The operator of the vehicle that sustained fatal injuries is being identified as Amber Mosey (30) of St. Helens, OR

Passengers are identified as Carmen Lewis (31) of Eugene and Christopher Arrington (35) of Portland.

No further information is available for release at this time.

On Thursday, March 21, 2019 at approximately 6:21 P.M. Oregon State Police Troopers located a vehicle reported stolen from Eugene on Interstate 5 in the Albany area.  The vehicle and the occupants were also of interest in multiple armed robberies in the Eugene area. 

Troopers attempted a traffic stop and the vehicle attempted to elude.  The vehicle lost control on Hochspeier Road near the intersection of Hwy 164 (Jefferson Highway) milepost 1 just north of the City of Jefferson and rolled several times. 

One occupant of the vehicle sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.  Two other occupants were transported to Salem Hospital with serious injuries. 

A criminal investigation continues into the occupants of the vehicle for multiple armed robberies by the Eugene Police Department. 

The single vehicle crash is being investigated by Marion County Sheriff's Office with a crash reconstruction team made up of OSP, Marion County S.O. and Keizer Police Department. 

Media inquiries regarding the Eugene Police criminal investigation contact the Eugene PD PIO at 541-682-5124 or 541-682-5197. 

Media inquires regarding the crash investigation in Marion County contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office PIO at 503-584-6276.

The next meeting of the Advisory Committee to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be held Thursday, April 4,  at Southwestern Oregon Community College, 96082 Lone Ranch Parkway, in Brookings. The previous meeting, which had been scheduled for earlier this month, was canceled due to extreme weather and road conditions. 

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.

More information can be found online at www.oregon.gov/odva/Pages/advisory.aspx or to contact the Advisory Committee, please email vaac@odva.state.or.us.

March 22, 2019

Media contacts

Delia Hernandez, Oregon Health Authority, 503-422-7179, phd.communications@dhsoha.state.or.us

Julie Sullivan-Springhetti, Multnomah County, 503-709-9858, inghetti@multco.us">julie.sullivan-springhetti@multco.us

Tim Heider, Clackamas County, 503-742-5911, theider@clackamas.us

Katrina Rothenberger, Marion County, 503-588-5621, othenberger@co.marion.or.us">krothenberger@co.marion.or.us

Health officials report two new cases of measles from Marion County exposure

A Multnomah County and a Clackamas County resident have been diagnosed with the measles.

The two cases stem from an outbreak that began in Marion County, where two people have tested positive for measles. This outbreak is unrelated to a large outbreak that began in Clark County, Wash., in January.

The Clackamas County resident had previously visited a Salem missionary training school, Youth With a Mission, during the same time as an Illinois resident who was contagious with measles.

“The spread of this disease in Oregon is a sobering reminder of how this virus can travel,” said Ann Thomas, MD, public health physician at OHA. “So, if you haven’t already, make sure all adults and children in your household are up-to-date on vaccines.”

Exposures

The Oregon residents visited the following locations while contagious with measles:

• Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center, Clackamas, March 12, 11:45 p.m. through March 13, 5 a.m.
• Revolution Foursquare Church, Portland, March 16, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and March 17, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Von Ebert Brewing – Glendoveer location, Portland, March 17, 1:45-4:30 p.m.
• Kaiser Rockwood Medical Center, Portland, March 19, 12:30-3 p.m.

Find a complete list of all Oregon public exposures on the OHA website at healthoregon.org/measles.

Who to call

Public health officials urge people not to arrive unannounced at a medical office, if:

1. They are not immune AND
2. They have been exposed within the previous 21 days AND
3. They have symptoms of measles (such as fever, cough, red eyes or rash).

First, call a health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms.

People with questions about measles infection or the measles vaccine should call their primary care provider or their county health department.

• Multnomah County Public Health: 503-988-3406
• Clackamas County Public Health: 503-655-8411
• Marion County Public Health: 503-588-5621
• Clark County Public Health: 564-397-8182

About measles

Measles poses the highest risk to unvaccinated pregnant women, infants under 12 months of age, and people with weakened immune systems.

The symptoms of measles start with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a rash that usually begins on the face and spreads to the rest of the body.

Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection, and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication.

After someone contracts measles, illness develops in about two weeks, but people can be contagious up to four days before they get a rash.

Measles is a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles as soon as they feel sick until up to four days after the rash starts. The virus can also linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area.

You are considered immune to measles if ANY of the following apply:

• You were born before 1957.
• Your physician has diagnosed you with measles.
• A blood test proves that you are immune.
• You have had two doses of measles vaccine.

The measles vaccine, known as MMR, is safe and very effective. Almost everyone with two MMR vaccines has long-term protection against measles.

For more information on measles for the public, please visit the OHA measles webpage or see answers to common questions about measles in English and other languages here: Winter 2019 Measles Outbreak: Frequently Asked Questions.

# # #

Ideas Booth returns to the Oregon Historical Society March 22 – April 2, 2019

Portland, OR – March 22, 2019 – The Oregon Historical Society is excited to partner once again with TEDxPortland on the Ideas Booth to crowd-source an Idea Worth Spreading for TEDxPortland Year 9!

Created in 2018 and unique to TEDxPortland, community members can visit the Ideas Booth at the Oregon Historical Society for a chance to join the TEDxPortland stage – a platform that has hosted names including Ann Curry, Macklemore, and Colin O’Brady. The Ideas Booth will be accepting ideas from March 22 through April 2 and is open during regular Oregon Historical Society museum hours. All visitors to the Ideas Booth will also receive free admission to visit the Oregon Historical Society!

After overwhelming success last year — with over 250 submissions — not one, but two speakers were selected to take the TEDxPortland stage at the Keller Auditorium. Steve Eberlein and Kristine Napper were the two speakers selected from the Ideas Booth to share their Idea with over 3,000 people.

For Eberlein, whose Talk motivated him to launch a preparedness communications consultancy that specializes in earthquakes, the Ideas Booth truly changed his life:

“From the moment that I entered the TEDxPortland office, the team was there to support me, to challenge me, to cheer for me, and to guide me toward making the most of my nine minutes on stage,” said Eberlein. “I expected TEDxPortland to only be an event. As it turns out, I was indoctrinated into a family of like-minded individuals who share a high tolerance for risk, a low tolerance for egos, a generosity of spirit and, above all, a healthy dose of courage. In December, I doubled down on myself by resigning from my job of ten years to launch my own enterprise. The Ideas Booth was the first door of opportunity. Now I’m in the business of creating my own doors.”

This year, the TEDxPortland stage has room for one more person — and it could be you!

About the Ideas Booth:

Location:                               

Oregon Historical Society

1200 SW Park Avenue

Portland, OR 97205

Days / Hours of Operation: 

Friday, March 22 through Tuesday, April 2

Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm

Sunday, 12pm – 5pm

Details:

Share your Idea through the StoryTap platform in 90 seconds or less. If your Idea is chosen, you will be selected to present on stage at the Keller Auditorium on April 27 in front of 3,000+ attendees. The selected speaker will receive a speaker coach and a professional graphic designer to assist with visuals.

About the Oregon Historical Society

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

Update #2

Photos have been added for Buswell and Maughan. The photos are courtesy of the Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office and were taken March 21,2019 when they were lodged.

###

Update #1

The male suspect has been identified as Matthew G. Buswell, age 36, from the Keizer/Salem area. Buswell was lodged at the Tillamook County Jail on the following charges:

—Robbery 1(A-Felony)

—Felon In Possession of a Firearm (C-Felony)

—Unlawful Use of Firearm (C-Felony) 2 counts

—Theft I (C-Felony)

—Menacing (A-Misdemeanor) 3 counts 

—Tampering with Evidence (A-Misdemeanor)

The female suspect was identified as Cassandra Maughan, age 34, from Keizer. Maughan was lodged at the Tillamook County Jail on one count of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery (B-Felony).

Keizer Police Department also assisted the investigation.

###

On March 21, 2019 at approximately 11:30 AM, Tillamook County Sheriff’s Office and Oregon State Police (Tillamook) responded to an armed robbery at the US Bank in Cloverdale.

When units arrived the suspects had fled the scene. The suspects were located after a short pursuit on a forest service road off Sandlake Road where they struck an Oregon State Police vehicle. Two suspects were taken into custody after a gun fire exchange. The suspects were transported to a local hospital for evaluation from the crash but there were no other injuries reported. Both male and female suspects were from the Salem/Keizer area.

We will not be releasing the names of the officers or the suspects at this time. Tillamook County Sheriff’s is the lead investigating agency and Oregon State Police will be releasing any additional news updates. Tillamook Police Department and FBI-Salem are also assisting in the case. No photos are available.

###

Michael Cucura IV (36) from Redmond

On Thursday, March 21, 2019 at approximately 6:46 A.M. Oregon State Police Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a two vehicle crash on Hwy 97 near milepost 125, just south of Redmond in Deschutes County.

Preliminary investigation determined that a silver Honda Pilot, operated by Sara Edwards (19) of Redmond, was traveling southbound on Hwy 97 when she attempted to avoid a vehicle that was entering Hwy 97 from the Desert Terrace Mobile Estates.  Edwards lost control of her vehicle and slid into the northbound lanes and collided with a Mack Concrete Pumping Truck, operated by Michael Cucura IV (36) from Redmond.

Edwards sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Cucura sustained minor injuries.

Oregon State Police is requesting anyone that witnessed the crash or has any information to please contact the Oregon State Police Dispatch Center at 1-800-442-0776 or OSP.

OSP was assisted by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Police Department, Bend Police Department, Redmond Fire Department, Bend Fire Department, and ODOT.

Oregon State Police is looking for anyone with any information with regards to the March 2, 2017 disappearance of Kimberly Ann Mericle.

Oregon State Police has been investigating this disappearance and is again reaching out to the public for assistance.

Kimberly Mericle was last seen in the Williams, OR area on or about March 2, 2017.  Her vehicle a red Isuzu Rodeo has been located.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Ms. Mericle please contact Detective Cory Sweet at 541-618-7982 or the Oregon State Police Dispatch at 541-776-6111 and refer case number SP17-153979

Picture and Oregon State Police Missing Person Bulletin attached.

DPSST Private Investigator Subcommittee

 MEETING CANCELED

For Immediate Release                                        

March 22, 2019

Contact:                Mona Riesterer  
                                503-378-2431

Notice of Meeting Cancelation

The Private Investigator Subcommittee has canceled their meeting scheduled on April 3, 2019 @ 10:00 a.m.

The next meeting TBA.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Private Investigator Subcommittee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

TOUCHET, WA – Following their March 19 meeting, the Touchet School Board of Directors announced their selection of Mr. Robert Elizondo as the new district superintendent, beginning July 1, 2019.

Currently serving as principal at Garrison Middle School in Walla Walla School District, Mr. Elizondo has 16 years of school administration experience. He was one of two finalists identified by the Board of Directors for their superintendent position.  The school district, with the aid of Educational Service District 123, began its search for a successor superintendent following the planned resignation of current Superintendent Susan Bell, effective June 30.

Mr. Elizondo is looking forward to getting to know the school district board and staff, along with the students and community of Touchet.  Continuing the positive work and partnerships already established in the district is a key priority for the incoming superintendent.

No stranger to small, rural towns, Elizondo spent over 17 years as a migrant/seasonal farm worker.

“I am familiar with the agricultural setting and plan to seek opportunities for students to be ready for college and vocational training,” says Elizondo.

On July 1, Mr. Elizondo will begin his new role as superintendent of Touchet School District.  For more information, contact ESD 123 at 509.544.5785.

###

SALEM, Ore. - The Salmonberry Trail Intergovernmental Agency (STIA) will meet to discuss the proposed Salmonberry Trail corridor 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. April 5 in the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Classroom Conference Room, ODFW HQ Office, 4034 Fairview Industrial Drive SE, Salem. The meeting is open to the public.

The meeting will open with a 90 minute work session for the continued development of a long-range strategic plan.

The business meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. Items to be discussed: an update about the potential development of a new non-profit dedicated to the development of the Salmonberry Trail, and updates about potential partners interested in trail development along the section of Salmonberry corridor in their communities.

The proposed Salmonberry Trail is an 84-mile corridor that follows the Port of Tillamook Bay Railway and terminates in Banks. The proposed route connects eight cities and two counties, passing by the Oregon coastline, fisheries, farmland and the Oregon Coast Range.

STIA was established to promote and facilitate coordinated direction and guidance in the planning, development and maintenance of the multi-use trail.

For more information contact Dennis Wiley, Salmonberry Trail project manager, at 503-986-0723 or dennis.wiley@oregon.gov. Individuals that need special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Dennis Wiley at least three days in advance.

WASHINGTON – Today, Acting Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt signed a secretarial order directing that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) adequately weigh public access for outdoor recreation – including hunting and fishing – when determining the appropriateness of the disposal or exchange of public lands. Identifying lands as available for disposal or exchange is required under federal law.

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) directs the BLM to identify lands for potential disposal or exchange, using a public process and with state and county involvement. BLM has carried out these provisions revising land use plans and disposal since 1976. However, the BLM’s criteria do not require the agency to weigh public access considerations for outdoor recreation (fishing, hunting, hiking, etc.).

Secretarial Order 3373, Evaluating Public Access in BLM Land Disposals and Exchanges directs the BLM to – for the first time ever – formally consider what impact the disposal or exchange of any BLM land will have on the public’s ability to access federal lands for recreation.

“This order will help ensure that the Bureau of Land Management considers public access to public lands,” said Acting Secretary David Bernhardt. “It requires that before the BLM exchanges or disposes of any land, they must first consider what impact the disposal or exchange of land will have on public access. The Trump Administration will continue to prioritize access so that people can hunt, fish, camp, and recreate on our public lands.” 

“Sportsmen and women across the West will benefit from this Interior Department action to sustain and enhance recreational access to BLM public lands,” said Whit Fosburgh, President and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “In some places, there are small parcels of BLM land that serve as the only means of nearby access to hunting and fishing or as the only access points to adjoining public lands managed by other agencies. The Secretarial Order will ensure that key parcels are valued for this recreational access and help keep these lands in the public’s hands.”

“The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation commends Acting Secretary Bernhardt for prioritizing hunting and fishing access in BLM land tenure decisions,” said Jeff Crane, President of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “As Chairman of the Hunting and Shooting Sports Conservation Council, I look forward to working closely with the Interior Department to implement this important Secretarial Order on behalf of America’s sportsmen and women.”

“The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies supports the latest Secretarial Order (SO) for recreation on BLM public lands,” said Ed Carter, President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. “Getting the American public outside to recreate, on federal public lands, is important to fostering a healthy public and one that supports conservation. This SO ensures due diligence unto that end."

“Access to our Nation’s vast public lands is of utmost importance, because where hunting and fishing happen, conservation happens,” said Timothy C. Brady, President of the Boone and Crockett Club. “While the founders of the Boone and Crockett Club pioneered the development of the public land system Americans enjoy today, we must constantly work to improve access to public lands for a multitude of shared uses. This order that Acting Secretary Bernhardt has signed will help do just that. We commend him on his efforts in making access a priority. Thanks to his leadership, this necessity is finally becoming a reality.”

“The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation was happy to provide input and enthusiastically supports the decision of Acting Secretary Bernhardt for the BLM to consider recreational public access for hunting, fishing, trapping, and recreational shooting in its decision-making process for disposal or exchange of lands,” said Kyle Weaver, President and CEO of Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. 

"We applaud this secretarial order by Acting Secretary Bernhardt that ensures access to our public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management,” said Becky Humphries, CEO of the National Wild Turkey Federation. “Recreational access to our public lands is of the utmost importance to sportsmen and women and the future of hunting."

“Access to quality hunting and fishing lands is always a challenge, particularly in the West where access to some of the best mule deer hunting is blocked due to checkerboard public/private lands,” said Miles Moretti, President and CEO of the Mule Deer Foundation. “By requiring the Bureau of Land Management to consider recreational access before making decisions about disposal or exchange, Secretarial Order 3373 will benefit hunters that depend on the agency’s lands for their recreational pursuits. The Mule Deer Foundation appreciates Acting Secretary Bernhardt and his team for their ongoing efforts on behalf of sportsmen and women conservationists.”

About Secretarial Order 3373

Secretarial Order 3373 directs the BLM to ensure that when identifying BLM-managed public lands as available for disposal the increase or decrease of public access for outdoor recreation – including hunting and fishing – will be one of the factors considered in determining the appropriateness of the disposal or exchange.

Secretarial Order 3373 directs the consideration of public access opportunities in all ongoing Resource Management Plan (RMP) revisions to ensure recreation access is evaluated using the following criteria:

• If a tract of BLM land is contiguous to public lands managed by another Federal agency or state, BLM will consult with the respective management agency to coordinate how best to ensure continued or improved public access to the adjoining tracts;
• The BLM will evaluate the benefits of public access when considering future disposal actions, making it a requirement to identify alternatives to the public access that would be lost as a result of the BLM’s final action;
• When a tract of BLM-managed land being is considered for disposal and has been identified as providing public access, the public access will be characterized for evaluation purposes as one of the value criteria supporting retention; and
• The BLM will ensure recreational public access to existing public lands is a factor when considering parcels resulting from an exchange.

Secretarial Order 3373 directs the BLM, when preparing documentation supporting the disposal or exchange of a tract of land, to include a discussion of the following in any decision document:

• Existing recreational access that is utilized by the public or provided by road, trail, water, easement, or right-of-way, on the tract of BLM-managed public land being considered for disposal or exchange;
• The impacts from the BLM-managed public land disposal or exchange decisions on recreational access to adjacent tracts of publicly accessible lands, including lands managed by other federal, state, and county agencies; and
• Potential increased public recreational access to existing public lands resulting from an exchange.

The driver is identified as Kevin Majoros (24) of Central Point.

On Monday, March 18, 2019 at approximately 12:18 A.M. Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on Hwy 99 near milepost 10.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a 1987 Toyota pickup truck failed to negotiate a curve, went off the road, and came to rest in Birdseye Creek. 

The male driver sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased.

OSP was assisted by Rogue River Fire District, Rogue River PD, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, and ODOT.

Longer days and warmer temperatures herald the return of spring to the Oregon coast, and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) reminds visitors to be safe while exploring the shoreline.

"People are so excited for the spring sunshine that sometimes safety takes a back seat," says Lisa Stevenson, OPRD beach ranger. "But preparation and common sense go a long way to keeping you safe on the coast."

Stevenson lists several tips for ensuring your trip to coast is a safe one:

• Always keep one eye on the ocean so you won't be caught off guard if a bigger wave surges up the beach. These "sneaker waves" are unpredictable, powerful and especially dangerous for children.
• Stay away from logs on the wet sand or in the surf. These logs can weigh several tons and can be moved by only a few inches of water. The ocean is strong enough to pick up even the biggest log and roll it over you.
• Be careful on cliffs and rocks. They can be unstable due to erosion. Stay on marked trails and do not climb over fences. Both are there to keep you safe.
• Know when the tide is coming in, especially when exploring tidepools. It's easy to become stranded by the incoming tide when your attention is elsewhere. You can keep track of tides with a tide table; pick one up for free at an Oregon State Park or at many coastal businesses.
• Be wary of rip currents; the fast-moving water channels can quickly carry even the strongest swimmers away from shore. If you’re caught in a rip current, stay calm! Rip currents are narrow channels of water; swim parallel to the shore to escape them, then swim back to land at an angle.
• Ocean water temperatures can still be chilly, despite the higher temps on land. Don’t overextend your ocean swim, especially during evening hours. Periodically return to the beach to dry off and warm up.

For more Oregon coast safety information, watch the new Cape Kiwanda State Park safety video.

(Salem, Ore.) – The Oregon Department of Human Services uncovered a phishing incident that affected e-mail records at the department. Unfortunately, Protected Health Information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was compromised and potentially exposed.

The agency has hired an outside entity, IDExperts, to perform a forensic review to clarify the number and identities of Oregonians whose information was exposed, and the specific kinds of information involved.

The Department of Human Services takes privacy and the confidentiality of client information seriously and has strong information technology security processes in place, which enabled the department to detect and contain the incident. The department cannot confirm that any clients’ personal information was acquired from its email system or used inappropriately. However, it is notifying the public because information was accessible to an unauthorized person or persons.

Although DHS has not confirmed that clients’ personal information was acquired during the incident, DHS considers the incident a breach under Oregon’s Identity Theft Protection Act (ORS 646A.600 to 646A.628). Therefore, this notification is provided in part as a substitute notice of a breach under Oregon’s Identity Theft Protection Act, because the class of affected consumers exceeds 350,000.

The facts are summarized below, along with protective measures the department has taken since discovering the incident and general guidance on protecting personal information.

What happened?

On January 28, 2019 DHS and Enterprise Security Office Cyber Security team confirmed that a breach of regulated information had occurred. Nine individual employees opened a phishing email and clicked on a link that compromised their email mailboxes and allowed access to these employees’ email information. Current information indicates on January 8th, a spear phishing email was sent to DHS employees. Through our process of discovery, we learned that there were nearly 2 million emails in those email mailboxes.

The unauthorized access to the affected email mailboxes was successfully stopped. DHS is in the process of thoroughly reviewing the incident and the information involved. This investigation includes clarifying the number of impacted records that might contain personal information of clients receiving services from DHS. 

What information was involved?

Clients’ Protected Health Information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was accessible to an unauthorized person. Client information may include first and last names, addresses, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, case number and other information used to administer DHS programs.

What is the Department of Human Services doing?

The security and confidentiality of personal information is critical to the Department of Human Services. While there is no indication that any personal information was copied from its email system or used inappropriately, the department will be offering identity theft recovery services for impacted individuals.  DHS is in the process of determining whose information was affected by this breach. Once confirmed, IDExperts will send individual notices to identified individuals, including notices to clients whose HIPAA-protected information was involved, with instructions on how to register for the service, which includes free credit monitoring.

Need more information?

DHS will provide updates as more information is known.

IDExperts has established a toll-free information line which will be available Friday (March 22, 2019) at (800) 792-1750 to assist DHS clients with more information. There is also an established website with information. http://ide.myidcare.com/oregonDHS

Concerned DHS clients may contact all three national consumer reporting agencies, including for a copy of a current credit report, at:

Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian

Website: AnnualCreditReport.com

Phone 877-322-8228 (Option 1)

Mailing Address:

Annual Credit Report Request Service

P.O. Box 105281

Atlanta, GA 30348-5281

Credit freeze: Consumers, including potentially affected DHS clients, have the option to freeze their credit reports for free. Parents may request a freeze of the credit report of a DHS client who is a child under the age of 16. The guardian, conservator, or person holding a valid power of attorney for a DHS client may also request a credit report freeze for that DHS client. Below is each company’s freeze contact information:

Equifax, (800) 349-9960 (Automated, Option 1) or (888) 298-0045 (Live)

TransUnion, (888) 909-8872 (Option 3)

Experian, (888) 397-3742 (Option 1 followed by Option 2)

As always, DHS clients are encouraged to report suspected identity theft to law enforcement, including the Oregon Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and the Federal Trade Commission.

For information on how to report suspected identity theft and for information about protecting your identity, visit:

The Oregon Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, which can be found online at: https://www.doj.state.or.us/consumer-protection/id-theft-data-breaches/data-breaches/

Federal Trade Commission consumer information on Privacy, Identity & Online Security, which can be found online at: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/privacy-identity-online-security

# # #

The Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC), in partnership with Disability Rights Oregon (DRO), has made significant progress to provide the highest level of care for the people housed in the Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) located at the Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP).

In January 2016, the DOC entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with DRO regarding the operation of the BHU. DOC committed to substantive changes to the operations and physical structure of the unit, which currently houses 40 adults in custody (AIC) with sometimes severe mental health issues. Over the last several years, DOC has significantly increased available treatment and outdoor recreational space, increased security and treatment staffing, and collaborated with experts on mental health treatment. These efforts have been made to create a more humanized environment because 95 percent of the AICs will release from DOC custody and return to Oregon’s communities. 

DOC Director Colette S. Peters states, “Disability Rights Oregon and DOC agreed to solve this challenge together in the conference room and not the courtroom, and that is exactly what we have accomplished. Through our partnership and the incredible work of the employees at the Oregon State Penitentiary, we significantly improved the lives of the adults in custody and the wellness of the team who works in BHU; I couldn’t be more proud of them. Our agency has, and will continue, to strive to remain a national leader in these efforts.” 

Employees at OSP have made considerable strides toward increasing structured out-of-cell time, including education classes, mental health treatment programs, and meetings with correctional counselors. In January of 2017, the average number of weekly structured out-of-cell time for the AICs was around two hours. At the beginning of March 2019, the average number increased to over 10 hours per week. 

"The most recent data from the Department of Corrections paints a dramatically different picture of conditions at the OSP unit that houses people with severe mental illness than what we saw last year. DOC is now on track to meet the specific goals of the agreement that we reached with them three years ago. Additional work remains, but we are optimistic that the BHU can truly become a place where prisoners can receive treatment for their mental health while their intrinsic human worth is protected," said Joel Greenberg, staff attorney for DRO. "When people with mental illness can leave prison and return to their communities healthy and ready to lead productive lives, we all live in a better world."

OSP is a multi-custody prison located in Salem that houses over 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 death row, 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.
 

March 21, 2019

Media contact: Saerom England, 971-239-6483, om.y.england@dhsoha.state.or.us">saerom.y.england@dhsoha.state.or.us

Tri-County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative Medical Community meets March 22

What: A public meeting of the Tri-County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative Medical Community.

Agenda: Learning session presented by OHSU’s IMPACT team to understand key elements necessary for successful integration of recovery peers within a medical setting.

When: March 22, 10 a.m. to noon.

Where: Portland State Office Building, Room 1A, 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland.

Details: The Tri-County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative brings together multiple sectors across the Portland metro area to collectively address and prevent behavioral health challenges. Its focus is on peer-delivered services and substance use disorder activities that can make an impact in 12 to 24 months.

For more information, see the RBHC website at https://www.oregon.gov/OHA/HSD/BHP/Pages/Regional-Collaboratives.aspx

# # #

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

•         Sign language and spoken language interpreters

•         Written materials in other languages

•         Braille

•         Large print

•         Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Summer Boslaugh at 503-753-9688, 711 TTY or email .h.boslaugh@dhsoha.state.or.us">summer.h.boslaugh@dhsoha.state.or.us.

It’s never safe to let down your guard, warns the Oregon Department of Revenue. Scam tactics are always evolving and becoming more effective. Scammers try many different methods to trick people into giving them personal information or money.

The best way for taxpayers to make payments directly to the Department of Revenue is through Revenue Online. It’s secure and includes all the information necessary to ensure the payment is properly applied to the correct account. Go directly to oregon.gov/dor to find Revenue Online. Payment providers may provide links that appear to take you to the government site, but just end up taking you to another area of the provider’s site.

Scams mainly come in the form of a phone call, email, or standard mail. Here are some tips to help you identify scam attempts.

• Scammers make unsolicited calls. Thieves call taxpayers claiming to be representatives of the Oregon Department of Revenue or other tax officials. They demand that the victim pay a bogus tax bill and may use threats or a sense of urgency to con the victim into sending cash, usually through a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. The Department of Revenue never uses methods like these when making calls. Hang up on suspicious phone calls. No matter how urgent a message makes a situation sound, you can always hang up, call the Department of Revenue at their published phone numbers [(503) 378-4988 or (800) 356-4222 (toll-free)], and know that you’re dealing with an actual government employee.

• Scammers send letters. Letters often contain legitimate logos, addresses, and phone numbers to fool you. Sometimes, these letters expose themselves as scams through blurry logos, misspellings, and poor grammar. Letters are usually in the form of a fake tax bill or claiming an error with your account. Letters from the Department of Revenue will have information that is verifiable through our website and every letter is printed with an identification number in the upper right corner.
• Scammers set up fake websites. Some scams that start as unsolicited calls or letters may also try to send you to fake websites. These websites are designed to look like and official federal or state agency site. Remember that the Oregon Department of Revenue’s web address will always begin with an “https://” designation and be from the “.gov” extension. Look for these in the web address when entering financial information to make sure you’re dealing with us directly.

For more information on protecting yourself or what to do if you’re a victim of identity theft, visit:

• www.irs.gov
• www.consumer.ftc.gov
• www.identitytheft.gov

You can visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get forms, check the status of your refund, or make payments. You can call (503) 378-4988 or (800) 356-4222 (toll-free) or email questions.dor@oregon.gov for additional assistance. For TTY for hearing- or speech-impaired, call (800) 886-7204.

PASCO, WA – Educational Service District (ESD) 123 is pleased to announce the selection of our 2019 Regional Classified Employee of the Year.  Ms. Vickie Rogers, a Health Clinician (school nurse) in Walla Walla Public Schools, manages over 2,000 high school students with complex medical conditions to ensure that they receive the support they need to be successful in school and in life.

The Classified School Employee of the Year program recognizes excellence in the work of public school employees, including paraprofessionals, school nurses, secretaries, custodians and others.  Anyone may nominate a classified public school employee for this award, which is overseen by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).  All completed nominations are sent to the regional coordinator at each ESD, who in turn selects a regional winner.  Ms. Rogers is one of nine regional winners who will go on to compete for the State Classified Employee of the Year award.

Each recommendation letter supporting Ms. Rogers’ nomination for Classified Employee of the Year speaks to her ability to build strong, positive relationships with students, parents, staff and local community partners.  Prior to her role in WWPS, Ms. Rogers served 18 years in Women’s Services at a hospital.  During that time, she worked with many teenage girls, providing child development education, parenting classes, nutrition, and other mentoring roles. 

In speaking to her decision to begin working as a health clinician for WWPS, Ms. Rogers stated, “I decided it was a great opportunity to combine my nursing skills and my passion to help young people understand how decisions they make regarding their health can impact their daily lives, ability to function at school and be successful at school.”  She goes on to say, “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a young person's brain click when they realize, ‘Oh yeah, this is a better choice!’”

ESD 123 is proud to bring forward Vickie Rogers to represent our region for this year’s awards.  She is a truly caring and compassionate professional who embodies the role of what the State Classified Employee of the Year should be.  For more information on these awards, contact OSPI Recognition Coordinator, Hilary Seidel, at 360.725.6117.

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

April is STEM Month with Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington, Sponsored by First Tech Federal Credit Union

Signature STEM Event Spotlight: OMSI Family Science Night, April 15, 2019

Portland, Ore. – March 21, 2019 – Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington (GSOSW) kicks off science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) Month in April. STEM Month is sponsored by First Tech Federal Credit Union.

Throughout the month of April, GSOSW will offer more than 25 STEM workshops, creating a capacity for over 600 Girl Scouts to participate in specialized STEM activities in the areas of:

• Astronomy
• Building Robotics
• Computer Programming
• Digital Storytelling
• Ecosystems
• Chemistry
• Habitat
• Math
• Mechanical Engineering
• Science
• Sustainability
• Technology
• Wildlife
• Citizen Science
• Women Engineers

“First Tech is an enthusiastic supporter of Girl Scouts’ efforts to empower and elevate young women everywhere,” says Nicole Frisch, Senior Director for Community Engagement at First Tech Federal Credit Union. “We’re delighted to support STEM Month and the development of our community’s next generation of thinkers, leaders, and innovators.”

STEM Month Challenge and STEM Month Patch

By participating in STEM Month activities, including OMSI Family Science Night and STEM Day, Girl Scouts will have completed part of the STEM Month Challenge and can earn a STEM Month fun patch. Girls can complete the STEM Month challenge by filling out a survey on the GSOSW website to tell us more about how they participated in Girl Scout STEM Month and how they will use what they’ve learned to make a difference in their community.

Featured Event: OMSI Family Science Night for Girl Scouts

On April 15, 2019, Girl Scouts—as well as their family members and friends—have the opportunity to enjoy a signature STEM event: OMSI Family Science Night. Attendees can explore popular exhibit halls, visit the physics and life science labs and see OMSI's featured exhibit, the Science Behind Pixar.

“OMSI Family Science Night is our largest Girl Scout STEM event of the year! It’s an opportunity for girls to immerse themselves in STEM with hundreds of other Girl Scouts and learn new skills,” says Shannon Joseph, STEM Specialist for Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington. “Girl Scouts can complete steps toward earning badges based on the exhibits, ranging in topics from resource conservation, like saving water and energy, to bug diversity to digital movie making. While girls are having fun exploring new STEM interests in OMSI’s exhibits, this event also helps them develop confidence in their STEM skills and abilities which in turn helps them understand the importance and relevance of STEM to people and society.”

OMSI Family Science Night is generously sponsored by First Tech Federal Credit Union and the Epping Family Foundation.

NEW This Year

New STEM opportunities this year include a way for Girl Scouts to participate in National Citizen Science Day with our new partners at NASA GLOBE Observer. Girl Scouts can explore STEM in the outdoors on one of GSOSW’s properties at the foothills of Mt. Hood, by learning how to collect and submit data about clouds, land cover and mosquito habitat mapping.

About OMSI Family Science Night for Girl Scouts

WHO: Up to 1,000 girls in kindergarten through grade 12 and their family members and friends; Troop Leaders | Volunteers | STEM Professionals

WHAT: Fourth Annual Oregon Museum of Science and Industry-OMSI Family Science Night with Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington; Sponsored by First Tech Federal Credit Union and the Epping Family Foundation

WHEN: Monday, April 15, 2019, 6 - 8 p.m.

WHERE: Oregon Museum of Science and Industry–OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave., Portland, Ore. 97214

REGISTRATION: Community event open to registered Girl Scouts, their family members and friends. All attendees must register for this event. Please visit http://www.girlscoutsosw.org/en/sf-events-repository/2019/oregon-museum-of-science-and-industry--omsi--family-science-nigh.html to register.

PARKING: There is limited parking at the facility and street parking nearby. Parking cost is included in admission. Carpooling is encouraged.

Interested Media—Please R.S.V.P.

Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington’s STEM Program Specialist, Shannon Joseph and Director of Communications, Sarah Shipe, as well as Girl Scouts, will be available on-site for media interviews at OMSI Family Science Night.

Interested media should R.S.V.P. to communications@girlscoutsosw.org.

Featured Event: Girl Scout STEM Day (Medford, Ore.)

On April 27, 2019, Girl Scout STEM Day will take place at GSOSW’s Medford Service Center. This expo-style event will highlight STEM opportunities and careers for local Girl Scouts throughout Southern Oregon by inviting community partners, including Wildlife Images and the Southern Oregon Skywatchers, to host a table with an interactive STEM activity. The event includes a show put on by Wildlife Safari, to showcase careers in wildlife and highlight the importance of wildlife conservation.

Full List of STEM Month Activities

LEGO EV3 Robotics: Mission to Mars, April 6
Race Car Challenge with Rebel Bricks, April 6
Super Sticky Stuff with Mad Science, April 6
Girls Engage Technology with Saturday Academy, April 6
Tech Expert with Microsoft, April 6
Zoo Evening Safari at the Oregon Zoo, April 6
Entertainment Technology with Saturday Academy, April 7
Super Sticky Stuff with Mad Science, April 10
Zoo Snooze at the Oregon Zoo, April 12-13
STREAM Girls Cadette Spring Day Trip, April 13
Digital Media Studio: Movie Maker, April 13
Raptors of the Gorge at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, April 13
Scent-sational Animals at Wildlife Safari, April 13
Minecraft Build Challenge with Microsoft, April 13
Girl Scout Citizen Science Day with NASA GLOBE Observer, April 13
Zoo Evening Safari at the Oregon Zoo, April 13
Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) Family Science Night, April 15
SPICE-ing It Up: External Combustion Engines with Spice Science, April 20
Harry Potter Kano Coding with Microsoft, April 20
Entertainment Technology with Saturday Academy, April 20
Zoo Snooze at the Oregon Zoo, April 26-27
STREAM Girls Junior Covered Wagon Campout, April 26-28
Girl Scout STEM Day, April 27
Science Saturday: STEM Family Fun at the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, April 27
Make your own Movies with 3D and Mixed Reality, April 27
iFLY STEM Experience, April 28
iFLY STEM Experience, April 28

Registration
Girl Scouts can register for STEM Month activities online at http://www.girlscoutsosw.org/en/activities/activities-list.html. QUESTIONS? Please email activities@girlscoutsosw.org.

Prospective community STEM partners can learn more at: http://www.girlscoutsosw.org/en/activities/program-partners.html.

About Girl Scouts’ Committment to STEM Programming

To learn more about GSOSW’s STEM programming, please see: http://www.girlscoutsosw.org/STEM.

Girl Scouts of the USA’s STEM Pledge is a multiyear initiative to put 2.5 million girls through progressive hands-on STEM programs by 2025. Donate at: https://www.girlscouts.org/en/adults/donate/STEM-pledge.html.

About Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington
In partnership with more than 8,000 adult members, Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington prepares 14,500 girls in grades K-12 for a lifetime of leadership, adventure and success. GSOSW’s programs in civic engagement, financial literacy, the outdoors and STEM serve girls in 37 counties in Oregon, and Clark, Klickitat and Skamania counties in Southwest Washington. The Girl Scout mission is to build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. For more information, please visit girlscoutsosw.org.

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The individual shot in this incident is identified as Logan Linderman (23 ) of the Eugene / Springfield area.  The individual that was detained is identified as Kayln Simpson (29) of the Creswell area. 

Simpson is cooperating with the investigation. 

The investigation is continuing and additional details are not being disclosed at this time.

On Wednesday, March 20, 2019, at 7:32 AM, Lane County Sheriff’s Office received report of a gun shot victim at 82270 N. Pacific Highway, south of Creswell.  Arriving LCSO Deputies located two male subjects at the property. 

One subject was transported to River Bend Hospital with a non-life threatening injuries and the other male was detained. 

OSP and LCSO are investigating the incident and OSP is assuming the lead role of the investigation. 

There is no threat to community.

Investigation is ongoing and no further information is available for release at this time.

The fire that was sparked on Tuesday near the North Santiam State Recreational Area is a reminder of threats posed by wildfires to homes and property.

The Oregon Department of Forestry reports that 42 homes and 30 outbuildings initially were threatened by the fire. The fire impacted 189 acres of brush and timber. As of 5 p.m. today, evacuation levels in Linn and Marion counties have been lifted.

The Office of State Fire Marshal wants to remind residents to make sure their homes are protected from wildfire. The start of spring is a good time to take these steps:

• Keep roofs, gutters, and eaves clear of all leaves, pine needles, and other flammable debris.
• Remove dead vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around your house.
• Prune trees and have grass kept short and green to keep fire on the ground and more manageable by firecrews.

Remember, call before you burn yard debris. Residents should check with their local fire agency or air protection authority to learn if there are any burning restrictions and if a permit is required.

Homeowners have a responsibility to protect their homes by building defensible space.  For more information, visit the websites for the Office of State Fire Marshal, Keep Oregon Green, and the Oregon Department of Forestry, or call your nearest ODF or forest protective association office.

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WALLA WALLA - Following weeks of study and input, school board members unanimously approved the Transportation/School Time Efficiency proposal which will save more than $400,000 a year in transportation costs by adjusting and aligning school start times. All elementary schools will start at approximately 7:50 to 8 a.m. as will 1st period at Wa-Hi. Middle Schools and 2nd period Wa-Hi will begin at 8:50 a.m.

Superintendent Wade Smith conducted a Communication and Engagement Plan over the past several weeks to elicit feedback. He met with staff to discuss the proposal. The district also sent home a fact sheet to parents and created a webpage on the district's site which housed a public survey. Superintendent Smith reviewed data from the study which included nearly 1000 completed surveys.

“There was overwhelming support for the proposal to adjust school hours slightly to enhance transportation efficiencies,” said Smith. “People understand funding is tight in today's post-McCleary public schools environment and were willing to make a minor change to further stretch our precious resources.”

Transportation Director John Griffith will begin developing new bus routes and have them completed by June. The new school start and stop times will be in place to start the 2019-20 school year.

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The FBI is renewing its efforts to find Jean Leonard Faure, age 52, who is wanted in connection with a rape, sodomy and burglary charges out of Douglas County. Originally arrested by local authorities in Roseburg, Oregon, in January 1998 after an attack on his ex-wife, Faure fled prior to trial. The FBI obtained an Unlawful Flight Against Prosecution (federal fugitive) warrant against Faure in April 1998.

Faure was born in the Seychelles Islands, off the coast of Africa in the Indian Ocean. While in the United States, he lived in Oregon and Hawaii. He has family throughout the United States, Canada, and the Seychelles. He may also travel to Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. 

Faure's description:

• White man
• Height: 5'10"
• Weight" 150 pounds
• Hair: Black
• Eyes: Brown
• Scars and Marks: Scar near his left eye.

Faure is known to enjoy soccer and gambling. In the past, he has worked as a waiter and in the food service industry.

The FBI has re-issued Faure's wanted poster, which can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/additional/jean-leonard-faure. It is available in both English and French, both of which are common languages in the Seychelles islands.

If you have any information concerning this person, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy. You may also submit information online at https://tips.fbi.gov.

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Good morning all,

I’m sure you are being kept busy given the tragic events that took place in Kittitas County last night.

Here is some much more positive news, NASA has invited Wapato High School’s Robotics & Engineering team to Houston, TX next month to give a presentation on a couple of projects the students have been working on for use during space travel.  Please see the attached release for the details.

Just FYI…these are after school projects so if you have an interest in covering them the students and teachers would be available at around 2:45pm most days.

Please let me know if you are interested.

Thanks for your time.  

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Roderick Carroll, died the morning of March 19, 2019. Carroll was incarcerated at Warner Creek Correctional Facility. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the Medical Examiner will determine cause of death.

Carroll entered DOC custody on August 15, 2013, out of Lane County, with an earliest release date of April 4, 2019. Carroll was 57 years old.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of 14,700 individuals who are incarcerated in 14 institutions across the state.

Next of kin has been notified. No other details are available at this time.

WCCF is a minimum-security prison in Lakeview that houses approximately 496 adults in custody who are within four years of release. WCCF provides a range of correctional programs and services including education, transitional programs, religious services, and work crews. WCCF has a contact center on site through Oregon Corrections Enterprises. WCCF opened in September 2005 and is Oregon’s newest operating prison. It received the State Energy Efficiency Design (SEED) award in May 2008 for its progress in design efficiency. The most energy-efficient element at WCCF is the use of geothermal energy, providing 100 percent of the hot water to the facility.

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DENVER – Interior’s Bureau of Land Management and Agriculture’s Forest Service recognized the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) and the Northern Rocky Mountain Grotto (NRMG) last week for their leadership and contributions to wildlife conservation and public lands stewardship. The awards were presented at the 84th North American Wildlife & Natural Resources Conference in Denver.

The RMEF, a 35-year veteran partner to both agencies and headquartered in Missoula, Montana, received the Forest Service-BLM 2019 Conservation Partner of the Year Award for sustained outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation and public access across the West. The NRMG was awarded the Forest Service-BLM 2019 Conservation Project Award for its dedication, leadership, and innovations to building collaborative partnerships that promote sound land management practices and conservation of public lands, wildlife, and cave resources in Montana, Idaho and North Dakota.

“The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Northern Rocky Mountain Grotto embody what it means to be a true partner. The dedicated work, vital leadership, and significant financial contributions provided by these organizations and their volunteers each year make a real difference in our ability to manage our nation’s wildlife and public lands sustainably for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations of Americans,” said Kristin Bail, BLM Assistant Director for Resources and Planning. 

“Committed partners like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Northern Rocky Mountain Grotto are critical to sustaining the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands. We value their dedicated commitment, technical expertise, and leadership in working with federal and state agencies, communities, and other partners to leverage resources in the management and conservation of lands and wildlife,” said Rob Harper, Director of Watershed, Fish, Wildlife, Air and Rare Plants in the Forest Service.

RMEF has helped the BLM and Forest Service implement more than 4,300 wildlife habitat enhancement, land protection, and public access improvement projects. Such projects include aspen restoration, forest restoration thinning, prescribed fire, burned area restoration, planting, seeding, fence removal, and weed control to enhance more than firve million acres of wildlife habitat on federal public lands. 

RMEF also facilitated BLM and Forest Service land and easement acquisitions through the nation’s Land and Water Conservation Fund to conserve wildlife habitat and improve public recreational access on federal lands. RMEF has directly contributed more than $36.6 million to both agencies to help fund wildlife and conservation projects. The combined total conservation value of the two agencies’ partnership with RMEF is estimated at more than $411 million.

The NRMG assists the Forest Service, BLM, and the State of Montana in cave inventory, monitoring, and management, with a focus on cave restoration, bat habitat monitoring, and preventing the spread of White Nose Syndrome, a deadly and highly infectious disease affecting bat populations across the U.S.  NRMG is actively engaged in helping the agencies educate the public on bat conservation, including installing cave visitor register boxes, which provide information for cave visitors about clean caving practices, decontamination protocols, and reporting bat observations through the NRMG website. The organization also collaborates with Forest Service and BLM personnel and Bigfork High School Cave Club to establish cave climate monitoring, photo monitoring, and Visitor Impact Point monitoring across Montana.

“We are honored to receive this recognition for our conservation work that benefits elk and so many other wildlife species,” said Kyle Weaver, RMEF president and CEO. “We appreciate our federal agency partners with whom we’ve worked shoulder-to-shoulder for years now and look forward to many more joint projects that permanently protect and enhance wildlife habitat, open or improve public access and benefit hunters, anglers and so many others who cherish our wild landscapes.”

“We've really enjoyed working with the FS and BLM since 2011. As many agencies are stretched thin with resources, it is imperative that we learn to work more effectively to help manage the outdoor resources we all care so much about,” said Ian Chechet, NRMG Chairman.

# # #

STYLE is Songwriting Through Youth Literature Education

Media: You are invited to visit Gilbert Elementary School, 4400 Douglas Drive, Yakima 98908, this morning! If you come between 10:00 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. you can see STYLE in action with the students.  From 11:45-12:15 STYLE musical artists/teachers are available for interviews.  It's really amazing!

Questions? Contact Gilbert Elementary School Librarian, Judith Strosah, on her mobile at 206-396-7246.

STYLE’s main focus is to ignite a passion for reading in students that will last a lifetime. Our goals include impacting students’ ways of thinking and working while giving them new tools and skills in everyday life. Collaboration is an important aspect of STYLE, and we hope to help build a learning community that thrives on these goals.

The Library Program Includes:

• STYLE teaching artist(s)
• Performance of songs inspired by the selected book, and more
• Cross-curricular lessons in ELA, critical/creative thinking and musical concepts
• Password protected webpage for each participating classroom
• Recording of creation (Mp3 download made available on your STYLE webpage)

http://learningwithstyle.com/ 

March 20, 2019 - Salem, Ore. – Steve Seaquist got pinched a lot on St. Patrick’s Day, but it wasn’t because he wasn’t wearing green.

“I checked my Raffle ticket Saturday night and realized I’d won,” Seaquist said. “I kept asking my wife to pinch me, because I thought I was dreaming.”

Seaquist and his wife Shirley were the top prize winners of the 2019 Oregon Lottery Raffle, winning the $1 million prize after purchasing four tickets. After taxes the couple took home $680,000.

“We spread the tickets out, so we buy them at the beginning, the middle and the end,” he said.

Seaquist purchased the winning ticket at the Newberg Safeway. Seaquist and his wife had talked with a financial planner and attorney before claiming the prize, following the advice the Lottery gives to all jackpot winners.

“We are going to put it into savings and see what happens,” Seaquist said. “We want to wait 12 months before doing anything. We are going to keep it for our retirement, we are going to help our kids and donate some to our church and the Portland Mission.”

The winning number was 098200. There are a total of 1801 winning tickets, with $1 million prize, 300 prizes of $500 and 1,500 prizes of $100.

During the 2015-17 biennium in Yamhill County, where Seaquist lives and purchased the ticket, more than $14.2 million in Oregon Lottery proceeds were directed to economic development, parks, education and watershed enhancement. The Newberg School District received more than $3.8 million during that same time from Oregon Lottery funding.

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

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $12 billion for economic development, public education, state parks, Veterans services and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org

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WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla Public Schools announces an opening for principal of Garrison Middle School. Current Principal Robert Elizondo has accepted Touchet School District’s superintendent position and is resigning his position at the conclusion of the 2018-2019 school year. Elizondo has been principal at Garrison Middle School since the 2013-2014 school year.

The Middle School Principal serves as the instructional and cultural leader of the school. This individual is responsible for carrying out the district’s mission at the school level, ensuring all students receive high quality instruction in an aligned and coherent system while addressing their social and emotional needs in a safe and engaging environment. Visit the district website for more information about applying for this position. The position closes April 9. The new principal will start July 1.

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Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. This week: building a digital defense against tax fraud. 

With April 15th just around the corner, it is a good time to check in with our friends at the IRS for tips on safe filing.  

With the tax bill passed last year by Congress, there are plenty of changes to tax law, and, not surprisingly, change can bring confusion. This uncertainty can open the door to fraudsters who want to convince you that they can help you find new deductions, fictitious rebates and bigger refunds.  

While most tax preparers are honest, hard-working professionals – there are certainly others who want to take advantage of you as time ticks down to filing day. They may approach you via text, email, social media post, phone call or even in person at community events or church gatherings.  

Here are some warning signs to watch for with regards to these less-than-legit preparers: 

• The preparer says he can get you a much bigger refund than you received last year or is bigger than what other preparers say you are eligible to receive. 

• The preparer pushes you to provide personal information, including W-2 forms, before you actually hire the person. 

• Your tax refund gets deposited in the scammer’s bank account, and he deducts a large fee before paying you the remainder of your refund. 

• The preparer only wants to use paper forms instead of e-filing your return. 

• The preparer doesn’t give you a copy of your own return. 

If you need help finding a tax professional, check out the IRS webpage www.irs.gov/chooseataxpro 

Next week we will talk about some other tax season scams, including criminals who target vulnerable populations and phishing scams that target you and your employer. 

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

Oregon’s Unemployment Rate 4.4% in February

Oregon’s unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in February and 4.3 percent in January. Oregon’s unemployment rate has ranged between 4.0 percent and 4.4 percent since November 2016, with the low of 4.0 percent occurring in May, June, and July 2018. The U.S. unemployment rate declined to 3.8 percent in February from 4.0 percent in January.

Oregon’s total nonfarm payroll employment changed little in February (-500 jobs), following a revised, large gain of 12,800 jobs in January. Employment in financial activities, government, and construction continued to trend up, while transportation, warehousing and utilities decreased.

Since February 2018, Oregon’s nonfarm payroll employment increased by 29,500 jobs, or 1.5 percent. This growth rate was in line with the most recent nine months in which annual gains averaged 29,100 jobs. Over the past 12 months, the U.S. expanded at a slightly faster rate of 1.7 percent.

In February, employment in financial activities gained 900 jobs. Over the year, financial activities has added 1,200 jobs, or 1.2 percent. Government expanded by 700 jobs in February and since February 2018, it rose by 4,700 jobs, or 1.6 percent. Construction added 600 jobs in February. Construction led all industries with over??'the-year growth of 4,600 jobs, or 4.4 percent.

Transportation, warehousing, and utilities was the only major industry experiencing a large employment decline in February. It cut 1,800 jobs for the month, following a gain of 700 in January. Despite the drop in February, the industry grew rapidly in the second half of 2018, and has been the second fastest growing industry in the past 12 months, adding 2,400 jobs, or 3.8 percent in that time.

One component of the transportation industry, couriers and messengers, has expanded rapidly since 2013. Employment jumped 56 percent over that period, and stood at 9,800 jobs in February 2019. UPS and FedEx are included in this industry, which has become more highly seasonal with employment ramping up by 4,100 jobs during October through December 2018, then declining 3,800 jobs by February.

Warehousing and storage – an industry dominated by warehouses of major national retailers – grew rapidly over the past three years. It employed 9,900 in February, a gain of 2,500 since February 2016.

Next Press Releases

The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the February county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Tuesday, March 26th, and the next statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for March on Tuesday, April 16th.

Notes:

All numbers in the above narrative are seasonally adjusted, except the transportation and warehousing component industries.

The Oregon Employment Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) work cooperatively to develop and publish monthly Oregon payroll employment and labor force data. The estimates of monthly job gains and losses are based on a survey of businesses. The estimates of unemployment are based on a survey of households and other sources. This press release incorporates, for the first time, the annual revisions to the data for 2018 and prior years.

The PDF version of the news release, including tables and graphs, can be found at www.QualityInfo.org/press-release. To obtain the data in other formats such as in Excel, visit www.QualityInfo.org, then within the top banner, select Economic Data, then choose LAUS or CES. To request the press release as a Word document, contact the person shown at the top of this press release.

For help finding jobs and training resources, visit one of the state's WorkSource Oregon centers or go to: www.WorkSourceOregon.org.

Equal Opportunity program — auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Contact: (503) 947-1794. For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, call 711 Telecommunications Relay Services.

PORTLAND, Oregon – The Oregon Air National Guard’s 142nd Fighter Wing will conduct routine F-15 Eagle night training missions on March 19-21, 2019.

Night training allows the Citizen-Airmen pilots based at the Portland Air National Guard Base to stay current with mandatory Air Force requirements. Night flying is conducted as essential training for nighttime maneuvers. Training flights will be completed each evening before 10:00 p.m.

About the 142nd Fighter Wing:

The Portland Air National Guard Base employs 1,500 Airmen who provide an economic impact of nearly $500 million to the region. The 142nd Fighter Wing defends our homeland with F-15 Eagle fighter jets, guarding the Pacific Northwest skies from northern California to the Canadian border, on 24/7 Aerospace Control Alert as part of Air Combat Command and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Their mission is to provide unequalled, mission-ready units to sustain combat aerospace superiority and peacetime tasking any time, any place in service to our nation, state and community.

REDMOND, Ore. - Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s (OPRD) All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Advisory Grant Subcommittee will meet to review several ATV Grant applications 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. April 2 at the Sleep Inn Event Center, located above Geno’s Italian Grill, 1857 NW 6th St., Redmond. The meeting is open to the public.

On the agenda: the subcommittee will review grant applications for ATV-related planning, development, acquisition and emergency medical projects. The subcommittee will then provide recommendations on grant funding to the OPRD director for referral to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission.

April 3 the committee will tour ATV riding areas in Central Oregon.

View a more detailed agenda online: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/ATV/Pages/grant_apply.aspx

The ATV Grant Program provides funding statewide for ATV recreation. Grant funds come from ATV user permit sales and a percentage of gasoline tax money. More information about the state ATV program is available online: www.OregonOHV.org

The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Individuals that need special accommodations to attend the meeting should call 541-504-1500 at least three days in advance.

On Monday, March 19, 2019, at approximately 3:54 P.M. Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to the report of a two vehicle crash on Hwy 140 and the intersection of Bliss Rd.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a  Ford Ranger PU, operated by Chelsea Ridenour (29) of Malin, was traveling on Bliss Rd. and failed to stop at the stop sign at Hwy 140.  A Ford Explorer was traveling on Hwy 140, operated by Frederic Rouviere (59) of Bly, and a collision occurred.

Rouviere sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Ridenour and her juvenile male passenger were transported to the hospital with injuries.

Cynthia Schmidt (59) of Bly, passenger in the Explorer, was transported to the hospital with injuries.

Oregon State Police was assisted by the Klamath County Sheriff's Office, Klamath County Fire, and Air Link.

Investigation is continuing.

March 18, 2019

Media contact: Saerom England, 971-239-6483, om.y.england@dhsoha.state.or.us">saerom.y.england@dhsoha.state.or.us

Tri-County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative Youth and Families Workgroup meets March 22

What: A public meeting of the Tri-County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative Youth and Families Workgroup.

Agenda: Update on OHA statewide work related to peer-delivered services; brainstorming and discussion of workgroup goals and strategies; identification of peers and peer groups that can provide expertise and input on tentative goals.

When: March 22, 9-11 a.m.

Where: Portland State Office Building Room 1A, 800 NE Oregon Street, Portland.

Details: The Tri-County Regional Behavioral Health Collaborative brings together multiple sectors across the Portland metro area to collectively address and prevent behavioral health challenges. Its focus is on peer-delivered services and substance use disorder activities that can make an impact in 12 to 24 months.

For more information, see the RBHC website at https://www.oregon.gov/OHA/HSD/BHP/Pages/Regional-Collaboratives.aspx

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

•           Sign language and spoken language interpreters

•           Written materials in other languages

•           Braille

•           Large print

•           Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Summer Boslaugh at 503-753-9688, 711 TTY or email .h.boslaugh@dhsoha.state.or.us">summer.h.boslaugh@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the meeting.

Update: Corrected Date of March 16, 2019

On March 16, 2019, OSP investigated a fatal crash involving 2 vehicles in the intersectoin of Hwy 99W and Airlie Road. 

A white 2017 Toyota Camry driven by Kayla Marie Carter, 30-years-old, was eastbound on Airlie Road approaching the stop sign at Hwy 99W, when for unknown reasons the driver did not stop at the stop sign.  A blue 2006 Subaru Legacy, driven by Jessica Renee Cornett, 21-years-old, was traveling northbound on Hwy 99W, when she struck the Camry. 

The 13-year-old passenger of the Camry was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The investigion is still on-going.

OSP was assisted by the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Polk County Fire, and Oregon Department of Transportation.

An Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) adult in custody, Eugene Sweigart, died the evening of March 15, 2019. Sweigart was incarcerated at Two Rivers Correctional Institution (TRCI) in Umatilla and passed away at an outside medical facility. As with all in-custody deaths, the Oregon State Police have been notified, and the Medical Examiner will determine cause of death. 

Sweigart entered DOC custody on September 5, 2002, from Yamhill County with an earliest release date of May 18, 2041. Sweigart was 75 years old. Next of kin has been notified.  No other details are available at this time.

DOC takes all in-custody deaths seriously. The agency is responsible for the care and custody of 14,900 individuals who are incarcerated in 14 institutions across the state. While crime information is public record, DOC elects to disclose only upon request out of respect for any family or victims.

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

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If you have a student who will be five-years old before Aug. 31, 2019, be sure to get ready for Grandview School District's Kinder Quick Start.

The kindergarten registration main event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, at the Grandview School District Office, 913 W. Second St. in Grandview.

Kinder Quick Start is your one-stop kindergarten registration shop. Be sure to bring your child's immunization record, birth certificate, proof of home address, parent picture ID, and your child must be five before Aug. 31, 2019. Also bring your child for testing. The district will also be accepting preschool sign-ups during the event. A child must be four-years old before Aug. 31, 2019 to take part in the district's preschool program.

On March 15, 2019, the Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Hwy 30 near milepost 92 in Clatsop County.

A 2008 black Jeep Liberty, driven by Windy Olive Jenkins, 47-year-old, was traveling eastbound on Hwy 30, when she left the roadway for an unknown reason and continued down the embankment into a tree.  The driver sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. 

The investigation is ongoing.

OSP was assisted by John Day Rural Fire Department, Clatsop County Sheriff’s Office, Astoria Police Department, Medix Ambulance, and Oregon Department of Transportation.

Oregon’s public collection of more than 2,400 artworks acquired and commissioned since 1975 is now featured on a searchable website for all to view. The State of Oregon Percent for Art Collection includes paintings, works on paper, photography, sculpture, ceramics, glass, mosaics, murals, textiles and both site-specific and structurally integrated art installations by over 800 artists. A number of commissioned temporary works can also be found on the website.

The artworks, installed across the state, can be found in public buildings from La Grande to Corvallis and Medford to Portland, including on campuses of higher education at University of Oregon, Portland State University, Oregon State University, Southern Oregon University, Eastern Oregon University, Western Oregon University and Oregon Institute of Technology.

The new online interface allows Oregonians or visitors to experience the state’s art collection remotely or to plan visits to view art in person. Robust search capabilities allow tailored searches—for a teacher creating class curriculum, a student doing research or a curious member of the public.

Highlights of the collection include:

• Two- and three-dimensional works by seminal Oregon artists including Louis Bunce, Sally Haley, Manuel Izquierdo, George Johanson, James Lavadour and Lucinda Parker.

• Temporary artworks, including “Information Studio” (2008) by Tahni Holt, an interactive dance installation created during a month-long residency at Portland State University. The site-specific work transformed a glass enclosed meeting room at the Smith Memorial Student Union into a stage where performers followed directions via headphones to realize Holt’s choreography.

• Integrated works like Henk Pander’s “The Road” (2006), a largescale painting of an imagined traffic accident based on the artist’s experiences riding along with various Oregon police, sheriff and fire departments. The painting was commissioned for the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem.

• Memorials, such as Lead Pencil Studio’s “OSH Patient Memorial” (2014) at the Oregon State Hospital in Salem, which respectfully commemorates more than 3,400 individuals who passed away in Oregon state institutions from 1913 to 1970. The memorial includes a building displaying the historical metal canisters that held the ashes of individuals not claimed by family members. Facing this, a columbarium wall holds newly created ceramic urns with the inscribed names and living dates of the remains represented within.

• Recent commissions include “Lessons from a Falling Star” (2018) by Garrick Imatani, installed at the University of Oregon. This project traces the legacy of “Tomanowas” (The Willamette Meteorite), which came to Oregon via the Missoula Floods approximately 15,000 years ago. The artist worked with the Clackamas tribe (part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde), who consider “Tomanowas” a sacred object, to 3D scan the meteorite and photograph current tribe members with a 3D printed replica in response to archival images showing the meteorite as discovered. A second aluminum replica of the meteorite is suspended in the atrium of Straub Hall in front of a mural showing water levels during the Missoula Floods.

Oregon was one of the first states in the nation to pass Percent for Art legislation, setting aside no less than 1 percent of funds for the acquisition of public-facing artwork in all state building construction projects with budgets over $100,000. Since 1975, the Percent for Art program has placed high-quality, accessible and mostly permanent art in public places. Over 275 state construction projects have qualified for Percent for Art funds and more than 2,000 Oregonians have taken part in the selection of artwork for their state's higher education campuses and government facilities. The program, managed by the Oregon Arts Commission, remains dedicated to the enhancement of public environments and the improvement of the character and quality of state buildings.

Link to State of Oregon Percent for Art Collection website: http://state-of-oregon-art-collection.org/final/Portal.aspx

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

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

PORTLAND, Ore.—On Friday, March 15, 2019, a federal jury found Dat Quoc Do, 28, of Madras, Oregon, guilty of two counts of unlawful use of a weapon for discharging a firearm during a road rage altercation on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in September 2017.

“There is simply no excuse for this sort of violence in our community. Mr. Do’s actions are very serious and could have critically injured or killed an innocent motorist,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “The jury clearly saw this case for what it is: an egregious and preventable overreaction to an otherwise ordinary event on the highway.”

“These acts are shocking.  Handguns are not video games and this is not a movie,” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “By shooting towards another car, Mr. Do put lives in danger and traumatized the occupants including a child inside the vehicle.”

According to court documents and information shared during trial, on September 14, 2017, Do was riding in the front passenger seat of a vehicle driven by his girlfriend, Thao Bich Tran. The two were driving at night eastbound on Highway 26 on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation when they came upon another eastbound vehicle being driven by an adult member of the tribe. Also in the second vehicle were the driver’s adult daughter and 12-year-old niece.

Tran was tailgating the vehicle when the other driver motioned for her to pass. At some point in the encounter, the other driver’s adult daughter threw a water bottle at, but did not hit Tran and Do’s vehicle. In response, Do fired several shots out the front passenger window of their vehicle, but did not hit the other driver’s vehicle. After the initial shooting, Tran raised the passenger window and continued to the follow the other vehicle. When Tran had a clear lane to pass, she moved to change lanes.

As Tran began to overtake the other vehicle, Do extended his hand holding a handgun out of their vehicle’s front passenger window. Believing that Do was pointing the gun in her direction, the other driver rapidly applied her brakes. Do fired several additional rounds as Tran drove away.

The other driver called Warm Springs Tribal Police to report the incident while continuing to follow Tran and Do’s vehicle. A patrol officer later stopped their vehicle and ordered Tran and Do out at gunpoint. Both were taken into custody. Officers recovered a Springfield Armory XD .45 caliber handgun in the front-passenger door pocket of the vehicle and a .45 caliber magazine partially loaded with five rounds in the center console.

Do faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. He will be sentenced on Monday, June 10, 2019 before U.S. District Court Judge Michael H. Simon.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Warm Springs Tribal Police Department and prosecuted by Paul T. Maloney and Lewis S. Burkhart, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.

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The victim in this case has been identified as Edward Lanier (53) of Myrtle Creek, Oregon.

Oregon State Police is requesting that anyone who may have seen an altercation between the victim vehicle, a beige 1992 Honda Accord, the suspect vehicle, a late model silver four door sedan (possibly a Ford) with no license plates, and possibly a third vehicle with no description. 

The three vehicles were observed traveling westbound on Harvard Ave. just east of I-5 and then turning onto the southbound onramp to I-5 from Harvard Ave.

Oregon State Police is asking anyone that may have observed this altercation with the three vehicles or with any information regarding this incident to contact Oregon State Police at OSP.

On Sunday, March 17, 2019 at approximately 12:00 P.M. Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to the report of a shooting that had occurred on Interstate 5 southbound near milepost 124.  

Witnesses reported a subject in a late model silver four door sedan, possibly a Ford, with no license plates shot a male subject in another vehicle while traveling southbound at that location.

The victim was transported to Mercy Medical Center in Roseburg for treatment of a gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased at the hospital. 

The suspect vehicle continued on Interstate 5 southbound from milepost 123.

A witness described the driver of the silver car as a male in his 30's wearing a red baseball cap. 

Oregon State Police is asking anyone who sees a vehicle and subject matching that description to call 911 and do not attempt to contact as we consider the suspect armed and dangerous.

Anyone that may have witnessed the shooting or anyone with any information regarding the shooting is asked to call the Oregon State Police at - OSP - and refer to case # SP19095157.

Investigation is continuing and no further information is available for release at this time.

March 18, 2019 - Salem, Ore. – Oregon Lottery Win for Life players have reason to celebrate this spring, as three top prizes were awarded in less than a month.

The top prize for Win for Life is $1,000 per week for the rest of the life of the winner. Drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Prior to these most recent top prize winners, there was a three-year drought from 2014-2017 with no top prize winner. However, already in 2019, three of the top prizes have been awarded.

It started on February 12, when Robert East of Fairview won the top prize. East took the prize as a weekly $1,000 payment. He said he will use the prize for retirement and purchased the ticket at CJs Pub in Fairview.

Then in March it was an incredibly lucky month for Win for Life players, with two top prizes being awarded within three days of each other. On March 5, Sondra Lundy of Springfield claimed her top prize from a ticket she purchased at The Pour House Tavern.

Three days later, on March 8, Steven Henning of Eugene hit the third Win for Life prize. He purchased his ticket from Dari Mart in Eugene. All three winners opted to take their jackpots as weekly, $1,000 prizes, for the rest of their lives.

“If this keeps up, Win for Life is going to be the game to play in 2019,” said Patrick Johnson, Lottery spokesperson. “Normally there is a Win for Life top prize winner that comes every now and then, but sometimes the random nature of the Lottery will surprise you, just ask our winners!”

The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Prize winners of more than $50,000 are advised to contact the Lottery office and schedule an appointment to claim their prize.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $12 billion for economic development, public education, state parks, Veterans services and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org

KENNEWICK, WA – In partnership with their school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) group, two students at River View High School in Finley are leading a Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign March 18-22.  Community members are encouraged to drop off donations for local victims of domestic violence between 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM at the high school each school day this week.

Deisy Herrera and Sandy Estrada are Finley juniors with a passion for bringing an end to domestic violence.  According to DoSomething.org, 25% of women worldwide will experience domestic or dating violence in their lifetime.  “Boys who witness domestic violence are two times as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.”

Donations of the following items may be dropped off at River View High School in Finley:  cell phones, toothpaste, deodorant, laundry detergent, and other household items.  Finley’s SADD group will deliver the donations to Domestic Violence Services of Benton and Franklin Counties.

Resources and data about domestic violence prevention can be found on the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website at ncadv.org.  The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1−800−799−7233.  For more information about Finley’s awareness campaign, contact RVHS Counselor, Rebekah Duty, at duty@finleysd.org">rduty@finleysd.org.

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Salem, Ore. -- The Oregon Department of Forestry is inviting public comment on planned projects, timber sales and other management activities in state-owned forests in fiscal year 2020.

Starting today, March 18, through 5 p.m. on May 2, 2019, Oregonians can weigh in on draft Annual Operations Plans (AOPs) for state forests, which lay out on-the-ground activities expected to take place in the coming fiscal year. State forests by law must provide economic, environmental and social benefits to Oregonians, and are managed under long-range Forest Management Plans and Implementation Plans. Annual Operations Plans implement activities towards goals and strategies laid out in these longer-range plans. The draft AOP summary documents can be viewed online at https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Working/Pages/StateForests.aspx and are also available at district offices upon request.

Common topics included in an Annual Operations Plan include:

• Timber harvest operations
• Recreation improvement and maintenance projects
• Forest road construction, maintenance, and improvements
• Reforestation/replanting and young stand management activities
• Habitat improvement for native species
• Invasive species management

The most useful input speaks to these specific activities and whether they are consistent with longer-range plans, offers suggestions to improve efficiency or effectiveness, corrects errors, provides additional information, and is solution-oriented, understanding that state forests are working forests and by law must provide a variety of economic, environmental and social benefits. Activities that affect fish and wildlife habitat are reviewed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, while operations that may influence threatened and endangered species are shared with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  

ODF is offering several convenient avenues to comment on AOPs:

• An online survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6YVN2RC
• Online comments are also received through ODF’s comments page: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/AboutODF/Pages/Comment.aspx
• Comments can also be mailed to ODF Public Affairs, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310.