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(AP) — Cissy Houston, a two-time Grammy-winning soul and gospel artist who sang with Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and other stars and knew triumph and heartbreak as the mother of Whitney Houston, has died. She was 91. Cissy Houston died Monday morning in her New Jersey home while under hospice care for Alzheimer’s disease, her daughter-in-law Pat Houston told The Associated Press. The acclaimed gospel singer was surrounded by her family. “Our hearts are filled with pain and sadness. We loss the matriarch of our family,” Pat Houston said in a statement. She said her mother-in-law’s contributions to popular music and culture are “unparalleled.” “Mother Cissy has been a strong and towering figure in our lives. A woman of deep faith and conviction, who cared greatly about family, ministry, and community. Her more than seven-decade career in music and entertainment will remain at the forefront of our hearts.” A church performer from an early age, Houston was part of a family gospel act before breaking through in popular music in the 1960s as a member of the prominent backing group The Sweet Inspirations with Doris Troy and her niece Dee Dee Warwick. The group sang backup for a variety of soul singers including Otis Redding, Lou Rawls and The Drifters. They also sang backup for Dionne Warwick. Houston’s many credits included Franklin’s “Think” and ”(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man.” The Sweet Inspirations also sang on stage with Presley, whom Houston would remember fondly for singing gospel during rehearsal breaks and telling her that she was “squirrelly.” “At the end of our engagement with him, he gave me a bracelet inscribed with my name on the outside,” she wrote in her memoir “How Sweet the Sound,” published in 1998. “On the inside of the bracelet he had inscribed his nickname for me: Squirrelly.” The Sweet Inspirations had their own top 20 single with the soul-rock “Sweet Inspiration,” made in the Memphis studio where Franklin and Springfield among others recorded hits and released four albums just in the late ’60s. The group appeared on Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” and sang background vocals for The Jimi Hendrix Experience on the song “Burning of the Midnight Lamp” in 1967. Houston’s last performance with The Sweet Inspirations came after the group hit the stage with Presley in a Las Vegas show in 1969. Her final recording session with the group turned into their biggest R&B hit “(Gotta Find) A Brand New Lover” a composition by the production team of Gamble & Huff, who appeared on the group’s fifth album, “Sweet Sweet Soul.” During that time, the group occasionally performed live concert dates with Franklin. After the group’s success and four albums together, Houston left The Sweet Inspirations to pursue a solo career where she flourished. Houston became an in-demand session singer and recorded more than 600 songs in multiple genres throughout her career. Her vocals can be heard on tracks alongside a wide range of artists including Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway, Jimi Hendrix, Luther Vandross, Beyoncé, Paul Simon, Roberta Flack and Whitney Houston. Cissy Houston went on to complete several records, including “Presenting Cissy Houston,” the disco-era “Think It Over” and the Grammy-winning gospel albums “Face to Face” and “He Leadeth Me.” In 1971, Houston’s signature vocals were featured on Burt Bacharach’s solo album, which includes “Mexican Divorce,” “All Kinds of People” and “One Less Bell to Answer.” She performed various standards including Barbra Streisand’s hit song, “Evergreen.” Never far from her native New Jersey or musical origins, Houston presided for decades over the 200-member Youth Inspirational Choir at Newark’s New Hope Baptist Church, where Whitney Houston sang as a child. Cissy Houston would say that she had discouraged her daughter from show business, but they were joined in music for much of Whitney’s life, from church to stage performances to television and film and the recording studio. Whitney’s rise seemed inevitable, not only because of her obvious talents, but because of her background: Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick were cousins, Leontyne Price a cousin once removed, Franklin a close family friend. Whitney Houston made her debut on national television when she and Cissy Houston sang a medley of Franklin hits on “The Merv Griffin Show.” Cissy Houston sang backup on Whitney’s eponymous, multi-platinum first album, and the two shared the lead on “I Know Him So Well,” from the 1987 mega-seller “Whitney.” They would sing together often in concert and appeared in the 1996 film “The Preacher’s Wife.” Their most indelible moments likely came from the video for one of Whitney’s biggest hits from the mid-1980s, “Greatest Love of All.” It was filmed as a mother-daughter homage, ending with a joyous Whitney exiting the stage of Harlem’s Apollo Theater and embracing Cissy Houston, who stood in the wings. But drug problems damaged Whitney’s voice and reputation and eventually ended her life: she was found dead in a Beverly Hills bathtub on Feb. 11, 2012. Cissy Houston would blame husband Bobby Brown for Whitney’s getting so “deep” into drugs, writing in the 2013 memoir “Remembering Whitney.” Brown acknowledged his drug problems but was dismissive of his in-laws in a 2016 interview with Larry King. Cissy and Whitney Houston had a complicated dynamic at times — Whitney nicknamed her mother “Big Cuda,” as in barracuda. Cissy described in the memoir that her daughter as “mean” and “difficult” at times but wrote “almost always,” her daughter was “the sweetest, most loving person in the room.” In 2015, Cissy Houston was grieving again when granddaughter Bobbi Kristina Brown , the only child of Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston, was found unconscious in a bathtub, spent months in a coma and died at age 22. Cissy Houston was briefly married to Freddie Garland in the 1950s; their son, Gary Garland, was a guard for the Denver Nuggets and later sang on many of Whitney Houston’s tours. Cissy Houston was married to Whitney’s father, entertainment executive John Russell Houston, from 1959-1990. In addition to Whitney, the Houstons also had a son, Michael. Cissy Houston was born Emily Drinkard in Newark, the youngest of eight children of a factory worker and a housewife. She was just 5 when she and three siblings founded the Drinkard Singers, a gospel group that lasted 30 years, performing on the same bill as Mahalia Jackson among others and releasing the 1959 album “A Joyful Noise.” She later said she would have been happy to remain in gospel, but John Houston encouraged her to take on studio work. When rockabilly star Ronnie Hawkins (along with drummer Levon Helm and other future members of The Band) needed an extra voice, Cissy Houston stepped in. “I wanted to get my work done, and get it done quickly. I was there, but I didn’t have to be part of them. I was in the world, but I wasn’t of the world, as St. Paul put it,” Houston wrote in “How Sweet the Sound,” remembering how she soon began working with the Drifters and other singers. “At least in the recording studio we were living together as God intended us to. Some days, we spent 12 or 15 hours together there,” she wrote. “The skin-deep barriers of race seemed to fall away as we toiled side by side creating our little pop masterpieces.” Pat Houston said she is thankful for the many valuable lessons learned from her mother-in-law. She said the family feels “blessed and grateful” that God allowed Cissy to spend so many years. “We are touched by your generous support, and your outpouring of love during our profound time of grief,” Houston said on behalf of the family. “We respectfully request our privacy during this difficult time.”

Lift Effective Immediately The burn ban that was issued in early July in the City of Portland has been lifted by the Fire Marshal effective immediately. Although the burn ban is being lifted, Portland Fire & Rescue would like to remind folks to only burn dried cordwood in a controlled setting by using a fire ring or elevated fire pit with an active hose line stretched to the location of your fire. Keep all flame lengths less than 24” and be certain to be a safe distance away from any structure and significant vegetation. In addition to the safety concerns with recreational fire pits, PF&R would like you to remain vigilant in your outdoor cooking activities as well. Residents are reminded to use extreme caution when using an outdoor cooking set up with open flame. When using charcoal briquettes, please properly dispose of the ashes in a covered metal container away from combustibles, and keep the ashes wet for a few days before properly disposing of them. Maintain at least ten feet between outdoor cooking and anything combustible such as siding, fences, shrubbery, etc. Ensure all cigarettes/cigars are extinguished prior to disposal. Those living in rural areas are asked to continue to maintain their defensible space by monitoring growth surrounding homes and structures as there is still a wildfire risk posed in our region, and to maintain adequate access for firefighting equipment in the event there is a response need.

CCC Sets New Fundraising Target for Sustainability The Community Cycling Center (CCC) is proud to announce the success of its initial emergency fundraiser, which allowed the organization to surpass its first financial target and avoid immediate closure. However, the organization remains in a precarious financial situation, requiring continued community support to secure its future.   Last month’s fundraiser provided a critical lifeline, helping to prevent a total shutdown of operations. However, much like a “fire danger” warning system, CCC’s financial status has only shifted from "Extreme" to "High." Without additional funds to create a financial safety net, the organization remains vulnerable to closure.   To stabilize and reach the next stage of recovery, the CCC has set a goal of reducing the "danger level" to "Moderate" by raising an additional $54,297 by November 1st. These funds will help cover essential operational costs and build the financial reserves necessary to sustain the organization during uncertain times.   “This is about more than keeping our doors open, “said Ruben Alvarado, Executive Director of the Community Cycling Center. “It’s about ensuring we can continue to serve the community by providing access to bikes, education, and support to those who need it most.” The fundraising goal is part of a larger $349,000 target to be met by December 31st. Ongoing donations are critical to keeping the CCC’s programs running, including its bike refurbishment initiatives and educational outreach. It costs $250 to provide one individual with a bike and bike education, which includes refurbishing a donated bicycle and supplying essential accessories such as helmets, locks, and winter riding gear.   Reaching the $54,297 goal by November 1st will allow the CCC to connect 217 more people in the Portland metropolitan area with bikes and essential bike education. The organization continues to prioritize its core mission: empowering individuals, especially from underserved communities, with the tools and skills they need to access affordable, healthy, and environmentally friendly transportation.   In addition to fundraising, the CCC is taking strategic steps to strengthen its long-term Sustainability by consolidating roles and not filling recently vacated leadership positions, CCC has reduced administrative costs by 50%, allowing more resources to flow directly into programs. The CCC continues to excel in refurbishing bicycles and offering affordable options through fire sales, online promotions, and plans for direct online sales. In preparation for the winter season, the CCC is adjusting staff hours with ample notice, ensuring a smooth transition. The CCC will keep the community informed through open houses, newsletters, and video updates while maintaining open lines of communication. CCC leadership is engaging with mentors, launching volunteer committees, and negotiating government contracts to improve cash flow. The Community Cycling Center is a vital resource for Portland, providing more than just bicycles. It empowers people, strengthens communities, and promotes sustainable transportation, transforming lives through mobility and independence. Support from the public will ensure that the CCC can continue this critical work, ensuring that everyone—regardless of income or background—can benefit from the freedom and empowerment that bicycling brings. For more information on how to support the Community Cycling Center and donate to the emergency fundraiser, please visit www.communitycyclingcenter.org .

Necessary Leadership to Forge New and Deepen Existing Relationships With over 20 years of experience in fundraising, Tai has successfully led fundraising and development efforts, significantly increasing funding through community & donor engagement. Tai is passionate about working for PHC because it enables her to contribute to meaningful change in affordable housing within our community. She believes that everyone deserves the chance to own a home and experience the pride, peace of mind and joy that comes with it. Working towards this goal at PHC aligns with her personal mission to support and uplift our community. With the housing challenges faced, PHC is bringing in the leadership necessary to forge new and deepen existing relationships to support the need for increased financial contributions from an array of stakeholders. This focus will help create an infrastructure that helps diversify revenue sources, for sustainability in support of the community.

PP&R is Hosting its 8th Annual Yard Tree Giveaway Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) Urban Forestry division is giving away 3,000 trees this fall for Portlanders to plant on their private property. This is a dramatic increase from the 2,000 trees distributed annually over the past two years, and is made possible by funding from the Portland Clean Energy Fund ( PCEF ).   Over the course of the Yard Tree Giveaway program, Urban Forestry staff have distributed over 8,800 free yard trees to Portlanders. Registration and more information are available at  Portland.gov/free-yard-trees  or (503) 823-4963.   “Distributing free trees for planting on private property is an important and effective way to help grow Portland’s tree canopy,” says Portland City Forester Jenn Cairo. “We know that the tree cover in Portland has been in decline  in recent years, and these tree giveaway events are a key part in reversing that trend and making our city more green.”   When registering,  choose which pick-up event you will attend to receive your free tree. Along with trees, you’ll get watering buckets, mulch, and instructions for how to properly plant and care for your tree(s). 2024 Tree Pick-up Events run from 8:30am to 1pm.   While anyone living in Portland is eligible, Urban Forestry is specifically working to get more trees planted in the hottest areas of our city. Nearly all of these “heat islands” are located east of the Willamette River. The Yard Tree Giveaway prioritizes pick-up events in and near neighborhoods with the highest temperatures and fewest trees.    Free delivery is available to homes in the Parkrose, Parkrose Heights, Argay, Montavilla, Hazelwood, and Mill Park neighborhoods.      Planting assistance is also available for people who need an accommodation.     Trees help keep Portland green and healthy. They offer shade; lower temperatures in homes and neighborhoods; provide wildlife habitat, beauty, and cleaner air; and help mitigate the effects of climate change. Urban Forestry regularly plants new trees in areas of town where the canopy is not yet as robust as others. Still, the most recent PP&R study  showed Portland’s tree coverage has declined in recent years.

Learn More, Apply, Even Interview at Hiring Event  TriMet is looking for operators, maintenance workers, mechanics and more — and offering big hiring bonuses for some jobs. Whether you’ve pictured yourself behind the controls of a MAX train, at the wheel of a bus or tuning up a diesel engine, TriMet’s big hiring event is for you! We also have entry level jobs too, including service worker positions starting at $22.62/an hour. TriMet invites anyone interested in a job with TriMet to join us for this hiring event. It runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton, 1000 NE Multnomah St. in Portland. This venue in the Lloyd District is accessible by the MAX Blue, Green and Red lines, TriMet bus lines 8, 70 and 77, and Portland Streetcar’s A and B loops. Plan your trip at  trimet.org ! For job seekers driving to the event, free parking will be available on-site. Check out our complete list of open positions at  trimet.org/careers . Job descriptions are available, including salary ranges, minimum qualifications and areas of responsibility. TriMet is hiring transit operators, maintenance service workers, mechanics and technicians, among other positions. These serve vital functions at TriMet, allowing us to provide and add service throughout our tri-county service area. New hires at certain positions are eligible for hiring bonuses, including a $7,500 bonus for new bus and MAX operators, and a $2,500 for select maintenance positions. TriMet approved a new Working and Wage Agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757  last month . Under this new contract, the hourly wage for operators starts at $29.35 and increases to $42.75 within three years! TriMet provides transit service throughout much of the Portland metro area. We operate bus, MAX light rail, WES commuter rail and LIFT paratransit service across parts of Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties. Established in 1969, TriMet is a municipal corporation of the State of Oregon. Our nearly 3,500 workers are public employees. TriMet offers great benefits for employees, job stability and a welcoming, supportive work environment. Some of our operators have been driving for us for more than 30 years! TriMet provides affordable medical, dental and vision plans, and other amenities for employees. Coming in the years ahead are new perks for union employees, including $150 monthly childcare subsidy, $5,200 in annual tuition reimbursement and an increase to 10% for the employer contribution to each union employee’s 401(a) retirement plan. Check out  trimet.org/careers  to learn more, or drop by and meet us at the hiring event on Oct. 9.

Mild Habanero Pepper Varieties Flavorful Without the Fire Two mild habanero peppers known as “Notta Hotta” and “Mild Thing” that retain the peppers’ unique fruity and floral fragrances and flavors but have lower heat levels are being released by Oregon State University. “We had chefs walking up to them and looking at them and saying, ‘I know in my mind you've told me they're not hot, but physically I'm preparing for intense heat when I taste these,’” said Jim Myers, a vegetable breeder at Oregon State who spent the last 25 years developing the peppers. “The chefs have done some very interesting things that I would never have considered, like making a soda that's flavored with these peppers. And I think there are other potential for flavorings in both savory dishes and in dessert-type dishes.” Notta Hotta and Mild Thing have been cleared for release by Oregon State University officials, who can now work with seed supply companies interested in licensing the peppers. Myers expects that next year the varieties will be available at farmers markets, and that home gardeners will be able to grow them. The story of Notta Hotta and Mild Things began in 2001 when Myers received a mild habanero variety from Kevin Crosby, a fellow vegetable breeder at Texas A&M University. That pepper was then accidentally crossed during a pepper variety trial at Oregon State. The resulting cross had desirable characteristics around color, shape, pungency and time to ripen. During the next two decades, between other projects such as developing purple tomato varieties that have drawn widespread attention, Myers continued to breed the pepper. He focused on low heat pungency and early maturity while maintaining high levels of aromatic and flavor compounds. Early maturity is important to allow the peppers to be successfully grown in temperate climates where habaneros typically struggle. Those years of refinement led Myers to select Notta Hotta and Mild Thing. The two varieties are quite similar but have some slight variations. Notta Hotta is more elongated and smoother and better adapted for a range of climates. In fact, Myers believes it can be successfully grown in much of the United States. Mild Thing has a blockier shape, rougher texture and slightly more intense flavor, Myers said. It is better suited for the Pacific Northwest climate, he said. Pepper pungency or heat is ranked on the Scoville scale. Habaneros are typically between 100,000 to 350,000 on the scale. But Notta Hotta and Mild Thing should be around 500 to 1,000. During the development process, Myers worked closely with Lane Selman, an assistant professor of practice at Oregon State. She is also the founder of the Culinary Breeding Network, which is dedicated to connecting farmers, chefs, plant breeders and consumers. Selman, who calls herself Myers’ cheerleader, initially connected Myers with a group of 25 chefs in 2011 for a mild habanero tasting. Since then, she has showcased Notta Hotta and Mild Thing at several public events, including the Culinary Breeding Network Variety Showcase in Portland earlier this month. At that event, Myers was paired with Nikki Guerrero, owner of Portland-based Hot Mama Salsa, who made a dish with the peppers. Guerrero also gets credit for naming the peppers. The mild habaneros are the latest Oregon State discovery in food and agriculture research. University researchers have previously developed the maraschino cherry, marionberry and hop varieties that help launch the craft beer industry.

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April 15, 1969 ~ August 28, 2024

Benton, Annette Marven passed away peacefully on July18, 2024 from a stroke, while living independently at the Porthaven HealthCare Center. Annette was born November 1, 1938, in Crossett, Arkansas to Brooksie Sims and Eugene Benton. Her mother, Brooksie, worked for the Benson Hotel and her father, Eugene, found work during the construction of the Boulder (now Hoover) Dam. Her older brother, James Benton, also known as “Sweet Baby James” was a famous local jazz musician.     She graduated from Girls Polytechnic High School, completed some college courses, and then worked for Goodwill Industries. She is preceded in death by both parents and her brother James, and nieces Charlotte and Cynthia Benton. Annette and Dr. Merlin Harvey Johnson had a son, Dr. Benjamin Christensen (Twanda), whose birth name was Darin Gregory Benton, and has two grandchildren, Benjamin William and Jasmine Sofia Christensen. She leaves behind nieces Aaliyah Azeem, and Toni Lincoln, and a host of great nieces and nephews.    Sadly, many of our family members lost contact with Annette after the death of her mother Brooksie (Sims) Benton. Annette is remembered as a happy, bright, and engaging soul who loved singing at the family church, AME Zion, playing and entertaining the children during weekends and holidays. Her son Ben Christensen, with help from Annette's extended family members Bobby Fouther and Liz Fouther-Branch, found and connected with Annette after the death of her brother James.   Annette spent many years with her primary caregivers at the Porthaven Healthcare Center Assisted Living Facility. The entire family would like to extend appreciation to the many nurses, staff, and Bristol Hospice who served as extended family and caregivers. Also, special thanks to Greg Kafoury, her former personal attorney, advocate, and friend in her time of need.  Additional thanks to the Johnson family (Linda Hummel Shelton & Cheryl Lewis) for their candor and inclusiveness. A huge thanks to Ancestry.com which facilitated Annette reconnecting with her son before her death.  At Annette’s request, she will be flown home to be buried in the Sims family gravesite at the Westview Cemetery in Crossett, Arkansas. You can honor Annette by supporting local foster care and adoption programs.

Missionary Sandra Ruth Slider (Menefee) was born May 3, 1951, in Portland, Oregon to Rev. Robert L. Menefee and Mary L. Menefee. Sandra was the fourth child of their seven children. She was raised in the King Neighborhood in NE Portland where throughout her youth she excelled in school and church activities at Gethsemane Church of God In Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) –  her home church where her father pastored. Sandra graduated in 1969 from Jefferson High School. After high school, she dedicated 30-years of service at Pacific Northwest Bell/U.S. West Communications (Qwest). In 1975, she married the late Deacon Ronald D. Slider, and celebrated 41 years of marital love. They made Gresham, OR their home, while raising three children – Andre Pennington (preceded her in death in 2018), Jermaine Slider and Latausha Branch (Slider). Sandra worked vigorously supporting her father’s ministry to grow the church and serve the community. She devoted her time to honoring the footprints and footstep of her father and mother. Missionary Slider was a strong woman of faith, she believed wholeheartedly in God no matter the circumstances, and simply wanted to see souls saved. She embodies elegance and had deep  love for church, the preached word of God, fashion, and designer hats. Missionary Slider enjoyed sewing  and often making clothing for her entire family, taking family vacations, traveling to the Oregon coast, particularly to Lincoln City, and watching sporting events, including basketball which was her favorite. In 2016, after she and Ronald both retired, they joined their daughter Latausha and her husband Kyrus Branch in Texas to pursue their love of family, attending church, and enjoying delicious southern soul food. In 2017, after losing her husband Ronald, Missionary Slider joined Cathedral of Faith C.O.G.I.C., Euless, TX, where she served under Bishop James E. Hornsby, Prelate, Texas Northeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction. The Cathedral of Faith church family welcomed her with open arms providing unwavering love and support over the many years. The Lord called Missionary Slider home unexpectedly on September 6, 2024, where she lived in Arlington, Texas. We shall miss her from our family but, we know that God, in His Great Wisdom, never fails. Missionary Slider is preceded in death by her parents, Robert L. Menefee and Mary L. Menefee;  brothers Charles Lee Menefee, Charles Menefee, Winfred Menefee, Robert Menefee, Raymond Menefee; husband Ronald D. Slider; and son Andre D. Pennington. She leaves to forever cherish her memory with: her children Jermaine Slider (Portland, OR) and Latausha Slider-Branch (Kyrus) (Arlington, TX); step-daughter Felicia Slider (Houston, TX), sister Patricia Menefee (Portland, OR); brother Gerald Menefee (Portland, OR); aunt Lizzie Mae Punch (Fort Worth, TX); grandchildren: Yanieke Jones (East Chicago, IL), Adrian Pennington (Portland, OR), Jaquan Pennington (Portland, OR), Andre Pennington, Jr. (Portland, OR), Andrea Pennington (Atlanta, GA), and Olivia Slider (Portland, OR); a host of great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews, cousins, many family and friends.

Failing to Provide Proof of Citizenship to be the Cause An election worker examines a ballot at the Clackamas County Elections office on May 19, 2022, Oregon City, Ore. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus, File) AP-Oregon elections officials said Monday they had struck over 1,200 people from the state’s voter rolls after determining they did not provide proof of U.S. citizenship when they were registered to vote. Of those found to be possibly ineligible, only nine people voted in elections since 2021, the Oregon secretary of state’s office said. County clerks are working to confirm whether those people were indeed ineligible when they cast their ballots, or just hadn’t provided the required documentation when they were registered to vote, said Molly Woon, the office’s elections director. The disclosures come amid heightened scrutiny of voter rolls nationwide, from Oregon to Arizona  and Texas , as the presidential election nears. Citing an influx of immigrants in recent years at the U.S.-Mexico border, Republicans have  raised concerns  about the possibility that people who aren’t citizens will be voting, even though  state data indicates such cases are rare . In Oregon, for example, the nine people whose citizenship hasn’t been confirmed and who cast ballots represent a tiny fraction of the state’s 3 million registered voters. Ten people were found to have voted after being improperly registered, but one was later confirmed to be eligible, authorities said. The secretary of state’s office sent letters to the 1,259 people who were improperly registered to let them know their registration had been inactivated. They will not receive a ballot for the 2024 election unless they reregister with documents proving their citizenship. The state’s deadline to register to vote is Oct. 15. The mistake  occurred in part because Oregon has allowed noncitizens to obtain driver’s licenses since 2019, and the state’s DMV automatically registers most people to vote when they obtain a license or ID. When DMV staff enter information in the computer system about someone applying for a driver’s license or state ID, they can incorrectly choose an option in a drop-down menu that codes that person as having a U.S. passport or birth certificate when they actually provided a foreign passport or birth certificate, authorities said. The DMV has taken steps to fix the issue, elections and transportation authorities said. It has reordered the drop-down menu in alphabetical order so that a U.S. passport isn’t the first default option. There will also be a prompt for U.S. passports asking DMV staff to confirm the document type. And if presented with a birth certificate, staff are now also required to enter the state and county of birth. Additionally, office managers will now do a daily quality check to verify that the document entries match the document that was scanned, authorities said. Gov. Tina Kotek on Monday called for the DMV to take further steps, such as providing updated training to staff and establishing a data quality control calendar in coordination with the secretary of state. She also called for a comprehensive report that outlines how the errors occurred, how they were corrected and how they will be prevented in the future. Republican lawmakers in Oregon, who  sent a letter to Kotek  last week asking her to take steps to ensure the integrity of the state’s voter lists, have called for a public hearing on the issue. Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade said the election in November “will not be affected by this error in any way.” The issue has also gripped other states. The Arizona Supreme Court unanimously ruled that nearly 98,000 voters whose citizenship documents hadn’t been confirmed can vote in state and local races. Most of them were voters who registered long ago and attested under the penalty of law that they are citizens. And in August, the  U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Republican push  that could have blocked more than 41,000 Arizona voters from casting ballots in the closely contested swing state, but allowed some parts of a law to be enforced, requiring proof of citizenship.” State and federal  laws prohibit people who aren’t citizens from voting  in national and local elections. This includes people who are in the country with legal status — such as green-card holders, people on student visas, tourists and temporary workers — and those without legal status.