Willamette Valley News, Wednesday 12/11 – Western Oregon University Students Receive Award From the American Red Cross for Lifesaving Actions, Linn County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Mill City School Threat & 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, December 11, 2024

Willamette Valley Weather

Western Oregon University Students Receive Award From the American Red Cross for Lifesaving Actions 

MONMOUTH, OR – Western Oregon University students Robert Shidek, Mimi Swetish, and Sophia Espinoza, along with Western’s Assistant Director of Campus Recreation Zachary Hammerle, were at Smith Rock State Park back in May 2023 when an 11-year-old boy suffered a 40-foot fall. 

The group was at Smith Rock State Park to obtain their sports climbing instructor certification with the Professional Climbing Instructors Association, when they heard a scream. Espinoza and Swetish raced over toward the scream and observed a boy who had just fallen 40 feet, and quickly started to help. Shidek and Hammerle joined shortly after to assist. These individuals were crucial in providing immediate care to the injured boy until emergency services arrived.

Swetish reflected on that day, “We immediately grabbed the medical bag and started checking pulses. We knew this probably wasn’t going to be in our direct scope to handle but we knew we could at least know where he was at so we could report to emergency services immediately.”  

“At the moment it happened, I didn’t know what to think, “shared  Espinoza. “I had never witnessed a severe accident like that. I felt a bit anxious and curious when we first heard the scream. It is not a noise you want to hear when climbing.” 

This month the American Red Cross awarded Shidek, Swetish, and  Espinoza their Lifesaving Award, which is presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional skill and courage in performing lifesaving care in emergencies. 

“These students followed their training and preparedness through their work with Campus Recreation and successfully contributed to this boy’s survival, “ shared Hammerle. “I’m confident they would have done the same things in any situation due to the training and education they have gained from WOU’s Campus Recreation.”  

About Western Oregon University – Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction.

Linn County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Mill City School Threat

Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports that yesterday, December 9, at 9:23 p.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of a possible threat made toward the schools in the Mill City area.  

A juvenile male reported to deputies that he was stopped by two males on Highway 22 in Mill City. One male, an adult from the area, was known to the juvenile and began a conversation about an altercation the adult male had with other juveniles from the high school back in October.  The adult male wanted the juvenile to give him some information on those juveniles involved in the altercation.  The juvenile reported during the conversation, the unidentified male that was with the adult male known to him, made the comment that he “Had a gun and would be shooting up his school tomorrow.” 

As the Linn County Sheriff’s Office takes all threats seriously, deputies began investigating through the night, including interviewing those involved in the altercation earlier in October. 

Deputies worked with Santiam Canyon School District officials to make a threat assessment of the comment made. Through the interviews, deputies were not able to identify the male or verify the threats.  There was no evidence supporting the threat or its credibility.  Out of an abundance of caution, the Sheriff’s Office will be highly visible in the area and in the schools.

Eugene Police Department – This past weekend, we had an incredible time at Shop with a Cop!

Our officers were thrilled to spend the day shopping with some amazing kids, helping them pick out holiday gifts and essentials. It was heartwarming to see the smiles and joy as we all bonded over the spirit of giving and community.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated and made this event a success. Your support helps us build stronger relationships and create lasting memories. Here’s to many more moments of kindness and connection!

Teen Dies in Fatal Crash at River Road and Beacon Drive

At 3:57 p.m. on December 7, Central Lane 911 received a call regarding two-vehicle crash at River Road and Beacon Drive. The involved vehicles included a Toyota Corolla with five teen occupants, and a Chevy Suburban with a single occupant.

Four individuals from the Corolla, all in their mid to late teens, were transported to a local hospital and one of the occupants, age 13, is deceased. The Suburban driver remained on scene and is cooperating.

Eugene Springfield Fire responded, along with Eugene Police, and EPD Major Collision Investigations. The crash is blocking traffic. River Road in the northbound and southbound directions near Beacon has been shut down. There were ongoing traffic issues because of low visibility, due to fog. Case 24-18659

Missing Woman from Bend Found Alive in Remote Area of Lane County

On December 4th, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a missing person case involving Cheryl Leigh Guajardo, 76, of Bend. She was last believed to be driving in the Lowell area on December 3rd.

Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue began a coordinated search of the area involving dozens of volunteers, deputies, and personnel from several assisting agencies. The search was hampered by poor cell service in the remote area she went missing, preventing searchers from tracking her cell phone or vehicle. This prompted a state-wide Silver Alert due to the possibility she had left the area.

On December 7th at about 11 a.m., searchers located Guajardo’s vehicle on an overgrown spur road north of Lookout Point Lake, and a short time later, found Guajardo alive and responsive. Guajardo was transported by ambulance to an area hospital.

During this search, dozens of personnel drove thousands of miles, and walked or rode hundreds of miles more. Multiple drones and aircraft searched the area from the air.

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the many agencies that assisted with this search:
 – Linn County Sheriff’s Office
 – Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office
 – Bend Police Department
 – Oakridge Fire Department
 – Oregon State Police
 – Oregon Department of Emergency Management
 – Oregon Department of Transportation
 – U.S. Coast Guard
 – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
 – Federal Bureau of Investigation
 – U.S. Forest Service

Thank you as well to the many residents of our state who have kept an eye out for Guajardo, and to Guajardo’s friends and family who assisted with the investigation and search.

To see photos of the search efforts, please visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LaneCountySheriffsOffice 

EPD investigating shooting at City Nights

At 2:02 a.m. on December 8, Eugene Police Patrol was downtown and called in shots fired at City Nights, 77 W. Broadway.

Initial information is that a suspect fired inside the bar and struck two patrons. One has critical injuries and one was treated and released. EPD investigations is continuing to follow up.

If anyone has tips in this case they are asked to please call Detective Travis Cooper, 541.682. 5187, or email TCooper@eugene-or.gov. Case 24-18674

Families in Lane, Linn, Benton, Douglas, Yamhill and Washington counties recognized for their forest management by Oregon Tree Farm System

The Oregon Tree Farm System honored family forest landowners for the exceptional management of their forests at its annual meeting in November. Top honors went to Douglas County’s Kesterson family as Oregon’s Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year for 2025.

Receiving a Silver Award at the Oregon Tree Farm’s Annual Meeting were Tom and Julia Tibbs of Washington County for their multi-resource management of their 300 forested acres near Buxton.

Others being recognized for exemplary management of their family forests included:

• Rich Clark from Benton County
• John and Alesanne Dugan from Lane County
• Steve and Katie Kohl from Linn County, and 
• Neil Schroeder and Laurie and Jim Marsh from Yamhill County 

The Kesterson family’s 2,200-acre property near Elkton in Douglas County has been in the family since 1905. Currently under the leadership of fifth-generation owner Gary Williamson, the property is managed for wood, recreation, wildlife and water quality.

The property has approximately nine miles of river frontage along the Umpqua River. Their Big K Guest Ranch offers fishing, rafting, and accommodations for family and corporate gatherings.

The family manages 1,500 acres of forest for timber and wildlife habitat, and approximately 700 acres of pasture and hay fields for a herd of 90 cows.

Wildlife habitat and water quality are a focus on both the forested and streamside areas.

With much to be proud of managing the property, Gary Williamson states that he is most proud, blessed, and honored to be a part of a family that has been caring for the property for five generations, with his children being part of the sixth.

Oregon joined the Tree Farm System in 1941 and has recognized and honored family forest landowners as Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year every year since 1966, except in 2021 the first year of the COVID pandemic.

More Holiday Festivities:

🎄 12/12 at 7pm: Veneta Light Parade

🎄12/14 from 10-7pm Creswell’s Winter Lights – Parade starts at 5pm

🎄 5th Street Public Market: Snow shows every Friday & Saturday at 6pm

🎄 5th Street Market Ally: Light Shows to Music Tues-Sun at 6:45pm

🎄 5th Street Market Ally: Movies in the Market- Mondays at 6pm: December 9th – HOME ALONE December 16th – THE GRINCH December 23rd – ELF

Tips To Purchase a Permit to Cut Your Christmas Tree From an Oregon National Forest

The holiday season is upon us, which means the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree is on. For those looking to bring home a real tree, permits are available now for all Oregon national forests.

Christmas tree permits are available for purchase online at recreation.gov (with an added $2.50 processing fee charged by the website) and at local U.S. Forest Service offices or from local vendors.

Permits are $5 each, and each permit allows the cutting of one Christmas tree. Households can purchase a maximum of five permits.

For downloadable maps of tree-cutting areas and a list of local vendors selling tree permits, go to bit.ly/WNFtree .

Fourth-grade students can receive a free tree permit by getting their Every Kid Outdoors pass and entering the voucher or pass number when prompted on Recreation.gov or by visiting a Forest Service office.

𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀: 𝗟𝗮𝘇𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗰. 𝟭𝟭

The Lazy Days Mobile Home and RV Park, rebuilt by Homes for Good after the Holiday Farm Fire, has 20 2-bedroom modular homes that are available to rent for Holiday Farm Fire survivors.

You may be eligible if: You were a renter who lost your primary residence in the Holiday Farm Fire. You lost the home you owned in the Holiday Farm Fire and you either did not own the property it was on or you owned the property but it is now unbuildable.

𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟭 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲, 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗶𝘀. Applicants should be at no more than 80% of the Area Median. For example, 80% AMI means:2 people = $57,050 annual income 4 people = $71,300 annual income Rent is $1000 per month and includes utilities (water, sewer, garbage). Two ADA-accessible units are available.

Funding to provide the modular homes to fire survivors is provided by Oregon Housing & Community Services. Homes for Good is property owner and has led construction on the site. Lane County is assisting with the application process. Learn more: http://www.homesforgood.org/…/lazy-days-rv-and-mobile…Apply starting December 11: www.cognitoforms.com/LaneCounty1/LazyDaysApplication

Declutter and donate to reduce holiday waste: BRING now collecting reusable materials at Lane County’s Glenwood Transfer Station to reduce holiday season waste

With the holiday season here, BRING encourages residents to clear out their old, reusable items to make room for the new. This year, Lane County residents can donate directly at the Glenwood Transfer Station, where BRING recently opened a donation site in partnership with Lane County Waste Management and St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County. This site offers residents a convenient one-stop solution for donating, recycling, and disposing of household and building materials, promoting reuse while reducing landfill waste.

With increased holiday activities, waste generation can increase by as much as 25 percent between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. BRING and Waste Wise Lane County—a part of Lane County Waste Management—encourage the community to consider sustainable practices like reuse, especially during high-waste times of the year. BRING’s new collection site allows residents to easily donate gently used building materials, garden supplies, furniture, tools, and more, helping these items find new life and reducing their environmental impact.

“We are excited to expand our services to the Glenwood Transfer Station,” said Sonya Carlson, BRING’s executive director. “With this new location, we aim to make it convenient for people to donate reusable building materials that might otherwise end up in the landfill. Items like bricks, windows, doors, fencing, lumber, sinks, and tiles can all be repurposed into new projects, helping both our environment and community.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that construction and demolition (C&D) debris accounts for more than twice the amount of municipal solid waste, with 600 million tons of C&D debris generated annually in the United States. BRING’s efforts at the Glenwood site and its main location are part of a larger initiative to help Lane County achieve its goal of recovering 63 percent of its waste stream through reuse, recycling, and composting.

Since the Glenwood donation site opened in August, BRING has already diverted 32,579 pounds of reusable materials from the landfill. By donating at this auxiliary location, community members can contribute to BRING’s Planet Improvement Center, which provides affordable, environmentally-friendly options for local DIYers, contractors, and residents looking to repurpose quality materials.

Residents planning renovations or holiday declutter projects are encouraged to gather reusable materials for donation and save a trip by combining it with their visit to the transfer station. For a full list of accepted items or to learn more about the waste reduction initiative, visit www.bringrecycling.org.

About BRING: BRING is a Eugene-based home and garden thrift store committed to recovering construction waste and building materials from the waste stream, providing environmental education to Lane County communities, and highlighting the importance of reuse. Today, we focus on the urgent issues of consumption, climate change, and community resiliency. Through these initiatives we fulfill our mission to provide vision, leadership and tools for living well on the planet we share. BRING has consistently been voted one of the “100 Best Green Workplaces in Oregon.”

About Waste Wise Lane County: Waste Wise Lane County— a part of the Lane County Waste Management Division—empowers residents, schools, and businesses with education, tools, and resources that can be used to reduce waste, conserve resources, and live more sustainably. For more information, visit lanecountyor.gov/wastewise.

Donations sought for annual community holiday meal

The 15^th annual MLK Holiday Meal will return on Wednesday, December 18. Organizers with Lane County’s MLK Education Center are seeking donations in order to serve as many people as possible during the event. 

The MLK Holiday Meal provides a free lunch of turkey, ham and side dishes open to all community members. The food is prepared and served by youth enrolled in the MLK Culinary Arts Program at the Serbu Youth Campus in Eugene. The program is part of the MLK Education Center – an alternative education program providing academic and vocational services for youth involved with Lane County Community Justice and Rehabilitation Services.

Event organizers welcome donations of food, services, and financial contributions. The event includes free raffles to give people products or gift certificates that provide extra support during the holiday season. Interested donors are encouraged to contact the MLK Education Center at 541-682-4715. Donations are tax deductible. 

Displays at the MLK Holiday Meal will recognize contributions made by businesses, organizations, and individual donors. 

More about the MLK Culinary Arts Program – MLK Culinary Arts is one of the school’s vocational programs where students are taught a wide variety of culinary, catering, and workplace skills. Youth work alongside professionals who mentor and supervise them to prepare meals and cater a variety of events. A crucial piece of this program is connecting students with the community. The MLK Holiday Meal is one opportunity for the youth to give back to their community and demonstrate the skills they are developing. Our youth served more than 400 community members during last year’s event.  Lane Co. Government 

The Annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt

It’s time once again for one of the Willamette Valley’s most beloved traditions: the seventh annual Willamette Valley Ornament Hunt, taking place across the Willamette National Forest and Umpqua National Forest.

Between November 15 and Dec. 25, 2024, two hundred locally-crafted wooden ornaments will be hidden along two-dozen trails in both forests—where eagle-eyed hikers can seek them out and register to win this year’s grand prize, which includes a two-night getaway in the Willamette Valley. Here’s more information: https://www.willamettevalley.org/ornament

Eugene Police Department –  Embrace the season of giving by donating hoodies to high school-aged kids!

As temperatures drop, let’s wrap our community in warmth and kindness. Clean out those closets and drop off your gently used or new hoodies at our designated collection points.For those who prefer a convenient option, consider donating gift cards that will be used to purchase hoodies.

Send your gift cards to the Eugene Police Department:Community Engagement Supervisor, Cherie Nelson300 Country Club Rd. Eugene, OR 97401 Your contribution will ensure teenagers stay snug and stylish this winter. Let’s come together to make a difference—one hoodie at a time!

Community Call to Action as New Senior Leadership Closes Down White Bird Clinic’s Front Room

The announcement of the closure of White Bird Clinic’s Front Rooms department by the new Senior Leadership Team is leaving staff and community members in shock, particularly during ongoing union negotiations.

Front Rooms is a key entry point for low-barrier services at the clinic and has been a staple in the Eugene community, serving some of the most vulnerable people for 50 years.

Miles Shepard, a Front Rooms employee and bargaining team member, says, “The front rooms department and the workers that make it happen are an absolutely vital service in Eugene.”

Described as a lighthouse for those in need, White Bird’s Front Rooms serves as a lifeline for more than 100 people per day, offering resources like housing assistance, food, mail distribution, and case management referrals.

The announcement has added uncertainty for the clinic’s Front Rooms and NEST department employees, who have been bargaining with the white bird for 10 months.

Shepard says, “We’re certainly getting pushed further into financial insecurity, potentially not being able to get other jobs and this sort of thing. I know we’re all really worried about this. You know, we’ve certainly worked really hard on this contract, and we really want the opportunity to see it through.”

Budget problems are being blamed for the permanent closure on December 13.

White Bird is facing a 20% cut of their funding from Pacific Source — a loss of $3.6 million. Front Rooms operates at a nearly $1 million deficit every year.

According to the Executive Director of White Bird, Front Rooms, lacking federal or state-mandated funding requirements, needs to close to sustain White Bird’s overall operations.

“We have to be smart about how we offer services,” says Executive Director Jeremy Gates. “That building, we’re not having dark doors. We’re not disappearing from what we call our campus, our 341 main campus area. We will still have staff there. Clients will still come to us.”

The closure has sparked concerns about the direction of the White Bird Clinic.

Advocates argue that closing the Front Rooms could harm White Bird’s reputation and ability to serve the community effectively.

“There has seemingly been a push by other organizations around Eugene to go for a more institutionalized approach to social services,” explains Dante Morrison, a NEST employee and bargaining team member. “A lot of our clients report to us that they don’t necessarily feel welcome in other spaces where, pretty much no matter what, as long as somebody comes to us, they’re gonna get a sandwich, they’re gonna get seen.”

Adds Gates, “This strictly boils down to a combination of being efficient and reducing duplicate services or allowing an opportunity to provide the same service but in a different part of coupled with a very large and unexpected and sudden budget reduction, revenue reduction – a budget loss. Threading that needle is not easy, and there’s no intent to change our service models or how we provide care to folks.”

Some of the Front Rooms’ services will be absorbed by other White Bird departments, but the closure will leave gaps in accessibility for hundreds of vulnerable clients.

Nine employees are also facing layoffs. The organization says it’s committed to supporting those employees through severance packages, counseling services, and job placement assistance.

“We are trying to eliminate as much of the burden and ease the steps back into the workforce,” Gates says. “We are also trying to ensure all of the employees are eligible to apply and try to essentially land another job within White Bird that they qualify for.”

Gates and Front Rooms employees describe losing Front Rooms as heartbreaking, its closure leaving behind a legacy that has shaped Eugene’s social services landscape for decades.

White Bird released the following statement afternoon:

The decision to close our Front Rooms program was not made lightly. It reflects the difficult reality of a significant and unexpected reduction in funding. The PacificSource Per Member Per Month (PMPM) funding, which has been a cornerstone of our budget and accounts for over 20% of our revenue, will expire on December 31.

While this change is challenging, we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing the support and care our community relies on. No services are ending and will continue through our programs like CAHOOTS, NEST and our Harm Reduction Treatment Center.

Key Services:

• Mail service will continue at our main location (341 E. 12th).
• Eyeglass voucher program will continue at our main location (341 E. 12th) and will soon be available at all physical White Bird locations.
• Food distribution will continue at our NEST location (323 E. 12th).
• Gear distribution will move to our Harm Reduction Treatment Center, where clients can access not only supplies but also additional resources and support.

Our priority during this transition is twofold: to support the incredible team members impacted by this change and to ensure the community experiences as little disruption as possible.

This decision, though painful, is part of a larger effort to use our resources in the most effective way to meet the greatest needs of the people we serve. White Bird Clinic remains unwavering in its mission to care for our community with compassion and respect.

Follow @wbfrnestunion to stay up to date on the workers’ struggle. SOLIDARITY WITH WHITE BIRD WORKERS!SOLIDARITY WITH WHITE BIRD CLIENTS! https://www.instagram.com/p/DClWeGAxcWW/

You can find information on White Bird Clinic’s budget at Pro Publica Nonprofit Explorer. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/930585814

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)

Operation Winter Survival Stockpile

Lane County Health & Human Services, in partnership with the First Christian Church today announced the launch of Operation Winter Survival Stockpile. The operation is an effort to create a stockpile through donations of clothing and other supplies that will help those in our community experiencing homelessness better brave the elements. 

“Every winter those in our community who are without shelter are faced with life-threatening temperatures and weather,” said Maria Cortez, Lane County Human Services Program Coordinator. “These donations will be absolutely crucial to helping these community members stay warm and stay alive.”

To help kick off Operation Winter Survival Stockpile, First Christian Church is hosting a one-day donation drive event where community members can drop-off donations and enjoy refreshments Monday, November 25^th from 1 pm to 5 pm. After the donation drive, items can continue to be dropped off Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm. Items can also be purchased on Amazon and sent to 1166 Oak St., Eugene OR 97401. 

The Operation’s Amazon Wish List can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2XR33GS1ULV8Z?ref_=wl_share

Distribution of items will be prioritized to homeless outreach providers such as CAHOOTS that come into direct contact with individuals who are unhoused and unsheltered.

For more information on Operation Winter Survival Stockpile, please contact Maria Cortez at  ia.Cortez@lanecountyor.gov“>Maria.Cortez@lanecountyor.gov

Youth Empowerment Programs, City of Eugene – We’re thrilled to announce that our Winter-Spring 2025 Youth Empowerment Programs will be launching soon! 

 Registration opens on December 10th for our FREE programs.
 Some programs are drop-in, so no registration is required—just show up and get involved!

For more information and links to register, visit our website: https://www.eugene-or.gov/4888/Youth-Empowerment-Program

Albertsons gives up on Kroger merger and sues the grocery chain for failing to secure deal

Kroger and Albertsons in 2022 proposed what would be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history.

Albertsons is giving up on its merger with Kroger a day after it was rejected in two courts and it is suing the grocery chain, saying it didn’t do enough to secure regulatory approval for the $24.6 billion agreement.

The move came the day after two judges halted the merger in separate court cases. U.S. District Court Judge Adrienne Nelson issued a preliminary injunction blocking the merger Tuesday after holding a three-week hearing in Portland, Oregon. An hour later, Judge Marshall Ferguson in Seattle issued a permanent injunction barring the merger in Washington after concluding it would lessen competition in the state and violate consumer-protection laws.

Kroger and Albertsons in 2022 proposed what would be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history. The companies said a merger would help them better compete with big retailers like Walmart, Costco and Amazon.

Under the merger agreement, Kroger and Albertsons — who compete in 22 states — agreed to sell 579 stores in places where their locations overlap to C&S Wholesale Grocers, a New Hampshire-based supplier to independent supermarkets that also owns the Grand Union and Piggly Wiggly store brands.

But the Federal Trade Commission sued to block the merger earlier this year, saying it would raise prices and lower workers’ wages by eliminating competition. It also said the divestiture plan was inadequate and that C&S was ill-equipped to take on so many stores.

On Wednesday, Albertsons said that Kroger failed to exercise “best efforts” and to take “any and all actions” to secure regulatory approval of the companies’ agreed merger transaction.

Albertsons said Kroger refused to divest the assets necessary for antitrust approval, ignored regulators’ feedback and rejected stronger divestiture buyers.

Kroger willfully breached the Merger Agreement in several key ways, including by repeatedly refusing to divest assets necessary for antitrust approval, ignoring regulators’ feedback, rejecting stronger divestiture buyers and failing to cooperate with Albertsons.

“Kroger’s self-serving conduct, taken at the expense of Albertsons and the agreed transaction, has harmed Albertsons’ shareholders, associates and consumers,” said Tom Moriarty, Albertsons’ general counsel, in a statement.

Kroger said that it disagrees with Albertsons “in the strongest possible terms.” It said early Wednesday that Albertsons was responsible for “repeated intentional material breaches and interference throughout the merger process.”

Shares of Albertsons rose more than 2% at the opening bell, while Kroger’s stock rose slightly. (SOURCE)

OHCS to add and preserve more than 400 affordable homes to serve seniors, youth, and BIPOC communities

Oregon Ranks First In The Nation For Rate Of Homeless Families

Among the grim statisticsin a recent housing report released by the state, one stuck out: Oregon ranks first in the nation for homelessness among families with children.

Why it matters: While the statistics are striking, homeless advocates say they are likely a vast underestimate of a problem that can be difficult to quantify.

By the numbers: Oregon’s rate of homelessness among children is 19.9 for every 10,000 kids, according to the report, which relied on point-in-time survey data, a census count conducted on one night.

• The second-ranked state, Hawaii, had a rate less than half that of Oregon, with 7.2 of every 10,000 kids experiencing homelessness.
• The national average was just 1.4.

Yes, but: Brandi Tuck, executive director of the nonprofit Path Home, has been working with homeless families for nearly two decades and says those numbers are likely deceptive undercounts.

• Homeless families are what Tuck called the “invisible homeless,” often hiding their status to protect their children, avoid the stigma of homelessness and maintain employment.

Friction point: Tuck noted that the 2023 point-in-time survey found 6,300 people experiencing homelessness in Multnomah County.

• But statistics from the Department of Education show nearly 3,500 students in the county experiencing homelessness.
• Imagining that each of those students has at least one parent — and possibly younger siblings not yet in school — shows the gravity of the undercount, Tuck said.

State of play: Scott Kerman, executive director of the Old Town nonprofit Blanchet House, said single mothers — who are often fleeing domestic violence or other trauma — face special challenges because the city has no women-only emergency shelters that offer day-of accommodations.

• “When a family shows up and says we have no place to sleep, it’s devastating to not have answers for them because the answers don’t exist,” Kerman told Axios.

Threat level: Tuck said the trauma of being homeless for children has lasting development and health impacts that could lead to housing insecurity later in their own lives.

• “They’re the pipeline of inflow into the homeless system for decades to come,” Tuck said.

What they’re saying: Roxy Mayer, a spokeswoman for Gov. Tina Kotek, told OPB the report “describes a stark reality.”

• “After decades of underbuilding, Oregonians face a housing affordability crisis that worsens homelessness and financially burdens too many Oregon families,” Mayer said.

The big picture: Tuck said the top priority should be to get as many families off the streets and into housing as soon as possible, but these families need services — case workers, rent assistance and child care — to maintain stability.

• “You can’t just put people in housing and expect them to be resilient or figure it out themselves,” Tuck said. “People need support.”
• Julia Comnes, a spokeswoman for Multnomah County, said the county funds a number of programs specifically aimed at preventing family homelessness, including eviction prevention, family shelters with private rooms and permanent supportive housing programs.
• (SOURCE)

Oregon’s Project Turnkey sheltered thousands as state tries to build more homes

Gov. Tina Kotek recently visited a shelter and affordable apartment complex in Clatsop County, with the state’s highest per capita homeless rate

Just before a tour of an Astoria homeless shelter late last month, Gov. Tina Kotek met with a single father living there with his children.

He’d been paying rent for five years in nearby Seaside when his landlord terminated his lease without giving a reason. The father and his children were homeless, in a remote coastal region of Oregon with the state’s highest per capita rate of homelessness. Until 2023, it had no permanent shelters even though more than one in 50 Clatsop County residents were homeless that year. 

The father is among thousands of people statewide who’ve been at least temporarily housed through Project Turnkey, an Oregon program that turned $125 million into nearly 1,400 new shelter beds, mostly by buying and converting existing hotels and other vacant buildings into shelters like the one in Astoria. 

Shelter units provided through Project Turnkey cost about half as much as the statewide average for affordable housing, and U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici has proposed congressional legislation to expand the program nationwide.  

Kotek, who was speaker of the House for the first round of Project Turnkey, advocated for it in the Legislature. She still supports the program, among other options. 

Her 476-page budget proposal, released Monday, includes a request for $217.9 million to maintain existing shelters but it has no funding to build new ones. Instead, her 2025-27 recommended budget prioritizes increasing rent assistance and eviction prevention to prevent more Oregonians from slipping into homelessness and efforts to permanently rehouse people. 

“We don’t have all the money in the world, so I am still staying focused on (where) we’ve made commitments,” Kotek told reporters during her Astoria visit. “We have to sustain them. We have to continue to fund things through the next biennium. And I also want to build what we have started, which is a statewide system where there is a clear financial commitment with our local communities to say, ‘You’re going to provide a continuum of care for folks who are experiencing homelessness. We’re going to be there with you.’”

In Clatsop County, Kotek visited the Columbia Inn, a converted 21-room motel that opened in October 2023 with Project Turnkey funding and shelters around 50 to 60 people each night. She also toured the nearby Owens Adair apartments, which has 46 units for low-income seniors and will add 50 more through an ongoing construction project.

Both the shelter and the apartment expansion exist in part because of state action: Lawmakers allocated $2.8 million to help Clatsop County buy the Columbia Inn as part of its 2023 Project Turnkey expansion, and Owens Adair is able to add units on an adjacent lot in part because of legislative changes this year that allowed cities to adjust parking minimums in the interest of building more homes. 

The Owens Adair apartments, in a historic hospital overlooking the Columbia River, have a waitlist of more than 300 people. The expansion will reduce that waitlist. 

“It’ll help for sure,” said Hsu-Feng Andy Shaw, the county’s housing authority director. “It’ll help generations of people in Astoria.” 

As part of its efforts to meet Kotek’s goal of building 36,000 homes per year, the Legislature ordered cities to fast-track housing permits and allocated money toward infrastructure improvements needed for housing. In coastal cities like Astoria, where the Columbia River and the Youngs Bay prevent growth in three directions, developable land for housing is even harder to find than in other parts of the state.  (READ MORE)

OHCS to add and preserve more than 400 affordable homes to serve seniors, youth, and BIPOC communities (Photo)
Oregon Housing and Community Services – 12/09/24 10:00 AM

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services is funding the creation, preservation, and rehabilitation of more than 400 affordable homes across the state. These homes will help fill the need for housing for Oregonians with low incomes, including seniors, youth, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.

“We know there is more to do, but these are the types of community driven housing gains that are possible when we work together,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “Under Governor Kotek’s leadership, we remain relentless in getting things done that will make life better for the communities we serve.”

The Housing Stability Council approved $72.8 million to fund 421 homes through the agency’s Oregon Centralized Application (ORCA) process. Part of this funding will be used to rehabilitate the Rosemont Court in Portland, which will serve seniors. Another housing development funded is Blossom Gardens in Salem, which is under construction, will focus on serving refugee families. The funding will also preserve two manufactured home parks for homeowners who live at the Rimrock Court Cooperative in Madras and Surfside Mobile Village in Newport.

The Council approved the following housing development projects for funding:  

• Blossom Garden Apartments, Salem, 90 homes
• Cesar Apartments, Portland, 47 homes
• Columbia View Apartments, Cascade Locks, 12 homes
• Rimrock Court Cooperative, Madras, 38 homes
• Rosemont Court, Portland, 100 homes
• Sierra West Apartments, Hillsboro, 56 homes
• Surfside Mobile Village, Newport, 33 homes
• Willow Park Apartments, Forest Grove, 45 homes

The Housing Stability Council also granted the Homeownership Division approval to update two programs to help spur development and purchase of homes for Oregonians with low incomes.

The Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) Homeownership changes include:

• A shift from determining loan amounts based on appraised land value to per-home subsidies.
• A shorter application for small projects.
• Soft set-asides to spur development by small, culturally specific, and emerging developers, and projects in underserved counties.

The Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit (OAHTC) Homeownership was expanded to support limited equity cooperatives, an innovative homeownership model with growing interest in Oregon. By offering tax credits to the developer’s permanent lender, OAHTC Homeownership reduces financing costs, and the savings are passed on to residents to ensure housing affordability for those earning 80% or less of the area median income.

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.

Bill Offering Wildfire Survivors Relief from Taxes and Fees Passes Congress

The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023, which is expected to be signed by President Joe Biden, will offer relief to survivors of wildfires dating back to 2015

After more than five years of waiting in some cases, wildfire survivors across the West will be relieved of paying federal income taxes on their recovery settlements and lawyers fees.

The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 passed the Senate on Wednesday night, about six months after it was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives nearly unanimously. It had been stalled for months, tucked into opposing tax packages from Senate Republicans and Democrats.

The bill, which is likely to be signed by President Joe Biden, would exempt people who have survived a wildfire between 2016 and 2026 from paying federal income taxes on disaster recovery settlements and fees paid to lawyers that were received or paid between 2020 and 2026.

Victims elsewhere are also likely to benefit. The bill applies to the survivors of the East Palestine train derailment that occurred in Ohio in 2023, though they’ve largely been exempted from federal income tax on payments from Norfolk Southern due to intervention from the Internal Revenue Service.

The disaster act would also provide relief for natural disaster survivors since 2020 in the form of a casualty loss deduction. That means that those who only received partial payments from insurers on home damage and other residential property damage could deduct those uncovered losses on their federal income taxes without itemization.

Passage of the bill, introduced last year by a Florida Republican Rep. W. Gregory Steube, follows a public plea last month by a political action committee. American Disaster Survivors sponsored billboards asking for help in Idaho and Oregon to grab the attention of the two leaders of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee where the bill sat. Oregon’s senior U.S. senator, Democrat Ron Wyden, chairs the committee, and Idaho’s U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo is its ranking Republican member. The disaster PAC was founded by survivors of fires that burned towns in California during 2017 and 2018 and which are still only partially rebuilt.

The bill would sunset in 2026, according to Wyden spokesperson Hank Stern, because federal tax codes are coming up for negotiation in 2025 and there is not a lot of political will among Republicans to do long-term tax policy in the lame duck session before a new Congress and administration comes to power in January. Wyden said in a speech following the bill’s passage that it was necessary and long overdue.

“Their homes and their businesses are burned, their possessions and livelihoods gone, and finally, the federal government is showing some common sense,” he said.

He and California House and Senate Democrats and Republicans who championed the bill said despite working in a bipartisan way to get it passed in the Republican-controlled House, Senate Republicans stalled progress.

“We’re going to be able to say to Westerners who’ve been hit by these big fires that they’re going to be able to go to bed tonight in the Western United States with a little relief that the federal government has finally come to its senses and made sure that they’re not going to have this additional tax burden,” Wyden said in his speech.

Spokespersons for the American Disaster Relief PAC said it would impact survivors of wildfire in many states.

“This has given a much needed glimmer of hope to millions of Americans across California, Oregon, Hawaii, Washington and Idaho who have been devastated by tragedy.”

Oregon Republicans also welcomed the bill, including state Rep. Christine Goodwin of Canyonville, who worked on a similar bill passed by Oregon’s Legislature.

“When I first wrote Oregon’s framework for wildfire disaster tax relief, I did so with the belief that government should not profit from the misfortune of its citizens. It took Rep. Jami Cate and I many years to get the bill over the line here in Oregon; I’m happy to see similar efforts happen so swiftly at the federal level.”

The state bill passed unanimously in the spring of 2024, ending state income taxation on settlements and lawyer fees for wildfire victims. That bill, Senate Bill 1520, was championed by survivors of the 2020 Labor Day Fires, including Sam Drevo, who survived the Santiam Canyon fire that burned down much of the city of Gates in the heart of the Santiam State Forest.

“On behalf of fire survivors everywhere, I am deeply grateful that this passed. I’m not super thrilled about the sunset, but it’s a huge step forward for fire survivors,” Drevo said.

He and his mom are still sorting out how much she was taxed on the settlement she received to help her rebuild her home in Gates that was completely wiped out by the fires.

“I know it’s going to be helpful, and to other people it’s going to be helpful. In general, it’s a huge thing to have this type of tax relief, especially in a situation where you lose everything,” he said. (SOURCE)

Designation of the Longest U.S. Highway as the “National Medal of Honor Highway”

– This week, U.S. Route 20, the nation’s longest road stretching from Newport, Oregon, to Boston, Massachusetts, will be officially designated as the “National Medal of Honor Highway” under legislation approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday. The 12 states along US Highway 20 account for about 62 percent of all 3,516 Medal of Honor awards presented since the Civil War. 

The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award for valor, presented by the President in Congress’ name. This section of U.S. Route 20 will honor 29 Medal of Honor recipients connected with Oregon who acted with “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty at the risk of his life” during combat with an enemy of the United States thus receiving our nation’s highest award for military valor during 8 wars over a 108-year period. 

I was honored to support this effort and am even more gratified to have my House colleague’s support to pass it in the House this week. 

I would also like to mention a Central Oregon Veteran, Dick Tobiason, who set out on a mission 11 years ago to name Highway 20 in honor of our Medal of Honor Veterans. Tobiason is the chairman of the Bend Heroes Foundation, which he founded in 2010 with his son. Bend Heroes Foundation has been coordinating the designation of 11 more state Medal of Highways and has led the charge in getting U.S. Route 20 designated in Congress. Dick Tobiason has made it his life’s work to ensure that Veterans and their families get the recognition they deserve. His lifetime of service and dedication to the Oregon Veteran community have been instrumental in bringing this recognition to fruition. I salute his efforts, his tenacity, and his relentless advocacy on behalf of Oregon Veterans and their families. 

A full copy of the legislation renaming U.S. Route 20 as “The National Medal of Honor Highway” can be found by clicking here. A link to my letter regarding the U.S. Highway, here. —- (SOURCE)

Oregon’s public universities and community colleges are calling for increased investment in higher education.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s proposed budget allocates more for higher education than the last biennium. But university and community college leaders say the budget doesn’t keep up with increased costs institutions are facing.

The leaders argue the inadequate funding could make higher education more expensive for Oregonians and slow down the state’s workforce development efforts.

The governor’s $138 billion budget, released earlier this week, is a guideline for state lawmakers ahead of next year’s legislative session. In her proposal, Gov. Kotek doubled down on her top three funding priorities: confronting Oregon’s homelessness and affordable housing emergency, K-12 education and addressing the state’s behavioral health care crisis.

“This is generally what we expected given the Governor’s collaboration with agencies during the development of Agency Request Budgets, the state’s revenue constraints and numerous pressing statewide priorities,” said Higher Education Coordinating Commission Executive Director Ben Cannon in a statement. Back in August, HECC commissioners sent a letter to the governor, objecting to the budget-setting process which led up to this week’s recommended budget.

In the 2025-2027 biennium, the governor recommends $4.39 billion for the agency responsible for two main funding streams for colleges and universities: operating revenue to run the institutions and financial aid programs to help students afford the cost of college.

The proposal, a 6.4% overall increase from the last biennium, sets aside more than $25 million to build up education pathways that lead to behavioral health care jobs and nearly $29 million to expand select need-based grants, like the Oregon Opportunity Grant. (READ MORE)

Oregon approves largest solar + storage project in the US – The 1.2-GW Sunstone Solar project will start construction in 2026

The United States’ largest proposed solar project, Sunstone Solar, received its final discretionary approval from the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC). The approval was the final step in the state’s evaluation and public engagement process and authorizes project owner Pine Gate Renewables to proceed with constructing the 1.2 GW solar and 1.2 GW storage project.

“Oregon’s energy facility permitting process is one of the most rigorous in the entire country,” said Ben Catt, Chief Executive Officer of Pine Gate Renewables. “The recent unanimous permit approval is a testament to the way our team worked with stakeholders to provide a win-win for Oregon and the Morrow County community.”

Pine Gate worked extensively with Morrow County and agricultural organizations to create a program that aims to offset the project’s impact on the local agricultural economy. The first-of-its-kind initiative will invest over $1,000 per project acre into a county-managed fund for programs that support the local agricultural economy and improve the long-term viability and resilience of Morrow County’s wheat farms.

“The fight against the climate crisis depends on a variety of successful energy solutions like Pine Gate Renewables’ solar power and energy storage project in Eastern Oregon,” said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). “This is just another example of the important federal investments I fought for in the Inflation Reduction Act, and I will continue to advocate for tech-neutral solutions in our tax code that promote innovation and efficiency in Oregon and across the nation.”

Pine Gate is in discussions with customers and local utilities to purchase the electricity and environmental attributes of the energy produced by the project which will interconnect to the Bonneville Power Administration via the Umatilla Electric Cooperative system. The project will begin the engineering and procurement process in early 2025 ahead of phased construction starting in 2026.

“As a lifelong resident of Morrow County, I’m excited for Sunstone Solar to move forward so the local community can benefit from the economic opportunities that the project will bring,” said Ken Grieb, a wheat farmer and landowner in the project. “Pine Gate has demonstrated how large energy facility development can be done thoughtfully and collaboratively.”

Pine Gate owns and operates 17 other solar projects in Oregon. The company acquired the Sunstone Solar project from Gallatin Power Partners in 2022. (SOURCE)

Oregon Ecosystem Efforts Get $10M Federal Funding

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s (NFWF) America the Beautiful Challenge has awarded $10,105,326 in federal funding to support four projects that enhance Oregon’s ecosystem conservation and restoration efforts.

Oregon’s US Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced that the funding, part of a larger $122.4 million NFWF America the Beautiful Challenge initiative, will support 61 new conservation and restoration projects nationwide.

The initiative advances President Biden’s ongoing commitment to conserving American lands and waters by supporting locally led community conservation and restoration projects.

The goals of the NFWF projects are to plant trees, restore wetland habitats, improve wildfire resilience, and open streams for fish passage.

61 grants were announced across 42 states, three US territories, and 19 Tribal and Native Nations, and at least $8.7 million in matching contributions will generate, bringing the initiative’s impact on conservation to $131.2 million.

In Oregon, the funding was allocated to:

• Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife: $4.5 million to create a network of oak and prairie habitat in the Willamette River Basin, incorporating  Traditional Ecological Knowledge and improving access for Tribal members to culturally significant areas.
• Crook County Soil and Water Conservation District: $3.5 million to enhance sagebrush ecosystems. The project will benefit desert species like sage-grouse and pronghorn over 13,000 acres, apply herbicide to 7,000 acres of invasive annual grasses, and develop a local native seed supply inventory on over 100,000 acres. The project aims to improve grazing management while reducing the impact on wildlife.
• McKenzie Watershed Alliance: $1.5 million to restore 335 acres of floodplain and wetland habitat on the South Fork McKenzie River, creating a high-quality habitat for at-risk species.
• Heart of Oregon Corps: $605,326 to enhance watershed health and reduce wildfire risk in the Deschutes Basin. The Corps works with conservation projects of local youth crews.

The key role of community commitment in conservation efforts was highlighted by Wyden. Merkley, a key role-player in securing the funding, confirmed that the ecosystems, waterways, and wildlife are the lifeblood of the Pacific Northwest.

He said, “We need to do everything we can to protect them as climate chaos threatens permanent habitat loss.”

Wyden also noted that groups and communities across Oregon have stepped up collaborative efforts to strengthen US lands and waters. He said, “I am excited to see how they will use these investments to ensure healthier, more resilient natural resources for generations to come.”

References – https://www.nfwf.org/programs/america…

Oregon Gov. Kotek’s $39.3 billion proposed budget has more for housing, homelessness, schools

Lawmakers will use Kotek’s budget as a starting point for crafting the next two-year budget

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek wants the state to spend more than $2 billion on homelessness and housing and send a record $11.4 billion to public schools as part of a budget focused on maintaining existing programs with little cash to spare for new initiatives. 

Her total spending plan, including federal funding that the state doesn’t have much control over, is $137.7 billion for the two-year period from July 2025 to June 2027. Her proposed general fund and lottery funds budget, where Kotek and lawmakers have more discretion, is $39.3 billion. Infobox: Read Gov. Kotek’s budget highlights and full 476-page recommended budget. 

That’s a sharp increase from the $33.5 billion general fund and lottery funds budget lawmakers approved in 2023, but it doesn’t reflect much new spending. Instead, the state is grappling with the same budgetary pressures as many Oregonians: Revenue is higher, but so are costs.  

“People understand this from their own household budgets,” Kotek said at a press conference in Astoria last week. “While our economy is strong and wages are up, and people, if you just look at the numbers, are making more, their expenses are up. And in the case of the state, our expenses for health and human services have really grown, so the expenditure line is outpacing the money coming in the door.” 

Initial reactions to her recommended budget were mixed, with some advocacy groups saying it didn’t go far enough and Republicans criticizing it as squandering money.

Her recommended budget doesn’t include layoffs or cuts to services, but it also has few new programs. When state agencies crafted their budget requests, Kotek limited them to a 1% increase over 2025-27 levels. She also asked them to prepare lists of where they could cut by 10% by focusing on core services and making sure to maximize federal funding. 

“It was a hard exercise for some folks,” Kotek said. “But I believed, and do believe, that Oregonians, in this moment, would be better served by committing time and energy to practical considerations rather than well-meaning hypothetical wish lists. Developing my budget was an effort grounded in the reality of our state and our resources.” READ MORE: https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2024/12/02/oregon-gov-koteks-39-3-billion-proposed-budget-has-more-for-housing-homelessness-schools/

One Killed in Myrtle Creek Shooting, Suspect in Custody
Douglas Co. Sheriff’s Office – 12/09/24 12:28 PM

MYRTLE CREEK, Ore. – A 22-year-old Myrtle Creek man was arrested on suspicion of murder Saturday, December 7^th, 2024, after a disturbance with shots fired at the Rivers West RV Park in Myrtle Creek.

At about 1:35 pm, deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of the RV park, 333 Ruckles Drive, after receiving information about a physical disturbance and shooting.

Responders located a male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds just south of the park on Booth Ranch Road. He was later identified as Damion Sumner, 29, of Dillard. Deputies and a Myrtle Creek Police Officer provided Sumner aid, but he succumbed to his wounds and was declared deceased on scene.

Daniel Hetrick, 22, of Myrtle Creek was taken into custody nearby without incident. Hetrick has been charged with second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon and lodged at the Douglas County Jail.

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team was activated and continues to investigate. The team consists of detectives from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, Oregon State Police, and members of the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. Cow Creek Tribal Police is also assisting in the investigation.

Two health officials at Oregon Department of Corrections placed on leave amid investigation

The agency has an open investigation into its head doctor and assistant health services director

The Oregon Department of Corrections placed its chief of medicine and the assistant director for health services on paid administrative leave on Thursday, pending a human resources investigation. 

The department declined to give any details about the investigation into Dr. Warren Roberts, its chief of medicine, and Joe Bugher, the agency’s assistant director of health services, who were put on leave. The move, first reported by The Oregonian/Oregonlive.com, comes amid high-profile concerns about the health care of inmates, especially at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, the state’s women’s prison.

The corrections agency is responsible for the medical care of about 12,000 inmates in 12 state prisons across Oregon. Its health services division has 634 employees statewide and often contracts with outside physicians for specialty care. 

“Health care for adults in custody is a top priority at the Oregon Department of Corrections,” Oregon Department of Corrections Director Mike Reese said in a statement. “As corrections processionals, we have a moral obligation and legal responsibility to provide quality care to those in our custody.” 

Reese said the agency has hired an unnamed “third-party qualified expert” to investigate the management of the agency’s health care system. The agency declined to elaborate, but the agency has been dogged with problems in the past. 

At Coffee Creek women’s prison, an outside accrediting agency found a backlog of nearly 600 medical appointments. Last year, a woman at the prison settled a lawsuit for $1.5 million after alleging inadequate treatment for a traumatic brain injury after emergency room doctors recommended a neurologist. 

Bugher, who is not a doctor, earns an annual salary of $241,000. He started in 2004 as a correctional officer at Snake River Correctional Institution in Ontario. In 2008, he became a counselor and in 2013 moved into a management role in the prison’s behavioral health unit. He was promoted to assistant director in 2017. 

During the investigation, Deputy Director Heidi Steward will run the agency’s Health Services Division, Reese said in a memo to staff. 

Roberts, who earns a salary of nearly $381,000 annually, joined the agency as a corrections physician at Coffee Creek in 2019, and in September 2020 he became a clinical director before his December 2020 promotion as the agency’s chief of medicine.

Oregon Medical Board public records show that Roberts, a trained neurosurgeon licensed since 2001, was placed on a corrective plan to avoid formal disciplinary action in 2020 to settle an outstanding investigation on an unspecified issue. In that agreement, Roberts agreed to a one-year mentorship with a physician and, if he resumed a surgical practice, to enter into a separate surgical mentorship program. 

At the corrections department, Roberts did not perform surgeries, said Amber Campbell, spokeswoman for the agency.

In 2017, The Oregonian/Oregonlive.com reported that a Multnomah County jury awarded a married couple a $4.5 million verdict when they sued Roberts for allegedly botching the husband’s spinal cord surgery and ruining their love life. (SOURCE)

Oregon State Parks Offering Discounted Parking Passes – Give the gift of the outdoors and save this season with the Oregon State Parks 12-month parking permit sale during December.

Shoppers can buy the annual parking permits for only $25 (regularly $30) from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31. The permit is good for 12 months starting in the month of purchase at the 25 parks that currently charge for parking.

The annual permit is an even better option for frequent park visitors in 2025 when day-use parking fees will increase from $5 to $10 on Jan. 2, 2025.

Purchasing permits is easy. Visitors can buy them online at Oregon State Parks store. They’re also available at select park stores operated by friends’ groups, park visitor centers and local businesses throughout the state. For a complete list, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.

The daily parking fee is required at the 25 parks that charge for day-use parking unless visitors have a 12-month or 24-month parking permit or a same-day camping receipt. The parking fee does not apply to those who hike, bike or use public transportation.

The 24-month permit is $50 and is also available at OregonStateParkStore. The cost for the 12-month and 24-month permits is not currently increasing. The permits are transferable from vehicle to vehicle.

Nearly five-thousand healthcare workers at 13 Providence hospitals and clinics in Oregon have approved a strike, if they aren’t able to reach agreement on a contract.

Negotiations have been underway for more than a year. Contracts have run out for many bargaining units. If a strike is called, the union says it would be the largest healthcare workers strike, and the first doctor’s strike, in Oregon’s history.

Oregon is expanding its program to add charging ports for electric vehicles throughout the state.

The Oregon Department of Transportation issued a second round of funding for Level Two E-V charging ports. The two-and-a-half-million-dollars in grants will pay for 460 more ports by 2026. 70 percent of the funding was reserved for projects in rural and disadvantaged communities.

Most of the chargers will be in public parking areas, with the rest at businesses and multi-family housing complexes. Another two-and-three-quarter-million-dollars will go out next year.

Federal funds are coming to the Pacific Northwest to help conservation and recovery efforts focused on Pacific salmon and steelhead.

The Department of Commerce and NOAA Fisheries are making up to 99-million-dollars available to advance state and tribal work to restore fish populations and habitat. Proposals can be submitted through early March, from state and tribal leaders in Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Idaho and California.

Oregon State Police announces winning entry in the “Name Our K-9” Contest

YouTube Video Link: Name Our K-9: Violet and Millie 

Oregon State Sr. Trooper Scott Show needed an official name for his new drug-detection K-9. He had the idea to let Oregon elementary school students name the two-year-old female Belgian Malinois. On Oct. 17, 2024, OSP launched the “Name Our K-9” contest. At the time, no one knew we would end up with a very special name for one family.   

After almost 800 entries and a week of online voting, the winning entry of “Millie” was selected. Receiving almost half the votes cast, the winning entry was submitted by five-year-old Violet of Winston in honor of her twin sister Millie, who unexpectedly passed away earlier this year. 

Kylee Stewart, Violet and Millie’s mother, said, “Millie and Violet were inseparable. Although they were complete opposites, they shared a love of animals. When we came across the “Name Our K-9” contest, Violet knew she wanted to enter her sister’s name.”

“Nobody planned for there to be this much meaning behind naming the K-9,” said Sr. Trooper Show. “To have our dog end up with a name that’s got some significance and is meaningful to this family is really wonderful.” 

K-9 Millie is certified through the Oregon Police Canine Association as a drug-detection dog. She and Sr. Trooper Show are assigned to the Albany Patrol Office for drug interdiction along Interstate 5 and throughout the state. As an ongoing tribute, OSP will recognize K-9 Millie’s drug seizures, when possible, with a special nod to the little girl who inspired her name.   

“On behalf of myself and the entire Oregon State Police family, it is an honor to be part of this special memorial to Millie Melton,” said Superintendent Casey Codding. In recognition for winning the naming contest, Violet received a letter and certificate from Superintendent Codding and an OSP uniform patch. She also received a Belgian Malinois plushie personalized with the OSP logo and the name “Millie” generously donated by Hero Industries. 

OSP is continuing to recognize the contest finalists with presentations to students across the state. We send a heartfelt thank you to the 778 students who submitted entries in the “Name Our K-9” contest. “K-9 teams play an important role in keeping our communities safe and it was exciting to have so many students participate in the contest in such an engaging and meaningful way,” said Superintendent Codding. 

Contest finalists: 

• “True” submitted by Michael B. from Creswell Christian Academy in Creswell. 
• “Showtime” submitted by KariAnn G. from Eastwood Elementary in Roseburg. 
• “Pearl” submitted by Bailey P. from Jefferson Elementary in Medford. 
• “Mable” submitted by Mrs. Moles’s second-grade class from Prairie City Elementary in Prairie City. 
• The school with the most entries: Hillcrest Elementary in North Bend. 

About the Oregon State Police
The Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that protects Oregon’s people, wildlife, and natural resources. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon. 

Ways to get and give help this holiday season

‘Tis the season for connection and caring for one another. But we also know this time of year can be challenging for many families. So whether you need a little extra support, or are looking for ways to give back to your community, we’ve got some suggestions to make the holiday season special.

Ways to get holiday help:

1. Visit the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) holiday resources webpage

Our 2024 holiday resources webpage has a list of local organizations that can provide hot meals, toys, winter clothes and more for families and individuals this holiday season. The page is available in English and Spanish, and you can sort the list by county to find resources in your area.

2. Connect with 211info

Not seeing anything near you on our list? Dial 2-1-1 to connect with someone who can guide you to the support you need. You can also visit 211info.org, enter your zip code, and search for “Holiday Gifts/Toys,” “Christmas Baskets,” or “Christmas Meals.”

3. Reach out to your local ODHS office

We’re here to help! Our local office staff often know about upcoming events and resources in your community. We can also help you learn more about services that be accessed year-round, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Oregon Health Plan (OHP), and more.

Ways to give holiday help:

1. Donate to ODHS or a community organization

ODHS partners with many community organizations that collect donations, like food, clothes, and toys, that support children in foster care, older adults, families in need, and more. For 2024, we’ve compiled a list with some of the ways you can donate to help the families ODHS serves. Don’t see anything on the list in your area? Contact your local ODHS office for more suggestions. You can also make a financial contribution to ODHS and specify how you want it to be used by emailing dhs.volunteerservices@odhs.oregon.gov.

2. Volunteer

Your time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give. At ODHS, we have several temporary volunteer opportunities this holiday season for things like wrapping donations, delivering gifts, and helping at holiday parties for children in ODHS care. Email dhs.volunteerservices@odhs.oregon.gov to learn about holiday openings or to get involved longer-term. If that’s not for you, we also recommend reaching out to local nonprofits or community centers with missions you believe in to see how you can help.

3. Build community connections

Sometimes, the best way to give back is by simply showing up. Attend local events, check in on your neighbors, and spread the word about the ways to get help that we listed above. A little kindness and connection can go a long way!

The Salvation Army out of Monmouth says it received a very special gift in one of its red kettles this season.

In Polk County, an anonymous donor dropped in a gold coin apparently worth $3,000. That’s according to a local jeweler where the Salvation Army took it to get appraised. The good deed-doer dropped the rare coin in a kettle at a Bi-mart. The Salvation Army says the one-ounce coin is over a hundred years old.

The organization says it hopes the act of kindness will inspire others to donate what they can, so the non-profit can make the season bright for those in need.

Oregon Lottery Transfers $947 Million Back to State

– The Oregon Lottery will return more than $947 million to the state for the 2024 fiscal year – a $48 million increase from the previous year. Lottery generated $940 million in profit and reduced reserves nearly $8 million, enabling the higher return. 

Unclaimed prizes for the year totaled $8 million and will also go back to the state. The funding directly benefits state parks and natural habitats, public schools, veteran services, outdoor school, and economic development. Oregon Lottery is self-funded through the sale of games, not tax dollars, and voters and the Legislature designate where the money goes. 

“Oregonians help support the state programs they care about by playing our games,” said Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells. “We continue to celebrate the wins of our players, the retailers who sell our games, and the public programs lifted up by these funds in our communities.”       

Lucky lottery players earned payouts totaling nearly $16 billion for the year. Including a record-breaking $1.3 billion Powerball win in the spring, 13 players took home prizes worth $1 million or more. Prizes big and small account for about 92% of the Lottery dollars played. 

Sales commissions on Lottery games also support retailers, many of whom are small business owners. The 3,800 Lottery retailers across Oregon collectively earned close to $310 million in commissions this year.  

Since 2016, Oregon Lottery has maintained the highest level of accreditation for responsible gambling from both the National Association of State and Provincial Lotteries/National Council on Problem Gambling and the World Lottery Association’s (WLA) Responsible Gambling programs. Oregon is one of only eight lotteries in the U.S. to reach this level by the WLA. 

The Lottery’s financial year runs from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024. A final audited report is posted to Oregon Lottery’s website under “Proceeds and Financials.”

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $15.5 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org. 

Holiday Express Steams Up – Rides run every Friday – Sunday through Jan. 4.

The countdown is on! The first day of the highly anticipated Holiday Express is almost here, and it’s your chance to ride a train pulled by a historic steam locomotive—an unforgettable experience like no other.

Santa’s nearly ready—list checked, elves prepped, lights sparkling, and candy canes in hand. The only thing missing is YOU!

Get your tickets now for this beloved annual tradition. Create lasting memories with friends and family aboard the Holiday Express. Rides begin Nov. 29 and run every Friday – Sunday through Jan. 4.

Special Offer: Get 10% off select rides from Nov. 29 to Dec. 8! But don’t wait, tickets are selling fast.

Be part of the magic this holiday season. Reserve your seat today! Oregon Rail Heritage Center 

Media contest invites Oregon high school students to promote young worker safety; entries due Feb. 21, 2025

Salem – High school students across Oregon are encouraged to put their video or graphic design skills on display by competing for cash prizes as part of a larger cause: increasing awareness about workplace safety and health for young workers.

The 2025 media contest, organized by the Oregon Young Employee Safety (O[yes]) Coalition, calls on participants to create an ad – through a compelling graphic design or video – that grabs their peers’ attention and convinces them to take the Young Employee Safety Awareness online training.

Participants get to choose the key message, theme, or tagline they believe will go furthest in capturing their audience and moving it to act. The target audience? Teen workers or teens who are preparing to work for the first time. The contest is now open for submissions. To compete, participants may submit either a graphic design or a video that is no more than 90 seconds in length.

Participants are expected to choose their key message, theme, or tagline in a wise and positive manner, including constructive and effective messages and language.

The top three entries in each of the two media categories will take home cash prizes ranging from $300 to $500. In each category, the first-place winner’s school, club, or organization will receive a matching award. Moreover, O[yes] will use the best of the submissions as ads in its ongoing efforts to improve on-the-job safety and health protections for teens.

While they carry out their projects, participants must ensure the health and safety of their team. No one should be endangered while creating their video or graphic design project.

The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, 2025. 

Participants are encouraged to submit entries online. Submissions may also be mailed on a USB thumb drive or delivered in person. 

For more information about the entry form and rules, contest expectations, and resources – including previous contest winners  – visit the O[yes] online contest page.

The contest sponsors are local Oregon chapters of the American Society of Safety Professionals, Construction Safety Summit, Central Oregon Safety & Health Association, Hoffman Construction Company, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), Oregon OSHA, SafeBuild Alliance, SAIF Corporation, and the Oregon Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) Alliance.

### About Oregon OSHA: Oregon OSHA enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit osha.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

About the Oregon Young Employee Safety Coalition (O[yes]): (O[yes]) is a nonprofit dedicated to preventing young worker injuries and fatalities. O[yes] members include safety and health professionals, educators, employers, labor and trade associations, and regulators. Visit youngemployeesafety.org.

Lend Your Voice to Shape the Future of Emergency Management in Oregon!

SALEM, OR – November 19, 2024 – The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) invites all Oregonians to participate in shaping the future of emergency management across the state. On February 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., OEM is hosting its second annual town hall where community members and partners from all backgrounds can provide input and feedback on the agency’s 2023–2025 Strategic Plan and the OEM Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) plan.

The Strategic Plan serves as a blueprint for OEM’s commitment to delivering excellent customer service and building resilience within Oregon’s communities. The IDEA plan guides emergency management practices that address the needs of all communities, fostering equitable outcomes and inclusive resilience statewide.  Feedback from this town hall will help guide OEM’s efforts to improve emergency preparedness, response and recovery in ways that serve every community across the state—before, during and after a disaster.

The town hall is open to everyone, and no prior emergency management experience is required. Closed captioning will be available, and a video and audio transcript of the event will be accessible upon request after the event.

Event Details:

Event: Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s second annual strategic planning and IDEA town hall
Date: February 11, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Meeting will be virtual; link will be sent as event nears.  

Your feedback is critical in helping OEM serve Oregon’s diverse communities better and to foster an inclusive approach to emergency preparedness and resilience. We look forward to hearing from you at this important event.

For more information or questions, please contact Bobbi McAllister at obbi.mcallister@oem.oregon.gov“>bobbi.mcallister@oem.oregon.gov. 

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