The Clackamas County Sheriff's Office has released the following statement:

On the evening of Friday, Sept. 11, 2020, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office was made aware of "inappropriate statements" made by one of our Patrol deputies while he was on-duty and in uniform.

Clackamas County is currently in a state of emergency due to several wildfires in our county. It appears the deputy was aware he made these comments while on video. At the time of the comments, the deputy was tasked with ensuring that residents knew of the wildfire hazards while he was patrolling the area.

This deputy has been placed on administrative leave while our Professional Standards Unit investigates this potential violation of policy.

The video is being shared extensively and can be seen here


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-09-12 12:21:46

Last Update: 2020-09-12 13:35:12

On September 11 at around 10:00 p.m., male adults in custody (AICs) at Deer Ridge Correctional Institution (DRCI) left their housing units to protest emergency conditions put in place by the Oregon Department of Corrections (DOC) in response to state wildfires. Approximately 200 male AICs refused to follow direction and return to their housing units from the yard. All but 12 AICs returned to their housing units by 2:00 a.m. on September 12. DOC’s Crisis Negotiation Team was deployed, and no force was used to clear the yard. The remaining 12 AICs were placed in special housing and transferred to another institution. No employee or AICs required medical treatment.

There are two facilities on-site at DRCI – one minimum security and one medium security. As of September 10, the DRCI AICs were being housed in the medium facility and needed to be transferred to the minimum facility to accommodate the multi-custody level evacuees from Coffee Creek Correctional Facility (CCCF). Before this move, the minimum facility was vacant.

At this time, the men do not have access to traditional phones because the minimum facility had not been in use since 2016 and phones could not be set up with such short notice. DOC employees had been working to provide the men in the minimum facility with phone calls via employee work phones. DRCI is collaborating with our AIC telephone provider to install ten new AIC phones in this facility. Because the CCCF AICs were moved into the active facility, they have access to phones, video calls, and tablets.

The protesting AICs demanded changes to emergency operations, citing the poor air quality from wildfires, temporary lack of access to phones, and other disruptions caused by the CCCF evacuation. DRCI employees will continue to communicate with AICs as the state battles historic wildfires across Oregon. An ongoing investigation is being conducted to determine the cause of the incident.

Deer Ridge Correctional Institution (DRCI) is located four miles east of Madras in central Oregon. DRCI is a multi-custody prison that currently houses 947 minimum-custody incarcerated adults. DRCI provides a range of correctional programs and services including education and trades programs, mental health treatment, cognitive and parenting programs, and institution work crews. Construction began in October 2005 with the first minimum-security adults in custody (AICs) arriving in September 2007. DRCI is the largest minimum-custody facility in the state and Oregon’s fourteenth prison.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-09-12 12:07:53

Last Update: 2020-09-12 12:21:46

What: A regular public meeting of the Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board.

When: Sept. 17, 1-4 p.m.

Where: The meeting will be held via free conference line at 971-673-8888, access code 50989562.

Agenda: After the public comment period, topics will include updates on Consumer and Family services; Peer Advisory Council; communication with families regarding IDT meetings; OSH data, diversity initiatives, and how the hospital meets the needs of people who are transgendered.

Details: The Oregon State Hospital Advisory Board advises the superintendent, Oregon Health Authority director and legislators on issues related to the safety, security and care of patients. Members include consumers, providers, advocates, legislators, community members, consumer families and OSH union members.

For more information, see the board’s website here

Everyone has a right to know about and use Oregon Health Authority (OHA) programs and services.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-09-12 11:34:24

Last Update: 2020-09-13 12:10:50

Fire Marshal Jim Walker has been placed on paid administrative leave.

At this time, it is unclear why.

Oregon State Police Superintendent Appoints Mariana Ruiz-Temple as acting Oregon State Fire Marshal

Superintendent Hampton says “Mariana is assuming this position as Oregon is in an unprecedented crisis which demands an urgent response. This response and the circumstances necessitated a leadership change. I have the absolute confidence in Mariana to lead OSFM operations through this critical time. She it tested, trusted and respected – having the rare combination of technical aptitude in field operations and administration.”


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-09-12 10:52:09

Last Update: 2020-09-12 11:26:11

Editor's note: Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project equips voters with information on how candidates stand on issues through a questionnaire process featured in comparison guides.

Candidate for House District 51 Jane Hays and Don Crawford are challenging incumbent Janelle Bynum, her 3rd run to represent a portion of Multnomah County.

Three major issues to Oregon voters are the economy, safety and education. Bynum voted to increase taxes and fees including cap and trade, corporate gross receipts tax, and reduce the kicker. She voted to prohibit hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas exploration and production. In the 2020 Special Session she voted for a 6% tax on cell phones. Hays and Crawford both indicate they would vote no on these issues but they differ on tolling. Hays would not vote to toll, but Crawford would support tolls “devoted to expanding lanes and capacity.” They also differ in that Crawford supports a sales tax that would replace the personal income tax, and Hays does not.

Bynum helped sponsor the bill that nullified Measure 88 passed by voters allowing undocumented driver’s license and she helped sponsor a bill that allows not requiring proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license. Voted to require employers to notify employees of ICE investigations, and sponsored a bill to prevent courts from asking immigration status and notify ICE. Hays and Crawford would vote to support ICE activities, but differ on their support for maintaining Measure 88. Hays would support voters, and Crawford would not.

In the area of education, Bynum voted to include contributions in all curricula from every minority group such as immigrants, LGBTQ, disabled and women. She voted to require mandated vaccination with no exceptions and ban those from schools that don’t comply. Bynum sponsored allowing a child to be taken into protective custody without a court order. Hays and Crawford agree in opposition to curriculum contributions, but Crawford would support vaccinations “with a carve out for private and charter schools.” Hays does not support mandated vaccinations.






--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-11 14:02:35

Last Update: 2020-09-30 10:51:18

Estacada was told to turn off their sprinkler systems and evacuate by the County Emergency Operations Center “because the fire has become too difficult to control and therefore too dangerous to fight. They pulled all firefighters off the fire-lines and out of Estacada. At this point there will be no firefighters protecting the City.”

Residents are furious that the Super Tanker plane sets idle waiting for the Governor’s order. They see this as a repeat of the Columbia River Gorge fire three years ago when Governor Brown refused to send up the Super Tanker claiming it cost too much money.

Earlier this year six of the state’s largest CH-47 Chinook military helicopters operated by the Oregon National Guard that could have helped fight the wildfires were sent to Afghanistan. Seven other military aircraft are assisting in search and rescue and four are carrying water.

In April, Governor Brown sent 140 ventilators to New York only to turn around later and accuse President Trump for not sending Oregon ventilators.

This generosity does not relay security for Oregonians that should be government’s priority. The lack of control from riots and now the lack of providing the assets to drive back fires leaves Oregonians shaking their heads. Can we find our way back to prosperity and recovery under this administration?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-11 09:29:42

Several of the recent fires are suspected to be arson and many of our readers may be wondering what steps can legally be taken to prevent an arson. This section of Oregon Law is reprinted for your convenience.

ORS 161.225 Use of physical force in defense of premises. (1) A person in lawful possession or control of premises is justified in using physical force upon another person when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent or terminate what the person reasonably believes to be the commission or attempted commission of a criminal trespass by the other person in or upon the premises.

(2) A person may use deadly physical force under the circumstances set forth in subsection (1) of this section only:

(a) In defense of a person as provided in ORS 161.219; or

(b) When the person reasonably believes it necessary to prevent the commission of arson or a felony by force and violence by the trespasser.

(3) As used in subsection (1) and subsection (2)(a) of this section, “premises” includes any building as defined in ORS 164.205 and any real property. As used in subsection (2)(b) of this section, “premises” includes any building.

This is not considered to be legal advice. Emphasis is ours.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-09-10 19:53:20

The Republican Coos County Chair has called out Melissa Cribbins and Cal Mukumoto for election violation, using government offices to push campaign.

Coos Bay, OR. - Republican Coos County Chair, Rod Schilling, calls out Coos County Commissioner and Democrat candidate in Senate District 5, Melissa Cribbins, for violating ORS 244.040, which prohibits the use of public office to further her political campaign.

In the middle of catastrophic wildfire sweeping the state and up and down the coast, Cribbins, along with other government officials and Democrat candidate, Cal Mukumoto, cross-promoted a town hall with other government officials, including Senator Arnie Roblan. The town hall was cross promoted on social media accounts from both official and political accounts.

“Is advancing a political agenda that important to Melissa and Cal that they are using a devastating tragedy to gain influence?” Schilling asked. “Now is the time to focus on working together and building up the communities facing destruction. Instead, it’s plainly clear that Democrats are prioritizing their own political agenda over suffering Oregonians.”

It would be incumbent upon the people of Coos County to look further into what their government officials are doing in their official capacity. Residents of Coos County need clear and concise information during emergencies, not political theater.

“In the meantime, we are the watchdogs to hold Democrats accountable for Oregonians and are pursuing a complaint with the Secretary of State.” Schilling ended.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-09-10 18:10:13

Last Update: 2020-09-10 19:28:02

Is this the best time to implement restrictive energy policies on Oregonians?

Governor Kate Brown thinks so.

You can apply to be on this rulemaking committee though. Government belongs to those who show up. You can apply to show up for this committee and let the bureaucrats know what you think about carbon taxes.

Oregon’s Land Conservation and Development Commission (LCDC) is expected to initiate rulemaking at its September meeting to implement parts of Governor Brown’s Executive Order 20-04 on reducing greenhouse gas pollution.

That rulemaking will focus on significantly strengthening Oregon’s planning rules about transportation planning and housing, particularly for Oregon's eight urban areas with populations over 50,000 people.

Rulemaking Advisory Committee members and staff will focus on meeting our greenhouse gas reduction goals through rule updates while increasing housing choice and creating more equitable outcomes for community members on the ground. (More background).

We are asking community members and other specialists to help LCDC and staff define these outcomes and goals, and to develop associated strategies for how the state can help increase capacity for coordinated regional and local efforts.

The LCDC are seeking community members and other experts from Oregon’s largest eight urban areas (Albany, Bend, Corvallis, Eugene/Springfield, Grants Pass, Medford/Ashland, Portland Metro, Salem/Keizer) to serve on a Rules Advisory Committee (RAC).

The RAC is expected to meet ten times between fall 2020 and fall 2021. Many if not all of these meetings will be on-line.

Staff and commissioners are looking to create a RAC reflecting Oregon’s current and projected demographics, including race, ethnicity, income, ability and gender. Members of historically marginalized communities may receive contracts to help support their participation.

If you are interested in serving on the RAC, please complete this application, and submit it to Stacey Goldstein: stacey.goldstein@state.or.us by 11:59 PM, Thursday, September 24.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-09-10 16:28:51

Last Update: 2020-09-10 18:10:13

Editor's note: Oregon Abigail Adams Voter Education Project equips voters with information on how candidates stand on issues through a questionnaire process featured in comparison guides.

Candidate for House District 47 Ryan Gardner is challenging incumbent Diego Hernandez, his 3rd run to represent a portion of Multnomah County.

Three major issues to Oregon voters are the economy, safety and education. Hernandez voted to increase taxes and fees including cap and trade, corporate gross receipts tax (CAT), and reduce the kicker. He also voted to prohibit hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas exploration, and voted against an agriculture necessities exemption from the CAT tax. Hernandez sponsored a bill to eliminate the mortgage interest deduction from taxable income. In the 2020 Special Session he voted to impose a 6% tax on cell phones. Gardner, on the other hand, indicates he would vote no on these issues and says, “there are better more effective methods to reduce greenhouse gasses.”

Hernandez’s safety stance is to signed a letter to US Attorney General William Barr demanding “immediate withdrawal of federal operatives from the City of Portland.” He helped sponsor the bill that nullified Measure 88 passed by voters allowing undocumented driver’s license and he helped sponsor a bill that allows not requiring proof of citizenship to obtain a driver’s license and voted to require employers to notify employees of ICE investigations as well as a bill to prevent courts from asking immigration status and notifying ICE. Gardner would vote no protecting the voters will, and would not vote to reduce the effectiveness of ICE for protection. He supports government’s ability to uphold the constitution, and believes “in upholding federal immigration law.”

In the area of education, Hernandez voted to require mandated vaccination with no exceptions and ban those from schools that don’t comply. Gardner does not agree with mandated vaccinations. He supports an Education Savings Account and says, “school choice would force some much-needed improvement in our current education system.”


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-09-10 13:19:46

Last Update: 2020-09-30 10:52:06

Governor Kate Brown today issued Executive Order 20-42 , declaring an abnormal market disruption as a result of the statewide wildfire emergency. This order is in response to reports of unusual increases in lodging rates for Oregonians who have evacuated fire areas and concern that the wildfire emergency may prevent ready availability of other essential consumer goods and services.

“During a statewide emergency, it is absolutely unacceptable to price gouge Oregonians who have already been hard hit and are facing devastating loss,” said Governor Brown. “This order empowers the Attorney General and the Oregon Department of Justice to investigate these instances and take appropriate action if businesses are found to be in violation.”

"As wildfires force thousands of Oregonians to abandon their homes, local businesses have stepped up to ensure that families can find essential goods and services at fair prices," said Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum. "To any who would take advantage of neighbors in need, the Governor's order on price gouging is a reminder that the Oregon Department of Justice will stop them in their tracks."

Oregonians who believe they have been subjected to excessive prices for essential consumer goods and services due to this disruption can report these instances to the Oregon Department of Justice through their Consumer Protection hotline at 877-877-9392. Oregonians can also visit www.OregonConsumer.gov for more information. The Oregon Department of Justice has the authority to investigate unlawful trade practices.

This Executive Order is in addition to, and does not replace Executive Order 20-06, which the Governor issued in March. EO 20-06 declared an abnormal market disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic regarding essential consumer goods and services like hand sanitizer and toilet paper. It remains in effect.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-09-10 12:26:13

Last Update: 2020-09-10 14:12:04

The Portland City Council unanimously voted to ban the government and corporate use of facial recognition technology. This is the first ever ban on corporate use of face surveillance in the United States.

Jann Carson, interim executive director of the ACLU of Oregon, had the following comment:

“Portland Police for months have been gassing, beating, and violently attacking the people of Portland to suppress their demands for racial justice. With today’s vote, the community made clear we hold the real power in this city. We will not let Portland turn into a surveillance state where police and corporations alike can track us wherever we go.

“Face surveillance is an invasive threat to our privacy, especially to Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, and women, who frequently are misidentified by the technology. We appreciate Commissioner Hardesty’s leadership and applaud Portland for banning the government and corporate use of facial recognition technology.

“We hope the passage of this landmark legislation in Portland will spur efforts to enact statewide legislation that protects all Oregonians from the broad range of ways that our biometric information is collected, stored, sold, and used without our permission.”

--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-09-10 11:26:23

Last Update: 2020-09-10 14:09:02