Governor Kate Brown Announces Updates to School Metrics

Close to 130,000 students in districts eligible to return to classrooms with health and safety measures in place 
 

(Portland, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today announced updates to Oregon’s school metrics that will allow more students to return to classroom instruction with health and safety measures in place. The updated metrics reflect CDC guidance and lessons learned from school districts across the country for best practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in schools.

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

With COVID-19 set to be present in Oregon communities for the foreseeable future, Governor Brown reiterated her priority of returning students as safely as possible to Oregon schools: “Schools do so much more than teach and inspire our kids. They make sure students who are hungry receive warm and nutritious meals. They are places that provide care for students and identify those who are at risk or in need. They help provide support for students’ mental health and well-being.

“Schools are at the center of it all: the personnel, teachers, nurses, counselors, librarians, and education support professionals who, every day, build the personal, individual connections with students that are so crucial to their lifelong success.”

The Oregon Department of Education today also released an update to its Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance, which outlines strict health and safety protocols to lower the risk of COVID-19 infection among students, parents, educators, and support staff.

The Oregon Department of Education’s press release with more information on the new metrics is available here.

Governor Brown’s full remarks are available here.

A link to Governor Brown’s press conference is available here.
 

###

Razor clam closure extends to north coast

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) announce the razor clam closure on the central coast is extended and now includes the north coast. Recent razor clam samples indicate the marine biotoxin domoic acid has exceeded the closure limit.

All commercial and recreational razor clamming is now closed from the Columbia River to the north jetty of the Siuslaw River in Florence. This includes the popular Clatsop Beach razor clam fishery on the north coast. Razor clam harvesting remains open from the south jetty of the Siuslaw River to the California border.

Mussel, bay clam, and crab harvesting is open along the entire Oregon coast. ODA will continue to test for shellfish toxins twice per month as tides and weather permit. Reopening an area closed for marine biotoxins requires two consecutive tests with results below the closure limit. Contact ODFW for recreational license requirements, permits, rules, and limits.  

For more information call ODA's shellfish biotoxin safety hotline at (800) 448-2474, the Food Safety Division at (503) 986-4720, or visit the ODA shellfish biotoxin closures webpage.

###

Oregon reports 600 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 675, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 600 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 44,389. Today’s daily case count is the highest since the beginning of the pandemic. 

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (3), Benton (1), Clackamas (45), Clatsop (3), Columbia (4), Coos (2), Crook (3), Deschutes (24), Douglas (4), Gilliam (1), Harney (2). Hood River (3), Jackson (69), Jefferson (2), Josephine (3), Klamath (9), Lake (4),  Lane (34), Lincoln (1), Linn (18), Malheur (18), Marion (44), Morrow (3), Multnomah (152), Polk (7), Sherman (2), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (26), Union (3), Wallowa (2), Wasco (3), Washington (91), Yamhill (13).

Oregon’s 674th COVID-19 death is a 95-year-old woman in Linn County who tested positive on Oct. 26 and died on Oct. 29 at Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 675th COVID-19 death is an 83-year-old woman in Multnomah County who tested positive on Oct. 12 and died on Oct. 25 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

OHA releases newest COVID-19 modeling update

Today, OHA released its latest modeling update showing that COVID-19 is continuing to spread but if transmission continues at its current rate, daily cases would increase only slightly. The model’s data does not take into account the most recent case counts, but is based on data through Oct. 22.

The model examined three scenarios:

• The first scenario assumes that if transmission continues at its current level into late November, new daily cases would increase from around 340 to 380 and new daily hospitalizations would number about 22.
• The more pessimistic scenario assumes a 5-percentage point increase in transmission, which if happens, would drive daily cases upward to about 520, with a steep increase in people who are hospitalized daily due to the virus. This would indicate vastly accelerated spread.
• The final and most optimistic scenario model assumes a drop in transmission to mid-August levels. That would result in 230 reported cases and a steep drop in daily hospitalizations due to COVID. This would signal considerably slower community spread.

All Oregonians can play a role in fending off the spread of COVID-19 by:

• Keeping physical distance
• Avoid large gatherings
• Wear a face covering
• Frequent hand washing

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

REDMOND, OR -- 

DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER HIT AND RUN OF ELDERLY FEMALE

News Release from Redmond Police Dept.
Posted on FlashAlert: October 30th, 2020 8:30 AM

Redmond, OR – On Thursday, October 29, 2020, just before 8:00 AM, Redmond Police Department officers and medics from Redmond Fire & Rescue responded to a report of a vehicle versus pedestrian hit and run crash at the intersection of NW 6th Street and NW Jackpine Avenue.

On scene, officers identified the victim as Ms. Nancy Newman, a 77-year-old Redmond resident.  Ms. Newman had severe, potentially life-threatening injuries and was quickly transported to the St Charles Redmond hospital.  Later she was transferred to St Charles Bend.

An investigation at the scene determined a white full-size pickup was involved in the crash.  Witnesses reported last seeing the vehicle driving northbound on NW 6th Street from the crash location.  Further investigation by officers determined the driver was operating a tow truck owned by Epic Towing.  The suspect tow truck was later found at Epic Towing on NE 11th Street, Redmond.  Epic Towing cooperated completely with the investigation and in identifying the driver.

A thorough investigation, aided by the Oregon State Police Crime Lab, determined the tow truck was involved in the crash, and the driver had hit the elderly female as she was crossing NW Jackpine Avenue at the intersection with NW 6th Street.  Video evidence from a nearby business confirmed the victim was legally crossing the street in an unmarked crosswalk.

The tow truck driver, Mr. Ryan Bills, a 36-year-old Bend resident, was arrested and taken to the Deschutes County Adult Jail in Bend.  He was arrested for Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver Involved in an Accident – Felony and Assault in the Second Degree.

Ms. Newman is well known to Redmond police, fire personnel, and area local businesses.  Nearly every morning, Mrs. Newman can be found walking from her residence in the 1100 block of NW 6th Street to Grocery Outlet on NW 5th Street to purchase food and other items for herself and her husband, whom she is the sole caregiver.

BEND, OR -- The State of the City presentation yesterday, put on by the Bend Chamber, included Mayor Sally Russell and City Manager Eric King. One question that was asked was about the city’s plan to create an Urban Renewal District in the downtown core area. Mayor Sally Russell says it’s an effort to create jobs, housing and services in the central zone.  Other questions asked included what defines affordable housing and why the transportation bond includes certain projects but not others.   

BEND, OR -- The Bend Police Department will have a presence at ballot boxes. Elections Clerk Nancy Blankenship says it’s not really anything new. Local law enforcement is helping them to secure the drop sites and making sure there are no issues. Blankenship says people who are from out of state should not drop off their ballots here in Oregon because all they can do is put them in the mail since they cannot process them here. She says we can expect to see the results between 8:15 and 8:30pm. More results should be available at about 10pm and throughout the night.

Deschutes County D-A John Hummel is filing criminal charges against 7 people involved in an October 3^rd fight at Pilot Butte State Park. Hummel did not charge the organizer of the pro-Trump rally, Nicholas Dieringer who decided to move his rally from Drake Park to Pilot Butte where Black Lives Matter supporters were having a picnic. Hummel says he charged both Pro Trump supporters and Black lives Matter supporters with crimes if they were violent. Hummel says those not charged were proven to have acted in lawful self-defense. 

MT HOOD, OR -- The body of a missing Bend man was found Thursday on Mount Hood. 27-year-old Austin Mishler camped Monday night and planned to climb Eliot Glacier Tuesday then return home. The Oregonian reports search teams located Mishler’s body in a crevasse at 94-hundred foot elevation on the north side of Mount Hood about 2-yesterday afternoon. Search teams were unable to recover Mishler’s body due to climbing conditions and plan to bring him off the mountain today. Photo Credit, Central Oregon Daily

October 29, 2020

Adjusting holiday plans in the face of COVID-19

This year’s holiday season will look very different from past years. Because of the health risks associated with COVID-19 – underscored by today’s record case numbers – we’ll have to adjust our plans to keep our loved ones and ourselves safe. This may feel especially difficult as the time we spend away from family and friends grows longer.

In coming weeks, we will be providing tips for navigating the holidays and COVID-19. Today, we’re starting with holiday travel.

Many people plan their vacations around the holidays so they can visit loved ones. This year, staying home is the safest way to avoid exposing yourself and others to infection.

While it’s a good idea to get a COVID-19 test before you go anywhere, know that a negative test result does not mean you have a free pass. Some tests produce a high percentage of false negatives, so even if you test negative, please follow stringent safety protocols if you travel. 

If you must travel during the holidays, the safest way to do so is to travel by car and only with people you live with.

Traveling by air, train or bus exposes everyone to a higher risk of infection. Crowded airports, bus and train stations do not allow for physical distancing and increase the duration of exposure to anyone who might be sick.

Traveling by car with friends or family who are not part of your household raises infection risk for all passengers due to proximity and duration of exposure.

If you must travel, follow these tips:

• Limit your exposure to non-household members for 14 days before visiting older adults or family members who are at higher risk of infection.
• Get your flu shot at least two weeks prior to travel.
• Wear an approved face covering in crowded areas including airports, airplanes, buses or trains.
• Stay in a separate room from others when you arrive at your destination.
• After returning home, quarantine for 14 days and limit your exposure to those outside of your household.

Record case count a reminder to stay vigilant

Today’s daily case count of 575 is the highest since the beginning of the pandemic. Preliminary data show this increase reflects continued widespread community transmission resulting in small clusters and outbreaks statewide.

It is also a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant in practicing the protective measures to slow the spread of the illness. OHA published face covering guidance last week that requires that people consistently wear face coverings while indoors at their workplace or all other places where they will be in contact with people they don’t live with.

Limited indoor visits allowed at qualifying long-term care facilities

Protecting the health of our vulnerable elders has been a necessary priority during the pandemic. But for many folks, missing out on visits with loved ones who may not be able to meet outdoors has been difficult.   

Starting Nov. 2, licensed nursing, assisted living and residential care facilities that qualify will be able to allow limited indoor visitation for residents. Residents will be able to have up to two visitors at a time to meet with in an approved area.   

More information on the policy and how facilities can qualify are available on the Oregon Department of Human Services news release.

Oregon reports 575 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 673, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 575 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 43,793.

Note: Today’s daily case count is the highest since the beginning of the pandemic. Preliminary data show this increase reflects continued widespread community transmission resulting in small clusters and outbreaks statewide.

It is also a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant in practicing the protective measures to slow the spread of the illness. OHA published face covering guidance last week that requires that people consistently wear face coverings while indoors at their workplace or all other places where they will be in contact with people from outside their household.

OHA has also asked Oregonians to change their Halloween plans. This means avoid traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating and costume parties with people outside their own households.

The new cases  are in the following counties: Baker (7), Benton (15), Clackamas (62), Clatsop (2), Columbia (1), Coos (2), Crook (1), Deschutes (25), Douglas (4), Grant (1), Harney (1), Hood River (5), Jackson (54), Jefferson (2), Josephine (1), Klamath (1), Lake (2), Lane (17), Linn (18), Malheur (7), Marion (62), Morrow (5), Multnomah (102), Polk (7), Sherman (1), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (42), Union (7), Wallowa (3), Washington (107) and Yamhill (9).

Oregon’s 672nd COVID-19 death is a 96-year-old woman in Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 24 and died on Oct. 28 at Legacy Mt. Hood Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 673rd COVID-19 death is a 94-year-old woman in Marion County who tested positive on Oct. 22 and died on Oct. 27 in her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

Correction: The headline in a press release OHA issued Oct. 22 incorrectly stated that analysts had seen a 70% increase in opioid overdose deaths between 2019 and 2020. The increase was in overdose deaths from all drugs, not just opioids. OHA regrets the error and is issuing a corrected press release.

October 28, 2020

OHA sees 70% increase in Oregon drug overdose deaths during April, May

Illicit fentanyl appears to be driving spike; connection to pandemic unclear

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority saw an alarming spike in drug overdose deaths in Oregon this past spring compared to last year, and public health experts believe use of illicit fentanyl and methamphetamine is driving the increase.

Analysts in the Injury and Violence Prevention Section at the OHA Public Health Division found that Oregon saw a nearly 70% increase in the number of overdose deaths during April and May 2020 compared to the same time in 2019. There also was a nearly 8% increase in the number of overdose deaths during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

The preliminary data come from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), which includes combined and abstracted data from medical examiners and death certificates.

Additionally, the analysis found, between April and May 2020 there was a 28% increase in overdose deaths, and a more than 15% increase in overdose deaths between March and April. Opioid-involved deaths increased nearly 70% in April and May compared to the previous two months. And opioid-involved deaths accounted for almost 73% of total overdose deaths in May 2020.

Of opioid-involved deaths, the data show, fentanyl and heroin continue to be the drugs most frequently involved, and fentanyl-involved deaths accounted for almost 40% of total overdose deaths in May 2020.

The analysis also uncovered a continuing alarming trend in methamphetamine use: Methamphetamine/amphetamine-involved deaths accounted for more than 40% of all overdose deaths in May 2020.

What’s unclear is what effect the COVID-19 pandemic may have had on opioid misuse in Oregon.

“Until more data become available, it is premature to say how much of the spike in overdose deaths is attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., MPH, deputy state health officer and deputy state epidemiologist at the Public Health Division. “However, the realization that we will be dealing with COVID-19 for some time, and other stressors related to jobs, school and social isolation, may increase feelings of anxiety and depression, and that can lead to a harmful level of alcohol or other drug use.”

OHA continues to monitor and post finalized opioid data on its Prescribing and Drug Overdose Data Dashboard at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/preventionwellness/substanceuse/opioids/pages/data.aspx.

Health officials are reminding people that opioid use disorder can be successfully treated. Those who need help to stop using opioids can talk to their health care providers or view OHA’s list of resources. In addition, Oregon law allows lay people to carry and use naloxone, a medication that can be used to reverse an opioid overdose, on other people. Learn more about naloxone.

Oregon-based nonprofit Lines for Life and OHA recently launched the Safe + Strong Helpline at 1-800-923-4357 (800-923-HELP). The line offers free, 24-7 emotional support and resource referral to anyone who needs it—not only those experiencing a mental health crisis. The Safe + Strong Helpline is a response to needs for emotional support around disasters like COVID-19 and wildfires and was funded by the CARES Act. Callers are routed to a counselor who can provide emotional support, mental health triage, drug and alcohol counseling, crisis counseling or just connection.

You are subscribed to Oregon Health Authority News Releases. View all OHA news releases

BEND, OR -- Virus cases are on the rise in Deschutes county. Yesterday county commissioners were told by Public Health Director Nahad Sadr-Azodi virus cases are hitting the 20 to 29 age group hard and is leading to spread of the disease. While the virus is often deadly for older people, Sadr-Azodi noted, 70-per cent of young people in Deschutes county with the virus have damage to one or more organs. Sadr-Azodi also says there is likely to be a spike in COVID-19 cases after the Thanksgiving holiday.

The Shepherd’s House in Bend has secured a new location for a warming shelter this winter.  Central Oregon Daily reports an old Opportunity Foundation thrift store on 2nd Street will be renovated to house up to 70 people each night – a jump from last year’s shelter that could only house 48 people.  The 10,000-square-foot shelter is a joint venture with the City of Bend, Deschutes County, and the Homeless Leadership Coalition.  Shepherd’s House Ministries plan to open the shelter beginning in late November or early December.  It will be open to men, women and families, and will provide hot meals every morning and night.

A Bend man was not hurt when the Paramotor he was flying crashed late Tuesday afternoon near Tumalo. 41-year-old Brad Devert was found inside the apparatus hanging above the Deschutes River after he crashed into power lines. Devert managed to get out of the Paramotor and was not injured. Pacific Power crews responded to repair the lines and it took several hours to restore power to nearby homes. Police cited Devert for Criminal Mischief.

Oregon State Police are requesting assistance in locating the driver involved in a single vehicle rollover crash in Jackson County. Late Tuesday afternoon, emergency responders found an unoccupied and badly damaged Ford Explorer on Highway 62. Oregon State Police Captain Tim Fox says they believe the driver was 33-year-old Matthew Lang of Bend. Fox says if you’ve seen Lang, contact the Oregon State Police. Lang is six feet, 185 pounds with brown hair.

OHA releases weekly report

The Oregon Health Authority released its COVID-19 Weekly Report today. During the week of Monday, October 19, through Sunday, October 25, OHA recorded 2,642 new cases of COVID-19. That is a 14% increase from the previous week and a record-high for the pandemic.

The number of newly tested Oregonians rose to 31,448 and the percentage of positive tests held steady at 6.5%. Twenty-seven Oregonians were reported to have died in association with COVID-19—compared to 25 the previous week and 143 were hospitalized.

People aged 20 to 49 accounted for the largest percentage of infection at 56%, despite accounting for 39% of the total population. Persons under 30 accounted for 37 percent of the cases.

People over 80 accounted for 51% of COVID-19 associated deaths and people over 70 accounted for 75% of deaths associated with the illness.

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge, OHA reminds people to:

• Wear a face covering
• Keep physically distant.
• Avoid large gatherings and restrict gatherings with people outside of your household.

Maintain good hand hygiene.

Oregon reports 424 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 7 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed seven more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 671, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 424 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 43,228.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (8), Benton (3), Clackamas (35), Clatsop (2), Columbia (1), Coos (7), Crook (2), Deschutes (26), Douglas (4), Hood River (2), Jackson (35), Klamath (3), Lake (3), Lane (34), Lincoln (1), Linn (11), Malheur (16), Marion (34), Morrow (1), Multnomah (110), Polk (6), Tillamook (2), Umatilla (17), Union (9), Wasco (1), Washington (48), and Yamhill (3).

Oregon’s 665^th COVID-19 death is a 55-year-old man in Jefferson County who tested positive on July 18 and died on Sept. 13 at St. Charles Medical Center Madras. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 666^th COVID-19 death is an 81-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on Oct. 11 and died on Oct. 24 at Adventist Health Portland. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 667^th COVID-19 death is a 68-year-old woman in Multnomah County who tested positive on Aug. 14 and died on Oct. 24 at Kaiser Westside Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 668^th COVID-19 death is a 58-year-old woman in Coos County who tested positive on Oct. 15 and died on Oct. 22 in her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 669^th COVID-19 death is a 78-year-old man in Jackson County who tested positive on Oct. 13 and died on Oct. 26 at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 670^th COVID-19 death is a 62-year-old man in Clackamas County who tested positive on Sept. 18 and died on Oct. 24 at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center. He did not have underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 671^st COVID-19 death is an 85-year-old woman in Washington County who tested positive on Oct. 16 and died on Oct. 23 at Kaiser Westside Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

NOTE: Updated information is available about Oregon’s 447^th COVID-19 death, a man in Multnomah County. His age was incorrectly reported as 29. He was 34. OHA regrets this error.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County commissioners presented their annual State of the County presentation to a virtual meeting of the Bend Chamber of commerce yesterday. Commissioner Phil Henderson said the county has provided land for the Veterans Village Project being led by the Bend Heroes Foundation. Commissioner Tony DeBone says the county has a Solid Waste Management Plan to help guide the search for a new landfill to replace Knott’s Landfill. Commissioner Patti Adair pointed to good news about the stabilization center that has served more than 325 people since its opening and helps keep people out of the county jail.

Neighbor Impact is looking for qualified applicants for free, quality childcare for children ages 6-weeks to 3-years under a new program called Baby Promise. Rachel Haakenson at Neighbor Impact says there are income limits for the program and applicants should check the federal Housing and Urban Development website for the limits. She says Baby Promise provides childcare for one year for 109 children in the Central Oregon area including Warm Springs. Applicants for the program should visit the Neighbor Impact web page for an application.

REDMPOND, OR -- If Redmond voters approve the School Bond Measure, they will be able to update all of their aging buildings. Superintendent Charan Cline says he thinks the bond is a great investment for the future. The average age of Redmond school buildings is 45 years old, with some of them nearly a century old. Cline says the bond will also expand student capacity by adding six more classrooms in two elementary schools. You can turn in your ballots by going to the drop box next to the public library in Redmond.

BEND, OR -- Bend police Chief Mike Krantz announced yesterday steps will be taken to ensure free and safe elections with police present at ballot drop off sites. The police presence will be on Election Day and the days leading up to it. Bend Police Lieutenant Juli Mc Conkey says the goal is to protect everyone’s rights. McConkey says the Deschutes County sheriff is also planning on keeping an eye on ballot box drop off sites in Deschutes county.

October 27, 2020

Need help with rent and mortgage?

Making rent or mortgage payments can be a challenge right now. We want you to know there is help available.

Renters are protected by an eviction moratorium in Oregon through Dec. 31, 2020. Tenants cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent during this time. You can find other protections that are part of the moratorium on the Community Alliance of Tenants webpage. If you need help coming up with your rent, 211info also has information on rental assistance throughout Oregon.

For homeowners, the Oregon Homeownership Stabilization Initiative (OSHI) has a COVID-19 Mortgage Assistance Program.  You can learn about eligibility requirements and the application process at OHSI's website. There is a moratorium on foreclosures through Dec. 31, 2020 as well.

Gov. Kate Brown extends COVID-19 State of Emergency

Governor Kate Brown today extended her declaration of a state of emergency regarding COVID-19 for an additional 60 days, until Jan. 2, 2021. The declaration is the legal underpinning for the Governor’s COVID-19 executive orders and the Oregon Health Authority’s health and safety guidance. She issued the following statement:

“As early as January of this year, the Oregon Health Authority began its COVID-19 preparedness efforts as cases spread overseas. Since then, more than 600 Oregonians and over 200,000 Americans have died from COVID-19 — and last week, we set a daily record with 550 new cases.

"Extending the COVID-19 state of emergency is not something I do lightly, but we know all too well that not taking action would mean an even greater loss of life. The second wave of COVID-19 has arrived in the United States, and this time it is hitting all of our communities.

“My goal is to keep Oregon on track to open more schools for in-person instruction for our students — and to continue to reopen, and keep open, our businesses, communities and economies. Oregon is not an island. Without safety precautions in place, we could quickly see our case counts spike as well.

“We must continue to work together and follow the simple steps that have kept us safe throughout this pandemic: Washing our hands, wearing face coverings, watching our physical distance, staying home when sick, and avoiding social get-togethers, especially indoors.”

Learn more in today’s news release.

Health care providers: Apply for new round of federal Provider Relief Fund payments by Nov. 6

Health Care providers can apply for new Provider Relief Fund payments through Nov. 6. The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) expects to distribute approximately $20 billion to eligible providers, including previous applicants and recipients, behavioral health providers and providers who began practicing in the first quarter of 2020. As of Oct. 22, even more providers can apply, regardless of whether they have received Medicare or Medicaid funds. See the expanded list of eligible providers, and learn more on the HHS website.

BEND, OR -- The Bend VA Outpatient Clinic has been renamed in honor of the late Robert D. Maxwell, a World War 2 Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. The renaming ceremony yesterday was on what would have been Maxwell's 100th birthday. The Bend Bulletin reports family, friends and acquaintances of Maxwell were at the event sharing stories of the man, who at age 23 jumped on a German hand grenade in 1944. Maxwell returned home after the war and became a respected educator who taught at Bend High and at Central oregon and Lane Community Ciolleges. Maxwell was the oldest living recipient of the Medal of Honor who died at age 98 on May 11, 2019.  

Crater Lake National Park Rescinds Fire Ban 

CRATER LAKE, OREGON – The fire danger level within Crater Lake National Park has dropped from high to moderate due to recent moisture and predicted cooler temperatures. Effective October 21, 2020 at 12:01 am, Crater Lake National Park rescinded the fire restrictions implemented on July 31, 2020 and the fire ban implemented on September 8, 2020.  To ensure public safety and to provide the highest degree of protection to park resources, the following regulatory provisions apply to fires within Crater Lake National Park.   

Campfires 

The lighting or maintaining of fires is generally prohibited, except as provided for in the following designated areas or receptacles, and under the conditions noted: 

• Mazama Campground in grills or grates provided in designated campsites. Please note: Mazama campground is closed for the year. 
• Within National Park Service or concession residential areas, by residents and their guests, within grills and/or fire grates that fully contain the fire.  
• Fires must be fully contained within established fire grills, grates or rings. No bonfires (large fires that spill outside of the fire receptacle, use stacks of flammable material such as cardboard boxes or wood pallets or have excessive flame heights that could easily become uncontrolled) are allowed.  
• Fires will be constantly monitored while burning and will be completely extinguished after use.  
   

Fireworks 

Fireworks are prohibited in the park at all times. 

-NPS- 

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Wells Ashby, closed access to the courthouse beyond the entrance to Courtroom G after a water leak yesterday morning. The leak affected the primary accounting and public service counter, basement file storage area and the hallway adjacent to the inmate transport. The judge ordered the front entrance to the courthouse to remain open with counter services provided at the temporary service station next to court security. Trial Court Administrator Jeff Hall says the water was confined to one staff area and he expects things to be back to normal today.

BEND, OR -- The Republican candidate for the 2^nd Congressional District, Cliff Bentz visited Central Oregon last week. He says people are talking about COVID-19 and many are wearing masks and taking other precautions. He says a major concern in the district is the need to get school children back in the classroom. Bentz says many voters are also talking to him about improving forest management to reduce the threat of massive wildfires that generate huge amounts of smoke. He says the smoke is a health threat to young and old alike. 

The Deschutes National Forest is starting prescribed burns as soon as weather conditions are favorable. Jean Nelson-Dean at the forest says a burn is planned for five miles west of Pine Mountain, 20 miles southeast of Bend.  She says the burn will be 14-hundred acres and ignitions could last up to four days. Nelson-Dean says another burn of 1-thousand acres is near Fort Rock about 24 miles southeast of La Pine. She says ignitions for that burn could last a few days.

The Prineville Office of the Bureau of Land Management is ready for the fall / winter prescribed burn program. Pile burning will occur in the Cline Buttes area…the Outback area is 8-miles southeast of La Pine…the La Pine pile burn is in the “Y” between Highway 31 and Highway 97. Crews will also burn Juniper slash across 10-thousand acres south of Brothers and in the 12-Mile table area east of Paulina. Burn piles are also ready near Millican Road and Reservoir Road southwest of Prineville. The piles will be burned as weather conditions permit.

BEND, OR -- Central Oregon Daily News reports yesterday morning several local women shared what they say they and others experienced while working at the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. They claim it was a hostile and toxic workplace due to gender discrimination. Sheriff Nelson responded to the event in a press release, saying many of the accusations were inaccurate. and noted "The timing is interesting, as this announcement appears to be election and debate related. I find this not to be coincidental,” Nelson said. For the full story go here:https://centraloregondaily.com/%e2%96%b6%ef%b8%8f-woman-claim-toxic-workplace-at-dcso-event-organized-by-sheriffs-challenger/

Oregon reports 339 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 655, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 339 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 42,436.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (1), Clackamas (41), Clatsop (1), Columbia (7), Coos (8), Crook (2), Deschutes (10), Douglas (1), Jackson (15), Josephine (1), Klamath (1), Lake (2), Lane (37), Linn (7), Malheur (2), Marion (40), Multnomah (90), Polk (4), Sherman (1), Umatilla (5), Union (1), Washington (56), and Yamhill (6).

Oregon’s 654th COVID-19 death is a 61-year-old man in Douglas County who tested positive on Oct. 19 and died on Oct. 25 in his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 655th COVID-19 death is a 96-year-old woman in Washington County who tested positive on Oct. 9 and died on Oct. 23 in her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

BEND, OR  -- COCC’s board has decided that the winter term will pretty much be the same as fall term. Jenn Kovitz at the college says that means about 80-per cent of classes will be online.  There will be exceptions like certain studio art classes like ceramics and metal work as well as others like skiing and snowshoeing.  Kovitz says students who were at the board meeting last week said the caliber of classes had improved in fall term as had the instructor’s engagement with students.

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Commissioners meet at 1-this afternoon. On the agenda is a request from Public Health for money for a Health Services Fund For Regional Communicable Disease Prevention and Response. The board will also consider an appeal of a Hearings Officer Decision on a Hydroelectric Facility operated by Three Sisters Irrigation District. And Community Development will request the board sign a letter of support for The Rural Resource Lands Project. 

. 

BEND, OR -- The Bend transportation bond will be on the ballot next month. City Manager Eric King says the process to create it stems from 20-year plan to envision Bend’s transportation needs for the year 2040. He explains that from that plan a list of projects emerged. King says the package would be funded by issuing property taxes. However, because of the recession and uncertainty upon us, the council voted to delay any levying of taxes until 2022.

BEND, OR -- The City of Bend is preparing for the winter driving season. Bend Transportation Director David Abbas says they have enough personnel and equipment to handle winter conditions. He says however if there is an extreme snow event they can also call in private contractors. Abbas says at that point they’d work two-12 hour shifts, 4am to 4pm and 4pm to 4am. Abbas says if the snow isn’t an extreme event they’ll have crews work 4am to noon and 11am to 7pm on weekdays.

Oregon reports 550 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 3 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed three more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 649, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 550 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 41,348. The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (1), Benton (9), Clackamas (48), Columbia (3), Coos (5), Crook (7), Curry (1), Deschutes (11), Douglas (3), Grant (1), Harney (1), Hood River (4), Jackson (33), Jefferson (1), Josephine (1), Klamath (1), Lane (52), Lincoln (2), Linn (19), Malheur (13), Marion (57), Morrow (1), Multnomah (135), Polk (3), Umatilla (21), Union (1), Wasco (2), Washington (91), and Yamhill (23).

NOTE: Today OHA reported the highest daily case count since the beginning of the pandemic. Preliminary data show this increase is due to continued widespread community transmission resulting in small clusters and outbreaks across the state.

Today’s case count is again a reminder that Oregonians cannot let their guards down. OHA published new face covering guidance this week, which requires that people consistently wear face coverings while indoors at their workplace or all other places where they will be in contact with people from outside their household. OHA has also asked Oregonians to rethink Halloween – avoid traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating, avoid costume parties with people outside their own households and wear a face covering, because a Halloween mask won’t protect against COVID-19.

“We all need to aggressively adhere to the face covering guidance and always wear a mask,” said Shimi Sharief, MD, OHA senior health advisor. “We know everyone is tired and we all wish this would go away, but the reality is this disease is spreading in Oregon and it’s on all of us to protect ourselves and each other.”

The Ochoco National Forest has started pile burning in an area west of Mark’s Creek Subdivision and Highway 26. Kassidy Kern at the forest says the piles are leftover limbs and debris from commercial thinning operations. She says they expect to burn through the winter although no road or trail closures are expected in the area. Kern says pile burns clean up the forest and remove hazardous fuels.

BEND, OR -- This week, the City of Bend approved a weather emergency declaration. The declaration allows the use of approved alternative shelter facilities to provide emergency overnight lodging when the temperature drops below 25 degrees. The City expects severe weather conditions this weekend that may result in capacity of local shelters. The National Weather Service predicts overnight lows in the Bend area to dfrop to 12 degrees Saturday and Sunday nights. The declaration is in effect until next Spring.

BEND, OR -- The Shepherd’s House is hosting their annual winter coat drive tomorrow. Drop off your gently used or new winter coats at the Shephard’s House between 9am and 4pm. There will be no need to get out of your car as they are doing a drive through, drop-off service this year. Shepherd’s House is in Bend on Division Street, just north of Revere Avenue.

REDMOND OR -- Yesterday, about 3:30 in the morning, a Sheriff’s Deputy spotted a Chevy pickup driving on Highway 126 just west of Redmond without headlights or taillights. The deputy attempted to stop the truck and a chase ensued. The deputy lost sight of the vehicle and decided to stop and turn off his patrol vehicle.  He heard two men talking nearby. The deputy located the truck and told the men to surrender. 27-year-old RC Phillips of Sisters gave himself up and was taken into custody without incident.  It took a drone and a K9 to locate the other man; 40-year-old Leonard Kamps of Bend.  Kamps refused to comply and the K9 had to deployed to take him into custody.  A user amount of meth was found in the truck. Kamps was arrested while Phillips was cited and released. 

BEND, OR -- Bend City Council has voted to institute a managed homeless campsite at Juniper Ridge. City Manager Eric King says that an outcome of their land management strategy displaced people living on the property, forcing them to move from the south to the north end.  King says this campsite is a temporary option to address homelessness in Bend. Long-term solutions, such as a permanent warming shelter in the winter are being considered as another possibility.

PRINEVILLE, OR -- KBND reported yesterday that Crook County Schools had asked for a waiver from state metrics because of a spike in virus cases. Spokesman Jason Carr says however, schools will remain open. He says the governor’s Healthy Schools Reopening Council has been looking at ways to get schools across the state re-opened. He says while the state did not answer the waiver request yes or no, the council believes the metrics need to be adjusted. As a result, Carr says schools can remain open. 

OHA sees 70% increase in Oregon opioid deaths during April, May

Illicit fentanyl appears to be driving spike; connection to pandemic unclear

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority saw an alarming spike in opioid overdose deaths in Oregon this past spring compared to last year, and public health experts believe use of illicit fentanyl and methamphetamine is driving the increase.

Analysts in the Injury and Violence Prevention Section at the OHA Public Health Division found that Oregon saw a nearly 70% increase in the number of overdose deaths during April and May 2020 compared to the same time in 2019. There also was a nearly 8% increase in the number of overdose deaths during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.

The preliminary data come from the State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System (SUDORS), which includes combined and abstracted data from medical examiners and death certificates.

Additionally, the analysis found, between April and May 2020 there was a 28% increase in overdose deaths, and a more than 15% increase in overdose deaths between March and April. And opioid-involved deaths accounted for almost 73% of total overdose deaths in May 2020.

Of opioid-involved deaths, the data show, fentanyl and heroin continue to be the drugs most frequently involved, and fentanyl-involved deaths accounted for almost 40% of total overdose deaths in May 2020.

The analysis also uncovered a continuing alarming trend in methamphetamine use: Methamphetamine/amphetamine-involved deaths accounted for more than 40% of all overdose deaths in May 2020.

What’s unclear is what effect the COVID-19 pandemic may have had on opioid misuse in Oregon.

“Until more data become available, it is premature to say how much of the spike in overdose deaths is attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tom Jeanne, M.D., MPH, deputy state health officer and deputy state epidemiologist at the Public Health Division. “However, the realization that we will be dealing with COVID-19 for some time, and other stressors related to jobs, school and social isolation, may increase feelings of anxiety and depression, and that can lead to a harmful level of alcohol or other drug use.”

OHA continues to monitor and post finalized opioid data on its Prescribing and Drug Overdose Data Dashboard at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/preventionwellness/substanceuse/opioids/pages/data.aspx.

Health officials are reminding people that opioid use disorder can be successfully treated. Those who need help to stop using opioids can talk to their health care providers or view OHA’s list of resources. In addition, Oregon law allows lay people to carry and use naloxone, a medication that can be used to reverse an opioid overdose, on other people. Learn more about naloxone.

Oregon-based nonprofit Lines for Life and OHA recently launched the Safe + Strong Helpline at 1-800-923-4357 (800-923-HELP). The line offers free, 24-7 emotional support and resource referral to anyone who needs it—not only those experiencing a mental health crisis. The Safe + Strong Helpline is a response to needs for emotional support around disasters like COVID-19 and wildfires and was funded by the CARES Act. Callers are routed to a counselor who can provide emotional support, mental health triage, drug and alcohol counseling, crisis counseling or just connection.

Oregon reports 373 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 11 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed 11 more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 646, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 373 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 40,810.

The new cases are in the following counties: Benton (6), Clackamas (25), Clatsop (3), Columbia (1), Coos (2), Crook (6), Deschutes (13), Douglas (8), Harney (3), Hood River (1), Jackson (31), Jefferson (2), Josephine (3), Klamath (3), Lane (29), Linn (6), Malheur (18), Marion (37), Multnomah (81), Polk (3), Umatilla (13), Union (6), Wasco (10), Washington (59), and Yamhill (4).

Oregon’s 636^th COVID-19 death is an 83-year-old man in Baker County who tested positive on Oct. 4 and died on Oct. 18, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Idaho. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 637^th COVID-19 death is a 74-year-old man in Malheur County who tested positive on Aug. 26 and died on Oct. 13, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Idaho. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 638^th COVID-19 death is a 77-year-old man in Malheur County who tested positive on Sept.15 and died on Oct. 6, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Idaho. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 639^th COVID-19 death is an 87-year-old woman in Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 24 and died on Oct. 11, in her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 640^th COVID-19 death is a 94-year-old woman in Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 24 and died on Oct.4. Presence of underlying conditions and place of death are being confirmed.

Oregon’s 641^st COVID-19 death is a 96-year-old woman in Washington County who tested positive on Oct. 6 and died on Oct. 20, in her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 642^nd COVID-19 death is an 84-year-old woman in Linn County who tested positive on Oct.12 and died on Oct.15, in her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 643^rd COVID-19 death is a 53-year-old man in Umatilla County who tested positive on Sept. 27 and died on Oct. 19, at Legacy Meridian Park Medical Center. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 644^th COVID-19 death is a 57-year-old man in Malheur County who tested positive on Sept.16 and died on Oct. 17, at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Idaho. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 645^th COVID-19 death is a 64-year-old man in Douglas County who tested positive on Oct. 19 and died on Oct. 17, in his residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 646^th COVID-19 death is a 75-year-old woman in Multnomah County who tested positive on Oct. 11 and died on Oct. 18, at Kaiser Westside Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.-

Candidate Forum:

Bend City Council, position 2 & 4

Democracy keeps going and civic engagement remains essential!

To that end, City Club has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Deschutes County, to bring you a series of 11 candidate forums for positions on the Oregon ballot for the general election. These online forums are FREE to the public.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan grassroots political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. And City Club is a non-partisan civic affairs organization that promotes active citizenship to build a stronger community.

The final of these forums is the Bend City Council, position 1 & 3:

• Justin Livingston (confirmed)
• Melanie Kebler (confirmed)
• Chris Piper (confirmed)
• Megan Perkins (confirmed)
• Ron Boozell (unconfirmed)

There will not be an option for live audience questions.

We encourage you to send us questions for the candidates prior to the event. Please submit your questions to info@cityclubco.org or to the LWV website.

These are important races. We hope you will join us and become an Empowered Voter!

Watch on our YouTube channel

October 22, 7:00pm

Watch on our YouTube channel

Voters will once again decide the future of commercial marijuana businesses in unincorporated Deschutes County. Central Oregon Daily reports Measure 9-134 asks whether new pot producers, processors and processing sites should be allowed in areas outside the cities of Bend, Redmond and Sisters. Voting “no” would uphold the ordinance passed last year, which stopped the issuing of new business licenses. A “Yes” vote would overturn that ordinance and allow new pot businesses. The measure does not impact businesses already licensed.

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners heard an update on COVID-19 testing yesterday.  Doctor Jeannie Young gave an example of a boss who tested positive for the virus last week and then 5 of the workers asked to be tested. All 5 tested negative but this week 2 have become sick and all five will have to be re-tested.  Young says the county should have told the business to shut down for two weeks.She also told the board the positive rate of COVID-19 tests is 6-per cent in Deschutes county but for the LatinX community the positive rate is 11-per cent.

BEND, OR -- Supporters of the City of Bend’s 190-million dollar Transportation Bond urged voters to support the measure. Co-chair of the Go Bend 2020 Coalition, Mike Riley says the bond reflects what the public has been telling city leaders for years. Asked about criticism of the bond for not doing enough for mass transit, Riley says there are important mass transit improvements. He says however a bond can’t finance the need for new busses, how frequently they run and extending routes. If approved taxes on the bond won’t be collected until 2022.

PRINEVILLE, OR -- Last week Crook county had 11 virus cases. Yesterday School Superintendent, Doctor Sara Johnson sent a letter to the Oregon Education department to request a waiver because the number exceeds state metrics. Jason Carr at Crook County Schools says their public health department is supporting the waiver request. He says of the 11 cases last week, six were tied to a defined group that was identified, traced and is now isolated. Carr says the other cases have not been linked to community spread or any Crook county Schools.

 
PROFESSIONAL INDOOR FOOTBALL HEADED TO CENTRAL OREGON Oregonstorm.com AmericanWestFootballConference.com  
 
The American West Football Conference (AWFC) has approved a brand new professional indoor franchise to be located in Central Oregon.  The new AWFC team named the Oregon High Desert Storm will be brought to you by Platinum Events & Security LLC an Idaho based Limited Liability Corporation.  
 
The AWFC & the Oregon High Desert Storm ownership are  currently in discussions with the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, to eventually call the First Interstate Bank Center home for the 2021 season and beyond.  The First Interstate Bank Center ?is a 4,000 seat indoor arena located in Redmond, Oregon.  
 
The High Desert Storm will be taking a grass roots approach to bring pro football to the High Desert area.  While a number of upgrades will be necessary to the First Interstate Bank Center prior to play, a planned build out will accommodate the needs of a professional AWFC indoor football team. Planned upgrades include the arrival of a temporary turf field, dasher boards and goal post which would also be required before the team could begin play.  The AWFC  and the High Desert Storm, in conjunction with Deschutes County Fair & Expo officials are  working on a plan to  provide these needed items for a successfully launch as part of the 2021  American West Football Conference season.   While the team plans to begin play for the 2021  season, due to unknowns of the COVID-19 Pandemic the AWFC may be forced to leave room  to have its inaugural High Desert season in 2022 if necessary. 

 
“Our goal is to build a community based team, where the surrounding community can attend an  affordable source of family friendly entertainment.  W?e chose Central Oregon due to  the great community and venue that appears to be a perfect fit for indoor football.  We are  excited to bring professional indoor football to this great community, and look forward to  beginning play as early as the 2021 season” said  Chris Reynolds, Chairman of the AWFC.    The AWFC provides? ?a platform for former collegiate athletes who have  exhausted their college eligibility and fell short of a NFL/CFL/XFL opportunity to continue  striving for that opportunity of reaching the next level.  
 
The High Desert Storm will host their first tryout ?November 21, 2020 at the Deschutes County Expo located 3800 SW, SE Airport Ave Redmond, Oregon?. This will be a closed tryout and  Registration & times will be online only at ?www.oregonstorm.com? ? Additional Tryout dates and times will  be announced soon.  
 
The High Desert Storm? ?are currently in search of interns/volunteers who would love to gain  experience working for a professional organization.  ?Those interested may? ?send resume to ?info@oregonstorm.com? ?to become a part ?of the newest professional team  in Oregon.  
 
The American West Football Conference plans to return for 2021 with the league opener kicking  off mid-March.   The current teams in the league are the Wenatchee Valley Skyhawks  (Wenatchee, WA), Yakima Canines (Yakima, WA) and last year's undefeated Champions 13-0  Idaho Horsemen (Nampa, Idaho) with possibly more expansion teams coming in.  ?2021 will be the AWFC sophomore season as 2020 was cancelled due to COVID-19  
 
All the member teams are continuously preparing and striving to play in 2021 through this  COVID pandemi?c, and are working with officials in each community for a return to safe competition as early as health officials deem it safe. 
 
 
Platinum Events & Security LLC. Oregon High Desert Storm                                                 . General 

Oregon reports 331 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 2 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed two more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 635, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 331 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 40,443.

The new cases are in the following counties: Baker (1), Clackamas (27), Columbia (2), Coos (4), Crook (2), Deschutes (9), Douglas (7), Harney (2), Hood River (3), Jackson (36), Josephine (1), Lane (40), Linn (6), Malheur (8), Marion (43), Multnomah (56), Polk (2), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (19), Union (2), Wasco (1), Washington (55) and Yamhill (4).

Oregon’s 634th COVID-19 death is a 70-year-old woman in Multnomah County who tested positive on Oct. 10 and died on Oct. 16 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 635th COVID-19 death is a 60-year-old woman in Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 26 and died on Oct.17 at Tuality Community Hospital. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon long-term care facilities can get no-cost COVID-19 vaccines when they become available

Oregon Department of Human Services and Oregon Health Authority are notifying long-term care facilities and small congregate settings that their residents and employees can get no-cost COVID-19 vaccinations when a vaccine becomes available, as part of a partnership between the federal government and two large, commercial pharmacies.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Oct. 16 that it was partnering with CVS and Walgreens to provide on-site COVID-19 vaccinations for residents of long-term care facilities — nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, residential care facilities, adult foster care homes and other community-based care facilities, such as group homes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Employees also could get the vaccine through this program, but the CDC says they likely would receive it earlier than residents based on a recommendation to prioritize vaccination for health care personnel; any employee who did not already receive the vaccine could be vaccinated through the on-site clinics.

Registration to participate is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Oct. 29. Long-term care facilities that opt out of or don’t register for the clinics must provide an alternate plan, such as using their own on-site pharmacy to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to residents and employees, although these facilities would be responsible for all “end-to-end” processes and equipment, such as on-site storage, vaccination and reporting.

“This HHS program will be important in building our state’s vaccination capacity once a vaccine is approved, and it will help facilitate efficient vaccination of the long-term care population,” said Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at the OHA Public Health Division. “As a result, it will ease the burden on long-term care facilities for administering the vaccine to protect our most vulnerable population, and on local public health authorities that would otherwise be heavily involved in this process.”

Cieslak noted that 44% of the state’s COVID-19 deaths have been among residents of long-term care facilities.

Nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities can sign up for the on-site clinics at the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) website, but they must first be enrolled in the NHSN COVID-19 Module for Long Term Care Facilities, https://www.cdc.gov/nhsn/ltc/covid19/enroll.html. All other facilities will sign up via this online sign up form. Facilities that opt out of the program may be able to opt in later by emailing eocevent494@cdc.gov.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County commissioners hold their regular Wednesday meeting starting at 10-this morning. They will consider a request to accept a Prevent Diabetes Central Oregon Grant. Commissioners will also consider a request to appeal a Hearings Officer decision to allow Three Sisters Irrigation District to build a new hydroelectric facility. The commissioners will also hear an update on the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts from public health officials.

If you’re driving to the valley, Peter Murphy at ODOT says road crews on Highway 22 and Highway 126 are removing hazardous trees left behind by the wildfires. He recommends getting on TripCheck and adding an hour to your normal travel time and plan ahead for some stop-and-go traffic. The recovery process is still underway with numerous logging crews being on both on 22 and 126. Murphy says the cleanup along the highways is not a short term recovery plan. He estimates it will take months to get through and will be a gradual process.

The month of September showed more people back to work and the unemployment rate throughout Central Oregon continuing to fall. Economist Damon Runberg says Deschutes county dropped almost a full point to 7-point-5-per cent in September. He says Crook and Jefferson counties saw unemployment rates drop to 9-point-1-per cent and 8-point-5-per cent, respectively,  Runberg says they are seeing more women dropping out of the labor force to take care of their children due to the fact schools and day care centers are not open.

BEND, OR -- The Bend Police Department has turned over evidence to the Deschutes County D-A regarding a fight at Pilot Butte Park October 3^rd. Lieutenant Juli McConkey says they appointed a 5-member team of officers to review evidence, a process that took more than 400 hours. McConkey says Bend Police have requested 15 people face charges including Riot, Disorderly Conduct, Assault and Unlawful Use of a Weapon. Police also asked the D-A to review charges against 7-people for Disorderly Conduct because protestors who appeared outside the Bend Police Department October 4^th blocked Highway 20.

Oregon reports 346 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 6 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed six more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 633, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 346 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 40,136. The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (3), Clackamas (28), Columbia (1), Coos (3), Crook (2), Deschutes (3), Douglas (9), Harney (2), Hood River (1), Jackson (10), Jefferson (4), Klamath (4), Lane (42), Linn (13), Malheur (11), Marion (38), Morrow (2), Multnomah (101), Polk (6), Umatilla (10), Wasco (2), Washington (44), and Yamhill (7).

Oregon’s 628^th COVID-19 death is a 91-year-old woman in Washington County who tested positive on Oct. 2 and died on Oct. 17 in her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 629^th COVID-19 death is an 84-year-old man in Josephine County who tested positive on Oct. 9 and died on Oct. 15 at Asante Three Rivers Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 630^th COVID-19 death is a 64-year-old woman in Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 3 and died on Oct. 14 in her residence. She did not have underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 631^st COVID-19 death is a 56-year-old man in Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 29 and died on Oct. 18 in his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 632^nd COVID-19 death is an 83-year-old man in Washington County who tested positive on Oct. 10 and died Oct. 17 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 633^rd COVID-19 death is an 81-year-old man in Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 29 and died on Oct. 17 at Providence Portland Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

SUNRIVER, OR -- Sunriver Police are asking the public to help them solve a hit-and-run wreck that occurred Saturday afternoon October 10th. Sergeant P-J Beatty (bay-tea) says a person driving east on Spring River Road when a second vehicle, believed to be a green Ford Excursion driving west, attempted a left turn onto Lunar Drive. Beatty says that led to a collision and the driver of the Excursion sped off. However, Beatty says a local Sunriver business has a video camera and provided police with footage of the hit-and-run. Anyone with information asked to contact Sunriver Police.

BEND, OR -- The city of Bend was Oregon’s fastest-growing large city last year. Police Chief Mike Krantz says as the city’s population growth continues, so does the demand for police service calls. He explains there are a lot of expectations for his department regarding efforts at police reform. He says the ability to keep up with that, relies on having the resources and personnel to do so. Recruitment numbers are lower, which has forced him to reexamine some structural changes. Krantz says he will be making sure his patrol officers are effectively responding to the demand of calls by the community and meeting expectations.

The Oregon State Police are asking the public to help them find who shot a doe mule deer on Highway 26 near milepost 46 in Crook county. The doe was shot on October 11^th about 7-15pm and was left to waste.  Police believe the animal was shot a mile west of Ochoco Christian Camp. Anyone with information is asked to call Oregon State Police.

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners received an update yesterday about the Veterans Village Project. The President of the Bend Heroes Foundation, Erik Tobiason, says the goal is to get veterans into the first four homes before winter sets in. He says the village will start with four homes for homeless veterans and add four more about every 30 days. Deschutes county is donating an acre and a quarter of land to the project as well as 150-thousand dollars for capital funding. 

Deschutes County Search and Rescue Team helped a 63-year-old woman from Hubbard on Sunday. Susan Bailey was injured around noon near the summit of Broken Hand. The location is in an isolated area so Life Flight took two Search & Rescue volunteers to Broken Top trailhead while 11 others drove to the trailhead. Fog and winds gusting to 45 miles an hour resulted in the volunteers on Life Flight being dropped off three miles west of where Bailey was located. The rescue was complicated, and it took until after 830-Sunday night before Bailey could be airlifted to Saint Charles Bend.  

BEND, OR -- About 1400 households in Bend got their power knocked out last night around 7:45, when a pickup truck hit a power pole just north of the Murphy Road / Brookswood Boulevard round-about. The impact caused live wires to fall to the ground setting grass and a fence on fire.  As neighbors worked to put the fires out, the suspect took off in his truck. A neighbor followed it to Deschutes River Woods, where authorities arrested 32-year-old Zachary Abbott. It was determined alcohol was a primary factor in the crash. 

BEND, OR -- Bend Police responded to a report of an assault on a woman and a motorhome on fire in a homeless camp on Hunnell Road near Cooley early yesterday morning. Sgt. Rob Emerson says 36-year-old Misty Andresen  had allowed a neighboring acquaintance, 32-year-old Elizabeth Butler, to spend the night in her Winnebago since it was going to be cold and Butler only had a tent.  Andresen woke up around 3:00 a.m. to smoke.  She found a blanket on fire and went to throw it out of the motorhome. That’s when she was struck multiple times from behind with a baseball bat, allegedly by her house guest.  Later, another officer later came across Butler at 3^rd and Empire beating on a parked car with a baseball bat and placed her into custody. Andresen told police she had no idea why Butler attacked her and burned down her home. It’s believed drugs are a factor in this incident.

ODF FIRE REPORT FOR MONDAY, OCT. 19, 2020 

Downloadable file: October rains have greatly reduced fire danger across large parts of Oregon after an unprecedented wildfire season that highlighted fire risk across the state.

SALEM, Ore. - Barring significant new wildfires, this will be the last regularly scheduled ODF fire situation report of this year. October rains have allowed the majority of ODF districts and fire protection associations to end fire season. The national fire preparedness level was lowered to 3 last week. With the Holiday Farm Fire now being managed by a Type 3 team, no ODF Incident Management Teams are currently deployed on wildfires.

Only one wildfire start was reported yesterday in Oregon, with no new acres burned reported.   

Check ODF's online public fire restrictions map to see what if any fire restrictions might still be in force for your area.  

2020 Fire Season On ODF-Protected Lands
This fire season there have been 2,027 fires across all jurisdictions in Oregon and 1,221,324 acres burned. On ODF-protected lands, there have been 912 fires, close to the 10-year average of 918. In the past 10 years the average number of acres burned on lands protected by ODF has been 41,426. More than 13 times that amount - 551,816 acres - has burned this year.  

Closures

Santiam State Forest is still closed to the public. Before heading out to hunt or recreate on other state or federal public lands, please check to see if there are any restrictions or closures due to the recent fires. There are still portions of some highways in wildfire areas that are closed. Use ODOT’s TripCheck to plan your route.

More Information

• ODF wildfire blog and Significant Fire Potential Map
• Oregon smoke blog
• Northwest Coordination Center – Regional Update and National Situation Report
• Inciweb (information on individual incidents)

Oregon reports 266 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 8 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed eight more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 627, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 266 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 39,794.

The new cases are in the following counties: Clackamas (24), Coos (8), Crook (2), Deschutes (15), Douglas (1), Jackson (18), Josephine (1), Lane (40), Linn (2), Malheur (5), Marion (39), Multnomah (68), Polk (3), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (9), Washington (25), and Yamhill (5).

Updated information is available about Oregon’s 512^th COVID-19 death, a 73-year-old woman in Washington County on Sept. 1.

Due to an updated death certificate, COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 is no longer considered as a cause or as a significant condition that contributed to her death. As a result, OHA is re-numbering our reported deaths starting with 620 today.

Oregon’s 620^th COVID-19 death is an 89-year-old woman in Lane County who tested positive on Oct.13 and died on Oct. 17, at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Riverbend. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 621^st COVID-19 death is a 61-year-old man in Lane County who tested positive on Oct. 11 and died on Oct.16, at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center Riverbend. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 622^nd COVID-19 death is an 89-year-old woman in Lane County who tested positive on Oct.11 and died on Oct.17, at McKenzie Willamette Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 623^rd COVID-19 death is an 81-year-old woman in Crook County who tested positive on Oct. 12 and died on Oct. 17, at her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 624^th COVID-19 death is a 91-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on Oct.11 and died on Oct. 15 at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 625^th COVID-19 death is 69-year-old woman in Umatilla County who tested positive on Oct. 5 and died on Oct 14, at Good Shepherd Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 626^th COVID-19 death is a 71-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Oct. 12, at Adventist Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 627^th COVID-19 death is an 85-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on Oct. 2 and died on Oct. 13, at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

OHA submits COVID-19 vaccine plan

OHA has submitted its draft plan to the federal government for allocating and distributing a COVID-19 vaccine in Oregon, once a safe and effective vaccine becomes available.

The draft plan, sent to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday, Oct. 16, is posted on the OHA website.

The plan is centered around equity, reflecting the state’s values of recognizing historical and contemporary injustices toward communities of color and the disproportionate effects that COVID-19 has had on them. The document represents Oregon’s response to the CDC’s Sept. 16 request of all states to describe how they will manage the distribution of a vaccine.

OHA’s plan is intended to understand Oregon’s existing systems and structures for vaccine delivery. The next steps are to understand how those systems and structures need to be rebuilt to meet the needs of disproportionately impacted communities.

The draft plan prioritizes the need for strong community engagement through partnerships with public health, health care and community organizations that reach and support underserved populations, and addresses the roles that power, privilege and race have played in the state’s response to the pandemic.

OHA’s plan follows federal guidance of a phased approach that assumes a COVID-19 vaccine will be, at the outset, in limited supply and should be focused on individuals critical to the pandemic response, provide direct care and maintain societal function, as well as those at highest risk for developing severe illness.

The plan will allow for broadening of the vaccine’s distribution to other high-risk groups and the general population as more doses become available.

The plan OHA submitted Friday is not final. It is expected to evolve in the months ahead as more is learned about likely vaccines, including safety, effectiveness, side effects, storage, supply, distribution and administration.

OHA revises face covering guidance

OHA has revised its guidance on face coverings to include the following new provisions:

The guidance now requires that people wear face coverings in all private and public workplaces including classrooms, offices, meeting rooms and workspaces, unless someone is alone in an office or in a private workspace.

The revised guidance also requires that people wear face coverings in outdoor and indoor markets, street fairs, private career schools and public and private colleges and universities.

Finally, the revised guidance also recommends wearing a face covering instead of a face shield, except in limited situations when a face shield is appropriate such as when communicating with someone who is deaf or hearing impaired and needs to read lips.

COVID-19 is surging again. Oregonians can to lower the risk to themselves, their families and their communities by:

• Wearing a face covering
• Keeping 6 or more feet away from others
• Avoiding large gatherings and limiting social gatherings
• Frequently washing our hands.

For more information about face coverings and face masks visit healthoregon.org/masks.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

Beachie Creek Fire Update – Monday, October 19, 2020  

General Information: This will be the final daily update for the Beachie Creek Fire. The Inciweb page and Beachie Creek Fire Facebook page will be updated for the next several days as the Type 3 team concludes their assignment but will not be maintained through the winter. Fire information will be provided on the Willamette National Forest and Northwest Oregon BLM homepages or through social media channels as needed. For additional information, please visit Inciweb using the QR code or visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7001/. 

Suppression repair work is still the focus for fire crews. This includes excavator operations repairing fire lines, which are wrapping up on the Beachie Creek fire. There is still chipping being done along the 46 road for the Lionshead fire. Crews are making progress towards Brietenbush, but the road is still closed for the safety of workers and drivers.  

There have been no reported cases of COVID-19 at the Beachie Creek incident command post and personnel are still maintaining COVID protocols. These protocols include the 3 W’s: washing hands, wearing masks, and watching for 6-feet distancing.  

“Our focus is preventative measures. As teams have transitioned in and out, we have maintained vigilant awareness. When interacting with the public, we have kept a respectful distance and request the same in return.”-Zebron Watts, Medical Unit Leader  

All evacuation levels have been lifted for Clackamas, Marion, and Linn counties.  

Weather and Fire Behavior: Weather remains cool and mostly cloudy with a 10% chance of rain today. A weak cool front will present drier conditions with humidity levels around 60-70%. The weather today will be mostly dry and cloudy, with temperatures ranging from 58-63°F. There will be a mild western wind. Fire behavior continues to remain minimal.  

With minimal fire behavior, there are still safety concerns. Newly opened, unpaved roads are muddy and susceptible to rock falls due to erosion from the fire event and winds. Burn areas remain closed due to ash pits that can continue to smolder long after the wildfire event, in addition to falling trees that can cause serious injury and death. Members of the public should look for closure updates from the following resources:  

• Willamette National Forest www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=61574   
• Bureau of Land Management www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions. 
• Road Closures on TripCheck: www.tripcheck.com/ 

After Wildfire Resources: For information regarding assistance after a wildfire about timber salvage, landowner assistance and replanting see the following website: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/Pages/afterafire.aspx 

The High Desert Food & Farm Alliance has been awarded a multi-year federal agriculture department grant to help beginning farmers and ranchers. Annie Nichols is Farm & Ranch Support Manager for the alliance and says the grant will help teach everything from livestock management to organic certification and agri-tourism. She says the grant will also help the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch and provide outreach to vets interested in a career in agriculture. Those who want to participate in the program should check the High Desert Food and Farm Alliance webpage. 

Beachie Creek fire crews are still focused on suppression repair, which includes repair work on dozer lines with an excavator to rehabilitate the landscape. Beachie Creek fire is 193-thousand-573 acres with 80% containment. The crews are also removing hazard trees and addressing erosion in recreation areas. On the Lionshead fire, there is chipping being done along the 46 road and 4 miles have been completed and crews are progressing towards Breitenbush. Drivers should remain aware that the road is still closed for their safety, as well as the safety of the crews. 

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee works to promote and encourage safe walking and biking as a significant means of transportation in the area. Associate Planner Tanya Saltzman says that several bike and pedestrian accidents related to icy sidewalks and streets have occurred over the years and are preventable by simply turning off your sprinkler systems. Saltzman says around this time, people usually get their irrigation systems blown out and shut down for the season. For that reason, she wants to remind the public to consider doing that to ensure walk and roadways remain safe to travel on.

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Commissioners meet at 1-this afternoon. On the agenda is a presentation and update on the Veterans Village Project. Commissioners will discuss a License Agreement to use Right-Of Way with Tumalo Property Owners Association. The agenda includes a review of the draft of the State of the County Address to be delivered to the Bend Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday October 27^th.

LA PINE, OR -- The La Pine Community Health Center has received a federal loan for 5-point-5-million dollars. The money is being used for a 37-year mortgage at 2-point-5-per cent interest to buy the building Health Center is in now. Courtney Ignazzitto is the Health Center’s Public Relations Specialist. She says they offer 360-degree care including behavioral health, health education and outreach services so people can access health care. The La Pine Community Health Center serves 22-thousand people in an area from la Pine to Sunriver to Crescent and east to Christmas Valley.
 

Walden, Merkley, Wyden Applaud Official Signing of the Bill to Rename Bend VA Clinic after Robert Maxwell

Robert Maxwell received the Medal of Honor for his service

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Representative Greg Walden (R-OR) and? Senators Jeff Merkley? (D-OR)? and Ron Wyden?(D-OR) applauded the signing into law of a bill introduced by the Oregon delegation to rename the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinic in Bend after Robert Maxwell, a World War II veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient who lived in Bend.?The bill was signed into law on Tuesday, October 13, 2020.

At the time of Maxwell’s passing, he was the oldest Medal of Honor recipient in the nation and one of four remaining veterans from World War II to be awarded the Medal of Honor. After his courageous service, he worked as a teacher in Bend. 
 
"Bob Maxwell was a selfless and humble public servant and a friend to everyone he met,” said Walden. “As we approach what would’ve been Bob’s 100th birthday, I can’t think of a better way to honor Bob than renaming the Bend VA Clinic after him. I applaud President Trump for swiftly signing this bill into law and forever ensuring that Bob’s legacy is honored, and his heroism is remembered."

"Bob Maxwell’s life is a testimony to the power of selflessness and dedication to serving a cause bigger than oneself,” said Merkley. “That lesson couldn’t be more important today, and just like the countless Oregonians who have been moved by his story, I am grateful for the example he set throughout his lifetime of service. I am thrilled that this renaming will help ensure that his legacy will be remembered, and know that his courageous and generous spirit will continue to inspire for generations to come."

"Robert Maxwell’s name on the VA Clinic in Bend is a well-deserved tribute to a World War II hero and beloved teacher in Central Oregon,” Wyden said. “I’m glad this Medal of Honor winner will be remembered in such a fitting fashion for his public service both overseas and at home."

Oregon’s congressional delegation ?previously wrote to the Chairs and Ranking Members of the Senate and House Veterans Affairs committees? in support of the renaming. The City of Bend,? American Legion Department of Oregon,?Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Oregon, and? Disabled American Veterans Department of Oregon? also advocated for the change.? 
? 

###

WALDEN.HOUSE.GOV

BEND, OR -- Residents of Bend are invited to a Zoom Webinar listening session this Saturday from 9-to-noon, focusing on policing policies. City of Bend Communications Director Anne Aurand (OR-und) says tomorrow’s event is a follow up to a September session that attracted more than 930 participants. Aurand says they would like to have the feedback to stay within some parameters and for participants to be specific about how policies they suggest can be implemented. Aurand says the listening session on Zoom is limited to 500 people, however anyone can watch the event live on You Tube but won’t be able to offer questions or comments.

LA PINE, OR -- A La Pine man, 29-year-old Sunny Penny-Dunn the Third, is jailed for manufacture and possession of an explosive device after a search warrant was issued for his home in connection with a drug investigation. Sheriff’s Sergeant Jason Jaynes says they evacuated three nearby apartments and called the FBI and the Oregon State Police Bomb Squads. He says it took a couple of hours to make the device safe and remove it from the area. Penny-Dunn is lodged in the county jail on theft and methamphetamine charges in addition to the charges for the bomb in his apartment. 

Outdoor Debris Burning will open tomorrow, at sunrise, in the Deschutes County Rural Fire Protection District Number 2. Battalion Chief Trish Connolly with Bend Fire says outdoor burning within the city limits of Bend is prohibited. She says the Open Debris Burning is for yard waste only. Connolly says they have posted the burning regulations on the Bend Fire Department web page. There is also a burn phone number on that web page and Connolly says people should call it to make sure the burning is allowed as it can be shut down if winds pick up in the area.

A 25-hundred acre prescribed burn is scheduled to begin today. Public Affairs Officer Kassidy Kern tells us The Ochoco and Deschutes National Forests along with Prineville BLM will be working together in this process. Ignitions start at 10am. No closures are anticipated with this operation.  However, if smoke drifts on to roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.

BEND, OR -- Less than two months after it reopened, three adults and two students at the Waldorf School of Bend have tested positive for COVID-19. Centraal O)regon Daily reports there are currently 12 adults and about 45 students at the school on a daily basis. Interim school Director Nathaniel Brocious says the private school, currently acting as an emergency childcare center, has taken every precaution possible before and after the first case was reported on October 3rd. “Regardless of what we do to try to mitigate some of these issues,” Brocious said. “Unfortunately, they seem to be inevitable.” As of now, the school will remain open. For the complete Central Oregon Daily report, go here..https://centraloregondaily.com/%e2%96%b6%ef%b8%8f-small-covid-outbreak-reported-at-waldorf-school-of-bend-infections-seem-inevitable/

October 15, 2020

Oregon reports 374 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 3 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed three more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 611, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

The Oregon Health Authority reported 374 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 38,525.

The new cases  are in the following counties: Benton (15), Clackamas (21), Clatsop (2), Columbia (3), Coos (1), Crook (2), Deschutes (7), Douglas (5), Jackson (17), Josephine (5), Klamath (1), Lane (33), Lincoln (5), Linn (12), Malheur (14), Marion (34), Morrow (1), Multnomah (110), Polk (12), Tillamook (1), Umatilla (17), Union (2), Wallowa (1), Wasco (1), Washington (46), and Yamhill (6).  

Oregon’s 609^th COVID-19 death is a 91-year-old woman in Lane County who tested positive on Sept. 29 and died on Oct. 10, in her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 610^th COVID-19 death is an 82-year-old woman in Marion County who tested positive on Oct. 7 and died on Oct. 10. Place of death is being confirmed. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 611^th COVID-19 death is a 60-year-old man in Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 8 and died on Oct. 13, at Legacy Emanuel Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Georgia Pacific Workplace Outbreak Reported

An outbreak of 21 cases of COVID-19 has been reported at Georgia Pacific in Linn County. The case count includes all persons linked to the outbreak, which may include household members and other close contacts to an employee.

The outbreak investigation started on Oct. 7, but the initial case count was below the threshold for public disclosure. State and county public health officials are working with the company to address the outbreak and protect the health of workers.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

PRINEVILLE, Ore.]  Fire Season for Oregon Department of Forestry’s Prineville and The Dalles units in the Central Oregon District will end at 12:01 a.m. Saturday October 17, 2020.  Industrial Fire Precautions in MH-1 and MH-4 of The Dalles Unit are also terminated.  Fuel conditions do not pose a significant risk of fire ignition and rapid spread in these areas. 

Gordon Foster, Prineville Unit Forester, reminds the public, “Although conditions have minimized the threat of fire spread, people should take caution and monitor conditions prior to conducting any open burning”. 

The John Day Unit will remain in Fire Season until additional moisture has further mitigated fire hazards.  Lands within the John Day Unit include portions of Grant, Morrow, Wheeler, Gilliam, Malhuer, and Umatilla counties.  Open burning is not allowed at this time in the John Day Unit, including yard debris.

Burn permits for logging slash and debris will not be issued in The Dalles or Prineville units until additional precipitation is received.  Yard debris, burn barrels, and other open burning should follow local and county fire restrictions.  Safe burning practices include clearing flammable debris from the burn pile or burn area, having a water source nearby, having tools such as a shovel handy while burning, not burning in windy conditions, and never leave a fire unattended.  Continue to check the fire area for residual heat in the days after burning to ensure embers do not rekindle and spread to nearby fuels.

Since Fire Season began in the Central Oregon District on June 1st firefighters have responded to 62 lightning fires burning 11,300 acres and 52 human caused fires burning 1,643 acres.

ODF’s Central Oregon District continues to serve landowners and the public as an essential service for Oregonians.  Please call or email to talk with our staff or schedule an appointment.  For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com. 

Election officials have started mailing ballots to every registered voter across Oregon for the November 3, 2020 General Election. Now is the time to review the Voters’ Pamphlet and decide how you will return your ballot. Voters’ pamphlets have arrived in the mail and can also be found online in multiple formats including a Spanish translation. If returning your ballot by mail, no postage stamp is necessary because postage has been pre-paid by the state. It’s recommended to mail in your ballots by Tuesday, October 27th. All ballots must be received in an official dropbox or at county election offices by 8 p.m. on November 3rd, postmarks do not count.

Today is the third Thursday of October, or put another way, today’s date is 10-15. That means at 10-15 this morning, Oregonians will participate in the annual earthquake drill known as The Great Shakeout. Paula Fasano-Negele (nayg-lee) at the state Office of Emergency Management, says everyone is asked to drop, cover and hold on during the drill. Fasano-Negele says the drill is also a perfect time for families to discuss and begin to prepare…not just for earthquakes…but for any natural disaster including wildfires and floods.

SISTERS, OR -- The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office has released the names of the two other victims who died in an October 1^st wreck on a Forest Road near Sisters. They are 17 year olds Geneva Tallman and Hannelore “Lala”  Debari, both from Sisters. They were in a vehicle with the third victim who was previously identified as 18 year old Amelie Malerva-Locke of Sebastopol, California. 

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners received an update on the COVID-19 Pandemic yesterday. Doctor Richard Fawcett says lung damage and disease, including clotting, is a common complication for people with the virus. He says early on 80-per cent of patients who died, particularly in China and other countries, were on ventilators. Fawcett says however, a study this summer shows those who died in the United States on ventilators dropped to about 36-per cent. He also told the commissioners, dealing with COVID-19 will be as difficult and complicated as dealing with the H-I-V virus.

Much of the region of the Lionshead Fire received an inch of precipitation over the past day, with the east side of the fire receiving a half an inch of rain. The precipitation, along with cooler temperatures, has allowed fire crews an opportunity to address hazard trees and debris flows around the fire perimeter. Fire personnel have been careful to mitigate hand and dozer lines without causing additional damage by driving on dirt or muddy roads. Unpaved roads are muddy, particularly on the west side of the Cascade Crest. Avoid driving or parking on unpaved roads to in order to not get stuck in the muddy conditions. The Lionshead Fire remains at 204,469 acres with 46% containment.

Oregon reports 390 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 3 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed three more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 608, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 390 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 38,160. The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (3), Clackamas (27), Clatsop (1), Columbia (1), Coos (3), Crook (2), Deschutes (7), Douglas (8), Jackson (28), Jefferson (2), Josephine (2), Klamath (2), Lane (60), Lincoln (2), Linn (5), Malheur (11), Marion (63), Multnomah (88), Polk (4), Umatilla (14), Wallowa (1), Washington (51), and Yamhill (5).

Oregon’s 606^th COVID-19 death is a 93-year-old man in Multnomah County who tested positive on Sept. 18 and died on Oct. 2 at Adventist Health Portland. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 607^th COVID-19 death is an 80-year-old woman in Wasco County who tested positive on Sept. 18 and died on Oct. 12 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 608^th COVID-19 death is an 82-year-old woman in Washington County who tested positive on Oct. 5 and died on Oct. 13 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

KBND News in partnership with Central Oregon Daily and The Source Weekly are hosting the 2020 Central Oregon Debate Series with tonight being the Deschutes County Commissioner Debate. Watch the debate live at 7pm on KBNZ/CBS or stream online to get to know the candidates and watch as candidates ask each other questions, along with journalists from our media partners. Moderators include Allen Schauffler, Anchor from Central Oregon Daily News, Aaron Switzer, publisher for The Source Weekly, and KBND’s own news reporter, Farrah Bahm. Tonight’s candidates will be Phil Chang and incumbent Phil Henderson for Deschutes County Commissioner. Then tomorrow, candidates for Oregon House District 54 Jason Kropf, and incumbent Cheri Helt will take place also at 7pm. Since we cannot take live questions during the forum, questions for the candidates are encouraged by the public to be submitted here in the comments section to be considered to be included in the debates.

NeighborImpact’s lending program is offering 15-thousand dollar grants to veterans in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties and Warm Springs to help them buy their first home. Lending Program Director John Cox says the veteran needs proof of service in the military with a DD-214…. have a household income below 100-per cent of the Area Median Income…. take a Home Buyer Education course…and take a housing financial consultation. Cox says there are only 10 grants for veterans available in Central Oregon.  Go to the Neighbor Impact webpage to get more information or to apply for a grant.

BEND, OR -- During a protest event last Saturday, an allegation was made that a Bend police officer had spat on and choked a person to the point of unconsciousness. Lt. Juli McConkey says the evidence does not support the accusations made against the officer. Therefore, no officers have been placed on administrative leave. Lt. McConkey says if you have other videos of the incident, to please give it to the Bend Police Department. You can also call the non-emergency dispatch line at 541-693-6911 to arrange to meet an officer to submit any evidence you have.

A 61-year old man died Wednesday evening in a wreck on Highway 97. State Police say Jeffrey Murphy of Bend was driving a Chevrolet pickup hauling a 5^th –wheel travel trailer. Police say the northbound vehicle left the highway near milepost 59 and rolled down a steep embankment. Murphy sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene.

.

The Oregon Health Authority reports 28 new virus cases in Central Oregon with 17 in Deschutes and 11 in Jefferson county. The report says there are 484 new confirmed and presumptive cases of the virus for a total of 36-thousand-116. The new cases represent a record number of virus cases in one day. Of the new cases 59 are linked to a large outbreak in Klamath county. The OHA also reports 11 new deaths from COVID-19 for a total of 594. Those who died ranged in age from 75-to-103, all had underlying medical conditions.

BEND, OR -- State search warrants were served at 3 Bend massage parlors. Lt. Julie McConkey reports that Bend Police, as well as FBI, conducted searches at Jade Spa on NE 3^rd, the Green Spa on NE Franklin and the Lotus Spa on SE 3^rd earlier in the week. The investigation centered around community complaints regarding sexual acts taking place at local massage parlors, and officers were able to obtain corroborating information. A residence on SE Taft was also searched.

Lt. McConkey says the suspects were not located and no one was arrested. The investigation is ongoing.

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County commissioners have signed off on awarding a bid from Marcum and Sons for the Tumalo Road / Tumalo Place improvement project. Road Department Director Chris Doty said the work includes construction of a roundabout and related incidental work. The bid from Marcum and Sons was the winner of the Tumalo Road project bid and commissioners were happy the work will be done by local people. Marcum & Sons winning bid was 1-million-24-thousand dollars

LA PINE, OR -- The CODE team and Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit executed a residential search warrant in La Pine yesterday. 25 year old Vincent Coddington, was being investigated for trafficking commercial quantities of methamphetamine in Deschutes County. During a search of the residence, officers seized about three-quarters of a pound of methamphetamine, 7 firearms, and other evidence of the sales, manufacturing, and distribution of meth. Coddington is lodged in the County Jail on drug and weapon charges.

BEND, OR -- Public Health Director Nahad Sadr-Azodi briefed county commissioners yesterday. He was asked about active virus cases today and how long ago they started. He said the majority started in September and are still recovering. Sadr-Azodi said with attention being paid to the metrics to get K- through 3 grades back in classrooms the county has to be below 30 cases per 100-thousand and to get 4^th through 12 graders back the rate must be 10-per 100-thousand. Sadr-Azodi also told commissioners a review of virus cases since July showed a fairly low infection rate among 10-to-19 year olds. He says in recent weeks virus cases among people 10-to-19, has jumped 500%.

Some increased fire activity reported on the Lionshead Fire due to warmer, drier weather recently although the fires are away from containment lines. Information Officer Scott Owen says the weather starts to change tomorrow and by Friday storms will bring rain to the area with heavier amounts on the west side rather than on the east side. Owen says even with a lot of rain, fires can continue to burn inside of trees and underground and if warm weather returns, the fires  can pop back up. Lionshead fire now at 46-per cent containment at more than 204-thousand acres.

REDMOND, OR  -- The proposed Urban Renewal District in Redmond is designed to help the city with safety and economic development issues. Program Manager Chuck Arnold says time is of the essence, and different parts of the project are already in progress. One of the plans includes work on South Highway 97. He says an average of 43 crashes a year happen between Yew Avenue and Veterans Way. Arnold says they expect the number will double and grow if nothing is done. He says the plan includes goals to expand, improve and diversify the economy in the Redmond Urban Growth boundary area while maintaining the city’s quality of life.

BEND, OR -- The Oregon Health Authority awarded a 143-thousand dollar grant to Deschutes County to implement the Generation Parenting Management Training. The grant will fund the program to June 30^th 2022. The OHA says the program is an evidence-based treatment modality for children 2-to-17 and parents. Goals include positive child, youth and family outcomes…improved parent-adolescent relationships to prevent and reduce emotional and behavioral problems…and…strengthen parenting skills.

BEND, 0R -- Bend Police have arrested a 17 year old boy for allegedly firing a flare gun Saturday night in downtown Bend, narrowly missing two people. The incident began when the victim and friends were driving and stopped at Northwest Wall and Minnesota when someone placed a sticker on the car. The victim and friends got out and removed the sticker then approached the person who did it. At that time the 17 year old, who was a bystander shot a flare at the victim, a President Trump supporter, and missed then used the gun to assault the victim. The teen ran away but was located late Monday afternoon. The teen faces numerous charges including assault and unlawful use of a weapon. Police say the flare gun has not been found. 

Governor Kate Brown Announces New COVID-19 Rapid Testing Strategy for Oregon

Oregon to receive 60,000 to 80,000 rapid tests per week from federal government 
 

(Portland, OR) — Governor Kate Brown today announced a plan to deploy a huge influx of rapid COVID-19 tests from the federal government. Oregon will be receiving 60,000 to 80,000 COVID-19 rapid tests per week until the end of the year. The Abbott BinaxNOW antigen tests can diagnose cases of COVID-19 in 15 minutes.

“With this increased testing capacity, we hope to be able to diagnose more people quickly so they can get the care they need,” said Governor Brown. “We want to identify more cases of COVID-19 so we can also isolate and quarantine people, helping contain the virus.

“Testing is an excellent tool in giving us a more full picture of where the virus is hiding in our communities. Unfortunately it is not a cure-all or the solution to all of our problems.

“We cannot test our way out of this pandemic.

“Without all the other safety measures we continue to hammer home with you — the physical distancing, avoiding large gatherings, and wearing a mask — testing won’t do anything to stop COVID-19 in our communities. The events at the White House this past week have only reinforced that. We must continue to stay the course to save lives.”

The new tests will be deployed statewide, with a focus first on counties and long-term care facilities that have been affected by wildfire evacuations, putting vulnerable residents and staff at higher risk for COVID-19. Second, the tests will be deployed to outpatient and mobile COVID-19 testing locations, for symptomatic people and their close contacts, whether those contacts are showing symptoms.

Testing will also be prioritized for vulnerable communities, including:

• People from communities that have been hardest hit and most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, including migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, communities of color and tribal communities, and people living in congregate care settings.
• People living in places most vulnerable to COVID-19 spread, such as congregate care or living facilities, Department of Corrections facilities, and other community testing locations.

In order to ensure safety for Oregon students, tests also will be distributed to school-based health centers and other health care partners working with K-12 schools, as well as colleges and universities, to support the testing of symptomatic students and staff, close contacts of cases, and to investigate outbreaks.

The Oregon Health Authority will maintain a strategic reserve of tests to address outbreaks beyond December, in the event the federal government runs low on testing supplies. Health experts have cautioned that antigen tests provide accurate positive results, but that they can produce false negatives for people with COVID-19.

A full transcript of Governor Brown’s remarks is available here.

A recording of Governor Brown’s press conference is available here.

###

Oregon reports 301 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 9 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed nine more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 581, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 301 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 35,340.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (1), Benton (9), Clackamas (28), Clatsop (3), Columbia (3), Coos (7), Crook (1), Deschutes (12), Douglas (3), Hood River (1), Jackson (8), Jefferson (2), Josephine (1), Klamath (1), Lane (52), Lincoln (3), Linn (7), Malheur (9), Marion (34), Morrow (1), Multnomah (51), Polk (11), Umatilla (9), Union (1), Wallowa (1), Wasco (1), Washington (30), and Yamhill (11).

Oregon’s 573^rd COVID-19 death is an 89-year-old woman in Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Oct. 5 in her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 574^th COVID-19 death is an 81-year-old woman in Washington County who tested positive on Sept. 22 and died on Oct. 3 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 575^th COVID-19 death is a 64-year-old woman in Marion County who tested positive on Aug. 29 and died on Oct. 4 at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 576^th COVID-19 death is an 81-year-old man in Malheur County who tested positive on Sept. 29 and died on Oct. 3 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 577^th COVID-19 death is a 71-year-old man in Malheur County who tested positive on Sept. 8 and died on Oct. 5 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. He did not have underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 578^th COVID-19 death is a 61-year-old man in Malheur County who tested positive on Aug. 31 and died on Oct. 4 at St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, Idaho. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 579^th COVID-19 death is a 72-year-old man in Clackamas County who tested positive on July 31 and died on Aug. 4. Place of death is being confirmed. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 580^th COVID-19 death is a 93-year-old woman in Wasco County who tested positive on Sept. 18 and died on Sept. 26 in her residence. Presence of underlying conditions is being confirmed.

Oregon’s 581^st COVID-19 death is a 91-year-old woman in Multnomah County who died on Sept. 2 in her residence. The death certificate listed COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners approved an extension of the Declaration of an Emergency for another 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. County Counsel Dave Doyle told the board the extension is to make sure there are no gaps that could cause problems down the road with FEMA reimbursements.  

BEND, OR -- The Boys and Girls Club of Bend has announced they will be providing assistance for kids who need help with comprehensive distance learning. Development Director  Rachel Cardwell says support they’ve received removes financial barriers for students to come to the club through donations from various partners. She says they have received about 108-thousand dollars and continue to ask for help with funding. The program guarantees broadband access for everyone to log in to live instruction. Cardwell says the club still has space available in the first and second grade cohorts.

REDMOND, OR -- The Redmond School District is holding a Virtual Town Hall this evening. The focus is the district’s 27-point-5-million-dollar bond measure. Superintendent Charan Cline says the bond will not increase the current tax rate. He says the money will be used to upgrade and update schools to provide healthy, safe and secure campuses. Cline says they also plan to build additional classrooms at Vern Patrick and Tom McCall Elementary schools.  The Town Hall is a Zoom meeting that starts at 5-30.

The FBI is offering a 10-thousand dollar reward for information from the public they hope will help solve a murder. Beth Anne Steele at the Portland FBI Office says the case involves the murder of a Warm Springs man, 31-year-old Gunner Bailey who was found shot to death March 17^th. Steele says the FBI and Warm Springs Police have been working the case and decided to reach out to the public. She says information can be made by calling either the Portland or Bend office of the FBI or the Warm Springs Police or leave information at TIPS-DOT-FBI-DOT-GOV

BEND, OR -- Central Oregon Daily reports more than a hundred parents and students gathered outside the Bend-LaPine school district administration building yesterday, demanding their kids get back into the classroom.  With 69 new cases of COVID-19 last week Deschutes County continues to miss the mark to reopen. In a Facebook post yesterday afternoon the school district said the earliest possible return to classrooms is November second. For the full version of this story go here..https://centraloregondaily.com/parents-students-participate-in-reopen-oregon-schools-rally/

Oregon reports 288 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, no new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — The state’s death toll from COVID-19 is unchanged from yesterday and remains at 572, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 288 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today bringing the state total to 35,049. The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Benton (2), Clackamas (25), Columbia (5), Coos (4), Deschutes (11), Douglas (2), Jackson (14), Jefferson (3), Josephine (6), Klamath (3), Lane (33), Linn (7), Malheur (8), Marion (52), Morrow (1), Multnomah (61), Polk (3), Umatilla (7), Wasco (1), Washington (35), and Yamhill (5).

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

ODF FIRE REPORT FOR MONDAY, OCT. 5, 2020

News Release from Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Posted on FlashAlert: October 5th, 2020 10:43 AM

Downloadable file: ODF fire map for Monday, Oct. 5, 2020

SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Forestry is closely tracking 6 major fires in Oregon, down from 17 originally (see table below for details). Fires are removed from the list when they are 100% lined and fire managers are confident in their progress toward containment.

Five of the six major fires still on the landscape have burned 100,000 acres or more in Oregon. One of those massive fires, Lionshead, is the sixth largest fire of the past 100 years in Oregon at 204,412 acres. Lionshead is the only one of these major fires that showed any growth in size Sunday – just 27 acres. Most posted double-digit gains in containment over the weekend. Yesterday also saw no new fires reported anywhere in the state.

Remember that fire season isn’t over yet, which means backyard burning and other restrictions are still in effect on ODF-protected lands. Check the public fire restrictions map to see current restrictions for your area.

Closures

Santiam State Forest is still closed to the public. Before heading out to hunt or recreate on other state or federal public lands, please check to see if there are any restrictions or closures due to the recent fires. There are still portions of highways statewide that are closed. Use ODOT’s TripCheck to plan your route.

More information

• ODF wildfire blog and Significant Fire Potential Map
• Oregon smoke blog
• Northwest Coordination Center – Regional Update and National Situation Report
• Inciweb (information on individual incidents)

REDMOND, OR -- A Redmond man was killed in a crash Saturday night, just before midnight. Police say 25-year-old Gadiel Diaz of Redmond was driving southbound on SW 31st Street at a high rate of speed and failed to negotiate the 90-degree turn onto SW Xero Avenue. His car left the roadway and collided with a large tree on the driver's side door. Diaz did not survive the crash. The investigation remains open.

REDMOND, OR -- The annual National Night Out event is coming up tomorrow evening. The event promotes strong police-community partnerships to make neighborhoods safer. Redmond Police and Fire Departments are going virtual this year and will post videos on their respective Facebook pages starting at 5-o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Police Lieutenant Jesse Petersen says videos include a K-9 demonstration, driving impaired presentation and kitchen fire safety tips. He says the video’s include a K9 doughnut eating contest. Petersen says they will randomly select winners who pick the correct K9 and announce winners on Wednesday.

SISTERS, OR -- Two Sisters High School students were among the three people killed Thursday night when the SUV they were in crashed on a forest service road, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. William Bailey said deputies were dispatched around 9:15 to the crash at USFS Road 15, one mile south of Highway 242. Deputies determined a 2008 Mercedes SUV was heading north on the forest service road when for some reason it left the road and hit a large tree, ejecting two of the three people inside. Bailey said two 17-year-old girls from Sisters were killed as well as an 18-year-old from California.

BEND, OR -- Saturday afternoon a fight broke at Pilot Butte Park involving Trump supporters and Black Lives Matter demonstrators. Most of the day was generally peaceful, however, towards the end of the event, a 23-year-old Bend man stole a Trump flag leading to punches being thrown and people being sprayed with bear spray and a report of one person pointing a firearm at another.  Approximately 100-150 people in total were present at the park.  According to Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz, as officers were leaving the park some demonstrators blocked their exit and had to be removed. During this, several of the people punched, hit and assaulted officers. Police are asking if any person was a victim of a crime at Saturday's event, to contact them so they can conduct an investigation.

CAMP SHERMAN, OR -- The Deschutes National Forest will attack invasive weeds near the Metolious River  starting tomorrow. The agency says it will use Roundup Custom and Polaris herbicides to kill ribbongrass, reed canarygrass, peavine and yellow flag. Treatments will be made just upstream from the South Fork Lake Creek downstream to Candle Creek Campground. The herbicides will be applied by spot applications using backpacks or hand sprayers. The work should be completed Thursday.

BEND, OR -- Dozens of political, civic and religious leaders signed a statement condemning hate and white supremacy that was released Friday morning. D-A John Hummel says two Bend Councilors approached him and the three of them wrote the statement. Hummel told KBND if there is violence here it will be only because people from the outside came in with the violence. Hummel says he has prosecuted people who attack Black Lives Matter supporters and people who have attacked Trump supporters. He says it doesn’t matter what position any protestors take because free speech is supported in this community. He says any people who get violent they will be prosecuted.

Statement from Chief Mike Krantz

The Bend Police Department holds our mission to “Protect and Serve” close to our hearts.  It is our guiding light.  We will continue to protect and serve our entire community equitably and with no hesitation in consideration of political party affiliation or ideological identities. 

The Bend Police Department denounces any and all violence and criminal activity.  Our goal is to ensure that all members of our community feel safe and do not have fear of being victimized, ever.  The Bend Police Department and our community does not stand for violence, especially violence associated to hate and bias.   I did send an email to many community leaders this week with this text “My comments about leaving the statement-making to the elected officials in our community was made in deference to elected leaders who have the political platform and legislative responsibility for making policies that help guide our public agencies and community. My comments were only meant to delineate our different roles; staff members or elected leaders. They were not meant to avoid the topic or suggest silence on the topic. Let me be clear: I am anti-white supremacy.”

Our intent is to work with our partners within the criminal justice system to hold people accountable for criminal behavior and we will continue to work with that intent. 

The Bend Police Department evaluates all events that fall under First Amendment protections. We must provide community members the ability to freely express their rights and not infringe on those First Amendment rights.  However, rights to free speech do not include engaging in behavior that is defined as a crime under Oregon, federal or local law, and we will work to ensure that people who engage in criminal behavior will be held accountable. 

We ask all community members who wish to engage in expression of these rights to keep interactions peaceful and non-violent, to keep all community members safe and follow all laws. We ask that if community members engage in events, do not bring weapons as typically that would escalate the situation.

Yesterday afternoon there was an event at Pilot Butte Neighborhood Park that was originally described as a political rally.  In conjunction with this event, another event was planned at the same location earlier in the day.  These two different groups could be described as having opposite ideological views.  Approximately 100-150 people in total were present at the park. 

Most of the day was generally peaceful, however, towards the end of the event, there were reports of someone from one group stealing a flag from a person from the other group, this theft resulted in a fight. 

Officers were called to the scene and upon arrival, developed probable cause to arrest the person who stole the flag and wrote that person a citation. We also took several reports of people being assaulted, people being sprayed with bear spray, potentially people being shocked with personal electronic weapons and a report of one person pointing a firearm at another.  Additionally, later in the night we received information that a fight involving two groups downtown resulted in someone firing a flare gun at another person. 

As Bend PD officers were attempting to leave Pilot Butte Neighborhood Park last night, a large group of people blocked the officers exits and would not let them leave by sitting and standing in front of their vehicles.  Officers provided warnings that they were committing criminal activity of interfering with police officers and they would be moved by offices if they did not move.  Ultimately, these persons were physically moved by officers with as minimal force as was necessary to move them, during this, several of the people punched, hit and assaulted officers.  Ultimately, the people who were blocking the officers and who assaulted or harassed officers will be documented in an investigate report and those cases will be referred to the district attorney’s office for formal charges. 

We are asking that if any person was a victim of a crime at yesterday’s event, to contact  the non-emergency line at (541) 693-6911, and report that crime so we can conduct an investigation. 

Bend Police Department officers took reports on many crimes that were reported, we will be conducting follow up investigations on all of these reports of criminal acts.  We will work with the District Attorney’s office to ensure that anyone engaged in crimes will be held accountable with appropriate criminal charges.

In large crowd events, frequently the time to make an arrest is balanced with resources, crowd dynamics and if we have enough information to develop probable cause at the time.

Many times, we need to take time after the event to request and review videos that may be sent to us, gather victim information and gather all additional evidence.  This takes substantial resources and time to ensure the Bend Police Department is providing the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office with all of the evidence we can. 

Today, several groups involved in yesterday’s events have planned a march to the Bend Police Department to protest against police actions from yesterday.   These groups have demanded that I meet with them.  I have offered to meet with the organizers several times to hear their complaints, however, my offers have been rebuffed.

We have planned to have resources available to provide overall safety today for this planned event.  We will continue to support community member’s first amendment rights.  If people engage in criminal acts, we will continue to hold persons accountable for criminal behavior as needed. 

We encourage all community members to remain peaceful, to not commit criminal acts. 

This event planned by these groups have caused us to focus resources away from our normal patrol duties.  Community members may experience a delay in time for officers to arrive to an emergency call for service if we are called tonight.  Tonight the Bend Police Department lobby is closed.  If you are in need of police service please continue to utilize 911 for emergencies and the non-emergency number (541) 693-6911 for reporting non-emergency crimes.

ODF FIRE REPORT AND FIRE MAP FOR FRIDAY, OCT. 2, 2020

News Release from Oregon Dept. of Forestry
Posted on FlashAlert: October 2nd, 2020 1:34 PM

Downloadable file: Fire map for Friday, Oct. 2, 2020

SALEM, Ore. - ODF is closely tracking 6 major fires in Oregon, down from 17 originally (see table below for details). Fires are removed from the list when they are 100% lined and fire managers are confident in their progress toward containment.

Five of the six major fires still on the landscape have burned 100,000 acres or more in Oregon. One of those massive fires, Lionshead, is the sixth largest fire of the past 100 years in Oregon at 204,367 acres.

For fire season 2020, there have been 886 fires on ODF-protected lands that have burned 543,382 acres. Prior to 2020, the fire season of 1933—which included the first Tillamook Burn—was the worst on record for ODF-protected lands, with the loss of approximately 340,000 acres. Across all lands in Oregon, there have been 1,995 fires for 1,045,536 acres burned.

Remember that fire season isn’t over yet, which means backyard burning and other restrictions are still in effect on ODF-protected lands. Check the public fire restrictions map to see current restrictions for your area.

Closures

Santiam State Forest is still closed to the public. Before heading out to hunt or recreate on other state or federal public lands, please check to see if there are any restrictions or closures due to the recent fires. There are still portions of highways statewide that are closed. Use ODOT’s TripCheck to plan your route.

More information

• ODF wildfire blog and Significant Fire Potential Map
• Oregon smoke blog
• Northwest Coordination Center – Regional Update and National Situation Report
• Inciweb (information on individual incidents)

Oregon reports 314 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 3 new deaths

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed three more lives in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 563, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today.

Oregon Health Authority reported 314 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 34,163.

The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (1), Benton (8), Clackamas (15), Clatsop (3), Columbia (1), Coos (2), Deschutes (4), Douglas (3), Hood River (1), Jackson (13), Jefferson (1), Josephine (8), Klamath (4), Lane (39), Lincoln (1), Linn (6), Malheur (12), Marion (37), Morrow (1), Multnomah (59), Polk (5), Umatilla (12), Wasco (2), Washington (66) and Yamhill (10).

Orgon’s 561st COVID-19 death is an 80-year-old woman from Wasco County who tested positive on Sept. 16 and died on Sept. 28 in her residence. She had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 562nd COVID-19 death is an 83-year-old man in Lane County who tested positive on Aug. 27 and died on Sept. 30 in his residence. He had underlying conditions.

Oregon’s 563rd COVID-19 death is an 84-year-old man in Marion County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Sept. 30 at Salem Hospital. He had underlying conditions.

OHA releases updated modeling report

OHA released its latest modeling report.

The model offers three scenarios, assuming 4,500 tests per day for each.

The optimistic scenario assumes a 5-percentage-point increase on Sept. 5, but attributes increases in diagnosed cases after Sept. 15 to a decline in testing.

• Under this scenario by Oct. 22, new infections would increase from 680 to 800, resulting in about 270 daily cases. Severe cases – those requiring hospitalization – would increase to 24, and a reproduction rate would be 1.04, meaning that someone with the virus is passing it to more than one person.

The pessimistic scenario assumes a 10-percentage-point increase in transmission after Sept. 5 and attributes some of higher cases to be the result of increased transmission rather than a lack of testing.

• Under this scenario, by Oct. 22, there would be approximately 900 new infections and about 300 new daily cases, with eight more severe cases and a reproduction rate of 1.17.

The moderate scenario assumes a 7-percentage-point increase from Sept. 5, attributing fewer of the increased diagnosed cases to increased transmission.

• Under this scenario, by Oct. 22, new daily cases would increase by 120, with one additional severe case and a reproduction rate of 1.12.

Based on COVID-19 data through Sept. 24 the model is consistent with increases in transmission throughout May, followed by decreases in transmission through late July and declining cases in August. 

As has been shown since the beginning of the pandemic in Oregon, these trends remain very sensitive to small changes in transmission levels.

Model results should be interpreted with caution, given these recent reductions in testing and uncertainty behind various COVID-19 model assumptions.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority leads the state response.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

INCREASED FOOD BENEFITS APPROVED FOR OCTOBER

News Release from Oregon Department of Human Services
Posted on FlashAlert: October 2nd, 2020 10:02 AM

The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has received approval from Food and Nutrition Services to disburse increased food benefits in October.

This additional $30 million for eligible Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will bring the total increased benefits to $180 million.

SNAP households will automatically receive the additional allotment in the same way they receive their current benefits. For most customers, this is an Oregon EBT card. The additional benefit amount will be disbursed on the schedule below to all eligible SNAP households. Some recipients may not see it until the following day.

Oregonians already enrolled in SNAP do not need to take any additional action.
 

The increase brings all households to the maximum SNAP benefit. Households that already receive the maximum benefit will not receive any additional benefits.

This allotment will not permanently change a household’s monthly benefit amount. It is a temporary supplement to help during the current health crisis. ODHS will not be sending individual notices to households about the emergency allotments.

Questions?

To determine the maximum allotment for your household and view the FAQ, visit https://www.oregon.gov/dhs/assistance/food-benefits/pages/about-snap.aspx.

SNAP customers can contact their local SSP, APD, or AAA office for more information. Find a local office at oregon.gov/DHS/Offices/Pages/index.aspx

Administered by ODHS, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1 million eligible, low-income families and individuals in Oregon, including many older adults and people with disabilities. Oregonians in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP, child care, cash assistance, and Medicaid. Learn more at https://govstatus.egov.com/or-dhs-benefits. For local resources in your area, such as food or shelter, please call 2-1-1.

Bureau of Land Management to accept applications for new Special Recreation Permits on Lower

Deschutes Wild and Scenic River

Prineville, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Prineville District Office is announcing the

open period for new Special Recreation Permit (SRP) applications from individuals and companies

interested in guiding activities that will require a watercraft on the Lower Deschutes River. The

application period opens October 1, 2020 and will close October 30, 2020.

The Lower Deschutes Wild and Scenic River Management Plan allows for the number of permitted guides

and outfitters to increase by five percent annually. With just over 80 active guiding SRPs on the

Lower Deschutes currently, applicants will be applying for up to four new available permits. The

application is for non-motorized activities on the lower 100 miles of the Deschutes River only.

Successful applicants would be able to use their permit in the 2021 boating season.

The prospectus and application are available on the BLM website at

https://www.blm.gov/office/prineville-district-office. Application packets can also be requested

by calling the Prineville District Office at (541) 416- 6700.

Applicants are encouraged to read the prospectus carefully to ensure they provide all required

elements, as incomplete applications will not be considered. For more information or for questions

about this SRP application process, please contact the permit lead, Cecilia Marella, at (541)

416-4624.

The Lower Deschutes River is a remarkable resource that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors

annually. Guide and outfitter businesses facilitate access to recreation opportunities and help

local communities and create jobs. The BLM, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation and

State of Oregon work collaboratively to manage the river for its wild, scenic and recreational

values.

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states,

including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate

throughout the nation. In fiscal year 2018, the diverse activities authorized on BLM-managed lands

generated $105 billion in economic output across the country. This economic activity supported

471,000 jobs and contributed substantial revenue to the U.S. Treasury and state governments, mostly

through royalties on minerals.

FBI OFFERS REWARD OF UP TO $10,000 FOR INFORMATION IN WARM SPRINGS HOMICIDE 

News Release from FBI - Oregon
Posted on FlashAlert: October 2nd, 2020 9:43 AM

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person or people responsible for the death of Gunner Bailey last year. A passerby found his body about 50 feet off Tenino Road on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation on March 17, 2019. Bailey, age 31 at the time, was shot to death. 

The FBI and Warm Springs Police Department are jointly investigating this case.

As part of this publicity effort, the FBI has created a “Seeking Information” poster which is attached and can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/gunner-johnson-bailey and a Facebook ad (attached).

Anyone with information concerning this homicide is asked to contact the FBI in Bend at (541) 389-1202 during normal business hours, the FBI in Portland at (503) 224-4181 24 hours a day, or the Warm Springs Police Department at (541) 553-3272. Information may also be submitted online at https://tips.fbi.gov.

###

BEND, OR -- A new chair has been picked for the COCC board. Erika Skatvold, who joined the board a few years back will serve until June 2021. She says one of the goals is to support student’s continued online learning since it has become part of the new normal. Skatvold adds that another topic of discussion this year is being able to provide an equal playing field to students and meeting them where their needs are at.

Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grasslands have extended free personal use firewood cutting through the end of November. Kassidy Kern at the Ochoco National Forest says woodcutters should go to Forest Service websites to get a Personal Use Firewood Authorization, download and sign it. Kern says firewood cutters can only work from 8pm to 1pm due to current fire restrictions. Firewood cutters are allowed 8-cords of wood this year, for personal use only.

BEND, OR -- Sprinklers are believed to have saved a commercial building yesterday. Bend Fire and Rescue was sent to a fire about 2-30 Thursday morning at Woodwright Cabinets. Battalion Chief Trish Connolly says the damage to the cabinet shop is estimated at a half million dollars. Connolly says without sprinklers the entire building would have been destroyed. She says the cause is under investigation, but an electrical problem is suspected.

The Beachie Creek Fire burning in Marion county along Santiam Canyon is at more than 192-thousand acres. The Riverside Fire at more than 138-thousand acres is burning in Clackamas county. Fire Information Officer Randy Pyle says management of the Beachie Creek and the Riverside Fire is being handled by one Incident Management team. No estimated time of containment for either Beachie Creek or Riverside Fire. Fire officials have said western Oregon fires may not be out until a fall storm dumps heavy rain or snow over the region. 

VIDA —OR 126 McKenzie Highway opens for travel in the fire zone between milepost 27.55 and milepost 38 beginning on Friday, Oct. 2 at noon. Through travelers should continue to take alternate routes as hazards remain and recovery work continues.

There will be pilot car guided caravans Friday morning between the road closure points, on the west end two miles east of Vida at milepost 27.55 to east of Finn Rock at milepost 38, one direction at a time.

• 8 a.m. west to east
• 9 a.m. east to west

Travelers should prepare for lengthy delays at multiple work zones as crews continue recovery work. There is the potential for falling trees and rocks, debris remains on the side of the road, guardrail is missing, and over 400 signs need to be replaced.

The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph between mileposts 28 and 38. Extra patrols will enforce the new speed restriction.

For the latest information on road conditions, visit TripCheck.com or call 5-1-1.

For information, pictures, and video on ODOT’s response to wildfires throughout the state: https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Pages/wildfire.aspx

Media contact: OHA External Relations 971-673-2097, orcovid19.media@dhsoha.state.or.us

Oregon reports 363 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, 1 new death

PORTLAND, Ore. — COVID-19 has claimed one more life in Oregon, raising the state’s death toll to 560, the Oregon Health Authority reported at 12:01 a.m. today. Oregon Health Authority reported 363 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of 12:01 a.m. today, bringing the state total to 33,862.

The new cases reported today are in the following counties: Baker (1), Benton (4), Clackamas (25), Columbia (7), Coos (5), Deschutes (7), Douglas (5), Jackson (27), Jefferson (9), Klamath (1), Lane (32), Linn (16), Malheur (11), Marion (37), Morrow (2), Multnomah (71), Polk (3), Umatilla (47), Union (1), Wallowa (1), Wasco (5), Washington (36), and Yamhill (10).

Oregon’s 560th COVID-19 death is a 44-year-old man in Klamath County who tested positive on Sept. 21 and died on Sept. 30, at Sky Lakes Medical Center. He had underlying conditions.

Stay informed about COVID-19:

Oregon response: The Oregon Health Authority.

United States response: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention leads the U.S. response.

Global response: The World Health Organization guides the global response.

NEW PILOT CAR ADDED TO OR 22E SCHEDULE STARTING TODAY

From ODOT
Posted on FlashAlert: September 30th, 2020 6:23 PM

SALEM--Starting on Thursday, October 1, the Oregon Department of Transportation is adding a new pilot car to  the schedule to allow residents to get back into the Santiam Canyon later in the day.  The new pilot car will run at 6 p.m. from Gates to Detroit/Idanha.  The new pilot car schedule is:  

7:30 a.m. Detroit to Gates

9 a.m. Gates to Detroit

11 a.m.  Detroit to Gates

1 p.m. Gates to Detroit

5 p.m. Detroit to Gates

6 p.m. Gates to Detroit

ODOT is also moving one of the road blocks from milepoint 50.5 to approximately 46.7 to allow for access into Mongold State Park for bathroom and other facilities starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday.   We will also be using the state park to stage those folks wanting to get into the pilot car line. 

ODOT continues to use pilot cars in the Santiam Canyon to safety move residents through numerous work zones where hazard trees are being removed. 

BEND, OR -- The Deschutes County Public Health Director briefed county commissioners on Wednesday. Nahad Sadr-Azodi says the nation now has more than 200-thousand virus deaths and worldwide, the number of deaths exceeds 1-million. He told commissioners investigators and contact tracers are saying many of the people who have the virus had travelled over Labor Day. Sadr-Azodi said once again the 20-to-29 year old age group represents a high percentage of virus cases in Deschutes county.

BEND, OR -- The Humane Society’s 15^th Annual Tuxes and Tails is this weekend. Community Outreach Manager Lynne Ouchida says this year’s fundraiser will be free and can be enjoyed from the comfort of your home. The chairty helps support the programs and services they use to care for the 3-thousand animals that enter their shelter every year. Silent auction items are already open for bids. Live auction will open on Friday and close Saturday night during the event. Ouchida says the best way to learn more and sign up is by going to their webpage at hsco.org.

REDMOND, OR -- The Redmond Police Department arrested the primary suspect in a shooting that occurred days earlier in southeast part of town. Lt. Jesse Petersen says they were able to contact and take 55 year old Carlos Lopez into custody yesterday morning without any issues. The victim was airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries. Lt. Petersen recalled a statement made by Police Chief Dave Talbot, prasing the the effort the Investigations unit made, both for the safe arrest of Lopez and the security the victim..

BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioners have given Saint Charles Health System the green light to sell up to 120-million dollars in revenue bonds. Chief Financial Officer Jenn Welander says the money will be used for expansion of ambulatory services and the cancer program in Redmond. She says Bend projects include improvements to operating rooms and finishing the lower level of the new Patient Tower.

More progress on the Lionshead Fire which is 35-per cent contained. Fire Information Officer Aaron O’Connor says the weather has been pretty good with only light winds and highs in the upper 70’s to low 80’s. She says they have been able to use aerial support which has been dropping water on the fire. O’Connor says the containment lines have been holding well and in the next few days crews will work in the Coopers Ridge area.