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Statement by U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams

Statement by U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams on Racist and Threatening Letters Sent to Community Leaders, Activists PORTLAND, ON (STL.News) Billy. J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon, released the following statement on racist and threatening letters sent to Portland area community leaders and activists: “We are aware that some Portland area community leaders and activists have, in recent months, received racist letters threatening violence against them, their families, or people they know. I want to reassure the community that the U.S. Attorney’s Office takes these threats very seriously and, together with our partners at the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, are engaged in an active investigation to determine who is responsible for creating and sending these ...

Politics

Oregon Governor: Federal Reserve of COVID-19 Vaccines

Salem, OR (STL.News) Governor Kate Brown today issued the following statement on new information about the federal reserve of COVID-19 vaccines: "Last night, I received disturbing news, confirmed to me directly by General Perna of Operation Warp Speed: States will not be receiving increased shipments of vaccines from the national stockpile next week, because there is no federal reserve of doses. "I am demanding answers from the Trump Administration. I am shocked and appalled that they have set an expectation on which they could not deliver, with such grave consequences. "This is a deception on a national scale. Oregon’s seniors, teachers, and all of us were depending on the promise of Oregon’s share of the federal reserve of vaccines being released to us." A copy of a letter ...

Politics

Oregon Governor Announces Lincoln County Circuit Court Vacancy

Judge Thomas Branford to Retire from Lincoln County Bench Salem, OR (STL.News) Governor Kate Brown announced today that she is accepting applications for a judicial vacancy on the Lincoln County Circuit Court created by the planned retirement of Judge Thomas Branford. The Governor thanked Judge Branford for his dedicated judicial service, and announced that she will fill the position by appointment. Judge Branford’s retirement takes effect February 28, 2021. Interested applicants should mail (no hand delivery) their completed application forms to: Dustin Buehler, General Counsel, Office of the Governor, 900 Court Street NE #254, Salem, OR 97301-4047. Forms must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, February 1, 2021. Forms emailed by 5:00 p.m. on the closing date will be considered ti...

Politics

Oregon Governor Kate Brown Announces Updates to County Risk Levels

Salem, OR (STL.News) Governor Kate Brown today announced updates to county risk levels under the state's new public health framework to reduce transmission and protect Oregonians from COVID-19. The framework uses four different risk levels for counties based on COVID-19 spread—Extreme Risk, High Risk, Moderate Risk, and Lower Risk—and assigns health and safety measures for each level. Effective January 15 through January 28, there will be 26 counties in the Extreme Risk level, two at High Risk, two at Moderate Risk, and six at Lower Risk. A complete list of counties and their associated risk levels is available here. “With four counties moving back to Extreme Risk, this week we are reminded that health and safety measures continue to be of utmost importance, even when we slow the s...

General

Beavercreek: Cody Melby Charged After Firing Handgun

Beavercreek Man, Cody Melby Arrested, Charged After Firing Handgun Into the Hatfield Federal Courthouse PORTLAND, OR (STL.News) A Beavercreek, Oregon man has been arrested and charged for discharging a firearm into the Hatfield Federal Courthouse on January 8, 2021, announced U.S. Attorney Billy J. Williams. Cody Melby, 39, has been charged by criminal complaint with destruction of government property. According to the complaint, at approximately 7:35pm on January 8, Melby allegedly jumped over a security fence at the Hatfield Courthouse and, using a 9mm handgun, fired several rounds into the building’s exterior. Two courthouse security officers exited the building and approached Melby after observing him on a closed-circuit security camera. Melby told the officers he had a gun an...

Politics

Oregon Governor Appoints M. Idiart to Jackson County Justice Court

Governor Kate Brown Appoints Damian M. Idiart to Jackson County Justice Court Salem, OR (STL.News) Governor Kate Brown announced today that she will appoint Damian M. Idiart to the position of Jackson County Justice of the Peace, filling a vacancy created by the election of the prior Justice of the Peace, Joseph M. Charter, to the Jackson County Circuit Court. The Justice of the Peace serves as the Judge in the Jackson County Justice Court, which handles primarily traffic matters and provides many community members with their first experience with the justice system. Mr. Idiart’s appointment is effective December 5, 2020. “Damian Idiart’s longtime work as a lawyer and Pro Tem Judge in this community makes him ideally suited to take on the position of Justice of the Peace,” said Governor...

Politics

Oregon Governor to Hold Press Availability on Hospital Capacity

Governor Kate Brown to Hold Press Availability on Oregon Hospital Capacity at 1:00 p.m. Today, November 10 Salem, OR (STL.News) Governor Kate Brown will hold a press availability today to discuss the capacity challenges facing Oregon hospitals as COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations continue to spike. She will be joined by representatives from the Oregon Health Authority and Oregon hospitals. The press availability will be today, November 10, at 1:00 p.m. Members of the media must RSVP for call-in information by emailing our office at Governors.Press@oregon.gov. A live stream will be available for the public here . Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL) simulcasts will also be available. Teleconference information will be provided to all reporters who RSVP to participate remot...

Politics

Oregon Governor Brown Rescinded Law Enforcement Executive Order

Governor Kate Brown Stands Down Law Enforcement Joint Incident Command Structure for Portland Salem, OR (STL.News) Following a day of largely peaceful demonstrations and celebrations yesterday, Governor Kate Brown rescinded her executive order under ORS Chapter 401 to create a joint incident command structure for public safety in Portland, effective at noon today. The order had been set to expire at 5:00 p.m today. “Free and fair elections and a peaceful transition of power are hallmarks of our democracy," said Governor Kate Brown. "I would like to thank Oregonians for expressing their free speech rights largely through joyful celebrations yesterday. I'd also like to thank the city, county, and state law enforcement officers, as well as the Oregon National Guard volunteers, who worked o...

Politics

Oregon: Todd Albert Named As New Public Records Advocate

Appointment effective since November 1, subject to Senate confirmation Salem, OR (STL.News) Todd Albert has been named Oregon’s new Public Records Advocate, effective November 1. The Public Records Advisory Council endorsed Albert following the resignation of Becky Chiao, and the Governor's Office is putting the council's recommendation of Albert forward for Senate confirmation. In his role as Public Records Advocate, Albert will provide facilitated dispute resolution services for public records requests and conduct statewide trainings on the requirements and best practices for processing and responding to public records requests. “Mr. Albert is well-suited for this position, having worked as Deputy Public Records Advocate and Acting Public Records Advocate," said Governor Brown. "He b...

Politics

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Issues Statement on Keeping Peace in Portland

Salem, OR (STL.News) Governor Kate Brown issued the following statement today: "Two groups gathered in downtown Portland last night. One group demonstrated peacefully for hours by the waterfront. Their clarion call advocating for racial justice and Black lives has resonated with Oregonians and driven real reform over the past several months. "Unfortunately, a second group of self-styled anarchist protesters, some armed, also marched downtown last night, with no discernible goal other than to cause violence and vandalism. "They shattered the windows of a church that feeds Oregonians in need, a women-owned and operated business that raises money for immigrant and women’s rights, and many other storefronts. "Indiscriminate destruction solves nothing. These are acts of privilege. "At t...

Politics

Oregon Gov. Brown Extends Law to Keep Peace & Protect Free Speech

Governor Kate Brown Extends Law Enforcement Plan to Keep the Peace and Protect Free Speech in Portland Salem, OR (STL.News) In order to keep the peace and protect free speech in Portland as the country continues to wait for national election results, Governor Kate Brown today extended her executive order under ORS Chapter 401 to create a joint incident command structure for public safety. The order, which had been set to expire at 5:00 p.m today, has been extended until Friday, November 6, at 5:00 p.m., unless earlier rescinded or extended. “Across the United States, elections officials are working hard to ensure that every vote is counted, and it may be several days until we know the results of this election,” said Governor Brown. “It’s important to trust the process, and the system th...

Politics

Oregon Governor Kate Brown Issues Statement on Election Day: Vote!

Salem, OR (STL.News) Governor Kate Brown issued the following statement: "Today is Election Day. "In Oregon, voting is a part of who we are. Women were voting in Oregon nine years before the ratification of the 19th Amendment. We were the first state in the nation to institute voting by mail, and the first state to establish automatic voter registration. "As history has proven, Oregonians believe that every person's voice should be heard in free and fair elections. "Now, 92% of eligible Oregonians are registered to vote. Many are casting a vote for their first time in 2020. After setting a turnout record in the spring primary election, Oregonians are showing up in record numbers again to vote. We’ve already seen 2.1 million Oregonians cast their ballots. "With only 0.0001% of fra...

Politics

Oregon Governor Kate Brown: Western States Join California’s Scientific Safety of COVID-19 Vaccine

Western States Join California’s Scientific Safety Review Workgroup to Ensure Safety of COVID-19 Vaccine Experts will independently review the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine Portland, OR (STL.News) Oregon, Washington, and Nevada have joined California's COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which will independently review the safety and efficacy of any vaccine approved by the FDA for distribution. Last week, Governor Newsom announced the panel made up of nationally acclaimed scientists with expertise in immunization and public health. “The vaccines currently in development, once approved, are what Americans have been waiting for to protect their families, their children, and their loved ones in long-term care facilities,” said Governor Kate Brown. “The independent revie...

Politics

Oregon Governor Kate Brown Issues Statement On Chernaik v. Brown Decision

Salem, OR (STL.News) Governor Kate Brown issued the following statement today, after the Oregon Supreme Court issued its decision in the Chernaik v. Brown case: “As I have said throughout this legal process, I agree with the plaintiffs, and other young people across Oregon and the world, when they say there is an urgent need for climate action. “The unprecedented wildfires that raged across the West this year should have been a wake-up call for everyone: we need to be taking impactful steps immediately to address climate change. That’s why I took executive action in the spring to reduce Oregon’s carbon emissions, after Republican legislators walked out two years in a row to block climate action legislation. At every turn, the industries that are dependent on polluting the climate have...

Politics

Oregon Governor Brown Appoints Matthew Garrett as Wildfire Recovery Director

Salem, OR (STL.News) Governor Kate Brown today announced the appointment of Matthew Garrett as Wildfire Recovery Director, effective immediately. In this role, Garrett will serve as principal advisor to the Governor on recovery issues related to the 2020 wildfire season, develop a strategic recovery plan designed to consider the needs of all impacted Oregon communities, and lead the development of a 2021 budget and policy request that represents the total recovery needs of Oregon communities in collaboration with the Governor’s Disaster Cabinet and Wildfire Economic Recovery Council. "As we begin the process of rebuilding after the historic wildfire devastation our state has seen, we need a seasoned leader like Mr. Garrett who understands the economics of our state, as well as the import...

Politics

Oregon Governor Kate Brown Announces Updates to the County Watch List

Salem, OR (STL.News)—Governor Kate Brown today announced that two counties—Benton and Clatsop—have been added to the County Watch List. This brings the total number of counties on the Watch List to three. “With increased sporadic COVID-19 cases in these counties, the Oregon Health Authority is reaching out to provide additional support and resources to help county officials reduce community spread," said Governor Brown. "These additions to the Watch List are a reminder that COVID-19 is still very much with us, and that we must not let down our guard. I urge all Oregonians to continue practicing the measures that health experts recommend for reducing the spread of this disease—wear a face covering, watch your physical distance, and wash your hands often." Counties are placed on the Wat...

Politics

Oregon Governor Brown Visits Clackamas County to See Devastation

Governor Kate Brown Visits Clackamas County, Sees Devastation Caused by Wildfires The Governor surveyed damage caused by the Riverside, Dowty Road, and Unger Fires Portland, OR (STL.News) Governor Kate Brown today visited Clackamas County where she saw areas damaged by the Riverside, Dowty Road, and Unger Fires. As part of her visit, the Governor met with local elected officials, received a fire briefing from the Incident Command Post, and met with firefighters and local law enforcement officials. “It's hard to believe the magnitude of impact these fires have had on Clackamas County, and I know for many who live here the destruction is unfathomable," said Governor Brown. "As I continue to visit communities around the state that have been hard hit by these wildfires, my commitment stren...

General

US Air Force: Kingsley Field firefighters save local homes from catastrophic fire

CHILOQUIN, OR (AFNS)(STL.News) Kingsley Field firefighters returned from helping a neighboring community fight a wildland fire, Sept. 21. In the late evening of Sept. 7, the Kingsley Field Fire Department, part of the 173rd Fighter Wing of the Oregon Air National Guard, received a dispatch call for assistance for a wildland fire burning near Chiloquin, a neighboring community north of the small town in the southwest corner of Oregon. For one firefighter, that meant a wake-up call just after 1 a.m., something he said is totally routine at a fire station. When he and two other Kingsley Firefighters arrived at the Two Four Two Fire north of Klamath Falls, it was anything but routine. “That’s the worst fire I have ever seen in 20 years of firefighting in Oregon,” said Rees Thomas, a Kingsl...