Columnists
10/06/2026 · Hood River
The Tiny Pause That Keeps You From Overcommitting
You don’t have to answer every request on the spot. Try this small boundary today: give yourself time to decide before your reflexive yes takes over.
The Two-Word Spell That Makes Blake’s Tiger Still Roar
William Blake’s “The Tyger” is famous for its questions, but its real magic may live in two unsettling words: “fearful symmetry.” Here’s how that tiny contradiction can sharpen your own writing today.
10/05/2026
The Most Radical Gift You Can Give Is Your Full Attention
Simone Weil thought attention was more than concentration: it was an ethical act, a way of treating another person’s existence as worthy of your time. That idea becomes startlingly practical when your phone is quietly begging to be worshipped.
10/05/2026
The Tariff Hangover Arrives Before the Bill
Washington keeps selling tariffs as leverage, while families and small manufacturers prepare for higher prices and thinner margins. Congress also finds new ways to confuse motion with progress.
10/05/2026
Please Stop Turning Paintings Into Theme-Park Rides
The immersive art exhibit has officially reached the stage where the artwork is the least important thing in the room. I’m begging museums, producers, and giant projectors to let paintings be weird, quiet, and occasionally difficult again.
10/05/2026
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Browse our current career opportunities. We are actively seeking dedicated individuals to fill various roles within our agency. Click on a job title to view the full description, minimum qualifications, and application instructions. Regular updates ensure you see the latest openings.
Public Health Advisory Council - Oct. 12, 2026
Public Health Advisory Council - Oct. 12, 2026 10/12/2026 5:30 pm Meeting materials agenda Attend the meeting Public Services Building - Room 369, 2051 Kaen Rd, Oregon City Free language assistance services are available for this meeting. Contact Marc Czornij at [email protected] (48-hour notice needed). Agenda Call to Order Objective: Welcome PHAC members & visitors Motion/vote: N/A Presenter: Co-Chair Knox Time: 5:30 – 5:32 p.m. (2 minutes) Introductions & acknowledge group agreements Objective: Members & guests are better acquainted Motion/vote: N/A Presenter: Co-Chair Smith (All participate) Time: 5:32 – 5:42 p.m. (10 minutes) Public Input Objective: Create space for members of the public to share input Motion/vote: N/A Presenter: Co-Chair Knox Time: 5:42 – 5:48 p.m. (3 minutes per individual/6 minutes total) Agenda approval Objective: Confirm the agenda Motion/vote: X Second, vote Presenter: Co-Chair Knox Time: 5:48– 5:50 p.m. (2 minutes) Minutes of April 13, 2026 and August 10, 2026 Objective: Review & approve minutes from previous PHAC meetings Motion/vote: X Second, vote Presenter: Co-Chair Smith Time: 5:50 – 5:53 p.m. (3 minutes) Ethics Deliberation: Introduction and Overview Objective: Familiarize group with deliberation proceedings Motion/vote: N/A Presenter: Kim La Croix; Kevin Dirksen, Providence Center for Health Care Ethics Time: 5:53 – 6:00 p.m. (7 minutes) Ethics Deliberation: Case Study Objective: Provide background & context for facilitated discussion Motion/vote: N/A Presenter: Marc Czornij Time: 6:00 – 6:15 p.m. (15 minutes) Ethics Deliberation: Facilitated Discussion Objective: Discuss potential courses of action for CCPHD Motion/vote: N/A Presenter: Kevin Dirksen Time: 6:15 – 7:05 p.m. (50 minutes) Ethics Deliberation: Final Recommendations & Next Steps Objective: Make final recommendations and discuss next steps Motion/vote: X Second, vote Presenter: Kevin Dirksen; Co-Chair Knox Time: 7:05 – 7:25 p.m. (20 minutes) Call for new business & announcements Objective: New topics brought forward by members & group announcements Motion/vote: N/A Presenter: Co-Chair Smith Time: 7:25 – 7:29 p.m. (4 minutes) Wrap-up and Adjournment Objective: Close meeting Motion/vote: X Second, vote Presenter: Co-Chair Smith Time: 7:29 – 7:30 p.m. (1 minutes) Future Meetings: December 14, 2026 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. TBD Virtual
Councils and Committees
Oregon Emergency Management participates in and facilitates several councils and committees that assist with preparedness, response and mitigation of hazards in our state. These include: Agencies participating in the Oregon Emergency Response System Council provide cooperative assistance within their resources and authority in responding to mitigating hazards that threaten the State of Oregon. The Oregon Seismic Safety Policy Advisory Commission (OSSPAC) was established after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake in California. It is tasked with promoting earthquake awareness and preparedness in Oregon through education, research and legislation. OSSPAC meets bi-monthly. State Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team (IHMT) coordinates recommended strategies to lessen loss of life, property, economic and natural resources when natural hazard events affect technological systems and critical infrastructure. The team meets on a quarterly basis. Section 151 of House Bill 2927, ordered by the Senate on June 25, 2021, established the Emergency Preparedness Advisory Council within the Office of the Governor. The mission of the council is to facilitate policy recommendations for catastrophic disaster preparedness, mitigation and response, recovery planning, procedures, and protocols with special emphasis on outreach to representatives of designated state and federal emergency support functions. Section 152 of House Bill 2927, ordered by the Senate on June 25, 2021, established the Local Government Emergency Management Advisory Council (LGEMAC). The council provides advice and recommendations to Oregon Department of Emergency Management regarding emergency preparedness and response functions. The Oregon Homeland Security Council (OHSC) was created by House Bill 2101 in the 2005 legislation session. Placed within the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, this council receives briefings on security matters for which the department is responsible at least annually from state agencies and organizations as determined by the council. The Safe Media Access to Disaster Sites Committee (HB4087) was established in 2022 to ensure safe and equitable news media access to wildfire and other disaster scenes on Oregon public lands. House Bill 4087 directs Oregon Emergency Management to convene a collaborative committee of news media and public safety agency stakeholders to develop and implement a safety training and media access credentialing plan. The plan is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2023. The Japanese Tsunami Marine Debris (JTMD) task force was created in the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake in 2011 to manage the marine debris washing up on Oregon shores. The final meeting of the JTMD task force was held on Oct. 29, 2014. × How to recognize an official Oregon website .gov Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock icon ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Only share sensitive information on official, secure websites. Close Hidden Submit Your browser is out-of-date! It has known security flaws and may not display all features of this and other websites. Learn how ×
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Other - 09/28/2026
Administrative Rules - Recently Adopted Commerce and Compliance Rules
Other - 09/24/2026
Clackamas County grand jury determines officers justified in using deadly force
Other - 09/22/2026
Crook County Planning Commission regular meeting - October 14, 2026 @ 4:00 PM
Public Hearing - 09/16/2026
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