The Washington State Department of Agriculture, Oregon Department of Agriculture, and USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service found the first Asian giant hornet nest of 2021. The nest was in a rural area east of Blaine, Wash., about one-quarter mile from where a resident reported a sighting of a live Asian giant hornet on Aug. 11, the first of 2021.

WSDA narrowed the search area by Aug. 17 but was unable to access the location until today. A WSDA tracking team and a team of USDA APHIS and ODA staff searched the area beginning this morning at 7:30 a.m. with the USDA APHIS and ODA team spotting the nest about 9:15 a.m.

` “I was glad to be able to share what I learned last year with our ODA collaborators,” said Stacy Herron, a USDA APHIS plant health safeguarding specialist who assisted WSDA on the hornet project last year. “Finding the nest with ODA one day after simulating tagging and tracking in training was a very rewarding experience and demonstrates just how valuable the WSDA training was.”

“It’s an honor to be a part of this innovative pest prevention work in Washington,” said Jake Bodart, ODA Insect Pest Prevention Management program manager, said. “While Asian giant hornets have not yet been detected in Oregon, we are pleased to participate and learn first-hand from our partners on what it takes to respond to introductions of this emerging pest.”

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“Teamwork has been the key to success with this effort,” Sven Spichiger, WSDA managing entomologist said. “Whether it is the public reporting sightings and building traps or state and federal agencies working together, this is really a model for success in invasive species management.”

WSDA netted, tagged with a tracker and released three hornets between Aug. 11 – Aug. 17. One hornet slipped out of the tracking device, another hornet was never located, and one eventually led the team to the nest.

WSDA entomologists will now develop their plans to eradicate the nest, most likely next week.

Asian giant hornets are not native to the U.S. They are the world’s largest hornet and prey on honey bees and other insects. These hornets may attack honey bee hives in the late summer or early fall. A small group of Asian giant hornets can kill an entire honey bee hive in a matter of hours.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-09-13 09:59:12

Last Update: 2021-09-12 10:05:58

The Oregon Heritage of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is offering grants for the construction or restoration of veterans and war memorials.

Local governments and federally recognized Tribes are eligible to apply for work on monuments on public owned properties.

New monuments should acknowledge veterans and wars not already recognized in the community.

Grants for restoration may be used for broken monuments, missing elements of monuments, or the related design elements of monuments for veterans or wars. Grants may also fund the addition of elements to existing monuments.

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Projects must include the active participation of a veteran organization.

A free, online workshop about the grant applications will be September 29, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Registration is required. The grant application deadline is December 10, 2021.

Past funded projects include repair to the Doughboy monument in Astoria, a women veteran monument in Springfield, a new monument in Malin, and additions to the large memorial in Washington County.

For more information about the Veterans and War Memorials grant and other grant programs, visit the Oregon Heritage of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department website or contact Kuri Gill by email or by calling 503-986-0685.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-09-12 17:17:48

Last Update: 2021-09-12 18:57:02

The Oregon Sunshine Committee is holding an electronic meeting on September 22, 2021 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

The public can attend by telephone or via Webex, although there is no further information provided by the Committee at this time. Meeting links and call-in numbers are available upon request sent to SunshineCommittee@doj.state.or.us.

The Oregon Sunshine Committee was created in 2017 with the passage of HB 2101 in the Oregon State Legislature.

Like the name suggests, it's job is to make sure that Oregon’s sunshine laws are working. A large part of that task involves reviewing the hundreds of exemptions that can keep government information out of public hands, with the goal of creating a more transparent government.

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The agenda of the meeting on September 22nd will be to recap where things stand with the Sunshine Committee’s work and discuss the path forward from, including possible changes in the leadership, and leadership structure, of the Committee. Discussion on these issues could lead to votes on leadership and structure questions and possibly also on how the Committee will prioritize its work going forward.

The meeting materials that have been provided to the members include the draft report the Committee worked on in early 2020, and the 2011 proposed re-organization of public records exemptions.

An archive of past committee meetings can be found here.

Written comments to the Oregon Sunshine Committee about its work and requests for accommodation can be sent to SunshineCommittee@doj.state.or.us.

Regular meetings of the Oregon Sunshine Committee are currently scheduled on the third Wednesday of every odd-numbered month (January, March, May, etc.). The Sunshine Committee generally meets in Hearing Room C of the Oregon State Capitol at 1:30 PM.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2021-09-12 09:44:24

Last Update: 2021-09-12 18:58:04

The Oregon Department of Agriculture received six confirmed reports of West Nile Virus diagnosed in Oregon horses in the past two weeks. One additional suspected case is under investigation. The affected horses live in multiple counties throughout the state: Umatilla, Malheur, and Klamath. None of the infected horses were recently vaccinated against WNV, and most of the horses have never been vaccinated for WNV.

Numerous additional WNV cases have also been reported recently in Washington, Idaho, and California near the Oregon border. Therefore, ODA advises annual vaccination as an effective tool for preventing WNV infection in horses.

On September 9, Oregon State Veterinarian, Dr. Ryan Scholz, DVM, received a report that Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHV-1) was diagnosed in one horse and suspected in a second horse on a private farm in Linn County. A third horse on the same farm tested positive for EHV-1, with a fourth and fifth horse exposed. Two of the affected horses were euthanized. A preliminary investigation shows none of the five horses have been moved off the farm or in contact with other horses in the past four weeks. As a result, Dr. Scholz placed the farm under quarantine.

EHV-1 is highly contagious. While there are no known exposures linked to the Linn County farm, Dr. Scholz recommends that horse owners concerned about exposure monitor their horse’s temperature and contact their veterinarian if a fever or clinical signs develop. EHV-1 testing is generally not advised in asymptomatic horses. More information is available from Equine Disease Communication Center.

Photo by Mathias P.R. Reding on Unsplash


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-09-12 09:33:37

Last Update: 2021-09-12 10:06:50

Jim Huggins, author, actor and independent filmmaker, President and CEO of New Shepherd Films, is putting his business on hold to devote his time to run for Oregon Governor. He announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination on the Lars Larson Show, immediately drawing attention to the root of why Oregon and Portland are failing calling out politicians to uphold the public order. His website summarizes his campaign: MakeGovernmentDoWhatItsSupposedToDo.com.

What Huggins says about his company is his personal philosophy, “we tell true stories and we tell them in a manner that reflects God at work. If we can do that, then you have a chance of having your life change. If you’re concerned about society and which way it’s going, change your entertainment. We are here to be a light so people have a choice.” He directed the award-winning film, Forgotten Heroes, The Robert Hartsock Story, among others.

Married with three children Dr. Huggins holds two doctorate degrees, one in engineering and a doctorate of divinity. He is a former officer of the USAF Air Command. He is an adjunct faculty member at Corban University giving instruction in media arts and filmmaking, including effective storytelling regardless of the media.

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Dr. Huggins is a sought-after speaker for his powerful way of communicating his vision. Jim desires to impact the culture around him in a positive way beyond movies and books. From exposing politicians making bad decisions that is affecting our safety to education funding going down the drain with no accountability, he is intent to clean Oregon’s swamp.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-09-11 07:34:59

Last Update: 2021-09-11 19:14:25

Editor's note: This is the fifth of a multipart series on Tina Kotek – her past and her future – as well as where her political ambitions might take her.

Crime comes in all shapes, but every crime interferes with freedom. Protecting property, whether it’s personal or a business, is crucial to our liberties.

Speaker Kotek’s legislative biography says during the historic 2019 session, she guided the Oregon Legislature to pass the first statewide laws in the country to combat rent gouging. But, in 2014, she replied to a question at a town hall about rent control, saying she opposes rent control. Then, she turned around in 2019 and co-sponsored SB 608, the nation’s first statewide rent control act. As warned, the limit on rent increases were far more generous than historical increases and has resulted in higher increases than historical increases.

Is the crime in the free market or in restrictions? Kotek fought to preserve and increase affordable housing, but did nothing to secure low-income neighborhoods. Kotek boosted on Facebook in 2017 thanking Governor Brown for announcing a plan to curb gun violence. However, shootings in Portland nearly doubled in 2020 and this year has already more than doubled over last year’s highs.

Recently, she owned the push for more equitable policing and a fairer criminal justice system. She sponsored HB 4301 in the 2020 Second Special Session to modify defenses available to peace officers requiring a peace officer to consider alternatives to physical force or deadly physical force if reasonable opportunity to do so exists. Is that what we see in Portland?

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As early as 2011, Kotek was promoting anti-policing policies co-sponsoring HB 2951 that identifies “involved officer” in incident that used deadly force causing serious physical injury. She was the chief sponsor of HB 4207 in 2020 for an online database of suspensions and revocations of police officers. This past session she sponsored and passed HB 3164 removing refusal to obey officer’s order as a manner of committing a crime to reduce the case against her assistant arrested for interfering with a police officer.

Last year, the Statesman Journal report Speaker Kotek slamming Portland police for using tear gas during protests where more than two dozen protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct. In a letter to Mayor Wheeler, she said, "It was an unnecessary escalation by the PPB against people exercising their freedom of assembly and freedom of speech." This past weekend police were told to stay away from conflicts between rioters. The Wall Street Editorial said, “Cities that tolerate political violence invite more of it. Portland, Ore., has failed to learn this lesson, and it’s a miracle no one was killed amid recent clashes… Mayor Ted Wheeler, federal courts and Oregon lawmakers have severely restricted when police can use less-lethal force, even amid riots.” As Speaker of the House, Kotek has some responsibility for the violent outbreaks as a part of state leadership. Why are 90% of rioters arrested never charged?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2021-09-10 16:10:39

Last Update: 2021-09-10 16:55:35

Governor Kate Brown has now called the Oregon Legislature into a special legislative session in order to adopt new congressional and legislative district maps, the next step in the census and redistricting process.

Redistricting is the once-a-decade process of redrawing United State House of Representatives (Congressional) and Oregon State Senate and State House of Representatives (Legislative) district boundaries to account for changes in population. ​​​

Earlier this year, Republicans in the State Legislature brokered a deal with Speaker of the House, Tina Kotek (D) Portland to suspend the rules requiring legislative bills to be read in full during the session, in exchange for allowing Republicans to have equal representation on the Redistricting Committee. Prior to this deal, Democrats were set to have majority of members directing this effort.

The special session will begin on Monday, September 20 at 8:00 a.m. The Oregon Constitution directs the Legislature to reapportion legislative districts every ten years, following the U.S. Census.

“In Oregon, we believe your vote is your voice, and every voice matters,” said Governor Brown. “This special session is an opportunity for legislators to set aside their differences and ensure Oregon voters have their voices heard at the ballot box. Based on my conversations with legislative leaders, and the ongoing public testimony we are hearing from Oregonians across the state this week, I believe the Legislature is ready to begin the next step of the redistricting process.”

According to the Oregon Supreme Court’s recent decision in State ex rel Kotek v. Fagan and Senate Bill 259 (2021), the deadline for the Legislature to complete redistricting plans for state legislative districts and federal congressional districts is September 27, 2021.

Due to COVID, the statewide redistricting tour planned for September was moved to a virtual format only.

Members of the public were invited to participate in the virtual hearings to provide feedback on the draft maps created by the House and Senate Interim Redistricting Committees. These maps were made available starting on September 3rd.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-09-10 14:05:43

Last Update: 2021-09-10 16:35:22

As incumbent 5th Congressional District Representative Kurt Schrader makes national news for ducking his district -- fueling speculation that he may not run for a 6th term in Congress -- opponents across the aisle are beginning to line up to run against him.

Former Happy Valley Mayor and candidate for state legislature, Lori Chavez-DeRemer is poised to run, though through redistricting, she may not end up in the 5th Congressional District. From the suburbs of Portland, crime -- of course -- is at the top of her issues list.

Former Keizer city councilor Amy Ryan Courser lost to Kurt Schrader in a topsy-turvy 2020 election by a mere 6.7%. Her issues are appropriately national and include national security, borders and the national debt.

West Point grad and energy executive Nate Sandvig is running on a platform to "restore sanity." Education -- especially the impact of the left -- is at the top of of the list for this Tillamook County native. He also features energy solutions, touting "stable and secure energy supplies."

For his part, Kurt Schrader has been able to fend off all opposition with his substantial incumbent war chest which could at any time be supplemented by his significant personal fortune, but in a year that features a faltering Biden administration -- despite the fact that he won't personally be on the ticket -- could make this a different year for Republican challengers. Additionally, the trickiness of going from five to six Congressional districts could move some Democrats out of the district.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-09-09 20:32:01

Last Update: 2021-09-09 23:26:20

The Oregon Department of Education has announced that they will be presenting a four-part virtual teacher training series on K-5 Comprehensive Sexuality Education.

According to their website, "While this training is designed to develop skills for teaching sexuality education with a K-5 focus, the foundational activities included are highly relevant to Comprehensive Sexuality Education teachers of all grade bands. The second two modules focus on strategies for affirming LGBTQ2SIA+ students and creating inclusive classrooms through Health and Sexuality Education."

In June of 2020 the Oregon Department of Education published its LGBTQ2SIA+ Student Success Plan which will be featured in this training. The document drives toward a chapter called "Recommendations | Trust, Connection and Inclusion," which is divided into three domains:

• Individual Intention and Impact
• Institutional Policies and Facilities
• State Accountability and Support Systems

As the public school system looks away at parents unenrolling their children in record numbers and declining -- even unmeasured -- performance, they choose to focus on K-5 student sexuality as one of the most important issues to be addressed in the classroom.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-09-09 17:02:31

Last Update: 2021-09-09 22:45:28

Representative Bill Post (R-Keizer) has announced he will not be seeking reelection in 2022 in the Oregon House of Representatives.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve House District 25 for the last six years,” said Post.

“When I was a radio talk show host, I often spoke of my desire for term limits on elected persons but always as “self-imposed” by those officials. I don’t believe the writers of our Oregon Constitution intended for “citizen legislators” to stay in office for years and years but rather, to let the next citizen step up and serve. I look forward to the next chapter in my own family’s life and in the future of this state.”

Representative Post plans to serve the district through the remainder of his term and looks forward to completing the redistricting process. Currently, Rep. Post serves on the following House Committees: Agriculture and Land Use, Energy and Natural Resources, Business and Labor, Wildfire, and the Joint Committee on Information Management and Technology, and serves as the Assistant Deputy Leader in the House Republican Caucus.

“I still feel there is much work to be done at the legislature, so it is with mixed emotions that I make this announcement. I am very grateful for the support I’ve received from the community and the relationships that have been built while serving Keizer, St. Paul and Newberg.”

Pivotal Legislation from Rep. Post:

• Legalized behind the counter sales of pseudoephedrine products
• Attempted to regulate kratom products and protect minors (vetoed by Governor)
• Full and adequate funding for CASA
• Supported law enforcement and K9 units
• Strengthened privacy protections and public indecency laws
• Secured $1.25m Chehalem Cultural Center
• Secured $32m Newberg Dundee Bypass
• Secured $696,000 St. Paul Water System
• Secured $54,000 Butteville Landing
• Secured $400,000 City of Newberg
• Secured $800,000 City of Keizer
• Expanded safety corridors
• Pushed for Daylight Savings
• Reinforced humane treatment in women’s correctional facilities
• Strengthened Oregon’s Farm to School Program
• Advocated for agriculture and farmers
• Supported veterans through funding and highway memorials
• Fought for small business owners and continually pushed to cut out red tape and reduce taxes
• Supported wildfire victims through legislation

--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-09-09 09:54:17

Last Update: 2021-09-09 10:17:20

Governor Kate Brown has announced that she will appoint Erin A. Fennerty to the Lane County Circuit Court.

Fennerty fills the vacancy created by Judge Suzanne Chanti’s recent retirement.

Her appointment is effective immediately.

“For years, Erin Fennerty has maintained a high-volume civil litigation practice while passionately serving her community,” said Governor Brown. “Erin’s work ethic and practice experience will serve her well as a trial court judge in Lane County.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah, she earned a law degree from George Mason University School of Law. Since then, Fennerty has practiced family law, education law, municipal law, and general civil litigation at the Luvaas Cobb law firm in Eugene. She serves as a pro tem judge for the Lane County Circuit Court. Fennerty is registered as a Democrat.

She is the past-president of the Lane County Bar Association, a member of the Lane County Family Advisory Committee, and serves on the Oregon State Bar’s Professional Responsibility Board and Family Law Section Executive Committee. Fennerty also previously served on the WomenSpace Board of Directors.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2021-09-08 15:56:00

Last Update: 2021-09-08 17:38:20

In an open letter to Portland State University Provost Susan Jeffords, Internationally renowned Philosophy Professor Peter Boghossian has resigned his position.

In the letter, Boghossian cites the "Social Justice factory" replacement for free inquiry as his reason for leaving.

I never once believed — nor do I now — that the purpose of instruction was to lead my students to a particular conclusion. Rather, I sought to create the conditions for rigorous thought; to help them gain the tools to hunt and furrow for their own conclusions. This is why I became a teacher and why I love teaching.

But brick by brick, the university has made this kind of intellectual exploration impossible. It has transformed a bastion of free inquiry into a Social Justice factory whose only inputs were race, gender, and victimhood and whose only outputs were grievance and division.

Boghossian followed neither party, voting for Andrew Yang in the 2020 presidential election. He was the subject of a Title IX Discrimination investigation, based on his work. Regarding this, he said, in the letter:

With Title IX investigations there is no due process, so I didn’t have access to the particular accusations, the ability to confront my accuser, and I had no opportunity to defend myself. Finally, the results of the investigation were revealed in December 2017. Here are the last two sentences of the report: “Global Diversity & Inclusion finds there is insufficient evidence that Boghossian violated PSU’s Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment policy. GDI recommends Boghossian receive coaching.”

Not only was there no apology for the false accusations, but the investigator also told me that in the future I was not allowed to render my opinion about “protected classes” or teach in such a way that my opinion about protected classes could be known — a bizarre conclusion to absurd charges. Universities can enforce ideological conformity just through the threat of these investigations.

The letter details some of the many attacks he faced at Portland State University based on his work. He says that, "The university did nothing to stop or address this behavior. No one was punished or disciplined."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2021-09-08 14:47:38

Last Update: 2021-09-08 15:12:27