross Shelter has opened at the Florence Events Center. ORC Emergency Response Vehicle from Eugene is on the way.

Mapleton – A Red Cross Shelter has opened at the Mapleton Grange.

Benton County -
The Red Cross has opened a shelter at Crescent Valley High School, 4444 NW Highland Drive, Corvallis.

Curry County - Red Cross volunteers are standing by for possible shelter operations if flooding occurs.

Columbia County -
Vernonia - Red Cross volunteers are standing by for possible shelter operations if flooding occurs.

Lincoln County -
Red Cross volunteers are standing by for possible shelter operations if flooding occurs.

Oregon Red Cross workers are also in regular communication with emergency managers and are ready to respond throughout the state as communities cope with this wet winter storm.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

Photographs provided with this brief release were taken by Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers monitoring flooding in Linn and Curry counties. The Linn County photos are along Highway 226 near Scio. The Curry County photos are flooded creeks and roadways. For information about road conditions and closures, please continue to check ODOT's website www.TripCheck.com.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50936/011912.hwy226.mp5.3.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50936/011912.curry.1.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50936/011912.curry.2.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50936/011912.curry.3.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50936/011912.hwy226.mp5.1.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50936/011912.hwy226.mp5.2.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50936/011912.curry.4.jpg

Attached is an audio message from Salem Mayor Anna Peterson.

The previous file would not open properly for some people, so it is being sent again


Attached Media Files: Statement from Mayor Peterson

OR 18 remains open to a single lane of travel through the Van Duzer Corridor in northwestern Lincoln County (MP 6.5-21). The highway will reopen to two lanes of travel at approximately 4:30 p.m., as a commercial logging crew completes work for the day.

During the wind event Wednesday that toppled more than a dozen large trees across the highway, as many as a hundred other trees away from the highway were downed. The commercial logging crew, hired by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, will take the next 7 to 10 business days to salvage the trees downed in this wind event as well as the trees downed during a similar wind event in November.

The logging crew will operate on an 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule, Monday through Friday. During that time, the highway will be restricted to a single lane of travel with flaggers controlling traffic. Motorists should expect delays of 10-15 minutes. The highway will reopen to two lanes of travel at the end of each working day.

Motorists are encouraged to visit www.tripcheck.com before traveling on the highway.

Photos are attached. The photo of the semi is dramatic but the driver escaped serious injury.


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1201/50933/OR_18_Wind_#3.JPG , 2012-01/1201/50933/OR18_Wind_#2.JPG , 2012-01/1201/50933/OR18_Wind_#1.JPG

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Today at noon, Benton County Commissioner Jay Dixon signed a declaration of local emergency/disaster for the unincorporated areas of Benton County. Corvallis City Manager Jim Patterson also declared an emergency within the corporate limits of the City of Corvallis.

Flooding and landslides beginning January 18th in the area due to heavy rains and melting snow from a recent snow storm have created high water conditions. A preliminary assessment shows damage to roads and homes and closed roads resulting in isolated areas of the county.

Two bridges, both on Harris Road near Wren, are out of service at this time. The Harris Bridge has been struck by a fallen tree and is damaged on the west side of Harris Road. On the east side, the covered bridge is covered in high water. A detour for residents and emergency personnel only that crosses private property is being used currently for access.

A major slide on NW Niagara has been reported with a large amount of debris and fir trees blocking the road. The Vineyard Mountain area has reported multiple slides and the Vineyard Mountain Road District hired a contractor, who is clearing the road. Slides also have been reported at Pickadilly near North Albany, Highway 223 three miles north of Highway 20, Highway 34 and Yew Wood, Highway 34 Milepost 47, Lobster Valley at Little Lobster and Honeygrove Road near Alsea.

Evacuations already have occurred near Rosewood Drive north of Corvallis and those on NE Oxford Circle near Lancaster Street are advised to stay home, but they also are able to relocate if they desire to do that. Evacuation point has been established at Crescent Valley High School, 4444 NW Highland Ave., near Corvallis.

Residents wishing to leave for the evacuation center at Crescent Valley High School should call 541-766-6120.

Residents leaving their homes for the evacuation center will not be allowed to return until high water recedes or until deemed safe to do so by public safety and emergency management.

Benton County Sheriff’s Office and Corvallis Police remind residents and drivers:

• Avoid these areas of Benton County and Corvallis.
• Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Corvallis Police Department, Benton County Public Works and Corvallis Fire Department have established an Emergency Operation Center and are monitoring the situation throughout the county in anticipation of other potential issues.
• Several other roads around Benton County have high water and may be difficult to travel. Check the Benton County Public Works website www.co.benton.or.us/pw/index.php or call 541-766-6821 for the latest information about road closures and high water areas. Oregon Department of Transportation information can also be found at www.tripcheck.com for state highways.
• Road closure information will be regularly updated and more frequent updates may be available. Continue to check the non-emergency information line at 541-766-6120 for the most recent updates.
• It is important to remember not to attempt to cross high water areas. Turn around, don’t drown! Obey traffic and high water signs to prevent becoming stranded or swept away in current.


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1393/50932/Slide_on_NW_Niagra.JPG , 2012-01/1393/50932/Harris_Bridge.jpg

Attached is an audio message from Salem Mayor Peterson


Attached Media Files: Statement from Mayor Peterson

The body of the remaining passenger from the vehicle that was swept into the Periwinkle Creek on the evening of January 18, 2012, has been recovered.

The body of 18-year-old Catharine McLaughlin was recovered by members of the Albany Fire Department at about 1:00 p.m. this afternoon after she was located by family members. Her body was recovered in Periwinkle Creek north of the Brookshore apartment complex located in the 1500 block of SE Geary Street.

The investigation into this matter is on-going. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Albany Police Department at 541-917-7680.

####

The rain continues to fall in Marion County, creating flooding conditions, dangerous roadways and hazardous water conditions. Emergency crews have worked feverishly to provide service to those in need. Currently, the City of Turner has been the hardest hit.

Earlier this morning the Marion County Commissioner Sam Brentano, acting as the Emergency Management Board Designee, approved order #12-9 declaring a local state of emergency in Marion County. The full board will ratify the declaration at their next meeting. A copy of the order is attached to this release.

The declaration provides flexibility in managing resources while responding to current conditions. Commissioner Sam Brentano said, "The County is experiencing some of the same conditions as in the flood of 1996. We are anticipating similar types of damage and this allows us to get the process started for requesting additional assistance." He continued, "We know that the cities of Turner, Aumsville and Stayton are already experiencing significant issues and there are indications of problems developing near Woodburn and St. Paul as well."

The emergency declaration will be forwarded to the state Office of Emergency Management for consideration by the Governor.

Marion County Emergency Officials, operating from a Unified Command Post at City Hall, are now asking all residents of Turner to evacuate to higher ground. This is a voluntary evacuation request. Rising flood waters have created unsafe conditions for all residents. Northwest Natural is in the process of turning gas off to the entire City of Turner. Sandbags are still available at Turner City Hall. Residents are encouraged to seek shelter with relatives or friends. You can also receive assistance at any flood shelter established by the Red Cross. One such facility is located in the City of Aumsville at the Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St., phone: 503.749.2128

Marion County Sheriff’s Office buses are staged at City Hall for any resident needing transportation.

Earlier in the day, the City of Turner evacuated 50 families from flooded areas of the city. 90 elderly evacuees were originally placed at the Aldersgate Retreat Center, but the rising water has now closed that facility. Those seniors are being transported to nearby Corban College where they’ll be temporarily housed in the gym for shelter. As conditions deteriorated, it became clear that a complete evacuation was necessary.

The city of Aumsville is also being affected by the rains and high water. Aumsville City Administrator Maryann Hills, has reported that some areas the Aumsville sewer system is at capacity with storm water runoff. Water drains and toilets are affected, but Ms. Hills emphasized that the drinking water is NOT compromised. If your household drains are not running properly, you can seek temporary shelter at the flood shelter operating in the Bethel Baptist Church.

The City of Aumsville is providing portable toilets at the church, the Aumsville Elementary School Gym and the Aumsville Community Center, 555 Main Street.

The Aumsville Community Center will also be open today for residents to gather and avoid the weather. Coffee will be available.

In addition to the locations posted earlier, several Stayton High School athletic teams are at Knife River Sand & Gravel loading sand bags. If you need FILLED sandbags, they are available without cost from Knife River, 41816 Stayton/Scio Road in Stayton, OR 97383

As of 1:50pm, the following road closures are in effect:

Gallon House from Downs Road NE to Hobart Road NE
Croisan Creek Road SE from Kuebler Blvd SE to River Road SE
McElhaney Road SE at cascade Highway
Mt. Angel Highway at Hobart Road NE
Elliott Prairie Road NE at High Water Gates
3800 block of Victor Point Road
Talbot Road at High Water Gates
Ogle Road S at 70th Avenue SE

Road Closures are regularly updated at: http://www.co.marion.or.us/PW/EmergencyManagement/closures/closures.htm


Attached Media Files: Emergency Declaration , 5th Street and Huey Street , Delaney and 5th Street , Stalled SUV , Delaney Street , Four Wheel Truck in the Flood

Corvallis School District staff and First Student, Inc. (transportation contractor) have been monitoring high water reports throughout the day. Students will be dismissed from school at their regular time. Transportation service to neighborhoods accessed from Conifer, Lancaster and Canterbury is still unavailable. Some bus routes, however, may experience delays as drivers are being cautious and may be rerouted as situations arise. If parents have questions regarding their students’ transportation, they should call First Student at 541-752-0174.

District officials will continue to monitor the weather and water levels through the night. A decision regarding any changes to school schedules or transportation routes will be made in the morning. Any updates will be posted on our district website and local media and Flash Alert will be notified as soon as possible.

All evening activities in the Corvallis School District have been cancelled for Thursday, January 19th.

American Red Cross, Oregon Region - January Winter Storm
Update, January 19, 2012 - 11:40am

The Oregon Red Cross is working with local governments and other agencies throughout western Oregon to provide shelter resources and other relief supplies. The shelters listed below are, at this point, not all official Red Cross shelters.

Columbia County - Vernonia - Shelter has closed, but Red Cross volunteers are standing by.

Yamhill County -
Willamina - homeowners on alert to evacuate - Red Cross volunteers are standing by for possible shelter operations if flooding occurs.

Lincoln County -
Elk City – Conference call 1:30pm – not yet planning to evacuate.
Red Cross volunteers are standing by for possible shelter operations if flooding occurs.

Marion County -
Aumsville - Red Cross shelter has open at Bethel ,645 Cleveland St.Baptist Church.

Turner has begun evacuating for flooding – Staging area at Corban College (500 Dearpark, Salem). Shelter site to be determined.

Salem reported flooding late night – local Police Department transported 25 elderly and 5 assistants to shelter at Salem Library

A seven person family fire has been reported – they may need assistance...

Lane County -
Florence – Red Cross Shelter being opened at the Florence Events Center. ORC Emergency Response Vehicle from Eugene is on the way.

Mapleton – Red Cross Shelter is opening at Mapleton Grange.

Linn County-
Scio – Evacuation site is being opened at the Lighthouse Mennonite School, 31919 Oakville Road, SHEDD, OR - (541) 752-7450‎.

Benton County -
Shelter is being opened at Crescent Valley High School, 4444 NW Highland Drive, Corvallis

Coos County -
Allegany is isolated & evacuating – shelter is opening at the Allegany Community Building, 1036 Hwy 241 - Hwy 241 closed at milepost 13.5 limiting access to Allegany. The Red Cross is moving supplies to the area.

Curry County - Red Cross volunteers are standing by for possible shelter operations if flooding occurs.

Oregon Red Cross workers are also in regular communication with emergency managers and are ready to respond throughout the state as communities cope with this extreme winter storm.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

The heavy rains that have descended upon the Pacific Northwest this week are taking a toll on landscape trees. In some cases, homeowners will want to wait until the storm has passed to evaluate the damage and decide how to proceed.

In other cases, however, saturated soil can lead to root problems, causing trees to topple over. Ideally, trees should be inspected on a regular basis, especially before and after storms. Conditions that can set your tree up to be particularly vulnerable include recent construction that has taken place near your tree, as well as trees that have been severely cut back, or "topped."

Trees with a significant lean may or may not indicate a problem; check for exposed roots around the base of your tree, especially if it has recently started to lean. Also look for hollow or decayed areas on the tree, which can indicate structural problems, and watch for any hanging or broken branches that are still lodged in the tree.

Some storm-damaged trees worth saving
Arborists usually advise homeowners and community leaders to exercise caution when dealing with a storm’s aftermath. That’s because there are two common mistakes people make when trying to clean up after a storm. The first is using harmful pruning techniques on trees that need only a light pruning; the second is trying to save trees that are far too damaged, and are likely to become hazardous.

"Often after a storm passes through, people become anxious to have their trees examined so they can prune or take other actions," says Paul Ries, an urban forester with the Oregon Department of Forestry. "However, it’s often the case that more trees become damaged as a result of improper post-storm activities, than were damaged directly by a storm. If we get increased winds after all this rain has saturated the soils, you’ll start to see a larger number of uprooted trees."

Common mistakes
Pruning a tree incorrectly can weaken it, setting it up for big problems. Topping - the practice of removing large branches and tops of trees - creates trees that are likely to be hazardous in the future. That's because a topped tree is much more likely to break or uproot in a storm than a tree with normal branch structure.

The opposite problem – ignoring or pruning a tree that should be removed – is another post-storm mistake.

What to do after a severe storm
Taking the right action after trees have been damaged can make the difference between giving trees a good chance of survival, or losing them unnecessarily. Properly selecting a qualified arborist is key.

"Homeowners should use caution when selecting a tree service company," said Ries, who manages the state's urban and community forestry program. Ries recommends using an arborist whose name and company are familiar to your community - even if that means waiting longer for service.

"Be careful not to overreact or you may end up removing valuable shade trees that are still sound, and take years to replace," adds Ries.

Other tips

•Beware of people or companies that show up at your door; their low prices may ultimately cost you more money in the long run.

•Most reputable companies have business cards, truck signs, and even uniforms that represent a professional level of service;

•Ask for references, and take your time selecting a reputable company.

•Hire a Certified Arborist – someone who has passed the International Society of Arboriculture certification exam. Consult your local yellow pages or visit www.pnwisa.org for a list of Certified Arborists.

"Arborists are often in great demand for several weeks following a storm," adds Ries, "so if your tree isn’t an immediate and visible hazard, it may be worth waiting a while."

For more information:

Can these trees be saved?
www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/docs/Other_Publications/CanTheseTreesBeSaved.pdf

Tree first aid after a storm www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/docs/Other_Publications/TreeFirstAid.pdf

Hazard tree prevention webpage
www.pnwisa.org/preventing-your-trees-from-becoming-hazardous.html


# # #

The mission of Oregon’s Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program is to help Oregonians improve their quality of life by promoting community investment in our urban forests.


Attached Media Files: Trees like these Oregon White Oaks can typically withstand short-term submersion in water, but after their roots have experienced long-term exposure they should be carefully monitored.

Photograph Source - ODOT

The five photographs provided with this brief release were taken this morning following the snowslide that swept across Highway 20 near milepost 79. No injuries. Traffic updates www.TripCheck.com.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50913/011912.hwy20mp79.1.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50913/011912.hwy20mp79.2.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50913/011912.hwy20mp79.3.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50913/011912.hwy20mp79.4.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50913/011912.hwy20mp79.5.JPG

Facilities workers dispatched to mitigate flooding

Salem, Oregon — The Oregon Department of Administrative Services has dispatched its team of Facilities Division workers to monitor and mitigate rising water at various state agency locations, chiefly in Salem. In some cases, DAS has closed underground and low-lying parking facilities and has asked employees to move their vehicles to safety.

Visitors to state agencies should before they visit to ascertain the parking situation. Announcements about closure of state buildings will appear on the DAS website, at http://oregon.gov/sites/DAS/bldg_close/index.page.

Problems caused by heavy rainfall include leaks and some flooding in basements and parking structures. One facility, the historic Stiff Jarmin building, has closed because of basement flooding. The six affected employees have relocated to an alternate worksite until safe working conditions are restored. The address of the Stiff Jarmin Building is 796 Winter Street NE, in Salem.

DAS, in coordination with local officials, will continue to monitor conditions, including street flooding, for routes to and from state locations.

State government’s policy that guides the process for closing state facilities or curtailing state operations appears online at the following link: http://oregon.gov/DAS/HR/docs/advice/P6001501.pdf.

Due to the ongoing winter storm, multiple locations through-out Corvallis and Benton County are currently suffering weather and flooding related problems. There are multiple locations in the City of Corvallis and Benton County experiencing high water and flooding. The current list of high water locations can be found by going to the City of Corvallis website at www.ci.corvallis.or.us/hazards or the Benton County Public Works Site www.co.benton.or.us/pw/index.php. Residents can also call a Benton County Public Works information line at 541-766-6821 to report problems. An information line at 541-766-6120 is available to residents of the city and county to call for updated information regarding flooding, road closures, and travel restrictions.

Corvallis Police, Benton County Sheriff’s Office and Benton County Emergency Management are reminding residents not to call 911 unless there is as public safety emergency. For information and to report high water/flooding residents should call 541-766-6821.

Corvallis and Benton County public safety are urging residents not to drive into high water on streets and roads. If you encounter high water in the street/road do not drive into the water. The depth of water can not be judged and it takes only about 18 inches of water to cause most cars to float. Driving into high water also causes drivers and their vehicles to become stranded.

Local sandbagging sites have been established for residents to go and fill their own sandbags. Sand and bags are available, however, residents need to bring their own shovels to fill bags.
Sand bag filling locations:

Wilson School 2601 NW Satinwood
Osborn Aquatic 1940 NW Highland
Grant Ave Baptist Church 1625 NW Grant
CHS Parking Lot Entrance off of 11th St
NW Conser Blvd 100 yds north of Circle Blvd
509J Office 1555 SW 35th St.
Cheldelin Middle School 987 NE Conifer Blvd
Home Depot 1780 NW Four Acre Plc.
Benton County Public Works 360 SW Avery Ave
Philomath Public Works. 1515 Willow Ln
N. 20th St. in Philomath
Benton County Fairgrounds 110 SW 53rd St. Corvallis

Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) closed inmate visiting and outside activities until further notice, Jan. 19, and set forth a plan to address potential flooding in the area adjacent to the institution.

"We met this morning at 7:30 a.m. to identify initial areas of concern and critical staff assignments," said OSP Superintendent Jeff Premo. "Revisiting lessons learned from the flood of 1996, we are focusing initially on removing vehicles from the institution’s visitor and staff parking areas, beginning sandbagging efforts at Oregon State Penitentiary Minimum (which is presently vacant), and making sure anything stored in subterranean locations is safe and dry."

Flooding of the institution itself is not expected based on historic information, but the institution has modified its operations in order to prepare for all possible scenarios. The institution will provide shuttle service to its staff members, who will now be asked to park at an offsite location.

No other Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) institutions have been affected by flooding at this time.

The driver of the vehicle that was swept into Periwinkle Creek in Albany has been identified as 24-year-old Albany resident Christopher Wilgus. The passengers in the vehicle have been identified as Christopher Wilgus’ 5-year-old son Maliki Wilgus, 18-year-old Albany resident Catherine McLaughlin and her 20-month-old son Aiden McLaughlin.

The vehicle was reported to have been swept into Periwinkle Creek on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, at about 7:10 p.m.. Christopher and Maliki Wilgus were rescued after being carried down-stream. On Thursday, January 19, 2012, at about 1:00 a.m., the body of Aiden McLaughlin was recovered several hundred yards down-stream. At this time Catherine McLaughlin has not been located.

This morning members of the Linn County Sheriff Search and Rescue team are continuing to search the banks of Periwinkle Creek for Catherine McLaughlin. The conditions of Periwinkle Creek will continue to be monitored and when it is safe to do so, water rescue personnel from the Linn County Sheriff’s Office and Albany Fire Department will be deployed to locate and recover the vehicle.

The investigation into this matter is on-going. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Albany Police Department at 541-917-7680.

####

Heavy rains and melting snow have created high water and flooding issues in many areas of Marion County. Marion County Public Works crews, assisted by Inmate Crews, are working to clear debris and open roadways.

The City of Turner has been especially hard hit. Marion County has dispatched deputies, work crews, five MCSO boats and another from the Salem Fire Urban Boat Water Rescue to assist the City of Turner.

Both the Wheatland and Buena Vista ferries are closed.

Barricades have been posted to warn drivers of closures. Violators who disregard the barricades will face a $110 citation.

Sand and Sand bags are available at the following locations. Bring your own shovel and be prepared to bag your own sand:

City of Salem: Public Works at 1410 20th Street SE, Building 22
City of Turner: Post Office parking lot
Marion County Public Works, 5155 Silverton Road NE, Building 1
City of Aumsville – 115 Main Street
City of Stayton – 41816 Stayton-Scio Road
City of Keizer 3800 Block of Rickman Road, next to the skate park

The following areas should be avoided due to high water and road closures:

Closures:

Highway 22 at Sublimity
Homestead Road at River Road
Duckflat Road SE
Gates hill Road SE at North Fork Road SE
Wintel Road SE at Buena Vista Road S
55th Avenue SE at Hennies Road SE
Marion Road SE at Mill Creek Road SE
Marions Road SE at Little Road SE
Marion Road SE at Stayton Road SE
North Fork Road SE at Highway 22
West Stayton Road SE at Washington Street
Witzel Road SE at Glenwild Court SE
Torvend Road NE at Hazelgreen Road
Jorgenson Road closed from Marlatt to Buena Vista

High Water:

Highway 22 – milepost 22 & 31
Cole Road at Bates Road in South Salem
Cascade Highway SE at Evergreen
Parrish Gap at Summit Loop N
Skelton Road at Jefferson-Marion Road in Jefferson
Hazelgreen at Brush Creek
Mt. Angel Highway and Nusome Road
Belden & Stayton Road
Shaff Road & Gold Club Road
State Street & 63rd Ave
Delaney Road SE, between Battle Creek and Interstate 5
Meridian Road & Abiqua Road
Bishop Road SE at Porter Road SE
Highway 99 at Waconda Road

Road information will be updated throughout the day via this release.

Marion County Road Closures are also posted at:
http://www.co.marion.or.us/PW/EmergencyManagement/closures/closures.htm

Further information on road closures: (503) 588-5304
Further information on sand bags & Emergency Management: (503) 588-5108

Public Works Contacts: Beth Myers-Shenai (503) 588-5108 or Jolene Kelley (503) 566-3937


Attached Media Files: Slaem Fire Rescue Assisting Residents , Deputies Coordinating Evacuation , MCSO Deputies in Turner

As technology has made it easier for doctors and expectant mothers to schedule deliveries, more babies are being born several weeks before they are due. This convenience costs babies precious growth and development time. Babies born before 39 weeks are more subject to problems with breathing, hearing, vision, and eating, to name just a few risks.

That’s why The Regence Foundation has awarded March of Dimes a $22,000 grant to launch the Oregon Perinatal Collaborative. The Collaborative is a continuation of March of Dimes’ "39 Weeks" campaign to stop medically unnecessary inductions and C-sections before 39 weeks gestation in Oregon. Already, more than 30 Oregon hospitals have committed to joining the Collaborative and stopping elective deliveries at their facilities.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to give Oregon babies a healthier start on life," said Peggy Maguire, Regence Foundation board chair. "March of Dimes has already done a great job raising awareness about this issue. Our goal in funding this project is to help them provide support to hospitals interested in changing their policy on elective deliveries."

The Oregon Perinatal Collaborative will bring together stakeholders from the medical community to identify what type of support hospitals need to implement a "no elective deliveries" policy. It will also collect data on the number of elective inductions and C-sections before 39 weeks gestation for each participating hospital at the beginning of the project and again after nine months.

"At March of Dimes our sole goal is to improve the health of newborns. This collaborative helps us take a huge step in that direction," said Joanne Rogovoy, state director of program services and public affairs for March of Dimes, Greater Oregon. "We are so thankful that The Regence Foundation has made this possible, and for the tremendous efforts and support of the obstetric providers here in Oregon."

About The Regence Foundation
The Regence Foundation is the corporate foundation of Regence, the largest health insurer in the Northwest/Intermountain region and a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. A 501(c)3 grantmaking organization, the Foundation partners with organizations driving significant change in health care delivery and accessibility in Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Through its Sojourns program, the Foundation also supports organizations advancing quality palliative and end-of-life care. For more information visit www.RegenceFoundation.org or www.twitter.com/RegenceGives.

About March of Dimes
March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find out what’s going on in the Greater Oregon Chapter by visiting OregonMOD.com.

Due to high water and flooding issues, the WRAPIO meeting scheduled for today is cancelled. We will be in touch to set a new meeting date

OREGON VIRTUAL ACADEMY

NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
January 23, 2012 @ 6:00 p.m.

Oregon Virtual Academy Board Members are hereby notified that a Regular Meeting of the Board will be held at 400 Virginia Ave Suite 210, North Bend, Oregon and via teleconference call at
1-888-824-5783 x90095991# and via Elluminate at http://tinyurl.com/BoardORVA.
_____________________________________________________________________________

This morning at approximately 1:30am a child's body was recovered from Periwinkle Creek.Albany Fire Department will be meeting with Linn County Sheriff's Office at 8 am to develop a recovery plan for any remaning bodies and the car.

Tonight, January 18, 2012 at 7:11pm the Albany Fire Department was called to a Traffic Crash which quickly changed to a Water Rescue call. Mega Foods parking lot, located at 2000 SE Queen Ave, is next to Periwinkle Creek. Because of the heavy rains the creek had risen to almost street level. A car that was in the parking lot began to be swept away by the water and then went into the creek. Periwinkle Creek runs under the Queen and Geary intersection. Witnesses saw the car go into that culvert which is eight feet high and fifteen feet wide. On the other side of the intersection a male adult and a child were discovered and were taken out of the water and immediately transported to Albany General Hospital. The child was later transported to OHSU by Corvallis Fire Department. The car and any other people that may have been in the car did not come to the other side of the culvert. There have been multiple reports as to how many people were actually in the car so at this time we are unsure how many may be missing. Linn County Sheriff Office, Albany Police Department, Corvallis Fire Department and Lebanon Fire Department came to Albany to help with the rescue effort of searching the creek and the banks of the creek. Divers did some surface diving but the waters were too dangerous to dive any deeper. After two hours of a rescue effort the mode of operation changed to recovery. When that amount of time has passed no one can survive under water. It was determined that the recovery efforts would continue the morning of January 19th.
There is an enormous amount of high water in the area. If you see high water or High Water signs find another route to your destination.

Today January 18, 2012, at 2:40pm Albany Fire Department was called to 300 SE 15th for a house fire. The first arriving engine did not see the normal smoke that we see when there is a fire but using our Thermal Imaging Camera they were able to determine that there was a fire in the attic. The fire was contained to the attic and it is believed to be electrical.
There were two people living at the house, Jean Grindel-Tate and her daughter Vinca Grindel. They also had four cats, Lily, Dottie and Mittens all escaped with Jean. Charlie hid in the bedroom but was found after things got calmer. There were no injuries to people or animals.
The home owners had insurance. The estimated loss to the building was approximately $15,000 and estimated loss to the contents is approximately $2,500.

Over the next few days, Benton County will continue to experience high winds, heavy rainfall, and high water on many rivers and streams. Several roads in the area are closed due to high water, and river levels are expected to remain high for the next several days.

The Benton County Fairgrounds is opening its barns for animals of any kind that are at risk from high waters and local flooding. Those who need shelter for animals can bring them to the Fairgrounds.

For more information, those interested can contact the Benton County Fairgrounds office at 541-766-6521 during business hours, email fairinfo@co.benton.or.us or check in with the Fairgrounds in person. The Benton County Fairgrounds are located at 110 SW 53rd St. in Corvallis.

Check the Benton County Public Works website www.co.benton.or.us/pw/index.php or call 541.766.6821 for the latest information about road closures and high water areas. Oregon Department of Transportation information can also be found at www.tripcheck.com for state highways.

It is important to stay alert and use caution when traveling, check personal preparedness supplies and plans, and make sure animals and property are secure. Even a few inches of water can be enough to sweep a vehicle off the road, so people should not attempt to drive through high water.

Today, a section of Highway 101 near milepost 144 eroded away and traffic is reported down to one lane. ODOT is monitoring the situation and any questions should be directed to ODOT.

Photograph - Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50886/101812.hwy101mp144.sinkhole.JPG

A driver was cited Wednesday afternoon by Oregon State Police (OSP) following four-vehicle minor injury traffic crash on Highway 34 about three miles west of Tangent.

According to Trooper Casi Hegney-Bach, on January 18, 2012 at approximately 2:32 p.m. a 1991 Volvo four-door driven by ANNE E. McELHINNY, age 22, from Beaverton, was westbound on Highway 34 near milepost 5 in heavy rain when she lost control. The Volvo crossed the highway into the eastbound lanes and collided with a 1983 Chevrolet van driven by JUSTIN G. WOOD, age 27, from Scio. After the initial collision, the Chevrolet van collided with a 2004 Ford Focus four-door driven by TERENCE M. WOOD, age 62, from Albany. A fourth vehicle, a 2007 Subaru Forester four-door, driven by JESSINA C. McGREGOR, age 33, from Tigard, was also involved in the collision.

The four drivers and two passengers received minor injuries not requiring transport to a hospital.

McELHINNY was cited by OSP for Careless Driving.

OSP troopers from the Albany Area Command office were assisted by Albany Fire Department and ODOT.

Photographs – Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50883/011812.hwy34.mp5.1.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50883/011812.hwy34.mp5.2.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50883/011812.hwy34.mp5.3.jpg

(Note correction in first paragraph indicating crash happend in the morning, not afternoon)

A commercial truck driver received minor injuries Wednesday morning when she drove off Highway 99W about 2 miles north of Junction City and ended up partially submerged in a creek. Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation.

According to Senior Trooper Rick Hamilton, on January 18, 2012 at approximately 8:00 a.m. a 2004 Peterbilt truck pulling two trailers driven by EMILY M. HOLT, age 34, from Tillamook, was northbound on Highway 99W when HOLT said the truck’s wipers failed and she lost sight of the road. The truck and trailers veered off the highway, clipping a power pole and traveled over 300 feet before coming to a stop in a creek.

HOLT received minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend.

A local tow company removed the truck from the creek while a Haz-Mat team stood by. There was no fuel spill.

OSP was assisted at the scene by local emergency responders.

Photograph: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50881/011811.hwy99w.mp106.jpg

Economic Recovery Review Council Meeting
Meeting by Conference Call

Tuesday, January 24, 2012
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Call in number (866) 680-0168
Participant code: 370136


3:30 pm Welcome and Housekeeping

Approve Minutes of November 30th Meeting
Review Agenda

3:35 pm Regionally Significant Industrial Areas

Policy - Designation Criteria
[Action: Approval of Policy Draft]

Nomination Criteria Revision
[Action: Approval of Revised Nomination]

Timeline
[Action: Approval of Timeline Draft]

ERRC Rulemaking
[Action: Appointment of ERRC Rule Coordinator]



3:45 pm Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
[Action: Approval of FAQs]

3:50 pm Public Comment Period

4:00 pm Adjourn

The Sheriff's Office has made sand bags available to people needing them. The sand and sand bags are located at several Knife River locations listed in the original press release. It remains the responsibility of the people needing them to fill and transport them to where they are needed.

For further info Contact Sgt. Joe Larsen 541.967.3950

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office reports several areas around the county are experiencing issues with high water. We would like to remind citizens that when traveling the roads especially at night, to be cautious of high water and flooding over roadways.

Recent weather predictions indicate over the next few days, Linn County will experience heavy rainfall, high winds and high water in many rivers and streams.

Check the Linn County web site for further information regarding locations of high water warnings and possible road closures. The web site is http://www.co.linn.or.us.

Knife River Corp. has made sand available at several locations if needed for flooding. The locations are at their plants located at 28602 Hwy 34, Corvallis,41816 Stayton Scio Rd SE. Stayton and in Jefferson at 39310 Highway 99. Transportation, the sand bags and filling the bags is up to the person needing them.

For Further info contact:

Sgt. Joe Larsen
541.967.3950

Oregon State Police (OSP) explosive technicians completed an examination and assessment of a suspicious package found Wednesday afternoon at the Oregon State University (OSU) Kerr Administration Building. The contents was determined to be safe and OSU staff are being allowed to return back to their offices and operations are returning to normal.

On January 18, 2012 at approximately 12 noon someone reported finding a suspicious package near the Career Services Center in the Administration Building and reported it to the Department of Public Safety. OSP troopers responded to the scene and were unable to determine who left the package and what its contents were. As a precaution, the building was evacuated and OSP explosive technicians responded.

Explosive technicians x-rayed the package and determined it was safe. The package was opened and contained surplus computer equipment.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

Today’s strong winter storms along Oregon's coast has prompted the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) to issue a safety alert for coast visitors.

"The mix of high winds and heavy rains will bring storm watchers and beachcombers to the coast later this week," said OPRD Beach Safety Education Coordinator Robert Smith. "We want to remind them of a few tips to stay safe."

"Sneaker waves, which are always dangerous, are magnified by winter storm surges and we recommend people storm watch from headlands and viewpoints," Smith said. "Also, our beaches become narrower when sand is eroded away leaving little room to escape at some points. Even the most experienced beachcombers can be caught unaware unless they stay alert."

Logs and other beach debris in the wake of a storm are always hazards, he added. "Some logs that were well above the surf line and appeared safe in the summer may be unstable after being moved by high waves. It's especially important now to stay clear of logs."

Coastal cliffs also can be precarious. "The power of the ocean can have a long reach," Smith said. "The rain and wind we're having can cause unstable conditions on cliffs overlooking the ocean. Wandering off trails for a closer look can be a bad idea."

While no coastal state parks have completely closed due to the storm, visitors are reminded to respect any closures that do happen. Parks sometimes close beach accesses and portions of parks due to flooding or other dangerous conditions, and keep them closed until they can be inspected for erosion or other damage.

To stay up to date on road closures and park conditions, travelers should refer to ODOT’s Tripcheck service (http://tripcheck.com and by dialing 511), and the state park information line (http://tinyurl.com/parkbreakingnews and by dialing 1-800-551-6949).

Other beach safety tips and closer looks at the dangers of sneaker waves, rolling logs and rip currents are available at www.oregonbeachsafety.org.

In the wake of a powerful winter storm that has hit Vernonia and left 2 feet of snow on the ground, knocked power out in town and heightened the possibility of flooding, the Oregon Red Cross is responding to a request for help by moving people, supplies and resources into this community of 2,300 people.

Working with Vernonia city officials, a warming shelter will be activated at the Vernonia Community Church and will be providing a warm place to stay, ready to prepare hot meals, and cleanup and comfort kits to those who need them.   

The Oregon Red Cross is also preparing for flooding that may occur as the snow melts, and will have a sheltering team and equipment in place tonight, ready to help should the need arise. 

Oregon Red Cross workers are also in regular communication with emergency managers and are ready to respond throughout the state as communities cope with this extreme winter storm.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

Over the next few days, Benton County will continue to experience high winds, heavy rainfall, and high water on many rivers and streams. Several roads in the area are closed due to high water, and river levels are expected to remain high for the next several days.

Road closures as of noon today include:
Bellfountain Road South at Hammer Creek
Bellfountain Road South of town at Railroad Crossing
Fern Road and Chapel Drive

Several other roads around Benton County have high water and may be difficult to travel. Check the Benton County Public Works website www.co.benton.or.us/pw/index.php or call 541.766.6821 for the latest information about road closures and high water areas. Oregon Department of Transportation information can also be found at www.tripcheck.com for state highways.

As rain continues to fall and high-elevation snow melts, rivers are expected to reach their highest levels on Thursday, January 19th, with water levels beginning to fall by Friday, January 20th. Road closure information will be updated at least daily during this period, and more frequent updates may be available. Continue to check the Benton County Public Works website or call the Benton County Public Works Road Department 541.766.6821 for the most recent updates.

Benton County Sheriff Diana Simpson and Benton County Public Works Director Roger Irvin advise residents to stay alert and use caution when traveling, check their personal preparedness supplies and plans, and make sure animals and property are secure. These and other information and links for road and weather conditions can also be found at the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services website www.co.benton.or.us/sheriff/ems/.

Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller reports that his Detectives have arrested a local scrap yard owner for failing to comply with state law regarding mandatory reporting of felons selling scrap metal.

Myung Jei Kim, 53, of Beaverton, was booked into the Linn County Jail Tuesday afternoon at the conclusion of an investigation that began in late 2011. The investigation began after the Linn County Sheriff’s Office received citizen complaints and information that Kim was not following the recycling laws for a metal and scrap businesses under Oregon Revised Statute 165.107. Kim is the owner and operator of MJ Recycling that is located at 34150 Hwy 20 SE in Albany.

The statute was passed into law several years ago in an attempt to prevent stolen metal being sold by criminals.

Kim had been warned by deputies on two occasions in January 2010 and May 2011 regarding buying scrap metal from felons. The Sheriff's Office had also provided him a list of known felons in the effort to assist him identify them when they attempted to sell him scrap metal. In spite of the efforts of the Sheriff's Office, detectives found that Kim purchased scrap from at least 10 known felons, all of which were on the list provided to him.

Kim was arrested on 10 Class A misdemeanor charges for failing to report to law enforcement when felons sold metal to his business. Kim was also issued citations for 116 violations related to the incomplete documentation regarding the purchasing of product. The maximum fine for the violations total $116,000.

Kim was released from custody after booking and is scheduled to appear in Circuit Court on February 2, 2012.


Attached Media Files: Kim mugshot

It’s "School Board Recognition Month," and the Oregon School Boards Association has recognized Samuel Lee III for his service to public education as a member of the statewide association’s board of directors, announced OSBA’s interim executive director Betsy Miller-Jones.

Lee also serves on the Winston-Dillard School Board.

"People like Samuel Lee have earned the gratitude of students, parents and all citizens who appreciate the contribution that public schools make to our communities, our neighborhoods and our economic future," Miller-Jones said. "By serving on the OSBA board of directors, these dedicated citizens bring the benefit of their local experience to the process of solving problems that confront public education throughout Oregon."

The Oregon School Boards Association includes members from each of the state’s 197 local school districts, 19 education service districts and 17 community colleges, Miller-Jones said. The association’s mission is to enable students to raise their achievement levels by advocating policies that help local public schools. The association also provides an array of services to local school boards, including policy development, legal analysis and research on pressing issues.

"Because they serve as elected school board members in their local communities, our OSBA board members bring practical knowhow to shaping statewide education policies," Miller-Jones said. "Their contribution is invaluable."


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1312/50862/0-Lee.JPG

Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller is proud to announce the 31st class of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Academy. Classes begin March 6th and conclude May 15th, 2012.

Participants can look forward to over 30 hours of interesting training designed to provide awareness and understanding of police procedures and conduct. Sheriff's Office staff presents an overview of each division and training is presented as lectures, demonstrations and hands-on experiences.

The academy is free of charge and open to any Linn County resident 18 years or older. Classes are held on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, 1115 Jackson St. SE, Albany.

Applications may be obtained at the Sheriff’s office, by visiting the website at www.linnsheriff.org or by calling 541-259-6126/541-258-6940.

Class size is limited so please return applications no later than 5:00 p.m. on February 29th.

For further info contact:

Jo Ann McQueary
541-259-6126 / jmcqueary@le.linn.or.us

or

Cathy Morris
541-258-6940 / cmorris@le.linn.or.us

Shutter Creek Correctional Institution (SCCI) is currently experiencing electrical problems due to high winds. The institution has been placed on modified operations.

SCCI is located in North Bend and is minimum-custody male facility with 255 inmates.

The official statement from the National Weather Service can be found at:
http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=pqr&wwa=flood%20watch

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING FOR RIVERS AND CREEKS IN NORTHWEST OREGON AND SOUTHWEST WASHINGTON. HEAVY RAIN AND SNOWMELT IS CAUSING RIVERS AND CREEKS TO RISE SHARPLY. MINOR FLOODING IS POSSIBLE ON SEVERAL RIVERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE DRAINING THE NORTH AND CENTRAL OREGON COAST RANGE. NOTE THAT FLOOD WARNINGS ARE ALREADY IN EFFECT FOR THE MARYS AND LUCKIAMUTE RIVERS IN THE WILLAMETTE VALLEY.

A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS. LANDSLIDES AND DEBRIS FLOWS ARE POSSIBLE DURING THIS FLOOD EVENT. DEBRIS FLOWS ARE DANGEROUS, RAPIDLY MOVING LANDSLIDES. STEEP SLOPES, CANYONS, GORGES AND THE MOUTHS OF MOUNTAIN STREAMS ARE THE LOCATIONS AT GREATEST RISK. PERSONS THAT LIVE OR MAY TRAVEL THROUGH THESE LOCATIONS SHOULD BE ALERT TO THE POSSIBILITY OF DEBRIS FLOWS DURING OR SHORTLY AFTER PERIODS OF INTENSE RAINFALL. NEVER DRIVE THROUGH FLOODED AREAS. THE WATER MAY BE TOO DEEP TO ALLOW FOR SAFE PASSAGE OR THERE MAY BE UNSEEN DAMAGE TO THE ROADWAY.

Care should be taken when traveling over the mountains during this time. The most dangerous places include:
• Canyon bottoms, stream channels, and areas of rock and soil accumulation at the outlets of canyons;
• Bases of steep hillsides;
• Road cuts or other areas where slopes of hills have been excavated or over steepened;
• Places where slides or debris flows have occurred in the past.

Debris flows are rapidly moving landslides that can destroy everything in their paths. They can easily travel a mile or more, depending on the terrain. They will contain boulders and logs and transport those in a fast-moving soil and water slurry.

Some areas are more hazardous than others when the danger of landslides is high. If there is a flood warning, stay away from the river. Stay away from steep slopes during intense rainstorms. Knowing ahead of time where the danger areas around your home for potential landslides might be is the first step in being prepared.

Follow these steps:
• Stay alert. Listen to the radio, TV, or a weather radio for flood watches, which include the potential for debris flows and if told to evacuate, do so immediately;
• Listen for unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together. A trickle of falling mud or debris may precede larger landslides;
• If you think there is danger of a landslide, leave immediately;
• If water in a river or stream suddenly turns muddy or the amount of water flowing suddenly decreases or increases, this is a warning that the flow has been affected upstream. You should immediately leave the area because a debris flow may soon be coming downstream;
• Assume highways are not safe. Be alert when driving, especially at night. Don't overdrive your headlights. Embankments along roadsides may fail, sending rock and debris onto the road;
• Landowners and road managers should check road drainage systems and conduct needed maintenance in case the predicted heavy precipitation does occur.

Cleaning up after landslides can also be hazardous. "When it is wet outside, be careful when cleaning up the mess. A small mudslide can actually be part of a larger landslide. Cleanup should not be done until after the storm.

Contact Information:
Oregon Department of Geology
Bill Burns, Engineering Geologist
(971) 673-1538
bill.burns@state.or.us

Oregon Emergency Management
Jennifer Chamberlain, Public Affairs Coordinator
(503) 378-2911 x22294
Jenni.Chamberlain@state.or.us

National Weather Service – Portland
Tyree Wilde, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
(503) 326-2340 x223
Tyree.wilde@noaa.gov


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/2967/50856/press-release-2012-01-18.pdf

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.9 percent in December and 9.1 percent in November. Meanwhile, the U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 8.5 percent in December from 8.7 percent in November.

Industry Payroll Employment (Establishment Survey Data)
Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment gained 2,400 in December, following a revised loss of 1,100 in November. December job gains were led by leisure and hospitality (+2,700 jobs) and government (+1,700). Gains were offset by losses in educational and health services (-2,200 jobs). 

Leisure and hospitality added 500 jobs in December, when a loss of 2,200 is the normal seasonal pattern. This industry spiked downward sharply in October and November, but rebounded in December. Accommodation and food services grew rapidly over the past year, adding 7,300 jobs since December 2010, a gain of 5.3 percent. The rapid growth brings the sector close to its highest ever December figure, which was 148,500 jobs in December 2007.

Government cut only 3,400 jobs in December, when a loss of 5,100 would have been the normal seasonal pattern. Local government cut only 2,400 for the month, when a larger loss would have been normal. Local government education dropped 2,000, and is down 3,800 since December 2010. Severe reductions at local K through 12 school districts during June through August brought local government employment 8,800 below its comparable 2010 headcount. Since then, seasonally adjusted employment has been gradually rising, but it is still well below year-ago levels.

Federal government continues to trend downward, with the December figure of 26,700 the lowest in decades. Meanwhile, state government performed about as expected in December, with a loss of 500 jobs. State education added 1,100 jobs during the past 12 months, while the remainder of state government cut 300 over the same period.

Private educational and health services cut 2,100 jobs, when a gain of 100 is the norm for December. The industry returned from a one-month spike upward in the prior month. Over the longer term, private educational and health services has trended upward rapidly and consistently, gaining 9,100 jobs, or 3.9 percent, since December 2010. Each of this broader industry’s five published component industries has gained at least 1,100 jobs in those 12 months.

Construction performed above the normal seasonal pattern, but from a low base. It cut only 2,300 jobs in December, when a loss of 2,900 was expected due to seasonality. Most of its component industries cut jobs in December, but building equipment contractors showed a slight gain of 300 jobs.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, construction bottomed in late 2010 at about 67,000 jobs. Since then the industry has gradually inched ahead to employed 70,800 such jobs by December. This was the industry’s highest seasonally adjusted headcount since employing 71,000 in September 2009. These recent job gains are partially reflected in a slight upturn in Oregon residential building permits, which were up about 8 percent for January through November 2011 compared with the same period in 2010.

Hours and Earnings
(Establishment Survey Data)
The average workweek for Oregon manufacturing production workers spiked up to 41.5 hours in December, a gain from 38.9 in July, just five months prior. This was the highest level since 41.6 hours in July 2006. This measure of the workweek has risen rapidly over the past two and a half years and is up from the December 2010 figure of 39.2 hours.

Average earnings of all private-sector payroll employees in Oregon surged to $22.30 per hour in December from $21.89 in November. The December figure was up 64 cents per hour, or 3.0 percent, from December 2010.

Unemployment
(Household Survey Data)
The national unemployment rate dropped from 8.7 percent in November to 8.5 percent in December. Oregon’s December rate of 8.9 percent was 0.4 percentage point above the U.S. rate. The difference between the Oregon and the U.S. unemployment rates was not statistically significant.

The latest figures indicate that Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has been on a generally declining trend for the past two and a half years. Since reaching a high point of 11.6 percent in May and June 2009, Oregon’s rate has trended downward. At 8.9 percent in December, it is at its lowest rate since November 2008, when Oregon’s rate was 8.4 percent.

In December, 175,830 Oregonians were unemployed. This is 29,152 fewer individuals than in December 2010 when 204,982 Oregonians were unemployed.

Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the December county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Monday, January 23rd and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for January on Tuesday, February 28th.

For many years, monthly employment estimates for Oregon and its metropolitan areas were developed by Oregon Employment Department economists. These economists were also responsible for revising the initial sample-based estimates annually, based on more complete information from Oregon businesses. This revisions process is known as benchmarking.

In March 2011, responsibility for the monthly employment estimates for Oregon and its metropolitan areas shifted to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The estimates developed by BLS are more heavily dependent on the sample of businesses and less reliant on knowledge of local economic events. They are also likely to demonstrate increased month-to-month variability.

BLS staff is also taking over responsibility for the annual benchmarking process. The results of this process will be reflected when revised data for 2010 and 2011 are released in February and March 2012.

Comments or questions should be directed to Graham Slater, Administrator of the Oregon Employment Department's Workforce and Economic Research Division, at (503) 947-1212.

For the complete version of the news release, including tables and graphs, visit: www.QualityInfo.org/pressrelease.

If you need this release in the Spanish language, please contact Loretta Gallegos at 503-947-1794.

For help finding jobs and training resources, visit one of the state's WorkSource Oregon Centers or go to: www.WorkSourceOregon.org.

Equal Opportunity program — auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities

Oregon State Police (OSP) confirmed a blind 81-year old man who died Saturday at a Eugene-area hospital from injuries he sustained after being struck by a vehicle January 12th on Highway 126E in the Walterville area was in possession of a white cane when he was struck. The investigation is continuing.

Previously released information indicated on January 12, 2012 at approximately 2:55 p.m. OSP and local emergency responders were dispatched to a report that a man was struck by a vehicle on Highway 126E near Latta Lane. The pedestrian, identified as JOHN ROBERT CHAMBERLAIN, age 81, from Walterville, was struck by a pickup when he tried to cross the highway. The pickup's driver, JAMES L. COULSON, age 51, from Springfield, was not injured.

No other information for release at this time.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

At 0207 hours the Salem Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire at 2074 47th Ct NE. Due to the location of the structure and the high winds a second alarm was activated. Upon arrival there was heavy fire spreading from the garage and two vehicles into the residence. The fire spread was being fueled by high winds from the south pushing the fire into the residence along with fuel from the vehicles that was leaking all over the ground.
The occupants of the residence Aurthur and Joyce Winters escaped the fire without injury based on the actions of a neighbor who discovered the fire and alerted the occupants.
There were 25 firefighters on scene controlling the fire which is estimated at approximately $100,000 loss. The fire cause is still under investigation at this time.


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1061/50841/IMGP7080.JPG , 2012-01/1061/50841/IMGP7079.JPG , 2012-01/1061/50841/IMGP7078.JPG

Warrenton, Ore. – Camp Rilea is scheduled to conduct night flying operations January 23, 2012 from approximately 7 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.

Night flying is one part of the core competencies of military pilots throughout our services.

"Night flying and ground tactical exercises are critical skills which our soldiers need to learn to be effective when our nation calls" said Colonel (USAF Retired) James Miller, Camp Rilea Training Site Manager. "We understand the disruption to the community during night operations and especially those times that utilize night aviation assets; however, we emphasize to visiting units the importance of minimizing the noise impact to our neighbors."

Most of the training will occur in the interior of the post training ranges. However, the community will most likely hear the aircraft during take-offs and approaches into and out of the ranges.

"Our soldiers are trained to engage in any environment," said Miller. "Camp Rilea is an integral part in providing resources for this training."

Community members may contact the range control office at 503-836-4096 to express any concerns they have during this time.

New plan would guide Department of State Lands for 10 years

About 2.3 million acres of land under the State Land Board’s jurisdiction will be managed according to policy set out in a revised Real Estate Asset Management Plan (REAMP). The board’s administrative arm, the Department of State Lands (DSL), recently completed a draft of the plan that guides land management activities, and provides policy for selling, exchanging and acquiring land.

The department is seeking public comment on the draft plan at a series of public meetings held around the state. The final meeting is in Salem:

Tuesday, Jan. 24
2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Land Board Room
Department of State Lands
775 Summer St. NE, Salem

Other public meetings were held in Burns (Jan. 11) and Medford (Jan. 18).

State-owned lands include forestlands, agricultural lands, rangelands, waterways, industrial/commercial/residential lands, and mineral and energy resources.

The REAMP takes a different approach from previous plans by being less specific on individual parcels, and focusing more on policy guidance for managing DSL’s real estate portfolio. The REAMP includes specific criteria for evaluating lands for disposal and acquisition along with other procedures to guide land management decisions.

Information about the plan and meeting locations is on the DSL website: http://oregonstatelands.us/DSL/LW/reamp.shtml.

The State Land Board consists of Governor John Kitzhaber, Secretary of State Kate Brown and State Treasurer Ted Wheeler. The Department of State Lands administers diverse natural and fiscal resources. Many of the resources generate revenue for the Common School Fund, such as state-owned rangelands and timberlands, waterway leases, estates for which no will or heirs exist, and unclaimed property. Twice a year, the agency distributes fund investment earnings to support K-12 public schools. The agency also administers Oregon’s Removal-Fill Law, which requires people removing or filling certain amounts of material in waters of the state to obtain a permit.

####

It's "School Board Recognition Month," and the Oregon School Boards Association has recognized Laurie Adams for her service to public education as a member of the statewide association's board of directors, announced OSBA's interim executive director Betsy Miller-Jones.

Adams also serves on the Springfield School Board.

"People like Laurie have earned the gratitude of students, parents and all citizens who appreciate the contribution that public schools make to our communities, our neighborhoods and our economic future,"" Miller-Jones said. ""By serving on the OSBA board of directors, these dedicated citizens bring the benefit of their local experience to the process of solving problems that confront public education throughout Oregon."

The Oregon School Boards Association includes members from each of the state's 197 local school districts, 19 education service districts and 17 community colleges, Miller-Jones said. The association'’s mission is to enable students to raise their achievement levels by advocating policies that help local public schools. The association also provides an array of services to local school boards, including policy development, legal analysis and research on pressing issues.

"Because they serve as elected school board members in their local communities, our OSBA board members bring practical knowhow to shaping statewide education policies," Miller-Jones said. "Their contribution is invaluable."


Attached Media Files: Laurie Adams

The Salem Police Departments Top Ten Most Wanted program celebrated its two year anniversary this week with an added feature for tips. The Web page, which lists ten of Salems most sought after criminals, now includes a hyperlink for tipsters to send information on any of the wanted subjects electronically.

"This month we are observing the two year mark for the program and are proud to unveil a new element that will help make it easier for community members to send in information about wanted subjects," said Senior Ofc Kris Knox of the Crime Prevention Unit.

The e-tip system will add another method for citizens to use in case they prefer not to speak directly with police. Anyone viewing the poster online simply needs to click on the name of the contact officer and an electronic form pops up allowing the user to provide information, such as the location of a subject, type of vehicle being used or the names of any known associates. "If the person chooses, they can remain anonymous," added Knox. However, users are encouraged to leave their information in case the investigator has any additional questions. The contact information will not be shared or released. That said, citizens who may spot a wanted subject while out in the community should immediately dial 9-1-1.

Since its launch in January 2010, 77 subjects have been featured and 51 have been arrested. Subjects have been apprehended as a result of proactive law enforcement efforts, as well as helpful citizens who have called in with tips. The posters are displayed throughout the community and subjects can be seen on electronic digital billboards, as well distributed to a wide variety of Willamette Valley law enforcement partners, such as Marion and Polk County Parole & Probation offices and the Portland and Eugene TSA. During the month of December, Lamar Advertising, which donates space for the most wanted subjects, ran a thank you advertisement from the department recognizing the community and the ad company for their help (see attached photo).

The Most Wanted poster can be found at www.cityofsalem.net/topten and is updated on a regular basis.

For more information, please contact the Crime Prevention Unit at (503) 588-6175 or at crimeprevention@cityofsalem.net.


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1095/50819/Top_Ten_Most_Wanted_Thank_You.jpg

The Salem Police Department is starting the New Year by making a resolution to increase communications to residents via the micro-messaging medium, Twitter. The Crime Prevention Unit, which is tasked with facilitating community involvement programs in the deterrence of crime, will be using the social media site to help get information out to the community in a new way.

"The media has been fantastic in helping us pass along emergent news and information, but there are other items that are not urgent, yet still worthy of passing along to the community members," said Salem Deputy Police Chief Jim Ferraris, "and through social media, we are hoping to connect with residents on tips and other law enforcement-related topics."

The department chose @salem_police as its handle and will begin sending out messages Thursday, January 18. "We hope that social media-savvy Salemites will enjoy receiving our messages. The unit is excited to start and we are looking forward to our first tweet-up in a few weeks," shared Angie Hedrick, community relations analyst for the Crime Prevention Unit.

Law enforcement agencies across the country have turned to social media platforms as a resource to educate and inform their communities of criminal activity and trends and crime prevention tips. Added Deputy Chief Ferraris, "For us, any social media use is meant to provide an additional resource for us to help keep residents safe through the sharing of information in yet another way."

Follow the department online at www.twitter.com/salem_police or log onto to your Twitter account and use the search function to navigate directly to @salem_police and click the follow button.

For more information, contact the Salem Police Crime Prevention Unit at (503) 588-6175.

Florence OR – The Heceta Head Lighthouse light was turned off January 10 for a long-awaited restoration and preservation project on the crumbling 1894 lighthouse. The light will remain off while restoration work occurs. That work, which could take as much as two years to complete, is expected to begin in February.

Although the lighthouse tower will remain closed for the entirety of its restoration work, the parking lots and trail are open now that the first phase in the major renovation at the site has been completed. Phase one involved reshaping and repaving the west parking lot to improve drainage and repair erosion damage, a chronic problem at the site.

The picturesque park is well known for its iconic lighthouse, beach and historic lighthouse keepers’ bed and breakfast. The historic assistant lighthouse keeper’s house, which the USFS operates through a concessionaire as a bed and breakfast operation, remains open through the renovations. The park welcomes more than 800,000 visitors each year.


—30—

REVISED - Photos sent with the first release do not apply to Fire Service Appreciation Day. Please disregard the photos.


State Fire Marshal Mark Wallace is encouraging communities across the state to honor the work of those in the fire service by organizing events or ceremonies for Fire Service Appreciation Day in Oregon, Friday, January 27.

"Communities have many opportunities to get involved and recognize the work and sacrifice of members of the Oregon fire service," says State Fire Marshal Mark Wallace. "From community groups hosting a breakfast, lunch, or dinner, to schools holding essay contests, this day is an opportunity for everyone to say thanks."

In 2007, the Oregon legislature passed House Joint Resolution 25, establishing January 27 each year, as Fire Service Appreciation Day in Oregon. The Legislative Assembly encourages all Oregonians to recognize and honor fire service members for their efforts to keep our citizens safe from the ravages of fire.

Local recognition in past years included city mayors presenting fire chiefs with a certificate of thanks, fire district boards presenting commemorative coins and certificates to volunteers, newspapers publishing articles and ads thanking members of the fire service, and citizens taking a local firefighter to lunch.

You can read the full text of House Joint Resolution 25 here.

####

For the second night in a row, , beginning at 9:00 PM, the Oregon Red Cross will activate, and staff with volunteers, an Emergency Warming Center for Portland's vulnerable populations due to expected severe weather tonight.

Last night the Emergency Warming Center assisted 70 people and many pets. The Center can assist up to 150 people each night.

The Red Cross Emergency Warming Center is located at the Imago Dei Community Campus, 1302 SE Ankeny, and is open to guests from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM.

The City of Portland notifies the Oregon Red Cross by no later than 2:00 PM the day of activation when any of these severe weather conditions are forecasted.

Under WET conditions (tonight):
32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, with 1 inch forecast accumulation of precipitation, or;
32 degrees and sustained wind of 15 mph, or;
1 inch of snow on the ground over most of Portland.

The Warming Center opens under DRY conditions when:
We have single night 22 degrees Fahrenheit or below, or;
We have three consequential nights 25 degrees Fahrenheit or below, or;
We have 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below and sustained wind of 15 mph.

Determination for activating the Emergency Warming Center is made by the City of Portland. The Oregon Red Cross will not activate the Emergency Warming Center independently of the City.

Red Cross volunteers, staff and media parking is available at the corner of SE Ash and SE 12 behind the facility. The entrance is located on the west side of the facility, walk up the stairs, turn right and head to the back of the building.

What Makes A Warming Center Different?

The Oregon Red Cross Emergency Warming Center differs from other homeless shelters in several ways:
There is no check-in/registration required;
Singles, couples and families are all welcome;
Guests can come and go as they please throughout the night;
Pets are welcome as long as there is a crate available (crates are available for up to 40 pets, courtesy of Multnomah County Animal Services);

While the Center will provide mats and blankets for guests, as well as hot drinks, it differs from traditional Red Cross shelters in that beds, food, clothing and financial support will not be available.

Note: Because this is a short-term location with no storage capacity, the Emergency Warming Center is not able to accept donations of blankets or clothing. Several year-round shelters are in need of these items; the community is urged to please call 211 Info (2-1-1 from a land line or 503-222-5555) for more information.

For more the Warming Center, go online to www.oregonredcross.org and click on the link to Emergency Warming Center Operations, or link to our blog at:
http://redcrosspdx.blogspot.com/2009/12/stories-from-emergency-warming-center.html

The staff at the Willamette Valley Christian School in Brooks is cleaning up this morning following two weekend burglaries that left their school in disarray.

Sr. Deputy Skip Lumley was called to the school, at 9075 Pueblo Avenue NE at 6:51am, Tuesday morning.

His investigation revealed that the school was broken into twice during the weekend. The first burglary occurred between Sunday evening and Monday morning.

Thieves forced their way into the school and then vandalized many classrooms, cutting computer wires, breaking into lockers and cutting locks to storage buildings. Before leaving, they took 10-15 flat screen computer monitors, a 36" flat screen television, several PC computers, a camera, a drum set and three guitars. It appeared that the thieves spent a considerable amount of time in the school, going from room to room, cutting computer wiring, eating food from the kitchen, and boxing up items to be taken. Some of those items were left behind, still boxed up.

Files from the pre-school classrooms were dumped on the floor and candy belonging to the preschoolers was eaten during the burglary. The burglary was discovered by a staff member. He then arranged to have the locks repaired and keys changed.

The second burglary occurred between 6:00pm Monday night and 6:00am, Tuesday morning.

Thieves again broke into the school, but this time they used tools to pry open a safe used for storing school records. They also took several cash drawers containing small amounts of cash. These items were taken from the main office.

Willamette Valley Christian School is a non-profit school with approximately 145 students from pre-school through the 12th grade. Office Manager Carrie Reichelt hopes that someone will help the school recover the stolen property. She commented, "We rely heavily on our computer system to help our students be successful. The damage to the wiring was considerable and will set us back. Reichelt added, "The camera and stolen computer contained many of the photos and articles to be used in our yearbook; so we’d really like to recover that for the kids".

Reichelt estimated the loss from both burglaries to be in excess of $15,000. She is available for media questions at 503.393.5236.

Photos from the scene are attached. One photo is an example of the 10-15 flat screen monitors stolen. Anyone with information about these burglaries can contact Deputy Lumley at 503.932.3274 or Slumley@co.marion.or.us .


Attached Media Files: Pried school safe , Example of stolen Monitor , Computer Lab

Middle Ridge buses 89 & 82, Ty Valley Bus 99, and Green Mountain Bus 49

(Salem) – Workers and employers are invited to a two-day conference March 6-7, 2012, in Eugene that will showcase the latest workplace safety and health information.

The Department of Consumer and Business Services, Occupational Safety and Health Division (Oregon OSHA) is one of several partners presenting the Cascade Occupational Safety and Health Conference at Eugene’s Valley River Inn, located at 1000 Valley River Way. The event is built around the theme, "By choice, not chance - don’t gamble with safety," and will highlight training to improve on-the-job safety performance.

On March 6, keynote speaker Todd Conklin will present, "Preventing Human Errors: What’s Stopping Us!" – a look at what’s behind human performance and why the perception of human error needs to change. Conklin is a senior adviser to the associate director at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico and earned excellent reviews following a presentation at the Pendleton safety conference in 2011. Attendees remarked, "One of the best speakers I've ever heard" and "thought provoking."

Conference attendees can also take advantage of a networking session and workshops focused on hazard identification, safety leadership, and risk management theory and best practices. Other topics include:

• Emergency preparedness
• Fleet safety
• Safety committee improvement

The registration fee for both days is $165, or $95 for single-day attendance. For more information or to register, go to www.orosha.org/conferences.

###

About Oregon OSHA:
Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, go to www.orosha.org.

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

Salem Fire Department remain on scene of a three alarm fire in the 100 Block of Pine street. The fire was reported at 4:00 AM this morning. Fire crews will be on the fire scene for a few hours extinguishing hot spots. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire investigators will not be able to enter the building until it can be determine safe.


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1061/50780/photo_3.JPG , 2012-01/1061/50780/Picture_025.jpg , 2012-01/1061/50780/photo_2.JPG , 2012-01/1061/50780/photo_1.JPG

SAN FRANCISCO – Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) reported record net income of $4.1 billion, or $0.73 per diluted common share, for fourth quarter 2011, compared with $3.4 billion, or $0.61 per share, for fourth quarter 2010, and $4.1 billion, or $0.72 per share, for third quarter 2011. Full year 2011 Wells Fargo net income was $15.9 billion, or $2.82 per share, up 28 percent from 2010.

"I’m extremely pleased with Wells Fargo’s performance in 2011 – including strong deposit and loan growth, record cross-sell and record earnings," said Chairman and CEO John Stumpf. "We achieved these results while completing the conversion of Wachovia’s retail banking stores – the largest such conversion in banking history – and now all of our 6,239 retail banking stores are on a single platform serving customers coast to coast. At the time of the merger, we said the integration of Wachovia would take three years and we are right on track. I couldn’t be prouder of how our two companies have come together as one, thanks to the important and tireless work of our more than 260,000 team members.

"In 2012, we are focused on Wells Fargo’s many opportunities, including continuing to provide our customers with award winning service, welcoming new customers as we grow market share throughout our many businesses and geographies, achieving efficiency improvements across the company and returning even more capital to our shareholders," he said.

"The fourth quarter of 2011 was a very strong quarter for Wells Fargo, with record earnings, solid linked quarter growth in loans, deposits and capital, and continued strong credit quality," said Chief Financial Officer Tim Sloan. "Revenue was up 5 percent from the third quarter despite a full quarter’s impact of the new debit interchange rules. As expected, expenses were higher in the quarter and we are maintaining our target of $11 billion in noninterest expense in the fourth quarter of 2012."

The full news release is posted at wellsfargo.com.

# # #

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into a three vehicle crash that occurred Sunday evening on Highway 22W west of Salem injuring three people. This crash occurred about the same time another serious injury crash occurred on Highway 99W near Rickreall, and shortly after a four-vehicle minor injury crash also on Highway 22W.

According to Trooper Michael Lacer, on January 15, 2012 at approximately 6:40 p.m. a 2006 Kia Sorento driven by MICHELLE L. ALOSA, age 36, from Salem, spun out on an icy section of Highway 22W near milepost 19 and hit the center median. It was then rear-ended by a Ford pickup driven by VALERIE A. JAEGER, age 21, from Dallas. A third vehicle, a Dodge van, driven by NEIL K. SHEPARD, age 19, from Monmouth, sideswiped the pickup.

ALOSA and passenger ALEXIS BENN, age 19, from Salem, were both transported to Salem Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

JAEGER was also transported to Salem Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

SHEPARD was not injured.

Highway 22W was shut down for approximately 45 minutes before one lane was opened.
Several other vehicles also slid off the icy highway around the same time as these crashes.

OSP was assisted by Polk County Sheriff’s Office, ODOT, and medical responders.

No photographs available for this release.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

Oregon State Police (OSP) confirmed today that a blind 81-year old man died Saturday at a Eugene-area hospital from injuries he sustained after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 126E in the Walterville area east of Springfield. OSP troopers are continuing the investigation and no other information for release at this time.

On January 12, 2012 at approximately 2:55 p.m. OSP and local emergency responders were dispatched to a report that a man was struck by a vehicle on Highway 126E near Latta Lane. Preliminary investigation indicates a pedestrian identified as JOHN ROBERT CHAMBERLAIN, age 81, from Walterville, was standing on the south side highway shoulder preparing to cross to the north side.

As an eastbound Dodge pickup driven by JAMES L. COULSON, age 51, from Springfield, approached, CHAMBERLAIN, who is blind, reportedly began to cross the highway in front of the pickup but stepped back to the shoulder. COULSON initially slowed but when CHAMBERLAIN returned to the shoulder COULSON continued approach his location. CHAMBERLAIN then reportedly tried to cross the highway again and was struck by the pickup whose driver braked hard but was unable to avoid the collision.

It has not been confirmed yet if CHAMBERLAIN was carrying a white cane.

CHAMBERLAIN was seriously injured and transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend.

OSP troopers from the Springfield Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Lane County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, McKenzie Fire & Rescue, and ODOT assisted at the scene.

Highway 126E was restricted to one lane of traffic for over two hours during the investigation.

Even though the investigation has not confirmed if the pedestrian was carrying a white cane, OSP reminds drivers that Oregon law (ORS 811.035) requires a driver of a vehicle approaching a blind or blind and deaf person carrying a white cane or accompanied by a dog guide, who is crossing or about to cross a roadway, to stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian has crossed the roadway.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50701/011212.hwy126e.ped.jpg

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into a two-vehicle serious injury traffic crash that occurred Sunday evening on Highway 99W about a half mile south of Rickreall. The crash injured three people, one critically, and icy road conditions were a contributing factor.

According to Senior Trooper David Kammerman, on January 15, 2012 at approximately 6:30 p.m. a 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix four-door driven by KATHERYN E. SANDS, age 20, from Monmouth, was northbound on Highway 99W near milepost 59 when it lost control on the icy roadway and crossed the centerline where it crashed head-on with a southbound 1991 Honda Accord driven by KENT K. TOLZMANN, age 20, from Monmouth.

TOLZMANN and passenger KATRINA HILL, age 20, from Monmouth, were transported by Rickreall Fire Department to Salem Hospital. HILL is reported in critical condition. TOLZMANN received non-life threatening injuries.

SANDS was transported by Rickreall Fire Department to West Valley Hospital with minor injuries.

All occupants were using safety restraints.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The highway was closed about 90 minutes.

No photographs available for this release.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

The Oregon Red Cross will activate, and staff with volunteers, an Emergency Warming Center for Portland's vulnerable populations due to expected severe weather tonight. This is the first time this winter that the Oregon Red Cross has been asked by the City of Portland to open the Emergency Warming Center. The Center can assist up to 150 people each night.

The Red Cross Emergency Warming Center is located at the Imago Dei Community Campus, 1302 SE Ankeny, and is open to guests from 9:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M.

Last winter season, the Oregon Red Cross, working with the City of Portland, opened Emergency Warming Centers that helped almost 1,000 men, women, children and pets stay warm and safe as temperatures plunged.

The City of Portland notifies the Oregon Red Cross by no later than 2p.m. the day of activation when any of these severe weather conditions are forecasted.

Under WET conditions (tonight):
32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, with 1 inch forecast accumulation of precipitation, or;
32 degrees and sustained wind of 15 mph, or;
1 inch of snow on the ground over most of Portland.

The Warming Center opens under DRY conditions when:
We have single night 22 degrees Fahrenheit or below, or;
We have three consequential nights 25 degrees Fahrenheit or below, or;
We have 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below and sustained wind of 15 mph.

Determination for activating the Emergency Warming Center is made by the City of Portland. The Oregon Red Cross will not activate the Emergency Warming Center independently of the City.

Red Cross volunteers, staff and media parking is available at the corner of SE Ash and SE 12 behind the facility. The entrance is located on the west side of the facility, walk up the stairs, turn right and head to the back of the building.

What Makes A Warming Center Different?

The Oregon Red Cross Emergency Warming Center differs from other homeless shelters in several ways:
There is no check-in/registration required;
Singles, couples and families are all welcome;
Guests can come and go as they please throughout the night;
Pets are welcome as long as there is a crate available (crates are available for up to 40 pets, courtesy of Multnomah County Animal Services);

While the Center will provide mats and blankets for guests, as well as hot drinks, it differs from traditional Red Cross shelters in that beds, food, clothing and financial support will not be available.

Note: Because this is a short-term location with no storage capacity, the Emergency Warming Center is not able to accept donations of blankets or clothing. Several year-round shelters are in need of these items; the community is urged to please call 211 Info (2-1-1 from a land line or 503-222-5555) for more information.

For more the Warming Center, go online to www.oregonredcross.org and click on the link to Emergency Warming Center Operations, or link to our blog at:
http://redcrosspdx.blogspot.com/2009/12/stories-from-emergency-warming-center.html

Two Springfield-area residents were arrested shortly after midnight at an Aurora-area truck stop after an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper discovered illegal drugs and restricted weapons in their vehicle. One of the two arrested was wanted out of Lane County on an outstanding warrant.

On January 16, 2012 at approximately 12:01 a.m. an OSP senior trooper contacted two people in a 1997 Jeep utility vehicle in the front parking lot of the TA Truck Stop off Interstate 5 near milepost 278. The two occupants were identified as KRIS A. PIERCE, age 50, and JESSE LEE YAGER, age 22, both from Springfield. OSP was assisted by Marion County Sheriff’s Office and subsequent contact with the two people led to the discovery of approximately an ounce of suspected heroin and small amounts of methamphetamine, methadone and other pills. A stun gun was also found with YAGER’s property, who is a convicted felon.

A check for warrants discovered PIERCE was wanted out of Lane County on a warrant charging Fail to Appear – Theft in the Second Degree. She was lodged in Marion County Jail.

YAGER was also lodged in Marion County Jail on the following charges:

* Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (4 counts)
* Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Heroin
* Felon in Possession of a Restricted Weapon (2 counts)

Photograph Source: Marion County Sheriff’s Office

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50767/Yager.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50767/Pierce.jpg

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Sunday evening’s two vehicle fatal traffic crash along Highway 126W west of Veneta. The crash resulted in the death of a Eugene man and injuries to a mother and her four children.

On January 15, 2012 at approximately 5:47 p.m. Lane Rural Fire/Rescue, Eugene Fire Department paramedics and OSP troopers were dispatched to a reported injury crash involving two vehicles on Highway 126W near milepost 42. After arrival, emergency responders confirmed one person was deceased and five others, including four children, were injured.

According to Trooper Jered McLain, preliminary investigation indicates a 1998 Ford Expedition driven by JEANETTE C. BELL, age 36, from Noti, was westbound when it lost control on the icy roadway. The Ford Expedition collided into an eastbound 1993 Mercury Tracer driven by EDWARD JAY BRAY, age 52, from Eugene.

BRAY was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was only using the automatic upper shoulder safety restraint belt and was not using the lower lap belt.

After impact, the Ford came to rest on its side. BELL and her four children were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend with non-life threatening injuries. All were using safety restraints. The children are identified as:

* Right front passenger ELIJAH CASTALLON, age 13
* Right rear passenger SAMUEL BELL, age 2
* Center rear passenger JORDAN BRIGGS, age 8
* Left rear passenger ADAM CASTALLON, age 16

The collision blocked the highway for several hours. ODOT assisted police and fire responders at the scene.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50762/111512.fatal.hwy126w.mp42.JPG

Jan. 15, 6 p.m.

CORVALLIS -- With below-freezing temperatures, snow and ice forecast for the Willamette Valley on Monday and Tuesday, the university encourages caution for those driving, bicycling and walking to, from and around the university’s Corvallis campus. While the university is closed for Monday’s national observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, many individuals will be coming to campus for various programs associated with the celebration, and the university advises all to provide additional time for the commute, with roads and walkways likely to still be hazardous in certain places tomorrow morning.

No closures or postponed openings are expected for the Corvallis or Newport campuses for Tuesday, but students, faculty and staff are encouraged to visit alert.oregonstate.edu or phone 541-737-8000 for any updates that may be posted, should conditions significantly worsen. Any closure/postponement information affecting the start of the work day or morning classes will be posted no later than 6 a.m. on the same day. Unless otherwise noted, the university will be open on all scheduled days. For closure/postponement information for OSU Cascades, visit http://www.osucascades.edu/.

In difficult weather, individuals commuting via roads that are particularly challenging are always encouraged to use their best judgment in assessing whether conditions are safe enough to make the trip.

Two people were injured Sunday afternoon in a weather-related crash when the vehicle they were traveling in went off Highway 214 near Silver Falls State Park and overturned down an embankment. A 4-month old child in a child safety seat was not injured.

According to Oregon State Police (OSP) Senior Trooper Jeff Leighty, on January 15, 2012 at approximately 2:15 p.m. a 1997 Infiniti sport utility vehicle driven by AMANDA STEFFAN, age 20, from Silverton, was negotiating a curve on Highway 214 when it lost control on the snow and slush. The sport utility vehicle rolled down an embankment and came to rest on its top about 15 feet below the roadway.

AMANDA STEFFAN and passenger ZACHARY STEFFAN, age 24, were transported to Silverton Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. They were using safety restraints.

A 4-month old child in a child safety seat was also taken to the hospital with the two occupants but was not injured.

OSP was assisted at the scene by numerous passing motorists, local fire personnel and ODOT.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50758/011512.hwy214.1.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50758/011512.hwy214.2.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50758/011512.hwy214.3.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50758/011512.hwy214.4.JPG

A commercial truck driver received minor injuries Sunday afternoon when the truck he was driving pulling a tanker trailer travelled off Interstate 5, struck a bridge and overturned onto its side. Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers from the Roseburg Area Command office investigated the crash and cited the truck’s driver.

According to Sergeant Matt Bowersox, on January 15, 2012 at approximately 12:50 p.m. a 2007 Freightliner truck driven by RICHARD L. BLINDHEIM, age 49, from Washington, was injured after his northbound truck left the freeway, went up a bridge abutment and struck a bridge. The truck and tanker trailer overturned off the freeway interchange area.

BLINDHEIM was extricated from the truck and transported by Azalea Rural Fire Department to Mercy Medical Center with minor injuries. He was cited by OSP for Failure to Maintain a Lane of Travel.

The tanker was not compromised but did leak a small amount of the 3,600 gallon load of liquid concrete additive from the tanker hatches.

ODOT, the trucking company and a local tow company were on scene this afternoon working to remove the truck and trailer and assess any hazardous material or environmental issues. There was no danger to area residents.

Preliminary inspection of the bridge by ODOT personnel did not uncover any damage to the overpass. Freeway traffic is not affected.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50757/011512.i5mp88.1.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50757/011512.i5mp88.2.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50757/011512.i5mp88.3.JPG

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into a Sunday morning minor injury crash involving a passenger car and an ODOT snow plow on Highway 26 about eight miles west of Manning. No names were provided for this release.

According to Trooper Michael VanRenterghem, on January 15, 2012 at approximately 10:15 a.m. an ODOT snow plow was stopped along the eastbound shoulder of Highway 26 near milepost 39. A Dodge Challenger with two occupants was westbound at an estimated 35 – 40 mph in the left lane when its driver lost control. The Dodge slid across the highway and crashed broadside into the snow plow’s front scoop.

The ODOT employee inside the truck wasn’t able to back up before the snow plow was struck. He was not injured.

The Dodge’s two occupants were transported by Metro West ambulance to an unidentified hospital with minor injuries.

OSP troopers from the North Plains office are continuing the investigation. Banks Fire Department, Metro West ambulance and ODOT assisted at the scene.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50756/011512.hwy26mp39.5.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50756/011512.hwy26mp39.4.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50756/011512.hwy26mp39.6.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50756/011512.hwy26mp39.3.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50756/011512.hwy26mp39.7.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50756/011512.hwy26mp39.2.JPG

The following is information about a couple weather-related traffic crashes. The first incident occurred near the summit of Highway 6 about milepost 34. Photographs from this incident are provided with this release. The second incident occurred on Interstate 5 at the top of Rice Hill. No photographs provided from that incident for this release.

According to Trooper Mike Snodgrass, on January 15, 2012 at approximately 11:20 a.m. Oregon State Police (OSP) and Washington County Sheriff’s Office responded to several minor crashes in the area of the summit of Highway 6 near milepost 34. One of the crashes involved a commercial truck stopped westbound because of another crash when the truck slid on the icy road conditions to the side into a guardrail. Shortly afterward, a passenger car negotiating the curve lost control and slide into the truck. Neither operator was injured.

Earlier in the morning, Sergeant Matt Bowersox reported Interstate 5 northbound at Rice Hill was closed down for a couple hours while OSP, Douglas County Sheriff's Office and ODOT worked to clear traffic and plow and sand the highway. A storm cell went through the area dropping about 3 inches of snow causing two semi trucks to jackknife and block northbound traffic at the top of Rice Hill near milepost 147. The blockage caused several minor traffic crashes and ODOT placed a chain restriction on the pass. Southbound traffic was intermittently stopped due to spin outs, but was not blocked for significant periods of time and the northbound lanes were opened at 11:00 a.m.

At 11:40 a.m. a weather-related crash occurred at near milepost 144 southbound when a 2001 Toyota MR2 driven by BENJAMIN NOYES, age 22, from Mountain View, California was passing slower traffic in the left lane and lost control. The Toyota was struck from behind by a commercial truck leading to NOYES being transported by Douglas County EMTs to Mercy Medical Center for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

NOYES was cited by OSP for Fail to Maintain a Lane of Travel.

The Toyota passenger car sustained major damage to the rear and the semi truck sustained minor damage to the front.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50754/011512.hwy6mp34.1.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50754/011512.hwy6mp34.2.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50754/011512.hwy6mp34.3.jpg

A driver was uninjured Sunday morning after his commercial truck and trailer overturned because of icy conditions on Interstate 5 south of Eugene. Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers from the Springfield Area Command are continuing the investigation.

According to Trooper Evan Sether, on January 15, 2012, at approximately 4:59 a.m. a Freightliner truck pulling a semi-trailer operated by ANIL CHOPRA, age 46, from Puyallup, Washington was northbound on Interstate5 near the Highway 58 interchange when the trailer jackknifed and overturned. The truck and trailer slid across the road and collided with the center concrete barrier where the truck began leaking diesel fuel. The trailer was carrying approximately 44,000 pounds of metal at the time of the crash.

CHOPRA was wearing safety restraints and was uninjured. He was cited for a commercial driver log book violation.

OSP and ODOT urges all drivers to slow down for the conditions, make sure your vehicle is ready for the conditions you are traveling, and stay alert and monitor weather and road conditions before you leave and while you travel using resources such as ODOT’s website www.TripCheck.com and by calling 5-1-1.

OSP was assisted at the scene by ODOT, Goshen Fire Department and Northwest Hazmat. Interstate 5 northbound at milepost 188 will be restricted to one lane until approximately 2:00 p.m. while crews remove the commercial truck and trailer from the road and clean up the diesel fuel spill.

Photograph source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50748/011512.I5.Hwy58.2.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50748/011512.I5.Hwy58.1.jpg

A St. Paul resident is in serious condition in the Oregon Health & Science University Hospital in Portland following a single vehicle crash near St. Paul this afternoon.

Deputies Pete Marcellais and Casey Burnham responded to the 911 call at 12:57pm. The crash was located in the 22000 block of Riverside Drive NE, 3 miles north of the town of St. Paul.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 1991 blue Toyota 4-runner, traveling northbound on Riverside Drive failed to negotiate a curve in the roadway. The car left the pavement and rolled at least once, ejecting the sole occupant. It came to rest on its wheels in a muddy field about 75 feet from the roadway.

The driver was identified as Colby Jungwirth, 18, of St. Paul. Jungwirth was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. His injuries were significant and included a severed left arm.

There were no passengers in the vehicle.

Jungwirth was transported to the OHSU hospital where he underwent surgery to reattach the arm. His condition is not known at this time. Consistent with HIPAA regulations, we will not be releasing further medical condition updates without his permission.

The cause of the investigation remains under investigation by Deputy Marcellais.

Rollover crashes are responsible for 33% of car fatalities. Of those killed in rollover crashes, nearly 75% were not wearing a seat belt. Our Office encourages all drivers and passengers to buckle up and drive safely.

Be sure that any children in your vehicle are also secured with appropriate seat belts and car seats.


Attached Media Files: Jungwirth's 4-Runner , Muddy field where car came to rest , MCSO patrol car at scene of crash

Three people were injured Friday morning in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 22E at Phantom Lane near Mehama in Marion County. Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation and driver distraction may have been a contributing factor.

According to Trooper Andrew Goffrier, on January 13, 2012 at approximately 11:10 a.m. a 2008 Ford Focus driven by ZACKERY FARRELL, age 19, from Lyons, was eastbound on Highway 22E at about 55 mph when it crashed into the back of a stopped 1984 Oldsmobile attempting to turn left from the highway onto Phantom Lane.

FARRELL was transported by friends to Salem Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He told the investigating trooper that he may have been focused on his car’s stereo and didn’t see the vehicle stopped ahead before crashing into it.

The Oldsmobile’s driver JESSIA THOMAS, age 48, from Stayton, and passenger PHILLIP HENNESSEY, age 9, were extricated from the vehicle by fire personnel and transported by ambulance to Santiam Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

All occupants were using safety restraints.

Highway 22E was closed about one hour during the investigation.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50735/011312.hwy22.mehama.1.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50735/011312.hwy22.mehama.2.JPG

Oregon State Police (OSP) Criminal Investigations Division detectives and Lane County District Attorney's Office are investigating the suspicious death of a 22-year old Portland man, JUDE MAHAFFY, found late Wednesday night in a burning vehicle north of Florence.

According to Sergeant Andy Kenyon, on January 11, 2011 at approximately 11:30 p.m. a report was received of a burning vehicle just off Highway 101 approximately eleven miles north of Florence. Firefighters from the Siuslaw Fire Department responded and subsequently discovered the vehicle contained a deceased person later identified as MAHAFFY.

OSP detectives and Lane County District Attorney's Office responded to the scene and are investigating the incident. No additional information will be released without approval of the District Attorney's office.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

Three Utah men are facing marijuana-related charges in Lake County, Oregon following a Tuesday night traffic stop west of Lakeview during which an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper seized approximately 26 pounds of marijuana.

According to Sergeant Steve Yates, on January 10, 2012 at approximately 9:25 p.m. an OSP trooper stopped a rented 2012 Chevrolet Suburban displaying Utah license plates for a speed violation on Highway 140W near milepost 95. The three Utah resident occupants were identified as NOAH D. CARTER, age 29, from West Valley, NICHOLAS JAMES PETERSEN, age 28, from West Jordan, and ISAIAS GARCIA, age 26, from Midvale.

Subsequent investigation during the traffic stop led to the discovery of approximately 26 pounds of marijuana in the rear area of the vehicle. Estimated value of the seized marijuana is $65,000.

The three men were later cited and released to appear in Lake County Circuit Court for Unlawful Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50713/011012.hwy140wmp95.mj.JPG

A Salem resident was treated at the hospital after he crashed into the rear of a school bus, stopped for a railroad crossing in Aurora. The crash was reported at 4:14pm, Thursday.

Joseph Fennell, 33, was driving eastbound on Ehlen Road NE, when he crashed into the bus at the railroad crossing, east of Butteville Road NE. He told deputies that he didn’t realize the bus was stopped in the roadway. He was driving about 55mph and was unable to stop in time.

Tara Barrell, 34, was driving the school bus, which is owned by First Student, Inc. in Cincinnati, Ohio. She told Sgt. Craig Cunningham that she had stopped and turned on the emergency flashers before being struck from the rear by Fennell. He was driving a 1991 Honda Accord. The Honda received major damage. The bus had only minor damage.

Oregon law requires all school bus drivers to stop, place the transmission of the bus in park, and to open the passenger doors to check for oncoming trains before crossing the railroad tracks.

There were no students in the bus at the time of the crash. Barrell had finished delivering her North Marion School District passengers and was enroute to pick up more students at an after school activity.

Fennell received injuries from the crash and was treated in the Salem Hospital emergency room. His car was not equipped with an airbag, but he was wearing a seatbelt. He was cited for careless driving.

Barrell was not injured.

Photos from the crash scene are attached to this release.


Attached Media Files: Crash Scene Photo , Vehicle Versus School Bus

On November 11, 2011, while completing an inventory of the weapons at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF), a black Ranch Model Mini-14 was discovered missing. The weapon was last checked out on July 18, 2011 for training.

Department of Corrections (DOC) does not believe there is an immediate threat to the safety or security of staff or inmates and inmates did not have access to the weapon that is now missing.

An immediate search for the weapon was conducted. CCCF reviewed internal records, contacted the local range used for training, other DOC facilities with arsenals and contacted the vendor that provides maintenance for the weapons.

Oregon State Police were immediately notified and a detective met with DOC staff regarding the missing weapon. No active criminal investigation is being conducted at this time. The missing weapon was entered into the Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) as a lost or stolen weapon to help facilitate return to DOC if it is located and reported to any law enforcement agency. The department's Special Investigations Unit is investigating and an internal audit of CCCF's procedures was conducted.

CCCF made immediate changes to the way staff check out and account for weapons. The internal investigation is ongoing and, if deemed appropriate, Human Resources action will be taken.

Anyone with information to help recover the firearm is asked to contact DOC Inspector General at (877) 678-4222.

SAN FRANCISCO — Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is scheduled to announce its fourth quarter 2011 earnings next Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 5 a.m. The news release will be available at wellsfargo.com/invest_relations/earnings.

The company will host a live conference call on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 a.m. You may participate by dialing (866) 872-5161. Please dial in at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. The call will also be available at wellsfargo.com/invest_relations/earnings and at http://us.meeting-stream.com/wellsfargocompany_011712

A replay of the conference call will be available beginning at approximately noon on Jan. 17 through Tuesday, Jan. 24. Please dial (800) 642-1687 and enter Conference ID #29256540. The replay will also be available at wellsfargo.com/invest_relations/earnings .

About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, community-based financial services company with $1.3 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs, the Internet (wellsfargo.com) and other distribution channels across North America and internationally.

Benton and Lincoln County Sheriff Offices have partnered to test of the Linn-Benton Alert, our local reverse 911 system.

The test – which is scheduled to occur at 10:30 a.m. in Benton and Lincoln counties on Jan. 17 – will apply to all program subscribers, which include all listed landline telephone numbers and those who have signed up for the service to receive messages via text message, email, cell phone or other methods.

In the case of the Linn-Benton Alert test, it is important that recipients of the emergency test message not call 911, unless they are experiencing an actual emergency, when they receive the following message:

"This is a test of the local emergency alert system. This is only a test. In the event of a real emergency, this message would have included information about an actual event and, potentially, instructions for the community. This concludes the test of the local emergency alert system."

Linn-Benton Alert is a comprehensive communications tool for emergencies that allows county authorities to contact all subscribers in targeted areas where safety threats or warnings are applicable.

Emergency alerts are based on physical address and geography. The address-based system alerts to Zip codes in Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, zeroing in on specific neighborhoods where the information can keep people safe. However, participants can register multiple addresses to be alerted about emergencies impacting rental properties, loved ones and more, with the option to select and prioritize multiple phone, email, text and TTY devices.

Benton and Linn counties have been partnered in this effort for about two years, and Lincoln County joined the partnership after a coastal surge event exposed flaws in the less expensive system formerly utilized there. Other notable users of services offered by the Linn-Benton Alert service provider, Everbridge, include Virginia Tech and the United States military.

With the Everbridge Linn-Benton Alert system, even if the state or federal emergency alert system (EAS) does not function properly, subscribers will be notified through the local emergency communication systems. All landlines already are included in the system, but participants must register cell phones to be notified by text message, email, cell phone or other method.

The service is free and available to the public, and anyone can sign up. For more information or to sign up, those interested can go online to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office website at http://www.co.benton.or.us/sheriff/index.php or access the signup form directly at http://bit.ly/b9QtLd

Salem,Ore.— Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory commission (OSSPAC) and the Cascadia Regional Earthquake Workgroup (CREW) are hosting a workshop to kick-off the efforts to develop seismic resiliency in Oregon. This year-long effort will provide the legislature with recommended policy options that will help Oregon get back to business quickly after a Cascadia earthquake and tsunami.

The workshop will be held at the Port of Portland Building, 7200 N.E. Airport Way Portland, OR 97218 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on January 26, 2012. Lunch will be provided by CREW.

This is a kick-off meeting for the OSSPAC effort to draft the House Resolution 3 Resiliency plan to be presented to the legislature in February 2013.

Topics to be discussed include steps businesses can take to minimize impacts, losses and downtime, the interdependencies of infrastructure (roads, bridges, buildings, utilities, etc.),
the role of private sector in recovery, the importance of planning right now to recover from Cascadia before it happens, and business opportunities for risk reduction measures now.

Please contact Dr. Althea Rizzo for more information at 503-378-2911 ex. 22237.



NOTE: March has been proclaimed by the Governor as Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Month. This differs from the past when April was the declared month. More information to follow.


###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/962/50693/final_Seismic_workshop.doc

Salem,Ore.— Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW)is hosting a public forum, which will be simultaneous broadcast as a webinar for the public. Discussion will include what Oregon has learned from the earthquake in Japan (Tohoku) and the subsequent tsunami and how that knowledge can help with the survival and recovery of our coastal communities and state.

The forum will be held at the White Stag Building 70 NW Couch St. Portland, OR from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on January 25, 2012. The simultaneous broadcast as a webinar will be at http://pdx.uoregon.edu.index.php?p=webcast for anyone who is interested.

Three of Oregon’s top experts in the field will be speaking: Dr. Chris Goldfinger, Professor of marine Geology at Oregon State University, Kent Yu, PhD, PE, SE, Principal and Branch Manager for Degenkolb Engineers in Portland Oregon and current Chairman of the Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission and Dr. Althea Rizzo, Geologic Hazards Program Coordinator for the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

"This webinar will benefit families and the entire community," said Dr. Rizzo. "Understanding that an earthquake of this type is inevitable, Oregonians can better understand their risk and enhance their survivability."

NOTE: March has been proclaimed by the Governor as Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Month. This differs from the past when April was the declared month. More information to follow.

More information on being prepared can be found at:

• www.oem-oregon.blogspot.com
• www.ready.gov
• http://www.oregon.gov/OMD/OEM/
• www.twitter.com/oregonoem
###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/962/50692/Final_seismic_forum.doc

The next quarterly PIO/Media Forum has been scheduled for Thursday, January 19.

This meeting will be held at CCTV, 575 Trade St SE in Salem from 1:00-2:00 pm. This will be an excellent opportunity to meet and discuss issues with Public Information Officers from numerous disciplines throughout our region.

Feel free to bring your lunch if you wish, and we look forward to seeing you there.

The following is a news release from Lincoln City Police Department:

This January 23rd will mark one year since Lincoln City (LCPD) Police Officer Steven Dodds was shot and seriously wounded during a late evening traffic stop in 2011. Officer Dodds has demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage in overcoming life threatening injuries and has recently returned to his patrol duties. His reactions that night combined with the valiant and professional efforts of his Patrol Sergeant, the other on-duty LCPD members, and the outstanding emergency medical personnel in Lincoln City and Portland not only saved his life but also paved the way for his recovery. Officer Dodds and LCPD remain ever grateful for those efforts.

Officer Dodds has worked tirelessly to recover and get back on patrol, performing the duties and doing the work he loves serving the Lincoln City community. He has been recognized for his valor and courage by several organizations, including receiving the Purple Heart from the Oregon Peace Officers Association. When asked how he felt when this happened, he responded by saying "I was a victim for thirty seconds and I have been a survivor since." He has no desire to be in the limelight and is trying to put this event behind him while getting back to as normal of a life as possible. He has been very humbled by the overwhelming support of his community and fellow officers.

Officer Dodds was shot by the driver of a vehicle that he had stopped on Highway 101 at the south end of Lincoln City for a speed violation. The shooter, who has been identified as David Durham, fled the scene shooting at bystanders as he continued southbound on Highway 101. Durham led officers from Newport Police Department and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department on a high speed chase through Newport, continuing to shoot at trailing police vehicles as he fled until his vehicle was disabled by spike strips deployed by an off-duty Lincoln County deputy near Waldport. Durham fled on foot and allegedly shot at boaters on Alsea Bay as he tried to escape. Durham is suspected of shooting at nine other people besides Officer Dodds. An extensive manhunt was conducted with the help of numerous agencies, but Durham has never been found.

LCPD, OSP and the FBI continue the investigation and all three agencies followed up on separate tips this past week. The FBI has a $10,000 reward posted for information leading to Durham’s arrest.

Every month, LCPD receives tips from all over Lincoln County. Tips come from multiple sources that include direct calls to our office from possible witnesses, calls from other law enforcement agencies, and tips from America's Most Wanted. Each are followed up on as they come in. Tips and information received from local sources are followed up primarily by the lead investigators assigned to the case from LCPD and the OSP Newport office. Tips from other states have been followed up on by the F.B.I. These tips have been from all over the country, from Hawaii to the East Coast. LCPD and OSP investigators are in touch with the FBI weekly continuing to work on this case.

Approximately one hundred tips have been received since the manhunt started, and between 3 to 5 tips still come in each month. LCPD appreciates each and every one, not only from the general public but also from law enforcement officers who call with information.

There has not been one confirmed sighting of David Durham since January 24, 2011 when he was last seen running up the beach towards the Bay Shore subdivision in Waldport. While fleeing on foot it is believed Durham also shot at two men crabbing in the Alsea Bay. Due to the hard work and assistance from other law enforcement agencies, we have been able to confirm that the many reported sightings were positively not David Durham. There are some reported sightings that cannot be confirmed either way. Some tips are vague and anonymous with no way of contacting the caller for more information.

The fact there have been no sightings or confirmed information that he has been at a particular location after that night indicates there is a possibility that Durham could be deceased. However, LCPD has no evidence that he is deceased and will continue this investigation until we find him or his remains. The Oregon State Medical Examiner's office will examine the remains of any unknown human recovered along the Oregon area beaches and elsewhere for the possibility of identifying Durham. This has been done previously but none of the examinations conducted of human remains found along the Oregon beaches over the last year has resulted in a positive identification as Durham.

Durham is entered into criminal data bases as a wanted person/fugitive and as a missing and endangered person. This will help if he is deceased and his unidentified remains were located in another state, making identification possible for authorities in those jurisdictions.

Last January, Durham was put on the U.S. Border Patrol and Custom's watch list as well as the Canadian Border patrol watch list in case he tried to cross one of our borders. There have been no reported crossings or attempted crossings.

Since the night of the shooting, law enforcement has monitored Durham’s residence for several months and there is no evidence that he ever returned to that location. There is also no evidence indicating he has been at any other particular location after the night of the shooting.

After OSP SWAT and other assisting agencies ended their search of the Waldport area, the Lincoln County Search and Rescue team brought in cadaver K-9's and conducted a sweep of the vicinity. No human remains were found.

Investigators are still hopeful that Durham will be located. They will not give up the search until he is found. Investigators encourage anyone that sees David Durham or has information regarding his whereabouts to please contact the Lincoln City Police at 541-994-3636, their local police or the FBI.

Photographs:
Officer Dodds - Lincoln City Police Department
Suspect David Durham

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50680/dodds.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50680/Durham_2010.jpg

This morning, January 12, 2012 at 11:13am the Albany Fire Department was called to a
house fire at 2896 SE Moraga ST. The first fire engine arriving saw smoke coming from the house. There were 19 personnel at the fire with six emergency vehicles. The fire was caused by the dryer.

The home was owned by Kathleen Howe and rented by Don and Maryann Spitz along with their daughters Jennifer and Alyssa. Both parties have insurance. The estimated value of the building is $170,000 and the estimated loss is $70,000, estimated value of the contents is $50,000 and they were a complete loss. There was extensive smoke damage throughout the house. There were no injuries.

January 12, 2012

The state of Oregon is looking for health care providers to adopt a primary care model designed for better health and lower costs. Across the state, more than 80 clinics already have applied to be officially recognized by the state as "patient-centered primary care homes."

Primary care homes offer a team-based approach to care that is focused on keeping people healthy. At its heart, this model of care fosters strong relationships with patients and their families to better treat the whole person. Providers reduce costs and improve care by catching problems earlier, focusing on prevention and wellness, and integrating behavioral health care.

The Mountainview Family Practice in Grants Pass was the first clinic to be recognized as meeting the new standards.

"We saw the opportunity to become recognized for the way we already practice medicine," said Richard Williams, M.D., a family physician at the clinic. "For example, we coordinate care by having a mental health professional come here regularly to meet with patients."

This kind of primary care is central to the state’s efforts to improve quality and reduce costs for people served by the Oregon Health Plan. Under the proposed coordinated care organizations, patient-centered primary care homes will be a required element of any health system’s provider network.

"This is a stamp of approval for people looking for clinics and providers that have made a public commitment to patient-centered care," says Bruce Goldberg, M.D., director of the Oregon Health Authority.

Standards for Oregon’s patient-centered primary care homes include:

• Access to care – Health care teams are there when patients and their families need them.

• Accountability – Providers take responsibility for making sure patients receive the best possible health care.
• Continuity – Providers are partners in care over time.
• Coordination and integration – Providers help patients and their families navigate the health care system to get the care they need in a safe and timely way.
• Person- and family-centered care – Providers recognize that patients and their families are the most important part of the care team – and that they are ultimately responsible for their own overall health and wellness.

"In Oregon, we are lucky to have providers who are willing and able to form their practices around the patient. That’s our vision for all health care in Oregon – if you focus on improved health, you will have better outcomes and ultimately lower costs," says Governor John Kitzhaber. "That’s the direction our state is going and I applaud those providers who are working with us side by side."

Any health care practice in Oregon can now apply for recognition to be a patient-centered primary care home. The practice must demonstrate the ability to provide comprehensive services on-site or coordinated through a partnership with other providers in their community.

Criteria, application forms and technical assistance are available online at www.primarycarehome.oregon.gov.

# # #

The Department of Corrections (DOC) operates three Alternative Incarceration Programs (AIP) across the state.

The SUMMIT AIP at Shutter Creek Correctional Institution (SCCI) is being eliminated. The institution will become a regional releasing facility, which will provide focused education, job training, work, and transition/reentry services to inmates preparing to release.
Columbia River Correctional Institution (CRCI), located in Portland, will have a new AIP. It will be a cognitive restructuring program, which is designed to treat individuals with a high need for cognitive programming. The program will work closely with the department’s Behavioral Health Services in an effort to engage individuals with mental health diagnoses who are housed at CRCI.

Interim Director Mitch Morrow says, "I want to thank everyone for their hard work in making this change. Our mission is to help inmates transition back into Oregon communities and lead successful lives; both a successful AIP at CRCI and a regional releasing facility at SCCI will help us meet our mission."

Ninety-three percent of DOC inmates will be released back into Oregon communities and part of the department’s mission is to prepare these men and women for transition. CRCI’s location provides more readily available: treatment staff, mental health and health care resources. Transitional services, including facilitation of reach-in services, will be improved because inmates will be closer to the releasing counties and inmates have access to families and faith-based community resources that improve reintegration.

On Friday, January 13, 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice, AMBER Alert Coordinators at state, regional, tribal and local levels, state Missing Children Clearinghouses and AMBER Alert partners commemorate the anniversary of the AMBER Alert Program and the somber remembrance of the abduction of Amber Hagerman. This is the nation's sixth AMBER Alert Awareness Day. Since the program’s inception, the AMBER Alert network has helped to find and safely recover over 550 children across the country.

Sixteen years ago, Amber was abducted while riding her bicycle and brutally murdered in Arlington, Texas. The AMBER (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Alert network was created after her tragic death to provide emergency broadcast messages to the public when law enforcement determines a child has been abducted. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia have established AMBER Alert Plans and over 70 regional, local and tribal plans together create the most significant child recovery network in the history of the our country.

In November 2002, the State of Oregon announced implementation of a statewide AMBER Alert Plan. This plan is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies and local broadcasters to send an emergency alert to the public when a child has been abducted and it is believed the child’s life is in danger.

Since implementation of Oregon’s AMBER Alert Plan there have been 16 activations and the safe recovery of eighteen children. Oregon’s last AMBER Alert activations occurred March 1, 2011 at the request of Chehalis, Washington Police Department for a child forcibly taken from his mother at a local women’s shelter. The child and suspect, the biological father, were later located in Washington State.

Oregon's AMBER Alert Plan Criteria are:

1. Law enforcement confirms a child has been abducted (*)
2. The child is 17 years or younger
3. The child may be in danger of serious bodily harm or death
4. There is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or suspect's vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help.
5. The child's name and other critical data elements - including the child abduction (CA) and AMBER Alert (AA) flags will/have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.

(* This alert system is not to be used when a child runs away or involves a custodial situation.)

Oregon State Police is the designated law enforcement agency which local law enforcement agencies contact to initiate and activate an AMBER Alert in our state. When all the AMBER guidelines and criteria have been met, the AMBER Alert Plan is activated using the AMBER Web Portal. Oregon's AMBER Alert plan sends out alerts through the Emergency Alert System via radio and television, highway advisory signs, email and to wireless subscribers who opt to receive the text messages on their wireless devices. One year ago, Facebook users could also start signing up to receive AMBER Alert bulletins for their state sent through a Facebook "News Feed" feature.

While technology is one of the program’s greatest assets, it can also be a hindrance. In Oregon, and nationwide, the "AMBER Alert" name has been the subject of various hoax texts and emails. A well-intentioned public often forwards misguided, phony, unconfirmed or outdates texts, emails and/or messages via social networks which refer to AMBER Alerts. Many of these so-called AMBER Alerts that circulate by text message and e-mail involve cases that had already been resolved or were outright hoaxes.

We strongly urge the public to react only to AMBER Alerts from authorized sources such as: Oregon State Police news releases, the Oregon media via the Oregon State Police, Wireless AMBER Alerts, or Missingkids.com / National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (N.C.M.E.C.). Anyone may sign-up at no cost to be notified of Oregon's AMBER Alerts through the AMBER Alert Web Portal. Oregon also joins the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children encouraging all wireless subscribers to sign up for Wireless AMBER Alerts. More information about Wireless AMBER Alerts is available at: http://www.amberalert.gov/wireless.htm.

Information about the AMBER Alert Plan in Oregon is available at the Oregon State Police web site at http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/AMBERALERT/index.shtml.

More information about Amber Alert's is available at www.amberalert.gov.

Note: Attached with this news release is the U.S. Department of Justice "2012 National AMBER Alert Awareness Day" information.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50667/usdoj.amber.observance.pdf , 2012-01/1002/50667/amber_alert.jpg

(Salem) — Primary care practices can now charge patients a set fee that is paid regularly, such as monthly, in return for specific health care services. However, doctor offices using this approach must register with the state.

This new "retainer" payment option may appeal to consumers who do not have insurance or who might have only a medical plan that covers them for catastrophic care but not routine services such as immunizations or checkups.

These retainer agreements are not insurance so no insurance company is involved. The primary care services offered, the amount of the fees and whether they are charged monthly, annually, or for some other time period, vary by practice. The details are outlined in the agreement between patients and the practice.

A law passed by the 2011 Legislature requires doctor offices to clearly disclose cost and coverage, and requires practices using this approach to register with the Insurance Division, part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services.

"It’s important that patients carefully read a practice’s agreement to understand what’s covered and not covered," Acting Insurance Division Administrator Lou Savage said.

Primary care involves routine, nonspecialty office services that promote wellness or diagnose and manage chronic conditions. It does not include hospitalization or major surgery.

Doctors with retainer practices must tell patients that their payment approach is not insurance and that patients must pay for any services not offered through the agreement. However, consumers considering this approach are free to buy insurance to cover more costly medical services.

"This new law protects consumers by requiring medical practices to disclose details of the payment arrangement while hopefully improving access to the type of care that is designed to keep people healthy," Savage said.

Some physicians believe this approach will allow them to spend more time with patients and less time billing insurance companies.

Consumers with questions about retainer practices and how they differ from insurance may call the Insurance Division’s consumer advocates at 888-877-4894.

While it is unknown how many of these practices exist in Oregon, nearly 9,000 patients were enrolled in retainer practices in Washington in 2010, according to a study by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Washington lawmakers passed legislation in 2007, allowing retainer practices to operate without insurance-type regulation.

Additional information on the Insurance Division website includes:
• A consumer fact sheet explaining retainer practices: http://insurance.oregon.gov/consumer/consumer-tips/4845-26_retainer-medical-practices.pdf.
• Physician registration information: http://insurance.oregon.gov/insurer/retainer-medical-practices/retainer-medical-practices.html.


###
The Insurance Division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov. Follow DCBS on Twitter: http://twitter.com/OregonDCBS. Receive consumer help and information on insurance, mortgages, investments, workplace safety, and more.


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1073/50658/Medicalretainers.Final.docx

(Salem) – Oregon students who have lost a parent in a workplace accident or had a parent suffer a debilitating job-related injury may be eligible to apply for the Workers’ Memorial Scholarship. Applications are now being accepted for the scholarship awards, which are part of a Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) program.

"While nothing can replace a loved one, these scholarships can help challenged families finance higher education," said Michael Wood, administrator of Oregon OSHA, a division of DCBS. "It’s unfortunate that such a program is needed but we are pleased to assist these students in reaching their educational goals."

The Workers’ Memorial Scholarship is open to any high school graduate, graduating high school senior, GED recipient, current college undergraduate, or graduate student. Applicants must be a dependent or spouse of a fatally injured worker, or the dependent or spouse of an Oregon worker who has incurred a permanent total disability and whose claim for workers’ compensation benefits has been accepted. Scholarship funds are available for use at colleges within the United States.

The deadline for submitting an application for the 2012-2013 school year is Feb. 15, 2012 (early bird), with a final deadline of March 1, 2012.

An electronic application is available on the Oregon Student Access Commission (OSAC) website, www.oregonstudentaid.gov. Students can apply for more than 400 scholarships through a single application on the OSAC website.

Seven Oregon students received Workers’ Memorial Scholarship awards in 2011. The Workers’ Memorial Scholarship was established by the 1991 Legislature at the request of the Oregon AFL-CIO, with support from Associated Oregon Industries. Interest earned on a DCBS fund derived from Oregon OSHA civil fines and penalties funds the awards.

###

About Oregon OSHA:
Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, go to www.orosha.org.

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

The Oregon Board of Forestry will discuss ideas for refinement and simplification of its planning processes at a Jan. 17 workshop in Salem.

The session will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chemeketa Community College’s Eola Viticulture Center, 215 Doaks Ferry Road NW.

Board members and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) staff will work through topics that include the board’s work plans and two-year planning cycle, and the links among work plans, agency business and longer-term strategic thinking.

The meeting is open to the public. However, no policy or business decisions are planned, and the workshop format does not include a public comment period.

The board consists of seven citizens nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Board functions include appointing the state forester, providing broad oversight of ODF, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on state and private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30 million-acre forestland base.

More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at: www.oregonforestry.gov. Agenda materials for the Jan. 17 meeting are available through the 2012 "Meeting Schedules" link on the website.

At approximately 3:15 Wednesday afternoon, Sr. Traffic Safety Deputy Kevin Ely was working traffic enforcement on Kuebler Blvd SE, near Turner Road in Salem.

He observed a gray 2008 Toyota Camry sedan traveling northbound on Kuebler. His radar calculated the vehicle’s speed at 70mph in the 55mph zone. Ely followed the vehicle and stopped it near the intersection of Lancaster Drive SE and Saddle Club Drive. An Oregon State Trooper who was driving in the area pulled in behind the MCSO patrol car to back up Deputy Ely.

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Justin Harrell Gordon, 33, of Gladstone. There were two passengers in the Toyota: a male and a female.

Deputy Ely began checking the driver’s license status of Gordon. Gordon suddenly jumped back in the Toyota and sped off. Ely and the OSP Trooper chased the car at speeds in excess of 65mph before it turned east onto Carson Dr. SE and crashed into a parked pick up truck.

The driver quickly got out of the car and ran away. Deputy Ely chased him on foot, while the Trooper detained the passengers in the car.

Gordon climbed over several fences and ran through back yards before being taken into custody by Ely. At one point during the foot chase, Gordon pulled a knife out of his coat pocket and yelled to Ely, "go ahead, just shoot me". Ely continued chasing him and eventually deployed a Taser to take him into custody. Gordon gave up and offered no further resistance.

Investigation determined that the Toyota was from Gladstone, Oregon. It was reported stolen on January 2nd. Gordon , who is currently on parole in Clackamas County for a marijuana sales conviction, was due to be released from his parole on 01/12/12.

The female passenger was identified as a 24 year-old Salem resident, Jennifer Berndt. She claimed to have a neck injury from the crash into the parked truck. She was treated and released at Salem Hospital. Berndt was also wanted on a felony Parole Violation warrant for a drug conviction in Marion County. She was booked into the Marion County Jail.

Gordon was booked into the Marion County Jail and charged with felony Elude (in a vehicle & on foot), Possession and Unlawful Use of stolen vehicle, Failure to perform the duties of driver at an accident and Possession of Methamphetamine. His Clackamas County Parole Officer also placed a Parole Violation detainer on Gordon.

The male passenger in the vehicle was not injured and was released without charges.


Attached Media Files: Gordon after being Arrested , Justin Gordon , Jennifer Berndt

Oregon State Police (OSP), with the assistance of the State Medical Examiner’s office, is continuing a death investigation involving a commercial truck driver found Tuesday afternoon in his truck along Interstate 5 about two miles north of the Oregon / California border. Preliminary investigation indicates the man’s death was caused by a medical problem.

According to Detective Tom Harrison, on January 10, 2012 at approximately 12:40 p.m. an ODOT employee found a truck driver slumped over the steering wheel after the truck was involved in a minor collision into a guardrail along Interstate 5 near milepost 2. Medical personnel responded and attempted to revive the driver identified as JOE P. KERCHENER, age 60, from Coachella, California. He was later pronounced deceased at the scene.

KERCHENER was driving for J T L Inc. out of Fresno, California.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division is asking for the public’s help to identify the person(s) responsible for illegally killing a 4-point buck found shot Wednesday and left to waste in central Oregon. A reward of up to $250 is offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case.

On January 11, 2012, OSP Sergeant David Pond was patrolling between Green Ridge and Lake Billy Chinook on US Forest Service Road 1170 in the Metolius Unit when he found a 4-point buck shot dead and left to waste about sixty yards from the road. The buck appears to have been killed between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning. The weapon used may be similar to a high caliber rifle.

Pond is asking for the public’s help for any information regarding vehicles observed in the area, even if no license plate information was obtained, or if they know of persons who may have been out in that area with a rifle.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Pond at (541) 388-6213 ext. 2240, or the OSP Turn-In-Poacher (TIP) line at 800-452-7888.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50646/011112.metolius.deer.JPG

Collier Memorial State Park began accepting reservations Jan 4, 2012 for sites in one of its two camping loops, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) announced today.

Collier joins 31 other Oregon state park campgrounds that offer reservations through OPRD’s reservation service, Reservations Northwest (RNW). Reservations at Collier are available for arrival dates beginning May 1, 2012 at 1-800-452-5687 or at online www.oregonstateparks.org.

"The combination of reservations and first-come first-served sites allows us to provide the best service for all our customers," said park manager JR Collier. "Many of our visitors want to be guaranteed a site. At the same time, campers making last minute plans may still find a site in our first come first served loop."

The park is located along OR Highway 97, 35 miles north of Klamath Falls and 25 miles southeast of Crater Lake National Park. The campground is open seasonally from mid-April through October, weather dependent. A complete list of reservable and first-come first-served campgrounds is available online at www.oregonstateparks.org.


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Health Net, Inc. (NYSE: HNT) and the UCLA School of Public Health announced the expansion of its health literacy social media program, T2X. The program was previously limited to its study testing phase, but access to the program now is available to all cyber-savvy teens nationwide.

The T2X project was created as a result of a partnership between Health Net, UCLA School of Public Health and EPG Technologies. It was funded by a $1.1 million NIH research grant that tested whether a cutting-edge intervention using an online social network would increase low-income teens' capacity to access and use their insurance, become more engaged in their health care and health behavior decisions, and develop pro-health attitudes.

"We believe that this innovative approach has helped create best practices for encouraging all teens to become knowledgeable health care consumers," said Nancy Wongvipat Kalev, Health Net's director of Health Education and Cultural and Linguistic Services, and one of the study's collaborators. "The study's findings are currently being evaluated and the highly anticipated results are expected mid-2012. If this intervention is indeed successful in allowing teens to become more engaged in their health care and health decisions, we could validate the use of social networking sites for the rest of our population and open doors to exploring other innovative technology-based approaches to promoting healthy behaviors in the future."

The T2X website offers a teen-only community of users, with teen and professionally produced content, competitions, games, quizzes, blogs, video sharing and other interactive and participatory communication methods. The site covers lifestyle issues for teens - nutrition, fitness, stress management, substance abuse and sexual behavior - to help them live life to the fullest and accomplish their goals.

On the T2X website, teens have access to:
* Chat online with health experts 24/7 and ask questions about sensitive health topics that they may not be comfortable discussing with their physician
* Learn how to access health services at the right level of care
* Intelligent SMS campaign that allows teens to text keywords to a designated number and receive customized content back to their mobile devices
* Participate in health-oriented social networking through blogs, videos and other transmedia tools
* Nurse Advice Line to obtain health care information from a registered nurse 24/7 (available to Health Net members only)

The transmedia component of T2X is extremely unique as the project is the first of its kind to explore the effectiveness of this intervention. "Transmedia" is telling different parts of a story using different types of media, which provides opportunities for participants to get deeper into the story, topic and characters, eventually putting the story together into a coherent whole.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to engage the T2X community through transmedia storytelling to make issues related to health care literacy more relevant and engaging for teens as they transition into adulthood," said Deborah Glik, professor for the UCLA School of Public Health and another one of the study's collaborators.

The ongoing project has already garnered recognition in prominent publications. T2X was recently highlighted as a best practice in patient engagement in National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) publication entitled "NCQA Quality ProfilesTM: The Leadership Series--Focus on Patient Engagement" and also in America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)'s Innovations in Health Literacy publication entitled "Health Literacy and America's Health Insurance Plans: Laying the Foundation and Beyond." The Health Net-UCLA project team also has presented at several prestigious conferences such as the National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media, the American Public Health Association Conference, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media.

About Health Net
Health Net of California, a subsidiary of Health Net Inc., is one of the largest health plans in the state. Together with Health Net Life Insurance Company, it serves more than 2.2 million members statewide and contracts with more than 56,000 physicians, 300-plus hospitals and nearly 5,000 pharmacies, giving its members greater choice and more convenient access to care. Its commercial HMO and POS, Medicare, and Medicaid lines of business have received "Excellent" accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit Health Net's website at www.healthnet.com.

About The UCLA School of Public Health
The UCLA School of Public Health is dedicated to enhancing the public's health by conducting innovative research; training future leaders and health professionals; translating research into policy and practice; and serving local, national and international communities. For more information, visit www.ph.ucla.edu.


Attached Media Files: To see more images, please visit To see more images, please visit www.t2x.me/tour , To see more images, please visit To see more images, please visit www.t2x.me/tour

Reduced blue-green algae levels confirmed

A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in Lost Creek Lake, located 30 miles northeast of Medford on the Rogue River, was lifted today by Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division.

The advisory went into effect Sept. 23, 2011.

Water monitoring has confirmed reduced levels of blue-green algae that can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals.

These reduced levels are not likely to be associated with dangerous toxin concentrations in the water, according to World Health Organization guidelines.

Oregon health officials advise people who recreate in Oregon water bodies to always be alert to signs of algae blooms. People and their pets should avoid water contact if there are visible clumps of algae in the water.

For local information, contact Chad Stuart at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 541-878-2255.

For health information, contact the Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance program at 971-673-0400 or www.healthoregon.org/hab; also contact the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767.

###

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is conducting a public hearing in Condon to accept comments on the proposed adoption of the Cottonwood Canyon State Park Comprehensive Plan as a state rule under OAR 736-018-0045. The hearing will be held Jan. 24, 2012 in the Condon Memorial Hall, 128 S. Main Street. The hearing begins at 6 p.m.

The comprehensive plan for the park is being adopted to provide direction to OPRD on future management of the park resources and development of facilities for public recreation access. The plan for the park considers the most current information on park resource conditions and public recreation needs. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission approved the Cottonwood Canyon State Park Comprehensive Plan after a year and a half of public outreach and comments.

After the rule-making public comment period closes in February 2012, the rule will be finalized, signed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation director and entered into the state rule.

The draft plan is available for review at www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PLANS/planning_cottonwood.shtml

OPRD will accept written comments until 5 p.m., Feb. 23, 2012. Written comments should be sent to OPRD attn: Mark Davison, 725 Summer Street NE, Suite C, Salem, OR 97301-1271.

Accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon advance request by calling (503) 986-0744.


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Campaign based on new state clinical guideline urges people with low back pain to stay active, avoid unnecessary health care services

Portland, Ore. (January 11, 2012) - For people with the most common type of low back pain, imaging tests don't give doctors much information that's useful for diagnosis or treatment and a non-prescription pain reliever is the best choice if medication is needed. Despite that, 2010 data shows at least 26 percent of Oregonians who received care for a new episode of simple low back pain received an imaging test and approximately 15 percent filled prescriptions for narcotic pain relievers within 90 days.

A new campaign launched as part of the Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation's Partner for Quality Care initiative is educating people with low back pain on how to get the right care when they need it, while also staying active and avoiding unnecessary care that doesn't improve their health.

The campaign is based on a recently released State of Oregon Evidence-based Clinical Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Low Back Pain and includes a consumer booklet and interactive, online quiz to help people with low back pain take simple steps on their own to feel better.

Among the simple steps, the campaign urges people with low back pain to stay active because inactivity can actually slow down recovery. The campaign asks people with low back pain to carefully consider their treatment options, gives an overview of when they should see their doctor and provides safety tips for using pain relievers.

"Our goal is to provide resources to providers and to consumers that help people effectively manage low back pain without having to undergo tests and treatments that may not benefit them, and that have potential to do harm," says Mylia Christensen, executive director of the Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation. "This is especially important in Oregon, which has the third highest rate of back surgery in the country, according to the Dartmouth Atlas Project."

The state's new clinical guideline was developed in partnership by the Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation, Oregon Health Authority and the Health Services Commission, Center for Evidence-based Policy at Oregon Health & Science University, and the Oregon Health Leadership Council.

The low back pain guideline is the first in a series of guidelines to be developed as part of the strategies outlined in Oregon's Action Plan for Health, a comprehensive health reform plan created by the Oregon Health Policy Board in response to legislation passed in 2009.

"This collaborative effort to develop consensus on evidence-based guidelines for health conditions such as low back pain can create standards that ensure that high-quality, effective care is provided to every Oregonian," says Jeanene Smith, MD, MPH, administrator of the Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research. "This effort is an important part of health care transformation that will lead to less variation in care and better health outcomes."

According to the National Institutes of Health, Americans spend at least $50 billion each year on low back pain, and it's the most common cause of job-related disability. According to the Department of Consumer and Business Services, MRI of the lumbar spine was among the top 15 workers' compensation medical services in Oregon in 2010, with payments of $3.36 million for this service alone. This affects the quality of life for many Oregonians and costs millions of dollars for consumers, employers, health plans and the state.

"Medical evidence clearly shows that staying active helps people with low back pain heal faster," says Valerie King, MD, MPH, director of research and policy at the Center for Evidence-based Policy at Oregon Health & Science University. "We hope that this campaign will reassure and encourage people dealing with low back pain to resume their usual activities as soon as possible and avoid unnecessary medical services which may do more harm than good."

The Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation is part of Aligning Forces for Quality, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's signature effort to lift the quality of care in 16 target communities and provide models that will help propel national reform. The low back pain campaign resources, including the consumer booklet and online quiz, as well as other resources to help Oregonians become better partners in their health care, are available on the Partner for Quality Care website.

###

NOTE TO EDITORS:
Campaign tools for consumers can be found at www.PartnerforQualityCare.org/lowbackpain, including:
• Consumer booklet, "Safe and Effective Care for Low Back Pain"
• Online quiz, "Get Vertical: And Don’t Take Back Pain Lying Down!"

Resources for providers can be found at www.oregon.gov/OHA/OHPR/HERC/Evidence-Based-Guidelines.shtml, including:
• Clinical guidelines, "2011 State of Oregon Evidence-based Clinical Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Low Back Pain"

About the Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation
The Oregon Health Care Quality Corporation is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality and affordability of health care in Oregon by leading community collaborations and producing unbiased information. We work with the members of our community - including consumers, providers, employers, policymakers and health insurers - to improve the health of all Oregonians. For more information, visit www.q-corp.org.

About Partner for Quality Care
Partner for Quality Care: Information for a Healthy Oregon is a program that aims to provide the public with tools and information to help them become better partners in their own health care. For health care information for Oregonians, including public reports of health care quality, visit www.PartnerforQualityCare.org.

The FBI is asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating an unknown female who may be a witness to a crime. She is described as:

White female
Age: Unknown
Hair: Reddish brown
Eyes: Blue/green
Height: 5’5" (approximately)
Weight: 140 pounds (approximately)

Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, no further information will be released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at (503) 224-4181.


Attached Media Files: Unidentified female photo b , Unidentified female photo a

One of the core functions of Sheriff Jason Myers' administration is to continue to work collaboratively with our community with an emphasis on crime prevention, problem solving, and responding to the community's need for public safety.

In July of 2010, Sheriff Myers created the Office’s first Community Advisory Committee. Staffed with 15 partners who live or work within Marion County, the committee has provided valuable input to the Sheriff and his management team.

Current Advisory Committee member Vanessa Nordyke commented, ""Sheriff Myers and his team have opened their doors to the community; this fantastic panel is the result. The Committee is made up of a diverse group of folks from all over Marion County. Together, we're taking on a wide range of issues like domestic violence, gangs, and teen substance abuse, just to name a few. Our work is unique and incredibly important to assessing law enforcement's approach to public safety."

Commander Kevin Schultz announced, "We are currently seeking applications to fill one open position. The ideal candidate will represent not only his/her own opinions but must also be willing and able to facilitate the exchange of information between the Sheriff's Office and the community." He added, "The selection process will include an application, interview and background check. I’d like to have the new member on-board as soon as possible."

If you’d like to become part of this committee, go to our website and look under the "What's New" section: http://www.co.marion.or.us/SO/ .

The application deadline will be February 7th, 2012, or until sufficient applications have been submitted. If you have additional questions, please contact Deputy Heath Nelson at hnelson@co.marion.or.us

Get involved and become a partner with your Sheriff’s Office.


Attached Media Files: Community Advisory Committee

Nominations are coming to a close with just two weeks left to submit your nomination for an Oregon woman of achievement. March of Dimes Greater Oregon Chapter is looking for special women who live or work in Oregon and have made exceptional contributions to our community. Closing in on 30 years of honoring women of achievement, March of Dimes is proud to have recognized 198 women who have made a significant impact on their communities. The organization is accepting nominations through January 27th for the 30th Annual White Rose Award—A Salute to Women of Achievement.

White Rose honorees are selected on the basis of volunteerism, professional excellence and contributions to the community as a whole. Honorees must live or work in Oregon and have excelled in one or more of the following areas:


• Arts
• Human Services
• Business
• Politics/Government
• Community Service
• Professional Services
• Education
• Volunteer Efforts
• Health & Sciences


March of Dimes is excited to include a youth award component to the luncheon for the third year in a row. A female youth (currently in high school) will be honored based on her own volunteerism and contributions to her community.

Award recipients will be recognized at the White Rose Luncheon, Monday May 21, at the Portland Marriott Downtown.

Nomination applications are available by calling (503) 222-9434 in Portland, 1-800-811-0805 outside Portland, or online at www.marchofdimes.com/oregon. Applications must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2012, to the March of Dimes Portland office. A selection committee will review all nominations, and the 2012 White Rose Honorees will be announced in February.

Through the contributions of each of these women, lives have been changed and communities bettered. Help us find those women who have made a difference and honor them for their involvement. Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the March of Dimes.

March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find out what’s going on in the Greater Oregon Chapter by visiting OregonMOD.com.

January 10, 2012

]Oregon Health Policy Board hears testimony showing substantial reduced costs to the state as communities begin planning for new way of delivering health care[

Oregon is moving forward toward implementing a new way of business for the Oregon Health Plan that will bring better care and lower costs, according to testimony today before the Oregon Health Policy Board about Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs).

Coordinated Care Organizations were created with strong bipartisan support through House Bill 3650 last year to improve the health care delivery system for low-income Oregonians. Under the legislation, a final implementation proposal will be reviewed in the coming February session.

Conservative estimates show that, pending final approval by lawmakers in February, CCOs could save Oregon more than $1 billion in state and federal dollars over the next three years and more than $3 billion over five years, according to financial projections presented by independent consultants Health Management Associates today. If local communities move to the Coordinated Care Model faster, the cost reductions to the state would come earlier.

"Coordinated Care Organizations give local health systems the tools they need to shift the focus from the emergency room and acute care to prevention, early intervention and chronic disease management. With bold movement forward we will get improved health and the cost reductions that we know will follow," says Governor John Kitzhaber. "Next month we will send the implementation plan to the Legislature and upon approval will be ready to move quickly to make this vision a reality."

Today OHP clients statewide must navigate among 15 managed care organizations, nine mental health organizations and eight dental care organizations. As proposed by HB 3650, CCOs are local health entities that deliver health care and coverage for people eligible for Medicaid. Each would have a single point of accountability for health outcomes and have one budget that grows at a fixed rate for behavioral, physical and ultimately dental care.

"It is clear there are substantial cost reductions that come from delivering more coordinated and patient-centered care," says OHPB chair Eric Parsons. "The sooner we take action, the sooner we can begin stemming the spiraling cost of health care."

Across the state, health systems are beginning to make plans for Coordinated Care Organizations.

Speaking before the board, George Brown, M.D., spoke about unprecedented cooperation among major health systems in the metro region to pull together a Coordinated Care Organization. Brown is CEO of Legacy Health and represents the newly formed Tri-County Medicaid Collaborative.

"This is the first time all these health care entities have worked together in a coordinated way with one unifying goal, and that is both unique and groundbreaking," Brown told the board. "We all know that the current system is unsustainable and inaction is not an option. We are committed to transforming the health care system in this region to better serve our community."

Since the passage of HB 3650, health system representatives from Lane County, Southern Oregon and Central Oregon have also presented to the board their efforts to work in new kinds of partnerships under Coordinated Care Organizations.

As the board finalizes the implementation proposal, state officials are working with the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on federal waivers that will allow CCOs the flexibility to manage care for the best health outcomes. Officials are also discussing the possibility of financial investments from the federal government in anticipation of future cost reductions.

The meeting today opens the final round of public comment on the CCO implementation proposal before it is sent to the Legislature for final approval. The proposal can be reviewed and commented on at www.health.oregon.gov.

# # #

Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) will consider nominations to the National Register of Historic Places in a two-day meeting on February 9 -10 at the Oregon Department of Transportation Building, 123 Flanders Street, Portland, OR. The public meeting will begin at 12:30 PM on Thursday the 9thth and at 1:00 PM on Friday the 10th.

The committee will review proposed nominations for individual properties in Lake Oswego, Coos Bay, and Hardman, as well as the Broadway, Burnside, Hawthorne, and Morrison Bridges in Portland. A meeting agenda is available at http://www.oregonheritage.org/OPRD/HCD/NATREG/nrhp_sachphome.shtml

Nominations recommended for listing in the Register by the SACHP are forwarded to the National Park Service, which maintains the Register under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Members of the Committee hold credentials in many historic preservation-related fields.

The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations for the meeting may be made by calling (503) 986-0690. More information about the National Register and Oregon properties listed in the Register is online at www.oregonheritage.org (click on "National Register" on the left side of the page).

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission will meet January 25 at the Tryon Creek State Natural Area, 11321 SW Terwilliger Blvd., Portland, starting at 10:15 a.m.

Agenda items include updates on the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). A period for public comment on matters not included in the agenda will be available immediately following the commission’s approval of the agenda. Speaking time is limited to three minutes. It is recommended to provide 12 copies of written testimony to the Commission Assistant prior to the meeting. The full agenda is posted at http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/commission.shtml

State law gives the commission authority to establish policy and adopt rules for Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD), approve property acquisitions for state parks, and set fees for the use of park facilities. Its seven members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate.

The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations may be arranged up to 72 hours in advance by calling 503-986-0719.



- 30 -

An Olympia, Washington man was arrested Monday night when an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper stopped his car after the man hit a deer along Interstate 5 near Sutherlin and found approximately 23 pounds of marijuana. The man continued driving seven miles after hitting the deer before the trooper stopped the car and later arrested him after finding the marijuana.

On January 9, 2012 at approximately 9:00 p.m. an OSP trooper was conducting a traffic stop northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 135 when he heard a vehicle collide with a deer just south of the stop location. The vehicle, a 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo displaying Washington license plates, continued northbound past the trooper without stopping to inspect the damage.

Thinking it was odd the vehicle didn’t pull over after hitting the deer, the trooper ended the traffic stop and overtook the Chevrolet near milepost 142 where he stopped it and contacted driver CHRISTOPHER R. GOHEEN, age 26, from Olympia, Washington.

Subsequent investigation during the traffic stop with the assistance of an OSP drug detection canine led to the discovery of approximately 23 pounds of marijuana in the car’s trunk. Estimated value of the seized marijuana is $57,000.

GOHEEN was arrested and lodged in the Douglas County Jail for Unlawful Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana.

No photographs of marijuana or vehicle available for this release.

Photograph Source: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50595/Goheen.jpg

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will seek public comments on Oregon administrative rule changes affecting Oregon’s ocean shore. OPRD is responsible for the management of the ocean shore state recreation area under OAR 736-021-0060.

These rules were last revised in 1996. Since then, the numbers of visitors and kinds of recreation have grown and changed, as have natural resource protection activities. The current draft rule changes, as well as historical and cultural sites, on the ocean shore, and make it easier for visitors to understand and locate all rules pertinent to ocean shore management.

The proposed changes cover a range of safety and resource protection issues, such as clarifying limits on personal and commercial removal of natural products, and rules related to signs, campfires, and wildlife disturbance. The proposed changes do not add a new requirement for activity permits, but do explain traditional management better: events which block public access or could harm natural or cultural resources need a permit. Proposed changes are available online at www.oregon.gov/OPRD/RULES/notices.shtml

The meeting schedule follows:

January 24: Salem 3:30 pm-5:30 pm OPRD Headquarters, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301

January 26: North Bend 3 pm-5 pm North Bend Library, 1800 Sherman Ave., North Bend OR

January 27: Gold Beach 3 pm-5 pm Gold Beach City Hall, 29592 Ellensburg Ave, Gold Beach OR

January 30: Newport 7 pm-9 pm Newport Recreation Center (Rm 105), 225 Avery Street, Newport OR

January 31: Cannon Beach 7 pm-9 pm Cannon Beach City Hall (Council Chambers), 163 E. Gower Street, Cannon Beach OR

The deadline for accepting comments is February 6, 2012, and may be submitted to vanessa.demoe@state.or.us. Those wishing to comment during a public meeting must register with the hearings officer in the first 45 minutes of the meeting. Accommodations for persons with disabilities are available if requested in advance by calling (503) 986-0719.

—30—

Note to Editors: Please note the distinction between ocean shores rulemaking and the second round of OPRD public hearings to be held in February about special, "non-traditional use" permits in general. Today’s release (Jan 10) is about ocean shores rulemaking only.

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has released several new features for the Oregon Historic Sites Database that will aid government agencies, heritage organizations, and anyone interested in learning more about Oregon’s over 56,000 recorded historic places.

New features available in the database include the ability to download nomination forms for properties listed in the National Register and all inventory forms for surveyed properties. A statewide map is also available that graphically displays all properties in the database with links to individual property records.

"The Oregon Historic Sites Database is a critical tool for managing information about Oregon’s historic places," said Roger Roper, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer. "These new features will provide users with greater on-demand access to data collected by the SHPO over the last 45 years."

A link to the Oregon Historic Sites Database is available at www.oregonheritage.org. The State Historic Preservation Office is part of Heritage and Community Programs of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. For more information on the Oregon Historic Sites Database contact Cara Kaser at cara.kaser@state.or.us or (503) 986-0670 or visit www.oregonheritage.org.


Attached Media Files: Press Release

An exhibition of paintings by Cara Tomlinson is on display in the Governor’s Office in the State Capitol in Salem through February 20, 2012. Organized by the Oregon Arts Commission, the show is part of the Art in the Governor’s Office program that showcases the work of living Oregon artists.

The exhibition, titled Bornwith, brings to mind both architectural and human form. "My evolving body of work is motivated by particular questions about the construction of self, boundaries of subjectivity, and the interconnection of self and environment", said Tomlinson. Her use of subdued colors, seemingly random forms and layering of primal shapes gives the paintings an unrehearsed quality.

Tomlinson is one of thirteen recently announced recipients of Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowships for 2012. She received her B.A from Bennington College and her MFA from the University of Oregon. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon where she works as both the Associate Professor of Painting and Studio Head of Painting at Lewis & Clark College.

The Art in the Governor’s Office Program honors selected artists in Oregon with exhibitions in the reception area of the Governor’s Office in the State Capitol. Only professional, living Oregon artists are considered and an exhibit in the Governor’s office is considered a "once in a lifetime" honor. Artists whose work has previously been shown in the Governor’s office include Henk Pander, Michele Russo, Manuel Izquierdo, James Lavadour, Margot Thompson, Gordon Gilkey, and Yuji Hiratsuka.
‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐

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

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature, federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.
‐ 30 ‐

A Stayton man is being held in the Marion County Jail following an attack on a former girlfriend Sunday evening.

At 11:06pm, deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office were called to a home in the 17000 block of Fern Ridge Road SE, east of Stayton. The resident reported a partially clothed female had come to their house claiming she had been assaulted. The resident called 911, and provided the victim clothing and assistance.

Deputy Andrew Derschon arrived and questioned the 21-year old victim. She told Derschon that she’d agreed to meet a former boyfriend for dinner, but that he’d instead driven her to a remote area east of Stayton where he attempted to rape her. She fought with the suspect, and during the struggle was cut with a knife belonging to the suspect. Derschon noted that the victim had other signs of being assaulted. She also reported that during the struggle, the suspect took her cell phone away from her when she tried to call 911. Ultimately, she was able to escape on foot. She hid in some bushes until the suspect left, and then ran about ½ mile to the home of the caller to get help.

The suspect, Martin Gomez-Garcia, 27, was later arrested at his home in Stayton. He is charged with Kidnapping, Assault, Coercion, Strangulation, Menacing, and Interfering with Making a Police Report. Gomez-Garcia is being held without bail and is due in court at 3:00pm, 01/09/12.

The victim was sought treatment on her own for her injuries. Her identity is not being released at this time.

Sgt. Don Sweet, along with Deputies Hunter, Bernards, Ferron, Barber assisted at the scene.

Detectives Mathieu LaCrosse and David White from our Criminal Investigation Unit were also called to assist with the follow up investigation.


Attached Media Files: Suspect Martin Gomez-Garcia

Two California men were arrested by Oregon State Police (OSP), with the assistance of Clackamas County deputies, early Monday morning when a traffic stop in the Wilsonville area led to the seizure of approximately 7 pounds of methamphetamine found inside their car. The OSP Drug Enforcement Section is continuing the investigation.

On January 9, 2012 at approximately 2:30 a.m. an OSP senior trooper stopped a 2000 Acura Integra two door displaying California license plates northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 284 for multiple traffic violations. The car’s two occupants were identified as driver ALFREDO CHAVEZ, age 33, and passenger GUILLERMO LOPEZ MADUENO, age 38, both from Watsonville, California.

While the trooper and a deputy were talking with both men outside the car, LOPEZ MADUENO attempted to run away. He was overtaken and captured about a hundred yards away from the car.

Subsequent investigation led to the discovery of 7-one pound bags of methamphetamine inside the car. Estimated value of the seized methamphetamine is $140,000.

Both men were taken into custody without further incident and lodged in the Clackamas County Jail for Unlawful Delivery and Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine.

OSP was assisted during the stop by Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Photograph Sources:
Methamphetamine photo – Oregon State Police
Suspect photos – Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50556/010912.i5mp284.meth.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50556/Chavez.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50556/Lopez_Madueno.jpg

Jan. 9, 2012

[Reduced blue-green algae levels confirmed]

A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in the South Umpqua River near Myrtle Creek was lifted today by Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division and Douglas County Health Department officials.

The advisory went into effect July 29.

Water monitoring has confirmed reduced levels of blue-green algae that can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals.

These reduced levels are not likely to be associated with dangerous toxin concentrations in the water, according to World Health Organization guidelines.

Oregon health officials advise people who recreate in Oregon water bodies to always be alert to signs of algae blooms. People and their pets should avoid water contact if there are visible clumps of algae in the water.

For health information, contact the Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance program at 971-673-0400 or www.healthoregon.org/hab; also contact the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767 or Douglas County Health Department at 541-440-3686.

# # #

The Oregon Employment Department has released the results of its third Future Hiring Survey, conducted in fall 2011. Responses from employers show that 33 percent of companies plan to hire workers within six months. Employer expectations and outlooks have not improved since the survey was conducted one year prior.

Almost half (46%) of the companies in the leisure and hospitality industry indicate plans to hire, the highest percent of any industry. Natural resources and mining (44%) and health care and social assistance (40%) industries were the next most-likely to be hiring. Employers in the construction, financial activities, and other services industries were least likely to have hiring plans in the near term; fewer than 25 percent of firms in each of these sectors indicated plans to hire within six months.

Statewide, 19 percent of all employers plan to hire within six months due to employee turnover, 9 percent due to normal seasonal hiring patterns, 8 percent due to the expansion of their workforce, and 3 percent in an effort to restore employment declines suffered during the most recent recession. Some employers indicated multiple reasons for hiring.

While one-third of employers anticipate some hiring in the near future, only 11 percent anticipate that their employment levels will increase within six months. By comparison, 14 percent expect their payrolls to shrink during the same period. Two-thirds of companies anticipate no change in their current employment level within the next six months.

Employers in Central Oregon and the Columbia Gorge were the most likely to indicate plans to hire, while employers in Southern Oregon were the least likely. However, employers across all areas of the state showed the same trend: between 30 and 40 percent of respondents plan to hire within six months.

Employers were asked to share reasons why they may not hire in the near future. One-half (51%) of respondents shared reasons related to the general economy, while 37 percent of respondents specifically cited the recent recession as something that may prevent them from hiring. A much smaller share of respondents (14%) indicated that issues related to government, such as high taxes, excessive regulations, or state budget cuts, may prevent hiring. Roughly 29 percent of respondents shared other reasons for not hiring, such as the seasonal nature of their work or currently having adequate staff. Five percent of respondents said a lack of qualified applicants may prevent them from hiring.

Employers were asked in which occupations they plan to hire. The three most common occupational groups cited by respondents were office and administrative support; food preparation and serving related; and sales and related occupations. Among the occupational groups least cited were computer and mathematical; legal; life, physical, and social science; and protective service occupations.

The full report is available on the Oregon Employment Department’s workforce and economic information web site at www.QualityInfo.org/pubs/future/future_hiring3.pdf.

(Age correction on victim to read 37 years of age)

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Friday night’s single vehicle fatal traffic crash that killed one person and injured two others along Highway 26 about three miles north of Madras. Alcohol is being investigated as a contributing factor.

According to Trooper Joshua Nagle, on January 6, 2012 at approximately 9:36 p.m. a 1991 Chevrolet pickup driven by KATHY RUTH DANZUKA, age 47, from Warm Springs, was northbound on Highway 26 near milepost 113 when she lost control, crossed the southbound lane and traveled off the highway into a ditch where it rolled at least once. DANZUKA and two passengers were not using safety restraints and were ejected from the pickup.

Passenger CHAD WILLIS HAMILTON, age 37, from Madras, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

DANZUKA and passenger REBECCA JUNE DANZUKA, age 45, from Warm Springs, were injured and transported by ambulance to Mountain View Hospital in Madras. KATHY DANZUKA was then taken by AirLife to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend for further treatment of serious injuries.

OSP troopers from the Madras and Bend offices are continuing the investigation.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, ODOT and local fire personnel assisted during the initial investigation. The highway was closed 2 ½ hours.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50526/010612.fatal.hwy26mp113.jpg

The Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) today announced a change in the organization’s leadership. The OSBA Board of Directors has named Betsy Miller-Jones as interim Executive Director effective immediately. Miller-Jones has been serving as OSBA Associate Director of Board Development and Policy Services.

Executive Director Kevin McCann and Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel Dori Brattain have left the organization according to OSBA 2012 President Kris Howatt.

"The board recognizes and thanks Kevin and Dori for their service to the association and local school boards," says Howatt. "The board concluded new organizational leadership was necessary to meet the tough challenges facing Oregon’s elected school boards and the districts they guide."

Miller-Jones has a long career in education management. Prior to coming to Oregon, she worked for the New Hampshire School Boards Association and has served as an elected school board member.

"We are very pleased Betsy has agreed to assume her new leadership role," says OSBA Immediate Past President David Beeson. "The next few months will be exciting and challenging as we strengthen the organization."

"Together with our local school boards and the exceptional OSBA staff we have an opportunity to reshape the organization to meet the needs of Oregon's school boards into the future," Beeson added.

"As we look forward, it is vitally important that our organization reassert its leadership on behalf of public education in Oregon and provide high-value services to local boards. I am very appreciative of the faith the board has placed in me," says Miller-Jones.

For further information please see the OSBA website at www.osba.org or contact Norm Eder at 503-720-1859 or norme@cfmpdx.com

120107-A-9075V-001

Lt. Col. Jon Middaugh, incoming commander of the 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, receives the battalion colors from Col. Todd Plimpton, Brigade Commander, 82nd Troop Command, during a change of command ceremony after the unit’s demobilization ceremony Jan. 7, at the Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion in Salem, Ore. Lt. Col. Kevin Dial, the outgoing commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Polley watch as the hand off is made. The unit recently returned home from a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anita VanderMolen, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Oregon Army National Guard.)


12010A-9075V-003

Lt. Col. Kevin Dial, Commander, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Polley uncase the battalion colors during the unit’s demobilization ceremony Jan. 7, at the at the Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion in Salem, Ore. The Soldiers recently returned home from a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anita VanderMolen, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Oregon Army National Guard.)


12010A-9075V-004

Soldiers of the 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, are welcomed home during the unit’s demobilization ceremony Jan.7, at the Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion in Salem, Ore. The Soldiers recently returned home from a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anita VanderMolen, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Oregon Army National Guard.)


12010A-9075V-005

Gov. John Kitzhaber, Governor and Commander in Chief, Oregon, and Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, The Adjutant General, Oregon, hand coins to Soldiers recently home from a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan during the unit’s demobilization ceremony Jan. 7, at the Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion in Salem, Ore. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anita VanderMolen, 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Oregon Army National Guard.)


Attached Media Files: 12010A-9075V-005 Gov. John Kitzhaber, Governor and Commander in Chief, Oregon, and Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, The Adjutant General, Oregon, hand coins to Soldiers recently home from a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan during the unit’s demobilization c , 12010A-9075V-004 Soldiers of the 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, are welcomed home during the unit’s demobilization ceremony Jan.7, at the Oregon State Fairgrounds Pavilion in Salem, Ore. The Soldiers recently returned home from a , 12010A-9075V-003 Lt. Col. Kevin Dial, Commander, 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Polley uncase the battalion colors during the unit’s demobilization ceremony Jan. 7, at the at the Oregon State Fairgro , 120107-A-9075V-001 Lt. Col. Jon Middaugh, incoming commander of the 1249th Engineer Battalion, Oregon Army National Guard, receives the battalion colors from Col. Todd Plimpton, Brigade Commander, 82nd Troop Command, during a change of command ceremony a

The Albany Fire Department responded at 12:30 p.m. today, January 7, 2012, to 1100 Main ST SE for a reported gas leak in a residence. Fire fighters arrived in approximately 5 minutes to find a single family home charged with natural gas from an open gas pipe in the building that occurred while the occupant attempted to remove a gas-fueled wall furnace. All four occupants at home at the time of the incident had safely evacuated the home prior to the arrival of the fire department without injury.

Fire fighters immediately shut-off the gas to the building and were assisted by Albany Police Department personnel in evacuating or sheltering in place occupants of about fourteen homes and seven commercial buildings within a 1 block area of the break, which included the nearby Boys and Girls Club. A crew from Pacific Power and Light responded to disconnect power to the home as fire fighters stood by for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes with hose lines before they were able to confirm the gas was clear from inside the home with the assistance of NW Natural Gas.

There were no other injuries to personnel and there was no natural gas service or electrical service outage to the surrounding neighborhood.

Four fire engines, 3 Medic units and 2 Command vehicles responded with 18 personnel to the scene while a fire engine from the Tangent Fire Department District and callback Albany Fire Personnel responded to provide standby coverage in the City during the incident.

Oregon State Police troopers are continuing the investigation into Friday’s two-vehicle traffic crash that resulted in the death of two adult men and non-life threatening injuries to a third man on Highway 35 about thirteen miles north of Mt. Hood Meadows. The names of the involved occupants are being released in this update.

According to Trooper Brent Ocheskey, on January 6, 2012 at approximately 12 noon a 2008 Subaru Impreza driven by ISSAC TOBIAS ACKERMAN, age 25, from Hood River, was southbound on Highway 35 near milepost 78. Approaching a right curve, ACKERMAN lost control on ice and slid broadside into the northbound lane were it was struck in the side by a 1998 Jeep Cherokee driven by WILLIAM DOUGLAS HALVERSON, age 61, from Odell.

ACKERMAN and passenger JOSEPH JULIUS CABRERA, age 21, from The Dalles, were pronounced deceased at the scene. Both were using safety restraints. They were headed to the mountain to snowboard.

HALVERSON was also using safety restraints and received non-life threatening injuries. He was transported by ambulance to Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital. He was cited for No Operators License (Suspended in California) and also had a warrant for Fail to Appear - DUII for which he was also cited to appear due to treatment for injuries received in this crash.

OSP troopers from The Dalles Area Command office are continuing the investigation.

Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, ODOT and Parkdale Fire Department assisted at the scene. Highway 35 was closed about four hours during the scene investigation.

OSP and ODOT urges drivers to remember road and visibility conditions may unexpectedly change during the winter season. Drive sober, be rested and alert, slow down for the conditions on the road, make sure your vehicle is properly equipped, and "know before you go" by staying up to date of road and weather conditions posted at www.TripCheck.com or calling 5-1-1.

Scene photographs may be available today for later release.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50523/010612.fatalx2.hwy35mp78.1.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50523/010612.fatalx2.hwy35mp78.2.jpg

A 12-year old, 6th grade student from Adam Stephens School in Salem collapsed during a basketball practice earlier this evening.

At 6:57pm, Deputy Andrew Derschon from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, along with Medics from the Marion County Fire District responded to a 911 call at Scott Elementary School, 4700 Arizona Avenue NE, Salem, where the team was practicing for a game tomorrow.

Derschon learned that Isaac Arzate was practicing with his team members. The team is associated with Skyball, a part of Salem-Keizer Youth Basketball, Inc. Skyball is an all-volunteer non-profit organization responsible for organizing middle school teams and leagues. Coaches are not school district employees.

During the practice, Isaac became winded and asked to sit out a drill. His coaches excused him from the drill, but after resting for five minutes, he wanted to return to the practice. Isaac said he was still not feeling 100% so the coach told him he was excused from the rest of the practice. Isaac sat on the sidelines watching his team practice, but then suddenly collapsed.

Three coaches immediately took action. Coach Joe Rodriguez called 911. Coach Lee Sampson, who has been trained in first aid and CPR, attended to Isaac. Coach Enrique Cendejas, who is also Isaac’s stepfather, ushered the rest of the team outside to wait for emergency personnel.

Deputy Derschon credited the fast action of Coach Sampson who rendered first aid and gave Isaac CPR until the arrival of medics from the Marion County Fire District. Derschon commented, "Isaac was having difficulty breathing and his pulse was weak. Coach Sampson did what coaches are trained to do. He likely saved his life".

Isaac was transported to the Salem Hospital for treatment. Once stabilized, he will be transferred to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland. Consistent with HIPAA regulations, no further information about his condition will be released.

The family and coaches have asked that the media refrain from contacting them so that they can focus on Isaac and his condition. At a later time, they may be available for media contact. A follow up release will be issued with contact names and numbers.

No photo of Isaac is available at this time.