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Phil and Penny Knight will give $500 million to University of Oregon for science complex

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The University of Oregon announced it received a $500 million commitment from Phil and Penny Knight to build a new science complex in Eugene, which it hopes will speed the translation of scientific discoveries into “real world impact.”

500 million u of oSchool officials are expected to formally announce the donation from its most prominent and wealthy alum at a news conference Tuesday morning at the Ford Alumni Center on campus.

In an interview, UO President Michael Schill said the “spectacular” gift from the Knights is the largest donation to a public flagship university in the nation’s history.

“This act of philanthropy from Penny and Phil Knight is breathtaking,” Schill said in a formal statement. “This is a seminal moment for the University of Oregon, an inflection point that will shape the trajectory of the university and this state for the next century and beyond.”

The half-billion-dollar pledge comes a little more than three years after the Knights promised an equal amount to Oregon Health & Science University for a cancer research institute and roughly six months after they committed $400 million to Stanford University for a graduate fellowship program. It also puts to rest questions about when the couple would make a similar donation to the Nike magnate’s alma mater.

University of Oregon for science complex

phil-knightIn a statement provided by the school, Phil Knight said he and his wife were “delighted” to give to the university “in an age of declining public support for scientific research generally and declining public higher education support specifically.”

“While not without risk, we believe the expected societal returns from such investments are high,” Knight said. “And here at home in Oregon, we believe the potential to arm our talented young people with the skills and tools they will need to have a lasting impact on the world and to pursue rewarding careers makes such investments essential.”

Phil Knight graduated from UO in 1959 and ran track for Bill Bowerman, his future business partner. The two built Nike into one of the best known brands in the world. By the time Knight stepped down as chairman of the company’s board this June, Nike had a market value of more than $84 billion.

The gift, which will be spaced out in 10 annual installments of $50 million, is the first in what UO hopes will be a $1 billion effort to build a research hub with an emphasis on accelerating research into “innovations, products or cures that could improve the quality of life for people in Oregon, the nation and the world.”

The remaining $500 million will come from donors who have already expressed interest in the sciences, Schill said. UO has not yet received those commitments.

Like other billionaires, Nike’s co-founder plans to give most of his estimated $24 billion fortune to charity.

In February, Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle, another billionaire with ties to UO, gave $10 million to UO for its zebrafish research center.

Schill said UO always had a great science program that worked well between disciplines. But the school never had a way to “take those discoveries and get them out to the world other than through published work.” The gift is particularly vital to UO because it doesn’t have a medical school or engineering program, which typically brings in large research grants from the federal government and helps foster invention and innovation.

knight-campus-millraceThe new Knight campus will initially focus on the life sciences – biology, microbiology, biochemistry and other disciplines – all existing strengths in Eugene.

But Patrick Phillips, a UO biology professor and the acting executive director of the initiative, said the gift will allow the school to bring “new kinds of scientists that we otherwise haven’t been able to.” The school plans to hire 30 new researchers, and bring some 550 students and post-doctoral scholars into the fold.

Phillips said the school could collaborate with OHSU in Portland, Oregon State University in Corvallis and other schools on research. “We’re not going to be able to achieve everything that we want to here without a strong partner in OHSU,” he said.

During the next decade, UO said it will build three 70,000-square-foot buildings to house the Penny and Phil Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. The buildings will be built on roughly 3 acres across Franklin Boulevard from the main campus in Eugene, and will be connected by a sky bridge to the Lorry Lokey Science Complex across the thoroughfare. A company run by the UO Foundation owns some of the property, and the school is already discussing buying the remaining property.

Schill said the gift validates the Oregon Legislature’s decision in 2013 to give UO and Portland State University independent governing boards, a move that came two years after high-profile UO alums and then-president Richard Lariviere aggressively pushed for more autonomy from the state system.

20331971-large

Independence for Oregon’s universities a success, so far

Oregon’s seven public universities are now all on their own, and predictions of acrimony have yet to manifest. But some question where the big donors are.

“We’re playing the game that private universities have played for so many years,” Schill said, “which is to look to their alumni to be able to support new innovative and spectacular ventures.”

“That’s what this is.”

Schill said the gift never would have happened without the independent boards.

But UO also will ask the state for $100 million in bonds in 2017 to help pay for one of the buildings.

Schill said the initiative will create a hub of innovation and entrepreneurism on campus, sparking spinoff businesses in Lane County that will boost the region. “We see this as part of an economic development strategy for the Willamette Valley and the whole state,” Schill said. At total buildout, the school projects 750 jobs will be supported by the center.

Inside the Numbers
250 – graduate students involved in research
150 – post-doctoral researchers
150 – undergraduates involved in research
30 – research scientists to be hired (with teams of 8 scientists on staff)
30 percent: expected increase in funded research annually
1,304 – construction jobs added
750 – jobs supported by the complex upon completion
(courtesy of UO)

Faculty researchers pushed for the new campus initiative and leaders pitched the idea to the Knights last December, and the couple signed off on the idea this spring.

The Knight name is already on the UO law school and library. Several endowed professorships in various disciplines also bear the family name. The couple helped fund renovations at Autzen Stadium and bankrolled other athletic buildings on the UO campus as well.

Despite those contributions, one of the worst-kept secrets in the state was that the couple was mulling a sizable gift to UO. When the school publicized reaching the halfway mark earlier this year on its $2 billion capital campaign, those questions intensified.

Schill, who was hired in April 2015, said the Knights love the university – but the couple has been “looking for the right moment” to leave a legacy.

He thinks they’ve found that moment.

“I am really determined that this will be a wonderful legacy for Phil and Penny and a wonderful thing for the university,”

No More Parking on the Beach?

Lincoln City OR — The public is invited to comment on a proposal to close a 300-foot stretch of beach to motor vehicles near N. 35th Court in Lincoln City. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) will take comment at a public meeting in Salem on Oct. 20 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 124A in the North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St.

Beaches in Lincoln County are closed to motor vehicles except for two 300-foot sections in Lincoln City that have been left open for parking. In the fall of 2015, OPRD received a petition to close one of those sections near N. 35th Court. On March 30, 2016, OPRD held a public meeting in Lincoln City to gather information on historical use, current use and potential problems with the beach being open at that location, as well as reasons why vehicle access is important at that location. After analyzing the information presented at the meeting, OPRD determined that a rulemaking action to close that section of beach was warranted.

Comments on this rulemaking can be made in person at the hearing and in writing until 5 p.m. Oct. 21. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Commission will consider all comments received by the deadline at the Nov. 16 commission meeting in Cannon Beach. Comments should be sent to: Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Attn. Richard Walkoski, 725 Summer St NE, Suite C, Salem OR 97301; or e-mailed to [email protected].

Slash Burning Planned for Tuesday

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The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) plans several slash burns for Tuesday, October 18, some of which may be visible from Highway 101:

• 2 miles east of Gleneden Beach on Immonen Road
• 1 mile east of Boiler Bay
• 2 miles east of Depoe Bay

prescribed_forest_burning_2Under the Oregon Smoke Management Plan, ODF meteorologists regulate the number and size of burns, based on weather and wind conditions, to minimize smoke intrusion into populated areas.

The Oregon Health Authority recommends that individuals with asthma, other lung disease, or heart disease, may be more sensitive to health effects from wildfire smoke and should reduce the amount of time spent outdoors or stay inside.

Prescribed forest burning is a valuable tool to prepare a logged site for replanting of trees. And by reducing excess fuels, it also lowers the risk of wildfires.

Facebook Privacy Hoax

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By Justin Werner

You may have seen people posting something like this on Facebook:

facebook-hoax

I do not give Facebook or any entities associated with Facebook permission to use my pictures, information, messages or posts, both past and future. With this statement, I give notice to Facebook it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103 and the Rome Statute). NOTE: Facebook is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tactically allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates. DO NOT SHARE. Copy and paste

This is a fake post and you should not fall for it.

Facebook does not claim ownership of pictures, according to its terms. It says all content and information posted is owned by the user.

From Facebook Terms Page:

Sharing Your Content and Information

You own all of the content and information you post on Facebook, and you can control how it is shared through your privacy and application settings. In addition:

  1. For content that is covered by intellectual property rights, like photos and videos (IP content), you specifically give us the following permission, subject to your privacyand application settings: you grant us a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, royalty-free, worldwide license to use any IP content that you post on or in connection with Facebook (IP License). This IP License ends when you delete your IP content or your account unless your content has been shared with others, and they have not deleted it.

If you ever see something that you think may be untrue you can always visit SNOPES.COM‘s website and they will shed the truth.

Oregon Revenue Grows Like a Weed

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oregon makes bank off potAs of September 30, 2016, the Oregon Department of Revenue has received $40.2 million in marijuana tax payments. Medical marijuana dispensaries started collecting a 25-percent tax on their recreational marijuana sales in January.

With licensed retailers now selling recreational marijuana in some areas, consumers may see a lower tax rate on their receipts. “Retailers” are those selling recreational marijuana who have been licensed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC). Licensed retailers must charge a 17-percent tax on all recreational marijuana sales. Dispensaries must continue to charge the 25-percent tax rate until early-start provisions expire at the end of this year.

For dispensaries, third-quarter marijuana tax returns are due by October 31, 2016. Forms, instructions, and important information about filing and payment requirements are available at www.oregon.gov/dor/marijuana. If dispensaries or retailers need additional assistance, they can contact the Marijuana Tax Program at (503) 947-2597 or [email protected]

Why Forecasters Can’t Get It Right

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Why were winds not as strong as forecast along the coast?

In an effort to improve our forecasting, meteorologists commonly reassess what happened after each weather event. This process becomes even more important when a forecast doesn’t work out the way we expect it to. The impacts were still quite significant, especially inland where deciduous trees still had full foliage. We received several dozen reports of trees down throughout the Portland metro area. Therefore, we are glad we issued a high wind warning for the north Willamette Valley. However, winds with this storm were significantly less along the coast than we were expecting. We will spend the next several weeks digging into the details of this storm, but for now, here is a quick look at our first assessment of why winds were not as strong as we expected, especially along the coast.

First, the strength of a low pressure center is directly proportional to the strength of the winds. Most forecast models, even this morning, had the low pressure center between 968 and 970 millibars off the Astoria coast this afternoon. While the models did a fairly good job with the track of the low, the strength of the low was not well forecast by models. The surface low west of Astoria this afternoon was around 978 millibars. This is 8 to 10 millibars less intense than forecast. This is VERY significant.

Second, an advanced scatterometer from satellite passed over our low pressure system at 10:45 AM PDT. This scatterometer shows the winds near the surface. What we saw left all of us here scratching our heads. There were 2 centers of circulation! In a typical low pressure center there is only one center of circulation and there were no forecast models forecasting this second low. When the energy is spread between 2 low pressure centers instead of one, the central pressure and winds associated with the system are typically significantly lower than they would be if it were one center of circulation.

Overall, our forecast wind speeds were pretty close (maybe 5 mph too low) in valley locations. Also, we are glad conditions were not as extreme as we were forecasting for the coast. This is better for everyone who may have been negatively impacted who now came through unscathed. However, when a forecast does not work out as expected, it is frustrating as a forecaster. Weather science and model forecasts are getting better every day, but this is just another reminder that Mother Nature will always keep a certain level of unpredictability. We will continue to research and improve our forecasts to provide the best forecast possible for the great people of northwest Oregon and southwest Washington.

Until the next big storm,

NWS Portland

Elijah Shott *FOUND* – Lincoln City Police

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He was found on some rocks north of D Wayside. He’s okay and is now with his family.

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Lincoln City Police are asking for public help in locating a mi

ssing and possibly endangered person, Elijah W. Shott.

elija-shottShott is 21 years old, 6-1, 160 pounds, blue eyes, and brown hair.

Shortly after midnight this morning Shott’s roommate found Shott at his residence on NE 19th Street in Lincoln City. Shott told the roommate he had injested drugs and then ran off. The roommate chased after him but lost sight of Shott. All of Shott’s clothing including underwear were found a short time later on NW 15th Street.

LCPD was not called until about 2:11AM and began a search of the area, however weather conditions and darkness have hindered the search.

Additional resources are being requested. The public is being asked to be on the lookout and report any sightings of this person immediately to the Lincoln City Police by calling 541-994-3636 or dialing 911.

elija-shott-2

Lincoln City Council Candidates Speak Out

Mayor Don Williams, James Scrutton, Doug Wheldon, and Jim Davis were at the Meet and Greet event hosted by Lil Sambos Restaurant recently and I had the opportunity to interview the candidates for city council.

Mayor Don Williams said workforce housing (also known as affordable housing) was the biggest problem the city faced and that the three candidates, with close to 100 years combined building, contracting, and developing experience, could solve the problem. He wants us to vote for these three builders for city council but who are they and why should we?

jim-davisJim Davis is running for City Council Ward 1. He is an experienced builder who has a commanding presence. His interview was to the point and he had some great ideas about how to actually solve the problem of affordable housing. Off camera in speaking with Jim Davis I found him to be highly intelligent. Imagine General George S. Patton commanding armies and you get the idea of Jim Davis commanding contractors. He has sat on the council before so some  political experience is there.

james-scruttonJames Scrutton is running for Ward 2. I enjoyed interviewing this guy. He’s easy to talk to and just an all-around good guy. James Scrutton is a great listener and genuinely cares about his community and neighbors. He has helped feed the homeless in numerous programs and if that wasn’t enough, he tries to talk to all of them and find out what their story is. He said he was ready to help the homeless in Lincoln City learn trades with new programs so they could rejoin society. Scrutton is also a retired contractor and he brings experience in all the different contracting trades.

voter-pamphlet-headshotDoug Wheldon is running for Ward 3. Wheldon went into great detail about what workforce housing is and ways the builders could create the much needed housing for people in Lincoln City. He seemed to know an enormous amount of information on the subject and I was impressed. I learned a thing or two from him. What I really liked about Doug Wheldon was how he presented himself. Something about his body language made me feel comfortable. He was a good listener and really knows everything about construction. He also showed a glimpse of his political strength by how he answered my questions from an average Lincoln City citizen standpoint.

Talking to these three men made me excited for Lincoln City. If they do get elected I have no doubt in my mind that they will tackle the problem of affordable housing and the city will benefit greatly when the dust settles.

Goodbye Hat – Storm Footage

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Footage of the storm we were all expecting. The wind decided to take my hat during my newscast. I loved that hat 🙁

Storm Watch – Depoe Bay Part 2

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Went to Depoe Bay to see the action and it was twice as bad. Rough seas and stronger wind gusts.