VIDEO EXPLORES MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS RELATED TO OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS

One year ago, Rainier Police Chief Ralph Painter lost his life in the line of duty. Early Thursday morning, six police officers were shot, one fatally, during a deadly shooting with a suspect in Ogden, Utah. These tragic incidents are a reminder of the dangers law enforcement officers face each day when responding to a call.

Sometimes, these encounters end when an officer is involved in a shooting. Such an incident occurred Thursday, January 5th, in Medford, Oregon. After an officer-involved shooting incident, a law enforcement officer’s decisions made in split seconds will be reviewed and reported on often without having all the facts.

To provide educational outreach to local communities, Lane County District Attorney Alex Gardner with the assistance of Eugene Police Department, local law enforcement, and national and regional experts, produced a 17-minute video that provides important details regarding officer-involved shootings and the process used to investigate them.

Hollywood vs Reality Officer-Involved Shootings, includes a series of segments designed to explore common myths and misconceptions, most of which are addressed by national and regional experts including Dr. Bill Lewinski of Force Science Institute; Dr. Alexis Artwohl; Eugene Police Officer Joe Kidd; Oregon State Police Sergeant Alan Gilbert; and, District Attorney Gardner.

Since the video’s release in September 2011, the Lane County District Attorney’s office has had approximately 1,200 requests for it from around the world and United States. The video provides useful background for reporters and the public, and can be viewed on this link: http://bit.ly/q0V69v

2012 WINTER, SPRING, & SUMMER SELECT AREA FISHERIES Informational Meeting

DATE: Thursday January 12, 2012
TIME: 7:00-8:00 PM
LOCATION: The Holiday Inn Express
204 W Marine Dr
Astoria, Oregon
PURPOSE: To present spring Chinook run size expectations for Select Areas and to solicit public involvement in the 2012 commercial and recreational winter, spring, and summer Select Area fishery planning process.
AGENDA:
1. Update on Select Area Fisheries project
2. Review of 2011 Select Area commercial fisheries
• Fall season harvest
• Winter, spring, and summer seasons and harvest
3. Discuss expected 2012 spring Chinook returns
4. Discuss management of 2012 winter/spring/summer Select Area fisheries
• Season/harvest management considerations
• Staff recommendations
Youngs Bay
Blind Slough/Knappa Slough
Deep River
Tongue Point/South Channel
• Season setting process
5. Other topics
• Recreational fisheries
• General discussion

John North (971) 673-6029 ODFW
Patrick Hulett (360) 577-0197 WDFW
Steve Meshke (503) 325-6452 CCF

First Razor Clam Digs for the New Year

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced tentative dates for evening razor clam digs during the next two months at Washington’s ocean beaches. (WDFW) emphasized that final approval of all openings will depend on results of marine toxin tests that show the clams are safe to eat.

The first dig is scheduled Jan. 20-21 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks on evening tides. The second is planned during President’s Day weekend, Feb. 18-19, at Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks.

No digging will be allowed at any beach before noon.

Additional digs through spring will be announced once a catch assessment is completed for the season through February, said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager.

Kalaloch Beach will remain closed until April, due to a low abundance of razor clams. The National Park Service, which manages that beach in cooperation with WDFW, has announced plans to open Kalaloch for a razor clam dig April 7-9.

The dates, beaches and evening low tides for the digs scheduled in January and February are:

Jan. 20, Friday, 4:28 p.m. (-0.5 feet); Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks

Jan. 21, Saturday, 5:17 p.m. (-0.8 feet); Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks

Feb.18, Saturday, 4:13 p.m. (0.0 feet) Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks

Feb.19, Sunday, 5 p.m. (-0.2 feet) Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Mocrocks

Oregon Senator Wyden Schedules Town Hall in Tillamook County on January 7th

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden will host a town hall in Tillamook county on January 7th. Senator Wyden has been holding town halls in every Oregon county every year since 1996.

Tillamook County Town Hall Meeting

Date: Saturday, January 7, 2012

Time: 1 p.m.

Location: Tillamook County Library, 1716 3rd Street, Tillamook

CLATSOP COUNTY SEEKS APPLICANTS FOR BUDGET COMMITTEES

Clatsop County is currently inviting citizens to serve on local budget committees.

These citizen committees review the proposed budgets and make recommendations to the county commissioners. Each committee is made up of five county commissioners and five other local residents they appoint. The committees generally meet in May to review the proposed budgets.

Seats are available on the following committees:

Clatsop County Budget Committee: A full, three-year term representing District 1 is open on this committee, which reviews the county’s overall operating budget. Applicants must live in District 1, which includes western Astoria as well as Warrenton and Hammond.

Road District 1 Budget Committee: Four full three-year terms ending Feb. 28, 2015 and one un-expired term ending February 28, 2013 are available. The committee reviews the district’s budget for roadwork such as cutting brush, patching pot holes, cleaning and replacing culverts, maintaining road shoulders and drainage ditches, grading and re-basing 220 miles of county roads. Applicants must live in the unincorporated areas of the county.

Westport Sewer Service District Budget Committee: Two full terms ending June 30, 2015, two unexpired terms ending June 30, 2014 and one unexpired term ending June 30, 2013 are available to residents of the sewer district, which serves about 95 connections in the unincorporated community of Westport.

The Board of Commissioners will make the appointments. Applications will be taken through Jan. 31. Application forms are available online at www.co.clatsop.or.us under “Quick Links-Citizen Involvement,” from the office at 800 Exchange St., Suite 410, or by calling (503) 325-1000.

Tsunami Debris: Treasure or Trash?

The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency has arranged three public presentations to discuss the marine debris generated by the March 2011 Japanese tsunami and its potential to impact the Pacific County coastline.

Presentations are scheduled for:

January 17, 2012, 6:00 p.m. at the Peninsula Church Center, Seaview, WA

January 18, 2012, 10:00 a.m. at the Ocean Park Firehall, Ocean Park, WA

January 18, 2012, 5:30 p.m. at the Shoalwater Bay Tribal Center, Tokeland, WA

The Regional Coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program will lead the presentation. In addition, representatives from the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington State Emergency Management Division, and Washington State Department of Health have been invited to answer questions that might arise specific to their areas of expertise.

The public and local agencies and organizations are welcome to attend any of the presentations, which are intended to be of an informational nature. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

photo courtesy newslincolncounty.com

MERKLEY TO HOLD COASTAL TOWN HALLS IN LINCOLN, TILLAMOOK AND CLATSOP COUNTIES

Town Halls are Wednesday, January 11th and Thursday, January 12th in Toledo, Bay City and Cannon Beach, Oregon

Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley will hold town halls in Lincoln, Tillamook and Clatsop Counties next week.
He will update constituents on his work in Washington, DC and answer their questions and invite their suggestions about how to tackle the challenges facing Oregon and America.
“Fighting for Oregonians is my number one priority. Traveling to every county lets me hear directly how we can work together to make our state stronger,” Merkley said. “I urge all residents of Lincoln, Tillamook and Clatsop Counties to come and discuss how we can create a brighter future for Oregon.”
In 2008, Merkley pledged to hold town halls in each of Oregon’s 36 counties every year. He upheld his pledge in the previous three years and is continuing that commitment in 2012.
What: Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley holds town hall in Lincoln County.
When: Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 5:00 pm
Where: Toledo Fire Department, 285 NE Burgess Rd, Toledo, OR 97391
What: Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley holds town hall in Tillamook County.
When: Thursday, January 12, 2012, 1:00 pm
Where: Bay City Arts Center, 5680 A Street, Bay City, OR 97107
What: Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley holds town hall in Clatsop County.
When: Thursday, January 12, 2012, 4:00 pm
Where: Cannon Beach Community Hall, 207 N. Spruce St., Cannon Beach, OR 97110