An Aurora man suffered serious injuries early Saturday morning in a hit and run collision when he was struck by a vehicle as he walked on SR 99E just north of Aurora.
About 1:00 AM on Saturday, October 31st, 2009, the Oregon State Police Northern Command Center and Clackamas County 911 began receiving reports of a possibly intoxicated man walking down the center of SR 99E near Lone Elder Rd, which is just north of the Clackamas/Marion county line. Officers from the Canby and Aurora police departments initially responded to the area and located Benjamin Story, 23, of Aurora lying on the south side of SR 99E. Story had been struck by vehicle which had then fled the scene of the collision. Story was taken to Emanuel hospital with serious, but non-life threatening, injuries.
State Troopers from the Portland Area Command responded to the scene and conducted the collision investigation. SR 99E was closed between Barlow Rd and Lone Elder Rd for about an hour and a half while the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the incident. SR 99E was reopened about 2:45 AM.
Evidence collected at the scene shows Story was possibly struck by an unknown model Toyota. The Toyota should have collision damage to its front end and hood area. Anyone with information regarding this collision or the suspect vehicle is asked to call the Oregon State Police Northern Command Center at 503-731-3030.
OSP was assisted at the scene by Canby PD, Aurora PD, Canby Fire, and ODOT.
An elderly Corvallis man died Saturday morning in a single vehicle fatal traffic crash on Highway 99W about one mile north of Corvallis. Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers investigating the crash are looking into the possibility that the man had a medical problem that may have caused him to drive off the highway.
According to OSP Sergeant Craig Flierl, on October 31, 2009 at approximately 6:00 a.m. a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria driven by DALE D. SCHROCK, age 80, from Corvallis, was northbound on Highway 99w near milepost 89 when he left the roadway and rolled over into a ditch. SCHROCK was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was using safety restraints and his car's airbags deployed.
OSP troopers from the Albany Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Benton County Sheriff's Office and Corvallis Fire Department assisted. The highway was not closed.
No photographs available for release at this time.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
A Beaverton man was killed late Friday night while trying to cross Interstate 5 in Wilsonville.
About 10:30 PM on Friday, 10-30-09, OSP Troopers from Tualatin and Portland responded to an auto/pedestrian traffic collision on southbound I-5 at Milepost 287 in the Wilsonville area. The preliminary investigation indicates that Theodore Michael Bennett, 45, of Beaverton, was walking southbound on the west shoulder of I-5 when he attempted to cross the three southbound lanes of the freeway. He was struck in the southbound 'A' lane by a 2009 Toyota SXD driven by Sean McLeary, 31, of Portland. Bennett was pronounced deceased at the scene. Neither McLeary nor his passenger were injured in the collision. McLeary stopped immediately and cooperated fully in the investigation. All three lanes of I-5 were closed for about three hours while the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated the collision. Southbound traffic on I-5 was detoured around the scene by the Oregon Department of Transportation. Bennett's next of kin have been notified and the investigation is continuing. No citations have been issued. OSP was assisted at the scene by Tualatin PD, the Washington County Sheriff's office, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, ODOT, and the Washington County Medical Examiner.
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers arrested a 25 year old Culver, OR man following an investigation of a domestic violence incident that occurred in Culver on October 23 and 24, 2009.
NICHOLAS DORREN LEWIS JONES was arrested on 10-30-09, at 5:00 PM, and lodged in the Deschutes County Jail in Bend. He was charged with Attempted Assault II (three counts), Unlawful Use of a Weapon (four counts), Domestic Violence Menacing (five counts), Recklessly Endangering Another Person (three counts), and Reckless Driving.
The crimes occurred in Jefferson County but prosecution will be handled in adjacent Deschutes County.
Contact Info:
Mike Dugan
Deschutes County District Attorney
(541) 388-6520
Secondary Contact:
Sergeant Julie Wilcox
Oregon State Police-The Dalles
(541) 296-9646
On October 29, 2009, a Linn County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Josh Lee Shaddon, age 31, for the murder of his mother, Gerlene Thorne, age 48.
The Grand Jury also indicted Josh Shaddon on one count of attempted murder. The victim of the attempted murder was Shaddon's step-father, Michael Thorne, age 53.
The investigation, led by the Linn County Sheriff's Office, determined that in a recent incident while target practicing in Linn County, Shaddon pointed a firearm at his step-father and pulled the trigger. The gun did not fire. The incident was not reported to law enforcement prior to the death of Gerlene Thorne.
Shaddon is being held at the Linn County Jail.
Original press release from October 26, 2009:
Sheriff Tim Mueller reports that a cause of death has been determined in the Gerlene A. Thorne homicide investigation. An autopsy was conducted Saturday and the results were that Thorne had been stabbed more than once and died from those injuries.
The three children who were found inside the vehicle driven by the suspect have returned to family members. Two of the boys, ages 4 and 2, are the suspect's children and were returned to their mother. The third boy, age 6, is a nephew and was also returned to his mother.
On October 23, 2009 at 2:56 p.m., the Linn County 911 Dispatch Center received an emergency call from a residence located at 35288 Blakely Ave., Brownsville. The initial information reported to 911 was that a female had been shot by her son and that he had fled the residence in a vehicle with three children.
Deputies, with the assistance of the Oregon State Police, converged on the area while at the same time looking for the suspect vehicle described as a green Chevrolet Tahoe. A deputy responding to the scene spotted a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle description on Brownsville Road just north of the Brownsville city limits. After stopping the vehicle, the driver, Josh Shaddon, was detained as a person of interest. The three children were found in the vehicle unharmed.
The victim was identified as 48-year-old Gerlene A. Thorne of Brownsville. Deputies learned that Thorne resided at the Blakely address with her husband. Also residing at their residence was the victim's 31-year-old son, Josh Lee Shaddon. As a result of the investigation, Shaddon was arrested and charged with Murder. He was lodged in the Linn County Jail. The investigation is continuing but no other arrests are expected at this time.
Contact:
Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller
541-967-3950
Yesterday just after 4:30 PM, a white male in his 50's walked into the Lancaster Mall branch of the Bank of America, threatened a clerk, and got away with an undisclosed amount of cash.
The suspect is described as being about 5'10" tall, 170 to 180 pounds, with brown and graying hair, wearing a white baseball cap, a grey or light blue zip up hooded fleece jacket, wire frame glasses, and a multi colored shirt with small squares for the pattern.
The bank photo is of such high quality that there is little doubt someone would not recognize him if they knew him. The Salem Police is hoping someone will identify him and call police at (503)588-6123.
###
On October 29, 2009, a Linn County Grand Jury returned an indictment against Adrian Renee Rodriguez, age 38, on nine counts of furnishing alcohol to a minor and one count of frequenting a place where controlled substances are used. The charges are related to the investigation into the death of 14-year-old Quentin Alexander Thacker, whose body was found in a ditch near South 9th Street and W. "C" Street in Lebanon on January 18, 2009.
The investigation, led by detectives from the Linn County Sheriff's Office, determined that Quentin had died after using marijuana and consuming alcohol at a party hosted by Rodriguez, at 1190 S. 9th Street, a residence where she lived at the time. Quentin's body was located approximately 120 yards south of the residence.
An autopsy determined that Quentin had died of "asphyxiation by drowning." A toxicological examination determined that at the time of his death, Quentin had a blood alcohol concentration of .21 percent, and also a positive test for cannabinoids, indicating marijuana use.
The charges against Rodriguez involve eight other minors in addition to Quentin.
Rodriguez is in custody at the Linn County Jail, where she has been since October 13, 2009, when she was arrested on an unrelated parole violation sanction.
This investigation is continuing, and additional charges against Rodriguez or others is possible.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Statewide Database Licensing Advisory Committee (SDLAC) will meet in Conference Room B9 and, as necessary, via telephone conference call at the State Library on Friday November 10, 2009 from 10:00 am to1:00 pm PST. The draft agenda is included.
This is a public meeting; those who would like to attend should contact Mary Mayberry (mary.l.mayberry@state.or.us or 503-378-2525) so that appropriate arrangements may be made.
The SDLAC advises the State Library and the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Council on the Statewide Database Licensing Program and its membership is representative of school, public, tribal and academic libraries. The current
member list is available at: http://oregon.gov/OSL/LD/technology/sdlp/index.shtml
DRAFT AGENDA
Agenda Review
Review Minutes of August 13, 2009 meeting and approve
Members report: status of Gale transition for those you represent
Report from MaryKay on status of work with Gale on complaints/issues.
Selection of 15 additional e-books for Gale Virtual Reference Library
Report from MaryKay on status of LSTA funding for additional databases.
Consider additional databases
Review By-laws
Schedule next meeting
Date: October 30, 2009
Oregon Department of Human Services Director Dr. Bruce Goldberg, M.D., has selected Mary Ellen Glynn as the executive director of Oregon's Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission.
Glynn brings nearly 20 years of government relations experience to DHS. Most recently, she served as a senior project manager for a public relations firm dedicated to socially responsible causes, including public health. She also worked as Governor Ted Kulongoski's communications director and higher education advisor. Before moving to Oregon, Glynn worked for the United Nations and the U.S. State Department as a spokesperson, strategist and policy advisor. Upon earning a masters degree, Glynn worked as the Deputy Press Secretary at the White House.
"Mary Ellen has the experience and talent to lead this team and produce a plan that will ultimately create a blueprint for a more effective and efficient alcohol and drug treatment system in Oregon," said Goldberg.
House Bill 3353 created the commission that is charged with the unprecedented effort of reducing crime through the development of a statewide plan to improve and deliver substance abuse treatment and prevention services.
"Reforming the delivery of alcohol and drug treatment is crucial for both public health and public safety," said Oregon Attorney General John Kroger, chairman of the commission. "If we do this correctly, it will reduce crime and save taxpayer dollars. Mary Ellen is a fantastic addition to our team."
The commission is made up of 22 members and includes representatives from the drug and alcohol recovery community, business, law enforcement, health care and education.
"Every day, drug and alcohol abuse rob thousands of Oregon children of their most valuable educational resource: an engaged parent or family member," said Commission Board member and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Susan Castillo. "By elevating our work to provide effective treatment options, we are not only giving thousands the opportunity to make a better life for themselves but also providing a better foundation for the support and education of future generations of Oregonians."
The commission's next meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. on November 2, 2009 at the Red Lion Hotel at 3301 Market St. NE in Salem. The meeting will be held in the Mt. Hood and Washington rooms.
###
Pacific Region Civil Air Patrol (CAP) pilots and aircrews will soon be climbing into a brand new Cessna 182T Skylane single engine search and rescue aircraft custom-made with the new state of the art G1000 glass cockpit avionics package by Garmin International, Inc.
The airplane is part of mostly a "plus-up" (i.e., additional) buy of 19 aircraft (CAP-wide) this year." said Colonel Steven Senderling, Pacific Region Deputy Chief of Operations and past Oregon CAP wing commander. "This is the 91st airplane that's been assigned to various wings in the Pacific Region, and one more just arrived, in Oregon Wing. Two more will be assigned to California Wing early next year -- for a total of 94. While not all of these 94 aircraft are the new glass cockpit models, all future new aircraft will feature the new glass cockpit technology" he said. "While this particular aircraft will be assigned to Pacific Region Headquarters, it will definitely provide an enhancement to the other wings in the Region, as the plane will be used for various emergency services operations, advanced training and proficiency flights, and possible use by regular Air Force pilots if necessary" added Senderling. Each new aircraft will also contain wiring, antennae and racks to allow quick future upgrade installation of CAP's satellite digital imaging systems used in aerial photo reconnaissance missions such as disaster relief and damage assessment.
In addition to its traditional emergency services missions, the CAP also now provides assistance to various civil authorities, including airborne imagery and communications support for counterdrug, homeland security, and disaster operations. The CAP also provides support to military commanders in several other aspects, including low level flight route surveys and training range support.
CAP aircrew members say the Garmin G1000 technology in the new aircraft is capable of guiding them to search targets faster and increases safety, especially in bad weather and rugged terrain. "The G1000 glass cockpit is a great enhancement," said Colonel Phillip Groshong, Chief of Operations for the Pacific Region CAP. "It provides truly integrated systems that, until recently, were only available on major commercial and business aircraft. It reduces pilot workload and increases safety - the best of both worlds." Said, Groshong who is a retired commercial airline pilot.
The G1000 package allows flying the aircraft on autopilot in either visual or instrument conditions while having simultaneous visual displays of weather, traffic and terrain information. This feature is not present on older search and rescue aircraft. Aircrew members say the advanced technology provides an extra pair of eyes in the airplane, because it allows them to focus on their primary mission, whether it involves searching for an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT, the little crash radio beacons in all aircraft), a downed aircraft or missing person.
And instead of the traditional "round dial" gauges, there are now two bright, colorful CRT screens that provide all pertinent flight information at the touch of a button. In addition to the G1000, the airplane (like all CAP's new planes) is also equipped with a Becker Direction Finder, and specially added custom search and rescue modifications to the Garmin avionics FMS (flight management system) software as an aid to CAP's mission pilots. This software enhancement allows pilots to now simply log the locations of each search target into the GPS (global positioning system) on their glass cockpit instead of drawing a flight path on a chart.
In addition, low-level flying in the mountains, which is a frequent occurrence in the Pacific Northwest, will be tremendously improved with color-coded terrain mapping to depict 100-foot to 1,000-foot obstacles. CAP aircrews who often find themselves flying through and above mountainous terrain can use this unique feature of the glass cockpit to help maintain adequate situational awareness and ground clearance. CAP aircrews also specifically praise the multifunction display that includes a bright, vivid screen that ensures the mountains "maintain their natural beauty without becoming collision hazards.
The glass cockpits are a win-win situation for everyone involved,
All these new Cessna aircraft coming down the line will contain Garmin's G1000 glass cockpit that will continue to modernize the CAP fleet with state-of-the-art equipment for all our airborne missions and eventually replace all of the older analog cockpit equipped
search and rescue aircraft presently in use.
For more information on the CAP and it's many missions, please go to
our website of www.gocivilairpatrol.com
Photo note:
The provided photo was taken on the ramp at Independence, Kansas, right next door to the Cessna factory and training center
-end-
The Oregon Employment Department is putting into place a new program designed to help low income, unemployed Oregonians.
The program will go into effect on November 1, 2009. The program allows unemployed Oregonians who were working in low-wage jobs, to receive unemployment benefits while going to school or re-training. The intent of the program is to assist low income workers in expanding their skills, allowing them to seek work in occupations that provide higher wages.
To be in the program, an individual must qualify for an unemployment claim based on wages of less than $9.24 an hour. In addition, the individual must be attending training designed to prepare him or her for employment in jobs that are in high demand, and where wages are at least $9.24 per hour.
The program does not pay for the training or provide benefits for individuals in training intended to lead to a baccalaureate or higher degree.
"This is one of the many actions taken this legislative session to help Oregon families during this difficult time," said Governor Ted Kulongoski. "This new program will help Oregonians in two critical ways - first with continued financial assistance to help meet their family's basic needs and by providing an opportunity to gain a new skill that will lead to longer term economic security."
The new program was created by the Oregon legislature in House Bill 3483. The program runs from November 1, 2009 to January 1, 2012.
Oregonians who would like more information, or would like to apply for the program, can call the Employment Department's Training Unit at 1-800-436-6191. Information is also available at local WorkSource Oregon Centers and online at www.WorkingInOregon.org.
The Oregon Employment Department estimates 2,400 workers will participate in this program each year.
-30-
The Fire Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training (BPSST) will hold a regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on November 20, 2009 at the Oregon Public Safety Academy located at
4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon.
For more information please contact Julie Olsen-Fink at (503) 378-2297 or Tina Diehl at (503) 378-2254.
Committee Members:
Jim Whelan, Oregon Volunteer Firefighters' Association, Chair
Kelly Bach, Oregon State Firefighters' Council, Vice Chair
Michelle Stevens, Oregon Fire Marshals' Association
Larry Goff, Oregon Fire District Directors' Association
Joe Seibert, Non-Management Firefighter
William Klein, Community College Fire Programs
John Klum, Portland Fire & Rescue
William Lafferty, Forest Protection Agencies
Mark Prince, Oregon Fire Chiefs' Association
Randy Simpson, Oregon State Fire Marshal
Rod Smith, Oregon Fire Instructors' Association
1. *Minutes (September 15, 2009)
Approve minutes from September 15, 2009 meeting
2. Public Comment Received - Staff Recommendation - Wildland Interface - OAR 259-009-0005 and OAR 259-009-0062
Review and Approve
3. Proposed Administrative Rules - NFPA Fire Apparatus/Driver Operator - OAR 259-009-0005
Review and Approve
4. Proposed Administrative Rules - NFPA Fire Apparatus/Driver Operator - OAR 259-009-0062
Review and Approve
5. *Revocation/Denial Case Review for Donald W. Gabbard DPSST #24874
Review and Approve (Per the Board's recommendation)
6. *Revocation/Denial Case Review for Joseph DeFrates DPSST #12335
Review and Approve
7. Administrative Rules - Denial and Revocation Memo Discussion
8. The next FPC meeting is scheduled for 2/19/2010
Notice of Regular Meeting
The Police Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training (BPSST) will hold a regular meeting at 1:30 p.m. on November 10, 2009.
The meeting will be held in the Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in 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 Carolyn Kendrick at (503) 378-2358
Agenda Items:
1. *Minutes of August 11, 2009 Meeting
Approve minutes from the August 11, 2009 meeting.
2. *OAR 259-001-0017 - Proposed Rule - Records Retention
4. *OAR 259-008-0025(1)(k)(c)
(HB 3466) Mental Illness Training/Medical Health Debate
5. *OAR 259-008-0040 - Proposed Rule - Period of Service
6. *OAR 259-008-0075(8) - Proposed Rule - Sheriff eligibility for election or appointment to office
7. *Chris Washburn - DPSST #27437
Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of
Washburn's certifications based on his discretionary disqualifying
misconduct.
8. Next Police Policy Committee Meeting is February 16, 2010 at 1:30p.m.
Notice of Regular Meeting
The Telecommunications Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training (BPSST) will hold a regular meeting at 10:00 a.m. on November 5, 2009. The meeting will be held in the Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in 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 the contact listed above.
Agenda Items:
1. *Minutes of August 6, 2009 Meeting
Approve Minutes of August 6, 2009 Meeting
2. *OAR 259-001-0017 - Proposed Rule - Records Retention
3. *OAR 259-008-0040 - Proposed Rule - Period of Service
4. *Jeff S. Yates - DPSST #40640 - Determine whether to recommend to the Board the revocation of Yates' certifications based on his discretionary disqualifying misconduct.
5. Next Telecommunications Policy Committee Meeting Date
Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
A Bend-area man was arrested Thursday in Douglas County by Oregon State Police for Manslaughter in the First Degree and Criminally Negligent Homicide following an indictment by a Crook County Grand Jury related to a September 2009 fatal traffic crash.
KENNETH ALAN WOOD, age 44, from Bend, was arrested in the Myrtle Creek area and lodged at the Douglas County Jail. Bail is set at $100,000.
Previously released information from the Crook County Sheriff's Office indicates on September 10, 2009 at approximately 10:33 p.m., deputies, Oregon State Police troopers and emergency personnel from the Prineville Fire Department responded to a report of a single vehicle rollover crash on Millican Road near milepost 10.
During the investigation it was determined that WOOD was driving southbound on Millican Road when he lost control of the 1999 Green GMC Sierra Pick-up. It left the southbound lane of travel, going onto the gravel shoulder and then came across the road onto the opposite shoulder where it rolled several times.
WOOD was transported St. Charles Medical Center in Bend with non-life threatening injuries. Passenger Tony Armand Partipilo, age 40, from Bend, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Both were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
Questions should be directed to the Crook County District Attorney's Office or to Detective Sergeant Travis Jurgens, Crook County Sheriff's Office, at (541) 447-6398.
Photograph Source: Douglas County Sheriff's Office
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
November is Prematurity Awareness Month, and in November alone 45,250 babies will be born premature in the United States; placing them at risk of serious lifelong health problems including cerebral palsy, blindness, hearing loss, learning disabilities and other chronic conditions.
"November 2009 marks the sixth Prematurity Awareness Month, and November 17th the sixth Prematurity Awareness Day," said Elizabeth Joscelyn, State Director for the Greater Oregon Chapter of March of Dimes. "The goal is to raise awareness of the major health crisis that affects our smallest and most vulnerable of citizens: babies."
On the heels of the release of a joint White Paper on The Global and Regional Toll of Preterm Birth, March of Dimes will be releasing the 2nd Report Card on Prematurity on November 17th. People who want to get involved can visit marchofdimes.com/fightforpreemies where they can learn more about the tolls of premature birth, find out what they can do to help raise awareness, or make a donation and create a virtual band to celebrate, honor or remember a baby in their lives.
--Prematurity By The Numbers--
* Premature birth is the leading cause of newborn death (death within the first month of life), responsible for 24% of newborn deaths in the U.S. and 28% of newborn deaths worldwide.
* In Oregon, 1 in 10 babies is born premature; in Washington it's 1in 9 and in the U.S. it's 1 in 8.
* Each year, 540,000 babies in the U.S. are born too soon. Worldwide 13 million babies are born premature each year.
* Preterm birth costs our nation $26 billion annually (per the Institute of Medicine)
* Average first-year medical costs are 10 times greater for preemies
* Preterm infants are hospitalized 9 times longer than full-term infants
March of Dimes is committed to reducing the toll of being born too soon by providing comfort and information to families and funding research to find the answers to premature birth. Donations help to support programs such as providing prematurity education to every pregnant woman in Oregon and funding Nobel prize-winning research that benefits all babies.
About March of Dimes
March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies, March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.
###
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into a Thursday morning head-on crash that resulted in the death of a Wyoming man on Highway 20 about five miles east of Hampton in central Oregon. The victim's identity has been confirmed and next of kin were notified.
According to OSP Sergeant Brian Williams, on October 29, 2009 at approximately 7:45 a.m. a Toyota 4Runner sport utility vehicle driven by PHILLIP GENE HANLEY, age 62, from Marbleton, Wyoming was westbound on Highway 20 near milepost 68 when it collided head-on with an eastbound 1986 Peterbilt commercial truck. Following impact, the sport utility vehicle rolled onto its passenger side and came to rest off the north side shoulder. The truck came to a stop partially blocking the eastbound lane.
HANLEY was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The truck's driver, BRUCE HORST, age 25, from Payette, Idaho was not injured.
Safety restraint use is pending confirmation.
OSP troopers from the Bend and Burns offices are continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash with the assistance of an OSP collision reconstructionist.
Bend Fire and Rescue and ODOT personnel assisted at the scene. Highway 20 was closed for approximately five hours.
No photographs or other information available for release at this time.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###
SALEM - Communities throughout Oregon are planning a variety of special events, parades and gatherings to honor military veterans on Veterans Day, November 11. The Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs has compiled a statewide list of many of the events.
Veterans' Day is a national tribute that traces its roots to World War I. Jim Willis, Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs said America rose to greatness on the shoulders of their military veterans whose responsibility has been to defend freedom and protect their country.
"Our veterans represent the best of America. These men and women have pledged their lives to protect our Nation's security creating a debt that we can never fully repay," Willis said. "We offer them our respect, our thanks, and our promise that we will never forget their valor or their sacrifice. We remember those who died and those we are blessed to still have with us."
In 1918, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the guns fell silent in Europe. The armistice was signed signaling the end of "the war to end all wars."
One year later, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the day as Armistice Day. The tradition of observing November 11 continued and since 1954, that date has been set aside as Veterans Day.
Events in Oregon vary from the annual Albany Veterans Day parade-the largest west of the Mississippi River-to other ceremonies and activities in the Portland Metro area, central, southern and eastern Oregon, the Willamette Valley and Oregon coast.
A link to the events list is attached to this news release.
###
The Coos Bay School District Board of Directors will hold a Regular Board Meeting on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, in the Community Room at Milner Crest Education Center, 1255 Hemlock Ave., Coos Bay, Oregon.
The Regular Board Meeting will begin at 6:00 PM.
Go to http://schoolboard.cbd9.net/?page_id=13f for the link to the agenda and board packet, which is subject to change.
All Coos Bay School District Board Meetings are subject to the Public Meetings Law (ORS 192.610-192.710). The public is welcome to attend.
Contacts:
Bob De La Vergne, Superintendent, (541) 267-1309
Peggy Ahlgrim, Board Secretary, (541) 267-1318
Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are continuing the investigation into a Thursday morning head-on crash that left an adult male dead on Highway 20 about five miles east of Hampton in central Oregon. The victim's identity has not been confirmed.
According to OSP Sergeant Brian Williams, on October 29, 2009 at approximately 7:45 a.m. a sport utility vehicle driven by the unidentified victim was westbound on Highway 20 near milepost 68 when it collided head-on with an eastbound 1986 Peterbilt commercial truck. Following impact, the sport utility vehicle rolled onto its passenger side and came to rest off the north side shoulder. The truck came to a stop partially blocking the eastbound lane.
The sport utility vehicle operator was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The truck's driver, BRUCE HORST, age 25, from Payette, Idaho was not injured.
Safety restraint use is pending confirmation.
OSP troopers from the Bend and Burns offices are continuing the investigation into the cause of the crash with the assistance of an OSP collision reconstructionist.
Bend Fire and Rescue and ODOT personnel assisted at the scene. Highway 20 was closed for approximately five hours.
No photographs or other information to be released at this time.
### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###