In a last minute press conference by Oregon governor Kate Brown, in conjunction with members of the command staff; Portland Police Chief Chuck Levelle, Oregon State Police Superintendent Terri Davie, Multnomah County Sheriff Mike Reece, and Major General Michael Stencel of the Oregon National Guard lay out plans to quell uprisings, and voter suppression.

The Governor plead for peace.

Every Oregonian has the right to express themselves freely and to peacefully assemble. However, I want to be clear that voter intimidation and political violence will not be tolerated. Not from the Left, the Right, or the Center. Not this week, not any week in Oregon.

Amidst a barrage of Oregon media inquiries into numbers, strategy and troop locations, The Joint Command Staff played their cards close. Questions were answered in very broad generalized terms, regarding what will be required of law enforcement, Terri Davies of the OSP states "we're not really sure what to expect", regarding levels of unrest. It appears law enforcement will grow in numbers and be given additional tools to meet whatever they should encounter. Mike Reece and Davie insisted that communication within the task force is pivotal and the core of the operation. Major General Stencel assured viewers that the National Guard was for support only, and would remain unarmed.

When asked, about the use of tear gas, Governor Brown answered in the affirmative, tear gas will be permitted, but only under the most extreme circumstances. "Let me clear, we're going to do everything in our power to protect free speech and keep the peace" said Brown. "If you take one thing away from today's press conference, let it be this: Violence is never the answer". "We stand here today urging all Oregonians to commit to nonviolent expression."

According to Superintendent Davie, officers who were deputized last month, for a Proud Boys Rally, are still deputized, but have no additional roles. Davie states the deputation would only apply on the back end, when individuals, arrested for violence are prosecuted. Assaulting a Federal Deputy is a Federal offense. Therefore, assault on any deputized officer would no longer fall to liberal Multnomah County D.A Mike Schmidt, but federal prosecutors instead.

Brown made it very clear that the use of newly deputized Marshall's "are not part of the plan", the Governor has also expressed frustration and remorse after realizing a Federal Marshall's deputation is for a year, and not capable of being used over a weekend to target political dissidents, like the Proud Boys.

Beginning Monday night at 5pm, the task force will be in effect, working to protect voters, stop voter suppression, and keep the peace, ensuring all are allowed to assemble and express themselves. Many expect demonstrations from leftist groups, like Antifa and Black Lives Matter, no matter the outcome of the election -- despite warnings that the source of unrest will be patriot and militia groups.

During questioning, the Governor said, "We can make sure that...we can keep the peace and that people can protest peacefully and that no further property destruction can occur."


--Breeauna Sagdal

Post Date: 2020-11-02 16:43:17

Last Update: 2020-11-03 11:32:22

Governor Kate Brown has announced a law enforcement plan to keep the peace, protect free speech, and prevent violence and intimidation on Election Day, and in the days that follow, in the City of Portland. With the support of local elected officials, the Governor is exercising her executive authority under ORS Chapter 401 to create a joint incident command structure, with the Superintendent of State Police and the Multnomah County Sheriff in charge of public safety in Portland from 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2 until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 4, unless extended or rescinded earlier. The Governor has also directed the Oregon National Guard to place its members trained in crowd control on standby in the event they are needed to support law enforcement efforts.

“Especially this year, there are unique dynamics at play that may create an environment ripe for a heated Election Day, and post-election period. This election also comes at a pivotal moment in Oregon, where the pandemic, wildfires and political atmosphere have boosted fear and anxiety,” said Governor Brown. “We’ve seen firsthand what happens when free expression is fueled by hate. We know that there are some people who might use peaceful election night protests to promote violence and property destruction.

“This behavior is not acceptable and it’s not in line with our Oregon values of being an inclusive democracy.

“Every Oregonian has the right to express themselves freely and to peacefully assemble. However, I want to be clear that voter intimidation and political violence will not be tolerated. Not from the Left, the Right, or the Center. Not this week, not any week in Oregon.

“It is my goal as Governor to ensure the safety of Oregonians, especially as they exercise their fundamental right to vote and practice free speech.”

As such, I am exercising my authority to put the Superintendent of State Police, Terri Davie, and the Multnomah County Sheriff, Michael Reese, in charge of public safety in Portland this week. I have also directed General Stencel to call up our National Guard, should their services be deemed necessary. This is our entire community coming together to protect Oregonians and ensure that every eligible voter feels safe exercising their right to vote. I am using my executive authority to ensure the highest level of coordination, and adequate resources and personnel. If you take one thing away from today’s press conference, let it be this: violence is never the answer. We stand here today urging all Oregonians to commit to nonviolent expression. We can all do our part to stay calm, cool and collected this week.

One Legislative Leader who declined to be identified said, “The Governor is trying to blame mostly non-existing, non-disruptive, non-violent people for violence that has not yet -- nor most likely will not -- occur. All this after standing on the sidelines while Black Lives Matter and Antifa tear up businesses and public property. Governor Brown needs to focus on real problems that impact real people, not some imagined boogeyman of 'white supremacists' and militias.”


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-11-02 11:31:50

Last Update: 2020-11-02 12:33:11

On October 29, 2020 at approximately 9:50 a.m., a Salem Police patrol officer was conducting a traffic investigation when the involved vehicle crashed at 17th and Court STS NE. The driver fled from the vehicle on foot. The officer, on foot, pursued the driver into a resident backyard on Court ST NE.

Shortly after confronting the driver in the backyard, shots were fired. The officer was struck in the ankle. The suspect was also struck by gunfire and pronounced deceased at the scene. The officer was treated by medical staff and released.

As per Salem Police policy, the involved officer has been placed on administrative leave. In accordance with Senate Bill 111, the Salem Police Department has requested the Oregon State Police be the lead investigative agency for the incident.

The officer involved in the shooting incident is Officer Andrew Parsons. Officer Parsons has been with the Salem Police Department since February 2020 after serving as a deputy with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. He received his officer certification in 2016 from the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards & Training.

The name of the deceased is being released as Rodolfo "Rudy" Martinez-Cortez (30) of Salem.

This is an ongoing investigation and any further details will be released by the Oregon State Police.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-11-01 14:03:57

Last Update: 2020-11-01 14:30:17

As riots continue in Portland, and elsewhere across the US, elected officials are calling for a pause in violence.

Eugene Mayor Lucy Vinis issued a statement calling for peace.

I know that emotions are running high about this year’s election. Many of you are anticipating participating in protests.

Peaceful protests are a meaningful, important, and time-honored way for people to call for change.

Acts of violence and destruction are not. Destroying and defacing our local businesses, streets, and shared spaces hurt us as a community and do more to pull us apart than bring us together. While I am hopeful that we will stay peaceful, our police professionals are prepared to keep our community safe.

A coalition of elected officials including Oregon Governor Kate Brown, Oregon Attorney General Ellen F. Rosenblum and a host of Democratic legislators issued a statement focused on paramilitary and alt-right, though no organizations, events, nor persons were specified. Leftist organizations like Black Lives Matter and Antifa were not called out in the statement.

The Oregon Catalyst is reporting that Portland rioters are promoting the candidacy of self-proclaimed "Antifa canidadate" for Portland Mayor, Sarah Iannarone.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-11-01 13:39:20

Last Update: 2020-11-01 14:07:41

The Washington County Sheriff's Office recently received its 6th consecutive accreditation award from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc.(CALEA). The Sheriff's Office received the Meritorious Award for being an accredited agency for more than 15 years.

Accreditation is a rigorous ongoing four-year process during which the Sheriff's Office must strictly adhere to policing practices considered excellent on a national level. Administered by CALEA, the accreditation program requires agencies to comply with standards considered to be best policing practices in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations, and support services.

CALEA Client Service Members reviewed policies and examined procedures to verify compliance every year for four years. At the end of the fourth year, a CALEA team assessed the agency's day-to-day operations of policies and procedures during three days of interviews with leaders, staff of all levels, government leaders, and community partners, including a hearing to solicit public comment.

After confirming standards compliance through file review, observations of agency activities, and interviews, the Commission voted unanimously to award the agency its 6th consecutive accreditation award. Sheriff Pat Garrett stated,

"Now more than ever,the value of a national police accreditation program is being recognized as a genuine agency commitment to professionalism and learning. CALEA standards align with community-oriented policing by requiring agencies to have contemporary policies, train regularly, and build trust with the community through engagement and best practices."

--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-11-01 09:55:52

Last Update: 2020-11-01 13:37:12

Numerous businesses suffered vandalism during a riot in the Irvington and Lloyd District neighborhoods Saturday.

On October 31, 2020 at about 7:15p.m, a group of about 150 people began a march from Irving Park, 875 Northeast Fremont Street. The march proceeded south on Northeast Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard into the Lloyd District area.

Individuals in the group committed acts of vandalism. Windows were broken out in two different phone stores, a coffee shop, a computer store, a community bank, a hotel, a restaurant (that was open at the time), a financial office, and two realty offices (photos). The destruction prompted the declaration of a riot.

The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) made announcements via loudspeaker and Twitter:

"This is the Portland Police Bureau. To those marching on NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd: This has been declared a riot. Members of this group have been observed damaging multiple businesses along NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. All persons must immediately leave the area. Failure to adhere to this order may subject you to arrest, citation, or crowd control agents, including, but not limited to, tear gas and/or impact weapons. Disperse immediately."

"This is the Portland Police Bureau. We apologize to the members of the Lloyd District and Irvington Neighborhoods for the loud announcements; however, the group marching on NE 11th Ave have broken windows at multiple businesses on NE MLK Jr. Blvd and the Lloyd District. Members of the group have also thrown projectiles at police and pepper sprayed community member bystanders. To those marching on NE 11th Ave and through the Lloyd District: This has been declared a riot. Members of this group have broken out windows in multiple businesses on NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and in the Lloyd District. Members have also thrown projectiles at police and pepper sprayed community members. All persons must immediately leave the area."

PPB officers moved in and dispersed the crowd. By 8:30p.m., most of the rioters had gone and the riot declaration was rescinded.

No arrests have been made, but the acts of vandalism are under investigation and future arrests are possible. If anyone was a victim of a crime related to this riot and has not already made a report, they're encouraged to call 503-823-3333 and file a police report, or file online. Please reference case number 20-681864.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-11-01 08:16:53

Last Update: 2020-11-01 15:14:15

Who could be surprised after President Trump announced a vaccine by the end of November that Oregon, Washington, and Nevada would join California's COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which will independently review the safety and efficacy of any vaccine approved by the FDA for distribution. Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the panel made up of nationally acclaimed scientists with expertise in immunization and public health. While there is no proven vaccine for COVID-19 yet, these top health experts will review any vaccine that receives federal approval and verify its safety before California, Washington, Oregon and Nevada will make the vaccine available to the public.

“The vaccines currently in development, once approved, are what Americans have been waiting for to protect their families, their children, and their loved ones in long-term care facilities,” said Oregon Governor Kate Brown. “The independent review conducted by this panel of doctors, scientists, and health experts will ensure that a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is available to everyone, especially communities that have been disproportionately impacted by this disease.”

“We believe in science, public health and safety. That is why I am pleased that Washington is joining California and other western states in this effort,” Washington Governor Jay Inslee said. “Any COVID vaccine must be guided by the expertise of scientists and medical professionals and that’s just what this workgroup will do.” Governor Inslee has followed California every step of the way through the pandemic and his family connection with Bill Gates leaves a big question.

This is not the first time Western States have collaborated in response to COVID-19. In April, California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Nevada joined in a Western States Pact which shared a vision for fighting COVID-19 and reopening their economies. Western State leaders in May urged congressional leaders to approve $1 trillion in COVID-19 relief for states and local governments and are partnering to pilot a project testing new exposure notification technology pioneered by Google and Apple.

It must be noted that the assembling of panels of experts is not science. Science is the study of the world through collection of observations and/or experiments and a review of data that comes from that process. Expert opinion, while it may be useful, and while often passed off as science is what philosophers call and "appeal to authority," and not science. Indeed, when controversial policy decisions are at stake, hand-picked experts may be assembled to achieve the desired result. That process is politics, not science.

Governor Brown has met behind closed doors with her COVID-19 Medical Advisory Panel, has kept her scientific sources well hidden and refuses to provide the evidence for the accuracy of testing. It has been suggested and worth questioning whether positive testing score are being padded to support a vaccine mandate. With so much lack of transparency, what are we to believe or trust?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2020-11-01 07:41:48

In a COVID-19 addled world where pot shops are essential and grocery workers come into contact with maybe thousands of people each day and survive nicely, the largest teachers' union has come out against schools opening, citing safety concerns.

John Larson, the president of the Oregon Education Association, which represents 44,000 education professionals throughout the state took issue with Oregon Governor Kate Brown's relaxing of metrics for school re-opening, saying

"Nobody wants to get students back to the classroom more than Oregon's educators, but the process to bring those students back must be thoughtful and deliberative. The Governor's decision to hastily implement new, relaxed, metrics will only serve to further disrupt education for students, families, and educators throughout Oregon — allowing districts to bring students back to the classroom before it is safe to do so and increasing the likelihood that our schools and communities will again be forced to lock down in the future.

"Now is the time for Oregon leaders to focus on taking strong steps to reduce the ever-climbing community spread of COVID-19 in our state and put in place safeguards that will keep our most at-risk community members safe."

This statement places the teachers' union at odds with the Governor, who is their largest recipient of their campaign funding generosity. The Governor is term-limited out and will not be able to run in 2022. Below is a history of contributions from the Oregon Education Association to Kate Brown.

Major donations to Kate Brown Committee from the OEA
Date	Donor	Amount
10/03/2018	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$100,000
09/04/2018	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$100,000
09/24/2016	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$50,000
05/11/2016	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$50,000
09/25/2012	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$15,000
03/23/2012	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$10,000
10/29/2008	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$75,000
08/14/2008	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$10,000
04/28/2008	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$25,000
03/21/2008	Kate Brown Committee (931)	$25,000

--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-10-31 18:48:42

Last Update: 2020-10-31 22:33:42

The Portland, er, uh, Oregon Trailblazers, or whatever they are, unveiled a new 2020-21 City Edition uniform combination, including a new regional name: The Oregon Trailblazers.

The National Basketball Association team, playing in Portland since the league expanded in 1970 heralded it's new duds, saying "celebrating the unique beauty of Oregon's landscape as well as acknowledging the tribal nations throughout the region who have called this land their home from the beginning."

Their website goes on to say, "Oregon stitched for the first time in team history across the chest, displays the pride for our state using the font from the recognizable sign that continues to shine in old town Portland. The lead design element of the uniform is in earth tone colors, representing the beautiful and unique landscape and topography of Oregon.

One legislator from Southern Oregon -- while not completely taking credit for the name change -- is certainly burnishing his prophetic credentials. HCR 15 in 2019 was introduced by State Representative E. Werner Reschke (R-Malin) and read, in part:

Resolved, That we recognize the importance of the team to the entire State of Oregon and its place in the hearts of Oregonians across the state; and be it further
Resolved, That we urge the Portland Trail Blazers organization to change the name of the team to the “Oregon Trail Blazers.”

The bill urging the name change did not receive a hearing and died in the rules committee as the 2019 Session adjourned.

It's not clear whether the team is hoping to distance itself from the city of Portland, which has been the home of some less-than-wholesome events in the past few months.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-10-31 09:36:29

Last Update: 2020-10-31 18:48:42

In her press conference on Friday announcing the relaxation of metrics for school re-opening, Governor Brown also announced the creation of a new anonymous complaint hotline to report schools out of compliance. During her prepared remarks, Brown said:

“We’ve also set up a secure, confidential hotline for anyone — teachers, parents, students — to call when they believe a school is not in compliance with safety requirements. Complaints can be filed anonymously through Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and schools out of compliance with health and safety requirements will be subject to corrective enforcement.”

Oregon OSHA already operates a general complaint hotline for people to report worker safety issues. Governor Brown didn't describe how to access the tip line or how to find it online. The hotline number is 1-833-604-0884.

It's not clear if Oregon OSHA will be performing the "corrective enforcement" mentioned in the announcement for schools out of compliance with health and safety requirements, nor if the enforcement will include a tightening of the metrics for the offending school.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-10-31 09:07:08

Last Update: 2020-10-31 13:21:45

Teachers and administrators are losing their minds after Governor Kate Brown announced a relaxing of the guidelines for schools to open. According to Brown, 130,000 students will be able to start back to school for in person instruction throughout the state. The new metrics bring Oregon into alignment with California, and the CDC.

Despite pushback from teachers and administrative staff, who fear catching COVID-19, Colt Gill of the Oregon Department of Education maintains that "schools are not super spreader sites." Teachers are calling upon their union leaders to return to the older metrics, fearful of getting sick.

Yet pressure to return schools to in person teaching, has been mounting. Aside from lawsuits filed against the Governor, stakeholders, parents, and lawmakers have added to the growing number of individuals, concerned over distance learning models, demanding the return to in person instruction.

In her press conference Friday October 30th, Brown stated "Our updated metrics are based on the latest COVID-19 studies and data, are aligned with CDC recommendations, and bring Oregon in sync with the standards of other states like California,” said Governor Brown. “They also help us meet our priority of returning students to in-person instruction. These metrics still place a very high bar for low case counts to open schools, while at the same time providing more flexibility for our younger students.”



Brown added that "Schools are at the center of it all: the personnel, teachers, nurses, counselors, librarians, and education support professionals who, every day, build the personal, individual connections with students that are so crucial to their lifelong success.” She also noted that “What is really clear is that schools are not ‘super-spreader’ events.”

Education accounts for one of the largest budgets in the state of Oregon, and is often the source of contentious, heatedly debated bills like the 2019 long session's HB 3427, dubbed "The Student Success Act," which allocated money to the general fund by creating a new corporate activity tax. The bill passed with an emergency clause, going into immediate effect, amidst a pandemic, when Oregon businesses were already struggling to survive.

Parents have been disenrolling students at rates far exceeding the 3% cap, needed to maintain funding for each district. During a recent lawsuit from a Hermiston based school, a policy adviser for Brown “discussed the potential for a 'mass exodus' of children from public schools and emphasized that public schools could suffer a reduction in funding if students disenrolled to obtain education elsewhere."

The timing of this new metric announcement leaves many wondering, if the Brown administration is potentially concerned with civil unrest. "It's common knowledge, at this point, that counties are gearing up for continued unrest, like we've seen over the past several months here in Portland. Rioters who are predominantly young people, have been given an outlet with these protests, be it violent or peaceful. I'm honestly wondering if this isn't a way to get them back into school, and off Portland streets, in time for the election results?" Says Jenn Williams, who recently switched to homeschooling, after learning about content offered in public schools. "I completely understand why parents are rapidly disengaging from the public school system, and also see how that could really hurt the state's coffers." "Everything else about this pandemic has seemed more political than scientifically based from the start, why would this metric change be anything other than political in nature?" Asks Williams.


--Breeauna Sagdal

Post Date: 2020-10-31 08:33:19

Last Update: 2020-10-31 09:07:08

On October 29, 2020, at approximately 2:05 p.m., Central Precinct officers responded to the 2000 block of West Burnside Street on reports of a male suspect who was sexually assaulting an unconscious female victim in public. After arriving on scene and speaking with several witnesses in the vicinity, officers located the suspect and placed him into custody.

The Portland Police Bureau Sex Crime Unit was notified and 39-year-old Jedediah Thomas Zach was booked into the Multnomah County Detention center on Sex Abuse I and Sex Abuse II charges.

It seems Jedediah Thomas Zach has quite a record, including felony robbery. Just last month he was arrested and released twice in one day, with zero bail in Multnomah County.

The Portland Police Bureau Sex Crimes Unit consists of sworn personal and victim advocates who apply a victim-centered approach to reporting and investigating sexual assaults.

Multnomah County Victims' Assistance Program: Provides support during the reporting of sexual assaults and referrals to victim services and resources: 503-988-3222.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2020-10-30 06:23:16

Last Update: 2020-10-30 08:53:32