On July 25, 2017 at about 5PM, OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a crash involving a rolled over truck on Interstate 5 near milepost 90 southbound (Canyon Mountain).

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2005 Volvo truck tractor towing a trailer loaded with lumber was traveling southbound on Interstate 5 when it left the roadway. The truck and trailer combination reentered the roadway and rolled over, blocking both southbound lanes of travel.

The driver, Richard A HELLER, age 53, and his passenger Tina M GORRIE, age 46, were not injured (both from Tacoma, Washington). While troopers were conducting the on scene investigation, they arrested HELLER for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants (Controlled Substance), Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Reckless Driving, and Recklessly Endangering Another Person. GORRIE was arrested for Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine.

Interstate 5 southbound was closed for two hours while the truck, trailer and lumber were cleared. GORRIE and HELLER were booked into the Douglas County Jail. No further information at this time.


Attached Media Files: 2017-07/1002/106401/IMG_1138.JPG.jpeg , 2017-07/1002/106401/IMG_1135.JPG.jpeg

Portland, Ore. -- Today the Bonneville Power Administration set rates for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 that will help support long-term rate stability and maximize the value of the regional federal power and transmission systems. BPA adopted a 5.4 percent average wholesale power rate increase and an average transmission rate decrease of 0.7 percent that will take effect Oct. 1.

"We worked very hard on behalf of our customers to manage our costs and make changes that will strengthen our finances and improve our competitive position in the rapidly changing electricity market," said BPA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Elliot Mainzer. "However, despite aggressive cost-management actions, costs beyond our direct control continue to place significant upward pressure on our power rates. BPA will further address these cost pressures through the completion of a long-term business strategy later this year in collaboration with customers and regional partners."

The 5.4 percent increase results in an average wholesale power rate of $35.57 per megawatt-hour, an increase of 2.7 percent annually. The overall rate increase is primarily due to a lower-than-expected demand for power, a declining forecast of surplus power sales revenues due to lower market prices, and escalating costs of programs driven by legal requirements. BPA is working with regional partners to identify new revenue streams and continued cost-containment strategies that may help mitigate these rising cost pressures.

BPA has also adopted a new Financial Reserves Policy. This policy establishes a framework for setting and managing financial reserves levels to support BPA's credit ratings, liquidity, equity between business lines and rate stability. Approximately 1 percent of the power rate increase will be used to replenish Power's financial reserves levels, while transmission's financial reserves remain stable.

Transmission rates will decrease in the next rate period by an average of 0.7 percent. This is due to cost-management efforts and savings from debt-management actions. Looking forward, BPA is working to address the significant impact of long-term capital costs and develop a sustainable investment strategy for pending transmission system capital needs.

BPA created a spill surcharge to recover the costs associated with increased spill that is anticipated as a result of a ruling issued this past spring by the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. The court indicated that it will order increased spill at eight Federal Columbia River Power System dams on the lower Columbia and Snake rivers for the 2018 spring fish passage season. The surcharge will be in addition to the new power rates and will be implemented once sufficient information becomes available regarding planned annual spill levels. As part of the surcharge calculation, Bonneville is committed to working with its regional partners to find program cost savings, including in our Environment, Fish and Wildlife spending, to help offset the costs of increased spill.

The new rates also include investments to modernize core utility operating systems that will enable BPA to maximize the efficiency of grid operations and provide the option to participate in emerging markets.

"This rate case is ultimately about investing in our future and continuing to deliver value to our customers and the broader region for many years to come," said Mainzer.
BPA is a nonprofit federal wholesale utility that receives no congressional appropriations and must recover its costs through its rates. The new rates will affect local retail utilities differently depending on the amount of power and type of services they purchase from BPA. Local utilities ultimately determine the impact of BPA's rates on individual businesses and residents.

Peninsula Credit Union will host Sen. Angel Tuesday, July 25

SEATAC, WA.--Washington State Senator Jan Angel (R -Port Orchard) is receiving the Northwest Credit Union Movement's 2017 Community Impact Award for her legislative service. She will be honored Tuesday, July 25 at Peninsula Credit Union's Port Orchard branch at 5:30 p.m.

"Senator Angel has been an advocate for credit union issues, and we value her leadership," said Troy Stang, President/CEO of the Northwest Credit Union Association (NWCUA). "Washington credit unions are honored to recognize her with this award."

Added Jim Morrell, President/CEO of Peninsula Credit Union, "Senator Angel understands the value credit unions provide to our members and to our community. We appreciate her taking the time to understand the topics we bring to her attention, and her work to move those through the legislative process."

Washington's not-for-profit, cooperative credit unions serve 3.6 million consumers.

Angel serves as Chair of the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee. In addition to eight years of legislative service, Sen. Angel worked in the financial services industry for 14 years, owned businesses located in Pierce and Kitsap counties, and worked in the insurance industry.

"This is a truly great honor for me," said Angel. "I've worked hard to make sure every citizen of Washington has a secure financial system while we keep our policy on pace with technology. The credit unions here in our community and across the state have been very valuable resources and partners in this effort, so this is an important recognition of the results we've been achieving.

Coverage Invitation: Senator Jan Angel receives Northwest Credit Union Movement's 2017 Community Impact Award

When: Tuesday, July 25, 5:30 p.m.

Where: Peninsula Credit Union, 1081 Bethel Rd. Port Orchard, WA. 98366





The Northwest Credit Union Association is the not-for-profit trade association representing over 180 credit unions in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, and their 6.2 million consumer members. Northwest Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives, owned by their members. Credit unions help members achieve their financial goals. All earnings in excess of operating expenses and required reserves are returned to members in the form of lower loan rates, fewer fees and higher interest paid on savings. For information on how to join a credit union, please visit http://www.asmarterchoice.org.


Attached Media Files: 2017-07/4992/106345/Sen._Angel_Honor.docx