On May 7th, 2025, a Marion County jury found Terrance Quackenbush-Benson, 29, guilty of two counts of Manslaughter in the First Degree, two counts of Manslaughter in the Second Degree, one count each of Assault in the Second Degree and Third Degree, one count of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, and one count of Reckless Driving.

The charges resulted from a September 16, 2024, incident where Quackenbush-Benson drove his truck across the center line and collided head-on with a truck traveling in the opposite direction.  At the time of the incident, Quakenbush-Benson was under the influence of an inhalant. The driver and passenger died upon impact.  A third passenger survived the crash but suffered serious physical injuries.  She is still recovering.

Marion County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Hart presided over the five-day trial. The State was represented by Marion County Deputy District Attorneys Katharine Semple and Melissa Roberts.

Quakenbush-Benson is scheduled to be sentenced on May 13, 2025, at 4pm. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 7, 2025

Commissioners Issue Proclamation for National Correctional Officer and Employee Appreciation Week

(Douglas County, Ore.) – Douglas County Commissioners Tim Freeman, Tom Kress, and Chris Boice were honored to issue a proclamation today at their weekly business meeting recognizing May 4 – 10, 2025, as National Correctional Officer and Employee Appreciation Week in Douglas County.   The proclamation recognizes the work and sacrifices that correctional officers and personnel do on a daily basis. It serves as a time to recognize the contributions of those who work in corrections, highlighting their dedication, professionalism, and often challenging roles in maintaining safety and order within our nation’s correctional facilities.  A copy of the video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

“Each of us at different times through the years have been the liaison Commissioner to the Sheriff’s Office and we have all had the opportunity to tour and see firsthand the incredible, difficult work that you all do.  I don’t think that folks realize the challenges that some of the adults in custody bring with them when they are brought into jail.  Everything from health care challenges to hygiene to mental health issues to drug addiction to just not liking being around other people you must deal with every day.  We certainly appreciate the difficulty of that and the work that you all do. ” – Commissioner Freeman

Commissioner Boice read the National Correctional Officer and Employee Appreciation Week proclamation and then Commissioner Kress presented certificates to Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin, Undersheriff Brad O’Dell,  Douglas County Corrections Lieutenant Clayton Ruble, Transport Deputy Andrew Maldonado, Corporal Anthony McIrvin, RSAT Deputy Jessica Miller, and Corrections Clerk Amy Felker.  They also acknowledged the Reedsport Police Department staff and volunteers who assist with their Municipal Jail. 

“I think the proclamation outlined the duties quite well.  The jail operation is of course an extremely important component to public safety, law enforcement and peace and order in the community.  I can’t thank our staff enough for the difficulty job they do.” - Sheriff Hanlin

On May 5, 1984, President Ronald Reagan signed proclamation 5187 creating National Correctional Officer and Employee Appreciation Week.  President Reagan’s proclamation designated the first week of May each year for this recognition, and proclaims that “we recognize that the important work done by our correctional officers often does not receive the recognition from the public that it deserves, and it is appropriate that we honor the many contributions and accomplishments of these men and women who are a vital component of the field of corrections”. 

“On behalf of the entire Douglas County Corrections Division, I want to sincerely thank the Board of Commissioners for the proclamation and for recognizing the hard work and dedication of our corrections deputies.  Every day our deputies serve with professionalism, strength and commitment.  They work behind the scenes in a very demanding environment - helping keep our facilities secure while treating everyone with care, with fairness and respect.  Their role is not easy and is often overlooked, but their work is vital to the safety and security of our community and the success of our justice system.  I also wanted to thank Sheriff John Hanlin and Undersheriff Brad O’Dell for their strong leadership and continued support of our team.  We are proud to serve under their guidance.  This recognition means a great deal to all of us in corrections.” – Corrections Lt. Ruble

In discussing the important role of corrections officers, Commissioner Boice shared a story about a successful H.O.P.E. Drug Court graduate who recently spoke at a Local Public Safety Coordinating Council meeting about his path from years of dependency, addiction, and crime to becoming a productive member of society.  “One of the things he highlighted was the time he spent in jail.  This time was critical for him to be able to transition away from criminal life.  He was for the first time able to be sober and clean for long enough to get his head healed and mind straight.  And he said that it was our corrections staff that advocated for him to be able to get into the Drug Court program.  His story speaks to the level of professionalism that our corrections team has.  And, contrary to a lot of people’s beliefs our corrections staff are pulling for folks in there (jail).  They want them to change their lives.  They want to help.  It was important for everyone who attended the meeting and for everyone to understand the important role that our corrections staff played in this person’s road to recovery!  Thank you.”

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Media Contacts:   Tamara Howell | Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: a.howell@douglascountyor.gov">tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

Attached: Proclamation & Photo © K.Trenkle/Douglas County. Individual photos are available upon request.

TUALATIN, Ore. — The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) condemns the Trump administration’s sudden move to dissolve the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). According to a May 6, 2025, report from NBC News, committee members learned last week that their 30-year-old panel had been terminated, despite having produced hundreds of evidence-based guidelines that hospitals and clinics rely on every day to keep patients and caregivers safe. Further coverage in The Hill confirmed the action is part of a broader effort to shrink public-health oversight.

HICPAC’s recommendations form the backbone of infection-prevention practices in Oregon and across the nation, informing everything from isolation protocols and hand-hygiene standards to the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The committee’s work is indispensable to nurses who confront antibiotic-resistant bacteria, seasonal surges of respiratory illness, and potential future pandemics. Its abrupt removal strips health-care facilities of the expert playbook they need to stop minor infections from becoming deadly outbreaks.

“Healthcare workers remember what happens when politics overrides science,” said ONA President Tamie Cline, RN. “Eliminating HICPAC will drive up infection rates, prolong hospital stays, increase costs, and, most importantly, cost lives. Calling the committee ‘unnecessary’ insults every nurse and caregiver who has fought to keep patients safe through COVID-19 surges, RSV spikes, and emergent superbugs.”

ONA calls on President Trump, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and CDC acting director Susan Monarez to immediately reinstate HICPAC and fully fund its critical work. HICPAC and other essential advisory panels must remain free from extreme political interference. 

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ROSEBURG, Ore., May 7, 2025 – The Umpqua Community College Performing and Visual Arts presents UCC’s Concert Band performing in “States of Mind” on June 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Jacoby Auditorium on the UCC campus.
 

This concert features music that explores the depths of human emotion and thought. Each piece provides a glimpse into a distinct state of mind, inviting the audience to experience the rich tapestry of our inner worlds. To enhance this journey, the concert will also include visual art and video projections, creating an immersive experience.
 

Admission is available at the door or at umpqua.edu/community, $15.00 for general admission, $10.00 for seniors, and students are free. For more information, contact 541-440-4691 or music@umpqua.edu.
 

About Umpqua Community College
Nestled in the beautiful North Umpqua River Valley, Umpqua Community College is the regional center for higher education in Douglas County, Oregon. UCC provides high quality college degree programs, workforce development, and community learning opportunities. For more information, please visit us online at umpqua.edu.

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Benton County Planning Commission has added a supplemental day to hear verbal public testimony on Republic Services’ application for the proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. The public hearing was continued — that is, postponed to a future date — at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, and will resume at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 8 in the County’s Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.

The Public Hearing on LU-24-027 was originally scheduled for three days of presentations, reports and testimony in late April and early May, with a fourth meeting in June for Commissioners to discuss the application and come to a decision. After nearly three hours of verbal testimony on the third day, the Commission had heard from only half of the 78 community members who signed up to testify. After a brief discussion and motion, the Commissioners voted to add the additional meeting and resume two days later so all community voices can be heard.

Revised hearing schedule

Tuesday, April 29
The County Planning Division and consultants presented the staff report, then addressed questions from the Planning Commission. View the recording of Day 1.

Thursday, May 1
Republic Services presented the application, then addressed questions from the Planning Commission. View the recording of Day 2.

Tuesday, May 6
Members of the public delivered verbal testimony. Each person who signed up was allotted three minutes to speak; some opted to cede their time to another speaker to allow that person more time to deliver their prepared message. Testimony was delivered by or on behalf of 37 people. View the recording of Day 3.

Continuance, Thursday, May 8, 6 p.m. – complete
The Planning Commission will hear testimony by the remaining people on the verbal testimony roster. Registration for verbal testimony closed at 6 p.m. on May 6, so no additional attestants will be added. Following the conclusion of verbal testimony, representatives of Republic Services will have an opportunity to deliver a brief rebuttal. Register for virtual participation through Zoom.

Tuesday, June 17, 6 p.m. – complete
Deliberations and decision by the Planning Commission. Zoom registration

Attendees who need any physical or language accommodations should notify Benton County Community Development (mitcheck@bentoncountyor.gov" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(35, 72, 123); background-color: transparent; transition: 300ms;">permitcheck@bentoncountyor.gov) at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing.

Written testimony

Written testimony is still being accepted in four ways: online form, regular mail, email (liccomment@bentoncountyor.gov" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(35, 72, 123); background-color: transparent; transition: 300ms;">publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov) and hand delivery. Benton County Planning Division staff are posting compiled written testimony to the online Munidocs platform soon after it is received. The latest batch of comments includes those received through 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6.

More information about the public hearing is available on the Coffin Butte Landfill webpage.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Today, the Department of Justice announced the results of Operation Restore Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. The operation resulted in the rescue of 115 children and the arrests of 205 child sexual abuse offenders in the nationwide crackdown. The coordinated effort was executed over the course of five days by all 55 FBI field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section in the Department’s Criminal Division and United States Attorney’s Offices around the country.

“The Department of Justice will never stop fighting to protect victims—especially child victims—and we will not rest until we hunt down, arrest and prosecute every child predator who preys on the most vulnerable among us,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I am grateful to the FBI and their state and local partners for their incredible work in Operation Restore Justice and have directed my prosecutors not to negotiate.”

“Every child deserves to grow up free from fear and exploitation, and the FBI will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those who exploit the most vulnerable among us,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “Operation Restore Justice proves that no predator is out of reach and no child will be forgotten. By leveraging the strength of all our field offices and our federal, state and local partners, we’re sending a clear message: there is no place to hide for those who prey on children.”

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is proud to be a part of Operation Restore Justice and seek justice for children who have been exploited or abused. A common thread in these cases and many others is that online predators will use any platform on the internet to contact unsuspecting children. These predators often pose as children themselves to trick their would-be victims,” said William M. Narus, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

“The FBI has zero tolerance for criminal actors who target the most vulnerable in our community—our children,” said FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Olson. “While we count Operation Restore Justice as a success, our work continues. We will use every resource available to us to pursue those who prey on children, as well as to help victims of abuse access tools to help them heal.”

Three individuals were arrested and charged with federal child exploitation crimes in the District of Oregon as part of Operation Restore Justice.

Robert Andrew Arias, 54, of Salem, Oregon, has been charged by indictment with distributing, receiving and possessing child pornography. He was arrested on April 28, 2025, at his residence in Salem and made his first appearance in federal court the same day. A jury trial is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025.

Berret J. Brown, 40, of Vida, Oregon, has been charged by indictment with enticing minors, receiving child pornography, using a minor to produce a visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct and transferring obscene matter to a minor. Between July and August 2024, Brown is alleged to have used Snapchat to entice multiple children into producing and sending him sexually explicit videos. Brown is also alleged to have used Roblox, a children’s online video game platform, to connect with minors. On April 30, 2025, Brown made his first appearance in federal court and was ordered detained pending a jury trial scheduled to begin on August 5, 2025.

Michael Joseph Cambalik, 35, of Beaverton, Oregon, has been charged by complaint with sexually exploiting a minor, receiving child pornography and coercing and enticing a minor. In December 2024, Cambalik, posing as a female minor, is alleged to have used Call of Duty, an internet-connected video game, to meet and coerce a then-nine-year-old child to produce and send him sexually explicit photos and videos. On April 30, 2025, Cambalik made his first appearance in federal court and was ordered detained pending his arraignment on May 29, 2025.

Those arrested nationwide are alleged to have committed various crimes including the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material, online enticement and transportation of minors and child sex trafficking. In Minneapolis, for example, a state trooper and Army Reservist was arrested for allegedly producing child sexual abuse material while wearing his uniforms. In Norfolk, VA, an illegal alien from Mexico is accused of transporting a minor across state lines for sex. In Washington, D.C., a former Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was arrested for allegedly trafficking minor victims.

In many cases, parental vigilance and community outreach efforts played a critical role in bringing these offenders to justice. For example, a California man was arrested eight hours after a young victim bravely came forward and disclosed their abuse to FBI agents at an online safety presentation broadcast from Albany, N.Y.

This effort follows the Department’s observance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, and underscores the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and raising awareness about the dangers they face. While the Department, including the FBI, investigates and prosecutes these crimes every day, April serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preventing these crimes, seeking justice for victims and raising awareness through community education.

The Justice Department is committed to combating child sexual exploitation. These cases were brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.justice.gov/psc.

The Department partners with and oversees funding grants for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which receives and shares tips about possible child sexual exploitation received through its 24/7 hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST and on missingkids.org.

The Department urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspected exploitation of a child through the FBI’s tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324), tips.fbi.gov, or by calling your local FBI field office.

Other online resources:

Electronic Press Kit

Violent Crimes Against Children

How we can help you: Parents and caregivers protecting your kids

An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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QUARTERLY COFFEE WITH A DEPUTY – DEPOE BAY
 

The next Quarterly Coffee with a Deputy event with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is just around the corner. Join us on Monday, May 19, 2025, from 8:30am – 10am for a cup of coffee and a conversation at Pirate Coffee Company (located at 10 Vista St., Depoe Bay, Or 97341).
 

More about these quarterly events:
Every three months our office partners with a local coffee shop in Lincoln County to provide a time, space, and coffee for community members to meet our team and share what’s on their minds. Coffee with a cop events are a friendly and relaxed way for our communities to connect with the deputies that serve them.
 

These events offer a unique opportunity for community members to directly engage with law enforcement, ask questions, voice concerns, and build positive relationships. Whether you're a regular coffee drinker or simply curious about the work of law enforcement, this is a chance to connect with our team on a personal level, learn about each other’s experiences, and share local feedback.
 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

DATE: May 7, 2025

Suspect in shoplift incident arrested at local park

Salem, Ore. — Ricardo Zepeda-Gonzalez of Salem is in custody at the Marion County Jail on charges of first-degree robbery, unlawful use of a weapon, menacing, and second-degree theft after fleeing the scene of a store theft.

Zepeda-Gonzalez was arrested at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, after leaving The Home Depot at 3795 Hagers Grove RD SE with nearly $800 in merchandise. When approached by store security personnel, witnesses reported Zepeda‑Gonzalez displayed what appeared to be a revolver, then fled the area on foot.

With the assistance of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, a search of the area by drone and police canine team resulted in locating the 40-year-old Zepeda-Gonzalez at nearby Cascades Gateway Park.

Zepeda-Gonzalez is set to be arraigned today at the Marion County Circuit Court Annex at 2:30 p.m.

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Medic 21 and Crew 21 were assisted by Linn County Search and Rescue this afternoon on the Gordon Meadows Trail. Crews responded for a hiker who contacted 911 via text for a medical emergency. 12 personnel from Sweet Home Fire and 7 members of SAR responded. The patient was carried out in a stokes basket, but refused further medical treatment or transport by ambulance. Due to the remote location and a lack of good cell coverage, communications were hampered and pinpointing the patient's location was a challenge. It took an hour and 40 minutes for crews to reach the patient.

Office of Douglas County Clerk - Daniel J. Loomis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 7, 2025

Douglas County Special Districts Election is May 20

(Douglas County, Ore.) Ballots for the upcoming May Special Districts Election have been mailed to registered voters in Douglas County. Ballots must be returned to the Douglas County Clerk Office or postmarked no later than 8:00 pm on May 20, 2025.

The Douglas County Clerk would like to remind voters of the following election information:

• All registered voters will receive a ballot based on their residence address.
• To receive an official ballot for the Special Districts Election, you must be registered to vote, and your voter registration must be up to date. 
  • Registered Oregon voters who need to update their registration information have until 8:00 pm on May 20, 2025.
  • Recent registration changes may occur after ballots were printed and may cause a second ballot to be issued. This ballot will contain a blue slip of paper and is the correct ballot to cast.
• If registered voters haven’t received their ballot by Thursday, May 8, 2025, please contact or visit our office.
• Before turning in a ballot, make sure you have reviewed and completed both sides of the ballot.

• Make sure you sign your voter statement on your ballot return envelope, where it lists your printed name.
• Make sure you sign the ballot return envelope in the same manner as your most current voter registration card. 
• Oregon Law does not allow the United States Postal Service to forward ballots.
• To find a nearby official ballot drop site, visit Official Drop Site Locations | Douglas County, OR.

The Douglas County Clerk’s Office is located in Room 124 on the ground floor of the Douglas County Courthouse at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue, Roseburg. Mail correspondence should be sent to: Douglas County Elections, P.O. Box 10, Roseburg, OR 97470. For questions, please call (541) 440-4252.

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Election Contact: Dan Loomis, County Clerk, Douglas County Clerk (541) 440-4324 - dan.loomis@douglascountyor.gov

Media Contact: a.howell@douglascountyor.gov">Tamara Howell | Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Public Information Officer | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

A home sustained heavy fire damage as a result of a propane weed burner being used too close to the wood structure. The homeowner recognized the fire quickly and attempted to extinguish it, however the fire rapidly spread through a void space between the original structure and an addition, reaching the attic. Firefighters from Sweet Home responded and had the fire knocked down within 20 minutes of the initial 911 call. Extensive overhaul was required to ensure complete extinguishment where the original structure and the addition met. The occupants of the home were not inside at the time of the fire. Sweet Home Fire responded with 16 personnel, staffing 2 engines, 1 rescue unit, 2 ambulances, and 2 command vehicles. One ambulance was called away during the fire to respond to a rescue. 

Lane County’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year (2025–2026) is now available. The proposed budget addresses an estimated $6.3 million structural deficit in the General Fund while striving to balance necessary reductions with preserving services.

“Precise tools, not blunt instruments, are what we need to solve our budget challenges and ensure we can continue to provide valuable public services,” said County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky. “We have to use a scalpel and look at everything, line by line, rather than take an axe to our programs and services. It’s the responsible approach to using our limited public resources for the benefit of our community.”

Similar to many other local governments, Lane County’s expenses are growing faster than revenue; however, Lane County faces the additional challenge of an artificially low county property tax rate ­– frozen in the early 90s – and growth in assessed property value capped at 3 percent annually regardless of skyrocketing market values.

Lane County’s budget is comprised of 34 separate funds. Most funds are structurally balanced without using reserves to fund ongoing expenses. Nine funds remain structurally unbalanced, including the Land Management Fund, Human Service Fund, Clerk’s Fund, and others.  Lane County’s most distressed fund continues to be the General Fund because it relies on limited revenue from Lane County’s $1.28 per $1,000 of assessed value property tax rate, one of the lowest rates in Oregon.

Public safety is a priority of Lane County. Currently, public safety services receive approximately 75 percent of all discretionary General Fund revenue. Fully funding public safety with existing revenue would require completely eliminating all other General Fund services, including elections, property assessment and tax collection for 85 districts in Lane County, funding for health and human services, veterans services, and other core functions of government. Until new revenue for public safety is identified, Lane County cannot adequately address the need for public safety services across the community.

The proposed budget includes approximately 80 fewer positions across multiple departments compared to the current fiscal year. This is the largest reduction in positions since 2012.

“We have been thoughtful in reducing positions that minimize the effect on residents and our employees,” said Mokrohisky. “Wherever possible, we proposed cutting positions that are vacant or where an existing employee could move into another position without being laid off. Only 18 of the positions proposed for reduction are filled.”

The County Administrator’s full proposed budget message can be found online.

The Budget Committee, which is comprised of five appointed residents and the five county commissioners, began its review of the proposed budget with a meeting and public hearing on May 6. A recording of the proposed budget presentation and public hearing is available online.

The Budget Committee will meet multiple times during the next three weeks to receive information from each County department. The Budget Committee will have the opportunity to approve the proposed budget and any recommended changes on May 20. Written public comment can be submitted to the Budget Committee at UPL@lanecountyor.gov">LCGABUPL@lanecountyor.gov. The approved budget will then appear before the Board of County Commissioners for potential adoption in June.

All meetings are broadcast live on Metro TV (Comcast Cable channel 21). Meetings can also be watched live online at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/webcasts.

Learn more about Lane County’s budget process at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/budget or view the Fiscal Year 2025–2026 proposed budget document online.

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Five schools will receive cash prizes for special school projects in the 16^th annual

OnPoint Prize campaign awards

PORTLAND, Ore., — May 7, 2025 — Five local schools have won the 2025 OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education Community Builder awards. Each school will receive a cash prize for a special project that positively impacts its school and community.

OnPoint also named the eight finalists for its Educator of the Year awards. Each are in the running to have their mortgage or rent paid for one full year and receive $2,500 for their school. The four winners in each category (K-5, 6-8, 9-12, and Gold Star) will be announced on May 22, 2025. The remaining four runners-up in each category will receive a $5,000 cash award and a $1,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies.

“Every year, we are proud to uplift the schools and educators who are making a meaningful difference in their communities,” said Rob Stuart, president and chief executive officer of OnPoint Community Credit Union. “They’re creating inclusive spaces, restoring vital resources and designing learning experiences that connect students to the world around them. It’s our privilege to celebrate their commitment and extraordinary impact.”

Since 2010, the OnPoint Prize for Excellence in Education has awarded more than $843,000 in prizes to 326 local educators and schools. The 2025 campaign will award an additional $193,000 to deserving K-12 educators and schools.

Learn more about the 2025 Community Builder award winners and Educator of the Year finalists below:

Community Builder Awards
OnPoint has recognized five schools from across the region with its Community Builder awards. Four schools will receive $2,000 from OnPoint for a special project of their choice, and one school determined by online community votes will receive $5,000.

Grand Prize Winner – $5,000 Community Builder Award

Morningside Elementary School – Elevating Every Voice (Salem, Ore.)

As Morningside Elementary’s beloved music program continues to grow, outdated and unstable choir risers have made it difficult—and unsafe—for all students to be seen and heard during performances. Thanks to the $5,000 Community Builder Award, that’s about to change. The funding will allow the school to purchase new, portable risers that ensure every student can take their place with pride during concerts, assemblies and other community celebrations.

$2,000 Community Builder Award Winners

• Abiqua School: Nature Trail: A Path to Outdoor Learning (Salem, Ore.) For students at Abiqua School, the most powerful lessons aren’t always found in textbooks—they’re discovered beneath the trees, along winding paths, and under open skies. With a vision to turn a nearby wooded area into a vibrant outdoor classroom, this project brings science, writing and art into nature’s embrace. The $2,000 award will help clear safe paths, install educational signage, create seating areas, and build interactive learning stations—transforming a quiet forest into a living, breathing extension of the classroom where curiosity can roam free.
• Innovation Academy: Community Garden (Medford School District, Medford, Ore.) With support from local agricultural experts, Innovation Academy is turning part of its expansive acre-and-a-half campus into a thriving garden where students can explore hands-on learning in sustainability, science, and food systems. The $2,000 award will help develop the garden infrastructure and launch student-led projects, allowing young minds to grow alongside the fruits of their labor.
• Sherwood Charter School: H.E.A.R.T Care Closet (Sherwood School District, Sherwood, Ore.) The H.E.A.R.T (Helping Everyone Access Resources Today) Care Closet at Sherwood Charter School helps students show up to school feeling confident, cared for and ready to learn. It provides students and families with essential items like food, hygiene supplies, clothing, school tools and gift cards—all in a welcoming, judgment-free space. The $2,000 award will help stock and sustain this vital resource, ensuring students can access what they need with dignity and continue thriving in and out of the classroom.
• Skyridge Middle School: Skyridge Flood Recovery for Books (Camas School District, Camas, Wash.) When a burst pipe flooded the Skyridge Middle School library, it washed away more than $6,000 worth of books—many of which weren’t covered by insurance. Determined to rebuild their collection, the school is using the $2,000 award to restore and revitalize their nonfiction section with fresh, high-interest titles.   

Educator of the Year Finalists (listed by category, then alphabetically by last name)

OnPoint also named its eight finalists for its 2025 Educators of the Year awards. Winners will have their mortgage or rent paid for one full year and receive $2,500 for each of their schools. The remaining four finalists will receive a $5,000 cash award and a $1,500 donation to their schools for resources and supplies.

K-5 Finalists

• Ricardo Barber – 3rd grade, Faubion Elementary School, Portland Public Schools
• Lisa Lewis – K-1st grade, West Powellhurst Elementary School, David Douglas School District

6-8 Finalists

• Britta Hobbs – 6-8th grade Choir/Music, Covington Middle School, Evergreen Public Schools
• Rhiannon Young – 6-8th grade, Corbett Middle School, Corbett School District

9-12 Finalists

• Sophie Aguirre – 9-12th grade English Language Development, Aloha High School, Beaverton School District
• Katie Ryan – 9-12th grade Science, Academy of Arts and Academics, Springfield School District

Gold Star Finalists (includes pre-kindergarten teachers, school counselors, substitute teachers, librarians, principals or school administrators)

• Hang Jones – Social Worker, Marysville Elementary School, Portland Public Schools
• RJ Tagorda – Principal, Holy Cross Catholic School

Click here to learn more about OnPoint's finalists for the 2025 Educator of the Year awards. Winners and runners-up will be announced on May 22, and the announcement will be broadcast live on KGW.

Honoring Founders' Legacy of Excellence in Education

Founded by 16 schoolteachers in 1932, OnPoint continues to honor its legacy today by improving access to quality education for everyone. Visit onpointcu.com to learn more.

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ABOUT ONPOINT COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
OnPoint Community Credit Union is the largest credit union in Oregon, serving over 603,000 members and with assets of $9.9 billion. Founded in 1932, OnPoint Community Credit Union’s membership is available to anyone who lives or works in one of 28 Oregon counties (Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Coos, Crook, Curry, Deschutes, Douglas, Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Wheeler and Yamhill) and two Washington counties (Skamania and Clark) and their immediate family members. OnPoint Community Credit Union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). More information is available at onpointcu.com or 503-228-7077 or 800-527-3932.

UPDATE 05/06/2025 9:00 PM

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - Herb Parish has been safely located by searchers at the end of Nonpareil Road, approximately 10 miles from the end of the pavement, and is no longer considered missing. He is currently in the care of Search and Rescue volunteers and is reported to be uninjured and in stable condition. He will be evaluated by EMS personnel before being re-united with his family. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the community for their assistance in this investigation. No further updates are expected. 

The Sheriff's Office was assisted by Douglas County Search and Rescue, Sutherlin Police Department and Fair Oaks Fire Department.

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ORIGINAL POST 05/06/2025 4:45 PM

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is currently searching for Herb Eugene Parish, an 86-year-old man from Lookingglass who is considered a missing and endangered person.

On May 6, 2025, just before 1:00 p.m., deputies received a report that Parish was missing from his home in the Lookingglass area. Parish, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and is not supposed to be driving, was last seen at his residence around 10:15 a.m. Prior to being reported missing, Parish was pulled over in a traffic stop at 11:45 a.m. Deputies, along with the Sutherlin Police Department and Douglas County Search & Rescue, are actively searching for any signs of him.

Parish is described as 5'10" tall, weighing approximately 240 lbs, with grey hair and brown eyes. He was last known to be driving a gray 2018 Toyota Tacoma with Oregon license plate 888 PHJ.

Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts or who has seen the vehicle is urged to contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office at (541) 440-4464, referencing case #25-1571.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Portland man was sentenced to federal prison Monday for using multiple social media applications to entice a young child to send him sexually explicit images of herself.

Shawn Alan Smith, 44, was sentenced to 288 months in federal prison and a life term of supervised release. Smith was also ordered to pay restitution to his victim.

According to court documents, between July 11 and September 15, 2020, Smith used multiple fake online social media personas, including several on KIK messenger and TikTok, to communicate with a nine-year-old child. While posing as a minor himself, Smith instructed the child victim to take sexually explicit photos of herself and send them to him, which she did. Smith also engaged in a video chat with the child while pretending to be the father of one of his fake online personas. At the time of the offense, Smith was a registered sex offender following prior state criminal convictions for child pornography offenses in Oregon and Maryland.

On March 9, 2022, federal agents executed a search warrant at Smith’s Portland apartment. While the agents were attempting to gain entry to the apartment through a door he had barricaded, Smith threw his phone and computer out his bathroom window. Smith was arrested and charged by federal criminal complaint with production and attempted production of child pornography.

On January 21, 2025, Smith pleaded guilty to a two-count superseding information charging him with online enticement of a minor and receipt of child pornography.

This case was investigated by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). It was prosecuted by Mira Chernick, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.

Federal law defines child pornography as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor. It is important to remember child sexual abuse material depicts actual crimes being committed against children. Not only do these images and videos document the victims’ exploitation and abuse, but when shared across the internet, re-victimize and re-traumatize the child victims each time their abuse is viewed. To learn more, please visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at www.missingkids.org.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Justice Department to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sam Tenney, Communications Coordinator

sam.tenney@dpsst.oregon.gov

503-931-4069

Fallen officers honored during annual Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony

SALEM, Ore. — A ceremony held Tuesday, May 6 commemorated law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty in Oregon. The annual Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony honors the state’s fallen officers and those they left behind.

The event was held at the Oregon Public Safety Academy, site of the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial. Tuesday’s ceremony remembered three fallen officers whose names were recently added to the memorial: Patrolman Andrew J. Laugeson of the Portland Police Bureau, end of watch May 12, 1917; Policeman George M. Lowe of the Ashland Police Department, end of watch March 3, 1919; and Assistant Chief Merle W. Bethscheider of the Silverton Police Department, end of watch May 29, 1965.

The ceremony was attended by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, elected officials and public safety professionals from throughout the state. In addressing the audience, Governor Kotek paid tribute to the state’s fallen officers, honoring their courage, selflessness, and enduring legacy, while offering her condolences and gratitude to the loved ones they left behind.

“Who we are as people in the face of adversity is an opportunity to be our very best selves. The officers memorialized today met the moment with dignity and heroism and made the ultimate sacrifice,” Governor Kotek Said. “There is no sacrifice more noble, no pledge to the public more honorable, and that extends to their families as well.”

Patrolman Andrew J. Laugeson succumbed died on May 12, 1917 after succumbing to injuries from a fall. Patrolman Laugeson was boarding a streetcar on Mississippi Avenue when he slipped and fell, striking his head on the pavement. He was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he passed away two days later. Patrolman Laugeson had served with the Portland Police Bureau for five years, and was survived by his wife and eight children.

Policeman George M. Lowe on foot patrol in the early morning hours of March 3, 1919, and was struck by a train after it switched tracks. Policeman Lowe succumbed to his wounds instantly. He had served with the Ashland Police Department for seven months and was survived by his wife and five children.

Assistant Chief Merle W. Bethscheider suffered a massive heart attack while in pursuit of a suspect on May 29, 1965. He was survived by his son, his mother, and his brother.

Speaking on behalf of Patrolman Laugeson, Deputy Chief Chris Gjovik of the Portland Police Bureau emphasized that the sacrifices of the officers whose names adorn the wall never fade with time.

“By placing Andrew’s name here, we not only honor his life of sacrifice, but we also reaffirm that no matter how many years pass, we will not forget those who gave everything in the name of public safety,” he said. “Their stories, their service, and their humanity live on in the hearts of those who continue to wear the badge, and in the stone that bears their names.”

The memorial bears the names of the 199 officers who have died in the line of duty since the 1860s. This includes law enforcement, corrections, and parole and probation officers from city, county, state, tribal and federal law enforcement agencies.

The ceremony is a significant event that the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is honored to host each year in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and Oregon's various statewide law enforcement associations.

Oregon’s memorial ceremony is held ahead of National Police Week events in Washington, D.C. so that family members and coworkers can attend both memorial ceremonies. More than 23,000 officers who have died in the line of duty are honored on the national memorial.

Captain Shane Strangfield of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, president of the Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation Board of Directors, spoke of the duty to preserve the legacy of the fallen and ensure their sacrifice is never forgotten.

“When they took their oath to serve, they made a solemn commitment to the citizens of Oregon,” Captain Strangfield said. “In turn, we made a commitment to them, and to their families, that their sacrifice would never be forgotten.”

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About DPSST

The mission of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is to pursue excellence in training and accountability for public safety professionals.

DPSST certifies and licenses police, corrections, and parole and probation officers, as well as regulatory specialists, emergency telecommunicators and medical dispatchers, criminal justice instructors, private security providers, private investigators, fire service professionals, and polygraph examiners in the state of Oregon.  DPSST works with public and private safety agencies around the state to provide basic, leadership and specialized training at the 237-acre Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem and regionally throughout the state.

For more information on the Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, please visit https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/Memorials/LawEnforcement/Pages/default.aspx.

(Salem, OR) – This May, the Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) honors the essential role of resource families and respite providers in creating safe and nurturing environments for children and young adults. In Oregon, adults who care for children experiencing foster care are called resource parents, emphasizing the many important roles they play in supporting children and helping maintain relationships with their biological families and communities.

As Governor Tina Kotek’s proclamation in honor of National Foster Care month states, “Dedicated resource families and relative caregivers work tirelessly to provide children a secure and nurturing environment and give young people in foster care the love, warmth, safety, care and support they need.”

Supportive relationships are particularly important for young people who have experienced trauma and can change the trajectory of a life. According to Harvard’s Center for the Developing Child, supportive and responsive relationships help children develop resilience in the face of adversity.

Resource parents and respite providers play an ongoing supportive role in the life of a child and biological parents both during and after time in foster care. Becoming a resource parent is not the only way to support children and families. ODHS now has a certified respite program, offering a more flexible way to contribute to a child's life while giving resource parents a chance to take a break and recharge. ODHS partners with Every Child to help recruit resource parents, volunteers and respite care providers, and offers a peer mentorship program connecting new resource parents to experienced ones.

According to ODHS, respite providers often find the experience of supporting young people in care enriching and decide to become resource parents. There are 138 active certified respite providers across the state, with 205 providers certified since the launch in 2023. “We hope this program continues to grow to give biological, relative and resource caregivers a break for self-care. But more importantly, this is an opportunity to make a difference in a child’s life, whether as a respite provider or resource parent. Just a few hours a week of quality time with a young person can make a huge difference,” Child Welfare Director Aprille Flint-Gerner said.

There are many ways to support children and young people experiencing foster care and uplift families involved with Child Welfare. Visit our website, Foster.Oregon.Gov, to learn more, or call 1-800-331-0503 to get involved.

Resources and Volunteer Opportunities

• ODHS Foster Care
• Become a resource parent, provide respite care to families or volunteer in other ways.
• Every Child
• Project Lemonade
• With Love
• Project Never Again
• Court-appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

About the ODHS Child Welfare Program

The Oregon Department of Human Services Child Welfare Program is committed to transforming itself to better support the individual needs of families and to best serve Oregon’s children and young people.

SALEM, Oregon— The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Advisory Committee will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 20 in Salem to discuss changes to RTP grant scoring criteria, state policies and committee bylaws.

The hybrid meeting is open to the public. The public can attend via Zoom or in person at Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, 725 Summer St NE, Room 124A.

Meeting details, including zoom link and agenda, are available online: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/GRA/Documents/RTP-Agenda-May-2025.pdf.

The grant scoring criteria discussion will help inform the Oregon Statewide Trails Plan, which provides guidance to land managers and partners in Oregon and includes updated grant scoring criteria for RTP. Learn more about the Statewide Trails Plan on our website.

RTP is a federally funded grant program of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration and is administered by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). The grant program provides funds to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for both nonmotorized and motorized uses.

The RTP Advisory Committee consists of 10 members who represent various trail user groups and land managers. Learn more about RTP here.

For more information contact Jodi Bellefeuille, program coordinator at 503-856-6316 or ellefeuille@oprd.oregon.gov">Jodi.bellefeuille@oprd.oregon.gov. If special accommodations are needed to attend the meeting, please contact Jodi Bellefeuille at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.

On May 2, Lane County received notification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the $19.5 million grant to establish six resiliency hubs in communities across Lane County was terminated.

"This decision appears to be part of a broader, arbitrary review process that unjustly targeted programs vital to small, rural communities like ours,” said Oakridge Mayor Bryan Cutchen. “Our residents are now left without the resilience center that would have served as a critical lifeline during wildfires and smoke events. During a recent wildfire, Oakridge experienced the worst air quality in the world, underscoring the urgent need for this project. The cancellation of this grant puts lives at risk. The people of Oakridge deserve better. We will continue to advocate fiercely for the resources our city needs and explore every possible avenue to complete this vital project."

The grant was a collaborative project with United Way of Lane County; the cities of Cottage Grove, Florence, Oakridge and Veneta; Bethel School District; and Willamalane Park and Recreation District.  It would have created safe places for people, especially in rural communities, to go during wildfires or other disasters by:

• renovating six existing community facilities to turn them into places that could safely help people during an emergency.

• Building the capacity of local organizations to participate in planning and better serve their community during emergencies.

• supporting a diverse network of community members to be prepared to respond in an emergency and improve the resilience of their community year-round.

The grant was already under contract and funding allocated long before changing priorities at EPA began to affect the status of grants awarded by the agency. Local partners began working together to in 2023 and the sudden termination throws away years of hard work.

“In Lane County, we pride ourselves on working together to make our communities safer and this grant would have made a real difference in how safe people can be here during the increasing number of and severity of natural disasters,” said Lane County Board Chair David Loveall. “This is a loss for our rural communities in particular because they often are the most directly affected by wildfire and other disaster. All of our staff worked tirelessly on this project and will continue to do so, even in the face of such unprecedented turnaround of the government’s promises.”

Lane County was able to receive approximately $105,000 in reimbursements from the grant funding to help cover the cost of work since the program officially started on March 1, and a limited amount of supplies related to the grant project. None of the larger construction work outlined in the grant contract was accomplished.

Lane County is considering disputing the grant termination and has until the end of May to do so. The project partners will continue to work together to strengthen their relationships and identify other opportunities to work together to better serve people in the event of an emergency, including applying for funding if other grants become available.

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SALEM, Oregon – Oregon Main Street (OMS) just designated the Sutherlin Chamber of Commerce as the new Sutherlin Area Regional Main Street Hub of the Umpqua. They join the two initial pilot Rural Regional Main Street (RRMS) hubs of the Oregon Frontier Chamber of Commerce and Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce (initially housed with Northeast Oregon Economic Development District).
 

“I am absolutely honored and beyond excited for the Sutherlin Area Chamber of Commerce to be designated as the next Oregon Main Street Rural Regional Hub,” said Jessica Cannon, Executive Director, Sutherlin Area Chamber of Commerce. “This opportunity is deeply needed, and this program is powerfully designed to uplift rural communities like ours, strengthening main streets through revitalization, development, networking, and real-time support.  We are filled with pride and ready to hit the ground running!”
 

The Sutherlin Area Regional Main Street Hub of the Umpqua will initially include Sutherlin, Winston, and Oakland.

OMS created the RRMS tier to provide a pathway for rural communities to better connect with the services and support offered by OMS in a structured way that helps these rural communities build and sustain momentum. One of the key features of the RRMS tier is to allow maximum flexibility in how the hubs want to organize to take into account the differences in each region.
 

“Based on the success of working with our initial two pilot regions, we decided to make the RRMS tier a permanent tier in the OMS Network,” said Sheri Stuart, State Coordinator, Oregon Main Street. “In our pilot program, we were able to connect rural communities with some of our resources like the Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant that they previously hadn’t accessed. We are very excited to have the Sutherlin Chamber of Commerce see value in joining the Network.”
 

The selection process included submitting a letter of intent to apply last fall and then completing an extensive application that described the communities that are interested in being part of their hub, previous efforts to improve their downtowns, commitment to implementing the Main Street Approach™, board development efforts, partnerships, in addition to other criteria.

The OMS Network provides training and technical services to Oregon communities desiring to strengthen, preserve, and enhance their historic downtown and traditional commercial neighborhood districts. Learn more about Oregon Main Street at www.oregonmainstreet.org.
 

Currently, there are over 100 communities in Oregon participating in the Oregon Main Street Network. There isn’t a fee to participate. Oregon Main Street is part of Oregon Heritage in Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.

In the early morning of April 30, 2025, Lincoln City Police Officers responded to a burglary alarm at Lee’s Chinese Restaurant. Upon arrival, Officers found the business had been broken into and the suspect(s) had fled. Officers found damage to equipment and property, as well as items stolen. Officers recovered evidence left by the suspect(s), and obtained video footage of a masked suspect burglarizing the business. Detectives were brought in and through further investigation, identified the suspect vehicle and later identified the two involved subjects.  

On May 2, 2025, 38-year old Shanna Marie Martinez and 39-year-old Ontoniel Fuentes Garcia, both of Lincoln City, were taken into custody and lodged at the Lincoln County Jail on charges of Burglary 1, Possession of Burglary Tools, Theft 1 and Criminal Conspiracy.  

At the time of his arrest, Fuentes Garcia was out on pretrial release for another burglary charge from an arrest by our agency in September 2024. Since her arrest, LCPD has additionally charged Martinez with two other burglaries involving residential properties in Lincoln City. These incidents are part of an ongoing investigation, and anyone with information related to these incidents should contact Det. Jon Humphreys.

LCPD would like to acknowledge and thank several local businesses and business owners who assisted us with this investigation by sharing security video footage that allowed us to identify and track the suspects in this case.   

As we move into the spring and summer, LCPD encourages business owners and residents to keep their doors and windows locked, and utilize security systems, security cameras and alarms.

Salem, OR — This is National Nurses Week. This year’s theme is the power of nurses. The Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) recognizes the powerful and essential role nurses play in the lives of those they serve in Oregon’s intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) system. The nation is experiencing a shortage of nurses. To help address this shortage in Oregon’s I/DD sector, ODDS launched a campaign to raise awareness about nursing careers in Oregon’s I/DD system in December 2024.

ODDS used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to contract with Applichat Limited, a recruitment marketing agency, to lead the campaign. Applichat’s research revealed that while disability nursing has many benefits — more flexible schedules, the ability to form strong patient relationships and opportunities for meaningful impact — most nurses don’t know that serving the I/DD community is an option. They are unaware of career opportunities in the disability sector due to gaps in curriculum and public awareness.

“From speaking to nurses, families and healthcare professionals as part of our research, we’ve seen the impact of the disability nursing shortage,” said Adam Chambers, President of Applichat.

Nurses transform the lives of people like Casey Potter. Born with cerebral palsy due to a spinal infarction at birth caused by bacterial meningitis, Casey and his family struggled to find nurses who could provide care at home. But once they found the right support, the impact was profound — not just for Casey, but for his entire family. His mother, Monique Potter, said, “He’s grown so much into his own independence. Now I can just be his mom, not his caregiver.”

ODDS Children’s Services Manager Lisa Tyler said of the campaign’s significance: “For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, nurses are a lifeline to greater independence and personal safety. This campaign is crucial in helping individuals like Casey and his family experience a better quality of life. Many nurses would find this work deeply rewarding.”

To help nurses learn more about careers in the I/DD community, please refer them to the ODDS Nursing Services web page: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/providers-partners/idd/pages/nursing-services.aspx. The page includes information about the three types of nursing positions in the I/DD sector: private duty nursing, direct nursing and long-term care community nursing. It also includes resources for interested nurses, such as a career paths guide for I/DD nursing in Oregon.

To learn more about job openings in the I/DD sector and to apply, go to ImpactOregon.careers.

About the Oregon Department of Human Services

The mission of the Oregon Department of Human Services is to help Oregonians in their own communities achieve wellbeing and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity. The Office of Developmental Disabilities Services (ODDS) strives to support the choices of individuals with disabilities and their families within communities by promoting and providing services that are person-centered and directed, flexible, community-inclusive, and supportive of the discovery and development of each individual’s unique gifts, talents and abilities. We’re committed to working toward service options to ensure that people with developmental disabilities have the opportunity to have lives that are fulfilling and meaningful.

You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille or a format you prefer. Contact ODHS at 503-945-5811 or odhs.info@odhsoha.oregon.gov. We accept calls from all forms of relay service for people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind, blind or have low vision. For more information about relay service providers visit https://www.oregonrelay.com or https://www.fcc.gov/general/internet-based-trs-providers.

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Advocacy Organization Calls on Oregon Lawmakers to Keep Their Promise to Fund Foundational Public Health Programs

PORTLAND, Ore. (May 06, 2025) Oregon’s 33 local public health authorities face severe and worsening workforce challenges, limiting their ability to protect the health and safety of Oregon’s 4.2 million residents. 

Those are the findings from a new report issued by the Oregon Coalition of Local Health Officials (CLHO), the advocacy organization for local public health authorities.

The most significant issues include inadequate pay, chronic understaffing, burnout, leadership turnover and a lack of training, recruitment and retention resources. 

“While these are not new challenges, they continue to worsen because of increased work coupled with drastic public health cuts at the federal level as well as chronic underfunding from all levels of government,” says Sarah Lochner, CLHO’s executive director. Ten years ago, Oregon lawmakers promised to fully fund essential public health programs like disease control, environmental health and emergency preparedness. So far, they’ve committed only half of the funding they promised. We’re calling on lawmakers this legislative session to keep their promise to fund these foundational programs.” 

The new report's findings and recommendations come from surveys and focus groups conducted in 2024 with public health administrators and human resource professionals in 29 of Oregon’s 33 public health authorities. 

“The biggest workforce challenges have been reduced budgets, laying off staff and cutting FTE.”

— Jackson Baures, Jackson County Division Manager

Key findings: 

• While the total number of full-time positions has increased since CLHO’s last workforce report in 2021, there are fewer nurses and epidemiologists, especially in rural counties.   
• Although average wages for many positions, including nurses, epidemiologists and administrators increased, wages in public health are still significantly lower than in the private sector, especially for nurses.
•  Inadequate pay, limited advancement opportunities and burnout are the top reasons public health workers leave their jobs.
• There is significant turnover among public health leadership. Between 2020-21, 16 public health administrators left their positions. Since then, another 17 have left.
• Many new hires lack basic public health training and skills needed to do their jobs.
• Counties struggle to recruit and retain qualified candidates due to limited resources; a lack of measurable diversity, equity and inclusion hiring goals; and a lack of affordable housing.

Key recommendations:

• Invest in competitive, sustainable compensation by increasing state funding and encouraging local investments.
• Fund tuition, scholarship, mentorship and leadership development programs in partnership with educational institutions.
• Expand job outreach by posting openings on culturally specific job platforms and through local and tribal colleges, particularly those serving historically excluded groups. 
• Offer recruitment incentives such as relocation assistance, housing assistance and sign-on bonuses.
• Create and implement a statewide DEI hiring framework.
• Develop a centralized, publicly accessible onboarding “Public Health Essentials Toolkit” that could be adapted to fit the specific needs of the local workforce.
• Build capacity among staff to assume leadership positions.  

The report concludes by stressing the importance of sustained funding increases to ensure that the public health workforce is prepared for the next pandemic, disease outbreak or environmental disaster. 

“We don’t wait until there is a fire to ask for funding for the local fire department. Their funding structure allows them to respond immediately when a fire starts. We should fund public health the same way–if we have to wait for another public health emergency to receive funding for essential programs, more people will suffer and more people will die, said CLHO Chair Philip Mason-Joyner, who oversees public health and health and human services in Clackamas County.

To get a copy of the full report or arrange an interview, please email info@oregonclho.org

CLHO is asking state lawmakers to invest an additional $65.2 million per biennium in local public health. Read about CLHO’s 2025 legislative priorities here.

On March 21, 2025, at about 1100 hours, a civilian vigilante group called 911 to report a sexual predator sting that they were conducting. See press release here: https://bit.ly/3GIvJ71

The vigilante group reported to be confronting the alleged perpetrator inside the Albany Walmart store. Dispatch informed the caller, as per Department directive, Albany Police officers were not going to respond without further imperative information. The caller advised they were confronting the alleged perpetrator anyway. Sgt. Bell, the Watch Supervisor at the time, and APD officers were informed through dispatch that the suspect, Charles Mellick, had a felony arrest warrant and immediately responded to apprehend the suspect on the confirmed arrest warrant, which they did. Taking the suspect into custody on a confirmed arrest warrant would allow Sgt. Bell and his officers to receive and analyze the vigilante group’s allegations and evidence.

It is best practice and this Department’s procedure for APD officers to vet the investigation on its merits, ascertain if there is probable cause to support an arrest, and if so, develop a plan to safely apprehend the offender while upholding the laws and procedures of the criminal justice system. The vigilante group wanted the arrest of the sexual predator in their sting immediately, and when that did not occur, the group wrongfully accused Sgt. Bell and his officers of the Albany Police Department of not investigating the criminal case of online corruption (their operation).

The vigilante group then created a scene at Walmart and later accused the police of being “pedophile protectors”. Due to the disruption, the store employee(s) requested the group be trespassed from the store, which was relayed to the vigilante group by APD officers at the scene. The vigilante group then responded to the Albany Police Department and demanded a case number and an explanation for not investigating the case to their satisfaction. Sgt. Bell attempted to explain the reporting process, provided business cards containing emails and QR codes in order to submit their allegations and evidence.

These interactions were filmed and posted on social media, and portions were livestreamed to fuel their viral content, but often make legal justice harder to attain. The content was edited to support their accusations, which was later released on their website. Despite the fact Sgt. Bell and his officers followed all policies and procedures, misinformation and sensationalism resulted in aggressive online and phone harassment of APD officers and professional staff.

We understand society’s frustration with the gravity of crimes against children and sentencing practices in our State, but these crimes must be investigated thoroughly and relentlessly to get the criminal justice outcome we all want. If proper procedures are not followed these delicate cases could potentially result in the inability to prosecute the offender.

On May 5, 2025, Charles Mellick (34), the suspect in this case, was arrested after APD’s own thorough investigation. Charles Mellick has been in custody continuously since his arrest on 03/21/25.  This is an example of how to investigate these cases correctly by lawfully, objectivity, and thoroughly pursuing evidence, so that accused perpetrators are held accountable, and victims have an opportunity for justice. Charles Mellick has been arrested for Online Sexual Corruption of a Child in the First Degree and Second Degree as detectives believe Charles Mellick violated elements of both crimes on multiple days between March 16, 2025, and March 21, 2025. 

An Albany Police detective immediately began investigating this case.  The detective conducted several interviews and applied for multiple search warrants which led to the seizure of credible evidence.  Charles Mellick initiated online communication with whom he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.  The evidence showed he gave a verbal description or narrative account of sexual conduct he wanted to do with the purported 13-year-old girl.  Charles Mellick agreed to and willingly traveled from Corvallis, Benton County, OR to meet with the 13-year-old and engage in sexual contact.  Additional crimes, however, were also uncovered during the in-depth investigation which may lead to further criminal charges as the investigation continues.

Chief Marcia Harnden confirms, “Our officers acted appropriately and followed best practices.  We investigate these crimes the right way to bring about justice, not make money on social media platforms.” This is an example of how to investigate these cases correctly by lawfully, objectively, and thoroughly pursuing evidence, so that offenders are held accountable, and victims have an opportunity for justice.  Charles Mellick is currently being held in the Benton County Jail. 

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The Imagination Library of Oregon is now available across all 36 counties and zip codes

SALEM, ORE. – The Imagination Library of Oregon welcomed the Lower Umpqua Library in Reedsport as the 57^th Local Program Partner, making it possible for families in Reedsport and Gardiner to register children under 5 to receive free books by mail each month. To make this coverage possible, the Lower Umpqua Library partnered with the Reedsport Rotary Foundation and was funded by a generous grant from the Oregon Community Foundation. 

“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library isn’t just about books – it’s about fostering relationships between caring adults and children that spark the joy of reading at an early age,” Governor Tina Kotek emphasized. “This program is essential to improve our literacy outcomes and helps make sure every Oregon student, regardless of where they live, has the opportunity to develop a love of reading before they ever step into a classroom."

The Imagination Library is a book gifting program developed by The Dollywood Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Dolly Parton. Since launching in 1995, the Imagination Library has become the preeminent, international early childhood literacy program. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by mailing books each month to children (0-5 yrs. old), free of charge to families, through funding shared by Dolly, the State of Oregon, and local community partnerships.

“This is an incredible milestone.  The goal of the statewide expansion was to ensure that children ages 0-5 in every zip code in Oregon have access to books. With the addition of Reedsport, that goal has been achieved,” said DELC Director Alyssa Chatterjee. “By expanding the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we’re helping more young children across the state build early literacy skills and develop a lifelong love of reading – no matter where they live or what their background may be.”

During the 2023 legislative session, under Senate Bill 5506, $1.7 million was appropriated to DELC to help administer and expand the program statewide. Today, the program is already having a significant reach and impact. Currently, 65,000 Oregonian children are enrolled in the Imagination Library, which translates to approximately 30% of all children under the age of five.

"Every child deserves the opportunity to fall in love with reading, no matter their zip code or family income,” said Majority Leader Ben Bowman, who successfully championed the library going statewide. “The Imagination Library is one of the most effective tools we have to close early literacy gaps and invest in Oregon’s future."

Primary caregivers of children ages 0-5 can sign up to receive a new book each month by mail at no cost to families. Children can be registered as early as birth and will receive books monthly until their 5^th birthday month.  “It’s a wonderful way for families to build routines and cherished memories together,” said Imagination Library of Oregon, Community Engagement Coordinator, Kaylee Chrystal. 

To learn more about the Imagination Library, or to enroll your child, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/oregon. To view Dolly Parton's video remarks from the Oregon launch, please visit the DELC website.  

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About the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care

The Department of Early Learning and Care’s mission is to foster coordinated, culturally appropriate, and family-centered services that recognize and respect the strengths and needs of all children, families, and early learning and care professionals. More information about DELC is available at Oregon.gov/DELC. You can also connect with DELC on Facebook or sign up for news alerts and updates.

About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 200 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and Local Community Partners.  The Imagination Library mails more than 3  million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes each month. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age five - at no cost to families.  Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More®.

The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library Reaches Statewide Milestone in Oregon

Salem, OR – 05/06/2025 – The Imagination Library of Oregon has welcomed our 57^th Local Program Partner, the Lower Umpqua Library and the Reedsport Rotary Foundation in Douglas County, making it possible for families in Reedsport and Gardiner to register their children under 5 to receive free books by mail each month. This marks a significant milestone for the Imagination Library of Oregon, which is now available in every county and zip code in our state!

Lower Umpqua Library Director, Alex Kuestner, says “we’re excited to make Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library available in our area, this will be a wonderful resource for local families!”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with the Lower Umpqua Library to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Reedsport and Gardiner. Since its inception, the Reedsport Rotary Foundation has been committed to supporting the education of the children and youth of our area,” says Kristen Zetzsche of the Reedsport Rotary Foundation.

A generous grant from the Betsy Priddy Fund of Oregon Community Foundation made this coverage possible. “We are deeply proud to support Dolly Parton’s efforts to help all Oregon children learn to read,” says Lisa Mensah, President and CEO of Oregon Community Foundation. “Partnerships like this one create high quality learning opportunities for our youngest Oregonians in every corner of our state.”

“Seeing people come together to help the Imagination Library of Oregon reach this milestone is inspiring!” says Laurie McNichols, Imagination Library of Oregon State Director. “DPIL is a global program, but at our core we have always been, and will always be, grassroots. We are so excited to welcome the Lower Umpqua Library, with support from the Reedsport Rotary Foundation and funding from Oregon Community Foundation.”

In May of 2024, the State of Oregon, via the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), partnered with The Dollywood Foundation to launch the expansion of the Imagination Library of Oregon, providing a 50% funding match to help cover the cost of books and mailing. With this new partnership in place, the State of Oregon committed to making the Imagination Library accessible across the state as well as growing enrollment so more children could receive books and learn to love reading.

“This is an incredible milestone. The goal of the statewide expansion was to ensurethat children ages 0-5 in every zip code in Oregon have access to books. With the addition of Reedsport, that goal has been achieved,” said DELC Director Alyssa Chatterjee. “By expanding the Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we’re helping more young children across the state build early literacy skills and develop a lifelong love of reading – no matter where they live or what their background may be.”

"Every child deserves the opportunity to fall in love with reading, no matter their zip code or family income,” says Majority Leader Ben Bowman, Chief Sponsor of the bill that made the state match a reality. “The Imagination Library is one of the most effective tools we have to close early literacy gaps and invest in Oregon’s future."

Currently, 65,000 Oregon children are enrolled in the Imagination Library, which is approximately 30% of all children under the age of five in our state. The program is free for all families. Children can be registered as early as birth to receive new, high-quality, age-appropriate books addressed to them in the mail each month until their fifth birthday.

“Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library isn’t just about books – it’s about fostering relationships between caring adults and children that spark the joy of reading at an early age,” Governor Tina Kotek emphasizes. “This program is essential to improve our literacy outcomes and helps make sure every Oregon student, regardless of where they live, has the opportunity to develop a love of reading before they ever step into a classroom."

A love of books and reading offers the foundation for literacy skills that prepare children for success in school and life. The Imagination Library levels the playing field for all children by helping them build their own home libraries and encouraging increased interactions with family members around books and reading. “It’s a wonderful way for families to build routines and cherished memories together,” says Kaylee Chrystal, Community Engagement Coordinator for the Imagination Library of Oregon.

To learn more as Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library expands across Oregon, or to enroll your child, visit www.imaginationlibrary.com/oregon.

About Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book-gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has gifted over 250 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and The Republic of Ireland. This is achieved through funding shared by The Dollywood Foundation and Local Community and State Partners. The Imagination Library mails more than 3 million high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children’s homes each month. Each child enrolled in the program receives one book per month from birth to age five - at no cost to families.  Dolly envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading and inspiring children to Dream More, Learn More, Care More and Be More.

The program’s impact has been widely researched, and results demonstrate its positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. For more information, please visit imaginationlibrary.com.

About the Lower Umpqua Library District - Reedsport, Oregon

The Lower Umpqua Library serves a rural district on the Oregon Coast, which traces its roots back to 1920 when the first library was established in Reedsport. In 1982, the community raised funds to build our current library building in the heart of downtown Reedsport. In 2017, the Douglas County Library System, of which we were a part, closed. Our dedicated volunteers and board worked hard to rescue materials from the old county system and keep the Reedsport library open. They rallied the community to pass a special tax district for northwestern Douglas County (including Reedsport, Gardiner, Winchester Bay, Scottsburg, and the rural hinterland), providing an independent financial basis to resume normal operations. Currently, our library has five employees and numerous dedicated volunteers. Recent projects to expand the library’s collection and reach include specialty sections (such as Classics, Pacific Northwest, and World Languages) and five neighborhood library bookcases, which we have installed throughout our district.

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Contact: Laurie McNichols, State Director, Imagination Library of Oregon, LMcNichols@or.imaginationlibrary.com 

Contact: Alex Kuestner, Library Director, Lower Umpqua Library, akuestner@luld.org

Contact: Colin Fogarty, Director of Communications, Oregon Community Foundation, ty@oregoncf.org">cfogarty@oregoncf.org/503-720-3112

Contact: Kristen Zetzsche, Reedsport Rotary Foundation, isten@rchog.org">kristen@rchog.org

Springfield, Ore - A car hit a power pole on Marcola Road and 33rd Street at approximately 6:45 a.m. SUB crews are on the scene. Approximately 1,100 customer are affected, including Kingsford, Ambleside, and Marcola Meadows. 

Klamath County, Ore. 5 May 2025- On Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 12:23 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 58, at the intersection with Crescent Lake Highway, in Klamath County.

The preliminary investigation indicated northbound Yamaha TW200 motorcycle, operated by Terryl Thomas Ball (47) of Crescent Lake Junction, entered Highway 58 from Crescent Lake Highway and struck the side of a westbound Freightliner commercial motor vehicle and trailer, operated by Hattan Seraj Alotaibi (32) of Clackamas.

The operator of the Yamaha (Ball) was declared deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Freightliner (Alotaibi) was reportedly uninjured.

The highway was impacted for approximately 2.5 hours during the on-scene investigation. 

OSP was assisted by Cascades Central Fire, Crescent Fire, 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.

Josephine County, Ore. 5 May 2025- On Friday, May 2, 2025, at 9:08 a.m., Oregon State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on Highway 199, near milepost 35, in Josephine County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a southbound Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by William Robert Murhpy (37) of Cave Junction, crossed over the northbound lane, entered a pullout area, and left the improved portion of the roadway. The operator traveled into a ditch and struck a tree.

The operator (Murphy) was declared deceased at the scene.

The highway was impacted for approximately one hour during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Illinois Valley Fire Department and ODOT.

# # #

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.

EUGENE, Ore. – Sixteen different speakers and panelists are now confirmed for Oregon’s Urban and Community Forestry Conference on May 15 in Eugene. The conference’s theme is Growing Together: Collaboration and Diverse Voices in Urban Forestry.

Keynote speaker is Christine Carmichael, PhD, founder of Fair Forest Consulting, LLC, of Lansing, Michigan, who will address historic, current and future trends regarding diversity in urban forestry.

The conference is put on by the non-profit organization Oregon Community Trees in partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry and USDA Forest Service. Co-presenting sponsors are OUR Community Forestry and Portland Urban Forestry. The one-day conference will be held again this year downtown at Venue 252.

Also scheduled to speak are:

• Mike Oxendine, founder of OUR Community Forestry based in Talent, Ore. He’ll describe the strategies propelling the organization to rapid, sustainable growth and the programs making an impact in southern Oregon.
• Jacklyn Lim and Frankie Thompson with Portland Urban Forestry. They’ll explain how Portland leverages COBID-certified contractors to expand the city’s tree canopy in low-income, low-canopy neighborhoods.
• Gena Gastaldi of Portland Bureau of Transportation will talk about how the bureau is working with Portland Urban Forestry to pilot planting street trees in the parking zone of a low-canopy, low-income neighborhood.
• Brittany Oxford and Hilary Olivos-Rood from the Oregon Department of Forestry will share their agency’s experiences building relationships with Oregon Tribal communities, including successes, limitations, and opportunities for growth. They will be joined by Brook Colley, an Associate Professor and Chair of the Native American Studies program at Southern Oregon University, and Amanda Craig, who worked most recently as Oregon Project Manager for the Trust for Public Lands‘ Oregon Rural Schoolyards Program.  Colley is an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee. Craig is a citizen of The Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. They will share their perspectives on what works and doesn’t work when attempting to build more respectful, mutually beneficial relationships with Native communities.
• sunny god with Friends of Trees will talk about designing complex organizational and program (eco)systems with care.

There will also be three panelists sharing experiences and ideas for how to recruit people currently under-represented in urban forestry and arboriculture into the profession and help them to flourish within it.

Three other panelists will discuss collaborating with diverse communities to extend the many benefits of shade-tree canopy more widely and in a more equitable manner.

Continuing education credits will be available for conference attendees.

Registration is $180 ($170 if the person registering lives or works in a Tree City USA community). Students can register for $80. Last day to register is Friday, May 9. Price includes a boxed lunch and a social hour beverage and snacks following the conference. To register, go to Growing Together: Collaboration and Diverse Voices in Urban Forestry

About Oregon Community Trees

The mission of this non-profit, Oregon-based organization is to promote healthy urban and community forests through leadership, education, awareness and advocacy. OCT serves as the advisory committee to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program.

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SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet for a virtual special meeting starting at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 12. Members of the public are welcome to view the special meeting on the department’s YouTube channel.

The board’s business agenda includes:

• State forester recruitment plan

• Recruitment search firm

Please note: There will not be time allotted for live testimony during the special meeting. Written testimony may be submitted by emailing oardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov prior to the meeting date. To account for the time board members need to review the written testimony, consider sending written testimony by close of business on Friday, May 9. Submissions should include the meeting date and agenda item number/topic header with the written submission.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling ODF’s Public Affairs Office at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at estryinformation@odf.oregon.gov">forestryinformation@odf.oregon.gov.

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include appointing the State Forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30 million-acre forestland base. Read more information about the board.

Portland, Ore. - In the fall of 2023, OHSU and Legacy announced they intended to merge into Oregon’s largest healthcare system. The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) and our partners in labor supported the deal because, ultimately, we believed it would lead to better working conditions for frontline caregivers and high standards for patient care. 

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The Oregon Nurses Association (ONA) represents a diverse community of more than 23,000 nurses and healthcare professionals throughout Oregon. Together, we use our collective power to advocate for critical issues impacting patients, nurses and healthcare professionals including a more effective, affordable and accessible healthcare system; better working conditions for all healthcare professionals; and healthier communities. For more information visit www.OregonRN.org.

2025 Green Future Renewable Development Fund applications period now open

Portland General Electric is now accepting applications for its 2025 Green Future Renewable Development Fund. The fund supports innovative and impactful small-scale renewable energy projects, including solar, micro-hydropower and battery storage to provide reliable, clean, and low-cost energy to local communities.

PGE’s Green Future Renewable Development Fund is made possible by more than 225,000 Green Future participants. These customers opt to pay a little more on their energy bill in support of renewable energy resource projects for local municipalities and organizations.

“PGE’s Green Future program is a reflection of how much our customers care about the health of their communities and environments,” said PGE director of community impact, Kregg Arntson. “We appreciate the support of Green Future participants as we work together with local organizations to build a more resilient energy system.”

Results from PGE’s Green Future Renewable Development Fund can be seen across its service area. Since its inception in 1999, the fund has awarded 119 projects, totaling more than $20 million while creating more than 17.1 MW of renewable power generation. PGE holds the No. 1 ranking from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory for the largest participation of customers in a renewable energy program among U.S. electric utilities.

Former recipient Northwest Housing Alternatives began construction on a new affordable senior housing development located next to Kaiser’s North Interstate medical campus and TriMet’s Overlook Park MAX Station in Portland. The M Carter Commons building will be equipped with renewable solar energy and battery storage devices with funding from PGE’s Green Future Renewable Development Fund.

"We are thrilled to include a solar array and battery back-up storage into M Carter Commons, which will allow the community room to become a resilience hub for residents. During prolonged power outages, seniors living in this building will be able to power their phones and medical devices, store medicines, and stay comfortable," said Trell Anderson, Northwest Housing Alternatives Executive Director. “Funding from the PGE Green Future Renewable Development Fund made it possible for us to develop a resilient building that can protect this vulnerable community from the impacts of climate change and natural disasters."

Construction for the M Carter Commons building is expected to be completed in late Spring 2026.

The Green Future Renewable Development Fund application period ends June 30, 2025. PGE will host an applicant webinar on May 22, 2025. For an invitation, contact enewabledevfund@pgn.com" target="_blank" title="mailto:renewabledevfund@pgn.com">renewabledevfund@pgn.com.

To learn more about 2025 Green Future Renewable Development Fund and how to apply, click here.

2024 Green Future Renewable Development Fund awardees include:

• City of Tualatin - Micro-hydropower
• College Housing Northwest, Portland - Solar panels + battery storage
• Eloheh Eagle’s Wings, Yamhill - Solar panels + battery storage
• Just Compassion of East Washington County, Tigard - Solar panels + battery storage
• Parrott Creek Child and Family Services, Oregon City - Solar panels + battery storage

About Portland General Electric Company

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is an integrated energy company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to nearly 950,000 customers serving an area of 1.9 million Oregonians. Since 1889, Portland General Electric (PGE) has been powering social progress, delivering safe, affordable, reliable and increasingly clean electricity while working to transform energy systems to meet evolving customer needs. PGE customers have set the standard for prioritizing clean energy with the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the country. PGE was ranked the No. 1 utility in the 2024 Forrester U.S. Customer Experience Index and is committed to reducing emissions from its retail power supply by 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. In 2024, PGE employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated $5.5 million and volunteered nearly 23,000 hours to more than 480 nonprofit organizations. For more information visit www.PortlandGeneral.com/news

The Civil Service Commission of Winston Dillard Fire District No. 5 will hold a meeting on Tuesday May 13, 2025, at 10:00 AM. The meeting will be held at 250 SE Main St. Winston, OR 97496. 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 10:00 AM on Tuesday May 13, 2025, for instructions.

The agenda to include but not limited to:

1. Certify New Hire Firefighter Listing

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 WDFD at 541-673-5503.

SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon National Guard held a mobilization ceremony for Soldiers with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) at the Salem Armory Auditorium, May 4, 2025, in Salem Ore. 

Approximately 220 Soldiers with the 41st IBCT are preparing to mobilize to the Horn of Africa to join Task Force BATAAN in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. 

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek addressed attendees, thanking Soldiers and their families for their commitment and sacrifice. 

“I know you will rise to any challenge ahead of you and continue to set the bar high,” Kotek said. 

Task Force BATAAN is comprised of Soldiers from Oregon, New Mexico, Washington, and Louisiana. They will be serving in Djibouti, Kenya and Somalia in support of CJTF-HOA and JSOTF-SOM. The primary mission will be to conduct security and base defense operations. 

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Released photos:

250504-Z-UZ129-1015 Oregon National Guard Soldiers with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team salute the flag during the national anthem at their mobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, May 4, 2025, in Salem, Ore. Approximately 220 Soldiers with the 41st are preparing to mobilize to the Horn of Africa to join Task Force BATAAN in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson)

250504-Z-UZ129-1009 Oregon National Guard Soldiers with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team stand in formation during their mobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, May 4, 2025, in Salem, Ore. Approximately 220 Soldiers with the 41st are preparing to mobilize units to the Horn of Africa to join Task Force BATAAN in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson)

250504-Z-UZ129-1022 Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, the Adjutant General of Oregon, addresses attendees at the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team mobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, May 4, 2025, in Salem, Ore. Approximately 220 Soldiers with the 41st are preparing to mobilize to the Horn of Africa to join Task Force BATAAN in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson)

250504-Z-UZ129-1028 Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek shakes hands with Oregon National Guard Soldiers from the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team following their mobilization ceremony at the Salem Armory Auditorium, May 4, 2025, in Salem, Ore. Approximately 220 Soldiers with the 41st are preparing to mobilize to the Horn of Africa to join Task Force BATAAN in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Emily Simonson)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 2, 2025

Notice of Meeting

Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC)

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

(Douglas County, Ore.) The next meeting of the Douglas County Local Public Safety Coordinating Council (LPSCC) will take place on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 12:00 pm, in Room 310 at the Douglas County Courthouse located at 1036 SE Douglas Avenue in Roseburg, Oregon.

In compliance with ORS 192.610 to 192.690, we will accommodate any member of the public who wishes to watch the meeting via video conference or listen via phone.  Members of the public who wish to watch or listen to this meeting can do so by accessing the options listed on the attached agenda.  For more information about the LPSCC program click here to access their webpage on the county website at or contact Koree Tate LPSCC Program & Partnership Coordinator at ee.tate@douglascountyor.gov">koree.tate@douglascountyor.gov or call (541) 957-7790.

The meeting agenda is attached and can also be found at www.douglascountyor.gov.

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Program Contact: ee.tate@douglascountyor.gov">Koree Tate | LPSCC Program & Partnership Coordinator | Douglas County Juvenile Department | Phone: (541) 957-7790 | Email: ee.tate@douglascountyor.gov">koree.tate@douglascountyor.gov

Media Contact: Tamara Howell | Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist | Public Information Officer | Phone: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tamara.howell@douglascountyor.gov

MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OREGON NATIONAL GUARD TO HOLD MOBILIZATION CEREMONY FOR SOLDIERS DEPLOYING TO HORN OF AFRICA

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon National Guard will hold a mobilization ceremony for approximately 225 Army National Guard Soldiers assigned to the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), which is deploying to the Horn of Africa to support Operation Inherent Resolve.

WHEN: Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.

WHERE: The ceremony will take place at the Salem Armory Auditorium, 2320 17th Street NE, Salem, Oregon 97301.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Media members are invited to attend the mobilization ceremony for Oregon Army National Guard Soldiers deploying to the Horn of Africa. The event will honor Soldiers from multiple units within the 41st IBCT who will provide base security and force protection in Djibouti, Kenya, and Somalia.

DEPLOYING UNITS: The 1-200 Infantry Battalion serves as the Task Force Headquarters for the Oregon National Guard 41st IBCT during deployment, but at home, it is under the New Mexico National Guard, headquartered in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Approximately 225 Oregon National Guard Citizen-Soldiers are comprised of the following units:

•   2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment, Headquartered in Springfield.

•   741st Brigade Engineer Battalion, Headquartered in Clackamas.

•   2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment, Headquartered in Forest Grove.

•   141st Brigade Support Battalion (deploying separately in June 2025), Headquartered in Portland.

MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES: Interviews with deploying Soldiers and family members (with prior coordination), photo/video opportunities of the ceremony, and B-roll of Soldiers preparing for deployment (see story and connected media) here: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/495200/urban-operations-demolitions-41st-ibct-trains-horn-africa-mission.

MEDIA RSVP: Media planning to attend should RSVP by [DATE] to [YOUR EMAIL] or call [YOUR PHONE]. Please include the names of attending personnel.

Please contact Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, Director of Public Affairs, Oregon Military Department, to RSVP for this event.

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Released Images: 

250330-Z-ZJ128-1001: Soldiers from the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team fire M4 carbines during weapons qualification at Range 73, Yakima Training Center, Wash., March 30, 2025. Individual weapons qualification was a critical component of Operation Djibouti Dawn Annual Training, ensuring combat readiness for the upcoming Horn of Africa deployment. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250405-Z-ZJ128-1001: A weapons squad from 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment fires an M240 machine gun from a support-by-fire position during a blank-fire iteration at Yakima Training Center, Wash., April 5, 2025. The training exercise prepared the crew for live-fire operations scheduled for the following day as part of Operation Djibouti Dawn Annual Training in preparation for their Horn of Africa deployment. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

250406-Z-ZJ128-1004: Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment enter the live fire shoothouse at Range 24, Yakima Training Center, Wash., April 6, 2025. The urban operations training is part of Operation Djibouti Dawn Annual Training in preparation for the unit's upcoming deployment to the Horn of Africa. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

File stock photo of the 17th Street Armory in Salem: 221016-Z-ZJ128-1002: Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Combat Team (IBCT), Oregon National Guard formation at the unit's re-stationing ceremony Oct. 16, 2022, at the 17th Street Armory in Salem, Ore. The company moved from Medford to Salem, culminating with the re-stationing ceremony, celebrating their arrival at a new home armory. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Maj. W. Chris Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs)

5/02/2025  2:05 pm

Media Contact:

Lt. Ben Harvey, Corvallis Police Department

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

Domestic Violence Incident Leads to Arrest in Corvallis

At approximately 11:33 a.m. on May 2, 2025, Corvallis Police officers responded to a report of a domestic violence incident at 755 NW 3rd St. A woman had contacted 911 to report that she had been assaulted by her ex-husband, who had also attempted to kill her. The woman was able to escape the apartment and call for help.

Officers arrived on scene and immediately transported the victim to a waiting ambulance for medical evaluation. She was then transported to a local hospital for further treatment.

The suspect, 45-year-old Jason Leonard Corona of Corvallis, was reported to be armed with knives and had barricaded himself inside the apartment. Officers made contact with him and spent over an hour negotiating his surrender. At approximately 12:48 p.m., Corona exited the apartment and was taken into custody without further incident.

Jason Leonard Corona has been lodged at the Benton County Jail and faces the following charges:

• ORS 163.160 Assault IV (Domestic Violence)
• ORS 163.187  Strangulation (Domestic Violence)
• ORS 133.310 Violation of a Restraining Order
• Three Outstanding Arrest Warrants

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Corvallis Police Department.

May 1, 2025

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, 503-871-8843 PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory issued for Wapato Marsh at Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a preemptive recreational use health advisory today for Wapato Marsh due to the presence of a cyanobacteria harmful algae bloom. The marsh is in Multnomah County.

OHA encourages people to visit Wapato Marsh and enjoy activities such as hiking, biking, picnicking and bird watching.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is seeing promising progress from the first recipients of its Pre-Development and Capacity-Building (PDCB) grants, which are designed to expand homeownership development across the state.

“Good government is anchored in partnership and a commitment to improving everyday life. Making the dream of homeownership a reality is as critical today as ever,” said OHCS Executive Director Andrea Bell. “By investing in the readiness and capacity of local organizations, we unlock their potential and increase access to affordable homeownership.”

From Tillamook County to Grants Pass, the $1.6 million investment in 14 nonprofit developers enabled them to grow their organizations, so they are in a better position to apply for and use state funding to develop more affordable homes for purchase.

"OHCS’ capacity-building grant helped Big River Community Land Trust (CLT) take the next step from fledgling volunteer organization to one that has broken ground on its first house and bought 2.7 acres of land in Hood River. We hope to build 40-50 affordable and sustainable cottages,” said Doug Baker, board president of the Big River CLT.

The organization used the funding to hire Alysha Sherburne as their executive director. Sherburne hit the ground running, reaching out to a wide array of community groups, businesses, local government, and individuals, along with establishing needed data systems and policies. All this work culminated in a significant donation to support their operating expenses for the year.

“Without the support of OHCS to hire Alysha, our progress would not have realized many of these gains,” Baker said.

In addition to staffing support, nine PDCB grantees used the funds to get their projects shovel ready to apply for and/or meet the timelines for OHCS’ Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) funds, a program that funds the development of affordable homes for sale.

Sammy’s Place in Tillamook County sought to build a fully accessible and equitable community for households with individuals experiencing intellectual and developmental disabilities. Using their PDCB grant, they engaged with a consultant to develop a site plan and housing designs using a high degree of universal design concepts, which go beyond standard accessibility and provide equitable access without the need for accommodations. Their community, Thompson Springs, was approved for LIFT funding in 2024.

The PDCB program was established in 2023 as part of the larger Homeownership Development Incubator Program (HDIP), which uses General Funds to support partners and projects not typically eligible for other homeownership development funds.

To learn more about the incubator program, visit the HDIP webpage.

About Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)  

OHCS is Oregon's housing finance agency. The state agency provides financial and program support to create and preserve opportunities for quality, affordable housing for Oregonians of low and moderate income. OHCS administers programs that provide housing stabilization. OHCS delivers these programs primarily through grants, contracts, and loan agreements with local partners and community-based providers. Visit OHCS’ website for more information.

PRIVATE SECURITY/INVESTIGATOR POLICY COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

Notice of Regular Meeting

The Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 1:30 p.m., in the Governor Victor G. Atiyeh Boardroom at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST or Department) located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167.

To view the Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee's live-stream and other recorded videos, please visit DPSST’s official YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. Click or tap if you trust this link.">https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Amended Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve February 18, 2025, Meeting Minutes

3. Adam Weyeneth, Private Security Identification No. 041697

   Notice of Intent to Propose Civil Penalty

   Presented by Michael Holsapple

4. Agency Update

5. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting – August 19, 2025, at 1:30 p.m.

Administrative Announcement

This is a public meeting, subject to the public meeting law and it will be recorded. Deliberation of issues will only be conducted by Private Security/Private Investigations Policy Committee members unless permitted by the Chair. Individuals who engage in disruptive behavior that impedes official business will be asked to stop being disruptive or leave the meeting. Additional measures may be taken to have disruptive individuals removed if their continued presence poses a safety risk to the other persons in the room or makes it impossible to continue the meeting.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

Media hotline: 503-813-6018

May is National Wildfire Awareness Month: Pacific Power continues to lead in wildfire prevention efforts

PORTLAND, OR (May 1, 2025) – To recognize National Wildfire Awareness Month, Pacific Power is encouraging Oregonians to prepare for fire season. Fire weather conditions, such as severe drought combined with summer windstorms or active wildfires, could lead to safety-related power outages. 

Long-term forecasts by Pacific Power’s meteorology team are indicating 2025 will have a warmer and drier summer than normal, with the outlook predicting above-normal significant fire potential east of the Cascades beginning in July. This is due to large amounts of carryover fire fuels and brush from previous years, and an early onset of warm and dry weather. Above-normal conditions will possibly continue into August.

Pacific Power is leading the way in wildfire prevention, investing close to $70 million over the past five years in strengthening its system in Oregon, working hard to protect customers from the risks associated with wildfires. The company’s prevention practices are focused on three main areas.

• Situational Awareness: We use 24/7 monitoring and forecasting, along with analysis of 30 years of data, to both show the big picture and provide a day-to-day look at wildfire risk across the states we serve.

• Operational Practices: We have practices in place to help keep our customers and communities safe, by employing sensitive protective settings on powerlines when elevated risk conditions exist; conducting enhanced vegetation management; closely monitoring all fires near our equipment; maintaining the ability to conduct a Public Safety Power Shutoff anywhere across our service area; and by having the ability to proactively de-energize our lines when a wildfire approaches our equipment.

• System Strengthening: We have invested millions of dollars in infrastructure enhancements that reduce risk and prevent wildfires, concentrated in geographic areas at greatest risk of wildfires. This includes rebuilding lines using covered conductor and adding more sensitive equipment that can de-energize power lines within fractions of a second when interference is detected.

“The safety of our customers and communities is our top priority,” said Allen Berreth, Pacific Power’s vice president of operations. “We have made significant investments in preventing wildfires, and are committed to this ongoing mission.”

Even as electric providers partner with federal, state and local agencies and Tribes to plan and prepare for the upcoming wildfire season, preparedness is a year-round effort, and everyone has a part to play when it comes to readiness.

Resources are available to help every Oregonian take steps to plan ahead and be ready for wildfire-related power outages. At wildfire.oregon.gov, Oregonians can find tips to stay informed, make a plan and trim trees and plants to create defensible spaces to help slow the spread of wildfire.

Pacific Power customers can visit PacificPower.net/WildfireSafety for resources and information, including an outage preparation checklist for residential and business customers, an interactive map outlining potential public safety power shutoff areas and the company’s 2025 Wildfire Mitigation Plan.

Video of the event, interview excerpts and file footage of Pacific Power employees at work can be viewed and downloaded at this link:

Pacific Power 2025 Media Kit - Dropbox

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About Pacific Power

Pacific Power provides safe and reliable electric service to more than 800,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company supplies customers with electricity from a diverse portfolio of generating plants including hydroelectric, natural gas, coal, wind, geothermal and solar resources. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with over two million customers in six western states. For more information, visit PacificPower.net.

MEDIA ADVISORY
May 1, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT:
Sam Tenney, Communications Coordinator

Department of Public Safety Standards and Training
sam.tenney@dpsst.oregon.gov
503-931-4069

Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony to honor fallen officers

The annual Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, at the Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem. The ceremony honors the state’s law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

The names of three fallen officers were added to the memorial last month as an honor guard stood watch: Patrolman Andrew J. Laugeson of the Portland Police Bureau, end of watch May 12, 1917; Policeman George M. Lowe of the Ashland Police Department, end of watch March 3, 1919; and Assistant Chief Merle W. Bethscheider of the Silverton Police Department, end of watch May 29, 1965.

Patrolman Laugeson, Policeman Lowe, Asssistant Chief Bethscheider, and 196 previously fallen officers will be honored during the ceremony at the academy, located at 4190 Aumsville Highway SE in Salem.

The ceremony is a significant event that the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is proud to host each year in partnership with the Oregon Law Enforcement Memorial Fund, Oregon Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), Oregon Fallen Badge Foundation, and Oregon's various statewide law enforcement associations.

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About DPSST
 

The mission of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) is to pursue excellence in training and accountability for public safety professionals.

DPSST certifies and licenses police, corrections, and parole and probation officers, as well as regulatory specialists, emergency telecommunicators and medical dispatchers, criminal justice instructors, private security providers, private investigators, fire service professionals, and polygraph examiners in the state of Oregon.  DPSST works with public and private safety agencies around the state to provide basic, leadership and specialized training at the 237-acre Oregon Public Safety Academy in Salem and regionally throughout the state.

For more information on the Oregon Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial, please visit https://www.oregon.gov/dpsst/Memorials/LawEnforcement/Pages/default.aspx.

May 1, 2025

Media contact: Timothy Heider 971-599-0459 PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory issued for Emigrant Lake

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) issued a preemptive recreational use health advisory today for Emigrant Lake, in Jackson County,  due to the presence of a cyanobacteria bloom.

People should avoid swimming and high-speed water activities, such as water skiing or power boating, in areas of the reservoir where blooms are present, as the major route of exposure is ingestion of water. Toxins are not absorbed through the skin. However, those with skin sensitivities may get a puffy red rash.

OHA encourages people to visit Emigrant Lake and enjoy activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, biking, picnicking, bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking.

Boating is safe as long as speeds do not create excessive water spray. Sprays could lead to the risk of inhaling cyanotoxins.

Drinking water

Drinking water directly from areas of the lake affected by a bloom is especially dangerous. Toxins cannot be removed by boiling, filtering or treating water with camping-style filters. Contact campground management or the local health department with questions about water available at nearby campgrounds or day use areas.

Not all private treatment systems are effective at removing cyanotoxins. People who do not use a well or public water system and draw in-home water directly from an affected area are advised to use an alternative water source.

Children and pets

Children and pets are at increased risk for exposure because of their size and level of activity. Dogs can get extremely ill and even die within minutes to hours of exposure to cyanotoxins by drinking the water, licking their fur, or eating the toxins from floating mats or dried crust along the shore. This is regardless of a recreational use health advisory in place.

Dogs can become ill and die from water intoxication after drinking excessive amounts of water while swimming or fetching objects for long periods of time. Intoxication is a potentially fatal disturbance in brain function resulting from an imbalance of electrolytes in the body. Water intoxication and heat stroke can cause similar symptoms as exposure to cyanotoxins.

Symptoms

Exposure to cyanotoxins can be serious and cause a range of symptoms. Symptoms may be similar to food poisoning such as stomach cramping, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may also be more serious, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness and shortness of breath. These symptoms may require medical attention.

Dogs can experience weakness, difficulty walking, seizures, lethargy, loss of appetite and more. If a dog exhibits symptoms, veterinary treatment should be sought as quickly as possible.

Fishing

Fish caught from areas where cyanobacteria blooms are present may pose unknown health risks, so OHA recommends not eating fish from those areas. Those who decide to eat the fish should remove fat, skin and organs before cooking or freezing. Toxins are more likely to collect in these tissues. Fillets should also be rinsed with clean water.

For health information or to report an illness, contact OHA at 971-673-0482, or visit OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website.

On April 30, 2025, a Marion County jury found Jessica Lee Pemberton, 38, guilty of one count of Assault in the Second Degree and one count of Violating a Court’s Stalking Protective Order.

The charges resulted from a September 4, 2022, incident where Pemberton intentionally struck another woman with her car. At the time of the incident, the victim had a court’s stalking protective order against her. The victim sustained bruising on her torso and an injury to her wrist.  She ultimately recovered.  

Marion County Circuit Court Judge Lindsay Partridge presided over the two day trial. The State was represented by Marion County Deputy District Attorney Mae D’Amico.

Pemberton is scheduled to be sentenced on May 14, 2025, at 1pm. 

Oregon Utilities Promote Wildfire Awareness: Get Ready for Fire Season by Preparing Now and Staying Informed

PGE, Pacific Power, Idaho Power and the PUC share tips and guidance as fire season approaches

Portland, Ore. – In recognition of National Wildfire Awareness Month, which kicks off today, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC), Portland General Electric, Pacific Power and Idaho Power encourage Oregonians to prepare for wildfire season. Everyone has a part to play this summer in keeping our communities safe.

PGE, Pacific Power and Idaho Power invest year-round to prevent wildfire and prepare their electric grids to deliver safe, reliable power. They partner with tribes and federal, state and local agencies to plan and prepare for the upcoming wildfire season.

“We saw the tragic consequences of extreme weather this January in Los Angeles and in Oregon’s record-breaking 2024 wildfire season,” said Commissioner Letha Tawney. “Even as Oregon electric utilities invest billions to reduce wildfire risk, customers need to prepare for outages when fire danger is high. The changing risk of extreme wildfires touches every Oregon community and requires us all to take steps to reduce the risk of catastrophe.”

Resources to help every Oregonian get ready for wildfire season are available at wildfire.oregon.gov, where they can find tips on everything from staying informed about wildfire and wildfire-related outages to making a plan for evacuations to establishing defensible spaces that help slow the spread of wildfire.

PGE, Pacific Power and Idaho Power also share these additional tips on ways to stay safe and be prepared this fire season.

Have a plan

• Consider relocating with a friend, family member or shelter, especially if medication or treatment of a medical condition requires electricity.
• Businesses should communicate their outage-response plans to key employees, plan for workarounds to computers and cash registers and make a plan to bypass electronic door locks.
• Plan for livestock water needs in case well pumps lose power.
• Know how to open and close electric garage doors and security gates.
• Learn how to protect home and business electronics and appliances against data loss and surge damage when power is restored.

Make an outage kit

Prepare your home and businesses by making an outage kit to use in case wildfire leads to a power outage.

• Be sure to include shelf-stable food, water for people, pets and livestock, medications, flashlights, batteries and solar or car chargers for electric devices. Keep ice packs or frozen water in the freezer to help keep food cold until ice is available.

• Outage kits should also include flashlights or camp lights for all areas, including restrooms, battery-powered or hand-crank radios for information, battery-powered fans, extra batteries, car chargers for cell phones and electric devices, bottled water and emergency phone numbers.
• Businesses should prepare to minimize disruption, keep employees safe and protect equipment.

Stay informed

Here are a few steps you can take to make sure you receive up-to-date wildfire information:

• Contact your electricity provider or log in to your account and make sure all contact information is current so you can receive alerts and messages.
• If you rely on electricity to store medication or operate medical equipment, enroll in your electric provider’s Medical Certificate Program, if available, to receive proactive communications about outages. Make a backup plan with your doctor and other medical providers.
• Visit Oregon Alert to find your local alert system. Provide current contact details and sign up for wildfire alerts.

Information, resources and checklists

• PGE customers can visit portlandgeneral.com/wildfiresafety for information about how PGE works to protect people, property and public spaces.
• Pacific Power customers can visit pacificpower.net/wildfiresafety for resources and information including an outage preparation checklist for customers, an interactive map outlining public safety power shutoff areas.  
• Idaho Power customers can visit idahopower.com/wildfire to learn more about summer outage preparedness and what Idaho Power is doing to protect the grid from wildfires.   

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About Portland General Electric Company

Portland General Electric (NYSE: POR) is an integrated energy company that generates, transmits and distributes electricity to nearly 950,000 customers serving an area of 1.9 million Oregonians. Since 1889, Portland General Electric (PGE) has been powering social progress, delivering safe, affordable, reliable and increasingly clean electricity while working to transform energy systems to meet evolving customer needs. PGE customers have set the standard for prioritizing clean energy with the No. 1 voluntary renewable energy program in the country. PGE was ranked the No. 1 utility in the 2024 Forrester U.S. Customer Experience Index and is committed to reducing emissions from its retail power supply by 80% by 2030 and 100% by 2040. In 2024, PGE employees, retirees and the PGE Foundation donated $5.5 million and volunteered nearly 23,000 hours to more than 480 nonprofit organizations. For more information visit www.PortlandGeneral.com/news

About Pacific Power

Pacific Power provides safe and reliable electric service to 800,000 customers in Oregon, Washington and California. The company supplies customers with electricity from a diverse portfolio of generating plants including hydroelectric, thermal, wind, geothermal and solar resources. Pacific Power is part of PacifiCorp, one of the lowest-cost electricity producers in the United States, with 2 million customers in six western states. For more information, visit www.pacificpower.net.

About Idaho Power

Idaho Power, headquartered in vibrant and fast-growing Boise, Idaho, has been a locally operated energy company since 1916. Today, it serves a 24,000-square-mile area in Idaho and Oregon. The company’s goal to provide 100% clean energy by 2045 builds on its long history as a clean-energy leader that provides reliable service at affordable prices. With 17 low-cost hydroelectric projects at the core of its diverse energy mix, Idaho Power’s residential, business and agricultural customers pay among the nation’s lowest prices for electricity. Its 2,100 employees proudly serve more than 650,000 customers with a culture of safety first, integrity always and respect for all. IDACORP Inc. (NYSE: IDA), Idaho Power’s independent publicly traded parent company, is also headquartered in Boise, Idaho. To learn more, visit idahopower.com or idacorpinc.com.

About the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC)
The PUC regulates customer rates and services of the state’s investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, including Portland General Electric, Idaho Power, Pacific Power, Avista, Cascade Natural and NW Natural. The PUC also regulates landline telephone providers and select water companies. The PUC’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law. For more information about the PUC, visit oregon.gov/puc.

PET LICENSING   
 

Pet ownership comes with many responsibilities to keep you, your pet, and your community safe. Lincoln County requires all dogs hold a valid license pursuant to ORS 609.100. Cat licenses are optional but are encouraged because they can help reunite you with your cat if they are lost. 

In addition to being required by law, licensing your dog can save their life and speed up the process of returning them to you. One of Lincoln County Animal Shelter’s goals is to be able to reunite all lost pets with their families. In 2024, our animal shelter helped 171 lost pets reunite with their families. Having a licensed pet can help speed up the process of being reunited when your pet is lost.

If happy reunions are not enough motivation, failure to obtain a dog license can result in a $265 fine. All dogs in the county are required to be licensed within thirty days of residence. This is a requirement regardless of where you live in Lincoln County and whether your dog leaves your property or not. While cat licenses are not required, they help can reunite families with their feline friends.

You may easily purchase or renew a license by mail, over the phone, at the Animal Shelter, or online. Applications and additional information are available online at: www.co.lincoln.or.us/695/Pet-Licensing.

Why licensing is important:

• License tags allow us to contact you as soon as possible. This provides peace of mind, leaves space at the shelter for other animals in need, and saves tax-payer money.

• License fees support shelter programs and operations which provide over 1,000 animals with food, veterinary care, shelter, training, behavior enrichment, and adoption services each year.

• License fees support field services and investigations which address loose pets, aggressive dogs, and bite reports.

• License fees allow Animal Services to investigate, seize, and care for animals who are victims of cruelty and neglect.

• License fees support our pet retention programs which help people keep their pets.

• If your animal is found injured and wearing its license, it is much easier for us to obtain emergency medical attention for them and to contact you with the details.

• Identification is critically important for your pet in the event of a disaster.

• If your dog is impounded, current on their license, and spayed or neutered, the first $30 impound fee is waived.

• License fees are an important way the community supports our policy of not euthanizing for time or space. These fees also support finding new homes for as many animals as possible.

Please keep your pets safe with a license, ID tag, and microchip. Remember to search for your lost pet at the Lincoln County Animal Shelter at 510 NE Harney St. in Newport and by calling 541-265-0720. You can help reunite lost pets by following the Animal Shelter’s Facebook page at LincolnCountyLostandFoundPets.
 

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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Date: Thursday, May 1, 2025

Corvallis ORE. – May is National Mental Health Month and Benton County is celebrating with an announcement about the new Benton County Crisis Center, set to open this summer.

Every year in May, people and organizations across the nation celebrate Mental Health Month as an opportunity to increase public understanding of the importance of mental health, to promote mental health resources, and to destigmatize mental health conditions.

This year’s theme, “Turn Awareness into Action," emphasizes transforming understanding into tangible support, compassion into concrete steps, and intentions into real-world impact.

“The new Benton County Crisis Center is a perfect example of turning awareness into action,” said Damien Sands, Behavioral Health Division Director for the Benton County Health Department. “It took the hands of many to help make this dream a reality, and we are grateful to our state and local leaders, contractors, community partners, Benton County residents, and dedicated staff for the roles they played.”

The Benton County Crisis Center

An external view of the Benton County Crisis Center on the corner of NW 4th Street and Van Buren Avenue in Corvallis, OR.

The Benton County Crisis Center will be a voluntary, walk-in, mental health treatment center for people experiencing mental health crises. The center will offer a safe and supportive space for people who need a break from stressors along with referrals and support for ongoing behavioral health services.

The new facility, with more available space, will expand Benton County’s existing mental health crisis services to add additional staff and services, including:

• 24/7 walk-in (no appointment needed), face-to-face crisis counseling services
• Crisis, Outreach, Response, and Engagement (CORE) Co-Response team connecting people in crisis to the new facility for stabilization and support
• The Mobile Crisis Team's dispatch center responds to calls from community service providers

“Our mobile crisis team is very active in the community responding to crisis calls from key partners such as law enforcement, the hospital, and schools” said Ricky Garcia, Project Manager for the Benton County Crisis Center. “Our crisis center will improve access by allowing people to come to us when they need support, avoiding any unnecessary entanglements with law enforcement, and freeing up higher levels of care such as the emergency room.”

The facility will also add two new services for adults aged 18 years or older who need more time and support in a trauma-informed, treatment-centered environment to stabilize from crisis and be connected to resources:

• Stabilization: Up to 23 hours voluntary stay in a calm and quiet area that will include reclining chairs separated by dividers for privacy.
• Respite: Up to 29 days voluntary stay in a residential space on the second floor that will include private rooms, a shared kitchen, and common areas.

“When someone is struggling with their mental health, it can be a challenge to immediately enter the real world and all the stress and responsibility that comes with our daily lives,” said Sands. “Our local area currently has very limited resources for short-term stabilization and respite. The new crisis center will expand our capacity to serve people who do not require medical attention, hospitalization, or longer-term residential care. All services are voluntary, so people can come and go as they please."

2025 Phased Opening Schedule for Benton County Crisis Center

A chart depicts the phased timeline for services at the Benton County Crisis Center.

The facility is planned to open this June with a phased approach:

1. Phase 1 (approx. Spring 2025): All existing Benton County Crisis Services will move from their current locations into the new building.
2. Phase 2 (approx. Summer 2025): Services will expand to include daytime stabilization services​.
3. Phase 3 (approx. Fall 2025): Services will expand to include swing shift stabilization services.
4. Phase 4 (approx. Winter 2025): Services will expand to include 24/7 stabilization​.
5. Phase 5 (date to be determined): Services will expand to include 29-day respite.

“We recognize the challenges facing the mental health workforce right now,” said Garcia. “This phased opening enables us to expand services as soon as we are able to, allowing time to recruit and train new staff while maintaining a healthy work environment for our existing staff.” 

The crisis center will be available to any community member experiencing a moment of need. While stabilization and respite are for adults only, youth experiencing crises can still access counselors who can help them get the appropriate referrals and services. No one will be turned away from the crisis center due to inability to pay.

Benton County is planning to host an upcoming open house once the crisis center is ready to be opened to the public. More details will be shared as they are available. For more information on the Benton County Crisis Center, please visit: https://health.bentoncountyor.gov/benton-county-crisis-center/

Crisis Services Available Now

For anyone experiencing a mental health crisis now, you are not alone. Help is available 24/7:

• For the National Suicide Hotline, call or text 988, or chat at: 988lifeline.org
• For the Benton County Crisis Team, call 1-888-232-7192
• For the Crisis Text Line, text OREGON to741741

More Mental Health Month Events

Additional local events that help turn awareness into action this Mental Health Month: 

• May 3 – Hello There Corvallis Speed Friending Even with Corvallis Parks & Recreation
• May 3 – Oregon State University’s Pet Day
• May 6 - Board of Commissioners proclaim Mental Health Month in Benton County
• May 10 – Free Mandala Rock Painting at The Arts Center in Corvallis
• May 18 – Corvallis Spring Roll
• May 24 – QPR Suicide Prevention Training at South Benton Food Pantry in Monroe
• May 27 – QPR Suicide Prevention Training in Corvallis
• May 30 – Mental Health First Aid Training at Benton County Sunset Building
• May 31 – Get Outdoors Day
• May 31 – Corvallis Pride

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Benton County is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring and employment practices. This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact the Public Information Office at 541-766-6800 or pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

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Convirtiendo la conciencia sobre la salud mental en acción: El Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton

Fecha: jueves, 1 de mayo de 2025

Corvallis ORE. – Mayo es el Mes Nacional de la Salud Mental y el Condado de Benton lo celebra con un anuncio sobre el nuevo Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton, que se inaugurará este verano.

Cada año, en mayo, personas y organizaciones de todo el país celebran el Mes de la Salud Mental como una oportunidad para impulsar la comprensión pública sobre la importancia de la salud mental, promover recursos de salud mental y desestigmatizar los problemas mentales.

El tema de este año, "Convierta la consciencia en acción", insiste en transformar la comprensión en apoyo tangible, la compasión en pasos concretos y las intenciones en un impacto real.

"El nuevo Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton es un ejemplo perfecto de cómo convertir la consciencia en acción", afirmó Damien Sands, Director de la División de Salud Mental del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Benton. "Se necesitó la colaboración de muchos para hacer realidad este sueño y agradecemos a nuestros líderes estatales y locales, contratistas, socios comunitarios, habitantes del Condado de Benton y personal dedicado por el papel que desempeñaron".

El Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton

Vista exterior del Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton en la esquina de NW 4th Street y Van Buren Avenue en Corvallis, OR.

El Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton será un centro de tratamiento de salud mental voluntario y sin cita previa para personas que experimenten una crisis de salud mental. El centro ofrecerá un espacio seguro y de apoyo para quienes necesitan relajarse del estrés, además de referencias y apoyo para servicios continuos de salud mental.

El nuevo centro, con más espacio disponible, ampliará los servicios de crisis de salud mental existentes del Condado de Benton con personal y servicios adicionales, incluyendo:

• Servicios de consejería presencial para crisis (sin cita previa), disponibles las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana.
• El equipo que atiende la crisis y que trabaja en la comunidad para responder a situaciones conecta a las personas en crisis con el nuevo centro para su estabilización y apoyo.
• El centro de atención del Equipo Móvil de Crisis responde a las llamadas de los proveedores de servicios comunitarios.

“Nuestro equipo móvil de crisis participa activamente en la comunidad, respondiendo a las llamadas de crisis de colaboradores clave como la policía, el hospital y las escuelas”, declaró Ricky García, Gerente de Proyectos del Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton. “Nuestro centro de crisis mejorará el acceso al permitir que las personas acudan a nosotros cuando necesiten apoyo, evitando así enredos innecesarios con la policía y dejando disponibles recursos de mayor nivel, como la sala de emergencias”.

El centro también incorporará dos nuevos servicios para adultos mayores de 18 años que necesiten más tiempo y apoyo en un lugar orientado al trauma y centrado en el tratamiento para recuperarse de la crisis y acceder a recursos:

• Estabilización: Estancia voluntaria de hasta 23 horas en un área tranquila y silenciosa que incluirá sillones reclinables divididos por separadores para mayor privacidad.
• Cuidado/Servicios de Relevo: Estancia voluntaria de hasta 29 días en un espacio residencial en el segundo piso que incluirá habitaciones privadas, cocina compartida y áreas comunes.

“Cuando alguien tiene problemas de salud mental, puede ser difícil integrarse de inmediato al mundo real y a todo el estrés y la responsabilidad que conlleva nuestra vida diaria”, dijo Sands. “Nuestra área local actualmente cuenta con recursos muy limitados para la estabilización y servicios de relevo a corto plazo. El nuevo centro de crisis ampliará nuestra capacidad para atender a personas que no requieren atención médica, hospitalización ni atención residencial a largo plazo. Todos los servicios son voluntarios, por lo que las personas pueden entrar y salir cuando gusten”.

Calendario de apertura por etapas para 2025 del Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton

Gráfico que muestra el calendario por etapas de los servicios en el Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton.

Se planea que el centro se inaugure en junio por etapas:

1. Etapa 1 (aprox. primavera de 2025): Todos los Servicios de Crisis del Condado de Benton se moverán de sus ubicaciones actuales al nuevo edificio.
2. Etapa 2 (aprox. verano de 2025): Los servicios durante el día se ampliarán para incluir servicios de estabilización.
3. Etapa 3 (aprox. otoño de 2025): Los servicios se ampliarán para incluir servicios de estabilización en varios turnos.
4. Etapa 4 (aprox. invierno de 2025): Los servicios se ampliarán para incluir estabilización las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana.
5. Etapa 5 (fecha por determinar): Los servicios se ampliarán para incluir cuidado/servicios de relevo de 29 días.

“Reconocemos los desafíos que enfrenta el personal de salud mental en este momento”, dijo García. “Esta apertura por etapas nos permite ampliar los servicios tan pronto como sea posible, lo que nos da tiempo para contratar y capacitar a nuevos empleados, mientras que mantenemos un ambiente de trabajo saludable para nuestros empleados actuales”.

El centro de crisis estará disponible para cualquier miembro de la comunidad que lo necesite. Aunque la estabilización y los servicios de relevo son solo para adultos, los jóvenes que atraviesan crisis pueden acceder a consejeros que les ayudarán a obtener las referidos y los servicios adecuados. Nadie será rechazado en el centro de crisis por no poder pagar.

El Condado de Benton planea celebrar próximamente un evento comunitario una vez que el centro de crisis esté listo para abrir al público. Se compartirán más detalles a medida que estén disponibles. Para obtener más información sobre el Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton, visite: https://health.bentoncountyor.gov/benton-county-crisis-center/

Servicios de crisis disponibles ahora

Si está pasando por una crisis de salud mental, no está solo. Hay ayuda disponible las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana:

• Para comunicarse con la Línea Nacional de Ayuda contra el Suicidio, llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 988 o chatee en: 988lifeline.org
• Para comunicarse con el Equipo de Crisis del Condado de Benton, llame al 1-888-232-7192
• Para comunicarse con la Línea de Crisis por mensaje de texto, envíe un mensaje de texto con la palabra OREGON al 741741

Más eventos del Mes de la Salud Mental

Otros eventos locales que ayudan a convertir la conciencia en acción este Mes de la Salud Mental:

• 3 de mayo – Evento de amistad rapida "Hello There Corvallis" con Parques y Recreacion de Corvallis
• 3 de mayo – Día de las Mascotas en OSU
• 6 de mayo – Proclamanción del Mes de la Salud Mental en el Condado de Benton por la Junta de Comisionados
• 18 de mayo – Actividad gratis de Pintura de Mandalas en Piedra en el Centro de Artes de Corvallis
• 18 de mayo – Corvallis Spring Roll
• 24 de mayo – Entrenamiento de QPR sobre Prevención del Suicidio en el Banco de Comida del Sur de Benton en Monroe
• 27 de mayo – Entrenamiento de QPR sobre Prevención del Suicidio en Corvallis
• 30 de mayo – Entrenamiento de Primeros Auxilios de Salud Mental en el Edificio Sunset del Condado de Benton
• 31 de mayo – Un Día en el Bosque
• 31 de mayo – Corvallis Pride

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El Condado de Benton es un empleador que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades y acción afirmativa y no discrimina por motivos de discapacidad en la admisión o el acceso a nuestros programas, servicios, actividades, contratación y prácticas de empleo. Este documento está disponible en formatos e idiomas alternativos a pedido. Comuníquese con la Oficina de Información Pública al 541-766-6800 o pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

A new Hospital Association of Oregon report shows that hospitals are financially unstable, threatening the future of patient care in Oregon communities. Almost half of the state’s hospitals operated at a loss in 2024, and others barely broke even.

“Oregon’s hospitals are on the brink,” said Becky Hultberg, Hospital Association of Oregon president and CEO. “They face a perfect storm of soaring expenses, complex and costly regulations, and payments that don’t cover the cost of care. And federal Medicaid changes contemplated by Congress could tip some hospitals over the edge.”

The report highlights that while hospitals across the country were challenged during the pandemic and are now stabilizing, Oregon hospitals remain on unstable footing.

“It’s becoming clear that Oregon hospitals operate in one of the most challenging environments in the country, shaped by a tough regulatory landscape and payments that don’t come close to covering the double-digit increases we’ve seen in expenses from salaries and benefits,” she said. “Patients are struggling to find doctors, wait times to see a doctor are long, and emergency departments are overcrowded. This is a result of the policy choices the state has made and insufficient payment from insurers.”

In this challenging environment, Oregon hospitals have been pushed to make difficult decisions including cutting more than 800 jobs, seeking partnerships to shore up operations, reducing or divesting from services, and fundraising to replace broken or outdated equipment. This is a trend that is likely to continue without shifts in health policy and increasing payments to hospitals to cover the cost of providing care.

Medicaid—the state’s largest insurer—is contributing to hospitals’ financial distress. The state only pays hospitals 56 cents on the dollar for caring for Medicaid patients. Additionally, hospitals are subject to onerous state rules and regulations that demand resources for compliance, reduce revenue, and increase operating expenses for hospitals.

Hospitals’ financial instability not only jeopardizes access to care but also threatens the economic stability of communities statewide. Oregon’s 61 hospitals serve as a crucial economic engine, generating $32.4 billion in economic impact and supporting 160,000 jobs—including 70,000 direct hospital employees.

“In this pivotal moment for hospitals, policymakers and community leaders cannot afford to ignore what’s happening in Oregon,” Hultberg said. “The choices the state makes are forcing the trade-off of services that our families, friends, and neighbors depend on.”

Read more about the state of Oregon’s hospitals in the Hospital Association of Oregon’s new report: Oregon Hospitals on the Brink.

Media availability:

• Hospital Association of Oregon President and CEO Becky Hultberg will be available to speak to the media between 1-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1
• PNGs of graphics from the report are also available upon request

About the Hospital Association of Oregon

Founded in 1934, the Hospital Association of Oregon Association (HAO) is a mission-driven, nonprofit trade association representing Oregon’s 61 hospitals. Together, hospitals are the sixth largest private employer statewide, employing 70,000 employees. Committed to fostering a stronger, safer, more equitable Oregon where all people have access to the high-quality care they need, the hospital association supports Oregon’s hospitals so they can support their communities; educates government officials and the public on the state’s health landscape and works collaboratively with policymakers, community based organizations and the health care community to build consensus on and advance health care policy benefiting the state’s four million residents.

SALEM, Ore. – On May 18, 1980, the ground shook, the sky turned black, and Mount St. Helens exploded in what remains the most destructive volcanic eruption in U.S. history. Fifty-seven lives were lost, thousands of animals perished, entire forests were flattened, and over 200 homes were destroyed. The eruption caused an estimated $1.5 billion in damage. The eruption reshaped landscapes sparked years of scientific study and reinforced the importance of disaster readiness.  

Now, 45 years later, Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek is commemorating this significant event by proclaiming May 18–25, 2025, Volcano Awareness Week — a time not only for remembrance, but for readiness.  

Led by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), the proclamation seeks to educate residents and visitors about volcanic hazards and preparedness efforts across the state and serves as a crucial reminder: the Pacific Northwest is still very much an active volcanic zone. 

"Oregon is home to several active volcanoes, and awareness is key to protecting communities and ensuring public safety," said OEM Director Erin McMahon. "Volcano Awareness Week serves as an opportunity to learn about preparedness, mitigation, and response strategies while recognizing the ongoing monitoring efforts that keep people informed." 

Living in a Land of Fire: Understanding Oregon’s Volcanic Risks 

The Cascade Range — the snow-capped mountains many Oregonians and Washingtonians know and love — is part of a 1,300 km (800 mile) chain of volcanoes stretching from northern California to southern British Columbia. These dramatic peaks, formed by the slow collision and subduction of tectonic plates, include some of the most well-known and still-active volcanoes in the country. 

In Oregon alone, we have five potentially active volcanoes: 

• Mount Hood

• Mount Jefferson

• Newberry Volcano

• Three Sisters

• Crater Lake (Mount Mazama)

They are among the ten active Cascade volcanoes monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Volcano Early Warning System — a program designed to detect and alert officials to signs of volcanic unrest before an eruption occurs.   

DOGAMI, in coordination with the U.S. Geological Survey Cascades Volcano Observatory, plays a critical role in providing scientific data to support disaster preparedness. "Oregon’s rocks record a long-lived legacy of volcanism. Volcanoes offer stunning beauty, but also present potential risks to nearby communities”, said DOGAMI Geological Survey and Services Program Manager Jason McClaughry. "Creating detailed geologic and hazard maps combined with data from modern monitoring tools allows both DOGAMI and CVO to understand the volcanic history of Oregon and to help communities prepare for future volcanic hazards.” 

Why Volcano Awareness Week Matters 

This week is a joint effort between the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), the Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), and partners like the USGS and the Washington State Emergency Management Division. Together, they’re working to raise public awareness about volcanic hazards — and more importantly, how Oregonians can prepare for them. 

OEM and DOGAMI, in collaboration with local governments and scientific organizations, will conduct public outreach efforts, social media campaigns, and educational initiatives throughout the week, including: 

• Understanding volcanic hazards such as ashfall, landslides, lahars, and pyroclastic flows.

• Reviewing evacuation routes and emergency response plans (visit TripCheck.com)

• Monitoring volcanic activity through USGS alerts and OR-Alerts.

• Preparing emergency kits with food, water, respiratory protection, and communication devices. 

Upcoming Anniversary Related events: 

• Wednesday, May 7 | 6:30 p.m.
  45th Eruptiversary Views & Brews: Voices of the Volcano (In-Person AND Virtual)

• Saturday, May 10 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Cascades Volcano Observatory Open House 

• Thursday May 15 | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  A Reddit Ask-Me-Anything session with experts from USGS and the states of Oregon and Washington

• Sunday, May 18 | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  
  45th Anniversary Event with USFS at the Coldwater Science and Learning Center 

• Saturday, May 24 | 3:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
  OPB Event at OMSI – Sharing of OPB Field Guide episode and panel discussion 

• The official web cam for Mount. St. Helens is also back online, with its power restored for the first time in a nearly two years. 

• See more historic photos of the eruption on the US Forest Service’s Historic Mount St. Helen’s Flcker page.

Even though volcanic eruptions are rare, their impacts can be swift and widespread. Awareness and preparedness can mean the difference between chaos and calm in the face of an eruption.

"Preparedness saves lives," McMahon added. "By learning about volcanic hazards and response measures, Oregonians can help protect themselves, their families, and their communities." 

Be 2 Weeks Ready 

Emergency preparedness starts at home. OEM encourages all residents to Be2WeeksReady — a campaign that promotes having enough supplies, water, food, and critical items to survive on your own for two weeks after a disaster. This is especially important during volcanic events, when roads may be impassable and air quality may be hazardous. 

Here are some key preparedness tips for volcanic hazards: 

• Know your local hazards. If you live near any of Oregon’s volcanoes, understand what type of hazards might affect your area. DOGAMI and OEM offer resources and maps to help you assess risk.

• Stay informed. Sign up for USGS volcano notifications sign-up for OR-Alerts, and make sure the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are enabled on your phone.

• Follow evacuation levels. Oregon uses a three-level evacuation system:

  • Level 1: Be Ready – Stay aware and prepare to leave.

  • Level 2: Be Set – Be packed and ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

  • Level 3: Go Now! – Leave immediately for your safety.

• Make a plan. Know your evacuation routes and how you’ll communicate with loved ones if you become separated. Learn more with OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready Toolkit.

• Help others. Check on neighbors, especially those who may need extra assistance. 

​For more details on how to prepare for volcanic hazards, visit the U.S. Geological Survey Volcano Hazards page. Residents are encouraged to follow OEM and DOGAMIonline for up-to-date information, safety resources, and emergency alerts. 

Explore More: 

• USGS Volcano Hazards Program

• National Volcano Early Warning System

• DOGAMI - Oregon Geologic Hazard Resources

• OEM’s Be2Weeks Ready Toolkit

• Make Preparedness Fun: Engaging Kids in Emergency Readiness

• Making Preparedness Fun: Explaining Volcano Evacuations to Kids

• Kids Volcano Activity Guide

• Social Media Toolkit 

• US Forest Service’s Historic Mount St. Helen’s historic photos 

# # #

It is the mission of Oregon Emergency Management to proactively develop emergency response, risk reduction and disaster recovery programs to better serve Oregonians during times of disaster. OEM prioritizes an equitable and inclusive culture of preparedness that empowers all Oregonians to thrive in times in crisis. The agency leads collaborative statewide efforts, inclusive of all partners and the communities we serve, to ensure the capability to get help in an emergency and to protect, mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies or disasters. For more information about the OEM, visit oregon.gov/oem.

You can get this document in other languages, large print, braille, or a format you prefer. For assistance, email licInfo@oem.oregon.gov" target="_blank" title="Email OEM Public Affairs">OEM_PublicInfo@oem.oregon.gov. We accept all relay calls, or you can dial 711. 

The Lane County Elections office has placed ballots in the USPS mail stream for the May 2025 Special Election.

Lane County’s 21 ballot drop boxes will remain open until 8:00 pm on Election Day, May 20, 2025.  Drop boxes are open 24/7. A list of drop box locations is included with every ballot.

“Most voters generally receive their ballots within a couple of days,” said Acting County Clerk Lorren Blythe. “The Lane County Elections Office is ready to assist voters with questions or those who need help casting their ballot.”

Voters can track the status of their mail ballot by visiting www.oregonvotes.gov/MyVote.

Voters may return their voted ballots in one of the following ways:

• Regular mail. Ballots must be postmarked no later than May 20, 2025 and received no later than May 27, 2025 to be counted.

• A 24/7 ballot drop box.

• Lane County Elections. Ballots can be turned in by May 20, 2025 directly to the Lane County Elections Office during business hours (open until 8:00 p.m. on Election Day).

Ballot drop box locations can be found online at www.LaneCountyOR.gov/elections.  

Voters with questions can email elections@lanecountyor.gov or call 541-682-4234.

About the Lane County Elections Office:

The Elections Office, located at 275 W. 10^th Avenue in Eugene, is responsible for conducting elections in Lane County.  The elections office manages voter registration, the processing of mail ballots, recruitment and training of election workers, and certification of elections.

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MEDFORD, Oregon— The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission approved several real estate transactions, grant recommendations and rule updates, including for electric-assisted-bikes, at its meeting April 23 in Medford.

The updated e-bike rules will go into effect July 1, 2025. These rules, 736-10-0026 and 21-0065, will allow e-bikes on multi-use trails where other bicycles are allowed unless specifically restricted. They will also be allowed on the ocean shore on wet sand areas unless specifically restricted.

The updated e-bike rules also include stronger, clearer language for safe operation and required caution, particularly around other visitors, pets, children and equestrians. 

Commissioners also approved temporary emergency rules for ATV safety equipment and noise emissions after a new Oregon law transferred rulemaking responsibility to

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD). Temporary rules 736-004-0150 and 736-004-0160 will keep existing rules for 180 days to give OPRD time to develop and adopt new permanent rules.

The request to adopt 736-24 -0015 concerning ocean shore vehicle access to Manzanita was postponed until the June 2025 commission meeting.

The commission approved the following grant recommendations:

• Recreational Trails Program grants totaling $706,515 for motorized trails and $1,306,116 for non-motorized trails, all pending federal approval (Federally funded grant program administered by OPRD)
• All-Terrain Vehicle Program grants totaling $818,718.44 (Grants funded by ATV user permit sales and percentage of gas tax)
• Veterans and War Memorial Grants totaling $295,195 (Grant program funded by Oregon Lottery dollars)

Approved real estate action items:

• Updated the Real Property Policy to add property disposition criteria. 
• Approved transfer of small piece of land at Fort Stevens to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to expand a veterans’ cemetery for North Coast veterans.
• Approved acquisition of PacifiCorp property at Wallowa Lake.
• Approved transfer of Tub Springs Wayside to the BLM.

It was the final meeting for Commissioners Steve Grasty, representing East of the Cascades, and Doug Deur, representing Congressional District 1. Both commissioners served two four-year terms, which will expire at the end of May.

“It’s been incredible to have the two of you serve this commission with your expertise,“ said OPRD Director Lisa Sumption. “I love the way that you push this commission to think about things differently and bring different perspectives. You navigated through some of our agency’s most difficult history. You were here when we had to close the parks in 2020, and you were here when we reopened them. Thank you for your steady leadership.”

Starting in June, incoming Commissioner Stu Spence will represent East of the Cascades and incoming Commissioner Dave Parulo will represent Congressional District 1. The next commission meeting will be held June 17-18 in Independence.

To watch the April commission meeting or any others, visit https://www.youtube.com/@oprddirectorsoffice5783/streams and find supporting documents on the commission webpage: https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/CAC/Pages/CAC-oprc.aspx

The Oregon State Parks and Recreation Commission promotes outdoor recreation and heritage by establishing policies, adopting rules and setting the budget for the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. The seven members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. They serve four-year terms and meet several times a year at locations across the state.

CORVALLIS, Ore. - The Public Hearing on LU-24-027, Republic Services’ application for the proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill, began on Tuesday, April 29. Benton County Planning Commission Chair Nicholas Fowler started the meeting at 6 p.m. The County’s Planning Division presented the staff report. Planning Commission members asked many follow-up questions that were addressed by the County’s Planning Official, consultants and representatives from Republic Services. The Hearing was recessed around 8:45 p.m.

View the recording of Day 1.

Day 2 expectations

Presentation and discussion of the staff report on Day 1 took more time than projected. Republic Services’ presentation, planned for the first meeting, will take place when the hearing resumes at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 1. The Planning Commission will then move on to public verbal testimony if time permits.

If the applicant presentation and subsequent discussion fills the scheduled meeting time, public testimony will likely begin on Tuesday, May 6.

The hearing is open to the public in the Holmes & Shipley Meeting Room on the first floor of Benton County’s Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis, OR. The room has a posted capacity of 133 people, although fewer can be accommodated during the staff and applicant presentation portion of the hearing while tables are in place for the presenters. A viewing/listening room is available on the second floor of the Kalapuya building. An additional overflow space, not utilized on Day 1, will be opened on the first floor.

Attendees who need any physical or language accommodations should notify Benton County Community Development (mitcheck@bentoncountyor.gov">permitcheck@bentoncountyor.gov) at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing.

The hearing can also be viewed through Zoom.

Verbal and written testimony

A new batch of compiled written testimony was posted to Munidocs on April 29. This includes comments received through noon on April 28.

Written testimony is still being accepted in four ways: online form, regular mail, email (liccomment@bentoncountyor.gov" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(35, 72, 123); background-color: transparent; transition: 300ms;">publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov) and hand delivery. Details are available on the Coffin Butte Landfill webpage.

Members of the public can sign up to share verbal testimony during the hearing. Names will be added to the verbal testimony roster in the order in which they are submitted, either through the webform or in person at the public hearings. A testimony sign-up table is available in the lobby beginning one hour prior to meeting start times. Verbal testimony is limited to three (3) minutes per person.

Registration for verbal testimony will be open as long as the Public Hearing is in session OR until 6 p.m. on May 6, whichever comes first.