A Chevron Corp. deepwater oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico.

Free tax

help available

Low-income and older taxpayers can get free tax preparation help through AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, a volunteer program held through the Council on Aging of Central Oregon.

Last year, according to a release from the Council on Aging, the program helped about 2,000 people in Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties. The program begins Feb. 3.

The service is by appointment only and appointments are in person at 1036 NE 5th St., Bend. To make an appointment, call 541-668-7597.  

Volunteers are available for free tax preparation assistance at the Redmond NeighborImpact building, the La Pine Senior Activity Center, the Warm Springs Community Action Team and the Latino Community Association in Bend.

Each location offers services tailored to meet the needs of the community, according to the Council on Aging. 

The program is also looking for volunteer tax preparers. Volunteers will receive training. To volunteer contact Rebecca Von Stein at rebvonstein@gmail.com.

Chevron using

“Gulf of America”

Chevron Corp. has begun using “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico” in its earnings materials after President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. to rename it.

Trump called for the name change on his first day in office last week, saying it was part of his push to make the US “the greatest, most powerful, most respected nation on Earth.” The U.S. Interior Department formally announced the name change Jan. 24.

“That’s the official position of the U.S. government,” Chief Executive Officer Mike Wirth said in an interview. “If Google Maps is using it – then Chevron is using it.”

Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, said it would make the change on Google Maps once it’s entered into the United States Geological Survey’s database.

The gulf is a key source of U.S. crude production.

Exxon Mobil Corp., which also reported fourth-quarter results Friday, didn’t mention the gulf in its earnings materials.

Soda recall

in Europe 

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Plc has recalled a range of soft drinks including Coke, Fanta and Sprite in some European countries over higher levels of the chemical chlorate.

Consumers should return any can or bottle with production codes ranging from 328 GE to 338 GE inclusive in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, the Coca-Cola bottling partner said in a statement.

The company is also in contact with authorities in a “very small” number of European markets where a limited quantity of stock was shipped. No other product recalls have been initiated outside of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Independent analysis has concluded that the likelihood of any associated risk for consumers is very low, a spokesperson said in the statement. The cause of the issue has also been traced to one container used at one manufacturing site, as part of the company’s water treatment, he added.