SEATTLE – Drug Enforcement Administration Acting Administrator Uttam Dhillon today announced that the DEA will direct enforcement resources to methamphetamine “transportation hubs” — areas where methamphetamine is often trafficked in bulk and then distributed across the country. While continuing to focus on stopping drugs being smuggled across the border, DEA’s Operation Crystal Shield will ramp up enforcement to block their further distribution into America’s neighborhoods.

DEA has identified eight major methamphetamine transportation hubs where these efforts will be concentrated: Atlanta, Dallas, El Paso, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Phoenix, and St. Louis. Together, these DEA Field Divisions accounted for more than 75 percent of methamphetamine seized in the U.S. in 2019.

Methamphetamine seizures in the Pacific Northwest are continuing to rise. In 2019, DEA seizures throughout the region were an all-time high of more than 3,200 pounds. Recent seizure amounts for the region are on pace to surpass last year. “The increased volume of high grade methamphetamine flooding our Pacific Northwest neighborhoods coupled with increased overdose rates is alarming,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Keith Weis.  He further added, “Operation Crystal Shield will further enhance law enforcement efforts in key distribution points throughout the Pacific Northwest linked to the identified transportation hubs in the southwest.”

Operation Crystal Shield builds on existing DEA initiatives that target major drug trafficking networks, including the Mexican cartels that are responsible for the overwhelming majority of methamphetamine trafficked into and within the United States. From FY 2017 to FY 2019, DEA domestic seizures of methamphetamine increased 127 percent from 49,507 pounds to 112,146 pounds. During the same time frame, the number of DEA arrests related to methamphetamine rose nearly twenty percent.  

“For decades, methamphetamine has been a leading cause of violence and addiction – a drug threat that has never gone away,” said Acting Administrator Dhillon. “With a 22 percent increase in methamphetamine-related overdose deaths, now is the time to act, and DEA is leading the way with a surge of interdiction efforts and resources, targeting regional transportation hubs throughout the United States. By reducing the supply of meth, we reduce the violence, addiction, and death it spreads.”

Virtually all methamphetamine in the United States comes through major ports of entry along the Southwest Border and is transported by tractor trailers and personal vehicles along the nation’s highways to major transfer centers around the country. It is often found in poly-drug loads, alongside cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl.

Information regarding illicit drug trafficking activities can be anonymously submitted at www.dea.gov

Visuals are available (local and national) – please contact Special Agent Jodie Underwood 

Case Number(s) 2020-0049157 and 2020-0048753

Date and Time; February 16, 2020 at 10:44 pm

Location; (1) home on SW Blakely Road and (1) home on SW Millbrook Lane

Suspect; Brenton Daniel Schaumann 30 year old Bend Resident 

Victim; residents of addresses on SW Blakey Road and SW Millbrook Lane

On February 15, 2020 at 4:45 am Officers from the City of Bend Police Department responded to a report of an attempted Burglary at a residence on SW Blakely Road within the City of Bend. The responding officers were directed by the home owner to a window of the residence that had been broken out that morning. The suspect left the area before making entry into the residence. During the investigation Officers recovered evidence at the home left by the suspect. 

On February 15, 2020 at 3:22 pm Officers from the City of Bend Police Department responded to a reported Burglary at a residence on SW Millbrook Lane. The home owner reported coming home to find a person had broken into their home, damaged property, and stole property reported to be worth more than $10,000.00 from the residence. Investigating Officers recovered evidence at the home linking these two Burglaries. 

On February 16, 2020 at 10:44 pm Officer responded to an attempted burglary at the residence on SW Millbrook that had been previously burglarized. The home owner reported to Deschutes County 911 that a male was attempting to open his front door. The home owner provided a detailed description of the male suspect, who fled from the area as the home owner was talking to the 911 dispatcher. Officers responding to the report established a perimeter and K9 Rony and his handler responded to track the suspect. An officer on the perimeter observed a male matching the suspect description fleeing to the south on SW Powers Road near SW Blakely Road. The male, identified as Brenton Schaumann, was taken into custody without incident. Evidence recovered from Schaumann was linked back to the Burglary on SW Millbrook Lane. 

Schaumann was transported to the City of Bend Police Department for further evidence collection. Schaumann actively resisted Officers efforts to be transported to the Deschutes County Adult Jail. Officers responded to Schaumann's resistance by escorting Schaumann onto the ground. Schaumann sustained a small abrasion during the force response. Schaumann was placed into a WRAP restraint and transported to the Deschutes County Adult jail where he was lodged on the listed charges. 

Charges;

Burglary I

Attempted Burglary I (2 counts)

Criminal Mischief I

Criminal Mischief II

Aggravated Theft

Resisting Arrest

Submitted By Sergeant R.C. Bigelow

Case number: 2020-48567 

Date and time:? February 14, 2020 at 9:19 p.m. 

Location: 1260 NE Purcell Boulevard; Golden Pines Apartments 

Suspect: Luis Fernando Almanza-Corona, 37 year-old male, Bend Resident 

Suspect Vehicle: Red 2010 Dodge 2500  

Victim 1:  Valeria Estefania Ambrosio-Villegas, 27 year-old female, Bend Resident 

Victim 2:  Jorge Cruz-Silva, 28 year-old male, Bend Resident 

Victim 3:  12 year-old child, Bend Resident 

Victim 4:  8 year-old child, Bend Resident? 

On February 14, 2020, Bend Police Officers and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the report of a shooting at an apartment in the Golden Pines Apartment complex.  Once at the scene, officers learned that a dispute had occurred inside an apartment and a handgun had been fired.  Four residents had been inside the residence at the time:  Valeria Ambrosio-Villegas, Jorge Cruz-Silva and two children.  Luis Almanza-Corona, an extended family member who had gone to the apartment, had fired the gun in close proximity to the victims.  Almanza-Corona fled the scene in a Dodge 2500.  No one was injured in the shooting.  The handgun involved in the shooting was left at the scene.   

At 9:59 p.m., a Redmond Police Officer observed the Dodge driving in Redmond.  A high risk traffic stop was conducted with assistance from Deschutes County Sheriff’s Deputies and Oregon State Police Troopers at SW Canal Boulevard and SW Xero Avenue.  Luis Almanza-Corona was the driver and initially refused to surrender.  A negotiator with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene and successfully negotiated with Almanza-Corona to surrender.  Almanza-Corona was transported to the Bend Police Department for further investigation and is expected to be lodged at the Deschutes County Jail on the below charges. 

Charges: 

Attempt Assault I (1 count) 

Menacing (1 counts) 

Reckless Endangering (4 counts) 

Unlawful Use of a Weapon (1 count) 

Burglary I (1 count) 

Pointing Firearm at Another (1 Count) 

Submitted by: Brian Beekman, Lieutenant / Adam Juhnke, Lieutenant

Released by: Lt. Chad Davis

Release Date: 2/19/20

Arrested Person: Foley, Andrew      Age: 55

                                Sacramento, CA

NARRATIVE:

On 2/15/20 at 11:22 a.m., deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office initiated a traffic stop on HWY 97 north of La Pine for the violations of speeding and failing to signal a lane change.  During the business of the traffic stop, K-9 Ares alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle.  

The driver, Andrew Foley, was detained while his vehicle was searched for narcotics.  Deputies discovered 465.9 grams, or approximately one pound, of suspected methamphetamine concealed within the vehicle.  Foley was arrested for the charges of Manufacture of a Controlled Substance, Delivery of a Controlled Substance, and Delivery of a Controlled Substance.  He was lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail on the charges.  

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves the nearly 190,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 230 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 187 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.

Released by: Sgt. William Bailey – Public Information Officer

Release Date: February 18, 2020

NARRATIVE:

On February 10, 2020, Deke DeMars, a patrol sergeant with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an administrative inquiry into alleged agency policy violations.

Today, Kevin Dizney, a patrol sergeant with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an administrative inquiry into alleged agency policy violations.

Anytime the Sheriff’s Office receives information alleging a policy violation, we will completely investigate the allegation to determine if an agency policy violation(s) has occurred and if any personnel action is necessary.

## End of Release ##

Released by: Sgt. William Bailey – Public Information Officer

Release Date: February 18, 2020

Deceased Inmate: Bomar, Chad Braden         Age: 33          Bend, Oregon

NARRATIVE:

On February 18, 2020, at approximately 10:04 am, corrections deputies located 33 year old Chad B. Bomar of Bend unconscious in his cell after an apparent suicide attempt.  Emergency medical personnel with the Bend Fire Department were called to the scene and deputies immediately began life saving measures, including CPR.  Emergency medical personnel arrived approximately two minutes later and took over care, but determined Mr. Bomar was deceased. 

The Major Incident Team has been activated and is investigating the death, led by the Oregon State Police.  The Oregon State Police is being assisted by the Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Deschutes County Medical Examiner’s Office and Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office.  Mr. Bomar was celled with another inmate when this occurred and he has been interviewed as part of this investigation. 

Mr. Bomar's next of kin has been notified.

Any further details will come from the Major Incident Team, led by the Oregon State Police, and/or the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves the nearly 190,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 230 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 187 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.

## End of Release ##

Released by: Sgt. William Bailey – Public Information Officer

Release Date: February 18, 2020

NARRATIVE:

On February 17, 2020, at approximately 3:51pm, deputies with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) were dispatched to a report of human remains that had been located on U.S. Forest Service land approximately one half mile south of the Deschutes River Woods area.  An individual hiking in the area made the discovery and reported the information to Deschutes County 911.

Deputies and DCSO detectives arrived at the location and confirmed the discovery of human skeletal remains.  Deputies and detectives have worked since then, assisted by the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office, Bend Police Department, Deschutes County Medical Examiner, and the Oregon State Police Crime Lab, to document, collect evidence, and recover the remains.   A State Forensic Anthropologist will conduct an examination of the skeletal remains in an attempt to determine identity and cause of death.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves the nearly 190,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 230 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 187 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.

## End of Release ##

Released by: Deputy Aaron Myers, Assistant SAR Coordinator

Date: February 16, 2020

Location: Near Tumalo Falls

Rescued: Mullen, Patricia, 60 year old female Bend, Oregon 

On February 16, 2020, at approximately 1110 hours, 911 Dispatch received a call advising a bicyclist, Patricia Mullen, had injured herself near Tumalo Falls. The reporting person told 911 Dispatch that Mullen was crossing a foot bridge near the Tumalo Creek Trail and the South Fork Trail when she fell. At the time she fell, Mullen was carrying her bicycle, which was a fat bike. 

Mullen sustained non life threatening injuries, however, was unable to make her way back to the trailhead. Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Volunteers were called to assist. At approximately 1245 hours, a SAR Volunteer made contact with Mullen. 7 additional SAR Volunteers arrived with snowmobiles and a ambu-sled to transport Mullen to the trailhead. 

The 7 SAR Volunteers rode 2.5 Miles on snowmobile, then hiked approximately 1/2 mile to reach Mullen. They arrived to her location at approximately 1:30 PM. Mullen was hiked 1/2 mile out and transported 2.5 miles back to the trailhead where she was evaluated by Bend Fire. Mullen was transported by Bend Fire to St. Charles for further evaluation. 

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Street Crimes, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves the nearly 190,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 230 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 187 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.

  

The FBI has launched the “Protected Voices” initiative to help 2020 political campaigns and American voters protect against online foreign influence operations and cyber security threats. The Protected Voices campaign includes information and guidance from the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

This FBI Portland Tech Tuesday report is adapted from the Protected Voices initiative with a focus on providing cyber security information to political campaigns as well as businesses and individuals in Oregon. More information on all aspects of the initiative, including video downloads, can be found at www.FBI.gov/ProtectedVoices.

(Audio)

Welcome to the Oregon FBI’s Tech Tuesday segment. This week: building a digital defense with passwords… or rather passphrases.

We all use passwords. We use them for our phones, our computers, our email, and just about every other kind of personal account.

Unfortunately, many of us use simple passwords, such as Password1 or 1234, because they’re easier to remember. Some of us even reuse the same simple password for multiple accounts. 

If you use a simple password or pattern of characters, it’s considerably easier for an adversary to crack. Many businesses and sites require that passwords include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. However, recent guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or NIST, advises that password length is much more important than password complexity. 

Instead of using a short, complex password that is hard to remember… consider using a longer passphrase. This involves combining multiple words into a long string of at least 15 characters. The extra length of a passphrase makes it harder to crack while also making it easier for you to remember.

For example, a phrase such as VoicesProtected2020WeAre is a strong passphrase. Even better – a passphrase that combines multiple unrelated words such as “director month learn truck.”

Here are the recommendations from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for your organization:

• Require everyone to use longer passwords or passphrases of 15 or more characters without requiring uppercase, lowercase, or special characters.
• Only require password changes when there’s a reason to believe your network has been compromised.
• Have your network administrators screen everyone’s passwords against lists of dictionary words and passwords known to have been compromised.
• To help prevent a denial of service attack against your email service, don’t lock a user’s account after a certain number of incorrect login attempts. That way, even if an adversary floods your network with purposefully incorrect login information, your users won’t be locked out of their accounts.
• Don’t allow password “hints.”

Finally, some people use password keeper programs. These programs store all of your passwords in one place, sometimes called a vault. Some programs can even make strong passwords for you and keep track of them all in one location, so then the only password or passphrase you have to remember is the one for your vault.

The downside of using a password keeper program is that if an attacker cracks your vault password, then he or she knows all of your passwords for all of your accounts. But many IT professionals agree, the benefit of a password keeper program far outweighs this risk. A little research should help you get started. 

Remember your voice matters, so protect it. Go to www.FBI.gov/ProtectedVoices for more information.

###

Correction - Years of service were switched and are now correct.

The names of the Silverton Police Department officers are being released:

• Officer Jonathan Lamoreaux (38) - 6 years with Silverton Police Department.
• Officer Tim Hein (31) - 9 years with Silverton Police Department. 

No more information is available to be released at this time.

The Oregon State Police is continuing the investigation into the OIS in Silverton.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that William Bluestone was in possession of a handgun at the time of the shooting.

The Silverton Officer was wearing a body worn camera and the incident was recorded.  It is unable to be released at this time as this is an open/active investigation.

The Oregon State Police and Marion County DA’s office understands the public’s desire to know immediate information when an officer is involved in a deadly use of force.  However in an effort to complete a fair and thorough investigation information needs to be withheld until after a Grand Jury can be convened to hear the facts of the case, as is Marion County District Attorneys standard practice.

No more information is available to be released at this time.

On February 14, 2020 at approximately 12:40 P.M., Silverton Police Department personnel responded to a reported domestic violence disturbance at 911 Reserve St. Apt.#3, in Silverton.

Shortly after arriving, officers located the involved man, William Bluestone (21) of Bend/Silverton, concealed in the bedroom of the apartment. Bluestone told officers he was armed with a handgun and barricaded himself.

Officers attempted to negotiate his surrender for more than an hour when shots were fired. Bluestone was pronounced deceased by medical personnel who arrived shortly thereafter.

This investigation is being led by the Oregon State Police with the assistance of the Salem Police Department, Marion County Sheriff's Office and Keizer Police Department. The Marion County District Attorney’s Office is overseeing the investigation and will release additional details when appropriate.

The involved officer was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation as per protocol.

On Monday, February 17, 2020 at approximately 3:00 P.M., Oregon State Police and emergency personnel responded to a vehicle crash on Hwy 101 near milepost 323.

Preliminary investigation revealed that a red Ford Ranger pickup, operated by Jerry Vanhoosen (70) of Kerman, CA. had been northbound on Hwy 101 when it left the roadway, impacted a tree, and came to rest in a ravine.  

Vanhoosen was pronounced deceased. 

Vanhoosen had been reported missing to the Brookings Police Department on February 11 and it is believed the last known contact with Vanhoosen was on February 8.

Brookings Police Department had been actively looking for Vanhoosen with assistance from the Curry County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue.

REDMOND, OR – During the month of January 2020, the Redmond Police Department conducted grant funded speed and seat belt enforcement patrols.  Redmond patrol officers working these shifts made a total of 35 enforcement contacts with 23 of these being speed related, in addition to officers working regular patrol shifts.  Enhanced patrols included the area of the Yew Avenue and Airport Way interchange, downtown Redmond, as well as South Canal Blvd near the 27th Street Roundabout.

Redmond Police will continue enhanced patrols throughout the year to include Distracted Driving Awareness month in April. The goal of these increased grant funded patrols is to reduce fatalities and injuries through support of traffic safety law enforcement, training and public education.

The officers of your Redmond Police Department are committed to making Redmond the safest community in Oregon.  Preventing, locating and arresting DUII drivers is one of many ways they are working to accomplish this vision.  Funding to support these enhanced speed and seat belt enforcement patrols is provided by a Traffic Safety Grant awarded to the Redmond Police Department from the Oregon Department of Transportation. 

Your Redmond Police Department serves you by responding to nearly 24,000 calls for service a year, with a professional staff of 45 sworn officers and 11 support staff. 

Prepared By: Sergeant Jonny Dickson

The Oregon Department of Transportation is in the process of lifting all vehicle restrictions that were in place for travelers on OR204 (Weston-Elgin/Tollgate Highway). A single-lane work zone along the flood-damaged section between MP 26.7 at Andes Prairie and MP 37.4 at Summerville Road prompted the restrictions. Pilot cars are escorting traffic through this area with anticipated delays of 30 minutes to two hours, depending on weather conditions and construction activities.

Commercial truck restrictions will be lifted today at 3:00 p.m. Pilot car operations will continue with extended delays.

If chain requirements are in effect in the work zone, vehicles will be required to install chains prior to entering the 11-mile-long work zone and will be required to keep their chains on through the entire zone (there is no room in this area for chain install or removal).  If drivers in the pilot line were to stop to install or remove chains within the work zone it will cause extremely long wait times at each end of the work zone.

Motorists are reminded to plan extra travel time and be prepared for long delays as crews work to stabilize the road and prevent further damage. The pilot car operation is complicated by snow removal activities, contractor repair work, and a steep highway grade adjacent to Little Phillips Creek. Road rebuilding efforts will take place as soon as weather conditions improve. Due to heavy snow and other challenges along this highway mountain pass, the impacted section is not expected to open to normal two-lane travel until late spring or early summer.

Check TripCheck.com for update conditions or call 511 / 800-977-6368. Outside Oregon call 503-588-2941.

Additional documentation highlights robust analysis
 

The Bureau of Land Management will publish six draft supplemental environmental impact statements (SEISs) on Friday for management of Greater Sage-Grouse habitat on public lands in seven Western states, highlighting the collaborative process undergone in 2019 to develop plans that reflected the needs of Western communities and Greater Sage Grouse habitat.  

The draft SEISs address issues identified in an October 16, 2019, order issued by the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho, which placed a preliminary injunction on the implementation of 2019 BLM sage-grouse plans in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada/northeastern California and Oregon.

"In March of last year, the Greater Sage-Grouse conservation plans were adopted with strong bipartisan support by the Western states, as the plans made important modifications that matched the input provided by the states and Western communities," said Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Casey Hammond. "The draft SEISs illustrate the hard look and robust analysis we performed in this collaborative process to balance our habitat conservation and enhancement goals in response to recent litigation."

The draft SEISs explain how the range of alternatives analyzed in the 2019 EISs was developed, the incorporation by reference of the effects analysis from the 2015 EISs, and how best available science was used. Reports by the National Technical Team and Conservation Objective Team were critical in developing the plans. The current draft SEISs also clarify the BLM’s approach to compensatory mitigation in authorizing various uses of lands that also provide habitat for the sage-grouse.

Suspending implementation of the 2019 plans has affected programs and projects across the BLM and in Western states from authorizations of renewable energy projects and oil and gas leases to grazing permit renewals and wildfire management. For example, in northeastern California, adaptive management measures to respond to changes in sage-grouse populations cannot currently be used because the data-model used in the 2015 plan is no longer the best available information.

In Wyoming, a land exchange that would increase public access and improve resource management cannot proceed and in Utah, court-ordered travel management planning has been slowed while routes are re-evaluated for conformance with the earlier sage-grouse plans. The impact to the states goes on, but the BLM is complying with the court’s order by conforming its actions to the 2015 plans while the draft SEISs undergo public review and comment.  

States primarily manage wildlife species, and federal agencies like the BLM manage wildlife habitat. The 2019 plans were adopted after months of close coordination and cooperation with state governments in the affected states. The goal was to better align BLM plans for managing habitat with state plans for conserving the species, including state plans for compensatory mitigation, while addressing the circumstances and needs of each individual state. 

The 2019 plans received bipartisan support from the governors who sought changes to the 2015 plans for their respective states.

The draft SEISs are now available online. The BLM will accept comments on the documents starting Friday, February 21, 2020, through April 6, 2020.

###

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals. 

On Wednesday, February 19, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. EST, Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Casey Hammond will hold a media teleconference to discuss the availability of supplemental environmental impact statements to the 2019 Greater Sage-Grouse conservation plans.  The SEISs respond to a 2019 preliminary injunction suspending implementation of the plans.

Who:  Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Casey Hammond
What:  Media teleconference to discuss the Greater Sage-Grouse plans
When:  3:00 p.m. EST, Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Call details:  All credentialed news media are invited to participate. You must RSVP at BLM_press@blm.gov prior to the call to receive the call-in number and passcode for today’s teleconference.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported 471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly through royalties on minerals.

More than 200 career and volunteer firefighters from more than 75 fire agencies (city and tribal fire departments, fire districts, and wildland) throughout the state are at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem this weekend for the State's annual Winter Fire School.

This two-day event began with the posting of the colors by the Oregon Fire Service Honor Guard after which all military service members in attendance were recognized for protecting our nation.  Those attending the training made a $500 donation to help support the state's Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial which is located on the grounds of the Academy and honors more than 150 men and women from diverse backgrounds who died in the line of duty while protecting our communities, airports and natural resources.

This is the 17th annual Winter Fire School hosted by the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) and is held at the Oregon Public Safety Academy 4190 Aumsville Highway in Salem.

Nine classes are being offered by the National Fire Academy, DPSST, and the City of Dallas Fire & EMS Department.

Classes range from leadership topics such as Incident Safety Officer, Leadership in Supervision: Creating Environments for Professional Growth, Instructor Development, Fire Service Culture: Who Protects Firefighters from Firefighters?, Leadership in Supervision: Frameworks to Success, Wildland Urban Interface: Fire Adapted Communities-Introduction and Leadership.  Hands-on training classes include Vehicle Extrication, Emergency Vehicle Operations, and Live-Fire Training.

DPSST Director Eriks Gabliks said "DPSST is proud to offer this weekend training event each year.  This event is held in a weekend setting because over 80% of the firefighters in Oregon are volunteers. This two-day event is the largest two-day fire training experience in the Pacific Northwest that is offered free of charge.  The hands-on classes being offered are using training props which DPSST recently received thanks to a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant."

While many people are aware of DPSST's law enforcement training programs, they may not realize that DPSST is also the state fire training organization for Oregon and provides hundreds of training opportunities to more than 7,000 firefighters each year at the Academy and at regional locations statewide free of charge with funds provided by the Oregon Legislative Assembly from the state's Fire Insurance Premium Tax.

DPSST appreciates the red carpet hospitality local businesses, and the Salem community as a whole, roll-out for the career and volunteer firefighters attending this weekend training opportunity.

## Background Information on the DPSST ##

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) operates the Oregon Public Safety Academy which spans more than 235 acres in Salem. The Academy is nationally recognized for its innovative training programs and active stakeholder involvement. Eriks Gabliks serves as the Director, and Patricia Patrick-Joling serves as the Chair of the Board. The department implements minimum standards established by the Board for the training and certification of more than 45,000 city, tribal, county and state law enforcement officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, fire service personnel, 9-1-1 telecommunicators, emergency medical dispatchers and private security providers.

DPSST provides training to more than 25,000 students each year throughout Oregon and at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem: certifies qualified officers at various levels from basic through executive; certifies qualified instructors; and reviews and accredits training programs throughout the state based on standards established by the Board.

Salem, Ore. – Using the arts as a means of addressing community need is at the heart of 36 projects awarded $205,386 by the Oregon Arts Commission’s Arts Build Communities grant program for FY2020. The Arts Build Communities program targets broad geographic impact and arts access for underserved audiences in Oregon.

Projects funded include “Anna & Abby’s Yard in Forest Grove,” an accessible playground with a culturally responsive design that supports inclusion for children with disabilities by Harper’s Playground; Cameras for Change, an Outside the Frame project offering film training and equipment access for youth experiencing homelessness in Portland; and “What I Know for Sure,” a writing/performance project featuring seniors from both the Klamath Basin Senior Citizens’ Center and EagleRidge High School in Klamath Falls.

“This program provides financial support to arts and other community-based organizations for projects that address a local community problem, issue or need through an arts-based solution," said Arts Commission Vice Chair Jenny Green, who led the review panel. “Local citizens employ creative thinking and collective response to identify a local need and provide an arts-based solution.”

The grants also spark and leverage many other investments and resources, serving as a catalyst for greater economic and civic impact, said Green.

In recent years Arts Build Communities projects attracted more than $600,000 in additional investment, much of it representing salaries paid to artists and others as well as products and services purchased in the funded communities.

Arts Build Communities grants are made possible through a funding partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

The FY2020 recipients are:

Applegate Regional Theatre Inc, Veneta: $3,276

To support a local history writing competition for youth in two local school districts resulting in a show celebrating seven winners. The award will fund printing flyers, performance advertising and a videographer as well as props, sets and costumes for the production.

Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon, Portland: $5,832           

To create a cultural event series at the Orchards of 82nd (O82), a multi-use development comprising 48 units of affordable housing and APANO’s new community space. The series will include four to six events and be grounded in the recently-completed Orchards of 82nd Art Plan. Funds will be used for programmatic expenses such as artist fees and supplies. The primary audience will be O82 residents and neighbors in East Portland.

Bay City Arts Center, Bay City: $5,158   

To support the 2019-20 Youth Art Education Integration Project. Arts instructors provide art education at K-8 Central Tillamook schools with emphasis on math, science, social studies and humanities themed art projects. The grant award will support art instructor labor, art supplies and tools.

Boom Arts, Portland : $4,973         

To support the Acting Out Festival, a three-day festival with a mix of contemporary outdoor theatre, promenade and circus performances plus try-it-yourself workshops in partnership with The Circus Project and Portland Parks and Recreation. Funds will support artist fees and travel.

Cascade School of Music, Bend: $6,079

To support the continuation and expansion of the CSM Outreach Program. Funds will support the Awesome After School Orchestra program at three elementary schools, a Youth Enrichment class at Boys & Girls Club Bend, an intergenerational Kindermusik (ages 1-5) class at Mt. Bachelor Assisted Living & Memory Care and a bi-lingual Kindermusik class for the Latino Community.

Central Oregon LandWatch, Bend: $6,450

To support the second phase of #ProjectUnderpass to co-design and install a mural with Latinx students for the south pedestrian railroad tunnel of the Franklin underpass in Bend. Funds will support artist fees, paint and supplies, safety equipment, interpretation and/or translation services, facilitation and participant incentives.

Chinese Friendship Association of Portland, Tigard: $5,195

To support the 2020 Lunar New Year celebration Gala in Portland 5 (Keller Auditorium). The celebration included traditional Chinese arts and crafts typical of Chinese New Year, performances that demonstrate Chinese dance, song, martial arts and traditional Chinese instruments, Chinese fashion show, Chinese Opera singing and a magic show. The funds support artist fees, facility and equipment rental.

Delgani String Quartet, Eugene: $7,000

To support "Body of Sound," a statewide tour and collaboration with DanceAbility International, the world’s leading organization for mixed ability dance. “Body of Sound” will feature both classical and contemporary works for string quartet all choreographed for mixed ability dance; performances will take place April 3-7 in Portland, Bend, Ashland and Eugene. Grant award funds will support artist fees.

Deschutes Public Library Foundation, Bend: $4,293  

To support the Library’s community read program, “A Novel Idea.” Residents are encouraged to read, discuss, create and explore the selected book together. “A Novel Idea” broadens cultural, social, educational and economic areas of community life by ensuring wide access through partnerships with local artists, organizations and businesses. Grant award funds will be used to purchase books and to assist in paying the author’s honorarium.

Eugene-Springfield Youth Orchestras, Eugene: $6,003

To support the Orchestras’ String Academy project, which brings free and low-cost beginning strings classes (violin, viola, cello and string bass) to nine low-income schools in the Eugene 4J School district, giving children of all backgrounds the benefits of learning an instrument. Grant award funds will support project management and artistic staff, scholarships, instrument purchases and repairs.

Eugene Symphony Association, Inc., Eugene: $6,741

To launch “Vets Connect.” Through an enhanced partnership with the national nonprofit Veteran Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix), the Symphony will double its current offering of free tickets to 40 for every subscription concert for veterans and their family members, supplemented by opportunities for participation, music enrichment and social bonding. Grant award funds will help defray costs of free concert tickets, the Symphony Connect ensemble and a contracted music therapist.

Fishtrap Inc, Enterprise: $7,000

To support The Big Read, an annual event designed to bring communities together to celebrate one work of literature. This year's selection is "When the Emperor Was Divine" by Julie Otsuka, which tells the story of a Japanese-American family separated and incarcerated after the outbreak of World War II. Grant award funds will support free books for schools, libraries and community members in addition to guest lecturer fees, supplies, promotion and personnel.

Harper's Playground, Portland: $5,977

To support “Anna & Abby’s Yard in Forest Grove,” an accessible playground in Rogers Park, Forest Grove, with a culturally responsive design that supports inclusion for children with disabilities and benefits all children through access to outdoor activities, nature, and open-ended play. Grant award funds will support artist fees, signage and installation.

Hollywood Senior Center, Portland: $6,541

To support one year of Poetry Power, a therapeutic poetry writing program for older adult survivors of elder abuse. Poetry Power supports healing and growth through compassionate listening and facilitating creative expression in a safe and supportive environment. Grant award funds will support wages for key personnel, recruiting/training volunteer writing mentors, outreach to participants and materials for Poetry Power sessions.

Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, Joseph: $5,868

To support “Women Celebrate 100 Years of Voting & Art,” a multi-disciplinary six-week celebration of women through art, theatrical performances, music, history, current affairs and more. Grant award funds will support musical and theatrical performances; an historical exhibit that will be printed on special panels and an open call for the women’s art exhibit.

Klamath Basin Senior Citizens' Center, Inc., Klamath Falls: $3,000

To support “What I Know For Sure,” a writing/performance series featuring seniors from both the Senior Citizens’ Center and EagleRidge High School aimed at demonstrating the value of intergenerational relationships. Grant award funds will support fees for a project facilitator, a director and a videographer, as well as a facility rental fee and stipends for four senior citizen participants and seven high school seniors.

Lane Arts Council, Eugene: $7,000

To support “Celebrating Latinx arts and culture in Springfield and rural Lane County.” Grant award funds will support artist fees for community cultural events; promoting cultural events and expanding our community outreach; and connecting Latinx artists and organizations to much-needed resources, such as professional development opportunities, potential event venues and more.

Literary Arts Inc, Portland: $5,459

To support the Oregon Book Awards Author Tour, which will connect Oregon authors with small communities across the state. Grant award funds will support author travel and expenses.

Materials Exchange Center for Community Arts, Eugene: $4,382

To support the Object Afterlife Art Challenge, which uses the arts to solve an environmental problem. Artists receive a mystery material and two months to create fine art out of scraps; the event culminates in a public exhibition at Oregon Supported Living Center’s Lincoln Gallery in conjunction with Eugene’s First Friday ArtWalk. Grant award funds will provide scholarships and a venue rental while offsetting marketing, supply and reception expenses.

Miracle Theatre Group, Portland: $6,922           

To support a UNIDAD environmental arts residency for the Nixya’awii School and community in Pendleton. Grant award funds will support artist fees, transportation and curriculum development.

My Voice Music, Portland: $6,568

To support a 2020 Transition Age Artist Mentorship Program. The program will provide 25 young musicians (ages 18-24) with musical mentorship, teaching-artist training, paid internships and career counseling to help them realize their musical visions and successfully navigate independence. Grant award funds will support staff and artist fees, youth participant teaching wages and performance stipends.

Northwest Classical Theatre Collaborative, Portland: $7,000

To support the tour and West Coast premiere of Canadian poet and classicist Anne Carson’s modern language translation of “Antigone,” accompanied by live cello music, to culturally under-served populations in Multnomah, Clackamas, Umatilla, Marion, Coos, Washington, Wallowa, Yamhill and Lake counties. Grant award funds will support artist fees, transportation and lodging.

Open Hearts Open Minds, Portland: $5,083

To support “Theatre at Coffee Creek” at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility. Two theater professionals will meet twice weekly with approximately 18 women inmates for dialogue groups and creative exercises. The women will adapt a play and write an original play to be performed in front of live audiences.

Oregon Children's Theatre Company, Portland: $6,827

To support production of “The Journal of Ben Uchida: Citizen 13559,” which tells the story of the imprisonment of Japanese American citizens during World War II. The show will run at Portland’s Winningstad Theater from Feb. 29 to March 20. Grant award funds will support wrap-around community engagement activities (including panel discussions, performances and historical/artistic displays).

Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport: $4,973

To support artist commission fees for scientific illustration and graphic production of murals for three indoor galleries. The murals will provide a visual narrative connecting Oregon’s coastal shores to ocean depths and will depict marine life for interpretation.

Oregon Coast Youth Symphony Festival Association, Newport: $4,268

To support Festival activities and expand the size and scope of its statewide music community. Grant award funds will support expenses (food, housing, etc.) for visiting high school students and teachers to ensure access for participants.

Outside the Frame, Portland: $7,000

To support Cameras for Change, an expansion of film training and equipment access for youth experiencing homelessness. Grant award funds will support film instructor fees, film supplies, youth meals, youth transportation and post-production expenses.

PlayWrite, Portland: $6,541

To support PlayWrite Youth Workshops. Grant award funds will support fees for coaches, actors and staff for four playwriting workshops as well as supplies, facility rental.

Portland Community College Foundation, Portland: $4,729

To support the 30th Annual Cascade Festival of African Films, the longest continuously running annual African film festival in the U.S. The Festival runs for five weeks around Black History Month, brining films from every region of the African continent to approximately 5,000 attendees free of charge. Grant award funds will support community outreach, community master classes with visiting filmmakers, speaker fees, and film screening fees.

Portland Lesbian Choir, Portland: $5,535

To support an open rehearsal for the Choir’s June concert: “A Roof and a Bed.” The June 7 concert will features two new commissions and three new arrangements and will be presented with video footage and narration relating the experience of being homeless with hope for change. Community partners will invite 200 homeless clients and 200 friends and donors to the event. The open rehearsal will take place on June 5.

Portland Taiko, Portland: $3,623

To support the "People of the Drum" concert featuring four percussion-based music and dance groups representing different ethnic and cultural traditions. Grant award funds will support artist fees, venue costs, project management and promotional materials.

Rogue Valley Chorale Association, Medford: $4,019

To support “Spring Sing,” three concerts performed by students for their peers to motivate them to seek out musical opportunities. Grant award funds will be support transportation, stipends for conductors and accompanists, and promotional materials.

The Circus Project, Portland: $6,670

To support the second year of the Voice Project, a recurring year-long program for youth from marginalized identities who create and perform an original ensemble circus performance focused on a social justice theme of their choosing. Grant award funds support classes and private lessons, production opportunities, participant stipends, athletic wear, food, bus tickets and access to showers and hygiene items.

The High Desert Museum, Bend: $7,000           

To support the “Natural Wanderment: Stewardship. Sovereignty. Sacredness” exhibition and an accompanying Native youth workshop series. Grant award funds will support the exhibition, which will explore Native identity through contemporary art, as well as artist fees and supplies for the workshop series, which will connect Native youth to professional Native artists and enable them to apply Indigenous methodology to contemporary art forms to construct positive self-identities.

University of Oregon Foundation, Eugene: $5,497

To support a Community Music Institute pilot outreach program in partnership with Chamber Music Amici. "Violin Instruction for Pre-K Students at Whiteaker Head Start" will provide chamber music performances and developmentally appropriate instruction to students and their families. Grant award funds will support the purchase of string instruments for in-class instruction.

Write Around Portland, Portland: $6,904

To support “Respect, Writing and Community: Empowering Youth Voices,” eight free 10-week writing workshops for 70 to 100 underserved youth in partnership with social service agencies. Following the workshops the youths' writing will be published in two anthologies and showcased during free public readings. Grant award funds will help expand the workshops’ reach, build new partnerships, train volunteers, provide materials and support the publications and readings.

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of Business Oregon (formerly Oregon Economic and Community Development Department) in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities. In 2003, the Oregon legislature moved the operations of the Oregon Cultural Trust to the Arts Commission, streamlining operations and making use of the Commission’s expertise in grantmaking, arts and cultural information and community cultural development.  

The Arts Commission is supported with general funds appropriated by the Oregon legislature and with federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as funds from the Oregon Cultural Trust. More information about the Oregon Arts Commission is available online at:  www.oregonartscommission.org.

(Salem) – Oregon OSHA has fined an Albany foundry $27,500 for violating job safety rules designed to protect workers from serious harm or death. The citation against Selmet Inc. follows an investigation of a furnace explosion that injured two workers, one of whom suffered second- and third-degree burns to his body.

The division’s investigation of the Aug. 15, 2019, accident identified three serious violations by Selmet. Those violations included failing to account for employee safety in the layout and design of the foundry, and overlooking proper work clothing and equipment.

“There are concrete steps employers can take to make safety a meaningful part of the operation of a work site,” said Michael Wood, administrator for Oregon OSHA. “Neglecting such steps, as this case demonstrates, serves only to invite more risk and the severe consequences that frequently come with it.”

The worker who suffered severe burns was operating a furnace – powered by high-voltage electricity – to melt titanium. He was doing so in a part of the foundry that contains older furnaces and where employees use control panels that are near each furnace. The furnace experienced a system failure that leaked water used for cooling into a vacuum chamber. The reaction of molten titanium with water triggered the explosion. 

The blast, which blew the roof off part of the building, left the worker with multiple burns to his head, neck, arms, and chest. The force of the blast threw another worker, stationed at the operating panel of another furnace, into a parts table.

Oregon OSHA cited Selmet for failing to account for safety measures in the design, layout, and operation of the older furnaces. Such measures could include blast walls to protect against explosions, isolated control rooms, or removal of employees from the risk zone during operations. The company had installed such measures for newer furnaces, according to Oregon OSHA’s investigation.

That serious violation carries a $13,750 penalty. Oregon OSHA also fined Selmet $13,750 for two related serious violations involving a lack of appropriate work clothing and personal protective equipment for furnace operators.

The total proposed fine of $27,500 reflects a 10 percent increase in the base penalties assigned to the violations. The increase reflects Selmet’s negative history of nine reportable accidents in the last three years.

In addition to its enforcement activities, Oregon OSHA offers employers resources to help improve workplace safety and health.

Contact Oregon OSHA’s no-cost consultation services for help with safety and health programs:

Phone: 503-378-3272

Toll-free in Oregon: 800-922-2689

Field office locations and phone numbers: https://osha.oregon.gov/Pages/maps.aspx

Email: consult.web@oregon.gov

The agency’s technical staff members can answer questions about rules and how to apply them:

Phone: 503-378-3272

Toll-free in Oregon: 800-922-2689

Email: tech.web@oregon.gov

Online contact form: https://osha.oregon.gov/Pages/Contact-Technical.aspx

Visit Oregon OSHA’s A-to-Z topic page for more information about on-the-job safety and health: https://osha.oregon.gov/Pages/az-index.aspx

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Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, enforces the state’s workplace safety and health rules and works to improve workplace safety and health for all Oregon workers. For more information, visit www.osha.oregon.gov.

The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, go to www.dcbs.oregon.gov.

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet in Salem on Wednesday, March 4 at 9 a.m. The meeting agenda includes:

• A review and finalization of the 2020-2021 Board Work Plans.
• An approval of the legislative concepts for the 2021 Legislative Session.
• A presentation of the 2019 Forest Practices Operator of the Year Awards.
• An update on the smoke management rule implementation.
• A collaborative effort underway with the Department of Environmental Quality.
• A presentation from the Oregon State University (OSU) College of Forestry (COF).
• An update on the work of the fire finance oversight team.
• A discussion on good governance.

The public meeting will be held in the Tillamook Room, Building C, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, located at 2600 State St. in Salem.

Public comment will be accepted on agenda topics, as well as during the start of the meeting for topics not on the agenda. A sign-up sheet will be available for public comment on a first-come, first-served basis. To ensure the Board has the opportunity to conduct all business on the agenda, public testimony will be limited to 30 minutes per agenda item. Written comments may be submitted to oardofforestry@oregon.gov">Boardofforestry@oregon.gov in advance of the meeting.

Meeting materials and a livestream option will be available for those who wish to view the meeting remotely. For more details, visit https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/BOFMeetings.aspx.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling ODF’s Public Affairs Office at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200.

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include appointing the State Forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30 million-acre forestland base. More information about the Board is available at https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Board/Pages/AboutBOF.aspx.

As Department of Revenue representatives prepare for Corporate Activity Tax (CAT) update meetings in 13 cities across Oregon in March, the agency reminds businesses that that they have 30 days after eclipsing $750,000 in commercial activity for the year to register for the CAT.

Businesses that passed the $750,000 threshold in late January will need to register with the department by the end of February.

“Our CAT team will personally engage our taxpaying communities in March to provide important compliance information. Before those meetings, however, we want to remind businesses who have reached the threshold that the first step of compliance is registration,” said Nia Ray, director of the Oregon Department of Revenue.

Meetings on the March tour are planned in Bend, Ontario, La Grande, The Dalles, Klamath Falls, Ashland, Eugene, Gresham, Coos Bay, Lincoln City, Seaside, Keizer and the west side of the Portland metro area. The full schedule is available on the CAT page of the agency’s website.

More than 6,100 businesses have already registered for the CAT. During the 2019 session the Legislative Revenue Office predicted approximately 40,000 businesses would have to pay taxes under the CAT, which went into effect Jan. 1.

To register, individuals doing business in Oregon will need their name, and their social security number or individual taxpayer identification number. Businesses will need their entity’s legal name and federal employer identification number.
Businesses and individuals will need:
• Their mailing address;
• The date they exceeded or expect to exceed $750,000 in Oregon commercial activity;
• A valid email address or current Revenue Online login, and;
• Their Business Activity Code (Refer to the current list of North American Industry Classification System codes found with their federal income tax return instructions.)
Taxpayers don’t need a Revenue Online account to register for the CAT. Those who have Revenue Online accounts can’t be logged in to register for the CAT. Instead, they should go directly to the CAT webpage and click on the “Register for the CAT” link on the right-hand side of the page.

The ability to make online payments and apply for ACH credit are now also available through Revenue Online.

CAT registrants who want to make ACH payments must submit an ACH credit application for the Corporate Activity Tax (CAT). The application is available on the department’s website through Revenue Online by scrolling down to “Tools” and clicking “apply for ACH credit.”

Once their application is completed, taxpayers will receive a confirmation providing the routing and account number. Taxpayers should not use account numbers from other tax programs. First quarter estimated payments for the CAT are due April 30.

More information about the Corporate Activity Tax is available on the Department of Revenue’s website at www.oregon.gov/dor. It includes a list of frequently asked questions and a form to sign-up for email updates on the CAT. Stakeholders can direct questions or comments about the CAT via email to cat.help.dor@oregon.gov or call 503-945-8005.

Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments; call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish); 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon; or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), call 800-886-7204.

(Salem, OR)—The Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) will host a series of meetings in the first week of March in central Oregon, eastern Oregon and the Columbia River gorge to provide information to business taxpayers and tax professionals about the administrative rules for Oregon’s new Corporate Activity Tax (CAT).

The meetings are being held in cooperation with the small business development centers at Central Oregon Community College (COCC), Treasure Valley Community College (TVCC), Eastern Oregon University (EOU) and Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC).

“Our CAT team will personally engage taxpaying communities again in March. We want to provide taxpayers with the information and tools necessary to comply with the law and will ask taxpayers to provide us with feedback on the temporary rules completed to date,” said Nia Ray, director of the Oregon Department of Revenue.

The date, time and locations of the meetings include:

• Monday, March 2, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Room 190 in the Science Building at COCC, 2600 NW College Way, in Bend.
• Tuesday, March 3, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Room 110 in the Weese Building at TVCC, 650 College Boulevard in Ontario.
• Wednesday, March 4, 10 to 11:30 a.m., Room 101 in Zabel Hall at EOU, One University Boulevard in La Grande.
• Wednesday, March 4, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Lecture Hall in Building 2 at CGCC, 400 Scenic Drive in The Dalles.

The meetings are part of a second statewide tour by the department’s CAT policy team. Department representatives used input collected from stakeholders during a 12-stop tour in fall 2019 in prioritizing and writing the rules. March’s meetings will include a presentation and discussion of the initial temporary rules.

The department does not provide tax advice, however, attendees will have a chance to ask questions about and share input on the rules and how they apply broadly to various business scenarios.

Additional meetings are planned in Klamath Falls, Ashland, Eugene, Gresham, Coos Bay, Lincoln City, Seaside, Beaverton, and Keizer. Visit the CAT page of the Department of Revenue website. to see the complete schedule. Stakeholders can direct questions or comments about the CAT via email to cat.help.dor@oregon.gov or call 503-945-8005.

Visit www.oregon.gov/dor to get tax forms, check the status of your refund, or make tax payments; call 800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish); 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon; or email questions.dor@oregon.gov. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), call 800-886-7204.

February 18, 2020

Media contact: Allyson Hagen, 503-449-6457, allyson.hagen@dhsoha.state.or.us

Program contact: Daphne Peck, 503-373-1985, c.info@dhsoha.state.or.us">herc.info@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

Health Evidence Review Commission and Value-based Benefits Subcommittee meet March 12

What: Public meetings of the Health Evidence Review Commission (HERC) and its Value-based Benefits Subcommittee.

When: Thursday, March 12. Value-based Benefits Subcommittee meets 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by the HERC meeting 1:30-4:30 p.m.

Where: Clackamas Community College Wilsonville Training Center, Rooms 111-112, 29353 SW Town Center Loop E, Wilsonville. The public also may attend via a listen-only conference line at 888-204-5984, access code 801373; or by webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/3701763579796023053.

Value-based Benefits Subcommittee agenda: Items scheduled for discussion could include, but may not be limited to: biennial review 2022: reprioritization of foreign body in the ear and nose, reprioritization of surgical treatment of chronic pancreatitis, reprioritization of Meniere’s disease; external cardiac monitoring; bone marrow transplant for sickle cell disease; compression garments; peripheral nerve ablation; bone grafts; cranial electrical stimulation guideline entry update; acupuncture for cancer related pain; peer support for physical health conditions; guideline revision for telehealth, telemedicine, teleconsultation and online services; MRI of the knee; MRI of the shoulder; female genital mutilation repair; modify psoriasis guideline; various straightforward coding and guideline changes and corrections.

Topics that remain unresolved at the conclusion of the morning's VbBS meeting will not be heard by HERC until a later date. Public notice of tabled topics will be announced 28 days before the next scheduled discussion.

HERC agenda: The full committee will consider the following topics: Value-based Benefits Subcommittee Report from this day's meeting; subcommittee appointment to VBBS; conflict of interest requirements, forms and discussion: updates and Q&A. For more information about the meetings, visit the committee’s website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/DSI-HERC/Pages/Meetings-Public.aspx.

The meeting agenda and materials will be available one week before the meeting.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Daphne Peck at 503-373-1985, 711 TTY or c.info@dhsoha.state.or.us">herc.info@dhsoha.state.or.us at least 48 hours before the event. Written comments are also welcome at c.info@dhsoha.state.or.us">herc.info@dhsoha.state.or.us.

February 18, 2020

Media contact: Allyson Hagen, 503-449-6457, allyson.hagen@dhsoha.state.or.us

Program contact: Pete Edlund, 503-931-8873, .m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us">peter.m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us (meeting information or accommodation)

CCO Metrics and Scoring Committee meets February 21

What: The regular public meeting of the Oregon Health Authority’s CCO Metrics and Scoring Committee.

When: February 21, 9 a.m. to noon.

Where: Five Oak Building, Suite 775, Transformation Training Room, 421 SW Oak St., Portland. The public also may join remotely through a webinar at ttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/rt/6785343942173754125 and listen-only conference line at 888-204-5984, access code 1277166.

Agenda: Welcome, consent agenda, and general updates; chair and vice-chair vote; public testimony (9:20-9:35); follow-up from January meeting: current and developmental measures against framework for health equity, quality improvement summary, review current measure selection criteria; finalize recommendations to HPQMC regarding 2021 aligned measures menu: program and measure history, discuss equity and obesity measures presented last month; adjourn.

For more information, please visit the committee's website at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HPA/ANALYTICS/Pages/Metrics-Scoring-Committee.aspx.

# # #

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services. OHA provides free help. Some examples of the free help OHA can provide are:

• Sign language and spoken language interpreters
• Written materials in other languages
• Braille
• Large print
• Audio and other formats

If you need help or have questions, please contact Pete Edlund at 503-931-8873, 711 TTY, .m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us">peter.m.edlund@dhsoha.state.or.us, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

The Oregon Lottery is one of three United States lotteries to receive the “Sustaining Level,” the highest responsible gaming verification standard in the U.S. Presented by the National Council on Problem Gambling and the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, the Oregon Lottery earned that level of certification for its responsible gaming program.

To accomplish this designation, the Oregon Lottery’s responsible gaming program was reviewed by a panel of independent assessors with expertise in the field of responsible gaming.  As part of the review process, the Oregon Lottery was found to have demonstrated strong programs are in place that focus on employee training, retailer training, public education and awareness, product oversight, research and marketing and advertising programs.

“The Oregon Lottery was selected as a pilot lottery for the NASPL verification program in 2016 and achieved the highest level available at that time,” said Oregon Lottery Director Barry Pack. “Achieving the ‘Sustaining Level’ demonstrates the Oregon Lottery’s deep commitment to continuous improvement of responsible gaming programming.”

The new certification comes after the Oregon Lottery achieved a Level 4 certification distinction from the World Lottery Association in 2018.  This also is the highest level of certification achievable through WLA.

Additional information about the Oregon Lottery’s responsible gaming program can be found at https://oregonlottery.org/play-responsibly/

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The Rule Advisory Committee—formed earlier this year by Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) to review the agency’s proposed changes to Oregon Administrative Rules governing Oregon’s administration of the federal National Register of Historic Places

Program—will hold their final meeting 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. March 10 in the Dye House of the Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill Street SE, Salem. The meeting is open to the public.

On the agenda: reviewing and commenting on staff edits; fiscal impact of proposed changes; discuss outreach plan should the OPRD Commission open rulemaking.

The March meeting will be the third and final in a series of meetings held by the Committee. There were originally four public meetings planned—Jan. 28, Feb. 10, Feb. 25 and March 10—however the Feb. 25 meeting has been canceled.

Ian Johnson, associate deputy state historic preservation officer, says the Committee’s strong progress prompted the Feb. 25 cancellation.

“The Committee has been immensely helpful with their recommendations to refine our proposed rule changes,” said Johnson. “We need more time to consider their input, so we’ve decided to cancel the second February meeting and will present our updated changes March 10.”

Audio of the Jan. 28 and Feb. 10 meetings is on the ORPD administrative rules webpage: oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx.

The Committee has considered several topics when reviewing OPRD’s proposed rule changes, including counting property owners and objections; how Tribal governments, state agencies and local jurisdictions participate in the nomination process; administrative functions like staff duties, public notices and hearing procedures; and determining circumstances that would exempt nominations from public disclosure, e.g., protecting culturally-sensitive information.

Committee members were appointed by OPRD and drawn from Tribal, state, county and local governments, preservation and natural resource organizations, and citizens with an interest in the National Register program.

After the March 10 meeting, OPRD will consider the committee’s final recommendations and present the proposed rule changes to the Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission. If the Commission approves the proposal, OPRD will begin the public rulemaking process later this year.

More information about rulemaking is available on the OPRD administrative rules webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/PRP/Pages/PRP-rulemaking.aspx

The National Register of Historic Places was established as part of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and is maintained by the National Parks Service.

Individuals who require special accommodations to attend the meeting should contact Tracy Collis, OPRD executive support specialist, at least three days in advance by calling (503) 986-0690.

PORTLAND, Ore. – The State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) will meet February 27 and 28 at the Nordic Northwest Nordia House for a tour and to consider nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. Both meetings and the tour are open to the public.

Thursday, February 27: SACHP will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Nordic Northwest Nordia House, 8800 SW Oleson Road, Portland to consider nominations to the National Register. Following, a tour will depart at 9 a.m. from the Nordic Northwest Nordia House for a tour of the Albina Neighborhood. The first stop on the tour will be the Billy Webb Elks Lodge, 6 N. Tillamook St., Portland. The tour is expected to conclude by 12 p.m. Following the tour, the SACHP will begin their consideration of nominations to the National Register.

Friday, February 28: SACHP will meet at 9 a.m. at the Nordic Northwest Nordia House, 8800 SW Oleson Road, Portland. A walking tour will depart at 9 a.m. of the Fogelbo House within the Nordic Northwest property grounds. At 9:45 a.m. the SACHP will resume consideration of nominations to the National Register.

Thursday’s meeting agenda: hearings of two proposed nominations. Friday’s meeting agenda: hearings of three proposed nominations. For specific hearing times, refer to the online agenda:

www.oregonheritage.org (click on “Commissions & Committees” at top of page).

The committee will review five proposed nominations: Buena Vista Social Clubhouse, Oregon City; D. H. Sphier Building, Bend; Fogelbo House, Portland; African American Resources in Portland Multiple Property Document, Portland; Williams Avenue YWCA, Portland.

Nominations recommended by the SACHP go to the National Park Service, which maintains the Register under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966.

The SACHP is a nine-member governor-appointed citizen commission with credentials in many historic preservation-related fields.

The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations for the meeting may be made with at least three days of advance notice by calling (503) 986-0690.

More information about the National Register of Historic Places process is online at www.oregonheritage.org (click on “National Register” at left of page).

MEDFORD, Ore.—William Gregory Douglas, 37, of Cave Junction, Oregon, pleaded guilty today for threatening to shoot YouTube employees at the company’s San Bruno, California headquarters after his account was removed for violating the video-sharing platform’s terms of service.

“Threatening a mass shooting is a serious crime whether or not an individual plans to act. This is a crime that undermines Americans’ fundamental right to live and work without fear,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “We will continue to diligently respond to and prosecute criminal threats of violence to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Using social media outlets to threaten violence of any kind victimizes individuals and undermines the safety of our communities,” said Renn Cannon, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Oregon. “The FBI remains committed to working with our state and local partners to respond quickly to threats and keep our communities free from violence and intimidation.”

According to court documents, sometime on or before August 22, 2018, YouTube removed Douglas’ video channel for violating the platform’s terms of service. In response, on August 23, 2018, Douglas posted five tweets threatening violence against YouTube employees. In one of the tweets, Douglas threatened a “bigger mass casualty” event, appearing to reference a prior shooting incident at YouTube’s headquarters in April 2018 that injured three employees.

Later, on September 8, 2018, Douglas posted a tweet stating “Hey why do you guys keep ignoring me would it be better if I leave you with no other options like your [sic] leaving me…I’m beyond pissed…I wonder how I should deal with this frustration.” Finally, on September 17, 2018, Douglas tweeted a direct threat at one of YouTube’s senior leaders saying “…I’m coming for you today #pray.”

On October 4, 2018, a federal grand jury in Medford, Oregon returned a one-count indictment charging Douglas with cyberstalking. Later, on January 14, 2020, he was charged by criminal information with one count of making interstate communications with the intent to extort. Douglas pleaded guilty today to the latter charge.

As part of the plea agreement, Douglas has agreed to pay restitution in full to his victims as determined and ordered by the court at sentencing.

Douglas faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years’ supervised release. He will be sentenced on May 14, 2020 before U.S. District Court Judge Ann L. Aiken.

This case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Judi R. Harper, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Anyone with information about real or perceived threats of violence should call the FBI at (503) 224-4181 or submit a tip online at https://tips.fbi.gov. For immediate threats to life and safety, please call 9-1-1.

The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our department at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.

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PORTLAND, Ore. February 18, 2020—OnPoint Community Credit Union today announced the kickoff of its 11th annual OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education. The campaign will award up to $100,000 this year to outstanding public or private K-12 teachers and schools, including paying the mortgage of the two winning teachers for one full year. The nomination period opens today, February 18, and concludes on April 14. Click here to nominate an individual or special project.

“OnPoint was founded in 1932 by 16 schoolteachers and we honor their legacy today through our continued investment in quality education for the communities we serve,” said Rob Stuart, President and Chief Executive Officer, OnPoint Community Credit Union. “We recognize our region’s talented educators each year to not only celebrate our roots, but also to showcase the impact of a great education.” 

OnPoint has awarded more than $370,000 in prizes to 260 local educators and schools since it began the Prize for Excellence in Education in 2009. Winners will be announced on Thursday, May 28, 2020 at a reception with live KGW coverage. This year’s prizes include: 

• Educators of the Year:
  • Grand Prize: Two teachers (one K–8 and one 9–12) will have their mortgages paid for one full year and $2,500 donated to their schools.
  • Finalists: Two teachers (one K–8 and one 9–12) will each receive a $5,000 cash award and $1,500 for their schools.
• Circle of Excellence: Six additional teachers will be named to the Circle of Excellence and will each receive a $1,500 cash award and $1,000 for their schools.
• Community Builder Awards:
  • Four schools will receive $2,000 for a special project of their choice.
  • A fifth school, selected by community votes, will receive $5,000.

Last year’s winners of Educators of the Year were Francesca Aultman, 5th grade teacher at Gilbert Heights Elementary School in the Portland Public School District, and Tori Sharpe, English, AVID and ELL teacher at Skyview High School in the Vancouver School District.  

Aultman is described as a “beacon of equity” for her students. She was recognized by OnPoint last year for helping students overcome their struggles, build confidence and achieve their goals.  

“Winning the OnPoint Prize has alleviated so much financial pressure on my husband and me; he is also a teacher,” said Aultman. “This award has made everything a little bit more manageable and has allowed us to make real progress on our financial goals – a huge gift. Thank you OnPoint for your support of my family and the region’s education community.”

Sharpe inspires learning and creativity in her class and her entire community. She engages her students in the way that is best for them, whether it be through pop culture, stories, music or other creative teaching tools.    

“The OnPoint Prize has changed my life,” said Sharpe. “It freed me up to do some of the charity work I’ve been wanting to do for quite some time. Courts for Kids is an organization that builds courts for kids in underprivileged areas around the world that eventually become community spaces. Because they’re international trips, they’re quite expensive. When I won the OnPoint Prize, it became a real possibility.”

Bridger Elementary School’s Scholars Program was selected by the community last year to receive OnPoint’s $2,000 Community Builder award. In addition, OnPoint selected four additional schools to receive the $1,000 Community Builder award. Last year’s winners include Molalla High School for its Friendship Courtyard, Prescott Elementary School for its SUN School Homework project, Tucker Maxon School for its Special Needs Projector and Sound System, and Vose Elementary for its Ballet Folklorico After School Club.

Information about the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education and nomination forms are now available at www.onpointprize.com. Anyone can nominate an educator, and educators may also nominate themselves. Applicants must be a full-time or job-share classroom teacher, counselor or librarian of grades K-12 in an accredited public, private or charter school located within any county that OnPoint serves (Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill counties in Oregon, and Clark and Skamania counties in Washington). For information about the campaign, additional qualifications and contest rules, please see www.onpointprize.com.

In addition to the Prize for Excellence in Education, OnPoint supports regional education in many other ways, including:

• Helping De La Salle North Catholic High School students gain valuable real-life work experience
• Collecting school supplies and cash donations at branch locations for Schoolhouse Supplies; and
• Supporting Babies With Books, where student leaders to give out books and share the value of reading in Randall Children’s Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

OnPoint also partners with Financial Beginnings, Junior Achievement, and Portland Workforce Alliance to provide financial literacy and workforce development education. In 2019, OnPoint employees used 485 paid volunteer hours for financial education efforts, impacting 3,500 students.

ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION

OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving more than 392,000 members and with assets of $6.3 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union's membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 13 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Columbia, Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. More information is available at www.onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.

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(Springfield, Oregon) Feb. 18, 2020—PacificSource Community Solutions, the Medicaid division of PacificSource Health Plans, has announced the directors who will lead the Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) that provide Medicaid services in Lane County, Marion and Polk Counties, the Columbia Gorge, and Central Oregon. Additionally, PacificSource and its partner Legacy Health will provide support as an Integrated Delivery System within Health Share of Oregon, which manages the Portland CCO.

“The directors serve as a critical link between the health plan, the community, and the CCO governing boards,” said Lindsey Hopper, vice president of Medicaid for PacificSource. “Their commitment to supporting the communities where they live and work will serve our members well.”

Elke Towey will serve as the director of the Columbia Gorge CCO, serving Hood River and Wasco Counties. She most recently served as PacificSource’s Columbia Gorge CCO program manager.

Alexa Galluzzo will serve as the director for Legacy Medicaid Portland, serving Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties. Galluzzo most recently served as a managing consultant for The Partners Group, and prior to that as the director for PacificSource’s Healthy Life program.

Brian Laing will serve as the director for the Lane County CCO. He most recently served as health plan planning and execution manager for Cambia Health Solutions.

Josie Silverman-Méndez will serve as director for the Marion County and Polk County CCO. She most recently served as the implementation lead for the Cover All Kids program for the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

Leslie Neugebauer will remain in her current role as director for Central Oregon’s CCO, serving Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, and Northern Klamath Counties.

PacificSource Community Solutions has served as the Columbia Gorge’s and Central Oregon’s CCO since 2012. In 2019, the OHA renewed those contracts and awarded PacificSource Community Solutions additional contracts to provide CCO services in Lane, Marion, and Polk Counties, beginning in January 2020. Trillium Community Health Plan also provides CCO services for members in Lane County.

About PacificSource Community Solutions:

PacificSource Community Solutions is part of the PacificSource family of companies serving Oregon’s Medicaid population. PacificSource Health Plans is an independent, not-for-profit community health plan serving the Northwest. Founded in 1933, PacificSource has local offices in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Washington. The PacificSource family of companies employs more than 1200 people, serves more than 490,000 individuals, and has 3,900 employer clients throughout the Northwest. For more information visit PacificSource.com.

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) announced today that Nancy Stueber will retire from her position as chief executive officer and president of OMSI effective May 31. Chief Operating Officer, Erin Graham, has been appointed by the board as the new president and will assume the role upon Stueber’s departure.

“On behalf of the entire OMSI Board of Trustees, we thank Nancy Stueber for her exemplary service of more than 35 years and welcome Erin Graham to her new leadership role,” said Alistair Firmin, chair, OMSI board of trustees. “The board recently collaborated with human resource professionals and community partners to create a strategic leadership succession plan that envisioned this transition. We are now implementing that plan as we celebrate the strength of the OMSI organization that has grown under Nancy’s leadership and with Erin’s role in the development of the next five-year strategic plan. Nancy has led the institution she loves with a mission she lives and inspires each day, and she has navigated well through an amazing period of growth and transformation. The executive team she has developed is prepared to lead OMSI into the future, and the staff and numerous community partners look forward to OMSI’s continued success as Oregon’s leading statewide science museum.”

Stueber has spent most of her professional career at OMSI. She was hired in 1982 as a science educator and rose through the ranks to become Vice President of Exhibits in 1989 and President in 2000. Throughout her tenure, OMSI has benefited from Nancy’s science background, focus on students and visitor experiences, knowledge of effective STEAM programs that inspire young learners, world-class exhibits, robust partnerships, community engagement, successful fundraising, team development and exemplary leadership.

“Working at OMSI has been a rich and rewarding experience and it is something for which I am grateful every day. I have met and worked with so many wonderful people over the years – too many to count,” said Stueber, president of OMSI. “My husband and I are looking forward to some of the adventures that we’ve put on hold over the years. The timing of this decision is right; over the past 20 years, we have seen an amazing time of growth and transformation for OMSI. We’re now poised to take the next significant steps toward our 20-year vision. The board couldn’t have selected a better replacement than Erin Graham; she is fully equipped, uniquely positioned and ready to be president. The organization is in good hands.”

Graham has a solid track record of leadership success and has led the development of OMSI’s upcoming five-year strategic plan and long-range facilities plan. She served previously as VP of Development and led the capital campaign for the Coastal Discovery Center at Camp Gray. An employee since 2010, she is highly respected across the organization and is ready to lead OMSI into its next chapter.

“OMSI has flourished under Nancy’s leadership, and I am truly honored to be selected as its next president. Working closely with the OMSI board, staff, partners, and communities we serve, I’m looking forward to building on OMSI’s successes and embracing new challenges in this next chapter of the organization’s story,” said Graham, OMSI chief operating officer. “Nancy is an extraordinary person, and I could not have asked for a better mentor and friend in helping me prepare for this role.”

About OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI operates the largest museum-based outdoor science education program in the country and provides traveling and community outreach programs that bring science learning opportunities to schools and community organizations in every county in Oregon and throughout the region. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit omsi.edu.

PORTLAND, Ore. – On Mar. 7, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will host the Pacific Northwest debut of Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life, a new presentation of the groundbreaking anatomical exhibition series BODY WORLDS that has been seen by more than 50 million people globally. 

The opening in March will mark the third time a BODY WORLDS exhibit has been featured at OMSI. In 2006, BODY WORLDS 3: The Anatomical Exhibition of Real Human Bodies became the most popular exhibit in the museum’s history. 

The 10,000-square-foot exhibit, designed by BODY WORLDS’ creative and conceptual designer Dr. Angelina Whalley, is different from the two previous BODY WORLDS exhibits at OMSI. It focuses on the human life cycle, capturing the body at every stage—at its most healthy, as it changes, grows, matures, and finally wanes. 

“We are thrilled to once again bring BODY WORLDS to the Pacific Northwest. This extraordinary exhibit will offer our visitors a unique experience and spark conversations about the many changes experienced during each phase of life and highlight the steps we can all take to remain fit, healthy, and active,” said Nancy Stueber, OMSI president. 

In addition to showcasing the wonders of human development, the exhibit’s numerous specimens demonstrate the complexity, resilience, and vulnerability of the human body when in distress, when stricken by disease and when in optimal health. All specimens presented in the BODY WORLDS exhibitions are preserved through plastination, a scientific process invented by pioneering anatomist Dr. Gunther von Hagens.

Highlights of BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life include:
    More than 100 specimens specially curated for this exhibition. Visitors will see individual organs and systems, as well as full-body plastinates in various poses including football players, gymnasts and more.
    A stunning look at conception and prenatal development, which features a multimedia display on cell division and a remarkable collection of plastinates acquired from historical anatomical collections. 
    The Artists’ Gaze – an exploration of the sight and vision of artists Claude Monet and Edgar Degas, who suffered from cataracts and retinal eye disease. 
    Centennial Village – a feature on findings from geographic clusters around the world that are home to the longest living people on earth, from Okinawa, Japan, to Ovodda, Sardinia, to the Hunza region of Pakistan. These people, who defy what longevity means, have been found to share common traits and lifestyle practices that are worthy of attention.

The BODY WORLDS series was originally conceived to educate the public about the inner workings of the human body and to reveal the long-term effects of both healthy and unhealthy lifestyles. BODY WORLDS is the first exhibition of its kind to inform the visitor about anatomy, physiology and health by viewing real human bodies donated to the Institute for Plastination, established by Dr. von Hagens in 1977. 

"Dr. von Hagens originally developed plastination as a way to teach people about the human body and show its full potential,” said Dr. Angelina Whalley, director of the Institute for Plastination. “Today, BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life is the perfect way to use this science to showcase the beauty of the human body and reveal the secrets of vitality, longevity and well-being."  

BODY WORLDS & The Cycle of Life opens at OMSI on Mar. 7 and will remain on exhibit through Sep. 13. Tickets to this exhibit, which include general museum admission, are $26 for adults, $18 for youth (ages 3-13), and $22 for seniors (ages 63+). Prices for OMSI Members are $12 for adults, $10 for youth, and $11 for seniors. Guests can purchase tickets online at omsi.edu, via phone at 503.797.4000, or in person at the museum starting Feb. 17. Due to tremendous public interest, advance ticket purchase is recommended. 

About BODY WORLDS 
Invented by Dr. Gunther von Hagens in 1977, the plastination process replaces the natural fluids in the specimen with liquid reactive plastics that are hardened and cured with gas, light, or heat. Before hardening the plastic in the specimens, the plastinates are fixed into extraordinary, lifelike poses, illustrating how our bodies internally respond to everyday movements and activities. Plastination provides the flexibility and strength needed to display and preserve the specimens in their true-to-life form, without the use of glass barriers or formaldehyde. Dr. von Hagens’ BODY WORLDS exhibitions stem from an established body donation program that relies on donor consent. The specimens on display, excluding a small number of acquisitions from anatomical collections and anatomy programs, stem from a body donation program that was begun in the early 1980s by Dr. von Hagens.

About OMSI
Founded in 1944, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) is one of the nation’s leading science museums, a world-class tourist attraction, and an award-winning educational resource for the kid in each of us. OMSI operates the largest museum-based outdoor science education program in the country and provides traveling and community outreach programs that bring science learning opportunities to schools and community organizations in every county in Oregon and throughout the region. OMSI is located at 1945 SE Water Avenue, Portland, OR 97214. For general information, call 503.797.4000 or visit omsi.edu. 

Portland, OR – The Oregon Historical Society (OHS) is pleased to announce the 2020 recipients of the Oregon History Makers Medal. First awarded in 2009, the History Makers Medal is one of Oregon’s most prestigious honors, and the Society presents the award annually to individuals and organizations that are positively shaping the history, culture, and landscape of Oregon.

The 2020 Oregon History Makers Medal recipients are:

Lillian Pitt: Acclaimed artist

Lillian Pitt has created a lifetime of works in a variety of media, including clay, bronze, wearable art, prints, glass, and jewelry. Born and raised on the Warm Springs reservation, with ancestors who have lived in and near the Columbia Gorge for over 10,000 years, Lillian’s emphasis is on creating contemporary fine art pieces that honor the history and legends of her people. Her works are regularly exhibited throughout the Pacific Northwest, as well as nationally and internationally.

Punit Renjen: Visionary business leader

Born and raised in India, Punit Renjen came to Oregon in 1984 on a Rotary Foundation Scholarship to Willamette University. After receiving a master’s degree in management, he began his career at Deloitte. In 2015, he became the company’s global CEO, and the first Asian born person to head one of the world’s largest professional services firms. In 2018, Punit launched WorldClass, Deloitte’s global initiative to advance education and skills for communities at risk, beginning with girls and women in India.

Dr. Geraldine Richmond: Renowned scientist and educator

Dr. Geraldine Richmond is the Presidential Chair in Science and a chemistry professor at the University of Oregon. She has served on the National Science Board since 2012, and was awarded a National Medal of Science for her fundamental research on the chemistry and physics of complex surfaces and interfaces, which is relevant to energy production and environmental remediation. Throughout her career, Dr. Richmond has worked to promote women in science around the globe.

The Greenbrier Companies: International leader in the transportation industry

What began in 1919 as a wire wheel manufacturer, founded by brothers Chester and Alvin Gunderson, has since grown into a group of companies that is one of the leading designers, manufacturers, and marketers of railroad car equipment in North America and Europe, and one of the world’s foremost manufacturers of ocean-going barges. As the fourth largest publicly traded company based in Oregon, Greenbrier also boasts over 1,100 employees in Oregon and more than 16,000 worldwide.

“For over a decade, the Oregon Historical Society has had the pleasure of highlighting the accomplishments of the business leaders, philanthropists, artists, and cutting-edge thinkers that have shaped our communities,” said OHS Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk. “Oregon would not be where it is today without the individuals and organizations that continue to innovate and push boundaries across every industry.”

The Oregon Historical Society will present the Oregon History Makers Medals at a gala celebration at the Portland Art Museum on Sunday, October 4, 2020. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available; for more information, please contact Ally Huffman at 503.306.5226 or ally.huffman@ohs.org.

About the Oregon Historical Society

For more than a century, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of artifacts, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms & website (www.ohs.org), educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and rich as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.

By Ian Rollins
Contributing writer

It takes 15 seconds to check a child’s vision, to determine if the child needs glasses or further eye care.

That 15 seconds can change a child’s life. Without the screening, a child with vision problems will likely struggle in school, possibly becoming one of the nearly 20 percent of high school students across Oregon who don’t graduate. In fact, a student who can’t read at grade level by the end of third grade is 13 times less likely to graduate from high school.

With the screening, the child has a much greater chance to get the vision help that he or she needs, which can lead to success in school. That can lead the child beyond high school graduation to advanced degrees and successful careers, and it can set the child up to become one of your community’s future leaders.

The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation can do this screening in 15 seconds with vision-testing equipment. In fact, the foundation and its partners can screen an elementary school with 450 students in two hours. But the foundation needs help to screen every student across the state.

The Oregon Legislature has mandated that every elementary school student through age 7 across the state have a documented vision screening. The Legislature has incorporated funds within the Oregon Department of Education budget to cover screening for students up to their senior year in high school, with funding priority given to students pre-kindergarten through third grade.

The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) has $2 million per year for the 2019-2020 and 2020-21 fiscal years for the screenings. The funds cover almost half of Oregon’s students through 12th grade, which means the Foundation needs further support from the communities it serves across Oregon.

Colt Gill, ODE Director, participated in a recent vision screening in Salem and noted, “Based on the results, some of the students will be heading to the eye doctor. That will set them on a path to learning and being successful in school so I really appreciate the work.”

"Support for vision screening of Oregon students is basically joining the alliance of those working to improve our high school graduation rate here in Oregon,” said Doug Thompson, executive director of the foundation. “This is our future workforce so let's equip them now with the tools needed to be successful in life."

The recent Foundation screening at Liberty Elementary School in Salem showcased what the Foundation can do for elementary school students. Each class took their turns getting screened, with five Health Career students from Sprague High School using the hand-held screening machines to check the kids’ vision. Members of the South Salem Lions Club directed traffic, which moved quickly between the 15-second screenings.

The Foundation will report the results back to the Salem-Keizer school district which will work with the parents to get eye care to the students who need it.

Lynn Oehler, lead nurse for the district, said the machines can detect with 13 measures up to 8 conditions in each eye.

“We have a pretty high rate of referrals for further care, but it’s mainly for conditions like astigmatism and other conditions that can be easily corrected,” Oehler said. “When we catch these conditions at a younger age, it absolutely helps the student’s learning process.”

“And it’s so much more efficient with the new technology,” said Eric Richards, director of student services for the Salem-Keizer School District. Prior to the handheld machines, the foundation used eye charts, which don’t allow for testing of nearly as many conditions.

“This is a wonderful service and an important partnership with the Foundation,” Richards said.

Brad King, one of the Foundation’s screening coordinators, said the Foundation is planning to screen an entire Portland-area high school with more than 2,800 students. He anticipated it will take an entire day but will be worth it to make sure any students with vision problems are identified.

With local financial support and partnership, the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation can reach every student in the state. The Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit, with a four-star ranking from Charity Navigator, and due to all administrative expenses being covered by its own long term investment fund every dollar raised by the organization directly supports its sight and hearing services.

OLSHF maintains a yearly review with the Better Business Bureau. The organization meets all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability and is a BBB Accredited Charity. 

The Foundation can screen a child for $3.20, which is about 10 percent of the cost in an optometric office. The Department of Education’s budget for screenings is enough to cover more than 281,000 students per year, kindergarten through 12th grade, not enough to cover all of Oregon’s 582,000 students.

“Your support of the screenings would be used to offset any costs not covered by the state for screenings in your community,” Thompson said. “It would also assist with the costs associated with helping the students referred as needing a follow-up exam and new eyeglasses, to receive them.”

For more information, please contact Doug Thompson at DougT@olshf.org or call the Foundation at (503) 413-7399.