Did You Know...

06-21-07 I hope everyone enjoyed the fishing, music, fireworks, and fun at the KUPL Fishing Derby and concert. Remember that Cycle Oregon is in town this weekend with a large contingent of riders. Please use extra caution when driving, riding, or walking in and around the Vernonia area. Vernonia is a great community and we welcome everyone to experience safe and responsible events. I recently received a flyer from the Oregon Attorney Generals office that I would like to share details from. The flyer applauds the legislature for restoring the authority to enforce Oregon's "Do Not Call" Law. Senate Bill 117 authorizes the Department of Justice to enforce against violators of the National Do Not Call Registry. Oregon DOJ reports that Oregonians registered over 1.6 million numbers and filed over 15,000 complaints in 2006. SB 117 will allow a maximum penalty of $25,000 per violation. You can learn more about SB 117 by visiting <www.leg.state.or.us/bills_laws/>. The American Red Cross now offers a new website called "Safe and Well" that can be used during a disaster to notify people you are safe. The website provides a way to register yourself "safe and well" if you have been affected by a disaster. From a list of standard messages, you can select those that you want to communicate to your family members, letting them know of your well-being. Concerned family and friends can search the list of those who have registered themselves as "safe and well." The results of a successful search will display a loved one's First Name, Last Name, an "As of Date", and the "safe and well" messages selected. The website can be located and utilized at <https://disastersafe.redcross.org/>. If you ideas for my article please contact me at the station, call 503-429-7335, or email me at <chief@vernonia-or.gov>. I will do my best to address the ideas in future papers.