WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, May 31, Bureau of Land Management leaders will host a press conference to announce a planned infusion of significant federal dollars for ecosystem restoration and resilience on the nation’s public lands.

The work is part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda and will help address the unprecedented challenges facing our public lands, exacerbated by the climate crisis.

WHO:

Tracy Stone-Manning, BLM Director

Doug Vilsack, BLM Colorado State Director

Tomer Hasson, BLM Senior Policy Advisor

WHAT: Press call announcing planned funding for federal lands restoration and resilience initiatives as part of the Biden-Harris administration’s investing in America agenda

WHEN: Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 1:45 PM ET

RSVP: Credentialed members of the media interested in joining, click here at above date and time.

–BLM–

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

On Saturday, May 27, 2023, at approximately 5:04 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two vehicle crash on Hwy 62, near milepost 17, in Jackson County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a silver Subaru WRX, operated by Corey Hanley (26) of Central Point, was traveling westbound when it lost control and swerved into the eastbound lane colliding with a white Subaru Crosstrek, operated by Barbara Badger (80) of Shady Cove. 

The operator of the Subaru (Hanley) was transported to the hospital, where he was later declared deceased. 

The operator of the Crosstrek (Badger) was transported to the hospital as a precaution. 

The highway was impacted for approximately 2 hours while the on-scene investigation was conducted.

OSP was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Jackson County Fire, and ODOT.

College Place Public Schools will provide summer lunch service Monday-Thursday June 26-July 27 (no service July 4) to children 18 years and younger.  All meals must be picked up by the child and consumed onsite.  Davis Elementary Service: 11:45-12:00, Sager/College Place High School: 12:00-12:15

Salem, Ore. – May 30, 2023 – To close out Wildfire Awareness Month, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is urging everyone to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season by having an evacuation plan.

OEM has information and resources to help Oregonians plan for what to do before, during and after a wildfire to keep themselves, their loved ones and their communities safe. Taking simple steps to prepare today can make a big difference in being ready when an evacuation occurs.

Stay Informed

Sign up for emergency alerts to be notified when there is an evacuation. Visit ORAlert.gov to find the local alert system by city, county or zip code. People who are already registered to receive alerts should log in and confirm their contact information is updated. Also, check phone settings to ensure that wireless emergency alerts are turned on.

People should become familiar with their county emergency management website and know where to find local emergency information. Those who use social media are encouraged to follow local emergency services in their area such as the county, city, sheriff’s office and fire agency profiles.

Have a Plan

Being prepared starts with having a plan. OEM offers an evacuation checklist that can be used as a guide. Establish a communication plan with a list of important contacts and a safe place for loved ones to meet if they are separated during an emergency. Identify multiple evacuation routes from home, work or school and plan for transportation needs. Discuss the plan with loved ones, friends and neighbors and practice it so everyone knows what to do during an emergency.

People with disabilities should consider individual circumstances and specific needs when planning for evacuation, such as special equipment, transportation and service animals.

Have an evacuation plan for pets and large animals such as horses and other livestock. Prepare a pet evacuation kit in a tote bag or pet crate. Pack food, water, leashes, bedding, identification, medication and vaccination or medical records. Plan for transportation of large animals and identify sheltering options.

Make a Go-Kit

Assemble an emergency kit of essential supplies that can be grabbed in a hurry. Pack an easy-to-carry backpack or bag for each member of the household with health and safety items such as food, water, medication, flashlights, phone chargers and clothing. Visit Ready.gov or American Red Cross for recommended emergency kit items.

Evacuation Levels

Oregon follows a three-level evacuation notification system, each structured around the readiness need and threat level. Oregonians should become familiar with “Be Ready, Be Set, Go!” evacuation levels to make informed decisions when receiving evacuation notices. OEM urges people to evacuate any time they feel unsafe, as conditions can change rapidly. Individuals should always make the best decision for their safety.

• Level One (colored green on a map) means “BE READY” to evacuate. Community members should be aware of the danger in their area and stay informed. Check county, city and emergency services websites and local news for information. This is the time to pack and prepare to leave. Check with loved ones and emergency contacts. Reach out to neighbors, share information and ask for help if needed. Some people should consider leaving early if they can’t move quickly and need more time to evacuate, including older adults, families with children, people with disabilities, livestock and pet owners, and those with limited access to transportation.

• Level Two (colored yellow on a map) means “BE SET” to evacuate. This level indicates there’s significant danger in the area and community members should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Voluntary evacuation at Level Two is recommended, especially if people need extra time or have livestock to move. Be prepared to relocate to a shelter or with family or friends outside of the affected area. Don’t wait for another evacuation notice if it doesn’t feel safe to stay.

• Level Three (colored red on a map) means “GO.” Leave immediately! This level indicates there’s extreme danger in the area and it’s unsafe to stay. Emergency services may not be available to offer further assistance to those who choose to stay. People should not stop to gather their belongings or make any efforts to protect their homes or shelter. Leave without delay.

Following an evacuation, people should not return to the area until public safety officials announce it’s safe.

Find more information and resources at Wildfire.Oregon.gov/prepare.

# # #

Project Turnkey 2.0 Grants Additional $8M and First Tribal Award, Bringing Total Properties to 8

Adapting to Community Needs, Project Turnkey Converts Existing Properties into Shelter, and Transitional Housing

Portland, Ore. – May 30, 2023 – Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) and Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) announced today four additional awards for Project Turnkey 2.0, the second iteration of the state-funded grant program administered by OCF which aims to increase the state’s supply of emergency and transitional housing.  One of the grantees, Klamath Tribes, is focused on providing culturally specific services to vulnerable populations.  Additional grantees, Housing Authority of Malheur and Harney Counties, Alternative Youth Activities, and Oasis Advocacy and Shelter will also create shelter and transitional housing as well as provide supportive services for their specific communities. 

In Southern Oregon the Klamath Tribes received a grant of $2,318,532 to acquire and renovate the Melita’s Hotel and RV Park in Chiloquin.  The property will be used immediately to provide housing for tribal elders and the old restaurant will be converted into a community gathering space, soup kitchen, and space for on-site services. 

“Purchasing the former Melita’s Motel property is only the beginning of a much larger effort by the Klamath Tribes to ensure all of our members have warm, dry places to sleep,” said Clayton Dumont, Klamath Tribes Chairman.  “American Indians continue to suffer the highest poverty rates among all Americans. One in four of us live below the federal poverty rate, and we know that the chance to fall into those ranks increases as we grow older. In our Klamath, Modoc, Yahooskin cultures, elders are our most important teachers. They are how we know who we are. Thus, tribal elders who are without or in danger of being without shelter will be our priority for this newly acquired tribal property. mo sepk’eec’a (Much thanks) to Oregon Community Foundation for being such good partners through the acquisition process.” 

In the long-term the Klamath Tribes envision developing the RV sites into more transitional housing creating a continuum of housing options in the area.  In rural Klamath County with limited availability of supportive services, the Klamath Tribes can provide a true housing first approach for people experiencing houselessness by offering a wide range of services including elder services, medical services, financial relief, food distribution, basic needs vouchers, financial counseling, and employment referrals.  In addition, the Klamath Tribes can provide services specifically related to tribal culture such as healing circles and sweat lodges and bring a deep understanding of the underlying and historical issues that have created the ongoing effects of generational trauma to all their services.  This grant marks the first Project Turnkey award to one of the nine federally recognized tribes in Oregon.

On the eastern edge of the state, the Housing Authority of Malheur and Harney Counties (HAMHC) is also poised to increase transitional housing opportunities for rural residents.  HAMHC received a grant of $4,060,000 to acquire and renovate a 17-unit apartment building in Ontario into transitional housing for people experiencing houselessness with a focus on people who are chronically homeless, elderly individuals, households with children, and people with disabilities.

“Malheur County will finally have its first ever year-round shelter,” said Kristy Rodriguez, Executive Director of HAMHC.  “This has been a long-time goal for many service providers in our area to watch our most vulnerable populations thrive and succeed to stabilization. Malheur Turnkey will also assist us to furthering our equity lens and fulfilling our mission. We are beyond grateful for the assistance that Oregon Community Foundation has granted to us, and our local city officials that understand the mission, and are on board to assist.” 

With the property located near key amenities such as the Housing Authority itself and Oregon Human Development Corp, a community organization that provides support services for farmworkers, HAMHC will partner with Community in Action, the local Community Action Agency to provide case management and coordinate additional supportive services such as individual planning, budgeting, housing stabilization, behavioral and physical health services, peer supports, and conflict resolution and mediation.

In Curry County Oasis Advocacy and Shelter (Oasis) sought a smaller shelter option.  Oasis received a grant of $647,400 to acquire and renovate a multi-bedroom house into emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence and medically fragile individuals.   

Oasis will partner with Brookings CORE Response (BCR), an organization that provides street response and support for people experiencing houselessness.  Together, Oasis and BCR will provide case management, counseling, safety planning, advocacy services, resiliency training, and connection with other local resources including medical care, food shares, and culturally specific services. 

“Oasis Advocacy and Shelter is very excited about partnering with Brookings CORE Response to bring a comprehensive wrap-around program to Curry County,” said Mary Pat McAlevy, Executive Director of Oasis.  “We believe this is the step in the right direction for our county as we expand our programs and support for populations we both serve.”

In nearby Coos County, another responsive project is underway under the leadership of Alternative Youth Activities (AYA), an organization that provides a holistic approach to serving at-risk and in-need youth.  AYA received a grant of $1,033,000 to acquire and renovate a wing of the Old Charleston School in Coos Bay into 9 units of shelter and temporary housing for youth and families. 

"This funding will open additional doors to provide affordable, stable housing to south coast youth and families. We can't thank Project Turnkey enough,” said Scott Cooper, AYA Executive Director. “These additional units will provide youth with a stepping stone between emergency shelter and longer-term housing as they move toward independence.”  

With referrals from a variety of community partners, including local school districts as well as other local service providers, this additional housing will provide the community with much needed options for youth.  In addition to their GED and workforce training programs, AYA will provide youth with case management, housing navigation, and access to other resources such as food, benefits, and culturally specific services. 

“Project Turnkey has always been about responding to community needs,” said Megan Loeb, Senior Program Officer, Economic Vitality and Housing, Oregon Community Foundation.   “The increased flexibility in this round—including property types beyond hotels and motels and a deliberate timeline—has allowed a variety of organizations to put state funding to good use and add to the local shelter capacity in a way that fits each of their communities.” 

“These new transitional homes are a manifestation of what is possible when all of us come together in service to our communities,” said Delia Hernández, Public Information Officer, Oregon Housing & Community Services. “We are most effective when everyone is being served and has their basic needs met. Sustainable progress is possible when all partners are working together with us toward the same goals and outcomes.”

Project Turnkey 2.0 aims to stand up approximately 10-12 properties as emergency shelter and transitional housing across the state.  Properties will be owned and operated by local nonprofit organizations and entities (such as cities, counties, or tribes) that will provide safe housing as well as critical support, including access to medical and social services, computers, laundry facilities, meals and more. Additional Project Turnkey 2.0 sites are expected to be announced in June 2023. 

About The Klamath Tribes

The Klamath Tribes primary mission is to “protect, preserve and enhance the spiritual, cultural and physical values and resources of the Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin Peoples by maintaining the customs of our ancestors.”  The heart of Tribal life is centered in the area of Chiloquin, Oregon and includes 12 Departments, Health Clinic, Childcare Center, Tribal Court, goos oLgi gowa Center, Research Station, and three tribal enterprises.  The Klamath Tribes’ 12 departments facilitate service delivery to multiple aspects of tribal life, including health and fitness, education, economic development, social services, cultural preservation, natural resource protection and more.  To learn more, visit https://klamathtribes.org/. 

 

About Housing Authority of Malheur and Harney Counties

The mission of the Housing Authority of Malheur & Harney Counties is to address the need for available, safe, decent, sanitary and affordable housing for extremely low and low-income residents of Malheur and Harney Counties.  To learn more, visit http://hamhc.org/.

About Community in Action 

Community in Action exists to empower low and moderate-income individuals and families of Harney and Malheur Counties.  We provide education and counseling, skills development, and access to community resources that help create self-sufficiency.  To learn more, visit https://communityinaction.info/. 

 

About Oasis Advocacy and Shelter

Headquartered in Gold Beach, Oregon, Oasis Advocacy and Shelter (Oasis) is a domestic violence/sexual assault-specialty nonprofit organization with a 30+ year record of direct supportive services for survivors in Curry County.  Oasis currently offers emergency shelter, court support, and advocacy services for survivors in general or navigating the Department of Human Services system, our Survivor Resiliency Program and the Trafficking Victims Assistance Program for undocumented immigrant survivors of labor, debt bondage, or sex trafficking.  To learn more, visit https://oasisadvocacyandshelter.org/.

About Alternative Youth Activities

AYA provides a holistic approach to in-need youth by connecting them to education, career services, social supports, and housing.  AYA is a private, non-profit, accredited, educational organization serving youth who have not been successful in the public schools through education and support services including but not limited to housing needs, nutritional support, physical and mental healthcare, harm reduction and crisis interventions.  To learn more, visit https://www.aya1.org/.

About Project Turnkey 2.0 (2022-2023) 

Based on the success of the Project Turnkey 1.0, and in the face on ongoing need for emergency shelter, on March 4, 2022, the Oregon Legislature allocated $50 million in new funding for more emergency shelters around the state for Project Turnkey 2.0.  

To learn more: Oregon Community Foundation and Oregon Housing and Community Services Poised to Launch Project Turnkey 2.0 with $50M in State Funding.  

OCF and OHCS Roles 

Oregon Community Foundation serves as the grantor and fiduciary, administering state-funded Project Turnkey 2.0 grants with guidance from a diverse statewide Advisory Committee. OCF offers support for Oregon’s housing needs along a continuum — from shelter to supportive housing to affordable housing to equitable home ownership — through a variety of tools, including research, grants, advocacy, and low-interest loans. OCF’s administration of Project Turnkey 2.0 is one example of the innovative, collaborative approaches launched to help more Oregonians find stable, affordable housing. 

Oregon Housing and Community Services provides advice and support for OCF as the State’s Housing Finance Agency. Additionally, OHCS has received resources to administer funds to the recipients of Project Turnkey 2.0 grants. This includes ongoing monitoring and oversight of these funds and the projects they support. 

Background 

In 2020 the Oregon Legislature allocated a total of $65 million for Project Turnkey (1.0), for the purpose of acquiring motels/hotels for use as safe shelter for people experiencing homelessness, at-risk of homelessness or displaced by wildfires. In less than seven months, Project Turnkey 1.0 created 19 new shelters in 13 counties, leading to a 20% increase in the state supply of shelter beds. Each property is locally owned and operated by a local nonprofit organization or entity (such as city or county).  

To learn more, please visit: https://oregoncf.org/assets/PDFs-and-Docs/PDFs/project-turnkey-report.pdf  

About Oregon Housing and Community Services 

Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) provides resources for Oregonians to reduce poverty and increase access to stable housing. OHCS focuses on both housing and community services to serve Oregonians holistically across the housing continuum, including preventing and ending homelessness, assisting with utilities, providing housing stability support, financing multifamily affordable housing and encouraging homeownership. To learn more, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs. 

About Oregon Community Foundation 

Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) was founded in 1973 with a big mission: to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In partnership with donors and volunteers, OCF works to strengthen communities in every county in Oregon through research, grantmaking and scholarships. In 2022, OCF distributed more than $180 million, supporting 3,500 grantees and awarding more than 3,000 scholarships. With OCF, individuals, families, businesses, and organizations create charitable funds that meet the needs of diverse communities statewide. 

2023 marks OCF’s 50th anniversary. Since its founding, OCF has distributed more than $2.2 billion in community investments, including grants to 10,850 nonprofits and 53,375 scholarships to students. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, please visit: oregoncf.org. 

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Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, awarded 27 matching grants worth nearly $5,000,000 to Oregon Main Street Network organizations across the state for building projects that encourage economic revitalization. Projects range from façade improvement to basic facilities and housing with awards ranging from $62,930-$200,000. 

The department funded applications that best conveyed the ability to stimulate private investment and local economic development, fit within the community’s long-range plan for downtown vitality, and community need. Oregon Main Street coordinator Sheri Stuart noted, “We have seen the impact of these funds the local Main Street organizations have brought to their communities on projects to date. We are excited to support this new round of projects and the potential to enhance and support downtowns across the state.”

Funded projects include:

• Several projects will address a variety of preservation needs from window repair to electrical and plumbing including projects by Baker City Downtown, City of Reedsport, City of Maupin, Medford Downtown Association, Klamath Falls Downtown Association, Northeast Oregon Economic Development District for projects in Wallowa, Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce for a project in Spray, and Weston Area Development Association. 
• Several projects were for housing increases or improvements including projects Albany Downtown Association, Independence Downtown Association, Northeast Oregon Economic Development District for a project in Enterprise, Salem Main Street Association and St. Helens Main Street Alliance.
• Façade restoration projects by the cities of Cornelius, Maupin, North Bend and Woodburn, Friends of La Grande Main Street, Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce for a project in Condon, and The Dalles Main Street.  
• Structural and roof prepare projects were approved for Albany Downtown Association, Astoria Downtown Historic District Association, Dallas Downtown Association, and McMinnville Downtown Association.
• Projects by Harney County Opportunity Team and Pendleton Downtown Association will increase and improve lodging options. 
• New construction will be funded in Dayton. 

The grant program was created during the 2015 legislative session, and placed with the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. The legislation established a permanent fund for the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant, and provided an initial infusion of funds from the sale of lottery bonds. The legislature included the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant in the lottery bond package approved in 2021. If funded by the 2023 state legislature, there will be future grant rounds in the 24-25 biennium. The funds must be used to award grants to participating Oregon Main Street Network organizations to acquire, rehabilitate or construct buildings to facilitate community revitalization. The program also requires that at least 50 percent of the funds go to rural communities as defined in the bill. 

To learn more about the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant or the Oregon Main Street Network, visit www.oregonheritage.org or contact Kuri Gill at i.gill@oprd.oregon.gov">Kuri.gill@oprd.oregon.gov or 503-986-0685. 

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon National Guard Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen participated in several Memorial Day community events on May 29, 2023, honoring service members who died for their country in observances around the state of Oregon.

In Beaverton, American Legion Post 124 hosted their annual Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park as Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, 1st Congressional District of Oregon, Mayor Lacey Beaty and Keynote speaker for the ceremony, Oregon Air National Guard Col. Todd Hofford, 142nd Wing Commander, were among the featured guest that addressed those in attendance.

“My father served our country in Korea in the Army, his service shaped my admiration and respect for those who serve and their families who stand by them,” said Gov. Kotek. “Today across our great state, across our great nation, people are gathering in remembrance of loved ones who where lost and honoring the bravery of our fallen service members.”

Prior to becoming Governor earlier this year, Kotek served as the Speaker of the House for over nine years. She recalled meeting with family members of fallen service members from Oregon, being remembered in resolution.

“Every time – I was caught-up by these life stories of young Oregonians, who went into the bigger world for their country, and never to come back. They are Oregon – and I will not forget their stories.”

Also in attendance was Larry Wittmayer, Commander of the American Legion Department of Oregon as the ceremony featured the American Legion Post 185 Band, playing music throughout the hour-long ceremony.

Speaking to those in attendance, Hofford traced the lineage of those who have died in the nation’s wars back to the founding of the country.

“More than 1,275,000 Americans have died in war and conflict since 1775,” he said, speaking to the audience during the mid-day gathering. “History has so often reminded us, Liberty is not fairly gained, nor is it easily obtained or preserved and must be continually safeguarded by each generation.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, a Howitzer Salute was performed by the Oregon Army National Guard’s Battery ‘A’ of the 2-218th Field Artillery.  

A Joint Service Honor Guard team and other Oregon Soldiers and Airmen took part in the Memorial Day Ceremony at Willamette National Cemetery in Clackamas. Oregon Senator Ron Wyden spoke to those attending, noting that “Americans always get it right…after they’ve tried everything else,” a quote attributed to Winston Churchill during WWII.

During a Memorial Day ceremony in Medford, the Oregon Army National Guard Honor Guard, conducted a flag folding ceremony for a family member of a fallen service member, held at the Memory Gardens Memorial Park. Throughout the state, the Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Wing and 173rd Fighter Wing flew patriotic flyovers at ceremonies and parades in over a dozen towns and cities.

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Released Photos 

BEAVERTON images:

230529-Z-CH590-0331: Official guest speakers at the Memorial Day ceremony in Beaverton, Oregon, stand for the Pledge of Allegiance, on May 29, 2023. (From Left to Right) Oregon Air National Guard Col. Todd Hofford, 142nd Wing Commander, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, U.S. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, 1st Congressional District of Oregon, Beaverton Major Lacey Beaty and Denise Brant, President of Blue Star Mothers of Oregon. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230529-Z-CH590-0444: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek addresses those in attendance at the Memorial Day ceremony in Beaverton, Oregon, on May 29, 2023. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in the ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230529-Z-CH590-0495: Oregon Air National Guard Col. Todd Hofford, 142nd Wing Commander delivers the keynote address to those in attendance at the Memorial Day ceremony in Beaverton, Oregon, on May 29, 2023. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in the ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230529-Z-CH590-0146: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, talks with Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers from Battery ‘A’, 2-218th Field Artillery at the Memorial Day ceremony in Beaverton, Oregon, on May 29, 2023. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in the ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230529-Z-CH590-0577: Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers from Battery ‘A’, 2-218th Field Artillery conduct a Howitzer Salute at the conclusion of the Memorial Day ceremony in Beaverton, Oregon on May 29, 2023. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in the ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230529-Z-CH590-0104: An Oregon Air National Guard medical member, assigned to the 142nd Wing talks with visitors during the Memorial Day ceremony in Beaverton, Oregon on May 29, 2023. Oregon National Guard members and other elected officials took part in the ceremony held at the Veterans Memorial Park. (National Guard photo by John Hughel, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

CLACKAMAS images:

230529-Z-CM403-1001: An U.S. Air Force F-15 Eagles from the 142nd Wing performs a flyover during the Memorial Day ceremony held at the Willamette National Cemetery, Clackamas, Ore., May 29, 2023. Oregon National Guard members participated in several Memorial Day community events around the state today, underscoring the significance of those members of the United States military that paid the ultimate sacrifice to this nation. (National Guard photo by Aaron Perkins, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230529-Z-CM403-1002: U.S. Senator of Oregon, Ron Wyden, delivers prepared remarks during the Memorial Day ceremony held at the Willamette National Cemetery, Clackamas, Ore., May 29, 2023. Oregon National Guard members participated in several Memorial Day community events around the state today, underscoring the significance of those members of the United States military that paid the ultimate sacrifice to this nation. (National Guard photo by Aaron Perkins, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230529-Z-CM403-1003: Joint Color-guard post the colors during the opening of Memorial Day ceremony held at the Willamette National Cemetery, Clackamas, Ore., May 29, 2023. Oregon National Guard members participated in several Memorial Day community events around the state today, underscoring the significance of those members of the United States military that paid the ultimate sacrifice to this nation. (National Guard photo by Aaron Perkins, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230529-Z-CM403-1004: Children of the Willamette Employees & Audience lead the Pledge of Allegiance during the opening of  Memorial Day ceremony held at the Willamette National Cemetery, Clackamas, Ore., May 29, 2023. Oregon National Guard members participated in several Memorial Day community events around the state today, underscoring the significance of those members of the United States military that paid the ultimate sacrifice to this nation. (National Guard photo by Aaron Perkins, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

MEDFORD images:

230529-Z-ZJ128-1001: Oregon Army National Guard Chief Warrant Officer 3 Anthony Ives of 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment (GSAB), delivers a speech at Memory Gardens Memorial Park & Mortuary event on Memorial Day 2023 in Medford, Ore. (Army National Guard photo by Maj. W, Chris Clyne, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230529-Z-ZJ128-1002: Oregon Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Karri Davis and Pfc. Ethan Turner of the Oregon National Guard Funeral Honors Unit folds a flag for a service member's family at Memory Gardens Memorial Park & Mortuary event on Memorial Day 2023 in Medford, Ore. (Army National Guard photo by Maj. W, Chris Clyne, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230529-Z-ZJ128-1003: Oregon Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Karri Davis of the Oregon National Guard Funeral Honors Unit presents a folded flag to surviving family member Mark Simvoe at Memory Gardens Memorial Park & Mortuary event on Memorial Day 2023 in Medford, Ore. (Army National Guard photo by Maj. W, Chris Clyne, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230529-Z-ZJ128-1004: 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment (GSAB), Oregon Army National Guard CH-47 Chinook crew: Chief Warrant Officer 3 Anthony Ives, Chief Warrant Officer 2  Bau Doyle, Staf Sgt. Marcus Hickman, Staff Sgt. Skylar Leasy, and Sgt. Ryan Dowell at Memory Gardens Memorial Park & Mortuary event on Memorial Day 2023 in Medford, Ore. (Army National Guard photo by Maj. W, Chris Clyne, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

230529-Z-ZJ128-1000: An F-15 Eagles from the 173rd Fighter Wing, Oregon Air Guard fly over the CH-47 Chinook of Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 168th Aviation Regiment (GSAB), Oregon Army National Guard at Memory Gardens Memorial Park & Mortuary event on Memorial Day 2023 in Medford, Ore. (Army National Guard photo by Maj. W, Chris Clyne, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

On Memorial Day, we as a nation pause to honor and pay respects to those who gave their lives in service to this county, in service of freedom, in service of a more peaceful world. We remember their sacrifice, their valor, and their grace. 

For while we may see their sacrifices immortalized on monuments of stone, we must never forget that each of the names forever etched in granite — those known and unknown — represent a precious, valiant life. They are our sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, t our spouses, brothers, sisters, friends and neighbors.

To those who mourn a loved one today, I assure that Oregon will never forget the lives lost in service to our country. We will never fail to honor your sacrifice, nor the sacrifices made by a long line of American service members. We are free, and our nation is safer because of their courage and devotion.

Memorial Day’s origins lie in the wake of the Civil War — a war for the soul of our nation, for freedom and justice for all. A war for union. A war for liberty and for the preservation of the founding ideals memorialized in the Constitution. 

Since the Civil War, nearly 6,000 Oregonians made the ultimate sacrifice in service to this nation, and today we honor them and the more than 1.2 million service members nationally who have sacrificed everything to preserve this nations democracy and the freedoms that democracy affords each of us.

It’s the greatest idea in the long history of humankind. An idea that we’re all created equal. That we’re all entitled to dignity, respect, decency, and honor. They’re not empty words, but the vital, beating heart of our nation. 

And that democracy is defended at all costs by those who serve and those we’ve lost, for democracy makes all this possible. Democracy is the soul of America.

Each of Oregon’s fallen service members had a story, and many faced challenges beyond the tribulations of war. Some were poor and some uneducated, some were privileged with college or advanced degrees. Some were working men and women with spouses and families, and some were 15- and 16-year-olds who lied about their dates of birth just to enlist and fight for what they believed to be right.

Some volunteered to serve a country that did not afford them rights or opportunities equal to those of their fellow countrymen and service members at the time of their service. Those who served before the Korean War served in segregated units, and many endured prejudice and bigotry from their own country even as they risked their lives and freedom to protect it.

Some of the courageous Oregonians who served and gave their lives in service to our country and whose memories we honor today were women — who would not even be recognized as veterans of the United States Armed Forces until the 1970s. 

Others were transgender, gay, lesbian, or queer, who grappled with the pain of giving their all to a country that did not want every part of them, that did not allow them to serve as their true, authentic selves.

We as a nation and, especially, as veterans who followed in their footsteps, owe an additional debt of gratitude to the brave soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen, Guardians and Coast Guard members who served under these policies and conditions. Their courage, selflessness, dignity, and exceptional service did much to sway public opinion and pave the way for a brighter and more inclusive future.

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and the state of Oregon, are proud to honor and recognize all who have served our country with honor and dignity. 

As we observe this Memorial Day, we also acknowledge the 20th anniversary of the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom. For those veterans who returned home from the front lines of the Iraq War, and for the family members and loved ones of the courageous service members who did not, their wounds are fresher than most.

Oregon played a unique role in the nation’s most recent conflicts in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Not since World War II had so many Oregon National Guard members been called to federal duty by order of the President. 9,268 Oregon National Guard members deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq between the years 2003 and 2011, many serving multiple year-long tours.

The names of the more than 140 Oregonian service members who lost their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are etched on the Afghan–Iraqi Freedom Memorial Wall located on the campus of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs in Salem. 

If you are able, I encourage you to visit this memorial site and remember the names, stories and ultimately — the sacrifices made by these Oregonians during the longest and consecutive wars of our nation’s history.

Today, ODVA and the statewide network of county and tribal Veteran Service Offices accessible in every county across Oregon serves these Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, helping them access care provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. 

In recent years, veteran services and benefits have expanded in many ways to provide treatment for healing and compensation for those whose lives have been irreparably altered by a disability incurred in service. To find services near you, visit our website at Oregon.gov/odva and click “Locate Services.”

This Memorial Day, I ask that you keep in the forefront of your mind the sacrifices that neither words nor the grandest gestures can repay. Express gratitude and appreciation for the brave Oregonians who willingly made these sacrifices for the idea of America — the land of the free. 

The enormity of their courage humbles and inspires us. This day reminds us to be better as individuals, as a community, and as a nation. 

As long as we remember — their sacrifices are not in vain. 

Kelly Fitzpatrick is the director of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Gov. Kate Brown’s policy advisor on veterans’ issues. She is a retired U.S. Army officer. Her military awards and decorations include multiple awards of the Meritorious Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal and the Army Parachutist Badge.

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Keane Koleson Lloyd, died the evening of May 26, 2023. Lloyd was incarcerated at Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) in Salem and passed away in the infirmary. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified. 

Lloyd entered DOC custody on May 19, 2022, from Linn County with an earliest release date of April 17, 2025. Lloyd was 64 years old. Next of kin has been notified.

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

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

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May 26, 2023

The next Housing Stability Council meeting will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Friday, June 2, 2023. The meeting will be held electronically due to the current COVID-19 health crisis. You can find all updated meeting materials on our website.

Webinar Meeting Only

Register in advance for this webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Col6ui38S_SVSBOOxs-zsA 

AGENDA:

9:00: Meeting Called to Order - Roll Call 

9:05: Public Comment

9:35: Report of the Chair

9:45: Report of the Director (pg. 04)

• Introduction: Outreach and Engagement Team

10:00: Homeownership Division (pg. 06)

           Keeble Giscombe, Director of Homeownership Division

• Homeownership Development Incubator Program Rules: Talia Kahn-Kravis, Operations & Policy Analyst
• Tribal Homeownership Grant Recommendations: Talia Kahn-Kravis, Operations & Policy Analyst

10:45: Affordable Rental Housing Division (pg. 23)

           Natasha Detweiler-Daby, Director of Affordable Rental Housing

• MF Housing Transaction Recommendations: Tai Dunson-Strane, Production Manager  
  • Albina One
  • Dartmouth Crossing
  • Francis + Claire
  • Spencer Court
• Preservation Framework Discussion: Michael Parkhurst, Senior Preservation Program Analyst; Roberto Franco, Assistant Director Development Resources and Production

       Housing Stabilization Division (pg. 74)

          Jill Smith, Director of Housing Stabilization

• Reference memo in packet (not prioritized for discussion): 
  • Rent Guarantee Program / Rent Well Update

12:00: Meeting Adjourned

The next meeting of the Advisory Committee to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be held Wednesday, June 7, 2023, in person at Rogue Community College, 3345 Redwood Highway in Grants Pass, Conference Room H-2, and via Zoom. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m.

The committee is made up of veterans appointed by the governor to provide counsel on veteran issues and represent veteran concerns across Oregon. Its nine members serve in a vital advisory role to the director and staff of the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

ODVA’s June 2023 Report to the Advisory Committee is available to the public online here: https://issuu.com/odva/docs/june_2023_ac_report 

This meeting is being held both in person and virtually. The public is invited to attend.

To attend by Zoom:

You will need to pre-register using this link:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAucu2hpz4oGtC0nE6b06UImjyHcgMSbxQe

Pre-registration is required. Once pre-registered, you will receive the meeting link.

Join by Zoom via Telephone: Dial 1 (253) 215-8782. When prompted, enter the meeting ID 843 5499 5204# and password/participant ID: 570698#

Town Hall:

There will be a Town Hall at the end of the business meeting in which participants will be invited to ask questions of the committee and director. This time is set aside for individuals to bring up broader veteran community issues. Members of the community are also invited to submit written public comments to the committee by emailing vaac@odva.state.or.us.

More information can be found online at www.oregon.gov/odva/connect/pages/advisory-committee.aspx or to contact the Advisory Committee, please email vaac@odva.oregon.gov.

YouTube:

This meeting will be recorded and placed on ODVA’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/channel/UCAQVavs9KmvDeJ42ySFtY8A/videos.

GOVERNOR’S COMMISSION ON THE

LAW ENFORCEMENT MEDAL OF HONOR

MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Governor’s Commission on the Law Enforcement Medal of Honor will hold a teleconference meeting on June 13, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST or Department) located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Shelby Wright at (503) 378-2191 or via email at y.wright@dpsst.oregon.gov">Shelby.wright@dpsst.oregon.gov.

1. Minutes for January 18, 2023, and April 21, 2023, Meetings

     Approve minutes

2. Tyler Morrow, DPSST No. 52967; Marion County Sheriff’s Office - Nomination for Medal of Honor

     Presented by Phil Castle

3. Next meetng – TBD

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to public meeting law, and will be digitally recorded.

PORTLAND, Ore.—On May 25, 2023, two Portland area drug traffickers were sentenced to more than ten years in federal prison for their roles in a Mexican drug trafficking organization responsible for distributing fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine in and around Portland and elsewhere.

Rodrigo Diaz-Lopez, 53, of Gresham, Oregon, and Jonathan Avila-Suarez, 31, of Portland, were sentenced to 135 and 120 months in federal prison, respectively. Both men must also complete five-year terms of supervised release following the completion of their prison sentences.

According to court documents, Diaz-Lopez and Avila-Suarez were part of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by two brothers based in Nayarit, Mexico. Diaz-Lopez, who has three prior felony drug trafficking convictions and has been repeatedly removed from the United States following those convictions, served as a sub-distributor in the DTO responsible for receiving illegal narcotics from couriers and other distributors and brokering local sales. Avila-Suarez was a sub-distributor and stash house operator.

In early February 2021, as part of a long-term investigation into the DTO’s operations, special agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) obtained information that Avila-Suarez had arranged for the delivery of 400 grams of heroin to a Portland hotel room. Agents observed the delivery and seized the heroin from Avila-Suarez’s customer. The next day, agents executed a federal search warrant on Avila-Suarez’s Portland apartment. They located and seized large quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl packaged for distribution and two firearms.

Around the same time, agents identified Diaz-Lopez and arranged for a controlled purchase of methamphetamine from him. On March 12, 2021, they executed a federal search warrant on Diaz-Lopez’s Gresham residence and seized several kilograms each of methamphetamine, heroin, and counterfeit Oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. Agents also located and seized $30,000 in cash, an assault rifle, and a handgun.

On February 21, 2021, Avila-Suarez was charged by criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances, using communications facilities in the commission of drug trafficking offenses, and maintaining drug involved premises. On March 15, 2021, Diaz-Lopez was charged by criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute controlled substances. Both men were later indicted on related charges.

On January 25, 2023, Avila-Suarez pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine. One month later, on February 21, 2023, Diaz-Lopez pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute heroin.

These cases were investigated by DEA. They were prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

These prosecutions were the result of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the U.S. by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.

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SALEM, Ore.—Forest Practices Act (FPA) rule changes aim to provide regulatory certainty and to protect fish and wildlife. On January 1, 2024, the steep slopes rules go into effect. In 2022 the Oregon Legislature directed the Board of Forestry to make about 110 FPA rule changes. Part of those rule changes address harvesting on steep slopes. These rules require foresters and those planning timber harvests to receive steep slopes certification training. 

This specialized training will focus on the Western Oregon steep slopes model outputs and how to determine the no harvest boundaries for steep slopes. The Oregon Department of Forestry will hold the following certification classes:

June 14, Douglas County Fairgrounds, Roseburg

June 16, Holiday Inn, Wilsonville

June 20, Comfort Suites, Albany

Please register on the Oregon Department of Forestry website.

The new laws require this certification for large forestland owners, those who own 5,000 or more acres of forestland. Qualifying small forestland owners don’t need this certification. The goal is to help people follow the rules intended to improve fish and wildlife habitat in and around streams.

The main reason to keep trees on certain steep slopes is to allow natural landslides to deliver large wood and sediment to streams over time and ultimately improve aquatic habitat. Human activities on the landscape can influence the timing and size of landslides, the amount of large wood that is available for future delivery to streams, and can increase the amount of sediment delivered to a stream. 

Increased amounts of sediment can adversely impact fish and other species. Sediment can fill in gravel beds for spawning, reduce food availability and impact a fish’s ability to see prey. Large wood from landslides creates vital habitat and protection for fish and other creatures.

The steep slopes rules only apply to Western Oregon, which informed the selection of training locations. If there is more demand than seats available, the department will offer more classes to meet the need.

May 25, 2023

Media contact: Timothy Heider, 971-599-0459,

timothy.heider@oha.oregon.gov

Measure 110 Oversight and Accountability Council terminates grant for noncompliance with grant terms

The Measure 110 Oversight and Accountability Council (OAC) voted Wednesday to terminate its grant agreement with a Klamath Falls provider found to be out of compliance with financial and data reporting requirements.

Red is the Road to Wellness in Klamath Falls was approved for more than $1.55 million in Measure 110 funding last August to provide screening and assessment services, substance use disorder treatment, peer support services, housing and supported employment services. The organization has so far received slightly more than $1.08 million.  

Detailed information on funding for the statewide service networks can be found on the Measure 110 Behavioral Health Resource Network (BHRN) dashboard.

OHA received a complaint in November that the organization provided supported employment services that did not conform to operational standards established by the OAC. Follow-up inquiries raised additional concerns.

OHA received a second complaint about supported housing services and a report of financial irregularities including allegations of “misexpended funds.”

Additionally, the organization has not submitted completed expenditure reports or data reports for the first two reporting periods in December 2022 and in March 2023.

The OAC vote empowers OHA to recover the grant funds that have been already allocated, “if it is determined that there have been misexpended funds.”

The OAC authorized OHA to negotiate with other partners in the network to fill any service gaps resulting from the grant termination. If that is not possible, OHA can contact Measure 110 providers outside of the Klamath County network to provide any missing services.

“The action taken by the OAC shows that the OAC is holding grantees accountable.  We will continue to focus on accountability in Measure 110 oversight,” said OHA Behavioral Health Director Ebony Clarke.

“OHA will continue to provide robust support and will continue to work closely with the OAC and our Measure 110 providers to ensure that the statewide networks are providing services and supports to people who seek them,” she said.

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This Memorial Day Weekend, whether you are headed to the beach, camping, visiting family, or just commuting to work, remember highways are going to be filled with people doing the same. No matter what your plans are on this Memorial Day weekend, we can guarantee that there will be a rise in the number of cars on Oregon’s highways.

The Oregon State Police takes these historically high-traffic weekends to have what we call an “All Patrol Day”. All Patrol Day for OSP is the day that all sworn members travel the highways to increase our patrol presence during these busy weekends.

The Oregon State Police has a wide range of programs and specialties our sworn ranks are in charge of, such as major crimes, tribal gaming, lottery security, arson, collision reconstruction, fish & wildlife, explosives, K-9, aviation, and more. OSP leadership makes it a priority that at the end of the day, all sworn members need to stay in tune and up-to-date with why the Oregon State Police was founded to keep our highways safe.

OSP is one of many Law Enforcement agencies that will be out in force trying to ensure that all travelers are getting to their destination safely.  

We want everyone to be safe when they are traveling, so we suggest that you follow these simple tips.  Please, plan ahead, be prepared, and above all else be patient.

- Timing your departure can make all the difference. Give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination without getting frustrated when heavy traffic puts a pause on your travels.

- Know your routes and options if you come across detours or construction. OSP likes to encourage all drivers in Oregon to use the Oregon Department of Transportation www.tripcheck.com.

- Ensure your vehicle is properly equipped and in good working order to avoid maintenance emergencies

- If you are traveling with children, have something to keep them occupied. Games, snacks, and pillows for sleeping will not only keep them occupied, but they will keep your attention where it is needed, on the road.

Oregon State Troopers will be focusing on maintaining the flow of traffic as well as enforcing all traffic laws but especially the Fatal 5. These 5 major categories of driving behaviors contribute to most fatal or serious injury crashes.

• SPEED
• OCCUPANT SAFETY
• LANE SAFETY
• IMPAIRED DRIVING
• DISTRACTED DRIVING

If you will be one of the many traveling this weekend, remember that OSP will be out in force. 

Drive safe!

Additional Safety Messaging in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation. The month of May highlights many national transportation safety messages. The big takeaway from all the campaigns is to drive, bike, and ride thoughtfully. Watch out for fellow road users and our maintenance and construction crews. Remember to slow down and move over to give our emergency responders space to safely do their jobs.  

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at approximately 12:16 P.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Hwy 101, near milepost 252, in Coos County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a black Nissan Titan, operated by Heriberto Morado Ledesma (35) of Coos Bay, was traveling north on Highway 101. The Titan was negotiating a curve, drifted into the southbound lane (for unknown reasons), and struck a southbound blue Jeep Cherokee, operated by Vera Lee Belcher (76) of Cottage Grove, head-on. 

The three occupants- Ledesma (operator), Hector Mireles Gallo (35) of Coos Bay and Alberto Ramirez Vazquez (40) of Coos Bay- of the Titan were transported by ambulance to the hospital for treatment and further medical evaluation. 

The two occupants- Vera Lee Belcher (operator) and Clayton Gene Belcher (78) of Cottage Grove- of the Cherokee were pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The highway was impacted for approximately 5 hours during the on-scene investigation.  The investigation is on-going at this time.

OSP was assisted by the Coos County Medical Examiner, the Coos County District Attorney, two Southern Oregon Public Safety Chaplains, Bandon Fire Department, North Bend PD, Coos Bay PD, Coos County SO, Bay Cities Ambulance, and Amling-Schroeder Funeral Service. 

On Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at approximately 8:30 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 5, near milepost 21, in Jackson County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a black Chrysler Town and Country, operated by Ruben Nanez (69) of Yreka (CA), was traveling south on the interstate, when for unknown reasons, it drifted off the roadway and impacted a ditch embankment. The van overturned and landed in a small creek. 

Fire and Medical personnel extricated the single male occupant and attempted life saving measures, however the subject was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The roadway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by Jackson County Fire, ODOT, Phoenix PD, and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

WALLA WALLA - Walla Walla High School is excited to announce Into the Blue – Service, Fun & Connection is coming to Wa-Hi September 11-14. Into the Blue is a spin-off of the wildly popular Big Blue Weekend event from years past. This free event is for all freshmen and focuses on helping students transition to high school in a fun and supportive environment. Students will spend two days and one night at Camp Wooten following a kick-off celebration at Walla Walla High School. Activities at Camp Wooten will help build belonging, strengthen the school community and engage students in school from the beginning of the year.

“This experience aligns beautifully with our District’s new Strategic Plan, Vision 2030,” says Superintendent Dr. Wade Smith. “During our listening sessions we heard from students and parents how important it is to support students as they transition to high school and this event will help foster relationships and connection between students and with staff.”  

Volunteers are needed to help make this event a success. There is a specific need for a photographer/videographer and people with specialized outdoor skills and medical backgrounds. Please contact Carina Stillman at cstillman@wwps.org if you are interested in volunteering.

Into the Blue is made possible thanks to a generous donation from the Walla Walla Public Schools Foundation. The schools foundation would like to especially thank Scott & Kim Morasch, The Stubblefield Trust, and the Mary Garner Esary Trust for their support. More information will be coming out in the coming weeks about the event schedule.

If you would like to contribute to the future of this program, please visit www.wwpsfoundation.org  and consider donating to the Into the Blue Fund today. Your gift will help make this incredible program possible for future Wa-Hi students.

Thanks to the foundation and state grants, a similar experience is also being programmed for Lincoln High School students.

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The Republican walkout at the Oregon Senate, denying quorum needed to pass any bills, threatens a crucial, life-saving safe staffing bill that would help address Oregon’s ongoing nurse staffing crisis by protecting both nurses and patients. 

HB 2697, the Oregon Nurses Association’s landmark safe staffing bill, (along with millions of dollars in health care workforce development funds), has bipartisan, bicameral support, and no stakeholder opposition. This hospital staffing package would not only improve patient care during a time when Oregonians are deeply concerned about the quality of their health care services but would also address decades-long concerns related to working conditions for nurses, recruitment of new nurses to the field, and retention of our state’s existing nursing workforce. 

Hundreds of other bills on housing, education, health care access, infrastructure and more are in threat of dying because senators are not doing the jobs we elected them to do. These issues are, by definition, matters of life and death. They are simply too important for Senate Republicans to ignore. 

ONA and our 16,000 represented nurses and allied health workers across the state call upon Senate Republicans to return to the Senate floor immediately to do their jobs for nurses and their patients, and to protect our vital democracy.

On Monday, May 22, 2023, at approximately 6:21 A.M., the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 140E, near milepost 16, in Klamath County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a Toyota Sienna minivan, operated by Guy Robert Attride (51) of Klamath Falls, was westbound when the vehicle went off the roadway for an unknown reason, overcorrected back onto the roadway, and rolled several times before coming to rest on its tires. 

The operator was declared deceased at the scene. 

A female passenger was ejected from the vehicle and transported via Airlink with serious injuries.  The passenger has not been identified at this time.

OSP was assisted by Klamath County Fire District 1 and Bonanza Fire.

SALEM, Ore. — An Oregon Housing and Community Services Agricultural Worker Housing Study substantiates that most of the state’s farmworkers earn very low wages, and many farmworker households are in poverty. Due to low wages and a lack of affordable housing, Oregon’s farmworkers have few housing options and often live in poor and overcrowded conditions.  

“Farmworkers have long been an essential backbone to our state. Centering their humanity, dignity, and well-being, requires we continue advancing safe and healthy farmworker housing—as we do in service to all people of Oregon,” said OHCS Director Andrea Bell. “It’s important to acknowledge that migrant and seasonal agricultural workers and their families are the foundation of Oregon’s large agricultural sector. Lack of housing options leads to health disparities that leave generational impacts. This is not abstract. Seeing ourselves in one another requires that we take care of those that sustain our food system.” 

There are more than 531,000 jobs connected to Oregon agriculture, food, and fiber, and agriculture contributes $42 billion to Oregon’s economy each year. As of 2017, there are an estimated 100,122 farmworkers in Oregon, doing the skilled and difficult work of growing, picking, and packing food.  

The report is the culmination of almost four years of work. In December 2017, the Data and Research Subcommittee of the Agricultural Workforce Housing Facilitation Team (AWHFT) recommended OHCS commission the in-depth study. The goal was to update statewide information on agriculture workforce housing to better understand the current needs and barriers to help inform future program decisions, funding opportunities, and policy decisions.  

OHCS commissioned Stamberger Outreach Consulting to conduct the study in Hood River, Marion, Morrow, and Yamhill counties. The report focuses on how to optimize the use of available resources, review current housing, as well as understanding what policies and funding options encourage employers to offer housing, and increase innovation in the provision of housing. 

“A central goal of this study was to hear the experiences and recommendations of farmworkers and agricultural employers to ensure their voices were included in this process,” said Jamie Stamberger, author of the study and research director at Stamberger Outreach Consulting. “We interviewed 80 farmworkers and nine agricultural employers, as well agency experts. Through these interviews and our analysis of available data, our team identified eight critical issues for farmworker housing. These issues must be addressed in order to meet the need for farmworker housing.” 

Some of the key recommendations of the study include the following: 

• Increase farmworker incomes.
• Provide direct rental assistance to farmworkers.
• Increase the supply of housing that farmworkers can afford.
• Develop programs to provide special clearance and/or requirements, or co-signers, for farmworkers to satisfy rental application and mortgage loan requirements.
• Support lower-cost alternative homeownership models including community land trusts and housing cooperatives that provide ownership opportunities for farmworkers.

Read the executive summary and full report on the OHCS website.  

Un estudio de vivienda para la fuerza laboral agrícola recomienda incrementar sus sueldos y opciones de viviendas   

SALEM, Ore. — Un estudio de Viviendas para Trabajadores Agrícolas del Departamento de Vivienda y Servicios Comunitarios de Oregón corrobora que la mayoría ganan salarios muy bajos y se encuentran en la pobreza. Debido a los bajos ingresos y la falta de vivienda de bajo costo, los trabajadores agrícolas tienen muy pocas opciones de vivienda y a menudo viven en condiciones inadecuadas y hacinados.

“Durante mucho tiempo los trabajadores agrícolas han sido esencial para nuestro estado. Centrar su humanidad, dignidad y bienestar requiere que sigamos construyendo viviendas seguras y saludables para los trabajadores agrícolas, al igual que hacemos al servicio de todos los habitantes de Oregón,” dijo la directora de OHCS Andrea Bell. “Es importante reconocer que los trabajadores migrantes y los de temporada son la base del sector agrícola de Oregón. La falta de opciones de vivienda genera problemas de salud que dejan secuelas generacionales. Esto no es abstracto. Vernos reflejados en los demás exige que cuidemos de los que sostienen nuestro sistema alimentario.”    

Existen más de 531,000 puestos de trabajo relacionados con la agricultura, los alimentos y las fibras; y la agricultura aporta $42,000 millones a la economía de Oregón cada año. Se calcula que, desde el 2017, hay 100,122 trabajadores agrícolas en Oregón que realizan trabajo de mano de obra especializada y de mayor dificultad del cultivo, cosecha y empaquetamiento de los alimentos. 

El informe es la culminación de casi cuatro años de trabajo. En diciembre del 2017, el Subcomité de Datos e Investigación del Equipo de Facilitación de Viviendas para la Fuerza Laboral Agrícola (AWHFT, por sus siglas en inglés) recomendó a OHCS realizar el estudio. Se buscaba actualizar la información a nivel estatal de viviendas para la fuerza laboral agrícola, para así mejor comprender las necesidades y barreras actuales. El propósito es ayudar a informar las decisiones futuras del programa, las oportunidades de financiación y las decisiones políticas. 

OHCS comisionó a Stamberger Outreach Consulting para realizar el estudio en los condados de Hood River, Marion, Morrow y Yamhill. El informe se centra en cómo mejor utilizar los recursos disponibles, examinar las viviendas actuales, así como entender qué pólizas y opciones de financiación animan a los empleadores a ofrecer viviendas, y aumentar la innovación en la provisión de viviendas. 

“La meta central de este estudio fue escuchar las experiencias y recomendaciones de los trabajadores y empleadores agrícolas para incluirlos en el proceso,” dijo Jamie Stamberger, autora del estudio y directora de investigación de Stamberger Outreach Consulting. “Nosotros entrevistamos a 80 trabajadores agrícolas y nueve empleadores, al igual que expertos en diferentes agencias. Por medio de estas entrevistas y nuestro análisis de los datos disponibles, nuestro equipo identifico ocho temas importantes en cuanto la vivienda para la fuerza laboral agrícola. Estas cuestiones deben abordarse para satisfacer la necesidad de vivienda de los trabajadores agrícolas”. 

Algunas de las recomendaciones principales del estudio son las siguientes: 

• Aumentar los ingresos de los trabajadores 
• Proporcionar ayuda directa a los trabajadores agrícolas para la renta o alquiler. 
• Aumentar el suministro de viviendas que los trabajadores agrícolas puedan pagar. 
• Desarrollar programas para proporcionar autorizaciones especiales o codeudores, para que los trabajadores agrícolas cumplan con requisitos para solicitudes de vivienda de alquiler o préstamos para comprar una vivienda.
• Apoyar modelos alternativos de vivienda de menor costo, incluyendo fideicomisos de tierras comunitarias y cooperativas de vivienda que ofrezcan oportunidades de compra a los trabajadores agrícolas.

Lea el resumen ejecutivo y el informe completo en el sitio de internet de OHCS. 

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet in Sisters, with a public meeting and community social scheduled on Wednesday, June 7, and the public meeting reconvenes on June 8. All events are open to the public.

The public meetings will be held at FivePine Lodge, South Sister Room – 1021 Desperado Trail, Sisters, OR, 97759. The June 7 meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. and the June 8 meeting begins at 8 a.m. There will not be a virtual option for the community social, but the meetings will be livestreamed on the department’s YouTube channel.

The board’s business agenda includes:

• Forest patrol assessment hearings for Jackson County
• Forest Protection Association budgets
• Forest Trust Land Advisory Committee testimony
• 2023 Legislative session update
• Fire season readiness
• 20-Year Landscape Resiliency Strategy update
• Forestry Program for Oregon planning work session
• Board and agency organizational governance work session

The full agenda is available on the board’s webpage. Live testimony is available for item #1, state forester and board member comments, and item #3, Forest Protection Association budgets. Sign-up is required and instructions to provide live testimony are available online. Sign-up closes Friday, June 2 at 5 p.m. Written public testimony will also be accepted. Written comments can be submitted before or up to two weeks after the meeting day to oardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov with the appropriate agenda item included with the submission.

On June 7 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., the board and department will host a community social. This informal event is open to the public for in-person attendance at the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Department, Community Room – 301 South Elm Street, Sisters, OR, 97759. An RSVP is not required, but encouraged, as spacing and parking are limited. Please RSVP to oardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov. 

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling ODF’s Public Affairs Office at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at estryinformation@odf.oregon.gov">forestryinformation@odf.oregon.gov.

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include appointing the State Forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30 million-acre forestland base. Read more information about the board.

SALEM, Oregon – Gathering around the campfire is a highlight for many visitors at Oregon State Parks. If you follow some basic guidelines, you can enjoy this tradition safely and reduce the risk of injury and wildfires. 

Wildfire is a real danger in Oregon despite the wet and snowy spring. That’s why the No. 1 precaution you can take is to follow posted fire restrictions. At times, campfires and other open flames may be banned in campgrounds or on the beach.  

Restrictions can happen at any time and with little warning, depending on conditions. Be sure to research conditions for the area near where you’re camping just before you head out. Fire restrictions may be in place at the park, county or state level. The Oregon State Parks website will post the latest information about campfires in state parks.

Restrictions may be in place even though the park is far from any wildfires. When wildfires rage, emergency responders and firefighters need to be on the front lines. We ask campers to do their part to make sure an emergency at the campground doesn’t pull resources from the statewide firefighting effort. 

“If you’re camping with children or others who are new to outdoor recreation, it’s particularly important to review campfire safety practices,” said Chris Havel, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) associate director. “If you have a question or a concern, talk with a park ranger or camp host.”

OPRD offers these six tips for a safe and enjoyable campfire:

1. Maintain campfire flames at knee height (no more than 2 feet high). A smaller flame helps prevent embers from rising into the trees or dry vegetation. If you see the wind stirring up embers, play it safe and put the fire out. 
2. In a state park campground, only build campfires in the existing fire ring in your campsite. Fire rings are placed in areas with buffer zones and away from vegetation. 
3. Always keep plenty of water on hand to safely put out the campfire. Douse the flames with water and stir the embers to make sure everything is wet. The stirring step is important: ash and wood debris often maintain heat. Repeat these steps until the fire no longer emits heat.
4. Beach campfires should be on open sand and away from driftwood or vegetation and use only natural wood, rather than pallets or anything else that might have hidden nails or screws. Slowly pour water on your beach fire to put it out. Pouring water too quickly can cause hot sand to fly up. Don’t use sand to put out a beach fire. Covering the fire with sand will insulate the coals, keeping them hot enough to burn someone hours or days later. 
5. For propane fire rings, follow the same safety precautions you would with a log-based campfire. The use of propane fire rings may be restricted depending on local conditions.
6. Make sure everyone in your campsite is familiar with campfire safety, including children. Always keep an eye on your campfire; many accidental fires are started because campers left their fire unattended for “just a minute.” 

In addition to keeping your campfire safe, it’s also important to make sure your wood is free from invasive insects to keep our forests safe from the deadly emerald ash borer and other pests. Please do not bring firewood from outside the local area. Buy local firewood within 10 miles of your destination or buy certified heat-treated firewood.

During May, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal, the Office of Emergency Management, Keep Oregon Green, the U.S. Forest Service, OPRD and other federal, state and local emergency and response agencies are encouraging the public to work together in their local communities to prevent the risk of wildfire.

Information about recreation and wildfire safety is at keeporegongreen.org. Visit stateparks.oregon.gov for information about Oregon State Parks including fire restrictions and safety guidelines. 

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Spokane, WA: U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref, the chief federal law enforcement officer for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that her office has received authorization and funding from the Department of Justice to hire seven new full-time Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) and two full-time support staff.  The new positions – which will be spread throughout the District’s three offices in Spokane, Yakima, and Richland – will be dedicated to combating terrorism, fraud, drug trafficking, and violent crime, including in Indian Country. The U.S. Department of Justice allocated these positions to U.S. Attorney’s Offices throughout the country from funding approved in last year’s federal budget.   

“We are excited for these additional resources to further our mission to build safer and stronger communities in Eastern Washington,” U.S. Attorney Waldref said. “In the next month, we will have, for the first time ever, full-time AUSAs serving in our Richland branch office. With the addition of the nine new positions announced today, we will be able to further enhance our efforts to protect neighborhoods, families, and communities in the Tri-Cities, Spokane, Yakima, and throughout our beautiful district.”

U.S. Attorney Waldref continued, “With these new positions, we will have forty AUSAs serving in the Eastern District of Washington. This means that our team – which includes attorneys, critical support positions, administrative officers, victim witness advocates, forfeiture personnel, etc. – will grow to approximately ninety civil servants dedicated to DOJ’s mission to seek justice for all.” 

“We’re especially grateful to have additional resources devoted to the important work we do in Indian Country, where we prosecute major crimes arising on the District’s four reservations – the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Spokane Tribe, and the Kalispel Tribe. In fact, one of the AUSA positions is specifically devoted to cases involving Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. We recognize that indigenous communities suffer violence, especially domestic violence, at much higher rates than many other demographics. We are committed to addressing violent crimes in Indian country and elsewhere and holding perpetrators accountable.” 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington currently has more than thirty AUSAs serving in its Criminal and Civil Divisions in Spokane, Yakima, and Richland. The hiring process for the new positions is already underway and additional listings will be posted in the coming weeks. All of the Office’s openings will be made available at http://www.usajobs.gov.

Spokane, WA – Today the United States Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) announced that the USMS, along with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), working with several state and local agencies in 16 federal judicial districts, led a 10-week national operation resulting in the recovery or safe location of 225 endangered missing children.

Operation We Will Find You is one of the first nationwide missing children operations focused specifically on geographical areas with high clusters of critically missing children. In total, the operation resulted in the recovery of 169 children and the safe location of 56 more children. During the operation, the USMS referred 28 cases to law enforcement agencies for further investigation of alleged crimes such as drugs and weapons possession, sex trafficking, and failures to register as a sex offender. 

During the operation, 42 children were located outside the city where they went missing, and 10 were found outside of the United States. The youngest child recovered was just 6 months old. While approximately 85 percent of the cases involved endangered runaways, approximately 9 percent involved family abductions. Approximately 40 of the cases involved allegations of reporting sex trafficking. 

Operation We Will Find You also had a direct impact on the Eastern District of Washington.  It total, the operation investigated more than 20 cases arising from our District.  These cases involved allegations of endangered missing children, runaways, and children abducted by non-custodial parents. Of these, 16 children were recovered. Additionally, the USMS arrested a Top 15 Most Wanted couple, who fled to Mexico from the Eastern District of Washington with their children. Each of the recovered children was safely reunited with family in Washington State. 

“I commend law enforcement for locating so many missing children from our district and across the country,” stated U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref.  “I am grateful for the leadership of the U.S. Marshals Service and their dedication to apprehending fugitives and reuniting the most vulnerable among us with their families.  Our communities are safer and stronger as a result of the great service demonstrated through the joint efforts by the U.S. Marshals and their Federal, State, Local, and Tribal partners.”   

United States Marshal Craig Thayer stated, “Reuniting missing children with loved ones and connecting them with appropriate services is a mission in which the United States Marshals Service takes great pride. The specialized skillset that the U.S. Marshals Service provides to our Local, State, and Tribal partners in locating and recovering missing, and oftentimes exploited children, provides these children a second chance for a better childhood by being reunited with their loved ones and connected with other necessary help.” 

A number of Federal, State, Local, and Tribal agencies participated with the USMS in “Operation We Will Find You.” These agencies included the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Confederated Tribes Bands of Yakama Nation Police Department, Ephrata Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, Moses Lake Police Department, Othello Police Department, U.S. Border Patrol, Washington Department of Child Youth and Families, Washington Department of Corrections and Yakima Police Department.

SALEM, Ore. — The Emergency Fire Cost Committee will meet in the Tillamook Room, Building C, Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State Street in Salem on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 10 a.m. A virtual option will be available via Zoom video conference, which can be found on the agenda. To provide public comment, please contact ystal.bader@odf.oregon.gov">Chrystal Bader at 503-945-7220.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Financial status of the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund
• Annual audit report
• Weather update
• Update on status of large fire cost collection efforts
• Strategic investments
• Administrative Branch/Fire Protection Division reports
• EFCC Administrator report

The meeting is open to the public to attend either in-person or virtually via Zoom. Public comments will be accepted near the end of the meeting as noted on the agenda. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 72 hours before the meeting by contacting ystal.bader@odf.oregon.gov">Chrystal Bader at 503-945-7220.

The Emergency Fire Cost Committee oversees the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (OFLPF), established by the Oregon Legislature as an insurance fund with the purpose of equalizing emergency fire suppression costs among the various Oregon Department of Forestry protection districts. The emergency funding system is designed to operate as an insurance policy whereby all districts contribute (pay premiums) into the fund so that money will be available to any individual district to pay fire suppression costs on emergency fires. View more information on the EFCC webpage.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland entrepreneur was sentenced to federal prison today for fraudulently applying for and obtaining loans intended to help small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Peter Peacock Blood, 59, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison and 5 years’ supervised release. He was also ordered to forfeit more than $600,000 to the United States and to pay more than $590,000 in restitution to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and Chase Bank.

On March 25, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide emergency financial assistance to American employers suffering the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting shutdowns. According to court documents, in early April 2020, less than two weeks after the CARES Act was passed, Blood began submitting fraudulent applications for Covid-relief benefits on behalf of his two solar energy companies, Cycle Power Partners, LLC and Cycle Holdings, LLC.

Previously, Blood filed tax returns in 2019 and 2020 on behalf of Cycle Power Partners claiming the company had two or fewer employees, including Blood himself, and paid less than $9,600 in quarterly wages and other compensation. No quarterly tax returns were filed for Cycle Holdings during the same time period. Despite this, in two separate Paycheck Protection Program loan applications he submitted in April 2020, Blood claimed his companies had 10 employees and an average monthly payroll exceeding $116,000.

The first application resulted in a loan of more than $332,000 and the second, a loan of more than $290,000. Blood spent more than half of the funds received on a custom, military-style truck he outfitted into a camper and another $14,000 on home improvements.

On July 8, 2021, a federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment charging Blood with two counts of loan fraud and, on December 16, 2022, he pleaded guilty to both counts.

This case was investigated by the SBA Office of Inspector General, U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Ryan W. Bounds and Meredith D.M. Bateman, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

Anyone with information about allegations of attempted fraud involving COVID-19 can report it by calling the Department of Justice’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Hotline at 866-720-5721 or via the NCDF Web Complaint Form at: https://www.justice.gov/disaster-fraud/ncdf-disaster-complaint-form.

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Create a solid saving and spending plan for your upcoming travels this season

Memorial Day weekend kicks off the unofficial start to summer: a time for outdoor activities, evenings spent grilling with friends and family and, of course, summer vacations. Whether you’re planning to hit the road or take to the skies, there are some important financial considerations when planning your next trip. As you dream about your next vacation, Umpqua Bank is offering tips to help you make the most of your trip with a solid plan to save and spend this summer season—and avoid falling victim to a vacation scam.

“We all deserve to take time to rest, relax and rejuvenate when the weather gets warmer,” says Clint Gillum, Market Region Manager for the Inland Northwest at Umpqua Bank. “To make the most of your time away, it’s important to create a plan and stick to it so you stay on budget, maximize your trip and return with great memories and no regrets.” 

Here are Clint’s top tips heading into travel season:

1. Set a budget and plan your trip around it. Take a good look at your finances and set realistic expectations for what you can afford without accruing vacation debt. For example, if you have your heart set on a specific location, consider traveling in the “shoulder season” (outside of peak travel times, typically in spring or early fall). Or, if you’re just looking to get away, research destination options that may help you save. Remember: Your budget should include everything—not just the flight and hotel. Think about costs for meals, transportation at your destination and any excursions you’d like to go on. This will give you a far more realistic expectation of the total cost.
2. Start a dedicated vacation fund. It’s never too late to start saving for your next vacation—even if it’s already booked. If your travel fund is mixed in with your general savings account, it can be tempting to dip into the fund for other expenses. Consider opening a separate savings account specifically for your vacation fund, which will help you keep an eye on exactly where you’re at financially. You can even set up recurring automatic payments from your checking account to this savings account to contribute regularly. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it adds up!
3. Use credit sparingly—but to your advantage. It can be easy to fall into the trap of using your credit card to pay for a vacation without paying it off right away, but that sets you up for fees and interest that add up long after your trip is over. You can, however, use a credit card to your advantage. Many credit cards offer perks such as earning rewards for everyday purchases that can be redeemed for airfare, hotels and more. And, a credit card often offers additional (and significant) advantages like trip cancellation coverage or no foreign transaction fees. Just be sure to read the fine print of what a credit card offers!

And, with these tips in mind, it’s also more important than ever to keep an eye out for scammers trying to take advantage of the increased interest in hotel, flight and vacation bookings. 

“Scammers are incredibly opportunistic, and increasingly savvy,” says Jon Stockton, Umpqua Bank’s Director of Fraud. “They are always inventing new ways to make something seem legitimate when it’s not—which means it’s important to stay extra vigilant.” 

Here are some helpful tips to avoid turning your dream trip into a nightmare—and a big headache—due to a vacation scam:

1. Verify Your Booking Site: Before you book your ticket, do some research. Does the website have a verifiable physical address and phone number? Do they have any Better Business Bureau complaints that might make you pause? When in doubt, booking directly from an airline or hotel is your safest bet—but remember, scammers are getting more and more clever, so double check that the website URL is the verified site of the company you are intending to book from.
2. Use Reputable Vacation Rental Services: Scammers often fabricate or even steal real rental property information to create fraudulent booking sites in an attempt to steal your information. If possible, call ahead to confirm a rental’s availability and speak to an actual person. And, use reputable vacation rental services that offer fraud protection.
3. Utilize Your Credit Card: Using a credit card often offers you more peace of mind because they have additional built-in protections against fraud, including things like vacation protection. Be wary of the payment methods your booking site is requesting; if they require you to wire the funds or provide a cashier’s check, it’s likely a scam.
4. Protect Yourself While You’re Out: Always keep your purse or wallet on you and in your possession when you’re traveling. Even a quick stop at a gas station or rest area is an invitation for an opportunistic scammer to snatch it. And, be sure to take note of any numbers or records you may need in the event you have to report a stolen or lost card to your financial institution. Remember: If you find yourself a victim (or suspected victim) of a scam, be sure to call your financial institution right away to start the process of reporting a stolen card or compromised account.

“Every year, we see scammers taking advantage of people trying to find a good deal,” Stockton says. “Just remember that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is—whether it’s a flight deal or an ultra-cheap vacation rental. Be extra careful and perform your own due diligence to verify their authenticity.” 

With these tips in mind and a plan in place, you can be confident that you’re maximizing your next big trip—and feeling good that you won’t come back with vacation-related guilt. 

May 24, 2023

Media Contact: Jonathan Modie, 971-246-9139, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA encourages mpox vaccination as state marks Pride Month in June

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon public health officials want to raise awareness that getting vaccinated with both doses of the mpox vaccine is the best way for people to protect themselves and their community, especially in advance of Pride and related summer gatherings and travel.

Tim Menza, M.D., Ph.D., senior health adviser for Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) mpox response, said that while the number of mpox cases in the state has decreased dramatically since last summer, the outbreak that began in June 2022 is not over.

“There are reports of increases in cases in the United States (Chicago) and across the globe, including in France and South Korea,” Menza said.

Oregon still sees one to three mpox cases reported per month, although that’s a significant drop from the 10 to 15 cases reported per week when the outbreak peaked in early August 2022. The state’s total count of mpox cases now stands at 280 in 12 counties since the start of the outbreak, including 278 adult cases and two pediatric cases. There have been no deaths.

That the mpox outbreak is not yet over is a sentiment shared recently by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). On May 15, the agency issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory, warning health care and public health partners of ongoing mpox community transmission in the United States and internationally. The HAN informs clinicians and public health agencies about the potential for new clusters or outbreaks of mpox cases, and provides resources on clinical evaluation, treatment, vaccination and testing.

“We have the tools to prevent a resurgence in Oregon, including testing, vaccination, treatment, strong community partnerships and data to guide our response,” Menza emphasized. “As we gather and travel for Pride celebrations in Oregon and around the country next month, we can use these tools now to help us avoid repeating the outbreak of 2022.”

The JYNNEOS mpox vaccine is free and readily available to anyone in Oregon who wants to be vaccinated. As of May 15, 20,972 doses of JYNNEOS have been administered in Oregon, including 13,084 first doses and 7,703 second doses. Menza believes there are many more people who could benefit from vaccination who have not yet received their first dose and that there are about 5,381 people who remain eligible for a second dose but have not yet received it.

The JYNNEOS vaccine is highly effective. According to a study published Friday (May 19) in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the vaccine was found to be 75% effective for those receiving one dose and 86% effective for those who had two doses.

“People with two doses of the vaccine can feel confident in their protection, but breakthrough cases are possible, so if you've been vaccinated and notice a new spot or rash, talk to your health care provider,” Menza explained. “We are still learning how long vaccination protection lasts, but we know that vaccines make getting and spreading mpox less likely, and help make symptoms less severe.”

Mpox spreads primarily through close, skin-to-skin contact. Most often, it has occurred through intimate or sexual contact, and during contact with the lesions of an individual with mpox through a caregiving relationship, such as a parent caring for a child or an adult caretaker of another person.

Infection rates are highest among people living in Multnomah County, those ages 30 to 39, and members of the Latino and Black/African American communities. Most cases were men who reported having sex with men, and most identified as gay or bisexual men.

People who suspect they have mpox should contact their health care provider to let them know before going in to be seen. The provider may recommend testing for mpox. Those who don’t have a health care provider can call 2-1-1 or their local public health authority for help finding a clinic or health care provider.

For more information about mpox in Oregon, visit OHA’s mpox website. Vaccination clinics can also be searched by ZIP code with an mpox vaccine locator tool at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/Monkeypox/Pages/vaccine.aspx or at https://mpoxvaxmap.org/.

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Update from the Grants Pass Area Command Saturation Patrol. 

For two days, May 18 & 19, 2023, roughly 23 OSP Troopers were on Highway 199 between Grants Pass and the California border to target OSP’s “Fatal Five” which are 5 dangerous driving behaviors known to be contributing factors to serious injury and fatal crashes.

OSP refers to the Fatal Five as 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐃- Speed, Occupant Safety, Lane Safety, Impaired Driving, and Distracted Driving. During that patrol, of the over 500 traffic stops that were initiated the following warnings/citations were issued:

𝐒peed 311 

𝐎ccupant Safety 33 

𝐋ane Safety 36

𝐈mpaired Driving 1 

𝐃istracted Driving 12 

And all other 231

Immediately following this high visibility Patrol, Troopers over the weekend noticed a significant change in driving behavior including decreased number of drivers speeding. 

The Oregon State Police stays ever so diligent in keeping drivers safe in Oregon. Be a 𝐒𝐎𝐋𝐈𝐃 driver by ensuring you are mindful of the Oregon State Police’s Fatal Five and obey all traffic laws for your safety as well as the safety of everyone else on the highways. 

The Oregon State Police will be leading a saturation patrol on Highway 199 (Redwood Highway) as we are approaching the highly traveled summer months. On May 18 and May 19, 2023, Oregon State Police Troopers, Grants Pass Police Officers, and Josephine County Sheriff’s Deputies will be enforcing those driving behaviors most commonly contributing to fatal crashes, which we refer to as the FATAL 5. OSP’s Fatal 5 are Speed, Occupant Safety, Lane Usage, Impaired Driving, and Distracted Driving. These categories of traffic violations have been proven to be the primary contributors to serious injury/fatal crashes. These enforcement activities will be focused on the entirety of Highway 199, from the California border to the Grants Pass City Center.

The Oregon State Police would like to remind drivers that the Oregon Department of Transportation has designated Highway 199 as a Safety Corridor from milepost 20 to milepost 27.5. Under ORS 811.483, fines for traffic offenses committed in safety corridors are doubled and fines for certain traffic crimes are greatly enhanced.

These heavy enforcement activities will continue to occur throughout the summer months of June, July, and August. 

The Oregon State Police, in conjunction with our agency partners, encourage drivers to drive within the posted speed limits and allow themselves sufficient time to arrive safely at their destination. The primary goal is to ensure that you and your family enjoy a safe commute on Oregon’s highways.

OSP will be posting real-time updates on our Twitter account https://twitter.com/ORStatePolice (@ORStatePolice) on Thursday, May 18 in the evening and Friday, May 19 in the morning.

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

Jayce, age 14, is a child who went missing from Portland on May 16. He was found May 23. 

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

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

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After accepting applications for nearly six weeks, the Grandview School Board is one step closer to selecting its next superintendent. Out of the 12 people who applied for the position, the board selected six preliminary candidates during an executive session on May 23.

The preliminary candidates are Yakima School District Deputy Superintendent Rob Darling, Kulshan Middle School Principal Meagan Dawson from Bellingham, Assistant Superintendent of Burlington-Edison School District Bryan Jones, Principal of Insight School of Washington (online) David Perkins, Acting Grandview School District Superintendent Jose Rivera and Superintendent of New Plymouth School District in Idaho David Sotutu.

The six candidates will take part in preliminary interviews over two days – Tuesday and Wednesday, May 30 and 31. The interviews, being held at the District Learning Center, will begin at 5 p.m. and go through approximately 8:30 p.m. each night. The interviews are open to the public.

Following the final preliminary interview, the board will go into executive session to select three finalists. The finalists will be announced on June 1. Those finalists will then go through final interviews on June 6, 7 and 8. The final interviews will include tours of the district, meetings with students and staff, a community forum and an interview with the board in executive session. A final selection announcement is expected on June 9.

Salem, Ore. – The Oregon Cultural Trust’s Celebrate Oregon! artwork will be brought to life on a float in the 2023 Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade, Cultural Trust Executive Director Brian Rogers announced today.  

Current donors to the Cultural Trust can enter to win a chance to ride on the float with artist Liza Mana Burns, who created the Celebrate Oregon! artwork. Donors will also be entered to win one of three pair of reserved tickets to the Memorial Coliseum viewing of the Grand Floral Parade, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 10. The deadline for entries is midnight on Monday, June 5.

Designed for the Cultural Trust license plate, the Celebrate Oregon! artwork is a vibrant tapestry of Oregon geography into which are woven 127 symbols that reflect and respect the diversity of Oregon’s people and cultural traditions. The artwork, a celebration of Oregon arts, heritage and humanities, has also been displayed on full-scale murals at Oregon’s four largest airports and in a custom “wrap” of the Oregon Coast Art Bus.

“When the artwork was finalized, we realized its power to unite Oregonians,” said Rogers. “Everyone who views the artwork finds a personal connection, making them feel included and part of the Oregon story. That is why we continue to seek out new public platforms for the artwork and partnered with the Portland Rose Festival.”

While not all 127 symbols could be included on the float, signage will guide viewers to the artwork’s interactive key to see and learn about other symbols. In addition, the float will be accompanied by parade entries that reflect symbols, including Ballet Papalotl – a folklórico dancing group – and the White Lotus Foundation Lion and Dragon Dancers’ 100-foot long Chinese dragon.

“The Cultural Trust float will be the cornerstone of a whole section of the parade that will celebrate Oregon,” said Marilyn Clint, Rose Festival CEO.

The Cultural Trust is currently in the midst of a spring fundraising campaign in response to a record number of grant applications for FY2024 funding. Donations received in advance of the new fiscal year (July 1) will increase the pool of grant funds available for distribution this summer.

“We received a record 194 applications to our Cultural Development Grant Program this year,” said Rogers. “That reveals the incredible need that arts, heritage and humanities nonprofits are experiencing. Our hope is to support as many of these projects as possible this summer.”

Taxpayers who make donations to arts, heritage or humanities nonprofits – and a matching donation to the Cultural Trust – qualify for Oregon’s Cultural Tax Credit as long as both donations are made in the same tax year. Tax credit limits are $500 for an individual, $1,000 for a couple filing jointly and $2,500 for Class-C corporations.

More than half of the money raised by the Cultural Trust is distributed directly to Oregon’s nonprofit cultural community; the remainder grows the Cultural Trust permanent fund. Cultural Trust grants are distributed through five Statewide Cultural Partners – Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Heritage, Oregon Historical Society, Oregon Humanities and the Oregon State Office of Historic Preservation – as well as to 45 County/Tribal Cultural Coalitions, who regrant the funds in their communities, and directly to cultural nonprofits via Cultural Development Program grant awards. 

Donate to the Cultural Trust.

Enter the Cultural Trust Donor/Rose Festival Drawing.

See a full list of Trust-funded projects in FY2023.

# # #

The Oregon Cultural Trust was established by the Oregon Legislature in 2001 as a unique means to reward Oregonians who invest in culture. Oregonians who donate to a cultural nonprofit and then make a matching gift to the Cultural Trust receive a 100% state tax credit for their gift to the Trust.

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) seeks peer-reviewed scientific journal articles about post-disturbance timber harvest — also known as salvage logging. ODF will use relevant articles to conduct a literature review.

Oregon Senate Bill 1501 directed ODF to make rules related to post-disturbance harvest. A disturbance could be a wildfire, a natural disaster, an extreme weather event, an insect infestation, or a disease outbreak. As part of the process, the Board of Forestry will determine if current post-disturbance harvest rules meet the requirements of Oregon Revised Statue (ORS) 527.714(1)(c) and the Private Forest Accord report.

The literature review will help inform the board about post-disturbance harvest rulemaking needs. As part of the literature review, the department is: 

• Reviewing the best possible science.
• Reaching out to experts in the field for additional information.
• Ensuring the public has an opportunity to provide relevant scientific information.

The three main topics ODF is asking the public to send peer-reviewed journal articles about are:

• The effects of post-disturbance harvest on streamside areas and aquatic systems.
• Post-disturbance ecology.
• Post-disturbance natural regeneration.

The public can submit articles from June 2 through June 22 via email at drules@odf.oregon.gov">odf.frdrules@odf.oregon.gov or via postal mail to: Attn: Elise Chiba, Oregon Department of Forestry, 2600 State Street, Salem, OR 97310. 

After completing the literature review, ODF will report the findings to the board in early 2024. The board will then determine whether to start drafting rules or decide that the current rules suffice.

See ODF’s webpages for more information on the Private Forest Accord and Forest Practices Act.

City of Richland facilities will close on Monday, May 29 for the Memorial Day Holiday. This includes the Horn Rapids Landfill, Richland Public Library, and the Richland Community Center. Curbside trash collection will continue as normal.

Active Gang Member Was in Possession of a Loaded Firearm at the Time of His Arrest

Richland, Washington – On May 22, 2023, United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke sentenced Jose Oliva, 37, to over 12 years in federal prison after his guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Oliva also will serve 5 years of federal supervision after he is released from federal custody. 

According to information disclosed in court documents and during court proceedings, the DEA Tri-Cities Resident Office in collaboration with Tri-City Metro Drug Task Force identified Oliva as a supplier and part of a drug trafficking organization operating in the Tri-Cities, WA area. Oliva was brokering pound-level quantities of methamphetamine for the organization, which were routinely distributed in the Eastern District of Washington.

In July of 2022, Oliva had agreed to meet a confidential source to deliver a pound of methamphetamine, as well as fentanyl-laced pills. After confirming Oliva’s presence at the arranged meeting location, agents moved in to make the arrest.  Oliva immediately fled on foot while in possession of a loaded firearm and distribution quantities of fentanyl-laced pills, which he attempted to discard while in flight from law enforcement. Oliva did not escape and was placed under arrest thereafter.

Vanessa R. Waldref, the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, stated “Removing dangerous narcotics from our community is critical to protecting our families and building stronger and safer neighborhoods. I am grateful for the joint efforts of state, local, and federal law enforcement to identify Mr. Oliva’s drug trafficking activities and to prevent him from further distributing this poison in our community. I also commend Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter for her leadership of federal drug prosecutions in the Tri-Cities that benefit the public safety of Eastern Washington.” 

“We are grateful for working with all of our partners in this investigation. Our efforts removed an individual from our communities who distributed deadly narcotics and possessed a dangerous firearm,” said Jacob D. Galvan, Acting Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “We will continue in any way we can to keep our communities safe and healthy.”

This case was investigated by the DEA Tri-Cities Resident Office, the Tri-City METRO Drug Task Force, United States Border Patrol, Richland Police Department, Kennewick Police Department, Pasco Police Department, West Richland Police Department, and the Benton County Sherriff’s Office. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephanie Van Marter. 

4:22-CR-06036-MKD