Kristen Hanthorn Appointed Head Of Clatsop County Sheriff's Office Parole And Probation Division

Thursday, Aug. 4, 2011

KRISTEN HANTHORN APPOINTED HEAD OF PAROLE AND PROBATION DIVISION

Clatsop County Sheriff Tom Bergin announced Thursday the appointment of Kristen Hanthorn as lieutenant in charge of the Sheriff’s Office Parole and Probation Division.
“Kristen is a true leader who has the skills and abilities to handle this division,” Bergin said. “She has been a dedicated employee who has come up through the ranks and understands where we need to go as an organization, but more importantly, understands the importance of relationships within our criminal justice system.”
Hanthorn joined the Sheriff’s Office in 1996 as a deputy and has served as a criminal detective. She was promoted to sergeant in 2007.
The former Community Corrections Department was placed within the Sheriff’s Office earlier this year as part of a reorganization plan that saw the closure of the Transition Center residential facility in Warrenton. Last month Bergin reported to the county board of commissioners that the merger has already resulted in improved communications and increased efficiency between the two offices.
Parole and Probation Division, with a staff of seven parole and probation officers, supervises adult criminal offenders sentenced to probation by a court or released to post-prison supervision from incarceration. The division supervises approximately 400 clients through home and office visits, administers treatment, cognitive and social skills programs and alternative sanctions including house arrest and community service, and works with the local Drug Court, Family Drug Court and Treatment Court programs.
Parole and probation services are funded primarily through state revenue. Closure of the Transition Center has made available funding that will be redirected toward additional treatment programs and rental of additional jail beds in Tillamook County.

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Released by:
Tom Bennett
Community Relations Coordinator
(503) 325-1000

Federal Judge James Redden Nixes U.S. Salmon Habitat Improvement Plan As Too Vague And Uncertain!

National Briefing NORTHWEST
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/New York Times
Published: August 2, 2011

A federal judge has found that the Obama administration’s attempt to make federal hydroelectric dams in the Northwest safer for protected salmon violates the Endangered Species Act. Judge James Redden of Federal District Court in Portland ruled Tuesday that the plan, known as a biological opinion, is too vague and uncertain on specific steps that will be taken in future years to improve salmon habitat. Judge Redden added that he did not think the government could meet the standards of the Endangered Species Act by habitat improvements alone, and that it was time to consider new options, including removing some of the dams. The judge left the plan in place through 2013, when federal agencies must come up with more specific projects to help salmon.
(A version of this brief appeared in print on August 3, 2011, on page A13 of the New York edition )

Oregon State Medical Examiner Releases 2010 Drug-Related Death Statistics

Oregon State Medical Examiner Releases 2010 Drug-Related Death Statistics
05/13/2011
State Medical Examiner Dr. Karen Gunson released 2010 drug-related death statistics reflecting a 6 percent drop from last year and the lowest number since 2005. The newly released statistics show a drop in three of the four categories tracked by the State Medical Examiner’s office. The lone increase – 22 percent - was for methamphetamine-related deaths matching the highest number of these deaths to date in this category. “Any encouragement seen with the drop in drug-related death statistics was definitely brought back to reality with the 22 percent jump in methamphetamine deaths. This unexpected jump comes on the heels of last year’s twenty percent drop while the State of Oregon has been a national leader in taking steps to prevent meth production,” said Gunson. Drug-related death statistics released for 2010 shows 200 people died in Oregon from the use of Heroin, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, or a combination use of those drugs. A review of last year’s 200 illicit drug-related deaths and their frequency of use in the deaths reflected:
In 2010 there were 106 Methamphetamine-related deaths. This was a 22 percent increase, matching 2008 for the highest number of deaths in this category and more than doubled the 50 deaths in 2001.
Heroin use was the second leading cause with 90 deaths; the third lowest number in this category since the year 2000. This was a 29 percent drop from 2009 when there were 127 deaths recorded.
Cocaine-related deaths dropped to their lowest level, more than 3 times lower than in the year 2000 when there were 69 recorded deaths. In 2010 there were 20 recorded deaths in this category, a 38 percent drop from last year.
Combination of drug use deaths were also at their lowest level after dropping 48 percent from the previous year’s number. Eighteen (18) deaths were recorded in this category in 2010. Lane County showed the largest decrease in total drug deaths dropping in half from 33 (2009) to 16 (2010). Deaths related to methamphetamine use encompass the majority of drug deaths in this county. Other counties with notable drops:
Clackamas County decreased 33% from 15 (2009) to 10 (2010)
Josephine County decreased from 4 (2009) to 2 (2010) with all drug-related deaths in this county during both years was methamphetamine-related
Multnomah County deceased from 94 (2009) to 87 (2010) of which nearly 60% were heroin-related deaths
Polk County decreased from 3 (2009) to 1 (2010) Some counties reflecting increases:
Douglas County increased from 4 (2009) to 7 (2010)
Linn County increased from 4 (2009) to 7 (2010)
Yamhill County increased from 2 (2009) to 5 (2010) Statewide prescription drug overdose deaths from Methadone use again topped the list of major prescription drugs with 101 confirmed deaths in 2010; a 23 percent drop from two years ago when 131 deaths were reported in 2008. Fifty-nine (59) deaths from Oxycodone overdose were recorded in 2010, up from 39 deaths in 2008 - a 66 percent increase. The third highest major prescription drug category, Hydrocodone, noted 30 overdose deaths in 2010 (no 2008 comparable numbers available for this release). "With Methadone's wider use, it has a higher abuse potential," said Gunson.
Information for all counties with at least one drug-related death and a comparison of drug-related death categories during the last 11 years is available through the State Medical Examiner’s 2010 statistical review at http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SME/index.shtml.
Note that prescription drug overdose deaths statistics are statewide and are not included with the information provided on the State Medical Examiner's website.

UPDATE!!! It's Official, Wu Resigns!

Update: The Text of Wu's Resignation Speech
"Serving as a U.S. Congressman has been the greatest honor of my life. There is no other job where you get up each day and ask, ‘How can I try to make the world a better place today?’

Particularly meaningful to me has been working for more and better investments in science and education.

Also, I believe that my support for people who struggle for human rights and civil liberties will ultimately bear fruit in a world that is more just and peaceful.

However great the honor and engaging the work, there comes a time to hand on the privilege of elected office—and that time has come."

Now it is up to Oregon Governor Kitzhaber to set an election date for Wu's replacement.

Pelosi calls for ethics investigation into sexual allegation
By Jim Redden - The Portland Tribune

Jul 24, 2011, Updated Jul 25, 2011
Embattled Oregon Congressman David Wu will not run for re-election in 2012 and will retire at the end of his current term, according to a late Sunday report on the Politico website.
Politico cited an unnamed Wu adviser as its source.
The Portland Tribune has not been able to reach Wu for comment.

Read Portland Tribune Report

Read Oregonian Update Report Of Wu's Announcement Of His Resignation!

The Annual Operating Budget For The U.S. Congress?

Based on an article on Huffington Post dated 2/25/2009, the current annual operating budget is $4.4 Billion. That is roughly $8.2 Million per member of congress. Or $3348.55 per second.