In a Strange Incident, Two Trucks Fall Into The Columbia River Near Biggs Junction in Same Spot at Separate Times Prompting Monday Closure Of I-84

Interstate-84 westbound is set to close from early Monday morning at Biggs Junction. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced this closure. It follows two semi-trucks, at separate times, falling into the Columbia River. Drivers are advised to consider other routes during this scheduled closure, starting from 7 A.M and stretching from Biggs Junction to Celilo.

The first semi-truck, carrying two trailers, hit a deserted vehicle parked on the freeway before plunging into the river late Friday. Miraculously, the driver swam to safety without injuries. Another semi-truck, carrying empty fuel tankers, slipped off the freeway into the river as emergency responders attended the previous incident. Authorities believe driver fatigue possibly contributed to this second accident, with the driver also escaping injury. Efforts are underway to extract the trucks from the river. Still, it is unclear how long this process will take considering the demanding nature of the operation. ODOT calls on drivers to stay alert and consider alternative routes, such as Old Highway 30/OR 206, during the recovery period.

Lightning storms swept through the state from northern California all the way to southern Washington since Thursday. These storms have started over 50 fires in the region, but thankfully Oregon’s Department of Forestry, the U.S Forest Service and local agencies have extinguished most of the fires before they can spread.

“We’ve got lots of partners in the community,” said ODF public information officer, Bryan Longoria, “we’ve got a lot of folks out here and we’re out working hard trying to keep these fires as small as we can.” The fires are more difficult to fight due to the nature of lightning fires. Many lightning fires occur in remote areas that would otherwise be left out of the way. This makes it harder for firefighters to try to extinguish fires. Engines don’t typically reach them and it can be a hike for them with all of their gear to even reach the edge of the fire. With the smoke from surrounding pre-existing fires there has been a struggle with aviation helping to fight the blazes due to low visibility.

Oregon State Fire Marshal mobilizes resources to the Tyee Ridge Complex after conflagration is declared

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Tyee Ridge Complex on Friday evening to allow the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to mobilize resources to protect life and property. The OSFM firefighters and equipment will provide structure protection for homes on two of the 19 fires that comprise the Tyee Ridge Complex. The two fires are estimated at 1,000 acres. Level 3 evacuation orders are in place through the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office for homes near the Cougar Creek and Rattlesnake Ridge fires. With the declared conflagration, OSFM will mobilize five structural firefighting task forces and the Red Incident Management Team. “Oregon received a significant amount of lightning over the past 36 hours, starting many fires,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “With Oregon in the heart of fire season, this conflagration declaration allows the OSFM to mobilize structural firefighting resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System (OFMAS) to help protect the communities impacted by the Tyee Ridge Complex.” In accordance with ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Kotek determined that the fire poses a threat to life, safety, and property, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment. The governor’s declaration cleared the way for the state fire marshal to mobilize structural firefighters and equipment to assist local resources in battling the fire and further support a coordinated response. The OSFM’s Red Incident Management Team will be briefed and assume unified command of the two fires on the Tyee Ridge Complex at 10 a.m. on August 26^th. The structural task forces come from Lane, Linn, Lincoln, Washington counties, and Central Oregon through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System.

As Oregon fires rage, US Rep Chavez-DeRemer joins push for higher firefighter pay

Federal wildland firefighters received temporary raises last year that are set to expire at the end of September

As fires rage in Oregon, U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer joined a bipartisan group of senators and representatives pushing to permanently boost pay for wildland firefighters. Federal wildland firefighters received temporary pay boosts through the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law of 2021, which ensured they make at least $15 per hour – wildland firefighters work a base 40 hours. They also received temporary raises of $20,000 or 50% of their base pay a year, whichever was less, in 2022. But those raises are set to expire on Sept. 30. Legislation proposed in the U.S. House and Senate aim to permanently increase pay for wildland firefighters and provide supplemental pay boosts for each day a firefighter is deployed to a fire. “I’m honored to join this bipartisan effort in support of our wildland firefighters, who run towards danger to keep our communities safe,” Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement. “Unfortunately, time is running out to ensure they continue receiving the pay they deserve.” The Senate version of the bill, spearheaded by Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Arizona, received a favorable vote out of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in July and is expected to be considered by the full Senate after it returns from its August recess. The House version, led by Democratic Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado, was introduced last week and hasn’t yet been considered by any committees. So far, Chavez-DeRemer is the only member of Oregon’s congressional delegation signed on to either bill.

Oregon’s first evacuation assembly point (EAP) equipment successfully tested in Tillamook

(Tillamook) – Earlier this week leaders from the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) and Tillamook County, along with volunteers, set up and tested Oregon’s first set of evacuation assembly point (EAP) equipment.

OREM designed this emergency preparedness exercise to train Tillamook leaders to set up the equipment without assistance. “Coastal communities like Tillamook are prioritized to house these supplies because data shows they are likely to be cut off from the rest of the state during the Cascadia earthquake,” said Ed Flick (he/him), director of the ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management. “ODHS has primary responsibility for mass care and shelter following disasters, so helping local communities access critical supplies that can quickly be used to serve their local community is important to us.” OREM budgeted eight total hours for equipment set up. The team had 15 tents set up in just four hours. 38 OREM staff, Tillamook County staff and volunteers spent Tuesday night in the tents to test the equipment. The team also ate meals ready to eat (MREs) for lunch because that’s what people who use the EAP will eat. “The exercise proved that Tillamook is definitely getting prepared for Cascadia and other types of emergencies. It was a great exercise. It showed how the different community partners come together, work together and can accomplish tasks as a team,” said Randy Thorpe, Tillamook County Emergency Manager. Evacuation assembly points are short-term locations for people to gather while emergency responders work to access the impacted area. They are not intended to be long-term shelters but are places people can register, receive nourishment and short-term shelter, get essential medical care and be scheduled for transport out of the area when needed. The ability to provide immediate support and transportation to people is especially needed in areas with large tourist populations, like Oregon’s coast. “As the most disaster rich county in the state, Tillamook County was thrilled to partner with Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management in the Able Readiness 4 exercise at the Port of Tillamook Bay on August 22 and 23. We are grateful to the State of Oregon for the investment in resiliency of Oregon communities to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters. We are very much heartened by our partnership with OREM and our enhanced ability to provide for the needs of our citizens in future disasters,” said Mary Faith Bell, Tillamook County Commissioner OREM plans on deploying more of these supplies to other coastal cities, but the locations have not yet been determined. About the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Office of Resilience and Emergency Management — ODHS holds three distinct roles through its Office of Resilience and Emergency Management, all of which reduce the impact of disasters on people. In its most foundational role, OREM staff work every day with ODHS programs, offices and affiliated agencies, to ensure the safety of the people served by our programs, and our staff. The second role is as the lead agency for cooling, warming and cleaner air centers to protect the public from life-threatening weather and related events. The third role is as the primary agency for mass care and social services recovery, as outlined in Oregon’s comprehensive emergency operations and recovery plans. In this role, ODHS supports the evacuation, sheltering, feeding, emergency assistance, family reunification, distribution of emergency supplies and human services needs of people impacted by disasters. Across all these roles, ODHS develops and relies on partnerships and coordination with public and private organizations at the local and regional levels and with our state and Tribal Nation partners.

State Offers Help To The 552,000 Oregonians With Student Debt

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has released the state’s first analysis of residents’ student loan debt, and recommendations for how the governor and Legislature could help lighten the burden for current and former college students. The report was conducted following the passage of Senate Bill 485 in 2021. The law called for changes to loan service renewal, declared an emergency and required an annual report. The first of those annual reports states that the U.S. Department of Education owns $1.48 trillion in debt, which is 84% of the total student loan market, and guarantees an additional $143 billion of Federal Family Education Loan Program and Perkins loans. Since 2007, the federal student loan portfolio has grown more than 300%. About 44 million Americans currently have student loan balances, compared to 28 million in 2007. In Oregon, the report found, about 552,000 residents are student loan borrowers, with an average debt of $37,900. Ombuds offers help, answers – SB 485 required the Department of Consumer and Business Services to appoint a student loan ombuds who could help members of the public with complaints or inquiries about student loans. The department’s first ombuds began working in June 2022. As of June 1, 2023, the ombuds had received 34 complaints and 104 contacts from the public. Borrowers most commonly asked the ombuds about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives the remaining balance of student loans for full-time employees of governments or nonprofits who have been making qualifying payments for 10 years. In March 2020, as part of a COVID-19 response, the U.S. Department of Education paused federal student loan repayment and collections. Interest was not accrued. These paused payments also counted toward PSLF, earning credit as though monthly payments were made. This pause will end Sept. 1. In addition, there have recently been several announcements and changes to student loans that have caused some confusion.

• In April 2022, the U.S. Department of Education announced “Fresh Start,” an executive action to pull seven million student loan borrowers out of default.
• In August 2022, the Biden administration announced a plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student debt for eligible Pell Grant recipients. In November, the Sweet v. Cardona lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education led to a settlement, resulting in the promise that it must approve about $6 billion in debt forgiveness for 200,000 borrowers.
• The Federal Student Loan Literacy Act, which was introduced in 2022 but did not receive a vote, would have created a federal funding source for community groups to apply toward their work with student loan borrowers.

In 2022, the Oregon ombuds started a PSLF waiver awareness campaign. As of March 31, 8,770 Oregonians had been forgiven more than $557 million in student loan debt. This is up from $216 million for 3,480 Oregonians nine months earlier. The ombuds expects PSLF will continue to be a common topic for loan borrowers who reach out. For more information on PSLF, visit studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service. Other common inquiries over the past year to the ombuds were about misinformation from debt loan servicers, collection mistakes and referrals from the Oregon Department of Justice. Plans for next year – The ombuds’ first goal for the upcoming year is to continue building out the state’s borrower education program, which is intended to offer information and resources to those with student loans. “The lack of funding sources for coaching leaves many borrowers not knowing where to turn,” the report states. “To further borrower education, the student loan ombuds is hoping to expand the range of available presentations, record short videos, and gather more short-term and long-term policy recommendations.” The ombuds will also be recommending policy changes to the Legislature. Short-term policy change goals include:

• More specific regulations for loan servicing.
• More protections for borrowers.
• Requiring people to be notified when they are eligible for loan forgiveness.

Long-term policy change goals include:

• Increasing supports to reduce the cost of college.
• Holding student loan servicers accountable for misinformation.
• Push for more student loan advocates at the university level.

For more information about the Student Loan Servicing Program, visit: dfr.oregon.gov/help/student-loan-help. For more information on federal student aid, visit studentaid.gov/. — (SOURCE)

Three Illegal Grow Busts in Klamath County

A 57-year-old Bonanza man was arrested Thursday after police discovered an illegal marijuana grow site on Golden Eagle Drive. According to a news release from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, police destroyed 32 marijuana plants and 42.5 pounds of processed marijuana. “Evidence indicated that two greenhouses which had been used to grow marijuana were empty and recently harvested. The estimated value of the plants and dry marijuana combined was $308,000,” the release said. “(Perez) was charged with Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.” On Aug. 23 and 24, police also discovered two more illegal grow sites in Klamath County — neither of these additional two had suspects on the property when police raided them. One of the sites, according to the release, was near Highway 140 and 38 Mile Road and discovered on Aug. 23. About $5.4 million worth of marijuana — 1,888 plants — were destroyed. On Aug. 24, police discovered a site on Gaur Lane near Bonanza, with 528 marijuana plants estimated at $3.05 million destroyed. “(For the sites on Golden Eagle Drive and Gaur Lane), it appeared water had been trucked into the locations due to no water source being located on either property,” the release said. “Anyone with information concerning illegal water deliveries is encouraged to report this to mjtipline@klamathcounty.org.”

Up to $50,000 Reward for Information About Eugene Post Office Armed Robbery

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect who robbed the Southside Post Office, located at 30 E 33rd Ave, Eugene OR 97405. On August 16, 2023, at approximately 5:00 p.m., an unidentified male entered the Southside Post Office, brandished a firearm, and demanded money. The subject was described as a white male, around his mid 50s, approximately 5’8″ to 6′ tall, weighing around 250 lbs. with several black painted fingernails. He was described as wearing a dark long sleeve shirt/jacket, dark baggy pants, and a gray baseball hat, with a white/beige bandanna covering his face. TAKE NO ACTION TO APPREHEND THIS PERSON YOURSELF If you have any information about this incident, please contact the: U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455 (say “Law Enforcement”) Reference Case No. 4101064 All information will be kept strictly confidential.

Portland Man Wins $3.3 Million Oregon Megabucks Jackpot

Salem, Ore. – Carl Meinig, 80, of Portland, is the latest winner of Oregon’s Game Megabucks, claiming a ticket for the $3.3 million jackpot. The winning ticket was sold on August 1, 2023 for the drawing the following day. Meinig purchased the ticket at Plaid Pantry on 11010 SE Foster Road in Portland. The store earned a $33,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. Plaid Pantry employees were presented with a check from Oregon Lottery to celebrate the win on Friday. “Plaid Pantry is thrilled to learn one of our most popular stores in SE Portland sold the recent $3.3 million Megabucks ticket,” said Plaid Pantry CEO Jonathan Polonsky. “Profits from the sale of lottery tickets are reinvested back into our locally owned business for growth and to better support our associates. It’s one of the ways we stay true to our vision of being ‘Employee Built, Customer Inspired.’ Congratulations to the winner from our team of more than 700 Plaid associates!” Oregon’s Game Megabucks has some of the most favorable big prize jackpot game odds in the world. The jackpot resets to $1 million after someone wins. The Oregon Lottery recommends that you sign the back of your ticket to ensure you can claim any prize. In the event of winning a jackpot, players should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings. Players have a year to claim their prize. Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned more than $15.5 billion for economic development, public schools, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org. 

The Oregon Employment Department provided updates on the new Paid Leave Oregon program.

Paid Leave Oregon aims to give workers and employers opportunities to take time for their families and personal needs. Applications opened earlier this month and the meeting, today gave more insight into how it works. The program recognizes three types of leave: Family, Medical and Safe leave. If you’re eligible, you can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave, over a 52-week period. It works through paying into the program, that’s called your ‘contribution rate’ which is one percent of your gross wages. If you work for a large employer, they are required to help you pay 40 percent of this amount. At the meeting, staff behind the program say they are making sure each application is thoroughly reviewed.

Paid Leave Oregon director, Karen Humelbaugh said, “We received 4,631 applications and we have approved two thus far, which might seem small but it’s due to ramping up of processing, ID verification behind the scenes and thoroughly making sure we’ve trained our staff with real and complex claims.

Those who are eligible, can take paid leave as soon as September 3rd. You can see specific qualifications and the step-by-step process on their website: https://paidleave.oregon.gov