Willamette Valley News, Monday 11/4 – Watch Lane County Elections Livestream, New Eugene LGBTQ+ Resources Center Opens Today & 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

Monday, November 4, 2024

Willamette Valley Weather

The Pacific Northwest is bracing for a mix of rain and snow as weather patterns shift in the coming days, according to the National Weather Service in Portland. Today, decreasing showers will linger across the region, with snow expected in the higher elevations of the Cascades, where snow levels hover around 4,000 feet. An incoming front will bring breezy southerly winds and rain by Monday morning, with gusts reaching up to 50 mph along the coast and a potential 60 mph in far northern areas.

While today’s showers are expected to taper off, they will return in full force tomorrow, bringing another round of wet weather later this week. Snow levels will drop to around 3,500 feet, potentially accumulating 2 to 6 inches in the mountains. After a brief respite mid-week, the region should prepare for a rainy end to the week, with the possibility of very wet conditions by next weekend.

Seasonal Climate Forecast November – December 2024

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

Lane Co. Government –  Election Results Available Starting at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day

Election results will be made available to the public starting at 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 5, and updated again at 11:00 p.m. Elections results can be obtained at:

www.LaneCountyOR.gov/Elections

Ballots returned by mail and postmarked by November 5 must be received by November 12 in order to be counted. Ballots returned via mail and postmarked by November 5 may take several days to arrive at Lane County Elections, which means that the outcome of some races or ballot measures may not be known as quickly as in past elections. The Lane County Elections Office will continue to periodically update election results after November 5 until all ballots have been counted. The full results reporting schedule is available online at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/Elections.

Election results will be certified on December 2, 2024.

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.

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

Lane County voters: remember to sign the return envelope and return your ballots early

Voters are urged to return their ballots as early as possible to ensure they are received at Lane County Elections by the 8:00 p.m. deadline on Tuesday, November 5. 

In order to be counted, ballots must be received at Lane County Elections by:

• 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.

“We have wonderful, secure elections that allow all eligible voters the opportunity to return their ballots in the way most convenient for them,” said Lane County Clerk Dena Dawson. “Every voter should make a plan for how they plan to return their ballot and ensure their ballot is received on time.”

Voters must also remember to sign their ballot return envelopes before mailing or returning their completed ballot to Lane County Elections.

The signature is a security measure used to verify identity. The Lane County Elections Office compares it to signatures in the voter registration record. A ballot may only be counted if the signatures match.

If you forget to sign the envelope or your signature does not match, you will receive a notice from Lane County Elections advising you of the issue and how to fix or “cure” it. You have until the 21^st day after the election to cure your signature issue and have your ballot counted.

What can you do to ensure your signature matches?

1. Sign your natural signature. If you don’t usually sign with a middle initial don’t sign your ballot envelope with it. Election workers are trained to look for specific characteristics within each signature. If you think your signature has changed significantly, contact Lane County Elections.

1. Don’t sign another person’s name. Even if someone gives you permission to sign, or you have power of attorney, it is against the law in Oregon to sign another person’s name on a return envelope. It’s forgery.

1. Request help if you have difficulty signing.  If it is difficult for you to sign, on either a temporary or permanent basis, you can complete a signature attestation form and return it to Lane County Elections along with a new voter registration form.  Completing these forms will allow you to use a signature stamp or other indicator that represents your signature.

1. Correct a mistake if you accidentally sign your name on someone in your household’s envelope. If you and another person in your household sign each other’s return ballot envelopes, simply place a line through the incorrect signatures and sign the correct envelopes.

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

New Eugene LGBTQ+ Resources Center Opens Today –

A center for LGBTQ+ resources will be expanding 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’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)

Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County Hosts Virtual Community Information Session

Lane County Behavioral Health, a division of Lane County Health & Human Services, will be holding a virtual information session about the Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County (MCS-LC) program. This free virtual session is scheduled for Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. It is open to the public, but advance registration is required.

To register for the event, you can either click on the Zoon link: 

https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsfuuorjIvHMOO8UIVk1gI_NL0wjk8F-Q

Or, you can register directly on the MCS-LC webpage: Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County – Lane County

About MCS-LC – Launched on August 18, 2024, MCS-LC is a state-certified mobile behavioral health crisis service that provides timely support to individuals experiencing behavioral health crises across Lane County, including both rural and metropolitan areas. The program adopts a trauma-informed approach, emphasizing crisis de-escalation, stabilization, safety, and emotional well-being.

Information Session Overview – The MCS-LC information session will provide a thorough overview of the program’s services, staff qualifications, the populations served, and how to access these services. Attendees will learn how MCS-LC supports local and regional mental health efforts, including youth services, and promotes equity by expanding access to behavioral health crisis care throughout Lane County. A portion of the information session will be allotted for Q&A. 

How to Access MCS-LC Services – MCS-LC operates seven days a week from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Services can be accessed by calling or texting 988 or by contacting the 24/7/365 Lane County Crisis Line at 541-682-1001.

Session Details:

• Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024
• 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
• Location: Virtual – Register at: 

https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsfuuorjIvHMOO8UIVk1gI_NL0wjk8FQ

Or, you can register directly on the MCS-LC webpage: Mobile Crisis Services of Lane County – Lane County

Springfield man sentenced to life in prison for 2022 double homicide

Lane County Circuit Court Judge Charles Zennaché on Tuesday sentenced Robin Roberts, 45, to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years for the 2022 stabbing deaths of Joshua Vining and Richard Brumbach in Springfield.

Roberts was accused of attacking Vining and Brumbach on April 12, 2022, at the Red Bird Mobile Park near G Street and 28th Street in Springfield, according to the Lane County District Attorney’s Office. The assault occurred shortly after 9 p.m.

When Springfield police officers arrived on the scene, they allegedly found Roberts holding a bloody knife while standing near the two dead bodies. The DA’s office reported that Roberts also repeatedly stated he was an undercover agent with the FBI and had acted in self-defense.

Court documents show that during an interview with Springfield police, Roberts insisted he was an undercover agent investigating serial killers and rapists. He also admitted to smoking methamphetamine shortly before the incident.

Roberts was arraigned on April 14, 2022, on two counts of first-degree murder for “unlawfully and intentionally” causing the deaths of Vining and Brumbach in a single criminal episode.

On Oct. 4, a Lane County jury found Roberts guilty on both counts. In addition to his life sentence, he was ordered to pay $6,406 in restitution.

Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Springfield man faces life in prison for 2022 double homicide

Tribes of Oregon and Oregon State University Work Together To Build Facility To Facilitate Repatriation and Return of Tribal Cultural Items and Ancestors

The nine federally recognized Tribes in Oregon and Oregon State University have worked together to build a university facility to facilitate the repatriation and return of tribal Ancestors and cultural items currently under the university’s stewardship.

Tribal leaders and university officials marked the transfer of Ancestors in Oregon State’s stewardship to the facility earlier this month. 

The facility will serve as a space to carry out consultations, repatriations and ceremonies to advance the university’s obligations under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), which safeguards and facilitates the return of Native American and Native Hawaiian ancestral remains and certain cultural items.

The act requires federally funded institutions in possession of such items to inventory the holdings, consult with lineal descendants and/or federally recognized Native American Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations for identification and confirmation of affiliation to ancestral remains and cultural items for the purposes of repatriation, where possible, to descendant communities today.

The facility at Oregon State is believed to be the first time an academic institution in the United States has built a dedicated facility in collaboration with Tribes to advance NAGPRA responsibilities and facilitate the repatriation of Ancestors and cultural items to their home communities.

“One of the ways in which institutions are building living relationships and creating repatriation policies that fit the needs of descendant communities is by putting Tribal nations and communities at the forefront of policy development,” said Briece Edwards of the Tribal Historic Preservation Office of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. “Oregon State University provides a recent example of creating repatriation and NAGPRA policies through a truly consultative and respectful process.”

Doug Barrett, chief of The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians, said this work should be applauded.

“This is a really big deal and it needs to be a model that is followed across the nation,” Barrett said.

Scott Vignos, Oregon State University’s vice president and chief diversity officer, said the university’s actions align with its institutional values and land grant mission.

“Like many types of legislation, there is a floor that is compliance,” he said. “And then we need to consider ‘how can we go beyond compliance’ and into a place that seeks to connect our past, present and future by building relationships, acknowledging harm and pursuing reconciliation. That’s what we are trying to do here.”

Chance White Eyes, Oregon State’s director of tribal relations, shared similar sentiments. 

“We can do the bare minimum, and we can get by, but that doesn’t honor people,” White Eyes said. “They have dealt with trauma and I would argue continue to be disrespected and dishonored. That’s what this is about – being honorable and respectful.”

The facility represents a shift in how NAGPRA is viewed and conducted – by putting tribal voices and needs at the forefront, said Dawn Marie Alapisco, Oregon State’s NAGPRA director.

“We go through this legal repatriation process as required by NAGPRA legislation, but we can do so in a way that is much more congruent with the values and cultural ideals of the Tribes we are in partnership with,” Alapisco said. “It is about honoring the humanity of Ancestors and their significance within Tribal communities today.”

The work to repatriate ancestral remains and cultural items will take years. Where appropriate, the facility is also intended to be available for NAGPRA aligned activities by other institutions and agencies in Oregon.

“Repatriation through NAGPRA is purposely deliberate because Tribes need to be given an opportunity to think, to reflect, to build capacity through a really difficult process,” Vignos said. “It’s less about how quickly we can get this done and more about how respectfully can we get this done.”

About Oregon State University: As one of only three land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the nation, Oregon State serves Oregon and the world by working on today’s most pressing issues. Our nearly 38,000 students come from across the globe, and our programs operate in every Oregon county. Oregon State receives more research funding than all of the state’s comprehensive public universities combined. At our campuses in Corvallis and Bend, marine research center in Newport, OSU Portland Center and award-winning Ecampus, we excel at shaping today’s students into tomorrow’s leaders. (SOURCE)

Salem Keizer School District To Install Weapon Detectors In High Schools

Salem-Keizer will have weapon detection systems operating in all six comprehensive high schools this school year, with a likely expansion to middle schools next year.

After the fatal shooting of a Salem high schooler last March — and rising concerns of gun violence in schools across the country today — Salem-Keizer Public Schools leaders say they need another layer of prevention to protect students.

Plans to detect weapons at multiple school sites across Oregon’s second-largest school district, which enrolls more than 40,000 students, is the biggest such step in the state, possibly the region. The decision comes as multiple school districts are wrestling with safety and security concerns.

Just this week, the handling of security threats at Gresham High School forced the principal there to resign, and in Bend, a 12-year-old student was arrested for bringing a loaded gun to their middle school.

In an attempt to further prevent threats like these in Salem-Keizer, the district is installing weapons detectors across its high schools, with plans to add them to schools for younger students in the near future.

“What a privilege it is to be at a press conference that is not one of the 44 that have already happened in America [this year] related to school shootings,” Superintendent Andrea Castañeda said to reporters Friday morning. “This is a press conference where we get to talk about what we’re doing to prevent a tragedy, not live through the aftermath of one.”

Castañeda described the moment as a national impasse in the country’s conversation about guns.

“What we have today is the responsibility to talk about what school districts do proactively and decisively to increase the conditions for safety,” she said.

The biggest announcement is Salem-Keizer’s rollout of weapons detectors in all six of its comprehensive high schools — South, McKay, McNary, North, Sprague and West — this school year, with a likely expansion to middle schools next year.

The more than $1.5 million expected cost comes on the heels of the district having to cut tens of millions of dollars — and hundreds of positions as a result — from this year’s budget. District leaders say this will be paid from separate, one-time funding.

Castañeda said the decision to expand detectors was “deliberate and measured” and made after engaging researchers and community members. The district conducted a pilot program at South Salem High at the end of last school year, weeks after the fatal shooting of a student at a nearby park during lunch.

Chris Baldridge, director of Safety and Risk Management Services for the district, said the pilot program at South Salem limited which entrances students can use to enter the building. This is something they are already starting to replicate at other high schools.

There are also “window films” throughout the school that allow students to see outside but stop outsiders from looking in. Additionally, there are new alarms on doors that aren’t meant to be used for entering or exiting the school.

These, along with stricter cell phone policies this year, are all precautions in addition to the detectors.

“We are responsible for the safety of the most precious people in your lives and members of our community,” Castañeda said. “We have to take action with reasonable measures that are within our reach. Weapons detection is not a solution to the underlying problem of fear, violence, and firearms in our community. It is simply an additional, comprehensive layer to protect schools.” READ MORE: https://www.opb.org/article/2024/10/25/oregon-schools-safety-weapon-detection-metal-detector-guns-firearms-shootings-security-salem-keizer/

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.

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.

Waste Wise Lane County announces Springfield’s second Fix-It Fair

Waste Wise Lane County—part of the Lane County Waste Management Division—is coordinating with Connected Lane County to organize a Springfield Fix-It Fair on Saturday, November 9.

The free public event will run from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Connected Lane County’s Spark at Booth Kelly facility (303 S 5th St. STE 150, Springfield). 

Fix-It Fairs promote reuse and repair by offering attendees opportunities to have household items repaired by fixer coaches. Attendees can watch and learn repair skills, discover local repair resources, and extend the life of household items—keeping more stuff out of the trash and saving money.

The Springfield event will focus on repairing household items, electronics, power tools, textiles, bikes, and skateboards. Repairs take an average of 30 minutes, and attendees can only bring items that can be reasonably carried in. 

Connected Lane County Associate Director Justin Thibedeau said the Spark facility will be an ideal location for the fair. 

“Since opening the first Spark facility in 2021, Connected Lane County has been a place for youth ages 14-24 to explore creation and innovation using technology,” said Thibedeau. “We are happy to utilize Spark’s tools and equipment by opening the space to a community Fix-It-Fair, bringing people together to explore the space, have a good time, and repair household items to keep them out of landfills.”

Thibedeau said several young people enrolled in Connected Lane County programming will also be involved in the event.

“As a youth innovation center, Connected Lane County provides youth with opportunities to gain new technical and professional skills,” Thibedeau said. “Learning to fix, tinker, and troubleshoot are crucial skills for innovation, and Fix-It Fairs allow youth to learn from professional fixers in the community. This apprenticeship model provides insight not only into technical skills but also the entrepreneurship of running a business in a safe-to-fail environment. Youth apprentices are paid for their time, and some have landed jobs with the fixers.”

Springfield will host a Fix-It-Fair for the second time in two years. Lane County Waste Reduction Outreach Coordinator Daniel Hiestand said this fair will have more of a “party” atmosphere.

“Attendees will be treated to music by Corwin Bolt & The Wingnuts, and food will be available for sale from Red Five Hot Dog Company,” said Hiestand. “With these additions, we hope to add more fun into an already entertaining event.”

About Waste Wise Lane County – WasteWise Lane County offers education, tools, and resources that residents, schools, and businesses can use to reduce waste, conserve resources, and live more sustainably. Learn more about repair resources at fixitlanecounty.com

About Connected Lane County – Connected Lane County was established in 2014 as Lane County’s regional achievement collaborative by early childhood partners, local school districts, institutions of higher education, the local workforce board, and industry innovators. Today, it’s an independent nonprofit serving over 3,000 youth each year. Its Spark program aims to provide youth with a safe place to learn, innovate, collaborate, and create through out-of-school training opportunities. Spark helps youth grow skills, become confident problem-solvers, and gain hands-on experiences. 

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. 

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)

White Bird Cahoots

  · We’re launching a community-wide survey and asking each of you to share what CAHOOTS means to you and help guide the program’s future direction. Scan the QR code in the image or use the link below: https://bit.ly/CAHOOTS_Survey

Notification Process for Elections and Resources for Addressing Hate Speech and Bias Crimes

The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) is committed to supporting safety, and preparedness during election periods and beyond. OEM emphasizes the importance of addressing hate speech and bias crimes that impact our communities.

Understanding Hate Crimes:

A hate crime is defined as a crime motivated in part or whole by bias against another person’s actual or perceived protected class—including race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Examples of hate crimes include:

• Racist or discriminatory graffiti.
• Theft or destruction of symbols such as Pride flags.
• Threats involving slurs or derogatory language.
• Physical assault based on someone’s identity.

Reporting Hate Crimes:

If you or someone you know experiences a hate crime, it is crucial to report the incident. Oregon residents have access to the following reporting resources:

Non-Emergency Bias Response Hotline
Phone: 1-844-924-BIAS (1-844-924-2427)
Available: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time

Details: Trauma-informed operators are ready to assist. Interpretation services are available in over 240 languages. If you call outside of business hours, please leave a message, and someone will return your call.

Online Reporting:

Bias crimes and incidents can also be reported via the Oregon Department of Justice’s Bias Crime Reporting website.

Support:

An important resource for Oregonians is the Voter Protection Hotline, managed by the Oregon Department of Justice. This hotline, launched earlier this month, will remain active until after the election to assist voters with non-emergency questions and concerns about the voting process. The hotline number is 971-673-4111, and messages are reviewed regularly, with calls returned within 24 hours on weekdays and on Monday following the weekend. Voters should call the hotline if they suspect or have experienced any types of voter intimidation, at a voter drop box or elsewhere.

Trauma-informed support is key when dealing with hate crimes. Being “trauma-informed” means understanding how trauma affects people. It means knowing how trauma can change a person’s feelings, actions and overall well-being. Being trauma-informed means, we create a safe and supportive space to help people heal without making things worse. It’s about showing empathy, knowing what the survivor needs, and giving the right care and support.

To learn more about staying informed and reporting bias incidents during the election, please visit the Secretary of State’s and the Department of Justice’s websites.  

### It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.

Police Describe Ballot Box Arson Suspect

Arson incidents targeting a pair of ballot boxes earlier this week in Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon remain under investigation by the FBI and local law enforcement.

The Portland Police Bureau said Wednesday they were looking for a 30- to 40-year-old white male suspect, balding or with very short hair, a thin to medium build, and a thin face. Police believe the suspect is highly knowledgeable in metal fabrication and welding. And they said he may try to attack more ballot boxes.

In Washington, Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey said Wednesday afternoon the county recovered 494 ballots from the Vancouver box.

Of those, 488 had enough information to identify the voters and 6 did not. Of the 488 ballots for which the voter could be identified, 345 of the voters have already received a replacement ballot. Some of these people got a replacement online and some had one sent to them.

Replacement ballots were expected to go out Thursday morning to the other 143 people who were affected. It was unclear how many ballots might’ve burned up entirely.

Police said a vehicle linked to the incidents is most likely a 2001 to 2004 Volvo S60, more matte in color than a standard shiny finish in places, with a tan or light gray interior, after-market grill with the Volvo emblem missing, dark wheels, unpainted body trim, and no front license plate. The damaged Washington ballot box was at Fisher’s Landing Transit Center in Vancouver.

Voters who put their ballot in the box between 11 a.m. Saturday and Monday morning should go to www.votewa.gov to see if their ballot was received. To get a replacement, call the Clark County elections office at (564) 397-2345 or send an email to elections@clark.wa.gov. https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/10/31/police-describe-ballot-box-arson-suspect/

FBI Statement on Ballot Box Fires
FBI – Oregon 

The FBI is coordinating with federal, state and local partners to actively investigate the two incidents in Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, in the early morning hours of Monday, October 28^th to determine who is responsible. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the nearest FBI office, provide information through tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324).

Make a Plan to Vote Before Election Day on November 5

The much-anticipated 2024 General Election is finally here. — County clerks began sending out ballots to all registered voters on October 16. All ballots must be postmarked or returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 5, 2024.

You can find all the information you need — including information about the electoral college, which offices are being voted on, and the digital version of the statewide voters’ pamphlet — by clicking on the “Current Election” page at OregonVotes.gov.

Ballots can be returned through the mail, at your county clerk’s office, or at any of the secure, official drop boxes available throughout the state. Your ballot will be routed to the county in which you are registered to vote.

“Oregonians of all political stripes came together to build our election system, which remains the among the most convenient and secure in the country,” said Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade. “Let’s come together and participate in our democracy by making a plan to vote today.”

In Oregon, any ballot postmarked on or before Election Day is counted, even if it arrives at the elections office up to seven days later. These ballots are not late — they were cast on time when the voter put them in the mail, and will be counted alongside every other vote cast before 8 p.m. on Election Day. Results of close elections may not be immediately available on Election Day because it will take a few days for all the votes to be counted.

Need help or have any questions regarding your ballot? Your county elections office can help with any problem you have, including getting a replacement ballot.

For more information, visit our website: OregonVotes.gov

What you need to know about the 2024 General Election

• Ballots were sent out starting October 16, 2024.
• Election Day is November 5, 2024. Ballots must be received by 8 p.m. or postmarked on this day to be counted.
• Return your ballot in the mail, at a county clerk’s office, or at any of the secure, official drop boxes available throughout the state. Your ballot will be routed to the county in which you are registered to vote for processing.
• The postmark law, passed in 2021, allows ballots postmarked on or before Election Day to count as long as they’re received no later than seven days after the election. For this reason, election results may be delayed because it will take a few days for all the votes to be counted.
• Preliminary results will be available on the Secretary of State website starting at 8 p.m. on Election Day.
• The 2024 elections will be the most secure elections in history. Learn all the ways we protect your vote at OregonVotes.gov/Integrity

Community organizations awarded grants to help prepare to deliver first-in-the-nation Medicaid benefits

Funds will support statewide efforts by community and social service organizations to connect climate devices, housing assistance and nutrition services to eligible Oregon Health Plan members.

– OHA and coordinated care organizations (CCOs) this month awarded a combined $37 million to community organizations across the state to help support the delivery of health-related social needs (HRSN) benefits to eligible Oregon Health Plan (OHP / Medicaid) members. The grants – called Community Capacity Building Funds (CCBFs) – will support health providers and organizations to develop what they need to be able to participate in the Medicaid delivery system.

Health-related social needs benefits address basic needs, such as housing and nutrition, that affect Oregonians’ health. The state launched climate benefits in March including air conditioners, air filters and other equipment to keep eligible members healthy during extreme weather events. New housing benefits will begin rolling out November 1, 2024, and nutrition benefits will be available starting in January 2025. The CCBF grants will help prepare community-based organizations to deliver these new benefits and improve health outcomes by preventing homelessness, heat-related illnesses and costly urgent care visits.

In honoring the government-to-government relationship with the Nine Federally Recognized Tribes of Oregon, an additional $11.9 million of CCBF funding has been set aside for the Nine Tribes. Tribes have the opportunity to build their own HRSN programs to best serve their community members who will qualify.

HRSN services and CCBF grants are part of Oregon’s 1115 Medicaid waiver, which expands coverage and delivers over a billion dollars in new federal funding to the state. Medicaid waivers allow states the flexibility to test new ways to deliver and pay for Medicaid benefits, with approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS). Oregon’s 1115 Medicaid waiver includes several first-in-the-nation benefits for OHP members; community-based organizations (CBOs) and partners will be integral to delivering these new services.

“One of our primary goals in delivering health-related social needs benefits, is to partner and align with existing community groups to reduce siloes in services for OHP members,” said Emma Sandoe, Oregon’s Medicaid Director. “These funds will help lend support to existing systems and weave Medicaid benefits into the community-based fabric of service providers.”

​To receive CCBFs, organizations needed to apply and plan to provide HRSN services in a way that is culturally and linguistically appropriate, responsive and trauma-informed. Funds can be used for technology, workforce development, development of business practices or outreach and education related to the provision of HRSN services. Organizations eligible for CCBF can be in the following categories: CBOs, social-services agencies, traditional health care workers, child welfare providers, HRSN network managers, government agencies or providers that focus on housing, nutrition, climate, case management, outreach and engagement.

2024 Community Capacity Building Funds overview:

• More than $37 million was awarded to 161 organizations across Oregon.
• 40% of the funds ($14.7 million) went to organizations that will provide housing benefits.
• Nearly 70% of the funding (almost $26 million) went to support workforce development.
• More than 25% of funds went to community-based organizations with no prior relationships with CCOs – helping to expand provider networks in local communities.

Additional information about CCBF is located on the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) CCBF web page, including details about each grantee. Information on the new climate and housing benefits, including eligibility requirements, can be found on the Health-Related Social Needs benefits web page.

State Signs Groundbreaking Carbon Project Agreement for Elliott State Research Forest

– The Oregon Department of State Lands today signed a first-of-its-kind agreement to develop a carbon project on the 83,000-acre Elliott State Research Forest. 

Forests play an essential role in fighting climate change. Each year, forests worldwide remove about two billion metric tons of carbon dioxide – the yearly emissions of 476 million gas-powered cars – from the atmosphere.  Forest carbon projects aim to increase the amount of carbon dioxide sequestered by forest ecosystems, creating credits that can be sold in a carbon market to offset emissions elsewhere. 

The carbon project development agreement signed today with Anew Climate, LLC positions the Elliott State Research Forest to generate credits through multiple strategies for increasing carbon sequestration. It’s the first such agreement on state-owned lands in the western United States.

“We need bolder action to fight climate change,” said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. “Enrolling the Elliott State Research Forest in the carbon market will help meet our state’s climate goals and respond to a future of increasing uncertainty.”

“Designating the Elliott as Oregon’s first state research forest is a huge success. This has been a long and challenging road, but I believe the final forest management plan will be widely beneficial, from researchers to scientists to everyday Oregonians. Oregon has a proud legacy of preserving and enjoying our beautiful outdoors, and the Elliott will stand as a living example of that for years to come,” said Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade. 
Learn more about the Elliott State Research Forest on DSL’s Elliott website.

Klamath River Reemerges After the Removal of Four Dams

The largest dam removal project in U.S. history was completed Oct. 2 on the Klamath River in Southern Oregon and Northern California.

Four dams were taken out, allowing adult salmon to swim all the way up the Klamath River from the Pacific Ocean and into more than 400 miles of newly reopened habitat.

OPB cinematographer Brandon Swanson collected video footage of the dam sites before and after the removal operation. The video above includes before and after shots of all four dams:

• Iron Gate Dam, the last of the four dams to be built and the farthest downstream near the town of Hornbrook, Calif.
• Copco 1 Dam, the tallest of the four dams at 132 feet high, built in 1918 near the Oregon state line
• Copco 2 Dam, a smaller, 25-foot dam built in 1925 next to Copco 1
• J.C. Boyle Dam in Southern Oregon, named after engineer John C. Boyle, who designed the Klamath River dams for the California Oregon Power Co.

The video also includes before-and-after shots of a site along Iron Gate reservoir, where an algae bloom had turned the stagnant lake green in 2022, and a site along Northern California’s Copco Lake reservoir, where a community of about 100 people lives. After the dam was removed, the lake disappeared, and the Klamath River reemerged.

Last week, adult fall Chinook salmon made it all the way to Oregon’s stretch of the Klamath Basin for the first time in more than a century — swimming more than 200 miles from the ocean. Salmon were also seen spawning in a tributary above the former Iron Gate Dam site for the first time in more than 60 years.

In 2022, Federal regulators approved the $500 million dam removal operation. The smallest dam, Copco 2, was removed last year. In January of this year, Copco 1, J.C. Boyle and Iron Gate dams were breached and the reservoirs behind them were drained.

Work will continue for several years to replant and restore 2,200 acres of land that were previously underwater in the dam reservoirs. https://www.opb.org/article/2024/10/22/klamath-dam-removal-river-southern-oregon-northern-california-salmon/#:~:text=The%20largest%20dam%20removal%20project,miles%20of%20newly%20reopened%20habitat.

Merkley, Wyden Announce $46 Million to Boost the Klamath Basin

Federal funding will help restore the Klamath River’s habitat following historic dam removal and further protect endangered C’waam, Koptu, and salmon

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today announced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is investing a total of$46,191,133in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to boost ecosystem restoration and enhance water quality and reliability through 24 projects throughout the Klamath Basin—12 of which are taking place in Oregon.

This latest federal funding wave from the landmark law will largely fuel the Klamath River’s recovery and habitat restoration efforts following the removal of the four lower Klamath Dams in 2024—the largest dam removal effort in U.S. history.

“A key to restoring the Klamath Basin is major federal investments that will support collaborative ecosystem restoration and water improvement efforts. This funding will continue ongoing efforts I helped energize alongside the Klamath Tribes and other stakeholders to save the C’waam and Koptu, and restore the aquatic habitat and ecosystems of the Klamath River following the historic removal of the four lower Klamath Dams,” said Merkley, who visited Northern California earlier in October to tour a former dam site and celebrate removal alongside Tribes and other key partners. “Since the dams came out, we’ve seen the salmon returning home for the first time in generations. This federal investment champions projects that help ensure the C’waam, Koptu, and salmon all have an ecosystem to thrive in, while also prioritizing efforts that help this unique region’s water go farther for the Tribes, farmers, fish, and vital ecosystems that rely on it.”

“Restoration of the Klamath Basin requires significant resources just like these to catalyze the work that’s needed locally to build a stronger ecosystem and improve water quality,” Wyden said. “This fresh federal investment in the region and the big gains it will generate for jobs, recreation, and habitat will work to ensure the area’s farmers, Tribes and communities can grow and thrive for generations to come.”

As Chairman of the Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Merkley secured a historic $162 million over five years through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law specifically dedicated to restoring ecosystems and enhancing drought resiliency work in the Klamath Basin. Today’s $46 million funding announcement from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s USFWS marks the third year of investments from this landmark law, as it follows $26 million provided in 2022 and $15 million in 2023. Merkley also convened the “Sucker Summit ” in 2018, which brought people from across the Basin together and helped lay the groundwork for these significant investments to protect the C’waam and the Koptu.

In February of this year, Merkley and Wyden announced $72 million in new federal funding for critical ecosystem restoration projects and agricultural infrastructure modernization in the Basin, as well as a historic agreement with the Klamath Tribes, Yurok Tribe, Karuk Tribe, and Klamath Water Users Association (KWUA). This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) cemented their commitment to working together to drive long-term solutions to the Basin’s water challenges. That includes collective efforts to restore the region’s ecosystem and improve water supply and reliability for the Klamath Project.  READ MORE: https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/merkley-wyden-announce-46-million-to-boost-the-klamath-basin

Governor Kotek wants the Biden administration to designate the Owyhee Canyonlands in southeastern Oregon a national monument if Congress won’t vote to protect it

Following nearly five years of negotiations and three attempts by Oregon’s U.S. senators to get federal protection for southeast Oregon’s Owyhee Canyonlands, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is throwing her hat into the fight.

Kotek on Aug. 5 wrote to President Joe Biden, asking that he designate a large share of the 2.5 million-acre canyonlands and a stretch of the Owyhee River, often called “Oregon’s Grand Canyon,” a national monument under the Antiquities Act of 1906 should Congress not pass legislation this year to protect it. For years, Congress has failed to vote on proposals to protect the canyonlands under the National Wilderness Preservation System and the National Wild and Scenic River System. The Antiquities Act allows the president to designate areas national monuments if they hold cultural, natural or historical significance.

“The Antiquities Act has a long history of being used to protect America’s most cherished landscapes, from the Grand Canyon to the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument here in Oregon,” Kotek wrote. “Permanent safeguards will protect the Owyhee Canyonlands against the growing threats of development, extraction and other detrimental activities and, most importantly, will pay endless dividends for generations to come.”

The canyonlands have significant health, economic and cultural value to the Northern Paiute, Bannock and Shoshone tribes. They are a source of tourism dollars in Malheur County and are home to threatened sage grouse, as well as bighorn sheep, elk and deer. The animals and their habitats face growing risks from wildfire due to invasive grasses and juniper. Fish species in the Owyhee River face challenges from poorly preserved riparian areas and cattle grazing.

Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, both Democrats, first proposed the bill called the Malheur Community Empowerment for the Owyhee Act in 2019, following requests from ranchers in the area for intervention amid prolonged debate among ranchers, conservationists, tribes, hunting and fishing groups and government officials over how to preserve parts of the canyonlands.

The first proposal failed to make it out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. A second attempt in 2022 also failed to advance, and the latest attempt in July 2023 remains in the committee. This iteration of the bill calls for protection of 1.1 million acres of the canyonlands and a 15-mile stretch of the Owyhee River, the same areas Kotek wants protected. The bill, signed by southeast Oregon ranchers, conservationists, tribal leaders and small business owners in the area, also proposes to transfer 30,000 acres of federal and private land into a trust overseen by the Burns Paiute Tribe.

“By securing this designation, you will collectively send a powerful message that people from different perspectives and ideological persuasions can still come together to accomplish great feats,” Kotek wrote to Biden.

PUC APPROVES AGREEMENT TO INCREASE RATES FOR NW NATURAL CUSTOMERS STARTING NOVEMBER 1

Impact of rate increase reduced by lower natural gas costs 

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) recently approved all-party stipulations between PUC Staff, consumer groups, and NW Natural agreeing to a general rate increase at a lower level than NW Natural originally requested. 

The amount general rates will increase on November 1, 2024, differs based on customer type and energy usage. As an overall average across all customer types, general rates will increase under the approved stipulation combined with the commission decisions by approximately9.98 percent, lower than the 16.7 percent NW Natural had originally requested. Mitigating the impact of the general rate increase, however, is the decrease the PUC approved in the annual cost of purchasing natural gas, also effective November 1. The combined impact of the general rate increase and the natural gas cost decrease means a residential customer’s average bill is expected to be about 4.5 percent higher than the previous years’ bill.

Drivers for the increase include capital investments, such as the construction of seismically resilient regional infrastructure, addressing capacity constraints to meet areas of demand growth, actions necessary to comply with federal pipeline and safety requirements, and investments to modernize metering and improve system communications. Reducing the overall impact is the PUC’s approval of an annual adjustment to reflect the changes in the actual cost of wholesale priced natural gas, which is a pass-through cost of purchasing gas to customers without a markup on the price. This adjustment represents a credit due to lower than anticipated costs to purchase fuel leading to an over-collection from customers last year, combined with a slight decrease in the forecasted cost of natural gas for next year.

“We appreciate the hard work of PUC staff and stakeholders as well as the flexibility of NW Natural to reach a compromise that significantly reduced the general rate case revenue requirement by nearly 40 percent from the original request,” said Megan Decker, Commission Chair. “We are fortunate that general rate increases are moderated this year by supply and demand conditions that lowered gas price projections.”

As part of this general rate case, Commissioners addressed other disputed issues, including:

1. Line Extension Allowances – These are the costs existing customers pay to connect new customers to the natural gas system. Commissioners upheld their decision from NW Natural’s 2023 rate case filing to phase down line extension allowances until completely eliminated as of November 1, 2027, citing high levels of uncertainty about whether subsidies paid to new customers would end up benefitting existing customers over the long term. 
2. Community and Government Affairs Costs – Commissioners reduced but did not eliminate NW Natural’s rate request for government affairs-related costs, recognizing that community and government affairs activities often serve the core interests of customers, but citing a need for better record-keeping to demonstrate that the core interests of customers are being served. The PUC recommended that NW Natural establish a system to track appropriate expenses for future consideration.
3. Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board (CUB) Rate Shock Proposal – The Commission did not adopt CUB’s proposed rate shock mechanism, which would cap all rate increases scheduled to go into effect on November 1 to less than 10 percent and delay any additional increase until April 1. The order reasons that parties had largely agreed on a specific revenue requirement that the Commission found just and reasonable, and combined with gas price reductions, would not have triggered the 10 percent threshold. The Commission found that this proposal would be better considered in a future case to develop these complex concepts. 

Resources for Customers — To increase energy efficiency and save more on future bills, review Energy Trust of Oregon’s current incentives and opportunities, including income-qualified offers and learn more about  low-cost and no-cost tips to reduce energy consumption. For information about bill payment assistance options, help with past due bills, available utility discount programs, weatherization, and the Budget Pay Program that equalizes bill payments across winter and summer months, NW Natural at 800-422-4012 or view information online.  Customers may also contact their local Community Action agency to request information on what assistance programs they may be eligible for and how to enroll.  — NW Natural serves nearly 700,000 customers in northwest Oregon. 

Whooping Cough (Pertussis) cases confirmed in Douglas County

Local public health officials announced today that there are currently three pediatric cases of Pertussis, including two infants, and seven additional presumptive cases of Pertussis (Whooping Cough) as of November 1^st, 2024. Schools and parents have been alerted and currently include Roseburg High School, South Umpqua High School and JoLane Middle School. Health care providers have been notified on what to watch for, testing and treatment guidelines and current Oregon Health Authority Guidelines for Pertussis (Whooping Cough). The Epidemiology team at DPHN is currently working on contact tracing and notifying potential exposures.  

As a pertussis outbreak (also known as whooping cough) continues to spread in neighboring counties, Douglas County public health officials are urging everyone to make sure their pertussis vaccinations are up-to-date. 

Pertussis is a serious and highly contagious infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis and is one of the most commonly occurring vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. Initial symptoms in older children and adults are similar to those of a cold, and commonly include a runny nose, sneezing and a severe cough. 

Over the course of a few days, the cough will usually worsen and can be followed by spasms and occasionally vomiting. Infants commonly demonstrate more severe symptoms, which may include: Gagging, gasping, and a whooping sound when coughing. 

The duration of the infection can be up to two weeks with a debilitating cough for up to 90 days. Individuals exhibiting these symptoms are encouraged to refrain from contact with children, stay home from work or school for up to 21 days and seek medical attention. If a doctor prescribes antibiotics, this exclusion from work and school can be reduced to as little as 5 days.  

Pertussis is particularly dangerous for children younger than 1 year of age. Most deaths occur in unvaccinated children or in children too young to be vaccinated who contract the disease from a family member. These family members may be unvaccinated or unaware that immunity from initial childhood vaccinations wanes after 5-10 years and thus have not received their booster.  

As a result, it is critical that infants begin the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) immunization series on schedule and all family members receive the Tdap booster (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). The first three shots for infants are given at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. The fourth shot is given between 15 and 18 months of age, and a fifth shot is given before a child enters school, at 4-6 years of age. Current CDC guidelines recommend that adults should receive a dose of Tdap every ten years.  DTaP and Tdap are covered by most health insurance plans and are readily available through a number of facilities including pharmacies. Individuals interested in receiving the vaccine or booster should contact their preferred health care provider. 

Since the bacteria are typically spread by coughing or sneezing, it is also important that everyone practices proper respiratory hygiene. This includes covering your cough or sneeze, properly disposing of used tissue and frequently washing hands, even if you do not display symptoms. 

For additional information on Pertussis, please visit:

https://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html

https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pertussis1/Factsheetpert2024.pdf

DPHN Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=reZqqfWyxL0&list=PLX0R6XSgJ34AKts3X7ANhOYhxOFUvtWlR

Douglas Public Health Network is a nonprofit organization and the local public health agency for Douglas County. DPHN provides communicable disease and emergency preparedness services as well as specialized programs focused on specific areas such as Opioid overdoses, health promotion, tobacco cessation, communicable disease prevention and public health modernization.

With the arrival of seasonal rains and cooler weather, all Oregon Department of Forestry districts terminated fire restrictions as of Oct. 28, bringing an end to the state’s historic fire season.

Dry weather combined with lightning-sparked blazes and human-caused fires to put immense strain on firefighters and resources in 2024.“This season proved that wildfire in Oregon is not just one agency’s issue but affects all Oregonians from government agencies to private landowners to Oregon residents,” said Kyle Williams, ODF deputy director of fire protection.

Oregon Department of Forestry launches Prescribed Fire Liability Program

Salem, Ore.— The Oregon Department of Forestry is happy to announce the launch of the Prescribed Fire Liability Program. This pilot program is intended to increase use of prescribed fire and cultural burning and support fire practitioners by providing liability coverage for enrolled burns.

Introducing periodic fire to fire-adapted landscapes and reducing forest fuels has been shown to lessen the potential for high-intensity wildfires and the large volume of smoke they produce. 

While the rates of escape and loss are very low due to the careful planning and preparation required for prescribed fire and cultural burning, there is always some residual risk when working with fire. This risk, and the resulting liability for damages due to escape if uninsured, can deter some practitioners from using beneficial fire.

Governor Kotek signed House Bill 4016 in 2024 establishing the pilot Prescribed Fire Liability Program. It authorizes claims covering certain losses arising from escaped prescribed fires and cultural burns. Participation in the program is voluntary.

For your burn to have liability coverage under the program, all the following conditions must be met: 

• The burn is enrolled in the program prior to burning.
• The burn is conducted or supervised by an appropriate party for the burn.
• Ensure the burn follows all applicable laws related to the burn (obtain and follow any required permits/burn plan, make required notifications for Certified Burn Manager-led burns, additional paperwork/ submissions for Power Driven Machinery, etc.).
• If the burn escapes, the fire must not be a result of willful, malicious, or negligent actions in the origin or subsequent spread.

Learn more about the program and apply at ODF’s Prescribed Fire Liability Program web page. 

For more information on prescribed fire and correlating programs, visit ODF’s Prescribed Fire web page. 

Oregon Auctioning Off Defective Modular Homes in Medford

Oregon Housing and Community Services, the state’s housing agency, will auction off 140 defective modular homes in a series of two-week-long auctions.

The state purchased the homes in 2021, with most of them intended to rebuild Royal Oaks Mobile Manor in Phoenix, which was destroyed in the 2020 Almeda Fire. Families who lost their homes in the fire were prioritized for housing.

But last summer, the homes were found to be unfit to live in, due to mold, water leaks and other issues. There are unresolved questions about why the homes had defects.

Now, OHCS has announced it will auction off the defective homes in an effort to recoup some of the approximately $24 million dollars it says it spent on them.

Caleb Yant, deputy director of OHCS, said buyers will be informed about their quality.

“We’re very intentionally disclosing everything that we know, so there’s notices going out to all potential buyers of the different inspections that we’ve had, the code violations, the reports that we’ve done, had experts do on water intrusion, those sorts of things. So potential buyers know exactly the status of the units,” he said.

He said buyers will also have access to hundreds of photos of the units, and there will be an opportunity for buyers to inspect the units themselves and “bring whatever professionals that they need in order to really understand the current status of the units.”

After the homes were found to be defective, OHCS said in August 2023 that it planned to rebuild them with a different manufacturer. But in March, it changed tactics and announced it would replace the homes instead. A new manufacturer is currently building long-awaited new homes for Royal Oaks.

Originally, move-in for fire survivors was slated for September 2023. The new batch of modular homes could now be ready for move-in in April 2025.

OHCS says these auctions will occur in coordination with the state’s Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Surplus and a third-party service called GovDeals, which DAS regularly uses to sell state-owned equipment.

“We know that there is a number of parties who are interested in purchasing the homes and repair them,” OHCS said in a statement.

But it’s unclear how much these defective modular homes will sell for.

“It’s challenging to predict what the price point will be,” Yant said. “I don’t think that we’re expecting to recoup the entire amount [we spent on them].”

Meanwhile, OHCS and Oregon’s Department of Justice are in ongoing legal proceedings related to why the original batch of modular homes had defects, according to OHCS. Yant declined to comment on that litigation but said the auctions are not the only way OHCS is working to recoup funds.

Some have wondered if the state was negligent in caring for the original modular homes in the period between construction and installation. It took time to find a suitable location for them, so they were left sitting for months. OHCS said the problems were not due to the homes being unoccupied for so long but because of problems with the manufacturing.

The first two-week auction began on Oct. 29 and will include 33 homes. The next auction will begin on Nov. 7 and will include 35 homes. Those 68 homes are all currently being stored in Medford. There are also 72 additional homes that the state purchased from the manufacturer, Nashua Builders in Boise, that are still in Idaho. Yant says they will be moved into Oregon and auctioned off in the spring of 2025. Anyone who would like to register to participate in the auction can do so here. (SOURCE)

Oregon begins rollout of new housing benefits for eligible OHP members with health conditions

SALEM, Ore. – Starting today, Oregon Health Plan (OHP) members with specific health conditions may qualify for new, first-in-the-nation benefits to keep their current housing and access other housing services.

The housing benefits include rent assistance for up to six months, utility set-up and payments for up to six months, home modifications and upgrades for health or safety reasons (e.g., grab bars, ramp installation, pest control), and rental navigation services. Unlike other state and local prevention services, eligible members can request these benefits ahead of receiving an eviction notice.

Not all OHP members will qualify for these new benefits. To qualify, OHP members must meet specific requirements, including at least one of the following health conditions: a complex physical or behavioral health condition; a developmental or intellectual disability; difficulty with self-care and daily activities; experience of abuse or neglect; be 65 years of age or older; be under the age of six; currently pregnant or gave birth in the past 12 months; or repeated use of emergency room or crisis services.

OHA Director Dr. Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA, said, “Oregon’s health inequities are inextricably linked to our state’s housing crisis. Individuals and families who become homeless face a significantly higher risk of mortality and higher rates of behavioral and physical health conditions – even as they report poorer access to care. These Medicaid benefits can help stop that cycle and, in a model for the rest of the country, make it possible for Oregonians to maintain their current housing, connect with providers and access additional resources that support their well-being.”

Oregon received permission from the federal government to test whether and how addressing health-related social needs improves health outcomes. While other states have launched similar benefits, Oregon is the first in the nation to roll out rent assistance as a statewide Medicaid benefit for eligible OHP members.

“Housing plays a pivotal role in our physical and mental wellbeing. And yet, so many of our neighbors are living paycheck to paycheck, where an unexpected issue can lead to a loss of income and loss of a home,” said Emma Sandoe, Medicaid Director at Oregon Health Authority. “These benefits are one more tool to keep Oregonians housed during short-term disruptions and prevent negative health outcomes of homelessness.”

Of renters across Oregon, 22% have extremely low income, with $30,560 being the average income limit for a four-person household. Adults living with housing insecurity, including threat of eviction, are 19% more likely to lack access to a primary care provider and 35% more likely to postpone preventative health care even if they have chronic health conditions. Evictions and loss of housing can lead to negative health outcomes including:

• Increasing an individual’s risk for physical and mental health conditions
• Making an individual’s existing health condition worse
• Creating barriers to accessing medical care, medications and food

“Housing is a critical driver of health outcomes, significantly impacting social mobility and economic opportunity,” said Oregon Housing and Community Services Executive Director, Andrea Bell. “Stable housing serves as a catalyst for expanding access to preventive care, while reducing the monumental costs associated with emergency care. This is what transformative, integrated care looks like.”

Starting this month, housing providers are contracted to begin connecting with eligible members and delivering these new benefits across the state. Housing benefit applications may take up to two weeks to be reviewed. If approved, additional time may be needed to provide the benefit. These turnaround timeframes will depend on the capacities of individual CCOs and housing service providers as well as the volume of housing applications received. OHA is working closely with CCOs to continue to expand the network over the next year.

Fostering healthy families and environments is one of the five pillars to achieving OHA’s strategic goal of eliminating health inequities in Oregon by 2030. The housing benefits are one of several new health-related social needs benefits Oregon is piloting to meet this goal. In March, the state launched climate benefits including air conditioners, air filters and other equipment to keep eligible members healthy amid extreme weather events. Nutrition benefits will be available for eligible OHP members starting in January 2025.

OHP members interested in receiving housing benefits can work with their health plan (coordinated care organization or Open Card), health care provider or a local OHP community partner to see if they qualify and apply.

OHP members should contact their coordinated care organization (CCO) to learn more. OHP Open Card members can call 1-888-834-4304 or email ORHRSN@acentra.com. If an OHP member is not sure which plan or CCO they are in, they can call the OHA Client Services Unit at 1-800-273-0557 or email Ask.OHP@odhsoha.oregon.gov.

For OHP members who are currently unhoused, resources may be available through 211.

For more information about these benefits, visit the OHP housing benefits web page.

Oregon Health Authority to launch new rental assistance program in November 

Oregon will be the first in the nation to offer a statewide rental assistance program through Medicaid 

The Oregon Health Authority is launching a new rental assistance program through its Medicaid plan that serves low-income Oregonians when medical crises impact their ability to pay rent. 

The health authority’s plans are intended to keep people housed who need a short-term bridge to make ends meet and pay rent. Its goal is to help people maintain their health and their housing, which can lead to better long-term outcomes. People who face homelessness or the threat of eviction are 35% more likely to delay preventative health care, according to one national study. 

To find out more about the housing program and eligibility, go here.

The program, which starts in November, will make Oregon the first state in the nation to offer a statewide rental assistance program through Medicaid. The Oregon Health Plan, the state’s Medicaid program, provides more than 1.4 million Oregonians with health care, dental care and behavioral health care services. 

“It really is focusing on trying to keep those most at risk still housed, hopefully leading to them being able to have some short-term help,” said Dave Baden, the authority’s deputy director for policy and programs, in a recent press call with reporters.

The Oregon Health Authority is providing the program through its Medicaid waiver, which is a five-year plan that the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid approved. States can receive waivers as a tool to try new programs or approaches to Medicaid. Oregon’s current Medicaid waiver is in effect from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2027. 

During this period, Oregon has nearly $1 billion available for the rental assistance programs and other new programs within the Medicaid plan for air conditioners, air filters and food benefits. Most of the money — $904 million — is federal funding, with a state match of $71 million. 

The program can cover rental and utility costs for up to six months, including past-due amounts. People also can receive medically necessary home improvements, including wheelchair ramps, pest control and heavy-duty cleaning. 

The program covers rental assistance, but not new housing placements for people who are homeless.

“The goal of the housing benefit is really around keeping people housed and preventing houselessness,” said Steph Jarem, the authority’s waiver policy director. 

Not everyone on Medicaid is eligible. To qualify, an Oregonian enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan would need to have a qualifying risk factor, such as complex medical condition, behavioral health condition, pregnancy or repeated emergency department trips. 

The program can cover people who fall behind on rent because of a chronic condition or an injury that prevents them from working.

They also would need an income that is 30% or less than the median income of their region. For a family of four in Portland or Hillsboro, the cutoff is $35,400.  

State officials estimate 22% of Oregon’s 618,278 households that rent have incomes that fall below the threshold and are potentially eligible.

In one example, a person who lives alone in Hood River and makes $18,000 a year could get help for missing work with a broken leg while also living with chronic heart disease. 

The authority reached the eligibility determinations after negotiations with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (SOURCE)

Child Sexual Predator Eluded Capture in Idaho, Has Ties to Southern Oregon, He May Be Dressed as a Woman

– A fugitive with ties to the southern Oregon region is on-the-run after eluding capture Tuesday, October 22 in Idaho. Christian Bert Fischer, 42, is wanted in Florida for Traveling to Meet a Minor After Use of a Computer to Lure a Child.

Fischer is a white male, 5’10”, 200 lbs., has blonde hair and blue-colored eyes. He is also known to dress like a woman. Before heading to Idaho, Fischer was in the Portland area. This June and July, he was in Ashland, Lake of the Woods, and Wolf Creek.

U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) task forces throughout the country have joined the search, including the local Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF). If you have any information on Fischer’s whereabouts, contact the local USMS office at (541) 776-4277, the USMS Communication Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.

PNVOTF includes personnel from the U.S. Marshals, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and Central Point Police Department. The task force specializes in locating and arresting fugitives wanted for offenses including, but not limited to, murder, assault, sex crimes, failure to register as a sex offender, firearm violations, and probation violations.

For more information here is the USMS Release:

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho – The Hernando County Crime Stoppers in Florida is offering up a $5,000 reward for information directly leading to the arrest of Christian Bert FISCHER, a fugitive convicted in Florida for Traveling to Meet a Minor After Use of a Computer to Lure a Child. Crime Stoppers must be contacted first in order to be eligible for the cash rewards of up to $5,000.00. For additional information and instructions for the reward, please visit the following Crime Stoppers link:

http://www.hernandocountycrimestoppers.com/sitemenu.aspx?P=wanteds&ID=449&Sort=Name&F=&W=.

FISCHER is a white male, 5’10”, 200 lbs., has blonde hair and blue-colored eyes. FISCHER is also known to dress like a woman.

On the second day of FISCHER’s trial in Hernando County, Florida, he failed to appear in court and immediately fled the state the same day. Investigators learned he fled to California, Oregon and as of recently to North Idaho. FISCHER has been utilizing fictious name(s), likely utilizing cash and has had associates pay for certain expenses while he’s been on the run.

In North Idaho, the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) Greater Idaho Fugitive task force learned FISCHER has attempted to befriend multiple families in the area, to include those with children. Earlier this week, prior to the task force’s attempt to arrest FISCHER, he was seen carving pumpkins at his last known location off Kelso Rd in Athol with an unknown family. Investigators have not been able to identify the family yet and urge the family or anyone else who has had interactions with FISCHER to contact the local USMS office. All tips or information regarding this fugitive investigation case will remain anonymous.

The local task force is continuing to work closely with the USMS office in the Middle District of Florida, the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office in Brooksville, Florida, as well as other investigators from multiple other states.

The following is a link to a short announcement on Facebook from Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis regarding fugitive Christian FISCHER:

https://www.facebook.com/HernandoSheriff/videos/manhunt-monday-02-12-2024/356273974034934/.

The USMS Greater Idaho Fugitive Task Force is a state-wide cooperative to locate and arrest violent offenders wanted for local, state and federal crimes. Member agencies throughout the State of Idaho include: the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office, Coeur d’Alene Police Department, Idaho Department of Corrections, Idaho State Police, Nampa Police Department, Pocatello Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Anyone with information on FISCHER’s whereabouts is urged to contact the local USMS office at (208) 518-4024, the USMS Communication Center at 1-800-336-0102, or USMS Tips at www.usmarshals.gov/tips.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

Razor Clam Harvest Closure Cascade Head to California Border

– Razor clam harvesting is now closed from Cascade Head to the California border the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife announced. Recent razor clam samples indicate levels of domoic acid (a marine biotoxin) are above the safety threshold.

People should always call the Shellfish Safety Hotline at 1-800-448-2474 before heading out to harvest any shellfish or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.

Current harvest closures and openings:

Razor clams:

OPEN from the WA border to Cascade Head.

CLOSED from Cascade Head to the CA border.

Mussels:

OPEN coastwide.

Bay clams:

OPEN coastwide.

Crabs:

OPEN coastwide.

NOTE: sport crabbing in the ocean off the Oregon coast is closed through Nov. 30.

ODA will continue testing for shellfish toxins at least twice per month, as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit.

For more information call ODA’s shellfish biotoxin hotline at (800) 448-2474, the ODA Food Safety Program at 503- 986-4720, or visit the ODA Recreational Shellfish Biotoxin Closures Webpage.

Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules, and limits. https://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2024/10_Oct/102524.asp

Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to Host Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at Oregon State Capitol Park

The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will honor all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces during its Statewide Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 11, in view of the Oregon State Capitol Building.

This event will feature remarks by dignitaries and special guests along with ceremonial elements including a color guard, singing of the national anthem, a wreath laying and the playing of “Taps.”

The celebration will honor Oregon veterans of all eras and will be hosted at the Oregon State Capitol State Park located on Court Street Northeast in Salem — directly in front of the main entrance of the Oregon State Capitol Building.

The event is open to the public and uncovered seating will be provided for attendees. Accessible pathways and seating areas for those needing accommodations will also be provided. Attendees are reminded to plan accordingly for Oregon weather.

For those unable to attend, the event will also be livestreamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/odvavet. If you have any questions about this event, please contact ODVA at (800) 692-9666 or visit www.oregon.gov/odva.

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 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. 

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