FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 29, 2009


Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission introduces Executive Director

What: Public meeting of the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission

When: November 2, 2009 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Mt. Hood and Washington Rooms, Red Lion Hotel, 3301 Market St. NE, Salem, Oregon

Agenda: Oregon Attorney General John Kroger, the Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission chair, will introduce and welcome the commission's newly hired executive director Mary Ellen Glynn. Glynn is former communications director for Governor Ted Kulongoski. Subcommittee assignments will also be discussed and finalized. Additionally, these newly formed subcommittees will propose work plans.

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Historic cemetery advocates can share ideas, concerns and achievements over a brown bag lunch November 6 in Grants Pass as the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries (OCHC) continues its outreach effort.

OCHC commissioner Kendell Phillips of Cave Junction will represent the seven-member commission at the Grants Pass event, which will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the Josephine County Historical Society, 512 SW 5th Street.

Program coordinator Kuri Gill of OPRD said the first brown bag lunches were met by a "wonderful reception. People are passionate about their local cemeteries, but sometimes feel alone in their efforts. These lunches present less intimidating ways for local people to meet the volunteer commissioners, and for the commissioners to better understand the needs of those they are trying to serve."

Discussion will include recent legislative changes for historic cemeteries and the Oregon Historic Cemeteries Grant program. For more information about the event contact Kendell Phillips at ivhistory@cavenet.com or (541) 592-4478.

The state historic cemeteries program maintains a list of Oregon's historic cemeteries and offers a variety of educational, financial and technical resources for those working to preserve them. Details are available online at www.oregonheritage.org or by contacting Gill at Kuri.Gill@state.or.us, or by phone at 503-986-0685. ###

Three Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers from the Roseburg Area Command office received Oregon Department of Transportation Safety Division's "Looking Beyond the Traffic Ticket" awards Wednesday during the Annual Safety Conference held in Hood River. Troopers, deputies and officers were honored recognizing their commitment to traffic safety in Oregon.

OSP Superintendent Timothy McLain extended his congratulations to the three OSP troopers whose work reflects the commitment of all OSP troopers each day. "The work recognized by these three troopers is representative of the excellent work of what we do each day. Now that our department has been elevated back into a 24/7 work environment in six offices around the state, we should see more routine traffic-related contacts leading to the detection and apprehension of criminal offenders who use our state highway system," said McLain.

The following OSP troopers were honored October 28, 2009 in the "Routine Stop / Motorist Assist" category that recognizes officers who performed a routine traffic or motorist assist stop and developed probable cause that subsequently uncovered evidence of a more serious crime:

Senior Trooper Kevin Bennett was recognized for a speed-related traffic stop during which he uncovered a total of 30 kilos of cocaine in a traffic stop on Interstate 5 north of Roseburg. Two people were arrested and lodged on drug-related charges. Bennett, age 52, is a 26-year OSP veteran.

Trooper Brian Jewell was recognized for another speed-related traffic stop on Interstate 5 that, with the help of a drug-detection canine, led to the recovery of approximately 111 lbs. of marijuana in a covered pickup bed. One of the pickup occupants was arrested on numerous drug charges. The second occupant fled on foot and is currently wanted on charges related to the stop. Jewell, age 26, is a 3-year OSP veteran.

Trooper Matt Bowersox was recognized for a traffic stop related to an equipment lighting violation during which he found approximately $250,000 cash concealed in the vehicle. The driver was arrested and lodged on a Money Laundering charge. Bowersox, age 39, is a 11-year OSP veteran.

The ODOT annual award program recognizes Oregon law enforcement officers for their active enforcement of traffic laws and a commitment to traffic safety. The award demonstrates a correlation between traffic enforcement and the detection and apprehension of criminal violators.

Questions regarding the awards can be directed to Steve D. Vitolo, Program Manager - Traffic Law Enforcement and Judicial Programs, ODOT Transportation Safety Division, at (503) 986-4446.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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

Oregon State Fire Marshal Randy Simpson urges residents to test their smoke alarms when changing their clock from Daylight Savings Time to Standard Time Sunday, November 1st.

Oregon smoke alarm laws are different from most other states. Since 1999, Oregon law requires all ionization-only smoke alarms sold in the state to have a hush feature; and if an ionization-only smoke alarm is also solely battery operated, it must come with a long-life lithium battery designed to last up to 10 years.

"Oregonians should first test their smoke alarm battery before automatically replacing it," says State Fire Marshal Randy Simpson. "If you have an ionization-only alarm that is solely battery powered, it should come with a long-life battery. If your alarm has one of these batteries, you may not need to replace it every time you change your clock, that's why we encourage you to test your alarm first."

There are many different types of smoke alarms and they may be identified in different ways. To help you determine your alarm type and answer questions about batteries, recommended alarm replacement schedules and other smoke alarm information, visit: http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/CommEd_SA_Program.shtml#Smoke_Alarm_Q___A.

Working smoke alarms provide an early warning to a fire, allowing you vital minutes to escape and increasing your chances of surviving a fire. Additional safety tips:
* Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside each sleeping area
* Replace smoke alarms 8-10 years old or older
* Hard-wired alarms should have battery back-ups
* Never disconnect or remove batteries from smoke alarms for other uses
* Make a home escape plan and practice it

For more smoke alarm and fire safety information, contact your local fire department or visit: http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/Com_Ed_Section.shtml.
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(Note: Removal of "?" symbol that appeared in the first headline of this release which the result of a technical problem during the transmission of the release.)

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The Wheeler County Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the Oregon State Police (OSP), continue the investigation into the October 7, 2009 death of Frank Means, age 61, from Portland.

A preliminary investigation initiated by the Wheeler County Sheriff's Office indicates Frank Means was involved in an altercation on October 7th at or near his hunting camp along the John Day River in the Twickenham area. The altercation involved Mr. Means and four individuals in a separate group hunting in the area. The Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Mr. Means' death was the result of gunshot wounds received during the altercation.

The names of the other four individuals, who are all from the same Scappoose-area family, are not being released at this time. As part of updating the ongoing investigation, general biographical information is being publicly released:

* Adult male, age 63
* Adult male, age 33
* Adult male, age 30
* Juvenile male, age 11

"To help provide insight into the account of the incident as provided by involved and independent witnesses, the OSP Forensic Services Division and Oregon State Medical Examiners Office are currently analyzing multiple items of evidence. This is a time consuming process but is necessary to ensure a thorough investigation is completed," said Wheeler County Sheriff Bob Hudspeth.

After the OSP Forensic Services Division completes and provides their analytical findings related to submitted evidence, the Wheeler County District Attorney's Office will convene a Grand Jury to review witness testimony and physical evidence.

Following the Grand Jury review, Wheeler County District Attorney Daniel Ousley will issue a news release detailing the Grand Jury findings and decision. No additional release of information is anticipated until that time.

Although investigators believe all involved parties have been identified, Sheriff Hudspeth continues to ask any individuals with relevant, factual information contact their office at (541) 763-4101.

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

SALEM-Are you an Oregon taxpayer who needs to file or amend a tax return to report back taxes? If so, you can pay those taxes during the state's first amnesty program, if you qualify.

The state will charge only half the interest and no penalty on taxes paid under the amnesty program.

The 2009 Legislature created the program to give Oregonians who owe back taxes an incentive to get caught up.

You can apply for amnesty through November 19.

"This is a one-time opportunity," said Marvin Rhodes, who oversees the state's personal income tax program. "When it's over, it's over."

Once you apply, you have until January 19, 2010 to file your tax returns.

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

In Oregon, state taxes help fund education, public safety, health care, and other public services.

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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SALEM, Ore. - Oregon's oldest National Guard unit, the 162 Engineer Company based in Dallas, Ore., is scheduled to take part in a mobilization ceremony, Oct. 31, at the Dallas High School.

The deployment ceremony is being held in the main gymnasium of the high school, located at 1250 SE Holman Ave., Dallas, Ore. at 9:00 a.m. and is open to the public.

The unit, which dates back to 1843 and is currently commanded by Capt. Bob Baca, will conduct pre-deployment training at Fort McCoy Wis., where just over 100 Oregon Army National Guard members will depart to Afghanistan as part of a 400-day mobilization.

The 162 Engineers are slated to provide route clearance on roads alongside the 204th Engineer Company from Washington State.

Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski and Maj. Gen. Raymond F. Rees, The Adjutant General, Oregon National Guard are scheduled to attend, along with Jim Fairchild, Mayor of Dallas and John McArdle, Mayor of Independence.

In addition to other dignitaries, World War II veteran, Mr. Abe Bergen, a former member of Company "L", 162nd Infantry Regiment, Dallas, Ore., is also scheduled to attend.

This will be the unit's first overseas deployment. The 162nd deployed to the Umatilla Chemical Depot in 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The media is encouraged to attend.

MONMOUTH - Western Oregon University will host a series of French films over the course of four weeks, as part of the annual Tournées Festival. Each film is free and open to the public, and will be shown at 7 p.m. in room 211 of the Instructional Technology Center, with the exception of the Nov. 17 film, which will be shown in room 103 of the Natural Science Building.

"Entre les murs" (Oct. 27)

The winner of this year's Palme d'Or at Cannes was Laurent Cantet's unsparing, unsentimental film about a teacher and his students at a diverse Parisian junior high school. In an unusual example of art imitating life, the film was based on the best-selling book by real-life teacher François Bégaudeau, who also wrote the screenplay and stars in the movie as himself. Working with a cast of non-professional actors, Cantet filmed his "class" for over a year; the result is a hybrid documentary/narrative work that is wholly convincing. The class is alive with spirited performances; viewers are also treated to a privileged perspective on discussions between teachers and parents, as well as among the teachers in their private meetings and amongst themselves. The class raises deep, disturbing questions about the motives and prospects of its characters. As François attempts to teach the French language to his multi-ethnic students, many of whom hail from former colonized countries, he offers both the opportunity and the threat of modern cultural assimilation. No one is above reproach in this difficult and important new film, which is sure to spark spirited and thoughtful debate among viewers in post-film discussions.

"Eldorado" (Nov. 3)

When gruff, unsuspecting Belgian car dealer Yvan comes back from work one evening, his home has been ransacked and a series of clues indicate that the burglar is still on the premises. Yvan lumbers through the rooms of his house armed only with a flimsy hockey stick, seeking the intruder's whereabouts. Where could someone stay to be out of sight? How about under the bed! Yvan waits until late into the night to flush his mysterious visitor out of hiding, eventually dozing off in his watchman's chair. Eldorado's suspenseful, absurdist plot thickens when Yvan finally catches his nemesis in a hilarious confrontation and meets Elie, the skittish young heroin addict who has tried to rob him. The two form an unlikely duo and set out together in Yvan's vintage Chevrolet to bring Elie back to his parents, encountering an outlandish cast of characters over the course of their road trip. Beautifully photographed by Jean-Paul de Zaetijd, the film makes excellent use of wide vistas, subtle colors and strong visual compositions. Eldorado was written and directed with intelligence and a wonderfully modern, absurdist sense of humor by its star actor.

"Les plages d'Agnes" (Nov. 10)

On the eve of her 80th birthday, Agnès Varda, often referred to as "the godmother of the French New Wave," decided to make the autobiographical The Beaches of Agnes, guiding us through her extraordinary 55-year career and poignantly reminiscing about her husband, the filmmaker Jacques Demy (best known for The Umbrellas of Cherbourg), who died of AIDS in 1990-information that Varda makes public here for the first time. Raising two children-costume designer Rosalie Varda and actor Mathieu Demy-and making some of France's greatest movies from the 1960s, Varda and Demy traveled the world but appeared to have been most at home in the septième art. Or, as Varda puts it: "Cinema-I feel like I've always lived in it." As Varda explains how a relatively shy, awkward young woman from Brussels first taught herself how to be a photographer and then a filmmaker, we marvel at her drive, determination, and endless curiosity about the world. Richly illustrating her documentary with clips from her (and Demy's) films, Varda remains a constant, lively presence (much as she did in her documentary, The Gleaners and I), remarking of her on-screen persona, "I'm playing the role of a little old lady, plump and talkative."

"Peu(s) du noir" (Nov. 17, in room 103 of the Natural Science Building)

Six leading graphic artists and cartoonists turn their personal terrors into reality in this nightmarish animated anthology. Stylistically connected, the stark black-and-white imagery adds a layer of the surreal to the already disturbing subject matter. As reality crosses over into the unknown, these six interlocking stories bring to life fears of the dark, injections, pursuit and more. One by one, a noble man unleashes his angry dogs on peasants and city-dwellers; a young Japanese girl suffers from the cruelty of her peers and deals with her own demons; a young student quickly moves in with an overbearing girlfriend who ultimately uses his body as a breeding ground for strange creatures; a man enters a dark and empty house to escape a snow storm... Narrated by well-known French comedians, these stories raise goosebumps that only recede when Nicole Garcia tells a much more light-hearted story in a humorous and harried voice.

"La graine et le mulet" (Nov. 24)

This stunning film takes place in the Southern French city of Sète where Slimane, the patriarch of a large and vivacious North African family, is an elderly dockworker. When his job of many years is suddenly no longer secure, he decides to restore an old boat in the harbor, and turn it into a floating couscous restaurant. It's a wildly ambitious project, and the increasingly ailing Slimane will need the help of all of his family members in order to pull it off-from his ex-wife and their children, many who have families of their own, to his longtime lover and her quietly charismatic, determined daughter, Rym. But even if their conflicts can be patched together in time, will this immigrant family's energy and verve be enough to overturn the will of the powerful white townspeople who hold the bureaucratic keys needed to make Slimane's dream a reality? Writer and director Abdel Kechiche is a master at communicating the finest aspects of his colorful brood of characters. Vibrant cinematography and dynamic editing make this personal story all the more engrossing; each individual character is amazingly distinct, while their interpersonal dynamics are rendered with startling clarity and familiarity.


This series is sponsored locally by the Western Oregon University Film Studies program. The festival is made possible with the support of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy and the French Ministry of Culture (CNC). The Tournées Festival was conceived to encourage schools to begin their own self-sustaining French film festivals. Since its inception, the program has partnered with hundreds of universities and made it possible for more than 300,000 students to discover French-language films. The Tournées Festival distributes approximately $180,000 in grants annually. For more information about the festival and its films, visit http://www.facecouncil.org/tournees/index.html.

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Weekly H1N1 influenza update
Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The H1N1 vaccine continues to trickle into the state. So far, Oregon has received about 6 percent of the vaccine necessary for the people in priority groups, which accounts for about half of Oregon's population.

"We know that there isn't enough H1N1 vaccine for everyone right now," says Dr. Mel Kohn, director of Oregon Public Health Division. "We want those at the highest risk to go to the front of the line."

Five private manufacturers are delivering the vaccine around the country as soon as it is produced. In Oregon, counties and tribes request the supply and decide how to distribute it to individual health care providers and clinics. The amount of vaccine is allocated to counties on a per-capita basis.

"Even if you don't get vaccinated right away, there is still value in getting one eventually," says Dr. Kohn. "It's likely that H1N1 will continue into the spring, so it's not too late to get protection."

For most people, a case H1N1 flu is no worse than seasonal flu, lasting about 7-10 days with the vast majority of people getting better without seeking medical attention.

Since Sept. 1, 2009, 482 people in 24 counties have been hospitalized in Oregon with influenza-like illness; 15 people in eight counties have died.

Oregon Public Health has activated the emergency operations center full time to coordinate the state's response to pandemic H1N1 and ensure that the most up-to-date information is available. The center is working closely with local health departments and monitoring hospital capacity and supplies.

Hospitals and health care providers in some Oregon counties have experienced a surge of patients, but so far there is enough capacity to care for people with symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization. On Oct. 26, President Obama declared a national state of emergency in response to pandemic H1N1. This action allows hospitals to waive certain regulatory requirements so they can respond better to the emergency, such as making it easier to transfer patients between facilities.

"Until the vaccine arrives be patient, proactive and calm," says Dr. Kohn. "Protect yourself and others by washing your hands, covering your cough and staying home when you're sick. We'll all get through the flu season by working together."

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Big home football games, excitable trick-or-treaters, and costumed party-goers - these are just a few reasons why this Saturday - Halloween - might be a little more dangerous for people out driving, walking or riding along Oregon's roads. Irresponsible celebrating and other distractions can quickly make the evening a frightening one, so the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), Oregon State Police (OSP) and partner law enforcement agencies urge parents, children and motorists to be alert and drive sober.

"With Halloween falling on a Saturday, we want to make sure one foolish decision doesn't turn that night into a real-life horror story," said Captain Joel Lujan, director of the OSP Patrol Services Division. "Don't take the party to the roadways, putting trick-or-treaters and responsible motorists at risk."

Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to impaired drivers. ODOT Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data reveals a sobering reminder and startling fact that 90 percent of the fatalities (10) on Halloween night (6:00 p.m., October 31st to 5:59 a.m., November 1st) between 1998 and 2008 in Oregon occurred in alcohol and/or drug-involved traffic crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2008, 58 percent of all highway fatalities across the nation on Halloween night last year involved a driver or a motorcycle rider with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, which is illegal in every state.

If the challenge of young children running through neighborhoods isn't enough, the Interstate 5 corridor and several roads around Eugene and Corvallis will see a significant traffic increase associated with UO and OSU home football games. Planning, patience and attentiveness are key to making any trip a safe one this weekend.

"We've got a perfect opportunity, with football fans and trick-or-treaters celebrating together to remind motorists: please drive sober and pay attention to the task at hand," said ODOT Director Matthew Garrett. "We want everyone to be safe and enjoy the weekend."

Law enforcement agencies around the state want to help make Halloween safe for all. OSP, working with county and city police agencies, is putting extra patrols out, especially along the Interstate 5 corridor.

"Our goal is to keep Halloween night from becoming a true nightmare for someone," said Lujan.

The cooperative law enforcement effort looking out for "scary' drivers is part of the aggressive "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest." national campaign, October 25 - 31. OSP troopers reported last year over the Halloween night the arrest of 15 DUII drivers. In support of the enforcement effort, ODOT will post a reminder on many variable messages signs for several days leading up to Halloween night to "Drive Sober. Save lives this Halloween".

ODOT, OSP and local law enforcement agencies offer these simple reminders for a safer Halloween:

For all drivers:

* Slow down in residential neighborhoods and obey all traffic signs and signals.
* Slow down on streets where there are no sidewalks and children are walking on or near the shoulder of the road.
* Watch for children walking in or near the street or on medians or curbs.
* Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and cautiously. Have child passengers enter and exit cars on the curb side, away from traffic.

For adult traffic safety:

* Be responsible - never drive impaired.
* If you plan to drink, choose your sober driver before going out.
* If you plan on going to one of the football games, leave early, be patient and don't get distracted at any time while driving.
* Once impaired, use mass transit, call a cab or ask a sober friend to get you home.
* If all else fails, just stay where you are and sleep it off.
* Always buckle up - it's still your best defense against an impaired driver.
* If hosting a Halloween party, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.

For parents and children:

* Dress children in bright costumes. Use reflective tape or stickers on dark costumes.
* Apply face paint or cosmetics appropriate for children directly to the face. It is safer than a loose-fitting mask that can obstruct a child's vision.
* If a mask is worn, cut the eyeholes large enough for full vision.
* Have children carry flashlights or glow sticks to improve their visibility.
* Secure hats so they will not slip over children's eyes.
* Remind children to cross streets only at intersections.
* Teach them to stop and look for cars, looking to the left, right and left again before crossing, and then to keep looking both ways for cars while they cross.
* Teach them never to dart into a street or cross a street from between parked cars.

Elementary age pedestrians are at highest risk because they:

* Have a field of vision one-third narrower than an adult's.
* Are unable to determine the direction of sounds.
* Cannot accurately judge the speed or distance of moving vehicles.
* Overestimate their abilities.
* Are easily hidden by parked cars, bushes, leaf piles, trash bins, etc.

(For local Halloween plans, contact your local OSP office and law enforcement agencies)

Everyone plays an important role in keeping our roads and children safe. Immediately report aggressive, dangerous and intoxicated drivers to the Oregon State Police at 1-800-24DRUNK (1-800-243-7865) or call 9-1-1.

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

A southwest Portland woman was arrested by Oregon State Police Monday night following an earlier injury traffic crash involving her vehicle that crossed through center cable barriers on Interstate 5 south of Brooks.

On October 26, 2009 at approximately 4:08 p.m. a 1996 Mazda MX6 two-door driven by PAULA R. FOEPPEL, age 56, from southwest Portland, was southbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 263 when it suddenly traveled into the center median, through cable barriers and into the northbound lanes. The Mazda went airborne, collided into the left side of a commercial semi-trailer and slid on its top until coming to rest in the far right northbound lane.

FOEPPEL was trapped inside her overturned car and extricated by Keizer Fire Department personnel. She was transported by ambulance to Salem Hospital where she was treated.

Upon her release from the hospital, OSP arrested and transported her to Marion County Jail. After booking, she was cited to appear in Marion County Circuit Court for DUII, Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Criminal Mischief in the First Degree, and Driving Uninsured.

All northbound lanes were closed over one hour until one lane was open. All lanes were re-opened about two hours after the crash.

OSP troopers from the Salem Area Command office are completing the investigation. Keizer Fire Department, Keizer Police Department and ODOT assisted.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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

CONTACT:
Jim Scheppke
Oregon State Librarian
(503) 378-4243
October 27, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Executive Committee of the Oregon State Library Board of Trustees will meet by phone on
Tuesday, November 10, 2009. Sue Burkholder of Eugene will chair the meeting, which will begin at 4:00 p. m.

Members of the public who wish to attend the meeting may come to Room 306 of the State Library where a conference phone will be provided.

Sign language interpretation will be provided for the public if requested prior to 48 hours before the meeting; notice prior to 72 hours before the meeting is preferred. Handouts of meeting materials may also be requested in alternate formats prior to 72 hours before the meeting. Requests may be made to April Baker at 503-378-2464.

A West Valley City, Utah couple died Monday afternoon in a single vehicle rollover crash along Interstate 84 about two miles west of Pendleton. Their names are being released following confirmation of next of kin notification in Snohomish County, Washington.

Preliminary information from Oregon State Police (OSP) Trooper Michael Wolf indicates on October 26, 2009 at approximately 1:22 p.m. a 1999 Mercedes Benz four-door driven by ASIM CUTUK, age 68, from West Valley City, Utah was eastbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 205 when, for an unknown reason, it traveled off the right side of the freeway and struck a guardrail. The Mercedes then came back across the eastbound lanes and into the center median where it rolled and came to rest on its top.

ASIM CUTUK and his wife/passenger, VASVIJA CUTUK, age 69, were not using safety restraints and were both ejected. They were pronounced deceased at the scene.

OSP troopers from the Pendleton Area Command office are continuing the investigation and attempting to determine the cause of the crash.

ODOT and Pendleton Fire & Rescue assisted at the scene.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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

An adult man and adult woman died Monday afternoon in a single vehicle rollover crash along Interstate 84 about two miles west of Pendleton. The victims' names are withheld pending next of kin notification.

Preliminary information from Oregon State Police (OSP) Trooper Michael Wolf indicates on October 26, 2009 at approximately 1:22 p.m. a 1999 Mercedes Benz four-door with two occupants was eastbound on Interstate 84 near milepost 205. For an undetermined reason the car traveled off the right side of the freeway and struck a guardrail, then came back across the eastbound lanes and into the center median where it rolled and came to rest on its top.

The male and female occupants were not using safety restraints and were both ejected. They were pronounced deceased at the scene.

OSP troopers from the Pendleton Area Command office are continuing the investigation. An OSP collision reconstructionist is still on scene, and at this time investigators have not confirmed who was driving.

ODOT and Pendleton Fire & Rescue assisted at the scene.

No additional information available for release.

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

October 26, 2009 @ 3:30pm

On Monday, October 26, 2009, at approximately 12:50pm, officers from the Corvallis Police Department responded to Joyeria Olivares at 1839 NW 9th Street after receiving a report of an armed robbery. Initial officers on scene learned six men entered the business, two armed with weapons. The men bound the owner and a second employee before fleeing the business with gold jewelry, estimated at over $10,000.00. No one was injured during the crime.

The suspects are described as Latino males, in their early twenties, all Spanish speaking. The victims were able to provide officers with a detailed description of two of the robbers. The first a Latino male in his early twenties, 6'02" tall, thin, approximately 140-150 pounds. He had short dark hair, no facial hair and has a broken front tooth. The first male was wearing a black pull over sweater and jeans. The second suspect was described as a Latino male in his early twenties, shorter, 5'05" tall and obese, approximately 250 pounds. He also had dark hair, no facial hair and was wearing a grey sweat shirt and blue pants. Two of the suspects were witnessed in possession of weapons; a black semi-automatic handgun, and a knife.

Detectives from the Corvallis Police Department responded to the scene of the robbery and began systematically processing the crime scene for physical evidence. Anyone who may recognize the descriptions of the suspects, have information about the crime, or may have seen anyone acting unusual during the time and in the vicinity of the robbery is asked to contact the Corvallis Police Department at (541) 766-6975.

WHAT: Public Meeting of the Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 29

WHERE: Callan Conference Room
Oregon State Hospital
2600 Center Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
Building 29-Administration

DETAILS:This is the first meeting of the 16-member citizen-led board
created by Senate Bill 25 to provide accountability and oversight as it moves forward with its mandate to conduct a comprehensive review of hospital laws, rules, policies and procedures related to the safety, security, and care of patients. The board will make its recommendations directly to the superintendent, the director of human services, and the legislative assembly.

During this meeting, members will determine meeting frequency, guiding principles, timelines, agendas and other issues.

For more information, contact Patricia Feeny 503-945-9073

MONMOUTH - Several faculty members in the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Western Oregon University (WOU) have received a two-year, $685,754 grant from the U.S. National Institute of Justice (NIJ). The project is entitled "Application of Spatial Statistics to Latent Print Identifications: Towards Improved Forensic Science Methodologies" and begins in January 2010.

The purpose of the project is to critically examine the current practice of fingerprint comparisons and apply principles of spatial analysis to develop standardized probability measures. The goals are to evaluate fingerprint characteristics using established techniques in spatial statistics, develop robust probabilistic models to quantitatively validate latent print methodologies, and integrate results with field applications in the State of Oregon.
Co-principal investigators are Dr. Steve Taylor, associate professor of geology (WOU), and Dr. Emma Dutton, quality assurance manager at the Forensic Services Division of the Oregon State Police and an adjunct assistant professor in the Biology Department. Taylor has a background in geographic information systems (GIS) and is currently serving as the chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The project director, managing daily research operations, is Pat Aldrich. Aldrich is finishing his doctoral dissertation in community ecology at the University of Hawaii-Manoa and has extensive experience in biostatistics. The fourth team member is research associate Dr. Bryan Dutton, a professor of biology at WOU. Bryan Dutton is a plant systematist and is trained in morphological analysis.

According to Emma Dutton, "the results from this project could have significant impacts on the forensic science latent print discipline. Questions regarding fingerprint uniqueness and the scientific basis of latent print comparison analysis are common during court testimony. Having statistical probability data will add credence to latent print comparisons and their use in court."

Taylor added that "one of the novel approaches included as part of this research involves the application of GIS technology to the square-centimeter scaling of fingerprint ridge patterns. While methodologies are well-established for the morphometric analysis of landscape-scale topographic contours, the application of similar techniques to ridge patterns represents an exciting opportunity to extend existing spatial algorithms to applied problems in forensic science."

Emma Dutton concluded that "this project will strengthen statistical certainty levels for the commonly employed latent print comparison methodology currently in practice. If we're successful, this could have national implications."

In addition to the core team of project scientists, a portion of grant funds are dedicated to engaging WOU students as research assistants. This type of applied research provides an excellent framework for training young Oregonians in scientific principles with an emphasis in spatial analysis and biometrics.

A synopsis of the grant solicitation reads as follows: "The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice is seeking applications for funding research to improve the understanding of the accuracy, reliability, and measurement validity of forensic science disciplines. Research studies should focus on expanding the scientific basis of forensic methods, development of quantifiable measures of the reliability and accuracy of forensic analyses, and development of an understanding of human factors that may affect forensic analyses. This program furthers the Department's mission by sponsoring research to provide objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of crime and justice, particularly at the State and local levels."

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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. Fisher Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

(Note: Photograph #2 - Person in middle incorrectly identified as Mr. Koons. That person is James Reed, Director of Stewardship for the Wildlife Land Trust)

Poachers beware! The big elk you thought you shot just might be a decoy donated by the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust (HSUS) to Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish & Wildlife Division to combat poaching in Oregon.

In 1991, the OSP Fish & Wildlife Division established the Wildlife Enforcement Decoy (WED) Program to battle poachers. The program is considered an integral part of the Fish & Wildlife division's work and has prevented the illegal taking of countless Oregon wildlife. The donation is the first robotic elk decoy in the OSP WED program and is available for statewide use.

Robert Koons, Executive Director of the Wildlife Land Trust, and James Reed, Director of Stewardship for the Wildlife Land Trust, officially donated the robotic elk WED on October 14th to Captain Walt Markee, Director of the OSP Fish & Wildlife Division, and Lieutenant Steve Lane, statewide WED Coordinator assigned to oversee OSP Fish & Wildlife Division operations in the Northwest Region.

"The Wildlife Land Trust and our parent organization, the Humane Society of the United States, are committed to help the Oregon State Police in their efforts to reduce poaching and other illegal activities. We recognize and appreciate their work and are honored to be able to support their efforts," said Koons.

Captain Markee stressed the program is a valuable tool in the battle against poaching and he welcomed the robotic elk as a member of the WED family. "This donated WED elk by the Wildlife Land Trust and the Humane Society of the United States is much appreciated and will aid in the division's mission to protect Oregon's wildlife resources from poaching," Markee said.

Following a May 2009 National Geographic online article about the WED program, Lieutenant Lane was put into direct contact with Koons about the possibility of HSUS donating a robotic elk to help OSP's program. According to Lieutenant Lane, the WED operation puts the violator and officer together at the same time, allowing the officer to become a direct witness to the violation. The use of wildlife enforcement decoys are conducted under strict guidelines to allow for safety of all those involved, including the area of the operation.

Since 1995, a law has been effect in Oregon (ORS 496.996) that makes any action toward a WED under the control of law enforcement officials illegal if the act is consistent with the unlawful taking of applicable fish and wildlife laws. A person charged with a fish and wildlife violation involving a WED can be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor (1 year in jail and a fine up to $6,250.00), hunting license suspension of two years and restitution for damage to the WED. The court may also provide for additional penalties or sanctions.

The primary focus of the Division's WED program is to apprehend nighttime or closed season violators, many of which are aware of the program and check for movement prior to committing a violation towards a WED. During 2008 a total of 225 operations were conducted statewide with nearly half during daylight hours. During the WED operations, troopers reported:

* 1,206 vehicles drove by the WED and over half observed the decoy
* 90 vehicles fired at the WED
* 143 citations were issued
* Of the citations issued, 136 were for specific fish and wildlife violations including Taking Game Mammal Closed Season, Hunting Game Mammal With Aid of Artificial Light, No Big Game Tag, Aiding in a Wildlife Violation, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm (Class C Felony).

The OSP Fish and Wildlife Division WED inventory consists of deer, elk, antelope, bear, turkey and other wildlife species located statewide. Elk and deer are the most used WED, and there are some robotic deer in the OSP WED inventory. The robotic elk decoy was built by Custom Robotic Wildlife out of Mosinee, Wisconsin at a total cost of $4,000 including shipping and handling.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police
(Note: Photograph #2 left to right: Lt. Lane, James Reed, Capt. Markee)

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

A commercial truck driver is in stable condition following a Sunday morning crash on Highway 18 just east of Highway 101 that ended with a commercial trailer torn apart and partially into the Salmon River. Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers are investigating.

According to OSP Sergeant Justin McGladrey, on October 25, 2009 at approximately 5:28 a.m. a report was received of a commercial truck crash on Highway 18 near milepost 2. A May Trucking Company commercial truck pulling a trailer loaded with paper rolls was operated by CRAIG W. PARKER, age 54, from Mesa, Arizona, eastbound when it lost control negotiating a curve. The trailer rolled onto its side forcing the truck and trailer across the westbound lane and through a guardrail on the north side until it came to rest off the highway. The trailer was partially into the Salmon River and its contents spilled out of the trailer onto the highway embankment.

PARKER was seriously injured and initially transported to Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital by Pac West Ambulance. He was later taken by air ambulance to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland. He was using safety restraints.

OSP troopers from Newport and McMinnville offices responded. North Lincoln Fire & Rescue and ODOT assisted at the scene. ODOT is handling traffic duties and highway travel updates may be available on their website at www.tripcheck.com .

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

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