The latest news stories and stories of interest in the Willamette Valley from the digital home of Southern Oregon, from Wynne Broadcasting’s WillametteValleyMagazine.com
Monday, October 7, 2024
Willamette Valley Weather
Wildfires continue to produce smoke in the Pacific Northwest. Breathe a little easier by keeping up to date on air quality conditions and concerns at Fire.AirNow.gov.
Seasonal Climate Forecast September – November 2024
https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/naturalresources/documents/weather/dlongrange.pdf
We’re not out of the woods just yet… DON’T LET YOUR GUARD DOWN – Just because we got a tiny bit of rain, it’s going to be dry for the next bit of time and Fire 
Season is still in progress.
Many people let their guard down because fall has arrived. Major fires can get started in October and November. Fire season will not end until we really hit full speed on the cooler weather, rain, and snow coming to stay. Until then, be vigilant and do everything you can to prevent the spark that could be the next serious fire.
Please take precautions to avoid sparking a human-caused fire, be familiar with evacuation levels, and have a go-kit ready in case you need to leave your home.” — We’ve had an unprecedented fire season already. Don’t be that spark that could lead to a tragedy! Check Conditions
Anthony Tyrrell Arrested in Portland for Murder of Cottage Woman — After a Nationwide Search, He’s been arrested in Portland.
We will update more as waiting on more details.
In June, a deceased female was located in the Cottage Grove area who appeared to be the victim of homicide. Lane County Sheriff’s detectives identified the victim as a missing person, Rozaleena Faith Rasmussen, 29, from Cottage Grove.
Detectives identified the suspect as Anthony Wesley Tyrrell, 31, of Cottage Grove. A nationwide warrant has been issued for his arrest. Tyrrell is described as a white male adult with brown hair, brown eyes, weighing approximately 165 pounds and standing approximately 5’9” tall. He was last seen with his head shaved and wearing a white shirt, black trench coat, black pants, and black boots.
Tyrrell is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911 and avoid approaching or contacting him.
Eugene LGBTQ+ Resources Center Will Expand to New Facility in November
A center for LGBTQ+ resources will be moving and expanding next month, thanks to a large grant and community support.
Run by HIV Alliance and Transponder, the Queer Resource Center on Arthur Avenue provides services like HIV testing, PrEP navigation and gender affirming projects to members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Development Director Brooks McLain said on November 4, the center – rebranded as “The Lavender Network” – will open its doors at the former Trinity United Methodist Church on Maxwell Road.
“We’ve not had a community center this large in Eugene before, so it’s a really exciting opportunity,” he said.
The expanded center will continue all the services done at the previous site, McLain said, but also become more of a hub for the queer community.
“We’re all coming together in one space that will have large community spaces that the community can use for fundraisers, social gatherings and for other events,” he said.
Programs currently operating out of the church, like a daycare, food pantry and Egan Warming Shelter will continue to run. The former site will continue to be operated by HIV Alliance as a health resource. The Lavender Network will also host office space for other queer-oriented non-profits.
McLain said the expanded resource center has been made possible by a grant from Trillium Community Health Plan and the local United Methodist Church Conference renting out the space.
“It’s really giving us a place to come together and we wouldn’t be able to do it without all the community partners that are supporting this,” he said.
The expanded space will be crucial for the queer community, McLain said, as anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation is on the rise across the country.
“Oregon is really becoming a refuge, especially for trans youth and their parents,” he said. “And it will be incredibly beneficial to have a landing pad for folks to have them get oriented to the community and find the support they need, especially for their kids.”
The name change comes as the center expands to be more than just about resources. McLain said “The Lavender Network” honors an LGBTQ+ magazine of the same name published by Ron Zahn between the 1980s and 1990s, serving as an example of how to weather an environment of increasing anti-queer sentiment.
“The Lavender Network was founded as a way to connect gay and lesbian people through unity — and unity was kind of the approach that they had, and the approach we have now as we face the challenges that we do in this century headed into the next few decades,” he said. “Really seeing strength in unity, honoring our past and coming together to fight those challenges.”
“Anybody’s welcome to come and see who we are and what’s available and what we’re doing,” said Liz LaVenture, a Lavender Network volunteer who also gets gender-affirming care from HIV Alliance.
“It’s a chance to educate cis-gender and hetero people that only read about us – I don’t know where they read about us — but to actually see and meet trans people and queer people and to know we’re not what they may have heard we are,” she said. McLain said the center will grow through the community’s feedback and support. And as it grows, the center will need more financial assistance. (SOURCE)
LCSO Case #24-5323 – Deputies arrest suspect with US Marshals warrant after pursuit, assistance from EPD drone team
About an hour past midnight on October 3rd, an observant Lane County Sheriff’s deputy spotted a car in the Danebo area associated with Kristopher Robert Glenn, 38, of Veneta. Deputies have been searching for Glenn for some time, as he was wanted by the US Marshals.
The deputy was able to see Glenn in the passenger seat, and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle attempted to elude, and deputies pursued. The vehicle finally stopped in the area of W. 18th Avenue and S. Bertelsen Road, Eugene. Glenn ran from the vehicle, however deputies and Eugene Police officers set a perimeter. The driver, Elise Catrina Lockwood, 33, was arrested without incident.
A Eugene Springfield Metro Drone operator from Eugene Police launched a drone. He observed an obvious heat signature of a person hurriedly moving to the north, and aired the information to deputies and police in the area. The suspect gave up running after spotting the drone and laid in the in the grass, waiting for officers. Glenn was taken into custody without further issue.
Both were found to be in possession of methamphetamine, and Glenn had been in possession of a realistic looking pellet gun.
Lockwood was lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges of Attempt to Elude Police Officer by Vehicle, Reckless Driving, and Possession of Methamphetamine. Glenn was lodged at the Lane County Jail on new charges of Attempt to Elude Police Officer by Foot and Possession of Methamphetamine. Glenn was also lodged on failure to appear warrants for Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine. He was also lodged for Failure to Appear in the 1st Degree and a parole violation.
Cottage Grove Speedway Cleanup to Cost Over 40 Thousand After Homeless Encampment Cleared
Friday morning, a large homeless encampment was cleared out by local law enforcement at Cottage Grove Speedway, leaving huge mounds of trash behind.
The speedway is private property, and the owner is now grappling with the consequences.
The near-one-acre camp had been there for years and some of the trash left behind reflects that, with large cement wood stoves and other large items now needing to be moved. The owner got an initial quote for clean-up that was over $40,000.
“We won’t really know till we start hauling it away, but in the tens of thousands of dollars to clean this up is kind of what we’re estimating,” said Cottage Grove Speedway owner Heather Boyce.
Over the last six months, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Cottage Grove Police issuing “Notices to Vacate” to homeless individuals living there – but they acknowledge many have lived there for years.
“It made sense for us to partner with them and assist them with this this project of notifying the folks that were trespassing here and attempt to connect them with services,” said Sgt. Tim Wallace with the Lane County Sheriff’s Office.
Located along the riverbank, the encampment left behind massive piles of trash and hazardous materials, creating an environmental and public safety issue.
We attempted to speak with some of the people that lived along the embankment, but they had already deserted the area.
LCSO says that location near the Speedway has long been known as a place to camp and find community with other homeless people.
But the trash has built up with no access to sanitation services.
“The options being they can throw it on the side of the road and hope somebody picks it up, or have a designated area for trash, or unfortunately some just throw out their entire campsite,” LCSO’s Wallace explained.
In addition to hazardous materials left behind, large items like wood-burning stoves and heavy furniture were found in the encampment making the cleanup process more complicated and expensive.
We asked the Speedway owner why the encampment was allowed to grow for so long.
“I guess I have to take some of the blame for that,” Boyce said. “It is on my property. I didn’t realize for quite a while what was happening. I think it’s just unfortunate.”
The homelessness crisis and its impact on private property is not unique to Cottage Grove Speedway but Boyce says there’s a lack of resources to offset the extreme cost to clean up.
Boyce has reached out to city, county and state officials for assistance.
“Everybody was sympathetic to what we’re going through,” she said, “but there’s just not funding there yet, anyway, for this.”
With the help of volunteers, Boyce hopes to mitigate some of the financial burden facing the speedway, but she is concerned the additional costs will impact future growth for the business. As to the timeline for clean-up and land restoration, she says it will take several weeks. (SOURCE)
LCSO Case #24-0446 – Sheriff’s detectives arrest suspect in River Road rape case
In late January, Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the River Road area of Eugene for a report of suspicious conditions. After reviewing evidence at the scene and area security camera recordings, the responding Deputies had reason to believe a sexual assault had occurred in the early morning hours.
The case was forwarded to Detectives at the Lane County Sheriff’s Office for follow up. Detectives learned the victim was transient in the area and did not know the suspect. Evidence left at the scene was sent to the Oregon State Forensic Labs for DNA analysis.
On September 23rd, 2024, Detectives received information from the Oregon State Labs advising Curtis Lee Larmore, 38, was a DNA match. Detectives quickly worked to locate Curtis, and on September 26th, Detectives located Curtis in an apartment in the River Road area. He was taken into custody and lodged at the Lane County Jail on charges of Rape in the 1st Degree and Sex Abuse in the 1st Degree.
Arrest Made in Fern Ridge Trail/Amazon Creek Rape
Court documents show show that the man charged on Monday with the alleged rape on Fern Ridge Trail in Eugene was also being sought for assaults in Lincoln and Josephine County.
Eugene Police Violent Crimes Unit contacted Timothy Joel Colnar, age 42, regarding this case at Lane County Jail on September 29, where he was incarcerated on an unrelated warrant. He is being charged with Rape in the First Degree, Sexual Penetration, Sex Abuse in the Third Degree, and Assault in the Fourth Degree.
Case 24-11629 – Previous information: Rape reported near Fern Ridge Trail/Amazon Creek — On August 8 at 10:50 a.m., Eugene Police responded to report of a rape on Fern Ridge Trail/Amazon Creek by an unknown male. The female victim described the suspect as white, about age 40, with brown hair and last seen wearing a black/white sleeveless shirt with writing along the back, green shoes and a tattoo on one of his arms. The suspect was pushing a bicycle and later used it to flee. This case has been forwarded to VCU for investigation.
If anyone has suspect information, they are asked to contact the non-emergency line at 541.682.5111.
Court records show Timothy Joel Colnar, 42, had a warrant issued for fourth-degree assault and harassment on September 12 in Lincoln County, after a woman showed up at the Chinook Winds Casino back in January with a black eye. Court documents said the woman said her boyfriend had punched her in the face, but told a security guard she had deserved it and she was afraid of Colnar. That guard called police, the woman refused to speak with them and charges were not filed until September 2024. Court records from Lincoln County show Colnar’s last known address was in Shelton, Washington.
In Josephine County, Colnar was charged with fourth-degree assault involving a different woman who was allegedly assaulted in a hotel room in November 2021, according to court documents. Colnar, whose address was listed as in Grants Pass at the time, allegedly struck the woman in the mouth, splitting her lip. He was released from jail but failed to appear at any additional court hearings, and a warrant was issued for his arrest in February 2022.
Court records show Colnar was arrested by Eugene police on September 26 for the warrant out of Lincoln County. While Colnar was in jail, officers with Eugene Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit identified him as a suspect in a rape that occurred on August 8 on Eugene’s Fern Ridge Trail. Colnar now stands charged with first-degree rape, first-degree unlawful sexual penetration, and first-degree sexual abuse.
The Lane County District Attorney has filed a motion to prevent Colnar from being released from the local jail, citing him as a danger to the victim and the public. A judge is set to consider that motion on October 4. Colnar’s next court date is set for November 4.
The Eugene Police Department would like to offer the following general personal safety tips:
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times
- Do not get into someone’s car even if they display a weapon. It is better to fight back in the street where help is closer at hand and other people may hear your calls for help
- Walk confidently and don’t avoid eye contact
- Don’t let strangers into your ‘space.’ Keep plenty of distance between yourself and people you don’t wish to approach you
- Don’t stop to talk with strangers asking for directions or other types of help as this can be a ploy to get close for an attack
- If you feel you are in danger or being followed, call 9-1-1
- If grabbed, fight back and make as much noise as possible
- Use the buddy system when walking after dark. You should know the person you are walking with well enough to trust them
- Walk in lighted areas as much as possible and don’t walk too close to bushes, alleyways or other places where attackers can conceal themselves
LCOG Senior & Disability Services – FREE 6-week workshop
REGISTRATION IS OPEN Join us for a FREE 6-week workshop in Springfield where we will provide you with tools to better navigate life’s “ups and downs” and increase your health knowledge. Maybe it’s arthritis. Or high blood pressure. Or even cancer, depression, or COPD. Your doctor told you what to call your condition – but it’s been up to you to figure out how to live with it…every day.
Tuesdays, October 22nd – November 26th 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at Willamalane Adult Activity Center —- You’re not alone. But it might feel that way. Living Well with Chronic Conditions can help. — Registration is required, please call 541-682-4103 or email LivingWell@lcog.org.
INSCRIPCIONES ABIERTASÚnete a nosotros para un taller gratuito de 6 semanas en Springfield, en donde te proveeremos de herramientas para manejar mejor los altibajos de la vida e incrementar su conocimiento acerca de la salud. Probablemente acerca de la artritis, presión arterial alta, o hasta acerca de cáncer, depresión, o EPOC. Su médico le ha dicho como se llama su condición, pero depende de usted el averiguar como vivir con ello cada día.No esta solo(a), por favor llame a 541 682 4103 o envíe un correo electrónico a LivingWell@lcog.org
The Lane County Elections Office was notified again on September 23 that the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles had mistakenly marked an additional 35 non-U.S. citizens as eligible to vote in Lane County and those people were subsequently registered by the Oregon Elections Division.
After a careful audit, Lane County Elections can confirm one mistakenly registered non-citizen returned a ballot in Lane County. Lane County will follow up with that person, who now lives out of state, to determine whether they had achieved citizenship before returning that ballot.
The additional non-citizen registrations have been removed from Lane County’s active voter roll and they will no longer receive ballots, including for the upcoming November 5 General Election. Those 35 people will be contacted by letter to inform them of the error.
These 35 people are in addition to the 11 people Lane County Elections was notified of on September 13.
Lane County remains committed to a transparent and accountable elections process and is appreciative of the Oregon Elections Division’s ongoing effort notify election officials across the state of this error. To learn more about election security in Lane County, visit www.LaneCountyOR.gov/electionsecurity.
If you have evidence that an election law is being violated, including evidence of unlawful voting, it should be reported at sos.oregon.gov/investigation.
To register to vote, visit here!
Benton County Sheriff’s Office Announces Community Emergency Response Team Training Course
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce an upcoming Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training course, designed to enhance local emergency preparedness and empower community members with critical skills.
The CERT Training program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at addressing local hazards while providing participants with essential education and hands-on skills training.
The course includes 12 hours of online coursework, followed by 16 hours of in-person training.
Participants will benefit from the expertise of local professional responders, State-certified trainers, and knowledgeable volunteers who are subject matter experts. This robust training ensures that individuals of all abilities can gain valuable preparedness skills in a safe, positive, and inclusive environment.
The CERT Training course emphasizes hands-on practice, enabling participants to gain practical experience while fostering a collaborative spirit. By joining this program, individuals not only contribute to their own preparedness but also to the overall safety and well-being of their communities.
The course includes:
- Disaster Preparedness
- CERT Organization
- Disaster Medical Operations – Part 1
- Disaster Medical Operations – Part 2
- Disaster Psychology
- Fire Safety and Utility Controls
- Light Search and Rescue Operations
- Terrorism and CERT
- Course Review and Disaster Simulation
Benton County CERT Fall 2024 Schedule:
- October 10 (Thursday evening)
- October 25 (Friday evening)
- October 26 (Saturday, all day)
- October 27 (Sunday morning)
Interested individuals are encouraged to register early to secure their spot. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. If younger, participants may attend if accompanied by a parent/guardian.
The 12-hr online training must be completed to attend classroom training beginning October 10. To register, go online to Benton County Oregon CERT training.
For more details, please contact t@bentoncountyor.gov“>cert@bentoncountyor.gov or leave a message at 541-766-6050.
Willamette Complex Fires-South
The 208 Fire and Moss Mountain Fire have been the most active in recent days due to dry weather conditions. However, both fires remain within their fire control lines. Helicopter water bucket drops have been used when appropriate to cool down hot spots.
Many of the roads, trails and general forest areas within the Umpqua National Forest are closed to provide for public and firefighter safety. For more information and a map of the closed areas go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices/…Portions of the Bureau of Land Management, Northwest Oregon District, managed public lands, roads, sites, and trails are closed to all forms of public access.
For more information and a map showing the closure go to: https://www.blm.gov/…/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-nwo-072024.pdfPhoto: Road closure signs at the start of Sharp Creek Road
For further information visit the Inciweb links for each Cottage Grove-Lane 1 fires below: Lane 1: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/…/or77s-Cottage-Grove-lane-1Clark 900: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/or770s-clark-900Quartz: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-quartzJack Saddle: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-jack-saddleAdam Mountain: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-adam-mountainMineral: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-mineralPuddin: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/orupf-puddinHours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM E-mail: 2024.lane1@firenet.gov Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CottageGroveLane1Fires2024
Benton and Lane counties encourage Duck and Beaver fans to celebrate safely for football season
College sports fans across Oregon are thrilled about the return of football season. With both Oregon State University and University of Oregon playing at home this weekend, the health departments for Benton and Lane counties are joining together to encourage people to stay safe when it comes to excessive alcohol use.
Sporting events and binge drinking often go hand in hand. That can contribute to unsafe driving and dangerous behaviors on and off the road. As people in Oregon gear up to celebrate their favorite teams, Benton and Lane counties want to remind everyone about the importance of driving sober and drinking less.
Excessive drinking impairs your judgment, slows your reaction times, and increases the likelihood of making fatal decisions. This football season, make a commitment to yourself and your loved ones: Celebrate safely and don’t drive under the influence.
“Football games are a great opportunity to come together and to celebrate our favorite sports teams, but alcohol doesn’t always have to be the focus,” said Suzie Beaupre, Alcohol and Drug Prevention and Education Program Coordinator for Benton County Public Health. “If you are going to drink, all football fans should make a plan before they start the celebration to keep our roads and community safe. We need a new way to think about alcohol, as many of us cross the line into drinking too much, partly because society makes it so easy.”
Over 2,500 people in Oregon die from alcohol-related causes every year, including cancers, heart disease, liver disease, violence and vehicle crashes. The share of Oregon adults who drink excessively is bigger than most of us realize, more than 1 in 5. Most people in this group are not affected by alcoholism or an alcohol use disorder.
“While rooting for the Ducks or Beavers, remember that after the game we’re all on the same team when it comes to getting home safely,” said Luis Pimentel, Alcohol and Drug Prevention Education Program Coordinator for Lane County Public Health. “Whether you are at the game or at home watching, out at a bar, or at a college party this weekend, these environments can lead to binge drinking, which can be dangerous.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) definition of excessive drinking includes both heavy drinking and binge drinking:
- Binge drinking is when a man has 5 or more standard drinks in one setting or occasion. For women, it’s 4 or more drinks.
- Heavy drinking, the kind that can harm your health long-term, is 15 drinks or more a week for a man. For a woman, it’s 8 or more drinks.
It is also true that for some people, drinking any alcohol is too much. And no matter who you are, drinking less is better for your health than drinking more.
Tips for this football season:
- If you are going to host an event to watch the game, it’s important to have non-alcoholic options available for those choosing not to drink or who want to drink less.
- Avoid asking people why they aren’t drinking or pressuring them to drink more.
- Always arrange to have a designated driver to ensure you aren’t driving buzzed or drunk. That could include calling a rideshare or a taxi.
- Drink plenty of water and eat food while you’re drinking.
- Consider swapping every other drink with water or a non-alcoholic beverage option, or watering down a drink with more ice or low-sugar mixer.
- If you’re going to drink, set a limit for that event.
- Count your drinks when you’re at an event or out with friends. You can use an app to track your drinks.
Benton and Lane counties support Oregon Health Authority’s (OHA) Rethink the Drink initiative to address the health harms caused by excessive drinking. This initiative isn’t telling people to stop drinking, but asks people to pause for a moment and think about the way alcohol is prevalent in their own lives and communities.
Go Beavers! Go Ducks!
If you or someone you care about is suffering from alcohol dependence or an alcohol use disorder, free confidential resources and support are available online or by calling or 1-800-923-435.
Benton County Public Health – Benton County Public Health is committed to protecting the health and well-being of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Benton County. Benton County Public Health focuses on preventing health problems before they occur. Their programs strive to create community conditions that help reduce health disparities, so all people have an equal chance for a long and healthy life.
Lane County Public Health – Lane County Public Health strives to promote and protect the long-term health and the well-being of individuals, families, and our community. Lane County Public Health plays a critical role in protecting and improving the health of people across Lane County by providing a range of services aimed at promoting healthy behaviors; preventing diseases and injuries; ensuring access to safe food, water, clean air, and life-saving immunizations; and preparing for and responding to health emergencies.
Rethink the Drink aims to build healthier communities by decreasing excessive drinking and the harm it causes to individuals, families, and communities. Rethink the Drink raises awareness of the effects of excessive alcohol use across Oregon. It aims to start conversations about alcohol’s role in our own lives and communities. This initiative emphasizes health equity, noting that Black and Indigenous communities, and those with lower incomes or education, face higher rates of alcohol-related diseases due to systemic inequities. Rethink the Drink is committed to OHA’s larger goal to end health inequities in our state by 2030. Watch the video.
Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact the Public Information Office at 541-766-6800 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.
Lane County Government — Part of being prepared for an emergency is knowing how you will receive emergency alerts and life safety information. Lane County uses several tools to alert residents.
Watch the video below to learn more about those tools and decide which ones you will rely on in the event of an emergency or disaster. 
https://vimeo.com/565852770Sign up to receive Lane Alerts emergency alerts at www.LaneAlerts.org#NationalPreparednessMonth
“When It Hits The Fan”: Podcast by Lane County Emergency Management
This month on Lane County Emergency Management’s 𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐼𝑡 𝐻𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑎𝑛, Emergency Manager Tiffany Brown shares essential tips on what to do when staying home isn’t an option.
Tiffany dives into how to prepare your Go Bag, with everything you need to sustain yourself for 72 hours: water, medications, warm layers, and more. She also breaks down the 𝟲 𝗣𝘀 – the must-haves when you need to evacuate:
People & Pets 
Prescriptions 
Personal Computer 
Papers 
Pictures 
Plastic (credit cards, important IDs)Get ready, stay informed, and make sure you’re prepared for anything! 
Listen now: www.LaneCountyOR.gov/fan or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube
About Lane County Emergency Management – Lane County Emergency Management is committed to preparing the community for emergencies and disasters through education, planning, and response coordination. Listen at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/fan.
White Bird Clinic – · Crisis intervention is a 24/7 need in our community, and CAHOOTS, as part of White Bird Crisis Intervention programs, responds.
White Bird CAHOOTS Springfield Coverage: 11 am – 11 pm, 7 days a week (541-726-3714) — Eugene Coverage: 24/7 (541-682-5111)
Celebrate Fire Safety this October
– As the leaves change and cooler weather sets in, the Oregon State Fire Marshal and the Oregon fire service remind everyone of the importance of home fire safety. October is Fire Prevention Month, a time to focus on fire prevention and safety at home. This year’s theme, “Celebrate Fire Safety,” calls on Oregonians to take action to reduce fire risks and protect their loved ones.
In 2023, 2,518 home fires in our state resulted in $119.5 million in losses to homeowners. Cooking remains the leading cause of home fires, followed closely by home heating. Alarmingly, in 417 of those fires, no smoke alarm was present.
“Oregon’s first responders are unwavering in their commitment to protecting our communities by reducing home fires and preventing the devastating injuries they cause,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “This Fire Prevention Month, we’re calling on all Oregonians to take proactive, life-saving steps to protect their families, their homes, and their future.”
There are several simple things Oregonians can do to lessen the chance of a home fire and increase safety:
- Install and maintain smoke alarms. Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.
- Practice cooking safely. Never leave cooking unattended and always have a lid or cookie sheet nearby to smother small flames.
- Use heating equipment safely. Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from heating devices and always plug space heaters directly into the wall—never use extension cords.
- Create and practice a home fire escape plan. Make sure every family member knows at least two ways out of every room.
- Consider candle alternatives. Battery-operated candles reduce fire risk, but if you use real candles, always blow them out before leaving the room.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek proclaimed October as Fire Prevention Month. For more information about Fire Prevention Month, a link to the proclamation, and more tips to prevent the top causes of home fires in Oregon, visit our website.
Pacific Power crews deploy to Georgia for Hurricane Helene response
— In response to a mutual assistance request from Georgia Power, Pacific Power is sending crews, support personnel and equipment from Medford, Bend, Roseburg, Astoria and Grants Pass in Oregon and Walla Walla and Yakima in Washington to aid in power restoration efforts following the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The Category 4 storm, with sustained winds reaching 140 miles per hour, impacted 10 states, with the National Hurricane Center reporting that its effects extended as far as 400 miles from its landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region.
These teams, totaling 22 Pacific Power employees, will be equipped with 20 trucks and associated heavy equipment to help restore power to impacted communities. Rocky Mountain Power, Pacific Power’s sister company, is also deploying four additional crews to aid in the response.
“Our crews are fully prepared and ready to respond as they work tirelessly through the deployment to restore power to customers in Georgia and to support our fellow line-crews across the affected states,” said Tom Eide, vice president of operations at Pacific Power. “Disasters can happen anywhere, and part of being a good neighbor is answering the call to help.”
Pacific Power is part of a nationwide network of utilities that provide mutual assistance during emergencies and disasters. According to the Edison Electric Institute, approximately 50,000 electric utility workers from 40 states, the District of Columbia and Canada are currently responding to the devastation left in Hurricane Helene’s wake. While power has been restored to 4.69 million of the 6 million customers affected, some areas have experienced such extreme infrastructure damage that a complete rebuild is required.
For more information on Pacific Power’s involvement in the recovery efforts, please follow us on social media.
About Pacific Power
Pacific Power provides safe and reliable electric service to more than 800,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company supplies customers with electricity from a diverse portfolio of generating plants including hydroelectric, natural gas, coal, wind, geothermal and solar resources. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 2 million customers in six western states. For more information, visit PacificPower.net.
Oregon Housing and Community Services’ Homeowner Assistance Fund accepting final applications online
— Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is reopening the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) online application portal to accept final applications directly from homeowners. Applications must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2024. New applications will be put on a waitlist and prioritized for homeowners most at risk of foreclosure or loss.
Homeowners can now review application criteria and apply directly online using a link on the HAF website: oregonhomeownerassistance.org. If homeowners need or would like assistance with an application, they can contact a HAF intake partner. A list of intake partners can be found at https://www.oregon.gov/ohcs/homeownership/Pages/Homeownership-Assistance-Fund.aspx.
“OHCS is reopening the online application portal through Oct. 31, 2024, to ensure we help as many Oregon families as possible,” said Ryan Vanden Brink, assistant director of Homeowner Assistance Programs. “With our average award of $26,500, we can assist approximately 250 additional households. Any further applications will be placed on a waitlist pending the availability of funds.”
HAF offers federal temporary COVID-19 pandemic relief to help homeowners who experienced financial hardship due to the pandemic. HAF can help homeowners become current on their mortgages, county taxes, homeowners’ (HOA) or condo associations, land sale contracts, secured manufactured home or floating home loans, and lot rent or moorage fees associated with homeowners in manufactured home parks or marinas. Financial hardship includes a reduction in income or an increase in housing costs resulting from the pandemic.
Homeowners are eligible to apply if they meet the program’s general eligibility criteria and are facing foreclosure, involved in a court case that threatens their home, in property tax foreclosure, in collections with their HOA, or in other high-risk situations identified by a housing counselor. Homeowners in foreclosure may have already received outreach letters from OHCS or their county assessor.
OHCS will make its final HAF payments in February 2025, limiting total assistance available to new applicants.OHCS encourages homeowners to explore all other options with their servicer or a housing counselor before applying for HAF. Applying for HAF does not guarantee approval or that a foreclosure will be postponed. HAF is administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury.
About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) – OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. For more information, please visit: oregon.gov/ohcs.
Oregon Housing and Community Services earns two national awards for preventing homelessness and preserving affordable housing
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) response to the homelessness crisis and its innovative strategies to preserve affordable housing earn the state agency two coveted awards at the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA) conference. OHCS received the Special Needs Housing: Combating Homelessness and the Rental Housing: Preservation and Rehabilitation awards.
OHCS ended the first year of the emergency homelessness response by surpassing the initial goals related to preventing homelessness, creating shelter capacity, and rehousing people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The state and housing partners created more than 1,000 shelter beds, rehoused over 1,400 households, and prevented more than 9,000 people from experiencing homelessness.
“In so many ways, housing is connected to the meaning of life. Making everyday life better for people and communities across Oregon begins with securing the fundamentals, like housing,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Under Governor Kotek’s leadership, we are getting it done. We are grateful to our state and local partners that stepped up in a significant way to improve lives and strengthen Oregon.”
OHCS was also recognized for implementing innovative strategies to help keep rents at prices people can pay in housing developments where affordable rents are close to expiring. The agency created a first-of-its-kind Preservation Framework and Dashboard. The Preservation Framework wraps all preservation-related topics into one document. The Preservation Dashboard makes preservation data easily accessible to housing partners across the state and county.
“While affordable housing preservation does not tend to garner ribbon cutting ceremonies, having proactive and robust strategies to maintain affordability and addressing the physical needs of existing properties is directly connected to our shared housing goals,” said Bell.
OHCS created the Preservation Framework and Dashboard after meeting with many preservation partners and incorporating their thoughts and feedback.
Pictured above: Pioneer Park in Veneta, Oregon was preserved as affordable housing.About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)OHCS is Oregon’s housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. Visit OHCS’ website for more information.
State struggles to recover more than $24 million from people responsible for wildfires
A partial list from the Oregon Department of Forestry shows it has collected $86,000 of $24 million it paid to fight several dozen wildfires that were maliciously or negligently ignited over the last two decades
Each year, the Oregon Department of Forestry responds to about 1,000 wildfires across the 16 million acres of land it protects. It investigates the cause of every fire, and if a person or group is found to have been negligent or malicious in starting or spreading a significant fire, the agency pursues reimbursement for its firefighting costs.
The agency has not been very successful in recouping those costs, according to a report discussed at a March meeting of the four-member Emergency Fire Cost Committee.
The account offered a rare glimpse into the scale of the costs and the efforts to recover them. But it only represented a snapshot of the problem, excluding a full list of all the fires the state is investigating or pursuing for reimbursement, Jessica Neujahr, a forestry spokesperson, said in an email.
“That larger list is not one we can share,” she said, due to ongoing litigation and privacy concerns.
The report showed the forestry department spent at least $24 million to respond to 36 significant fires caused or spread negligently or maliciously by people or groups since 2004, and that in pursuing reimbursement, it has collected just $86,000 from “responsible parties.”
Few people who have started significant wildfires have millions of dollars to reimburse the department and sometimes investigating who is responsible, or trying to collect the money, can become too costly, according to Tim Holschbach, chief of policy and planning with the department’s fire protection division.
In those cases, the department moves on.
“We don’t want the effort to exceed the payback,” Holschbach said. “It wouldn’t make sense for us to spend taxpayer money to pursue recovery from someone who can’t pay.”
With climate change, wildfire seasons are becoming longer and often more destructive, affecting communities, infrastructure and land needed for grazing and farming. This year’s season, which is expected to end this month, scorched nearly 2 million acres across the state, setting a new record. Some of the fires were quickly put out, but others burned for weeks. The primary cause of wildfires this year was lightning strikes.
The agency considers a “significant” fire to be one that costs over $5,000 to fight, with the agency pursuing those it considers to have started or contributed to the blaze either willfully or through negligence, Neujahr said.
The agency listed 36 fires since 2004 that were willfully or negligently set in its report to the committee. It has accepted $86,000 in settlements and restitution for 17 of the oldest fires and is actively trying to recoup at least $15 million for 19 that started since 2011. It is also investigating 21 significant fires that occurred between 2020 and 2023 in an attempt to recover at least some of the $88.5 million spent to snuff them out. Agency officials don’t yet know whether they’ll identify a culprit to pursue for reimbursement in each case, Neujahr said
The Legislature recently voted to send the forestry department $47.5 million in emergency funding to help pay bills from fighting the current fire season, which has already cost the state $250 million. (SOURCE)
Smokey Bear’s message of Only You Can Prevent Wildfires is as important in Fall as any time of the year.
To drive home this point the USDA Forest Service has put together a fun and educational 4-part series called Smokey Bear Live. Read more about it at https://www.fs.usda.gov/about…/features/bear-all-seasons
Oregon wildfire season expected to last well into October
The bulk of the wildfires have burned through east Oregon grass and shrub, with about 25% of it in forestland, according to the Wildland Mapping Institute. More than one-third of all acres blackened have been on private land, and about 62% has been on federal land. Most wildfires are caused by humans, according to the interagency coordination center, but this year the bulk of blazes have started from natural causes, such as lightning.
The wildfires prompted Kotek to declare a statewide emergency and ask for federal help and regulatory flexibility for farmers and ranchers. She’s also invoked the Conflagration Act 17 times this year, with the latest invocation on Sept. 10 for the Service Fire in Wheeler County. The act unleashes resources to fight blazes that threaten lives, communities or key infrastructure. (SOURCE)
Preventing wildfires requires a collective effort from everyone—help mitigate the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect our forests and communities.
Monitor Fires in Oregon – Updated Daily
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/state/oregon
Large Fires in Oregon Past 2 Weeks 10/7/24 8:00am per INCIWEB
| Incident | Type | State | Incident Size | UpdatedSort ascending |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rail Ridge – OROCF | Wildfire | Oregon | 169074 Acres | 1 minute 58 seconds ago |
| Homestead Complex – ORUPF | Wildfire | Oregon | 10552 Acres | 53 minutes 59 seconds ago |
| Diamond Complex – ORUPF | Wildfire | Oregon | 11141 Acres | 54 minutes 40 seconds ago |
| Willamette Complex Fires – South – ORWIF | Wildfire | Oregon | 25127 Acres | 1 hour 3 minutes ago |
| Tiger Creek Fire – ORUMF | Wildfire | Oregon | 398 Acres | 12 hours 58 minutes ago |
| Bingham Fire – ORWIF | Wildfire | Oregon | 183 Acres | 17 hours 12 minutes ago |
| Bachelor Complex Fires – ORDEF | Wildfire | Oregon | 12536 Acres | 18 hours 30 minutes ago |
| Red Fire – ORDEF | Wildfire | Oregon | 2817 Acres | 19 hours 32 minutes ago |
| Lane 1 Fire – OR77S | Wildfire | Oregon | 25952 Acres | 23 hours 42 minutes ago |
| North Willamette Complex – ORWIF | Wildfire | Oregon | 5394 Acres | 1 day ago |
| Microwave Tower Fire – OR95S | Wildfire | Oregon | 1313 Acres | 3 days 21 hours ago |
| Wiley Flat – OROCF | Wildfire | Oregon | 30186 Acres | 5 days 23 hours ago |
| Sandstone Fire – ORMHF | Wildfire | Oregon | 702 Acres | 1 week 3 days ago |
| Fossil Complex – OR95S | Wildfire | Oregon | 24446 Acres | 1 week 3 days ago |
| Buck Creek Fire – ORFWF | Wildfire | Oregon | 5758 Acres | 1 week 3 days ago |
| Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHF | Wildfire | Oregon | 3203 Acres | 1 week 4 days ago |
| Crazy Creek – OROCF | Burned Area Emergency Response | Oregon | 86968 Acres | 1 week 4 days ago |
| Flat Top and Firestone Fires – ORDEF | Wildfire | Oregon | Acres | 1 week 6 days ago |
| Middle Fork Fire – ORCLP | Wildfire | Oregon | 5286 Acres | 2 weeks 3 days ago |
Please Help Prevent Wildfires!
In these dry conditions, a single spark can cause a lot of damage. Learn how you can prevent wildfires by visiting the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention page.
Why are roads closed after a wildfire?
Even after wildfires are contained, some roads may remain closed to address post-fire safety and recovery needs, including damage assessments, protection of resources until fragile areas have stabilized or repairs are completed, and for any necessary risk mitigation work.
Closed areas may have unstable soils, falling-rocks, or fire-weakened trees that need to be removed. Some roads may remain closed until hazard trees are removed or infrastructure work, such as bridges and culvert repairs or replacements, are completed.
Areas that are especially large, or where damage is more extensive, or where weather, terrain, availability of motor vehicle access, and other factors pose significant challenges, may take much longer.
After reforms, Oregon still struggles with shortage of public defenders
More than 3,500 people are out of custody but have no representation and about 160 without a lawyer are stuck in jail
Thousands of Oregonians face criminal charges and do not have an attorney to represent them.
About 160 of them are sitting in jail. Another 3,550 people are out of custody with no representation as they face charges. The figures underscore a persistent problem: Oregon has a shortage of public defenders, who represent people when they are charged in court and cannot afford an attorney. It’s a constitutional crisis because people have the right to an attorney when charged if they cannot afford one.
Without representation, cases are delayed or dropped – or defendants are not well represented. When an overworked public defender cannot thoroughly review police camera footage or other evidence, the defendant does not get an adequate defense.
In recent years, state lawmakers have tried to address that by restructuring the Oregon Public Defense Commission and temporarily raising the hourly rates of public defenders. In 2023, lawmakers put $96 million toward the crisis. But more work is necessary to shore up a frayed and complex system that often struggles to recruit and retain attorneys, both because of high caseloads and low pay.
New commission programs have increased the number of public defenders and more people are being represented, but little progress is being made.
“Despite numerous initiatives, the in-custody list remains consistent, while the out-of-custody list has grown,” Jessica Kampfe, executive director of the Oregon Public Defense Commission, wrote in a July report to Gov. Tina Kotek. “Thus, although the commission has taken steps to address the constitutional crisis, the problem remains significant and will only fully improve when we have adequate funding.”
Kampfe echoed the need for more money in a briefing with state lawmakers on the House and Senate judiciary committees last week.
Long-term goal
The commission aims to eliminate the number of in-custody people who lack representation by the end of March 2025 and end the out-of-custody backlog of unrepresented people by the end of March 2026.
In the short-term, the commission has a 90-day plan that includes redirecting eight trial attorneys the agency received for drug cases through House Bill 4002 to help with the backlog. The law created a new misdemeanor drug possession charge that took effect Sept. 1. The commission also wants to extend a temporary increase in hourly rates for attorneys, which would cost another $40 million for the rest of the current budget cycle.
Public defenders are paid and work through a variety of formats, such as contracts, nonprofit public defender organizations and the commission’s trial division.
Since 2023, the commission has opened three trial division offices throughout Oregon to help the backlog in different regions, including the Portland area, southern Oregon and the mid-Willamette Valley. With 14 attorneys, they have closed 180 cases and have another 359 open cases.
But overall, the plan is for the number of attorneys to grow, from the equivalent of 506 full-time attorneys now to 986 in six years. That’s another 480 attorneys, or an average of 80 annually.
For the next two years, the commission wants to hire 160 attorneys to work in a variety of ways, whether as state employees for the commission or attorneys who work on contract.
Through House Bill 4002, lawmakers intended for people to access drug treatment programs and avoid misdemeanor drug possession charges. But not everyone will access those programs, and more people will be charged because of the recriminalization of low-level drug possession.
When the bill was debated early this session, the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission analysis estimated it would lead to nearly 2,300 more convictions annually.
“What we will be looking at and I think what we have to be considering is what is that impact and how do we address that?” said Sen. Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene and chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. (SOURCE)
Oregon will team with IRS to offer free income tax e-filing option
Salem, OR—Oregon resident taxpayers preparing their own tax returns in 2025 will have the option to electronically file both their federal and state income tax returns using the combination of IRS Direct File and Direct File Oregon, the IRS and the Oregon Department of Revenue announced today.
“The Direct File Program is a game-changer for taxpayers,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “This free filing option is an equitable opportunity to save Oregonians time and money, regardless of their income.”
The IRS and US Treasury Department announced an expansion of the types of returns that can be filed using IRS Direct File beyond what was available in the pilot program during the 2024 tax filing season.
During the pilot last year, IRS Direct File covered limited tax situations, including wage income reported on a W-2 form, Social Security income, unemployment compensation and certain credits and deductions. For the 2025 filing season, IRS Direct File will support Forms 1099 for interest income greater than $1,500, retirement income and the Form 1099 for Alaska residents reporting the Alaska Permanent Fund dividend. (See the attached graphic for more on who will be able to use IRS Direct File in 2025.)
In the 2024 tax season, more than 140,000 taxpayers in 12 states filed their federal tax returns using the limited pilot program while nearly 7,000 Oregon taxpayers filed their state returns using the free, state-only Direct File Oregon option.
The IRS estimates that 30 million US taxpayers will be able to use IRS Direct File in 2025, including 640,000 Oregon taxpayers who will be able to e-file both their federal and state returns for free.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced in May that it would make IRS Direct File a permanent option for taxpayers and invited all 50 states to participate to create a seamless free filing system for both federal and state taxes. Oregon was the first of 12 new states to accept the invitation from the IRS in June.
“Connecting Direct File Oregon with the IRS Direct File option beginning next year will give Oregon taxpayers a seamless way to electronically file both their federal and state income tax returns—and do both for free,” Oregon Department of Revenue Director Betsy Imholt said.
Oregon’s Income Growth is the 6th Fastest in the Nation
Oregon average incomes are growing at a rate of the sixth-fastest in the nation and have never been higher, even after accounting for inflation, says former state economist Josh Lehner.
Lehner was commenting on data released in an American Community Survey by the U.S. Census Bureau which reveals that Oregon is extending its trend of declining poverty with average annual household income pegged at $81,160, or 3.1% higher than the national average.
Writing a poverty and progress report in the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis, Lehner says the incomes of typical state households have never been higher, growing by 6% before inflation in 2023, and 2.1% in real, or inflation-adjusted terms.
The average income earned by Oregonians from 2019 to 2023 increased by 19.5% in nominal terms. This figure reflects an increase of just 2.8% in real terms because of surging inflation. Oregon has the 21st-strongest inflation rate in the country.
Another state trend in recent years has been the narrowing gap in racial income disparities. Lehner says the growth of household income has been the strongest among Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC).
He says wages have been the biggest component driving household income, with average earnings of full-time workers rising 5.3% before inflation. Earnings have increased on average by 5.1% annually since 2019.
The strongest household income gains have been recorded in the Bend metro and the Rogue Valley, while Portland metro area is at or near the income gains seen elsewhere.
Overall, the 2023 survey shows that Oregon household incomes are continuing to rise, although poverty rates among some groups, in some locales, are much higher than statewide. (SOURCE)
Conservation groups launch campaign to prevent shoreline erosion in Oregon
Climate change is leading to greater erosion along the Oregon coast through what’s known as ‘coastal squeeze.’ Conservation groups are pushing to address this issue.
The Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition and the Surfrider Foundation have launched a new campaign to advocate for better protection of the state’s beaches.
Phillip Johnson with the Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition said Oregon’s beaches are at risk because of what’s called ‘coastal squeeze.’
“Sea level is rising and storm surges are pushing waves ever higher. And they are coming up against human infrastructure and catching the beaches between,” said Johnson. “Our beaches could erode away if we do not seriously think about some new long-term policy.”
Johnson said natural beaches are more resistant to erosion and can also mitigate the effects from disasters. A 2017 study showed that coastal wetlands along the east coast helped prevent around $625 million in flood damages from Hurricane Sandy.
If it’s not addressed, Johnson said that this erosion could come with major consequences.
“We could lose our beaches and we would survive, we’d certainly lose a big part of our Oregon soul,” he said. “Meanwhile other creatures, especially shorebirds and other wildlife that use the beaches, would be deprived entirely of their habitat.”
Johnson said the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is expected to begin looking at their rules for shoreline hardening. He said Oregon Shores will advocate for tighter restrictions on structures like rip-rap and seawalls. He also proposed that developers look at moving buildings away from the shoreline before they can get a permit to build a seawall. (SOURCE)
Wyden Introduces Sweeping Court Reforms to Restore Public Trust as Supreme Court Faces Legitimacy Crisis
— U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today announced the introduction of new legislation to restore balance among the three branches of government, increase transparency to improve public trust in America’s courts, and modernize the courts to ensure greater access to justice for more Americans.
In the wake of recent rulings upending decades of precedent and evidence of unethical behavior, Wyden’s Judicial Modernization and Transparency Act would modernize the courts by expanding the Supreme Court to 15 justices over three presidential terms, prevent political inaction from bottling up nominations to the Supreme Court, and restore appropriate deference to the legislative branch by requiring a supermajority to overturn acts of Congress, among other modernizing provisions to improve access to justice.
The bill would also implement much-needed reforms to bring more accountability to the Supreme Court recusal process and improve transparency around potential financial conflicts and other unethical behavior.
“The Supreme Court is in crisis and bold solutions are necessary to restore the public trust,” Wyden said. “More transparency, more accountability and more checks on a power hungry Supreme Court are just what the American people are asking for.”
The bill modernizes the federal judiciary by:
- Expanding the Supreme Court to 15 justices.
- The expansion is staggered over a total of 12 years with a president getting to appoint one nominee in the first and third years of each presidential term.
- Establishing a new supermajority threshold to overturn acts of Congress on a constitutional basis at both the Supreme Court and Circuit Court level.
- Requiring that relief granted by lower courts in cases seeking to invalidate an act of Congress expire upon the issuing date of an opinion by the Supreme Court.
- Establishing a new process for Supreme Court nominations that are not reported out of committee within 180 calendar days to be automatically placed on the Senate calendar.
- Expanding the number of circuit courts to 15 and returning to the practice of assigning one Supreme Court justice to oversee each circuit.
- Expanding the number of circuits by splitting the Ninth Circuit and establishing a new Southwestern Circuit.
- Expanding the number of Circuit Court and District Court judgeships to improve access to justice.
The bill increases transparency to improve public trust by:
- Requiring all justices to consider recusal motions and make their written opinions publically available. Any justice would be recused from a case upon the affirmative vote of the justices.
- Requiring the public disclosure of how each justice voted for any case within the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
- Requiring the IRS to initiate an audit of each justice’s income tax return (and any amended return) as quickly as practicable after it is filed. Within 90 days of filing, the IRS would be required to publicly release the returns and provide an update on the status of the audit. Every 180 days thereafter, the IRS must update the public on the status of the audit. It will also release the ultimate findings of the audit.
- Requiring those nominated to the Court to include their most recent three years of tax returns in their publicly-available financial disclosure filings. In the case that a nominee does not disclose the tax returns within 15 days after nomination, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts would be instructed to obtain the tax returns from the Secretary of the Treasury and make them public. The Secretary of the Treasury is instructed to redact certain personal identity information.
A one-pager summarizing the bill is here.
A section-by-section of the legislative text is here.
The legislative text is here.
In July, as part of his ongoing efforts to reform and restore fairness to our country’s judicial system, Wyden introduced legislation to restore much-needed checks on Donald Trump’s radical right-wing Supreme Court by providing Congress with new authority to overturn judicial decisions that clearly undermine the congressional intent of laws following the Loper Bright decision. He also also introduced legislation to bring an end to the controversial practice of “judge shopping,” in which plaintiffs cherry-pick judges they know will hand down favorable rulings, leading to sweeping rulings that wield undue power over millions of Americans.
Oregon State Parks to increase camping, parking and reservation fees for 2025
SALEM, Oregon— Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is increasing its camping, parking and reservation fees to keep pace with the rising cost of utilities, operations and maintenance.
Most of the increases range from $2 to $5 depending on the fee.
The park system has experienced record visitation as well as the impacts of rising costs and inflation. Utility costs for example have increased by 28% over the last 4 years, but most fees have remained the same. Depending on the fee, the last increase was anywhere from seven to 15 years ago for base fees.
“We know that raising fees by any amount can be challenging for visitors, and we don’t make this decision lightly. We try to keep costs and fees as low as possible to minimize the impact while still fulfilling our commitment to stewardship and recreation,” said OPRD Director Lisa Sumption.
Oct. 15, 2024: OPRD will increase its base camping fees for the first time since 2017. The increase applies to all camping reservations for 2025. Starting on October 15, 2024, all reservations made for 2025 stays will include the fee increase.
Increases in base rate by site type:
- $2 increase for misc. sites (includes teepees, meeting halls and other facilities)
- $3 increase for tent sites (includes horse tent sites, horse group sites, group tent) and primitive sites (includes overflow, fly-in and walk-to-sites)
- $4 increase for RV sites (includes full hookup, electrical, horse RV and group RV sites)
- $5 increase for cabins and yurts (includes rustic, mini, totem, and deluxe sites)
(Seasonal rate increases were adopted in 2020. The seasonal adjustments will be added to the new base rates. As in previous years, summer rates are $2 more for tent sites, $3 more for RV sites and $5 more for cabins/yurts.)
Jan. 1, 2025: OPRD will increase its reservation fee from $8 to $10 per site starting Jan. 1, 2025. This fee has not been increased since 2010.
Daily parking permit fees will increase from $5 to $10 at the 25 parks that charge a fee for day-use parking. Parking permit fees were last increased in 2009. The annual parking permit and the two-year permit fees remain the same at $30 for the annual permit and $50 for the two-year permit.
July 1, 2025: OPRD will expand the 25% out-of-state surcharge for RV campsites (required by state law) to all site types for out-of-state campers.
New camping rate ranges replace the existing ones. These ranges set the lowest and highest fees that OPRD can charge over time. It gives OPRD’s director the ability to change fees in the future as needed. The last rate range update was adopted in 2018.
OPRD has three main sources of funding: a little less than half comes from constitutionally dedicated lottery funds, about 15% comes from recreational vehicle license plate fees and roughly 35% comes from park fees from visitors. OPRD is not funded by taxes.
OPRD does offer a few resources and programs to help increase access to Oregon State Parks.
- Most Oregon State Parks offer free day-use parking. Current exceptions include this list of 25 parks online.
- We also have special access passes for free camping and day-use parking permits for:
Next month, OPRD will open public comment on a proposal designed to give OPRD’s director more flexibility to decide which parks charge for day-use parking. The proposal would require day-use parking permits at all parks unless otherwise noted. The director would have the authority to waive the permit requirement as needed. There are no plans to charge at all parks, and OPRD would consider any changes carefully.
OPRD will continue to explore options in the future that reduce cost as a barrier while earning needed revenue to maintain our parks and manage congestion.
Measures On The Ballot For Oregon’s 2024 Election
Oregon voters will decidewhether to receive a $1,600 annual rebate through an increase in the corporate sales tax via a ballot measure that has received fierce pushback from lawmakers, local businesses and labor unions alike.
Why it matters: If Measure 118 passes, every Oregonian would receive an annual check, regardless of age or income, starting next year.
- The rebate would be paid for by a 3% gross receipts tax for all companies doing business in Oregon that make more than $25 million annually in sales.
- If passed, the new tax would generate $1.3 billion in revenue for the 2023-25 biennium, according to the Legislative Revenue Office.
The intrigue: This would be separate from the “kicker.”
Catch up quick: The measure is one of five initiatives Oregonians will vote on this November that could alter how the state governs its elections, businesses and elected officials’ salaries.
Here’s a brief look at the other four measures.
Measure 115 would amend Oregon’s constitution to allow the Legislature to impeach statewide elected officials — if both the House and Senate reach an affirmative two-thirds vote.
- Right now, Oregon is the only state without an impeachment doctrine.
Measure 116 would establish a commission to study and set the salaries and compensation for statewide elected officials.
- The yearly base pay for Oregon lawmakers is around $35,000. The study would look at all elected offices, including governor, secretary of state, judges, district attorneys, as well as state senators and representatives.
Measure 117 would establish ranked choice voting for federal and statewide elected offices.
- Portland voters will participate in the city’s first-ever ranked choice election this fall, while Multnomah County voters will use the system in November 2026.
Measure 119 would essentially make it easier for cannabis workers to unionize by requiring cannabis retailers, processors and labs to submit a labor neutrality agreement with a union in order to request or renew their operating license.
The bottom line: The last day to register to vote in order to participate in the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 15. (SOURCE)
OSP asking for the public’s help to locate wanted man — Oregon State Police
**UPDATE** Vehicle license plate: OR/353JWK — Suspect wanted for sex crimes in Oregon and Alabama — Oregon State Police and the Mobile (Alabama) Police Department are seeking the public’s help to locate Adam Renk (39) who is wanted in both states for sex crimes against child victims.
On June 21, 2024, OSP detectives responded to a sexual abuse disclosure made by a minor. The minor disclosed Renk as the perpetrator. Renk has since been indicted on multiple crimes against a child victim under the age of 12. He is charged with Unlawful Sexual Penetration in the First Degree, Sodomy in the First Degree, and Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.
As part of their investigation, OSP detectives learned Renk had been charged in another case involving a minor victim in Mobile, Alabama. The Alabama charges include Child Sexual Abuse and Torture involving an 11-year-old victim. The victims in the two states are not related. Alabama law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Marshals Service are attempting to locate Renk who posted bond in Alabama and was released from pre-trial custody.
Renk was last seen leaving Alabama on August 7, 2024. He has ties to Oregon and Wasco County. He is believed to be traveling in a converted Ford Ambulance that is now painted two-toned white over gray. Renk is a white male, 6 ft. 1 in. tall, 175 pounds, with blue eyes and brown hair.
Anyone with information about Renk’s whereabouts or information about possible additional victims is asked to contact the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at 541-506-2580 or OSP Detective Cassie Bantz through dispatch at 800-442-0776 or by dialing OSP (677) on a mobile phone.
Red Cross Volunteers from Oregon and SW Washington on Their Way to Hurricane Helene — American Red Cross – Cascades Region
Support communities in the path of the storm by making a financial donation or scheduling an appointment to give blood
Thousands of people are dealing with the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene and American Red Cross disaster workers are with them, providing comfort, support and relief.
More than 4 million customers – as many as 12 million people – are without power across impacted states. The danger isn’t over and people in affected areas are urged to heed the utmost caution before venturing outside. Helene is now a tropical storm threatening parts of the Southeast with dangerous flooding, damaging winds and tornadoes.
Thousands of people affected by Hurricane Helene need help now. Your donation enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from this disaster. Visit redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) to make a financial donation or to schedule a blood donation appointment. Individuals can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation.
RED CROSS RESPONSE In just the past 48 hours, the Red Cross has opened or supported more than 140 shelters for nearly 9,400 individuals who have evacuated their homes. Red Cross teams managed 50 of these shelters overnight and supported more than 80 partner shelters with staff and supplies
The Cascades Region in Oregon and SW Washington has sent 10 volunteers already with more lining up to go. Just like volunteers from across the country who came to Oregon to support our wildfire evacuations this summer, our volunteers will be there as long as we are needed.
As deadly flooding continues and threatens additional communities, even more people will urgently need our support. Red Crossers are working closely with community partners and state and local officials to ensure help is available where needed.
Nearly 500 disaster workers are on the ground helping with hundreds more on their way. The Red Cross has also deployed numerous emergency response vehicles to help where needed. When it is safe to do so, Red Cross disaster responders will travel throughout affected communities, assessing the damage and distributing meals and relief supplies.
CANCELED BLOOD DRIVES Helene has canceled blood drives throughout Georgia and the Carolinas causing more than 1,000 blood donations to go uncollected, and this number is growing.
As communities feel the effects of Helene, patients are fighting their own battle. Some of these patients urgently need closely matched blood donations to weather their health crises. If you’re in a safe area, you have the power to be a lifeline.
Please schedule a blood donation appointment now by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Blood Donor App or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to help restock the shelves.
FIND A SHELTEREvacuation shelters are open across the region. You can find evacuation shelters on redcross.org, the free Red Cross Emergency app or by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767).You can also find shelters by following your local Red Cross and local emergency officials on social media, or by monitoring local news. If you need assistance finding or going to a shelter in the Big Bend region, call 800-729-3413 for help.
CLIMATE CRISIS Helene could be the start of a series of back-to-back storms that threaten the U.S. as additional systems form in the Atlantic.Experts report Hurricane Helene was able to grow and become more destructive because of hotter-than-average ocean temperatures caused by the climate crisis, which is bringing more frequent and intense disasters that upend lives. In response, the Red Cross is providing food, shelter and recovery support on a nearly continual basis.
Find safety steps for different emergencies ꟷ including hurricanes and power outages ꟷ here.
About the American Red Cross: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Oregon’s Missing Persons
Many times you’ll see postings without case numbers or police contact. There is rarely a nefarious reason why (the nefarious ones are pretty obvious). Usually the loved one tried to call to report their missing person and they are either refused or told to wait a day or two by people who are unaware of SB 351 and the laws that they are bound to when answering the phone. Many people don’t bother calling LE if their loved one is homeless or in transition because they believe LE won’t care. The biggest myth is the 24 hour rule.
In Oregon we don’t have those rules and an officer or person answering the phone is not allowed to decide. The law decides. We have Senate Bill 351 and it states that the police CANNOT refuse a request for any reason and they must begin working on it within 12 hours. The person making the report does not have to be related to missing person either.
Here is SB 351 written by families of the missing here in Oregon in conjunction with Oregon law enforcement officers. This should be common knowledge, please make it this way. https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/…/SB351/Introduced
Oregon State Police are reminding parents and students of the SafeOregon hotline.
It takes reports of potential threats against students and schools. The tips can be made anonymously. They can include safety threats, fights, drugs, weapons on campus, cyberbullying and students considering self-harm or suicide. A technician reviews the reports and assigns them either to police or school administrators. Tips can be made by phone, text, email or on the website https://www.safeoregon.com
