Animal Rights Activists Claim Responsibility for Damage

ASTORIA, Ore. — Animal rights activists are claiming responsibility for the firebombing of what they say is a mink farm near Astoria. Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin says the residents got rid of their mink after earlier attacks.

An unsigned communique claiming responsibility for Tuesday's attack was published online by the North American Animal Liberation Press Office. It said, "We delivered eight incendiary devices to the lovely folks at Ylipelto's Fur Farm."

The fires reportedly damaged a building, a boat, a car, two forklifts and a front-end loader.

It was the first arson attack in Oregon by animal rights activists in several years.

In October 2008, animal rights extremists claimed responsibility for breaking into the Astoria farm and opening 1,500 mink pens.

Walking Volunteers Needed for Tsumani Evacuation Study on the Long Beach Peninsula

University of Washington grad student, Jeana Wiser will be on the Long Beach Peninsula July 19th – July 24th, 2010, to ground-truth work for the joint Pacific County, Washington State, and University of Washington Vertical Evacuation project. Ms. Wiser will be looking at four communities: Long Beach, Ocean Park/ North Peninsula, Ilwaco/Seaview, and Tokeland/North Cove. For each community Ms. Wiser intends to examine in detail, each of the proposed vertical evacuation sites, current assembly areas, and areas where walking routes could be reinforced to provide easy access to high ground.

Additionally, Ms. Wiser is seeking volunteers from the community to walk routes from their house/workplace to one of the proposed vertical evacuation sites, high ground or current assembly areas.

Each walking volunteer will be asked to provide the following information: 1) address of starting point; 2) address of ending point; 3) walking speed (slower than average, average, faster than average;) 4) age (18 and younger, 19-30, 31-50, 50-65, 65+); and 5) time it took to complete the walk.

If you are interested in volunteering to walk or know others who may be interested please contact Ms. Wiser at wiserjc@gmail.com.

Pacific County Emergency Management thanks everyone for their participation and assistance!

Oregon sues Countrywide over pension fund losses associated with risky mortgage-backed securities

Today Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler and Attorney General John Kroger have announced that they are suing Countrywide Financial Corp. of Delaware and its underwriters for misleading investors into buying risky mortgage-backed securities.

The Oregon Public Employee Retirement Fund invested $200 million into home loans originated by Countrywide, and lost $29 million as a result of misrepresentations by Countrywide and its financial underwriters, according to a press release from the Office of the State Treasurer.

Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler stated, quote: “With this lawsuit, we are attempting to recover losses from lenders that took advantage of innocent families, whose only fault was wanting to participate in the American dream and own a home.” close quote.

Attorney General John Kroger added , quote: “Oregon is currently No. 3 nationwide in foreclosures,” “This lawsuit will help hold the responsible companies accountable.”

Lower Columbia sturgeon season will re-open July 15 through Aug. 1

CLACKAMAS, Ore. –for a second time, the recreational sturgeon fishery in the lower Columbia River, giving anglers an additional two weeks to fish.
Fishery managers from Oregon and Washington decided today to re-open the recreational white sturgeon retention season from Buoy 10 at the mouth of the Columbia to the Wauna powerlines at River Mile 40 from Thursday, July 15 through Aug. 1, 2010. The retention season will be open seven days a week for sturgeon 41-inches to 54-inches in fork length.
The original season was extended through July 11, when managers estimated that less than half of the available quota had been harvested.
According to Chris Kern, ODFW fish biologist, there is little chance of reaching the harvest quota even with the additional season extension.
“With a projected 3,000 to 4,000 fish remaining on the quota after Aug. 1, catch rates would have to increase dramatically for us to reach the quota,” he said.
“Fewer anglers have been fishing this year because catch rates have been down from recent years,” Kern added. But fishing had improved substantially by the end of the first season extension.

Federalhelp possible to reduce toxic contamination of the Columbia River

the Columbia River Basin Restoration Act of 2010 was passed by the
Environment and Public Works Committee of the U.S. Senate on June
30th. The bill (S.3550) which authorizes federal funding is now
headed to the floor of the Senate for a vote.

This bill provides funds to implement
projects to reduce contamination. Addressing habitat loss and toxic
contamination will bolster the local economy by immediately
supporting jobs for contractors, haulers, large equipment
operators, road, bridge and culvert construction crews,
hydrologists, and biologists along with providing a market for
nurseries and other building construction materials. Future
economic benefit is achieved by protecting navigational jetties,
fishery habitats and beaches from ongoing erosion. Keeping
contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and pesticides out of the
system is more economical than costly clean up.

The Columbia River Basin Restoration Act of 2010 was introduced by
Senator Merkley (D-OR) with co-sponsorship from Senators Wyden (D- OR), Sen. Crapo (R-ID), Sen. Baucus and Tester (D-MT). A similar
bill was introduced in the House in February by Representative
Blumenauer (D-OR).

UNCLAIMED FUNDS MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR FORMER OREGON WAMU CUSTOMERS

The state of Oregon received $3.85 million due Oregon residents from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as a result of Washington Mutual bank (WaMu) going into receivership in September 2008.

Though Chase bank assumed most of WaMu's active accounts, the FDIC is handling the accounts that appeared to be inactive ­ those with no record of a deposit, withdrawal or other positive contact with the account holder for at least three years.

In April 2010, Chase made a final attempt to contact dormant account holders, informing them of the impending transfer of funds to the FDIC.

Former WaMu customers in Oregon who may have funds available for claim are encouraged to search for their name at the following Web site: www.oregonstatelands.us (click on Unclaimed Property Name Search). Claims take between 90 ­ 120 days to process.

The state's unclaimed property program is housed in the Department of State Lands (DSL). DSL will hold the WaMu funds for ten years and make efforts to return the funds to Oregon owners. After ten years, any remaining money must be returned to the FDIC.

All unclaimed property is held in the Common School Fund, a trust fund for Oregon schools. Earnings from the fund are distributed to K-12 public school districts twice a year. In 2010, schools will receive $50.4 million.

FDIC consumer resources:
· 1-800-930-1904
· 1-877-875-4821
· www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/wamu.html
· irvdepositorservices@fdic.gov

UNCLAIMED FUNDS MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR FORMER OREGON WAMU CUSTOMERS

Funds from 27,000 inactive accounts sent to state in late June

Salem ­ The state of Oregon received $3.85 million due Oregon residents from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as a result of Washington Mutual bank (WaMu) going into receivership in September 2008.

Though Chase bank assumed most of WaMu's active accounts, the FDIC is handling the accounts that appeared to be inactive ­ those with no record of a deposit, withdrawal or other positive contact with the account holder for at least three years.

In April 2010, Chase made a final attempt to contact dormant account holders, informing them of the impending transfer of funds to the FDIC.

Former WaMu customers in Oregon who may have funds available for claim are encouraged to search for their name at the following Web site: www.oregonstatelands.us (click on Unclaimed Property Name Search). Claims take between 90 ­ 120 days to process.

The state's unclaimed property program is housed in the Department of State Lands (DSL). DSL will hold the WaMu funds for ten years and make efforts to return the funds to Oregon owners. After ten years, any remaining money must be returned to the FDIC.

All unclaimed property is held in the Common School Fund, a trust fund for Oregon schools. Earnings from the fund are distributed to K-12 public school districts twice a year. In 2010, schools will receive $50.4 million.

FDIC consumer resources:
· 1-800-930-1904
· 1-877-875-4821
· www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/wamu.html
· irvdepositorservices@fdic.gov

REWARD OFFERED IN INVESTIGATION OF ILLEGAL KILL AND WASTE OF 3 BUCK DEER NEAR TILLAMOOK

Oregon State Police (OSP) Fish and Wildlife Division is asking for the public's help to identify the suspect(s) responsible for the illegal kill and waste of three buck deer in the Trask Unit near Tillamook. A reward of up to $500 is being offered by the Oregon Hunter's Association for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case.

On Sunday, June 20, 2010 the OSP Tillamook work site received information of three killed deer near milepost 1 on Fox Creek Road. OSP Fish & Wildlife troopers responded to investigate and found three freshly killed buck deer. Head and hide remained but most of meat was taken.

Anyone with information is asked to call Senior Trooper Guerra at (503) 815-3315 or the Turn in Poacher (TIP) number at 1-800-452-7888.

BPA provides real-time look at power use and supply

BPA's online display now includes the real-time output of Columbia and Snake River hydroelectric dams and thermal power plants. Click for link to current readout.

Northwest power system ready for heat wave; watch demand rise online

As a hot spell puts extra pressure on power supplies, reporters and the public can check Bonneville Power Administration’s website for an instantaneous online glimpse of electric generation and demand in BPA’s section of the Northwest grid.

BPA's online display now includes the real-time output of Columbia and Snake River hydroelectric dams and thermal power plants. Click for link to current readout.

BPA just expanded its real-time display to show the current energy output of hydroelectric dams, including the Federal Columbia River Power System, and thermal power plants such as nuclear and gas plants. The display also shows minute-by-minute wind energy output and current power consumption, called load. It’s available around the clock at http://go.usa.gov/ODD

The unique view of regional energy sources illustrates the importance of renewable hydroelectric and wind energy in powering the Northwest. The result is that Northwest electricity comes with the lowest emissions of any similar power supply nationwide.

Thanks in part to late spring rains that helped fill reservoirs, the region’s power system is well positioned to supply electricity during a heat wave expected to last several days. The rain boosted Columbia River flows from about two-thirds to three-fourths of average and refilled Grand Coulee Dam earlier than expected. Columbia Generating Station near Richland, Wash., is also producing its full output of reliable nuclear power.

BPA’s weather team expects hot weather through the weekend and warm, but not excessively hot, temperatures into August.

NW OREGON TO ENTER WILDFIRE SEASON JULY 8

Oregon Department of Forestry's (ODF) Northwest Oregon Fire Protection District will enter wildfire season on Thursday, July 8. Entry into fire season imposes certain restrictions on work activities in the forest. Industrial operations are required to have firefighting equipment on site.


The Northwest Oregon Fire Protection District includes the Astoria, Forest Grove and Tillamook districts.


Oregon experienced an unusually wet spring this year. But seasonal weather patterns have begun to take hold, and fire managers expect to see a rise in fire activity in the weeks ahead.


On the lands protected by the Department of Forestry statewide, the 10-year average is about 1,100 wildfires burning a total of just under 27,000 acres. In a typical year, about two-thirds of the fires are caused by people and the remainder by lightning. Of the human-caused fires, fewer than half are caused by forest landowners and operators. Across all Oregon forest protection jurisdictions, about 2,600 wildfires burn roughly 239,000 acres annually on average.


Through July 7, 12 lightning-caused fires have burned about two acres on lands protected by ODF. During that period, 90 human-caused fires burned about 75 acres.


The Oregon Department of Forestry provides fire protection to 15.8 million acres of private and public forestlands statewide, including 2.8 million acres of federal Bureau of Land Management lands. There are about 30.4 million acres of forest in Oregon.


For more information on the restrictions imposed by the fire season declaration, contact the nearest Oregon Department of Forestry office. Contact information for the Astoria, Forest Grove and Tillamook district offices can be found at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/offices.shtml.

COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASKS FOR HELP IN WEST NILE VIRUS SURVEILLANCE

The Clatsop County Environmental Health office is seeking the public’s help in monitoring for evidence of West Nile Virus.

West Nile Virus (WNV) can cause a mild-flu-like illness, but in some cases can lead to serious neurological disease like encephalitis or meningitis. Mosquitoes are known carriers of the West Nile Virus, a virus that can be transmitted to people, birds, horses and other mammals through the bite of an infected mosquito. People can only get the virus from the bite of an infected mosquito ? WNV doesn’t spread from sick birds or animals to people, or from person to person.

Public health officials monitor for the presence of West Nile Virus by testing certain dead birds that may have become infected through a mosquito bite. Birds of the Corvid family are most sensitive to becoming ill, and for that reason are the ones used for surveillance. Corvids include crows, ravens, blue jays, Stellar’s jays, and magpies.

Clatsop County requests your help in the monitoring for WNV by reporting dead birds that are of the Corvid family, that have recently died, and that have not obviously died from trauma such as hitting a window, being hit by a car or attacked by a predator.

West Nile Virus first appeared in Oregon in 2004. In 2009, a total of 12 humans, 16 birds, five horses and one domesticated dog were diagnosed with WNv infection. So far this year, there have been no cases of West Nile virus in humans or animals.

To report a dead bird, call Clatsop County Environmental Health at (503) 325-8500. For more information on West Nile Virus log on to www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/acd/diseases/wnile/wnile.shtml or pick up an informational brochure at Clatsop County Public Health, 820 Exchange St., Astoria.

Clatsop County Sheriff's Office Seeks Information on Counterfeit bills

Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at approximately 1:30 PM, Deputies responded to Clouds in My Coffee espresso stand on Business 101. An employee reported she received two, counterfeit 10 dollar bills from Astoria resident Esther Anderson. Deputies located 21 year old Esther Anderson and interviewed her. Ms Anderson had more counterfeit bills in her possession and was arrested on Forgery I and Possession of Forged Instrument I charges. Esther Anderson was lodged at the Clatsop County Jail.

If you have information related to this case, please contact Deputy Chance Moore, 503-325-8635 ext 5424