The Washington County Republican Party of Oregon has now given a statement asserting support of President Donald J. Trump and blasting the Department of Justice and law enforcement agencies for political weaponization of the country's justice system.

The statement reads as follows:

"We, the Washington County Republican Party Executive Committee of Oregon, publicly condemn the weaponization of the judicial system and law enforcement agencies with respect to the indictment of President Donald ). Trump."

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The statement continues, "As Republicans, we believe in the rule of law and order and stand for justice for all. We are crossing a line that has never been seen in American history where political opponents are harassed and persecuted by those in positions of power. Our country is being torn apart by these unprecedented actions and a two-tiered system of justice."

It concludes, "We in the Washington County Republican Party of Oregon stand against the unwarranted indictment of President Donald J. Trump and condemn the unending political attacks leveled against him and other conservatives."


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-04-08 15:23:09

Last Update: 2023-04-08 16:35:33

In response to the City of Portland’s letter to the Oregon Department of Transportation reaffirming their commitment to the Interstate 5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project, Representative Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany), Co-Vice Chair of the Joint Transportation Committee, issued the following statement:

“The large tax increases in House Bill 2017 -- passed into law during the 2017 Session -- came with a directive and a promise: build the Rose Quarter. Nearly seven whole years later, the project has not made significant progress.

“I am committed to finding a cost-effective path forward that meets the needs of the entire state. The Rose Quarter was identified in House Bill 2017 as a project of statewide importance, and the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project magnifies that significance. These two projects are linked and we cannot do one without the other to solve the transportation issues that each present.”

“I am encouraged by Portland’s recent letter showing renewed commitment to the Rose Quarter project. I look forward to working with them to tackle Oregon’s transportation challenges.”

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Critics of the delay say that the letter -- signed by Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Commissioners Mingus Mapps, Carmen Rubio, Dan Ryan and Rene Gonzalez -- was written to deflect criticism of the delay. The letter concludes:

The City of Portland intends to build on this momentum to ensure the success of this catalytic project. We are confident that ODOT’s Rose Quarter project will not only relieve congestion, improve safety, and enhance developability of the district – but that it will do so in a way that recognizes, addresses, and prevents the repetition of the injustices suffered by communities of color throughout Portland’s history. We are optimistic that by continuing to work closely alongside other project stakeholders, we will advance this once-in-a-generation project to enhance our state’s largest event district and reconnect the Albina neighborhood.

According to the Project website. I-5 between I-84 and I-405 is the top traffic bottleneck in Oregon and the 28th worst freight bottleneck in the nation as of 2021.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-04-07 23:58:53

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued a statement in response to the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration ruling. This ruling stems from a lawsuit filed last November by anti-abortion groups in Texas. It aims to block use of Mifepristone, a medication used for abortion in the United States.

The Plaintiff Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine sued the U.S. Food and Drug Administration over its approval of mifepristone, a medication used to terminate a pregnancy. Plaintiff alleged that the FDA exceeded its regulatory authority to approve the drugs by using its accelerated drug approval authority, failed to study the safety of the drugs under the labeled conditions of use, and ignored the potential impacts of hormone-blocking regiment on adolescent girls.

Governor Kotek stated, “This is a shameful, dangerous ruling that will prevent patients across the country from accessing safe, effective medication. As we sort out the impact of this ruling, hear me loud and clear: abortion is still accessible and legal in Oregon. As your Governor, I believe in the right to reproductive freedom and will continue to be a fierce advocate for that right. My administration will be working with the Oregon Health Authority, Oregon Department of Justice, and the Biden Administration to evaluate the ruling and fight for patients across Oregon and the United States.”

However, the U.S. District Courts Summary states: By illegally approving chemical abortion drugs, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration failed to abide by its legal obligations to protect the health, safety, and welfare of girls and women. The FDA never studied the safety of the drugs under the labeled conditions of use, ignored the potential impacts of the hormone-blocking regimen on the developing bodies of adolescent girls, disregarded the substantial evidence that chemical abortion drugs cause more complications than surgical abortions, and eliminated necessary safeguards for pregnant girls and women who undergo this dangerous drug regimen.

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What exactly is Governor Kotek condemning? The continued use of a drug that has never been tested for real world use and girls under 18? Chemical abortion drugs causing hemorrhaging where 35 percent end up in the emergency room? Protecting girls from becoming sterile?

In the Oregon Legislature, HB 2002 passed the House Committee on Behavioral Health and Health Care on a partisan vote and is now in the Ways and Means Committee. Oregon law already allows school health centers to give out abortion drugs or arrange for an abortion without parents' knowledge or consent. HB 2002 extends that to gender-affirming treatments to transgender. This bill should be evaluated for compliance with the ruling to protect our students.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-04-07 19:54:35

Last Update: 2023-04-07 20:07:42

The Winter 2023 Medford Citizen Academy students were recognized for completing the program during the April 6 City Council meeting. They also received a certificate of completion for this accomplishment.

The Medford Citizen Academy is a free, eight-week program designed to give participants an inside look into how the City's local government works and the services provided. Each week, students spent time with a different department, where they learned how it operates and then participated in a hands-on activity.

The first session, City Government 101, kicked off with students getting an overview of the City's departments. Then they met Mayor Randy Sparacino and City Manager Brian Sjothun, who both talked about their roles and why our local government is essential. The session concluded with students receiving a tour of City Hall and the Lausmann Annex.

Next was the Building Safety session, where students learned about how the department helps residents with building permits, inspections and business licenses. Then students took on the challenge of creating earthquake-proof buildings using toothpicks, marshmallows and Jell-O.

Week three was the Planning and Developing Our Community session, where the Planning department discussed housing and community development, current and long-range planning, and the Medford Urban Renewal Agency. Then students participated in a group activity where they came up with a development plan for a site on N. Riverside Avenue.

The following week was the We Keep Your City Healthy and Active session with the Parks, Recreation and Facilities department. The department gave students a tour of the Santo Community Center and highlighted some of its recreational programs. This session's hands-on activities included a self-defense demonstration and students developing their own neighborhood park. They also received a t-shirt for their participation.

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Halfway through the Citizen Academy was the Public Works session, Students got to see how the streets signs are made and the traffic signals work. They also received their own personalized street sign during this session.

Week six was the Dollars and Sense session, where the Finance department talked about the financial services and budget process. Students were then tasked with creating a two-year budget for the Public Works department.

The next week, students headed over to the Medford Police Department for the We Keep Your City Safe: Pt. 1 session. MPD explained some of the different services that the officers provide and the work that goes into protecting the community. They also got to see a demonstration from the K-9 program and Drone Response Team.

We Keep Your City Safe: Pt. 2 was the last session of the program, presented by the Medford Fire Department. Medford Fire gave students a tour of the station, showed them some of the fire operations and gave a lesson on fire prevention. Some of the activities during this session included going for a ride on the aerial platform and knocking down a small fire.

Medford says they look forward to bringing back this program in Fall 2023 and that those interested can apply online.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-04-07 12:59:12

Last Update: 2023-04-07 13:22:18

Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Mayor Ted Wheeler have now announced that Kaiser Permanente executive Dan Field will serve as the next Director of the Joint Office of Homeless Services.

The announcement, made at a press conference in the Multnomah County Boardroom on April 5th, follows a national search that supposedly had 48 candidates.

“This search was conducted collaboratively with Joint Office staff and leadership at the County and City,” Vega Pederson said. “I am proud to say that our search has yielded in Dan Field, a leader to meet this moment, one who understands the complexities and has the commitment to coalition- and relationship-building that is needed to help bring added urgency and accountability to the Joint Office's work and investments.”

“We take this hire very, very seriously and we are very happy that Dan Field has been willing to step forward to help lead our collective efforts,” Wheeler said.

Dan Field spoke at a press conference announcing his hire on April 5, 2023.

He spent nearly two decades with Kaiser Permanente, Field also served as a staffer for former Gov. John Kitzhaber when Kitzhaber was president of the Oregon Senate, and as chief of staff for former Portland Mayor Vera Katz when she was speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives.

Field played a role in founding HealthShare of Oregon.

In 2020, he sponsored projects aimed at reversing systemic racial injustices, including the creation of the Kaiser Center for Black Health and Wellness, scheduled to open later in 2023.

In 2021, he helped launch a mass vaccination clinic at the Oregon Convention Center that administered more than 550,000 COVID-19 vaccinations.

“Dan's years of work at the confluence of health care and housing have shown the promise in this approach, as has his ability to work across our region to connect the dots to address difficult challenges with unique sources of funding and partnership,” said Chair Jessica Vega Pederson.

The press conference convened speakers including Vega Pederson, Wheeler and Field, along with Joint Office Interim Director Joshua Bates; Angela Martin, Co-Director of HereTogether Oregon; Marcus Mundy, executive director of the Coalition of Communities of Color; Ed Blackburn, former executive director of Central City Concern; and Jessica Getman, board chair of the Portland Business Alliance.

Field said he steps into the role with “humility about the challenge ahead of us,” and said he will center people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in his work.

“To anyone in the community who is homeless or housing insecure, whether you're sleeping on a couch, living out of your car or lying in a doorway, we see you and we will keep you at the center of everything we do,” Field said. “That is my pledge here today. Please hold me to it. We want a community that is just and equitable and where everybody is safely housed. My pledge to you is we will work hard to honor that trust and to strengthen our community in the process.”

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The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners must approve Field’s appointment. Pending that approval, Field is expected to take over the Joint Office of Homeless Services, and its $255 million budget and 95 employees, on April 28.

Formed in 2016, the Joint Office is a partnership between Multnomah County and the City of Portland. They contract with community-based organizations and work with other governmental entities to provide equity-based services including housing assistance, shelter, healthcare and services navigation, employment assistance, and street outreach.

Joshua Bates, Deputy Director of the Joint Office, has served since November 2022. He will remain at the Joint Office as Deputy Director to work with Field.

“It was clear that he brought partnership- and coalition-building to this work,” Bates said. “I'm certain that through his position, he will build bridges in ways that have not been built before to serve folks experiencing homelessness. I am excited to be a part of that bridge-building and to support the next phase of the Joint Office alongside Dan Field."

The County began recruiting for a permanent director in fall 2022, leveraging the reach of community and advocacy organizations

. Recruitment was centered in the County’s focus on equity and leading with race, using the County’s Gladys McCoy hiring standards and focusing on diversity and inclusion in designing hiring panels, interview questions and selection criteria.

“It was important not only to end this search with a successful candidate able to help the Joint Office build strategically for the long-term, but to engage in an inclusive process that increased our connection to and involvement with key community partners,” said Chair Vega Pederson. “I feel confident in where we landed and the process we took to get here.”

The search drew 48 local and national candidates, 51% of whom identified as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color). Seven candidates advanced to interviews with County leaders. Three finalists were then interviewed in February by a nine-person panel made up of County leaders, Joint Office staff, representatives from the City, local providers, and community members with lived expertise.

The top two candidates submitted short videos that were reviewed by more than 30 stakeholders from across Multnomah County, including members of the business community, elected leaders, and the representatives from the housing and homelessness continuum of care. Chair Vega Pederson and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, who was involved throughout the process and in final decision-making, then interviewed each of the top two candidates together in a small group setting.

“I look forward to working with Dan in his new position as the director of the Joint Office of Homeless Services. Throughout the interview process, I was incredibly impressed by Dan's commitment,” Wheeler said.

“He has the experience, he has the drive, he has the connections,” Wheeler said.

Field has been the executive director of Community Benefit, Government Relations and External Affairs at Kaiser Permanente.

“I am looking forward to returning to public service. I love our community — Multnomah County, the City of Portland, and the beautiful cities that make up our region — and see so much potential in the Joint Office and in our community to reach local solutions. This is my opportunity to focus on good policy that features connections across the broad spectrum of stakeholders whose ideas and investments are needed to build the strongest and most responsive housing safety net we can,” Field said.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-04-07 12:00:33

Last Update: 2023-04-07 12:44:06

Metro has announced that they are seeking two community representatives from Clackamas, two from Washington County, and one from Multnomah County to serve on the Metro Technical Advisory Committee. Some of these positions, including the one for Multnomah County will be to serve as alternate members.

The technical advisory committee provides detailed technical support to the Metro Policy Advisory Committee on land use and transportation related issues. The policy advisory committee then makes recommendations to Metro Council. The technical committee also provides input to Metro staff on development of policies, programs and projects and identifies needs and opportunities for involving the public in land use and transportation decisions.

Metro says that community representatives play a critical role in elevating the conversation beyond technical analysis by contributing expertise that crosses city and county lines and is grounded in the experiences of people living and working across the region.

Committee member commitment

There are six MTAC meetings planned for 2023 from May through December 2023. Meetings will be held online the third Wednesday of the month. All meetings are 9 a.m. to noon. MTAC will meet with the Transportation Policy Alternatives Committee for virtual joint workshops in June and August, also on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. There will be a total of eight MTAC activities in 2023, May through December. MTAC meetings are being held online until further notice.

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Committee members are expected to prepare for each meeting and workshop by reviewing the agendas and materials in advance of the meetings and preparing feedback and questions. One to two hours of preparation time is required per meeting.

Community representatives are asked to commit to one year on MTAC and are encouraged to serve up to four years. Metro says they will provide a monetary compensation to community members that recognizes their time and labor.

For more information on the application and selection process visit the application page. To apply, submit an online application form by midnight on April 17. If you have questions, you can contact Marie Miller via email.

Metro serves more than 1.7 million people in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. The agency's boundary encompasses Portland, Oregon and 23 other cities – from the Columbia River in the north to the bend of the Willamette River near Wilsonville, and from the foothills of the Coast Range near Forest Grove to the banks of the Sandy River at Troutdale.

The Metro Council consists of a president, elected regionwide, and six councilors who are elected by district every four years in nonpartisan races.

Metro works collaboratively with cities, counties and transportation agencies to decide how to invest federal highway and public transit funds.


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-04-06 18:41:31

Last Update: 2023-04-06 19:04:28

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has now released a statement which seems to suggest that transgenders are literally being attacked in Oregon, and they must affirm support of transgender, non-binary, gender-fluid and other LGBTQIA2S+ children.

Observers have noted that this polarizing rhetoric is coming from many Leftist voices in an attempt to silence anyone who disagrees or questions the narrative being offered by calling them "transphobic". Those accused are suggesting that this is not even true, and that transgenders have long been accepted in the United States of America compared to other places in the world.

There is a significant consensus amongst many people that the children are too negatively harmed by this agenda of affirming any delusions of gender identity, and to "just leave the children alone". This is considered a rational approach by many, yet it is also labeled as "aggressive"

The statement released by ODHS starts out by declaring that, "In light of recent attention on agency policies, the Oregon Department of Human Services stands in support with the LGBTQIA2S+ community and affirms its commitment to gender inclusivity in all aspects of our work. We are committed to our Equity North Star and its values of inclusivity, equity, service and well-being."

The statement continues, "Within our Child Welfare Division, we are committed to the equity and inclusivity principles of our Vision for Transformation. The Child Welfare Division stands in support of transgender, non-binary, gender-fluid and other LGBTQIA2S+ children, young people and families, including those who are in foster care and those who have been adopted."

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ODHS says that this "Vision for Transformation" came from a collaboration among "diverse partners" and that "We recognize the importance of challenges and struggles of transforming the current system into one that is fair and just. Anti-racist principles guide us. We recognize that white supremacy and systemic racism are deeply embedded in the history, fabric and institutions of our country, including child welfare systems. Long-lasting social change comes from communities of color and other marginalized communities’ leadership and power in social movements and systems transformation. To this end, we will leverage our resources, technical knowledge and role within the broader ODHS and child welfare systems to support transformation."

"At a time when gender diverse people, policies, and laws are under attack", the ODHS statement continues. "It is important to reinforce our values and practices related to the children and families we serve. We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all children and young people, regardless of their gender identity. Gender inclusive policies provide a range of benefits including improved mental health, safety, and well-being."

Many critics are noting that the mental health benefits of the absolute freestyle gender-identity affirming agenda are un-substantiated and not supported by science.

ODHS says that the Oregon Child Welfare’s administrative rules – specifically OAR 413-200-0308 and OAR 413-200-0352 – have legal requirements that ensure that resources and potential adoptive parents have the ability to create safe and supportive environments for children and young adults experiencing foster care.

ODHS says that these Child Welfare Division policies are just one way that ODHS is embracing the values of the "Equity North Star".

Fariborz Pakseresht (Fair'-borz Pahk'-ser-esht) is the Director of the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS).​​ He came to ODHS from the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) juvenile corrections agency. He also spent 11 years with the Oregon Department of Administrative Services.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-04-06 11:14:59

Last Update: 2023-04-06 13:33:10

Former Portland lawyer Lori Deveny stole millions from at least 135 vulnerable personal injury clients. She is now serving concurrent state and federal prison sentences, and a restitution hearing is scheduled for later this month. However, the Northwest Observer has learned that the estates of Deveny’s dead clients are at imminent risk of exclusion from that restitution order, which is expected to exceed $4.5 million.

The deceased clients’ files are in the hands of the Oregon State Bar -- who won’t release them to the estates or to law enforcement—and Multnomah District Attorney Mike Schmidt refuses to intervene on the families’ behalf.

The files are set to be destroyed by the Bar later this month, unless some state or federal authority intercedes. The client files likely contain previously undisclosed evidence of Deveny’s decades-long scheme of fraud and theft.

The situation was brought to light by Stephanie Volin, an independent writer who frequently reports on Oregon’s legal system. She first learned of the existence of these deceased clients’ files last month, and about the Bar’s plan to destroy them.

Volin then spent weeks imploring D.A. Schmidt and other authorities to intervene in the matter. Schmidt was unresponsive, and instead passed the buck to the Clackamas District Attorney. Because neither office would act, Volin finally wrote and filed her own emergency motion for an injunction in late March. The motion is still sitting in that case, unread and undecided.

“I think it’s a major problem that nobody even knows how many dead Deveny victims there are, because the Bar won’t tell us and won’t tell law enforcement,” Volin said. “But it’s a far worse problem that these D.A. and the court won’t act to protect these people and their property.”

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She added, “These clients were victimized by a well-known local attorney, and the county and court where she mainly practiced are now looking the other way. It looks really bad for everyone to just shrug and say ‘Oh well!’”

The Bar acquired Deveny’s files in late 2018, when Multnomah Judge Jerry Hodson awarded the agency the remnants of the disgraced attorney’s practice. Judge Hodson also presided over Deveny’s state criminal case, and imposed a 14-year sentence that many believed was insufficient, in light of the scope and duration of her criminal career.

“The Bar sat on Deveny’s files for years and made no attempt to locate estates or heirs for her deceased clients. Now they’re going to destroy those files in a few weeks unless someone acts.”

Volin insists that the Bar misinformed Judge Hodson when they sought his permission to shred the files. “The Bar was not candid with the judge. I don’t think he would have signed the order if the Bar had plainly told him, ‘Hey, we never even tried to locate the rightful owners for all these deceased peoples’ property.’”

The agency, which exists to protect the Oregon public, may begin shredding the files as soon as the final judgments are entered in the two criminal cases. The restitution hearing is currently scheduled for April 19th.

As that day rapidly approaches, Volin still holds out hope that Multnomah D.A. Schmidt will get involved in the matter. “Deveny abused many more people than we currently know about, and some of them happen to be dead. She shouldn’t get away with burying her crimes along with her victims, and doing so with the Bar’s help. The D.A. absolutely should act quickly to safeguard these files.” Volin added, “It certainly shouldn’t have to be me.”


--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2023-04-06 09:17:26

Last Update: 2023-04-06 11:19:07

To get out ahead of Senate Bill 853 making a clean sweep on the Senate floor, Governor Tina Kotek directed the practice of reimbursing state employees commuting from out-of-state. Chief Operating Officer and interim Director of the Department of Administrative Services Berri Leslie announced the plan to end the pandemic-era practice of reimbursing employees who work remotely, including those who work out-of-state to travel to their offices in Oregon.

Oregon law encourages state agencies to allow employees to telecommute when telecommuting provides an opportunity for improved employee performance, reduced commuting miles, or agency savings. This law applies to state agencies in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Each state agency is required to adopt written policies defining telecommuting criteria. Telecommuting is defined as working from an "employee's home or from an office near the employee's home, rather than from the principal place of employment."

Under the revised policy, which returns to Oregon’s remote work guidelines pre-pandemic, state employees will continue to be allowed to work remotely as approved by their agencies. However, remote employees will no longer be reimbursed for commuting to the office. This policy will go into effect on September 1, 2023, which will enable DAS to properly prepare and provide notice to employees about changes to the remote work policy around reimbursement.

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SB 853 was introduced with 57 bipartisan sponsors simply banning costs of travel to or from Oregon for an employee in state service who telecommutes. With that much support, it might be questioned what went on in back rooms to amend the bill to exempt positions authorized under terms of collective bargaining agreements. They also added an exemption allowing state payment of travel costs to and from Oregon for state employees who telecommute from principal work site located less than sixty miles from the Oregon border. The bill further allows for exemption when essential requirements of telecommuting employee's position necessitate employee telecommuting from principal work site outside of Oregon.

It seems that the bill simply provided leverage to get Governor Kotek to terminate the pandemic practice and doesn’t prevent the situation from reoccurring.

Leslie said, “We must ensure that state resources are used effectively to serve Oregonians and that our policies reflect the evolving needs of our workforce and the public. Employees will continue to be allowed to work remotely as approved by their state agencies. We look forward to implementing this change and continuing to refine our policies to meet the needs of our state employees.”


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-04-04 14:18:35

Last Update: 2023-04-04 00:41:43

Marion County Republican Party Chairman Joel Pawloski has been speaking out about the political climate in Oregon and how an adherence to constitutional law may be what is needed to restore the people's confidence in Oregon government. Pawloski gave the following statement to the Northwest Observer.

"The first Section of the first article of the Oregon Constitution defines your political power", said Pawloski. "Section 1. Natural rights inherent in people. We declare that all men, when they form a social compact are equal in right: that all power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority, and instituted for their peace, safety, and happiness; and they have at all times a right to alter, reform, or abolish the government in such manner as they may think proper.— Read the last sentence again. One more time. Let it sink in."

"Section 1 does not say the legislature", Pawloski continued. "It does not say the governor. Section 1 declares that the people of the state have the right to alter, reform or abolish the government of the state of Oregon. This is your political power."

"In the past there are efforts to separate you from your political power. Many well meaning but destructive to your knowledge of your rights. You were taught at a young age that we don’t talk about religion and politics. It makes people upset. You have been taught about the separation of church and state which does not exist. Keep your religious opinions behind the closed doors of the church. In this way you have censored yourself, doing the work of your political opponents for them."

"There are other ways the people have given up their political power", Pawloski said. "Not voting is one. As a US citizen it is your responsibility to cast an informed vote for representatives that will safeguard you and your posterity. Do not allow the doomsayers or the media or the pollsters to convince to not vote. It is one of the three primary ways that you exercise political power."

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The Marion County Chairman continued to explain, "When you do not speak up in public or vote. That vacuum will be filled by those that may not have your interests in mind. You give others unfettered access to your political power by not using it. Another expression of your political power is to join with like minded people to affect change that benefits the people. Non-compliance with government dictates is another. Thus you see the reason for Freedom Business Fellowship is the expression of political power."

"We will use this political power of the people to affect change in Oregon, change that will benefit everyone, change that will ensure that the political power that belong to us and our posterity will not wane. We will do this through the initiative process. With only 1,000 signatures we can create an initiative. With only 8% of the population, we can put before the people of Oregon a change in the Constitution of Oregon."


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-04-04 10:03:53

Last Update: 2023-04-05 10:34:04

The Benton County Board of Commissioners Office has announced that the county is launching a public podcast series.

Benton County says that the podcast strives to take a deeper dive into topics the community cares about.

Episode 1 of the Benton County Public Podcast series features the history of the Coffin Butte Landfill, why what the Benton County Talks Trash Solid Waste Process Workgroup is doing is important, what the County is doing to manage solid waste now and in the future, and what individuals can do to help decrease consumption and why it is important.

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Featuring Workgroup member Kathryn Duvall and Community Development Deputy Director, Greg Verret, the podcast mentions how members have volunteered thousands of hours working to provide recommendations about the future of sustainable materials management, solid waste, and disposal in Benton County as part of the Benton County Talks Trash Solid Waste Process Workgroup.

The county says they are encouraging feedback about the project.


--Ben Fisher

Post Date: 2023-04-04 06:48:47

Last Update: 2023-04-04 11:23:30

Each year Oregon emphasizes the importance of transportation safety to its citizens, in April the emphasis is on distracted driving awareness. Oregon joins the nation in this recognition. On January 5, 2022, Kristopher W. Strickler, Director of the Oregon Transportation Commission issued Consent Item 08 – Transportation Safety Programs – Declaration for 2023 “Distracted Driving Awareness Month” proposing April 2023 as Distracted Driving Awareness Month in Oregon.

The updated Oregon distracted driving law; also referred to as the cell phone law, went into effect October 1, 2017. Oregon’s basic law, ORS 811.507, states it is illegal to drive while holding and using a mobile electronic device while driving (e.g. cell phone, tablet, GPS, laptop).

Over the past two years, the increase in traffic fatalities has erased over a decade of decline. Commissioner Strickler says, “It is important to emphasize the need for diligence and need for increased highway safety in Oregon.”

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) is asking everyone to participate in the National Distracted Driving Enforcement Mobilization Campaign held April 3-10, 2023. The goal is to demonstrate a nationwide commitment to enforcing mobile electronic device laws in a fair and equitable way, and to reduce traffic crashes caused by distracted drivers, ultimately preventing deaths and injuries associated with cell phone use and texting while driving.

Distraction occurs when a driver diverts attention to something not related to driving that uses the driver's eyes, ears, hands or mind. Most distractions involve more than one of these types, both a sensory - eyes, ears or touch - and a mental component.

There are some exceptions, but for the most part, it’s best to just turn off your device when you are driving. Here are a few cases where the new law does not apply:

• When using hands-free or built-in devices, if you are 18 years of age or older.
• Use of a single touch or swipe to activate or deactivate the device.
• When parked safely, i.e., stopped in a designated parking spot. It is NOT legal to use the device when stopped at a stop light, stop sign, in traffic, etc.
• While providing or summoning medical help and no one else is available to make the call.
• Tow truck or bus drivers following the federal rules for CDL holders.
• When using a two-way radio if you are a CB user, school bus driver, utility truck driver in scope of employment.
• If you are a HAM radio operator age 18 years or older.

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As of January 1, 2018, courts have the ability to waive the fine for first-time offenders who attend an approved Distracted Driving Avoidance course. Offense penalties are now a Class B violation with a maximum fine of $1,000 for first offense. A second offense, or if the first offense contributes to a crash, is Class A violation with a maximum fine of $2,000. A third offense in ten years is a Class B misdemeanor and could result in a maximum fine of $2,500 fine and could be 6 months in jail. For a first offense that does not contribute to a crash, the court may suspend the fine if the driver completes an approved distracted driving avoidance class, and shows proof to the court, within four months. Only the fine is suspended - the violation will still be recorded on the offender's driving record.

Marion County Officer looks for distracted drivers (Statesman Journal video) Commissioner Strickler issued Consent 08, which reads:

• WHEREAS: Motor vehicle crashes are one of the leading causes of death and injury hospitalization in Oregon; and
• WHEREAS: Distracted driving is a serious, life-threatening practice that is preventable, yet is a national and statewide epidemic that can lead to crash fatalities for drivers and passengers, as well as, for people walking and rolling; and
• WHEREAS: In Oregon, between 2016-2020, there were 15,538 crashes involving a distracted driver resulting in 186 fatalities and 24,126 injuries; and
• WHEREAS: Distracted Driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention from the primary task of driving; and
• WHEREAS: Studies show that using mobile electronic devices involves visual, auditory, manual, and cognitive distraction, and is among the worst of all driver distractions; and
• WHEREAS: Oregon law, as of 2018, prohibits the use of mobile electronic devices when operating a motor vehicle on public roadways; and
• WHEREAS: In order to reduce the number of crashes as well as improve Oregon’s driver safety culture, the Oregon Department of Transportation seeks to enhance the awareness, understanding, education and enforcement to stop distracted driving. NOW,
• THEREFORE: We, the Oregon Transportation Commission hereby declare April 2023 to be DISTRACTED DRIVING SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH in Oregon and encourage all Oregonians to joining in this observance.

--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-04-03 15:15:14

Last Update: 2023-04-03 15:42:12