SEATAC, WA; --If the Washington Legislature fails to reach a budget agreement by June 30, the state government will partially shut down. That could create financial hardship for the 32,000 state employees who will be laid off, and for thousands of other consumers who rely on some state services that will be suspended.
Many Washington credit unions have options in place to help their members who would be impacted.

"As not-for-profit cooperatives, credit unions have a rich history of helping their members navigate through the opportunities and challenges of life's journeys," said Troy Stang, President and CEO of the Northwest Credit Union Association (NWCUA). "It is during difficult times such as government shutdowns and other emergencies that the cooperative financial services model shines through."

Standing Beside Members is What Credit Unions Do

Because credit unions are local, member-owned cooperatives, and not-for-profit, they focus on putting their members' needs first, in good times and during emergencies, Stang noted. Services many Washington credit unions are preparing to offer in the event of a state government shutdown include short-term loans to cover payroll gaps, options to skip loan payments, and financial counseling. An example of such member services is posted on the Washington State Employees Credit Union website as well as on the O Bee Credit Union website.

Stang recommends state employees and other consumers who could be impacted by a state shutdown contact their credit unions in advance, to learn more about services that could be available.

The Northwest Credit Union Association is the not-for-profit trade association representing over 180 credit unions in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Credit unions are not-for-profit, cooperative financial services providers, owned by the members using their services. Credit unions do not pay stockholders on Wall Street. Instead they return all earnings in excess of expenses and required reserves back to their members in the form of lower fees, better loan rates, higher yields on savings, and other services. More than six million Northwest consumers are credit union members. For information on how to join a credit union, please visit http://www.asmarterchoice.org.


Attached Media Files: 2017-06/4992/105601/Washington_Credit_Unions_Prepare_to_Help_Members_Through_Government_Shutdown_ds.docx

WALLA WALLA, WA -- This Wednesday, June 28, more than 400 parents, educators, mental health workers, law enforcement, and other professionals will gather at Whitman College in Walla Walla for the "Beyond Paper Tigers" conference. The 2017 trauma-informed care conference addresses the international concern surrounding the impacts of chronic stress and trauma on childhood development.

Beyond Paper Tigers follows the renewed interest in this topic after the success of James Redford's 2015 documentary "Paper Tigers," filmed in Walla Walla. Now more than ever, both parents and professionals struggle to understand the complex and continued affects of trauma on a youth's brain development. The 2017 conference includes keynote presenter Dr. Ken Ginsburg, along with 20 unique breakout sessions facilitated by community and mental health professionals.

"Young people live up or down to expectations we set for them," notes Dr. Ginsburg. "They need adults who believe in them unconditionally and hold them to the high expectations of being compassionate, generous, and creative."

Dr. Ginsburg is a pediatrician specializing in Adolescent Medicine at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He practices social adolescent medicine -- medicine with special attention to prevention and the recognition that social context and stressors affect both physical and emotional health.

Beyond Paper Tigers 2017 begins at 8:30 AM on June 28 and concludes at 1:00 PM on June 29. The Children's Resilience Initiative is also sponsoring a free community event on the first evening of the conference from 6:30-8 PM at 345 Boyer Ave. in Walla Walla. That event is open to the public, with doors opening at 6 PM.

For more information, visit www.beyondpapertigers.com or contact Rick Griffin, Jubilee Academy Executive Director, at 509.749.2103 or rickg@jlacademy.org.

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Attached Media Files: Beyond Paper Tigers 2017

On June 24, 2017, at about 3:37 p.m., OSP Troopers and emergency personnel responded to the report of a single vehicle crash on Highway 245 near milepost 11 (in Hereford).

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta was traveling northbound when it drifted out of its lane of travel, crossed the oncoming lane and continued off the roadway, where it struck a tree. The driver, Luis Alberto BARRERA MENDEZ, age 29, of Centralia, Washington, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger, Octavio Castro VALDEZ, age 25, of Centralia, Washington, was transported by Life Flight to Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise for treatment of his serious injuries.

OSP was assisted by Baker County Sheriff's Office, Baker City Fire Department, Blue Mountain Ambulance and Oregon Department of Transportation.

This is an ongoing investigation and more information will be released as it becomes available.


Attached Media Files: Photo