News Release: For Immediate Release
Nov. 13, 2009

Contact:
Dave Summers 503-986-2073
Lisa Joyce 503-986-0951


Housing funding approval to generate millions in economic activity across Oregon


Salem - Nearly $70.5 million in combined grants, loans and tax credits to contractors throughout the state will help fund 444 units of affordable housing, providing hundreds of lower-income Oregonians a place to call home.

"Many of the projects approved will provide affordable housing for a great number of Oregonians with high needs, including people with developmental and/or physical disabilities, and very low-income individuals and families," said Victor Merced, director of Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), the state agency that oversees the distribution of these funds.

"We hope this latest round of funding will assist them in reaching their goals and living as independently as possible," Merced added.

Thirteen housing developments serving lower-income households throughout Oregon will receive funding from the department's fall 2009 Consolidated Funding Cycle (CFC), generating as much as $775.5 million in economic activity throughout the state, Merced announced today.

The latest round of funding includes:
* Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC) encourages new construction and rehabilitation of rental housing for low-income families - $3,716,630 in annual tax credits.
* Oregon Affordable Housing Tax Credit Program (OAHTC) lowers the cost of financing by up to 4 percent and reduces tenant rents by an amount equal to the savings that result from the low interest rate - $21,190,378 in reduced-interest-rate loans.

* HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program that supports affordable housing options for people at less than 50 and 60 percent of their area's median income - $4,991,442.

* Housing Trust Fund: Receipt of trust fund grants obligates projects to provide 25 years of affordable housing - $1,557,603.

* Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) increases energy efficiency by bringing old units up to or above code and enabling new construction to be built to standards greater than code when energy savings justify the additional investment - $565,230.

OHCS also approved reservation of state and federal funds, and tax credit allocations to the following communities:

* Aloha (CSI MRDD Group Home) - Community Services, Inc., received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund and $13,348 in LIWP funds to acquire and rehabilitate a four-bedroom group home serving adults with developmental disabilities who currently live in nursing homes throughout the state. Federal law mandates they be offered community-based living. Total project costs: $482,544.

* Beaverton (Spruce Place) - Sequoia Mental Health Services received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund and $28,018 in LIWP funds to construct 15 units of affordable housing for very low-income persons with severe chronic mental illness. Total project costs: $3,195,222.

* Bend (Quimby Apartments) - Northwest Housing Alternatives received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $1.2 million in HOME, $441,050 in LIHTC, $1.7 million in OAHTC, and $33,000 LIWP funds to acquire and rehabilitate 52 units of affordable housing for seniors and persons with disabilities. Total project costs: $6,063,356.

* Eugene (29th Place) - ShelterCare received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $332,367 in LIHTC, and $950,000 in OAHTC funds to acquire and rehabilitate 35 units of affordable housing for persons with serious and persistent mental illness. All units benefit from project-based rental assistance. Total project costs: $4,455,153.

* Grants Pass (The Cedars) - Options for Southern Oregon received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund and $437,250 in HOME funds to construct 12 units of affordable housing for low-income adults with chronic mental illness. Services will include case management, life skills instruction and community integration assistance. Total project costs: $2,067,863.

* La Grande (Aspen Park) - New Day Enterprises received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund and $247,653 in HOME funds to complete new construction of a five-bedroom group home serving adults with developmental disabilities. Total project costs: $546,586.

* Medford (Grand Apartments) - Housing Authority of Jackson County received $200,000 in Housing Trust Fund and $600,000 in HOME funds to rehabilitate 26 units of affordable housing for seniors and persons with disabilities. Services provided include 24-hour transportation. Total project costs: $1,726,196.

* Milwaukie (Seneca Terrace) - Northwest Housing Alternatives received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $333,213 in LIHTC, $1.5 million in OAHTC, and $32,000 in LIWP funds to acquire and rehabilitate 32 units of affordable housing in duplex and triplex buildings for low-income families. All units have Section 8 project-based assistance. Total project costs: $5,020,208.

* Portland (Chaucer Court) - Union Labor Retirement Association received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $870,000 in LIHTC, $5.2 million in OAHTC, and $251,864 in LIWP funds to acquire and rehabilitate 84 units of affordable housing for seniors or persons with disabilities. Also received $550,000 in OHCS gap financing. Total project costs: $16,142,206.

* Portland (Uptown Towers) - Guardian Affordable Housing Development received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $870,000 in LIHTC, $8.06 million in OAHTC, and $207,000 in LIWP funds to acquire and rehabilitate 72 units of affordable housing for persons with low incomes and challenges from lack of resources. Various services include Meals on Wheels and health counseling. Also received $218,228 in OHCS gap financing. Total project costs: $15,859,561.

* Roseburg (Neu Place) - Umpqua Community Development Corporation received $157,603 in Housing Trust Fund, $1.3 million in HOME, and $163,000 in OAHTC funds to construct a 12-unit complex for tenants with developmental and/or physical disabilities who can live unassisted. Total project costs: $2,256,350.

* Roseburg (Trillium Terrace) - United Community Action Network received $200,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $1.16 million in HOME, and $50,000 in OAHTC funds to construct 8 units of affordable housing for families with at least one member who is psychiatrically disabled. Two units are for homeless families. Total project costs: $1,661,392.

* The Dalles (Sunrise Estates) - Guardian Affordable Housing Development received $100,000 in Housing Trust Fund, $870,000 in LIWP, and $3.5 million in OAHTC funds to construct 34 units and rehabilitate 60 units (94 total) of affordable housing for low-income families and individuals. Total project costs: $11,055,601.

The Oregon State Housing Council also approved four $40,000 Seed Money Advance (SMAL) loans for predevelopment expenses associated with the acquisition and rehabilitation of four Section 8 Preservation projects:

* Beaverton (Crestview Court) - 48 units of housing for extremely low-income residents at risk of losing the project-based Section 8 rental subsidy in March 2010.

* Klamath Falls (High Valley Estates) - 37 units of housing for extremely low-income residents at risk of losing the project-based Section 8 rental subsidy in May 2010.

* Prineville (Grasshopper Village) - 22 units of housing for extremely low-income residents at risk of losing the project-based Section 8 rental subsidy in March 2010. The complex serves seniors and people with disabilities.

* Salem (Viking Village) - 87 units of housing for extremely low-income families and individuals. The current Section 8 HAP contract is on annual renewals.
In other action, the Housing Council approved the following:

* Redmond (High Desert Commons) - $375,000 predevelopment loan to TimberRiver Development, Inc. for costs related to the construction of 28 family units.

* Northeast Portland (Shaver Green) - $127,545 in additional Housing PLUS funds. Housing PLUS (Permanent Living Utilizing Services) provides capital funding and small operating dollars to house people experiencing homelessness and provided needed services to residents. Fourteen of the 85 units are permanent supportive housing, and eight units receive project-based rental assistance from the Housing Authority of Portland. The project was completed last June, and was fully leased within two months. With this most recent award, the developer, Armstrong Stafford, LLC, has received a total of $322,545 in Housing PLUS funds.

OHCS is the state's housing finance agency and community services program administrator. The department provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of lower and moderate incomes. OHCS also administers federal and state anti-poverty, homeless, energy assistance and community service programs. For more information, visit our Web site at www.ohcs.oregon.gov.

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SALEM-If you're going to apply for Oregon's tax amnesty program to file or amend tax returns, time is running out. Your application must be postmarked by November 19.

To help with last-minute applications, the Department of Revenue is extending its customer service hours. Customer service reps are now available 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays through November 19.

"We think a lot of people will have last-minute questions as they prepare their amnesty applications. We'll be there to help them out," said Joan Linn, customer service manager.

The customer service phone number is 1-800-356-4222, toll-free from an Oregon prefix; 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon. The tax amnesty website is www.oregontaxamnesty.com.

While the application deadline is November 19, tax returns filed under the amnesty program aren't due until January 19, 2010.

For more information on Oregon income taxes, tax forms, and instructions, visit www.oregon.gov/DOR, or call 1-800-356-4222 toll-free from an Oregon prefix (English or Spanish); 503-378-4988 in Salem and outside Oregon; or e-mail, questions.dor@state.or.us. For TTY (hearing or speech impaired), call 1-800-886-7204.

-30-

(Note: Victim's age correction to read 38 years of age)

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers from the Klamath Falls Area Command office are continuing the investigation into Thursday afternoon's two-vehicle fatal traffic crash on Highway 97 about 32 miles north of Klamath Falls. The crash resulted in the death of an Ashland woman and investigators are asking for contact from any witnesses.

According to OSP Sergeant Robert Fenner, on November 12, 2009 at approximately 3:16 p.m. the fatal traffic crash occurred on Highway 97 near milepost 240 when a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche driven by KATRIN MOSBY, age 38, from Ashland, was northbound on Highway 97 near milepost 240. The Chevrolet collided into the right rear section of a southbound semi-trailer pulled by a commercial truck driven by RASHPAL KANG, age not available, from Abottsford, British Columbia. Roadway conditions were described as icy at the time of the crash.

MOSBY was pronounced deceased at the scene.

KING was not injured.

Both were using safety restraints.

Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call OSP Southern Command Center dispatch at (541) 883-5711.

Chiloquin Fire, Chiloquin Ambulance and ODOT assisted at the scene. The highway was closed for approximately three hours.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

(Baker City, Oregon) - Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers, with the assistance of local police and emergency responders, are continuing the investigation into Thursday morning's single vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 84 about five miles west of Baker City. A second passenger has been confirmed to have died and thirteen others were injured, many of which have reportedly been treated and released from a hospital.

This updated news release will provide known information regarding the van's occupants. Please note that some of the vehicle occupant's information is not complete for this release. Next of kin notifications have been completed. No additional details are being released tonight because it is ongoing investigation.

On November 12, 2009 at approximately 5:20 a.m. a 2002 Ford van driven by NICOLE ELAINE BYRD, age 25 (residence information unavailable), was westbound with fifteen (15) passengers on Interstate 84 near milepost 302 after making a brief stop in Baker City. As the van was westbound on icy highway conditions, it drove off the roadway and rolled multiple times coming to rest on its top near a frontage road bordering the westbound lanes.

Thirteen of the sixteen are believed to have been ejected from the van. All occupants were transported to hospitals in La Grande, Baker City and Boise, Idaho.

BYRD was using safety restraints. She was transported to St. Elizabeth Health Services hospital in Baker City with non-life threatening injuries.

Passenger JOSHUA JOHN PISCHURA, age 20, from Geneva, Ohio was transported to St. Elizabeth Health Services hospital and died after arrival.

Six passengers are now confirmed as being flown by air ambulance to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho with serious injuries. One of those passengers identified as TAUNE NICOLE WINTER PEPPER, age 23, from Deer Trail, Colorado died Thursday afternoon.

The following five passengers are reported to be in serious or critical condition at Saint Alphonsus:

* AARON STEARLING WERNTZ, age 19, from Freeport, Illinois
* CHRISTINE SANDRA AKI, age 18, from Golden, Colorado
* PHILLIP JOEL HARRIS, age 24, from Attalla, Alabama
* KATHERINE ELIZABETH DARLENE PISCHURA, age 18, from Geneva, Ohio
* WILLIAM CHRIS RODGERS, age 22, from Lakewood, Colorado

The following two passengers were transported to Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande with non-life threatening injuries:

* LAVAN AHMAD SAYED, age 24, from Louisville, Colorado
* ASHLEY WENK, age 18 (residence information not available)

The following remaining passengers were transported to St. Elizabeth Health Services hospital in Baker City, where most were treated and released for non-life threatening injuries:

* SARAH BETH DEVIRES, age 18, from Golden, Colorado
* MARKETA LARIE SMITH, age 26 (residence information not available)
* BRETT JAMES ISERMAN, age 20, from Dakota, Illinois
* KATHERINE ELIZABETH COPPOCK, age 19, from Cave Creek, Arizona
* CHRISTIAN WENCE, age 19, from Ault, Colorado
* JAVAAR ZAKORI HOWARD, age 18, from Denver, Colorado

OSP troopers from the Baker City office are continuing the investigation with the assistance of OSP collision reconstructionists. Safety restraint use information is pending confirmation by investigating troopers.

Emergency responders from Baker City, La Grande, Baker Rural, and Keating responded to help along with people who stopped to assist.

Lieutenant MacManiman and OSP thanks all local responders, hospital staffs, Federal Heights Police Department, Boise Police Department, Baker City residents and others for their help today.

Questions for New Life Worship Center can be directed to (303) 428-9535. The van is reportedly registered to New Life Worship Center in Federal Heights, Colorado and is affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Masters Commission. The group was reported to be enroute to Portland, Oregon.

No more information will be released tonight.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

Riddle High Schools induction Ceremony for the Riddle Chapter of the National Honor Society will be held on November 17th at 7:30pm at the Riddle High School Library.

To be eligible for membership consideration, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5. In addition, candidates must meet high standards of Leadership, Service, Citizenship, and Character. Members of 10th, 11th, and 12th grades were evaluated and selected by the faculty Council of the Chapter.

Leadership is based on the participation in two or more community or school activities or election to an office. To meet the service requirement, the students must have been active in three or more service projects in the school or community office. Citizenship and character are measured in terms of integrity, behaviors, ethics, and cooperation with both students, faculty, and office staff.

Students are reviewed by a faculty council consisting of five members of the faculty appointed by the Superintendent. This fall ten students are being considered for membership.

At 2:52 today Albany Fire Department responded to a house fire at 2326 SE 34th Avenue. A motorist driving by the house saw smoke from the garage and called 911. Firefighters arrived at the house to find a small fire in the garage. The fire was out at 3:03 p.m. It appears that the fire started at the water heater in the garage. No one was home at the time of the incident and no injuries were reported. Twenty-one personnel from Albany Fire Department responded to the fire. 34th Avenue was closed between Ermine Street and Waverly Drive for about 25 minutes.

November 12, 2009

(Portland) Public health officials will hold a news briefing Friday in Portland to discuss the latest information about how H1N1 is affecting Oregonians and the latest demographic information on hospitalizations and deaths.

Journalists who cannot attend are invited to join a listen-only conference call with an opportunity to ask questions via e-mail (see details below).

WHAT: State and local health officials discuss who is getting sick from H1N1 in Oregon.

WHO: Mel Kohn, M.D., M.P.H., Oregon Public Health Division director
Kathleen O'Leary, R.N., M.P.H., Washington County Public Health administrator; chair, Conference of Local Health Officials.

WHEN: Friday, November 13, 2009 at 11 a.m.

WHERE: Conference Room 1B
Portland State Office Building
800 NE Oregon St., Portland

For those on the conference call, please submit questions via e-mail only. Please send an e-mail to PH.Director@state.or.us between 10:30 and 11 a.m. to confirm connectivity. If there are any connectivity issues, please call 503-490-6590.

# # #

Eugene, OR - November brings stormy weather, plunging temperatures, and in many cases, soaring utility bills to Oregon residents. Thankfully, November also brings the newest allotment of federally funded LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) dollars to the region, a much needed relief to some EPUD Customer-Owners. LIHEAP began taking calls on November 2 for senior and disabled households, and will begin taking calls from all other households starting in December.

"There are many great assistance programs available to people in our District," says EPUD customer service supervisor Alicia Garcia. "If people are struggling to pay their utility bill, they should call. It's important that our Customer-Owners understand we're here to help and that there IS help available."

LIHEAP is not the only program offering assistance to people in need. Emerald People's Utility District also funds three separate programs to help its Customer-Owners keep the lights on:

* REACH (Residential Energy Assistance Challenge) is an assistance program available year-round, serving customers each year on a first-come first-served basis. Call Lane County Human Services Commission (LCHSC) at 682-3071 for information.
* ERAP (Emerald Rate Assistance Program) is an assistance program available year-round for households with a senior or a disabled person. ERAP is administered by LCHSC. Call 682-3378 for information.
* Helping Hands is a seasonal program funded by EPUD employees and customers and administered with help from various community agencies. It opens in February and remains open until funds are exhausted. Call EPUD in February, 746-1583 for a referral.

EPUD Customer-Owners in need are encouraged to call 746-1583 to learn more about these various programs and how to apply.

Did you know? In 2009, EPUD raised $18,000 in Helping Hands funds and gave $100,000 to other programs to help more than 500 customers in the EPUD District.

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November 12, 2009

Who: Governor's Commission on Senior Services

What: Executive Committee meeting

When: Thursday, November 19, 10 a.m.

Where: Barbara Roberts Department of Human Services Building, 500 Summer Street NE, Salem OR, Conference Room 277

Agenda

Call to order: 10 a.m.; working group reports: 10:05 a.m.; other items: 10:35; member items: 10:55 a.m.; adjourn: 11 a.m.

Agenda is posted on the Governor's Commission on Senior Services Web site.

The Governor's Commission on Senior Services is charged in Oregon statute with advising the governor and the director of Human Services on needs of elderly persons, and recommending actions by the governor, the Department of Human Services, other governmental entities and the private sector appropriate to meet such needs.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided as needed for individuals requesting assistive hearing devices, sign language interpreters or large-print materials. Individuals needing these types of accommodations should call DHS at 1-800-282-8096 at least 48 hours before the meeting.

# # #

(Baker City, Oregon) - Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers, with the assistance of local police and emergency responders, are continuing the investigation into an early Thursday morning single vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 84 about five miles west of Baker City that resulted in the death of one person and injuries to 15 others. The van is reportedly registered to New Life Worship Center in Federal Heights, Colorado and is affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Masters Commission. The group was enroute to Portland, Oregon for a conference to raise funds for the commission's mentoring program. Crash scene investigators are done at the scene and continuing to gather information with the help of agencies in Oregon, Idaho and Colorado.

Updated information from OSP Lieutenant David MacManiman is that on November 12, 2009 at approximately 5:20 a.m. a 2002 Ford van driven by an adult female with fifteen (15) passengers was westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 302 after making a brief stop in Baker City. As the van was westbound on icy highway conditions, it drove off the roadway and rolled multiple times coming to rest on its top near the center median.

Fourteen of the 16 occupants were ejected from the van. The female driver was using safety restraints and received non-life threatening injuries.

The remaining 15 passengers were transported to area hospitals for treatment of injuries, four of which were later flown by air ambulance to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho with critical injuries.

A male passenger died after arrival at St. Elizabeth Health Services hospital in Baker City.

The 9 female and 7 male van occupants are described as between the ages of 18 - 26.

OSP troopers from the Baker City office are continuing the investigation with the assistance of OSP collision reconstructionists.

Emergency responders from Baker City, La Grande, Baker Rural, and Keating responded to help along with people who stopped to assist.

More information will be released later today when available.

Questions for New Life Worship Center can be directed to (303) 428-9535.

OSP thanks all local responders, hospital staffs, Federal Heights Police Department, Boise Police Department and others for their help today.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

Salem, Oregon - Some people with Medicare have to select new health insurance and many others will want to review their health or drug coverage as Medicare's big enrollment season gets under way.

"Consumers should be aware that stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans change their premium and coverage each year," said Lisa Emerson, manager of the state's Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program. "In today's economy, saving money could not be more important so it is wise to conduct an annual review of your health benefits."

The SHIBA program - part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services - trains volunteers throughout Oregon to help people compare insurance options and to see if they qualify for help with Medicare costs.

Medicare's Fall Open Enrollment period, from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31, is an opportunity to join or change plans. New coverage starts Jan. 1, 2010.

Changes ahead
More than 15,000 of the 205,000 Oregonians with Medicare Advantage plans must find new plans because their existing one is going away. Many others will want to shop as they see plan prices go up or find out that a drug they take is no longer covered by their plan. By now, people with Medicare should have received letters from their insurance company announcing changes to their cost and coverage.

Warning: Before switching plans, people should make sure their doctor accepts any new plan under consideration.

How to compare plans/enroll
Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans can be compared in detail and sorted by ZIP code on Medicare's online Plan Finder Tool at www.Medicare.gov. You may also call 1-800 MEDICARE (633-4227).

Enrollment changes can be done online or by phone with a trained Medicare customer service representative. The representatives are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Trained SHIBA volunteer counselors are also available to assist those who need one-on-one counseling. Call this toll-free number: 1-800-722-4134. You will be asked to use the telephone keypad to enter your ZIP code. This will route you to a local SHIBA counseling program to schedule an appointment.

SHIBA annually publishes the Oregon Guide to Medigap, Medicare Advantage & Prescription Drug Plans. This guide lists most of the Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans that are sold in Oregon. Find the guide and other Medicare information at: http://www.oregonshiba.org

The Lincoln Interagency Narcotics Team (LINT) closed out a long-term narcotics investigation with the execution of a search warrant in Toledo and the arrest two people on drug-related charges.

On November 10, 2009 LINT detectives served a search warrant at a trailer located at 28273 Siletz Highway near Toledo. Officers located evidence related to drug use and sales, including a small quantity of methamphetamine, weigh scales and packaging material.

Two trailer occupants at the scene were arrested:

Darin John Manning, age 44, from Toledo
* Unlawful Deliver and Possession of a Controlled Substance - Methamphetamine

Christina Darlene Russell, age 38, from Toledo
* Frequenting a Place where Controlled Substances are Used or Kept

Both were lodged in the Lincoln County Jail.

Assisting LINT at the scene was the Oregon State Police, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, and the Newport Police Department's K9 unit.

LINT is made up of members of the Oregon State Police, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Newport Police Department, and Lincoln City Police Department. Anyone with additional information about this case or other drug related information is encouraged to contact LINT at 541-265-5354.

No photographs available for this release.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers, with the assistance of local police and emergency responders, are continuing the investigation into an early Thursday morning single vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 84 in the Baker City area that killed one person and injured 15 others. More specific information regarding the occupants in the out-of-state involved van will be provided after initial contacts have been completed.

Preliminary information from the scene indicates on November 12, 2009 at approximately 5:20 a.m. a 2002 Ford van with sixteen (16) occupants was westbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 302 when it drove off the roadway and rolled multiple times. The majority of the van occupants were ejected and all 16 have been transported to multiple hospitals for treatment of injuries, some of which are described as critical. One person reportedly died after arrival at a hospital.

More information will be released later today when available.

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###

Public hearings to adopt a uniform tsunami warning siren will be held this week in two coastal areas, announced Oregon Emergency Management today.

A team of specialists has been working on providing uniform, timely and accurate tsunami warning/notification to residents, employees and visitors along Oregon's coast. Based on Oregon Senate Bill 557, Section 2 the uniform tsunami warning signal administrative rules must specify type of signal, duration of signal, volume of signal and location of delivery device.

The work team has reviewed existing research and best practices on tsunami warning systems and decided on a uniform state standard that provides the necessary consistency to reduce potential conflicts and confusion. The objective of the tsunami statutes and implementing rules is to reduce the risk of loss of life.

Oregon Emergency Management is named as the responsible State Agency for carrying out the Administrative Rule development.

The first hearing will be held November 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the North Bend Community Health Education Center (CHEC), 2950 Sherman Avenue.

The second hearing will be held November 14 from 3 to 5p.m. at the Tillamook 9-1-1 Center, Stan Sheldon Board Room, 2311 Third Street.

The public is encouraged to attend.

The Oregon Recreational Trails Advisory Council (ORTAC) will meet Nov. 20-21 in Astoria to review and discuss local, non-motorized trail plans and initiatives.

The two-day meeting will be at Alderbrook Hall, 4509 Lief Ericson Dr., from 1-5 p.m. on Nov. 20 (Friday), and from 9 a.m.-noon on Nov. 21 (Saturday). Both sessions are open to the public. Public comment periods are scheduled both days.

After hearing from north coast trail providers, the council will consider criteria for designating Oregon scenic and regional trails.

ORTAC was established by the Legislature in 1971 to advise the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and to promote non-motorized trail recreation and development in Oregon. The seven-member council includes volunteer representatives from each of Oregon's five congressional districts. Members are appointed by the Oregon Park and Recreation Commission.

The meeting site is accessible to people with disabilities. Special accommodations may be arranged up to 72 hours in advance by calling 503-986-0655. ###

Veteran'sF-6642T-260: Members of a Civil War reenactment group march in front of the reviewing stand during the Albany, Ore. 90th annual Veteran's Day Parade Nov. 11. Brig. Gen. Charles L. Yriarte, the 41st Infantry Brigade Commander (rear)(4th from right) presided over the parade. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.)(Left) were also a part of the official party.

091111-F-6642T-077: Members of the 234th Army Band followed by soldiers from the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, parade through the streets of downtown Albany in support of the 90th annual Veteran's Day Parade, which the city bills as the largest of its kind west of the Mississippi River.

091111-F-6642T-307: Spc. Matthew Mikolas of the 115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment prepares to read his script detailing for the assembled crowd the Oregon National Guard participation which featured units from around the state, historic vehicles from the Oregon Military Museum and many other entries. This year marks the third year running that Mikolas has announced for the Oregon National Guard.

091111-F-6642T-585: Brig. Gen. Charles L. Yriarte, the 41st Infantry Brigade Commander (rear) addresses the crowd at the 90th annual Veteran's Day Parade closing ceremony saying that "we are all lucky to be a part of a country as great as this," and thanking the crowd for their continued support of the Oregon National Guard.

Statement from Legacy Health

(PORTLAND, Ore., November 11, 2009) - We are deeply saddened by the events that took place yesterday at Legacy MetroLab - Tualatin. Our hearts go out to the family of Teresa Beiser, our Legacy employee who lost her life in the incident. Teresa had been with Legacy Health since June 1996, most recently working as a lab assistant at Legacy MetroLab - Tualatin for the past eight years.

We are grateful that our two other employees who were involved survived the incident and Legacy is actively providing these team members our support in their recovery from this tragedy. The female employee has been with Legacy since July 2008 and the male employee since April 2000. Both are lab assistants. The employees and their families have declined requests for interviews with the media and we ask that you respect their wishes and their privacy in this difficult time.

Legacy Health Foundations is in the process of setting up a fund for Teresa's children. Legacy is also planning a memorial service for Teresa for her Legacy family to celebrate the life of this outstanding individual. More details will be provided later on both the fund and memorial service.

**Photo Release:**

Captions:

091111-A-5611R-001
Dale Blanshen, of Lebanon, Ore., posts the U.S. Flag as part of an honor guard during a Veterans Day memorial service at Timber Linn Park in Albany, November 11. Blanshen is a member of the American Legion Post 51's Honor Guard. The memorial service kicked off the beginning of the 2009 Albany Veterans Day celebration. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric A. Rutherford, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

091111-A-5611R-002
Members of American Legion Post 51's Honor Guard team and the Oregon National Guard's Honor Guard participate in a Veterans Day memorial service at Timber Linn Park in Albany, November 11. The memorial service kicked off the beginning of the 2009 Albany Veterans Day celebration. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric A. Rutherford, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

091111-A-5611R-003
Spc. Paul Lyon quickly reaches for another howitzer blank shell as Pfc. Josh Duval ejects a fired shell from the 105mm Howitzer during a Veterans Day memorial service at Timber Linn Park in Albany, November 11. Lyon, of Corvallis and Duval, of Willamina, are members of "The Governor's Own" Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The memorial service kicked off the beginning of the 2009 Albany Veterans Day celebration. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric A. Rutherford, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

091111-A-5611R-004
Soldiers from "The Governor's Own" Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team fire 105mm Howitzers in a gun salute during a Veterans Day memorial service at Timber Linn Park in Albany, November 11. The memorial service kicked off the beginning of the 2009 Albany Veterans Day celebration. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Eric A. Rutherford, Oregon Military Department Public Affairs)

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Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller reports that on November 10, 2009, detectives from LINT (Lincoln Interagency Narcotics Team) from Lincoln County and detectives from the Linn County Sheriff's Office executed a narcotic search warrant at 141B Milton Street in Lebanon. This is a continuing investigation that began in Lincoln County earlier in the day. Froylan Mendoza-Cortez, age 42, of Lebanon, was found with dealer amounts of methamphetamine, and was arrested for possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and delivery of a controlled substance (methamphetamine). Detectives also seized approximately $3,000 in cash. Mendoza-Cortez was lodged at the Linn County Jail. The Lebanon Police Department also assisted in the investigation.

Contact Info:
Undersheriff Bruce Riley
briley@le.linn.or.us
541.812.2263

An eight month investigation into an illegal marijuana growing operation involving a registered grower under the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) led an interagency Lane County narcotics enforcement team to the discovery this week of four indoor growing operations in Eugene and West Linn. A suspect, who is registered under OMMP to be a grower for one patient, has been identified and charges are pending.

According to Oregon State Police Drug Enforcement Section (OSP DES) Sergeant Ted Phillips, on November 9, 2009 members of the Lane County Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (INET), the Drug Enforcement Administration, Oregon State Police and Lane County Sheriffs Office executed search warrants at three adjacent houses located on Wilkes Drive in Eugene. The search warrants were authorized related to an eight month investigation into an illegal marijuana growing operation. Investigators seized a total of 1127 marijuana plants, two firearms and a large amount of growing equipment from the three uninhabited houses used solely for the purpose of growing marijuana.

Investigators noted numerous hazardous electrical code violations within the houses resulting from modified wiring to power several grow lights. City of Eugene Code Enforcement was contacted and power to the houses, which are located within 1,000 feet of a school, was shut down.

Subsequent to the investigation and search warrant execution in Eugene, investigators were led to a fourth residence in West Linn where INET and DEA investigators executed another search warrant. The search resulted in the discovery of a fourth growing operation where detectives seized 149 marijuana plants and a firearm.

The 33-year old suspect was located at the West Linn residence. He told investigators the grow operation produced about 13 pounds of usable marijuana every 30 days and sold for $3,200 per pound. He is registered as a grower for one patient under OMMP and is only permitted to possess 6 mature marijuana plants, 18 seedlings, and 1 1/2 pounds of usable marijuana.

Multiple charges are pending against the suspect whose name is withheld until an arrest is made in the investigation. No estimated value provided at this time for the seized marijuana plants.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police
* Interior photos from Wilkes Drive locations

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