UPDATE:

Davis was found late on December 29th in rough terrain past the dead end of a forested road in the area. Her dog, Cami, kept her warm and signaled to Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue volunteers as they searched the area.

SAR volunteers provided initial medical care for hypothermia, then carried her out to a waiting ambulance for further care at an area hospital.

Thanks to area residents and Lane Fire Authority for their assistance on this search, and to Cami for being such a good dog!

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12/29/25 - LCSO Case 25-6263

Elderly woman missing in the Warthen Road area west of Elmira

The Lane County Sheriff’s Office is looking for 82-year-old Karen Joyce Davis of Elmira. Davis was reported missing this afternoon after walking away from the 23700 block of Warthen Road.

Davis is described as a white female adult, standing approximately 5’2” tall and weighing about 130 pounds. She has gray hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a purple puffy coat, white and red flannel shirt, red t-shirt, and dark colored pants. She was accompanied by a blue heeler cattle dog named Cami that is known to stay with her if she falls down.

Lane County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue, deputies, and assisting agencies are actively searching for Davis. Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact the Lane County Sheriff’s Office at 541-682-4141. If located, please call 911.

SALEM, Ore. — The Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) will meet virtually at 10 a.m. on Jan. 6, 2026. To join, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Determine the unencumbered balance of the fund as of the end of the preceding calendar year (ORS 477.760)
• Repeal OAR 629-165-0000 through 0320
• Fiscal year 27 – OFLPF distribution of payment to forest protection district budgets
• EFCC and state forester consult regarding the purchase of emergency fire suppression costs insurance
• Administrator report

The meeting is open to the public to attend virtually via Teams. Public comments will be accepted near the end of the meeting. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-881-8292 or by email at na.m.hobbs@odf.oregon.gov">lorna.m.hobbs@odf.oregon.gov.

The Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) oversees the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (OFLPF), established by the Oregon Legislature as a fund with the purpose of providing funds for fiscal year budgets of forest protection districts, investments in supplemental fire prevention, detection or suppression resources that enhance fire protection in the state and issuing loans to the Oregon Department of Forestry or forest protection associations that relate to wildfire costs. View more information on the EFCC webpage.

Eugene, OR.  Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) responded as automatic aid to a house fire in the 500 block of Delay Dr.  At about 9:15 PM on December 29th callers reported a fire started in the chimney area of the home and was spreading fast.  The home was located in a rural Santa Clara neighborhood NW of Eugene. Ladder 11 from ESF’s Santa Clara station arrived to find heavy fire from a small two story home spreading to a near by structure.  Crews worked to contain the fire and search for any potential victims.  The fire was brought under control with no injuries to residents or firefighters.  

Suppression efforts were hampered by narrow roads and no hydrants.  Crews used water from each of the responding engines until a 3,000 gallon water tender could arrive.  At the time of the fire, Lane Fire Authority’s (LFA) on duty crews were committed to other calls and unable to provide resources for the fire. Once their crews became available, LFA was able to relieve ESF resources at about 11:30 PM to complete mop up and investigation tasks. 
 

We are only able to upload one photo on this system, additional available on ESF social media.

Lebanon, Oregon

Lebanon Fire District Firefighters responded to a reported structure fire in the 31900 block of Weldon Road during the mid-afternoon of Monday, December 29^th. En route dispatch gave information of the homeowner arriving and hearing smoke detectors alarming and saw melting of the window blinds.

The first arriving was the on-duty Battalion Chief who became the incident commander and witnessed light wispy smoke coming from the eves of the home. The IC initiated his 360 walk around checking at the front door for occupants and fire conditions. At the front door, he encountered gray, non-turbulent smoke and quickly shut the door to keep the fire from growing anymore. Due to the location and length of the driveway, the first due engine had to lay over 400 feet of supply line which was supplied by multiple water tenders due to the fire being in the rural area. Those firefighters quickly got into action, making entry through the front door and locating the fire in the kitchen area of the residence. While crews extinguished the blaze, more firefighters entered the building completing searches and confirming the fire was contained to the kitchen with no extension into the attic space or walls. No injuries to occupants or firefighters were reported.

Lebanon Firefighters responded with 2 engines, 3 water tenders, 1 ALS ambulance, 1 heavy rescue and 1 rehab unit for firefighters. During the blaze, the district responded to multiple 911 calls for service depleting all its resources. 

The Lebanon Fire District would like to remind residents of the importance of working smoke alarms. For assistance with smoke alarms in your home, contact our Fire & Life Safety Division at (541) 451-1901.

JCSO Case 25-6724

SOUTHERN OREGON — Law enforcement agencies throughout Southern Oregon are searching for a man wanted in connection with multiple stolen vehicles and a high-speed pursuit that occurred today.

The suspect, Billy Dean Gregory, 55, of O’Brien, Ore., is wanted on outstanding warrants and faces multiple charges, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, theft, reckless driving, and attempting to elude police. Gregory is described as a white male, approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 198 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen around 1:00 p.m. switching stolen vehicles in the Colver Road area of Talent. At this time, it is unknown what vehicle he may be driving.

The initial incident began just before 10:30 a.m. when Josephine County reported a stolen vehicle eluding law enforcement on Interstate 5. The pursuit continued into Jackson County, where Central Point Police Department officers successfully deployed spike strips on the suspect vehicle along I-5. Despite the damage, the suspect continued to elude officers at a high rate of speed into Ashland. The pursuit was later terminated due to public safety concerns.

Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies subsequently located the abandoned vehicle on Lori Lane in Ashland and deployed K9 and drone teams to search the area. Officers were unable to locate the suspect.

Later, ECSO 911 Dispatch received a report of a vehicle stolen from Big Al’s restaurant in Ashland. That vehicle was later located on North Valley View Road outside of Ashland, where a third stolen vehicle was also reported. While attempting to locate the third stolen vehicle, ECSO received a call reporting the suspect stealing alcohol from the Talent Liquor store. Law enforcement ultimately located the third stolen vehicle in the 5800 block of Colver Road in Talent.

The suspect remains at large.

There is no further information available for release at this time. Anyone who sees Billy Dean Gregory or has information regarding his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately.

The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program will be moving from the Eugene VR Office at The McKenzie Center, 2885 Chad Drive and the Springfield VR Office will be moving from 101 30^th Street, Springfield. The two programs will be moving to 18 Shelton McMurphey Blvd., Eugene, to form one Lane County VR Office. The estimated move-in date is Monday, January 5, 2026.

The Self-Sufficiency Program and the Oregon Eligibility Partnership will be moving from The McKenzie Center, 2885 Chad Drive into two locations: the West Eugene Family Center, 2101 West 11^th Avenue, Eugene and 101 30^th Street., Springfield. The estimated move date is expected to be sometime in February.

The Child Welfare program is staying at 2885 Chad Drive, Eugene, but the Child Welfare at 2101 West 11th Avenue is moving into 2885 Chad Drive, Eugene. Child Welfare will be in two locations in the area: 1040 Harlow Road, Springfield and 2885 Chad Drive, Eugene. The estimated move date is expected to be sometime in March.

"By bringing our team together under fewer roofs, we're creating something better: greater capacity to see clients in person, with more staff available and shorter wait times for appointments." Elizabeth Lindbloom, Self-Sufficiency Program Manager, and Zayra Longoria, Oregon Eligibility Partnership Program Manager, said.

"We are excited to bring changes to our offices spaces that will allow for increased collaboration and more streamlined services for Oregonians," Sheila Wegener, Self-Sufficiency/Child Welfare Programs District Manager, said.

About ODHS

The ODHS programs provide financial supports to families which include SNAP, TANF, Domestic Violence Survivor Benefits, child care and medical benefits. The JOBS program connects families to a Family Coach for an assessment and supports to achieve their goals and create pathways out of poverty. ODHS staff assist individuals and families in navigating resources, including finding and funding childcare, providing gas support, and offering transportation to domestic violence shelters, medical appointments, and other essential visits. ODHS collaborates with various partners to address family needs and connects families to affordable housing and other resource needs. ODHS works with other providers to provide employment and education opportunities, ensuring access to vital community resources.

Learn more about ODHS: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/pages/default.aspx?utm_source=odhs&utm_medium=egov_redirect&utm_campaign=https%3a%2f%2fwww.oregon.gov%2fdhs.

Learn more about the Child Welfare Program: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/agency/Pages/cw.aspx.

Learn more about the Oregon Eligibility Partnership: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/agency/Pages/oep.aspx.

Learn more about the Self-Sufficiency Program: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/agency/Pages/ssp.aspx.

Learn more about Vocational Rehabilitation: https://www.oregon.gov/odhs/agency/Pages/vr.aspx.

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December 29, 2025

Media contact: Franny White, anny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov" rel="noopener" style="color: rgb(6, 66, 118); text-decoration-line: none; text-size-adjust: 100%;" target="_blank">franny.l.white@oha.oregon.gov, 971-349-3539 

Oregon to receive $197.3M federal investment in rural healthcare

Funding will help improve healthcare access, boost disease management and prevention, support workforce, expand data and technology use

PORTLAND, Ore. – Oregon will receive $197.3 million in 2026 to improve rural healthcare and could receive more in the following four years, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced.

SALEM, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will host a virtual only informational session on a proposed rule change to adopt a new Forest Management Plan (FMP) for western Oregon state forest lands managed by the department. The Jan. 6 session starts at 1 p.m. and will include a presentation outlining the purpose and proposed changes to the FMP.  After the presentation there will be a question-and-answer period. 

ODF staff will NOT take official public comments during this session, it is informational only. The public comment period began Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 31. Comments can be submitted or given in person at any of four formal hearings in January. Comments can be submitted electronically. No question-and-answer period will be offered at the hearings.

To participate in the information session, use this link: Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan Informational Meeting. A recording of the session will be available on ODF’s website.

The proposed change to the FMP will replace the three current FMPs (Northwest Oregon, Southwest Oregon, and Elliott) with a single FMP for these forest lands. The ODF’s State Forests Division is pursuing an alternative method for compliance with the federal Endangered Species Act by applying for incidental take permits from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Fisheries. The incidental take permits will require the division to manage Oregon state forest lands in compliance with a habitat conservation plan.

The Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan contains guiding principles, goals, and strategies that are compatible with the Western Oregon State Forests Habitat Conservation Plan. The Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan provides management direction for all Board of Forestry Lands and Common School Forest Lands managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry west of the crest of the Cascade Range.

The FMP does NOT include the Elliott State Research Forest (ESRF). The ESRF is not within the scope of the draft Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan. There are scattered Board of Forestry Lands within and adjacent to the ESRF, along with scattered Common School Forest Lands outside of the ESRF that are still managed under prior Elliott State Forest Management Plan which will be managed under the new Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan, once adopted. The ESRF has its own management plan, under the authority of the Department of State Lands.

The Board of Forestry may review, modify, or terminate the FMP at any time; however, the BOF will review the FMP no less than every 10 years. The current Southwest and Northwest FMPs were last revised in 2010, while the Elliott FMP was last revised in 2011. More information about State Forests Management Plans can be found here.   

 Public comments on the proposed rule will be accepted from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 at 11:55 p.m. Rulemaking hearings will be held on Jan. 13 (virtual), Jan.15 (Forest Grove), Jan. 20 (Tillamook), and Jan. 22 (Eugene) at 5:30 p.m. The locations of the hearings are in The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. The notice also includes important details including but not limited to the proposed rule text and instructions for submitting public comments and participating in the hearings.  

More information on this rulemaking effort and ongoing updates can be found on the Rulemaking activity page of the ODF website. 

SWEET HOME, OREGON — Fire crews responded to a 2-alarm structure fire involving a fully involved residential home on Old Hufford Road. Due to the intensity of the fire and rural water supply needs, a substantial response was requested from neighboring agencies.  A family member who lives across the ridge happened to be up and noticed a large fire, reporting it to 911 at 4:22 am.   

A total of 4 water tenders, 3 engine companies, and 3 chief officers which included 24 firefighters, and 3 support personnel worked on scene to obtain extinguishment. Water supply was a challenge due to the large footprint of the home and the remote location requiring approximately 45,000 gallons of water to be shuttled to scene. Along with the structures involved the owner lost 3 vehicles and 1 tractor.  Fire was extinguished at 12:26 pm.  No civilian or firefighters were injured during the event. Oregon State Fire Marshall office assisted in the investigation and at this time the cause of the fire is still undetermined.  We would like to thank Lebanon Fire District, Brownsville Rural Fire District and Oregon State Fire Marshall Office for their assistance.  

COOS COUNTY, Ore. (24 December 2025) – On Monday, Dec. 22, 2025, at 5:19 p.m., the Oregon State Police responded to a single-vehicle fatal crash involving a pedestrian on Highway 42 near milepost 20 in Coos County.
 

The preliminary investigation indicated a white Ford Ranger, operated by Crystal Leann Joffroy (45) of Coos Bay, was traveling eastbound on Hwy. 42 when it struck a pedestrian, Faith Scarlet Rose Andersen (29) of Myrtle Point, who was standing in the travel lane for an unknown reason.  
 

The pedestrian (Andersen) was pronounced deceased at the scene.
 

The operator of the Ford Ranger (Joffroy) was not injured.
 

The highway was not impacted during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Myrtle Point Police Department, the Myrtle Point Fire Department, and the Oregon Department of Transportation.     

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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 documenting, investigating, and analyzing complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in using 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.

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the disappearance of a Christmas Valley man whose vehicle was previously located abandoned in the Elliott State Forest, and investigators are again asking for the public’s assistance.

Since the initial report, Douglas County Search and Rescue, along with teams from Josephine, Jackson, Siskiyou, and Klamath Counties have conducted supplemental searches in and around the area where the vehicle was found. Those efforts did not reveal any additional information or result in locating 61-year-old Robert Cotter.

The investigation remains ongoing, and deputies continue to follow up on leads and information related to Cotter’s disappearance. Cotter was last seen on November 2, 2025, and his white 2002 Ford utility pickup was discovered unoccupied on November 30, 2025, on an unmaintained roadway in the Elliott State Forest near Loon Lake.

The Sheriff’s Office is again asking anyone who may have seen Cotter, had contact with him, or observed his vehicle after November 2^nd to come forward. Even information that may seem minor could be helpful to the investigation. Please call (541) 440-4471 and reference Douglas County Sheriff’s Office case #25-4113.

In addition to the agencies listed above, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has received investigative assistance from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.