Salem – Oregon Insurance Commissioner TK Keen will take part in an AARP-sponsored Tele Town Hall on Thursday, March 19, at 11 a.m.

The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation has partnered with AARP the past several years on Scam Jam events throughout the state to inform consumers on the most common scams taking place in Oregon and nationwide. This year, the focus is on Fraud Fighter events and several such events are planned throughout Oregon. The Tele Town Hall is a different format, however, as people can attend from anywhere by calling 855-408-1333 (toll-free).

This comes on the heels of National Consumer Protection Week earlier this month, as well as numerous educational outreach events and press releases DFR has done on everything from romance scams to health insurance-related scams

“We hear about people every day who are hit by scammers and have hard-earned money taken from them,” said Keen, who is also DFR’s administrator. “We want to continue to get the word out, to get in front of as many people as possible about all the ways scammers are trying to reach people.”

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Oregonians lost more than $133 million to fraud in 2025. Along with this Tele Town Hall, DFR and AARP are coordinating several in-person Fraud Fighter events in April on the following dates:

• April 11 in Springfield at the Riverbend Hospital
• April 17 in Medford at Rogue Community College
• April 28 in Portland at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)

Each of those events will begin at 8:30 a.m. with check-in, followed by a 9 a.m. to noon town hall with presentations, question and answer time, and panel discussions.

If you ever believe you are or have been a victim of fraud, you can call one of DFR’s consumer advocates at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email .financialeserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov">dfr.financialeserviceshelp@dcbs.oregon.gov.

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About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation protects consumers and regulates insurance, depository institutions, trust companies, securities, and consumer financial products and services. The division is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. Visit dfr.oregon.gov and dcbs.oregon.gov.

03/18/2026 9:45 a.m.

Media Contact:

Lieutenant Ben Harvey, Corvallis Police Department

(541) 766-6556 / cpdpio@corvallisoregon.gov

Corvallis Police Arrest Suspect in Assault at Pioneer Park

Corvallis, OR – On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at approximately 12:01 p.m., officers with the Corvallis Police Department responded to a report of an assault involving a baseball bat at Pioneer Park, near the public restrooms located at 1300 SW Philomath Blvd.

Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim, a 35-year-old male with no fixed address, who reported that he had been assaulted by 45-year-old James Allen Burke, also with no fixed address. The victim stated the assault stemmed from a dispute over money involving the suspect’s girlfriend. During the incident, Burke allegedly struck the victim multiple times in the head with a metal baseball bat. The victim was treated at the scene by emergency medical personnel for his injuries.

Burke and a 27-year-old female associated with him fled the area on foot prior to officers’ arrival. Officers conducted an area search and, at approximately 5:45 p.m., located Burke near the First Christian Church at 602 SW Madison Ave. Burke was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Benton County Jail.

Burke, a convicted felon, has been arrested 17 times in Corvallis since 2023 and has prior arrests for Menacing, Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Weapon, and Disorderly Conduct. He had also previously been trespassed from City parks through 2027 due to his behavior.

Burke was lodged at the Benton County Jail on the following charges:

ORS 163.175 – Assault in the Second Degree

ORS 166.220 – Unlawful Use of a Weapon

ORS 163.190 – Menacing

ORS 166.025 – Disorderly Conduct

ORS 164.245 – Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Officer Souza at the Corvallis Police Department.

March 18, 2026

CORVALLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT ACHIEVES 30 CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF ACCREDITATION

For the tenth time since becoming accredited in March of 1995, the Corvallis Police Department has once again been awarded CALEA reaccreditation, marking an incredible milestone of 30 consecutive years of accredited status. Founded in 1979, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) law enforcement accreditation process focuses on standards that provide best practices related to life, health, and safety procedures, and is considered the gold standard in police accreditation.

“While this milestone is worth celebrating, it also reinforces our responsibility to continue striving for excellence in everything we do,” says Police Chief Jason Harvey. “I am honored to serve alongside such a dedicated group of professionals.”

The reaccreditation cycle, which takes place over a four-year period, includes yearly status reports, annual web-based assessments, statistical reporting, a site-based assessment, and a commission review. The site-based assessment was completed in December of 2025, and agency leaders presented to the Board of CALEA Commissioners last week. There are over 450 best practice standards that must be met to achieve reaccreditation.

The Corvallis Police Department is proud to be one of just three agencies with CALEA Accreditation in the state of Oregon. The Meritorious Accreditation was awarded during the CALEA Spring Conference.

Howard Buford Recreation Area (Mt. Pisgah) welcomes more than 600,000 visitors each year and is home to a wide variety of wildlife.  The safety of park visitors and wildlife is a top priority for Lane County Parks.

Over the past two months, the frequency of coyote sightings in the park has increased dramatically with more than 30 sightings reported in January alone. The nature of the sightings has also changed. Coyotes are reported to follow people and dogs, to not show fear when people attempt to chase them off, and to approach people and vehicles in a way that suggests begging for food.

Lane County Parks compared coyote sighting locations over the past 10 years with the reports made in early 2026 and found a clear change in the areas coyotes are observed. Between 2015 and 2025 coyote sightings were spread throughout the park with most occurring away from parking lots and the busiest areas. In 2026 the sightings have been almost exclusively around parking lots and the areas most frequented by people. 

Multiple consultations with wildlife biologists from the Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) have helped assess coyote behavior and safety risks. Coyote scat examined by wildlife biologists appeared to include pet food. This observation supported claims from park visitors that people were feeding the coyotes, which is against the law, and creates a safety risk for people and animals. Coyotes have also been observed taking food that is not properly disposed of in garbage cans, which reinforces their association of people with food.

“The removal of one and possibly more coyotes from the park was a difficult and heart-breaking decision to make,” said Parks Manager Brett Henry. “But we have to consider the safety of park visitors and, unfortunately, the choice some visitors have made to feed these wild animals and encourage them to see people as a source of food created a dangerous and untenable situation.”

The frequency and nature of the coyote sightings, observed coyote behavior, and the likelihood of increasingly aggressive encounters prompted Lane County Parks – in consultation with ODFW – to coordinate with wildlife management professionals to euthanize habituated coyotes found to frequent the park’s parking lots and trailheads. One coyote has been euthanized and Lane County Parks is working closely with ODFW to evaluate continued habituated behavior in other coyotes. Euthanization of more coyotes is possible if the animals continue to approach people and a risk of injury to park visitors persists.

Non-lethal options were considered; however, habituated coyotes do not respond to hazing. Instead, they may learn to ignore hazing or return to their concerning behavior once the active hazing stops. Guidance from ODFW prohibits the relocation of coyotes in Oregon and makes it clear relocation of coyotes does not have good outcomes and is generally considered inhumane. Coyotes are territorial and when a coyote is relocated, it is often killed by the existing coyotes in an area. Relocated animals are also more likely to die of diseases, starvation, or be struck by a vehicle in the place they are released.

Feeding coyotes and some other wildlife is prohibited by state law. Park visitors are encouraged to document and report anyone spotted feeding wildlife, leaving food for wildlife, or encouraging wildlife to approach people or pets to Lane County Parks at 541-682-2000 or to Oregon State Police.

Learn more about living with coyotes from ODFW.

A security camera video is available for use as b-roll. The video was pulled from a security camera after visitors reported seeing a person feeding a coyote on the main road of the park. The feeding took place off camera, but the video shows the coyote remaining alongside the road and approaching a vehicle and the vehicle stopping to encourage the coyote to approach. There is no indication the people in this video were the same people seen feeding the coyote. The video can be downloaded at https://vimeo.com/1174813270/7ae9be4a31?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci.

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Salem, OR (17 March 2026) – On the morning of March 17, 2026, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to two separate 911 calls received from 4758 State Street SE, in Salem. The first call occurred at approximately 6:13 a.m.; however, it was cleared after there was no response at the residence and there was no answer when deputies attempted to call back.  

The second call occurred at approximately 6:54 a.m., and the caller indicated that they were being held hostage in a bathroom and disconnected the call.
 

Several deputies responded and entered the residence to conduct a welfare check. Shortly after entering, they contacted Juan Carlos Gomez-Valles (39) who was in possession of two knives. An altercation ensued, and at least one deputy fired, and Gomez-Valles was struck by a bullet. Deputies rendered immediate aid and Gomez-Valles was transported to Salem Hospital. He received medical care and is expected to recover from his injuries. 
 

The involved deputies are Marion County Sheriff’s Deputies Alan Jefferson and Tyson Gardner. Both are recruit deputies and have been on the job for less than one year. Neither was injured in this incident.
 

Pursuant to Marion County protocol for deadly force incidents (Senate Bill 111 protocol) the Oregon State Police are investigating the incident with the assistance of the Salem and Keizer Police Departments. A judicial search warrant was obtained to search the residence and process the scene. The search warrant was signed by Marion County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Hart.
 

At the time of the incident Juan Carlos Gomez-Valles was on parole. He is currently in custody on a parole violation detainer.
 

The investigation is ongoing. No further information will be released to preserve a grand jury’s objective review of the incident pursuant to standard procedure. 

Any future release will be issued by the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. 

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About the Oregon State Police

Oregon State Police (OSP) is a multi-disciplined organization that is charged with protecting the people, wildlife, and natural resources in Oregon. OSP enforces traffic laws on the state’s roadways, investigates and solves crime, conducts postmortem examinations and forensic analysis, and provides background checks, and law enforcement data. The agency regulates gaming and enforces fish, wildlife, and natural resource laws. OSP is comprised of more than 1,400 staff members – including troopers, investigators, and professional staff – who provide a full range of policing and public safety services to Oregon and other law enforcement agencies throughout Oregon.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 17, 2026

Douglas County Solid Waste Hosting Free to the Public Household Electronics E-Cycle Event

(Douglas County, Ore.) The Douglas County Solid Waste Department, a division of Douglas County Government, is teaming up with St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County and Oregon E-Cycles to host a free to the public household electronic e-cycling event in Roseburg on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

The free to the public household electronic e-cycling event will take place at Douglas County’s Roseburg Transfer Station located at 165 West McLain Avenue in Roseburg, Oregon.  The event is free and open to all Douglas County residents and small businesses.   If you have more than 7 devices that you plan to e-Cycle at this event, please contact St. Vincent de Paul prior to the event at (541) 513-4288.

E-CYCLING is the recycling of old electronics.  The following devices will be accepted at this event - computers, laptops, tablets, TVs, printers, monitors, keyboards, mice, networking devices, scanners, fax machines, VCRs + DVD players, cable & satellite equipment, stereo + audio components, servers & switches, routers + hubs + modems, cell phones, cameras + photo equipment, av equipment, video game systems, power tools, cords + chargers, loose + scrap wires, Christmas lights, hard drives, and miscellaneous computer parts.  They ask that you leave the following items at home - loose batteries, hazardous waste, vacuum cleaners, gas-powered tools, large kitchen appliances, glass-containing items (e.g. microwaves), light bulbs, and lighting ballasts.  Please dispose of these in a proper manner. 

E-Waste is a serious problem.  Electronic waste, or e-waste, is any electronic product that has reached the final phase of its life cycle and cannot be used anymore. The world produces 50 million tons of electronic waste a year, becoming the world’s most quickly growing waste source.  Sadly, no more than 20% of e-waste is properly recycled, with the other 80% being dumped in landfills or being unproperly recycled.  If it is not properly recycled, e-waste can have a negative impact on our environment by releasing toxins, heavy metals, and pollution into the air, soil and water.  It is also one of the leading causes of landfill fires.  Questions Contact: Daven Stetson at St. Vincent de Paul at (541) 513-4288 or by email at daven.stetson@svdp.us.  E-you there on April 25!

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Media Contact: Tamara Howell | Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

Josephine County, Ore. (March 17, 2026)- On Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 9:21 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 238, near milepost 12, in Josephine County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a westbound Ford F-150, operated by Jacob David Bailey (33) of Grants Pass, failed to negotiate a curve, left the roadway, and rolled multiple times.

The operator of the Ford (Bailey) was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately four hours during the on-scene investigation. 

OSP was assisted by Applegate Fire.

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

March 17, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

WIC boosts shopping budgets for Oregon families, increases access to healthy foods statewide

Annual report highlights expanded food options, newly opened clinics and the impact of WIC dollars in local communities

March is National Nutrition Month. One of Oregon’s largest nutrition programs, Oregon Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), is marking the occasion by sharing its 2025 annual report. It highlights the program’s role in building healthy families and strong communities.

Key information in the report includes:

• In 2025, nearly $68 million in WIC benefits were spent at 483 authorized grocery stores and pharmacies across the state, an increase of almost 5% from 2024, when close to $65 million in WIC funds were distributed in Oregon. WIC-authorized stores must stock a minimum amount of specific healthy foods, improving access to nutritious options for the entire community. Oregon WIC also sets nutrition standards for food items sold statewide.
• The new WIC food package reflects the latest nutrition science and aligns with dietary patterns recognized globally. The changes bring increased variety, flexibility and choice, allowing families to honor cultural traditions and access healthy food options, including gluten-free, vegan, and allergen-free foods.
• WIC increases health access in rural communities. Nearly 37% of pregnant women in Oregon’s rural and remote areas participate in the program, and WIC has improved access by opening clinics in Gilliam County, Wallowa County and Grand Ronde, bringing services closer to home for more families.

The report comes at a time when some Oregon families are struggling to make ends meet with rising food costs. The 2026 Oregon Financial Score Card shows that three quarters of Oregon households have cut down on spending due to higher housing and food costs.

WIC plays a vital role in providing nutritious foods that support healthy pregnancies and the growth and development of babies and young children. The program helps families maintain their buying power because the WIC food packages supply a set amount of healthy foods each month, offering stability when grocery prices are high.

“WIC dollars go directly into Oregon communities. Families use their WIC benefits at grocery stores, pharmacies, farmers markets and farm stands, supporting local jobs, retailers, and farmers while providing nutritious foods,” said Oregon WIC Director Tiare Sanna, M.S., RDN.

The Farm Direct Nutrition Program is just one of the innovative programs highlighted in this year’s report, published March 1. The state-administered federal nutrition program allows participants to purchase fresh, locally grown fruit, vegetables and herbs directly from farmers at farmers markets and farm stands. In 2025, 40,600 WIC participants and 53,000 low-income seniors used benefits to buy produce through the WIC and Senior Farm Direct programs.

“It brightens my day when WIC participants shop at my farmers market booth with their Farm Direct dollars,” said Nicki Passarella of Storybrook Farm in Sandy. “Seeing a child’s eyes light up when they get to choose a vegetable is so heartwarming and encouraging. The impact of WIC Farm Direct is invaluable to me, to my farm business, and to Oregon's farming community.”

WIC’s modern approaches to nutrition education and breastfeeding support are making a difference for families. Marion County resident Diane Smith shared how WIC supported her breastfeeding journey and her children’s nutrition.

“The information I have gotten from WIC has tremendously helped me. It’s amazing, and I recommend it to anybody—young moms and families that need assistance with nutrition or anything,” Smith said. “I’m so proud of myself for being able to breastfeed through my last two pregnancies because of the WIC program and nutrition program. It’s made me a stronger mom and my kids stronger, and I’m all around a better person because of it.”

• Hear Smith discuss how WIC has helped her family in this video.

About WIC

Last year, Oregon WIC served 119,464 participants across 36 counties, including 86,461 infants and children received nutrition support that helps boost early learning and kindergarten readiness. WIC serves income-eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding individuals, and infants and kids under age 5. WIC also provides families with nutrition education, breastfeeding support, health screenings, wholesome foods, and connections to community resources. For more information, call 211 or go to healthoregon.org/wic.

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For immediate release: March 17, 2026

Media Contact: communications@employ.oregon.gov

WorkSource Oregon Invites Job Seekers to AT&T Hiring Event in Tigard

TIGARD, Ore. — WorkSource Oregon invites job seekers to attend a hiring event with AT&T at its Tigard location on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 10 a.m. to noon. AT&T staff will be on site to conduct interviews for field sales representative positions. Participants are encouraged to bring their resume.

“We’re excited to partner with WorkSource Oregon to connect talented job seekers with meaningful opportunities at AT&T,” said Joshua Glover, AT&T associate director of In-Home Solutions Northwest States. “Events like this help us meet people where they are, highlight the wide range of careers available in technology and telecommunications, and continue building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.”

“This is a great opportunity for folks to connect directly with a hiring employer,” said Jim Pfarrer, director of Workforce Operations with the Oregon Employment Department. “This is the time to make a strong impression, and job seekers should come ready to talk about their strengths and experience. Our staff will be on hand to offer resume guidance and help applicants prepare for their interview.”

Successful applicants must have one year of commissions sales experience, a driver’s license, and a clean driving record. The positions are full-time and pay a base salary, plus an uncapped commission. New hires will receive eight days of paid training.

“WorkSource Oregon - Tigard is pleased to bring this exciting event to job seekers in the Portland metro area,” said Jeffrey Janssen, business and employment specialist. “Even if this event isn’t for you, we still encourage you to come into one of our centers. This is just one example of the many services we offer at no cost to help people find a job or get the training they need to be successful.”

The Oregon Employment Department and WorkSource Oregon are proud to partner with businesses and employers across the state in finding qualified employers. If you are interested in collaborating on a hiring event or learning more about our resources for employers, please contact Services@oregon.gov">EmployerServices@oregon.gov.

Date:  Thursday, March 19
Time:  10 a.m. to noon
Location:  WorkSource Oregon - Tigard

11950 SW Garden Place, Suite 100, Tigard, OR 97223

Email: ey.J.Janssen@employ.oregon.gov">Jeffrey.J.Janssen@employ.oregon.gov

Website: https://www.worksourceoregon.org/events/2026-03-19/att-hiring-event/

About Workforce Operations and WorkSource Oregon

The Oregon Employment Department’s Workforce Operations division is a partner in WorkSource Oregon, a consortium of state agencies and local workforce boards, and operates 37 WorkSource Oregon centers across the state. WorkSource Oregon offers a wide range of free services to job seekers, employers, and businesses, including personalized career coaching, resume writing, job search strategies, support for job postings and hiring incentives, and access to labor-market data. Visit worksourceoregon.org for more information.  

Equal Opportunity Statement

WorkSource Oregon (WSO) is an equal opportunity agency. WSO provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken-language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1680. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to Services@oregon.gov">EmployerServices@oregon.gov. 

WorkSource Oregon (WSO) es una agencia de igualdad de oportunidades. WSO proporciona ayuda gratuita para que usted pueda utilizar nuestros servicios. Algunos ejemplos son intérpretes de lengua de señas e idiomas hablados, materiales escritos en otros idiomas, letra grande, audio y otros formatos. Para obtener ayuda, por favor llame al 503-947-1680. Usuarios de TTY pueden llamar al 711. También puede enviar un correo electrónico a Services@oregon.gov">EmployerServices@oregon.gov. 

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SALEM, Ore. – The State Forests Advisory Committee will meet at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 20, at the ODF Tillamook District office, 5005 3rd Street in Tillamook. To join virtually, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda. To provide public comment, please contact Nick Palazzotto at 971-375-6344.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Organizational changes
• Financial overview
• Fiscal year 2026 (FY26) current operational status
• Forest Management Plan (FMP)/Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) updates
• FMP overview
• Implementation planning
• Recreation, education & interpretation planning
• Draft FY27 Annual Operation Plan (AOP) overview

The public may attend in-person or online via Teams. Public comments will be accepted near the start of the meeting. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting by contacting Nick Palazzotto at 971-375-6344. 

The State Forests Advisory Committee (SFAC) is comprised of citizens and representatives of timber, environmental and recreation groups as well as a representative from Oregon’s Native American tribes. The SFAC provides a forum to discuss issues, opportunities and concerns, and offer advice and guidance to ODF on the implementation of the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan. The plan provides guidance for managing 616,000 acres within the Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam State Forests, and several scattered state-owned forest tracts in Benton, Polk, Lincoln and Lane counties through a balanced approach to generate revenue while prioritizing environmental and social benefits.

This morning, at 6:54 a.m., deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 hang-up call in the 4700 block of State Street. The caller reported they were being held hostage. During the response, deputies were involved in a use of deadly force incident. The suspect was transported to a local hospital.

Pursuant to SB 111 protocols, the Oregon State Police will lead the investigation. No deputies were injured during the incident.

All future releases regarding this incident will come from the Oregon State Police or the Marion County District Attorney's Office pursuant to SB 111 protocols.

Salem, Ore.—A mild winter with spring-like weather has helped the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) replanting of state forest timber harvest areas stay ahead of schedule this year with approximately two million seedlings already in the ground.

“This has been a great planting season with no shutdowns due to weather,” said John Walter, ODF’s State Forests Silviculturist.  “All our districts are done or will be this month.  The only exception being Klamath Lake—they typically plant into May and have about 60,000 to get in.”

Like most Western Oregon’s forests, Douglas Fir is the dominant species, but ODF tries to add diversity to its reforestation plan to promote resilience and provide additional types of timber products.

“This year we planted about 74 percent Doug(las) Fir, 17 percent Hemlock, two percent each of Western Red Cedar and Noble Fir, one percent each of Grand Fir and Sitka Spruce with the remaining three percent Pondarosa Pine,” said Walter.  “Later, hardwoods naturally seed in with mainly alder and bigleaf maple.  So, we end up with a species mix that is fairly typical western Oregon forests.”

The seedlings are grown by nine contracted northwest nurseries and this year they supplied ODF with 2.3 million of them.

“The successful bidders that purchase timber sales, have three years to complete harvest so it makes it a little tricky on the planning side to project a year in advance how many seedlings we need each year,” said Walter.  “However, we never want to run short so we typically order a little more than what we will plant in state forests.”

This year ODF has nearly 300,000 of those “extra” seedlings, all of which are destined for Oregon’s forests—just not state forests.  ODF typically sells, or sometimes donates, seedlings to watershed groups, other non-profits, and Oregon tribes. 

All those 2.3 million seedlings that were grown in controlled environments at the nurseries are then shipped to ODF and held in large coolers until planting season.  

The planting is done mostly by private contractors working for ODF.  Some planting and replanting the next year, mainly in the Tillamook State Forest, is also done by Adults In Custody from the South Fork Forest Camp, a facility jointly run by the Department of Corrections and ODF.

“This is not easy work,” said Bill Sayers, Reforestation Forester for ODF’s Forest Grove District who along with two of his coworkers were monitoring contractors working in Tillamook State Forest. “The terrain can be steep and slippery especially with a pack of 200 or so trees on your back and a shovel in your hand.  Also, the contracts emphasize both speed and efficiency.  They have to plant fast and plant correctly to get the maximum pay out specified in the contract.  Most of these guys do amazing work.”

To determine if the work is done correctly ODF staff measures out a 1/100^th of an acre circle and counts the number of seedlings planted in the circle.

“To get to our goal of usually 400 trees per acre there needs to be four seedlings in that circle,” said Sayers.  “If there are too few or too many, we alert the foreman and they correct the issue right there.  We then dig up the seedings in the circle to make sure they are planted correctly. If they are too deep or too shallow or the roots are bent over, we call those planting errors.  We identify those issues and again get it corrected in real time.  And yes, we replant the ones we checked ourselves.”

Once in the ground correctly and at the right time, the number one determining factor for their survival is whether they get the right amount of moisture at the right time.

“Obviously weather is the top determining factor—if it is an unusually dry spring and hot dry summer mortality goes up,” said Walter.  “We can’t do anything about the weather.  The second major factor is competing vegetation.  Even if it is a “normal” participation year, seedlings can struggle if other plants are sucking up all the moisture.  We evaluate each unit individually and then where deemed necessary use herbicide to limit that competing vegetation to increase the survival rate.”

Other factors impacting seedlings survival are deer and elk browse, root damage (mainly from mountain beavers that live underground), insects, tree diseases and wildfire. 

 “However, these stressors are usually limited to certain units and not as much of a threat when compared to the overall impact lack of water or drought region wide,” said Walter.

Looking to the future, ODF has several cooperative agreements and is a partner in research projects in Oregon and the Northwest to improve the genetics to increase the survivability of future trees.

“It’s difficult and a long-term effort to improve our trees,” said Walter. “Ideally, we want disease resistance, climate adaptation and growth all in the same tree.  Realistically it is hard to get one of those traits without dropping one or two of the others.”

Meanwhile, ODF continues to manage state forests to yield a sustainable balance of economic, environmental and social benefits over time and for all Oregonians. 

To learn more on how your state forests are managed see: Oregon Department of Forestry : State forests : Forest resources : State of Oregon

SALEM, Ore.—Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will host “Yozakura,” night viewing of the Akebono cherry blossoms, March 21 through April 4 in the North Mall at State Capitol State Park.

The cherry blossoms will be illuminated with Japanese lanterns and lights nightly from 6-10 p.m. Visitors may bring blankets, camping chairs, or an evening picnic to enjoy under the canopy of the illuminated trees.

The lanterns and lights create a striking and beautiful scene inside the park at night.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will livestream the cherry blossoms on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OregonParks beginning March 21 during the day and evening through April 4.

Park staff ask that tree limbs and blossoms are left as is so everyone can view them throughout the bloom. Alcohol is not allowed in State Capitol State Park (without permits) and the park closes at 10 p.m.

For more information on events at the Capitol, call Visitor Services at 503-986-1388 or visit the events page.

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Salem, Ore. –  Are you holding a $1 million ticket? Oregon’s annual Raffle numbers have been drawn.

Winning $1 Million Top Prize Number: 061889

Prizes for the Raffle include:

• $1 million top prize
• 300 prizes of $500
• 1,500 prizes of $100

To check the winning Raffle numbers for all 1,801 prizes, players can use the Lottery’s phone app, go to www.oregonlottery.org, or visit a participating Oregon Lottery retail location.

The $500 and $100 prize winners can claim their prizes at any Oregon Lottery retail location. In addition, players can claim their prize by mail – visit https://www.oregonlottery.org/claim-a-prize/ for instructions. The $1 million Raffle prize winner will need to make an appointment with the Oregon Lottery office in Salem or Wilsonville. Please call 1-800-766-6789 for assistance.

The Raffle offers the best odds of any Oregon Lottery game of winning $1 million – 1 in 250,000. Overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 138.8. The Oregon Lottery’s Raffle game went on sale January 4 with 250,000 tickets available, and all tickets were sold out by the evening of Friday, March 13, 2026.

The Oregon Lottery reminds players to always sign the back of their Lottery tickets, regardless of the game. In the event of winning a jackpot, they should consult with a trusted financial planner or similar professional to develop a plan for their winnings.

Since the Oregon Lottery began selling tickets on April 25, 1985, it has earned nearly $17.8 billion for economic development, public education, outdoor school, state parks, veteran services, and watershed enhancements. For more information on the Oregon Lottery visit www.oregonlottery.org.

PORTLAND, Ore.— A federal grand jury in Portland returned an indictment last Tuesday charging a Portland man with threatening an elected official and a minor victim online.

Travis William Juhr, 41, has been charged with transmitting interstate threats.

According to court documents, Juhr threatened an elected official in Nevada when he left a threatening voicemail and posted on his X account, “I hope you have your doors and windows locked. Because I love a challenge when hunting my PREY…” along with a photograph of the victim.

Additionally, Juhr threatened a minor victim because the victim attended a counter-protest to support Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The minor victim received several threatening messages from Juhr from different X accounts after the victim’s personal identifying information was posted online.

Juhr made his first appearance in federal court Friday before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. He was arraigned and pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, Juhr faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison, 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000.

The FBI is investigating the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ethan G. Bodell is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports on March 14, 2026, at approximately 3:47 a.m., the Linn County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call of a motor vehicle versus train crash at the intersection of Powerline Rd and Hwy 99 near Harrisburg, Linn County, Oregon.

The initial deputy observed the driver inside the vehicle was unresponsive but breathing.  Emergency personnel from Harrisburg Fire District and Central Lane Paramedics from Eugene/Springfield arrived and rendered medical aid. The driver, later identified as, Jon McKibben (age 72) from Terrebonne, Oregon, was transported to Riverbend Hospital for further treatment and remains in critical condition.

The investigation revealed McKibben turned onto Powerline Rd from Hwy 99, then proceeded to drive northbound onto the train tracks, traveling about fifty feet before getting stuck on the tracks.  McKibben’s vehicle was facing west (perpendicular to the tracks), and the train collided with the right rear quarter panel and passenger area, causing the vehicle to spin, and come to final rest blocking the north bound lane of Hwy 99.  The Union Pacific cargo train was traveling south when it collided with Mc Kibben’s vehicle. 

Deputies continued to work on the investigation, which included serving a search warrant to obtain McKibben’s blood for testing for the presence of alcohol, as evidence indicated alcohol was a contributing factor. At this time, it is unknown why McKibben drove down the tracks.

The Linn County Sheriff’s Office was assisted on scene by Harrisburg Fire District, Central Lane Paramedics, Union Pacific, and Oregon Department of Transportation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Linn County Sheriff’s Office (541) 967-3950.

UPDATED. The spelling of the victim's name has been corrected to reflect his legal name and spelling. No other updates at this time. 

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. – A Roseburg man is in custody tonight charged with the murder of his 11-month-old son.

On Sunday, March 15, 2026, shortly before 10:00 a.m., a 9-1-1 call was placed by 27-year-old Jared Scott Jeremy Stoller of Roseburg. Stoller reported to dispatchers that his 11-month-old son, Jackson James Stoller, was missing from his hotel room at the Relax Inn in Sutherlin, Oregon. Sutherlin Police Officers responded to the call and determined there to be suspicious circumstances involved. The Douglas County Major Crimes Team was activated to assist in the investigation.

Stoller was interviewed by detectives from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and eventually confessed that he had murdered Jackson days earlier at a location in Roseburg. Stoller told detectives that he had disposed of the child’s body in the South Umpqua River.

Divers from the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, assisted by boats from the Oregon State Police and Douglas County, located Jackson's body just before 6:00 p.m. in the river near the 3500-block of Old Melrose Road. His body was turned over to the care of the Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office. An autopsy is expected to take place in the coming days.

Detectives arrested Stoller and lodged him in the Douglas County Jail on the following charges:

• Murder in the First Degree
• Abuse of a Corpse in the First Degree

The Douglas County Major Crimes Team is continuing to investigate the homicide. The Sheriff’s Office has been assigned as the lead investigating agency. The Major Crimes Team consists of investigators from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Roseburg Police Department, and Oregon State Police working in consultation with the Douglas County District Attorney's Office.

Additional assistance was received from Douglas County Search and Rescue, Sutherlin Police Department, Winston Police Department, Myrtle Creek Police Department, and the Oregon Department of Human Services – Child Welfare Division.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no additional details are expected to be released at this time. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact investigators at 541-440-4471 referencing Case #26-0836.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 16, 2026

Media Contact: communications@employ.oregon.gov

WorkSource Oregon Invites Job Seekers to Job Fair for Autistic Community Activity Program

OREGON CITY, Ore. – WorkSource Oregon invites job seekers to a job fair with the Autistic Community Activity Program (ACAP) on Wednesday, March 18,10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the WorkSource center in Oregon City. This is an opportunity to learn about summer jobs in the Portland-Metro area to help people with autism build lasting life skills. ACAP staff will be on site to share more information and conduct interviews for one-on-one assistants with their summer program. There is no cost to attend, and participants are encouraged to bring their resumes.

“Are you looking for the most fun you’ve ever had in a summer job? Come work with ACAP in an active and engaging environment where you get to meet new people and make friends,” said Brooke Pyper, chief operating officer at ACAP. “This allows you to serve the community, explore Portland, and help autistic individuals build lasting life skills. You will work in groups, travel around the city, enjoy the sun, and engage with clients to ensure their goals are met.”

Assistants will earn $18 to $23 per hour during ACAP’s 2026 summer season, which runs from June through August. Internships and work-study hours are also available.

“WorkSource Oregon is excited to support job seekers as they explore a wide range of employment opportunities — from seasonal positions to roles that make a meaningful impact in their communities,” said Jim Pfarrer, director of Workforce Operations with the Oregon Employment Department. “The ACAP Job Fair is a great example of that commitment, and an opportunity for job seekers to make a strong impression. They should come ready to talk about their strengths and experience. Our staff will be on hand to help applicants prepare for their interview.”

The Oregon Employment Department and WorkSource Oregon are proud to partner with businesses and employers across the state in finding qualified employers. If you are interested in collaborating on a hiring event or learning more about our resources for employers, please contact Services@oregon.gov">EmployerServices@oregon.gov.

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: WorkSource Oregon - Oregon City

506 High St., Oregon City, OR 97045

Email: iann.y.rangel@employ.oregon.gov">mariann.y.rangel@employ.oregon.gov

Event website: https://www.worksourceoregon.org/events/2026-03-18/autistic-community-activity-program-job-fair/

About Workforce Operations and WorkSource Oregon

The Oregon Employment Department’s Workforce Operations division is a partner in WorkSource Oregon, a consortium of state agencies and local workforce boards, and operates 37 WorkSource Oregon centers across the state. WorkSource Oregon offers a wide range of free services to job seekers, employers, and businesses, including personalized career coaching, resume writing, job search strategies, support for job postings and hiring incentives, and access to labor-market data. Visit worksourceoregon.org for more information.  

Equal Opportunity Statement

WorkSource Oregon (WSO) is an equal opportunity agency. WSO provides free help so you can use our services. Some examples are sign language and spoken-language interpreters, written materials in other languages, large print, audio, and other formats. To get help, please call 503-947-1680. TTY users call 711. You can also send an email to Services@oregon.gov">EmployerServices@oregon.gov. 

WorkSource Oregon (WSO) es una agencia de igualdad de oportunidades. WSO proporciona ayuda gratuita para que usted pueda utilizar nuestros servicios. Algunos ejemplos son intérpretes de lengua de señas e idiomas hablados, materiales escritos en otros idiomas, letra grande, audio y otros formatos. Para obtener ayuda, por favor llame al 503-947-1680. Usuarios de TTY pueden llamar al 711. También puede enviar un correo electrónico a Services@oregon.gov">EmployerServices@oregon.gov. 

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White will lead the credit union’s financial strategy and support long-term stability for members

PORTLAND, Ore. — OnPoint Community Credit Union has hired finance executive Lisa White to serve as senior vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), following an extensive national search. White, a certified public accountant, joins the executive team of Oregon’s largest credit union, serving more than 631,000 members with $9.5 billion in assets.

Clackamas County, Ore. (Mar. 16, 2026) - On Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 5:44 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 26, near milepost 31, in Clackamas County.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Nissan Frontier, operated by Heath Eugene Beardmore (35) of Rhododendron, crossed into the westbound lane and struck a westbound Honda Accord, operated by Kailee Joy Peterson (19) of Gresham. 

The operator of the Nissan (Beardmore) was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.

The operator of the Honda (Peterson) and passenger, Kemper Michael Buchholtz (20) of Sandy, were transported to an area hospital with serious injuries.

The rear passenger in the Honda, Austin Rylee Buchhotlz (24) of Corbett, was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. The cause of the crash is under investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Clackamas County Sheriff's office, Clackamas Fire and Rescue, Hoodland Fire and Rescue, and ODOT.

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About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) 
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.

Rethink the Drink media toolkit can be found here: www.rethinkthedrink.com/toolkit 

March 16, 2026

Media Contact: Erica Heartquist, PhD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

OHA shares tips for safely celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, spring break

Alcohol misuse remains a leading cause of preventable death in Oregon 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Monday, March 16, 2026 

BEND, OR — Spring break kicks off this Saturday, March 21 at the High Desert Museum with special programs, new exhibitions and summer hours, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.  

The popular indoor flight demonstration, Sky Hunters returns to the E. L. Wiegand Pavilion in the Donald M. Kerr Birds of Prey Center. Visitors experience powerful predators close up as raptors fly just overhead, showcasing the birds’ agility and grace while learning about their lives in the wild. The program is daily from Saturday, March 21 – Saturday, March 28 at 11:00 am and 1:30 pm and is first come, first served. Tickets are $7 and available at Admissions on the day of. Museum members receive a 20% discount. Sky Hunters is made possible by Fly Redmond with support from the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon. 

Visitors will also be able to enjoy daily talks about High Desert flora and fauna, free with admission. These include the Nature Walk at 10:30 am, Otter Encounter at 12:30 pm and Mammal Encounter at 3:00 pm. 

Spring break visitors will also be able to experience the Museum’s temporary exhibitions. The new, original exhibition Under Pressure: A Volcanic Exploration in the Spirit of the West Gallery invites visitors to discover the science, spectacle, and significance behind the giants that live among us. For many in the West, the impact of volcanoes is forever tied to the eruption of Mount St. Helens on May 18, 1980.  

Blending history and geology with interactive storytelling and hands-on exploration, visitors will encounter lava rocks, a volcanic hazard map, and hear the rumble of a volcano. Learn more at highdesertmuseum.org/under-pressure. 

Another exhibition on view in the Brooks Gallery is Soil Alive!, a subterranean journey into the world beneath our feet. Presented in English and Spanish, the exhibition beckons visitors underground to discover how soil is not just a bed of crunched up rocks and other materials.

Visitors who enter the exhibition hear the muffled subterranean sounds of animals and microorganisms in the soil. The family-friendly exhibition includes interactive experiences and hands-on activities that share how a complex network of organisms turns ordinary dirt into living soil. From a giant magnifying glass that points at a wall-sized digital illustration and illuminates hidden animals to helping a ponderosa sapling grow in a motion-activated digital experience, Soil Alive! digs into a busy and active universe. The exhibition closes on Sunday, March 29. Learn more at highdesertmuseum.org/soil-alive.  

Other temporary exhibitions include Prophets – Paintings by Hilary Baker. The exhibit, located in the Desertarium Gallery, features 18 of Baker’s artworks depicting moths. Baker, who grew up in Los Angeles, lost her longtime home to the Palisades Fire in January 2025. It was then that she began painting moths, examining them as spiritual messengers, prompting visitors to pay more attention to moths large and small through bright, lavish renderings. Learn more at highdesertmuseum.org/prophets. 

Drawn West: A History of Promoting Place, an original exhibition, explores a century of salesmanship, when artists and cartographers alike crafted an image of the West that depicted both fact and fiction. Featuring 50-plus maps, artworks and advertisement from the Museum’s extensive collections, visitors can take a walk through time and learn about the decades of western expansion, from the growth of cities and towns along railways in the High Desert to the first Pendleton Round-Up in 1910. Learn more at highdesertmuseum.org/drawn-west. 

And Forest at Night reveals the sights and sounds of the forest when the moon is high and the stars are out. An immersive and interactive exhibition, Forest at Night takes visitors on a virtual tour, featuring insects, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. Visitors may gaze up at twinkling stars and learn about the constellations that guide migrating birds on their way through the High Desert. Learn more at highdesertmuseum.org/forest-at-night. 

Throughout the week, the High Desert Ranch and Sawmill will be open from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm beginning Saturday, March 21 through Sunday, March 29 (excluding Monday, March 23). Experience history and jump in to lend a hand or ask about the many buildings and objects. 

More information on visiting the High Desert Museum is available at highdesertmuseum.org/visit-bend-oregon. 

ABOUT THE MUSEUM: 

The HIGH DESERT MUSEUM opened in Bend, Oregon in 1982. It brings together wildlife, cultures, art, history and the natural world to convey the wonder of North America’s High Desert. The Museum is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is a Smithsonian Affiliate, was the 2025 recipient of the Autry Public History Prize from the Western History Association and was a 2021 recipient of the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. To learn more, visit highdesertmuseum.org and follow us on TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.  

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SALEM, Oregon— The Oregon Outdoor Recreation Committee (OORC) will meet April 3 to rank and establish a priority list of Land and Water Conservation Fund grant proposals from around the state for projects to develop and rehabilitate public outdoor recreation areas and facilities. Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) administers this federally funded grant program.

The meeting is open to the public but there will not be time for public comments during the meeting.

The meeting will be held online via Zoom. View the agenda for a list of project proposals and meeting information: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/gra/pages/gra-lwcf.aspx     

Recommendations from the OORC will be submitted to the Oregon State Parks Commission for review and approval at their April 22 meeting. OPRD will then forward approved project proposals to the National Park Service for final approval.

The OORC is made up of nine members who represent a variety of interests and are appointed by the OPRD Director.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund Program is a financial assistance program of the National Park Service. LWCF grants provide matching funds to state and local governments for acquiring and developing public outdoor recreation areas and facilities.

For more information contact Nohemi Enciso, LWCF Grant Program Coordinator, at 503-480-9092 or nohemi.enciso@oprd.oregon.gov, or visit the LWCF webpage on the OPRD website.

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CORVALLIS, Ore. — Corvallis Housing First will host a groundbreaking ceremony for Third Street Commons, a new permanent supportive housing community that will provide housing and services for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness and disabilities in Benton County.

Media and community members are invited to attend.

WHO:
• Corvallis Housing First
• Oregon Housing and Community Services Executive Director Andrea Bell
• Corvallis Mayor Charles Maughan
• Benton County Coordinated Homeless Response Office Manager Rebecca Taylor
• Community partners, supporters and individuals with lived experience

WHAT:
Groundbreaking ceremony for Third Street Commons, a 47-unit permanent supportive housing development.

WHEN:
Thursday, March 19, 11:30 a.m.

WHERE:
Project site, 1480 SW Third St., Corvallis, Oregon

WHY:
Third Street Commons will provide safe, stable housing combined with supportive services for people experiencing chronic homelessness and disabilities. Permanent supportive housing is an evidence-based approach that helps people maintain long-term housing stability while improving health and well-being.

The project represents several years of collaboration among community partners and funders working to expand supportive housing options in Benton County.

Construction is expected to be completed in September 2027, with residents moving in shortly afterward.

VISUALS / PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:

• Gold-shovel groundbreaking ceremony
• Community leaders and project partners speaking
• Rendering boards or site visuals
• Interviews with project leaders and community partners

MEDIA RSVP / INFORMATION:
To RSVP or request additional information, contact Corvallis Housing First at admin@corvallishousingfirst.org.

About Corvallis Housing First: Corvallis Housing First is a nonprofit organization founded in 2008 dedicated to providing housing solutions and services to end homelessness and improve lives in Corvallis and surrounding communities.

Eugene, OR.  Eugene Springfield Fire responded to a small structure fire near Valley River in Eugene late Sunday night.  Fire crews were dispatched to a reported dumpster fire at the Valley River Court Apartments in the 4300 block of Goodpasture Lp at 11:33 PM on March 15th. Callers reported the dumpster fire had extended to the structure and the call was upgraded to a first alarm response.  

Engine 9 arrived four minutes after teach reporting a fully involved shed attached to a row of single car garages.  Crews were able to quickly contain the fire and limit involvement of the adjacent structure which sustained some damage.  There were no injuries reported and the cause is under investigation. Aerial photo credit to Barnard HQ Professional Aerial Operations. 

Eugene, OR. Eugene Springfield Fire responded to an apartment fire in downtown Eugene Sunday evening. At 6:39 pm on March 15th, fire crews were dispatched to a fire at the WestTown on 8th Apartments in the 200 block of W 8th Ave in Eugene. The resident reported a fire in the kitchen with smoke filling the unit. Crews from Station 1 downtown arrived in under 4 minutes as part of a high life hazard response that brought eight fire crews (five engines and three ladder trucks), two chiefs, two ambulances, two deputy fire marshals and one support unit.

Crews quickly located a kitchen fire and made access with a hoseline via a stairwell.  Firefighters evacuated neighboring units, while Truck 1 completed a search of the fire unit. The fire was quickly extinguished and crews performed extensive overhaul to ensure all hot spots were out. 

There were no injuries reported and the Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating. The fire was contained to the apartment unit of origin with smoke affecting up to five other units.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at approximately 10:00 a.m., a deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office contacted a male in the woods in the area known as Long’s Ranch near Melqua Road who had an established a camp. After a records check, the deputy took the male, 28-year-old Robert Emilo Macias, a transient, into custody on an active warrant for Sex Abuse in the Third Degree.

While the deputy was attempting to place Macias in the back seat of a patrol vehicle, Macias pushed past the deputy and fled on foot down an embankment while still in handcuffs. The deputy gave chase but eventually lost sight of Macias and requested assistance from additional units and a K9 team to search the area. An extensive search of the area continued throughout the afternoon and into the evening, prompting notification to residents within a four-mile radius.

At approximately 7:50 p.m., Macias was located in the 6400 block of Hubbard Creek Road, nearly three miles from the initial location. He was still wearing the deputy’s handcuffs. Deputies learned that during the time he had fled, Macias retrieved firearms he had previously stashed in the woods.

Deputies took Macias back into custody without further incident. He was transported to the Douglas County Jail and lodged on the following charges:

• Warrant – Sex Abuse in the Third Degree
• Escape in the Second Degree
• Resisting Arrest
• Theft in the Third Degree

On October 15, 2025 at 11:00 PM, Maria Johnson is seen by CPD Officer Donny Sheldon in downtown Corvallis, driving poorly without her lights.  Johnson then quickly turned onto a one way street heading in the wrong direction. When Sheldon activated his overhead lights, Johnson accelerated, lost control of her vehicle, and hit a parked car.  She then drove onto the sidewalk and sped the length of the block, while pedestrians screamed and scattered to avoid being struck.  Johnson continued to speed through town, again driving up on a sidewalk, and finally coming to a stop as a result of her vehicle becoming disabled.  Ignoring officer commands, she got out of her car and ran, attempting to scale a fence.  She was quickly caught and taken into custody by Sheldon and another officer.

Once taken into custody, Johnson offered in explanation of her eluding that she was scared because “the police were chasing me.”  She went on to say “I’ll definitely tell you I’m definitely gonna get a DUI tonight.” Her prediction was correct.

Less than an hour after driving, Johnson’s blood alcohol level was determined to be a .14%.  Under Oregon law, a person is guilty of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants if their blood alcohol level is a .08% at the time of driving, or their mental or physical faculties are “adversely affected to a noticeable or perceptible degree” by alcohol or another intoxicant.  In regards to Johnson, both were true.

Johnson appeared for sentencing before the Honorable Keri J. Smith on March 13.  She pled guilty to Felony Attempt to Elude a Police Officer, Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, and Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver.  She would have been eligible for Diversion (a non-conviction resolution) on the DUII, but Deputy District Attorney Steaphan Clement objected, insisting on a DUII conviction because of Johnson’s extremely dangerous driving.  At sentencing, DDA Clement requested the Court impose a total of 20 days jail.  However, Judge Smith opted to sentence her to a total of 30 days work crew, fined her $1,255, suspended her driver license for one year, and placed her on supervised probation for 18 months.  She will also be required to get an evaluation for drug and alcohol abuse and complete recommended treatment.  Finally, Johnson will have to complete a Victim Impact Panel that will educate her on how DUII related crashes negatively impact the lives of victims.

“We are lucky that all we ended up with here was some property damage.  Property can be replaced; lives cannot.”  Ryan Joslin, Benton County District Attorney.  “If you have had too much, be safe, request a ride; when morning comes, you will be glad you did.”

https://youtu.be/YpGwH9Ug8BI

State of Oregon v. Samuel T. Landis

Salem, OR – March 12, 2026 – The Oregon Department of Justice has decided to not seek further appellate review of the federal court’s dismissal in State of Oregon v. Samuel T. Landis. This decision was made after carefully weighing whether to take the rare step of petitioning the United States Supreme Court and the potential impact such a decision could have on future cases.  

In March of 2023, Landis, a federal Drug Enforcement Administration agent, was conducting a federal drug investigation in Salem, Oregon.  At the time, Landis was doing surveillance of a suspected drug trafficker when he purposefully ran a stop sign and struck a bicyclist who had the right of way. The victim, Marganne Allen, sustained injuries that resulted in her death.

In August 2023, a Marion County Grand Jury indicted Agent Landis with criminally negligent homicide for causing her death. At Landis’ request, the case was removed to federal court based on a claim of federal immunity.  This removal was granted over Marion County District Attorney objections. Subsequently, the federal U.S. District Court dismissed the charge of criminally negligent homicide, ruling that Landis’ actions were within the scope of his federal employment and reasonable under the circumstances, which entitled him to immunity from state prosecution.

That legal principle, known as Supremacy Clause Immunity, is a constitutional doctrine that insulates federal employees from state criminal prosecution if they are carrying out their federal duties. Immunity applies when the act in question was authorized by federal law and the person subjectively believed the action was justified and that belief was objectively reasonable under the existing circumstances. When these conditions are met, state actors- like a District Attorney’s Office- cannot convict an individual because federal authority takes precedence over conflicting state laws.

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office sought to appeal that dismissal, a process which is litigated by the Oregon Department of Justice.  In April 2025, the Oregon Department of Justice asked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Court to overturn the trial judges’ dismissal and reinstate the charge against Landis.  In December, the Ninth Circuit agreed with the lower district court and found that Landis acted within the scope of his authority and was entitled to immunity from prosecution for the death of Margane Allen.  

When the Supreme Court takes up a legal question, its ruling shapes the law for everyone, in every state, for years to come. After careful consideration, ODOJ concluded that pursuing this case to the Supreme Court carried a real risk of producing a ruling that would make it harder — not easier — to hold people accountable in future cases. ODOJ did not want this tragedy to become the vehicle for that outcome.

“Marganne Allen’s death was a tragic loss for her husband, children, other family members and our community. While we respect the legal process and the decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, it is nonetheless disappointing that the criminal charge cannot proceed and there will be no justice for the family,” said Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson. She went on to say, “We are grateful to our partners at the Oregon Department of Justice and appreciate the collaborative work with the Attorney General in the attempt to seek accountability for this criminal act.”

“Our hearts go out to the family of Marganne Allen, and to everyone who loved her,” said Attorney General Dan Rayfield. “The Oregon Department of Justice pursued extraordinary avenues to hold Mr. Landis accountable for her tragic death — filing actions in federal courts that are rarely used, arguing before the Ninth Circuit not once but twice, and seeking reconsideration when that court ruled against us. While this case is at an end, we remain committed to fighting for justice for every Oregonian.”

The family wishes to release this statement in regards to the events. Please respect the family's wish for privacy during this time. 

(The full link to the statement is here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VaZBa8emruJwIoLHOno_IU7PtkTjBCQc/view?usp=sharing )

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About Marion County District Attorney’s Office

The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for seeking justice through promoting accountability for criminal offenders; interpreting, enforcing, and executing law; responding to the concerns of victims and the public; and working cooperatively with members of the justice system.

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The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) published its fourth quarter report with key data points and information showing progress and work under way to improve the child welfare system.

The report covers many aspects of the child welfare system, which includes the child abuse hotline, child abuse and family needs assessments, resource (foster) care and supporting families’ safety so children in resource care can return home. It also includes programs and services to prevent child abuse.

“Keeping children safe is our core mission,” said Rolanda Garcia, interim Child Welfare director. “We are committed to making steady progress to improve outcomes for children and families.”

Highlights from the report include:

Faster child safety assessments

• What it is and why it matters
  When ODHS receives a report of suspected child abuse and neglect, a team investigates the situation and assesses the child’s and family’s needs. When cases are assessed within a 60-day window, families receive information about next steps to create safety plans or a determination about temporarily moving children to a relative or resource family for safety. Overdue assessments can cause additional family stress and uncertainty and increase risks to child safety.

• Report metrics
  The monthly proportion of safety assessments completed within 60 days steadily increased throughout 2025, rising from 38.2% in January to 50.5% in December. This improvement was accomplished through a series of initiatives including requiring every Child Welfare district office to develop a data-driven plan for improving completion timelines on investigations. Improving assessment timeliness is also part of the ODHS Safety Action Plan initiated in 2025.

Reducing use of temporary lodging

• What it is and why it matters
  Temporary lodging provides supervised hotel lodging for youth awaiting higher levels of residential care. ODHS has been working aggressively to reduce the use of temporary lodging by working with behavioral health partners and providers to increase capacity and meet the complex needs of this small segment of children and young adults in care.
   
• Report metrics
  The average number of children provided with temporary lodging nightly as they wait for a safe and appropriate placement declined to 8.33 in 2025, down from 10.86 the previous year. This measure has shown improvement since 2023 as Child Welfare identified children at risk of experiencing temporary lodging and developed child-specific plans to prevent that possibility. The total has been declining over time, with fewer children experiencing temporary lodging, and shorter stays overall. The total number of unique children who experienced temporary lodging in 2025 was 100, compared with 122 in 2023. In 2025, ODHS also opened four new programs with capacity to serve youth with specialized needs. Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF) and programs added 20 beds, and Behavior Rehabilitation Services (BRS)/Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP) added 14 beds.

Placement of children with relatives

• What it is and why it matters
  Children placed with relatives do better in terms of mental and physical health, as well as long-term outcomes. Placing children with relatives helps maintain family, community and cultural connections and reduces trauma.
   
• Report metrics
  The monthly proportion of children placed with relatives when they first entered foster care steadily increased during 2025, rising from 24.6% in January to 44.4% in December. Child Welfare implemented the Relative Pathway certification process statewide in August 2025. The Relative Pathway streamlines the foster care certification process for relatives.  

The report will be published on a quarterly basis to highlight progress on core initiatives.

“We are committed to transparency and accountability about our successes and challenges, and the plans we have in place to make things better,” said Liesl Wendt, ODHS Director. “We are making important progress in the way we serve children and families, and we have more work to do.”

Salem, OR – March 13, 2026 - Today, Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson convened a grand jury to inquire into the conditions and management of the Oregon State Hospital located in Salem, Marion County, Oregon.  This inquiry is required under Oregon Revised Statute 132.440.  The Marion County District Attorney’s Office conducted a similar inquiry into the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility in Woodburn last year (final report can be found here).

District Attorney Clarkson is convening this grand jury to inquire into the current operations, capacity challenges, and public safety implications associated with the Oregon State Hospital.  The work of the grand jury is expected to take several months and will issue a public report upon completion of their work.

Marion County Senior Deputy District Attorney David Wilson, and Deputy District Attorney Evelyn Centeno will oversee the proceedings.  Senior DDA Wilson has significant experience with institution-related cases and oversees Oregon State Hospital prosecutions within the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. DDA Centeno serves as Marion County’s behavioral health prosecutor and has extensive experience working with behavioral health facilities statewide.

Consistent with all matters that come before a grand jury, these proceedings are confidential. No further information will be released prior to the grand jury’s final report. The Marion County District Attorney’s Office anticipates the report will be completed by the end of the year and will be publicly released at that time.

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Tillamook State Forest, Ore.—Oregon Department of Forestry recreation staff are working hard to transform the Diamond Mill off highway vehicle (OHV) staging area into the Tillamook State Forest’s newest campground. The campground is set to open April 1.

“Diamond Mill is in the heart of some of the most active OHV usage areas in the Tillamook State Forest,” said Ben Burns, ODF’s Recreation Facilities Manager. “Historically, Diamond Mill has been a staging and parking area for mostly single track (motorcycle) trail users. Now we are revamping it into a full-fledged campground.”

The campground will have 16 sites and the option for a camp host site. There are new picnic tables, fire grates, site posts and signage, along with an existing double-vault pit toilet.

“We brought in boulders, soil, gravel, vegetation and contoured the area to make the sites feel more private and give campers a better overnight experience,” said Burns.

“It was a bit of free-for- all with parking before,” said Burns. “This will improve traffic flow and safety in the campground.”

Before, the use fee was $5 per car per night, now the improved sites are $20 a night like other ODF state forests campgrounds.

“For this first year the campground ground will remain a first come first served area. Then, we will consider user feedback and might go to a reservation system in 2027,” Burns said.

Burns and his staff are ready to see their hard work pay off after a typically challenging Oregon winter of wet, windy and cold weather.

“ODF staff and South Fork Forest Camp crews have been working really hard in sometimes difficult weather to transform the area, and we are excited to have it ready for the April 1 opening,” said Burns. “This is just a great area in the heart of the Tillamook with miles of trails to explore and the campground is family friendly; we even have a kids’ track right beside the campground.”

For more on Diamond Mill and other state forests recreation opportunities see: Oregon Department of Forestry : Recreation, education & interpretation : Recreation, education & interpretation : State of Oregon

OREGON COAST, Oregon— Oregon State Parks will host Spring Whale Watch Week along the Oregon Coast Saturday, March 21 through Sunday, March 29.

Trained Oregon State Park volunteers and park rangers will be stationed at 15 sites along the Oregon Coast to help visitors spot whales and their calves and answer questions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily March 21-29. The sites are among the best places to watch whales on the Oregon Coast.

“Spring is a great time for whale watching because the gray whale migration can be a bit closer on their return trip north, usually within a few miles from shore.  As we get later into the spring, we can sometimes see the mothers with calves in tow,” said Park Ranger Peter McBride.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates 13,000 gray whales are expected to migrate past Oregon’s shores from late winter through June as they travel back toward Alaska, far fewer than earlier projections suggested. Although NOAA declared the Unusual Mortality Event over in 2023 and initially believed the population might be rebounding, new winter 2025 estimates instead show the lowest numbers since the 1970s.

NOAA’s models, which combine visual surveys with migration pattern assumptions, indicate that the 2025 population most likely falls between 11,700 and 14,500 whales.

A map of volunteer-staffed sites is available online on the official event webpage: https://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=thingstodo.dsp_whaleWatching

The Whale Watching Center in Depoe Bay will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 21-29. Visitors to the center can enjoy interactive whale exhibits and take in the panoramic ocean views. Binoculars are provided. Park rangers and volunteers from Oregon State Parks will also be on hand to answer questions about the whales.

All Whale Watch Week visitors are encouraged to dress for the weather, to bring binoculars and to follow beach safety guidelines such as remaining out of fenced areas, knowing the tide schedule and keeping an eye on the surf at all times. Go to https://visittheoregoncoast.com/beach-safety/ for a list of safety tips.

For more information about coast parks and campgrounds, visit stateparks.oregon.gov.

Visitors are encouraged to share their photos and videos from Spring Whale Watch on social media using #OregonStateParks and #ORWhaleWatch.

Media Resources: photos available at this link.

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The Marion County Sheriff’s Office previously requested assistance in locating Albina Kosar, a missing and endangered juvenile.

Albina was located by law enforcement this morning and is safe.

This case remains ongoing, and no further information is available at this time.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the community and our law enforcement partners for their assistance and vigilance.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is requesting assistance in locating Albina Kosar, a missing and endangered juvenile.

Albina was last seen on Friday, March 6, 2026, at approximately 12:00 p.m. at her home in Aurora, Oregon. She was wearing black pants, a black shirt, white socks, and carrying a black purse.

Albina may be accompanied by an adult male and is possibly headed to Eugene, Oregon.

Description:

• Date of Birth: 12/02/2009
• Height: 5’05”
• Weight: 90–100 lbs
• Hair: Brown
• Eyes: Blue/Hazel
• Clothing: Black shirt, black pants, white socks, black purse

Anyone with information regarding Albina’s whereabouts is urged to contact Marion County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch immediately at 503-588-5032.

March 12, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

WinCo store is latest measles exposure location, health officials say

People who were at Gresham store during exposure period urged to talk to a health care provider

PORTLAND, Ore.—Another measles exposure location has been identified, and Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Multnomah County public health officials are urging people who believe they were exposed to talk to a health care provider about their risks.

People might have been exposed if they were at the following location at this date and time: 

• WinCo Foods, 2511 SE 1^st St., Gresham, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, March 7.

People who were at this location during these dates and time period should immediately contact your health care provider and let them know they may have been exposed to someone who has measles. The health care provider can determine whether you are immune to measles based on your vaccination record, age, or laboratory evidence of prior infection.

Facts about measles

Measles spreads through the air after a person with measles coughs or sneezes. People are contagious with measles for four days before a rash appears and up to four days afterward. The virus particles also can linger in the air for up to two hours after someone who is infectious has left the area.

Measles typically starts with a fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes. A rash usually follows, beginning on the face and spreading to the rest of the body. Symptoms begin seven to 21 days after exposure to a person with measles. Common complications of measles include ear infection, lung infection and diarrhea. Swelling of the brain is a rare but much more serious complication.

Measles can be dangerous, especially among children younger than 5, adults older than 20, pregnant people, and people with weakened immune systems. In developed countries in recent years, one to three of every 1,000 measles cases has been fatal.  The measles vaccine is highly effective at providing protection, as two doses of the MMR vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the virus. The risk of severe disease from measles for people who are up to date on their vaccines is very low.

What to do if you suspect measles in your household 

Public health officials urge people experiencing symptoms of measles not to arrive unannounced at a medical office if they: 

1. Have a measles-like rash, or
2. Have been exposed to measles within the previous 21 days, AND have any other symptom of measles (such as fever, cough or red eyes).

Whenever possible, individuals planning to seek medical care should first call your health care provider or urgent care center by telephone to create an entry plan to avoid exposing others in waiting rooms.

Learn more about measles at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/DISEASESAZ/Pages/measles.aspx.

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ODOJ Case CJD2081-25

TALENT, Ore. – The Southern Oregon Child Exploitation Team (SOCET) along with the Oregon Department of Justice’s (ODOJ) Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force served a search warrant early this morning in Talent. Investigators served the search warrant after discovering Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) images were uploaded from the address. Investigators interviewed possible witnesses and involved parties, and investigations are ongoing.

SOCET served the search warrant Thursday, March 12 at a residence on Taylor Street in Talent. SOCET began the investigation after receiving a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which led to subpoenas, followed by the search warrant at the residence. 

SOCET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Medford Police Department (MPD), ODOJ ICAC, Talent Police Department, and the Southern Oregon High Tech Crimes Task Force (SOHTCTF). During the warrant, investigators seized digital devices which will be forensically examined by SOHTCTF for further evidence of child exploitation. 

SOCET is a joint inter-agency task force that started in June of 2020 to combat child exploitation. The task force consists of investigators from JCSO, MPD, ODOJ ICAC, and HSI, as well as prosecutors from our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners in Jackson and Josephine County. SOHTCTF is a joint inter-agency task force that consists of investigators from JCSO, HSI, and MPD.

Investigators continue to examine seized devices and interview witnesses as the investigation moves forward. No further details will be released at this time.

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Portland, OR — The Oregon Historical Society (OHS) is delighted to announce the 2026 Oregon History Maker honorees. First celebrated in 2009, the annual Oregon History Makers Awards & Dinner recognizes contemporary individuals and organizations that are positively shaping the history, culture, and landscape of Oregon. The event also supports the Oregon Historical Society’s important work to collect, preserve, and interpret Oregon’s past.

The 2026 Oregon History Makers are:

Mel Brown 

Godfather of Oregon Jazz

If one person embodies the story of jazz in Oregon, it is drummer and bandleader Mel Brown. Raised in Northeast Portland, he was mentored by seasoned musicians along Williams Avenue, where the city’s vibrant jazz scene once flourished. Brown went on to tour nationally with Motown Records, performing with some of the biggest names in music. Returning home to find his community displaced, he dedicated himself to reinvigorating Portland’s jazz scene. His drum shop, mentorship of other musicians, and nightly performances with multiple bands have helped cultivate the vibrant live music scene that exists today.

Ted Kulongoski

Esteemed Public Servant

No Oregonian has held as many positions of public trust as Ted Kulongoski. Over a distinguished career spanning all three branches of state government, he served as representative, senator, insurance commissioner, attorney general, supreme court justice, and governor. Known for intelligence, integrity, and bipartisan leadership, he advanced major reforms in workers’ compensation and juvenile justice while championing Oregon’s veterans. A former U.S. Marine, Kulongoski attended the funeral of nearly every Oregon solider killed in Iraq and Afghanistan — an enduring testament to his sense of honor, duty, and respect.

Patricia C. “Patsy” Smullin

Local Broadcasting Powerhouse

Patsy Smullin is president and owner of California Oregon Broadcasting, Inc., the West’s longest continuously operating independent broadcast organization. With decades of experience both in front of the camera and in administration, she is revered in regional and national media circles alike. In her program, Up Close with Patsy Smullin, she has interviewed some of the most interesting public figures of our time. Despite her national profile, Smullin remains deeply committed to southern Oregon through philanthropy and civic leadership, and by ensuring that news stays grounded in the local community.

Columbia Sportswear Company

Iconic Outdoor Apparel Company

From its beginning in 1938 as a hat wholesaler, Columbia Sportswear Company has grown into one of the world’s largest and best-known outdoor apparel companies, with brands that include Columbia, Sorel, Mountain Hardwear, and prAna. Building its reputation on durable, high-performance gear designed to withstand the harshest elements, Columbia’s innovative thermal technologies have even protected spacecraft on missions to the moon. Employing thousands at its global headquarters in Washington County, Columbia has long been one of Oregon’s most admired companies.

“Since 2009, the Oregon Historical Society has celebrated Oregon’s living leaders, highlighting individuals and businesses who are part of the state’s DNA,” said OHS Boyle Family Executive Director Kerry Tymchuk. “This year’s honorees all exemplify the best of what our state has to offer, and the OHS Board of Trustees is delighted to present Mel Brown, Ted Kulongoski, Patsy Smullin, and Columbia Sportswear Company with their History Makers Awards.”

The Oregon Historical Society will celebrate the 2026 Oregon History Makers Awards & Dinner on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at the Portland Art Museum. Table sponsorships and individual tickets are available. For more information, please visit ohs.org/historymakers. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Ally Huffman at 503.306.5226 or ally.huffman@ohs.org.

About the Oregon Historical Society

For more than 125 years, the Oregon Historical Society has served as the state’s collective memory, preserving a vast collection of objects, photographs, maps, manuscript materials, books, films, and oral histories. Our research library, museum, digital platforms, educational programming, and historical journal make Oregon’s history open and accessible to all. We exist because history is powerful, and because a history as deep and complex as Oregon’s cannot be contained within a single story or point of view.

2025 ANNUAL REPORT PUBLISHED
 

3/11/26 – Lincoln County, Oregon
 

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) is pleased to share our 2025 Annual Report. In 2025, Sheriff Shanks motivated the LCSO team to refine our basic and core functions, so our teams will be ready to tackle bigger and better things for our communities. The Sheriff’s Office also created a new strategic plan for 2025 – 2028 to help steer efforts while we continue to address community concerns, rise to meet new challenges, and serve all of our communities.
 

Although it is hard to capture all accomplishments over the last year, our team has tried to summarize major activities and services completed by your Sheriff’s Office.

The full report can be found at: www.co.lincoln.or.us/Archive.aspx?AMID=52

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EDITORS: A media kit with video clips of State Health Officer and State Epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger discussing the new State Health Improvement Plan is available at https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ERD/Pages/media-resources.aspx

March 12, 2026

Media contact: Jonathan Modie, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

New State Health Improvement Plan a ‘roadmap’ for health

SHIP describes how public health system will address four priorities

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has launched its five-year State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) with a focus on priorities to help the state’s public health system better respond to rapid changes in social conditions and health needs throughout a person’s lifespan.

The 2025-2029 SHIP, published March 10, reflects the core priorities of Oregon’s public health system and aligns with OHA’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. It also moves the agency closer to its 2030 goal of eliminating health inequities.

A steering committee of partners and community members—working closely with community groups, local public health authorities, Tribal representatives, coordinated care organizations and OHA’s Public Health Division staff—recommended four priorities for the SHIP:

• Healthy environments, created by identifying and responding to environmental exposures such as lead; reducing the health impacts of extreme heat and wildfire smoke; reducing toxins in homes; and ensuring access to clean air and drinking water.
• Individual, family and community well-being, through primary prevention activities that promote physical, mental and behavioral health by preventing overdoses, sexual violence, community violence and deaths by suicide; supporting children, youth and families; and reducing use of alcohol, commercial tobacco and other drugs.
• Health promotion and disease prevention, by encouraging healthy behaviors, making health-promoting choices readily available, and changing policies and systems that can impede health, including vaccinations; treating diseases such as hepatitis C, tuberculosis and HIV; responding to disease outbreaks; and supporting behavior change for health.
• Emergency preparedness and response, to protect public health when emergencies occur, by working with partners to develop regional preparedness plans; responding to health threats; and providing regional and state support for health care, Tribes in Oregon and local public health authorities for tracking diseases and providing health services.

“The State Health Improvement Plan provides a roadmap for maintaining and improving the health of all people—of all ages, in all places—in Oregon,” said OHA Public Health Division Director Naomi Adeline-Biggs. “The SHIP is our compass, guiding us through the complexities of the future while keeping us focused on our goal: a healthier, more connected Oregon.”

In addition to establishing health priorities, the SHIP describes the work of the state’s public health system to address each priority. The priorities focus on areas for health improvement identified in the 2025 State Health Assessment, or SHA. The Oregon Public Health Division leads the SHA and SHIP efforts within OHA, developing the plan and working with partners.

Together with the SHA, the SHIP is required for public health accreditation through the national Public Health Accreditation Board, but it goes beyond compliance. The SHIP’s objective is to be a community-developed driver of health improvement across the state.

A key to achieving that objective is the SHIP’s emphasis on sustained partnerships and mutual engagement within the governmental public health system that includes the Oregon Public Health Division, local public health authorities, Tribal governments, community-based partners and the state’s health care system.

“One thing I took away from this whole process is the opportunity to advocate and speak for communities that often are not at the table,” said SHIP steering committee member Sokho Eath, director of the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization’s Pacific Islander and Asian Family Center. The process for developing the SHIP involved extensive community involvement and input and creating a plan for “how to improve understanding of, and community connection to, what the state is trying to accomplish,” he said.

The Public Health Division will use the SHIP to align resources across initiatives, including OHA’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, which sets an intention in OHA’s work, systems and policies to move toward this vision. Each priority includes strategies that address people’s different access to community resources and changing health needs. To demonstrate alignment across existing plans, many strategies include links to state strategic plan documents.

For example, for the “healthy environments” priority, which has six strategies, OHA plans to coordinate trainings or meetings for local public health authority case managers to increase case investigation capacity for children with elevated blood lead levels. OHA also will provide data and information about health risks from climate hazards to local partners so they can prepare and carry out action plans to lessen these impacts.

The 22 strategies under the SHIP’s “individual, family and community well-being” priority include promoting safe, healthy relationships among youth to prevent sexual violence. Another is supporting “age-friendly” communities where clean air, nutritious food, daily activity and social connections are easily accessible.

For gerontologist and SHIP steering committee member Julia Brown, helping develop the plan’s “individual, family and community well-being” priority was a passion project. A community outreach and engagement manager for AGE+—the nonprofit advocates for the well-being of older adults in rural, low-income and underserved communities—Brown wanted to ensure the plan represented a truly universal, “all people, all ages, all places” approach to improving health.

“It was important that this plan was as inclusive and equitable for our population as possible,” Brown said. “That could include a person with a disability living alone—maybe they're middle-aged or older, and don’t have family nearby. Or people in rural regions who are far away from the I-5 corridor, who struggle to see themselves as represented in state organizations and state policies.”

There are 31 strategies under the “health promotion and disease prevention” priority, such as promoting routine dental care by increasing public and provider education, preventive treatment and collaboration with providers; and reducing youth nicotine use by making it easier for everyone to avoid tobacco and limiting how much young people see tobacco advertisements and products in stores.

Under the “emergency preparedness” priority, there are five strategies, including maintaining the state’s surveillance system that tracks emergency room and urgent care visits to spot and respond to health threats such as bad air quality, disease outbreaks and natural disasters. The priority also has a strategy to support the Oregon Medical Coordination Center, which helps hospitals place patients at their facilities or within their systems when they lack capacity.

The division will regularly track and report on progress and identify where progress is lagging. This information will be shared with partners and community members through regular reporting.

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SPRING SAFETY  
 

With the beginning of spring, many find themselves “spring cleaning” and spending more time outdoors. Spring is a great time to review a safety checklist for your home and complete a few updates that could save your life.

Smoke Alarms

1. Smoke alarms save lives – if they are powered by a fresh battery. Test smoke alarm batteries monthly and replace the battery at least once a year. Anytime the alarm makes a "chirping" sound, replace the batteries immediately.
2. Smoke alarms should be located in every bedroom and in the common areas on each floor of a home. Mount them at least 10 feet from the stove to reduce false alarms, less than 12 inches from the ceiling, and away from windows, doors, and ducts.
3. Smoke alarms can be interconnected wirelessly which means when one sounds, they all sound. This is a quick way to notify everyone in a home if there is a fire.
4. When installing or replacing smoke alarms, purchase and install new alarms.
5. Practice how your family will react if smoke alarms go off and consider how that looks at different times through the day or at night. Do not forget to plan your escape from each room and include pets in the process.
6. The National Fire Protection Association has additional resources on smoke alarm safety.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

1. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an invisible, odorless gas, that can kill you. Anything that burns fuel can potentially become a source of carbon monoxide. CO detectors should be installed in a central location outside each bedroom and on every level of the home.
2. Similar to smoke alarms, test CO detectors’ batteries monthly and replace them at least once a year or sooner if needed.
3. Consider interconnecting the detectors to alert the entire household at once.
4. Make sure vents for your gas appliances (fireplace, dryer, stove, furnace, etc.) are free and clear of snow and debris.
5. Only use gas powered grills and generators outside and away from doors, window, or air intakes.

Household Emergency Plan

Every household needs an emergency plan, especially in the event of a natural disaster or other catastrophic event. Take time to create and review that plan with family, household members, and any neighbors that may have a part in the plan. Consider how your household will react to different emergencies, plan for evacuation routes and alternative routes, and review your emergency supplies. Remember, disasters can strike at any time. Consider what your actions will be if something happens at work, school, the grocery store, and in other areas you frequent.

Emergency plan necessities:

1. A communications plan to outline how your family/household members will contact each another and where you will meet if you need to evacuate.
2. A shelter-in-place plan. This is often necessary during events where outside air is contaminated and unsafe. Remember to prepare supplies for sealing windows, doors, and air vents with plastic sheeting.
3. An evacuation plan with various routes and destinations. If your household has access and functional needs, pets, livestock, or expensive equipment, plan on evacuating sooner so there is more time to safely leave the area. Before there is a disaster, research what friends, family, or hotels can accommodate your pets and livestock during an emergency.
4. A home and car emergency kit. Your emergency kit should include at least one gallon of water per day for each person, at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food, flashlight or headlamp and batteries, first aid kit, filter mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape, and medicines. On the Oregon coast, it is recommended that households have enough supplies to be self-sufficient for at least 3-weeks. Unable to prepare 3-weeks of supplies? Some emergency supplies are still better than no emergency supplies.
5. A plan and supplies for your household’s unique needs. Don’t forget to plan for special circumstances such as mobility challenges, medical conditions, allergies, and other things that impact your household’s comfort, health, and safety.

Be prepared, not scared. Visit Ready.gov for a complete list and other tips for making your family’s emergency plan.

For more information and tips visit our website at www.lincolncountysheriff.net and like us on Facebook at Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon.

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Habrá formas alternativas de acceso a los servicios

Astoria, Oregón – La oficina del Departamento de Servicios Humanos de Oregón (ODHS) en Astoria, situada en 422 Gateway Avenue, no cerrará la tarde del viernes 13 de marzo para las obras publicas cercanas. Un cierre de día completo está planificado para el viernes 27 de marzo.

Sin embargo, la Camioneta de Beneficios Móvil estará disponible para atender a quienes necesiten servicios en persona. También se puede acudir a la oficina de ODHS en Seaside, 1111 Roosevelt Drive.

Las personas también pueden acceder a ODHS de forma virtual, llamando:

• Programa de Bienestar Infantil para cuidado de crianza, seguridad infantil y servicios de adopción, 503-325-9179.
• Programas de Autosuficiencia, Asociación de Elegibilidad de Oregón para beneficios de comida, dinero, servicios médicos, cuidado infantil y servicios de violencia doméstica. 503-325-2021.

"Tendremos personal en estas ubicaciones alternativas para atender a las personas, ya sea en persona o virtualmente", dijo Lorena Giles, Gerente de Programa OEP.

Para indicaciones y ubicaciones de todas las oficinas de ODHS: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/pages/office-finder.aspx.

Alternate ways to access services will be available

Astoria, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) Astoria office, 422 Gateway Avenue, will not close in the afternoon Friday, March 13 for the scheduled construction work in the area. A full-day closure is planned for Friday, March 27.

However, there will be an ODHS mobile van available at the site to serve people needing to visit in-person. People can also come to the ODHS Seaside office, 1111 Roosevelt Drive.

People can also access ODHS virtually, by calling:

• Child Welfare program for foster care, child safety and adoption services, 503-325-9179.
• Self-Sufficiency Programs, Oregon Eligibility Partnership (OEP) for benefits, food, cash, medical, child care and domestic violence services. 503-325-2021.

“We will be fully staffed in these alternative locations to serve people either in person or virtually,” Lorena Giles, OEP Program Manager, said.

For directions and locations of all ODHS offices: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/pages/office-finder.aspx.

Salem, OR— Heading into the final month of the 2026 tax season, the Oregon Department of Revenue has received and processed 860,000 electronically-filed Oregon personal income tax returns and has issued 720,000 refunds.

Most taxpayers can expect to receive their refunds within two weeks of the date their return is e-filed. Some returns, however, require additional review and can take longer. Taxpayers looking for the status of their refund can use DOR’s Where’s My Refund? tool.

The Where’s My Refund? tool was enhanced last year and now provides:

• Additional detail about refund status. 
• Added functionality to see when the agency is requesting additional information to complete processing a return. 
• Website enhancements for improved customer experience.

To have the benefit of the enhancements, however, taxpayers need to be signed into their Revenue Online account. Taxpayers who don’t already have a Revenue Online account can create one by following the Revenue Online link on the department’s website. Taxpayers can still use the Where’s My Refund? tool without being signed into Revenue Online account, but won’t be able to see the updated features.

A video outlining the refund process and timelines is also available to help taxpayers understand the process.

Among those refunds that will take longer in 2026 are refunds from paper-filed Oregon Personal Income Tax returns. On average taxpayers who e-file and request direct deposit get their refund two weeks faster than those who file a paper return. The extra wait will be even longer this year.

In the closing months of 2025, the IRS was late providing necessary tax form information to the Department of Revenue creating a delay in the processing of paper-filed state returns. Processing of paper-filed returns is expected to start at the end of March with the first refunds for paper-filed returns expected to be issued in early April.

Oregon is returning a $1.41 billion revenue surplus “kicker” to taxpayers in 2026. The kicker credit will either increase a taxpayer's refund or decrease the amount of state taxes they owe.

Only taxpayers who filed a tax year 2024 return and also file a tax year 2025 return can receive a kicker. The credit is a percentage of Oregon personal income tax liability for the 2024 tax year. Taxpayers can determine the amount of their kicker using a “What’s My Kicker? calculator available on Revenue Online.

About 60 percent of the 2.2 million Oregon personal income tax returns expected to be filed in 2026 have yet to be filed with less than five weeks to go before the April 15 deadline.

Besides the high volume of returns filed at the end of tax season, there are other common things that can make it take longer for Oregonians to get their refunds.

Four common reasons refunds take longer and what to do about it.

• Filing electronically and requesting to receive a refund via a check takes longer. Request direct deposit instead.
• Filing more than once. Sending a duplicate paper return through the mail after e-filing will a delay a refund. Taxpayers should file just once unless they need to amend their return to make changes.
• Refunds for taxpayers that are new to filing returns may be delayed so we can verify your identity. Taxpayers who receive a letter requesting identity verification are urged to respond promptly through Revenue Online to speed the processing of their return.
• Refunds can also be delayed when errors are identified on returns. Taxpayers who receive a letter requesting additional information are urged to respond promptly through Revenue Online to speed the processing of their return.

The Department of Revenue recommends that taxpayers wait one week after they have electronically filed their return to use the Where’s My Refund tool.

Taxpayers can check the status of their federal tax refunds on the IRS website.

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SALEM, Oregon – On Monday, March 9, 2026, the Oregon Tourism Commission (dba Travel Oregon) announced the recipients of the 2025 Oregon Travel and Tourism Industry Achievement Awards at the 2026 Oregon Governor’s Conference on Tourism at the Oregon Convention Center. 
 

The Oregon Main Street Statewide Coordinating Program received the Oregon Prosperity Award. The Oregon Prosperity Award recognizes DMOs or businesses championing the value of tourism, whose vision and commitment help make Oregon's communities, tourism regions and state stronger visitor destinations, creating optimal economic impact.
 

Oregon Main Street Statewide Coordinating Program has offered a unifying model for community revitalization in 100+ towns statewide since 2008. Since then, Main Street’s tenets of promotion, organizational support, design, and economic vitality with a historic preservation lens, have activated and reactivated communities of all sizes, in every county of Oregon. As of 2021, the work of the Oregon Main Street program and partner organizations have resulted in $134.6 million total economic impact while offering free technical services for local programs, revitalizing downtowns and awarding millions of dollars in grants to communities across the state.
 

Currently, there are over 100 communities in Oregon participating in the Oregon Main Street Network which includes the following tiers: Accredited Main Street, Designated Main Street, Affiliated Main Street, Rural Regional Main Street, and Connected Communities. There is not a fee to participate in the Oregon Main Street Network.
 

Oregon Main Street is a program of Oregon Heritage in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
 

For more information on Oregon Main Street visit www.oregonmainstreet.org.
 

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MEDIA ADVISORY

March 12, 2026

TODAY: 'Save Our ER Docs' Rally at PeaceHealth
Thursday, March 12
3 - 5:30 p.m.
Speeches at 4:45 p.m.
Intersection of MLK Blvd. and Cardinal Way in Springfield, OR
In front of PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend’s campus

WHAT: Healthcare providers, elected officials, and community members are holding a rally in support of local emergency room doctors.

PeaceHealth executives recently refused to renew its contract with the Eugene Emergency Physicians group whose members have cared for local families during medical emergencies for 35 years. PeaceHealth is attempting to outsource its emergency room care to a large, out-of-state medical group. 

WHEN: Thursday, March 12 from 3 - 5:30 p.m. Speakers will begin at approximately 4:45 p.m. 
Healthcare workers and allies will be available for media comment during the event.

WHERE: The intersection of MLK Blvd. and Cardinal Way in Springfield, OR. 
(In front of PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center RiverBend–3333 Riverbend Dr, Springfield, OR 97477)

WHO: Frontline nurses and medical staff from PeaceHealth Sacred Heart RiverBend, Eugene Emergency Physicians, firefighters, paramedics, elected officials, and community members. 

WHY: Healthcare workers, elected leaders and community members are united in opposition to PeaceHealth’s proposal to auction off emergency care to a corporate medical group from Georgia. 

Local doctors from Eugene Emergency Physicians have cared for and saved the lives of patients and families at PeaceHealth emergency rooms in Eugene, Springfield, Florence and Cottage Grove for more than three decades. They have won multiple awards from PeaceHealth and have earned the respect and admiration of their colleagues and community members. 

Outsourcing our community’s healthcare to an out-of-state corporate medicine group would be a costly mistake which will negatively impact providers, patients and the community. 

PeaceHealth’s executives have faced intense scrutiny and widespread criticism of their outsourcing proposal with many sharing concerns the change could threaten community health and safety. Since the announcement, community members have roundly criticized the decision; medical providers and nurses have both held votes of no confidence in PeaceHealth’s executives; and elected leaders have questioned the proposal's legality while calling on PeaceHealth to maintain its relationship with local emergency care providers.

• Sign nurses’ petition to support local ER doctors.
   
• Learn more about PeaceHealth executive’s history of poor decisions.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ REGULAR MEETING NOTICE

A meeting of the Board of Directors of Winston Dillard Fire District will hold its meeting at its headquarters located at 250 SE Main St., Winston, OR on Monday, March 16, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. To comply with House Bill 2560, those that wish to participate can attend through videoconferencing or telephonically. If you plan on attending the meeting, please call the business office at 541-679-8721 during normal business hours prior to 4:00 p.m. on Monday March 16, 2026 for instructions.

The Board agenda to include but not limited to:

   1. Monthly Financials

The meeting location is accessible to person with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to administration at 541-679-8721.

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ REGULAR MEETING NOTICE

A meeting of the Board of Directors of Douglas County Fire District No. 2 will hold its meeting at its headquarters located at 250 SE Main St. Winston, OR 97496 on Monday March 16, 2026 at 5:30 pm. To comply with House Bill 2560, those that wish to participate can attend through videoconferencing or telephonically. If you plan on attending the meeting, please call the business office at 541-673-5503 during normal business hours prior to 4:00 pm on Monday March 16, 2026 for instructions.

The Board agenda to include but not limited to:

   1.  Monthly Financials

The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to administration at 541-673-5503.

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ REGULAR MEETING NOTICE

A meeting of the Board of Directors of Central Douglas Fire & Rescue Authority will hold its meeting at its headquarters located at 250 SE Main St. Winston, OR 97496 on Monday March 16, 2026 at 5:30 pm. To comply with House Bill 2560, those that wish to participate can attend through videoconferencing or telephonically. If you plan on attending the meeting, please call the business office at 541-673-5503 during normal business hours prior to 4:00 pm on Monday March 16, 2026 for instructions.

The Board agenda to include but not limited to:

   1.  Monthly Financials

   2.  Umpqua Aggregate Resources Paving Contract at 653

The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. A request for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or for other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting to administration at 541-673-5503.