Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are investigating a two vehicle fatal traffic crash that occurred Sunday evening at the intersection of Highway 211 and Canby-Marquam Highway (Highway 170) between Molalla and Woodburn. The crash resulted in the death of a man and woman and minor injuries to the other driver. Preliminary information is provided in this initial news release. Names are withheld pending positive identification and next of kin notification.

According to OSP Sergeant Duane Larson, on February 5, 2012 at approximately 6:40 p.m. a pickup with two occupants was southbound on Canby-Marquam Highway when it was involved in a collision with a tow truck traveling west of Highway 211. The tow truck collided into the pickup\'s driver side. After impact, the tow truck came to rest in a field off the highway and the pickup came to rest on the highway.

The male driver and female passenger in the pickup were pronounced deceased at the scene.

The male driver in the tow truck received minor injuries and was taken by a private party to an area hospital.

The intersection is controlled by a stop sign for traffic on Canby-Marquam Highway. Investigating troopers will determine if the pickup stopped before entering the intersection.

OSP is assisted at the scene by Clackamas County Sheriff\'s Office, Monitor Fire Department and ODOT. Highway 211 will be closed at the scene during the investigation. Traffic updates www.TripCheck.com.

No photographs or other information anticipated to be released tonight.

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

Note: GREENTREE Photograph - Josephine County Sheriff's Office

***

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GREENTREE and STADER were using safety restraints.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Crash Scene Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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


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

Walla Walla School District Board Meeting - February 6, 2012 as per the attached agenda & media memo ~


Attached Media Files: 2012-02/1288/51426/02.06.12_SB_00_AGENDA.pdf , 2012-02/1288/51426/02.06.12_SB__00_MEDIA_MEMO.pdf

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

####


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

-30-

MEDIA ATTENTION: Correction to this story. Yesterday I released Lincoln HS School received an award for the Extended Graduation Rate Category. This was an error. The award actually went to the Alternative Education Program at Walla Walla Community College. Sorry for this mistake. Below is the correct story. Mark Higgins, Communications Director.

District schools receive 2011 Washington Achievement Awards

WALLA WALLA - The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education recently announced Garrison Middle School and Walla Walla High School received 2011 Washington Achievement Awards.

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education created the Washington Achievement Award to celebrate our top-performing schools and to recognize achievement in multiple categories.

Garrison Middle School
Special Recognition - Improvement

Walla Walla High School
Special Recognition - Extended Graduation Rate

Comment from Superintendent Mick Miller
"It is gratifying to have schools and programs receive acknowledgment for their improvement. Our staff members deeply care for their kids and are working to help improve the achievement of each student. Congratulations to those recognized by OSPI!" Mick Miller, Superintendent

Garrison Middle School
"We are thrilled to have our school honored for our work in closing the achievement grant. Our students and staff have been working very hard the past three years to implement systems changes and instructional interventions to assure all students learn. I cannot express my appreciation enough to our staff and students for their hard work and determination! We are excited to have our efforts recognized by our state organization." Gina Yonts, Garrison MS Principal

Walla Walla High School
"This award is reflective of our entire community and their high expectations for Walla Walla High School. Our teachers, counselors and support staff are the key; they go out of their way to ensure that every student gets the opportunity to succeed and leave us career and college ready." Pete Peterson, Walla Walla HS Principal

This highly selective award is based on each school's performance according to the Washington Achievement Index, a comprehensive measurement of how schools in Washington are performing over time.

The Washington Achievement Award is given to elementary, middle, high and comprehensive schools in seven different categories: overall excellence, language arts, math, science, extended graduation rate (high and comprehensive schools only), improvement and closing achievement gaps.

Yonts and Peterson have been invited to an awards ceremony Wednesday, April 25 at Mariner High School in Everett. Visit OSPI's Education Awards pages to learn more about the Washington Achievement Awards, including details on the Washington Achievement Index and the criteria for selection. http://www.k12.wa.us

###

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photograph Source - Oregon State Police

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


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

WALLA WALLA - The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education recently announced Garrison Middle School, Lincoln High School and Walla Walla High School received 2011 Washington Achievement Awards. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education created the Washington Achievement Award to celebrate our top-performing schools and to recognize achievement in multiple categories.

Garrison Middle School
• Special Recognition – Improvement

Walla Walla High School and Lincoln High School
• Special Recognition - Extended Graduation Rate

Comment from Superintendent Mick Miller
"It is gratifying to have schools and programs receive acknowledgment for their improvement. Our staff members deeply care for their kids and are working to help improve the achievement of each student. Congratulations to those recognized by OSPI!" Mick Miller, Superintendent

Garrison Middle School
"We are thrilled to have our school honored for our work in closing the achievement grant. Our students and staff have been working very hard the past three years to implement systems changes and instructional interventions to assure all students learn. I cannot express my appreciation enough to our staff and students for their hard work and determination! We are excited to have our efforts recognized by our state organization." Gina Yonts, Garrison MS Principal

Walla Walla High School
"This award is reflective of our entire community and their high expectations for Walla Walla High School. Our teachers, counselors and support staff are the key; they go out of their way to ensure that every student gets the opportunity to succeed and leave us career and college ready." Pete Peterson, Walla Walla HS Principal

Lincoln High School
"I am very proud of our Lincoln staff. We track our students very closely and let them know where they stand with credits and graduation requirements. Each student's schedule is designed to keep them on track. I believe this plays a significant role in the success of our students and our graduation rate. The Lincoln staff is committed to the success of each one of our students." Jim Sporleder, Lincoln HS Principal

This highly selective award is based on each school’s performance according to the Washington Achievement Index, a comprehensive measurement of how schools in Washington are performing over time. The Washington Achievement Award is given to elementary, middle, high and comprehensive schools in seven different categories: overall excellence, language arts, math, science, extended graduation rate (high and comprehensive schools only), improvement and closing achievement gaps.

Yonts, Sporleder and Peterson have been invited to an awards ceremony Wednesday, April 25 at Mariner High School in Everett. Visit OSPI’s Education Awards pages to learn more about the Washington Achievement Awards, including details on the Washington Achievement Index and the criteria for selection. http://www.k12.wa.us

###

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

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

The Oregon State Police are investigating.

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

PR 07 12

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



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



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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



###

FINLEY, WA – River View High School in Finley received notification on February 1 that the school is a recipient of the 2011 Washington Achievement Award. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the State Board of Education (SBE) collaborate to offer this award each year to recognize schools for overall excellence in language arts, math, science, graduation rate, improvement, and closing achievement gaps. RVHS has been recognized this year for its extended graduation rate.

The Washington Achievement Award celebrates the State’s top-performing schools annually based on their performance according to the Washington Achievement Index – a comprehensive measurement of how schools in Washington are performing over time. The award is given to elementary, middle, high and comprehensive schools. Information on the details of the award and how schools are selected is available on the OSPI website (www.k12.wa.us).

This is the third time that RVHS has received the award, having been honored for its extended graduation rate in both 2008 and 2009. The selection process for the Washington Achievement Award is very rigorous, and Finley School District is extremely proud of River View’s accomplishment.

Finley School District Superintendent Lance Hahn stated, "We have a dedicated staff and a supportive community that promotes the importance of education and a diploma. I am proud of our students’ success and we will continue to strive for ‘All Kids Achieving’."

Award recipients across the state will celebrate at an award ceremony on April 25 in Everett,
or at a later date at their local Educational Service District. For more information, contact Finley PIO Molly Curtiss at 509.544.5787 or mcurtiss@esd123.org.

###

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###

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


Attached Media Files: Oregon Broadband Advisory Council Appointee Anne Carloss

KiBe HS has been identified as a recipient of the Washington Achievement Award by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. KiBe was recognized for Overall Excellence and for Special Recognition in the area of Language Arts. We congratulate the staff and students for their great work!!

FINLEY, WA – River View High School students in Finley are making great progress in their newly offered elective class this year. For the first time ever, students at RVHS are trying their hands at three-dimensional metal art. After the first semester of the 2011-2012 school year, these students have much to show for their efforts, and their artwork will be on display Thursday, February 2.

The 3D Metal Arts class is an elective taught by Mr. Keith Holman at the high school. Holman, who also teaches career and technical education (CTE), agriculture, and applied math at the high school, said that quite a bit of new equipment has enabled the students to create their new projects.

The students’ artwork will be on display at Finley Middle School on Thursday, February 2 from 11 AM to 12 PM only. The public is welcome to stop by to view the students’ art, or visit the RVHS web page at http://www.finleysd.org/ourschools/river-view-high-school.

For more information, contact Mr. Holman at 509.582.2158 or kholman@finleysd.org.

###


Attached Media Files: 2012-02/1823/51356/IMG_0386.JPG , 2012-02/1823/51356/IMG_0383.JPG , 2012-02/1823/51356/IMG_0388.JPG

Note: Change to show "OHA Josephine Chapter"

***

The Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division is continuing to ask for the public's help to identify the suspect(s) responsible related to an investigation into the illegal killing and waste of a Bighorn Sheep Ram in Baker County during late December 2011. With help of several organizations, the reward increased from $3,000 to $5,600 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.

On December 28, 2011, OSP Senior Trooper Kris Davis responded to a report of a headless carcass, determined to be a Bighorn Sheep Ram, on Conner Creek Road approximately a quarter mile from the Snake River Road. This location is between the towns of Huntington and Richland along Brownlee Reservoir in the Lookout Mountain Wildlife Management Unit. Based on statements and condition of the carcass, Davis believes the ram was killed on approximately December 22, 2011. The ram's head was removed and the remains left to waste.

Bighorn Sheep hunting is lawful in the Lookout Mountain Unit with the proper tag; however, the season for Bighorn Sheep closed in that area on September 25. Only two Bighorn Sheep tags are issued in this unit each year.

The reward increase was made possible through contributions from:

* Oregon Hunters Association (OHA) TIP reward
* OHA Ochoco Chapter
* OHA Josephine Chapter
* OHA Bend Chapter
* OHA Redmond Chapter
* OHA Baker Chapter
* OHA Union County Chapter
* Oregon Foundation for North American Wild Sheep
* The Humane Society of the United States

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to call the Turn-in-Poacher TIP line at 1-800-452-7888 or Senior Trooper Davis at (541) 805-4757.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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


Attached Media Files: 2011-12/1002/50325/LOBighorn.JPG

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

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

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

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

More Key Findings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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



- 30 -

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

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

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

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

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

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

_ _ _ _ _

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###

Parent Meeting
- Presenter: Stu Cabe
- Topic: Effective communication strategies for successful parent and teenager relationships
- Date: Tuesday, Feb. 7
- Time: 6 to 7 p.m.
- Location: Wa-Hi Auditorium
- FREE
- Spanish translation service available

WALLA WALLA – Relationship expert Stu Cabe returns to Walla Walla to lead a discussion on effective communication strategies for successful parent and teenager relationships. This free event targeted for parents with middle and high school students is Tuesday, Feb. 7 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Walla Walla High School Auditorium. Spanish translation services will be available.

Cabe has been the keynote speaker the past two years at the Big Blue Weekend event at the Washington Family Ranch in Antelope, OR. He visited Walla Walla in December to meet with middle and high school students to continue his work of promoting a positive school climate and a culture of kindness and respect. Cabe uses humor and stories of real life experiences to relate with students.

Additional Media Opportunities during Stu Cabe’s visit
Tuesday, Feb. 7
9:00 a.m. Senior student assembly
1:00-3:00 p.m. Student training for classroom presentations

Wednesday, Feb. 8
9:20 a.m. Student leaders present classroom curriculum
11:30 a.m. AVID classes presentation


###

FINLEY, WA – The students in Ms. Lorianne Donovan’s third grade class at Finley Elementary received a special visit from scientist Frannie Skomurski on Tuesday, January 31. Miss Skomurski works as a geologist for Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Richland and has worked with Ms. Donovan on various science projects recently. On Tuesday, students were led through a "virtual field trip" digging up fossils in Montana.

Skomurski began the adventure by asking students to complete the sentence: "A geologist is someone who… __________." Donovan’s class showed off their smarts with quick responses that identified a geologist as someone who studies rocks, minerals and the earth. Skomurski discussed some of the work done by geologists like herself and passed around some important geologist tools, such as a rock hammer, special compass, and field journal). Then she set the scene for the class’ trip to Montana.

Each table grouping of students was provided with an envelope filled with paper "fossil fragments" to unearth. Students also received data sheets on which they would record their findings over the five-day dig. Days one, two, and three of the dig allowed the students to pull four fossil fragments at a time out of their envelopes and write down their observations of the findings. After day three, the students combined all of the fossil fragments at their table and attempted to assemble the creature they thought they had found. The following days of the dig involved consulting fellow classmates’ findings, and returning to the "university library" to conduct some research on similar fossils.

The students of Donovan’s third grade class were enthralled with the fossil activity and the work of Skomurski. She encouraged the students to continue to be curious, observe, and ask questions. For more information on the day’s activity, contact PIO Molly Curtiss at mcurtiss@esd123.org.

###


Attached Media Files: assembling the fossils , 3rd grade class , Frannie Skomurski

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

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

The association’s legislative priorities fall into three categories:

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

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

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

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

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

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

-30-

Jan. 31, 2012

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

The advisory went into effect Aug. 23, 2011.

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

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

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

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


# # #

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

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

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

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

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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


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

The Oregon Department of Forestry and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources --

For Immediate Release
January 30, 2012

OLYMPIA – In the summer of 2011, forested areas with new defoliation caused by Douglas-fir tussock moths were detected in the Blue Mountains by the U.S. Forest Service, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).

Through the agencies’ aerial surveys, light defoliation was mapped across 9,000 acres of the Umatilla National Forest in Washington (7,800 acres) and Oregon (1,200 acres). Most of the defoliation occurred in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness Area but may spread and increase in severity in 2012. The damage was typically light, with the top third of the crown most heavily defoliated.

Another tussock moth outbreak that affected 1,600 acres in eastern Spokane County in 2011 will likely collapse in 2012. In northern Idaho, approximately 68,000 acres with tussock moth defoliation were recorded in 2011. In parts of northern Idaho, the outbreak may spread and increase in severity in 2012.

The damage primarily affects grand fir, subalpine fir, Douglas-fir, and some spruce.
• Caterpillars feed on both new and old foliage.
• Defoliation damage can reduce growth, cause top-kill, and may predispose some trees to attack by bark beetles.
• Repeated defoliation is most damaging to trees.
• It is important to remember that defoliated trees observed in the summer and fall are not necessarily dead.
• If a tree is able to form buds that survive the winter, needles will develop in the spring.
• Recreation can also be affected in areas with tussock moth present because the hairs found on caterpillars, cocoons, and egg masses are a skin irritant to many people.

The last outbreak in the Blue Mountains occurred from 2000-2002. Outbreaks typically collapse within two to four years due to a buildup of natural enemies, such as a viral disease and parasites.

To evaluate management options, DNR and ODF can assist forest and woodlot property owners in the affected areas who observe Douglas-fir tussock moth egg masses or tree damage. New defoliation damage becomes most noticeable in July and is often worst in the tops of trees.

To report tussock moth damage or for more information, please contact your state’s Forest Entomologist: Glenn Kohler (Washington DNR), 360-902-1342, glenn.kohler@dnr.wa.gov or Rob Flowers (ODF), 503-945-7396, rflowers@odf.state.or.us.

To reduce potential tree damage in future outbreaks, susceptible stands can be thinned to favor non-host species and increase spacing between host trees that are retained. Because severely defoliated trees may recover, thinning and salvage is best done following the outbreak. This will also reduce worker’s exposure to irritating caterpillar hairs. Early in the outbreak, the application of labeled insecticides on high-value stands can reduce tree damage and may prevent an outbreak’s spread.

Detailed information on how to recognize Douglas-fir tussock moth damage, maps and images are available at the DNR website: http://1.usa.gov/2z8nkG

# # #

PASCO, WA – The Early Learning Coalition of Southeast Washington held its first planning meeting on January 26 in an effort to begin identifying regional decision-making procedures and priorities in their work to build an early learning system across the region. This comes after the coalition received a $68,000 Community Momentum award from Thrive by Five Washington at the beginning of the month.

On January 5, the state’s non-profit public-private partnership for early learning, known as Thrive by Five Washington, announced the award of $783,000 in Community Momentum grants to ten regional early learning coalitions. The Southeast Washington coalition received an additional $10,000 to participate in the WaKIDS Early Learning Collaboration project as well.

Samantha Bowen, Director of Early Learning at Educational Service District (ESD) 123 in Pasco, coordinates the regional early learning coalition. Bowen says that the purpose of the coalition is to increase Southeast Washington's influence on state-level early learning decisions.

"Our work will focus on building relationships between key partners, prioritizing and making decisions that reflect our region, and drawing upon local/regional knowledge to inform decision making," Bowen stated.

In addition to the funds received by the Southeast Washington early learning coalition, two elementary schools within the ESD 123 region also received funds. Davis Elementary in College Place and Eastgate Elementary in Kennewick each received $5,000 to implement plans for increasing collaboration and data sharing between preschool/pre-kindergarten and kindergarten.

Grant money awarded by Thrive by Five will allow coalitions across the state to build regional infrastructures that support early learning work and engagement. For more information on the work of the regional coalition, contact Samantha Bowen at 509.200.0157 or sbowen@esd123.org.

###

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 Bruce Hawkins 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 60,000 Washington students. For more information about ESD 123, please call 509-544-5700 or 888-547-8441 or visit www.esd123.org.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you are hosting a Super Bowl party:

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

Photograph Source: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

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

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


Attached Media Files: Hawks

WALLA WALLA – Today superintendents from Walla Walla Public Schools, Kennewick School District, Pasco School District and Richland School District announced their districts will be withdrawing from the Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference (CBBN) effective June 30, 2012 and forming a new athletic league. The new league, featuring Walla Walla, Kennewick, Pasco and Richland school districts, has yet to be named.

The new league will serve eight schools with an equal number of 3A and 4A teams. No changes will take effect for the remainder of the 2011-2012 school year. Wenatchee, Yakima, Moses Lake and Sunnyside School Districts will continue on as the Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference.

Superintendent Mick Miller and Tri Cities Superintendents Dave Bond (Kennewick), Saundra Hill (Pasco), Jim Busey (Richland) said economic factors and a desire to lessen the loss of instruction time were the primary drivers in the decision to vacate the conference and form a new athletic league.

"Following almost three weeks of work trying to iron out differences between schools in the Columbia Basin Big Nine, common ground and agreement could not be made," Miller said. "While we hate to leave the CBBN, a new league will greatly reduce travel for student-athletes, coaches and parents to support our goals of reducing travel costs and loss of class time."

Miller says Walla Walla’s location played into the decision to join Tri-Cities schools.

"It would make no geographic sense for Walla Walla to be in an athletic league that did not include the Tri-Cities schools," Miller said.

A meeting will be held next week to discuss the standard operating procedures of the new league. A task force is working on the bylaws for the league as well, which will include representation from Walla Walla. The new league will generate one allocation to state for both the 3A and 4A classification. Miller said discussions are already underway with District 8 (Spokane) to combine allocations to provide another path to state for District 5 (new league) student-athletes and teams.

Superintendent Miller has acted as the Walla Walla Public Schools’ representative during efforts to keep the CBBN together and during the process to form a new league.

"I’ve worked closely with the Walla Walla Public Schools Board of Directors to keep them informed of every step of the process," said Miller, who has served on the WIAA Executive Board and District 8 Board. "We are confident the new league will serve Walla Walla High School student-athletes well and are enthusiastic about Walla Walla having the opportunity to help start a new league."



###

Good Afternoon,

Hope you are enjoying this beautiful Friday! Attached is a press release regarding an upcoming event. Anything you could do to help spread the word over the next week will, as always, be very much appreciated.

Thanks for all your help!


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/3815/51215/Teriyaki_Feed.doc

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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



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

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

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


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

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

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

STATE HOUSING COUNCIL MEETING

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


AGENDA

I. CALL TO ORDER John Epstein

II. ROLL CALL John Epstein

III. PUBLIC COMMENT John Epstein

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES John Epstein

A. Minutes of January 6, 2012 Meeting

V. DIRECTOR’S REPORT Margaret Van Vliet

VI. RESIDENTIAL CONSENT CALENDAR Kari Cleveland

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

VII. SPECIAL REPORTS

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

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

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

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

IX. OLD BUSINESS -- None

X. DISCUSSION ITEM

A. Community Engagement Karen Tolvstad

XI. REPORTS

A. Report of the Chair John Epstein

XII. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Margaret Van Vliet


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

No photographs available for release.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###

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

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

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

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

– 30 –

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

Biomass, solar projects in Enterprise, Pendleton, Walla Walla get funding via Pacific Power renewable program
National award-winning Blue Sky program invests in communities

PENDLETON, Ore. – Three innovative renewable energy projects designed to create jobs, lower government costs and use solar energy to charge electric vehicles are closer to reality thanks to funding from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky renewable energy program.

The three projects are slated to receive up to $300,000 in funding during 2012.

"The projects at the Wallowa County Energy Center, the Pendleton Wastewater Facility and Walla Walla Community College are just some of the projects that demonstrate our deep commitment to building a renewable energy future," said Pat Reiten, president of Pacific Power. "Not only will these projects help supply renewable energy, but they are providing innovative solutions and we’re proud to be part of the effort along with our Blue Sky customers."

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

Funding has been awarded to:
Wallowa County Integrated Biomass Energy Center, Enterprise, Ore., 100 kilowatt, biomass
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $80,000
This 100-kilowatt project is part of a natural resource-based economic development plan in Wallowa County and involves building and operating a profitable woody biomass combined heat and power (CHP) facility. This project is fully supported by local, county and state officials and will positively impact an economically depressed area by creating 25-30 jobs as well as create a market for woody biomass in a county that has traditionally depended on the timber industry.
Contact Nils Christoffersen, 541-426-8053, for information on project.
City of Pendleton Wastewater Treatment Facility., 130 kilowatt, biomass
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $150,000
This project involves modifying the current treatment process of Pendleton's Waste Water Treatment Plant by installing a new cogeneration facility, including two new 65-kilowatt micro turbines. The new facility will provide a location for disposal of FOG (fats, oils and grease), food waste and other high energy waste streams to generate methane gas that will fuel the two micro-turbines, rather than being burned on-site using a flare. The project will result in a reduction in energy costs, ultimately reducing public costs.
Contact Bob Patterson, City of Pendleton, 541-276-3372, for information on project.
Walla Walla Community College, 28 kilowatt, solar
Blue Sky Funds: Up to $70,000
This 28-kilowatt system will cover a newly constructed carport structure near the campus’ Health Science and Performing Arts building and will be adjacent to a new high school skills center which is currently in design. The canopy will be approximately 120 feet long and 20 feet wide and will provide power to several electric vehicle charging stations.
Contact James Peterson, Walla Walla Community College, 509-527-4686, for information on project.

###

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###

Oregon Arts Commission Announces Four Upcoming Grant Deadlines

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

# # #

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Willamette University, Ford Hall Theatre
900 State Street, Salem

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

- 30 -

WALLA WALLA - The Moms’ Network is excited to announce three new workshops for local parents to help strengthen families. Each workshop will provide invaluable information and ideas plus create an open dialogue for parents.

"Our hope with the upcoming parenting series is to educate our local parents and give them tools to make their family stronger. During each session there will be an open forum to discuss parenting issues and realistic solutions" says Beth Swanson, President of The Moms’ Network.

The first of the series is Thursday, February 9th at 7pm at the YMCA. The topic is "Resilience Trumps Trauma" with Mark Brown and Teri Barila of the Children’s Resilience Initiative. They will discuss how parents can foster resilience in their own children to make them stronger individuals. They will also discuss what local resources are available to families and how to access them.

Workshops are open to all families in the community. There will also be Spanish language translation services provided at each event. Free childcare is also available during the workshop. The event is free thanks to the support of The Moms’ Network, Walla Walla Public Schools and the YMCA.

To register for this event or for more information contact Beth Swanson at 301-7471 or beth@themomsnetworkww.com.
The Parent Workshop Series schedule is:
• February 9th "Resilience Trumps Trauma" with Mark Brown and Teri Barila of the Children’s Resilience Initiative
• March 21st "Mom to Mom" with local mom Terri Neal
• April 16th "Yoga Stretches for Moms" with yoga instructor Rebecca Thorpe
All workshops take place at the YMCA. The schedule (plus other family-friendly events) is online at www.themomsnetworkww.com.

###

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

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

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

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

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

Portland, Ore. - The Bonneville Power Administration, Puget Sound Energy, and Seattle City Light today signed a Memorandum of Agreement aimed at improving the reliability of the regional electric grid and reducing the probability of region-wide customer power outages in the future.

The MOA includes six proposed transmission improvement projects – the product of several years of study by BPA, PSE, City Light and the Snohomish Public Utility District – that working in unison will significantly improve electric reliability for electric utility customers in the Puget Sound area. In all, the projects are estimated to cost approximately $140 million and involve either transmission line upgrades or equipment additions at existing facilities.

"The transmission system serving the Puget Sound region is at capacity and needs to be upgraded," said Brian Silverstein, senior vice president, BPA Transmission Services. "Several decades have passed since we and the area utilities have jointly invested in large, regional bulk power transmission projects. Now is the time to consider these projects to avoid load curtailments and potential region-wide power outages in the future"

In developing the projects covered by the MOA, the BPA, PSE, SCL, and SnoPUD looked to the technical work of the ColumbiaGrid’s Puget Sound Area Study Team, which has studied and analyzed our regional bulk electric transmission system for several years to help develop the "one-utility" planning approach.

"This was a truly collaborative effort that allowed us to develop a solution to an issue that has been discussed and studied for more than 15 years," said Hardev Juj, vice president of Planning and Asset Management, BPA Transmission Services. "Without the cooperation of our partner utilities, we could not have reached this agreement."

When large amounts of energy are being delivered to the Puget Sound area through the Northern Intertie to Canada, transmission lines at times become congested. To relieve this congestion and avoid unplanned power interruptions to customers, BPA currently limits or curtails the amount of energy Puget Sound-area utilities and Canadian utilities can deliver across certain transmission lines. This curtailment process has been in place since fall 2007.

Energy demand projections for the Puget Sound area and the potential for additional energy delivery from the Northwest to Canada have transmission system planners projecting increased curtailments by the end of this decade.

When the curtailments are instituted, utilities have to make changes to the generating resources providing power to the area, explained Silverstein. This can be costly to Puget Sound area customers and the environment. The projects being announced today will significantly expand system capacity and minimize the need for curtailments and potential rolling blackouts.

Most of the power generating resources that serve the Puget Sound are located far away from the area. In addition to the energy coming into the area to serve local needs, BPA delivers energy through the Puget Sound area to Canada to fulfill the "Canadian Entitlement" agreed to in the 1964 Columbia River Treaty.

Under the treaty, BC Hydro stores water behind three large dams for flood control and to optimize the generation potential along the Columbia River - generating power when customers need it most. In exchange, BPA annually returns an agreed upon amount of power to BC Hydro. At times of peak energy use, system congestion in the Puget Sound area can make it difficult for the BPA to return energy to BC Hydro. BPA equally curtails energy delivery to BC Hydro, PSE, SCL and SnoPUD to relieve transmission congestion. These improvements would eliminate the need for curtailments.

###

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

About Puget Sound Energy
Washington state’s oldest local energy utility, Puget Sound Energy serves more than 1 million electric customers and 750,000 natural gas customers in 11 counties. A subsidiary of Puget Energy, PSE meets the energy needs of its customer base through incremental, cost-effective energy efficiency, procurement of sustainable energy resources, and far-sighted investment in the energy-delivery infrastructure. PSE employees are dedicated to providing great customer service and delivering energy that is safe, reliable, reasonably priced, and environmentally responsible. For more information, visit www.PSE.com.

About Seattle City Light
City Light is the tenth largest public utility in the U.S. Its seven hydro projects provide half of the power needed for the 400,000 customers in its service territory. City Light is 90 percent hydro powered with another 4 percent alternative new renewable power such as wind, biomass and solar. City Light was the first electric utility in the country to be carbon neutral and since 2005 is the only utility to achieve this status.

About Snohomish County PUD
Snohomish County Public Utility District serves one of the fastest growing counties in the Pacific Northwest, delivering electricity to about 320,000 customers and water to nearly 20,000 customers. It’s currently the second largest public utility in the Pacific Northwest and the 12th largest in the United States. It is committed to addressing regional growth by pursuing all cost-effective conservation and a diverse mix of renewable energy sources.

Salem - Governor John Kitzhaber has appointed James E. "Jef" Farley as a real estate industry member of the Oregon Real Estate Board.

Mr. Farley is co-owner of Coldwell Banker Whitney and Associates in Pendleton, Oregon which specializes in residential and commercial real estate sales. He has been a full-time real estate professional since 1991, starting with The Lutz Snyder Company in the Portland metro area. He served as the president of the Umatilla County Board of Realtors® in 1996, 2002 and 2006 and was named Realtor® of the Year in 1999.

Mr. Farley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with a real estate emphasis from the University of Montana. He currently resides in Pendleton. In his free time he enjoys the great outdoors, having fun with his family, friends and playing music with his band.

The Oregon Real Estate Board consists of seven industry members and two public members. Meetings are held a minimum of six times a year. Board members are appointed by the Governor for four-year terms; however, the members serve at the pleasure of the Governor and members’ terms may be extended until the Governor replaces them.

Board duties include providing advice to the Real Estate Commissioner and the Governor’s office regarding real estate industry matters, reviewing proposed rulemaking, approving experience waiver requests of real estate licensing applicants, and overseeing the license examination process.
###

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For further information, visit health.oregon.gov.

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

###

CLARKSTON, WA – The Clarkston School District Board of Directors approved the hiring of James Fry as the new Curriculum Instruction and Assessment Executive Director at their regular Board meeting on January 23. Fry, who currently serves as principal for Canutillo High School in El Paso, Texas, will officially begin his new position in Clarkston on July 1.

A native of Pullman, Washington, Fry is no stranger to the Clarkston area or the Northwest. He received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Washington State University and taught English at the high school level in both Tacoma and Spokane. Prior to moving to Texas, Fry served as Assistant Principal at John R. Rogers High School in Spokane for five years. He is now in his sixth year at Canutillo High School and will finish out the 2011-2012 school year there before relocating to Clarkston.

Not only did the Clarkston School District job posting appeal to Fry’s desire to move closer to his family (many of whom still live near the Clarkston area), but the opportunity to work in such a critical role within such a strong school district was a significant draw.

"This is a very pivotal time as the entire State transitions from the current state standards to Common Core Standards," Fry stated. "I’m very excited for the chance to work in a really strong district and be there to help facilitate this transition."

Due to the size of the state and the remnants of former President George W. Bush, many changes in education have come out of Texas. Fry’s experience working there has helped prepare him for the changes that are now approaching the state of Washington in the area of curriculum.

"I think my biggest challenge will be keeping what is working and what is already aligned with state standards while transitioning into more rigorous Common Core Standards," said Fry.

While Fry has deeply enjoyed his time and work in Texas, he says that he is eager for the opportunity to come home to the Northwest and work with the great people in Clarkston. Fry officially begins as Curriculum Instruction and Assessment Executive Director on July 1. For more information, contact Clarkston Communications Director Molly Curtiss at 509.544.5787 or CurtissM@csdk12.org

###


Attached Media Files: James Fry

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

###


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Dated: January 23, 2011


Rick W. Crager, President

(Salem) — Last fall, a charity that sponsored a golf contest bought insurance to cover the $10,000 prize in case a golfer beat the odds at Heron Lakes Golf Course in Portland.

Sure enough, Matt Ramsay, a casual golfer from Vancouver, Wash., made the 67-foot putt. You don’t have to imagine his excitement; you can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQlSosgOoNE. Now, however, collecting the prize money seems like the long shot. The insurer, Hole-In-Won.com, still hasn’t paid.

"I hate being taken advantage of and really feel bad for Matt," said Evan Denhart. His foundation, the Prostate Awareness Research Foundation (PAR for Life), was raising money through the putting contest for prostate cancer education and research.

Hole-In-Won.com isn’t licensed to sell insurance in Oregon and neither is its president, Kevin Kolenda of Rye, N.Y. Nonetheless, Oregon consumers have reported receiving fax blasts with Hole-In-Won’s name. The marketing material directs people to a website that promotes event coverage, including "hole-in-one insurance." However, the site fails to mention the business is not licensed in Oregon.

"With Hole-In-Won still selling insurance online, we are warning Oregonians not to do business with this company," said Lou Savage, acting administrator of the Insurance Division. "The company is currently under investigation by the state."

Organizations in Oregon that have been approached by Hole-In-Won are asked to contact Insurance Division Investigator Stephanie Noren at 503-947-7233 or stephanie.j.noren@state.or.us.

In the meantime, other states have ordered Hole-In-Won.com and its employees to stop selling insurance. Insurance regulators in Connecticut fined Kolenda $5.9 million, although that state has yet to collect any money. Kolenda is also accused of failing to pay claims on prizes he covered.

Ramsay thought his prize money would have come in handy with a newborn.

"I was going to pay for about eight months of his day care," he said.

###
The Insurance Division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

Follow DCBS on Twitter: http://twitter.com/OregonDCBS. Receive consumer help and information on insurance, mortgages, investments, workplace safety, and more.

WALLA WALLA - Walla Walla High School Athletic Hall of Fame is inducting seven new members Saturday, February 4 during the Chiawana basketball game. The ceremony will be held between the girls’ and boys’ double header basketball game at approximately 7:15 p.m.

A reception will follow the induction ceremony in the Fletcher Athletic Team Room for the new inductees, former inductees, family, friends and Big Blue Boosters.

2012 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees:
- Patrick O’Rourke • Class of 1922
- David Bateman • Class of 1971
- Phil Girsberger • Class of 1984
- Jill (Meliah) Watkins • Class of 1996
- Jason Grove • Class of 1997
- Lindsay (Chutas) Morgan • Class of 2000
- Thomas Kelati • Class of 2001

###

WALLA WALLA - Volunteers are needed to serve on the Walla Walla High School Senior Presentation panel for the Class of 2012. Volunteers will listen to graduates as they share their personal stories, successes and struggles, academic accomplishments, community volunteer experiences, and future plans.

Volunteers may sign up for multiple panel dates, but they will only need to attend the training session on the first day they have selected to participate. This is a graduation requirement for seniors. Community support is appreciated and needed.

Senior Presentation Panel Dates:
- Wednesday, February 15
- Thursday, February 16
- Wednesday, March 21
- Thursday, March 22

Time commitment:
- Approximately 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

To sign up, contact Walla Walla High School Assistant Principal Mark Pickel at: 509.527.3020 ext. 8602 or by email at: mpickel@wwps.org.

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Saturday night's fatal traffic crash involving a bicyclist on Interstate 5 north of Cottage Grove. The crash resulted in the death of 29-year old CASEY MICHAEL PITTS-CARROLL. He was last known to be living as a transient in the Cottage Grove area and has previously lived in Eugene.

According to Trooper Cale Day, on January 21, 2012 at approximately 9:44 p.m. a 2011 GMC Denali sport utility vehicle driven by AMBER S. VINCENT, age 26, from Sutherlin, was southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 176 just south of the East Saginaw Road overpass when it struck a bicycle crossing the freeway. Witnesses said the cyclist was riding northbound along the southbound shoulder prior to being struck as it tried to cross the freeway in the vehicle's path.

The cyclist, PITTS-CARROLL, was trapped under the vehicle as it came to a stop. After emergency medical personnel arrived minutes later he was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was not wearing reflective clothing and the bicycle had no lighting equipment.

VINCENT and her two children, ages 2 and 4, were not injured.

OSP troopers were assisted at the scene by South Lane County Fire Rescue, Cottage Grove Police Department, and ODOT.

The southbound lanes were closed over two hours but traffic was able to get through the scene.

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

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

The American Red Cross is continuing its around-the-clock efforts to provide assistance to families and communities impacted by the recent storms. As flooding takes its toll in our region, we are prepared to continue our humanitarian response and relief efforts through the weekend.

We currently have over 100 Red Cross volunteers and staff from around the state actively responding. Disaster Response Teams are assessing the need for sheltering and mass care in several locations in the Willamette Valley and the Oregon coast. We have several hundred more volunteers on alert if needed.

As of Friday evening, the Red Cross had opened shelters in Hood River and Newport for people displaced by power outages and flooding.

Volunteers, facilities and supplies were being moved in Vernonia, in anticipation of possible flooding. Over 50 Red Cross sites across the state have been stocked with supplies for immediate response.

The Red Cross shelters in Aumsville, Mapleton, Gold Beach, Brookings and Corvallis have been closed or put on standby.

For current Red Cross shelters available in Oregon, please contact your local officials as shelter sites may change due to power outages.

PREPARE FOR FLOODING
As with any disaster, preparation can be the difference between life and death. The Red Cross recommends that individuals and families prepare for floods by:


Creating and practicing a Disaster Plan: Talk to everyone in your household about what to do if a flood occurs. Decide where you would meet and who you would contact in case of flooding. Assemble and maintain an emergency preparedness kit. Be prepared to evacuate your family and pets at a moment’s notice. Listen to area radio and television stations for possible flood warnings and reports of flooding in progress.

For more information on preparing for floods: http://www.oregonredcross.org/pdf/Flood(19).pdf

Assembling an Emergency Preparedness Kit: Kits should contain a first aid kit and essential medications, foods that don’t require cooking or refrigeration and manual can opener, bottled water, flashlights and a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, copies of important documents and other emergency items for the whole family.


Heeding Flood Warnings: Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated flood information. A flood WATCH means flooding or flash flooding is possible in your area. A flood WARNING means flooding or flash flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area. When a flood or flash flood warning is issued for your area, head for higher ground and stay there.

Relocating During Flood Warnings: Stay away from flood waters. If you come upon a flowing stream where water is above your ankle, stop, turn around and go another way. If you come upon a flooded road while driving, turn around and go another way. If you are caught on a flooded road and waters are rising rapidly around you, get out of the car quickly and move to higher ground.

SUPPORT THE RED CROSS at:https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?4996.donation=form1&idb=899935572&df_id=4996

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people.

You can help people affected by disasters, like the recent storms and flooding, by making a donation to support American Red Cross Disaster Relief. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters. Contributions may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

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

RED CROSS SAFE AND WELL
During an emergency, letting your family know that you are safe can bring your loved ones great peace of mind. If you are affected by the flood, register on the Red Cross Safe and Well Website accessible at: https://safeandwell.communityos.org/cms/index.php.

The Safe and Well Website allows those directly affected by a disaster to let their loved ones know of their well-being.

For those who do not have internet access, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register yourself and your family. Follow the prompts for disaster information.

Concerned family members who know the person’s phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for the messages posted by those who self-register.

Walla Walla School District Special Board Meeting/Public Work Session:
January 24, 2012 as per the attached media memo:


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1288/51002/01.24.12_SB__00_MEDIA_MEMO_Board_Work_Session.pdf

American Red Cross, Oregon Region - Winter Storm Update, January 20, 2012
2:00 PM

The American Red Cross is working around the clock to provide assistance to families and communities impacted by the recent storms and we are prepared to continue our humanitarian response and relief efforts through the weekend.

There is new concern in Hood River County, where they have been dealing with icy conditions, power outages and downed trees – we are in process for setting up a shelter in Hood River.

Waters are rising in Vernonia. Red Cross volunteers are on their way…

The Red Cross Emergency Operations Center has been active since Wednesday afternoon. We are currently assessing additional potential future needs in the affected areas for supplies and/or shelters. We will be monitoring and responding to events over the weekend.

Four (4) Red Cross shelters are open: Aumsville; Brookings; Gold Beach; and Mapleton. Red Cross is also providing support for 2 community shelters: in Allegany; and Salem.

We are drawing on supplies pre-positioned in over 50 locations across the state to conduct these sheltering and relief efforts.

Red Cross blankets have been distributed to Lincoln County schools to support preparations for the potential of sheltering in-place for students.

The Oregon Red Cross Government Liaison staff have been working at the Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) at the Oregon Office of Emergency Management in Salem, the City of Salem EOC, and the Marion County EOC.

Preparations are underway to provide distribution of clean-up kits, comfort kits and emergency food supplies as needed. Snacks and meals have been provided to shelter residents as well as mental health and medical supplies and assistance as needed.

We currently have over 100 Red Cross volunteers and staff from around the state actively responding. We have several hundred more volunteers on alert if needed.

Though we are not anticipating the need at this time, we are in communication with the Red Cross National Disaster Operations Center in Washington D.C. should assistance beyond Oregon be needed.

Current Red Cross shelters open:

Marion County:
Bethel Baptist Church - OPEN
645 Cleveland, Aumsville, OR 97325
200 person capacity - Red Cross team and Emergency Response Vehicle are at site serving residents in Aumsville, Turner, Dayton and East Marion County.

Red Cross Supported Shelter:
Northgate Community Church
3193 Silverton Rd NE
Salem, OR 97301

Lane County:
Mapleton Grange Hall - OPEN
11460 E Mapleton Rd
Mapleton, OR 97415

Coos County:
Red Cross Supported Shelter: Allegany Community Building
1036 Highway 241
Allegany, OR 97407

Curry County:
Star of the Sea Catholic Church - STANDBY
820 Old Country Road
Brookings, OR 97415

Gold Beach High School - STANDBY
29516 Ellensburg Avenue
Gold Beach, OR 97444

In addition, Red Cross volunteers have responded to disasters where families have been displaced (home fires, flooding, trees falling on homes) in Tillamook, Marion and Wasco Counties. We are providing, free of charge, assistance with lodging, food, clothing, comfort kits, and information about Health and Mental Health services.

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

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help victims of flooding in Oregon by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This fund enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster.

The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. To learn more visit: http://www.oregonredcross.org and click on donate, or call or call (503) 528-5659.

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

Please see the attached press release for information about the District releasing its secondary schools a little early today and an update to the cancelations press release I sent earlier.


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/3815/50988/jan_20th_early_release.doc

Good Morning,

Please see the attached press release for info about activities that have been canceled so far this afternoon and evening.

Anything you can do to help spread the word is much appreciated.


Attached Media Files: Jan. 20th Cancelations

January 20, 2012

Several Oregon counties have experienced flooding due to the winter storms that moved into the area earlier this week. Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division wants to offer simple tips on how Oregonians can stay safe and healthy during inclement weather.

"The floods this week will leave devastation behind them, and people will want to clean up and repair their homes and communities as soon as possible so they can move forward with their lives and livelihoods. Some simple precautions can help protect their health as they do so," said Mel Kohn, M.D., M.P.H., Oregon Public Health director.

Some tips to be safe during and after the storm:

• Injury Prevention: Stay out of flood waters. Even the strongest swimmers can drown in flood waters. Do not drive through standing water. Never make contact with power lines or objects that are in contact with power lines. Wear eye protection when cleaning up storm debris.
• Water: Check for local boil-water advisories. Do not use contaminated water to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, make ice or make baby formula.
• Well water: If your well has been affected by flood waters, it is recommended that you boil your water for at least one minute at a rolling boil, or purchase water from a safe source. Before resuming normal use of the well, have the water tested for possible bacteria and pollutants.
• Foods: Do not eat foods that have come in contact with flood waters. Throw away food that cannot be kept cold or properly heated due to lack of power.
• Carbon monoxide poisoning: Don't use a generator, pressure washer, charcoal grill, camp stove, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement, or garage or near a window, door, or vent. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas. If carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, seek fresh air and consult with a health care professional right away.
• Home safety: If there is standing water in your home, never turn power on or off yourself – contact an electrician.
• Chain saw safety: Wear appropriate clothing, such as safety glasses and heavy work gloves. Always cut at waist level or below. With an electric chain saw, use extreme caution to avoid electrical shock. Avoid contact with power lines.
• First aid: Immediately clean all wounds with soap and clean water. If your skin or eyes come in contact with hazardous materials wash thoroughly with decontaminated water. Avoid getting cut because cuts can lead to tetanus. If possible, make sure your tetanus vaccination is up to date.
• Mold: Remove mold by washing with soap and water and letting surfaces dry completely. Some materials such as moldy clothing, ceiling tiles and sheet rock may have to be replaced. If mold-related illness is suspected, consult a health care professional.

For more information about injury prevention, food safety, wells, drinking water, and carbon monoxide during and after flooding, go to public.health.oregon.gov.

# # #

Friday's Southridge High School Girls and Boys Basketball Games AT Sunnyside have been rescheduled for Monday, January 23. Game times remain the same.

Due to weather, Kamiakin's basketball game versus West Valley has been rescheduled for Tuesday, January 24. Game times remain the same.

Schools in West Valley - Yakima #208 will be closed Friday, January 20th

Jan. 19, 2012

Oregon Health Policy Board to hold second January meeting
– Jan. 24, 2012 in Portland

What: The Oregon Health Policy Board (OHPB) will hold its second meeting of the month in order to finalize and approve the implementation proposal for coordinated care organizations.

When: Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, 8:00 a.m. – 12:15.m.

Where: Market Square Building, ninth floor, 1515 S.W. Fifth Ave. The meeting will also be available via live web stream.

The main focus of this meeting will be a final discussion and approval of the Coordinated Care Organization Implementation Proposal.

Abbreviated agenda:
• Consent agenda
• Director’s report
• Medical liability report
• Update on the integration of Medicare and Medicaid services
• PEBB/OEBB update
• Review of public comment period
• CCO Implementation Proposal review and approval
• Legislative concept update
• Public testimony

For more information on the meeting, visit: http://health.oregon.gov/OHA/OHPB/meetings/index.shtml.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for people requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Those needing accommodations: please call the Oregon Health Authority at 1-800-282-8096 at least 48 hours before the meeting.
###

American Red Cross, Oregon Region - January Winter Storm
Update, January 19, 2012 - 3:50 PM

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

After a disaster, letting your family and friends know that you are safe and well can bring your loved ones great peace of mind. This website is designed to help make that communication easier.

Register Yourself as "Safe and Well"
Click on the "List Myself as Safe and Well" button to register yourself on the site.

Search for Loved Ones...
Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as "safe and well" by clicking on the "Search Registrants" button. The results of a successful search will display a loved one’s first name, last name and a brief message.

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

Please donate to flood relief efforts in Oregon...
The Oregon Red Cross provides shelters and food, and provides humanitarian aid and emotional support to flood victims in Oregon free of charge as part of our mission. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. If you would like to support our efforts, please go to www.oregonredcross.org, or call (503) 528-5659.

Responding in Wasco County...
The Oregon Red Cross has responded with humanitarian assistance to a disaster in the 1600 block of Brewery Grade, The Dalles, where 4-adults and 7-children have been displaced. Red Cross volunteers are providing, free of charge, assistance with lodging, food, comfort kits, and information about Health and Mental Health services.

The Oregon Red Cross is working with local governments and other agencies throughout western Oregon to provide additional shelter resources and other relief supplies as requested:

Shelter sites...

Marion County -
Aumsville - A Red Cross shelter has open at Bethel Baptist Church, 645 Cleveland St.

Lane County -
Florence – A Red Cross Shelter has opened at the Florence Events Center. ORC Emergency Response Vehicle from Eugene is on the way.

Mapleton – A Red Cross Shelter has opened at the Mapleton Grange.

Benton County -
The Red Cross has opened a shelter at Crescent Valley High School, 4444 NW Highland Drive, Corvallis.

Curry County - Red Cross volunteers are standing by for possible shelter operations if flooding occurs.

Columbia County -
Vernonia - Red Cross volunteers are standing by for possible shelter operations if flooding occurs.

Lincoln County -
Red Cross volunteers are standing by for possible shelter operations if flooding occurs.

Oregon Red Cross workers are also in regular communication with emergency managers and are ready to respond throughout the state as communities cope with this wet winter storm.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

American Red Cross, Oregon Region - January Winter Storm
Update, January 19, 2012 - 11:40am

The Oregon Red Cross is working with local governments and other agencies throughout western Oregon to provide shelter resources and other relief supplies. The shelters listed below are, at this point, not all official Red Cross shelters.

Columbia County - Vernonia - Shelter has closed, but Red Cross volunteers are standing by.

Yamhill County -
Willamina - homeowners on alert to evacuate - Red Cross volunteers are standing by for possible shelter operations if flooding occurs.

Lincoln County -
Elk City – Conference call 1:30pm – not yet planning to evacuate.
Red Cross volunteers are standing by for possible shelter operations if flooding occurs.

Marion County -
Aumsville - Red Cross shelter has open at Bethel ,645 Cleveland St.Baptist Church.

Turner has begun evacuating for flooding – Staging area at Corban College (500 Dearpark, Salem). Shelter site to be determined.

Salem reported flooding late night – local Police Department transported 25 elderly and 5 assistants to shelter at Salem Library

A seven person family fire has been reported – they may need assistance...

Lane County -
Florence – Red Cross Shelter being opened at the Florence Events Center. ORC Emergency Response Vehicle from Eugene is on the way.

Mapleton – Red Cross Shelter is opening at Mapleton Grange.

Linn County-
Scio – Evacuation site is being opened at the Lighthouse Mennonite School, 31919 Oakville Road, SHEDD, OR - (541) 752-7450‎.

Benton County -
Shelter is being opened at Crescent Valley High School, 4444 NW Highland Drive, Corvallis

Coos County -
Allegany is isolated & evacuating – shelter is opening at the Allegany Community Building, 1036 Hwy 241 - Hwy 241 closed at milepost 13.5 limiting access to Allegany. The Red Cross is moving supplies to the area.

Curry County - Red Cross volunteers are standing by for possible shelter operations if flooding occurs.

Oregon Red Cross workers are also in regular communication with emergency managers and are ready to respond throughout the state as communities cope with this extreme winter storm.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

The heavy rains that have descended upon the Pacific Northwest this week are taking a toll on landscape trees. In some cases, homeowners will want to wait until the storm has passed to evaluate the damage and decide how to proceed.

In other cases, however, saturated soil can lead to root problems, causing trees to topple over. Ideally, trees should be inspected on a regular basis, especially before and after storms. Conditions that can set your tree up to be particularly vulnerable include recent construction that has taken place near your tree, as well as trees that have been severely cut back, or "topped."

Trees with a significant lean may or may not indicate a problem; check for exposed roots around the base of your tree, especially if it has recently started to lean. Also look for hollow or decayed areas on the tree, which can indicate structural problems, and watch for any hanging or broken branches that are still lodged in the tree.

Some storm-damaged trees worth saving
Arborists usually advise homeowners and community leaders to exercise caution when dealing with a storm’s aftermath. That’s because there are two common mistakes people make when trying to clean up after a storm. The first is using harmful pruning techniques on trees that need only a light pruning; the second is trying to save trees that are far too damaged, and are likely to become hazardous.

"Often after a storm passes through, people become anxious to have their trees examined so they can prune or take other actions," says Paul Ries, an urban forester with the Oregon Department of Forestry. "However, it’s often the case that more trees become damaged as a result of improper post-storm activities, than were damaged directly by a storm. If we get increased winds after all this rain has saturated the soils, you’ll start to see a larger number of uprooted trees."

Common mistakes
Pruning a tree incorrectly can weaken it, setting it up for big problems. Topping - the practice of removing large branches and tops of trees - creates trees that are likely to be hazardous in the future. That's because a topped tree is much more likely to break or uproot in a storm than a tree with normal branch structure.

The opposite problem – ignoring or pruning a tree that should be removed – is another post-storm mistake.

What to do after a severe storm
Taking the right action after trees have been damaged can make the difference between giving trees a good chance of survival, or losing them unnecessarily. Properly selecting a qualified arborist is key.

"Homeowners should use caution when selecting a tree service company," said Ries, who manages the state's urban and community forestry program. Ries recommends using an arborist whose name and company are familiar to your community - even if that means waiting longer for service.

"Be careful not to overreact or you may end up removing valuable shade trees that are still sound, and take years to replace," adds Ries.

Other tips

•Beware of people or companies that show up at your door; their low prices may ultimately cost you more money in the long run.

•Most reputable companies have business cards, truck signs, and even uniforms that represent a professional level of service;

•Ask for references, and take your time selecting a reputable company.

•Hire a Certified Arborist – someone who has passed the International Society of Arboriculture certification exam. Consult your local yellow pages or visit www.pnwisa.org for a list of Certified Arborists.

"Arborists are often in great demand for several weeks following a storm," adds Ries, "so if your tree isn’t an immediate and visible hazard, it may be worth waiting a while."

For more information:

Can these trees be saved?
www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/docs/Other_Publications/CanTheseTreesBeSaved.pdf

Tree first aid after a storm www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/docs/Other_Publications/TreeFirstAid.pdf

Hazard tree prevention webpage
www.pnwisa.org/preventing-your-trees-from-becoming-hazardous.html


# # #

The mission of Oregon’s Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program is to help Oregonians improve their quality of life by promoting community investment in our urban forests.


Attached Media Files: Trees like these Oregon White Oaks can typically withstand short-term submersion in water, but after their roots have experienced long-term exposure they should be carefully monitored.

Photograph Source - ODOT

The five photographs provided with this brief release were taken this morning following the snowslide that swept across Highway 20 near milepost 79. No injuries. Traffic updates www.TripCheck.com.

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


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50913/011912.hwy20mp79.1.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50913/011912.hwy20mp79.2.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50913/011912.hwy20mp79.3.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50913/011912.hwy20mp79.4.JPG , 2012-01/1002/50913/011912.hwy20mp79.5.JPG

Facilities workers dispatched to mitigate flooding

Salem, Oregon — The Oregon Department of Administrative Services has dispatched its team of Facilities Division workers to monitor and mitigate rising water at various state agency locations, chiefly in Salem. In some cases, DAS has closed underground and low-lying parking facilities and has asked employees to move their vehicles to safety.

Visitors to state agencies should before they visit to ascertain the parking situation. Announcements about closure of state buildings will appear on the DAS website, at http://oregon.gov/sites/DAS/bldg_close/index.page.

Problems caused by heavy rainfall include leaks and some flooding in basements and parking structures. One facility, the historic Stiff Jarmin building, has closed because of basement flooding. The six affected employees have relocated to an alternate worksite until safe working conditions are restored. The address of the Stiff Jarmin Building is 796 Winter Street NE, in Salem.

DAS, in coordination with local officials, will continue to monitor conditions, including street flooding, for routes to and from state locations.

State government’s policy that guides the process for closing state facilities or curtailing state operations appears online at the following link: http://oregon.gov/DAS/HR/docs/advice/P6001501.pdf.

Good Morning.

Although Wapato Schools is having a regular day of school we are canceling activities for this afternoon and evening. We are also letting the secondary schools out 30-minutes early to allow our buses to make their first run a little slower.

Attached is a press release regarding the cancelations and details of the early release. Distribution of this information will be appreciated.

Any questions....please let me know.


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/3815/50909/Jan._19_Weather_plan.doc

Oregon State Penitentiary (OSP) closed inmate visiting and outside activities until further notice, Jan. 19, and set forth a plan to address potential flooding in the area adjacent to the institution.

"We met this morning at 7:30 a.m. to identify initial areas of concern and critical staff assignments," said OSP Superintendent Jeff Premo. "Revisiting lessons learned from the flood of 1996, we are focusing initially on removing vehicles from the institution’s visitor and staff parking areas, beginning sandbagging efforts at Oregon State Penitentiary Minimum (which is presently vacant), and making sure anything stored in subterranean locations is safe and dry."

Flooding of the institution itself is not expected based on historic information, but the institution has modified its operations in order to prepare for all possible scenarios. The institution will provide shuttle service to its staff members, who will now be asked to park at an offsite location.

No other Oregon Department of Corrections (ODOC) institutions have been affected by flooding at this time.

As technology has made it easier for doctors and expectant mothers to schedule deliveries, more babies are being born several weeks before they are due. This convenience costs babies precious growth and development time. Babies born before 39 weeks are more subject to problems with breathing, hearing, vision, and eating, to name just a few risks.

That’s why The Regence Foundation has awarded March of Dimes a $22,000 grant to launch the Oregon Perinatal Collaborative. The Collaborative is a continuation of March of Dimes’ "39 Weeks" campaign to stop medically unnecessary inductions and C-sections before 39 weeks gestation in Oregon. Already, more than 30 Oregon hospitals have committed to joining the Collaborative and stopping elective deliveries at their facilities.

"This is a tremendous opportunity to give Oregon babies a healthier start on life," said Peggy Maguire, Regence Foundation board chair. "March of Dimes has already done a great job raising awareness about this issue. Our goal in funding this project is to help them provide support to hospitals interested in changing their policy on elective deliveries."

The Oregon Perinatal Collaborative will bring together stakeholders from the medical community to identify what type of support hospitals need to implement a "no elective deliveries" policy. It will also collect data on the number of elective inductions and C-sections before 39 weeks gestation for each participating hospital at the beginning of the project and again after nine months.

"At March of Dimes our sole goal is to improve the health of newborns. This collaborative helps us take a huge step in that direction," said Joanne Rogovoy, state director of program services and public affairs for March of Dimes, Greater Oregon. "We are so thankful that The Regence Foundation has made this possible, and for the tremendous efforts and support of the obstetric providers here in Oregon."

About The Regence Foundation
The Regence Foundation is the corporate foundation of Regence, the largest health insurer in the Northwest/Intermountain region and a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. A 501(c)3 grantmaking organization, the Foundation partners with organizations driving significant change in health care delivery and accessibility in Idaho, Oregon, Utah and Washington. Through its Sojourns program, the Foundation also supports organizations advancing quality palliative and end-of-life care. For more information visit www.RegenceFoundation.org or www.twitter.com/RegenceGives.

About March of Dimes
March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find out what’s going on in the Greater Oregon Chapter by visiting OregonMOD.com.

There are NO weather delays for Wapato Public Schools today, Jan. 19, 2012.

Two hour Delay, No AM Preschool

Oregon State Police (OSP) is continuing the investigation into Wednesday mornings injury traffic crash involving a commercial truck and sport utility vehicle on Interstate 84 near Boardman. One driver received minor injuries in the crash that closed the snow and ice-covered westbound lanes for over an hour.

According to Trooper Placido Lopez-Sendejas, on January 18, 2012 at approximately 10;50 a.m. a 2007 Volvo truck pulling a semi-trailer driven by EDWIN WATT JR, age 56, was westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 164 in the right lane when a 1996 Ford Explorer was accessing the freeway from the westbound on ramp. The Ford Explorers driver, GUADALUPE TELLES LOPEZ, age 41, was accelerating to get in front of the commercial truck and lost control, sliding in front of the truck resulting in both vehicles colliding.

The Ford Explorer came to rest in the median and the truck across the westbound lanes and right shoulder.

TELLES LOPEZ was extricated from his vehicle by fire personnel. He was transported to Good Shepherd Community Hospital where he was treated and released for minor injuries.

WATT was not injured.

Residence info for both drivers not provided.

OSP was assisted by Morrow County Sheriffs Office, Boardman Fire Department and ODOT.

Photograph Oregon State Police

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


Attached Media Files: Untitled Image

Wahluke School District on a two hour late start for Thursday Jan. 19th. No morning preschool.

Economic Recovery Review Council Meeting
Meeting by Conference Call

Tuesday, January 24, 2012
3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Call in number (866) 680-0168
Participant code: 370136


3:30 pm Welcome and Housekeeping

Approve Minutes of November 30th Meeting
Review Agenda

3:35 pm Regionally Significant Industrial Areas

Policy - Designation Criteria
[Action: Approval of Policy Draft]

Nomination Criteria Revision
[Action: Approval of Revised Nomination]

Timeline
[Action: Approval of Timeline Draft]

ERRC Rulemaking
[Action: Appointment of ERRC Rule Coordinator]



3:45 pm Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions
[Action: Approval of FAQs]

3:50 pm Public Comment Period

4:00 pm Adjourn

In the wake of a powerful winter storm that has hit Vernonia and left 2 feet of snow on the ground, knocked power out in town and heightened the possibility of flooding, the Oregon Red Cross is responding to a request for help by moving people, supplies and resources into this community of 2,300 people.

Working with Vernonia city officials, a warming shelter will be activated at the Vernonia Community Church and will be providing a warm place to stay, ready to prepare hot meals, and cleanup and comfort kits to those who need them.   

The Oregon Red Cross is also preparing for flooding that may occur as the snow melts, and will have a sheltering team and equipment in place tonight, ready to help should the need arise. 

Oregon Red Cross workers are also in regular communication with emergency managers and are ready to respond throughout the state as communities cope with this extreme winter storm.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families.

The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission.

ALL School sponsored after-school activities are cancelled for tonight, Wednesday, January 18th.

It’s "School Board Recognition Month," and the Oregon School Boards Association has recognized Dave Krumbein for his service to public education as a member of the statewide association’s board of directors, announced OSBA’s interim executive director Betsy Miller-Jones.

Krumbein also serves on the Pendleton School Board.

"People like Dave have earned the gratitude of students, parents and all citizens who appreciate the contribution that public schools make to our communities, our neighborhoods and our economic future," Miller-Jones said. "By serving on the OSBA board of directors, these dedicated citizens bring the benefit of their local experience to the process of solving problems that confront public education throughout Oregon."

The Oregon School Boards Association includes members from each of the state’s 197 local school districts, 19 education service districts and 17 community colleges, Miller-Jones said. The association’s mission is to enable students to raise their achievement levels by advocating policies that help local public schools. The association also provides an array of services to local school boards, including policy development, legal analysis and research on pressing issues.

"Because they serve as elected school board members in their local communities, our OSBA board members bring practical knowhow to shaping statewide education policies," Miller-Jones said. "Their contribution is invaluable."


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1312/50861/0-Krumbein.jpg

Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.9 percent in December and 9.1 percent in November. Meanwhile, the U.S. seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down to 8.5 percent in December from 8.7 percent in November.

Industry Payroll Employment (Establishment Survey Data)
Oregon’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment gained 2,400 in December, following a revised loss of 1,100 in November. December job gains were led by leisure and hospitality (+2,700 jobs) and government (+1,700). Gains were offset by losses in educational and health services (-2,200 jobs). 

Leisure and hospitality added 500 jobs in December, when a loss of 2,200 is the normal seasonal pattern. This industry spiked downward sharply in October and November, but rebounded in December. Accommodation and food services grew rapidly over the past year, adding 7,300 jobs since December 2010, a gain of 5.3 percent. The rapid growth brings the sector close to its highest ever December figure, which was 148,500 jobs in December 2007.

Government cut only 3,400 jobs in December, when a loss of 5,100 would have been the normal seasonal pattern. Local government cut only 2,400 for the month, when a larger loss would have been normal. Local government education dropped 2,000, and is down 3,800 since December 2010. Severe reductions at local K through 12 school districts during June through August brought local government employment 8,800 below its comparable 2010 headcount. Since then, seasonally adjusted employment has been gradually rising, but it is still well below year-ago levels.

Federal government continues to trend downward, with the December figure of 26,700 the lowest in decades. Meanwhile, state government performed about as expected in December, with a loss of 500 jobs. State education added 1,100 jobs during the past 12 months, while the remainder of state government cut 300 over the same period.

Private educational and health services cut 2,100 jobs, when a gain of 100 is the norm for December. The industry returned from a one-month spike upward in the prior month. Over the longer term, private educational and health services has trended upward rapidly and consistently, gaining 9,100 jobs, or 3.9 percent, since December 2010. Each of this broader industry’s five published component industries has gained at least 1,100 jobs in those 12 months.

Construction performed above the normal seasonal pattern, but from a low base. It cut only 2,300 jobs in December, when a loss of 2,900 was expected due to seasonality. Most of its component industries cut jobs in December, but building equipment contractors showed a slight gain of 300 jobs.

On a seasonally adjusted basis, construction bottomed in late 2010 at about 67,000 jobs. Since then the industry has gradually inched ahead to employed 70,800 such jobs by December. This was the industry’s highest seasonally adjusted headcount since employing 71,000 in September 2009. These recent job gains are partially reflected in a slight upturn in Oregon residential building permits, which were up about 8 percent for January through November 2011 compared with the same period in 2010.

Hours and Earnings
(Establishment Survey Data)
The average workweek for Oregon manufacturing production workers spiked up to 41.5 hours in December, a gain from 38.9 in July, just five months prior. This was the highest level since 41.6 hours in July 2006. This measure of the workweek has risen rapidly over the past two and a half years and is up from the December 2010 figure of 39.2 hours.

Average earnings of all private-sector payroll employees in Oregon surged to $22.30 per hour in December from $21.89 in November. The December figure was up 64 cents per hour, or 3.0 percent, from December 2010.

Unemployment
(Household Survey Data)
The national unemployment rate dropped from 8.7 percent in November to 8.5 percent in December. Oregon’s December rate of 8.9 percent was 0.4 percentage point above the U.S. rate. The difference between the Oregon and the U.S. unemployment rates was not statistically significant.

The latest figures indicate that Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate has been on a generally declining trend for the past two and a half years. Since reaching a high point of 11.6 percent in May and June 2009, Oregon’s rate has trended downward. At 8.9 percent in December, it is at its lowest rate since November 2008, when Oregon’s rate was 8.4 percent.

In December, 175,830 Oregonians were unemployed. This is 29,152 fewer individuals than in December 2010 when 204,982 Oregonians were unemployed.

Next Press Releases
The Oregon Employment Department plans to release the December county and metropolitan area unemployment rates on Monday, January 23rd and the statewide unemployment rate and employment survey data for January on Tuesday, February 28th.

For many years, monthly employment estimates for Oregon and its metropolitan areas were developed by Oregon Employment Department economists. These economists were also responsible for revising the initial sample-based estimates annually, based on more complete information from Oregon businesses. This revisions process is known as benchmarking.

In March 2011, responsibility for the monthly employment estimates for Oregon and its metropolitan areas shifted to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The estimates developed by BLS are more heavily dependent on the sample of businesses and less reliant on knowledge of local economic events. They are also likely to demonstrate increased month-to-month variability.

BLS staff is also taking over responsibility for the annual benchmarking process. The results of this process will be reflected when revised data for 2010 and 2011 are released in February and March 2012.

Comments or questions should be directed to Graham Slater, Administrator of the Oregon Employment Department's Workforce and Economic Research Division, at (503) 947-1212.

For the complete version of the news release, including tables and graphs, visit: www.QualityInfo.org/pressrelease.

If you need this release in the Spanish language, please contact Loretta Gallegos at 503-947-1794.

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

Equal Opportunity program — auxiliary aids and services available upon request to individuals with disabilities

Florence OR – The Heceta Head Lighthouse light was turned off January 10 for a long-awaited restoration and preservation project on the crumbling 1894 lighthouse. The light will remain off while restoration work occurs. That work, which could take as much as two years to complete, is expected to begin in February.

Although the lighthouse tower will remain closed for the entirety of its restoration work, the parking lots and trail are open now that the first phase in the major renovation at the site has been completed. Phase one involved reshaping and repaving the west parking lot to improve drainage and repair erosion damage, a chronic problem at the site.

The picturesque park is well known for its iconic lighthouse, beach and historic lighthouse keepers’ bed and breakfast. The historic assistant lighthouse keeper’s house, which the USFS operates through a concessionaire as a bed and breakfast operation, remains open through the renovations. The park welcomes more than 800,000 visitors each year.


—30—

REVISED - Photos sent with the first release do not apply to Fire Service Appreciation Day. Please disregard the photos.


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

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

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

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

You can read the full text of House Joint Resolution 25 here.

####

Oregon State Police (OSP) confirmed today that a blind 81-year old man died Saturday at a Eugene-area hospital from injuries he sustained after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 126E in the Walterville area east of Springfield. OSP troopers are continuing the investigation and no other information for release at this time.

On January 12, 2012 at approximately 2:55 p.m. OSP and local emergency responders were dispatched to a report that a man was struck by a vehicle on Highway 126E near Latta Lane. Preliminary investigation indicates a pedestrian identified as JOHN ROBERT CHAMBERLAIN, age 81, from Walterville, was standing on the south side highway shoulder preparing to cross to the north side.

As an eastbound Dodge pickup driven by JAMES L. COULSON, age 51, from Springfield, approached, CHAMBERLAIN, who is blind, reportedly began to cross the highway in front of the pickup but stepped back to the shoulder. COULSON initially slowed but when CHAMBERLAIN returned to the shoulder COULSON continued approach his location. CHAMBERLAIN then reportedly tried to cross the highway again and was struck by the pickup whose driver braked hard but was unable to avoid the collision.

It has not been confirmed yet if CHAMBERLAIN was carrying a white cane.

CHAMBERLAIN was seriously injured and transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend.

OSP troopers from the Springfield Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Lane County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, McKenzie Fire & Rescue, and ODOT assisted at the scene.

Highway 126E was restricted to one lane of traffic for over two hours during the investigation.

Even though the investigation has not confirmed if the pedestrian was carrying a white cane, OSP reminds drivers that Oregon law (ORS 811.035) requires a driver of a vehicle approaching a blind or blind and deaf person carrying a white cane or accompanied by a dog guide, who is crossing or about to cross a roadway, to stop and remain stopped until the pedestrian has crossed the roadway.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50701/011212.hwy126e.ped.jpg

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Sunday evening’s two vehicle fatal traffic crash along Highway 126W west of Veneta. The crash resulted in the death of a Eugene man and injuries to a mother and her four children.

On January 15, 2012 at approximately 5:47 p.m. Lane Rural Fire/Rescue, Eugene Fire Department paramedics and OSP troopers were dispatched to a reported injury crash involving two vehicles on Highway 126W near milepost 42. After arrival, emergency responders confirmed one person was deceased and five others, including four children, were injured.

According to Trooper Jered McLain, preliminary investigation indicates a 1998 Ford Expedition driven by JEANETTE C. BELL, age 36, from Noti, was westbound when it lost control on the icy roadway. The Ford Expedition collided into an eastbound 1993 Mercury Tracer driven by EDWARD JAY BRAY, age 52, from Eugene.

BRAY was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was only using the automatic upper shoulder safety restraint belt and was not using the lower lap belt.

After impact, the Ford came to rest on its side. BELL and her four children were transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend with non-life threatening injuries. All were using safety restraints. The children are identified as:

* Right front passenger ELIJAH CASTALLON, age 13
* Right rear passenger SAMUEL BELL, age 2
* Center rear passenger JORDAN BRIGGS, age 8
* Left rear passenger ADAM CASTALLON, age 16

The collision blocked the highway for several hours. ODOT assisted police and fire responders at the scene.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50762/111512.fatal.hwy126w.mp42.JPG

"Teaching the Movement" program represents a partnership between Whitman College, Walla Walla Public Schools and the Southern Poverty Law Center

WALLA WALLA, Wash. – Whitman College, in partnership with the Southern Poverty Law Center and Walla Walla Public Schools, is coordinating the Whitman Teaches the Movement initiative to enhance civil rights education for Walla Walla students in the second, fifth, seventh and 11th grades in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Whitman College students, working in small groups, will travel to all 10 local schools Jan. 19-20 and Jan. 23-24 to lead 45 minute lessons on civil rights education. The lessons are age-appropriate and based on curriculum developed by the Southern Poverty Law Center, history teachers and organizations which specialize in teaching history.

The participating college students are from 17 states and two foreign nations. They have volunteered their time and efforts, which included training sessions held in December by Kate Shuster, an education researcher for the Southern Poverty Law Center.

"When students learn about the civil rights movement they learn what it is like to be American," Shuster said. "It shows students it is possible to struggle against great injustices and emerge victorious."

The student teachers will present the following lessons by grade level:

• Second Grade: Greensboro lunch counter sit-ins
• Fifth Grade: Jackie Robinson
• Seventh Grade: Women in the civil rights movement
• 11th Grade: King’s Letter from Birmingham Jail

In its recent report titled "Teaching the Movement: The State of Civil Rights Education in the United States 2011," The Southern Poverty Law Center has discovered two-thirds of all states, including Washington, fail at teaching the civil rights movement.

Walla Walla Public Schools Superintendent Mick Miller says collaborating with Whitman College on this project allows the district to enhance learning opportunities and better utilize a valued and trusted community asset.

"We chose to participate in the Whitman Teaches the Movement project because we wanted our students to learn more about the civil rights movement, have strong role models in our classrooms and to strengthen our ties to Whitman College," Miller said.

Noah Leavitt, Whitman assistant dean for student engagement, is managing the college’s involvement in the program and says this is "an extraordinary opportunity for Whitman students to address real-world issues of non-discrimination, justice and citizenship in a way that enables them to serve and engage with our community."

Walla Walla Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Linda Boggs says the project supports the district’s curriculum and provides a venue for Walla Walla students to interact with college role models.

"I am especially excited about the custom-designed grade-level lessons and materials," said Boggs. "Additionally, having college students as guest teachers provides an opportunity for our students to get a real-life glimpse into ‘college,’ as many students, especially younger ones, may know college as a word but not have a clear picture of what it might look like."

###

Background information:

Whitman College
Whitman College, Walla Walla, Wash., is honored to attract students who represent the Whitman mosaic—down to earth, high achievers with diverse interests. Whitman is the premier liberal arts college that combines academic excellence with an unpretentious Northwest culture and an engaging community. An independent, non-sectarian residential college, Whitman fosters intellectual vitality, confidence and leadership in its 1,450 students. Also noted for its commitment to environmental principles, Whitman is characterized by intellect, down-to-earth sensibilities, collaboration over competition and active lifestyle.

Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center, based in Alabama with offices in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, is a nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry, and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. For more information, see www.splcenter.org.

Walla Walla Public Schools
Located in Southeast Washington state, Walla Walla Public Schools serves more than 6,000 students in 10 schools. Walla Walla Public Schools mirrors the community in its demographics and social economics and is committed to meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse community and student population by addressing the issue of cultural, social and economic differences.

Approximately 41 percent of district students are minority and 52 percent qualify for free or reduced-priced meals based on federal poverty standards. Walla Walla Public Schools continues to be at or above most state testing standards, especially when compared to districts with similar demographics. The district strives for Excellence in Every Classroom by offering a comprehensive P-12 educational program and numerous afterschool and extra-curricular offerings. Walla Walla Public Schools offers gifted learning programs and Advanced Placement courses, an array of support programs for struggling learners, a comprehensive Special Education program and bilingual education programs.
The district recruits and retains highly qualified and effective teachers, administrators and support staff and embraces parent involvement. Walla Walla Public Schools collaborates with the community to establish partnerships to enhance learning opportunities.

Walla Walla School District Board Meeting - January 17, 2012
As per the attached media memo and agenda ~


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1288/50717/01.17.12_SB__00_MEDIA_MEMO.pdf , 2012-01/1288/50717/01.17.12_SB_00_AGENDA.pdf

Three Utah men are facing marijuana-related charges in Lake County, Oregon following a Tuesday night traffic stop west of Lakeview during which an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper seized approximately 26 pounds of marijuana.

According to Sergeant Steve Yates, on January 10, 2012 at approximately 9:25 p.m. an OSP trooper stopped a rented 2012 Chevrolet Suburban displaying Utah license plates for a speed violation on Highway 140W near milepost 95. The three Utah resident occupants were identified as NOAH D. CARTER, age 29, from West Valley, NICHOLAS JAMES PETERSEN, age 28, from West Jordan, and ISAIAS GARCIA, age 26, from Midvale.

Subsequent investigation during the traffic stop led to the discovery of approximately 26 pounds of marijuana in the rear area of the vehicle. Estimated value of the seized marijuana is $65,000.

The three men were later cited and released to appear in Lake County Circuit Court for Unlawful Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50713/011012.hwy140wmp95.mj.JPG

RICHLAND, Wash. -- Explore what Washington State University Tri-Cities has to offer for incoming freshmen, transfer students, graduate students, or those wanting to complete a degree during the Cougar Saturday open house on Jan. 21.

Faculty and advisors will be available from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to answer questions about academics, financial aid, scholarships, the application process, student life, graduate school, transferring from another institution, changing from another WSU campus, and becoming a freshman at WSU Tri-Cities.

Veterans can learn how to take advantage of the Post 9/11 G.I. Bill by enrolling at WSU Tri-Cities, which is a Veteran Supportive Campus (Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs, May 2011) and a Military Friendly School (G.I. Jobs magazine, October 2011).

Special application assistance is available for those interested in attending in summer or fall 2012. Applications are due Jan. 31 for priority admission consideration. Jan. 31 also is the deadline to apply online for WSU scholarships -- new and returning students fill out one application to be considered for more than 800 scholarships.

Cougar Saturday is in the Consolidated Information Center at 2770 Crimson Way, Richland. The event includes campus tours and door prizes. Admission is free and open to the public. No RSVP is needed.

For more information about attending WSU Tri-Cities, including scheduling a personalized tour, contact admiss@tricity.wsu.edu, 509-372-7250, or www.tricity.wsu.edu.

WSU Tri-Cities is located along the scenic Columbia River in Richland, Wash. Established in 1989 with upper division and graduate programs, WSU Tri-Cities expanded in 2007 to a full four-year undergraduate campus offering 18 bachelor's, 10 master's, and six doctoral degrees. Learn more about the most diverse campus in the WSU system at www.tricity.wsu.edu.


Attached Media Files: Explore your options Jan. 21 at WSU Tri-Cities Cougar Saturday

On November 11, 2011, while completing an inventory of the weapons at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF), a black Ranch Model Mini-14 was discovered missing. The weapon was last checked out on July 18, 2011 for training.

Department of Corrections (DOC) does not believe there is an immediate threat to the safety or security of staff or inmates and inmates did not have access to the weapon that is now missing.

An immediate search for the weapon was conducted. CCCF reviewed internal records, contacted the local range used for training, other DOC facilities with arsenals and contacted the vendor that provides maintenance for the weapons.

Oregon State Police were immediately notified and a detective met with DOC staff regarding the missing weapon. No active criminal investigation is being conducted at this time. The missing weapon was entered into the Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) as a lost or stolen weapon to help facilitate return to DOC if it is located and reported to any law enforcement agency. The department's Special Investigations Unit is investigating and an internal audit of CCCF's procedures was conducted.

CCCF made immediate changes to the way staff check out and account for weapons. The internal investigation is ongoing and, if deemed appropriate, Human Resources action will be taken.

Anyone with information to help recover the firearm is asked to contact DOC Inspector General at (877) 678-4222.

Salem,Ore.— Cascadia Region Earthquake Workgroup (CREW)is hosting a public forum, which will be simultaneous broadcast as a webinar for the public. Discussion will include what Oregon has learned from the earthquake in Japan (Tohoku) and the subsequent tsunami and how that knowledge can help with the survival and recovery of our coastal communities and state.

The forum will be held at the White Stag Building 70 NW Couch St. Portland, OR from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on January 25, 2012. The simultaneous broadcast as a webinar will be at http://pdx.uoregon.edu.index.php?p=webcast for anyone who is interested.

Three of Oregon’s top experts in the field will be speaking: Dr. Chris Goldfinger, Professor of marine Geology at Oregon State University, Kent Yu, PhD, PE, SE, Principal and Branch Manager for Degenkolb Engineers in Portland Oregon and current Chairman of the Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission and Dr. Althea Rizzo, Geologic Hazards Program Coordinator for the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM).

"This webinar will benefit families and the entire community," said Dr. Rizzo. "Understanding that an earthquake of this type is inevitable, Oregonians can better understand their risk and enhance their survivability."

NOTE: March has been proclaimed by the Governor as Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Month. This differs from the past when April was the declared month. More information to follow.

More information on being prepared can be found at:

• www.oem-oregon.blogspot.com
• www.ready.gov
• http://www.oregon.gov/OMD/OEM/
• www.twitter.com/oregonoem
###


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/962/50692/Final_seismic_forum.doc

The following is a news release from Lincoln City Police Department:

This January 23rd will mark one year since Lincoln City (LCPD) Police Officer Steven Dodds was shot and seriously wounded during a late evening traffic stop in 2011. Officer Dodds has demonstrated remarkable resilience and courage in overcoming life threatening injuries and has recently returned to his patrol duties. His reactions that night combined with the valiant and professional efforts of his Patrol Sergeant, the other on-duty LCPD members, and the outstanding emergency medical personnel in Lincoln City and Portland not only saved his life but also paved the way for his recovery. Officer Dodds and LCPD remain ever grateful for those efforts.

Officer Dodds has worked tirelessly to recover and get back on patrol, performing the duties and doing the work he loves serving the Lincoln City community. He has been recognized for his valor and courage by several organizations, including receiving the Purple Heart from the Oregon Peace Officers Association. When asked how he felt when this happened, he responded by saying "I was a victim for thirty seconds and I have been a survivor since." He has no desire to be in the limelight and is trying to put this event behind him while getting back to as normal of a life as possible. He has been very humbled by the overwhelming support of his community and fellow officers.

Officer Dodds was shot by the driver of a vehicle that he had stopped on Highway 101 at the south end of Lincoln City for a speed violation. The shooter, who has been identified as David Durham, fled the scene shooting at bystanders as he continued southbound on Highway 101. Durham led officers from Newport Police Department and Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department on a high speed chase through Newport, continuing to shoot at trailing police vehicles as he fled until his vehicle was disabled by spike strips deployed by an off-duty Lincoln County deputy near Waldport. Durham fled on foot and allegedly shot at boaters on Alsea Bay as he tried to escape. Durham is suspected of shooting at nine other people besides Officer Dodds. An extensive manhunt was conducted with the help of numerous agencies, but Durham has never been found.

LCPD, OSP and the FBI continue the investigation and all three agencies followed up on separate tips this past week. The FBI has a $10,000 reward posted for information leading to Durham’s arrest.

Every month, LCPD receives tips from all over Lincoln County. Tips come from multiple sources that include direct calls to our office from possible witnesses, calls from other law enforcement agencies, and tips from America's Most Wanted. Each are followed up on as they come in. Tips and information received from local sources are followed up primarily by the lead investigators assigned to the case from LCPD and the OSP Newport office. Tips from other states have been followed up on by the F.B.I. These tips have been from all over the country, from Hawaii to the East Coast. LCPD and OSP investigators are in touch with the FBI weekly continuing to work on this case.

Approximately one hundred tips have been received since the manhunt started, and between 3 to 5 tips still come in each month. LCPD appreciates each and every one, not only from the general public but also from law enforcement officers who call with information.

There has not been one confirmed sighting of David Durham since January 24, 2011 when he was last seen running up the beach towards the Bay Shore subdivision in Waldport. While fleeing on foot it is believed Durham also shot at two men crabbing in the Alsea Bay. Due to the hard work and assistance from other law enforcement agencies, we have been able to confirm that the many reported sightings were positively not David Durham. There are some reported sightings that cannot be confirmed either way. Some tips are vague and anonymous with no way of contacting the caller for more information.

The fact there have been no sightings or confirmed information that he has been at a particular location after that night indicates there is a possibility that Durham could be deceased. However, LCPD has no evidence that he is deceased and will continue this investigation until we find him or his remains. The Oregon State Medical Examiner's office will examine the remains of any unknown human recovered along the Oregon area beaches and elsewhere for the possibility of identifying Durham. This has been done previously but none of the examinations conducted of human remains found along the Oregon beaches over the last year has resulted in a positive identification as Durham.

Durham is entered into criminal data bases as a wanted person/fugitive and as a missing and endangered person. This will help if he is deceased and his unidentified remains were located in another state, making identification possible for authorities in those jurisdictions.

Last January, Durham was put on the U.S. Border Patrol and Custom's watch list as well as the Canadian Border patrol watch list in case he tried to cross one of our borders. There have been no reported crossings or attempted crossings.

Since the night of the shooting, law enforcement has monitored Durham’s residence for several months and there is no evidence that he ever returned to that location. There is also no evidence indicating he has been at any other particular location after the night of the shooting.

After OSP SWAT and other assisting agencies ended their search of the Waldport area, the Lincoln County Search and Rescue team brought in cadaver K-9's and conducted a sweep of the vicinity. No human remains were found.

Investigators are still hopeful that Durham will be located. They will not give up the search until he is found. Investigators encourage anyone that sees David Durham or has information regarding his whereabouts to please contact the Lincoln City Police at 541-994-3636, their local police or the FBI.

Photographs:
Officer Dodds - Lincoln City Police Department
Suspect David Durham

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


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50680/dodds.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50680/Durham_2010.jpg

January 12, 2012

The state of Oregon is looking for health care providers to adopt a primary care model designed for better health and lower costs. Across the state, more than 80 clinics already have applied to be officially recognized by the state as "patient-centered primary care homes."

Primary care homes offer a team-based approach to care that is focused on keeping people healthy. At its heart, this model of care fosters strong relationships with patients and their families to better treat the whole person. Providers reduce costs and improve care by catching problems earlier, focusing on prevention and wellness, and integrating behavioral health care.

The Mountainview Family Practice in Grants Pass was the first clinic to be recognized as meeting the new standards.

"We saw the opportunity to become recognized for the way we already practice medicine," said Richard Williams, M.D., a family physician at the clinic. "For example, we coordinate care by having a mental health professional come here regularly to meet with patients."

This kind of primary care is central to the state’s efforts to improve quality and reduce costs for people served by the Oregon Health Plan. Under the proposed coordinated care organizations, patient-centered primary care homes will be a required element of any health system’s provider network.

"This is a stamp of approval for people looking for clinics and providers that have made a public commitment to patient-centered care," says Bruce Goldberg, M.D., director of the Oregon Health Authority.

Standards for Oregon’s patient-centered primary care homes include:

• Access to care – Health care teams are there when patients and their families need them.

• Accountability – Providers take responsibility for making sure patients receive the best possible health care.
• Continuity – Providers are partners in care over time.
• Coordination and integration – Providers help patients and their families navigate the health care system to get the care they need in a safe and timely way.
• Person- and family-centered care – Providers recognize that patients and their families are the most important part of the care team – and that they are ultimately responsible for their own overall health and wellness.

"In Oregon, we are lucky to have providers who are willing and able to form their practices around the patient. That’s our vision for all health care in Oregon – if you focus on improved health, you will have better outcomes and ultimately lower costs," says Governor John Kitzhaber. "That’s the direction our state is going and I applaud those providers who are working with us side by side."

Any health care practice in Oregon can now apply for recognition to be a patient-centered primary care home. The practice must demonstrate the ability to provide comprehensive services on-site or coordinated through a partnership with other providers in their community.

Criteria, application forms and technical assistance are available online at www.primarycarehome.oregon.gov.

# # #

On Friday, January 13, 2012, the U.S. Department of Justice, AMBER Alert Coordinators at state, regional, tribal and local levels, state Missing Children Clearinghouses and AMBER Alert partners commemorate the anniversary of the AMBER Alert Program and the somber remembrance of the abduction of Amber Hagerman. This is the nation's sixth AMBER Alert Awareness Day. Since the program’s inception, the AMBER Alert network has helped to find and safely recover over 550 children across the country.

Sixteen years ago, Amber was abducted while riding her bicycle and brutally murdered in Arlington, Texas. The AMBER (America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) Alert network was created after her tragic death to provide emergency broadcast messages to the public when law enforcement determines a child has been abducted. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia have established AMBER Alert Plans and over 70 regional, local and tribal plans together create the most significant child recovery network in the history of the our country.

In November 2002, the State of Oregon announced implementation of a statewide AMBER Alert Plan. This plan is a voluntary partnership between law enforcement agencies and local broadcasters to send an emergency alert to the public when a child has been abducted and it is believed the child’s life is in danger.

Since implementation of Oregon’s AMBER Alert Plan there have been 16 activations and the safe recovery of eighteen children. Oregon’s last AMBER Alert activations occurred March 1, 2011 at the request of Chehalis, Washington Police Department for a child forcibly taken from his mother at a local women’s shelter. The child and suspect, the biological father, were later located in Washington State.

Oregon's AMBER Alert Plan Criteria are:

1. Law enforcement confirms a child has been abducted (*)
2. The child is 17 years or younger
3. The child may be in danger of serious bodily harm or death
4. There is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or suspect's vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help.
5. The child's name and other critical data elements - including the child abduction (CA) and AMBER Alert (AA) flags will/have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) system.

(* This alert system is not to be used when a child runs away or involves a custodial situation.)

Oregon State Police is the designated law enforcement agency which local law enforcement agencies contact to initiate and activate an AMBER Alert in our state. When all the AMBER guidelines and criteria have been met, the AMBER Alert Plan is activated using the AMBER Web Portal. Oregon's AMBER Alert plan sends out alerts through the Emergency Alert System via radio and television, highway advisory signs, email and to wireless subscribers who opt to receive the text messages on their wireless devices. One year ago, Facebook users could also start signing up to receive AMBER Alert bulletins for their state sent through a Facebook "News Feed" feature.

While technology is one of the program’s greatest assets, it can also be a hindrance. In Oregon, and nationwide, the "AMBER Alert" name has been the subject of various hoax texts and emails. A well-intentioned public often forwards misguided, phony, unconfirmed or outdates texts, emails and/or messages via social networks which refer to AMBER Alerts. Many of these so-called AMBER Alerts that circulate by text message and e-mail involve cases that had already been resolved or were outright hoaxes.

We strongly urge the public to react only to AMBER Alerts from authorized sources such as: Oregon State Police news releases, the Oregon media via the Oregon State Police, Wireless AMBER Alerts, or Missingkids.com / National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (N.C.M.E.C.). Anyone may sign-up at no cost to be notified of Oregon's AMBER Alerts through the AMBER Alert Web Portal. Oregon also joins the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children encouraging all wireless subscribers to sign up for Wireless AMBER Alerts. More information about Wireless AMBER Alerts is available at: http://www.amberalert.gov/wireless.htm.

Information about the AMBER Alert Plan in Oregon is available at the Oregon State Police web site at http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/AMBERALERT/index.shtml.

More information about Amber Alert's is available at www.amberalert.gov.

Note: Attached with this news release is the U.S. Department of Justice "2012 National AMBER Alert Awareness Day" information.

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


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50667/usdoj.amber.observance.pdf , 2012-01/1002/50667/amber_alert.jpg

(Salem) — Primary care practices can now charge patients a set fee that is paid regularly, such as monthly, in return for specific health care services. However, doctor offices using this approach must register with the state.

This new "retainer" payment option may appeal to consumers who do not have insurance or who might have only a medical plan that covers them for catastrophic care but not routine services such as immunizations or checkups.

These retainer agreements are not insurance so no insurance company is involved. The primary care services offered, the amount of the fees and whether they are charged monthly, annually, or for some other time period, vary by practice. The details are outlined in the agreement between patients and the practice.

A law passed by the 2011 Legislature requires doctor offices to clearly disclose cost and coverage, and requires practices using this approach to register with the Insurance Division, part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services.

"It’s important that patients carefully read a practice’s agreement to understand what’s covered and not covered," Acting Insurance Division Administrator Lou Savage said.

Primary care involves routine, nonspecialty office services that promote wellness or diagnose and manage chronic conditions. It does not include hospitalization or major surgery.

Doctors with retainer practices must tell patients that their payment approach is not insurance and that patients must pay for any services not offered through the agreement. However, consumers considering this approach are free to buy insurance to cover more costly medical services.

"This new law protects consumers by requiring medical practices to disclose details of the payment arrangement while hopefully improving access to the type of care that is designed to keep people healthy," Savage said.

Some physicians believe this approach will allow them to spend more time with patients and less time billing insurance companies.

Consumers with questions about retainer practices and how they differ from insurance may call the Insurance Division’s consumer advocates at 888-877-4894.

While it is unknown how many of these practices exist in Oregon, nearly 9,000 patients were enrolled in retainer practices in Washington in 2010, according to a study by the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Washington lawmakers passed legislation in 2007, allowing retainer practices to operate without insurance-type regulation.

Additional information on the Insurance Division website includes:
• A consumer fact sheet explaining retainer practices: http://insurance.oregon.gov/consumer/consumer-tips/4845-26_retainer-medical-practices.pdf.
• Physician registration information: http://insurance.oregon.gov/insurer/retainer-medical-practices/retainer-medical-practices.html.


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


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1073/50658/Medicalretainers.Final.docx

(Salem) – Oregon students who have lost a parent in a workplace accident or had a parent suffer a debilitating job-related injury may be eligible to apply for the Workers’ Memorial Scholarship. Applications are now being accepted for the scholarship awards, which are part of a Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) program.

"While nothing can replace a loved one, these scholarships can help challenged families finance higher education," said Michael Wood, administrator of Oregon OSHA, a division of DCBS. "It’s unfortunate that such a program is needed but we are pleased to assist these students in reaching their educational goals."

The Workers’ Memorial Scholarship is open to any high school graduate, graduating high school senior, GED recipient, current college undergraduate, or graduate student. Applicants must be a dependent or spouse of a fatally injured worker, or the dependent or spouse of an Oregon worker who has incurred a permanent total disability and whose claim for workers’ compensation benefits has been accepted. Scholarship funds are available for use at colleges within the United States.

The deadline for submitting an application for the 2012-2013 school year is Feb. 15, 2012 (early bird), with a final deadline of March 1, 2012.

An electronic application is available on the Oregon Student Access Commission (OSAC) website, www.oregonstudentaid.gov. Students can apply for more than 400 scholarships through a single application on the OSAC website.

Seven Oregon students received Workers’ Memorial Scholarship awards in 2011. The Workers’ Memorial Scholarship was established by the 1991 Legislature at the request of the Oregon AFL-CIO, with support from Associated Oregon Industries. Interest earned on a DCBS fund derived from Oregon OSHA civil fines and penalties funds the awards.

###

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

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

The Oregon Board of Forestry will discuss ideas for refinement and simplification of its planning processes at a Jan. 17 workshop in Salem.

The session will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chemeketa Community College’s Eola Viticulture Center, 215 Doaks Ferry Road NW.

Board members and Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) staff will work through topics that include the board’s work plans and two-year planning cycle, and the links among work plans, agency business and longer-term strategic thinking.

The meeting is open to the public. However, no policy or business decisions are planned, and the workshop format does not include a public comment period.

The board consists of seven citizens nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Board functions include appointing the state forester, providing broad oversight of ODF, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on state and private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30 million-acre forestland base.

More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at: www.oregonforestry.gov. Agenda materials for the Jan. 17 meeting are available through the 2012 "Meeting Schedules" link on the website.

Hi there,

Wanted to make sure you knew that this Friday night, after the Girls Varsity home Basketball game (approx 7:15pm). Senior Sammi Jo Blodgett is going to be recognized for recently scoring her 1000th point. It came during a game against Grandview.

She will be presented the game ball from that game and a plaque recognizing her accomplishment. It's the first time this has happened in the District in nearly 30 years. The last person to do it was Cathy Gonzales.

Health Net, Inc. (NYSE: HNT) and the UCLA School of Public Health announced the expansion of its health literacy social media program, T2X. The program was previously limited to its study testing phase, but access to the program now is available to all cyber-savvy teens nationwide.

The T2X project was created as a result of a partnership between Health Net, UCLA School of Public Health and EPG Technologies. It was funded by a $1.1 million NIH research grant that tested whether a cutting-edge intervention using an online social network would increase low-income teens' capacity to access and use their insurance, become more engaged in their health care and health behavior decisions, and develop pro-health attitudes.

"We believe that this innovative approach has helped create best practices for encouraging all teens to become knowledgeable health care consumers," said Nancy Wongvipat Kalev, Health Net's director of Health Education and Cultural and Linguistic Services, and one of the study's collaborators. "The study's findings are currently being evaluated and the highly anticipated results are expected mid-2012. If this intervention is indeed successful in allowing teens to become more engaged in their health care and health decisions, we could validate the use of social networking sites for the rest of our population and open doors to exploring other innovative technology-based approaches to promoting healthy behaviors in the future."

The T2X website offers a teen-only community of users, with teen and professionally produced content, competitions, games, quizzes, blogs, video sharing and other interactive and participatory communication methods. The site covers lifestyle issues for teens - nutrition, fitness, stress management, substance abuse and sexual behavior - to help them live life to the fullest and accomplish their goals.

On the T2X website, teens have access to:
* Chat online with health experts 24/7 and ask questions about sensitive health topics that they may not be comfortable discussing with their physician
* Learn how to access health services at the right level of care
* Intelligent SMS campaign that allows teens to text keywords to a designated number and receive customized content back to their mobile devices
* Participate in health-oriented social networking through blogs, videos and other transmedia tools
* Nurse Advice Line to obtain health care information from a registered nurse 24/7 (available to Health Net members only)

The transmedia component of T2X is extremely unique as the project is the first of its kind to explore the effectiveness of this intervention. "Transmedia" is telling different parts of a story using different types of media, which provides opportunities for participants to get deeper into the story, topic and characters, eventually putting the story together into a coherent whole.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to engage the T2X community through transmedia storytelling to make issues related to health care literacy more relevant and engaging for teens as they transition into adulthood," said Deborah Glik, professor for the UCLA School of Public Health and another one of the study's collaborators.

The ongoing project has already garnered recognition in prominent publications. T2X was recently highlighted as a best practice in patient engagement in National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) publication entitled "NCQA Quality ProfilesTM: The Leadership Series--Focus on Patient Engagement" and also in America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)'s Innovations in Health Literacy publication entitled "Health Literacy and America's Health Insurance Plans: Laying the Foundation and Beyond." The Health Net-UCLA project team also has presented at several prestigious conferences such as the National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media, the American Public Health Association Conference, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media.

About Health Net
Health Net of California, a subsidiary of Health Net Inc., is one of the largest health plans in the state. Together with Health Net Life Insurance Company, it serves more than 2.2 million members statewide and contracts with more than 56,000 physicians, 300-plus hospitals and nearly 5,000 pharmacies, giving its members greater choice and more convenient access to care. Its commercial HMO and POS, Medicare, and Medicaid lines of business have received "Excellent" accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality Assurance.

For more information on Health Net, Inc., please visit Health Net's website at www.healthnet.com.

About The UCLA School of Public Health
The UCLA School of Public Health is dedicated to enhancing the public's health by conducting innovative research; training future leaders and health professionals; translating research into policy and practice; and serving local, national and international communities. For more information, visit www.ph.ucla.edu.


Attached Media Files: To see more images, please visit To see more images, please visit www.t2x.me/tour , To see more images, please visit To see more images, please visit www.t2x.me/tour

Reduced blue-green algae levels confirmed

A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in Lost Creek Lake, located 30 miles northeast of Medford on the Rogue River, was lifted today by Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division.

The advisory went into effect Sept. 23, 2011.

Water monitoring has confirmed reduced levels of blue-green algae that can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals.

These reduced levels are not likely to be associated with dangerous toxin concentrations in the water, according to World Health Organization guidelines.

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

For local information, contact Chad Stuart at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 541-878-2255.

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

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The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is conducting a public hearing in Condon to accept comments on the proposed adoption of the Cottonwood Canyon State Park Comprehensive Plan as a state rule under OAR 736-018-0045. The hearing will be held Jan. 24, 2012 in the Condon Memorial Hall, 128 S. Main Street. The hearing begins at 6 p.m.

The comprehensive plan for the park is being adopted to provide direction to OPRD on future management of the park resources and development of facilities for public recreation access. The plan for the park considers the most current information on park resource conditions and public recreation needs. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission approved the Cottonwood Canyon State Park Comprehensive Plan after a year and a half of public outreach and comments.

After the rule-making public comment period closes in February 2012, the rule will be finalized, signed by the Oregon Parks and Recreation director and entered into the state rule.

The draft plan is available for review at www.oregon.gov/OPRD/PLANS/planning_cottonwood.shtml

OPRD will accept written comments until 5 p.m., Feb. 23, 2012. Written comments should be sent to OPRD attn: Mark Davison, 725 Summer Street NE, Suite C, Salem, OR 97301-1271.

Accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon advance request by calling (503) 986-0744.


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Walla Walla School District Special Board Meeting - January 13, 2012
as per the attached media memo & agenda


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1288/50634/01.13.12_SB_00_Agenda.Special_board_meeting.Work_session.pdf , 2012-01/1288/50634/01.13.12_SB_00__Media_Memo.pdf

The Weston School and Winn Barn in the Weston area are Oregon’s latest entries in the National Register of Historic Places.

Centrally located at the top of a steep hill in the city of Weston, the grounds of Weston School have served in a range of educational capacities throughout the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Buildings on the grounds of Weston School date from as early as 1882 and have been home to the Weston Methodist Academy, the Eastern Oregon State Normal School, and several local public schools. The site has been used as a local public school since 1911, when the local high school moved into the old Eastern Oregon State Normal School building. A new school building constructed of brick during 1926-27 housed students of both Weston Grade School and Weston High School for many years before consolidation with nearby Athena in 1973. Since the late nineteenth century, additions to existing structures and new buildings were added to the grounds to accommodate growth in the school’s student population. These multiple buildings are the best and only remaining in the community to convey the property’s important association with education in Weston.

Located just north of Weston, the Winn Barn is a gothic-arch roof, two-story barn that is regarded as an impressive architectural fixture within the greater Weston community. Constructed in 1916, the barn is the best-known and an outstanding example of early sawed-rafter gothic-arch roof construction in Umatilla County. The construction of the Winn Barn in 1916 was the result of years of agricultural engineering experimentation in barn roof construction during the early twentieth century as well as public education by state agricultural colleges and agricultural extension services supported by the passage of key United States legislation for the study of improved agricultural practices. An early example of modern gothic-arch roof design, the Winn Barn’s construction at an early date foreshadowed the popularity of the gothic-arch roof barn design in the coming decades. With its ability to provide the maximum amount of storage space coupled with unfettered access around the barn’s loft, the gothic-arch roof barn design quickly proved extremely popular among farmers across the United States through the 1940s.

Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation recommended the buildings’ nominations in October 2011. Both the Weston School and Winn Barn join 15 other Weston properties listed in the National Register, which is maintained by the National Park Service under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

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


Attached Media Files: Winn Barn nomination , Weston School Nomination , Press Release , Winn Barn , 2012-01/1303/50629/OR_UmatillaCounty_WestonSchool_0008.jpg

The FBI is asking for the public’s help in identifying and locating an unknown female who may be a witness to a crime. She is described as:

White female
Age: Unknown
Hair: Reddish brown
Eyes: Blue/green
Height: 5’5" (approximately)
Weight: 140 pounds (approximately)

Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, no further information will be released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI at (503) 224-4181.


Attached Media Files: Unidentified female photo b , Unidentified female photo a

Nominations are coming to a close with just two weeks left to submit your nomination for an Oregon woman of achievement. March of Dimes Greater Oregon Chapter is looking for special women who live or work in Oregon and have made exceptional contributions to our community. Closing in on 30 years of honoring women of achievement, March of Dimes is proud to have recognized 198 women who have made a significant impact on their communities. The organization is accepting nominations through January 27th for the 30th Annual White Rose Award—A Salute to Women of Achievement.

White Rose honorees are selected on the basis of volunteerism, professional excellence and contributions to the community as a whole. Honorees must live or work in Oregon and have excelled in one or more of the following areas:


• Arts
• Human Services
• Business
• Politics/Government
• Community Service
• Professional Services
• Education
• Volunteer Efforts
• Health & Sciences


March of Dimes is excited to include a youth award component to the luncheon for the third year in a row. A female youth (currently in high school) will be honored based on her own volunteerism and contributions to her community.

Award recipients will be recognized at the White Rose Luncheon, Monday May 21, at the Portland Marriott Downtown.

Nomination applications are available by calling (503) 222-9434 in Portland, 1-800-811-0805 outside Portland, or online at www.marchofdimes.com/oregon. Applications must be submitted no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, January 27, 2012, to the March of Dimes Portland office. A selection committee will review all nominations, and the 2012 White Rose Honorees will be announced in February.

Through the contributions of each of these women, lives have been changed and communities bettered. Help us find those women who have made a difference and honor them for their involvement. Proceeds from the luncheon benefit the March of Dimes.

March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find out what’s going on in the Greater Oregon Chapter by visiting OregonMOD.com.

January 10, 2012

]Oregon Health Policy Board hears testimony showing substantial reduced costs to the state as communities begin planning for new way of delivering health care[

Oregon is moving forward toward implementing a new way of business for the Oregon Health Plan that will bring better care and lower costs, according to testimony today before the Oregon Health Policy Board about Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs).

Coordinated Care Organizations were created with strong bipartisan support through House Bill 3650 last year to improve the health care delivery system for low-income Oregonians. Under the legislation, a final implementation proposal will be reviewed in the coming February session.

Conservative estimates show that, pending final approval by lawmakers in February, CCOs could save Oregon more than $1 billion in state and federal dollars over the next three years and more than $3 billion over five years, according to financial projections presented by independent consultants Health Management Associates today. If local communities move to the Coordinated Care Model faster, the cost reductions to the state would come earlier.

"Coordinated Care Organizations give local health systems the tools they need to shift the focus from the emergency room and acute care to prevention, early intervention and chronic disease management. With bold movement forward we will get improved health and the cost reductions that we know will follow," says Governor John Kitzhaber. "Next month we will send the implementation plan to the Legislature and upon approval will be ready to move quickly to make this vision a reality."

Today OHP clients statewide must navigate among 15 managed care organizations, nine mental health organizations and eight dental care organizations. As proposed by HB 3650, CCOs are local health entities that deliver health care and coverage for people eligible for Medicaid. Each would have a single point of accountability for health outcomes and have one budget that grows at a fixed rate for behavioral, physical and ultimately dental care.

"It is clear there are substantial cost reductions that come from delivering more coordinated and patient-centered care," says OHPB chair Eric Parsons. "The sooner we take action, the sooner we can begin stemming the spiraling cost of health care."

Across the state, health systems are beginning to make plans for Coordinated Care Organizations.

Speaking before the board, George Brown, M.D., spoke about unprecedented cooperation among major health systems in the metro region to pull together a Coordinated Care Organization. Brown is CEO of Legacy Health and represents the newly formed Tri-County Medicaid Collaborative.

"This is the first time all these health care entities have worked together in a coordinated way with one unifying goal, and that is both unique and groundbreaking," Brown told the board. "We all know that the current system is unsustainable and inaction is not an option. We are committed to transforming the health care system in this region to better serve our community."

Since the passage of HB 3650, health system representatives from Lane County, Southern Oregon and Central Oregon have also presented to the board their efforts to work in new kinds of partnerships under Coordinated Care Organizations.

As the board finalizes the implementation proposal, state officials are working with the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on federal waivers that will allow CCOs the flexibility to manage care for the best health outcomes. Officials are also discussing the possibility of financial investments from the federal government in anticipation of future cost reductions.

The meeting today opens the final round of public comment on the CCO implementation proposal before it is sent to the Legislature for final approval. The proposal can be reviewed and commented on at www.health.oregon.gov.

# # #

An Olympia, Washington man was arrested Monday night when an Oregon State Police (OSP) trooper stopped his car after the man hit a deer along Interstate 5 near Sutherlin and found approximately 23 pounds of marijuana. The man continued driving seven miles after hitting the deer before the trooper stopped the car and later arrested him after finding the marijuana.

On January 9, 2012 at approximately 9:00 p.m. an OSP trooper was conducting a traffic stop northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 135 when he heard a vehicle collide with a deer just south of the stop location. The vehicle, a 1998 Chevrolet Monte Carlo displaying Washington license plates, continued northbound past the trooper without stopping to inspect the damage.

Thinking it was odd the vehicle didn’t pull over after hitting the deer, the trooper ended the traffic stop and overtook the Chevrolet near milepost 142 where he stopped it and contacted driver CHRISTOPHER R. GOHEEN, age 26, from Olympia, Washington.

Subsequent investigation during the traffic stop with the assistance of an OSP drug detection canine led to the discovery of approximately 23 pounds of marijuana in the car’s trunk. Estimated value of the seized marijuana is $57,000.

GOHEEN was arrested and lodged in the Douglas County Jail for Unlawful Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana.

No photographs of marijuana or vehicle available for this release.

Photograph Source: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office

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


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50595/Goheen.jpg

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will seek public comments on Oregon administrative rule changes affecting Oregon’s ocean shore. OPRD is responsible for the management of the ocean shore state recreation area under OAR 736-021-0060.

These rules were last revised in 1996. Since then, the numbers of visitors and kinds of recreation have grown and changed, as have natural resource protection activities. The current draft rule changes, as well as historical and cultural sites, on the ocean shore, and make it easier for visitors to understand and locate all rules pertinent to ocean shore management.

The proposed changes cover a range of safety and resource protection issues, such as clarifying limits on personal and commercial removal of natural products, and rules related to signs, campfires, and wildlife disturbance. The proposed changes do not add a new requirement for activity permits, but do explain traditional management better: events which block public access or could harm natural or cultural resources need a permit. Proposed changes are available online at www.oregon.gov/OPRD/RULES/notices.shtml

The meeting schedule follows:

January 24: Salem 3:30 pm-5:30 pm OPRD Headquarters, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301

January 26: North Bend 3 pm-5 pm North Bend Library, 1800 Sherman Ave., North Bend OR

January 27: Gold Beach 3 pm-5 pm Gold Beach City Hall, 29592 Ellensburg Ave, Gold Beach OR

January 30: Newport 7 pm-9 pm Newport Recreation Center (Rm 105), 225 Avery Street, Newport OR

January 31: Cannon Beach 7 pm-9 pm Cannon Beach City Hall (Council Chambers), 163 E. Gower Street, Cannon Beach OR

The deadline for accepting comments is February 6, 2012, and may be submitted to vanessa.demoe@state.or.us. Those wishing to comment during a public meeting must register with the hearings officer in the first 45 minutes of the meeting. Accommodations for persons with disabilities are available if requested in advance by calling (503) 986-0719.

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Note to Editors: Please note the distinction between ocean shores rulemaking and the second round of OPRD public hearings to be held in February about special, "non-traditional use" permits in general. Today’s release (Jan 10) is about ocean shores rulemaking only.

The State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) has released several new features for the Oregon Historic Sites Database that will aid government agencies, heritage organizations, and anyone interested in learning more about Oregon’s over 56,000 recorded historic places.

New features available in the database include the ability to download nomination forms for properties listed in the National Register and all inventory forms for surveyed properties. A statewide map is also available that graphically displays all properties in the database with links to individual property records.

"The Oregon Historic Sites Database is a critical tool for managing information about Oregon’s historic places," said Roger Roper, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer. "These new features will provide users with greater on-demand access to data collected by the SHPO over the last 45 years."

A link to the Oregon Historic Sites Database is available at www.oregonheritage.org. The State Historic Preservation Office is part of Heritage and Community Programs of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. For more information on the Oregon Historic Sites Database contact Cara Kaser at cara.kaser@state.or.us or (503) 986-0670 or visit www.oregonheritage.org.


Attached Media Files: Press Release

An exhibition of paintings by Cara Tomlinson is on display in the Governor’s Office in the State Capitol in Salem through February 20, 2012. Organized by the Oregon Arts Commission, the show is part of the Art in the Governor’s Office program that showcases the work of living Oregon artists.

The exhibition, titled Bornwith, brings to mind both architectural and human form. "My evolving body of work is motivated by particular questions about the construction of self, boundaries of subjectivity, and the interconnection of self and environment", said Tomlinson. Her use of subdued colors, seemingly random forms and layering of primal shapes gives the paintings an unrehearsed quality.

Tomlinson is one of thirteen recently announced recipients of Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowships for 2012. She received her B.A from Bennington College and her MFA from the University of Oregon. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon where she works as both the Associate Professor of Painting and Studio Head of Painting at Lewis & Clark College.

The Art in the Governor’s Office Program honors selected artists in Oregon with exhibitions in the reception area of the Governor’s Office in the State Capitol. Only professional, living Oregon artists are considered and an exhibit in the Governor’s office is considered a "once in a lifetime" honor. Artists whose work has previously been shown in the Governor’s office include Henk Pander, Michele Russo, Manuel Izquierdo, James Lavadour, Margot Thompson, Gordon Gilkey, and Yuji Hiratsuka.
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The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of the Oregon Business Development Department in 1993 in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grant-making, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature, federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust.
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Two California men were arrested by Oregon State Police (OSP), with the assistance of Clackamas County deputies, early Monday morning when a traffic stop in the Wilsonville area led to the seizure of approximately 7 pounds of methamphetamine found inside their car. The OSP Drug Enforcement Section is continuing the investigation.

On January 9, 2012 at approximately 2:30 a.m. an OSP senior trooper stopped a 2000 Acura Integra two door displaying California license plates northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 284 for multiple traffic violations. The car’s two occupants were identified as driver ALFREDO CHAVEZ, age 33, and passenger GUILLERMO LOPEZ MADUENO, age 38, both from Watsonville, California.

While the trooper and a deputy were talking with both men outside the car, LOPEZ MADUENO attempted to run away. He was overtaken and captured about a hundred yards away from the car.

Subsequent investigation led to the discovery of 7-one pound bags of methamphetamine inside the car. Estimated value of the seized methamphetamine is $140,000.

Both men were taken into custody without further incident and lodged in the Clackamas County Jail for Unlawful Delivery and Possession of a Controlled Substance – Methamphetamine.

OSP was assisted during the stop by Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Photograph Sources:
Methamphetamine photo – Oregon State Police
Suspect photos – Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office

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


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50556/010912.i5mp284.meth.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50556/Chavez.jpg , 2012-01/1002/50556/Lopez_Madueno.jpg

Jan. 9, 2012

[Reduced blue-green algae levels confirmed]

A health advisory prompted by high algae levels found in the South Umpqua River near Myrtle Creek was lifted today by Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division and Douglas County Health Department officials.

The advisory went into effect July 29.

Water monitoring has confirmed reduced levels of blue-green algae that can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals.

These reduced levels are not likely to be associated with dangerous toxin concentrations in the water, according to World Health Organization guidelines.

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

For health information, contact the Harmful Algae Bloom Surveillance program at 971-673-0400 or www.healthoregon.org/hab; also contact the Oregon Public Health toll-free information line at 1-877-290-6767 or Douglas County Health Department at 541-440-3686.

# # #

The Oregon Employment Department has released the results of its third Future Hiring Survey, conducted in fall 2011. Responses from employers show that 33 percent of companies plan to hire workers within six months. Employer expectations and outlooks have not improved since the survey was conducted one year prior.

Almost half (46%) of the companies in the leisure and hospitality industry indicate plans to hire, the highest percent of any industry. Natural resources and mining (44%) and health care and social assistance (40%) industries were the next most-likely to be hiring. Employers in the construction, financial activities, and other services industries were least likely to have hiring plans in the near term; fewer than 25 percent of firms in each of these sectors indicated plans to hire within six months.

Statewide, 19 percent of all employers plan to hire within six months due to employee turnover, 9 percent due to normal seasonal hiring patterns, 8 percent due to the expansion of their workforce, and 3 percent in an effort to restore employment declines suffered during the most recent recession. Some employers indicated multiple reasons for hiring.

While one-third of employers anticipate some hiring in the near future, only 11 percent anticipate that their employment levels will increase within six months. By comparison, 14 percent expect their payrolls to shrink during the same period. Two-thirds of companies anticipate no change in their current employment level within the next six months.

Employers in Central Oregon and the Columbia Gorge were the most likely to indicate plans to hire, while employers in Southern Oregon were the least likely. However, employers across all areas of the state showed the same trend: between 30 and 40 percent of respondents plan to hire within six months.

Employers were asked to share reasons why they may not hire in the near future. One-half (51%) of respondents shared reasons related to the general economy, while 37 percent of respondents specifically cited the recent recession as something that may prevent them from hiring. A much smaller share of respondents (14%) indicated that issues related to government, such as high taxes, excessive regulations, or state budget cuts, may prevent hiring. Roughly 29 percent of respondents shared other reasons for not hiring, such as the seasonal nature of their work or currently having adequate staff. Five percent of respondents said a lack of qualified applicants may prevent them from hiring.

Employers were asked in which occupations they plan to hire. The three most common occupational groups cited by respondents were office and administrative support; food preparation and serving related; and sales and related occupations. Among the occupational groups least cited were computer and mathematical; legal; life, physical, and social science; and protective service occupations.

The full report is available on the Oregon Employment Department’s workforce and economic information web site at www.QualityInfo.org/pubs/future/future_hiring3.pdf.

(Age correction on victim to read 37 years of age)

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into Friday night’s single vehicle fatal traffic crash that killed one person and injured two others along Highway 26 about three miles north of Madras. Alcohol is being investigated as a contributing factor.

According to Trooper Joshua Nagle, on January 6, 2012 at approximately 9:36 p.m. a 1991 Chevrolet pickup driven by KATHY RUTH DANZUKA, age 47, from Warm Springs, was northbound on Highway 26 near milepost 113 when she lost control, crossed the southbound lane and traveled off the highway into a ditch where it rolled at least once. DANZUKA and two passengers were not using safety restraints and were ejected from the pickup.

Passenger CHAD WILLIS HAMILTON, age 37, from Madras, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

DANZUKA and passenger REBECCA JUNE DANZUKA, age 45, from Warm Springs, were injured and transported by ambulance to Mountain View Hospital in Madras. KATHY DANZUKA was then taken by AirLife to St. Charles Medical Center in Bend for further treatment of serious injuries.

OSP troopers from the Madras and Bend offices are continuing the investigation.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, ODOT and local fire personnel assisted during the initial investigation. The highway was closed 2 ½ hours.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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


Attached Media Files: 2012-01/1002/50526/010612.fatal.hwy26mp113.jpg