A popular program in which incarcerated youth train and care for dogs that otherwise might be euthanized is receiving national attention - and votes - on a commercial Web site asking online voters to identify a "most deserving" project committed to pet rescue, rehabilitation and adoption.

One of the 64 organizations initially selected to compete - now winnowed to 16 in weekly voting eliminations - is 15-year-old Project POOCH at the Oregon Youth Authority's MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn. It has up to 16 dogs available for adoption at any given time.

The MacLaren program is competing for votes in the "Mutt Madness Awards Program" sponsored by author and television personality Rachel Ray, who also markets a line of dog food. More information about the competition and voting is at http://www.pooch.org/ on the Web site of Project POOCH, a Lake Oswego-based nonprofit organization that OYA supports with its program at MacLaren.

In the Mutt Madness competition, Project POOCH (for Positive Opportunities, Obvious Change with Hounds) describes part of the program's benefit as "the healing bond between unwanted dogs and young men who know what it's like to be unwelcome or even feared in a community." The program has been shown to positively affect youth in areas such as behavior, social skills, self-confidence and leadership abilities.

Youth not only train and care for the dogs, but also record their medical and other records, produce brochures and Web material about adoptable dogs, and show adoptable dogs to members of the public.

Winners in the online voting will receive $1,000 for each week they remain in the running, with the final winner announced in early December receiving $50,000. The MacLaren project, which involves 12-16 youth at any given time, uses financial contributions for dog food and pet-care expenses, wages to youth that go to restitution, and facility upgrades including a desired conversion of an existing greenhouse into a training facility.

Project POOCH is one of several programs that help the Oregon Youth Authority meet its charge of protecting the public and reducing crime by holding youthful offenders accountable and providing opportunities for reformation in safe environments. OYA has custody of approximately 925 youthful offenders in correctional and transition facilities, and supervises approximately 1,100 youth on parole and probation.

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(Southern Willamette Valley, Oregon) - Members of three Civil Air Patrol (CAP) units in the Southern Willamette Valley invite the public to sponsor remembrance wreaths for placement on the graves of veterans on Dec. 12 at Willamette National Cemetery to honor those who served our country as well as current military members. The Civil Air Patrol is partnering with a number of civic groups and Wreaths Across America in this effort.

The units' efforts coincide with tributes occurring simultaneously across the nation during Wreaths Across America observances. As a key partner in Wreaths Across America for three Decembers now, the Civil Air Patrol has adorned memorials and veterans' graves with evergreen wreaths to make sure the sacrifices of our nation's armed service personnel are not forgotten.

Last year, members of the public sponsored placement of more than 100,000 wreaths on veterans' graves across the U.S., an increase of nearly 70,000 wreaths from 2007. In Oregon, approximately 750 wreaths were laid on the graves of fallen veterans at Willamette National Cemetery in Happy Valley, Deschutes Memorial Gardens in Bend, and Eagle Point National Cemetery in Eagle Point. Approximately 350 wreaths were laid of the graves of fallen veterans at Willamette National Cemetery alone.

Wreaths will be placed in ceremonies at cemeteries in all 50 states.

Nationwide, Worcester Wreath Co. donated more than 17,000 wreaths for the remembrances, 10,000 of which will be placed at Arlington National Cemetery. CAP units lead almost half of 372 observances and participated with other color and honor guards at many additional locations, including Arlington National Cemetery.

This year, seven ceremonial wreaths will be placed at each of the aforementioned locations to remember those who served, honor their sacrifices, and teach our younger generations about the high price of our freedoms. Specially made wreaths for Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials during a unique ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at over 350 participating locations all across the Country and around the World.

Members of the public are encouraged to contact one of the following CAP units to sponsor a wreath:

Serving Lane County: Mahlon Sweet Composite Squadron
PO Box 23233, Eugene, OR 97402, 541-510-1862, mamaredd@comcast.net

Serving Linn County:
Linn-Benton Flight: PO Box 209, Crawfordsville OR 97336, 541-401-0521, lbcscap@yahoo.com

Serving Benton County, Albany, Independence, Monmouth, Dallas, Falls City, Pedee, and Rickreall: Camp Adair Composite Squadron
PO Box 3370, Albany, OR 97321, 541-917-3370, dcc@campadaircap.org

Wreaths Across America began in 2006 as an offshoot of the Arlington National Cemetery wreath project, which was started in 1992 with the annual placement of wreaths donated by Worcester Wreath Co. Wreaths Across America ceremonies were conducted largely by CAP wings and squadrons with the help of veterans' organizations; private citizens; the Maine State Society of Washington, D.C., which annually assists with the laying of wreaths at Arlington; and the Patriot Guard Riders. Visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org for more information about Wreaths Across America and participating locations.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with more than 56,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 91 lives in fiscal year 2008. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the more than 22,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP has beenperforming missions for America for more than 67 years. For more information on CAP, please visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com.

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Additional Information: This release is intended only for use by media outlets in Lane, Linn, Benton, and Polk Counties.

A recent traffic stop by Oregon State Police troopers in southern Oregon started a chain of events following the discovery of one pound of marijuana and grew into an investigation by the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team leading to the seizure of over 200 pounds of marijuana in Josephine County. Two of the three people are confirmed registered growers under the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program and they were charged in relation to the ongoing investigation.

The investigation started with a traffic stop on October 29, 2009 at approximately 5:48 a.m. when an OSP trooper stopped a 2000 Honda Civic displaying Nevada license plates southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 12 for a traffic violation. During the stop the trooper contacted a male driver, age 46, and female passenger, age 49, both from Las Vegas, Nevada.

A subsequent investigation, with the assistance of an OSP drug detection dog, led to the search of the vehicle and the discovery of approximately one pound of marijuana. The subjects admitted they purchased the marijuana from a location they believed to be used to grow medicinal marijuana. The marijuana was purchased with cash and labor they exchanged for pruning additional marijuana plants. Charges are pending against the two Nevada residents.

The RADE team was contacted for assistance and later that date identified the grow site location on Wilderville Lane in Grants Pass. A search warrant was executed at that location where detectives found evidence reflecting a large scale marijuana growing operation capable of producing hundreds of pounds of marijuana. Approximately 200 pounds of marijuana was seized.

Contacted at the residence and charged with controlled substance offenses were BRENDA THOMAS, age 43; SUSAN BRYANT, age 48; and, THOMAS BLETKO, age 50. Two of the three people were confirmed as registered growers under the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program and admitted they were growing for thirteen "patients."

The legal amount of usable marijuana that can be possessed for 13 patients would total 19 1/2 pounds. The additional 180 pounds of marijuana conservative estimated at $2,500 per pound would be valued at $450,000.

RADE is an interagency narcotics team comprised of personnel from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Oregon State Police, Josephine County Sheriff's Office, Josephine County District Attorney's Office, and the Josephine County Community Corrections. Also assisting in this investigation were detectives from the Grants Pass Department of Public Safety and troopers from the Oregon State Police Drug Detection Canine program.

Anyone with information regarding suspicious drug activity or marijuana growing operations in Josephine County is encouraged to call the RADE tip line at (541) 955-6970.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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

The clinic at Lowell School District is intended for district students, family and staff.

SALEM-In this time of economic hardship, which extends from personal savings accounts to the state coffers, Oregon is offering amnesty to taxpayers who need to file or amend a tax return to pay back taxes.

The 2009 Legislature created the one-time program to give taxpayers an incentive to get caught up, and to bring in dollars to the cash-strapped programs that taxes support.

In Oregon, personal income taxes help fund education; human services, such as child protective and senior services; public safety, such as police and jails; and environmental quality.

You can apply for amnesty through November 19. If you qualify, you have until January 19, 2010 to file your tax returns.

Under the amnesty program, you'll only be charged half the interest on the taxes you pay. You won't have to pay any penalties.

"Amnesty is good for tax-supported programs. It allows taxpayers who owe previously unidentified taxes to pay them without also paying large penalties," said Marvin Rhodes who oversees the state's personal income tax program. "But it's a one-shot deal."

Amnesty is available for all tax years or periods before 2008 for:
* Personal income tax.
* Lane and Tri-Met transit district self-employment taxes.
* Corporate income and excise taxes.
* Trust and estate income taxes.
* Inheritance tax.

For more information on amnesty, visit www.oregontaxamnesty.com.

Visit www.oregon.gov/DOR for tax information, forms and instructions, and to check the status of your refund, 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.

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At Least the Ducks and Beavers Can Agree on One Thing
Helping Save Lives is Important

Portland, Oregon - For the eighth year, University of Oregon Ducks and Oregon State University Beavers are out for blood. The Rivals for Life competition is not just about football, it is about helping save lives.

This is your chance to win tickets to the big game. Each participant who fills out an honor roll ballot is entered to win two tickets to the Civil War football game in Eugene. In addition, every presenting donor will receive a deck of Civil War playing cards, visit CivilWarBloodDrive.com for more information.

Between November 5 and November 21, UO and OSU fans, friends, students, parents and alumni will roll up their sleeves at blood drives around the state to give for a good cause. The top team will be announced at the Civil War football game and the winning alumni association will receive the coveted civil war trophy.

The Civil War campaign serves as an important public service and educational opportunity that the American Red Cross, Lane Memorial Blood Bank, University of Oregon and Oregon State University Alumni Associations promote.

Helping Oregonians have better lives has always been important to Oregon Staters, and participating in the Civil War Blood Drive is a great way to demonstrate that. What a wonderful and positive way for Beavers and Ducks to show that healthy competition can be good for everyone! Jeff Todd, OSU Alumni Association Executive Director

I am especially proud of the Duck students, alumni and fans who have donated their blood on behalf of the University of Oregon in this annual friendly rivalry with Oregon State University. I hope that fans of both the Ducks and the Beavers will continue to support and recognize this critical need in our communities and donate on behalf of their school in this years Civil War Blood Drive. You can help save a life. Mike Bellotti, UO Athletic Director

The Civil War Blood Drive is a healthy competition and comes right before the Christmas and Thanksgiving holiday, a time when maintaining an adequate blood inventory can be challenging. Blood and platelets have a limited shelf life and must be available when and where they are required to help save lives.

This is important because, across the U.S., every 2 seconds someone needs a blood transfusion. Each blood donation can help save more than one life a blood donation is separated into components and each component can be given to a different person.The Pacific Northwest region must collect over 5,000 units of blood and more than 700 units of platelets every week to supply the needs of hospital patients.

Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or in Lane County, call 541-484-9111, to schedule a blood donation at your nearest blood drive, because in this game everyone is a winner. For a listing of statewide American Red Cross blood drive locations visit www.nwblood.redcross.org

To participate, donate blood or platelets during the eighth annual Civil War Blood Drive at any blood drive (platelet donation at specific sites only) from November 5-21 across the state of Oregon. Last year, fans, students and alumni of both schools collectively donated over 7,500 units of blood and platelets to help patients. This year, we challenge our alumni and friends across the state to help us exceed last year's total. A single donation can save more than one life, and in this game everyone wins.

Basic Donor Eligibility

To be a blood donor, you must meet a few basic requirements.
You must be in general good health,weigh at least 110 pounds, meet the minimum age requirement (There is no upper age limit)must provide signed parental consent, if required.You must have waited the minimum time between donations and provide an acceptable form of identification.

Some requirements vary by state, by donor age, or by donation type. Please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or check with your Red Cross representative for specific information.

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.



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State Fire Marshal Randy Simpson is urging Oregonians to be fire safe and use caution when heating homes this winter.

From 2004 through 2008 in Oregon there were 2,899 home heating-related fires resulting in 12 deaths, 85 injuries, and more than $42 million in property loss. These heating-related fires also resulted in 34 injuries to firefighters.

"Homeowners need to have the chimneys and flues on their fireplace and woodstoves cleaned and inspected annually," said State Fire Marshal Randy Simpson. "Also be sure to give heaters their space, keeping them three feet away from combustible materials."

Oregonians can keep themselves safe by following these home heating safety tips:

Fireplaces and Woodstoves
* Have chimney and woodstove flues inspected and cleaned each year by a qualified chimney sweep. Ask them to check for creosote deposits, soot build-up, or physical damage.
* Always use a fireplace screen. Make sure the screen is made of sturdy metal or heat-tempered glass to prevent sparks from escaping.
* Keep a clutter free environment. Store kindling, fire logs, and wood at least three feet from any heat source.
* Dispose of ashes in a metal container and place the container outdoors at least three feet from anything flammable. Ashes may retain heat for days after they appear out.

Portable Space Heaters
* When using portable heaters make sure they come with an automatic tip-over switch and a high temperature limit switch. The tip-over switch turns the heater off if it is knocked over. The high temperature limit switch regulates the heater preventing it from overheating.
* Give heaters space. Keep at least three feet of space between the heater and combustibles such as furniture, curtains, papers, and people.
* Check heater electrical cords. If the cord is frayed, cracked, or becomes hot have it serviced.
* Never use extension cords with portable electric heaters. It can overload the circuit and cause a fire.
* Unplug heaters when not in use or before going to bed.

Electric baseboard and wall heaters
* Be aware of electric baseboard or wall heaters. These heaters are thermostatically controlled and turn on without warning when temperatures drop. Keep combustibles at least three feet from these types of heaters.

Propane appliances
* If using a propane-fueled heater, make sure it is designed for indoor use. Read all of the manufacturer's instructions and make sure it is properly vented.
* Do not use barbecues indoors for heating or cooking.
* Make sure propane-fueled appliances are properly vented and follow all manufacturers' instructions.
* If you smell gas, do not operate any switches, appliances, or thermostats. A spark from one of these could ignite the gas. Get everyone outside and away from the building. Shut off the gas supply. Call your propane supplier from a neighbor's phone.
* Avoid kerosene heaters. They can emit poisonous fumes.

Smoke alarms and home escape plans
* Working smoke alarms alert you to a fire and more than double your chances of surviving a fire. In a fire, minutes could mean the difference between life and death.
* Install smoke alarms in every home, on every level, outside each sleeping area and in each bedroom.
* Test and vacuum your smoke alarms each month to make sure they are working.
* Smoke alarms 8 to 10 years old or older should be replaced.
* Make a home escape plan and practice it with your family at least twice a year.

Carbon Monoxide dangers
* Home heating and cooking equipment that burn fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil and methane are sources of carbon monoxide.
* Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal if not detected early.
* If you burn one of these fuels for home heating, make sure your carbon monoxide alarm is working properly.

For more home fire safety tips, visit: http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/Com_Ed_Section.shtml.

For more smoke alarm information, visit: http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/CommEd_SA_Program.shtml#Smoke_Alarm_Q___A.

For more information on carbon monoxide and Oregon's carbon monoxide law, visit: http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/CommEd_CO_Program.shtml.

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On Wednesday, November 4, 2009, at about 4:00 p.m., Albany Police Detectives arrested 40-year-old Salem resident Patrick Martin Luther Smith in connection with a 3-month identity theft investigation. Detectives arrested Patrick Smith without incident in the 300 block of Church Street in Salem. Patrick Smith was lodged in the Linn County Jail on the following charges:
* Aggravated Theft in the First Degree.
* Computer Crime (2 counts).
* Identity Theft.
* Aggravated Identity Theft.
* Theft in the First Degree.
* Falsifying Business Records.
* Unlawful Possession of Cocaine.

This investigation began in August 2009 after Albany Police were contacted by Bill Rogers Honda of Albany to report they had fired Patrick Smith who had been their service manager. Bill Rogers, the owner of the dealership, reported that he had reason to believe that Patrick Smith had been misappropriating company money to his personal use when Bill Rogers noticed an unusually high balance on a company credit card that usually maintains a low balance.

The investigation revealed that Patrick Smith unlawfully appropriated over $200,000 of money from Bill Rogers Honda and converted it to his personal use. Patrick Smith accomplished this by the misuse of a company credit card and bank account, as well as opening up a new credit card under the name of Bill Rogers. Patrick Smith was able to hide his fraudulent activity for nearly a year by falsifying business records.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation or Patrick Smith is asked to call Albany Police Detectives at 541-917-7686

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SALEM - Governor Ted Kulongoski has proclaimed two significant times in November to recognize Oregon veterans. "Veterans Awareness Week" and "Hire A Veteran Month" have been designated to honor veterans and to encourage all employers to hire Oregon's military veterans.

Veterans Awareness Week will be celebrated Nov. 9-14, as Oregonians prepare for and take part in patriotic activities on Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Oregon is home to approximately 345,000 veterans and many do not have work despite their skilled training and experience. Governor Kulongoski says Hire A Veteran Month is a tremendous opportunity for all employers to help put veterans back to work.

"When leaving military service, having a job can make all the difference in the lives of veterans and their families. As an employer, if you have employees who are called to active duty, ensure their jobs are waiting for them when they return," Governor Kulongoski said.

"I am encouraging employers statewide to hire as many veterans as possible, not only during this month, but as a long-term matter of policy. Let that be your thanks for their service."

Several thousand Oregon servicemembers are currently serving in harms way in the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. More than 48 million men and women have served in the United States armed forces with more than one million having made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives. Another 1.5 million have been wounded.

Along with the Governor, Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Jim Willis is strongly urging all Oregonians to honor and remember veterans during November.

"Our veterans left the security of their home and family. They delayed or forfeited personal opportunities to volunteer their service. Some have given their lives to serve in the cause of freedom and the threats to its stability," Willis said.

"When they return home, employers should strongly consider the training, leadership and strong work ethic these veterans bring to any job. Hiring veterans and their experience will contribute to the continued success of the businesses willing to employ them."
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Oregon Virtual Academy Board Members are hereby notified that a Regular Meeting of the Board will be held at 1810 Monroe Street, North Bend, Oregon and via teleconference call at 1-888-824-5783 x16682871#

November, 9 2009 @ 6:00 p.m.

An Arizona man was arrested during an Oregon State Police (OSP) traffic stop in the Lakeview area Monday, October 26th, following the discovery of about 22 pounds of marijuana. The follow up investigation by the OSP Drug Enforcement Section has reached a point to allow the release this information.

According to OSP Sergeant Steve Yates, on October 26, 2009 at approximately 3:05 p.m., an OSP trooper stopped a white 2009 Pontiac four door occupied by one person on Highway 395 near milepost 142 for a hazardous driving violation. Investigative efforts during the course of the traffic stop led to the discovery of about 22 pounds of marijuana in the vehicle.

The vehicle's driver, THEODORE CONRAD DESMARAIS, age 50, from Sedona, Arizona was arrested and lodged in the Lake County Jail for Unlawful Possession and Delivery of a Controlled Substance - Marijuana.

Estimated value of the seized marijuana was approximately $60,000.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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

Financial aid ranging from $380 for a Coos County records project to $4,000 for marker repair projects are among the latest grants released by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) to help preserve and interpret historic cemeteries.

The department's 2009 Historic Cemeteries Program grants will spread $41,000 in state lottery dollars among 19 projects throughout the state. This is the first of two grant cycles for the state biennium. The grants were award to cemetery projects in 14 counties for marker repair, tree care, fencing, signage, websites and training.

"The projects demonstrate the variety of ways people are helping preserve historic cemeteries in their communities," said Kuri Gill, OPRD's Historic Cemeteries Program coordinator. "We're especially pleased with the quality of proposed projects."

OPRD has awarded $216,000 in historic cemetery grants since 2004, helping fund 135 projects. Proposed projects are approved by the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries.

For more information on the Historic Cemeteries Program and the grants contact Kuri Gill at Kuri.Gill@state.or.us or (503) 986-0685. ###

Corporationfic Corporation, one of the best kept secrets in dentistry, announced today it has expanded its eTools program as part of its current offering to existing and new clients. This industry leading program allows patients to review their account information at their convenience.

"This new program will effectively assist our clients in providing the highest level of customer service to their patients. First Pacific is striving to develop technology that meets the needs of patients and the desire to have easier, real-time access to their account information available 24/7. In a business climate where instant access to account information has become expected from the consumer, we are excited to be able to offer this new service to our clients" said Kevin Brady, First Pacific Corporation's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. FPC Patient eTools also includes information on their upcoming appointments, on-line account statements that can be printed, as well as information on the status of insurance claims. "This is an exciting development for FPC. It is much like on-line banking for patients and we are excited to provide patients with instant access to account information that will reduce the majority of calls to an office and allow staff to be more efficient." Brady said.

Dr. D. Schulze of Missouri, an FPC client, said that "allowing our patients access to their statements, EOBs and appointment information through FPC's one-of-a-kind Patient eTools is a great benefit for my patients and my staff!"

First Pacific Corporation is one of the top dental practice management firms in the country. The Salem, Oregon based company helps dentists provide patient financing, expedite patient and insurance billings and collections, and it decreases the stresses inherent in growing a successful dental practice. FPC provides a fully featured software solution as well as on-site training.

"Our Patient eTools program is just the latest in computer technology that we provide our clients," said Mike Wood National Service Manager for FPC. "We also provide ongoing practice management support with regular on-site visits from a local, highly experienced Account Executive, 800 phone line help for immediate assistance, past-due account follow-up, as well as regularly upgraded hardware and software for our dental clients."

Formed in 1961, First Pacific Corporation is a privately held dental practice management company owned by Pam and Jack Scott. The company currently provides critical business services to dental practices in 27 states. FPC has managed over $4.5 billion in dental office production. First Pacific Corporation is an exclusive service for dental professionals and their patients.

This fall, local crews will go to work reducing the wildfire hazard on more than 200 acres of forest in Josephine County, thanks to a federal Recovery Act grant received by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). Grayback Forestry of Merlin has been awarded a contract to clear dead and standing hardwood trees on three tracts of state forestland. The thinning and brush-clearing operation will also create growing space for conifers.

The three work sites, located in Josephine County near Sunny Valley, Wolf Creek and south of Glendale, are on isolated parcels of state-owned forest.

"We expect this project to keep up to 20 people employed for a month," ODF's Chris Rudd said. "They will do the hand work with chainsaws and then pile the material."

The Grants Pass-based forester said the jobs for this first of several stimulus-funded contracts will help keep local forests healthy and provide jobs to areas hard-hit by the economic recession.

The Josephine County project is the first to get underway in the Southwest Oregon District through a grant awarded to ODF from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Overall, the grant will put crews to work in three counties doing forest fuels reduction:
* $530,000 - Douglas County
* $377,000 - Josephine County
* $269,000 - Jackson County
The fuels work is expected to cost between $500-1,000/acre. The total acreage to be treated will be determined by the contract bid prices.

The trees, limbs and brush from this fall's Josephine County operation will be piled and burned onsite. But in future projects slated for Josephine and the other counties, ODF will seek to put the wood waste to use.

"We'll encourage loggers to get creative in finding ways to make it pay to chip the material and send it to biomass plants," he said.

He cited as an example a local logger who has developed a small chip van he uses to gather material from small log landings. By transporting wood waste out of the woods at lower cost, the improvised machine could help make forest biomass conversion in southwestern Oregon more cost-effective. Biomass facilities are able to produce electricity from woody debris.

In offering the grants, ODF is working with local communities that have Community Wildfire Protection Plans in place to craft other fuels-reduction projects. Thinning timbered tracts adjacent to developed areas has the twofold benefit of protecting people and property from encroaching wildfire, while also enhancing forest health.

Contractors desiring to bid on other Recovery Act-funded ODF projects in the region are encouraged to go to the Oregon Procurement Information Network (ORPIN) Internet site, http://orpin.oregon.gov/open.dll/welcome. ODF's Southwest Oregon District will post all Recovery Act-funded requests for proposal or invitations to bid there, with the listings containing the keywords "ODF fuel reduction services."

The U.S. Forest Service awarded the Recovery Act grant to ODF.

More information on Oregon Department of Forestry Recovery Act projects can be found at: www.oregon.gov/odf. For information on all Recovery Act projects being administered by Oregon State Government agencies, go to the Oregon Way website, www.oregon.gov/recovery/index.page.

At 3:36 this afternoon, Albany Fire Department responded to a fire at Allvac-Oremet on Calapooia Street. It appears that a hydraulic line broke and started a fire in a pit under the building. 25 personnel from the Albany Fire Department responded. The fire later went to a second alarm and members of the Corvallis Fire Department, Tangent Fire Department, and Lebanon Fire District were called to assist at the scene. The fire posed a unique challenge to extinguish due to the location of the fire under the building, and the metal and electrical equipment in the area of the fire. During the fire, personnel from Tangent Fire Department, Jefferson Rural Fire Protection District, Adair Rural Fire and Rescue, and Philomath Fire Department staffed the Albany Fire Department stations to respond to 911 calls. For the duration of the incident, Calapooia Street north of 34th Avenue was closed. No injuries were reported and estimation of damage is not available at this time.

La vacuna contra la gripe H1N1 sigue llegando a Oregon. Los Centros para el Control de Enfermedades de los EE.UU. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control o CDC) predicen que para el 6 de noviembre próximo se habrá recibido un total de aproximadamente 327,700 dosis, que es suficiente como para vacunar al 16.7 por ciento de los grupos prioritarios.
"Tenemos un plan para superar la temporada de la gripe, no importa cuándo llegue la vacuna", afirma Mel Kohn, MD, MPH, Director de la División de Salud Pública de Oregon. "Hace ocho años que estamos trabajando en este plan. Estamos listos."

La vacuna contra el H1N1 llega a nuestras comunidades de la siguiente manera:
* La vacuna contra el H1N1 es producida por fabricantes privados de drogas.
* Los CDC luego asignan las vacunas disponibles cada semana al Programa de Inmunización de Oregon (Oregon Immunization Program u OIP) de acuerdo con el número de habitantes del estado.
* A continuación, el programa de inmunización asigna las vacunas a los departamentos de salud de los condados, a las tribus y a las agencias estatales, quienes a su vez las asignan a los proveedores aprobados.
* Un distribuidor nacional envía las vacunas directamente a los proveedores. En algunos condados de Oregon, el departamento de salud del condado recibe toda las vacunas juntas, y algunos distribuyen las vacunas a los proveedores desde allí. Pero la mayoría de los proveedores de Oregon recibe la vacuna directamente del fabricante.
* Los proveedores determinan cuándo y dónde se pondrá la vacuna a los pacientes para quienes está recomendada. Las clínicas de la gripe se manejan localmente, con la asistencia de los departamentos de salud pública del condado. La decisión de qué grupos prioritarios recibirán la vacuna se hace a nivel local y puede variar de una clínica a otra. La gente debe llamar antes de ir, para saber si está en el grupo prioritario que recibirá la vacuna. Los grupos prioritarios son las mujeres embarazadas, los niños y jóvenes de 6 meses a 24 años, las personas de 24 a 65 años con problemas de salud subyacentes, las personas que cuidan a niños de 6 meses y menores, los proveedores de atención de la salud y de cuidados de emergencia, y los trabajadores de primera línea de aplicación la ley. En Oregon, los grupos prioritarios representan aproximadamente la mitad de la población del estado.

Debido al retraso en la llegada de la vacuna, algunas clínicas postergaron la vacunación y otras se están abriendo más tarde de lo previsto. La División de Salud Pública de Oregon está haciendo sondeos de los condados regularmente y mantiee la información lo más actualizada posible en flu.oregon.gov y en la línea directa de la gripe para todo el estado, 1-800-978-3040.
Kohn dice que la disponibilidad de la vacuna es un problema nacional, pero debido a que se espera que la temporada de la gripe H1N1 dure hasta bien entrada la primavera, la vacuna será útil en cualquier momento que llegue. La División de Salud Pública de Oregon ha activado su centro de operaciones de emergencia a tiempo completo para responder a los problemas del H1N1.
Desde el 1 de septiembre de 2009, 745 personas en 30 condados se internaron en los hospitales de Oregon con síntomas parecidos a los de la gripe; 20 personas murieron.
"Tenemos todos los sistemas listos para seguir el movimiento del virus en Oregon y podemos enviar los recursos a donde sean necesarios", dijo Kohn.
Mientras tanto, Kohn insta a toda la población a seguir las recomendaciones de prevención personal: lavarse las manos, cubrirse la boca al toser y quedarse en casa si está enfermo. Para obtener más información sobre la gripe H1N1 y las vacunas, llame a la Línea directa de la gripe de Salud Pública de Oregon al 1-800-978-3040 o visite www.flu.oregon.gov.
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La misión de la División de Salud Pública de Oregon: Proteger y promover la salud de toda la población de Oregon.

Weekly H1N1 influenza update for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

The H1N1 influenza vaccine continues to arrive in Oregon with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) predicting an estimated cumulative total of about 327,700 doses by November 6, enough to vaccinate 16.7 percent of the priority groups.
"We have a plan to get through the flu season, no matter when the vaccine arrives," says Mel Kohn, MD, MPH, Oregon Public Health Division director. "We've been working on this plan for eight years. We are ready."
This is how the H1N1 vaccine gets to our communities:
* The H1N1 vaccine is produced by private drug manufacturers.
* The CDC then allocates available vaccine each week to the Oregon Immunization Program (OIP) on a per capita basis.
* The immunization program then allocates the vaccine to the local county health departments, tribes and state agencies, who in turn assign them to approved providers.
* A national distributor ships vaccines directly to providers. A few counties in Oregon receive the entire shipment at the county health department, and some then distribute the vaccine to providers from there. But most providers in Oregon receive the vaccine directly from the manufacturer.
* Providers determine when and where the vaccine will be administered to patients for whom it is recommended. Flu clinics are handled locally with the assistance of county public health departments. The decision of which priority groups will be served is made at the local level and may vary from clinic to clinic. People should call ahead to make sure that their priority group will be served. Priority groups include pregnant women; children and young people aged 6 months to 24 years; people aged 24-65 with underlying health conditions; people caring for infants 6 months and younger; and health care, emergency, and frontline law enforcement workers. In Oregon, priority groups account for about half the state's population.

Because of the delay of vaccine, some flu clinics have been rescheduled and others are opening later than expected. The Oregon Public Health Division is surveying the counties on a regular basis and is keeping information as current as possible at flu.oregon.gov and the statewide flu hotline of 1-800-978-3040.
Kohn says vaccine availability is a national issue but, because the H1N1 flu season is expected to last well into the spring, the vaccine will be helpful whenever it arrives. Oregon Public Health has activated its emergency operations center full time to respond to H1N1 issues.
Since Sept. 1, 2009, 745 people in 30 counties have been hospitalized in Oregon with influenza-like illness; 20 people have died.
"We have systems in place to keep track of the virus in Oregon and can send resources to where they're needed," says Kohn.
In the meantime, he urges everyone to follow the personal prevention guidelines: Wash your hands, cover your cough and stay home when you're sick. For more information on H1N1 flu and vaccines, call the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline at 1-800-978-3040 or visit www.flu.oregon.gov.
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Oregon Public Health Division mission: To protect and promote the health of all the people of Oregon.

An ODOT employee received minor injuries Tuesday morning after the pickup he was driving traveled off Highway 224 in Carver and came to a rest partially submerged in the Clackamas River. Oregon State Police (OSP) is completing the investigation.

According to OSP Senior Trooper Jeremy Richardson, on November 3, 2009 at approximately 9:20 a.m. an ODOT pickup driven by RICHARD LEROY SAIN, age 57, from Estacada, was eastbound on Highway 224 east of SE 197th Avenue when it drifted off the eastbound highway shoulder. The pickup traveled about 250 feet, striking some trees and a fence before it continued down an embankment about 80 - 100 feet into the Clackamas River.

SAIN was able to undo his safety restraints and crawled out a window onto the top of the pickup. Witnesses called 9-1-1, initiating response from OSP, Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, Clackamas Fire District #1, Clackamas County Swift Water Rescue Consortium team, and ODOT.

SAIN was rescued from the partially submerged pickup by the swift water rescue team and later transported by AMR ambulance to Kaiser Sunnyside Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Preliminary information indicates the investigation is looking into the possibility that SAIN had a medical problem before driving off the highway. No citations were issued.

Questions regarding SAIN should be directed to ODOT.

Questions regarding the rescue should be directed to Clackamas Fire District #1 PIO Steve McAdoo.

The eastbound lanes were initially closed for emergency vehicle response. All lanes were later closed to allow responding tow vehicles room to remove the pickup from the water.

Traffic update information should be available by contacting ODOT.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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

Online handbook tells how to nominate routes for designation


Oregon bicycle riders can now nominate their favorite routes for consideration as State Scenic Bikeways.

Such designated bikeways would follow roads and bicycle paths that connect riders with outstanding scenic, historic and natural settings. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will accept nominations through Jan. 31, 2010, and annually from Nov. 1-Jan. 31 thereafter.

OPRD's state bicycle coordinator, Alexandra Phillips, says anyone can propose a route for designation according to Oregon Administrative Rule guidelines. "The program is designed as a grassroots effort," she said. "Nominations will need to come from local proponents."

An Oregon Scenic Bikeways handbook now online at www.oregonscenicbikeways.org
gives a step-by-step designation process and provides instructions and forms for nominators. The nominations will be considered by the Oregon Scenic Bikeway Committee, an advisory group that will recommend scenic bikeway designations to the OPRD director. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission must give final approvals.

"The committee will be looking for proposed routes that offer the total experience of sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings of landscapes that you can have traveling at the pace of a bicycle," said Phillips. "We hope to find the bikeways that offer the best rides in the state."

According to Phillips, the Oregon program is the first state government-sanctioned scenic bikeway designation process in the nation. The program is a partnership between Cycle Oregon, Travel Oregon, the Oregon Department of Transportation and OPRD.

The Willamette Valley Scenic Bikeway, which was developed as a 2005 pilot project by the partnership, serves as a prototype for the program. The Willamette Valley route has been officially recognized as Oregon's first state scenic bikeway. ###

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Corrections Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 1:30 p.m. on November 17, 2009. The meeting will be held in the Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made before the meeting by calling by calling Carolyn Kendrick at (503) 378-2358

Agenda items:

1. *Minutes (September 3, 2009)
Approve the minutes of the September 3, 2009 Corrections Policy Committee meeting.

2. *OAR 259-001-001- Proposed Rule
Records Retention

3. *OAR 259-008-0040- Proposed Rule
Period of Service

4. *Laure D. Akers - DPSST #19823
Determine whether or not Laure Akers' Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Corrections Certifications be revoked based on her discretionary disqualifying misconduct.

5. *Steven J. Fast - DPSST #40295
Determine whether or not Steven Fast's Basic and Intermediate Corrections Certifications be revoked based on his discretionary disqualifying misconduct.

6. *Andrew Harris - DPSST #34656
Determine whether or not Andrew Harris' Basic Parole and Probation Certification be revoked based on his discretionary disqualifying misconduct.

7. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting - February 16, 2010 at 1:30pm


** Information about the Board and Department**

The Board consists of 24 members representing city, county and state administrators, professionals representing each of the public safety disciplines, a private citizen appointed by the Governor, and a number of non-management representatives from statewide organizations. The Board represents more than 30,000 public safety professionals and establishes minimum standards for the training and certification of city, county and state law enforcement officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, fire service personnel, telecommunicators, emergency medical dispatchers and private security/private investigator providers, and makes determinations on waiver requests. The Board is supported by six policy committees and a number of sub-committees representing the public safety disciplines, which provide technical expertise and serve as vital links to public safety organizations. The Board operates in close partnership with the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST).

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) implements minimum standards established by the Board for training and certification of city, county and state law enforcement officers, corrections officers, parole and probation officers, fire service personnel, telecommunicators, emergency medical dispatchers and private security providers. DPSST provides training to more than 20,000 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.

The Chair of the Board is Malhuer County Sheriff Andy Bentz and John Minnis serves as the Director of the Department.