The latest news stories across the state of Oregon from the digital home of the Oregon coastal cities, OregonBeachMagazine.com
Monday, October 16, 2023
Oregon Beach Weather
HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING ISSUED: 2:08 AM OCT. 16, 2023 – NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
...HAZARDOUS SEAS WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON... * WHAT...Very steep and hazardous seas at 9 to 13 ft. * WHERE...All areas. * WHEN...Until 5 PM PDT this afternoon. * IMPACTS...Very steep and hazardous seas could capsize or damage vessels. Bar crossings will become especially treacherous. * ADITTIONAL DETAILS...Low threat of gales through 10 AM. * View the hazard area in detail at https://go.usa.gov/x6hks
Get Ready for World’s Largest Earthquake Drill
Oregon is home to several fault lines that cause dozens of earthquakes every year. The most known earthquake threat is the Cascadia Subduction Zone, a 700-mile fault located off the Pacific coast that puts Oregon at risk for a 9.0+ magnitude earthquake.
A quake of that size could cause five to seven minutes of shaking, followed by a tsunami that would devastate coastal areas. October features several events reminding Oregonians to prepare and protect themselves before the ground starts shaking.
Wireless Emergency Alerts
“One of the most important steps people can take is to enable Wireless Emergency Alerts, or WEA, on their cell phones,” said Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Erin McMahon. “WEA are short emergency messages sent to your phone to warn of an impending natural or human-made disaster, like an earthquake. WEA messages can provide immediate, life-saving information.”
ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning Notifications
People in Oregon, Washington and California who’ve opted into WEA automatically receive ShakeAlert earthquake early warning notifications for earthquakes in their area with a magnitude of 4.5 or greater, which can offer critical seconds of warning to seek cover from falling objects and brace themselves. ShakeAlert uses science and technology to detect significant earthquakes quickly and sends an alert to people on their cell phones. The alert makes a distinctive sound and displays a text message reading, “Earthquake detected! Drop, cover, hold on. Protect yourself.” This message is also available in Spanish for phones set to receive alerts in that language. Some cell phones with text-to-voice capability may read out the message text.
Great Oregon ShakeOut
An effective and no-cost way for individuals and families to practice earthquake safety is to register for The Great Oregon ShakeOut, a self-led earthquake drill taking place at 10:19 a.m. on Oct. 19. Nearly half a million Oregonians have already registered, pledging to Drop, Cover and Hold On for at least 60 seconds as if a major earthquake was occurring at that moment.
“Knowing what to do when the earth starts shaking helps people reduce their risk and better protect themselves to prepare for earthquakes,” said Director McMahon. “Most emergency management experts and official preparedness organizations agree that Drop, Cover and Hold On is the appropriate action to reduce the chance of injury from falling objects and flying debris during earthquakes. When people practice these simple steps, it becomes a routine that allows instincts to kick in when shaking starts.”
When the ground starts to shake, or you receive an earthquake alert on a cell phone:
- Drop immediately onto hands and knees. This position protects you from being knocked down and allows you to stay low and crawl to a nearby shelter. If you use a wheelchair or walker, lock your wheels.
- Cover your head and neck with one arm and hand. If a sturdy table or desk is nearby, crawl underneath it for shelter. If there is no nearby shelter, crawl next to an interior wall away from windows. Remain on your knees and bend over to protect vital organs.
- Hold On until the shaking stops. If under a shelter, hold onto it with one hand and be ready to move with the shelter if it shifts. If there is no shelter, hold onto your head and neck with both arms and hands.
If you’re near the ocean and feel a large earthquake, Drop, Cover and Hold On until the shaking stops. Then walk inland and up to high ground. Do not wait for an official warning, as a tsunami could come ashore in a few minutes. Learn more about earthquake preparedness on OEM’s website.
ORAlert and Be 2 Weeks Ready
OEM also encourages people in Oregon to sign up for local emergency alerts from their county or tribe at ORAlert.gov; be informed and knowledgeable about the hazards where they live; and have an emergency plan and enough food, water and supplies to survive for at least two weeks following any disaster. The agency’s Be 2 Weeks Ready program offers several resources in multiple languages to help people prepare. Learn more at oregon.gov/oem.
Oregon Delegation and Governor Announce Federal Disaster Declaration for Chinook Salmon Commercial Fisheries
Impacted fisheries will be notified of their eligibility for funding by NOAA in the coming weeks
Salem, OR—Today, Governor Tina Kotek announced that the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has determined that a commercial fishery failure occurred during 2018, 2019 and 2020 due to a fishery resource disaster, affecting Oregon Chinook Salmon Fisheries. This determination is in response to a request from Governor Kate Brown in October 2021.
Approved fishery disaster determinations make these fisheries eligible for funding from current fishery disaster appropriations to aid in the recovery of affected communities, restore the fishery, and/or prevent future disasters.
“This determination is incredible news for commercial fishers who have been waiting for years to find out whether or not they can receive support from the federal government,” Governor Kotek said. “This is a result of the work of Governor Brown and our congressional delegation to recognize and advocate for Oregon’s commercial fisheries. I am also hopeful for a future determination for our recent fisheries disaster declaration request.”
NOAA Fisheries, the federal agency in charge of the stewardship of U.S. national marine resources, will notify award recipients of their eligibility for funding and provide guidance on the development of applications for federal financial assistance (also known as spend plans) in the coming weeks.
In April 2023, Governor Tina Kotek requested that the U.S. Department of Commerce make an expedited declaration of a federal fishery resource disaster for ocean commercial salmon fisheries for 2023. That request is still active and has not yet been determined. The press release with that announcement can be found here.
The 2021 request from Governor Brown for a federal determination of a fisheries disaster declaration can be found here.
State Removes First Hazardous Vessel with New Funding
A 1930s fishing vessel came out of the Columbia River this week as work continues to tackle hazardous vessels in Oregon waterways
The Oregon Department of State Lands this week reached a milestone in ensuring safe and healthy waterways statewide by removing the first hazardous vessel with newly approved funding.
The FV Tiffany, a 200-ton former fishing vessel built in 1939, became a hazard when it sank and spilled fuel into the Columbia River near Rainer in 2021. The U.S. Coast Guard responded, cleaning up the fuel and refloating the vessel. DSL began monitoring the vessel while also seeking resources for removal.
“The FV Tiffany wasn’t just an eyesore,” said DSL Interim Deputy Director Chris Castelli. “More significantly this ship was a vehicle for toxins going into the Columbia River.”
Abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) like the FV Tiffany often contain harmful quantities of oil, lubricant, and other toxic substances in the materials used to construct the vessel.
“Some samples taken from the FV Tiffany contained high levels of PCBs and lead which pose a threat to the aquatic environment and potentially even human health,” said Scott Smith, Spill Contingency Planner for Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.
The FV Tiffany is the first waterway-polluting vessel to be removed using new funding approved by the Oregon Legislature in June.
“Cleaning up vessels in the past meant using Common School Fund dollars,” explained DSL Director Vicki L. Walker. “Besides shortchanging Oregon school kids, lack of dedicated resources prevented the state from being able to proactively address the ADV problem.”
That changed with House Bill 5029, with the Legislature providing $18.8 million from the Monsanto settlement to begin removing vessels and developing a statewide program for long-term solutions.
Preventing vessels from becoming hazards that contaminate water, degrade habitat, damage property, and impede navigation is a priority. The state always seeks to have vessel owners pay for cleanups and will explore options for recovering expenses incurred, currently estimated to be $1.42 million for the FV Tiffany. But focusing on prevention can help reduce the need for state-led cleanups.
The state’s new Abandoned and Derelict Vessel (ADV) Workgroup, with over 20 members ranging from harbormasters to recreationalists, began meeting in September to help create a program framework, including proactive solutions.
In spring 2024, DSL will present the State Land Board with a report that includes a program framework addressing prevention, response, enforcement, education and outreach, and potential long-term funding needs and sources, as well as recommendations for legislative action in the 2025 Legislative Session.
About the ADV Workgroup
The ADV Workgroup provides input to state agency partners on near-term action for vessel removals, a program framework, and legislative solutions. Workgroup members bring a wide variety of perspectives and expertise, including ports, marinas, waterway recreation, environmental protection, vessel salvage, and local government. State agency partners are DSL, the Oregon State Marine Board, DEQ, and Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. View the current workgroup roster here.
Over the next few months, the ADV Workgroup will provide input on key elements of a statewide ADV program. ADV Workgroup meetings are open to community members and meeting agendas include time for community comments. Broad opportunities for community input are anticipated early in 2024. Meeting details and materials are posted on DSL’s website here and announced via the abandoned and derelict vessels email notice list. Sign up for ADV email notices here.
Photos and video of the FV Tiffany removal are available here on DSL’s Box.com site.
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9 Program
The United States consumes more child exploitation material than any other country, and this consumption is increasing year after year. Based on our detectives’ caseloads, we are seeing a corresponding increase in our community as well. To assist our community and partner agencies in protecting our most vulnerable population, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is seeking to establish an electronic storage detection (ESD) K9 program to supplement our K9 Unit.
The Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce that we will be acquiring and deploying our Electronic Storage Detection (ESD) K9, Trinity, a black female Labrador retriever, mid-November of this year, having reached a threshold goal of $19,000 in our pursuit to raise the required $25,000 to obtain the ESD K9.
We have had several partners join us in this endeavor, to include: the Knot Today Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose primary purpose is to educate, prevent, prosecute, and provide survivor support to cases of child exploitation; K9s4Cops, another 501(c)(3) nonprofit, whose mission is to help fund and assist agencies obtain much needed K9’s to augment the work we do in law enforcement; as well as businesses such as Rogue and Flashbacks Fountain and Grill, both of Newport, OR; and countless individuals who have given their time and resources to help us reach this goal.
We would like to add an additional thanks to Todd Jordan of Jordan Detection K9 who assisted us in connecting with the Knot Today Foundation and made special arrangements to facilitate obtaining and training Trinity in so timely a manner.
An ESD K9 is a specially trained scent detection dog trained to smell the chemical commonly found in digital storage devices. These K9s allow detectives to cut search times exponentially and increase success in finding hidden electronics during searches. In the areas they are in service, ESD K9s have a 75% increased success rate at finding hidden devices compared to detectives alone and are responsible for hundreds of arrests. While there are approximately 120 of these K9s nationwide, there are currently none in Oregon.
We are still striving to reach our goal of $25,000 which will cover the entire cost of the initial deployment. If you see Trinity out and about, feel free to stop and say hello to her!
You can donate directly to https://secure.k9s4cops.org/forms/lincolncounty
You can donate directly by cash or check at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Support Services Division on the second floor of the courthouse, located at:
225 W. Olive St
#203, Newport, OR 97635.
Or you can mail a donation to the Lincoln County Foundation:
Attn: Lincoln County Sheriff Community Fund ESD K9 Program
PO BOX 622
Newport, OR 97365
The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank you for helping us protect our community!
Florence Scare-Venger Hunt
The City of Florence is putting the Scare in Halloween. From now until the end of the month people can join the hunt for pumpkins around city parks clues went out on the 6th of October and new clues will be released each week on the 13th, 20th and 27th.
The Great Pumpkin Scare-venger Hunt requires participants to look for the word jumble on Friday’s at the City’s Facebook page and Instagram page solve the puzzle and then go hunting.
“We place it in a few different parks throughout the month, we have prizes that come out and it’s a great way to encourage people to get out and explore our different parks.”
Winner will be drawn from completed entries on Tuesdays following each week’s clue release. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=645947607659713&set=a.188801770040968
Art Exhibit Celebrates Clatsop Community College and Pacific Northwest College Collaboration
The Royal Nebeker Art Gallery at Clatsop Community College, partnering with Center for Contemporary Art & Culture at Pacific Northwest College of Art, is thrilled to announce a fall exhibition titled Mind and Hand: PNCA Community Showcase. The public is invited to the show’s Reception on Thursday, October 19 starting at 6pm for refreshments and celebration.
This exhibition – displaying over 30 pieces from PNCA students, faculty, staff and alumni – is brought to CCC’s campus gallery as a special collaboration to celebrate the PNCA + Clatsop Community College Transfer Agreement where students from Clatsop Community College will now have easier access to a BFA from Pacific Northwest College of Art.
In this agreement, Clatsop students who transfer to PNCA with 60 semester credits/90 quarter credits automatically receive a $5,000 PNCA Transfer Scholarship in addition to a merit based scholarship, which starts at $22,000. Both of these scholarships are renewable annually and this pathway allows these students to earn a BFA degree in just two years.
“PNCA has been welcoming talented Clatsop transfer students for many years, so I’m thrilled to have an official pathway that guarantees that courses will transfer for qualified students and will offer them an opportunity for a BFA at a lower cost,” said PNCA Dean of Admissions Anna Miltenberger. “Empowering students to reimagine what art and design can do in the world is part of our mission. We look forward to continuing a partnership that will inevitably support the thriving art and design community in Portland and beyond.”
Mind and Hand: PNCA Community Showcase stands as an example of the creative inquiries and artistic prowess that all artists connected to PNCA exhibit within the school and beyond. Ranging from painting to design, sculpture to performance and things in-between, this exhibition highlights the validity and importance of creative inquiries and education in the arts. May we all be ever-learning from each other and feel nurtured to pursue a life of creative expression!
The CCC Royal Nebeker Gallery is dedicated to enriching the cultural life of the campus, the local community, and the North Coast region. Please join CCC in its mission to sustain and promote contemporary art and visual culture through professional exhibitions and programming.
The CCC Royal Nebeker Gallery, located at 1799 Lexington Avenue in Astoria, is ADA accessible. The gallery hours are from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on weekends and holidays by appointment only. For more information, please contact Kristin Shauck by phone (503-338-2472) or e-mail kshauck@clatsopcc.edu.
About CCAC and PNCA:
The Center for Contemporary Art & Culture is a platform for cultural production including exhibition, lecture, performance, and publication. Housed within Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA), the Center throws open its doors to the greater public to foster conversation and community.
Pacific Northwest College of Art is the leading professional arts and design school in the Northwest; we are the heartbeat of learning and experimentation in Portland’s vibrant cultural ecosystem. We spark curiosity and sharpen skills so students can build creative careers anchored in innovation, justice and civic imagination. (SOURCE)
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Accepting Public Comments on Updates to Marine Plant and Seaweed Collection Rules on the Ocean Shore
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) proposes updates to rules for collection of marine plants and macroalgae in marine reserves and marine protected areas (OAR 736-021-0090).
Updates to Oregon’s Territorial Sea Plan earlier this year changed regulations and management practices in certain protected areas. The department’s proposed rule changes will allow for collection of marine plants and macroalgae in marine protected areas if allowed under management plans for the area.
(Oregon’s territorial sea is a 3 mile wide strip of ocean under state jurisdiction that reaches from the shoreline out to sea. This area and the resources within it are managed by state and federal agencies in trust for the public.)
Proposed rules also eliminate outdated requirements for enrolled members of federally recognized tribes in Oregon to seek a permit before collecting marine plants along the ocean shore.
OPRD is accepting comments until 5 p.m. Nov. 3, 2023, and they can be made online, at a public hearing, in writing or via email.
- Online: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx
- Virtual Public hearing: Thursday, October 26, 2 PM: Registration required at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RVGhrw-KR9eYDdaTobepew
- In writing: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, attn.: Katie Gauthier, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301
- Email: D.publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov“>OPRD.publiccomment@oprd.oregon.gov.
After reviewing public comments, agency staff plan to present a final amended rule for consideration by the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission at its November 2023 business meeting.
The full text of the amendment to Oregon Administrative Rule 736-021-0090 is available online at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx.
Study Shows Oregon and Washington Lead Nation In Increased Fentanyl Deaths
The states of Oregon and Washington had the highest increase of fentanyl-related fatalities – 13 times the national average – and other drug overdose deaths over the past year, according to a recent study.
COURTESY OF CLARK COUNTY SHERIFF
The findings were among those summarized last month by the Families Against Fentanyl, a nonprofit organization that seeks to promote public awareness of dangers posed by illicit use of the potent synthetic opioid.
Citing data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s estimated that 111,000 Americans died from drug overdoses nationwide during a 12-month period ending in April. Of those fatalities, more than 77,000 involved fentanyl and synthetic opioids other than methadone.
“Both are record numbers and increases over the prior year,” the FAF said in its summary.
According to the organization, fentanyl poisoning is now the leading cause of death among 18- to 45-year-olds – persons considered to be in the prime of life – exceeding motor vehicle accidents, suicides, COVID-19, heart and liver disease, homicides and other drug-related deaths.
During the most recent 12-month study period, FAF said Oregon had the highest rate of increase in fentanyl deaths among U.S. states: jumping from 610 to 1,020, or more than 67% compared to the prior year and far higher than the national average of 5%. Oregon also ranked second-highest for increases in overdose deaths overall, going from 1,217 to 1,501, an increase of 23%.
Neighboring Washington state saw its overdose deaths increase by over 34%, going from 2,349 to 3,155, the highest one-year increase in the nation. And Washington narrowly trailed Oregon with the nation’s second-highest increase in fentanyl deaths at 65%, increasing from 1,403 to 2,313, according to the FAF analysis.
Although the two Northwest states experienced the biggest percentage spikes in overdose deaths, they were not among the states with the highest number of drug-related fatalities during the 12-month period.
California witnessed both the most fentanyl/synthetic opioid deaths (7,728) and overall overdose deaths (12,542), followed in both categories by Florida (respectively 5,349 and 7,830).
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the states with the lowest predicted deaths in a 12-month period through April were South Dakota (89), Montana (168) and Arkansas (549). The CDC noted that drug overdose deaths may involve multiple drugs and a single death might be included in more than one category.
The FAF briefing did not elaborate on factors which may have contributed to the dramatic increase in drug deaths in Oregon and Washington during the recent 12-month comparative period. The two were among 31 states which saw increases in deaths from fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for pain relief and as an anesthetic. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
In recent years, steep increases in fentanyl deaths were first reported in the eastern United States and have since spread westward across the nation, said Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, MPH, chief science officer for the Washington State Department of Health.
“The rates of deaths from fentanyl overdose currently observed in Washington reflect its spread to every corner of the U.S.,” Kwan-Gett said in emailed comments Thursday. “To save lives from fentanyl and other opioids, we need to urgently increase access to treatment medications for opioid use disorder, get life-saving naloxone to anyone who uses substances as well as the people around them, and raise awareness of the dangers of opioids.”
Naloxone is a life-saving medication that reverses the overdose effects of opioids including heroin, fentanyl, methadone, OxyContin and Vicodin. Naloxone, also called NARCAN, can be administered as an injection or nasal spray.
In Washington state, naloxone is covered by Medicaid and can be dispensed at pharmacies without a prescription or provided by community-based organizations under a statewide order. People who should carry naloxone include drug users, their friends and families, and those who interact with people who use drugs, including service providers and emergency personnel. More information is available from the Washington Department of Health.
Families against Fentanyl was founded by Jim Rauh, a chemical engineer from Ohio, following the death of his son, Thomas, who unknowingly ingested illicit fentanyl. The organization seeks to have illicitly manufactured fentanyl – which has been smuggled into the U.S. across both its northern and southern borders – declared a “weapon of mass destruction” and an issue of national security. The group wants foreign governments held accountable, and it promotes harm-reduction programs to support individuals and communities from fentanyl poisonings.
Authorities note that illicit fentanyl is increasingly being cut into other illegal drugs, such as cocaine or amphetamines, and users are often unaware of its presence and potential for lethal overdose. According to CDC data, an estimated 64,268 fatal fentanyl overdoses took place in the U.S. between April 2020 and April 2021, a 50% increase over the prior 12 months. (SOURCE)
Oregon State Police Intercept Illegal Drugs on I-5
K-9 officers seize 80,000 fentanyl pills, 14 pounds of fentanyl powder, and 92 pounds of cocaine
Recently, Oregon State Police (OSP) K-9 officers have seized significant quantities of illegal drugs bound for distribution. The effort is part of a targeted campaign to intercept these deadly substances before they reach the street.
Traffic stops on I-5, in Linn County, led to the seizure of 80,000 fentanyl pills, 14 pounds of fentanyl powder, and 92 pounds of cocaine within 30 days. During each investigation, as part of the enforcement action, the trooper became suspicious of the occupants’ behavior and obtained lawful authority to search the vehicle.
- On Aug. 29, 2023, at approximately 11:30 a.m., a trooper stopped a vehicle for traffic violations on I-5 north, in Linn County. A search of the vehicle was conducted and the trooper located approximately 70,000 suspected fentanyl pills hidden in a backpack in the vehicle’s trunk.
- On Aug. 31, 2023, at approximately 9:55 a.m., a trooper stopped a vehicle on I-5 north, in Linn County. During a search of the vehicle, the trooper located several packages that contained a total of 14.1 pounds of fentanyl powder.
- On Sept. 28, 2023, a trooper stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation on I-5 north, in Linn County. A K-9 was deployed, alerted to the odor of narcotics and a search warrant for the vehicle was obtained. During the vehicle search more than 10,000 fentanyl pills and 92 pounds of cocaine were seized.
Criminal charges in each case have been referred to the appropriate jurisdiction for prosecution.
OSP reminds the public of the danger of illicit drug use, which is the leading cause of injury deaths in Oregon. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or is in crisis, help is available. Call or text “988” or visit 988lifeline.org to chat. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free and confidential support.
# # # About the Oregon State Police K-9 Program
The Oregon State Police K-9 program includes explosives, fish and wildlife, and drug detection K-9s. A variety of dog breeds are included in the program including Blood Hound, Springer Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, and Belgian Malinois. K-9s are selected based on the dog’s personality, high drive, workability, and intense desire for tracking and detection. K-9 teams assist in detecting illegal drugs, recovering stolen property, and arresting wanted persons on Oregon’s highways and in local communities. These teams work closely with other troopers, drug enforcement detectives, as well as city, county, and federal law enforcement agencies.
Die-In at SAVE EUGENE’S HOSPITAL PROTEST Friday the 13th
About 75 protesters laid on the ground in front of PeaceHealth Medical Center University District Friday as part of a “die-in” demonstration. The effort was meant to symbolize potential impacts if plans to close Eugene’s only hospital proceed.
The protest included nurses in hospital scrubs and speakers from CAHOOTS and the Oregon Nurses Association. Sen. James Manning, D-Eugene, called upon his legislative colleagues to join him in demanding that the hospital remain open.
Manning, who is also running for Secretary of State, referred to a past marketing campaign fun by the hospital system. “The billboard said, ‘We see you,’” Manning boomed. “PeaceHealth! Do you see us now?”
Demonstrators chanted, “Save Eugene’s hospital! Save Eugene’s hospital!”
PeaceHealth announced closure plans on Aug. 22 but has not specified a date when services will be phased out at the facility.
“PeaceHealth remains committed to its caregivers and Lane County and will continue to strategically invest in our staff and the healthcare needs of those in Eugene, Springfield and the entire region,” read a statement emailed to media Friday by PeaceHealth spokesperson Joseph Waltasti.
“Seriously ill or injured patients in the area are already transported to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend,” Waltasti wrote in response to “comments at the protest.”
“Since RiverBend’s opening 15 years ago, care for patients suffering heart attacks, strokes, traumas and other high-acuity conditions has occurred on that campus,” he continued. “Those services are not offered at University District.”
PeaceHealth’s dangerous and irresponsible decision to close University District would leave nearly 200,000 people in Oregon’s second largest city without a hospital–leading to longer waits, worse care, slower emergency response times and ultimately more deaths.
Since PeaceHealth announced its closure plans Aug. 22, frontline health care workers, elected leaders, unions, allies and activists have formed the “Save Eugene’s Hospital” coalition to demand PeaceHealth reconsider its disastrous decision and save lives by keeping University District open.
Pacific Northwest Selected for Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub
The PNWH2 Hub will enter into negotiations with DOE for initial hydrogen hub federal funding
Salem, OR—Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association’s PNWH2 Hub has been selected as one of the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs following a competitive nationwide process.
“Oregon has long been a leader in clean, renewable energy production,” said Governor Tina Kotek. “This transformational opportunity to accelerate development of the nation’s clean energy economy is tailor-made for the Pacific Northwest, where a proud tradition of technological innovation and collaboration in taking on bold challenges is in our nature. I am grateful for this exciting investment from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Biden Administration.”
“With this investment, the Pacific Northwest will be able to develop a new clean hydrogen economy that will create local jobs and build on the region’s long history of supporting clean energy resources,” said Oregon Department of Energy Director and PNWH2 Board Vice Chair Janine Benner. “We can seize this opportunity to ensure an equitable clean energy transition that invests in local communities across the region.”
The PNWH2 Hub will span across Washington, Oregon, and Montana, and will leverage the abundant clean power and innovative technology companies in the Pacific Northwest to accelerate the transition to clean hydrogen production and use. The hub will focus on decarbonizing the region’s hard-to-electrify heavy-duty transportation, long-duration energy storage, ports, agriculture and industrial operations.
Founded with unions, environmental groups, and tribal representatives, the PNWH2 Hub includes representation from these groups on its planned Community Benefits Plan governing board. The hub has also committed to negotiating Project Labor Agreements for all projects over $1 million and anticipates creating more than 10,000 direct jobs.
The PNWH2 Hub is eligible to receive up to $1 billion in federal funding over four DOE-defined development phases spanning nine years, with $20 million allocated for Phase 1. DOE will evaluate the hub’s activities and deliver go/no-go decisions at each phase.
For more information and updates on the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Association, visit https://pnwh2.com.
4x Fatal Crash- HWY 97- Deschutes County
On Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 7:27 p.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a multi-vehicle crash on Hwy-97, near milepost 118, in Deschutes County.
All fatal traffic crashes are tragic. When an entire family is lost, the tragic becomes the horrific.
The preliminary investigation indicated a Chevrolet Silverado, operated by Jesse Carl Ross (43) of Corvallis (MT), was northbound when it crossed the center line, sideswiped a southbound Kenworth commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Thiara Onkar Singh (50) of Livingston (CA), and then struck a Toyota Rav4, operated by Gary J Rutledge (57) of Troutdale, head on. The Toyota subsequently caught fire and became fully engulfed.
The operator of the Toyota, Gary Rutledge, and passengers- Michelle Jean Windsor Rutledge (53), Kate Rutledge (15), and Ryan Rutledge (17)- were all declared deceased at the scene. All of the deceased were related as immediate family members.
The operator of the Chevrolet (Ross) was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The operator of the Kenworth (Singh) was not injured.
The highway was impacted for approximately 4 hours during the on-scene investigation. The Oregon State Police is working with the district attorney’s office in continuance of the investigation.
OSP was assisted by Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Redmond Fire, Redmond PD, and ODOT. OSP is requesting any witnesses to this crash contact the Oregon State Police at OSP and reference case SP23326671.
State Agencies Present Webinar for People Filing Homeowner Insurance Claims
Salem – Filing a homeowners insurance claim and repairing your damaged home can be a complicated and overwhelming process. To help answer homeowner questions about managing an insurance claim and performing related home repairs, Oregon’s Construction Contractors Board (CCB) has teamed with insurance regulators at the Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) to put on a webinar discussing the steps to take during this process.
“We take a strong interest in educating the consumer,” said Chris Huntington, administrator of the CCB. “Most of the time that means teaching consumers how to work with their contractor through a home remodel or repair, but dealing with an insurance claim adds a whole new element to the process. We want consumers to be educated on this process so they can protect themselves from initial claim through project completion.”
About the webinar – The webinar will take place on Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. During the presentation state experts will cover the following topics:
- How to file a claim with your insurance company
- Common problems that people experience when filing a claim, and how they can be avoided
- Resources when filing a claim, recovering from a natural disaster
- How to hire a licensed contractor
- Signs of a construction scam
- Resolving disputes with your contractor
At the end of the presentation, attendees will be invited to ask questions.
How to register – Registration for the webinar is free and can be completed online at the registration page. A link to the registration can also be found on the main page of CCB’s website at www.oregon.gov/ccb.
About the presenters – The webinar will be divided into two presentations, one from the CCB and one from DFR.
DFR is a division of the Department of Business and Consumer Services. DFR’s mission is to protect consumers from businesses that do not operate within statutes and rules. DFR also empowers and protects consumers while encouraging a financially stable, innovative, and competitive insurance marketplace. Presenters from DFR will provide in-depth information about working with insurance companies and filing a claim following a covered event.
The CCB is the regulatory agency that licenses contractors in the state of Oregon. In this role, CCB offers a range of consumer protections to individuals and businesses that hire licensed contractors, and provides information to consumers to help them make smart decisions when hiring contractors. CCB will present information about how to hire a contractor to perform home repairs, why it’s important to check the license, how to avoid construction scams and more.
“Filing a claim is an important step in recovering from unfortunate events,” said Andrew R. Stolfi, Oregon’s insurance commissioner and director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services. “It is important to stay organized, work with licensed contractors, and get several estimates before beginning a repair.”
The presentation will go over all that information and more. Homeowners are encouraged to sign up online or call the CCB’s Education section with questions, at 503-934-2227.
Fifth graders across Oregon are campaigning to become the next Kid Governor
They need to submit their online application before October 26th. Outgoing 2023 Kid Governor Lea Andrus won on her anti-bullying platform. The program is intended to teach fifth graders about civics. The 2024 winner will be announced in mid-November, and sworn in during a special ceremony in January.
Oregon’s Kid Governor® (ORKG®) is led by the Oregon Secretary of State and is a state affiliate of Kid Governor®, an award-winning civics program created by the Connecticut Democracy Center (CTDC). The free, in-class program teaches fifth graders about state government, elections, and the importance of civics engagement through a real-life election that’s timed to coincide with Election Day in November.
ORKG inspires students to be lifelong agents of change, active participants in our government, and registered voters when they turn 18. For more information on ORKG – both the program and the student – follow Oregon’s Kid Governor on Facebook or visit the program’s website at OR.KidGovernor.org
Suggest a Stop for Governor Kotek on Her “One Oregon Listening Tour”
Governor Tina Kotek visited Klamath and Lake counties last week as part of her One Oregon Listening Tour.
Governor Tina Kotek is committed to visiting every county in Oregon in her first year in office and building strong, working partnerships across our state.
These efforts will focus on housing, mental health and addiction care, and education. You can suggest a stop here: https://www.oregon.gov/gov/pages/one-oregon-listening-tour.aspx
SAIF returns with free ag safety seminars and new construction safety seminars
SAIF will be touring the state during the next few months to offer free agriculture and construction safety sessions.
SAIF has offered the agricultural safety seminars for nearly 30 years, helping Oregon’s farm owners, managers, and workers stay safe in one of the most hazardous industries. SAIF is adding construction safety seminars after a successful pilot last year.
The seminars are designed primarily for people working in the two industries but are open to anyone interested in safety and health—they don’t have to be insured by SAIF.
New construction seminars coming to four cities – SAIF is offering seven free construction seminars in four cities. The first will be on October 31, and they’ll continue through May. Three of the seminars will be presented entirely in Spanish. SAIF is also hosting English and Spanish webinars online.
Topics include how to prepare for an injury-free workday and how to respond to incidents and analysis. The seminars—which will be in Wilsonville, Eugene, Central Point, and Newport—will run from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Construction Contractors Board (CCB) and regular producer continuing education credits will be available pending approval from CCB and the Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS).
More information, including registration details, can be found at saif.com/trainings under classroom trainings.
Ag seminars will be held in 17 cities – SAIF will conduct 30 free ag safety seminars in 17 cities across Oregon. The first will be on October 24. Seminars will continue through March and 10 of the seminars will be presented entirely in Spanish.
This year’s seminars will focus on four topics:
- Dealing with serious injuries and fatalities on the farm
- Anatomy of a “comprehensive consultation”
- Hot work/welding safety, including control measures, precautions, and PPE
- Driving safety—both on and off the farm
SAIF will also host online webinars in December and March in English and Spanish.
In-person seminars will be held in Bandon, Boring, Central Point, Corvallis, Eugene, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, Klamath Falls, Madras, Milton-Freewater, Mt. Angel, Ontario, Pendleton, Salem, The Dalles, and Wilsonville.
Spanish seminars will be held in Boring, Central Point, Hermiston, Hillsboro, Hood River, Madras, Mt. Angel, Salem, The Dalles, and Wilsonville.
All will run from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and lunch will be provided.
Employers with small ag businesses who attend the seminar, or watch the webinars, will meet OSHA’s instructional requirement—one of four requirements that exempt small agricultural operations from random OSHA inspections.
Three hours of technical and one hour of business continuing education credits are available from the Landscape Contractors Board. Four producer continuing education credit hours for licensed insurance agents are approved by DCBS.
More information—including registration details—can be found at saif.com/agseminars.
About SAIF – SAIF is Oregon’s not-for-profit workers’ compensation insurance company. For more than 100 years, we’ve been taking care of injured workers, helping people get back to work, and striving to make Oregon the safest and healthiest place to work. For more information, visit the About SAIF page on saif.com.
Oregon Heritage offers fall workshop across the state on Organizational Planning Without Fear or Anxiety
This fall Oregon Heritage is offering a free workshop on organizational planning and prioritization in five locations around the state, plus one virtual opportunity. These workshops are designed to help heritage non-profits, historical societies, museums, archives, libraries, and other related organizations approach work and project planning in a supportive environment.
This workshop series aims at removing that stigma and fear by providing support and a pathway for organizations who’d like to embark on goal-setting journeys or establishing workplans for projects and organizational priorities. This workshop is an interactive opportunity to lay stepping stones for where to begin on this process, especially when and where resources are limited for creating or executing a full-strategic plan, or there is hesitation or fear around that process.
The workshops will be presented by Kyrie Kellet, a skilled facilitator and planner in the heritage arena.Kyrie is a National Association for Interpretation Certified Interpretive Planner with over 20 years of experience in museums, parks, and gardens. She specializes in developing plans that allow organizations of all sizes to impact their communities in creative and meaningful ways. She has worked with a variety of small, volunteer-supported museums to leverage the strengths of their communities to do amazing things.
Workshop schedule:
- Baker City – October 27th, 1:00pm -4:00pm
- Woodburn – November 16th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
- McMinnville – November 21st, 9:00am – 12:00pm
- Grants Pass – November 30th, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- Newport – December 4th, 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- Virtual – December 8th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
Attendees can find registration links at:
For more information about these workshops or other Oregon Heritage technical assistance, please contact Cam Amabile, at ile@oprd.oregon.gov“>cam.amabile@oprd.oregon.gov.
These workshops are a service of the Oregon Heritage Commission. For more information about Oregon Heritage programs and the Oregon Heritage Commission visit www.oregonheritage.org.
Oregon’s Vietnam Veterans War Memorial Hosts Fundraiser at Brothers Car Collection
The Vietnam War Memorial Fund (VWMF) will hold a fundraiser on Tues. Oct 24, 2023, 6-8 p.m. at Salem’s Brothers Car Collection to raise money for the memorial’s construction. Only 150 tickets will be sold for $50 each, with the hope that guests will learn more about the project and make additional donations on-site.
Steve Bates, President and co-founder of the VWMF, expressed the urgency of the fundraising efforts for the $5.5 million project that slowed due to COVID. “We hope to have the pre-construction process completed this fall so we can adopt an actual construction calendar for 2024,” said Bates. “But we must raise more funds to meet the 2024 construction goals. We are seeking support from additional charitable foundations and the public,” he added.
The Vietnam War Memorial will be in the southwest corner of the Willson Park portion of the State Capitol State Park, west of the Capitol Building, and south of the World War II Memorial. Bates said, “It is significant that these two wars be memorialized on the Oregon Capitol grounds as they are the two wars that caused the most Oregon casualties. The two memorials together will honor about 75% of Oregon’s war dead.”
The Brothers Car Collection is a private collection of more than 600 cars. Over 335 vehicles, including muscle cars and exotic sports cars, are on display in a 117,000-square-foot warehouse turned museum that is not open to the public.
Tickets are $50 and available in advance only at ocvvm.com/GAtix or on their Facebook event page. More details will be provided after ticket purchase in a confirmation email. Food will be available for purchase. The group is seeking raffle items as well as sponsors.
ABOUT THE MEMORIAL: The VWMF is a group of Oregonians committed to establishing the memorial to honor the men and women who served in the Vietnam War. The project aims to help bring peace to the suffering endured by those rejected after returning home. The 2021 Oregon State Legislature gave its final permissions by unanimously passing Senate Bill 319, establishing the Vietnam War Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol Grounds. On July 14, 2021, Governor Kate Brown signed that bill into law. Groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for spring 2024.
ABOUT OREGON AND THE VIETNAM WAR: The Vietnam War was a tumultuous period in American history, spanning two decades and becoming the longest war in recorded history. It lasted from November 1955 to May 1975. By 1968, the United States had over 500,000 military personnel on the ground in Vietnam, with 2.7 million Americans serving during the conflict. Tragically, 58,318 Americans died, including 710 Oregonians killed in action. Four Oregon families lost two sons each.
ABOUT VWMF: Vietnam War Memorial Fund’s website at www.ocvvm.com. The VWMF Store is found here. The Vietnam War Memorial Fund is a recognized 501(c)3 organization. Donations are also accepted by check to the Vietnam War Memorial Fund – P O Box 1448 – Boring, Oregon 97009 or by credit card at www.ocvvm.com.
Missing Yachats Man’s Vehicle Found in North Lane County
On 08/25/2023, Dustin Steyding was reported missing to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office after he left work on 07/22/2023 and hadn’t been located since. Dustin was living and working in the Yachats area.
Dustin was reported to be in good physical condition, having previously worked as a hot shot firefighter in New Mexico. Dustin is very experienced in the woods and commonly goes out for hikes to stay in shape. Without means to locate Dustin, Deputies entered Dustin as a missing person in a national database.
On 09/04/2023, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office received a call from Dustin’s family after they located his vehicle on Keller Creek Rd, just outside of Lincoln County in Lane County. Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Deputies contacted the vehicle and determined it had been at the location for some time. Deputies were unable to determine Dustin’s direction of travel from the vehicle.
The vehicle having been located in Lane County, Lincoln County Deputies contacted the Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team and arranged for their response the next day to started searching the area. After two days of searching, no clues to Dustin’s have been found.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dustin Steyding should contact the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at 541-265-0777 and reference case number 23S-07321.
83-year-old Clarence Edward Pitts walked away from his home in Bandon on Tuesday, January 31 at around 1:00 p.m. Pitts is described as:
- 6′ 00″
- 150 lbs
- Gray hair
- Brown eyes
- Last seen wearing an orange beanie, plaid jacket, tan pants and white shoes
- May have a walking cane
- Has dementia and PTSD
Pitts may be in a vehicle that was also found to be missing from the home:
- 1999 Toyota Van
- White
- Oregon license plate: WYN 788
If you see Clarence or have any information pertaining to where he may be, please call the Coos County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center at 541-396-2106 or the Bandon Police Department at 541-347-3189.
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