Andrea Thrornberry passed many batons in her time, leading efforts and organizations that others would in turn takeover, to then run themselves. She left indelible marks on Corvallis, but more than that, Thornberry left integral pieces of our community’s ever evolving foundation. In some ways we all do that, for good or ill, but Thornberry’s contribution was decidedly for the good – and it was outsized, and had been notable for some time.
Over the years, Thornberry put her considerable skills to work for the Center Against Rape and Domestic Violence, Rotary Club, Ashbrook Independent School and the Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis. She also did a 12 year stint as executive director for Heartland Humane Society. In 2014, The Advocate named her one of Corvallis’ Most Impactful People for her work at Heartland.
Thornberry was killed in a Highway 20 collision on Sunday, December 18 – a vehicle headed the opposite direction entered her side of the road, and she was deceased on arrival of first responders. She is survived by husband Matt, and teenage son Connor. Thornberry was age 47.
Some at The Advocate peripherally shared some of the same circles in which Thornberry traveled, but we never knew her personally. We would, however, frequently see her work in our reporting. Our community is more merciful and helpful for Thornberry’s presence in it – our deepest condolences to her family and friends.
New Head Coach for OSU Volleyball: Lindsey Behonick has been recruited for the Beaver’s Volleyball head coach slot. The announcement came on Friday from Beaver Vice President and Director of Athletics, Scott Barnes.
Behonick served as assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh the past 10 seasons, helping lead the Panthers to a program record seven-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. Add to that, back-to-back NCAA Final Four appearances in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, ending the current season ranked at No. 4 in the AVCA Coaches Poll for the second consecutive year.
“Lindsey comes to Oregon State with a proven record of high-level competitive success,” said Barnes. “Her support for the student-athletes she’s worked with both on the court and in the classroom was everything we were looking for when we started our search. We are thrilled to welcome Lindsey and her family to Corvallis. This is a great fit and we cannot wait for her to get started.”
“I would like to thank Scott Barnes, Jacque Bruns and the search committee for this opportunity. I knew from the moment I started the interview process that this is the perfect place for my family and me,” said Behonick. “I would also like to thank Dan Fisher for his mentorship over the past 12 years together. He has created a space for his assistants to grow into being head coaches and I’m ready to bring a championship culture to Oregon State volleyball.”
Benton Unemployment Up Slightly: The county’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.5% in November, up from its revised rate of 3.3% in October. Oregon’s statewide unemployment rate in November was 4.4%, up from its revised October rate of 4.1%.
Benton County’s employment gains in November were more than normal; total nonfarm employment increased by 290 jobs, when an employment increase of 100 jobs would be expected. As a result, seasonally adjusted employment increased 190 jobs between October and November. Seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment remains 0.6% below the level in February 2020, down 250 jobs after sharp job losses in the spring of 2020. Leisure and hospitality added 30 jobs in November. The sector added 400 jobs or 9.7% over the past year. The private sector overall added 50 jobs over the month.
Trade, transportation, and utilities added 60 jobs and health care and social assistance added 30 jobs in November. Seasonal job losses were seen in mining, logging, and construction which shed 30 jobs in November. The public sector added 230 jobs in November. All of those gains were in local government which added 250 jobs. State government employment and federal government employment both declined 10 in November.
Power Moves: NuScale Power Corporation has upped its international creds, expanding their board by two new members, Dr. Bum-Jin Chung and Mr. Shinji Fujino, who each bring significant nuclear expertise and deep experience in national and international governing bodies.
Dr. Chung is a professor in the Nuclear Engineering Department at Kyung Hee University in South Korea. He is an expert in nuclear thermal hydraulics and safety, and began his career at South Korea’s Ministry of Science and Technology. While at Kyung Hee University, Dr. Chung has served on various government and industry committees on nuclear safety, research and development, and national energy and electricity planning. He has also been called upon as an international expert, consulting with the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Mr. Fujino worked as a Senior Advisor at Unison Capital. From 2016 to 2021, he has also worked as the Managing Executive Officer and Global Head of Equity Finance Group at Japan Bank for International Cooperation, a Japanese governmental agency that financially supports Japanese industries’ activities abroad. Previously he served at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry for the Government of Japan, where he was in charge of a wide range of policy areas, particularly energy policy and international affairs. He also worked in the International Energy Agency, as Head of Country Study Division to review energy policies of its member countries.
Founded in 2007, NuScale is headquartered in Portland, and has offices in Corvallis.
New Year, New Laws: Each year hearkens forth laws legislated to existence in times past, but taking effect in the year to come. From Oregon legislature for 2023, and without further ado, we have these new additions….
SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS: Senate Bill 1586 expanded Oregon’s Workplace Fairness Act, prohibiting employers from requiring silence from former staff on matters of discrimination and harassment as a provision of settlement agreements. Additionally, employers cannot require non-disclosure of settlement amounts unless the former employee requests it.
QUICKER PAYBACK: House Bill 4075 means restitution to crime victims, including small businesses that are burglarized, are paid restitution awards from criminals before court fines are paid. This one passed unanimously in both the House and Senate.
MANDATORY OVERTIME: Senate Bill 1513 disallows the practice of bakery and tortilla plant operators of penalizing workers who refuse to work overtime shifts on short notice. A narrow bill pushed by senate Democrats at the urging of the AFL-CIO, it impacts 294 employers who employ 5,629 workers statewide.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: House Bill 4086 expands state’s workers’ compensation laws definition of a beneficiary and a dependent when determining eligibility for benefits. With the new law, a dependent can be any individuals whose close association with the worker is equivalent to a family relationship. This can also include dependents who are noncitizens living outside the United States and spouses “living in a state of abandonment.” These classes of beneficiaries had been excluded until now.
REAL ESTATE: House Bill 4103 increases fines for running an unlicensed real estate business in Oregon. First offense fines increase from at least $100 to at least $1,000, and fines for a second offense will rise from at least $500 to at least $2,500.
PAID FAMILY LEAVE: A trio of bills over a four year period resulted in Paid Leave Oregon. As you know, if your business employs 25 or more employees, you’ll start paying into the plan on January 1. Employees at all businesses, regardless of headcount, also start paying into the plan, and are equally eligible for benefits starting in September.
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