Willamette Valley News, Wednesday 10/23 – 2024/2025 Property Tax Statements Available Online and in The Mail, Lane County Elections Livestream Running & Other Local and Statewide News…

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

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

Willamette Valley Weather

Frost Advisory Issued: 2:59 AM Oct. 23, 2024 – National Weather Service

...FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 8 AM PDT THURSDAY...

* WHAT...Temperatures as low as 35 degrees, locally as low as 32 degrees, will result in frost formation.

* WHERE...Central and Southern Willamette Valley, Foothills of the Northern and Central Oregon Cascades, Central Oregon Coast Range Lowlands, Central Oregon Coast Range, Tualatin Valley, Willapa Hills, Cowlitz County Lowlands, and North Clark County Lowlands.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 8 AM PDT Thursday.

* IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered.

Seasonal Climate Forecast October – December 2024

https://www.oregon.gov/oda/programs/naturalresources/documents/weather/dlongrange.pdf

A La Niña winter is coming. Here’s what that could mean for the US

2024–2025 Property Tax Statements Available Online and in The Mail

The 2024-2025 property tax statements were mailed beginning October 21, 2024. Statements are available online now, as well as information about the county value trends, levy changes, and individual property tax account information, at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/AT. The first payment is due on November 15, 2024.

Lane County Assessment and Taxation collects property tax on behalf of 85 separate taxing districts, including cities, schools, education service districts, water districts, rural fire districts, urban renewal districts and other taxing districts such as park and recreation, library, and ambulance districts.

The total property tax certified for all tax levies combined in 2024–2025 is $720.9 million. This is approximately 2.9 percent more than in 2023. The total amount changes each year because of the addition of new or renewed local option and bond levies, the expiration of local option and bond levies, the 3 percent statutory increase in Maximum Assessed Values (MAV), the addition of new properties to the tax roll, and the number of exemptions granted. 

Oregon’s constitution limits the increase in the MAV of each property to 3 percent per year, unless there have been changes made to the property, such as new construction or additions, new partitions or subdivisions, removal from special assessment or exemption programs, or changes in zoning and use of the property.

The statement shows the property’s Taxable Value (TV), which is the lower of the Real Market Value (RMV) or the MAV minus any exemptions. Most properties will continue to see the 3 percent statutory increase in MAV.

Lane County’s January 1, 2024 RMV increased from $97.8 billion to $101.3 billion, an overall increase of approximately 3.55 percent from January 1, 2023.

The total TV for all properties combined in Lane County increased by 4.09 percent over last year, from $41.4 billion in 2023 to $43.1 billion in 2024. 

There are 182,619 property tax accounts in Lane County consisting of: 54.2 percent residential/tract; 16.6 percent exempt; 9.4 percent commercial; 6.4 percent industrial; 4.2 percent farm/forest; 5.1 percent multi-family; and 4.1 percent business personal property, utilities and other. 

Property values for tax purposes are set only once a year at the time of certification. Certification occurred for the 2024–2025 tax roll on October 8, 2024. Oregon does not reset property values at the time of sale, nor does it reset property values for tax purposes at the time of a refinanced loan. The 2024–2025 tax statement reflects a property’s RMV as of January 1, 2024, based on sales of similar properties during 2023. 

Market value changes for individual properties will vary each year due to many factors including the general real estate market, property location and changes made to the property such as new additions, remodels, or demolition.

Voters in the past year have approved changes to the tax levies and bond rates which are then applied to a property’s TV. However, Oregon’s constitution limits the total tax rate that can be billed to an individual property to no more than $10 per $1,000 of market value for government and $5 per $1,000 of market value for schools. These limits do not apply to bonds.

New Voter-Approved District – Row River Fire Protection District:  $2.40/$1,000 (new permanent rate). 

Modified Districts – The Pleasant Hill and Goshen rural fire protection districts dissolved and a new, larger district named Pleasant Hill Goshen Fire & Rescue was formed with a new rate of $2.20/$1,000. 

New Voter-Approved Tax Levies

• The City of Springfield issued a $20 million bond to fix deteriorating streets, the total bond rate increased to $1.1572/$1,000.
• The Mohawk Valley Fire District passed a new 5-year local option levy rate of $0.60/$1,000.

Voter-Approved Levy Renewals

• Siuslaw School District’s local option levy was renewed for 5 years.  Rate remains the same at $0.75/$1,000.
• River Road Park & Recreation’s local option levy was renewed for 5 years.  Rate remains the same at $0.47/$1,000.
• Rainbow Water District’s local option levy was renewed for 5 years.  Rate remains the same at $1.71/$1,000.

Levies that Expired

• Harrisburg School District’s bond I ended.  It was $0.8002/$1,000.
• Lane Community College’s bond II ended.  It was $0.2197/$1,000.
• Mohawk Valley Rural Fire Protection District’s bond ended.  It was $0.3517/$1,000.

Attached Documents

• A copy of the property tax insert that was mailed with each tax statement. The insert has additional information about payments, the location of payment drop boxes, appeals, and other services provided by Lane County Assessment and Taxation.
• A guide to understanding the tax statement.
• Two charts showing the median dwelling assessed value and tax rates for different areas of the county and the median dwelling real market value and percent change between 2023 and 2024.

Appeals – If taxpayers believe their properties’ market values are incorrect, taxpayers should first contact Lane County Assessment and Taxation. Taxpayers have the right to appeal to the Property Valuation Appeal Board (PVAB) through the Deeds and Records Division of the County Clerk’s Office.

PVAB has the authority to reduce market value when sufficient evidence is provided to demonstrate the RMV of a property was different on January 1, 2024 compared to the tax statement. A reduction to the value does not always result in a refund. PVAB cannot grant reductions to a tax amount; it can only review a property’s value. Taxpayers can appeal through Deeds and Records through December 31, 2024.

10/21/24 – LCSO Case #24-5665 – Deputies arrest barricaded suspect for Menacing near Cottage Grove

On October 21st at about 6:30 p.m., Lane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in the 32100 block of Latham Road, south of Cottage Grove, for a dispute. The callers were able to exit the residence, leaving only Ashley Marie Carter, 34, of Cottage Grove, inside. As deputies investigated, they determined there was probable cause to arrest Carter for Menacing APA (Abuse Prevention Act), a mandatory arrest for law enforcement in Oregon.

Deputies attempted to deescalate Carter and gain cooperation, however she refused to exit and armed herself with a knife. Deputies applied for and were granted a search warrant to enter the residence to arrest Carter. Several less lethal tools were used, including a Taser. Carter was still uncooperative and attempted to hide inside the residence. K9 Hector was deployed. Carter then complied with commands and was arrested without further incident.

Carter was lodged at the Lane County Jail for Menacing APA, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, and Resisting Arrest.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Cottage Grove Police Department and Oregon State Police for their assistance on this call.

Lane County Offering Grants To Nonprofits And Cities To Support Economic Development Programs And Projects

Nonprofits and cities serving Lane County communities are eligible to apply for grants to support activities that help provide training to our local workforce, support business development, attract or retain businesses in Lane County, and other economic development-related activities. 

The grants will provide between $5,000 and $30,000 to successful applicants. More information about how to apply, along with a recorded pre-application information session, is available at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/ecodev. 

Priority will be given to programs or projects that address one or more of the following: 

1. Implementing workforce training fulfilling specific industry needs or trade certifications
2. Facilitating industry innovation, engagement or business development
3. Conducting regional business attraction, business retention, and marketing activities
4. Providing business technical assistance, training or support services to entrepreneurs, start-ups and small businesses

Applications are due by 12:00 p.m. on November 6. 

The funding is available from Lane County Community & Economic Development and its annual allocation of state video lottery funds. There is a total of $200,000 available for this grant. 

General Election Ballots in the Mail and Voting Underway

The Lane County Elections office has placed ballots in the USPS mail stream for the November 5, 2024 General Election. Voters may return their voted vote-by-mail ballots in one of the following ways:

• Regular mail. Ballots must be postmarked no later than November 5, 2024 and received no later than November 12, 2024 to be counted.
• A 24/7 ballot drop box by 8:00 p.m. on November 5, 2024.
• Lane County Elections. Ballots can be turned in directly to the Lane County Elections Office during business hours until 8:00 p.m. on November 5, 2024.

All 21 Lane County ballot drop boxes will remain open until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 5, 2024. Drop boxes are open 24/7. A list of drop box locations is included with every ballot and available at  www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.

“Ballots are in the mail and voters have until Election Day, November 5, to return their ballots so they can be counted,” said Lane County Clerk Dena Dawson. “We are here at Lane County Elections to help voters who need assistance and to ensure that all eligible voters can participate.”

Voters with questions can email elections@lanecountyor.gov or call 541-682-4234.

About the Lane County Elections Office: The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The elections office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

Lane County Government –    Watch our Lane County Elections livestream

Our Elections livestream up! You can watch on YouTube and see the Lane County Elections Office as it works to receive, process and count ballots. It’s part of our commitment to transparency in elections. The livestream will remain active through the certification of election results on December 2. http://www.youtube.com/@Lane_County_OR_Elections

Woman arrested on 46 counts of animal neglect, second suspect outstanding

At 4:25 p.m. on August 21, 2023, Eugene Animal Services responded to a call for service regarding a vacated apartment with at least 17 cats and abandoned kittens. The tenant. Alyse Ninnette Edmonson, age 48, had turned her keys in earlier in the day. Some of the cats appeared malnourished and in need of veterinary care. Animal Services officer found the apartment covered in feces and urine, with no food or water present.

Eugene Animal Services, Feline Good Animal Rescue, and the apartment manager caught the cats and kittens. Some of the cats were transported to Greenhill Humane Society and some to Feline Good. There was a total of 46 cats.

Animal Services investigated the abandonment and neglect and the case was forwarded to the State Animal Cruelty prosecutor.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Edmonson. She was contacted at 3:08 p.m. on October 16 and arrested at an apartment in the 1600 block of Olive Street. She was booked at Lane County Jail under 46 counts of Animal Neglect in the Second Degree. Case 23-12466

Animal Services is still looking for a second suspect in this case, Daniel James Thellman, age 42. There is a warrant for his arrest for Animal Neglect in the Second Degree. If anyone has information on his location, please call Eugene Animal Services at 541.682.5748.

Lane County and PeaceHealth Announce Strategic Partnership Aimed at Expanding Critical Behavioral Health Services in Lane County

Lane County today announced a strategic partnership with PeaceHealth to acquire land located off International Way in Springfield with the goal of building a behavioral health campus. The campus will be home to PeaceHealth’s new Behavioral Health Hospital on their parcel, and immediately adjacent Lane County will construct the Lane Stabilization Center (LSC).

“This move is a huge leap forward in being able to complete our behavioral health continuum of care and provide critical services for our community,” said Lane County Health & Human Services Director, Eve Gray. “Not only is the property better suited to meet the needs of those we serve, the proximity to the BHU will mean better outcomes for those who access these facilities and for our partners who will be transporting individuals there.”

The land consisted of two parcels being sold together. While acquisition of both parcels was not financially feasible for either organization individually, PeaceHealth and Lane County entered into an agreement by which Lane County made the initial purchase with PeaceHealth subsequently purchasing one of the parcels from Lane County. On the PeaceHealth parcel, the BHH will serve the inpatient behavioral health needs of the region, while on the Lane County parcel, the LSC will offer an alternative to the emergency department or incarceration for individuals with behavioral health stabilization needs, and provide a key triage function in conjunction with the BHU. The LSC will also serve as a potential next step for individuals utilizing Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County, or any other crisis provider.

“What we are seeing here has implications that reach beyond this project,” said Gray “It is getting harder and harder to stretch limited funding while needs are increasing, but through strategic public/private alliances we can breathe new hope into meeting the needs of our community.”

The Lane County Board of County Commissioners authorized staff to make on offer on its parcel, which when combined with PeaceHealth’s offer, was accepted by the seller. Lane County will now enter a 90-day due diligence phase, during which Lane County will seek public input. Additional opportunities for input directly concerning the LSC facility and programming will be scheduled as appropriate.  

A joint press conference was scheduled for 12:30 pm on Monday, October 14th at the PeaceHealth Annex in the Rainier Room with representatives from both PeaceHealth and Lane County.
For more information on the LSC, please visit: www.lanecountyor.gov/stabilizationcenter

Greenhill Humane Society – We are hoping to place as many animals as possible into loving homes this October with adoption specials to make you fall in love.

Thanks to the support of Kendall Subaru of Eugene, Subaru of America, Inc. and ASPCA, all dogs over one-year-old and select cats have reduced adoption fees. All dogs and cats are spayed/neutered, microchipped, and up-to-date on vaccines prior to adoption. Greenhill is open every day from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. To see all the pets part of this promotion, visit www.green-hill.org.

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. (SOURCE)

The Eugene Police Department is hiring an Animal Welfare Officer!

If you’re passionate about animal welfare and interested in law enforcement, apply now to help address animal cruelty, neglect, and more. For details, visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/…/animal-welfare-officer…

Connected Lane County — · Wonder Wednesday is coming up soon!

Our next event is Wednesday, October 30, from 4:30 to 5:30 pm, and this month’s topic is Cooking on a Budget and a Halloween Party. Learn how to mindfully budget and cook for yourself while enjoying tasty food. We encourage you to dress up and enjoy some Halloween tricks and treats. We will also have mini pumpkins available to paint!

Join us in person at Spark at Booth-Kelly or the Cottage Grove Community Center! Arrive early at 4:00 pm for free pizza! Can’t make it in person? You’ll have the option to join us virtually, too. Sign up via the link here http://go.connectedlane.org/navigate-events!

Jumpstart Halloween at EWEB’s FREE Truck-or-Treat customer and crew appreciation event!

Bring your kids to EWEB to see our work trucks magically transformed into electrifyingly fun trick-or-treating stops. Collect candy, enjoy light refreshments, and learn more about winter preparedness. If you have questions about the event, reach out to publicaffairs@eweb.org.We hope to spook you there!

Join us for Candy with a Cop on October 27th!

This annual event is a fantastic opportunity for families and children to meet our officers! Enjoy trick-or-treating and explore police vehicles. Don’t miss out on this sweet event!

Parking is available across the street at PenFed Credit Union (400 Country Club, please park only in spots marked PenFed), Willamette Valley Cancer Institute (520 Country Club Road), and Oregon Medical Group (600 Country Club Road). We appreciate these organizations for their parking partnership. Please exercise caution and watch for traffic when crossing the road to the event.

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. 

McDonald’s Shares Drop After Food Poisoning Outbreak

The outbreak began between September 27 and October 11 and has affected people in Oregon, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Colorado reported the most cases at 26, followed by Nebraska with nine.

McDonald’s shares fell by 9% in after-hours trading after the E. coli food poisoning outbreak was announced by the CDC.

Investigators found that everyone who became ill had eaten at McDonald’s before feeling unwell, with most of them mentioning that they ate Quarter Pounder hamburgers. Health officials from the CDC, U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and several states are still investigating the outbreak.

The actual number of people affected is probably much higher, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and may not be limited to the 10 states with known illnesses.

It usually takes three to four weeks after eating an E. coli-infected food for symptoms to manifest. For this reason, the CDC says the outbreak could have infected more people, while other cases go undocumented as people can recover without the need for medical attention.

Investigations now reveal that slivered onion in fresh McDonald’s quarter pounders could have caused the outbreak in which one elderly person from Colorado died, and 10 others from other states were hospitalized.

While the exact cause is still unknown, officials are focusing on two possible culprits: onions and fresh beef. The FDA suspects that slivered onions used on the burgers may be the source of contamination, while the USDA is looking into the hamburger patties as a potential cause.

McDonald’s has responded by halting the distribution of slivered onions from a specific supplier. The company has also removed the Quarter Pounder from menus in the affected states and parts of Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, as a precaution.

• coli is a type of bacteria found in the guts of animals and the environment. It can cause severe symptoms, including fever, stomach cramps, and bloody diarrhea. People experiencing these symptoms after eating a McDonald’s should seek medical attention and inform their healthcare provider about their recent meals.
• coli infections are especially dangerous for children under 5 years old, as they can lead to acute kidney failure.

More INFO — https://www.cdc.gov/ecoli/outbreaks/investigation-update-e-coli-o157-2024.html

Zuberi Defense Lawyer Says He’ll Appeal Federal Kidnap, Sex and Weapons Convictions

he lead defense lawyer for a Klamath Falls man now convicted of federal kidnapping, sex and weapons charges says his client Negasi Zuberi is appealing his conviction.

Medford lawyer Michael Bertholf states they are appealing Friday’s jury verdicts of “guilty” for convictions on seven federal criminal counts. The attorney said, “There were some pretrial issues that we litigated, and they need to be appealed and have the Ninth Circuit decide if Judge McShane made appropriate rulings.”

Chief U.S. District Court Judge Michael McShane presided over 30-year-old Zuberi’s two week federal court trial in Medford as Zuberi and his defense counsel challenged accusations that Zuberi impersonated police when he kidnapped two women in 2023 on separate occasions and raped them, using a taser, handcuffs, leg irons and a gun, bringing federal kidnapping, sex, weapon and ammunition charges.

“This case was an exceptionally complex case. It was a very emotional case, emotionally charged, very emotional, and very complex. And still not done.”

Bertholf says he’s working on a sentencing memo for Judge McShane’s pre-sentencing report, “That’s what we’ll be presenting at the sentencing, Mr. Zuberi’s life story.”  He says Zuberi will stay at the Jackson County jail until sentencing January 16, 2025, when he faces life imprisonment for his kidnapping convictions.

“His conditions right now are standard jail conditions. He’s in the general population, so he’s not in isolation,” said Bertholf. “He is as confined and as free as any general population inmate at the Jackson County Jail, which is, they don’t have a lot of freedom.”

Zuberi’s defense attorney also said, “The government has not indicated whether or not they intend to file any other charges, and I’m currently unaware of any secretly filed charges.”  When the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Zuberi’s arrest in July 2023, it thought he might have other victims in perhaps four other states.

Bertholf says Zuberi has two pending criminal charges, with one in Klamath County Circuit Court for a state-level charge for AV2’s charged abduction and a federal escape charge as a separate federal case now after it had been part of Zuberi’s kidnapping case indictment.  That charge became a federal count after the Jackson County District Attorney had filed a state-level attempted escape charge against Zuberi for an incident at the Jackson County Jail, then dismissed it.  Jackson County Jail is holding Zuberi in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.

10/22/2023 —- Jury Convicts Klamath Falls Man Who Kidnapped and Sexually Assaulted Two Women and Held One in Cell

MEDFORD, Ore.— A federal jury found a Klamath Falls, Oregon man guilty after he kidnapped and sexually assaulted two women, and held one in a cell he constructed in his garage.

Negasi Zuberi, 30, also known as Justin Joshua Hyche, was found guilty of kidnapping, transporting a victim for criminal sexual activity, and illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, on July 15, 2023, while in Seattle, Zuberi posed as a police officer and used a taser and handcuffs to detain his victim in the backseat of his vehicle. Zuberi then transported the victim approximately 450 miles to his home in Klamath Falls, stopping along the way to sexually assault her.

When Zuberi arrived at his residence, he moved the victim from his vehicle into a cell he had constructed in his garage.The woman repeatedly banged on the cell door until it broke open and she escaped. The victim retrieved a handgun from Zuberi’s vehicle, fled his garage, and flagged down a passing motorist who called 911.

The next day, on July 16, 2023, Reno Police Department officers and Nevada State Patrol officers located Zuberi in a parking lot in Reno, Nevada. After a short standoff, Zuberi surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody.

While investigating Zuberi’s crimes, federal agents discovered that approximately six weeks prior to the kidnapping in Seattle, on May 6, 2023, Zuberi kidnapped and sexually assaulted another victim. While being held by Zuberi, his first victim observed stacked cinder blocks in his garage that he later used to construct the cell where he detained his second victim.

On August 2, 2023, a federal grand jury in Medford returned an indictment charging Zuberi with kidnapping and transporting a victim with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. Later, on February 15, 2024, a second kidnapping charge and charges for illegallypossessing firearms and ammunitionand attempted escape were added by superseding indictment.

Kidnapping is punishable by up to life in federal prison and transporting a victim across state lines with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity by up to 10 years. Illegally possessing firearms and ammunition and attempted escape are punishable by up to 15 years. 

This case was investigated by the FBI Portland Field Office, Klamath Falls Police Department, and Oregon State Police with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada;Klamath County District Attorney’s Office; Reno, Nevada Police Department; Washoe County,Nevada District Attorney’s Office; and Nevada State Police. It was prosecuted by Jeffrey S. Sweet, Marco A. Boccato, and Nathan J. Lichvarcik, AssistantU.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon, with assistance from Appellate Chief Suzanne Miles, also of the Districtof Oregon.

Since the outdoor burning restrictions were lifted in many Oregon counties – New Fire starts are daily due to outdoor burning piles causing grass fires.

Please use caution 85% of all wildfires are human caused. Oregon still has over 70 fires and for most counties the fire season is not over yet.

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

Large Fires in Oregon Past 2 Weeks 10/21/24 8:00am per INCIWEB

ncident	Type	State	Incident Size	UpdatedSort ascending
Rail Ridge – OROCF	Wildfire	Oregon	176619 Acres	15 minutes 21 seconds ago
Bachelor Complex Fires – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	15525 Acres	19 hours 47 minutes ago
Red Fire – ORDEF	Wildfire	Oregon	3060 Acres	1 day 20 hours ago
Tiger Creek Fire – ORUMF	Wildfire	Oregon	534 Acres	1 day 22 hours ago
Bingham Fire – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	199 Acres	1 week ago
Willamette Complex Fires – South – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	31296 Acres	1 week 1 day ago
Homestead Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	11073 Acres	1 week 6 days ago
Diamond Complex – ORUPF	Wildfire	Oregon	11141 Acres	1 week 6 days ago
Lane 1 Fire – OR77S	Wildfire	Oregon	25952 Acres	1 week 6 days ago
North Willamette Complex – ORWIF	Wildfire	Oregon	5492 Acres	2 weeks ago
Sandstone Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire	Oregon	702 Acres	2 weeks 1 day ago
Whisky Creek Fire – ORMHF	Wildfire

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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. 

Oregon Citizen-Soldiers prepare for overseas mission in Egypt

SALEM, Ore. – A mobilization ceremony for the Oregon Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment (1-186th) will be held at Raider Stadium on the campus of Southern Oregon University, in Ashland, Oregon at 11:00 a.m., on Sunday October 20, 2024.

Nearly 205 Citizen-Soldiers will be part of a Multinational Force and Observers Mission in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. The unit’s primary mission will be to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent violation of any of its terms.

“Citizen-Soldiers from Southern Oregon have a rich tradition of stepping up when called upon,” said Oregon Army National Guard Col. Paul Dyer, commander (rear), 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. “The 1-186 Infantry proudly represents so many incredible communities from Roseburg to Ashland, and I cannot thank the local communities enough for their overwhelming support as the unit continues to add to their storied legacy.”

The 1-186th Infantry Regiment has previously mobilized to support both homeland and overseas missions to include: Security augmentation for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C., COVID-19 operational support in Oregon, and federal deployments supporting Overseas Contingency Operations in the Horn of Africa from 2019-2020, in Afghanistan from 2014-2015, and in Iraq from 2009-2010.

Detectives Investigate Fatal Shooting in Scottsburg

– Detectives are investigating a fatal shooting incident that occurred on Monday in Scottsburg.

On Monday, October 21, 2024, at approximately 12:00 pm, deputies were responding to a reported criminal mischief and assault in the 5000 block of Lutsinger Creek Road.

While deputies were responding, 9-1-1 dispatchers received additional calls from the residents in the area reporting the incident was escalating and reports of gunshots heard.

When deputies arrived, they located 58-year-old Darrel Dow Dodd unconscious with apparent gunshot wounds. Deputies attempted lifesaving efforts, which were unsuccessful.

Detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office responded to the scene.

Through the investigation, it was learned that Dodd was armed with a weapon, had broken into a residence and began assaulting and strangling a female known to him while threatening to stab her. Another individual attempted to intervene, but Dodd continued his attack. Dodd was shot twice by a third individual.

Detectives are currently investigating the incident as a case of justified defense of another person, based upon the evidence and circumstances of the incident, although the investigation is ongoing. Once the investigation is complete, it will be forwarded to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office for review. 

Nationwide Shortage of IV Fluids Forces Oregon Health and Science University to Postpone Surgeries

Hurricane Helene knocked an IV factory offline, forcing the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) to postpone 108 surgeries last week.

The nationwide shortage of IV fluid is expected to continue for another four to six weeks, according to the OHSU Interim CEO, John Ness.

The Baxter International factory in North Carolina produces about 50 percent of the IV fluids used in hospitals around the country.

At a public meeting on Friday, Ness said the OHSU relies on Baxter for its IV fluids, making it one of the most vulnerable hospitals in Oregon. Other healthcare organizations, like Kaiser and Legacy Health, obtain IV fluids from a different supplier.

Dextrose, electrolytes and saline are in short supply and are the most used fluids given to patients during surgery, in intensive care, or when receiving treatment in emergency wards.

Ness told the public meeting that the next four to six weeks would be challenging, while Sara Hottman, a spokesperson for the OHSU, said about 25 percent of non-urgent surgical procedures would have to be rescheduled.

Operations placed on hold include bariatric surgeries, and hernia and joint repairs. The OHSU will communicate directly with affected patients.

Meanwhile, Baxter is using a rationing system to distribute its remaining stock of IV fluids to its customer-base. The company managed to salvage 450 truckloads of IV fluids from warehouses and its flooded North Carolina factory.

Legacy Health has supplied the OHSU with some fluids and confirmed that it would continue to help health partners wherever possible. Legacy said it keeps a backup supply of IV fluids for emergencies.

The federal government has also come to the rescue. It has relaxed some of its production regulations and is working alongside Baxter to airlift IV solutions from various production factories overseas.

State agencies release synthetic opioid prevention lessons, updated fentanyl toolkit for Oregon schools

Lessons and Toolkit help districts educate students about fentanyl and opioid dangers, and develop policies and practices for substance use prevention and response

— As fentanyl keeps showing up in a variety of drugs on the illicit market, state agencies are continuing their effort to help Oregon educators engage with students about the drug’s dangers – and preventing and responding to fentanyl overdoses – with the release of synthetic opioid prevention lessons and an updated Fentanyl Toolkit for Schools.

“The dangers of fentanyl have no age boundaries,” Gov. Tina Kotek said. “We must support the critical role that schools play in substance use prevention and intervention for students. The updated lesson plans and toolkit are a result of multiple state agencies coming together to collaborate on how we can best protect young Oregonians, and I’m grateful for their work on these vital resources.”

Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department of Education and the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission partnered on these opioid/fentanyl prevention and intervention resources. This cross-agency collaboration with school and community partners to prevent substance use among youth and young adults will continue with the release of additional instructional materials and professional learning resources throughout the school year.

“Responding to the opioid crisis requires all hands on deck,” said ADPC Director Annaliese Dolph. “Leaders in government, healthcare, education and other fields all have a role to play when it comes to helping Oregon’s young people understand and navigate the risks of substance use. Equipping educators with the resources to have those conversations with students – particularly about synthetic opioids – is an essential piece of the puzzle.”

School-based drug education plays important role in youth overdose prevention

School-based prevention efforts such as health education, plays an important role in preventing and delaying first use of drugs and interrupting the development of substance use-related problems affecting youth and their families.

During Oregon’s 2023 legislative session, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 238, requiring OHA, the State Board of Education via ODE, and ADPC to co-develop curricula supplements on the dangers of synthetic opioids and legal protections in place for people who report substance use or who seek medical treatment for drug or alcohol overdoses.

“The lesson plans and Fentanyl Toolkit for Schools are just two elements of a larger, comprehensive effort to improve fentanyl awareness and, more broadly, prevent harmful substance use among Oregon’s young people – a priority that OHA, ODE and ADPC collectively share,” said OHA Director Sejal Hathi, M.D.

Required Synthetic Opioid Prevention Lessons

ODE collaborated with OHA and ADPC to develop the required lessons per Senate Bill 238. These lessons are available on the ODE Health Education webpage and incorporate: 

• Youth-designed approaches with space for dialogue, relevant information, and Oregon data.
• Research-based practices that emphasize the importance of promoting strengths-based norms rather than shame or fear-based tactics, skills-based learning over awareness-raising, and connecting to broad prevention efforts within the school and community.
• Alignment with the 2023 Oregon Health Education Standards.

Beyond these required lessons, House Bill 5204 (2024) provided funding to ODE for additional curriculum supplements on the dangers of synthetic opioids. ODE will be sharing these resources along with professional learning opportunities in the year to come. ODE will be seeking feedback regarding the lessons for continuous improvement during this pilot year.

“These lesson plans help empower our students with the most up-to-date information to protect themselves and their friends from harmful substances,” ODE Director Dr. Charlene Williams said. “I want to thank the Oregon Legislature for providing us with the framework in Senate Bill 238 and our partners at the Oregon Health Authority and the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission for all their work collaborating on the lesson plans and toolkit that will save lives in Oregon. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with school and community partners to prevent substance use among youth and respond to the evolving substance use landscape in Oregon.”

Updated Fentanyl Toolkit for Schools, access to overdose reversal medication

The updated 2024 Fentanyl Toolkit for Schools offers resources schools can use to educate the community about the impact of fentanyl and opioids; develop school policies and practices to prevent and respond to opioid overdoses; and build community partnerships for a comprehensive substance use prevention and intervention approach. The updates to the original 2022 toolkit include additional resources based on developing science and practices in substance use prevention and intervention, and recently passed state legislation that requires districts to share information to parents about opioid overdose reversal medications.

In addition to the updated toolkit, schools have access to naloxone through the Save Lives Oregon Harm Reduction Clearinghouse. Naloxone can save lives by reversing an opioid overdose. As of September 2024, about 125 school districts and Education Service Districts have requested and received naloxone kits. Each kit includes a wall-mounted naloxone box and eight doses of nasal naloxone.

Groundbreaking Dedication Event for Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Oregon State Capitol- Friday, November 22, 2024 | 2:00 p.m.

The Oregon State Capitol will be the site of the highly anticipated dedication ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Friday, November 22, at 2:00 p.m. This momentous event will be the formal dedication of Phase 1 of the memorial, which honors the service and sacrifice of Oregon’s Vietnam veterans. The public ceremony will occur at Salem’s Willson Park memorial site on the Capitol grounds, at the corner of State and Cottage Street, with a reception to follow at the nearby Withnell Family YMCA. 

The memorial pays tribute to 710 Oregonians who lost their lives in the Vietnam War, along with the more than 180,000 Oregonians who served in Vietnam and around the world from 1955-1975. The design features 46 black granite columns engraved with the names of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. It creates a reflective space for veterans, families, and the public to honor their memory. 

The event will include comments from local veterans, state officials, and Vietnam War Memorial Fund members, who have been instrumental in making this project a reality. The event is hosted by the Oregon Vietnam War Memorial Fund and is supported by a grant of Transient Occupancy Tax from the City of Salem.

The Importance of the Memorial – The Vietnam War remains one of the most challenging and divisive periods in American history. Veterans returning from the conflict were often met with indifference or hostility, making this memorial an overdue recognition of their service. The memorial offers a space for healing and remembrance, honoring both the sacrifices of the fallen and the resilience of those who served. Steve Bates, President and co-founder of the Vietnam War Memorial Fund (VWMF), emphasized the emotional impact of this project. “This is about giving our veterans a place of rest and, for all of us, a place to heal,” Bates said. The memorial will not only commemorate the service of Vietnam veterans but also serve as a reminder of the war’s lasting impact on the state and its people. 

Beyond its role as a place of remembrance, the memorial will also serve as an educational resource when Phase 2 is completed. Phase 2, the Exhibit Phase, aims to help future generations understand the human cost of war and the bravery of those who fought.

For more information, see a virtual tour or donate, visit ocvvm.com. 

About the VWMF: Vietnam War Memorial Fund’s website at www.ocvvm.com. The Vietnam War Memorial Fund is a recognized 501(c)3 organization, and all donations are tax-deductible to the extent of applicable tax law. You can donate by sending a check to the Vietnam War Memorial Fund – P O Box 1448 – Boring, Oregon 97009 or by credit card at www.ocvvm.com.

Oregon Elections Division shuts down phone lines after barrage of calls prompted by false claims from out-of-state conspiracy calls

Oregon Forced to Shut Down Critical Election Phone Line After Trump Supporters Spread False Rumor About State

The Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division on Thursday shut down its phone lines following a barrage of calls from people responding to false claims that the state’s voters pamphlet does not include Republican nominee Donald Trump.

The voter’s pamphlet does list the former president as a candidate and notes that he declined to provide a statement about why people should vote for him. Trump will appear on the state’s ballot.

A post on X from the conservative account Libs of TikTok last week falsely claimed Trump wasn’t included in the voters pamphlet and asked, “What’s going on?” The Oregon GOP issued a statement noting that the decision not to provide a statement was a choice that Trump’s campaign made earlier this year.

Laura Kerns, a spokesperson for Oregon’s Secretary of State’s Office, told USA TODAY that Trump’s statement was excluded from the pamphlet because his campaign didn’t submit one.

“We reached out repeatedly to the campaign to ensure they were aware of the deadline to submit a statement to the pamphlet and never received a response,” Kerns said. “Donald Trump will absolutely be on the ballot.”

But the false claim suggesting election interference continued to spread on social media, and on Thursday, the Elections Division said its phone lines had been overwhelmed.

“Oregonians who need assistance will now have to wait because some individuals operating in bad faith are misleading people online,” Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade said in a news release. “Spreading rumors and false claims of election interference does nothing to help Oregonians.”

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)

Oregon DFR to host virtual Innovation Hub on green finance

– The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (DFR) will be hosting an Innovation Hub on Monday, Oct. 28, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The event will be held virtually due to logistical issues. It was originally scheduled to be at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) in Portland. This year’s theme is “Can innovative technologies make green finance better?”

The virtual event will be hosted by Nicole Ferroux, a senior policy advisor at DFR and Innovation Hub liaison, and will include two panel discussions: Artificial Intelligence and Green Finance, and Blockchain and Green Finance. After the two panel discussions, DFR Administrator TK Keen will host an executive chat with Washington State Department of Financial Institutions Director Charlie Clark. Their discussion will center on regulating the use of innovative technologies in green finance.

“We are always looking for ways to encourage innovation in Oregon, particularly green finance innovations that help us combat climate change,” Keen said. “Our Innovation Hub has allowed us to keep numerous conversations with stakeholders on green finance and green innovations going, and the OMSI event is another avenue for engagement on this important topic.”

The first panel includes Jon Down, professor at the University of Portland and founder of Gen AI Corp.; Josh Cole, business operations lead at Modernist Financial; and Kirsten Anderson, deputy administrator at the Oregon Division of Financial Regulation.

The second panel includes Alex Murray, assistant professor of management and director of the Intelligent Futures Lab at the University of Oregon; Mike Zajko, co-founder of Lattice Capital; and Brooke Pollack, founder and managing partner at Hutt Capital.

What does this year’s theme, “Can innovative technologies make green finance better?” really mean?

“Green finance, which includes any financial product or service created to encourage the development of a more sustainable economy, has come under some deserved scrutiny in recent years,” Ferroux said. “Greenwashing scandals, questions regarding the longevity of the financial outcomes associated with these products, and a variety of regulatory issues have raised the question of whether green finance will continue to grow or will shrink away as a fad. This year’s event explores whether innovative technologies – namely artificial intelligence and blockchain technology – can help industry and regulators overcome these challenges to move this sector forward.”

Oregon State Police Investigating Officer Involved Shooting- Lincoln County

On Saturday, October 19^th,2024, at approximately 12:22 p.m., the Lincoln City Police Department responded to report of a domestic disturbance between a male and female at the Motel 6, located at 3517 NW Highway 101, in Lincoln City, OR. Officers responded to the motel, identified the suspect, and discovered outstanding warrants for his arrest. The occupants of the room also appeared to be associated with a stolen vehicle located in the parking lot of the hotel. 

At approximately 13:04 p.m., Lincoln City Police officers contacted the male suspect in the hotel room and he was noncompliant. During the contact, the suspect had two firearms in his waistband which he reached for and was shot by officers.

First aid was rendered at the scene and the suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased. The suspect’s identification has not been released due to difficulties in making next of kin notification.

Per the Lincoln County Deadly Force Response Plan under Senate Bill 111, the Lincoln County Major Crime Team was activated for the investigation and the Oregon State Police has taken the role of the lead investigating agency. The Oregon State Police is being assisted by the Newport Police Department, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln City Police Department, the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, and the Lincoln County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Name Our K-9 Contest – OSP launches youth contest to name our new K-9

– There’s a new furry recruit at Oregon State Police. She’s excited to join her handler on Oregon’s highways, and we need your help to give her an official name that is paw-some! 

Oregon youth, kindergarten through 5th grade, send in your ulti-mutt name for our fur-ever friend. The winning entry will be recognized with a round of a-paws and other fun prizes. 

Contest Rules:  

• Complete an entry form between Oct. 17-27, 2024.
  • https://bit.ly/OSP_K9Contest
• The contest is open to Oregon youth from kindergarten through 5^th grade. 
• One entry per student.
• Five names from the submitted entries will be selected to move forward for statewide voting.
• The student with the winning name entry will get to meet the K-9 and other recognition from OSP. 
• The school with the most participants will also be recognized by OSP. 

Who’s ready fur some treats! Learn more about our new K-9: https://youtu.be/3naO1tVKz2M

The K-9 is a two-year-old female Belgian Malinois from Blackwood Canine who is certified through the Oregon Police K-9 Association as a drug detection dog. She and her handler, Sr. Trooper Scott Show, are assigned to the Albany Patrol Office for drug detection along Interstate 5 and throughout the state.  

Sr. Trooper Show said, “I’m excited to have Oregon youth involved in naming our K-9. Kids come up with the best animal names and I’ll be happy with whatever they choose.” 

The contest opens at noon on Oct. 17, 2024, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 27, 2024. Entries must be received via OSP’s online entry form: https://bit.ly/OSP_K9Contest. 

Governor Kotek Releases Statement on $25 Million Award for Port of Coos Bay

Governor Kotek released a statement on the $25 million award to the Oregon International Port of Coos Bay from the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight & Highway Projects program (INFRA) through the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) Terminal Planning Project.

This award will advance environmental review, permitting, and preliminary engineering and design for the intermodal terminal component of the larger PCIP project, including the railyard, container yard, wharf, and berths.

“When I visited with the Port of Coos Bay staff last year on the One Oregon Listening Tour, I was reminded of just how vital our state’s ports are to the economic growth and prosperity of our communities. Today’s exciting award announcement marks a critical step in the effort to establish a vital intermodal gateway for west coast imports and exports at the Port of Coos Bay,” Governor Kotek said. “Thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Val Hoyle and our federal delegation, we are unlocking opportunities to alleviate highway congestion by modernizing infrastructure and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

“I am thrilled today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded over $25 million for the Port of Coos Bay Intermodal Project,” U.S. Representative Val Hoyle said. “This project has the potential to bring over 8,000 jobs to Southwest Oregon’s coastal communities and to strengthen our nation’s supply chain. Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to rebuilding the South Coast as an economic engine for the state and introduces more pathways to the middle class.” She added, “I would like to thank Secretary Buttigieg, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the White House, and my partners in Congress for their support and persistence to help bring this project closer to fruition.”

The Pacific Coast Intermodal Port (PCIP) Terminal Planning Project will be designed to move nearly 100% of in and outbound containers by rail for land slide movements and utilize electrification or other green energy source for moving containers within the yard. This project will provide additional capacity for imports, create a new gateway for U.S. exports, and is anticipated to generate a significant economic impact in rural Oregon.

Additional information on the project can be found here.

Officials with the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge are asking for the community’s help identifying the person or persons responsible for vandalizing a rock face recently.

According to the refuge, the names ‘Luke’ and ‘Niko’ were carved deep into a sandstone headland, which is located on public land. The refuge says the rock that was vandalized is on a section of beach between the cities of Gold Beach and Brookings.

Vandalism on public lands is illegal, and penalties include fines and jail time. Anyone with information or
knows who is responsible, is asked to contact the Oregon Coast National Wildlife Refuge by emailing  oregoncoast@fws.gov.

Governor Tina Kotek Proclaims October 21-25, 2024 as Oregon Community Bank Week

Governor Tina Kotek has officially proclaimed October 21-25, 2024 as Community Bank Week in Oregon, recognizing the essential role community banks play in supporting the economic vitality and growth of Oregon’s local communities.

In her proclamation, Governor Kotek highlights the significant contributions of community banks, which have served the state for well over a century. These banks provide crucial financial services through over 325 branches and loan offices statewide, while employing more than 4,800 Oregonians in family-wage jobs. Community banks are not only integral to the financial health of Oregon’s small businesses—making over half of all bank loans to this sector—but are also important partners in local economic development efforts.

“Community banks are an integral part of Oregon’s overall economy through their community giving, dedication as good neighbors, and above all, their critical role in providing reliable financial services to Oregonians,” said Governor Kotek. “We recognize community banks for their ongoing commitment to the economic vitality of local communities in Oregon.”

“We commend Governor Tina Kotek for her proclamation of ‘Community Bank Week in Oregon’ and for recognizing the vital role community banks play in fostering economic growth and supporting local communities across our state,” said Scott Bruun, president and chief executive officer of CBO and the Oregon Bankers Association.

The Community Banks of Oregon(CBO), which represents banks headquartered in the state of Oregon, encourages all Oregonians to join in this observance of Community Bank Week and take a moment to acknowledge the positive impact community banks have on their local economies, businesses, and families.

Members of CBO will be celebrating Community Bank Week by giving back to the communities they serve. Some of the activities include volunteering at local nonprofits, hosting food drives and offering free shred events where community members can have their sensitive documents securely destroyed and recycled.

For more information about Oregon Community Bank Week or to learn more about how community banks contribute to Oregon’s economy, please visit www.oregonbankers.com/local.

About the Community Banks of Oregon
Community Banks of Oregon (CBO) serves banks headquartered in Oregon. The principal mission of CBO is to support and promote community banking in Oregon. CBO advocates for community banks, provides a forum to address issues unique to community banks and promotes community banks through initiatives like Oregon Community Bank Week. More information is available at www.oregonbankers.com/local.

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 Aging and People with Disabilities offers free help for Medicare Open Enrollment

(Salem) — Medicare Open Enrollment for the 2025 plan year begins Oct. 15 and remains open through Dec. 7, 2024. Medicare beneficiaries seeking to compare or change their existing Medicare plan can receive free help from the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS). 

During the Medicare Open Enrollment period, people with Medicare can make changes to their health plan or prescription drug plan, pick a Medicare Advantage plan or choose Original Medicare. The ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities’ (APD) Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is available to help Oregonians understand their Medicare options and benefits, provide enrollment guidance and help people detect and avoid Medicare scams. Additionally, there are some key changes coming to Medicare in 2025 that APD’s SHIBA program counselors can assist people in understanding including:

• The new Manufacturer Discount Program which addresses the coverage gap, also known as the “donut hole;” 
• The lower maximum to pay for covered drugs. The maximum amount for 2025 will be $2,000; 
• Coverage for weight loss drugs when doctors prescribe them for people who meet certain conditions; 
• Expanded coverage for family caregiver services through the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model; and
• Increased access to mental health services by allowing more providers to bill Medicare for services.

“Our APD SHIBA team is devoted to helping people prepare for open enrollment and understand changes,” said Jane-ellen Weidanz, who oversees SHIBA as APD Deputy Director of Policy. 

Oregonians who need help navigating Medicare open enrollment are encouraged to call SHIBA at 800-722-4134 (toll-free) or learn more by visiting the SHIBA website at SHIBA.Oregon.gov. The 2025 Oregon Guide to Medicare Insurance Plans will be available on the SHIBA website in the coming days and will be translated to multiple languages. 

SHIBA certified counselors can also help people report scams to Medicare and educate people on how to avoid Medicare scams or fraud. According to the Senior Medicare Patrol, common scams include promising free durable medical equipment, such as knee braces and catheters, or offers of free genetic testing. The ultimate goal for the scammer is to get the beneficiary’s Medicare number to commit Medicare billing fraud. “SHIBA counselors are committed to ensuring Oregonians have the information they need to avoid becoming victims of fraud and report scams or suspected Medicare fraud,” said APD Director Dr. Nakeshia Knight-Coyle.

Help from SHIBA is available over the phone and through virtual and in-person appointments. Because high call volume during Open Enrollment may result in longer than usual wait times, Oregonians are also encouraged to access free resources on the SHIBA website such as Medicare frequently asked questions, an agent locator tool, a list of free virtual and in-person Medicare presentations and videos to help people understand their Medicare options. People who need Medicare help in a language other than English, including sign language, can call 833-685-0841 or send an email to odhs.languageaccess@odhsoha.oregon.gov; after placing a request, a translator will reach out in the requestor’s preferred language to provide assistance in communicating with SHIBA.

About the Oregon Department of Human Services – The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.

About the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance program – The Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is part of the ODHS Office of Aging and People with Disabilities. It is a statewide network of certified counselors volunteering in their community to help all Oregonians make educated Medicare decisions. SHIBA offers free, objective, confidential and local one-on-one health insurance counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. 

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is reminding campaigners and their supporters that political signs are not permitted on state highway right-of-ways.

Only official traffic control devices are allowed in these right-of-way areas, as ODOT says improperly placed signs can distract drivers and obstruct road safety messages.

ODOT stated that any signs found in violation will be removed and held at a nearby district maintenance office for 30 days. To reclaim them, individuals should contact the nearest ODOT maintenance office.

“Signs are prohibited on trees, utility poles, fence posts, and natural features within highway right-of-ways,” ODOT said. They are also banned within view of designated scenic areas.

The highway right of way is usually measured as all of the land between the property line on one side of the highway and the property line on the other side.

The width of the state highway right-of-way can vary significantly depending on the location. ODOT advises those uncertain about whether they are placing a sign on private property or highway right-of-way to consult with the local ODOT district maintenance office or use an interactive map available for identifying ODOT right-of-ways.

Political signs ARE allowed on private property within view of state highways, provided they adhere to certain restrictions.

Sign dimensions are limited to 12 square feet, but they can be up to 32 square feet with a variance from the Oregon Advertising Sign Program Resources guidelines. Signs must not have flashing or intermittent lights, animated or moving parts, or imitate official highway signs or devices. They are also not allowed in scenic corridors.

ODOT emphasized that no payment or compensation of any kind can be exchanged for the placement of or the message on temporary signs, including political signs, visible from a state highway. More information on sign regulations can be found on ODOT’s WEBSITE.

Health coverage comparison tool now provides more ways to compare options, potential savings in Oregon

OregonHealthCare.gov unveils enhanced Window Shopping tool ahead of 2025 open enrollment period

With open enrollment for 2025 fast approaching on Nov. 1, the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace is launching a revamped version of its widely-used Window Shopping tool. This timely upgrade offers Oregonians an even easier way to explore their health coverage options and maximize potential savings.

Open enrollment is the only time of year for individuals not covered through their job, the Oregon Health Plan, or Medicare to enroll in Marketplace health insurance.

New data from the Oregon Health Insurance Survey¹ reveals that 97% of Oregonians now have health coverage. For 2024², over 80% of applicants who sought financial help through the Marketplace were eligible for assistance—highlighting the increased accessibility of affordable health insurance for Oregon families.

The updated Window Shopping tool at OregonHealthCare.gov provides a streamlined, user-friendly experience in both Spanish and English. Based on location, age, and income, the tool estimates potential savings and directs users to the appropriate health coverage, whether that’s the Oregon Health Plan (OHP) or a Marketplace plan. This year’s enhancements also include more detailed information on coverage for gender-affirming care, a benefit included in all Marketplace plans for 2025.

The tool continues to offer quick comparisons of health plans, detailed previews of out-of-pocket costs, and checks for provider, facility, and prescription drug coverage—giving users a full picture before enrolling.

All Marketplace health plans include a robust range of essential health benefits, from preventive care to naturopathy, chiropractic, and acupuncture, many of which are covered before meeting deductibles. The only way to be sure a doctor or prescription is covered is to check – the Window Shopping tool gives Oregonians an easy way to do that.

“Anyone looking for health coverage should visit OregonHealthCare.gov to preview 2025 plans,” says Chiqui Flowers, director of the Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace. “We’re committed to helping Oregonians feel confident about their health insurance choices, and this tool makes the process easy.”

For those seeking personalized help, licensed insurance agents and trained community groups are available to guide Oregonians through the enrollment process at no cost. Visit OregonHealthCare.gov/GetHelp to connect with an expert and take the stress out of signing up for health coverage.

¹Oregon Health Insurance Survey Health Insurance Summary. Published Sept. 2024 by Oregon Health Authority Health Policy and Analytics. https://orhim.info/3TKbpWl

²Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace 2023 Annual Report. Published April 2024. https://orhim.info/2023ExecSummary

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