State of Oregon v. Isaiah Gwin

Marion County Circuit Court Case # 25CR72482

Salem Man Sentenced for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

Salem, OR – September 11, 2026 – Earlier this week, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Courtland Geyer sentenced Isaiah Gwin (age 26) to 27 months in the Department of Corrections based on a guilty plea of four counts of Encouraging Child Sexual Abuse in the First Degree.

On October 30, 2025 after receiving CyberTips that the defendant had downloaded images and videos consisting of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), detectives from the Salem Police Department served a warrant to the home of the defendant at his NE Salem home. CyberTips revealed that Gwin had multiple downloads of dozens of images and videos containing CSAM.

In December 2025 a second search warrant was issued to secure additional evidence that included several videos, additional CSAM, and messages in which the defendant shared explicit images of himself with others.

“This type of behavior is unconscionable,” said DA-elect Brendan Murphy. “Our office is incredibly grateful for the collaborative work of law enforcement to help ensure a successful conviction.”

Deputy District Attorney Michael Kummerman represented the state in this case. The Marion County District Attorney’s Office wishes to thank the Special Victims Unit of the Salem Police Department, Oregon DOJ, and the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office for their incredible collaboration and thorough investigation.

###

Vancouver, Wash. – Clark County’s Composter Recycler program is hosting a series of free in-person workshops about composting and sustainable living strategies. In these sessions, participants learn how to shrink their environmental impact through hands-on composting, green cleaning, smarter recycling and preventing food waste. Many workshops feature hands-on activities. The series kicks off with three workshops in Camas/Washougal. Attendees can register for any number of workshops in the series.

• We Compost: Community Action for Zero Food Waste, 6-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at the Washougal United Methodist Church
• Zero Waste: Everyday Ways to Cut Household Trash, 4:30-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24 at the Camas Public Library
• DIY Eco-Friendly Cleaners: Create a Healthier Home, Save Money, 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at Waste Connections in Vancouver
• Low-Waste Chef: Reduce Food Waste, Save Money, 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Waste Connections in Vancouver
• Bokashi Composting: Ferment Food Scraps in a Soil Factory, 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Waste Connections in Vancouver
• Worm Bin Composting: Turn Scraps into Soil, 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Waste Connections in Vancouver
• Backyard Composting: Find a Compost System to Fit Your Yard, 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at Waste Connections in Vancouver
• Gardening with Compost: Feed Your Soil Naturally, 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Waste Connections in Vancouver
• Low-Waste Holiday: Save Money, Make Memories, 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Waste Connections in Vancouver

Detailed workshop descriptions are available on the website. Pre-registration is required for all workshops. Registration links are posted on the Composter Recycler website. Participants will receive a confirmation email after successful registration.

Recordings of previous workshops are also available on the Composter Recycler website.

The Composter Recycler program educates the community about easy ways to reduce waste, increase recycling and create healthier homes. For more information about the program, visit the website or email info@clarkcountycomposts.org. 

For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor. Residents can also visit clark.wa.gov/public-works to sign up for email notifications.

Go to clark.wa.gov/public-works/news to read this information in another language. Click the button in the top right of the page that says “Change language” next to a globe icon and choose your preferred language.

Vaya a clark.wa.gov/public-works/news para leer esta información en español. Haga clic en el botón en la parte superior a la derecha de la página que dice "Change language " junto al icono de globo terráqueo y elija su idioma preferido.

Чтобы прочитать эту информацию на русском языке, зайдите на сайт clark.wa.gov/public-works/news. Нажмите на кнопку Change language (“Изменить язык”) в правом верхнем углу страницы рядом с символом земного шара и выберите свой язык.

Перейдіть на сторінку clark.wa.gov/public-works/news, щоб прочитати цю інформацію українською. Натисніть кнопку Change language (Змінити мову) зі значком глобуса у верхньому правому куті сторінки та виберіть потрібну мову.

###

Salem, Ore. — The Oregon Cultural Trust – the state’s unique funding engine for arts, culture, heritage and humanities – will provide a record $4.5 million to more than 450 organizations across the state this fiscal year thanks to donations received by Oregonians.

A visionary idea founded by the Oregon Legislature 25 years ago, the Cultural Tax Credit allows Oregonians who donate to a qualifying cultural nonprofit to also claim a 100-percent matching tax credit by giving an equal amount to the Cultural Trust. This redirection by Oregonians for Oregonians provides stable, ongoing funding to strengthen culture in Oregon.

The $4.5 million in grants distributed this fiscal year (FY27) is possible thanks to the generosity of more than 10,000 Oregonians who gave to the Oregon Cultural Trust last year (FY26).

Distribution of funds is defined in Oregon statute ORS 359. Through this unique model, the only one of its kind in the nation, the Cultural Trust provides funding to five state cultural partners, 45 regional County and Tribal Cultural Coalitions and more than 450 cultural nonprofits and organizations each year.

“Oregon’s big idea of funding arts, heritage and humanities, established a generation ago, continues to sustain the core components of community vitality and resilience – and yet as we have received an increase in donations, so have the requests for support increased,” said Amy Lewin, Oregon’s director of arts and culture. “This unique funding model is becoming a critical resource for supporting learning, historic preservation and valued engagement for communities large and small and in every corner of the state.”

For this fiscal year, the $4.5 million is being distributed as follows:

Cultural Partners: $1,125,423

The Cultural Trust’s five core partners—Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Humanities, Oregon Historical Society and the State Historic Preservation Office—will receive a combined $1,125,423.

Cultural Coalitions: $1,125,423

Oregon’s County and Tribal Cultural Coalitions–comprised of volunteers in all of Oregon’s counties and Tribes who build community and strengthen local economies through cultural endeavors–will receive a combined $1,125,423. Funds are distributed to each Coalition in a per capita formula that equitably allocates resources across the state. Locally led Coalitions regrant these funds within their communities each year.

Cultural Development Grants: $2,250,846

In addition, the Trust will distribute $2,250,846 to 104 cultural nonprofits through the competitive Cultural Development Program. These grants go toward serving projects and programs across the state.

This year’s Cultural Development grant awards range from $5,000 to $40,000. Forty-nine percent of eligible applications were funded between 100 and 75 percent of their requested amounts.

Cultural Development Program awards fund nonprofit projects or programs that increase access to culture, invest in organizational capacity, support community creativity and/or provide cultural heritage and historic preservation. Applications were reviewed and scored by peer review panels.

Award recipients include:

Albina Music Trust, Portland: $40,000

To support the Albina Community Archive, the largest digital repository documenting the legacy of Black Oregonians with a focus on preserving the Albina community's arts and culture legacy. The Albina Community Archive is a shared cultural resource that currently features over 200 collections and 15,000 items including: photos, film, audio recordings, print materials, articles and oral histories. Funding from the Cultural Trust will directly support this preservation work serving Oregon's largest historically Black community.

Capital Community Media, Salem: $40,000

To support the creation of a new Spanish-language TV broadcast, featuring content specific to Salem. This project will include: Outreach and community engagement to better understand media needs for the Latiné community, grassroots media arts training for Spanish speakers in our community, creation of hyper-local Spanish-language video content, and distribution of content through a regularly scheduled cable TV block and available on-demand on YouTube, AppleTV, Hulu and CC:Media’s new mobile app.

Clatsop County Historical Society, Warrenton: $14,000

To support the expansion of the Clatsop County Historical Society (CCHS) Digital Scanning Center through the acquisition of large-format digitization equipment and video preservation technology that will recover, preserve and share important Oregon cultural heritage materials. This project will allow the Clatsop County Historical Society to digitize oversized historic maps, blueprints, architectural drawings and other fragile documents that currently exceed existing scanning capacity. It will also create an in-house video preservation workstation to convert archival VHS recordings and several hours of pioneer and community oral history interviews into accessible digital formats.

Dry Canyon Arts Association, Redmond: $31,000

To support Phase II of the Dry Canyon Arts Association’s Community Art Center. In December 2025, we completed and opened Phase I of the Art Center serving our community with galleries for displaying and selling their art as well as two classrooms. Phase II involves renovating an adjoining 1,500 square feet into more classroom space to be used for art instruction and workspace. Access to workspace and kilns in the community art center will enable artists to engage in their art, learn new techniques and collaborate with fellow artists.

Eastside Jewish Commons, Portland: $28,000

To support the production of the third annual Portland Jewish Music Festival, May 5-16, 2027, at the Eastside Jewish Commons in Portland. This sonic celebration of the international Jewish diaspora will feature upward of 40 outstanding local, national and international artists working in traditional and highly contemporary forms. The festival will include accessibly priced evening concerts, song circles, workshops and family-friendly events.

enTaiko, Portland: $38,000

To support UNDERGROUND PULSE: enTaiko’s Inclusive Performance Project. This project is a multidisciplinary performance, education and advocacy initiative that expands access to cultural performance in Oregon by removing barriers for deaf and hard of hearing, blind, disabled and non-disabled artists and audiences. The project features collaborations with Yumenko (deaf and hard of hearing Taiko ensemble), internationally recognized blind guitarist Hiroaki Tagawa, AXIS Dance Company and Portland-based Gathered DanceAbility to co-create multisensory performances integrating rhythm, movement and visual design.

Josephine Community Library Foundation, Grants Pass: $40,000

To support the creation of construction documents for a new Grants Pass library. The Josephine Community Library Foundation is moving forward toward a vibrant new downtown library. In 2023, the library foundation purchased a property in downtown Grants Pass and began working with ZCS Engineering & Architecture on concept design. Schematic design was conducted in 2025, and the new library is now in the design development phase. Groundbreaking for the new library is planned for 2028.

Lincoln City Cultural Center, Inc., Lincoln City: $16,000

To support the realignment of the Lincoln City Cultural Center's burgeoning youth programs in visual and performing arts under a new umbrella department, with a designated coordinator position providing administrative support for camps, classes, field trips and outreach. This strategic reorganization will increase the Center's capacity to deliver arts experiences for young people and provide support for partner organizations who seek to use our venue to do the same.

Nuu-da' Mv-ne', Eugene: $35,000

To support a staff position at a budding language revitalization center dedicated to supporting Native language teachers and materials for the speech community of Nuu-wee-ya’, an Indigenous language of Oregon. Founded in 2017, the organization has been steadily building capacity to bring together Nuu-wee-ya’ language teachers and linguists. This growth has culminated in the 2025 launch of the Nuu-wee-ya’ Grammar Coalition, which brings together language teachers, speakers and linguists across all dialects of the language to create impactful teaching and learning materials.

Portland Art Museum, Portland: $40,000

To support the planning, conservation activities and design of the Portland Art Museum’s new Native American permanent collections galleries, reimagined in collaboration with Native American artists, scholars and community members. The Native American collection galleries are in need of a major renovation and interpretive overhaul, including conservation and revised cataloging, to provide holistic caretaking to protect and present work from one of the Museum’s most popular collections.

Portland Gay Men's Chorus, Inc., Portland: $12,000

The funding provides support for Portland Gay Men’s Chorus’s Rural Harmony Tour, a multi-community cultural access initiative designed to bring affirming, high-quality choral music and storytelling to rural Oregon communities with limited access to 2SLGBTQ+ cultural programming. Portland Gay Men’s Chorus will travel to three rural Oregon communities, Prineville, Madras/Sisters and Klamath Falls, to present free or low-cost performances that combine live choral music, movement and personal storytelling centered on hope, belonging, resilience and acceptance.

SMART Reading, Portland: $10,000

To support access to culturally inclusive children’s literature and reading experiences for underserved Oregon communities by funding the purchase and distribution of diverse books in rural parts of Oregon. SMART Reading is a children’s literacy nonprofit that provides free, one-on-one reading sessions and books to over 20,000 children annually in Oregon’s highest-need schools and early learning sites, including Title 1 schools, Head Start programs and relief nurseries in rural and urban areas.

The Vanport Mosaic, Portland: $40,000

To support the launch of the Vanport Community Archive, a public digital home for the largest collection of oral histories, photographs and primary-source materials documenting Vanport, Oregon's second-largest city before the 1948 Columbia River flood erased it. Over the past decade, Vanport Mosaic has worked with survivors and descendants, most now in their 80s and 90s, to record nearly 200 oral history interviews and digitize family photographs, letters, scrapbooks and newspapers, building the largest primary-source collection on Vanport.

See a full list of County and Tribal Cultural Coalitions Award Allocations and Cultural Development Awards, alphabetically by region on the Cultural Trust website.

###

About the Oregon Cultural Trust

Created in 2001 by the Oregon Legislature, the Oregon Cultural Trust serves as an ongoing funding engine for arts, heritage and humanities. Funding comes through the Cultural Tax Credit, which empowers Oregonians to direct a portion of their state taxes to invest in culture across the state. A percentage of donations go directly to 45 county and Tribal Cultural Coalitions, partner organizations and cultural nonprofits, and a portion goes toward helping grow a permanent endowment. Nested within Business Oregon, the Cultural Trust helps support the economies, cultural resources, educational opportunities and vibrancy of communities throughout the state. Learn more at CulturalTrust.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

HILLSBORO, Ore- On September 4, 2026, a Washington County jury found Edwin Enrique Juarez, age 33, guilty of unlawful sexual penetration in the first degree and sexual abuse in the first degree. On September 9, 2026, Washington County Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Proctor sentenced the defendant to 25 years in prison. Deputy District Attorney Rayney Meisel prosecuted this case.

The minor victim told family members that the defendant, a friend of the child’s mother, had sexually abused her in her home. She also confided in friends, who later confirmed the accounts of abuse to law enforcement. The victim moved out of state and made additional disclosures to medical experts at a child advocacy center. Following the abuse, the victim struggled with depression and other mental health challenges. Tragically, she died by suicide in December 2025. She was 14 years old.

At the completion of the trial, law enforcement learned there may be additional victims. If you have any information about this person, please call the Hillsboro Police Department.

The Washington County District Attorney’s Office acknowledges the work of the Hillsboro Police Department, the Oregon Department of Human Services, and medical experts who assisted in this investigation. We further acknowledge the victim’s bravery in coming forward. The victim is survived by her mother, father, stepmother, and older sister, whose strength, cooperation, and unwavering commitment to justice made it possible to prosecute this case without her.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. These services are free and confidential.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or violence, help is available. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or contact your local police department.

PORTLAND, Oregon - The Oregon Casket Company Building in downtown Portland is among Oregon’s newest entries in the National Register of Historic Places. Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation (SACHP) recommended the nomination at its February 2026 meeting for the property’s significance as the best surviving example in Portland of a building associated with the historic casket industry. The National Park Service, which maintains the National Register, accepted the nomination in late August 2026.
 

Designed by the architectural firm of Whidden & Lewis and constructed in 1897, the Oregon Casket Company Building demonstrates the economic stature of the Oregon Casket Company at the turn of the 20th century. Construction of the building also coincided with a nationwide economic recovery and the building exemplifies the importance of Portland at that time as a base for the distribution of goods across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

From 1897 to 1925, the Oregon Casket Company Building served as company headquarters and regional distribution center. In this era, timber from the West Coast was prized for its durability, making Portland an ideal location for a company that soon became the one of the largest dealers of undertaker supplies and manufacturer of caskets in the western United States.
 

Architecturally, the five-story Oregon Casket Company Building still retains the character defining features that convey its historic function as a turn-of-the-century warehouse and distribution center. The exterior of the heavy-timber structure features rough-aggregate stucco cladding and decorative brickwork, along with original wood sash windows and loading doors. The building’s interior reflects its original use for warehousing and light manufacturing, with heavy timber posts and beams, brick walls, and wood flooring. While the ground floor storefronts were remodeled in 1954, the building’s upper stories still mostly reflect their original appearance. Today, the Oregon Casket Company Building retains a high degree of integrity and it continues to convey its historic function as an important warehouse and distribution center.
 

The National Register of Historic Places

The National Register of Historic Places is maintained by the National Park Service under the authority of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. Properties listed in the National Register are:

• Recognized as significant to the nation, state, or community;
• Considered in the planning of federal or federally assisted projects;
• Eligible for certain federal and state tax benefits;
• Qualified for historic preservation grants when funds are available;
• Eligible for leniency in meeting certain building code requirements;
• Subject to local laws pertaining to the conservation and protection of historic resources.

State law in Oregon requires local governments to offer a minimal level of protection for properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places; decisions about how to accomplish that goal reside with local governments, which also have the authority to create and regulate local historic districts and landmarks.

Interested in learning more about the National Register of Historic Places? Visit the National Register program webpage at https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/pages/national-register.aspx to explore listed properties, review eligibility criteria and the nomination timeline, access research tools, and—if you are curious whether your property might qualify—submit a Historic Resource Record (HRR) form to receive preliminary feedback from State Historic Preservation Office staff.

###

The Parkrose Board of Education of School District No. 3, Multnomah County, Oregon, will convene in an Executive Session and Board Business Meeting on Monday, September 14, 2026 at the Parkrose School District Office located at 10636 NE Prescott Street, Portland, Oregon at the hour of 6:30pm.

Guests and members of the public may attend in-person or virtually. 

Virtual Link - Please click this URL to join: https://zoom.us/j/94961285856 or join by phone: 1-253-215-8782 Webinar ID: 949-6128-5856

We encourage and welcome all members of our community to engage with our board. Please email questions@parkrose.k12.or.us or call 503.408.2100 to arrange for translation services at least 72 hours before this meeting. Closed captioning provided on zoom. Other appropriate auxiliary aids and services may be provided upon request and appropriate advance notice.

The agenda is posted on our website at: LINK.

Agenda items include but are not limited to: National Hispanic Heritage Month recognition, swearing in of Student Representatives, public meeting training, conferences and professional development, liaison sign up, NAYA visit, safeschools training, capital bond, legislative advocacy, finalize board goals, board agreements and contract approvals. 

Executive Session topics: Conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to carry on labor negotiations ORS 192.660(2)(d). 

Electronic/Virtual Public Comment Protocol - If you wish to submit a public comment before, or during this Board Meeting please fill out this electronic public comment form before "Public Comments" on the agenda: https://forms.gle/5sUjRZjxJikqmqVg9. If you don’t submit your comment in time we will read it at the next board meeting.

In-Person Public Comment Protocol - Upon arrival at the meeting, please fill out an Intent-to-Speak card and hand it to the Board Assistant prior to "In-person Public Comment" on the agenda. You will have a 3 minute time limit.

Board Meeting Video Recordings - For those of you who cannot attend we will post a recording of the meeting on our website at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXajhxrPxMclOQ6J00JUszQ.

Questions welcomed, please email: questions@parkrose.k12.or.us or leave a voice message at 503-408-2114.

Portland, Ore., September 10, 2026 – SOLVE’s annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup is bringing volunteers together across Oregon and Southwest Washington from September 18–27, with nearly 100 volunteer opportunities to clean up and care for local beaches, waterways, parks and community spaces.

In the Willamette Valley and surrounding Cascade communities, Beach & Riverside Cleanup will give volunteers opportunities to care for waterways, public lands, parks and trails. From preventing litter from reaching Salem’s waterways to cleaning lakes in the Breitenbush Cascades and restoring trails for mountain bikers, local projects offer a range of ways to get involved this September.

Featured Beach & Riverside Cleanup Events in the Willamette Valley & Central Oregon

Clean Streams National Cleanup Day Event
Salem | September 19, 10 am–12 pm
The City of Salem’s Clean Streams Team will bring volunteers together at Cascades Gateway Park to remove litter before it can flow into Walter Wirth Lake and Mill Creek. The cleanup is part of National Cleanup Day and SOLVE’s annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup.

Disciples of Dirt Mountain Biking Trail Maintenance – Teaching the Basics
September 19, 9 am–12 pm
Disciples of Dirt will teach volunteers the fundamentals of mountain biking trail maintenance before putting those skills into practice through hands-on drainage and tread improvements. Participants can bring their bikes and ride the trails after the volunteer project.

Downtown Bend & Cascade Lakes Highway Cleanup
Bend | September 23, 4 pm –7 pm
Volunteers will help clean up along the trail system from the Bend spillway toward the Cascade Lakes Highway, removing litter from an area connecting Bend’s waterways and surrounding communities.

Public Lands Day Weekend – Breitenbush
Breitenbush | September 26, 9:30 am–4:30 pm
Volunteers will help clean Elk, Dunlap and Short Lakes as part of the Friends of the Breitenbush Cascades’ Adopt-A-River and Love-Your-Lakes initiatives. SOLVE registrants can also take advantage of free camping at Cleator Bend Group Campground for the weekend.

McMinnville Park Cleanup Party
McMinnville | September 27, 10 am–12 pm
Volunteers of all ages will gather at Kiwanis/Joe Dancer Park to pick up litter and remove invasive species. The first 50 volunteers to arrive will receive a free McMinnville T-shirt, with support from local community and watershed partners.

Upper Clackamas River Cleanup
Upper Clackamas River | September 26, 9 am–12 pm
For its third annual cleanup, volunteers will help remove trash from dispersed campsites and other areas along the Wild and Scenic Upper Clackamas River. The cleanup will be followed by a community picnic from noon to 1 pm.

How to Get Involved

• Volunteer: Browse local Beach & Riverside Cleanup events and register yourself or a group at volunteer.solve.org/beach-riverside
• Bring your community: Invite friends, family, coworkers or neighbors to take part in a local cleanup or restoration project.

SOLVE’s 2026 Beach & Riverside Cleanup is proudly supported by Clean Water Services, Kaiser Permanente, Knife River, Keep America Beautiful, Metro, National Recreation and Park Association, Oregon State Park & Recreation, Owens Corning, Portco Packaging, Tillamook, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., and KOIN.

For more information or to register, visit solve.org/beach-riverside

About SOLVE 

SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solve.org for more information or follow SOLVEPNW on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn.

On September 3, 2026, 61-year-old Felimon Zaragoza-Herrera was arrested on 11 counts of sexual abuse in the 1st degree. 

Zaragoza-Herrera was a foster parent in the Hillsboro area for many years, and investigators believe there may be additional victims who have yet to come forward. 

If you or someone you know was a foster child who lived with Zaragoza-Herrera and have information, please contact the Hillsboro Police Department at 503-629-0111 and reference case #26-16789. 

We want to thank the survivors for their bravery in bringing these crimes to the attention of law enforcement.

Hockinson School District Board of Directors Work Session

Date: Monday September 14, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m.

Location: via Zoom

Portland, Ore., September 10, 2026 – SOLVE’s annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup is bringing volunteers together across Oregon and Southwest Washington from September 18–27, with nearly 100 volunteer opportunities to clean up and care for local beaches, waterways, parks and community spaces.

In Southwest Washington, Beach & Riverside Cleanup events will connect community action with clean waterways, healthy habitats and care for some of Vancouver’s most-loved public spaces. From Waterfront Park and the Renaissance Trail to historic Covington House and Ellsworth Springs West, volunteers can take part in cleanup and restoration projects throughout the region.

Featured Beach & Riverside Cleanup Events in Vancouver & Southwest Washington

Migratory Bird Celebration
Vancouver | September 19, 10 am – 1 pm
Vancouver Audubon and the City of Vancouver’s Water Resources Education Center are teaming up for the third annual Migratory Bird Celebration. This free, family-friendly event will feature games, crafts and bird outings while highlighting the importance of clean water, native plants, insects and healthy habitats for migrating birds.

Clean & Green: Waterfront Park Cleanup
Vancouver | September 19, 10 am – 12 pm
SOLVE’s Clean & Green Series will bring volunteers together at Waterfront Park, downtown Vancouver and the Renaissance Trail to remove litter and care for community spaces. Volunteers will meet at the waterfront across from Evoke Winery before dispersing into the surrounding area for the cleanup.

Esther Short Cleanup with SOLVE – Give More 24!
Vancouver | September 24, 10 am – 12 pm
SOLVE will partner with Give More 24! for a community litter cleanup beginning at Esther Short Park. Volunteers can give back to the community while taking part in Southwest Washington’s annual day of giving.

National Public Lands Day – Ivy Removal at the Historic Covington House
Vancouver | September 24, 9 am – 12 pm
The City of Vancouver, Vancouver’s NatureSpaces program, and the Clark County Historical Museum are bringing volunteers together to remove invasive ivy around the historic Covington House. Built in 1848, the site is the oldest Euro-American structure in Washington and a significant part of Vancouver’s history.

Ellsworth Springs West – Natural Area Ivy Removal
Vancouver | September 26, 10 am – 12 pm
Volunteers will work together to remove harmful ivy from trees at Ellsworth Springs West, helping protect native trees, wildlife habitat and biodiversity in the natural area.

Cleanup at Operation Understanding – Couve Collective
Vancouver | September 26, 11 am–12 pm
SOLVE and Couve Collective will kick off the organization’s Operation Understanding block party with a community litter cleanup. Volunteers are invited to stick around afterward for food, live music and local vendors through 5 pm.

How to Get Involved

• Volunteer: Browse local Beach & Riverside Cleanup events and register yourself or a group at volunteer.solve.org/beach-riverside
• Bring your community: Invite friends, family, coworkers or neighbors to take part in a local cleanup or restoration project.

SOLVE’s 2026 Beach & Riverside Cleanup is proudly supported by Clean Water Services, Kaiser Permanente, Knife River, Keep America Beautiful, Metro, National Recreation and Park Association, Oregon State Park & Recreation, Owens Corning, Portco Packaging, Tillamook, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., and KOIN.

For more information or to register, visit solve.org/beach-riverside

About SOLVE 

SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solve.org for more information or follow SOLVEPNW on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn. 

SALEM, Ore. — The Committee for Family Forestlands (CFF) will meet virtually on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To join virtually, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda. 

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Forest Resources Division update
• Coalition of Oregon Land Trusts
• Carbon markets and small forestland owners
• Seed Bank overview
• Board of Forestry update
• Review Committee for Family Forestlands charter

The meeting is open to the public to attend online via Teams. 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 503-949-4785 or by email at .family.forestlands@odf.oregon.gov">committee.for.family.forestlands@odf.oregon.gov.

The 13-member committee researches policies that affect family forests, natural resources and forestry benefits. Based on its findings, the committee recommends actions to the Oregon Board of Forestry and the State Forester. View more information on the CFF webpage.

Portland, Ore., September 10, 2026 – SOLVE’s annual Beach & Riverside Cleanup is bringing volunteers together along the Oregon Coast and across Oregon and Southwest Washington from September 18–27. Coastal communities in six Oregon counties will have opportunities to clean up beaches and coastal areas, with the majority of coastal events taking place on International Coastal Cleanup Day, September 19.

International Coastal Cleanup Day brings communities around the world together to remove litter and marine debris from coastlines and waterways. By taking part locally, Oregon volunteers can help protect the beaches, waterways and coastal communities they know and love.

Featured Beach & Riverside Cleanup Events on the Oregon Coast:

Mile MeetUp, Paddle, & Clean Up at the Salmon River
Otis | September 19, 9 am–1 pm
Join River Sea Ranger Ken Sund and Oregon Shores for a paddle on the Salmon River followed by a guided walk and cleanup along the Salmon River South Spit. The family-friendly event is part of Oregon Shores’ Coast Watch Adopt-a-Mile Program and is open to participants with their own kayaks or other watercraft.

Wreck of the Peter Iredale Beach Cleanup
Warrenton | September 19, 10 am–12 pm
SOLVE, Fort George Brewery and Oregon Shores are teaming up for a community cleanup at Peter Iredale Beach in Fort Stevens State Park. Volunteers will remove consumer waste, marine debris and micro-trash along one of the coast’s most recognizable stretches of shoreline.

Sand Lake Beach & Riverside Cleanup
Pacific City | September 19, 10 am – 1 pm
Volunteers of all ages are invited to join this family-friendly cleanup at Sand Lake, helping remove litter from the beach and surrounding area.

Netarts/Oceanside Fall Beach Cleanup
Netarts | September 19, 12 pm – 2 pm
Friends of Netarts Bay WEBS and Oceanside Action Partnership are bringing the community together for a fall beach cleanup, with volunteers able to start at either The Schooner Restaurant or the upper parking lot at Oceanside Beach.

Beach Cleanup at Horsefall OHV Staging Area
North Bend | September 19, 10 am–1 pm
Willamette Valley Wheelers, in partnership with PNW4WDA Region 6, will bring off-road enthusiasts, families and community members together to remove litter and marine debris from Horsfall Beach Road and surrounding recreation areas.

Clean Up Sitka Sedge State Natural Area
Cloverdale | September 21, 10 am –1 pm
Volunteers will clean trails and sandy beaches within the Snowy Plover Management Area at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area. With nesting season ending just before the event, the cleanup offers an opportunity to remove marine debris that has accumulated throughout the spring and summer while helping protect habitat for wildlife.

National Public Lands Day at Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Newport | September 26, 9 am – 3 pm
Celebrate National Public Lands Day with the Yaquina Head team through a variety of volunteer projects, including a beach cleanup, invasive plant removal and garden maintenance. The event will also celebrate the Bureau of Land Management’s 80th birthday with local partners and community activities.

National Public Lands Day Siltcoos Beach Cleanup for Snowy Plovers
Florence | September 26, 10 am – 12 pm
The U.S. Forest Service and SOLVE are teaming up for a beach cleanup at Siltcoos Beach Day Use Area, a critical nesting area for western snowy plovers. Volunteers will learn about the threatened shorebirds before heading onto the beach to remove litter and marine debris.

Paws for Nature – Gold Beach
Gold Beach | September 26, 11 am – 1 pm
This community-focused cleanup combines a beach walk and dog-friendly cleanup. Volunteers can bring their pups, help remove litter along the coast or simply enjoy a day outdoors while supporting cleaner habitat for people, pets and wildlife.

Experience the Elk
Elk River | September 26, 9 am – 2 pm
The Curry Soil and Water Conservation District invites volunteers to bike along the Elk River from the Elk River Salmon Hatchery to Butler Bar Campground while picking up litter along the way. Participants can bring their own bike or reserve an e-bike, then return to the hatchery for a free lunch and community celebration.

How to Get Involved

• Volunteer: Browse local Beach & Riverside Cleanup events and register yourself or a group at volunteer.solve.org/beach-riverside
• Bring your community: Invite friends, family, coworkers or neighbors to take part in a local cleanup or restoration project.

SOLVE’s 2026 Beach & Riverside Cleanup is proudly supported by Clean Water Services, Kaiser Permanente, Knife River, Keep America Beautiful, Metro, National Recreation and Park Association, Oregon State Park & Recreation, Owens Corning, Portco Packaging, Tillamook, Harper Houf Peterson Righellis Inc., and KOIN.

For more information or to register, visit solve.org/beach-riverside

About SOLVE 

SOLVE brings communities together to take care of our environment and enhance our waterways. Since 1969, the organization has grown from a small, grassroots initiative to a national model of volunteer action. Today, SOLVE mobilizes and trains thousands of volunteers of all ages across Oregon, and SW Washington, to clean and restore our neighborhoods and natural areas, while empowering a community of environmental stewards for our state. Visit solve.org for more information or follow SOLVEPNW on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn.

September 10, 2026

Media contact: Erica Heartquist, PHD.Communications@oha.oregon.gov

Recreational use advisory downgraded to a precaution for Agency Lake

Pet owners should continue to keep their pets away from areas that appear to have a bloom

PORTLAND, Ore.—Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has downgraded the recreational use health advisory to a precaution for Agency Lake in Klamath County.

OHA issued the advisory July 1.

Water monitoring has confirmed that the level of cyanotoxins in Agency Lake are below recreational guideline values for people. However, levels detected are still above OHA’s educational guideline values for dogs, and owners should keep their pets away from areas with blooms.

OHA advises recreational visitors to continually be alert to signs of cyanobacteria blooms. This is because blooms can develop and disappear on any water body at any time when bloom conditions are favorable. Only a fraction of water bodies in Oregon are monitored for blooms and toxins, so it’s important for people to become familiar with the signs of a bloom, and exposure routes and symptoms by visiting OHA’s Cyanobacteria (Harmful Algae) Blooms website at http://www.healthoregon.org/hab.

When recreating, people, and especially small children, and pets should avoid areas where the water is foamy, scummy, thick like paint, pea-green or blue-green, or if thick brownish-red mats are visible or bright green clumps are suspended in the water. If you see these signs, avoid activities such as swimming or motorized or non-motorized boating activities that cause you to swallow water or inhale droplets, and keep pets out of the area.

Cyanotoxins can still exist in clear water. When a bloom dies, toxins released may reach into clear water around the bloom. Blooms can be pushed into other areas, leaving toxins behind. There also are species of cyanobacteria that anchor themselves at the bottom of a water body, live in the sediment, or can grow on aquatic plants and release toxins into clear water.

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

###

CASE: 26CR19882                                                                           September 10, 2026

Portland, OR- John Benjamin Newsom, 50 years old, was convicted today of 4 counts of Burglary in the First Degree and 2 counts of Burglary in the Second Degree. Judge Bryan Francesconi sentenced Newsom to 50 months prison.

The convictions follow a string of burglaries that began in November of 2025. 

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Alex Garcia, head of the Multnomah County Burglary Task Force, prosecuted the case for the State.

After the plea and sentencing he said: “This sentence sends a clear message. People who break into buildings will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Enough is enough.”
 

The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Burglary Task Force, Portland Police Officer Katrina Ensley, and the Portland Police Bureau for excellent investigative work on this case.

THE FACTS:

The case involved 7 incidents of burglary at 4 separate buildings. All incidents were caught on video surveillance.

On November 18, 2025, Newsom broke into 38 Davis, an apartment building located at 38 NW Davis Street. Newsom scaled the building to reach a second story fire escape and then climbed up to the fourth floor, where he broke into an office. Newsom stole a number of items from that office before breaking into the building’s bicycle storage room. Newsom rode away on a bicycle that he stole from that bicycle storage room.

On January 14, 2026 and March 31, 2026, Newsom broke into Alder 9, an apartment building located at 715 SE 9th Avenue. Newsom used a crow bar to gain entry and stole items from a locked maintenance room that were reported to be worth over $1,000.

On February 9 and February 10, 2026, Newsom broke into Park Place, a condominium building located at 922 NW 11th Avenue. Newsom used a crowbar on each date to gain entry, causing damage to Park Place. Newsom broke into a locked bicycle storage room on each date to steal multiple bicycles that were reported to be worth over $1,000.

On March 11, 2026 and March 18, 2026, Newsom broke into The Pinnacle, a condominium building located at 1255 NW 9th Avenue. Newsom used a crow bar to gain entry on each date, causing damage to The Pinnacle. Newsom stole several packages from the building’s mail room. Newsom additionally stole multiple bicycles from the building’s garage.

The Burglary Task Force investigated the case. Using video surveillance from each incident, the Burglary Task Force identified Newsom.

                                                    ###MCDA###

Gresham, Ore.— Police are investigating after a child was fatally struck by a vehicle in Gresham.  Officers responded to a residential parking lot in the 17700 block of E Burnside St just after 11:30 this morning.  A vehicle was entering the parking lot when it collided with a young child.  Medical responders were unable to revive the child, and they were pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The Vehicular Crimes Team is investigating the crash.  The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation. Speed and impairment are not believed to have contributed to the crash.  Officers are investigating how the layout of the parking lot and surrounding obstructions may have contributed to the crash. 

The westbound lanes of E Burnside St are closed between NE 176^th Ave and NE 181^st Ave and will likely remain closed for several hours.  NE Glisan St and SE Stark St are available alternate routes for westbound traffic. 

BURNS, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management’s plans to rescue horses on Riddle Mountain have been postponed due to a temporary restraining order related to ongoing litigation. After a record dry winter and a fire season that consumed 70% of the herd management area, the herd’s health is under immediate threat from severe food and water shortages.

“It’s our responsibility to manage and protect these herds,” said Don Rotell, Burns District Manager.  “When fire and severe drought shrinks water sources and reduces forage, it’s the horses and other plants and animals that pay a price.”

“We want healthy horses on healthy rangelands,” Rotell continued. “Unfortunately, the practical implication of this delay is that it may not be possible to round up these horses before late fall storms make roads in the area impassable.”

The rescue operation was planned to start September 9. The BLM will provide any additional updates online.

Rescuing these horses from the range was also part of the BLM’s post-fire emergency stabilization and rehabilitation plan for the land. When a severe wildfire burns hot enough to destroy vegetation and alter soil structure, recovery doesn't happen on its own. Without quick action, winter storms can wash away topsoil, invasive weeds can take hold, and damage can last for decades. Resting the land ensures it can continue to provide habitat for the herd, other wildlife and support additional land uses. During this rest period, cattle will not be grazing on these lands, allowing the rangeland to recover without added pressure to its limited forage and water resources.  

Public safety and animal welfare remain top priorities. The Wild Horse and Burro Program is committed to the humane and sustainable management of wild horse populations and their habitats. These drive-trap gather operations are guided by the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program, which sets handling standards that prioritize the care and well-being of the animals. Through collaborative efforts, the BLM’s Wild Horse and Burro Program seeks to maintain healthy herds on healthy rangelands now and for future generations.

VIDEO: BLM video of the herd traveling through the scorched rangeland is available here.

-BLM-

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

APPLICANT REVIEW COMMITTEE

MEETING SCHEDULED

The Applicant Review Committee of the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training will hold a regular meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training located at 4190 Aumsville Hwy SE, Salem, Oregon. For further information, please contact Juan Lopez (503) 551-3167.

To view the Applicant Review Committee's live-stream and other recorded videos, please visit DPSST’s official YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/@DPSST.

Agenda Items:

1. Introductions

2. Approve August 26, 2026, Meeting Minutes

3. Isaac Andres, DPSST No. 67221; DOC/Deer Ridge Correctional Institution

    Presented by Victor Sanchez

4. Inquiry Closure Memos – Information Only

    Presented by Victor Sanchez

5. Next Applicant Review Committee Meeting – October 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.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 Applicant Review 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.

DPSST provides reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access for people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. To request a sign language interpreter, translation services, or other accommodations, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or at nandez@dpsst.oregon.gov">juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov, at least 48 hours before the meeting.

DPSST proporciona acomodaciones rasonables para asegurar el acceso igual para personas con descapacidades y para personas con competencia limitada de inglés. Para pedir un interprete de lengua de señas, servicios de traducción, u otras acomodaciones, por favor de contactar a Juan Lopez marcando al (503) 551-3167, o a nandez@dpsst.oregon.gov">juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov, al menos de 48 horas antes de la reunión.

CLACKAMAS, Ore. (Sept. 10, 2026) ~ Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center will celebrate its annual NICU Reunion on Sunday, Sept. 13, bringing together hundreds of former NICU patients, their families and the healthcare professionals who cared for them. This year’s dinosaur-themed event, “Little Dinosaurs, Great Big Roar,” is a heartwarming celebration of strength, resilience and the incredible journeys of the hospital’s NICU graduates.

Media are invited from 1:30-2:30 p.m. to see families, friends and healthcare workers gathered to reconnect and celebrate the growth and milestones of children who received care in the Sunnyside NICU. The reunion typically draws 400 to 700 people each year and gives former patients and their families an opportunity to reconnect with the nurses and doctors who supported them during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.

NICU parents Hannah and Jesse Lear-Konold and their 6-month-old son, Jude, will join the celebration this year to reconnect with the nurses and doctors who cared for Jude during his two-week NICU stay. Hannah’s journey to motherhood was anything but easy. At 19 weeks pregnant, she went into early labor and was in danger of losing Jude. Doctors performed emergency surgery and placed a cerclage, allowing the pregnancy to continue. Hannah ultimately went into labor again at 35 weeks and gave birth to Jude on March 11, 2026. Although his birth went beautifully, Jude later had difficulty feeding and was evaluated by the Kaiser Permanente care team, who determined he needed to spend time in the NICU until he could safely feed on his own.

As first-time parents, Hannah and her husband, Jesse, were frightened when they learned their newborn would need intensive care. But Hannah said the NICU team immediately made them feel supported and reassured.

“Jude is truly our miracle baby, and we are so incredibly grateful for the Kaiser Permanente team,” Hannah said. “From the doctors who helped us when we thought we might lose him to the nurses who loved and cared for him in the NICU, we felt like we were home. We owe the NICU team the world, and they will forever be in our hearts.”

Hannah and Jesse spent their days and nights with Jude during his two weeks in the NICU. Today, Jude is thriving and already showing his adventurous personality. He loves music, being held and camping with his parents, who took him on his first camping trip as a newborn. The family says Jude has already become quite the traveler, enjoying weekend getaways and even airplane rides.

“Jude loves adventure, and we joke that he decided to join the world early because he was eager to start having fun with us,” Hannah said. “We can't imagine our lives without him.”

Interviews Available:

Media are invited to attend the NICU Reunion celebration from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13, in the courtyard outside the Labor & Delivery department at Kaiser Permanente Sunnyside Medical Center, 10180 S.E. Sunnyside Road, Clackamas. Interviews will be available near the entrance to the courtyard. Contact en.a.vitt@kp.org">Karen Vitt to RSVP or for additional information.

• Julie Metcalf, DNP, NNP-BC, RN, a NICU nurse and invaluable member of the Sunnyside NICU team, will be available to discuss the reunion, the care provided to NICU babies and families, and the importance of supporting families throughout their NICU journeys.
   
• Hannah and Jesse Lear-Konold and their 6-month-old son, Jude, will be available to share their family's NICU journey, including Jude’s premature birth at 35 weeks, his two-week NICU stay and the care and support they received from the Sunnyside NICU team.

Visuals/Activities at the 2026 NICU Reunion include:

• Dinosaur-themed activities and giveaways, including a dinosaur egg hunt
• Baby goats and bunnies for children to interact with
• Lucy the Lab, Kaiser Permanente's friendly volunteer registered therapy dog
• Clackamas Fire with a fire truck, as available, and fire safety information
• AMR Ambulance and children’s safety activities
• PANDA neonatal transport team, as available; the Pediatric and Neonatal Doernbecher Transport team provides ICU-level care for critically ill and injured children during transport
• Northwest Mothers Milk Bank
• Local library partners and free books for children
• Little Goldfish Swim School
• Trauma Nurses Talk Tough
• Burn safety education
• Arts and crafts, games and prizes
• Story time, sidewalk chalk and temporary tattoos
• Popcorn and other treats
• Photo booth
• Raffle prizes and giveaways, including a drawing for a handmade scarf, four OMSI tickets and several stuffed toys
• Opportunities for former NICU families to reconnect with the nurses, doctors and caregivers who helped care for their children

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.9 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

School is back in session, and you may be seeing more traffic, students walking or biking, and busses on the road. Drivers have a responsibility to stop for school buses displaying red flashing lights. Because buses are large vehicles, it is very difficult to see around them. The outcome of illegally passing a school bus can be devastating for children and drivers.

Law enforcement agencies receive reports each year from bus drivers and community members about motorists failing to stop for school buses. With nearly 6,000 school buses operating in the State of Oregon, motorists need to be alert.

When a bus is flashing amber lights, motorists should prepare to stop. When the red lights begin to flash, motorists traveling in both directions must stop before reaching the bus and must remain stopped until the red lights are turned off. The same rules apply to church or work buses equipped with amber and red flashing lights. Be aware when following any type of bus, it may make frequent stops.

Oregon law requires motorists to stop whenever the red lights on a school bus are flashing, regardless of the direction they are traveling. The law applies to any roadway with two or more lanes of traffic, including multi-lane highways such as Highway 101. The only exception to the law is for divided highways with two roads separated by an unpaved median strip or barrier, such as in the Lincoln and Gleneden Beach areas. In this case, only drivers on the same side of the road as the bus must stop. A painted median strip or a center lane used only for left turns does not create two separate lanes. Where this situation exists, all lanes of traffic must stop.

By staying alert and following traffic laws, you reduce the risk of traffic crashes and pedestrian injuries in our community. Please do your part to make our roads safe.

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

###

PORTLAND, Ore.—Hugo Alberto Roman Aparicio, 42, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for a gun trafficking conspiracy. Roman Aparicio will be removed from the United States after he completes his prison sentence. All guns were seized and forfeited.

According to court documents, Roman Aparicio and others, conspired to smuggle guns from Portland to Mexico. They hid 12 firearms in the spare tire compartment of a car, that Roman Aparicio obtained, to secretly transport the guns into Mexico.

Roman Aparicio, and others, arranged for the guns to be left with a co-conspirator in California, who was to complete the trip and smuggle the guns into Mexico. Investigators believe the guns were destined for cartels. The group was trying to impress a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization (DTO) with the hope of receiving illegal drugs to sell in Oregon.

With the assistance of the California Highway Patrol, DEA task force officers located and stopped the courier in California before the guns could be transferred. The courier’s vehicle was searched, and law enforcement officers found the firearms hidden in the spare tire area.

On November 26, 2024, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 2-count superseding indictment charging Roman Aparicio with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to traffic firearms.

On May 22, 2026, Roman Aparicio pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic in firearms.

U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon made the announcement.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Tigard Police Department, Sherwood Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul T. Maloney and James Kilcup.

This case is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF Portland comprises agents and officers from FBI, HSI, DEA, USMS, IRS-CI, ATF, USPIS, CBP, TSA, U.S. Coast Guard, Oregon Air, Army National Guard Counterdrug program, and Oregon-Idaho HIDTA with prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon

# # #

Bend Fire & Rescue has launched a new online tool that makes it easier for residents to request free wildfire risk home assessments and access personalized mitigation recommendations, supporting efforts to make Bend a more fire-adapted community.

The new tool streamlines the assessment process by allowing residents to request appointments online through Fire Aside, Bend Fire's wildfire assessment and data management platform. Through the system, residents can request an assessment, access assessment reports, document completed mitigation projects and view progress over time.

A wildfire risk home assessment is designed to help homeowners identify actions that can reduce wildfire risk around their properties. During the approximately one-hour visit, a trained assessor walks the property with the resident, discusses vulnerabilities and provides recommendations related to defensible space and home hardening.

"The launch of this tool is an important step in helping residents take action to reduce wildfire risk around their homes," Deputy Fire Marshal Melissa Steele said. "These assessments provide practical recommendations that can help homeowners improve their property's resilience to wildfire while supporting Bend Fire's community wildfire preparedness efforts."

After completing an assessment, residents can create a secure Fire Aside profile to access personalized recommendations and wildfire preparedness resources. The platform also allows homeowners to upload photos of completed mitigation work, creating a record of actions taken to reduce wildfire risk.

Information gathered through assessments will help Bend Fire better understand common wildfire preparedness needs across the community and inform future outreach, education and resource planning efforts.

Residents can request a free wildfire risk home assessment at bendoregon.gov/own-your-zone. Once a request is submitted, Bend Fire staff will contact the requestor to schedule an appointment.

About Bend Fire & Rescue

Bend Fire & Rescue provides fire protection, emergency medical services, community risk reduction programs and wildfire preparedness education to over 144,000 residents throughout the Bend community and surrounding rural area of Deschutes Rural Fire Protection District #2. Bend Fire's Own Your Zone program helps residents prepare their homes and neighborhoods for wildfire while supporting long-term community resilience.

Accommodation Information for People with Disabilities & Language Assistance Services

You can obtain this information in alternate formats such as Braille, electronic format, etc. Free language assistance services are also available. Please email ility@bendoregon.gov">accessibility@bendoregon.gov or call 541-693-2198. Relay Users Dial 7-1-1. All requests are subject to vendor processing times and should be submitted 48-72 hours in advance of events.

Servicios de asistencia lingüística e información sobre alojamiento para personas con discapacidad

Puede obtener esta información en formatos alternativos como Braille, formato electrónico, etc. También disponemos de servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Póngase en contacto en correo electrónico ility@bendoregon.gov">accessibility@bendoregon.gov o número de teléfono 541-693-2198. Los usuarios del servicio de retransmisión deben marcar el 7-1-1. Por favor, envíe sus solicitudes con 48-72 horas de antelación al evento; todas las solicitudes están sujetas a los tiempos de procesamiento del proveedor.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Council for the Homeless Launches Campaign to Fund First-Ever Vehicle:

“Help Put Hope on the Road” aims to raise $45,000 during Give More 24!

VANCOUVER, Wash. (Sept. 9, 2026) — Council for the Homeless (CFTH) announced today a fundraising campaign to obtain its first-ever program vehicle. This is an essential resource that will strengthen coordinated outreach efforts across Clark County and reduce some barriers for neighbors experiencing homelessness.

This Give More24! Help put hope on the road.

Since 1989, CFTH has been serving Clark County and is the leading agency for the Homeless Response System. From emergency shelter, rental assistance, coordinated entry and outreach, CFTH connects families, seniors, veterans, and youth to the support they need with about four dozen community partners.

“Providing a people-centered, equity-driven, and collaborative approach to housing solutions is important to our mission prevent and end homelessness,” says CFTH CEO Sesany Fennie-Jones. “Having the ability to purchase a program vehicle will support our day-to-day efforts to serve our participants, distribute supplies, and advocate for change at the state level.”

CFTH staff walk alongside people throughout each milestone, offering trust, resources, and consistent support. Yet, transportation remains one of the greatest obstacles. For our neighbors living on street and working toward housing, missing even one appointment—for housing assessment, support services, job interview, etc.—can set their journey home back weeks, even months.

One Ride Can Make All the Difference:

• A ride to a housing appointment or to replace identification
• Efficient distribution of supplies to partnering agencies
• More effective response during extreme weather

A dedicated program vehicle will transform how the agency delivers compassionate, effective support throughout the county. During extreme weather, conditions are dangerous for folks living outside and a vehicle will support efforts to distribute life-saving supplies.

Reliable transportation will allow the team to meet people exactly where they are, distribute essential supplies, respond swiftly during extreme weather, and expand outreach into areas that have been difficult to reach consistently. The van will serve as a visible, welcoming sign that help—and hope—are on the way.

The goal is clear: Raise $45,000 to purchase the organization’s first program vehicle and put HOPE on the road.

To support Council for the Homeless with a donation now through Sept. 24, visit their website: councilforthehomeless.org, or campaign page at: https://www.givemore24.org/organization/CouncilForTheHomeless.

Generous matching gifts double the impact of each donation!

###

About Council for the Homeless: Council for the Homeless (CFTH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness in Clark County, Wash., by providing community leadership, compelling advocacy, and practical solutions to solve homelessness on an individual and community level. Founded in 1989, CFTH serves as the lead agency and coordinated entry for the delivery of homeless services through the Continuum of Care for Homeless Services in Clark County, Wash.

On Friday, September 4, 2026, at about 2:45 a.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies were conducting a Labor Day weekend DUII enforcement mission when a deputy saw two vehicles heading west on Highway 26 near SW Murray Blvd., at a high rate of speed.

The deputy caught up with the two vehicles and noticed the driver of a white Audi attempting to flag him down to direct his attention towards a black Mercedes. The driver of the Mercedes sped away, and the deputy stopped to speak with the Audi driver. The deputy learned they were chasing the Mercedes that had just been stolen outside a bar in Portland with their friend still inside the vehicle.

Deputies responding to highway 26 located the Mercedes, still at speeds over 100 mph, heading east towards Portland and began pursuing. The pursuit continued through Portland and out towards Scappoose on Highway 30, before the Mercedes ran out of gas. Deputies detained the driver and found the passenger inside uninjured. The passenger said she tried to call for help, but the driver grabbed her phone and continued speeding away.

The driver, 27-year-old Tyrone Thompson of Gresham, was arrested and taken to the Washington County Jail for the following:

• Kidnapping in the second degree
• Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
• Possession of a stolen vehicle
• Attempting to elude
• Reckless driving
• Reckless endangering
• Criminal mischief

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111 and reference case number 50-26-12522.

During the Labor Day traffic safety mission, deputies made 448 traffic stops for violations and found eight impaired drivers. Thank you to all the drivers who planned ahead and made responsible choices. 

Vancouver, Wash. – On September 8, 2026, Vancouver Police were notified that homicide suspect Maai E. Hinton had surrendered to police in Tacoma Washington and was currently in the Pierce County Jail. Hinton was wanted for the homicide of Guerlin Caetano, who was shot in Vancouver on April 18, 2026, while sitting in his vehicle in a parking lot in the 11800 block of SE Mill Plain Blvd.

Hinton was transported from Pierce County to Clark County by detectives from the Vancouver Police Department and was booked into the Clark County jail for Murder in the second degree, Firearm Possession, and a fugitive warrant.

Nothing additional is being released at this time.

###

MONROE, Ore. – Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies took a 42-year-old man into custody Wednesday morning following an armed barricade incident that prompted nearby evacuations, a shelter-in-place notification, and school lockouts.

At approximately 7:30 a.m., deputies responded to the 700 block of Commercial Street in Monroe after receiving a 9-1-1 call from a resident who reported that James Nathan Brown, of Halsey, had fired a gun inside a home and barricaded himself inside with the caller.

The uninjured family member was able to safely escape the residence a short time later.

As a precaution, dispatch notified Monroe Elementary School and Monroe High School. Both schools entered lockout status, typically meaning exterior doors were secured and access was restricted while normal activities continued inside. Deputies also evacuated residents within approximately one block of the residence while they worked to safely resolve the incident.

Deputies attempted to talk to Brown; he would not engage in conversation with them. Distractionary tactics were used in attempts to engage in conversation, but again, Brown refused to engage in any communication. Eventually, Brown exited the home, but did not comply with directions from the deputies so less lethal devices were used to take Brown into custody at 11:00 a.m.

Lockouts and evacuations were lifted at approximately 11:15 a.m.

Medics transported Brown to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis for evaluation of minor injuries.

Brown was taken into custody on Linn and Lane County felony warrants and charged in Benton County with Criminal Mischief II, Menacing, Disorderly Conduct II and Recklessly Endangering Another.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Corvallis Police Department, Corvallis Regional Communications Center, Corvallis Fire Department, Monroe Fire, and Benton County Mental Health for their assistance during the incident.

###

The Willamette Water Supply System Commission Special Board meeting will be held Friday September 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM.

Location: This meeting will be held virtually and not at a physical location. To attend remotely, please use the meeting link provided in the agenda. For any questions, contact us at wwss@tvwd.org or call 971-222-5957.

The meeting is accessible to people with disabilities and those who need qualified bilingual interpreters. Please contact WWSS@tvwd.org or call 971-222-5957 to request an interpreter for the hearing impaired, a bilingual interpreter, or for other accommodations should be made at least 24 hours prior to the meeting.

The Board meeting agenda and additional information regarding the Willamette Water Supply Systems are available on the WWSS Commission website: 

https://www.tvwd.org/willamette-water-supply-system-commission/page/willamette-water-supply-system-commission

EXECUTIVE SESSION:  At the beginning of the regular board meeting, an executive session of the Board is called under ORS 192.660 (2)(e) to conduct deliberations with persons designated by the governing body to negotiate real property transactions, under ORS 192.660(2)(f) to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection and ORS 192.660(2)(h) to consult with counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed.

SALEM, Ore. — Alzheimer’s Network of Oregon (AlzNet) is accepting applications for four grants of up to $500 each for people living with dementia and unpaid caregivers. Applications are due October 30, 2026.

Two Make a Memory Grants and two Caregiver Grants will be awarded. Recipients will be announced in late November 2026.

The Make a Memory Grants are available to Willamette Valley residents diagnosed with a dementia-related illness. The grants can help families or caregivers pay for a meaningful experience, such as a trip to the coast or a visit to a place that holds special significance for the individual.
 

AlzNet also will award two $500 Caregiver Grants to recognize unpaid caregivers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication while caring for a loved one. Anyone may nominate an eligible caregiver.
 

“Family caregivers provide vital care while often sacrificing their own time to support the people they love,” said AlzNet President Kathy Belcher. “Through the Caregiver Grants, we want to recognize their dedication and provide meaningful support.”
 

AlzNet has supported families and caregivers since 2003 through resources, events and programs, including the Memory Café, a monthly social gathering for people with memory loss and their caregivers.

Its signature monthly event, Memory Café, meets on the third Friday of each month at Center 50+ in Salem and on the third Monday of each month at St. Edward Catholic Church in Keizer. The gatherings offer themed activities and opportunities to connect with others who share similar experiences.
 

Applications for the Make a Memory and Caregiver Grants must be received by 5 p.m. October 30, 2026. Applications may be submitted online at AlzNet.org/grant or mailed to P.O. Box 13725, Salem, OR 97309. Mailed applications must be postmarked by October 30. Recipients will be announced in late November.
 

For more information about the grants or Memory Cafés, visit AlzNet.org, call 971-720-1652 or email ycafesalem@gmail.com">memorycafesalem@gmail.com.
 

About Alzheimer’s Network of Oregon: Alzheimer’s Network of Oregon (AlzNet) supports people living with dementia and their caregivers through resources, programs and opportunities for connection. AlzNet hosts monthly Memory Cafés for people with memory loss and their caregivers. The Salem Memory Café meets on the third Friday of each month at Center 50+, and the Keizer Memory Café meets on the third Monday of each month at St. Edward Catholic Church.

CASE: 24CR33252 September 4, 2026

Portland, OR- Moyasar Osman Mohamed-Ahmed, 31-years old, was sentenced to 22 years prison on September 3, 2026.

The defendant pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree, and Unlawful Use of a Weapon- With a Firearm.

Senior Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Brian Davidson prosecuted the case for the state.

After the plea and sentencing he said: “This sort of violence has no place in our community. Our office will aggressively prosecute those who hurt others. We are also sending out the message that crime in and around the TriMet system will not be tolerated.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Portland Police Bureau Detective Billy Winters for his excellent work on this case.

We would also like to highlight the work of the MCDA Victim Advocates who gave comfort and care to the victims affected by this case.

The Facts:

On June 27, 2024 Sean Smeeden was at the Max train platform at North Interstate Avenue and Prescott Street. Sometime around 8:30pm he encountered Moyasar Osman Mohamed-Ahmed. The two argued and Mohamed-Ahmed pulled out a gun but did not fire it. The two separated but later Mohamed-Ahmed returned, pulled out the gun again and shot the victim, Sean Smeeden who died at the scene.

The incident was captured by TriMet Security cameras.

                                                                                   ###MCDA###

Salem – On average, Oregon employers will pay 92 cents per $100 of payroll for workers’ compensation coverage in 2027 under a proposal the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) announced today. The rate would be the second lowest on record.

The pure premium rate would increase by an average 2.1 percent under the proposal. Pure premium is the base rate insurers use to determine how much employers must pay for medical costs and lost wages. Despite the increase, the pure premium per $100 of payroll will have declined by 36.5 percent from 2018 to 2027.

The increase to the average pure premium rate would contribute to an increase in the average cost of workers’ compensation coverage, from 89 cents per $100 of payroll in 2026 to 92 cents per $100 of payroll in 2027. This figure is referred to as loaded pure premium and includes pure premium, insurer profit and expense factors, and assessments paid by employers.

The rise in Oregon’s average pure premium rate is due to benefits for workers injured on the job being increased through Senate Bill 1519 (2026), which modified weekly lost-time wage compensation benefits for workers with disabling claims. The bill is intended to elevate benefits for lower wage earners who are injured on the job. Under current law, temporary total disability benefits are paid at 66 2/3 percent of the state average weekly wage (SAWW). Effective Jan. 1, 2027, the weekly compensation rate for wages up to 75 percent of the average weekly wage will increase to 75 percent, while the compensation rate for wages more than 75 percent of the SAWW will decrease to 65 percent.

Long-term declines in lost-time claim frequency continue to help offset upward pressure on system costs from higher medical and indemnity claim severity seen across the country, as well as benefit increases such as those made by Senate Bill 1519, according to the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI). NCCI is the U.S. rate-setting organization whose recommendation DCBS reviews as part of its annual public process to decide rates.

The 2.1 percent increase in the pure premium is an average, so an individual employer may see a larger or smaller increase, no change, or even a decrease, depending on the employer’s industry. Also, an employer’s premium is affected by factors other than changes in pure premium rates, such as the employer’s payroll, modifications based on its claim experience, and its insurer’s profit and expense factor.

The increase in the pure premium will be effective Jan. 1, 2027, but employers will see the changes when they renew their policies for 2027.

Employers’ total cost for workers’ compensation insurance also includes a premium assessment. In addition, employers pay at least half of the Workers’ Benefit Fund (WBF) component and the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) Expense Fund component, which are cents-per-hour-worked rates.

The premium assessment, which is a percentage of the workers’ compensation insurance premium employers pay, is added to the pure premium. It would remain at 9.8 percent in 2027, the same as 2026, under the DCBS proposal. In fact, 2027 would mark the sixth-straight year the premium assessment remained at 9.8 percent.

The premium assessment funds the successful programs of Oregon’s workers’ compensation system, including the Workers’ Compensation Division; Oregon OSHA; the Workers’ Compensation Board, which resolves disputes over the state’s workers’ compensation and workplace safety laws; the Ombuds Office for Oregon Workers, an independent advocate for workers on workers’ compensation and workplace safety and health; and the Office of the Small Business Ombudsman for Workers’ Compensation, an independent advocate for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and the professional advisers who serve them.

Meanwhile, the WBF assessment funds return-to-work programs, provides increased benefits over time for workers who are permanently and totally disabled, and gives benefits to families of workers who die from workplace injuries or diseases.

The fund’s revenue comes from a cents-per-hour-worked assessment. The assessment would increase to 2.2 cents per hour worked in 2027. It would be the fourth-lowest rate since the inception of the cents-per-hour assessment in 1996.

New for 2027 is the establishment of the BOLI Expenses Fund (BEF) component, created by House Bill 4027 (2026). DCBS is collecting that component to help fund BOLI. In 2027, DCBS will collect 0.2 cents per hour worked for the fund.

The addition of the BEF component combined with the WBF component results in a total assessment of 2.4 cents per hour worked.

Oregon’s workers’ compensation premium rates have ranked favorably compared to other states for many years. Oregon had the nation’s 14th least expensive rates in 2024, according to a nationally recognized biennial study conducted by DCBS.

The public hearings for the premium assessment and the WBF assessment are Thursday, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.

Written testimony will be accepted through 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, by the Director's Office of DCBS, P.O. Box 14480, Salem, OR 97309-0405.

The DCBS website has a table showing the workers’ compensation cost summary for 2027 and more information about Oregon workers’ compensation costs.

The loaded pure premium includes insurer costs, known as expense loading factors. Historic figures are adjusted to reflect the 2026 mix of employment and payroll.

###

About Oregon DCBS: The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon’s largest consumer protection and business regulatory agency. The department administers state laws and rules to protect consumers and workers in the areas of workers’ compensation, occupational safety and health, financial services, insurance, and building codes. Visit dcbs.oregon.gov.

Boat ramp and lake waters temporarily closed: Friday, Sept. 18, 3–5 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 19, 9 a.m.–noon.

ASTORIA, OR — The Oregon State University Rowing Team will host a special event at Cullaby Lake County Park on September 18–19, 2026.

The boat ramp and the waters of Cullaby Lake will be closed for the event Friday from 3–5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.–noon.

The event is free for the public to view from the park, which will remain open for picnicking and other activities. A $5 day-use parking fee applies for County Park entry.

Members of the public interested in learning to row can participate Saturday morning.

For more information, visit clatsopcounty.gov.

###

The Multnomah Education Service District Board Finance Committee will meet at 1:00 p.m. on September 10, 2026. 
This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom.

https://multnomahesd-org.zoom.us/j/84427848490?pwd=hA7ubpHPs5F1Z6Y3gQAYXbVvOM1HKk.1
Passcode:168089

On 9-6-2026 just before midnight LCPD Officers responded to the area of SE Drift Creek Road and SE Hemlock Drive to assist the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation of a stolen vehicle.  Officers learned a male suspect, later identified as Joseph Mealler, 37-years-old, of Marion County Oregon, had stolen a vehicle from a nearby quarry, then fled the area on foot when LCSO Deputies attempted to contact him.

LCPD deployed officers to the area to assist in maintaining a perimeter and deployed an unmanned aerial system (UAS).  They also worked with LCSO and the Yamhill County Sheriff’s K9 Unit to conduct a foot search of the area.  Officers and Deputies were unable to locate Mealler in the area that night.

On 9-8-2026 at approximately 12:00pm LCPD Officers located Mealler in the area of Safeway (4101 NW Logan Road).  He was detained and held until LCSO Deputies arrived and took custody of him.

LCSO Deputies arrested Mealler and lodged him at the Lincoln County Jail for charges of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Mischief in the 1^st Degree, Failure to Perform Duties of a Driver when Property is Damaged, Theft in the 1^st Degree, and two counts of Burglary in the 2^nd Degree.  Mealler was also arrested for a Marion County Warrant charging Criminal Mischief in the 2^nd Degree.

LCPD enjoys a close working relationship with our county partners.  Small and rural communities are served best by agencies that are able to pool their resources for investigations like this.

SALEM –  The Oregon Heritage Commission has released an update to the statewide Oregon Heritage Plan.
 

The statewide Oregon Heritage Plan is a call to action for heritage preservation efforts across the state to unite around common goals. The Oregon Heritage Commission invites individuals and organizations to discuss the goals and strategies in this Plan, consider how they align with organization missions and priorities, and join the Commission in this work.

The structure of the plan includes:

• 5 focus areas that guided its development and will serve as a lens for carrying out the goals and strategies:
  • Tribal engagement and relationship building
  • Healthy and thriving communities
  • Collaborations and partnerships
  • Ethical practices and accountability
  • Future thinking
• 4 goals that identify long-term desired outcomes for heritage efforts across the state:
  • Engage More Voices - Engage excluded and marginalized voices to expand the narrative of history told and preserved in Oregon.
  • Increase Access to Heritage - Increase access to heritage resources for the communities you serve.
  • Build Heritage Networks - Work together at all levels to advocate for sustainable funding and to increase awareness of the value of heritage.
  • Develop Healthy Organizations - Apply practices and standards in sustainable, scalable, and ethical ways to increase organizational health.
• Strategies for each goal that lay out a path forward for Oregon Heritage, state agencies and service organizations, and heritage organizations to achieve the goals.

“The Heritage Commission encourages the heritage preservation community, locally, regionally, and statewide, to consider this plan as a tool to help them in their work,” says Heritage Commission Coordinator, Katie Henry. “Each step forward will result in more stories told, more people served, and more sustainable heritage organizations.”

Oregon’s heritage preservation community is any individual, organization, or entity that understands the value of and works towards documenting, preserving, and sharing Oregon’s heritage resources. These resources include places, buildings, structures, archeological sites, archives, collections, traditional beliefs and practices, culturally significant natural resources, and much more. Those engaged in this work include but are not limited to Tribal, federal, state, and local governments; local landmark commissions; museums; archives; libraries; historical societies; educational institutions; advocacy groups; Oregon Main Street organizations; building, design, finance, and real estate professionals; and any other individuals and organizations engaged in this work.

Oregon Heritage conducted engagement with the public, heritage organizations, and other key parties to inform the Plan from August to November 2025. Engagement activities included a public survey, discussion groups, and a questionnaire for heritage groups. The 2024 Oregon Heritage Vitality Study also provided critical information to help inform the update to the Oregon Heritage Plan.

Access the Oregon Heritage Plan online at oregonheritage.org in English and Spanish. Printed copies can be requested by emailing itage.info@oprd.oregon.gov">heritage.info@oprd.oregon.gov or calling 503-877-8834.

About the Oregon Heritage Commission (OHC)
The Heritage Commission’s nine Governor appointed members represent a diversity of cultural, geographic, and institutional interests. The Commission’s nine advisory members include representatives from the Oregon State Library, Oregon State Archives, State Historical Records Advisory Board, Higher Education Coordinating Committee, Travel Oregon, Oregon Historical Society, Department of Education, State Historic Preservation Office, and the Department of Land Conservation and Development.

The Commission is the primary agency for coordination of heritage activities in the state. This includes carrying out the Oregon Heritage Plan, increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication among interest groups, developing plans for coordination among agencies and organizations, encouraging tourism related to heritage resources, and coordinating statewide anniversary commemorations and other designations.

The Oregon Heritage Commission is one of four state commissions and committees under Oregon Heritage, a division of Oregon Parks and Recreation Department that includes the State Historic Preservation Office.

More information about the Oregon Heritage Commission and Oregon Heritage programs is available online at www.oregonheritage.org and from Commission Coordinator, Katie Henry, at 503-877-8834 or katie.henry@oprd.oregon.gov. 

# # #

On 9/8/26 at approximately 8:58 a.m., Clark County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a report of a vehicle-pedestrian collision at the intersection of NE 137th Avenue and NE 99th Street.

A white 2012 Ford F-150 pickup truck was traveling eastbound on NE 99th Street when the driver turned right onto NE 137th Avenue. The F-150 struck a 55-year-old female pedestrian who was crossing NE 137th Avenue in the crosswalk. The pedestrian was walking a dog at the time of the collision.

The pedestrian sustained serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital by AMR. The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit is investigating the collision. Impairment may have been a factor. The driver was released pending the results of toxicology results and completion of the investigation.

The dog was not injured and was reunited with its family. Portions of the roadway were closed during the investigation. All lanes are now open.

VANCOUVER, Wash. — September 8, 2026 — At approximately 11:13 a.m., Vancouver Fire responded to a commercial structure fire at Cedar Creek Cannabis, located at 5717 NE 121st Ave.

Vancouver Fire personnel, along with frontline personnel and apparatus from Clark County Fire District 3 responding on the second alarm, arrived to find a working fire with smoke showing from the building. A total of 43 VFD personnel responded to the incident.

Firefighters established two separate water supplies and initiated an interior attack from three sides of the building. Fire control was quickly obtained, with the fire brought under control within approximately 20 minutes of crews arriving on scene. Firefighters worked quickly and effectively to locate the source of the fire and extinguish it.

Commercial structure fires present significant challenges and hazards for firefighters due to building construction, unusual or complex layouts, high-powered electrical and mechanical equipment, and the potential presence of chemicals, gases, and other hazardous materials.

Cedar Creek Cannabis owner Mark Michaelson expressed the impact the fire will have on his business.

“This is devastating for our small business, especially in such a saturated market.”

No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

Vancouver Fire would like to thank the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) for providing traffic control, American Medical Response (AMR) for providing medical standby, and Clark County Fire District 3 for providing additional emergency response resources.Emergency incidents are always a team effort, and Vancouver Fire is proud of the unified partnerships we have with our neighboring agencies. The coordinated response between agencies helps ensure the safety of our community and our firefighters.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jason Fellman | canbyharefest@gmail.com |503-515-2687

PORTLAND, Ore.—Two men have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, have been charged by criminal complaint in Portland, Oregon.

According to court documents, beginning in February 2022, Love and Chan created fictitious investments to defraud numerous women in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. Love met most of the women on the Internet through dating apps. Chan falsely posed as Love’s financial adviser to further gain their victims’ trust and demonstrate the validity of the investments.  Love and Chan solicited money from the women through lies and misrepresentations. The scheme lasted until the day of Love and Chan’s arrests on August 24, 2026.

The scheme relied on Love’s creation of fictitious personas and display of a lavish lifestyle which Love presented to victims both in person and on social media websites. Love falsely portrayed himself as legitimately wealthy, often as an NFL player for the San Francisco 49ers or as a wealthy real estate investor. 

Love convinced many of the victims they were in sincere romantic relationships with Love, that he was a sophisticated investor, and that Chan was his investment adviser who helped Love grow a fortune worth tens of millions of dollars. Love had romantic relationships with many of the victims and told them he wanted to build wealth and a future together. Love advertised nonexistent investment vehicles and claimed these investments would generate massive returns for both him and his victims.

Love also used phone applications to create fictitious bank and investment accounts and balances which Love showed victims to legitimize the scheme.

Love and Chan also exchanged investment-related electronic communications in which Chan pretended to be Love’s investment adviser. Chan sent Love messages purportedly encouraging Love to invest in new opportunities. Love then sent screenshots of those messages to numerous victims to further convince them to send money to either Love or Chan. Chan and Love also hosted three-way FaceTime calls in which they showed victims falsified investment gains and encouraged victims to part with their money. Victims sent Love and Chan money due to their belief that their money would be invested in legitimate investment vehicles on the victims’ behalf. Some victims also loaned Love large amounts of money, if victims did not have cash to invest, Love sometimes instructed them to take out personal loans in both scenarios Love assured the victims that they would quickly be repaid.

Once victims had no more money to invest, or if they asked too many questions, Love blocked communication with them, but kept their money. Of the victims identified and interviewed, none reported receiving any proceeds, returns on their principal, or investment account information, after sending Love and Chan money. Financial records show Love and Chan received about $1.3 million from victim investors. 26 victims have been identified; the FBI believes there are many more victims.

Arrest warrants and a criminal complaint alleging conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud and were issued for both Love and Chan on August 17, 2026, in the District of Oregon. The FBI’s investigation revealed that on August 24, 2026, Chan flew from California to meet Love in Boise, Idaho. The FBI and other law enforcement apprehended both Love and Chan at the Boise Airport. Investigators learned that Love was in Idaho to meet new victims. Investigators learned that from July 15 through August 24, 2026, Love traveled to New Mexico, California, Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Idaho.

Love has used several names including Jon Love, Daejon Love, Avril Lyto Love, and Jordan Love to perpetuate the scheme.

The FBI encourages anyone having information on Daejon Love or Taylor Chan to contact the FBI at https://tips.fbi.gov/ or to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Both Love and Chan are in federal custody in Boise, Idaho, and will have their first court appearance on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

This case was investigated by The Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bryan Chinwuba and Chris Cardani for the District of Oregon.

A criminal complaint is only an accusation of a crime, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.

# # #

PORTLAND, Ore.—A Washington State man pleaded guilty today to sex trafficking.

Dajohntae Rayshawnlee Richard, 26, pleaded guilty to two counts of sex trafficking by fraud, force, and coercion, announced U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford for the District of Oregon.

According to court documents, in May of 2025, Richard messaged a girl, age 15, on Facebook. Richard met with and had sex with the minor victim. Richard then drove her to a place in the State of Washington where he instructed her to solicit men seeking sex for money. Richard kept all the money that men paid for the sex acts with the minor victim. The victim reported that there were occasions when Richard hit and choked the minor victim if she did not do as Richard instructed. The victim was afraid that Richard would injure or kill her. On one occasion, he struck her in the face and choked her, causing a visible injury. This trafficking and abuse continued for about two months, and Richard transported her to various locations in Washington and Oregon to find customers.

In June of 2025, in the Seattle, Washington, area, Richard approached a second 15-year-old girl and told her she worked for him. Within days, Richard began threatening the child, controlling her use of her cellphone and forcing her to engage in sex with men for money, which Richard kept. The child victim feared for her life, so she complied with Richard’s demands. Richard drove the child victim to various locations to make money for him. This trafficking continued for about a month.

On June 28, 2025, the defendant transported both these minor victims and an adult woman to Portland, Oregon. Richard rented a hotel room and instructed the girls and woman to walk on 82nd Avenue for the purpose of finding customers with whom to engage in sexual acts.

On August 25, 2025, Richard made his initial appearance in federal court in Portland and was detained.

On August 12, 2025, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a 4-count indictment charging Richard with 2-counts of sex trafficking by fraud, force, and coercion and 2-counts of sex trafficking of a child.

Richard faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, a fine of $ 250,000 or twice the gross pecuniary gains or losses resulting from the offense if such amount is determined to exceed $250,000, 5 years of supervised release, and a $100 fee assessment. Richard will also be required to register as a sex offender. He will be sentenced on December 7, 2026, before a U.S. district court judge.

As part of the plea agreement, Richard has agreed to pay restitution in full to the victims.

This case was investigated by the FBI. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kate Rochat and Eliza Carmen Rodriguez are prosecuting the case.

If you or someone you know are victims of human trafficking or have information about a potential human trafficking situation, please call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) at 1-888-373-7888 or text 233733. NHTRC is a national, toll-free hotline, with specialists available to answer calls from anywhere in the country, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also submit a tip on the NHTRC website.

This case was brought in collaboration with Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

Anyone who has information about the physical or online exploitation of children are encouraged to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.

# # #

Salem, Ore. — Salem teens and young adults wanting to lead climate initiatives benefiting the community are encouraged to apply for a grant during the open call for proposals through Sept. 30. Awards will range from $1,000 - $5,000 for projects that will occur between November 2026 and April 2027.

Salem is one of 300 communities from 34 countries selected to be part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund. The fund provides support to residents aged 15-24 at the time of submission who live or attend a school within Salem city limits to design and complete projects aligned with the City’s climate action goals. Bloomberg Philanthropies has pledged $50,000 for Salem to award to successful applicants in the form of micro-grants.

“We are honored to be part of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ efforts to make lasting improvements in communities around the world,” Julie Hoy, Salem City mayor, said. “The Youth Climate Action Fund will encourage young people to get involved in their local government and in finding climate solutions.”

In addition to funding, Bloomberg Philanthropies will help selected projects with staff to support young residents in their efforts.

“Our city is taking action to respond to climate change through our Climate Action Plan,” Krishna Namburi, Salem City manager, said. “I’m excited to see youth bring their ideas, energy, and creativity to this work and join our efforts toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and carbon neutrality.”

To find more information or to apply for a grant, visit salemor.gov/youth-climate-fund.

Media Invite and 9/11Ceremony Information

PF&R to Honor Memory of Those Lost on the 25^th anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks.

• Friday September 11, 2026
• 0659 and 0728 at all Portland Fire & Rescue Stations – a moment of silence
• 10AM Ceremony – Waterfront Park across from Portland Fire & Rescue Station 1 – 55 SW Ash St.
• Red Cross Blood Drive 8AM – 2PM – PFR Station 1 – 55 SW Ash St.
• 9/11 Memorial Soccer Match – Providence Park – Gates at 6PM with Kickoff at 7PM

Portland Fire & Rescue will honor the memory of those lost on the 25^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with moments of silence at PF&R stations city-wide, along with a ceremony to share in the remembrance of this significant event that affected the lives of many across our nation and the world.

To mark the falling of each tower of the World Trade Center, where 343 members of the FDNY lost their lives along with countless civilians, each Portland Fire Station will bring their fire apparatus out onto the aprons of the stations and stand at attention to honor those lost twenty-five years ago with a moment of silence. At 6:59 AM PST and 7:28 AM PST, the times, respectively, when the South and North Towers collapsed. We share this information as this is the time many are commuting along our roadways and will see these moments of silence occurring as they take place.

At 10 AM, Portland Fire & Rescue would like to invite the media, and all interested community members to attend a solemn remembrance ceremony to be held in Waterfront Park across the street from Portland Fire & Rescue Station 1 – located at 55 SW Ash St. The ceremony will include speakers from Portland Fire & Rescue along with the Portland Firefighters Association IAFF – Local 43, and the Mayor’s Office. The ceremony will include the PF&R-PFFA Pipes and Drums Band, the PF&R Honor Guard, and a fire boat water display in the Willamette River adjacent to the ceremony.

In addition to the ceremonial events above, Portland Fire & Rescue will be hosting a blood drive at Station 1 for the twelfth year in a row. The blood drive begins at 8 AM and runs until 2 PM. Walk in blood donors are welcome but to ensure your time is well spent, online registration is available at www.RedCrossBlood.org – be certain to use the sponsor code PortlandFire when registering.

Lastly, Portland Fire will play in the 9/11 Memorial Soccer Match against Portland Police at Providence Park on Friday evening. Gates open at 6PM with kickoff scheduled for 7PM. Entry into the facility is a toy to benefit the PF&R Toy n Joy Makers or a few cans of non-perishable food to benefit PPB’s Sunshine Pantry Division. GO FIRE!

UPDATE: The victim in Friday’s homicide has been identified as Savannah Gideon, age 32, from Portland. The suspect in this case, Christopher Fisher, age 42, is also from Portland. 

Based on initial information, investigators do not believe this was a random shooting. 

Ms. Gideon’s family has been notified of her death, and they are asking for privacy from the media.

If you saw or heard anything Friday evening that may be relevant to the investigation and you have not already given a statement to police, please email tips@tigard-or.gov. 

###

KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. (8 September 2026) – On Saturday, September 5, 2026, at approximately 8:50 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 97 near milepost 200 in Klamath County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a black Honda two-door sedan, operated Elias Keyin Sorenson (21) of Eugene, was traveling northbound on Highway 97 when, for unknown reasons, it crossed into the southbound lane and collided head-on with a white Volvo semi-truck hauling a 53-foot trailer. The Volvo was operated by Jose Luis Sotelo-Monge (64) of Tulare, CA.

The operator of the Honda (Sorenson) was pronounced deceased at the scene. 

The operator of the Volvo (Sotelo-Monge) sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. 

Highway 97 was impacted for approximately five hours during the on-scene investigation. 

OSP was assisted by Chemult Rural Fire Protection District, Crescent Fire District, and Oregon Department of Transportation.     

# # #

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.

Gresham, Ore.— The suspect in a Gresham homicide has been arrested.  On September 7^th, Portland Police Bureau officers assigned to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Transit Police conducted a traffic stop in east Portland. They identified one of the occupants of the vehicle as 28-year-old Marcell Trotter. 

Trotter was wanted for the murder of 25-year-old D’Angelo Adams.  Adams was killed June 29^th, 2026, at the Rockwood Village Apartments, 783 SE 185^th Ave in Gresham.  The East County Major Crimes Team is leading the investigation.  Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Detective Hibbs at isaac.hibbs@greshamoregon.gov or Detective Pick at justin.pick@greshamoregon.gov. 

The Gresham Police Department would like to thank our partners with the Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.  

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9. An Executive Session is scheduled immediately following the board meeting. The meeting will be held in the Tillamook Room, Building C, at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters, located at 2600 State St. in Salem. The meeting is open to the public and will also be livestreamed on the department’s YouTube channel. 

The board’s business agenda includes:

• Fire season update
• Agency Request Budget 2027-29
• Western Oregon State Forests Management Plan Performance Measures

The full agenda is available on the board’s webpage.

The Executive Session will be closed to the public, except for members of the press who are permitted to attend by law. This Executive Session is held pursuant to ORS 192.660 (2)(f) to consider information or records that are exempt by law from public inspection as well as pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(h) to consult with legal counsel concerning the legal rights and duties of a public body with regard to current litigation or litigation likely to be filed.

Signing up for live testimony is required. Instructions are available online. Written testimony will also be accepted. Written comments can be submitted before or up to two weeks after the meeting day by mail to the Board Support Office, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310 or email to oardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov. Please include the appropriate agenda item and topic with the submission.

Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-302-6344 or by email at oardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov" target="_blank">boardofforestry@odf.oregon.gov. 

The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include 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. Learn more about the board.

Case: 24CR59385                                                                                                             September 3, 2026

Portland, OR - Eric Douglas Alexander, 43-years-old, will spend 20 years and 10 months in prison for starting a fire that did significant damage at a Portland area home, in an attempt to kill a family they believed was connected to an ex-girlfriend.

The father discovered the fire in the early morning hours and got his family out safely.

Alexander pleaded guilty to the following charges on March 3, 2026, and the court accepted guilty pleas for all 19 counts:

Five counts of Attempted Murder in the Second Degree;

Four counts of Arson in the First Degree;

Criminal Mischief in the First Degree;

Two counts of Stalking;

Two counts of Telephonic Harassment;

Menacing Constituting Domestic Violence;

Four counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person.

Multnomah County Deputy District Attorney Mackenzie Ludwig prosecuted the case for the state.

After the sentencing on September 3, 2026 by Multnomah County Circuit Court Judge Eric Dahlin, Ludwig said:

“This case is unlike any other case encountered by this office. The Court was presented with a plethora of complex legal and factual information. After significant briefing, testimony of experts, and impact statements, the Court imposed a just sentence in weighing the gravity of the months’ long conduct and the severity of Mx. Alexander’s mental health.”

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Officer Huntley Miller, and Lt. Jason Andersen, for their dedication and tremendous work on this case. Also, thanks to and Amber Kinney, an attorney who represented the victims and was helpful during the case. Additionally, MCDA would like to say thank you to the wonderful victims who continue to be incredibly resilient despite all the trauma they’ve endured.

The Facts:

Information provided during sentencing showed Defendant, Eric Alexander lived in California and had an extensive history of mental illness over the last two decades. The domestic victim told police she previously dated Alexander for a year and half and that they’d broken up in July of 2024.The victim moved to Oregon in July and learned in late September of 2024 that Alexander followed her to Portland. She said they met up twice but then she made it clear that she did not want any further contact from Alexander.

Alexander began posting videos on social media and sending her messages with graphic threats on how they would kill her and others. During a state of psychosis, Alexander believed that the intended victim was connected to a Portland area family and began sending threatening emails to the family, targeting the woman and children of the home.

Just after midnight on November 7, 2024, Alexander threw an incendiary device at the house which landed on the front porch of the family’s home and set the house on fire.

Investigators tracked Alexander down at Unity Hospital where they had voluntarily admitted themself for a mental health emergency and Alexander quickly confessed to the officers.

                                                              ###MCDA###

HARNEY COUNTY, Ore. (8 September 2026) – On Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 4:00 p.m., Oregon State Police responded to a two-vehicle fatal crash on Highway 78 near milepost 36 in Harney County.

The preliminary investigation indicated a yellow Kawasaki Teryx (UTV), operated by Rae Jean Marie Neumann (71) of Burns, was traveling southbound along the shoulder when it attempted to cut across the highway to enter a driveway. A southbound silver Mercedes E350, operated by Timothy John Dudzik (86) of Carefree, Arizona, was unable to avoid the UTV and struck it on the driver’s side before leaving the roadway on the northbound shoulder. The operator of the UTV was thrown from the vehicle.

The operator of the UTV (Neumann) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator of the Mercedes (Dudzik) was reportedly not injured.

The highway was impacted for approximately 30 minutes during the on-scene investigation.

OSP was assisted by the Harney County Sheriff’s Office, Burns Police Department, and Harney District Hospital Emergency Medical Services.

# # #

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.

September 8, 2026

Media Contact: Amber Shoebridge, 503-931-9586, er.shoebridge@oha.oregon.gov" rel="noopener" target="_blank">amber.shoebridge@oha.oregon.gov

New facility expands secure inpatient behavioral health care capacity for Oregon youth by a third

EUGENE, Ore. -Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has partnered with Nexus Family Healing to open a new 12-bed secure inpatient treatment facility in Eugene, significantly increasing Oregon’s capacity to serve youth who need care.

The facility expands Oregon’s capacity of secure inpatient program (SIP) beds for youth by roughly one third. The 12 new beds build the state’s total SIP beds for youth to 44, adding to the 20 beds in Corvallis, for youth 10-17, and the 12 beds in Portland, for youth 5-11.  

Youth who need this setting will have had treatment at lower levels of care and need more intensive services and support. The average stay at this level of care is six to nine months.

"Expanding Oregon’s secure residential infrastructure is vital to ensuring that young people with complex behavioral health challenges receive the right level of care in a safe, therapeutic environment," said Jessie Eagan, OHA child and family behavioral health manager.

The Nexus project is among a wave of new facilities for youth behavioral health treatment statewide that started in 2024 and will continue through 2027.

OHA invested $6.8 million for the development of two private residential treatment facilities (PRTF) for youth through House Bill 5024 (2021):

• Madrona Recovery Center Inc., Washington County, 18 beds, $2.2 million, completed in February 2024.
• Community Counseling Solutions, Morrow County, 14 beds, $4.6 million, anticipated to open in October or November 2027.

Two additional facilities for youth are in development:

• Looking Glass is receiving a total of $11.5 million from OHA to complete projects in Lane County for youth. Of that total, $5.2 million from House Bill 5025 (2025) and $1.5 million from House Bill 5030 (2025) is for the development of a 12-bed SIP facility. The remaining funds will help move and renovate their youth Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Network (BHRN) program. Anticipated completion is July 2027.
• Live. Grow. Share. is receiving $2.1 million from House Bill 5030 (2025) for the development of a 10-bed children's psychiatric residential treatment home. Anticipated project completion is December 2028.

Oregon will exceed its goal for a total of 268 youth psychiatric treatment facility beds in 2026 and expects to reach a total of 311 by December 2027. This increased capacity provides more timely and appropriate help and support to youth who need psychiatric residential treatment.

The Nexus project was funded through a $3 million grant as part of House Bill 5024 (2021).

“The opening of this campus is a testament to the dedication of the many individuals who worked tirelessly to bring this project to life,” said Toni Miller, executive director at Nexus. “For the youth we serve, healing requires more than treatment alone. Every aspect of this environment was intentionally designed to support healing, learning, growth, and long-term stability. This campus reflects our commitment to partnering with the state to restore hope and help reshape the futures of Oregon’s youth.”

Like other SIP programs, access to the Nexus facility will be managed by OHA. Nexus began accepting youth ages 10-17 on Sept. 2.

The increase in youth behavioral health capacity is happening at a time when the adult system is also experiencing significant growth, adding 1,660 licensed residential treatment beds to Oregon's continuum of care – a more than 45% increase in capacity. Of those, 1,067 are already open and serving Oregonians today, with 593 more scheduled to open within the next two and a half years. The state was the primary investor in 960 of the beds.

About Nexus

Nexus Family Healing operates specialized residential and community-based mental health services for youth and families in Portland and Eugene.

About OHA

Oregon Health Authority works to improve the lifelong health and well-being of all people in Oregon by expanding access to quality health care, strengthening behavioral health services, advancing public health, and reducing health inequities.

For behavioral health resources and information on OHA’s child and family initiatives, visit https://www.oregon.gov/oha/HSD/BH-Child-Family/Pages/index.aspx

###

The Multnomah Education Service District Board Policy Committee will meet at 12:00 p.m. on September 11, 2026. 
This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom.

https://multnomahesd-org.zoom.us/j/89217434552?pwd=7wJAp4yef3UwzYa7BZIu3N7MdXd2uB.1
Passcode:974408

VANCOUVER, Wash. – Re-Imagined Radio continues its experimental soundscapes Workshops series this month with “In Progress,” premiering at 1 p.m. on Sept. 21.  
 
This installment invites listeners to become active participants, creating their own stories and meanings from a carefully curated collection of sounds gathered from North America and beyond. The episode weaves together recordings of industry, weather, travel, technology and everyday life, from the clanging of a pile driver on a waterfront pier in Victoria, Canada, to the strange, melodic sounds of electromagnetic radiation captured by spacecraft exploring our solar system. 
 
Part of Re-Imagined Radio’s ongoing Workshop series, the episode encourages active listening and explores how sound alone can inspire imagination, reflection and storytelling. Listeners are invited on an auditory journey designed to inspire, refresh and spark new ways of hearing the world around them. 

The theme and title for the episode was inspired by the work and philosophy of avant-garde composer John Cage, whose famous composition “4:33” challenged audiences to listen more closely to the sounds around them and consider everyday noise as part of the listening experience. 
 
“The performer is instructed to sit at an instrument without playing a single intentional note for the duration of the piece,” said John F. Barber, producer of Re-Imagined Radio and faculty member in the digital technology and culture program at Washington State University Vancouver. “The ‘music’ of the performance is the ambient, accidental sounds occurring in the room at the time of the ‘performance.’” 
 
As with the previous Workshop episode, Barber begins with an imagined scene designed to spark listeners' creativity. He describes townspeople gathering at sunrise in a festival tent for a shared meal before inviting audiences to continue the story themselves through the sounds that follow. The episode encourages listeners to imagine their own narratives and discover meaning within a rich tapestry of sounds from distant places, everyday environments and unexpected sources. 
 
About Re-Imagined Radio 

Created in 2013 by Barber, Re-Imagined Radio explores sound-based storytelling across genres including drama, comedy, documentary and sound art. Through performances, broadcasts, streaming, podcasts and social media, the program reimagines radio storytelling for contemporary audiences. 

New episodes premiere on the third Monday of each month. Re-Imagined Radio episodes air on KXRW-FM (99.9) in Vancouver, KXRY-FM (91.1 and 107.1) in Portland, and KNOM-AM (780) in Nome, Alaska. Listening links and an archive of past episodes are available at reimaginedradio.fm, which also features Re-Imagined Radio EXTRA, offering additional sound-based storytelling between monthly episodes. 

About WSU Vancouver 

WSU Vancouver is one of six campuses of Washington State University and the only four-year research university in Southwest Washington. The campus offers undergraduate and graduate programs that support workforce development, innovation and economic growth through strong partnerships with businesses, industries and community organizations. 

# # # 

PORTLAND, Ore. (Sept. 8, 2026) ~As students head back to school and face new academic, social and personal pressures, Kaiser Permanente is reminding parents and caregivers to be aware of how young people may cope with stress, including turning to substances that can be easy to access and are often marketed in ways that make them appear harmless.

Health care teams are increasingly concerned about kratom and concentrated kratom-derived products, as well as vaping and nicotine products and sweetened, ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages. Colorful packaging, appealing flavors, social media marketing and wellness-focused branding can make these products especially attractive to kids, teens and young adults while obscuring the risks of addiction and other health consequences. Some young people may also turn to substances as a way to manage anxiety or stress, potentially delaying appropriate treatment and worsening symptoms.

“Many of these products don't look like what we traditionally think of as an addictive substance,” said Dr. Sudheer Earanky, addiction medicine specialist with Kaiser Permanente Northwest. “They may look like a colorful drink, a wellness product or something that will help you relax after a stressful day. Young people and their parents need to understand that the way a product is marketed doesn't tell you whether it is safe. If someone is using a substance to manage anxiety or stress, that's an important signal that they may need support for the underlying issue.”

Kratom products, including highly concentrated products containing 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, can have opioid-like effects and may lead to dependence and withdrawal. They can be sold as shots, gummies, tablets and drink mixes and may be available at convenience stores, gas stations and smoke shops. Doctors recommend that parents talk openly with young people about products they see or use, look beyond “natural” or wellness claims, and pay attention to whether a substance is being used to cope with anxiety, stress or sleep problems. Changes in mood, sleep, school performance or social behavior can also be signs that a young person is struggling.

Interviews available:

Dr. Earanky is available for interviews via Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Contact en.a.vitt@kp.org">Karen Vitt to schedule.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.9 million members in 9 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

Explore history through a modern-day lens

Vancouver, WA-- The Historic Trust Speakers Series presented by University Village will begin a series of three public talks on Thursday, September 24.

This year’s speakers are part of the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, and their topics showcase three fascinating talks at the intersection of history, fashion, and technology.

September 24 - Hidden Layers: Women’s Undergarments and How They’ve Shaped Ladies’ Liberties, with Diane Johnston; Diane Johnston is a theatrical costume designer who has spent the past 35 years creating costumes for a variety of productions throughout the region. She holds an MFA in costume design and is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Diane lives in Stanwood.

October 15 - Doomscrolling Detox: Finding Your Balance in the Digital Age, with T. Andrew Wahl; T. Andrew Wahl has worked in journalism and media communication across Washington state, earning awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, National Federation of Press Women, United Nations, and others. Wahl is tenured faculty at Everett Community College where he teaches journalism, media literacy, and comics studies. Andrew lives in Stanwood.

November 12 - Permanent Ink: Why We Still Love Print in the Digital Age with Geoffrey Turnovsky; Geoffrey Turnovsky is professor of French at the University of Washington. His teaching and research focus on the cultural history of early modern France and Europe, and the history of print, books, authorship, and reading. He is the author of Reading Typographically: Immersed in Print in Early Modern France. Geoffrey lives in Seattle.

These talks are free and open to the public, but reservations are required as seating is limited. Reservations will open approximately one month before the presentation and can be found online in the Historic Trust Events Calendar. Talks will take place at the Red Cross Building, 605 Barnes St. Vancouver, WA 98661 from 6:00pm-8:00pm, and doors open at 5:30pm.

About University Village and Koelsch Senior Communities

Koelsch Communities is a third-generation, family-owned and operated senior living provider. For over 65 years, Koelsch Communities has led the industry in Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care. Known for its first-class service, holistic care model, and an employee-centric company culture, Koelsch provides the finest living and working experiences anywhere as ladies and gentlemen, serving ladies and gentlemen. Koelsch believes in the innovative programs that make aging well possible, and building a strong foundation of safety with the latest in security and technology. The company’s University Village campus in Southwest Washington spans 13 acres and offers a vibrant, lifelong learning lifestyle supported by amenities including a fitness center, resort-style pool, greenhouse, pickleball courts, movie theater and more. Learn more about University Village and their services at: https://koelschseniorcommunities.com/. To learn more about the Fall Speakers Series or to make reservations, please visit: https://www.thehistorictrust.org/calendar/ or call 360-992-1800.

2026 Board on Public Safety Standards & Training

 and Policy Committee

Open Vacancy – Recruitments

The Board on Public Safety Standards & Training (BPSST) and established Policy Committees have open vacancies looking to be filled. The current vacancies are as follows:

BPSST: All Board applications must be submitted through Workday.com and are reviewed on a rolling basis

• One member who is an administrator of a municipality recommended to the Governor by the executive body of the League of Oregon Cities
• One member who is part of a marginalized or historically underrepresented community
• One member who is a representative of the collective bargaining unit that represents the largest number of individual workers in the DOC

Policy Committees: All Policy Committee applications must be submitted by September 18, 2026.

Corrections Policy Committee:

• One non-management corrections officer employed by the DOC
• One public member who has never been employed or utilized as a corrections officer

Police Policy Committee:

• One person recommended by and representing the Oregon State Sheriffs' Association
• One non-management law enforcement officer
• One non-management law enforcement officer

Private Security/Investigator Policy Committee:

• One person representing unarmed private security professionals
• One person representing the manufacturing industry
• One person representing the retail industry
• One person representing the hospitality industry
• One person representing the public who has never been employed or utilized as a private security provider or investigator

Private Investigator Subcommittee:

• One currently licensed private investigator

Telecommunications Policy Committee:

• One person recommended by and representing a statewide association of public safety communications officers
• One person representing Emergency Medical Services & Trauma 

To inquire about a vacancy, please visit Department of Public Safety Standards & Training : Board on Public Safety Standards & Training and Policy Committees : Boards and Committees : State of Oregon.

If interested in applying for a Policy Committee position, please complete and submit the Policy Committee Interest Form found under the ‘Board and Committee Resources’ section of the website listed above.

If interested in applying for a BPSST position, please complete the online application at Workday Board and Commission Opportunities. (Please note that an account may need to be created if not already in Workday)

For further information regarding the Board on Public Safety Standards and Training or its respective Policy Committees, please contact Juan Lopez at (503) 551-3167 or juan.lopez-hernandez@dpsst.oregon.gov.

Thank you,

DPSST Board & Committees Staff

OREGON CITY – Clackamas Community College contributed $328 million in added income to the Clackamas County economy in fiscal year 2023-24 and supported 3,762 jobs, according to a new economic impact report examining the college’s role in the regional and state economies.

The impact was equal to approximately 1.2% of the county’s gross regional product. Put another way, one out of every 70 jobs in Clackamas County was supported by the college and its students.

The report, prepared by labor market analytics firm Lightcast using fiscal year 2023-24 data, measures the impact of college operations, student spending and the increased earnings of CCC alumni and the businesses that employ them.

“Clackamas Community College changes lives, but its impact extends well beyond our classrooms,” CCC President Tim Cook said. “When our students gain skills, earn degrees and certificates, and work family-wage jobs, not only do local employers gain the skilled workforce they need, but our entire community benefits. This report shows that investing in CCC is an investment in the future of Clackamas County.”

CCC’s total annual impact includes:

• $225.4 million from the increased earnings of CCC alumni and the businesses they work for, supporting 2,513 jobs.
• $88.1 million from college payroll and other operating expenses, supporting 1,028 jobs.
• $14.5 million from the spending of students who relocated to or remained in Clackamas County to attend CCC, supporting 220 jobs.

The report also found a strong return on investment for students, taxpayers and the broader community. For every dollar students invest in their CCC education, they gain $4.50 in higher lifetime earnings. Taxpayers receive $1.20 in added tax revenue and public-sector savings, and society gains $6 in added income and social savings.

At the statewide level, Oregon’s 17 community colleges added $11 billion to the state economy in fiscal year 2023-24, equal to 3.7% of Oregon’s gross state product. Together, they supported 120,140 jobs — one out of every 23 jobs in the state. The colleges served 125,399 credit students and 77,494 noncredit students during the year.

For more information about the results of this study, visit www.clackamas.edu/economic-impact.

-30-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

Salem to Host First of Three Town Halls on Data Centers: Feedback Sought on Community Priorities
 

Salem, Ore. — The first of three City of Salem town halls focused on data centers and their impact on the community takes place this month. Join the conversation on Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 5-7 p.m. at Broadway Commons or provide your input to the Data Center Task Force anytime at our Data Center Community Survey.

On both Sept. 15 and Oct. 6, town hall participants will be invited to share suggestions for data center water usage, noise, job creation and electricity consumption, as well as other topic areas. Charged with developing a proposal for managing data centers in Salem, the Task Force will present its recommendations to the Salem City Council in December. The town halls serve as an opportunity for Salem’s Data Center Task Force to engage directly with residents and stakeholders to collect feedback and information on how to best manage future data centers in Salem. Input gathered will help shape the Task Force’s understanding of the community’s priorities and guide their recommendations to City Council.

Through Oct. 9, the Task Force is also collecting input through a data center community survey. The survey invites input and ideas for City action on same topical areas discussed at the town halls, allowing community members to provide valuable feedback remotely. The survey is available Spanish as well as English.

At the Oct. 20 town hall, the Task Force will seek community input on its draft recommendations.  

More about Data Center Town Halls:

• Sept. 15, 5-7 p.m.
  • Ideas and input for City action on data centers
  • Broadway Commons
    1300 Broadway St. NE
    Grant/Highland Room
     
• Oct. 6, 3:30-5:30 p.m.
  • Ideas and input for City action on data centers
    Center 50+
    2615 Portland Rd NE
     
• Oct. 20, 5-7 p.m.
  • Input on draft Task Force recommendations
  • Scottish Rite Center
    4090 Commercial St SE

More about Salem’s Data Center Task Force.  Formed at Salem City Council’s direction on July 27, the Task Force is charged with facilitating a minimum of three town hall discussions to engage the community on the topic of data centers. The goal of the Task Force is to develop a principle-driven approach to managing data center growth that balances economic, environmental and community interests. The Task Force will meet to consider community input and draft its recommendations. The Task Force’s proposal will appear on the Dec. 7 Salem City Council meeting agenda.
 

The City of Salem encourages all interested residents and stakeholders to participate in this important conversation about the future of data centers in Salem. More information on the City’s work concerning data centers can be found on the City’s website.

Español a continuación

BENTON COUNTY, Ore.— As children return to classrooms and daycare across Benton County, the Health Department reminds schools and caregivers of declining childhood vaccination rates across the state and county. The Health Department encourages families to follow the recommended childhood and adolescent immunization schedule to avoid school exclusion and to help protect students, families, staff, and the community from serious illness.

In June, the Health Department reported a downward trend in school-required vaccination rates across both the State and County and that “more students than ever are attending school without some or all required vaccines.” With schools resuming after the busy months of summer, the department wants to remind folks of the risks associated with this decline.

When vaccine rates decline, the risk of outbreaks of diseases like measles and pertussis (whooping cough) increases. These diseases spread quickly in schools and childcare programs.

“Lots of families travel during the summer, said Luv Paresa, RN, immunization coordinator for Benton County Health Department. “When staff and children return to classrooms and childcare facilities in the fall, it’s not uncommon for illness to spread quickly.”

“Now is a great time to ensure our children and the community is protected by getting kids and teens up to date on recommended and required vaccines,” Paresa said.

Local Risk and School Immunization Rates

According to the Health Department, the current vaccination rates are not high enough to maintain community immunity. Community immunity, sometimes called herd immunity, means that enough people in a group or area have immunity to a germ (for instance, a virus) that it no longer spreads easily.

While most families in Benton County continue to choose vaccination to protect themselves, schools vary in their vaccination rates.

“The most current vaccination rates are not high enough to prevent measles outbreaks,” said Carolina Amador, M.D., health officer and pediatrician for Benton County Health Services. “We encourage families to look at the rates in their schools to better understand person and community risk."

School-specific immunization rates are available through OHA’s School Immunization Data Dashboard.

School Exclusion During an Outbreak

Under Oregon law, students who are not fully vaccinated may be excluded from school or childcare during an outbreak. This helps protect them and prevent the disease from spreading. 

Exclusions can last from several days to several weeks, depending on the disease. For example, during a measles outbreak, students who are not vaccinated must stay home for at least 21 days. Missing school can disrupt learning, activities, and family schedules.

Get Ready for the School Year

The start of the school year is a great time for parents and caregivers to check their children’s vaccine statuses and update their records to avoid school exclusion. Benton County Health Department encourages people to:

• Check which vaccines are required for school and childcare.
• Review child vaccine records.
• Schedule any needed vaccine appointments.

• Ask questions about school vaccine requirements and other recommended vaccines.

If children need vaccines, contact their doctor or call Benton County Health Department at 541-766-6835. Their Public Health Immunization Clinic at 530 NW 27^th Street, Corvallis is open Monday – Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. The clinic offers longer appointment times and helps locate and update complex vaccine records such as out of state or international records.

For more information, visit Benton County’s immunizations webpage where you can find an easy-to-read, printable flyer of the school-required vaccine schedule in both English and Spanish.

---

Benton County Health Department

The Benton County Health Department is committed to protecting the health and well-being of everyone who lives in, works in, or visits Benton County. The Benton County Health Department focuses on preventing health problems before they occur. Their programs strive to create community conditions that help reduce health disparities, so all people have an equal chance for a long and healthy life.

###

Beaverton Police are investigating a series of events that ended with a traffic crash on SW Allen Boulevard and a Beaverton man suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The investigation began at approximately 4:28 p.m. on September 5, 2026, when officers responded to a crash on SW Allen Boulevard between SW 141st Avenue and SW Murray Boulevard. Officers located a black 2010 Volkswagen Routan minvan that had left the roadway and struck a tree. The driver, a Beaverton man in his 20s, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition after suffering a self-inflicted gunshot wound following the crash.

As officers investigated, they learned the events leading to the crash began earlier that morning. Investigators learned the man had been involved in a domestic disturbance with his significant other at a Beaverton area apartment complex, during which he allegedly pointed a gun at his significant other. Beaverton Police were not called to the disturbance when it occurred, and the two separated afterward.

Later that afternoon, the man was driving the Volkswagen when he was involved in multiple traffic crashes along SW Davis Road and SW Allen Boulevard. The series of crashes ended when the Volkswagen left the roadway on SW Allen Boulevard and struck a tree at approximately 4:28 p.m. Investigators believe alcohol was a contributing factor in the crashes.

After the final crash, investigators determined the man shot himself. Emergency medical personnel transported him to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

SW Allen Boulevard was closed in both directions between SW 141st Avenue and SW Murray Boulevard for several hours yesterday while officers investigated the crash and surrounding circumstances.

The man’s identity is not being released due to the nature and circumstances of the incident. The investigation remains ongoing. No additional information is available for release at this time.

###

Vancouver Fire Department Responds to Residential Structure Fire on NE 35th Street

VANCOUVER, Wash. — September 6, 2026 — At approximately 7:32 p.m. Sunday, September 6, Vancouver Fire Department crews were dispatched to a report of a house fire at 15800 NE 35th Street in Vancouver, Washington.

Vancouver Fire responded with 9 apparatus and 25 firefighters. Upon arrival, firefighters found a well-involved fire in a two-story residence, with flames billowing from both the front and back of the home.

Firefighters immediately began an aggressive fire attack while simultaneously searching the residence for potential occupants. Crews were able to bring the fire under control in less than 35 minutes.

Firefighters searched the home and no one was found inside. No injuries were reported.

Vancouver Fire Department Fire Marshals are on scene conducting an investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

Fire Safety Reminder

A working smoke alarm can provide the early warning needed to escape a house fire safely. Vancouver Fire Department reminds residents to:

• Make sure smoke alarms are installed on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.
• Test smoke alarms regularly and replace batteries when needed.
• Create and practice a home fire escape plan with everyone in your household. Know two ways out of every room when possible.
• Get outside and stay outside if a fire occurs. Never go back inside a burning home.
• Call 911 immediately from a safe location if you discover a fire.

MYRTLE CREEK, Ore. - On Saturday, September 5, 2026, at approximately 10:40 p.m., deputies with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a reported burglary in progress at a residence located in the 1000-block of North Gazley Road in Myrtle Creek. The caller advised there were two males inside the residence at the location and a female associated with a black 2007 Honda Fit who fled after she was confronted. 

While responding, deputies located the Honda Fit and conducted a traffic stop. Deputies detained the driver, 45-year-old Amber Leigh Cates of Canyonville. She was later taken into custody. 

Upon arrival, deputies contacted the victim who reported that there had been two males were inside the residence. The victim advised that one male had fled on foot while the second was possibly still inside. 

K9 Zoro was deployed inside the residence after numerous announcements were made that the canine would be searching the residence and instructing anyone inside to surrender. There was no response. 

K9 Zoro conducted a search of the residence and did not locate anyone inside. Deputies then began searching the surrounding property for the fleeing suspects. 

K9 Zoro led his handler to a large field and began tracking north. After a short distance, Zoro showed a strong interest in an area of tall grass, indicating the presence of fresh human scent. Zoro continued tracking, eventually turning east. 

After approximately 15 yards, a male later identified as 50-year-old Tommy Coggswell of Canyonville, suddenly stood up from the tall grass with his hands raised. K9 Zoro began barking at Coggswell until deputies took him into custody without further incident. 

Deputies and K9 Zoro continued searching the area for the second male suspect, but he was not located. 

Cates and Coggswell were transported to the Douglas County Jail where they were lodged on the following charges: 

Cates: 

• Conspiracy to Commit a Class C Felony
• Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine

Coggswell: 

• Burglary in the Second Degree

The investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information should call 541-440-4471 referencing case #26-2801. Additional case updates will be released when they become available. 

​The Sheriff's Office was assisted by Officers from the Myrtle Creek and Cow Creek Tribal Police Departments. 

K9 Zoro, a 8-year-old German Shepherd, has been with the Douglas County Sheriff's Office since September 2019. He was purchased by an anonymous donor in the community and gifted to the agency. The Sheriff's Office K9 program, consisting of three Patrol K9 teams and 1 narcotics K9 team, is supported financially by private donations and the Friends of Umpqua Valley Police K9 Programs, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support local police K9 teams. 

Tigard Police are investigating a homicide at an apartment complex where a woman was shot and killed. 
 

At 7:56 PM on Friday, September 4, 2026, officers were dispatched to an assault with a weapon call in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 9000 block of SW Washington Square Road. Witnesses reported seeing a man shoot a woman before leaving the scene on foot. 

Despite lifesaving measures that were attempted at the scene, the victim did not survive. 

A suspect was quickly located nearby and arrested. He has been identified as ​Christopher Fisher, age 42. He was booked into the Washington County Jail on charges of second-degree murder and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Detectives are continuing to investigate, and there is no ongoing threat to the community at this time. The victim is not being identified until next of kin are notified.

###