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Coos County Fair
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.cooscountyfair.com
July 23-27
Coos County Fairgrounds



Curry County Fair
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.eventcenteronthebeach.com
July 24-27
Curry County Fairgrounds - Event Center on the Beach



Hood River County Fair
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.hoodriverfairgrounds.com
July 24-27
Hood River County Fairgrounds



Jefferson County Fair
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.jcfair.fun
July 24-27
Jefferson County Fair Complex



Lane County Fair
Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.atthefair.com
July 24-28
Lane Events Center



TRUMP TRAIN RALLY
Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm
ALL ABOARD THE LINN COUNTY TRUMP TRAIN! Tail gate BBQ / Guest Speakers / Meet and Greet This is a non-partisan event. All Trump Supporters are welcome THE RIDE STARTS approximately 1:30PM ROUTE: to be determined Presented with local sponsorship by Linn County Conservative Alliance Trump, patriot, Americana, caps,flags, t-shirts and other merchandise available on-site. Profits support conservative and traditional values candidates. https://indd.adobe.com/view/902ce3bb-72b5-4f03-9c74-b71fcdbb6aad
Location: Linn County Fair / Expo parking lot. 3700 Knox Butte Road E. Albany, OR 97322



TRUMP TRAIN RALLY
Sunday, July 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm
ALL ABOARD THE LINN COUNTY TRUMP TRAIN! Tail gate BBQ / Guest Speakers / Meet and Greet This is a non-partisan event. All Trump Supporters are welcome THE RIDE STARTS approximately 1:30PM ROUTE: to be determined Presented with local sponsorship by Linn County Conservative Alliance Trump, patriot, Americana, caps,flags, t-shirts and other merchandise available on-site. Profits support conservative and traditional values candidates. https://indd.adobe.com/view/902ce3bb-72b5-4f03-9c74-b71fcdbb6aad
Location: Linn County Fair / Expo parking lot. 3700 Knox Butte Road E. Albany, OR 97322



Clatsop County Fair
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://clatsopcofair.com/
July 30 - August 3
Clatsop County Fair & Expo



Malheur County Fair
Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.malheurcountyfair.com
July 30 - August 3
Malheur County Fairgrounds - Desert Sage Event Center



Benton County Fair & Rodeo
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
bceventcentercorvallis.net
July 31 - August 3, 2024
Benton County Event Center & Fairgrounds



Deschutes County Fair
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://expo.deschutes.org/
July 31 - August 4
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center



Union County Fair
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.unioncountyfair.org
July 31 - August 3
Union County Fairgrounds



Yamhill County Fair
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.co.yamhill.or.us/fair
July 31 - August 3
Yamhill County Fairgrounds



Klamath County Fair
Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.klamathcountyfair.com/
August 1-4
Klamath County Fair



Wallowa County Fair
Friday, August 2, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://co.wallowa.or.us/community-services/county-fair/
August 2-10
Wallowa County Fairgrounds



Baker County Fair
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.bakerfair.com
August 4-9
Baker County Fairgrounds



Harney County Fair
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.harneyfairgrounds.com
August 4-9
Harney County Fairgrounds



Sherman County Fair
Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.shermancountyfairfun.com
August 19-24
Sherman County Fairgrounds



Crook County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.crookcountyfairgrounds.com
August 7-10
Crook County Fairgrounds



Douglas County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.douglasfairgrounds.com
August 7-10
Douglas County Fairgrounds Complex



Grant County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.grantcountyoregon.net
August 7-10
Grant County Fairgrounds



Josephine County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.josephinecountyfairgrounds.com/
August 7-11
Josephine County Fairgrounds & Events Center



Polk County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.co.polk.or.us/fair
August 7-10
Polk County Fairgrounds



Tillamook County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.tillamookfair.com
August 7-10
Tillamook County Fairgrounds



Umatilla County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.umatillacountyfair.net
August 7-10
Umatilla County Fairgrounds



Wheeler County Fair
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.wheelercountyoregon.com/fair-board
August 7-10
Wheeler County Fairgrounds



Clackamas County Fair
Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 8:00 am
clackamascountyfair.com
August 13-17
Clackamas County Event Center



Morrow County Fair
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.co.morrow.or.us/fair
August 14-17
Morrow County Fairgrounds



Wasco County Fair
Thursday, August 15, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.wascocountyfair.com
August 15-17
Wasco County Fairgrounds



Gilliam County Fair
Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 8:00 am
http://www.co.gilliam.or.us/government/fairgrounds
August 29-31
Gilliam County Fairgrounds



Lake County Fair
Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 8:00 am
https://www.lakecountyor.org/government/fair_grounds.php
August 29 - September 1
Lake County Fairgrounds



Oregon State Fair
Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 8:00 am
www.oregonstateexpo.org
August 31 - September 9
Oregon State Fair & Exposition Center



Linn Laughs LIVE with Adam Corolla
Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Linn Laughs LIVE with Adam Corolla 5pm-9pm
Albany, OR


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Regional Approval for Tolls Initiative Moves Forward
149,360 signatures are needed to place the initiative on the November 2024 ballot

According to a release by the Oregon Secretary of State, "On August 17, 2022, the Elections Division determined Initiative Petition 2024-004, proposed for the November 5, 2024 General Election, contained the required number of sponsorship signatures, and has requested the Attorney General draft a ballot title." The number of signatures required is 1,000, but the Secretary of State will accept up to 2,000 in case of failures.

The subject provided by Chief Petitioners for the proposed initiative is, "New tolls require regional voter approval" and the initiative requires three things before a toll can be imposed:

(A) A toll is proposed by a public body
(B) The toll proposed by the public body is referred for approval or rejection to the electors of each county in this state that has a county border within a 15-mile radius of any section of highway proposed to be tolled, and
(C) The toll proposed by the public body is approved by a majority of the total votes cast in the referral

The Chief Petitioners for the initiative are Dean Suhr of West Linn and Lorely Miller of Oregon City -- both residents of the southwest section of I-205, where tolling is scheduled to be implemented. According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, "With a toll, ODOT helps meet the goal of improved travel by managing traffic flow and helping to raise revenue for infrastructure improvements."

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The ODOT webpage says that the Keep Oregon Moving legislation HB 2017 from the 2017 Session established a Congestion Relief Fund, which would receive any net proceeds from tolls.

Next, the Oregon Attorney General, Ellen Rosenblum will create a draft ballot title for the next phase of signature gathering. The draft ballot title is due from Attorney General on August 25. The petitioners now must gather a total of 149,360 signatures to place the initiative on the November 2024 ballot.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-18 12:36:55Last Update: 2022-08-18 13:20:23



First Pediatric Monkeypox Case Identified in Oregon
OHA says child case is linked to previously confirmed case

The Oregon Health Authority is confirming the state's first pediatric case of monkeypox virus. The OHA and county public health officials say the case is linked to an adult monkeypox infection that was confirmed last month.

"We have a known connection to a previously diagnosed case," said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA. "This child did not get the virus at school, child care or another community setting."

To protect patient confidentiality, OHA is not disclosing the child's sex, age, county of residence or how the child is connected to the previously diagnosed case.

The pediatric case is one of 116 presumptive and confirmed cases of monkeypox in Oregon, which also includes 112 men and four women. Illness onset ranges from June 7 to Aug. 9. The cases are in seven counties: four in Clackamas, one in Columbia, one in Coos, 20 in Lane, one in Marion, 73 in Multnomah and 16 in Washington. About 27.6% of cases identify as Hispanic/Latino.

Nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are nearly 12,700 cases in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. They are among more than 38,000 cases in 93 countries.

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A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The Oregon child was tested for monkeypox Aug. 11, and the test results were reported to public health Aug. 15. Since receiving test results, the local public health authority, with support from OHA, has been conducting a case investigation and contact tracing to determine whether there are other exposures. During these investigations, public health provides guidance on how to avoid spreading the virus to others and offers vaccines to close contacts.

Sidelinger acknowledged concerns of parents who are preparing to send their students back to school in the coming weeks, as monkeypox cases continue to rise in Oregon and other states. But he emphasized that risk of monkeypox spreading in school settings is low, since the most common means of person-to-person transmission is direct contact with the rash, scabs or body fluids of a person with the virus.

"Monkeypox is not COVID-19. This virus is not easily spread unless you have that prolonged, close, skin-to-skin contact with an infected person," Sidelinger said.

Symptoms of the virus can include fever, swollen lymph nodes, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Not everyone will have these symptoms, but everyone will experience a rash or sores. The rash can affect the skin of the face, arms, legs and torso, as well as the genitals, in and/or around the anus (butthole), or in the mouth.

Initially, the rash can look like a pimple with an area of red skin underneath it. From there, the pimples can get a little bigger, form indentations, and fill with fluid or pus. Typically, they then scab. It usually takes two to four weeks to heal over with fresh skin.

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A D V E R T I S E M E N T

OHA recommends people who test positive for monkeypox or who are awaiting test results isolate at home to avoid spread of infection to others. There are additional precautions they and household members can take to further reduce transmission risk that can be found on OHA's If a clinician recommends that you receive an Orthopoxvirus test page. The CDC also has information on its Preventing Spread to Others page.

People who suspect they have monkeypox should contact their health care provider to let them know before going in to be seen. Those who don't have a health care provider can call 2-1-1 to get help finding a clinic or health care provider, or reach out to their local public health authority to find a clinic or provider.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-17 12:19:08Last Update: 2022-08-17 12:24:25



Mannix Mulls Marteeny
“We will appeal this decision to the Oregon Supreme Court”

The Court of Appeals has issued a decision in Douglas R. Marteeny et al vs. Katherine Brown, Governor of the State of Oregon et al Timothy Espinoza. Attorney for the plaintiff, Kevin Mannix provided some insight on the case and on his next steps in this case.

This is a sad day for victims of crime, and district attorneys, and a sad day for the entire justice system in the State of Oregon. The Court of Appeals has held that the Governor's clemency power is so broad as to negate procedural requirements established by the Oregon Legislature going back to 1864. The Court of Appeals approach seems to be that any attempt to establish a procedural requirement somehow restricts the Governor from ultimately making a clemency decision.

The legal requirements provide District Attorneys and crime victims with the right to be heard in each case when the Governor is considering clemency. The Court of Appeals decision eliminates that right.

We will appeal this decision to the Oregon Supreme Court. The basis for our appeal will be that the Court of Appeals has misinterpreted the laws regarding the clemency process.

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Kevin Mannix, a former Oregon state legislator, is running for State Representative to serve House District 21 (Keizer and Central Salem) as a Republican. Mannix has run his own Salem law firm since 1986 and has passed more legislation than any other person in Oregon history. Mannix is well known in Oregon political and legal circles as a crime victim advocate and the father of Measure 11, the popular ballot measure that instituted mandatory minimum sentencing for violent crimes.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-14 19:36:55



Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee Seeking New Members
ODOT wants someone with different cultural or ethnic approaches

Oregon's Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee says that they have identified expertise and experience that is missing in the current committee and is looking to add 3-4 new members.

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is stating that their idea of ideal candidates are younger people (ages 16 – 24), a person with a disability and/or someone with different cultural or ethnic approaches, and/or perspective as someone in the health field.

Timeline and process: The application will be open through September 15. Staff will follow up with applicants in September. A sub-committee of the Safe Routes to School Advisory committee will recommend 3-4 new members to ODOT’s director in October. New members will begin their term in January of 2023.

You can access the application in English and in Spanish online.

ODOT has an equitable engagement compensation policy that offers payment for time spent engaging with the agency and it's programs for those who qualify.

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The SRAC recommends which grants to fund for ODOT’s Safe Routes to School Construction and Education programs. The SRAC is advisory to Oregon Department of Transportation, the Oregon Transportation Commission, and consultants with the Oregon Transportation Safety Committee. The SRAC’s charge is outlined in Oregon Administrative Rule (OAR) 737-025.

New SRAC members should attend and fully participate in six 3-hour meetings annually (generally every other month) starting in January 2023.

Meetings may be held online, in-person or as hybrid options. Accommodations to participate in meetings are available, such as material in alternate formats.

The SRAC determines the priorities for the SRTS program, provide feedback to staff for program implementation, and makes recommendations for grant funding.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2022-08-14 15:07:09Last Update: 2022-08-14 17:26:02



Brown Signs Pact on Abortion
Is this a real problem ?

Saying "We will not stand on the sidelines as these attacks mount," Oregon Governor Kate Brown joined the governors of Washington and California in signing a Multi-State Commitment to Reproductive Freedom.

According to the letter, "The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn half a century of settled precedent and rescind the U.S. Constitution’s protection of reproductive freedom jeopardizes safe access to reproductive healthcare across the United States." The letter includes a commitment to the following:

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--Ryan Bannister

Post Date: 2022-08-13 06:12:11Last Update: 2022-08-15 15:27:06



Brown Wins Appeal in Release of Felons
The power to pardon has always been controversial

The Oregon Court of Appeals has sided with Governor Brown in the case of Marteeny v. Brown in which Linn County District Attorney Douglas R. Marteeny and Lane County District Attorney Patricia W. Perlow asked the Court to reverse a decision of the lower court and keep the Governor from granting clemency to 1,073 felons.

The actions of Governor Brown were affirmed by a three-judge panel from the Oregon Court of Appeals which included judges, Bronson D. James, Robyn Aoyagi, and Ramón A. Pagán. According to an opinion of the Court, "The grants of clemency at issue in this case were a lawful exercise of the Governor’s power under Article V, section 14."

In 2020 and 2021, Oregon Governor Kate Brown granted clemency to approximately 1,026 convicted felons, comprising three groups: (1) individuals “vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19,” (2) individuals who had fought “the historic wildfires that ravaged the state around Labor Day 2020,” and (3) 73 individuals who were sentenced as juveniles before the passage of SB 1008 in 2019.

According to the Court, the power of the Governor to pardon is enshrined in the Oregon Constitution. Article V, section 14 provides: “[The Governor] shall have power to grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons, after conviction, for all offences except treason, subject to such regulations as may be provided by law. Upon conviction for treason he shall have power to suspend the execution of the sentence until the case shall be reported to the Legislative Assembly, at its next meeting, when the Legislative Assembly shall either grant a pardon, commute the sentence, direct the execution of the sentence, or grant a farther reprieve.”

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SB 1008 made substantial changes to the prosecution and sentencing of juvenile offenders, including providing for early release hearings, conducted by the Board of Parole and Post-Prison supervision, after 15 years of incarceration. The legislature did not make SB 1008 retroactive. The effect of the Governor's commutation order for these 73 individuals was to afford them the same procedure, under ORS 144.397, that would be afforded to a juvenile offender convicted today. Four family members of victims of the crimes of which some of the youth prisoners were convicted petitioned the Marion County Circuit Court for a writ of mandamus directing the Governor, the Department of Corrections, the Oregon Youth Authority, and the Board of Parole and Post-Prison Supervision "to honor and follow all procedural and substantive provisions of Oregon law." In their legal arguments, they argue that the commutations here were procedurally flawed, and unlawful for a variety of reasons. According to a media release by the Oregon Court of Appeals, "underlying those technical arguments exists a palpable emotion that deserves acknowledgement: they feel that they have been denied justice."

The Court of Appeals explained that clemency power of presidents and governors traces its origins to the earliest days of English common law. The arguments and emotions present in this case echo through the centuries. The power to pardon, sitting within a singular executive -- be they monarch, president, or governor -- has always been controversial, seemingly at odds with legislative determination and judicial decision-making. Whenever it has been used, it has been lauded by some, and condemned by others.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-12 16:06:19Last Update: 2022-08-12 16:43:50



CHIPS and Science Act will Benefit Oregon
How will she use the federal funds to grow and flourish Silicon Forest?

Oregon Governor Kate Brown praised the signing of the CHIPS and Science Act trying to regain some trust with Intel. Intel has rejected Oregon for new plants several times and most recently it chose to move part of its operations to Ohio. In the first governor’s debate, Betsy Johnson called out Brown when she said she knew why Intel left Oregon “because I talked with Intel executives and the answer was answering that damn phone. Nobody in the governor’s office saw the warning signals or reached out to Intel when the tallest tree in our Silicon Forest is headed out the door to Ohio. There were plenty of warning signs. And because Kate Brown has not been tuned into the economic development, allowed Intel’s needs to go unheard.”

Perhaps Johnson is right seeing that Intel spent $20 billion to build two new chip plants in Arizona last year. However, Oregon has 30 viable semiconductor companies in Portland alone, and 25 cities with businesses in the semiconductor or related devices category. The industrial corridor between Beaverton and Hillsboro with a cluster of high-tech companies has been nicknamed Silicon Forest. That is what the Governor was referring to when she said, “In Oregon, we are known as the Silicon Forest, having one of the densest concentrations of semiconductor activity in the country, which has spurred career opportunities and significant economic growth. The CHIPS Act will help ensure Oregon remains a leader in the semiconductor industry, allowing us to develop further technological innovations and grow our high-tech workforce.”

Brown stated, “The passage of the CHIPS and Science Act is a monumental step towards ensuring the U.S. continues to lead the way in technology and manufacturing. This legislation represents $280 million of investments that will expand domestic semiconductor manufacturing and grow our high-tech workforce, which is critical for our businesses and working families.”

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The United States ranks fourth in silicon production, behind China, Russia and India. Intel Corp. in Hillsboro ranked first in the nation in 2021 employing 19,300 employees, and second in market cap of $414.20 billion. Google thought so highly of Oregon’s technological possibilities that it ran their high-speed fiber optic network through Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Gresham, Lake Oswego, and Tigard.

However, the source mines for silicon in Oregon are lacking with only 13 mine prospects, one silica mine plant and 24 silicon producers.

“Not only can we leverage these investments to advance technology and manufacturing,” Brown continues, “but we can also create living wage jobs with career pathways that will open the door of opportunity to many families who have been left behind.”

For the Silicon Forest to continue to stay on top, the Governor needs to realize that Oregon is competing for distribution channels for a high-demand product. So, how will she use the federal funds to grow and flourish Silicon Forest?


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-08-12 10:26:02Last Update: 2022-08-12 10:32:04



Constitution Party Nominees Rejected by Secretary of State
“The intent of the statute is to provide notice specific to each nominating convention”

Due to a failure to provide adequate notice to its members of its nominating convention, the Oregon Secretary of State has rejected all nominees from the Constitution Party of Oregon. The move was based on a complaint filed June 10. The party expects to hold a new nominating convention on August 21st -- just 79 days before the general election will be held.

In a letter to the Constitution Party of Oregon Chair Jack Brown, Jr., Elections Program Manager Alma Whalen at the office of the Oregon Secretary of State describes the violations of Oregon election law:

ORS 248.009 requires a party to provide all registered party members within the electoral district an equal opportunity to make nominations or to select delegates who will make nominations. Further, the statute requires the party to provide specific notice of the place of the convention, the time of the convention, and the office(s) for which nominations will be made. This requirement makes clear that the intent of the statute is to provide notice specific to each nominating convention, and in a time frame within reasonable proximity to the election to allow all party members to participate meaningfully.

In this matter, the Party provided two kinds of notices: notice of the Steering Committee meetings at which the candidates received the Party’s nomination, and notice (in 2020) that the membership could elect precinct committeepeople. Both notices were insufficient to meet the requirements of ORS 248.009.

The Constitution Party of Oregon has been racked by factional fights. Party registration in Oregon is 3,842 as of August 2022, according to the Secretary of State's website.

Whalen concluded, "Because the Party did not comply with ORS 248.009(1) and (3) in any of its nominations this year, the Division is rejecting the candidate filings (SEL 110s) for all candidates nominated by the Constitution Party of Oregon for the 2022 general election."


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-12 09:30:46Last Update: 2022-08-12 10:16:29



State Requires Insurers to Cover Monkeypox
Are more vaccine mandates coming?

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services Division of Financial Regulation under the direction of Andrew Stolfi has issued a bulletin saying that all health care plans in Oregon must cover monkeypox vaccines. It says, "in accordance with ORS 743A.264(2), all health benefit plans (including grandfathered health benefit plans) in Oregon must provide coverage for approved hMPXV vaccines and their administration in accordance with this bulletin."

According to the bulletin, "The virus hMPXV, more commonly known as the monkeypox virus, is a type of Orthopoxvirus with symptoms that include fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. The virus has an estimated1 percent case-fatality rate in endemic countries and the potential of higher rates among immunocompromised people. The virus is transmitted to humans through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with material contaminated with the virus. It is then transmitted from one person to another by close contact with lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials such as bedding. Most infections in the current outbreak appear to be due to skin-to-skin contact.

On July 23, 2022, the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization declared that the recent multi-country outbreak of the monkeypox virus constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. On Aug. 4, 2022, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra determined that a Public Health Emergency exists across the United States due to the outbreak of monkeypox cases across multiple states.

the Oregon Health Authority under the direction of Pat Allen issued a public health director’s declaration On Aug. 5, 2022, pursuant to ORS 743A.264, stating that an outbreak of viral illness caused by hMPXV is occurring in Oregon and that vaccination is necessary to prevent the spread of hMPXV. ORS 743A.264 prohibits health benefit plans from restricting coverage for the cost of necessary treatments, vaccines, immunizing agents, pharmaceutical agents, medical supplies, or other prophylactic measures approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that the public health director deems necessary to prevent the spread of a disease.

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Further, according to the bulletin, "a health benefit plan may not restrict coverage for an approved hMPXV vaccine and its administration to innetwork providers. Health benefit plans must provide coverage for an hMPXV vaccine in accordance with this bulletin, regardless of whether an enrollee receives the vaccine from an in-network or out-of-network provider. The division encourages health benefit plans to be proactive in including approved vaccinators in their networks and to update operational systems to accept and process out of network vaccine claims.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-11 09:32:23



Ashland School District Bans Firearms
The district will post clearly visible sign(s) at all normal points of entry

Ahe Ashland School District has banned members of the public -- even those with a concealed handgun license -- from bearing arms on its property.

According to the district, Oregon law has allowed members of the public possessing a concealed carry license to carry firearms on district property in accordance with ORS 166.370(3)(g). SB 554 from the 2021 Session allows districts to prohibit even those with concealed carry licenses from carrying firearms by adopting a policy and posting notice at entry points.

The Oregon School Board Association considers this policy to be conditionally required because if the district wants to prohibit concealed carry licensees from carrying firearms on district property, the district must adopt a policy. If the district does not want to limit concealed carry licensees, the district does not need to adopt this policy.

The policy, which was presented by Superintendent Samuel Bogdanove to the Ashland School District Board of Directors School Board Chaired by Victor Chang, reads:

No person on grounds of the schools controlled by the Board (including in school buildings), will possess any firearm, except when said firearm is possessed by a person who is not otherwise prohibited from possessing the firearm, and is unloaded and locked in a motor vehicle. The exception provided in Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 166.370(3)(g) for concealed carry licensees (see ORS 166.291 and 166.292) does not apply to the possession of firearms on grounds of the schools controlled by the Board.

Firearms under the control of law enforcement personnel are permitted. The superintendent may authorize other persons to possess weapons for courses, programs and activities when in compliance with law and board policy. Any person violating or threatening to violate the above rules, as determined by the district, may be issued a trespass citation, ejected from the premises and referred to law enforcement officials.

The district will post clearly visible sign(s) at all normal points of entry to the school grounds subject to this policy indicating that the affirmative defense described in ORS 166.370(3)(g) does not apply. The district will post on the district’s web pages designated for school board operations, identifying designated school grounds that are subject to this policy.

Kevin Starrett, the Director of the Oregon Firearms Federation noted "Ashland joins Salem- Keizer and other left leaning school boards in banning the most law abiding and responsible people from their property. Now, lawfully armed parents may not even drop off or pick up their kids from the schools they pay for let alone attend a sporting event or school function. These schools boards have advertised a giant bull’s eye on the backs of the kids they are supposed to be caring for. Especially ironic so soon after we have learned that you cannot rely on responding police to stop a mass murderer.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-11 06:31:26Last Update: 2022-08-10 20:06:50



Forest Management Issues at Stake in the Douglas-Fir National Monument
The Monument mostly includes Willamette National Forest

Oregonians sighed relief when President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 13792 directing a review of the Antiquities law and its uses. That act protected the Cascade peaks from federal grab. But the proposed Douglas-fir National Monument is again being pushed by a Springfield based nonprofit under the Antiquities Act of 1906. The Antiquities Act gives the President authority to, by presidential proclamation, create national monuments from federal land to protect significant natural, cultural, or scientific features.

Douglas-fir National Monument proposes to cover more than 530,000 acres that includes parts of Linn, Marion and Jefferson counties. It would be the largest national monument in Oregon, and 14th largest in the nation.

The Monument mostly includes Willamette National Forest in the Cascade foothills consisting of wilderness areas. However, of concern is the 44,000 acres of private forest, which appears to not be qualified for inclusion.

It’s the age-old argument of the best way to manage forests. Two sides claiming the same outcome. On one side, they claim federal protection ensures that trees mature, burn, and fall as they would naturally. They claim mature Douglas fir stabilizes soil, shades streams, scrubs and sequesters carbon from the air and has the potential to act as a balm on a warming climate.

On the other side, forest management is needed to physically restore forest, reduce wildfires, protect mature growth, foster recreation, and increase carbon sequester with new growth.

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The Good Neighbor Authority Agreement was first passed in 2016 as a step for Oregon to enter into cooperative agreements with the United States Forest Service that allows the state to perform forest management and watershed restoration services on National Forest System lands. Jeff Burns, Program Director, said in 2021 that 92-93% of all burned acres were on federal lands, which accounts for 60% of forested lands in Oregon. “Any efforts to reduce wildfire risks in Oregon, must involve federal lands in a meaningful way.”

Designating the Douglas-fir National Monument that would leave the land dormant is not the federal involvement needed to reduce wildfires or preserve mature growths. As director Burns reported, since 2016, significant progress has been made in wildfire risk reduction on federal lands through fuels reduction and forest thinning projects. These kind of results take action.

Officials in Linn County are seeking intervention from Oregon’s U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Representative Peter DeFazio. Considering Wyden is in a tight race for reelection, it may not be wise to disappoint voters.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-08-10 10:53:30Last Update: 2022-08-10 13:04:18



Golden Pressured on Wildfire Maps by Republicans
“The current map is simply unacceptable”

After last week’s inelegant display of the Wildfire Maps and the subsequent “pulling” of the maps by Oregon State Forester, and former Democrat House Candidate Cal Mukamoto, Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend) pushed for more clarification.

“Oregonians are fed up with Democrats continued assault on rural Oregon. These maps were rushed out the door, championed by Senator Jeff Golden (D-Ashland), then after 1200 people in his own district area stood up against the maps, they were yanked back.” Senator Knopp said. “Southern Oregonians deserve better representation than Senator Golden, even in his own district he was not aware of the effect these maps would have on his constituents.”

It is important to note the quote from ODF Spokesperson Derek Gasperini "I don't think that we anticipated the amount of response about the downstream implications,” he then went on to finish “While we'll have some minor adjustments, the map is not gonna look drastically different than it looks currently.”

Senator Knopp finished, “It is not going away, it will just get repackaged and sent back out again.”

Other quotes and statements from Mayors, Representatives, Senators across Oregon echoed last week.

House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville) - “State and federal land mismanagement are the driving force behind our wildfire issues, not private land, but these maps leave most of the burden on private land owners,”

House Deputy Republican Leader Kim Wallan (R-Medford) - “Having experienced the tragedy of the arson-caused Labor Day 2020 fires, as well as the devastating smoke that we live with year after year, I am beyond frustrated that this bill and these maps are the way our state has decided to respond to the need for more and better forest management,”

“I listened to the whole thing, and there wasn’t anybody on there who was happy. Not one person said ‘this is a good idea,’”

Senator Lynn Findley (R-Vale) - “The intent behind SB 762 was to mitigate future significant loss, lack of preparedness and financial hardship in future wildfires, among many other things. Oregonians have been handed anything but that through the new map.”

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend) - “The growing outrage over high risk classifications of primarily rural property threatens to overwhelm the Oregon Department of Forestry with thousands of appeals that the agency will be unable to handle.”

“Ultimately, we need better management of our public forests at the state and federal levels so that we can begin to reduce the dangers of wildfire for rural and urban Oregonians alike.”

Representative Mark Owens (R-Crane) - “The map as it stands has no credibility and the Oregon Department of Forestry needs to take ownership and leadership and reevaluate immediately. This map serves as an ill-informed, unreviewed, and dangerous and divisive product pitting homeowners against the state of Oregon.”

Representative Lily Morgan (R-Grants Pass) - “The current map is simply unacceptable. I am disheartened that my constituents will have to spend their time and energy submitting appeals for an inaccurate map,” said Representative Morgan. “This just isn’t right.”

Mayor Randy Sparacino (R-Medford) - "Like many Southern Oregonians, I am relieved that our voices were finally heard and the proposed map was withdrawn. However, although the maps have been withdrawn, more rule making is still to come and will need to be addressed. The fight is not over!”

“The bill IS the problem, and I am committing to fixing it. Landowners should not be required to shoulder the burden of fire protection while government lands go unmanaged and pose the greatest threat.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2022-08-10 09:27:14Last Update: 2022-08-10 10:26:13



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